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EDITOR | PUBLISHER
Brad Kava and Steve Dinnen
ART DIRECTOR | MANAGING EDITOR
Nathan Mixter
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Susan Bernstein
CONTRIBUTORS
Jennifer Choate, Steve Dinnen, Sheree Storm and Primavera Hernandez, Isabella Blevins, Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo, Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, Tovah Petra Kolodinski, Sarah Krummel, Monica Menard, Malia Fort
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P.O. Box 3505, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
OCTOBER 2025 | VOL. 29 NO. 10
by Folger Graphics.
Triple P is a scientifically-proven, world-renowned positive parenting program available to families in Santa Cruz County.
Triple P strategies address a wide range of parenting challenges by providing a toolbox of easy-to-use tips.
Find a full schedule of Triple P tips and classes at triplep.first5scc.org.
One of the worst things that happened when raising my son was that no one told us that breast feeding in the middle of the night and not brushing his teeth right then could cause cavities.
I wished someone in obstetrics had mentioned that.
Instead, we had to take him to a pediatric dentist, where he was put under anesthesia and a great dentist did the work. His mother and I were in tears of fear watching this not quite a toddler on the chair.
That’s one of the guiding principles for this magazine ever since. We want to get as much information out to parents as possible. This month we have a pediatric dental column to help with things they might not have told you yet. It’s so important and can be overlooked amongst the trials of child birth.
We are trying to cover child rearing experiences for all ages, from birth to grand parenting with content provided by local experts and local writers. You won’t find that in online parent guides or many other magazines, which use syndicated writers. Here you will find everything homegrown in our county, something I’m really proud of.
I love this line from our special needs columnist Tovah Petra Kolodinski, who is both a writer and an expert: “In some ways, a newborn experiences the world much like we experience Halloween—
Don’t miss the Growing Up in Santa Cruz videos on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. To promote your business to thousands of viewers in the area each week, email editor@growingupsc.com or call (408) 656-1519.
loud, unpredictable, and filled with strange sensations.” Perfect for the season, in which we celebrate births and the frenetic end of month holiday.
Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, who is an educator and owns her own school, took a break from more serious topics to bring us a fun Halloween treat. Yum.
And we have two of my favorite stories ever: one on the top baby names here in California and in the rest of the country. I find parents’ choices so fascinating. What’s the strangest or most unusual baby name you’ve heard lately? The other piece we love is our fashion column in which writer Malia Fort takes a look at what older and younger people in Santa Cruz are wearing. Love, Love Love. Our finance column also has lessons you’ll keep for a lifetime: the most important being that kids start learning about finance at a much younger age than you would expect. There’s much more here to entertain and teach. Have a great read.
PS: As we go to press, we saw major changes in federal and state regulations for pain killers for pregnant women. We’ll investigate with local doctors for the next issue. If you have ideas on the important topic, please send to editor@growingupsc.com
Thanks for reading!
Brad Kava, Editor and Publisher
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries and voted in our annual baby photo contest. Congratulations to Skip from Soquel who was voted as the winner. We can’t wait to see your entries again next September.
BY JENNIFER CHOATE
“Dreams come in the service of health and wholeness.”
This quote was one of the mainstays of the late, great Rev. Jeremy Taylor, and still serves as an inspiration for most of us modern dream workers.
We all dream whether we remember our dreams or pay attention to them. Every animal studied has dream-like interludes in their sleep including all mammals down to duck billed platypuses, as do cuttlefish and octopuses, and even spiders! This ubiquity of dreaming supports my own pragmatic and Darwinian view that dreams, like all persistent features of successful species, come in the service of survival aka health and wholeness.
Even though some people think that dreams are simply cerebral misfirings with no meaning at all, recent studies have shown that dreams help us process events of the previous day, they integrate and sort memories, and they help us balance our emotions. They also seem to be rehearsals for the future, and they stimulate creativity!
There are many examples of this link between dreams and creativity including Robert Louis Stevenson who loved dreams and believed that “brownies” brought him ideas in dreams for novels such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Also, Paul McCartney, another dream enthusiast, dreamed that Mother Mary came to him in a dream and told him to “Let it be.” He got the tune of “Yesterday” in a dream, too, but not the words.
If you are interested in your dreams and would like to meet fellow dream enthusiasts, consider attending the Festival of Dreams, Santa Cruz at the Museum of Art and History on the weekend of October 10-12. This fourth annual event which began in 2017, but was not held during Covid, will be jam-packed with talks and hands-on workshops designed to help you learn to decode the intricacies of your own dream-life. The Festival includes a pop-up art show, a poetry reading, and live dream-inspired music. Our keynote will be Dr. Apela Colorado, founder of the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network. The Festival is crowned with a fantabulous Dream Ball on Saturday evening where you get to dance with your new tribe dressed as a meaningful dream character.
The Festival of Dreams is a regional conference sponsored by the International Association for the Study of Dreams. The IASD is an academic society founded in the Bay Area in 1983. Dream pioneers at the time include in addition to Jeremy Taylor, Patricia Garfield, Kathleen Sullivan, Gayle Delaney, Robert Van de Castle, Stephen La Berge and others. According to
the mission statement, the IASD is designed “to promote an awareness and appreciation of dreams in both the professional and public arena … and to provide a forum for the eclectic and interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information.”
Although the IASD sponsors rigorous academic research and has publications for scientific articles including the peer-reviewed journal Dreaming, what most people appreciate is personal dream sharing which is done in groups or one on one.
As an example of the meaningfulness that dreams can contain, I will tell you two of my dreams, both of which feature the symbol of a baton. No need to interpret that in a Freudian manner! Dream: 10/5/24 I am traveling with others trying to get to some goal. I am driving the second of the two cars. At one point the other car is dead. I have a hot electrode to jump it, which is more like a wire or baton than a jumper cable. I touch it to the car’s battery and feel a mild shock in my body, especially my hand. Then I successfully start the car. I hear the engine chugging and then catching and turning over. I feel relief, satisfaction, and accomplishment.
While the dream didn’t at first strike me as important, we are all uniquely blind to the meanings of our own dreams, as Jeremy used to say, it was. Working with it in the safe space of my own dream group helped me to understand that the energy that restarted the second car came from me. That I have energy I am not usually aware of which I pass through the “baton” to the car. The process is mutual. The shock I felt in my body during the dream shows that even as I give energy, I also receive it from the Universe.
A few months later, I had a pair of identical dreams about another baton.
Dreams: 2/23/25 and 2/24/25: I see an object, possibly a baton, with two colors on its long axis, perhaps magenta and dark green. Somehow, I associate it with Christmas and try to convince others repeatedly of that, but they don’t understand or agree. I feel frustrated. I had the same dream two nights in a row which makes me even more
curious about its significance. Magenta is a color of optimism, passion, and enthusiasm. Forest green is a color of growth and renewal. This baton might also refer to the environmental crisis and its potential recovery. Christmas is the celebration of the birth and rebirth of the divine masculine.
Batons are used to clobber people, so the issue again seems to be about my own power. That I cannot convince others of my view in the dream reminds me of my feelings of helplessness around the devastating political polarization I witness in our society
every day. So, what I get out of these two or three small fragments is that despite often feeling powerless, I do have the strength to fight for what I believe in and to fight the forces of reactionary thinking. Maybe we will even succeed.
Dream groups promote intimacy and build community. Dreams have the power to help us understand our authentic selves. They are profoundly spiritual: working them is my spiritual practice; they help us be in touch with humanity and the Universe; they entertain us with stories, and they help us understand where we are in history and how history might unfold.
There are many dream groups around the Bay area, and for anyone interested locally I recommend contacting Katherine Bell of Experiential Dream Work or Marsha Hudson and Norman Brown of the Love and Power Institute for Planetary Sustainability.
To me dreams are endlessly fascinating, and I look forward to learning more in October and to meeting others interested in dreams as I am. I hope to see you at the Festival of Dreams, Santa Cruz!
To learn more and register, go to FestivalofDreams-santacruz.eventbrite.com
BY STEVE DINNEN
Welcome to the world, baby Mia. And same to you, Liam. You are tops in California - in names, at least.
The Social Security Administration keeps an eye on baby names, which come to it by way of registering newborns for Social Security accounts. Each year it publishes a list of the 100 most popular baby names, and for 2024they don’t yet have a running total for 2025 - Olivia was number one for girls and Liam came in tops for boys. For 2024, here are the top 10 names for both girls and boys:
1. Mia, Liam
2. Olivia, Noah
3. Camila, Matteo
4. Emma, Santiago
5. Sophia, Sebastian
6. Isabella, Julian
7. Amelia, Oliver
8. Sofia, Ezra
9. Luna, Lucas
10. Gianna , Ethan
You can see all 100 top names at the website for Social Security, www.ssa. gov/cgi-bin/namesbystate.cgi. And once you are there, you can scroll back to any year to 1960 and see what names were popular and how they have changed over time.
