Growing Up in Santa Cruz, December 2019

DEC 2019

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DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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Features

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Warning: Ecovillain

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Jacob's Heart.................................5 Ecovillains....................................6 Ask Nicole.....................................7 Get Organized..............................8 Healthy Eating..............................9 Teacher's Desk...............................10 Always Amused.............................11 Your Health..................................12 Birth Matters................................13 Career Pathways...........................14 Extremely Sports..........................15 Dog Gift Guide..............................16 Fire Safety.....................................17 Local News....................................18 Local News....................................19 Local News....................................20 Local News....................................21 Parenting......................................23 Health & Wellness Guide...............24 Calendar.......................................26 Coloring Contest..........................34 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen DESIGN

Zelzi Belle ADDITIONAL AD DESIGN

Ann Fitts

DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Susan Bernstein WEBSITE

Diana Fitts CONTRIBUTORS

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

Kevin Painchaud AD REPRESENTATIVES

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

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DECEMBER 2019 | VOL. 24 NO. 12 Printed lovingly by Fricke-Parks Press.

Growing Up in Santa Cruz copyright 2019. Printed in the U.S.A. All views expressed represent those of the individual authors. The contents of this publication are meant as information only and should not take the place of a medical doctor’s recommendations. All rights reserved.

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Editor’s Note

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DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

‘Tis the season to say ‘tis the season at the start of every news story, greeting card and podcast. Cliché much?

We know, we know, we’re kidding, but you can’t blame anyone for being giddy this season, especially if they have a roof over their heads and a family to share with. We feel so blessed to be able to have some time off work and school to be with the ones we love, even if sometimes preparing for the holidays is harder than our jobs.

It also gives us pause to remember how lucky we are while others are so much less fortunate. That’s one of the big themes in this month’s issue, which salutes Jacob’s Heart an organization that supports Santa Cruz families whose children are suffering. They have done so much for the community as you can read in Kevin Painchaud’s story.

We also suggest checking out Santa Cruz Gives, an annual holiday fundraising campaign for 38 local nonprofits. More than 20 of the organizations are supporting local youth.

You might want to give your kids an amount to donate or review the projects with them and learn what’s needed by others. SantaCruzGives.org This issue, which has our health and fitness guide to get an early jump on your

New Year’s resolutions (or to suggest gifting classes and memberships), has gift ideas for pets, career-seeking kids, environmentalists and thrill ride lovers. We guarantee you won’t find that combination anywhere else!

You may even want to give a faerie for the holiday and you can learn how to do that in Natalya Dreszer’s story inside.

We love the idea of giving classes and time for the holidays, rather than stuff that ends up in a landfill something you will see in many stories inside. But we love toys that are educational as well.

We love going downtown during the holidays and two of our favorites are the model trains at the Museum of Art & History and the weekend productions of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at Kianti’s. They make a perfect family date night. So does hitting Holiday Ice at the Boardwalk and strolling the Capitola Mall, which for this ‘tis the season, harkens back to its pre-Amazon glory.

We want to thank all of you readers for sharing 2019 with us and we wish you all a blessed and peaceful 2020. Thanks for reading and thanks for growing up in Santa Cruz with us!

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford and Steve Dinnen

Coming in

JANUARY Independent Schools Guide How to Save on College Happy New Years from Growing Up SC

JACOB'S HEART Jacob’s Heart Beats for Santa Cruz You Can Handle Anything if you Don’t Have to Handle it Alone

BY KEVIN PAINCHAUD Every parent’s worst nightmare is finding out that your child has a lifethreatening illness. Your entire world is turned upside down. Where do you turn?

What do you do? Your child becomes the only thing that matters. Things like food and bills become secondary. And for those thousands of residents in our community that do not have the financial means to take time off work to focus on their child, life seems insurmountable.

This is the reality for many folks in our community. One organization has embraced these families, and shown them love, support and community: Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services.

Jacob’s Heart is an amazing organization whose goal is to give support to families with children who have been diagnosed with a lifethreatening illness. This organization, which has given support to over a thousand families in the area, was the brainchild of Lori Butterworth.

Back in 1998, Jacob, a 5-year old boy, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, one of the deadliest forms of leukemia. Lori wanted to help Jacob’s family, so using her resources, she threw a fundraising party that raised enough money in one night so that Jacob’s mom was able to quit her job and be with her son in the hospital for a whole year. At that time, Jacob’s mom spoke words that have remained the cornerstone of the organization that bears her son’s name: “You can handle anything if you don’t have to handle it alone.�

Lori soon realized that there were far too many families left to navigate the treacherous journey of childhood cancer without support. So she gathered a group of friends and decided to cast a wider net to support more and more children with cancer and provide support for their families.

The fundamental model of Jacob’s Heart has stayed consistent over the past 21 years. It’s based on Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs. The most basic need is that of survival. When a parent hears the words, “your child has cancer,� their entire world is ripped from beneath them. All the safety that they know, everything in them, the fears, the immediate concerns are usually, “How am I going to survive this? How is our family, not just the child, going to survive this disease, and how is our family as a whole going to make it through this ordeal and come out whole again?� “We start with addressing the family’s basic survival needs,� says Butterworth.

Nearly 80 percent of the families that Jacob’s Heart is currently serving are low income or quickly become low income because of the financial toll pediatric cancer takes on a family. We help with rent, phone bills, utilities, and provide

transportation to and from treatment. “Our children here at our local community are treated at Stanford or UC San Francisco, many miles from home. Our transportation program ensures that no child in our area will ever miss an appointment because of lack of transportation.�

Jacob’s Heart was picked as organization of the year last month by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. “Once we address the family’s basic survival needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, then we help families restore a sense of safety and trust in the world,� says Butterworth. “We work closely with each family to help them navigate the healthcare system for their child, so that parents can make informed decisions about their care.

We do a lot of medical translation and medical interpretation from Spanish and English to medical terminologies that they may not understand. We do a lot of education throughout the entire trajectory of treatment.�

Then the real heart of the program takes over, and Jacob’s Heart brings a sense of community, a family of families who share the experience. They have support groups, a therapeutic art program and two weekend camp programs that address the whole sense of love and belonging and community connection. The first is a camp called Heart and Hands, a weekend camp for families whose child is going through or has recently gone through cancer treatment. The other one is the Forever Loved Retreat -- a weekend for families who have lost a child. Siblings suffer just as much, so Jacob’s Heart has an amazing sibling support program.

Jacob’s Heart has a heart-warming family support center located in Watsonville. It’s a safe place for families to get information about their child’s illness, receive emotional support and counseling‌and fun. They even have a children’s recreation center complete with video games, air hockey, ping pong, a pool table and more. It gives the children a safe area to relax and just be kids.

The family center was a donation

by Granite Construction. Granite gave Jacob’s Heart a building, but the community turned it into a home. The community has rallied around Jacob’s Heart and continues to support the organization, which relies solely on community donations to keep it going.

The community and the families have made the Jacob’s Heart family center into a very special place. In fact, it has become a place that the kids never want to leave. ď ˝ For more information jacobsheart. org Jacob’s heart is always looking for donations and support.

Jacob’s Heart started as an effort to help one family and has now helped thousands. Photo by Kevin Painchaud

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GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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ECO VILLAINS Comic Book Movies Take a New Turn New Movie Villains Want to Destroy People to Save the Environment

BY JORDY HYMAN

In “Avengers,” purple villain Thanos doesn’t want to destroy the world, only half of it, to save the environment.

Avengers, Kingsman, Venom, Aquaman: comic book movies almost always have a big bad guy who wants to destroy civilization, but there’s a new trend developing in Hollywood. The villains of these movies want to kill us to save the Earth.

We live in an era of entertainment where straightforward heroes are considered poor form and antagonists are written with the utmost empathy.

So it makes sense that villains need a compelling reason to commit genocide, other than because that’s what it takes to

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get the Avengers out of bed. And what better reason than a profound grief and fury over the despoiling of this one, miraculous, living planet?

“I think it’s always been true that the most interesting villains have complexity in their thinking, that they express things that we can’t always express,” said David Sullivan, professor of film studies, screenwriting and poetry at Cabrillo College.

Sullivan said the entertainment industry is tapping into a deep cultural well of fear by exploring ecological crises.

DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

“There’s this consciousness that young people are pissed off in a way they never have been,” he said. “It’s that nihilistic feeling, that end-of-the-world, nothing matters, we have to take drastic action feeling, which I think could only be pictured (coming from a villain). They’re realizing it can be not only a good device in terms of telling a story, but it puts things out in the world and the zeitgeist that we need to hear.”

Marvel and DC both have a rich tradition of environmentalist antiheroes and villains. Poison Ivy is a deranged botanist who believes plants are the superior life form and uses her seductive charm and poison kiss to bring about their dominion on earth. Swamp Thing is a living embodiment of nature who fights to preserve the wilderness.

But superheroes used to fight for the environment, too. When was the last time we saw a masked vigilante stand up to an evil mining operation? Does Aquaman stop a bottom-trawler or clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in his movies? No, it’s his half-brother Orm who throws all our trash back to shore and tries to conquer the surface world to avenge Atlantis for all the pollution we’ve dumped on it.

“It’s a way of manifesting,” said Sullivan. “It’s hard to imagine that in the future, forces of nature are going to begin to kill us off, and if a superhero movie personifies that force into a villain, it’s also personifying something that is real–” making it tangible to the audience.

These new ecovillains see the destructive nature of humanity as unforgivable, irredeemable, past the point of no return. They give long, compelling monologues tying their heartfelt backstories in with their motivation to cleanse the earth, and everyone buys it.

They quip in circles around the good guys, effortlessly embarrassing them and foiling all their plans. In fact if they weren’t almost all hideous in some way, we might confuse them for antiheroes, right up to the point where they murder the necessary girlfriend or sidekick to inspire the heroes to a revenge killing.

Take the villain of Venom, genius billionaire Carlton Drake, who believes that climate change and overpopulation will render the earth uninhabitable in less than a generation.

“I’m not insane,” Drake says. “What’s insane is the way humans choose to live today. Think about it. All we do is take, take, take. It can’t go on. We’ve brought the planet to the brink of extinction.

We’re parasites.”

His solution is to cross humans with the predatory alien symbiotes his company found on a comet so some of us will be able to survive on other planets.

Unfortunately but not surprisingly,

Drake’s plan backfires when he joins forces with the symbiote called Riot and decides to let him bring the rest of the symbiotes to earth to eat us all.

Often it is with a heavy heart that these villains conclude that there is no reasoning with the human race, that we are inherently zombie consumers incapable of sparing the earth to spoil our children, but they push bravely onwards in their search for a final solution.

Case in point: Thanos, arch-nemesis of Avengers: Infinity War, is just worried about the limits of growth, in the Malthusian sense. His home planet was destroyed by overpopulation and resource depletion, and all he wants is to find the six magic crystals of something or other that will give him the power to end half the life in the universe, to ensure that there are enough resources left for future generations to build a sustainable civilization.

“Little one, it’s a simple calculus. This universe is finite, its resources, finite… if life is left unchecked, life will cease to exist. It needs correcting,” he tells his daughter Gamora. Never mind that the human population doubles roughly every 60 years, we’ll burn that bridge when we get there.

Sullivan said that giving time for a villain to make a compelling speech criticizing society can make the audience consider the point from a new angle. If we empathize with nature, humanity becomes the villain.

“It pulls you out of the story in a way and says, I am talking about bigger issues beyond this theater,” he said. “When you walk out and pass a homeless person on the street, you’re making a decision, and you have to be awake to that decision.”

And if humanity is the villain, what does that make the superheroes? Why are they always trying to save everybody? Do they want us to live just to drown in our own landfills?

Why are they always off looking for some ultimate weapon--the trident, the hammer, the suit, the crystal, the one thing that can save the whole world and avenge their fallen brethren and tie everything up in a nice, neat ribbon?

Don’t they know who they sound like?

Maybe what we need are stories of the apocalypse that help people understand that the real enemies are inequity, overconsumption, growth capitalism, pollution. Movies where climate change becomes our Independence Day and the whole world unites and mobilizes to fight it. Movies where there’s more than a lone hero or a final solution, where every character is equally important to accomplishing the goal, where the work is ongoing.

Please. Let’s make those. Or let’s make it happen in actual fact.

View full article online at GrowingUpSC.com

ASK NICOLE Gratitude and the Joy of Giving

BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW My Nana (my dad’s mom), taught me about the joy of giving versus receiving.

When I was a teen, Nana informed everyone she would continue to give all of us gifts for holidays and birthdays, but that she no longer wanted materials gifts from us. Instead, she asked her adult children and their families to volunteer or make donations as their gift to her. My family bought toys for other children during the holidays, and we loved selecting toys and imagining kids opening their presents. I continued that tradition even after I left home, and now, my parents and I have reached the same agreement. We donate to causes or organizations that matter to the other person instead of giving physical gifts.

Looking back, I realize how wise my Nana was to teach us to “pay it forward” – she was ahead of her time. Thank you, Nana.

This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@ first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, My wife and I work hard to support our family, but it seems like my kids are always asking for more things. They see their friends getting new phones, video games, expensive clothes, and they expect us to buy them the same things. My wife says they just want to fit in with their friends, but I think they need to learn to be grateful for what they have. What can we do?

Martín Dear Martín, That’s a good question, especially during this time of year when many holiday celebrations remind us to be thankful, grateful, kind, and generous.

Here are some tips to try: Teach by example. Sometimes the best way to teach children new attitudes, values, and skills is through our own words and actions. Talk about ways to show respect and appreciation of others, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” then model those behaviors in front of your children. Take it a step further by talking about the things you appreciate, especially non-material things, such as love, affection, and help from others.

Create opportunities for children to give instead of receive. This gives children a chance to practice being kind, caring, generous, and empathetic. It also teaches children that they are part of a larger community, which can help children develop a sense of purpose and belonging. Try making a “giving list”

with your kids that includes activities they can do to help other people, animals, or the planet. Encourage them to think of things they could do throughout the year, even after the holidays, and include some things that don’t involve material gifts. For example, if your kids care about the environment, add “Participate in a community cleanup day” to the giving list. Or if they love animals, add “Volunteer at the animal shelter” to the list. Try to include some things your whole family can do – like providing toys, clothing, and food for people who need them – so that giving to others becomes part of your family’s traditions.

Give descriptive praise. As you work through your “giving list,” give descriptive praise to show your children you notice their helpfulness and generosity. For example, “When we were buying toys, I could see you were thinking about what other kids might want. That was really thoughtful.”

Afterwards, ask them how it felt to give instead of receive, and how they think their words or actions made a positive impact on others.

Make gratefulness a daily habit. The holidays often remind us to be grateful for what we have and give to others.

However, the attitude of gratitude often fades after the New Year. Try creating family routines so that gratefulness becomes a daily habit. For instance, use family meals or bedtime to talk with your kids about the things they (and you) appreciated or felt good about that day.

Encourage them to notice and appreciate non-material things, like a friend’s kind words, a sibling’s help, or eating their favorite food for dinner.

Final Thoughts: Teaching children to be grateful and “pay it forward” is an important job for parents and caregivers.

