December 2018 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Holidays Without Plastic

growingupsc — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 17:10:22 +0000

Holidays Without Plastic By Lisa Catterall If the year 2020 has taught me one thing, it’s to be less judgmental. We’ve all been through loss and fear and seen our friends and family handle it in so many different ways. It’s a year to grow and a year to try new things. My family is enjoying using the extra time at home to start our preparations for the holidays early. I love the traditions of the season. I am from Minnesota and we always hunkered down in the freezing weather and made a very busy Christmas. My grandmother had lived through the Great Depression and it meant so much to her to put up a new theme tree every year and wrap new gifts for everyone in perfectly matched paper and bows. Her home was stunning. She also taught me to throw lush parties and bake for the entire neighborhood. I still do those things here in Watsonville. This year, I’ve noticed that our fear of catching the coronavirus has certainly outweighed our environmental principles in some areas. For me, the holiday season itself sometimes has the same effect. I would never buy plastic containers or yards and yards of gift wrap in a normal month, but it always seems like my environmentalism doesn’t count at Christmas. Last year, I decided to change that. I wrote an article asking for ideas to have a beautiful, waste-free holiday. And people gave me some. This year, I am sharing them. FuroshikiOtherwise known as reusable gift wrap. Look it up! Furoshiki is a Japanese art form that involves wrapping gifts in fabric, and when I found out about it I was amazed at the beauty that emerged around my presents. Head on down to our wonderful Harts Fabric store in midtown Santa Cruz and find some prints to use. The internet is full of instructions and videos on this topic. We also save those reusable fabric bags people give us through Amazon; they go in with our decorations and come back out every year. GlassThere are so many ways to use beautiful and recyclable glass in giving to replace plastic. Last year, I gave baked treats in Mason jars rather than in cheap plastic holiday containers. Glass is recycled here in America, and almost everyone on my list said they would reuse a Mason jar in their home. Flats of Mason jars are available at our local hardware stores. Experiences and Local FoodFor adult gift giving, we lean towards giving certificates for local experiences or giving baskets of sustainably packaged local food items. This year, it’s still possible under our shelter-in-place restrictions. On my giving list are virtual wine tastings hosted by local wineries, with wine, and painting workshops from Palace Arts on Zoom for my creative friends. We also like to give out bottles of local olive oil and Mason jars of locally roasted coffee, or a crate of treats from Freedom Meat Lockers. One favorite “experience” gift we give is a gift certificate for parking by the beach to our surfer friends. Reuse, Reuse, ReuseWe are lucky enough to have families in our network whose children are growing out of toys and clothes as our kids are growing into them. We have no shame about cleaning things up and putting them under the Christmas tree. We also love to shop at our local thrift stores. Would someone you know love a wild, antique, ugly Christmas sweater? The downtown Goodwill is almost always full of them. How about giving cookies out on plates from the local thrift store? LocalismA dollar spent at a local business travels around the community 17en times, whereas a dollar spent at a box store leaves our county with one transaction. To be sure a gift will be cherished and reused rather than ending up in the landfill, we like to give people we don’t know as well gift certificates to our local stores like Bookshop Santa Cruz, Sockshop, or Kelly’s Books in Watsonville. The Big Party We will not be throwing one this year, of course, but we started borrowing real glasses or using thrift store items instead of plastic and disposables. This year we will have a virtual party. I’m excited about watch parties of the classic Christmas movies with my family, and virtual tours of everyone’s decor. The Big WowOne way we kept a big “wow” factor in the holiday for our kids without calling more manufactured plastic into existence was to hire a local company that brings well-cared for snow bunnies to your home for the day. I hear they also have reindeer! Also, there are so many types of pets out there! The SPCA in our county has worked overtime for the animals left homeless by the fires. Perhaps this year, with everyone staying home, is the time to have a kitten, not a Barbie Dream House, under that tree. Tiny CardsI love to see my friends’ and families’ faces pinned up around my home on their annual holiday cards. Sometimes we forego the cards, though, and send a brief slideshow over the web. Another way we have reduced waste is to print our annual cards on business card size paper. Any extras make nice gift tags, and the paper use is cut back significantly. This is a year when we are all more worried about the world than usual, and when we all need to get creative about our holiday traditions anyways. Why not include the Earth on our giving list? Lisa Catterall teaches STEAM, math, science, and art at Mount Madonna School and is a senior associate of the Centers for Research on Creativity. She lectures and trains teachers and administrators on innovation in education in Beijing, China. Lisa has five children and lives in Santa Cruz County.

