February 2020 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Avoiding Plastic Bags: Green Tip February 2020

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 20:37:00 +0000

Avoiding Plastic Bags Green Tip February 2020 By Meredith Keet Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags annually. That’s 307 bags per person per year! Recycling for these bags was estimated to be around a measly 1%. With plastic bag bans becoming more prevalent, you may be finding it easier to avoid them, but for most of us there may be places where we are finding them hard to avoid. Here are a few suggestions that may help you skip the bag then next time around: Trash Bags: Composting is key! Once you eliminate all that yucky food waste from your trash you’re left with very little (if anything) that actually needs to be contained in a trash bag. Rinse out your trash can after emptying, maybe sprinkle a little baking soda at the bottom for odor control. Done. At the Grocery Store: keep totes everywhere. And reusable produce bags too. These can be made from old t-shirts or found for sale in a variety of sizes. You may even choose to skip the bag for your produce entirely by placing your produce loose on the conveyor belt (gasp!). Don’t worry, you can wash them when you get home to ensure they’re nice and clean! Bulk: use your stash of reusable produce bags or bring your own containers. Just head to the customer service desk for a tare weight before you load them up. Freezing: We’ve recently become huge fans of Stasher bags for freezing. While not huge proponents of silicone because it is difficult to dispose of, Stasher will take back their bags if broken or damaged for recycling into playground material. Another freezing option-mason jars. Just don’t forget to leave a little extra room for expansion of liquids to avoid cracking. Kids Lunches: Years ago we made the investment in Planetbox lunchboxes for our kids. Stainless steel, indestructible with separate bento-style compartments, you can send your kids to school with the perfect amount of food for their lunches. These also took away those early morning quests for matching containers and lids. Takeout: bring your reusable tote and ask the restaurant if they can pack your order in your bag instead of a plastic bag. We’ve never had anyone refuse to do this, though we have forgotten a million times and ended up with the plastic bag. Again, the key is having those totes on hand ALL THE TIME! Come visit us at Ethos (formerly The Zero Shop)! Located in Capitola Village on the corner of Capitola Ave and Monterey www.ethossantacruz.com Follow us on Instagram @liveyourethos

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February Coloring Page

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:59:00 +0000

February Coloring Page Send us your finished coloring pages to editor@growingupsc.com or tag us on Instagram!

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Jazz Isn’t Dead; It’s Alive and Well in SLV

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:52:00 +0000

Jazz Isn’t Dead; It’s Alive and Well in SLV By Christina Wise Boulder Creek’s Vincent Bottini, comes from a family where musical talent runs deep. Vincent’s mom, Celina, is the lead singer for a Santa Cruz punk rock band called SA90; dad Steve spent years playing Latin percussion, but has picked up the guitar; Vincent’s grandfather plays trumpet, and helped found the Saratoga Big Band, and now 14-year-old Vincent is following in his family’s footsteps. The San Lorenzo Valley High School freshman is finding his stride with jazz piano, and learning a lot along the way. “I enjoy listening to other musicians who inspire me,” says Bottini. Influencers include Thelonious Monk (famously known for “Straight, No Chaser,” “Round Midnight” and “Blue Monk”) and Herbie Hancock (multi-Academy Award winner and 2014 Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard University, where Hancock’s theme is, “The Ethics of Jazz”). Bottini’s local inspiration comes from Zayante-based jazz pianist instructor Rob Mahoney. “I’ve been studying with Rob for a while. I played piano during elementary and middle school, and was taught by (past SLVMS Musical Director) Dan Lingenfelter, but playing for Rob means I’ve performed at Kuumbwa Jazz.” And all that playing comes with a ton of practice. “I practice at lunch in the band room, and I play when I get home, too.” For all the effort that Bottini has put into learning to play, what is this pianist’s favorite type of piano? “Stride piano is my favorite.” Stride piano, also known as Harlem stride piano, gets its name for the pianist’s left hand leaping, or striding, across the piano keys. “You play a bass note in an octave with your left hand, and play the chord on the second and fourth beats, creating a rhythm,” explains Bottini. “Art Tatum (known as one of the greatest improvisers in jazz history) was famous for his ability to play stride piano. My favorite striding song, though, is ‘Take the ‘A’ Train,’ which was written by Billy Strayhorn and made famous by Duke Ellington.” Bottini admires composers, but says that’s not where his talent is focused for now. “I need to learn more about music theory, but my jazz piano is getting ahead of me.” As for his musical future, Bottini is compelled to continue playing. “I want to study music as a minor,” Bottini says, “especially music theory and music production. I really enjoy playing. There’s something that’s more than words with jazz, and it really speaks to me. My dad put on a lot of jazz stuff when I was growing up, and something about jazz really clicked with me. Especially playing it now and playing with other people is so fun and inspiring. I don’t plan to stop.” And as for other youngsters who are finding their musical teeth? “For a while I was stuck in a rut, and I’m glad my parents forced me to keep going. Since I found something I’m passionate about, like jazz, I’m so happy. Find something you’re interested in and inspired by and excited about!”