It takes consistent effort and modeling, but the reward is worth it. Children and teens who learn to be kind, giving, and grateful when they are young will eventually grow up to be parents, caregivers, teachers, and leaders raising our next generation of children.

Kids often think of what they want for the holiday, but they can learn to love giving too.

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 Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 16 and 19, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc. org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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GET ORGANIZED Organization Equals Family Peace During Board Games

BY JHONEÉ FILLMORE My family LOVES to play board games. Our family consists of a sevenyear-old boy and a four-year-old boy. I noticed that the amount of time it took to merely setup a board game was using up their attention span and focus needed to play the game. I decided to create a system that allowed a quick setup. At the conclusion of every game, my family and I take an extra minute to cleanup and the whole family is involved. We have small Ziplocs bags to separate all items in the game such as: character pieces, money, cards, property, tiles, buildings, etc.

When you open a tidy box such as this, players can more easily setup the game, including the kids, and in way less time.

Another bonus is that pieces are entirely contained and not as easily lost.

By simply putting a game away using this system gives children the practice of sorting and grouping. You may be pleasantly surprised to find your kids organizing similarly in other areas of your house without you asking. What an awesome skill for them.

Lower Frustration

Board games are an amazing way to connect as a family while learning skills from the game itself. When my family is

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playing a board game and my two sons are wiggling around as kids do, the board itself gets wiggled. You know the story… game pieces get moved from where they are suppose to be and family members get a little grumpy with the wigglers.

To avoid the disagreement of where items should be on the board, Velcro them down. Yes, I said Velcro. Thanks to this awesome suggestion by my mother, we purchased the small Velcro circles and stuck one side to the board and one side to all game pieces. For example, Junior Monopoly utilizes character tiles to denote who owns the property such as the cat, dog, ship or car. Junior Scrabble is a game that is very tricky to keep going with small children as one bump of the elbow sends a whole game to shambles.

It is so helpful to have all of the letters in the words you are building stuck to the board. This trick significantly improves the enjoyment of the game by all.

Keep game pieces from wiggling about by using Velcrow circles and keep the family enjoying the game longer. Photo by Jhoneé Fillmore

Seal the Deal

After you have neatly finished packing up the board game, place a large rubber band around the box.

This way when boxes get tattered and also dropped by little hands, all of your contents remain inside.

DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Encourage Play

To encourage children to play board games more often, store them in a visible and easily accessible place.

Keeping the games easily accessible also allows your family to access the game

boxes without damaging them. Also, store the games for older children and adults in a spot that smaller children cannot easily access to avoid damaging the game and losing pieces.

HEALTHY EATING Impossible Burger vs. Beyond Burger

BY KRIS HOLDEN

Recipe INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed.

2 cups cooked brown rice, divided 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup chopped broccoli florets 1/2 cup oats 2 tbsp minced garlic 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 2 tbsp tahini 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp dried parsley 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 2 tbsp avocado oil Makes 8 Recipe by VegNews

The two biggest brands of fake meat, Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger, are all the hype. They are in the news and headlines and displayed on the menus at hundreds of restaurants and fast food chains. They seem to be targeting meat-eating consumers as they look, bleed and taste like meat. Compared to traditional beef burgers, the fake meat burgers require substantially less water to produce and are better for our environment. But, are they healthier for our bodies?

The Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger are both highly processed and engineered to replicate meat. They have similar protein amounts to ground beef, but have just as much saturated fat (from the coconut oil) and high sodium. They do offer two to three grams of fiber, where as beef has none. The Impossible Burger has 21 ingredients with the main contents being soy protein isolate, sunflower oil and coconut oil.

The Beyond Burger has 18 ingredients with the main contents being pea protein isolate, coconut oil and canola oil.

Both burgers use methylcellulose, as a binding agent. Methylcellulose is most commonly used as a laxative.

The Impossible Burger uses genetically modified ingredients or GMO’s. The main ingredient in the Impossible is soy protein isolate or SPI. SPI is a highly processed GMO soy. It’s stripped of the beneficial nutrients found in traditional soy foods such as tofu and tempeh.

SPI has been known to cause upset stomachs due to inhibiting the enzyme that helps digest protein in our body.

The Ultimate Veggie Burger

1.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven 375. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Into food processor, add beans, 1 cup rice, mushrooms, broccoli, oats, garlic, onion, tahini, paprika, parsley, salt, pepper.

Process until almost smooth, with chunks remaining. Transfer mixture to medium bowl and fold in remaining rice. Let rest 20 minutes.

3. Divide mixture and form into patties. Arrange on baking sheet in single layer and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from oven.

4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil. Add patties and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until a golden brown crust forms.

The most controversial ingredient, in the Impossible Burger, is ‘heme.’ This gives the burger its meaty flavor and red, blood-like drippings. Heme, is genetically engineered by adding GMO soy protein to genetically engineered yeast.

Beyond Burger does not use any genetically modified ingredients. They are soy-free and use pea protein isolate as their main ingredient. The pea protein is extracted using a water-based process and not with other harsh solvents such as hexane. Their pea protein is dyed with beet juice and does not include the genetically engineered ingredient heme.

On a study done by the Health Research Institute, both burgers were tested for levels of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. The levels of glyphosate, detected in the Impossible Burger were 11x higher, due to the GMO’s and soy used, than the Beyond Burger. High levels of glyphosate can destroy gut bacteria.

If we’re narrowing it down between which fake meat burger is the better choice for our health, Beyond Burger wins. But we have to remember that both are highly processed, contain saturated fat and sodium and should only be eaten in moderation. A healthier alternative would be to choose a veggie burger, a patty that is made with beans, grains and whole, unprocessed vegetables. These are widely available in the freezer section at most grocery stores. They are simple to make with a variety of options that can be added to the burger to maximize your health and support the environment.

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TEACHER'S DESK How Fast is Too Fast?

BY LISA CATTERALL When children create for the world they make it good. When children create for their teacher they make it good enough.

- Rushton Hurley

Come join us for: ~ Parent-Child Classes

~ Intro to Waldorf Early Childhood ~ Walk Though the Grades

For info call: 831-425-0519 or visit: www.santacruzwaldorf.org

10 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of tears and upset in my students when it comes to the idea of grades and competition.

Teaching at a college preparatory school, I’ve always had a great deal of competition and a fair share of perfectionists in my class. Perhaps I’m just noticing it more.

This year I have a lot of what teachers refer to as “early finishers.” Many teaching resources for younger students, including textbooks, now give advice and extra challenges to satisfy this group of students. Quite often, “early finishers” are showing off and haven’t really done the problems correctly, and all that’s needed is a little push back into the work. Sometimes, though, they are very fast workers or gifted learners. These types of students need more than other students to feed their minds and hold their interest.

When my early finishers openly complain that things are “too easy,” I have no problem taking them aside and reminding them that this type of comment might be a little insensitive towards those who are struggling. But when they legitimately finish early and respectfully ask for more work or come to me to find out what they should do next, they need my support just as much as the student working very slowly.

Some systems answer the problem by ability grouping. This can be very harmful to students’ self-esteem.

When we saw that problem happening intensely in middle school mathematics, our solution was to create a very challenging and work-intensive gateway to a higher ability grouping. Any student was welcome to attempt it, and parents were counseled throughout the process.

We noticed that student confidence remained intact, and what’s more, students seemed to learn something about themselves in a healthy way; they were empowered rather than victimized by a test score, or the system.

This process was almost impossibly labor-intensive, which just goes to show that education needs more resources at every level if we really want to build free, confident, and powerful citizens. But I’m happy we found something that worked.

Back to students feeling unworthy…

In the moment, when it crops up in a spate of tears or upset feelings, all I have to offer is a whole lot of empathy.

Although I eventually was published as a biochemist, I felt exactly the way they do when I was sitting in high school chemistry. People in my class were fast, gifted, competitive, and seemed to be sprinting all the time. I’m not sure how I built the resilience to try the subject again in college, except that someone laid it across my path as a biology major.

“Don’t let that feeling define school for you. You can do anything. It’s just fine to take time on your work, and it’s clear to me that you really get it.”

“But there is so much competition. I feel like I’m just failing all the time because I’m always behind, I’m never first.”

How do we help our strong learners in this world when competition, and stakes, seem to be so high for them? I can tell them their work is good enough until I’m blue in the face, but they believe they know more than I do about what is “good enough,” and they’d rather excel at everything.

I just want to stop and give them all a big warm hug and let them see that the path before them is full of light, love, hope, and achievements they can’t even imagine yet. Someday they will hold their first baby right after birth, or they will stand on top of a mountain they’ve climbed, or finish a race, or read a book that changes their entire outlook on life. In the meantime, in their world, there seems to be a void of meaningful moments into which they place the need to achieve to the utmost, all the time.

It’s a reminder to us educators to give them ways to really go out and affect the world they live in in meaningful ways as often as possible rather than simply drilling the fundamentals and preparing them for tests. Community service, service projects, environmental projects, classwork and field trips connecting them to their greater community, ideas that build their view of themselves as world citizens. It’s not easy to create these things in a high school chemistry class. But I’m here because I believe it’s not impossible.  Lisa Catterall teaches STEAM, math, science, and art at Mount Madonna School and is a senior associate of the Centers for Research on Creativity. She lectures and trains teachers and administrators on innovation in education in Beijing, China. Lisa has five children and lives in Santa Cruz County.

Read us online for the top calendar of family events.

GrowingUpSC .com

ALWAYS AMUSED Finding the Right Gift for the Thrill-Seeker

BY ERIK CHALHOUB Have a theme park fanatic in your family, but don’t know what to give them for the holidays? You’ve come to the right article.

It’s a well-known fact of life that theme parks are an expensive hobby: tickets, season passes, parking, hotels, airfare, etc. are not kind on the wallet. But savvy shoppers looking to give the gift of thrills this holiday season know the who, what, when and where for the best deals.

Here are some suggestions that will hopefully make your shopping easier.

To pass or not to pass?

In a previous column for Growing Up in Santa Cruz, I described in detail when you should, or should not, buy a season pass for your favorite park. To recap: If you plan on visiting one park at least twice in the year, then a season pass pays for itself after the second visit. If you are only visiting once in the year, then a single admission ticket is the way to go.

Most parks in our region have their best deals on season passes in September/ October. It’s a great time to purchase them ahead and save them for December (although Six Flags parks require you to process your pass in person before November, so pay attention).

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is offering a free $15 MyBoardwalk Card on purchases of season passes before Jan. 5.

Passes are $81.95 each, but it’s a good deal for Santa Cruz locals who will get the most visits out of it.

For the younger set, California’s Great America’s free Pre-K pass allows children ages 3-5 to visit the park for the entire year. A Gold pass at Great America also gives you free admission (but not parking) to Gilroy Gardens, a two-forone deal.

Park swag

If your coaster nut has already renewed every one of their season passes into the foreseeable future, you’re not out of luck for the holidays.

All parks have an abundance of stores selling themed merchandise, from coffee cups, stuffed animals, clothes, action figures and more. I recommend gifting a T-shirt with the recipient’s favorite coaster on it. There’s nothing quite like riding your favorite coaster with its logo emblazoned on the front of your shirt.

Good deals can be found at the end of the year, when parks are trying to clear out their inventory to make room for next season’s merch.

Thrills from home

As much as they may want to, your thrill-seeker can’t visit their favorite park every day.

So give them the next best thing: RollerCoaster Tycoon, available for PC, Mac, smart phones and other

gaming consoles.

The pioneer theme park design video game allows the user to build their own coasters from scratch and build a park around them. Users have complete control over the layout of their parks, right down to the restrooms. You can even take a spin on your crazy creations.

A relative newcomer to the scene is Planet Coaster, available for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, which has been well-received by critics.

For the advanced gamer, NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulation is right up their alley. Chances are you’ve seen the computer-generated videos on YouTube that parks use to promote a new ride under construction. This is that software.

A model gift

Most theme park fans are avid collectors, gathering everything from park maps, pins and even old season pass cards.

But you have the chance to give them the pinnacle of their collection: a roller coaster model.

Coasterdynamix (coasterdynamix. com) sells various small-scale, but realistic models of coasters, as well as limited edition models of actual rides, such as X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

There are also numerous LEGO roller coaster sets on the market, many of which are functional and customizable.

Holiday Ice has a giant festive tree, skating lessons and snow, yes snow, every hour.

Get into the spirit With all this talk about shopping, it’s easy to forget that the holidays are meant to be spent with family. And there are plenty of opportunities to do so at our local theme parks.

The Boardwalk’s Holiday Ice runs through Jan. 5. A 32-by-90-foot covered ice skating rink has been constructed in the main entrance, and guests can reserve a one-hour session that includes skates. The event also includes holiday movie screenings, crafts, lights and more.

WinterFest, running through Dec. 31 at California’s Great America, fills the park with light displays and décor, live holiday shows, more than 60 rides and holiday attractions, ice skating and holiday dining fare.

Gilroy Gardens’ Holiday event runs select nights through Dec. 30.

Like any hobby, there is no shortage of theme park-related gifts out there. The suggestions above should help you find that perfect gift for the thrill-seeker in your family.

Read us online for the top calendar of family events.

GrowingUpSC .com GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

11

YOUR HEALTH Kids Navigate the Rails During Winter Break

BY SUKI WESSLING

Kids used to video games don’t want to just watch trains, they want to drive them and they can here.

One of the highlights of Santa Cruz holiday season is the ginormous train set at the Museum of Art & History, where kids can run the trains themselves.

The set has been put up for 15 years by a group of devoted train lovers, the Golden State Toy Train Operators.

“I’ve always enjoyed trains,” says Eric Child, 75, one of the group’s founders.

“When I was about 6 or 7, I got my first toy train set. As a very small child in San Anselmo I can remember taking the train to catch a ferry over to San Francisco.

I had a heart murmur so I had to go to Stanford Children’s Hospital. [Later] I lived across from the railroad tracks in Sunnyvale so I could see all the trains going through.”

Though the organization is officially located in San Jose, Child says that the germ of the idea came from going local.

“We were part of the ‘over the hill gang’ because the main organization was over the hill in San Jose and we were all in Santa Cruz,” says Child.

“Craig Miller and I decided wouldn’t it be nice instead of always having to go over the hill to play trains if we had something here in Santa Cruz? That’s when we approached MAH and started the train show here, 15 years ago.”

Child says that Santa Cruz is a great place to be a train enthusiast. “There’s a strong history in railroading in Santa Cruz County,” he says.

Child speaks enthusiastically of his younger years, hiking to remote spots in the Santa Cruz Mountains to see

abandoned train tunnels and rightof-ways. One time in the mid-1970s a co-worker took him and his fellow enthusiasts on a plane ride to see the lines from above. Although much of the more remote sites are now closed to the public, families can still see traces of the history of local railroading at Roaring Camp, downtown, and in Nisene Marks State Forest.

Child does a huge train and town themed yard display on Oceanview Avenue that attracts thousands of visitors.

This month at the MAH, kids get to be the one with their hands on the controls, the feature that Child and Miller insisted on when they designed the exhibit.

