EAST BAY EDITION
BayArea Growing Their Green Thumb » Plant a pizza » Plant a tree » Plant a love for gardening
Win a
Mother’s Day Getaway at the Claremont Hotel! Details inside
Exclusive Interview Authors Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth APRIL/MAY 2009
$3.95
w w w. b a k i d s m a g a z i n e . c o m
05
PLUS
» Restaurant review: Lafayette’s Pizza Antica » Destination: Life is Good Festival » Book and product reviews
what’s inside
Kids
THE GOOD STUFF
THE REGULAR
BayArea
Volume 1, Number 3 April/May 2009 BAKidsMagazine.com Publisher/Editor/Father Everard G. Strong estrong@bakidsmagazine.com Sales Everard Strong sales@bakidsmagazine.com Kathryn Sibley ksibley@bakidsmagazine.com Editorial General inquiries editor@bakidsmagazine.com Photography Jennifer Chaney JChaney.com Contributing Writers Kelly Pollard, Elise Cooke, Charles Donaldson, Cathy Jetter Submissions Send photos, events, news, and story requests to editor@bakidsmagazine.com Product submissions Send all products to address below. Include return postage. Small Print 2009 Big E Productions (DBA Bay Area Kids magazine). No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Big E Productions assumes no liability or responsibility for any claims made by advertisers in the magazine.
BAY AREA KIDS magazine P.O. Box 30442 Walnut Creek, CA 94598 BAKidsMagazine.com
4 editor’s letter
Why we do what we do
6 to-do list
Calendar of events
8 local destination Life is Good festival
park spotlight 10 Emerald Glen Park, Dublin book shelf 13 Book reviews for all ages
14 toy box Lunch kits, cardboard castles, and more
3
your child’s green 21 Nurture thumb with these kid-friendly gardening pursuits.
contents
15 photo shoot smiling faces 16 car review 2009 Nissan Altima hybrid 18 haute stuff squeaky shoes, endangered shirts, and local designer Speesees
28 dining out Lafayette’s Pizza Antica 30
Great Expectations
Special Section
exclusive interview with 24 An Amy Nobile and Trisha
the back page Diary of a suburban queen
11-12 Absolutely Essential Mother’s Day Gift Guide
14
April/May 09 | East Bay
Keen for Green
Ashworth, authors of I Was a Really Good Mom until I had Kids, and their newest book, I’d Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper.
Bay Area Kids
3
up front
PHOTO: Jennifer Chaney
EDITOR’S LETTER
why we do what we do BY CALLING BAY AREA KIDS a child-centered,
4 small talk
SOUND CHECK THIS ISSUE’S PLAYLIST
Barenaked Ladies Brian Wilson Katy Perry Hot N’ Cold Leah Andreone Inconceivable Billy Bragg & Wilco California Stars Gaslight Anthem The ‘59 Sound The Killers The World We Live In Rare Earth I Just Want To Celebrate (Mocean Worker remix) Robbie Seay Band Song of Hope Veggie Tales Billy Joe McGuffrey
4
Bay Area Kids
community-focused publication, there are certain standards that the magazine has to own up to. We must follow words with deeds or else many of the ideals set forth in these pages would ring shallow and untrue. Fortunately, deeds have been on the agenda since Bay Area Kids launched in December 2008, and starting with this issue—the gears will have been in place and working for several weeks before you read this—we are initiating a community-centered, child-focused feature that will benefit everyone involved. Here is the program: go to www.bakidsmagazine.com/ Subscribe.html; donate any amount you can afford, from $1 to $1,000, or however you feel called, to The Taylor Family Foundation’s Camp Arroyo program (the link is on our Web site), and we will give you a free subscription to Bay Area Kids magazine, and include your name in upcoming issues of the magazine as well. (We are working on several incentives for those who donate over a certain amount.) Why The Taylor Family Foundation? Each year, in conjunction with Camp Arroyo, the Foundation runs free camps for children suffering from life-threatening and chronic illnesses (brain tumors, heart conditions, skin disease, asthma, and so on). For that one week, these kids are given what could very well be the best time of their lives. As their Web site states (www.ttff.org), “To put it simply, TTFF’s Camp Arroyo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where kids with special needs are free to just be kids.” The best part? It’s all free for the children and their families. Led by Elaine Taylor, a small (but incredibly dedicated staff), and an army of volunteers, each year they play host to over 3,000 kids, providing these children with some of the best lodging, food, supervised care, activities, entertainment, and support. Because the camp is offered free, the Foundation foots all of the cost—food, supplies, medical care, activities—and all of these costs come through donations. This is where we—you and Bay Area Kids—come in. Donate any amount of money and you will receive a free subscription to Bay Area Kids magazine, while also providing a life-changing, life-affirming experience for a deserving, child, and support an organization that has been part of the East Bay for close to twenty years. Thank you for reading…and for your support. Everard G Strong Publisher, Editor, and Father estrong@bakidsmagazine.com
THE COVER Our Cover Model: Danville’s Memet DeCarion, son of Curtis and Esin (owners and chefs at Danville’s Esin Restaurant), got his Earth Day groove on for our cover photos, shot on location at Rudgear Park, in Walnut Creek. On-location shoot by Jennifer Chaney. See more of Jennifer’s work at JChaney.com
YOUR TURN Have your baby, son, or daughter featured in an upcoming issue of Bay Area Kids magazine: Send us your best shots— whether they’re funny, pensive, fashionable, or silly. Photos should be 300 DPI and sent to editor@bakidsmagazine.com. Please include child’s name (and last initial), age of child (and sex), and city of residence, along with a description of what the child is doing, why you took the shot, what clothes they’re wearing, or anything else you’d like to add, and whether you’d like us to include your last name. Inclusion in the printed magazine is not guaranteed, but all photos will be posted online as well. By submitting a photo, you are giving Bay Area Kids magazine the right to reproduce the photo either online or in print.
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to the two most important mothers in my life, my Mom (Happy Birthday too!), and my wife, the [wonderful] mother of my two inspirations. (Happy Mother’s Day to Nani and Grandma Elaine!) And Happy Mother’s Day to you!
BAKidsMagazine.com
Hey Kids (and Daddy),
Enter your Mommy to win our
“A positive experience right from the start”
Mother’s Day
Our Specialized Services! • Gentle dentistry for infants, children, teens and special needs children • Friendly, fun environment • Digital radiography (less radiation) • BPA-free dental sealants • Saturday / emergency appointments available • Nitrous oxide / oral sedation / general anesthesia available • Emphasis on prevention
Not an actual patient
Overnight Renewal Package
DDS, Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry
at the Claremont Hotel
A. Ozzie Jafarnia
Come visit our brand new office!
One lucky Mom and her special guest will be pampered guests at the luxurious Claremont Hotel for one night of rest and relaxation as only they can provide. Their Spa Renewal Getaway package includes two 50-minute spa treatments, overnight accommodations in the Elite Spa Room, and unlimited use of the Hotel’s pools, fitness classes, gym, and more. The winner will also receive a Boudoir Photography session ($225 value) courtesy Lani Allen Photography (www.laniallenphotography.com), a special Chloe and Jane gift set (www.chloeandjane.com) and an eyebrow makeover from La Di Da Lounge (www.ladidalounge.com). TO ENTER Send your best hand-made Mother’s Day Card (and yes, Daddy can help) to the address below no later than May 9 (include your contact info): Mother’s Day Contest c/o Bay Area Kids magazine P.O. Box 30442 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 One winner will be picked at random and notified via e-mail or phone. All entries become property of Bay Area Kids magazine. Select entries may be posted online or in the magazine. Claremont gift certificate expires March 31, 2010. Good luck!