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Passwords, Logins, Accounts…. Oh My! Get Organized February 2020

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:42:00 +0000

Passwords, Logins, Accounts…. Oh My! Get Organized: February 2020 By Jhonee Fillmore It can be really overwhelming to keep track of all of your accounts. So many accounts must be created for various areas of your life or on behalf of your family members. Just when you get use to using the same few passwords for everything and feeling pretty sane, a couple of new accounts require you to have passwords with “their” requirements. Therefore, more passwords are born in your life. And let’s not forget to mention the logins for your accounts. Some logins are your email address, but wait… which email address? Or was this the account that has the custom login? And which login goes with which password? Wait; was there a PIN number too? And where on the site do you login? And darn, who was it that I spoke with when I was having an issue? Where is my reference number? Ahh!!! Am I speaking your language? Let’s get this simple for you and start 2020 with a bang. Keeping accounts, logins and passwords organized We all have our preferences and feelings of security when it comes to the topic of where to store your passwords. I am not going to advise on whether you should store your password digitally or handwritten and tucked away. I just want wherever you keep them, to be organized. Whenever you create a new account, IMMEDIATELY make sure you record the following information (if applicable) and write tidy: Company name, login, password, PIN, account number, email address, website, security questions/answers and date created. Photo by Randi Dukes of Dukes & Duchesses Sometimes when you setup your security questions you are made to choose questions and answers that aren’t exactly accurate for yourself. You are not likely in the future going to remember your on the spot thinking so do yourself a huge favor and record these. In the future if you are changing a password, make sure you update the password on your record and make a note of the date it changed. I like to keep one big list of accounts that I have between work, family, fun, banking, utilities, investments, etc.. I keep this list at home. Some of these accounts I need to access on the go and feel safe for them to travel with me. For example, I often renew my library books on my phone while waiting for appointments so I keep that information tucked inside of my phone for quick access and a quick check off of my to-do list. Keeping disputes organized We have all been there when you have a problem with a company and call in. You speak to one representative and then get transferred to another department and so on. Then on another day you speak to an employee who informs you of the exact opposite of the previous employee whereas both have clearly informed you that they alone are correct. Sound familiar? I have learned through much experience to document everything. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! When placing a phone call, email or letter to resolve a problem for yourself, include these items in your documentation: Date, phone number dialed, representative name, representative direct line if possible, reference number and make notes of everything they discuss with you. If they say they are going to transfer you, ask them for the department name and the direct phone number to that department for when you get disconnected or need to reach that direct department in the future. Keep track of any and all communication in one spot such as phone conversations, emails and/or letters. When you collect all of this information and misinformation from a company you are more likely to win the frustrating battle as you can present the chain of communication you have experienced. I have personally had some great outcomes arise from extremely frustrating situations when having my documentation on my side. Your chances of a great outcome are so much better if you are organized and oriented while moving through the process. Don’t let 2020 get the best of you. Get your accounts organized today. Jhonee Fillmore is the owner of Missplaced Organizing / www.thedavenportcompany.com/missplaced.

