Growing Up in Santa Cruz Feb 2023

EDITOR | PUBLISHER

Brad Kava and Steve Dinnen

ART DIRECTOR | MANAGING EDITOR

Nathan Mixter

DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Susan Bernstein

CONTRIBUTORS

Alison Jackson, Jeanette Prather, Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, Nicole M. Young, Erik Chalhoub, Laura Maxson, Quin Southhall, Kathy Sweeney, Sarah Savasky, Lisa Catterall

AD REPRESENTATIVES

Ann Fitts BobbiJo Palmer Linda Kay Sophie Veniel Advertising@GrowingUpSC.com CONTACT

408.656.1519 editor@growingupsc.com

Everyone has been affected in one way or another by this winter’s devastating storms. This includes the youngest of Santa Cruz County’s community members. Our Natural Bridges Children’s Center preschoolers have been coming to school every day talking about their own family experiences and through play have been processing the beautiful ways in which they have seen community helpers, neighbors and complete strangers working together to rebuild their town.

This photo captures our kind and thoughtful Lily clearing a road so that she and all of her tricycle riding friends and classmates could get home.

This embodies everything that we stand for and believe in at NBCC: Inspiring Learning ~ Creating Community ~ Building Bridges

About the photographer: awesome photographer and fabulous Pre-Kindergarten teacher Courtnay Schmidt while documenting children’s play, captured this special moment of Lily truly modeling NBCC’S mission statement; inspiring children’s play (inspiring learning) while gathering her friends (creating community) and rebuilding their NBCC town (building bridges).

Jim Booth Swim School

Editor’s Note

If there’s a silver lining to all the storms we’ve faced—besides fighting back on the long drought—it’s the way our community has come together.

People have taken both big and small steps to help each other. Big corporations, once considered the Evil Empire around Santa Cruz, have rushed forward to help bring service to so many people stricken by the floods, often not seeking publicity for their efforts, but thanked by residents nonetheless.

While everyone praises first responders from police and fire departments, we rarely see enough credit given to workers who climb poles in torrential rains to bring back electricity, cable and phone service. We’ve tried to call out some of them in our article about Heroes of the Storm. We know there are many more and would love to print your thanks to them in a column next month. So send them to editor@growingupsc and we we may used them in print.

We also loved the way volunteers have stepped up, from big groups cleaning beaches, to individuals carrying bags on their daily walks and filling them with plastics. Some beaches, such as those between Rio del Mar and Manresa are almost spotless already.

And we love the individual efforts, such as the person who left out donuts and plastic bags, asking people to take one and fill the bag with plastic. We can only express our gratitude at your thoughtfulness and the hope for the future you bring to Santa Cruz County and those growing up here. You are true role models for our kids.

We appreciate President Biden for showing up. Yes, it cost a fortune in expenses and fuel to bring him here. But we saw the pride he brought to the school kids who saw his flyover and stood out along the roads to greet him.

Yes, it’s symbolic, but we think it was worth it, just for what it brought to the kids and to the struggling businesses. It was a big ray of hope that someone in Washington cares and was a big contrast to a previous executive who blamed our problems on not raking leaves or controlling the forests—which, by the way, were on federal land and under his jurisdiction.

We are feeling so grateful to have January sunshine without the fear that it’s deepening the drought. And we are hopeful that this climate event will open paths to future initiatives to meet the threat of climate change.

It’s not just coming…it’s here, right before our eyes. We have to take steps to stop it, whether it’s by building alternative transportation, like the bicycles the rest of the world favors, switching to solar powered electric vehicles, cutting down on all that plastic and moving to truly recyclable packaging.

Growing Up will be taking on those issues throughout the years and highlighting your efforts to make our world safer and cleaner.

Thanks for reading

Brad Kava, Editor and

Publisher

Even small changes can make a BIG difference.

This program is made possible through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (MHSA – Prop 63 funds) & Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

By Jeanette Prather

When asked what their favorite ways to observe Valentine’s Day, it’s no surprise that most kids responded with, “Making cards at school for my friends!” But there are some other interesting ways to celebrate the heart holiday, from agendas of donut-eating to father-daughter dates to third-wheeling-it with friends. There are a myriad of ways to show love this Valentine’s Day. Read on to discover what some Santa Cruz kids have planned this V-day.

What I like to do on Valentine’s Day is I usually make cards for my mom, dad and little brother. I actually make cards for everybody. I definitely make cards for my friends, too.

I celebrate Valentine’s Day. In the past, me and my friends have made Valentine’s Day cards for each other. This year, I want to play video games. My favorite video game is Zelda.

I love to celebrate Valentine’s Day by making little bags with candies in them and giving them to my classmates. For this year, I want to do something with dance. I love dancing and want to include it in my celebrations.

Jake, 9, Orchard School

I like to make cards for my friends on Valentine’s Day. I usually make the cards at school. I’m not sure what we have planned this year, but it should be fun.

Anela, 9, San Lorenzo Valley Elementary

I celebrate Valentine’s Day with someone else. Someone is my valentine, and I hang out with them. I usually spend time with my valentine, and also my friends. We make cards for each other. This year, I’m going to be my dad’s valentine and he’s going to take me to dinner, probably out to sushi.

Reed, 9, Brook Knoll Elementary

I like to give gifts to my dad, brother and sister for Valentine’s Day. This year I don’t really have any plans, but I might make some soon. It’ll probably be the same things that I’ve been doing every year.

Jameson, 10, Soquel Elementary

I kind of celebrate Valentine’s Day. Usually, I give out parcels in my class, like little treats for my friends. I also give love to my mom. Nah… nothing exciting planned for this year, though.

Kaedance, 11, Scotts Valley Middle School

I do celebrate Valentine’s Day! Normally, my family has a fun breakfast planned, and then we go to school and celebrate Valentine’s Day together. It’ll be interesting this year in middle school because it’s different than elementary school where all of the kids have a party. Now, I get to choose which friends I’m going to celebrate with and what to make for them. I’m not stuck with pre-bought items, I can do more creatively.

Jaden, 12, Shoreline Middle School

I like Valentine’s Day because I get to kiss my girlfriend. That’s probably how we’ll be celebrating this year; I’ll be hanging out with her. We’ve been together for a few days, like one or two.

Alberto, 13, Shoreline Middle School

This Valentine’s Day I’m planning on being the third wheel to my friend, Jaden, and his girlfriend. In years past, my family would do a little gettogether but we haven’t done that for a few years.

Photo credit: Courtnay Schmidt

Emma, 7, Brook Knoll Elementary

Jonathan, 8, Oak Leaf Academy

Mackenzie, 9, MacQuiddy Elementary

What Do You Do When Your Kid Knocks Out a Tooth?

BY ALISON JACKSON, DDS

Santa Cruz County is an adventurous and active place. We love to see kids outside running around, riding bikes, surfing, skating…. having fun. However, pediatric dentists don’t love the damage that sometimes happens to teeth when kids get tripped up during all that fun. We all hope it won’t happen to us, but it’s good to know what to do if it does.

There are three true emergencies associated with dental trauma. These are the “you need to take action NOW” injuries; 1) head trauma 2) uncontrolled bleeding that may require stitches and 3) a knocked out permanent tooth. Often, the knocked out, displaced or broken tooth can look really dramatic and distract us from the first two. It’s important to take a deep breath and assess the whole situation.

Head trauma includes any loss of consciousness or altered mental status. It can result in nausea, vomiting and uneven or dilated pupils. If you suspect any of these symptoms, your child should be checked by a physician immediately. Go straight to urgent care or the emergency department (depending on the severity of the symptoms) before seeing the dentist.

Uncontrolled bleeding from tongues, lips and cheeks can sometimes require stitches before teeth can be mended. It’s considered uncontrolled if heavy bleeding persists after 15 minutes of firm but gentle pressure. Again, urgent care or the emergency department should be your first stop.

A knocked out permanent tooth is the most time dependent trauma a pediatric dentist treats. You need to take action! The survival rate for a knocked out tooth is significantly decreased after 15 minutes out of the mouth. Assuming the above two issues are controlled, you’ll need to find the tooth as quickly as possible. Handle it by the crown (the white part) not the yellow root. You can rinse the tooth gently to clean off visible debris, but don’t clean or handle the root if possible. Try to place it directly back into the socket. We know this is not fun for anyone, but it’s the best chance to save the tooth and be a hero. The child can hold it in place with gentle biting pressure on a cloth while you call the dentist. If the tooth cannot be placed back in the mouth, place it in a cup or baggie of milk and call the dentist immediately.

Now that we are all freaked out, let’s remember that, luckily, most injuries to the teeth and mouth are not as serious or time dependent. There is usually time to collect yourself, calm the child down, assess the damage and take some photos to send to your dentist before you call.

For a knocked out baby tooth, you’ll want to find the tooth. It’s a present for

the tooth fairy. Do not try to put it back in, this could damage the permanent tooth. If you can’t find it, your dentist may take an x-ray to make sure it wasn’t pushed up into the gums.

Fractured teeth are pretty common and can be urgent if they are large or have exposed the nerve of the tooth. These injuries should be repaired quickly. Smaller fractures may be repaired within a few days after the initial pain of the trauma has subsided. Photos can help your dentist determine the extent of the fracture. If you can find the fractured piece of a permanent tooth, save it in a baggie because it may be useful for the dentist. There’s no need for milk.

