July 2018 edition proof4

JULY 2018 aLwaYs free visit us at www.growingupsc.com

INSIDE:

10 for 20 Openings Summer Camp 26 Goat Yoga 28 Party Directory nEw tHriLLs in town

2 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

what’s inside...

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WWW. GUisc . cOm

ann Fitts

diStriButiON & SuBSCriPtiONS susan Bernstein

WEBSitE diana Fitts

article

Junior Guards

CONtriButOrS

erik chalhoub, Zach Friend, elaine ingalls, Karen Kefauver, Jennifer mahal, laura maxson, ann carin niland, Kevin painchaud, ramona pursley, susan H. shane, michelle spence, suki Wessling, nicole m. Young

article

Party with Goats

articles

We Asked, You Answered Always Amused Bike Column Pajara Valley Book Project Special Needs Column Party Guide Cabrillo Youth Camps Hands On Birth Matters ABOut tHE COVEr:

AdVErtiSiNG rEPrESENtAtiVES

4 6 12 9 10 11 23 25 28 29 30 31

HanG ten Zoe lucadano, 8, has been in little Guards for three years already. more than a thousand santa cruz kids take Junior and little Guard classes on the coast, from santa cruz to aptos. many get jobs later as lifeguards.

PHOtO BY:

marco “mr luc” lucadano

dESiGN/iLLuStrAtOr AdditiONAL Ad dESiGN

asK nicOle

Editor’s Note Letters to the Editor Calendar

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, steve dinnen ashley Girres

Summertime

departments

EditOr/PuBLiSHEr

ann Fitts linda Kay sophie Veniel

ann@growingupsc.com linda@growingupsc.com sophie@growingupsc.com

CONtACt uS

editor@growingupsc.com 831.239.3444 p.O. Box 3505, santa cruz, ca 95063

July 2018 • Vol. 21 • No. 5 Growing Up in santa cruz copyright 2018. printed in the United states. the contents of this publication are meant as information only and should not take the place of a medical doctor’s recommendations. all views expressed represent those of the individual authors. all rights reserved. reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise is prohibited without permission. this publication does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. GUisc is printed on recycled paper and uses all soy based inks.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 3

s ’ r o t i ed note dear readers, the day after our 14-year-old got out of school, she overheard us talking about summertime blues. “that’s not a thing,” she said. “how can you have the blues in the summer? school’s out and you can do whatever you want.”

A week later, she had a change of heart. she missed her friends, her theater group, her water polo team and a schedule filled with activities. that inspired one of the themes of this issue: how to find the most unusual and interesting things to do in santa Cruz for the summer. And, man, did we find them. there are people doing yoga with goats and bringing their kids. they are also bringing kids to goat and animalthemed birthday parties. more than a thousand kids this summer are hitting the beach together and training for the best summer job ever, lifeguarding. there are expert ‘fantastic’ bubble blowers traveling the world putting on shows for kids, some of whom began blowing soap bubbles right here on Pacific Avenue. We caught one of them at the Live oak Library. You can see them scheduled for free on our summer calendar.

4 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

rs dito e e th We from see amazing maker’s classes with openings at Cabrillo, some that focus on learning tech for girls and another that teaches kids to create comic books with a professional artist. there are sports and art classes, even a circus camp for aspiring aerialists. for the family, there’s a chilling new ride at Great America, a new waterpark at Gilroy Gardens, Boardwalk cheap entry nights with free music and movies there, as well as in outdoor movie nights in soquel and Aptos parks. there are amazing free day and nightly events at the local state parks, including daytime nature hikes and nighttime ones that teach about the stars and nocturnal animals. tourists come from all over the country to appreciate the things we have in our backyard. You can see them listed in our print calendar and online, where we have events separated by the day at www.growingupsc.com. if you can’t fill your schedule with great local events, you really aren’t trying hard enough.

Please share your ideas and suggestions on our Growing Up in santa Cruz facebook page and with editor@growingupsc.com Brad Kava Jennifer Ford

Making the Most of Summertime Schedules

By Nicole M. Young, MSW

books or watching movies together. this will give your kids something to look forward to after being away at camps or child care.

Last summer, my daughter was a junior counselor at a day camp next to the preschool she used to attend. As i dropped her off one morning, she noticed several young children also getting dropped off and asked, “those poor kids have to go to preschool during the summer? don’t they get a summer vacation?” i laughed and reminded her she used to be one of those “poor kids” who went to preschool year-round (and loved it) because her parents worked year-round. our conversation made me miss the simplicity of summer during the preschool years and having full-day care in a safe, nurturing environment with drop off and pick up at the same time, same place each day. once my kids left preschool, their summer schedules became a patchwork quilt of camps and play dates across the county that kept them busy and engaged – and made me relieved once school started again. this monthly column provides tips for anyone who is raising children, based on the world-renowned triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in santa Cruz County. if you have questions for a future column, email me at triplep@first5scc.org.

Dear Nicole, My 7-year old twins are so excited that school is out for the summer. I’m also glad to have a break from the daily school schedule. However, I work fulltime, so my kids have to go to day camps or child care. They usually have fun the first few weeks of summer “vacation,” but then they complain about having to go somewhere every day. It’s stressful, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving them home alone, and I don’t have time to arrange a summer full of play dates.

What can I do to minimize their complaints and still make summer fun for them?

– Wendi

Create a family “bucket list.” Ask your children to think of free or lowcost activities they would like to do as a family. Write down the ideas you’re willing to do or pay for. At the beginning of each week, have your kids pick one activity from the bucket list to do later that week or weekend. throughout the week, talk with your kids about where, when and how you’ll do the activity. if you have a camera, take photos or videos of yourselves during each activity, then talk about them afterward and relive the memories. talking together and providing engaging activities are positive parenting strategies that strengthen family relationships and will help focus your kids’ attention on things they’re looking forward to instead of complaints.

ask nicole

Dear Wendi, Great question! Although many people look forward to summer vacation all year long, coordinating children’s summertime schedules can be quite challenging. It can be particularly hard for adults who need full-time, affordable, fun, and safe activities for their children, so they can continue to work. Here are some tips for adding fun and variety to your kids’ summertime schedules: Adapt your children’s daily routines to reflect the summertime schedule. maintaining consistency in morning, mealtime and bedtime routines will make it easier to get everyone – including you – where they need to be each day. for instance, having a regular bedtime will help make sure your kids get enough sleep so they are rested and ready for the next day’s activities. At the same time, small

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changes to your children’s daily routines can make the summertime schedule feel special and different from the school year. Look for opportunities to make minor changes that won’t be too disruptive, like letting them stay up or sleep in later, or picking them up early from camps or child care occasionally.

Take time to reconnect each day. during the school year, homework, schedules, and deadlines often dominate the conversations between parents and children, and it can become stressful. the summer break provides a great chance for everyone to slow down and spend some quality time together, even if it’s for a short amount of time at the end of the day. the simplest ideas are often the best, like having a picnic for dinner, watching the stars come out, playing games, reading

final thoughts: summertime is meant to be fun and relaxing, yet patching together safe, engaging activities for the entire summer can become another full-time job. A few positive parenting strategies can make summer a fun experience for kids, while minimizing stress for parents and caregivers.

Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 14 and 18, 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 http://triplep.first5scc.org, www.facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

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July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 5

Letters to the Editor: please send YOUr OpiniOns tO editOr@GrOWinGUpsc.cOm

Health Coverage — Protecting Your Personal Investment: A Note to Graduates By dr. Kenneth W. Kizer and cástulo de la rocha

6 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

the two of us are among dozens of commencement speakers at California’s colleges and universities this year who are calling out the importance of having health insurance coverage in our remarks to new graduates and their families.

We congratulate you on what you have accomplished and offer our good wishes for what lies ahead. Like us, many of you are the first in your family to get a college or advanced degree. You have worked hard and made many sacrifices. indeed, you

have made a big investment in yourself, and we want to be sure that you protect that investment. having health insurance coverage is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment in yourself. fortunately, you have options today. some of you will be able stay on your parents’ health insurance — an option that can continue until you turn 26 — while others will be able to get coverage through your spouse or through your new job or graduate school. regardless of how you get covered, ensuring you have health insurance coverage is what is most important – and what should be your top priority. No one can reliably predict when injury or illness will strike, but when it does, you will need health insurance. if you will be losing your insurance through your campus health program and you are not sure what is next for you, we encourage you to visit Covered California’s website at www.CoveredCA.comor look them up on social media. You may be eligible for free coverage or insurance that costs as little as $1 a month.

Covered California is just one of

the many health insurance options available to students and new graduates. in California, we have dramatically expanded insurance coverage and made health care coverage more affordable. Going without coverage is gambling on the likelihood that you will not experience an unforeseen illness or injury, the cost of which could quickly exceed the cost of your student loans. rolling those dice has too often proved to be a losing bet! Getting covered is the winning strategy. once again, congratulations, good luck and Get CoVered!

Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer is Director of the Institute for Population Health Improvement at the University of California, Davis, and the former director of health services for California; he gave the commencement address at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.

have fun, Save Lives at Junior Guards

SiNcE 1966 LocAL tEENS hAvE LEArNEd to bE LifEGuArdS

By Bryce Stoepfel

if you haven't noticed kids in the house, or if Alice Cooper hasn't reminded you yet, schools out for summer. for parents that can mean expensive day care bills or dread over the evils of idle hands. or, send them to the beach to be part of the santa Cruz Junior Guards. for some parents, it's the best day care out there.

“Parents can drop their kids off and know that they have great instruction and that they’re in a safe environment,” Junior Guards Lieutenant Colin herric said. “they get in phenomenal shape. there are tons of workouts, and the older kids get certified in CPr and first aid.”

Currently, 1,000 kids, ranging from 6 to 17, are enrolled in Junior Guards. the goal, especially for the youngest kids, is to make them feel safe and comfortable in a beach environment. for the older kids, starting at 12 or 13, learn lifesaving and first aid skills.

“We try to get them in the water every day, and we practice lifesaving skills through games,” herric said. “they do traditional lifeguard games, like running, swimming, and paddleboard races. We mix fun games in there too.” herric, 44, who is also a full-time lifeguard, grew up in the Junior Guards. At four-years-old, he followed his sister Kalia in to the program. it’s now come full circle. two of his children, hannah, 8, and hayden, 7, are in the Junior Guards.

“A lot of my best friends i met in the Junior Guards, and now we have kids the same ages who are in the guards,” herric said. “it’s been a full circle experience. it’s pretty rad.” the day begins as the guards, wearing red shorts with a Junior Guards patch, lined up for roll call. After stretching and calisthenics, there’s a workout, which includes distance running, swimming, and paddling on paddleboards. there are plenty of games, like obstacle courses, dodgeball, and can ball, a variation of baseball, where instead of a bat, they use lifeguard cans, which are rubber tubes formally used for lifesaving operations. in one game, surf ball a variation of musical chairs, the guards are lined up on the beach, and instructors throw tennis balls into the ocean. the guards race for the tennis balls and the ones who come up empty are out. it's a fun game, but essential life-saving skills are learned. the cream of the crop is the Captain Corps, made up of the older guards, between 15 and 17 years old. during the morning and afternoon, they assist with the younger Junior Guards, and later in the day, they spend their time shadowing full-time lifeguards, or they

Photos by: Marco “Mr. Luc” Lucardo

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 7

ride along with members of the fire department. the 25 volunteer Captain Corp volunteers all have CPr training and have gone through lifeguard instruction. in all, they spend 20 hours a day between their time with the Junior Guards, and their job shadowing.

Job shadowing is appropriate. According to herric, 90 percent of santa Cruz's lifeguards, started in the Junior Guards. many santa Cruz lifeguards, since they became part of the fire department, have been integrated into firefighting, emt, or paramedic duties.

Given the experiences gained in the Junior Guards, career pathways can are opened early. the Junior Guards have 17 staff members, including several administrative personnel in the santa Cruz Parks and recreation department. the Junior Guards is run and administered by the Parks and recreation department, but the santa Cruz fire department employs santa Cruz lifeguards.

Becoming a santa Cruz lifeguard is no easy feat, and new hires must be in fantastic shape. one of the tests is a 200-yard run, followed by a 1000meter swim, finished with another 200yard run, under 20 minutes. monday through friday from June 18 to August 17, there are two sessions a day, 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. some of the most dedicated guards attend both sessions. the santa Cruz Junior Guards 8 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

started in 1964 when santa Cruz County Lifeguard supervisor Al mitchell was at huntington Beach. there he noticed youth on the beach wearing red shorts doing military-like exercises. from there, santa Cruz joined the United states Lifesaving Association, and in 1966 the santa Cruz Junior Lifeguard program was born. the program brings in significant money for the Parks and recreation department, approximately $200,000 according to recreation supervisor Jill Bates. for residents of santa Cruz, there is a $250 per kid to be enrolled, and for out-of-towners, it’s $325.

Aside from the santa Cruz Junior Guards, Capitola, and the state of California also run Junior Guards programs. there's a friendly rivalry between the programs. “there are tons of kids who go to school together who are in different programs, so they like to compete against each other,” herric said. the guards are literally surrounded by lifeguards. the Junior Guards double the typical ratio of one lifeguard for every 15 kids aged six to 11-years-old. the Captains Corp, who are not included in the ratio, also serve as additional eyes and ears.

