For a limited time, the California Smokers’ Helpline is sending callers from Del Norte County free nicotine patches. Eligible tobacco users who call the helpline and enroll in the free telephone-based quitting program will receive a free two-week starter kit of patches, while supplies last.

“The Helpline has already served over half a million smokers,” said Christopher Anderson, the Helpline’s Program director. “We hope this new opportunity will motivate even more people to give quitting a try.”

The patches are an FDA-approved treatment proven to help smokers kick the habit. They release nicotine into the bloodstream through the skin, reducing withdrawal symptoms and slowly weaning smokers off nicotine.

Aidyn Matthew Nelson was born Aug. 22, 2011, at Sutter Coast Hospital. He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 21 1/4 inches. He joins brother William. His parents are Jonathan and Sandra Nelson of Crescent City. His grandparents are Horst and Rosemarie Stahl of Dambach, Germany, and Cathie Nelson of Crescent City. His great-grandparents are Lois Black of Crescent City, and Elsa Stahl of Gochsheim, Germany.

Seventh-graders at Redwood School are excited about a new project that allows them to interact with seniors in our community through letter writing.

The Pen Pals Project, a popular intergenerational program, began in 1984 at Morris Elementary School in McKinleyville and has expanded in both Del Norte and Humboldt counties to almost 10 schools and more than 200 school students. School-age students exchange letters throughout the school year with older adults who volunteer for the project, and then they all meet face-to-face at the end of the school year. Here is a first-hand account of the recent meeting of pen pals:

A descent on the River Trail, above, provides an alternative route to Stout Grove, below. The Daily Triplicate/Richard Wiens

Many locals probably think of it as a quick-hit tourist attraction, a place that’ll wow the out-of-towners but hardly the makings of a serious trek on foot.

When we visited last Saturday, we tried out two alternative approaches to the grove that added a little extra distance and a lot of diversity.

Aydan Scott Bevier was born Aug. 31, 2011, at Sutter Coast Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches. He joins siblings Katylyn, Justin, Cody, John, Philip, Randy and Ryan. His parents are Michelle Blecher and Steven Bevier of Crescent City. His grandparents are Linda Bevier-Vian and Steven Vian of Crescent City.