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Eating to Beat the Winter Blues: Healthy Eating February 2020

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:27:00 +0000

Eating to Beat the Winter Blues Healthy Eating: February 2020 By Gretchen Heimsoth Right around this time in the new year- after all the hustle and bustle and stress from the holidays is finished, (and hopefully the decorations are put away!) we can come to a pause after all the festivities where we can feel a lull in energy and focus, as well as low mood and motivation. Shorter days/less sun, chilly and rainy days all add up and can express in a syndrome known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. SAD can affect all age ranges. Children pent up inside when they would otherwise be running around expending energy are no less susceptible the seasonal “blahs” then adults are. Consider the possibility that a large portion of us spent the last six weeks or so indulging in holiday favorites, foods often laden with fat, sugar and calories with little to no nutrients, then the beginning of the year starts looking like a great time to refocus our attention on what we are putting into our bodies so we can continue to get out of our bodies what we demand of them. Make it a family affair and open the dialogue of what healthy eating looks like to your children so they can start to exercise their mental muscle when it comes to food choices! There are key nutrients and foods we can focus on during the winter months to support our bodies and help mitigate the effect of SAD. They are easy to obtain foods, especially on this Central Coast of California, in which we are graced such an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, many of which enjoy a long growing season here. Focusing on these foods can give you and your family a boost that will help them be as healthy as they can through the winter while giving their body fuel to prepare for longer days and warmer weather. Lean Protein- a diet too high in saturated fat right now can potentially lower mood and is hard on the digestion Omega 3 Fatty Acids-low levels of omega 3’s have been correlated with low mood in studies. A diet high in Omega 6, from grains and seed oils, without an adequate balance of Omega 3’s also lends to chronic inflammation, which can contribute to a host of issues. Food sources include wild salmon, flax seed and oil and walnuts. Berries- Blueberries, cherries, raspberries and pomegranates (not technically a berry but still included) can help prevent the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. Folic Acid- No healthy eating list would be complete without mentioning leafy greens. They pack a punch with antioxidants, fiber and folate!! Folic acid is also found in oatmeal, broccoli, sunflower seeds, lentils, black eyed peas and soybeans. B-12- If you eat animal products and dairy, then you will be getting a regular intake of B- 12. If you are vegan, there are vegan sourced B-12 supplements derived from seaweed. During the darker winter months, it may be worth considering supplementation. Vitamin D- Such a vital compound for our bodies. It is essentially a hormone the kidneys produce and regulates calcium metabolism. This process is set in motion by our skin having exposure to sun. Try for as much exposed skin as you can handle in the weather for 15 minutes minimum in the sun a day. Aim for that as a goal. Food sources include egg yolks and mushrooms. Bone broth can help boost levels as well. Magnesium- Helps stabilize mood and promote a sense of calm. Foods that contain magnesium are often satisfying and fun to eat. Dark chocolate fits this bill as well as bananas. Broccoli- Broccoli is an antioxidant VIP, housing some of the most potent antioxidants used by the human body, glutathione and sulforaphane. There has been so much recent research surrounding these two compounds. These chemicals support our natural detox processes and assist in slowing down the effects of ageing. Salads are excellent ways to get a lot of these foods on your plate in one sitting. However, I find salads to be unmotivating at times during these colder months. The last few weeks under the redwoods have been particularly cold. Soups lend themselves to the winter occasion, offering both warm comfort and an aid in digestion with the added liquid as well as the breaking down of plant fibers during the cooking process. Following is a sausage, greens and lentil soup recipe that will bring smiles to even most fastidious little faces!! Sausage, Greens and Lentil Soup 1 Tbsp oil for sauté, I recommend avocado oil 4 links smoked chicken sausage- Aidell’s for example, chopped (for plant based soup…substitute one pound mushrooms, any mushroom, for sausage) 1 yellow onion chopped 2 ribs celery with leaves, chopped 1 large carrot, any color, peeled and chopped 1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped into small dice 1 red bell pepper, chopped 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped 2 large cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄2 Tbsp ground cumin Fresh nutmeg 1 bunch greens- Dino kale, spinach or chard. Stemmed and very thinly sliced 5 cups stock of choice. Sub bone broth for extra gut loving benefits 3⁄4 cups lentils 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 2 cups water Salt and Pepper to taste In soup pot, heat oil and sauté onions, celery and carrots until lightly browned. Add sausage or mushrooms and sauté for another two minutes. Add bell pepper and potato, rosemary, cumin, garlic and salt and pepper. Sauté for another minute and deglaze with one cup of the stock. Let cook 8 to 10 minutes to soften potato and vegetables. Wilt in the greens, season with a few grates of fresh nutmeg, stir in tomato paste, lentils, stock and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer soup until the lentils are tender. About 30 minutes. Salt and Pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs, scallions, some cubed avocado or some grated parmesan and serve!!

