May 2022 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Argh Mate

growingupsc — Fri, 27 May 2022 16:11:13 +0000

Kids who visit the Davenport Roadhouse in North County are in for a special treat. If they find the pirate doll hidden in the restaurant they get a free cookie from the excellent bakery there. Parents also get a very good meal, but that’s not free. However, there is all kinds of live local music most every day and night there and that is a free treat. The Davenport Roadhouse is at 1 Davenport Ave., 95017.

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Reason to Remember

growingupsc — Fri, 27 May 2022 16:02:04 +0000

Reason to Remember By Cheyenne Donald All gave some, some gave all Hey. Let’s have a little chat. Memorial Day is about to be here, and before you mark this as just a 3 day weekend, or the beginning of summer, road closures, parades and BBQs, let’s have some real talk. This is not just another 4th Monday in May. This is THE day we have set aside for Memorial, to talk story and connection, of those who gave everything for a future they didn’t get to be in. We do this every year. We come together and create a space for memory. We stand proud. We use words like Hero, because we know they have given everything so that we can be here today. Because they believed in something bigger than themselves. This weekend, look for Gold Star Families. The letters, and boxes they hold. Listen to their stories, their dreams, their grief and their hope as they share their loved ones with us and keep their memories alive. Visit and see the flowers and decorations upon graves of the fallen. Support the parades, festivals, and other community gatherings. Let’s break bread together. Let’s celebrate the gift those who serve give us in their sacrifice. As a community let’s create a space to engage with others, so that the feelings and emotions of loss can be recognized, honored and held safely. A little backstory. Let’s not sugar coat this. War is devastating. The Civil war, claimed so many lives it required a National Cemetery creation. In the Spring of the late 1860s, countless tributes began, decorating the graves with flowers, flags and wreaths. There’s a lot of back and forth as to where this day started, and who was first, the truth is, everyone was after the same goal. To pay tribute to a life lost too soon in the conflict of war. To memorialize and sooth the grief and devastation left by the emptiness felt when the dust settled. We give credit to Waterloo as the birthplace, because of its community wide events, closure of businesses and the residents decorating graves. But this ‘birthplace’ title was given a decade later. Originally deemed Decoration day, it was set on the 30th of May by General John A. Logan, because that was one day there was no particular Civil War conflict, it was a neutral day to bring both sides together to mourn the mass loss of lives, and to heal the wounds of division. The North and South really did celebrate different days of Decoration and remembrance until Memorial Day was officially recognized after WW1. This was when the holiday expanded to commemorate every life lost in war. This is when the tradition of flying the flag at half staff until noon, to represent the mourning of the soldiers we have lost, and then raising it to full staff after noon as a sign that the military rising despite the loss. At 3 pm, we are all encouraged to take a moment of Remembrance and take a pause together. So set the alarm, and let’s take that moment of silence together. Poppies and poems Have you ever wondered where the poppies fit in? In WW1 a poem was written that touched many and created a Poppy as the symbol of remembrance. A Brigade surgeon, John McCrae, spotted the poppies in the battle scarred fields as he was dealing with the carnage of that war. He wrote a poem called ‘In Flanders Field’ channeling the voices of fallen soldiers buried below the poppies. ‘In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow Loved, were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from falling hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. Thanks to two women that took up the cause, Poppies became a universal symbol of remembrance. Moina Michael (a professor in Georgia) wrote a response poem called ‘We shall Keep the faith’ and vowed to always wear a red poppy, and Anna Guérin (In France) also championed the poppies symbolic power and reverence. The two women were able to get the poppies recognized as an international movement. So, as you’re getting ready for Memorial Day, don’t forget to grab your red poppies, adorn your lapel, and show your support and connection. In fact in the US, we have national Poppy Day, it lands on the Friday before Memorial Day. You might meet people walking around with their poppies, or selling them as fundraisers for the American Legion This is a remembrance, not your typical holiday. Let’s remember to be kind, always, but as we grieve loss and missing connections, let’s support each other thoughtfully. This isn’t another photo op. It’s not just a 3 day weekend. This is a community support system that gives us the vision we need to see what’s important in the world. However you feel, you can’t deny that this day has significance and meaning. It has reverence. It’s not just another day, so let’s give it the space it deserves. Find your local gathering and connect with each other. If your looking for a place to memorialize your loved ones this Memorial Day weekend, head over to the lower part of the Redwood Deck in downtown Felton. The Downtown Felton Association will be setting up a Memorial site for Decoration and connection. Sit together, talk story, and leave photos and flowers together from the 28th-the 30th. Let’s make sure to remember together, and keep our loved ones memories alive. Read More Parenting Articles

