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S O U r c E f oR M O D E r n f a m i l i e s
selective mutism what your child’s silence could be hiding
great expectations welcoming maternity in style Also Inside • The Return of Happy Hollow • Summer camp, unplugged • Jardin de San Juan
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Kids
BayArea
South Bay Edition
Volume 1, Number 2 March/April 2010
Publisher/Editor/Father Everard G. Strong estrong@bakidsmagazine.com Sales General Inquiries sales@bakidsmagazine.com Waseem Srouji wsrouji@bakidsmagazine.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@bakidsmagazine.com
what’s inside
4 small talk
four words of hope
5 play dates
March/April To Do list
7 mixed media
book, music, video game
8 destinations the return of happy hollow park and zoo
Calendar calendar@bakidsmagazine.com
family matters 10 selective mutism
Photography Christina Fabbri Photography
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Contributing Writers Kelly Pollard, Patricia Kutza, Laura Wrede
summer camp guide 15 special section
Submissions Send photos, events, news, and story requests to editor@bakidsmagazine.com Product submissions Send all products to address below. Include return postage.
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camp, unplugged loosening the digital umbilical
what’s inside
day tripper 17 walt disney family museum
great expectations 18 haute maternity fashions
22 clean plate club
jardines de san juan
Doing our Part Bay Area Kids magazine is printed on 10 percent recycled paper using only soy based inks. Our printer meets or exceeds all Federal Resource Conservation Act (RCRA) Standards and is a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council.
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Small Print 2010 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.
online edition BAY AREA KIDS magazine P.O. Box 30442 Walnut Creek, CA 94598 www.BAKidsMagazine.com
March/April 2010 | South Bay
Our free online edition has even more stuff, including expanded fashions, shopping guide, recipes, and more. www.bakidsmagazine.com
22 Bay Area Kids
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stanford editor’s letter
four words of hope “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult—once we truly understand and accept it—then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” M Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1978)
P
4 small talk
sound check Theme: Childbirth
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) John Lennon When A Man Needs A Woman The Beach Boys My Darling Wilco Dream Letter Tim Buckley Isn’t She Lovely Stevie Wonder. Stay up Late Talking Heads. This Woman’s Work Kate Bush Expecting The Clouds When One Becomes Two The Verve Pipe Hush Little Baby Nina Simone Godspeed Dixie Chicks Zion Lauryn Hill Send your favorite selection to editor@bakidsmagazine.com
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Bay Area Kids
arenting is tough. There is nothing—no class, no book, no advice—that accurately paints a picture of the trials we will face with our children. Whether it’s a crying baby that won’t quiet down no matter what you try, a 2-1/2 year old boy immobilized inside a spica cast (personal experience), finding out your child has a physical or mental disorder, or even something as seemingly mundane (to us adults anyway) as your daughter’s weeping heartbreak because her first crush doesn’t like her back. During these times, we reach into whatever wellspring of strength and personal wisdom we can reach to take us through the next half hour, afternoon, day, night, week, month, year, or decade. Somehow, we always get through it. We have to: what is the option otherwise? It’s true that life is a series of valleys and mountains, but a closer topographical analysis would reveal wider, deeper valleys broken by high peaks that descend on a steeper plane than they ascend. That’s life in general, but more so for parents. It’s standing on the mountaintop, looking back at what you thought were impenetrable swamps and thickets behind you that strengthens you to tackle what’s next. There have been four words that have helped me personally get through what I thought at the time were some insurmountable times. (And how many of us, facing challenges we hadn’t even thought of then, can look back and say “If only it was so easy as that!”) This too shall pass. I had first heard those words from a former boss when he was trying to quit smoking—it was his meditative mantra whenever the urge to light up came upon him. This too shall pass. Whatever we’re going through, no matter how deep the abyss seems to loom, the light of day will break through ... eventually. Those four words are relevant to our immediate family and our larger, extended global one. No matter what hardship, disaster, or bad decisions we’ve made, this too shall pass. Life will go on. We will go on, because we have to, because there is no “or else” in that. The Bible says that no matter what obstacles are placed in our paths, no matter how deep the valley seems, we are given the strength to overcome them. Whether you’re religious or not, many of our moments as parents are marked by milestones of personal growth, strength, and courage that arise from deep within. We move on from these experiences stronger, more resilient, more confident in ourselves and our abilities. We become better parents. Everard G Strong, Publisher, Editor, and Father estrong@bakidsmagazine.com
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WIN THIS DVD! Bay Area Kids is giving away two DVDs of the new Uma Thurman comedy, Motherhood, also starring Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver. Go to www.southbaykidsmag.com to register. Winner chosen April 1. www.bakidsmagazine.com
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To learn more about Saint Andrew’s call 408-867-3785 or visit the website at www.st-andrews.org/bak Still accepting applications for fall in select grades Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
March/April 2010 | South Bay
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School 13601 Saratoga Avenue - Saratoga, CA 95070 Check us out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/saintandrewsepiscopalschool
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Book to life on stage. Sing and dance along with Baloo, Mowgli and all the other fun characters.