“They are just mesmerized,” Child says. “It’s like having your own mechanical miniature world. For a lot of kids now, of course, it’s their own electronic miniature world!”

The adults who work hard to create this yearly display don’t view it as work.

They are passing on their passion for a bygone era to the younger generation, and from the looks of it, playing with trains never gets old.

“We have a good time!” Child says.

Visit Child’s home railroad at fcwgrr.

com/ It even has a Facebook page.

MAH DECEMBER

Free First Friday December 6, 10 am - 9 pm Drop in holiday crafts 5-9 pm Live Music: 6:30-9 pm Teen Craft / Art Market: 5-9 pm Winter Pop-up Lounges in Abbott Square with the Downtown Association

Three December weekends, take a break from shopping and other tasks to hang out at the museum with your kids.

There will be craft tables and interactive workshops at 1 pm. The workshops will include dancing and exploring instruments.

Winter Pop-up in Abbott Square

3 Sundays, December 8, 15, and 22 Crafting 12- 3 pm Music Performance 1 pm Drop-in Waltz Class with Peggy Pollard of Santa Cruz Waltz 2 pm Museum entry (admission required) and food & drinks 12 - 3 pm

 Suki Wessling is a local author and the mother of two former children. She teaches online courses for homeschool and afterschool at AthenasAcademy. com and writes articles for parents on her blog. Visit www.SukiWessling.com or

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BIRTH MATTERS Use Your B.R.A.I.N.

BY LAURA MAXSON, LM While classes, books, and a written birth plan make a great foundation, it is not always possible to control what is happening in labor. Having a plan in mind for decision-making can be a big help in exploring options and feeling empowered by decisions instead of feeling thrown off course.

Used for decades by parents, doulas and care providers, the acronym B.R.A.I.N. is an excellent tool to discuss and explore situations and options that can come up in pregnancy and labor. The components of B.R.A.I.N. are simple - consider the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition and doing Nothing when making a decision.

Just having this basic roadmap can be reassuring, especially when unexpected problems seem overwhelming.

Giving birth is nature at its best.

Most of those in labor should not need anything more than encouragement and a watchful eye to assure that all is going smoothly. Unfortunately, when it comes to childbirth, that watchful eye has often turned into a bit of Big Brother, with overzealous surveillance and control.

Understanding if an offered suggestion or intervention is reflective of an individual’s personal situation or if there is a broader general policy driving the recommendations can be a challenge.

When suggestions are in line with the birth plan and feel supportive it’s all good. However, sometimes a suggestion can seem like a bad fit. Taking a moment to turn over the suggestion with the B.R.A.I.N. components can help clarify why something might need to be done or what other options might be available.

Benefits

What is the expected result of the suggestion? Will the test or procedure give information that will change the situation or treatment?

Risks

What else might happen? Is there a downside? This can be as simple as the intervention might not work, or as serious as leading to an emergency cesarean.

Alternatives

Is this the only solution or is there something else to try that might serve the same purpose?

Intuition

How does this suggestion feel? Is there a basic gut-feeling about the recommendation?

Do Nothing

Would it be possible to just skip it altogether or what would happen if it was put off for a certain amount of time?

Here’s an example. After being at the hospital for several hours in labor

with her first baby, a laboring person is found to be five centimeters dilated, not much different from when she arrived.

She is feeling frustrated, although all is essentially well. Her care provider discusses the situation and suggests starting Pitocin and breaking the bag of water to get things going.

Benefits are anticipated to be longer, stronger contractions to bring about some welcome progress.

Risks can include an over stimulated uterus resulting in stress to the baby that can become an emergency. Mobility can be limited dealing with the IV line and the continuous fetal monitoring required with Pitocin. The artificially stronger contractions can be more challenging to deal with, often necessitating pain medication. Rupturing membranes can cause complications such as increased risk of infection or cord prolapse, which is a medical emergency.

Alternatives might include going back home until labor picks up – sometimes the hospital environment increases maternal stress hormones that interfere with labor hormones, especially in early labor. While out of the hospital, parents can rest better in their own bed. Sexual activity or just snuggling together can release oxytocin, the same labor hormone as Pitocin, and may naturally stimulate contractions. A visit to the acupuncturist, massage therapist, chiropractor or just a nice long walk (with a few trips up and down the stairs to the beach) can all help build labor.

Or, if staying at the hospital, parents might: walk the halls, request a breast pump to help stimulate the release of oxytocin or negotiate a period of “do not disturb” time – no procedures, no questions, dark room, only gentle touch and murmured words during contractions. If it’s the middle of the night, some might consider a sleep medication to help really get some good rest between contractions before labor picks up.

Intuition might point to doing whatever she can to get things going or confirm that they may have arrived at the hospital too early. What feels like a good fit for this person in this situation?

Doing Nothing isn’t always an option, but often parents can negotiate for more time, then reassess.

Making the decision is going to look different for everyone. An experienced birth doula can be a real help in developing questions to ask and exploring other options that might not have been presented. Different people in the same situation will make different decisions, as it should be when the B.R.A.I.N. is used.  Meet the Doulas – Jan 18 – birthnet.org Explore options:

evidencebasedbirth.com

Having a written road map for all your plans during birthing will help when things seem too chaotic.

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

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

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

py Hap ys! ida l o H

Meet the Doulas

Saturday Jan 18, 4pm Pacific Cultural Center

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

One-stop-shopping for pregnancy, birth & parenting services: www.birthnet.org GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

13

CAREER PATHWAYS Linking Play to Future Careers

BY MARY GAUKEL FORSTER The holiday season provides opportunities to give career exploration gifts and to reflect with our children about what toys and games teach us about ourselves.

Traditionally, we may think of trucks, dolls, kitchen sets, erector sets or video games. Here are some conversation starters for all ages, that link play to future careers, and suggestions for toys and games that entertain and teach.

Younger Children

Parents can help younger children connect their toys and play with skills, interests, and possible careers through questions and conversation. With practice and observation, a parent can encourage career awareness from a young age as a natural part of parent and child communication.

When viewing something your child has designed and built, maybe with building blocks, you might ask your child to explain the structure, why they placed blocks in certain places, what it is used for, and how it looks to them.

Parents might follow up by talking about the skills used by the child: designing, planning, constructing.

The next level would be to mention that an architect designs buildings; talking about the purpose of the building, materials used, and how it looks.

Over time, it will become natural to help your child be aware of their skills and interests, and the careers that connect with those, as they play with toys and games.

Preteens and Teens

“Do you remember when” was always a great and non-threatening conversation starter when my children were in the preteen and teen years.

“Do you remember when you asked for owl pellets for Christmas?” I asked my middle son. He nodded yes. “You were so interested in the natural world.

Taking apart the pellets and assembling the skeletons from the rodents the owl ate. You were so curious, patient, and attentive to detail. You were doing what a naturalist or environmentalist might do as part of their job.”

For my daughter, “Do you remember when you were in kindergarten and you asked for a desk and bulletinboard so you could play teacher? You were leading opening circle, teaching

numbers, and letters. You might become a teacher someday.”

Here are gift suggestions: Gifts for 3 Years+ • Dentist Set (Plan Toys) • Robot Turtles for Little Programmers (Thinkfun) teaches how to correct bugs in programming and sub-routines and loops • Little Architect (ARCKIT PLAY) • Dress-Up Clothes (Lakeshore Curriculum) • Busy, Busy Airport (Busytown) Gifts for 7 Years+ • Make a Robotic Arm (Curious Engineer Kits) • Dr. Eureka, Mix the Molecules, Master the Formulas DNA & Traits (Yellow Scope) • Ground Up Construction (Skill Arcade Games) One great place for educational gifts is Wonderland Toys and Classroom Resources, 4101 Soquel Drive Suite B2, Soquel, CA 95073 (and at the Museum of Discovery for the holiday season).

If you put some thought into it, toys can be educational and fun and lead to a great future.  Mary has taught elementary, middle and high school students and was a principal. She is executive director for the non-profit Your Future Is Our Business, which partners with schools to link students to careers. Reach Mary at marygaukel@gmail.com

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www.BookakeryBoxes.com 14 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

EXTREMELY SPORTS He Flies Through the Air with the Greatest of Ease

BY KEVIN PAINCHAUD

Taj started bouncing when he was 2, after watching his father on a trampoline. Photo by Kevin Painchaud for T and T gymnastics that is in the Olympics is trampoline.

KP: Tell me about your training? How often, how many hours a day?

Taj: My training is on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Monday and Wednesday, I do three hours of training a day and on Friday, I do four hours.

Gymnastics is a year-round sport. I train all year but we do not compete all year round. I train at Vargas Academy in Scotts Valley.

KP: Are you parents supportive?

Taj: My parents support me fully

whatever I want to do with gymnastics.

They’re happy that I’m able to do what I love.

KP: What’s the most difficult trick you are able to do?

Taj: The most difficult trick I can do landed on the trampoline would either be a Full Barani or a Rudi Out. A Full Barani is a 360 front flip into front flip 180. A Rudi Out is a double front flip on second rotation you do a 540. I can do more difficult tricks into the foam pit.

One of the main tricks that I’m trying to learn right now is a Triffis or a Full Rudi.

A Triffis is a triple front flip and on last rotation it’s a 180. And a Full Rudi is a front flip 360 into front flip 540. All of these are in the air then land after the flips not in between.

KP: If other kids want to learn to do what you do, where should they start?

What advice do you have for people to learn?

Taj: If kids want to learn to do what I do, they should start in a recreational class in a gymnastics gym somewhere like Vargas. If you’re starting out on the trampoline you should not go for huge skills. You should start with skills that are easier, so that you are safe and don’t get hurt, and practice a lot.

Taj Rodriguez, 13, looks like Spider-man as he gets air off his trampoline. Photo: Kevin Painchaud Taj Rodriguez, 13, started bouncing on a trampoline when he was 2. Now, he’s a competitive trampolinist who trains at Vargas Academy and placed seventh in the country at the nationals for Trampoline and Tumbling held in Des Moines, Iowa. The Aptos Junior High eighth grader does Jiu Jitzu and has been a Capitola Junior Guard. He enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, skating and surfing.

KP: When did you first discover the trampoline?

Taj: When I was 2-years-old I saw my dad on a trampoline and I tried to copy some of the things he was doing, I got a front flip around then. Later on when I was about 11, I saw people on Instagram doing a lot of different types of flips and I decided to get into it and I got my own trampoline in the backyard. I wanted to get a double backflip really bad and I did, but it was sloppy. When my friend showed me the gym, Vargas, I decided to try to join a class to make my skills get better. After about a year of recreational classes I joined the competition team.

KP: What do you enjoy about the trampoline?

Taj: What I enjoy is learning new skills and progressing. What excites me about it is like getting higher and doing bigger skills and flips and stuff. I also like the competitions and “mobilizing” (moving up to higher levels) because then I get to do harder skills at competition.

KP: Have you ever been injured?

Taj: In gymnastics, I’ve never actually been injured long term. Gymnastics in general is a very dangerous sport because we’re doing crazy stuff it’s high risk but my coach is very good at keeping us safe and making sure none of us gets hurt by training right.

KP: What about competition?

Taj: I am on the competition team where I compete multiple times in a season. I compete in local competitions and also this year we’ll go to Salt Lake City, St. Louis Missouri, Indiana, and a bunch of local Bay Area comps. Last year we went to Reno, Pismo, and a bunch of local competitions, Nationals was in Des Moines, Iowa. My best awards were when I placed first in Double Mini at States, second in Trampoline and then was ranked seventh in the nation on Double Mini, and ninth in Trampoline at Nationals. I got a lot of firsts and seconds in the season but those were smaller competitions.

KP: When did you become serious about the trampoline?

Taj: I became a serious trampolinist once I joined the competition team last year. The type of gymnastics I do is called T and T, which stands for trampoline and tumbling. We compete with USA gymnastics. The only difference between us and what most people see on the Olympics is they do artistic gymnastics, which is like what you see Simone Biles do. T and T gymnasts also compete in the Olympics but so far the only event GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

15

Dog

Finding Fido

BY NATALYA DRESZER The holiday season is right around the corner and everyone deserves an extra treat – that’s right, it’s time to think gifts for your furry pet! We sat down with a dog expert at Hazeldog to get the best ideas. Hazeldog is a source of information and tools for dog guardians to help them have fulfilling, fun lives with their dogs run by a CTC-certified Dog Trainer. Here is a list of some of their favorite holiday gift ideas for you and your dog.

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•

The Kong-Wobbler is a go-to intro food puzzle, it’s a durable and dishwasher-safe treat-dispensing toy. Hazeldog suggests that “every dog could benefit from eating their meals out of food puzzles,” it takes dog guardians an extra 30 seconds to prepare the puzzle and turns a 1-2 minute meal with a regular food bowl to an appropriate outlet for your dog’s energy that can last up to half an hour. Especially in winter when it’s dark out, using food puzzles as mental enrichment to tire your dogs out can help make them feel satisfied with their day. kongcompany.com/wobbler The West Paw Toppl is great as a busy project and for snacks between meals. It is a more open at the top than the Kong food

•

•

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16 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

puzzles, so it’s a good puzzle choice for wet-food options and peanut butter. These come in different sizes and are stackable for an extra challenge, and Hazeldog has a tip: add food and then freeze it to make the puzzle harder for your dog! Using food puzzles for meals and snacks can also keep your dog occupied and entertained without your attention. westpaw.com/dog-toys/ puzzle/toppl-treat-toy The Outward Hound Tail Teaser is a toy for your dog, almost like an oversized cat toy. This option is great to tire out energetic dogs because you don’t need that much space - just a 6x6 foot space in a living room is enough. It’s a great way to tire your dog out when it’s too dark to go anywhere, and it’s super durable. outwardhound.com/ catalog/product/view/id/169 Dog Nerd Shirt (for dog guardians), made by Woolf Cultr is a local company based out of Pacifica that makes the cutest shirts! My favorite is the “dog nerd” t-shirt, although there are several fun options. woofcultr.com/ collections/t-shirts Let Them Sniff Canvas Tote, another product by Wolf Cultr, the “Let Them Sniff” message can also be a good conversation starter. Even very small dogs are not getting significant physical exercise from a leashed walk, so letting them

sniff is a great way to let them use their brains and explore the world with their primary sense.

Dogs have about 50 times more olfactory receptors in their noses than humans1 and once dog guardians realize that sniffing is what dogs want, they can both enjoy walks more, being on the same page.

• Ruffwear (Front Range). This is a padded harness with front and back clips, and is great because the padding is comfortable for long walks and hikes, great for dogs who are out on the trails a lot. Ruffwear is a “cool” brand, sort of like Patagonia for dogs and the bright colors are fun but not childish, which some dog stuff can be.

Why are attachment points on the front of leashes useful? When a dog pulls on a leash attached on the front the physics moves them to the side. This means that there will not be as much force put on the person holding the leash as a leash attached at the back, making it easier for the dog walker. Additionally, a harness causes less choking and pain for a dog than a collar, making the experience more enjoyable for dog guardians and dogs alike!