April/May 09 | East Bay
Voted Best Pediatric Dentist in Contra Costa County
Call for an appointment today!
(925) 837-7745 4145 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville www.drozzie.com
Mother’s Day, give Mom
This
the ultimate
peace and quiet she deserves.
Rejuvenate Mom with Flotation Therapy
about more t Learn lemen p ll com tion our fu a oxific of det tion juvena e r d an a ies t: therap llness.com We seAnd Clean
&
Treat her to the Bay Area’s only European Floataway® experience at Cleanse & Wellness 1030 Brown Ave., Lafayette (925) 299-1425 | FloatBayArea.com
Bay Area Kids
5
to do list
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
april | may Dunsmuir Old-Fashioned Egg Hunt April 11, Dunsmuir Estate, Oakland Take part in this annual Easter tradition at Oakland’s Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate. The Easter Bunny will be there, ready for a close-up photo with your child. There will also be an egg hunt, games, tap dancing bunnies, a puppet show, and more. Adults $5, Children $2, Under 5 Free. Family Price $12 (price includes tour). Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland. (510) 562-0328, Dunsmuir.org
6 play dates
Wildflower Walk April 19, Lindsay Wildlife Museum Take a walk through Morgan Territory as it showcases its new spring colors. Learn about the varied flora and fauna of the area, enjoy some fresh air, and take in a magnificent view of the East Bay. $10/members, $15/nonmembers, ages 6-adult. 10am-2pm, Register online and find out more information including directions and meeting site at Wildlife-Museum.org
These listings are provided as a free service to our readers. Submit your event to us (include place, date, and description) online at events@ BAKidsMagazine.com
6
Bay Area Kids
Orca, the First Whale April 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Children’s Fairyland Sit and listen to this wonderful tale from the Northwest Indians and learn how the first whale was born, and how people are taught to coexist with this mighty creature. Along the way you’ll meet a tribesman, the Sea Lion King, and the Fog Woman. Scenery and puppets by Lewis Mahlmann. Shows at 11:00am, 2pm, and 4pm. Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, (510) 4522259, Fairyland.org
Free Wednesdays at the Academy April 15, May 20, California Academy of Sciences If you’ve been looking to check out the newly-revamped California Academy of Sciences (which we reviewed in the February/March issue of Bay Area Kids), these two days are your best chance. Perfect for budget-conscious families, you not only get free entry, but most (if not all) of their exhibits are free too (including the biosphere and other shows). 9:30-5pm. California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, (415) 379-8000, CalAcademy.org.
MOCHA’s Twentieth Birthday Party April 26, Museum of Children’s Art Has it been twenty years already? Time flies when you’re having fun, and MOCHA knows how to have fun. Help them celebrate this milestone by joining with them for a day of fun featuring their Art-cade, where you can blow it, toss it, stamp it, roll it, squish it, float it, fasten it, and eat it. Ticket purchase required for some activities. Noon-5pm. Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth Street, Oakland, (510) 465-8770, Mocha.org The Magic of Merlin May 8-10, Lesher Center for the Arts Are you ready to become the next BAKidsMagazine.com
King of England? Can you pull the sword from the stone and earn your right to rule the land? Join the young Arthur as he discovers his true purpose, thanks to Merlin’s encouragement and teachings. Presented by the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, (925) 943-7469, LesherArtsCenter.org Mother’s Day Brunch May 10, Dunsmuir Historic Estate Indulge Mom on her special day by taking her to this delicious brunch prepared with her in mind. Several buffet stations will be offering all sorts of wonderful treats. Noon-2PM, Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, Dunsmuir.org, (510) 562-0328 for ticket and pricing information. 2009 Kids ‘n’ Kites Festival May 16, Fremont “Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height!” Introduce your children to the fun of kite flying at this annual event that includes free admission, over 2,000 available kites for children, entertainment, interactive booths, food, and a Kids Fun Zone. Presented by the American Swim Academy. 11am4pm, Central Park, 40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont, (510) 790-5541, w w w.ci.fremont.ca.us /Recreation / KidsNKitesFestival/ PLANNING AHEAD Camp Arf “A”, Grades 1-3 June 22-26; July 6-10, 13-17, 27-31; August 3-7, 17-21, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation Campers explore veterinary care, animal behavior and training, and safety before they can adopt their own plush foster animal. The campers also participate in animal-themed games, crafts, and other activities. Other camps available for other age groups (up to grade 12). 9am-Noon, Monday-Friday, $175/session (one week). Find out more at Arf.net or by calling (925) 296-3147. Apply now as these camps usually sell out fast. April/May 09 | East Bay
Our version of daycare is for grownups only. A much-needed respite to nurture your well-being. The life-enhancing day spa experience is yours with our Spring Renewal Body Treatment, a Lomi Lomi Massage, our spirit-refreshing Pore Refining Hydrating Facial or a combination. With day-long use of our spa and three hours of childcare with any visit Monday-Thursday. It’s mom’s turn. And with this daycare, you should be spoiled. Often. seasonal spring spa treatments starting at
130
$
Berkeley, CA | claremontresort.com | 800.551.7266
Bay Area Kids
7
to do list
photos courtesy Great Dickens Christmas Fair
8 day trip
LOCAL DESTINATION
Celebrate Life Life is Good Festival, May 16 8
Bay Area Kids
IT ALL STARTED with two brothers and a T-shirt. In the fall of 1994, Boston-based brothers Bert and John Jacobs started selling T-shirts featuring the contagious grin of Jake, their optimistic mascot, and the motto “Life is Good.” They have since parlayed this feel-good vibe into a multi-million dollar apparel and accessory company spreading good cheer to children, adults, and dogs alike. Looking at their success, the brothers decided it was time to give back, and began hosting celebrations in their Boston backyards that quickly grew into fullblown festivals, with an emphasis on family-friendly entertainment.
GETTING INVOLVED Bay Area Kids magazine is proud to partner with Life is Good in their movement to spread optimism and good vibes to kids in need in the Bay Area. Here’s how you can get involved: Go to LifeIsGood.com/festivals and join Jake’s team at the Life is Good festival on Saturday, May 16. Register for the Good Walk for Kids, volunteer, or just come out and groove with everyone at this free family-fun event. All proceeds from sales at the event will go to Project Joy (ProjectJoy.org).
BAKidsMagazine.com
Wildly successful in the East Coast, they decided to spread the joy across this country; on May 16, they will be bringing their unique brand of family fun to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Their first West Coast festival will feature a fundraising walk in the park—the Good Walk for Kids—a route infused with color, music, and interactive surprises along the way (silly walks and Groucho sunglasses, anyone?). The free event will also feature great live music courtesy of Martin Sexton, ALO (the band behind Jack Johnson), and local favorites, the Sippy Cups. There will be plenty of classic backyard food, as well as several classic games and activities for all ages, from seed spitting to Double Dutch, tug-o’-wars, football flings, and more.
