Party Planner
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Big-time summer fun at Little Gym AMY CLAIRE
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spacious setup of balance beams, tumbling mats and padded climbable shapes makes The Little Gym a child’s play paradise. The
staff is welcoming and the environment bright and cheerful. Energetic, age-appropriate music sets the tone Paige Lark puts a young trio through their paces during a dance class at The Little Gym.
as toddlers, kids and tweens learn athleticism and social skills, all while having a good time. “Kids learn by having fun,” said Jim Lark, who opened the franchise in 2008 with his wife, Paige. Three sons under the age of 10 – one with special needs – has impressed on the Larks the importance of physical activity in child development. This summer they’re offering Kids Camps on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Each week features a new theme, including Superheroes; Legends, Fables, Folklore; My Animal Planet; and of course, The Little Gym Olympics. Children participate in games, music and fun creative movement as they exercise their imaginations and their muscles. Classes cost $40 per day, and discounts are available for gym members and multiple children. Parents can also purchase punch cards that reduce the per-class rate to $25. In year-round classes, The Little Gym’s primary focus is gymnastics. Non-competitive movement classes are offered ON THE COVER: Jim Lark helps a young student with her footwork on the balance beam at Little Gym in Brentwood.
Photo by Kevin Bartram
for children as young as 4 months and as old as 12 years. For infants and toddlers, parents work with their children on trunk, arm and leg exercises to help them become what Lark calls “independent movers.” Other activities, such as bubble blowing, stimulate brain development and cognitive abilities. Toddlers become more confident, coordinated and comfortable in groups, and even learn how to walk on a supervised balance beam.
Once the children turn 3, they take classes in the gym by themselves, though Mom and Dad can watch through the big windows in the lobby. “We’re trying to encourage a little more independence,” said Lark. “It’s virtually a seamless transition.” The 3- and 4-year-olds practice listening and taking turns as they learn basic gymnastic movements. Older see Little Gym page 9
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SUMMER FUN
Locke was founded when much of the nearby town of Walnut Grove burned to the ground. Established by and home to many of the Chinese workers who built the Delta’s levees, Locke is a designated National Historic Landmark.
established by and for the Chinese. During its heyday in the 1930s and ’40s, Locke was a locus of the Chinese-American community and provided services including a boarding house, the Jan Ying Benevolent Association and a Chinese language school. Today, the entire Locke Historic District is a designated National Historic Landmark. The Locke Boarding House now houses the Visitor’s Center and the Jan Ying Benevolent Association museum. Dedicated in 2006, the Locke Memorial Park recognizes the Chinese immigrants who built the railroad and labored in the fields. If you’re planning a large group, the Locke Foundation offers guided docent tours for groups of 10 or more, available by prior arrangement.
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Now Enrolling
Kids Summer Camp 240-2990
Keep your kids busy and active this Summer at Camp!
Photo courtesy of www.lockeca.com
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When you get hungry, be sure to stop by Al’s Place, better known by locals as Al the Wop’s. Besides superb steaks, Al’s is famous for its namesake owner, Al Adami, remembered for antics such as cutting off the neckties of patrons he considered too well-dressed for his establishment. For more about Rio Vista’s upcoming events, call the Chamber of Commerce at 707-374-2700 or visit www.riovista. org. The California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau offers information on many Delta towns, including Walnut Grove. The bureau can be reached at 916-777-4041 or www.californiadelta.org. Walnut Grove’s website is www.walnutgrove.com For more information about Locke, including scheduling docent tours, visit www.lockeca.com or call 916-776-1828.
