Growing Up in Santa Cruz February 2020

FEB 2020

Teachers Struggling

for Housing NO MORE PLASTICS Teachers Le� Homeless Get Artsy With It

No More Plas�cs

NBCC Navigates the Future Theme Parks Online

e r a c d l i h C & l o o h c s Pre GUIDE Visit us at GrowingUpSC.com

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FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Interactive Open House Saturday, February 1, 10am-1pm School Day Tours Tuesday, February 11, 9-11am

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Features

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Tender Blossoms Preschool

Jim Booth Swim School

Evenings • Saturday Classes • Birthday Parties

The BEST in Baby Swimming!

Start at 4 months in our 94 ° indoor pool!

Soup for the Soul

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Healthy Smiles

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Saving the Planet Local News...............................5 Parenting.................................6 Parenting.................................7 Teacher's Desk..........................8 Healthy Eating.........................9 Your Health..............................11 Show Tunes..............................13 County Scoop...........................14 Birth Matters............................15 Always Amused........................16 Get Organized.........................17 Local News...............................18 Parenting.................................19 Green Tip.................................22 Green Family...........................23 Preschool & Childcare Guide...24 Calendar..................................28 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen

A g e s 6 m o n t h s -5 y e a r s o ld

T e n d e r blo s s o m s p r e s ch o o l.co m

Now at Harvey West in Santa Cruz and Watsonville indoor and outdoor pools.

722-3500

West Side Santa Cruz (831) 239-0117

JimBoothSwimSchool.com • Like us on Facebook

Coming in

MARCH

DESIGN

Zelzi Belle ADDITIONAL AD DESIGN

Ann Fitts

DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Susan Bernstein

Teen Resource Guide

WEBSITE

Diana Fitts CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Nichole Brooks, Lisa Catterall, Erik Chalhoub, Bob Derber, Jhoneé Fillmore, Mary Gaukel Forster, Zach Friend, Kris Holden, Karen Kefauver, John Koenig, Jennifer Mahal, Paul Marigonda, Laura Maxson, Jan Pierce, Bob Pursley, Ramona Pursley, Suki Wessling, Nicole M. Young PHOTOGRAPHER

Kevin Painchaud AD REPRESENTATIVES

Ann Fitts  ann@growingupsc.com Linda Kay  linda@growingupsc.com Christy Shults  christy@growingupsc.com Sophie Veniel  sophie@growingupsc.com CONTACT US

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FEBRUARY 2020 | VOL. 25 NO. 2

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Editor’s Note Can you imagine working all day teaching school kids and then spending your nights in a car because you can’t afford a home in Santa Cruz? Or having to work at night driving an Uber after a day in school?

Those are the kinds of stories writer Suki Wessling uncovered in her article about teachers struggling to survive in Santa Cruz. It’s shocking and just so wrong.

Why aren’t teachers paid enough to make rent or own a home, while athletes are paid like kings? It makes not sense.

Who is more important to your family’s future, the one giving your children skills to survive and thrive, or some guy doing a happy dance in an end zone?

Luckily Wessling uncovered some positives too, an organization trying to help teachers afford homes. But the equation that puts teachers in the negative will go down as one of the great mistakes of our time.

Other countries have more respect.

In China if you tell someone you are a teacher, they react the way someone here would if you told them you were a brain surgeon.And why shouldn’t it be that way, when we entrust these professionals with our children and then treat them like their jobs barely matter. We thank the people trying to change this.

This is the time of year a lot of new parents are thinking about how best to educate their toddlers—and we’ve got plenty of listings of preschools and after school enrichment in this issue.For those who have experienced both, which

is more difficult, picking a college or a preschool? Both are among the greatest challenges of parenthood.

When does the grief go away after losing a baby? Writer Erin Beck Maver talks about the steps she took to recover from her own tragedy. Who is running this classroom, the teachers or the students? Teacher Lisa Catterall takes on that question.

Kevin Painchaud found a football coach who recovered from personal trauma by helping kids get into sports and developed a football league that has girls and boys playing together.

What can kids do to help the environment? John Louis Koenig found a tree-planting group at a Waldorf School that shows what’s possible.

Did someone steal your identity or your wallet? Organizing expert Jhonee Fillmore has some important tips on protecting yourself online.

There are a bunch more stories with tips, advice and insights to help all of us growing up in Santa Cruz.

Enjoy this issue and send us your feedback to editor@growingupsc.com PS: Don’t Forget to mark your calendars for Kids Day downtown Santa Cruz March 21. There will be booths, games, music, dance and information for parents and kids. Last year’s event drew thousands and this year will be even bigger.

Thanks for reading Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford and Steve Dinnen

About the Cover Navigating Our Future, NBCC Gains Praise for Going Green

ONLINE REGISTRATION: cabrillo.edu/youth OR CALL US AT: (831) 479-6331 4

FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Natural Bridges Children’s Center is a play & inquiry based, family centered preschool where both children and families are supported. NBCC is thrilled to announce their most recent accolade of becoming the first preschool in the tricounty to become ‘GREEN CERTIFIED’.

NBCC is committed to environmental stewardness and to inspiring children’s innate desires to take care of the planet through action. Natural Bridges Children’s Center leads the charge for sustainable education in early childhood

and is the first preschool to work with Save Our Shores.

This photo captures a glimpse of what it’s like to be a part of the Natural Bridges Children’s Center family!

Come see the magic for yourself! Give us a call today at (831)-429-NBCC to schedule a tour.

About the Photographer Kevin Painchaud photojournalist, action-sport photographer and professional family photographer. You can view many of his photos on his instragram page @painchaudkevin. If you’d like to hire Kevin, contact him at kpainchaudphotography@gmail.com

LOCAL NEWS Touchdown for Our Community

Sports Helped Save Robert Foster; Now he’s Helping Kids do the Same

BY KEVIN PAINCHAUD even when it’s dark,” says Robert “I just started to unravel this “bundle” that had been handed to me.A “bundle” of darkness that has been handed to me over the generations,”Robert continues, “I’m not going to pass on this “bundle” anymore.I’m going to unwrap it, I’m going to look at it and I’m not going to run from it.I have courage now to work through it.Because of my faith, I am now filled with forgiveness and gratitude.”

Robert has healed and has focused his love and energy on his boys.When his oldest boy was 8 and his youngest was 4 1/2, Robert found a flag football league in San Jose.He signed both of his boys into this league.After a few seasons of his boys playing flag football, Robert discovered a few flaws in this league.There was a lack of support for the parents, coaches and community.It was a business that was not community based.

Robert had a strong background in coaching and started doing a lot of research on how to start his own league.

He talked to other parents and members in the community and quickly discovered that there was a need for an alternative league.A league that was built around the community and that provides the support that parents, coaches and the kids need.In 2010, his first league was started in San Jose.Nor Cal Flag Football was born.His goal was to create a flag football league for kids from the ages of preschool thru 8th grade to play, have fun and learn life lessons through teaching the FUNdamentals of the the game. It was to be an all inclusive league that included all members of the community regardless of sex, economic status, and background.

It was important that it didn’t require a big time commitment from the parents or kids.Robert knew that parents do not have a lot of free time. So having practices and games on the same day would be extremely beneficial.

The league started growing.It became apparent that life-lessons were being learned through flag football.It was not only the kids that were learning these lessons, but their parents too.Mothers and fathers soon were offering to help coach teams.Because it was only one day a week, parents found it easier to become an assistant or head coach for their kids’ team.It gave these parents an amazing opportunity to become more involved in their kids’ lives outside of the home.

For Robert and the league, it was of the utmost importance to provide these parents with the support that they need from him.Every parent and coach has Robert’s direct number and he’s available to them any time they need it.

The league now runs year around.They offer a fall, winter and spring session.Each session is eight weeks.They have been running the San Jose league for about 10 years and last year started the Santa Cruz league.This year they are merging

Nor Cal Flag Football is helping create life lessons for boys and girls in the Bay Area. Photo by Kevin Painchaud with another flag football league in Watsonville.Several years ago, Robert quit his day job so he could focus on the league full time.Not only that, but his oldest son is not only his partner, but also runs the San Jose league while Robert focuses on the Santa Cruz league.Running this

league has been Robert’s passion and joy.

Despite the rocky start that Robert had early on in his life, he has become a beacon for passion, support and joy for his community.

If you want to get more info on Nor Cal Flag Football, go to nflcal.org.

Preschool & Elementary Now Enrolling for 20/21 Personal Tours Weekly Call or email to reserve.

831.427.2641 info@springhillschool.org

Upcoming Events • K-6 Open House, Thurs., Feb. 6th, 6:30-7:30pm • Imagination Station, Sat., Feb. 8th, 10:30-11:30am

Spring Hill School

Gratitude, inspiration, purpose and family.These are the characteristics that flag football has brought to the life of the Aptos resident Robert Foster.

Being born and raised in the San Jose area, life was not easy for Robert.His parents were high school sweethearts and were only 17 years old when Robert’s mom got pregnant with Robert.Being so young, Robert’s mom and dad tried and failed to make it work.Robert’s dad moved to Texas and his mom ended up moving in with her mom and dad in the Bay Area.

Robert’s grandparents were basically like his mom and dad. They raised him and supported him and his mom until he was 5 years old.At this point, his dad decided to move back to California and the three of them moved into their own place.

This ended up being some of the darkest times in Robert’s life.From the ages of 5 - 13, Robert witnessed a lot of abuse from his dad.Despite this abuse, his mom stayed with his dad.When Robert was 9 1/2 years old, his mom gave birth to another boy.Robert, his mom and his new brother all lived in constant fear of his dad and his never-ending abuse.

Three years later, his dad left his mom for another woman.These years of witnessing abuse left Robert without a voice.He'd walk around afraid to speak up or have the courage to be himself.

At the age of 10, his grandfather, who loved and took care of Robert like his own son, died of cancer.Robert’s mom took it very hard and her unresolved grief from the loss began a spiral in her own life.Robert had no real way to handle grief and anger took over him.During this whole time, sports was a constant in Robert’s life.Soccer was his true passion.

Sports was a way in which he could work out a lot of his anger.Sports was the perfect escape from his broken family life.Roberts anger and not knowing how to handle grief would eventually be the biggest turning-point in Robert’s life.

During high school, Robert rebelled.

His rebellious ways ended up having him be kicked out of school and unable to continue to play organized sports.He was living his life with no direction, no purpose and found himself repeating the ways of his parents.Despite having two wonderful boys of his own, he found himself in a marriage that wouldn’t last. He buried his dad at 47, his mom at 56 and then finally when his grandma passed away, he knew his life had to change.The pain and grief had brought him to utter despair.

He looked at his faith and it allowed him to have the courage to look at himself and truly forgive himself.He realized how short life was.How we’re not guaranteed another day.Robert got the courage to make the change.He confronted his life straight on and decided to take control of his life and take care of his kids.

“I realized that we can find refuge

www.springhillschool.org GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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PARENTING Doing it All (Even When You Can’t)

BY AMANDA FIRTH

Sometimes you have to order restaurant food with little time to spare, like four seconds.

This is part of a short series about Foster Parenting and Adoption in Santa Cruz County.

Proper names in the story have been changed for the privacy and protection of the children involved.

The doctor was looking mostly at his computer screen, throwing me information while typing. “You’ve missed her last two appointments at the High Risk clinic. That is where you need to go if you want her to get more services.”

I wasn’t there to get services. My diaper bag is from Kmart because I’m frugal and

my clothes were a little dirty from a busy day, but I don’t need more services unless you can send me someone to do laundry and give me a massage. I was there because our family doctor said to be there.

My daughter needed to see a specialist.

My beautiful 2-year-old and I were sitting in a small exam room that had virtually no childproofing. I know because we’d had to wait for quite some time in it, and she is a busy little person.

Sigh. So I’ve missed appointments.

What kind of horrible mother misses appointments?

One with five children, a full time job, and four or five appointments per week.

Before I became a foster-adopt mother, I would never have imagined missing a single appointment. It would be like getting an “F” on my report card. I’m an overachiever and I take that right into mothering.

We took her shoes off. She was in summer sandals because I couldn’t find clean socks that fit, and it’s warm out. Her feet stank. I made a few jokes about it, but the doctor made a point of washing his hands and telling me her feet stank.

Sigh. Who doesn’t wash their child’s feet daily? Who leaves the summer sandals unwashed?

We left the room and I quickly

checked the traffic on my phone while she climbed on the furniture in the waiting room, in front of the “No Feet On Furniture” sign, and saw that it would take three hours to get home. As we were driving past one of my favorite restaurants, I impulsively swerved into the parking lot.

“You know what baby? We are STOPPING for a bowl of soup. At a table.” I was supposed to get home for all the other kids, but traffic was going to disrupt the plan anyways. Why not eat?

Eating at a restaurant is incredibly rare in my life. As is being out with just one child.

It was four o’clock, and the other diners were in their golden years, although the bar looked lively. The hostess was enchanted by my daughter and gave us a lot of sweet smiles. She helpfully seated us on our own planet, in an empty section of the restaurant.

My daughter wanted to run around.

After all, she’d been in a car, then a little room where she wasn’t allowed to touch anything. I told the waitress we’d order immediately; I had about four seconds to glance at the menu before chasing my girl down before she ran right into the hot kitchen. She fussed when I brought her back, and then the other diners’ eye

rolls began.

Sigh. I’m at a restaurant with a fussy baby.

We shared a plate of angel hair with pesto and scallops. To my surprise, she refused to eat the pesto pasta, normally her favorite, and fussed until I let her try the scallops. Then she ate all of them. I desperately tried to remember if this one had tried shellfish. Are scallops shellfish?

Yes? No? Well, we’re right by the hospital.

Sigh. Again, sigh.

My daughter and I left the restaurant with full bellies, leaving a huge tip, a huge mess, and frustrated diners. As we were driving home, I remembered my mother telling me that when her kids were my kids’ age, people would ask her how on earth she got it all done. She said, “It’s simple. I don’t do any of it well.”

Maybe I ought to stop beating myself up. With that, I put on Let it Go and we sang happily down the road. We were at the doctor, originally, because my daughter is not learning to talk, and the clock is ticking. New words are few and far between.

When the song ended, my daughter looked at me and said for the first time, “Lettitgo. Lettitgo.” You know something?

We’re all going to be just fine.

Laying the founda tion for succ ess

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PARENTING Get Artsy With It

Twelve Benefits of Exposing Your Children to Fine Arts

BY JAN PIERCE As our school classrooms become more and more focused on reading and writing excellence, our children may be missing out on some of the most important skills they can learn—appreciation of and active participation in the arts!

Fine arts can include much more than drawing and painting. They include music and drama. They encompass many kinds of artistic expression such as working with clay, creating mosaics, three dimensional paper creations, puppetry and making mobiles. They include photography, cooking, flower arrangement—any activity in which selfexpression bursts forth.

Children naturally love to engage in art projects. The creative process is motivating in itself—an invitation to create something unique. There isn’t just one answer in artistic endeavors, rather there are infinite possibilities. And that’s good for children.

Child development specialists tell us that the left hemisphere of the brain is used in logical thinking and analytical processes—basically our math, reading and science lessons. The right hemisphere of the brain is used in our emotional, intuitive and creative activities—artistic types of activities. Ideally our children need to develop both sides of the brain and the sides must work together for optimal learning success.

