December 2018 Monterey Bay Parent by Monterey Bay Parent Magazine

Monterey Bay

PARENT december 2018

Where to Visit With

Santa!

Hanukkah Events

The Best Ice Skating (within 60 miles) New Year’s Eve Events Tips For a lower stress Holiday Financial Advice For the New Year Happy Holidays From Our Families to Yours!1

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT â&#x20AC;¢ december 2018

Stanford pediatric specialists now in your neighborhood in Monterey and Capitola. Specialty Services – Capitola

Specialty Services – Monterey

824 Bay Ave, Ste 70 Capitola, CA 95010 Tel (831) 457-2361

1900 Garden Rd, Ste 130 Monterey, CA 93940 Tel (831) 440-3330

Practices and Services • Cardiology • Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics • Endocrinology • Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition • Hematology • Nephrology • Neurology • Pulmonary, Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis

Practices and Services • Cardiology • Endocrinology • Gastroenterology • Nephrology • Neurology • Pulmonary, Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis • Urology

Visit stanfordchildrens.org to ensure your health care coverage includes Stanford Children’s Health.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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Contents december 2018

in each issue:

05 From the Publisher

features:

06 Military Mom Allison Chance discusses topics of importance to military families.

10 The Festival of Lights This year Hanukkah takes place between December 2-10 and there are a variety of wonderful events happening around the Monterey Bay. by Jasmine Root

08 Grandparents’ Corner Gail Root shares information for grandparents on how to positively contribute to grandchildren’s lives.

12 Santa Claus is Coming To Town Where to visit with Santa Claus? We have the details!

on the cover…

14 Create a Season of Joy: 10 Ways to Stress Less Tips to help you simplify the holiday season so you can enjoy it even more. by Janeen Lewis 16 Let’s Skate! Nothing says winter like ice skating and yes, it is possible to skate when it’s 65 degrees outside! Check out our list of temporary and permanent ice rinks. 18 New Year’s Fun Ring in the New Year at one of these family friendly events. by Nicole Amaral

Charlotte, 4, and Hux, 9 months, are military children living in Monterey while their dad, Kyle attends the Naval Postgraduate School. Their mom, Allison, is a local Realtor with Over the Moon Realty. Allison writes the Military Mom column for Monterey Bay Parent. Charlotte attends Santa Catalina School and loves all things princess and dress up. Our cover photo was taken at Del Monte Center, Monterey. Photo by Donna Jean Shoemaker 831-620-2878 www.donnajeanshoemaker.com

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20 Year-End Financial Advice Ten tips to help you organize your finances so you can start 2019 off on the right foot. by Jamie Lober

Page 22: Find the best events for your family! The best family-friendly events for December from throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

Monterey Bay

PARENT

from the publisher…

Helping our neighbors during this holiday season

P.O. Box 806 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 MontereyBayParent.com 831-582-1373

Just as the holiday season is beginning, thousands of Californians are dealing with wildfires that are destroying homes and lives. At press time, the number of people missing in California’s wildfires has risen to over 600, and the death toll is at 66. In the Camp Fire in Northern California, 631 people are unaccounted for after officials added more than 500 names of people reported missing.

Publisher Andrea Breznay abreznay@montereybayparent.com 831-582-1373 Calendar and Social Media Editor Nicole Amaral Cover Photographer Donna Jean Shoemaker Contributing Writers nicole amaraL Allison Chance Janeen lewis Jamie lober Gail Root Jasmine Root Editorial Submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials. Articles and advertisements in Monterey Bay Parent do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Monterey Bay Parent does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Monterey Bay Parent is available free of charge at over 250 distribution points throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties as well as digitally at www.MontereyBayParent.com. Monterey Bay Parent is ©2018 by Monterey Bay Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Our neighbors to the north and south need our help. Their holiday won’t be a happy one this year, but we can make it a little bit better. Monterey Firefighters are accepting donations to help victims. Donations of gift cards (choose stores like Target, Lucky’s, WalMart, or Safeway) are at the top of the need list. They are also accepting donations of disposable diapers, baby wipes, toys, sleeping bags, tents, air mattresses, socks, pet food, hair brushes, hair ties, heavy blankets and towels. All donations should be new and unused. Donations should be dropped off before December 5 to any fire station in Monterey, Pacific Grove, or Carmel or MyMuseum or Bayview Academy in Monterey. You can also securely donate online to the Monterey Fireman’s Charitable Association Fund at www.cfmco.org/mfcaf. For more information, you can email Raul Pantoja at montereyfirefighters3707@gmail.com. Please make a donation to help the victims of these tragic fires a part of your holiday gift giving this year. These are our neighbors, our families, our friends and they need us. Monterey has two crews on the scene of the fires. Please keep our local firefighters in your thoughts and prayers and remember that their families may spend the holidays without them. Offer them whatever support you can–a homecooked meal, an offer to run errands, or an invitation to a holiday dinner at your house. There is no better time to come together as a community than at the holidays. I sincerely hope your December is filled with family, friends, joy, gratitude, and generosity. Peace.

Andrea Breznay Publisher Note: In the Private School Guide printed in our November issue, the tuition for San Carlos School was incorrect. The correct tuition for 2018-2019 is K-8th $5,750; TK $5,200.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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Military mom

Moving During the Holidays (plus Fun Holiday Events!)

he holidays and end of 2018 are upon us and many of us military families will be packing up our things and moving onto our next duty station. Moving is one of the hardest things about military life, especially when it falls during the holidays. Many families will celebrate in hotels or temporary lodging and away from friends or family members. I polled some fellow military moms who have moved during the holiday season and here are some of their tips: • Pack your crock pot or instant pot so that you can make homecooked meals. Your family, waistline, and budget will appreciate it. • Purchase a mini tree and ornaments to decorate your hotel or temporary lodging. Target and the Dollar Tree are great places to shop for these items! • Develop family traditions. Maybe you get Chinese takeout on Christmas Eve, and that becomes your family tradition every year, or you have a Christmas picnic each year instead of a big dinner with the fancy china and linen napkins. • If you are spending the holidays in your new home, use this time to explore! Ask a local where the best display of Christmas lights are, visit a new museum or zoo or see a movie (most movie theaters are open on Christmas Day). • Be sure to bring your stockings along and pack some command strips to hang them in your hotel with no fuss! This month is filled with lots of great events. One of my favorite local things here in the area is driving down Candy Cane Lane and viewing the incredible light display. This year, Morse Drive in Pacific Grove will be open from December 3-31. There is no charge to drive through Candy Cane Lane and if you haven’t visited, you must! The neighbors do an amazing job going all out for the holidays. My daughter asked

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to go back multiple times in December. So grab your hot chocolate and take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane! Another fantastic event to take note of is The Nutcracker; A Monterey Peninsula Tradition with Monterey County Pops! Orchestra LIVE! Presented by Dance Kids. Performances will take place on Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 8. Visit www. suncenter.org for tickets. I am pleased to share that they do offer a discounted ticket for the military. If your little one needs an abbreviated Nutcracker performance, consider My Very First Nutcracker at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose. This one-hour performance is perfect for children and toddler of all ages and tickets start at just $12.50 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hammertheatre.com/events/. Children under two are admitted to the theater through a $10 lap pass that can be purchased at the box office. The box office opens 90 minutes before each show and performances are on December 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24. If you would like to stay active during the holidays, the Jingle Bell 5K is the perfect opportunity! The race will take place in Pacific Grove at Lover’s Point Park and will benefit the Arthritis Foundation. You can register on-

line at www.events.arthritis.org. Registration starts at $25, and there is a kid’s run option for just $20. Each year, my family and I try to share the holiday spirit with those who are less fortunate. Whether you volunteer at a shelter, serve a meal to those who are less fortunate or adopt a child for Christmas, giving back is so rewarding for the entire family and is a great yearly tradition to start. Here in Monterey, Al & Friends serves breakfast every Sunday morning on Del Monte Beach to anyone needing a meal. This is a great way to include your children in giving back and also to teach a lesson of gratitude. Visit www.alandfriends.org for more information and to learn how to volunteer. Another fun way to give back is through The Giving Sack. The Giving Sack Storybook and Sack is a great holiday tradition where you will read a book with your children, and then they will fill their sack (a large red bag) with toys to donate. You can learn more and order the book and sack at www.thegivingsack.com. I hope December is filled with lots of love and cheer for your family and best of luck to those military families who will be transitioning to their next duty station. I am looking forward to 2019! Allison Chance is a military spouse and mom to Charlotte, 4, and Hux, 6 months. She is a Realtor and has been lucky to call Florida, Hawaii, and now California home during her family’s military adventure.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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grandparents’ corner

