November 2024 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Holiday Guide

growingupsc — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 22:36:00 +0000

Gift Ideas for Kids and Adults

The post Holiday Guide first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

The Play’s The Thing

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 08:07:50 +0000

How is it the holidays already? Wasn’t it just summer? Isn’t it still summer? It sure feels like it. And aren’t things supposed to slow down in the winter? Not here and not for families. Thumbing through this issue there are a host of plays, musical performances and winter camps. It’s really amazing. It starts on our cover with Santa Cruz Shakespeare moving from summer to the holidays with one of the greatest family plays ever, A Christmas Carol. Sure, everyone’s seen the movie, but there is nothing like seeing the most skilled actors in the world perform it up close and personal. It’s something that will change a kid’s life forever. Then, of course, the Nutcracker is coming up in December. But November is jumping the gun with excellent theater. Miracle on 34th Street starts Nov. 22 at the Mountain Community Theater, which is a great mix of entertainment for kids and adults. And for more fun, what about SpongleBob SquarePants the Musical at Cabrillo Theater showing Nov. 8-24? That is guaranteed to be a great time for everyone. And we didn’t mention that all of these performances are reasonably priced, especially compared to Broadway or a football game. They make perfect gifts for those who want to step away from material things or share something as a family. All About Theatre, a beloved local troupe, has found a new home at the Colligan Theater, which has been renovated and prepared for its opening show, The Little Mermaid, debuting on Nov. 8. And they have two big productions following: Alice in Wonderland, Dec. 6-14 and Footloose Jan.17-25. Think for a minute about how lucky and blessed we are to have this kind of quality in our small community. Many cities 10 times bigger have far less. One of our yearly favorites is a fast and frenetic performance of The Nightmare Before Christmas every Friday and Saturday night through New Year’s at Kianti’s Restaurant downtown. It’s a spectacle every time we see it and if you haven’t seen it yet, you will be hooked. It’s the perfect excuse to catch a great meal and a fun show before you see some of the other performances around town. Thumb through this issue and catch up with these events and get your tickets before they sell out. Drop us a line with your reviews and suggestions for what you liked best and what you recommend for others to catch. Thanks for reading Brad Kava, Editor and Publisher

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Scrooge is Coming to Town

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 08:06:34 +0000

Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS), a nationally recognized professional repertory theatre company staging imaginative productions for more than a decade, debuts a new holiday tradition for the whole family with its production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Audiences can expect a theatrical and music-filled adaptation of this classic play. The production will run from November 23 through December 24, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial Hall at 846 Front St in Downtown Santa Cruz. “It is my sincere hope that we are creating a new holiday tradition for our community with A Christmas Carol — one you can share with your children and grandchildren,” said SCS Artistic Director, Charles Pasternak. The show will be directed by Pasternak and star Santa Cruz favorites Mike Ryan as Scrooge and Julie James as, among many roles, the Ghost of Christmas Present. Luke Shepherd will serve as the production’s music director and sound designer for a show filled with music and carols throughout. Ticket prices range from $20 to $60. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are available at www.santacruzshakespeare.org or through the seasonal Box Office, 831.460.6399, open Tuesday through Friday from noon. to 4pm

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Local Parents Find a Circle of Support in Aptos

