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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
Rain Walks and Collecting Acorns | |
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The 67 ideas for kids on colder days in last week's newsletter didn't include making those adorable little acorn people. We're including some images for inspiration, in fact we made a downloadable pdf for you.
This is a bounty year for acorns all over the country, well... at least on the two coasts. I've found acorns all over the country, fat round ones, cute tiny ones and long skinny ones. This image is titled "Western Oaks."
The first step is to go on an acorn collection outing, which involves learning to recognize oak trees. Just think of all the "natural accessories" available --pods, pine cones, twigs for arms and legs, pieces of bark, pine needles for hair, twine, scraps of fabric, wood chips. Read more about local oaks here, here, here and here.
If you make a valiant effort and simply can't find any acorns under an oak tree, enter "bag of acorns" on Amazon. They sell fake and real. Go for the real!
Be sure to take the children to UCSC's FREE production of Into the Woods. "The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", "Cinderella", and several others."
Have acorny fall weekend ... and if it rains -it's predicted- go out for a rain walk, Parmalee
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Three Ways to Give Joy this Holiday Season
with Adopt-a-Family
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For over 30 years, Adopt-a-Family has helped generous community members bring joy to local families, ensuring they experience the warmth and wonder of the season.
In Santa Cruz County, more families than ever are hoping for a holiday miracle. Nearly 600 families—including over 2,000 children and teens—are on this year’s Adopt-a-Family list, making it the largest in our program’s history. These are families from all walks of life who face difficult times and often heartbreaking challenges.
Lily is a single mother from North County, who recently transitioned from a shelter into a small apartment with her two young children. Without family nearby and a limited income, Lily does everything she can to give her children, Emma and Leo, a stable, happy home. But extra funds for holiday gifts, warm clothing, and books her kids love are hard to come by. By adopting a family like Lily’s, you’re helping bring joy and warmth to their holiday, making their first winter in a new home one to remember.
Carlos, a devoted father, recently found housing for his family after months of homelessness. His two sons, Jake and Max, are finally thriving in school, excited about having a place to call home. But the holidays are financially tough for Carlos. By adopting his family, you’re giving them a holiday filled with support and community care, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Adopt A Family > > > | Explore all volunteer programs > > >
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Just think of your own everyday activities. You and the children can make acorn people doing anything! The trickiest part is supporting arms and legs to stay in place while the glue firms. Use your ingenuity!
Download this Acorn People pdf.
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Skills for making family gatherings fun –
not miserable!
by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower
Hello,
When I ask people how they feel about family gatherings, common responses include:
“I LOVE my family – and I break out in hives every time we get together!”
“I tell myself I won’t get sucked in this time – and then, I get sucked in AGAIN!”
“I am excited to reconnect – and, I dread the arguments!”
Instead of suffering through it, getting sucked in, dreading, and getting very triggered, you can take charge of your family gathering experiences – and prepare your kids to do the same.
Read more >>>>
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For upcoming ticketed holiday entertainment
skim through the next few weeks
of the calendar.
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Turkey Meal Sequences
1) The BIG Turkey Day with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, vegetables and pumpkin pie;
2) Hot turkey sandwiches with all the leftovers over bread and smothered with turkey gravy;
3) a turkey caserole and;
4) the best turkey soup ever (you kept all the bones for this) with rice and one new ingredient that lifts the soup to beyond delicious.*
*recipe coming next week
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Into the Woods Family Opera, Saturday, November 23, 1 pm & 3pm (2 free performances), UCSC Opera presents an open rehearsal type of presentation with back-to-back matinee performances and fun for the whole family. UCSC voice students perform in Stephen Sondheim’s mash-up of overlapping fairytale. Luke Shepherd will perform as the Narrator from the piano. Details
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Holiday Production: A Christmas Carol by Santa Cruz Shakespeare, November 23 through December 24, Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) debuts a new holiday tradition for the whole family with its production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring Mike Ryan as Ebeneezer Scrooge. Audiences can expect a theatrical and music-filled adaptation of this classic play. Details
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Santa Cruz Dance Theater Presents its First Production of The Nutcracker, Saturday, December 21, 1 & 4:30pm; Sunday, December 22, 1 & 4:30pm, The newly established Santa Cruz Dance Theater is set to bring holiday magic this December with its inaugural performance of The Nutcracker. The production promises to be a stunning display of talent, featuring special guest artist Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native, returns to his hometown stage. Details
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Turkey Trot 2024, Saturday, November 23, Kids 1K 7:45am; 5K 9am; 10K 8:45am, Flat, fast out and back courses that begin & end at the back entrance of Natural Bridges State Park. A run with spectacular ocean views! Signature Santa Cruz Track Club finisher socks for all 5k, Race day registration is available starting at 7:00 on race day morning.
