February 2024 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Vote to Save Watsonville Community Hospital for All of Us

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:17:20 +0000

When my 5-year-old son gouged his head on a park bench, we sat outside Dominican Hospital’s emergency room for four hours waiting to be treated. I’m not complaining. I understand things take time and there were higher priorities than a face that needed seven stitches. But as I waited, I would have paid anything to jump ahead of the line. I think of that when I see that the struggling Watsonville Hospital is asking for a $116 million bond measure to keep its emergency room and bring its services to the highest level possible. The money will come from South County homeowners at a rate of $24 a year for every $100K for which their homes are valued. It’s not a bad request even at a time when dollars are hard to come by. The value we’d get as a community is worth far more. How many times have your lives and health been saved in a local emergency room? Mine has been more than a few times and I’m grateful for the work they did every time. I wouldn’t be writing this without the nurses and doctors who treated me. I’d bet most of you have also been there and done that. The numbers are staggering: 32,000 people came through the emergency department in Watsonville, a number that is now inching toward 35,000, according to a great article by Todd Guild in Good Times Jan. 3. That’s compared to 52,000 at Dominican Hospital and 60,000 visits at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. The idea of losing that South County life-saving service is frightening and should be enough to convince you to vote for the bond during the March 5 primary election. Some other benefits of the bond include the purchase of the building, saving $3 million of rent; and expanding the building for additional state-of-the-art services, making it a top hospital. You don’t have to wait to vote in person. County election guides will be mailed out to all active voters by Feb. 5. Some 90 percent of voters mail back those ballots. In person voting starts then at two locations, the County Clerk’s office and the Watsonville City Clerk’s office. On Feb. 24 three more locations open, the Scotts Valley Library, Temple Beth El and the community room at the sheriff’s office. On March 2, 13 more locations open and four more on March 5. There are fewer locations than the 140 in the past, but there are more days to vote. Thanks for reading, Brad Kava,Editor and Publisher

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It Is Not Just a Housing Project. It Is a CommUNITY!