The post Holidays Without Plastic first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Editor’s Note December 2018

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:53:23 +0000

Editor’s Note: December 2018 We know it’s early, but we’re starting to think about New Year’s resolutions beyond the usual cutting down on sugar and carbs, getting lots of exercise, making sure the kids are getting the best educations and after school activities. This year’s biggest resolution is to focus more on the planet. Yeah, it sounds like some hippy-dippy stuff, but the federal environmental report that came out on Black Friday, was truly frightening. Not to mention watching natural disasters explode in our faces in the state and across the country as homes burn and floods ravage. It’s easy to forget about being green, especially when you are squiring a household of kids around, running from one event to another. If only there was some good advice and an easier way, we find ourselves thinking. Well, coincidentally, two great writers proposed green family columns for Growing Up in Santa Cruz and we are taking them both. They have tips with little and big things we can do to be more careful with the Earth. One even has a business called Zero that promotes cutting waste. We love it. The other is gathering input from Santa Cruzans about how we can be more environmental. We know California, and particularly Santa Cruz have long been on the cutting edge of environmentalism. Check them out, let us know what you think, and send in your advice to editor@growingupsc.com. We’ll print it. We’ve also got a new family law column starting this month, with advice for how to handle divorce at this joyful time. You can read the first one on our website, www.growingupsc.com Our video game writer celebrates the best of the year and gives gift ideas. We’ve got local gift suggestions, places that sell handmade goods and places to see the Nutcracker. Thanks for reading and making this a great 2018. All the best for a peaceful, prosperous and educational 2019. Jennifer Ford Brad Kava

The post Editor’s Note December 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Your Letters and Thoughts: Decemeber 2018

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:52:03 +0000

Your Letters and Thoughts: December 2018 Help immigrant kids The Children’s Movement wanted to share with you and Growing Up in Santa Cruz a proposed new rule made by the Trump Administration that could penalize families in their immigration proceedings if they use critical public benefits, such as Medicaid for food-stamps. Nearly half of California’s children live in immigrant families, meaning that this rule would do deep harm to families that make up the very fabric of California. It will force families to choose between providing basic needs for their children and keeping their families together. Right now, we have an opportunity to oppose this rule by submitting comments through an official notice-and-comment period. By leaving a comment on the proposed rule, Growing Up in Santa Cruz and you can help prevent the rule from coming into existence. Any member of the public can leave a comment, so we encourage you and the team members of your organization to leave a comment! The Children’s Movement wants to help you leave a comment; by clicking here you can see examples of opposition comments, draft your comment, and post it. Help us stop this proposed rule from hurting the well-being of children in immigrant families! Thank you, Colleen Kinstler–The Children’s Movement Community Voices: Thoughts on the loss of Toys R Us Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar Local stores like Bookshop Santa Cruz have fun and creative toy selections! It’s not the same as having big aisles of every model to choose from, but maybe we can shop local when possible and order online when we can’t. Sarah Harmon, on the Growing Up in Santa Cruz Facebook page. How do you handle political differences at the holiday table? My family is half and half… (cue Harry Potter music) & we agree not to talk politics at family gatherings. We talk about everything else. Charlotte Thornbrugh, via Facebook Don’t talk politics. I voted for Trump and my brother thinks all Republicans are the devil and Obama was the greatest president ever. We don’t talk politics or his obvious mental condition. Bryan Logie, via Facebook

The post Your Letters and Thoughts: Decemeber 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Refuse: Green Tips

