Margaret Bruce Appointed to SLV Water District Board

Margaret Bruce of Boulder Creek was appointed to the Board of Directors of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District to replace Jim Nelson who resigned last month. The interim appointment was unanimous.  Ms. Bruce was among three candidates who expressed interest in the vacancy and becomes the first woman to serve on the board since Merilee Bolden passed away in April 2000.

Ms Bruce is an independent consultant specializing in regulatory and legislative issues around water, energy and climate change issues.  She has been a member of the District’s Education Committee, was a Vice President for Ecology Action and worked in the City of San Jose’s Sustainability office.  She was also the Environmental Programs Manager at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and worked at the NASA-Ames Research Center.  

Doreen Devorah Writes, Directs New Play

Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks
 invite you to a theatrical performance beyond compare!  
“TALES OF THE MAGIC REDWOOD FOREST”
A Play by Doreen Devorah
Starring the Helping Hams Theater GroupPark Hall in Ben Lomond 

Friday, February 10 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 11 at 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 pm

 Is there really magic in a forest? Are there fairies, princes, talking animals? Do witches and large furry creatures from times gone by roam the woods? Is the forest alive? Do trees communicate with each other? With people? This is the tale of one young lady who didn't care about trees or any sort of magical happenings and didn't do what she was told. And, ominously, she got lost in the Magic Redwood Forest...

Find out what happens along her journey and join us in support of our local California State parks at Park Hall, 9370 Mill Street, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Ticket price to this fundraiser is $20 General Admission; $18 for Seniors / Students / MPFDiscount Card Holders. Tickets can be purchased online beginning January 18th atwww.mountainparks.org <http://www.mountainparks.org/> or by phone by calling (831) 335-3174 Proceeds from this event will help provide funding for:
• Visitor and nature centers
• Natural and cultural history events
• Professional interpretive staff
• Supplies and resources used by the parks’ more than 200 volunteers and docents
• Facilities, services, special programming and other activities

Writer and Director Doreen Devorah brings a wealth of experience to the local theater scene. She has written, directed and starred in theater productions from New York to Florida, New Mexico to Santa Cruz. Along the way, Doreen introduced English as a second language through theater productions in Europe, Mexico, and Latin America.

Since settling in Santa Cruz, Doreen has written and performed an original one-woman laugh and learn lecture called "Professor Starma Tours the Solar System" for local schools, private parties and in our State Parks. Doreen is the author of one novel, many short stories, and two plays; “Murder and Mayhem in Boulder Creek”, a melodrama based on actual events in Boulder Creek history, and “The After Christmas Carol”, a comic take on Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story.

Doreen is a docent at Big Basin Redwoods State Park where for the last ten years she has lead hikes, worked with school groups, and written, staged and acted in historical pieces depicting the struggles to preserve Big Basin, California’s oldest State Park.

SLV High Sweeps Prestigious Meet on the Big Island

The SLV High boys and girls cross country teams returned to class today with lots of memories, a bunch of medals and two course records. Nearly two dozen Cougar runners competed on a grassy course in the foothills outside of Hilo winning both individual and team titles in the Varsity division at the King Kamehameha Invitational Meet on Saturday. They added an individual first and a team second in the open division

On the girls side sophomore Anna Maxwell added to her elite status by setting a new course record in 17:54:36 while leading her team to a first place finish in the girls varsity division. Claire MacMillan, Jessica Jensen, Abby Sherman, Jessica Germany, Hyllery Hershberger and Emily Lamb joined Maxwell on the victory stand. SLV entered a complete second team in the open division and Katrina Luque, Jen Housek, Raquel Yeomans, Adela Weigel, Michaela Sanchez and Mariah Lindberg combined to bring home the silver medal.

In the boys races, Senior Nick Hicks held off teammate Junior Cody Johnson as both runners shattered the previous course record finishing 1-2. The boys easily won the team title with 4 finishers in the top 5. Landis MacMillan, Jacob Hicks, Branden Caldwell, Matt Abernathy and James Spriggs rounded out the Cougar Varsity gold medalists. In the boys open division Stephen Bracken took first place and Karl Johnson finished fourth.