Comcast — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:46:13 +0000

The journey of pregnancy, birth and parenting is humbling, joyful, vulnerable and more than a little exhausting. And while many families navigate this season of life with minimal support, there is a team in Aptos trying to change this reality. Nestled near the beach in Seacliff, The Circle Family Center is a refuge for local families. Run by a team of mothers and birth workers, The Circle opened its doors three years ago with the vision of creating a community for families during pregnancy, birth, and the early years of parenthood. With offerings like Pre & Postnatal Yoga, Childbirth Education, Infant Enrichment, Dads Groups, and Toddler Messy Play, this space has something for everyone. Imagine walking into a beautiful building with an ocean view. There’s a fussy baby in your arms, but she is quickly scooped up by loving hands while you take a moment to make yourself a cup of tea. Someone asks you about your day, checks in about last week’s doctor’s appointment, or follows up on the work meeting you’ve been stressed about. You are seen, remembered, and valued. This is the energy you’ll find at The Circle. It’s a space where everyone belongs; where you are invited to come as you are and stay as long as you need. “The Circle is my home away from home,” says local mom, Gina. “I had postpartum depression and ended up here, surrounded by caregivers and children of all different ages and places in their lives. No one here is judged. No one is questioned. No one is ever running late. We are all just doing our best with the children in our lives and this place will never make you feel like your best is less than that.” “This place is amazing!” adds Jasmine. “It truly offers you the opportunity to find community and a village, which is so beautiful. Bring your little one and meet people who can meet you where you’re at. I have two under 2 and this place has been a godsend.” The Circle is a nonprofit organization, which allows them to offer scholarships and sliding scale admission to anyone who needs it. In fact, families who are enrolled in Medi-Cal have free access to all of their classes and groups. With offerings in English and Spanish, plus virtual and in-person options, they are reducing barriers to support however they can. “I really enjoyed connecting with other dads in the men’s group,” recalls Trenton, father of two. “I was able to find a community of dads and we still go on hikes with the kids.” This summer, The Circle expanded its reach by launching a doula training program that has prepared nearly 30 new birth & postpartum doulas to provide free and low-cost support to local families. “We believe everyone deserves individualized birth and postpartum care,” explains co-founder Kim Guiley. “Most families who can’t afford doula support are the ones who need it the most.” By expanding the network of affordable doulas, including many who speak Spanish, The Circle hopes to improve local birth outcomes, reduce the rate of postpartum depression, and create more joy and empowerment during birth and beyond. “Our goal is to create a safe space for families that makes their day just a little bit better,” reflects co-founder Elisa Havens-Stokes. “No matter who you are, you belong here.” Interested in learning more about The Circle Family Center? Check out their full class schedule, sign up for one of their offerings, or make a tax-deductible donation by visiting www.thecirclefamilycenter.org. by The Circle Co-Founders

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Holiday Classic Comes to Mountain Community Theater

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:43:37 +0000

Miracle on 34th Street, the play based on the 1947 novel by Valentine Davies is a long-standing tradition at Mountain Community Theater. First adapted by MCT co-founders Peter Troxell and Rita Wadsworth in 1982, it is making its return for the 11th time (and first since 2018) with actors ranging from little kids to big adults, bringing the bustle of New York City at Christmas time and the courtroom action of a very peculiar state trial to Ben Lomond’s “Park Hall” this Winter. Directed by MCT veteran Daria Troxell who has been involved with Miracle on four different occasions over the last 22 years, first starting as production manager in 2002 before acting in three others. She has been engaged with this play, almost as long as her son Wyatt (this year’s production manager) has been alive. Troxell is excited to have been presented with the opportunity to go from acting to directing this year. “It’s wild to be directing it because as a director you have to have the bigger scope of the play,” Troxell said. “As an actor you’re just thinking about your character and motivations, but when you’re a director you’ve gotta think about everybody’s underlying motivations in a particular scene, history, how their relationships have changed throughout the play.” For some, managing a cast of 40 kids and adults might be challenging, but Troxell, who directs for the “Little People’s Repertory Theater” in Ben Lomond each year and oversees more than 70 children for a musical, is confident that with that experience, Miracle is a much easier process as a director. “I do a musical with 70 kids every summer so managing 40 people (mostly adults) is a lot less work, so I’d say this is kind of a walk in the park compared to what I usually get to do,” Troxell said. Troxell is honored to be making her mark on this MCT Christmas tradition and is excited to share this show’s magical message and themes of childhood whimsy and belief with the community. “It feels great being a part of this tradition and going from acting to directing this text. A line in the show is ‘Faith is believing in things even when common sense tells you not to’ and that underlying current is something we all need to keep in perspective so I feel fortunate to have the responsibility and opportunity to convey that message,” Troxell said. Troxell believes this show will be a hit, with a cast made up of MCT veterans and families, featuring everything from the ecentric Kris Kringle on trial for claiming to be Santa Claus, to an elf dance number director by returning MCT veteran MarNae Taylor. “We have an amazing cast, and they are going to knock your socks off if you come to see the production. We have amazing actors in our lead roles and an incredible supporting cast, that are going to lend their hand in telling the story,” Troxell said. Miracle on 34th Street runs at Park Hall from Friday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Dec. 15. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30pm, Sunday matinees are at 2pm, and doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost 25$, 9400 Mill St, Ben Lomond. By Matthew Chipman

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SpongeBob SquarePants Swims into Cabrillo