It’s not only beneficial to expose our children to the fine arts, it’s fun. And you might be surprised at the learning that takes place while a child paints or molds playdough or plays the part of Peter Rabbit in a simple play.

Here are twelve benefits of engaging in artistic projects: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Children will improve their fine motor skills. Handling paintbrushes, drawing with a pencil, cutting safely with scissors, all these require precision. Correct placement of fingers on piano keys, learning to play a scale, and strumming a guitar all build motor skills.

Language skills are enhanced.

Children learn a whole new vocabulary when they enter the world of the arts. They learn names of famous painters, color and shape words, they learn to describe the items in their drawing and identify various artistic processes such as shading, adding focal points and concepts such as perspective.

Visual-spatial skills are developed.

Children learn how to place items on a piece of paper, how to connect pieces of a three dimensional work, and how to move their clay into the shape they desire.

In art appreciation, children will learn about the vast diversity found in artistic expression around the world. They’ll build cultural

awareness as they compare African masks with those created by Alaskan natives.

5. Decision making will develop. In creating any piece of art, there is a series of decisions made. What color, what shape, how big or small? Should I use watercolor or tempera? Art lends itself to experimentation that can spill over into creativity in other areas of life.

6. Children who sing, act or create art learn to express their feelings either with or without words. They learn to express themselves in many different ways.

7. Children who might tend to be shy or fearful develop confidence when taking part in the arts. Singing with a group, reciting a poem with classmates, taking a chance on the bright purple paint all work together to build confidence in the decisions they make.

8. Because there is not just one way to create, children in the arts learn to embrace multiple points of view. If ten children draw the same apple, there will be ten different apples.

And that’s okay.

9. Art helps children learn to observe, describe, analyze and interpret.

These critical thinking skills will be necessary in academic subjects such as math, science and writing.

10. Children in the arts will learn to reflect on a project and see ways to improve or change. They will envision how they might say a line or how they might project their voice in the next performance.

They’ll brainstorm ways to sculpt the clay so it looks more like a giraffe the next time.

11. Children learn collaboration.

Working in a singing group, acting a part in a play or working on a class mural are all projects that require communication, shared goals and working side by side to achieve those goals.

12. Children who participate regularly in the arts have been found to achieve better grades and win more awards than those children who don’t have that luxury. (As reported in a ten year study by Shirley Heath of Stanford University.)

Providing experiences for your children in the fine arts can be as simple as supplying an art corner in your family room. It can be singing songs together or reading poetry aloud. You can make homemade playdough or use old socks to make puppets. It doesn’t have to cost money or take a lot of time.

You may also choose to enroll your children in music lessons, art lessons or drama classes. You may take them to local art museums and introduce them

Children in the arts develop many points of view. There are no two ways to see an apple. to folk art, sculpture or oil paintings.

Whatever efforts you make to expose your children to the arts will pay off in their motivation, expertise and joy in creative learning.

So get artsy with it and watch your children bloom.

 Jan Pierce is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read. Find Jan at janpierce.net

Parent Education Nursery Schools of Santa Cruz County Cooperative Preschool Programs for children 1-5 years

Have an active role in your child's early education Get support in your parenting from caring and credentialed teachers Build a community of friends that will last for a lifetime Limited openings available - contact individual locations for information Westside PENS Celebrating 49 years

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GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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TEACHER'S DESK Who Runs the Class, Teachers or Students?

BY LISA CATTERALL Ego is a room where you just try to get everything on your own terms. – Pema Chodron

In the days leading up to vacations, I often have students come in and immediately ask if they can please have a break rather than learning anything.

“Can we just watch a movie today instead of class?”

“Can we lie on the floor and sleep for this period instead of doing the quiz?”

“Can we go for a hike instead?” This one might be unique to holding school on 300+ forested acres, but I’m not sure.

In my perfect vision of a class period, the students walk in jumping up and down to do whatever interesting and exciting lesson I have planned that day.

Nothing ever falls flat; nothing is ever met with an eye roll or a sad comment.

We are all just endlessly thrilled to do chemistry, geometry and biology. Luckily, I can usually be somewhat infectious in my enthusiasm. But when my subjects are competing with the anticipation of Christmas cookies or summer camping or whatever is about to happen on vacation, it is a little bit difficult.

Sometimes, I think teachers are

underappreciated in their ability to hold kids to the standards of a learning environment and keep them studying difficult concepts every day that school exists. Other times I wonder if my ego is just getting in the way; perhaps there is more learning that can happen if I take the day on the kids’ terms. When they are asking for a way out of learning, they might just mean they don’t want to look at a textbook or sit and listen in an uncomfortable chair any longer. What would a school look like if it was built on their terms?

Believe it or not, I’ve built two rigorous academic high school science classes by listening to what kids say about how they want to learn. One of them is an honors science class where 11 of the labs happen, quite literally, in the ocean, in wetsuits, using real science techniques and equipment. Another one is a class that spends 10 months looking at 10 ways that science informs us about what it means to be a human being. Each unit starts with a movie. I don’t recall that in either of those programs’ students have come in rolling their eyes and asking if they could take a nap instead of have class that day.

I built those programs as a new teacher

When is a break a break and when is it a learning opportunity? when I was enchanted with creative ways to build curriculum. As I go on in my years of teaching, more and more, I come to work for the joy of interacting with people who are increasingly younger than I am. I’m more interested in being kind, listening, and enjoying each moment than I am in charging ahead.

But the requests for a break are excellent reminders not to assume I know too much about what inspires them.

 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.

Bring the World to Your Child

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• Offering Montessori materials of practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, geometry, geography, culture, the arts, music and dramatic play!

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Free Hand Sewn Valentines Workshop (ages 3 - 6)

Feb 8, 10:30 - 11:30am Space is limited. Call to reserve a space.

• Parent-Child Classes • A Walk Through the Grades • An Introduction to Waldorf Early Childhood www.santacruzwaldorf.org | (831) 824-2161

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FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

HEALTHY EATING Eating to Beat the Winter Blues

BY GRETCHEN HEIMSOTH

Right around this time in the new year- after all the hustle and bustle and stress from the holidays is finished, (and hopefully, the decorations are put away!) we can come to a pause after all the festivities where we can feel a lull in energy and focus, as well as low mood and motivation. Shorter days/less sun, chilly and rainy days all add up and can express in a syndrome known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. SAD can affect all age ranges. Children pent up inside when they would otherwise be running around expending energy are no less susceptible to the seasonal “blahs” then adults are. Consider the possibility that a large portion of us spent the last six weeks or so indulging in holiday favorites, foods often laden with fat, sugar, and calories with little to no nutrients, then the beginning of the year starts looking like a great time to refocus our attention on what we are putting into our bodies so we can continue to get out of our bodies what we demand of them. Make it a family affair and open the dialogue of what healthy eating looks like to your children so they can start to exercise their mental muscles when it comes to food choices!

There are key nutrients and foods we can focus on during the winter months to support our bodies and help mitigate the effect of SAD. They are easy to obtain foods, especially on this Central Coast of California, in which we are graced such an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, many of which enjoy a long growing season here. Focusing on these foods can give you and your family a boost that will help them be as healthy as they can through the winter while giving their body fuel to prepare for longer days and warmer weather.

• Lean Protein- a diet too high in saturated fat right now can potentially lower mood and is hard on the digestion • Omega 3 Fatty Acids-low levels of omega 3’s have been correlated with low mood in studies. A diet high in Omega 6, from grains and seed oils, without an adequate balance of Omega 3 also leads

to chronic inflammation, which can contribute to a host of issues.

Food sources include wild salmon, flaxseed and oil and walnuts.

• Berries- Blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and pomegranates (not technically a berry but still included) can help prevent the release of cortisol, the stress hormone.

• Folic Acid- No healthy eating list would be complete without mentioning leafy greens. They pack a punch with antioxidants, fiber, and folate!! Folic acid is also found in oatmeal, broccoli, sunflower seeds, lentils, blackeyed peas, and soybeans.

• B-12- If you eat animal products and dairy, then you will be getting a regular intake of B- 12. If you are vegan, there are vegan sourced B-12 supplements derived from seaweed. During the darker winter months, it may be worth considering supplementation.

• Vitamin D- Such a vital compound for our bodies. It is essentially a hormone the kidneys produce and regulates calcium metabolism. This process is set in motion by our skin having exposure to the sun. Try for as much exposed skin as you can handle in the weather for 15 minutes minimum in the sun a day. Aim for that as a goal. Food sources include egg yolks and mushrooms. Bone broth can help boost levels as well.

• Magnesium- Helps stabilize mood and promote a sense of calm. Foods that contain magnesium are often satisfying and fun to eat. Dark chocolate fits this bill as well as bananas.

• Broccoli- Broccoli is an antioxidant VIP, housing some of the most potent antioxidants used by the human body, glutathione, and sulforaphane.

There has been so much recent research surrounding these two compounds. These chemicals support our natural detox processes and assist in slowing down the effects of aging.

Salads are excellent ways to get a lot of these foods on your plate in one sitting. However, I find salads to be unmotivating at times during these colder months. The last few weeks under the redwoods have been particularly cold. Soups lend themselves to the winter occasion, offering both warm comfort and aid in digestion with the added liquid as well as the breaking down of plant fibers during the cooking process.

Following is a sausage, greens and lentil soup recipe that will bring smiles to even most fastidious little faces!

Recipe INGREDIENTS:

Sausage, Greens and Lentil Soup

1 Tbsp oil for sauté, I recommend avocado oil 4 links smoked chicken sausage- Aidell’s for example, chopped (for plant-based soup, substitute one pound mushrooms, any mushroom, for sausage) 1 yellow onion chopped 2 ribs celery with leaves, chopped 1 large carrot, any color, peeled and chopped 1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped into small dice 1 red bell pepper, chopped 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped 2 large cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄2 Tbsp ground cumin Fresh nutmeg I bunch greens- Dino kale, spinach, or chard. Stemmed and very thinly sliced 5 cups stock of choice. Sub bone broth for extra gut-loving benefits 1 3⁄4 cups lentils 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 2 cups water Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a soup pot, heat oil and sauté onions, celery and carrots until lightly browned. Add sausage or mushrooms and sauté for another two minutes.

Add bell pepper and potato, rosemary, cumin, garlic and salt, and pepper.

Sauté for another minute and deglaze with one cup of the stock. Let cook 8 to 10 minutes to soften potato and vegetables. Wilt in the greens, season with a few grates of fresh nutmeg, stir in tomato paste, lentils, stock and water.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer soup until the lentils are tender. About 30 minutes. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Garnish with fresh herbs, scallions, some cubed avocado or some grated parmesan and serve!

Recipe by Biscuits & Beets

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YOUR HEALTH Taking Care of Tiny Teeth Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist

BY SEPIDEH TAGHVAEI, THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER OF DIENTES It seems to happen overnight. One day your baby is giving you the most delicious gummy smile and the next day, as your baby grins lovingly at you, you notice the white speck of their first tooth! This is a milestone worthy of their baby book and a visit to the dentist! If your baby does not have teeth by their 1st Birthday it is still a good time to take them to the dentist for their first check-up.

Why so early? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recommend early visits to the dentist because healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth and a healthy body throughout the lifespan. Babies need healthy teeth to chew a variety of nutritious foods, to learn to speak well, to smile with confidence, and to hold space in their mouth for incoming adult teeth.

Starting good oral health habits from babyhood will prepare your child for a lifetime of happy healthy teeth!

Tooth decay is the most common disease in children. 1 in 4 children in Santa Cruz County have dental cavities. Decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infection, missed school days, problems with permanent teeth, and low self-esteem.

Preventing and addressing tooth decay in early stages can prevent the development of more painful and expensive oral health problems. The great news is that cavities are preventable!

Visiting the dentist by the time your child has their first tooth or first birthday is important! Here are other helpful tips to support your child’s healthy mouth and teeth.

• Before your baby’s teeth come in, wipe the gums with a clean and damp cloth twice a day.

• As your baby’s teeth come in, start brushing 2 times a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Brush after breakfast and at bedtime. Use a dab (size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste.

• Only give water for the nighttime

bottle. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar that will sit in your baby’s mouth overnight if their nighttime bottle is filled with a sugary beverage (milk, formula, juice, or other sugar sweetened drinks).

• Breastfed babies can still get cavities. Breastmilk is natural, but still contains sugars that can feed cavity-causing bacteria. If you are breastfeeding throughout the night, be sure to wipe down your baby’s gums with a cloth or brush your baby’s teeth in the morning.

• Feed your child a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and no added sugars. Try your best to avoid sugary snacks, foods, and drinks. Note: dried fruit, like raisins, can stick to the grooves in your child’s teeth and lead to cavities. Brush well after eating dry fruits and speak to your dentist about adding sealants to protect permanent molars which start to erupt around the age of 6.

Eating healthfully can be expensive.

Call the Community Food Hotline at 831-662-0991 for food assistance and CalFresh (food stamp) eligibility.

• At your child’s next Well-Child medical appointment, ask your pediatrician if they can apply fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth. Fluoride varnish is a safe and effective preventive measure that reduces rates of tooth decay by up to 40%! Your doctor may also prescribe fluoride drops or tablets.

• If you are pregnant visit the dentist during your pregnancy.

Dental care during any trimester, including x-rays, is completely safe. Keeping parents’ mouths clean reduces rate of cavity-causing bacteria transfer to their baby.

• Model good dental health habits by keeping up on your own dental

•

health habits! Parents should brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes, floss daily, and visit the dentist 2 times a year.

Everyone needs to see a dentist at least twice a year! Ask your doctor to refer you to a dentist, if you don’t have one. If you need help finding an affordable dentist and have Medi-Cal Insurance, visit smilecalifornia.org or call the Medi-Cal Dental program at 1-800-322-6384. For local low-cost

dental clinics that accept MediCal Dental and have a slidingscale call Dientes Community Dental at 831-464-5409/ (dientes. org) or Salud Para La Gente at 831728-0222/ (splg.org). If you have private health insurance, ask your carrier if you have dental benefits or how to get them.

Taking care of your baby’s teeth starts early and the benefits will last a lifetime!

Take your baby to the dentist by their 1st Tooth or 1st Birthday.

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www.dientes.org GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

SHOW TUNES Jazz Isn’t Dead; It’s Alive and Well in SLV

BY CHRISTINA WISE Boulder Creek’s Vincent Bottini, comes from a family where musical talent runs deep. Vincent’s mom, Celina, is the lead singer for a Santa Cruz punk rock band called SA90; dad Steve spent years playing Latin percussion, but has picked up the guitar; Vincent’s grandfather plays trumpet, and helped found the Saratoga Big Band, and now 14-yearold Vincent is following in his family’s footsteps. The San Lorenzo Valley High School freshman is finding his stride with jazz piano, and learning a lot along the way.

“I enjoy listening to other musicians who inspire me,” says Bottini. Influencers include Thelonious Monk (famously known for “Straight, No Chaser,” “Round Midnight” and “Blue Monk”) and Herbie Hancock (multi-Academy Award winner and 2014 Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard University, where Hancock’s theme is, “The Ethics of Jazz”).