Comcast — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:11:06 +0000

Growing up in the housing projects in NYC shaped the very essence of my being. While there were physical barriers present, they were not the focal points of my upbringing. Instead, the essence of my community was rooted in the resilience and unity of its people, transcending the limitations imposed by external circumstances. In the narrative often associated with housing projects, the emphasis tends to be on the seeming challenges—tall buildings, economic disparities, and various barriers that seemingly dictate the destiny of those who call these places home. However, my story diverges from this narrative. It is a tale of a thriving community, where the focus was not on how tall the buildings were, but on the strength and interconnectedness of the people within them. In this community that I grew up in, the concept of “home” extended beyond the physical structures; it encompassed the bonds we forged with one another. The spirit of togetherness was a powerful force. We were not defined by our circumstances but rather by our shared experiences, dreams, and the mutual support that flowed through our tight-knit neighborhood. My mother, a pillar of our community, resided in the same 14-story building for an astounding 70 years. Her commitment to staying rooted in one place wasn’t just a personal choice—it was a testament to the profound value she placed on the community. Her home wasn’t merely a structure; it was a symbol of stability, resilience, and the enduring power of collective strength. As a small child, the vibrant tapestry of our community taught me invaluable lessons about the true essence of Community. It wasn’t just about geographical proximity; it was about people growing together, respecting each other, and supporting one another through thick and thin. The laughter of children echoed throughout, the project’s businesses flourished, and economic growth became a shared desire. As I reflect on those early years, it becomes evident that we were active participants in shaping our community’s narrative. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about thriving against all odds. The community was our stronghold, a place where resilience was not an option but a way of life. This spirit of unity extended beyond our immediate neighborhood. It manifested in our collective efforts to transcend the challenges imposed upon us. We weren’t merely advocates for change; we were catalysts for it. pushing for the necessary measures to build more homes—spaces where people could truly live, not just exist. Over the course of my 22 years in Santa Cruz County, I’ve witnessed a troubling trend of an increasing number of individuals grappling with the challenge of finding and maintaining stable housing. This struggle poses a significant threat to the wellbeing of our community members but also hinders their ability to establish and sustain roots within our community. As the Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County, the narrative we seek to write is one of hope, inclusivity, and forward thinking. We envision a future where Santa Cruz County can embrace the concept of community in its truest form—a place where children laugh, businesses prosper, and economic growth is a reality for all. Our focus is on creating a level playing field, where every individual has the right to a place they can call home—a fundamental human right that transcends socio-economic boundaries. In our work of advocacy, we are not merely dismantling barriers; we are constructing bridges. These bridges connect us to a future where the narrative isn’t dictated by fear of change, the height of buildings, or the zoning challenges we face but by the collective strength of a community determined to uplift every member. My upbringing in the housing projects instilled in me a profound belief in the power of community. It taught me that we are not defined by our circumstances but by the strength of our bonds and our shared commitment to creating a better tomorrow. Santa Cruz County, I implore us to change our narrative, to envision a future where community isn’t just a concept but a lived reality—a place where people grow together, respect one another, and support the flourishing of all. Let us build homes, not just structures, and in doing so, let us build a future where everyone has a place, they can proudly call home. This is a call to action, an opportunity for every member of our community to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of housing in Santa Cruz County. The challenges we face are significant, but so too is the power that collective action holds in bringing about meaningful change. To be a part of our movement, your support is crucial. We are running ongoing fundraising efforts to fuel the initiatives that address housing instability head-on. Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly impact our ability to continue this vital work. You can make a difference by visiting our fundraising page at housingsantacruzcounty.com/join-us and contributing to the cause. Stay informed and engaged by signing up for our newsletter. This will be your gateway to updates on our progress, upcoming events, and ways you can actively participate in our efforts. We are gearing up for a robust Affordable Housing Month, where we will delve into the heart of the housing solution. Join us to learn about the multifaceted approaches, policies, and community initiatives that form the foundation of our strategy. it’s an opportunity to become an informed advocate for affordable housing in Santa Cruz County. As the March election approaches, your involvement becomes even more critical. We invite you to stand with us in supporting two pivotal initiatives: Measure K and Measure L. Measure K, the County of Santa Cruz Sales Tax, and Measure L, the City of Santa Cruz Sales Tax. We urge you to stand with us in opposing Measure M Santa Cruz. By saying NO on Measure M Santa Cruz, you align with our shared vision of fostering positive change and ensuring that the trajectory of housing in Santa Cruz County moves in the right direction. This is not just an invitation; it’s a call to action. Join us in shaping the future of housing in Santa Cruz County. Support our fundraising efforts, sign up for our newsletter, and actively engage in Affordable Housing Month. Let your voice be heard in the upcoming election by supporting Measures K and L, and saying NO on Measure M Santa Cruz. Together, we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, with housing as a fundamental cornerstone of that vision. By Elaine Johnson

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Expressing Love Through Quality Time

