by Mikayla SHults This month, I asked transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender kids what gender means to them. In the past few years, it has become easier for kids to express their gender in the ways that they want freely. To many adults, being trans seems like a trend that children will not be consistent with. In the cases where kids seem to be flip-flopping between being nonbinary and transgender, what is really happening is a kid figuring out how they want to express themself and what feels right. When adults are not well informed, whether that be basic knowledge of the LQBTQ community or how to support their trans children…
-
-
Changing of the Seasons
Changing of the Seasons Boardwalk Unveils New Summer Lineup By Erik Chalhoub Summertime is going to look a little different at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this year. The new Evenings on the Colonnade, announced by the park in late April, will feature live music on Thursday evenings from June 16 through Aug. 11.Gone (at least for now) is Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach with its big-name acts that drew crowds so large that the sand disappeared from the beach. Instead, Bay Area bands will perform Thursday evenings from 8:30-10pm, with local favorites such as Extra Large and Pacific Roots, among others.Movies will also return to the beach…
-
Jody Ryker
Circus Performer or Mathematician? Why Not Both? By Jeanette Prather Math teacher by day and circus performer by night, Jody Ryker seamlessly closes the chasm between these seemingly different worlds. “I split my time between my two passions, math and circus arts,” said Ryker, who identifies as non-binary and prefers the pronoun “they”. “I teach math part-time at Foothill College, and I teach part-time for various circus and pole studios.”How did Ryker forge a path of teaching math and performing pole and circus arts? “I’ve always been interested in many things, and I like always trying something new,” they said. “I’ve always felt that I need something that engages me…
-
Adjusting After COVID
Adjusting After COVID By Nicole M. Young, MSW My oldest child recently graduated from college. I’m grateful he experienced his graduation ceremony in person, but it was surreal to be there with thousands of people. It made me realize how life is definitely different because of COVID but feels more “normal” with each passing day. I’ll admit there are times when I miss the quieter, slower pace of life and the increased family bonding time, especially during the first year of the pandemic. I want to maintain that feeling of peace and family connectedness, even as life takes my kids in new and different directions. I have a feeling I’m…
-
Argh Mate
Kids who visit the Davenport Roadhouse in North County are in for a special treat. If they find the pirate doll hidden in the restaurant they get a free cookie from the excellent bakery there. Parents also get a very good meal, but that’s not free. However, there is all kinds of live local music most every day and night there and that is a free treat. The Davenport Roadhouse is at 1 Davenport Ave., 95017.
-
Reason to Remember
Reason to Remember By Cheyenne Donald All gave some, some gave all Hey. Let’s have a little chat. Memorial Day is about to be here, and before you mark this as just a 3 day weekend, or the beginning of summer, road closures, parades and BBQs, let’s have some real talk. This is not just another 4th Monday in May. This is THE day we have set aside for Memorial, to talk story and connection, of those who gave everything for a future they didn’t get to be in. We do this every year. We come together and create a space for memory. We stand proud. We use…
-
Yes on D
Yes on Measure D Keep travel safe for kids and get them off the couch! By brad kava On June 7 Santa Cruz voters will have a chance to build something world class that will bring in tourists, cut down pollution and help locals get fit and travel safely. It will be a 32-mile-long bike, walking and wheelchair path that will wind along stunning beaches, majestic forests and picturesque landscapes between Watsonville and Davenport. It will attract tourists, as do similar well-traveled paths in Santa Monica, San Diego, Sacramento and hundreds of counties across the country that have converted useless rails to useful, joyful trails. It will be the most…
-
Cool and Free Ideas
May 19, 2022 …May 19, 2022Juggling Fun Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. kids can get free juggling lessons at the Capitola …May 1, 2022Mama and Baby Seal Submit your coloring page for a chance to be in our paper …May 1, 2022Emilia | Age 6 Hayden Joseph | Age 8 Leo Age | 4.5 Luna | Age 10 Olive | …April 29, 2022 …April 29, 2022Encaustic Paintings by Terry DowellI have been swept away by the challenges and immense rewards of …April 29, 2022Do REALTORS Even Matter? By Seb FreyIn a real estate market as hot as this, where …April 29, 2022Capitola Mall is Flying High with Cirque.Tumble.Cheer By Jeanette…
-
Juggling
Juggling Fun Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. kids can get free juggling lessons at the Capitola Mall’s Cirque, Tumble, Cheer storefront. We tried it and it is a blast. The teachers are kind, friendly pros and kids of all ages can learn amazing skills free. Parker, 6, and his dad, 66, are both taking lessons and learning to make things fly with the greatest of ease. Well, not that easy, but totally fun. It’s at 1811 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, right next to Lens Crafters. Also, some of the same teachers give free classes on the Esplanade in downtown Capitola,near the concert area, at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. Send…