The program is centered on Cowell Beach downtown, but Capitola and Aptos have their own programs. Search Junior Guards in each city to register or call (831) 420-6248 for Santa Cruz information.

we Asked, you Answered

By Ann Carin Niland

whAt doES your fAMiLy LikE to do Now thAt your chiLdrEN ArE out of SchooL for SuMMEr? Mike Hance, 37, of the West Side, two girls, 5 and 2. interviewed at Anna Jean Cummings Park “Both girls will be in preschool this summer,“ said mike. “that will be for most of the day. i’m a teacher at the University, so i have a relaxed summer schedule and so i spend some time with them in the afternoon. Will go to tahoe for a week. Will go to visit family for a week. And then they start back at school in August.”

Coryn Gardiner, 42, a boy 7, of Live Oak. interviewed at Live Oak Elementary School “my mom will be coming down, so he will be hanging out with grandma a lot, and also at the Boys and Girls Club. there might be a trip to idaho to visit grandma. the beach... A lot of beach.

We are doing tahoe for a little bit. i

am actually going to meet my mom there for my birthday. she’s going to meet me there and then come back with us. this is the first time we are doing that. it’s kind of halfway between both of us” Cameron McCracken, 33, of the West Side, two boys, 2 and 10. interviewed at Anna Jean Cummings Park

“i’m busy with them when i’m not working. i’m a firefighter“so i’m busy with the wildfires a lot during the summertime. But my days off i usually spend with them, we hang out at the house, go to parks, go to movies. things like that. every once in a while we will take a little road trip’s. their mom‘s sister lives in minnesota, so sometimes we will road trip across the country, and camp.

Steffanie Martinez Oranika, 35, of Live Oak, three boys 16, 16 and 15.

Interviewed at Live Oak

Elementary School “every year they’ll visit family on the east Coast,” said steffanie. “i have family there too, so they will go visit their side of the family and i go visit my family, and we meat in the middle. We are out there for at least three weeks.

While we’re out there i’m going on a cruise. We’ll leave from florida.We are going to be going to Bermuda, and some of the islands near the Bahamas.

We kind of spin around for five days.”

Ian Dixon, 40, of Live Oak, two boys 10 and 7.

Interviewed at Live Oak Elementary School “Last year we took a lot of trips to the grandparents,” said ian. “they live in pretty fun areas in Colorado and oregon. it was a lot of travel last summer, so this summer we’re not going anywhere we’re staying home. so we’re getting

heavy into park and rec camps, Gymnastics camp, Beach, baseball camp stuff like that. And that’ll be maybe half the summer, and the other half were just leaving open so we can veg out on video games or have people come to town and just be spontaneous. We try to have a mix.”

Jennifer and Jack Eskenazi, have a boy, 7 and a girl, 5. interviewed at The Farm

“she’s doing little guards, and he is doing Junior guards at simpkins,” said Jennifer. “they’re doing a couple of camps. she’s doing a ballet camp and he is doing a camp at Cabrillo.” the little boy was sitting nearby, and said that he wanted to keep his camp a secret. “We’re going down to LA for about a week. And we’re going to Yosemite for a few days, so it’s a mixture of camps and trips for our family.”

Ann Carin Niland is a parent, student, and intersectional feminist. She hasn’t quite adjusted to writing about herself in the third person.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 9

Always Amused

your GuidE to thEME pArkS, touriSt AttrActioNS, ridES ANd cooL EvENtS

By Erik Chalhoub Fly and Get Wet in Two New Area Amusements for those of us who live in santa Cruz County, we are lucky when it comes to finding thrills the whole family can enjoy. e santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, named the best seaside amusement park for 10 years by Amusement today, is right in our backyard.

But we are also fortunate that two stellar parks, Gilroy Gardens and California’s Great America, are both within an hour’s drive from us. And 2018 is shaping up to be a major year for both of them.

Gilroy Gardens, nestled in the santa Cruz mountains on 3050 hecker Pass highway, expanded its Water oasis area this year. e expansion added four new water slides for older children, as well as a new water play area complete with a tipping bucket that splashes more than 300 gallons of water. rounding out the area is more than 90 spray jets, family cabanas and other water play features. ““We are so excited to welcome guests to the bigger, better Water oasis,” said Gilroy Gardens General manager Barb Granter. “We know that many families have been eagerly watching the construction going on.” e expansion was constructed next to the park’s original Water oasis area, which opened in 2014. e new area, however, meant the demise of Gilroy Garden’s rock maze attraction, which opened with the park in 2001.

Gilroy Gardens is gearing up for new attractions that aim to increase attendance. e Water oasis expansion is part of Gilroy Gardens’ master plan over the next five years, which Granter presented to the Gilroy City Council in march 2017. e plan includes further expansion of the water park to appeal to older kids, as well as a ropes course, learning centers, expanded picnic areas and more.

No new roller coasters are planned in the future, Granter told the city council.

Gilroy Gardens has a number of events lined up for the summer and the rest of the year. for information, visit www.gilroygardens.org.

About 30 minutes north of Gilroy Gardens on highway 101, California’s 10 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

Photos by: Erik Chalhoub Great america opens railBlazer, the first upside down single track roller coaster in northern california that speeds up to 52 mph.

Gilroy Gardens now gets you wet Great America in santa Clara recently what is coming. railBlazer is themed to the Bay opened railBlazer, a new type of roller for ticket information, upcoming Area and Central Coast’s scenery that coaster that is turning the industry on special events and more at the park, is connected by highway 1. eming its head, literally. visit www.cagreatamerica.com. elements include a natural waterway designed by idaho-based rocky Looking to go on a family road trip and rocky surroundings, and at the mountain Construction, eight riders this summer? ere are many new bottom of the first drop, the train flies traverse in a single file train on a single rides making their debut this year at through a rocky tunnel at top speed. rail, giving them a unique perspective parks throughout California. “for those of you who have ridden as they plunge down a 90-degree first About an hour north of Great it, i can tell you and you can tell me: drop. After a 45-degree lift hill that America, six flags discovery Kingone minute of pure adrenaline,” raul reaches a height of 106 feet, railBlazer dom in Vallejo recently opened harley rehnborg, vice president and general travels at a top speed of 52 mph Quinn Crazy Coaster, a first-of-itsmanager of California’s Great Amerthrough three inversions and a zero kind attraction that sends dueling ica, told a crowd gathered during the gravity roll. trains through a figure-eight track. ride’s opening ceremony on June 14.

But most importantly, it features an in the Los Angeles area, six flags Just like Gilroy Gardens, Great abundance of what roller coaster enmagic mountain is getting ready to America is in the midst of a multi-year thusiasts such as myself live for and open CraZanity, billed as the largest master plan that will, among other what has been missing from Northern swinging pendulum ride in the world things, add new rides and attractions at 172 feet. Knott’s Berry farm has California coasters for far too long: as well as a marketplace outside its also opened hangtime, which is the airtime. main gates. e park is already full first dive coaster on the West Coast.

With fast leaps, dips and twists, you steam ahead with its next attraction, as it removed its classic Logger’s run won’t be in your seat very long as you For information on all the Santa Cruz flume ride and other attractions, openzip past water, mountains and byBeach Boardwalk’s offerings this season, ing up prime real estate for something standers who eagerly await their turn visit beachboardwalk.com. big. We will have to stay tuned to see to ride.

Electric Mountain bike ride Shifts one rider’s perspective

By Karen Kefauver i finally tried an electric mountain bike after years of dismissing the beefed up bikes as “cheating.” to zip uphill on a trail on a batt e r y - p owe re d bike, passing fellow cyclists huffing and puffing up the same climb on traditional mountain bikes just seemed wrong, like doping in the tour de france.

Plus, safety issues seemed more urgent: No one wants to be startled — or possibly hit — by a rider barreling towards them uphill or downhill on a hefty ebike that can reach up to 20 miles per hour. i had also resisted electric road bikes, that is, until i rented one in Big sur last summer, and had a change of heart. Not only was it super fun but it was clearly a great way to get people out of their cars and commuting by bike.

But should e-mountain bikes be allowed on multi-use trails alongside hikers, bikers and even horses? it’s a controversial question. Last year, the international mountain Bicycling Association (imBA), the sport’s largest advocacy group, updated its stance on e-bikes and indicated it now supports e-bike access on certain trails. to some extent resistance is futile: the e-bike industry is growing rapidly in the U.s., following the trend of skyrocketing sales in China and europe. Not surprisingly, Baby Boomers, ages 50-69, drive national sales, according to a 2015 survey by Bosch eBike systems. in santa Cruz, more friends have been buying e-bikes for both commuting and trail rides and giving them rave reviews. All over town, people are renting and riding the 250 bright red, electric bikes that rolled out with the City of santa Cruz’s Jump Bike share program in may. i decided to stop being an armchair critic and instead strap on my helmet and try an e-mountain bike. i stumbled upon the perfect opportunity when Current eBikes, a shop in downtown santa Cruz, hosted a free, guided group ride to test its focus brand electric mountain bikes. on a rainy saturday morning in June, nearly two dozen of us gathered in the store parking lot to get fitted on the full suspension bikes. to start my test ride, i powered the bike on and off with a button (which was a novelty in and of itself ), studied the small screen that displays the battery power and other data and practiced switching between the three different levels of battery

tips: top 3 tips for mountain Bike trail safety When parents and kids learn and follow basic rules of mountain bike etiquette, the trails are more fun and safer for everyone regardless of what kind of bike they ride.

Pick the Right Equipment 1. put a bell on your bike to ring before blind corners and to alert other cyclists. Wear bright colored clothing and helmet to increase visibility. make sure your bike fits you correctly.

Photo Credit: Mark Woodhead Karen Kefauver gives the electric mountain bike another try a week later in downtown santa cruz at current e-Bikes.

power. Changing gears on the e-bike was the same as on a traditional bike. our gang rolled out to the san Lorenzo river levee path, an ideal flat stretch to experiment with our newfound battery power. my bike was “pedal-assist,” meaning that i had to pedal in order to engage the battery. it is thrilling to feel that power surge and makes an e-bike fun and easier to ride. my bike didn’t have a throttle which would have provided instant power, with or without pedaling.

We launched our e-bikes at the base of the emma mcCrary trail (emt), a 2.2-mile, multi-use trail typically used by hundreds of riders during a spring weekend. it’s embarrassing to ride with more than a dozen fellow riders (on any type of bike) on a singletrack trail. it’s not cool, not uncommon and is legal. however, it disrupts other riders to have so many people try to squeeze by on a narrow trail. i sheepishly apologized as we passed cyclists. more than one of said something along the lines of, “having fun on that motorbike?” the biggest surprises of my hourlong ride up winding emt and the steeper climb up U Conn trail, were: 1. You still need technical riding skills and 2. Yes, you still get exercise. i had imagined i would just plow over pesky roots and rocks and not need to negotiate them because i would have so

much power. Not true. i needed my bike handling skills to stay upright. one time i wobbled because i didn’t take a turn smoothly and imagined how unpleasant it would be to tip over on my 45-pound bike, more than double the weight of my mountain bike.

Breathless, at one point, due to being on a lower battery power mode, i discovered you can certainly work up a sweat. however, i also noticed i could chat easily on hilly sections where i was usually winded.

As always, i felt peaceful in the beautiful woods and felt the light rain washing my worries away. At one point, a man weighing an extra 30 or 40 pounds was breathing hard as he caught up to me. As he chugged past me, he smiled, explaining he was trying to catch up to his son. he wouldn’t have been out there with his kid on a regular mountain bike; the added battery power was what made it possible.

Unfortunately, i had to skip the fun singletrack descent and instead ride down the road back to the shop because the bike saddle was not designed for the female anatomy. (ouch! Bring your own saddle if you test ride!)

Ultimately, i did have a change of heart after riding the e-mountain bike. i feel that giving people who are injured, overweight or otherwise unable

Your Attitude Matters 2. Be friendly. as you approach a rider, say hello, give a smile, ask how their ride is. if you to want to pass them, never assume they know you’re there. call out, from several feet away, “On your left” or “On your right” indicating which side you want to pass on. a common mistake is getting an inch behind someone and then saying something. that can surprise them and they may steer unpredictably if not given sufficient warning.

Brush Up Your Skills 3. it’s your responsibility to know your basic steering and technical skills for managing switchbacks, roots, rocks and steep descents and climbs. Just like on a ski slope, don’t go on a black diamond trail if you are a bunny slope skier. if you find yourself over your head, walk your bike. talk to local bike shops and learn what trails are a good match for you. and most of all, enjoy!

to ride traditional mountain bikes access to trails is a gift of technology. i don’t condone speed demons using them to set trail speed records (that happens already with traditional mountain bikers). Cyclists can be courteous or rude regardless of what type of bikes they are riding. i do think it’s fair to have some trails that ban e-bikes. most importantly, given the greater speed and power of e-bikes, there needs to be extra training and education provided by bike shops selling and renting the bikes and as well as from manufacturers. there’s room for improvement. mountain biking is largely a self-regulating sport, so it’s up to us to do the best we can for each other.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 11

JuLY 2018

cALENdAr

photo: Brad Kava SHOrt WALK, LONG dAY. the “World’s Shortest Parade” in Aptos July 4 brings out thousands of locals and tourists for a march of a few blocks starting at 10 a.m. and a big celebration in the Village Park until 4 p.m.

sunday, july 1 santa Cruz Public Library summer reading Program: “reading takes You” Children who participate in summer reading Programs and read a minimum of six books over the summer score higher when they return to school. sign up at any branch library and online at santacruzpl.org/srp free daily entertainment 12pm-6pm. every day until August 17th. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. World-class magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and comedians performing free at two stages inside the park. overeaters Anonymous 9:05am-10:15am. ongoing sundays. sutter maternity & surgical Center. 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 redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. A fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. hwy 236 at 21600 Big Basin Way. 338-8883. diY Crafts 11am-1pm. ongoing sundays.

