Monterey Bay Parent December 2017

December 2017

Serving the families of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties

‘‘Tis the Season to:

Shop Local With our 12 gift suggestions

Visit with santa

We’ll tell you where to find him

Celebrate Hanukkah Monterey-area events

Get in the spirit The best lighting displays

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Filled With Fun Holiday Events! montereybayparent.com

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Contents december 2017

12 Santa Claus Is Coming To Town! How your children can get a personalized letter from Santa and where you can see him in person.

in each issue: 4 From the Publisher 06 Military Mom Katie Begley discusses topics of importance to military families.

features: 5 Happy Holidays from Monterey Bay Parent 8 Shop Local: 12 Gift Suggestions From Monterey Bay Businesses

by Allison Chance 10 Hanukkah Events and Celebrations in the Monterey Area

by Bayley Freeman

on the cover…

Our cover models for this month’s cover are Senegalese American. Abdullah Elijah is 15 years old and a sophomore in the MOAS, Monterey Academy of Oceanic Science program. Elijah is an intern at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is training to become a Commercial pilot. Zahra is 12 years old and is in 7th Grade at Bayview Academy. She is an all-round athlete and has trained in voice, piano, ballet, jazz and hip hop. Zaina is 9 years old and is a 4th grade student who was homeschooled for the past 2 years. She studied competitive gymastics and has trained in voice, piano, jazz and ballet. Zoe (not pictured on cover) is 2 years old and loves to spend her time with her 3 older siblings. She loves to sing, dance, do gymnastics and learn about dinosaurs.

She doesn’t enjoy photo shoots.

14 Holiday Savvy: Surviving the season with your finances intact.

by Kimberly Blaker 16 Lit Up For Christmas: Where to see awesome lighting displays.

by Nicole Amaral 18 Taking a Great Holiday Photo: Tips on taking a creative holiday photo plus some of our favorite reader photos.

20 New Year, New Attitude!

How to find more joy in 2018.

by Christa Melnyk Hines

Find the best events for your family!

22 Weekly Events Ongoing, weekly events.

24 Calendar of Events The best family-friendly events for December from throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

Cover photo by Kaatz Photography • 831-297-2000 MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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Monterey Bay

PARENT

from the publisher…

‘Tis the Season!

I’m writing this on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I have to admit that my mind is on the pumpkin pie I need to bake tomorrow and the cranberry sauce simmering on the stove. But putting this issue together definitely got me into the Christmas spirit. From our cover shoot at Church’s Christmas Tree Farm (thank you, Glenn!) to reading through the dozens of fun events, I’m ready for Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve! If you aren’t yet in the spirit, this issue is sure to move you right along.

Allison Chance found twelve great gift suggestions that give you the opportunity to keep your spending right here in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties (pages 8-9). Bayley Freeman compiled a list of local Hanukkah celebrations (pages 10-11), and Nicole Amaral scouted out the best places to see holiday lighting displays (pages 16-17). You’ll also find information on how you can get a personalized letter from Santa for your child as well as a round up of places where the kids can visit with Santa Claus (pages 12-13). There’s also great info on keeping your finances intact during this season of spending (pages 14-15) and an inspiring article on finding more joy that’s a perfect way to start 2018 (pages 20-21). You’ll also find 10 pages of events--many of which are sure to get you in a celebrating frame of mind (pages 22-31).

Last but not least, please take a minute to read over the holiday plans from the people who make Monterey Bay Parent possible (page 5).

I hope your December is filled with love, family, and friends. Happy Holidays to all!

Andrea Breznay Publisher

Correction: The listings for Santa Catalina School were incorrect in the November Private School Directory. The accurate information follows: Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 93940 831-655-9351 • santacatalina.org

Santa Catalina School 1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, CA 93940 831-655-9356 • santacatalina.org

Santa Catalina Lower and Middle School is a coed, independent, Catholic day school for students in PreKindergarten through eighth grade. With innovative teaching methods, energetic teachers, and a strong emphasis on arts and hands-on learning, our academic program inspires and encourages students and fosters a love of learning that stays with students long after they leave.

Santa Catalina School is an independent, Catholic, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12 with a diverse student body and strong local roots. We challenge students to achieve excellence in every arena, from rigorous academics—including a marine ecology program that takes advantage of access to Monterey Bay—to competitive athletics in 12 sports to an arts program with professional-quality facilities.

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

Publisher Andrea Breznay abreznay@montereybayparent.com 831-582-1373 Sales Executives katie begley gbegley@montereybayparent.com 831-275-5401 allison chance achance@montereybayparent.com 831-296-0114 Calendar Editor Nicole Amaral Cover Photographer BEN KAaTZ Contributing Writers nicole amaraL katie begley kimberly blaker bayley freeman Christa Melnyk Hines 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 ©2017 by Monterey Bay Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

From the Monterey Bay Parent family to yours . . .

Nicole Amaral Calendar Editor

Allison Chance Sales Representative

Katie Begley Sales Representative

Alecia Hull Distribution

We will spend the Sunday before Christmas with my father’s side of the family. On Christmas Eve, we will indulge in a Portuguese feast with my husband’s father’s side. The next morning my son will tear open gifts, we’ll attend Mass, and then scarf down my mom’s delicious ravioli, meatballs and Sicilian cookies!

Our family will be staying local for the holidays. We plan to put the finishing touches on our new baby’s nursery and take several day trips throughout the area. We also will be hosting family from Florida! Merry Christmas, all!

Happy Holidays from the Begley family! Rhett, Katie, and Sebastian are thrilled to be welcoming a new baby to their family this holiday season.

We are excited to travel and have a white Christmas in Colorado this year. Our girls will enjoy sledding, making cookies with Grandma and Grandpa and attempt to ski for their first time. Happy Holidays to you and your family, followed by bright new year in 2018!

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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Mom

by Katie Begley

Holiday Travel Tips ‘Tis the season to go to the airport! Whether you are traveling via plane, train, or automobile, adding children to the itinerary makes everything more exciting. Military families are often separated from extended family and our Monterey military community is no exception.

The benefit that many service members have here is additional time away from the job to make travel back home easier.

Here are a few tips to make your trip an enjoyable part of your vacation.

Road Trips If you are gearing up for a road trip with your kids, start by planning on a longer trip time. Build in plenty of stops, including scheduled stops for food and stretching, as well as as-needed restroom visits. Since you have to make all of those stops anyway, consider finding fun things to see along the way. If you go into your trip having made peace with the frequent stopping that comes with kids in the car, you’ll be able to stay relaxed and enjoy the journey.

Audiobooks are a great option for long car trips with older children. With a library card, you can even download books from the library’s Hoopla database. Check

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

out their selection of movies, TV shows, and music to keep your road trip going. Snacks are also your best friend. Have some on hand that are easy to eat in the car and some that require you to stop for a break. An impromptu family picnic may just end up being a special memory for years to come.

Airplane Travel Trips by airplane come with their own challenges. It can be especially stressful to travel with young children on a plane, as they can be impacted by delays, confined quarters on the plane, and changes in pressure during the flight. Nursing or bottle feeding durTraveling by Car? ing take off and landing 1. Build breaks into your can help them deal with schedule. changes in pressure. If 2. Bring audiobooks. you are still in the diaper 3. Pack snacks. stage, try to board each flight with a fresh diaper Traveling by Plane? to minimize the chance 1. Nurse or bottle feed that you will have to use during take off and the tiny airplane bathlanding. room. If you do have to 2. Board with a fresh do a mid-flight diaper or diaper outfit change, know that 3. A headphone splitter is you have now joined an your friend! elite club of super moms and dads. Trust me, it will be a funny story very soon.

For older children, embrace the technology available to you. Involve your child in choosing a movie or show to watch together on the flight. If there is ever a time to extend your child’s allowable screen time, a long flight is it. Pick up a cheap headphones splitter to allow you both to listen to the audio while bonding over a new movie.

If you’re staying in town . . .

If you are unable to be with family and friends this holiday season, join your military community and participate in the fun events happening on base this month.

Highlights include the Annual Tree Lighting at NPS, Corks & Forks wine tasting, Teddy Bear Tea, and Christmas Dinner Buffet.

Happy holidays and happy travels!

Register now! www.SPCAmc.org/camp

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Pilot Program Classes are Scheduled Now December and January / Friday and Saturday afternoons

Classes will bePilot limited to aProgram handful of childrenClasses for each class. are Scheduled Now Private Classes are available too!

December and January / Friday and Saturday afternoons You won't find anything like this on the Central Coast

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SHOP LOCAL! T

he holidays are here and now is the time to start planning your shopping and gift buying for all of the special people in your life. This year, I am all about shopping local. Here are twelve ideas to help with your holiday gift giving: 1. Spa Day at Refuge. Located in Carmel Valley, Refuge offers the ultimate relaxation experience and includes six hot and warm pools, four Nordic cool/cold plunge pools, America’s Largest Co-Ed cedar sauna and eucalyptus steam room. Entry to Refuge is $46, and massages start at $125 and include the entry fee. As a Mom, I would be floored to find this gift under my Christmas tree. Gift certificates available online at www.refuge.com.

2. Membership to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a family favorite, with over 35,000 animals belonging to over 550 species in 2.3 million gallons of water. Memberships start at $250 and can be purchased at www.montereybayaquarium.com 3. Honey from Carmel Honey Company. Dubbed as the “Best 8

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Honey in the World”, this company offers some great gift giving options. With jars starting at just $7, this gift is perfect for a co-worker or your children’s teachers. They also offer gift boxes that are wrapped and shipped for you, starting at $20.

Visit carmelhoneycompany.com or check out their retail shop in Carmel Plaza Shopping Center.

4. Wine Membership for A Taste of Monterey. Who wouldn’t ove the gift of wine? Memberships start at just $35/month for those who are local and $105/quarter if shipping is needed. Visit atasteofmonterey. com to order.

5. Pebble Beach Souvenirs. Our area features world-class golf courses, with one of the premier courses being Pebble Beach. You can shop for your Pebble Beach memorabilia and souvenirs at the Lodge, the Inn, and at the Outlet on Cannery Row. From ornaments to clothing to golf bags, they have something for everyone. For more information, visit pebblebeach.com 6. Membership to My Museum.