by Gail Root

Celebrating Baby’s First December Holidays

f this will be the first Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s celebration with your new grandchild, you might want to take a little time to think about how to approach the coming holidays. There are health issues, gift giving, and chore divisions to consider. If the baby is brand new, it’s even more important to think about and then clearly communicate with the grandchild’s parents and other family members who will be participating in the celebration. Baby’s Health: Your priority should be protecting the health of your grandchild. If you are feeling under the weather or exhibiting any symptoms of disease such as a cough, fever, or rash, you need to be cleared by a physician before spending time with your newborn grandchild. This goes for all attendees at holiday events. This is an area where you can help your grandchild’s parents by keeping an eye out for ill health that might compromise the child. It can be difficult for a new parent to speak up– especially to an older relative–but no one will think twice about grandma stepping in to advocate for the baby. Remind friends and family to wash their hands, use sanitizer, and try to keep the “passing the baby” game to a minimum. It’s also ok to suggest that baby’s face not be kissed. Some parents have found that wearing baby snuggled in a wrap makes it easier to keep the baby from being passed from person to person. As a grandparent who will (hopefully!) be spending lots of time with the new bundle of joy there are several recommended vaccines: 1. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis). Tetanus and diphtheria are rare in the United States today, but vaccines are still needed to make sure they remain rare. Pertussis (whooping cough), on the other hand, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that continues to spread. 2. Flu vaccine. In addition to protecting you, the vaccine helps protect your grandkids from the flu, which can be dangerous for them. Children under the age of five are at higher risk of serious flu-relat-

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ed complications. Also, because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, children have a high risk of contracting the flu. And babies under the age of 6 months are too young to receive a flu shot, so it’s especially important to protect them from flu germs. 3. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). If you were born after 1957 and are not immune to measles, you should have the vaccine. A simple blood test can check your immunity level. Additionally, if you are over 65, you may want to consider a shingles vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine. How to Help: As grandparents, aunties, uncles, and friends, of course, we are ready and willing to “help” by holding the baby. An even better way to help is to cook and serve food, clear the table, and serve drinks all while the parents sit comfortably and enjoy this special time with their baby. Also, if mom and baby are learning how to nurse, being in a public place may not be the most comfortable setting, so honor mom if she disappears from the crowd for a bit to feed the baby, or even take a rest. Gift Giving: Of course, grandparents want to purchase cute clothes, stuffed

toys, and lots of sweet stuff made for babies. Be sure to ask baby’s mother and father what their preferences for gifts are before you take out the credit card. They may prefer no plastic items, or they may already have more stuffed animals than they can display. They may also have not received a few items from their gift registry that would be put to use immediately and make a great holiday gift. You may also consider reducing the gifts entirely and setting up and contributing to a college fund for your grandchild. My favorite gifts for my grandchildren have been books. Plus, a holiday ornament with baby’s name on it. When your grandchild has grown and is ready to create their family traditions, you can gift them with a set of wellloved ornaments that have been collected through the years. Building memories, isn’t that what holidays are all about? Wishing you and your family the best for a relaxed and happy holiday. Gail Root, M.A., facilitates Roots and Wings Parent Coaching and from Cradle to College & Guidance for Grandparents. You can get information at www. rootsandwingsparentcoaching.com. Gail is Nama to Quinn, age 6 ½; Spencer, 3 ½ and twins Reece & Kendall, 1 ½.

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A Brief History While the true history of Hanukkah is unknown, the story commemorates the successful rebellion in the 2nd century B.C.E. A clan of freedom fighters known as the Maccabees revolted against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The Greco-Syrian monarch who ruled Israel with a hard hand and banned the Jewish people from practicing their faith. After the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Maccabees found just enough oil to light candles for one night to read the Torah by. However, the oil burned for eight nights. Those eight nights are now signified by the eight days of Hanukkah where families and friends gather to join in celebration and reflection of the past. Hanukkah Traditions The keystone tradition of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah. The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabra with a taller candle at the center called a shamash. The shamash is the attendant candle that lights all the other candles throughout the eight nights of Hanukkah. After the lighting of each candle special blessings are recited in melody with prayers and songs sung after the lighting. Traditional

games such as dreidel are played, and oil-based foods such as latkes (potato cakes) and jelly-filled donuts are eaten. The Meaning of Hanukkah While Hanukkah means something different to everyone, I spoke with Senior Rabbi Paula Marcus of Temple Beth El in Aptos about what Hanukkah meant to her. She spoke to the observance of the freedom of religion and the ability to practice the Jewish faith openly and freely. Rabbi Marcus also expressed the importance of unity, gathering, and service to the community. Tonya Pacanins, a Jewish preschool educator, told me the themes of hope and bringing light into the darkness were fundamental. The belief that love should be duplicated is taught through the lighting of the menorah. Each candle lights the next but does not diminish its own light in the process. Just as when someone spreads love and positivity to others, it is not extinguished in the person. Rabbi Marcus talked about how this is not only one of the most valuable principles of Hanukkah but of the holiday season. On a personal note, the ability to share customs and traditions with people of all faiths, cultures, and back-

The Festival of Lights

grounds has always been a cherished value of mine. I started my research for this article before the tragic events at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburg, PA. My heart is with those taken, their families, and the Jewish community during this difficult time. Local Hanukkah Events Menorah Lighting at Del Monte Shopping Center December 2, 2018 from 4pm-6pm Enjoy the lighting of the menorah, refreshments, and games. To be held by the water fountain. For more information go to www.delmontecenter.com. Hanukkah Train December 3, 2018, at 6:15 pm. Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on a 1-hour train ride on Roaring Campâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excursion cars adorned with thousands of lights and Hanukkah decorations. Share in Hanukkah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Hanukkah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments. Tickets are $33 adult, and $27 children, and can be purchased at www.roaringcamp.com. By Jasmine Root

The celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, is a significant and beautiful tradition that takes place in November or December, depending on the Jewish calendar. This year Hanukkah takes place between December 2nd-10th, and there are a variety of wonderful events happening around the Monterey Bay during Hanukkah. 10

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT â&#x20AC;˘ december 2018

Santa Cruz Warriors Jewish Heritage Night December 5, 2018, 7:00pm Cheer on the Santa Cruz Warriors and celebrate Jewish heritage at the Kaiser Permanente Arena. Find information at https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com. Hanukkah Craft Day December 7, 2018, 10am-5pm Make Hanukkah crafts at MY Museum in Monterey. For more information go to https://mymuseum.org Hanukkah Extravaganza Dinner December 7, 2018, 5:45 pm Join Temple Beth El in Aptos for a latke dinner and fun followed by Rock of Ages Rock Shabbat at 7 pm. Tickets for the dinner are $18 for adults and $12 for children. For information or to purchase tickets go to www.tbeaptos.org. Hanukkah Potluck Dinner December 7, 2018, 6:00pm-7:30pm Join Congregation Beth Israel for a potluck dinner followed by Shabbat service. For more information go to https:// carmelbethisrael.org. Hanukkah Dinner December 8, 2018, 5:30 pm A fun evening of food, candle lighting, dreidl spinning, and games at Temple Beth El in Salinas. For information go to https://templebethelsalinas.org. Mazel Tots December 9, 2018, 9:45am-11:15am Mazel Tots is fun activities for children five years & under with their families at Temple Beth El in Aptos. Meet old friends and make new ones! No reservations needed ($5 donation suggested). Bring a healthy snack to share. For information go to www.tbeaptos.org.

Even though I am not Jewish, every year during Hanukkah for the past 15 or so years I make traditional Hanukkah food. Here is a recipe to make with your children. It comes from The Children’s Jewish Holiday Kitchen by Joan Nathan Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts) Makes about 12 INGREDIENTS One scant tablespoon (1 package) dry yeast 4 tablespoons sugar 3/4 cup lukewarm milk or warm water* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 eggs, separated 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter or pareve margarine, softened* Apricot or strawberry preserves Sugar Vegetable oil for deep-frying *Use butter and milk if serving at a milk meal, and water and pareve margarine for a meat meal

yolks, and the yeast mixture. Adult with Child: Knead the dough until it forms a ball. Add the butter or margarine. Knead some more, until the butter is well absorbed. Cover with a towel and let rise overnight in the refrigerator. Adult: Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Child: Cut out the dough into 24 rounds with a juice glass, or any object about 2 inches in diameter. Take 1/2 teaspoon of preserves and place in the center of 12 rounds. Top with the other 12. Press down at edges, sealing with egg whites. Crimping with the thumb and second finger is best. Let rise for about 30 minutes. Adult: Heat 2 inches of oil to about 375°. Drop the doughnuts into the hot oil, about 5 at a time. Turn to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Child: Roll the doughnuts in sugar.

