Growing Up Santa Cruz July 2021 by Growing Up in Santa Cruz

JUL 2021

COVER STORY THE SWEETEST JOB

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Editors' Note.................................4 Artist of the Month: Ava Barrett....5 Parenting: Reading.......................6 Ask Nicole.....................................7 Local News: Mental Health...........8 Local News: New Library..............9 Birth Matters................................10 Parenting: Baby's Musical Brain....11 Moms Who Make a Difference......13 Cover Story...................................14 Always Amused.............................17 Your Home...................................18 Tech Talk.......................................19 Special Needs Resource Guide......20 Local News: SC Montessori...........21 Local News: In Theatre.................21 July Celebrations...........................22 Coloring Page...............................26

Now Enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year!

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Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen

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Susan Bernstein CONTRIBUTORS

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LESSONS ★ CAMPS VOCAL • BANDS • PERFORMANCE

Music and Movement for families with children Birth to 8 years old.

REMOTE OR SAFELY IN-PERSON • AGES 4 TO ADULT BENATURALMUSICSANTACRUZ.COM ★ 831.515.8369 2

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

(831) 332-9002 | MusicalMe.com

Ava Barret, Patty Benson, Eric Chalhaub, Sue Doherty, Seb Frey, Laura Maxson, Luigi Oppido, Jeanette Prather, Suki Wessling, Nicole Young PHOTOGRAPHER

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Growing Up in Santa Cruz copyright 2021. Printed in the U.S.A. All views expressed represent those of the individual authors. The contents of this publication are meant as information only and should not take the place of a medical doctor’s recommendations. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise is prohibited without permission by the publisher. This publication does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. Growing Up is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

From parenting to local events to monthly guides and everything in between.

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GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

LOCAL ARTIST Ava Barret

Even small changes can make a BIG difference. Triple P is a scientifically-proven, world-renowned positive parenting program available to families in Santa Cruz County. Triple P strategies address a wide range of parenting challenges by providing a toolbox of easy-to-use tips. Find a full schedule of Triple P tips and classes at triplep.first5scc.org. This program is made possible through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (MHSA – Prop 63 funds) & Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

I n f o r m at I o n : first 5 Santa Cruz County 831.465.2217 triplep@first5scc.org • triplep.first5scc.org

You don't need to be good at art to call yourself an artist. My name is Ava Barrett, and I am an artist. I have been dancing at the tannery arts center for seven years. And I know what your thinking. What does dance have to do with these pictures I have painted? Well, dance is my main outlet for creativity. Recently I have been given fantastic opportunities to work with professional dancers to further my artistry. Within those seven years, I have seen tremendous growth in my body and mind, now onto the subject of painting. I took art classes as a kid but never really took them seriously until it became my elective freshman year. When I paint, I tend to do portraits. I paint a figure or a face and paint the background however I like. However, in my art class, I was challenged to play with concepts. I had never done this before after coming up with an idea. I began to paint. As I saw my image coming together, I couldn't help but get other meanings than what I wanted to show. I worried that what I wanted to say wouldn't be clear as more ideas popped into my head of what this painting could mean. I realized that art is subjective. So why worry about what others will think? And this isn't

Editors’ Note The minute I saw the help wanted ad, I knew we had to do a story about what looked like the sweetest job in Santa Cruz. Driscoll’s was looking for berry tasters, people to eat and review berries for one of the largest berry growers in the country.What?!!! Who wouldn’t want to do that? I was ready to apply for it myself.But it turns out, there’s more to it than eating and giving a thumbs up or down. It takes some real training in food science and developing your ability to describe and categorize tastes and two months of classes before they let you loose on the fruits. Only 25 percent of those who apply are picked (no pun intended). And, as strawberry scientist Jane Kostina told me, a lot of guests who visit their berry fields eat 10 or so and think, ok, that’s it, I’m done….but NOOOOO…a real berry expert has to eat a whole lot more than you can imagine. That’s just the start. The thing I’ve loved about being a lifelong journalist is learning something new every day. My mentor, Lacey Fosburgh, used to say if you aren’t learning something new as a reporter and loving it, you’d better find another line of work. I’ve had a long career of having my eyes opened and my visit to Driscoll’s

only in art. Dance is personal as well. What most people don't know is most of us go through a process when choreographing. We ask ourselves: What do I want to say with this piece. Through that, we determine the quality of our movement and how it portrays that message. And it doesn't need to be something profound to do this. We

don't need to worry about our art fitting into a specific category to be considered good. What makes us a good artist is our creativity and uniqueness. That is the one thing I have realized throughout my years as an artist. And I will continue to tell myself as I grow.

was a highlight.It’s amazing how much is going on right in our backyard that we don’t know much about. Jeanette Prather’s sweet cover story will take you somewhere you haven’t been, to one of the largest businesses in the world you probably know little about right now. PS: We got to sample strawberries that tasted like pink lemonade and were nothing like any berry I’ve eaten before. I really hope they sell those to the public sometime.

THERE’S SO MUCH MORE IN THIS ISSUE YOU WILL LOVE:

Music and your babies; how to leave your kids home alone; good works by local students; kid artists; Suki’s salute to great moms; the new Capitola library; major computer advice; theme park tips and a really funny cartoon worth putting on your refrigerator. Next month is our first of two Back to School issues and we’ve got a ton of information you will need to get prepared for summer’s end. Thanks for reading; enjoy and have a berry good time. Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford and Steve Dinnen

About the Cover We’re asking for help from our readers to keep us printing. VISIT OUR GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/keep-growing-up-publishing

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Unless you venture out north and south of downtown Santa Cruz, you might forget how important agriculture is to our community. One out of every eight jobs here is in farming and agriculture brings in $566 million a year to the county with strawberries in the top spot at $191 million; followed by raspberries at $142 million; nursery products at $64 million; flowers at $42 million and vegetables at $35 million.

We have 682 farms on 47,489 acres and are 22nd in the state for agriculture, not quite the Central Valley, but probably more than many realize. And you thought all we did was surf. Our cover story celebrates an internationally known local business, Driscoll’s Berries and takes you behind the scenes of a place with thousands of employees, scientists, pickers and berry tasters. GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

ASK NICOLE

PARENTING Reading This Summer

Tips for Leaving Kids Home Alone

More Important than Ever

BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW

“

If your child can read, he or she can learn anything. It’s really quite important. So get on the reading bandwagon this summer and let those skills flourish..

Summer is here and it’s time for fun in the sun. Yes. But, many of your children have been through the pandemic mill when it comes to their classroom experiences and they will need extra support to maintain their reading skills. Some children in primary grades have not had “normal” educational direct instruction for two years. While we all applaud the efforts of classroom teachers during this challenging time, even they know the instruction has not been optimal.But, don’t panic. With regular reading support over the summer, you can boost your child’s reading confidence and skill levels. Here are some ways to sharpen reading skills and make sure your child will be ready to soar next fall.



REVIEW THE BASICS

It may seem too simple, but do take the time to review all the letter sounds, vowel sounds and the sounds of

blends and digraphs (dr, br, tr, and ch, ph, sh for example). Sometimes errors slip into basic skills without our notice. Classic examples are the sounds w and y make as they are not phonetic. Then review things like periods and question marks at the end of sentences, characters and settings, and beginning, middle and endings of stories. Simple conversations about these as you read a book aloud will suffice. You might also talk about the structure of a book: cover, title page, table of contents, pictures and text, indexes and glossaries, etc. Children who are familiar with these have a deeper understanding of books and all they offer.



REVIEW STRATEGIES

Children need to have an arsenal of strategies at the ready when they get “stuck” in reading. It may be as simple as a reminder of a letter sound or vowel sound, but often they need to know how

to ask themselves a question or think about the context of the story.Parents can give prompts such as “What makes sense? What sounds right? What does the “e” do at the end of a word? Another good strategy is to go back and re-read or read on. Sometimes that solves the reading problem. Or find a part of the word that is familiar, for example dog in doghouse. Picture clues are a great help to young readers as they provide context and can help children anticipate what might be said. And finally, children need to know that if they’ve tried some strategies and still need help, it’s okay to ask for help. Reading is a complex skill and a bit like solving a puzzle. You can help kids be good thinkers as they read.



PRACTICE FOR FLUENCY

Young children are often so focused on decoding the words that they lose the rhythm and intonation of the words as they read. They sound like a robot. Give them the opportunity to gain fluency and “sound good” as they read. You can read a sentence and have them repeat it with good inflection. They can practice on a book they know well, and work on stopping at periods and making a question sound like a question.Focus on Comprehension Without understanding, reading can become an exercise in “barking at the moon.” Many early readers need help to think about the meaning of the words they read. Parents can enhance this process by asking questions, helping children make predictions (What do you think the dog will do next?) and having your child retell the story back to you

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

after reading it. A few minutes spent in previewing a new book, looking at the title, the pictures, identifying the characters and predicting what will happen in the story is a great way to focus on meaning. This is called a “book walk” and is definitely worth the time spent doing it. Retellings are a good way to evaluate your child’s understanding of a book. Do they include the beginning, middle and ending? Do they leave out a major element of the story? Do they understand why the characters did what they did or do they get why a story is funny or sad? Acting a story out with stuffed animals or other toys is another way to get to the heart of the meaning in the story.



PRACTICE

Nothing improves reading skills as much as…. you guessed it, time spent reading! It is vitally important that regular reading sessions take place over the summer months. A month is a very long time in the life of a young person and kids will definitely lose their hard-won skills if they don’t read for several months. Don’t think of reading as a chore or a punishment. It’s just a normal part of every day. Make it fun and plan some activities that relate to reading good books. Reward reading sessions with small treats. Choose a theme and read a series of books about it or join a local library or book store’s summer reading program. If your child can read, he or she can learn anything. It’s really quite important. So get on the reading bandwagon this summer and let those skills flourish.

As a working parent, summer vacation was always a mixed blessing when my kids were younger. It was a relief to have a break from the daily school routine, but figuring out a patchwork quilt of childcare and supervised activities was stressful (and expensive). The older they got, the harder it became to find affordable options that would work for both of them – and not require me to spend half of my working day getting them to and from their different activities. So it was a relief when they were old enough to be left alone, unsupervised – but deciding when they were old enough was not an easy, clearcut decision! Keep reading if this sounds like you. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@ first5scc.org. Dear Nicole, I’ll be working more hours now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, but I don’t have childcare or family members nearby, and we can’t afford camps. There will be some days when my partner and I have to work at the same time. Our kids are 10 and 11. Are they too young to be left alone, or am I worrying about nothing? - Terre

Dear Terre,

Like most parenting questions, the answer is, “It depends.” In addition to age, there are other factors to consider, including: • • • • • • •

Their maturity level, abilities, and how well they get along. How long they would be alone and the time of day or night. Whether you, your partner, or another trusted adult would be available in an emergency. How your kids feel about being home alone. Their ability to understand and follow family rules. Whether there are safety concerns that are difficult to prevent or plan for. How your kids react in emergencies or unexpected situations.

If your family decides the time is right, try these tips to help everyone feel ready and confident.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE

Make sure your kids know their full names, address, and important phone numbers. Review a list of people and numbers to call if they need help. If you know and trust your immediate neighbors, let them know your kids will be alone and ask if they can be a resource. reate a safety plan Remove or lock up medications, alcohol, tobacco products, weapons, or other dangerous items. Make sure you

have smoke alarms that work. Teach your kids how to use appliances and other kitchen equipment and have them practice while you’re there. Consider having your older child complete a Red Cross Babysitting Class and First Aid/CPR training.Talk with your kids about what to do in an emergency (e.g. earthquake, fire) or power outage, and what to do when a stranger calls or comes to the door. Have your kids take notes or repeat back the steps to take in each situation. Ask who they would contact for help and when they would seek help. Role play several situations so they can practice what to say and do. This builds the “muscle memory” that will help them stay calm and problem-solve in unexpected situations.

