Growing Up in Santa Cruz March 2024

Is Local Railroad Track Already Off Course Before It Starts?

I need you to tell me the truth about something. If the county follows through and builds a half a billion dollar train line from Watsonville to Davenport, will you take it regularly?

Will you commute on it? Will you send your kids to school on it? Will you go shopping on it?

Please let me know that if we reach deep into our overtaxed pockets to come up with a boatload of money it will in fact take cars off our miserably crunched roads.

My own take is that I don’t believe it will take any cars off the road, or a few at best. And keep this in mind. I love trains. I always have. When I was a preschooler, my mother would park us by the tracks at lunch time and I’d eat my bologna sandwich and wait for the daily train to pass.

and the train lovers claim more people will ride a one-track rail than a bus. I don’t believe that either.

The alternative to a rail/trail would be just a trail, which families could bicycle on, pedestrians could run and walk on and wheelchairs could navigate on safely.

Triple P is a scientifically-proven, world-renowned positive parenting program available to families in Santa Cruz County.

Triple P strategies address a wide range of parenting challenges by providing a toolbox of easy-to-use tips.

Find a full schedule of Triple P tips and classes at triplep.first5scc.org.

I’ve ridden the rails across the United States, Europe and Asia. But when I look at my life, with kids and shopping and three jobs, I know the only time I would take it is if I had visitors and wanted to take them to the Boardwalk. So, I’d get on a few times a year. And even then, with no place to park at stations, I doubt it would get me out of a car.

The way the line is structured, along the coast to the Boardwalk and inland to Davenport, it doesn’t go anywhere I need to go. It doesn’t go near Cabrillo, UCSC, the County Building, Downtown or the mall. It doesn’t go by schools, even though its proponents claimed it does. A mile or more from a school isn’t going to get parents not to drive their kids.

If you think I’m wrong, let me know. Just tell me when and where you will use it.

I believe in mass transportation, but the definition implies that there is a mass of people who need to be transported out of their cars. I think it works as a fantasy, sure, we’ll leave our cars behind and take this miracle train, but in reality, it’s a pipe dream.

For comparison, how many times do you take the bus now? The buses actually go directly to where we need to be, but I see so many of them empty

The rail people claim the trail they are building alongside the tracks will suffice, but I submit that it won’t be as wide or safe as a trail without the train. It also won’t be attractive with sound walls and fences they will put up and the hundreds of trees they will cut down to make way for both.

I suspect we’ve been railroaded by big business interests, not true environmentalists. But again, if I’m wrong and many of you would actually take the train regularly, I’ll be happy to be wrong.

But if I were betting, I’d say we are spending millions and millions of dollars on a fantasy. I suspect we’ve been railroaded by big business and blindsided politicians who in their heart of hearts know they won’t be commuting on those rails either.

And they are showing again they have no clue about how to spend the public’s money–our money.

PS: Of those running for County Supervisor on March 5, the only one who was against the rail was Manu Koenig and even he’s tempered his opposition after 70 percent of the public voted for a rail over a trail.

But he’s the only one who’s shown he understands the economics and practicality of this rail fantasy. I’m not in his district, but if I were, I’d vote for him.

Thanks for reading,

Brad Kava, Editor and Publisher

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By Addie Mahmassani

Cecilia, 9 Del Mar Elementary

“It’s wet and it’s windy so far in the last two weeks.”

Ezra, 9 Soquel Elementary

“Sometimes it’s sunny, but it’s also really windy. The ocean’s moving and working every day on erosion, grinding up rocks and forming them into sand.”

How Would You Describe This Weather to Someone Who Has Never Experienced It?

The writer Oscar Wilde famously said “Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” I tend to agree. Usually when I find myself making small talk about what a nice day it is, it’s because I can’t come up with anything else to say. However, I think all rules about weather talk need to be thrown out the window when it comes to these winters we’ve been having lately in Santa Cruz. I thought the phrase “atmospheric river” was a silly alarmist way of describing rain until I first experienced one. Wow. There are no words for it. That’s why I turned to the kids, who can often articulate wild phenomena in ways I’d never come up with!

Mason, 9 Del Mar Elementary

“Windy. Cold. Wet. And ugly.”

Mia, 7 Del Mar Elementary

“It’s like being a cat in the rain. You would go inside and run away from the rain! If I was in a cat’s body, I would just stay there…except in a rainstorm.”

Ruby, 6 Del Mar Elementary

Zander, 12 New Brighton Middle

“It feels like, WHAT IS THIS??? There are lots of puddles and rain. You need to wear boots, a long-sleeve shirt, and a raincoat.”

“It’s kind of crazy and off and on. Some days it’ll be super sunny, and then some days it’ll be just raining the whole day and windy and chaotic.”

Birthday Battle Royale at the Children’s Museum

Who says exhibits have to be boring and passive? Not Capitola’s Museum of Discovery

BY BRAD KAVA

We’ve had a lot of the usual birthday parties for our 8-year-old son—bowling, the Boardwalk, Blue Ball Park— but nothing topped going to a local museum with Nerf guns locked and loaded to shoot your guests.

Think Night at the Museum meets Terminator and you’ve made a lot of boys’ dreams come true.

It sounds crazy, right? But the Children’s Museum of Discovery in the Capitola Mall has stretched the boundaries of what a museum can be and has come up with a party like none other.

For two hours, kids get to run amok with Nerf blasters. They can bring their own guns or the museum supplies them. It also supplies safety glasses and training. Some might think it’s a pacifist’s nightmare, but museum director Rhiannon Crain, the mother of two boys, knows that toy guns are inescapable and don’t necessarily lead to future violence.

“Some parents might think that if kids are never exposed to guns it will reduce the amount of violence in schools, but I don’t think there’s evidence to support that” she said. “Guns have been around forever.”

Crain doesn’t have Nerf guns in her home—they are too messy and the dogs will chew them up. But, she says, the Nerf battles are a great way for kids to release energy and go home tired.

And so many Santa Cruz families live in smaller homes without the 6,000-square-feet of space the museum has, it’s one of the few places kids can hide and run and shoot indoors.

The museum has plenty of other party ideas. It’s closed to the public on Sundays for private parties and has smaller parties on Saturdays while open to other people. No guns then.

There are parties with fun science studies, ice cream making, slime making, volcano exploding, art creating and disco ball dance partying. But the inspiration

for the Nerf wars came after a long Covid closure as a way to get kids excited again.

The museum celebrates its 10th year in November and is a wonderful story of a community coming together to create something inspirational. It’s the most-visited museum in the county, says Crain, with anywhere from 120 to 530 guests a day trying out its hands-on exhibits.

Kids can race cars, build giant castles, learn about the environment, play with

light-up blocks, snake around in slimy sand, play with model railroads and lots more.

We spent many, many days there when Parker was a toddler and he still likes it as an older kid.

Before the museum found a home, it had a van with traveling exhibits. Then, Patrice Keet, a former Montessori school director and psychologist, was offered the lease on the old Abercrombie and Fitch store. She and a group of friends

assembled exhibits in three months. Her husband, Bob, a doctor, built many of them himself.

“Something like that can take years,” Crain said. “A lot of people worked very hard. People built stuff in their garages and made it happen.”

The non-profit spends about $350,000 to stay open, paying part-time staff, buying art supplies, building exhibits and paying for insurance (you know, with all that gunfire!).

Annual passes cost $85. A day’s entry fee is $10 and people with WIC or EBT can get in for $3. “We do it on a shoestring,” said Crain, who has a Ph.D in Science Education from UCSC and has headed the museum since 2019.

The Sunday birthday parties cost around $500, money that helps fund the rest of the museum’s low-cost activities. Reservations are made months in advance. Some upcoming activities include children’s yoga, a Pi Day Bake Off, a Teddy Bear Clinic, Mystery Box Monday and a March 23 Summer Camp Festival. See more at SCCMOD.org.

