June 2018 Editors Note Dear Readers, Santa Cruz has an amazing opportunity to do something special for families, pedestrians, people in wheelchairs and the environment— but it appears that those in our government are asleep at the wheel. The county could turn the 32 miles of dilapidated tracks and crumbling trestles into a bike and pedestrian path between Watsonville and davenport, making a safe eco- friendly route not only for local families to spend off time, but for commuters and tourists to enjoy the blissful coastline without fear of traffic, noise or giant diesel trains plowing by. Other places in the country have done this to huge success. in Missouri,…
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At Cabrillo, Special Needs Become Assets
At Cabrillo, Special Needs Become Assets By Suki Wessling When students identified with a learning difference in their K-12 program register at Cabrillo, one of their first stops is the Accessibility Support Center run by Beth McKinnon. In this interview, McKinnon explains the ASC’s purpose, how students are identified, and how ASC support helps student succeed at Cabrillo and beyond. What is the mission of the Accessibility Support Center? Our purpose on every college campus is to serve students with disabilities. We are here to make sure that there is equal access and what we call equity for students who have any kind of disability—everything from physical and visible disabilities…
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Ask Nicole: Dads, Your Presence Matters
Ask Nicole: Dads: Your Presence Matters By Nicole M. Young, MSW When my kids were younger, my husband worked from home and had a very flexible schedule. On Fridays, the kids stayed home for “Fun-day Friday” with daddy instead of going to their usual child care provider or preschool. Once they started going to school, each child had their own week of “Camp Daddy” during the summer doing activities that they chose. Sometimes Camp Daddy involved going to the beach, having a picnic at the municipal airport, or the occasional trip to the Boardwalk. One year, Camp Daddy involved making an elaborate paper mache animal. I still don’t know what…
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Stuck on Ducks: June 2018 Santa Cruz Book Recommendations
Stuck on Ducks June 2018 Santa Cruz Book Recomendations By Michelle Spence I’m a Duck Written by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand Practice makes perfect in this new rhyming tale of a young duck that is afraid of the water. “I cannot swim, and that is bad. A landlocked duck is very sad.” And yet, despite all the fears, trepidation, and unsolicited advice, this duckling finds just the right combination of preparation and confidence to take the plunge. The Other Ducks Written by Ellen Yeomans, Illustrated by Chris Sheban In another new duck-centric picture book, This Duck and That Duck are trying to make sense of their Big Puddle…
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A Summer of Fun in County Parks
A Summer of Fun in County Parks By Zach Friend Santa Cruz County offers a number of free and low cost summer events, programs and activities in our local parks. These family friendly options include everything from free movie nights, to picnic locations with ocean views, to short and easy hikes in the redwoods to learning how to disc golf. Events and Activities Free family-friendly movie nights will be held on the third Thursday of the month (from May-October) at Heart of Soquel Park. Films begin at 8 pm (or dusk) and you are welcome to show up early to bring a picnic to enjoy. While parking is limited, there…
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Letters June 2018
Letters June 2018 The Blessings of Family During this time of honoring our Mothers, Fathers and Grads, its reminds me of how truly blessed we are. As older parents of two children ages 10 and 12, we get so busy and caught up in the day to day activities that we sometimes forget (or are too tired) to slow down and appreciate the experience. There are those folks who chose to have children later in life and those that for whatever reason are raising grandchildren or are foster parents. Parenting is a bit more challenging as we age, I speak for my husband and I who are at and approaching…
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It’s a No-Brainerz: Wear a Helmet – Six Tips for Bike Helmet Safety
It’s a No-Brainer: Wear a Helmet Six Tips for Bike Helmet Safety By Karen Kefauver Last month, hundreds of parents hopped on their bikes and pedaled with their kids to Bike to Work/School Day events countywide to enjoy a free breakfast for cyclists. As the kids gobbled strawberries, devoured bagels and stocked up on energy bars, I asked clusters of parents what their biggest concerns about their kids riding bikes. Not surprisingly, safety topped the list. And it should — school age children are indeed at high risk for injuries as they learn to balance and maneuver their bikes on streets and sidewalks. For the under-18 set — who are…
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Treat Your Kid Like a Rock Star
Treat Your Kid Like a Rock Star By Chris Jackson Your kids aren’t rock stars, so why treat them like it? Because it works. It brings parents and kids closer together. Let me explain. One of the best things about being a radio host on 98.5 KFOX is that I get to meet a lot of bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, Van Halen, Journey, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Aerosmith (and let’s not forget all the bands that play at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk!). When my son and daughter became teenagers, I started to notice two major similarities between those rocks stars and my kids–and no I’m not talking…
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It Isn’t Summer Without Plenty of Bubbles: Here’s How to Make Your Own
It Isn’t Summer Without Plenty of Bubbles Here’s How to Make Your Own By Jennifer K Mahal Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery Summer is here, with its warm, sunny days. It’s a great time to be outdoors. One thing we love to do outside is blow gigantic soap bubbles! It’s fun, if a bit messy. Bubbles are basically a very thin film of soapy water filled with a gas, in most cases air. If you looked at their molecules (the incredibly tiny building blocks that make up matter), you would see a layer of water molecules sandwiched between two layers of soap molecules. The layers creating the bubble walls…
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Always Amused: Your Guide to Theme Parks, Tourist Attractions, Rides and Cool Events
Always Amused Your Guide to Theme Parks, Tourist Attractions, Rides and Cool Events By Erik Chalhoub In the late 1990s, Smash Mouth was on top of the music world. Its first major hit in 1997, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” hit number one on a slew of charts, and its follow-up in 1999, “All Star,” propelled the band to seemingly another universe. You couldn’t turn on the radio, watch a movie, or attend any kind of event without hearing the San Jose-based band telling you to get your game on and how only shooting stars break the mold. For me, as an elementary-schooler at the time, I was hooked. But as…
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Yes, the Law Says You Can Breastfeed at Work: Birth Matters
Yes, the Law Says You Can Breastfeed at Work: Birth Matters By Laura Maxson, LM Between the physical recovery from childbirth, getting to know the new baby and figuring out breastfeeding, the weeks after giving birth can be intense. Even when all goes fairly smoothly, there’s a big learning curve. For many, just as things start to settle down, it’s time to go back to work. Some families can manage three to six months or more before going back to work. Other families find it difficult to take even the customary six weeks off before financial realities cut the baby-moon short; many go back to work after just two or…
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Hidden Disabilities, Hidden Stress
Hidden Disabilities, Hidden Stress By Suki Wessling “I think I have it easy.” Her statement took me by surprise. Easy to raise a child with Down Syndrome? Easy to know that your son may never be able to live an independent life? I was speaking with a friend about being the parent of a child with special needs, and her point of view was unexpected. She explained that as soon as people looked at her son, they knew a lot about him. It led people, she said, to feel comfortable with him. People were generally kind and accepting, didn’t have unreasonable expectations, and appreciated what he could offer to the…
