News briefs

Circus returns to Scotts Valley
The American Crown Circus is making its annual stop in Scotts Valley this month.
The traveling circus — run by the fifth-generation Osorio family — includes a magic show, trapeze artists, juggling and clowns.
There will be three shows at Skypark in Scotts Valley, 361 Kings Village Road. The shows are at 7 p.m. May 22, a Wednesday, and 5 and 7 p.m. May 23, a Thursday. 
The Osorio family tours the country with the circus, which was originally founded in 1927.
The performers come from around the globe, including Jenni, a trapeze artist from China; Alicia, a wire walking artist from Mexico; and Alex from Argentina, who twirls with a 3-D cube.
The Osorio family also has two circuses in Mexico.
Admission is $18 for adults, and two children younger than age 12 are admitted with each paying adult with a coupon. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, 360 Kings Village Road.
For information: www.americancrowncircus.com
 
Nature Academy seeks votes for gardening grant
The San Lorenzo Valley Nature Academy at San Lorenzo Valley High School has entered the Seeds of Change Share the Good grant program and requires online votes to help win the grant.
The school has a chance to receive a $25,000 or $10,000 grant to support community-based gardening and farming programs at the school.
If it wins the grant, according to lead teacher Carter Milhous, the school will connect with SLV elementary, middle and high schools by providing more fresh vegetables to the school cafeterias.
One vote per day, per person can be made at www.sharethegoodgrant.com.
After voting closes on May 17, the top 50 organizations will move on to the final judging phase, which will be decided on or around June 4.
 
Homeless leadership group forms
A group of 28 people has formed to address homelessness in Santa Cruz County following the Smart Solutions to Homelessness Summit, which was attended by 250 county residents in December.
The group is temporarily chaired by Santa Cruz City Councilman Don Lane and vice-chaired by Watsonville Vice Mayor Karina Cervantez.
The group’s goals, as stated in a press release this week, are to create a broader and more diverse community engagement on homelessness, develop better communication and coordination among those concerned about the issues, improve understanding of the realities of homelessness in the county, share information about proven, successful models and solutions and, finally, develop a shared vision for change and agreed-upon action steps.
The group’s ultimate goal is to reduce and end homelessness in the county using evidence-based methods that are cost-effective and produce measurable results. 
For information, call Jessica Wolf, a community organizer with United Way of Santa Cruz, at 465-2203.
 
Businesses sought to support libraries
The Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries has launched a business sponsorship program to support activities at local libraries.
Businesses can choose from four sponsorship levels — $10,000, $5,000, $1,000 or $500 — each of which comes with specific signing bonuses, such as use of the sponsor’s logo on the digital displays at the libraries.
Two Scotts Valley companies, Digital Dynamics and Morgan Stanley, were among the first three businesses to sign up.
For information: Emily Huscher, 427-7707, ext. 7796.
 
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