Half a century ago, names were markedly different in California. Here are the top five girls and boys names for 1975:
1. Jennifer, Michael
2. Michelle, Jason
3. Amy, David
4. Maria, Christopher
5. Heather, Robert
Obviously, there has been a shift toward Hispanic names. In 1975 it is believed that around 12 percent of California’s population was Hispanic. Today the figure is around 40 percent.
While there is a lot of research on baby names, there is little by way of scientific explanation. Clive Thompson, writing in 2019 in JSTOR Daily, said that in the earliest days of the Puritans immigrating to America, Americans tended to pick Biblical names, like Ichabod and Samuel. Later, they switched to moral attributes like Faith, Mercy, and Standfast. But in the late 18th century, the American Revolution began filling newspapers with tales of rebels fighting for independence from Britain. So American parents began naming their children George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Washington Irving and Martha
Dandridge (Washington’s wife). Waves of non-British Isles immigrants from Germany, Italy and Scandinavia began to change, and broaden, the name game. And obviously Hispanics.
You can explore baby naming protocols to your heart´s content at Baby Center, a digital parenting resource, www.babycenter.com.
It has peaked at 2025 names ahead of Social Security and informs us that the most popular names year-todate are Noah, Liam and Oliver for boys and Olivia, Amelia and Sophia for girls. www.babycenter.com.
Nationwide, Liam and Olivia dominate. Still.
The two names have, for a sixth year together, topped the list of names for babies born in the U.S. in 2024.
Liam has reigned for eight years in a row for boys, while Olivia has topped the girls’ list for six. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, Emma took the second slot for girls, and Noah for boys.
The girls’ name Luna slipped out of the Top 10 and was replaced by Sofia, which enters at number 10 for the first time.
After Liam, the most common names for boys are, in order: Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas and William.
After Olivia, the most common names for girls are Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava and Sofia.
Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of nameberry, a baby naming website, said the latest data showcases how American parents are increasingly
“A trend we’re tracking is that Americans are more likely to choose heritage choices,” Kihm said, including names that work “no matter where you are in the world.”
”More families in the U.S. come from mixed cultural backgrounds and I hear parents commonly request that they want their child to travel and have a relatively easy to understand name.”
The Social Security Administration’s latest data show that 3.61 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024. That’s a slight increase from last year’s 3.59 million babies, representing an overall increase in the American birthrate.
Social media stars and popular television shows are having some impact on the rising popularity of certain names, Social Security says.
choosing names that have crosscultural appeal. Kihm’s first name shows up in two variations on the annual list.
Among those rising in popularity for girls: Ailany, a Hawaiian name that means “chief,” topped the list. The boys’ name Truce, an Old English name meaning “peace,” rose 11,118 spots from last year’s position to rank 991.The complete, searchable list of baby names is on the Social Security website.
CalPERS members, this Open Enrollment, choose a plan that gives you access to Dignity Health.
Getting where you need to be in life is easier when the path is open to you. When it comes to health care, the Open Enrollment process puts you in control. As you’re comparing health plans this season, consider the advantages of one that connects you to Dignity Health, the largest physician network in Santa Cruz County. Like our more than 200 primary and specialty care providers located in more than 100 locations throughout the region. All backed up by Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized programs for heart, cancer, obstetrics and other specialties. Find out more at DignityHealth.org/CalPERS
BY SHEREE STORM AND PRIMAVERA HERNANDEZ
When preparing for a new baby, many expectant parents focus on prenatal checkups, baby showers, and preparing homes for the baby. But there’s one essential step that often gets overlooked: visiting the dentist. Dental care during pregnancy is not only safe, but also essential for both the pregnant parent and the baby’s long-term health.
Good oral health supports more than just a bright smile. It plays a key role in nutrition, speech development, heart health, and self-confidence in both the parent and baby.
ORAL HEALTH IN PREGNANCY: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
During pregnancy, maintaining oral health becomes even more important due to hormonal changes and increased vulnerability to dental issues. Pregnancy can raise the risk of cavities and gum disease. Morning sickness, for example, exposes teeth to stomach acid, which can erode enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. Cravings for sugary foods and drinks can also contribute to cavities. Fatigue and the demands of preparing for a baby may cause some parents to skip brushing or postpone dental visits.
Hormonal changes can also make gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation, leading to gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis—a more serious form of gum disease that can result in tooth and bone loss. Alarmingly, periodontitis has been linked to preterm birth and low birthweight.
PROTECTING BABY’S SMILE TAKES A VILLAGE
It’s important that both parents and close caretakers maintain good oral health to protect the baby’s oral health. Higher levels of cavity-causing bacteria (like “Streptococcus mutans”) in a parent’s or caretaker’s mouth can be passed to the baby through everyday behaviors such as kissing baby’s mouth, sharing utensils, or cleaning a pacifier with the mouth. This early transmission can increase the child’s risk of developing cavities later in life. Treating cavities and reducing harmful bacteria in adults caring for the baby all contribute to healthier oral health for the baby.
Recognizing the importance of oral health during pregnancy, Santa Cruz County Public Health has integrated dental care into two of its public health home visiting programs: Nurse Family
Partnership and Trauma-Informed Approach Field Nursing. These programs connect Medi-Cal eligible pregnant individuals with a dedicated Public Health Nurse (PHN) each a Bachelor of Science-prepared nurse with additional certification in Public Health.
PHNs provide health education, support, and connections to health promoting resources throughout pregnancy and the early parenting years (up to age five). Oral health is assessed at intake and revisited throughout the perinatal period. Thanks to strong partnerships with local dental clinics, PHNs help clients schedule timely dental appointments and navigate insurance or payment options. The home visiting nurses also receive oral health resources and education from the County’s Oral Health Program, which promotes oral health through education and advocacy.
Santa Cruz County has two outstanding dental care providers—Dientes Community Dental Care (in Santa Cruz and Watsonville) and Salud Para La Gente (in Watsonville)—that offer priority appointments for pregnant patients with Medi-Cal. These clinics understand the
time-sensitive nature of prenatal care and are committed to making dental visits accessible and welcoming. Be sure to let the receptionist know you are pregnant to receive a priority appointment.
If you have Medi-Cal, you have dental coverage for exams, cleanings, fillings, and more. If you have private insurance, check your plan for dental benefits. If you don’t have insurance, ask your local dental office about sliding-scale fees or payment plans. You don’t need a referral from your OBGYN to see a dentist, though some dental offices may request one.
SIMPLE STEPS FOR A HEALTHY SMILE
Here are a few easy ways to maintain good oral health before, during, and after pregnancy:
- Visit the dentist—dental X-rays are safe during any trimester.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
- Schedule cleanings twice a year, especially during pregnancy.
- Avoid sharing utensils with your baby or cleaning pacifiers with your mouth.
- Take your baby to the dentist by their First Tooth or First Birthday.
Sheree Storm is the Dientes Chief Strategy Officer and Primavera Hernandez, MPH – Manager for Children and Family Health –County Public Health
BY JORDAN CHIPMAN
Growing up in Capitola, I spent a lot of time outdoors - fishing off the wharf, biking with friends, and hanging out by the beach. I never imagined that I would be working in kitchens. But, at some point, cooking went from a hobby to something much bigger - my passion, my career, and my focus.
Today, at 18 years old I am finishing my senior year at Soquel High School and working part-time at a one Michelin-starred restaurant, Chez Noir. Working in kitchens and balancing high school can make for a hectic schedule at times, but I love that kind of thing. It doesn’t feel like sacrifice, rather purpose.
I first discovered my love for cooking when I was very young, cooking with my parents and my grandfather. I found it was very calming - something to focus on, a way to be creative. The way simple ingredients can be turned in to
something incredible was captivating. When I was 15, I got my start at Trestles, in Capitola, and from there I havent looked back, only looking to grow with each step. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside amazing chefs at places like Trestles, Chez Noir, and Alderwood, each teaching me different equally important lessons.
Being in this industry so young, a high-pressure environment isn’t very easy. In kitchens, perfection is the expectation and every plate matters. I have had trouble proving myself so young, but I quickly learned that showing up every day ready to learn, and ready to be part of the team is vital to success.
Santa Cruz has been my inspiration since my start. The fog, the redwoods, the ocean, all inspires me in the kind of food I hope to create. One day, my dream is to open my own restaurant right here in Santa Cruz, a place that cpatures the spirit of the coast and earn michelin stars of its own.