To Do LIST
March | April 2010
6 play dates
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
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Bay Area Kids
Star Trek Exhibit Through April 11. Open Mon-Wed, 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.; Thurs, 10:00 – 6:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat 10:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Sun 10:00 – 6:00 p.m. Tech Museum of Innovation, 201 South Market St., San Jose, (408) 294-8324, www.thetech.org. For true Trekkies, sci-fi fans, and movie lovers alike, this traveling exhibition has something for everyone: original costumes and props, authentic movie sets, replicas of the various starships from the TV shows, spinoffs, and movies. Come aboard the bridge of the Enterprise and sit in the original Captain’s chair, explore brave new worlds, and Boldly Go.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee March 5 – 14. Fri 5 & 12, 7:00 p.m.; Sat 6 & 13, 1:00, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.; Sun 7 & 14, 1 & 5:00 p.m. Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market Street, San Jose, (408) 2775277, www.cmtsj.org. See Web site for ticket pricing options. Directed by Kevin R. Hauge. Laugh and wince as you witness six young people in the throes of puberty learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.
Circque du Soleil’s OVO Through April 21. Tue-Thurs, 8:00 p.m.; Fri-Sat, 4:00 & 8:00 p.m.; Sun 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Under the Grand Chapiteau, at Taylor Street Bridge - Lot E. Tickets $42.00 - $250.00, purchased online at www.stubhub.com or directly through www.cirquedusoleil.com. From the colorful minds at Cirque du Soleil comes their newest effort, Ovo. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely
Angels on Stage presents The Jungle Book Sat, March 6, 2:00 & 7:00 p.m; Sun, March 7, 2:00 p.m.; Sat, March 13, 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.; Sun, March 14, 2:00 p.m. Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, (408) 3946816, www.angelsonstage.com. $15 per adult, $10 per child 2-12. Order tickets online at www.stubmatic.com/ angelsonstage. Have fun watching young children enjoying themselves on stage as they bring Disney’s version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle
curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. All ages show.
Super Toy, Comic Book, and Collectible Show Sat, March 20, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd., San Jose, www.timetunneltoys. com/toyshow. $5 general admission, $2.50 children under 12. Peruse vintage, rare, and new items from over two hundred vendors. Bring your child to find the missing pieces for your (or theirs) missing Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Transformers, Disney, Marvel or other collection. Comic books available too. Sheep Shearing Day Sun, March 21, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Hidden Villa, 26879 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, (650) 949-8650, www.hiddenvilla.org. $8 registration fee, children under 2 are free. Due to event’s popularity, advance registration is required. Come down to Hidden Villa and see their sheep getting their annual hair cut. Get your hands into all kinds of cool wool activities: make your own felt pouch, some crazy yarn critters, and more. Bring blankets, folding chairs, and a picnic. Taylor Swift in Concert Sun, April 11, 7:00 p.m. show, doors open at 6:00 p.m. HP Pavilion, www.hppsj. com. Tickets available online at www. stubhub.com. Taylor Swift is fast becoming America’s Cutie, with her smooth blend of pop and uplifting vocal harmonies. This all ages show will be a fun event for all involved. Harlem Globetrotters Sat, April 24, 1:00 p.m. HP Pavilion, www. hppsj. com. Tickets: $22.50–$160.50, available online at www.stubhub. com. Parking $10.00. Come watch the Disciples of Dunk show off their consummate basketball skills and effortless showmanship. All ages.
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Music
Video Game 4-8 years
4-8 years
Charity and the Jam Band Party Like a Twinkle Star (www.jamjamjam.com
San Francisco’s own Charity Kahn dishes out another round of her unique brand of kid-friendly music, this time in the form of a double CD. The first disc is the Party album, and it does rock. Mixing funk, rock, punk, soul, and world beats, the songs create a natural flow for a child’s day. From the uptempo “Get your booty out of bed,” to the subtle, spacey chords of the closing “We are stardust,” your child will be alternately clapping, dancing, jumping, or singing along, and you’ll find yourself joining in. The second disc focuses on night time, providing ten lullabies that are as gorgeously crafted as they are harmonized. Beautiful to listen to, Twinkle gives children—as well as adults—a relaxing vibe to help them slow down after a day’s work: try doing nothing but laying down with your daughter (it might be a bit too “mushy” for your son), hands behind your heads, and stare at the ceiling while the album plays, soaking it all up while letting it all go. — Everard G Strong
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Platforms: Nintendo Wii, DS Retail: $50 on Wii; $40 on Nintendo DS
We tested the game on the Wii and it has obvious advantages over the smaller Nintendo DS, especially with use of the balance board for games like snowboarding and bobsledding. The game boasts twenty seven events and supports up to four players, which makes games such as hockey downright addictive for the whole family. Enter dream winter game events and enjoy three types of party games: Versus mode pits players against each other; Team Versus and Co-op Play brings the family together as a team to work toward the elusive gold medal. Favorites from our testers were the figure skating, hockey and ski moguls. Sitting on the balance board to play bobsleigh and skeleton courses was especially popular with the youngest players. There is also a bonus adventure game on the DS where Mario and Sonic must save the Olympic Games from the evil Bowser and Eggman. Whatever system you choose, this is a great way for the kids to make their own Olympic records and dream of gold medals in their future. — Kelly Pollard
7 mixed media
Book 4-8 years Catty Wompus: A Tale of Friendship
Written by Julie Howe, illustrations by Chason Matthams Crooked Sidewalk Press Catty Wompus: A Tale of Friendship contains two morals for young readers: money doesn’t by happiness (or friendship), and not to judge your friends by their cover. Written in the first person, the author tells about Catty Wompus, a girl who’s “All March/April 2010 | South Bay