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Taking Care of Tiny Teeth: Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 19:02:00 +0000

Taking Care of Tiny Teeth Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist By Primavera Hernandez, Senior Health Educator, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency It seems to happen overnight. One day your baby is giving you the most delicious gummy smile and the next day, as your baby grins lovingly at you, you notice the white speck of their first tooth! This is a milestone worthy of their baby book and a visit to the dentist! If your baby does not have teeth by their 1st Birthday it is still a good time to take them to the dentist for their first check-up. Why so early? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recommend early visits to the dentist because healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth and a healthy body throughout the lifespan. Babies need healthy teeth to chew a variety of nutritious foods, to learn to speak well, to smile with confidence, and to hold space in their mouth for incoming adult teeth. Starting good oral health habits from babyhood will prepare your child for a lifetime of happy healthy teeth! Tooth decay is the most common disease in children. 1 in 4 children in Santa Cruz County have dental cavities. Decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infection, missed school days, problems with permanent teeth, and low self-esteem. Preventing and addressing tooth decay in early stages can prevent the development of more painful and expensive oral health problems. The great news is that cavities are preventable! Visiting the dentist by the time your child has their first tooth or first birthday is important! Here are other helpful tips to support your child’s healthy mouth and teeth. Before your baby’s teeth come in, wipe the gums with a clean and damp cloth twice a day. As your baby’s teeth come in, start brushing 2 times a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Brush after breakfast and at bedtime. Use a dab (size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste. Only give water for the nighttime bottle. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar that will sit in your baby’s mouth overnight if their nighttime bottle is filled with a sugary beverage (milk, formula, juice, or other sugar sweetened drinks). Breastfed babies can still get cavities. Breastmilk is natural, but still contains sugars that can feed cavity-causing bacteria. If you are breastfeeding throughout the night, be sure to wipe down your baby’s gums with a cloth or brush your baby’s teeth in the morning. Feed your child a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein and no added sugars. Try your best to avoid sugary snacks, foods, and drinks. Note: dried fruit, like raisins, can stick to the grooves in your child’s teeth and lead to cavities. Brush well after eating dry fruits and speak to your dentist about adding sealants to protect permanent molars which start to erupt around the age of 6. Eating healthfully can be expensive. Call the Community Food Hotline at 831-662-0991 for food assistance and Cal-Fresh (food stamp) eligibility. At your child’s next Well-Child medical appointment, ask your pediatrician if they can apply fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth. Fluoride varnish is a safe and effective preventive measure that reduces rates of tooth decay by up to 40%! Your doctor may also prescribe fluoride drops or tablets. If you are pregnant visit the dentist during your pregnancy. Dental care during any trimester, including x-rays, is completely safe. Keeping parents’ mouths clean reduces rate of cavity-causing bacteria transfer to their baby. Model good dental health habits by keeping up on your own dental health habits! Parents should brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes, floss daily, and visit the dentist 2 times a year. Everyone needs to see a dentist at least twice a year! Ask your doctor to refer you to a dentist, if you don’t have one. If you need help finding an affordable dentist and have Medi-Cal Insurance, visit smilecalifornia.org or call the Medi-Cal Dental program at 1-800-322-6384. For local low-cost dental clinics that accept Medi-Cal Dental and have a sliding-scale call Dientes Community Dental at 831-464-5409/ (dientes.org) or Salud Para La Gente at 831-728-0222/ (splg.org). If you have private health insurance, ask your carrier if you have dental benefits or how to get them. Taking care of your baby’s teeth starts early and the benefits will last a lifetime! Take your baby to the dentist by their 1st Tooth or 1st Birthday.