EQUIPMENT Measuring spoons; Measuring cups; Mixing bowls; Spoon; Sifter; Clean dish towel; Rolling pin; Juice glass; Deep fryer or heavy pot; Slotted spoon; Paper towels; Tiny spoon PREPARATION Child: Mix the yeast, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and the milk. Let sit to make sure it bubbles. Child: Sift the flour and mix it with the remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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a t n Sa s u Cla

Is Coming To Town!

ost children will enjoy a letter from Santa, a visit with him, or attending a event with jolly old Saint Nick. Even if your child doesn’t buy into the Santa fantasy, these suggestions are still great for adding to the holiday fun. We’ve included locations where you will have multiple opportunities to visit with Santa Claus. Check our calendar for additional Santa appearances at community events throughout the month of December. visits with santa Capitola Mall Visit Santa now through December 24th in the Promo Court (near the Food Court and Macy’s) Reserve at celebrateyourholiday. com and skip the line plus reservations include a free e-book. The Capitola Mall is located at 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010. Christmas on the Wharf Families can come to the Monterey Wharf (1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey) from Saturday, December 1st through December 16th, on Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., to meet Santa Claus. The Santa visits are free. Christmas holiday princesses will also be on hand to greet the children and for photo ops on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Satur-

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days from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. There will also be a toy drop at Santa’s house for the Salvation Army. Check www.montereywharf.com/ event/christmas-on-the-wharf.html for all of the details. Del Monte Center Families can visit Santa’s Workshop (located near Macy’s) to visit with Santa through December 24. Check the center website at www.delmontecenter. com for dates and hours. Special holiday entertainment is planned every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Del Monte Center is located at 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey, CA 93940. Call 831) 373-2705 for additional information.

Northridge Center Your child can visit with Santa at the JCPenney Court now through Sunday, December 24. The easiest way to avoid lines and waiting is to reserve a time online at www. santasfastpass.com/scheduling/Y4_ s1OQ3:northridge-mall Reservations and photo purchases are not required to visit Santa. Santa is available through December 9 on Monday-Saturday from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 p.m. Santa is available December 10-23 on Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. Special holiday events are planned. Check the website at www. coastlandcenter.com for additional details. Northridge Center is located at 796 Northridge Dr, Salinas, CA 93906. Call (831) 449-7226 for additional information. Letters to & from Santa The United States Postal Service The United States Postal Service will postmark a letter from Santa with the North Pole postmark. To use the Letters from Santa program: 1. Have the child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

postage, and address it to: North Pole Postmark Postmaster 4141 Postmark Dr Anchorage Ak 99530-9998 Letters from Santa must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than December 15.

addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole. 2. Write a personalized response to the child’s letter and sign it “From Santa.” 3. Insert both letters into an envelope, and address it to the child.

4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope. 5. Put a first-class stamp on the envelope. 6. Place the completed envelope containing both letters into a larger envelope, with appropriate

Write to Santa Program Santa’s Elves and Santa Claus Museum, Inc. is located in Santa Claus, Indiana. The founder Patricia Koch and her family own Holiday World. The family opened the Santa Claus Museum in the spring of 2006. Part of the mission of Santa’s Elves and Santa Claus Museum, Inc. is to continue the tradition of answering letters to Santa. To receive a written letter from Santa Claus, have your child send a letter with a legible return address, mailed to: Santa Claus PO Box 1 Santa Claus, IN 47579 Every letter received by December 21, 2017, will receive a response from Santa and the Elves. You can also find a printable Santa letter form at santaclausmuseum.org/ letters-to-santa.

join us for the HOLIDAYS VISITS AND PHOTOS WITH SANTA

HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP

November 23 through December 24 Santa’s Workshop is located near Macy’s and Chico’s.

Staffed by and benefiting local community civic groups. Santa’s Workshop is located near Macy’s and Chico’s.

EXTENDED SHOPPING HOURS

DEL MONTE SHOPPING CENTER

Go to “Guest Services” on our website for hours each day or stop by our Guest Services Center for a schedule.

Available for purchase at our Guest Services Center located near Macy’s.

GIFT CARD

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT Join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for holiday entertainment. Visit “Events” on our website for details.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

OVER 75 FAVORITE STORES & RESTAURANTS Highway 1 at Munras Avenue, Monterey 831.373.2705 • www.shopdelmonte.com

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By Janeen Lewis

10 Holiday Hacks to Make the Season Bright 1. If you have an artificial tree, wrap the center pole with a strand of lights before you add the branches. This will make the tree shine brighter from the inside. 2. Use a wastebasket to hold rolls of wrapping paper.

Create a Season of

3. Use egg cartons to store small ornaments and ornament hooks. Use wine boxes to store larger, fragile ornaments. 4. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on a cookie sheet. Freeze it for several hours and remove. Cut hearts out of the whipped cream with a cookie cutter and serve in hot cocoa. 5. Put a ball of sugar cookie dough between two sheets of wax paper. Roll it out between the papers. While it’s still in the wax paper, put the flattened cookie dough in the refrigerator until you are ready to cut cookies out. 6. Store cookies in an air tight tin with flour tortillas between layers to keep cookies from drying out. You can also use a slice of bread. 7. If you don’t want to put nail holes in your fireplace mantel, fit a tension rod in the wood frame and hang your stockings with shower hooks. You can also purchase nail free stocking holder hooks. 8. Hang lightweight ornaments on long ribbons from your light fixture or chandelier to make an elegant holiday decoration. 9. Skip expensive candles and potpourri. Add water and natural ingredients like apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks or cloves to a crockpot and heat. Enjoy holiday scents that aren’t overpowering. 10. To keep Christmas lights from getting tangled, wrap them around a clothes hanger or power cord holder.

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10 Ways to Stress Less

t’s supposed to be the most joyful time of the year, full of friends, family and festivities. But research confirms a different reality–most Americans have elevated stress levels during the holiday season. Instead of being full of good tidings and cheer, families often feel drained of time, energy and peace. Stressors such as crowds and lines, party planning, financial concerns and trying to make the holidays perfect can make the end of the year hectic and overwhelming. These ten tips will simplify the season and make it merry and bright.

Focus on your reason for the season. Why are you celebrating? Is it for religious reasons? Maybe you want to spend time with friends and family or enjoy the spirit of giving during the holidays. Keep what is most important about the holidays at the center of your celebration. Reconsider any task or commitment that takes your time, energy, enjoyment or finances away from your reason for celebrating in the first place.

Set firm boundaries around your time. With all the holiday volunteering, office parties and family gatherings, it’s easy to overcommit yourself. This year, pick one project you want to volunteer your time to, or pick a variety of simple acts of kindness you can do with your family. Spend time with your friends and loved ones, but don’t feel guilty if you don’t go to every party or gathering.

Let go of Martha. One of the most stress-relieving things you can do at the holidays is set the bar a little lower. Martha Stewart is an elegant hostess, but you don’t have to do everything the way Martha would to have a beautiful season. Embrace simpler decorations, meals and gift giving than you have in the past. Try quick shortcuts or holiday hacks. If you let go of expectations, you may be pleasantly surprised to find yourself content with a celebration you hadn’t even envisioned.

Farm out your to-do list. At the beginning of the season make a to-do list of what you want to accom-

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plish. If you find that it is too long for the amount of time that you have, consider delegating some of the items. You might even consider setting aside some of your Christmas funds specifically so you can hire others to help. Have groceries delivered, and buy gifts online to avoid the holiday rush. Grocery stores also have a plethora of pre-packaged holiday foods that can cut down on your time in the kitchen. Buy desserts from your local bakery, and shop at stores that provide wrapping stations. No time to clean the house? Hire a cleaning service just for the holiday season or ask for this service as a gift.

Gift others with experiences. Shopping at the holidays can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking with crowds and traffic. If you don’t start early, coveted items sell out, leaving you scrambling for another gift. Ask those you give gifts to if there is an experience they would like to have. Tickets to the theatre? Family passes to an amusement park or aquarium? A relaxing day at the spa? Experiences give friends and family the opportunity to make memories and pamper themselves, unique gifts that are much-appreciated.

Set a holiday tea time. Recent research shows that drinking green and black tea has many health benefits, including promoting relaxation. Herbal teas, while not true tea, still help with anxiety and stress. In keeping with the holiday spirit, sip some calming peppermint tea, or try chamomile, lemon balm or passionflower.

Take a hike. One way to tell your stress to take a hike might be to actually take one yourself. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins that trigger a happier, more relaxed mood. Aerobic exercise outdoors away from screens, phones and to-do lists can clear your mind and help you keep what’s important in perspective.

Reconnect with long lost friends and relatives. Meet with an old friend you haven’t talked to for years, and catch up. Take some time off and visit relatives you miss seeing on a regular basis. Surrounding yourself with people you enjoy is powerful when you want to combat holiday stress.

Do something kind for someone else. You don’t have to overcommit yourself to a charity or fundraiser to be kind. Small random acts of kindness can make someone’s day. Let someone in front of you at the supermarket line or let someone drive their car in front of yours in the parking lot. Send an anonymous Christmas card with a gift card to a college student or elderly person that you know is struggling financially. Throw change in Salvation Army buckets. Having a kind spirit chases away stress and keeps the season warm.