Alison K. Jackson, DDS
Children’s Dentistry
7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.662.2900
santacruzkidsdentist.com
We are accepting new patients! It’s time for a dental check-up when your child has a first tooth or first birthday. We are preventivedentistry oriented and we provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and are able to treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably under a general anesthesia. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.
Dientes Community Dental Care
1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
100 Pioneer Street, Suite D, Santa Cruz 55 Penny Lane, Suite 103, Watsonville 1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville dientes.org
Dientes is a full-service dental provider with five locations in Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including kids, adults, and seniors; but children hold a special place in our heart – nearly half of our patients are kids seen
by our experienced pediatric dentists. As a non-profit dental provider, our focus is on high-quality, low-cost dental services, including exams, x-rays, fillings, sealants and root canals. We accept Medi-Cal and we have affordable sliding scale fees for uninsured patients. We offer bi-lingual services – Se habla Español! Dientes, providing dignity through dentistry for over 30 years.
Monarch Pilates
4125 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz 831.475.8994 monarchpilates.com
Monarch Pilates is a full-service Pilates studio offering physical therapy, private Pilates and group classes designed to help you strengthen with confidence. Here, you will find comfort and support from experienced teachers and a welcoming community. Our high-quality instruction meets you where you are, whether recovering from injury or aiming for improved wellness. Specialties include prenatal and postpartum care, scoliosis, gait training and more. We offer a wide variety of group reformer classes, as well as personalized sessions, to support healthy movement, alignment and awareness, so you can move with ease and gain lasting strength
MusicalMe, Inc. offering Music Together™
Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County Call/Text: 831-332-9002
registrar@musicalme.com musicalme.com
Before “mama” or “dada,” there’s rhythm. We help you create a nurturing, musical home from the start. Join our Babies Class (birth–8 months) for developmentally appropriate,
research-based activities—or bring the whole family to our Mixed-Age Class (birth–5 years). Siblings and grandparents encouraged! Meet local parents, build connection, and watch your child bloom through music. Book your free preview class today.
Community Bridges WIC Program
South County/Watsonville 18 W. Lake Avenue Suite A 831.722.7121
North County/Santa Cruz 1105 Water Street, Santa Cruz 831.426.3911
Communitybridges.org/WIC
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services for millions of families, and it plays a crucial role in improving lifetime health for women, their infants, and young children. Part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 45 years, WIC serves pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children through their fifth birthday. Annually, Community Bridges WIC program serves over 500 pregnant women, 800 breastfeeding women, 1,100 infants, and 3,800 children offering a comprehensive range of services to promote healthy lifestyles both on-site and online.
“I have received so much help from WIC from nutritional classes to just being able to ask questions like is my child eating enough or are the eating too much and also with breastfeeding support.” – Paloma, WIC participant
First 5 Santa Cruz County 831.465.2217
First5scc.org
First 5 Santa Cruz County promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age 5. Parents and caregivers of newborns can contact First 5 to
receive a free “Kit for New Parents” with parenting videos, children’s books, information on caring for babies and local resources. First 5 also offers parenting support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, a world-renowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships. To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc
Jim Booth Swim School
Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
831.722.3500
JimBoothSwimSchool.com
Be a water wonder! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School.
Junebug’s Gym
831.464.BUGS (2847)
3910 Portola Dr., Stes. 2 & 3, Santa Cruz
JuneBugsGym.com
Did you know? Activities for babies and toddlers that stimulate balance, movement, and core strength activate the brain for higher learning concepts and lead to later success in school. Join us at June Bug’s Gym for Inchworms — our baby development classes — for crawlers to wobbly walkers. Every Monday and Wednesday from 12:15 pm to 1 pm
sevendirections.org (831) 713-9392 sevendirectionsinfo@gmail.com
• Wide selection of classes and camps for ages 5 and up!
Visual & per forming arts, sciences and more!
• Homeschool and after -school programs
• Lively 2,000 sq ft studio 35+ live exotic animals
BY TARMO HANNULA
The local Scouting America Unit 505 held their annual Bridging Ceremony Aug. 28 to recognize merits and those advancing up the ranks of cubs to Scouts in an organization that celebrated its 115th anniversary in February along with their official name change to Scouting America. Scout leaders handed out 30 merit badges, and five Webelos—both boys and girls—graduated to Scouts during the festive dinner that drew a wealth of families and community supporters.
Webelos, an acronym for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts, was created to prepare younger Scouts for upper “ranks.”
“This is a family-oriented Scout environment where we take a holistic approach on how we work together as a Scout family,” said Trina CoffmanGomez, District Committee Chair for Loma Prieta Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council. “Today we celebrate our Scouts’ growth and achievements as they move up to the next level.”
Erik Sorroza, a parent with two children, 12 and 6—who just joined Unit 505—said her kids love being a part of the organization.
“At first I was afraid they wouldn’t like it, but they integrated into the program well and have made many friends,” he said. “We enjoy the hospitality, all the different types of people in our
Growing Up in Santa Cruz was a sponsor of the Jacob’s Heart Golf Tournament Sept. 12 at Seascape Golf Club. This year we participated for the first time with a golf team!
All proceeds from the Golf Tournament will go towards Camp Hearts + Hands. This 3-day summer-camp-style weekend is full of fun and joy for kids diagnosed with cancer and their families. From dance parties to arts and crafts, pony rides, and relaxing massages for parents,
Jacob’s Heart families have a blast sharing in activities while building supportive relationships with others who understand the challenges of a pediatric cancer diagnosis. It is also an opportunity for families to establish trusting relationships and positive memories with nurses from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, who volunteer their time to be family camp counselors.
This is a healing experience for both nurses and families.
Celebrate the season at the 2nd annual Harvest Festival on Friday, October 4, from 12–4pm along Church Street between Cedar and Center Streets. This lively community gathering is presented by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Community Farmers’ Market, with generous support from Kaiser Permanente.
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fall fun:
Carnival Games: Try your luck at the Dunk Tank* and enjoy favorites like Striker, Glitter Tattoos, Face Painting, Plinko, Froggy Fly, Corn Hole and Foosball.
Delicious Bites: Popcorn, elote, The Penny Ice Creamery, Dos Hermanos Pupusas and more seasonal treats to be announced.
Live Music: Dance to the spirited sounds of local favorites, the Rhythm Rangellers.
Free Wreath Making: Create fruity, foodie wreaths with the Santa Cruz
Community Farmers’ Market using foraged foliage, dried fruit and flowers
Farm Stands: Pick out pumpkins to support the Santa Cruz High girls basketball team at Rodoni Farms. Make dried flower garlands with Live Earth, grab fresh strawberries, tomatoes and preserves, and decorate pumpkins with Sea to Sky.
Petting Zoo: Visit friendly barnyard animals courtesy of Garden Variety Cheeses.
Dunk Tank proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.
“The Harvest Festival is truly a community-based event,” says Shiri Gradek, Director of Marketing & Events. “By highlighting local farmers and supporting organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank and the Market Match program, we’re fostering connection and giving back to our community. I’m especially excited about the Dunk Tank fundraiser—it’s a wholesome, silly way to make an impact.”
BY ISABELLA BLEVINS
Weather and the Whale is a new multimedia installation at UCSC’s Institute of Arts and Sciences Galleries that explores climate change and the relationship between humans and marine life from a whale’s perspective.
The exhibition is the result of a two-year collaboration between UCSC faculty, marine scientists, and ten internationally-acclaimed artists. UCSC marine ecologist Ari Friedlaender and IAS Galleries curators Rachel Nelson and Alexandra Moore put together the project and assembled the group of featured artists and scientists.
Visitors of the exhibition are led on an audio-visual journey that offers a detailed and unrivaled look at the interconnection between whales, humans and their shared world. The varied significance of whales is examined and scrutinized through historical, scientific, and sociological lenses.
A glimpse into the history of American whaling is provided by Whale Charts, which was created by the American zoologist Charles Haskins Townsend in 1935. It depicts a map of the world displaying numerous dots to indicate the locations where whales were hunted by American whalers from the mid-1700s to early 1900s. It wasn’t until 1986 that the International Whaling Commission officially banned commercial whaling in the United States. Near the Whale Charts, another display shows
scrimshaws: engravings carved into whale bones and teeth, originally as a pastime for whalers while they were at sea. Most parts of the hunted whale carcasses had been previously considered useless, and whales were primarily hunted solely for their blubber. Townsend’s Whale Charts and the scrimshaw pieces serve as reminders of an enduring exploitation of whales on a scale both large and wasteful. Ocean Sentinels and Toxins in Monterey Bay, California evaluates more recent effects of human actions on California’s marine environment by measuring chemical compounds from pesticides found inside marine mammals living in the Monterey Bay. In a video, Logan Pallin, an encophysiologist at UCSC, shared that more than 140 different compounds were found inside the bodies of three different marine mammals last year: a humpback whale, a California sea lion and a California sea otter
Pallin’s focus is on the present and future, as he voiced concern about the effects of Moss Landing’s battery storage fire on Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough marine life that has yet to be uncovered.