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:09:12 +0000

I loved celebrating Valentine’s Day as a child. My favorite memory is of the Valentine’s “mailbox” that appeared every February. It was a big box that my mom decorated with colorful paper, hearts and lace, with a large slot in the lid. My siblings and I loved “mailing” our cards to each other and trying to guess what was inside the box. Even though we knew it contained cards and candy, the anticipation and curiosity made the Valentine’s celebration feel special. Before I had kids, I vowed to create a Valentine’s mailbox and holiday rituals that would make my own kids feel that special. However, once I became an exhausted parent, all I could do was cover a shoebox with a few stickers. It was a simple version of my childhood Valentine’s mailbox, but somehow my young children still felt the same anticipation, excitement, and joy as they imagined what was inside the box. It was a good reminder that when it comes to love, the simplest acts often have the greatest impact. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, email me at triplep@first5scc.org. Dear Nicole, My wife and I have been so stressed and busy with work and taking care of our 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son that we feel like we barely get any quality time together as a family. Do you have any fun but simple activity ideas we can try to reconnect? The kids seem to just want to watch TV or play on tablets these days, and with our busy schedule it’s been easy to let them keep themselves occupied. Martin Dear Martin, It’s understandable how busy schedules and devices can make quality time hard, even more so around holidays. It’s also easy to forget the true purpose of many holidays, like giving thanks, celebrating miracles, or showing love. But small, creative activities can go a long way. Here are some ideas for simple ways to teach your kids about love on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year: Do an activity together without distractions or interruptions. Have a simple Valentine’s celebration at home by playing board games, baking heart-shaped treats, or making homemade cards for loved ones. Turn off electronics and spend time interacting. Have dinner together. Make your family Valentine’s dinner special. Dim the lights, play some music, share favorite memories, and express heartfelt appreciation. Research shows that having regular family dinners has tremendous benefits for children and youth, including better academic performance, higher self-esteem and lower risk of substance abuse and depression. Family meals provide an important opportunity to talk with children about their interests, friends, school, and life. Start a conversation about a topic that has nothing to do with homework, chores, family rules, or daily routines. Ask questions, listen to what they say, and encourage them to ask you questions. This teaches valuable communication and social skills that will help your children in future relationships. Say “I love you” with words, notes, pictures, or texts. Leave sweet notes in lunch boxes on Valentine’s Day. Tuck one under their pillow to make them smile. Text a heart emoji just because. A little love note can brighten their whole day. Parents and children often forget to say these words or say them without genuine feeling. A simple, heartfelt “I love you” is a powerful way to remind each other that you care. If your kids aren’t used to saying these words to you or each other, try turning it into a game or competition to see who can find the most creative or surprising way to leave a loving note, picture, or text. Say what you appreciate about each other. Be specific and sincere. Describe a quality that makes each of them special, such as their sense of humor or creativity. Acknowledge something they’ve done at home to be kind and helpful, like asking how your day was or doing a chore with a cheerful attitude. Set the example of how to express appreciation then encourage them to do the same with you and each other. Over time, this will become a habit. FINAL THOUGHTS: Remember there are many ways to teach children about giving and receiving love on Valentine’s Day and every day. The simple acts of love often mean the most and create the happiest family memories. Don’t underestimate the power of your attention this Valentine’s Day! Nicole Young is the mother of two young adults, who also managed Santa Cruz County’s Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for over 10 years. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook.com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.

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Celebrating Detective Teamwork with Laurie King

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:06:35 +0000

Fans of the Russell & Holmes series will gather at the downtown MAH for a celebration of 30 years of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice (the first in the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series with a huge YA and adult community of admirers all over) on Feb. 17. This event in Laurie R. King’s hometown commemorates this charismatic Russell & Holmes partnership, but also the publication of The Lantern’s Dance, the latest King book featuring the intrepid mystery-solving duo. In her latest Russell & Holmes adventure, King explores the 100-year-old puzzle of Sherlock Holmes’ ancestry. Don’t miss the Bookshop Santa Cruz launch of The Lantern’s Dance at 7pm on Feb. 16. The BSSC book talk with author Laurie R. King is free but requires advance registration.) King began her unique literary take on the world of Sherlock Holmes in 1994, centering on the retired crime-solver, now a country beekeeper who accidentally joins forces with a young girl, Mary Russell, to solve a crime in Sussex Downs, England. Holmes quickly realizes that the orphaned teenager has a gift for deduction and begins tutoring her in puzzles, crime techniques, and detective work. Soon the pair join up, wearing disguises, to discover the identity of one of Holmes’ enemies, and Mary ends up as Holmes’ apprentice while starting her studies at Oxford. Santa Cruz joins Seattle, Bethesda, and Nashville as a site for the four 2024 Russell & Holmes Days to celebrate the 30th anniversary of King’s first book in the insanely popular series. The celebrations at the four locations will differ, but here’s how the upcoming Russell & Holmes Day will take shape in our town. The all-day festivities begin with a continental breakfast, and later in the afternoon a Cream Tea Lunch, catered by Busy Bees Café. In her morning talk, author Laurie R. King will provide lots of insider details about the creation of the Russell & Holmes duo. Next comes a beekeeping demonstration and talk by Emily Bondor, founder of the Santa Cruz Bee Company—with, yes, actual live bees in an observation hive! King will have a conversation with a Baker Street Irregular, Leslie S. Klinger, one of the world’s leading authorities on Sherlock Holmes and a consultant on Hollywood movies about Conan Doyle’s infamous detective. Klinger will delve into the relationship between Holmes and his followers. Next is Lockpicking for the amateur sleuth, a hands-on encounter with a security expert on the subject. And finally a Q&A with King, book signing, and tons of photos. Lots of additional activities at this 30th anniversary event include a few cut-throat rounds of Beekeeper Bingo, exclusive giveaways including special reprints artwork, and Beekeeper swag created just for this celebration. By Christina Waters

