Growing Up In Santa Cruz Dec 2022

Jackson likes to see children early to help assure healthy smiles later on. In fact, we recommend a first visit around the time of your child’s first birthday.

EDITOR | PUBLISHER Brad Kava and Steve Dinnen

ART DIRECTOR | MANAGING EDITOR Nathan Mixter

BY JEANETTE PRATHER

When asked about what their holiday wishes were, these kids put some good thought into their answers. So much so, that they stopped in their tracks from playing, took a couple of moments to really reflect on their answers, and then shared what they wanted for this holiday season.

What Do You Want for Christmas?

Julian, age 4, TK at Green Acres

“This holiday I really want a Treasure X toy. They have monsters and robots and ninjas, and I love playing with them.”

Brinton, age 5, Kindergarten at DeLaveaga Elementary

“I have two bigger sisters and I want them to stop asking me to do things. I also wish for a younger brother.”

Adan, age 5, Kindergarten at Bayview Elementary

“I want a chicken and I also want a dinosaur. Hmmm, I wish for a kitty, too!”

Laurel, age 8, 3rd grade at DeLaveaga Elementary

“I wish that my family gets along great all of the time, and I also really want another little brother.”

Ren, age 8, 3rd grade at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary

“I want a gaming computer with a keyboard. I already have a Nintendo Switch and an iPad, but I’m missing a gaming computer.”

Lily, age 8, 3rd grade at DeLaveaga Elementary

“For this holiday I want to get a Pomeranian puppy. They’re so cute and it’s my favorite type of dog.”

Nia, age 9, 4th grade at DeLaveaga Elementary

“I really want a puppy. I don’t have a specific type of puppy that I want, but I definitely want a puppy.”

Conner, age 10, 5th grade at San Lorenzo Valley Elementary

“For the holidays, I really want to get a PlayStation5. They have the best games and I like to play that version.”

Sierra, age 10, 5th grade at DeLaveaga Elementary

“I don’t really have a holiday wish, but if I could wish for anything, then I would wish for more wishes.”

Jim Booth Swim School

Even small changes can make a BIG difference.

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.

Editor's Note

Growing Up in Santa Cruz Receives National Awards

Growing Up in Santa Cruz got some great news. We won four top awards in an international family magazine contest.

As you readers know, printing a magazine or any news source is an uphill battle and getting some good news was a much-appreciated reward.

The prizes came from the Parent Media Association, which represents family magazines around the world. We won for the best cover, the best calendar, the best humor column and public service for our series on the local hazards of the drug, Fentanyl.

HERE'S WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: (Gold Medal) Special Series “Fentanyl Epidemic Hits Our Town”; Suki Wessling, Brad Kava, Sophie Veniel

This collection of material springs from a staff member’s personal tragedy and guides other parents about the dangers and possible interventions related to Fentanyl use by young people. The well-organized primary article includes compelling local data and literacy information, while another piece offers varying viewpoints on how readers might best approach any potential drug use by their own kids.

Front Cover Illustration

“Back to School”; Patty Benson, Christy Shults

Every element on this cover is creatively integrated into the illustration, including the headline, nameplate and date. Masks, shoes, notebooks, water bottles, pens, pencils and more are included. There is much to see, urging readers’ eyes to wander the page and discover.

(Gold Medal) Humor Column

“Adventures in Momming”; Patty Benson

Using cartoon imagery as a base, this column boils down funny aspects of parenting into concise servings packed with lighthearted insight. For example, a map of Teen Island uses clever puns to capture the rough terrain of teenage moodiness.

(Silver Medal) Calendar Design Christy Shults’s Clean organization and

About the Cover

consistent structure provide easy navigation for readers. The typography makes effective use of bold and normal fonts. Soft pastel colors enhance the presentation for an overall accessible and readable listing.

I’m so proud of our staff not just for winning these awards, but for doing the best family and community journalism in the Bay Area all year round over the past 25 years. I’m so thankful to each and every one of them. Everything we do here is to help our readers know the community better. They call it “hyper-local,” which means that all of our writers and stories are based in Santa Cruz with the intention of guiding families to the schools, businesses, health tips, products and information they need and won’t find anywhere else.

With that in mind, I also want to thank our advertisers and the generous donors who helped us get through the pandemic. We wouldn’t be here without them and the fact that they support getting valuable information to Santa Cruz families shows that they care so much for our community. Please support them and give them your business. They are the best.

We wish you a happy holiday season and a terrific 2023.

Brad Kava Editor and Publisher

Catherine Schneider writes: Dad is Barry Schneider who's grown up in Aptos and is now raising his kids here. Jacob (3) is our oldest and a very enthusiastic little guy. Avery (2) is our middle daughter and full of spirited energy. Isabella (1) is our baby who's just trying to always be part of the action. They were spotted outside Jim Booth’s Watsonville swim school. Growing Up couldn’t resist the best Halloween shirt ever.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks announced a community-driven effort is underway to share the history of Castle Beach, an earlier name for what is now part of Seabright State Beach.

Perched above the entrance to Seabright Beach across from Mott Avenue was the Scholl-Mar Castle, which was built in 1929. The castle welcomed visitors for almost 40 years, offering beach fun with everything from volleyball, umbrellas and a snack bar to oceanview dining and hot saltwater baths.

Friends, in partnership with the Seabright Neighbors Association, California State Parks and generous donors, is working to tell the story of this beloved beach’s

history through the placement of beautiful, informative, bilingual signs, as well as replacing the unique castle-shaped gate at the park’s entrance.

“We’re proud to be part of this community project to tell such a uniquely Santa Cruz story,” Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley said.

The goal is to fabricate and install the new gate and two signs, one English and one Spanish, at Seabright Beach next spring. To fund the effort, Friends working to raise $19,000 by year-end 2022.

Supporters can make a donation to support the project at www. thatsmypark.org/castlebeachproject.

Visitors to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center can experience the cycle of a single drop of water when they take part in Water's Extreme Journey, a hands-on, interactive maze designed by Minotaur Mazes now through the end of the year.

Water's Extreme Journey maze takes visitors on a wild role-playing adventure where they are transformed into a raindrop and challenged to stay clean. Visitors are sent on a journey through mountains, streams and even their own backyards, where everyday decisions

impact their chance of staying clean and reaching a healthy ocean.

The maze also will highlight water research happening at UC Santa Cruz and in the greater community, and encourage people to support clean water initiatives. Features within the maze have been tailored to represent Santa Cruz County water issues.

