Immersed in a joyful school community, Prospect Sierra students think and feel deeply, develop a lifelong love of learning, and are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.
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DID YOU KNOW that every year November there is a very special day to celebrate learning? Learning in subjects like science, technology, engineering, art, and math ? It’s National STEAM Day on November 8th. Why choose November 8th for a day that celebrates creativity, learning, and innovation? Because it can be abbreviated NOV 8, i.e., innovate :) So let’s all go innovate on November 8th.
ovember is National Adoption Month! Have you ever considered where the phrase “put up for adoption” is derived? It comes from the orphan train movement in the United States from 1854 to 1929. During this time orphans were put on trains headed for the Midwest and West. At each stop the children would be “put up” on a train platform in hopes of finding a family to adopt them.
During the fall and winter months emergency departments often see an increase in children presenting with respiratory disorders. Some of the common respiratory ill nesses seen in children are asthma, bronchiolitis, croup and pneumonia. While it can be heartbreaking and frightening for a parent to see their child not feeling well, an infant or young toddler with a respiratory illness can be extra worrisome for parents since children this age can’t tell you what is wrong.
For some children with asthma, the return of cooler weather or catching a cold can make their symptoms more difficult to control. Bronchiolitis is caused by viruses and usually affects infants and toddlers. Bronchiolitis can develop into coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
If your child has a harsh voice, barky cough and noisy breathing he or she may have croup. Croup is also caused by viruses and affects young children. If your child is diagnosed with pneumonia antibiotics will be prescribed if the infection is caused by bacteria.
Your child should see their pediatrician for any concerning respiratory symptoms, but here are some of the reasons to seek care immediately:
• If you can see your child’s ribs or if the chest or stomach is being pulled in while breathing
• If there are any abnormal noises, such as grunting, while breathing
• If there is a blue or gray color around your child’s lips or on their face or finger nails • If they are drooling more than normal • If they are not able to swallow
A child that has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection may require more fluids than usual to prevent dehydration if they have a fever or are breathing faster than nor mal. If your child is diagnosed with a bacterial infection, he or she will be prescribed antibiotics. Be sure to give your child their medication as directed, for the prescribed amount of time. Avoid over the counter cough/cold medications as these are not safe for children.
Your child may not be acting like his or her normal self while they are sick, but with a little time and supportive care they will be back on their feet and running around!
Agratitude journal is a great way to teach kids how to appreciate and focus on the positives in life. Each day your child can write or draw pictures of the people, places or things in their life that are important and appreciated. Focusing on the positives each day is tremendously up lifting emotionally. This positive way to start or end the day will create an emotion that will carry throughout the day. Kid focused gratitude journals can be bought or handmade, be word or art focused. Even using magazine photo cutouts, pasted into the journal works. The key is to spend a few moments each day and think about what is important to happiness. Be grateful! Y
It was in the seventeenth century that English colonists brought hasty pudding to North America and completely transformed it. Although it was initially made with wheat, they substituted cornmeal due to a shortage of the grain at the time. The colonists had learned how to cultivate maize (corn) from the indigenous peoples. Indian pudding was derived from their name for cornmeal, Indian meal. Milk was substituted for water, and they added either molasses or maple syrup along with cinnamon, ground ginger, butter, eggs, raisins, and nuts. Indian pudding is then slowly baked for several hours, transforming its texture from the original porridge-like quality of hasty pudding to a much smoother texture which is more typical of custard.
National Indian Pudding Day is observed each year on November 13. This day honors a cold-weather classic, Indian pudding.
For some children with asthma, the return of cooler weather or catching a cold can make their symptoms more difficult to control.
