December 2024 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

How to Stop Gift-Giving for the Holidays

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 01:32:14 +0000

The holiday season is often synonymous with gift-giving, but for many, the pressure to buy the perfect present has overshadowed the true spirit of the season. If you find yourself stressed about shopping, worried about your finances, or surrounded by gifts that you don’t want or need, you may be ready to rethink this tradition. Here’s how you can stop giving gifts for the holidays while still celebrating with your friends and family in more meaningful ways. Communicate Early and HonestlyThe key to shifting away from gift-giving is to let your family and friends know your intentions well in advance. Explain your reasons: Stop worrying about how much to spend on gifts.Focus on quality time, not material goods.Aim for financial freedom.Simplify the holidays and reduce stress. A heartfelt conversation can help people understand that your decision isn’t about withholding but about creating a more intentional holiday. Offer Alternatives to Gift-GivingGifts are often forgotten, but experiences create lasting memories. For your family, create a holiday bucket list of fun activities to do together: Game or Movie Night: Spend time together playing games or watching classic holiday films.Nature Outings: Take a hike, walk on the beach, or go bike riding together. A Holiday Potluck: Gather friends and family for a meal where everyone contributes a dish.Acts of Kindness: Involve your kids in choosing a charity to donate to or volunteering as a family. Helping others during the holidays can teach them the value of generosity and gratitude. Focus on Handmade and Heartfelt GesturesIf you feel that skipping gifts entirely might be too drastic, consider replacing store-bought presents with homemade or thoughtful gestures. Examples include: Making lip balm or lotions.Organizing a photo collage of special moments.Baking cookies or other treats to share.Set Boundaries on Gift-Giving If you’re part of a family or social circle that clings to gift-giving, propose a compromise:Draw names for a Secret Santa so everyone buys just one gift. Set a strict budget for presents to reduce financial stress. Focus on gifts for children only (and put an upper limit cap), if applicable. Model the Change Be prepared to encounter some resistance, especially if gift-giving is deeply ingrained in your family or friend group. By showing how meaningful and enjoyable a gift-free holiday can be, you may inspire others to follow suit in future years. Reframe the Purpose of the Holidays Redirect the focus from presents to presence. Remind loved ones that the holidays are about being together, appreciating our blessings, and remembering family and friends who are no longer with us. Share stories, cook meals, and create new memories. Practice Gratitude If you’re worried about disappointing others, remember that the holidays are what you make of them. Take time to appreciate the relationships, health, and opportunities you already have. Gratitude is the best gift you can give to yourself and those around you. Final Thoughts Stopping gift-giving for the holidays doesn’t mean losing the joy of the season—it means rediscovering it. By focusing on connection and experiences, you can create traditions that are less about materialism and more about what really matters. Take the first step this year and see how liberating (and joyful) a no-gift holiday can be. You might just find it’s the best gift you’ve ever given yourself.

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Community Rallies Around “The Little Mermaid JR”