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I Love Mom

growingupsc — Sun, 01 May 2022 17:30:35 +0000

Mama and Baby Seal Submit your coloring page for a chance to be in our paper Editor@growingupsc.com More Coloring Pages

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May Coloring Winners

growingupsc — Sun, 01 May 2022 17:25:43 +0000

The post May Coloring Winners first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Tired Mom Puzzle

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 23:33:07 +0000

Encaustic Paintings

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:20:43 +0000

Encaustic Paintings by Terry Dowell I have been swept away by the challenges and immense rewards of educating and inspiring people that somehow find their way to me. The thrill of offering an opportunity to enliven the creative spirit in the lives of my students is a lifetime dream. My intent is simple…paint for myself, teach workshops and, of course, show my art to the public and allow my art to flow out into the world. I have been painting and creating all my life…over 50 years now. I invented myself as an artist by way of workshops and courses throughout the United States. Largely self-taught in a variety of mixed media techniques I’ve tried every medium that was in reach…pottery, enameling, painting, plein-aire painting, drawing, watercolor, photography, assemblage, encaustic etc. I feel fortunate in having come to art by following this path… I’ve never had anyone discourage me. Encaustic came my way over 8 years ago when I attended a free demonstration with hot wax. I knew it was right for me when I had an immediate sense of “I can do that” resounding from my soul. Diving into this exciting process… I became hooked after my first piece and have been diligently painting ever since. I work largely from my surroundings which includes my conceptual imagination! Being fortunate enough to live in the immensely beautiful coastline of Northern California that provides me with spectacular views in all directions. This feeds my soul and artful spirit. Pushing the limits of beeswax has been quite amazing and finding how far the medium will go has been an inspiration. Now sharing my well-earned knowledge of encaustic painting through teaching, I love to see the light in someone’s eyes when they first see the never ending possibilities of experimentation and discovery. My challenge is to guide my students to find their unique and satisfying style in the positive and safe environment of my studio in Aptos. Uniquely, I define myself as a mixed media artist specializing in encaustic painting. I am excited that my work can be seen in private collections and juried art exhibitions throughout the United States. Thank you for this opportunity to be seen; if only by one! Read More Local Artist Articles

