CITY WATCH : VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH 5-K.

The city of Santa Clarita is looking for volunteers to help register participants, distribute T-shirts and pass out food and water Dec. 14 at the city's 5-K birthday run.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. Volunteers must register at 7 a.m. that day.

``Volunteers can come and help celebrate Santa Clarita's ninth birthday,'' said volunteer coordinator Priscilla Nielsen. ``Residents can bring their families to help support the events.

Runners and walkers will follow trails along a route that starts and ends at City Hall.

Information is available by calling Nielsen at 286-4165.

City to provide free holiday bus service

Free local bus rides will be offered to holiday shoppers Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, the Thanksgiving weekend and traditional start of the shopping season.

This will be the fifth year that the Valencia Town Center and the city's Transit Division partner will offer free transit after Thanksgiving.

``This is one of our most popular promotions,'' said Santa Clarita Transportation Manager Ron Kilcoyne. ``We are expecting ridership numbers to set a new record this season with (the addition of) our Sunday service.''

Last year's promotion drew 6,000 riders. This year the city expected 2,000 additional passengers on the buses, a figure based on response to the new Sunday service.

``We're proud to be able to continue this important community tradition,'' said Traci Taitt, general manager of the Town Center mall. ``Riding Santa Clarita Transit helps ease local traffic congestion as well as preserves the environment.''

Bus schedules and information are available by calling 294-1BUS.

Teens to spruce up trees along wash

A group of 20 La Mesa Junior High School students will gather Dec. 20 to perform basic maintenance on 70 trees that line the wash basin along Bouquet Canyon Road between Alamogordo Road and Centurion Way.

The group will work with Neighborhood Leaf Out representatives, weeding, mulching and pruning. The students also will replace 25 Caroline jasmine vines that died in the heat of the past summer.

``The school approached us to work on a project that can help improve the community,'' said Greg Hoffberg, volunteer coordinator for Neighborhood Leaf Out. ``These efforts will greatly enhance the natural beauty of our city.''

The students will gather at 10:30 a.m. and divide into four groups. The group that finishes first will receive T-shirts. A question-and-answer forum will follow.

Information is available by calling Hoffberg at 294-2567.

Bus riders asked to critique service

ATC/Vancom, which operates the city's commuter bus lines, is seeking volunteer ambassadors to relay riders' comments to the bus company management. The move follows complaints of shabby service from passengers who claim buses often are late, break down or have faulty air-conditioning and windows.

``Serving our customers' needs is our No. 1 priority,'' said General Manager Jeff O'Keefe. ``This program is designed to provide a direct line of communication between management and customers so that we may be more responsive to their needs.''

To be eligible for the program, candidates must be daily riders of a commuter route, be willing to help find solutions, have the ability to interact positively with riding peers and communicate daily with ATC.

Information is available by calling O'Keefe at 286-4155.

High school to host Pepsi hoop tourney 

Girls and boys 8 to 15 are invited to demonstrate their finesse Dec. 7 at the ``Pepsi Hotshot Basketball Skills Competition'' at La Mesa Junior High School.

The contest will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will include competition in speed, rebounding, shooting and dribbling skills. The competition also is designed to test shooting skills from five designated areas on a half court.

``This is a very popular event that helps youth sharpen their basketball skills,'' said Rick Putnam, director of Santa Clarita's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. ``The day should be packed with energy from the youth and their families.''

Registration will begin at 10 a.m. at La Mesa, 26623 May Way. Approximately 60 to 100 participants are expected.

Information is available by calling the city Sports Office at 286-4038.

Agency to present recycling workshop

Representatives of the city's Waste Management Division will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 to answer residents' questions about Santa Clarita's recycling programs.

The forum will be held in the Sears Court at the Valencia Town Center.

Information will be available on various recycling programs, including curbside oil recycling, yard trimmings and composting.

``We are hoping to educate the community about recycling methods that they can practice in their daily routine,'' said Jon Emerson, a waste management analyst. ``The mall is a perfect location where we can provide information to a large number of people at one time.''

Information is available by calling 294-2500.