We've been hearing a lot about mountain lions in our area and folks are learning how to co-exist with them.  The Big Cat Show last Sunday was fascinating and very instructive.  If you were caught up in football and missed it, read Suki's blog.

Two critter stories intrigued me this week, one about a skunk and the other about a pink flamingo.

I've been collecting skunk stories all my life.  Having a sweet dog Katie, who "sees skunk, loses brain", has contributed considerably to my repertoire, but the story about the brave woman who rescued a skunk from the netting of a backyard sports cage and took three sprays while doing so impressed me.

I'm a sucker for birds, always have been, so when the sighting of a pink flamingo in Elkhorn Slough was reported I smiled!  If the possibility of seeing him/her consorting with the local fowl and enjoying tasty crustaceans gets families out to the Slough, more power to this glamorous pink visitor. Elkhorn Slough is a treasure.  You can walk around or kayak in.  Learn more here.

Take the family for a hike in Big Basin State Park with docent Bill Rhoades on a fun Valentine's Day walk. On this easy, 1.5-hour walk you'll discover love in the wild and how plants and animals attract each other.  Here's a link to all the park events.

Enjoy the outdoors.  It's a mellowing experience!

                                                                                    Parmalee

When I heard that there was a wild cat show at the Rio Theater, I thought about how much I love cats, I thought about how busy we were, and I thought about how there was some incident...

Then the publisher of Santa Cruz Parent asked me if I wanted tickets.

Wild cat adventure

What can I say? I love cats. I love my three heat-seeking love units (i.e. domesticated cats). I love to see big ones from a distance and imagine touching their beautiful coats. But I'm also a wimp, and thus did not become a big cat handler. I'm a big cat handler wanna-be.

So the Wild Cat Adventure is just about perfect for me. Sure, I still wanted to stroke their coats, but seeing them up close was almost as good. Let me tell you: these cats are gorgeous. And they aren't stressed out in a zoo, pacing around in their cages, lolling around like they're drugged or just checked out. These cats are engaged, and so are their presenters. It's quite a show....>>>>>

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

A meows, A bow-wows

A says only MOO

But say mine today

I'll never of U.

Be my