• Free Range Chicken Thighs boiled and cubed. The highest quality most expensive meat that you can find on the market is still going to be cheaper than the fancy dog treats.

Baby Food or Squeeze Pouches Gerber makes some that come in plastic tubs, dogs can eat it straight out of the tub (if you trust your dog not to eat the plastic), or transferred to a food puzzle like the Kong Classic or West Paw Topple. Tip: Freeze it to make it more of a challenge!

Note: some dogs will love any flavor, but if your dog isn’t used to eating veggies then the meat options will probably be the most fun for your dog.

Remember, avoid chocolate, grapes, spices, anything in the onion family (including garlic).

• Leftover cardboard boxes from holiday shopping --use boxes as a food puzzle! Make the puzzles harder and harder for your dog, starting with the lid open, then closing it or adding packing paper mixed in with food. Let them shred the box for extra fun! Shredding is normal dog behavior that can be a good thing for your dog to express.

Just because you are letting them do it doesn’t mean that they will start wanting to do it more, in fact, by giving them the outlet to do it appropriately it will make it less likely that they will do it at an inappropriate time. Make sure they don’t eat the cardboard (but less dangerous than other materials if they accidentally do eat a little bit.

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FIRE SAFETY Fireplaces Are Dangerous if Not Kept Up

BY THE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL Fall is here and many rural residents are turning to their fireplaces and woodstoves to heat their houses. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people. Structure fires related to dirty chimneys may also spread and cause damage to adjacent structures or even ignite a wildland fire.

Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to safely contain wood fires, while providing heat for a home. The chimneys that serve them have the job of expelling the by-products of combustion – the substances produced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon and tar.

As these substances exit the fireplace or wood stove, and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote. Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky…tar-like, drippy and sticky…or shiny and hardened. All forms are highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities – and the internal flue temperature is high enough – the result could be a chimney fire.

Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible and they often go undetected until a later chimney inspection, but, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause as much damage to the chimney structure – and nearby combustible parts of the house – as other kinds of structure fires. Chimney fires can also burn explosively – noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or people passing by. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane. However, those are only the chimney fires you know about.

Indications of a chimney fire have been described as creating: • • •

Loud cracking and popping noise A lot of dense smoke, and An intense, hot smell

Conditions that encourage the buildup of creosote:

Restricted air supply Unseasoned wood Cooler than normal chimney temperatures Air supply may be restricted by closing the glass doors, by failing to open the damper wide enough, and the lack of sufficient make-up air to move heated smoke up the chimney rapidly (the longer the smoke’s “residence time” in the flue, the more likely it is that creosote will form). A wood stove’s air supply can be limited by closing down the stove damper or air inlets too soon or too much. Burning unseasoned wood – • • •

Don’t forget to get your chimney cleaned every year, or you could be in for a bad surprise. because so much energy is used initially just to drive off the water trapped in the cells of the logs– keeps the resulting smoke cooler, than if seasoned wood is used. In the case of wood stoves, overloading the firebox with wood in an attempt to get a longer burn time also contributes to creosote buildup.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.”

Even if you heat with a gas fireplace, chimneys can still harbor bird nests or other combustible material that needs to be removed prior to having a fire.

Additionally, a chimney inspection can reveal structural issues that may enable a fire. Many Santa Cruz Mountain houses have cracked chimneys due to earthquakes. This can lead not only to a chimney fire, but unsecured masonry on a rooftop can be a major safety threat in the case of a future earthquake when it might fall through the roof onto occupants below. Finally, just as it is advantageous to consider the timing of purchasing fuel for your fireplace, it is important to consider the timing for your annual inspection and cleaning.

Inspectors are typically very busy in the late fall and early winter and may be hard to schedule at that time.

• •

Only use fire starters designed for fireplaces and wood stoves.

Keep all combustibles at least 36 inches from your fireplace or wood stove.

Use a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent flying sparks

• • •

from igniting nearby combustibles.

Be sure that you have functioning carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home.

Do not leave fires unattended.

Pick a reputable company to service your fireplace or wood stove.

The following are some good best practices for the use of fireplaces: • • • • •

Get an annual chimney inspection.

Be sure vegetation is not overhanging your chimney.

Have a cap on your chimney to prevent animals and debris from entering it.

Use well-seasoned hardwood for your fires.

Do not use liquid fire starters.

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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LOCAL NEWS Forget Broadway, Catch Some School Plays

BY BRAD KAVA We used to think that you had to handicap school plays, measure them on a different standard, then, say, something you would see in a professional theater.

These are just students, after all.

Well, two plays we caught last month in Aptos changed our minds about that. When we saw “Carrie” at Cabrillo College, all through the play we assumed

it was done by the professionals at Cabrillo Stage. Not so. Most of the actors were students, and we only found that out at the end.

It was as tight and well performed as anything we’ve seen in big theaters for much higher prices.

Even more surprising was Aptos High’s “Singin’ in the Rain.” Students aren’t

supposed to tap dance and sing this well.

High school stage sets are supposed to look like they were done in a shoddy art room. Nope. There are supposed to be forgotten lines and missed cues.

Nope. This came off as well as anything we’ve seen on any stage, anywhere. We are firm believers in the idea that drama departments are as important as athletics,

Lizz Hodgin Weihrauch as Carrie’s mother, in a back stage shot.

although sometimes it’s hard to believe that from the way those things are treated in all schools.

Kudos to all the students and the directors, musicians, stage hands and artists who made these shows so professional.

Marina Louise as Carrie, a show that teaches an important lesson about bullying and was more tragic than the horror movie.

Photo by Brad Kava

y

Camrynn Ford as Dora Bailey in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Photo by Brad Kava

Parise Zeleny as Kathy Selden in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Photo by Brad Kava

18 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Calvin Nigh as Don Lockwood in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Photo by Brad Kava

LOCAL NEWS Yes, Virginia, There are Faeries and They are Magic

BY NATALYA DRESZER

Faerie Cricket's Coping Calendar. is more complex and honoured the sadness that I sometimes felt, or the frustration or pain, alongside the joy that I felt and celebrating the uniqueness and perspective and culture of being a disabled person.”

The work is for everyone: “I really like childish things and whimsical sensibilities so it’s also partially for me,” she says.

Her work embraces all the messiness of her creative and lived experience.

While effervescing about messiness, she throws her head back in a laugh and bonks her head against the wall. “I’m

too big for my body,” she says. “I just remembered, I get a lot of energy and creative juice by being in a body that is small and somewhat fragile.”

Her art, especially the “Coping Calendar” that she makes every year, honors that messiness, that “balance of real intensity with gentleness and softness.” It’s available on her website at an affordable sliding scale price.

Haley loves creating the world of the Ground Faerie, the passion shines through everything she tells me about it.

“I wish the world was more soft and more magical,” she says, “and so I like getting to imagine that in my work.”

Haley Brown is available to perform her children’s book puppet show and attend events as Faerie Cricket. This is her fifth year making the Coping Calendar, and she has coloring books, stickers, and more for sale. Find more information on her booking her for events and artwork on her website: haleybrown.org Upcoming Events Queer Magic Makers Sunday, December 8 Girl Gang Craft Saturday, December 14

Like Santa Claus, Faerie Cricket stays in her role when she meets kids at events and parties.

Photo by Connor James Photography Faerie Cricket brings face painting, giant bubbles, and general whimsy to events of all kinds. She is a “Ground Faerie,” brought to life by Santa Cruzan Haley Brown, 29, a visual and performing artist who addresses disability with her work with children.

“I imagine a ground faerie is any faerie that can’t fly for whatever reason,” Haley says. “It’s an allegory for disability or difference or limitation of any kind.”

Haley has finished the text of her first children’s book, The Ground Faerie. It’s written as a letter from an older ground fairie to a child ground fairie. Now, she’s doing readings of that story as a puppet show with her art, but she’s still figuring out how to turn that into the performance that is a physical children’s book. The transition is not as simple for her as creating a background for the text. “Reading a (picture) book is a performance,” she explains. “Children’s books are a prompt to connect the reader and the listener, the pages are a set, each page turn is a dramatic act that reveals a new scene.”

Growing up disabled in Santa Cruz, Haley had brittle bones --osteogenesis imperfecta -- and would sometimes use a wheelchair. She didn’t see children like her portrayed as multi-dimensional characters in the stories she was told. “As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized how affected I am by the unnamed cultural narratives that we have about disability and femininity and queerness,” Haley says.

Haley has been working as Faerie Cricket for the last four years, attending special events, working as a children’s entertainer at birthday parties, corporate events, school assemblies, and carnivals.

While this performance art is framed for children, she emphasizes that work with children can be both radical and political, and can be a platform to reach children and adults.

“I love performing for an audience of kids and their parents don’t expect you to reach them too, but when you do it’s really exciting.”

Before we began the interview, she expressed being nervous about the way her story could be presented as a simplified story of “overcoming,” an article centered around inspiring ablebodied individuals. She was wearing rainbow earrings made of cloth and a hand-cropped shirt that says “Access is Love.” That’s happened to her before, she told me, and is the framing of most of the mainstream articles she’s seen about disabled artists. She doesn’t want the way her story is told to add to limiting narratives about disbaled people, especially when “imagin(ing) what it would look like to develop a new mythology around disabilities” is at the core of what makes her excited about her work.

“I’m always thinking about creating the kind of content that I didn’t see (growing up) and that I wanted,” she says. “I wanted there to be a book that

Learn about the Join us at our opportunities awaiting your student at Kirby School.

January 25th at 1pm Hosting an Open House on January 25th at 1pm RSVP at kirby.org/visit or email admissions@kirby.org 425 ENCINAL STREET Be sure to ask about our Tuition Assistance Program. We are SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 committed to making Kirby School affordable and offered 831-423-0658 over $1M in assistance to families this school year.

KIRBY.ORG

OPEN HOUSE

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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LOCAL NEWS Shop Local, Give Local

BY NATALYA DRESZER The holiday season is just around the corner, and just because we’re going through a cultural shift trying to question our relationship with excess material possessions doesn’t mean that we can’t indulge in the joy of gift giving! Here are 9 holiday gift ideas that support local artists, local businesses, and sustainability: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Pacific Edge: Looking for the perfect gift to tire out a ball of energy for a day? Pacific Edge is a rock climbing gym that is fun and safe for any rock climbing levels, from first timers to world-class professionals (Chris Sharma started at Pacific Edge)! A day pass, 10-time pass, or membership is a great way to introduce someone to climbing or give them more fun doing something they already love! pacificedgeclimbinggym. com/daily-rates Crafting Lounge: Make a ceramic or candle gift at a craft lounge or give the gift of a fun time at a craft lounge! Get a gift certificate to one of Santa Cruz’s two favorite craft lounges: Petroglyph Ceramics Lounge, or Glow Candle Lounge and make personalized gifts that will be a blast to make and receive. petroglyph .comgift-card, glowlounge. biz/giftcards Homeless Garden Project Store: The Homeless Garden Project is a local organization that seeks to connect people experiencing homelessness with employment and social service resources. The store sells various products made my individuals in the training program with food, flowers, and herbs grown on the farm as well as crafts made by local artists. Try their white pepper lavender lotion or delicious strawberry jam, available online or two store locations. homelessgardenproject. orgshop/index.php The Gift of Learning: Santa Cruz has so many amazing classes and workshops on whatever topic you’d like to learn about. Get a loved one the gift of learning this holiday season and sign them up for class. New Leaf offers a series of cooking classes, DIG Gardens offers workshops on plants, and Permaculture Santa Cruz offers weekend courses on various aspects of permaculture design. newleaf .com/ events, diggardens.com/collections/ workshops, santacruzpermaculture. com/permaculture-design-course Local Art: Missed the Open Studios weekend? Can’t make it to the Santa Cruz Makers Market?

Still want to support local artists over the holiday season? Get your gifts at Artisans and Agency, a store that sells the work of local artists. Find a watercolor painting

6.

7.

8.

9.

20 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

by Marie Gabrille or a 3D wooden map by Origin, or stroll through the store and see what catches your eye. artisanssantacruz .com Houseplants: Give the gift of life to last these dark winter months.

Houseplants are a great way to liven-up an indoor living space and bring some joy to a room.

Various plant have emotional and physical benefits, from their beauty to their air-purifying qualities. Find the perfect plant to gift from DIG Gardens or Garden Company Nursery and Gift Shop. diggardens .com, thegardenco.com Little People’s Store: Want to expand you kid’s wardrobe, book selection, and toy selection with minimal environmental impact?

Go to the Little People’s Store facebook.comLittle-Peoples-Store-ofScotts-Valley-465001700198701, which sells used items in great condition. Try different fashion trends and explore new toys while holding true to your values of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

We also love, love, love Jellibeanz on Soquel Drive, where you can trade in your toys, clothes and books for other items in very good shape. jellibeanzonline.com Book subscriptions for kids: Keep your kids excited about reading with a monthly book subscription. There’s dozens to choose from for all ages and reading levels, but our current top picks are the Bookakery (think books and bakery), which gives kids not only books, but recipes and tools to make food to go with the book(bookakeryboxes. com). There’s also The Conscious Kid, which focuses on “centering underrepresented and oppressed groups.” theconsciouskid.org Santa Cruz Mountains Makers Market: Support local artists by doing your holiday shopping at the Makers Market. Vendors sell homemade goods like jewelry, clothing, pottery, painting, woodwork, candles, lotions, and more! Find them Downtown Santa Cruz on Pacific Ave. on December 8, and Pop-ups will be held on December 7, 14, 15, 21, & 22 at the former Bhody store at 1526 Pacific Ave. just down from Bookshop Santa Cruz and on the same block at the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market! scmmakersmarket .com

Nov 14-Dec 31 shop local at your favorite toy store in 2 locations!

wonder

4101-B2 SOQUEL DR (SOQUEL & 41ST)

•

play

•

learn

POP-UP SHOP IN THE MOD AT THE CAPITOLA MALL!

www.wonderlandsantacruz.com | (831) 316-7261

LOCAL NEWS How I Learned to Make Money Playing Video Games

BY RICKY CHAVEZ Many people grew up idolizing movie stars, rock stars and super heroes, but kids today are idolizing an entirely different group of people: gamers.

Because of the outstanding success of a video game streaming website called Twitch, watching people play video games has never been easier and it’s inspired many people, including myself, to play video games for the people to watch, and even make money doing it.

The superstars of Twitch like Ninja average around 30,000 viewers per stream, making a full time job out of streaming usually streaming longer than eight hours a day. Ninja has reported making over half a million dollars every month from subscribers, ads and donations from Twitch alone. This doesn’t include his sponsors and other sources of income that he gets.

I’m a college student (Cabrillo and UCSC) and a part-time streamer. My stream focuses on playing games at a high level, usually doing some sort of challenge that either few or no people have attempted before, including achieving world records for games. I stream five days a week for several hours for the world to watch, and while I may not pull in the thousands of viewers that some streamers do, seeing that handfuls of strangers come by to watch me play games every day makes every stream worth it.