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:42:36 +0000

Refuse: Green Tips Our busy lifestyles often make is hard to “be green”. We each do what we can. One of the simplest things we can all do, no matter our pace of life or budget, is to simply refuse to allow single-use plastics or other easily disposable items to enter into our lives. Plastic is a miraculous material- it lasts thousands of years and costs almost nothing to make. But sadly, the vast majority of plastic waste actually can’t be recycled, including straws, coffee cups and lids, and most food packaging. This is a recipe for disaster for our landfills and oceans, which are being filled with plastic and other trash that started out as freebies. The cost of those freebies ends up being so much greater. No planning or preparation is required to say no to a plastic straw, cheap giveaways or handouts. At the dentist you don’t have to take that plastic baggie filled with floss, toothbrushes and travel-sized toothpaste. Pens, business cards or other items being given away at conferences or fairs can also be refused. The next time someone hands you something, ask yourself if it’s something you actually need. What will you do with it? Where will it end up when you’re done with it? It’s ok to say, “No thank you” and hand it right back. Ready to do even more? Refuse to let easily disposable items into your life by refusing to purchase produce wrapped in plastic or goods packaged in non-recyclable packaging. If you can’t imagine how you would dispose of that item other than in a landfill, then just refuse to bring it into your life.

The post Refuse: Green Tips first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

New Monthly Feature: Green Family Living!

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:41:44 +0000

New Monthly Feature: Green Family Living! NEW MONTHLY FEATURE! Green Family Living is Growing Up in Santa Cruz’s new monthly feature—and we need you to help us out. We will feature tips each month to help families do their part to live responsibly in a warming planet. What does your family do to save gas? What do you do to bring down your utility bills? Do you have a great water conservation tip? How about a tip on how to get your kids to turn off lights when they leave the room? Please email your tips to editor@growingupsc.com. We would also like to feature businesses that help families make green choices so please contact us about your business. This month: Q: I recycle, but it’s always better to reuse. Do you have some cool ideas for how to reuse newspaper? A: Ideas? Do we have ideas? Well… “Use them to wrap presents.” (Tami Huntley) “Make homemade paper by putting it in a blender with water.” (Suki Wessling) “Liners for pet cages.” (Heddi Craft) “Papier mâché!” (Rebecca Coakley) “We often use the funnies for wrapping paper, and we lay old newspaper down on the ground or the table when we do messy projects.” (Meredith Allen) “Fire starter out here in rural Nevada.” (Lura Hooper Camp) “We made a piñata covering cardboard with glue paste and strips of newspapers.” (Amy Raedeke) “Under mulch in the garden as weed barrier.” (Monica Pielage and Ken Foster) “Compost!” (Valerie Morgan) “Donate it to a teacher! I use it to cover tables and wrap clay projects.” (Barb Matessa) More uses for teachers: “Rolling into wands to make projects like engineering bridges or tables.. Or papier mâché covering balloons with liquid starch or flour and water and paper ripped into small bits.” (Darlene Wilcox) “Make gowns! This photo of Alternative Family Education students was taken at a Project Runway workshop at Southern Oregon University.” (Jasmin Gerer)

The post New Monthly Feature: Green Family Living! first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Children’s Teeth: Why Do Some Molars Grow so Soft? Healthy Smiles: December 2018