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Do REALTORS Even Matter

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:13:20 +0000

Do REALTORS Even Matter? By Seb Frey In a real estate market as hot as this, where homes appear to “sell themselves,” it’s a fair question: do REALTORS even matter? I’m going to give you an answer that may surprise you…considering that I myself am a REALTOR, and have been for 19 years. In fact, I was even President of the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS in 2019 so I consider myself something of an authority on the subject. I won’t bury the lede here. I’m going to come right out and say it: no, REALTORS do not matter…if you don’t believe they matter. When it comes to answering this question, what you believe matters, because a lot of people believe that when it comes to selling a home, it’s the real estate market that determines how much you’ll be able to sell it for. This is a very commonly held belief. There’s a real estate market, and so there’s a market price for your home. The market is going to pay what the market is going to pay, in which case, why would a hiring a REALTOR even matter? Yet something like 91% of homes in California are sold with the assistance of a REALTOR. The other 9%? This is mostly eaten up by new construction sold directly by home builders, and family members selling their property to other family, friends, or neighbors. Locally, very few homes are sold without a REALTOR to a buyer who had no pre-existing connection to a seller. So why do so may choose to hire a REALTOR? I’m going to posit that the reason for the dominant use of REALTORS is because owners see some value in using one. But given the high dollar cost of the average commission, people have to ask: are REALTORS really worth that much? Another good question! I’d guess it wouldn’t surprise you to read that some house painters are better than other house painters. Or that some doctors or lawyers are better than others in their respective fields. It’s not too much of a stretch then to suppose that in fact, some REALTORS provide better service, or provide better value, than other REALTORS. So it’s interesting that most REALTORS charge almost exactly the same fee. And it’s important to note that there is no standard commission, and that commissions are always negotiable. But I’ve researched MLS data, and I’ve verified that there appears to be one particular commission rate that the overwhelming majority of Santa Cruz REALTORS charge. Now why, if there’s surely a wide difference in REALTORS in their level of skill and service, are the fees so similar? I believe the answer to this is that few people actually try to negotiate the commission. They just accept it as a the “standard” and pay it, because most everyone else pays it too. So why not talk to a REALTOR about lowering the fee? I’m suggesting here that it’s a good idea you do so. Try to see if your REALTOR will accept a lower fee than whatever you think most REALTORS charge, or what they tell you their fee is. And then, if the REALTOR does in fact accept a lower fee … you probably shouldn’t use that agent. Say WHAT? That’s right. Here’s the thing: if a REALTOR can’t successfully negotiate their own commission, if they do not believe in the value they bring to the transaction, why would you want that person to represent you in the largest financial transaction of your life? How could you trust that person to negotiate for your money, when they can’t do a good job negotiating their own? It could be you think that isn’t important, because after all, the market pretty much sets the price. What’s missing here is the understanding is that the market price is really a negotiated market price. And your REALTOR’s ability to negotiate the price (and terms) of the sale of your property to net you the most money possible is one way (of many!) where REALTORS can really prove their worth – or demonstrate their lack thereof. Even in a super-hot market like this one – where houses “sell themselves” and home owners often receive several offers in a short time, a REALTOR’s ability to negotiate the best price for you can literally mean tens of thousands of dollars – or more! – extra on the sale of your home. If a REALTOR has a demonstrated inability to be a strong negotiator, as evidenced by their weakness in standing firmly on their commission and exhibiting confidence in the value of the service they provide, it’s a good bet that they will be be unable to extract the very highest price possible from the plethora of buyers you will no doubt find for your home.Turns out, REALTORS do matter, if you understand how and why.  Seb Frey was the 2019 President of the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS. He’s been selling homes locally since 2003 and is the author of Get It Sold! (available at TheSoldBook.com) and stars on his own YouTube channel at YouTube.com/SebFreyTV Read More Parenting Articles