ESTABLISH FAMILY RULES.

Talk with your kids and agree on rules about screen time, chores, whether friends can come over, whether they can leave the house, and other important issues. Start with just a few rules and keep them simple. Have your kids write the rules down, then post them in a visible place.Schedule check-in times Make an agreement about when and how you’ll check in during the day (e.g., phone, text, video call). You might decide to check in more often in the beginning, then reduce the frequency over time.

review how things went when you return. Give descriptive praise for following the agreed-upon plan. Do this a few times and gradually stay away for longer or go farther away from home, until you all feel confident about leaving them home alone. Final Thoughts Deciding whether children are old enough to be home alone can make parents feel anxious and question their own judgment. However, we can prepare children and calm our own nerves by teaching them skills to be safe, responsible, confident problem-solvers. These are important life skills they’ll need anyway!  Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 17 and 21, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

DO A PRACTICE RUN.

Try leaving them alone for a short time as a “practice run.” Review the rules and safety plan before you leave, then GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

LOCAL NEWS

LOCAL NEWS A Focus on Mental Health for South County

The New Capitola Library

BY SUKI WESSLING

Bringing the Outside In

“

Luckily right now there’s a good amount of funding and will to make mental health a priority. For us, it’s one of those things that we knew could be beneficial, so this is an opportunity for us to do something we’ve always wanted to do, which is to make it more of a primary concern.

The pandemic hasn’t spared the southern half of Santa Cruz County, and no one has a wider view of this than professionals who work with families here. “In PVUSD almost twenty percent of students have lost a family member or someone close to them,” says Eric Ochoa. “It’s just shocking when you hear the actual number.” Ochoa has a unique perspective on the mental health of the students in Pajaro Valley. As Behavioral Health Director of the nonprofit agency Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA), Ochoa oversees a program that provides mental health services to every school in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD). Unlike the northern half of the county, which hosts numerous small school districts, PVUSD’s single district covers the southern half of the county as well as northern Monterey County. Although that structure presents its own challenges, it also allows an agency like PVPSA to provide a comprehensive program to support the mental health of South County students. PVPSA was established specifically to provide services to PVUSD, including on-site therapists and social workers,

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

drug and gang prevention training, and referrals to specialists.In acute cases, County Health can step in with its Mobile Emergency Response Team Youth (MERTY) service, which provides urgent crisis services to help stabilize youth. A new South County MERTY service was launched in April, further expanding youth mental health services in the area. “By having the mobile team, MERTY is able to respond to the youth in the community in the MERTY behavioral health mobile office and provide services to the youth in crisis,” explains Cassandra Eslami, director of community engagement for Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services.What are the needs? The pandemic has strained the usual modes of providing care to youth in crisis, at the same time as mental health has plummeted.“In mental health, we talk about how isolation is a necessary ingredient in all serious mental illness,” says Eric Ochoa. “To have people isolated on purpose and widely for a long period of time, you’re creating the conditions where it’s much more possible to have serious mental health problems. We’re experiencing higher

levels of depression and anxiety, more suicides and suicidal clients than normal.” During the school closures, PVPSA moved most of their services online, assigning students to counselors and therapists based on availability rather than location. They are in the process of shifting those services back to school sites, as well as developing a Wellness Center where students and families could seek a combination of services in one location. Cassandra Eslami says that they are seeing similar challenges at the County level. “Symptoms that have been most prevalent among youth are increases in social anxiety, loss of motivation, increase in family & caregiver conflict, loss of identity and difficulty adapting to new environments.” The County’s Behavioral Health team is also experiencing a flood of new cases as a result of the pandemic. “Some concerns regarding student mental health as they return to school fulltime are increase in Child Protective Service (CPS) reporting, social anxiety, suicide ideation/attempts that were not reported, bullying, and capacity to adhere to a ‘normal’ school schedule,” Eslami predicts.

A PROBLEM EXPOSED

Eric Ochoa says that the silver lining of the pandemic is that our society is finally paying attention to the lack of funding for mental health that had been a persistent problem. “Luckily right now there’s a good amount of funding and will to make mental health a priority. For us, it’s one of those things that we knew could be

beneficial, so this is an opportunity for us to do something we’ve always wanted to do, which is to make it more of a primary concern.” The South County MERTY is another example of new funding for mental health specifically suited to South County, which for years has had to wait for service to come from the north.“The MERTY team has extended experience in preparing for situations where there is family conflict, youth experiencing symptoms of psychosis, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, and selfharming behaviors,” explains Eslami. “The team [tries] to stabilize the youth in the community by providing resources, safety planning, and as a last resort psychiatric hospitalization.” On top of the increased calls for mental health support, Ochoa says that his agency is finding that you can’t separate the emotional and physical needs of their clients. “Especially in Watsonville, a lot of times there’s needs like shelter and food. We actually have staff that will bring food to people, find housing for people. We go beyond the therapy piece and give support for basic needs.” PVPSA has also created a grantfunded program to support students whose families have insurance and are not eligible for Medi-Cal, but have high copays or no coverage for mental health treatments. Such concerns often keep families from seeking mental health care that could prevent a more complex crisis.

BY SUKI WESSLING

“

The years of fundraising, wrangling over details, and suffering through closure and construction have paid off: the Capitola Library is open and it’s beautiful

PARENTS CAN ERASE THE STIGMA

Ochoa says that despite all the work that’s been done, the stigma of seeking help for mental health is still alive and well. And he says that the most important thing that parents can do is to support their children who seek help with their mental health. “Let the kids know that this is a courageous and admirable act to ask for help and it’s going to be met with encouragement and support and not any kind of judgment or negative connotation,” he advises. “There’s still that perception that mental health is somehow different from dental health or physical health, where you have a professional working with you on it on an ongoing basis.“If you have your dental health in order people respect you. If you have your physical health in order people respect you. But for mental health there’s still some people that look at it like, ‘why are you getting help with that?’ We need to make sure that we’re not perpetuating that stigma.”  Suki Wessling is a local writer and teacher and the mother of two grown children. Read more at SukiWessling.com.

The years of fundraising, wrangling over details, and suffering through closure and construction have paid off: the Capitola Library is open and it’s beautiful! Melanee Barash, Branch Manager, showed me around before opening day and I was astounded by the thought put into the project, which was designed by architects Noll & Tam. There were several important elements that they wanted to integrate: •

The old library was comprised of several portables joined together, and thus didn’t have a single large meeting space

•

Located in a seaside town, they wanted a non-cliché nautical theme and connection to nature

•

The library is used by so many different members of the community and its space had to reflect their needs

The result is a building built with you in mind, no matter who you are! The children’s section is large and beautifully fun, offering leaf-shaped seating set into the walls, child-height tables, computer desks, and book stacks, and a direct connection with the outdoor play area.

For popular events, the community meeting room’s walls can be opened so that the space flows together. Smaller study rooms can be open to the airy interior, or closed so that small groups or tutors can work undisturbed. And perhaps the crowning achievement here is the new Teen Room. “Before we had an aisle with books [for teens],” Melanee Barash explains. “We’re hoping, ‘If you build it, they’ll come.’ We have teen materials, cool spaces for them to sit and plug in, a whiteboard for them to do work.” Like the meeting rooms, the teen room is connected with the library’s interior, but can be closed off to contain noise. Standing in the interior near the fireplace, I pointed out that no matter where you are, the glass walls allow you to see the space as a contiguous whole, as well as always being connected with the trees and blue sky of the neighborhood. “It’s the modern library,” Barash says. “[Library staff worked] with the architects to design it not just for the modern now but the future, because this building’s going to be here for a while!” Visit the Capitola Library at 2005 Wharf Road or online at CapitolaLibraryFriends.org and SantaCruzPL.org.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM SUMMER READING PROGRAM PROGRAMA DE LECTURA DE VERANO santacruzpl.org/srp PROGRAMA DE LECTURA DE VERANO

santacruzpl.org/srp

June 1 - July 31 • 1 de junio - 31 de julio Earn a book and raffle entries for reading this summer. Complete activities to collect virtual badges and earn extra raffle entries. $10 Atlantis Fantasyworld credit upon sign-up for kids & teens! Gana un libro y entradas a la rifa por leer este verano. Completa las actividades para colectar medallas virtuales y entradas extras a la rifa. ¡$10 crédito de Atlantis Fantasyworld para niños y adolescentes al registrarse! The Watsonville and Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite all teens and adults in Santa Cruz County to participate in Book to Action. We have selected the book Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas and invite all to read the book and participate. Books will be available starting in May. Las Bibliotecas Públicas de Watsonville y Santa Cruz invitan a todos los jóvenes y adultos del Condado de Santa Cruz a participar en el programa Book to Action. Hemos seleccionado el libro Querida América: notas de un ciudadano indocumentado escrito por José Antonio Vargas e invitamos a todos a leer el libro y participar. Los libros estarán disponibles a partir de mayo.

GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

BIRTH MATTERS

PARENTING

Aiming High - Or a New Normal?

Your Baby’s Brain is Hooked Up for Music

BY LAURA MAXSON, LM

BY SUE DOHERTY where Dominican and Watsonville’s statistics include high-risk pregnancies. And although Sutter accepts higherrisk pregnancies than out-of-hospital midwives, Sutter doesn’t accept preterm or pregnancies with an increased chance of needing access to a level two nursery. Maternal mortality (death), and morbidity (illness/injury), preterm delivery, and low birth weight babies is increased through the influence of racial bias and inequities, which stress already vulnerable families. So let’s add recognizing and decreasing racial inequities in maternity care to our goals.

Doula Care

The birth community is breathing a sigh of relief as pandemic restrictions begin to lift. Getting back to normal sounds pretty good after the past year and a half, but why stop at normal? Families will be better served with higher goals – so let’s aim beyond normal.

Consider vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in Santa Cruz County.

(Note: families travel to our county because we have better VBAC options than others.) Studies show pregnancies following a cesarean should result in a vaginal birth about 70% of the time, with only 30% of attempted VBACs resulting in a repeat cesarean. Instead, in our community it’s the repeat cesarean rate that is over 70%. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends, “Most women with one previous cesarean delivery with a low-transverse incision are candidates for VBAC and should be counseled about VBAC.”

Are families given enough support to choose a trial of labor (VBAC) over a repeat cesarean?