Exploring the maze is included with admission to the Seymour Center, located at 100 McAllister Way in Santa Cruz. The Seymour Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

The Child Development Resource Center, a program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, is a onestop source for Santa Cruz County families seeking child care. Recently expanded resources now include two interactive mapping tools that show the location of licensed child care centers and family child care homes. One tool, MyChildCarePlan.org is now a statewide source of child care information.

These maps not only enable families to easily find and connect with their local providers, they help to highlight opportunities to add new providers to better meet families' needs for accessible child care.

Provides are encouraged to list their business for free with the Child Development Resource Center, which then allows families to be referred to their programs. Providers also can receive help becoming licensed and get connected with

resources like health and safety raining, professional development, community connections and more. Child care providers can visit the Child Development Resource Center’s new website to add or update their business listing. They also can tap into resources and reach out to staff with questions.

Visit childcare.santacruzcoe.org or call 831.466.5820.

Become a Holiday Helper by giving to the often forgotten care facility residents in Santa Cruz County. It’s the time of the year when our community comes together to ensure that all have a special and memorable holiday season. Please help us to make the holiday special for our seniors and let them know they are remembered!

Holiday Helpers is now accepting donations and wrapped gifts and will do so through December 7th. Gifts suggestions include new lap blankets, scarves, slippers, slipper sox, socks, shirts, lotions, calendars, crossword puzzles,

word search, adult coloring books, etc. Please mark packages male or female, with sizes, ready for delivery to the care facility residents. It’s nice seeing the smile on their faces when they open up their gifts! Cards as well as cash donations are appreciated.

Please drop off all gifts between 9am and noon, Monday through Friday, through Dec. 7. For further information and drop off options at 831.459.8917, Ext. 205.Cleveland.n@fsa-cc.org. www.fsa-cc.org.

Campus Tour

SPECIAL ABILITIES

How did public schools help a student with ADHD?

A Three Part Story of a Mother in Crisis

BY JEANETTE PRATHER

PART II

Mother Jeanette Prather knew she faced an uphill battle getting help in school when her son was diagnosed with ADHD. This series documents her struggles and the help she received, and yes, it has a happy ending. You can read part 1 at Growingupsc.com (growingupsc.com/how-to-help-your-childwith-adhd-in-school)

I addressed the school issue with this knowledge by reaching out to Alternative Family Education (AFE), who confirmed they had a resource teacher available to work with Luke that year. With some desperate negotiations from his mainstream resource teacher, I decided to keep him in school. Shortly after that, he was invited to a 12-person cohort for students who really needed that help. This was fine for a while and an incredible break from the otherwise hectic Santa Cruz school traffic that I faced every morning on my commute from Scotts Valley (we moved summer of 2019 and let Luke decide if he wanted to stay at his school or change, and he wanted to stay). But then the second shoe dropped; spring 2021 invited all students back to school, full time.

I mistakenly thought that since Luke had been attending school since the November prior, that he would have an easy transition back full time with everyone. Nope. It got so bad that first day as we approached his school, that I thought I was going to have to pull over before he got sick. After we parked, I couldn’t get him out of the car and in a desperate attempt for damage control, I scrambled to the school seeking the school counselor, who happened to know Luke very well. She followed me, as I was nearly in tears, to the car to try and coax Luke out and into his class. The most success she had that morning was a long walk with Luke around the school, an excused tardy and my cell phone number in case I needed to come pick him up. Heartbreak again.

It went on like this for a couple of weeks before he eased into the new routine, right before school let out for summer break 2021 (I still don’t understand why they opened schools in

April of that year, then let the kids out at the end of May).

Anyway, after recovering that summer, he was ready for his fifth and final year at that school. That was the year met with the most success, like his second grade year, although I was not so convinced that mainstream would be our path forward. In fact, I had already been “school shopping” for Luke since his late second, early third grade years prior to the pandemic. I was not convinced that we could pull-off middle school with our elementary school track record, and so I began searching for any alternatives I could possibly find.

Restricted by not having the finances for private school, yet every fiber of my being, every cell in my body screaming not to go mainstream again, I began digging and digging and digging…

NOT TOO MANY OPTIONS FOR AN IEP

I would spend Zoom sessions in my Dramatist’s Guild certification class secretly searching for alternative middle school options in Santa Cruz County. I didn’t know about charter schools at this point, but I found a few alternative programs fall of 2021 that looked promising.

As a journalist, I know how to follow leads. So, I spent that fall following one thread and then another until I thought I had found the best solution; an alternative program formerly called Phoenix Academy, presently Santa Cruz Community School. In my research

I learned that this was the school for middle school expulsion students and those who’ve accrued too many tardies. The program director had a very innovative, new age approach to middle school curriculum where he would have the kids read classic literature and discuss the books while sitting on their desks; listen to TED talks; create an incentive, community approach to his grading; and offer project-based learning opportunities. He didn’t know who would be in attendance during any points of the year because the program was really created as a fluid launchingoff educational platform and not really

a stay-and-learn model. I was desperate so I didn’t really care, just loved the director’s approach to learning.

So there. That’s it. October 2021 and I was ahead of the game. I was convinced – and thusly, convinced everyone around me – that this was the program for us.

Bonus: It is a seven-minute walk from Luke’s grandparent’s house, so he would just walk there when he was done at 1 pm. Perfect. Reality check: Nothing is perfect.

When I floated this idea to Team Education Luke that year, everyone was sold except for the County Office of Education (COE), who mentioned how early it was and suggested that we wait until after spring break in 2022 to really finalize details. So, we waited.

Spring break came and went, so I eagerly emailed the COE. We set up a meeting with Luke in attendance, and most of the hour was spent emphasizing

their hesitation with putting Luke into Santa Cruz Community School. “He’s a really youthful 11-year-old,” they said to me. “We wouldn’t want him to get exposed to too much.”

Heartbreak again. It was May 2022, and I still didn’t know where Luke would attend school in the fall. But knowing that I couldn’t give up on him, I picked myself up by the bootstraps and continued my search.

Do you have stories about how to handle special needs and special abilities students? Have you found successful alternatives you can share? Please write to editor@ growingupsc.com

“

Restricted by not having the finances for private school, yet every fiber of my being, every cell in my body screaming not to go mainstream again, I began digging and digging and digging…

Local Gifts for Everyone on Your List

BY JEANETTE PRATHER

FOR THE COZY HOMEBODY

FOR THE HEALTHY FOODIE

Zinnia’s Gift Boutique

219 C Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley

Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 6:30pm & Sun: 9am - 5:30pm $$$

When you first walk into Zinnia’s, there’s so much to take in that it feels almost museum-like. You’re greeted at the front of the store by a large, intricately decorated Christmas tree where some glass ornaments, figures and candles reside. Making your way back through the store, you’ll find jewelry to your right, unique and very stylized culinary items to your left, and finally comfy, warm clothing near the back of one section of the store – think, snuggling next to a log fire in a cabin. There’s a touch of Providenciales vibes as you make your way through the culinary section and to the other half of the store.