10.

Celebrate memories more than material possessions. Material gifts are nice, but most of us quickly forget gifts we have received in past years. The thing that we remember the most are the memories we make with friends and family. Make some happy memories this holiday season and bid stress good bye. Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She has been published in several parenting publications across the country and in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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hen you live in a cold weather part of the country, December is usually the start of winter sports and outdoor activities. One of the most memorable and enjoyable is ice skating. While it’s not quite the same to lace up your skates when it’s 65 degrees outside and sunny, skating without the bone chilling cold is a pretty cool way to spend an afternoon! Luckily for us, there are several options for ice skating fun for Monterey Bay families. ICE SKATING BY THE BAY 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, 93940 (831) 233-8057 www.iceskatingbythebay.com Ice Skating by the Bay’s seasonal ice skating rink is located in Custom House Plaza behind Portola Hotel & Spa. Set among historic adobes and Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Skating by the Bay offers skaters a day of holiday fun in a winter wonderland right by the Bay.

Hours Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00am to 10:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, including holidays.

able during the holiday season including holiday crafts and Santa visits. Several of the Boardwalk concessions are open for refreshments.

Admission Adults: $13, children 12 & under: $11, skate rental fee: $3 Season Pass: $75 for the entire season. (Skate rental not included) Military Mondays: Buy one, get one free admission with valid military ID. Limit of 6 people per ID. Skate rental is not included.

Hours The rink is open 4 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday. The rink will be open noon to 9 p.m. on Dec. 25.

BOARDWALK HOLIDAY ICE 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, 95060 (831) 423-5590 beachboardwalk.com Enjoy ice skating by the beach—on real ice at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The new 32’ x 90’ covered ice skating rink located in the Boardwalk’s Main Entrance Plaza in front of the Pirate Ship ride is open rain or shine. You can make reservations via the website for one-hour skating sessions. A variety of special extras are avail-

Admission $14.95 + tax includes ice skate rental. GILROY GARDENS 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, 95020 (408) 840-7100 www.gilroygardens.org Ice skating is free with admission to Gardens@Night Holiday if you have your own ice skates. If not, skate rental is available on site for an additional fee. Hours Dec 1-2, 7-9, 14-23, & 26-30| 4 pm-9 pm plus Dec 31 from 4pm to midnight Admission Tickets purchased online start at $31.00 for adults. See coupon on page 2 of this issue for discount coupon)

Let’s Skate!

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

SOLAR4AMERICA ICE 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose, 95112 (at Alma, next to Municipal Stadium) (408) 279-6000 www.solar4americaiceatsanjose.com Solar4America Ice is the largest rink facility west of the Mississippi. The facility is the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. New skaters can use specially designed “buckets” that allow them to skate safely during specific bucket sessions as well as on some areas of the ice during general sessions. Because of the other activities at the arena, there are limited open skate hours. The current schedule has sessions daily in the morning, mid-day, and evening most days of the week. Hours Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedule. Admission General Admission 13 & Over: $12.00; Children (12 & under): $11.00; Senior (55 & Over): $8.00; Skate Rental: $5.00 ICE CENTER CUPERTINO 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, 95014 (408) 446-2906 The Ice Center offers many sessions of public skating during prime time hours, including weekends and weeknights. Skate rentals

are also available. Hours Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedule. Admission Admission/Skate rental combo: $14.00 KRISTI YAMAGUCHI DOWNTOWN ICE 120 S. Market St., San Jose, 95113 Located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel (408) 610-4055 www.downtownicesj.com Kristi Yamaguchi is one of the Bay Area’s best known athletes. She grew up in Fremont and skated in San Jose and beyond before taking Olympics gold in figure skating in 1992. Kristi Yamaguchi has been part of Downtown Ice for nine seasons. Downtown Ice offers the only rink that offers skating in and around a circle of 32 palm trees. which are lit with thousands of color-changing LED lights. The rink is open through January 27. Hours During November, early December and after the holidays in January, Downtown Ice is open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday; noonmidnight on Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday. During the winter break, the rink is

Serving 6th-12th grade families in their college prep journey for 25 years. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

open 11 a.m.-midnight daily. Special hours apply to the holidays and may change around the big events. Admission $17 Adults; $15 10-under, seniors & military. Walk-up only. Season passes are available. WINTER LODGE 3009 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, 94306 (650) 493-4566 http://winterlodge.com/public-skating Winter Lodge is a permanent ice rink in Palo Alto offering public skate sessions and lessons. Opened in 1956, the rink is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The rink remains open through April. Skate aids are available for little ones during non-peak times only. You’re welcome to bring your own refreshments (no alcohol) and enjoy the festive seasonal decorations and the indoor and outdoor fireplaces. One special extra: foam “snow” will fall at the end of each skating session. Hours Several skating sessions are held on most days. Check website for specific days and hours and holiday skating schedule. Admission $12; Skate rental is $5

Join us at our next Open House on January 26th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. or contact our Admissions Director, admissions@kirby.org or 831-423-0658 x202, to schedule a Shadow Day or personal tour. We offer a Financial Aid Program. More information is available at kirby.org. 425 Encinal Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | kirby.org montereybayparent.com

New Year’s Fun!

New Year’s Eve plans have completely changed since having my son almost six years ago. It started when I was 9 months pregnant. We started the count down at 9pm and called it a night. Little did I know that this was going to be a tradition for a while longer. Now that my son is getting older, we have found new ways to “live it up” on New Year’s Eve. Here’s a list of family friendly New Year’s events that are guaranteed to ring in 2019 with a whole lot of cheer! December 31 from 10 am-12:30 pm MY Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve 425 Washington St, Monterey, 93940, (831) 649-6444 https://mymuseum.org/event/noon-years-eve-special-event-10-12/ 5..4..3..2..HAPPY NOON YEAR! Join the MY Museum Staff and Board of Directors for an unforgettable Noon Year’s Eve Celebration complete with noisemakers, face painting and party hats. Watch the Noon Year’s Ball light up as we count down together. This signature event has become a much anticipated celebration; reservations fill quickly and this event will sell out. December 31 from 10 am-12 pm Noon Year’s Eve Party at Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Ave #10, Capitola, 95010, www.sccmod.org Who says you have to wait until midnight to celebrate the New Year? If you’ve got little ones that won’t be up at midnight then head to the Children’s Museum of Discovery in the Capitola Mall for a mid-day New Year’s Eve celebration. Space is limited so you’ll want to reserve a spot ahead of time. 1-888-424-8035. December 31 from Noon-3 pm Noon Year’s Eve at Children’s Discovery Museum 180 Woz Way, San Jose, 95110 408-298-5437, www.cdm.org The night might belong to ther adults but New year’s Eve day belongs to the kids at CDM. Participate in the “countdown to noon across time zones” with family hugs, a noisy celebration, and the Museum’s version of the famous Ball Drop in Times Square at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

By Nicole Amaral

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December 31 from 3 pm-12 am First Night Monterey Colton Hall, Downtown Monterey www.firstnightmonterey.org The most creative New Year’s Eve for your family! First Night Monterey and Kid’s Night Out kicks off at 3pm with the Opening Ceremony at Colton Lawn on Pacific Street; Kid’s Night Out culminates with the 5:30pm Twilight Procession serving as the Finale. Music, song, drumming, dance, ballet, folk dancing in traditional costumes, face art, MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

art creating, hat making and more will complete your artful time! When you buy a button you have access to 9 hours of entertainment. From Classical to Jazz, Blues to Rock, Samba to Folk! First Night Monterey 2019 has a line-up of over 65 performances designed to delight the entire family. There will be international costumed dancers, including the Chinese Lion dancers. There will be dancing to the sounds of oldies, rock-n-roll and tropical beats. Enjoy many different venues around Downtown Monterey until the countdown at midnight. December 31 from 7 pm-8:30 am New Year’s Eve Sleepover at The Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, 93940 www.montereybayaquarium.org/visit/ hours-and-schedule/sleepovers/newyears-eve Celebrate the countdown to 2019 with a sparkling cider toast. Throughout the evening you can take silly snapshots in the photo booth, satisfy your sweet tooth at the sundae bar and show off your best moves at our pajama dance party! Beverages will be available for purchase, including beer, wine and kid-

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friendly drinks. In the morning, wake up with the fishes as the first guests on New Year’s Day. Enjoy a full breakfast in the café and then join our naturalists in watching wildlife from the Great Tide Pool deck to welcome 2019.

Here are some fun ideas for those who choose to celebrate the New Year from the comforts of home. • Create a fun photo backdrop and take goofy pictures with the year and a variety of props

December 31 from 4 pm-midnight Gardens@Night Gilroy Gardens 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, 95020 www.gilroygardens.org Discover the magic and wonder of the season with twinkling lights throughout the park, ice skating under the stars, a traditional Holiday Feast, Charlie Brown and friends in a live show and more.