That” at her school: she’s wealthy and she makes sure that you know it. However, we find that under that veneer lies a fragile, lonely young girl looking for a friend. Written in a whimsical rhyming prose with hand-drawn illustrations to match the author’s voice, Catty Wompus’ story is one most young girls can relate to: especially as they start preschool or first grade and start discovering cliques and social castes within their own circles. The end(?) is also quite cute. — Everard G Strong Bay Area Kids
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8 destination
Happy Returns Happy Hollow Park and Zoo re-opens The saying “Good things come to those who wait” rings true
HAPPY HOLLOW PARK & ZOO 1300 Senter Rd. San Jose www.hhpz.org (408) 794-6400
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Bay Area Kids
for San Jose residents who have been counting the days until their beloved Happy Hollow Park and Zoo reopens its gates to the public. The Park closed on July 9, 2008 in order to complete a $72 million green renovation, including updating and making improvements to the existing twelve acres, plus adding four more acres to accommodate a variety of modern structures ranging from family restrooms to a full-service restaurant. The grand opening happens on Saturday, March 20. Plans to update the zoo have been in the works for many years. Not only was there a need to make the venue more eco-friendly, but there was also a need for the park and zoo to come up to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Happy Hollow Park first opened in 1961 as a play area for children with equipment and rides, and animal displays interspersed throughout out the park. The true zoo component came to fruition in the 1970’s. According to Vanessa Rogier, the park’s communications manager, the park was one facility, but guests paid a separate admission for the zoo and a separate one for the rides. The play areas, rides, and animals are still the main draw, but
guests will be pleasantly surprised by the changes that have taken place during the past twenty months. Prior to the renovation, guests entered the zoo through a castle and over a moat. Now, guests will be greeted by a new entry plaza incorporating the zoo’s ‘green’ experience. The front patio has been decorated with recycled glass, and surrounding the plaza is a display of public art done by internationally-known artist named Tom Otterness. “The sculptures are done in bronze and pull parts of the park into the entry plaza,” Rogier comments. “So you will see animals out here, but done in a fun, whimsical style.” Other green additions include using recycled fiber concrete to make “wood” planks for the sides of the buildings, and green growing roofs where vegetation can be planted, offering additional habitat space for birds and butterflies. But wait, that’s not all that has turned “green.” Throughout the park there is a runnel system which allows rain water to be channeled into a bioswell, which helps with watering the grass and other vegetation in the park. Other “green” aspects of the park include radiant flooring for cooling and heating, recycled base rock used throughout
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This summer, let your child discover their world the project, and porous asphalt paving. Upon final completion the project will apply to become certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Children and their parents will delight at the addition of the Keep-Around-Carousel, the first ride they encounter once they enter the main gate. “The majority of the animals on the carousel are endangered, but there are mythical animals on there as well,” Rogier explained. “We have okapi, black and white ruffed lemurs, American bald eagles, mountain gorillas, American alligators, tigers, giraffes, polar bears, goats, humming birds, sea horses, and sea dragons.” The new zoo on the hill, or the “upper zoo,” will provide new digs for many of the animals. Red-ruffed lemurs have a new enclosure, allowing visitors to get even more up-close and personal with these playful primates. Next to the lemurs is a parallel play structure called Lemur Woods where children can climb and explore. Another addition to the upper zoo is the Double H Ranch Exhibit, a new interactive barn area. “Children and their parents will have contact with smaller animals like zebus, miniature horses, Navajo-churro sheep, and dwarf Sicilian donkeys,” Rogier explains. “People can go inside the barn where the animals live, plus there will be other barn animals in there like snakes, spiders and mice.”
For over 25 years, Camp Chrysalis has helped young people learn about the rich and diverse natural environments of California. We explore the tidepools, rivers, sand dunes, and lakes from the coast to the mountains, while cultivating an ethic of respect and responsibility for the land and each other.
Camp beneath the redwoods of Big Sur, near the tides of the Mendocino coast, or high in the Sierra Nevada! Separate backpacking session for older campers.
CAMP CHRYSALIS Lee Tempkin (Director) • lee@campchrysalis.com www.campchrysalis.com • (510) 843-6157
green maid today
ompany C ing n a A Green Cle As the saying goes, there’s more. There’s the new Learning LODGE (Learn, Observe, Discover, Go Explore), an educational facility offering indoor and outdoor programs. Aspiring veterinarians will be able to observe vet technicians at work at Doc’s Critter Care, which offers indoor and outdoor quarantine areas plus surgery and radiology facilities. There’s also a new full-service restaurant called the Picnic Basket, and Explore and More, a 1,500 square foot gift shop. The park’s ride area, Five Point Forest, incorporates the old with the new. Here guests will find the Pacific Fruit Express, a family roller coaster; the Redwood Lookout, a giant play structure modeled after a ranger lookout station; Giggle Grove, which has rides for little tykes. The Puppet Theater and the Danny the Dragon ride, which have been a part of the park for years, will return, but both attractions have received a few updates as well. Parents will be pleased to know that their children can also have their birthday parties in Five Point Forest, with special visits from Danny the Dragon and one of his feathered or four-footed friends.
March/April 2010 | South Bay
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10 family matters all photos by Kevallyn Paskos
Frozen in the Headlights Selective mutism can inhibit a child from taking center stage By Patricia Kutza
Do you have a friend, family member, neighbor or “other� doing something worthwhile for our children and the Bay Area? Send us a note about them to editor@ bakidsmagazine.com
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Bay Area Kids
Think back to the first time you had to speak in front of class.
