NEWSBRIEFS

New Company for 3 D printer enthusiasts
“Creator Kits” are sets of precision machined parts and electronics to enable 3D printer owners to build amazing tools and toys. Designed to unleash the full potential of 3D printers for budding engineers who yearn to play with robotics, this is the company to learn more about.
Chris Rauch, a graduate of San LorenzoValleyHigh School, now an underwater robotics engineer, is one of the owners of this company. The company has just started a Kickstarter campaign for this innovative model kit company to help creative people learn the power of 3D printing.
For more information: www.kickstarter.com
Thirteenth Annual E-Waste Collection Event Scheduled
 On Saturday September 19, 2015, the City of Scotts Valley will be conducting its 13^th annual e-waste collection event. Last year, as a service to its residents and businesses, the City collected over 20,000 pounds of electronics, mostly in the form of computers, monitors and television sets from almost 300 participants. These items are now banned from landfill disposal because of their hazardous material content of lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. 
 By participating in this event, the community will help to insure that the items collected will be properly recycled and disposed by an E-Steward Certified Recycler (ECS Refining) and will not become a source of pollution to local rivers, streams and groundwater supplies.    
The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and be held at the same location as previous years, across from the Scotts Valley Fire Department on Erba Lane. 
Proceeds will benefit Rotary community programs and ScottsValley recycling programs. 
For more information call 438-5854.
Beacon Video, 6197 Highway 9, Felton
Beacon Video is now the last video store in the Felton area. The Boulder Creek video store announced not long ago that they were going out of business. This caused some confusion because some people thought Beacon was closing. Owner Colleen Shehab wants everyone to know they are still there but they’ve had a temporary change in hours. The new hours are Sunday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 
Beacon Video is a family affair. Colleen and her sister, Kathy Cleary, have been running the store the past six years while taking turns looking after their 90-year old mother. Until about a year ago, their mom was also helping in the store.
The store has more than a thousand videos and new videos come in each Tuesday. They have comedies, dramas, TV series, as well as all of Harrison Ford’s movies. There are a lot of good deals and they do fun things like spotlighting a particular star. Sometimes they do a monthly “Who Am I?” contest where they show a pair of eyes and ask people to identify them. The winner gets a gift certificate to the BigFootDiscoveryMuseum in Felton or a movie.
Colleen and Kathy are very community-minded and contribute to various fund-raisers.
They also give discounts to teachers. For people who live where there is no cable television, Colleen says, “Beacon Video is here to meet your entertainment needs.”
Learn what it was like to be a hippie in Ben Lomond in 1967
On Saturday, October 3, the San LorenzoValleyMuseum is pleased to present its next history talk: Author Holly Harmon will speak about her book, “Living in a HippieCommune.”
The talk will take place at Park Hall in Ben Lomond, 9400 Mill Street; from 2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. Come, listen and learn what it was like to be a part of the hippie commune in Ben Lomond, in 1967-69.
This talk will be the first of a 3-part series, and will include Fred McPherson, and music by Eric Levin, Holly’s husband.
September is National Passport Awareness
The Santa Cruz County Clerk has joined the U.S. Department of State in celebrating Passport Awareness Month during September by launching an “Apply Early” campaign for U.S. citizens thinking about renewing their current passports or applying for the first time. 
“Now is a good time to plan for holiday travel,” County Clerk Gail L. Pellerin said. “If travelers wait until the last minute, they will have to pay the additional $60 fee to expedite the passport and additional overnight postage fees.”
 The Santa Cruz County Clerk is offering special Saturday passport hours on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 701 Ocean St., Room 210, in Santa Cruz,
 Passports take 4 to 6 weeks to process. Passport processing times can be expedited to 2 to 3 weeks for an additional fee.
 More information on travel requirements and how to apply for a U.S. passport is available at www.travel.state.gov or by calling the Santa Cruz County Clerk’s Office at 831-454-2060.  Regular business hours for passport applications are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
California Department of Public Health Issues Warns not to Eat Cucumbers
State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned people not to eat garden cucumbers imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce because these cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella. CDPH is currently aware of 285 individuals in 27 states infected with Salmonella serotype Poona, with 51 of these case patients being reported from 17 California counties, including one death.
Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, CA initiated a voluntary recall of their garden cucumbers, after being informed of the epidemiologic association between these cucumbers and the Salmonella Poona outbreak.
The recalled garden cucumbers can be identified in distribution channels as “Limited Edition” brand pole grown cucumbers. The labeling on these cases indicates the product was grown and packed by Rancho Don Juanito in Mexico. These cucumbers were distributed from August 1 through September 3, 2015.
Domestically produced cucumbers are not believed to be involved in this outbreak.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody. Most infected people recover within a week. Some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness. CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming cucumbers should consult their health care provider.
Special Election for SCCS
On Wednesday, September 16, at 11:30 a.m., at Santa Cruz Police Department Community Room at 155 Center St, Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz County Democratic Women’s Club (DWC) will present a luncheon program on the Special Election for the Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS). The Special Election on November 17, 2015 was placed on the ballot by the SCCS Trustees. It will be an all-mail ballot. Voters will be asked to vote on two parcel taxes to fund school programs. The DWC will be considering endorsement of these ballot measures at this meeting. Lunch $8 with RSVP or $10 at the door. To RSVP contact Carol at 423-2356 or [email protected].