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Cirque.Tumble.Cheer

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:11:03 +0000

Capitola Mall is Flying High with Cirque.Tumble.Cheer By Jeanette Prather Once upon a time in the former Wrigley bubble gum factory on the Westside, four women came together over their love of aerial and movement arts. They assembled a collective of aerialists and dancers who would each contribute to a stipend that they would pay their landlord as he developed what is now the University Business Park. This collective offered classes and training time, then came to be known as the Santa Cruz Aerial Playground. “They scrimped, scavenged and labored almost endlessly to install rigging points, padded floor coverings, a wooden sprung dance floor, lighting, seating, crash mats,” said former studio founder, Lisa Christensen, who worked with Paige Wyatt, Kara Snider and Sydney Lovell. The studio morphed into a small business with a mission to offer a safe, fun place to explore movement of all kinds. There was space and time for aerial and land classes, rehearsals and parties. They drew aerialists from all over the world, including Spain, Italy, Israel and Russia. To make their rent, when the building started to fill, they turned it into a professional studio. “Our story is one of the typical over-involved parents,” said Angie Lackey, current owner of the studio, now known as Cirque.Tumble.Cheer. in the Capitola Mall. “We found Aerial Arts Santa Cruz by chance; my youngest daughter’s friend suggested that we go check out a space that has ribbons hanging from the ceiling. When my daughter took a class with Jeanette, the studio owner at the time, she fell in love and decided to be an aerialist.” Aerial Arts Santa Cruz reigned from early 2013 through the end of 2016, and during this time the studio held dozens of weekly classes, a handful of professional theatrical productions, one pole competition, one national aerial competition wrap party, and hosted dozens of “famous” aerial and pole instructors from around the world. It was a thriving community with dedicated artists developing and fostering lifelong friendships. Then suddenly, one warm day near the end of October, an unexpected conversation changed everything. “When Jeanette was pregnant with her second son, we went out to lunch at Erik’s Deli in Capitola. She was asking me to join the newly assembled board of directors at the studio, but I said that I would love to consider purchasing the studio instead,” said Lackey. “After several Starbucks meetings at the Portola Starbucks, where we knew we wouldn’t be discovered, we worked out a contract and finally made the decision to do the studio transaction on Dec. 17, which also happened to be the day that her son was born. The final checks were signed in a Dominican hospital room, actually. “My husband and I looked at each other and went, ‘uh-oh’ after the contract and checks were signed,” laughed Lackey. “This was supposed to be a hobby business in the beginning. We were both planning on keeping our careers; Nate as a firefighter and me as a bookkeeper for the insurance company I worked for at the time. We were planning on running it in our off-hours when our instructors were teaching. When that didn’t really work well, our oldest daughter stepped in and really helped.” The studio underwent new branding and moved to Scotts Valley, then being called Santa Cruz Circus Arts. “I quit my full-time job and went part-time,” said Lackey. “The move to Scotts Valley came about early 2018 because we wanted higher ceilings. “Our Scotts Valley location was a short-term lease and they had someone who wanted to lease long-term. Shortly after that we moved to Post Street, which we thought would be our forever home, Covid hit. We put everything into two containers in our backyard, cried a lot, and took a hiatus, not knowing if we’d be able to re-open or not.” But, post Covid, the staff got back together and found a space in the Capitola Mall, with plenty of high ceilings, in the space that used to house Outdoor World.“Cirque.Tumble.Cheer is a place to explore your potential,” said instructor Ruby Straehley. “While there are many opportunities for kids, at 56, I know how inclusive this studio is.” They moved from just aerial work to tumble and cheer to widen their classes. Cirque.Tumble.Cheer expanded this month and moved two doors down on May 1, adding acrobatic pole, sports massage, dance, and pop-up events. “Our tagline initially was ‘circus is family,’ which is still true,” said Lackey. “No matter your athletic ability, size, gender, age, race, sexual orientation, identity or whatever, you’ll have a home here with us.” Read More Parenting Articles

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College Rejections Up This Year: Here’s Why

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:08:33 +0000

College Rejections Up This Year: Here’s Why By Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy So, chin up! Those colleges will miss out on what you could have brought to their campuses this fall. Watch out world – here you come! This year, the most competitive colleges rejected record numbers of applicants than in recorded history. That means that colleges like Harvard that had admit rates of around 5% last year have dropped to 3.19%. We’ll get more data when other selective colleges release their admissions statistics for this year. So, what caused this uptick in applications this year? Over 1,300 colleges offered test-optional admissions due to COVID and difficulty finding testing sites during the pandemic. That means that students who usually score poorly on standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, didn’t have to submit their scores and relied on their GPAs and extracurricular activities. This opened the doors to many high school seniors who thought they would have a shot at one of the Ivy League Colleges. After Harvard won the battle over using affirmative action in the complicated rubric for accepting students, elite colleges admitted record numbers of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (increase of 5% for Black and Latinx applicants). Nearly 25% of Harvard’s incoming class comes from families with incomes under $75,000. I’m curious to see how many legacy students were admitted this year. Those are students whose parents attended and donated money to their alma maters. That’s a statistic that wasn’t published in the first wave of data for 2022. Remember, these stats are just for the super elite colleges. Of the other 4000 colleges and universities in the United States, most are actually clamoring to get students to enroll for classes this fall. Some smaller colleges and community colleges have actually closed due to lack of enrollment during the pandemic. For those students sitting with a handful of rejection letters (or emails), hope you take comfort in knowing that this year’s rejections are the highest ever and that colleges did not reject you because you weren’t qualified – they just received thousands of applications from qualified students who filled some aspect of their rubric for filling their next incoming classes. So if you’re not Black or Latinx, your parents went to college, you play 3rd base instead of catcher, or your parents aren’t alumni who have donated buildings, your application has to be that much stronger to compete with the students that selective colleges are seeking this year. White and Asian students may be facing a different kind of discrimination – especially if their families are wealthy. Take a breather from all the stress and anxiety you’ve faced over the past couple of months, and then create 4-year plans for each of the colleges that you received admission to. Then, compare programs, majors, research opportunities, location, and costs. By taking advantage of unique classes, top professors, internships, research programs, and clubs, you can create an excellent undergraduate education that prepares you for grad school or the start of your career. Lay out your entire 4-year plan before you head to college this fall. That way, you’ll pave a path that will create the network of colleagues – and letters of recommendation — for your future plans. So, chin up! Those colleges will miss out on what you could have brought to their campuses this fall. Watch out world – here you come!  Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes) and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She can help you build your 4-year plan so you can make the most out of your undergraduate education. She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year. meritworld.com Read More Parenting Articles

