It's post holiday time, and in my home, this means forward to a winter routine of business and personal interests: research topics of interest to families, find answers to questions, listen to clients and parents; read, paint winter scenes, sew, create soups, clean-sort-toss-donate one shelf, closet or drawer a week.

At the top of the "routine" list is walking Rascal-the-happy-energetic dog who greets friends with his friendly bark and strangers with the don't-get-too-close-to-my-mom bark (working on this).

If your family is thinking about getting a dog, or a pet of any kind, the Santa Cruz SPCA offers excellent classes to introduce children to the world of animals. Learn about them below.

One of California's best features is living in a moderate climate with the option to "go to the snow." More below!

Have a wonderful weekend, Parmalee

A Preview of The Anxious Generation for Educators and Legislators

How you can help to end the youth mental health crisis by Jon Haidt

Jan 18, 2024, Read here > > >

P.A.W.S., Promoting Animal Welfare with Students

"The Santa Cruz SPCA offers a youth volunteer program for students, ages 7 through 12.This program provides a safe and supervised setting for youth to help with the care, socializing, and training of the shelter animals." Classes are offered each month, September through May.

P.A.W.S. 1

PAWS 1 is for students just starting out our PAWS program and who are still learning to be comfortable around animals and to work in small groups. You can sign up for this session if your student has never been to PAWS or has recently started their journey in one of our PAWS programs. 

PAWS 1 sessions for Juniors, 7 - 9 yrs, meets Mondays, 4-6pm

PAWS 1 sessions for Pre-Teen, 10-12 yrs, meets Tuesdays, 4-6pm

The cost for one two-week session of PAWS 1 is $65.

P.A.W.S. 2

PAWS 2 is for students who have a good level of experience in our PAWS program and are looking to take it one step further. Students in this group can work off of existing skills learned in our PAWS 1 program and can gain both further skill sets and a greater understanding of the bigger picture of animal welfare. 

PAWS 2 sessions for Juniors, 7-9 yrs, meet on Wednesdays, 4-6pm.

PAWS 2 sessions for Pre-teens, meet Thursdays from 4-6pm. *Prerequisite: At least one or more sessions of PAWS 1 completed.

The cost for one three-week session of PAWS 2 is $65.

(Students over the age of 16 can sign up for our regular volunteer program.)

So You’re Going to the Snow? by Rob Carlmark

One of my favorite revelations is the term “the snow”…that’s how you know somebody is from California. “What are you doing Friday? We’re going to the snow.” Cool…cool. That’s a classic conversation happening all over California right now. I can’t take credit for this observation. I saw it on social media somewhere but it hit hard. Now that I have wasted a few moments of your time…let’s get to the point of this –tips and tricks > > >

Love, Loyalty and Sacrifice: “Into the Woods”

"Careful the things you say \ Children will listen

Careful the things you do \ Children will see and learn

Children may not obey, but children will listen  

Children will look to you for which way to turn…"

lyrics from the “Children Will Listen” by Stephen Sondheim, “Into the Woods”

Packed full of humor, memorable melodies and witty lyrics, “Into the Woods” combines several well-known fairy tales with an original story of a childless Baker and his wife, who initiate the story’s action by attempting to reverse a curse on their family in order to have a child.

Read more about this Mount Madonna production and get tickets > > >

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....