Bottini’s local inspiration comes from Zayante-based jazz pianist instructor Rob Mahoney. “I’ve been studying with Rob for a while. I played piano during elementary and middle school, and was taught by (past SLVMS Musical Director) Dan Lingenfelter, but playing for Rob means I’ve performed at

Kuumbwa Jazz.” And all that playing comes with a ton of practice. “I practice at lunch in the band room, and I play when I get home, too.”

For all the effort that Bottini has put into learning to play, what is this pianist’s favorite type of piano? “Stride piano is my favorite.” Stride piano, also known as Harlem stride piano, gets its name for the pianist’s left hand leaping, or striding, across the piano keys. “You play a bass note in an octave with your left hand, and play the chord on the second and fourth beats, creating a rhythm,” explains Bottini. “Art Tatum (known as one of the greatest improvisers in jazz history) was famous for his ability to play stride piano. My favorite striding song, though, is ‘Take the ‘A’ Train,’ which was written

by Billy Strayhorn and made famous by Duke Ellington.”

Bottini admires composers, but says that’s not where his talent is focused for now. “I need to learn more about music theory, but my jazz piano is getting ahead of me.” As for his musical future, Bottini is compelled to continue playing. “I want to study music as a minor,” Bottini says, “especially music theory and music production. I really enjoy playing. There’s something that’s

Some fear jazz is dying among the new generations. Boulder Creek’s Vincent Bottini proves otherwise. Photo by Steve Bottini. more than words with jazz, and it really speaks to me. My dad put on a lot of jazz stuff when I was growing up, and something about jazz really clicked with me. Especially playing it now and playing with other people is so fun and inspiring.

I don’t plan to stop.”

And as for other youngsters who are

finding their musical teeth? “For a while I was stuck in a rut, and I’m glad my parents forced me to keep going. Since I found something I’m passionate about, like jazz, I’m so happy. Find something you’re interested in and inspired by and excited about!”

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13

COUNTY SCOOP Making it Easier to Build Accessory Dwelling Units

BY ZACH FRIEND, COUNTY SUPERVISOR, DISTRICT 2 Throughout California there are discussions about how to address the significant affordable housing crisis.

Recent studies on home affordability have shown that in coastal communities like ours less than a quarter of people earn enough income to be able to purchase a home and many can’t afford rising rents.

Grandparents watch as their kids and grandkids move away as they are unable to deal with the cost of living.

There is no question that housing costs in Santa Cruz County are one of the biggest challenges facing our residents especially young families. It’s common to hear stories about people working multiple jobs to pay rent, or kids and grandkids growing up here just to move away to find less expensive housing. We’ve also seen an increase in the number of vacation rentals and second homes limiting overall housing stock and putting additional price pressure on local residents.

If you’re like most young families, your parents or other relatives would like to be as close to their grandchildren as possible - and many of us could use the support that comes with raising a child near a family network. Having your parents in a unit on your property could be an options.

Also, given the high housing costs, having a rental on the property might provide

enough income to help make monthly payments more manageable.

One way the Board of Supervisors has worked to do these things is make the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs - or granny units) much easier and cheaper to build.

Why would this be helpful to a young family?

ADUs allow a few options for young families, or grandparents looking to stay close to their children and grandchildren.

For parents looking to age in place in their homes, they can construct an ADU to live in while providing the main house to their family. For people looking to obtain some income while renting a unit that is affordable by design (meaning the rents are generally lower than apartment complexes or condos of similar size) an ADU provides options that meets both of these needs.

What policies have been enacted to make it easier to build an ADU?

The County has approved multiple incentives for increased ADU construction, starting with a simpler process. For example, the County released an interactive toolkit making it easier for homeowners to design, permit and construct and ADU. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors eliminated County permit fees for all ADUs 640 square feet and smaller,

14 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

streamlined the timeline of the permit process and created a forgivable loan program (that could cover the cost of fees and even construction in some cases) for units that are deed restricted affordable housing units. Put simply, it’s now cheaper, easier and faster to build an ADU in the unincorporated area.

In order to ensure the ADUs would contribute to the housing stock, the Board of Supervisors put in rules to prevent these ADUs from becoming short term rentals (vacation rentals).

What does the new ADU toolkit provide?

Available at www.sccoplanning.com/ ADU, the toolkit includes an overview of recently revised regulations designed to make it easier to build ADUs, a cost and cash flow estimator, guides and FAQs about design, construction and financing, and more. It also includes a mapping tool allowing property owners to instantaneously determine if their property can have an ADU and the maximum allowed size.

Financial assistance to build an ADU is available under two new programs. The County is making up to $40,000 available as a forgivable loan to applicants who agree to make their ADU affordable to those making up to 80 percent of area median

income for a period of 20 years. Through the “My House My Home” program, the County has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay and Senior Network Services to assist low-income seniors interested in building ADUs to create extra income and remain in their homes.

The ADU toolkit is designed to give residents curious about ADUs easy answers to the County’s simplified and streamlined construction process. Under the new program, most residential lots in the unincorporated area with an existing single-family home are potentially eligible for an ADU. The County has also created simplified, downloadable guides on ADU Basics, an ADU Design Guide, and an ADU Financing Guide. Collectively, the guides provide answers to many common questions without requiring a trip to the County’s Planning Department.

There isn’t one simple solution to reducing housing costs. But one promising approach is to increase the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). As always, if you have questions about this or any other issue in our County please feel free to visit me in my open office hours or reach out to me at 454-2200.

BIRTH MATTERS Share the Love

BY LAURA MAXSON, LM Share the Love seems an appropriate theme for a Valentine’s Day milk drive!

Life-saving human milk is truly a gift of love from one family to another. The County’s Breastfeeding Coalition is sponsoring this event for The Mothers’ Milk Bank of San Jose so the community can learn more about donor milk and its recipients. The Mother’s Milk Bank supplies donor milk to hospitals and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), and to some babies on an outpatient basis.

Our local breastfeeding rates are some of the highest in California, meaning we should have an abundance of potential milk donors. Milk sharing follows a long tradition of “it takes a village” type support with informal, parent-to-parent milk sharing becoming more common.

Donating to the Milk Bank offers a safety net of screening and testing to protect vulnerable babies in the NICU. Some wonder why this donor milk is needed – can’t people make milk for their own babies? The answer is, not always.

There are lots of reasons a baby might need donor milk in the hospital, but being born premature is one of the main ones.

Premature babies are at risk for developing Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an inflammation of the intestine,

which can lead to serious infection, damage to the digestive tract, and even death. The smaller the baby, the bigger the risk for developing NEC, but that risk is dramatically reduced by ensuring babies get plenty of human milk. Human milk provides healing components that nurture the intestine and immune system to actually help prevent NEC. Giving birth to a premature baby is stressful and is often combined with other health issues that can interfere with breastfeeding. Being unable to provide enough milk for their sick or premature baby can be devastating for parents.

Babies at risk for NEC can’t afford to wait for a milk supply to build up. They need human milk right there in the NICU. Milk banks need a ready supply of milk specially pasteurized to destroy harmful bacteria while preserving as much of the amazing properties of human milk as possible.

For those with a full milk supply and a healthy baby, setting aside just one or two ounces a day will result in 100 ounces (enough to donate to the milk bank) in a few short months. It seems so simple that it’s hard to believe there aren’t more donors.

What about sharing breast milk for Valentine’s Day? That’s a thing, and it’s important to know about.

The 2020 Donor Human Milk Drive is Friday, February 14, from 11:30 to 3:30 at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center’s, Ceil Cirrillo Room. All human milk donations will be accepted at the drive (instead of the usual 100-ounce minimum.) Potential donors need only be healthy, answer a few questions, test negative for specific diseases and have clearance from their doctor or midwife.

And of course, their own baby should be thriving, too. Those interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a regular donor to the Milk Bank can receive information, forms and even free testing at the event.

It’s always a fun event complete with Valentines to make, prize give aways

every hour, and time to visit with many of our community’s pregnancy and lactation support organizations/agencies.

For those with a growing freezer stash – whether from pumping like crazy due to medical or lactation issues early on, or overestimating when preparing for a return to work – remember it’s not good forever. Aging milk in the freezer can be a lifesaver in the NICU. Think about donating before it gets too old (about 6 months in the freezer). Drop it off at the drive or contact the milk bank to find out how easy it is to share your milk. What a gift of love to give that milk to the most vulnerable little recipients!

Milk Bank - mothersmilk.org Birth Network - birthnet.org

Congratulations on breastfeeding your infant! If you have excess milk, we serve pre-term and medically vulnerable babies in need. Donate to our non-profit milk bank!

It only takes ¼ ounce of donated breast milk to help a premature baby thrive.

Call us at 877.375.6645 or visit mothersmilk.org to become a donor TODAY!

Meet the Doulas

Saturday Mar 21, 4pm Pacific Cultural Center

1307 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz Learn more about how doulas support families through the birth and postpartum experience. birthnetsantacruz.eventbrite.com

One-stop-shopping for pregnancy, birth & parenting services: www.birthnet.org GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

15

ALWAYS AMUSED Getting Social with Theme Parks

BY ERIK CHALHOUB Love it or hate it, social media is a world-changing phenomenon that has changed society for better or worse.

It’s definitely made it better for us theme park fanatics.

It was hard to imagine just 10 years ago how active parks would be on social media today. At the turn of the last decade, many parks seemingly created accounts on various social media platforms just to claim ownership of a handle (i.e. @cagreatamerica), and rarely did they post anything beyond a ticket sale or advertise an upcoming event.

Now, however, social media has become an essential part of every park’s operation.

Many parks have created new positions within their administration dedicated solely to the management of their major social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), whose purpose is to post just about daily with original content and interact with fans.

Social media for parks is not just about posting pretty pictures (although that is still very much welcomed; check out the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s feeds for some incredible images). It’s now the fastest and most efficient way to reach the most people with important, parkrelated news and information.

For instance, California’s Great America will notify followers that the park has closed due to capacity (common during Halloween Haunt and the holiday season), saving people time and gas from making the trip. The Boardwalk, especially this time of the year, will announce which rides and attractions are still open if rain happens to be passing through.

Sure, about half of most parks’ posts try to get followers to purchase something. I’ll admit, I usually buy my passes for Great America every year when it announces its annual sale on social media. But it’s nice to see parks not using social media strictly as an advertising platform.

It’s also made the off-season much more bearable. Parks will attempt to stay fresh in their followers’ minds even when they are closed by posting photos of behind-the-scenes rehab work with their rides. If those parks are lucky enough to have a major new attraction to debut the next season, they will be sure to post construction pictures and videos to get followers’ excited about next season (and encourage them to buy a season pass).

Check out Great America’s video series on the construction of its new water park, South Bay Shores, on its Facebook page.

Park representatives will also respond to questions and comments, assuming you have a valid, intelligent question.

As with anything on social media, just ignore most of the comments on the posts. Your IQ will thank you.

If you haven’t already, give your favorite theme park’s social media account a “like.� It will prove an invaluable resource as you plan the next year of thrills.

Feb. 14.

Last year’s event raised more than $90,000 for the parks department, bringing the total to more than $1.5 million since the cook-off began in 1981.

Entry fee is $50. For information, visit beachboardwalk.com/clamchowder.

In December, the Boardwalk announced the opening of a new historical exhibit in the Boardwalk Bowl. The exhibit showcases the history of bowling by the beach with a display of bowling artifacts, photographs and memorabilia from the Boardwalk’s archives. The exhibit was organized by Boardwalk archivist Jessie Durant and Boardwalk Bowl director Willie King.

The Boardwalk will also soon be taken over by Scouts.

Girl Scout Overnights returns March 6-7, offering Scouts and their families free arcade play, a movie, dinner, sand castle contest, all-day rides wristband and more, capping off the night with a sleepover inside the Cocoanut Grove with breakfast in the morning.

The Boy Scouts will have a similar event the following weekend, March 13-14. For information, visit beachboardwalk.com/events.

Boardwalk happenings

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is seeking chefs for the 39th annual Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off. The Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department fundraiser is a two-day event, with amateur chefs competing on Feb. 22 and professional chefs on Feb. 23.  ?Judges will determine the best Manhattan and Boston Clam Chowders in Amateur and Professional categories.  The public will also have the chance to weigh in on awards for People’s Choice and Most Tasted Clam Chowders.

Prizes include airline tickets, cash and wall plaques.

While the deadline to receive complimentary event T-shirts and Boardwalk ride tickets has already passed, the final registration deadline is

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GET ORGANIZED Passwords, Logins, Accounts…Oh My!

By Jhonee Fillmore

It can be really overwhelming to keep track of all of your accounts. So many accounts must be created for various areas of your life or on behalf of your family members. Just when you get use to using the same few passwords for everything and feeling pretty sane, a couple of new accounts require you to have passwords with “their” requirements. Therefore, more passwords are born in your life. And let’s not forget to mention the logins for your accounts.

Some logins are your email address, but wait… which email address? Or was this the account that has the custom login? And which login goes with which password? Wait; was there a PIN number too? And where on the site do you login?

And darn, who was it that I spoke with when I was having an issue? Where is my reference number? Ahh!!! Am I speaking your language? Let’s get this simple for you and start 2020 with a bang.

Keeping accounts, logins and passwords organized:

We all have our preferences and feelings of security when it comes to the topic of where to store your passwords.

I am not going to advise on whether you should store your password digitally or handwritten and tucked away. I just want

wherever you keep them, to be organized.

Whenever you create a new account, IMMEDIATELY make sure you record the following information (if applicable) and write tidy: Company name, login, password, PIN, account number, email address, website, security questions/ answers and date created.

Sometimes when you setup your security questions you are made to choose questions and answers that aren’t exactly accurate for yourself. You are not likely in the future going to remember your on the spot thinking so do yourself a huge favor and record these.

In the future if you are changing a password, make sure you update the password on your record and make a note of the date it changed.

I like to keep one big list of accounts that I have between work, family, fun, banking, utilities, investments, etc.. I keep this list at home. Some of these accounts I need to access on the go and feel safe for them to travel with me. For example, I often renew my library books on my phone while waiting for appointments so I keep that information tucked inside of my phone for quick access and a quick check off of my to-do list.

Keeping disputes organized

We have all been there when you have a problem with a company and call in.

You speak to one representative and then get transferred to another department and so on. Then on another day you speak to an employee who informs you of the exact opposite of the previous employee whereas both have clearly informed you that they alone are correct.

Sound familiar?

I have learned through much experience to document everything.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! When placing a phone call, email or letter to resolve a problem for yourself, include these items in your documentation: Date, phone number dialed, representative name, representative direct line if possible, reference number and make notes of everything they discuss with you. If they say they are going to transfer you, ask them for the department name and the direct phone number to that department for when you get disconnected or need to reach that direct department in the future.

Keep track of any and all communication in one spot such as phone conversations, emails and/ or letters. When you collect all of this

Plan NOT to remember your password and take these steps. information and misinformation from a company you are more likely to win the frustrating battle as you can present the chain of communication you have experienced. I have personally had some great outcomes arise from extremely frustrating situations when having my documentation on my side. Your chances of a great outcome are so much better if you are organized and oriented while moving through the process.