Here are the times and finish place for the Cougars:

Girls Varsity:

1 Maxwell, Anna 17:54.36
5 MacMillan, Claire 19:38.70
12 Jensen, Jessica 20:28.98
14 Sherman, Abby 20:37.12
16 Germany, Jessica 20:44.73
18 Hershberger, Hyllery 20:54.39
38 Lamb, Emily 22:23.87

Boys Varsity:

1 Hicks, Nick 16:16.15
2 Johnson, Cody 16:21.31
4 MacMillan, Landis 17:04.64
5 Hicks, Jacob 17:21.89
14 Caldwell, Branden 18:24.05
16 Abernathy, Matt 18:29.62
18 Spriggs, James 18:34.39

Open Boys:

1 Stephen Bracken 18:46:39
4 Karl Johnson 19:57:45

Open Girls:

3 Katrina Luque 21:46:.31
5 Jen Housek 22:38:12
6 Raquel Yeomans 22:42:94
7 Adela Weigel 22:51:96
13 Michaela Sanchez 23:42.06
15 Mariah Lindberg 23:50:74

SLV School News for The Week

Student, parent teacher conferences are beginning today for home schoolers affiliated with the Coast Redwoods...At the High School parking tickets for cars without proper permits may be issued starting this week...The Boys and Girls Water Polo and Girls Volleyball teams are in action at home today. Volleyball in the gym vs Prospect High at 4 (JV) and 5 (Varsity). At the pool the girls take on Salinas at 4 and 5 while the boys host Harbor High at 6 and 7. The Girls Volleyball team is back in action on Wednesday hosting North Monterey County High with matches beginning at 4:30 and 6PM...Auditions for the fall play, You Can't Take It with You, are this Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6pm in the PAC. Students need to come prepared with a one-minute comedic monologue and grade print-out. Sign-ups will begin Wednesday at lunch.

Wednesday is an “early out day” at both elementary schools and the School Board has a regular meeting at 6PM at Quail Hollow...The High School parent organization the Cougar Club will hold their first meeting of the year on Thursday at 1PM in the Multi-purpose room...Boulder Creek Elementary School has their Back to School Night on Thursday. The Girls Volleyball team travels to Harker School for matches at 4:30 and 5:45 and the Girls Water Polo team heads to Carmel for contests at 3:30 and 4:30 while the Boys Water Polo team go to Watsonville for matches at 5 and 6. The Girls Tennis team will host Soquel at 3:30 and the Girls Golf team will head to DeLaveaga for their match with Harbor at 3:30.

The Boys and Girls Cross Country runners are headed to Hawaii to compete in the Kamehameha Invitational meet on Saturday and the Varsity and JV Football teams have their home openers vs Piedmont with kick offs at 11AM and 2PM.

SLV School Schedules for 2011-12

At Boulder Creek Elementary Kindergarten classes run from 8:30AM5 till 11:50 each day. Grades 1-3 also start at 8:30AM and continue till 2:44PM; Grades 4 and 5 begin earlier at 8:20 and stay later until 2:59PM. On “Early Out Days” (most Wednesdays). all grades (except Kindergarten) get out at 1:15PM. the first meeting of the BCE Parent Club will be on Sept 6th at 6:30PM. Back to School Night will be held on Thursday Sept 8th.

At San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Kindergarten classes start at 8:25AM and end at 11:45AM. 1st through 5th grade students attend class beginning at 8:20AM and grades 1-3 are dismissed at 2:15PM; and 4-5 end the day at 3PM except on most Wednesdays when “Early Out Days” are in effect and classes end for 1st through 5th grades at 1:25PM. The first meeting of the Bobcat Club (the SLE Parent’s club) is at 7PM on Sept 13th. Back to School Night is on Thursday, Sept. 22nd.

Note that the first “Early Out Day” is Wednesday, Aug 24th.


San Lorenzo Valley Middle School classes begin at 8AM and let out at 2:19PM except on most Mondays when “Late Start Days” are in effect. Class begins at 8:50AM on those days. The first Late Start Day is Monday Aug 29th. Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15th. The Panther Club will hold it’s first meeting on Thursday, Sept 8 at 6:30PM

At SLV High School on most days 1st period begins at 8AM and final period ends at 2:31PM, Lunch is between 11:59AM and 12:39PM. On “Collaboration Days” (most Mondays) 1st period will begin at 8:50AM and lunch will be between 12:13PM and 12:57PM. Here is a link to the full schedule. The Cougar Club will have their first meeting on Thursday, Sept 8th at 1PM and the Athletic Boosters will meet on Sept 14th at 7PM. Back to School night will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6th beginning at 6PM in the gym.

