Summer is just beginning, and the weather is cooperating! Hopefully for those out of school, you are taking advantage of all the fun activities that will be going on for the next couple of months.  For nearby parks and beaches, go here.

Family getaways needn't be long, but getting away, for even just a few hours drive, may be the perfect answer for you! How about a weekend camping and hunting abalone with a skilled adventurer!? Check out Dennis and Ginny Judson's Stillwater Cove Weekend. 

Jobs for teens may be scarce this summer.  Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience while giving to the community.  Start at the Volunteer Center of Monterey County. Often the libraries welcome volunteers plus their summer reading programs are great!

Another approach is to send them to Camp Millionaire for their two day tween or teen camps.  While we might know how to handle money and be able to teach them, we all know how effective a third party is working with tweens and teens.  Then watch them approach the summer with a different attitude.

My idea of summer? Mix and match work, a book, boogey board and beach chair --at the beach!

Parmalee

This Sunday is Father's Day and a time to celebrate dads, grandfathers, uncles or that special male role model in your child's life.

Have you made Father's Day plans yet? If you are looking for ideas, consider:

• Planning a family hike in the beautiful hills surrounding Santa Cruz
• Packing a picnic lunch or dinner with his favorite beach foods and heading to the beach
• Going for a family bike ride on Westcliff ending at Seymour for their Dad's Day
• Treating dad to an indulgent meal at his favorite restaurant
• Sending him golfing or mountain biking for the day - you make all the arrangements and send him on his way (maybe you could team up with another family and have another dad join him)
• Checking the movie releases and heading to a family friendly movie for the afternoon
  

Dad Facts:

• Many child development experts believe the influence of a father on his children is most critical from the ages of 6 to 14
• In families where the mother works outside of the home, 14% of fathers are full-time stay-at-home dads
• Nearly a quarter of all married dads have three or more children living at home
• One in five single parents with primary custody is a dad
• 11% of Dads are stepdads, living full-time with their spouse's children
• Two-thirds of children under the age of six eat dinner with their dads every day
• One in twelve men serving in the US Army are dads
• 38% of working dads say they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their kids

Do you know of a mom or dad making a difference in our community? It need not be YOUR mom or dad; just a Santa Cruz mom or dad that impresses you. Please tell us, so we can give them the opportunity to be featured on our site! >>

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding yet challenging jobs you can have. No one is born being a natural mom or dad; these skills are learned. Here are some tips to help you be the best father you can be for your kids:

* Start Early, Never Stop - Begin your relationship with your son or daughter at birth. It is never too early to talk, tickle, caress, kiss, and play with your child - the sooner, the better. Equally important, don't stop! Showing affection, asking questions, sharing your world, and getting to know your baby - these are the building blocks to a strong relationship.
* Realize That No One Is a Natural - No one is born a dad or mom. Your responsibility is to make the time and commit the energy to learn the skills you will need to be a caring, compassionate, and competent dad. The learning never ends and kids are great teachers!
* Respect Your Children's Mother - One of the best things a father can do for his children is to respect their mother. If you are married, keep your marriage strong and vital. If you're not married, it is still important to respect and support the mother of your children. A father and mother who respect each other, and let their children know it, provide a secure environment for them. When children see their parents respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected.
* Spend Time with Your Children - How a father spends his time tells his children what's important to him. If you always seem to busy for your children, they will feel neglected no matter what you say. Treasuring children often means sacrificing other things, but it is essential to spend time with your children. Kids grow up so quickly. Missed opportunities are forever lost.
* Earn the Right to Be Heard - All too often the only time a father speaks to his children is when they have done something wrong. That's why so many children cringe when their mother says, "Your father wants to talk with you." Begin talking with your kids when they are very young so that difficult subjects will be easier to handle as they get older. Take time and listen to their ideas and problems.

Read more >>>>>

The most important thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Theodore M. Hesburgh

My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. Clarence B. Kelland

When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry. Jewish Proverb

My father always used to say that when you die, if you've got five real friends, then you've had a great life. Lee Iacocca

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."  Harmon Killebrew

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.

TWO FREE SHOWS EACH FRIDAY! 6:30pm and 8:30pm on the Beach Bandstand!

This legendary sixties pop band is guaranteed to get you on your feet singing along to classic hits like "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter," and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am." Twice named Cashbox's Entertainer of the year, they have had fourteen of their singles and seven albums go Gold.

June 18 Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone

June 25 BLUE OYSTER CULT "(Don't Fear) the Reaper"
July 2 NAKED EYES "Always Something There to Remind Me"
July 9 SANTANA original lead singer GREGG ROLIE "Black Magic Woman"
July 16 LOVERBOY "Working for the Weekend"
July 23 IDES OF MARCH featuring JIM PETERIK "Vehicle"
July 30 EDDIE MONEY "Take Me Home Tonight"
Aug 6 A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS "I Ran (So Far Away)"
Aug 13 SPIN DOCTORS "Two Princes"
Aug 20 PAPA DOO RUN RUN "Santa Cruz" BEACH PARTY
Aug 27 STARSHIP starring MICKEY THOMAS "We Built This City"
Sept 3 THE TUBES featuring Fee Waybill "She's a Beauty"

This volunteer position and others can be found at United Way Volunteer.

This summer at the Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army we are preparing and planning for a World Changing Summer Day Camp! Each week, we will focus on being a world changer in various aspects of our lives and spheres of influence, starting with ourselves, then our families, our community, our country, and our world. The last week of summer before school starts again, we will focus on being world changers in our schools.

We are looking for volunteers who would like to be a part of this "World Changing" experience. The day camp will run six weeks (see dates below), Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Volunteer 3 hours, 15 hours, or 4o hours a week - your preference!* Come join our team this summer and participate in fun activities like arts and crafts, field trips, games, chapel, service projects, hear special guests, and many other brain stimulating happenings.

Contact Lucy Martinez at 831-899-1335 ext 1718 or Franny Huck at 1710 to sign up to volunteer today!

Summer Day Camp~6 Weeks of Fun Learning!
Week 1 - June 7-11 - You: Be the change you want to see!
Week 2 - June 14-18 - Your Family: All about Dads!
Week 3 - June 21-15 - Your Community: Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
Week 4 - June 28-July 2 - Your Country: America the Beautiful!
Closed July 5-23
Week 5 - July 26-30 - Your World: Be a World Changer!
Week 6 - August 2-6 - Your School: Be a World Changer in Your School!

* Good opportunity for college and high school students looking for community service hours or an internship!