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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County |
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Please forward this email to friends,
and invite them to sign up here:
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"We want to be supportive of a plan that is grounded in proven programs." |
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I’ve been listening to parents talking about homelessness and its ripple effects on our community. They asked the question. Is there a proven program to overcome our community’s homeless problem?
Paraphrasing their concerns and questions:
“We are families with careers, incomes, homes, heat, food, transportation. Yes, we have challenges in our lives –the usual chaos of raising children and sometimes a school , health or employment problem to solve, a need to revise our budget -- but we are healthy, active and are privileged to be a family with individual interests and goals.
We love coming home to our families. We love being in our homes. We have children we love, family routines, space for our things, meals together, Friday night movies and popcorn, soccer games to attend, beaches and forests to visit, machines to do our laundry, fun times in the kitchen, chickens(and eggs) in our back yard, etc . Overall, life is good.
Yet, we are aware of homelessness. It has become VERY VISIBLE in our community. We drive by tents. We see photos of camps with bike parts and abandoned paraphernalia. We walk by persons with signs asking for help. We feel somewhat helpless, even conflicted, about 1) the root causes of homelessness; 2) the effect on the community from this problem --theft, shoplifting, vandalism of cars and businesses, violence, hunger, drug use, drug availability (fentanyl) and drug sales, used needles in our parks and beaches, environmental pollution (feces in parks and streams), despair, cost to taxpayers and 3) what we, as individuals, can do to help.
So we ask “What is the best way to help the homeless? Will the parade make a difference? What can we do that will make a difference for individuals and for our community? Is this problem ever solvable or do we need to look at homelessness as an ongoing facet of our society?
Is this a recent phenomenon? Or has there been homelessness for millennia throughout the world? Is this one of the conditions of human nature –that some percent of humankind will never be able to care for themselves, and if so what is our society’s responsibility toward our less fortunate and again, how do we help the helpless?
We read that the homeless are comprised of addicts, thieves, the mentally ill, persons unable to work, veterans with PTSD, temporary economic victims, a single parent with children, runaway children.
What services have proven to be successful in helping the different categories within our homeless population? How do we identify those who would benefit from a “hand up” versus a “handout” or a combination? Would it be right to “force” an addict into recovery? For himself? For the good of society? Moreover, does it work?
We don’t have answers, but we care and we want to be supportive of a plan that is grounded in proven programs."
The problem is real. The empathy is there. These parents are willing to back a plan that works. What is the plan?
Cherish your children and keep on doing the good parenting! Parmalee
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Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to write for television, film, animation, graphic novels, and more? |
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Meet Story Architects: Shawnee’ & Shawnelle Gibbs
Saturday, March 25, 1 – 2:30pm
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Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to write for television, film, animation, graphic novels, and more? Now is your chance!
Join us online to meet Story Architects Shawnee’ and Shawnelle Gibbs. The award-wiining and award-nominated Gibbs Sisters, originally from Oakland, but now in LA, write for comics, graphic novels, television, film, and animation and they would be delighted to answer your questions about their work and writing as a career. Also, get your creativity flowing by taking part in a short writing exercise that Shawnee’ and Shawnelle have prepared for you. Celebrate Women’s History Month with women who are making history right now!
Free for youth, ages 9-18 and families. Only 149 "seats" available. This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
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Chaparral Zygadene (Toxicoscordion fremontii), also known as Star Lily or Fremont's death camas is an early spring bloomer on the grassy slopes of protected lands.
- Flowers March through May
- It has been recorded in 34 of California’s 58 counties
- Commonly found on grassy or woody slopes or rocky outcrops in many lower-lying regions of California
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You're looking for a school that's just right for your child. Schools are looking for a good fit too. Visiting an open house is a good way to learn more about your choices. This goes for public, private, public-charter, homeschool-public, homeschool-private and parochial schools. Details
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Platforms Beach Cleanup, Saturday, March 25, 2 - 4pm 4:00pm, Join the Mount Madonna School fifth grade class to cleanup a community beach cleanup of Platforms Beach in Aptos.
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Storytime with Angela Dalton, March 23, 3 - 4pm, Angela Dalton will be coming to SCPL to read her new book “To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Advance Civil Rights”. Angela’s role on Star Trek helped pave the way for people of color and women both on television and in NASA. Come celebrate Women’s History Month with this awesome author! Details
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ASL Storytime,Friday, March 24, 11 – 11:30am, In celebration of Deaf History Month. Join us for an ASL storytime with Marcos Silva who will introduce signs before each storybook, and sign along with the songs. Details
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Laser Tag, Friday, March 24 from 5:30-7:30pm, Grab your friends and join us for After Hours Laser Tag and pizza at the Main Library on Friday, March 24 from 5:30-7:30pm. Make sure to arrive on time to ensure you get a time slot. Late arrivals will not be let into the library. This audience for this program is teens ages 12-17. Details
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Top Dog Film Festival, Saturday, March 25, 7pm, The Top Dog Film Festival will wag its tail in at the Rio Theatre sharing a 2 hour collection of short independent films from around the globe, all about dogs! Meet dogs from all walks of life on the big screen at this year’s event. This carefully curated program of short canine-themed films is comprised of the most inspirational, heart-warming and entertaining stories about dogs and their human companions, from independent filmmakers around the globe. Get your tickets before they all sell out – you’d be barking mad to miss it. Details
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Brookdale Bluegrass Festival, Friday – Sunday, March 24 – 26
The Brookdale Bluegrass Festival is back at the world famous Brookdale Lodge. 10 bluegrass bands, food and craft vendors, mechanical bull, late night jams in the bar! Details
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The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy, March 17-18 and 24-25, 7pm; March 19 and 26, 2pm, Pacific Collegiate School presents the creepy and kooky production, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family and features an original story… A deliciously wacky and whimsical night of music, chills and thrills! Details
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San Juan Bautista Art & Craft Festival, Saturday: 10 – 6 pm, & Sunday: 10 – 5 pm, March 25 and 26, Come join us for two fun-filled days! Downtown San Juan Bautista will have bountiful food, drink, and live music all weekend long. Shop, browse, feast and discover thousands of quality treasures. Kids will love the pony rides, face painting and more. John Michael from The Hippo radio station performs with JJ Hawg Band on Saturday and Sunday. Details
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Scotts Valley Rotary Presents a Drive Thru BBQ, Saturday, March 25, 5 – 6pm, Proceeds from the Scotts Valley Rotary Club Drive Thru BBQ will benefit all four schools in the Scotts Valley School District, and provide scholarships to graduating Scotts Valley Seniors as well as several other programs traditionally supported by the Club, such as NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program to promote ocean and watershed conservation at our high school.
The Drive thru BBQ Complete Meal pick up will be from 5pm to 6pm. Tickets are $85 for a Complete Meal that serves up to 4 people featuring a 40 ounce Premium Tri Tip Roast, Sourdough Garlic Bread Loaf, Garden Salad, and Ranch Style Beans. Details
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Santa Cruz Warriors Home Game, Saturday, March 25,
The Warriors will continue to have a giveaway for the first 1,000 fans in attendance at every home game, continuing a tradition dating back to the 2019-20 season. Details
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Triple P Workshop: Coping with Stress, Monday, March 27, 6 – 7:30, Attend this FREE virtual parenting workshop to learn:
• Common causes of stress, and how stress affects parenting
• How to recognize signs of stress
• Healthy ways to reduce and manage everyday stress
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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! March
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ALL Family-friendly events!
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