A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | | |
We walk into our beautiful, welcoming libraries, confidant that we will find answers, entertainment, inspiration, help from librarians who love their work, a friendly hum of activity, a place to sit quietly with a book. Indeed, we are very fortunate to have a wonderful library system in our community.
Director Christopher Platt's recent letter gives us a glimpse into one week of behind the scenes activities that result in pleasure for us. Thank you librarians!
It's that time of year when there are so many activities that we are forced to make difficult choices. Saturday is an example of this. Scroll down and take in the choices. Can we possibly make it to all our favorite events? Omega Nu's Ducky Derby, Mineral Gem & Fossil Show, Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza, Live Like Coco's Fun Run and many more!
An awful cough, apparently related to Flu B, is going around. "Moms to the Rescue" offer advice to a mom who wants to avoid over-the-counter cough suppressants. Do your research!
Enjoy the weekend , Parmalee
| | One Week Behind the Scenes at Our Local Libraries | | |
Excerpt from Library Director Christopher Platt's letter
"During this one week of the year alone, approximately 500 physical books & circulating materials will be ordered, another 500 received & catalogued, and 700 eBooks & eAudio titles will be acquired by our Collections Management team.
Approximately 3,900 patron holds will be filled across our ten locations, 240 Link+ requests for items from outside libraries will be processed, and 10,445 items will be transported from branch to branch.
Librarians will assist with over 500 research or reader’s advisory questions in person, on the phone and online. Our Outreach team will make 15 bookmobile visits and 4 jail reach visits.
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Our librarians will offer, often in partnership with local Friends groups or other organizations, 96 scheduled programs & meetings, including Advisory Council of Teens meetings, in person tech-help sessions, Project Scout tax assistance programs, Tales to Tails reading sessions, poetry workshops, table top games programs from Bridge to Mah Jong, crafting workshops from crochet to quilting, storytimes and toddler programs, a virtual author talk, film screenings, LEGO programs, STEAM workshops, a Pokémon program, book discussion groups, language conversation groups, nonprofit outreach office hours, a mobile health clinic, a County Supervisor’s office hours, as well as adult programs for new parenting, stress relief, composting, Tai Chi, aging, self-esteem, trivia, the history of fairytales, and mosquito & vector control in Northern SC County."
Read Christopher Platt's entire letter > > >
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Local Moms Suggest Remedies and a Holistic Recipe for an Awful Cough
A local mom asks for holistic medicinal advice for fending off her daughter's awful, 4-week chest cough that’s so bad it causes throw-up; she wants to avoid over-the-counter cough suppressants which her doctor recommended and which haven't helped. She is doing a nasal flush which is helping at least to give her breathing ability in her nose so she won’t trigger coughing as much. But it’s not lasting very long. Moms to the Rescue! > > >
| | Meet Me at the Downtown Library Festival | | |
Join us and experience the future Downtown Library through an exciting and immersive preview. The stage will be set with large-scale renderings of the new library’s rooms, live music, food trucks, and fun! Project partners will be on-hand with the latest updates. Join the FREE library programs and hands-on activities for children, teens, and adults. You will be amazed by what you can do in the library! Learn more > > >
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72nd annual Santa Cruz Mineral, Gem, Fossil & Jewelry Show, Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm, April 26 & 27, If you have never gone to this wondrous event, this year is the time! We promise you will get hooked on the beautiful products of our earth! Encourage the children to wander and look before purchasing a precious treasure. Details
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Omega Nu 35th Annual Ducky Derby 2025, Saturday, April 26, 10:30am – 3:30pm, Omega Nu welcomes you back to Harvey West Park for our 35th Annual Ducky Derby and Carnival. A fun-filled day for the entire family! Come to the duck races and cheer our plucky ducks over the finish line while enjoying food, games, and music. Adopt a duck and have a chance to win over 100 prizes. All proceeds from duck adoptions go directly back to our community through the Omega Nu Scholarship program and grants. Details
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Get Splashed with Color at Live Like Coco’s Run, Saturday, April 26, 9 – 10am, Join us for our annual run/ walk/ hike to celebrate Coco Lazenby’s birthday and fundraise for more books for our community! At this FREE COLOR RUN, kids can get splashed with color as they run a 1K. it’s free but you space is limited and you must register here. As always, every kid gets a book! Details
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Loch Lomond Spring Birding Walk, Saturday, April 26, 9 – 11am,
Bay Area ornithologist Jeff Smith will lead a short interpretive hike around Loch Lomond with a focus on bird identification by sight and sound. This free event is a great opportunity to learn from an experienced ornithologist! See the many perching birds, raptors, and waterfowl that frequent Loch Lomond. Details
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Open House Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Saturday, April 26, 9am – 5pm,
Check out our flyer below for more information on the event, and clear your calendars for a jam-packed day of marine science exploration featuring touch tanks, speed talks, and local community. Student Art Sale, Trivia, Food Trucks, Merchandise, We hope to see you. Scan QR code to RSVP, Details
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Santa Cruz Dance Week, Dancing in the Streets. ALL Dancing Events, through Thursday, April 25, Don’t miss out on the fun as we dance our way into an unforgettable week of movement and expression! Details
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Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza, Sunday, April 27, 10am -4pm, The 20th Anniversary of Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is just around the corner. We’re so excited for the 20th Guelaguetza – the all-day Oaxacan cultural festival put on by our friends at Senderos will be bringing music, dance, food and celebration to the Branciforte Small Schools. Details