Through the entrance into the second part of the store, there are high-end candles, soaps and lotions to smell. All of the items in this section boast chic floral designs. A table featuring writing and crafty objects is placed in the center of the room before a wall featuring an array of books. All throughout the store are sprinklings of home accessories amid the multitude of various items. Also, the store hosts a variety of local artists; Annie Glass, Art Hearts, Houston Llew Tiles, Lori Mitchell, Michel Designs, Nora Fleming and Rock Art all make the cut.

Finally, making your way through the end of the second half of the store, there are high end gift items for children ranging from blankets, to stuffed animals to books to crafting accessories. “I think our baby blankets are exceptional and such heirloom pieces from Little Giraffe and Bearington,” said store owner, Dedra Bennett. “It’s hard for me to choose just one item as I love them all!”

Staff of Life

1266 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 906 East Lake Ave, Watsonville

Hours: Mon – Sun: 8am – 9pm $$

For over 50 years, Staff of Life has provided Santa Cruz, and now Watsonville, with healthy, organic eats. Not only are they the sole certified green grocery store in Santa Cruz, but they also offer gift items near Café del Sol at the entrance of the store, as well as in the back of store past the herbs and vitamins (Santa Cruz location). Additionally, you can find holistic gifts and independent publication items throughout the store. If you have a foodie on your list, consider Staff of Life because you can mix-andmatch food and non-food items to gift.

“We try and stick with sustainable, fair-trade items where we can,” said Sierra Hagberg, the department manager of the gift section. “The wooly ornaments are fair-trade from Peru, and Matr Boomie are fair-trade gift bags. Another popular item we carry are our Goodlight candles. They’re eco soil wax.”

Known for their organic stock and support of local farms, Staff of Life is an eclectic option for gifting. Check out their succulents and plants near the entrance of the store, and then dive more into the healing items present in the back of their store.

FOR THE NATURE LOVER

Nature Store

Henry Cowell State Park, Felton

Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 5pm $$

Want to shop for a good cause? The Nature Store at Henry Cowell State Park is a non-profit gift shop that offers 100% of its proceeds back to the Mountain Parks Foundation and Big Basin. “It’s good to know that you’re supporting the redwoods when you shop here,” said Brenda Holmes, the executive director of

the Mountain Parks Foundation.

Many of the items featured in this store are unique to the Santa Cruz area and has a rustic, outdoors feel to it. Of course, a plethora of banana slugs share tables with sapling redwoods, handmade soaps, toys and other educational children’s items. Jewelry, glass figurines and artwork occupy one half of the store, while books, mugs and other accessories occupy the other half. They offer t-shirts and outwear, too.

“We like to showcase a lot of local artists and give tourists the chance to purchase unique-to-Santa-Cruz items,” said Holmes. “They’re not all local in here, but we try and use local artists as much as possible.”

FOR THE SANTA CRUZ PRIDEFUL

McCulley, Dunderdale made Recovery Pillows for heating and cooling out of Bonnie Doon lavender and whole grain rice to give to veterans. “They’re a hot item here,” said McCulley. “We’ve sold seven online today so far.”

Fun fact about Dunderdale, the city’s mayor awarded Dunderdale and Made in Santa Cruz their very own day. December 15 is now officially Dohna Lee Dunderdale and Made in Santa Cruz day, so celebrate accordingly!

FOR THE CHIC, SOULFUL MINIMALIST

With very strong branding, Botanic + Luxe is the store for “spoily gifts,” as co-owner Ariel Stirm put it. “We have one-of-a-kind gifts not found anywhere else,” said Stirm.

Made in Santa Cruz 57 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz Hours (fall/winter): Sun – Thurs: 9am – 6:30pm & Fri – Sat: 9am – 8pm $$

If you’re looking for something straight out of Santa Cruz, you’ll definitely find it in Made in Santa Cruz. The store hosts a lot of varied Santa Cruz clothing, stickers, patches, ornaments, paintings, you name it! Naturally, the NHS brand and Jimbo Phillips grace us with their artwork. These items are featured right alongside other indigenous Santa Cruz products like handmade soaps and lotions.

“Everything in here is made or designed in Santa Cruz,” said Julie McCulley, the store’s assistant manager. “Dohna Dunderdale, the store’s late owner, had a saying. She used to say that Made in Santa Cruz is where imaginations soar.” Dunderdale was not only an entrepreneur and the former store owner, according to

Botanic + Luxe features items handselected and curated specifically for the store with most items coming from “small makers,” fair-trade and California creators, according to Stirm. The store, that just moved into the Cooperhouse Shopping Center (between Abbott Square and O’Neill’s) from next to the El Palomar restaurant last month, carries many plants, succulents, dishware, incense, candles, journals, home décor, artwork and children’s toys, all in the spirit of nature and homeopathy. Scented in peaceful tones of vanilla and fresh air, the store offers a calm shopping experience amid chic and tidy display racks full of unique, high-end yet subtly spiritual gift items.

“We’re expanding our jewelry section, too,” said Stirm, who also mentioned that some of her best-selling items include essential oils and diffusers. “I’m definitely seeing an influx in homeopathic and apothecary trends helping to sustain beauty. I think people are starting to witness beauty from the inside out,” said Stirm.

After the Cesarean

BY LAURA MAXSON, LM

The first days and weeks after childbirth can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially when also recovering from major abdominal surgery. Most people don’t plan on a cesarean birth, but the reality is that about one in every three births nowadays is a c-section.

How a person feels after surgery depends on many things. The type of anesthesia used and any reactions it might have caused (drugs to relieve nausea or itching often result in drowsiness). Was the cesarean performed before labor started or after many hours of hard labor? Are there other existing or developing illnesses impacting recovery? Does the baby need special care? All these factors contribute to a person’s physical and emotional state postpartum.

Immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth is the norm even with a cesarean. Sometimes the ability to effectively handle the baby right after birth may be impacted by the inability to move freely due to pain, feeling groggy, and/ or medical equipment such as IVs and

blood pressure cuffs getting in the way. A partner, doula or family member can help facilitate skin-to-skin contact and watch for cues that indicate the baby is ready to latch. Taking photos of skin-toskin and/or nursing in those first hours can be precious and reassuring later if memories are hazy.

