Parents Press January 2017 east bay

Girls Who Code | Books to Encourage | Point Richmond Activities

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Contents

www.parentspress.com

January | February 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

5

8

13

4 Off the Press

7 Bookshelf

12 Raising Dad

Girls Who Code/Labyrinths

5 Family Cents

Investing Resolutions for Babies

Books to Encourage Empathy and Kindness

8 Teach In

Opening Children’s Minds to Politics

6 Kids’ Culture

10 For Big Brother or Sister

Point Richmond Things To Do

Publishers Robert and Tracy McKean Art Director Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Contributors Benjamin Campopiano, Aaron Crowe, Tony Hicks, Erika Mailman, Haley Reen, Mary Ann Scheuer, Sarah Shafter, Peggy Spear

11 Media Titles to Help Kids Arounds New Babies

Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Mailing Address 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421 Alameda, CA 94502 42,000 copies of Parents’ Press East Bay are distributed to more than 1,300 East Bay locations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

20,000 copies of Parents’ Press SF/North Bay are distributed to more than 400 locations in San Francisco and Marin counties.

4 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

Time Off Radar

13 Teen Talk

Antidepressants and Teens

14 Science & Nature

15 15 Family Fun Calendar 18 School Open Houses 20 46 Local Museum and Attractions

Special Free or Low Cost Days

Having Fun While Learning

16 Know Yourself

Literal Journey for Self-discovery

Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com Family Fun Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2017 Parents’ Press

1916 Advertiser Category Index Camps & Classes....................6-7 Classifieds............................... 27 Faith-Based School Guide........ 11 Family Fun.........................3-5, 27 Health and Wellness ..............8-9 Professional Services..............3-5 Preschools..........................10-16 Schools...............................17-26

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OFF THE PRESS

By Erika Mailman

Girls Who Code / Bay Area Labyrinths

T

rying to close the gender gap in technology, the nonprofit organization Girls Who Code works to give girls a fast track to catching up. The organization has determined that in younger years, girls are interested in computing programs, but a huge drop-off occurs between the ages of 13 and 17. In one of the largest hiring industries, females need a place at the table.

Girls Who Code began in New York and is now in 42 states. Says founder Reshma Saujani, “When girls learn to code, they become change agents in their communities. Whether it’s a game to illustrate the experience of an undocumented immigrant or a website to provide free college prep, our girls create technology that makes the world a better place.”

Today, Girls Who Code alumnae are majoring in computer science at UC Berkeley, Stanford and SF State, in large part because of their involvement with the organization. So how can young girls get involved?

Girls sixth grade and above can join a local group or attend a summer immersion camp if they are a sophomore or junior in high school. A quick look through the website shows summer immersion camps at Pixar in Emeryville; at Adobe, Twitter and Square in San Francisco; and many more. Clubs are

available at 118 locations throughout the Bay Area, including at Holy Names High School for Girls, Piedmont High School, American Indian Public High School in Oakland, as well as in pretty much every city in the East Bay, South Bay and north. All you need to do is enter your zip code into the GirlsWhoCode.com website to see the closest options.

Labyrinths dot the Bay Area Not just a great David Bowie movie: Parents wonder how to instill a sense of the spiritual in their children when

every moment seems filled with loud play or screen time.

Introducing them to the age-old concept of the labyrinth may be one way to get started. A labyrinth is a spiral walkway that encourages meditation as one follows the twists. It’s suggested that before embarking on a labyrinth, the walker take a few breaths and center herself, then walk with purpose towards the center.

The labyrinth’s lesson is just when you think you’re closest to the center, the path veers off ... but you reach your goal if you persevere. Labyrinths date back to the Middle Ages as a walking meditation.