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What to Do Instead: Guiding Kids and Teens with Empathy and Trust, Thursday, April 24, 7:30 – 9pm, As parents, we want to help our kids get along with each other, respect and set healthy boundaries, and develop self-discipline. We know that the old ways of harsh discipline and unrealistic expectations don’t work. So what do we do instead? Join Tina McRorie, MA for this live online workshop (part of the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program from Nurturings) and learn positive, effective ways to guide your children. Details
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Olive Oil Tasting Workshop, Friday April 25, 6 - 7:30pm; Saturday April 26, 5, ~ 6:30pm; Sunday April 27, 2 ~ 3:30pm, Join Olive Oil Sommelier and True Olive Connection owner Alisa Hart for a tasting workshop and learn about the health benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and sample recipes created using a variety of our EVOO and balsamic vinegars. Enjoy a 15% discount on your purchase at the complete of the class. Details
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Youth Birding Workshop, Friday, April 25, Session One for grades K-2: 2:30 – 3:30pm; Session Two for grades 3-6: 4:00 – 5pm, Join us for a youth birding workshop at La Selva Beach! This event is perfect for kids interested in discovering the world of birds and birdwatching. Participants will learn to identify local birds, explore their habitats, and enjoy a bird-related activity and craft. Details
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Contra Dancing at Live Oak Grange, 4th Fridays: Newcomers’ intro: 6:30pm, dance 7 – 10pm, Come kick your heels up contra dancing at Live Oak Grange with some amazing local talent and fun and friendly dancers! Details
What to Do Instead: Guiding Kids and Teens with Empathy and Trust, Thursday, April 24, 7:30 – 9pm, Details
Great Expectations Parenting Group for Parents/Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children, 3rd Saturdays, 1:30-2:30pm, Details
Parent Nest: A guided Play and Connection Series, April 25 @ 9:15 am - 10:00 am, Details
Earth Day at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 4/25 Earth Day Special: Sea Glass Art ~ 4/26 Earth Day in Oils – Environmental Oil Painting
4-Week Triple P Group: Teaching Children to Clean Up,
Wednesdays, April 16 – May 7, 6 – 7:30pm, Details
Reading Poems Together, April 28, 12-1, Details
The Art of Nature, March 11 – May 14, Details
Free Magic Show at Kennolyn Camp, Sunday, May 18, Details
Big Brothers Big Sisters- Bowl For Kids Sake, Saturday 9am – 2pm and Sunday 9am – 2pm, April 26 and 27, Details
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Logjam! at Pleasure Point, Saturday & Sunday, April 26 – 27, 7am -5pm, Big Stick Surfing Association’s legendary “old board, no cords” surf contest will be held April 26th and 27th, at Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz. LogJam! is the longest -running classic longboard surfing contest in the world, with over 100 competitors ranging in age from 7 to 70+ from all over California. Details
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Get Splashed with Color at Live Like Coco’s Fun Run, Saturday, April 26, 9 – 10am, Join us for our annual run/ walk/ hike to celebrate Coco Lazenby’s birthday and fundraise for more books for our community! At this FREE COLOR RUN, kids can get splashed with color as they run a 1K. it’s free but you space is limited and you must register here. As always, every kid gets a book! Details
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SPCA Classroom Program, Wednesday, April 30, 10:30 – 11am, Our Wild Neighbors! Come to our Garfield Park branch for this program that helps build awareness of wild animals in our area, their attributes and needs using puppets. Understand which professionals can help wild animals in distress. Details
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Storytime with Ivy, Last Wednesday of the Month 11-11:15am, Join Ivy, our children’s book buyer, at 11:00 am on the last Wednesday of the month for a storytime presentation of some of her favorite picture books! Meet in the kids’ section. Details
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Positive Discipline Workshop for Parents of 2 to 5 year olds, Thursdays 6 – 8pm: April 30 and May 7, 14, 21, Connect with other parents through this interactive and engaging parent educational series. You will be introduced to the Positive Discipline pathway to become an effective parent who is respectful and loving with clear boundaries and structure. This 4-part series is for parents of 2 to 5 year olds. Details
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Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Classes for Parents 2025, Thursdays 10 – 11:30am, May 1-29, Nutrition and Wellness Series with Jill Troderman, Certified Holistic Nutritionist. This group experience is for moms, dads, and primary caregivers who want to be in a supportive environment to hone their skills on feeding their family nutrient-dense, delicious, and nutritious foods everyone (mostly always) will like. May 1 Intro to The Food Tree Holistic Nutrition; May 8 Nutrition Vampires to Avoid; May 15 Eating For Two; May 22 Feeding Your Toddler Part 1; May 29 Feeding Your Toddler Part 2, Details
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Mariela’s Music Time, Thursday, May 1, 12:30pm – 1:05pm at La Selva Beach Library, Thursday, May 1, 4:30 – 5:05pm at Live Oak Library, Join us for Mariela’s Music Time, a bilingual performance for infants, toddlers, and families.Through music, storytelling, and movement, Mariela will introduce children to instruments, cultures, and new words in a fun and interactive way! Babies – 5years, Details
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Jazz at the Library, Friday 12 – 1pm, May 2, Join us at the Downtown Library and enjoy free jazz music by local musicians! In memory of her husband, bassist and jazz singer, Betty has created the William H. Nadeau Memorial Fund promoting and rewarding excellence in jazz performance. In partnering with the library, the memorial fund is able to bring the wonderful sounds of live jazz music to the community. Details
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Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! April
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