This warm winter is certainly conducive to getting out into nature. I keep a tide chart handy so I can take Katie to the beach during low tides.  Seaglass is scarce this year.  Perhaps we beachgoers are leaving more of the green, white and brown bottles home.  Guided hikes at state parks are a great way to make first excursions on trails, which vary from easy to rigorous. 

There are many parenting workshops and school events this January.  What a great way to start the year.  Are you in the mood for family dancing?  It takes eight people to form a square dancing group.  That could be two families with two children each or.... How about free square dancing lessons with the Lucky Steppers or contra dancing in Felton, or line dancing or English Country dancing, perhaps a little Salsa?

For science buffs AND especially the rest of us, Dr. Bill Wattenberg, practical, knowledgable, sometimes gruff, always entertaining, California-grown, UC Berkely educated scientist and inventor, now can be heard locally. I listen to him because he has a unique ability to explain complex scientific concepts, making them easier to understand. I especially like that he welcomes calls from young students with questions. He is a professor who also has his feet planted in the business world. See his website to learn about his many practical inventions.  He donates the income from his inventions to the university that gave scholarships to him as a young student. And I like that he doesn't care what your politics are; he pokes holes in any policy that is harmful to "we the people". 

He has millions of followers and now we have much better access to his show, noon to 2pm Monday through Wednesday, on our local station, 1080AM. Listen and call him! 

To an interesting year, Parmalee                                         

You've seen it in the news. It's true. The cost of education is expanding faster than the demand for education. For parents of children qualified for college this can be intimidating!

Last week we introduced the opportunity to take an online  course on the US Constitution 101.   I'm excited about taking it.  It's part of a growing trend --courses online.  "Back then" I'm certain one of my history professors presented the marvel of the US Constitution but I pose that it's a rare teen or 20 something student who really gets the significance of citizens wresting power from individual kings.   A reader emailed me that she is going to take the course with the goal of transforming the information into language understandable to her younger children.  She wants them to understand fundamental concepts of freedom unique to the United States.

Some of us are continuously amazed with the power and influence of the internet and  its attendant technology. The younger among us grew up in the information age. This phenomenal communication and learning tool has changed and is changing the world. The internet has turned many business models upside down and is quietly, steadily doing this to the education industry! Monday I listened to Mark Carbonaro interview Lewis Alvarado about the future of education vs a vs the internet.  It was so gripping I had to pull over to take notes.

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is preparing to offer ALL its courses online, FREE, the very same courses that resident students take for $55,270 per year. When you complete an online course you will receive a Certificate of Completion from MIT (You cannot receive a degree --that is still reserved for resident students.).

Just think of the implications. This expands opportunities for all. Whether you are in it for the joy of learning or to increase skills so you can gain employment, the information will be there for you.  If you cannot afford the tuition of an esteemed institution such as MIT or if the college you are attending does not offer a course you need/want, or if you need to work to support yourself, you will be able to access learning anywhere, anytime.   Armed with the same knowledge as someone with a degree, what are the possibilities? If you still want to experience the world of dorms and a four year institution you can. There is such an expanding demand for knowledge that it is predicted that institutions will suffer no financial loss from this revolution, although it might  be wise to pause new building construction.

In the tradition of Open Source Software (free and continuously contributed to by geeks) MIT is establishing free "Open Course Ware", a common software framework for presenting online courses.   This software is available to any institution that wishes to share its courses free to anyone..

Click here to link to the MIT release article.

Free Workshop January 12

Join us for an evening of true lifelong learning; understanding your children and your students.  We have a special evening with a guest speaker from the International Dyslexia Association. Nancy Redding, M.Ed. Learning Specialist.

What is it really like to have dyslexia and related learning disabilities, such as dysgraphia? Recently updated by the Northern California Branch of International Dyslexia Society, Experience Dyslexia is a hands-on simulation that provides a lively, thought provoking activity for parents, teachers, or anyone interested in better understanding the lives of individuals with learning challenges, including dyslexia. This simulation is meant to help the participants understand how individuals might feel who have difficulties with reading, writing or listening skills, whether they have been officially diagnosed or not.

Themes addressed include: Definition, Families and Informed Parenting, Handwriting/Dysgraphia, Social-emotional, Training the Trainers and Teachers and Professors.

Details!

Viva suggests two free (download to computer) ebooks: Naturally Skinny: 100 Organic Recipes Under 350 Calories and  Organize for a Fresh Start.

Menu Plan: One January week
Once again I was knocked off track from menu planning- this time I blame end-of-year festivities and post-holiday clean-up. I know I shouldn't make excuses, but those kinds of activities can eat up time like nobody's business. Here we are, 1 week into January, and I'm just now planning January's meal plan. Well, late is better than never, so here's this week's plan for dinners...continued

Ingredients
6 cups grains, e.g. rolled oats, ground flax seeds
1 cup wheat germ, oat bran, seeds (we like pepitas)
1 tsp. each or to taste, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom
1-2 cups mixed raw nuts

Mix that all together then add
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup (or to taste) maple syrup or half syrup, half brown sugar

Mix together then spread evenly on a large cookie sheet. Put in preheated 300 degree oven, on convection if possible. Every 15 minutes, stir it around to shift the grains. When it starts to feel dry (this may take up to 45 minutes), take it out of the oven and stir it well. Put it in an airtight container when cool.

Note: You can use honey instead of the syrup, but keep a closer watch because it browns more quickly.

A few more of Suki's favorites

Below is only a partial list

of upcoming events and activities.

Click on our EVENT CALENDAR for more!

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Come to Santa Cruz and visit the kingdom of Fungi! Learn about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of local fungi on display in a re-created woodland habitat.

This unique Santa Cruz tradition features three days of fantastic fun with fungus for the whole family. The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair features a special room full of hands-on activities for the kids, including a fungus exploration area, clay mushroom building, face paints, and more!

 Come join us in a celebration of Mushrooms!

Friday Jan. 13,  3 - 7pm ~ Saturday January 14 and Sunday January 15, 10am - 5pm ~ Details