The number of VBACs accomplished are reported in local county statistics, but not how many were attempted, so at this point we don’t know how many VBACs are attempted in Santa Cruz County. Our local hospitals’ VBAC rates appear to be around 25%. However, we can look at licensed midwives’ statistics for attempted VBACs in California because the Medical Board does track VABCs with licensed midwives in out-of-hospital settings. In 2019, of the 226 planned out-of-hospital VBACs in the state, 175 safely gave birth at home. Of those who did transfer to the hospital, 33 completed their births vaginally with only 18 repeat cesareans (less than 10%). Planned out-of-hospital births result in 90% vaginal births, compared with only 64%-74% vaginal birth rate in local hospitals. Of course, out-of-hospital births consist of low-risk pregnancies,

The positive effects of autonomy and personalized care provided by licensed midwives, not readily available in the hospital, can also be seen in doula care as they help bridge that gap in hospital care. Increasing VBACs, decreasing primary cesareans, and reducing effects of racial inequities may seem like lofty goals, but they could become more attainable with the passage of Assembly Bill 2258, Doula Care: Medi-Cal Pilot Program. Introduced by Assembly Members Reyes, Bonta, Limón, and McCarty (Coauthor: Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan), the Doula Care Bill addresses these issues and more by creating a program to pay for doula care through Medi-Cal. Language in the bill states, “Pregnant and postpartum people receiving doula care have been found to have improved health outcomes for themselves and their infants, including higher breastfeeding initiation rates, fewer low birthweight babies, and lower rates of cesarean births.” It is worth considering what is inherently wrong with a maternity system which necessitates an independent advocate to reduce unnecessary interventions to new parents and their babies. The Doula Care bill creates a doula advisory board to oversee the program, as well as a training program with core competencies for participating doulas. The three-year pilot program is proposed

Free Event!

Virtual Meet the Doulas Saturday, July 17, 4pm

Learn about how doulas support families through the birth and postpartum experience during our current COVID19 situation.

for fourteen California counties including Alameda, Sacramento, San Diego, and Solano counties (those with the highest burden of birth disparities). Medi-Cal programs in pilot counties would be required to provide information on the services of doulas and their availability to families. This is especially important, as there are care providers who either actively discourage birth doulas for their patients or discount their positive impact. The bill recognizes that part of a doula’s effectiveness is related to the advocacy and support that is provided to their pregnant clients. Pandemic restrictions eliminated most in-person doula care for families, with our county lagging months behind others in allowing doulas back into hospitals. A doula is a vital part of the childbirth community. Advocating for their clients can mean helping them to request options that aren’t generally available. It is not always comfortable for practitioners to be asked to do things a different way or to accommodate someone’s preferences that go against standard practices; it is, however, how changes to standard practice happen. Change does happen, though, and can feel very comfortable once fully adopted. What started with partners being allowed in the delivery room moved to births taking place in the labor room, and then babies remaining in arms after birth. Parents, doulas, and practitioners who advocate for change lead the way – and sometimes legislators become advocates, too.

DOULA BILL AB 2258 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient. xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2258 Birth Network Doula/midwife listings birthnet.org County Birth stats santacruzhealth.org/ Portals/7/Pdfs/2018%20BIRTH%20REPORT_ FINAL.pdf Licensed Midwives Stats mbc.ca.gov/Download/Reports/lmar-2019.pdf

Preregister to join our FREE LIVE ZOOM EVENT: BirthNetSantaCruz.EventBrite.com

One-stop-shopping for pregnancy, birth & parenting services

www.BirthNet.org 10

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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How do a baby’s senses begin to integrate, cooperate, and collaborate in the brain? Amazingly, newborns as young as 2 days old can decipher pitch. Rocking to the beat is innate. István Winkler and Henkjan Honing discovered that babies can detect the rhythmic beat in drumming-infused rock music. They believe that evolution may have favored brains wired to rock for learning purposes, and, he suggests: “music went along for the ride.” A baby’s brain is busy recognizing a pattern and making predictions relative to that pattern—if a prediction is faulty, it activates an error signal. Babies listen to our unique way of speaking to them, known as motherese or parentese. The distinguishing characteristic is the singsong emotive quality we place on our words. Infants can pick up vocal and non-vocal cues and patterns, which allows them to make sense of the general meaning of our words. Likewise, with musical perceptions, 5-month olds can tell apart an upbeat tune compared to a sad one. Moving to music in infancy can shape neural responses to musical rhythm and plasticity in neural networks. Weak connectivity between infants’ sensorimotor systems (e.g., auditorymotor-vestibular) and plasticity in the auditory system provides insight into perceptual preferences around musicmovement interactions. Jessica PhillipsSilver and Laurel J. Trainor tested seven-month-old infants at their baby lab at McMaster University in Canada. They discovered that the movement of the head and activating of the vestibular system, more than the limbs, cause

metrical encoding to occur. Even premature babies find enormous benefits from hearing live music being played or sung. Eleven hospitals did a collaborative music therapy study led by Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. They found it helped premature infants reduce stress and stabilize vital signs. Turning parents’ favorite tunes into lullabies calmed the preemies’ breathing and heartbeat, fostered greater ease while sucking, facilitated sleep, and encouraged alertness. Some hospitals participating in the study found that music therapy is a legitimate alternative to sedating, safer, and just as effective. All this, in turn, reduces parental stress and anxiety. Dancing is now recommended for the same reasons, it’s part of Mother-Baby Interaction Therapy. These benefits allow an infant’s much-needed energy reserves to go toward typical development. The calming effect the music therapists imparted has also been observed while just picking up a baby and moving. Research showed that infants under 6 months of age carried by a walking mother immediately stopped voluntary movement and crying. In addition, their rapid heart rate decreased, compared to being held by a sitting mother. Thus, the infant’s calming response to maternal carrying is a conserved component of mammalian mother-infant interactions. As one of the lead authors, Kuroda, suggests: “A scientific understanding of this infant response will save parents from misreading the restart of crying as the intention of the infant to control the parents, as some parenting theories— such as the ‘cry it out’ type of strategy—

Babies listen to our unique way of speaking to them, known as motherese or parentese. The distinguishing characteristic is the singsong emotive quality we place on our words.

suggest. Rather, this phenomenon should be interpreted as a natural consequence of the infant sensorimotor systems.” Indeed, the sensorimotor system is vital to our very consciousness. Sensory strategies or perceptual styles aid in our understanding of the neural mechanisms of self-consciousness. Attachment quality predicts individual differences in the onset of gaze following. For example, maternal postpartum depression predicts later gaze following. Kim Astor and colleagues found that this is driven by the infant’s motivation to interact and engage with others (the social-first perspective). Indeed, some scientists are calling for a paradigm shift that recognizes the importance of embodied cognition. So as we interact with our baby, perhaps dancing, our baby moves along with us. A self-identification unfolds because of social-emotional channels coupled with visual, gravitational, and vestibular sensory signals. As Christian Pfeiffer et al. conclude: “….the experienced direction of the first-person perspective depends on the integration of visual, vestibular, and tactile signals, as well as on individual differences in idiosyncratic visualvestibular strategies.” Our connective tissue, known as the facia, could be viewed as the largest sensory organ in your body. According to Dr. Arielle Schwartz, tissue contains 250 million nerve endings. This amounts to three times as many sensory neurons as motor neurons. The function of the fascia is to communicate information about what’s happening in your body to your brain. The tissues of the fascia are meant to expand and contract. However, Dr. Schwartz explains, “when we have experienced a physical injury or emotional trauma, we tend to shock, which restricts movement to ensure our survival. Simply put, we either move into either freeze (tonic immobility) or faint (collapsed immobility) responses.” For most people who grow up with sensory issues, their discomfort will diminish significantly or resolve on their own with maturation. However, Wendy Nash, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Child Mind Institute, explains that issues associated with autism tend to last longer but still show improvement. Some susceptible children may become overwhelmed by sensory input, which leads to avoidance. While other kids crave stimulation. These children intentionally seek stimulation; they might swing or spin around excessively or push into things (and

people). Others may yo-yo back and forth between seeking and avoiding various kinds of sensory input. For example, some children will want the pressure of sitting on a large ball, bouncing and twisting; they may like deep massagelike sensations or the weight of a heavily weighted blanket. Others will prefer dim light or don headphones to escape loud sounds or wear specific clothing with tags removed. The rubrics cube and squeezy objects help the fidgets. Also, mindfulness breathing practices, playing instruments requiring breathwork, or sucking into a straw may help calm the revved-up child. What if each school child had space in a cubby or locker with their own preferred supplies for self-regulation? Perhaps a weighted or unweighted blanket to be used during mindful sitting practice. All these points to the importance of recess and P.E. Physical fitness and regulation are lifelong skill sets. Maturation matters to the integration of sensory processing and social-emotional systems. The argument made is that learning sensorimotor contingencies is a core feature of development--forming the basis for active exploration of the world and body. According to Gustaf Gredebäck, there are 6 core developmental pathways children use to solve unique challenges; these include capacities for: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Simulating action allowing anticipation of activities, Controlling reaching and grasping, Exploring the self and the environment, Embodying error-based learning, Acquiring language by social engagement and Comprehending gestures.

In the end, nature and nurture co-mingle. DNA can predict traits like sociability, activity level, and emotionality--but they are not destiny. Personality is changeable throughout the lifespan. So, as geneticist Robert Plomin urges, find out what your child likes to do and help them do it.  Sue Doherty, M.A., is an anthropologist, mindfulness teacher certified through the Greater Good Science Center, U. C. Berkeley, and the author of Dancing With Your Baby— The Science of Nurturing Infant and Caregiver through Music and Movement (available at Bookshop Santa Cruz or Amazon). You can email: sue@ storiesmatter.com

GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

Camp GatewaY Gateway

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Unplug and Engage at Camp Gateway! Mini-maker Stations, Field Games, Gym Play, Crafting Corner, Science Sleuths,and much more!

Register today! Space is limited. gatewaysc.org/campgateway 2 week sessions starting July 12 through August 20 from 9:00am-3:00pm

BY SUKI WESSLING

Suki Wessling is a local writer and the mother of two adult children. You can read more at SukiWessling.com

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Welcome back to our monthly feature of moms who have faced the task of pandemic parenting while also continuing their work in our community. Research has shown that women have suffered greater economic and personal fallout from the pandemic, losing jobs or having to work while also caring for children.

Physical Therapist Jenny Putt Finds Covid Silver Linings

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JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

“It’s easy to miss so much of your child’s growth and development when you are a working parent, especially selfemployed,” says physical therapist Jenny Putt, mom to three-year-old Peyton. “I had no idea what I was missing by working all the time.” That’s Jenny putting a positive spin on the difficult position she found herself in last March. Jenny is an

orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist and massage practitioner— which means she works on people’s bodies with her hands. Clearly, her career seemed ill-suited to Zoom meetings with a three-year-old in tow. “When COVID first hit, I was the one who was fully responsible for her care,” Jenny explains. “As a person who is used to being busy with work,

momming, soccer, and time with friends and family in addition to needing alone time to recharge, this was quite a transition for me.” Like many moms, Jenny found that she had to balance a number of competing concerns in order to figure out how to return to work. “As I started seeing patients again, I could only work weekends when my husband could provide the childcare,” she remembers. “This took a major toll on our family, not being able to be a unit until the evenings. One of the hardest decisions was whether or not to put our kiddo in preschool back in August. Ultimately we decided the developmental benefit outweighed the risk of COVID exposure. I was able to work weekdays again and Peyton flourished being able to be around kids.” Jenny had to transition her work from in-person and hands-on to distanced online interactions. Although this seemed almost impossible to her at first, she was able to provide a different but still valuable service. She found that the added responsibility that patients had to take for their own health was not necessarily a drawback; it helped patients feel better faster and more permanently. “In so many ways, I have learned that telehealth and virtual programs are more

effective than in-person treatments. On the flip side I have also learned that nothing will replace human touch and being in the same room with people.” “Jenny is an example of strength, resilience, and innovation,” says friend Tina Somers. “She even developed an entire prenatal/postpartum program during the program that can be accessed remotely. Such an incredibly important resource for isolated mamas during this time.”As a mom, Jenny treasures the lessons that she learned being with her daughter during the quarantine period. “I’ve learned that my kid has so much to teach me with regards to her fascination at the simplest things and her unconditional love for the people and animals around her. She has taught me how to be present.” And Jenny, like many of us, feels that she has grown as a person during this time. A classic ‘busy person,’ she thought she was thriving in her fast-moving life. “I learned that slowing down, while uncomfortable for me, is totally necessary,” Jenny reflects. “It gave me the space to ask myself what I want for my life and time to plan the necessary actions to attain it rather than just being along for the ride of whatever comes my way.” GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

BY JEANETTE PRATHER

 Jeanette got her BA in journalism, French, international studies, and dance at Cal State, Long Beach circa 2007. Since then, she has published thousands of articles and blogs from zines to dailies to traditional glossies, as well as four books, and six musicals. She runs a local business, Stellaria Creative Company, and resides in Santa Cruz with her husband and two children.

