News Briefs

Library group urges more library usage
Felton Library Friends, faced with a reduction of hours at the Felton branch, is urging residents to “use it or lose it.”
After the countywide library system board cut hours and positions to close a budget gap, leaving the Felton branch open only eight hours a week, the Friends group said it received numerous inquiries about what to do.
“Despite the inconvenience of the current hours, use the Felton branch as much as possible,” the Friends steering committee said in a statement.
“Designate Felton as the pickup location for your online requests. ‘Use it or lose it’ is as true today as when the branch was threatened with closure in 2005.”
The branch is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Friends urge that the hours be changed on one day to 3 to 7 p.m. so more working people can visit.
The group also advises that concerns be voiced to new library director Teresa Landers and board chairwoman Barbara Gorson.
Time for Saturdoon
Saturdoon, the monthly local market for Bonny Doon residents, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Bonny Doon Elementary School, with a theme of Kids in Business.
Children younger than 16 can rent a booth for $5.
Local vendors offer wares including organic produce, local coffee, art and homemade foods.
For information: www.saturdoon.com.
Alcohol, drug body seeks to fill vacancies
The Santa Cruz County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission is looking for two representatives of either Scotts Valley or San Lorenzo Valley to fill vacancies.
Supervisor Mark Stone will make the appointments to the 10-member board that advises the board of supervisors and county departments on alcohol and drug issues.
For information: Bill Manov, 454-4220.
Emergency dispatchers agree to delay raises, take furloughs
Dispatchers at the countywide Santa Cruz Consolidated Emergency Communications Center will postpone scheduled salary increases and each take an unpaid 72-hour furlough to help balance the center’s budget.
The agreement by unionized employees of the 9-1-1 center will prevent the planned layoff of two dispatchers, according to Scotty Douglass, general manager.
Earlier, nonunion employees agreed to furloughs of 80 hours to 120 hours. The center, financed by emergency agencies in the county, has been forced to reduce its budget by 10 percent because of the member agencies’ budget cuts.
SLV alumni plan all-class reunion
An all-class reunion is scheduled for Aug. 1 for alumni of San Lorenzo Valley High School.
The SLV Alumni Association is organizing a no-host barbecue at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton.
The barbecue will be from noon to 2 p.m. and will cost $15 for association members and $20 for other graduates.
Reservations must be received by July 20.
For information: Julie Brazil, 336-2223; or www.slvalumni.com.
Skate night to benefit MCR
Mountain Community Resources will receive proceeds from a skate night “fun raiser” at Scotts Valley Sports Center, 251 Kings Village Road, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 11.
Admission is $6 and will help nonprofit MCR operate its family-oriented programs throughout San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley.
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