I’m adding this one to my daughter’s wish list this year. The family

membership is just $100 and includes year-round admission, access to special events and valuable discounts on birthday parties, programs and includes one complimentary guest pass for every visit.

For more information visit mymuseum.org.

7. Season Pass to the Pacific Repertory Theatre. The Pacific Repertory Theatre is the best in live theatre on the Central California Coast, featuring the Golden Bough Theatre, Circle Theatre, and Forest Theater. They offer different options for Season FlexPasses starting at $149.

Upcoming shows for 2018 include Annie Jr., Little Mermaid, Fun Home and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night. For more information visit pacrep.org.

8. Local Items from Made In Santa Cruz. This local shop proudly features over 100 local Santa Cruz County artists and vendors and is dubbed “The Santa Cruz Shop.”

From ornaments to artwork to the quintessential Santa Cruz sweatshirt. This shop has it all. Visit shop. madeinsantacruz.com to shop online.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

12 Gift Suggestions from Monterey Bay Businesses 9. Surrey Bike Rental from Adventures by the Sea. There is no better way to explore the Monterey Recreational Trail than on a bike.

Sometimes when we are local, we miss out on some great experiences that are dubbed to be touristy. A gift certificate for bike rental would be a perfect gift idea for those grandparents who keep asking what is on your children’s wish list. For more information visit www.adventuresbythesea.com.

The Boardwalk will also take care of the wrapping and shipping. To purchase, visit beachboardwalk.com.

10. Season Pass to Santa Cruz Boardwalk. With over 40 rides and attractions, the Boardwalk offers something for everyone. The 2018 Season Pass is a great deal at $81.95 for the rest of 2017 and all of 2018.

12. Gift Certificate to Exodus Escape Room. This is a great gift idea for a co-worker, friend or even a holiday gift exchange. Exodus Escape Room is a real-life adventure game where you have 60 minutes

11. Gift Certificate for the Wine Trolley. Let the historic trolleys “Glory” and “Mona Lisa” take you on a wine tasting journey through Carmel Valley. The tour includes lunch and a visit to three to five wineries depending on the package. Packages start at $109 and can be purchased at toursmonterey.com .

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

to work together to crack codes and solve ciphers to escape. All you need is a minimum of two guests to play. Gift certificates start at $30 and can be purchased online at exodusescaperoom.com Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Allison Chance is a military spouse and mom to Charlotte, 3, and currently expecting her second child. Allison is a Realtor with Over the Moon Realty, Inc. and a Sales Representative with Monterey Bay Parent magazine. She has been lucky to call Florida, Hawaii and now California home during her family’s military adventure.

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holidays

Learn About Hanukkah •

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, a wintertime celebration that lasts eight days, this year from December 12th-20th.

By

Bayley Freeman

Hanukkah

Events and Celebrations in the Monterey Area

• Are you wondering why Hanukkah is on a different date each year? It’s because it always falls on the same date on the Hebrew Calendar – the 25th day of the month of Kislev.

Because the Jewish calendar is both solar and lunar (our standard calendar is just solar), the dates on both calendars don’t correspond directly.

• Hanukkah is celebrated each night by lighting a menorah in the evening (with one candle the first night, two the second night, and so on), singing songs and saying special prayers, and eating fried foods like sufganiyot (jelly donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes).

• Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that occurred in the 2nd century BCE, wherein the Jews, led

by Judah the Maccabee, tried to light the Temple menorah but had only a small amount of oil. The story says that the oil lasted eight days until they could procure more oil.

• Hanukkah is celebrated by playing dreidel, a four-sided spinning top game played with a pot of coins.

• Participants receive sweets, usually in the form of chocolate coins, called gelt.

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Chabad of Monterey 620 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 643-2770 • Women’s jewelry-making party on Sunday, December 10th at 6:00 PM • Hanukkah dinner on Friday, December 15th at 6:00 PM Congregation Beth Israel 5716 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, (831) 624-2015 • Potluck on Friday, December 15th Congregation Emeth 17835 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, (408) 778-8200 • Hanukkah party on Monday, December 11th at 6:00-9:00 PM Del Monte Center 1410 Del Monte Ctr., Monterey, (831) 372-4540 • Menorah lighting on Sunday, December 17th at 4:00 PM (will include latkes, jelly donuts, a magician, and a bowling pin menorah).

MyMuseum 425 Washington St., Monterey, (831) 649-6444 • Hanukkah-themed craft project for Make-andTake Tuesday on Tuesday, December 5th from 10:30-11:30 AM. Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, (831) 335-4484 Hanukkah Train on Thursday, December 14th at 6:15 PM, www.roaringcamp.com/events#Hanukkah • The celebration starts at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with a menorah lighting at 6:15 PM. From there, take a 1-hour train ride through Santa Cruz on vintage train cars that are festooned with lights and Hanukkah decorations. Listen to Hanukkah stores, play games, and eat and drink Kosher snacks along the way. Tickets are $31 for adult, and $25 for children.

December 5 at 10:30 am or by appointment

Temple Beth El 1212 Riker St., Salinas, (831) 424-9151 • Hanukkah dinner on Saturday, December 16th at 6:00 PM Temple Emanu-El 1010 University Ave, San Jose, (408) 292-0939 • Hanukkah Rock Shabbat Service on Friday, December 15th • Latkes & Laughs Comedy Show on Sunday, December 17th at 6:30 PM (more information and tickets for the comedy show can be found at www.templesanjose.org).

Please check the calendar at MontereyBayParent.com for any last minute additions to this list.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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HOLIDAYS Everything you need to know to bring the jolly guy up close and personal this year!

M

Santa Claus 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.

Letters to & from Santa National Believe Day Children can go online at Macys.com/Believe and write a letter to Santa. For each letter collected in stores and online through Christmas Eve, Macy’s will donate $1 (up to $1 million) to the MakeA-Wish foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

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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 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 complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate 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.

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. She opened the Santa Claus Museum in the spring of 2006. Part of the mission of Santa’s Elves 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

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Santa Claus, IN 47579 Every letter received by December 21, 2017, will receive a response from Santa and the Elves.

If you would like to use the printable Santa letter form, go to santaclausmuseum.org/letters-tosanta. 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.

Santa photo hours are December 1-December 14; Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm; Friday: 10am – 8pm; Saturday: 11am – 7pm; and Sunday: 11am – 5pm December 15th – 23rd hour are: Monday – Thursday: 12pm -8pm; Friday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm; and Sunday: 11am – 5pm Santa is available on Christmas Eve from 10am – 5pm.

The Capitola Mall is located at 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010. Call (831) 476-9616 for information.

Christmas on the Wharf Families can come to the Monterey Wharf (1 Old Fisherman’s

Wharf, Monterey) from Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 17th, 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 Saturdays 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-thewharf.html for all of the details.

Del Monte Center Families can visit Santa’s Workshop (located near Macy’s) to visit with Santa. Check the center website at www.delmontecenter. com for dates and hours.

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 visit Santa is to reserve a time online at www. coastlandcenter.com/en/events/ photos-with-santa-15992.html.

Reservations and photo purchases are not required to visit Santa.

Santa is available Monday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m.

- 8:00 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 9:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m. with a break from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Special “Santa” events at Coastland include: Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday PJ Night with Santa. 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.

For more Christmas events and Santa Claus appearances, check our calendar both in this issue and online at MontereyBay Parent.com.

You are invited

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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holidays

By

Kimberly Blaker

Holiday Savvy

Surviving the Season with Your Finances Intact The average American spends roughly $900 on gifts during the holiday season, according to a 2016 study by American Research Group, Inc. Add to this, the holiday cards, decorating, baking, and holiday dinners, and it can add up to a big chunk of change.

For many families, holiday spending sets them back financially for months to follow if not longer. Credit cards make it easy to overspend leaving families to suffer the consequences later. The problem with credit cards isn’t just the monthly payments. It’s the long-term cost of accrued interest.

So what can you do to ensure you start the new year without new debt? Here are ten tips to help you survive the season:

1.

Create a holiday budget. Include not only gifts, food, and decorations, but also postage for holiday cards, wrapping supplies, and the babysitter for your shopping trip. Once you’ve listed all your expenses, review it, and decide where you can cut some costs.

2.

Start with gifts to extended family and friends. Talk to those you exchange gifts with, and see if they’ll agree to forego the gift exchange or else set a dollar limit. Another option for families or groups is to draw names to reduce the number of gifts everyone has to purchase or hold a white elephant exchange.

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

4.

Pare your holiday card budget. Do you usually send out more holiday cards than you receive?

Opt instead for a phone call during the holiday season for those you don’t talk to often. It’ll cost you nothing and have more meaning. Also, mail cards only to those who send you card.

5.

Cut back on the baking. When’s the last time you heard someone complain about a shortage of holiday goodies? Probably never. Most of us eat far more than we’d like to just because it’s there.

6.

Economize on entertaining. Hold potluck dinners rather than playing head chef if you’ll be hosting any parties. Offer to provide just the meat. Then ask everyone to bring a specific type of dish to avoid duplicates.

7.

Exchange services. To eliminate the cost of a babysitter, offer to exchange babysitting with a neighbor, so each of you has the opportunity to shop without the kids. Instead of baking several different kinds of cookies, bake multiples of one and exchange the extras with a few friends in a cookie swap.

Motivate Instruct Nurture

Decide in advance on a gift value for each gift recipient. Let’s say you’ve decided on a gift value of $50 for your sister. Now, rather than buying her something on sale for $50 that’s worth $75, stick to the value. Buy something on sale for $35 that’s worth $50.

This is a good place to shave a lot of expense.

Endless Possibilities

3.

Madonna del Sasso School is the DIFFERENCE! “My goal for the 2017-2018 school year is for our school to become the best math school in the Salinas Valley.”

- Angel Rivera Principal

Preschool - 8th Grade A school with challenging academics and a spiritual environment.

A school where the possibilities are endless!

Since 1958

20 Santa Teresa Way  Salinas, CA 93906  (831) 424-7813 mdsschool.com

8.

Plan your shopping before you head out. Do research online to find the best deals on those items on your shopping list. If you can’t find a good deal on something, consider an alternative. Also, keep your eyes out for newspaper fliers and check the ‘coupon’ page of the store websites you plan to shop.