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Joaquin Is a Warrior And So Are His Fans

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:02:38 +0000

Joaquin Aluffi was just shy of his fifth birthday when he had a major allergic reaction playing in the grass. His lungs shut down and his throat swelled and he was rushed to the emergency room. After doing tests and finding hugely high protein counts later at Stanford, doctors found he had Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, a terminal disease with a life expectancy of 16-24 years old. A happy, sports-minded, adventurous kid, Joaquin began to be robbed by the disease of his ability to walk and ride a bike. Over time for its victims, the disease strips their ability to smile or wave a hand. But it hasn’t robbed him of his spirit, said his mom, Sara, 44, who manages the Paradise Grill in Capitola and used to manage the Crow’s Nest. “He’s an optimistic, funny, 10-year-old now and he’s never lost his sense of humor,” she said. “He’s just a champ. He has to take a daily regimen of steroids and it changes your whole look. He doesn’t look like he does in the picture. It’s more tough for the parents than for him.” The community has been powerfully helpful, raising more than $250,000 for the family’s expenses, and enough so that she is helping other families buy ramps for wheelchairs in their homes and cars and other necessities. Their website is joaquinswarriors.com Sara and his father Chris are lifelong Santa Cruzans, as are their parents and grandparents, which has created a network of support for them that she’s so thankful for. “People are insanely generous in this community,” she said. “We’re trying to help with things for basic care as well as for a cure. It’s a labor of love to give back when our hands are tied. We are stuck in regards to our child, but we see what we can do for other children.” Joaquin, who is in a motorized wheelchair, plays at Leo’s Haven, the county’s first park for kids of all abilities. He plays in a baseball board game league with one of the kids and attends Westlake Elementary School. “He’s such a sports lover,” Sara said. “I wish he was a TV lover or a video game lover.” Despite his problems, Joaquin has something valuable to give to other kids, she said. “He has taught so many kids about appreciating the basic things they are given, like the ability to go to a bounce house or walk on the beach.” Please visit www.joaquinswarriors.com By Brad Kava

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Implementing Routines Improves Family Harmony

