Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san jose, CA

What I Love About the Circus (And a Giveaway!)

by bonggamom

July 28, 2009

The circus is coming, the circus is coming!  What sweeter sound is there to a child's ears?  From Dumbo the Elephant to Olivia Saves the Circus to Dr. Seuss's If I Ran the Circus, the big top has held a special fascination for young children.  And it's no wonder:  what they see at a circus defies reality and lets their imagination soar as high as the flying trapeeze artists.  When they see elephants balance on balls, or scary tigers cuddle up to humans, or people walk on tightropes, they begin to feel like anything is possible.   Here are my favorite things about the circus:

1) Elephants:  I grew up watching Dumbo, and the first thing that I think of when you say the word circus is elephants.  There's something about those sweet, doe-eyed giants that warms countless hearts, young and old.

2) Clowns: A bunch of grownups with their pants falling down, tripping over this and that, squirting each other with water, throwing pie in one another's faces -- in short, acting like children.  What child wouldn't want to see that?

3) Cotton candy:  Pink, sweet, fluffy, spun from sugar and dreams, as magical as the circus itself.... if there ever was a time to let go a little, stop worrying about the next visit to the dentist and grab a stick of cotton candy, it would be during a visit to the circus.  Your child's teeth won't thank you for it, but he will.

4) Motorcycles:  Those motorcycles roaring up, over and around a big, round steel cage are loud and fast and guaranteed to make every little boy's eyes grow wide.

5) Acrobats:  Most children have spines like rubber (and bounce around like rubber balls), but even your little human pretzels will be impressed by contortionists and acrobats who flip and fold, tumble and turn in every way imaginable.  Make sure you have an extra supply of pillows around your couch the day after your little one watches them perform!

Lucky for us, in a couple of weeks the circus is coming to town, so we'll get to see all that and more.  The all-new Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus show, Zing Zang Zoom, will be playing at San Jose and Oakland!  With disappearing elephants, levitating audience members, and a circus turned literally upside down, Zin Zang Zoom merges fun magic with traditional circus acts in a circus spectacular that will remind children of all ages that the Greatest Show on Earth still lives on.

Zing Zang Zoom will be playing at Oakland's ORACLE Arena on the following dates:
August 12th:  7:30pm
August 13th:  7:30pm
August 14th:  7:30pm
August 15th: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm
Aubust 16th:  1:00pm, 5:00pm


.... and at San Jose's HP Pavilion on the following dates:
August 19th:  7:30pm
August 20th:  7:30pm
August 21st:  7:30pm
August 22nd: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm
August 23rd: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm

So..... what do you love about the circus?  Tell us all about it and you could win tickets to the circus!  One lucky Being Savvy reader will receive a 4-pack of tickets to the Oakland show on opening night, August 12th at 7:30pm.  To enter, simply leave a comment on this post, telling what you or your child loves most about the circus.  For extra entries, you can do any of the following:

1) Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet.  Here is a tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a ticket to the circus when it opens in Oakland on Aug. 12!  Join our giveaway at @savvySV  www.savvysource.com


2)  Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  Leave a separate comment here with a link to your blog post.

3) Email a friend about the upcoming Ringling Bros. circus!  You must send it to an email address that is not your own, and cc bonggamom@yahoo.com.  You must also include the link to www.ringling.com  and the upcoming show dates.  Please leave a separate comment on this post saying you did this.  You may email up to 3 people, for a maximum of 3 extra entries!

Giveaway ends at midnight PST on August 5, 2009.  I will pick a winner at random and announce the winner's name on August 6.  Please leave a valid email address so I can contact you; you will have 48 hours to respond before I pick an alternate winner.  Good luck!  

Can't wait to see if you're the lucky winner?  Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com and entering the coupon code:  MOM (Not valid on VIP, Front Row and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers).  This coupon code is valid in select markets across the country; click here to see whether your city qualifies.

Weekend Outlook, July 24th-26th

by bonggamom

July 23, 2009

This weekend, wanderlust has overtaken me and by the time you read this, I'll be partying in Chicago with a bunch of other mommybloggers, daddybloggers, and bloggers in general at the BlogHer '09 conference.  If you want a weekend away but aren't quite ready to jump on a plane and join me, there are still lots of fun things to do this weekend, with or without the family, just a hop-skip-and-a-drive away from Silicon Valley.  Happy travels!

1)  Napa
Is it time for a romantic summer getaway?  Napa Valley is less than two hours away, and the seven day Festival del Solle, culminating this weekend, is the perfect excuse to find a babysitter.  The Festival features concerts by some of the world’s most celebrated classical musical artists, five-star cuisine, art exhibits, and wines from Napa’s top vintners.  

2) Oakland
Kites of all shapes and sizes will fill the air at the Berkeley Kite Festival, held on July 25th & 26th 2009, 11:00AM - 5:00PM at the Cesar Chavez Park in the Berkeley Marina.  From the kite flying competitions, to the Giant Creature Kites as big as houses, to the free Kite Making and Candy Drop for kids, this free event promises to be fun for kids of all ages.

3)  Felton
Choo! Choo!  Thomas the Tank is back on the track at Felton's Roaring Camp Railroad.  Young fans will meet Sir Topham Hatt, listen to stories, dance to music, play with Lego DUPLO bricks, do arts and crafts, and best of all, take a 25-minute ride with a full sized Thomas the Tank Engine.   Day Out With Thomas trips start July 24 and continue through early August.

4)  Gilroy
Gilroy Garlic Festival
There's a smell in the air around Gilroy, and it ain't roses; the world-famous Gilroy Garlic Festival happens this weekend, July 24-26.  This fun festival honoring the odoriffic bulb features Iron Chef-style cookoffs, culinary demos, exhibitions, a Miss Gilroy Garlic pageant, and of course, garlic products of every kind, from ice cream to art.

5)  Sonoma
In my absence, my husband is taking the kids for some rip-roaring fun and fast-car action at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.  This weekend, they'll be watching the fastest-accelerating vehicles on the planet race on a quarter-mile drag strip during the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in 2008.   They'll be sharing the weekend with some Funny Cars, Pro Stock Cars and Pro Stock Motorcycles -- a must-see for any little racecar lover. Just don't forget the earplugs, and check out my other tips for taking children to the races!
 Read more...

Summer Concerts

by bonggamom

July 21, 2009

One of the best things about summer are the long, long days, making it easy for the whole family to take a walk or kick around a few balls in the back yard after dinner.   With such nice, warm, sunny evenings, it's no wonder that outdoor summer concerts are such a popular family activity. If you haven't already taken your family to a summer concert, now's the time to try.  Pack a picnic dinner, grab a blanket and sweater, and enjoy one of the many outdoor summer concerts around Silicon Valley. There's one for every night of the week!

Monday evenings
Jazz Mondays on Main Street, Redwood City

Tuesday evenings
Campbell Summer Concert Series 
Milpitas Summer Concert Series
Twilight Concert Series, Palo Alto

Wednesday evenings
Menlo Park Summer Concert Series
Jazz on the Plazz, Los Gatos
Summer Music and Market, Sunnyvale

Thursday evenings
Mountain View Summer Concert Series
Metro Music in the Park, San Jose
Sounds of the Row, Santana Row
Movies on the Square, Redwood City

Friday evenings
Music on the Square, Redwood City
Rockin on the Patio, AJ Stumps San Jose
Friday Movie Nights, Los Altos

Saturday evenings
Vasona Vibrations Outdoor Music Series
Jazz and Beyond, Sunnyvale
Summer Family Movie Nights, San Jose

Sunday evenings
Music in the Park, Los Gatos

Does your city have a summer concert series not mentioned here?  Please email me at bonggamom@yahoo.com; I'd love to add it to the list!

Weekend Outlook, July 17th-19th

by bonggamom

July 16, 2009

There's nothing like traveling during the summer, but even if a trip isn't in your plans this weekend, we've got some festivals that are, uh, out of this world:

1)  Egyptian Epagomenal Festival 
Travel back in time to ancient Egypt as the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum hosts its annual Egyptian Epagomenal Festival, celebrating the birth of the gods and goddesses Osiris, Isis and Horus.   The festival features tomb tours, fun workshos, children's activities, special lectures and more.  Come and sing Happy Birthday to the gods from 11am - 6pm on July 18 and 19!