An important part of early bonding is being able to comfortably interact with and enjoy the baby. Choose pain medications compatible with breastfeeding and stay on schedule with meds. Keep pain under control to allow for more ease in getting up and around. Take advantage of the adjustable hospital bed to help make moving more manageable. Raise the side rails to assist when moving or rolling over.

Breastfeeding can be healing after a cesarean. Rooming-in allows for easy access to the baby for feedings, however the ability to be up and about soon after birth varies. It may be difficult to get the newborn from the baby bed without assistance. Some hospitals require another adult to be present in order for the baby to remain in the room post-op.

A doula, friend or family member might need to spend the night at the hospital to enable rooming-in if the other parent needs to go home to sleep or care for other children.

If the baby is not able to nurse right away, hand expression or pumping can be started in the first hour or so. When ready to nurse, the football or clutch position using plenty of pillows is often most comfortable as it minimizes pressure on the incision.

Because there may be a delay in the milk coming in after a cesarean, it pays to be proactive by being discharged with a hospital-grade breast pump if there are any issues at all with breastfeeding. Take advantage of breastfeeding support available in our community from hospital and independent lactation consultants, doulas, Nursing Mothers Counsel and WIC.

Getting plenty of fluids, good foods and the support needed to rest are important to recovery. At home, simplify life as much as possible, call on friends, family and/or a postpartum doula to help with cooking, household chores and other children. Even with extra help, mood swings are common after any birth and especially after a cesarean. Many people find it is too much to try to process the birth right away - they’ll need time and support before they are ready. Plans to revisit the birth at some point will be easier if parents request a copy of the hospital birth records before leaving the hospital. This ensures information is available when ready to examine the experience more closely. The

RESOURCES

• Speak up Santa Cruz www.speakupsantacruz.org

• Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net

• Birth Network of Santa Cruz County wwww.birthnet.org

• Lamaze 10 Tips for Avoiding a First-Time Cesarean www.tinyurl.com/2p9cmxz3

• ICAN www.icanofmontereycounty.webs.com

organizations, Speak Up Santa Cruz, and Postpartum Support International, can help with local and national resources if postpartum depression or mood issues develop, or if parents just want a little extra support.

The International Cesarean Awareness Network, (ICAN) offers information and support for those experiencing a cesarean birth or planning a vaginal birth after a cesarean. Lamaze International has an article on avoiding an initial cesarean. Birth Network of Santa Cruz County offers a listing of childbirth related resources, including doulas, childbirth educators, support groups, counselors and more.

“ Because there may be a delay in the milk coming in after a cesarean, it pays to be proactive by being discharged with a hospital-grade breast pump if there are any issues at all with breastfeeding.

FAMILY GUIDE

Adventure Sports Unlimited 303 Potrero Street, #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com

We teach infants through adults the joys of water and adventure. Our ocean programs introduce families to our magnificent marine environments with camping trips to Santa Cruz Island and Big Sur. We explore the world-renown underwater landscape of Monterey Bay through our Open Water Scuba courses. Come play with us!

Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District 831.338.4144 bcrpd.org

to help families by placing a free listing in the child care referral database.

Dientes Community Dental Care

Main Clinic: 1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 831.464.5409

Live Oak:  1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz 831.276.7010

Beach Flats: 302 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz 831.464.5411

Watsonville: 1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville 831.621.2560

Dientes.org

Gateway School is the only K-8 school in Santa Cruz accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its mission is to inspire children to lead lives of purpose and compassion through scholarship and citizenship, and all are welcome. Learn more by visiting gateways.org.

Jim Booth Swim School

Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville

831.722.3500

jimboothswimschool.com

Alison

K. Jackson, DDS Children’s Dentistry

7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.662.2900

santacruzkidsdentist.com

We provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and very thorough in our evaluations and consultations. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and are able to treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably under a general anesthesia. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.

Be Natural Music

740 Water St, Santa Cruz 831.515.8369

Be Natural Music is a Jazz & Rock Music School based in Santa Cruz, with a new location in Cupertino serving our community over the hill. Our schools offer private music lessons, Real Rock & Jazz Band classes for youth and teens, workshops, and music camps. We offer musical instruction on voice, piano & keyboard, guitar, bass, drums & percussion, saxophone, clarinet, ukulele, harp & beginning DJ lessons.

BeNaturalMusic.Live

Providing quality programs and services through the provision of facilities, parks, and activities that enriches and improves the quality of lives of people living in our community. The BCRPD runs KBCZ 98.3FM, Community Tool Shed, Bear Creek Community Center and Pool, BC Recreation, Junction Park, Garrahan Park, and Barbara Day Dam Park. Assisting the community by offering affordable child care, rental space for weddings, meetings and parties, free programs for adults and children and local events. "

Cabrillo's Crocker Theater www.NutcrackerSantaCruz.com

Nutcracker performances Saturday 12/17 and Sunday 12/18 at 1pm and 4:30pm each day Kick-off the holidays with joy! Add sparkle to the season with the magic of the Nutcracker! Gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets, and exquisite dancing sure to delight and inspire all ages! One weekend ONLY! A steadfast holiday tradition with something new to see each year! What better way to celebrate than with family, friends, beauty, smiles, community, laughter, and the Nutcracker? Experience the Magic!

Child Development Resource Center

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 400 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz 831.466.5820 childcare.santacruzcoe.org

Finding the right care for your child is one of the most important decisions your family can make. The Child Development Resource Center (CDRC) is your one-stop source for Santa Cruz County families seeking child care. Our Child Care Referral Specialists can answer your questions — by phone or inperson — and connect you with licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes to meet your family’s needs. CDRC maintains the only up-todate list of child care programs in Santa Cruz County. Providers are encouraged

Dientes Community Dental Care is a full-service dental provider located throughout Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including children, adults, and seniors and 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, providing dignity through dentistry for 30 years.

Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm 6411 Freedom Blvd., Aptos 831.236.6894 freedomschoolhouseandfarm.com

Freedom Schoolhouse and Farm offers a unique program in a beautiful setting. Our curriculum is emergent with a strong emphasis on creating a connection to the natural world. We seek to promote and maintain basic principles of Freedom, with the goal of educating our children to be critical thinkers. Our open classroom creates a warm environment, and we encourage freedom of choice and relationship building. Set on several acres, every day is filled with the beauty of nature, joys of friendship, and fun activities geared toward artistic expression, physical movement, and the development of a lifelong love of learning.

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

gatewaysc.org

Located on the west side of Santa Cruz, Gateway School provides students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade with an exemplary education. Small class sizes and programs in Art and Technology, Music, Spanish, and Life Lab complement a robust academic curriculum grounded in Social Emotional Learning. We value collaboration, creativity, and a love of learning, and encourage our students to become compassionate and responsible citizens.