By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards
Perfect for aiding your child to transfer smoothly into riding a bike. Safety features include a frame pad, safe footrests and an adjustable seat that grows with your child. $99.99, ages 4-6, www.mobocruiser.com
A unique handmade wooden disc swing for indoor or outdoor play. Created with sustainable materials sourced American maple wood. Vibrant natural and color stains create amazing underlying wooden grains patterns. $59-$99, ages 2-8, www.bunnyhopkinstoys.com
Young biologists can zoom in on flowers, animals, food, minerals and more using eight double-sided smart slides Discover answers to curious questions like: How do leaves changes colors? What do plant cells look like? What is sand made of anyway? $89.99, ages 5+, www.leapfrog.com
Embark on challenge-solving rescue missions using a codable robot with three shells that transform into a police car, fire truck and construction vehicle. Race around the town’s puzzle piece board to learn coding concepts, logic, problem solving and critical thinking. $59.99, ages 4+, www.amazon.com
Plays like lacrosse -- easy to flick, catch and hard to put down. Perfect for hours of outdoor fun, families can test their skills and go head-to-head. Each set comes with 2 Flix Stix and 1 Koosh Ball. $24.99, ages 6+, www.playmonster.com
A life-sized modular magnetic play space set that connects like magic. Kids can create almost any structure they dream up and then play in their innovations. Packs away into a small footprint. $299, ages 2-10, www.getsuperspace.com
With the springless design, flexible net, soft edge mat and hidden frame, this trampoline is safe and perfect for large families and kids of all ages, who love fitness and activities. $1,799, 6+, www.springfreetrampoline.com
Build, paint and fossilize ten different little critters with air-dry clay. The kit includes molds to create dragonflies, spiders, hornets, scorpions, lady bugs and more. $24.99, ages 7+, www.crayola.com
An easy to learn game that is fast and fun for the whole family. Players must turn over their topmost card in the center at the same time and be the first to call out the biggest animal. Great for travel. $12.97, ages 5+,
The collectible fashion dolls from Cry Babies. Six characters that come dressed in trendy outfits and strike various poses. Unbox the doll and discover seven surprise accessories. $19.99, ages 5-8,
In this unique and charming picture book, classic cars express a range of feelings, from excited to angry, to help kids learn about emotions. Enjoy the photos of cool cars or dive deeper into the engine of emotional understanding. $16.99, ages 4-8, www.eileenkennedymoore.com
Join Spidey, Ghost-Spider and Miles Morales as they chase down villains inside this fun car. As Spidey takes the wheel and Ghost and Miles operate two Web Dart Launchers, users can spin the dial on the Hauler’s rear to the correct symbol, emerging characters from the roof. $27.99, ages 3+, www.target.com
One of the biggest struggles of any busy parent, especially those parenting multiple children, is finding time to spend quality one-on-one time with each child. This can become even more overwhelming when you feel like you have very little free time. As a mom of six children, I feel the constant pres sure of my to-do list combined with a heavy dose of mom-guilt over the desire to spend time with my kids. So how can you have that quality time with your kids even though it feels like you have no time to spare?
One way to create some quality time with your kids is to be intentional about making it a priority. If I happen to have some alone time in the car with one of my kids, I do not let the oppor tunity for conversation go to waste. If my son wants to talk about Minecraft (again), which is one of my least favor ite topics, I choose to listen because it is important to him. I may not fully understand what we are talking about, but he is usually happy to answer my questions and this lets him know that I take an interest in his hobbies. If my daughter lets me know she would like to spend some extra alone time with me, I make it official by putting it on the family calendar. This way it is more
likely to actually happen and that time is less likely to get booked with another activity or appointment. Try scheduling one dedicated day, like the third Tuesday of each month, to have some alone time with your children.
While many of my tasks are timesensitive, there are also quite a few that can wait, such as laundry or dishes. Yes, we don’t want the dishes and dirty clothes piling up so that the family has nothing to wear or eat off of, but on most occasions, it can wait an hour or even a day before they have to be washed. Your child will notice what you think is most impor tant - them! Plus, there is the bonus of getting to put off your housework a little longer. If your chores truly can not wait, ask your child to help put in a load of laundry and then ask if he would like to play a game, read a book, watch a movie, or bake some cookies while the washer runs.
Our smartphones are convenient but they also take up a lot of our free time, both for parents and kids. Set aside an hour or two a week to put the phones in time out and just talk to each other. Some families may also find it helpful to make mealtimes a
no-phone zone. This is a great way to spur conversation without distractions. If you find your conversations in a lull, try a would you rather question. For example, “Would you rather never have homework or never have to eat food you didn’t like? Why?” Not only will these get conversation flowing, you might also find out some things you didn’t know about your child.
If setting aside chores and errands isn’t an option, ask your child to come alongside as a helper. My kids have helped me cook, do laundry, run er rands, match socks, and rake leaves. Often our best conversations are while we are working on a project together. Not only will you get your chores done and spend time with your child, you are also showing them the value of hard work without even trying.
What we spend our time doing shows our children what we value. With some extra effort we can sneak in moments of quality time with our children that add up to a strong relationship. When we are intentional and make our kids a priority, it will not go unnoticed by them.
Y
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six children, includ ing eight year old triplets. She lives in Kansas City with her family.
