Moms and Dads, I admire you! I observe you introducing your children to a variety of wholesome activities --literature, art, music, acting, soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, dance, swimming, carpentry, engineering, volunteering, etc-- that engage their interest and energy. You choose schools or homeschooling or pods that re-inforce your family values.

For the little ones you screen the movies they watch and the books they read so they won't get too scared.

For the older ones, you are recognizing and are concerned about the dangers of social media (here) and now ai (here). You understand that some books are inappropriate for some ages. One of you, in a far away town, went to a school board meeting and read aloud from a book approved by the schoolboard. The schoolboard was so shocked and embarrassed by the content that they made you stop sharing.

Be aware, curious, involved and protective. It's not easy but it's part of the parenting job. Reading about other parents tribulations may be scary, but helpful in evaluating your positions.

Keep on keeping the children safe and involving them in choosing quality activities, Parmalee

Not sure what to wear to MAHsquerade? It’s the MAH, not the MET! Come as you are or get creative.

MAHsquerade - a FUNdraiser and celebration of art, local history, and community in Santa Cruz County. This free flowing event spotlights MAH exhibitions, programs, Evergreen Cemetery, and Davenport Jail through interactive experiences and live entertainment. Games, Prizes, Bites & Beverages included.

6:00pm - The Fun Begins! Learn about MAH programs through interactive activities. Explore our Silent Auction "Buy In" Adventures! Participate in the Scavenger Hunt! Make a mask.

7:00pm - Welcome Program with Robb Woulfe and Freny Cooper

7:30pm - "Best Mask or Ensemble" winners announced by our esteemed panel of community leaders.

8-9pm - Live Music with New Orleans Second Line Brass Band, MJ's Brass Boppers

9-10pm - Dancing with DJ Sparkle, Sonja Brunner

Silent Auction features group experiences reflective of our MAH mission/vision that feature local artists, community partners, and businesses. Tickets and Information > > >

Before heading up to the snow, read Rob Carlmark's advice on how to be prepared! So You’re Going to the Snow? by Rob Carlmark

Strawberry Inn - For winter adventures, you can cross-country ski or downhill ski at nearby Dodge Ridge Ski Resort (5 miles away) or snowmobile miles of mountain roads. Just a short drive to Leland Snow Play Park.

Leland Snowplay has lifts for innertubes, 12 acres of Snowplay fun

We just stayed in Arnold and had lots of fun sledding right off highway 4. Spicer Snow Park is open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow play. Bear Valley is close if you want to ski and looks like they are getting more snow right now.

We just skied, sledded and tubed in Dodge Ridge. They have great kids lessons.

China peak is close for skiing and lots of areas for tubing and sledding. It’s not too far and the roads are always well taken care of. They have great packages for beginners.

You can also look into Badger Pass in Yosemite. It’s a smaller mountain but great for kids just learning.

Dodge ridge is great.

Boreal is good for beginners. Check out Adventure Mountain , Soda Springs, which offers a pint-sized tubing hill and carousel for the little ones.

My kids learned at Mt. Rose! It was great. This hill is located at the top of Mt. Rose highway (Hwy. 431). Located about 8 miles north of Incline Village. Look for a few clearings on the west side of the road. Hills vary in steepness. You must have your own equipment for this large open tubing area. Lots of space and fun to be had. Drop off your skiers and snow boarders at Mt. Rose Ski Resort and bring the small kids to the snow play area for hours of free fun.

Omega Nu, the Santa Cruz County women’s service organization, will award more than $102,000 this year in both new and renewal scholarships. College scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors planning to attend a California Community College, UC, or Cal State School, or Cabrillo students transferring to a UC or Cal State School. Trade school scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors planning to attend a full-time vocational school.

Completed applications must be received, or postmarked if mailed, by Thursday, March 31.

For applications and more information visit duckyderbysantacruz.org, or email omeganusc@gmail.com

Please support Omega Nu and the Santa Cruz community by coming out to the 33rd Annual Ducky Derby and family carnival at Harvey West Park on Saturday, April 22nd.