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One Tree at a Time: Green Family Living February 2020

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 18:52:00 +0000

One Tree at a Time Kids Who Plant Together Save the Planet Together Green Family Living: February 2020 By John Louis Koenig It was more than just a day in the park on a Wednesday for hard working kids from Santa Cruz Waldorf School, as 5th graders helped to plant 25 trees, oaks and maples, as part of Waldorf’s goal of planting 100 trees this school year. “The kids had a blast,” said Leslie Keedy, said City of Santa Cruz Urban Forester and supervisor of the day’s tree planting at University Terrace Park near UCSC. Keedy has been demonstrating to young and old how to plant trees as volunteers help to plant 500 trees funded by a Calfire Forestry & Clean air grant. “The maturity level of our young volunteers always amazes me,” Keedy says. “They are both enthusiastic and intellectual sponges.” She has noticed an increase in concern for the environment among young people, a concern that shows in the seriousness with which they lend their help. “Whether working with peers or adults, their sense of teamwork is evident and they rise to the occasion.” Keedy says that young people, 5th grade and up, are always welcome to volunteer with an accompanying adult. Parents sign waivers for themselves and their children, and young people are always given safe jobs to do. With Greta Thunberg, Sweden’s 16-year-old climate change activist, being named Person of the Year by Time Magazine, the year 2020 may see an even greater increase in youth participation. Keedy cites her as an “amazing” example of what an individual can accomplish, calling her an articulate and thoughtful trendsetter and role model. Planting trees is one of the most immediate ways of reducing carbon in the atmosphere according to a study published in the journal Science. In addition to the Cal Fire forestry grant, there has been additional funding from the State related to air quality and climate action. The community of Santa Cruz always engages in tree planting and has internal funding to support this action regardless of State or Federal contributions. In addition to tree planting, young volunteers have been helping with the many other activities that assist the natural environment in Santa Cruz. Riparian zones are the areas that transition between land and water, whether rivers, lakes or seas. Restoring riparian areas is another of the city’s ongoing nature projects, involving clean-up and transitioning nonnative vegetation to a more native-plant ecology. Volunteer events occur almost monthly on the San Lorenzo River levee for stewardship of the river and volunteers are always welcome. The website environteers.org is an ideal place for parents and kids to discover opportunities to help preserve and save the environment. The site’s creator Andy Carman says there are events taking place weekly from south to north county, from the Watsonville wetlands and Elkhorn Slough where native plant restoration is important to the Santa Cruz beaches, rivers and forests. Even farther north, Carman cites the volunteer farming offered by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band at their Pie Ranch garden near Pescadero where kids can learn about the Ohlone Native Americans’ connection with the Earth while practicing their botanical skills. Environteers sends out a weekly newsletter that announces a wealth of events including family friendly, nature-healing volunteer projects, organized by groups like Sierra Club, Coastal Watershed Club, Santa Cruz Natural History Museum, and Save Our Shores. Leslie Keedy stresses how tree planting is the simplest way for community members to make a difference in our environment, whether by planting and caring for a tree in your own yard or working with local government on larger forestry tree planting projects. And, she notes it can bring families and neighbors together, building a sense of community and combining like-minded visions. Asked for advice that she would pass along to young climate activists, Keedy cites a philosophy that has been shared since the 1970s and the first Earth Days. “This all may seem a bit cliché,” she says, “but the words of wisdom are for our taking—think globally & act locally