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 05:38:36 +0000

Cabrillo College’s theater department is no stranger to musical theater. Cabrillo Stage mounts a high quality professional musical every summer, with two recent highlights being 2023’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and 2024’s In The Heights which felt like it cut out a section of New York’s Washington Heights and placed it on Cabrillo’s magnificent Crocker Theater. This November, get your fry cook hat, spatula and get ready, because Sponegbob Squarepants, his amazing friends (and Plankton) are going to cook up some fun at Cabrillo College. With SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical. Featuring music written by David Bowie, John Legend, Plain White Tees and more. Spearheaded by Cabrillo Stage Artistic Director Andrea Hart Taking on a musical of this scale and bringing the community into the vibrant world of Bikini Bottom, with student actors of varying skill levels, creates a coral reef of connection, ripe with fun and exciting learning experiences for everyone involved. “When you’re working in an educational context, you have actors of all different levels. Getting everyone on the same page for an experience that can be educational, enriching and get a show up is such a challenge. Especially when it’s a musical. Everything overlaps, which I think will make the stage feel really alive and lush” says Hart, whose favorite characters in the cartoon are SpongeBob and Patrick. From skating eels, to breathtakingly colorful costumes created by Maria Crush, a costuming magician, and a mind blowingly imaginative set, designed by creative wizard, Skip Epperson and technical director, Marcel Tijoe, affectionately referred to as “the best kind of yes man” there is something in SpongeBob SquarePants the musical for everyone to enjoy. “The great thing about Skip and Marcel’s collaboration is that Marcel is a very creative technical director. If you have an idea he will bring you three different options on how that idea might be done. And Skip is a great collaborative designer who digs into the script to find what the set might need. This show is like playing The Floor is Lava, and that playfulness brings in wild unexpected things the audience won’t expect,” says Hart SpongeBob the musical also offers themes of kindness and strong friendships in the face of the constant ebb and flow of our relationships, portraying Patrick and SpongeBobs struggles as they adapt to the challenges facing their community. “The show has a message about being kind and how you treat your friends, there will be some audience participation along the lines of “Are you Team Patrick?” “Are you Team SpongeBob?” Patchy The Pirate might get you on your feet for a singalong. These big kids acting like little kids will be a lot of fun–Patrick is a really loveable character. Tristan Vong who plays him is super locked in, and the relationship between SpongeBob and Patrick is really adorable. It’s something I wish our society celebrated more. This really close friendship between boys is really sweet and loving” says Hart Cabrillo will be providing educational resources for kids in school to explore some of the aspects of undersea life presented in the musical with lesson plans and a lobby display. “We have a student matinee and lesson plans that can be sent out to go along with it. We’ll be doing a collaboration with the oceanography department on their study of plankton and beach erosion so that will all make for a very hands-on lobby display” says Hart, a director who could not be happier with the community she gets to play with every day. SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical will run at Cabrillos Crocker theater on the main stage, Nov. 8-24 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays (except Nov 15) and 2pm on Sundays, with a special 10am student matinee Nov 15. General Tickets are $26 and can be bought at cabrillovapa.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1844 By Matthew Chipman

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Meaningful Alternatives to Holiday Checks and Cash

Bay Federal Credit Union — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 04:04:08 +0000

Gifts of money are often received (and spent) with joy and appreciation that lasts about as long as it takes to get to the mall or log onto Amazon. But there are better ways to give that can provide valuable lessons about financial responsibility, stability, and charity—gifts that may improve your loved one’s quality of life for years to come. Here are some alternative ideas to add meaning to your holiday gift-giving: Experience Gifts Experiences are thoughtful gifts that can last a lifetime. Whether it’s a concert, theater performance, or sporting event, shared experiences create lasting memories. Enrolling your loved one in a cooking class, art workshop, or sports clinic shows support for their interests and encourages skill development. A membership to a zoo, museum, or science center provides endless exploration and learning opportunities throughout the year. Personalized Books or Subscriptions A personalized book featuring the child as the main character can be a delightful keepsake, often passed down through generations. Subscription services are another great option. A monthly book subscription encourages a love for reading and offers new adventures each month. You can also explore craft, science, or cooking subscription boxes to keep the excitement alive well beyond the holidays. Savings Account Contributions Contributing to a savings account helps children develop strong savings habits. Partner with a local credit union to open a youth savings account or contribute to an existing one. This teaches the value of saving and allows them to see their money grow over time. Contributing to a 529 Plan or Coverdell ESA These tax-free accounts can be used for education expenses, including vocational and graduate school. Coverdell ESAs also cover elementary and secondary education costs. To ensure the funds are used as intended (and to avoid financial aid complications), consider opening the account in your name with the recipient as the beneficiary. For more details, contact a financial advisor. Volunteer Together or Donate in Their Name For someone who has everything, donating on their behalf to a favorite charity can bring deeper meaning to the “season of giving.” Alternatively, plan a family volunteering day to teach the importance of giving back. This powerful experience might include serving at a food bank or animal shelter, teaching kids about community and helping those in need. Charity runs or walks also promote family bonding while supporting a cause that resonates with you. DIY Gift Kits Encourage creativity with do-it-yourself gift kits tailored to a child’s interests, like a craft or baking kit. Include materials for a fun DIY project or non-perishable ingredients for a favorite recipe, along with a handwritten note or family recipe card. By choosing meaningful alternatives, you can create lasting memories and teach valuable lessons that will stay with children into adulthood. With the support of your local credit union, you can explore options that enrich the holiday season and nurture a brighter financial future for the next generation. Happy holidays! Consult your investment advisor or tax professional regarding contribution limits and tax implications for education savings plans.