Live oak Library. A do-it-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families.

Children 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

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one-on-one tech tutoring 12pm-1pm. ongoing sundays. downtown Library. A tech-savvy librarian will provide instruction in the use of a wide range of technology services: drop-in weekly appointments, 20 minute slots available. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch in this hourlong tour. Please call the park to confirm at 426-0505.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm. ongoing sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 harkins slough road). Come experience the incredible 220 species of bird life that the wetlands of Watsonville has to offer. tour of the UCsC farm 2pm-3:30pm.

UCsC hay Barn. on the first sunday of each month, enjoy a free tour of the UCsC farm.

Adult Arts and Crafts 2pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. felton Public Library. Attendants are encouraged to bring their own portable projects to work on, though something will be provided if you don’t bring something.

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. sutter room. 2900 Chanticleer

Avenue. Newcomers, please come 15 minutes early to get acquainted. twilight Adaptation Adventure 7:30pm-8:30pm. Big Basin state Park. Animals that come out at night have special adaptations to survive. see them on a fun, half-mile walk.

monday, july 2 What’s that Bird? Walk 8am. Big Basin state Park. this easy, one-mile stroll introduces you to the birds of the redwood forest. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Garfield Park Library. read books, sing songs and make a simple craft.

Ages 3-6. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. for families with children 3 and under. early music, movement, stories, rhymes and more for your child and you.

Wellness Group 10am-11:30am. ongoing mondays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. supporting mothers’ emotional health in the postpartum period. 477-2229. 2900 Chanticleer Ave, santa Cruz.

Live oak Knitters 11am-1pm ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. Get together with other knitters to knit, chat, and make new friends. No registration required.

427-7711. seek and find: smartphone Quest 11:30am-12:30pm. Big Basin state Park.

Bring your smartphone and kids ages 5 and up for a 1-hour adventure walk. We’ll use a free app called seek to identify plants and animals.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. for crawlers through early walkers. Let your young child crawl, creep and explore their motor skills in a fun and stimulating environment. Call 464-BUGs (2847) or drop by at 3910 Portola drive. ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point 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. makey makey Controller 1pm-3pm. downtown Library. for teens. Join us for another round of steAm programming as we use makey makey kits and the internet to turn everyday objects into touchpad controllers!

JuLY 2018 Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing mondays. scotts Valley Library. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome. for more info call 831-427-7712. tales to tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Aptos Library. trained therapy dogs will be available to be attentive, non-judgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute time slots to sit with a dog and read. Contact tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or 831.427.7717 to reserve a spot. esL Conversation Group 4pm (downtown Library) 5pm (Live oak Library). ongoing mondays. Any level of english welcome. We’ll have discussion topics, games, and other activities to get the conversation rolling. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. enjoy old-school prices throughout the park including $1.50 rides, $1.50 Coca-Cola fountain drinks, $9.95 Unlimited Attractions, $2 select Games, and 50% off Airbrush tattoos Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm. ongoing mondays except the 30th. 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. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing mondays. dominican hospital. dfN provides non-adversarial techniques to achieve healthy co-parenting through a support group network. Aptos La selva fire dept, 6934 soquel dr. 234-5578

tuesday, july 3 exploring Big Basin 9am. ongoing tuesdays. Big Basinstate Park headquarters.

Learn about the magical redwoods, forest plants, fires, geology, history on 5-8 mile hikes with docent diane shaw.

UCsC Arboretum: Community day 9am-5pm. UCsC Arboretum. the first tuesday of each month, the Arboretum is open without charge to visitors. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. 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. family stories and Craft 10:30am11:30am. La selva Beach Library. Guest performance: Wild Child Bubbles. Craft: Bubble art Preschool storytime 10:30am (La selva Beach Library) 11am (scotts Valley Library). ongoing tuesdays. A 45 minute program for 3-6 year olds. We will read books and make a simple craft.

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 with no required fee. 477-2229. 2900 Chanticleer Ave.

tumble-on-tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing tuesdays. Ages walking to 7 years. Parents may leave children over 3 yrs. Call 464-BUGs (2847) to sign up or drop by at 3910 Portola dr. ste.

2 & 3 Pleasure Point-santa Cruz. www.junebugsgym Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing tuesdays. WomenCAre’s office. open to newly diagnosed women throughout the course of their treatment and up to 4-6 months post-treatment. Preregistration (office intake and a conversation with the group facilitator) is required. Please call 831-457-2273.

Wild Child Adventures: Bubbles 10:30am La selva Beach Library1pm-2pm. Aptos Library 4p.m.downtown Library. What is it about bubbles that makes them so intriguing? Let’s explore the fun and science that are bubbles!

Lego and duplo fun 1:30pm-3:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library.

Let’s build and learn together! Ages 3 and older as the LeGo bricks are very small. diY tuesday Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. ongoing tuesdays. downtown Library. A do-it-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independent-minded kids and teens! Children 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Youth Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos Library. Learn from a master and practice with your peers! Ages 6-18 yrs.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing tuesdays. felton Library. directed LeGo construction for kids 6 and older. each week we will construct models based on a common theme.

Wild Child Adventures: Bubbles 4pm-5pm. downtown Library.

Youth Coalition meeting 5pm-6:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. resource Center for Non-Violence. Ages 13-21. Get involved, get educated & become a community youth leader. Youth-designed & led group.

Call first. 515 Broadway, sC. 427-5066 family and friends Cancer support Group 5:30pm-7pm. 1st and 3rd tuesdays of the month. WomenCAre’s office. open to friends and loved ones of people with cancer. Pre-registration (office intake and a conversation with the group facilitator) is required. 831-457-2273 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 Birth Center tour 6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. Call to register. dominican hospital, 1555 soquel dr, sC. 462-7709 “Jays and murrelets” Campfire Program 7pm. Big Basin state Park. Come hear Kristin Brunk talk about why they’re banding these birds, what they’re learning about how Jay behavior changes around

people, and the impact the Jays have on the endangered marbled murrelet. marshmallows at 7 pm; program begins at 7:30 pm. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos La selva fire dept. dfN provides non-adversarial techniques to achieve healthy co-parenting through a support group network. 6934 soquel dr. 234-5578

wednesday, july 4 roaring Camp’s fourth of July 9am. roaring Camp. Bop on over to roaring Camp railroad for a 1950s-style fourth of July with a sock hop, hula-hoop contests, games, music and an all-American barbecue.

Boulder Creek fourth of July Parade 10am. downtown Boulder Creek. the annual Boulder Creek parade attracts more than 10,000 attendees every year. if you’re a mountain dweller, you won’t want to miss this!

World’s shortest fourth of July Parade 10am-4pm. Aptos Village Park. start your morning with the parade at 10 am followed by a Party in the Park in the Aptos Village Park from noon to 4 pm with food, vendors, music, and activities.

Wilder ranch old fashioned independence day 12pm. Wilder ranch. Participate in an 1900s-style independence day celebration including a family parade, games, crafts area, live music, living history demonstrations, historic speeches and flagraising. food and drink available for sale, or bring a picnic lunch. free Community swim day 12pm-4pm. simpkins family swim Center. have fun with everything that simpkins has to offer.

Also enjoy music and a BBQ hosted by the Boys and Girls Club. first-come, first-served.

Pollution is Patriotic with save our shores 12pm-4pm. hand out bags and remind beachgoers to take care of their trash and recyclables. outreach efforts will take place at 4 mile Beach, Cowell and main Beach, seabright state Beach, twin Lakes state Beach, seacliff/rio del mar Beaches, del monte Beach, Carmel City Beach spirit of Watsonville fourth of July Parade 2pm. st. Patrick’s Catholic Church. featuring car clubs, tractors, fire engines, antique cars, local non-profit agencies, equestrian units and the Watsonville Band. scotts Valley fourth of July fireworks 3pm and 9:15pm. skypark Park. this is the only fireworks show in santa Cruz county!

Celebration begins at 3 pm on scotts Valley drive with food, games, and music. the fireworks begin at 9:15 pm. Admission for the fireworks is $6 in advance, $8 day of. Admission tickets are available by contacting the scotts Valley recreation division at 438-3251. todd morgan and the emblems: summer twilight Concert series 6pm-8pm. ongoing Wednesdays through August. esplanade Park Bandstand. Bring a picnic or dine at one of our many area restaurants. seating is on the lawn, seawall, benches or

the beach. Please bring your low back chairs or picnic blankets. No alcohol or dogs in the park or on the beach.

thursday, july 5 the star spangled Beach Cleanup with save our shores 8am-10am. Volunteers can help pick up trash at the following sites: davenport main Beach, 4 mile Beach, Cowell and main Beach, twin Lakes state Beach, seabright state Beach, seacliff state Beach, Panther/Coast dairies state Beach, sunny Cove hidden Beach, moran Lake Beach, Beer Can Beach, its Beach, del monte Beach, sand City Beach, Carmel City Beach 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. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. scotts Valley Library and Aptos Library. Weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old.

New Parents with Babies 4 months to 9 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. Classes are drop-in (no pre-reg required). 477-2229.

Coffee talk social hour 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. free coffee, free talk; social support and information services for all. this program is designed to serve people experiencing homelessness, however it is an open space for all.

Working together: information Navigation 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. Work with an information advocate on any information problem, application, resume or access issue of your choice.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

Crafts for Adults and teens 10am-11am.

Branciforte Library. Garden rocks!

Adventures in Virtual reality 11am-12pm.

Boulder Creek Library. this drop-in experience gives you a taste of what virtual reality can be and introduces you to the world like you’ve never seen it before. Ages 13+.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2. minecraft.edu 1pm-2pm. ongoing thursdays. La selva Beach Library. Learn how to survive in the world of minecraft. Ages 8 to 18. space is limited to 19 on a firstcome basis. do-it-Yourself Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing thursdays. Boulder Creek Library.

Get creative! Kids, teens and families welcome!

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WHAt Kid CAN rESiSt? thomas the tank Engine will get families heading to roaring Camp for 25 minute rides with the tV celebrity at the end of July and beginning of August. See Calendar, July 27.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing thursdays. Garfield Park Library and Boulder Creek Library. directed LeGo construction for kids 7 and older. each week we will construct models based on a common theme. spanish Conversation Group 4pm-5pm.

Aptos Library. first and third thursday of the month. trying to work on your spanish? facilitator-led discussion and activities. All levels are welcome, including beginners. for more information contact ivan Llamas at llamasi@santacruzpl.org or 831-427-7702 Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Bring a Coca-Cola product and enjoy unlimited rides for only $14.95+tax!

Art Walk 5:30pm-8pm. first thursday of every month. Capitola mall (macy’s Wing). Local artists, a featured charity every month and live entertainment. support your local artists! trivia on tap 6pm-7:30pm. 1st and 3rd thursdays of the month. steel Bonnet Brewing Company. Join santa Cruz Public Libraries for trivia night. form a team (or take it on solo), and compete against other groups to win the grand prize.

Lifestyle triple P Group: tools to help parents and children lead healthy, active lives @ mountain Community resources 6pm7:30pm. mountain Community resources. Lifestyle triple P Group teaches families positive parenting strategies to in-

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crease children’s healthy eating and physical activity. Learn guidelines for healthy eating, healthier food choices, and fun, simple ways to teach children to be more active; how to set limits about video games, phones, computers, and tV; and ways to make healthy changes as a family. this Lifestyle Group is free and open to the public. register to reserve your spot and get free child care. Light snacks will be provided for children and adults. Attend each week to be entered into a raffle drawing to win a prize at the last class! to register: Contact Cori Burt at (831) 335-6600, ext 6605 or corib@cbridges.org or register online at http://first5scc.org/calendar/parent-trainings 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 831-7613973 for details.

Nature’s supermarket Campfire 7pm. Big Basin state Park. Let’s take a look at Nature’s supermarket and make dinner the way it was done by the native ohlone people 500 years ago! You even get to taste our creation!

friday, july 6 the make Lab 10am-5pm. scotts Valley Library. this makerspace will offer a variety of tools for steAm-based projects including: 3d printers, vinyl cutter, wood burning tool, soldering tool, pinback button machine, book binding machine, and a virtual reality-based sculpting and paint-

ing program. Kids 13 and under will need parental permission and supervision.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1. free first friday 10am-10pm. santa Cruz mAh. explore three floors of exhibitions for free and dig into a hands-on activity that’s great for all ages Preschool storytime 11am-11:45am.

Porter memorial Library. Ages 2-5. free first friday 11am-4pm. Natural history museum. enjoy the museum for free with your family on the first friday of every month. enjoy our intertidal touch pool and large-screen microscope. PLUs get a sneak-peek at our annual Art of Nature exhibit. 1305 east Cliff dr, santa Cruz. 420-6115 fun n’ tumble open Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing fridays at JuneBugs Gym. 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 at 3910 Portola dr. ste. 2 & 3 Pleasure Point-santa Cruz. www.junebugsgym UCsC farm and Garden market Cart 12pm-6pm. Base of the UCsC Campus (corner of Bay and high st.). Get fresh organic vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flower bouquets grown at the UCsC farm and Alan Chadwick Garden. market Cart continues every friday through late october.