When we think of Thanksgiving Day, deli cious food, football, and getting together with family and friends come to mind. The original purpose of Thanksgiving was to show gratitude and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. Now as we celebrate Thanksgiv ing it is easy to get caught up in distractions like foot ball games, Black Friday shopping, and the quest for the perfect meal and table settings. We tend to forget all about stopping to give thanks for all of our blessings. Make this Thanksgiving meaningful by starting some family tradi tions that help everyone in the family stop and count their blessings.
Make this Thanksgiving meaningful by starting some family traditions that help everyone in the family stop and count their blessings.
One way to remember your blessings is to acknowledge them. Go around the dinner table and have each person name something they are thankful for. This could be done each night at dinner during the month of November or for
the week leading up to it. On Thanksgiving Day, have all your guests do the same. It is heartwarming to give thanks for the blessings we have. Looking for a more concrete idea? Have everyone write down or draw a picture of what they are thankful for. After everyone shares their paper, place them all in a three-ring binder. Each year add to the binder and reflect on all the blessings of the past. “We do a Thank ful Tree throughout November.” says Stephanie Loux, mom of three. “I draw a tree to tape on our pantry door and the kids cut out leaves from construction paper. Each night we all write one thing we are thankful for on a leaf and tape it to the tree. Kids can be grateful for a variety of things from butterflies to Elsa. We look forward to this tradition every year.”
Christmas is right around the corner and many kids will receive new items as gifts. In anticipation, have the kids help clean their closets and toy boxes and set aside items they no longer need. Donate gently used toys and cloth ing to a local charity or family in need. This process will not only reduce clutter around the house but it will teach the kid to be generous to those that are less fortunate than they are. In the same spirit, talk with your kids about how some people may not have coats, hats, and gloves to keep
them warm during the cold winter months. As a family, col lect hats, coats, scarves, gloves, and blankets to donate to a homeless shelter. Gather items you may have in your home that you are no longer using and ask friends and family to do the same. Go to the store and have the kids pick out items they would like to give to another child their age.
Have each family member take a break from a luxury they enjoy. Ideas may include dessert, manicures, coffee, soda, or a favorite video game or TV show. This exercise reminds us to be grateful for the luxuries that are otherwise taken for granted.
Set aside time to do a service project as a family. Ideas may include cleaning up trash in a local park, rake a neigh bor’s leaves, working at a food pantry, purchasing items for a Thanksgiving meal and delivering them to a family in need, organizing a book drive for a local children’s hospital, or adopting a family for the holidays. When you volunteer as a family, kids see you helping others and are more likely to continue serving as an adult. Serving in an area that your children are already interested in helps create excitement for the project. If your child loves singing, go caroling at a
Thanksgiving dinner preparation is a lot of work. Having the kids help prepare dinner
clean up for company will teach them how much work really goes into preparing a large meal like Thanksgiving dinner. This will teach them
the work that goes into a holiday meal and also encourages a good work ethic at a young age.
Thanksgiving, take time to remember what Thanks giving really means. It’s not about Black Friday deals or endless football. It’s about giving thanks for what we have, sharing with and serving others, and celebrating with those we love.
much work really
By Jan Pierce
Our children have had a rough several years of learning due to the pandemic and now it’s time to re-focus on classroom interactions. Some younger children haven’t had time to experience the way a classroom normally works. How do they behave in a large group? What if they need help? What if they make a mistake? How responsive will the teacher be to individual needs? Parents can help children take optimal advantage of their learning environment by teaching some basic learn ing skills. Your child doesn’t have to be top of the class to enjoy learning and be a thriving, healthy part of his or her classroom.
Here are some tips to help your child be a proactive, happy learner:
Teachers notice when children come to school prepared to learn. They have the right supplies; they’ve eaten break fast and have had enough sleep. They brought back the permission slip for the field trip and they have their lunch money.
Yes, it’s a lot of work for parents to keep up with all the activities at school. And at some point children need to take responsibility for those things themselves, but not yet. Not when they’re in grade school and are just learning how to manage responsibilities. Be the parent who takes care of business and put your child in the best position to receive approval from the folks at school.
The best student in the world can’t be on high listening alert all day long. But successful students know when to listen carefully and that is one of the most important skills a student can learn. You can explain to your child that it’s vital to listen carefully when a teacher is giving exit direc tions before independent work times. These times usually come when the entire class is gathered and a new subject is introduced. Just before the children move to work inde pendently the explicit directions are given. Good teachers usually leave written directions where students can refer to them as they work.
