We all live busy lives, caring for our children, spouses, extended family, managing the household chores, working to cover the necessities and perhaps a little more, managing family finances and health, being a good neighbor, volunteering at school, and all too often over-scheduling ourselves.

The mere thought of doing one more activity can send us into "no" mode. And then we hear the story of a little 7 year old boy who has been spending his spare time over the last few months doing chores in his neighborhood so he could give money to a toys for children program. (He's up to $300 so far.)  Imagine how good it feels to give and to experience an expansion of the heart --that's the bonus.  Guiding our children to give is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.  We have a few ideas for sharing whether it's time, funds or both!

A great way of giving is to shop for goods and services in our local communities.  When we buy locally the money circulates locally and has a beneficial, multiple, economic effect on local governmental coffers which results in a financially healthy community that can provide the public services we need.  Think local, shop local!

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukka events are just around the corner.  Check the calendar frequently for new entries.  Click here for Thanksgiving Weekend Camps.

Enjoy choosing ways to give and have fun choosing what to do this weekend! Parmalee.

It's time again to start thinking about being part of the 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes.  This fall and throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross is collecting and distributing holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.

All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make to protect our freedoms The Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards. Please send all mail to:

Holiday Mail For Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Sending a "touch of home" to American men and women who serve our country is the perfect way to express your appreciation and support during the holiday season.

Card Guidelines:
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

* All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
* Ensure that all cards are signed.
* Use generic salutations such as "Dear Service Member." Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
* Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
* Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
* Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
* We encourage participants to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending.  Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.
* Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery.

Braving wind, cold weather and at times rain, AP Biology students from Mount Madonna School (MMS) met researchers at Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing last Friday to help count birds, including Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, White-tailed Kites, Blue Herons, and godwits.

The Elkhorn Slough Research Foundation sends a crew of local field biologists out twice a year to count and record the migratory and permanent shorebird populations who inhabit and nest at the slough. The students, working one-on-one with A. Todd Newberry, professor of Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, collected real-time data to contribute to the study. The study is very important in determining the health of the different bird populations who call the slough home, explains MMS science teacher Lisa Catterall.

"Some of the birds are on their way from Canada to Mexico, and the slough is a critical stopping-off point on the journey," says Catterall. "Without data to support what population numbers are healthy, scientists would not be able to determine whether a given type of bird is threatened or in trouble from environmental pressures."

Elkhorn Slough is a critical wetland resource for the land surrounding Watsonville. It helps filter runoff pollutants before they reach the sea, and it supports a wealth of diverse animal life. The tides that run up the slough and the mixing of salt and fresh-water in the estuary environment create homes for unique animals and birds.

Photos by Kabir Ahluwalia, Mount Madonna student

These are only a few organizations that depend on us for time, funds or both.  Visit their websites to learn what is needed. 

Elkhorn Slough elkhornslough.org

Jacob's Heart Adopt A Family jacobsheart.org

Museum of Art & History santacruzmah.org

Santa Cruz Volunteer Center Adopt A Family scvolunteercenter.org

Marine Toys for Tots: A complete list of drop off locations can be viewed at santacruzcounty.toysfortots.org, Contact dvaladez831@gmail..orcom

Valley Churches United Missions  vcum.org

Second Harvest Food Bank thefoodbank.org/

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks  thatsmypark.org/

Want to be included?  List your organization with us!

I know that this is an experience common to many parents, though we parents of "quirky" kids experience it more often.

I was sitting and watching my daughter's soccer game with dismay. This is a girl who has great skills in practice, who simply falls apart on the field. Or rather, she becomes hypnotized. That day, she had pulled up a handful of grass and was fingering it, watching it fall from her hands, as the ball and 7 charging girls whizzed by her. She didn't even notice.

This is the same girl who can get in the 99th percentile on a math test, but can't sit through a math class. It's so frustrating to see unfulfilled potential. Even more frustrating to know that there's no worn path I can follow to help her approach her potential.

As I sat watching the game, a man came by....   continued>>>>

I know that busy, working parents have no time to search the web for freebies and other special offers, so I'm going to start posting some periodically.

But I'm going to be selective and only post ones that are high value and quick and easy to sign up for- I know you don't have time to fill out surveys, fill out multiple forms, create user accounts, etc.

Here's the first one: Easy Gluten-Free Recipes from Around the World. As you'll see when you click on the link, you'll need to provide your name and address to sign up for her newsletter, click on a confirming email, and then you'll be able to download the book for free.

Also.... Career Advice, Win $2,000 and The Money Saving Mom's Budget  continued>>>>

Below is only a partial list

of upcoming events and activities.

Click on our EVENT CALENDAR for more!

Submit your event!