You probably had sweaty hands, a lump in the throat, and a wish that you could evaporate into thin air: all very understandable and very common feelings. What has not been understood, until fairly recently, is that there are kids afflicted with an anxiety disorder known as selective mutism that infuses every social encounter with the threat of embarrassment and humiliation. Left untreated, these kids may grow up in a perpetual state of stage fright whenever they are cast in social settings.
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Concord resident Kevallyn Paskos was fortunate that her four-year-old daughter Haley was diagnosed early. “Haley and I joined a friend of mine and her daughter for an outing at the Oakland Zoo. My friend, who has an autistic child, noticed that my daughter was acting differently. Instead of watching the animals, Haley was fixated on the wheels of a golf cart. She suggest that I take Haley for a screening.” Paskos had additional clues that something was wrong with Haley. “We had a wonderful preschool teacher who paid attention to Haley and noticed that, unlike other kids her age, she wasn’t drinking water or even going to the bathroom.” At home, Haley wouldn’t talk to her mother. After her daughter was diagnosed with selective mutism, Paskos learned that it is common for selectivemutistic kids to act out at home, such as having temper tantrums, because they are unable to talk when they are in school. This “freezing up” in the company of others typically is triggered by the onset of schooling, says speech-language pathologist Lisa Cameron. “You can have a child who seems normal until they enter kindergarten or preschool,” she says. “In many cases, because this child may act fine in her home environment, it takes an observant teacher to identify issues. They may notice that the affected child stays by herself in a corner and doesn’t participate with her classmates.” Aggressive or disruptive children can quickly exacerbate the already fragile condition of the selective-mutistic child. Paskos describes that time before her daughter was diagnosed as a period of intense loneliness and confusion. “It was scary. At first, nobody knew what was wrong with Haley.” Uninformed advice from her peers, though well intentioned, could have been very misleading, had she not questioned their counsel. “They would say ‘Oh she’s just shy.’ Or suggest that she is being willfully disobedient. I know now that early intervention is huge and I am grateful that I was persistent and diligent, pressing all sorts of people for answers.” So grateful is Paskos that she started the Northern California chapter of Selective Mutism, the largest selective
March/April 2010 | South Bay
mutism non-profit organization in the US. “We have sixty families affected by selective mutism, from San Jose to Sacramento, who now feel less isolated. We share resources and information with each other.” she says. “Mistreating or mislabeling children with selective mutism always leads to negative academic and social experiences. Can you imagine not being able to answer your teacher when called upon?” Haley’s journey to wellness started with one-on-one weekly sessions with Cameron, the director of clinic programs for the Speech Pathology Group. “We started out with non-verbal communication techniques, then gradually moved on to verbalization,” she says. Cameron slowly helped Haley socialize by pairing her with people with whom she felt comfortable, like her mother, when she was meeting someone new to her. “Once Haley started to speak in the clinic, I quickly introduced her to other people in the clinic, so she got comfortable speaking with new people.” Later on, Cameron would include Haley’s classmates in these encounters. A team approach to treatment is critical. In Haley’s behalf, Cameron met with the director of Haley’s school, her current preschool teacher, Paskos, and a behavioral therapist. Awareness and training is key. “In my experience the best scenario is where teachers are sympathetic and sensitive to the anxiety-based nature of this disorder,” says Cameron. While cognitive approaches are recommended for children ages six or older, knowledgeable teachers can apply behavioral principles in a way that promotes increased speech and social interaction without increasing the selective-mutistic child’s fear of scrutiny and embarrassment. Like many things in life, curing an ailment brings trade-offs. After five months of treatment, Haley is well on her way to recovery. “I am now experiencing a happy child who talks so much she gets into trouble at school,” Paskos says. Given the alternative, she will gladly deal with this welcome development. BAK
Kevallyn Paskos and her daughter Haley
» Who is impacted In the Bay Area, studies show that one out of 350 children may be afflicted with selective mutism, says Lisa Cameron, speech-language pathologist. Studies show that usually at least one parent of a selective-mutistic child has a genetic propensity to an anxiety disorder. » Taking action Selective mutism specialists urge parents to seek help if their children show withdrawal symptoms in the classroom beyond the first few weeks of school. Since twenty to thirty percent of affected kids may have both selective mutism and speech disorders, Walnut Creek-based developmental pediatrician Dr. Brad Berman encourages parents to first seek out a speech pathologist who is also trained in selective mutism. » For more information Selective Mutism www.selectivemutism.org/. Lisa Cameron, The Speech Pathology Group www.speechpathologygroup.com San Jose State University Dept. of Communicative Disorders and Sciences www. sjsu.edu/cds/
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12 summer camps
Camp, Unplugged Loosening the digital umbilical
by Christopher A. Thurber, Ph.D.
E
lectronic technology has done a lot to make life more convenient. Sadly, the 1950’s dream of having robots and computers do most jobs so that adults could work fifteen-hour weeks never came true. In fact, the seductiveness of new technology probably contributes to most Americans’ working longer than forty hours per week. For many people, checking their e-mail outside of work hours is habitual. Others keep their cell phone handy to make and receive calls during time off. This summer, I regularly saw parents “on vacation” at the beach checking their e-mail on handheld devices while their children splashed in the ocean. Sure, these gadgets are convenient, but they easily blur the lines between work, play, and family time. Electronic technologies also provide a mixed bag—sorry, stream—of media. Television programs, DVD movies, Internet sites, and video games are entertaining, often educational. On the other hand,
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unsavory content and time absorption are the two most frequently cited problems associated with these media. Research last year by the Kaiser Foundation concluded that young people between eight and eighteen spend an average of 6.5 hours a day absorbed in media. Most of it is electronic and much of the time is solitary. So parents can be drawn into more work; children into more isolating, unwholesome screen time. Sound familiar? Probably. These are becoming such trendy laments in Twenty-First century America that some of you may be tempted to stop reading here. But don’t, because the rest of this article is about solutions. Not pro-technology or anti-technology, but pro-children, pro-camp solutions.