Space is limited, enroll today! Baseball Camps Available A Bugs Life Camp Date: June 11-June 15 Time : 9:00 am-2:00 pm Ages: 3-6 Delta Valley Adventure Camp Date: June 18-June 22 Time: 9:00 am– 2:00 pm Ages 7-12 Hot Summer Hip Hop Camp Date: June 25-June 29 Time: 9:00 am-2:00 pm Ages: 6-9 Fear Factor Science Camp Date: July 9-July 13 Time: 9:00 am– 2:00 pm Ages: 4-7 Delta Valley Adventure Camp Date: July 16-July 20 Time 9:00 am-2:00 pm Ages 7-12 Summer Safety Camp Date: July 23-July 29 Time 9:00 am-2:00 pm Ages: 4-10 Monday-Friday, 9-2 Cost: Member $125 per week Non-member $160 per week Drop –in: $45 per day (member)/ $50 per day (nonmember) • Snack Provided. • Campers need to bring a lunch . • We need 5 campers enrolled for camp to take place. • For camp details contact: Kristle Jones at
kristlej@deltavac.com or 925-240-2990.
DELTA VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB 120 Guthrie Lane, Brentwood • 240-2990 www.deltavac.com Take a virtual tour and get a 3-day pass!
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SUMMER FUN
Apps make bikes more user-friendly SAMIE HARTLEY
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hether you’re biking for fun or fitness, a
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Learn ‘N’ Play with Sutter Delta and the Little Gym®
plethora of cycling
applications is available on your smart phone to help you get the most of your cycling experience. Your phone can help you plan your next bike trip, track your progress or provide ideas when you’re ready to take biking to the next level. You might not be Lance Armstrong, but these apps will help you feel like a champion. Bicycling For Fun and Fitness Like starting any new workout routine or hobby, you need to find the right place to begin. Bicycling For Fun and Fitness is the perfect app to get you going on the right (bike) path. The app offers suggestions about what bike and accessories you’ll need, depending on the type of cycling you plan on doing. Once you get the gear, the app suggests routes, offers warm-up and cool-down exercises
The Bike Repair app offers a step-by-step guide to 38 common bike repairs. to keep you in your prime, and records your speed and distance so you can track your progress. Available on iPhone for 99 cents and Android for $1.36. MapMyRide So you want to go for a ride, but don’t know where? Not a problem. see Apps page 8B
Your kids enjoy supervised play while you participate in an informative conversation led by pediatricians Susan Adham, M.D. or Irmeen Ashraf, M.D. Children Need Happy, Healthy Feet to Grow Big and Strong Tuesday, July 10 Thursday, July 26 12 -1 p.m. 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Fostering Healthy Backs for Proper Posture Tuesday, August 7 Thursday, August 24 12 -1 p.m. 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Cold or Flu, Knowing the Difference Makes a Difference Tuesday, September 6 Thursday, September 25 12:30 -1:30 p.m. 12 – 1 p.m.
FREE to the public. To reserve your space, please call 925-634-0034. Join in via Twitter @SutterDelta#kidshealth
Enter Our FREE Contest to Win the Ultimate Birthday Party! Scan this code or enter at http://thepress.net/sutterhealth_little-gym
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Cycling from page 6B Additional accessories and apparel can enhance the biking experience. Padded bike shorts and gloves give added protection, and specially-designed comfort seats make long rides more enjoyable. “The bikes nowadays are much more comfortable,” said Chris. Bobbi agreed, “The components have improved vastly.” BMX riders can purchase a wide selection of accessories, and riders of all persuasions can purchase features such as under-seat pouches and speedometers. Flat tires and other maintenance challenges are familiar to Chris and Bobbi. In addition to selling merchandise, they
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BRENTWOOD Bike Co.