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:40:42 +0000

Children’s Teeth: Why Do Some Molars Grow Soft? Healthy Smiles: December 2018 Dr. Megan Normally our teeth are protected by a very strong layer called enamel that protects the pulp tissue or nerve inside the tooth. Enamel owes its qualities to the significant amount of calcium phosphate and hydroxyapetite. Hypomineralization or hypocalcification is a tooth condition where enamel and dentine (the outer and middle layers of the tooth) are softer than normal. The condition is notable at eruption of these teeth. It may affect one to four molars, and in some cases the incisors (front teeth), could be affected. Unfortunately, this condition can make it more likely for the tooth to get dental decay or caries, because the tooth is more porous. Occasionally, it may make it more difficult for dentists to numb these teeth with a local anaesthetic for dental treatment. Hypocalcification of the enamel is the most common developmental disorder observed in teeth, and it occurs in about 10-19 percent of the population. Sometimes these teeth are referred to as “cheese molars,” because the surface of these teeth look like cheese in color and consistency. Some people may have a mild form and not even realize it, others could have a more severe form of the condition. If we were to look at these teeth under microscope, you would see areas of porosity of varying degrees. The affected teeth can be very sensitive to air, cold, warm and mechanical stimuli. Some people complain of toothache when tooth brushing. Why Cheese Molars? It is not easy to determine the exact cause behind these undermineralized teeth. Complications involving oxygen shortages during birth or respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis and pneumonia could contribute to this condition. Renal insufficiency, hypoparothyroidism, diarrhoea, malabsorption and malnutrition and high-fever diseases can be other reasons for the occurrence of these defects. How to Treat? In milder cases a prevention plan should be established staring with consistent check-up by dentist. In most cases, if no decay or caries is noted on these teeth, sealants may be advised. Sealant is a white “coating” placed on teeth, mostly molars, to prevent the deep groves present on these teeth against cavities. If caries are noted by dentist, the tooth could be restored by a composite restoration (drilling followed by a white filling). Regardless of whether caries are present or not, I usually tell parents that these teeth should remain under watch for future decay or recurrence of decay. If the tooth has no symptom of pain or sensitivity, and is not bothering the patient, it could be monitored until patient is older (around 17 or 18) when a white crown could be placed for better coverage of the tooth. Some argue that a “temporary” stainless steel crown could be placed meanwhile until patient is older and ready for a more cosmetic treatment. Sometimes it’s best to remove these teeth. If this route is taken when the tooth behind (2nd molar) has not erupted yet, there is a good possibility that the 2nd molar will shift forward and replace the missing tooth. I am Dr. Mojdeh Faraz, AKA Dr. Megan 🙂 I am a Board-certified pediatric dentist at Pajaro Valley Childrens Dental Group. I received my DDS at NYU followed by my speciatly training at Jacobi Medical Center in affiliation with Albert Einstein School of Medicine. My passion in working with children and to be part of their innocent world led me to this fun and fabulous field. I am proud to work with an amazing crew who are so seasoned when it comes to working with children. They are the reason for the excellent reviews and feedbacks we’ve receive over the years. Please Feel free to come by and visit our fun and child-friendly practice at 230 Green Valley Rd, Freedom, CA 95019.

The post Children’s Teeth: Why Do Some Molars Grow so Soft? Healthy Smiles: December 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Birth Matters: December 2018

