A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
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Keeping our children safe
Moms and Dads, I admire you! I observe you introducing your children to a variety of wholesome activities --literature, art, music, acting, soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, dance, swimming, carpentry, engineering, volunteering, etc-- that engage their interest and energy. You choose schools or homeschooling or pods that re-inforce your family values.

For the little ones you screen the movies they watch and the books they read so they won't get too scared.

For the older ones, you are recognizing and are concerned about the dangers of social media (here) and now ai (here). You understand that some books are inappropriate for some ages. One of you, in a far away town, went to a school board meeting and read aloud from a book approved by the schoolboard. The schoolboard was so shocked and embarrassed by the content that they made you stop sharing.

Be aware, curious, involved and protective. It's not easy but it's part of the parenting job. Reading about other parents tribulations may be scary, but helpful in evaluating your positions.

Keep on keeping the children safe and involving them in choosing quality activities, Parmalee
We think parents deserve a fun night out...
and for a good cause!
Not sure what to wear to MAHsquerade? It’s the MAH, not the MET! Come as you are or get creative.

MAHsquerade - a FUNdraiser and celebration of art, local history, and community in Santa Cruz County. This free flowing event spotlights MAH exhibitions, programs, Evergreen Cemetery, and Davenport Jail through interactive experiences and live entertainment. Games, Prizes, Bites & Beverages included.

6:00pm - The Fun Begins! Learn about MAH programs through interactive activities. Explore our Silent Auction "Buy In" Adventures! Participate in the Scavenger Hunt! Make a mask.
7:00pm - Welcome Program with Robb Woulfe and Freny Cooper
7:30pm - "Best Mask or Ensemble" winners announced by our esteemed panel of community leaders.
8-9pm - Live Music with New Orleans Second Line Brass Band, MJ's Brass Boppers
9-10pm - Dancing with DJ Sparkle, Sonja Brunner

Silent Auction features group experiences reflective of our MAH mission/vision that feature local artists, community partners, and businesses. Tickets and Information > > >
So You're Going to the Snow?
Before heading up to the snow, read Rob Carlmark's advice on how to be prepared! So You’re Going to the Snow? by Rob Carlmark

Then check these local parent recommendations for fun with the kids.
 
Strawberry Inn - For winter adventures, you can cross-country ski or downhill ski at nearby Dodge Ridge Ski Resort (5 miles away) or snowmobile miles of mountain roads. Just a short drive to Leland Snow Play Park.
 
Leland Snowplay has lifts for innertubes, 12 acres of Snowplay fun
 
We just stayed in Arnold and had lots of fun sledding right off highway 4. Spicer Snow Park is open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow play. Bear Valley is close if you want to ski and looks like they are getting more snow right now.
 
We just skied, sledded and tubed in Dodge Ridge. They have great kids lessons.

China peak is close for skiing and lots of areas for tubing and sledding. It’s not too far and the roads are always well taken care of. They have great packages for beginners.

You can also look into Badger Pass in Yosemite. It’s a smaller mountain but great for kids just learning.
 
Dodge ridge is great.
 
Boreal is good for beginners. Check out Adventure Mountain , Soda Springs, which offers a pint-sized tubing hill and carousel for the little ones.

My kids learned at Mt. Rose! It was great. This hill is located at the top of Mt. Rose highway (Hwy. 431). Located about 8 miles north of Incline Village. Look for a few clearings on the west side of the road. Hills vary in steepness. You must have your own equipment for this large open tubing area. Lots of space and fun to be had. Drop off your skiers and snow boarders at Mt. Rose Ski Resort and bring the small kids to the snow play area for hours of free fun.
Omega Nu is now accepting scholarship applications from local high school seniors
Omega Nu, the Santa Cruz County women’s service organization, will award more than $102,000 this year in both new and renewal scholarships. College scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors planning to attend a California Community College, UC, or Cal State School, or Cabrillo students transferring to a UC or Cal State School. Trade school scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors planning to attend a full-time vocational school.

Completed applications must be received, or postmarked if mailed, by Thursday, March 31.

For applications and more information visit duckyderbysantacruz.org, or email omeganusc@gmail.com

Please support Omega Nu and the Santa Cruz community by coming out to the 33rd Annual Ducky Derby and family carnival at Harvey West Park on Saturday, April 22nd.
You're looking for a school that's just right for your child. Schools are looking for a good fit too. Visiting an open house is a good way to learn more about your choices. This goes for public, private, public-charter, homeschool-public, homeschool-private and parochial. Details

EVENTS AT THE LIBRARIES!

Triple P Workshop: Supporting Your Partner, Thursday, February 16, 5:30 – 7pm, Register to attend this FREE virtual parenting workshop to learn about: Parenting issues that often cause disagreements between partners; How to take care of your relationship with your partner and create a positive family life; Tools to help partners support each other and work as a team. Details
Stepping Stones Triple P Workshop: Changing Challenging Behaviors into Positive Behaviors, Thursday, February 16, 6 – 7:30pm, Attend this FREE parenting workshop via Zoom for families raising children with special needs. During this class you will learn:
How to keep track of your child’s behavior; Understand why the behavior is occurring and how to encourage alternative behavior; Tips for removing accidental rewards; How to develop a personalized parenting plan. Details
Triple P Seminar: Raising Resilient Children, Saturday, February 18, 11am - 12:30pm, Attend this FREE virtual seminar to learn how to help your children: Express feelings appropriately; Build a positive outlook; Manage stressful life events. Details
The Wizard of Oz, Friday, Feb 17, 7pm; Saturday, Feb 18, 2pm & 7pm; Sunday, Feb 19, 12pm & 4pm, Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home. Details
Santa Cruz Math Circle, Saturday 10am – 12pm, February 18, Does your student love math? Then the Santa Cruz Math Circle is a great opportunity to explore challenging and fun mathematics with kids from across the county. Details
Enter the Hans Christian Andersen Writing Contest, Deadline Friday, February 17, Details
North County, Advisory Council For Teens (ACT), Third Saturdays, 2 – 4pm, through September, Advisory Council of Teens (ACT) is the SCPL young adult advisory group. ACT is open to all young adults in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. ACT is a great outlet to meet great friends. Details

Spiritual and Gospel Music, Sunday, February 19, 10am, This is going to be a wonderful Sunday morning in honor of Black History Month. Great Gospel music! Boulder Creek United Methodist, Details
Food Preservation Demos, Sunday, February 19, noon – 4pm, Join us at Thomas Family Farm on Sunday, Feb. 19th from noon-4pm for ongoing food preservation demos, crafting from nature, orange & lemon U-Picks and more. Details
Triple P Workshop: Strategies to Help Teens Manage Anxiety
Monday, February 20, 6 – 7:30pm, Attend this FREE virtual parenting workshop to learn: Common causes and signs of anxiety in teens; What to do if your teen is anxious; Tips for helping teens develop healthy coping skills, 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! February
Save these dates!
Free Day, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, March 3
Free Day, Arboretum, March 7
ALL Farmers Markets and farm activities! Details