Watsonville farmers market 2pm-7pm. ongoing fridays. downtown Watsonville Plaza. this market is in the heart of the famously bountiful Pajaro Valley. You’ll find a large variety of Latin American treats, including some lesser known dishes such as pambasos, huarache and chicharrones. make and explore at the mall 2pm-4pm.

Weekly through July. santa Cruz Children’s museum of discovery. make something creative or make a new discovery! the program is free, and most suitable for 6-12 year olds. Parents will need to remain available throughout the program, and will be helping children under 8. tales to tails 3pm-4pm. felton Library. see July 2. first friday: friday Night recess 5pm8pm. Abbot square. Cooper street in santa Cruz will be closed off for an all-ages playground, featuring dodgeball, tetherball, cornhole, and a pop-up playground with huge building blocks and an activity table for kids! rose royce free friday Night Bands on the Beach 6:30pm and 8:30pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. formed in Los Angeles and known universally for their hit “Car Wash” from the movie of the same name, these Grammy Award winners sold millions of records and charted hits throughout the ‘70s.

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saturday, july 7 Aptos farmers market 8am-2pm. 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. scotts Valley farmer’s market 9am-1pm. 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. open Gym at JuneBug’s Gym 9am-12 pm. ongoing saturdays. 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 at 3910 Portola dr. ste. 2 & 3, Pleasure Point-santa Cruz. www.junebugsgym.com tales to tails 10am-11am. downtown Library. see July 2. family Nature Program 10am-10:30am. ongoing saturdays. Big Basin state Park.

Join a Big Basin interpreter for a kids’ nature activity. family friendly. meet at Big Basin redwood state Park Nature museum. saturdays in the soil 10am-12pm. santa Cruz museum of Natural history. help us keep our Garden Learning Center thriving for visitors to learn from! Learn about caring for native plants while helping with general landscaping, watering, weeding, and replanting. All ages welcome. free Guided hikes 10am-12pm. ongoing saturdays. Natural history museum. explore the san Lorenzo river with free guided hikes led by wildlife and biology experts. for locations and walk topics visit sanlorenzoriver.org/explore. 1305 east Cliff dr, santa Cruz. 420-6115 Woodburning Workshop 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. scotts Valley Library. Join pyrography artist Kelley Badgley for a twohour beginner’s class on the art of woodburning. supplies will be provided.

Limit 12 participants. email hookerj@santacruzpl.org to register (required). tales to tails 10:30am-11:30am. Aptos Library. see July 2.

Creative movement storytime 11am12pm. Branciforte Library. for preschoolers ages 2-6. Professional dance instructor meredith Cabezas from motion Pacific will incorporate simple dance and movement activities that help children engage and explore words, sounds and text in unique ways.

Coast Nature Walks 11am-1pm. Wilder ranch. explore the plants, animals, and geology of the spectacular coastal bluffs. meet at the interpretive Center. Bring a snack, water, binoculars, and good walking shoes. Binoculars are available to borrow.

Located two miles north of santa Cruz, on highway 1. 426-0505 diY family Crafts 11am-4pm (Branciforte Library) 11am-1pm (Garfield Park Library). ongoing saturdays.

redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1. redwood tours 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park. one of our knowledgeable docents will lead you through our magnificent old growth forest and answer questions. meet at the Visitors Center in the day-use area of henry Cowell redwoods state Park located off highway 9 in felton. 335-7077 Guided Adobe tour 1pm. ongoing saturdays. santa Cruz mission state historic Park. Guided tour of the oldest building in town. 144 school street. for more information call 425-5849. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1. origami Club 1pm-3pm. Aptos Library. first saturday of the month. Join our monthly get together to 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.

Big Basin talent show 7pm. Big Basin state Park. An old-fashioned sing-a-long and talent show! if you have a skit, poem, song or a talent you’d like to share, sign up at headquarters in advance. star strolls 9pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park. Join us for a stroll to the observation deck to listen to stories, serenade the glittering stars, and discover the night sky. meet at the Campfire Center

sunday, july 8 overeaters Anonymous 9:05am-10:15am. ongoing sundays. sutter maternity & surgical Center. see July 1.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1. redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1. seacliff history Walk 11am-11:50am seacliff state Beach. meet on the deck of the Visitor Center for a tour of seacliff state Beach and its fascinating history. Learn about the Concrete ship, Great storms from 1889-today, “the madman of seacliff ” and much, much more.

Adult Arts and Crafts 2pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. felton Public Library. see July 1.

Nar-Anon family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. ongoing sundays. sutter room. sutter hospital, 2900 Chanticleer Avenue. see July 1. twilight Adaptation Adventure 7:30pm8:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 1.

monday, july 9 What’s that Bird? Walk 8am. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Garfield Park Library. see July 2.

toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3.

Preschool storytime 10:30am (La selva Beach Library) 11am (scotts Valley Library). ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing tuesdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 3. tumble-on-tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing tuesdays. WomenCAre’s office. see July 3.

toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Lego and duplo fun 1:30pm-3:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3.

Wellness Group 10am-11:30am. ongoing mondays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 2.

diY tuesday Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. ongoing tuesdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

Live oak Knitters 11am-1pm ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Youth Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos Library. see July 3.

Adventures in Virtual reality 11am-12pm.

Live oak Library. see July 5.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing tuesdays. felton Library. see July 3.

seek and find: smartphone Quest 11:30am-12:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

tales to tails 4pm-5pm. scotts Valley. see July 2.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Arm-in-Arm Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing mondays. WomenCAre office. see July 2.

New mommy musical meetUp 12:30pm2pm. every 2nd monday. Native sons’ hall. Bring your little ones and join the free meetUp to mingle with other new mommies and learn how to integrate music making in your baby’s life from a certified music together teacher. 239 high street. http://www.musicalme.com/ Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing mondays. scotts Valley Library. see July 2. esL Conversation Group 4pm (downtown Library) 5pm (Live oak Library). ongoing mondays. see July 2. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

one-on-one tech tutoring 12pm-1pm. ongoing sundays. downtown Library. see July 1.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm. ongoing mondays except the 30th. Abbot square. see July 2.

diY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. Live oak Library. see July 1.

divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing mondays. dominican hospital. see July 2.

ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1.

tuesday, july 10

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm. ongoing sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 harkins slough road). see July 1.

exploring Big Basin 9am. ongoing tuesdays. Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 3.

Youth Coalition meeting 5pm-6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. resource Center for Non-Violence. see July 3. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. martes en curso. en espanol. monarch services. Ver 3 del julio.

Birth Center tour 6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. Call to register. dominican hospital. see July 3. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos La selva fire dept. see July 3.

wednesday, july 11 All together Now! 9am-11am, ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. share the joys and challenges of parenting as we grow and learn together. drop-in classes in english for kids 0-5 years old. recommended fee of $3-$7 for those able to pay. 1740 17th Ave. 476-7284.

Bookshop santa Cruz story time 10am. ongoing Wednesdays. Bookshop invites any toddler or pre-school age children to listen to stories read by mamoura slike.

460-3251 Capitola Book discussion Group 10am11am. Aptos Library due to the Capitola Library closure. We will be reading east of eden by John steinbeck in July.

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photo: Brad Kava tHE rEAL BirdS. Former Santa Cruz resident Alfred Hitchcock is said to have drawn his inspiration for the horror film “the Birds” from seeing the feeding flocks over Monterey Bay. they’ve started early this summer.

New moms support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. free for babies 0-6 months old and their moms to discuss common concerns with other new moms. dominican edu Center, rm C, 1555 soquel dr, sC. 462-7709 triple P @ together in the Park (drop-in playgroup) 10:30am-12 pm. felton Covered Bridge Park, corner of Graham hill rd and mt. hermon rd (across from safeway). Parent education is offered as part of the together in the Park drop-in playgroup led by mountain Community resources every Wednesday, April through october. triple P Positive Parenting tip sheets are covered with all participants or in brief, one-on-one consultations. offered in english or spanish by rosa reyes, Community Bridges – mountain Community resources. All children and parents/caregivers are welcome. Light snacks will be provided.

Breastfeeding support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. dominican edu Center, rm d, 1555 soquel dr, sC. discuss joys & challenges of breastfeeding. free. 462-7709 oliver the Parrot 11am-12pm. Boulder Creek Library. meet oliver the Parrot and enjoy parrot stories, songs, facts about parrots, and make a parrot craft. family storytime 11am-12pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. stories and songs, art activities, games and play for families with children of all ages.

el Patio de mi Casa 12pm-2pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. inspiring playgroups for moms, dads, caregivers and children 0-5 years old. instructor: Yolanda Provoste-fuentes. recommended fee of $3-$7 for those able to pay. drop-in. Classes facilitated in spanish. 1740 17th Ave, santa Cruz. 476-7284 Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. every monday, Wednesday, & thursday. see July 2. dance for Parkinson’s 1pm. 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.

Writing in the Library 2pm-4pm. scotts Valley Library. Program for all ages. Writing materials and writing prompts will be provided or you can bring works in progress. there will be time at each session to share your work with other authors if you want.

Branciforte Writers 4pm-6pm. Branciforte Library. Group for adults who are writing for children: stories and Non-fiction. Join us to share information, ideas, collaboration, opportunities and support!

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5. family Lagoon Watch 5:30pm-7pm. Live oak Library. Participants will learn about

16 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

the environment and wildlife of Corcoran Lagoon. Not suitable for very young children. 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: 888 900-4232. Wcs-ddm.org mindful music and Community Night 6pm-8pm. Abbot square. Learn about mindfulness with mission Be. discover new ways to connect with yourself and others through mindfulness talk, group meditation, and more.

Big City revue: summer twilight Concert series 6pm-8pm. ongoing Wednesdays through August. esplanade Park Bandstand. see July 4. the immortalists and the ensemble: Chloe Benjamin and Aja Gabel 7pm.

Bookshop santa Cruz. The Immortalists probes the line between destiny and choice, reality and illusion. Gabel’s The Ensemble is a heart-skipping portrait of ambition, friendship, and the tenderness of youth.

Legally Blonde: free movies on the Beach 9pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

thursday, july 12 toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. scotts Valley Library and Aptos Library. see July 5.

New Parents with Babies 4 months to 9 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 5.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2. food Addicts Anonymous meeting 9am. ongoing thursdays. trinity Presbyterian Church. see July 5.

Coffee talk social hour 10am-11am. downtown Library. ongoing thursdays. see July 5.

Working together: information Navigation 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 5. thursday step Parents support Group Join us on the second thursday of each month for a free, drop-in support group for anyone in the step-parenting role. We meet at various locations. email hannah mommystub@gmail.com for more details.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 3. samba samba drumming Workshop with James henry 10:30-11:30 (Branciforte Library) 1pm-2pm (felton Library) 3pm4pm (scotts Valley Library) 6pm-7pm (Live oak Library). samba samba uses music, rhythm, percussion instruments, and drums as tools for capturing the imagination of the participants. this program is suitable for all ages from children to adults.

JuLY 2018 minecraft.edu 1pm-2pm. ongoing thursdays. La selva Beach Library. see July 5. decorate a Canvas Bag 2pm-4pm. Branciforte Library. free canvas bag provided.

Just right to carry library books in! Ages 6 and up. Kids 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. do-it-Yourself Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. see July 5.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing thursdays. Garfield Park Library and Boulder Creek Library. see July 5.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5.

Author talk: santa Cruz Noir 6pm7:30pm. Aptos Library. Local author susie Bright casts a light on the shadows of santa Cruz with the newest installment of the Akashic Press “Noir” series with santa Cruz Noir. Listen to some of the contributing authors talk about their stories and research.

Lifestyle triple P Group: tools to help parents and children lead healthy, active lives @ mountain Community resources 6pm7:30pm. mountain Community resources. see July 5.

Citizen science 6:30pm-8pm. downtown Library. Are we really made of stardust?

Yes! trees to seas 6:30pm-8pm. scotts Valley Library. slow it, spread it, sink it! Greening stormwater runoff around your home.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5. the Little mermaid Jr.: All About theatre 6:30pm. Louden Nelson Center theater.

Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she`ll have to defy her father King triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.

Live music by the Kaeli earle trio 6:30pm-9pm. Abbot square. the Kaeli earle trio always holds incredible performances consisting of funked-up jazz, Kaeli’s original songs, and classic standards recognized and appreciated by all jazz heads. smash mouth free friday Night Bands on the Beach 6:30pm and 8:30pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. having established itself as the ultimate California party band, the vibe surrounding smash mouth is all about having fun.

Brave: free family movies in the Park 8:30pm. highlands Park. Come early and enjoy the park’s many amenities. At dusk, bring a blanket or chair, sit back and enjoy the show!

saturday, july 14 Aptos farmers market 8am-2pm. ongoing saturdays. Cabrillo College. see July 7.

Backcountry tour 9am-12pm. Wilder ranch. this challenging hike will explore the natural and cultural history of the backcountry of Wilder ranch. meet in the parking lot with good shoes, lunch, and water. rain cancels.

redwood tours 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park. see July 7.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. scotts Valley Library. Join this program for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s games like settlers of Catan, Pandemic, or ticket to ride. No prior gaming experience is necessary.

Guided Adobe tour 1pm. ongoing saturdays . santa Cruz mission state historic Park. see July 7. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1.

Live oak history 1pm-2pm. Live oak Library. Norman Poitevin is a local historian who will give an overview of the history of the Live oak area. deborah Lipoma, the local history librarian at santa Cruz Public Libraries will talk about local history resources at the library.

