A weekly guide to what’s happening.
ARTS AND MUSIC
BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL This year, bring the adventure home! Fluff up your couch cushions, grab a snack of choice, and make sure you have a good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is going virtual! For the first time ever, travel to breathtaking destinations, embark on daring expeditions, and celebrate some of the most remarkable outdoor achievements, all from the comforts of your living room. The Covid-19 pandemic has created extraordinary circumstances around the world, and many of our live World Tour screenings have been postponed or canceled. While we can’t replicate the experience of seeing the Banff films on the big screen of your local theatre, surrounded by friends and your community, these curated programs of amazing outdoor films will inspire you to live life to the fullest, however that looks these days! Please visit riotheatre.com for more information about the online programs and how you can support your local screening.
CALL FOR COLLABORATION: MLK DAY JUSTICE JOURNAL Share your dreams and submit a page into a community journal in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. You can write and draw your responses by hand or digitally. Written responses can be of any language. Submitted pages must fit within 10 inches by 10 inches. Per submission, please include a note with your name, address, email or phone number, and selected prompt available on the event page. At the end of February, all the submissions will be compiled and pieced together. The completed journal will be displayed the week of March 1 as a close to Black History Month and continuation of a Black future. Submissions accepted through Feb. 19. Guidelines can be accessed on the event page: santacruzmah.org/events/justice-journal.
VIRTUAL FAMILY DAY: ART AND HEALING Grab your craft supplies and creative kiddos for our new series of virtual family-friendly events with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH). Hop on Zoom as MAH Learning and Engagement Manager Jamie Keil takes you through a hands-on art activity alongside featured artists from our upcoming exhibition “In These Uncertain Times.” For our first edition of Virtual Family Day we’ll be making collages. We have all been through a lot this past year, so this Family Day Series is starting with some reflective and healing art. Featuring artists from “In These Uncertain Times,” this event will include different projects and activities focusing on processing our feelings through art. Good for all ages, we recommend bringing paper, coloring utensils, scissors, magazines, old books, news clippings, stickers, tape, dried flowers, or any other items you want to collage plus tape or glue. $5 per household, free for members After registration, a Zoom link will be sent to access the event. Saturday, Jan. 23, 10-11am.
COMMUNITY
EIGHT-WEEK VIRTUAL PARENTING GROUP: FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 2-12 YEARS OLD January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month! Join us for an eight-week virtual Triple P Group for families with children 2-12 years old, held Thursdays, Jan. 7 – Feb. 25. Individuals, couples, and any friends or family members who are helping raise children are welcome to attend. Participants will meet other families and learn simple strategies to help you strengthen relationships in your family, encourage positive behaviors, teach your child new skills and behaviors, handle disruptive or challenging behaviors with greater confidence, and take care of yourself as a parent. Presented in English on Zoom by Cori Burt, of Community Bridges’ Mountain Community Resources. To register contact Cori Burt at 831-335-6600, ext. 6605, or visit bit.ly/TripleP-Group-Jan2021. Participants must register and attend the second session on Jan. 14 in order to participate in the group. If the group is already in session and you would like more information about another upcoming eight-week Triple P group, please contact First 5 at 831-465-2217. Thursday, Jan. 21, 5-6:30pm.
PARENTING WORKSHOP SERIES This is a free series of workshops to support parents during these difficult times. There will be a Kids Zoom Hour run at the same time so that you can attend the workshop. Each Kids Hour will be sponsored by a different organization, such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Children’s Discovery Museum, and Santa Cruz Public Library. All workshops will take place on the dates indicated via Zoom. Register for Parenting in Uncertain Times Part One at: santacruz.k12oms.org/1284-191087. Providing reassurance to children during the Covid-19 pandemic. Adapting and maintaining everyday family routines. Keeping children engaged in interesting activities at home. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 3pm.
SALSA SUELTA FREE ZOOM SESSION SALSA SUELTA FREE ZOOM SESSION Keep in shape! Weekly online session in Cuban-style Salsa Suelta for experienced beginners and up. May include Mambo, ChaChaCha, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Orisha, Son Montuno. No partner required, ages 14+. Contact to get the link. salsagente.com. Thursday, Jan. 21, 7pm.
SUICIDE CRISIS LINE VOLUNTEER TRAINING Training begins Jan. 21! Suicide Prevention Service is a program of the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast dedicated to providing suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services that support the life, health, and safety of those at risk of suicide throughout Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties. Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast is looking for new suicide crisis line volunteers. Our crisis hotline serves the tri-county area of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Join us for volunteer responder training and participate in a rewarding experience while learning active listening skills, self-care, and suicide and crisis intervention techniques. The volunteer training sessions begin on Jan. 21 and conclude on March 11. Training conducted by video conferencing. Early registration is required. For more information, please visit our website at suicidepreventionservice.org. No experience is necessary—only a willing and an open heart. Ages 18 and up. Thursday, Jan. 21, 5pm.
