Valley Churches United Missions' Annual Gala Celebration was held on Thursday, December 3, at 5:30 p.m., at Scopazzi's Restaurant in Boulder Creek.

The Scotts Valley High School Chorus has been invited by The Surf City Kiwanis Concert Committee to participate in their December 13 concert event at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. They are featured in “A Patsy Cline Christmas” with singer Joni Morris, “a nationally touring artist specializing in country and gospel music.” The After Midnight Band will be accompanying them.

With the holiday season upon us, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illness. “Bacterial pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter can be present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices,”

Your best holiday shopping deals may just be a click away. But, did you know that for every online purchase you and your fellow Californians make and don’t pay tax, you are missing out on an opportunity to help fund public safety, education, and other vital services in your community?

Come to the opening of the 2015-2016 Season as the Santa Cruz Chorale presents their traditional December concert, “Christmas with the Chorale.”

For the 15th year, the Spring Lakes Park Choir will be performing two identical Christmas concerts in the clubhouse at 225 Mt. Hermon Road. The concert will include traditional, contemporary, folk, classical, sacred and secular music.

With the colder rainy weather, my feathered friends appreciate the seed in the feeders I have around my house much more than when it is warm and dry. The Anna’s hummingbirds still frequent their feeders regularly now that the pineapple sage flowers and flowering maple are about the only nectar source in my garden. I strive to attract wildlife to my garden with the right plants, water and shelter.