Out of place permanent teeth should be put back into place quickly by the dentist and splinted to stabilize them

while they are healing.

An out of place baby tooth can sometimes be left alone to heal. However, sometimes it needs to be removed if it is interfering with the bite.

A bumped tooth that is not broken or out of place is usually monitored by the dentist for healing. Sometimes these teeth can turn dark and may need treatment.

Of course, the best case is to avoid all of the above in the first place. Wear helmets. They really do save teeth and brains. We think they are a nonnegotiable piece of equipment for any sport with wheels (or skis.) Custom fit mouthguards can reduce concussions and save teeth. They are a great measure of protection for contact sports and sports that include a ball.

Your pediatric dentist can be reached after hours to help with these types of traumatic events. If you have not established a dental home for your child, now is the time. We’re here to help. Together, we can keep our community an active, fun and safe place for our kids to grow up.

Dr. Jackson is a pediatric dentist in Aptos. She emphasizes preventive dentistry and patient education. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and has been practicing since 2000.

It is important to assess the whole situation to make sure the proper care is received

Are Video Games the Next Theme Park Frontier?

Many fans are excited about Super Nintendo World opening this month at Universal Studios

BY ERIK CHALHOUB

An exciting new trend is gaining traction in the theme park industry, one that could create worlds like no other that we’ve seen off the screen.

While video games and theme parks have gone hand-in-hand for decades, namely in the form of arcades, entire themed areas dedicated to a video game world has gone largely untapped.

Until now.

Super Nintendo World is set to open Feb. 17 at Universal Studios Hollywood, featuring attractions based on the Super Mario franchise, known among gamers since the 1980s but now exploding in popularity with a film coming to the big screen in April.

At Super Nintendo World, you’ll be dropped right in the middle of the Mushroom Kingdom, where you’ll have the chance to get behind the wheel of a “Mario Kart” while collecting coins and throwing Koopa shells to throw off your opponents, using augmented reality headsets as your vehicle traverses a gokart-style course.

The newly built land within Universal Studios also features various video gameinspired challenges, along with dining and shopping options, as well as a chance to snap a selfie with the mustachioed plumber himself.

Universal Studios Japan opened a similar area in 2021, with more planned across other Universal Studios parks. Could this be the catalyst for future video game theme parks? Some industry experts think so.

SAVE THE DATES

Lance Hart, founder of Screamscape, a theme park rumor website that is frequently spot-on with its predictions, writes that as Hollywood begins to tap into video games for its new movies, the theme park industry will follow, as history has showed.

Just over the past few years, we’ve seen Sonic the Hedgehog get his own series of movies, while a new streaming series based off of the PlayStation game “The Last of Us” has recently been released. “Uncharted” got its own movie starring Tom Holland in 2022, and later that year, PortAventura in Spain announced it would open a roller coaster based off of the series in 2023.

Closer to home, we’ve seen California’s Great America turn a video game franchise into an attraction. In 2016, the park opened Mass Effect: New Earth, refreshing the park’s 4D theater with a new experience based off of the world and characters from the popular “Mass Effect” games, including a live actor to help guide riders through the attraction.

As a lifelong gamer, I’m beyond excited to see my two nerdy passions bridging the gap with each other.

ON THE HORIZON

Expect Treasure Hunt: The Ride to open sometime this year in Monterey, after it missed its advertised “late 2022” opening date. The pirate-themed “dark ride,” now under construction on Cannery Row, takes riders on a four-and-a-half minute journey featuring hand-crafted set

Clam Chowder Cook-Off: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s 42nd annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off, benefiting Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation, returns Feb. 25-26. Info: beachboardwalk.com/Clam-Chowder-Cook-Off

Fun Run: Registration is now open for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Fun Run on April 1, featuring a 1K race for children 12 and under and a 5K for everyone 4 and up. Info: beachboardwalk.com/Fun-Run

Gilroy Gardens Opening Day : March 25

Great America now open weekends: round, operating during weekends in January and February for the first time in its history.

Peanuts Celebration: From April 1-30, the Peanuts Gang will take over the entire Great America with new musicals, activities and special food and drinks.

pieces, animatronics and special effects blended with interactive media.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has a new ride cooking, according to a permit application filed earlier in 2022. Details are slim right now, but I’d expect to learn more as the year progresses.

Some breaking news as I type this: On Jan. 12, Great America applied for a permit to construct a “Windstarz” ride in the place of an existing attraction. No other details are available. A

“Windstarz,” manufactured by Zamperla, features 12, two-person “hang gliders” that rotate and allow the rider to control their own movement. With park owner Cedar Fair announcing in 2022 that it would be closing Great America sometime in the next decade, I expect these carnival-type rides will be the only new additions to come in the following years. Great America opened Liberty Twirler, a classic scrambler, in 2022.

Breastfeeding Coalitions Offer Support

BY LAURA MAXSON,

Families and healthcare providers know that lactation support takes many forms. More than just an appointment with a lactation consultant, it’s also a call from a lactation peer-counselor, a helpful Facebook group, or supportive lactation legislation. How does all this come together? Breastfeeding coalitions are providing this strong foundation of support both locally, and statewide.

The California Breastfeeding Coalition’s mission is: “To improve the health and well-being of Californians by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support lactation. We do this by cultivating collaborative relationships among state and local organizations, government agencies, hospitals and health care providers, employers and community-based chest/ breastfeeding support organizations throughout California.

Our vision is that all California families receive equitable access to quality timely essential lactation support throughout the perinatal period. We recognize the vast disparities in breastfeeding rates exist due to racist structures and systems in health education, communication and medical policies and practices. Through our advocacy and education efforts, we amplify the voices and experiences of those who have been historically ignored.

The California Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) seeks to bolster the current lactation healthcare system to promote and support chest/breastfeeding consistently with evidence-based best practices. Through a comprehensive and coordinated approach, the CBC will convene partners from across the continuum of care to enact sustainable and effective systems change.”

The CBC website covers a wide range of topics. There are links to resources related to work, school, hospital, community, California Resolutions, and laws and regulations – and that’s just from the breastfeeding rights page.

The Breastfeeding Rights page

not only gives instructions on the accommodation and support entitled to lactating parents returning to work or school, but also supplies links and information on how to file an official complaint. Those needing additional individual guidance are encouraged to call the breastfeeding coalition for help.

The Lactation Action Network has its own page for those interested in working with policy and legislation around breastfeeding/lactation issues. Sign up to be advised of upcoming legislation, media advocacy opportunities, meet with state and local representatives to promote breastfeeding awareness month and other issues impacting breastfeeding families.

A lactating parent detained in a county

jail has the right to provide milk to their baby or toddler. For this to happen, jails need to identify lactating parents and help facilitate pumping, then transferring the milk to the child. The coalition’s website includes a recorded webinar for parents, county employees and others interested in helping to implement the 2020 law to ensure incarcerated parents can continue to provide milk to their children.

The CBC events calendar includes upcoming educational events, webinars, and other activities that might be of interest to breastfeeding parents and/ or lactation professionals. The yearly Breastfeeding

Summit has just wrapped up for 2023. Check the calendar in August for

Breastfeeding Awareness Month events.

The CBC’s Healthcare Resources page provides a webinar concerning milk sharing – both informal, and through an accredited milk bank. Parents and healthcare professionals can better understand the issues surrounding milk sharing, as well as the importance of providing breastmilk when needed. And, of course, there are plenty of links to COVID related information to understand the current situation as it applies to lactation.

Local Coalitions - from the CBC page follow the link to Santa Cruz County’s own breastfeeding coalition, providing contact information and resources for parents and professionals including:

• Birth Network of Santa Cruz County

• Dominican Hospital Lactation

• Sutter Hospital Lactation

• Watsonville Community Hospital Lactation

• Nursing Mother’s Counsel

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

• And covers resource topics including:

• Breastmilk Feeding in Natural Disasters and Emergencies

• Breast Massage and Manual Expression Guides (video clips):

• Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit

• World Breastfeeding Week/National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

• Starting a Community Breastfeeding Coalition

• United States Breastfeeding Committee

• Data and Statistics

• Handout for Dads – How to help

• Advocacy organizations

• Resources for healthcare professionals

• Workplace resources for employers and employees.

Let’s give a shout out to these extensive networks of caring individuals and organizations working together to create state and local coalitions of support so families can be successful in their breastfeeding goals. Coalitions bring people together - there’s room for you, too.

RESOURCES

• California Breastfeeding Coalitioncaliforniabreastfeeding.org

• Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition - santacruzhealth.org [search: breastfeeding]

“ Our vision is that all California families receive equitable access to quality timely essential lactation support throughout the perinatal period.

LM

PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE GUIDE

PRESCHOOLS

Coastal Community Preschool

Lic. #444408854 & Lic.#444415615

900 High Street, Santa Cruz 831.264.543

coastalcommunitypreschool.org

Coastal Community Preschool (CCP) serves children ages 2.3 years through 5 years with a safe, stimulating, and caring learning atmosphere. We have a curriculum that encourages development at each child’s own pace. Among our program highlights, we offer flexible yearround schedules, a highly experienced teaching staff, and a bright, secure West side location overlooking Monterey Bay. We also offer an after-school program for TK-1st grade. Join us as we continue working with parents and caregivers to raise a community of strong, confident, and happy children.

