When I was in “junior high school,” which is what middle school used to be called, I struggled to find a group of friends who felt like a fit. My parents were educators and I...

We all watched the bully in junior high school. But imagine that you are the younger, or the smaller, or the less assertive one. Or maybe you’re the neurodivergent kid, or you are gay, or...

On the good news front, May 3 is Kids Day downtown, the most wonderful transformation of Santa Cruz into a huge family festival with kids playing music, dancing, being DJs, acting, doing art, you name...

Spring’s Spiky Treasure: Why It’s Time to Love Artichokes May is peak artichoke season here in Santa Cruz — and all along the Central Coast. Just a short drive down Highway 1, you’ll find Castroville...

Has a curious kid ever asked you, “Where does money come from?” You’re not alone! To children, it often feels like money just appears. Adults swipe cards, tap their phones, or hand over bills, and...

Catherine Stihler’s leadership journey spans the globe, with a proven track record of driving success in two major nonprofits— the Open Knowledge Foundation and Creative Commons. Her strategic vision, financial acumen, and commitment to innovation...

In Solidarity, Compassion and Action We’d like to acknowledge that many of us feel scared, angry, overwhelmed, and powerless in the wake of political decisions that threaten people, institutions, and our democracy. While no easy...

Capitola homeowner and Greek Bay Area Legend, Sam Anagnostou — or as I knew him, Uncle Sammy, my uncle who felt more like a father and best friend, the one who taught me to surf...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s also a time when we celebrate our mothers, grandmas, aunties, and other mother figures. Motherhood is a transformative and profound journey — it changes you in such...

By Kristen Brown, Executive Director I am excited and honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce. With deep roots in Santa Cruz County – working...

The newly revamped Panda Inn in Aptos, located at the Deluxe Plaza, has undergone a flavorful transformation under new management. The restaurant is now proudly family-owned and operated, emphasizing quality and authenticity. The joint now...

Believe it or not, summer break is right around the corner. Many teens already have a very simple plan: sleep in, hang out with friends, and stay up late. If you have a teen who...

Some of the meals they serve us at Live Oak Elementary School, where I’m a fourth-grader, are kind of simple, like bagels with cream cheese, which they serve us almost every day, sometimes with apples...

Downtown Santa Cruz is more than just a place; it’s a living, breathing chronicle of childhood memories, a rite of passage, and a path toward blossoming independence. For generations, local kids have watched it transform...

With its lime-green color, and quirky and cone-shaped florets, a head of Romanesco could have been picked from Dr. Seuss’ back yard. Beyond the surface beauty it’s a versatile veggie packed with flavor and nutrition...

When I was just starting out as a teacher, I asked the founders of our small mountaintop school why they started the school to begin with. They said that in the early seventies, there were...

One of the most rewarding experiences in my life has been to volunteer with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. I started volunteering when my beloved 16-year old chow-shepherd rescue passed away and my husband...

There are so many things to be concerned about this spring. Here are some in no special order. How will the Pajaro Valley School District handle the stress of cutting $5 million from the annual...

When my daughter was no longer a high schooler in my house and was now managing most aspects of her life as a college student, she said one day, “I’ve realized adulting is an endless...

April is the Month of the Young Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is a good opportunity to remind ourselves that 1) raising happy, healthy children is both exhausting and rewarding, 2) every parent...

They are no different than any other band, except for the fact that The Banana Slug String Band has endured for 40 years. Four men, with four dynamic characters. Doug “Dirt” Greenfield, “Airy” Larry Graff...

Kids and pets share a special kind of magic, and like any relationship, communication is key. Understanding body language can help kids know when their pet is happy, playful, or in need of some space...