News briefs

Underage drinking forum in Santa Cruz
A community forum to address underage drinking in Santa Cruz County will be from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 26, a Wednesday, at Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Ave., in Santa Cruz.
The forum, hosted by Project C.U.R.B., will share new data about drinking in the county, share accomplishments and identify the next steps for the community and key stakeholders. James F. Mosher, a national alcohol policy expert, will speak about local, state and national efforts that have effectively addressed binge drinking.
Anyone from the community is invited to attend.
College information for county students
Dr. Sally Springer, associate chancellor emerita of University of California, Davis, and co-author of the book “Admission Matters,” will speak about college planning and the admission process next week.
Her presentation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at Santa Cruz High School’s auditorium.
Benefit concert planned
A benefit concert for Isaiah Harvey Farrimond, a local 12-year-old who was born with autism, albinism and severe gastrointestinal disorder, will be Friday, Oct. 14, at Don Quixote’s, 6275 Highway 9, in Felton.
The concert will feature local band Shady Groove, along with a raffle to raise money to pay for Isaiah’s treatment and medical visits. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $15 at the door.
Volunteers needed to give tax help
Santa Cruz Community Ventures, the nonprofit affiliate of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, seeks volunteers to participate in a free tax-help program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.
VITA helps low-income families prepare their tax returns and find out if they qualify for tax credits. Last year, volunteers helped 504 families and brought $768,265 in tax refunds into the county. No professional experience is necessary, as training will be provided. The program runs from January to mid-April.
For information: Jena Altstatt, 460-2346 or je***********@sc***.org.
Coat drive in full force
The Girl Scouts of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz will host their annual coat drive in October. The community drop-off is from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St., in Santa Cruz. The Scouts are collecting new and gently used coats of all sizes, which will be given to groups that serve people in need in the county.
For information: ch**********@gm***.com