News Briefs

Hospice seeks volunteers
Hospice of Santa Cruz County seeks mature, compassionate men and women to become grief support volunteers.
Volunteers provide one-on-one support or lead grief support groups. Training and support is provided at the hospice’s Scotts Valley office, and bilingual and bicultural volunteers are especially needed. Volunteers are asked to commit two to four hours per week after the training and will receive ongoing support and continuing education.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 1.
For information: www.hospicesantacruz.org
Burn ban continues
Because of dry conditions since early December, Cal Fire has continued to ban outdoor burning. The burn ban was put in place Dec. 26 and will remain until there is significant rainfall throughout the area.
Cal Fire officials say that recent sampling has found that moisture levels in vegetation are at a critical stage. In the early 1960s, similar conditions resulted in several January wildland fires that burned several thousand acres in San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. The Santa Cruz Unit of Cal Fire reports having responded to 33 wildland fires in December and January.
College opens central ticket office
Cabrillo College has opened a new centralized ticket office for spring theater events.
Starting Feb. 9, the box office will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive.
Online tickets are also sold in advance at www.cabrillovapa.com, by phone at 479-6154 or in person at the box office an hour before events.
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