growingupsc — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:28:44 +0000

Amid extreme wind, drenching rains – even a tornado touching down locally – and following months of preparations for its middle school production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid JR,” the Mount Madonna School (MMS) community did what it does so well: come together to support one another in a time of need. Due to a downed tree and power line, access to the school was cut off Saturday morning, resulting in the cancellation of Saturday afternoon’s sold out show. Head of School Ann Goewert and Advancement Director Kevict Yen, meanwhile, were already on campus, having arranged for an early-morning delivery of an industrial, 70,000-watt generator to have on hand as back-up in the event of a storm-related power outage over the weekend. The MMS administration quickly communicated with the school community regarding the road closure and show cancellation. And then the brainstorming began. Director Chelsea Otterness voiced plans for adding a second, morning performance on Sunday to make up for the missed Saturday show, to provide the student cast with two performance opportunities, albeit back-to-back shows making for one long day! With the unequivocal support of the performing arts team and school administration, Otterness took to social media and email to get the word out about the additional Sunday morning show. “It is amazing to me how our lives bring us moments that we cannot control to see how we respond,” reflected Otterness. “We have opportunities to resist reality or embrace the opportunities that exist in the reality that is presented before us. Performing arts teach us far more than how to present on stage, such as how to persist and maintain joy regardless of external circumstances.” The Parents of Mount Madonna Students (POMMS) group took to WhatsApp to elicit the additional parent support needed – including feeding the whole cast during the long, 10-hour theater day that Sunday would become. “Initially it was feeling very heavy,” commented co-producer Jess Vargas. “The school administration led by Ann and Kevict – were amazing. And the POMMS group was amazing. It brought me to tears when parent Karis Gulizia told us, ‘whatever you need, we’ve got your backs 1,000 percent!’ It was just such an outpouring of positivity.” This outpouring of support was beautiful testament to the spirit that makes MMS so special. “The Mount Madonna School community truly shined as we came together to support the middle school production of ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’,” said Goewert. “From the students’ boundless resilience and positivity, to the parents, staff and friends who showed up and volunteered. This production was more than a show; it was a celebration of teamwork, resilience and the joy of creating something magical together. Thank you to everyone who made it possible; our community is stronger for having shared this journey together.” Otterness agreed. “This situation was a beautiful example of so many lessons,” she continued. “The outpouring of volunteerism and inspiration from our community is highly applaudable; our lesson detachment is a hard one, but we – students, parents, faculty and staff – are responding with a ‘solutionary’ mindset and creativity, and are all learning these lessons together, and I believe we have achieved an A+ from the universe.”

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Glowing Drive-Thru at the Fairgrounds

growingupsc — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:42:21 +0000

Gowing reindeer, a snowman tipping his hat, bicycles circling the sky, a towering Christmas tree and a lit up water tank house are just a fraction of this year’s HOLIDAY LIGHTS drive and walk-through display at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. The family-oriented event started Nov. 29 and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas eve. “Because many of our guests have a Christmas Eve tradition of coming to HOLIDAY LIGHTS on December 24th, we will have two Bonus Nights this year – December 23 and December 24,” said Ron Haedicke, marketing director for the Fairgrounds Foundation. Over the past year, volunteers have been working to not only create the lighted characters and other dazzling shapes, they’ve added scores of more lighted goodies, including large flowers, reindeer and candy canes to view as you drive through the three-quarter mile course. Put on by the Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project, the event this year includes two special Walk-Thru nights, Dec 6 and 7, that ties in with the 47th Annual Holiday Craft and Gift Fair. Visitors will be invited to leeave their cars behind and stroll the course on foot. The Gift Fair, presented by the Fairgrounds Foundation, runs from noon to 9pm each day at the Harvest, Crosetti, and Fine Arts buildings. Lights kickoff each evening at 5:30pm. Haedicke said that last year over last year 15,000 cars came to HOLIDAY LIGHTS. For tickets, visit fairgroundsfoundation.org or call 786-9698. By TARMO HANNULA

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Lindsey Chester Launches Theatre 831

growingupsc — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 01:00:17 +0000

