News Briefs: Don’t travel without a lunch

Scotts Valley-based Empty Nest Travel Club will host a free light lunch and travel talk at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road.
Details of the four 2010 trips — “Discover Sedona,” “Branson Musical Getaway,” “Discover Switzerland, Austria and Bavaria with Oberammergau’s Passion Play,” and Full Foliage New England” — will be discussed.
For information: Barbara Lockwood, 234-0973; or click here.
Cabrillo hosts college, career night
College-bound Santa Cruz County students and their parents can meet with representatives from more than 60 colleges and universities from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Aptos High School.
The College and Career Night 2009 will include Cabrillo instructors and career counselors, and financial aid counselors will have workshops on how to apply for money for school.
For information: 477-5650.
BC library hosts town hall meeting
Boulder Creek Library will host Teresa Landers, new Santa Cruz County library director, next week at 13390 W. Park Ave. in Boulder Creek.
Those who attend can meet Landers between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. A town hall meeting to help the library system develop a strategic plan will follow from 7 to 9 p.m.
For information: 420-5612.
Writing contest winners to come next week
Winners of the Press-Banner serial writing contest will be announced in next Friday’s edition of the newspaper. The paper will announce the winners and will publish each installment of the winning story in consecutive issues.
The Press-Banner staff expressed thanks for entrants’ patience as judges read the stories, Editor Peter Burke said.
Proposals needed to save trees
Save the Redwoods League will accept research proposals from universities, schools, nonprofits and public charities interested in advancing knowledge of coastal redwood and giant sequoia trees, forests and ecosystems.
Grant candidates can apply for as much as $15,000.
For information: click here.
County parks want vendors
The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks seeks local vendors for its Holiday Art and Craft Faire on Dec. 5 at the Simpkins Family Swim Center in Live Oak.
All artists are encouraged to apply.
Participation fees are between $45 and $60, depending on booth size. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 26.
To apply, visit www.scparks.com and click on the Special Events tab, or e-mail prc123scparks.com.
For information: 454-7930.
Water treatment project breaks ground
Construction of a water treatment plant, partly paid for with a $1.62 million federal stimulus grant, is scheduled to be complete by June 2010.
Since 2005, Davenport residences have received annual “boil water” notices, as the water treatment plant in Davenport could not produce enough potable water for all its residents.