• Create a family time capsule or memorable objects to be opened on next New Year’s Eve

Tuesday, January 1 9:00 am Rio Grill Resolution Run www.riogrillsresolutionrun.com/ Start off 2019 on the right foot by walking/running a 10K/5K race! This race features a gorgeous course that includes trails, roads and water vistas along the way. The Run starts at the Rio Grill in the Crossroads Shopping Village, Highway 1 at Rio Road in Carmel. • Adults through December 31 - $40 • Children 12 & Under through December 31 - $30

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by Jamie Lober

Year-End Financial Advice

ust as you get an annual physical to keep your health in tip-top shape, you should set aside time to go through your finances. This ensures that you are in charge of your money. The earlier in the month you start, the better, so it does not interfere with your holiday festivities. A task as simple as verifying your car and health insurance coverage and making or updating a personal or family budget can make 2019 go much smoother. Before you file your papers away and start to write on your brand new calendar, it is a good idea to go down this quick list and make sure your finances are up to speed.

Assess your progress toward your goals. Take a look at where you have been,

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where you are and where you want to be in the future. “Before the year ends take advantage of any gains or losses that should be recognized within the year,” said Milda Iliscupidez, a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Having a power team including an attorney, certified public accountant and financial planner go through your portfolio can make things easier.

Contribute to an IRA. You cannot open a joint IRA with your spouse, but you can each open one and claim double the tax deduction. U.S. News & World Report said that those who are not provided with retirement benefits at work could contribute to an IRA regardless of how much they earn. They added that if you are eligible for a tra-

ditional pension plan or workplace retirement plan like a 401(k) you can additionally make a tax-deductible contribution to an IRA only if your income falls below specific cutoffs.

Contribute to a 529 education savings plan. “A lot of people have family that is far away or do not like to send gifts so contributing to an education savings plan is a wonderful way to show someone how much you care,” said Iliscupidez. It is never too early or too late to give a child’s brain a boost.

Review your insurance coverage. Every year your needs change such as if you have paid off your home or just bought one. Go down the checklist of property insurance, auto insur-

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

ance, health insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. Make sure you are familiar with policy numbers, premiums and customer service numbers.

Get your child to start saving. At the holidays make sure it is not just about giving money to your child so he can pick something out at the toy store. Instead, it should be about earning it and teaching a way to save. “Every time there is good behavior, or something deserving of praise put money in a piggy bank so your child understands that things are paid for, and you cannot just write a check or use a credit card,” said Iliscupidez. It helps if you set a goal such as an entertainment system or video game that your child wants and save up to be able to make the purchase.

Understand how required minimum distribution works. At the age of 70, if you have a retirement account, you are required by law to take out a certain amount every year. It increases every year, and if you do not take it out, it is taxable by almost 50 percent. It is the second highest tax penalty next to fraud.

Pick a charity. You can help homeless animals find forever homes or raise funds for medical research to eradicate a disease. You can also give household items that you no longer use anymore to an organization that distributes to people in need. Fidelity Investments stated that for non-cash charitable contributions over 250 dollars you would need a receipt that includes a description of the item and details.

Declutter. Know what to keep and what you can discard. AARP said that there are two general rules. First, anything tax-related should be saved for at least three years, and anything tax-related that reflects a loss should be saved for seven years. For insurance policies, AARP instructed to get rid of old versions when new versions arrive. This helps to avoid confusion. Keep monthly statements until you get yearend reconciliation. When you get rid of papers, shred them to prevent fraud.

Create an organization system. You can make this fun and use anything from file cabinets to decorative boxes. Once you master how your system works, you will need to maintain it. You

may have a file for incoming bills for example. Put the due date on your calendar, and when you have taken care of it write paid on it.

10.

Find a professional you can trust. Forbes named some pros of having a certified financial planner. They described the advantage as having expert management of your portfolio taking into account goals and cash needs and a partner to help you navigate complex financial situations, answer questions as they come up and provide continuous financial planning. They also said the planner could bring peace of mind because you know that a professional is monitoring the market and your portfolio and making needed changes. Of course, you can manage your own money, but some mistakes can be expensive. You may miss out on tax savings opportunities, make poor investment choices or pay hidden fees and not realize it. Jamie Lober, author of Pink Power (www.getpinkpower.com), is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health topics. She can be reached at jamie@getpinkpower.com.

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Calendar december 2018

1 saturday 8:00 AM. Salinas Cars For Kids - Car Show & Toy Drive 2018 Salinas Cars For Kids is collectingcollect toys and canned foods for the less fortunate families in our community. Free admission to the public, a toy or canned food donation is encouraged. 726 South Main Street, Salinas www.salinascarsforkids.org 831-585-3333 10 a.m. Holiday Pet Photos The holidays are here and that means it’s time for your pets Holiday Pictures. $25 suggested donation with all proceeds benefiting BirchBark Foundation (includes 4X6 photo and digital image). Call or email to your reserve your spot. RSVPs are appreciated but we will try to accommodate all walk-ins. Toro Park Animal Hospital 22720 Portola Dr, Salinas, 93908 831-484-9744 10 a.m. 25th Annual Stillwell’s Fun in the Park Featuring Santa’s arrival on a shiny PG fire truck, Frosty the Snowman, Snow Queen, hayrides, petting zoo & lots of entertainment. 584 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove www.pacificgrove.org 10 a.m. Monterey Bay Aquarium Open House Tri-county residents enjoy free admission. We’ll be offering bilin-

gual programs on the weekends, too. (valid identification required). Runs through December 9. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey www.montereybayaquarium.org/ visit/hours-and-schedule/specialevents 10:00 AM. 38th Annual Children’s Winterfest This wonderful event features an adorable Children’s Store where kids can shop for family, friends and even fury members of the family on their holiday gift list. 700 Jewel Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-646-6583

variety of activities inspired by the environment of Corcoran Lagoon. Learn about the environment and local wildlife with experts. 2380 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz. www.santacruzpl.org 10:00 AM. First Saturday Book Sale The Friends of the Pacific Grove Public Library holds the “First Saturday Book Sale” on the first Saturday of most months from 10 am until 4 pm in the arcade in front of the library. 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-648-5760

10:00 AM. Cleanup at Upper Carr Lake Join us at Upper Carr Lake for a cleanup day. A great family activity that is free. Tools, water, and snacks provided. Earn community service hours. East laurel Drive between Constitution and Sanborn Drive, Salinas, csumb.edu

10:00 AM. Holiday Art & Craft Faire A wide variety of high-quality, handmade art and crafts will be showcased, at the Simpkins Swim Center/Community Room. Free parking and admission. 979 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-454-7946 www.scparks.com/Home/SimpkinsFamilySwimCenter.aspx

10:00 AM. Dog Festival by the Sea Start by enjoying an exclusive brunch selection at Salt Wood, learn new tricks from professional trainers available on site, learn about the latest and healthiest foods and products for your dog. The Sanctuary Beach Resort 3295 Dunes Dr, Marina 786-303-5016

10:00 AM. Holiday Bazaar Activities include winter crafts for adults and kids, a puppet show, book sale, caroling, a visit with St.Nick and a holiday photo card booth. 1004 David Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831- 655-4638 mbayschool.org

10:00 AM. Family Lagoon Watch A Nature Study Program with a

10:00 AM. Seaside Farmer’s Market Fresh options include grapes and

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stone fruits, fresh flowers and healthy local vegetables and berries. Market Match doubles the spending power of CalFresh/SNAP. Held weekly on Saturday. 656 Broadway Avenue, Seaside, 831- 899-6700 10:00 AM. Tales to Tails @ Downtown Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, non-judgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute time slots to sit with a dog and read. Held weekly on Saturday. 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz. www.santacruzpl.org 11:00 AM. 3rd Annual Christmas on the Wharf Holiday musical entertainment including choirs and community caroling, an array of holiday lights and decorations, a 19foot Christmas tree, silhouetted lit trees, tin soldiers, free sweet treats, free Santa “meet and greet” visits, photo ops with Santa, lovely holiday princesses and much more. New this year will be giant holiday-lighted sealife animals on display. Enjoy free Santa visits at his “house” and have a photo op for kids and family. Christmas holiday princesses will also be on hand to greet the children. There will also be a toy drop at Santa’s house for Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula Corps. There will be complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, hot apple cider and cookies. Held Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

through December 16th. 1 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, 93940 www.montereywharf.com 831-238-0777 12:00 PM. Santa & His Reindeer The Old Monterey Business Association, with support from the Golden State Theatre, brings you Santa & Reindeer. 417 Alvarado Street, Monterey, 831-655-8070 12 p.m. Gabriella’s Snow Day 2018 This event attracts local families who are looking to have a fun day in the snow while raising funds for research and awareness for pediatric cancer. There will be a visit from Santa and the Scotts Valley Fire Department, entertainment, raffle prizes, games, crafts, bounce house, food, shopping and snow more. 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley www.teamgfoundation.org 12:30 PM. Holiday Tree Walk Steam Train At the summit, guests may sip hot cider and delight in viewing a treelined walk of beautifully decorated holiday trees. To add to the festive spirit and bring hope to families in need, visitors may bring a new and