You don’t have to tell Lindsey Chester that all the world’s a stage! Chester has devoted herself and two decades of artistic management helping young performers take their first steps with All About TheaterMany of her young students go on to larger regional stages, even Hollywood and Broadway! Now the founder of AAT is expanding her reach by leasing and opening up the Colligan Theater for a new season of performance. Taking over the former Tannery Arts Center home of the Jewel Theater with her new project Theater 831, Chester is already reaching out to local arts groups. Giving priority to performance groups at the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, Chester is determined to expand the events offerings in the beautiful jewelbox theater, in much the way that Kuumbwa and the Rio Theater have done. Within weeks of assuming management of the theater vacated last Spring, Chester and her AAT performers have already mounted a production of The Little Mermaid, essentially diving into her exhilarating new venture with little time for thinking twice. “All About Theater was my first child,” she admits. While Chester’s AAT will maintain a vigorous performance schedule at the Colligan, Chester has plenty of room for community groups to schedule musical and theatrical events throughout the year. “We’re promoting it as a venue space. This will not be All About Theater at the Colligan, which is what Jewel did. It is the Colligan Theater, and All About Theater happens to do some shows. I want to put it where we are more collaborative within the community.” Chester sees artistic direction in Santa Cruz being refreshed by a post-COVID turnover in leadership. She cites Andrea Hart and the Cabrillo Stage; Charles Pasternak with Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and her own new leadership with Theater 831. “I think Charles’ vision is amazing, with the outreach program that they’re trying to do year round. I think we have an opportunity for education with new vibrant people. We should all collaborate now.” The last thing the Colligan’s new tenant wants is to create another exclusive performing arts silo. Chester wants to make it perfectly clear that under her Theater 831 management, all organizations will have access. “We have kept our spring days very flexible currently, because we wanted to wait and see who else wanted to perform here. And different people are responding. Different people are reaching out to us.”Chester senses a “mental shift” within performance groups. “That us-versus- everybody else attitude has never, ever served performing arts. People want more collaboration. Maybe they’re concerned that it will become simply a recital hall for the parents of the children in the children’s theater, that kind of thing, and they’re worried about that” Tuition from AAT parents has helped to support the maintaining of a warehouse for costumes and other theatrical props, as well as leasing the Colligan Theater as a venue. “Our aspiration is that we would keep our current studio and would also be able to offer evening classes. There’s the main theater here, but there’s also the lobby where we could have open mic nights, other community events, exhibitions with live guitar music. We’re going to be applying for a liquor license so that other artists could have an intimate setting in the lobby, a little reception area also. Creative concession offerings will also bring in more support revenue.” Yes there are big challenges. “We are literally hitting the ground like not just gazelles but cheetahs. We basically had two and a half weeks to get in to learn the whole system. Not everything was labeled, not everything was wired correctly. The space was not cleaned. Getting it ready has taken copious amounts of manpower and labor, some of which are volunteers.” The second big challenge she admits, “as we grapple with what this beautiful vision could be, is how to handle hiring. How do you hire somebody if they’re not needed full time? Maybe it will end up as the full time position, but only maybe. That’s the the beauty of having All About Theater in there is that the bills get paid. We’re looking at how we adjust the infrastructure and find the environmentally friendly way of running things? So there’s a big learning curve, but once we’ve hit the ground running within the next couple of shows, I do feel that we will be able to move past the chaos.” Find out about Theater 831 and Colligan Theater programming at colligantheater.org/rent-the-colligan. By Christina Waters