Weather and the Whale will continue to be on view until March 8, 2026.
Two additional exhibitions, Sam Williams: Deep in The Eye and The Belly at the Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery and Yolande Harris: Sound Portal for Whale Bubbles at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, will open this fall.
Small Waves Ocean School First Class Free, Thursdays at 10:15am or 1:15pm, indoor center at 500 Seabright, Suite 202, Avenue, Santa Cruz. smallwavesos.com
Boardwalk Fright Nights 5-10pm ticketed. Haunted attractions, spooky rides, live entertainment and themed food every Friday in October. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz. beachboardwalk.com
Thriller Dance Classes & Performances times vary free. Free drop-in classes teach Thriller choreography with public performance Oct 18. London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz.com
Banned Books Night 7-8:30pm free. Celebrate Banned Books Week with dramatic readings of challenged works by community leaders. Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz. bookshopsantacruz.com
First Fridays Santa Cruz 5-8pm On the first Friday evening of every month, Santa Cruz galleries, shops, and cultural venues open their doors to showcase the works of Santa Cruz County artists. With a block party-like vibe, the multi-venue event provides an opportunity to discover local creative talent in a fun and festive setting. firstfridaysantacruz.com/event
First Friday Boulder Creek 5-8pm Enjoy a free monthly mountain street fair in the name of creation and community. There will be local art, music and food lining the sidewalks of downtown Boulder Creek. firstfridaybouldercreek.org
Gateway School Fall Festival 4pm6:30pm free Enjoy hay rides, a climbing wall, inflatable obstacle courses, creative crafts, face painting, seasonal activities, and plenty of yummy food, drinks, and sweet treats. Fun for all ages with free admission. Gateway School, Santa Cruz. gatewaysc.org
Vintage VW Invasion on the Wharf 9am-3:30pm free. Classic air-cooled Volkswagens line the Wharf with ocean views, shopping and family fun. Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz. com/government/city-departments/parksrecreation/santa-cruz-wharf
Harvest Festival 12–4pm free. Celebrate the season with live music from the Rhythm Rangellers, family carnival games including a Dunk Tank (benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank), free fruity wreath making, farm stands, petting zoo, and fall treats like popcorn, elote and more. Parking Lot 16 and Church Street at Cedar Street, Santa Cruz. downtownsantacruz. com/do/harvest-festival
Monterey Bay Festival of Birds times vary free-$30. Guided field trips, workshops and kids’ programs highlight fall bird migration across the Bay. Multiple sites, Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay. montereybayfestivalofbirds.org
Gateway Tour 9-11am Visit the school on one of the monthly Tuesday tours and see why Gateway was voted Best Elementary and Best Middle School in Santa Cruz. Hang with our kindergarteners on Kindy Island, see what’s growing in the Life Lab outdoor classroom, join the middle schoolers for a science experiment, and see first hand the unique benefits of a K - 8 education. gatewaysc.org
Second Saturday on the Farm 11am3pm The Agricultural History Project’s 2nd Saturday events are like taking a step back in time. Grab your cowboy hat and put on your boots and come and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon on the farm! In addition to Summer Fun special activities, you’ll be able to milk a “cow”, drive-a-tractor, and enjoy crafts, hayrides, puppet show, antique engines and museum exhibits. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic. aghistoryproject. org/2nd-saturday-on-the-farm
Swing Dancing 2-5:30pm You will find music, friends, and food while you improve your dancing digs. All levels, and various styles plus a social dance with great ambiance are welcome! Go Join the fun on the Second Saturday evening of each month at the Santa Cruz Wharf stage. cityofsantacruz.com/
Birds on the Wharf 8am-3pm free. Vintage and retro Thunderbirds displayed on the Wharf with food and shopping. Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz.com
Author John Freeman 7-8:30pm free. Editor and poet John Freeman discusses his new collection and contemporary literature. Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz. bookshopsantacruz.com
Antiques Faire 8am-6pm The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more. Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.
Artisan Faire noon-4pm Head to Abbott Square every second Sunday of the month for free live music while you browse handmade jewelry, soap, clothing, and much more! There is always something at these events that has your name on it! abbottsquaremarket.com/events
Festival of Monsters Public Programs 8am-5pm free. Art, performances and family programs exploring monsters in culture. Multiple venues, Santa Cruz. monsterstudies.ucsc.edu
Heritage Harvest Festival 11am-4pm free. Celebrate harvest with living history demos, wagon rides, crafts and live music. Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz. thatsmypark.org
Halloween Mask Making Festival 12-4pm free. Create masks, play games, enjoy performances and Thriller dance fun. London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz.com
Nightmares: A Stage Spooktacular 6-8pm free. Theater-style Halloween show with spooky stories and family-friendly chills. London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz. cityofsantacruz.com
Downtown Makers Market 10am-5pm
Visit the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market featuring 40+ local makers & artists every third Sunday of the month on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln streets. scmmakersmarket.com
County Sheriff’s Office Trunk or Treat 5-7pm free. Decorated cars, candy, music and safe trick-or-treating for families. Sheriff’s Office HQ, Santa Cruz. santacruzcountyca.gov
Nightmare Before Nutcracker International Academy of Dance, home of Santa Cruz City Ballet, presents a frightening twist on the holiday classic. A new family friendly Halloween tradition sure to delight audiences of all ages. Come dressed in costume and experience our haunted lobby with spooky treats, games, and contests. Tickets & more information at IADance.com
GUiSC will attempt to update the calendar listings as needed; however, it is the responsibility of the organization listed to provide updated information. GUiSC assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to check the accuracy of the information provided. Events that are free or cost less than $10 can be submitted for inclusion in the calendar. GUiSC does not guarantee that a submitted event will automatically be included. Preference is given for events of interest to children and/or parents. Submit entries at growingupsc.com/events/ community/add. Calendar entries must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event. To find out more about promoting your event further or including a paid event, email advertising@growingupsc.com.
SAT 25
Chili Cook-Off 10am-4pm $15 tasting kit. Amateurs and pros compete; sample dozens of chilis with a tasting kit. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz. beachboardwalk.com
140th Anniversary of Surfing the Americas 12-6pm $5-10. See replicas of the 1885 Hawaiian redwood surfboards and learn surf history. MAH, Santa Cruz. santacruzmah.org
Whim & Wonder 12-5pm free. Exhibition of playful, curious works by eight artists reimagining the everyday. MK Contemporary Art, Santa Cruz. mkcontemporary.art
West Cliff Day of the Dead Outdoor Market 12-6pm free. Outdoor artisan market with live music, altars and performances honoring Día de los Muertos. Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz. senderos.org
annual Halloween SUP parade off the Wharf. Capitola Wharf, Capitola. cityofcapitola.org
SAT-SUN 25-26
Goat Hill Unique Antique and Artisan Fair 10am-4pm $10. Over 100 vendors showcase vintage finds, antiques and artisan goods. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Watsonville. goathillfair.com
Free Tour of the Preserve 11am free. Docent-led tours of wetlands and wildlife; sign up at Visitor Center. Elkhorn Slough Reserve, Watsonville. elkhornslough.org
SUN 26
Aptos Village Halloween Parade 2-4pm free. Families and pets in costume parade through Aptos Village in a beloved community tradition. Aptos Village, Aptos. aptoschamber.com
Parents naturally want to make their kids happy—we love them so much, it’s natural to want to give them the world. But balancing that desire with the need to set clear, consistent boundaries isn’t always easy. I know for myself, I often wonder: are we being too soft? Too strict? Finding that “just right” middle ground can be a real challenge.
This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world- renowned Triple P –Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, email me at triplep@first5scc.org.
Dear Yesenia, I’m a mother to two boys, ages 4 and 7. I try to be consistent with the rules and expectations for my sons, but lately I feel like I may be too strict of a parent. My boys tell me their friends get treats in their lunches, go to bed late, have sleepovers on weeknights and get to play video games whenever they want. My oldest even says he has friends who have their own TVs in their bedrooms! While I think my kids may be exaggerating a bit, other parents I talk to have more lax rules. Are mine unreasonable? Gloria
Dear Gloria, A big part of parenting involves setting limits for children, and it sounds like you’re doing a good job. Setting
limits is an important part of parenting, even if it’s not always easy or popular. Clear boundaries help kids understand what’s expected and support their well-being. The key is finding rules that feel fair to both you and your kids. Here are a few tips:
INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN
IN DISCUSSING THE FAMILY RULES
When children are younger, the responsibility for setting family rules falls primarily on theparent. As children get older, it can be helpful to involve them in the discussion so they understand the reasons for the limits and can share their ideas about what is fair and reasonable.