-
I Love Mom
Mama and Baby Seal Submit your coloring page for a chance to be in our paper [email protected] More Coloring Pages
-
May Coloring Winners
Emilia | Age 6 Hayden Joseph | Age 8 Leo Age | 4.5 Luna | Age 10 Olive | Age 6 Vivek | 3.5 Find More Coloring Pages
-
Tired Mom Puzzle
-
Encaustic Paintings
Encaustic Paintings by Terry Dowell I have been swept away by the challenges and immense rewards of educating and inspiring people that somehow find their way to me. The thrill of offering an opportunity to enliven the creative spirit in the lives of my students is a lifetime dream. My intent is simple…paint for myself, teach workshops and, of course, show my art to the public and allow my art to flow out into the world. I have been painting and creating all my life…over 50 years now. I invented myself as an artist by way of workshops and courses throughout the United States. Largely self-taught in a variety of…
-
Do REALTORS Even Matter
Do REALTORS Even Matter? By Seb Frey In a real estate market as hot as this, where homes appear to “sell themselves,” it’s a fair question: do REALTORS even matter? I’m going to give you an answer that may surprise you…considering that I myself am a REALTOR, and have been for 19 years. In fact, I was even President of the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS in 2019 so I consider myself something of an authority on the subject. I won’t bury the lede here. I’m going to come right out and say it: no, REALTORS do not matter…if you don’t believe they matter. When it comes to answering…
-
Cirque.Tumble.Cheer
Capitola Mall is Flying High with Cirque.Tumble.Cheer By Jeanette Prather Once upon a time in the former Wrigley bubble gum factory on the Westside, four women came together over their love of aerial and movement arts. They assembled a collective of aerialists and dancers who would each contribute to a stipend that they would pay their landlord as he developed what is now the University Business Park. This collective offered classes and training time, then came to be known as the Santa Cruz Aerial Playground. “They scrimped, scavenged and labored almost endlessly to install rigging points, padded floor coverings, a wooden sprung dance floor, lighting, seating, crash mats,” said former…
-
College Rejections Up This Year: Here’s Why
College Rejections Up This Year: Here’s Why By Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy So, chin up! Those colleges will miss out on what you could have brought to their campuses this fall. Watch out world – here you come! This year, the most competitive colleges rejected record numbers of applicants than in recorded history. That means that colleges like Harvard that had admit rates of around 5% last year have dropped to 3.19%. We’ll get more data when other selective colleges release their admissions statistics for this year. So, what caused this uptick in applications this year? Over 1,300 colleges offered test-optional admissions due to COVID and difficulty finding testing sites during the pandemic.…
-
Sierra Ryan
Sierra Ryan: Saving Water for Our Children’s Future Suki Wessling ’m lucky that I feel like some of the work that I do is really for her, so sometimes when I feel like, ‘Oh, I’m working again,’ [I tell myself] I’m doing it for Faye and for her future here. “You need a bit of a reminder on the rough days,” admits Sierra Ryan, Water Resources Manager for the County and mom to 3-year-old Faye, about being a full-time working mom. “Like, why are you doing this? How does this fit into your life?”Like many working moms, Sierra has to balance her commitment to her career with her commitment to…
-
Staycation
by Kimberly Hickok As summer peeks around the corner and pandemic restrictions begin lifting, the urge to get out of the house and go do something fun is stronger than ever. Fortunately for Santa Cruz area residents, there’s no need to travel far for enjoyable, exciting activities with little and big kids alike. Here are 17 of our favorite Santa Cruz area “staycation” ideas: Ride roller coasters and play games The historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hosts a plethora of fun rides for kids of all ages – from a kiddie train to the classic Giant Dipper roller coaster. After enjoying the rides, check out the large arcade, pirate-themed miniature…
-
Not Fitting In
Allison Paradise on Not Fitting In By Jeanette Prather “What do I do for a living?” repeated Allison Paradise, Founder and CEO of The Epicenter in Santa Cruz, in response to the question. “That’s such a funny question. I live.” The Epicenter empowers students ages seven through 22 through mindfulness and a reconnection with their authentic selves and limitless potential, according to Paradise. “This is transformative; it can lead to feelings of liberation, awe, clarity, focus, strength, confidence, purpose, joy, and deep gratitude,” said Paradise.How does this happen? “Through intentional design, The Epicenter creates an open space (both physical and virtual) that gives students permission, and the courage, to be…
-
Legoland
The Surprising Things About Legoland By Brad Kava I was so happy that a 6-year-old could appreciate an exhibit I would have figured would be more interesting to grown-ups. It wasn’t just amazing that they did this with Lego, but that they did it so remarkably authentic. It felt like being there. I took my 6-year-old son, Parker, to his first trip to Legoland last month and it was a blast, but not for the reasons you might expect. Yes, he loves Lego. He’s been doing one or two a week since he was 3. At 6 he does the ones way above his age group and our house already…
