Why should we parents and our older children watch The US and the Holocaust? Why, because we are raising our children in difficult times --times of political divide, cultural conflicts, stress --a nit-picking time of "anti-everything," including anti-semitism. Click here for an example in our own backyard, Berkeley.

I’ve never understood anti-semitism, the history of anti-semitic perpetrators, nor present day anti-semitism, especially as it exists within our very own Congress and among segments of our citizens, left, right and center. I despair governments that practice genocide. We practice peaceful ways in our local circles of influence, yet are confronted with mass murderers in recent history and current affairs. It seems that wherever there has been an accumulation of power, humankind’s baser nature bursts forth.

Do we not learn from history?! Is being a peace loving person enough? What causes irrational hatred?

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries are sponsoring Ken Burn’s perspective on “The USA and the Holocaust” with a viewing and discussions. These are weighty matters for discussion. Learn more here and here.

Let's brush up on our history and bring age appropriate history to the dining table. Help our children understand that while awful things happen to people and we grieve at the tragedy, we are strong in the fight for right and must strive to overcome evil. We parents are raising next generations of world citizens and leaders. It's an awesome responsibility. Let's think deeply about the values we wish to impart.

Make family times meaningful, Parmalee

As International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Temple Beth El, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and Santa Cruz County United for Safe and Inclusive Communities partner to host this screening and group discussion.

Attendees are encouraged to watch the entire 3-part documentary in advance of the discussion, which will air on local PBS Station KQED at 9pm on January 6, 13, and 20 and also will be available to stream on the PBS website now through February 3rd. At the Discussion event, we will watch a 40-minute screener from the series provided by PBS Books, which is supporting programming around the documentary for Libraries nation-wide.

A friend recommended the book, “A Man Called Ove.” I reserved it and was #51in line for it. Fortunately it arrived during the recent holidays. At first I found it challenging to like the protagonist Ove, but the story was different and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. Now I’m well into it and am respecting and caring for Ove more and more.

It’s an affirmation of life and death, what’s important and not important, the ridiculous and sublime, stubbornness and forgiveness, laughter and tears, "karens" and kind people, young and old, different and “ordinary," of loneliness and community. Do read it. You may find it's exactly what you need in your life right now, or a resource to draw upon in the future.

"It’s a new year, and time once again to celebrate all the parents and caregivers raising children and adolescents across our community. For the 11th year in a row, the County Board of Supervisors has partnered with First 5 Santa Cruz County to declare January 2023 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month, joining other California counties and the California legislature, which will pass a resolution declaring January 2023 as Positive Parenting Awareness Month across the state.

Raising children and youth to become healthy, confident, capable individuals is the most important and rewarding job parents and caregivers have, but sometimes it’s also the hardest job. That’s why proven strategies and support from programs such as the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are here to help.

Even in the best of times, stress shows up in our lives. Sometimes, it comes from day-to-day events like a big test at school or a high-stakes situation at work. Other times, it comes from major life events like a family split apart by divorce or the death of a loved one. The ability to cope with strong feelings in response to these events—whether they are routine or major—is called emotional resilience.

This year, throughout Positive Parenting Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the building blocks of emotional resilience. As adults, we can help children and teens learn and practice emotional resilience skills so that they can cope with stressful life events and emerge stronger and happier. When children and teens (and adults) have the tools and support to use positive ways of coping with strong feelings, they’ll be less likely to turn to negative ways of coping, such as acting out, using alcohol or drugs, or harming themselves.

So how can we help children and teens build their emotional resilience muscles? We can start by teaching skills in these six building blocks >"

"Dear Brother and Sister Grangers,

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year in which we see the light in the world grow brighter and the darkness grow dimmer.

Tuesday, January 3, 7pm will be our first Grange meeting of 2023. As the first order of business, we will install the newly elected officers beginning with our worthy brother Michael Johnson as president.

The Grange is a bottom up, grass roots organization in which every member in good standing has a vote and can make proposals for consideration. Let's ring in the New Year with fraternal kinship and unity.

We hope to see you there!"