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Scrooge Meets Shakespeare

growingupsc — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:42:28 +0000

From the story that gave us the expression “Bah, humbug!” and the character Scrooge—A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, a new holiday tradition will debut next week. Santa Cruz Shakespeare Artistic Director Charles Pasternak has adapted Dickens’ beloved story and will direct the upcoming Santa Cruz Shakespeare production opening next week in the downtown Santa Cruz Veterans Hall. The story is well-known, well-loved, and will warm the hearts of audiences of every age. The ghost of Jacob Marley—greedy business partner of tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge—is condemned to an afterlife bound in chains. His midnight visit to Scrooge sets up a series of emotional episodes that will transform the cold-hearted Scrooge into a generous benefactor. Mike Ryan, former Santa Cruz Shakespeare Artistic Director plays Scrooge, with Julie James, Charlotte Munson, Robert Zelaya, and Andrea Sweeney Blanco, also young actors Lincoln Best and Joseph Pratt Lukefahr alternating the role of Tiny Tim. We asked Charles Pasternak, Mike Ryan, and Julie James about this eagerly-awaited production. Charles Pasternak: The key thing for me in adapting Dickens’ amazing novella was to trust Dickens. With the exception of a word here or there, the entire adaptation is taken straight from Dickens and arranged dramatically. This story has been adapted hundreds of times—I don’t believe I’ve done anything new, but I’m proud of the exciting pattern we’ve found of telling a dynamic story with only five adult actors, and two kids. Mike Ryan: The delight of playing Scrooge is that the actor gets to play one of the greatest character arcs ever written. What thrills us about the story is the total transformation that occurs from the start of the play, when Scrooge is such a “covetous old sinner”, to the end when he is “as good a man as the good old city knew”. The greater these opposites, the more joy there is in the journey. The beauty and joy of playing Scrooge is not just in his wickedness, but in watching the light reach the dark places, and in seeing his vulnerability. I may not be the wickedest old coot of an actor that ever graced the stage, but I like to believe that one of my strengths as an actor is my ability to express vulnerability on stage, to find light and humor where there is often little to be found, and in expressing joy. These three things are all essential to Scrooge and what makes the story, and the meaning, of Christmas, so important to us all. Julie James, known for countless Jewel Theater productions, plays many roles. Q: It must be such a challenge to play multiple parts after so many years as a leading actor. JJ: It is a lot of fun to do multiple roles. But it is definitely challenging too, because you want them all to be distinctly different from each other, so you go about finding the particular vocal and physical aspects of each character that helps contrast them compared to the other characters. But you also want what you are doing to feel organic to the character and be believable to the audience. So there is a balance needed to not go too broad just for contrast’s sake. Q: You play Fezziwig, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Mrs. Dilber. How does that work? JJ: I’m also playing Jacob Marley, a narrator type character, which is great fun, and I do have different costumes for each but that means when I’m not on stage acting, I’m off stage changing my costume, usually very very quickly. Most of us in the play have several quick changes. So no time to think about what’s next, just jumping from one thing to the next and hope I don’t skip anything! A Christmas Carol, produced by Santa Cruz Shakespeare, from the novella by Charles Dickens, runs Nov. 23 – Dec. 24 at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 846 Front St, in downtown Santa Cruz. santacruzshakespeare.org for tickets. The show is 90 minutes and has no intermission. By Christina Waters

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The Little Mermaid Jr.: A Tale of Curiosity, Longing and Acceptance

growingupsc — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:37:36 +0000

The seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s ocean… or is it? This idea resonates deeply in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” a tale that explores the longing for a different life, the struggle to accept one’s circumstances and the pursuit of curiosity. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” – as embodied onstage by Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) middle school cast – is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. Performances are Dec. 14 and 15 at 2pm at Mount Madonna School’s Hawks’ Nest Theater. Tickets on sale at mms-thelittlemermaid.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $20; seniors are $15 and $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved. This production is designed for children and families of all ages. In a magical underwater kingdom, a young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the human Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking. “For middle school students, this period often marks the emergence of identity questions and the drive to carve out their unique paths.,” observed Director Chelsea Otterness. “The story is infused with a lively, playful energy, both above the waves and beneath them. Picture sparkling mermaids and squawking gulls, bringing humor to the narrative, while a more profound message quietly unfolds. Ariel sacrifices her voice – her means of self-expression – in exchange for legs, something she wasn’t born with. This essential loss signifies the cost of exploring new worlds, and illustrates that in the quest for more, we may lose a part of ourselves.” Eighth grade student River Russell is cast as King Triton. “The sea king, Triton, loves his daughter and his daughter loves a human,” said Russell. “It’s kind of like “Romeo and Juliet”; they need to find a middle ground between their worlds. It has all the archetypes of a perfect story. It’s ideal for middle school because we are a strong community. We get to be in this new world together, giving us a chance to step out of our comfort zone and become part of something new. When we’re in the play, we aren’t middle schoolers anymore – we transform together into something else.” Eighth grader Cadence Barr is cast in the role of the mermaid, Ariel. “This story is about pursuing your dreams and desires rather than listening to others’ expectations, and this is an interesting concept,” said Barr. “As a child, you might dream of being a mermaid, but Ariel dreams of being human. It speaks to the idea that once we achieve something, we often want more, never fully content with what we have. “In middle school, this feeling is magnified by constant comparisons,” Barr continued. “Ariel compares herself to humans and when she finally gets the chance to live among them, she’s amazed. Yet, she sacrifices something precious, her voice – her ability to express herself – just to gain this new experience.” “I’m playing the marvelous Scuttle,” said eighth grade student Eva Melton. “He’s a funny character who thinks he knows everything, but he’s constantly giving Ariel bad advice – kind of like those Reddit accounts that post false information! When I was young, this story was a big part of my childhood. The storyline was cute: Ariel wants to be somewhere else, has all these dreams and does something drastic to achieve them. She ends up in a tough situation, but it all works out in the end, which is the kind of story that leaves you feeling good. “I think everyone has moments, big or small, when they have a desire and try to make it happen,” Melton continued. “Not everyone follows through though, and while selling your soul isn’t the best idea, it’s a compelling plot point.” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com. “Middle school students are immersing themselves in the script and applying the Chekhov method to develop their characters,” said Otterness. “They are learning to construct authentic personas by probing motivations and desires, delving deeply into the text. The songs will resonate with emotion, and their dedication to character development will be exceptional.”