Community Poetry Circle 1pm-3pm.

Aptos Library. Join our poetry writing group led by local poet, magdalena montagne. Create your poems in a friendly supportive atmosphere. the Little mermaid Jr.: All About theatre 1:30pm and 6:30pm. Louden Nelson Center theater. see July 13. tales to tails 2pm-3pm. felton Library. see July 2.

Chess instruction 2pm-3pm. downtown Library. ongoing saturdays except the first. 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.

Nature’s supermarket Campfire 7pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 5.

scotts Valley farmer’s market 9am-1pm. ongoing saturdays. sV Community Center parking lot. see July 7.

friday, july 13

open Gym at JuneBug’s Gym 9am-12 pm. ongoing saturdays. see July 7.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1.

family Nature Program 10am-10:30am. ongoing saturdays. Big Basin state Park. see July 7.

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 831336-8662 to register.

the make Lab 10am-5pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 6.

tales to tails 10am-11am. downtown Library. see July 2.

star strolls 9pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park.

fun n’ tumble open Gym 12-3pm.

JuneBugs Gym. see July 6.

free Guided hikes 10am-12pm. ongoing saturdays. Natural history museum. see July 7.

sunday, july 15

UCsC farm and Garden market Cart 12pm-6pm. Base of the UCsC Campus (corner of Bay and high st.). see July 6.

Live oak Library Book Group 2pm-3pm.

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. make and explore at the mall 2pm-4pm.

Weekly through July. santa Cruz Children’s museum of discovery. see July 6.

Paddington 2: family movie matinee 2pm-4:30pm. Aptos Library.

Watsonville farmers market 2pm-7pm. ongoing fridays. downtown Watsonville Plaza. see July 6.

meteor trail hike 10:30am-2pm. Big Basin state Park. 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, hike. this is a somewhat strenuous ascent.

Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. meet at Big Basin Park headquarters.

Beginning Birding 8am-10am. Quail hollow ranch. All ages. No previous experience is necessary. Wear comfortable shoes.

Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them and some drinking water. overeaters Anonymous 9:05am-10:15am. ongoing sundays. sutter maternity & surgical Center. see July 1.

diY family Crafts 11am-4pm (Branciforte Library) 11am-1pm (Garfield Park Library). ongoing saturdays. see July 7.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1.

redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1.

redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1.

one-on-one tech tutoring 12pm-1pm. ongoing sundays. downtown Library. see July 1. diY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. Live oak Library. see July 1. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1. the Little mermaid Jr.: All About theatre 1:30pm. Louden Nelson Center theater. see July 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.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm. ongoing sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 harkins slough road). see July 1.

Adult Arts and Crafts 2pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. felton Public Library. see July 1.

Nar-Anon family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. ongoing sundays. sutter room. sutter hospital, 2900 Chanticleer Avenue. see July 1.

A Wrinkle in time: Aptos movie in the Park 8:30pm. Aptos Village Park. Come early and enjoy music and food truck concessions too. movie starts at dusk. twilight Adaptation Adventure 7:30pm8:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 1.

monday, july 16 What’s that Bird? Walk 8am. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Garfield Park Library. see July 2. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Wellness Group 10am-11:30am. ongoing mondays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 2.

Live oak Knitters 11am-1pm ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2. seek and find: smartphone Quest 11:30am-12:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Arm-in-Arm Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing mondays. WomenCAre office. see July 2.

Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing mondays. scotts Valley Library. see July 2. tales to tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Aptos Library. see July 2. esL Conversation Group 4pm (downtown Library) 5pm (Live oak Library). ongoing mondays. see July 2.

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JuLY 2018

LiVE MAGiC! Magician Perry Yan wowed kids and parents at the Branciforte Branch of the Santa Cruz library. there’s plenty of more magic afoot at the libraries throughout the summer, including appearances by Mike the Magician July 26 at Boulder Creek and Live Oak branches. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm. ongoing mondays except the 30th. Live oak Library. see July 2. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing mondays. dominican hospital.

tuesday, july 17 exploring Big Basin 9am. ongoing tuesdays. Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 3. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3.

Preschool storytime 10:30am (La selva Beach Library) 11am (scotts Valley Library). ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing tuesdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 3. tumble-on-tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing tuesdays. WomenCAre’s office. see July 3. dome on the Go 12:30 p.m. Aptos Library, pre-registration required. see the universe in a portable planetarium.

18 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

movie discussion Club 1pm-2pm. La selva Beach Library. Join our group to discuss films currently in the theaters. Call the branch for next month’s movie selections at 831.427.7710.

Lego and duplo fun 1:30pm-3:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3. diY tuesday Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. ongoing tuesdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

Youth Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos Library. see July 3.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing tuesdays. felton Library. see July 3.

Youth Coalition meeting 5pm-6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. resource Center for Non-Violence. see July 3. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2. family and friends Cancer support Group 5:30pm-7pm. 1st and 3rd tuesdays of the month. WomenCAre’s office. see July 3.

and outs of all facets of astronomy for adults and families.

Beast: A tale of Love and redemption: Lisa Jensen 7pm. Bookshop santa Cruz. this book is a perfect summer read for a range of ages – filled with gorgeous writing, magic and fierce emotion, it will challenge everything you think you know about good and evil, and beauty and beastliness. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos La selva fire dept. see July 3.

wednesday, july 18 All together Now! 9am-11am, ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. see July 11.

Bookshop santa Cruz story time 10am. ongoing Wednesdays. see July 11.

Capitola Book discussion Group 10am11am. Aptos Library due to the Capitola Library closure. We will be reading east of eden by John steinbeck in July.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. martes en curso. en espanol. monarch services. Ver 3 del julio.

ribbon Arts Guild 10am-1pm. scotts Valley Library. Join roxanne Langan for ribbon work and hand sewing on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Birth Center tour 6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. Call to register. dominican hospital. see July 3.

New moms support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. dominican edu Center, rm C, see July 11.

reach for the stars 6:30pm-8:30pm. Aptos Library. this program will explore the ins

triple P @ together in the Park (drop-in playgroup) 10:30am-12 pm. felton Covered Bridge Park. see July 11.

Breastfeeding support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. dominican edu Center, rm d. see July 11. oliver the Parrot 11am-12pm. Garfield Park Library. see July 11. family storytime 11am-12pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. see July 11. el Patio de mi Casa 12pm-2pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. see July 11.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2. dance for Parkinson’s 1pm. ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. motion Pacific dance. see July 11.

Aptos Writing Group 1pm-3pm. Pacific roasting Company. those interested in: sharing their writing; improving and developing their writing; or trying their hand at writing for the first time, are welcome. No experience is necessary and all writing formats are considered.

Branciforte Book discussion Group 1:30pm-2:30pm. Branciforte Library. the Branciforte Book discussion Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 1:30-2:30. Please try to arrive on

JuLY 2018 time! this month’s book will be All the Light We Cannot see” by Anthony doerr.

minecraft.edu 1pm-2pm. ongoing thursdays. La selva Beach Library. see July 5.

CAse Art Club 2pm-4pm. scotts Valley Library. Ages 6-10. Come craft with Anna and learn about the relationship between art and science. the goal is to involve kids in art using their own creativity.

do-it-Yourself Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. see July 5.

tales to tails 3:30pm-4:30pm. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5. evening Non-fiction Book discussion Group 6pm-7pm. La selva Beach Library.

Group will discussion current non-fiction books as selected by members. 831-4277710. female survivor support Group 6pm7:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. monarch services. see July 11.

Joint Chiefs: summer twilight Concert series 6pm-8pm. ongoing Wednesdays through August. esplanade Park Bandstand. see July 4.

Board in the Library 6:30pm-8:30pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 14 ferris Bueller’s day off: free movies on the Beach 9pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

thursday, july 19

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing thursdays. see July 5. spanish Conversation Group 4pm-5pm.

Aptos Library. first and third thursday of the month. see July 5.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5. trivia on tap 6pm-7:30pm. 1st and 3rd thursdays of the month. steel Bonnet Brewing Company. see July 5.

Lifestyle triple P Group: tools to help parents and children lead healthy, active lives @ mountain Community resources 6pm7:30pm. mountain Community resources. see July 5. entre Nosotras 6pm-8pm. 1st and 3rd thursday of the month. WomenCAre’s Watsonville office. see July 5. energy: A human history: richard rhodes 7pm. Bookshop santa Cruz.

Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Awardwinning author richard rhodes will join us to discuss his new book, Energy, an engrossing history of energy transitions over the past five centuries of human progress, from wood to coal to oil to electricity and beyond.

food Addicts Anonymous meeting 9am. ongoing thursdays. trinity Presbyterian Church. see July 5.

Nature’s supermarket Campfire 7pm.

Big Basin state Park. see July 5.

toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. scotts Valley Library and Aptos Library. see July 5.

despicable me 3: free family movie Night 8:00pm. soquel Park. Low back chairs, blankets, and jackets recommended. No alcohol, please.

New Parents with Babies 4 months to 9 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. see July 5.

friday, july 20

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Coffee talk social hour 10am-11am. downtown Library. ongoing thursdays. see July 5.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1. the make Lab 10am-5pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 6. meteor trail hike 10:30am-2pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 14.

Working together: information Navigation 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 5.

fun n’ tumble open Gym 12-3pm.

JuneBugs Gym. see July 6.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

UCsC farm and Garden market Cart 12pm-6pm. Base of the UCsC Campus (corner of Bay and high st.). see July 6.

Boulder Creek Library Book Club 11am12pm. every third thursday of the month.

Boulder Creek Library.

Watsonville farmers market 2pm-7pm. ongoing fridays. downtown Watsonville Plaza. see July 6.

fratello marionettes: mother Goose Land 11am-12pm. downtown Library. We encounter mary and her lamb on their way to school, while Jack and Jill climb up a hill looking for water. humpty dumpty is perched high atop a wall waiting for the king’s arrival, and Bo-Peep searches for her lost sheep.

make and explore at the mall 2pm-4pm.

Weekly through July. santa Cruz Children’s museum of discovery. see July 6. tales to tails 3pm-4pm. felton Library. see July 2.

Live music by saucy Jacks 6:30pm-9pm.

Abbot square. the saucy Jacks desire to write creative and complex originals and to cover a diverse mix of rock, ska, reggae and punk music spanning from the 1960’s to the 2000’s with one common ingredient: to get people on the dance floor.

Los Lonely Boys free friday Night Bands on the Beach 6:30pm and 8:30pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Los Lonely Boys plays a style of music they call “texican rock n’ roll,” combining elements of rock and roll, texas blues, brown-eyed soul, country, and tejano. teen splash Night 7:30pm-10pm. simpkins family swim Center. Ages 13-19.

Pools will be open exclusively for teens 7:30-9pm. food will be available for purchase and a movie will be showing inside from 8:30-10pm.

saturday, july 21 Aptos farmers market 8am-2pm. ongoing saturdays. Cabrillo College. see July 7. scotts Valley farmer’s market 9am-1pm. ongoing saturdays. sV Community Center parking lot. see July 7. open Gym at JuneBug’s Gym 9am-12 pm. ongoing saturdays. see July 7. free Breastfeeding Class with Nursing mothers Counsel 9am-12pm. east Cliff family health Center. Please register at: scspeakers@nursingmothers.org or call 688-3954 family Nature Program 10am-10:30am. ongoing saturdays. Big Basin state Park. see July 7. saturdays in the soil 10am-12pm. santa Cruz museum of Natural history . see July 7. free Guided hikes 10am-12pm. ongoing saturdays. Natural history museum. see July 7.

Pine Needle Basket making Class 10am12pm. henry Cowell state Park. fun, free, family workshop learning how to make a basket from local pine needles. Children 10 and older may attend if accompanied by an adult.

Cyanotypes of the sea 10am-12:30pm. santa Cruz museum of Natural history.

Using the power of the sun, create one of a kind prints of local algae! Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a vibrant, blue print when exposed to sunlight, and we will use it to create unique natural history prints.

Aptos fsCPL Book sale 10am-3pm.

Aptos Library. Come browse a wide ranging collection from fiction to children’s books, audio books to Cd’s. our non-fiction covers subjects from A-Z. Coast Nature Walks 11am-1pm. Wilder ranch. see July 7. redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1.

redwood tours 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park. see July 7. diY family Crafts 11am-4pm (Branciforte Library) 11am-1pm (Garfield Park Library). ongoing saturdays. see July 7.

Café Charla: hogar y movilidad 12pm1:15pm. Abbot square. Acompáñanos a un evento donde nos juntamos para una buena charla con café. Cada charla tendrá diferente tema.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. Boulder Creek Library. see July 14.

Guided Adobe tour 1pm. ongoing saturdays. santa Cruz mission state historic Park. see July 7. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1.

Chess instruction 2pm-3pm. downtown Library. ongoing saturdays except the first. see July 14. tidewater film and discussion 2pm-4pm.

Garfield Park Library. Join the City of santa Cruz’s sustainability + Action manager, dr. tiffany Wise-West, for a film screening and discussion highlighting climate action and community engagement.

Community Poetry Circle 2pm-4pm. scotts Valley Library. All levels welcome.

No preregistration required.

Live music by fishook 7:30pm-9:30pm.