unwrapped toy to Roaring Camp’s depot to benefit Santa Cruz County’s Toys for Tots campaign. For each donated toy, Roaring Camp will deduct $2 per train ticket, purchased in person only. Guests are requested to avoid donating toys of aggression or unpacked stuffed animals. Child $23, Adult $29. Held December 1, 2, 8, 9. Roaring Camp Railroad 5401 Graham Hill Road Felton, 95018, 831-335-4484 2:00 & 7:00 PM. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at ARIEL Theatrical In this hilarious Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdmans - six rowdy siblings who showed up for the free snacks. 320 Main Street, Salinas, 831-775-0976 www.arieltheatrical.org 2:30 PM. Capitola Village Holiday Music Capitola Village will put on twohour performances every Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd. With performances at Monterey Plaza (in front of Souza’s Ice Cream and Mijo’s Tacos) and some performances from 12- 2pm at the Capitola Mercantile. www.capitolavillage.com/

music-series 3:00 PM. Joyeux Noël Film Screening and Discussion French director Christian Carion’s 2005 drama is inspired by true events that happened on Christmas Eve 1914 along the Western Front of World War I. 1364 Fremont Blvd,, Seaside. peacecentral.wordpress.com 5:15 PM. Holiday Lighthouse Lighting This year, O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s annual Lighthouse Lighting Event will kick off Santa Cruz Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade which starts at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 1, rain or shine. For more information, visit oneillseaodyssey.org. 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz 831- 475-6161 5:30 PM. LIGHTED BOAT PARADE The Santa Cruz Yacht Club’s 33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade will take place at Santa Cruz Harbor rain or shine. 135 Fifth Avenue Santa Cruz, 95062, 831-475-6161

2 sunday 8:00 AM. Teddy bears with heart breakfast

with santa Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Shrimp Louie are spreading holiday cheer this season with a special breakfast with Santa. Children and families are invited to enjoy a breakfast buffet filled with traditional favorites, as well as familyfriendly activities and free goodies for the kids. They are also hosting a stuffed animal drive for us. Reservations can be made by calling Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Tickets available at Bubbagump. com. 720 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, 831-373-1884 9:00 AM. GINGERBREAD KIDS EVENT Join us in getting festive for the holiday season and decorate your own Gingerbread Houses. 425 Washington Street, Monterey. mymuseum.org 9:00 am. SOOTHING SANTA PHOTOS Individuals with all spectrums of special needs and their families are invited to a private photo session where extra care is taken to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs to make this a magical holiday experience. Reserve your spot online. Also held on December 9. 796 Northridge Dr, Salinas, 93906 shop-northridge-mall.com

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

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Kindergarten Teachers Praise The Sonshine Child Development Center!

• Lowest private pay preschool on the Peninsula • State preschool • Flexible hours • Free speech therapy Fall 2018 • Afterschool programs • Social/Emotional Development Program with a Licensed MFT Parents, how do you choose a good preschool? Talk to Kindergarten teachers. Sonshine Preschool in Seaside sends students to Kindergarten well prepared! Call

(831) 899-4911 for details

10:00 am. Monthly Bagging Party We meet the first Sunday of every month to portion out rice, beans, and other staples for distribution to those in need in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. Vista Lobos Room Junipero at 3rd, Carmel riceplusproject.org 10:00 AM. Marina Farmer’s Market Marina Farmer’s Market, on the corner of Vista Del Camino in the Marina Village Shopping Center, runs year-round rain or shine everey Sunday. Held weekly on Sunday except the last week of December and first week of January for the winter holidays. 215 Reservation Rd, Marina. 2:00 PM. 2nd Annual Holiday Craft Fair Come join over 30 local vendors for some holiday shopping Monterey Moose Family Center 555 Canyon del Rey Blvd, Del Rey Oaks, 93940 831-394-6896 2:30 PM. Capitola Village Holiday Music Capitola Village will put on twohour performances every Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd. With performances at Monterey Plaza (in front of Souza’s Ice Cream and Mijo’s Tacos) and some performances from 12- 2pm at the Capitola Mercantile. www.capitolavillage.com/musicseries 4:00 PM. Menorah Lighting at Del Monte Shopping Center Enjoy the lighting of the menorah, refreshments, and games. To be held by the water fountain. 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey, 93940 www.delmontecenter.com 5:00 PM. Lighted Boat Parade Watch decked out boats cruise along Monterey Bay’s scenic coastline during the Monterey Yacht Club’s lighted boat parade. The boats will start at Old Fisherman’s Wharf and turn around at Hopkins Point, just after the Monterey Bay Aquarium. #1 Old Fishermans Wharf, Monterey, 831- 238-0777

3 monday

For more information, visit our website

www.sonshinecdc.org

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2:30 PM. Yoga and Movement Description: Get moving and mindful with yoga instructor Jherrica of Lotus Yoga Life. Join us for a preschool session at 2:30 and a K-2nd grade session at 3:15.

Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933 3:00 PM. Pacific Grove Certified Farmer’s Market The Pacific Grove Certified Farmers’ Market offers a wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts from small-scale family farmers along with prepared food and artisanal items from local vendors. Held weekly on Monday. Grand Avenue and Central Avenue, Pacific Grove 6:15 PM. Hanukkah Train Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on a 1-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s excursion cars adorned with thousands of lights and decorations. Tickets are $33 adult, and $27 children. www.roaringcamp.com

4 tuesday 10:00 AM. $2 TUESDAY. $2 Tuesday is the first Tuesday of every month. Enjoy $2 admission per person for Monterey County residents with ID. As always, children under 24 months are free. 425 Washington Street, Monterey mymuseum.org 10:30 AM. Tuesday tour at Chartwell Tour the campus and talk to administration and teachers at Chartwell School. Chartwell is open to students in grades 2 to 12 with dyslexia and other learning differences. 2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside, 93955, 831-394-3468 www.chartwell.org 11:00 AM. Old Monterey County Jail Ceremony Presentation by AMAP of a bronze National Register Plaque for the Old Monterey County Jail to the County of Monterey, Board of Supervisors. 142 Alisal Street, Salinas 831-649-8132 11:00 AM. Preschool Stories Free storytime for preschool age children held weekly (except holidays). Pacific Grove Library 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-648-5760 11:00 AM. Preschool Stories - Prunedale Join us for stories and a craft every Tuesday at 11:00am. Please call 663-2292 for information. 17822 Moro Road, Salinas www.co.monterey.ca.us

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

11:00 AM. Preschool Storytime Join us for stories and a craft every Tuesday at 11:00am. Please call 899-2055 for more information. 550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside www.co.monterey.ca.us 3:30 PM. STEM Afternoon Description: Join us for an afternoon of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math activities. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933 4:00 PM. Monterey Farmer’s Market The Old Monterey Farmers Market is spread among 3 city blocks and runs year-round rain or shine. During the summer it’s the largest gathering of people in Monterey County, attracting more that 10,000 locals and tourists in one location. Held weekly on Monday. Alvarado Street and W Franklin Street, Monterey 7:00 PM. THE DICKENS PROJECT: CHRISTMAS WITH DICKENS Charles Dickens just wants to talk about his book, A Christmas Carol, but what happens when Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Catherine Dickens, and the Ghost of Christmas Present show up? Chaos, confusion, conflict, and complaints, just like a typical holiday gathering. Willing Suspension Armchair Theater and the Dickens Project present an original piece. These events are free, but donations are most welcome. There will be refreshments as well as time at the end to ask questions and interact with the author, director, and readers. Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive Aptos, 95003, 831-459-2103

5 wednesday 2:00 PM. Storytime Join us for stories and a craft for youngsters every Wednesday. Please call 769-8724 for more information. 11160 Speegle Street, Castroville. www.co.monterey.ca.us 3:30 PM. Wacky Wednesday Stories, games, science & more for Grades K-2 at Pacific Grove Public Library. 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-648-5760 4:00 PM. Build & Play Time Come join us for some building and play fun activities at the Marina Library. Enjoy building and creative fun with Magnatiles, Keva Planks & building blocks. Other activities include working on puzzles

or having fun with coloring pages. 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. www.co.monterey.ca.us 3:30 PM. 1st Wednesday Family Fun Night Family PJ party at Capitola Mall held in the Macy’s wing. Entertainment, crafts, goodie bags, family activities. Suggested $5 donation benefits Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, 95010 (831) 476-9616 6:00 PM. Storytime Buena Vista Join us for stories, songs and a fun craft every Wednesday. For children 2-5 years old. Siblings are welcome. Please call 455-9699 for more information. 18250 Tara Drive, Salinas. www.co.monterey.ca.us 6:00 PM. Streets of Bethlehem Step into the Nativity story, as 200 re-enactors, along with live animals and musical groups, recreate the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Runs through December 8. 130 San Vincente Avenue, Salinas. streetsofbethlehem.com