Practice listening skills with your children. When are the times you need them to listen and remember? Help them see the difference between casual listening and focused listen ing when they need to act on the directions given.
Be the parent who takes care of business and put your child in the best position to receive approval from the folks at school.
It may seem easy to adults, but children often don’t know how to follow directions. Most directions are sequen tial: “Get your paper, write your name at the top, then do problems one through ten.” For some children all the words get jumbled up and they fail to do the first thing correctly. You can practice following directions at home and teach coping skills if the child forgets. Listening and follow ing directions are key skills in learning and the earlier children can perform in these areas, the better they’ll do on classroom assignments.
Play a game in which you give two directions: “Go to the door and tap on it three times, then stand by the coffee table.” When the child can do two directions correctly try for three. Keep adding until a mistake is made. Children can become quite adept at following directions using this method.
Here is a typical conversation in a first grade classroom: Teacher: Does anyone have any questions before we start our work? Student: “My hamster had babies last night.”
This little interchange may bring smiles to adult’s faces, but it highlights the fact that many children don’t know the difference between statements and questions. And, they don’t understand the difference between appropriate questions and those that are off-task. Asking questions at the appropriate time and about the topic at hand is abso lutely one of the most important skills a learner can mas ter. It’s good to ask questions when we need information or clarification. It’s smart to ask good questions. But a child who hasn’t really mastered the art of asking will be lost, and without the information they need to do a good job.
Practice asking clear, concise questions. “I understand how to write complete sentences using these words, but I don’t understand how you want me to change the action words. Vague questions like “How do I do this?” or state
ments like “I don’t get it.” leave the teacher wondering where to begin. Say to your child, “What, exactly do you need? And then prompt until the question is clear.
Not every child will earn straight A’s. Yes, there are aver age students in every classroom. And that’s okay if the child is working to his or her potential. But some children seem more adept at building relationships and maintaining friendships than others. This is the child who notices when a friend is sad or needs to borrow a pencil. This is the child who shares with others and takes turns. He plays fair. She notices when a friend needs encouragement.
Don’t underestimate the value of social skills when it comes to success in the classroom. Your child may not solve every math problem correctly, but if he is a good friend and a kind, caring person, you’ve got a lot to be proud of and the classroom is enriched. Help your child notice when others seem sad. Guide them to ways to help or share or show they care.
Practice: “Did you notice that Katie seemed sad today? I wonder if we could do something to cheer her up?” Or, “I like the way you shared your Legos with your friends. Being a good friend is really important in our family.”
Success in the classroom is more than achieving high marks on assignments. Just as in all of life, being a responsible, kind and caring person is just as important as being the best at what we do. Give your kids a boost by teaching them to master good classroom skills and watch them soar. Y
Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net.
Your child may not solve every math problem correctly, but if he is a good friend and a kind, caring person, you’ve got a lot to be proud of and the classroom is enriched.
More Events Online at www.ParentsPress.com
ALAMEDA
Saint Philip Neri Catholic School Information Night
November 10, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
1335 High St www.spnalameda.org
BERKELEY
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley
Preschool On Campus Tours
November 3, 2022 @ 9:00 am
November 19, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Kindergarten On Campus Tours
December 1, 2022 @ 9:00 am AFP (Grades 1 & 2)
On Campus Tours
November 10, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Middle School Grade 6 International On Campus Tours
November 16, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Open House
November 19, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1009 Heinz Ave www.eb.org
The Crowden School
Open House
November 11, 2022 @ 8:30 am 1475 Rose St. www.crowden.org
Maybeck High School
Open House
November 12, 2022 @ 10:30 am 2727 College Ave www.maybeckhs.org
CONCORD
Orion Academy Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 9:30 am 1868 Clayton Road www.orionacademy.org
DANVILLE
The Athenian School Upper School Open House: November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am Middle School Open House November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 2100 Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd www.athenian.org
EL CERRITO
Prospect Sierra School
Middle School (5-8)
Virtual Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 1:00 pm Kindergarten