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MapMyRide offers a datebase of hundreds of bike routes for cyclists of all abilities. Once you’ve picked the right road for you, the app tracks your speed, calculates how many calories you’ve burned based on your speed and saves all the stats from each trip so you can try to beat best your time and distance. Available for free on Android and iPhone. Speedview Alright, speed racer – here’s the app that shows how fast you’re pedaling. By tapping into your phone’s GPS, this app records your rapidity just like your car’s speedometer – but better: Speedview notes your maximum and average speeds. You can also use this app when running or hiking. Available for free on Android. Bike Repair Your commitment to cycling is going great. Then one day, oops – what was that snap? The Bike Repair app offers a stepby-step guide to 38 common bike repairs. Each guide is accompanied by high-quality photos so you can doctor your bike as best you can. According to satisfied users who have rated the app, in many cases, you’ll
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offer a full-service repair shop – a big draw to bike buyers. The Michalskis’ experience helps them determine the correct size and style for a new bike, and customers know that their cycles have been assembled by an expert. Prices are kept reasonable, and Chris and Bobbi hope to see the community’s interest in cycling continue to rise. Brentwood Bike Co., located at 7750 Brentwood Blvd., Suite C, is open Mondays from noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 925-634-5000 or visit www. brentwoodbikeco.com. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
be able to fix the problem yourself rather than take it to the repair shop. Available on Android for $3.99 and iPhone for $2.99. Bike Quiver After you and your bike have logged some miles together, it’s important to keep your machine tuned and regularly maintained. Bike Quiver helps you perform a routine check on your own – and keeps a log of what you did and when. The clever app can make you aware of when to replace the brakes or buy a new light. Available on iPhone for 99 cents. Ride the City Ride the City can be your best friend. The app keeps maps for 39 major bikefriendly cities around the world, including San Francisco. It offers a route planner, weather updates and an array of other useful information such as where to park your machine. Other locales mapped out in Ride the City include Seattle, Boston, Paris – even Santiago, Chile. It’s perfect for planning a workout or leisurely trip through the city. Available on Android and iPhone for $1.99. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
MAY 25, 2012
SUMMER FUN
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Photo by Kevin Bartram
While students improve their motor skills under the watchful eyes of Little Gym staff (in this case, owner Jim Lark) their parents can keep an eye on how it’s going from the relative seclusion of the viewing room, seen in the background.
Little Gym from page 3B students learn standard USA Gymnastics routines plus foundational moves such as forward rolls and handstands. “Developmentally, you can’t go wrong with gymnastics,” Lark said. “You’ve got so many physical elements that are incorporated.” In addition to gymnastics, The Little Gym offers karate, sports and dance classes for children 3½ to 8. Experienced teachers emphasize the basics of the chosen activities of the children, who gain valuable skills to help them continue advancing, whether in competitive athletics or just for fun. The business also offers gym members Parent Survival Nights, at which kids watch a movie and enjoy themed activities while Mom and
Dad take a few hours off. The lessons learned in classes apply directly to kids’ everyday lives, such as the time a toddler managed to tuck in his head and roll forward to avoid injury when he fell down the stairs. Parents refer to these times as Little Gym Moments and enthusiastically recount them to the Larks. Jim and Paige, for their part, enjoy seeing kids get excited about fitness and hearing about the benefits they see at home. “Those are the neat stories where this applies outside the classroom.” The Little Gym, located at 3850 Balfour Road, Suite K, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 925-6340034 or visit www.tlgbrentwoodca.com. To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Introducing Our New Party Room! • Birthday Parties • Team Parties • Company Meetings
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Pizza, Wings & Drinks $169.99 Serves 20-30 4 Large 1-Topping Pizzas 3 Large Specialty Pizzas 3 10-Piece Hot Winges 30 Fountain Drinks Reserved Area in Party Room
55” Big Screen TVs in Room! White Board for Coaches
WE DELIVER! to Knightsen, Brentwood, Byron & Discovery Bay 925-308-4544 • 1185 Second St., Brentwood Town Center near Safeway Order online at: www.mountainmikes.com
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SUMMER FUN
Photo courtesy of Food.com
The optimal corn and zucchini salad takes advantage of East County’s incomparable produce.
Local touches make picnics progressive MICHELLE MISTA
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but try expanding your picnic offerings by whipping up some summer-proof fare. Corn and zucchini salad made from Brentwood produce is a fresh take on a picnic side salad.