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:01:00 +0000

Imagine your children leaving for school in the morning and getting ready for bed at night without needless hassles. Imagine your children showing you what they need to do each day and taking the steps involved without the need for constant reminders. The good news is that when adults and children work cooperatively together to establish and implement routines, they experience a greater sense of harmony and ease. Having routines provides many benefits: • improves children’s sense of connection, security/safety, and trust • eases transitions • develops time management skills • fosters teamwork and a sense of community • builds capability, responsibility, and creativity • encourages goal setting/achievement • creates more harmony and ease Routines vary as children develop: Infants and toddlers: In the beginning, parents create the routines. Infants relax into the rhythm that parents establish, and they learn to expect what will happen to them which creates a sense of security and calm. Routines also create opportunities for infants and toddlers to be more mentally engaged and participatory in the process. Here’s an example of a morning routine: • greetings/hugs/kisses • diaper change • getting dressed • feeding/breakfast • play time. Preschool and early elementary school: As children develop they can become more involved in helping to create the routines. When children have a role in establishing the routine they feel a sense of ownership and empowerment. One idea is to create routine charts together and post them in a visible place. When children get off track, you can kindly ask them, “What comes next on the routine chart?” This question can free parents from constantly having to remind/nag their children to do what needs to be done. Remember, though, that routine charts are different from sticker/reward charts. Sticker/reward charts are created to reward or punish children for their actions and behavior while routine charts are created to help guide their actions and behavior. Here’s an example of a bedtime routine: • put on pajamas • brush teeth • read books in bed • hugs and kisses before lights out A couple of ways to create routine charts are taking photos of children doing things that need to be done (e.g., feeding the fish, brushing teeth, etc.) or inviting them to draw a picture of those things. There are other ideas and examples online of routine charts and how to create them. Have fun and get creative! Tweens and teens: As children transition into adolescence, their need for individuation coupled with their desire for greater autonomy will help them to develop their own routines. Adults can ask helpful questions when things get challenging. Those questions might include “What’s your idea about getting your homework done tonight?” or “Do you have any ideas on how to make your mornings less stressful and rushed?” Adults can be kind AND firm at the same time and avoid the mistake of lecturing their children and/or doing things for them. If asking questions isn’t enough, you can try saying things like “I notice you haven’t set the table yet, would you please do that now?” “Let’s follow the agreement we made.” “It’s time to…” Other examples of routines: After school/homework routine: • eat a healthy snack and do some physical activity (playing at a park, biking home from school, sports, etc.) enjoy free choice time (socializing with friends, doing activities, spending time alone, etc.) • start working on homework at an already agreed-upon time • have dinner together as a family. Household chore routine: Make a list of all the daily/weekly chores that need to be done. Each family member can choose a task from the list and decide when that task needs to be done. Work together to create a sense of team effort, and find ways to make it more enjoyable and fun (playing music or turning tasks into games/contests). Going deeper: It’s important to resist the temptation to reward children for following routines or to punish children for not following them. Children benefit from learning the intrinsic value of simply doing what needs to be done. Rewards and punishments diminish intrinsic value because they shift the focus from the satisfaction of contribution to the fear of not pleasing others. The ultimate goal of routines is for children to develop the life skills they need to enjoy a sense of connection, capability, and accomplishment. Tips for success with routines: 1. Take a leadership role by promoting and modeling routines. 2. Be consistent (there’s lots of repetition involved), follow through, and remain patient. Children of all ages need time to adapt to new routines and often test limits in various ways throughout the process. Holding your boundaries in a kind and firm way ultimately helps children learn to value and enjoy the role they play in making positive contributions. 3. Plan routines in advance and invite input and ideas from children. 4. Reflect together on how routines are working (or not working) for everyone, make changes as needed, and celebrate any/all success. That conversation could be part of a family meeting. 5. Remain flexible when appropriate/necessary. Sticking to a routine isn’t possible or practical in every situation. 7. Remain encouraging in spite of resistance. Remember the long-term goal(s) of teaching/modeling routines. When children exhibit an unexpected (out of the ordinary) resistance to a routine, attempt to dig deeper and figure out what may underlie their behavior (all behavior is communication, and it is up to us to discover the beliefs behind the behavior). Resources: Positive Discipline A-Z, Nelsen, Lott, Glenn. Adapted by Colleen Murphy, Sarah Nofi, and Steven Weiss. Visit: Positive Discipline Community Resources at www.pdcrsantacruz.org for more information, classes and tip sheets.