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Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Exhibit Opens

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:54:53 +0000

Pajaro Valley Arts has opened their current and annual exhibit, “Mi Casa es Tu Casa” at their Sudden Street gallery. The show explores the connection between the living and those who have passed. The theme this year is “In the Arms of Our Ancestors.” As a centerpiece for the show is the jaguar, a symbol held high across Mesoamerican cultures. The exhibit includes the ideas and collaboration of several area schools where students were invited to create their own artwork and and words for the show that includes 17 altars. Also in the exhibit are various installations, paintings, sculpture, poems, photos and more. “In Mexican tradition, giant puppets, known as Mojigangas, bring vibrancy and life to the celebrations,” said Wendy Aikin, lead curator. “It is the spirit that inspired the creation of our ‘cat-like’ interpretation of jaguar. He stands as a guardian at the threshold of a spiritual realm, cradling an altar honoring our loved ones. The altar serves as a tribute to our ancestors, a place where the living can connect with the spirit world through the symbolic offerings placed upon it.” “The show turned out really well,” Aikin said. “It’s a broad representation of our community, with individual families, schools, and community groups coming together to create this amazing show. It is really an important event. This year we’re going to have the opening reception in the parking lot with live performances, food trucks and more space to gather. It will be a lot of fun.” The free reception for all ages will take place Nov. 3 from 2-4 p.m. Performances are schedules for the White Hawk Dancers, Anthony Sanchez and the Youth Music Band and Estrella de Esperanza. The gallery is at 37 Sudden St. and the show runs through Dec. 1. By Tarmo Hannula

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Tips for a Winning College Application

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:53:15 +0000

College-bound seniors are off to a busy season as they juggle their 12th-grade classes and between 7-20 college applications. While this may seem overwhelming while juggling sports and extracurricular activities, take the time to lay out your priorities. Here are 6 tips to consider when organizing your college applications: #1: Choose colleges based on the majors offered Most students make the mistake of choosing colleges based on their rankings or locations. Instead, research the majors you’re considering and choose the colleges that have programs that align with your interests. Check out their required courses and electives. You’ll be surprised to see the difference in courses offered at different colleges. #2: When to submit SAT/ACT scores if they’re “Test Optional” Colleges know that students who are good test takers will find ways to take and submit the SAT or ACT. Some students travel hundreds of miles to take them. If your test scores are stronger than your GPA, submit them. If they’re weaker than your GPA, don’t submit them if test scores are optional. Some colleges are Test Blind, which means that they won’t consider test scores even if you submit them. The University of California (UCs) and California State University (CSUs) are test blind. #3: How to write intriguing essays and personal statements When reading essays, admissions officers hope to learn something about you isn’t included in the application. Tell stories that illustrate your personality and your passions. Don’t write about throwing that winning touchdown because thousands of other students will be writing similar stories. Instead tell them what makes you unique. Open with a hook that intrigues them so they’ll see what you’ll bring to their incoming class. #4: How to ask for strong letters of recommendation Teachers write hundreds of letters of recommendation every fall and most use a few templates to streamline the process. By organizing a comprehensive resume with photos listing your projects, volunteer work, employment, and extracurricular activities, you’re giving them the insight and incentive to write a descriptive and positive recommendation. Include a cover letter to thank them for something valuable they’ve taught you, tell them something unique about yourself (project, business, extracurriculars), and give them a glimpse into what you hope to study in college. #5: When to apply Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Admission While your odds of getting in are better if you apply Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA), only do so if your grades, SAT/ACT scores, and your projects are good. If you’re still trying to boost your GPA during the fall semester, apply regular decision so your extra weighted grade will be calculated in the overall GPA. If you’re hoping for better scores on a future SAT date, it’s better to wait for regular admission dates. However, if your GPA and test scores are solid, and your project is complete, then apply early and hear from the colleges by mid December. Remember ED decisions usually don’t include the best scholarships because colleges know you’re going to matriculate and they save their big scholarship offers to entice other students to enroll. #6: How to organize applications so you don’t miss deadlines To reduce stress, enter each application’s deadline in a planner or digital calendar. Then starting with your first deadline, write first drafts of the essays and resumes, create portfolios for art and music applications, and collect other documentation. Enter each task into your planner by blocking off time to complete each item. Continue to add a new college every week. You’ll be juggling many colleges at various completion stages throughout the application season. Minimize extracurricular activities so you have time to manage all of your applications while maintaining good standing in your classes. Colleges expect students to do their own work – so as tempting as it may be – parents, don’t write your kids’ essays, set up their interviews, or complete their applications. This is a good opportunity for your child to take responsibility for organizing each application and meeting all deadlines. Your child will mature and transform into a confident young adult during this senior year. Sit back, watch and marvel.