All Schools will observe the Labor Day Holiday, Monday Sept 5th with no classes.

SLV History To Be Made and Celebrated

The historical society E. Clampus Vitus Branciforte Chapter 1797 will be doing their thing on Saturday in Boulder Creek when they place an Historical Marker and time capsule at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.

If you've been to an ECV sponsored historical event you know what to expect. If you haven't ever participated you owe it to yourself to attend because they really are historical!

The plaque will be unveiled at 12:06pm and food, grilled by the infamous E. Clampus Vitus members, will be served at 12:30pm. All profits from the BBQ will be divided equally between the Museum and Valley Churches United Mission.

The time capsule will be embedded in the traditional pedestal and is scheduled to be opened in 2110. Locals are invited to place a business card or similar sized photo for the entertainment and edification of future generations.

Participation is free; donations are appreciated to cover the cost of the time capsule and archival materials.

San Lorenzo Valley Museum Home Page:

SLV High Grads Find Out "It's a Jungle Out There."

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, few graduates - or their parents slept on Friday night.  The San Lorenzo Valley High Class of 2011 Grad Night made sure of that.

In what is perhaps the greatest display of community collaboration in our valley,  the parents of the senior class, with help of the whole community, staged a spectacular event for the graduating class that began around 9PM and provided food, entertainment and myriad activities until dawn.

Tradition, cooperation, creativity, sacrifice and a ton of work combined to transform the familiar facilities into a fantasy jungle that clearly delighted and impressed the new young adults who waited patiently in front of the school building to have their bags and bodies searched before being allowed access into a dark, treacherous passage that wound beneath a massive waterfall leading eventually into a one night theme park complete with “Survivor” like sets of inflatable games and challenges spread throughout the senior lawn and beyond.

The well lit outdoor area included live music, about a dozen separate multiplayer games and of course a huge ‘lake”.  It contrasted sharply with the dimly lit interior that bore little resemblance to a gym.  One wall was completely taken over with a beautiful buffet that offered a seemingly endless amount of tropical fruit and other delectables.  In the center of the building was an elaborate “Voodoo Lounge” where drinks were served.  Assorted gaming tables, a dance floor and disc jockey filled the other half of the building and along the perimeter were various stations offering a variety of primitive jungle rituals.

Note: I’m not sure when the grad night tradition first began at SLV but I can remember more than a dozen different facades created at the entrance to the school and I was intimately involved in two of them and tangentially in a few others going back to 2001.  Each was unique, but the common thread was a spirit of collaboration among parents that is almost unparalleled and an experience for the graduates that exudes pure joy as well as a tremendous sense of awe and gratitude over the obvious effort expended on their behalf.  

On the day of their commencement, the opportunity to celebrate with their classmates as graduates, all about to embark on new journeys, cements the bonds they’ve created and provides them with a shared memory and a smile that will likely last for long time.  Congratulations to all involved.

Felton Library Friends Summer Programs

Spread the word to your friends and neighbors about two wonderful series of programs for children at the Felton branch this summer.

• Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 pm, from June 14 to July 26, the series "One World, Many Stories" will feature storytelling, dance, music, magic, and gardening (detailed listing below). The series is sponsored by Felton Library Friends, in partnership with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Summer Reading Program and Felton New Leaf Community Market, with additional support provided by Renee’s Garden, Mountain Feed and Farm, and Camp Joy Gardens. 
   
• Thursdays 10:15-11:30 am, from June 16 to July 28, "Ready, Set...Read," for children ages 0-5 and their parents, is an opportunity to "learn about learning."  Each participating family will receive a craft box, books, and a summer full of great ideas for family activities. A team of librarians, teachers, and community specialists will provide information about: Early Literacy and Reading, Speech and Language Development, Nutrition, Child Development, and Physical Fitness and Play. A full schedule for all the library branches (including Boulder Creek on Wednesday mornings) is posted at www.feltonlibraryfriends.org. The series is sponsored by the Santa Cruz Public Library and the County Office of Education.