2)  Moon Fest 2009 
This weekend, the NASA Ames Research center celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon, and the recent launch of hte LCROSS mission in our return to the moon.   Moonfest 2009, a free event, has fun activities for kids in preschool through middle school. These educational activities will teach children about the history and geology of our Moon as well as past, current, and future lunar exploration. From puzzles to coloring contests to boisterous quiz games, there is something for every age and personality. Get set to launch some serious family fun on July 19, noon-6pm.

 
3)  Star Party 
See the stars of summer with help from the San Jose Astronomical Association and their telescopes.  They're holding a free Public Star Party at Houge Park, on July 17, 9:30pm till midnight.  Leave your flashlights, bring warm clothing, and get ready to see the night sky up close!


But if you're too lazy to get on board that time machine or space rocket, we understand.  Hey, it's summer -- travel, stay in, do what you want!  Here a couple of weekend activities that are a bit closer to home:

4)  Menlo Park Connoisseur's Marketplace
Celebrate the best of summer at the Connoisseur's Marketplace in Menlo Park's downtown Santa Cruz Avenue.  The festival features live music, arts and crafts, home and garden exhibits, green living exhibits, kids' craft activities, and kids entertainment.  10am-6pm, July 18-19.

5)  Art on the Wharf
Enjoy artwork from dozens of artists and photographers and listen to live jazz music as you stroll along the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The kids will enjoy balloons, easel art and face painting, and other hands-on art activities.  Don't forget to pack the swimsuit and sunscreen; the beach is just a short drive away!  July 19, 9:30am-5:30pm.  Read more...

Around the World in a Single Weekend

by bonggamom

July 09, 2009

This weekend, Silicon Valley is showing once again what a diverse community it is, with several international festivals happening all on the same weekend.  Whether your tastes run to Europe, the Far East, or good old Northern California, there's a festival for you: 

1)  Experience east Indian and Bollywood culture as you enjoy music, dance, children's performers and hand-on children's activities at the Target Family Days event in Redwood City.  July 12, 11-am-3pm at courthouse square in Redwood City. 

2)  See more than 1,000 dancers in ceremonial kimonos and hapi coats at one of the last 3 Japan Towns in the country at the 75th annual San Jose Obon Festival.  Held on July 11 and 12, the event offers a rich cultural experience complete with traditional dance, drums and music carnival games and food.

3) Show your children that real men do wear skirts -- I mean, kilts -- at the 35th Annual Scottish Highland Games on July 11 and 12.  The sounds of bagpipes and drums will fill the air at Oakland's Dunsmuir Estate as festival goers enjoy Highland games, craft booths, vendors, food, whisky tasting, Mansion tours, a gathering of the clans, children’s activities, dancing demonstrations, pipe band competitions and  musical performances.

4)  Vive la France!  Celebrate Bastille Day all weekend at Santana Row in San Jose.  On Saturday night at 7pm, Opera San José will hold a free, first-ever concert featuring French arias and duets.  Revelers will enjoy petanque on the lawn as well as festive European-style circus performances.  And don't miss the French Poodles and their furry friends strut their stuff at the fourth annual Poodles on Parade, on Sunday afternoon.  And on Bastille Day itself, July 14th, drive up to Oakland's Habitot for a special Bastille Day celebration just for the little ones.

5)  Last but not least, here's one of those ever-popular summer Arts and Wine festivals that showcase the best of the region's food, drink and crafts.  The Los Altos Arts and Wine Festival happens on July 11-12 with a full schedule of musical entertainment, children's activities, an art fair, food, and of course, lots of arts and wine. 

Staying Up Late for Fireworks

by bonggamom

July 02, 2009

It's the 4th of July weekend, and no doubt you already have your Independence Day plans set up.  Whether you plan to fire up the barbecue, jump into the pool, or attend one of the many parades and festivals around Silicon Valley, your little ones are sure to have a great time.  And since the 4th falls on a Saturday this year, you might even consider letting your little ones stay up until it gets dark and the fireworks begin.  After all, they don't have to  wake up bright and early the next day to get to summer camp or daycare or summer school -- and neither do you.  So go ahead, stay up and let them experience the magic. 

You don't have to go far; just drive up and down Highway 101 at 9:30PM on Saturday night, and your little one will be treated to a bevy of fireworks from one city to the next (you, of course, will be keeping your eyes on the road, right?).  Or pick one from the list below, and get there early with your picnic blanket, chairs and sweatshirts:

1)  Foster City's fireworks begin at 9:30 pm, and can be viewed from Leo Ryan Park.  Note that tarps, personal fireworks and cigarettes will not be allowed at the event; also, SamTrans will not be giving free transportation to and from the viewing area this year, so be sure to bring bus fare or find a friend to ride with.

2)  We never miss Redwood City's fireworks display; they're the nearest to our house, and a real treat to watch.  The show starts at 9:30 p.m., but if you have hopes of viewing the display from the Port of Redwood City's waterfront, make sure you get there by 7:00pm (the police close the area off once all parking spots are taken).  However, the fireworks can still be seen from downtown Redwood City and high points all over the Peninsula west of Highway 101.

3)  The City of Santa Clara's fireworks display serves as the finale to their all-day, All City Picnic from 8:00am till 5:00pm.  The fireworks begin at 9:30pm after some evening entertainment at Santa Clara's Central Park.  Arrive early to get the best viewing spots!

4)  Get ready for a spectacular fireworks set to music at Mountain View's Shoreline Ampitheater!  Radio Disney Presents The 23rd Annual 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR with THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY "A Look To The Future" with music from 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Planets, Star Wars and a Star Trek retrospective special guest GEORGE TAKEI.  The concert begins at 5pm and ends at 10pm with fireworks. 

5)  Cupertino's fireworks display will start at 9:30pm at the Cupertino High campus.  Note, there will be no public access to the school. Handicap parking wpill be available at Creekside Park. Street closures 6pm - 12am: Finch Ave., Calle De Barcelona (between Miler Ave. and Finch Ave.), Tilson Ave. (between Finch Ave. and Tantau Ave.), Phil Lane (between Miller Ave. and Tantau Ave.), Stendhal Lane (between Shadygrove Dr. and Phil Ln.). After 6pm there will be NO pedestrian or vehicle access.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July weekend!

Christmas in June

by bonggamom

June 25, 2009

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It's hot, hot, hot, and the weekend is all set to be hotter still.  Families everywhere could sure use a nice, cold snowfall -- and this weekend, you can experience the next best thing.  Disney's A Christmas Carol Train is making a stop at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland this weekend.  From 9:00am - 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9:00am-4:00pm on Sunday, the train is making a cross-country tour to promote  Disney's A Christmas Carol, set to open in November 2009.  

Disney is certainly pulling out all the stops (including whistle stops) for this movie.  The fun will start for your little one as soon as you arrive at the train station, which will be decked out for the holidays with holiday decorations and snow.  Ahhh, the thought of a huge pile of snow in the summertime, like a gigantic snowcone, certainly inspires lots of merry thoughts.  And if that's not enough to get you into the holiday spirit, wait till you see and hear old-fashioned carolers (and thank your lucky stars that you're all wearing tank tops and shorts instead of those stuffy Victorian outfits).   And of course, your little train lovers will enjoy looking at the train itself --  four custom-designed vintage rail cars,  full of behind-the-scenes attractions, entertainimg demonstrations, and fun activities.  

The inside of the train promises to be just as interesting as the outside.  It will feature beautiful displays from the Charles Dickens Museum and from the movie itself (concept art, models, costumes, etc..) and interactive exhibits (don't miss the face-morphing booth).  At every station, they'll be setting up makeshift theaters to provide guests with some great movie viewing opportunities (a Behind-the-Scenes look at the making of the movie, as well as a 3D sneak peek of the movie itself).  

Check out the latest details about tour stops and scheduled events at www.christmascaroltraintour.com

Father's Day Weekend Outlook, June 19th-21st

by bonggamom

June 18, 2009

They say that the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.  If that's true, then it must be true that Dads are just big kids at heart.  So for the Father's Day edition of our Weekend Outlook, we're featuring some special Father's Day events that any Dad would love to be treated to -- because he can say he chose it because he loves his kids and wants them to enjoy the day, but really, secretly, he wants to go because he knows he's going to love it himself.