They are also seeking donations of cash and costumes, which they go through quickly. Have you been there? What do you think of it? What’s the wildest birthday party you’ve thrown? Drop us a line at editor@growingupsc.com

This column is sponsored by Comcast, a proud supporter of the local journalists at Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Festivals Inspire Santa Cruz Symphony

BY CHRISTINA WATERS

The exciting March program begins with the Matsuri Overture. Named for the Japanese word for festival the Matsuri Overture was composed in 2017 by Spain’s José González Granero. Now based in the Bay Area, Granero has been principal clarinet for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 2010. The composer recalled that he was inspired by a trip to Kyoto, Japan, during which the Ebisu Festival at New Year’s made a powerful impression on him.

During this Festival participants pay their respects and pray for success, using special branches of bamboo grass they hope will bring good luck. Granero’s Overture captures the feel and excitement of both the ancient Japanese festival as well as the modern vibrant pace of Kyoto.

Emotional and eloquent, the Schumann Cello Concerto is a popular piece for solo cello and orchestra. Flowing from meditative depths into a soaring conclusion, this stunning concerto casts a spell.

The three movements begin with the main theme performed by the soloist, which then leads to variations and improvisations upon that theme by the orchestral instruments. The slow second movement gives way to a final sonata moving from A minor to a moodaltering A major. This concerto is muchperformed and considered one of the greatest Romantic works composed for the cello.

The concert’s final offering, Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka, is another beloved piece of music created for ballet, and was written in 1911 for the famous Ballets Russes company of Sergei Diaghilev. The composer was inspired by folk music to help create music for the crowds gathered to enjoy a traveling festival. Stravinsky wrote new melodies for the central character, the puppet Petrushka, who suddenly comes to life.

The ballet was named for a puppet character well-known in Russian carnivals, much like Punch in English Punch and Judy puppet shows. This popular and innovative piece of modern 20th century music contains unexpected orchestration, drumming, and dazzling sound design filled with energy and romantic descriptions of the private emotional life of the puppet.

Poor Petrushka falls in love with a ballerina puppet in Stravinsky’s piece, and this ill-fated love is juxtaposed musically with the frenzy of the orchestral crowd scenes. Petrushka’s beloved ballerina prefers another puppet, the two rivals fight a duel, and well, you’ll find out how it ends.

With its Paris premier starring the great ballet star Nijinsky, Petrushka’s music, design, and dance made it a very popular production. Guest soloist, Gaeun Kim will perform during this wide-ranging concert that brings together in a single performance festival music inspired by Japan, Russia, and one of the masters of the Romantic period of European music.

Kim, a 20-year-old cellist based in New York, has won worldwide competitions and prizes

Festivals—a concert by the Santa Cruz Symphony

March 23, 7:30pm, Civic Auditorium

March 24 2pm Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts

For complete details and tickets go to SantaCruzSymphony.org

since the age of four. This year she appears in Santa Cruz as part of a schedule which includes solo performances in New York, Poland, Switzerland, Korea, and Germany

With its upcoming Festivals concerts the Santa Cruz Symphony has programmed another musical event the entire family can enjoy. Selections this time include classical music created for dance, a cello concerto to be performed by solo virtuoso Gaeun Kim, and a cross-cultural creation inspired by an ancient Japanese festival.

Maestro Daniel Stewart leads the always memorable Symphony through these provocative pieces. Bring the whole family and let your ears be dazzled.

Finding Joy: The Joys of Mama Bear-ing

MICHELLE LEWIS

Gaeun Kim, the cellist with Santa Cruz Symphony.

FEATURE

Prepare Your Kids for Careers in an AI-Driven Future-World

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

Many parents today never experienced a world where computers weren’t a standard household fixture, let alone a world without the Internet. When the World Wide Web first became available to the public in 1991, it was archaic compared to today. Yet at the time, it was quite the phenomenon. But the rapid speed of technological progress over the past couple of decades will resemble the crawl of a tortoise in another decade or two as technology continues to advance at an exponential rate.

In fact, according to Ray Kurzweil, a world-renowned inventor, thinker, and futurist, “We won’t experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century – it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today’s rate).” If you have any doubt, Kurzweil has a remarkable thirty-year track record of making accurate predictions.

This means the rapid change in recent years is nothing compared to what’s to come. The world in which tomorrow’s young adults will enter will be startlingly different from the one in which we live today. That’s because our world is increasingly dependent on robotics, technology, and now artificial intelligence (AI).

But what is AI? It’s machines or programs with the capabilities of human intelligence. AI capabilities include learning, presenting knowledge, reasoning, problem-solving, planning, perception, manipulation, and motion. Right now, AI is in its infancy, and much of what’s purported to be AI is actually pseudo-AI. Whether imitation or the real thing, there are several current AI technologies: chatbots, Tesla, Siri and Alexa, Facebook feed, and Pandora, to name a few – and AI is on the brink of changing the world as we know it.

But with all good things come drawbacks. Within the next 20 years, AI will result in a loss of anywhere between 9 and 47 percent of jobs, according to various studies by Oxford University and other institutions. So kids must be fully prepared for our vastly changing world and careers of the future.

HOW TO PREPARE KIDS FOR THE FUTURE JOB MARKET

Bolster interest and enthusiasm in STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills are one of the gateways to job opportunities in a world dependent on AI. But to many kids, ‘science’ and ‘math’ spell boring with a capital “B.” This is in large part because kids can’t always see how these disciplines apply to life. So unless your child already

expresses genuine interest in one or more of these disciplines, discussing STEM may be met with resistance.

The trick is to provide kids with everyday experiences that put the fun in learning or provide kids experiences that are a natural part of life. Once you’ve gained their interest, then explain its relationship to STEM. That way, your child has a positive perspective on the discipline and recognizes its purpose and value.

Stimulate spatial awareness. This is an integral part of STEM learning and provides kids the ability to visualize their end product, says David Lubinski, a psychology professor at Vanderbilt University. He is the lead author of a study published in Psychological Science journal, July 15, 2013. Researchers found spatial ability is a predictor of the development of knowledge and innovation in STEM fields.

Encourage free play and out-of-thebox thinking. Play fosters imagination, creativity, and resilience to deal with challenges. These traits will be necessary to succeed in an ever-advancing world of AI. When kids play freely, they experiment, explore, and dismantle (things, scenarios, and concepts) to understand how the world works. So play is one of the best ways for kids to learn and develop skills.

Develop kids’ ability to deal with the real world. Dave and Helen Edwards, cofounders of Intelligenstia.ai, an AI research firm, point out there will still be careers in the future that are dependent on human

capabilities. In “The skills your kids should cultivate to be competitive in the age of automation,” the Edwards explain humans will still be needed for jobs that require: interpersonal skills, applying math to business problems, management of our physical world (environmental science and engineering), as well as health care jobs. People will remain ahead of robots in these areas for some time.

Foster social skills and teamwork. These will be valuable assets in the future workforce. Collaboration requires a combination of skills and traits: emotional intelligence, humility, communication, listening, conflict resolution, goal setting, prioritizing, decision making, and framing problems.

Emotional intelligence is particularly crucial to the development of excellent social skills and teamwork. Both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills are the framework for emotional intelligence. Interpersonal skills include social awareness and relationship management, while intrapersonal skills include selfawareness and self-regulation.

Cultivate entrepreneurial characteristics and skills. Even though automation and technology will reduce the need for laborers, people will always be needed to develop and manage companies. Add to this, the growing trend toward companies outsourcing and hiring independent professionals for a broad range of needs is likely to continue and become more common. Some essential entrepreneurial skills kids

should develop are financial literacy, goal setting, problem-solving, creativity, and good work habits.

Promote tech skills. Greg Satell says the tech skills of tomorrow will be vastly different from today, in his article, “These Are the Skills That Your Kids Will Need for the Future (Hint: It’s Not Coding).” By the time kids grow up, computer programming will no longer be based on current coding languages. It’ll be based “more on quantum laws and the human brain,” he explains. But because the future of computer programming is unknown, there’s no way to teach it to kids. So Satell recommends kids learn more about quantum dynamics, the logic of code, and genetics, on which future systems will be based.