Laura Maxson — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:38:03 +0000

Birth Matters: December 2018 By Laura Maxson, LM Any parent blindsided by a toddler’s unexpected need for extensive dental work knows how shocking this news can be. But it happens more often than most parents know. It’s good to start learning about those baby teeth before they appear. Get to the dentist before there is a problem This provides an opportunity to discuss good dental health habits and troubleshoot issues specific to your child. The American Dental Association recommends a first visit six months after the first tooth appears or by age one. According to the study, Age at and reasons for the first dental visit (link below), parents can receive mixed messages about when children should see the dentist for the first time, with some dentists suggesting to wait until age 2 or 3. The study also found that the majority of first visits actually happened between ages 3 to 6 and were due to cavities – most parents are missing the initial early visit. There are a variety of factors that can influence vulnerability to tooth decay. Obviously, neglecting brushing is a big risk factor, but some kids never brush well and still don’t get cavities. This can be because one of the culprits in dental caries is a bacteria called Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). This bacteria is responsible for causing tooth decay in about 20% of the population. Present in saliva, the bacteria is passed to babies through saliva to saliva exchanges such as wet kisses, sharing chewed foods, or putting pacifiers in adult mouths to clean them. Some baby teeth can have defects in their enamel before they even break through the gums. Damage can take place in pregnancy as teeth are developing, due to maternal illnesses or medications, and after the baby is born related to antibiotics given to the baby in the first year of life for illnesses such as ear infections. Teeth with both enamel defects and the presence of S. mutans bacteria can be the most vulnerable. The bacteria make saliva higher in acid, interacting with foods/sugars to hasten decay. Food on teeth mixed with breastmilk is not a good situation. This makes a strong case for good brushing before bed and no snacks after brushing. Breastmilk alone is not a cause of decay; in fact, components in breastmilk actually kill the S.mutans bacteria. Weaning from breastfeeding often means feedings are replaced by another food or liquid that does not have the amazing and irreplaceable overall health benefits of breastmilk. Some dentists’ recommendations about breastfeeding can cause undue stress about night nursing and push for early weaning. National and global breastfeeding recommendations are for breastfeeding through the second year and beyond. According to Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman, 2014, p 352 “What dentists don’t see is that the vast majority of children who are nursed during the night do not get cavities. Since those who do end up at the dentist’s office, the doctor often concludes that this is a common problem for children nursing past the first year of life. It isn’t. Even if the child is brought to the dentist for a routine check, the dentist will not usually ask about night nursing unless the child has cavities. Most dentists probably have no idea that some or even many of their cavity-free 18-month old patients are still breastfeeding at night.” Make dental health decisions around breastfeeding after considering other information. Recommendations are a basis for decisions. Some dentists may have little or no actual breastfeeding knowledge and parents, of course, know their children best. Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC, (Kellymom.com) helps parents understand why some children seem to suffer with dental problems more than others in her article, Is Breastfeeding Linked to Tooth Decay? (link below). Breastfeeding helps protect teeth. When parents feel pressure to wean from breastfeeding it often means replacing breastfeeds with other foods or liquids that have no protective benefits. Parents going through the pain and expense of weeks or months of dental work on their toddler can feel confused and conflicted about breastfeeding recommendations. What is your child eating? Kellymom says, “Much research indicates that it’s the other foods in baby’s diet (rather than breastmilk) that tend to be the main problem when it comes to tooth decay.” Our modern diets can be much higher in sugars and sticky snacks than nature intended. Check teeth regularly. Parents have the most access to baby’s teeth – don’t forget to check them out. In the article, Avoiding tooth decay in toddlers (link below) parents are provided with tips such as checking baby’s teeth for problem areas, brushing ideas and more. www.Birthnet.org for breastfeeding resources Is Breastfeeding Linked to Tooth Decay? – www.kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/tooth-decay Age at and reasons for the first dental visit. – www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21462893 Avoiding tooth decay in toddlers – www.breastfeeding.support/avoiding-tooth-decay-toddlers

The post Birth Matters: December 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Worlds of Wonder for all Ages Your Video Game Gift Guide: Gamer Life: December 2018

