January 2020
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Upgrades Coming to Local Parks: County Scoop January 2020
Upgrades Coming to Local Parks County Scoop: January 2020 By Zach Friend, County Supervisor Many parks in the mid and south county haven’t been fully updated in quite some time. Over time, equipment has become safer, more interactive and also more inclusive – ensuring that children of all abilities have the ability to play in our parks. Over the last few years we’ve begun to upgrade many local parks and new plans are in the works. Here is an overview of some of the recent upgrades as well as what’s planned for parks in the mid and south county. LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park Phase one of the County’s first…
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Local Photos of the Month
Local Photos of the Month Mount Madonna’s Production of Seussical Eighth grader Sophia Manzur as the flamboyant and colorful Mayzie le Bird. Photo by Sara Sobkoviak Bea Miller as the whimsical prankster The Cat in the Hat, Photo by Sara Sobkoviak Early to Rise Winter is the best time of year for sky photos. This is looking at Monterey from Pajaro Dunes. Photo by Brad Kava How many counties the size of Santa Cruz have three Nutcrackers? These two are from the Santa Cruz City Ballet’s performance at Cabrillo’s Crocker Theater. Photos by Brad Kava. Tara Redwood Watercolor and marker on watercolor paper. Josie Odom-Knight Age 8 Third Grade Faith…
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Finding Common Ground in Parental Disagreements
Finding Common Ground in Parental Disagreements By Bob Derber and Judge Paul Marigonda Parents who co-parent well may still encounter issues they cannot agree upon in raising their children. You might agree 90% of the time, but are stuck on that ‘one issue’ where resolution is difficult. Perhaps it is a summer vacation schedule, or a child who wants to participate in a sport that give you pause. You know the worst outcome is conflict – as parental conflict always negatively impacts the children. What can you do? An incredible resource our Superior Court offers is Family Court Services mediation. You may have used this resource when you were navigating…
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Judges Matter: County Scoop January 2020
Judges Matter County Scoop: January 2020 By Annrae Angel How did United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “the notorious RBG,” attain superstar status, become the subject of multiple biopics and gain a viral Internet following at the age of 86? Is it just because she is one impressive individual? Or is it because Americans are coming to realize how much judges matter? I would say, both. The high-profile confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh further underscored the gravity and power of the judiciary at the national level, albeit in a different way. Annrae Angel is one of three candidates running for Santa Cruz County Judge. Local…
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Coloring Page January 2020
Coloring Page January 2020 Send your finished coloring page to [email protected]
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January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month: Ask Nicole January 2020
January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month Ask Nicole: January 2020 By Nicole M. Young, MSW Happy New Year! January is the 8th annual Positive Parenting Awareness Month in Santa Cruz County. Although parenting is a non-stop job that deserves recognition every day of the year, this month is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a positive parent. When children are raised with positive parenting, their grades go up, studies show.. What is positive parenting? It’s an approach to raising children based on collective wisdom and evidence about the skills and support children need to become happy, healthy, confident, independent human beings. Positive parenting promotes children’s healthy…
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Make 2020 a Year of Less Waste: Green Living January 2020
Make 2020 a Year of Less Waste Green Living: January 2020 By Meredith Keet Happy New Year! Who has resolved to use less plastic and generate less waste in 2020??!! We have! Here are some tips to start you off on your way towards changing your impact on the planet this year: 1) Eat less meat and dairy, even if just a little. This may be one of the most impactful things you can do. 2) Skip the air travel and adventure locally. 3) Try a waste challenge: choose a time period to collect your trash and then evaluate what trash you’ve created. How could you produce less the next…
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Calling All Ideas: Green Living January 2020
Calling All Ideas Waste-Free 2020 Green Living: January 2020 By Lisa Catterall Periodically our faculty comes together to review our school’s mission statement and our three pillars of Academic Excellence, Positive Character Development, and Creative Self Expression. Often during our discussions, the idea of “environmental stewardship” as a fourth pillar arises. Whether it is a pillar of our school, a curriculum program crossing all ages, or a shared value infused throughout the community, it is something we strive to model for our students and children. While reducing plastic waste is a very common goal in our homes and at our school, many of us deeply value the ability to bring…
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Adventures in Baja: Extremely Sports January 2020
Adventures in Baja Many surf there, fewer hike and bike Extremely Sports: January 2020 By Karen Kefauver We all know that stretching beyond our comfort zone can be a good thing. So when I was invited to visit Baja in December, I jumped at the opportunity to renew my passport, rebuild my rusty travel skills and practice my even rustier Spanish. Plus, I’d never been to Baja. Little did I know that I would bypass the beach, at least at first, and instead hike and bike! First Step Outside my Comfort Zone The only plan I had was to meet my Aunt Joy for a week in San Jose del…
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California Gets an A for College Saving Plan
California Gets an A for College Saving Plan By Steve Dinnen A new review by Morningstar has ranked California’s college-savings plan as one of the best in the nation. Morningstar, which tracks the performance of mutual funds, said that California’s ScholarShare College Savings Plan was upgraded to its highest ranked Gold category after the state program’s board voted to enhance management of its age-based portfolios. More than 320,000 people are taking advantage of California’s college savings plan. Starting in February, 2020, those investments will be put on a progressive glide path – an industry best practice, said Morningstar – as “it smooths the transitions from stocks to bonds and reduces…
