In Brief: Student may join school district board; State Parks board meets here next week; Dave Melendy Blood Drive this afternoon

Student may join school district board

The Coast Unified School District Board of Trustees soon may add a new, young member.

According to Superintendent Chris Adams, if the board agrees to modify a bylaw at the board meeting today, Aug. 12, the ruling body would add a high-school student to the current roster of five.

The meeting will be held in the district office at the Old Grammar School, 1350 Main St.

Trustees have already agreed to the student-member concept in June, but must pass a resolution in addition to a bylaw change.

The resolution would allow the student member to cast what are called preferential votes on all issues except closed-session items. Adams said that preferential-vote procedure allows the student to state an opinion on an issue before the five trustees vote on it.

The new policy states that “the governing board believes it is important to seek out and consider students’ ideas, viewpoints and reactions to the educational program. In order to provide student input and involvement, the board shall include one student board member….”

Student Ian Cocroft, who presented the concept several months ago, could be in the running for the new position, but final selection will be made by the high-school students, Adams said. First, the Associated Student Body must set its policies for electing a student member of the board. Then the election must be held. The superintendent estimated, it could be September or October before the new student member is seated.

The board also is expected to hear Adams’ report on potential impacts of a change in state rules governing inter-district transfers, potentially allowing parents of students in some schools to send their children to a school in another district at their own expense.

—Kathe Tanner

State Parks board meets here next week

When state park and recreation commissioners come to Cambria Aug. 16 and 17, they could convert the Cambria State Marine Conservation Area into State Parks’ first state marine park.

Commissioners, staff and members of the public are to gather first at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, for a briefing and field trip to discuss having State Parks take on responsibility for the ocean area stretching from the southern end of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve to Pico Point in San Simeon.

The next day, Tuesday, Aug. 17, the commission is to meet at 9 a.m. in the Peacock Room of the Cambria Pines Lodge, 2905 Burton Drive, to discuss and consider authorizing the action.

For details, go to www.parks.ca.gov/? page_id =24481.

—Kathe Tanner

HART fundraiser set for Saturday

Hosted by Cambria's Homeless Animal Rescue Team, “Heart Impressions” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, is an interactive fundraiser and sale event to benefit the Homeless Animal Rescue Team’s many animal care and rescue programs.

Ceramic artist Carol Jean Attoe will be on hand to capture pet’s paw prints in fine art ceramic clay keepsakes called “Love Paws.”

At noon, noted author and animal communicator Suzan Vaughn will give a free presentation, “Do Animals Have Emotions?” followed by audience questions. She will then be available for private readings with animals and their owners. Animals need not be present; just a photograph will do.

It’s asked that people bring their dogs on leashes and small animals in carriers for both Love Paws and communication sessions. For more information or to reserve a private reading or Love Paws impression session, call Bonnie Ahlstrom at 924-1731 or e-mail hartlovepaws@ya hoo.com. The event takes place at the HART shelter, 1500 Main St. in Cambria.

— Staff

Dave Melendy Blood Drive this afternoon

The Dave Melendy Blood Drive sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cambria will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 12, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St., Cambria. For details, call Gary Wilkerson at 909-9006.

Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend

The Cambria Arts and Crafts Fair returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14 and 15, to the Veterans Memorial Building parking lot at 1000 Main St.

Admission and parking are free. Vendors sell jewelry of all kinds, photographs, pottery, birdhouses, stepping stones, candles and more. Tri-tip sandwiches, kettle korn and drinks will be sold.

There will be live music by Good Medicine.

For more information, please call 503-8317 or go to www.thecraftfair.org

— Staff

Church rummage sale on Saturday

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church hosts its annual rummage sale starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at 2700 Eton Road, Cambria.

All proceeds benefit the church’s community outreach programs.

— Staff