-----------------
"One World, Many Stories" --  Programs

Felton Branch Library, Tuesdays 1:30 to 2:30, from June 14 to July 26. 

June 14 -- Celebrate Backyard Food Gardens, with books about gardens, plus
fruit tasting, and seed planting.

June 21 -- Hawaiian Adventure, featuring hula dancers and ukuleles.

June 28 -- Storyteller Keith Targan and flutist Barbara Sieseil perform a magical
tale, Green Golly and the Treasure of Light.

July 5 -- Fratello Marionettes perform The Vaudeville Follies, a variety show
with fabulous marionettes.

July 12 -- Peter Weiss, The Singing Scientist, teaches environmental issues
through music and science.

July 19 -- Don O’Brian and Son present an audience participation performance
of music from many cultures.

July 26 -- The Great Blindini presents his comedy magic show

LOCALS Lead Food Revolution in SLV Schools

LOCALS, a real grass roots organization, is helping our schools deliver fresher, healthier lunches and raise nutrition awareness.

While the second season of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution begins tonight on ABC, a local organization has been working since 2008 to help the SLV School District build a stronger more sustainable nutrition program.

The SLV Local Organic Children's Advocates for Lunches in Schools (SLV-LOCALS) was the brainchild of Felton mom and author Sue Kuivanen.  Along with Joni Martin, Deidre Rogers, Tim Welch and others the group has been working in cooperation with Kimberly Clark, Food Service Manager for the SLV School District to provide a healthier lunch program for our children.

The students have already benefited from their efforts:  More and more fresh and organic fruits and vegetables are being served, food cooked on-site from scratch has increased and less and less processed and pre-cooked food is being used.  Also the schools are incorporating nutrition education throughout the curriculum to reinforce healthy eating habits.

A second annual health expo is in the works.  Last year, science students from the high school organized a day long event in the Felton cafeteria featuring two dozen interactive exhibits for the elementary school students to learn about what goes into processed food, good hygiene and the benefits of a healthy diet.

SLV-LOCALS also helped the district’s Student Nutrition Services develop a “Farm to School” program that involves local farmers providing low-cost, and in some cases free, fresh organic produce for student lunches. Members also take turns “gleaning” at local farmer’s markets to help the cafeteria keep their food costs lower.  The district has also switched to whole grain breads, hormone-free milk and other healthier menu items.

Still, there is much work to be done.  In addition to educating students and parents about healthy nutrition there is the problem of the cost involved in good food.  Fast food is cheaper and too often, more popular.  We all need to get involved in order to sustain and improve the school nutrition program.

For more info about the food and nutrition program at the schools visit: http://www.slv.k12.ca.us/nutrition/index.html.  To get involved with SLV-LOCALS visit their Yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SLVLOCALS/.  Read Sue’s book Parent’s Diet Handbook.   For information on Jamie Oliver: http://www.jamieoliver.com/foundation/ or his Food Revolution, http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/activists
 

Felton Gathering In Support of Giant Fan Bryan Stow

A special Mass and gathering last night at St John’s Catholic Church in Felton drew many local residents and raised over $1,000 for the family of Bryan Stow, the Live Oak father of two who was the victim of an attack following the Giants-Dodgers season opener.  Stow remains in critical condition in a Los Angeles hosptial.  His mother Ann Stow has been active in the St. John’s Community and the family has many friends in the area.

Stow is a paramedic employed with American Medical Response in Santa Clara.  The incident has drawn national attention and groups from LA to SF have been holding events to raise money to help with medical and other expenses.  The Giants plan to dedicate Friday's home opener at AT&T Park to Stow.  Stow’s housemate and  friend Danny Simon, is organizing a fundraiser at El Palomar restaurant on Pacific Avenue. The fundraiser will run 7-11 p.m. Monday.  The event includes a raffle and silent auction with gift certificates donated by several local merchants,

A Facebook page and blog have been set up as has a central donation account with the SF Police Credit Union.  For more information follow the links below:

Facebook Page
Blog
News Accounts:
Comcast Sports Net Bay Area
SJ Mercury News
KION

Library Board Votes to Keep Felton Branch and Increase Open Hours

From contentious to compromise to community, the LJPB voted to maintain a ten branch library system and increase the number of hours libraries will be open to the public.  