1) Nautical dads can sail down to Treasure Island for the Summer Sailstice Festival at Treasure Island on June 20.  If you don't have a boat, you can catch free sailboat rides, watch sailboat races and enjoy live music.  And even landlubbers will lubb, I mean love the Treasure Island Yacht Club's treasure hunt.  All kids, whether dressed in bathing suits or pirate garb, are welcome to grab a shovel and dig in the sand for coins and prizes.  Digging begins at 2:30PM on Saturday, June 20.

2) Airpilot dads will love the "Vertical Challenge" Helicopter Air Show at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos.  Visitors will see dozens of helicopters on display, witness first hand helicopter operations, watch hang glider and parachute demos, and (for a fee) enjoy a helicopter ride!  The fun starts at 9AM on Saturday, June 20.

3) Families of train-loving dads can take their Hats Off To Dad at the Roaring Railroad Camp on Sunday, June 21.  Special Father's Day steam train rides are scheduled with chuck wagon BBQ's and live country entertainment.  Each dad gets a train engineer's cap, and one lucky Dad per train trip will be selected to ride down the mountain in the engineer's cab.  Woo, wooooo!!

4) NASCAR dads (and Hotwheel sons) have plenty to be excited about, because the NASCAR Sprint Cup series is making its only 2009 Northern California stop at the Infineon Raceway on Father's Day Weekend!  The Toyota/Save Mart 350 and Bennet Lane Winery 200 series take place from June 19-21.  Expect lots of cool stuff at the vendor booths, live music, Q&A sessions, and of course, lots of racing!

Happy Father's Day!

Weekend Outlook, June 5th-7th

by bonggamom

June 04, 2009

This morning I glanced at my calendar and nearly fell off my chair:  we don't have any activities scheduled for this weekend.   Should we turn the television on while I catch up on laundry?  Horrors, no!  It's still a bit too chilly to head out to the pool, and it's too nice to keep the kids indoors, so I quickly rustled up several candidates for fun, one-of-a-kind, kid-friendly activities in the area.  Here's what I found: 

1)  New this year, the Mini Mermaid Run introduces girls ages 6-12 to the world of running and walking.  Held in conjuction with the Mermaid Triathlon on June 7 in Fremont, the Mini Mermaid Run will be safe, supportive and fun. 

2)  The City of Palo Alto is holding a Citywide Garage Sale this weekend, with a record number of participants for 2009.  Grab a sale map and give your child a couple of dollars, and watch her eyes light up as she hunts for bargains right alongside you.  If shopping isn't her thing, the city is also sponsoring a Kids Treasure Hunt -- find hidden clues all around town and get free frozen treats!

3)  Ready, Set, Roll!  The Palo Alto Elks Silicon Valley Soapbox Derby takes place on June 6, 2009.  Watch children and adults race gravity-powered cars down Dana Street in Mountain View.  It's a young car-lover's dream! And despite the festive atmosphere, this is a serious competitive event;  the winner in each division determines who gets to represent Silicon Valley in the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship.

4)  The City of Sunnyvale kicks off the summer season with their 35th Annual Sunnyvale Art and Wine Festival.  Held in downtown Sunnyvale on Murphy and Washington Avenues, the festival showcases over five hundred of the country's finest artists and craftspeople, including the best of the Bay Area's  wine makers and microbreweries.  Enjoy food, music, and activities for kids of all ages on June 6 and 7.

5)  Watch the pages of Sunset Magazine come to life! Sunset Magazine's 12th Annual Sunset Celebration Weekend is happening on June 6 and 7 at the Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park.  Willow Avenue west of Middlefield Avenue will be closed off to make room for the myriad of exhibitors and legions of home improvement fans.  Don't miss their gorgeous Sunset Modern Cottage and Sunset Outdoor Kitchen displays.  And don't worry -- this is not a don't-mess-up-my-home kind of event, it's very kid friendly, with lots of food, music and entertainment your child will enjoy.

Looks like that calendar's going to get filled up after all.

The Maker Faire Bay Area: Letting Imaginations Soar

by bonggamom

May 28, 2009

It's true:  children have the best imaginations.  To a preschooler, every day is an opportunity to learn, and any object can provide fodder for creativity.  A cardboard box can be a castle or a computer, and a strip of paper taped to the end is all the power cord they need.  Sometimes my children show me their latest creations and look at me with pity when I struggle to identify them ("it's a space ninja transporter, of course!").  This weekend it's time to show my children that even big boys love playing with toys, and people of any age can imagine and create.

The 6th Annual Maker Faire Bay Area returns to the San Mateo Event Center this weekend, May 30-31.  It's one of the most creative, stimulating, flat-out fun family events around.  It's the world's largest DIY festival, features anything and everything that people make themselves -- from robotics to mechanical contraptions to recycled art to old-fashioned, homemade, traditional arts and crafts -- and celebrates individual creativity, grassroots innovation and the "Yes We Can" attitude. 

The Maker Faire is billed as "A two-day, family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, CRAFT, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology".  But to fully understand why children will enjoy this event, I'd rather borrow a quote from a friend and Maker Faire devotee:  "Stuff gets smelted, explodes, bikes get decorated, obsessive people show what odd things they make in their basements, wonderful art people have booths where kids can make magical stuff from trash, there is an entire building devoted to robots and lego robot stuff, there are rocket competitions, and so forth. Seriously. Dream City."  

Although you're going to see a lot of electronics, computers and solar-powered trash compactors, there are more than enough funky-looking cars and bikes and robots to hold your child's interest.  And there is no shortage of gizmos and gadgets aimed at the younger set.  How about a life-sized Mousetrap game, LEGO displays, and a cupcake car?  With all that's going on at the Maker Faire this weekend, I simply must find the time to drop by.  And truth be told, "drop by" would be a slightly optimistic term, since I'm sure once my kids catch a glimpse of the giant vertical marble maze, they won't want to leave.

Weekend Outlook, May 22nd - 25th

by bonggamom

May 21, 2009

Well hello there, Savvy readers.  I'm certainly feeling festive today, so for this edition of the Weekend Outlook, I'm going to focus on festivals, festivals and more festivals.  Maybe it's because the sun is shining.  Maybe it's because there are only a few more weeks till summer vacation starts.  Maybe it's because we have a 3-day weekend coming up.  Or maybe because it's my birthday tomorrow.  There are plenty of reasons to celebrate, and plenty of events to do all that celebrating: 

1)  Get ready for a colorful, spectacular festival in San Francisco's Mission District.  SF Carnaval is happening this weekend, and you know what that means:  glittery costumes, lively music, killer samba, and lots of fun!

2)  Did you know that May is Asian Pacific Islander Month?  To celebrate, the Bay Area Discovery Museum is holding its 15th Annual Asian Pacific Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 23, with free admission to the museum and all events.  Families can experience and enjoy the traditions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities through performances, food and the arts.

3)  Morgan Hill celebrates their annual Mushroom Mardi Gras festival with food, music, entertainment, a fun run, and of course, yummy mushrooms!  It's all happening on May 23 and 24 in downtown Morgan Hill.

Hope you have a great Memorial Weekend!

Weekend Outlook, May 15th - May 17th -- Let the Festivals Begin

by bonggamom

May 14, 2009

They say it's going to be a scorcher of a weekend in Silicon Valley.  I'm not looking forward to the high temperatures, but the good news is that the long, lazy summer is almost here -- and  with the heat comes all the fun summer festivals!  The summer festival season kicks off this weekend in cities all over the Bay Area.  Here's a roundup of some family favorites:

1)  Downtown Campbell is hot, hot, hot!  Their Boogie on the Bayou festival (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17) will showcase Cajun and New Orleans style cuisine, and they've got some spicy music playing, including Cajun, Blues, Calypso and Jazz.  Kiddos will love the kids' craft area and grownups can stroll through the Arts and Crafts booths. 

2)  Mountain View's 13th Annual A La  Carte & Art festival takes place this weekend in downtown Mountain View (Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17).  Aside from the usual food, music and  shopping, expect a juried art show, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, a farmer's market and kids' amusement section. 

3)  Kids are the stars of the Hands on the Arts Festival in Sunnyvale (Saturday, May 16). There are a whopping 37 different hands-on workshops for children ages 3-12, led by professional artists (participation requires a wristband which can be purchased for $5).  There is also live entertainment throughout the day.