Community Bridges

Early Education Division

831.400.1110

communitybridges.org/eed/

Community Based Universal Preschool

Programs:

• Fairgrounds: 2667 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville

• Vista Verde: 1936 Freedom Boulevard, Freedom

• Sycamore Street: 121 Sycamore Street, Santa Cruz

• Nuevo Dia: 135 Leibrandt Avenue, Santa Cruz

• Redwood Mountain: 7103 Highway 9, Felton

• Highlands Park: 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Providing FREE (California State Preschool Program) & tuitionbased early education, from the redwood mountains in the San Lorenzo Valley to the vibrant fields of Watsonville. We serve infants through TK with the guidance of highly experienced, bilingual/bicultural staff who understand the importance of play and social emotional learning as the key foundation for academic success and ignite a love of lifelong learning. We honor the rich cultural backgrounds that have given Santa Cruz County its historical place as a changemaking community, with core values to provide access to quality early care and learning to create empowered futures. Together we’re better.

Community Bridges

Highlands Park

Early Education Center 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond 831.400.1170

communitybridges.org/eed/

Nestled in the magnificent redwoods and adjacent to the San Lorenzo River, our center serves infants through TK. Built from the foundational dreams of local early childhood legends, we extend our vision with an emphasis on the importance of play, equity and social emotional learning as key foundations for academic skill and the development of a lifelong love of learning. As the only Quality Counts program in SLV, we are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing space to ensure access to outstanding early learning opportunities for all. Like the redwoods that surround, we invite you to stand tall and thrive with us!

Holy Cross Preschool

Lic #444403570

170 High St # A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831.425.4447 holycsc.org

For nearly 25 years, Holy Cross Preschool has educated children in the heart of Santa Cruz. Our school is located in a spacious, scenic and secure location, and our play-based program enables children ages 2-5 to develop strong social and emotional skills which fosters a love of learning, develops creativity and promotes self-expression. Our nurturing environment respects each child as an individual and fosters spiritual, educational, and physical development in accordance with individual needs and talents. Our whole-child education includes language arts, science, art, math, and physical education, and programs are separate (preschool and pre-kindergarten) to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate. Full-time and part-time schedules are available.

Live Oak School District- Child Development

Del Mar Lic #444400352

Green Acres Lic #444403585

Live Oak Lic #440710379

984-5 Bostwick Lane, Santa Cruz 831.462.1116

losd.ca (click on departments and then Extended Learning)

The Live Oak School District- Child Development Program offers families Free or Low Cost Quality State-Funded Preschool program for 3-4-year-olds at the Del Mar, Green Acres and Live Oak

Natural Bridges Children’s Center

Elementary School sites. We provide morning (8:45-11:45) and afternoon (12:453:45) preschool classes to approximately 110 children districtwide, 186 days per year plus a 4 week summer session. The State’s new higher-income guidelines allow so many more families to qualify. You may come by our office or call us to begin the process for enrollment. If space is still available we enroll year-round. We are following all Covid-19 safety guidance.

Mount Madonna School

Lic #440709549

491 Summit Rd, Mount Madonna 408.847.2717

MountMadonnaSchool.org

Our Montessori and play-based program provides a loving, safe, and stimulating learning environment where children, three to five years old, are encouraged to develop at their own pace. We strive to nurture a child’s innate sense of trust, goodness, and wonder. At Mount Madonna School, we focus on developing kindness and respect towards ourselves and others. We offer a developmentally appropriate indoor environment fostering curiosity, confidence, and creativity in all aspects of the learning process. This, combined with our 375-acre outdoor classroom, invites and empowers children to fully engage in their education. By including abundant time for imaginative free play, children are inspired in all areas of their development.

Natural Bridges Children’s Center #444415467

255 Swift St, Santa Cruz 831.429.6222

NaturalBridgesCC.org

Natural Bridges Children’s Center is a child centered, play & inquiry based program founded in brain research & neuroscience. Our caring NBCC teachers are degreed early childhood educators who are passionate about their work and understand the importance of how strong connections and daily intentional teaching relate to children’s successful transition into kindergarten and to their academic success. Everyday is filled with fun conversations, lengthy play, and engaged learning. Children deepen their understanding of themselves and of others and acquire social skills that will help them in life. It is NBCC’s mission to ‘Inspire Children’s Learning~Create Community~Build Bridges. Come check out the magic! Call to schedule your tour @ 831.429.NBCC ! We look forward to talking to you.

Pacific Preschool at Pacific Elementary School in Davenport

Lic #440702049

50 Ocean St, Davenport 831.425.7002 pacificesd.org/preschool

Pacific Preschool is a child- and familycentered program for ages 3-5, focusing on outside activities – creative play, social development, gardening, practical skills, art, and pre-K skills. 4-hour morning program, extended care or TK option in

the afternoons. Flexible 3-, 4-, or 5-day schedules. FREE tuition for incomequalified families. Highly experienced staff and bilingual aides. Fresh, nutritious breakfast and lunch daily. Excellent COVID safety record. Beautiful 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz. Preschoolers have priority for enrollment in Pacific Elementary School. Start your child at a small public school with quality programs and a close, diverse community from around the county.

Rocking Horse Ranch Preschool Lic #444400117 4134 Fairway Dr, Soquel 831.462.2702

We offer morning, afternoon, and full day sessions. Our three beautiful acres offer room to explore, including swings, slides, trees to climb, a ninja course, zipline, bike track and a giant sandbox! Kids also enjoy our farm animals and grazing on food from our organic garden and orchards.

Santa Cruz City Schools

Sam Rolens samuelrolens@sccs.net 831.419.2927 sccs.net/enroll

Here at the start of a great adventure, students need belonging, encouragement & room to explore. In TK/K at Santa Cruz City Schools, students are given a playcentric, social and curiosity-driven welcome into education to help them develop a lifelong love of learning. Our students enjoy hands-on learning, from growing and cooking in our Life Lab garden to exploring computer science in off-screen algorithms; they are nurtured with individualized educational supports, and the guidance of our licensed counselors. We offer a supportive environment where students discover the height of their potential as learners and as human beings.

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 life-long learning and a more peaceful world by nurturing the natural development of the whole child.

“

My son has spent 3 blissful years at NBCC. He walked into school a nervous and shy toddler but has blossomed into a social, creative, and active boy thanks to their program.

- Caroline Healy, 2022 Family

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8

2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz. 831.425.0519

enrollment@santacruzwaldorf.org

Santa Cruz Waldorf School nurtures the whole human being in every individual, cultivating the capacity of head, heart, and hands. We offer a rich and balanced curriculum in which intellectual and artistic development are both vital and fully integrated. Specialty teachers work alongside class teachers to provide students with diverse experiences in language, movement, music, arts, games, and gardening. Our magical, rural campus is nestled in the redwoods above USCS. Our community is warm and joyful. We are committed to protecting childhood, supporting each individual, respecting nature and all life Santa Cruz Waldorf School cultivates self-directed, empathetic, and free-thinking individuals with the courage and capacities to serve an ever-evolving humanity.

Simcha Preschool

Lic #440710119

3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos 831.479.3449

simchapreschool.org

Come experience our thriving, nurturing, play-based program that features an emergent, anti-bias curriculum tailored to your children’s passions and interests!

Simcha (meaning “joy” in Hebrew)

Preschool is known for its dedicated and knowledgeable teachers who foster children’s social-emotional skills, independence, and creative ideas. Everyone loves our beautiful outdoor and indoor facilities. Fully vaccinated against Covid-19, full-day and half-day schedules, low child/teacher ratios, and 3, 4 or 5-day schedules are offered for children ages 2-6. Ask about our K/1 class while we still have space! Welcoming to all, we are proud of our over 40-year tradition of sharing Jewish values. Come join our Simcha Preschool family! Open year-round, 7:30 am-5:20 pm. Call 831-479-3449 or email Director Caitlin Clancy at caitlin@tbeaptos. org to learn more!

Tara Redwood School

Lic#444417000

Preschool to Elementary

5810 Prescott Road, Soquel 831.462.9632

Tararedwoodschool.org

Tara Redwood School curriculum is a blend of Montessori and Creating Compassionate Cultures (CCC). We have a global focus that follows an original framework known as the 7 Steps to Knowledge, Strength and Compassion developed over 30 years. Our curriculum for the preschool years primarily focuses on how to be a ‘good friend’ by supporting the development of the students’ emotional intelligence through mindfulness, discussion, and practice in real life situations. We value the importance of daily outdoor learning experience and the children visit the Redwood Campus at Land of Medicine Buddha, located in the Soquel forest, just minutes from Soquel Village. The Preschool Campus is in a sunny and convenient location in Soquel. Preschool–Ages 24 MO–4YRS.

ENRICHMENT

Adventure Sports Swim

303 Potrero Street #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648

asudoit.com/

For the past 35 years, our instructors have strived to develop a special relationship with each child, encouraging them to

stretch their limits as their abilities grow. Our swim program seeks to provide high quality and individual accomplishment in each lesson. In the end, this means technique, safety, and smiles for everyone.

Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District

13333 Middleton Ave in Boulder Creek 831.338.4144

bcrpd.org

The Little Explorers program is for ages 18mo-4.5 yrs old. We offer flexible schedules for families Monday-Friday 8am12pm. Watch as your child shines while learning letter and number recognition, participating in hands on science experiments and daily art projects. Creating community through people, parks and play!