9.

Nix impulse buys! If possible, leave credit cards at home when you go shopping to avoid impulse purchases. Many people spend far more than they plan on by purchasing unnecessary ‘bargains’ they just can’t resist.

10.

Commit to paying off any debt asap. Finally, if you do use your credit card, try to make a serious plan to double or triple the monthly payments to reduce the interest you’ll pay and to quickly get out of debt.

Kimberly Blaker of Michigan is a freelance writer.

Her articles have appeared in more than 250 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S. MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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rowing up in Carmel and Monterey, you can always count on certain holiday traditions. I am delighted each year to see the joy in my own son’s eyes when we take him to Candy Cane Lane. Here are a few places to check out that will be sure to get you and your family in the holiday spirit.

Candy Cane Lane Morse Road off Forest Avenue in Pacific Grove Starting the first weekend in December, tons of families are drawn to Candy Cane Lane, located on Morse Drive. Platt Park is a

By

small grassy area in the middle of Morse Drive, where spectators can see Snoopy and Tweety Bird taking a ride on a Ferris wheel. There are some cute cutouts and a real sleigh all ready for a Christmas photo selfie. Many Disney, Pixar and Sesame Street characters are also found nearby. Santa himself makes appearances as well.

The real spectacle is the homes surrounding the park, lit up with lots of bright, colorful lights. My favorite home, located off Morse Drive on the corner of Beaumont and McFarland Avenues has a real treat.

A huge animatronic Nutcracker! I also enjoy the house lit up in blue

Nicole Amaral

with the Elvis popping up, enjoying a true “Blue Christmas”.

Whether you decide to park and walk Candy Cane Lane or do a “drive-by”, I am certain you will want to make this a part of your holiday tradition.

508 Dennett Street Pacific Grove www.pgchristmas.com Another great spot is nearby on 508 Dennett Street, Pacific Grove.

This house is reminiscent of the one in the Danny Devito film, “Deck the Halls.” Each year since 1996, Michael and Christine have spent hours of their time and money

Lit up for Christmas!

Where to see awesome lighting displays 16

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

providing this synchronized music light show for their community.

The display used to be 25,000 lights. The new LED ‘Pixels’ lights are much brighter and can be any color, so they need far fewer lights than when they used incandescent lights. As of 2016, the light count was approximately 5,000-pixel bulbs.

The controllers are mostly San Devices E682 controllers. The software to program the lights is called XLights/Nutcracker. The ‘Computer’ to run the show is a $35 Rasberry Pi. The computer connects to the control boards over a 1-gigabit network using the Cat5e network cable. The music comes out of the computer (through the speaker jack) and is broadcast through an EDM FM transmitter. The fixtures (arches, trees, roof lights, etc.) are custom built. Most of the display is mounted on boards and pipes, making for a much easier setup. The entire show can be set up in about 60 hours.

Michael and Christine change the song list frequently. Last years’

playlist included: • Tortuga • Carol of the Bells • Christmas Vacation Introduction • Frozen (short mix) • Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Check their website for more information and this year’s dates. I can’t wait to experience this again this December!

2580 Bean Creek Road Scotts Valley For over a decade, everything, including the forest have been lit up at the 2000 block of Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley.

In December until after New Year’s Day, Danielle and Tim Woods’ home starts shining daily with thousands of lights, dozens of snowmen and a 12-foot-tall Olaf character from Disney’s “Frozen”.

The couple starts creating this spectacle in October, which takes them nearly 90 hours to complete.

Each year it keeps getting bigger since Danielle loves to add to the collection of lights and decorations.

Tim manages 48 channels of computer controls; every one requires a separate chord. The lights glow till 10 p.m. weeknights and 10:30 p.m. on weekends.

The couple has a bin for donations at the bottom of the driveway, which is about 2.5 miles from the light on Scotts Valley Drive. The home is toward the north end of Bean Creek Road. Food donations and other gifts go to Valley Churches United Missions food pantry and outreach in Ben Lomond. The pantry feeds families in need yearround and offers other forms of support. The outreach is at 9400 Highway 9.

Nicole Amaral is a Monterey native and graduate of California State University of Monterey Bay. Nicole is the Calendar Editor for Monterey Bay Parent Magazine. She is the mother of a 4-year old son.

Morgan Hill Office: (408) 465-2333 18630 Sutter Blvd Suite 150 Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Salinas Office: (831) 676-3015 153 Cayuga St. Salinas, CA 93901 www.starstherapyservices.com

“Changing Lives through Quality Therapy” Our Mission

Stars Therapy Services offers a multi-disciplinary approach to in-home Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy and Early Providing early intervention through motivation, education, and creative thinking while maintaining cultural Intervention, as well asquality clinical Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, andsensitivity Occupational Therapy.

What We Offer: Infant program (Birth-3): Available 7 days per week M-F (Weekends may vary) Intensive Program (Birth-3): Available 7 days per week M-F (Weekends may vary) Speech Therapy: In-home and clinic based (Call for details and availability) Occupational Therapy: In-home and clinic based (Call for details and availability) ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy (3+): Available 7 days per week M-F (Weekends may vary) Pediatric Diagnostic Assessments-Autism: clinic based (Call for details and availability) Our Mission: Providing quality early intervention through motivation, education, and creative thinking while maintaining cultural sensitivity Vision statement: Our vision is to set the standard for the best infant and toddler developmental program in the Nation

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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HOLIDAYS

A

s the final countdown to Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s begins, parents may begin scrambling for a nice family photo to include with their holiday cards. Don’t worry, there’s still time to take a lovely photo!

Peggy Farren is a professional photographer and teacher who works with hundreds of students yearly at her photography school and reaches thousands more through her online seminars, YouTube videos, and Facebook chats. She offered the following suggestions on taking a holiday photo you’ll be proud to share: For indoor pictures: • If you have a yellow tint to your photographs due to the tungsten lights in your house, change the white balance on your camera to “tungsten”. It will add blue to try to balance the color.

• Use flash. If you are using a small, pop up flash, cut a hole in a ping pong ball and put it over the flash to give a nice, softer light.

For outdoor photos: • Early in the morning or 30 minutes before the sun goes down will give you the prettiest lighting.

• Avoid taking your photographs in the middle of the day. You will get harsh shadows unless you put your subjects in the shade.

• Use flash. You generally do not need a diffuser outside. Just a tiny bit of flash fills in shadows and makes skin a bit nicer.

General Tips: • Pay attention to your background.

Everyone loves a portrait with a Christmas Tree in the background, just be sure you can’t see a messy kitchen in the background.

• Great expressions are what makes a good portrait. Get into your silly mode to get people laughing!

• Close ups make a bigger impression especially on a greeting card.

Crop distracting elements from your photo and get close to your subjects’ faces.

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Taking A Great Holiday Photo Monterey Bay offers a wealth of beautiful backdrops for your picture.

We aksed our readers to send in some of their photos that show off the Monterey Bay to its best advantage. Their photos and tips may give you an idea or two on where you can take your photograph.

Celebrate and remember. Joshua and Andrea Barton are celebrating their “rainbow baby” this Christmas after a heartbreaking loss last year. This beautiful maternity photo taken at Asilomar Beach by Tee Lambert Photography is their reminder that “For this child we have prayed.”

Pick a great location and then keep it simple. Monterey photographer Gretchen Christopherson took these beautiful family photos along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail and offers her favorite tip: “Keep it simple! When you have such a beautiful backdrop you don’t need much else. Try to choose outfits that are simple and keep pattens to a minimum.”

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Interested in learning more about photography?

Keep the focus on your subject. With such a busy background, this photo works because the foreground is simple.

Karen Wheeler took this photo of her daughter Felicity Ann. Don’t be afraid to use a photo taken with your phone. Patricia Montoya used a family outing to Fisherman’s Wharf to capture this photo. You can take wonderful photos with your phone and as long as you’re only printing at 4 x 6 or so, a phone photo is fine for holiday card prints.

Personalize. Susan Rice and her family have a new baby and a new year to look forward to so they wrote “2017 baby” in the sand for their holiday photo.

Watch LIVE on the Understand Photography Facebook page every Friday at 1:00 PM PST www.facebook.com/ understandphotography

Peggy interviews top photographers on success, travel, nature, and fine art photography.

Check out our Recordings on YouTube and iTunes!

Use props. This photo, taken by Ben Kaatz Photography at our December cover shoot, is all about beautiful smiles and Christmas props with a little careful cropping.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

www.UnderstandPhotography.com montereybayparent.com

19

holidays

By

Christa Melnyk Hines

New Year, New Attitude

How to Find More Joy in 11 Tips to help you create a happier family!

W

ant to bring more joy into your home this year? Try shifting your mindset. Not only can adopting a more optimistic attitude create a happier life, you’ll influence how well your kids respond to life’s daily challenges too.

“Children watch their parents.

They pick up on moods and beliefs.

A positive attitude is contagious-as is a negative attitude,” says psychologist Dr. Kristen Hensley.

1. Positively rewarding. A positive outlook boosts productivity, energy and motivation; helps reduce stress; enhances confidence and self-esteem; benefits health and even improves relationships with others.

“A positive attitude can also help us be more flexible in our thinking and make seeing solutions to problems easier,” Hensley says.

“Looking for silver linings in life can help build mental resilience and general optimism.”

2. Practice self-awareness. Try tracking your moods to get a better sense of what you’ll need to do to better care for yourself each day.

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Jessica Mostaffa, early childhood mental health specialist and therapist who works with mothers suffering from depression, says this tactic helps her clients take a more mindful approach to their day-today emotional well-being.

3. Make a happiness list. Brainstorm a list of activities that help you feel better when you’re feeling depleted. Your list might include taking a warm shower, watching a comedy, gardening or taking a walk with a friend.

“When moms start working on increasing time for themselves, it not only decreases depressive symptoms, but they also report having a better, more positive relationship and interactions with their children, partners and others in the home,” Mostaffa says.

Invite your kids to make lists too. When they’re angry or upset, they can turn to their list to help them manage their emotions in a healthy way. For example, shoot hoops, listen to music, draw, read or call a trusted friend.

4. Reframe negative thoughts.

Rather than trying to ignore them,

work with cynical thoughts that creep into your head.