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Tips for Supporting a Neurodivergent Child During the Holidays

growingupsc — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:28:13 +0000

For neurodivergent children, the holiday season can be challenging. This time of year is full of new experiences, new foods, new sounds, and new people. Simply put — for children who are neurodivergent, special needs or highly sensitive — new often equals hard. And when kids are having a hard time, parents are usually having a hard time as well. So how can parents keep the joy and fun of holiday activities and traditions while supporting their child? Here are four practical strategies for navigating the holiday season with a kid who needs some extra support. But first, let’s unpack why some children struggle with the holiday season. Why exactly are the holidays hard for kids with special needs? Holidays are often when we meet with extended family and friends to celebrate together. This means more people together in one space, either “invading” a child’s safe place or making the child go to a new, unfamiliar place. The holidays can be a sensory overload for neurodivergent/special needs children. The bright lights, loud noises of music and people talking, different foods, and increased activity can feel overwhelming for these children. Especially for kids who thrive on routine and predictability, these times can be uncomfortable. Their schedules are different, they don’t know what to expect, and they are around new and unfamiliar people and places, which can all create fear and dysregulation. So how can parents approach holiday gatherings and traditions in a way that supports their special needs child? Prepare your child and your family by talking about what to expect Do this early – think weeks in advance – and often. Describe or bring up details that your child knows or remembers. For example, “We are going to Nana’s house for Thanksgiving this year. Remember, she has the green house with the trampoline in the back.” Let them know what the plan is so they feel prepared and are not caught off guard. Such as, “We will get to the house, and you can play on your tablet, then we will eat dinner and afterwards, we can go home.” *Bonus tip: If your child is visually focused, make a visual schedule for the day or show pictures of family members they are going to see or a video of the place they will be at. Prepare your family and friends Let everyone know about the child’s sensory needs. For example, “Clara will be using an AAC device, she can talk with you through that and she might show you some pictures.” Or “Please do not ask Ben to give hugs or make eye contact.” It’s also helpful to tell family and friends about the child’s interests so they can more easily connect. Saying something like, “Antonio loves sea creatures. If you’d like to get to know him better, ask him about his favorite sea animals.” Finally, if your child exhibits common behaviors when they are overwhelmed or dysregulated – such as tapping, yelling, singing loudly, etc. – let your friends and family know about this before you arrive and before they see it. Bring comfort items from home to put your child at ease If your child has a favorite toy they usually want to bring everywhere, this isn’t a time to leave it behind. Come prepared with common items or activities that help regulate your child and bring them with you! If watching a video on their tablet helps them regulate, make sure you have the tablet charged and ready to go. It can also be very helpful to bring familiar foods or snacks for your child. This doesn’t mean they can’t sit and eat at the table with everyone, but make them feel comfortable and nourished while being a part of holiday traditions. Meet your child at his/her level and advocate for them by holding boundaries when necessary Setting boundaries for your child can look like saying no to caroling if they hate loud noises, not forcing them to play with cousins if they prefer to play alone or giving them some of the holiday meal without any pressure to try these new foods. Get comfortable with your child saying “no” to certain aspects of holiday traditions and honor the boundaries they set for themselves, such as not wanting to give someone a hug, or needing a break from the noise and activity. Katelin Carollo, CCC-SLP,is a speech language pathologist and clinical director at Central Coast Language & Learning Center.