Password: Thoughtful Use Is there a way out of the technology trap? Can there be uses of technology that connect, rather than disconnect people? What can save children from the (de)vices of
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the modern world? The answers, in order, are: Yes, yes, and summer camp. Is it really that simple? Indeed. All it requires is thoughtful application of intentionally selected technologies. Whatever the technology, it must meet one of four criteria: efficiency, connection, education, and entertainment. Electronic technologies are particularly welcome when they save us time, nourish our relationships, teach us something, or amuse us in healthy, wholesome ways. If your next use of a cell phone, computer, digital music player, or handheld hybrid meets one of these criteria, without noticeably eroding one of the other criteria, then it has passed the “thoughtful” test. These days, every camp uses electronic technology of some sort, from telephones to toasters. Even the most rustic and isolated camps use electronic technologies for safety (e.g., GPS units, walkie-talkies, satellite phones) or publicity (e.g., Web pages). Evaluating a camp’s appropriate use of technology no longer involves questioning whether it uses new technology, but how.
Famil-E-Values Every family has different values and a different history with technology. For some, what camp offers is welcome relief from the burdensome yoke of electronic technologies. For other families, camp might offer tools that truly enhance interpersonal connections. As you consider each point, ask yourself what makes the most sense for your circumstances, your own family’s values and history, and your child’s development. Telephones. Telephone calls are inexpensive, simple, and instantaneous. Nevertheless, some camps have a “no phone/no call” policy because they recognize that telephone calls exacerbate homesickness and erode children’s independence. Although parents and camp directors may have phone contact, campers are not typically permitted to make or receive calls. (Exceptions are almost always made for family emergencies.) Some sevenor eight-week camps allow scheduled weekly phone calls. Again, this policy reflects the belief that phone contact is not a treatment for homesickness, nor should it interfere
March/April 2010 | South Bay
with the growth in self-reliance most camps seek to promote. E-mail. Many camps allow parents to send e-mails to their children which are sorted and distributed with the regular mail. Like phone calls, these e-mails are inexpensive and simple, but unlike a call, children and parents don’t hear the sound of each others’ voices. As tender as real voices are in other contexts, such immediate contact while children are at camp reliably flares campers’ homesickness (and parents’ “kid-sickness”). By contrast, e-mails have the advantage of being more like a traditional letter. They are written, not spoken, so they can be handled and reread at will. And until recently, campers replied using traditional letters — most still do. Facsimile. Faxes used to be the ugly duckling of the tech world. Today, plain paper faxes resolve images almost as well as photocopy machines, and some camps are using faxes to send campers’ handwritten letters to their eager parents. Potentially, a parent could send an e-mail to their child in the morning and receive a faxed reply in the afternoon. Potentially, this also creates an unnecessary burden for parents, children, and camp staff. Photographs. Since the 1920’s, some camps have published photographic yearbooks. Many of these families also had to wait until Thanksgiving to receive a copy. The advantage of such a long wait was that it forced children to recreate a verbal narrative of the experience. These narratives not only helped parents understand their child’s camp experience, they also helped children comprehend it, especially the parts that may have been challenging or confusing. Today, such narratives may be bypassed because camps are posting hundreds of digital photographs a day on their Web sites. Parents at home or at work can instantly view, purchase, and download photos of their child at camp. This can also create undue anxiety when your child is not photographed on a certain day, or appears not to be smiling in a certain snapshot. Video Streaming. You thought photos captured the camp experience on your desktop? What about live digital video using Web cams placed strategically around camp?
Whereas some camps see this as the ultimate way to give parents a window into their child’s world, others see it as the ultimate way to rob children of an experience all their own. Even more so than the provision of photographs, this medium may create more anxiety than it was designed to quell and encourage children to bypass a truly interactive, personal narrative with their parents. Why write during camp or talk after camp when mom and dad already saw it all on their laptop?
Run the Diagnostics In your search for the camp that best matches your child’s interests and abilities, consider that the thoughtful application of electronic technology requires two things. First, it must meet one or more of the criteria of efficiency, connection, education, and wholesome entertainment without eroding any of the other criteria. Second, it must be in accord with the camp’s stated mission. If a camp hasn’t applied technology thoughtfully, consider other camps that have. Any camp that passes these diagnostic tests must now pass two tough parent tests: First, does the camp’s application of technology match your value system? For example, the camp may provide live streaming video, thus providing a kind of connection and entertainment that is in accord with its stated mission of inviting parents to witness camp as it happens. But does this match your value system, which may include affording your child an opportunity to independently explore a new place and new relationships? Are you comfortable that someone could hack past the camp’s Web site password and view camp activities, or does that threaten your sense of safety and privacy? If the camp’s technology passes your values test, the second test is this: Does the camp’s application of technology give you an opportunity to take a break from fulltime parenthood? As much as parents and children might miss one another, both say their relationship is stronger when they’ve had some time apart. However, if the camp’s use of technology makes more work for you, it diminishes one of the benefits of time apart: respite for you.