Still, learning to code has its benefits. It’s true learning a coding language of today will unlikely be of any use in the future. But learning how to learn a code can make learning future codes easier. Coding also helps kids develop problemsolving skills. Finally, it’s an excellent way for kids to discover a career path and boost their self-confidence in a STEM discipline.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com

Tips for the Teen Years

BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW, WITH YESENIA GOMEZ-CARRILLO

It wasn’t that long ago that I was riding the wild, twisty rollercoaster called Raising Teens. I remember countless tense discussions with my son in particular, who often felt the rules and schedules at home and school didn’t apply to him. It was stressful and exhausting to stay calm and find a balance between setting ageappropriate limits and fostering independence.

I’ll admit I wasn’t always successful, but we made it through the turbulent teen years and now enjoy seeing the independent, responsible, and insightful young adult he’s become. In fact, we’re celebrating him getting his first full-time job in the field that he studied. I’m beaming with pride (and relief)…and biting my tongue to avoid saying, “Get to work on time!”

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email us at triplep@first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, I don’t know what to do with my 15-year-old. They want to go out with friends that I don’t know and then give me attitude when

I ask where they’re going or who they’ll be with. They say I’m too controlling, but I feel like it’s my job to set age-appropriate limits. We argue a lot, though, and I worry about what it’s doing to our relationship. What can I do? ~ Amalia

Dear Amalia, Adolescence can be a hard developmental stage for everyone. The part of the brain responsible for thinking logically, managing emotions, and controlling impulses is still developing. This means teens still need their parents and caregivers to provide guidance, even as they’re pushing them away.

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to remain calm and involve their teens in setting rules and making decisions. They might feel like their teens aren’t ready or responsible enough. Yet this is how teens develop social, emotional, and life skills that will prepare them to become independent adults. Here are some tips to try:

Remember there’s a lot going on. It’s common for teens to want more independence and less interference from adults. Teens go through physical, mental, emotional, and hormonal changes that can transform their appearance and moods. Some teens think they know all the answers and are invincible, and therefore don’t need parents to be involved in their business.

To be truly independent, your personal emergency device needs to work on the go. MobileHelp® allows you to summon emergency help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by simply pressing your personal help button. Unlike traditional systems that only work inside your home, a MobileHelp medical alert system extends help beyond the home. Now you can participate in all your favorite activities such as gardening, taking walks, shopping and traveling all with the peace of mind of having a personal alert system with you. MobileHelp, the “on-the-go” help button, is powered by one of the nation’s largest cellular networks, so there’s virtually no limit to your help button’s range.

No landline? No problem! While traditional alert systems require a landline, with the MobileHelp system, a landline is not necessary. Whether you are home or away from home, a simple press of your help button activates your system, providing the central station with your information and location. Our trained emergency operators will know who you are and where you are located. If you’re one of the millions of people that have waited for an alert service because it didn’t t your lifestyle, or settled for a traditional system even though it only worked in the home, then we welcome you to try MobileHelp. Experience peace of mind in the home or on the go.

Other times, teens are exploring different parts of their identities and discovering who they are — which might be different from what they’ve been taught to think, believe, or feel by their family and society. These feelings and experiences can create confusion, discomfort, or internal conflict for teens, but they might not be ready or know how to share this with others.

Foster open communication: Create a safe and non-judgmental space for your teen to express themselves openly. Have regular, casual conversations about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Ask about school, their likes and dislikes, friendships, or other topics that interest them. Listen actively and acknowledge and empathize with what they say, even if you don’t agree with them. Avoid discussing discipline, expressing disapproval, or giving advice unless you’re asked. This helps keep the lines of communication open

Talk about realistic expectations. Testing limits is a natural part of adolescence. It’s how teens practice thinking for themselves, making decisions, and solving problems. When teens ignore family rules, some parents and caregivers react by becoming stricter about rules and consequences. Others give in to avoid a power struggle. Neither reaction is helpful.

Instead, talk with your teen about realistic rules and expectations. Involve

them in developing a few family rules about going out with friends that they can agree to follow and that will reassure you they’re safe and responsible. Discuss which expectations are non-negotiable (e.g., keeping you informed about where they are) and which ones are flexible depending on the situation (perhaps their curfew).

Encourage independence: While it’s natural to want to protect and guide your teen, it’s also essential to encourage independence and autonomy. Allow them to make their own decisions (within reason) and learn from their mistakes. Offer guidance and support but resist the urge to always say ‘no’ or do things for them.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Maintaining open communication and a positive relationship with teens is the most important job parents have during adolescence. It’s easier said than done, but your efforts will pay off for years to come.

Nicole Young is the mother of two young adults, who also managed Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program for over 10 years. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

MATTERS

Postpartum Doulas Help New Families

BY LAURA MAXSON LM

Sometimes there’s one miraculous moment of postpartum doula care that seems like a turning point in a new parent’s confidence. But more often it’s a series of small, almost imperceptible moments that together lighten the load; allowing everyone to take a breath, get their perspective back and continue learning how to be in tune with their new baby.

Postpartum doulas are available to new families for a few hours, days, or weeks. Experienced with feeding support, they can offer encouragement through helpful tips and techniques that have been successful for many other families. They keep an eye out for situations that may seem beyond normal new baby transitions. While not a clinician a postpartum doula might be able to point out a possible problem brewing, so it can be attended to earlier rather than later.

What every experienced parent knows, but most expectant parents don’t yet understand, is the intensity of the postpartum period. A postpartum doula can help get that shower in today instead of tomorrow - and during the shower, maybe they’ll quickly change the sheets. Once tucked back in bed with the newborn in arms, the doula might give the bathroom a quick wipe, empty the garbage and throw out that vase of dead flowers on the counter.

A postpartum doula’s duties incorporate what’s important to each family. Making sure a new parent gets something nourishing to eat during the day and that there is a plan for dinner. Getting siblings ready for school or dance class. Entertaining the littles so the new parent might catch a quick nap with the newborn. Some tired parents might appreciate reminders such as: it’s the first of the month, are there bills they don’t want to forget about or that there is a pediatrician appointment tomorrow. Anything that reduces the pressures of the real world for a few minutes.

Folding clothes, helping make the shopping list, and demonstrating effective burping techniques are all staples of postpartum doula care, but the real gift is the sense of calm that comes with a postpartum doula, and lingers long after they leave for the day.

The first few weeks with a newborn are intense – there is no doubt about that.

But the intensity should be a mix, with moments of bliss and bonding for the whole family that are unmatched and can be missed if they are overshadowed by ongoing anxiety, exhaustion, and stress. Those at risk for postpartum depression may especially benefit from the support of doula.

So, how might you add one more expense into the price of pregnancy and birth? Look into postpartum doula care as soon as possible in the pregnancy. Get an idea of prices and packages, and then

budget for it. Some insurance, including Medi-Cal, cover doula care now. Doulas are just now getting registered for payment so it may take some investigating to see how the program will work. Some families build a little nest egg toward postpartum doula care by putting some cash into a doula envelope every month during the pregnancy. Sharing the postpartum doula’s information on your shower registry allows people to contribute either to the family directly, to a friend who is coordinating the postpartum doula gift, or to the selected doula via a gift certificate found on some doula websites.

Postpartum doulas aren’t aiming to replace supportive family and friends, but instead augment that care. Not everyone has family or friends ready and able to spend several weeks providing help with cooking, laundry, and baby care for a new family. In fact, many families are miles apart, if not in distance, then in temperament when it comes to planning for supportive care after birth.

Postpartum doulas have skills, time and – most importantly – an air of calm confidence when it comes to being with new families. They don’t take over baby care; instead, they model, teach, and encourage parenting skills while helping to keep the household functioning.

The gift of a postpartum doula helps prioritize people over things. Babies grow so fast and there are hundreds of beautiful, gently used baby outfits available for pennies on the dollar. But the value of a postpartum doula, especially for a first baby, can’t be matched.

