Contest accepts youths' art, poems

The California Coastal Commission invites students in grades kindergarten through 12 to enter the 2008 California Coastal Art and Poetry Contest.

Arts and poetry must have a California coastal or marine theme to be eligible.

Winners will be selected in both art and poetry in each of four gradelevel categories: K to three, four to six, seven to nine and 10 to 12.

Winners will receive a $100 gift certificate to an art supply or book store. Each winner's teacher will be given a $40 gift certificate for educational materials.

To obtain contest guidelines and entry forms, call (800) 262-7848, e-mail coast4u@coastal.ca.gov, visit www.coastforyou.org or write to California Coastal Commission Art and Poetry Contest, 45 Fremont St., Ste. 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105.

All entries must be postmarked by Mon., Jan. 31, 2008.

Previous winners may be viewed at the commission's website, www.coastforyou.org.