Abbot square. enjoy some good time rock and roll with fishhook star strolls 9pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park.

sunday, july 22 overeaters Anonymous 9:05am-10:15am. ongoing sundays. sutter maternity & surgical Center. see July 1.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1. redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin redwoods state Park headquarters. see July 1. one-on-one tech tutoring 12pm-1pm. ongoing sundays. downtown Library. see July 1. diY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. Live oak Library. see July 1. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm. ongoing sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 harkins slough road). see July 1.

Adult Arts and Crafts 2pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. felton Public Library. see July 1.

Nar-Anon family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. ongoing sundays. sutter room. sutter hospital, 2900 Chanticleer Avenue. see July 1.

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JuLY 2018

photo by: Brad Kava SOMErSAuLtS ANd MOrE. June Bug’s Gym has an open house for kids every Saturday morning, with all kinds of things for them to play with.

twilight Adaptation Adventure 7:30pm8:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 1.

monday, july 23 What’s that Bird? Walk 8am. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Garfield Park Library. see July 2. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Wellness Group 10am-11:30am. ongoing mondays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 2.

Live oak Knitters 11am-1pm ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2. seek and find: smartphone Quest 11:30am-12:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Arm-in-Arm Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing mondays.

WomenCAre office. see July 2.

Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing mondays. scotts Valley Library. see July 2. esL Conversation Group 4pm (downtown Library) 5pm (Live oak Library). ongoing mondays. see July 2.

20 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing tuesdays. WomenCAre’s office. see July 3.

Cuéntame un Cuento 5:30pm-6:30pm. ongoing mondays except the 30th. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Lego and duplo fun 1:30pm-3:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3.

divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing mondays. dominican hospital.

diY tuesday Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. ongoing tuesdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

rad Girls Can: stories of Bold, Brave, and Brilliant Young Women: Kate schatz and miriam Klein stahl 7pm. Bookshop santa Cruz. from the New York Times best-selling authors of Rad Women Worldwide and Rad American Women A-Z, a bold and brave collection of stories and art about inspiring and accomplished girls who have made positive impacts on the world before the age of 20.

tuesday, july 24 exploring Big Basin 9am. ongoing tuesdays. Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 3. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3.

Preschool storytime 10:30am (La selva Beach Library) 11am (scotts Valley Library). ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

ents and even some mainstream movies you might have missed! if you wish, bring a snack to share, and participate in the discussion!

Birth Center tour 6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. Call to register. dominican hospital. see July 3. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos La selva fire dept. see July 3.

Youth Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos Library. see July 3.

wednesday, july 25

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing tuesdays. felton Library. see July 3.

All together Now! 9am-11am, ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. see July 11.

tales to tails 4pm-5pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 2.

Youth Coalition meeting 5pm-6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. resource Center for Non-Violence. see July 3. tech-free taco tuesday 5pm-7:30pm.

Anna Jean Cummings Park. Put down your electronic devices and dine alfresco with foodtrucksAGoGo. twirl, tumble, play tag, tell a story, take a walk, or toss a frisbee. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing tuesdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 3.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. martes en curso. en espanol. monarch services. Ver 3 del julio.

tumble-on-tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

hidden Gems film Club 6pm-8pm. Aptos Library. Come enjoy these “hidden gems.” foreign films, documentaries, independ-

Bookshop santa Cruz story time 10am. ongoing Wednesdays. see July 11.

New moms support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. dominican edu Center, rm C, see July 11. triple P @ together in the Park (drop-in playgroup) 10:30am-12 pm. felton Covered Bridge Park. see July 11.

Breastfeeding support Group 10:30am12:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. dominican edu Center, rm d. see July 11. oliver the Parrot 11am-12pm. Live oak Library. see July 11. family storytime 11am-12pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Boulder Creek Library. see July 11.

JuLY 2018 el Patio de mi Casa 12pm-2pm. ongoing Wednesdays. Live oak family resource Center. see July 11.

Preschool storytime 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

make and explore at the mall 2pm-4pm.

Weekly through July. santa Cruz Children’s museum of discovery. see July 6.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Passionate readers Book discussion Group 10:30am-11:30am. La selva Beach Library.

family movie matinee 2pm-4pm. Aptos Library. stuart Little.

dance for Parkinson’s 1pm. ongoing Wednesdays except the first Wednesday of the month. motion Pacific dance. see July 11.

minecraft.edu 1pm-2pm. ongoing thursdays. La selva Beach Library. see July 5.

the Bubble Lady 2pm-3pm. scotts Valley Library. this fabulous show really pops! it’s crazy, zany, super silly and tons of fun.

Branciforte Writers 4pm-6pm. Branciforte Library. see July 11.

mike the magician 1pm-2pm (Boulder Creek Library) 3:30pm-4:30pm (Live oak Library). he’s silly, he’s funny and he’ll make you go WoW! mike della Penna creates wonder and laughter with family magic performances that are equal parts playful and astonishing.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5.

tie dye Workshop 2pm-4pm. Garfield Park Library. Colorful fun with tie dye at the Garfield Park Library! Bring your own clothing item to die in wacky patterns.

Ages 7+

female survivor support Group 6pm7:30pm. ongoing Wednesdays. monarch services. see July 11.

do-it-Yourself Crafts 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing thursdays. Boulder Creek Library. see July 5.

reading in the redwoods 6:15pm7:30pm. felton Library. this book club meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. 427-7708. to be added to our bookgroup email list, please call 831-4273151.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing thursdays. Garfield Park Library and Boulder Creek Library. see July 5.

Adults with Adhd meeting 6:30-8pm. fourth Wednesday of the month. the santa Cruz/monterey Bay Branch of ChAdd hosts monthly support group meetings. held at the Aptos fire station, 6934 soquel drive, Aptos. Contact Judy Brenis at jbbrenis@comcast.net or call 818-9619. family Lagoon Watch 5:30pm-7pm. Live oak Library. see July 11. extra Large: summer twilight Concert series 6pm-8pm. ongoing Wednesdays through August. esplanade Park Bandstand. see July 4. hairspray: free movies on the Beach 9pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

thursday, july 26 food Addicts Anonymous meeting 9am. ongoing thursdays. trinity Presbyterian Church. see July 5. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing thursdays. scotts Valley Library and Aptos Library. see July 5.

New Parents with Babies 4 months to 9 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 5.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

Coca-Cola Nights 5pm-11pm. every Wednesday and thursday (except July 4) through August 16. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 5.

Lifestyle triple P Group: tools to help parents and children lead healthy, active lives @ mountain Community resources 6pm7:30pm. mountain Community resources. see July 5. scotts Valley Genre Book discussion Group 7pm-8pm. scotts Valley Library. this group discusses books from a different genre each month. 427-7712. murder on the Left Bank: Cara Black: Books and Brews series 7pm. discretion Brewery. must be 21 years old to attend.

Join us for a night of lovingly crafted beer, intrigue with a french theme, and get your copy of Murder on the Left Bank signed by Cara with a half-priced beer.

Nature’s supermarket Campfire 7pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 5.

friday, july 27 day out with thomas 8:30am-5:30pm. roaring Camp railroads. the 25-minute thomas the tank engine™ train excursion travels along the scenic san Lorenzo Valley river Gorge and henry Cowell redwoods state Park. www.roaringcamp.com Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1. the make Lab 10am-5pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 6.

Coffee talk social hour 10am-11am. downtown Library. ongoing thursdays. see July 5.

fun n’ tumble open Gym 12-3pm.

JuneBugs Gym. see July 6.

Working together: information Navigation 10am-11:30am. ongoing thursdays. downtown Library. see July 5.

UCsC farm and Garden market Cart 12pm-6pm. Base of the UCsC Campus (corner of Bay and high st.). see July 6.

Watsonville farmers market 2pm-7pm. ongoing fridays. downtown Watsonville Plaza. see July 6. full moon madness 6pm-9pm. henry Cowell redwoods state Park. experience the park in a whole new way — at night! this astronomy-based evening during the full moon is perfect for the whole family.

Live music by terabyte, destiny sun, and scottorius 6:30pm-9pm. Abbot square. enjoy a fusion of electronica, rock melodies, and vocals the fixx free friday Night Bands on the Beach 6:30pm and 8:30pm. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. songs such as “one thing Leads to Another,” “red skies” and “saved By Zero” remain everyday staples on the playlists of the rock, hot AC and alternative radio stations that continue to break new acts inspired by the era that the fixx helped to define.

saturday, july 28 day out with thomas 8:30am-5:30pm. roaring Camp railroads. see July 27.

Aptos farmers market 8am-2pm. ongoing saturdays. Cabrillo College. see July 7. scott’s Valley farmer’s market 9am-1pm. ongoing saturdays. sV Community Center parking lot. see July 7. open Gym at JuneBug’s Gym 9am-12 pm. ongoing saturdays. see July 7. hip hop dance of the United states 10am-11am. scotts Valley Library. Join harold mcCord for interactive choreography mixed with freestyle b-boy styles. this upbeat workshop is for all ages, brought to you by tannery World dance + Cultural Center. tales to tails 10am-11am. downtown Library. see July 2. family Nature Program 10am-10:30am. ongoing saturdays. Big Basin state Park. see July 7. free Guided hikes 10am-12pm. ongoing saturdays. Natural history museum. see July 7. indigenous Land stewardship of the Quiroste Valley then and Now 10am-12:30pm. santa Cruz museum of Natural history. Join local tribe leaders and take a look over the Quiroste Valley, imagining what the landscape looked like in the past and learning why it looks the way it does now. eastside santa Cruz history 11am-12pm.

Branciforte Library. Judy steen and Joe michalak will present the history of the east side, and deborah Lipoma, the local history librarian at santa Cruz Public Libraries will talk about local history resources at the library.

Coast Nature Walks 11am-1pm. Wilder ranch. see July 7. redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1. redwood tours 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park. see July 7. diY family Crafts 11am-4pm (Branciforte Library) 11am-1pm (Garfield Park Library). ongoing saturdays. see July 7.

Board in the Library 12pm-5pm. scotts Valley Library. see July 14.

Guided Adobe tour 1pm. ongoing saturdays . santa Cruz mission state historic Park. see July 7. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1. tales to tails 2pm-3pm. felton Library. see July 2.

Chess instruction 2pm-3pm. downtown Library. ongoing saturdays except the first. see July 14. spanish speaking Cancer support Group 3pm-4:30pm. 2nd and 4th saturday of the month. WomenCAre’s office. see July 14. family fun day 3pm-7pm. simpkins family swim Center and shoreline middle school. Join us for inflatable obstacles courses, oversized board games, a pop-up playground, dodgeball, cornhole, food trucks, swimming, water slide, stand-up paddleboards, and a climbing wall in the water! meet the doulas 4pm-6pm. Pacific Cultural Center. this is a great opportunity to learn about birth and postpartum doulas. this event is open to everyone- no matter where they plan to birth - home or hospital or birth center, in santa Cruz, Watsonville, monterey, or san Jose area. registration optional at www.mtdjuly2018.eventbrite.com tales of the Basin - A storytelling Weekend event 4:30pm (Nature tails) 7pm (storytelling showcase). Big Basin state Park. At “Nature tails” listen to a world of animal songs and stories presented for children of all ages by local storytellers in the campfire center. At the showcase Campfire, sit back and experience an old-fashioned evening steeped in the oral tradition, as our guest storytellers weave their yarns in our historic amphitheater.

Live music by Given to fly 7:30pm9:30pm. Abbot square. “Given to fly” is a native Bay Area band that delves into the history of rock, Pop, & soul. star strolls 9pm. ongoing saturdays. henry Cowell state Park.

sunday, july 29 day out with thomas the train 8:30am5:30pm. roaring Camp railroads. see July 27.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 21

JuLY 2018

BuBBLiCiOuS. there are bubble shows at the library all summer, including the Bubble Lady at the Scotts Valley branch July 25.

overeaters Anonymous 9:05am-10:15am. ongoing sundays. sutter maternity & surgical Center. see July 1.

Adult Arts and Crafts 2pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. felton Public Library. see July 1.

seek and find: smartphone Quest 11:30am-12:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 2.

Ask Us: downtown outreach Worker office hours 10am-12pm. every friday and sunday. downtown Library. see July 1.

Nar-Anon family Groups 6:30pm8:00pm. ongoing sundays. sutter room. sutter hospital, 2900 Chanticleer Avenue. see July 1.

Baby happy hour at JuneBug’s Gym!!

12:15pm-1:15pm. ongoing mondays, Wednesdays, & thursdays. see July 2.

teacher fun day 10am-4pm. Wonderland toys and Classroom resources. there will be prizes, giveaways, demos, deals, a free desk calendar and more! Can’t make it but still want to shop local for your classroom this summer? Check out our website www.wonderlandsantacruz.com and get free regular shipping when you spend $40 or more in July or August. redwood Grove Loop Walk 11am & 2pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. meet at Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 1. one-on-one tech tutoring 12pm-1pm. ongoing sundays. downtown Library. see July 1. festival of the Book 1pm-4pm. harvey West Park. Crafts! music! magic! Bubbles!

Come and spend a fun afternoon with your favorite Librarians to close out summer reading 2018! 1:30 pm Kuzanga marimba 3 pm dan Chan & son, magicians! harvey West Park is located at: 326 evergreen st, santa Cruz, CA 95060 diY Crafts 1pm-4:30pm. ongoing sundays. Live oak Library. see July 1. ranch tours 1pm. ongoing saturdays and sundays. Wilder ranch state Park. see July 1.

Watsonville Nature Walks 1:30pm. ongoing sundays. Watsonville Nature Center (30 harkins slough road). see July 1.