The Santa Cruz City County Library Joint Powers Board responded to the public outcry over potential branch closures by passing a motion presented by 5th District Supervisor Mark Stone to adopt a “Community Service Model” which was developed by a special subcommittee created just weeks ago.  The vote was 7-2.

Stone’s motion also included a provision which requires Library Director Teresa Landers to develop and present to the Board a set of metrics to be used to insure the service model was being met.

In explaining the model, LJPB Board President Barbara Gorson noted that the plan would rely on a new and very different “staffing model” that was developed by Landers in collaboration with an outside consultant.  That model reclassifies many job titles and descriptions and reorganizes the library system around four basic functions or “interdependent elements”:  onsite services;
programs and services; collections, both physical and virtual; and support and administration.

A final “staffing plan” to be presented to the Board as part of the new budget process will almost certainly involve layoffs however the exact number and which positions remains unknown.  Early retirement incentives, attrition and delays in filling newly proposed positions in management will all have an impact on the final decision.

One new position which appears likely to be created will be a “volunteer coordinator” who will develop and be responsible for an increased role that community members are expected to fill in the final “staffing plan”.

In voting to approve the Community Service Model board members acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the participation of the public in their deliberations. Supervisor Ellen Pirie thanked community members for “helping to get us here”  and said that she had heard from countless people how appreciative they were that their voices were heard.  Supervisor Stone credited the community participation for the final outcome and over the objections of Landers insisted that his motion include the word Community as the moniker for the model in recognition of the role they played.  Santa Cruz City Council members Katherine Beiers and David Terraza and Capitola City Councilman Sam Storey also mentioned the impact the community had on their decision making process.

Citizen board members Nancy Gerdt of Felton and Gorson were the other assenting votes.

Earlier in the meeting the Board unanimously passed a proclamation honoring and thanking the members of the Service Model Task Force.  Local members of the task force included Nancy Gerdt, Paul Machlis and Teresa Landers of Felton and Darby Kremers of Boulder Creek.

In other business the Board agreed to table a request to approve a 30 year lease with the City of Scotts Valley for the new library under construction.  Councilman Storey requested additional written assurances that the building will meet all ADA requirements and Supervisors Pririe and Stone asked for language which gave the Board some say in what types of co-tenants would be suitable in the remaining portion of the building not used by the library.

Renowned Guitarist Evan Hirchelman to Offer Instruction in Ben Lomond

Hill Guitar Company Presents Guitarist/Composer Evan Hirschelman 
Santa Cruz House Concert
April 14th 2011
Thursday 7:30 PM
seats are limited, please make a reservation in advance
$15 General - $10 Senior/Student

Master Class
April 14th 2011 2:00 - 4:30pm
Hill Guitar Company
8011 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005
$30 registration required

Tickets - contact HIll Guitar Company

(800) 262-8858 (831) 336-9317

khill@hillguitar.com

Annual SLV Poetry Reading on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00

The public is invited to the Seventh Annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading on Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m., at the Felton Community Hall.  Gary Young, Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate, will read from his own poetry and then introduce local poets to read original poems he has selected, on the theme "Heroes and Heroines,"  from entries in four age categories.  In addition, favorite poems will be read by Jody Bruce  (Boulder Creek Elementary), Nancy Macy (SLV Redemption/Recycling Centers), Barbara Sprenger (The Satellite Telework Centers),  Laura Whaley (Boulder Creek and Felton Libraries), and  Thomas Wynn (Wynn Capital Management).

The reading, described by a previous attendee  as "a wonderful, heartwarming event,"  is free to the public and will include refreshments.   It is sponsored by Felton Library Friends, a group of San Lorenzo Valley residents dedicated to excellent public library services for Felton and surrounding areas.  For more information, contact  www.feltonlibraryfriends.org, 335-1135, feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com

Event: Seventh Annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading
Contact: Paul Machlis (daytime 459-3540, night 335-7391, email machlis@gmail.com)
Presenter: Felton Library Friends
Day and time: Wednesday, April 27, 7-8  p.m.
Location: Felton Community Hall, 6191 Highway 9, Felton
Admission:  Free


Here's an account of the event last year:
http://slvnews.blogspot.com/2010/04/local-poets-inspire-enthrall-audience.html

Boulder Creek April Calendar of Events, Deals and Live Music

Ribbon Cutting Tomorrow for Ben Lomond Park Upgrades

What a difference a week makes!  The first few days of spring brought several inches of rain and caused the San Lorenzo river to reach record heights.  A number of areas experienced flooding as the water rose, including the recently resurfaced basketball court at Ben Lomond Park on Mill Street.  A week later we saw temperatures reach into the high 80's and the County Parks department, with help from local residents, went to work and got the court ready for an official ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for tomorrow.