Be a water wonder! 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!"

Junebug’s Gym

3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz 831.464.BUGS (2847) junebugsgym.com

JuneBug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful, and supportive staff that encourages every child in their growth of large motor skills and gymnastics along with social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our goals for our students are to help them feel control and empowerment in their bodies, to build self-esteem through success, to open up their imaginations, and to feel confidence and joy in their exploration of movement.

Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar

1100 Pacific Ave, Downtown Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 www.kiantis.com

Kianti’s offers a lively yet comfortable atmosphere where friends and families can gather enjoying delicious food and drinks while appreciating friendly and professional staff. Our unique menu is designed to give patrons the option of family style dining either indoors or cozied up on one of our heated patios.Join us Friday and Saturday evenings to see the pizza spinning team, accompanied by dancing servers and a flame-raising kitchen. Order for curbside and delivery of our entire menu and drinks including Kianti’s Signature Cocktails, Kianti’s Handcrafted Liquor, Kianti’s Wine, Kids Pizza Kits and Family Dinner Special. Don’t forget that we cater!

Mount Madonna School, Preschool-12th grade 491 Summit Road, Watsonville 408.847.2717 www.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 humans who succeed in college, value collaboration, form meaningful relationships and engage with their communities, nation, and the world. Visit MMS and learn how its transformative education is within reach for your family. Financial assistance and transportation available, with bus stops throughout Santa Cruz County. MMS does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, gender identity, or gender expression.

Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc

Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County

Call/Text: 831.332.9002 registrar@musicalme.com  musicalme.com

Offering Music Together®: A researchbased music enrichment program for children birth to age 5, and the grownups who love them. This program enhances children’s learning in multiple domains (mentally, physically, socially, etc.), increases family engagement and richly adds to each family’s “toolbox”. Siblings are welcome, especially infants who may attend free if they are 8 months or under. We offer classes both outdoors and indoors.  Contact us today to try a free class and bring the joy of music into your family’s life.

Nursing Mothers Counsel 831.688.3954 (Santa Cruz) 650.327-6455 (Bay Area)

NursingMothers.org

Nursing Mothers Counsel, Inc. is a non-affiliated, non-profit organization whose goal is to help mothers and their babies enjoy a relaxed and happy feeding relationship. Our help is provided by telephone, text, Zoom, email, Facebook, FaceTime, and in-home visits. We provide hospital-grade breast pump rentals and grants. NMC services are provided without fee or obligation. Counselors are available from 9:00am – 9:00pm. If you would like to become a certified breastfeeding counselor please register for our trainings. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Orchard School K-6 2288 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos 831.688.1074

orchardschoolaptos.org

Orchard School, established over 30 years ago, provides a unique, yet comprehensive K-6 education. At Orchard, we weave together the magic of an extraordinary faculty, a 14-acre campus and a down to earth philosophy that nourishes and honors the natural growth and development of children. Small class sizes, an organic garden and an animal farm create enriching “whole child” learning experiences that are hands-on and individualized. We provide Strong Core Academics, Lab-Based Science Curriculum, Art, Music, Physical Theater/Circus Arts, Electives, Ceramics, Archery, Swimming, Leadership, Field Trips, Drama Productions, and more.

Santa Cruz Montessori

Ages 18 months – 14 years

Main Campus (Primary and Elementary) 6230 Soquel Drive

Aptos Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High) 244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel 831.476.1646

scms.org

Established in 1964, Santa Cruz 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. We offer a supportive community of learners and an exciting Montessori curriculum including humanities, math, sciences, and arts.

Our mission: as a Montessori learning community, we inspire lifelong learning and a more peaceful world by nurturing the natural development of the whole child.

The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program

triplep.first5scc.org

The Triple P - Positive Parenting Program is a world-renowned program available to families in Santa Cruz County who have children ages birth to 16, including children with special needs. Backed by more than 30 years of international, scientific research, Triple P offers families proven strategies for strengthening relationships with their children and for preventing or managing a full range of parenting challenges - tantrums, sibling rivalry, homework, bullying, bedtime, communicating with teens, and more.

Triple P partners with First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

COMING JANUARY

Independent Schools Guide

Email

SCHOOLS

Phonics or Whole Language?

BY SUSAN TATSUI-D'ARCY

I started a private school for my daughters when the California reading curriculum implemented the “Whole Language” approach and stopped teaching phonics in 1994. I worried that as the pendulum swung to the extreme left, we would have a generation of students with reading and spelling problems –something I didn’t want for my girls.

I tried to understand the “Reading Wars” and researched the benefits of each approach.

The Whole Language method teaches children to read by recognizing a group of letters as an entire word. They don’t learn that individual letters make different sounds. Instead, young students memorize these sight words and put the words together in a sentence using context clues to understand the general meaning of the sentence.

The Phonics-Based method teaches children the sounds that each alphabet makes so they can string the sounds together to make new words. The students learn spelling rules so they can decode words. Next they learn blends and digraphs (ch, gl, st, fr, etc) to expand their vocabulary.

I found that teaching reading in the English language was difficult and frustrating because English doesn’t consist of just phonemes or sight words. How can a young reader sound out “fight”? It’s not phonetic. But then how can a child tell the difference between “through” and “though” when they look similar and they haven’t learned phonograms (ight, ough, tion, etc.)?

I couldn’t believe that there was just one way to teach children to read. After consulting with reading specialists, I designed a curriculum that gave students all the tools they would need to read. It included phonics, phonograms, sight words and whole language -- in this order.

Starting at age 2, we taught phonemes (individual speech sounds). There are 44 phonemes in the English language. The students learned all of the sounds that each alphabet makes (A= ah, ay, uh; S=s, z). This gives the child basic rules to begin to see how words are simply a string of letter sounds. They enjoyed reading C-A-T and making that successful connection between the spoken and written word.

Next, we taught phonograms (fixed combinations of letters that make one or more sounds). There are 49 multi-letter phonograms. By learning phonograms, students use these tools to read much more than the basic consonant-vowelconsonant words. Children can sound out words using phonemes and phonograms: S-IGHT. By encouraging students to make

lists of words with the phonogram of the week, they learned that the “ite” sound can be spelled either “ITE” or “IGHT.”

Students who learn phonograms are better spellers than those who memorize groups of letters in sight words.

While students master phonemes and phonograms, we also introduced sight words. Certain words are just too difficult to sound out – even with phonograms –so we introduce certain words that they simply need to memorize. Words like “the” or “what” need to be memorized and recognized by sight.