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Help Santa Cruz Pets Come Home for the Holidays

Comcast — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:24:47 +0000

The Santa Cruz SPCA (SCSPCA) recognizes that a community without pet over-population, abuse, neglect, homelessness, and other animal welfare issues begins, in part, with youth education and involvement. Given this, we have created fun-filled programs that help young people feel engaged and inspired as they learn about animals so they can make positive choices for their community, now and for the rest of their lives. The Santa Cruz SPCA offers a number of ways for youth to get involved. Ignite a Love for Animals at Santa Cruz SPCA Youth Camps This year’s winter camp theme is Great Animal Migrations. Kids will learn about which animals migrate, hibernate or adapt during the cold of Winter. They will discover why animals need to migrate and learn what they use to find their way across oceans and continents without getting lost. The camp will educate youth on which animals travel across California on their way to warmer locations, how far they go, which animals are residents and which ones are migrants. Camp leaders keep the activities fun, informative and engaging by using clues to find migrating animals in scavenger hunts. Campers will make paper bag puppets of animal migrants and paint giant maps to chart where the animals go. Campers will have the opportunity to learn about and interact with numerous different animals, including shelter animals as well as other animals. Throughout all of the Santa Cruz SPCA’s youth programs the focus is on sharing information about shelter animals, including things like the ways we train and socialize the animals to help them get adopted. Camp runs from 9am to 3pm on Monday 12/30/24, Tuesday 12/31/24, Thursday 1/2/25 and Friday 1/3/25 Promoting Animal Welfare with Students (PAWS) The Santa Cruz SPCA has two ongoing youth volunteering programs. Promoting Animal Welfare with Students (PAWS), for ages 7-12, and Community Service Saturdays for ages 13-15. PAWS has two different levels. PAWS 1 is for students just starting our PAWS program and who are still learning to be comfortable around animals and to work in small groups. You can sign up for this session if your student has never been to PAWS or has recently started their journey in one of our PAWS programs. PAWS 1 sessions meet Monday from 4-6pm for Juniors (age 7-9 yrs. old) and Tuesday from 4-6pm for Pre-Teen (10-12 yrs. old). The cost for one two-week session of PAWS 1 is $65. PAWS 2 is for students who have a good level of experience in our PAWS program and are looking to take it a step further. Students in this group work from existing skills learned in the PAWS 1 program and gain further skill sets and a greater understanding of the bigger picture of animal welfare. PAWS 2 sessions meet on Wednesday from 4-6pm for Juniors (7-9 yrs. old) and Thursdays from 4-6pm for Pre-teens (10-12 yrs. old). Prerequisite: At least one or more sessions of PAWS 1 completed. The cost for one three-week session of PAWS 2 is $65. Community Service Saturdays Many area middle and high school students are required to meet a certain number of community service hours to graduate or meet college entrance goals. We realize that these students may not have the desire, nor the ability, to commit to volunteering for the long term, so Community Service Saturdays was developed in an effort to serve our community’s youth and to allow us to benefit from their valuable volunteer time. We can accommodate up to 12 middle and/or high students in a session who are supervised by the SCSPCA’s Humane Educator. Students will complete work such as shelter site maintenance, cleaning of the shelter site, animal enrichment, preparing food bags, dog walking and cat TLC. Typically held on the last Saturday of the month from 10:00am until 1:00pm, our Community Service Saturdays program runs from September through May at a cost of $25 per student. Home for the Holidays To encourage the placement of as many of our shelter guests into permanent homes for the holidays as possible, we are running a promotion called Home for the Holidays in which participants can name their own adoption fee. This promotion runs through year-end and focuses on the types of animals filling shelters across the US and needing second chances. 11/27-12/1 — Big Adult Dogs (over 6 months and 40lbs.) 12/4-12/8 — Adult Cats (6 months and over) 12/11-12/15 — All animals with over 30-day stays (6 months and over) 12/18-29 — ALL three categories The opportunity to name your own adoption fee is made possible by a generous gift from Kevin Kowalkowski, a dear friend to the animals and the Santa Cruz SPCA. Act Now for Generous Matching Programs Gifts to the Santa Cruz SPCA made by the end of December 2024 will be matched up to $1,000 per gift, up to a total of $25,000. The community’s support has already had a remarkable impact and now there is a chance to double your gift to help the animals. This matching gift opportunity was created by the family of longtime supporter Peggy Hillis, who was a true champion for homeless pets and a dear friend of the Santa Cruz SPCA. Visit spcasc.org/donate to support our work. Learn More and Get Involved! To learn more about our adoption experience and see our animals that are available for adoption, visit: spcasc.org/adoption-process The SCSPCA is open for browsing and adoptions Wednesdays – Sundays 11am-5pm at 2601 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz. Can’t make a permanent commitment but still want to help? Consider becoming a foster home. This can be a great experience for the whole family. spcasc.org/foster Questions: 831.465.5000 or adoptions@spcasc.org.