Local

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GRANDMOTHER’S VIEW

Child’s Play

BY SARAH SAVASKY

Before I had a grandchild, much of my internet searching started with a headache that quickly escalated to the most common symptoms of a brain tumor, or the discovery that one of the side effects of a new medication is death.

Now that I’m a grandmother, my searches and the results are a bit more cheerful, but they can still send me down a rabbit hole.

The rabbit hole is where I learned that there is a condition called Obsessive Grandmother Syndrome and a style called Coastal Grandma. And where I learned that I might have Obsessive Coastal Grandma Style Syndrome (OCGSS). And yes, my granddaughter’s big head does mean she has a lot of brains, but it doesn’t mean I can brag about her nonstop.

The rabbit hole is also where I found out that there are four or six kinds of grandparents (depending on the website) and five stages of pretend play.

A few months ago, when my then one-year-old granddaughter started to pretend that she was drinking from a tiny toy teacup and stirring her imaginary beverage with a spoon, I

thought it was a bit early for this type of play. And because I will always jump to the conclusion that she is a little genius; I googled the average age that pretend play starts.

And just as with my self-diagnosed brain tumor, the results were

illuminating. It turns out she’s not just pretending; she’s developing important cognitive skills. Of course she is! And if I was opening a preschool or writing a thesis this could be helpful information. But I’m just a grandmother, trying to confirm that my grandchild is above average. A simple yes is all I am looking for.

Of all the things to analyze and categorize pretending seems the most absurd. Pretending is magic and make believe and imagination. Leave it to grownups to take all the fun out of fun!

But since I can’t unknow what I have learned, I pass my knowledge on to you in the hopes that when your grandchild offers you your first bite of imaginary cake you won’t have to pretend that you don’t know that something truly amazing is happening in her brain (and you won’t have to google it!)

The first stage of pretend play is called Enactive Naming, in this stage your above average grandchild is not actively pretending. She is simply showing you the knowledge she has, i.e., cups are for drinking from.

In the second stage called Autosymbolic Schemes, your little genius

is displaying the first signs of pretending, but only in relation to herself. In other words, she’s not ready to share her pretend tea. Decentred Symbolic Schemes is the third stage

This is when she brings others into her web of pretend play (note: in this stage grandma is also engaged in pretend play as she is pretending to enjoy drinking her twelfth cup of tea).

The next stage is called Sequencing Pretend Acts. Here she learns to apply a logical sequence to her pretending. For instance, if she wants to give dolly a bath, she will take its clothes off first or, more likely, get grandma to take the clothes off for her (as we’ve already established, she’s no dummy).

The final and most sophisticated form of pretending is Planned Pretend. At this stage your brainiac will collect props and items needed for her pretend play. Now if all this has made your head hurt, there’s no need to panic. It’s not a brain tumor. Take two aspirin and go have another cup of tea!

If you are enjoying my column or have a topic you’d like me to write about, I’d love to hear from you at sarahsavasky@ gmail.com.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE PARENTING

Reaching the Heart Before Reaching the Head

BY COLLEEN MURPHY

When you became a parent, did you say to yourself, “I’m going to love my child only under certain conditions”? This is called Conditional Love. I’m guessing this was not your goal. I’m guessing your thoughts align with wanting your child to feel loved at all times. Through all the challenges and mistakes we make, we all want to know we are loved. “I love you no matter what.” This is called Unconditional Love.

HOW TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY

The theory of parenting is the easy part. How to put it into practice is the challenging part. Let’s begin with the theory, the easy part. To set the groundwork for children to cooperate with tasks or to de-escalate from an emotional meltdown, you must first make a connection with them, and reach their hearts. Only then can you move to the next step of redirecting or correcting behavior, and reach their heads. You must reach the heart before you can reach the head. The shorthand phrase for this concept used in Positive Discipline is, “Connection before Correction.”

BRAIN SCIENCE SUPPORTS THIS THEORY

When challenging emotions are engaged, the logical part of the brain shuts down. Dr. Daniel Siegel, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA’s School of Medicine, has been leading the way for years in helping the world understand this fact. Science has confirmed the connection between human relations and basic biological and neurological processes.

Emotions are “housed,” if you will, in the limbic part of the brain that is close to the brain stem that ignites our fight, flight, or freeze response. These two parts of the brain often work in tandem. The question these parts of the brain ask is, “Am I loved and am I safe?” Survival. Our logical and emotional regulation skills are “housed” in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain. It asks, “What can I learn from this?” Growth.

These two parts of the brain do not operate simultaneously. Basically, when people are calm and rational, their prefrontal cortex is running the show. When emotions flood the brain, there’s a switch over to the limbic system and it is now running the show. Logic, listening, solving, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and making good choices are simply not available until the emotional storm passes. Keep in mind that the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until our early to mid-20s. Logic and managing emotions are not something young people are known for. How could they? They don’t have a fully functional brain yet and won’t for a very long time.

During a raging emotional storm or even a mild one, the way to help get the logical brain back in charge is to reach out and connect emotionally with the young person first. Once

this happens, over time, the brain begins to feel heard and safe. It shifts back to more rational thinking where conversations and solutions can be had.

TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES SUPPORT THIS THEORY

When trauma is experienced either by a single event or by small acts of abuse and neglect over time, the person’s flight, fight, or freeze response runs on overdrive, ready to defend and attack at a moment’s notice since life has proven to be unpredictable and unsafe. Situations are more likely to be misinterpreted and strong emotional responses become frequent.

The part of the brain that holds our memories is also located in the limbic system, therefore emotions and traumatic experiences become locked together in our memories. The past traumatic memory can immediately light up when emotionally triggered, and it plays out as if it is a present circumstance.

Professionals in the fields of healthcare, social services, and education receive training specific to children and adults who have experienced trauma. This training highlights the practice of following brain science which includes creating emotional safety, a calm environment, and holding off on enacting consequences or punishing time-outs during emotional moments. These practices boil down to: “Connection before Correction.”

WHAT DOES “CONNECTION BEFORE CORRECTION” LOOK AND SOUND LIKE?

Let’s go into how to put this into practice, the harder part. Why is this hard? Because when someone is being completely irrational, misinterpreting and misunderstanding the

situation, saying and doing hurtful things, and repeating the same phrase over and over, (e.g. “This isn’t fair!” or “Give it to me!”), our emotions light up too and the rational part of the brain starts to shut down just like our raging child. These are our brain’s mirror neurons at play: you laugh, I laugh; you yawn, I yawn; you yell, I yell.

Secondly, have you ever tried to have important conversations with drunk people? It’s pointless until they sober up. This is because the prefrontal cortex begins to shut down under the influence of alcohol. So, when your child or teen is melting down, it’s hard to remember that they are exactly like a drunk person with no active prefrontal cortex. Parents want the loud emotions to stop and the problem fixed as soon as possible. It’s a struggle to wait for the time it takes to “sober up.”

Now you know the “why” and the “why it’s hard” part of Connection before Correction, here’s the how:

CONNECTION TIPS FOR TIMES OF DIRECTIVES

Get into children’s worlds before asking them to get into the adult’s world. About to ask for cooperation? Start by connecting. “Hey, hon! Whatcha doin’? Looks fun. So, a heads up. It’s almost dinner time and it’s your night to set the table.” “Looks like you dug quite a big hole in the sand with your friends. And dinosaurs in the hole too! I want to let you know we have 5 minutes until we leave. I know. It’s hard to say goodbye to friends when you’re having fun. You can invite them to join us tomorrow if you like.” Adults connect first,(e.g. “Hi, how was your weekend? I have a favor to ask.”) Young people enjoy the same courtesy

CONNECTION TIPS FOR TIMES OF BIG EMOTION

Think safety first. You can’t have a connection if the child isn’t able to be physically safe. Take calm, firm, decisive action to create a safe space if needed. Remove objects being thrown, move child to a private place away from others, or remove yourself out of harm’s way. Say with a neutral tone, “I’m moving you to a safe space where you can be upset and not hurt others, me, or yourself.”

No old-school Time-Outs. Demanding a child sit in time-out is adding gasoline to an already ignited fire of emotions. This does nothing to activate the logical brain and instead conveys to the limbic system that you are the “enemy” and must be fought.

