A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | | |
"May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s also a time when we celebrate our mothers, grandmas, aunties, and other mother figures." Yesenia
On May Day, I'm planning on waking early to hand deliver little flower bouquets to hang on the doors of some close neighbors. I've done this every year since I was a toddler. I used to ring the doorbell and run (doorbell ditch) but that's for children!. Nowadays I leave flowers and quietly walk away.
May Day has a delightful history in many cultures. In Santa Cruz County May is about bikes. Go Santa Cruz has a month of biking fun and rides planned for us, including bike repairs and reviews of safety rules.
Happy May Day and Happy Biking , Parmalee
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Santa Cruz Shakespeare Tickets for Everyone
A Midsummer Night's Dream ~ Into the Woods
Pericles ~ "Master Harold"...and the Boys
Tickets Go On Sale May 1st
| | Ask Yesenia: Your Mental Health Matters! | | |
by Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s also a time when we celebrate our mothers, grandmas, aunties, and other mother figures. Motherhood is a transformative and profound journey — it changes you in such a deep way, and yet we often don’t acknowledge how hard that can be.
I’ve struggled with my own mental health throughout my life, and becoming a mother has brought its own set of ups and downs — moments of overwhelm, stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. And yet, motherhood has also been the source of some of the deepest love and joy I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Motherhood has helped me fall in love with life in new ways — especially in the little moments with the family I’ve created. But let’s be real: it’s not always easy. And no one should have to go through it alone.
Dear Yesenia, Lately, I’ve been feeling completely drained — like I’m constantly running on empty, just trying to keep up with everything. Between work, school drop-offs, meals, laundry, and trying to be emotionally present for my kids, I don’t even recognize myself some days. I know I need support, but I don’t even know where to start or what kind of help I need. How do you ask for help when you're used to being the one holding it all together? Gracie
Dear Gracie, I’m sure many parents and caregivers are familiar with that feeling. As we juggle all the daily demands and endless to do lists, it’s so easy to forget about ourselves. But your mental health matters. You matter. Taking care of yourself is essential. You deserve support, rest, and moments to simply breathe. This is why “taking care of yourself” is one of the core principles of positive parenting in the Triple P program. It’s easier said than done, but here are some tips to try > > >
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May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on May 1st, around halfway between the Northern Hemisphere's Spring equinox and Midsummer solstice. Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve.
Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches
("bringing in the May"), weaving floral garlands, crowning a May Queen , and setting up a Maypole, May Tree or May Bush, around which people dance and sing.
Bonfires are also a major part of the festival in some regions. Regional varieties and related traditions include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe, the Gaelic festival Beltane,the Welsh festival Calan Mai, and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia. Thanks Wikipedia.
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MAY CALENDAR
So many events come in at the last minute,
so be sure to check the calendar in a few days.
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Friends of Scotts Valley Library Book Sale, Saturday, May 3, 10am – 3pm, Gently used books, cds, dvds, audiobooks, puzzles, and games will be sold. There are books of all kinds: children, young adult, mystery/thriller, popular fiction, romance, non fiction, oversize, travel, poetry, cookbooks, crafts, art, and home and garden. There are even antique books! Details
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May Bike Fest, May 1- 31, Let’s Ride, Santa Cruz County! ¡Sí, se pedal! Bike Fest begins May 1. Join your neighbors and record your rides for chances to win prizes. GO Santa Cruz and GO Santa Cruz County will be co-hosting and participating in events all month long. Check out our favorites below! Details
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5th Annual Move for CASA, May 3, Registration is OPEN. Join CASA of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties on Saturday, May 3, at 10 AM at Elkhorn Slough for a fun, energizing morning in community—walking, chatting, and supporting local youth! Free to register, Join a team or form your own. Enjoy great conversation while getting your steps in. Details
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Wildflower Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, Wildflower Walks 10am and 1pm, Join us for guided walks and wildflower displays. Rancho del Oso’s elegant annual Wildflower Weekend event displays an impressive collection of vibrant wildflowers growing in the northern Santa Cruz coast region. Enjoy glowing buttercups, exuberant shooting stars, blushing western wake robins and an array of other natural beauties. Details