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:34:16 +0000

Worlds of Wonder for all Ages Your Video Game Gift Guide: Gamer Life: December 2018 By Ricky Chavez The holidays are finally here and video game companies are in fierce competition to make into your home and onto your TV screens. Each company shows off the best parts of its games to make it look fun, but how do you know which game is the right choice? Unfortunately, Fortnite is already free so it’s not going be that easy. Here are games I enjoyed very much this year and think any person would also enjoy regardless of age. For kids 6 and under I recommend Spyro Reignited Trilogy. The original three Spyro games came out for the original Playstation and instantly become of the gaming icons of the 90s. You play as Spyro, a young dragon trying to prove his worth and save has family. You travel through bright and colorful worlds using his flame breath, and head butt to defeat a cast of enemies. As the name states you get three games for the price of $40. All three of these games have been completely remade and modernized, while they maintain the sense of magic that the original worlds held. This is the perfect game for anyone who’s just getting into video games for the first time or anyone who wants to revisit these timeless classics with a new coat of paint. For kids 7-10, I suggest Super Mario Party. This is truly a return to form for the Mario Party Series. After two games and a spinoff that were considered the worst games in the series, playing with friends finally feels like a party again. With tons of unique minigames that take advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s precise gyro controls you can climb poles, cook meat and connect puzzle pieces. In Super Mario Party they added a new mechanic that changes up the whole game, giving the cast of characters unique dice blocks, allowing you to choose either a normal dice block or a special dice block that has different numbers for each character. Along with this, during the party mode you can get allies who will give you their dice block to choose from, further expanding your options as each game progresses. Whether you’re playing alone or playing with friends, this really is the peak of the party. For kids 11-16: First is Mega Man 11. It’s been a long time since Mega Man has been relevant but he made a huge impact on my life as a child and entertained me for hours with this new game. Mega Man is a platformer where players jump and shoot their way through colorful and cartoony robots. While the default mode is challenging there is an easy mode that is accessible from the start and is beginner friendly. Mega Man 11 brought a smile to my face as I traversed the beautiful environments to the music that fit every stage. With tons of challenges and several difficulty setting it’s a great game for preteen and young teen gamers. The second game for those ages is possibly the best deal in video game history. Kingdom Hearts – The Story So Far ($40) is a collection of collections. That’s six full games and three movie recaps for a great price. Kingdom Hearts is an incredible kid friendly journey through many Disney Worlds with protagonists Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy. You’ll visit iconic worlds like, Wonderland, Halloween Town, Neverland, and even Pride Rock from the Lion King. It’s fast combat and the heart warming retellings of Disney movies bring a smile to my face every single time I play, and now that they’re all released for PS4 they are finally in their definitive forms, looking and feeling better than ever. The game I would choose for the older gamer, ages 17 and up, would be Red Dead Redemption 2. While it has a slow first chapter it soon builds up to something much greater. The game has some of the best visuals I’ve seen in any game and the way the characters interact with the environment is incredible. Leaving footprints and tracks wherever you go shows how much detail was put into the game. The freedom you are given and the amount of interactions with random characters that happen have made it wonderful to explore. I absolutely loved the first time I was free to hunt where I wanted and harvest plants as I pleased. Red Dead Redemption 2 has solidified its place as one of my favorite games of the year. The next best present for your gamer is Super Smash Brothers Ultimate. While at first many people thought it was going to simply be a remake of the Wii U version, Smash Ultimate has proven that it’s so much more. Including every character to ever appear in Smash, such as Solid Snake and Wolf, and new characters like Simon Belmont, and the surprising addition, Piranha Plant from Super Mario. Nintendo has been using the slogan, “Everyone is here” and with the new spirits mode everyone really is here. Allowing you to fight characters that aren’t in smash by allowing them to possess characters and act in ways that the original characters would. This opens the door to a lot of potential content. Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is easily going to be one of the best games of the year.

The post Worlds of Wonder for all Ages Your Video Game Gift Guide: Gamer Life: December 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

A Look Back at 2018’s New Rides Holiday Events on Tap for December: Always Amused: December 2018