4)  Held on the Saturday following Mother's Day, every year since  1947, the Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade begins on Main Street, promptly at 10 a.m. (May 16).  It's a wonderful spring celebration that attracts thousands of kids, along with their pets, wagons, bicycles, parents and neighbors.   It includes youth groups, marching bands, fire engines, and antique police cars.

5)  This year San Carlos celebrates the 25th anniversary of the San Carlos Hometown Days festival.  Held in the spirit of the old-fashioned, fun-filled community gatherings of yesteryear, the event kicks on on Friday night with a musical concert, and continues through Saturday and Sunday.  It's chock-ful of events such as a parade, kids' relays, art contests, battle of the bands, a pancake breakfast, and fairground rides.

Go Green with your Kids (and win tickets to Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb!)

by bonggamom

May 12, 2009

^{Win tickets to the San Jose showing of Elmo's Green Thumb!  Read on to find out how.}

Here at the Savvysource, we take the environment very seriously.  After all, what kind of parents would we be if we didn't want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a clean, green world?   This year alone on Being Savvy Silicon Valley we've explored eco-friendly stores, made some eco-friendly resolutions, gone green on a budget, and found some great ways to celebrate Earth Day.  

Today let's talk about how to start turning your kids green.  A great way to to get them to care about the earth is to expose them to nature. Positive and frequent experiences with nature during the early years can help children develop a lifelong sense of appreciation and responsibility for the environment.  With that said, here are some fun ways to build environmental awareness in your children:

1)  Take a hike.  Children love to run and explore!  Take the family to a local park or hiking trail Be sure to point out different insects, plants or rocks. 

2)  Keep a Nature Journal.  Give your child a notebook so she can spend time outdoors and draw pictures of all the interesting and beautiful things she sees in nature.

3)  Plant a seed.  Show your child a photo of what the seed will grow up to be, and encourage them to take care of their plant, and watch it grow!

4)  Clean up.  Make trash fun by arranging a visit to a nearby recycling facility to show your little one how trash can be made into something new.  Or play a fun sorting game at home by putting recyclable materials into the appropriate recycling bins.

5)  Watch a show.  Another way for children to become eco-aware is to learn through songs and stories and favorite characters.   Elmo's Green Thumb, a Sesame Street Live! stage show, will be playing at the San Jose Civic Auditorium on June 12, 13 and 14.  When Elmo speaks, kids listen -- so sit back and let Elmo and the Sesame Street gang teach your little ones about green, growing things!   Everyone's favorite Sesame Street Characters are going on an amazing adventure as they help Elmo find a new home for Sunny the Sunflower -- and in the process, they'll show your little ones how each creature, from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles, plays an important part in our ecosystem.  

Would you like a chance to win tickets to Sesame Street Live?   One lucky Being Savvy Silicon Valley reader is going to win a family pack of 4 tickets to see Elmo's Green Thumb at the San Jose Civic Auditorium!  To enter, leave a comment on this post and share one of the ways you "Go Green" with your child.  Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you.  This entry must be completed for any extra entries to count.

For extra entries, you can do any of the following:
1)  Follow savvySV on twitter (leave a comment here with your twitter id).
2)  Follow bonggamom on Blogger (leave a comment here with your Blogger name).
3)  Tweet about this contest (leave a comment here with a link to the tweet).  Here's a tweet you can copy and paste:

Win tickets to Sesame Street Live on @savvySV http://tinyurl.com/ry2o5l

This contest is open to U.S. residents only and will end at midnight PST on May 24, 2009.  I will draw a winner at random and announce the winner's name on May 25, 2009. 

If you can't wait to see if you're the lucky winner, don't worry.  You can buy your tickets now at any ticketmaster location or at www.ticketmaster.com.  Tickets range from $15 to $30 -- so reasonable! -- and on opening night, June 12, all seats (except Gold Circle tickets) are $15!  And here's more good news -- Savvy Readers can use the promo code SESAME to save $3 off per ticket! 

Celebrating Mother's Day

by bonggamom

May 07, 2009

Ask any mom what she wants for Mother's Day and there's a good chance she'l tell you what she wants most is some time off (I'm partial to a spa day myself).   But there's no escaping family -- after all, they're what turned you into a mother in the first place, and it's no fun being Queen For The Day if you can't have your loyal subjects celebrating with you.  Save your Day Off for next week -- that way you'll have *two* special days! -- and spend Mother's Day with your family.  Here are some ideas for celebrating Mother's Day after you're done with your breakfast in bed or champagne brunch:

1)  Celebrate early!  Today, May 7, is National Mom's Nite Out.  Take a well-deserved evening off at a Mom's Nite Out or Mamapalooza event being held across the country.  If you can't find an event nearby, party online!  After you've put the kids to bed, open up your laptop and join the many National Mom's Nite Out virtual parties.

2) Visit a museum!  The Koret Foundation is celebrating their 30th anniversary by sponsoring free Mother's Day admission to 17 museums around the Bay Area, including kid-friendly favorites like the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, the Exploratorium, Bay Area Discovery Museum, and the San Francisco Zoo.   

3) Get crafty!  There's still time for your little ones to make you a present before Sunday.  Take them into Michaels craft store in Mountain View or Sunnyvale for free crafts, every day till Mother's Day.  This evening they'll be making Mother's Day cards.  Tomorrow evening it's a wooden photo frame.  On Saturday afternoon they're hosting a Make it for Mom Bead Event.  And on Sunday afternoon, your little ones can bring in Mom and Grandma to decorate a cookie they can give to you -- or more likely, eat all by themselves.

4) Go on a hike!  If you enjoy nature and are looking for a fun and relaxing experience in the outdoors, join the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for Mother’s Day in The Marsh, an exploration of refuge habitats. Starting at 10:30am, watch a brief slideshow, then take a leisurely stroll and learn how we are connected to the refuge’s wetland and upland habitats through our daily water use. This program is recommended for all ages, and wheelchair and stroller accessible. Recommended for all ages.

5) Feel the beat!  Visit the Stanford University campus this weekend for the 38th annual Stanford PowPow.  You'll see amazing costumes, dances, drum performances, and crafts at this colorful celebration of Native American culture. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, birth mothers, foster mothers  -- enjoy your Special Sunday!

Get ready for the Palo Alto May Fete Parade!

by bonggamom

April 30, 2009

Palo Alto residents know never to plan anything for the first weekend of May. They know to block that Saturday off for Palo Alto's May Fete Parade, and every year since 1922 they've been showing up in droves.  We've been going to this parade every year without fail for the past six or seven years, either watching or marching, and sometimes both.  

What makes the May Fete Parade so special?  At this parade, children are the undisputed stars.  There are no gargantuan animatronic floats, no beauty queens or roaring motorcycles or prancing horses.  Just lots and lots kids, from preschools to high school marching bands to local dance studios to elementary schools, all dressed in bright school colors or uniforms, on bikes and scooters, accompanied by a swarm of parents armed with cameras and camcorders.  Any group can register to join -- there is no limit -- but there is always a section at the end where anyone can jump in and march along.  
Throw in a few fancy cars, some funny-looking bicycles and a couple of rollerskating, bubble-blowing clowns and you've got a charming parade with a nice hometown feel.  

Each year the parade has a different theme (this year's is "Dream Green") and many groups join a float contest.  The floats reflect the annual theme and are relatively small and simple  -- which says nothing about the amount of effort put in by each and every group. Many who don't join the contest still come up with a float, and here and there you'll see a creative family whose wagon or stroller has been decorated to the nines to match the theme.

The parade starts just west of the University Avenue Caltrain Station on University and High.  It winds its way down University Avenue and turns right on Webster Street. The whole route is shaded with trees, and never gets so crowded that your little one won't be able to snag a spot to sit on the curb for prime parade viewing.    It ends at Palo Alto's Addison Elementary School, which hosts a Town Fair for the community. The fair, like the parade, is simple, fun and low-key.  It features a multitude of  children's activities like ball tosses, bead crafts and a giant inflatable slide, all free.  Families like to stake out a spot on the field beside the playground and let their kids loose on the playstructure while they relax on the grass and listen to the live music play.  Many people pack a picnic lunch or line up to buy the usual hotdog/hamburger/chips/soda combination.    It's a great way for Palo Alto residents meet their neighbors and build a sense of community.

