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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
Finding Your Purpose and Happiness | |
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You are a busy parent --so busy taking care of, providing for your family, driving hither and yon, managing the house, preparing meals, going to and from work, struggling, making mistakes, righting them that you sometimes feel, overwhelmed in the minutiae.
Parenting is an awesome responsibility bringing both joy and challenges. Yet still, in the midst of delight and frustrations of parenting, you sometimes wonder “Is this my life?” Perhaps you wake up at 3am because your mind is taking you to the dark places of wondering “Is this it? What’s left?”
You are not alone. What is the answer? What would make you feel satisfied, at peace, happy!
I listened to some friends whom I respect discussing the idea of happiness. They thought that if the goal is being happy, it does not necessarily lead to happiness. These friends all loved what they are currently doing. Why? Because they had discovered, what “lighted up their hearts.” They found their purpose at different times in their lives. When they found it they worked it and credited finding their purpose with experiencing a quiet, profound happiness. Some of them said they were on their first, second or third purpose, that it’s okay to evolve. Their conclusion was that we are “wired” to seek our very own purposes, something for which we are uniquely suited.
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Last week I was perusing local artists’ websites. I was curious to see what they said about their personal journeys. Read this beautiful story of how a popular local artist, Ed Penniman, found his purpose.
You also may gain inspiration from his writings: “The quote, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you," holds profound spiritual and philosophical implications." -Ed Penniman
Image: Smell of Spring, Ed Penniman
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Have a joyful spring weekend with the children, Parmalee
Why shouldn't you tell ducks jokes on April Fools' Day?
Answer at the end of the newsletter!
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Ducky Derby Goes Online in 2024 | |
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"With the current outbreak of Shigella at Harvey West Park, the City of Santa Cruz has requested that we don't hold a public event. They are working to contain the outbreak. The women of Omega Nu are committed to the well-being of our community and our focus is on protecting our beautiful children and seniors who are especially vulnerable.
For this reason, the 34th Annual Ducky Derby will not be held at Harvey West Park Friendship Garden on April 27th.
But wait! You can still support Omega Nu’s Ducky Derby. On April 27th we will hold multiple VIRTUAL races where you can still win terrific prizes while supporting the community.
Please continue to support Ducky Derby through duck adoptions, prize donations, and sponsorships. The community needs all of our continued support. Students heading to college, local charities, and teachers that we support year after year are depending upon us.
Because of state regulations we are unable to process web duck purchases. If you would like to purchase a duck using a credit card, please contact your Omega Nu contact or email omeganusc@gmail.com. Thank you for your understanding!
We would like to thank our sponsors who generously support us in our fundraising efforts. Because of your generosity, last year we awarded $189,000 back to the community. A complete list of prize winners from last year is in our “Winners” tab above."
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Do you create original bedtime stories
for your children?
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Create even better stories with Mark Cecil's formula that he learned from telling stories to his children. "Author Mark Cecil tells us what he’s learned from the toughest audience there is, children." Find out what he learned from reading bedtime stories to his children > > >
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Get free solar eclipse viewing glasses! | |
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Visit any of our branch libraries to pick up a pair of solar eclipse viewers to be able to safely observe and enjoy the show on Monday, April 8, 2024!
Never look directly at the sun without solar eclipse viewing glasses or other appropriate solar viewing equipment. It is never safe to look at an eclipse without proper viewers.
Library Branches > > >
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Fairy & Elf Building Club | |
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"Whisk yourselves away to a world of wonder at the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery's Fairy & Elf House Building Club!
Here, amongst fellow young architects, you'll transform twigs, stones, and emerald moss into fantastical dwellings for fairies and elves. Imagine acorn doors, pebble pathways, and shimmering leaf roofs! A sprinkle of pixie dust (well, maybe some glitter!) can't hurt either.
Calling all builders with a touch of magic! This club is perfect for children who can safely use a glue gun with grown-up guidance. So come ready to unleash your inner fairy architect and craft a whimsical abode fit for the most enchanting creatures!"