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The Sensory Panel team at Driscoll’s is composed of seven individuals who went through an extremely specific three-month training for flavor analyzing before moving on to testing and evaluating the berries, is one of the many steps that Driscoll’s takes to ensure that its berries meet the standard of “Only the Finest Berries.

A Day-in-the-Life of a Driscoll’s Strawberry

Who knew that one strawberry could yield hundreds of taste testers, a plethora of scientific analysis, as well as a cascade of careers? For Driscoll’s, the Central Coast’s centuries old and family-owned berry farm, this is not just a far-out question but rather just a day-in-the-life of your average Driscoll’s strawberry. “I’m enjoying my second career at Driscoll’s!” said Bob Fisher, a current Sensory Panelist as well as a former sales representative at Driscoll’s. “I retired after 20 years from the sales department, wanted to get out of the house, and then tested to become a Sensory Panelist.” That means his days are spent eating berries. Lots of them! “Our Sensory Panelists go through a pretty rigorous screening process and maybe 25-percent of applicants will proceed to becoming a panelist,” said Driscoll’s Descriptive Analysis Director and “Joy Maker” Henry Yeung. The Sensory Panel team at Driscoll’s is composed of seven individuals who went through an extremely specific three-month training for flavor analyzing before moving on to testing and evaluating the berries, is one of the many steps that Driscoll’s takes to ensure that its berries meet the standard of “Only the Finest Berries.” The company is seeking more berry tasters for the sweetest job in Santa Cruz. (Check driscolls.com)

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

The Watsonville-based company has more than 2,000 employees and grows in 21 countries on five continents and sells in 48 countries. It lays claim to $2 billion of the U.S’s $6 billion berry market. It was founded in 1849 by J.E. "Ed" Reiter and his brother-in-law, R.F. "Dick" Driscoll. It mostly sold strawberries until the 1980s when it added a rainbow of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries sold in the one-piece “clam shell” boxes it's known for. Prior to landing on a tray in front of the panelists (in addition to the Driscoll’s employee-appointed panel), a berry might see its DNA bred and even rebred throughout seedling fields over the course of multiple seasons. “Each berry holds approximately 200 seeds,” said Jane Kostina, Driscoll’s Strawberry Trade Specialist. “And every single one of the seeds will be a plant in the seedling area: siblings from the same family of characteristics. Strawberry runners produce daughters that basically clone themselves (which we like) and then the nursery maintains that, so we keep getting the same quality of berry from the parent plant.” Cuttings are taken from an original selected seedling and grown in the germfree environment of Driscoll’s screen houses. From there, the seedlings are planted and grown in nursery fields, a process that can take several years.

The science behind it is a fascinating balance between precision and nature. “We pick two plants that we like the traits of the most, and/or they have complimentary aspects to one another, and add pollen from one to the other,” said Global Plant Breeding Director of Strawberries, Philip Stewart. “Because the flowers are both male and female, we take the outer, male parts off of the flower, and then sprinkle the pollen onto the center of the now-female flower. “At roughly one million berries grown per acre per year, Driscoll’s probably comes close to 12 billion berries per year,” continued Stewart. Among these, Driscoll’s might see 250 varieties of strawberry types with traits the company is interested in, not all of them with the intention for commercial sale. “If there are traits that we like in those strawberries, we might breed them back into commercial stock,” said Stewart. “It can be a four- or five-year process to knock the thousands of strawberry variations down to two or three varieties,” added Yeung. Some of these non-commercial grade strawberries within Driscoll’s grazing plot, includes the greenish white Vesca strawberry that is a cross between a Hawaiian and Pakistani wild strawberry grown in the northern hemisphere with a sour, tangy flavor, as well as a Japanese variation berry that maintains a sweet taste and is aesthetically beautiful. “Some of the more unusual flavors can be isolated to test if they’ll work within Driscoll’s standards, which maintains a consistent and predictable brand,” said Stewart. “Sometimes you get a type of flavor; earthy vs. sour vs. bitter,” added Fisher. “Was it a drawing flavor? Did it cause you to pucker? Was it too seedy? These are all factors.” Another non-commercial strawberry variation is the popular unnamed wild strawberry from a beach in Santa Cruz County that maintains a light color and tastes like pink lemonade (which a blindfolded amateur taster might not even guess is a strawberry and is something no consumer has yet tasted). To ensure their fields are organic, Driscoll’s also harvests insects with a giant rolling vacuum machine, rather than using pesticides. “Driscoll’s doesn’t stray too far from

their standards of what constitutes a perfect berry,” said Kostina. “There are many factors that include its heart shape, the berry’s sweetness, density, and even the harvestability. You don’t want the berry to be covered by a bunch of leaves because that takes too long to find and pick. Also, the way that the berry comes off the runner matters. You don’t want the inside of the berry to come out when you pick it, you want it to come off the vine naturally. The berry should have seeds that aren’t too raised, nor the neck of the strawberry too long, for example.” Kostina demonstrated the technical way to extract a strawberry from its grey plastic runner as cupping her hand upwards to

the sky with the strawberry resting in her palm, and then giving it a slight twist as she pulled the strawberry off the vine. “If it doesn’t come off easily, it’s an automatic fail.” According to Kostina, some of the older berry varieties tended to be smaller with more complex flavors, while some of the newer, larger berries taste fresher and sweet with more aromatic qualities. “It’s not true that the darker berries are more pungent than lighter berries,” she added. An average day in the field tasting berries can lend itself to at least three pounds of fruit consumed. “In some places in Europe they eat berries that are almost orange.” A good example of not judging the berry by its color, comes from Driscoll’s special edition Rosé Berries™. “Our Rosé Berries™ have a unique, complex flavor that will heighten your summer berry dishes. The blush color comes from a natural blend of light and dark berries mixed with the power of the sun,” says their PR department. “Rosé Berries™ contain sweet, peachy notes capped off with a soft, floral finish that’s as delicate as a rose. Plus, their smooth, silky and creamy texture perfectly complements a hot, summer afternoon.” The limited series berry maintained a pink-to-yellow gradient color reminiscent of a retro beach party mid-summer. “It’s sweet and a bit tropical,” said Stewart. “This berry contains the standard Driscoll’s variety with a French variant that produces a grape flavor in the background.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR A DRISCOLL’S STRAWBERRY?

The 25,000 strawberry seedling variants (which can include seedlings from Florida, Mexico, Europe as well as other parts of California, and can crossbreed among the geographical locations) are flagged to pass, be further assessed, or fail, which brings the total number of seedlings moving to stage one, to 250 variants. “A year after we’ve selected the 250 varieties, we’ll choose 25 more, and then narrow it down further to five or six plants,” said Kostina. “The following year we’ll choose maybe two or three plants that we’ll look at patenting. The various stages throughout the various years overlap each other.” The stage-one passing berries get a yellow flag, berries not passing on get a red flag, and those needing to be reassessed get a blue flag, which puts it through a thorough Driscoll’s-created internal app that details a lot of scientific information and statistics, as well as another round of plant aesthetics, health, shape, and size, to name a few categories. “We pull the info from the app weekly for seedlings to move on to stage one,” said Stewart who monitors the berries with an iPhone app. Within the non-fumigated stage one test plot, about 25 plants will move on to stage two, which involves them performing within Driscoll’s’ growers’ fields. “From stage two through commercial, we might see 40 plant plots

with several per variety,” said Stewart. “This is where we receive detailed flavor analysis and tests that go out to a large number of people. A typical year will see 70,000 strawberry tastings (one year we had 100,000 tastings!).” This is the phase where Driscoll’s’ newly adopted Sensory Panelist team gets to put their hundreds of hours of rigorous taste training to the test. “We really try to pull out their odor memory, and now they’re experts in flavor extraction,” said Katherine Phetxhumphou, Driscoll’s Descriptive Analyst. “Their sensory acuity is much better than the average consumer because of the training they’ve gone through.” Berry tasters first taste all kinds of things you’d find on a spice rack and supermarket shelf, including garlic and pepper and have to learn to describe them. In some food businesses, such as coffee growers, tasters are highly trained and well-paid and are often poached by the competition, said Yeung. Driscoll’s prefers a more democratic approach by training a larger number of tasters and treating them like family so they will enjoy working there. “I was just on a trip to see relatives in Portland and in Seattle, and the reality was that I would taste things at their various homes, picking out some specific flavors that I wouldn’t have asked about or been able to even talk about a year ago,” said Fisher. “Being a Driscoll’s

Sensory Panelist has made me more acutely aware of the flavors in food, the intricacies, and the heightened level of awareness when it comes to flavor. “They have an array of flavors varying from different fruits to umami (synonymous with many Asian foods). For example, a berry might not just taste like an apple, but perhaps an apple and kombucha. It’s really about narrowing down the flavor profile,” continued Fisher. “I’ve since learned that’s an essence of some of the berries; a certain savory aspect that I never would have affiliated to this particular flavor. A lot of us in the group are learning about the balance between savory, sweet and even more in regards to flavor. It’s interesting to see how we’re moving these markers to breeding so that the consumers get what they want.” From crop to clam shell (the official name of a strawberry container), these berries make quite a journey that varies between terrain and tester, all things considered. “Driscoll’s takes into consideration all elements within the farming process,” said Yeung. “Everything from the harvest to flavor to consumer are all factors.” “The song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ is so ominous to me now,” laughed Kostina. “I get so tired of strawberries at the end of the day, but then I wake up the next morning excited and ready to go.”

GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

Youth & Family Counseling

ALWAYS AMUSED Getting Back in the Water South Bay Shores Highlights New Water Parks BY ERIK CHALHOUB

Comprehensive mental health and substance use counseling services

Medi-Cal & low-cost services offered Bilingual telehealth and in-person group, individual and family sessions available

Call for your free screening! 831-429-8350 www.encompasscs.org/youth_ services_counseling

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE

Creating a more peaceful world through education.

Growing up, I used to be very timid when it came to trying a different theme park attraction. I was even nervous about riding the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, even though I had ridden it many times before. But once I went on my first upsidedown roller coaster at age 18 (I was a late theme park bloomer), I haven’t looked back since. I’ll try any ride at least once. I’ve even been on a slingshot-type attraction as well as a “skycoaster” before, no problem. Yet, when I look at the seven-story Shark Reef Plunge inside California’s Great America’s newly opened water park, I feel that old hesitancy come back. The new water park has been open for a month, yet I still haven’t tried it. That’s unheard of for a park nerd such as myself.