Standard picnic fare like hot dogs and PBJs have withstood the test of time,
see Picnic page 12B
hat better way to enjoy the warm summer days than with a picnic?
MAY 25, 2012
SUMMER FUN A trip to an animal park following a movie about animals can make a fun and educational doubleheader for kids this summer.
Photo courtesy of ARA Content
Keeping kids’ minds moving this summer
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s the days get longer and
But there are plenty of opportunities to keep kids’ minds engaged, even when they want to play the days away. For parents, scattered schedules and routines can make it difficult to keep activities and meal times on track. It’s especially important to ensure that everyone has access to fresh, high-quality foods made with real ingredients, which provide energy throughout the day. A few initiatives to keep everyone satisfied and ready for fun will ensure that your
warmer, families can look forward to more outdoor
playtime and the promise of road trips and vacations. While the warmer months are a time children look forward to all year, summer also means interrupted schedules and decreased attention to studying.
see Minds page 14B
TWIN TIGERS Academy of Self Defense
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM June 6 - July 29
Monthly-Weekly-Part Time Martial Arts Training! Physical Activities and Games! Exciting Local Field!
Come join the fun and develop the “YES I Can!” Positive Attitude!
925.513.7591 www.twintigersacademy.com 700 Harvest Park Dr. Ste. H, Brentwood Superior Care • Hot Breakfast • Computers • PE • Social Development Aim High is a great place for kids to spend their summer days! Call for an appointment to take a tour and see children learning well after the school bell rings!
Licensed Facility
Brentwood Office
516-3945 Hours: 6:30-6:30
• Summer Camp • Located on BUSD School campuses • Fully Qualified Teachers • Junk Food Free Environment
• Directed Art Classes • Physical Activities Classes • Homework Assistance • Call for an Appointment Today!
Our teachers are fully qualified and continue to attend classes to stay current with today’s research in education.
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Picnic from page 10B Pita chips are a quick and easy alternative to potato chips that you can make yourself. Pick up some hummus in the grocery refrigerator case for dipping. Add some regional fare to your picnic basket by trying sandwiches such as New Orleans Muffaletta or Mexican-style torta. Wrap-style sandwiches are fun to eat for all ages, and just about any favorite sandwich recipe can be adapted as a wrap. Want to make a break from sandwiches altogether? Australian-style mini meat pies or British-style sausage rolls are filling and picnic friendly. For a sweet finish, try some U-Pick cherries, berries or stone fruit from one of East County’s family farms.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Call today to schedule a FREE CLASS! • Classes for men, women & kids • Bully-proof your kids!
925-240-7091 6730 Lone Tree Way, Suite 8 Brentwood • www.rbbjj.com
Picnic Corn and Zucchini Salad 4 cups cooked corn kernels 2 small zucchini, sliced thin 2 bunches scallions (white part only), sliced thin ½ red bell pepper, diced ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley Dressing ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon honey 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper
Combine corn, zucchini, scallion and red pepper in large bowl. Toss together to combine well and set aside. Make dressing by combining lemon juice, honey and mustard in large bowl and mixing well with whisk. Incorporate olive oil by slowly drizzling in while continuing to whisk mustard mixture. Toss vegetables with dressing. This salad can be eaten right away or prepared ahead of time.
Parmesan and Herb Pita Chips 1 package pita bread (six pieces) ½ cup olive oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon dried basil ½ teaspoon dried oregano 2 teaspoon Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine olive oil, salt, garlic powder, basil and oregano. Set aside. Cut pita bread into quarters and separate each piece for a total of eight triangles per piece of pita bread. Brush one side of each triangle with olive oil mixture. Set on baking tray and sprinkle oiled pita pieces evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake for seven to eight minutes in a preheated 400 F oven or until lightly toasted and crunchy. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving.