“It’s a reminder that we all have much to be grateful for and much to celebrate.” —Bert Jacobs, Co-Founder, Life is Good “The Life is Good Festival will bring an active, upbeat, old-time festival feel to Golden Gate Park,” says co-founder Bert Jacobs. “It’s a reminder that we all have much to be grateful for and much to celebrate.” Every dollar raised at the event through merchandise sales and other efforts will be donated to Project Joy, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the healthy development of vulnerable children through the healing power of play. Many of the children served by Project Joy are living in poverty and have been deeply impacted by violence, loss, and other traumatic experiences. Project Joy, founded by Steven Gross, aims to protect the most important activity in a child’s life—play. They will partner with local organizations Habitot Children’s Museum in directing funds raised at the Festival to support local children. Everard G. Strong
April/May 09 | East Bay
Bay Area Kids
9
neighborhood
GETTING THERE EMERALD GLEN PARK is located at 4201 Central Parkway, Dublin. Take 580 to Tassajara exit, park is on your left, between Central Parkway and Gleason Drive. The Emerald Glen Activity Center also hosts several activities throughout the year. For more information, go online to DublinRecGuide.com
10
PARK SPOTLIGHT
park ‘n’ play
Emerald Glen Park, Dublin
Park Spotlights are unbiased inperson visits to various East Bay playgrounds. Our goal is to accumulate a database for our readers. Find out more, including maps, at BAKidsMagazine.com
10
Bay Area Kids
EASILY FOUND off 580’s Santa Rita/Tassajara exit, this jewel in Dublin’s crown of community parks is a stand-out among the vast variety of playgrounds throughout the East Bay. Set on forty sprawling acres, a drive through the parking lot makes it immediately apparent that someone knew something about children’s parks when they envisioned Emerald Glen Park. Take, for example, the park’s swings: While older parks have been removing the traditional swing sets to make room for more modern apparatus, Emerald Glen proudly features both baby and big-kid swings. Set far enough away from the paths to ensure that flying feet and free roaming toddlers never shall meet, parents procured to push one child still have an excellent view of those left climbing, digging, and splashing. Which brings us to the water feature. Suits and towels are summertime must-have fashion accessories at Emerald Glen, where the water flows fast enough to entertain the preteens without ever being a danger to the less-steady-on-the-feet crowd. With water falling from a series of twisting, turning, and standing poles, and squirting up randomly like gophers from the ground, wet is the word. When getting wet no longer defines being cool to your older kids, the lighted skate park, basketball, and tennis courts are easily found down a paved path through the grass fields. Along the walk, kite flyers are regularly seen maneuvering their strings into complicated dips and dives; it can be windy at Emerald Glen, so a light jacket will help extend your park stay into the evening hours, which happens often. Cricket fields, bocce courts, rock climbing, or simply taking a roll down one of the grassy hills will work up appetites long before the sun
goes down. The BBQ pits can be a welcome way to feed the crew before heading home, but if packing a picnic and all the accoutrements is more outdoorsy than you were hoping for, restaurants ranging from Happy Meal casual to Cosmopolitan chic can be found just down the street. Whichever your path, happy trails. Cathy Jetter
BAKidsMagazine.com
(special advertising section)
Bay Area Kids magazine absolutely essential mother’s day gift guide
So whether you start your cleansing ritual at the gym, or take a 3 minute power shower before morning carpool, Chloe & Jane will energize your senses, hydrate your skin, and free your mind. Go ahead, plan your entire future. Chloe & Jane Inc. www.chloeandjane.com (877) 556-1217
A New Star is Born Specializing in fine art newborn and modern lifestyle photography. Based in Walnut Creek, Jennifer Chaney Photography is happy to offer all Bay Area Kids moms $50 off a session when you mention this ad. Jennifer Chaney Photography (925) 575-0581 www.jchaney.com
Indulge Mom’s Creative Side See your future
Brushstrokes is Mother’s Day headquarters! Whether you’re making a ceramic baby keepsake of your child’s footprint and handprint, or letting your child paint a family heirloom—these are the objects that will be treasured by Mothers and Grandmothers for years to come. Housed in a beautiful art studio in Berkeley, Brushstrokes even has a Mom’s Night Out on the last Thursday of every month!
Since 2002, 3DBabyVu® has given parents the chance to see their expected arrivals with exquisite resolution. We combine latest 3D/4D ultrasound and a relaxed setting that can be relived with our narrated DVD. Having performed over 12,000 scans, we create the finest possible prenatal pictures of your baby.
Brushstrokes Studio, Inc. 745 Page St. @ 4th, Berkeley www.brushstrokestudio.com (510) 528-1360
3DBabyVu® 4713 1st Street, Suite 100, Pleasanton, www.3DBabyVu.com (888) 332-2208
April/May 09 | East Bay
Bay Area Kids
11
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
Clean Just Feels Good
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE
(special advertising section)
Bay Area Kids magazine absolutely essential mother’s day gift guide
Give Mom a One-of-a-Kind Keepsake Make an imprint on her heart with custom fingerprint jewelry from Imprint On My Heart. Available in sterling silver, 14kt and 18kt gold, these beautifully crafted, solid-cast keepsakes will be cherished for generations. Mention code KIDSBA, and get 10% off on any order. Imprint on My Heart Fingerprint Jewelry and Gifts (888) 515-8324 www.imprintonmyheart.com
Rejuvenate Mom! Spoil Mom with the latest in hydrotherapy—a European Floataway® experience. Floating can relieve stress, promote weight-loss and relieve back pain too. First time floaters: buy two, get one free! Cleanse and Wellness 1030 Brown Ave., Lafayette (925) 299-1425 www.floatbayarea.com
Dine at the Family Estate Honor and pamper your Mom on Mother’s day with an elegant Mother’’s Day Brunch at the Garden Pavilion on the Estate. Several buffet stations will offer all kinds of delectable savory and sweet goodies for that special person in our lives. Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 10, Noon-2pm Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland (510) 562-0328 www.dunsmuir.org 12
Bay Area Kids
Make her day, Make it forever For a new mom, a mom to tots, tweens, and teens, or a grand-mom, document these fleeting milestones for her with custom lifestyle photography. Mother’s Day Collection 20% off. Jennifer Ricketts, dub dub dub Design (925) 788-3767 www.dubdubdubdesign.com BAKidsMagazine.com
book shelf
READING MATERIALS y 1- 3
rs
MOMMY CALLS ME MONKEYPANTS Written by J.D Lester, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata All Mamas know the very best names come long after the ink has dried on the birth certificate. Lester’s first book happily rhymes its way through some of the merry monikers mothers bestow upon their babies, and Nakata’s expert illustrations seem to swing the action right off the page. While the fun brings plenty of giggles, don’t pass up the opportunity to remind your child that a nickname from Mommy, no matter how silly, will always be given with love. Cathy Jetter
4-8
READER REVIEW
yrs
A CAROUSEL TALE Elisa Kleven Ernst’s third adventure finds the beloved blue crocodile enjoying all the carousel animals in the park near his home, but saving his hugs for the wooden dog with the sunny coat. Once the carousel is tucked away for the winter months, Ernst is dismayed to discover the dog’s tail has fallen off and left behind. Keeping the tail safe till spring is an important job—and Ernst’s tender heart doesn’t want the tail to be lonely. What will the carousel keeper think when she finds that Ernst’s love has turned the tail into something else entirely? Cathy Jetter
yr 8 -12
SCAT Carl Hiaasen From the regimented classroom to the murky depths of a Florida swamp, Nick and Marta are determined to unravel the real reason for the sudden disappearance of their indomitably intimidating biology teacher, Mrs. Starch. Family emergency just doesn’t ring true—something more (sinister?) must be going on. Independent readers will enjoy another sophisticated read from novelist Hiaasen, but this is also a great book for reading out loud. Hiaasen’s gift for incorporating real life issues (endangered species, environmental issues, fathers deployed to war, not to mention scary, scary teachers) means every chapter holds an opportunity for conversations that might otherwise go unexplored. Cathy Jetter
April/May 09 | East Bay
s
13
LADYBUG GIRL Written by Jacky Davis, Illustrated by story David Soman I bought this for my time four-year-old daughter at Costco based purely on the cover illustration— it looked like a fun book. It proved to be a good choice as my daughter has requested this book as her nighttime book for over a week now! Ladybug Girl is a very empowering story about a little girl who has to make her own fun (along with her faithful dog) one Saturday. Wonderful pictures make it fun to read. Highly recommended! Gina R. San Ramon
6-8
Send us your book reviews (around 75 words) and we’ll include them in upcoming issues. Please specify title, author, and appropriate age level.