Labyrinths dot the Bay Area. The most famous one is found within the walls of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (itself worth a visit for its neo-Gothic architecture), but outdoor ones permit you to combine a hiking day or picnic with your labyrinth walk. In Oakland,

visit several in the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (the Mazzariello Labyrinth is marked on park maps as “quarry pit”). In El Cerrito, one can be found after a brisk uphill hike at the Hillside Nature Area (trailhead near the recycling center on Schmidt Lane). Near San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, you can find a complex 11-circuit labyrinth by jumping on the Coastal Trail towards the Golden Gate Bridge from the parking lot at Point Lobos (for the USS San Francisco memorial). Go down the steps to the Mile Rock Beach; the labyrinth has spectacular views.

Grace North Church in Berkeley has an indoor labyrinth; on Jan. 27, walk it 6-7 p.m. with 97 candles lighting its path, along with live music from Winding Way, an acoustic world music group. Free.

RSVP appreciated, but not required, at http://www.gracenorthchurch.net.

There’s some etiquette to sharing a labyrinth with others; Prevention magazine has a good roundup here: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/ fitness-tips/labyrinth-walking.

And then, of course, end your day with a viewing of the Jim Henson film Labyrinth, because David Bowie’s hair and evil goblin pirate get-up may inspire their own reverent form of meditation.

Erika Mailman is a Northern California freelance writer. Reach her at Erikaeditor@cs.com.

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By Aaron Crowe

Family Cents Four Investing Resolutions for Babies

A

new year can be a time to rethink priorities. From getting healthy to making sure your finances are on the right track, the start of a new year can be the impetus for change.

Having a new baby can also get you to rethink your priorities, as any new parent knows.

With fresh starts in mind, here are four resolutions to consider so that your baby grows up to be a smart, and wealthy, investor:

Start a college savings fund — now College can be an investment in a child’s future. Starting to save for child as soon as a child is born can be one of the best investments a parent will make to help their child.

Don’t wait a month or so after your child is born. Because if you delay it now, you know what will happen next — you’ll continue finding excuses not to do it and eventually your kid will be asking you how they’ll afford to go to college and you won’t have an answer.

A 529 plan is one way to save for college. Legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” they’re available in all 50 states as a pre-tax way to invest money. The other type of 529 plan allows tuition to be paid ahead of time at some colleges.

Whatever amount you invest regularly in a college savings account, it can only help your child possibly avoid borrowing money to pay for college. In 2015, 68 percent of graduates from public and nonprofit colleges had student loan debt, with an average of $30,100 per borrower, according to the Institute for College Access & Success.

money in a long-term CD or an investment account in the child’s name.

The point is to have some sort of account to put gift money in. If you’re feeling especially kind, contribute to it every month with an automatic deposit from your checking account.

Invest in one stock For the cost of one share of stock, you can make your child a long-term investor by joining a Dividend Reinvest Plan, also known as DRIPs. The compounding interest from paid dividends of DRIPs is reinvested to buy additional shares of the stock at little or no cost. You can enroll in a specific stock’s DRIP after buying only one share, and can contribute to it regularly with automatic debits from a checking or savings account.

You don’t have to regularly buy additional shares of stock, but you child will thank you in 20 years if you do.

At the very least, that one share of stock will show your child the value of investing for the long run. Who knows, they may want to someday invest their allowance there and end up investing in other stocks.

Invest in an index fund If picking one stock for a DRIP is too risky for you, show your child the benefit

of cutting investment costs by investing in an index mutual fund that has low expenses.

Since you’re unlikely to beat the market, find a mutual fund that mirrors popular groups of stocks and bonds, such as the S&P 500 index.

Mutual funds charge management fees, ranging from 0.06 percent on a diversified index mutual fund to 1.5 percent or more on an actively managed fund.

Do your child a favor and invest in a fund that has the lowest possible fees — which are usually index funds. Find one that is 1 percent lower than an actively managed fund and you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars over an investing lifetime.

You may not be able to successfully make all of these investing resolutions in the new year for a new baby, but two of them should be no-brainers: opening a savings account for any money given to your child, and starting a college savings fund.