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The Times They Are a Changin’

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 18:56:00 +0000

The thing about “the times” is that they’re always changing. It’s their nature. I want it to be my nature too. I want to be the kind of grandmother who adapts to new ideas. Not the old person in the room complaining how everything has changed or rejecting out of hand anything that isn’t done the way it used to be done. Why? Because I believe a lot of things have changed for the better, but mostly because I want to embrace the things that my children and grandchildren are embracing, so that I can truly be a part of their lives and have deep connections with them. It’s harder to do that when you’re stuck in the “good old days”. I saw this happen with my father and his relationship with his grandchildren suffered because of it.I want to be the grandma who plays in the garden, even though it means getting dirty, and gets in the swimming pool, even though it means getting in a swimsuit. I want to be the old dog who can learn a new trick. I want this for myself just as much as I want it for my granddaughter. Sometimes this means putting aside my assumptions and old beliefs and jumping in. For the most part I think I’ve done this, (but I probably shouldn’t get too cocky, she’s only nineteen months old.) I’ve gotten on board with the new trends. I accepted the highchair that moonlighted as a tripping/death trap for grandma. Thankfully I survived this with only minor injuries and my granddaughter now uses a booster seat, that remarkedly hasn’t changed all that much in the last thirty years. (The main difference being that I decided I needed it, and voila! It arrived on my doorstep the next day.) It took me a minute, but I overcame my fear of choking and got on board with baby led feeding. Yes, it’s true we used to puree the life out of our baby’s food and patiently feed them their dinner with a spoon while pretending it was an airplane or a choo choo train. Now it’s “here’s an apple, go with God.” But I can already see that my granddaughter’s palette is much more sophisticated than my babies were. She eats so many things, and she eats them with no help from me! And at least now there’s a website you can visit to help you manage your fears about choking. And if you or your baby are having any trouble swallowing any of this you can even find a feeding therapist. Along with childrearing philosophies and highchairs, the look of your average grandparent has changed. Remember back when you were little, your grandparents looked so old? Partly because you were so young but also people just looked older at fifty or sixty then than they do now. #sixtyisthenewfifty. (Also, remember when hashtags weren’t a thing?) My grandparents were pretty hip and stylish, but they still looked like grandparents. Now there really are no “rules” about what a grandparent should look like. There’s even a style trend called coastal grandma which many people who are not grandmas and who do not live on the coast are emulating. And if you don’t know what coastal grandma style is, you can find out in a matter of seconds because these are the times we are living in. Maybe I’m kidding myself, but I don’t think my granddaughter is going to think of me as old. I’m hoping she will see me as the funny, hip, fashionista I imagine myself to be. Worst case scenario, she’ll appreciate the effort and I’ll have a lot of fun trying to convince her. If you are enjoying my column or have a topic you’d like me to write about, I’d love to hear from you at sarahsavasky@gmail.com.

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Buchanan Turns Childhood Passion Into Full Time Profession