Santa Cruz Public Libraries

224 Church St., Santa Cruz 831.427.7713

SantaCruzPL.org

Singing songs, saying rhymes, telling stories, and playing with your child are all great ways to build their literacy skills. Visit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries for free, fun, and educational programs for your little ones. Find a book to share with your child or check out one of the online resources. And, for older kids, take advantage of the free drop-in homework help sessions. SCPL is your partner in early literacy and beyond. Visit us at one of our branch libraries today!

The Bookakery BookakeryBoxes.com

Looking for activities to do with your kids at home? Have a kid that always wants to help in the kitchen or curl up on your lap to hear a good book? Love getting packages? The Bookakery has just the thing: Bookakery Boxes, a monthly subscription box for kids aimed towards fostering a love of reading and baking. Each Bookakery Box comes with a hardback picture book, kid-friendly recipe card, baking item and activity, all based around a theme of the month. Order yours today! Use code GUISC10 for 10% off any subscription length (renews at standard rate). Expires 12/31/2023

Jim Booth Swim School Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville 831.722.3500

JimBoothSwimSchool.com

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 group 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/

June Bug’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 imaginations, and to feel confidence and joy in their exploration of movement.

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.

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc. 2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 831.462.0655 scgym.com

We at Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center understand how important physical movement is in developing a healthy brain in children. Healthy brain development leads to proficiency in learning and the overall confidence to lead a successful life. Our gymnastics instructors take pride in offering gymnastics training packed with a lot of fun in every class! Each lesson offers a wide range of sensory integration activities through the use of our gymnastics equipment on the floor, bars, balance beam, vault, and trampolines. We offer a range of classes from 18 mos. to competitive teams. Check our website to see what is available for your child today.

SERVICES

Alison K. Jackson, DDS Children’s Dentistry

7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.662.2900 santacruzkidsdentist.com

We are seeing NEW PATIENTS! Dr. Jackson provides comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and very thorough in our evaluations and consultations. Our office provides individualized care for your child’s specific needs. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.

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, a program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, is a free, one-stop source for local families seeking early education options. Child care referral specialists can answer questions and connect you with licensed programs to meet your family’s needs. The CDRC maintains the only up-to-date list of child care and early education programs in Santa Cruz County.

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

Dientes Community Dental Care is a fullservice 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.

First 5 Santa Cruz County 831.465.2217

First5scc.org

First 5 Santa Cruz County promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age 5. Parents and caregivers of newborns can contact First 5 to receive a free “Kit for New Parents” with parenting videos, children’s books, information on caring for babies and local resources. First 5 also offers parenting support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, a world-renowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships. To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep. first5scc.org orfacebook.com/triplepscc

Thriving Sprouts

Santa Cruz County 415 683 0675 thrivingsprouts.squarespace.com

Thriving sprouts: Play based Therapy for Young Children. Thriving Sprouts provides individualized curriculum, interventions and services for each child and family using a multidisciplinary approach. One on one support is provided in the home or within the community. Services include behavioral intervention, educational support, social emotional development and parent advocacy. Santa Cruz Community Health Downtown Santa Cruz 250 Locust Street, Santa Cruz 831.427.3500

Live Oak Health Center 1510 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz 831.427.3500

Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center 9500 Central Ave., Ben Lomond 831.427.3500

Santa Cruz Community Health’s mission is to improve the health of our patients and the community and advocate the feminist goals of social, political, and economic equality. Driven by a 48-year commitment to health care as a human right, we are a leading nonprofit provider of high-quality, affordable and comprehensive health services in English and Spanish to all ages (including newborns, toddlers, children and teens), gender identities, ethnicities, abilities and sexual orientations, regardless of their ability to pay. We are your affordable neighborhood health clinic with locations in Downtown Santa Cruz, Ben Lomond and a new site in Live Oak. Make an appointment today: 831.427.3500.

Picky Preschool Eating

Here are some tips to keep your child happy and healthy

BY JEANETTE PRATHER

There’s a reassuring element in knowing that you’re not alone in dealing with a parenting challenge. For example, having a child who’s a picky eater. According to nutritionists, parents and MyPlate. gov, this is a very common occurrence, especially among the preschool age groups.

“Picky eating is typical for many preschoolers as they grow up and become more independent,” confirms MyPlate. gov. Some strategies for getting your preschooler to eat healthy foods that the institution suggests, is to try and balance the amounts and types of foods eaten over one week; offer a variety of different foods; maintain small portions at meal and snack times; introduce new foods alongside familiar foods; and let the child help in meal preparations.

This advice is on par with what a handful of local moms do here in Santa Cruz to combat picky eating.

MOMS SHARE THEIR TIPS & TRICKS

“I involve them in shopping, choosing the menu for the night, and food preparation as much as possible,” said mother of two, Amelia Schmale. “When I make [my son’s] plate, I give him just a little bit of each thing so as not to overwhelm and allow him to choose. For example, I would give him one or two slices of carrots, bell pepper, snap peas, and celery. He might eat some, he might eat one, he might eat all. He also likes dip! My son likes blue cheese dressing. We like the Toby’s brand. It has less fake stuff in it. He will eat lots of veggies dipped in this.”

Another Santa Cruz mom introduced fruits and veggies to her son early on. “My youngest son, who is now three, usually only wants fruits and veggies,” said Alisha Marie. “I think introducing veggies at a very young age and to continue feeding them those with every meal was important.”

Santa Cruz mom, Sarah Cipollina, says that she makes sure that proteins and veggies are eaten before snacks and treats. “We made it a common practice to eat protein and a veggie before having any snacks or treats, not as a punishment/ reward system. More of a matter-of-fact way of explaining the order foods should be eaten,” she said. “Also, really getting to know their favorite veggies of the moment and having them on hand helps.”

“We would cut up small pieces and place them into ice cube trays; a variety of fruit, veggies and crackers,” said a Watsonville mom, Jennifer K. “Some would be new, some would be favorites and some would be a food previously rejected. I would set a tray out. They would graze usually favorites first but when those were gone the others started disappearing.”

One Soquel mom, Amber Watkins,

added that local Montessori schools are a big help with preschool nutrition. “Send them to Montessori schools. They do an amazing job at getting kids to eat fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.

“For red pasta sauce, I grate onions, celery, carrots, zucchini and pepper, and then cook until they’re soft and not noticed by the kids anymore,” said Ben Lomond mom, Marieke Reijn-Koehorst, who also specifies that there is a good recipe found online from Jamie Oliver. “You can also blend in butternut squash or cauliflower with cheese sauce pasta.”

Another Santa Cruz mom, Jen Slaughter Michelsen, shares a couple of her tricks: “I’ve always asked that my kiddo first try three bites of any new food before I accept her inevitable rejection,” she said. “Then, I would offer her preferred healthy option. I offer sliced veggies as a before-dinner snack to satisfy those hunger pains, and it helps get vegetables in before dinner is served.”

“I would make pancake batter in the blender and toss in a handful of spinach, peas or whatever I had in the refrigerator,” said Kim Furnish, a mom living in Bonny Doon. “When you cook the pancakes and put a bit of low sugar jam or syrup on top, the littles couldn’t tell! I did the same thing with pasta sauce. Put the sauce in the blender with kale or spinach and then get fun shaped pasta. They loved it and had no clue it had veggies in it!”

Meghan Oona Clifford, of Aptos, shares her unique perspective on raising a vegan family. “We’re a vegan family and our kids love all the food! They eat every single veggie and fruit they can, plus all the foods I shunned as a kid - mushrooms, olives, sauerkraut, etc.,” she said. “Our problem is that we have to bring in our own food to the daycare. I’m surprised they don’t automatically offer a vegan option. I’ve heard that in the UK it’s a protected belief system and all institutions have to offer it, and that makes sense to me.”

Santa Cruz mom Jamie Lafollette, shared something she heard from a doctor: “A doctor once told me that toddlers need to see a food ten times before trying it sometimes,” she said. “It’s evolution from watching what things our parents foraged that were safe to eat. Her advice was just keep putting small amounts on the plate... Even if they don’t like them.”

Rhiannon Crain, of Watsonville, dishes on some of her favorite eating techniques. “My mom taught me to grate onions into dishes like guacamole where chunks of onion might otherwise turn off a sensitive eater. [and to] roast all the vegetables! Make sure and use salt,” she said. “My kids brought home the ‘No Thank You Bite’ from their lovely day care in Corralitos [and] were allowed to say no thank you after trying at least one real bite. There was a period of like five

years where I didn’t eat the tip of a single asparagus because that is the bite my younger child would eat, so I ate the rest. Parenting is fun!”

Finally, another resource from a Capitola mom, Diana Coatney, comes from a recipe book that Coatney and ten other moms got together to write and publish. The 2013 book is called The Stuff Our Kids Will Eat. “It has some great recipes in it (and adorable kiddos),” said Coatney.

THE PROFESSIONALS WEIGH-IN

San Jose Nutrition Therapist and Consultant, Sara Leung, shares her professional advice on children’s eating habits. “Separate conversations around what to eat and a child’s health,” she advises. “Health is such an abstract concept, especially for a preschooler. They know they need to eat food and they really want to eat food that’s good for them. Try to find foods they like to eat, enjoy, and when introducing foods, try to make it come from a fun perspective. Getting kids involved in the cooking process is a great integration, too.