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Deepening Unique Relationships with Your Children

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:48:44 +0000

“Our jobs, other responsibilities, and numerous distractions, make it difficult to devote individual time to each of our children. These competing demands on our time, energy, and attention don’t have to deprive us, though, of the quality one-on-one time—the special time—we can share with them. A Special Parenting Tool Special time is all about deepening the unique relationship you have with your child. As a positive Discipline parenting tool, special time complements other Positive Discipline tools (e.g., discovering the beliefs behind the behaviors, connection before correction, curiosity questions, and encouragement) and lets you get to know and encourage your children in very personal and personalized ways. From Theory to Practice Positive Discipline is a relationship-based approach to parenting and guiding children, and is rooted in the theories of Alfred Adler and Rudolph Dreikurs. Adler asserted that all human behavior stems from a fundamental psychosocial need for belonging and significance, and Dreikurs believed that misbehavior stems from the discouragement that children experience when those needs go unmet. Special time helps meet children’s psychosocial needs as it strengthens parent-child bonds through meaningful and enjoyable interactions—the kind that make for treasured memories. It also provides a space for children to share intimate thoughts and feelings. Further, special time is sometimes just what a discouraged child needs to feel encouraged, especially if that child has exhibited challenging behavior. It helps everyone feel better and thus do better. What Special Time Is and Isn’t Special time is different from other time spent with a child. It is not have-to time (e.g., taking a child to school or dressing a child), nor is it casual time (e.g., working while your child is in the room or supervising them while they play). It is regularly scheduled (although it can be impromptu), has ideally been planned with the child, involves the child in engaging activities, and entails an explicit goal of being special. Consider the “three ‘A’s” of Special Time: Attitude, Attention, and Alone. Attitude means obviously demonstrating how much a child is valued and appreciated and how happy you are to be spending your time with them. Attention is being fully present to listen to and connect with the child, which, in part means disconnecting from distractive devices (such as cell phones). Alone is all about preventing interruptions from or interactions with others so that you and your child can have one-on-one time together. Developmental Considerations Special time is a developmentally appropriate tool that takes ages and stages into account. Children 0-2 don’t understand the concept of it and thus aren’t able to help plan it, but they still require ample love, attention, and what are known as “serve and return” interactions. For children ages 2-6, special time can be an everyday ritual that lasts at least 10 minutes. A parent (or other adult family member) can read a book to a child (a good time to do so is while others are cleaning up after dinner or before the child’s bedtime). For children ages 7-12, special time can be weekly and last for at least 30 minutes. You can take a child out for ice cream after running errands with them, make cookies together, or go on a bike ride. Children 13 years and up may act like they’re too old for special time and may often prefer to hang out with friends, but they need your undivided attention as much as ever. While Special time with them may only be a monthly occurrence, try to dedicate at least an hour or two doing things with them you know they enjoy (e.g., taking them out to eat, to a movie, or to a ballgame). Be prepared to suggest activities if they don’t. For all ages of children, remember to remain flexible, appeal to their unique interests, preferences, and personalities, and enlist their ideas. Final Guidelines While special time is often initiated by adults, the activities involved should be heavily driven by the child. Therefore, put your child in charge, and resist the temptation to direct the play/activity and/or teach the child how to engage. Letting them decide things helps to develop their communication, social-emotional, and leadership skills while promoting their buy-in and continued interest. Finally, remember that even though special time might just feel like fun and games (which of course it often is), the ultimate goal is connection. As such, remain attune to your child and make a concerted effort to really listen to them. Children who long for individual attention may see special time as an opportunity to reveal themselves in very deep and emotional ways and share what is most important to them. The insights you may gain may prove both informative and invaluable. Conclusion Special time is a great way to show your children love and demonstrate your intention to build a trusting relationship with them. Because every child and every relationship is unique, you may discover new things not only about your child but about yourself. Share all the quality time you can with your children. Your children will cherish those memories. forever and know just how cherished they truly are. By Steven Weis and Sarah Nofi Certified positive discipline educators

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