Bay Area Kids
13
yrs
toy box
KIDS KONSERVE WASTE-FREE LUNCH KIT According to the Center for Ecoliteracy, the average elementary student annually generates between 45-90 pounds of plastic bags, foil, and additional waste from school lunch programs. Marin-based Kids Konserve offers a better solution: their wastefree lunch kit includes a food kozy for a sandwich or fruit, a recycled cotton sack, stainless steel water bottle, cloth knapkins, and two stainless-stell food containers. Several patterns available. $42, Baby and Kids Company, Danville, or at KidsKonserve.com
14 wish list
BABY’S FIRST JUNGLE WOODEN TRAIN SET Both the train and tracks are crafted out of wood (except for the plastic wheels), which means you’re getting a toy that will last a lot longer than plastic or batterypowered options. Tiny fingers will want to hold these cute “cars”, and with Daddy or Mommy’s help, can learn how to interlock the tracks and start creating their own Jungle Train adventures. Other sets and expandable accessories available. $35, LittleTC.com for local retailers.
14
Bay Area Kids
CALAFANT COLORABLE HACIENDA Made from recyclable cardboard, the hacienda comes with bone-white walls, ready for your child’s imagination and artistic touch. You can also get creative with glue, beads, popsicle sticks, and other crafty add-ons. Each kit—there are pirate ships, castles, a tree house, a fort, and more—comes with washable markers. $29, CreativeToyShop.com
TRUNKI TOWGO If you’re planning on going anywhere this summer that requires the use of an airport, the Trunki could be your new best friend: it’s a suitcase and a child’s ride-on all in one. Durable on the outside, once open the suitcase features ample storage for their favorite reading and coloring materials (and a snack or two), and a pocket for teddy bears and other stuffed friends. A strap allows the child to “pull her own weight” and parents to effortlessly tow their tired children from one terminal to the next.
BAKidsMagazine.com
photo shoot
We do not include children’s last names unless specifically authorized by their parents to do so. To include your child, send photo (300 DPI preferred), name, age, story behind photo (if any), and city to editor@bakidsmagazine.com. Inclusion is not guaranteed. Amateur photographers only please.
BEHIND THE SHOT “The picture of Drew was taken when I took him to his first NHL hockey game. We are big New York Rangers fans and we both had our jerseys on. When Sharkie saw Drew he picked him up and walked over to the trash can to toss out the NY trash. It was very funny and my son loved every minute of it.“
15
Drew Delmonico (5), Walnut Creek
smile time
Tulah Z. (4), San Ramon
Sophia Elwell (3), Alamo
Cody N. (5-1/2), San Ramon
Madeleine Newman (3), Castro Valley April/May 09 | East Bay
Audrey (4), Bradley (6), and Amanda (8) H., Pleasanton Bay Area Kids
15
transport
CAR REVIEW
by CHARLES DONALDSON
2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
16 the wheel deal
16
THE FIRST TIME I drove a Nissan Altima hybrid it took me a few minutes to realize the car had started. I had hit the “Start” button several times before noticing the dash registered a light stating the vehicle was in “EV Mode.” The car never made a sound— ah the peacefulness of an electric hybrid (if only the little ones were this quiet). Nissan first introduced the Altima hybrid in 2007. In order to bring a vehicle to market quickly, it licensed the hybrid technology from Toyota; Nissan only sold the 2009 Altima hybrid in the eight states that follows California’s strict emissions regulations. Full hybrids, like the Nissan Altima, produce better city mileage because at low speeds the car runs only using the electric motor. Mild hybrids like the Honda Civic use electric motors to boost the power of the gas engine, but never run Bay Area Kids
INTERIOR FEATURES • Smart Key Keyless Entry with Push Button Start • Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity • Voice-activated Navigation System • Glovebox large enough to store a laptop computer
DEALERSHIP INFORMATION • Dirito Brothers Walnut Creek Nissan, Dirito.com • Dirito Brothers Concord Nissan, Dirito.com • Dublin Nissan, DublinNissan.com • Bay Bridge Nissan of Oakland, BayBridgeNissan.com
just on electricity. The Altima’s hybrid package delivers 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway compared to the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that gets 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. For those who do a lot of city driving, you should recoup the premium cost that comes with the hybrid in roughly 75,000 miles. The gas-electric hybrid engine in the Altima extends the driving range to over 600 miles between gas station stops, and earns it the rating of an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. 2009 is a carry-over year for the Nissan Altima, with only a few minor changes to standard equipment and the addition of four new colors. When Nissan redesigned the Altima in 2007, it made only subtle changes, keeping the popular design almost the same. The body is stylish and sporty for a mid-size sedan. The front head lamps and rear tailBAKidsMagazine.com
lights create an exotic flair and the fender flares are pronounced with flat edges. The rear deck is short, much like the 350Z, but the trunk measures 10.1 cubic feet, which fits a full-size stroller and other children gear. The front cabin of the 2009 Altima is clean and comfortable with touches of aluminum trim. The three-ring instrument cluster on the hybrid displays battery kilowatts along with an indicator letting you know you are in EV Mode. The Altima is equipped with an Intelligent Key and push bottom system that allows the car to be started remotely, convenient for those who are constantly fishing for keys in their purse. The back seat holds three passengers with a fair amount of room: even with the baby car seat in the middle, there was still adequate space for passengers on either side. Safety features include ABS with Electronic Brake-force distribution, advanced air bag system, full side curtain airbags, frontal and side-impact airbags in front, active front head restraints, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Electronic stability control is available on models with the V6 engine. In Summary The 2009 Nissan Altima is one of the best looking and driving mid-size sedans in its price range. The hybrid model delivers a wonderful combination of fuel performance and being environmentally conscience. If you elect to go with a traditional gasoline engine, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6, both offer good performance. Either way, if you are looking for a sporty alternative in the sea of mid-size sedans, then add the 2009 Nissan Altima to your list.
April/May 09 | East Bay
“Call before my first birthday for a FREE dental exam!”
Pediatric Dentistry Donald C. Schmitt DDS, and Randall R. Wiley DDS Inc. Connie Arvanitis DMD
Infant exams and parent education Preventive services Digital radiography CONCORD 2879 Willow Pass Rd. (925) 685-0513
DANVILLE 300 El Cerro Blvd. (925) 837-8218
www.kidstoothdoctor.com Come see why we’re the global leader in classes for kids.
FREE
Class on us!* Simply bring in this offer. For ages 0-5.
Concord 925.685.7773
Lafayette 925.283.4896
Oakland 510.834.0982
Pleasanton 925.249.0006
San Ramon 925.866.8315
gymboreeclasses.com
*Offer valid for new families only at participating locations. Existing Play & Music customers are not eligible. Offer is not redeemable for cash or credit. Gymboree Play & Music may change or cancel this promotion at any time in Gymboree Play & Music sole discretion. Void where prohibited by law. Bay Area Kids
17
dress up
LISTEN FOR THE JINGLE with these innovative and elegant silver ankle bracelets with attached bells. No more wondering where your baby has crawled off to, just follow your ears. An idea who’s time has come. A portion of every sale goes to Head Start. $45, Bumble Bells, BumbleBells.com.