Students begin to apply their knowledge of phonemes, phonograms, and sight words as they read, and then they use context clues to increase their comprehension and fluency. That’s where we incorporate the Whole Language approach to reading. I also found that having children write words, and then sentences, paragraphs and stories, reinforced their reading skills. As we read classics to children, we pointed to the words to build their sight vocabulary.

By giving students the tools to divide words into sound bites and to memorize words that are rule breakers, they can become confident readers. Both of my daughters learned to read at age 3 and started writing 2-3 page stories at age 4. Introducing a variety of reading instruction strategies ensures that all children can find their way to reading that works for them.

Although most schools in Santa Cruz have adopted a hybrid approach that includes an eclectic way to teaching reading, these “Reading Wars” continue in many places across the United States.

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

FRI 2

Campus Tour at Mount Madonna School. 10am-12pm Come for a tour and stay for a preview of the Matilda Jr. Small classes and learning that goes beyond the classroom walls, Montessoriinfluenced preschool and kindergarten and academically vibrant 1st–12th grades. Featuring hands-on science labs, outdoor adventure and travel, marine science on Catalina Island, buddy program, visual and performing arts. Contact Benna Dimig at 408-846-4042 or admissions@ mountmadonnaschool.org

SAT 3

Winter Open House 10am-5pm Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a free day celebrating the changing of the seasons. Enjoy free admission to the Museum all day. Free nature crafts & gift making from 10am to 2pm outdoors in Tyrrell Park.

Makers Market Holiday Pop-Up 11am4pm Kick-Off December shopping after the parade with the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market. More than 30 local artists and makers will be on hand and there will be fun crafts and music. scmakersmarket.com.

Lighted Boat Parade 5:30-7:30pm The Lighted Boat Parade features 50 beautifully decorated power and sailboats parading through the Santa Cruz Harbor. This is a family event with hot drinks and snacks available at various locations throughout the south harbor. scyc.org.

MON 5

Wonderland Toys 7th Birthday Celebration 10am-6pm 19-B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Come make a xmas craft, get a free birthday balloon and cupcake, and take a picture with Santa (4pm-6pm.) Followed by Adults-only evening shopping 7-9pm. Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Refreshments, a raffle and free gift wrap (up to 3 items).  wonderlandsantacruz.com

TUES 6

Gateway School Day Tours 9-11am Come and learn how Gateway School inspires children's innate curiosity and sense of wonder through daily exploration, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Visit www.gatewaysc.org and schedule a tour to experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum 9am-5pm Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9am5pm. Come explore the biodiversity of our gardens, great birdwatching or simply come relax on a bench in the shade. arboretum.ucsc.edu/eventscalendar/events/ recurring-events/community-day.html

FRI 9

Unto Us a Child is Born 7-9pm Get into the Christmas spirit with an amazing night of Christmas music and art at Monte Vista Christian School The evening includes a beautiful Christmas concert in the Don Price Performing Arts Chapel with middle school artwork displayed in the lobby, followed by Christmas cookies and hot chocolate! Admission is free!

SAT 10

SAT-SUN 10-11

SAT 17

Madagascar Jr. at Mount Madonna School 2pm. At New York’s Central Park Zoo, Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria, the hip-hip hippo, are best of friends. When Marty escapes, the other three break free to look for him, only to find themselves reunited on a ship en route to Mother Africa in the musical adventure “Madagascar Jr.,” a crack-alackin’ story of friendship and teamwork as embodied onstage by Mount Madonna School’s middle school cast. At the Hawks’ Nest Theater. Tickets are available at mmsmadagascar.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $15; $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved.

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker 1 and 4:30 pm both days. Celebrate the holidays with SCBT’s The Nutcracker at Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium! The only local Nutcracker featuring a live orchestra conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin. This holiday favorite features SCBT dancers and professional, wordclass guest dancers as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. Tickets at SantaCruzTickets. com.  More info at scbt.org

SUN 11

Mini Fungus Fair 11am-3pm Join local fungiphiles at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for the return of the (Mini) Fungus Fair in partnership with the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz. Explore a display of dozens of species of local mushrooms while enjoying free family-friendly activities and community resources. Admission to the museum is free all day.

Winter Art Market at the Tannery Arts Center 10am-5pm Start your holiday shopping at the Tannery Art Center. The Winter Art Market at the Tannery Arts Center returns the first weekend of December! Find the perfect holiday gift as you peruse one-of-a-kind creations by local artists. Enjoy live music and on-site food truck as you explore the Small Works show at Radius Gallery, art demonstrations, and over 15 open artist studios. Find everything from ceramics, jewelry, and sculpture to painting, prints, and apparel. The Market is on, rain or shine, with plenty of available parking and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Living History at Wilder Ranch 11am-3pm This family-friendly holiday event features holiday themed oldfashioned activities, crafts and living history demonstrations. Kids can try their hand at candle making, wreath making and crafts. The event is free but there is a $10 day vehicle day use fee.

Downtown Antique Faire 8am-5pm

The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the second 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. Interested in vendor space? Call (831) 476-6940. downtownsantacruz.com/do/ downtown-antique-fair-1

Benefit Concert 7-10pm Christie McCarthy and Glen MacPherson will perform a concert at Corralitos Cultural Center benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. Cost: $20.

SAT-SUN 17-18

Santa Cruz Dance Guild Nutcracker Dec. 17 at 1pm and Dec. 18 at 8pm. This show features dancers of all ages and backgrounds at Cabrillo College's Crocker Theater. Members of the staff including Studio Director Shannon Chipman and ballet teacher Vicki Bergland performed in the original Santa Cruz Nutcracker production and continue to dance.

SUN 18

Winter on the Wharf 3-5pm Come enjoy holiday decorations and see Santa arrive on the Wharf in a vintage fire engine. Take photos with Santa and play in the snow.

WED 21

Solstice Tide Pool Walk 2:30-4:30pm/ The Winter Solstice coincides with the approach of the new moon, bringing excellent low tides that are perfect for exploring the intertidal zone and its many fascinating creatures. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with us during this guided walk at The Hook in Capitol. Event is free.

WED-THUR 21-22

Agape Dance Nutcracker This Christmas, Agape Dance Academy presents their 10th Anniversary Nutcracker. Enjoy all the fun of a timeless classic. Show times are at 2:30pm and 6:30pm at Cabrillo's Crocker Theater.

Here Are Some Websites That Aren’t Junk Food

BY BRAD AND PARKER KAVA

Sometimes I want to scream when I see my 6-year-old on the iPad. He watches some of these YouTube videos with people who sound like they are just screaming nonsense.