Virtual Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 10:00 am Elementary School (K-4)
Virtual Open House
December 11, 2022 @ 10:00 am 2060 Tapscott Avenue & 960 Avis Drive www.prospectsierra.org/
EMERYVILLE
East Bay German International School
Online Information Session –Early Childhood
November 16, 2022 @ 9:00 am
December 14, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Online Information Session –Elementary School
December 7, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Online Information Session –Middle School
November 30, 2022 @ 9:00 am
January 25, 2022 @ 9:00 am Open House
January 21, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1070 41st St www.ebgis.org/
LAFAYETTE
Bentley School (Grades 9-12) Open House
January 7, 2022 @ 9:30 am
Virtual School Open House K-12
November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road www.bentleyschool.org
OAKLAND Bentley School Open House
January 7, 2022 @ 1:00 pm
Bentley Virtual School Open House K-12
November 12, 2022 @ 10:00 am 1 Hiller Dr www.bentleyschool.org
Head-Royce
Upper School Open House
November 13, 2022 @ 1:00 pm Middle School Open House November 6, 2022 @ 1:00 pm 4315 Lincoln Ave www.headroyce.org
Holy Names High School Open House
November 6, 2022 @ 10:00 am 4660 Harbord Dr www.hnhsoakland.org
Mills College Children’s School at Northeastern Uni. Tour
November 9, 2022 @ 9:00 am November 30, 2022 @ 9:00 am 5000 MacArthur Blvd. www.millscollegechildrens school.org
Park Day School Information Sessions
November 4, 2022 @ 11:30 am November 17, 2022 @ 11:30am Open House November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 360 42nd St www.parkdayschool.org/
Saint Theresa School Info Session November 17, 2022 @ 9:00 am 4850 Clarewood Dr www.sttheresaschool.org
ORINDA
Orinda Academy Open House
December 11, 2022 @ 10:00am 19 Altarinda Road www.orindaacademy.org
PIEDMONT
Corpus Christi School
Virtual Open House
November 8, 2022 @ 7:00 pm
Morning with Michael November 5, 2022 @ 9:00 am Information Session
December 5, 2022 @ 5:30 pm 1 Estates Dr www.corpuschristischool.com
SAN FRANCISCO
Nomad Middle School
Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 2592 Folsom St www.sf-nomad.com
SF Waldorf
Preschool - 8 Open House
November 6, 2022 @ 10:00 am
High School Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am
December 6, 2022 @ 6:00 pm
High School Virtual Info Session
November 10, 2022 @ 6:00 pm 470 W. Portal Ave www.sfwaldorf.org
WALNUT CREEK
Berean Christian Academy High School
New Student Preview Day
November 4, 2022 @ 9:30 am Open House
November 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am 245 El Divisadero Ave www.bereaneagles.org
Seven Hills School Campus Tour
November 5, 2022 @ 9:00 am
Middle School Virtual Info Session
November 17, 2022 @ 11:00 am Grades K-5 Virtual Info Session
November 17, 2022 @ 5:00 pm 975 North San Carlos Drive www.sevenhillsschool.org
Whether you love it or hate it, homework is a component of your children’s education. It is a given. In our busy lives with schedules full of sports, dance, music lessons and the like, families may find it difficult to set the children’s educational respon sibilities as a high priority. Although parents everywhere want their children to succeed in school, according to Sharon P. Robinson of the U.S. Dept. of Educa tion, many parents err more on the side of slighting the importance of nightly homework than in giving too much help.
There are those parents who make the
mistake of doing the work themselves for a variety of reasons, but they are in the minority, and teachers will always spot such activity.
So, what are the proper ways to deal with nightly homework assignments for our children? First of all be sure that you understand the purpose of homework. It serves a number of purposes, but fore most are:
• Review and practice of new material
• Practice in independent research and study
• Developing good habits and attitudes toward learning
• Going further in a subject than can be done in limited class time • Preparing for the next step in learning which will be presented the upcoming class session
Once adults see the purpose of home work, it is easier to properly support it.
The amount of nightly homework should vary according to age. Most experts agree that for grades 1-3 there should be about 20-30 minutes of home work per night. For grades 4-6 it should increase to about 40 minutes to an hour, and from grade 7 and upward it may reach two hours or more.
Clearly, by age 11 or 12 children need to be able to do independent work and quite a lot of it. This is where parents can play a huge role in starting from the early years to support good homework habits. The entire family should be on board with support of nightly homework routines. Here are some tips for setting expectations in place from the beginning of a school career:
• Set regular study times. You may need to be flexible, but never skip it.
• Provide a place to study with proper lighting, materials and resources.
• Remove distractions. Some can study with soft music, but T.V., loud music, or other children playing will distract from quality work.
• Be a good example by reading and modeling a lifelong learning attitude.
• Monitor assignments, know what your child is doing, and check over completed assignments.
• Keep lines of communication open with teachers and schools.
