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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
Monday is a Very Special Day | |
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On Monday, January 20, we honor
the Vision of Martin Luther King
and the Inauguration of our 47th President.
Let's set aside politics and share with our children our nation's Inauguration, our peaceful transition of our federal government's leaders chosen by "we the people."
Let's teach the children how Martin Luther King fought for equal opportunities for all people, no matter their race or religion. On Friday, meet Maria Gitin, who participated in "the exceptionally challenging struggle of the 1960s civil rights movement."
Make our historical days special. Think of the stories you can share at the dinner table. Go to the library for books. Bring history alive for the children.
Parmalee
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Dear parents, foster parents, grandparents, relative caregivers, and other adults raising children and teens,
We’re celebrating YOU in January 2025! For the 13th year in a row the County Board of Supervisors has partnered with First 5 Santa Cruz County to declare January as Positive Parenting Awareness Month, joining other California counties and the California legislature, which will pass a resolution declaring January 2025 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month across the state.
What does this mean? > > >
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A Conversation with Author Maria Gitin | |
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Maria Gitin, one of the last local civil rights veterans who learned from and worked for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will be sharing stories from her experience as a teenage voter education and registration volunteer in rural Alabama.
Friday, January 17 at 3:30pm in the Ow Family Community Room.
Gitin’s one-hour presentation will include historic photographs and personal stories from her friends and co-workers and will suggest how successful strategies from 60 years ago might inform our current culture.
Her memoir, “This Bright Light of Ours: Stories from the Voting Rights Movement” (University of Alabama Press, 2014 and 2023), will be available for purchase and signing.
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“Maria Gitin’s book is a unique blend of her own story and those of the local community with whom she worked in Wilcox County in the exceptionally challenging struggle of the 1960s civil rights movement.” Bettina Aptheker, Emeritus Professor of Feminist Studies at UCSC.
“These are powerful stories profoundly relevant for our own times.”
Maria Gitin is the recipient of numerous racial justice awards in recognition for her lifetime commitment to civil rights and is a member of the NAACP, Bay Area Civil Rights Veterans, J Street, and Temple Beth El in Aptos.
This event is free and open to all, but seating is limited.
For more information on the event and Maria Gitin, please visit
https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/13552752
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"Go play outside: Almost half the world might be nearsighted (it’s called “myopia”) by 2050 because kids are on their screens too much and don’t spend enough time outside.
Researchers say just an hour in the sun a day could reduce the risk of myopia by 45% (paywall link). Sunlight triggers dopamine, which helps eyeballs grow correctly. Plus, that sweet vitamin D makes your eye tissues stronger."
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This Bright Light of Ours: Stories from the Voting Rights Fight with Maria Gitin, Friday, January 17, 3:30pm, Join SCPL in commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Civil Rights veteran and author Maria Gitin. Gitin will share her experience in the Civil Rights Movement and suggest how its successful strategies might inform our current culture. Her one-hour presentation will include historic photographs and personal stories from Gitin’s friends and co-workers. Details
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"Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through the use of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience against Jim Crow laws and other forms of legalized discrimination." Wikipedia
The above is a straightforward summary of one of the greatest and most charismatic thinkers in our history. There are plenty of biographies about him, but if you would like to deeply understand this brave man, read his own words > > >
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Triple P Workshop for Parents, What To Do When Your Child Has a Hard Time Separating From You, Details
Tai Chi in the Library, Thursdays, 10-11am, January 2 – April 17,
Details
Art Classes at Santa Cruz Art League, January through April, Take an art class at SCAL with a local artist. Details
Ice Skate in Union Square! Daily, through January 25, 10am-11pm, Details
Find Your Future with the Cabrillo College IT Institute, Free ZOOM Information Meetings: 6-7pm, January 9; 17, 22, Classes begin January 31. Kick-off Your IT Career This Spring! Get a jump start on your future career in IT with Cabrillo’s new IT Institute! Details
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January is
Positive
Parenting
Month
at the
Library!
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Second Annual Toy Swop, Watsonville Library, January 6th – January 29, Donate gently used toys at the Main Library.
January 30, Thursday, 5:30 – 7:30pm, Shop at the Main Library for a new toy with a voucher. Learn how to participate.
Details
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Quilting with Friends, 1st & 3rd Mondays 11am-3pm, through May 5, Join us at the Boulder Creek Library for Quilting with Friends every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (subject to holiday closures). All levels of quilting expertise are welcome, from accomplished quilters to those new to the craft. Participants bring their own supplies to work on individual projects, share knowledge and create community. Registration is not required. Details
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Tales to Tails Felton Library, 3rd Tuesdays, 3-4pm, through December 16, Tales to Tails is a literacy program designed to help children improve their reading skills by providing them the opportunity to read to certified therapy dogs. Trained therapy dogs will be available to be attentive reading partners for children reading aloud. Child must be 6-17 years old, and already reading to some degree. Our volunteer handlers are there to provide support but are not trained reading instructors. Appointments are required.
We and our furry friends look forward to seeing you there! Details
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Footloose the Musical, All About Theatre presents Footloose the Musical featuring teens 13-7 and a live orchestra!
7pm Shows: Fridays 7pm, January 17, 24 & Thursday, January 23; Saturdays 7pm, January 18, 25
2pm Shows: Saturdays, January 18 & 25, Details
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Great Expectations Parenting Group for Parents/Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children, 3rd Saturdays, 1:30-2:30pm, Here at the Scotts Valley library, we’re hosting a parenting group for caregivers raising neurodivergent individuals with behavior challenges and delays from toddlers to teens. We’ll Explore: Autism and Neurodiversity, Behavior Challenges, Feelings as Parents, Social Norms, Compassionate Self-Care, Details | | | |
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Family Concert: Peter And The Wolf, Sunday, March 2, 2pm, The Santa Cruz Symphony presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Peter and the Wolf.
This popular performance will sell out. Get your tickets now. 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! January
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