LOCAL DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
speesees HEADQUARTERED IN SAN FRANCISCO, speesees’ mission is to be fun, fair, and organic in the products they create, the way they conduct business, and the baby steps they take toward creating a more sustainable future for the animal, plant, and human speesees on our children’s planet. Their clothing is made from organic, pesticide-free cotton, low-impact dyes, nickel-free snaps, and does not include formaldehyde or dioxin. In other words, they look good, feel good, and are good for your children. Founded by Rachel Pearson, speesees (spelled the way a baby might spell “species” if a baby could spell) is dedicated to its cause, visiting the cotton farmers in India, making sure their factory is compliant with the Fair Trade Act, and also making really cute clothes.
18 haute stuff
STYLISH SQUEAKERS for children who outgrow their ankle bells (see above), which combine modern styles (especially for boys) with a hidden secret: there’s a little squeaker embedded in the heel of each shoe, so you know where your little gal or guy is at all times. $32.99, Squeakers.com
FEEL THE CHANGE with these three-dimensional animal appliqué shirts feature endangered animals, including an elephant, a lion, a swan, and more. “Children’s clothing made with a conscience,” states their Web site, PreciousFewOn Earth.com (pricing varies)
18
Bay Area Kids
FOR MORE INFORMATION » Speesees.com for their complete collection. Se-
lections also available at The Treehouse in Berkeley, Whole Foods Market locations, and more.
BAKidsMagazine.com
Photo Courtesy: Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Come Picnic at the Family Estate Nestled on 50 acres, with lush green meadows, footbridges, duck pond, and mansion tours.
$5.00 Family Fun Dunsmuir
Hellman Historic Estate 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct., Oakland (by the Zoo)
Old-fashioned Egg Hunt and Bunny April 11 Family Sundays May 3, June 7, Aug. 2, Sept 6 Teddy Bear Parade July 4 Scottish Games July 11 & 12
(510) 562-0328 www.dunsmuir.org
Music & Movie Fridays June 26 : My Fair Lady July 24 : A Secret Garden Aug. 28 : A Little Princess Sept. 25 : Finding Neverland
NAEYC Accredited Programs
Experiencing the excitement of “Mother Nature” by planting a garden, observing insects and wildlife, and appreciating the gifts of the earth.
Year Round Programs Preschool Toddlers School Age Antioch Lafayette Moraga San Ramon Pleasanton 754-0144 284-7092 376-5110 820-2515 462-1866
www.tcdschools.com
Spanish for Kids and adults too!
Give the gift of health to your whole family chronic ear infections • digestive problems emotional well-being • infertility • insomnia postpartum stress and transition • sports injuries pregnancy and childbirth • surgery recovery teething • trauma and stress • women’s health
• Immersion program • Small class sizes • Experienced teachers • Classes for toddlers to teens • Day camps too!
Homeopathy • Acupuncture Clinical Nutrition • Naturopathy Center for Natural Health Care & Healing Carol Lourie, ND, LAc. (510) 526-2028 www.cfnhc.com Mention this ad for $50 off first visit!
(925) 962-9177 www.vivaelespanol.org Alameda • Lafayette • Pleasanton
April/May 09 | East Bay
Bay Area Kids
19
Top Ten Reasons To Not Delay in Creating an Estate Plan for Your Family:
Embracing Open Minds and Open Hearts
1 Provide for your immediate family 2 Select a guardian for your children 3 Provide for sick or disabled parents 4 Get your property to your children quickly 5 Ease the strain on your family 6 Minimize expenses 7 Reduce taxes on your estate 8 Make your retirement years easier 9 Plan for incapacity 10 Help a favorite cause
We provide: Emotional nurturing • Social integrity • Diverse community
Enroll by June 1 and save $50 off enrollment fees
Isn’t it time to protect the things that are most precious to you?
toddler 18-30 months preschool 2.5-5 years pre-K/K 4-6 years
Mention this ad and receive 10% off. Call us for a free consultation today.
Ali Oromchian, Esq. Attorney at Law
OAKLAND 4700 Lincoln Ave (510) 336-9897
MORAGA 1450 Moraga Rd. (925) 377-0407
KENSINGTON 52 Arlington Ave. (510) 527-1278
Bishop Ranch 3 2603 Camino Ramon, Ste. 200, San Ramon
3DBabyVu Ad.pdf
www.growinglight.net
3/11/2009
(925) 999-8200
2:41:30 PM
Take a Look at Me Now! Why wait to bond with your expected arrival? Share a once in a lifetime experience with ® your family at 3DBabyVu .
“We specialize in the treatment of infants, children and teenagers.”
C
M
• Infant Oral Health Program • Sedation and General Anesthesia Services
Y
CM
Affiliates with Children’s Hospital Oakland and the University of Pacific
Our goal is to provide a “dental home” for oral health prevention, education and the delivery of restorative dental treatment.
MY
CY
CMY
K
Reinaldo J. Negron D.D.S., M.S.D.
Leticia Mendoza-Sobel D.D.S.
A block East from the ACE hardware store at the corner of Sunnyside Street
Bay Area Kids
Fully-credentialed sonographers using safe OB mode will perform ® your 3DBabyVu narrated on DVD. Gift certificates are perfect for baby shower gifts. Or, have your ® 3DBabyVu before and show your DVD at the shower! We also offer Photo Disks & Color Portraits.
®
510-652-2603 • www.piedmontpediatricdentistry.com 1333 Grand Avenue • Piedmont • M-F 8:00AM-4:30PM
20
® Since 2002, 3DBabyVu has been Northern California’s premier 3D/4D Ultrasound Theatre performing over 12,000 scans.
888.332.2298 www.3DBabyVu.com
4713 1st Street, Suite 100 Pleasanton, California 94566 BAKidsMagazine.com
photography: jennifer chaney, JChaney.com.
Keen for Green Nurturing your child’s interest in gardening by ELISE COOK
April/May 09 | East Bay
WITH APRIL 22 AND 24 marking both Earth Day and Arbor Day respectively, it’s the perfect time to encourage your children’s horticultural leanings. Here are some kid-friendly pursuits that are sure to appeal to the budding botanists in your family—and it gives them permission to play in the dirt too. Bay Area Kids
21
Inspire them with an excursion.
BAY AREA TREE PLANTING PROGRAMS Plant a tree, and help your community while letting the children start something that they might be able to one day proudly show their own kids. Locally, we boast several community tree planting programs. PALO ALTO: Canopy calls itself an “advocate for the urban forest and works to educate, inspire, and engage the community as stewards of young and mature trees.” Events throughout the year. Canopy.org SAN FRANCISCO Friends of the Urban Forest. Events throughout the year. FUF.net BERKELEY Berkeley Youth Alternatives held a BBQ and fruit tree planting this past March. BayOnline.org CASTRO VALLEY The M. A. Center will host and Easter egg hunt and tree planting event April 12. AMMA.org. Phone: (510) 537-9417 START YOUR OWN The Arbor Day Foundation can help individuals and corporations plan, organize and execute a tree planting event in your community. Visit ArborDay.org for more information.
22
Bay Area Kids
Our temperate climate and earthfriendly culture attract many passionate gardeners who then create true works of botanical art for the rest of us to visit and enjoy. The Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek is but one such example. As the pioneering Bancroft family phased out of orchard farming, Ruth enlisted the help of garden designer Lester Hawkins to plan three-and-a-half acres of wide pathways and large beds for her impressive collection of succulents from around the world. The garden remained a private paradise for twenty years until 1992, when the non-profit Garden Conservancy overtook the preservation of this remarkable space and opened it to the public. Late April to early May, the peak bloom period for most succulents, is a perfect time to come see the best that a low-water succulent landscape has to offer. Brian Kemble, the garden’s curator and assistant garden director, remarks that young visitors are often fascinated with how easily many cacti can propagate. As he puts it, “you can break something off, stick it into the ground and it will grow.” He also enjoys showing kids “ferocious, wicked spines.” (A good way to tell your children to stay on the Garden’s pathways.)