Start the stock market investments if you can afford them, even if it’s only with a few hundred dollars. It will someday show your child how much you care about their financial future, and can be a way for them to learn how to invest on their own.

Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the Bay Area who has a daughter, age 12. She has had a college savings account since the day she was born, and puts at least half of her birthday cash gifts in her savings account. Follow him on Twitter @AaronCrowe or read about his financial struggles at CashSmarter. com.

FAMILY FUN

Open a savings account for your child The personal savings rate in the United States has dropped regularly since the 1970s, and is now at 5.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Americans averaged an 8.32 percent personal savings rate from 1959 until 2016.

If you want your child to be a saver, then open a savings account for them as soon as they’re born.

Why would a baby need a savings account? Because you’re likely to get some cash gifts either now or on their birthdays. That money is meant for the child, not for you to spend on a night out, so do the honest thing and put the money away in the child’s savings account when you get it.

Yes, savings accounts pay lousy interest rates now. Even if they do go up soon, it may be more profitable to put the

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Kids’ Culture Discover Things to Do with Kids in Point Richmond

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oint Richmond is a small village nestled in between the Richmond-San Rafael bridge and downtown Richmond. Though its parameters are small, and it doesn’t offer many modern amenities such as chain grocers or fast food, it is a lovely place to take kids to play, observe nature, and get a little culture.

Here are a few things to do with children in Point Richmond: THE WEST BRANCH LIBRARY, www.pointrichmond.com/library. I go parks in one. If you want to jog with the here weekly for Tuesday story time. It’s stroller, play on the structures, hike, ride a warm, welcoming place. Nearby there bikes, or beach comb, there is something is coffee, and a short walk south on for everyone here. Visit the KELLER Washington will take you to the adorBEACH park or ride a bike around the able dinosaur park, where your children September 2016 lagoon and see the geese. can burn off some energy.

Firm:is a train Amy Neiman Design If you’re looking for a clean and inexIf Design your child nut, be sure to pensive place to have a child’s birthday Amy Neiman visit the GOLDEN STATE MINIATURE party 1820Though Tenth Street, 94710with plenty of things to play with RAILROAD MUSEUM. it’s notBerkeley a and outside space to run, check out the huge place, you could spend hours there, (510) 649-7787 PRAM FIELDHOUSE, www.pram.net/ looking at all the fine details put into the Client: Berkeley City Ballet pram-fieldhouse. It’s right next to Washelaborate train scenes. www.gsmrm.org Elizabeth Godfrey ington Elementary School and across the Just across the street from the mini (510) 841-8913 street from the downtown area. There train museum is a huge and fantasPublication: Parent's Press are also classes to take and events to join tic park!

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in on, such as playgroups, harvest festivals, little chefs activities, and more.

If you get hungry while you are there, there are many places to eat. Point Richmond has a wide variety for a small town.

Chinese, Thai, Brazilian, Mexican, the historic Hotel Mac, a gastropub, Kaleidoscope Coffee, and a burger counter spot.

So, park the car, get the stroller. Walk around.

Visit the many independent retailers of everything from world goods to artisanal foods, unique art supplies, and artistic housewares. See the boats on the water, watch the fire department shine up their truck. On Thursdays in spring and summer, come to the POINT RICHMOND FARMERS MARKET from 4 to 7. There is MASQUERS PLAYHOUSE, www.masquers.org, where you can catch a show on date night. Check out the RICHMOND PLUNGE for aquatics, www.ci.richmond.ca.us, or visit the teeny-tiny POINT RICHMOND HISTORY ASSOCIATION, www.alkos. com/prha. This little village packs a big punch with things to do and places to go!

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Bookshelf Eight delightful books help children develop empathy & kindness.

Choose Kindness. Teach Empathy. Listen Actively.

“Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.”

— Jacqueline Woodson

and Piggie start playing catch, when Snake slithers up asking to play too.

Snake is sad when the pair wonders whether he can play catch: “You do not want to play with me?” Snake asks sadly.