There may also be times when you have different rules or limits for your children, such as a later bedtime for your older child, or fewer chores for your younger child. Involving them in the discussion can help them understand that rules can be different for each of them and still be fair.
START WITH A FEW SIMPLE FAMILY RULES OR LIMITS
Rules or limits are most effective when there are a few of them, they are simple, and they focus on what you want your children to do (versus not do). This makes it easier for both you and your children to
remember the limits, which increases their chances of success in following them. For example, instead of saying “No sleepovers on weeknights,” try saying, “Friends can sleep over on weekends.”
DECIDE WHAT LIMITS CAN BE FLEXIBLE
Some families have rules or limits that are non-negotiable, based on their values about promoting their children’s health, safety, etc. Oftentimes, families also identify rules or limits that are more flexible. You might decide that certain limits are non-negotiable in your family, such as “Finish homework before watching TV,” or “Sweet treats can only be eaten at one meal per day.”
As you set firm limits, you might also consider whether certain rules can be more flexible, such as “Eat healthy foods for lunch every day, then pick a treat for lunch on Friday.” This gives your children something to look forward to while still teaching them to respect the limits you have set.
CONTINUE TO TALK WITH OTHER PARENTS AND ADULTS YOU TRUST.
As your children get older, the need for and types of rules or limits you have will change. It’s great to talk with other parents – it helps you let your children know that different families
can have different rules. It can also help you decide when and how to modify your family rules as each child gets older. You might also find it helpful to talk to a pediatrician, a pastor, teacher, other friends or family members whose children have already grown up. You are likely to get a range of opinions about what’s considered fair, reasonable and age-appropriate for your children. If it starts to get overwhelming, just think of it as gathering information to help you decide what feels right for your family.
Setting (and sticking to) limits can be one of the hardest – and most important – parts of parenting. Establishing reasonable rules and teaching children to follow them will help keep them safe and healthy in the long run. Although they may not appreciate it now, they will thank you someday…when they are raising their own children.
Yesenia Gomez-Carrillo is the mother of a 3-yearold daughter and the Triple P Program Manager for First 5 Santa Cruz County. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit triplep.first5scc.org, facebook. com/triplepscc, or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
The most tempting word in parenting?
Of course it’s “no”. Sometimes it’s “NO” and sometimes it’s “noooooooo”
You might be thinking, “yep, that’s my job as a parent.” Children want to do absurd things. That’s their job. They are working to learn the world around them, become a person in their own right, and have fun. As parents then, we feel a need to keep our children safe, teach them the right ways of things, and help them avoid mistakes, pitfalls and injuries.
So why is “no” troubling when trying to parent the positive discipline way? The short answer is that there is nothing wrong with the limit setting of “no” in itself. As you might have guessed, it’s how we say it.
“NO” IS AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT THAT IS CHALLENGING TO PROCESS
Young children are concrete thinkers. “No” and “don’t” actually represent a very abstract concept. So when you tell your young child “no” they may not be developmentally ready to do the challenging work of processing it. Brains develop through about age 25.
You may have tried this experiment on yourself or friends: Don’t think of a pink elephant. Did you? I’ve used this example hundreds of times and I still see a pink elephant, just as clearly as I did the first time.
Most children won’t process the “no” part of a sentence. They just hear the concrete action part that follows, which sounds exactly like you are suggesting they do the opposite of what you mean.
When you say “don’t pull on that table cloth” young brains skip the “don’t” because they don’t really understand the concept yet, but they do hear the “pull on the table cloth”. When I am busy or distracted and my husband says “don’t close the door, I’m coming right back” I’ve watched myself close the door and then process what he said… and open back up again.
“NO” CREATES A POWER STRUGGLE
“No” also puts you in a head to head with your child (tip: this is true for adults too!) If you read the Doctor Seuss book with the North Going Zax and the South Going Zax you get the visual of standing face to face with your child, neither of you being able to get anywhere because you are stuck in direct opposition. I remember as a child thinking, “Why don’t they just step around each other and keep going?”
Imagine parenting as pool balls on a pool table. Each ball has its own path to a pocket. But they often interact with each other. If two balls are coming straight toward each other, they will bounce off and lose momentum but even a slight offset and they deflect and carry on. As parents we often get stuck in a head-tohead, straight-on power struggle with our children, when taking a slight angle could get us working with our child again, with little to no struggle.
WHAT WORKS BETTER? FINDING YOUR PARENTING “YES!”
So, what does “no” look like the Positive Discipline way? Like offering an alternative that meets the needs of the parent and teaches, or offers a path forward for the child, at the same time.
TRY EXPRESSING A CLEAR NO BY TELLING YOUR CHILD WHAT TO DO INSTEAD OF WHAT NOT TO DO.
Say the positive command instead of the negative:
Please walk when you are holding scissors.
Use your inside voice.
Food stays on the plate please.
You can get out of the carseat after I park the car.
You can hang out with friends after practice as long as you tell me where you will be and come home by 7.
The more you practice using positive nos, the more they will become natural. You will eventually have access to them even when you are scared, worried, frustrated, or in a hurry.
I remember hearing this tip in the Positive Discipline 8 week course I took when my now 18 year old was 16 months. I practiced and practiced and was amazed at the immediate results I got.
But the funniest experience I had trying it was when my son was about two. My son happens to have very active salivary glands, which is great for keeping healthy teeth but, when you are two years old and you are upset and trying to talk… let’s just say it’s messy.
I remember one day in particular, he was upset and telling me all about it (thanks to Positive Discipline, he still tells me all about his upsets.) A big drool was about to come out and I panicked. My brain went racing through all the Positive Discipline advice I had heard and I looked at him and said “Swallow your spit.” I couldn’t believe it when it worked. I spent the next few minutes trying not to laugh; trying to listen carefully to his concerns and help him problem-solve. I won’t forget it and it helped me solidify this tool for ever more.
Another positive “no” is offering “Limited Choices”. This is a great way to empower your children to make decisions for themselves and to give them practice at making good decisions all while getting an outcome that you are comfortable with as a parent.
Limited choices sound like:
Which shoes do you want to put on because it’s time to walk out the door now; these or these?
Would you like to go with Teacher Joy or Teacher Ron?
Would you like bath toys or tub paints for bath time?
What day are you going to wash dishes? Tuesday or Friday?
You can pick out three books from your bookshelf for bedtime.
Are you going to get down or do you want me to carry you down?
LImited choices work best when you: You are calm
You choose a kind and firm tone of voice (or a playful one if you aren’t already in a conflict)
You offer real choices that could be acceptable for both of you
Limited Choices are appropriate for
most situations. When your children are very young, just offer two choices, so they can practice choosing without extra processing. As your children grow, they may be able to handle more options. Making good choices, or really, being able to make a choice at all, depends upon our brain’s ability to process. Learning differences and neuro processing differences may affect our children’s abilities to make choices. Fatigue, overwhelm or frustration, even being overexcited may make decision making difficult.
At the end of a long busy day, I’d rather have my husband ask, “Do you want Thai or Mexican” than, “Where do you want to go for dinner?”
Try to be aware of your child’s situation when you offer choices. If they are struggling, ask them if they want you to decide. For children who are not exactly happy with any of the choices, you may opt to set a time limit for them to make the decision; a point at which you will make the decision for them if they cannot or choose not to. For some children or in some situations, this will cause more stress and make it harder for them to make a decision. For children who are upset or overexcited, you can help them calm down before they make the decision.
HOLD IT LIGHTLY!
Observation and practice will help you know what works best for you and your child. Experiment. See how it works. Try it a new way. Get curious and wonder what your child’s thinking behind their behavior.
If you feel a head to head coming on, if you see a disaster waiting to happen, if you feel you need to correct your child’s behavior, see if you can take a breath and choose a positive no (a parenting YES!,) or offer some limited choices to gain your child’s cooperation.
BY SUSAN TATSUI-D’ARCY
There’s something nostalgic— and delicious—about the aroma of homemade Rice Krispie Treats. The warm sweetness, the buttery crunch... It’s a childhood favorite that brings smiles to just about everyone. For over 40 years, I’ve turned this humble treat into a spooky and spectacular Halloween centerpiece: a life-sized witch’s head sculpted entirely from Rice Krispie Treats.
Kids love the gory (but edible) details: redhot candy eyes, licorice hair, and gooey warts. Around the witch’s head, I arrange 50 knobby fingers—each with a red fruit leather “nail.” At my annual Halloween party, the guest who earns the most points during the games gets to take home the Krispie Witch. Word is, she makes the rounds at other parties before being devoured.