The parade starts at 10:00 am this Saturday, rain or shine.  This year I'm marching with my two preschoolers while their sister and dad cheer us on from the sidelines. Grab your hat, sunscreen and water bottle and join us; we hope to see you there!

Springtime in Silicon Valley

by bonggamom

April 23, 2009

Spring has definitely sprung around here.  The shorts, sandals and sunblock are out, we've put the portable heaters away and we leave our back door open more often.  And this weekend, a bumper crop of springtime events for the little ones are, uh, springing up all over the valley:

1)  The 200 cherry trees and the two traditional lanterns that line Cupertino's Memorial Park provide a beautiful backdrop to Cupertino's Cherry Blossom Festival on April 25 and 26.   Enjoy the best of Japanese culture from food to music to entertainment to arts.  A special children's section will feature activities and hands-on arts and crafts, including face painting and a petting zoo.

2)  Another Japanese festival takes place on April 26 in San Jose's Japantown.  The Nikkei Matsuri festival celebrates Japanese-American culture and heritage.  In its 32nd year, the festival features food, music, cultural displays, an arts and crafts fair, and traditional Japanese children's arts and crafts.

3)  Watch Mountain View's 31st annual Spring Family Parade as it marches down Castro Street on April 25 at 12 noon.  Stay after the parade and enjoy special activities in Pioneer Park where there will be children’s activities, music, and delicious food and entertainment.

4)  Let's go fly a kite!  It's Menlo Park Kite Day on Sunday, April 26, and $5 buys you a kite, hot dog, chips and soda. All ages are welcome. Hold on to that hat and head for Bedwell-Bayfront Park between noon and 3pm. 

5)  Missed the Earth Day celebrations?  Don't worry, the green festivities are still going strong, starting with Guadalupe Gardens' Spring event on Saturday April 25.  Get ready for a fun celebration of Guadalupe Gardens, Earth Day and the Great Outdoors! 

6)  The Stanford Shopping Center also has an Earth Day event on the 25th; they're teaming up with Bay Area Parent to host an Academic Eco-Friendly Health Fair. Starting at 11AM, parents will have the opportunity to meet and learn about top local private schools and health organizations while kids enjoy hands-on green activities. 

Earth Day Celebrations

by bonggamom

April 16, 2009

This weekend it's all about respecting your mother... Mother Earth, that is.  Earth Day is April 22nd, and communities everywhere are commemorating the event.  Here are some events that prove being green can be easy and fun:

1)  Celebrate Earth Day and get your grocery shopping done at the same time.  Whole Foods Los Altos is celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 18, 1-4PM.  Activities include live music, face painting, BBQ and a chance to measure your own carbon footprint.  Whole Foods Los Gatos is holding their Earth Day (Sort Your Trash Day) event on Earth Day itself (April 22), but you should still stop by on Saturday for their Spring into Health Fair (11AM-3PM) to enjoy healthy, kid-friendly snacks, coloring and crafts.

2)  Coyote Point Museum's 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration kicks off at 10AM on Saturday, April 18.  Families will enjoy exciting science and art activities, nature walks and talks, live music, a Green Marketplace, and a yummy barbecue lunch by the San Mateo Fire Department.  Don't forget to stop by any Peet's Coffee & Tea store on the Peninsula before you go, for coupons to visit the Museum for the Earth Day celebration.

3) It's Earth Day on the Bay at Marine Science Institute in Redwood Citythis Saturday, April 18 from 8AM-5PM.   There will music, crafts, touch tanks, and a tour out on the Bay on one of our four trips aboard our Research Vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee (there is a charge for the boat trip).  The Marine Science Institute throws open their doors to the public only once a year, so don't miss it.

4)  With a funky, clever event name like Diggin the Vida Local, how can you resist?  Full Circle Farm in Sunnyvale celebrates Earth Day on Sunday, from 10AM-2PM. The festival is free for all, and features local food, local musicians, fun and games for all ages, a raffle, and lots of great information from (you guessed it!) local organizations on how to enjoy the pleasures of a life lived simply and locally.

5)   Here's another first:  the farmers of Half Moon Bay are opening their farms to the public on April 18 and 19, 2009 in celebration of Earth Day.  The "1st Annual Farmers of Hwy 92 Celebrate Earth Day" will focus on the farmers' daily lives and their role as stewards of the land.  Educate your little one with farm tours, greenhouse tours and demos.  And when their young minds are filled to the brim, entertain them with pony rides, music and fun.

6) The City of Palo Alto will be celebrating Earth Day 2009 and "Livin' Local" in a variety of ways, highlighted by a fun-filled community celebration for the whole family on Saturday, April 18, 10AM–2PM at the Lucie Stern Community Center.  There will be live music, delicious organic food, guest speakers, children’s activities, information booths from local non profits, cooking and garden demonstrations, and much more. 

March for Maddie, March for Babies

by bonggamom

April 13, 2009

Grief is the price we pay for love
-- Queen Elizabeth II, after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks

As parents, we all know what it is like to love our children, so a part of us grieves when we hear that another parent has lost a child.  On April 7th, 17-month old Madeline Spohr passed away.  Maddie was a miracle in her own right --she was born 11 weeks early -- and each day she lived, she beat the odds.

Her parents attribute her short life to the support and assistance of the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  They fund research and programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies have healthy lives.  Since Maddie's birth, the Spohrs have been big supporters of the March of Dimes and March for Babies, their largest annual fundraiser.

Maddie's tragic, unexpected passing has resulted in an unprecedented wave of support around the blogosphere.   Hundreds have contributed to the March of Dimes in her name and will march in her honor.   Please consider participating in the March for Babies events -- by donating or marching or just spreading the word -- for Maddie, for another child you know or for any child who should not have to suffer the consequences of premature birth.

 Here is a list of March for Babies events in and around Silicon Valley:

April 18
North Bay (Santa Rosa)
Solano County

April 25
Sacramento
East Bay (San Ramon)
Silicon Valley (Los Gatos, Vasona County Park)

May 16
Stockton

May 17
Gilroy

Silicon Valley Easter Events

by bonggamom

April 09, 2009

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin' down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity Easter's on its waaaaayy.....    The Easter scene is hoppin' with egg hunts, crafts, pictures, puppet shows and more. Don your best Easter bonnet, tie a ribbon round a basket and hop on down to one of the many fun Easter events scheduled this weekend:

EGG HUNTS
Many cities are holding free or low-cost Easer Egg hunts with crafts, Easter Bunny visits and other fun activities.  If your little one isn't a champion hopper, don't worry; most of these hunts are grouped by age and limit the number of eggs per person, to make sure every child goes home happy.  All events listed below start at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 11:

1) City of Menlo Park's Easter Egg Hunt at Burgess Park, Menlo Park (ages 8 and under).  Free.

2) City of Los Altos Easter Egg Hunt at Hillview Soccer Field, Los Altos (egg hunts for children walking to 4 years, 5-7 years, and 8-10 years).  Free.

3) Atherton Dames' Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Holbrook-Palmer Park, Atherton. $ 5 per person.

4) City of Santa Clara Easter Egg Hunt at Central Park, Santa Clara (egg hunt divisions for ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and special needs).  Free. 

5) City of Moraga's Spring Egg Hunt at Moraga Commons Park, Moraga (ages 1-6 years).  $5 per child, purchase tickets in advance.

EASTER WITH A TWIST
Easter's not just about egg hunts!  If you're looking to celebrate Easter in a special way, check these events out:

1)Join the Hiller Aviation Museum in welcoming the Easter Bunny arrive in a personal helicopter!  Your child can watch him land at 10:30am on April 11 and receive an egg straight the bunny's paws.  There's also face painting and a great European Model Train display.

2)  Take a ride on the Roaring Camp Railroad and search for chocolate candy eggs in a redwood forest!  Their Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt is set for Sunday, April 12.

3)  Hop, hop, hooray, it's an Easter Parade!  Enjoy the marching bands, baton dancers, classic cars and more at Downtown Campbell's 12th Annual Bunnies & Bonnets Parade The parade starts at noon on April 11.  Afterwards, stay for the Old Fashioned Kids' Fair (1pm-3pm) featuring live music and free games for all the kids. 