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Summit for the Planet, Saturday, May 3, 10:30am – 2pm, Mount Madonna School is calling it a mountain revival, kickin’ it old school and throwin’ it back to when it all began. Everyone is invited to come have a day of fun Event entry is FREE! Bring family, friends, neighbors and dress in your grooviest 1979 attire. Details
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Santa Cruz Symphony Mozart’s Requiem, Saturday, May 3, 7:30pm, at the Civic Auditorium; Sunday, May 4, 2:00pm at the Henry J Mello Center, Mozart’s Requiem in D minor is one of the most popular and well-known pieces of classical music ever written. Santa Cruz Symphony will join forces with Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and four stellar vocalists to bring you this masterwork. Prepare to be transported, both spiritually and emotionally. Details
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Strawberry Bonanza on Opening Day Felton Farmer’s Market, Tuesdays, 1:30 – 5:30pm, May 6 through October, We are going big on opening day! Hello mountain towns! Hello to the San Lorenzo Valley! Enjoy Live Earth strawberries with whipped cream stacked on Beckmann’s Bakery famous shortbread, Details
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Tony Mcmanus Celtic Guitar Legend Live at the Ugly Mug, Tuesday, May 6, 7 – 9pm, Hailed by John Renborn as “the best Celtic guitarist in the world,” Ranked by peers and predecessors alike, alongside the all time greats of the guitar world, his fiendishly dexterous, dazzlingly original playing draws on traditions from the entire Celtic world, along with further ranging flavors such as jazz and eastern European music. Details
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2025 County of Santa Cruz Career Fair, Wednesday, May 7, 4 – 7pm, Come join our team! Be part of a rewarding career in public service. The fair offers residents of all skill levels a chance to discover career opportunities with representatives from more than 20 county departments, including Animal Services, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector, Community Development and Infrastructure, Health and Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Probation, and more! 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, Details
Starting Strong Workshop: Have FUN learning to stay SAFE for ages 3 to 7, Details
Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Classes for Parents 2025, Thursdays 10 – 11:30am, May 1-29
1:30-2:30pm, Details
Parent Nest: A guided Play and Connection Series, April 25 @ 9:15 am - 10:00 am, Details
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, Details
4-Week Triple P Group: Teaching Children to Clean Up,
Wednesdays, May 7, 6 – 7:30pm, Details
Saturday Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Saturday, May 3, 10am – 12pm, Details
Free Magic Show at Kennolyn Camp, Sunday, May 18, Details
Low-Waste Living Made Easy! Saturday, May 3, 2 – 3pm, Details
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Myth-Busting Menopause, Thursday, May 1, 6:30 – 7:30pm, Gain the fitness and nutrition tools to successfully navigate the menopause roller coaster. In this 1 hour class, Rebecca Hazelton and Amelia Foster de-bunk the 10 most common menopause myths in nutrition and fitness to support women to have a smoother transition and improved quality of life. Details
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Jewish Yemenite Chants and Songs, Friday, May 2, 4 – 5pm, Join Dror and Avi Sinai in celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month with a musical performance. This father son musical duo keep Sephardic traditions alive. Listen to original and traditional. Details
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Free Community Paper Shred Event, Saturday, May 10, 10am – 1pm, There's still time to gather old but sensitive documents for shredding. Watch while the county shreds your documents. Details | | | |
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Spring Art Market at the Tannery, Saturday, May 10, 10am – 5pm, Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a vibrant day of art, music, and community at the Tannery Arts Center. Explore works by 40+ local artists and makers—ceramics, textiles, jewelry, prints, and more. Enjoy live music by La Otra Banda, DJ sets, food trucks, beer + wine, kids’ art activities, and open studios. Free and family-friendly! 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. 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! Details
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Save the date for treasure hunting at Goat Hill Fair, a curated antiques and vintage show.
Friday, May 16, Early Goats 8-10 am; General Admission 10am-4pm
Saturday, May 17, General Admission 9am-4pm
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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! May
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