You’ll need:
To make the full witch head and fingers, prepare 3–4 batches of Rice Krispie Treats using this basic recipe:
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
40 large marshmallows
3 TBSP margarine
Red Hots or rock candies (eyes, warts)
Black licorice laces (hair)
Red fruit leather (fingernails)
1 large can (e.g., pumpkin) to form the core Witch’s hat for decoration
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the base: Cover an 18” round platter with plastic or festive wrapping paper. Place the large can of pumpkin (or similar item) in the center—this becomes the support for the witch’s head.
Melt & mix (Batch 1): In a large pot, melt 1 TBSP margarine and 13–14 marshmallows over medium heat. Stir until smooth. Add 2 cups Rice Krispies. Mix well and let cool slightly.
Sculpt the base head shape: Wearing gloves, scoop about 1 cup of the mixture onto the can and start forming a round base for the head. Firmly press and smooth into a ball shape.
Add facial features (Batch 2):
Prepare another batch and use the sticky mix to sculpt a long nose, pointy chin, high cheekbones, and a furrowed brow. Press candy eyes into the sockets and mold Rice Krispies over the edges for eyelids and brows.
Details (Batch 3): Form warts using Red Hots or small candies. Shape the mouth and lips by layering and molding. To make hair, insert toothpicks at the top
of the head and press in black licorice laces. Cover the picks with a witch’s hat. Witchy fingers (Optional Batch 4): For a creepy display, roll out 5” x 1” logs for fingers. Taper one end, and press on a triangle of red fruit leather to resemble a fingernail. Arrange the fingers around the witch’s head on the platter.
Let it set: Once your witch is fully sculpted, let her sit for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Pro Tips
Press the mixture firmly as you sculpt to help it hold its shape.
Use gloves lightly coated with cooking spray to avoid sticking.
Want a scarier effect? Dust her face
with green sugar or use chocolate chips for moles.
Every year, guests look forward to meeting my newest witch. Some years she’s ugly, some years she’s hideous—it all depends on how the Rice Krispies fall! I’ve expanded this tradition by making themed sculptures for every holiday: a Santa head for Christmas, an Easter egg, a turkey for Thanksgiving, a heart for Valentine’s Day, even a minipark for Children’s Day. These edible creations become beloved traditions for both kids and adults.
So this Halloween, forget the storebought centerpieces. Grab your cereal, marshmallows, and imagination—and sculpt up some spooky fun.
Send in photos of your own Rice Krispie Witch! We’d love to feature reader creations in next month’s issue!
Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was California Mother of the Year.
Kids are always listening. Even when they’re busy stacking blocks, staring out the car window, or sneaking a cookie before dinner, they’re tuned in to the world around them, especially to the words and tone of the adults they trust most. That includes how we find ourselves talking about money.
Think about a simple grocery store trip. You might sigh and say, “We can’t afford that right now.” To you, it’s a practical comment. To your child, it might sound like money is scary or that there’s never enough. Over time, those small comments become the foundation of how kids see finances.
THE HIDDEN MESSAGES KIDS HEAR
Whether we mean to or not, we send money messages all the time. A quick remark like, “That’s too expensive,” or brushing off a question with, “Don’t worry about it,” might sound harmless, but it can leave a lasting impression. If kids only hear money talked about in terms of limits or worry, they may start to associate it with stress.
When we avoid the subject altogether, they might think money is a taboo topic that isn’t safe to ask about. On the flip side, if they hear us frame money in terms of planning—like saving for a vacation or setting a budget for back-toschool shopping—they learn that money isn’t just about what you can’t do. It’s about making thoughtful decisions.
WHY IT MATTERS
The way kids view money in childhood often carries into adulthood. If money only feels like a source of anxiety, they may grow up avoiding the topic or doubting their ability to manage it. But when money is discussed openly, with a focus on choices and priorities, kids are more likely to grow up feeling capable and confident in handling it.
HEALTHY WAYS TO TALK ABOUT MONEY
You don’t need a perfect script to get it right. What matters most are small, everyday conversations that feel natural and age-appropriate:
Narrate decisions. Instead of saying “we can’t buy that,” try saying, “we’re
choosing this brand because it costs less, and we’re saving the extra for pizza night.”
Talk about trade-offs. Let kids see that spending on one thing means waiting on another—it’s how priorities work.
Celebrate saving. Share when a family goal is met, like setting aside for a special trip or big purchase.
Invite them in. Give kids a small budget for something fun (like choosing between two snacks or toys). Making decisions with real dollars teaches more than any lecture.
The point isn’t to shield kids from reality or to never express stress—life has its challenges. But by balancing honesty with encouragement, we show them that money isn’t something to fear. It’s simply a tool that, with planning and practice, can help them reach their goals.
At the end of the day, kids don’t need us to have all the answers. They just need us to be willing to talk. The lessons they pick up now about budgeting, saving, and even generosity can give them the confidence to build healthy financial habits for life.
If you’re looking for support in starting or strengthening family money conversations, Bay Federal Credit Union partners with GreenPath Financial Wellness, a nonprofit resource that offers free financial counseling, tips, and tools. It’s a great place for parents to get guidance on creating a healthy money mindset so the little ears listening today can grow into financially confident adults tomorrow.
Visit www.bayfed.com or stop by your nearest branch to get started. Let’s celebrate your child’s financial firsts together.
BY TOVAH PETRA KOLODINSKI
October brings with it the crisp air of autumn, pumpkins on doorsteps, and a season of playful scares. Halloween may be about jump-scares and haunted houses, but for many expecting parents, the unknowns of birth can feel far more intimidating than any ghost story.
Birth is often portrayed as unpredictable and overwhelming, leaving many people feeling more afraid than excited. Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. By using somatic practices—bodybased approaches that ground us in the present—we can prepare for birth with calm, trust, and even joy.
Fear is a normal part of anticipating birth. The body and mind instinctively tense when faced with uncertainty. Questions about pain, safety, or how the experience will unfold can quickly spiral into anxiety.
When the nervous system is activated in this way, the body may resist rather than open. Birth, however, requires softening and flow. This is where somatic tools become invaluable. They help us regulate the nervous system, release tension, and connect to the innate wisdom of our bodies. Instead of getting caught in the question, “Why am I
feeling this?” Somatic practices invite us to shift toward, “What is my body feeling right now?” That small change helps us step out of mental narratives and into direct sensation, where grounding and safety can be found.
During my own pregnancies, I discovered the power of somatic preparation. I gave birth to both of my children at home, and while I felt deeply
aligned with that choice, it didn’t mean I was free from fear.
My first birth had been frightening, and when I became pregnant again, I knew I needed a different approach. One of the most powerful tools I used was visualization. I asked someone with a calm, comforting voice to record a guided track for me, and I listened to it every single day leading up to labor.
tension and reminding the body to flow instead of resist.
Breathwork was perhaps the simplest yet most powerful tool. Our breath is the bridge between body and mind. Slow, steady breathing helped regulate my nervous system and provided a rhythm to follow through each wave of contraction. I often paired my breath with visualization, exhaling as if I was releasing tension and inhaling as though drawing in strength. Breathwork transcends birth settings—it is available to every parent, in every circumstance. What surprised me most was how these somatic tools extended beyond the birth itself. Bringing a baby home, whether from the hospital or into your own living room, can feel like stepping into another kind of unknown.
The sleepless nights, constant feedings, and the overstimulation of a newborn adjusting to life outside the womb can feel overwhelming. The same grounding practices that carried me through birth also helped me stay steady during those early days. When I felt stretched thin, I would take a moment to orient my senses, breathe deeply, or step into a warm shower to remind my body that we were safe.
In those moments, I could imagine my body softening and opening, my baby descending gently, and the space around me filled with warmth and calm. Listening daily gave my body a rehearsal, a way to know what trust and safety could feel like.
This practice isn’t limited to homebirth. Whether you are preparing for a hospital birth, a birth center, or home, using a guided track or creating your own visualization can make the unfamiliar feel more familiar and accessible.
Grounding through the senses was another key practice. During labor, I intentionally noticed small, tangible details: the coolness of the floor under my feet, the sound of my breath, the steady rhythm of my partner’s hand on my back. These anchors kept me present in my body rather than swept away by fear. For someone birthing in a hospital, grounding might come through noticing the softness of a blanket, the steady rise and fall of your breath, or the reassuring presence of a loved one nearby. The practice is less about the environment itself and more about finding orientation and peace in the present moment.
Water was another powerful ally for me. Standing under the shower or sinking into a warm bath created an immediate shift in my nervous system.
The sensation of water flowing over my skin brought relief, release, and a sense of ease. For those who use a birth pool, water can create a cocoon-like environment that feels both soothing and protective. Even outside of labor, water can serve as a reset—washing away
In some ways, a newborn experiences the world much like we experience Halloween—loud, unpredictable, and filled with strange sensations. Parents who can stay grounded offer a nervous system anchor for their child. By tending to our own regulation, we create an environment where our babies can feel secure, even in the midst of chaos.