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5 Money Habits to Teach Your Kids in 2025

Bay Federal Credit Union — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:20:46 +0000

Good money habits start young, and teaching kids about finances doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five simple, kid-friendly money habits that can set your children up for success in 2025 and beyond: 1. Saving a Part of Any Income Whether it’s allowance, birthday money, or earnings from small chores, teaching kids to save a portion of their money is a great habit to build early on. Help them understand the idea of “paying yourself first” by setting aside a percentage to save before spending on anything else. Using a clear jar or a savings account can help them see their savings grow, creating a sense of accomplishment. 2. Setting Short-Term and Long-Term Savings Goals Teach kids the difference between saving for something small, like a toy, versus something bigger, like a bike. Have them set one short-term and one long-term savings goal. Kids learn patience and the value of delayed gratification, which are essential skills for responsible money management. Setting realistic goals helps children see that saving pays off and encourages careful spending. 3. Understanding Needs vs. Wants Teaching kids to distinguish between needs and wants is foundational for making smart spending decisions. Use everyday examples, like food and clothing as needs and toys and treats as wants. This habit builds awareness, which can be further developed as they grow, helping them avoid impulsive spending and understand the importance of budgeting for essentials first. 4. Practicing Simple Budgeting Budgeting can be as simple as dividing money into categories like saving, spending, and giving. Kids can put their allowance or gift money into envelopes or jars marked for different purposes. You might encourage them to give a small portion to charity, reinforcing values like sharing and responsibility. Budgeting even small amounts of money gives children a sense of control and helps them learn financial planning from a young age. 5. Learning to Compare Prices Before making a purchase, encourage kids to compare prices on similar items with varying retailers. For example, if they’re saving up for a toy, they can check different stores or look online to see where it’s sold for the best price. This habit teaches kids about making informed choices and getting the most value for their money. It’s also a fun way to help them feel empowered by their spending decisions. Teaching kids good money habits doesn’t have to be complicated. By introducing simple concepts like saving, budgeting, and distinguishing needs from wants, you’re setting them up with skills that will soon become a habit. The new year is a perfect time to start practicing, so give these tips a try and enjoy seeing your kids become financially savvy young individuals!