Where’s Waldo in santa Cruz Celebration Party 2pm-4pm. Bookshop santa Cruz.

All during the month of July, Waldo has been hiding out in 25 downtown businesses, including Bookshop santa Cruz! on July 29th we will celebrate Waldo and the completion of the month-long search with a Grand finale Party. Join us for a Waldo costume contest, fun games and activities, and a raffle for great prizes. twilight Adaptation Adventure 7:30pm8:30pm. Big Basin state Park. see July 1.

monday, july 30 What’s that Bird? Walk 8am. Big Basin state Park. see July 2. toddler time 10am-11am. ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Get Your stem on! 10am-11:30am.

Anna Jean Cummings Park. Ages 7-12.

Join mod educators for owl pellet dissections, open engineering builds, self-made film canister rockets, and more! Visit www.sccmod,org for more information.

Pre-register by calling 454-7941.

Arm-in-Arm Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing mondays. WomenCAre office. see July 2.

Knitting in the Library 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing mondays. scotts Valley Library. see July 2. esL Conversation Group 4pm (downtown Library) 5pm (Live oak Library). ongoing mondays. see July 2. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing mondays. dominican hospital.

tuesday, july 31 exploring Big Basin 9am. ongoing tuesdays. Big Basin state Park headquarters. see July 3.

New Parents with Babies 3 Weeks to 4 months 10am-11:30am. ongoing tuesdays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 3.

Wellness Group 10am-11:30am. ongoing mondays. sutter room at sutter maternity and surgery Center. see July 2.

tumble-on-tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12pm-3pm. ongoing tuesdays. see July 3.

Live oak Knitters 11am-1pm ongoing mondays. Live oak Library. see July 2.

Cancer support Group 12:30pm-2pm. ongoing tuesdays. WomenCAre’s office. see July 3.

Lego and duplo fun 1:30pm-3:30pm.

22 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

ongoing tuesdays. Branciforte Library. see July 3. diY tuesday Crafternoon 2:30pm-4pm. ongoing tuesdays. downtown Library. see July 3.

Youth Chess Club 3:30pm-4:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos Library. see July 3.

Lego Club 3:30pm-5pm. ongoing tuesdays. felton Library. see July 3.

Youth Coalition meeting 5pm-6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. resource Center for Non-Violence. see July 3. the spirit of hogwarts: Books and Brews series 5pm-7pm (o.W.L. session) 8pm10pm (N.e.W.t. session). Venue spirits. must be 21 years old to attend. on harry’s birthday we’ll be celebrating the spirit of hogwarts in grand style with a special menu of mystical mixed drinks, harry Potter trivia, a Quibbler Quest activity, food trucks, and more. Get tickets at www.spiritofhogwarts.brownpapertickets.com. retro Nights 5pm-11pm. every monday and tuesday through August 14. santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. see July 2.

Grupo de apoyo femenino del superviviente 6pm-7:30pm. martes en curso. en espanol. monarch services Ver 3 del julio.

Birth Center tour 6:30pm. free. ongoing tuesdays. Call to register. dominican hospital. see July 3. divorced fathers Network 7:30-8:30pm. ongoing tuesdays. Aptos La selva fire dept. see July 3.

tErroriziNG tAcoS, iMMiGrAtioN, poEMS ANd MoviES

pajaro valley Schools collaborate on illustrated and Animated book

By Elaine ingalls

manuel madrigal, an eighth grader at Alianza Charter school, brought tacos to life in his play, “the terrorizing tacos.” “i was thinking of a game i could play with my friends,” said madrigal, a Prunedale resident. “they (the tacos) like attacking people and you have to try to escape from them.” madrigal, a student in Amparo Yodar-Jiménez’s spanish Language Arts class, worked with the other students in the class to create a collaborative literature and art project. the project consists of 18 pieces: five theatrical acts and 13 poems. students originally wrote their pieces in spanish, then translated them to english. the theatrical pieces were illustrated by first, second and third grade students from Lucia herrera’s art class at Amesti elementary school. seventh and eighth grade students from Patricia sotarello’s art class at Cesar Chavez middle school illustrated the poems. herrera said she also used animation to illustrate stories. the classes presented their bilingual book “tus palabras /Your drawings”at the Alianza Charter school, Amesti elementary school and Cesar Chavez middle school Collaborative Literature & Art show on may 30 at Plaza Vigil in Watsonville. “i had an idea of mixing art with literature,” herrera said. “i knew her (Yodar-Jimenez) and knew she could compliment what i was thinking.” herrera said they started planning for the project back in september. funding came from school Plus santa Cruz, the santa Cruz County office of education, New tidings foundation, Amesti home & school Club, Walt disney family museum, Pajaro Valley Unified school district and Pájaro Community development Corporation. the three teachers received cameras, multi-plane classroom kits and training from Antonia dapena-tretter, the school and outreach manager from the Walt disney family museum. According to the museum, the multiplane camera gives depth to two-dimensional animated films by shooting multiple levels of cels and backgrounds at the same time. madrigal said the bilingual book was good so that they could have a larger audience. “it’s a good opportunity to show what students are capable of at this age,” he said.

Alfredo Vazquez, an eighth grader from hollister, said his favorite part of the project was sharing it with other people.

Vazquez’s poem, “riesgo ordenado,” translated to “ordered risk,” is about a person that immigrated from south America and left behind people and things he adored to go to a new place. “he had no choice,” Vazquez said. he had to do this to look for a better future in a way.”

Vzquez said ricardo Arjona’s song “mojado” inspired him to write the poem. the interactive book includes Qr codes that allow readers to listen to the students recite their poems or theatrical acts and watch two animated movies. each student, Pajaro Valley Unified school district school libraries and Watsonville Public Libraries will receive free copies of the book.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 23

24 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

families hidden Among us

By Susan H. Shane

there are families in santa Cruz with special needs kids who do not fit the usual categories. these families are deeply traumatized, but few outside the home know about them and the reality they live. the children, initially, present within the norm at school, but have severe emotional and behavioral problems at home. in fact, their behavior poses a genuine danger to the health and safety of the child and family. there are, literally, no resources in town sufficient to help these families.

Jane, already a mother of three girls, knew that her two year old, Natalie’s, long, intense crying fits were very different from those of her other kids. her instincts were right, as things only escalated from there. By age 7, Natalie was a “tasmanian devil”, creating “constant turmoil” in the home with her incessant oppositional, angry behavior. Jane reluctantly took Natalie to a psychiatrist who prescribed the child an antipsychotic medication, the first of about 15 drugs Natalie would be given over the next few years.

While Natalie, generally, held herself together at school, she had constant problems with peers and “was black-balled by the parents”. maintaining her equilibrium at school resulted in Natalie having “huge meltdowns” each day, when Jane picked her up. No one knew the hell the family was living through at home.

When academics became more challenging in sixth grade, Natalie began three years of school refusal, attending school only about 30 days in all that time. Jane and her husband sent Natalie to several different schools during that period in hopes that a change of approach might help.

Natalie refused to start 9th grade and was hitting her parents so often that they called the cops weekly for awhile. three times over six weeks the police took Natalie to the emergency room or hospital behavioral health program. from there, Natalie was briefly place in pediatric psychiatric hospitals outside santa Cruz County (there are none here).

Jane’s family was struggling economically, as this was during the Great recession. Jane had had to quit her job three years earlier to care for Natalie who was always home, and Jane’s husband was “barely working”. Utterly desperate, Jane sought out a probono attorney who spent nine months suing her school district in order to get them to pay for the family’s last hope: therapeutic residential treatment for Natalie. the business of therapeutic residential treatment is a massive industry composed of at least 187 programs which are members of the National Association of therapeutic schools

for More information: NAMI Help Line 831-427-8020 nami support for Family members of Youth and Young adults (16-26) 1st and 3rd thursday at 6:30 - 8:00 pm nami scc Office: 542 Ocean street, suite F (upstairs), santa cruz parking in back or on street. contact emily at ebc73@comcast.net or (831) 476-1020

and Programs (NAtsAP) and, possibly, as many more which are not. monthly costs for the various types of programs range from $8000 to $12,000/month or more according to families who have used them.

Jane is a member of a group of 11 mothers formed, with support from NAmi (National Alliance on mental illness), in 2014. some moms had already sent their young children to treatment programs in other states, while others were living with trauma and dreading that might be the route they would have to take. Although each child’s story is unique, there are familiar elements in most: very young emotional volatility, relationship problems with peers, intelligence and ability to cope with elementary school, depression, anxiety, anger often leading to violence, oppositionality, and, in their teens, cutting, suicide threats and attempts, and eating disorders.

All of the parents, driven by intense love for their kids, tried everything possible at home: psychologists, therapists, occupational therapy, psychiatrists, medications galore, parenting programs, hiring in-home aides, consulting specialists across the country, researching on the internet for hundreds of hours, and more. each mom acknowledges that the decision to send their child to live away from home was the most heart-breaking decision of their lives, yet, as responsible parents, it was the only option that would keep everyone safe. one of the most striking facts about this group of 11 is that six of the children are adopted. the parents report that, in the treatment programs their kids attended, 50 to 75% of the kids also were adopted. Clearly, this is a dark side of adoption that needs to

be faced.

While three moms see high-functioning autism with anxiety and depression as the most salient diagnoses for their kids, most other moms became disillusioned with the current concept of diagnosis. these kids range such a wide gamut as to be impossible to pigeon-hole with any particular diagnosis. even the former head of the National institutes for mental health (Nimh), dr. steven hyman, says that mental disorders are not really categories but “spectra with fuzzy boundaries”.

While unbearable trauma goes on inside these families’ homes, you couldn’t identify these children out in the world. most come across as typical or slightly quirky at most. many of them also have gifts out of the ordinary, gifts that have let them shine in the world on occasion. one boy played competitive soccer for years and won awards for his art at the santa Cruz County fair. A girl’s poem, written in third grade, won best elementary school poem at the fair. that same young woman, expelled from high school in mid-11th grade, completed her high school diploma through santa Cruz Adult school in just six weeks. Natalie, home for a summer between therapeutic placements created her own online business and made thousands of dollars! she went to flea markets and thrift stores, bought damaged American Girl dolls, repaired them and sold them online for $85 apiece. secure and thriving in a residential treatment program with a 2:1 kid:staff ratio, Natalie completed four years of high school in just two years. each mom in the group sees her child’s exquisite gifts and fervently hopes that those will prevail one day.

With enormous gratitude to Jane, a powerful, tireless, loving mom who bravely shared her story with me. Names are pseudonyms, because the stigma on these children and parents is pervasive. The author has a blog: sciencetoliveby.blogspot.com

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 25

kids with Kids at Goat yoga A diffErENt kiNd of fLExibiLity iN your yoGA prActicE

By Ann Carin Niland

i don’t know how i goat here. Kids playing with kids. Whatever floats your goat. totes ma goats. okay, now that that is out of my system…

Goat Yoga is the most ridiculous bit of fun your summer is lacking.

When i think about yoga, tranquility, focus, and stylish yoga gear come to mind. But add goats to the mix and all the seriousness leaves the atmosphere. there are goat snuggles, goat kisses, laughter, and more than a few goat farts. “it’s opening your heart to new experiences,” said Kara o’Loughlin, 37. o’Loughlin leads the goat yoga class and has been teaching yoga off and on for nine years. she explained that goat yoga is different from a more serious and austere yoga practice because it’s a form of animal therapy. in this class people let go of their preconceived notions of yoga, and are able to find release in the adorably unexpected. “i love them so much mommy,” said myra Niland, age five and three quarters. she spent most of her time oblivious to the flow of the class, opting instead to feed grass to the baby goats. And who could blame her? i

26 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

Photo Credit: Kevin Painchaud Goat Yoga at the live Oak Grange offers a chance to bond with gentle baby goats. Owner lauren linkemyer knows each one by name.

stood, laughing, in Warrior with a goat between my legs and forgot all about the difficulty of the pose. out in the garden, next to the chicken coop, surrounded by sunshine and fresh air my daughter cackled when a baby goat name sobotta nuzzled her cheek while she did her childhood version of downward dog. these docile goats with their long eyelashes and soft nibbles were delightfully refreshing and created long lasting memories for my daughter and i. “it’s fun to see how much joy the goats bring to people’s lives with their cute and silly tendencies,” said Lauren Linkemyer, 31. one of Linkemyer’s many passions has been to reconnect people to animals, and she is able to do that, in part, by bringing her goats to different events such as block parties, birthday parties, and after demand from the grange community a Linkemyer decided to bring all of her baby goats to yoga. she was inspired by the personality of her most beloved goat Greta Garbo, who like all of Linkemyer’s kinder goats, is bottle fed. this practice makes them behave more like pets then livestock.

But in a world that loves puppies and kitties, why bring goats to yoga?

“Goats are something that people don’t get to interact with, because society is so disconnected from so many different animals,” said Linkemyer.

At their farm, she and her husband macdonald (yes that’s really his name) who goes by mack, once

Photo Contributed Goats at Heart Farm in soquel don’t just do yoga. they know how to give adjustments and have a ball at kids parties.

found forever homes for nine litters of puppies. After getting their feet wet caring for so many animals they decided to take a chicken keeping class. that opened their eyes to what it’s like to care for agriculture. “instead of micromanaging and controlling the animal and it’s health, you make sure it has room to roam...” said Linkemyer. “having room to

roam is probably the most important thing for keeping the animals healthy.” Linkemyer has filled her Aptos home, Kinderwood farms, with dogs, chickens, cows, turkeys, ducks, and goats. their animals roam freely over their steep hillside land that’s blanketed with ivy and sprinkled with redwoods. one of those redwoods has a tree house wrapped

around it, but not just any treehouse, a whimsical, turkey-filled tree house. they give tours of there farm and they have begun to hold cheese making classes. And they live a life connected, loving, and respecting the food they consume in hopes that the trend will catch on. they heard about Goat Yoga being done in Portland and decided to try it here. it’s working.