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Get Artsy With It

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 18:43:00 +0000

Get Artsy With It Twelve Benefits of Exposing Your Children to Fine Arts By Jan Pierce As our school classrooms become more and more focused on reading and writing excellence, our children may be missing out on some of the most important skills they can learn—appreciation of and active participation in the arts! Fine arts can include much more than drawing and painting. They include music and drama. They encompass many kinds of artistic expression such as working with clay, creating mosaics, three dimensional paper creations, puppetry and making mobiles. They include photography, cooking, flower arrangement—any activity in which self-expression bursts forth. Children naturally love to engage in art projects. The creative process is motivating in itself—an invitation to create something unique. There isn’t just one answer in artistic endeavors, rather there are infinite possibilities. And that’s good for children. Child development specialists tell us that the left hemisphere of the brain is used in logical thinking and analytical processes—basically our math, reading and science lessons. The right hemisphere of the brain is used in our emotional, intuitive and creative activities—artistic types of activities. Ideally our children need to develop both sides of the brain and the sides must work together for optimal learning success. It’s not only beneficial to expose our children to the fine arts, it’s fun. And you might be surprised at the learning that takes place while a child paints or molds playdough or plays the part of Peter Rabbit in a simple play. Here are twelve benefits of engaging in artistic projects: Children will improve their fine motor skills. Handling paintbrushes, drawing with a pencil, cutting safely with scissors, all these require precision. Correct placement of fingers on piano keys, learning to play a scale, and strumming a guitar all build motor skills. Language skills are enhanced. Children learn a whole new vocabulary when they enter the world of the arts. They learn names of famous painters, color and shape words, they learn to describe the items in their drawing and identify various artistic processes such as shading, adding focal points and concepts such as perspective. Visual-spatial skills are developed. Children learn how to place items on a piece of paper, how to connect pieces of a three dimensional work, and how to move their clay into the shape they desire. In art appreciation, children will learn about the vast diversity found in artistic expression around the world. They’ll build cultural awareness as they compare African masks with those created by Alaskan natives. Decision making will develop. In creating any piece of art, there is a series of decisions made. What color, what shape, how big or small? Should I use watercolor or tempera? Art lends itself to experimentation that can spill over into creativity in other areas of life. Children who sing, act or create art learn to express their feelings either with or without words. They learn to express themselves in many different ways. Children who might tend to be shy or fearful develop confidence when taking part in the arts. Singing with a group, reciting a poem with classmates, taking a chance on the bright purple paint all work together to build confidence in the decisions they make. Because there is not just one way to create, children in the arts learn to embrace multiple points of view. If ten children draw the same apple, there will be ten different apples. And that’s okay. Art helps children learn to observe, describe, analyze and interpret. These critical thinking skills will be necessary in academic subjects such as math, science and writing. Children in the arts will learn to reflect on a project and see ways to improve or change. They will envision how they might say a line or how they might project their voice in the next performance. They’ll brainstorm ways to sculpt the clay so it looks more like a giraffe the next time. Children learn collaboration. Working in a singing group, acting a part in a play or working on a class mural are all projects that require communication, shared goals and working side by side to achieve those goals. Children who participate regularly in the arts have been found to achieve better grades and win more awards than those children who don’t have that luxury. (As reported in a ten year study by Shirley Heath of Stanford University.) Providing experiences for your children in the fine arts can be as simple as supplying an art corner in your family room. It can be singing songs together or reading poetry aloud. You can make homemade playdough or use old socks to make puppets. It doesn’t have to cost money or take a lot of time. You may also choose to enroll your children in music lessons, art lessons or drama classes. You may take them to local art museums and introduce them to folk art, sculpture or oil paintings. Whatever efforts you make to expose your children to the arts will pay off in their motivation, expertise and joy in creative learning. So get artsy with it and watch your children bloom. Jan Pierce is a retired teacher and freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers: Simple Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Read. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net Sources The Importance of the Creative Arts for Children and Teens, Jay Davidson, The Child Development Institute, July, 2001. Benefits of Arts to Kids, raisesmartkids.com, 2016. The Importance of Art in Child Development, Music and Arts Education, PBS Parents. Preparing Students for the Next America: The Benefits of an Arts Education, The Arts Education Partnership, April, 2013. Youth Development and the Arts in Nonschool Hours, Shirley Brice Heath and Elisabeth Sorp, 1998.