LUXURY EASTER BRUNCHES
I love brunch buffets (omelettes cooked especially for me, in front of me, always seem to taste extra-yummy!), and Easter brunches are a special treat.  My all-time favorite luxury Easter Brunch is the one held at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, CA; if the Ahwahnee isn't in your plans this year, here are two luxury brunches a bit closer to home:

1)  The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay goes all out from 10:30am – 3:30pm on Easter Sundy, with Easter favorites like  rosemary-and-garlic roasted leg of lamb and chocolate Easter eggs -- as well as nontraditional dim sum, Pekin duck and tempura.  Children will enjoy the  egg decorating competition, a visit by the Easter Bunny, face painting, a baby animal petting zoo, and an egg hunt on the gazebo lawn.

2)  Easter Brunch at The Fairmont San Jose (Easter Sunday from 10:30am – 3pm) features luxury touches like house-smoked salmon, iced tiger shrimp, Alaskan crab legs, decadent desserts, and of course, champagne.  “Alice in Wonderland” is the theme of this year’s Easter champagne brunch at The Fairmont. There will be Easter egg hunting for the children and a gazebo in the imperial foyer, where children can take pictures with Alice and the Easter Bunny.

Hope you have a, hop, hop, hoppy, er, Happy Easter!

Easter Comes Early: Weekend Outlook, April 3rd-5th

by bonggamom

April 02, 2009

Easter Sunday isn't till next Sunday, but that hasn't stopped the Easter Bunny from hopping over and spreading all that Easter fun out over one more week.  Here are some fun pre-Easter events to get you in the mood for the real thing:

1)  The Easter Bunny is still available for photos (or just a short laptime visit) through this week and next week at your favorite neighborhood shopping mall:
* Hillsdale Mall
* Stanford Shopping Mall
* Eastridge Mall
* Westgate Mall

2) The Palo Alto Family YMCA holds its annual Easter Party on Saturday from 2:00pm-5:00pm.  Your little ones will enjoy face painting, a bounce house, healthy snacks, crafts, and Easter Bunny photos.  This fun event is free and open to the public, so be prepared for crowds. 
 
3) The Los Altos Downtown Easter Egg Hunt is great for the younger set:  the eggs are placed directly on the sidewalk and windows of downtown stores, so it's more of an egg pick-up rather than a hunt.  It's all free, and if your child is extra lucky, he might an egg with a coupon inside it for a free item at one of the downtown stores!

4) Join the City of Los Gatos for its annual Bunny Fun Hunt on Saturday, April 4th, from 10:00AM-1:00PM.  This festive event is full of carnival games, animals, pony rides and of course, egg hunts for all ages!  Bring your own basket and head for the Los Gatos High School front lawn.

Spring Has Sprung! Weekend Outlook, March 27th - 29th

by bonggamom

March 26, 2009

The sun is shining, it's 65 degrees outside, and they're predicting more sun and high temperatures this weekend (mid-70's!)... don't you just love California?!  Spring has definitely sprung in our little corner of the world, with lots of fun springtime events, uh, sprouting up all over Silicon Valley.  We've got lots of ways to celebrate the great weather this weekend with your preschooler:

1) Celebrate the beginning of gardening season with a fun gardening activity, this Friday at Cheeky Monkey toys in Menlo Park.

2) It's time for a Spring Fling at Filoli!  Filoli Gardens hosts their popular annual springtime event this Saturday.  The gorgeous spring blooms serve as a colorful backdrop for this family fun event.  Children will enjoy visits from well-loved characters, a puppet show, a magic show, arts and crafts, and storytelling.   For grownups, there are demonstrations, guided walks, floral displays and live music. 

3)  Stanford Shopping Center hosts an early Easter activity this Saturday at 11:00am.  Their Easter Eggstravaganza features a mall-wide egg hunt, visits from the Easter Bunny and Desperaux, and Hop Into Spring entertainment at 2:00pm.

4)  Speaking of Easter, the Easter Bunny is once again making the rounds at various malls.  Dress your little ones in their best Easter Bonnets for a special photo, or just have them sit on Mr. Bunny's lap for a short visit. 
*  Hillsdale Mall
*  Stanford Shopping Mall
*  Eastridge Mall 
*  Westgate Mall    

5)  Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's time to bring out the ice cream!  The Friends of the Atherton Library will be hosting an ice cream social and book exchange. Head to the library this Saturday,March 28, 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Bring a book, take a book, have some ice cream -- it's all free.

Savvy Weekend Pick: The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

by bonggamom

March 19, 2009

At the beginning of this week, Savvy Source's very own Eliza Clark wrote about introducing preschoolers to nature and science through gardening.   In her post, Eliza suggests some ways to get your children into digging and delving, such as visiting local garden centers and clearing out a space in the back yard for a pint-sized preschool garden. Silicon Valley parents, may I suggest one more:  go to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show.  It's being held this week (March 18-22) at the San Mateo Event Center, and it's my number-one Savvy Activity pick for this weekend.

We took the whole family to the same show last year, and if this year's show is anything like it, your little ones will be in for an afternoon (or whole day!) of fun.  You'll have to keep a tight hold on their hands while you marvel at the beautiful designer gardens in the main exhibit -- they'll be itching to run around the artfully arranged pathways, or throw stones into the bubbling brooks (my sons were all set to drive the 4x4 parked squarely in the middle of the jungle garden display). 

There's even a special section of the show just for children.  It's called Sproutopia, and it's a place where your preschooler's imagination can really blossom.  Sproutopia goes one step further than the usual kids' craft tables (although there's plenty of that, too; last year my kids made bug masks, stone ladybug paperweights, and tissue paper fairy wings).  Here's a sample of the fun to be had:

* Educational and fun displays like a live butterfly exhibit;

* Carnivorous plant displays and feedings (you even get a venus flytrap to take home);

* Educational live shows on the Sprout Stage at various times throughout the day -- learn about bonsai, worms, and summer gardening;

* Mini garden displays created by local schoolchildren;

* A series of custom playhouses that children can explore inside and out (new for 2009!).

If you're all Sproutopia'd out, I've got some good news:  the event has Free Childcare!  You can leave your child for a couple of hours while you stroll around the display area, attend a hands-on demo or seminar, browse through the specialty shops, or talk to professionals.  At the end of the day, you'll all will walk away full of ideas and inspiration for your own gardens -- even the little ones.

Weekend Outlook, March 13th - 15th : Going Green

by bonggamom

March 12, 2009

It's your lucky weekend!  The stores are full of plastic four-leaf clovers,a nd the weekend is packed with activities leading up to St. Patrick's Day next Tuesday.  With all the green goings on in the next several days, from leprechaun crafts to tree walks,  Kermit the Frog will have to find some other time to sing It's Not Easy Being Green.

1) It's not Boston or New York, but San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day Parade is a longstanding tradition -- it's on its 158th year -- and draws over 5,000 parade participants from all over the country.  The parade begins at Second and Market at 11:30 AM, and the festivities continue throughout the day at the Civic Center Plaza.  

2) Watch energetic Irish Dancers, snacks and crafts at the Palo Alto Family YMCA's Irish Dance Social. March 3/13, 3:30-5PM. 

3) Mountain View celebrates Arbor Day with live music, children's activities and crafts, information and education booths, a tree climbing demonstration and a ceremonial tree planting.  It's all happening this Saturday at Pioneer Park.

4) Treat yourself to some fresh air, a healthy walk and a new perspective. Go on a free guided Canopy Tree Walk around Palo Alto to learn more about the trees that create a healthy urban environment. Meet at the Junior Museum and Zoo on Saturday, Mar. 14, 10am-noon. 

5)  Make free sparkly Leprechaun Wands at San Jose's Lakeshore Learning tomorrow morning starting at 11:00 am -- it's a free kids' craft for ages 3 and up. 

Weekend Outlook, March 6th to 8th

by bonggamom

March 05, 2009

Rain or shine?  Sun or clouds?  March weather is as fickle as the mind of a child, and you never know whether you'll be forced to dash home in the pelting rain, or miss out on a precious sunny day inside a museum.  Wellies or sneakers, umbrellas or sunhats, our Weekend Outlook has fun activities for any weather:

Sun

1) What's better than a triathlon event called the Treeathlon?  How about a kid's event called the Saplingathon!   The Fifth Annual Stanford Treeathlon returns for a second year in the Port of Redwood City in Redwood City, California on Saturday March 7th.  Their 12-and-under kids' triathlon (fun activity, run and bike) event, the Saplingathon, begins at 11:30AM.  Trikes, banana seats, baskets, streamers and Barbie stickers are all welcome. 