Create Time-Ins by utilizing a cool-off place or a calming activity. Time-Ins give space for the emotions to run their course. Go somewhere or do something that soothes the frightened, angry, confused, illogical limbic system. Be with your child keeping up a calm, neutral tone of voice. Remember this will pass. Take nothing that is said personally. It’s NOT personal; it’s raging brain talk.

Use empathetic phrases. Acknowledge and allow all feelings but not all behaviors. Speak to the limbic part of the brain looking for safety and love. State the feeling you see and support the feeling. “You’re mad you have to clean up. I understand. I get mad sometimes too. It’s okay to be mad but not okay to hit.”

Physical touch. Hug. Breathe. If your child accepts touch, reach out. “Would a hug help? I have one right here for you.” Gentle touch is very calming. Model breathing slowing; exhaling longer than inhaling calms the brain

Be present, but silent. Give physical space. If your children resist touch, empathy, or direct attention and become angrier, then pull back, but be ready to connect when they are.

Think about basic needs. Food or sleep. Low blood sugar or tiredness greatly impacts brain function. A healthy snack or rest may be what’s needed to regain equilibrium.

Follow Through with Corrections. Once the emotional storm has wound down, and the logical brain is back online, redirect, state expectations, re-state boundaries, problemsolve, make amends, address the task needing completion, etc. For young ones, the correction process can happen soon after. For older tweens and teens, hours or days later can be appropriate.

Colleen Murphy is a credentialed adult ed teacher, a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer at Positive Discipline Community Resources (www.pdcrcc. org), a preschool teacher at Soquel PENS(www.soquelpens.org), a parent coach (fromtheheadtotheheart.com), and in healthy relationships with her two grown kids.

• All About Theatre

• Boulder Creek Summer Camp

• Cabrillo Extension Summer Camps for Kids

• Camp Capitola

• Kennolyn Day Camp

• Lightspeed Martial Arts Summer Camp

• Little Garden Patch Farm

• Mount Hermon

1855 41st Ave #10, Capitola

(831) 316-5200 • sccmod.org

• Mount Madonna Summer Camp

• PHGolf Junior Summer Camp

• Santa Cruz Learning Center

• Seven Directions Creative Learning Center

• Tails of Redwood Trails LLC

• The Salvation Army Camp Redwood Glen

• Trinity Rivers Equestrian Horsemanship Camp

• True Roots Nature

• Web of Life Field (WOLF) School

Chart a course for an unforgettable summer! ARGH!

Grab a treasure map and explore camps from across Santa Cruz County!

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Exploring California’s Wildlife Through Printmaking

BY CHRISTINA WATERS

Stephanie Martin is a well known painter and printmaker based in Santa Cruz. Her beautifully hand-colored etchings depict the wildlife of her native landscape. Martin’s illustrations are part of many Bay Area collections and publications, including Fruit Trees for Every Garden: A Organic Approach, by her husband, Orin Martin, manager of UCSC’s Alan Chadwick Garden.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER ETCHING?

SM: I fell into etching by pure chance: it was offered in the evening! I was in my mid-40s, working as an elementary school teacher, and interested in a new challenge. I enrolled in Introduction to Drawing at Cabrillo, and the following semester found an Intaglio Printmaking (etching) class offered in the evening. I rushed to class after my day job and was soon smitten by the process. The Advanced Etching class at UCSC met at night, so again the scheduling gods were in my favor.

WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF THIS MEDIUM?

SM: Printmaking is seductive. There are so many processes involved in etching and printing a plate; there are steps which demand great concentration and strategizing, and there are more meditative repetitive tasks. I like that balance. Because so much equipment is required, printmakers generally work in shared studios. The tight-knit community that arises in the studio is another wonderful aspect. Printmakers are always game to share techniques and advice, commiserate your failures, and celebrate your successes.

YOUR ETCHINGS OFTEN SPOTLIGHT PLANTS, FLOWERS AND BIRDS. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SUBJECTS?

SM: I have always been enchanted by California’s avifauna and its wild and cultivated flora. Nothing gives me more pleasure than observing a plant or bird in the wild, taking the time to study it closely, and sketching it. I learn so much about the organism and get lost in wonder. I winnow through my sketchbook to select the images that are compelling enough to develop into an etching. Is the pose interesting, the composition satisfying? Will this be better suited as a black and white or color image?

When I portray a bird, whether it is a songbird or a diving falcon, I need to imbue it with life. I’m not entirely sure what animates a piece--partly it’s about getting the eyes right--but I know when I have succeeded. (Or failed: not all etchings cross the finish line.) Plants are also inevitable subjects for me. I gravitate to California native flora, but when my horticulturalist husband or daughter bring home a persimmon branch or an amazing cultivated poppy, how can I

ignore it? Plants have the advantage of being more sedentary and easier to sketch from life. I have leeway with composition and design; I can change the size or orientation of a stem or leaf, whereas a bird’s parts cannot be revised.

BRIEFLY EXPLAIN HOW THE ETCHING PROCESS WORKS.

SM: Once I’ve settled on an image and composition, I start the process of etching the plate. First I coat a polished copper plate with a waxy “ground”, and scribe through that coating with a needle tool. I immerse the plate in acid, which eats away the exposed areas to form channels that will hold ink and print as lines.

The next process I use is aquatint, which is a way to create areas of tone on the plate. It is rather tricky but I love the effect it gives, looking like one has painted with watercolor or ink wash. After a plate is etched successfully, I rub ink into the textures and wipe it off the surface. The inked plate is covered with damp paper, a wool blanket, and run through a press.

I often work in color, and inking those plates is an exercise in patience, as I hand apply one color, wipe the excess, and continue with the next color. All the colors are printed in one run through the press. Because of the hand work involved in every print, they are all slightly different.

To enjoy etching, you must be willing to give up some control. While I have a vague notion of where I am heading with an image, the process itself has its own will. I feel that every plate is a test plate. The acid

might etch some unexpected textures, or an idea might come to me mid-process that changes my direction. There are wonderful effects you can get in etching that no other medium can create.

WHAT DO YOU STRIVE FOR IN THE FINAL RESULT?

SM: I have a high regard for my subjects, and hope that my art conveys this. I want an etching to inhabit a life of its own and bring the viewer into a state of wonder. Why does

this bird have such a penetrating gaze, or ridiculous crest on its head? That delicatelooking warbler with slender legs and beak: do you know how tough this bird actually is? It migrates thousands of miles every year. The stamens draping from a Boxelder tree in February are as interesting to me as the rare bird perched on the branch.

My other aim is to get my audience excited about the curious process of etching itself, and pass the torch, so to speak. The world of printmaking is vast and varied, and etchings occupy a sweet little niche in that world.

MINDY ABRAHAM

Hand colored etching by Stephanie Martin

Leonardo Age 8

Rosie Age 6

Victoria Age 4

Finn Age 6

Zoe Age 3

Embree Age 8

Jannika Age 8

Katiana Age 10

Gwen Age 9, Taylor Age 9, Reece Age 8

Anisa Age 9

Aroh Age 6

Brianna Age 5

Johnie & Emma Age 7

FRI 1

First Fridays Santa Cruz 5-8pm On the first Friday evening of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists. With a block party-like vibe, the multi-venue event provides an opportunity to discover local creative talent in a fun and festive setting. firstfridaysantacruz.com/event

First Friday Boulder Creek 5-8pm

Enjoy a free monthly mountain street fair in the name of creation and community. There will be local art, music and food lining the sidewalks of downtown Boulder Creek. firstfridaybouldercreek.org

SAT 2

Teen Poetry Workshop 11am1:30pm In this workshop, teens will read and write poetry about our place, our environment and our community. All levels of experience with poetry and writing are welcome to this free program at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Light lunch will be provided by Erik’s Deli. Open to anyone ages 11-18. santacruzmuseum.org