Ultimate thrill-seekers, this one’s for you. I’ll be there. Eventually. Endless opportunities await your student at Kirby School. Visit kirby.org and contact our Admissions team to learn about our Test-Free Application process and to schedule a tour. Kirby School 425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 KIRBY.ORG 831-423-0658 admissions@kirby.org

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

GREAT AMERICA

Great America’s former Boomerang Bay is getting its largest investment in its history, 14 years after the last new attraction opened. The expanded water park has been transformed into South Bay Shores, increasing its acreage from 10.5 to 15 acres, and adding seven new water attractions, including four drop slides, two tube slides, and a new lagoon area. Guests will also enjoy new

and upgraded food and merchandise locations, upgraded cabanas and a sandy beach play area. The aforementioned Shark Reef Plunge is part of the impressive Pacific Surge complex, a colorful maze of tube, body and raft slides that is the star new attraction of the park’s renovation. With Shark Reef Plunge, riders step into an enclosed tube, and once in position, the floor drops out from underneath them, plummeting them down a near-vertical free fall as they twist and turn their way through the tube. Great America officials say the park is themed as the “Bay Area’s newest quirky seaside town,” and add that much of its inspiration was from the city of Monterey. You’ll see bright artwork everywhere, created by Lacey Bryant, and numerous funky touches scattered throughout, such as a bicycle that was transformed into a mailbox and a buoy that sprays water in the kiddie pool. There’s also plenty of options to take a break from the water. The new restaurant Pier 76 Cafe cooks up offerings such as fried shrimp, fish tacos, hand-breaded chicken tenders, sliders and waffle fries. Shaded outdoor seating is available as well. Great America also overhauled the existing attractions with new paint, names and other additions. To view all the new attractions at

South Bay Shores, visit cagreatamerica. com/explore/south-bay-shores.

MORE NEW WATER ATTRACTIONS

Speaking of water parks, there’s a new one in the Central Valley’s Manteca. The new 500-room Great Wolf Lodge Northern California features a 95,000-square-foot indoor water park with a 45,000-square-foot Great Wolf Adventure Park that features an array of indoor attractions. At one point in 2017, Great Wolf Lodge was interested in opening this park in Gilroy, but negotiations fell through. Great Wolf Lodge also marks the return of a water park in the city of Manteca, after Manteca Waterslides closed in 2004. Fun fact: Two of the slides at Great America (now called Reef Racer) used to be located in Manteca.

themes, such as Tea Party or Pirates. Guests can also sign a giant birthday card, as well as take part in other activities. For information, visit gilroygardens.org.

SAVE THE DATES •

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The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will celebrate National Carousel Day on July 25. The first 100 riders on the Looff Carousel (marking its 110th anniversary) will receive a brass souvenir carousel ring. National Roller Coaster Day returns to the Boardwalk on Aug. 15. The first 100 riders on the 97-yearold Giant Dipper will receive a Boardwalk souvenir cup.

For information, visit greatwolf.com/ northern-california.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Gilroy Gardens was supposed to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2020, but we all know how that year went. So now, the park kicked off its 20th birthday celebration on June 26, three days after its own water park, Water Oasis, opened for the season. A colorful clubhouse stage has been constructed near the park’s entrance, featuring daily live shows. Patios throughout the park will have different GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

TECH TALK

YOUR HOME Are Real Estate Sales Slowing Down?

Mac vs PC

BY SEBASTIAN FREY

BY LUIGI OPPIDO

Valerie Mishkin Realtor® 831.238.0504 | 831.426.4100 Cal Dre# 02092111 VMishkin@BaileyProperties.com ValerieMishkin.MyHomeHQ.biz

JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, you may be paying particularly close attention to the headline news about real estate. If so, you may have seen some news stories about a cooling real estate market. Many of these stories were based off a report from Redfin, showing somewhat declining sales activity, coast to coast. But all real estate is local, so national trends aren’t necessarily reflected in our local real estate market. But even locally, today we are seeing a modest decline in homes going under contract, and homes sold in June, compared to March, April, and May. This has a lot of potential homebuyers and sellers asking questions. Does this mean the sky is falling? Have sellers missed the market? Is the great real estate “correction” coming, and the bubble about to burst? Will we be seeing a downturn in pricing here in Santa Cruz, and surrounding areas? I don’t think so. I think this is largely seasonal. I always tell people that we really have two “big” markets here: spring, and fall. We normally see a lot of sales in March, April, and May, with fewer in June, July, and August. Then the market roars back to life for September, October, and the first part of November, before things get a bit quieter over the holidays. I think this seasonality may be especially pronounced this year, because vacation season last year was essentially wiped out. Very few people went on any kind of vacations last year. This year, it seems that everyone who can is trying to get out of town. My Facebook feed is full of people in Hawaii, Costa Rica and Mexico. When they’re there, they’re not here, buying houses. Of course, this is purely anecdotal. I know that many readers of this column will feel that the robust strength of the real estate market is a mirage, fueled by low interest rates, forgiven PPP loans and stimulus checks. You may be thinking this “softening” is just the tip of a melting iceberg, and soon we’ll be awash in lowercost real estate. I hear that too, and of course, economic factors such as these are part of the equation. However, I’m firmly in the camp that believes we’re seeing a generational shift in the real estate market, as millennials - America’s largest

generation - ramp up their buying power and appetite for real estate. Speaking of economic factors, back in June, there was an article on Bloomberg with the headline, California Defies Doom with No. 1 U.S. Economy and the subheading which said, “The Golden State has no peers when it comes to expanding GDP, raising household income, investing in innovation and a host of other key metrics.”Go ahead and search Google for that article. The article claims that California has the best “post-COVID” economic performance of any industrialized nation in the world, excluding China. California is creating new jobs, and increasing pay for existing workers, faster than just about anywhere. I believe it’s important to look at the overall trends and dynamics before reading too much into any reporting on the real estate market. It can be very misleading to look at a single month or quarter of data and make any assumptions about longer term trends. Even so, what’s being reported shouldn’t just simply be ignored...so what does this “dip” in the real estate market mean for you? Well, if you’re planning on selling, it means that you really, REALLY can’t just put whatever price you want to on your home and expect it will sell. In this market, and any market, the best strategy for most homes is to price them slightly under what you expect it to sell for, and let the market dial in the price precisely, as it always does. If you’re planning to buy, the market “softening” is unequivocally good news. There may be just a teeny tiny bit less competition out there while people are off enjoying summer, and so your odds of actually being able to find a home in your price range and a bidding war you might actually win have improved, if only slightly. Nobody has a crystal ball; there’s no way to know for sure what the future will bring. But we can observe what’s happening now and make educated forecasts for what the future holds. One current trend which is dramatically affecting Santa Cruz is remote work. Notably, both Google and now Apple have said that going forward, employees will only need to be in the office three days per week, making a longer-distance commute much more bearable. Locally, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has announced that half of its employees will likewise be able to work from home two days per week. The trend is clear, and it’s happening now, and Santa Cruz County, due to its proximity to the greater Bay Area, is in the crosshairs. Crazy as it may seem, this summertime “lull” in the real estate market may be your best shot at becoming a homeowner in Santa Cruz for the foreseeable future.

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Let’s start with the differences. Both machines are virtually the same inside. The same components live inside both machines just like any other computer, Ram, CPU, hard drive etc. The difference starts with the operating system and the functionality and communication of those components, and of course, what you can do with them! modelers because of their flexibility and customization.

4 No modeling and light gaming Macs have never been engineering machines and a lot of 3D modeling programs don’t function on a Mac. Most popular video games play better on PCs. 4 Affordability. A PC can be built to the exact same specs as a MacBook or MacBook Pro and cost 2/3 the price or less! Since the components can come from a myriad of different companies instead of only one, costs can go down and you still can get the quality and performance you’re looking for.

This question plagues the computer user every time the trigger needs to be pulled on a new machine. What do I get? Mac or PC? And why? Common today, Macs are mostly found in laptop form and run the Apple operating system called OSX or OS11. Microsoft computers called PCs normally run Windows based operating systems and are usually more prevalent in desktops but also exist as laptops. (The operating system is the program that runs every component and every other program on your computer) You can buy either type of computer in either type of form factor (laptop or PC) but why go one way over the other? Let’s start with the differences. Both machines are virtually the same inside. The same components live inside both machines just like any other computer, Ram, CPU, hard drive etc. The difference starts with the operating system and the functionality and communication of those components, and of course, what you can do with them! Both machines can fundamentally do the same things. They both go online, they both allow you to type, print, get email, output to multiple monitors, but Windows will accomplish some things better than Macs can and vise versa.

MAC (+)’S- USER FRIENDLY-NESS.EASE OF USE AND A QUICK LEARNING CURVE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A REASON TO PICK A MAC.

5 Graphics displays! Retina screens are Apple’s flagship displays. They have bright true color for graphic designers and photographers, hence why Macs have always been the choice of the artist or designer. 5 They’re pretty. Usually, Macs are nice to look at and have heightened design aspects. 5 Connectivity between the Apple world. Apple devices talk almost seamlessly with other Apple devices (phones, AirPod earphones, displays, AppleTV, airplay devices, and other products Apple produces) making setup easy and quick.

MAC (-)’SPLANNED OBSOLESCENCE. APPLE HAS TOTAL CONTROL OVER ITS MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCT LINE AND EVERY COMPONENT THAT GOES INTO A MAC. THEREFORE THEY CAN TELL WHEN THEIR OPERATING SYSTEMS WILL NOT WORK AS WELL ON SOME OF THEIR OLDER MACHINES AND PLAN FOR THEM TO NOT ALLOW AN OPERATING SYSTEM UPGRADE. THIS FORCES THE CONSUMER INTO A PURCHASE OF A NEW MACHINE POSSIBLY BEFORE THE MACHINE SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAR OR SLOWING DOWN. 4 Windows still has a huge market share of the computing platform in the world. The software library available for Mac is still large, but less than that of a PC.

4 Marketshare - As stated above, Windows still holds the top spot and is the most widely used operating system in existence. Software is developed for Windows before is developed for anything else. If you need a piece of software that might be odd or unique, most likely it’s designed to run on a PC. 4 Gaming and Engineering - PCs are mostly modifiable (desktops and some laptops) so upgrade that graphics card! Put more Ram in! Get a better wifi card! Upgrade and customize for your particular application. PCs are the go-to for gamers and engineers/parametric

PC (-)’SPCS CAN BE LESS USER FRIENDLY. THEY CAN TAKE A BIT MORE TIME TO GET USED TO, OR TO GET THINGS WORKING IF YOU HAVEN’T USED A COMPUTER IN A WHILE …OR EVER! 4 Value for later sale. While some components can hold their value, Macs have a higher resale value than PCs.

So who wins? What do I buy? Mac or PC? The debate will go on till the end of time. Only you will know which will suit your needs. Take your newly found knowledge and go forth! The world of computing awaits! Luigi Oppido | Owner/Technician | Pleasure Point Computers | 1824 Soquel Ave. STE-B |Santa Cruz, Ca 95062 |Phone: (831) 464-2220 |Luigi@PleasurePointComputers.com | PleasurePointComputers.com Listen to the Computer Man Show! Every Tuesday night from 6 to 7 PM on 90.7 FM KSQD, and KSQD.org. Send your questions to editor@growingupsc.com and we’ll get them answered!

We want to know what you

think

Direct Message us on Instagram @GrowingUpSc GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE GUIDE Adaptive Yoga Project

Cerebral Palsy Group

adaptiveyogaproject.com

cerebralpalsygroup.com/cerebral-palsy/ Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries. Our team was created so we can provide answers and all types of assistance needed to help improve the quality of life for loved ones and family members with cerebral palsy.