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These Judges Judge Your Kids

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 18:23:00 +0000

These Judges Judge Your Kids By Bob Derber In a January GUiSC article, “Judges Matter”, author Annrae Angel was spot on: our Family Court judges impact Santa Cruz every day and in significant ways. Their decisions touch our basic fabric – family structure and the protection of our children when parents are in conflict. We are fortunate to have two ‘bench officers’ who are not just legal scholars. They bring significant life-experiences to the court. They are judges Paul Marigonda and Kim Baskett. Most divorcing parents don’t hire attorneys, and they often appear before these judges to ‘make a call’ when they cannot agree upon a matter. The two parents also often present very different pictures of the same circumstance. There’s a great deal at stake, and they know the judge may ask them questions when they are in court. But aside from being judges, who are these individuals? Firstly, both judges are parents themselves. Like us, they navigated their own children through our Santa Cruz school system and dealt in their homes the same issues that we face. They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and sons and daughters themselves. Both judges are now at or over 60 years of age and have a bundle of life-experiences that can help you understand where they are ‘coming from’. Do you recall Pacific Pack and Pants on ‘the Mall’ in Santa Cruz. Do you remember the tent it occupied when the ‘89 quake destroyed so many mall buildings. Well, it was Judge Baskett managing the business as her father could not. And while she ran the business, she was raising three children, attending night school and carried the worries of a mother whose husband, as a Santa Cruz Sheriff, faced danger daily. Keep this in mind if you appear before her. And Judge Marigonda? Perhaps he cleared your table at his parent’s Italian restaurant while he was in high school. And before he became a judge, he served us as a team-member of the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office for years. Scotts Valley residents will recall when he was a city councilman and mayor some 20 years ago. All the while, his shepherded with his wife their two boys through the Scotts Valley schools. Yes, the Marigonda names on the Scotts Valley High Falcon Football roster were his boys – and not all that long ago either! We are fortunate. Our Family Court judges are parents themselves. They know Santa Cruz and have faced many of the parental challenges we have. When you appear before either, keep this in mind. I can personally attest both judges are extraordinary legal scholars and bring significant professional skills to the bench. But first and foremost, they are personally vested in our community and to our families. When you need it most, they are there to help, and they have been there themselves.

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Touchdown for our Community: Extremely Sports February 2020

growingupsc — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 18:14:00 +0000