“Let your kids play with their food,” Leung continued. “This can get messy, but when kids play, they’re learning, and that’s true for food as much as for anything else. Many kids are fearful of what they don’t know, so let your kids pick up, squish, roll their food, especially new foods you hope they will try.”

Another good resource for families seeking more information, good tips and guidance for their little ones, can be found by visiting their local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office. “There are great resources out there for parents struggling with picky eaters. WIC, for example, has a pamphlet specifically for picky eaters,” added nutritionist, Jane Gangitano, M.S., CNS. “There are some great resources for families, locally, put out by the state.”

“Overall, don’t worry about it,” says Gangitano. “Have healthy snacks reachable for kids, like at the bottom of the refrigerator or cupboards. Presentation and leaving these healthier options will help to satisfy hunger. Just make it easy for them to access, don’t force and trust they’ll eat what they need.”

EDUCATION

Santa Cruz’s Oldest School Celebrates 160 Years

Holy Cross encourages all students to share their faith experiences regardless of their religion

BY QUINN SOUTHALL AND BRAD KAVA

When Holy Cross Catholic School opened its doors on top of the hill overlooking downtown Santa Cruz for the 1862-1864 school year, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves, the Union Army was starting to turn the Civil War toward victory and the country celebrated its first Thanksgiving.

Patty Patano has been the school’s principal since 2016. Before that she was head of school at an independent school in Los Angeles. Her favorite part of the job is being part of the lives of her students. “They are smart, funny and examples of what it means to have pure joy,” she says. “Helping them navigate times of conflict and celebrating their achievements and personal growth (i.e. being part of their formation) is a true honor.”

The school has 198 students from preschool to 8th grade, and there are 18 teachers.

We talked to her this month about the school’s mission and rich history.

Growing Up: How has the school changed over the course of 160 years and what did it look like when it was founded?

Patty Patano: Holy Cross was founded in 1862 in a much different time and with much sacrifice. It was established by the Daughters of Charity in the 1862-1863 school year. Seven members of the order journeyed to California from Maryland in 1852, at the request of then-Bishop of Monterey Joseph Alemany. During a harrowing trip at a time when railroads did not yet cross the country, the nuns came by steamer from New York, crossing the Isthmus of Panama atop mules. Two of them didn’t survive the journey. The others established an orphanage as well as a boarding and parish day school in what was then a rural area without paved roads or other amenities. The school was first housed in an adobe and then a wooden building. The current school was built in 1958.

What made Holy Cross successful during that time?

Since 1862 Holy Cross has served as an educational foundation and community for generations of local families. We’ve never wavered from our mission -- to educate children and guide their personal development.

How does Holy Cross balance or integrate education with religious beliefs?

For our Catholic parents, a Catholic education is an invitation for their children, not only to grow intellectually, but also to grow closer to God and embrace the gifts and blessings that He has bestowed upon them. For our non-Catholic parents, it’s the foundation of respect and level of care and attention within our school community that matches their expectations for their children.

So students don’t have to be Catholic to attend?

We are a proud Catholic school that understands and embraces the richness of a diverse community. About 30 percent of our students are of another faith or have no formal faith tradition. However, every student, whether Catholic or not, feels a deep sense of belonging and welcome at Holy Cross School. We value the importance of learning from one another and encourage all students to share their faith experiences.

Describe the 160th anniversary celebrations. How have you prepared?

We are excited for our 160th anniversary this year. During the last week of January, we observed Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. We celebrated with a school Mass, Open House and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. There were daily themes and we honored a variety of individuals. Parents got donuts and community members who have made their vocation in the Church were honored.

Have the recent storms affected learning at all?

Honestly, since the onset of the pandemic, our students and faculty have developed significant resilience and flexibility. We didn’t skip a beat and nimbly pivoted so that our students’ learning continued without interruption. Student learning and academic progress has steadily continued, even during the recent devastating storms.

The school has absorbed, I believe, 50 students. Can you go into that?

This year the school’s enrollment grew by

about 25 percent, due largely in part to the closure of a local Catholic school last year. It is a sad day when we have to close a Catholic school, and it hurts all of Catholic education when that happens. For families who wanted to continue in Catholic education, Holy Cross School was there to provide them with a school home for their children.

A long time ago there was a history of violence from the Catholic church towards natives. How has Holy Cross moved past and condemned that? The Church condemns the evils of violence - whether delivered through word, system, institution, or deed. As a school Holy Cross is called to actively work for justice through means that honor the good of our community, and human dignity, especially that of Indigenous peoples.

How would a student benefit from attending Holy Cross as opposed to a public school?

Parents in Santa Cruz County are fortunate to have many fine school choices, public and private, when seeking a school home for their children. At Holy Cross we place a high importance on smaller class sizes which enable us to meet each student where they are as individuals and help them to reach their own highest potential. With this flexibility we provide specific support when needed and accelerate the academics of students to facilitate their academic growth.

What are some of the school’s fundamental beliefs for helping kids develop into good people?

As a Catholic school, we have established schoolwide learning expectations, known as

SLEs, which support the way we teach and support our students. Basically, we strive for our graduates to become responsible citizens, to develop a love for lifelong learning and to model their words and actions as a child of God.

Every class from preschool to eighth grade supports a local organization which teaches the children to think beyond themselves. They learn that even a young person can make a difference in and impact the lives of others. We set the bar high for our students when it comes to their words and actions, and they always exceed our expectations. With parents as partners, we are proud to be part of the formation of our students into good and respectful people.

Has there been a change in attitude or attendance over time as non-religious beliefs have become more widespread?

We believe the school’s mission to provide academic excellence with values of a lifetime, resonates with everyone regardless of religious beliefs, and our parent community agrees. One parent recently commented that diversity is key at Holy Cross. Whether your family is Catholic, secular or of another faith, it’s the school’s emphasis on global citizenship, respect and care for others, and doing the right thing that are beautiful goals for us all.

A Library Lover’s Tour of the Coast

Passion for books began as a young child

BY KATHY SWEENEY

let in plenty of natural light and took advantage of the beautiful view outside. The library also has black silhouettestyle art that depicts birds in marsh-like grasses like you can find just outside.

It was still early, only about an hour after opening, but a few parents and children roamed and lounged in the children’s area. Other reading areas had a scattering of readers soaking in the peaceful scene.

My third stop was the La Selva Beach branch, at 316 Estrella Ave. This was a compact branch, sandwiched between a fire station and the La Selva Beach Clubhouse, but it made good use of its space.

Like many small community libraries, it focuses on providing a good children’s section. High ceilings, exposed beams and lots of natural light make the branch feel bigger. Other highlights include a variety of art, such as hanging wooden pieces near the information desk, sea animals on a large clear vertical panel and a marine-themed mosaic just outside the front door. Tall palm trees outside add to the beach mood.

My last stop for the day was the Capitola branch, at 2005 Wharf Road. This is a sleek new building with lots of natural wood and clean vertical lines, starting with the exterior. The children’s room was playful, with owl faces popping up on the kids’ chairs and a tree theme that carried through the library.

Many people collect items as a hobby. I have friends who collect vintage video games, comic books, even quilts. I’m a different kind of collector, however. I collect library visits. For fun, I like to visit community libraries and photograph what I find there.

My love of libraries took root in childhood. My mom, a teacher, would take my sister and me to the San Bruno library on Saturday mornings, and I’d check out the maximum 10 books every time. I’d stuff them into my Hello Kitty tote bag, then start devouring them as soon as I got home.

Now I’m a teacher and my love of libraries hasn’t dimmed. Yet I discovered something new when I began collecting library visits a few years ago: Libraries are so much more than books. Almost immediately, I noticed how each branch reflects the community it serves, including the languages of materials and services offered. Some libraries are true community hubs, with job training, resume-writing classes, citizenship workshops and language classes. Others offer parent support groups, chess clubs and homework help.

With this in mind, I headed for Santa

Cruz during my December break to explore a few coastal libraries, excited to see what treasures I might find. What would be the best feature in each branch? How would they reflect their community?

My first stop was the downtown branch, at 224 Church St. I got there shortly before opening time, and there were already patrons waiting to enter. This is pretty common. Almost every time I get to a library branch early, there’s a small group of people waiting. I like to think of them as library fans.

As soon as I stepped in, I saw the downtown branch’s superpower: the Veterans Information Center. It’s in the lobby, even before you get to the books and other services inside. Posted hours

offered assistance four days a week.

Almost all libraries have inviting children’s sections, and the downtown branch was no exception. Some of the stand-out pieces were multicolored garlands of origami, beach-themed art on the walls, and a 2008 mural showing a child reading while overlooking a coastal city and an ocean made of books.

Next I headed to the Live Oak branch, at 2380 Portola Drive, which overlooks Corcoran Lagoon. This location is more tucked away than the downtown branch, and the vibe is laid-back instead of bustling.

My favorite part of this branch was the clean lines of the mission style design, from architecture to furniture style and even tabletop lamps. Large windows

There’s also a fireplace in the periodicals area, and this branch also makes great use of large windows and natural light. Near the front, there’s a section of books on local history that includes diverse offerings such as “Surfing in Santa Cruz,” “Highway 17” and “Chinese Gold: The Chinese in the Monterey Bay Region.”

Finally, a glass cabinet contains a mini-exhibit called “My Neighborhood … Camp Capitola.” It features historical photographs, a collection of various shells, and blurbs of information about the camp.

