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Welcome Fall and All Its Pleasures


Trips to pumpkin farms, the aroma of pumpkin spices in desserts and drinks, cocoa, cinnamon, apples, apple cider, playing in piles of leaves, a light jacket, creating jack-o-lanterns, delicious stews and soups, snuggling under warm blankets --it's here and it's fun! Today we highlight a farm up the coast recommended by local families who make it an annual excursion.


Almost every family goes through sleep deprivation at some point in their children's growing years, especially during transition times like illness, a seasonal change, a new baby arriving, first nightmare, new daycare or school, a move et.al. Yesenia shares what has worked for her for developing good sleep habits for children.


Now is a good time to be looking ahead on our calendar. We've been activating early posts for events well into October and even November. Keep checking.


Download the Pumpkin Patch pdf, Where to Find the Pumpkins.



Have a great weekend, Parmalee

Ask Yesenia: Ask Yesenia: Building Healthy Sleep Habits!

By Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo


Isn’t sleep just the best? I definitely love it! As a parent, though, you quickly learn that the blissful slumber you once took for granted becomes a distant memory. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m far more enjoyable after a good night’s rest. Over the years, we’ve created a bedtime routine that’s been helpful. My daughter is only two, so I’m bracing myself for more nighttime wakeups. But even though we’re not quite back to uninterrupted sleep, I enjoy the nights we do get some quality rest and find comfort in knowing I’ve got a few strategies to help us through bedtime.


Here’s to embracing the sleep deprivation phase with grace and a very strong cup of coffee!


Dear Yesenia, Bedtime with my 3- and 5-year-olds is such a struggle. They refuse to stop playing and pick up their toys. They take forever to get into bed, then they get up often; they’re thirsty, scared, heard a noise, too hot, too cold. I know they’re just trying to avoid going to sleep. I have to tell them to be quiet many times before they finally fall asleep. We’re always tired and cranky in the morning. How can we make bedtime easier? - Nadia

Read Yesenia's suggestions > > >

Unique Pumpkin Hunting

Create a tradition, a memory of special family times. Visit a farm where the pumpkins grow and the growers pour love and energy into creating magical experiences for families.


Rancho Siempre Verde is a small family farm that has been growing good and sharing organic produce and trees for more than 55 years. The farm is run by family and friends who offer flowers, vegetables and pumpkins (and Christmas trees) on a beautiful working coastal landscape.


In the autumn they hold a Fall Festival selling pumpkins, apples and sunflowers. ALL of the profits from the Fall Festival allow them to grow a diversity of high-quality organic vegetables for food-insecure members of the bay area community. These go to food pantries in communities that need them the most. For more information, check out their food donations program. In the winter they open their Christmas trees for you to choose.

Bring your family and friends for the most beautiful time of the year on the coast. Dogs are welcome too! Pick some pumpkins, cut some flowers, grab a peck of apples, make a fall wreath, have a picnic, take a swing on our swings, slide down the big slide, and enjoy their farm activities --all overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 


Admission includes: one car with up to 6 guests; 5 pumpkins (1 big, 2 medium and 2 small) of your choosing; 3.5 hours of activities (swings, slides, tractor rides, picnic tables and good vibes); Bounty of goods from our farm, including Big bunch of flowers, Bag of our own delicious farm grown apples Parking


Wreath making supplies and instructions, extra pumpkins, flowers, apples and pre-made wreaths will also be available for purchase.


Rancho Siempre Verde, 2250 Cabrillo Hwy (Highway 1), Pescadero, CA ~ 650.224.9103 ~ www.rsvtrees.com


September Calendar October


Capitola Beach Festival 2024, Saturday & Sunday, September 28 – 29, Join us! The community event will include a 3-Miler Fun Run hosted by the Wharf to Wharf, a Horseshoe Tournament, the Lighted Nautical Parade, a Fishing Derby, a Sand Sculpture Contest, the Chalk Art Event, a Concert in Esplanade Park, Rowboat Races and more! Join in on the fun at this free, family-friendly event! Details

Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parents, Thurs, September 26, 5:30-7pm, Details

Bird Walk at Wilder Ranch, Friday, 9am-12pm Details

Potter the Otter Adventures at MOD, Details

How much sleep do babies and kids need?

