A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
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Families Create Halloween Fun!
Families say "BOO!" to Covid!

  • We’re doing an outdoor scavenger hunt with a friend in our pod!
  • We are putting glowsticks and candy and treats all over the yard at night and letting the kids to a spooky hallowhunt.
  • We’re making spider chip cookies, playing some party games with prizes that are Halloween themed. We bought a ticket to see Justin Willman (Magic for Humans on Netflix) do a magic show via zoom around lunchtime. Then we’re doing a candy scavenger hunt in the front and back yard. Also we’re decorating the yard and doing our pumpkins this weekend.
  • We are doing a pinata, popcorn balls, building a haunted house (edible), watching spooky movies, having a costume dance party (just two kids) and candy apples.
  • We're having our other quarantine friends over to have the kids play!
  • We're going to have a spooky candy hunt in the "cemetery " and then go to the "witches lair" to feel the witches ingredients in her cauldron, some games: witches hat toss, pin up the pumpkin, bobbing for apples, and a dance party.
For those who want to "get out" there are a variety of Halloween events.

LEARNING PODS
At yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board established County-run learning pods for low income kids. The County will be creating eight learning pods (to start) for low-income, elementary aged kids all over the County where they will get homework help and have some fun playing games and being outside with other kids their age. 3rd District Supervisor Ryan Coonerty will be working on expanding this effort to support families. E-mail Supervisor Ryan Coonerty

Have a great weekend, Parmalee
Foundations of US Government: Electoral College
for Parents and Families
Have you ever wondered...
How we got the Electoral College? What it does? If we still need it?
Have more meaningful conversations and head into voting season with a deeper understanding of:
  • The history of the Electoral College
  • The nuts and bolts behind how this system works
  • Why this system is important
  • The debate on whether it has outlived its usefulness

Watch this FREE 2-part video series and get answers to these questions and more.
October Fun!
The Wienermobile's Coming
How would you like to drive around the country in a wienermobile, seeing the sights, meeting friendly families, polishing your pun bun skills? That’s what Molly’s doing! Molly and friends are bringing the Wienermobile to Santa Cruz in early November, so I asked her to share a little about her adventures with us.

“We've been traveling for 10 weeks. We started in Wisconsin, for training at Hot Dog High, and we are in Tucson, Arizona right now. Our first city was Sioux Falls, SD then Rapid City, SD, Topeka, KS, Amarillo, TX, Flagstaff, AZ, El Paso, TX, Dallas, TX, Lubbock, TX, and now Tucson, AZ. We head to Phoenix next for two weeks, then we will be heading your way.
 
When I was a kid we had a home video of all of us siblings singing the Wiener Jingle, so I've always loved Oscar Mayer. Last January, I saw a news article looking for “outgoing, creative people who have an appetite for adventure and travel.” I clicked on it and couldn't believe driving the Wienermobile was a real job. I decided then to put all by dogs in one bun and apply for this position only. I applied in January this year, was selected at the end of March, and started in July. 
 
We all have to be recent college graduates. I graduated in December 2019 with a masters and I did my undergrad at the University of Georgia. I'm from Johns Creek, GA.
 
The inside of the Wienermobile is FRANKtastic, here is a video tour preview I made for you: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18156828403030232/ 
 
Stay tuned for our arrival!"

With Relish, Mayochup Molly
Family Events
Check websites before you go!
Covid Update Santa Cruz County: Currently, Santa Cruz County is still in Tier 2, color coded "red." Hopefully next will be Tier 3, color coded "orange", where more businesses and schools can open up.
Santa Cruz Parent Calendar
We receive new CALENDAR posts daily, so visit our homepage and click on CALENDAR any time! https://santacruzparent.com/

For example, learn more about the largest genetic study of autism in the country and how your family can get involved.
Scotts Valley Haunted Loop, Oct. 22-24 and 29-31, Go here for tickets and times. We have collaborated with local authorities to create and enact a comprehensive safety plan based on state and local guidance as well as site-specific contexts. In addition, we have corraled our zombies to reduce the likelihood of a zombie apocolypse. Details
Outdoor Movie Night, October 30, 6pm, Free - Join us for an exciting outdoor movie night watching The Addams Family (2019) at Aptos Village Park on Friday, October 30th! This event is free, however, reservations are required. Details
Are you ready for an adventure? Using the FREE Agents of Discovery app (from your app store), you are invited to complete six different challenges at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park! Details
Día de Muertos A Month-Long Celebration, October 21+, Free
We invite you to join us in a month-long series of virtual programs and self-guided outdoor experiences to learn more about the history and traditions of Día de Muertos. Details
Line Dance Lessons with the Sundance Saloon - Sundays, 6-9pm,
Free - Line dance lessons through live-streaming in the comfort of your own home. Details
Navigating "these" School Years with Positive Discipline, Tuesdays 6pm, Nov. 3-24, This 4 week virtual support and learning group will bring you everything from how to address and mitigate distance learning challenges with kindness and firmness at the same time, gain encouragement strategies and learn how to win cooperation with your 6-12 year olds. Details
Positive Discipline - Family Support Sessions - Bilingual and Free, Tuesdays, 6 - 7pm - Positive Discipline family support sessions for families within Santa Cruz City School District. Details
All the County Farmers Markets! Details
Parent-Child Home Support Program, Waldorf School, October - November, 3 Age Groups: Details
One Silent Night Virtual Music Camp and Concert, Sign up by Oct. 26, Free, Music Camp International, is offering a virtual Music Camp to U.S. teens. The camp, Nov. 2-8, will rehearse for a virtual concert at the end of the week. The U.S. teens will virtually join teens from Ukraine, Romania, Latvia, Kenya and India to perform the concert “One Silent Night”. Details
Workshop: Supporting Children with Special Needs in Distance Learning, October 27, 3-4:30pm, Free Details
November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election County Election Information November 3 Details List of Voting Locations
Harvest Faire - Weekends Oct 3 -Nov 1, Step into the incredible world of steam power at the Harvest Faire & Steam Festival presented by Kinetic Steam Works and Roaring Camp Railroads. Details
Triple P Parent Workshop: How to Foster Positive Friendships Among Teens, Oct. 22, 6pm - Register to get the Zoom meeting link: Details
Tales to Tails - Mondays 3:30-4pm, Register! Santa Cruz Public Libraries Details
Parenting in Difficult Times- Holiday Season Hand in Hand Parenting Class - Sundays or Wednesdays, beginning November 1 with Shauna Casey. This class and support group will help you develop and deepen your parenting skills for navigating difficulties peacefully, even playfully, while staying calmer and better-connected during the holidays.