Autism Family Network Santa Cruz

Autism Family Network Santa Cruz is dedicated and committed to “Bridging the Gap” within our communities for those individuals on the Autism Spectrum and those with Special Needs by providing education, resources, special events, public awareness, acceptance and inclusiveness for all. Birth Injury Justice Center

855-244-5350 childbirthinjuries.com The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 10% of all babies born in the U.S. were born preterm in 2017. Babies who are born premature (weighing less than 3 ⅓ pounds) are up to 30 times more likely to develop mental or physical disabilities caused by a birth injury. Many birth injuries are the result of medical negligence before, during and after labor and delivery. Learning the causes, signs and treatments for birth injuries can empower and guide you as you take action to help your child. Blind Babies Foundation

888-400-4522 juniorblind.org Blind Babies Foundation has been providing critical early intervention and education services to infants and preschoolers in Northern California who are blind or visually impaired since 1949. The program’s family-centered services are provided in the homes of the families we serve, encouraging every child’s development to the fullest degree possible with careful attention to their individual abilities and needs. California Children Services Program (CCS)

831-763-8000 California Children Services (CCS) is a statewide program that arranges, directs, and pays for medical care, equipment, and rehabilitation, when these services are authorized by the program. CASA of Santa Cruz County

We need caring adult volunteers to speak up for the best interests of children who have been abused or neglected. A CASA volunteer spends time with his or her child each week, gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. CASA volunteers also work with attorneys and social workers. They review records, research information, and talk to anyone involved with the child, including parents, extended family members, doctors and teachers. Learn more at casaofsantacruz. org and click on “Volunteer”.

20 JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Cerebral Palsy Guide

844-229-7402 cerebralpalsyguide.com Cerebral Palsy Guide shares information about the treatment, therapies, and support that is available for those with CP and their families. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

cff.org The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full, productive lives by funding research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to highquality, specialized care. Early Start

844-700-9889 An early intervention program for children from birth to 36 months of age who have disabilities or are at risk of having disabilities. The Epilepsy Foundation

epilepsy.com Head Heart Hands Healing 406 Mission Street, Suite E Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-345-3140 headhearthandshealing.com Aurore Sibley, M.S. Ed, CST-T offers craniosacral therapy for all ages, as well as educational support through an individualized combination of Waldorf extra Lesson and remedial education. It is her passion to support the development of the whole child. im Booth Swim School

Santa Cruz at Harvey West Pool and Watsonville at Duncan Holbert Pool 831-722-3500 jimboothswimschool.com At Jim Booth Swim School our comfortable 94° pools have always made swimming fun and enjoyable. When possible, we try to include all swimmers in our small group lessons. For those who need a caregiver, our recreation swim is free of charge to visit and enjoy the benefits of the pool. For more information call 831-722-3500. Jacob’s Heart

Children’s Cancer Support Services

LOCAL NEWS 831-724-9100 jacobsheart.org We provide family-centered care that addresses the emotional, practical and financial struggles for families of children and teens during treatment, families experiencing anticipatory grief and those who are bereaved. Lichen Oaks Adaptive Riding Center

9115 East Zayante Road, Felton 831-335-2347 info@loarc.net to make an appointment Our goal is to provide a caring program designed with individual needs in mind to effect positive change. We have seen the therapeutic results of working with horses and believe that our therapeutic riding program can help persons with these special needs meet personal goals – be it living more comfortably in the body they have, or improving their mobility or communication capabilities. Miracles Santa Cruz

Contact: Steve Ferro @ 831-325-5685 Miracles Santa Cruz is a performing arts troupe for young adults and adults with special needs. We rehearse January thru May on Monday evenings at Hope Services downtown and perform in May or June. Everyone is invited to join us whether as a performer or a volunteer. Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc.

Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County Call/Text: 831-332-9002 registrar@musicalme.com musicalme.com Discover your family’s rhythm! Make music an exciting & enriching part of your child’s life. In our weekly classes, babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups who love them come together for 45 minutes of fun-filled, learning-filled, bonding-filled family time. Our classes are all about relaxed, informal music-making for the whole family, regardless of age, stage, or learning style. Because the things we do in class are developmentally appropriate for all participants, you and your child with special needs are always welcome to join our warm and inviting community of singing, dancing, instrument playing families. Our Mixed-Age classes include children from birth through age 5, so most of them are at different stages of development. All learning styles are respected, and regardless of age or stage, all children are encouraged to participate in their own way. We can help your child grow into a confident music-maker while also tapping into all the developmental benefits that music brings. As you discover fun ways to play with music and rhythms both in & out of class, you’ll be supporting your child’s music-learning and overall development. Classes are offered throughout the year, with a new song collection each season. Contact us today and bring the joy of music into your family’s life. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Santa Cruz Chapter

namiscc.org/ Parents Helping Parents

php.com/ Pediatric Therapy Center

1940 Bonita Dr., Aptos (831) 684-1804ptc-sc.com pediatric therapy center aptos At Pediatric Therapy Center our occupational and speech therapists use

a creative collaborative approach to encourage learning and growth offering motivating and purposeful opportunities to further develop confidence. Each adventure at our clinic is client-driven and must entail a high fun-factor. We celebrate each individual – their interests, passions, and gifts. Individual sessions and peerbased programs are designed to build independence and self -esteem in client’s everyday roles and activities. We feel having opportunities for problem-solving and adapting is an important part of the learning process to build motor skills, motor planning, sensory processing, regulation, social interactions, communication, food tolerance, and play. Ride a Wave

rideawave.org Ride a Wave’s mission is to give children with special needs the chance to feel the thrill of riding a wave and experience a safe, fun-filled day at the beach, whether they are physically, developmentally or economically challenged. The Santa Cruz Playground Project

santacruzplaygroundproject.org Bringing the community together to build an inclusive playground for all our children. Scotts Valley Library Special Needs Resource Center

831-427-7712 The Special Needs Resource Center (SNRC) was created in response to the increasing need to provide information and guidance to families, educators, and providers to the special needs community. It is a collaborative effort between the Scotts Valley Friends of the Library (FVSVPL) and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Special Parents Information Network

831-722-2800 spinsc.org SPIN’s mission is to help children with special needs achieve their full potential by empowering their families and the professionals who serve them through information, support and resources. Stars Therapy Services

(844) 700-9889 starsinfantprogram.com Stars has been providing services in Santa Cruz County as a vendor of the San Andreas Regional Center since 2015. Stars offers free of cost developmental assessments for children from birth to 3 years of age. Assessments include a review of the five areas of human development: motor, communication, self-help/adaptive, social-emotional, and cognitive development. Call us if you have any concerns regarding the development of your child or a child in your community. Hablamos Español

Santa Cruz Montessori Students Fight Hunger It all started with a news story showing mile-long lines for food banks around the country in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Santa Cruz Montessori teacher Kristin Tosello shared this news with her 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in the Junior Class. She also streamed videos from the Second Harvest Food Bank that showed that one in five people in Santa Cruz County and one in four children in Santa Cruz County face food insecurity.The images and the statistics hit home with the Montessori students, shocked at the number of hungry people in their own community. But instead of simply feeling sad and helpless about the situation, they decided to take action

and organize a walkathon for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Students teamed up to create a page for the walkathon on the Second Harvest Food Bank website and told all of their friends and family about their plan and how to donate. They then set a goal for $2,250, which is equal to 9,000 meals and surpassed that goal before they even started walking. April 16 was the big day, perfect for walking—sunny but not too warm. The 17 students of the Junior Class, masked up and ready for the challenge, walked to the nearby Cabrillo College track, and spent the next three hours churning around the quarter-mile track. Each set their own speed, just trying to go round

the track as many times as possible. One of the students racked up an amazing 12 miles, while all the students walked more than 5.75 miles. “It was fun to walk around talking to friends for most of the morning,” one student commented. “After a while it started to get a bit tiring, but we reminded ourselves of our cause and walked on.” The result? The students raised a whopping $6,542 for Second Harvest and learned a valuable lesson in effecting change--every step counts. The class agrees: “Looking back on this experience, we are very proud of our efforts and that we made a difference in our community.”

Alice's Avengers in Underland Alice and a host of singing and dancing superhero’s, dive deep into Underland to fight Gotham City’s most vile villains in their Underland hideout in Little People’s Repertory Theater’s Alice’s Avengers in Underland. This original rock music by Janinne Chadwick opens July 21st at Park Hall in

downtown Ben Lomond. LPRT is back with live theater, promising to entertain audiences of all ages. Alice’s Avengers in Underland parodies pop music, classic rock and iconic pop-culture icons, from Tom Petty to Lizzo. Under the Direction of Jocelyn Mcmahon-Babalis, with Gabe House as musical director and

choreographer, Sadie Rose, over 65 local kids will perform once again on stage. Cautious of Covid protocols, grateful to return after a quarantine hiatus, LPRT’s Alice will be a welcome reminder of why live performance is so essential to our community! In addition to amazing scenic design headed up by Kate Longini

Actors Theatre Young Playwrights Winners Ten local high school students have been named as winners of the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre’s Young Playwrights’ Festival and their scripts will be offered in various productions in the coming months.“Ocean Disaster,” by Julien Jacklin, and “Mother & Daughter” by Lila-Rose Roberts, both from Georgiana Bruce Kirby School, along with “Together at Last,” by Stella Pfefferkonn of the San Lorenzo Valley Nature Academy, will have their plays featured on the Actors’ Theatre Radio Hour on KSQD (90.7 FM) at 9 p.m. June 20.Six young playwrights will have their works presented on

Zoom Forward, on June 25 at 5 p.m., a production done in partnership with Bookshop Santa Cruz and Phren-Z literary magazine.“The Dog

The final winner will be presented as part of the “8 Tens @ Eight Short Play Festival” in January 2022.“Gone”

by Ryan Holderup, of Georgiana Bruce Kirby School

The winning plays cover an array of topics and forms. “Ocean Disaster” is described as a sci-fi mystery romp, a one-act comedy with five strange characters set in an advanced underwater research facility in the near future. In “Mother & Daughter,” a teenager struggles with convincing her mother to deal with a serious family issue. In “The Dog Days of Summer,” the death of a beloved dog brings together two estranged friends.A young girl deals with anxiety about leaving her grandmother’s funeral to

Days of Summer”

“Internal Thoughts–My Craft”

by Meghan Kearney and Brigette Vance both of Soquel High School

“Imperfect”

by Acacia Neuburger, Emma PowerPerkins, and Adessa Lewis all of San Lorenzo Valley Nature Academy.

by Davey Ouse of Soquel High School

Coming in This is by no means a complete list of all the resources in Santa Cruz County. If you would like to have an organization included in this resource list, please email editor@growingupsc.com. GUiSC is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor does inclusion in this listing constitute endorsement of a program. To be included in future resource guides please email editor@growingupsc.com.

