A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
...because parenting is the most important job on earth...

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Don't miss a new, beautiful, family event!

Get your tickets NOW

for

Santa Cruz Shakespeare's Production of

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

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Have a fun, safe Halloween!


This year's calendar has enabled a "days long" celebration of Halloween. With so many enticing events, that's a good thing. There are events for all ages, interests and budgets.


Whether you are welcoming trick or treaters on your front porch, are a creatively dressed cashier at the grocery store, are a witness to witches paddling around the harbor or a little dinosaur who collects candy, have a good time.

If you can find a copy of this precious out-of-print book, you and your little ones will love it! Mousekin is a busy protagonist who finds and makes a home, and in the process, endears himself to us. I found one for $50 but surely there are generous people who would be glad to pass this book on.


"Out of print, but this is a prime candidate for reissuing by a new publisher. The many associations with concepts of nature and science are justification enough, but the real reason is superior quality of every aspect of this book- well-paced story, lyrical language, lively characterization, subtle but detailed illustrations, and a satisfying ending that works on every level. Find it somewhere and share it." Goodreads


Goodness! We've added over a dozen more events to the pdf. From now on, check Facebook for late posts.


HALLOWEEN 2024.6 ALL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY


Eat well, have festive times, relax at home and go easy on the candy (say I whose favorite is corn candy once a year), Parmalee

Julie Makes the Case for Video Games

Julie Bogart's persuasive argument convinced me of a good reason to use video games to develop an important skill that carries over to other areas. What will you think?


"Raising five kids during the internet era, everyone is dying to know what my thoughts on video games are! How many hours, how many minutes, how many days? Are they too violent? Is it okay if they love Minecraft? Will they lose all motivation to work?


A few years ago we talked about this on the podcast with Golden, Colorado middle school teacher, Ash Brandin. Ash has spoken across the country about how academic spaces can mimic game structures to make learning compelling, motivating, and engaging."

Read on ! > > >

Topics for Families

Here’s What Longevity Experts Eat For Breakfast To Add Years To Their Lives, If you’re going to have the same meal on repeat every morning, how great would it be if it could give you more time on Earth?



Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is Coming Get your tickets and right after Christmas, read it to your children.


Pumpkin Carving Tips from The Art Factory by Yvette Contois, Founder and Teacher at The Art Factory


50 Best Halloween Books for Kids by Imagination Soup


55 Best Halloween Horror Movies - for Adults who like to be scared!

Keep Our Children Safe

Watsonville Police Remind Us

To Be Alert


Halloween is rapidly approaching, and the safety of our community is always important. We want to remind parents to follow the usual Halloween safety guidelines, but this year we would also like parents to remain vigilant of their children’s candy.


There is an alarming nationwide trend of colorful fentanyl known as “rainbow fentanyl” that comes in many different bright colors, sizes, and shapes. This synthetic opioid is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.


While rainbow fentanyl has not been reported in Watsonville, the deadly drug has been seized in at least 26 states since August of this year, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.


Please pay extra attention to your children’s candy/treats, inspect the packaging for evidence of tampering, and check for choking hazards. If you encounter fentanyl, do not handle it, and call 911 immediately.

October Calendar November

Don't miss a fun, family event! Follow us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzParent/

MOD’s Magical Halloween Wizarding Adventure, October 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, Mondays & Wednesdays – Saturdays, 10am-5pm, Join MOD’s magical, halloween, wizarding adventure. Enter a world of spellbinding wonder where you can send letters via Owl Post, master the art of potion making, fly through a game of Quidditch, embark on a wizardly scavenger hunt, and craft your own magical creations. All FREE with museum admission. Wizards, witches, and muggles welcome & costumes are encouraged! Details

Dia De Los Muertos, Daily the month of October, Here at the center, we are looking forward to celebrating and honoring our loved ones for Dia de los Muertos. We invite you to stop by our community altar and add your own photos and items for those special people. Details

Kids Spooky Night Out Party with Pizza and Pumpkin Carving, Friday, October 25, 5:30-8pm, It’s a date night for you parents, after you drop the kids off at the 16th annual kids spooky night out; pizza and pumpkin carving party! Kids ages 8-14 enjoy a spooky evening, carving pumpkins together and having pizza dinner Details

Spooktober Celebration Scotts Valley, Thursday, October 24, 3pm

Join us at the Scotts Valley library for our second annual Spooktober Celebration! At this fang-tastic party, you can wear your costumes and enjoy music, stories, games, prizes and tasty snacks! Come and have a terror-ific time! Details

The Rocky Horror Pictur Show, for Teens, October 25, Seven Directions Art Institute, Friday, October 25, 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Ages 13-18, Parent permission required. Details

Annual Day of the Dead Program, Thursday, October 24, 6pm – 8pm at the Watsonville Main Library, Bring along your family and friends to our annual Day of the Dead program ~ decorate a cookie, play loteria and earn prizes, and make new memories. All ages are welcome to attend. Details

Trunk or Treat at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Friday, October 25, 3-7pm, Join us celebrating the spookiest season with our community at Trunk or Treat. This year, we will be in both North (Live Oak) and South County, with games, treats, and fun for all. Bring the kiddoes and join us . . . Boo!