Rancho Siempre Verde Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch, Saturdays & Sundays 9am-4:30pm, Opens September 28, Join Rancho Siempre Verde’s family farm for our annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch! Bring your family and friends and come for the most beautiful time of the year on the coast. Dogs are welcome too! Pick some pumpkins, cut some 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. Highway 1 in Pescadero. Details

Elkhorn Slough Open House,Saturday, September 28, 10am-3pm, Join us at our annual open house. This year’s event will include a native plant fair, guided hikes, activities for kids, food truck, and more! Free admission and parking. Details

Rescue Readers at the Santa Cruz SPCA,  4 – 4:30pm; Tuesdays: September 26, October 10, 24, 31, November 14, December 5, 19 or Thursdays: September 14, 28, October 12, 26, November 2, 16, December 7, 21. Come read to our cats and dogs at the Santa Cruz SPCA! Details

Glass Pumpkin Patch at the Grange, Saturday & Sunday, September 28 & 29, 10am-4pm, Join us at the annual Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch, in the beautiful heirloom garden of the Live Oak Grange! The pumpkin crew at Chris Johnson Glass has been working all summer long to create a bountiful harvest of beautiful hand-blown pumpkins and gourds in every size and color. Locally grown and locally blown in our Davenport glass studio! This is a family-friendly, dog-friendly, and inclusive event, open to all art lovers and pumpkin enthusiasts. No purchase required. Details

Santa Cruz Fire Open House and Fundraiser, Saturday, September 28, 11am-3pm, Santa Cruz Fire Open House Fundraiser. Come meet your local firefighters and enjoy free fun with the entire family: raffle, music, dunk tank, jump house, live demos and BBQ fundraiser, Station 1 – 711 Center St. Details

Teddy Bear Clinic, Saturday 11:30am-1pm & 2:30-4pm, September 28, Check-ups are fun, not a bore, keep your teddy healthy to the core! 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

Tree Hike in Henry Cowell, Saturday, September 28, 3pm, Looking for a hike with a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed? We’ve got one for you here! Learn about different tree species. During this 1 mile walk, we’ll be chattin’ about a handful of trees that reside in the park, and giving you the tools you need to identify species during your future park visits. Beleaf us, it’ll be a great time! Details

Santa Cruz Elks Oktoberfest, Saturday, September 28, 3pm,

Join us for a festive event featuring traditional German food, craft beer by Discretion Brewing and live music by Alpine Sound. Lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged! Beer provided by Discretion Brewing will be available for purchase and the Lodge Bar will be open. All ages are welcome! There will be activities just for the kids. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. This is a fundraiser. All event proceeds will support the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc. (CHEMPI) which provides free therapy for children with disabilities. Details

Music at Skypark, Sunday, September 29, 3:30-5pm, The FREE community-wide outdoor “Music at Skypark” concert series features The Shady Rest Band 1:30 to 3pm, and headliner Extra Large 3:30 to 5pm. Scotts Valley Kiwanis Club is putting on this concert and dedicating all profits to the music programs at local schools. Plenty of food, wine, beer, kids’ activities, music and dancing for all!  Details

Arboretum Free Day, October 1, 10am - closing, The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is a conservation garden of rare, endangered and extraordinary plants from around the world. We are open daily, 9am to 5pm. Details

ALL SPCA PAWS Programs Tier 1 and Tier 2 Details

Free Day Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, October 6, 11am – 4pm, Hey! Free day! Pop-on by for a dose of nature connectedness. Access to the Museum is for everyone, which is why we offer free admission every month on the first Friday. Join us. Details

Sewing for Kids, First Saturdays 10:30am-12pm, October 5 – February 1, 2025, Join Sewing for Kids Downtown! Come make something special with us. A different hand sewing project is offered each month. For October, we are making Button Owls. No sewing experience needed. Recommended for ages 7-12. 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! September ~ October