Give them the “dirt” on dirt. What do apple cores, haircut trimmings, and fallen leaves all have in common? With some bacteria, moisture, and time, they’ll all transform into wonderful soil, perfect for your garden. Composting also reduces greenhouse gases, diverts waste from landfills, and lessens petroleum dependence. The amusing title of the composting class offered by the Gardens at Heather Farm is a nod to the planetary benefits: “Do the Rot Thing.” There’s also a certain “magic” about getting something of real value for “nothing” that is appealing to young children. In The Composting Cookbook, authors Karen Overgaard and Tony Novembre ask the rhetorical question, “Why purchase a chemical-based fertilizer when we can get the real thing for free?”
Kids learn quickly what works and what doesn’t in compost. Generally speaking, avoid adding meat and dairy scraps to the pile, but just about anything else, from coffee grounds to orange rinds, works well. “Always have a handy container available to collect kitchen organics such as peelings and egg shells,” suggest Overgaard and Novembre. With the kids in tow to observe what’s happening to the contents, turn your pile occasionally and keep it moist, but not soaking wet. Contrary to popular belief, a well-working compost pile is one that doesn’t smell. In just a few weeks your rich, black, natural fertilizer will be ready to spread in the garden. Isn’t it amazing what some germs can do?
“Free” a Tree. If your family wants to honor Arbor Day with the rest of the country, you’ll find plenty of potted trees at nurseries that need good yards to grow in. Children love fruit, and with dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties available, you won’t have to worry about them outgrowing your space. It’s a good idea to locate the arbor in front of where the sun comes in strongest through your windows in the afternoon. This way a deciduous tree shades the house in the summer and drops its leaves to allow warming in winter. The trick to planting is to give trees a lot of loose dirt to stretch out their roots, which can spread as far below as the branches above. Dig a hole at least twice as deep and wide as the root ball. When planting, hold the trunk upright and gently refill the hole with loose, fertile soil, maintaining a wide depression around the base as a catch-basin for deep watering. Jeff Ball, author of Rodale’s Garden Problem Solver, recommends an inch of water per week for the first few years of growth. It also doesn’t hurt to support the new planting with a fertilizer stake. It’s also good to note that for the first couple of years or so, top-heavy flora are susceptible to tipping. Eventually, however, the roots will spread out sufficiently and the tree will balance its weight out. BAKidsMagazine.com
photography: jennifer chaney, JChaney.com. BASIL AND TOMATOES: starting ingredients for any tasty pizza recipe.
Trees are a lesson in patience for your children. They seem to start off slowly, and need to be kept well-pruned in the first couple of winters to encourage strong root formation. It may be several years before your fruit tree produces an appreciable harvest. Still, the day will come when the kids will marvel at how the spindly stick they tamped into the ground has flourished into something so solid and mature. Surely, there’s a metaphor here.
Grow a Pizza! Thrill your kids with the idea of cultivating their own food by choosing a project that will excite them from planting to harvest. What can be more fun than growing the ingredients for their own pizza? You’ll only need a few hours to get started. After that, so long as the garden has adequate water, your pizza ingredients will be ready to harvest in a couple of months. Prepare a well-drained, fertile, circular bed six to eight feet in diameter. Resist the urge to make it bigger; it’s important that the center be reachable
April/May 09 | East Bay
without having to step inside the bed. Border it with whatever you have handy, sticks and stones work fine. You want an outline both around the circumference of the bed, and within to make the bed, to make the garden look like a pie with “slices.” To populate the garden, take a trip to your neighborhood nursery. Marsha, an employee at a local Navlet’s Garden Center (she declined to give her last name) suggests that starting with plants instead of seeds for this project will be more kid-friendly because “it’s instant.” In addition to not having to wait to see something growing in the bed, buying plants better ensures that everything will ripen at the same time. So what should you grow? Roma and Mama Mia tomatoes make terrific pizza sauce. Bell peppers are a good choice, too. Buy onion sets and garlic bulbs, and don’t forget your herbs—basil and oregano will do, and if you’re feeling ambitious, thyme and rosemary require little water and can thrive in our climate year-round. When you get home, plant your pizzamaking crops in the bed. Garlic, onions, and herbs among the other vegetables repel many kinds of pests, so let your kids plant them where they want the plants to go based on how they’ll look on a real pizza. Water well, and make sure the bed will have adequate moisture for the coming months. Take your children out to the garden frequently and note how the plants are progressing. When Harvest Day finally arrives, mash peeled tomatoes and herbs to cook down into a simple sauce, slice the other ingredients and assemble the meal on a crust. Add cheese, bake at high heat, and serve hot. Mangia! Between bites, let your children start planning what they want to grow next year. BAK
Growing Their Green Thumb Gardening kits for little hands
INDOOR GARDENING KIT Made from advanced environmentally friendly products, this nine-piece set includes peapod-shaped planter tray, three planting pots, trowel, soil pods, and three packs of organic seeds (Teddy Bear Sunflower, basil, and zinnia). Available at most area toy stores. $34,99, ages 5+, GreenToys.com
GARDENING GIFT SET A very popular item for young gardeners, the set comes with a fork, trowel, and spade along with pretty gardening gloves, all in a gift box. Suitable for both girls and boys. $19.99, ages 2+, Target and other local stores. Tatiri.com
About the author: Elise Cooke is an East Bay native and the author of The Grocery Garden, How Busy People Can Grow Cheap Food. Visit her website at www.SimpletonSolutions.com.
Bay Area Kids
23
GREAT EXPECTATIONS A Reality Check with authors Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile by KELLY POLLARD
EVERY POTENTIAL PARENT harbors expectations about how their life will play out when they step into the roles of parent and spouse. The media, our parents, and our wellmeaning friends, their own children influence our expectations. Then the wedding vows are said and the baby carriage comes into play, and in the absence of that expected bliss to color their days in these new lives, many parents are left wondering what happened. Sassy, straight-talking authors Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile tackled motherhood and expectations in their bestselling first book I Was a Really Good Mom until I Had Kids in 24
Bay Area Kids
2007 (Chronicle Books), validating the conflicting feelings of moms, who like me, are facing unrealized expectations. They quickly followed up that title by expanding a popular feature of the first book into the follow-up, Dirty Little Secrets from Otherwise Perfect Moms in 2008 (Chronicle Books). Now, in their latest book, I’d Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper: loving your marriage after the baby carriage (due for release in April 2009 from Chronicle Books), they’re back to answer their audience’s demands to explore expectations set up within the framework of marriage and having children, and why the aren’t what we dreamed them to be. BAKidsMagazine.com
“Most of us don’t sit down and honestly ask ourselves what life will look like once we have kids, and definitely don’t have this talk with our husbands.” – Trisha Ashworth (pictured here with Amy Nobile) Their findings—from once again interviewing hundreds of moms, and even some dads—will strike a chord. The two moms—both of whom call Northern California home—sat down with Bay Area Kids amidst a buzzing pre-release publicity schedule (they were scheduled to appeared on The Today Show this April 2) to chat about the effects of kids on marriage, and how we can put the spark back in our relationships. “Our expectations are a huge part of the puzzle of marriage and kids,” says Trisha Ashworth. “Most of us don’t sit down and honestly ask ourselves what life will look like once we have kids, and definitely don’t have this talk with our husbands.” The authors first explored the role of expectations in their bestselling first book. Their chapter about marriage—“Just Give Us a Rule Book. We Can’t Read Minds. (Tell Him What You Need)”—was destined to expand. “The chapter in the first book really resonated with a lot of people,” says Amy Nobile. With the runaway success of I Was a Really Good Mom, they realized that what started as the trading of stories as two new moms— Trisha’s three kids are now ages 5, 7, and 9; Amy’s two kids are 4 and 6—could have a huge impact on parents everywhere, especially
April/May 09 | East Bay
We ask Trisha Ashworth,
What three things are on your nightstand?