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» Camp, Unplugged
Worth the Wait Remember that camp is not the stock market or a breaking news story. It’s community living, away from home, in a natural, recreational setting. Nothing needs to be transmitted at the speed of light. Plus, children are exposed to electronic technology all year. It’s nice for them to have a break during the summer. It’s also healthy for children and parents to talk with each other about their experiences after spending some planned time apart. Technologies should not crowd out the necessary psychological space for dialogue. The artificial needs created by new electronic technologies — to see and hear everything the instant it happens — are not always developmentally appropriate needs for our children. To wait a few days for a traditional letter to arrive, for example, gives parents and children alike the time to reflect, form new relationships, solve problems independently, and understand their emotions. In these ways, unplugging the digital umbilical promotes healthy growth and self-reliance.
Wireless Interpersonal Networking (WIN) An ancient technology — wireless interpersonal networking — has the advantage of being the most reliable, easy-to-learn, no-cost, virus-free option for children to connect at camp. In fact, camps were originally conceived — back in the 1860’s — as the ideal connectivity platform for wireless interpersonal networking. What is wireless interpersonal networking? It’s an honest-to-goodness, face-to-face, totally free, real-time, one-on-one conversation between your child and another human being. Such networking has widespread applications for new camper-camper connections and camper-staff connections. The technology may also be transferred, without clumsy cables or costly upgrades, to camperparent interactions, both in handwritten letters and post-camp conversations. This kind of connection is so precious and rewarding, it may be what you and your child remember best about camp. BAK
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Summer Camp Guide
Galileo Summer Quest 4 Bay Area locations, including Saratoga and Palo Alto (800) 854-3684 www.galileo-learning.com/BAK
Galileo Summer Quest is a summer program for entering 5th through 8th graders, where students dive into subjects they are passionate about or want to explore. Campers design their perfect summer day, working with expert instructors on in-depth projects, and choosing from a selection of inspiring Majors, such as Magazine Makers, Go-Karts and Video Game Design. Campers also participate in two Minors from a varied group of topics, including Sports, Hip-Hop Dance and Science of Explosions.
Camp Galileo 21 Bay Area locations (800) 854-3684 | www.galileo-learning.com/BAK Voted “Best Camp for Kids” in Bay Area Parent and the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Camp Galileo is a summer day camp serving kids in Pre-K through 5th grades. Kids enjoy art, science and outdoor programming every day, wrapped in fun camp traditions and delivered by energetic and experienced staff. Our hands-on curriculum is developed in partnership with The Tech Museum of Innovation, de Young Museum and Klutz. Campers who attend learn to work with others, become skilled at the creative process and are inspired to become the next generation of innovation leaders. This summer we are offering four exciting weeks of curriculum: Ocean Expeditions, Mission to the Moon & Psychedelic ‘60s, Amusement Park Engineers & Medieval Art and Adventures in Flight & Egyptian Art. Camp Galileo is coming to 21 Bay Area locations this summer, including camps in Cupertino, Los Altos, San Jose/Almaden, San Jose/Evergreen, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. To enroll or learn more, visit www.galileo-learning.com/BAK or call 800854-3684.
March/April 2010 | South Bay
In 1996, Sonic the Hedgehog was the first video game character seen in a Rose Parade
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Summer Camp Guide
Camp Chrysalis
(510) 843-6157, www.campchrysalis.com Lee Tempkin, Director Now in its twenty-eighth year, Camp Chrysalis has developed a distinctive approach to environmental education, offering children (8.5-17 years of age) rich experiences that combine recreation, learning, crafts, and personal growth. We camp in three spectacular environments: Big Sur redwoods, Mendocino coastal tidepools and Sierra Nevada mountains. We focus on active study of the environment to develop natural science skills as well as appreciation, and on basic camping and wilderness skills. Our campers’ exploration is as much of their own developing abilities and each other as of what the world has to offer. On the cooking crews, they enjoy working together, taking care of us all. Group singing is a special pleasure. Each session includes 32 campers (12 for backpacking) and eight experienced staff. Fully half are girls!
The Taylor Family Foundation’s
Camp Arroyo 555 Arroyo Rd., Livermore (925) 455-5118 | www.ttff.org 2010 marks a special year for The Taylor Family Foundation (TTFF). It’s our 20th Anniversary as a Foundation and 10th Anniversary of our camp programs. TTFF’s Camp Arroyo, located in Livermore, is offering the following camp programs for 2010 for children with special needs.
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Date March 5-7 March 26-28 April 23-25 April 30- May 2 June 11-14 June 18-25 June 25-27 June 27- July 2 July 5-8 July 8-11 July 11-22 July 24-30 July 30- August 1 August 1-7 August 7-12 August 13-15 August 15-18 September 12 September 24-26 October 1-3
Special Needs Diabetes Autism Brain Tumor Bereavement Asthma Skin Disease Epilepsy Crohn’s, Colitis and IBD Sickle Cell Bi-Polar Disorder Congenital Heart Disease Celiac Disease Bereavement Autism & Developmentally Delayed Pediatric HIV/AIDS Congenital & Acquired Hand Defects Asthma Pediatric Cancers Brain Tumor Preschool Burn Survivors
Support The Taylor Family Foundation and be part of our Anniversary Celebration, visit www.ttff.org to learn more!