VIRTUAL BILINGUAL PARENTING WORKSHOP: ENGAGING ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month! Triple P Workshops cover practical tips and strategies for handling specific parenting questions and challenges. Attend this free virtual parenting workshop with your kids to learn how providing safe, engaging activities helps promote children’s learning, development, and well-being, get tips and share ideas for indoor and outdoor engaging activities for kids of all ages, participate in an indoor family scavenger hunt! Presented in English with Spanish interpretation on Zoom by Cori Burt, of Community Bridges’ Mountain Community Resources. Register to get the Zoom meeting link for this virtual workshop bit.ly/Scavenger-Hunt-Jan25. Attend Triple P classes in January to receive a gift bag and be entered into a raffle drawing. More classes means more chances to win prizes! Got questions? Contact Cori Burt at 831-335-6600, ext. 6605. Los talleres de Triple P ofrecen consejos prácticos y estrategias para manejar las preguntas y desafíos de crianza específicas. Asista a este taller crianza virtual gratis con sus hijos para aprenda cómo proveer actividades seguras e interesantes que ayudan a fomentar el aprendizaje, desarrollo y bienestar de los niños, reciba consejos y comparta ideas para actividades interesantes para hacer dentro de la casa y afuera para niños de todas las edades. ¡Participe en una búsqueda de tesoros dentro de la casa! Presentado en inglés con interpretación en español por Zoom por: Cori Burt, Puentes de la Comunidad – La Montaña Recursos Comunitarios. Inscríbase para conseguir la información para participar en este taller por Zoom: bit.ly/Scavenger-Hunt-Jan25. ¡En enero celebramos el Mes de la Crianza Positiva! Asista a clases de Triple P en enero para recibir una bolsa de regalo y su nombre también será incluido en una rifa. ¡Más clases = más oportunidades para ganar premios! Monday, Jan. 25, 2pm.
VIRTUAL PARENTING SEMINAR: THE POWER OF POSITIVE PARENTING January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month! This seminar is the first in a series of three for families with children 2-12 years old. These Triple P Seminars are free and open to all families in Santa Cruz County. The Power of Positive Parenting provides an introduction to the Triple P program. Seminar participants will learn key principles and strategies to create safe, interesting environments for children, provide positive learning environments for children, use assertive discipline and more. Presented in English on Zoom by Dr. Heather Thomsen, PhD. To register: bit.ly/Positive-Parenting-Jan24. Got questions? Contact First 5 at 831-465-2217. Sunday, Jan. 24, 1-3pm.
GROUPS
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS All our OA meetings have switched to being online. Please call 831-429-7906 for meeting information. Do you have a problem with food? Drop into a free, friendly Overeaters Anonymous 12-Step meeting. All are welcome! Sunday, Jan. 24, 9:05-10:15am.
COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT FORUM Complementary Treatment Forum is an educational group, a safe place to learn, for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every fourth Saturday, currently on Zoom. Registration required: Call WomenCARE at 831-457-2273. Saturday, Jan. 23, 10:30am-12:30pm.
ENTRE NOSOTRAS GRUPO DE APOYO Entre Nosotras support group for Spanish-speaking women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets twice monthly. Registration required: Call Entre Nosotras at 831-761-3973. Friday, Jan. 22, 6pm.
WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM Cancer support group for women with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday at 12:30pm via Zoom. All services are free. Registration required. Contact WomenCARE at 831-457-2273 or online at womencaresantacruz.org. Monday, Jan. 25, 12:30pm.
WOMENCARE TUESDAY SUPPORT GROUP WomenCARE Tuesday Cancer support group for women newly diagnosed and through their treatment. Meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm via Zoom. Registration required by contacting 831-457-2273. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 12:30-2pm.
WOMENCARE: LAUGHTER YOGA Laughter yoga for women with a cancer diagnosis. Meets every Wednesday at 3:30 via Zoom. Registration required by contacting 831-457-2273. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 3:30-4:30pm.
OUTDOOR
COMMUNITY PERMACULTURE CALLS WINTER 2021 Practice permaculture each week at our ‘village campfire’ of ongoing interactive group calls. Hosted by experienced permaculture mentors including Santa Cruz Permaculture founder David Shaw, Lydia Neilsen of Rehydrate the Earth, and John Valenzuela of Cornucopia Food Forests. The goal of this program is to create thriving and resilient individuals and communities by supporting people to connect with nature, community, and themselves more deeply through permaculture. Each call includes a keynote talk on a relevant and seasonal topic. This is followed by a small group conversation for reflection, and a whole group conversation and Q&A. We close the calls with invitations for how you can apply what you’ve learned in your home and community. The next call begins with a check-in about how you applied what you learned. Learn more about and register for the 10-week call series at santacruzpermaculture.com/communitypermaculture. $25 per call/$250 for the series. The series begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, and runs for 10 weeks.
INTRO TO EBIKES VIRTUAL WORKSHOP Are you curious about making your transportation trips easier? Want to learn more about how eBikes can help conquer your commute, saving you both time and money? Maybe you’ve thought about biking to work, but you’re concerned about hills, distance, or the extra time it will take you. Perhaps you’d love to ride, but you are a busy parent with kids to transport and errands to run. Ecology Action staff will provide an overview introduction of eBikes. Topics will include frequently asked questions, different eBike technologies, cost, environmental benefits, and investigate if eBikes can really replace cars. Register today for this free event: bit.ly/2MJjkDO. Free bike lights and helmets for all attendees. Note: You must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz. Thursday, Jan. 21, noon-1pm.