Don’t let 2020 get the best of you. Get your accounts organized today.  Jhonee Fillmore is the owner of Missplaced Organizing thedavenportcompany.com/missplaced.

GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Accepting Applications for the 2020-2021 School Year

Nurturing the development of the whole child 

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Pre-School: Ages two years and nine months and three years old potty-trained

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Pre-Kindergarten: Ages four and five

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Enrichment Programs: Art, Music, Spanish

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Good Shepherd Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality and/or ethnic origin, age or gender in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loans programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

17

LOCAL NEWS Local Teachers are Hungry, Homeless and Leaving What can we do to keep our teachers local?

BY SUKI WESSILNG LL teaches Transitional Kindergarten full-time for a Santa Cruz public school.

For six weeks, she had to live in her car.

Cate and Jon felt like they were just throwing their rent money into a hole in the ground, but they don’t have family who could help with a down payment in our expensive real estate market.

The president of Cabrillo College, Matthew Wetstein, is still renting, unsure whether he’ll be able to buy a home.

Welcome to the teacher’s life…in Santa Cruz County, at least.

It used to be that teaching was a solid middle-class profession. A teacher could buy a home and raise a family on one income. In most urban markets in the U.S., that sounds like the set-up for a joke.

“I called my landlord to ask if he could live with me and he said ‘OK’,” LL starts, explaining how she ended up homeless after she took in a friend’s dog. “It was a voice message, sadly, so no proof. He decided a few months later ‘no pets’ even though the people before me had a dog, and he gave us 24 hours to get out!”

SPRING CAMP April 6 - 10

LL, who is 37, ended up living out of her car for six weeks while searching for new housing. All the while she held down a full-time, salaried position at a local school district and also drove up to 16 hours a week for Uber. She eventually found a single room in a house for $1525 per month.

Then the landlord started raising the rent bit by bit, for the dog, when her boyfriend moved in, then when they wanted to have a barbecue in the yard, and so on. “So then we are paying $1900 for a room! Insanity!!!” LL remembers.

Then she heard about Landed.

Can you make money while doing good things?

“Our co-founders had attended Stanford Business School and were wondering how they themselves could afford to buy a home in the Bay Area, let alone teachers, firefighters, police—all these professions that have to live in the community they serve,” explains Ian Magruder, head of Partnerships at Landed.

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What can communities do to keep teachers, fire fighters and police local?

The founders realized that Stanford University was already modeling a solution, by investing in homes for their professors and staff. But most educational institutions don’t have billions in an endowment—they need a source of cash if they are going to offer to help out.

Landed’s model is pretty simple: the company matches the teacher’s 10 percent down payment in the competitive real estate markets they serve. The company views the home as a long term investment.

The teachers view it as home.

“We definitely couldn’t have purchased a home without Landed,” remembers Cate, who teaches first grade in a local public school. She and her husband have moved into a little house in the woods of Aptos after considering life with a baby in their tiny studio apartment.

“Jon has been loving doing home improvement things,” Cate says. “I love that I have a laundry in my house, just little things like that.”

Keeping teachers in the community

“In my conversations with school leaders and families, I know that anytime you lose an educator it’s a loss not just for that school but for the whole community,” says Magruder, whose mother and sister are both local teachers.

“It’s important for the students that they’re serving, the businesses in the community, the civic life, and vibrance of the community.”

Magruder points out that teachers need support early on. “It’s important to keep people around for the first few years. Once they stay for four years they are likely to stay for their whole career.”

Administrators are well aware of how real estate prices are affecting the quality of our schools.

“In the past five years, we have lost 51 teachers due to the cost of living in Santa Cruz,” Santa Cruz City Schools Superintendent Kris Munro wrote in an email to families. “Finding any rental housing is a challenge and finding affordable housing is nearly impossible in our community.”

Dr. Matthew Wetstein, President of Cabrillo College, has similar concerns: Cabrillo has also lost employees who can’t afford to stay. “Every employer in this county faces this problem, paying enough to make a living wage.”

An ongoing problem

The problem with an approach

like Landed’s is that the teachers need to come up with a minimum downpayment, and some teachers simply don’t have that much. “[My husband] is a geologist for a local geology firm,” Cate explains. “If he was a teacher as well, I don’t know if we would have been able to come up with the funds.”

Meanwhile, TK teacher LL just couldn’t do it. “Due to the price of houses in the area, even with Landed’s help, I was unable to put anything down.”

Landed doesn’t invest in mobile homes, which was all LL could afford, even while working full time and driving evenings and weekends for Uber and Grubhub.

“It was all the money I ever had and the biggest loan of my life to get the old mobile home, but now, thank goodness, we are secure with no more fear of living out of my car!” LL says.

Keeping it local

LL’s degrees are from three local institutions: Cabrillo, UCSC, and CSUMB. Cate moved from out of state and met native California Jon, who attended UCSC. Ian Magruder’s mom moved from Germany to attend UCSC and his sister was born here. But no matter where they come from, teachers are integral to the local fabric.

“Recruiting from our local community is essential,” writes Superintendent Munro.

“This past fall, we hired six teachers who were former students in our district!”

Cate agrees that it’s better if teachers don’t commute in for their jobs. “When you have teachers in the community, you foster school connectedness, stronger school community—everything benefits when you have teachers that are long term.”

Santa Cruz has been extremely proactive, as one of the first communities to welcome in Landed with an investment from the Community Foundation and the support of the county administration.

But Santa Cruz has only made a small start against a wave of problems facing everyone who doesn’t have family wealth or a high-paying job to fall back on. This is nothing less than a battle to save the fabric of our community, one teacher at a time.  Suki Wessling is a local writer and educator. She’s happy to say that she and her husband bought their house in the 90’s, when the prices seemed astronomically high! You can read more of her work and learn about her online courses for kids at www.SukiWessling.com.

PARENTING A Mother’s Grief Losing a Child

BY ERIN BECK MAVER Yesterday at the gym, I saw one of the nurses who helped deliver Phoenix. She gave me the most heartfelt hug, and in an instant it all came flooding back.

I’ve been struggling recently; the holidays were shockingly difficult. On the one hand, I was trying feverishly to absorb each precious moment and feel the joy. On the other hand, every moment felt like a loss - a magical experience that wasn’t as I’d expected or hoped. I missed Phoenix acutely. It was just so much.

Since the New Year I’ve been on a “self improvement” kick--healthy food, zero alcohol, reading every night, writing. I’m even sticking to the routine of washing my face every morning and evening.

Seems so innocuous, but self care hasn’t been my strong suit for the past many months. Last Sunday marked six months since I last held her.

But, in my pursuit of happiness (?), I have been inadvertently squelching my grief. I have found myself avoiding all painful feelings, like I was afraid they might suck me in.

Tonight I attended the monthly grief support meeting through HAND. I

had a pit in my stomach, and I almost didn’t go, but some part of me pushed through. I’m so glad I went, because I’ve discovered something.

Since losing Phoenix, I’ve waffled back and forth between feeling nothing and feeling everything. It’s exhausting! Not to mention the need to live life “normally” and to be “OK”. It’s a crazy-making roller coaster, and I desperately wanted off! So, in these past weeks I’ve jumped into my self care, and I’ve been pushing my grief into some distant abyss, or maybe just way down deep in my soul?

But tonight I cried. Thick air filled my lungs and I allowed myself to just hurt. It was awful, and perfect. And I discovered this most important thing (it was a shock and a revelation) - I found myself standing ankle deep in my pool of grief, and then I just sat down in it, and...

I didn’t drown.

I cried, and I relived the pain, and I talked about all of the smaller ways in which life keeps smacking me with the reality of this loss. And then I drove home (as I cried some more), and I walked upstairs, and I washed my face. I discovered that I don’t need to stand on the edge of

The grief never goes away, but there are some agencies that can help. my grief in order to be okay. I can sit down and put my feet in the pool, and I won’t get swallowed up! I can cry and I can wash my face. I can take care of me and I can still hurt because I miss my baby. I don’t have to feel nothing or everything.

Phoenix Rose, I miss you every day.

The lens through which I view the world is colored by beautiful you 0my Phoenix Rose colored glasses. Some days I’ll be so sad I cry. Some days I’ll go shopping or get coffee with friends. But always I’ll carry you in my heart. I can love you and miss you, and love this beautiful and precious life. And I won’t drown.

 Erin Beck Maver is a native of the Santa Cruz Mountains. She is a wife, mother and advocate for normalizing grief.

If you or someone you know is struggling through pregnancy or infant loss, HAND (Helping After Neonatal Death) of the Bay Area is available for support. Visit handsupport.org for more information.

The author owes a debt of gratitude to the staff at Sutter Maternity and Surgery that can never be repaid. Special thanks goes to Rachel Groleau R.N, Jodi Crowther R.N, Tierra Owen R.N., Margaret Moore M.D and Cheryl Northey M.D. You’ll never know the depth of your impact, thank you is not enough.

GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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We support Zach Friend because he is a strong voice for local families.

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20 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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When you’re looking for a comforting birth experience, trust Dominican Hospital. Our Birth Center delivers the highest level of care in the Monterey Bay area. We provide a welcoming feeling for parents and families, along with the latest technology for moms and babies.

Visit dignityhealth.org/DominicanBirthCenter to schedule a tour of Dominican Hospital Birth Center.

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GREEN TIP Avoiding Plastic Bags

BY MEREDITH KEET Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags annually. That’s 307 bags per person per year! Recycling for these bags was estimated to be around a measly 1%. With plastic bag bans becoming more prevalent, you may be finding it easier to avoid them, but for most of us there may be places where we are finding them hard to avoid. Here are a few suggestions that may help you skip the bag then next time around:

Trash Bags

Composting is key! Once you eliminate all that yucky food waste from your trash you’re left with very little (if anything) that actually needs to be contained in a trash bag. Rinse out your trash can after emptying, maybe sprinkle a little baking soda at the bottom for odor control. Done.

At the Grocery Store

Keep totes everywhere. And reusable produce bags too. These can be made from old t-shirts or found for sale in a variety of sizes. You may even choose to skip the bag for your produce entirely by placing your produce loose on the conveyor belt (gasp!). Don’t worry, you can wash them when you get home to ensure they’re nice and clean!

Bulk

Use your stash of reusable produce bags or bring your own containers. Just head to the customer service desk for a tare weight before you load them up.

Freezing

We’ve recently become huge fans of Stasher bags for freezing. While not huge proponents of silicone because it is difficult to dispose of, Stasher will take back their bags if broken or damaged for recycling into playground material.

Another freezing option-mason jars. Just don’t forget to leave a little extra room for expansion of liquids to avoid cracking.

Kids Lunches

Years ago we made the investment in Planetbox lunchboxes for our kids.

Stainless steel, indestructible with separate bento-style compartments, you can send your kids to school with the perfect amount of food for their lunches.

These also took away those early morning quests for matching containers and lids.

Takeout

bring your reusable tote and ask the restaurant if they can pack your order in your bag instead of a plastic bag.

We’ve never had anyone refuse to do

22 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

There are plenty of good options to plastic bags. Here are some tips. this, though we have forgotten a million times and ended up with the plastic bag.

Again, the key is having those totes on hand ALL THE TIME!

Come visit us at Ethos (formerly The Zero Shop Located in Capitola Village on the corner of Capitola Ave and Monterey

GREEN FAMILY One Tree at a Time

Kids who plant together save the planet together

BY JOHN LOUIS KOENIG

For once dirty hands are acceptable. Geneva Ludington and Isabel Carrillo, 11, dig in the dirt to help the environment.

: Leslie Keedy, Santa Cruz Parks Division Urban Forester, shows Santa Cruz Waldorf School fifth graders how to plant trees.

It was more than just a day in the park on a Wednesday for hard working kids from Santa Cruz Waldorf School, as 5th graders helped to plant 25 trees, oaks and maples, as part of Waldorf’s goal of planting 100 trees this school year.

“The kids had a blast,” said Leslie Keedy, said City of Santa Cruz Urban Forester and supervisor of the day’s tree planting at University Terrace Park near UCSC. Keedy has been demonstrating to young and old how to plant trees as volunteers help to plant 500 trees funded by a Calfire Forestry & Clean air grant.

“The maturity level of our young volunteers always amazes me,” Keedy says. “They are both enthusiastic and intellectual sponges.” She has noticed an increase in concern for the environment among young people, a concern that shows in the seriousness with which they lend their help.

“Whether working with peers or adults, their sense of teamwork is evident and they rise to the occasion.”

Keedy says that young people, 5th grade and up, are always welcome to volunteer with an accompanying adult.

Parents sign waivers for themselves and their children, and young people are always given safe jobs to do.

With Greta Thunberg, Sweden’s 16-year-old climate change activist, being named Person of the Year by Time Magazine, the year 2020 may see an even greater increase in youth participation.

Keedy cites her as an “amazing” example of what an individual can accomplish, calling her an articulate and thoughtful trendsetter and role model.

Planting trees is one of the most immediate ways of reducing carbon in the atmosphere according to a study

published in the journal Science. In addition to the Cal Fire forestry grant, there has been additional funding from the State related to air quality and climate action. The community of Santa Cruz always engages in tree planting and has internal funding to support this action regardless of State or Federal contributions.

In addition to tree planting, young volunteers have been helping with the many other activities that assist the natural environment in Santa Cruz.

Riparian zones are the areas that transition between land and water, whether rivers, lakes or seas. Restoring riparian areas is another of the city’s ongoing nature projects, involving cleanup and transitioning nonnative vegetation to a more native-plant ecology.

Volunteer events occur almost monthly on the San Lorenzo River levee for stewardship of the river and volunteers are always welcome.

The website environteers.org is an ideal place for parents and kids to discover opportunities to help preserve and save the environment. The site’s creator Andy Carman says there are events taking place weekly from south to north county, from the Watsonville wetlands and Elkhorn Slough where native plant restoration is important to the Santa Cruz beaches, rivers and forests.

Even farther north, Carman cites the volunteer farming offered by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band at their Pie Ranch garden near Pescadero where kids can learn about the Ohlone Native Americans’ connection with the Earth while practicing their botanical skills.

Environteers sends out a weekly newsletter that announces a wealth of

events including family friendly, naturehealing volunteer projects, organized by groups like Sierra Club, Coastal Watershed Club, Santa Cruz Natural History Museum, and Save Our Shores.

Leslie Keedy stresses how tree planting is the simplest way for community members to make a difference in our environment, whether by planting and caring for a tree in your own yard or working with local government on larger

forestry tree planting projects. And, she notes it can bring families and neighbors together, building a sense of community and combining like-minded visions.

Asked for advice that she would pass along to young climate activists, Keedy cites a philosophy that has been shared since the 1970s and the first Earth Days.

“This all may seem a bit cliché,” she says, “but the words of wisdom are for our taking—think globally & act locally

Find yourself in the library

TODDLER TIME

santacruzpl.org Your partner in early literacy and beyond.

GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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PRESCHOOLS & CHILDCARE GUIDE APTOS Rose Blossom Nursery School Lic #444403616 6401 Freedom Blvd, Aptos 831.662.8458 roseblossom.org Preschool, TK, & Kindergarten for boys and girls. Rose Blossom is outstanding in teaching social and academic skills in a safe, peaceful, and enriching environment. Phonics/reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and creative drama integrated with music, art, and games, organized into a daily schedule with monthly themes. Circle time, group and individualized instruction, free play, and conflict resolution. Rose Blossom is an NVC-based school. See cnvc.org. Beautiful country setting, large play yard. See website roseblossom.org for introductory video.

Call Sharon Rose, Director for tour and registration info.

Sand Dollar Montessori 304 Playa Blvd, La Selva Beach, CA 95076 831-688-1531 sanddollarmontessori.com Lic# 444415817 Nurturing, experienced Montessori guide classically trained in Europe joyfully bringing the world to the child.

Invest in your child’s future during the most formative years nurturing his & her growing independence reaching their fullest potential. New Montessori materials of practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, geometry, geography, culture, the arts, music and dramatic play!

Two 3 hour sessions, each followed by 1.5 hour picnic, play and exploration to Robin’s Park Nature Trail, Triangle Park, playground and La Selva Beach all within a block or two! $48 per day for 5 full days per week is the best value available!

Openings now!

Santa Cruz Montessori, Ages 18 months – 15 years Main Campus (Primary and Elementary) 6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos 831.476.1646, Enrollment: ext. 12 scms.org Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High) 244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel 831.476.1646, Enrollment: ext. 12 scms.org Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit, independent school founded in 1964 serving children ages 18 months to 15 years. Our programs include the arts, sciences, mathematics, literature,

language, social studies and music. Our beautiful Montessori classrooms are designed to engage all of the child’s senses and create a life-long love of learning.

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.

Simcha Preschool Lic #440710119 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos 831-479-3449 simchapreschool.org Experience our thriving, nurturing, and play-based program that features an emergent 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. Full-day and half-day schedules, low child/teacher ratios, and 2-day, 3-day and 5-day schedules are offered for children ages 2-5. Welcoming to all, we are proud of our over 40-year tradition of sharing Jewish values. Come join our Simcha Preschool family today! Open year-round, 7:30am-5:20pm. Call 831479-3449 or email Director Lisa Mendez atlmendez@tbeaptos.org to learn more!

CAPITOLA & SOQUEL Rocking Horse Ranch Preschool Lic #444400117 4134 Fairway Dr, Soquel 831.462.2702 Rocking Horse Ranch is a play-based preschool located on 3 beautiful acres in sunny Soquel. We are open from 9-5:30 and offer morning, afternoon, and full day sessions. Our outdoor space offers lots of room to explore, including our gardens and many different kinds of animals. Come visit us!

Tara Redwood School 5810 Prescott Road, Soquel 831.462.9632 tararedwoodschool.org Tara Redwood School provides a preschool curriculum that nurtures the innate positive qualities within each child. It is a model school for the international program, Creating Compassionate Cultures (CCC) and incorporates the Montessori pedagogy. Our theme-oriented,

24 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

interdisciplinary program includes play, art, science, nature exploration, and social studies while cultivating empathy, mindfulness and social-emotional skills.

We offer mixed-ages, small size, and open classroom settings for children 20 months to 5 years old. Situated in 108 acres of forest and sunny open spaces, the Redwood Campus is located just 5 minutes from Soquel Village.

Live Oak 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 child development) The Live Oak School District- Child Development Program offers families a Free Quality State-Funded Preschool program for 3-4-year-olds at the Del Mar, Green Acres and Live Oak Elementary School sites. We provide morning (8:3011:30) and afternoon (12:30-3:30) preschool classes to approximately 110 children districtwide, 186 days per year.

The State’s new higher-income guidelines allow so many more families to qualify.

Registration begins in late May, you may come by our office or call us to begin the process for enrollment. If space is still available we enroll year-round.

SANTA CRUZ Coastal Community Preschool Lic #444408854 900 High Street, Santa Cruz 831.462.5437 coastalcommunitypreschool.org CCP serves children ages 2.3 years to entry into kindergarten 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 the Monterey Bay. Join us as we continue working with parents and caregivers to raise a community of strong, confident and happy children.

Good Shepherd Catholic School License#44079682 2727 Mattison Ln, Santa Cruz 831.476.4000 gsschool.org/ Good Shepherd Catholic School, located in Santa Cruz, offers two child-centered preschool programs; a preschool program for children between age two and nine months and three years of age potty trained and a pre-kindergarten program for children four and five years of age.

Full-time and part-time enrollment opportunities are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in both programs.

Spanish, art, music, science, and religion are taught as part of the school’s integrated curriculum. Both programs offer developmentally appropriate language arts and math instruction, including hands-on lessons in the school’s Life Lab. Students in the pre-kindergarten program are given priority registration

for the school’s outstanding kindergarten program. For more information, ask for Good Shepherd’s Preschool Director, Mrs. Kristen Barkman.

Holy Cross Preschool 170A High Street, Santa Cruz 831.425.1782 holycsc.org At Holy Cross Preschool we offer engaging preschool and pre-kindergarten programs that support children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual development. The curriculum stretches children’s imaginations through culturallyrich and developmentally-appropriate learning experiences that are offered within a balanced environment of play and academics. Other program highlights include Spanish, Life Lab, Physical Education and themed project days, all of which form a program that educates the whole child.

Flexible part-time and full-time schedules are available between 7:30am-5:30pm Monday through Friday. To learn more about Holy Cross Preschool and schedule a personal tour, please call (831) 423-4447.

Little Acorns Montessori Lic #444413867 1215 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz 831.464.1400 littleacornsmontessori.com Little Acorns Montessori provides a warm and caring environment, encouraging children to develop self-confidence and social and academic skills. We have a beautiful corner lot in Live Oak. Our Montessori trained teachers provide a unique, individualized learning program for children 6 months through 6 years old.

Mrs. Bus Stop Preschool Lic #444411906 3215 Axford Road, Santa Cruz (near Capitola Mall) 831.476.8659 mrsbusstop.com Come join us at Mrs. Bus Stop Preschool!

Your child will experience the joy of making new friends as they explore, learn, and grow together. Our relaxed setting naturally promotes a sense of community and the wellbeing of every child. Ages 2-5 years. Hours: 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Flexible schedules.

Nature’s Nursery Preschool (ages 2.5 - 5 years old) Local state parks 831-227-4995 naturesnurseryschool@gmail.com natures-nursery-school.business.site; on facebook@NNS.NaturePreschool Nature’s Nursery School is a Waldorf influenced outdoor morning program for children ages 2.5 - 5 years old M - Th. We will spend our mornings exploring local parks where the imagination is the limit. Organic snacks and lunch are provided. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Laurie Dodt is a trained Waldorf early childhood teacher and she has completed the Professional Puppetry Training Course offered through Juniper Tree Puppets. Laurie is devoted to creating a sense of wonder and awe through storytelling, movement, singing, speech, and art. Enroll your child where they will be nurtured in nature. Space is limited.

Natural Bridges Children’s Center 255 Swift St, Santa Cruz naturalbridgescc.org/ 831.429.6222

PRESCHOOLS & CHILDCARE GUIDE Natural Bridges Children’s Center is an inquiry and play-based preschool located on the beautiful Westside of Santa Cruz.

We are honored to have been voted ‘Best Preschool in Santa Cruz’ by the Reader’s Choice Awards three years in a row!

Our teachers are trained in mindfulness education, positive discipline, and are skilled at developing curriculum based on current education brain-research. NBCC is a farm-to-table, all organic campus.

Our enrichments include Spanish, yoga, and life lab. Our wonderful team provides support for individual learning styles, and we also offer child development education for parents. Give us a call to schedule a tour at 831.429.NBCC

Santa Cruz City Schools 133 Mission Street, Suite 100 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 429-3410 x 215 sccs.net Santa Cruz City Schools Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten (K) Enrollment for the 2020-21 School Year begins February 18, 2020. To be eligible for TK, your child must be turning 5 years old between September 2 through December 2.

To be eligible for K enrollment, your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 of the year in which the student enters kindergarten. http://sccs.net/parents___students/enrolling Please register at your local school or contact us We love our schools: Bay View Bobcats, DeLaveaga Dragons, Gault Dolphins, Monarch Butterflies, and Westlake Wildcats!“Engaging students’ hearts and minds – every student, every day.”

Santa Cruz Parent Education Nursery School 411 Roxas Street, Santa Cruz 831.425.4495 scpens.org Santa Cruz PENS celebrating 44 years.

SCPENS provides affordable, high-quality toddler and preschool programs. A parent education co-op preschool, SCPENS offers an opportunity for parents to develop their parenting skills and meet other families in a supportive environment. Children and their parents participate in a developmental toddler or preschool program emphasizing children’s expression, ideas and creativity.

The instructors provide training in child development and effective parenting techniques via seminars, observation and discussion. Positive guidance and problemsolving strategies are emphasized.

SCPENS is a part of Watsonville/Aptos/ Santa Cruz Adult Schools and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

Santa Cruz Waldorf School, PreK-8 2190 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz 831.425.0519 santacruzwaldorf.org info@santacruzwaldorf.or enrollment@ santacruzwaldorf.org We offer both a Preschool and ParentChild program. Our Parent-Child program is a wonderful way to introduce the young child to the classroom experience and for parents to learn more about the rich developmental approach of Waldorf education. Classes are offered in Fall and Winter. Children may begin Preschool at age 2 1/2 and are nurtured in a warm, beautiful and loving homelike environment. Children engage in meaningful life activities like baking,

cooking, garden- ing, cleaning and of course, playing. Amidst stories, puppet shows and singing daily, the children spend a wealth of time outdoors, playing imaginatively under the big trees.

Soquel Parent Education Nursery School 397 Old San Jose Road Soquel 831.429.3464 soquelpens.org Soquel PENS celebrating 70 years. Soquel PENS provides a high-quality preschool experience for children ages 2.5 to 5 while simultaneously providing parent education. Both children and parents are provided a rich learning environment to explore, question, gain information, observe, discuss, develop friendships and establish a place of acceptance within our community. Parent’s develop skills in supporting their child’s school success in the years ahead and gain invaluable skills in establishing life-long healthy family relationships. Our school’s teaching philosophy is based in open, creative, child-driven exploration of curriculum materials in art, science, cooking, literacy, numbers, and physical skills balanced with structured participation in group and snack time. This is all guided by veteran teachers well trained in the arts of child development, communication and parenting skills, and human psychology.

Soquel PENS is a part of Watsonville/ Aptos/Santa Cruz/Adult School under the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

wpens.org Westside PENS celebrating 49years WPENS is located on the Westside on the Bay View Elementary campus. Preschoolers and their parents play, learn and grow together. This exceptional preschool program brings out children’s ideas and creativity. Adults develop their parenting skills and build friendships with other families. Thrive in a supportive environment at this much-loved parent co-op, a part of the Santa Cruz community since 1970. Its award-winning teachers inspire a passion for learning. WestsideParent Education Nursery School was the 2016 Santa Cruz Sentinel’s Readers’ Choice for Best Preschool! WPENS is a part of Watsonville/ Aptos/Santa Cruz/Adult School under the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.

SAN LORENZO VALLEY Quail Hollow Montessori Lic #444408893 187 Laurel Dr., Felton 831.335.4710 quailhollowmontessori.com/

Quail Hollow Montessori offers an excellent, individualized learning experience for your child with a solid foundation in both academic and social skills in a beautiful, neighborhood setting. Our goal is to help children blossom into self-confident, compassionate, inquisitive, and respectful individuals with a life-long love of learning.

Spring Hill Preschool Lic #444414394 250 California Street, Santa Cruz 831.427.2958 Springhillschool.org Spring Hill Preschool knows your child is one of a kind. Our play-based learning builds deep understanding, creative expression and social emotional growth.

With a 6:1 child/teacher ratio, children are guided through practicing empathy and learning to navigate the complexity of social interactions. Spanish is spoken daily, and staff expertise in literacy provides a strong foundation for reading and writing.

There is indoor and outdoor play daily and regular visits to the school garden.

Children also have music every week, and time in the school library. Individual tours available weekly. Please contact Spring Hill to schedule your tour: 831-427-2641 springhillschool.org info@springhillschool.org

SCOTTS VALLEY

Tender Blossoms Preschool and Daycare 116 Trescony Street, Santa Cruz (831) 239-0117 Tenderblossomspreschool@gmail.com Tenderblossomspreschool.com Lic# 444414540 A mixed-age, play-based program on the west side of Santa Cruz, with infant and toddler care for ages six months to two years, and a hybrid Waldorf inspired, nature-based Preschool curriculum.

Organic meals provided, full or part-time.

Private tours offered weekly.

Mount Madonna School Lic #440709549 491 Summit Rd, Mount Madonna 408.847.2717 mountmadonnaschool.org/

Westside Parent Education Nursery School 1231 Bay St. Santa Cruz est 831.429.3995

Coast Redwoods Montessori Lic #444403546 255B Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley 831.461.9330 coastredwoodsmontessori.com Coast Redwoods Montessori provides infant, toddler and preschool learning environments utilizing Montessori principles of education.

Our curriculum includes language, math, science, culture, geography, courtesy, practical life, art and music. Our convenient location includes a 7000 square foot yard with a park quality climbing structure and garden. We offer programs for children 6 months through 6 years old.

SOUTH COUNTY Our play-based hybrid program provides a loving, safe and stimulating learning environment where children, three to six 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.

Pajaro Valley Child Development 831.786.8270 childdevelopmentonline.org

With over 50 years of service, PVUSD offers quality early care and education through a variety of programs. Half day state preschools classes can be found across the district with a focus on school readiness and socialemotional development. ChildDevelopment also provides full-day state preschool services in both centers and family childcare homes to income-eligible families working or school. We are here to help you and your child become life long learners! Call us to find out how to enroll.

PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT Adventure Sports Swim 303 Potrero Street #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com/

Learning to swim is a new and exciting experience for children. For the past 35 years Adventure Sports has taught over 25,000 children to swim in a positive, warm environment. Our instructors strive to develop a trusting special relationship with each child, encouraging them in a gentle, but firm manner to stretch their limits as their abilities grow. The Adventure Sports swim program seeks to provides a high quality and individual accomplishment through small group lessons. We want your potential swimmers to have confidence in the water. In the end, this means technique, safety, and happy smiles for everyone.

All About Theatre 325 Washington St, Santa Cruz 831.345.6340 allabouttheatre.org

Celebrating nearly 17 years years and over 130 musicals in Santa Cruz County. We offer training in the performing arts for Tiny Tots (3-5), Tots (6-10), Youth (10-16), Teens (13-19) and Adults. Don’t miss our final fall production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” performing February 7th-15th, 2020.

Also our Spring Season - upcoming classes and musicals include; “Peter Pan Jr.”, for our Tots age group and “Newsies the Musical” hot off Broadway, for our Youth group. There’s a role for everyone and everyone will leave with skills that they didn’t have when they arrived.

Come be a part of the magic... and give the gift of performing arts to your child. We are located in downtown Santa Cruz and at our mid-town location in Soquel Village. Check out our website for additional summer classes and productions for Tiny Tots, Tots, Youth & Teens.