Success in training children to become independent learners begins at an early age with parental interest and support. The difference between supporting and doing too much for children is really quite easy to determine. It is appropri ate to review information with children by asking them questions and listening to their answers. It is helpful to step in when children are “stumped” and discover together where they need help. It is helpful to train them to break large assignments into smaller chunks. It is fine to allow them to take a break when the going is tough and then try again. But it is never fine to do their assignments for them.
If homework is a problem for any rea son, it is a good idea to talk with teach ers quickly before the problem grows. Perhaps together you can work out the problems of too much work, assignments that don’t seem to challenge, or any other problem which may arise. Teachers have a purpose for their homework assignments and teacher-parent cooperation helps children realize you think it’s important too. Setting sound homework practices in place will pay dividends for years to come.
Y
Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher, reading specialist and is a freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net
Theaverage person consumes over 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day, so why not make a part of your holiday tradition a nice little run to start the day. More running races are held on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year. So, lace up, grab your turkey outfit and start a new family tradition with our rundown of Bay Area Turkey Trots. There are plenty events to choose from. Please check websites for registration and current pricing information.
Oakland Turkey Trot, Youth 5K, Individual 5K www.oaklandturkeytrot.org
More than just a healthy start to the holiday, the Oakland Turkey Trot 5K is a fun way to give back while you give thanks. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office, Alameda County Community Food Bank, Oakland Education Fund and local sponsors and charities, the city of Oakland is excited to present a Thanksgiving Day community fitness event.
Piedmont Turkey Trot 5K www.piedmontturkeytrot. com
The fun begins at 8:30 a.m.at the Piedmont Exedra located at Highland and Magnolia Avenues. Over the past 15 years, the Piedmont Turkey Trot has grown to be a treasured event for many families, friends and neighbors. Run to win or walk to enjoy the brisk morning air and good cheer. And all those finishing the 5K course will have bragging rights at their Thanksgiving table that evening! The Piedmont Turkey Trot is a nonprofit organization supporting local charities and organizations.
Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving 5K, 10K Run www.brazenracing.com/ nitroturkey
Choose between a 5K and 10K, as well as the Little Turkeys Race: a run for the kids (roughly 100 yards) against the Nitro Turkey. Children (10 and under) attending with 5K/10K runners will receive free entry into Little Turkeys and receive special medals and a goodie bag.
Forma Gym Turkey Trot, 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Run & Community Celebration www.Formaturkeytrot.com
Forma Gym will be hosting a Turkey Trot Community Celebration event in Downtown Walnut Creek Thanksgiving morning from 8:00 to 10:00 am. Before you settle in for dinner on Turkey Day, enjoy a little exercise with your community! Let’s celebrate our triumphs together this year!! Kids fun run is at 10 am.
CONCORD
Concord Turkey Trot 5K https://runsignup.com/ Race/CA/Concord/ ConcordTurkeyTrot5k
The event will take place at Newhall Park on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022
at 8 AM. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, registration for this event is capped at 1,000. This event will be conducted in accordance with current state and local health department guidelines for outdoor events.
Spartan Turkey Trot, 5K www.spartanturkeytrot.com
People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 5k Run & Walk and the Spartan Mile (1-mile). Kids are welcome to participate in the 5k and/or Spartan Mile + the 60/400 yd dash races (aka kid’s races).
Napa Valley Turkey Chase, 5K, 10K www.napaturkeychase.com
The Napa Valley Turkey Chase is a fun family event! Race, jog or walk this fast, paved course around the Napa Valley College and the Napa River Trail and work up your Thanksgiving appetite!
The Marin Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, Youth 1 Mile, Gobble Wobble www.marinturkeytrot.com
Allow yourself some guilt-free indulgence this Thanksgiving Day by spending the morning
burning off the calories you will replace later with pumpkin pie! The Youth Gobbler 1 Mile and Turkey Trot 5K are run cross-country style on the trails of Marin’s Open Space. The Pilgrim 10K is a road out and back through the beautiful IVC campus and along Ignacio Blvd.