1. People magazine
mothers. It helped that they’ve been close friends for fourteen years now. “We had always had an open relationship before kids, so when we had our own kids, we compared notes. We’d say we’re going crazy, judging ourselves and feeling guilty,” Ashworth says. “So we started talking to other moms to make sure we weren’t the only ones.” Part of their conflicted feelings about motherhood affected how they expected life to play out post-baby. “We were raised to believe we could do it all. We had these choices and we felt like we had to be happy with the choices we had made, so why weren’t we?” Nobile adds. “And those expectations definitely affected the marriage. When we put our kids first all the time, the marriage becomes last on the list.” So when these two moms rolled up their sleeves to start their most current project— addressing marriage expectations—their findings were a bit shocking. “We found that 80 percent of the three hundred moms we interviewed about their marriages admitted that theirs were only so-so on the happiness scale,” Nobile says. “They were waiting for the happiness to appear, which just doesn’t happen.”
2. Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin, 2006)
3. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet (New American Library, 1989)
Bay Area Kids
25
We ask Amy Nobile,
What three things are on your nightstand?
1. US Weekly magazine
2. Reading Glasses (Foster Grant shown, FosterGrant.com)
3. The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton (Random House, 1988)
26
Bay Area Kids
The authors interviewed husbands as well. “We worked hard to bring in the male perspective,” Nobile says. “Hearing their stories helped us move forward and realign our own expectations.” Though their own husbands support their book, Amy admits her husband “freaked out” when he saw all the relationship self-help books she was using for research, and both their husbands thought the title of the new book was … interesting. “Wanting to trade your husband for a housekeeper, it’s a pretty universal feeling when you talk about the division of work in households today,” Nobile adds. Like their first book, I’d Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper combines plenty of material from moms across the country about life as Mom and wife. The difference this time around is the inclusion of their husbands too, especially with the “What I Wish She Knew…” sections at the end of each chapter, both saucy: “I wish she
was barhopping with her friends. The success of their books depends to a high percentage on the honesty and forthrightness those interviewed were willing to share, and how the authors organized the material, offering reallife solutions after presenting common points of conflict that they uncovered during their research. Trisha and Amy treat the readers to fun quizzes covering the gamut of everything from sex lives to chore woes. And though some might suspect it’s just one bitching session (see Chapter 1—Beyond the Bitch Session), the end of each chapter contains guidelines to help make it all better in the form of lists with headings like ‘Ways to keep your expectations in check’ and ‘8 steps to reigniting the fire’. Most important, Trisha and Amy’s books validated my own experience as a mom and wife and the hurricane of emotions that sweep through my reality—be it overwhelming resentment one second then loving awe in the next, encouraging me to seek out the balance
“Wanting to trade your husband for a housekeeper, it’s a pretty universal feeling when you talk about the division of work in households today.” knew that the bedroom door does have a lock, really,” and the earnest, “I wish my wife knew I understand that my worst day at work is better than her best day at home!” Although the two authors’ personal lives and expectations were the catalyst for writing these books, their own experiences are kept to a minimum. “[In the books], it’s not our stories, it’s our research, but it definitely made us dig deeper in what was important for us personally,” says Ashworth. Amy Nobile agrees. “We really remove ourselves almost entirely during the research. Ultimately we draw on the similarities. It’s all a universal experience, a lot of ‘Ah, that’s how I feel too!’” The dirty secrets moms and dads across the country reveal throughout the books are a fun read—a favorite was the mom who lied to her husband about starting a book club. Instead, she
they assure us that is ours for the taking, if we are willing to consciously make that choice to create happiness. The gamut of real parents and psychology experts they integrate into their latest book emphasize the importance of honoring the marriage for the overall health of the family, a message Trisha and Amy hope readers will take to heart. “Our goal for this book is for moms to love their marriage as much as they love their husbands and kids,” Ashworth says. BAK FOR MORE INFORMATION Find more from Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile and their current book tour schedule at ReallyGoodMom.com
BAKidsMagazine.com
e a s t b ay
Dog Family Matters
bayarea california ’s best friends celebrati ng northern
ur put yon our dogxtocoveor!w ne d out h fin inside.
winter 2008 | $3.95
breed spotlight:
The Weimeraner
5
mistakes new dog owners make PLUS >> saving mt. diablo >> point isabel >> DIY doghouse y >> baby meets pupp >> products and more
Kids
BayArea
BAKidsMagazine.com
There’s a new breed coming to the Bay Area. (From the publisher of Bay Area Kid magazine.)
Bay Area Dog Coming Fall 2009
BADogMagazine.com for a free subscription!
For advertising opportunities, call (510) 325-1689 or e-mail sales@bakidsmagazine.com
Woof! (Good boy.) Est. 1969
Summer Programs
think of
june 22 - july 24 pre-k - entering 8th grade academics / recreation / english / math / science / swimming / arts & crafts / drama / friday adventures
us
as an
itsy bitsy woodstock. Our exciting family classes are filled with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grownups. All free to move,sing, play instruments, and have fun. Make beautiful music with your children in one of our joyful, research-based classes.
Summer Daycare: June 15 - August 21 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 510.549.0605 2722 Benvenue Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705
(800) 728-2692 s
•
musictogether.com
alameda, albany, berkeley, oakland, lamorinda hercules, martinez, concord, clayton
April/May 09 | East Bay
— eastbaymusictogether.com — musictogether.net
walnut creek, danville, san ramon, pleasanton, livermore
— musictogetherofconcord.com
Bay Area Kids
27
table talk
All photos courtesy Pizza Antica
28
THE CLEAN PLATE CLUB
eating out
Pizza Antica, Lafayette THIS IS THE FIRST (we hope
PIZZA ANTICA 3600 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette (925) 299-0500 PizzaAntica.com
28
Bay Area Kids
of many) reviews focused on local child-friendly restaurants and dining spots. What better food group to inaugurate this occasion than a perennial favorite among diners of any age: pizza. And what better place to grab a pie than Lafayette’s Pizza Antica. The one thing you won’t feel when stepping into Pizza Antica is claustrophobic. The ceilings are high and the dining room sprawls in an organized disorganization of tables, all framed by a black and white motif echoing the floor’s tile pattern. Ovens along the inside wall await your order, flames at the ready. Greeters were friendly and immediately placed crayons and coloring paper in the hands of our two youngsters (3-1/3 and a 1-1/2 year old) as we got seated. Originally from Chicago, I’m a
huge fan of thin-crust pizza, and Pizza Antica’s cracker-thin version fits my nostalgic remembrances to a tee. We ordered two pies—the spicy fennel sausage, portobello mushroom and roasted onion, and the Bartlett pear, sweet garlic, and Mt. Tam triple cream cheese—along with their chopped salad with wine-cured salami, sundried tomato, avocado, and red wine vinaigrette, and their butternut squash ravioli with cranberries and pecans. While the children sipped their milk, I opted for a cold Trumer Pils draft beer (they have an extensive wine and beer selection). Surprisingly, our usually selective children made short order of most of the food, my daughter digging the pear pizza, my son enjoying both the fennel sausage and the salad. (Sadly, this meant no take-home midnight snack for me. Sigh.)