Ben Lomond businessman Thomas Wynn and his wife Beth were instrumental in the planning process which began over a year ago and involved a number of public meetings with County park planners to prioritize upgrades to the popular downtown gathering spot.  In addition to improvements to the basketball court; the park has a reconfigured and newly landscaped play area with shiny new slides and swings, cement picnic benches and a small barbeque.

Supervisor Mark Stone will be on hand to officially celebrate the completion of what is hoped is only the first phase of upgrades and improvements.  Local residents plan to raise money for additional benches and other amentities.

Festivites begin at 10AM with the ribbon cutting and refreshments provided by Coffee Nine and Ben Lomond Market.  A 3 on 3 basketball tournament is also scheduled.

Santa Cruz Experience More of City Thing

Photo: Santa Cruz Weekly

Evidently ‘the Santa Cruz Experience” does not extend to the San Lorenzo Valley.  With a couple of exceptions no SLV establishments cracked the top three in any of the hundreds of categories in an annual readers survey of a local tabloid.

The Santa Cruz Weekly (formerly known as the Metro and this week known as SCW) is out with their “Gold” awards issue where they pass out blue ribbons and brown squares in all manner of categories from “Best Athlete” to “Best Waxing”.  According to the intro it represents the “collective wisdom” of their readers and provides  “the perfect guide to the Santa Cruz experience”.

The Valley’s lone winner was Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park which came out on top of Wilder Ranch and Nisene Marks for best state park.   Third place mentions went to The Boulder Creek Brewery for best micro-brewery and Ben Lomond’s  Rosemary Chalmers for radio personality.

To be accurate some SLV businesses will be able to display the award - a nifty stylized Tom Scribner derby hat drawn by local artist Jim Phillips - on their ads.  New Leaf, Bay Federal Credit Union, Taqueria Vallarta and Ace Hardware (better known around here as Scarborough) all got listed in various categories by virtue of having an SLV presence among their multiple locations.

Felton’s Redwood Pizzeria and Ben Lomond neighbors Mountain Feed and Supply and the Tyrolean Inn got “Editors’ Picks” for “Best Virtuous Pizza”,  “Best Place to Get Off the Grid” and “Best Beer Garden” respectively but in what could be considered one more slight, the editors pick for “Best Tree” was the Eucalyptus!

BCRPD's Eric Hammer Honored By State Rec & Park District Assn

The Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District just announced that Director Eric Hammer has been selected to receive an Award of Distinction for Outstanding Board Member for Director Eric Hammer from the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD).  


Eric has been instrumental in leading the district in park renovations, strategic planning, and community building for more than 6 years.  He is very committed to creating community through people, parks, and programs.  The award will be presented during the CARPD 2011 annual conference on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Monterey.


Eric lives with his wife and three children in Brookdale.

April 6th Deadline for SLV Poetry Reading

Drawing of Future Felton Library

Calling All Poets 

Felton Library Friends invites SLV residents to submit poems by April 6 on the theme of "heroes and heroines" for the 7th Annual San Lorenzo Valley Poetry Reading. We’d like more poems from all age categories, particularly the youngest group—parents and teachers, please encourage your 4-8 year olds to write or dictate a poem to submit.

Poems selected in four age categories by Santa Cruz Poet Laureate Gary Young will be read at the SLV Poetry Reading on Wednesday, April 27 at the Felton Community Hall. 

Entries must be submitted on or before April 6 by email to feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com or by mail to Felton Library Friends, PO Box 1245, Felton, CA 95018.  One poem per poet may be submitted, and must include poet's name, age category, and phone number. The age categories are 4-8 (dictation OK), 9-12, 13-17, and  adult.

For more information, contact Felton Library Friends, a chapter of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, at 335-9553, feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com or visit feltonlibraryfriends.org.