Mostaffa suggests asking yourself grounding questions like: “What’s the evidence that thought is true?” “What’s the evidence that thought is not true?” “What’s the worst thing that could happen?

“What’s the best thing that could happen? “And what’s the most likely thing to happen?”

5. Watch how you say it. Notice how you describe your obligations to yourself or others. For instance instead of saying: “It’s my responsibility to make sure the kids have their homework done,” you might say: “It’s my privilege to make sure that my children are doing what’s best for them.”

“It’s those subtle shifts that have profound effects on our lives,” says Carla McClellan, an ACC-certified life coach.

6. Voice your gratitude. Foster positive thinking at meal time by inviting your family to share three things for which they feel grateful and why. Bedtime is a good time to reflect on the day too.

“Daily affirmations can be pow-

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

erful,” Hensley says. “These don’t have to be major things either. A five-year-old might say she’s grateful for the cupcake she got at school for a classmate’s birthday celebration because it made her happy.

The purpose is to teach this kind of thinking and help it become a more natural part of everyday life.”

7. Create a vision board. Imagine what you and your family would like to accomplish in the year ahead.

Either make a family vision board or individual ones. Grab a stack of old magazines, scissors, glue and poster board. Cut out inspiring words, quotes and pictures.

Ask each other questions like: “What are our dreams for the coming year?” “What do we want to see happen in our lives?” “What would an ideal vacation look like?”

8. Set intentions. Alongside your daily to-do list, make a “to-be” list.

Every morning set your intention.

Ask yourself “who am I willing to be today?” Kind? Loving? Generous?

Enthusiastic?

“An intention is a laser focus for our energy. When we claim who we are willing to be, we can be that,” McClellan says.

9. Encourage quiet time. Quiet, unplugged time helps nurture creative thinking, problem-solving and stress reduction.

Gear down before bedtime as a family. Read together, draw or watch a show. This time together helps kids decompress and gives them space to express worries, concerns or stories from the day.

10. Weigh the positive and negative. If your child is troubled by a situation at school or at home, encourage him to write down a positive thought about it on a card. On the opposite side, have him write the negative thought.

“Then you can discuss with your child each side, how each makes him or her feel, and what the consequences of each side might be,” Hensley says. “Remind chil-

dren that it’s OK to have negative thoughts and feelings. We just don’t want them to rule our lives.”

11. Play together. Experts agree, families who play together tend to be happier and more deeply connected. Whether you throw the football, compete in a game of cards, dance to funky music in your living room, or make up games on a car ride, play will strengthen your relationship with each other.

Experiment with what works for your family. “All of these types of activities and rituals are very important because they’re modeling a positive attitude, building a healthy way of thinking and interacting with the world, and helping children understand the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviors,” Hensley says.

Christa Melnyk Hines is the mother of two boys. Christa’s latest book is Happy, Healthy and Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

Thank You!!

For voting me Best Photographer on the Monterey Peninsula - Monterey Herald’s Reader’s Choice "Studio-Free" Portraits and Events. Family Photos, Weddings, Engagement Photos, Parties, Mobile Corporate Head Shots, School Photography, Senior Portraits...and more!

Edited hi-resolution image files included with all sessions. Make whatever you want from your collection of digital

www.BenKaatzPhotography.com MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

(831) 297-2000

ben@benkaatzphotography.com montereybayparent.com

21

Weekly Events SUNDAY 8:00 a.m. Del Monte Certified Farmers Market. An array of locally grown produce and specialty items including farm fresh organic eggs, honey, fresh seafood, cut flowers, potted plants, seedlings, and baked goods.

1410 Del Monte Center Monterey, 93940 10:00 a.m. Marina Everyone’s Harvest Certified Farmers Market. Offers a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables from family farmers, along with prepared food and artisan crafts from local vendors.

215 Reservation Road Marina, 93933 10:00 A.m. Live Oak Farmers Market. An excellent selection of organic produce from local farms, tree ripened fruits, dried fruit and nuts, baked goods, pastries, seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and more.

15th & Eastcliff Drive, Live Oak, 95953 www.santacruzfarmersmarket. org/markets/live-oakeastside/ 11:00 A.m. Guided Redwood Grove Walk. How do redwoods grow to become the tallest organisms on earth? How important are banana slugs to the redwood ecosystems? Why are there so few old growth trees left? Answer these questions and

These events are held weekly on the same day and time. Please, check with the sponsoring business or organization before attending to be sure there have been no cancellations or changes.

more as one of the knowledgeable docents leads you through a magnificent old growth forest.

Henry Cowell State Park 525 North Big Trees Park Road, Felton, 831-335-7077 1:00 p.m. Sunday Seaside Crafts. Come create and take home a fun souvenir, an activity for the whole family to share.

Seymour Marina Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-459-3800 1:00 p.m. OPEN ART & TINKER TIME. Free with admission/membership at Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, 95010 (888) 424-8035, www.sccmod. org/

monday 3:00 P.M. Pacific grove certified farmers market.

Organic produce, fresh baked goods, and more.

Central & Grand, Pacific Grove, 93955 http://everyonesharvest.org/ pacific-grove-certified-farmersmarket/ 10:30 A.m. Storytime. Free with Museum admission and for Children’s Museum of Discovery members.

1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, 95010, (888) 424-8035

tuesday 9:00 a.m. Carmel Certified Farmers Market. Fresh organic produce and baked goods.

3618 The Barnyard, Carmel, 93923 www.montereybayfarmers.org/ markets/carmel-farmers-market 10:00 a.m. Toddler Storytime. A storytime for children under 3. Join us for short stories, songs, action rhymes, finger plays, and fun.

John Steinbeck Library 350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 93901 831-758-7345 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Maken-Take at my museum. Art making plays a central role in cognitive, motor, language and social-emotional development.

425 Washington Street Monterey, 93940, 831-6496444 11:00 a.m. Alisal Certi-

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fied Farmers Market. Fresh produce and baked goods.

632 East Alisal Street, Salinas, 93901 http://everyonesharvest.org/ farmers-markets/alisal-certifiedfarmers-market/11 2:30 p.m. Felton Farmers Market. Considered the most kid friendly market in the area, the market provides a centrally located space for parents to leave their young ones.

120 Russell Avenue, Felton, 95018 www.santacruzfarmersmarket. org/markets/felton/ 4:00 P.m. The Farmers Market at Old Monterey Marketplace. Fresh produce and baked goods.

Alvarado Street, Monterey, 93940 831-655-2607 6:00 P.m. Pajama Storytime. Wear your pajamas to hear a bedtime story.

Buena Vista Branch Library 18250 Tara Drive, Salinas, 93908 831-455-9699

wednesday 10:00 a.m. Preschool Storytime. Bookshop Santa Cruz invites any toddler or pre-school age children (with parental supervision) to listen to stories.

1520 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-423-0900 10:30 a.m. STORYTIME. Watch your child’s imagination soar to new heights. Free with Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery admission and for MOD Members.

1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, 95010 (888) 424-8035 • www.sccmod. org 11:00 a.m. Natividad Medical Center Certified Farmers Market. Certified farmers market with fresh produce, prepared foods, and more.

1441 Constitution Blvd.

Salinas, 93906 http://everyonesharvest.org/ natividad-medical-center-certified-farmers-market/ 1:30 P.m. Downtown Farmers Market. In addition to a large variety of farm products, this market offers a selection of local artisan foodstuffs and baked goods.

Cedar Street & Lincoln Street Santa Cruz, 95060 www.santacruzfarmersmarket. org/markets/downtown-santacruz/

3:00 P.m. Game Day. Bring your gaming consoles, your video games, your Magic cards, other RPG’s, friends and a snack for playtime. Middle school and high school students welcome.

Monterey Public Library 625 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3933 4:00 P.m. El Mercado Outdoor Market. Come enjoy some live music, good food and shop around for a bit.

1034 N. Main Street, Salinas, 93906 www.facebook.com/ events/199603410539129/

thursday 10:00 a.m. BILINGUAL TODDLER STORYTIME. Short stories, songs, action rhymes, finger plays, and fun for children under 3.

Cesar Chavez Library 615 Williams Road, Salinas, 93905 831-758-7345 http://salinaspubliclibrary.org 10:15 a.m. PRESCHOOL STORYTIME. For children aged 2-5, includes atories, songs and a craft.

Marina Branch Library 190 Seaside Circle, Marina, 93933 831- 883-7507 www.co.monterey.ca.us/library/# 10:30 a.m. preschool storytime. Open to children aged 2-5 at Buena Vista Branch Library.

18250 Tara Drive, Salinas 93908 831-455-96099 10:30 a.m. Bilingual toddler STORYTIME. A storytime for children under 3. Join us for short stories, songs, action rhymes, finger plays, and fun.

Cesar Chavez Library 615 Williams Road, Salinas, 93905 www.salinaspubliclibrary.org 10:30 a.m. MY music series.

Join popular children’s musician, MaryLee Sunseri for singing, dancing and more.

My Museum, 425 Washington Street, Monterey 93940 www.mymuseum.org 10:30 A.m. Storytime. Free with Museum admission and for Children’s Museum of Discovery members.

1855 41st Avenue, Capitola, 95010, (888) 424-8035 12:30 p.m. PRESCHOOL STORYTIME. A storytime for children under 3.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Soledad Branch Library 401 Gabilan Drive, Soledad, 93960 831-678-2430 2:00 p.m. FUN & GAMES AT THE LIBRARY. Weekly fun and games at the library: board games, video games, movies, and/or crafts for kids, teens, and families. All ages welcome.

Gonzales Branch Library 851 Fifth Street, Gonzales, 93926 831-675-2209

10:30 a.m. TODDLERTIME. Toddler stories & songs at Carmel Valley Branch Library.

65 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, 93924, 831-6592377 10:30 a.m. weird science at my museum. Young visitors will have the opportunity to explore the scientific world.

425 Washington Street Monterey, 93940 831-649-6444, mymuseum.org

4:00 p.m. soledad farmers market. Fresh produce including stone fruit, berries, and tomatoes. kettle corn, roasted corn and potatoes, among many other fine foods.

Encinal Street, Soledad, 93960

1:30 P.M. SVMH Farmers Market. Fresh quality fruits and vegetables from small-scale family farmers.