Birth preparation does not have to be about eliminating fear. Instead, it can be about transforming fear into trust. By practicing visualization, grounding, water immersion, and breathwork, we give ourselves tools that support not only labor but also the tender weeks that follow.
My homebirths gave me firsthand experience of how powerful these practices can be, but they are not limited to one type of birth. They belong to all parents, in every setting, who long to meet birth with presence, strength, and openness. Birth may always carry an element of the unknown, but it doesn’t have to feel like a haunted house. With the right tools, we can walk into it not trembling, but rooted in the wisdom of our bodies and the assurance that we are capable of moving beyond fear into trust and faith.
Tovah Petra, MA, is a trauma-informed somatic practitioner and creator of the Whole Family, Whole Child approach. She helps parents of neurodivergent children create emotionally safe, attuned, and connected homes—while nurturing their own nervous systems, relationships, and intimate connection. Learn more at: www.tovahpetra.com
BY SARAH KRUMMEL
My now sixteen year old niece would kill me if she knew I was telling this story, but one of my favorite family videos shows her at age seven, sitting crosslegged in her underwear on the living room floor divvying up toys for two patient Labrador retriever mixes.
Ethan and Chase were more than content to listen to her work through the logic of a stuffed animal distribution system. Each plushie was presented to a dog for their feedback and then returned to a stool to await the final evaluation and dog assignment.
The dogs were most likely thrilled that a human would sit on the floor with them and interact in a calm focused manner, the child, my niece, was emboldened by the audience. “Would you like this toy in exchange for this toy?”
The year prior, she had been diagnosed with a lazy eye and prescribed glasses. The new look set her apart in her secondgrade classroom, and the reaction from peers was not kind. Like many children suddenly on the receiving end of ridicule, she felt isolated.
My sister bought books about friendship, tried to coach her through difficult conversations, and gently
encouraged her to seek new friends. But the most effective companionship came from those two dogs offering unbridled attention without condition.
Through her stuffed animal exchange system, my niece was unknowingly practicing the building blocks of academic and social learning: patience, problem-solving, empathy, and selfregulation. The coping skills her peers were challenging her to develop were being rehearsed quietly and steadily at home with two loving dogs.
PETS AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
Educators often talk about executive functioning: the set of skills that includes planning, organization, self-control, and flexible thinking. For children, these skills support learning in school and beyond. They are also notoriously hard to teach directly. But bring a pet into the mix, and suddenly abstract skills become meaningful and rewarding. Consider the following developmentally appropriate activities:
Pre-K-Kindergarten: Following a picture chart to feed a cat or walk a dog introduces routine and sequence. Waiting patiently while a sibling takes a turn feeding a pet provides the opportunity to practice self control.
Grades 1-3: Planning a birthday party for a pet (complete with invitations, decorations, and maybe a dog-friendly cake) requires foresight, budgeting, and prioritization.
Grades 4-5: Designing a training plan with specific steps and goals requires strategy: what behavior comes first? How will progress be measured? At this age, a child can also begin building a balanced daily schedule, weaving together schoolwork, play, chores, and pet care in a way that makes sense to them.
PETS AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GROWTH
Equally important is the role pets play in social-emotional learning: developing empathy, self-awareness, and relationship skills. A child who strokes a rabbit gently or lowers their voice to avoid startling a dog is learning sensitivity to the needs of another creature.
Pre-K-Kindergarten: Even toddlers can begin by naming what they see: “Oscar looks grumpy” or “Luna is wagging her tail.” These observations seed the empathy they will need for navigating friendships.
Grades 1-3: The imaginative planning of a pet’s birthday party isn’t just an organizational exercise, it’s also an expression of affection, a recognition that another being deserves celebration.
Grades 4-5: Training plans and daily schedules aren’t only about discipline; they teach reciprocity. A dog sits, the child praises. A pet waits, the child responds. These exchanges model
healthy give-and-take, the basis for strong human relationships.
The beauty is that pets don’t evaluate. Their feedback comes in a wagging tail, a slow blink, or a gentle nudge. For a child who feels scrutinized by peers or misunderstood by adults, that acceptance can be transformative.
Not every family can adopt a dog or cat, but most can find a way to connect children with animals through volunteering with an adult at a local shelter, fostering small pets, or helping a neighbor with dog walks. This fall, consider signing your child up to read to a shelter dog, help socialize kittens, or reach out to a neighbor for some low stakes pet care.
My niece, now in high school, doesn’t divide toys between Ethan and Chase anymore. But she has adopted the calm persistence and playful negotiation she practiced with them. The dogs, in their quiet way, gave her exactly what she needed: the chance to rehearse being in the world.
Sarah Krummel is a Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation board member and a Program Specialist for Santa Cruz City Schools. Connect with her at sarah@ scanimalshelterfoundation.org
As the largest and most comprehensive animal care and rescue organization in the community, the open-admission Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter takes in about 7,000 animals each year. Government funding is limited, so we depend on our community to sustain our life-saving and pet homelessness prevention programs. The Shelter’s sister nonprofit Foundation helps to cover the costs for core services such as animal control; licensing and rabies vaccinations; safe housing for strays and surrenders; and intervention in animal abuse cases. The Foundation is also proactive in tackling root causes
PET OF THE MONTH Cupcake
Introducing Princess Cupcake, a 1-year-old ruby-eyed angel with a soft Himalayan coat as delicate as spun sugar. This gentle royal adores attention, especially from kind, slow hands. When granted space in her kingdom, Cupcake bursts into delightful zoomies and binkies, wiggling with joy as if casting little spells of happiness across the land. Once her magical energy is spent, she curls into a regal stretch, drifting into beauty sleep and dreaming of her furever castle. Cupcake is as charming as she is graceful, waiting patiently in her tower for the perfect adopter to share her love. Thanks to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation’s Leave No One Behind Fund, Cupcake’s adoption fee is fully sponsored. Might you be her fairytale ending?
BY MONICA MENARD
A mother’s body endures progressive change over the course of the nine months. As her belly grows, alignment shifts naturally and ligaments loosen.
This predisposes the body to aches and pains and exercise becomes more difficult when things already hurt. The need to keep the body functional and out of pain during this time becomes a priority, thus a specific approach to exercise will balance out this disproportion.
One of the first places mothers turn to for guidance are health care providers who often tell them to “ease into a routine and maintain low intensities” or that “walking and yoga are best.” We should consider if these suggestions are the most helpful during pregnancy.
This is not to negate the advice of doctors or to ignore the benefits of walking or yoga, but vague guidelines do not help expectant mothers who need to be doing very specific things. Staying strong while pregnant must include mastering specific exercises and using the correct intensity.
Participating in a regular fitness routine is advantageous for both maternal and fetal health. Preparations for pregnancy, and the time beyond, must include training the body for what we repeatedly do. Motherhood involves maintaining good posture with good core strength, lifting heavy loads, bending, reaching above head, single leg strength, and balance.
These results require specific efforts. For example, a marathon runner who trains only in good posture expecting to run faster will be a slow runner with excellent posture. Definitely not the outcome they wanted.
Mothers, whether they realize it or not, are asking their bodies to
run a marathon and need to train for it. Training must include specific motherhood moves. Mothers get up and down many times a day and doing so with a baby is much more challenging.
Young children can weigh 35 pounds. So one of several prescribed exercises is the weighted chair getup which helps mothers perform getting up and down many times a day with their little one with greater ease. (See picture) This and many others should be integrated both prenatally and postpartum as long as there are no medical contraindications or pain. This is why walking more or trying yoga are not adequate if you are asking your body to work in very specific ways.
Training the body more specifically by performing some of these exercises mentioned is great. But during pregnancy mothers also need to be aware of their workout intensity.
Monitoring intensity is important while pregnant but, once again, the guidelines can be vague. What exactly do health care providers mean by low to moderate intensity when they suggest these ranges? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends measuring intensity without fancy monitors or making guesses about heart rate. While heart rate is a well
known strategy for determining intensity for the general populations, during pregnancy heart rate is variable and changes due to many factors.
To determine safe exercise intensities use the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale which relies on listening to your body and how you feel. One would rate their own intensity by grading their efforts with these numeric labels. For example, an RPE of “one” represents no work effort, maybe you’re walking early in pregnancy. A “ten” represents working your hardest by lifting something very heavy that your could only lift once.
The best ranges for pregnancy while exercising falls between an RPE of five to seven, which is considered strong intensity. Notice however, these recommendations by ACOG are much higher than the general recommendation. The RPE scale is a better way to listen to your body and gauge the effectiveness of your exercise.