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 18:37:21 +0000

Santa Cruz painter Noah Buchanan began his studies in classical drawing, painting and anatomy at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. After taking a BFA from UCSC, he received a Masters of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art. Buchanan lives in Santa Cruz and teaches painting and drawing at several colleges and universities in the Bay Area. And his paintings are featured in private and public collections in the US and Europe. Q: How you decided that painting was the career for you? NB: I enjoyed drawing since I was very young, it was always my primary source of entertainment as a child. I constantly had a pencil in my hand and a pad of paper at my side. Family, friends and peers all labeled me as an artist. So by the time I was in 6th grade, I had mapped out where I would go to art school, and how I would make a living as an artist … real life didn’t exactly match my 6th grade plan, but then again it wasn’t far off! Q: Talk about the unique challenges, and satisfactions of working on large-scale paintings. NB: Making a large-scale painting is like making a movie. Early rough sketches and studies are the equivalent of a screenplay, and the process of finding models to pose for the painting is the same as casting actors to play the parts. Lighting, special effects, costumes, there’s a lot of planning and research. Making a large canvas has the epic feel of seeing a story play out on “the big screen”. The life size scale of the figures makes the viewer feel they are a part of it. That’s very exciting. Q: How did the idea for Symphony come about? NB: I hang on to ideas and concepts for paintings in sketchbooks for years. In the case of Symphony,[oil on canvas, 96” x 70”] I’d had an idea for a painting almost 20 years earlier about a large group of people all gathered around a piano, all singing, yet one person was either asleep, or ill, or deceased. When I decided to return to that idea, I began sketching it out more elaborately. As the sketch unfolded, I could see that I was creating a piece where everyone was making music in different ways – not just with different instruments but with different moods and intentions, and that this was really a metaphor for our collective experience of life. Q: Did you include your friends, family, in this piece? NB: The painting is fully loaded with friends and family and self-portraits (I appear in the painting 4 times). This is common for a lot of painters simply because they don’t want to have to go on a major time-consuming search to find people to pose. Once an artist has an idea for a painting, they want to get started on it immediately, and so they often look to the people who are closest at hand. But after three or four paintings like this, the same characters continue to appear from painting to painting. Q: How do you balance the time it takes to dive into the creative work, with a teaching schedule? NB: I teach college level drawing and painting two days a week, which affords me the ability spend the rest of the week in my studio. It helps a great deal that my studio is at home in an old garage converted into a painting studio. This means that I can work on paintings in the hours between dinner and bedtime. But having a painting career also means sacrifices, keeping a smaller group of friends, it means not going out on weekends, trimming away unnecessary hobbies. Q: Would you recommend painting to young people even if they aren’t considering it as a lifetime career? NB: Painting as a profession is serious business. It’s hard work and takes years practice and dedication, and even then, it doesn’t always turn out right. I recommend it only to people who feel that they must do it. But I recommend the practice of drawing to everyone of all ages. When I was young, drawing was fun, exciting, entertaining, and rewarding as I saw myself improve. Anyone can do it with a pencil, or pen, and any kind of paper laying around. Drawinglets you explore ideas or invent stories. Drawing is an enriching practice that profoundly changes the way we visually experience the world. It’s a strengthening practice for the mind as well in that we learn to think about relationships of form, structure and light. By Christina Waters

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Providing Healthy Smiles for Children

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 18:26:17 +0000

February is Children’s Dental Health Month and the perfect opportunity to write to you, amazing parents, about why your kids’ oral health matters and how to ensure healthy smiles for your children. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that we get: Why do baby teeth matter? Don’t they just fall out? Baby teeth matter because kids need healthy teeth to chew, smile, talk, and have good self-confidence. Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and infection, lead to missed school days, inability to pay attention in school, poor self-esteem, difficulty eating and many more problems. Also, baby teeth save the space for permanent teeth so it’s important to keep them healthy until it’s time for them to fall out on their own. When should I take my child to the dentist for their first check up? Medical and dental experts all agree that you should bring your child in for a dental exam soon after the first baby tooth comes through (usually around the age 1.) Bringing your child to the dentist at an early age serves two purposes: 1. We can focus on parent education and preventing cavities (it’s much easier to prevent than to treat cavities!) 2. The child gets used to the dental office. During this visit, the dentist will show you how to brush your baby’s teeth and may do a fluoride treatment to prevent cavities. What are some other tips for keeping my baby’s teeth healthy? • Start brushing your baby’s teeth with a rice grain-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first baby tooth comes through. • Don’t put your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or formula! The liquid pools and causes “baby bottle tooth decay.” Only use water in the bottle at bedtime. • Don’t share spoons or eating utensils with the baby! Cavities are contagious and can be transferred from the parent to the baby. Do you have any tips for older kids? • All children should see a dentist for a check-up and cleaning every 6 months! • Children or their parents should brush their teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and start flossing when teeth next to each other begin to touch (usually around the age 2 or 3.) Fluoride toothpaste is important because the water in our county is not fluoridated! • If your child’s dentist identifies a problem, be sure to follow up with treatment. The earlier a cavity is addressed, the easier it is to treat and usually less expensive. What are some milestones that are especially important for visiting the dentist? • First tooth first birthday visits and every 6 months after that (see above.) • Kindergarten oral health screenings: a dental check is mandatory in California when a child first enters the school system! There is a form that parents need to have the dentist fill out and turn into the school. • Pre-teens and teens: we’re doing a great job in Santa Cruz County bringing our young kids to the dentist, but once they get to the pre-teen and teenage years, the visits are dropping off! Make sure you schedule a dental checkup for your pre-teens and teens. How can I find a dentist that accepts Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal? The Dientes clinic on Commercial Way is accepting new pediatric patients (18 and under)! Call 831.464.5409 for an appointment. For other options, please visit: dental.dhcs.ca.gov/Members/Medi-Cal_Dental/Find_A_Dentist. Dr. Sepi Taghvaei is a dentist and VP of Operations at Dientes Community Dental, a non-profit organization with the mission to improve the oral health of underserved members of Santa Cruz County. Dr. Sepi graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 2009 and has spent the last 9 years of her career in her dream job at Dientes. She lives in Aptos with her son, partner, and two cats. They love Santa Cruz and spend their free time exploring all that our beautiful county has to offer.