6 thursday 10:30 AM. Bilingual Storytime Connect with your little one through stories and songs in Spanish and English. This storytime is perfect for native speakers of any language. This program is for ages 18 months-5 years and a participating caregiver. 625 Pacific St, Monterey. www.monterey.org 11:00 AM. Baby Rhyme Time Stories and rhymes for ages 0-2 held weekly (except holidays) at Pacific Grove Public Library. 550 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-648-5760

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8:00 PM. An Irish Christmas Take a journey through Christmas in Ireland with superb dancing, singing and Irish traditional music celebrating the international spirit of the holiday season. Golden State Theatre 417 Alvarado Street, Monterey. www.oldmonterey.org

7 friday 10:00 AM. Special Holiday Fair In addition to Monarch Art Studio Local Artists Co-op, approximately 10 other Artisans will set up in our parking lot and our gallery room. We will be open at 10 am and close at.... when our last

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

celebrating our 1st anniversary! montereybayparent.com

Our online calendar is updated daily at MontereyBayParent.com

Submit a Listing This calendar is dedicated to bringing our readers the most comprehensive list of family-friendly events in the Monterey and Santa Cruz areas. If your organization or business has an event you’d like to share with our readers, go to MontereyBayParent. com, click on “events,” and click on “submit your event.” It’s easy and it’s free. Deadline to be included in the January issue is the 15th of December. guest leaves. 520 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-717-4177 10:00 AM. Hanukkah Craft Day Make Hanukkah crafts at MY Museum in Monterey. https://mymuseum.org 10:30am Baby Rhyme Time Description: Familiar nursery

rhymes and gentle games will give you tools to bond with your baby and begin their journey toward reading. Stick around afterward for our stay-and-play time to connect with other parents and caregivers. This program is for ages 0-24 months. Held every Friday in December. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933 4:30 PM. First Friday Art Talk Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a working artist? Come meet a different local working artist and explore their exciting artwork every first Friday of the month at John Steinbeck Library. 350 Lincoln, Salinas www.salinaspubliclibrary.org 5:00 PM. 35th Annual Christmas in the Adobes Stroll the streets of Historic Downtown Monterey and visit 19thCentury Mexican Era adobes decorated for the holidays. Enjoy fandango dance lessons at Custom House, treats at Fisherman’s Wharf or bagpipes and shortbread cookies at Robert Louis Stevenson House. Many other adobes offer entertainments, refreshments,

Share the gift.

December Events

games, history and loads of fun. Volunteers at several sites offer information about the history of their building. We recommend you dress for weather and bring a flashlight. Tickets can be purchased on event nights at Pacific House Museum (west side of Custom House Plaza, across from the ice rink) Casa Gutierrez garden (Pacific Street side) or Custom House Gift Shop (across from entrance to Fisherman’s Wharf.) Also held December 8. www.mshpa.org 5:00 PM. Frosty Fun Fest Enjoy a night of creative crafting for First Friday. Transform the Art Gallery into a winter wonderland at our Snowflake Create Station. Candy coat your dream home in the Team Gingerbread House Contest. Wear your favorite holiday sweater while sipping on hot chocolate. Free event. Call to sign up in advance for the Team Gingerbread House Contest. 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-420-5030 5:00 PM. International Monarch Film Festival As Pacific Grove’s only festival dedicated solely to Cinema art, The Monarch Film Festival’s mis-

sion is to be a catalyst for greater appreciation of Cinema as art, build the local filmmaking community and work with Hollywood and independent. 525 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, 831-886-7171 www.monarchfilmfestival.com 6:00 PM. Boardwalk Holiday Bash Tired of the same old holiday party? Turn up the fun. We’re delivering holiday cheer, Boardwalk style with free arcade play, photo booths, caricaturists, airbrush tattoos, DJ entertainment, dinner buffet, sweet Boardwalk treats and much more. 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz. beachboardwalk.com 6:00 PM. Marina Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration Celebrate the Christmas season at Marina’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Vince DiMaggio Park, Marina http://www.themarinafoundation. org/ 6:00 PM. Seaside’s Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting Celebrate the Christmas season in

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

by Jasmine Root 26

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the City of Seaside. Tree Lighting Ceremony at Seaside City Hall located at 440 Harcourt Avenue in Seaside. 440 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside, 831-899-6803 6:30 PM. Winter wonderland at Salinas YMCA An evening of family friendly crafts, face painting, Santa and more. Free event. 117 Clay St., Salinas, 93901 831-758-3811

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8:30 AM. Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run In cooperation with the Monterey Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation of Northern California, the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a 5K race at Lovers Point. Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun, festive event for the whole family. Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove. www.pacificgrove.org 9:00 AM. Breakfast With Santa This time-honored tradition is a holiday favorite for children and adults of all ages. Bring your wish lists and yearly recap of if you’ve been naughty or nice and share it with Santa. One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, 831-475-5600 10:00 AM. Carmel Valley Santa’s Fly-in At precisely 10:30 all eyes will be looking up at the crisp winter sky, waiting for the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus via helicopter. After exiting the helicopter Mr. & Mrs. Claus will board a vintage fire truck and parade will ensue while they’re transported to the community center. Following the parade, various holiday festivities will take place, along with food and entertainment. Children and family members will also have the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and take a photo. Carmel Valley Community Youth Center, 25 Ford Rd, Carmel Valley, 93924 831-659-3983 10:00 AM. Planting at Monterey State Beach and Live Music Volunteers are invited to come and enjoy the scenery, some live music, and help restore the natural beauty of the Monterey State Beach Dunes in Seaside, CA. Monterey State Beach, Sand City csumb.edu 10:00 AM. Public Planting at Hester Marsh

We will aim to put several hundred salt marsh grasses into the ground to restore the native wetland landscape. 1700 Elkhorn Road, Moss Landing, 831- 728-2822 www.elkhornslough.org 10:00 AM. Family Lagoon Watch A Nature Study Program with a variety of activities inspired by the natural environment of Corcoran Lagoon. Learn about the environment and local wildlife with local experts. 2380 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz. www.santacruzpl.org 10:30am STEM Storytime Description: Your preschooler is a scientist! Help them explore their world through books and handson Science, Technology, Engineering and Math activities. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933 11:00 AM. Christmas on the Farm Come out and enjoy a “Country Christmas. Enjoy traditional Christmas craft projects for the kids such as paper chains, reindeer puppets, cranberry and popcorn stringing and Holiday movies in the Owl Theater. 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, 831-724-5898 11:00 AM. Holidays on the Ranch Celebrate the Winter Holidays as folks did long ago. Docents will be dressed in period clothing. Activities include Living History: Baking on a wood stove, Blacksmithing, and Machine Shop Demonstrations. 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz, 831426-0505 www.parks.ca.gov 12:00 PM. Holiday Craft Studio Let’s make your hand-crafted holiday gifts together at Play Full Ground. $50 fee includes materials with instructions, beverages, and refreshments. Holiday Cards and 3D Printing on 12/8, Handmade Journals on 12/15. RSVP to hello@playfullground.com. 550 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey, 831- 288-8048 1:00 PM. YOSAL HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE Gather around to listen and watch as these talented young student orchestra performs a beautiful holiday recital. Find them in Grand Court near Starbucks. 796 Northridge Dr, Salinas, 93906 shop-northridge-mall.com

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

The

7 9

Best of December

5:00 PM. 35th Annual Christmas in the Adobes Stroll the streets of Historic Downtown Monterey and visit 19th-Century Mexican Era adobes decorated for the holidays. Enjoy fandango dance lessons at Custom House, treats at Fisherman’s Wharf or bagpipes and shortbread cookies at Robert Louis Stevenson House, to name a few. Many other adobes offer entertainments, refreshments, games, history and loads of fun. Twenty-three historic sites throughout the downtown area are within walking distance. Volunteers at several sites offer information about the history of their building. We recommend you dress for weather and bring a flashlight. Tickets can be purchased on event nights at Pacific House Museum (west side of Custom House Plaza, across from the ice rink) Casa Gutierrez Garden (Pacific Street side) or Custom House Gift Shop (across from entrance to Fisherman’s Wharf.) Also held December 8. www.mshpa.org

6:00 PM. Seaside’s Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting Celebrate the Christmas season in the City of Seaside. Tree Lighting Ceremony at Seaside City Hall located at 440 Harcourt Avenue in Seaside.

