News briefs

Winter carnival raises $5,200
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School students, parents and teachers raised $5,200 by creating and running booths that sold food, drinks, crafts and games.
Half the money was then donated to Valley Churches United Missions to help local families in need.
The carnival is organized by the school’s leadership class under the supervision of teacher Claire Hackett. Students learned hand-son what it takes to create and implement a successful business model and able to experience the joy of giving during the holiday season.
Hackett represented the school and delivered the check for $2,600 to VCUM on Friday, Dec. 20 after the carnival.
County offers free Christmas tree recycling
Residents of Santa Cruz County can take advantage of several free ways to dispose of Christmas trees after the holidays.
Countywide, trees will be picked up at the curb for garbage service customers on their regular collection days the week of Monday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 10. Customers of GreenWaste Recovery will be able to dispose of their trees curbside between Thursday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Jan. 17.
Trees should be cut into sections no longer than 3 feet for curbside pickup. All ornaments and decoration should be removed, and frocked trees will not be accepted.
Special tree drop-off bins will available between Thursday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 19. They will be located at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, as well as the fire department headquarters in Felton, Boulder Creek, and Scotts Valley.
For more information, visit www.santacruzcountyrecycles.org
Library system debuts online digital access
On Monday, Dec. 16, the Santa Cruz Public Library System announced a partnership with Digital Hoopla to enable library card carriers to access thousands of movies, television shows, music, and audiobooks via online or mobile devices.
Library card holders can download an app to Android and iOS devices, or visit www.hoopladigital.com, to stream or temporarily download content.
For more information, visit www.santacruzpl.org
Cabrillo College adds classes to SV satellite campus
Cabrillo College recently announced that classes in Health Science and Hatha Yoga would be available to students at the Scotts Valley campus, located at 104 Whispering Pines Drive for the Spring 2014 semester.
The new classes are in addition to the existing courses in English, math, medical terminology, and U.S. Government.
For more information, visit www.cabrillo.edu.
The Santa Cruz County Elections Department announced that persons who plan to run for public office in the June 3, 2014 primary election can take out petitions for signatures to cover part or all of the cost of filing to run beginning on Friday, Dec. 27.
According to a press release, filing fees for various offices vary according to the candidate’s annual income. Part, or all of the fees can be waived with enough signatures to an In-Lieu Petition.
The county elections office — located at 701 Ocean Street, Room 210 in Santa Cruz — will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 27 for candidates to collect the petition paperwork. All forms must be submitted by Thursday, Feb. 20.
For more information, visit www.votescount.com