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Santa Cruz Symphony Offers Family Concert

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 18:21:38 +0000

Here’s a concert that will please the entire family, and inspire young audiences toward future musical experiences. The delightful and humorous musical creation, Carnival of the Animals by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns will take families and young music lovers on a tour through a variety of animal behavior in the form of four short movements. Plenty of imaginative parody of the animal kingdom is showcased in a masterpiece originally written in 1886, but not performed in public until 1922, a year after the composer’s death. Many believe that the Carnival of the Animals, which highlights stringed instruments, gave inspiration to the John Williams score for the Harry Potter films. This orchestral work will be the culmination of the Santa Cruz Symphony Family Concert on February 25, 2pm at the Civic Auditorium, in which young performers from will play side by side with adult musicians from the Santa Cruz Symphony. The Symphony collaborates with many other youth arts groups and organizations to put on its Youth and Family Concerts during the month of February. It’s an innovative opportunity for students who are learning to play orchestra instruments to play with larger ensembles. The Family Concert on Sunday Feb. 25 is the culmination of a week of Youth Concert performances for thousands of local 4th and 5th-graders, all of whom have worked through the dynamic Link Up musical introduction program created by Carnegie Hall. Our local teachers use the Carnegie curriculum to teach the youngsters about the music that they will hear at our Youth Concerts, a program that reaches 4,000 Santa Cruz and Monterey County school children. Some members of the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band, El Sistema Strings, and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus participate in the Symphony-supported Youth and Family Concerts. Saint-Saëns’ lively zoological suite of starts off with the dramatic Royal March of the Lion in which the regal king of the jungle enters our imaginations by way of high trills, glissandos from two pianos, and plenty of orchestral splendor. In the movements that follow audiences will experience sonic portraits of kangaroos, elephants, wild donkeys, birds, tortoises, and the final movement—the most famous and most performed—devoted to the swan. Two pianos conjure up flowing water and the gliding movements of an elegant swan. And the cello takes center stage here as it follows the gorgeous movements of the swan itself. There will be lots to listen to and animals identify in this carnival of inventive sounds from the imagination of a beloved French composer. Young listeners should pay attention for some especially magical solo portions, dazzling and vigorous piano work and a few themes that will sound very familiar. The annual Family Concert is a way for parents and young ones to enjoy a highly accessible symphony concert. Fun and lively, the music is perfectly suited (and specially chosen) to introduce youngsters to the unforgettable magic of live orchestra, and of the individual instrumental sections that make up symphonic performances. Come enjoy the music, led by Symphony maestro Danny Stewart, and see how the audiences and musicians of the future are inspired. by Christina Waters

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