Arboretum Tours 11am-12:30pm

The first Saturday of each month, the Arboretum offers a docent or staff-led tour of the Arboretum. Sometimes you will see New Zealand, South Africa, California, or Australia. arboretum.ucsc.edu

SAT-SUN 2-3

A Soulful Panoply Saturday 7:308:30pm and Sunday 3-4pm. Enjoy an assortment of musical treats spanning from the soul-stirring Brahms and the passionate virtuosity of the Schumann-

Liszt to the yearning James Winn and the jubilant Florence Price at Christ Lutheran Church. Tickets start at $10. scchamberplayers.org/concert-five

SUN 3

Foodways Living History

Demonstration 1-2pm Mission staff will discuss the foods native to California before Spanish contact and explore the ways in which food varieties and cultivation methods drastically changed under Spanish colonization. This event is free and no registration required. Rain cancels. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=548

TUES 5

Gateway School Tour 9am-11 Visit the campus on one of the monthly Tuesday tours. Hang with the kindergarteners on Kindy Island, see what’s growing in the Life Lab outdoor classroom, join the middle schoolers for a science experiment, and see first hand the unique benefits of a K - 8 education. gatewaysc.org

MAR 7-17

Watsonville Film Festival The Watsonville Film Festival promotes Latin and indigenous cultural traditions with free events for the community throughout the year.  The 12th annual festival officially begins with cinema for the people by the people on March 7. watsonvillefilmfest.org

MAR 8 - JUNE 30

Lowrider Art Exhibit 11am-4pm In collaboration with the Watsonville Film Festival this exhibit at Pajaro Valley Arts seeks to honor and highlight the lowrider spirit of creativity, culture and ingenuity, by shifting from negative stereotypes to empowering narratives. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. pvarts.org/events/ more-than-cars-celebrating-lowriderculture-2024-05-02

SAT 9

Second Saturday on the Farm 11am3pm The Agricultural History Project’s 2nd Saturday events are like taking a step back in time. Grab your cowboy hat and put on your boots and come and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon on the farm! In addition to Summer Fun special activities, you’ll be able to milk a “cow”, drive-a-tractor, and enjoy crafts, hayrides, puppet show, antique engines and museum exhibits. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic. aghistoryproject. org/2nd-saturday-on-the-farm

MAR 9, 15, 16

Discovery Open Houses 11am-3pm

Learn about the Reggio Emilia philosophy and what makes a quality preschool program. The experienced and passionate educators will be available at the Soquel

location to answer questions and give you a tour of the unique learning environments. discoverypreschoolandfamilycenter.com

SUN 10

Antiques Faire 8am-6pm The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more. Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.

Recycle Right! Boot Camp 10am-1pm

For the first time the camp is held in-person, at the Resource Recovery Facility. You will learn about the history of recycling, what happens with your recycling, and how to move beyond the blue bin. Plus there is a lengthy Q&A session. Limited to 25 kids ages 8-18. Registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/recycle-right-boot-camptickets-801549906347

SUN 17

Downtown Makers Market 10am-5pm

Visit the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market featuring 40+ local makers & artists every third Sunday of the month on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln streets. scmmakersmarket.com

SAT 23

BY ERIK CHALHOUB

Summer Camp Festival 10am-noon The Santa Cruz Children’ Museum of Discover will hold a free Summer Camp Festival. Chart a course for an unforgettable summer! Grab a treasure map and explore camps from across Santa Cruz County. sccmod.org.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk recently shared two success stories within its organization, highlighting the opportunities available for those who grow up in Santa Cruz.

Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza 10am-2pm Head to Skypark in Scotts Valley for the first annual Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza. There will be fun games, egg hunts, a photo booth, crafts and more. Fun for all ages. scottsvalleychamber.com/event/egg-hunteggstravaganza

Two Santa Cruz natives and longtime Boardwalk leaders, Jessica Alfaro and Karley Pope, were promoted to new positions at the end of January. Alfaro was named Assistant General Manager/Director of Operations, while Pope was promoted to Director of Marketing and Sales.

Top Dog Film Festival 7-`10pm The Top Dog Film Festival makes a stop at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, allowing dog

Alfaro, a graduate of Santa Cruz High School and Cabrillo College, began her career at the Boardwalk in 1996 as a game operator. Her work ethic was recognized by her managers, and she later became a supervisor in the Operations Office and eventually manager of Guest Services in 2011.

She continued to rise through the ranks, and in 2016 was promoted to Director of Operations, where, according to the Boardwalk, she was tasked with day-to-day operations, employee training and improving the guest and employee experience.

lovers from all walks of life to experience the enchantment and deep emotional connections shared between humans and their furry friends. Proceeds support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. riotheatre.com/events-2/2024/03/23/ topdog

MAR 27 - APRIL 14

Santa Cruz Natives Find Success at Boardwalk

SAT 30

Seaside Park Promotes Two Long-Time Employees

members of our team,” said Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk President Karl Rice. “They are both great leaders who always find new and creative ways to improve the Boardwalk experience for guests and employees. I’m proud to call them colleagues and thankful for their dedication to our company.”

SAT-SUN 23-24

Festivals Saturday at 7:30pm at Civic Auditorium and Sunday at 2pm at Henry J. Mello Center Explore the festivals of Japan with Jose Granero’s Matsuri Overture, rediscover the lost masterpiece of Schumann’s Cello Concerto, and recall the Shrovetide Fair from St. Petersburg with Stravinsky’s Petrushka. santacruzsymphony. org/concerts-events

Alfaro’s and Pope’s stories are a great inspiration for youngsters looking to get a jump-start on a career. The Boardwalk is always hiring for various positions, and is currently in a major hiring push as it gears up for the busy spring and summer seasons.

Positions open include game operator, ride operator, food service operator, park host, ticket sales representative, parking attendant and more. Depending on the position, candidates as young as 15 can apply, with wages ranging from $15-$18 an hour and full-time opportunities available from June to September.

GUiSC will attempt to update the calendar listings as needed; however, it is the responsibility of the organization listed to provide updated information. GUiSC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to check the accuracy of the information provided. Events that are free or cost less than $10 can be submitted for inclusion in the calendar. GUiSC does not guarantee that a submitted event will automatically be included. Preference is given for events of interest to children and/or parents. Calendar entries must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. To find out more about promoting your event further or include a paid event, email advertising@growingupsc.com.

Alfaro and her husband Bernardo have two children, whom have both either currently or previously worked at the Boardwalk.

Pope attended Aptos High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She began at the Boardwalk in 2003 as the Youth Sales Manager, and has filled a variety of roles, such as Promotions Director, where she helped expand the number of special events throughout the season. Prior to her promotion, Pope worked as Director of Sales.

Both Alfaro and Pope have also served as leaders in the community, the Boardwalk noted in a press release, with Alfaro having served on the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County Board of Directors, and Pope previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and currently serves on the board of Visit Santa Cruz County.

“Jessica and Karley are amazing

All Boardwalk employees receive free parking and discounts on season passes, food and merchandise. Benefits for full-time employees include medical, 401k, paid time off and more. Interested in applying? Check out beachboardwalk.com/jobs.

FUN RUN RETURNS

The whole family is invited to a foot race through the Boardwalk when the Fun Run returns March 26

Under Ben Bulben Head to the Colligan Theater for this world premiere of Under Ben Bulben, presented by the Jewel Theatre Co. Greeted by the quirky manager, Mrs. Brennen, a variety of guests from around the world pass through a shabby hotel in Ireland, sorting out the baggage of their lives as they spend the night on their way to their next destination. One hotel room, nine stories, and an incomparable landlady. No eating in the rooms. It’s posted. jeweltheatre.net

A portion of the proceeds from registration fees will benefit Haven of Hope, which operates two Short- Term Residential Therapeutic Programs in Santa Cruz County for foster youth. Online registration runs through March 25 at beachboardwalk.com/FunRun. Onsite registration is also available on the day of the race from 6:30–8am at the Boardwalk’s Season Pass/Group Services Office.