While my stream is small the interactions I’ve had with people are very personal and I’ve become friends with almost all of my regular viewers. While conversations usually revolve around video games occasionally someone will ask about something not related to video games and I’ll voice my opinion on the topic or just ramble about it. I try to make my stream feel like my home, where everyone is welcome and everyone should just be trying to have fun.

But why don’t more people do it? It’s easy to just turn on your computer or game console and start streaming, but so many people quit after a year, a month or even just a week. It’s because it makes you realize it’s hard to make people care.

Twitch is currently the main place to stream, which means there’s a lot of competition for viewers, especially when you don’t already have a following.

Streaming day after day, seeing your viewer count sit at zero and occasionally jump up to a whopping one viewer is disheartening. After months of this it’s not easy to keep going.

I would tell myself, “I’m gonna play games anyways, I might as well stream,” so now here I am, more than a year later, averaging about three viewers every stream and making $100 every couple of months. All because I love playing video games.

Finding the time isn’t easy though, streaming isn’t easy at all. Balancing school, work and streaming puts a timer

Make money playing video games? Sure, why not. on everyday activities. And finding the energy to make sure everything gets done is no easy task.

There’s this misconception that to have a good stream all you have to do is start it up, but a lot more goes into it than that.

Setting a schedule, making sure it looks and sounds good and interacting with chat members is exhausting, but seeing those few regulars come by and starting a community makes it worth it.

The age at which, “where did the time go?” is said seems to be getting younger and younger, but for me, between streaming, going to school and going to work, every day is so full of activities that things that happened a couple weeks ago feel like they happened months ago.

I guess depending on the person that could be a good or bad thing, but for me, it’s definitely a positive.

If you love video games and have always wanted to be a streamer, my best advice is to just do it. But like anything in life, don’t expect to become famous after a week, a month, or even a year.

Streaming is something you need to put a lot of effort into and really have the heart to see that zero haunt your stream for days on end. If you can power through it though, you might be surprised with how satisfying starting your own community is and how satisfying it is to get paid for playing video games.

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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Register Now for Winter Session!

Canta y Baila Conmigo® Music Together® Gift Certificates Available Babies 4 months & under are Free!

Santa Cruz County • Santa Clara County

www.musicalme.com (831) 438-3514 22 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

PARENTING The First Placement for our First Foster Child

BY AMANDA FIRTH This is part of a short series about foster parenting and Adoption in Santa Cruz County. Proper names in the story have been changed for the privacy and protection of the children involved.

Recipe

No-Bake Holiday Love Wreaths

INGREDIENTS:

30 Large Marshmallows ½ cup butter 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp green food coloring 4 cups of corn flake cereal Handful of cinammon red hot candy

We were ready for a new baby. There was a half size crib in our bedroom with green and yellow sheets and baby blankets, a few baby outfits, and a toy.

That was it. Oh, and a new credit card that was only usable at Babies-R-Us..

Honestly, we did not believe this was really going to happen. We had trained, interviewed, and been thoroughly prepared and inspected, but after years of trying, the idea that a baby would appear seemed unreal. Then I got a call at work from my wife. “There’s a baby! They have a baby for us!�

My heart leapt. I rushed through all the questions because I think I honestly didn’t care about them, except the last one. “Is this baby going to be permanent?� “They said probably. The Mom is addicted and the Dad ran away when they asked him to do a drug test.�

Although I’m sure they told us this many times in training, at the time, I didn’t understand that you never know the full story the day you take in a foster child. You’re catching a fastball!

An emergency is happening and the details will reveal themselves later. Kids rarely enter foster care if a crisis is not unfolding for their family. “The mom is having trouble letting go and wants to meet the foster family. They want us to get to the hospital right away.�

That did it. I’m always there when the world calls me into service for a good cause. I finished my work day and went straight to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). That day, I didn’t know that over the next three years I would become a frequent flyer at NICUs, happily spending over 70 days of my life caring for small humans in them after work.

This baby was in Watsonville. I was

DIRECTIONS:

Melt the marshmallows and butter together in a double boiler (put a metal bowl in a pan on the stove and boil water in the pan underneath if you don’t have a double boiler). Stir when liquid and add vanilla and food coloring. Remove the bowl and stir in the cereal. Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto parchment paper or tin foil, place red hots on each dollop. If desired, form them into wreaths.

ushered in the scrub room by a nurse who thanked me for being there and said, “The baby looks just like you anyways.

We need to get her out.� It was a bit jarring to hear, but I could imagine what the nurses go through.

The pair was behind a curtain. I will never forget the fear that ripped through the vignette. The woman had a sharply beautiful face and a body reshaping from pregnancy. She held her baby with white knuckles and had eyes I’ve only seen on a cornered cat about to fight. Her hair was done and she had a perfect outfit.

I remembered my days after childbirth when I had no capacity to match my clothes or to even look in the mirror, and to the effort this woman had made truly broke my heart. This woman was trying.

Trying so hard. “Hello. I’m Amanda. I’m the foster Mom.�

She didn’t say anything. Her hand shifted to her chin and her eyes darted around as she calculated what to do. “My job is to take care of your baby while you have the time you need to get strong. She’s a beautiful baby.� “Wait til you see her eyes.�

This was the start of a powerful relationship. The woman interviewed me carefully, and after a little while she was able to let me hold the baby.

Two days later, it was time for the baby to come home. We had seen the mother once or twice again. We stood in an unused exam room off the nursery signing paperwork with a social worker.

My wife was diligently asking all the right questions. I looked out the window and they were ushering the mother out. She was weeping and immediately found my eyes. I walked right out and swept her up into a great bear hug. “We will take great

Being a foster parent is sometimes like interviewing for a job, but the payoff is huge. care of her. You just do everything they tell you to do and she’ll be back to you in no time.�

I meant it with all of my heart. Three years later, after many twists and turns in our story, I met the baby, now a little girl, and the mother for a cup of tea. They

were healthy, sober, and making it, and they brought me so much joy. Although I only thought of wanting my own baby when I started out, this mother and daughter showed me the happiness that can be found when you’re brave enough to be guided by love.

 �� � � ­

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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HEALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE Adventure Sports Unlimited 303 Potrero St., #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com Adventure Sports Unlimited (ASU) is the premier school for aquatics instruction in Santa Cruz. We teach infants through adults the joy of water through our swim program. Learning to swim is a lifetime skill, and it is a beneficial to staying healthy and fit. The ASU Swim School blends comprehensive swim instruction with water play. Our custom-built aquatics facility consists of a tropically heated pool, so classes can take place nearly the entire year whether it’s in the warm sunshine or rain. Our facility also includes a hot tub play space for either before or after class, spacious deck with umbrellas and heaters, and observation room overlooking the pool. We want to make your entry into the water world truly enjoyable. Come Swim with ASU! International Academy of Dance 320 Encinal St, Santa Cruz 831.466.0458 / info@iadance.com IADance.com Dance for JOY! IAD offers graded preprofessional classes in Classical Ballet, in addition to a full range of dance styles to develop technical and artistic expertise required of today’s dancers, including Contemporary/Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Ballet Conditioning (Including PBT), Acro Conditioning & Tap. International Academy of Dance is home of the Santa Cruz City Ballet and Soul Contemporary Dance, directed

by Shannon Cullem-Chipman, Juilliard alumnae. Dancers participate in multiple professional productions, including the Nutcracker and International Dance Day Celebration at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater, in addition to a large scale original production in June. International Academy of Dance offers scholarships to dancers and families in need. Scholarship applications are due August 1st, preceding the school year. We are located near Costco in Santa Cruz with easy parking.

Professional instruction by accomplished, knowledgeable and caring instructors in a nurturing environment for both children and adults. Little Tutus, Dance With Me & Pre-School Dance classes are offered for our youngest dancers beginning at age two. It’s never too early or too late to start dancing. In the summer Fairy Tale Dance, Music & Art camps are always a sensation, along with Hip-Hop and Choreography Camps! In the summer IAD also offers Intensive Training Programs for serious

dancers looking to push themselves, work hard, dream big and find success being coached at extremely high levels. All students learn a lifetime love of dance and many of our students go on to study with prestigious dance programs and perform with professional dance companies.

Registration is available on-line at our website IADance.com. We can’t wait to dance with you in the studio!

All About Theatre 325 Washington Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 345-6340 allabouttheatre.org/ Why participate in a theater arts program?

Theater offers interactive experiences and analytical tools that help students imagine and enact positive change, both in themselves and in others. Theater helps connect the head to the heart, invites us to empathize, nurtures strength and compassion, an opportunity for youth to explore their own emotions and encourages freedom of thought. Simply put; theater is therapeutic. Singing, playing games, daydreaming, artistic expression, team activities, physical exercise in a supportive and encouraging environment helps children become well-rounded, well-prepared thinkers and reduces stress and risk of debilitating conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The theater community is like a family. We educate, nurture and inspire every child that comes through our doors, focusing our energy and creativity on training our students in all the areas of performing arts and preparing them for life. We offer classes and more for students aged 3 years old and up.

Join us! Don’t miss out on seeing our winter performance of Frozen jr. Playing December 13th-15th, 2019.

Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc. Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County musicalme.com/ Discover your family’s rhythm! Make music an exciting & enriching part of your child’s life. In our weekly classes, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them come together for 45 minutes of funfilled, learning-filled, bonding-filled family time. You’ll have so much fun singing, dancing, playing, and laughing that you may not realize just how much learning is taking place. We can help your child grow into a confident music-maker while also tapping into all the developmental benefits that music brings. As you discover fun ways to play with music and rhythms both & out

24 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

We all know the most popular New Year’s Resolution: I’m going to get in shape! So, now is the time to prepare and even give fitness presents to family and friends over the holidays.

They would love a certificate for a health and fitness class— dance lessons, music and dancing for toddlers, swim school, massage, yoga, ballet, to name a few. We print a guide in December and keep it up all year at GrowingUpSc.com for all kinds of health and fitness referrals. This is the place to get healthy and stay healthy. of class, you’ll be supporting your child’s music-learning and overall development.

Classes are offered throughout the year, with a new song collection each season.

Contact us today and bring the joy of music into your family’s life.

Orchard School K-6 2288 Trout Gulch Rd, Aptos 831.688.1074 orchardschoolaptos.org Circus Arts class with Rock Lerum at Orchard School on Wednesdays 3:30 to 4:30, includes juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, and more. Drop-in basis.

Please contact the school at 688-1074, or orchardschoolaptos.org for more info.

First 5 Santa Cruz County 831.465.2217 triplep.first5scc.org First 5 Santa Cruz County promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age 5. Parents and caregivers of newborns can contact First 5 to receive a free “Kit for New Parents” with parenting videos, children’s books, information on caring for babies and local resources. First 5 also offers parenting support through the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a world-renowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships.

To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/ triplepscc The Sensory Toolbox thesensorytoolbox.com contact@thesensorytoolbox.com This is the place for education and resources about autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder. As a community, we tackle your child’s everyday sensory challenges, from handling the holidays to finding services. Diana is a licensed and registered occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric sensory issues. You can read her sensory tips and get a free Sensory Toolbox guide at thesensorytoolbox.com Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources (831) 316-7261 4101 Soquel Dr (at 41st Ave, next to Surf City Sandwich) www.wonderlandsantacruz.com info@wonderlandsantacruz.com At Wonderland we believe in the magic and wonder of childhood. We are proud of our selection of educational, developmentally-appropriate toys and curriculum items to encourage growing minds to wonder, play and learn. We also believe that one of the biggest challenges facing this generation of parents is the screen-time dilemma. At Wonderland we have great alternatives to keep kids engaged, playing, learning through experience, and most importantly, off of the iPad.

Pregnancy Resource Center of Santa Cruz County 1570 Soquel Dr. Ste 3, Santa Cruz 95065 138-B Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz 95060 831.475.2200 or 831-454-8481 Santacruzprc.org Pregnancy Resource Center provides competent and compassionate medical care. Our services include pregnancy testing/ultrasound, STD testing/treatment, prenatal care, counseling, perinatal and behavioral health education, material assistance, legal assistance, referrals for housing and other community resources.

We accept Medi-Cal and are a Presumptive Eligibility provider. Hablamos Espanol.

Birth Network of Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz birthnet.org Providing information, education, and advocacy for safe, empowering, joyful birth. Visit our website for an extensive listing of “Mother-Friendly,” pregnancy, birth and postpartum related service providers and find out how to become an informed healthcare consumer. Visit Birth Network’s upcoming events page to register for events, such as Bellies, Birth & Babies (April 18 & Oct 24, 2020) and bimonthly Meet the Doulas. Sign up for our newsletter online and look for us on Facebook and Instagram.

Children’s Dentistry 7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.6622900 santacruzkidsdentist.com We provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and very thorough in our evaluations and consultations. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and are able to treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably under a general anesthesia. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.

Randy Ligh, DDS 189 N. Bascom Ave. Suite 200 San Jose, California 95128 408 286-6308 destinationsmiles.com A greater number of mothers are now breastfeeding. They are looking for support and solutions to achieve successful breastfeeding. The cause and effect solution is not a simple “yes” or “no”. Being trained as a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist (DDS) and a Certificated Community Breast Feeding Educator (CLEC) I am able to evaluate the situation from a breastfeeding perspective and a surgical perspective based on functional limitations. Proper diagnosis, safe conservative surgery and post-surgical wound management to prevent re-adhesion is the cornerstone to success. Our ultimate goal is to provide proper professional support, guidance and advice for the mother/infant to continue their lives in a healthy manner.

JOIN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY’S HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM 38 LOCAL NONPROFITS

CONTRIBUTE WITH CONFIDENCE IT’S EASY TO DONATE ONLINE (OR BY MAIL OR CASH DELIVERY)

SANTACRUZGIVES.ORG NOVEMBER 13-DECEMBER 31

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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December CALENDAR SUNDAY 1

Boardwalk Holiday Ice through Jan 5. Our new 32’ x 90’ covered ice skating rink is open rain or shine! Each 1-hour session includes ice skate rental.

Reservations for ice skating recommended at beachboardwalk.com/BoardwalkHoliday-Ice Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays.15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. Come join us for a friendly, FREE, 12-Step support group with the solution. Teens and adults welcome. Includes compulsive overeating, anorexia and bulimia. 2900 Chanticleer Ave 429-7906 santacruzoa.org The Road Less Traveled: A Dog Friendly Walk 9:30am-11:30am.

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park. We tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. We’ll discuss redwood ecology and park history while exploring the deep shade of the redwood forest. This is a fun and easy, 3-mile walk.

Sidewalk Sales 10am-8pm. Pacific Ave. Stroll along beautiful Pacific Avenue and the side streets, and enjoy a day of shopping and relaxing Downtown.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. Monarch migration is variable, so be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! Meet at the visitor center.

Felton Toy Train Days 12pm-5pm.

Felton Presbyterian Church. Free admission and parking Free Community Event - Kick off the Christmas holiday

season by visiting our Toy Train Display!

Baked goods, drinks and activities for kids make this a fun family event!

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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

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

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

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings.

Bachata by the Sea 1pm-3pm (picnic) 3pm-4pm (class) 4pm-7pm (dancing).

