A friend deleted her Facebook app from her phone; she says it's more peaceful, and safer driving also! This weekend is National Unplug Day. Can you do it? Can you spend two whole days with your cell phone in its sleeping bag and your computer closed? It's good for you, really good! Listen to Tommy Sobel, Digital Habit Specialist. You may not find it practical to follow a bachelor's routine, but there are a few good takeaways here.

Local clinical and public health experts provide information: Covid-19 Vaccines

About returning to classrooms...Parents have been offered a variety of choices. Reactions vary as parents balance their children's needs; family income and work needs; and physical and mental health considerations. Take comfort in knowing that a lot of work and caring by our educational community has gone into making this stage of returning-to-classrooms work well for all participants.

Have an unplugged weekend with your families, Parmalee

National Day of Unplugging is an awareness campaign that promotes an annual 24-hour respite from technology, observed the first weekend in March. For more than a decade, schools, religious institutions and businesses have inspired to lead a healthy life/tech balance for their communities. Participation is open to anyone who wishes to elevate human connection over digital engagement.

By Nicole M. Young, MSW

I’ve been working from home for nearly 20 years, so when COVID-19 turned life upside down, I was already familiar with the joys of working in sweatpants all day and rarely having to commute. My kids and husband had (sort-of) learned that if they could see or hear me working in my office but still asked, “What can I have to eat?” then they would probably get a sarcastic (but still loving!) response from me. That doesn’t mean I’d figured out a healthy work-life balance before the pandemic, though, and somehow I’ve managed to blur those lines even more during the pandemic. Sound familiar, anyone?

Dear Nicole, I’m completely worn down. Before COVID, I handled multiple responsibilities – work, helping with homework, housework, grocery shopping, etc. I was exhausted and thought it couldn’t get any harder, but I was wrong! My partner and I both work two jobs – one job away from home and one at home, so one of us is always there with our kids (6, 10, and 14 years old). I’m constantly working or doing things for my family but feel like I’m always falling behind or failing at work and home. I hate feeling this stressed and overwhelmed. Help! Isabel

"First schools in the county to open in person, Vine Hill and Brook Knoll Elementary Schools. So wonderful to see so many students back in our classrooms. Very emotional for everyone!"

It's hybrid, and it's a start. It will be fine.

This time of year the Arboretum hosts both Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, the two most common species in Northern California.

“The density of hummingbirds—the number per area in the Arboretum—is ridiculously high,” says Bruce Lyon, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCSC. “You can watch them feeding on flowers, you can watch their courtship, you can watch them chasing different species. It’s a great opportunity to see some pretty amazing hummingbird biology.”

The Arboretum is home to many lovely plants that attract one of the Garden's most celebrated birds—the Hummingbird! Learn more about hummingbirds and their favorite flowers in our pdfs listed below.

Hummingbird Facts ~ Tips for Hummingbird Gardens

Hummingbird Coloring Pages ~ Hummingbirds' Favorite Plants