Tallow Living History Demonstration 1-4pm Watch a demonstration of how a branding iron works on leather, and get involved by dipping your own candle to take home. parks.ca.gov/Events/Details/15516

SAVE THE DATES

• California’s Great America opens for the 2022 season on March 12, with a special season passholder event on March 11. Gilroy Gardens has not yet announced its opening date as of press time.

Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza 1-4pm Hop on over to Franich Park for a free familyfriendly event. Enjoy a fun-filled day with arts & crafts, games and food trucks. And don’t forget to snap a picture with the Easter Bunny. Kids ages 3 to 13 years old are invited to participate in the egg hunt. watsonville.gov/2430/Egg-HuntEggstravaganza

• Raging Waters in San Jose won’t be falling for the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having as of late, and is sticking to a May 21 opening date.

Open to all ages and abilities, the run features a 1k course for kids ages 12 and under, with a 5k option for everyone 4 and up.

The 1k route begins at the Boardwalk Colonnade and out the Main Entrance, running adjacent to the park before wrapping around and finishing near the Pirate Ship.

The 5k route is similar, but extends along the San Lorenzo River levee up to the Riverwalk Park before returning.

Participants will receive a commemorative finisher medal, Boardwalk treats, up to three hours of post-race free play in the Boardwalk’s Casino Arcade and $15 off a Boardwalk Ride Wristband valid on race day.

TEACHER’S DESK

Can You Trust College Rankings When Choosing Where to Apply?

BY SUSAN TATSUI-D’ARCY

Ever wonder how the US News and World Report select which university is the best in the nation? You would hope that the researchers would create algorhythms to consider a wide range of factors to fairly determine this elite ranking.

But no. Critics in the past two decades have exposed just how ratings can be easily manipulated by the colleges themselves. In order to boost their rankings, colleges simply increase the volume of students who apply. To do this, many colleges target applicants who are unqualified students and entice them with free application fees.

Stanford University, Reed College, and others have openly criticized ranking colleges based on the fact that it is impossible to objectively determine subjective characteristics such as “reputation,” which comprises 25% of the ranking.

Another factor includes emphasizing research expenditures (grants and contracts) to determine the scientific accomplishment rather than considering the importance and impact of scientific discoveries.

Today, US News and World Report sells “badges” to colleges for thousands of dollars so they can post their shiny badges on their website, citing their ranking. US News started selling badges in 2010, and they now have more than 130 categories for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Do the math: 4400 colleges times $20,000 (badge costs are from $8000 to upwards of $32,000 per year) equals hypothetically 88 million dollars per year.

Many colleges are opting out of playing the ranking game, especially many in the top 200. For those colleges, they already have the reputation and they use other marketing strategies to keep them in the news.

But for smaller colleges, they struggle to get the incoming student yields they need so many colleges are compelled to pay outlandish digital marketing license fees.

With over 4400 colleges and universities in the United States, selecting the best-fit college for undergraduates and graduates can be daunting. While we all know about 200 of the well-known colleges that seemingly everyone aspires to each year – Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton –making this decision can be stressful to every college-bound student.

With the high cost of a college education, parents are pushing their children to major in fields that will give

them the best opportunity to secure high-paying jobs in a lucrative market.

Where they get their training (undergraduate degree) often plays an important role in getting into grad schools or setting course for a successful career. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are highly sought after, and as a result, are the most competitive to get into at the top universities.

A quick Google search for the best colleges in specific fields will send students and parents to college-ranking programs like the US News and World Report.

By searching for “Best Colleges” you can select from among several lists such as National Universities, Liberal Arts Universities, Engineering, Top Public

Schools, Regional Colleges, and more. But don’t let the allure of the rankings mislead you.

Rather than choosing colleges based on their rankings, choose colleges based on the academic departments you are interested in studying.

Check the specific major(s) at each of the colleges at the top on your list. Then drill down to see the lower-division and upper-division requirements, and the options for electives. Check out their research, internship, capstone (senior project), and other opportunities.

Then look at the general education requirements. Consider other majors that you may want to explore and possibly audit classes to expand your knowledge. By taking these easy steps, you’ll create a list of excellent

colleges that will give you the skills and foundation you need.

While making one of the most important decisions in your life, research and compare colleges based on which colleges offer you the best selection of courses and options.

Visit the colleges and take tours, or scour their websites and take virtual tours. If you succumb to the rankings, just take them with a grain of salt.

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes) and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year. meritworld.com

TEEN RESOURCE GUIDE

Community Bridges Family Resource Collective

Communitybridges.org/FRC

La Manzana Community Resources

521 Main Street, Ste. Y, Watsonville

Live Oak Community Resources

1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz

Mountain Community Resources

6134 Highway 9, Felton

Nueva Vista Community Resources

711 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

The Family Resource Collective works with individuals and families in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley to build safe, healthy, and compassionate communities through education, resources, and advocacy. We offer a variety of

bi-lingual, bi-cultural services to meet each family and individual’s needs. Our programs and services include food distribution, mental health counseling, parent education workshops, youth tutoring, and more.

“I like to come to the Nueva Vista afterschool homework program because I like to get help from the volunteers, they’re all so nice!” ~ Sophie, participant at Community Bridges’ Nueva Vista Community

Resources

It’s here! Every spring Growing Up in Santa Cruz publishes an annual guide to resources available to teens (and their parents) in the Santa Cruz County area. Our goal is to provide an accessible, helpful list of resources to help teens and families navigate the complex needs of teens in ways that promote healthy avenues for growth, exploration and development. The resources in this guide offer support for dealing with academic, peer pressure and relationship issues, as well as recreational, job training and volunteer opportunities.

We encourage you to share this guide with your teen and post a copy up in your house so your teen has easy access to the resource list. As some topics may be difficult for teens to request support with, we also suggest giving a copy of this guide, and especially of the phone and text hotlines at the end of the guide, to your teen.

Dientes Community Dental Care

1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz

1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz

100 Pioneer Street, Suite D, Santa Cruz 1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville dientes.org

Dientes Community Dental Care is a full-service dental provider located throughout Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including children, teens, adults, and seniors. Our patients are cared for by experienced pediatric and general dentists. As a non-profit dental service, our focus is on high-quality, affordable dental services, including exams, x-rays, fillings, sealants, and root canals. We accept Medi-Cal and we have affordable sliding scale fees for uninsured patients. We offer bi-lingual services. Se habla Español! Dientes, creating healthy smiles for over 30 years.

Gateway School K-8th grade 255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz 831.423.0341

GatewaySC.org

Gateway School has provided students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade with an exemplary education for over 50 years. Our Middle School offers a dynamic, challenging education that prepares teens for the fast-changing world by focusing on scholarship, citizenship, and compassion. The Kindergarten through 8th grade model allows students to become leaders and engage in age-appropriate activities which leads to higher levels of self-esteem and academic achievement. Our graduates have an inquiring spirit, are confident, act with grace and courtesy, and stand up for those who need help. Visit www. gatewaysc.org to register for a tour and experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Jim Booth Swim School

Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville

831.722.3500

Jimboothswimschool.com

Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School!

Mount Madonna School

Preschool-12th grade

491 Summit Road, Watsonville 408.847.2717

MountMadonnaSchool.org

Mount Madonna School (MMS) prioritizes the social, emotional, and physical well-being of its students, while emphasizing academic excellence, positive character development and creative self-expression. MMS strives to prepare well-rounded human beings who succeed in college, value collaboration, form meaningful relationships and engage with their communities, nation and the world. Now enrolling for fall 2024. Offering flexible tuition and transportation, with bus stops throughout Santa Cruz County. MMS does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender identity or gender expression.

Redwood Music Camps info@CommunityMusicSchool.org

CommunityMusicSchool.org

Young musicians explore the music of Ireland, Scotland, and more! For players of violin, viola, flute, penny whistle, recorder, harp, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, small keyboards, and cello. Students practice in instrument-specific groups, and with the entire ensemble. Crafts include making your own bamboo flute! Teen Camp (June 10-15) is a one-week sleepover camp for ages 12-18 in Aptos. Kid Camp (July 22-Aug 2) is a two-week day camp for ages 7-13 in Scotts Valley; a family concert is on Saturday, August 3rd at 10am. Information and registration is online at CommunityMusicSchool.org.