450 East Romie Lane, Salinas, 93901

6:00 p.m. Pajama Storytime. Wear your pajamas to hear a bedtime story..

John Steinbeck Library 350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 93901 831-758-7311

2:00 P.M. Carmel Valley Certified Farmers Market.

Fresh produce, prepared foods, and much more.

25 Ford Road, Carmel Valley, 93924

friday 10:00 a.m. Monterey Peninsula College Farmers’ Market. Farmers and vendorsoffer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces.

930 Fremont St., Monterey, 93940

3:30 P.m. Friday Fun Day for Teens & Tweens. Play card games, board games, or on our Wii or XBox. For students in grades 4th - 12th.

Watsonville Main Library 275 Main Street, Watsonville, 95076, 831-768-3400

Certified farmers’ market.

Located at Gabilan Street between Main & Salinas Streets, Salinas, 93901 9:00 a.m. Greenfield Farmers Market. Certified farmers’ market.

Located at El Camino Real & Palm Avenue Greenfield, 93927 9:00 a.m. Westside FaRmers Market. The Westside Farmers’ Market takes place every week, year round at the corner of Hwy 1 and Western Drive.

Western Drive & Highway 1, Santa Cruz, 95060 www.santacruzfarmersmarket. org/markets/westside/ 10:00 a.m. Kids Club Craft at michaels. Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop. Just $2 per child ages 3 and up. All supplies included.

1690 North Main Street, Salinas, 93906, 831-384-0562 121 General Stillwell Drive, Marina, 93933, 831-384-0562

saturday

10:00 a.m. Sack Puppet Saturdays. This free class is an introduction to basic puppetry design and construction that kids 4 and up will enjoy.

The Puppetry Institute 118 Cooper Street Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-440-7319

9:00 a.m. Downtown Salinas Farmers’ Market.

10:45 a.m. Reading to Dogs at Cesar Chavez Library.

CARMEL VALLEY

Librarians adapt stories, songs, and crafts to match the ages and attention spans of the children attending. Parents are encouraged to come and learn how to foster early literacy skills.

615 Williams Road, Salinas, 93905 831-758-7345 11:00 a.m. Bilingual Storytime at Seaside Branch Library. Librarians adapt stories, songs, and crafts to match the ages and attention spans of the children attending.

Seaside Branch Library 550 Harcourt, Seaside, 93955 831-899-2055 11:00 a.m. Family Storytime at john steinbeck Library.

Storytime for all ages.

350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 93901 831-758-7311 11:00 a.m. Read to a Dog at castroville branch library. Children will enjoy practicing their reading skills by reading to dogs.

11160 Speegle, Monterey, 95012 831-769-8724 2:00 P.m. Saturday Matinee at Seaside Branch Library. Free movie screening and popcorn. Feel free to bring a cushion for your chair.

550 Harcourt, Seaside, 93955 831-899-2055

ATHLETIC CLUB

SPLASH Ages: 8 - 14 Monday & Wednesday 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Kids will engage in a variety of exercises that develop coordination, improve posture, and strengthen stamina in the water and on dry land.

CALL (831) 624-2737 TINY TOT TENNIS

Ages: 5 - 7 Wednesday

JUNIOR TENNIS ACADEMY Ages: 8 - 18 Tuesday & Thursday

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Beginner players will focus on agility, coordination & speed, footwork, rallying, and basic tennis rules, through fun, active games

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Players will focus on consistency, shot selection & technique, competitive match play, and strategy using situational games and drills.

CALL (831) 624-2737

CALL (831) 624-2737

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

montereybayparent.com

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Calendar december 2017

1 FriDay 9:30 A.m. Discover NPS Day. open-campus event designed to demonstrate how the Naval Postgraduate School accomplishes its unique mission of defense-focused graduate education to the Monterey Peninsula. Planned events include several interactive displays of science and technology in action, a welcome from the International Space Station, a keynote address with renowned author Thomas Friedman, and more.

1 University Circle, Monterey, 93943, www.NPS.edu/discover 10:00 A.m. Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair. Bring your family and friends to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for everyone on your list. With three buildings to shop, you will find crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles, toys, and much more. Mister and Ms Claus will be making an appearance again. Event runs through Sunday, Dec. 3.

2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville 831-406-1446 11:00 A.m. Winter Open House. Enjoy nature’s gifts and explore the Museum of Natural History with free admission during our Winter Open House. Cel-

ebrate the season with crafts and activities, and take advantage of our store-wide sale to find something special for the nature-lovers in your life. Plus complimentary hot cider and cookies.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 95062, 831-420-6115 12:00 P.m. Holiday Ice Skating. Celebrate this holiday season with a new family tradition: ice skating at the Boardwalk.

Festivities include: Ice skating by the beach - on real ice; holiday lights and decorations; boardwalk rides & games (additional fee); indoor arcades, mini golf, and laser tag; classic holiday movies. Each 1-hour session includes ice skate rental. $12 admission. Reserve your ice skating session online before you arrive. Open daily through January 7.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-423-5590 3:00 P.m. Christmas Tree Lighting and Carmel Plaza Party. The towering tree at Junipero Street and Ocean Avenue comes to life at the Carmel Christmas Tree Lighting, which features choirs from local schools, special singing guests, and appearances by city dignitaries among other festivities.

Amidst the celebration, the May-

or Steve Dallas flips the switch to light the grand Christmas tree that becomes the city’s welcoming beacon throughout the holiday season.

Devendorf Park, Junipero Street & Ocean Avenue, Carmel www.carmelcalifornia.com 4:00 P.m. First Friday December at the Tannery.

Tannery Studio Artists and Loft Artists show and sell their work: painting, prints, ceramics, metal art and jewelry, photography, sculpture and more. Live Music with Tannery musicians, free hot chocolate and cider.

1010 River Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-621-6226 5:00 P.m. Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Monterey. Monterey’s traditional Community Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration takes place on the lawn in front of historic Colton Hall featuring carols, candles, cookies, cider, music and good cheer. Free admission.

Colton Hall, 570 Pacific Street, Monterey, 93940 www.oldmonterey.org 5:00 P.m. First Friday Oldtown Salinas. On the first Friday of every month, from 5-8pm, approximately 50 galleries, shops, restaurants and other organizations in a three-block

area throw open their doors to visitors. Behind shop and gallery doors, you may find an exhibition of photos or paintings, a book reading, a live band, a dance performance, activities for children, music lessons, or something else entirely.

100-300 blocks Main Street, Salinas, 831-594-1799 5:00 P.m. Christmas at the Wharf. Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf Association is proud to sponsor and hold its 2nd Annual “Christmas on the Wharf” Weekend festivities on Old Fisherman’s Wharf featuring great holiday entertainment, a dazzling array of beautiful holiday lights and decorations, a 19-foot Christmas tree, free sweet treats, free Santa “meet and greet” visits, photo ops with Santa and holiday princesses and more.

Held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Christmas. www.montereywharf.com/ event/christmas-on-the-wharf. html 5:00 P.m. First Friday Downtown Santa Cruz.

Each month, approximately 80 venues including local businesses and art galleries team up with over 100 local artists for First Friday. Each month, several food trucks hit the streets, bringing farm fresh food to the people.

Our January issue is dedicated to PRESCHOOLS! We’ll have an extensive directory of Monterey Bay preschools plus articles of interest to parents who are making a choice on which preschool is best for their child.

For information on how your school can be included

call 831-582-1373 Deadline to be included is Dec. 12.

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

The

Best of december 9

2

12:00 P.M. MMA Family Day. Join us at this fun and FREE family event.

Sing along with the Ukulele Songbirds while you stroll the museum, enjoying the Miniatures exhibits.

Monterey Museum of Art 559 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940, 831-372-5477

8

2:00 P.M. Christmas in the Adobes 2017. Stroll the streets of Historic Downtown Monterey and visit 19th century Mexican Era adobes decorated for the holidays.

Enjoy dance lessons at Custom House, treats at Fisherman’s Wharf or bagpipes and shortbread cookies at Robert Louis Stevenson House. Many adobes offer entertainments, refreshments, games, history and loads of fun. Tickets may be purchased at #1 Custom House Plaza or on event nights at Pacific House Museum (#20 Custom House Plaza) and Custom House Gift Shop. Online sales are at www.mshpa.org until December 6, after which tickets can be purchased at Pacific House Museum or Custom House Gift Shop.

Prices: Adults $25; Youth (age 6-17) $2; Children (age 5-and-under) free. #20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26922

15

8:00 P.M. The Nutcracker With Live Orchestra. A Santa Cruz tradition! Join us for our 16th production with a full professional orchestra at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Over 70 local dancers perform choreography. Also held December 16 and 17.

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

10:30 A.M. Santa’s Fly-In. All eyes will be looking up at the winter sky beginning at 10:30 am awaiting the delivery from helicopter of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Greeted by holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way through the crowd to their sleigh pulled by volunteer “reindeer”. The sleigh is one of many “automobiles” that participate in the holiday parade through the Carmel Valley Village to the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center, rain or shine.

Carmel Valley Airfield, Ford Road & Lilac Lane, Carmel Valley, 93923 http://santasflyin.webs.com/about

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8:30 A.M. 10th Annual Breakfast with Santa. His elves are still working away, but Santa plans to give out some presents early. He will be joining us from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Carmel Youth Center. Tickets are just $4 for kids and $7 for adults.

Carmel Youth Center Torres Street and 4th Avenue, Carmel, 93923, 831-624-5783

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3:00 P.m. First Night Monterey 2018 A magical party filled with musical entertainment, performances, activities, colors and lights as we transform the streetscapes, buildings, theaters, churches and concert halls throughout Historic Downtown Monterey into a fun, informative and unique way for the community to experience multiple forms of art. We celebrate our uniqueness, our commonality and the coming of the New Year! Information about event program, performers, Kids’ Night Out, and tickets will be posted on www. firstnightmonterey.org.

Downtown Monterey www.firstnightmonterey.org montereybayparent.com

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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.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, 95060 http://firstfridaysantacruz.com/ 5:00 P.m. Free First Friday at the santa cruz museum of art. Explore three floors of exhibitions for free, dance to live music and get hands-on with an all-ages art activity.