Ongoing Sundays. 106 Beach St. Free Bachata dance class, followed by 3 hours of non-stop social dancing! Before the dancing starts we will do a fun Beach Picnic.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

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

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 1pm3pm. Ongoing Sundays. Downtown Library. A tech savvy librarian will provide instruction in the use of a wide range of technology services. To best support learning, please bring the following items: devices (i.e., laptops, tablets, and/ or smartphones), necessary passwords (Google Play, App Store), and library card! First-come, First-served.

DIY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Sundays. Live Oak Library. Time to get crafty. A Do-It-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independentminded kids! Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Downtown Maker’s Market 1pm-7pm.

1st Sunday. Pacific Avenue. There will be vendors selling handmade items; such as clothing, jewelry and one of a kind treasures!

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). Come experience the incredible bird life that the Wetlands of Watsonville have to offer.

The wetland system of sloughs and their uplands offer breeding and year-round habitat for over 220 species of shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors and song birds.

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

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

26 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Advisory Council of Teens, East Region 2pm-4pm. 1st Sunday. Aptos Library. Open to all young adults, ages 1218 in the Live Oak, Soquel, Capitola, Aptos and La Selva Beach areas. This is a good opportunity for students to fulfill community service credits, obtain job skills, develop leadership abilities, and acquire college extracurricular experience. imperios@ santacruzpl.org Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Hospital. A 12-step program/support group for friends and families who have been affected by the addiction or drug problem of another. Meets in Sutter Room. 2900 Chanticleer Avenue. Newcomers, please come 15 minutes early to get acquainted.

MONDAY 2 Preschool Storytime 10am-11am.

Ongoing Mondays. Garfield Park Library.

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

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

Make Art Monday 11am-12pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Each session, Doris introduces new projects that are educational and fun. All projects incorporate aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). Explore the creative human expression of objects through the use of varied artistic mediums. Children will paint, sketch, sculpt, design and assemble as they make new discoveries.

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

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

No registration required.

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

Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library.

An Encompass Downtown Outreach worker will be available for questions about connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound and more. For more info contact Jesse at koshlaychukj@santacruzpl.org.

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

Explore the world of early motor skill development and support visual and auditory development through ramps, rocker balls, parachute play, music, and more. $12 drop in $10 with Inchworm punch card. www.junebugsgym.com ARM-in-ARM Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm. Ongoing Mondays.

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

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

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

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

All ages are welcome.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing

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

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm6:30pm. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias.

TUESDAY 3 Tuesday Tour at Holy Cross School 8am. 150 Emmett Street, Santa Cruz.

Come check us out and see how your child could thrive at Holy Cross School. Call 831423-4447 for more information.

Gateway School Day Tours 9am-11am.

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

Register at gatewaysc.org UCSC Arboretum: Community Day 9am-5pm. UCSC Arboretum. 1st Tuesday. The Arboretum is open without charge to visitors.

Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

Learn about redwoods, forest plants, fires, geology, history and more on these fun, varied hikes with docent Diane Shaw. Hikes are 5-8 miles and last up to 5 hours. Meet at park headquarters. Rain or shine, but strong winds may cancel.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library.

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

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 Months 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Sutter Room at Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. Classes are drop-in (no pre-reg required) donations accepted (no required fee). 477-2229. 2900 Chanticleer Ave. One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library.

Children learn through play and bricks provide a wonderful link between structure, patterns and imagination. Ages 3 and older as the bricks are very small!

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Library. Bring your assignments to one of our FREE drop-in Homework Help sessions. Students to grade 12. Call 831.427.7717 for more information.

Lego Club 3:15pm 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.

Scotts Valley Library. Directed LEGO construction for kids 7 and older. Each week we will construct models based on a common theme.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Boulder Creek Library. Come join in the fun with this directed LEGO club for kids 6 and older. Projects directed by LEGO Steve.

Chess Club 3:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Aptos Library. Ages 6-18 learn from a master and practice with peers.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services ~ Servicios Monarca ofrece un espacio seguro y de apoyo. Gratis. Actividades de cuidado de niños proporcionadas. 1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. 425-4030. 24hr: 888 900-4232. Wcs-ddm.org The Why of Embodied Practice: Panel Discussion 7pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Cosponsored by Luma Yoga. Three Santa Cruz authors share the culmination of their work in a panel discussion on embodiment, and its contribution to living well in one’s body and one’s life. Join Steven Macramalla, Valerie Moselle, and Beth Pettengill Riley as they explore, through discussion and application, ways in which embodiment is cultivated in martial arts, breathwork, meditation and mindful movement.

Young Writers Contest Honorees on the Radio 7pm-8pm. KZSC 88.1 FM. The winners of Bookshop’s Young Writers contest read their stories on Bruce Bratton’s Universal Grapevine program on KZSC 88.1 FM. For more information and for weekly podcasts of Universal Grapevine, visit kzsc.org.

WEDNESDAY 4 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. Receive personalized, one-on-one breastfeeding support from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. A Baby Weigh® scale is also available.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12 Babies/FREE 30 Years so far. Song by song, we celebrate the culture we make. joya@mothersong.org Capitola Book Discussion Group 10am-11am. 1st Wednesday. Aptos Library due to the closure.

Preschool Adventures 10am-11am.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Sanctuary Exploration Center. Come enjoy weekly preschool adventures with ocean themed book readings, show-and-tell, and crafts!

Perfect for kids aged 2-5.

Ribbon Arts Guild 10am-1pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library.

Join Roxanne Langan for ribbon work and hand sewing.

Spring Hill School is Introducing Imagination Station 10:30am-11:30am.

Spring Hill School 250 California St. Presented by our own Dara Thornton, Spring Hill will be offering a monthly Storytelling and Craft Hour for children ages 3-6 years old. Please join us! Free event!

Mini Mint Mamas Meet Up 10:30am12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

Join us for a fun walking mom group! We will meet at Mini Mint then head out along East Cliff for a walk along the ocean with our babes. Join our community of Mamas and enjoy the sunshine! Free Family Storytime 11am-12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. Preschoolers, home-schoolers, toddlers all welcome at this weekly storytime. We have books for ages 0-6 on hand, a craft that parents and caregivers can do with their kids, and toys on the floor for toddler play.

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

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Dec 1.

What If Wednesday 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. A combination of science and art that prompts the wonder and discovery of “what if?” Example “ we add salt to watercolor, or “what if” vegetable oil is put of the paper first, with the watercolor mix with it? Wednesday is when weird wacky science becomes wonderfully wild while art and science are brought together.

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

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

Volunteer Housing Navigators 12:30pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Life Literacies Center. Work with a “housing navigator,” who can help you set goals, overcome barriers, access documents and search for opportunities, helping you to transition back into housing, health and wellness.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. Felton Free after school program which includes snacks, free-play, games, crafts, and Bible lessons. For more information call 831-3356900 or go to www. feltonpresbyterian.org.

DIY Crafts 2pm-4pm. Ongoing

Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 1.

DIY Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. Time to get crafty. A Do-It-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independent-minded kids! Children 8 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Nature Art with Sue 3pm-4pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Sue introduces new projects that explore art in nature and nature in art. The classes are aligned to STEAM objectives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) objectives.

R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library and Downtown Library. R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 2nd through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Sessions are by appointment only.

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

Foster Parent Orientation Meeting 6pm-8pm. 1st Wednesday. Live Oak Family Resource Center. There is a need for loving, stable families to care for children of all age groups all over Santa Cruz County.

Be an adoptive or foster parent to a child, adolescent or teen. 1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. For information or to sign up for an orientation, please go to www.fostercare4kids. com or call 345-2700.

High School Youth Group 6:30pm8:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays through Dec 4th. The Bruce’s house, 309 Oak Creek Blvd, Scotts Valley. Join us for a delicious meal, fun games, and to hear gospelcentered teaching and engage in small group discussion, sponsored by Gospel Community Church, Location. Contact Keith White for more info/questions keith@ gospelcommunitysc.org Board in the Library 6:30pm-8:30pm.

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

No prior gaming experience is necessary.

THURSDAY 5

Code.org 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library. Immerse yourself in a world of your choosing- be it Minecraft, Star Wars, Frozen or other fantasy worlds . Utilizing block code, we will learn the fundamentals of computer science through games. Ages 8 to 18. Julie Soto sotoj@Santacruzpl.org 831-427-7700 x 7649 or Live Oak Library 831-427-7711 Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

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

Afterschool STEAM: Minecraft.edu 3:30pm-5:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Aptos Library. Learn how to survive in the world of Minecraft.edu. Ages 8 to 18.

Space is limited to 19 on a first-come basis.

No advance registration.

Evening Indie/Documentary Movie 5:30pm-7pm. 1st Wednesday. La Selva Beach Library. For more information and/or movie selection & age appropriateness, call 831.427.7710.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm-7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Monarch Services. Safe, supportive space for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence. Childcare provided.1685 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. 425-4030. 24hr: 888 9004232. Wcs-ddm.org

Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. A 12-step group that helps people not eat addictively one day at a time. There are no fees. www.foodaddicts. com. 420 Melrose. Entrance is through the yellow gate to the library.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

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

See Dec 2.

Working Together 10am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Life Literacies Center. Information navigation and social support open to all. Work individually with an information advocate on any information need: (housing search, application, resume?).

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

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 2.

Creative Exploration 12pm-1pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Children may let their natural curiosity flow as they explore how art and science materials work together. Some of the best child projects are related to some or all of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art and math.

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

See Dec 2.

Sensory Art 3pm-4pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Each week Sensory Art encourages children to apply all their senses in art projects.

DIY Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 1.

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

Kids Create! 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Garfield Park Library. For kids 5 - 12 years old. This week we will make SLIME! Make sure to wear appropriate clothing as it will be messy.

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December CALENDAR THURSDAY 5 (cont’d)

Tales to Tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Live Oak Library. Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, nonjudgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute appointments to sit with a dog and read. Registration required. To register, e-mail tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or call 831427-7717.

Lego NXT Robotics 3:30pm-5pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Branciforte Library.

With a focus on creative and engineering skills, kids ages 8-18 will learn about robotics and programming. We will break into teams of two, build our robots, program them over the course of several weeks and then use original programming for a robot battle at the end.

Chanukah Story Hour 5:30pm.

Bookshop Santa Cruz. Hear some of our favorite Chanukah stories read out loud at this special event that is being cosponsored

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

Bring your friends, form a team (or take it on solo), and compete against other groups to win the grand prize.

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

Groups are led in Spanish and meet at our Watsonville office. Please call 831-761-3973 for details.

Citizen Science 6:30pm-8pm.

1st Thursday. Downtown Library. A presentation and Q&A with local experts and researchers in the field discussing life science, ecology, geology, genetics, climatology and more. A collaboration between the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, SCCMOD, and UCSC.

FRIDAY 6 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

SLV Charter School-Winter Craft Fair 10am-12pm. Multipurpose Room, 325 Marion Ave, Ben Lomond. Handmade items by our students and parents include photos, cards, jewelry, essential oil blends, bags, quilts, ornaments, and other unique gifts.

Food items are also available. This annual event is a great way for our students to build their entrepreneur skills.

Heritage Holiday Craft Fair 10am4pm. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville. The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation invites you to the 42nd Annual Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair happening at our beautifully decorated Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds this December.

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

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Early Childhood Exploration (0-3). Come and enjoy this fun exploration-based program for infant and toddlers! Your young child will have the opportunity to engage in fascinating

explorations of light and shadows. Your child will have the opportunity to explore open-ended materials in a safe space while developing skills and exploring cognitive concepts such as cause and effect.

FREE First Friday 11am-7pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Enjoy the Museum for FREE with your family on the first Friday of every month. Enjoy our intertidal touch pool, large-screen microscope, and other exhibit features like our fossil dig pit! Stop by from 5-7 p.m. for free artist-led gift making stations, festive treats and drinks, and a storewide sale.

Sack Puppet Making 11:45am-12:15pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Join Puppet Master, Ricki Vincent and his staff and create imaginationinspired Sack Puppets.

Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. Ages: walking to 7 years. Parents may leave children over 3 yrs. Parents can drop off their children for 1, 2 or all 3 hours for tumbling fun! Call 464-BUGS (2847) to sign up or drop by.junebugsgym Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Kids Create! 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays.

Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. Join us to make something creative or make a new discovery!

Ages 6-12 year. Parents will need to remain available throughout the program, and will be helping children under 6. We provide materials to explore creativity, build things, and make discoveries.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. This market is in the heart of the famously bountiful Pajaro Valley. Peaceful and family-oriented, the Hispanic heritage of this community gives this market a “mercado” feel. You’ll find a large variety of Latin American treats, including some lesser known dishes such as pambasos, huarache and chicharrones.

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

See Dec 5.

Watsonville Queer Youth Meet-Up 3:30pm-6pm. Ongoing Fridays. First Christian Church. Youth ages 12 - 18 are invited to join our dynamic team of youth activists and leaders from the Santa Cruz County. For more information contact the LGBTQ Youth Program at 831-425-5422x104 or email youth@diversitycenter.org Christian Robinson, Just in Case You Want to Fly 4pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz.

The creators of the award-winning When’s My Birthday? team up again to create an inspirational book for anyone—parent or child—looking for support when facing a new challenge.

Boardwalk Holiday Bash 6pm-11pm.

Boardwalk’s Coconut Grove. We’re delivering holiday cheer, Boardwalk style with free arcade play, DJ entertainment, photo booths, caricaturist, airbrush tattoos, dinner buffet, sweet Boardwalk treats and much more. Buy tickets at beachboardwalk. com/Boardwalk-Holiday-Bash Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. JACK IS BACK by popular demand!!!!!

Kianti’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

28 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

holiday performance. We assure you our show will be full of Halloween frights and Christmas delights. kiantis.com/events.

KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble: Wintersongs-Weathering the Storm 8pm. Peace United Church 900 High Street. Kitka’s artistic response to urgent environmental concerns that impact us all. This year’s concerts will feature songs that invoke the powers of the elements in wintertime: blustering winds, storms, avalanches, snow, ice, and floods.

SATURDAY 7 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College.

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

UCSC Garden Tour 9am. 1st Saturday.

UCSC Arboretum. Sometimes you will see New Zealand, South Africa, or California and Australia. Sometimes you might see combinations of several gardens or the developing World Conifer Collection or Rare Fruit Garden. Requires admission to the Arboretum.

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade 10am. Pacific Ave. Downtown Santa Cruz is kicking off the Holiday season the Downtown way – with their annual, super-special, ultra-festive Holiday Parade.

Open Gym 9am-12 pm. Ongoing Saturdays. JuneBug’s Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. Ages walking to 8 years old (or 80 lbs.). Parents can drop off for up to 3 hours for tumbling fun! Call 464-BUGS (2847) to sign up or drop by. www.junebugsgym.com Scotts Valley Farmer’s Market 9am1pm. Ongoing Saturdays. SV Community Center parking lot. Join the SV Public Library for story time, enjoy some live music, get your face painted and get fresh food.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

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

Community Poetry Circle 10am-12pm.