Touchdown for our Community: Extremely Sports February 2020 Sports Helped Save Robert Foster; Now he’s Helping Kids do the Same Extremely Sports February 2020 By Kevin Painchaud Gratitude, inspiration, purpose and family. These are the characteristics that flag football has brought to the life of the Aptos resident Robert Foster. Being born and raised in the San Jose area, life was not easy for Robert. His parents were high school sweethearts and were only 17 years old when Robert’s mom got pregnant with Robert. Being so young, Robert’s mom and dad tried and failed to make it work. Robert’s dad moved to Texas and his mom ended up moving in with her mom and dad in the Bay Area. Robert’s grandparents were basically like his mom and dad. They raised him and supported him and his mom until he was 5 years old. At this point, his dad decided to move back to California and the three of them moved into their own place. This ended up being some of the darkest times in Robert’s life. From the ages of 5 – 13, Robert witnessed a lot of abuse from his dad. Despite this abuse, his mom stayed with his dad. When Robert was 9 1/2 years old, his mom gave birth to another boy. Robert, his mom and his new brother all lived in constant fear of his dad and his never-ending abuse. Three years later, his dad left his mom for another woman. These years of witnessing abuse left Robert without a voice. We’d walk around afraid to speak up or have the courage to be himself. At the age of 10, his grandfather, who loved and took care of Robert like his own son, died of cancer. Robert’s mom took it very hard and her unresolved grief from the loss began a spiral in her own life. Robert had no real way to handle grief and anger took over him. During this whole time, sports was a constant in Robert’s life. Soccer was his true passion. Sports was a way in which he could work out a lot of his anger. Sports was the perfect escape from his broken family life. Roberts anger and not knowing how to handle grief would eventually be the biggest turning-point in Robert’s life. During high school, Robert rebelled. His rebellious ways ended up having him be kicked out of school and unable to continue to play organized sports. He was living his life with no direction, no purpose and found himself repeating the ways of his parents. Despite having two wonderful boys of his own, he found himself in a marriage that wouldn’t last. He buried his dad at 47, his mom at 56 and then finally when his grandma passed away, he knew his life had to change. The pain and grief had brought him to utter despair. He looked at his faith and it allowed him to have the courage to look at himself and truly forgive himself. He realized how short life was. How we’re not guaranteed another day. Robert got the courage to make the change. He confronted his life straight on and decided to take control of his life and take care of his kids. “I realized that we can find refuge even when it’s dark,” says Robert “I just started to unravel this “bundle” that had been handed to me. A “bundle” of darkness that has been handed to me over the generations,” Robert continues, “I’m not going to pass on this “bundle” anymore. I’m going to unwrap it, I’m going to look at it and I’m not going to run from it. I have courage now to work through it. Because of my faith, I am now filled with forgiveness and gratitude.” Robert has healed and has focused his love and energy on his boys. When his oldest boy was 8 and his youngest was 4 1/2, Robert found a flag football league in San Jose. He signed both of his boys into this league. After a few seasons of his boys playing flag football, Robert discovered a few flaws in this league. There was a lack of support for the parents, coaches and community. It was a business that was not community based. Robert had a strong background in coaching and started doing a lot of research on how to start his own league. He talked to other parents and members in the community and quickly discovered that there was a need for an alternative league. A league that was built around the community and that provides the support that parents, coaches and the kids need. In 2010, his first league was started in San Jose. Nor Cal Flag Football was born. His goal was to create a flag football league for kids from the ages of preschool thru 8th grade to play, have fun and learn life lessons through teaching the FUNdamentals of the the game. It was to be an all inclusive league that included all members of the community regardless of sex, economic status, and background. It was important that it didn’t require a big time commitment from the parents or kids. Robert knew that parents do not have a lot of free time. So having practices and games on the same day would be extremely beneficial. The league started growing. It became apparent that life-lessons were being learned through flag football. It was not only the kids that were learning these lessons, but their parents too. Mothers and fathers soon were offering to help coach teams. Because it was only one day a week, parents found it easier to become an assistant or head coach for their kids’ team. It gave these parents an amazing opportunity to become more involved in their kids’ lives outside of the home. For Robert and the league, it was of the utmost importance to provide these parents with the support that they need from him. Every parent and coach has Robert’s direct number and he’s available to them any time they need it. The league now runs year around. They offer a fall, winter and spring session. Each session is eight weeks. They have been running the San Jose league for about 10 years and last year started the Santa Cruz league. This year they are merging with another flag football league in Watsonville. Several years ago, Robert quit his day job so he could focus on the league full time. Not only that, but his oldest son is not only his partner, but also runs the San Jose league while Robert focuses on the Santa Cruz league. Running this league has been Robert’s passion and joy. Despite the rocky start that Robert had early on in his life, he has become a beacon for passion, support and joy for his community. If you want to get more info on Nor Cal Flag Football, go to nflcal.org. Scholarships are available.

The post Touchdown for our Community: Extremely Sports February 2020 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.