705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-429-1964 6:00 P.m. Christmas Night at The Farm. Carols, cookies, hot apple cider and moonlit hayrides. Weather permitting.

5 Foster Road, Salinas, 93902 831-455-2575 6:00 P.m. Frosty Fun Fest.

Enjoy a night of creative crafting at the Louden Nelson Community Center for December’s First Friday! Transform the Art Gallery into a winter wonderland at our Snowflake Station. Decorate holiday cards and wrapping paper with potato print spirit stamps.

Wear your favorite holiday attire and spread joyful cheer while sipping on delicious hot chocolate.

Paint our Winter Wonderland community mural. Free event.

Louden Nelson Community Center 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, 95060 www.cityofsantacruz.com 6:00 P.m. First Friday Pacific Grove. Special events and entertainment at participating businesses in downtown Pacific Grove.

(831) 655-9775 http://firstfridaypacificgrove.org 7:30 P.m. A Charlie Brown

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Christmas at Wharf Theatre in Monterey.

Christmas Time is here with this beloved holiday classic. When an attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit with a forlorn little Christmas fir tree fails, Charlie brown needs Linus’ help to discover the real meaning of Christmas. Event runs through December 10.

95 Fishermans Wharf Monterey, 93940 wharftheatremonterey.org

2 SaTurday 8:30 A.M. Birding Walk, Elkhorn Slough. Elkhorn Slough supports 346 diverse species of resident and migratory birds. On a recent ESF member birding walk, participants spotted more than three dozen species in a short time frame. It’s no surprise that the slough is recognized as a globally important birding area.

Keep track of your sightings by downloading a bird sightings list from our website. Tour with professional birder Rick Fournier, one of our volunteer docents. Day use fee of $4.00 for each visitor, 16 years and older. Tour begins promptly and lasts 2-3 hours.

1700 Elkhorn Road, Castroville, 95012, 831-728-2822 9:00 A.M. Laguna Grande Birding Walk. This birding refuge offers something new to see with each visit! Join amateur birders to view waterfowl, raptors and seasonal migrants.

From lakeside to wetlands to riparian surroundings, Laguna Grande Park has rich habitats and a wide array of birds to see. This program is good for the first-time and the experienced birder. Instructor: Rick Berg, MPRPD Volunteer Naturalist. Open to ages 9 and up.

Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside, 93955, www.mprpd.org 9:00 A.M. The Home Depot Kid’s Workshop. Build holiday memories in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can put together a wooden gingerbread house that will last year after year. No frosting required! Once the gingerbread house is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult

montereybayparent.com

December Events

at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron, and pin.

1890 North Davis Road, Salinas, 93907, 831-583-0778 1590 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Seaside, 93955, 831-583-0778 9:00 A.M. Breakfast With Santa. A favorite for children and adults of all ages. Bring your wish lists and yearly recap if you’ve been naughty or nice and share it with Santa. Guests will enjoy a holiday breakfast buffet with made to order waffles and omelets, and children will delight having their own photos taken with Santa. They will receive a personalized letter from Santa, and a cuddly take home Chaminade teddy bear.

Chaminade Resort & Spa 1 Chaminade, Santa Cruz, 95065 831-465-3412 9:00 A.M. Holiday Book Sale. Enjoy the Downtown Santa Cruz Parade and then join your Ffriends at our annual Holiday Book Sale event.

Downtown Library 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, 95060 9:00 A.M. Free 2 Be a Kid Clothing Exchange. Bring what you can. Take what you need. $2.00 per family.

Live Oak Grange 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, 95062 danielfeldman39@gmail.com 10:00 A.m. Santa’s Live Reindeer: Downtown Monterey. The Old Monterey Business Association, with support from the Golden State Theatre, brings you Santa’s Live Reindeer: Downtown Monterey, once again. Come and visit with Santa and his two Christmas reindeer under The Golden State Theatre marquee, 417 Alvarado Street, downtown Monterey on Saturday, December 2 from noon to 4:00 pm. “A perfect time for holiday gifts, treats, and good cheer”.

A free event for all.

Golden State Theatre 417 Alvarado St, Monterey, 93940 www.OldMonterey.org 10:00 A.m. 37th Annual

Children’s Winterfest. 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. All items are handmade by the co-op families and are priced reasonably at $2 each. While children shop, adults may browse the General Store for gifts and unique handcrafted items.

Sally Griffin Senior Center 700 Jewell Avenue, Pacific Grove, 93950 winterfest.github.io 10:00 A.m. Falalalala at Falling Oak Ranch. Join us as we welcome a fabulous group of hand-selected vendors for a day of shopping, pony rides for the kiddos, speciality holiday drinks for sipping and yummy local treats! An appearance by Santa will be at 2pm! Kiddos are free! Adults are $10 (includes a fun treat token with entry)!

701 Monterey-Salinas HWY, Salinas, 93908 FallingOakRanch.com 10:00 A.M. Kids Club Craft.

Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop! Just $2 per child ages 3 and up. All supplies included.

121 General Stillwell Drive, Marina, 93933, 831-384-0562 1690 North Main Street, Salinas, 93906, 831-384-0562 10:00 A.M. Bookshop Sidewalk Sales. Used book bargains. Sale sponsored by Friends of the Steinbeck Library. Rain postpones to second Saturday.

John Steinbeck Library 350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 93901, 831-758-7311 10:00 A.M. Community Open House. Tri-county residents enjoy free admission during the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s annual Community Open House.

Visitors must present a photo ID (student IDs also accepted) or proof of residence, such as a current utility bill, at the Main Entrance. Runs through Dec. 10.

886 Cannery Row Monterey 93940, (831) 648-4800 10:00 A.M. 24th Annual Stillwell’s Fun in the Park. Caledonia Park in downtown PG behind the Post Office

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

will be the site of a huge holiday party. Lots of wintry fun for all! Featuring Santa’s arrival on a shiny PG fire truck, Frosty the Snowman, Snow Queen, hayrides, petting zoo & lots of entertainment.

161 Caledonia Avenue, Pacific Grove, 93950 831-373-3304 www.pacificgrove.org 10:00 A.M. What is a home?

What do you really need to learn to make a home? Learn about what is absoltely needed to live.

Discover how animal homes are similar to ours. See how a trhiving neighborhood full of birds and animals make your home a better place to live. Open to ages 7 and older.

Locke-Paddon Park, Marina 831-372-3196, www.mprpd.org 10:00 A.M. Free Community Yoga. Come join us for free community yoga overlooking the ocean at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove. Each Yoga participant will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize. Enjoy post yoga raffle, connecting with local pros in the wellness community, and meet new friends. www.jenhealthcoach.com 10:00 A.m. Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart.

Event also held December 3, 9 10, 16 - 23.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-335-4484 10:00 A.m. Downtown Holiday Parade. The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. Bands, dancers, classic cars, synchronized librarians, one never knows exactly what to expect at the parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time, and of course, at the end of the parade, sitting in a horse-drawn Victorian Carriage, the man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz.

Downtown Santa Cruz Association, 831-332-7422 11:00 A.M. Winter Won-

derland Craft Fair & Kids’ Holiday Shop. Olson PTA will be hosting a local crafter & vendor fair at Olson School.

There will also be a kids-only holiday shop for the kids to get their holiday shopping for their family and friends. Purchase your annual Santa pictures too and avoid the long lines at the shopping centers.

261 Beach Road, Marina, 93933 www.facebook.com/ events/132897327468241/ 11:00 A.M. Bay View Academy’s Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair. The public is invited to come and shop for crafts, gifts, food and more that are sold by local area vendors...just in time for the Holiday Season.

222 Casa Verde Way Monterey, 93940 cvo@bayview-academy.org 11:00 A.M. Living History Days. Step back to the early days of San Juan. Meet mountain men, Civil War soldiers, Victorian ladies, and more. Enjoy craft and cooking demonstrations. Enjoy an old-fashioned soda in the historic Plaza Hotel Saloon. See historic horse-drawn vehicles inside the Plaza Stables and Victorian furnishings in the Plaza Hotel and Zanetta family home. Admission for adults is $3.00, sixteen and under free.

19 Franklin Street, San Juan Bautista, 95045 831-623-4526 12:00 P.M. MMA Family Day. Join us at this fun and FREE family event. Sing along with the Ukulele Songbirds while you stroll the museum, enjoying the Miniatures exhibits.

Monterey Museum of Art 559 Pacific St, Monterey, 93940 831-372-5477 6:00 P.M. 12th Annual San Juan Bautista Lights Parade. Parade attendees will enjoy a Grand Marshall, holiday floats representing non-profit organizations, local businesses, and emergency agencies, marching bands, and horses on parade.

3rd St at Franklin St, San Juan Bautista, 95045 www.rotarysanjuanbautista.com

ARIEL Theatrical is committed to helping young people

learn totolead principle-centered lives.

ARIEL Theatrical is committed helping young people learn to lead principle-centered lives.

ARIEL Theatrical is committed to helping young people learn to lead principle-centered lives.

Year-round musical theatre programs young ~ Year-round musical theatreprograms programs forfor young peoplepeople. ~people ~ ~ Year-round musical theatre for young Accountability

Located in the heart of

Salinas Located City Center in the heart of Accountability Respect The Karen Wilson Salinas City Center Integrity Respect Children’s Theatre Excellence The Karen Wilson 320 Main Street Integrity Leadership Salinas, CA Children’s Theatre for ages 4-19 ~ performances ~ day-time classes Excellenceprogramsprograms for ages 4-19 • performances • day-time classes summer camps ~ community program ~ and more!

320 Main Street summer camps • community program • and more!

Leadership www.arieltheatrical.org | 831-775-0976 | ariel@arieltheatrical.org Salinas, CA

www.arieltheatrical.org • 831-775-0976 • ariel@arieltheatrical.org

programs for ages 4-19 ~ performances ~ day-time classes summer camps ~ community program ~ and more!

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

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Our online calendar is updated daily at MontereyBayParent.com the holiday season and decorate your own Gingerbread Houses.

MyMuseum, 425 Washington St., Monterey, 93940,831-649-6444 11:00 A.M. Pleasure Point Holiday Fair. Pleasure Point Holiday Fair is going to be a showcase of all the most talented and creative artists and makers Santa Cruz has to offer. The ultimate holiday gift destination.

