BRIEFLY.

Contests begin for Hoop Shoot

LANCASTER -- Competitions are starting at Lancaster elementary and middle schools for the Lancaster Elks Lodge's 35th annual Hoop Shoot basketball free-throw competition.

Preliminary competitions for boys and girls are being held at public and private schools in Lancaster, with three finalists from each school in each category competing at the lodge contest Dec. 9 at New Vista Middle School.

Contestants must be age 8 by April 1, 2007. Competition categories are for boys and girls age 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

At schools that have not been contacted about the contest, or for more information, call Inland Hoop Shoot Chairman Dominic Rotell at [phone] or [phone].

Auditions are set for `Thoreau' play

LANCASTER -- Hotfoot Productions will hold auditions for ``The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail'' at noon Nov. 18 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Cedar Center Art Gallery, on Cedar Avenue at Lancaster Blvd.

No acting experience is required. A 2 1/2-minute monologue is preferred for the audition, but not required. Producers are seeking seven men and three women 16 and older, and one boy age 8-15. The show is directed by Justin Green.

``The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail'' opens in Massachusetts in 1846, when Henry David Thoreau refused to pay taxes to support a war he felt was unjust. Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the authors of ``Inherit The Wind,'' the play will be produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.

``The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail'' runs Feb. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., with a special matinee Feb. 24 at 2 p.m., in the J.P. Eliopulos Family Theatre at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and will go on sale soon.

Businesses and individuals interested in program advertising or donating should visit www.hotfootproductions.com or e-mail [e-mail] for more information.

Entry forms ready for yule parade

PALMDALE -- Entry forms are available for the William J. ``Pete'' Knight Christmas Parade.

With the theme ``Winter Wonderland,'' the parade will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 and run along Palmdale Boulevard from 20th Street East to 10th Street East.

Applications can be picked up at the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, 817 E. Ave. Q-9.

The fourth annual Christmas Festival will follow from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Pontcitlan Square on 9th Street East at Avenue Q-9.

For more information, call Bonnie Barnard at the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce at [phone].

Barnett family welcomes a son

PALMDALE -- Julie and Grant Barnett of Palmdale announced the birth of a son.

Nathan Luke Barnett was born Oct. 28 at Antelope Valley Hospital.

Coats 4 Kids '06 collection begins

QUARTZ HILL -- The Quartz Hill Elementary School PTA is collecting new and ``gently used'' children's coats and jackets in its second annual Coats 4 Kids drive.

Coats in sizes newborn through youth 16 can be dropped off through Nov. 21.

Coats can be dropped off at New 4 U Kids, at 45th Street West and Avenue L; at George's Cleaners, 5023 W. Ave. M, and at Quartz Hill Elementary School, 41820 50th St. W.

Last year's effort distributed more than 1,000 coats to youngsters in the Antelope Valley.

For more information, call Andra Phelps at [phone].

Santa breakfast sign-ups open

LANCASTER -- Lancaster will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 9 in Lancaster City Park's Stanley Kleiner Building.

Children can eat a breakfast of hotcakes and ham, make handicrafts to take home and visit with Santa Claus.

There will be five seatings, at 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m. Only 100 tickets are sold for each city, so city officials recommended registering early.

Tickets are $5 for children age 3 to 12, and $8 for adults and teens. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone must have a ticket.

Tickets are available at the Parks, Recreation and Arts Department at City Hall, 44933 Fern Ave., or by calling [phone].

AARP sets safety class on Dec. 16

LANCASTER -- Drivers of all ages are invited to the AARP Driver Safety Program to be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 16 at Lancaster Community Hospital.

Participants receive certificates from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and drivers age 55 and older are entitled to discounts from their auto insurance companies.

Registration and a $10 fee are required in advance of the class day. Organizers advise drivers to register early to make sure there is space.

To register call [phone].

GOP women set luncheon meeting

PALMDALE -- Antelope Valley Republican Women, Federated will hold their November luncheon meeting on Nov. 21 at the Palmdale Holiday Inn, 38630 Fifth St. W.

Andrew Mercey, a field representative for state Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, will talk about the Nov. 7 election and Linda Johnson will give an update on Jessica's Law, the ballot measure to increase restrictions on registered sex offenders.

Guests are welcome. Cost is $16. Reservations must be made by Thursday by calling [phone].

-- Daily News