Like the phoenix of mythological lore, Ben Lomond Dam Park is rising from the dust.

Sweet music: The Scotts Valley Middle School choir, directed by Beth Hollenbeck, performs for the Scotts Valley School Board on Oct. 26. The Scotts Valley High School choir, also directed by Hollenbeck, will perform at Sing For Your Life from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St. Other high school choirs will join in, and proceeds will go to support choral programs at the schools. The Scotts Valley Kiwanis club donated the net proceeds of the two Music at Skypark concerts last summer, $7,100, to the Scotts Valley High music program, which could potentially be on the budget chopping block.

Ben Lifted on the scene

Cathy Arratia of Felton found her feline calling while working at Costco 15 years ago.

Sign up: While voter registration has ended for the Nov. 2 general election, the final day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 26. More than 64,000 of Santa Cruz County’s 144,238 voters have requested a vote-by-mail ballot. To do the same, voters can fill out the form on the back of their sample ballot they’ve received in the mail or complete it online at www.votescount.com. For information: 454-2060. Above, Scotts Valley resident Jennifer Manson registers to vote in front of Scotts Valley Safeway, where members of Riptides girls U-14 SV-SLV Soccer League team canvassed shoppers in front of the store to register on the last day of voting sign-ups.

A month ago, Erick Murai, a 16-year-old Scotts Valley High School varsity football player, was diagnosed with leukemia.