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 GUISE10 for 10% off any subscription length (renews at standard rate). Expires 12/31/2020

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PRESCHOOLS & CHILDCARE GUIDE 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 worldrenowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships. To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep. first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc

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 & Canta y Baila Conmigo w/MusicalMe, Inc. Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County 831.438.3514 MusicalMe.com Discover your family’s rhythm! Make music an exciting & enriching part of your child’s life. In our weekly classes, babies, toddlers,

preschoolers, and the grownups who love them come together for 45 minutes of fun-filled, learning-filled, bonding-filled family time. You’ll have so much fun singing, dancing, playing, and laughing that you may not realize just how much learning is taking place. NEW – All Babies 4 months & under attend for FREE! We can help your child grow into a confident music-maker while also tapping into all the developmental benefits that music brings. As you discover fun ways to play with music and rhythms both & out of class, you’ll be supporting your child’s musiclearning and overall development. Classes are offered throughout the year, with a new song collection each season. Contact us today and bring the joy of music into your family’s life.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries 224 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-427-7713 santacruzpl.org

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries deliver information, education, enrichment and inspiration through a network of neighborhood library branches, a webbased digital library, a Bookmobile and community-based programs. Preschool programs include Storytime, Family Crafts, Toddler Time, Cuéntame un Cuento (Spanish Storytime), Discover & Go passes, and Read to Me Kits.

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center 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 helps children gain the confidence necessary to lead a successful life. Our fun and friendly gymnastics instructors take pride in offering meaningful movement experiences packed with a lot of fun! Each class takes advantage of our 8,000 sq. ft. facility with state of the art gymnastics equipment including trampolines, a huge foam pit, balance beams, parallel bars, rings and much more!

Music and props are incorporated to ensure a well-rounded movement experience for our youngest gymnasts. We offer a wide range of classes from parent participation classes for 18 mos.– 2 year olds, preschool classes for 3–5 year olds, and recreational classes and competitive teams for older siblings. Check out our website to see what is available for your child today.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

26 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz 831.420.6115 santacruzmuseums.org

The Museum of Natural History is the perfect destination for little explorers!

Preschoolers love to learn from our interactive exhibits. Climb on a life-sized grey whale, get your hands wet with sea stars in our intertidal touch pool, listen to the buzz of live honeybees, grind up acorns in a real mortar and pestle, examine nature specimens in a microscope and get up close with the native animals of Santa Cruz County.

Nor Cal Flag Football 1840 41st Ave. Capitola, CA 95010 408-459-7022 nflcal.org Kids have a lot of energy to expend.

Give them the chance to run it off 1 day a week in a fun environment. NorCal Flag Football, a co-ed community flag football league for Pre-K to 8th graders is dedicated to teaching life skills through the FUNdamentals of flag football.

HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN Children’s Dentistry 7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.662.2900 santacruzkidsdentist.com

Dr. Jackson and her staff love children and are specially trained to put them at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth and, just as important, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun. We provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages.

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

Dientes Community Dental Care 1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz (near Marshalls) 831.464.5409 302 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz (near the Boardwalk) 831.464.5411

1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite C, Watsonville (near Mi Pueblo) 831.621.2560 dientes.org

Dientes Community Dental Care is a fullservice dental clinic with offices in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. We practice whole family dentistry including kids, adults and seniors; but children hold a special place in our heart – half of our patients are kids. In our Santa Cruz clinic, we have a dedicated pediatric wing where Dientes’ dentists excel at making parents and children comfortable and offering preventive education with each visit. As a non-profit dental clinic, our focus is on high-quality, low-cost dental services, including exams, x-rays, fillings, sealants and root canals. We accept Medi-Cal and have affordable rates for uninsured patients. We offer bi-lingual services – Se habla Español!

Santa Cruz County Oral Health Program 831-454-7558 healthysmilesscc.org

The Santa Cruz County Oral Health Program in collaboration with local community partners invite you to view our website focusing on the importance of having your child see a dentist when they receive their first tooth or when they have their first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association agree: children should see a dentist by the time they get their first tooth or celebrate their first birthday. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy adult teeth, and a healthy smile helps kids feel good so they can focus in school, eat healthy foods, and feel confident.

s ’ a d n a Mir l e u n Lin-Ma

y r a u Febr 0 2 0 2 7-15

Performances Fri, Feb 7 Sat, Feb 8 Thu, Feb 13 Fri, Feb 14 Sat, Feb 15

7pm 5pm 7pm 7pm 2pm & 7pm

Live Orche

Tickets

stra!

$13 Students & Seniors (over 62) $16 General Admission $20 Reserved Seating Children under 5 are free

Louden Nelson Theater 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz

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February CALENDAR SATURDAY 1

Tandy Beal and Company presents Coventry & Kaluza at the Veterans Memorial Building. Their fun, fast-paced music and circus show features hoops, harmonicas, plate spinning, juggling, comical characters and general zaniness. Tickets at tandybeal.com Exhibit: Mushrooms Keys to the Kingdom Fungi Through March 1. 10am5pm Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm Tues-Fri. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. The story of fungi is integral to the story of life. Wherever there is life, there are fungi. This exhibit explores the variety of fruiting bodies produced by fungi from the edible to the outrageous.

Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College.

Featuring more than 90 vendors, supplying a variety of fresh produce, prepared goods, items for the home. Live music, coffee, fresh baked goods.

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. Ages walking to 8 (or 80 lbs.). Parents can drop off for up to 3 hours for tumbling fun! Call 464-BUGS (2847) to sign up or drop by. junebugsgym.com Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. Nature crafts for children aged 3-10. Sometimes these will be led by staff or volunteers, and other times they will be DIY. Adults should be available to help with young children. Allow 15-20 min.

Saturdays in the Soil 10am-12pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Come

and help our native plant garden grow! You bring the people power, we’ll show you all there is to know about native plants and sustainable gardening. All ages welcome, no experience necessary.

Gateway School Interactive Open House 10am-1pm. Gateway School, 255 Swift Street. Explore by engaging in a series of faculty-lead interactive stations, including different grades, Makerspace, Life Lab Science, art and music. Meet our students, faculty, and parents who are excited to welcome you to the community. Register at gatewaysc.org.

UCSC Garden Tour 11am. 1st Saturday.

UCSC Arboretum in front of Norrie’s Gift Shop. Requires admission to the Arboretum.

ArtSmart Family Concert Series presents: Coventry & Kaluza! 11am.

Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building.

This fun, fast-paced music and circus show features hoop-acrobatics, harmonicas, plate spinning, juggling, comical characters and general zanniness. Tickets at tandybeal.com.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm. Garfield Park Library. Ongoing Saturdays. Time to get crafty. A Do-It-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independentminded kids! Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 11am-1pm. Downtown Library. Volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling for local residents during tax season at sites throughout Santa Cruz County. seniorscouncil.org/programs/projectscout Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. One of our knowledgeable and friendly docents will lead you through the wondrous old growth forest and answer any questions you may have.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. This moderately paced hike will be individually tailored to your group. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Meet at park headquarters.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Hwy 236 at 21600 Big Basin Way. 338-8883.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This tour includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. There is no coloring within the lines during Open Art. We let the children’s

28 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

imaginations soar through art projects.

Origami Club 1pm-3pm. 1st Saturday.

Aptos Library. Make beautiful creations in this ancient oriental art of paper folding. We will also demonstrate more contemporary arts of book folding and 3-D modular origami.

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth Meet-Up 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 12-18 who want to meet new people, join a welcoming community and learn the tools of activism and leadership, look no further!

Art Reception for “Extraordinary Ordinary: Cardboard Reimagined” 4pm-6pm. Cabrillo Gallery 6400 Soquel Drive. Artists’ talk 5pm. Cabrillo Gallery presents the work of five artists– Scott Fife, Taro Hattori, Jason Schneider, Ann Weber and Dag Weiser – who manipulate cardboard with astounding results.

SUNDAY 2 Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays.15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. Come join us for a friendly, FREE, 12-Step support group. Teens and adults welcome. Includes compulsive overeating, anorexia and bulimia. 429-7906 santacruzoa.org The Road Less Traveled: A Dog Friendly Walk 9:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

Ongoing Sundays. We tour stunning oldgrowth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. This is a fun and easy, 3-mile walk.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 1.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Our Community Reads Speaker Series: The Five Branches of Chinese Medicine 1pm-2:30pm. Aptos Grange 2555 Mar Vista Dr. Faculty member and Director of Admissions for Five Branches Institute, Dr. Eleonor Mendelson will share her knowledge of acupuncture and discuss the philosophy and practices of Chinese medicine.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. Come create and take home a fun souvenir, an activity for the whole family to share.

DIY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Sundays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center.

Come experience the incredible bird life that the Wetlands of Watsonville have to offer.

Tour of the UCSC Farm 2pm-3:30pm.

1st Sunday. UCSC Hay Barn. Enjoy a free tour of the UCSC Farm.

Kindergarten Information Event 2pm.

Baymonte Christian School. Learn about our program, explore the classrooms, meet the teachers. 2:00. 5000-B Granite Creek Rd., Scotts Valley. 831-438-0100 baymonte.org Advisory Council of Teens, East Region 2pm-4pm. 1st Sunday. Aptos Library.

Open to all young adults, ages 12-18 in the Live Oak, Soquel, Capitola, Aptos and La Selva Beach areas. Initial focus will be the remodeling of Teen areas, redesign of the SCPL Teen website, and filming public service announcements for library programs.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. A 12-step program/support group for friends and families who have been affected by the addiction or drug problem of another.

Newcomers, please come 15 minutes early to get acquainted.

MONDAY 3 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. A weekly program for families with children ages 1-3 years old. It includes music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, songs and fun for your child and you.

Knitting 11:15am-1pm. Ongoing Mondays.

Live Oak Library. Get together with other knitters to knit, chat, and make new friends.

No registration required.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library.

Get questions answered about connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound and more. Jesse silvaj@santacruzpl.org.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

Develop early motor, auditory, and visual skills through ramps, rocker balls, parachute play, music, and more. $12 drop in $10 with Inchworm punch card. junebugsgym.com.

ARM-in-ARM Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm. Ongoing Mondays.

WomenCARE Office. Open to women with Advanced, Recurrent, or Metastatic cancer. Pre-registration (office intake and a conversation with the group facilitator) is required. Please call 831-457-2273.

Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

Join us for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles.

All ages are welcome.

Nick Bruel, Bad Kitty Joins the Team 4pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz. Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of New York Times bestseller Boing, Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath and Bad Kitty Meets the Baby, among others.

The Santa Cruz Poetry Project 4pm5:30pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. Our mission is to bring poetry to those who would not have access through our Poetry in the Jails project. We welcome anyone who would like to establish a writing practice in a safe and encouraging environment.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. A community of local poets who recognize and value the power of spoken word. We write together in an open writing workshop from 4-5pm, then host an open mic followed by a featured poet starting at 5:30pm. $2-$7 (Sliding Scale).

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library.

Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias.

February CALENDAR TUESDAY 4 UCSC Arboretum: Community Day 9am-5pm. UCSC Arboretum. 1st Tuesday. The Arboretum is open without charge to visitors.

Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

Hikes are 5-8 miles and last up to 5 hours.

Meet at park headquarters. Rain or shine, but strong winds may cancel.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Feb 5.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 Months 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. Classes are drop-in (no pre-reg required) donations accepted (no required fee). 477-2229.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. One of our tech savvy staff members will help you with a variety of technology services during these drop-in 20-30 minute appointments. First come first served, appointments are taken in order of appearance.

DIY Crafts 10am-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz. Featuring specials all day throughout Downtown – come relax and meet your friends in your Downtown.

Tumble-On-Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. Ages walking to 7. Parents may leave children over 3 yrs. Call 464-BUGS (2847) to sign up or drop by. junebugsgym Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm2pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office. Open to newly diagnosed women throughout the course of their treatment and up to 4-6 months post-treatment.

Pre-registration (office intake and a conversation with the group facilitator) is required. Please call 831-457-2273.

New Parents Support Group!

1pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Mt Community Resources, across from Rite Aid. Always fun, educational, non judge mental. Come meet other new parents and babies! Park and enter in the back.

Postpartum doulas/lactation consultant facilitate...and pour hot tea.

Genealogical Society Lecture Series 1pm-3pm. 1st Tuesday. Downtown Library.

Learn about a variety of resources, strategies, and tools in the field of family research.

Lego and Duplo Fun 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library.

Children learn through play and bricks provide a wonderful link between structure, patterns and imagination. Ages 3 and up.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Libraries. Bring your assignments to one of our FREE drop-in Homework Help sessions.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 3pm-6pm. Downtown Library.

See Feb 1.

Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Aptos Library. Ages 6-18 learn from a master and practice with peers.

Turbo Tuesday 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Watsonville Main Library. Come spend an afternoon of fun playing all kinds of games! For students in 4th -12th grades Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Ofrece un espacio seguro y de apoyo. Gratis. Actividades de cuidado de niños proporcionadas. 1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. 425-4030.

24hr: 888 900-4232. Wcs-ddm.org Grupo de Triple P de 8 Sesiones: para familias con adolescentes 6pm8pm. Cada martes al 24 de marzo. Ceiba College Prep Academy, 260 W. Riverside Dr, Watsonville. Construir relaciones positivas con su adolescente; Entender las influencias diarias en el comportamiento de su adolescente; Responder a los retos de crianza con calma y consistencia; Enseñarle a su adolescente cómo resolver problemas; Tener más confianza sobre la crianza de su adolescente. Gladys Gómez al (831) 7242997 x220 o gladysg@cbridges.org.

Our Community Reads Panel Discussion: Perspectives on Chinese History, Immigration, and Globalization 6:30pm-8pm. Rio Sands Community Room 116 Aptos Beach Drive. A lively panel discussion with three distinguished professors: Nick Rowell, PhD (Political Science), and Cherie Barkey, PhD (Chinese History), of Cabrillo College, and retired professor Robert Strayer, PhD, author of The Communist Experiment (2007).

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. Motion Pacific Dance. Classes are appropriate for anyone with Parkinson’s no matter how advanced.

No Dance Experience is Required. Free.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. Free after school program which includes snacks, free-play, games, crafts, and Bible lessons.

For more information call 831-335-6900 or go to feltonpresbyterian.org.

DIY Crafts 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 1.

DIY Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. A DoIt-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independent-minded kids!

Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

WEDNESDAY 5 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Receive personalized, one-on-one breastfeeding support from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A Baby Weigh® scale is also available.

Capitola Book Discussion Group 10am-11am. 1st Wednesday. Aptos Library due to the closure.

Mini Mint Mamas Meetup 11am12:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

Join us for a fun walking mom group! We will meet at Mini Mint then head out along East Cliff for a walk along the ocean with our babes. Join our community of Mamas and enjoy the sunshine! Free Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

We will read books, sing songs and make a simple craft. For 3-5 year olds.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 4 New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. Free for babies 0-6 months old and their moms to discuss common concerns with other new moms.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos and Downtown Libraries. R.E.A.D. is oneon-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade.

Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are by appointment only.