1st Saturday. Downtown Library. Join the circle led by local poet, Magdalena Montagne, for this free workshop. Create your poems in a friendly supportive atmosphere. All levels welcome.

Saturdays in the Soil 10am-12pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Come and help our native plant garden grow! You bring the people power, we’ll show you all there is to know about native plants and sustainable gardening. All ages welcome, no experience necessary.

Friends of SCPL Holiday Book Sale 10am-2pm. Downtown Library. Our usual very reasonably priced books & media.

Avoid the rush — Shop at the Friends Holiday Sale! Free Gift Wrap!

No Room at the Inn Family Day 10am-3pm. St. Philip’s Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley. Special kid’s fun 11am-1pm. Nativities display event to benefit those for whom there is no room; kid’s craft & fun activities, bake sale; request donation of non-perishable item for our Food Pantry.

Questions (831)438-4360.

12th Annual $25 and Under Artisan Gift Sale 10am-4pm. Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St. Find one-of-a-kind items for everyone on your list (or yourself!)

All items on sale at this event are locally made, high-quality and affordable. Jewelry, accessories, artisan foods, clothing and more! Live music.

Simpkins Holiday Art & Craft Faire 10am-4pm. Simpkins Family Swim Center.

Whether you’re looking for a unique gift for that special someone or festive stocking stuffers, you’ll find a wide variety of high quality, handmade art and crafts will be showcased at the annual Holiday Art and Craft Faire!

Heritage Holiday Craft Fair 10am-4pm.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville. See Dec 6.

Felton Toy Train Days 10am-5pm.

Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

Winter Open House 10am-5pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Give the gift of nature! Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a free and festive weekend celebrating the changing of the seasons with free admission to the Museum, nature-inspired crafts, and a storewide sale all weekend long.

Winter Art Market 10am-5pm. Tannery Arts Center. Start off the season with a day of festive arts, crafts and more! Experience artist demos, craft activities, food, beer, wine and more. Peruse local artists’ offerings to find the perfect holiday gift.

Sempervirens Falls Hike 10:30am1:30pm. Big Basin State Park. This beautiful hike takes you by Sempervirens Falls, oldgrowth redwoods, Ohlone grinding rocks, the birthplace of Big Basin and more! Join Docent Hal Anjo on this 4-mile hike.

Ohlone Plant Use 10:30am-1:30pm. Big Basin State Park. No Safeway? No Home Depot? No Pharmacy? How did Ohlone Indians survive? Docent Eva Fewel will have plant samples and tools that local Native Californians used. Learn how they collected, processed and used local plants.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Holiday Redwood Loop Walk: The Nutcracker 11am-12:30pm. Big Basin State Park. Enjoy a festive walk in the famous old-growth redwoods at Big Basin with Docent Karen DeMello. We’ll listen to

December CALENDAR the Nutcracker Suite and imagine the forest performing the ballet along the easy, level, half-mile Redwood Loop Trail.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library; 11am-4pm Branciforte Library.

Ongoing Saturdays. See Dec 1.

Kids Craft Fair 11am-2pm. Boys and Girls Club Downtown, 543 Center St. Come on down and support young entrepreneurs as they sell their arts & crafts, baked goods, and wares. We hold the craft fair in our gym immediately following the annual downtown Santa Cruz parade a couple blocks away where lots of people will be gathered. There will be live music from local performers. Customer admission is free!

Holidays on the Ranch 11am-3pm.

Wilder Ranch. Celebrate the Winter Holidays as folks did in Californio, Victorian, and early 20th Century Santa Cruz with crafts to make, games to play, cookies to decorate, wagon rides, wreath and candle making, view living history demonstrations inside historic houses.

Holiday music sing-along. hot drinks and baked goods for sale.

Bargetto Winery Annual Art in the Cellars 11am-5pm. 3535 N. Main Street, Soquel. Join us for our Annual Art in the Cellars Holiday Festival. Over 20 local artists will have their art on display in our cellars; sip wine while you stroll the historic cellars and enjoy the beautiful artwork.

Admission is free, wine tasting with the purchase of a festival glass, food available for purchase.

Boulder Creek’s Winter Art & Craft Fair 11am-8pm. Gifts, crafts, yummy food!

Kids’ Crafts. Downtown shops open late.

Tree lighting 6:00 pm. Visit and photos with Santa 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Boulder Creek Rec, 13333 Middleton Ave. See bcrpd. org for more information.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

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

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. This moderately paced hike will be individually tailored to your group. Based on group size, experience level, and weather conditions, we will choose from the many trails that explore the park’s most scenic areas. Bring water and good hiking shoes.

Meet at park headquarters.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

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

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

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

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

Aptos Annual Tree Lighting and

Craft Fair 2pm-5pm. Aptos Village Green.

Join us for holiday cheer with carolers, Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and local vendors to help you cross off any last minute gifts from your list! Free to attend!

30th Annual Lucia Festival of Light 4pm. Peace United Church, 900 High Street. Celebrate the traditional Scandinavian holiday of St. Lucia Day sponsored by the Scandinavian Cultural Center of Santa Cruz.

Lighted Boat Parade 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Santa Cruz Harbor. Features decorated boats parading throughout Santa Cruz Harbor, rain or shine. This festival is family friendly and perfect for all ages!

Santa Comes to Town 6pm. Liberty Bank, 13233 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. We are looking forward to lighting the town holiday tree, shopping downtown Boulder Creek, and having the big guy visit!

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

SUNDAY 8 Jingle Bell Rock Run 9am. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots, go for a walk or run along the San Lorenzo River Levee. You can choose either 5K or 10K to run or walk, the kid’s 1K for kids 10 and under. Register at runsignup.com/ Race/CA/SantaCruz/JIngleBellRock5K Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. See Dec 1.

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

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 1.

Heritage Holiday Craft Fair 10am-4pm.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Hwy 152, Watsonville. See Dec 6.

Downtown Maker’s Market 10am5pm. Pacifc Ave. Spend the day in beautiful downtown Santa Cruz! There will be vendors selling handmade items; such as clothing, jewelry and one of a kind treasures!

Winter Open House 10am-5pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. See Dec 7.

Meteor Trail Hike 10:30am-2pm. Big

Basin State Park. Join a Big Basin Docent on one of our most diverse hikes—by mountain streams, oak woodlands, chaparral and redwoods. You’ll discuss forests, flowers and fires on a six-mile, Santa Cruz Antique Faire 10am-5pm.

100 Block of Lincoln St. You will find an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and so much more!

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Felton Toy Train Days 12pm-5pm. Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Bachata by the Sea 1pm-3pm (picnic) 3pm-4pm (class) 4pm-7pm (dancing).

Ongoing Sundays. 106 Beach St. See Dec 1.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Downtown Library. See Dec 1.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Dec 1.

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

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Dec 1.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Hospital. See Dec 1.

MONDAY 9 Preschool Storytime 10am-11am.

Ongoing Mondays. Garfield Park Library.

See Dec 2.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

Make Art Monday 11am-12pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 2.

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

Live Oak Library. See Dec 2 Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

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

WomenCARE Office. See Dec 2.

Invisible / Alienated Grandparent Support Group 2:30pm-4pm. 2nd Monday. Christ Lutheran Church 10707 Soquel Dr. A safe structured environment for sharing stories if you so choose, and learning healthy ways to deal with separation from anyone. Led by Dr. Pat Hanson author of Invisible Grandparenting: Leave a Legacy of Love Whether You Can Be There or Not and co-sponsored by Alienated Grandparents Anonymous www.AGAFL.org. pat@invisiblegrandparent.com

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

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Dec 2.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Dec 2.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

TUESDAY 10 Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 3.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 2.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Dec 2.

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

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Dec 3.

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

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office.

See Dec 3.

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

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 3.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Library.

See Dec 3.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 3.

Chess Club 3:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Aptos Library. See Dec 3.

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

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services. Ver Dec 3.

WEDNESDAY 11 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Dec 4.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

Preschool Adventures 10am-11am.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Sanctuary Exploration Center. See Dec 4.

Mini Mint Mamas Meet Up 10:30am12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

See Dec 4.

Family Storytime 11am-12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 4.

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December CALENDAR WEDNESDAY 11 (cont’d)

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Dec 1.

What If Wednesday 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 4.

New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. See Dec 4.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

Volunteer Housing Navigators 12:30pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Life Literacies Center. See Dec 4.

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

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

No Dance Experience is Required. Free.

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Cedar and Lincoln St. Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. See Dec 4.

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

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

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

Branciforte Library. See Dec 5.

Nature Art with Sue 3pm-4pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 4.

R.E.A.D. Reach Every Amazing Detail 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library and Downtown Library. See Dec 4.

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

Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Orchard School. See Dec 4.

Afterschool STEAM: Minecraft.edu 3:30pm-5:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Aptos Library. See Dec 4.

Santa Claus and Slicey 5:30pm7:30pm. Kianti’s Pizza and Pasta Bar. Take a photograph with Santa Claus & Slicey.

Kids eat free. Memories to last a lifetime.

Make yours at Kianti’s. kiantis.com/events Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services. See Dec 4.

Scotts Valley Friends of the Library 6:30pm7:30pm. 2nd Wednesday. Scotts Valley Library. If you are interested in helping your local library, come to the meeting and learn how you can make a difference in your community. All are welcome.

Combined Parents and Adults ADHD Support Group Meeting 6:30pm.

Aptos Fire Station. All parents, caregivers

and friends of children and teens with ADHD as well as any adults with ADHD and their partners and family members are welcome to join us for conversation, resource sharing and support. Contact Judy Brenis 831-818-9619 Cirque Dreams Holidaze 7:30pm.

San Jose Civic. Over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrate Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas and New Year’s in a 2 hour breathtaking spectacle. Audiences of all ages will marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails “Entrancing … Las Vegas meets family entertainment.” Get tickets at: cirqueproductions.com/tickets/

Evening Open House 6:30pm7:30pm. Spring Hill School 250 California St. Childcare provided, Grades Kindergarten-6th.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze 7:30pm. San Jose Civic. See Dec 11.

THURSDAY 12 Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Dec 5.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

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

See Dec 2.

Working Together 10am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 5.

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

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 2.

Adult Book Discussion Group 10:30am-12pm. 2nd Thursday. La Selva Beach Library. For more information and/or book selection, call 831.427.7710.

Creative Exploration 12pm-1pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

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

See Dec 2.

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

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

Sensory Art 3pm-4pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

DIY Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 1.

Kids Create! 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Garfield Park Library. See Dec 5.

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

Workshop: Eco-Friendly Gift Basket 5:30pm-7:30pm. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. This giving season, share the gift of sustainability. Learn new skills and practice limiting waste as you create a variety of eco-friendly products to include in a gift basket for an important person in your life (or for you to keep yourself!) Festive treats and drinks will be provided during this gathering at the Museum. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

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

See Dec 5.

30 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Lego NXT Robotics 3:30pm-5pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Branciforte Library.

With a focus on creative and engineering skills, kids ages 8-18 will learn about robotics and programming. We will break into teams of two, build our robots, program them over the course of several weeks and then use original programming for a robot battle at the end.

Tales to Tails 4pm-5pm. Garfield Park.

See Dec 5.

Feeling Good Workshops 5:30pm6:45pm. Downtown Library. Dr. Dashtban’s talk will go over tips on ways to stay healthy and active.

FRIDAY 13 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Campus Tour at Mount Madonna School 10:30am. 491 Summit Road.

Come for a tour and stay for a preview of the Seussical Jr. Small classes and learning that goes beyond the classroom walls, Montessori-influenced Pre/K and college prep 1st–12th grades. Featuring hands-on science labs, outdoor adventure and travel, marine biology studies on Catalina Island, buddy program, visual and performing arts.

Contact Benna Dimig at 408-846-4042 or admissions@mountmadonnaschool.org Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

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

Sack Puppet Making 11:45am-12:15pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Dec 6.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

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

Kids Create! 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays.

Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Dec 6.

Tales to Tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 5.

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

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

Frozen Jr. by All About Theatre 6:30pm. Louden Nelson Community Center. The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. Buy tickets: allabouttheatre.org/ buy-tickets/

SATURDAY 14 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Dec 7.

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

See Dec 7.

Scotts Valley Farmer’s Market 9am1pm. Ongoing Saturdays. SV Community Center parking lot. See Dec 7.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Volunteer with the Trail Crew 9ammid afternoon. 2nd Saturday. Big Basin State Park. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch, and water. Join us for a unique perspective of Big Basin, a lively and productive experience with others who share a love of these redwood forests, and the satisfaction of participating in a vital part of the park’s ability to educate and inspire the public!

Coffee Talk and Crafts 9:30am12:30pm. Big Basin State Park. Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin.

River Health Day 9:30am-12:30pm.

2nd Saturday. Santa Cruz Riverwalk near Mimi de Marta Dog Park (119 Broadway). Volunteer with the Coastal Watershed Council and help support the San Lorenzo River! At River Health Days you and your family can plant new native plants along the river to support birds, bugs, fish and a healthy river ecosystem.

RSVP: coastal-watershed.org/san-lorenzoriver/our-approach/habitat/

December CALENDAR Yin Yoga for All 10am-11am. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Scotts Valley Library. Gentle yin yoga and stretches. BYO yoga mat or towel.

Good for all ages and abilities.

Tales to Tails 10am-11am. Downtown Library. See Dec 5.

Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 7.

Hidden Gems: Flowers of Big Basin!

10am-1pm. Big Basin State Park. There are many less-famous, yet still beautiful, plants in the redwood forest. Join Docent Kathy Willott on thisfour-mile, three-hour walk and meet some of the hidden gems of Big Basin!

Winter Faire 10am-4pm. Santa Cruz Waldorf School. A day of crafting, music and treats. Holiday crafting like candle rolling, tea box making, copper ornaments, candle holders and birch branch bird feeders. Enjoy magical vignettes in the Forest Walk. Storytelling and a puppet show. Bake sale presented by the school’s 8th grade to benefit Congolese orphans through Ishara House. Food and shopping with local vendors. Musical offerings throughout the day. Free Shuttle from the UCSC Barn at High and Bay Streets.

Limited parking on campus $15. Crafts $5.

No dogs.

Felton Toy Train Days 10am-5pm.

Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

Imagination Station 10:30am-11:30am.

Spring Hill School 250 California St. Storytelling and crafts. Ages 3-6 years old, Free public event.

Wowie-Zowie with Jeff Raz! 11am.

Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building.

During this magical hour, we’ll experience the hilarity, wonder, and dazzlement of physical theater and musical juggling with one of the preeminent circus performers of the West Coast!

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library; 11am-4pm Branciforte Library.

Ongoing Saturdays. See Dec 1.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 7.

Agricultural History Project 11am3pm. 2nd Saturday. Agricultural History Museum, 2601 East Lake Avenue, Hwy 152, Watsonville. We have created some unique interactive educational activities to help you have fun learning about past agricultural practices.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Dec 7.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Dec 7.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 4.

Santa Cruz City Ballet Performs “The Nutcracker” 1pm; 4:30pm.

Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. Gorgeous costumes, dazzling sets and exquisite dancing! One weekend only. What better way to bring in the season than with smiles, laughter and joy?