With four new library visits in my pocket, it was time for me to head back home to San Jose. I have many more coastal libraries ahead of me, but thanks for adding to my treasure chest, Santa Cruz County. I know I’ll be back.

Kathy Sweeney is a former journalist and current teacher. She began her library quest a few years ago by visiting all 25 public libraries in San Jose, where she lives.

“

Libraries are so much more than books. Almost immediately, I noticed how each branch reflects the community it serves, including the languages of materials and services offered.

BY BRAD KAVA

While you and your family were sheltering from torrential rains, Manuel Rodriguez, 50, and his brother Joel, 58, were digging underground conduits to help restore power to Aptos.

Not only was the work torturous in horrid conditions, but the two were far from their homes in San Luis Obispo County working six days a week, staying in a mobile home in Watsonville and driving back south for one day to see their wives and children.

And, to make matters worse, the retaining wall around Joel’s house in Atascadero had collapsed and friends there were helping him out with sand bags. He figures there was at least $15,000 to $20,000 of damage.

“The best part of the job is that you are helping people,” said Manuel, who was with a team completing the conduit on a Saturday after the storm had cleared. “And you are in a different place every day. You’re not stuck in one place every day. You travel all the time and you do something different every day.”

They work for MGE Underground, of Watsonville, which subcontracts for PG&E, part of the thousands of heroic workers who showed up in Santa Cruz to help with the devastation.

There was a PG&E crew that worked 10 hours New Year’s Eve on top of poles in biting rain on Clubhouse Drive in Aptos after a Eucalyptus tree knocked out power for 4,500 people and destroyed a pickup—a photo of which was picked up by the New York Times and illustrated the storm around the world.

“I was so impressed they were out and they didn’t stop until the power was back and it was pouring, really pouring,” said Santa Cruz County’s Probation Chief Fernando Giraldo, who watched the work from his window.

“I thought we would be out of power for days. I sleep with a CPAP machine, so it was very concerning to me. I was shocked they came and did it so quickly working on top of those poles for hours.

The endurance! That’s a young man’s job. They were great.”

In Lompico, Comcast went the extra mile to restore internet access. Most of them already had power because they had generators, but the internet was gone because the company requires commercial power to operate over a large area—and many Comcast employees have homes there and had already suffered in the CZU fires.

The employees solved the problem for their neighbors by creating a temporary network by running fiber over the canopy provided by tree tops—keeping those who were already cut off by flooded roads and no electricity able to work and study from home, and stay up on the most important news. Some of the homes still don’t have power, but they have internet, while they await a more permanent solution.

“This will be my 29th year with Comcast and 25 in the Network department, so working during storms is nothing new to us here,” said Engineering and Network supervisor Ron Poole, who worked from December 27 to January 20 with no break. “At first, the thought was that we are actually going to get some much-needed rain. The first storm hit and we had expected damage to our plant, then the storm fronts just kept coming. Aside from the CZU Fire in 2020, this has been the biggest event we have had that impacted our outside plant structure.”

The crews feared mudslides and falling trees, which were happening all around them, but there was a silver lining.

“It felt great to see all of the modems come online, and service restored. People were thanking us the whole time. We truly felt bad for them and knew that commercial power wasn’t going to be restored for 10-14 more days.”

Verizon also stepped up, to the relief of the Zayante Fire Protection District.

“Verizon has arrived!” they posted on Facebook. “They have brought with them this portable cell tower which will help support communications in Lompico

Canyon and Lower East Zayante. You might start seeing better signal on your cell phones so give them a try.

“Should be set up and running in two hours. Thank you to Verizon and the County of Santa Cruz for making this happen in our community! Note: these are limited range units and we have a lot of trees. But we figure it’s worth a try and anything is better than what’s available now.”

You could barely see Capitola’s beachfront, one of the busiest tourist attractions in the county, after the rains flushed down thousands of trees. Organized by Save Our Shores, dozens of residents donned gloves and filled a giant dumpster with driftwood, barely scratching the surface of the work still needed to be done.

“We had close to 100 people show up to clean up Capitola Beach,” said city councilwoman Yvette Brooks, who was out there working. “For two hours

volunteers picked up debris and created a human conveyor belt to haul larger logs into a green waste dumpster.

“I am so proud of Capitola, its residents, community volunteers and staff. Although our city was hit hard with damage to infrastructure that will cost us millions of dollars, our village is strong and it’s moments like this when I know Capitola shines bright with resiliency.”

A seasoned Comcast technician works diligently to assess and repair critical storm damage, carefully restoring services for local residents and businesses from the treetops of Santa Cruz. Photo courtesy of Comcast

An anonymous person left donuts and plastic bags for people who want to help clean Rio del Mar beach. Photo by Brad Kava

How you can help the cleanup

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz is organizing storm cleanup efforts in Felton Grove for the next several weeks.

To sign up to be an emergency response volunteer, request flood clean-up assistance, or donate to the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County and support its efforts, visit scvolunteercenter.org. For more information call 831.427.5070.

This Google Map set up by Coastal Watershed Council leader Laurie Egan has a number of contacts for area cleanup supervisors: bit.ly/3j37Njf

The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has launched a disaster fund to help residents and small business owners.

The money will go to nonprofits serving vulnerable populations. Donations will also go to small businesses in coordination with local business improvement districts.

Donations can be made to the Santa Cruz County Disaster Fund at www. cfscc.org/disaster.

To get FEMA help, for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, storm victims can apply online for federal aid at DisasterAssistance.gov, call FEMA at 800.621.3362 or download the FEMA app.

Comcast stands with Santa Cruz as we work together to recover and rebuild after the storms.

Volunteers help clean Capitola Beach after the storm. Photo by Brad Kava

Comcast opened free Xfinity WiFi hotspots to support residents during the storm.

PG&E crew work to restore power New Year’s Day.

Photo by Fernando Giraldo

Pictures

Photos by Bobbi Jo Palmer

Rio del Mar flooding. Photo by Kevin Painchaud

Rio del Mar neighbors turned out to help Jon Salisbury, 44, stop a hill from sliding down. Salisbury is in charge of buildings at Cabrillo College. Photo by Brad Kava

Eucalyptus trees took out power and a truck New Year’s Day. Photo by Fernando Giraldo

Volunteers help clean Capitola Beach. Photo by Brad Kava

The Capitola Wharf and concrete ship were damaged by the storm.

Every heart has a story.

We can help you live yours.

Sharing family traditions with your grandkids. That big career move. These moments define your story, and a healthy heart makes it possible. At Dignity Health, our nationally recognized heart and vascular program provides the area’s most comprehensive cardiac care. So, whether you have concerns or are due for a checkup, we’ll help you write your next chapter. Learn more about our innovative services at DignityHealth.org/DominicanHearts

Gateway School, K-8th

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Open House

Feb. 4 from 9-11am

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz www.gatewaysc.org

Meet our Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers, visit our classrooms, 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 register.

Gateway School, K-8th

School Day Tour

Feb. 7 from 9-11am

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz

www.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 register and experience all that Gateway has to offer!

Foolish Doom

A tragic comedy for all ages

Feb. 9, 7pm

Scotts Valley Cultural & Performing Arts Center 251B Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley svctheaterguild.org 831.334.4946

Using music and mime, The Foolish Doom characters, Burnhart and Pippa come to Earth to tell the story about climate change and the human conflict about what to do about it. The piece conveys how confusing the many perspectives can be, and crucially, what action to take next.

Starting Feb. 18

Waldorf Early Childhood

Feb. 11 from 9-10:30am

2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz 831.824.2161

Parents are warmly invited to learn about the world of Early Childhood at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. Experienced Kindergarten, Preschool, and Parent-Child teachers will present aspects of our rich and child-centered curriculum to give you an understanding of our program offerings and how we meet the developmental needs of the young child at each stage. This presentation will be followed by a tour of the early childhood classrooms, play yards, and school garden. enrollment@ santacruzwaldorf.org to register.

Attending An Introduction to Waldorf

Grades 6-7 are exploring independence through:

A Warm Welcome (with licensed counselors, socialemotional learning)

College-prep Curriculum Connections (in athletics, clubs, performing arts & more)

Grades 9-12 are siezing opportunity through:

College Prep Curriculum & AP Courses

Hands-on Technical Education

Self Discovery (in athletics, clubs, performing arts, leadership opportunities & more)

Nothing Like the First Grandchild

BY SARAH SAVASKY

My first grandchild arrived seven months ago. A little girl (at least for now) called Grace. I’ve wanted to be a grandmother for a long time.

I always thought I’d be a young grandmother. I had my children when I was young, and my mother was only forty-six when she became a grandmother.

So, becoming a grandmother at sixty seems old to me. Still, I am surprised, or maybe just disappointed, that no one is shocked to learn that I am a grandmother. I have yet to hear the words “you look too young to be a grandmother!” On the upside, having a grandchild has taken the sting out of turning sixty.

Because you are just getting to know me, I should tell you that I have always been a worrier, a worst-case scenario type.

And even though my journey through grand mothering has just begun, I predict many of my musings will have a nervous nellie bent.

I was that way as a mother, and I will be that way as a grandmother.

But I also have perspective, which is something I did not have when I was raising my babies. Then every decision was monumental, and I know now that was a monumental waste of my time and energy. So even though I will worry about my grandchild choking on solid food for the rest of my life, I now have a sense of humor and levity that I didn’t have back then.