Pratt, Alice will wow audience members with impressive special effects, worthy of a cast of superheroes and super villains. More information available about tickets at performance schedule at info@lprt.org

AUGUST

buy a book instead of staying, in “Internal Thoughts–My Craft,” but is the book linked to her grandmother? “Imperfect” deals with two sisters confronting each other after one is found rummaging through the other’s things.“Together at Last” is described as “a fairytale-like story of a childhood friendship that lasts a lifetime despite unthinkable circumstances.” Most of the plays have already been cast and have assigned directors. The Actors’ Theatre Young Playwrights’ Festival reached out to middle and high schools in the Monterey Bay Area for submissions.=

GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

JULY CALENDAR

MONTH LONG Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival Virtual Festival This year, bring the adventure home! Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is Virtual! Travel to the most remote corners of the world, dive into daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comfort of your living room. Films can be purchased individually or as a bundle. Visit riotheatre. com for more information about the online programs and how you can support your local screening. You may also go directly to the Banff affiliate link for the Rio filmfest. banffcentre.ca/?campaign=WT-163945

Stuff The Bus Corporate Sponsorship Santa Cruz County Office of Education and United Way are excited to host the Annual Stuff The Bus! Your company can ensure students start their first day of school with the tools they need to succeed! Stuff The Bus is July 1 - August 31. Corporate Sponsorship offers a unique way to engage local businesses by offering popup buses for display in your office, donating pre-filled backpacks, and recognition on all Stuff the Bus marketing materials including print and social media recognition. With over 4,000 students in Santa Cruz County experiencing homelessness and/or extreme hardships, let’s help kids in our community start school with the supplies needed to succeed in school. Our goal is to provide each student experiencing homeless with a filled backpack...Can We Count On You?

THURSDAY 1 Grey Bears Brown Bag Line If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. As a token of our thanks, we make you breakfast (be there at 7am!) and give you a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with mask

22 JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

and gloves at 7am, and we will put you to work until at least 9am! Fun group, we all love working here! Call ahead if you would like to know more. greybears.org/groceries/

pre-registering. Masks and social distancing are also required at all programs. To register, visit: santacruzstateparks.as.me/ schedule.php The film “Documented” by author Jose Antonio Vargas will be available for library patrons to view online from June 18th to July 3rd. See July1.

SATURDAY 3

free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. Come explore the biodiversity of our gardens, great birdwatching or simply come relax on a bench in the shade. Tumble on Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12-2:00pm To guarantee a spot, please call 831-464-2847. Come explore our fun-filled gym in a supervised setting. Zipline, rope swings, trampolines and more! For ages walking-8yr (gym closed 6/20-7/4)

The film “Documented” by author Jose Antonio Vargas will be available for library patrons to view online from June 18th to July 3rd. “Documented” tells Vargas’ powerful story of coming to the United States from the Philippines at age 12, fulfilling his academic dreams and finding his voice as a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. Vargas shares his journey of finally going public with his status as an undocumented immigrant and founding the nonprofit Define American dedicated to humanizing conversations about immigrants. Registration is required below to receive the access link to the documentary. The virtual edition documentary will be available in English. Watsonville Public Library has a physical DVD version of this documentary available for check out that features English, Tagalog, and Spanish languages, and English captions. santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/7763316?hs=a

FRIDAY 2 CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn 12pm - 6pm Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through November 23, 2021. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Smiles, laughter, and good times abound at this program, and it's a fantastic way to begin your morning in the park. Meet at the campground Ramada. For more information, call (831) 685-6444. Spaces are limited and early pre-registration is recommended. Attendees are required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms when

Independence Day Celebrate the nation’s birthday and Independence Day. On this day, most Americans enjoy grills in their backyards, at beaches, or in parks. Some partake in parades or marches and enjoy the fireworks that are often launched at dusk. We kick off the festivities with details, trivia, and anything else you need to know about Independence Day. Happy Fourth!

MONDAY 5 Read Growing Up Santa Cruz Online Day GrowingUpSC.com

TUESDAY 6 Free Tuesday at UCSC Arboretum Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum,

SATURDAY 10

MONDAY 12

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. As a token of our thanks, we make you breakfast (be there at 7am!) and give you a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with mask and gloves at 7am, and we will put you to work until at least 9am! Fun group, we all love working here! Call ahead if you would like to know more. greybears.org/groceries/

Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays Attention 12-16yr olds -- Adventure awaits! A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for players of all experience levels, led by an experienced player. Held every Tuesday from 3:30-6:30pm. Our Campaign lasts from May 4th to August 31st. Form a party, hunt for ancient treasures, and use your wits, magic, or brute force to battle kobolds, dragons, and more. Dungeons & Dragons is a game of adventure, imagination and near-limitless possibilities. If you've been curious but unsure how to start, it's time to roll the dice and join this campaign. An experienced D&Der will guide you, and all the necessary materials & manuals will be provided. santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7565369 Virtual Zoom Toddler Time by Julie 10:30 - 11 am Tuesdays Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. Music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and songs are a fun way for your child to learn. Register here: santacruzpl.libcal. com/event/7590866. Let's play and learn together! Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. Come explore the biodiversity of our gardens, great birdwatching or simply come relax on a bench in the shade. arboretum.ucsc.edu/ eventscalendar/events/recurring-events/ community-day.html

WEDNESDAY 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day Tell the Truth Day Like most of us, at some point, you probably told a lie but, hopefully, it was just a white lie with little consequence. Unfortunately, lying can lead to much more harmful outcomes when it becomes a personality trait. Truthfulness and honesty are the foundations of living with integrity. Here are some ideas on how to observe this very meaningful day.

National Video Game Day Primarily used for recreational purposes (although professional gaming leagues do, in fact, exist), video games have exploded in popularity over the last few decades. They’re exciting, invigorating, and most importantly — not just for kids. The very first video game ever invented involved simple table tennis. Today, there are over five million games in existence. From high-speed racing adventures to perilous virtual dueling matches, there’s a genre for everyone to enjoy.

FRIDAY 9 CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn 12pm - 6pm Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through November 23, 2021. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Smiles, laughter, and good times abound at this program, and it's a fantastic way to begin your morning in the park. See July 3.

meeting link: bit.ly/SS-Seminar-Jul13 New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Smiles, laughter, and good times abound at this program, and it's a fantastic way to begin your morning in the park. See July 3.

WEDNESDAY 14

THURSDAY 8

New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Smiles, laughter, and good times abound at this program, and it's a fantastic way to begin your morning in the park. Meet at the campground Ramada. For more information, call (831) 685-6444. FREE Mobile Museum at Seabright Beach Every Saturday, 1-3 p.m. Explore marine specimens from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s collections, play ocean games, and hang out with Museum staff and volunteers at the entrance to Seabright Beach! Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 831.420.6115 santacruzmuseum.org International Plastic Bag Free Day

SUNDAY 4

World Chocolate Day The cacao bean, which is responsible for that unmistakably rich flavor we know and love so well, is native to Mexico as well as South- and Central America but has been transplanted into the U.S. and some European countries to match the high consumer demand for this delicacy. Whether it’s used to coat other candies and nuts, melted over fruit, or shaven over a gourmet dessert, chocolate always hits the spot.

National Mac and Cheese Day A recipe called “macaroni and cheese” appeared in the 1824 cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” written by Mary Randolph. It is believed that Randolph's recipe may have been one of James Hemings creations. It had three ingredients: macaroni, cheese, and butter, layered together and baked in an oven.

THURSDAY 15 Boomeria Organ Extravaganza Boomeria 1pm - 5pm Boomeria is a beloved place in the Santa Cruz mountains that is a monument to creativity in art, music, and science. The brainchild of Preston Boomer "“ longtime San Lorenzo Valley High School physics and chemistry teacher, now retired "“ Boomeria’s grounds are known for a working Baroque-style tracker pipe-organ built by Boomer and his students incorporating recycled and European organ pipes and recent work by organ builder Bill Visscher and friends. The "˜Kingdom of Boomeria" also includes a castle built for climbing (most especially for those with short legs,) in a beautiful forest of redwood, bay-laurel, oak and madrone. (831) 475-9693 Join Parker Hammond Golf for a fun FREE introduction to the wonderful sport of golf at DeLaveaga Golf Course on Saturday July 10th and Saturday August.14th from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. For more information: Santa Cruz Junior Golf, info@ santacruzjuniorgolf.org, santacruzjuniorgolf. org. Ages 7 to 18 welcome New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! See July 3. FREE Mobile Museum at Seabright Beach Every Saturday, 1-3 p.m. See July3. FREE Rockin’ Pop-Up with the Geology Gents 10-1 pm Grab your favorite rock and swing on by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a pop-up in the park with Gavin and Graham, the Geology Gents! We’ll have specimens out for explorations and can answer your geologic queries. Don’t forget to pop inside to explore our fossil Mastodon skull, Megalodon teeth, and dig for fossils yourself! Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz 95062 831.420.6115 santacruzmuseum.org

SUNDAY 11 Cheer Up the Lonely Day Whether it’s a close friend, family member, old neighbor, new classmate, parent, child, or anybody else in your life, organize a get-together today to help get the word out and spread the spirit of friendliness!

National Different Colored Eyes Day all about heterochromia iridum. It’s okay, we didn’t know what it meant at first, either. Heterochromia iridum is a term for the variation in color that gives a single organism two different colored eyes. It has been known to occur in populations of many species since the dawn of recorded history and is an interesting and sought-after trait. Only the lucky 1% of the population enjoys this special pigmentation, though there are three distinct types of heterochromia. Today, many people prefer pets with this fun eye color difference, and colored contact lenses are used just to mimic the trait! All this to say, give your friends with heterochromia a little extra love today.

TUESDAY 13 Free Tuesday at UCSC Arboretum Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. See July 6 Tumble on Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12-2:00pm To guarantee a spot, please call 831-464-2847. See July 6 Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays Attention 12-16yr olds -- Adventure awaits! A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for players of all experience levels, led by an experienced player. See July 6 Virtual Zoom Toddler Time by Julie 10:30 - 11 am Tuesdays Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. See July 6! Stepping Stones Triple P Virtual Seminar: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability 7:30 pm Stepping Stones Triple P offers parenting support for families with children with special needs, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and other developmental delays. Stepping Stones Triple P Seminars offer general parenting tips that can be used in a wide range of situations. This seminar is the first in a series of three. It's FREE and open to all families in Santa Cruz County. Parents and caregivers can attend 1, 2, or all 3 of the seminars. Presented in English with Spanish interpretation on Zoom by: Gelacio GonzÃ¡lez, Awindo Consulting, & Stella Lauerman Register to get the Zoom

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. See July 1 Triple P Virtual Workshop: Strategies to help teens manage anxiety 6:00 – 7:30 pm Presented IN ENGLISH on Zoom by: Sandra Rodelo, Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources Register to get the link for this Zoom workshop: bit.ly/Teen-Anxiety-July15 Triple P Virtual Workshop: Teaching children to do chores 3:00 – 4:30 pm Presented in English on Zoom by: Liliana Zamora, Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources Register to get the Zoom meeting link: bit.ly/Chores-July15 Triple P Virtual Workshop: How to help your child deal with being bullied 6:00 – 7:00 pm Presented in English on Zoom by: Gladys Gómez, Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources Register to get the Zoom meeting link: bit.ly/Being-BulliedJuly15

National Give Something Away Day Imagine a day when you could clean house and get rid of clutter, show someone that you care, gift small things to strangers, and generally making the world a better place. Continued on Page 24 GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

JULY CALENDAR FRIDAY 16

MONDAY 19

Read Growing Up Santa Cruz Online Day GrowingUpSC.com

SATURDAY 17 New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays. See July 3. FREE Mobile Museum at Seabright Beach Every Saturday, 1-3 p.m. See July3.