Though Pizza Antica does have a children’s menu, it’s good to know that they have menu items that smaller taste buds can enjoy too. On the recommendation of our host, we closed out the feast with a cup of Eureka Lemon Semifreddo—an elegant frozen dessert made from fresh lemons— that once again disappeared shortly after the onslaught of my children’s spoons. Job well done by all, time to go home. AT-A-GLANCE Time from sitting to check: 45 minutes Time from sitting to eating: 10 minutes Bathrooms: clean, large open areas, and changing tables. Total bill: $77, including 20 percent tip Popular dish: “Our thinly-sliced broccoli and cheese served over our hand-pinned dough.” Best time to bring kids: “Our quieter times usually range from 2-5pm. The beginning of the week offers the shortest waits. The best tip for avoiding a wait is to call first.” BAKidsMagazine.com
RECIPE Miss Jennifer’s Cornmeal Shortcakes Recipe courtesy Pizza Antica Number of servings: 8
INGREDIENTS 3 cups white sugar 1/2 lb softened butter 2 Tbsp vanilla extract 2 ea eggs (room temp.) 15 oz cake flour 2 oz cornmeal 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups buttermilk (room temp.) 3 pts ripe strawberries, sliced 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 3 Tbsp sugar (more or less depending on berries) 1/2 pt whipping cream 1 Tbsp sugar
a pottery painting studio classes U camps U parties drop-in studio U mosaics ceramic baby keepsakes 1"(& 45 ! 5) Â… #&3,&-&:
XXX CSVTITUSPLFTUVEJP DPN
Lark Creek Walnut Creek 1360 Locust Street, Walnut Creek (925) 256-1234 • www.larkcreek.com
INSTRUCTIONS Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees Beat butter and sugar together until light, about 10 min. on medium speed, scrape the bowl down several times during the process. Add the eggs one at a time and mix in the egg completely before adding a new one, scraping down the bowl after every three eggs. Add the vanilla; sift together the dry ingredients, and add alternately with the buttermilk. Mix each addition completely before adding a new one. Place batter into buttered and floured individual tart pans and bake until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool and remove from pans Meanwhile, mix berries with sugar and vanilla and set aside. Whip cream to soft peaks with the sugar and keep cool. To serve, split cakes and pile with strawberries and cream.
Serving seasonal farm-fresh American fare for the whole family since 1995 • Kids menu includes fresh fruit plate, hand-breaded fresh crispy chicken fingers with house cut fries, peanut butter and housemade jelly sandwich • Award winning all-American wine list for Mom and Dad Lark Creek Walnut Creek serves lunch daily, brunch Sunday, cocktails, and dinner nightly, and private parties.
April/May 09 | East Bay
Bay Area Kids
29
last words
DIARY OF A SUBURBAN QUEEN
T-Ball Madness by KELLY POLLARD
IN OUR HOUSEHOLD, the smack of baseballs
30 parting shots
Kelly Pollard is a TriValley writer and mother of two boys, ages five and four. You can find her at TwoBoysinTwoYears. BlogSpot.com with more incriminating tales of her family.
30
Bay Area Kids
against aluminum bats symbolizes one thing: spring is here again. Before the boys were old enough to hold a bat (without causing serious damage to those within a five-foot radius), my husband and I would drop the kids off with a set of grandparents and trek out to a few Oakland A’s games. Sans children, we were free to tailgate recklessly, buy overpriced beers, and watch a whole game with no interruptions. Now that my children are approaching their school-age years, our love of baseball and springtime takes on a whole new meaning. Bobby starts his second year of T-ball. Due to the cruel fate of a birthday late in the year, his brother Shane is once again left behind from the baseball season, though he towers over a few of Bobby’s teammates. Alas, he must be content to be dragged to twice-weekly practices and games for three straight months. Can you say time commitment? I can say it, but I didn’t quite wrap my head around its meaning last year as concerning T-ball. What it means: weekend getaways are nixed for the months of spring; and, no late nights if we have dreaded early Saturday morning game, for fear we’d be the only parent zombies, sitting in the bleachers with eyes half-mast. Then there is the matter of volunteering: the bravest of moms sign up as a team parent, and it becomes their responsibility to juggle schedules, call others about cancelled games, plan end-ofseason parties, and buy gifts for the coaches. Coaches and assistant coaches carve out hours several times a week to get a group of twelve wild five-year-olds to try and focus on alligator catches, the perfect swing, and running the bases in the right order. Then there are parents like me, who overthink everything, thus slacking on volunteering in the first place. As the team’s PR spokesperson, what if I mix up the kid’s names or blatantly favor my own kid in the newspaper announcements? What if I choose the wrong team colors or leave out one of Bobby’s teammates? Thus, the other parents snatch up all the volunteer jobs, leav-
ing me cowering in the stands, hanging my head with guilt that I’m not doing enough for the team, or for my son. You can taste the excitement in the air on Opening Day: the kids crisp and clean in their new uniforms, Bobby’s ears smashed downward under his cap, framing his cheesy grin. There are the parents who bribe the players with Happy Meals if they hit the ball to the outfield, or if they pay more attention to the game than to what snack the designated parent brought. Then there are the families that terrify me the most, the ones with multiple players on different teams…which will be us next year when Shane steps up to the plate. How will I coordinate dueling practices and game times? How do I split myself into two when I’m finally brave enough to take on Team Mom? I have a girlfriend with three kids who shares her nightmare of Terrible Thursdays when her whole tribe has practice at three different parks. She lives out of her car for three hours that night. Then there is the science of making sure every baseball belt, jersey, and pairs of socks and pants are clean, stain-free, and not hiding behind the couch on game days, all multiplied by how many players there are in that household. Coincidentally, spring is also the season of birthdays in our household. Checking over our schedule, Bobby has a game smack in the middle of the only day we can swing a birthday party for him. Do I let him skip the game? Do I schedule the party early, and then send him out on the field with a sugar buzz, wanting more to be at home to play with his new presents? Then there is my … ahem … thirtieth birthday coming up in May. Rather than the rock star birthday in Vegas on my last Big Day, I’m scheduled to watch Bobby strive for that elusive MVP ball at his game. Really though, where else would I rather be on that day than sitting on the hard steel stands, cheering for my son, and eating nachos and sunflower seeds from the snack shack?
BAKidsMagazine.com
Wanna make kids smile? Send them to The Taylor Family Foundation’s Camp Arroyo
See Who’s Coming to Camp in 2009* Our Mission Statement: Preser ving the wellness and enhancing the quality of life for children in Northern California with life threatening and chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and youth at-risk through unique therapeutic experiences and support.
55''µ4
January
• Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California
March
• Diabetic Youth Foundation (DYF)
April
• Jack’s Camp for Pediatric Brain Tumor
May
• Camp Hope (Bereavement)
June
• California Fairplay (Asthma) • Camp Breathe Easy (CHO-Asthma) • Camp Wonder (Children’s Skin Disease) • Gut Busters (Crohn’s, Colitis and IBD)
July
• Camp Sunburst (Pediatric HIV/AIDS) • Camp Taylor (Congenital Heart Disease) • Celiac Camp (High allergy to any wheat product)
August
• Exceptional Needs Net work (Autistic & Developmentally Delayed) • Kara’s - Camp Erin (Bereavement) • Camp Opehay (Bi-polar Disorder) • Camp Sickle Cell • Jack’s Camp for Pediatric Brain Tumor
September
• Little Heros Firefighters Burn Institute (Preschool Burn Sur vivors)
November
• Camp Hope (Bereavement Camp)
At no cost to the child or their family
*
55''µ4
If you have a child with special needs, please contact us: 925-455-5118 • www.ttff.org • TTFF@ttff.org The Taylor Family Foundation • 5555 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550 • Tax ID 94-3262932