California Christian Academy
OPEN HOUSE at NEW Brentwood Location CCA offers relevant and inspirational chapels, spiritual guidance and discipleship, as well as: • Rigorous Curriculum • Music • Sports • Drama • Outdoor Education • Monthly Study Trips
• Qualified & Dedicated Staff • Technology • Library • Safe Campus • State Approved Playground • Summer Math Adventure Camp • And more...
Join Us
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 • 6:00-8:00pm 605 Harvest Park Drive, Brentwood For more information, call (925) 529-2450, ext. 700
MAY 25, 2012
SUMMER FUN Using proper warmup routines is one way to help kids avoid injury while playing their favorite sports this summer.
Photo courtesy of ARA Content
Pain-free summer play
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ummer vacation gives kids a break from schoolwork, but for many, their participation in
sports will continue in warm weather months. Parents, coaches and players need to keep injury prevention in mind to ensure sports stay safe and fun throughout the summer. In a new survey commissioned by Safe Kids Worldwide and Johnson & Johnson, “Coaching Our Kids to Fewer Injuries: A Report on Youth Sports Safety,” parents report one in three kids who play team sports sustain injuries severe enough to require medical attention.
“The report’s findings are particularly alarming because experts tell us more than half of these injuries are preventable,” said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “There’s a gap between what we as coaches and parents can do to keep our kids safe and what we’re actually doing. With some simple precautions, we can change these troubling statistics and keep our kids healthy and enjoying the benefits of sports.” Safe Kids shares some advice for parents and coaches to help kids avoid injury while playing sports this summer: ♦ Give kids a break. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports see Play page 14B
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Minds from page 11B family makes the most of the warmer months. Keep these ideas in mind and make them a part of your family’s schedule and help your kids stay physically and mentally active: ♦ See the great outdoors on a weekend camping trip or a daylong hiking excursion. Setting up camp and hiking in the wilderness combine active fun and learning. Bring nature guides that give you detailed information about the trees, plants, animals and insects that live in the area and try to identify the things you see. If you’re out on a day hike, be sure to include wholesome snacks with protein, which serves as a healthy source of energy for an active outing. Lance Sandwich Crackers’
Play from page 13B Medicine (AOSSM) say children should take a two- to three-month break from a specific sport each year to prevent overuse, overtraining and burnout. Yet the Safe Kids survey found that nine out of 10 parents underestimate the length of time kids should take off from a particular sport. If your children play soccer from August through May, for instance, switch to a different sport over the summer. Not only will it give their bodies a break, they might enjoy discovering a new activity. ♦ If your children missed a preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) at the beginning of the school year, take this opportunity to have them checked out. A PPE can uncover underlying
MAY 25, 2012 emphasize quality ingredients such as real peanut butter and real cheese, as well as fresh-baked crackers. They’re easy to pack and available in more than two dozen varieties. ♦ Enjoy an interactive learning experience with a trip to the museum. Children’s museums are a perfect choice, but check out art, science and other museums’ family-oriented programs or exhibits. Some museums even waive entry fees during summer or provide discounted rates. Whether you’re out enjoying the sunshine and natural beauty of the season or inside on one of those occasional rainy days, fun and learning can go hand-in-hand from spring into summer. For more outdoor activity inspiration and ideas for fresh-baked, wholesome snacks, visit the Lance Pinterest page. – Courtesy of ARA Content conditions and prevent potential medical emergencies. Not sure what the exam should entail? Go to www.safekids.org/ sports for a printable copy of the form. ♦ You know it’s important to stretch before physical activity, but did you know you should begin with a 10-minute cardio warmup? A light run, jogging in place and some jumping jacks can help raise the heart rate gradually. Follow up with stretches that work all the major muscle groups, holding each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. ♦ Make sure your child wears the appropriate safety and sports gear. All gear should fit properly and be in good condition to help avoid minor and serious injuries. – Courtesy of ARA Content