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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County |
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Please forward this email to friends,
or invite them to sign up here:
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You're almost ready. You can do it. May you all have warm gatherings around a shared meal, enjoying the comaraderie of family, friends, adults, children and the pets! When you head outdoors to walk off the stuffing, enjoy the clean air and beauty of our neighborhoods, woods and beaches.
We have "thank yous" for you: Winter Camps 2022 and Holiday Events 2022 pdfs. Please download and share with your friends! We shall be updating these as new information comes in. You can always go to our homepage and click on Calendar > Holidays or Calendar and then click on any single day.
If you're traveling, have a safe journey.
Happy Thanksgiving, Parmalee
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First Thanksgiving... then a tree! |
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We've collected a list of nearby growers for you. Most of them open the day after Thanksgiving. Be sure to double check days and hours open, whether they accept cash, credit cards or checks and any other requirements such as leaving Fido home.
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Ask Nicole: Prepare for the Holidays |
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Holidays are supposed to be happy family events, but a lot of times they can be very stressful. Visit our blog to learn positive parenting strategies to help you and your family truly enjoy each other and the spirit of the holidays:
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Enjoy the endorphins that flow from giving. |
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I sure do like our local nonprofits, because I heartily believe that they are more knowledgeable about local needs, are more efficient and pragmatic with their funds, and can act faster than state or federal government organizations. Santa Cruz Gives lists 63 nonprofits who would appreciate your donations of funds and/or time! They are equally ready to help any one of us who encounters a challenge and needs help.
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Winter Camps in Santa Cruz County |
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Check out these winter camps (downloadable) for children whose parents’ jobs require them to work or who want to try a new experience. We know there are more available. Email us if you know of one not on our list. Updates will be on our facebook page.
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Child Care Initiative Project Supports Child Care Providers; $3k stipend available
Santa Cruz County families with infants and toddlers need child care. Home-based child care providers keep communities strong by allowing parents flexibility to work. The Child Development Resource Center, with support from the Child Care Initiative Project, is offering resources and funding for childcare providers, specifically those who run private home-based child care programs or provide care for relatives and neighbors. Providers have access to free training, resources and community connections.
The Child Development Resource Center offers health and safety training, business and marketing strategies, child development training and start-up support. For a limited time, new providers can receive a stipend of $3,000 for obtaining their family child care home license. The stipend is only available until June 2023 so call now.
Anyone who is interested in becoming or currently is a private, home-based child care provider can contact the Child Development Resource Center, a program of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, at 831-466-5820 to learn more.
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Run for Pie and Kids Turkey Chase, Thursday, November 24, 8:40am, Bring the family out Thanksgiving morning to create memories, interact with the community. All proceeds from our kids 1/2 mile and Pie Mile relay will go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank! Details
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Holiday Tree Walk, November 25-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Details
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Holiday Lights Train, November 25-26, December 3-4, 12-13, 17-23, A seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Details
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Holiday Lights 2022, Fridays- Sundays, 5:3, 6:30 or 7:30pm, November 25 – December 25, The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation and the Agricultural History Project will again present HOLIDAY LIGHTS 2021 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Details
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Nutcracker by Pacific Ballet
Fri & Sat 6pm, Nov 25 & 26
Sat 1pm, Nov 26,
Sun 12pm, Nov 27 (Act I only)
Sun 2pm, Nov 27 (Act II only) Autism/Sensory Friendly performance. Pacific Ballet Academy proudly presents its 31st Annual Nutcracker Ballet. This exciting production has been widely praised for its excellent choreography and dancers. Pacific Ballet’s dancers greet you as you enter the theater. Details
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Winter Wonderland, Saturday, November 26 – Saturday, December 31 (except when it’s raining), Welcome to Farley’s Christmas Wonderland . We are a walk-in Christmas display. Our exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, a miniature village, and a log cabin that Santa uses for his rest stops. Details
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My Play Club: Create in the park with us! Every Tuesday 3:30 – 5pm, LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park, Free, Family Drop-in – Arts & Activities, Learn more about the Young Outdoor Leaders, funded by the “Outdoor Equity Program” of CA State Parks and if your family may want to participate. Details
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Click on CALENDAR sections that interest you! |
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From Only to Older: Helping Your First Child Adjust to Being a Sibling, Saturday, December 3, 10 – 11:30am, Going from being the only child to being an older sibling is tough on every first child, but there are things parents can do to help the love of their life feel secure through this transition. Join Tina McRorie, MA for this 90 minute workshop and learn ways you can help your firstborn feel less jealousy and displacement, feel understood and accepted, and build a warm and playful sibling relationship. Details
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Dads Support Group, RC Fam Center, Wednesdays 7 - 8pm Join us in this group of fathers where you will find a community to share the challenges and joys of being a father. Details
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RC Fam Center Toddler Bilingual Sensory Play, Tuesdays, 10 - 11am, with Yesi Rocha, Details
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Ice Skating by the Bay in Monterey, November 25 to January 1, Monday through Saturday. 1 – 10pm; Sundays 12 – 8pm, Monterey is giving folks a great way to skate into the Holidays with the return of Ice Skating by the Bay’s seasonal ice skating rink. Details
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San Francisco Union Square Ice Open, Daily, November 2 – January 16, Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square, San Francisco. Ice Skate through the holidays. Details
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Boardwalk Winter Wonderland, Thursday – Sunday, November 24 – 27, 12 – 5pm, Get in the holiday spirit at the Boardwalk Winter Wonderland. Celebrate the season at the beach! Details
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Parenting Workshops, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! December
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Library Programs for Children! Story times are open. Popular classes are often full, but there's no harm in checking to see if space has opened up. Also, check with the library around holiday times, although if you show up and there's no storytime, enjoy the visit. Libraries are welcoming places. Details
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ALL Farmers Markets and farm activities! Details
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