Contact Programs 831.427.7717 or pro@ santacruzpl.org to make an appointment for a 25 minute session.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library. Utilizing block code, we will learn the fundamentals of computer science through games. Ages 8 to 18. Julie Soto sotoj@Santacruzpl.org 831-427-7700 x 7649 or Live Oak Library 831-427-7711 Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Orchard School. Includes juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, and more. Drop-in basis. Please contact the school at 688-1074, or orchardschoolaptos.org for more info.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services 1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. Safe, supportive space for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Childcare provided. 425-4030. 24hr: 888 900-4232. Wcs-ddm.org Scotts Valley Friends of the Library 6:30pm-7:30pm. 2nd Wednesday. Scotts Valley Library. Learn how you can make a difference in your library and community.

All are welcome.

ADHD Parents Support Group 6:30pm-8pm. Aptos Fire Station 6934 Soquel Dr. All parents, caregivers and friends of children and teens with ADHD are welcome to join us for conversation, resource sharing and support.

Board in the Library 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Scotts Valley Library. Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games.

No prior gaming experience is necessary.

Gospel Community Church High School Youth Group 6:30pm-8pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. The Bruce’s house, 309 Oak Creek Blvd, Scotts Valley. Join us every Wednesday for a delicious meal, fun games, and to hear gospel-centered teaching and engage in small group discussion.

Contact Keith White for more info/questions keith@gospelcommunitysc.org

THURSDAY 6 Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. A 12-step group that helps people not eat addictively one day at a time. There are no fees. foodaddicts.com.

420 Melrose. Entrance is through the yellow gate to the library.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos and Scotts Valley Libraries. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Feb 5.

Creative Exploration 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Children may let their natural curiosity flow as they explore how art and science materials work together.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

Black History Month Book Talk by Civil Rights Veteran Maria Gitin 2pm.

Downtown Library. This presentation will include a slide show, stories, brief discussion and book signing. United Way CEO Keisha Frost Browder opens with a special introduction.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 5.

Kids Create! 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Garfield Park Library. Explore where science meets art with a new STEAM based project every week. For kids 5 - 12 years old.

Tales to Tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Live Oak Library. Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, nonjudgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute appointments to sit with a dog and read. Registration required. To register, e-mail tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or call 831-427-7717.

Open House 5:30pm-7:30pm. Spring Hill School 250 California Street, Santa Cruz. springhillschool.org.

Our Community Reads: Trivia Night 6pm-7:30pm. Seascape Golf Club. Show off your knowledge of Patriot Number One. County Supervisor Zach Friend is our Emcee. Book clubs welcome! Food and drink available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded to the winners!

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February CALENDAR THURSDAY 6 (cont’d)

Trivia on Tap 6pm-7:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company.

Join Santa Cruz Public Libraries for trivia night. Bring your friends, form a team (or take it on solo), and compete against other groups to win the grand prize.

Entre Nosotras 6pm-8pm. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. WomenCARE’s Watsonville Office. Open to Spanishspeaking women with all kinds of cancer.

Groups are led in Spanish. Please call 831761-3973 for details.

Poetry Out Loud Santa Cruz County Contest 6pm-8pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz.

More than 12 students from our county will participate in the Poetry Out Loud contest.

The winner of this competition will advance to the California Poetry Out Loud contest.

Triple P 8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old 6pm8pm. Ongoing Thursdays through Feb 27. San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Library, 7155 Highway 9. Learn strategies to: Strengthen relationships in your family; Encourage positive behaviors; Take care of yourself as a parent. Free child care is available with advance registration.

Presented in English. Register with Cori Burt at (831) 335-6600 x6605 or corib@ cbridges.org or register online at first5scc. org/calendar/parent‐trainings Grupo de Triple P de 8 Semanas: para familias con niños 2 – 12 años 6pm-8pm. Cada jueves al 26 de marzo.

La Manzana Recursos Comunitario, 18 W. Lake Ave, Salón E, Watsonville. Fortalecer las relaciones en su familia; Fomentar conductas positivas; Enseñarle a su niño habilidades y comportamientos nuevos; Manipular las conductas disruptivas con mayor confianza; Cuidar de usted mismo como padre. Sandra Rodelo al (831) 7242997 x211 o sandrar@cbridges.org.

Citizen Science 6:30pm-8pm.

1st Thursday. Downtown Library. A presentation and Q&A with local experts in the field discussing life science, ecology, geology, genetics, climatology and more.

A collaboration between the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, SCCMOD, and UCSC.

Cruz. Walking to 7 years. Parents may leave children over 3 yrs. Parents can drop off their children for 1, 2 or all 3 hours for tumbling fun! Call 464-BUGS (2847) to sign up or drop by. junebugsgym Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. This market is in the heart of the famously bountiful Pajaro Valley. Peaceful and family-oriented, the Hispanic heritage of this community gives this market a “mercado” feel.

Tales to Tails 3pm-4pm. Aptos Library.

See Feb 6.

Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-Up 3:30pm-6pm. Ongoing Fridays. First Christian Church. Youth ages 12 - 18 are invited to join our dynamic team of youth activists and leaders. For more information contact the LGBTQ Youth Program at 831-425-5422x104 or email youth@ diversitycenter.org First Friday Art Walk in Boulder Creek 6pm-9pm. Downtown Boulder Creek. Come inside the restaurants and shops, and see what they offer. Meet some of the local artists that share their work in downtown Boulder Creek and the staff helping to feed and beautify our mountain.

All About Theatre’s In the Heights 7pm. Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street. Performed by talented local teens. Live professional orchestra (including some musicians from Flor de Caña). Buy tickets at allabouttheatre.org/buy-tickets/

SATURDAY 8

FRIDAY 7 Tiny House Theater first friday puppet show in Boulder Creek.

Free First Friday 10am-9pm. Santa Cruz MAH. Make the MAH a stop on your First Friday Art Tour for three floors of exhibitions, live music, and drop-in craft activities.

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am-11:45am.

Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Ages 0-3. Your Engage in fascinating explorations of light and shadows and explore open-ended materials in a safe space while developing skills and exploring cognitive concepts such as cause and effect.

First Friday: Fantastic Fungi 11am-7pm.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Enjoy free admission throughout the day, with a special reception for the exhibit Mushrooms: Keys to the Kingdom Fungi from 5-7 p.m. including a mushroom pop-up from the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz.

Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa

Imagination Station Electric Connections! 10:30am-11:30am. 250 California Street, Santa Cruz. Celebrate friendship as valentine’s day draws closer with stories, crafts and electricity experiments. Free and open to the public, Spring Hill School invites families to join us for a morning of fun and exploration. Ideal for children ages 3-6 years old. 831-4717212, info@springhillschool.org Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Feb 1.

30 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 1.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Volunteer with the Trail Crew 9ammid afternoon. 2nd Saturday. Big Basin State Park. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch, and water.

River Health Day 9:30am-12pm. 2nd Saturday. Santa Cruz Riverwalk. You and your family can plant new native plants along the river to support birds, bugs, fish and a healthy river ecosystem. RSVP: coastal-watershed.org/san-lorenzo-river/ our-approach/habitat/ Yin Yoga for All 10am-11am. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Scotts Valley Library. Gentle yin yoga and stretches. BYO yoga mat or towel.

Good for all ages and abilities.

Tales to Tails 10am-11:30am. Downtown Library. See Feb 6.

Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Free Hand Sewn Valentines Workshop 10:30am-11:30am. Sand Dollar Montessori, 304 Playa Blvd, La Selva Beach. Accompany your preschooler for a fun craft project gluing and sewing hand made Valentines! 831-688-1531 sanddollarmontessori.com DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library. Ongoing Saturdays. See Feb 1.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 11am-1pm. Downtown Library.

See Feb 1.

Agricultural History Project 11am-3pm.

2nd Saturday. Agricultural History Museum, 2601 East Lake Avenue, Hwy 152, Watsonville.

We have created some unique interactive educational activities to help you have fun learning about past agricultural practices.

Migration Festival 11am-4pm. Natural Bridges State Park. Celebrate the migration of whales, butterflies, birds, and the many creatures that travel. We’ll host migratory animal talks, active kids’ games, crafts, skits, live music by the nature-loving 5Ms Band, educational booths and displays, along with the now-famous free habitatcake served at the end of the event.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Feb 1.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 5.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike! 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Feb 1.

Boulder Creek Writers’ Group 1pm-3pm.

2nd Saturday. Boulder Creek Library. The group follows a Milford workshop critique format and is open to all genres of fiction. You must be 18 or older to join the group.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. Children’s chess

instruction for students up to 18 years old. Parents and/or other relatives are welcome to participate.

All About Theatre’s In the Heights 5pm. Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street. See Feb 7.

SUNDAY 9 Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr. Downtown Antiques Street Faire 9am-5pm. Lincoln Street at Pacific. The “Original” downtown antique faire with over 40 vendors offer an eclectic blend of American and European antiques and collectibles.

Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. See Feb 2.

The Road Less Traveled: A Dog Friendly Walk 9:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Jan 5.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Feb 2.

DIY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Sundays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Feb 2.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 2.

MONDAY 10 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

Essentials of Advance Directives 10:30am-11:30am. Downtown Library.

Hospice of Santa Cruz County walks you through the exact steps to take to complete your Advance Directive. Contact Vanessa at Hospice of Santa Cruz County 831-4303047.

Knitting 11:15am-1pm. Ongoing Mondays.

Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

ARM-in-ARM Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm. Ongoing Mondays.

WomenCARE Office. See Feb 3.

Invisible / Alienated Grandparent Support Group 2:30pm-4pm. 2nd Monday. Christ Lutheran Church 10707 Soquel Dr. Led by Dr. Pat Hanson and

February CALENDAR co-sponsored by Alienated Grandparents Anonymous AGA-FL.org. pat@ invisiblegrandparent.com Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Feb 3.

The Santa Cruz Poetry Project 4pm5:30pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Feb 3.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

TUESDAY 11 Gateway School Day Tours 9am-11am.

Gateway School, 255 Swift Street. We invite you to join us for our February School Day Tours event to experience our dynamic classrooms in action. Come and learn how Gateway School inspires curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through innovative education for a fast-changing world. You will meet teachers, current parents, students and our Head of School.

Register at gatewaysc.org.

Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 4.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Feb 5.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 Months 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 4.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

DIY Crafts 10am-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Feb 4.

Tumble-On-Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 4.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office.

See Feb 4.

New Parents Support Group!

1pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Mt Community Resources, across from Rite Aid. See Feb 4.

Lego and Duplo Fun 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Libraries. See Feb 4.

Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Turbo Tuesday 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Watsonville Main Library. See Feb 4.

Tales to Tails 4pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 6.

Taller de Triple P: Prevención y manejo de la desobediencia 5:30pm7pm. La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios, 18 W. Lake Ave, Salón E, Watsonville. Por qué los niños podrían ser poco cooperativos o negarse a seguir instrucciones; Cómo dar instrucciones de manera que faciliten la cooperación de su hijo; Cómo responder con calma y consistente cuando su hijo se niega a seguir las instrucciones. Liliana Zamora al (831) 724-2997 x212 o lilianaz@ cbridges.org.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services. Ver Feb 4.

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Sesiones: para familias con adolescentes 6pm8pm. Cada martes al 24 de marzo. Ceiba College Prep Academy, 260 W. Riverside Dr, Watsonville. Ver feb 4.

Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Children of the Land 7pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz. Award-winning poet Marcelo Hernandez Castillo comes for a discussion and signing of his new memoir about growing up undocumented in the United States. Children of the Land recounts the sorrows and joys of a family torn apart by draconian policies and chronicles one young man’s attempt to build a future in a nation that denies his existence.

Our Community Reads Speaker Series: The Mysteries of Feng Shui Revealed 7pm-8pm, doors at 6:30pm.

Aptos Library. Feng Shui Master Madhu Brodkey reveals the secrets of the Chinese art of living through Feng Shui. Bring a rough floor plan of your home, indicating your front door, for use in an instructional exercise to learn the power centers in your home.

Ribbon Arts Guild 10am-1pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Join Roxanne Langan for ribbon work and hand sewing.

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Feb 5.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Mini Mint Mamas Meetup 11am12:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

See Feb 5.

New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. See Feb 5.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. Motion Pacific Dance. See Feb 5.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. See Feb 5.

DIY Crafts 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 1.

DIY Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 5.

Tales to Tails 2:40pm-3:40pm.

Branciforte Library. See Feb 6.

R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Aptos and Downtown Libraries. See Feb 5.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 5.

Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Orchard School. See Feb 5.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services. See Feb 5.

A Conversation to End Homelessness 6pm-8pm. Downtown Library. This conversation will be courageous, safe, focused on what we can do now, and will create a reasonable plan that we can all get behind.

Gospel Community Church High School Youth Group 6:30pm-8pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. The Bruce’s house, 309 Oak Creek Blvd, Scotts Valley. See Feb 5.

WEDNESDAY 12 THURSDAY 13 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Feb 5.

Art & Play in the Pre & K! 9:30am.

Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville. Parents of toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten age children are invited to come for a morning of activities and fun experiences with your child(ren) in the Mount Madonna School Preschool and Kindergarten.

RSVPs suggested to admissions@ mountmadonnaschool.org.

Tiny House Theater Makers Class Felted People at Tiny House Theater.

Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Feb 6.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays.

Aptos and Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Feb 5.

Creative Exploration 11am-12pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 6.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 3.

Aptos Library Book Discussion Group 1pm-2:30pm. 2nd Thursday. Aptos Library.

Reading selections will be made by the group with an emphasis on thought provoking fiction and challenging non-fiction.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 5.

Kids Create! 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Garfield Park Library. See Feb 6.

Trivia on Tap 6pm-7:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company. See Feb 6.

Triple P 8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old 6pm-8pm.

Ongoing Thursdays through Feb 27. San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Library, 7155 Highway 9. See Feb 6.

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Semanas: para familias con niños 2 – 12 años 6pm-8pm. Cada jueves al 26 de marzo.

La Manzana Recursos Comunitario, 18 W. Lake Ave, Salón E, Watsonville. Ver feb 6.

Craig Vachon, The Knucklehead of Silicon Valley 7pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz.

A reading and signing of The Knucklehead of Silicon Valley, Vachon’s entertaining tale of a befuddled but highly capable venture capitalist who is compelled to chart his own course on a global quest to save his new brain-computer interface tool from falling into some very, very wrong hands.

Contemporary Issues in World Historical Perspective 7pm-8:30pm.

Downtown Library. How does the past relate to the present? Join us as we explore the enduring questions that accompany all historical inquiry - how does perspective change when you put contemporary issues and problems in a historical context?

All About Theatre’s In the Heights 7pm. Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street. See Feb 7.

FRIDAY 14 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 7.

The MAKE Lab 11am-4:30pm. Scotts Valley Library. Offers a variety of tools and materials for STEAM-based projects! Bring your own craft or project to work on in a creative environment, test out new tools before investing in your own, or come in to learn, explore, and have fun!

Valentine Donor Human Milk Drive 11:30am-3:30pm. Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center, Ceil Cirillo Room. Make a Valentine for your loved ones. Learn about becoming a human milk donor and get screened on-site. Bring your stored breast milk to donate. Refreshments, prizes, resources. (831) 477-2229 mothersmilk.org Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 7.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

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February CALENDAR FRIDAY 14 (cont’d)

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Live Oak Book Group 2pm-3pm. 2nd Friday. Live Oak Library. Reading selections will be made by the group with an emphasis on thought provoking fiction and challenging non-fiction. Check with the front desk staff for the current month’s book selection.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Feb 7.

Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-Up 3:30pm-6pm. Ongoing Fridays. First Christian Church. See Feb 7.

All About Theatre’s In the Heights 7pm. Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street. See Feb 7.

SATURDAY 15 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Feb 1.

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 1.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Investment Planning for Volatile Times 10am-11am. Scotts Valley Library.

Learn about Risks and Rewards, and Investment types: Stocks, Bonds, ETF’s, Indexed Annuities, Variable Annuities, Mutual Funds, LLP’s, DST’s, Treasuries, and CD’s. With a special guest speaker.

Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Saturdays in the Soil 10am-12pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. See Feb 1.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library. Ongoing Saturdays. See Feb 1.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 11am-1pm. Downtown Library.

See Feb 1.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Feb 1.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 1.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Feb 1.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. See Feb 8.

All About Theatre’s In the Heights 2pm and 7pm. Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street. See Feb 7.

SUNDAY 16 Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. See See Feb 2.

The Road Less Traveled: A Dog Friendly Walk 9:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 2.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 2.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Feb 2.

DIY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Sundays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Feb 2.

Science Sunday 1:30pm-2:30pm. Every 3rd Sunday. Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Lectures are designed to make science interesting and “user-friendly” for everyone. Free with membership, admission, or valid UCSC student ID. Womb Song 2pm-3:30pm. Every 3rd Sunday. The Pacific Cultural Center.

Prepare for labor and life through vocal toning and breathing exercises. No musical experience necessary, drop-ins welcome.

More info and details at: wombsong.com Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 2.

MONDAY 17 All library branches closed for Presidents Day Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

ARM-in-ARM Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm. Ongoing Mondays.

WomenCARE Office. See Feb 3.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Feb 3.

TUESDAY 18 Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 4.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 Months 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 4.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos

32 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Feb 5.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

DIY Crafts 10am-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Feb 4.

Tumble-On-Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 4.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office.

See Feb 4.

New Parents Support Group!

1pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Mt Community Resources, across from Rite Aid. See Feb 4.

Lego and Duplo Fun 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

Movie Discussion Club 2pm-3pm. 3rd Tuesday. Aptos Library. Join our discussion of selective movies currently in the theaters.

All adults are welcome.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Libraries. See Feb 4.

Chess Club 3:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Turbo Tuesday 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Watsonville Main Library. See Feb 4.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services. Ver Feb 4.

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Sesiones: para familias con adolescentes 6pm8pm. Cada martes al 24 de marzo. Ceiba College Prep Academy, 260 W. Riverside Dr, Watsonville. Ver feb 4.

WEDNESDAY 19 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Feb 5.

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Feb 5.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Mini Mint Mamas Meetup 11am12:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

See Feb 5.

New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. See Feb 5.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. Motion Pacific Dance. See Feb 12.

Aptos Library Writing Group 1pm3pm. 3rd Wednesday. Aptos Library.

Writing exercises and read alouds.

Assistance with editing on current writing projects is provided; please bring additional copies if interested in editorial support.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Branciforte Book Discussion Group 1:30pm-2:30pm. 3rd Wednesday.

Branciforte Library.

Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. See Feb 5.

DIY Crafts 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 1.

DIY Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 5.

R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Aptos and Downtown Libraries. See Feb 5.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 5.

Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Orchard School. See Feb 5.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services. See Feb 5.

Reading in the Redwoods 6:15pm7:30pm. Felton Library. The book for January is And The Band Played On: People, Politics, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts.

Gospel Community Church High School Youth Group 6:30pm-8pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. The Bruce’s house, 309 Oak Creek Blvd, Scotts Valley. See Feb 5.

THURSDAY 20 Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Feb 6.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library and Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library.

See Feb 5.

February CALENDAR Creative Exploration 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 6.

Munching with Mozart 12:10pm12:50pm. 3rd Thursday. You are welcome to bring your lunch, and please avoid crunchy food items.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 5.

Kids Create! 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Garfield Park Library. See Feb 6.

Tales to Tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Live Oak Library. See Feb 6.

Trivia on Tap 6pm-7:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company.

See Feb 6.

Entre Nosotras 6pm-8pm. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. WomenCARE’s Watsonville Office. See Feb 6.

Triple P 8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old 6pm-8pm.

Ongoing Thursdays through Feb 27. San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Library, 7155 Highway 9. See Feb 6.

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Semanas: para familias con niños 2 – 12 años 6pm-8pm. Cada jueves al 26 de marzo.

La Manzana Recursos Comunitario, 18 W. Lake Ave, Salón E, Watsonville. Ver feb 6.

Our Community Reads: Aptos and Soquel High School Art and Poetry 6:30pm-8pm. United Methodist Church 221 Thunderbird Dr. Aptos and Soquel art students will show designs for a re-imagined book jacket of Patriot Number One, with both professional and “audience choice” awards given. Original poetry and spoken word will be presented by AP English students.

Naturalist Night: Mushrooms and Community Science 7pm-8:30pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Using mushrooms and the community of people who admire them as lenses to focus our discussion, Christian Schwarz will lead us in a discussion about where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. Free with admission and pre-registration is highly recommended.

FRIDAY 21 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 7.

Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 7.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm-7pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Feb 7.

Tales to Tails 3pm-4pm. Aptos Library.

See Feb 6.

Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-Up

3:30pm-6pm. Ongoing Fridays. First Christian Church. See Feb 7.

SATURDAY 22

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Feb 1.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. See Feb 8.

SUNDAY 23

Santa Cruz Scholastic Surf League (SC SSL) High School and Middle School Surf Contests 6:30am-5pm.

Steamer Lane 700 West Cliff Drive. There are competitive divisions for boy’s short board and longboard, girl’s short board and longboard, and coed bodyboard. Event schedule scsurfleague.org Tiny House Theater puppet show at tiny house theater.

Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Feb 1.

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 1.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Yin Yoga for All 10am-11am. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 8.

Tales to Tails 10am-11:30am. Downtown Library. See Feb 6.

Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off 10am-4pm. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Join the delicious festivities as amateur and professional chefs prepare their finest clam chowder recipes along the Boardwalk.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library. Ongoing Saturdays. See Feb 1.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 11am-1pm. Downtown Library. See Feb 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Feb 1.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 5.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz Scholastic Surf League (SC SSL) High School and Middle School Surf Contests 6:30am-5pm. Steamer Lane 700 West Cliff Drive. See Feb 22.

Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See See Feb 2.

The Road Less Traveled: A Dog Friendly Walk 9:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park. See Feb 2.

Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off 10am-4pm. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

See Feb 22.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 2.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Feb 2.

DIY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Sundays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Feb 2.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 2.

MONDAY 24 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

Beth El Baby Bunch 11am-12:30pm. Temple Beth El coffee lounge. Quality social time with parents and babies birth to age 3.

Questions? Contact Sarah sclarkson@ tbeaptos.org Knitting 11:15am-1pm. Ongoing Mondays.

Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

ARM-in-ARM Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm. Ongoing Mondays.

WomenCARE Office. See Feb 3.

Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Feb 3.

The Santa Cruz Poetry Project 4pm5:30pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Feb 3.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 3.

TUESDAY 25 Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Feb 4.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 Months 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. See Feb 4.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 3.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Feb 5.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

Rockin’ Pop-Up 10am-12pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Join us for these monthly rock-talk days with geologists Gavin and Graham! Bring in a rock to be identified, a question to be answered, or just a curiosity about the earth. Rockin’ PopUps are free with admission.

DIY Crafts 10am-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Feb 4.

Tumble-On-Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Feb 4.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office.

See Feb 4.

New Parents Support Group!

1pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Mt Community Resources, across from Rite Aid. See Feb 4.

Lego and Duplo Fun 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Feb 4.

Movie Discussion Club 2pm-3pm. 3rd Tuesday. Aptos Library. Join our discussion of selective movies currently in the theaters.

All adults are welcome.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Libraries. See Feb 4.

Chess Club 3:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Turbo Tuesday 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Watsonville Main Library. See Feb 4.

Tales to Tails 4pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 6.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services. Ver Feb 4.

GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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February CALENDAR TUESDAY 25 (cont’d)

Triple P Workshop: Preventing and Managing Disobedience 5:30pm7pm. Nueva Vista Community Resources, 711 E. Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. Why children may be uncooperative or refuse to follow instructions; How to give instructions in a way that increases your child’s cooperation; How to respond calmly and consistently when your child refuses to follow directions.

Liliana Zamora at (831) 724-2997 x212 or lilianaz@cbridges.org.

Hidden Gems Film Club 6pm-8pm.

Aptos Library. Come enjoy these “hidden gems.” Foreign films, documentaries, independents and even some mainstream movies you might have missed! If you wish, bring a snack to share, and participate in the discussion!

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Sesiones: para familias con adolescentes 6pm8pm. Cada martes al 24 de marzo. Ceiba College Prep Academy, 260 W. Riverside Dr, Watsonville. Ver feb 4.

JoAnne Silver Jones, Headstrong 7pm.

Bookshop Santa Cruz. A discussion and signing of her new book, Headstrong. After a sudden assault by a stranger left Jones with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), fractured hands, and PTSD, she learned— with the help of a community that gave her the foundations of hope—to live with TBI in a society bursting with violence.

WEDNESDAY 26

New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. See Feb 5.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Baby Happy Hour at JuneBug’s Gym! 12:15pm-1:15pm. Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 3.

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. Motion Pacific Dance. See Feb 12.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. See Feb 5.

DIY Crafts 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 1.

DIY Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Feb 5.

Tales to Tails 2:40pm-3:40pm.

Branciforte Library. See Feb 6.

R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Aptos and Downtown Libraries. See Feb 5.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library. See Feb 5.

Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. See Feb 5.

Writer’s Open Mic Night 5pm-7pm. Scotts Valley Library. Sign-up slots for readers begin at 5 PM. Readings begin at 5:30 PM. Readers can take 5 minutes for reading or 10 minutes for reading and peer critiquing.

Reading in the Redwoods 6:15pm7:30pm. Felton Library. The Book for February is Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services. See Feb 5.

Gospel Community Church High School Youth Group 6:30pm-8pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. The Bruce’s house, 309 Oak Creek Blvd, Scotts Valley. See Feb 5.

THURSDAY 27 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Receive personalized, one-on-one breastfeeding support from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A Baby Weigh® scale is also available.

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Feb 5.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 4.

Mini Mint Mamas Meetup 11am12:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

See Feb 5

Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Feb 6.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library and Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 3.

Working Together 10am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Feb 6.

Preschool Storytime 10:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library.

See Feb 5.

Creative Exploration 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 6.

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library. See Feb 5.

Trivia on Tap 6pm-7:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Steel Bonnet Brewing Company.

See Feb 6.

Triple P 8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old 6pm-8pm.

34 FEBRUARY 2020 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Ongoing Thursdays through Feb 27. San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School Library, 7155 Highway 9. See Feb 6.

Grupo de Triple P de 8 Semanas: para familias con niños 2 – 12 años 6pm-8pm. Cada jueves al 26 de marzo.

La Manzana Recursos Comunitario, 18 W. Lake Ave, Salón E, Watsonville. Ver feb 6.

Our Community Reads Author Talk: Lauren Hilgers 7pm-8pm; doors 6:30pm.

Cabrillo College Samper Hall. Author of Patriot Number One, Lauren Hilgers lived in Shanghai, China for six years, writing about topics ranging from tomb raiders in rural Henan Province to political scandals in Beijing.

Scotts Valley Genre Book Discussion Club 7pm-8:30pm. Scotts Valley Library.

The group discusses books from a different genre each month. For February read a Modern Fairy Tale.

FRIDAY 28 Campus Tour 9:30am. Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville. Imagine ONE school, where your preschooler can move through to kindergarten and elementary, be part of a middle school community and graduate from high school! Come tour the campus and see classes in action. RSVPs suggested to admissions@mountmadonnaschool.org.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 7.

The MAKE Lab 11am-4:30pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Feb 14.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Feb 3.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Feb 7.

Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-Up 3:30pm-6pm. Ongoing Fridays. First Christian Church. See Feb 7.

SATURDAY 29 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Feb 1.

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz.

See Feb 1.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Our Community Reads: A Walking Tour of Evergreen Cemetery 10:30am-12pm. 26q Evergreen St. To solve a family mystery, professor/author Traci Bliss researched the history of Evergreen Cemetery. She tells of the people buried there - founders of Santa Cruz, 19th-century feminists, and resilient Chinese.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library. Ongoing Saturdays. See Feb 1.

Project Scout Tax Preparation Assistance 11am-1pm. Downtown Library.

See Feb 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Feb 1.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Feb 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Feb 1.

Ranch Tours 1pm-2pm. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays. Wilder Ranch. See Feb 1.

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Feb 1.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. See Feb 8.

Orchard School’s Casino Night 6pm10pm. Temple Beth El. Great food, 3 hours of gaming, prizes, wine, home brewed beer, and silent auction.

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.

Feb-Mar 2020

Tues, Feb 11 7:30 pm $30 Gen. Adv. $40 Gold Circle

Wed, Feb 12 7:30 pm $27 Gen. Adv. $40 Gold Circle

Fri, Feb 28 7:30 pm $27 Gen. Adv. $40 Gold Circle

Tues, Mar 3 7:30 pm $35 Gen. Adv. $50 Gold Circle

Riders in the Sky

Kuumbwa

Opener Carolyn Sills Combo

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas

Kuumbwa

Tom Paxton and

Kuumbwa

Colin Hay

Rio Theatre

The DonJuans

Rio Theatre

Sat, Mar 7 7:30 pm $27 Gen. Adv. $40 Gold Circle

Opener Rainbow Girls Kuumbwa

Wed, May 13 7:30 pm $27 Gen. Adv. $40 Gold Circle

Snazzy at Michael’s On Main Wed, Feb 12

7:30 pm Motoshi Kosako & Michael Manring

$15 Adv/ $15 Door

Thur, Feb 20

7:30 pm Mira Goto Jackson Emmer opens

$10 Adv/ $10 Door

Gold Circle: Rio Theatre: first 8 rows (100 seats), Kuumbwa: First 3 rows including 2 seats each side (40 seats). Additional $4 for each ticket purchased at the door. Tax is included.

NOW is the time to register your child for TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN or KINDERGARTEN

“Engaging students’ hearts and minds – every student, every day.”

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN ELIGIBILITY

Your child must be turning 5 years old between September 2 through December 2.

KINDERGARTEN ELIGIBILITY

Your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 of the year in which the student enters kindergarten.

Please register at your neighborhood school or contact us

FEB

01

Registration Opens for winter session 2 of for Puppet Time for Tots

FEB

07

First Friday Puppet Show in Boulder Creek

FEB

15

FEB

Santa Cruz City Schools 133 Mission Street, Suite 100 | Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 429-3410 x 215 | www.sccs.net

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Makers Class Needle Felted People Puppet Show at Tiny House Theater

TinyHouseTheater.com GrowingUpSC.com | FEBRUARY 2020

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February is Children’s Dental Health Month

Funded by the CDPH under Contract # 17-10725