www.bakidsmagazine.com
local destination
by Everard G. Strong
The Man Behind the Mouse First known drawing of Mickey Mouse Walt Disney
I
t is Walt Disney the man, and indirectly his creations, that the Walt Disney Family Museum pays a high homage to. If you plan your visit to the museum with expectations of seeing various character actors greeting you at the door, you will be disappointed. If you go with the goal of gaining insight into the creative process behind Walt Disney, and how he transformed a little mouse into the most well-known icon in the world, than your visit will be richly rewarded. Housed in a beautifully renovated old barracks building in San Francisco’s Presidio Park, the Museum’s inconspicuous outside gives away very little about what lies inside, with only a couple banners and small signage heralding its location. This feeling of ambiguity lifts slightly in the anteroom, where you buy tickets and wait for your assigned time to enter the museum proper. (Tickets are sold based on specific entry times—this does not mean you have a certain amount of time to go through the museum, but serves as a rather brilliant internal process to reduce viewer congestion.) While waiting, you can amble around and look at the many cases adorning the three walls, each filled with the numerous personal awards and honors Disney received throughout his lifetime, and some other personal mementos from his estate. Once inside the exhibit hall itself, however, interests are picked up rather quickly. Comprising two floors and a huge showroom, sections are divided according to Walt Disney’s timeline: you start at the roots of Walt Disney’s family tree, proceed onto his early years as a cartoonist, and then onto the building of his empire, the WW II era, onto the creation of Disneyworld, and then end with a eulogy and a look back at his life and his legacy. If you have young children, skip the first floor entirely—it is interesting and fascinating for adults, and the interactive “paper cut-out” style of movies that showcase highlights of his early life are imaginative, and educational—but children who associate the name Disney with animated mice, pigs, and princesses will be ready to get out of there and soon. The second floor, reached through a quaint elevator ride, is where it’s at, and children of any age will be enthralled and kept occupied. Here you can see Disney’s first forays into animation, Oswald the Rabbit (his first successful character that was stolen from him, forcing him to create Mickey Mouse to survive), and the assembling of his team of animators whom would go on to change the art of storytelling forever. With many interactive displays and activities—you can “play” certain instruments along with the soundtrack to Mickey’s first starring role in Steamboat Willie, look at
March/April 2010 | South Bay
17 various reels showing the transformation of Cinderella from concept to final drawing, and other behind-the-scenes notes and movies—it’s easy to become engrossed in Disney’s passion. You eventually descend down a ramp, past the saddle Zorro rode, and enter into a cavernous display room dedicated to Disney’s ultimate vision, Disneyland Park. Exerting final approval over every last detail of the park, Disney put his heart into its creation. This is evident even in the miniature diorama—complete with moving rides—at the center of the room. Television screens adorn one of the walls, showing highlights of Disney’s foray into television. Taking it all in, you leave, rightfully so, by going past notices of his untimely death (he was only 65 when he passed away on December 15, 1966), followed by a hall filled with tributes and letters of condolences from around the globe. A fitting way to say goodbye: Walt Disney had literally changed the world, and the world in return thanked him for it.
day tripper
Walt Disney Family Museum 104 Montgomery St. (Presidio), San Francisco www.wdfmuseum.org. Free parking. A small coffee shop in the museum serves surprisingly inexpensive—yet tasty—treats and sandwiches. There is also a gift shop, filled with classy memorabilia, books about animation, and some collectibles (but no kitsch).
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Great Expectations welcoming maternity in style
Cast and Crew Photographer Jay Dixon Assistant Carolyn Carcione Stylist Sharon Maloney Hair and make up Adam Fleischauer Convertible “Butter” dress by Nadia, $328, Mom’s the Word, www. Model: Chloe Jarvis (J E momsthewordmaternity.com. Camel Model, Inc.)
patent leather heels, $295, Kate Spade, 845 Market St., San Francisco, (415) 222-9638. Necklace, $39.50, Banana Republic, www.bananarepublic.com.
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Rebecca Taylor wrap, $345, Nordstrom. Burn out maternity tee, $35, Alternative, and skinny maternity jeans, J. Brand, $187, Mom’s the Word, www.momsthewordmaternity. com. Bib necklace, $19.99, Anthropologie, www. anthropologie.com. Suede boots, $160, Banana Republic, www.bananarepublic.com.
March/April 2010 | South Bay
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Merino wool cardigan, $78, Halogen, and silk polka-dot dress worn at top, $375, Twenty8Twelve, Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com. Navy crepe pencil skirt, $169, Isabella Oliver Maternity, www.isabellaoliver.com. Camel patent leather heels, $295, Kate Spade. Bracelets, $29.50 each. Gold vermeil locket, $49.50 and chain, $15, Edition by Banana Republic, www.bananarepublic.com
RIGHT Boho white maternity top with lace, $225, and cargo maternity shorts, $89.99, A Pea in the Pod, www.apeainthepod.com. White maternity camisole, $28, Mom’s the Word, www. momsthewordmaternity.com. Ivory cashmere wrap, $89.50, bracelets, $29.50 each, three strand necklace with semi-precious stones, $39.50, and lace leaf pendant, $29.50, Banana Republic. Leather gladiator sandal, $295, Loeffler Randell, Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com. FAR RIGHT Crimson wrap dress, $165, Isabella Oliver Maternity, www.isabellaoliver.com. Ribbon bolero, $380, Twenty8Twelve, Nordstrom, www. nordstrom.com. Satin and grossgrain heels, $425, Tory Burch, Bloomingdale’s, www.bloomingdales.com Chandelier earrings, $28, Anthropologie, www.anthropolgie.com
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Trapeze trench Coat, $319, Isabella Oliver Maternity, www.isabellaoliver.com. Long tanks, $32 each, Hinge, Nordstrom, www.nordstrom. com. Grey maternity leggings, $42, Boob, Mom’s the Word, www.momsthewordmaternity. com. Grey nubuck boots, $198, three strand necklace with semi-precious stones, $39.50, and lace leaf pendant, $29.50, Banana Republic, www. bananarepublic.com.
