WATSONVILLE

Free holiday concert Sunday

The Watsonville Community Band will present a free holiday concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Henry Mello Center at Watsonville High School, 250 E. Beach St.

MOUNT HERMON

Christmas craft fair this weekend

Mount Hermon Conference Center will present the 2012 Christmas Craft Fair 1:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call 335-4466.

Santa cruz COUNTY

Two grant seminars offered to artists, nonprofits

The Creative Work Fund will offer two seminars for artists and nonprofits interested in applying for grants of $10,000 to $40,000 for collaborative projects involving traditional or visual artists creating new work.

The dates are 7-8 p.m. Monday at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos, and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz.

Admission is free but reservations are requested at www.creativeworkfund.org/seminars.html.

Santa CruZ

Deadline nears for paying and protesting fire fee

The deadline for paying and protesting the state fire prevention fee is 30 days from

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the billing date, which for Santa Cruz County was Nov. 16.

Since the 30-day time frame falls on a Sunday, presumably a postmark of the following day of Dec. 17 would suffice, according to Ben Lomond resident Lisa Rudnick, who is protesting the fee.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Holiday concert set for Tuesday

The Scotts Valley High School band and choir will join with the Scotts Valley Middle School band and choir to present a holiday concert under the direction of Beth Hollenbeck 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Scotts Valley High School, 555 Glenwood Drive.

Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

For information, go to www.svhsmusicdept.wordpress.com.

SAN FRANCISCO

State Attorney General warns consumers of identity theft

California Attorney General Kamala Harris is warning residents to be careful about identity theft when shopping this holiday season. Her office is offering the follow tips for consumers to protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft:

  • Shop on secure websites.

  • Don't make purchases over a free wireless hotspot such as a coffee shop, which can be scanned by those looking to capture your passwords and other information.

  • Never send personal or financial information through email. Legitimate companies will not ask you to do so because it is not a secure way to transfer sensitive information.

  • To get the full value of a gift card, use it right away. Gift cards that are lost or stolen are not always replaceable. Retailer or restaurant gift cards do not always have expiration dates but others do.

  • Know the return policies of the retailers you shop with before you conclude an online transaction.

    FELTON

    Light Up the Valley holiday lights contest next week

    The Light Up the Valley holiday lights contest judging will be Wednesday and Thursday. The contest is open to homes, businesses and nonprofits in San Lorenzo Valley.

    An awards reception will take place at 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Satellite Telework Center. Light refreshments will be served.

    SANTA CRUZ

    Police: Don't let thieves ruin your holiday season

    The Santa Cruz Police Department has a few tips for residents to protect themselves from becoming the victim of vehicle theft.

    The best deterrent to theft is to make sure car windows are rolled up and doors are locked. Don't leave purses, backpacks, wallets, cellphones and iPods in cars because that could encourage thieves to break the car window and rifle through belongings. Don't leave cellphone charging cords, shopping bags and packages in plain sight.

    Parking in well-lit areas that are easily visible may also help reduce the ability of criminals to go undetected while breaking into cars. If your car has an alarm, make sure it's on.