Virtual Meet the Doulas 4pm Presented by Birth Network of Santa Cruz County Learn about how doulas support families through the birth and postpartum experience during our current COVID19 situation. Preregister to join the FREE LIVE ZOOM EVENT: BirthNetSantaCruz. EventBrite.com

TUESDAY 20 Free Tuesday at UCSC Arboretum Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. See July 6 Tumble on Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12-2:00pm To guarantee a spot, please call 831-464-2847. See July 6 Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays Attention 12-16yr olds -- Adventure awaits! A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for players of all experience levels, led by an experienced player. See July 6 Virtual Zoom Toddler Time by Julie 10:30 - 11 am Tuesdays Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. See July 6! Campus Tour at Mount Madonna School. 10:00am. Come for an inperson tour, including a glimpse into our Mountain of Fun summer day camps! MMS is a preschool through high school focused on nurturing students’ love of learning and intellectual inquiry with a responsive learning environment that cultivates a sense of belonging. RSVP to Director of Admissions Benna Dimig at 408-846-4042 or admissions@ mountmadonnaschool.org

24 JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Triple P Virtual Workshop: Helping teens cope with depression 6:00 – 7:30 pm Presented in English on Zoom by: Sandra Rodelo, Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources Register to get the Zoom meeting link: bit.ly/TeenDepression-July22

personalizado. Este seminario es el tercero de una serie de tres. Es GRATIS y está abierto a todas las familias del condado de Santa Cruz. Los padres y cuidadores pueden asistir a 1, 2 o los 3 seminarios. Presentado en inglés con interpretación simultánea en español por Zoom por: Gelacio González, Awindo Consulting, y Stella Lauerman. Inscríbase para conseguir el enlace de cada Seminario por Zoom: bit. ly/SS-Seminar-Jul13

New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays. See July 3. FREE Mobile Museum at Seabright Beach Every Saturday, 1-3 p.m. See July3.

National Aunt and Uncle Day . Our aunts and uncles are unique parts of our family; they can be like a second set of parents, or great friends you happen to be related to. Often, they’ve watched us grow up, and are full of stories about things we did in our youth we might not even remember. July is a great month for a cookout, or outdoor activities. Call up your aunts and uncles and ask them to come out and celebrate their special place in your life.

SUNDAY 25 Castro Adobe Tours Castro Adobe State Historic Park 11am - 3pm Adobe State Historic Park and learn about the history of the California Rancho Period. Explore the 170-year-old two-story adobe hacienda to see the restoration work that has been happening. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the June tour requires preregistration. Preregistration is also available for July and August but may be subject to change. To preregister for your tour, visit: cognitoforms.com/FSCSP1/ CastroAdobeTours

Free Tuesday at UCSC Arboretum Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. See July 6 Tumble on Tuesdays at JuneBug’s Gym 12-2:00pm To guarantee a spot, please call 831-464-2847. See July 6 Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays Attention 12-16yr olds -- Adventure awaits! A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for players of all experience levels, led by an experienced player. See July 6 Virtual Zoom Toddler Time by Julie 10:30 - 11 am Tuesdays Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. See July 6! Seminario Virtual Triple P: Cómo Criar Hijos Seguros y Capaces 4:00 – 5:30 pm Los Seminarios de Triple P ofrecen consejos para padres generales que se pueden utilizar en una amplia gama de situaciones. Este seminario es el tercero de una serie de tres. Puede asistir a uno, dos o los tres de los seminarios de la serie. Asista a Cómo criar hijos resistentes para obtener consejos para ayudar a sus hijos: Expresar sentimientos de manera adecuada; Desarrollar una perspectiva positiva; y Manejar situaciones estresantes de la vida. Inscríbase para conseguir el enlace de cada Seminario por Zoom: bit. ly/Padres-Positivos-Julio Presentado en español por: Liliana Zamora – Puentes de Comunidad, La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios ¿Tiene preguntas? Comuníquese con Liliana Zamora al (831) 724-2997 x212 o lilianaz@cbridges.org

FRIDAY 30

GUiSC will attempt to update the calendar listings as needed; however, it is the responsibility of the organization listed to provide updated information. GUiSC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to check the accuracy of the information provided. Events that are free or cost less than $10 can be submitted for inclusion in the calendar. GUiSC does not guarantee that a submitted event will automatically be included. Preference is given for events of interest to children and/ or parents. Calendar entries must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. Calendar entries and photos will be selected by the Calendar Editor. Please email visit our website to fill out the calendar form here growingupsc.com/submissions

CALENDAR

SATURDAY 31

National Coffee Milkshake Day

TUESDAY 27

Wonderland Teacher Fun Days: Thursday 7/29/21 and Friday 7/30/21 10am-4pm both days Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources 19B Rancho Del Mar, Aptos 95003 (831)316726 Attention teachers... come do your backto-school classroom shopping at your LOCAL classroom resource shop, Wonderland! We will have FREEBIES (including our popular desk calendars!), demos, raffles, treats and more!

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. See July New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays. See July 3. Wonderland Teacher Fun Days: 10am-4pm both days Wonderland Toys & Classroom Resources Attention teachers... come do your back-to-school classroom shopping at your LOCAL classroom resource shop, Wonderland! See July 29

SATURDAY 24

National Cousins Day

WEDNESDAY 28 Ask Me Anything: Conversations From The Front Line Of Homelessness Housing Matters 11am Join Housing Matters’ Programs Staff in their newest webinar: “Ask Me Anything: Conversations from the Front Line Of Homelessness”. This is your opportunity to hear what is going on every single day to solve homelessness and ask all the questions you have about working to solve homelessness in our community. eventbrite. com/e/ask-me-anything-conversationsfrom-the-front-line-of-homelessnesstickets-132833806491

National Amelia Earhart Day Born on this day in 1897, Amelia Earhart is one of America’s most beloved pioneers in aviation and, today, on National Amelia Earhart Day, July 24, we celebrate her life and achievements. While many remember her for her mysterious disappearance in her internationally anticipated flight around the world, she had a life filled with achievements and trailblazing. Read on to learn about the many contributions she made to the world of aviation.

Little People’s Repertory Theater presents Alice’s Avengers in Underland. This original rock musical by Janinne Chadwick opens July 21 at Park Hall in downtown Ben Lomond. LPRT is back with live theater, with over 65 local kids performing once again on stage, promising to entertain audiences of all ages. More information available about tickets and performance schedule at LPRT. ORGThursday 22

MONDAY 26

FRIDAY 23

WEDNESDAY 21

SUNDAY 18 Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market 10am - 5pm Come on out and support local makers and artists at the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market every THIRD Sunday of the month on Pacific Ave at Lincoln St! 10am-5pm We are now on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets near New Leaf and alongside so many amazing downtown restaurants. Support local and shop small with over 30 Santa Cruz County artists and makers! AND don’t forget to stop in and visit the downtown merchants and grab a bite to eat from the downtown restaurants. World Listening Day Shhh… do you hear that? It’s the sound of World Listening Day on July 18. Hosted every year by the World Listening Project, a nonprofit organization that is “devoted to understanding the world and its natural environment, societies, and cultures through the practice of listening and field recording.” They explore acoustic ecology, a discipline that studies the relationship between humans and the natural world as mediated through sound. So quiet down, open up your ears, and get ready to study soundscapes on World Listening Day.

JULY CALENDAR

Stepping Stones Virtual Seminar: Turning Challenging Behaviors into Positive Behaviors 6 – 7:30 pm Stepping Stones Triple P offers parenting support for families with children with special needs, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and other developmental delays. Stepping Stones Triple P Seminars offer general parenting tips that can be used in a wide range of situations. Attend this virtual seminar for families with children with special needs to: Learn 6 key steps to prevent and handle challenging behaviors; Learn positive parenting strategies to encourage cooperation; Develop a personalized parenting plan. This seminar is the third in a series of three. It’s FREE and open to all families in Santa Cruz County. Parents and caregivers can attend 1, 2, or all 3 of the seminars. Presented in English with Spanish interpretation on Zoom by: Gelacio González, Awindo Consulting, & Stella Lauerman Register to get the Zoom meeting link: bit.ly/SS-Seminar-Jul28 Got questions? Contact Stella Lauerman at (831) 594-8552 or stellalauerman@gmail.com Seminario Virtual de Paso a Paso Triple P: Ayudando a su niño a lograr su potencial 6 – 7:30 pm Paso a Paso Triple P ofrece apoyo a los padres para familias con niños con necesidades especiales, como TDAH, trastornos del espectro autista, síndrome de Down y otros retrasos en el desarrollo. Los seminarios Paso a Paso Triple P ofrecen consejos generales para padres que se pueden utilizar en una amplia gama de situaciones. Asista a este seminario virtual GRATIS de crianza para familias con niños con necesidades especiales para: Aprenda 6 pasos claves para prevenir y tratar con las conductas desafiantes; Aprenda estrategias de crianza positiva para animar la cooperación; Desarrolle un plan de crianza

Buffalo Soldiers Day The first peacetime all-Black army regiment, which we honor on Buffalo Soldiers Day, July 28th each year, was formed mainly to keep order in the Wild West after the Civil War. In such a rough-and-tumble place, where unknown natural dangers and thieves abounded, the buffalo soldiers had extremely low desertion rates. These brave men of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were inexplicably named the ‘buffalo soldiers’ not by their own leadership, but by the Native American tribes they came into contact with — and no one quite knows why! These troops helped catch cattle thieves, protect national parks, ensure the safe travel of settlers from the East, and much more. Today, we honor their service in helping our country stay safe, and being a groundbreaking step towards greater racial equality in the military.

New Brighton Little Rangers Fridays and Saturdays Any and all 3 to 6 year old are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Smiles, laughter, and good times abound at this program, and it's a fantastic way to begin your morning in the park. See July 3. FREE Mobile Museum at Seabright Beach Every Saturday, 1-3 p.m. See July3. Harry Potter's Birthday How do we celebrate the birthday of someone who is entirely fictional? Pack your wand, hop on your broomstick and join us on e. We are exploring the inspiration behind the

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THURSDAY 29 Grey Bears Brown Bag Line If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. See July 1 Taller Virtual de Triple P: Como ayudar a su hijo a lidiar con la intimidación Jueves, el 29 de julio, 2021, 6:00 – 7:30 pm Los talleres de Triple P ofrecen consejos prácticos y estrategias para manejar las preguntas y desafíos de crianza específicas. Asista a este taller virtual de crianza para para familias con niños (0 – 12 años) para aprender: Cómo reconocer los diferentes tipos de intimidación; Las razones más comunes por qué los niños intimidan a otros; Qué puede hacer si su hijo está siendo acosado. Presentado en español por Zoom por Gladys Gómez, Puentes de la Comunidad – La Manzana Recursos Comunitarios Inscríbase para conseguir el enlace de la reunión por Zoom: bit.ly/IntimidacionNinos-29julio ¿Tiene preguntas? Comuníquese con Gladys Gómez (831) 724-2997 Ext. 220 o gladysg@cbridges.org

Photos for the calendar may be submitted by email. Digital images must be high resolution, 200-300dpi. Christy@GrowingUpSc.com magical world of Harry Potter, one of the world’s most beloved characters. Author J.K. Rowling, who set this whole universe in motion with the release of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in 1997, also — if you can believe it — shares the same birthday as Harry himself. Coincidence?

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GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

COLORING PAGE

Submit your coloring entry to editor@growingupsc.com and we will select some for great prizes! You can also mail them to Box 3505, Santa Cruz, 95063

26 JULY 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

GrowingUpSC.com | JULY 2021

Saturday, July 10th - 4:30pm to 6pm Saturday, August 14th - 4:30pm to 6pm

golf clinic

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Thanks to my ad in Growing Up in Santa Cruz, I was able to quit my part time job delivering pizza and start teaching piano students full time. – Will Lanz

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Growing Up Santa Cruz July 2021

Articles inside

Local News: New Library

Birth Matters

Moms Who Make a Difference

Editors' Note

Artist of the Month: Ava Barrett

Parenting: Reading

Local News: Mental Health