March/April 2010 | South Bay
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jardines de san juan
story/photos: Laura Wrede
the secret garden
clean plate club
J
jardines de san juan 115 Third St., San Juan Bautista (831) 623-4466 www.jardines restaurant.com
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ardines De San Juan means “Gardens of San Juan” in Spanish. The title also means a well-known favorite restaurant in San Juan Bautista, a quaint town about 15 minutes south of Gilroy, or about 45 minutes south of San Jose. Locally owned and operated since 1977 by the Santana Family, Jardines de San Juan is like that secret fishing hole—it’s not advertised and almost hidden behind overgrown gardens, trees, and high adobe walls—but when you get there, you know the secret is out. Despite the obscure small entrance, Jardines’ ambiance is unique and inviting. The side garden gate opens into a spacious, hand-laid brick courtyard, complete with umbrella-covered tables, veranda dining, and outdoor heaters for cooler weather. For those seeking repose from the elements, there’s plenty of seating inside. However, by eating indoors, diners will miss some of the nuances and unusual decorations that adorn the patio area.
The Spanish colonial style gardens are dotted with a variety of potted plants, hanging flower baskets, succulents, and prickly cactus. Large trees provide a natural, shady canopy for outdoor diners. The most interesting and surprising feature of dining outside, however, is rather unpredictable in
appearance but It—or rather, they— are something San Juan Bautista is legendary for: roaming chickens. While other outdoor eateries might have sparrows or pigeons, Jardines has chickens. Smart ones too: they www.bakidsmagazine.com
photos courtesy Great Dickens Christmas Fair
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seem to know when chips are served and will peck one right out of your hand if offered. You may even get a glimpse of a brood of baby chicks following behind the hens and roosters. While the chickens might provide some amusing entertainment, the food at Jardines will provide ample nourishment. Along with complimentary chips and medium-heat salsa, they have a compete menu of well-prepared Mexican fare, from burritos to enchiladas, and seafood offerings such as crab and shrimp tostados. Serving sizes are generous enough to share with light eaters. The child’s menu has four choices from simple beans and rice, to quesadillas and tacos ($4.99 each). Try feeding your children from your plate instead so they can get a better taste for good Mexican food. For the vegetarian, most of the items on the menu have an alternative vegetarian choice. Open 11:30 am to 9:00 p.m., Sunday -Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Reservations are not required, but appreciated.
Campers shine in 2009.
Help our kids dream big in 2010! Serving children living with brain tumors, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, skin disease, Crohn’s, colitis, celiac, diabetes, autism, bereavement, bipolar disorder and many more.
EACH YEAR, The Taylor Family Foundation (TTFF) sends more than 2,700 kids with life-threatening illnesses and developmental disabilities to TTFF’s Camp Arroyo nestled in the foothills of the Livermore Valley. We need your help to continue to host these children at no-cost to their families. Every dollar of your tax deductible Kids-to-Camp donation goes directly to funding camps, allowing us to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to seriously ill children in Northern California.
nd us se H elp c a mp ! to kids
To be a Camp Hero and help The Taylor Family Foundation send kids to camp, visit www.TTFF.org The Taylor Family Foundation’s Camp Arroyo
5555 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550 • (925) 455-5118 • www.ttff.org • e-mail: TTFF@ttff.org
March/April 2010 | South Bay Tax ID No. 94-3262932
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It doesn’t
have to
be this
hard.
We can help.
Drug-free solutions for: • ADD/ADHD • Auditory processing • Learning problems • Mood/behavioral disorders
Mood and behavioral problems are not due to poor parenting or lack of discipline. It is estimated that as many as one in five children and adolescents may have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder that can be treated.
Drugs are not your only option. At the Attention & Achievement Center, we specialize in comprehensive, evidence-based assessment using medication-free, scientifically validated methods. Our highly trained medical staff of neurologists, audiologists and psychologists custom-design a program for your child. Rather than masking symptoms, we work to improve upon the underlying imbalances for life-long results.
1.866.881.8820 www.drugfreeadd.com
Ali Hashemian Ph.D., COHC Director
Anne Jackson Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 17785)
Pleasanton
5820 Stoneridge Mall Rd.
Gregory Alter Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 7422)
Francine Grevin Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 16634)
San Jose
901 Campisi Way
Meyer Proler M.D. Neurologist
Kimberly Warren Meier M.A., CCC-A Clinical Audiologist
Carl Hirsch O.D., FCOVD Vision Therapist
San Mateo
520 S. El Camino Real
Jay Gunkelman QEEG - Diplomate
Michael Bass M.D. Neurologist
Walnut Creek 1600 S. Main St.
Some services may be considered alternative or complementary: therefore, these services and their providers are not required to be Healing Arts Practitioners. Not intended to address any medical or mental disorders.
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