3912 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 95062, www.pleasurepointholidayfair.com 2:00 P.M. Multicultural Celebration & Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Celebrate the holiday season at the Multicultural Celebration and Holiday Tree Lighting at the City Plaza.

Watsonville City Plaza 358 Main St, Watsonville, 95076 www.cityofwatsonville.org

5 tuesday 10:00 A.M. $2 Tuesday!

These reduced admission days are offered on the first Tuesday of every month to all Monterey County residents. Please bring current identification to verify your residence.

MyMuseum, 425 Washington St., Monterey, 93940,831-649-6444 10:00 A.M. Chanukah Make-and-Take. Chanukahthemed craft project for Makeand-Take.

MyMuseum, 425 Washington St., Monterey, 93940,831-649-6444 9:00 A.M. Community Day - Free Admission. Free admission to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum on the first Tuesday of the month. The Arboretum at UCSC is a research and teaching facility committed to plant conservation and serves both the campus and the public. Its rich and diverse collection, containing representatives of more than 300 plant families, provides beginning students with a broad survey of the plant kingdom.

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz 831-502-2998

6 wednesday 4:00 P.m. 5th Annual OGB Toy Drive Bin Drop Off. Mingle with other families and

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businesses in a fun evening of santa, toy land, and santa’s elves as you drop off your collected toys.

Fox Theater Salinas 241 Main St, Salinas, 93901 ogbtoydrive.org 6:00 P.M. Streets of Bethlehem. The “Streets of Bethlehem” event is a recreation of the village of Bethlehem complete with realistic sets and volunteers acting in character and dress as Joseph and Mary, shopkeepers, artisans and more. The city gates open nightly from 6-8:30pm.

Parking is available behind Park Row shopping center and free shuttle buses run throughout the performance, but please don’t bring any pets, they’re not allowed in the village. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Runs nightly through December 9.

First Baptist Church Salinas 1130 San Vincente Ave, Salinas, 93901, 831-422-9872

7 thursday 9:00 A.M. Coast Live Oak Woodland Restoration.

Join this family-friendly annual service day. Volunteers come together to plant native plants, sow seeds, spread mulch with pitchforks and wheel barrows, remove weeds, and repair wind screens.

Help restore a small grove of native coast woodland next to the Marina Library. Open to all ages.

Del Monte Avenue & Reservation Road, Marina, 831-277-7690

8 friday 2:00 P.M. Christmas in the Adobes 2017. 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. Many adobes offer entertainments, refreshments, games, history and loads of fun. It’s a holiday event for the entire family! Tickets may be purchased at #1 Custom House Plaz or on event nights at Pacific House Museum (#20 Custom House Plaza) and Custom House Gift Shop. Online sales are at www.mshpa.org until December 6, after which tickets can be

montereybayparent.com

December Events

purchased on event nights at Pacific House Museum or Custom House Gift Shop. Prices: Adults $25; Youth (age 6-17) $2; Children (age 5-and-under) free. #20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ id=26922 5:00 P.M. Boardwalk Holiday Bash. A Fun, festive event perfect for small groups at the Boardwalk’s Coconut Grove.

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-423-5590 5:00 P.M. Holiday Pop Up Market. The market is free and open to the public, so your nonMIIS friends and family are all welcome. Our theme, “Empower Impact, Shop Ethically”, simply means educating ourselves to make socially and environmentally conscious purchases. The event will feature a do-it-yourself craft space for students and families to make homemade gifts using recyclable materials, an auction / fashion show showcasing ethical products, and a prototyping opportunity for participants to receive feedback from the community on new products.

499 Pierce St, Monterey, 93940 http://sites.miis.edu/market/ 5:30 P.M. Flight Night at Monterey Youth Center. Are you interested in learning how to build and fly planes?

Well we’ve got the event for you!

Come and learn why planes fly and how to design and build your very own plane. For ages 8-12 years.

777 Pearl Street, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3873 6:00 P.M. Seaside Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting. Ice skating, arts & crafts, carnival games, prizes, horse drawn hay rides, jump houses, petting zoo, rock wall, air jumpers, giant zorbs, visit from Santa, photo booth and more!

440 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside,

93955, www.ci.seaside.ca.us/512/ Special-Events 7:00 P.M. Dance Kids Presents The Nutcracker. A 39-piece orchestra and over 80 dancers perform The Nutcracker at Sunset Center in Carmel. Tickets: adult $49; student (13-18)/ Military (active duty with ID)/ sSeniors (60+): $45; Child (12 & under) $35.

Also held December 9.

San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel, 93923, 831-620-2040 7:30 P.M. The Nutcracker Ballet. The Monterey County Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker. Tickets ($10) can be purchased from dance parents, Lynn’s Too, Mrs ‘H’ at the studio or at the Robert Stanton Theatre, King City on performance days.

332 Bassett Street, King City, 93930, 831-386-9927

9 Saturday 8:00 A.M. Children’s Shopping Tour. Every year the Salinas Jaycees partners with local business, schools, and members of the community to take over 400 local children shopping for school and winter clothing. By helping to support the Salinas Jaycees Children’s Shopping Tour, you can provide a local child with school clothes for the year. It takes $125 to sponsor one child, but any amount you give brings us closer to our goal of helping 400+ kids. Every dollar raised goes directly to the children. More information and volunteer forms can be found atwww.childrensshoppingtour.org 796 Northridge Mall, Salinas, 93906, 831-755-1000 8:00 A.M. Jingle Bell Run. The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. Bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run or walk, spread smiles and good cheer … and be a Champion of Yes! 100 percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to this great cause.

Lover’s Point Park, Ocean View Blvd & 17th Street, Pacific Grove, 93955, 831-419-9799

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

10:00 A.M. Jingle Bell Run. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart. Event also held on December 3, 9 - 10, and 16 - 23.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-335-4484

Need time away from the kids to finish Christmas shopping? Drop ‘n’ Shop is a daytime program designed for parents who need to get Christmas shopping done for, and without, the kids. While Mom and Dad shop the kids will create holiday crafts, enjoy games and other exciting activities. For ages 3-12 years (must be “potty” trained).

Casanova Oak Knoll Center 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, 93940, 831-646-5665

10:30 A.M. Santa’s Fly-In. All eyes will be looking up at the winter sky beginning at 10:30 am awaiting the delivery from helicopter of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Greeted by holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way through the crowd to their sleigh pulled by volunteer “reindeer”. The sleigh is one of many “automobiles” that participate in the holiday parade through the Carmel Valley Village to the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center, rain or shine.

Carmel Valley Airfield, Ford Road & Lilac Lane, Carmel Valley, 93923 http://santasflyin.webs.com/ about

11:00 A.M. Holidays on the Ranch. Celebrate the warmth of the holiday season with crafts, games, music and merriment from the early 20th century. We will busy your hands with holiday wreath-making, invite you to join in an old-fashioned singalong around the player piano, and provide you with materials to make Victorian and Mexican holiday crafts. Come play games like dreidel, take a draft-horse carriage ride, decorate the tree and more while spending the day on the grounds of the preserve at Wilder Ranch State Park. Admission is free.

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-426-0505

11:00 A.M. Drop ‘n’ Shop.

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

12:00 P.M. 2017 Holiday Open House. Enjoy a day of holiday museum tours, wine tasting, crafts for the family, holiday movies in the theatre, hay rides through the park, and chase away the cold with homemade soup.

Admission is free with canned food donation for Loaves and Fishes, and museum donations are always appreciated.

1160 Broadway St. King City, 93930, 831-385-8020 1:00 P.M. Holiday SingAlong. A free event led by the Marina High School chorus. Open to all ages.

190 Seaside Circle, Marina, 93933 831-883-7507 7:00 P.m. Monterey Peninsula Voices Present “Gloria!”. We will be singing classical, gospel, carols, renaissance, and so much more. We will be singing over 600 year’s worth of carols, music, with piano, drums, orchestra and acapella! This concert will truly be Glorious!

Pacific Grove First United Methodist Church 915 Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, 93950 www.mpvoices.org/concerts-events.html

10 Sunday call for time. Jingle Shells Arts & Crafts 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 Marina Discovery Ctr 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, 95060, 831-459-3800 9:00 A.M. AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association Del Monte Tournament. Open to children ages 6-18 years old who want to have fun while playing golf.

Del Monte Golf Course 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey, 93940, 831-625-1555 9:00 A.M. Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items. Weather permitting. Year round.

Cedar Street & Lincoln Street Santa Cruz, 95060 831-476-6940

montereybayparent.com

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Our online calendar is updated daily at MontereyBayParent.com 9:00 A.M. Jingle Bell Rock.

Come and join our annual yearend holiday event! Its all about the toys and the fun. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots, go for a walk or run along the San Lorenzo River Levee. This is the 9th year for Jingle Bell Rock and each year as the participation grows we try to set a big goal for collecting toys. Last year was great - over 800 toys donated at our sponsor locations and at the race. This year let’s try and hit 1000 toys. All the collected toys stay in our community.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-419-0883 11:00 A.M. photos with santa for special needs children. Sponsored by the Special Kids Crusade. Santa will have a special gift for each child.

No fee but RSVP is requested so a gift is available for each child.

Tyler Park Community Center 1120 Heidi Drive, Greenfield 831-372-2730, x 102 1:00 P.M. Winter Fairy House Making Workshop.

Join us for this mystical event where we will be building Fairy houses in a winter setting. We will use new and found objects to create a dream like setting. All materials and instruction are included. There will also be a hot chocolate and baked cookies bar.

Please reserve your seats online $35 per participant, limited seats.

Roaring Mice Art Studio 374 Main Street, Salinas, 93901 831-293-3013 2:30 P.M. Christmas with the Camerata Singers.

Celebrate your holidays with the Camerata Singers and guest artist Tiffany Bedner, organ and a festive brass ensemble First Presbyterian Church of Monterey 501 El Dorado Street, Monterey 831-642-2701 1:00 P.m. TubaChristmas Monterey. Come enjoy your favorite carols transformed by the magic of TUBAS in this FREE holiday concert. Doors open at noon.

No tickets are required.