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Parenting Workshops for inspiration, finding ways to help with parenting challenges, tweaking our skills and support from leaders & fellow travelers in this incredible and important journey....
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These schools invite you to visit!
Explore your options.
Visit websites.
Go to Open Houses & Tours
Make appointments to visit schools.
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CHP Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parents, Thursday, March 28, 6-7pm, In an effort to prepare young drivers to drive responsibly, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering new driver education class for new drivers and their parents. Start Smart, presented by the CHP, addresses such topics as the safe driving practices, the rules of the road, and new driver license requirements. Details
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George O’Connor Reads ASGARDIANS: ODIN, Thursday, March 28, 5-6pm, Free, Bookshop welcomes bestselling author George O’Connor for a reading and signing of his new graphic novel Asgardians: Odin. George O’Connor’s highly kinetic illustrations bring these gritty and astonishing tales of war, betrayal, and the quest for enlightenment at any cost to vivid and startling life and provide the perfect companion to his Olympians series. Details
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HERstory Celebration, Thursday, March 28, 5:30pm – 8pm, Join us in HERstory Celebration as we celebrate Women’s History Month by paying tribute to the stories of remarkable women who have left an indelible mark on our community and beyond.
Details
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Join the Capitola Village Easter Egg Hunt, through March 31, 8am –5pm, Find the eggs hidden at participating businesses. Once found, ask a staff person at the participating the business to stamp your GAME CARD. Fill up your GAME CARD for prizes. Details
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Easter On The Farm,Saturday, March 30, 11am – 3pm, The Agricultural History Project is hosting their annual Easter on the Farm to celebrate Easter and the beginning of Spring. Ages: up to 12, Activities for children and adults include arts & crafts, hayrides, tractor driving, face painting, meeting a real bunny and enjoying a photo op with the Easter Bunny! This event is FREE! Donations appreciated. Details
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Roaring Camp's Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt, March 30 – 31, Join our Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny makes a stop at Roaring Camp. Hop aboard the Redwood Forest Steam Train to Bear Mountain for an Easter Egg Hunt and participate in Easter activities in Town. Details
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Eggstravaganza Boulder Creek, Saturday, March 30, 11am – 2, Join us for our annual eggstravaganza egg hunt appropriate for all ages! Put on your best boots and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors (rain or shine) under the redwoods and along the creek for some real egg hunting. Over 4000 eggs are hidden each year and filled with toys, candy, seeds, stickers and more! Your little one will be sure to fill their basket! Details
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The Odd Couple, Oscar & Felix ~ March 29, 30, April 6, 7, 12, 13, We promise you will laugh at the classic characters as a group of the guys assemble for cards in the messy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison.
The Odd Couple, Female Version ~ March 30, 31, April 5, 6, 13, 14 ~ Instead of a poker party, messy Olive Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit, and fastidious Florence Unger comes to share the apartment. Details
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Take Aways: Art to Go! Exhibit Dates: Weds-Sun, 11am-4pm through May 5, Step into our 11th annual Take Aways exhibit, showcasing over seventy of the county’s top artists! Browse artworks tailored to every budget, with donated pieces up for grabs in a thrilling raffle at the closing reception. It’s a win-win: take home stunning art, support artists and our organization, and witness new arrivals daily in our dynamic gallery! Join the celebration of creativity and generosity! Details
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New Parents’ Support Group at Felton Library, Tuesdays 12:30 – 2pm April 2 – July 16, Join our new parents support group for this weekly peer support group for new parents facilitated by two local postpartum doulas. This program offers a welcoming space for new parents to learn from each other, make new friends, get breastfeeding and bottle feeding support, and access to helpful resources. Come in with your questions, concerns, or just for a safe place to meet other parents and create community. Feel free to bring older siblings! Details
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Cybersecurity Club, March 18 - April 24, Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:30pm, All Santa Cruz County students in grades 6-12 are invited to join a free, virtual Cybersecurity Club to learn how to identify and solve cybersecurity threats. Students are encouraged to join anytime through the end of the session April 24. Participants in the club are eligible to compete in the National Cyber League event at no cost. No prior experience necessary.
Details
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