2)  It's Hummingbird Day at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum!  Join bird lovers of all ages and spend the day with the hummingbirds and the plants they love.  Children's Bird Tours (silence not required!) start at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and children's craft activies run from 10am till 4pm.  Saturday, March 7, 8am to 4pm.

3)  Redwood City's Marine Science Institute will hold a Low Tide Walk at Pillar Point, near Half Moon Bay, on Saturday, March 7th from 1pm to 3pm.  Explore and hunt for crabs, fish -- and maybe even an octopus! -- with MSI naturalists.  Advance registration required (click here).

Rain

1)  Toot, toot!  Thomas the Tank Engine jumps his tracks and takes to the stage in A Circus Comes to Town.  Watch Thomas and his friends James, Gordon and Sir Topham Hat, along with a colorful cast of circus performers, in a story about friendship and cooperation.  Catch them at the Flint Center, Cupertino on March 6 to March 8, and at the Marin County Events Center, San Rafael on March 9 and 10.

2)  Everyone's favorite rainy-day hangout, the Children's Discovery Museum, is holding their own mini-circus show -- Circ Do Somethin' -- on Saturday at 12:30, 2:30 and 3:30pm.  Watch Mr. Yoo Hoo and Derique juggle, sing and clown around for your little ones!

3)  The San Jose Library is chock-full of activities on Saturday.  They're having music and crafts at their Evergreen Branch library, and visual arts classes for kids ages 4-5 at their Hillview branch.  Not in the mood to create?  Watch a Persian Dance performance at the Evergreen Branch Library or have highschool students read to your child one-on-one at the Berryessa Branch Library.

Fun in February: Let Us Count the Ways

by bonggamom

February 26, 2009

February was a short month, but boy did we pack a lot of fun and learning -- math learning, to be precise.  We found lots of sneaky ways to make math fun, and discovered that math learning already exists in many activities our children enjoy.  We also discussed more serious numbers, such as the numbers on a weighing scale and test scores for kindergarten.  Here are my don't-miss posts for February, by the numbers:  

1) We count down 99 things to do with kids in Silicon Valley.
2) Supermodel Emme answers twelve questions about weight bias and children's self esteem.
3) Citymama recommends five great kid-friendly ethnic restaurants.
4) I find four fun things to count around Silicon Valley.
5) I recommend four wonderful local authors.

99 things you must do with your child in Silicon Valley before they grow up

by bonggamom

February 24, 2009

It seems like only yesterday that The Pea was just a little pea.  Now she's 7 and there are still so many things we haven't done together.  I really have to hurry, because some of the best experiences in the Valley have use-by dates:  I want my kids to first experience them while they're young, before the magic fades and they retreat into the solitude of their bedroms and their iPods.

With that in mind, here's a list of must-do activities for parents and kids around Silicon Valley:

Good Eats
 1) Taste garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
 2) Chew on saltwater taffy at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
 3) Pick berries at a local farm.
 4) Eat fish and chips at Princeton-by-the-Sea.
 5) Get a sugar high at the Jelly Belly Factory.
 6) Have a pancake breakfast at Hobees.
 7) Slurp clam chowder from a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf.
 8) Have an ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli Square.
 9) Burn your tongue at Palo Alto's annual Chili Cook-off.
10) Enjoy berrylicious treats at Watsonville's Strawberry Festival.
11) Go on a tasting tour -- cheese tasting, that is -- around Napa and Sonoma Valley.

The Animal Kingdom
12) Pat a llama at the Happy Hollow Zoo.
13) Join the Los Altos Pet Parade.
14) Milk a cow and feed chickens at Hidden Villa.
15) Watch for whales at the Point Sur Lighthouse.
16) Feed the ducks at Shoreline Park.
17) Spend the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
18) See the Monarch Butterflies in Pacifica.
19) Listen to the sea lions barking at Pier 39.
20) Ride an elephant at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
21) Go on safari at Santa Rosa's Safari West.
22) Visit the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve.

Events
23) Do the Dragon Dance at San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade.
24) Welcome springtime at Cupertino's Cherry Blossom Festival.
25) Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at San Jose's annual parade.
26) Watch 4th of July Fireworks from Shoreline Ampitheater.
27) See the Tall Ships and Blue Angels at San Francisco's Fleet Week.
28) See the world's biggest pumpkins at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
29) Go trick or treating at Santana Row.
30) Watch the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker.
31) Drive through the Vasona Fantasy of Lights display.
32) Meet Santa Claus at a train station during Caltrains Holiday Train.
33) Enjoy holiday scenes at San Jose's Christmas at the Park.

Sporty Stuff
34) Watch a baseball game at San Francisco's AT&T park.
35) Sail a boat on Shoreline lake.
36) Surf (ok, boogie-board) the waves at San Gregorio State beach.
37) Go rafting on the American River.
38) Ice skate under the stars at Palo Alto's Winter Lodge.
39) Run Bay to Breakers with the little ones in a stroller.
40) Bike the Los Gatos Creek trail.
41) Sink a mini-hole-in-one at Golfland.
42) Take your child for a spin at Redwood City's Malibu Grand Prix.
43) Row, row, row your boat at Vasona Lake County Park.
44) Catch some fish at Ed Levin County Park.

Museums
45) Explore and learn at the Children's Discovery Museum.
46) Scare yourself at the Winchester Mystery House.
47) Play tag amongst the artwork at Stanford University's Rodin Sculpture Garden.
48) Marvel at the California Academy of Science's Living Roof.
49) Count the Pez dispensers at Burlingame's Pez Museum.
50) Walk like an Egyptian at San Jose's Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.
51) Geek out at the Tech Museum.
52) Take a class at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.
53) Play and pretend at Oakland's Habitot Children's Museum.
54) Let your imagination take flight at the Hillier Aviation Museum.
55) Follow the toy trains at the Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History.

Seein' the Sights
56) Watch an IMAX film at The Tech Museum.
57) See the circus trees at Gilroy Gardens.
58) Enjoy the view from the top of Stanford's Hoover Tower.
59) Watch a space shuttle launch at the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
60) See the stars up close at Lick Observatory.
61) Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
62) Check out the local bikers at Alice's Cafe in Woodside.
63) Watch a play, for kids and by kids, at Palo Alto's Hotdog Suppertime Shows.
64) Watch the airplanes bound for San Francisco airport take off and land, from Coyote Point park.
65) See where the San Francisco Bay ends at Palo Alto's Baylands Park.
66) Count as many of the Livermore windmills as you can while driving through Altamont Pass on Highway 580.

Nature
67) Hike through the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.
68) Hike up to The Dish at Stanford University.
69) Build a sandcastle at Santa Cruz beach.
70) Find serenity at San Jose's Japanese Friendship Garden.
71) Paint the roses red at San Jose's Heritage Rose Garden.
72) Wade in the creek at Los Altos' Shoup Park.
73) Save the earth on California Coastal Cleanup Day.
74) Pick apples at Gizdich Ranch.
75) Explore the tidepools at the Natural Bridges State Beach.
76) Say hello to the wild turkeys at Deer Hollow Farm.
77) Camp overnight at the Big Basin State Park.

Spend the weekend (or week!) at....
78) ...Yosemite National Park...
79) ...Sequoia National Park...
80) ...Lake Tahoe...
81) ...Napa Valley...
82) ...Sacramento...
83) ...Strawberry...
84) ...Gold Country...
85) ...Carmel-by-the-Sea...
86) ...Big Sur...
87) ...Solvang, or...
88) ...LA

Just Plain Fun
89) Ride the Caltrain up and down the Peninsula.
90) Ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad.
91) Chug through the redwoods on the Roaring Camp Railroad.
92) Catch a cable car on the hills of San Francisco.
93) Hop on the Bill Mason carousel at Oak Meadow Park.
94) Enjoy the rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
95) Get stuck on stickers at the Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory.
96) Splash around at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Park.
97) Meet storybook characters at Oakland's Fairyland.
98) Splash through the fountains at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
99) Watch a movie at the San Jose's Capitol Drive-In Movie Theater.