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Sierra Ryan

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 18:58:13 +0000

Sierra Ryan: Saving Water for Our Children’s Future Suki Wessling ’m lucky that I feel like some of the work that I do is really for her, so sometimes when I feel like, ‘Oh, I’m working again,’ [I tell myself] I’m doing it for Faye and for her future here. “You need a bit of a reminder on the rough days,” admits Sierra Ryan, Water Resources Manager for the County and mom to 3-year-old Faye, about being a full-time working mom. “Like, why are you doing this? How does this fit into your life?”Like many working moms, Sierra has to balance her commitment to her career with her commitment to her child. Sierra found her career as soon as she stepped into her UCSB environmental studies class. She went to University of Edinburgh for grad school, but Santa Cruz was still the home she planned to return to. She is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the County’s water system.“Groundwater sustainability is the next generation of water management that we’re moving towards in California,” Sierra explains. “We are completely isolated in terms of our water—all of our water sources are locally derived so it’s important for us to be very connected to our water supply.” Having a head full of gnarly environmental concerns is balanced with a fascination for and admiration of her child. “I’m just blown away now that she’s able to speak so well,” Sierra explains. “The way she can articulate the inner workings of a three-and-a-half year old brain. They think so differently than we do, so much less linear. She draws connections between different parts of her life that I don’t see as connected.”Sierra enrolled Faye in research at the Child Development Lab at UCSC as a baby, and she recounts a recent visit with amusement and awe. The researchers showed Faye pictures of different things and asked the same questions: Is it alive? Does it have feelings like you do? The first photo was of an animal. “She said yes and I was so proud!” Sierra recalls. “It’s like, yeah, she’s got this empathy. Then they showed her a robot and she responded the same, like yes, this robot, it’s alive and has feelings like me.” In Faye’s magical three-year-old world, even an electric razor is alive and has feelings. “I was so delighted that I got to be in the room to hear her thoughts on life.”Given her career in a field that focuses on the damage humans have done and the dire consequences for the future, Sierra says that it’s hard not to feel negative. But she has come upon a way to teach her child with a focus on her family history. The Santa Cruz she loves is very different from the one her grandparents found in 1919, and perhaps they might even be horrified at what it’s become.“But change has always happened in the world,” Sierra says. “There used to be dinosaurs here and now they’re not. It’s hard to explain that things are changing and to try to say it in a way that’s not as bleak as we might feel that it is.” It’s her child’s optimism and wonder that keeps reminding her that she has a bigger purpose. “I’m lucky that I feel like some of the work that I do is really for her, so sometimes when I feel like, ‘Oh, I’m working again,’ [I tell myself] I’m doing it for Faye and for her future here.” Sierra says that she hasn’t found “the secret sauce” that gives her a comfortable work/life balance, but when she looks around her office, she remembers.“You look at the terrible paintings that you have all over your office which your three-year-old told you were of a worm and a ladybug,” she laughs. “OK, well, that’s why I’m doing this.” Related: Take a look at our April issue for games and books you can use to help your children understand our water system. Read More Moms Who Make a Difference Articles

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