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Dec 7.

Community Poetry Circle 1pm-3pm.

2nd Saturday. Aptos Library. See Dec 7.

Boulder Creek Writers’ Group 1pm3pm. 2nd Saturday. Boulder Creek Library.

Are you a serious writer looking for a local writers’ group? The Boulder Creek branch is hosting a writers group at the library. The group follows a Milford workshop critique format and is open to all genres of fiction.

You must be 18 or older to join the group.

Frozen Jr. by All About Theatre 1:30pm; 6:30pm. Louden Nelson Community Center. See Dec 13.

Seussical Jr. 2pm. Mount Madonna School 491 Summit Road. Witty and hilarious, yet also deeply moving, Seussical Jr. presented by Mount Madonna’s middle school, speaks not only to the power of imagination and determination of love, but also the need for compassion and humanity for every being. $15 adults, $10, 18 and under. All seats reserved. Tickets available at mms-seussical.brownpapertickets. com. All seats reserved. Information at www.

MountMadonnaSchool.org Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. Children’s chess instruction with full time teacher and master, Gjon Feinstein, for students up to 18 years old. Parents and/or other relatives are welcome to participate.

Spanish Speaking Cancer Support Group 3pm-4:30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. WomenCARE’s Office. Open to Spanish-speaking women with all kinds of cancer. Provides emotional support, education, and referrals to other social services. Group is led in Spanish.

Please call 831-336-8662 to register.

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

SUNDAY 15

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. Monarch migration is variable, so be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! Meet at the visitor center.

Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr.

Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. SeeDec 1.

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

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 1.

Holiday Boutique & Bake Sale 9:30am12:30pm. St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church 2500 Soquel Ave. (near 7th), Santa Cruz.

831-467-4700 www.ststephenslutheran.org Covered Bridge Christmas Market 10am-3pm. Felton Covered Bridge. Come celebrate the season at Felton Covered Bridge Park! Join us Sunday December 15 from 10am to 3pm for a traditional Holiday Market on the bridge, complete with arts & crafts, delicious food & beverages, music, holiday lights and other festivities. Great opportunity to get last minute gifts from local artists and to socialize with your neighbors.

Felton Toy Train Days 12pm-5pm. Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

Santa Cruz City Ballet Performs “The Nutcracker” 1pm; 4:30pm. Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. See Dec 14.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Dec 1.

Bachata by the Sea 1pm-3pm (picnic) 3pm-4pm (class) 4pm-7pm (dancing).

Ongoing Sundays. Beach St. See Dec 1.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Downtown Library. See Dec 1.

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

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Dec 1.

Frozen Jr. by All About Theatre 1:30pm. Louden Nelson Community Center. See Dec 13.

Science Sunday 1:30pm-2:30pm. Every 3rd Sunday. Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Lectures are designed to make science interesting and “user-friendly” for everyone. Free with membership, admission, or valid UCSC student ID. Seussical Jr. 2pm. Mount Madonna School 491 Summit Road. See Dec 14.

Womb Song 2pm-3:30pm. Every 3rd Sunday. The Pacific Cultural Center.

Prepare for labor and life through vocal toning and breathing exercises. Circles are open to all mothers, mothers-to-be, those trying to conceive, birth workers and women who love to sing. No musical experience necessary, drop-ins welcome.

More info and details at: www.wombsong.com Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Hospital. See Dec 1.

MONDAY 16 Preschool Storytime 10am-11am.

Ongoing Mondays. Garfield Park Library.

See Dec 2.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

Make Art Monday 11am-12pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 2.

Beth El Baby Brunch 11am-12:30pm.

Temple Beth El. Quality social time with parents and babies birth to age 3. At Temple Beth El in the coffee lounge. Questions?

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

Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

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

WomenCARE Office. See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Dec 2.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Dec 2.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

TUESDAY 17 Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 3.

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

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 2.

Preschool Storytime 10am-11am Aptos Library; 10:30am-11:30am Scotts Valley Library. Ongoing Tuesdays. See Dec 2.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Dec 3.

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

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Cancer Support Group 12:30pm-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. WomenCARE’s Office.

See Dec 3.

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

Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 3.

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

All adults are welcome.

Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte and Live Oak Library.

See Dec 3.

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December CALENDAR TUESDAY 17 (cont’d)

Lego Club 3:15pm 1st and 3rd Tuesdays-Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 3.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 3.

Chess Club 3:30pm. Ongoing Tuesdays.

Aptos Library. See Dec 3.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. Martes en curso. En Espanol. Monarch Services. Ver Dec 3.

WEDNESDAY 18 Latch Clinic 9am-11am. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Lactation office 610 Frederick St. See Dec 4.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

Preschool Adventures 10am-11am.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Sanctuary Exploration Center. See Dec 4.

Ribbon Arts Guild 10am-1pm. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 4.

Mini Mint Mamas Meet Up 10:30am12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Mini Mint.

See Dec 4.

Family Storytime 11am-12pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 4.

Preschool Storytime 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Live Oak Library.

See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Wednesdays. Aptos Library. See Dec 1.

What If Wednesday 11am-12pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 4.

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

New Moms Support Group 11:30am1pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Dominican Rehab Yoga/Pilates Room. 610 Frederick St. See Dec 4.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

Volunteer Housing Navigators 12:30pm-2:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Life Literacies Center. See Dec 4.

Dance for Parkinson’s 1pm-2:15pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. Motion Pacific Dance. See Dec 11.

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

Each session begins with a 10 minute writing exercise, followed by a read-aloud (sharing is optional).

Santa Cruz Farmers Market 1pm-5pm.

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

Branciforte Library.

Kids Club for kids K - 5th grade 1:30pm-5pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Hwy 9. See Dec 4.

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

Nature Art with Sue 3pm-4pm.

Ongoing Wednesdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 4.

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

Circus Arts Class with Rock Lerum 3:30pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays.

Orchard School. See Dec 4.

Female Survivor Support Group 6pm7:30pm. Ongoing Wednesdays. Monarch Services. See Dec 4.

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

Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 4.

THURSDAY 19 Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Dec 5.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library and Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 2.

Working Together 10am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 5.

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

Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 2.

Book Discussion Group 11am-12pm.

3rd Thursday. Boulder Creek Library. We discuss the book of the month, watch short videos highlighting authors and interesting side notes about the current book, and share personal insights.

Creative Exploration 12pm-1pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

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

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

See Dec 2.

Sensory Art 3pm-4pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

DIY Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 1.

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

Tales to Tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Live Oak Library. See Dec 5.

Entre Nosotras 6pm-8pm. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. WomenCARE’s Watsonville Office. See Dec 5.

Elementary Winter Concert 7pm.

Mount Madonna School 491 Summit Road.

Featuring multicultural, celebratory holiday songs and dance presented by students preschool through grade five. Admission is free. Mount Madonna School, Hawks’ Nest Theater. More information at www.

MountMadonnaSchool.org

32 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

FRIDAY 20 Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Sack Puppet Making 11:45am-12:15pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Fun n’ Tumble Open Gym 12pm-3pm.

Ongoing Fridays. JuneBugs Gym. 3910 Portola Dr. Ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-Santa Cruz. See Dec 6.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Kids Create! 2pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays.

Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm7pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Dec 6.

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

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Dec 7.

Community Poetry Circle 2pm-4pm.

3rd Saturday. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 7.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. See Dec 14.

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

SUNDAY 22 Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr.

SATURDAY 21 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Dec 7.

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

See Dec 7.

Scotts Valley Farmer’s Market 9am1pm. Ongoing Saturdays. SV Community Center parking lot. See Dec 7.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. What’s New in Life and Long Term Care Insurance 10am-11am. Scotts Valley Library. Who needs life insurance?

We’ll discuss different types of life insurance, what types are needed and when. Learn about “hybrid” life/long term care insurance, and how it may save you money. Find out about the potential tax advantages for business owners.

Drop-In Crafts 10am-11:30am. Ongoing Saturdays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 7.

Felton Toy Train Days 10am-5pm.

Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library; 11am-4pm Branciforte Library.

Ongoing Saturdays. See Dec 1.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. SeeDec 7.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Dec 7.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park. We tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. We’ll discuss redwood ecology and park history while exploring the deep shade of the redwood forest. This is a fun and easy, 3-mile walk.

Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. See Dec 1.

Coffee Talk and Crafts 9:30am12:30pm. Big Basin State Park. See Dec 14.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Felton Toy Train Days 12pm-5pm. Felton Presbyterian Church. See Dec 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Bachata by the Sea 1pm-3pm (picnic) 3pm-4pm (class) 4pm-7pm (dancing).

Ongoing Sundays. 106 Beach St. See Dec 1.

December CALENDAR Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Dec 1.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Downtown Library. See Dec 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Dec 1.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Hospital. See Dec 1.

MONDAY 23 Make Art Monday 11am-12pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 2.

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

Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

See Dec 2.

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

WomenCARE Office. See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Dec 2.

Christmas Eve at Gospel Community Church 4pm and 5:30pm. 111 Errett Circle, Santa Cruz. Join us on Christmas Eve as we celebrate Jesus’ birth! Come experience a meaningful time of worship, enjoy some holiday refreshments, and hear the message of Christmas. Classes are provided for children under two. gospelcommunitysc.org Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Dec 2.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Ongoing Mondays. Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

TUESDAY 24 All library branches close at 2:00pm in observance of Christmas Eve. Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 3.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Dec 3.

WEDNESDAY 25 All library branches are closed in observance of Christmas.

THURSDAY 26 Food Addicts Anonymous Meeting 9am. Ongoing Thursdays. Trinity Presbyterian Church. See Dec 5.

Mothersong 9:15am and 10:30am.

Ongoing Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tannery #108 Adults/$7-12. See Dec 4.

Toddler Time 10am-11am. Ongoing Thursdays. Aptos Library and Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 2.

Working Together 10am-11:30am.

Ongoing Thursdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 5.

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

Ongoing Wednesdays. Downtown Library.

See Dec 2.

Creative Exploration 12pm-1pm.

Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

Sensory Art 3pm-4pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 5.

DIY Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. Ongoing Thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. See Dec 1.

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

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

See Dec 5.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Snakes Alive! 12pm-3pm. Big Basin State Park. Come to the Sempervirens Room at Park Headquarters and meet Docent Diane Shaw and learn about the fascinating world of snakes.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Old Growth Redwoods Tour 12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Henry Cowell State Park. See Dec 7.

Discover Big Basin Redwoods Hike!

12pm. Ongoing Saturdays. Big Basin State Park. See Dec 7.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 4.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Santa Cruz LGBTQ+ Youth MeetUp 1pm-3pm. Ongoing Saturdays. The Diversity Center. See Dec 7.

FRIDAY 27 Infant/Toddler Workshop 11am11:45am. Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

The MAKE Lab 11am-4pm. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 13.

Sack Puppet Making 11:45am-12:15pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 6.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Watsonville Farmers Market 2pm-7pm.

Ongoing Fridays. Downtown Watsonville Plaza. See Dec 6.

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

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

SATURDAY 28 Aptos Farmers Market 8am-12pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Cabrillo College. See Dec 7.

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

See Dec 7.

Scotts Valley Farmer’s Market 9am1pm. Ongoing Saturdays. SV Community Center parking lot. See Dec 7.

Westside Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Saturdays. Mission St. Ext. and Western Dr. Yin Yoga for All 10am-11am. 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Scotts Valley Library. See Dec 14.

DIY Crafts 11am-1pm Garfield Park Library; 11am-4pm Branciforte Library.

Ongoing Saturdays. See Dec 1.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Monarch Butterfly Tours 11am; 2pm.

Natural Bridges State Beach. See Dec 1.

Redwood Grove Loop Walk 1pm.

Ongoing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Big Basin State Park. See Dec 1.

Open Art at the MOD 1pm-2pm.

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

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

Bachata by the Sea 1pm-3pm (picnic) 3pm-4pm (class) 4pm-7pm (dancing).

Ongoing Sundays. 106 Beach St. See Dec 1.

Sunday Seaside Crafts 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Seymour Center. See Dec 1.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 1pm-3pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Downtown Library. See Dec 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm.

Ongoing Sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 Harkins Slough Road). See Dec 1.

Nar-Anon Family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Hospital. See Dec 1.

MONDAY 30 Make Art Monday 11am-12pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz Children’s MOD. See Dec 2.

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

Live Oak Library. See Dec 2.

Ask Us: Downtown Outreach Worker Office Hours 12pm-4pm. Ongoing Mondays. Downtown Library. See Dec 2.

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

WomenCARE Office. See Dec 2.

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

Ongoing Mondays. Scotts Valley Library.

See Dec 2.

Word Church 4pm-8pm. Ongoing Mondays. Santa Cruz MAH. See Dec 2.

Chess Instruction 2pm-3:30pm.

Ongoing Saturdays, except the 1st.

Downtown Library. Children’s chess instruction with full time teacher and master, Gjon Feinstein, for students up to 18 years old. Parents and/or other relatives are welcome to participate.

Spanish Speaking Cancer Support Group 3pm-4:30pm. 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. WomenCARE’s Office. See Dec 14.

Kianti’s Holiday Performance 6pm; 8pm. Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays through Dec 28. Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar. See Dec 6.

SUNDAY 29 Live Oak Farmers Market 9am-1pm.

Ongoing Sundays. 15th and Eastcliff Dr. Overeaters Anonymous 9:05am10:15am. Ongoing Sundays. Sutter Maternity & Surgical Center. SeeDec 1.

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

Ongoing Sundays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 1.

TUESDAY 31 All library branches close at 2:00pm for New Years Eve. Exploring Big Basin 9:30am-2pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Big Basin State Park.

See Dec 3.

One-on-One Tech Tutoring 10am12pm. Ongoing Tuesdays. Branciforte Library. See Dec 1.

Downtown Tuesdays 10am-10pm.

Ongoing Tuesdays. Downtown Santa Cruz.

See Dec 3.

GUiSC will attempt to update the calendar listings as needed; however, it is the responsibility of the organization listed to provide updated information.

GUiSC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to check the accuracy of the information provided. Events are free or cost less than $10 can be submitted for inclusion in the calendar. GUiSC does not guarantee that a submitted event will automatically be included. Preference is given for events of interest to children and/or parents. Calendar entries must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. Send calendar entries via email to calendar@growingupsc.com. Photos can also be emailed to be considered for inclusion in the calendar. Calendar entries and photos will be selected by the Calendar Editor.

GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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COLORING CONTEST

Color this page and send it in and we will pick a winner for two tickets to the Santa Cruz City Ballet Nutcracker at Cabrillo College Dec. 14 and 15. Send your copies by email to editor@ growingupsc.com or in hard copy to Box 3505 Santa Cruz, 95063. Make sure to send your address so we can mail the tickets.

34 DECEMBER 2019 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

DEC

13-15 2 019

Performances Fri, Dec 13 Sat, Dec 14 Sat, Dec 14 Sun, Dec 15

6:30pm 1:30pm 6:30pm 1:30pm

Tickets

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

Louden Nelson Community Theater 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz

W W W . A L L A B O U T T H E A T R E . O R G GrowingUpSC.com | DECEMBER 2019

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