“No!” exclaims Gerald. After some giggleinducing bonking, creative play eventually overcomes the awkward moment as the trio figure out how they can play to-

A

s we start a fresh new year, I want to take a moment to focus on kindness. We can actively shape the conversations by choosing books that focus on friendship, empathy and compassion. Share these picture books, start a conversation, plant a seed of kindness. Show children that they matter, that their actions have the power to impact other people.

“Be a Friend,” by Salina Yoon (Bloomsbury; $17.99; ages 3-8; 40 pp.).

This adorable friendship book follows Dennis, a little boy who only communicates through miming. One day at school, he kicks an imaginary ball and—to his surprise—his classmate Joy catches it! A delightful story about finding a kindred spirit and discovering a new friend.

“Big Friends,” by Linda Sarah, illustrated by Benji Davies (Henry Holt; $16.99; ages 4-8; 32 pp.). Best friends Birt and Etho love playing pretend with cardboard boxes every day—racing, battling pirates, constructing forts. When another boy joins them, Birt retreats home sulking, until Etho and his new friend use their imagination to create an invitation Birt can’t resist.

“If You Plant a Seed,” by Kadir Nelson (Balzer + Bray / HarperCollins; ages 4-8; 32 pp.; $18.99). A rabbit and a mouse work together to plant a garden, but when other creatures ask to share they refuse. In this metaphor for friendship, Nelson shows young readers: “If you plant a seed of selfishness, it will grow, and grow, and grow, into a heap of trouble.” The lush illustrations complement the spare text that reads almost like a fable, letting readers think about how they reap the “seeds of kindness.”

gether. Loads of humor, relatable stories and simple text in easy-to-read speech bubbles make this series a favorite with new readers.

Mary Ann Scheuer is the librarian at Emerson Elementary School in Berkeley. Find more books she recommends sharing with your children at her blog, Great Kid Books, http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com.

I read it—it’s so filled with love, friendship and an appreciation for life, in such a real way. California natives de la Peña and Robinson not only capture a small moment between grandmother and grandson but also the heart of our city.

“Each Kindness,” by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Nancy Paulsen / Penguin; $16.99; ages 5-9; 32 pp.). Maya arrives in the middle of winter to a new school. Behind her back, Chloe and her friends call Maya by the harsh nickname “Never New” for the second-hand clothes she wears—until one day, when Maya’s seat is empty.

Chloe realizes the hurt she’s caused too late to do anything about it, and readers are left to ponder the way we impact one another. Woodson does not provide easy answers, but helps children and adults talk about important questions.

“One,” by Kathryn Otoshi (KO Kids Books; $17.95; ages 3-7; 32 pp.). Bay Area author Kathryn Otoshi uses round splashes of watercolors (where the colors are characters themselves), showing the impact of bullying without labeling or stereotyping it. Blue is having trouble with Red. Blue is quiet, but Red likes to tease: “Red is HOT. Blue is NOT.” As Blue withdraws from the group of friends, Red literally grows bigger, meaner and angrier. But then the number One comes along. One stands up to Red, saying “If someone is mean and picks on me, I for One, stand up and say No!” “Can I Play Too?” (an Elephant and Piggie Book), by Mo Willems (Disney Hyperion; $9.99; ages 4-8; 64 pp.). Gerald

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“My Friend Maggie,” by Hannah E. Harrison (Dial; $17.99; ages 3-7; 40 pp.).

Paula and Maggie are best friends, but when this duo (a beaver and an elephant) encounter a bully at school who teases Maggie because of her large size, their friendship is put to the test. At first, Paula gives in to peer pressure and shuns Maggie; but in the end, she realizes that a true and loyal friend is the best sort you can have.