The 29th Annual SLV River & Road Clean-up
The Valley Women’s Club, in conjunction with Save Our Shores, takes place all day on Saturday, September 19th. LompicoCommunity Center holds their annual Clean-up the same morning. Each organization emphasizes the link between the health of our San Lorenzo River Watershed to the health of the ocean, and needs volunteers of all ages.
In Felton, at the Felton Covered Bridge Park, volunteers can check in starting at 9:00 a.m.
and continue working until 3:00 p.m. In Lompico, the Clean-up is from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Further up the Valley, participants may come any time from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to the Ben Lomond table on Hwy 9 near Fillmore St., or to the SLV Redemption/Recycling Center (behind the Village Wash & Dry) in Boulder Creek.
The morning effort is co-sponsored by Save Our Shores at all sites. 
Students can earn Community Service credit for the hours they work.
The River & Road Clean-up is generously supported by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District and the County of Santa Cruz. Each will provide a dump truck with drivers to haul recyclables and trash to the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, where the County will provide free disposal of the trash. The VWC’s SLV Redemption/Recycling Centers will process the recyclable materials.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring cars and trucks to help transport materials to the three pick-up points. Safety is imperative during the Cleanup, so volunteers will be required to sign a waiver of liability, and children 12 and under must be with an adult. Bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes and readily visible clothing. 
The VWC will staff the SLV sign-in/weigh-in sites, provide trash bags, latex gloves and snacks, and can suggest cleanup locations.
If you know of a place needing special attention this year, or need additional information, please contact VWC Environmental Committee Co-Chair, Nancy Macy, at 338-6578, or 345-1555, or email at www.vwcweb.org or [email protected] 
Food truck craze coming
Food Trucks A Go Go is premiering in ScottsValley on September 9. This food truck event company will host its first food truck offering on Friday, September 18 at 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, ScottsValley.
Four local food trucks are participating: Ate3One, Zameen, The Choke Coach and Aunt LaLi’s Mobile Cafe. The food trucks will offer a variety of culinary flavors from a group of food truck owners who want to take your palette on a journey you won’t soon forget! There is plenty of open space with picnic tables for families.
This company was founded by LaLi Kates, owner of Aunt LaLi’s. “The timing was right to make this happen,” commented Kates, “and Skypark in ScottsValley is the perfect location to kick off the Go Go Gatherings.”
Kates both lives and works in ScottsValley. “We have really great food trucks in our area with more being created. Food Trucks A Go Go will bring together the amazing chefs and their unique culinary offerings with very excited and hungry people.”
This second food truck event is on Friday, October 23rd, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Skypark, in ScottsValley.
San Lorenzo Valley High School – Class of 66
The Class of 66 of SLVHS will be holding its 50 year reunion in July 2016. Larry Fraim wants to make contact with all past students of this class. To forward your contact information, contact him at: [email protected]
Theater work day for Scotts Valley Community Theater
The plans for the new theater are almost out of the structural review which means they will get submitted to the City very soon, according to Ray Gorski.
Gorski said “We want to wrap up our gleaning of the Bethany theater and clear the materials in the new theater to get ready to start building. We would love to have you join us for a day of sorting, stacking, storing and God knows what else.” Gorky said he needs volunteers, old and young, guys and gals.
Volunteers will meet at the new theater – 251 Kings Village Rd, across from the TransitCenter at 9:00 a.m. and work until about 4 p.m. Your signature on a liability waiver is required to participate. Community service forms will be available for students.
The group needs tools (cordless drills, & socket sets) and hand trucks.  If would be helpful if volunteers have a pickup truck and trailer or a van from which seats can be removed. You are on your own for lunch, but Gorski said that he “will provide [his] tools and water.”
Call 461-1715 to confirm if you can volunteer for the day or a few hours.
For more information:  [email protected] 
Growing Dance Studio
Agape Dance Studio announces the opening of its third location on Swift Street in Santa Cruz. In just three years since its inception, the original ScottsValley studio has experienced rapid growth, enough to warrant expansion into Aptos and now Santa Cruz.
“We are working with the community to meet their demands for classical ballet training,” said owner Melanie Useldinger. “It’s with great pleasure that we introduce Conrad Useldinger, who will teach adult ballet at the new studio.”
A recent BelhavenUniversity graduate, Conrad Useldinger earned his BFA in dance there after being accepted on a full scholarship.
“It has always been a dream of mine to share my love of ballet with others,” he said. “We are fortunate to have so many local people who appreciate the arts and want to improve their technique through Agape’s instruction.”
With three studios in operation, Agape Dance Studio prepares for its free Community Nutcracker performance that runs the weekend of December 18. A fundraiser, An Elegant Affair, is scheduled to help provide backing for the show. The event takes place November 15, and includes a dinner, dancing and a live silent auction.
Agape Dance Studio classes are based on the renowned Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teaching system, the most comprehensive, relevant program of classical ballet available. The RAD program provides a standard of learning regardless of where instruction occurs; students who move from one country (or state) to another can enroll in a new RAD school and continue with the same syllabus.
Youth Athletics
Support youth athletics as you take control of your own health and fitness.
Santa Cruz Power Fitness is selling tickets to see ScottsValleyHigh School’s football team when they play against the Watsonville Wildcatz at Levi Stadium. To get a free gym membership for the remainder of 2015, just buy a $20 ticket to the game.
Santa Cruz Power Fitness, 620 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA95060  425-0951
For more information: santacruzpowerfitness.com