Locals Talk

Santa Cruz Public Library FREEDOM TO READ JPAB Policy #308 Adopted: 6/1953 Revised: 8/2022 Five-year Review Schedule: 8/2027 The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously [...]

by Irene Irene van der Zande Executive Director and Founder, KidPower International A couple of months ago, I was truly astonished when I opened my email. A message from free-lance […]

Nicole M. Young, MSW For some kids, the new school year is an exciting time — seeing old friends, making new ones, showing off cool clothes, joining sports or clubs, […]

Greetings! How can I protect my child from school shootings? As so many parents, educators, and caring adults are struggling with this heartbreaking question, Kidpower led a special free online [...]

by Irene van der Sande, Executive Director and Founder of KidPower In October 1999, a few months after the tragic school shooting at Columbine High School, a six-year-old asked me […]

Fighting for Housing in America Conor Dougherty, author of Golden Gates, in conversation with Jonathan Franzen The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL), in partnership with the Homeless Garden [...]

Incredible Sadness – and the Powers We DO Have! by Irene van der Zande, Kidpower Founder and Executive Director Like countless others, I feel incredibly sad about the suffering and […]

Little Free Pantries Little free pantries are growing in numbers in Santa Cruz County. Share or take! This list was compiled by an Aptos neighbor. Thank you Diana! PANTRIES ONLY […]

“We’re Having a Fair”! Santa Cruz County Fair Set to Run September 15-19, 2021 “We intend to gather in person and put on a full and joyous celebration of community” […]

Do you have an up-and-coming cyclist in your life? Take them to a local pumptrack and boost their skills! by Katy Poniatowski and Jack Haight, Santa Cruz Trails A pumptrack […]