San Francisco Turkey Trot, 3 miles, 5 miles, 100m dash www.sfturkeytrot.com
Come kick off a great Thanksgiving with an Invigorating fun run or walk in the park-before the parades, football games, and feasting commence! Pick the Kid’s Gobbler Chase, Pilgrim Promenade (walk) or the Five Mile Turkey Trot. Y
Festivity, fun and inspiration are everywhere this holiday season in the beautiful Bay Area! Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly activity or wanting to start a new tradition, there’s a holiday event that’s just right for you
out these
they sell out!
and many of them are free of cost.
and grab your tickets
This 40+ year tradition is back in downtown San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park. There are a few surprises including new light displays, a brand new 65’ tall walkthrough Christmas tree and Blinky’s Tavern an all-new inflatable beer and wine garden! Admission is free. Tree lighting November 25, 5:30pm. Christmas in the Park runs to early January. See website for event listings and ticket information. Downtown San Jose; www.Christmasinthepark.com
Get your skate on at the Downtown Walnut Creek’s ice rink. The rink is open daily, however the times/pricing changes daily and the rink may be closed for private events.
See website for hours, ticket info. Civic Park, Walnut Creek; www.walnutcreekdowntown.com.
Debuted in 2020, this drive-through experience will continue this new holiday tradition in at Lake Cunningham Park. The “mile of smiles” features a synchronized light show with some of your holiday favorite tunes. Over 100,000-pixel lights capable of displaying 14 million colors illuminate twelve different themed lands and this year, a holiday fair food festival awaits upon exiting our event.
November 26–January 1. See website for event listings and ticket information. Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose; Christmasinthepark.com
SAN FRANCISCO
A.C.T. once again presents its celebrated adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive fable. A timeless tale of Yuletide magic, A Christmas Carol teaches us all the true spirit of the holiday season!
November 30–December 24. See website for showtimes and ticket info. Toni Rembe Theatre, San Francisco; www.san-francisco-theater.com
Brimming with wit, festive costumes, madcap characters and the perfect amount of holiday cheer, ODC/Dance returns to the stage with the beloved Bay Area holiday tradition. The Velveteen Rabbit features captivating narration, a delightful musical score and larger-than-life storybook characters portrayed by the world-class dancers of ODC/Dance.
November 26–December 11. See website for showtimes and ticket information. The Blue Shield of California Theatre at YBCA, San Francisco; www.odc.dance
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
PHOTO BY HILLARY GOIDELL, COURTESY OF ODC DANCE
Celebrate creativity and community at the Crane way Crafts Fair…a benefit for KPFA Public. The Fair showcases affordable contem porary art and original crafts exhibited by 200 artists, and presents handmade fair-trade goods from indigenous com munities around the world.
December 3 & 4. See website for hours and ticket info. Craneway Pavilion, Richmond; www.cranewaycraftsfair.com
Experience the magic of the Nutcracker. This annual Tri-Valley holiday event continues to enchant audiences of all ages, bringing Tchaikovsky’s wellknown music and ballet to life with all of its elegance and beauty. Thrill to a stage filled with one magical Nutcracker, a swirl of lovely snowflakes, adorable mice, dancing soldiers and a glittering sugar plum fairy.
December 10–18. See website for showtimes and ticket info. Bankhead Theatre, Livermore; www.livermorearts.org
This holiday season prepare to be transported on a magical journey with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. From the heroic battle against the Mouse King, travel through the Land of the Snowflakes and on to the Kingdom of the Sweets. There you will meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and be entertained by the wonders of the Land of Enchantment. Choreographed by Artistic Director Abra Rudisill with gorgeous costumes and beautiful sets all to the classic Tchaikovsky score – this is a production sure to bring out the child in all of us.
December 3 & 4. See website for ticket information and showtimes. Castro Valley Center for the Arts 19501 Redwood Rd, Castro Valley; www.alamedacivicballet.org
Set at a Christmas Eve party in 1915 San Francisco, Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, a young girl given a magical nutcracker doll. The Nutcracker comes to life in her dreams, battles the evil King of the Mice, and takes Clara to a Crystal Palace full of dancing. With brilliant choreography by Helgi Tomasson and a beloved score by Tchaikovsky, SF Ballet’s Nutcracker is a festive treat for the entire family!
December 8–27. See website for times and ticket info. Ages 5 and up. War Memorial Opera House, 415-865-2000; www.sfballet.org
Delight in the Magic of Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker! Rich in old-fashioned holiday grandeur, Clara’s whimsical Christmas Eve dreams come to life through the art of classical ballet enriched with clever storytelling, mischievous humor, heroic characters, and plenty of fanciful surprises. Lavish, Victorian costumes and sets frame choreography a cast of over 175 super-talented dancers shipped in from all over the state and country as they bring adventure to life in this full-length ballet production.