And they aren’t the only goat show in town. heart farm in soquel has Nigerian dwarf Goats, silkie Chickens, bunnies, baby doll sheep and therapy dogs. they offer tours, physical yoga (asana) with the goats, who have learned to give adjustments. they also offer birthday parties, team building exercises and small weddings with a wonderful menagerie and yoga with a farm-to-table meal at a beautiful farm.

“Yoga can be defined as how you choose to engage with the world,” says co-owner samantha matthews, who has been a physiotherapist and teacher for 26 years. “We choose happiness through practicing with animals that make us smile.”

You can reach them at heartfarmsantacruz.org You can find Kinderwood farms on facebook, or on their farm’s instagram @kinderwood_farms. it’s so much fun you’ve goat to try it. sorry, last one i promise.

July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 27

Partytime everyone loves a party! plan your next party with these family-friendly businesses and make throwing your next party easier than ever!

Blue Apple Art House 245 sea ridge road suite a aptos 831-588-5412 www.blueappleart.com Brenda’s Face Painting (831) 218-5752 www.brendasfacepainting.com Heart Farm 244 chimney creek rd soquel 831-241-4137 www.heartfarmsantacruz.org Jim Booth Swim School santa cruz at Harvey West pool and Watsonville 831.722.3500 jimboothswimschool.com JuneBugs Gym 3910 portola drive ste 2 & 3, santa cruz 831.423.7406 www.junebugsgym.com Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc. locations throughout santa cruz and santa clara county 831.438.3514 www.musicalme.com

28 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

Santa Cruz Gymnastics 2750 B soquel avenue (near 7th), santa cruz 831.462.0655 www.scgym.com Seahorse Swim School 831.476.sWim (7946) www.seahorseswimschool.com

reinvigorate Summer with youth camps at cabrillo

By Suki Wessling

it’s the middle of the summer and the realization has hit: your child needs something more to do. if your kids are like mine, they’ll need their brains as well as their bodies engaged. it’s been a while since my child took a Cabrillo extension summer Youth Program camp, so i decided to check out their current offerings. the most important aspect of this camp is that Cabrillo partners with local organizations and teachers to provide a wide variety of offerings. this summer, Cabrillo extension has partnered with seafloor science remotely operated Vehicle (roV), mini mermaid running Club, Code Naturally, Kuumbwa Jazz, and el Pajaro CdC Kitchen incubator, among others. the arts camps are largely taught by working artists in our community, which is an exciting experience for kids. some of the camps that start this month include: Creating Comic Books (ages 10-14) taught by working illustrator Brian Bowes, kids will spend a week creating their own comic books, learning storytelling and art techniques in the process.

Old School Fun and Games (ages 6-8 & 9-12) instructor Annie Barrett not only has a degree in Physical education & Kinesiology, but she also has a three-year-old, so you know she’s ready to play with your kids. this camp stresses active, cooperative games Girls Code! Generative Art and Game Design in JavaScript (ages 813) research shows that even when teachers are attentive to the girls in their tech classes, girls participate more and learn more deeply through all-female tech outreach like this camp. A

week-long camp can set a girl on the path of feeling more confident in her general ed classes.

Printmaking! (ages 13-17) Artist dana Peters’ performance art skills could come in handy while working with teens. Again, i love that our local artists are able to share their skills with our teens. mentoring, when an adult in a community helps teens find their passions and supports them, is a lost art in our culture, and programs like this are helping to revive it. As one mom said in a camp survey, “my son enjoyed both being around kids his age who had a similarly deep interest in dinosaurs and being around adults who had similar passions.” many of the camps are offered in consecutive years and have devoted followings. there are also some new camps that Cabrillo extension would love parents to know about: Mini Mermaids Running Club Camp (ages 7-12) this camp combines physical education with emotional education techniques like mindfulness. it also offers the opportunity for middle and high school girls to mentor the younger girls.

Aerial Arts and Circus Camp (AGES 9-12 & 13-17) if you have a Cirque du soleil wanna-be in your house, this sounds like the camp for them!

Youth Leadership Academy (grades 6-8 and 9-12) LeAnn Copriviza, Coordinator for Where everybody Belongs, a middle school orientation and transition program, leads this program that emphasizes leadership as well as social and emotional skills.

3D Printing Inventors Camp - (ages 8-10) 3d printers are being used for everything from car parts to artificial

organs. What will your student do with it? instructor steve seffinger loves teaching coding, LeGo robotics and 3d Printing, so he’ll help them figure it out. so if you’re in the midst of summer doldrums, check out the rest of the schedule here:

cabrillo.edu/services/extension/youth calendar.htm Suki Wessling is a writer and teacher and the mother of two teens. Her most recent book is homeschool with Confidence, a goal-setting guide for teens.

Read more at www. SukiWessling.com.

Education E ducation for for a ri fo rich ch aand nd fu fulfilling lfilling life! life!

Explore MCP is a learning-center learning-centered ed Middle and High School wher prepare academically, academically, socially, socially, wheree students prepare and emotionally for success in college and adult life.

Our close-knit community promotes trust, compassion, and lasting friendships.

• Personalized learning plans for all students •T Transition ransition services (college and career) career) Professional • Pr ofessional learning specialists •W Wrap-around rap-around support services

EXPLORE EXP LORE Multisensory IInstruction Multisensory nstruction Community C ommunity B Building uilding Project-Based P roject-Based L Learning earning

Grades G rades 7-12 A Average verage C Class lass SSize ize 6 W WASC ASC A Accredited ccredited UC a-g C Courses ourses College C ol l e ge P Prep re p for for Students fo Stu d ents who w ho Learn L e arn Differently Dif ferently Diff July 2018 • Growing Up In Santa Cruz 29

hANdS oN

chalk Art

By Jennifer K. Mahal

the lazy days of summer are a wonderful time to play hopscotch, race your friends to a finish line and draw funny faces on your walkway. What do all of these things have in common? to do them, you need chalk!

While the colored chalk we use on our sidewalks is made by people, you can find chalk in nature. the White Cliffs of dover on the coast of england are made of chalk. Chalk is actually a form of limestone, which is a rock made up of the shells and skeletons of small sea creatures. the main two minerals in it are calcium — the stuff that makes your bones hard — and aragonite, which makes the shimmery layer in pearls and shells. together these minerals create calcium carbonate, a soft rock you can draw with. the tradition of creating art on sidewalks using chalk dates back to the 16th century. Back then, italian artists called madonnari would travel from festival to festival, drawing religious pictures on the sidewalk or pavement. street painters began showing up in London, england in the mid 1800s. these artists became known as “screevers” for the writing that would appear with their works. Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins is a screever, creating the fantastical fair scenes that mary and her two charges jump into.

Whether chalk drawings are simple or complex, they all need one thing.

Chalk! there are two methods to make sidewalk chalk, one that works better for younger kids and one for older kids. the first method uses cornstarch, the second uses plaster of Paris, which is calcium sulfate or gypsum. Plaster of Paris is exothermic, which means that it heats up as it dries. it can get quite hot. Because of this, it’s better to use this recipe only with kids old enough to thoroughly follow instructions. mix the cornstarch with the water thoroughly. the mixture should resemble a thick, pourable batter. divide it between the cups. You want enough in each cup to make a good-sized piece of chalk. Add a drop or two of food coloring to each cup and mix it until you get the color you want. Let the mixture in the cup dry for 3 days. Peel away the paper cup and have fun!

Note: You will want to either do this craft outside, or put down newspaper or other material to protect surfaces. make sure to wash hands or skin if any plaster gets on them. Also, do not rinse plaster of Paris down your drains. it can cause clogs. measure 1 1/2 cups of plaster of Paris and put it into a large disposable 30 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018

c o n t a i n e r.

Add 3/4 cup of warm water and mix as you add it. Work fast, as the CHILD SAFE CHALK plaster of * 1 1/5 cups cornstarch Paris hardens * 1 cup water quickly. di* mixing bowl vide the plas* stirrers ter of Paris * small wax-lined between the paper cups disposable * Food coloring containers and add difPARIS CHALK ferent colors * 1 1/2 cups plaster of of tempura paris (can be found paint to each at craft stores) bowl. mix it * 3/4 cup warm water thoroughly. * 2-4 disposable containers scoop or (large yogurt pour the containers work well) plaster mix* popsicle sticks or ture from disposable spoons each bowl * tempera paint into a paper * small wax-lined cup or a silipaper cups cone mold. * Optional: silicon mold Let the chalk dry for at least 24 hours before taking it out of the mold. for best results, let it dry for 2 days.

Create great art or use it to make up new games. Chalk is like harold’s purple crayon. it’s as versatile as your imagination! discover more science and art at the santa Cruz Children’s museum of discovery in the Capitola mall. Learn more at www.sccmod.org.

what you need:

Jennifer K Mahal is the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery’s volunteer director of public relations and marketing. She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and two children.

birthatters m

By Laura Maxson, LM

arm, weightless, relaxed, w soothed… what better way to experience labor? Getting into warm water during labor is almost universally popular and readily available to most. All the local hospitals provide access to warm water in labor with showers. Laboring in a tub is an option at sutter maternity and surgery Center, where they offer four labor rooms with tubs and one separate tub room; or at dominican hospital’s single available tub room. Watsonville Community hospital does not offer tubs at this time.

While actually giving birth in the tub is a popular request of expectant parents, waterbirth is only an option for those planning to give birth at home or in a freestanding birth center. our local hospitals do not offer

N Ge !

U L P the waG N i K tA terbirth as an op-

tion at this time. A recent Cochrane review, “immersion in Water during Labour and Birth,” concluded in part, “Labouring in water may reduce the number of women having an epidural. Giving birth in water did not appear to affect mode of birth, or the number of women having a serious perineal tear. this review found no evidence that labouring in water increases the risk of an adverse outcome for women or their newborns…”

Whether giving birth in the tub or just laboring in water, here are some tips to remember.

Not too hot - Keep tub temperature right around 98 degrees. higher temperatures can raise the woman’s core body temperature, which in turn can cause a rise in her baby’s heart rate (tachycardia). tachycardia might also be a sign of a stressed baby and a

reason to get out of the tub to cool off until heart rate to returns to normal.

Jets – if using a whirlpool tub, turning the jets on at the beginning of a contraction and off immediately as it ends, can be a very helpful distraction for some. others might like jets on between contractions and off during the contraction. People rarely want jets left on all the time.

Play around with the timing to see what works, knowing that preferences may change over time.

Water spray – home showers and tubs will almost always benefit from the addition of a hand held sprayer before labor. Whether in a tub or shower, warm water can be sprayed on the back, belly or shoulders during contractions. hold the spray still or gently move it over the body, listen for feedback and adjust. similar results can be achieved by pouring warm water in a slow, steady stream. each contraction may take several cups and pouring on to a washcloth left on the skin can help maximize warmth on exposed areas.

Shower – sitting on a labor/exercise ball in the shower can allow for more rest than standing. most balls can fit into a home shower or tub enclosure if it is squished a bit or put in over the top of an enclosure. sitting on a washcloth on the ball can prevent slipping. Partners often choose to get in or near the shower to offer support or hold the shower sprayer. support people should have extra clothes available and remember to remove shoes ahead of time.

Soft lighting – Bathrooms are bright. At home a few candles or a dimmer switch can set the mood, but hospital bathrooms will need battery-operated candles to keep the lighting dim. A towel placed over the top edge of the bathroom door will allow it to be closed almost all the way, but still leave a crack of light.

Towels, towels, and more towels! each entry or exit from tub or shower will use a towel (or two).

At home toss damp towels into the drier so they are ready to use again (hospitals have lots of towels and

plenty of hot water, too). it’s important to place a waterproof tarp underneath a portable tub, ensuring it extends about a foot all around. it is unlikely that the tub will leak, but each time someone leans over the side, or gets in or out, water will drip down the sides to make a puddle. A bathmat is nice to step onto when getting out of the tub and a dishpan of water to rinse the feet before getting in will help keep the tub clean.

Maximize the ahhh factor – Getting into a deep warm-water tub is very highly rated pain relief, but after about an hour and a half, the pain relieving qualities can begin to wear off. saving the tub for the second half of dilation may maximize its pain relieving potential. Knowing the tub is waiting for use when transition hits can be a strong incentive for many to save the tub for late labor. But people get in the tub at all different times of labor and if it stops being helpful, they can get out for a half hour or so to feel that sense of relief again.

Laura Maxson, LM, CPM, the mother of three grown children, has been working with pregnant and breastfeeding women for over 30 years. Currently she is the executive director of Birth Network of Santa Cruz County and has a homebirth midwifery practice.

Contact her at midwife@scshop.com or postmaster@birthnet.org

More info: meet the doulas, July 28, www.mtdjuly2018.eventbrite.com cochrane review www.cochranelibrary.com Find midwives for Home, Birth center & Hospital Birth www.birthnet.org Waterbirth international www.waterbirth.org

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32 Growing Up In Santa Cruz • July 2018