A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
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Why
Why should we parents and our older children watch The US and the Holocaust? Why, because we are raising our children in difficult times --times of political divide, cultural conflicts, stress --a nit-picking time of "anti-everything," including anti-semitism. Click here for an example in our own backyard, Berkeley.

I’ve never understood anti-semitism, the history of anti-semitic perpetrators, nor present day anti-semitism, especially as it exists within our very own Congress and among segments of our citizens, left, right and center. I despair governments that practice genocide. We practice peaceful ways in our local circles of influence, yet are confronted with mass murderers in recent history and current affairs. It seems that wherever there has been an accumulation of power, humankind’s baser nature bursts forth.

Do we not learn from history?! Is being a peace loving person enough? What causes irrational hatred?

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries are sponsoring Ken Burn’s perspective on “The USA and the Holocaust” with a viewing and discussions. These are weighty matters for discussion. Learn more here and here.

Let's brush up on our history and bring age appropriate history to the dining table. Help our children understand that while awful things happen to people and we grieve at the tragedy, we are strong in the fight for right and must strive to overcome evil. We parents are raising next generations of world citizens and leaders. It's an awesome responsibility. Let's think deeply about the values we wish to impart.

Make family times meaningful, Parmalee
The U.S. and the Holocaust
Screening and Discussion January 26
Capitola Library
As International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Temple Beth El, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and Santa Cruz County United for Safe and Inclusive Communities partner to host this screening and group discussion.

Discussions will focus on lessons learned and how, only united can we eliminate hate and violence from society. Facilitated small-group discussion followed by report-outs will provide a framework for attendees to glean lessons from different parts of the documentary and how those lessons can be applied to fight hate here and now. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Attendees are encouraged to watch the entire 3-part documentary in advance of the discussion, which will air on local PBS Station KQED at 9pm on January 6, 13, and 20 and also will be available to stream on the PBS website now through February 3rd. At the Discussion event, we will watch a 40-minute screener from the series provided by PBS Books, which is supporting programming around the documentary for Libraries nation-wide.
A Man Called Ove
A friend recommended the book, “A Man Called Ove.” I reserved it and was #51in line for it. Fortunately it arrived during the recent holidays. At first I found it challenging to like the protagonist Ove, but the story was different and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. Now I’m well into it and am respecting and caring for Ove more and more.

It’s an affirmation of life and death, what’s important and not important, the ridiculous and sublime, stubbornness and forgiveness, laughter and tears, "karens" and kind people, young and old, different and “ordinary," of loneliness and community. Do read it. You may find it's exactly what you need in your life right now, or a resource to draw upon in the future.
Ask Nicole: Building Emotional Resilience
Positive Parenting Month
"It’s a new year, and time once again to celebrate all the parents and caregivers raising children and adolescents across our community. For the 11th year in a row, the County Board of Supervisors has partnered with First 5 Santa Cruz County to declare January 2023 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month, joining other California counties and the California legislature, which will pass a resolution declaring January 2023 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month across the state.

Raising children and youth to become healthy, confident, capable individuals is the most important and rewarding job parents and caregivers have, but sometimes it’s also the hardest job. That’s why proven strategies and support from programs such as the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are here to help.
Even in the best of times, stress shows up in our lives. Sometimes, it comes from day-to-day events like a big test at school or a high-stakes situation at work. Other times, it comes from major life events like a family split apart by divorce or the death of a loved one. The ability to cope with strong feelings in response to these events—whether they are routine or major—is called emotional resilience.

This year, throughout Positive Parenting Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the building blocks of emotional resilience. As adults, we can help children and teens learn and practice emotional resilience skills so that they can cope with stressful life events and emerge stronger and happier. When children and teens (and adults) have the tools and support to use positive ways of coping with strong feelings, they’ll be less likely to turn to negative ways of coping, such as acting out, using alcohol or drugs, or harming themselves.

So how can we help children and teens build their emotional resilience muscles? We can start by teaching skills in these six building blocks >"
An Invitation from Live Oak Grange
a Welcoming Community
"Dear Brother and Sister Grangers,

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year in which we see the light in the world grow brighter and the darkness grow dimmer.

Tuesday, January 3, 7pm will be our first Grange meeting of 2023. As the first order of business, we will install the newly elected officers beginning with our worthy brother Michael Johnson as president.

The Grange is a bottom up, grass roots organization in which every member in good standing has a vote and can make proposals for consideration. Let's ring in the New Year with fraternal kinship and unity.
We hope to see you there!"
K-12 Coastal Art & Poetry Contest
(Click on the fish!)
December Calendar January
Water’s Extreme Journey, Wednesday–Sunday, 10am – 4pm, through December 31, Water’s Extreme Journey is a hands-on, interactive maze designed by Minotaur Mazes. The Water’s Extreme Journey maze takes visitors on a wild role-playing adventure where they are transformed into a raindrop and challenged to stay clean.
Daughters and Sons of the Beach Ukele Jam, Saturday, December 31, 10am – 12pm, Strum Along on the beach behind the Crow’s Nest. Details
Happy Noon Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, 11am – 1pm, No need to wait until midnight – Ring in the New Year at NOON! Join us at the Live Oak Library for crafts, snacks, and a balloon drop as we count down to Noon! Details
Noon Year’s Eve for Kids, December 31, 12 – 1pm, MOD, Our oh-so popular Noon Year’s Eve celebration is happening again this year! We’ll have our timer counting down to noon-o’clock as well as a disco ball drop. And, if we get it just right like we did last year, a blast of paper confetti at the end. What a family-fun way to ring in 2023 with your little one! Details
First Night Monterey, December 31, Children 3 – 5:30pm; Adults until midnight, First Night Monterey, Monterey County’s premier New Year’s Eve Celebration Of The Arts is in its 30th year, and the event on New Year’s Eve 2022 promises to be the best one yet! This year’s theme celebrates 30 years of First Night Monterey ! Details
New Year’s Eve Organists’ Kaleidophone, Saturday, December 31, 4pm, Chocolate & Champagne Reception follows the concert.
Free / Donations are Appreciated. Details
Convivial Conveyances at Grace Episcopal Galleries, Now – Jan 8, 2023, Visit us for a festive exhibition of transportation models including a South Pacific Coast Railroad (SPCRR) Model on display in our community holiday exhibition at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum, Grace Gallery. Details
Ancestor Journeys with guest speaker, Gail Burk, January 3, 1 – 2:30pm, The Ancestor Journeys program will explore prompts to inspire genealogists to write a story about an ancestor’s journey. The journey might be geographical, circumstantial,psychological, or metaphorical. An ancestor’s journey may have been optimistic, adventurous, tragic, practical, religious, or interior. An ancestor may have experienced more than one type of journey. Details
Arboretum Free Day, First Tuesdays, 9am to 5pm. The first Tuesday of the month is free to non-members. The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is a conservation garden of rare, endangered and extraordinary plants from around the world. 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! January
ALL Farmers Markets and farm activities! Details