Details

Trunk or Treat with the Sheriffs, Friday, October 25, 5-8pm, Join us at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office! Decorated Trunks, candy, games, food vendors and more! There will be free parking and a shuttle service provided by Santa Cruz Metro from the Capitola Mall. Details

Walk of Terrors, October 25 & 26, 4-7pm, Come to the Bear Creek Estates for a frightening haunted walk through our outside grounds. Be prepared to be scared and scream… this is not your average walk! Would you like to be a creepy character in the walk? Suggested for ages 8+. Details

Food Truck Friday Halloween Style!, Friday, October 25, 4:30 – 7:30pm, Join us for the last Food Truck Friday of the season at Skypark! It is almost Halloween and we have a great lineup of Food Trucks and an amazing local band playing your favorite rock songs – the DadBeats! We’re partnering with Scotts Valley Fire to bring a pumpkin patch for the kids, first come first serve and Scotts Valley Rec will be hosting their fabulous howl-o-ween dog costume contest! Details

Santa Cruz Harbor Witches SUP,  Sunday, October 26, 1 – 3pm, Free to watch! 13th Annual Santa Cruz Harbor Witches Gathering. We bewitch the locals and have general shenanigans on this witchly day at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Get in touch with your inner witch, or gremlin and have some fun. Details

Watsonville Downtown Candy Crawl, Saturday, October 26, 2 – 6pm,

Join us for our 4th annual Downtown Candy Crawl for youth ages 13 & under. Young wizards, witches, ghosts, princesses, and all in between are invited to trick-or-treat at participating downtown Watsonville businesses. Details

Rancho Siempre Verde Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch, Saturdays & Sundays 9am-4:30pm, September 28 – November 16, Join Rancho Siempre Verde’s family farm for our annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch! Bring your family and friends and dogs. Pick pumpkins, cut flowers, grab a peck of apples, make a fall wreath, have a picnic, take a swing on our swings, and enjoy our farm activities all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Details

Grey Bears Halloween Sale, Monday-Sunday, October 21-31, 10am-4:30pm, Grey Bears is having a spooky 50% sale on all clothing and fabric in celebration of Halloween. If you've never been to Grey Bears, now is the time! Details

HOWL-o-ween – Doggie Date Night, Saturday, October 26, 7pm, Join us along with our partners from Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and WoofPack 831 for a spooktacular time featuring Disney’s Haunted Mansion (PG13) at sundown! Food, Soda Pop, Adoptable Animals! Details

Thomas & Percy’s Halloween Party, Saturdays & Sundays 9am-5pm, October 26-27, Ready for a day of family fun? Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy are rolling into Felton, CA, bringing a world of adventure right to your doorstep! Details

Pumpkin Succulent Class, Mtn Feed & Farm Supply – Saturday October 26, 3 – 5pm This class will teach you how to make a fall succulent pumpkin for an autumn centerpiece or just beautiful home decor! You will create a roughly 8″ pumpkin centerpiece with succulents cuttings and moss. Sips and snacks included! It will be a perfect fall afternoon! Details

Halloween Bash at The Tannery, Saturday, October 26, 4-7pm, It’s that time again! The Tannery invites you to join us for our lucky number 13th Halloween Bash. Come for the live performances from TWDCC companies and guests, stay for the treats, games, dance party, and community! Free and open to all! Details

Capitola Village Halloween Parade, Sunday, October 27, 1:30pm lineup, 2pm Parade, Calling all ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls…join us for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade! Parade will be led by a Central Fire Engine with music from the Soquel High Senior Band. Line up begins at 1:30pm in the lower Beach & Village Parking Lot 2 behind the Capitola Police Department. Details

JuneBug’s Gym Preschool Halloween Party, Thursday, October 31, 10am – 2pm, Join us for our Annual Halloween Open House! Come join us for an hour of fun and explore a child friendly “Haunted Gym!” Snacks, craft time, and goodie bag for all children.

Please sign-up through our website. Details

Capitola Plein Air Annual Art Festival, Monday - Sunday, October 21 - 27, Visit the festival, a juried art competition, exhibition, and sale. Details

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! October