But lately he’s found some educational games we can do together—and they are challenging for both of us. He’s better at some of them than me because he’s been brought up playing computer games. It turns out we play together and make a great team.

1. BRAIN TEST: TRICKY PUZZLES

(POKI.COM)

This one is my favorite, because every one of these tricky tests makes you look at things in a new way and they get harder as you advance.

For example, on one of the beginner’s screens it asks you to feed the cat and has some food for it. My logic told me to drag the food over to the image of the cat… but it never worked, no matter how many times I tried. The first grader had better luck: he dragged the food over to the word cat in the question --and voila!—it worked.

Another of the simpler ones asks which month is longer, May, March or February. I was stumped, but the kid wasn’t…. February has more letters in it.

Then it gets more advanced: “My widowed granny has three children. They are all married with at least one child. My aunt has three nephews. What is the minimum number of chairs we need for dinner?”

I’ll let you figure that one out.

In short, this is a blast and something we can do together as equals.

The company that makes the game, Poki, is based in Amsterdam and has more than 300 developers and 50 million players a month. It’s free if you bear commercials, or you can pay to play without ads.

2. AKINATOR

EN.AKINATOR.COM

Did you ever play 20 questions, the game where someone thinks of a famous person, object or animal, and others have to guess the character using the fewest questions possible?

That’s the game that the French company, Elokence, came up with in 2007 and it’s one kids can play alone or with a parent. It’s a blast watching the program figure out your secret and it’s surprising how quickly it can do it.

Not only does it guess your answer quickly, but it tells you how long ago someone else in the world tried the same mystery.

We really have fun trying to stump it and watching the questions it comes up with to narrow down the choices and solve the puzzle.

“I like how good it is and that he can actually guess your character,” says Parker, 6, who discovered the app on videos of other people playing it. It’s fun in the car or at the kitchen table.

3. DHAR MANN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

Seventeen million subscribers have found this series of videos, which each have a moral lesson for kids. Dhar Mann is a serial entrepreneur who has had mixed success and some controversy, but Parker loves these videos and they have good, if simplistic, moral messages, mostly involving kids in elementary school.

His video “Kids Make Fun of Boy with Autism: They Instantly Regret It,” has been seen 56 million times and is a heartwarming lesson. Other videos include one about being adopted.

“I like how the bully reacts,” says Parker.”I like to see how they learn their lesson.”

Teens Have Chance to Volunteer on Trails

Throughout January, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship will host “Teens on Trails Month”, a series of free, youth-only trail work events across the county to get kids outside and involved in the magic of trail stewardship.

SCMTS is a nonprofit trail stewardship behind popular trails in parks like Wilder and Pogonip, and their team has deep expertise in building and maintaining trails throughout the region. These Teens on Trails events will fill up fast.

At each event, students will learn about native species and ecological functions, get involved in trail maintenance activities, and connect with SCMTS’ professional team to learn about career opportunities in the outdoors. They'll also earn community service hours, have fun and win some prizes.

Students do not need to have any prior trail work experience in order to attend. They simply need to show up in sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring their own water and a good attitude. SCMTS staff will teach students all they need to know.

Spending time in the outdoors can transform a young mind, and ignites a sense of adventure and connection to nature. Kids will learn all about

trails, make new friends, and win some awesome prizes. They’ll also learn about nature within the Santa Cruz Mountains and find inspiration to become caretakers of this land.”

On Martin Luther King Day of Service, January 16, SCMTS is hosting a larger Students’ Dig Day event and celebration at DeLaveaga Park. Dig Days are SCMTS’s flagship events, where the entire day is catered and there is a raffle at the end. Dig Days are typically six hours long, making them the perfect event for the weekday school holiday.

At the end of January, all participants will be invited to an ice cream social to

celebrate their hard work. These events are free to attend. Check out the list of events at santacruztrails. org/tot.

Saturday, Jan. 7 at Arana Gulch

Saturday, Jan. 14 at University Connector Trail

Monday, Jan. 16 MLK Day of Service Dig Day at DeLaveaga Park

Saturday, Jan. 21 at Watsonville Slough Trails

Saturday, Jan. 28 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

BY SANDY NOVEMBRE &AMELIA FOSTER DPT

 Monarch Pilates is a full service studio offering one on one Physical Therapy, Private & Semi Private Pilates and Reformer classes. We provide a variety of services to assist through the journey of pregnancy and beyond. We are passionate about helping women to enjoy this precious time and begin parenthood with confidence in your strength.

Standing Tall

Aside from sitting, standing is where we spend a considerable amount of time. As parents, we stand in line at the grocery store, watching our children's sports, cleaning the house, etc. We find windows of time to exercise and take care of ourselves, but we spend a lot of time standing. As a mother of two I have found it essential to find ways to sneak strengthening moments into our day. Standing tall helps strengthen our core, relieve pressure in our joints and build confidence.

As a Pilates teacher I advise clients that standing with healthy posture is as important as your workout. If we workout everyday, but spend the rest of the time in poor posture, we are not using our strength to help feel our best. Just the same- you can adjust your posture all day, but if you don't have the awareness and core to hold yourself upright, it can be very challenging.

The trick is to start small. Set an alarm for once a day or pick a moment in your day when you can focus on your posture. The more you become aware of how you stand, the easier it will become to improve. There are incorrect ways to change your posture. The ultimate goal is to make it effortless and subtle. At Monarch Pilates, we call these subtle changes a secret: don't let anyone watching know that you changed your posture from slouch to tall. Allow your muscles to activate because you stack your bones into a tall posture. You can stand tall with ease by first assessing your posture, finding your plumb line and then challenging your core.

How do I assess my posture?

Take a picture of your posture and imagine the plumb line through your body. Notice where you fall off center.

What is your plumb line?

The plumb line is an imaginary line from head to toe (see pictures). In correct posture your ears, shoulders, pelvis, knees and ankles align along the plumb line.

How do I find my plumb line?

Form a tripod on your feet. Place your weight evenly over the heels, base of the big toe, base of little toe. Use the seesaw cues from last month. Seesaw your pelvis, ribcage then neck and establish center or neutral for each.

What imagery will help improve my posture

Imagine you are standing in a straw. From your incorrect alignment draw your body in towards midline as if pulling away from the straw. Avoid making big adjustments that would hit the straw on the opposite side. Allow your body to naturally and effortlessly elongate as you draw in toward center. Use the connection of your feet to the floor as a foundation to stand tall.

How can I challenge my posture?

Maintain alignment and length from head to toe. Secretly shift weight to the balls of your feet and allow your heels to lift off the ground. Feel your core activate to maintain neutral posture. Use the imagery from last month to increase awareness of the core muscles.