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:29:29 +0000

A Look Back at 2018’s New Rides Holiday Events on Tap for December: Always Amused: December 2018 By Erik Chalhoub As 2018 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect back on the new rides I experienced this year at California theme parks, while also get excited for the new-for-2019 attractions that are right around the corner. Instead of a traditional “top five new rides list,” I’m doing something slightly different. Even though I have a clear favorite coaster and worst coaster, ranking rides, for me, has become too muddy and constantly changes as the years, and sometimes weeks, go on. Here are my “awards” for 2018: BEST NEW OLD RIDE: What’s old is new is a popular trend in the theme park industry today, namely the conversion of old wooden roller coasters into modern steel beasts, as well as the return of classic attractions. I rode two new “old” rides this year: Dino Island 4-D at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and Jammin’ Bumpers at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Dino Island originally ran at the Vallejo park in the early 1990s, showing in the Iwerks Theater, complete with moving seats and water effects. Jammin’ Bumpers, meanwhile, is an update of Magic Mountain’s original 1970s-era Sandblasters bumper cars, adding new vehicles, blasting music and strobe light effects. I’m giving the edge to Dino Island. Ever since the Iwerks Theater reopened in 2016 following years of inactivity, the horribly outdated theater has struggled to draw riders and show a film that takes full advantage of all the theater’s built-in effects. Dino Island constantly filled the theater with guests during my late October visit, and I’ve never felt such a wide range of movements from the aging seats. Jammin’ Bumpers, like all modern-day bumper cars, just doesn’t have the “oomph” the retro rides have (see Rue Le Dodge at California’s Great America). NO LONGER A MAZE: When I learned that Gilroy Gardens was removing its rock maze to expand its water park, I was disappointed. Yes, the rock maze was extremely easy to get through (I could get through both forwards and backwards), but it was one of the few attractions at the park that appealed to adults as well. But after seeing the new slides and other water features the park added this year, I am excited for this park’s future. Adding new attractions on an annual basis is key to building this park’s attendance, and when attendance grows, we all win, children and adults. Now, how about adding a wooden roller coaster, Gilroy Gardens? BETTER TO WATCH THAN RIDE: Some rides you prefer to watch rather than take on yourself. Green Lantern at Magic Mountain comes to mind (remember earlier when I said I had a least favorite coaster?). This year, I added another of those rides to my list: Harley Quinn Crazy Coaster at Discovery Kingdom. The prototype ride, known as a Skywarp, pits two 16-person trains, with riders facing each other, as they travel through twin Immelmann inversions. Being the first of its kind, the ride has been plagued with issues, causing its opening to be delayed a number of times before quietly opening in late July, nearly the end of the summer season. While I enjoyed my one ride on it this year, it is a tad rough, and I nearly felt a headache coming on before the cycle was over. An interesting, unique ride, but it’s not making my “must-ride” list whenever I visit Discovery Kingdom. As much as I love RailBlazer at California’s Great America, HangTime at Knott’s Berry Farm (pictured) was my favorite new ride of 2018. BIGGEST SURPRISE: Coming into the year, I thought for sure RailBlazer at Great America was going to be my top new ride of 2018. A brand new, first-of-its-kind coaster at one of my top parks will always jump to number one for me. But RailBlazer’s awkward shoulder restraints, and the fact that HangTime at Knott’s Berry Farm was just that good, pushed the ride to second on my top 2018 rides list. HangTime, billed as the first dive coaster on the West Coast, sends riders up a vertical lift hill before it reaches a height of 150 feet. Then, the train dangles over the edge for what seems like forever, before taking you face-first down a beyond-vertical first drop and into a twisted mess of track. I did not expect to ride HangTime this year. During a four-day Southern California trip in May to Magic Mountain and Knott’s, HangTime was not yet open to the public. It just so happened the park announced a special season passholder preview day for the ride, and it also just so happened that it would be the day I was there. To make it even better? My first ride on HangTime was in the front row. Incredible. MOST ANTICIPATED NEW RIDE OF 2019: West Coast Racers at Magic Mountain will give the park not one, but two “racing” coasters in the park. And this one has four launches. I can’t wait. But wait, 2018 is far from over. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Holiday Ice runs through Jan. 6, and promises to be bigger than before in its second year. The star attraction is a covered skating rink. Holiday Ice also includes displays of holiday lights and decorations, fire pits, holiday photo ops, a kids’ craft corner, classic holiday movies, photos with Santa, seasonal games, treats and more. “This year’s Holiday Ice event is bigger and better than last year,” said event director Karley Pope. “The rink is a little larger and we’ve added more decorations, more fire pits, new fun photo ops, and more games and activities for kids. Even if you don’t skate, it’s exciting to check out all the festivities.” For information and online skating reservations, visit beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Holiday-Ice. Gardens@Night Holiday at Gilroy Gardens opened earlier this year, on Nov. 24, and runs select days through Dec. 31. At the event, families can take pictures with Santa Claus, go ice skating and feast on roast turkey, baked ham and all the trimmings. A live show, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” will also be shown in the amphitheater. Most rides will be open at night as well, and Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. For information and times, visit www.gilroygardens.org/holiday. Great America’s WinterFest is expanding this year, with the entire park now open with festive displays and millions of lights, as well as an ice skating rink in front of Columbia Carousel. For information, visit www.cagreatamerica.com/winterfest. Gilroy Gardens’ Gardens@Night Holiday runs through Dec. 31.