Details
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Story with a Ranger, Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story, Thursday, November 21, 4pm, Kids and families are welcome to join us to learn more about a different side of the traditional Thanksgiving story. In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. Details
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Ice Skating by the Bay, Nov 22 - Dec 31, 11am -to 10pm, Custom House Plaza, Monterey, Celebrate the holidays amidst Monterey Bay's coastline. Skaters can spend the day in a winter wonderland right by the Bay. Details
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Santa Cruz County Office Of Education
Understanding & Creating with AI, Calling all future tech innovators, Free! Grades 7-12!
Details
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Tech Talks: Parental Apple Controls, Thursday, November 21, 11am-12pm, Learn how to set parental controls with iPhones. Are the kids you know addicted to iPhones? There are many benefits and potential pitfalls when children have iPhones and iPads. Know your options for mitigating the risks so your loved ones can establish a balanced relationship with these tools. We hope you join us for this important discussion! Details | | | |
Foundations for Independence: Money and Work, Thursday, November 21, 6-7:30, Attend this FREE virtual parenting workshop to learn: 1) Tips for teaching teens how to save and manage their money, 2) How to help teens look for jobs that fit with their interests and schedules, 3) How to decide when it feels right to ask teens to help pay for things at home, Details | | | |
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Holiday Gift & Wreath Sale at the UCSC Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Saturday, November 23, 10am-4pm, Handmade holiday gifts and decorations unlike anything you’ve seen! Arboretum artists have been busy for months creating stunning succulent and dried flower wreaths and works of art. This collection draws from the Arboretum’s rare and extraordinary collection of amazing plants! Details
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Saturday 11:30am-1pm & 2:30-4pm, at MOD, November 23, Does your teddy bear have a mysterious tummy ache? Did your unicorn lose a horn in a daring adventure? It’s time for a check-up at MOD’s Teddy Bear Clinic. Bring your favorite teddy bear or stuffy to the Teddy Bear Clinic. Come play doctor alongside Cabrillo College Nurses in training. Make sure your fuzzy friend is feeling ‘paws’-itively great! Details
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Date night! China Cats Grateful Thanksgiving Dance Party at Vets Hall, Saturday, November 23, 7:30-10:30pm, Celebrate gratitude! Join family, friends, and neighbors at the Santa Cruz Veterans Hall for an intimate and highly danceable concert from the China Cats, the Bay Area’s premier Grateful Dead tribute band. Details
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Nancy and Violin, Sunday, November 24, 2pm, Our Symphony audiences were blown away by Artist in Residence and Concertmaster Nancy Zhou’s stunning violin performance in our recent Adaptations concerts. Now you can thrill to her spellbinding artistry once again at Cabrillo College’s Samper Hall, an intimate space with stellar acoustics. This highly anticipated solo performance by the sublimely talented Nancy Zhou will bring to life immortal works by J.S. Bach, Eugène Ysaÿe, and Fritz Kreisler. Expect mastery, lyricism, and emotional impact that will linger long after the last note has ended. Details
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Ice Skate in Union Square! Daily, November 6 – January 25, 10am-11pm, Gather your family and friends for a beloved holiday tradition! The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink is back for its 17th magical season of outdoor skating and holiday festivities in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Details
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Free Peanuts Specials, 48 hours, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Nov 23 & 24; A Charlie Brown Christmas,” December 14 and 15. For over 50 years of this Peanuts classic, Peppermint Patty invites everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he is already going to celebrate at his grandmother’s. Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends. Details
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Fillipino Community of Watsonville Hot Dish Potluck style luncheon for Thanksgiving, Sunday, November 24, 12-4pm, Join us for a Thanksgiving potluck. Bring your favorite dish to share. Details
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Valley Churches United Holiday Gift Shop 2024, Monday-Saturday, 11am – 4m, November & December, Amazingly talented volunteers have created an exquisite display, making this year’s gift shop an exceptional holiday shopping experience.
New toys, vintage items, Christmas decorations, puzzles, household items, and much more can be found at very reasonable prices and are put out daily. All proceeds from the gift shop support Valley Churches United’s nonprofit year-round food pantry. Details
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Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz Family, Our Adopt a Family Website is LIVE! Now’s your chance to make a difference this holiday season by adopting a family in need. Provide joy and essential items to local families facing tough times. Visit our website today and help bring holiday magic to those who need it most! 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! November
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