Monterey Conference Center 1 Portola Plz, Monterey, 93940 https://tcmonterey.wixsite.com/ tcmonterey

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11 monday 7:30 P.M. MPC String Ensemble Concert. Vivaldi “Four Seasons” featuring David Dally, Violin Solo, and Tchaikovsky “Serenade for Strings.” $10 at the door.

MPC Theater, 980 Fremont St, Monterey, 93940 https://www.facebook. com/MPC-String-Ensemble-126901947362282/

13 wednesday 4:30 P.m. Kid’s Ornament Night. Come join us for some fun homemade ornaments to hang on your tree for the holiday season.

Herrmann Hall Bldg.

220 La Novia Room, Monterey, 93940 (831) 656-3223/6059

15 friday 10:00 A.M. Toy Trains 2017. xperience a mini-universe of model trains that delight the young and young at heart. Watch a massive standard gauge steam engine from the 1920s start up with the headlight flashing and drive wheels spinning. Marvel at smoke flowing from the smoke stack, and a mighty whistle.

Members of the the Golden State Toy Train Operators will be on hand to help young engineers’ master controls and to answer questions. You can even bring your own toy train and put it on the track! Also, enter the raffle to win a toy train! Raffle drawing will be on Saturday, December 30th at 12:00 noon. Holiday Hours: The Museum is closed on Christmas Day, and closes early at 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Santa Cruz Museum of Art 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, 95060 831-429-1964 10:00 A.M. Capitola PopUp Ice Skating Rink. Glide into the holidays and join us for a fun and festive ice skating adventure in Capitola Village! Open daily from December 15, 2017, until January 7, 2018, don’t miss the chance to create holiday memories with your loved ones. From families with kids on Winter Break to couples, friends and co-workers, everyone can enjoy ice skat-

montereybayparent.com

December Events

ing with the beautiful Monterey Bay as the backdrop. Twinkling lights, decorated storefront widows, and Christmas trees sprinkled throughout the Village will transform our beach town into a magical winter wonderland!

SKATING SESSIONS AND HOURS: iSKATE Capitola will run three skating sessions per day Monday through Sunday. Ice rink sessions last 2 hours: 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Including Skate Rental – $15 General Admission Bring Your Own Ice Skates – $10 Capitola Esplanade 100 Monterey Avenue, Capitola, 95010, www.facebook.com/ events/187199798518500/ 6:00 P.M. Kids’ Nerf Night.

Come do some target shooting, play tag, elimination, Capture the Flag and other great games with your NERF Blaster. Dinner and dessert are included. Open to ages 7-12 years.

The Monterey Youth Center 777 Pearl Street, Monterey, 93940 831-646-3873 8:00 P.M. The Nutcracker With Live Orchestra. A Santa Cruz tradition! Join us for our 16th production with a full professional orchestra at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Over 70 local dancers perform choreography. Also held December 16 and 17.

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz www.scbt.org

16 Saturday 8:30 A.M. 10th Annual Breakfast with Santa.

His elves are still working away, but Santa plans to give out some presents early. He will be joining us from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Carmel Youth Center. Tickets are just $4 for kids and $7 for adults.

Carmel Youth Center Torres Street and 4th Avenue, Carmel, 93923, 831-624-5783 9:00 A.M. Salinas Valley Comic Con 2017. The Salinas Valley Comic Con will take place at Hartnell College. Organized by the National Steinbeck Center in partnership with the Salinas Public Library, as well as area artists and volunteers, Salinas Valley

Comic Con is a celebration of comics, comic books, zines, pop culture and more. www.steinbeck.org/event/salinas-valley-comic-con-2017/ 9:00 A.M. INTRODUCTION TO BIRDING. The anicent sand dunes, vernal ponds, coastal prairie, and wetlands of LockePaddon Wetland Community Park create a habitat for birds and other animals. Learn the basics of bird identification with amateur birders. Open to ages 12 and above.

Locke-Paddon Park, Marina 831-372-3196, www.mprpd.org 11:00 A.M. Drop ‘n’ Shop.

Need time away from the kids to finish Christmas shopping? Drop ‘n’ Shop is a daytime program designed for parents who need to get Christmas shopping done for, and without, the kids. While Mom and Dad shop the kids will create holiday crafts, enjoy games and other exciting activities. For ages 3-12 years (must be “potty” trained).

Casanova Oak Knoll Center 735 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, 93940, 831-646-5665 5:00 P.M. Owl Walk at Dusk. Just before twilight, begin your search to discover the secretive and mysterious owls at Garland Ranch Regional Park.

Scout their natural habitats listening for hisses and screeches, and watch for these silent hunters.

Learn to identity calls and characteristics of some of the local species. Open to ages 12-adult Garland Ranch Park Visitor Center 700 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, 93924 http://mprpd.org

17 sunday 4:00 P.M. Menorah Lighting. Menorah lighting, latkes, jelly donuts, a magician and a bowling pin menorah.

Del Monte Shopping Center 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey, 93940, 831-372-4540

18 Monday 8:30 A.M. Big Sur Coastal Quest. Learn about the secret life of a seaweed pile, explore the birds, plants, and animals of our amazing coastline and enjoy a

MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

beautiful day following the Big Sur River to the beach. The ecology of the coast is as mesmerizing as watching waves crash on the shore.

Laguna Grande Park Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside, 93955 https://ventanawildlifesociety. configio.com 9:00 A.M. Winter Break Kid’s Camp opens at Progress Not Perfection Paint Parties. Open to ages 6-12, co-ed. Sessions are December 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and/or 22nd from 9am-2pm and includes all supplies needed for each project and painting created each day. Please send a bag lunch and snack each day. You may choose 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 day options 125 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, 93950 831-596-9194 9:00 A.M. SPCA Animal Camps. One Day Animal Camps are offered during the school year, during most major breaks and holidays. Each camp is centered around a wide variety of interesting and fun topics, from dog care to helping wildlife. Campers will learn through hands on activities, silly games, as well as one

on one time with adoptable pets.

Camps are $55 each (Adopters camp is $85 and includes plush toy) for children ages 8-12. Call for camp dates.

1002 Highway 68 (MontereySalinas Hwy), Salinas, 93908 831-264-5434

19 tuesday 8:30 A.M. Top of the Valley Adventure. Climb the last spiky rocks to the top and take in the view from the Pacific coastline to the length of the Salinas Valley.

Laguna Grande Park Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside, 93955 https://ventanawildlifesociety. configio.com

21 thursday 8:30 A.M. Frog Pond Walkand-Talk. Take a familyfriendly walk around Frog Pond Wetland Preserve. While we’re walking, we’ll share stories about the history of this land and about the vast array of wildlife that make their permanent and seasonal homes here. Enjoy the sights and sounds of twilight and early evening. Open to ages 6-adult.

Frog Pond Preserve

831-372-3196 www.mprpd.org

Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Del Rey Oaks, 93955 www.mprpd.org

23 Saturday 2:00 P.M. Nutcracker Tea. Carmel Valley Ranch presents the 6th Annual Nutcracker Holiday Tea. This event combines performance, participation, storytelling, and even sword fighting. Meet the stars of Dance Kids of Monterey’s The Nutcracker, and learn a scene from the famous ballet.

Tea will be served, with complimentary champagne for adults. A portion of the proceeds will go to Dance Kids of Monterey County.

Carmel Valley Ranch 1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel, 93923 831-626-2577 4:30 P.m. Mrs. Claus Visits Asilomar! The California State Parks and Asilomar Conference Grounds are hosting Mrs. Claus for the day. Stop by December 23rd from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm in Social Hall and meet Mrs. Claus.

She will be reading some great Christmas Stories along the warm fireplace and will have some tasty cookies to share. Great event for the kids and Christmas fanatics.

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds 800 Asilomar Blvd, Pacific Grove, 93950 831-372-8016

31 Saturday

Mom Support!

10:00 A.m. Bring in the new year: kahn ranch hike. Tucked in on the southeastern end of Garland Ranch Regional Park, Kahn Ranch boasts breathtaking vistas, beautiful scenery and stimulating sounds.

This hike takes you to Fern Falls, then up the Manzanita Trail and down Hitchcock Loop. Open to ages 13-adult.

3:00 P.m. First Night Monterey 2018 A magical party filled with musical entertainment, performances, activities, colors and lights as we transform the streetscapes, buildings, theaters, churches and concert halls throughout Historic Downtown Monterey into a fun, informative and unique way for the community to experience multiple forms of art. We celebrate our uniqueness, our commonality and the coming of the New Year! Information about event program, performers, Kids’ Night Out, and tickets will be posted on www. firstnightmonterey.org.

Downtown Monterey www.firstnightmonterey.org 6:00 P.M. New Year’s Eve Sleepover/Celebration.

You’ll celebrate the countdown to 2018 at 9 p.m. (East Coast midnight) with a sparkling cider toast—plus, small bites and beverages will be available for purchase, including beer, wine and kid-friendly drinks. Throughout the evening, you can take a silly snapshot in our photo booth, satisfy your sweet tooth at our sundae bar, and enjoy more fun activities and programs! In the morning, wake up with the fishes as our first guests on New Year’s Day. Enjoy a full breakfast in our Cafe, and then join our naturalists in watching wildlife from the Great Tide Pool deck to welcome 2018. Open to ages 5 to adult. $125 per person, general public $100 per person, Aquarium members.

Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, 93940, 831-648-4800

Join our the Monterey Bay Parent Facebook Group for Recommendations • Advice • Friendship Contests • Event Information and much, much more!

You’ll find the link for the group at:

www.facebook.com/MontereyBayParent

Looking for parenting articles, a comprehensive calendar of events, and local information on what to do and where to go?

Check MontereyBayParent.com

Questions? Call 831-582-1373 MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017

Allison Chance REALTOR® CalBRE #02042597

831.296.0114

Allison@overthemoonrealty.com overthemoonrealty.com

Military Spouse and Homes for Heroes Affiliate

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Parents Morning Out COMING JANUARY 2018!

You take care of yourself ... we’ll take care of your kids!

• Drop - in child care up to 4x a week • Songs, crafts, socializing, cooking , learning and more • Registration opens soon!

Starting January 2018 at the Salinas and Monterey YMCA. For details and more information, please contact us at:

831-758-3811 for Salinas 831-373-4167 for Monterey or www.centralcoastymca.org 32

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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • december 2017