I feel so fortunate to live down the

street from my son and his family and am thrilled to babysit regularly. I may not always feel this way, but for now it’s just right. I consider myself a natural with babies, but my skills have not been tested for a long time.

Turns out, babies are the same, but the rules and the accessories are not. My babies slept in pajamas with a blanket and a sheet and maybe a stuffed animal (Actually I can’t remember what was in their crib, the point is they survived it.)

Grace sleeps in a funny sleeping suit that keeps her from moving around too much and nothing else.

To be clear I am not saying this is wrong, I’m all for anything that keeps the baby safe. I’m just saying it takes some getting used to. And some pride swallowing. It turns out pride is a major choking hazard!

Also, the fact that I’m “good” with babies is irrelevant. It turns out no one wants my opinions about parenting. By no one, I mean the parents of my grandchild.

This was not news to me, I learned this in the first chapter of Grandparenting for

Dummies and from every grandparent I have ever met. Still, it’s hard to take it when your son corrects you on your diapering technique. And then there’s all the newfangled equipment (now there’s a phrase that will date a person).

But the hard truth is that everything has changed from which side the baby sleeps on (spoiler alert, it’s the back side) to the stroller that converts to a car seat; a bassinet; a highchair and a floatation device!

Along with my fear of choking I have a fear of dying in a stupid household accident and I’m pretty sure the legs attached to that sleek highchair in my kitchen are going to be the death of me. The legs spread out in four directions like a tent (maybe we could throw a sheet over it and use it as one.

Oh, wait, she’s not allowed to have bedding in her bed. Never mind). I know it’s designed to keep the chair from tipping over but what good is that if grandma is face down on the floor?

Also, the highchair I had back in the day, with the regular legs never tipped over, I’m just saying.

Congratulations on your recent awards and acknowledgment for your years of hard work. Bravo!

Retired recently, I often gave clients a copy of your wonderful paper if it featured (and normalized/destigmatized) an issue with which they were struggling with their children.

You are community treasures… Diane Cohan LMFT, Scotts Valley.

2446 CabrilloCollegeDrive,Soquel

Pacific Elementary School

Small public school, quality programs, close diverse community, preschool through 6th grade.

Choose preschool, traditional TK-6 classsrooms, full-time home study, or a hybrid independent study program with 3 classroom days and 2 home school days/week

Award-wiinning school lunch program featuring organic and local food. Students help cook from scratch daily

Experiiential learning emphasis: year-round garden program, hands-on science, drama, field trips, high-tech innovation lab, annual student film festival

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program, including enrichment classes and accelerated math Graduating students often place above grade-level in math

Just 10 miles from Santa Cruz, attrac ting students from around the county After school programs available

Pacific Elementary School 50 Ocean Street, Davenport (831) 425-7002

www.pacificesd.org

Enquire now: www.pacificesd.org/new-family-enrollment.html

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NOW ENROLLING for 2023-2024 School Year

Supporting Mental Wellness

BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW

I’m grateful for the little moments that start to feel like pre-pandemic life. Before 2020, I never thought that going to a grocery store or a friend’s house without being afraid to touch things or breathe air was cause for a celebration. But after nearly two years of the pandemic, these “small” things make a big difference. While I’m hopeful that the worst of the pandemic is over, I’m deeply concerned about the extent of the pandemic-related emotional and behavioral health challenges faced by many children, youth, and adults. The holidays can be a challenging time anyway for mental health, so it’s even more important that we care for ourselves and each other at this time of year.

This monthly article provides tips for families raising children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question for a future column, please email triplep@first5scc.org.

mental health (they’re 8 and 13). They used to enjoy being around people at

home and school, but now they isolate themselves in their rooms and don’t want to go anywhere, especially school. It’s a daily struggle to get them to go to school. I’ve tried talking with them to find out whether there’s a problem with teachers, other kids, or their schoolwork, but they don’t want to open up to me. Do you have any suggestions? Priya

Dear Priya, You’re not alone. The emotional and behavioral health of children and teens was of concern before COVID, but the pandemic-related stress, fear, grief, and uncertainty has intensified mental health challenges for kids of all ages. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, emergency department visits for mental health emergencies increased between March and October 2020 by 24% for children ages 5-11 and 31% for children ages 12-17. In early 2021, there was more than a 50% increase in emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts

adolescent mental health.

Continue checking in with your kids. Have “casual conversations” about things your children are interested in—food, sports, clothing, music, social media, their friends, or other hobbies. Keep the lines of communication open, ask questions, and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings. This can lead to more in-depth discussions about their moods, eating and sleeping patterns, changes in social relationships, difficulties at school, or other issues that are weighing on their minds.

Validate their feelings. If your kids open up, then listen, acknowledge their feelings, and thank them for sharing— even if you don’t share the same interests or agree with their opinions. Hold off on trying to reassure them that everything will be fine or telling them the situation is not as bad as it seems. Remember that kids are more likely to believe those

calming effect.

Seek help and support from other sources. Schedule a health check-up for your kids with their medical provider. This can help identify any physical, mental, or behavioral health concerns and connect your children to helpful resources such as counseling. Many schools also offer counseling and other resources that teach children and teens tools to manage stress and other emotions. Remember to seek support for your own mental health, too.

Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 19 and 22, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple PPositive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit

The Excavators on the Playground

Children express themselves in interesting and imaginative ways

BY LISA CATTERALL

I spent three years involved in writing and defending the California Preschool Foundations. State-sponsored preschool is a marvelous concept, and there were hundreds of well-intentioned people who needed to have a say in what the curriculum ought to be.

The meetings required microphones and convention centers to accommodate everyone who knew about preschool. I was proud of the results, and very happy that all preschoolers in my state would have strong art, science, physical education and SEL (social-emotional learning).

Years later, specialists in our county were making a learning plan for my preschool daughter with special needs. They pulled out the books I helped write to decide what her goals should be in all eight subjects deemed necessary for preschool.

I had just come from watching my other daughter at her private preschool. She had not let me take her home until I tasted her pizza. The pizza was an old plate with a carefully smoothed down pat of mud. She took it out of a faded plastic play oven, and she and her friends carefully added rocks and grass for toppings.

“Mmmmmmm, pizza! Thank you so much. May I pay you?” They nodded. I solemnly handed them a leaf.

Up the embankment on the playground, there was a happy buzz floating up from a small group of preschoolers digging and sculpting mud on the slope.

They had buckets of water and some old play trucks, and occasionally, they would drive the trucks over their tiny world and dump water down their carefully sculpted river. “They are my little excavators. They love the rain –this time of year is wonderful for kids,” advised their teacher. I thought about the cleanup she might have to do before their parents came to pick them up and I was quite impressed.

I thought about the years I taught college preparatory physics and eighth grade physics. When I got to the coefficient of friction, I would always ask kids to picture playing with a toy car or truck. “You know, when wheels turn, there’s no sliding. There’s a new static surface every second. So. You have to picture that play when you choose which equation to use.”

What if kids stopped playing?

In high school chemistry, there’s a big difference between solutions and suspensions, and special math about how light goes through colloids.

I watched my daughter as she skipped happily over to her mud kitchen and began to mix me a dirt smoothie.

The sunlight shot through swirling motes of dirt in her play cup.

I was writing a new curriculum last month to find new and exciting ways to have kids learn the Next Generation Science Standards in elementary school. One of the most difficult units I encountered was about erosion.

It’s something fourth graders are supposed to learn, and schools must impart more knowledge of the changing earth than I learned in my college geology class.

I thought about the excavators and the pizza makers, sliding cakes of dirt and mud around for fun.

There is no manual we wrote for preschool that gives instructions for play. And yet, I’ve never seen anything to make me think it isn’t the single

most important thing to support for preschoolers. Play that is independent, creative, free, and safe. I wonder sometimes if the best use of funds for state preschools might have been spent keeping the ratio of teachers low and the play-yards and classrooms beautiful, safe, natural, and full of interesting and imaginative ways for a small person to investigate their world independently.

Educator and historian Diane Ravitch famously said that to improve American education, give every child a musical instrument.

I wonder if we should give every preschooler a messy hill full of mud, a shovel, other children, and a kind and watchful adult.

I know that all of that curriculum we wrote has enormous value, but I know that children also need to explore the world with all of their senses on their own terms. It’s not easy for an institution or a government to see the connections that something like mud play makes to how humans learn later in life.

The best preschools, however, seem to do it all. There are letters, numbers, art, science, and vocabulary for the taking, but there is plenty of time and space for messy, unstructured play. No matter what, young children never stop learning, no matter where they go or what they do.

Lisa Catterall teaches STEAM, math, science, and art at Mount Madonna School and is a senior associate of the Centers for Research on Creativity. She lectures and trains teachers and administrators on innovation in education in Beijing, China. Lisa has five children and lives in Santa Cruz County.

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There is no manual we wrote for preschool that gives instructions for play. And yet, I’ve never seen anything to make me think it isn’t the single most important thing to support for preschoolers.

In the preschool program at Mount Madonna School, students are invited to engage their creativity, curiosity and sense of wonder with stimulating Montessori-inspired lessons. Photo by Kami Pacheco

THROUGH 4-14

Downtown Fridays Enjoy live bands at two or more locations along with events and activities at several downtown locations. Fun for the whole family.