December 10 & 11. See website for times and ticket information. All ages. Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 415-453-6705; www.marinballet.org
The vibrant Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker provides a magical start to the holiday season! This engaging production features lavish costumes, ornate sets and joyful choreography that celebrates the spirit and exuber ance of over 200 dancers performing alongside guest artists.
Dec. 17 & 18. See website for times and ticket. All ages. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 415-473-6800; www.stapletonschool.org
OAKLAND
Join the award-winning singers of the Oakland Youth Chorus in a celebration of the songs, traditions, and diverse cultures that honor and create community. Sing together as we raise our voices to empower others and create harmony.
Oakland Ballet Company’s spritely and colorful version of this holiday classic is a holiday tradition that is fun for the entire family. Brimming with holiday magic, this is the Nutcracker to see! With live music by the Oakland Symphony.
December 17. See website for ticket information. All ages Paramount Theatre, 510-893-3132; www.oaklandballet.org
December 3. See website for hours and ticket info. Scottish Rite Center, Oakland; www.oigc.org/events
My Very First Nutcracker” is a special one-act presentation of “The San Jose Nutcracker,” ideal for families with toddlers, preschoolers, and young children. This joyful holiday production features the festive holiday party, at which Uncle Nikola reveals his fascinating gifts. Kids will marvel at the historic San Jose Electric Light Tower rising magically above the streets of San Jose, and cheer on adorable mice and toy soldiers who compete to win a magic crown. Introduce your family to the magic of classical ballet! This performance has a run time of approximately 55 minutes.
December 16–18. See website for showtimes and ticket information. California Theatre, San Jose; www.newballet.com
Oakland Ballet Company Presents Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker”
PHOTO BY JOHN HEFTI COURTESY OF MARIN BALLET
PHOTO BY JOHN HEFTI, COURTEST OF OAKLAND BALLET
OAKLAND
Glowfari is an unforgettable experience for all ages to enjoy! Featuring hundreds of larger-than-life glowing animal lanterns throughout the Zoo; and with new animals displays for 2022 featuring animals from the land down under, kangaroos and koalas! Plus, check out icons of the California coastline including whales, otters and jellies. Finish the evening with a visit to Santa and ride the Express Train through our Winter Wonderland!
This event sells out early. November 11–January 29. Oakland Zoo, Oakland Hills; www.oaklandzoo.org
BALLET
Celebrate the holidays with Mark Foehringer‘s Nutcracker Sweets, a unique 50-minute production of the classic holiday ballet designed for families with small children and audiences of all ages. This special production is danced storytelling that is affordable, magical, zany, and fun. Foehringer uses his choreographic skills in contemporary dance and ballet to craft a show that is sure to thrill dance newcomers and the most jaded balletomane. See all of the favorite Nutcracker characters in beautiful costumes performing on a colorful set with live chamber orchestra music. December 3–18. See website for times and ticket information. All ages. Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center. www.mfdpsf.org
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND ZOO
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets
SAN FRANCISCO
PHOTO BY MARK HABER, COURTESY
OF SAN FRANCISCO
Get your holiday spirit on at this beloved family event. The parade route begins at the corner of No. Santa Cruz Ave. and Almendra, and continues down Santa Cruz Ave. to Main St. and ends close to Los Gatos High School. Thousands of spectators and participants alike flock to downtown Los Gatos on the annual event.
Dec. 3, 11am–1pm. See website for more information. All ages. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos: www.lgsrecreation.org/parade
Holidays at Filoli is the season to make special memories, bask in the vibrant landscape, and spend time together. Step into the magic of the House adorned in Holiday cheer and explore the winter Garden, where inspiration glows.
November 19–January 8. See website for hours and ticket info. Filoli, Woodside; www.filoli.org
San Jose’s favorite Nutcracker comes to the beautiful California Theatre in downtown San Jose, for a truly magical holiday experience. “The San Jose Nutcracker” is a joyful holiday production that transports the well-loved story to turn-of-the-century San Jose, with historical references that highlight our valley setting as a birthplace of innovation.
December 16–18. See website for showtimes and ticket info. California Theatre, San Jose; www.newballet.com
Visit London at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls! Enter the winding lanes of Victorian London and immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air. Discover holiday revelry in this lamp-lit city brimming with over 800 lively and colorful characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens, the pages of history, and the sometimes saucy world of the Victorian stage.
November 19–December 18. See website for showtimes & ticket info. Cow Palace, San Francisco; www.dickensfair.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEPPE SABATINI PHOTO COURTESY OF LOS GATOS CHRISTMAS FOUNDATION