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Local Woman Makes ‘Not So Neighborly’ Holiday Game

growingupsc — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:16:55 +0000

Courtney Laschkewitsch, a Santa Cruz local, is an innovative, brilliant product licensing coach and tabletop gamemaker. Her ongoing career allows her to make people’s dreams come true, and now, she is bringing one of her own dreams to life. A beautiful mix of strong family values, imagination, and love for the holidays has inspired Courtney to create an accessible, fun Christmas themed “Print & Play” tabletop game. Where are you from? What was your childhood like? Courtney Laschkewitsch: I grew up in La Selva Beach with my brother and parents. We were homeschooled for most of my education . My parents would revolve our interests around education. We were encouraged to follow a path we loved with education as a foundation. We grew up “professional with passions”. We learned mindfulness with passion for the business world. What was it like to win the 2015 NEXTies award? CL: Through my speech about the importance of ASL and business, I was able to be entered into the NEXTies 18 & under division and won the award. I was passionate about changing the world through business. Two years later, I reposted my NEXTies award speech and Invent Right called to hire me. Beautiful full circle moment of passion. The gift that keeps on giving. Pivotal part of my journey and why I’m here. “I talk about passion because people come in with passion and I was hired solely based on my passion”–CL What is your current job? CL: I am a Product Licensing Coach at Invent Right. There is the Main program for inventors aged 19+. I am a manager and coach for the Youth program for inventors aging 5-18. I coach inventors who have product ideas ranging from games to kitchen utensils. I aid them to get their product patented and pitched to major companies like Hasbro. Then they market, manufacture, and distribute the product into their line and the inventor collects a royalty. “I’m holding people’s dreams in my hands every single day.” What tabletop games did you play growing up? What games inspired you? CL: My family grew up playing mass marketed games such as Scrabble and Yahtzee. One of my favorites was Dragonology because I loved how the dragon theme drove the gameplay. This was my gateway game to more niche, themed games outside the traditional. I developed games my whole life in homeschooling but wasn’t an all knowing professional yet. Two years ago, I dove into the game industry–such a warm, open, and immersive community. I fell in love with “Print & Plays” . Print & plays are accessible and repeatable games that are made on paper from your home! How do you celebrate Christmas with your family? CL: I grew up with strong family traditions and fell in love with the holidays because of family get-togethers, especially Christmas. My parent’s house was insanely decorated, like you’re walking into Santa’s Workshop. We had huge themed collections–nut crackers, teddy bears, etc. When I step into my family home, I enter the Christmas Spirit, family magic, fun, and mischief. We also loved watching Christmas light competition tv shows–all of this inspired the creation of my Print & Play game. How is the The Not-So-Neighborly Christmas Lights Competition Game played? CL: Main Game–You’re Six days away from Christmas Eve, you are thrust into the spotlight of an epic, chaotic Christmas light competition in your neighborhood. The game is a Print and Play, Choose & Roll, Draw & Color Competition. You are competing with your neighbors to decorate the best house. You’ll pick a house, and then choose between 5 different actions to take on your turn. Once you choose, you will roll dice to see the outcome. If you gain a decor item, you will draw and color it on your house or property! You can choose to play Naughty or Nice with every roll. Naughty or Nice, the element of sabotage makes the game exciting. Since it’s a family game, the sabotage mechanic can be hard for kids to accept so I made sure that if you play Naughty, there are rules that will reward the other player. Scoring is based on what colors you choose and placements of your colors. This levels the playing field because you don’t have to be an artist to win. The goal is to make the holiday spirit brighter with mischief and shenanigans. What are the rules of the Suburb Edition? CL: One house per paper with unlimited player count. It’s longer and slower so you can take your time decorating. For someone who wants a longer 1-2 hour game or in general if they enjoy the art of the game and want more time for that. You can think about your turns longer with lower stakes. “Accessibility is the reason, the drive, the motivating factor of the creation of this game. I aim to change the world through accessibility.” What is your kickstarter goal? CL: My initial $100 goal was hit within two hours of starting the kickstarter. I have more stretch goals including $1000 to get the game out there as a form of marketing. I have stretch goals of $300+ so I can add features such as snow ball fights to the game. I am also working on a Gingerbread house and halloween edition. The Kickstarter launched Nov. 12 and ends Dec. 6, with late pledges available after it ends. By Joanna Jenkins

The post Local Woman Makes ‘Not So Neighborly’ Holiday Game first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.