FRI 3

SAT 4

Gateway School, K-8th Open House

9-11am Meet our Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers, visit our classrooms, 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 register.

TUES 7

Gateway School, K-8th School Day Tour 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 to register and experience all that Gateway has to offer!

THUR 9

Marine Photographer Lecture 4-7pm

Marine Photographer Marc Shargel will Speak at Sanctuary Exploration Center across from the Santa Cruz Wharf. Shargel has 40+ years of marine imagery and ocean observations. The family-friendly event is free. Beverages and craft activities for all ages will be provided. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 28.

Cabrillo Youth Strings The Cabrillo Youth Strings Program, with 3 String Orchestra groups, will begin a 9-Week String Orchestra Program on Friday, February 3. Auditions and Rehearsals will take place at the Music Building, VAPA 5000. Auditions for Festival Strings and Cabrillo Strings will be 3:45-4:15 prior to the first rehearsal that day. Festival Strings will be 4:15-5:45 and Cabrillo Strings will rehearse 4:15-5:55. 4th-6th Grade Beginning Strings will not hold auditions and will rehearse 4:00-5:15. Students may register through the Cabrillo Youth Strings Website of through Extension, extension.cabrillo.edu or 479-6331 through February 3. There will be a Concert on Friday, April 14, 7pm at the Samper Recital Hall.

3, 15, 22, 24, 25

Santa Cruz Warriors 7-9:30pm The Santa Cruz Warriors, the G-League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, will be at home at Kaiser Permanente Arena for five games in February. Come out and watch the action and see future NBA stars up close. santacruz.gleague.nba.com

The Foolish Doom 7pm Using music and mime, The Foolish Doom characters, Burnhart and Pippa come to Earth to tell the story about climate change and the human conflict about what to do about it. The piece conveys how confusing the many perspectives can be, and crucially, what action to take next. Scotts Valley Cultural & Performing Arts Center svctheaterguild.org

Spring Hill Group Tour 9-10am . Group tours are offered monthly from November through March. Individual tours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:45am and 3:30pm. Virtual zoom meetings are offered monthly from November through March and include an opportunity to meet some of the teachers from 6pm-7pm. springhillschool.org/tours.

Kirby School Campus Tour 9:3010:30am. Take advantage of our weekly drop-in tour with Admissions Director, Emily Lamoureux. No registrations necessary, just show up any Thursday at 9:30am ready to embark on an approximately hour-long tour of campus. Thursdays aren’t good for you? No problem...Emily offers individualized campus tours at your convenience. Email admissions@kirby.org to set one up.

SAT 11

Regional Model United Nations Conference for Youth Mount Madonna School will host a Model United Nations conference. Titled Climate Justice for All: Addressing Inequality, this conference will focus on issues related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 13, 14 and 15: climate change, ocean health and biodiversity and the natural environment. This conference is

open to all middle and high school students in Monterey, Santa Cruz and south Santa Clara counties, including those who are homeschooling. The event will feature three committees and primary topics: Human Rights Council – “Promoting Women Leaders in Climate Decision Making”

United Nations Environment Program – “Sharing Green Technology in LeastDeveloped Countries”

Economic and Social Council – “Promoting Sustainable Tourism to Benefit Local Populations”

The cost to participate is $40 per student and includes conference materials and lunch. Scholarships are available, contact MMS Model UN coordinator Lisa Martin at 408.846.4029 or mun@ mountmadonnaschool.org to discuss. Mount Madonna School’s goal is to make this conference possible for as many local students as possible.

Introduction to Waldorf Early Childhood 9-10:30am Parents are warmly invited to learn about the world of Early Childhood at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. Experienced Kindergarten, Preschool, and Parent-Child teachers will present aspects of our rich and child-centered curriculum to give you an understanding of our program offerings and how we meet the developmental needs of the young child at each stage. This presentation will be followed by a tour of the early childhood classrooms, play yards, and school garden. Adults and babes in arms only please. Attending An Introduction to Waldorf Early Childhood is a required step in the admissions process for our Preschool and Kindergarten programs. Contact enrollment@santacruzwaldorf.org to register. The event is free

Santa Cruz Montessori Open House 10am-noon Come see the beautiful campus and classrooms, meet the teachers and learn about the programs. 831.476.1646.

TUES 14

Couples Kickboxing Class 7-8pm Take your date to a romantic evening of kickboxing during this class at Lightspeed Martial Arts in Scotts Valley. lightspeedtkd.com. Cost: $20

WED 15

Mount Madonna School Campus

Tour 10am-noon Meet the head of the school and faculty and interact with current students. Peek into classrooms and experience the campus. This is a family-friendly event. RSVP and more information at 408.846.4042 and MountMadonnaSchool.org.

SUN 19

Santa Cruz Makers Market 10am-5pm

Visit 40+ local makers and artists. Every third Sunday. Located on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln streets Visit scmmakersmarket.com for the full list of participating vendors

FRI-SUN 24-26

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. 7-10pm Get off the beaten path and explore the edge of believable with exhilarating stories from the 46th Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, coming to the Rio Theatre.

SAT-SUN 25-26

Clam Chowder Cook-Off Taste the best at the 42nd Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Beach Boardwalk. Sample chowder from Amateur Chefs on Saturday, followed by Professional Chefs on Sunday. Both days feature Boston and Manhattan Clam Chowder, and you can help pick a winner each day. Rain or Shine! Tasting kit proceeds benefit Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.

Submit your event at growingupsc.com

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. Calendar entries and photos will be selected by the Calendar Editor.

© Marc Shargel / LivingSealImages.com

Teen Twins Fight Water Pollution at TEDxMeritAcademy

BY SUSAN TATSUI-D’ARCY

Kids these days! We’ve left them holding the bag of unintended consequences of our own indulgences, yet our children are still vested in righting our wrongs. What solutions might they find if given the opportunity and resources?

Ishan and Alisha Bhatia are twins. People ask: Do you think alike? You could say so. Both tackled the same global crisis: water pollution, each from a unique perspective. Before they were out of high school, each had discovered viable solutions and showcased them in talks at TEDxMeritAcademy.

HERE’S WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY:

Ishan

Imagine a contagion that popped out of nowhere, threatening 385 million lives with cancer, birth defects, and DNA degradation. It travels through the air, through our food, and even worse — through water. Seemingly innocuous streams meander along, spreading this contagion everywhere.

Unfortunately, this is our reality. Every year, 5.6 billion pounds of pesticides are used worldwide, contaminating our water and food supplies.

After years of research, I discovered an alternative to deadly commercial pesticides that’s just as powerful yet completely safe: Cordyceps militaris.

This is a mushroom specialized to kill insects, using spores that breach their exoskeletons, disarm their immune systems, and extract nutrients until the critters die. Only 8% survive the mushroom, versus 5-10% against conventional pesticides.

But to you and me, Cordyceps militaris is a friend, used for thousands of years as a health supplement. That’s as safe as it comes for a pesticide.

At TEDxMeritAcademy, I encouraged gardeners to use Cordyceps militaris to rid their plants of common pests like aphids. You can do the same, just by visiting my website, cordyceps-pesticide. com, for instructions for making your own Cordyceps militaris spray.

Try it! Let me know which insects and plants it works with. Let’s identify all the insects that Cordyceps militaris can attack, and start replacing toxic pesticides today.

There’s a role for each of us in making our food and water safe. Will you join me? TEDx Talk: bit.ly/3CXXFyW

Alisha

Flames spew from a garden hose and smoke permeates the sky. Laughterfilled playgrounds become toxic cemeteries of childhood memories. In 2015, there were 300,000 hydraulic

fracturing wells in the US. Today, there are over 1.7 million.

Noxious fracking fluid infiltrates our aquifers. Communities unknowingly ingest water with over a thousand of volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and bacteria. The result: cancer, neurological disorders, organ failures, and high-risk pregnancies.

Starting in middle school, I channeled my hope into devising an affordable water filter specialized to capture fracking toxins. I developed a prototype using a pump sprayer, activated carbon, an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid resin, and a 0.2 micron filter. My filter significantly removed total organic carbon, copper, and microorganisms, though I plan to continue fine-tuning the design.

I was just getting started.

Energy companies were still recklessly drilling. The cries of people petitioning for clean drinking water were lost in a sea of corporate control. Poisoned families were targeted with public ridicule and relocated from their homes under gag orders, preventing them from exposing the deadly truth about fracking.

My years of research culminated in my TEDxMeritAcademy talk, We Have a Big Fracking Problem!. I exposed the companies responsible, sounded the alarm over fracking-induced fatalities, and detailed my water filter solutions.

Wanting to do more, I developed America Is Fracked Up, a national organization. Through its website, www. americaisfrackedup.com, people can locate fracking wells, learn more about commercial water filters, and sign a petition to make gas companies provide them. Instead of spending millions to fight the truth, companies must channel their resources to repair the damage they’ve done and provide Americans with clean drinking water.

Will you join me? TEDx Talk: bit. ly/3HeRSHD

We count on our young people to see the world with fresh eyes. Four million teens in this country start high school every year, each of them brimming with potential. Imagine if all students had the opportunity Ishan and Alisha did to start projects and discover practical solutions to the challenges we face. How much more would these students learn? How much more self-assured would they be, knowing what they’re capable of? And how much better off would we all be, as beneficiaries of their powerful contributions?