Santa Cruz City Schools

Sam Rolens samuelrolens@sccs.net

831.419.2927

sccs.net/enroll

At Santa Cruz City Schools, students find belonging, room to explore & high expectations. In Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten, students are welcomed into education with a playcentric, curiosity-driven experience. In Elementary, students learn in classrooms, gardens, kitchens, art studios, and in the field–and in our afterschool enrichment programs. In Middle School, we encourage independence and emotional development as students push themselves academically. In High School, we provide countless opportunities: more AP classes, more athletics, more artistic and performance outlets, more leadership opportunities, more community connections and more supports to launch students into their next adventure in college or career excellence

Santa Cruz Montessori

Ages 18 months – 14 years

Main Campus (Primary and Elementary)

6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos 831.476.1646

scms.org

Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High)

244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel Montessori is a non-profit school serving children 18 months to 14 years. Our beautiful classrooms and outdoor environments engage the children’s senses as they learn. Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best. Our Junior High program, Wavecrest, supports 7th and 8th grade students to develop self-discipline, confidence and peer connections through collaborative learning and community involvement. Students work weekly at Live Earth Farm and develop an understanding of their personal vision through community involvement and a challenging academic experience. Now accepting applications for Fall 2024.

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8 2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz 831.425.0519 enrollment@santacruzwaldorf.org santacruzwaldorf.org

Our middle school program serves as a vital bridge into high school, where students not only expand their academic, physical, organizational, and social skills but also develop the capacity to enthusiastically and empathetically engage with the world around them. In addition to our foundational curriculum, Spanish, art, physical education, handwork, gardening, music, drama, and cyber civics are taught. Students partake in adventure-filled overnight field trips, a diverse array of electives, and the culminating 8th-grade project where they delve into an area of personal interest under the guidance of a mentor, empowering them to cultivate their passions and deepen their self-understanding.

YOUR HEALTH

BY JAIME MCFADEN

In a world where mostly everything we do is ONLINE, how are we making space to connect within and with each other in our community?

It is no surprise that the mental health crisis is on the rise. In 2024, San Mateo county declared state of emergency for loneliness - the first county ever to do so. The impacts of isolation from the pandemic in 2020 are still on the rise. Not only is it affecting adults but having a massive negative affect on our children too.

What does this mean for you reading this? How have you been impacted by the pandemic isolation and how has it affected your children? Everything has a ripple affect just like the ocean and if we are unaware or masking - often it can lead to bigger, long term issues. Let’s look at some stats and see how we can increase our social self-care and create healthy boundaries with our devices.

Nearly 20% of children that have been recorded struggling with a mental health issue. That is about 1 in every 5 kids. Throw the high amounts of screen time, video games and social media in the mix and it is no surprise children and adults are getting diagnosed left and right with mental health disorders. The pressure we live under is constant and now stress and anxiety rising.

According to the Kaiser Family foundation, kids 8-18 are spending over 7.5 hours on screens per day. And the reality is much more when you think about how many schools are using screentime now too.

On the flip side to this, the number 1 marker for health and wellness studied over time is our social relationships. When we have high quality social connections, we thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. This starts within ourselves and our home. Then radiates into our community. The first step is taking care of yourself: physically, mentally and emotionally.

I am a huge fan of village style living and creating deep bonds within our community. Creating deep connections and social interactions to increase our health and wellness.

Instead of feeling like there’s no solution, I’ve pulled together some great self-care tips to enhance your social well being and lower screen time which will decrease negative effects

Join a local meet up or group activity ex: Surfing moms, mom walk collective,jugglers in capitola on Tuesday, a meet ups SC. You can find a listing and jump in to meet some new people and start an activity maybe you’ve been wanting to try. Reach out to your local friends and see if someone wants to join you.

Create screen FREE times that you and your family can all stick to. Start small like no screens at dinner table, bathroom or on a walk - once you get used to it you

can add more and replace that time with something fun.

Plan a fun meet up with someone you love and spend quality time without screens - take a hike at Nisene or trot around pleasure point. Embrace the beauty in nature with someone and build your bonds. Spend time getting to know your neighbors - this is such a great way to connect and bring back old traditions where neighbors are friends.

Make a weekly/monthly family plan for outings and create a list of activities you can do together that are without screens - this is also a great way to bond with one another.

Family wellness - this one is HUGE in our house, as a busy mom of two - if i don’t workout WITH my kids, I probably won’t get it done. Good news, you can get a great workout and fresh air at the same time. And bring your furry family members too!

Spark up a conversation at your local coffee shop, restaurant or wherever - so many people are weary of being the first one to say hi, you might surprise yourself by just saying hello to someone could be your new friend!

Come join me for a local meet upmake sure you are on my email list go to jaimemcfaden.com and join the newsletter

so you can be up to date on my upcoming events!

As you read this, think about other ways you like to practice social self care and get your calendar out to mark some dates :)

Another great thing that stems from our social connections is accountability, as a health coach this is number 1 marker of success. When we have healthy connections, we tend to live healthier ourselves.

FASHION FORWARD

Cool Clothes Seen on the Streets and in Schools

BY MORGAN GUERRA

In downtown Santa Cruz, we talked to the most stylish people on the street. From linens closing out summer, to pinstripes making an early fall appearance, classic trends have taken over Front Street. Let’s take a look at the self-expression the Santa Cruz residents choose to communicate through their personal styles.

My name is Morgan Guerra and I am a current student at Cabrillo College. I’ve been enthralled in fashion since being a little girl playing dress-up in my mother’s closet and have longed to work in the fashion industry since. My goal is to shine a spotlight on the diverse fashion in Santa Cruz, as it’s something I’ve always taken notice of, but have never seen anyone truly talk about.

Shayla

Age: 22

Occupation: Student

Hometown: Santa Cruz

On the way to a The Rose concert, Shayla has a perfectly on theme look for both the band and the weather. In the early October heat, Shayla doesn’t forfeit the fall vibes in her on-themed outfit. Lace layering pieces with a target summer dress, she is following the autumn trends while adapting to Santa Cruz weather. Tying in a component in multiple places in an outfit can create a more cohesive look as we see in Shayla’s choice of lace on lace and blue socks and dress. Shayla tells me exploring style doesn’t have to be expensive, you can attempt new combinations. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to keep up with the trends, you can repurpose pieces to stay in style.

AJ

Age: 24

Occupation: Business Owner

Hometown: Oakland

AJ is dressed straight out of a “cool girl” Pinterest board. You heard it here, your dad’s hunting gear paired with the pinkest item you own is in. There are masculine and feminine touches merged in this stylish outfit for a hot day. AJ gives us an example of how hyper-feminine touches can add something extra without obvious or overpowering accessories, ribbons in your hair finish a simplistic outfit with attention to detail. We also see the classic fall boot making an appearance right on time. Riding boots are timeless and can be paired with any outfit no matter the weather. Underwear as outerwear is continuing its reign into the fall season, as bloomers come out from under skirts as a stand-alone piece. Many interesting components create an outfit that exudes fashionable energy.

Aiko Bliss

Age: 20

Occupation: Vintage Sales Associates/ Art Attendant

Hometown: Los Angeles

Aiko Bliss is fearless in stepping into a creative role when it comes to creating her outfits. She pairs a thrifted corset with a piece of fabric that has many purposes. The green fabric was used a couple of nights prior as a birthday top by Aiko. The green frilly skirt is not the only piece that has lived multiple lives. The cowboy boot trend has come from the southern states to California by storm, changing everyday footwear choices drastically. Aiko found her vintage cowboy boots at the Santa Cruz Antique Fair which happens every second Sunday of the month. Aiko’s inspiration wasn’t a supermodel or designer, it was her friends.

Blue

Occupation: Ice Cream Scooper

Hometown: Santa Cruz

Blue is a wonderful example of how we can express our personality through our outfits. A color palette that you connect with can let people get a glimpse of who you are.