12:00 PM. JINGLE SHELLS ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL This holiday tradition features local artists and crafts people who will tempt you with their ocean and nature inspired gifts. Meet artists, shop for unique holiday gifts, enjoy live music, hot apple cider, free gift wrapping, children’s activities, and explore Seymour Center exhibits, aquarium, and touch pools. Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 Shaffer Road Santa Cruz, 95060 831-459-3800

1:00 PM. Tuba Christmas TubaChristmas Monterey is a free public holiday concert of traditional Christmas carols transformed by the musical magic of tubas. 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. www.tcmonterey. wixsite.com

3:30 PM. Snow Dough Factory Let it snow. Come to make glittery snow dough and construct your own snowman. This program is for all ages. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific Street, Monterey 831- 646-3933

2:00 PM. Mrs. Claus Visits Asilomar The California State Parks and Asilomar Conference Grounds are hosting Mrs. Claus for the day at this free event. Stop by the Social Hall and meet Mrs. Claus. 800 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove, 831- 372-8016, www.visitasilomar.com

AGES:

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

PROGRAMMING DETAILS! montereybayparent.com

1:00 PM. Holiday SingAlong Led by Marina High Choir Lyrics provided. Buffet lunch served at Intermission. Free event Enjoy the Season with our high school choir. Book sale in lobby all weekend. Marina Library 190 Seaside Circle, Marina, 93933 831-277-8586

11 tuesday

7:30 PM. Wintersongs with Kitka - Santa Cruz Wintersongs is Kitka’s critically-acclaimed and wildly popular winter holiday program showcasing seasonal music from a wide variety of Eastern European ethnic and spiritual traditions. 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz. www.kitka.org

3:30-5:00pm STEM Afternoon Let it snow! Come make glittery snow dough and construct your own snowman.This program is for all ages. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933

9 sunday 12:00 PM. Miniatures Art Show & Holiday Bazaar Join us for our Annual Miniatures Show and Holiday Bazaar and enjoy an afternoon of art, refreshments, good company and cheer. Among the items, will be donated artwork from talented local artists and crafts makers. 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, 831- 899-7322 12:00 PM. JINGLE SHELLS ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL This holiday tradition features local artists and crafts people who will tempt you with their ocean and nature inspired gifts. Meet artists, shop for unique holiday gifts, enjoy live music, hot apple cider, free gift wrapping, children’s activities, and explore Seymour Center exhibits, aquarium, and touch pools. Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 Shaffer Road Santa Cruz, 95060 831-459-3800 1:00 PM. TubaChristmas TubaChristmas Monterey is a free public holiday concert of traditional Christmas carols transformed by the musical magic of tubas. 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. www.tcmonterey.wixsite.com

10 monday 3:30-4:30pm Paws to Read Spend some time reading to a certified therapy dog. Participants will sign up for 10 minute reading sessions to read a selection of their choice to a new furry friend. Space is available on a first come first served basis. This program is for Kindergarten and up. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933

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12 wednesday 11:00 AM. Read to a Dog Early Literacy program for K-5. Gently read to our SPCA-certified companion dogs, Bobo & Beah. Please call 831-899-2055 for more details. 550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside. www.co.monterey.ca.us 4:00 PM. WOTM Gift Wrapping The Women of the Moose will be wrapping gifts at Del Monte Shopping Center on Wednesday, December 12 from 4:00 pm-10 00 pm. Come out and support us and have us wrap your gifts. 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey, 831- 394-6896

13 thursday 10:30am Musical Storytime Description: Sing, dance and learn with your child through stories, songs, and fun activities designed to build their early literacy skills. This program is for ages 18 months - 5 years. Held every 2nd and 4th Thursday. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933

14 friday 7:30 PM. Christmas with the Camerata Singers Featured on the program will be Three Nativity Carols by Stephen Paulus and Seven Joys of Christmas by Kirke Mechem. Runs through December 16. St Paul’s Salinas 1071 Pajaro St, Salinas, 93901 www.camerata-singers.org

15 saturday 10:00 AM. Salinas Valley Comic Con Organized by the National Stein-

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

beck Center in partnership with the Salinas Public Library, as well as Salinas area artists, authors, and volunteers, Salinas Valley Comic Con is a celebration of local comics, graphic novels, zines, storytelling, gaming, pop culture and more Steinbeck Hall Student Center, Salinas, www.steinbeck.org/ event/salinas-valley-cc/

Fireside Chats with Supervisor Mary L. Adams is your chance to share your thoughts and opinions with your District Supervisor. Monterey County Regional Fire District Office 19900 Portola Drive Salinas, 93908

1:00 PM. SANTA CRUZ CITY BALLET PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER The Santa Cruz Dance Guild presents the full length Nutcracker Ballet. Performances on December 15th and 16th at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Cabrillo College’s Cocker Theater 6500 Soquel Dr. Aptos, 95003 831-466-0458

10:00 AM. Toy Trains Experience a mini-universe of model trains that delight the young and the young at heart. Runs through January 6, 2019. 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, 831429-1964

1:00 PM. MADE IN THE MOUNTAINS A local art, craft and music event on the Third Saturday of the month. Downtown Boulder Creek Boulder Creek, 95006 831-338-4144

16 sunday 8:00 AM. Monthly Vintage Market Monterey Bay Antiques & Vintage Market is a monthly outdoor market where you will find that cherished antique, a soughtafter vintage collectible or maybe some fun retro. 980 Freemont Street, Monterey, 831- 684-7505 www.montereyantiques.com

17 monday 3:30 PM. Construction Club Description: We’ll bring the blocks, gears, LEGOs, and other exciting materials. You bring your young engineers. This program is for all ages. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933

18 tuesday 3:30 PM. Winter Crafts Join us to make crafts perfect for the season. This program is for grades K-5th. Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific Street, Monterey 831- 646-3933

20 thursday 5:30 PM. Salinas Area Fireside Chat with Supervisor Mary L. Adams

21 friday

7:30 PM. Molly’s Revenge Winterdance Molly’s Revenge with special guest vocalists and Irish dancers will present Winterdance, an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance will include Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, and something new for our regulars. 146 12th Street, Pacific Grove, 831-464-9778 8:00 PM. the nutcracker Over seventy local dancers perform choreography with sumptuous costumes and scenery. Performances are Friday, December 21 at 8 pm; Saturday, December 22 at 1:00 and 4:30 pm; Sunday, December 23 at 1:00 and 4:30 pm. Tickets will be available through SantaCruzTickets.com and by phone or in person at the Civic Box Office. Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-420-5030

22 saturday 2:00 PM. Mrs. Claus Visits Asilomar The California State Parks and Asilomar Conference Grounds are hosting Mrs. Claus for the day at this free event. Stop by the Social Hall and meet Mrs. Claus. 800 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove, 831- 372-8016 www.visitasilomar.com

27 thursday 9:00 AM. The SPCA for Monterey County Day Camp Begins Registration for our one-day children camps open. The SPCA’s camp programs offer children a unique mix of fun, exciting, and educational hands-on experiences. 1002 Monterey Salinas Highway Salinas, dguerra@spcamc.org

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2018

831-264-5434

31 monday 10:00 AM. NOON YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL EVENT An unforgettable Noon Year’s Eve Celebration complete with noisemakers, face painting and party hats. Watch the Noon Year’s Ball light up as we count down together. Reservations fill quickly. My Museum 425 Washington St., Monterey mymuseum.org 831-649-6444 10:00 AM. Noon Year’s Eve Party at Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery If you’ve got little ones that won’t be up at midnight then head to the Children’s Museum of Discovery in the Capitola Mall for a mid-day New Year’s Eve celebration. Space is limited so you’ll want to reserve a spot ahead of time. 1855 41st Ave., Capitola, 95010 1-888-424-8035 www.sccmod.org 3:00 PM. First Night Monterey First Night Monterey and Kid’s Night Out kicks off at 3pm with the Opening Ceremony at Colton Lawn on Pacific Street; Kid’s Night Out culminates with the 5:30pm Twilight Procession serving as the Finale. Music, song, drumming, dance, ballet, folk dancing in traditional costumes, face art, art creating, hat making and more will complete your artful time. There will be dancing to the sounds of oldies, rock-n-roll and tropical beats. www.firstnightmonterey.org 7:00 PM. New Year’s Eve Sleepover Throughout the evening you can take snapshots in the photo booth, enjoy the sundae bar and show off your best moves at our pajama dance party. Beverages will be available for purchase. In the morning, wake up with the fishes as the first guests on New Year’s Day. Enjoy a full breakfast in the café and then join our naturalists in watching wildlife from the Great Tide Pool deck to welcome 2019. 886 Cannery Row Monterey, 93940 www.montereybayaquarium. org/visit/hours-and-schedule/ sleepovers/new-years-eve

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Meets last Sunday of the month from 11am-12:00 pm. Songs will be selected for children under 5 but all ages welcome. Bring a snack to this FREE event.

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT â&#x20AC;˘ december 2018