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

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.