What are some common errors when trying to stand tall?

• Sucking in your belly

• Pulling shoulders back

• Straining your neck

• Locking your knees

• Tucking your pelvis

incorrect form correct form

Hips forward Ribs Forward Knees Backward

MusicalMe, Inc.

Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County 831.332.9002 registrar@musicalme.com musicalme.com

Give the gift of the lifelong love of music to the children in your life from Birth to 5 years. We offer gift certificates in any amount for both of our award-winning and research-based music enrichment programs: Music Together© & Canta y Baila Conmigo™.

Civic Auditorium

Tickets at SantaCruzTickets.com | scbt.org

Celebrate the holidays with SCBT’s The Nutcracker! At the Civic Auditorium, SCBT’s production is the only local Nutcracker featuring live orchestra conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin. This holiday favorite features SCBT dancers and professional, word-class guest dancers as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. Performances December 10 and 11.

The Bookakery BookakeryBoxes.com

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Order a Bookakery Box and encourage a love of reading that keeps on giving! Each Bookakery Box comes with: a hardback picture book, kid-friendly recipe card, baking tool and a fun activity all based around a monthly theme. Order yours today at BookakeryBoxes.com

Downtown Santa Cruz shiri@downtownsantacruz.com DowntownSantaCruz.com

Gift giving just got easier! Downtown Dollars are accepted at over 80 of your favorite Downtown Santa Cruz businesses, and are as good as cash for shopping, dining and services! Purchase online at www.downtownsantacruz.com or pick up some up today at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Pacific Cookie Company.

1100 Pacific Ave, Downtown Santa Cruz 831.469.4400 kiantis.com

Shop early and local with Kianti’s gifts: Gift Cards, Sweatshirts, Blankets, Kianti’s Wine, Kianti’s Handcrafted Liquor: Tequila, Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka. Let Kianti’s cater your event!

Enjoy Kianti’s Christmas Dance Friday & Saturday evenings Thanksgiving weekend until the New Year.

6215

Follow on Instagram @Ethel&Sabel

Looking for the perfect gift this season?

Ethel & Sabel has what you need!

Vintage inspired gifts & handmade candles, right in the shop! You'll be sure to find a unique treasure every time. Don't miss out on Sunday Brunch Club on November 27 from 10 to noon followed by December holiday hours Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.

Mount Hermon Christmas Concerts & Celebrations

Mount Hermon Conference Center 831.335.4466

mounthermon.org/christmas

This holiday, immerse yourself in the joy of the season with the annual Mount Hermon Christmas Celebrations! The first two weekends of this December, bring the whole family to experience a Christmas-themed concert, peruse handmade gifts and treats at our Craft Boutique, and enjoy a fabulous buffet meal.

Downtown Santa Cruz shiri@downtownsantacruz.com DowntownSantaCruz.com

Santa has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk or Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses, and then visit them all to search for the beautiful hidden reindeer.

Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar

Ethel & Sabel

Downtown Felton

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

Santa Cruz Downtown Association

Santa Cruz Downtown Association

Coastal Oak Interiors

7960 Soquel Drive Suite D, Aptos 831.889.8290

www.coastaloakinteriors.com

A "home decor and more" store locally owned in Aptos. Featuring new, used, and vintage furniture. Also stocking a variety of giftable items for everyone on your list. We are excited to make your shopping festival an enjoyable experience

Luke's Skate Lessons

Various Skate Parks 831.465.4609

lukesskatelessons@gmail.com lukesskatelessons.com

There's no better holiday gift for your active child than some skateboarding lessons with Luke's Skate Lessons.

Downtown Santa Cruz

shiri@downtownsantacruz.com

DowntownSantaCruz.com

Celebrate the holiday season with the annual Downtown Holiday Parade, Saturday December 3rd from 10am - 12pm. You can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time. Bring the whole family, grab some hot chocolates from our many coffee shops, and enjoy the show!

SOULBUDDY Hats

www.SoulbuddyHats.com "

The holiday season is for the family, and nothing quite lifts the family spirit like matching sets! Gift the matching hats from Soulbuddy - your local family business - to your loved ones this Christmas. Available in kids’ sizes S/M/L and adults. Use code GROWINGUP10 for a 10 % discount!

Santa Cruz Downtown Association

SAT | DEC 3 | 10am-12pm

downtownsantacruz.com

The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. One never knows exactly what to expect at the Parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time - and of course, at the end of the parade, sitting in an antique fire truck, the man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz. Bring the family or participate!

SUN | DEC 4 | 12-7pm

13333 Middleton Ave, Boulder Creek bcrpd.org/events

The Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District's Winter Boutique will be full of local gifts for your holiday shopping this year. Follow the redwoods to Boulder Creek where we will have over 18 local artists, Santa and Snow. Santa pictures $10 per family for up to 5 edited images

Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources

7th Birthday Celebration Monday Dec 5, 10am 19-B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos 831.316.7261 www.wonderlandsantacruz.com Family-friendly daytime shopping and birthday fun 10am-6pm. Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Come make a xmas craft, get a free birthday balloon and cupcake, and take a picture with Santa (4pm-6pm). Followed by Adults-only evening shopping 7-9pm. Take 25% off one item (excluding Lego). Refreshments, a raffle and free gift wrap (up to 3 items).

Gateway School K-8

TUES | DEC 6 | 10am-1pm

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz 831.423-0341 | admissions@gatewaysc.org

Come and learn how Gateway School inspires children's innate curiosity and sense of wonder through daily exploration, discovery, and hands-on experiences. Visit www.gatewaysc.org to schedule a tour and experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Celebrate the holidays with SCBT’s The Nutcracker! At the Civic Auditorium, SCBT’s production is the only local Nutcracker featuring live orchestra conducted by Maestro Pamela Martin. This holiday favorite features SCBT dancers and professional, word-class guest dancers as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.

*Tickets at SantaCruzTickets.com

The

G-League

5:30-9:30pm fairgrounds-foundation.org/holiday-lights

half-mile drive-through includes spectacular lighted displays all around you.

CALENDAR

Visit our website to submit the details! Photos for the calendar may be submitted by email. Digital images must be high resolution, 200-300dpi.

Winter Wonderland THROUGH JAN. 1 beachboardwalk.com. Enjoy festive holiday decorations and lights including a three-story tall Christmas tree while riding rides and visiting the arcade at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. beachboardwalk.com.

DEADLINE

The 15th of the month prior to publication month.

Holiday Lights THROUGH DEC 25 |

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present Holiday Lights at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. The

Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

Santa Cruz Warriors

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre's

Nutcracker

Do you have an event you want placed in our calendar?