Navigating exercise during pregnancy offers a remarkable opportunity for moms to gain
strength and give themselves an advantage postpartum. With my first pregnancy, I wasn’t sure where my knowledge and the doctor’s recommendations were in agreement in the gym.
For this reason, I made it my goal to understand prenatal and postpartum exercise and educate women. With my specialist certification, I share this knowledge with clients so they can be strong like a mother. Women following these steps can change the negative narrative around having a Mom Bod because it will represent a body that is fit and functional.
For more detailed information and programming, reach out to me. I am not advocating advice over the recommendations of your doctors. Always consult your doctor first.
For more in depth and focused tips, follow her on Instagram trainingby_ monica and Facebook Defined Fitness. Limited training spots are available now for small group fitness and individual training sessions. Email for info monicapmenard@gmail.com.
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How United Way connects neighbors, strengthens youth voices and builds resilience
BY UNITED WAY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
At its heart, United Way of Santa Cruz County is about connection: helping families find support, preparing neighbors to face challenges, and empowering youth to lead. This fall, as families settle into school routines and think about safety at home, we are reminded that resilience comes from the strength of our community.
PREPAREDNESS IN ACTION
Santa Cruz County has faced its share of wildfires, storms, and earthquakes. Being prepared for the unexpected isn’t just about checklists; it’s about knowing where to turn and who you can count on.
Through United4Community, United Way provides resources that make preparedness practical and approachable. One of our favorite tools is the Listos California Neighborhood Block Party Kit, which turns disaster readiness into a family activity.
Neighbors and friends gather, share contact information, play games, and walk away feeling more confident about what to do when every minute matters. The message behind it is simple but powerful: while first responders are vital, the very first to act are often neighbors, friends, and family.
Preparedness also means knowing our own strengths. At recent Listos summits, participants explored their “Disaster Ready Personality” - some are quick to check on neighbors, while others carefully gather information before acting.
By understanding our tendencies and those of the people around us, we create networks to lean on when challenges arise. And when emergencies happen, 211 - United Way’s free, 24/7 helpline, is there to connect people with food, housing, disaster relief, and mental health care.
UNITED4YOUTH: THE POWER OF YOUNG VOICES
Preparedness is also about preparing the next generation to lead. That’s the heart of United4Youth, where young people in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Capitola are raising their
voices and designing solutions to real community challenges.
Youth leaders are addressing issues like mental health, civic engagement, and equity. One student recently shared how being part of United4Youth gave them the courage to speak up for classmates and advocate for more resources at school. That kind of leadership is a form of resilience too, equipping young people not just to face emergencies, but to create healthier, stronger communities for the future.
Global observances this month, like conversations around mental health and food security, echo the work our youth are already leading locally. They remind us that big issues become solvable when we trust young leaders to take the microphone and shape the solutions.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
None of this work happens alone. United Way’s impact is made possible by the generosity of donors who give through payroll campaigns, contributions from local foundations, partnerships with government agencies, and the ongoing support of our broader community
These investments allow United Way to respond quickly in times of crisis, sustain long-term initiatives like United4Youth, and ensure 211 remains available for every family, every hour of every day.
When neighbors give, advocate, or volunteer, they are fueling preparedness, youth empowerment, and community resilience across Santa Cruz County. Every backpack distributed, every block party kit shared, every youth voice amplified is made possible by people who believe in showing up for one another.
UNITED
For 85 years, United Way has been the place where neighbors come together to solve problems bigger than any one of us. From disaster readiness to youth empowerment, from food access to 211’s safety net, United Way is committed to ensuring dignity, possibility, and resilience for every resident.
As the year continues, we’ll keep
lifting up the many ways our community shows up for one another, whether it’s honoring caregivers, celebrating veterans, or joining millions on Giving Tuesday and International Volunteer Day. Each is a reminder that resilience takes many forms: generosity, service, and connection.
This October, whether you’re running through a fire drill at home, practicing the earthquake “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” or simply having a conversation with your kids about “what if” scenarios, remember: preparedness is not just about emergencies. It’s about people. It’s about relationships. It’s about showing up.
Join us! Whether by giving, volunteering, or simply sharing these resources with a neighbor. Learn more at unitedwaysc.org. Because when we live united, we all thrive.
Comcast is proud to sponsor this column, which features the great work of non-profit groups supporting the Santa Cruz community
BY MALIA FORT
Outfits and energy come in all ages and sizes. Every generation reflects beauty, whether it comes from years of knowledge or momentary passions. I found multiple people of all ages rocking outfits that reflect a great spirit. Today, we are going to look at people of all different generations.
Ari is a current student at Santa Cruz High. His band T-shirt with cut-off sleeves is from our local Santa Cruz Record store. The grey camo shorts are from the goodwill bins in Monterey, and ankle high black boots are from a military store. His ring is from super silver, and Ari made his own bracelet made of bottle caps. The jean chain and black belt are both from Goodwill, and the silver necklaces are from other thrift stores. Black is Ari’s favorite color to wear. He advises not to be afraid to try new things, because there is always going to be someone who doesn’t like your outfit; all that should really matter is whether you do. If you think you like something, it never hurts to try something on. His favorite places to shop are Goodwill and the Streetlight Record store. He says he is goth so his clothing is mostly a collection of band T-shirts, with his favorite personal piece being a long black trench coat he calls Uncle Fester, which he prefers to pair with a black turtleneck, a classic goth look. Ari says he wants his style to reflect that he is just a silly guy.
Djin is wearing a black tank top with lace trim and a detailed black stretch maxi skirt. The top is thrifted, and the skirt is from a thrift store called Flipside Thrift Center. The silver moon and stars chain belt was gifted by a friend. Most of her jewelry is gifted by a friend or purchased from Etsy. But her silver barbed wire bracelet is from a beautiful local artist named Jen Raynes (@ jenraynesart). Djin is an OG goth here, so she prefers wearing black, reds, burgundies, and purples. Djin usually starts with black as a base color and then continues to feature other colors along the way. Djin advises not to let capitalism dictate your style. Women’s beauty and clothing standards change every few years, partly to convince you to buy a whole new wardrobe. Don’t fall for it. Dress in what makes you happy and comfortable; the confidence you have in your own style will show. Djin’s favorite places to shop at are Thrift shops in Grass Valley, where they have great prices and great throwback pieces from the 90s-early 200s. Etsy is her go-to for jewelry, but Moon Kissed in Santa Cruz has great pieces as well. She also loves shopping for odd pieces that, as a bellydancer, she finds at festivals. Djins’s least favorite fashion trend is fast fashion, which pushes folks to waste money on cheap pieces that fall apart, and if not sold, get thrown in the trash. The manufacturing is terrible for our environment and people. She is a trans woman who has only been transitioning for a year. She wants her style to express a degree of femininity, though with a bit of edge. Djin feels that representing as a strong and confident transwoman is especially important in the current political and cultural climate. Djin says embracing their gender identity has impacted the way they currently dress. Along with discovering the whimsgoth aesthetic and am in love with it, always looking for witchy wear. Her favorite piece is a stretchy maxi skirt with a deep red velvet top and leather boots.
Amir was born and raised in Santa Cruz but is currently going to school at the University of Oregon. Amir is wearing a black and grey real tree camo T-shirt he thrifted in Oregon. His black denim shorts with white spiderweb stitching his brother made for him as a gift. Lastly, tied together with all white Air Forces, which he bought from the Nike store. He tends to wear daker or more neutral shades, but he can appreciate others who choose more vibrant clothing. His favorite place to shop is at thrift stores in Santa Cruz or Oregon because people are constantly getting rid of good clothing. Amir wants his style to show that he is someone who enjoys the mundane side of fashion, like he stated earlier, nothing flashy, but just enough to have some sort of personal uniqueness to it. His least favorite fashion trend is labubus. The outfits that make him the happiest are soccer kits, and he is inspired by the colors because he is a soccer player himself.
Heidi is from Sacramento but currently lives in Aptos. She is wearing a vibrant, beautiful long-sleeve shirt by Desigual from her older sister, with a white, tiered, flowy muslin skirt handmade by a local artist named Forte Designs. Lastly, she had a light leather-colored heel, which was also hand-me-down from her older sister. Her favorite color to wear is green because it is full of life. Her advice is that your best accessory is your smile. She enjoys mixing styles and expressing joy. She also enjoys good statement pieces and repurposing clothing in a fun way to create a unique outfit. The outfits she wears that make her the happiest are clothes made by her daughter, along with bright colors. Heidi is great at color coordinating and finds happiness when reflecting her inner shine as well. Heidi doesn’t shop too much because she enjoys recycling, but when she does get new clothes, they are either hand-me-downs from family members or thrifted.