The post A Look Back at 2018’s New Rides Holiday Events on Tap for December: Always Amused: December 2018 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Holiday Gift Guide for the Cyclists in Your Life

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 18:13:52 +0000

Holiday Gift Guide for the Cyclists in Your Life By Karen Kefauver During my 20+ years of cycling in Santa Cruz, our local bikes shops have earned a special place in my heart — and in my social life. In addition to providing bike maintenance, repairs and advice on new products and where to ride, local shops have hosted movie nights, bike skills clinics, showcased authors, sponsored bike teams and developed programs for kids. I rarely miss a fun event at a bike shop! Our bike shops support us, so let’s support them this holiday season. Whether you are buying an e-bike, which tops many lists, or a bike bell, shop in Santa Cruz County and check out these fun gift ideas from local experts! Keep Your Phone Handy Spokesman Bicycles, Wade Hall, Owner Our phones don’t have to be stuffed into our pockets. Mobile phone storage bags, (EXP Series Toptube Bag) mounted on the bike’s top tube, are becoming more popular. Handlebar phone mounts (XL Smartphone Holder) are also useful for tracking GPS and Strava data while riding. More ideas: Micro tools; “They’re always a hit!” Gloves and socks; “Every cyclist goes through them.” Be Seen and Be Heard Bicycle Trip, Mike Moore, General Manager Bike bells can be fun and make cycling safer especially if you’re shy about shouting on a bike path. Check out different styles of the Knog Oi Bike Bell. More ideas: Light up the night: Dayblazer 800 Front + Dayblazer 65 Rear Light Set. Head Thingy by Castelli. Warms your head, neck or face warm. Tune Up Your Bike Family Cycling Center, John Brown, Owner Tune-ups will restore your bike to its original glory or at least get it up to speed! Ranging from a basic tune up ($60), to full tune up ($90) to pro tune up ($150), getting your chain, tires, brakes, tubes and cables (and more) will make you more confident in your riding. Or get a bike fitting, an in-depth, hands-on analysis of how your bike fits and what to do to make it better. Eyes on the Prize Epicenter Cycling, Shawn Wilson, Owner Eyewear for cyclists is a great form of safety protection. Consider the lens quality and color, (a clear lens can be handy for nighttime protection) frame style and whether the frame is designed to swap out multiple lenses. And of course you want to look stylish! Super Stocking Stuffers Scotts Valley Cycle Sport, Brittany Cavaletto, Owner Get on a roll with gift ideas: Water bottles, nutrition/energy gels, spare tubes, flat repair kits, tire pressure gauge, arm and leg warmers and tires, (check tire size!). More ideas: Bike lock (perfect to use at home or in garage): Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1016 Integrated Chain Repair stand, Feedback Sports Pro-Ultralight Repair Stand Fun Odds and Ends Watsonville Cyclery suggests a few things that may not have come to mind, like a tubeless tackle kit, $11.00, lock-on grips for handlebars, $25.00, and a bicycle saddle bag with CO2 and multi-tool, $50.00. At Another Bike Shop or Current eBikes, gift a rental of a high performance bike. Check for availability of same day, overnight or a two-day rentals. Last But Not Least Memberships to Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Cycling Club or a donation to Trips for Kids are ideal gifts! For a full list of local shops, visit www.santacruzcycling.org. Karen Kefauver is a freelance journalist, social media coach and cycling-obsessed Santa Cruzan since 1993. Read her adventure cycling stories: www.karenkefauver.com.

The post Holiday Gift Guide for the Cyclists in Your Life first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.