My family has done quite a few of these items, but we're nowhere near done.  We (and you) had better get cracking on the rest of this list before the kids grow up!

If you have other activities that simply must be on this list, email us at beingsavvysiliconvalley@savvysource.com. 

Family events on Valentine's Day

by Bonggamom

February 13, 2009

Okay, so you didn't follow my advice. You just didn't get around to making the dinner reservations, or the childcare arrangements, soon enough. Maybe the restaurant burned down or the babysitter got her own hot date. Or maybe you love your kids so much you can't bear to be parted from them on this love-filled weekend. Whatever the case, here are some events where you and your little ones can  Read more...

Hometown Activities That Spark Math Learning

by bonggamom

February 10, 2009

All this month, the Savvy Source folks are focusing on ways to help our preschoolers enjoy math as much as they love reading.  Last week we looked at things to count around Silicon Valley.  We all know math isn't just about counting, so today we've looking about other kinds of math skills -- shape and pattern recognition, measurements and money, to name a few.   Here are some fun things to do around town can spark some math learning in your preschooler:

A Valentine's Night Out

by Bonggamom

February 09, 2009

To all the fathers out there --and to all the mothers who know the fathers will forget -- Red (pun intended) Alert!  Valentine's Day is this Saturday!  So you've got the dinner reservations (You have, right?  If not, hurry up!  You might still be able to land a spot at Chevy's or some restaurant with no romantic ambience whatsoever).  You've planned your outfit.  Bought the chocolates.   Read more...

Children's Books written by Local Authors

by Bonggamom

February 06, 2009

"Buying local" can refer not only to local bookstores, but also local authors. There's certainly no shortage of talent in these parts; I was pleasantly surprised at the number of our favorite children's authors that actually come from the Bay Area. Here is a list of local authors your preschoolers will enjoy: 1) Did you know that the popular Klutz and Chicken Sox craft book series started  Read more...

LEGO comes to Silicon Valley: MOAH's Living LEGO-cy

by Bonggamom

January 09, 2009

Train lovers -- and parents of little train lovers -- take note: there are only a few more days left to enjoy the Museum of American Heritage (MOAH) 's annual holiday train display. Living LEGO-cy: Legendary LEGOs and Terrific Trains, a joint project of the museum, the Bay Area LEGO® User Group (BayLUG) and Bay Area LEGO Train Club (BayLTC), is a must-see. MOAH is a small museum tucked  Read more...

Happy Kwanza!

by Bonggamom

December 26, 2008

Kwanzaa starts today! This seven-day African American holiday gets its name from a Swahili phrase meaning "first fruits" and is based on the African tradition of the "first harvest of the crops" at the end of each year. Kwanzaa honors African heritage and culture, as well as family and community. To celebrate Kwanzaa, the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito is offering free admission and  Read more...

Nutcracker Performances around Silicon Valley

by Bonggamom

December 12, 2008

Like many little girls, I love the Nutcracker. It was the first ballet I ever watched. And as with many little girls, it inspired in me a lifelong love of dance and the performing arts. Now that I have my own little ballerina, dressing up to see the Nutcracker has become a cherished annual event. Here are some Nutcracker performances in the area that just might inspire you and your child to  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: December 12th-14th

by Shawn Burns

December 10, 2008

Food and immigrant traditions and storytime are all rolled into one at the San Mateo County History Museum . At 11am and 2pm on Friday your pre-schooler can listen to "Too Many Tamales" read aloud and then learn about holiday food items from around the world and make their own clay tamales. The senior residents at Lytton Gardens are holding their Festival of Trees on Saturday from  Read more...

Holiday events: The Christmas Creche

by Bonggamom

December 04, 2008

One holiday event we look forward to every year is the Christmas Creche , an exhibit of over 500 nativity scenes from around the world. The four-day event, organized by members of local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, brings over 10,000 visitors to their Palo Alto church every year. Families of all beliefs and cultures will appreciate the artistry and  Read more...

List Day: Holiday Traditions

by Shawn Burns

December 02, 2008

I'm a new-ish Holiday Dad, and this year marks my first real opportunity to immerse my daughter in the local holiday celebrations and know that she'll get something out of it. Of course there are holiday events all up and down the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley this month, but for today's List Day at Savvy Source we are charged with presenting a list of local traditions, and not  Read more...

List Day: Holiday Traditions

by Shawn Burns

December 02, 2008

I'm a new-ish Holiday Dad, and this year marks my first real opportunity to immerse my daughter in the local holiday celebrations and know that she'll get something out of it. Of course there are holiday events all up and down the Peninsula and in the Silicon Valley this month, but for today's List Day at Savvy Source we are charged with presenting a list of local traditions, and not  Read more...

Park Day: Santana Row, San Jose

by Bonggamom

December 01, 2008

At first glance, it doesn't seem like Santana Row is kid-friendly at all. Posh shops, high-end (read: breakable) home accessories, luxury spas and chic bars dominate this outdoor shopping mall. But look closer and you'll find hints of kid-friendly fun here and there. Like the small, fenced in toddler playstructure at Park Valencia, a small patch of green at the heart of the mall. And the  Read more...

Holiday tree lighting ceremonies

by Bonggamom

November 28, 2008

Get ready, people; today is Black Friday. Even though you've still got half a turkey in your fridge, The December Holiday Season has Begun . For many grownups, this means crowds and overspending and drunk relatives and stress, but for children, it's all about the presents and the treats and the decorations and the pretty twinkling lights. The holidays are a special time for children, and cities  Read more...

Ready, set, trot!

by Bonggamom

November 14, 2008

Slowly but surely, we're headed towards the holiday season. On the bright side, that means lots of family gatherings and fun. Unfortunately, it also means food, food and more food. You know you're going to have that extra slice of pie, so you might as well burn some calories beforehand. Instead of lounging around while the turkey cooks, why not take the kids and join a turkey trot? Turkey  Read more...

Bringing Books to Life: Plays and Musicals

by Bonggamom

November 13, 2008

All throughout the month of November, the editors at Savvy Source are browsing through bookshelves and exploring the wonders of children's literature . So come join me in celebrating the joy of reading a great book -- by watching a play. Well, why not? What better way to get a child excited about reading a book than by firing up his imagination beforehand? What better way to instill the  Read more...

The ABCs of Silicon Valley

by Shawn Burns

November 04, 2008

Today at Savvy Source we're doing the ABCs of Silicon Valley. Do you have the song in your head? Good. A is for Armadillo Willy's Barbecue . B is for the Baby Loves Disco . C is for the Cinco de Mayo Festival. D is for ducks . E is for environmentalism. F is for farmer's markets . G is for the Gilroy Garlic Festival . H is for Hobee's . I is for Ice Skating  Read more...

Are you tired of Halloween yet?

by Bonggamom

October 30, 2008

All month long you've taken your kids to parties, parades, crafts and activities. And now Halloween is just one day away. If you're like me, you're thinking, Rats! But I'm fully aware that there are people who are thinking, Hurrah! For those who have had enough of pumpkins and ghosts and skeletons, I'll take pity on you. Let's move on to another celebration: El Dia de los Muertos , or the  Read more...

Frightfully fun events around Silicon Valley

by Bonggamom

October 21, 2008

Alfie groaned when he came home one day and saw skeletons lining the fireplace mantel. "It's only September 28, and you're decorating for Halloween already". "I know it's early, dear, but October is my hands-down favorite month of the year, and I like to get into the spirit of things as soon as possible". As I patiently explained to him, when else will I find the time to glue all those litle  Read more...

Weekend Outlook: October 17th-19th

by Shawn Burns

October 15, 2008

Looking back at my Weekend Outlook entries for the past few months I notice that we are really and truly privileged in this area to have almost weekly street fairs of some kind or another. I keep highlighting them because I love to walk them, to experience my town, or my neighbor's town, in full spectacle. But perhaps you aren't the street fair type. Perhaps you've been crying out for me to  Read more...

The Circus

by Shawn Burns

August 08, 2008

One of my earliest memories is of being put in the co-pilot seat on my mother's bicycle and riding to the circus. I remember the clowns (which still freak me out a little bit) and seeing peanut shells everywhere, and riding on an elephant that seemed as tall as a house. I've always liked the circus. Maybe it's because of that early memory; maybe it's because of seeing Dumbo very young.  Read more...