News briefs

Big Basin general plan in the works
California State Parks is working on a general plan for future park management of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek. Park leaders hosted a public meeting in February to review the plan and will host another from noon to 4 p.m. March 26 at Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, in Felton. Participants at the meeting will look at the preferred alternative based on recommendations from the February meeting in terms of resource preservation, park management and future development.
For information: www.parks.ca.gov/BigBasinGP
Valley Christmas donations approach $600,000
Valley Churches United Missions announced last month that donations for the 2010 Valley Christmas project totaled $598,297. Cash donations were $307,565; food donations totaled $107,816; and gifts were valued at $156,901. Administrative costs for the project during the holidays were $31,013 (5.2 percent), with the majority, $12,725, going toward printing and mailing.
Volunteer hours during the holidays totaled 7,450 hours and included 5,874 hours by unpaid staff at the Ben Lomond pantry and various holiday events. A highlight was the school food drives, which netted $25,547 worth of food. The annual Grand Can award, given to the schools that collected the most food, went to Vine Hill Elementary School and San Lorenzo Valley High School.
Kindergarten registration begins
Boulder Creek Elementary School has begun to register kindergartners for the 2011-12 school year. Parents of children who will have celebrated their fifth birthday by Dec. 2 can pick up the registration packet from the school office, 400 West Lomond St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on school days through the end of May.
Kindergarten tours are available by appointment.
For information: Margaret Zavaroni, 338-6413.
Talent contest looking for contestants
The Exchange Club of Scotts Valley seeks talented young people in first through 12th grades to compete in the annual Search for Talent at 2 p.m. March 19 at the Bethany University Theater, 800 Bethany Drive, in Scotts Valley.
No audition is required, but there is a $10 registration fee, and performers must sign up in advance. The winner will be given an expense allowance to travel to the regional competition.
For information: Claire Hodgin, 439-1000 or cl****@mu*******.com.
Poets wanted for SLV reading
Felton Library Friends invites San Lorenzo Valley residents to submit original poems on the theme “heroes and heroines” for the seventh annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading.
Santa Cruz Poet Laureate Gary Young will choose poems in four age categories to be read at the SLV Poetry Reading on April 27 at Felton Community Hall.
Entries must be submitted by April 6 by e-mail to fe******************@gm***.com or by post to Felton Library Friends, P.O. Box 1245, Felton, CA 95018.
For information: 335-9553.
Prom dress giveaway announced
Classic Cleaners’ annual prom dress giveaway days will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 at the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center, 303 Walnut Ave., in Santa Cruz; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9 at Casa de la Cultura, 225 Salinas Road, in Pajaro.
Donated prom dresses have been cleaned and refurbished and will be given to local teens so they can save money when it comes time for prom.
For information: Classic Cleaners, 423-2630.