“Last Stop on Market Street,” by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson (G.P. Putnam’s Sons / Penguin; 32 pp.; $16.99; ages 4-9). Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal and a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book, this wonderful picture book makes me smile every single time

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 9

By Benjamin Campopiano

Teach In Politics, Parents, and Public Schools

Y

ou may already know this, but it bears repeating: In every presidential election since 1964, young voters between the ages of 18 and 24 have consistently voted at lower rates than all other age groups. And worse, while 51 percent of 18-to-24 year-olds voted for a president in 1964, only 38 percent of young people voted in the 2012 presidential election. The staggering decline in

engagement by America’s youngest voters over the last 50 years is a serious problem that parents and public schools must step up to address.

The political engagement of our young people should not be a partisan issue.

Whether you’re jubilant, devastated, or indifferent that Donald Trump is being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States this month, we should all

be in agreement that young people need to be properly educated about their role in America’s great democracy. Parents obviously play the most crucial role in teaching their children about patriotism, democracy, civic engagement, and politics, but public schools must follow closely behind in order for America’s young people to truly understand their critical role as citizens of a democracy.

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After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a woman approached Benjamin Franklin and asked him, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

Franklin’s seven-word reply wasn’t just a warning, it was a request, or perhaps a demand. For this type of government to prosper, Franklin knew that Americans had to seize their right to participate, engage, vote, and speak up. He knew that without an engaged electorate, tyranny could very well bear out.

To help heed Franklin’s council, we all must do a better job teaching our young people about the critical role they will play in our country’s government. It’s absolutely shameful that fewer — much fewer — young people are voting now than 50 years ago. With our improved technology, communication, and education we should have seen the reverse of what’s happened.

Thus, we must make some serious changes — both formally and informally — to help ensure that our youth become more civically engaged.

At home, there’s a few things parents can do more of to help the cause: Consume the news, discuss the issues, and model citizenship. Specifically, we need more parents reading the paper, downloading Politico on their phones, volunteering for a local candidate, donating to a national cause, voting early, and talking about the topics they care about. When we do these things as parents, our kids will more often than not follow suit.

At school, we absolutely must embed civics, government, and politics into social studies classes beginning in middle school. This means that students should be reading, writing, and speaking about local, national, and global political issues, current events, and elections years before

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they can even drive. Obviously, the content covered has to be age appropriate and taught in a neutral way, but as students mature they need to be thinking critically about the issues that they will soon be voting on. At the high school level, schools need to run mock elections, require political volunteering, develop congressional simulations, and hold hot-topic debates and political panels.

Currently in California, most students receive very little governmental or political education during their secondary school years. In fact, many students are seniors in high school before they truly learn about government and politics. This is too little, too late. Civic studies, engagement, and understanding must happen over many years, not a few months prior to turning 18.

As we look back at the 2016 presidential election, there are lots of areas to analyze, debate, and question. But one thing that’s not surprising is that the youth of America once again had very little impact on the outcome. That’s not just sad, it’s dangerous.

But it’s fixable.

Young people are smart enough, savvy enough, and informed enough to be engaged, influential, and impactful. They just need our help. Parents must bring politics into the home. And schools must bring it into the classroom. None of this needs to be partisan, divisive, or negative. In fact, done correctly, parents and educators can inform and engage kids in a way that empowers young people to make informed decisions about who and what to vote for.

The right kind of changes in the home and school will lead to an increased level of

participation by young people in voting, volunteering, and supporting the vital issues we face today.

There’s been a lot of debate over the years about how to increase voter turnout and improve civic participation. There’s some great ideas out there — eliminating the Electoral College, utilizing automatic voter registration, making Election Day a holiday, nationwide early voting from Saturday to Tuesday, and standardizing federal election guidelines, to name a few — but there is literally nothing that will improve our electorate’s engagement more than engaging the youth of America. The goal to increase civic engagement can’t just be about giving man a fish — it has to be about giving him a fishing rod and teaching him to fish. And then encouraging him, supporting him, and teaching him some more.

With everything going on in our children’s lives, and all the responsibilities we currently have as parents, about the last thing any of us want to do is dive into a discussion with our kids about immigration or abortion. It sounds daunting and depressing, and not all that useful or impactful. But the more that we do in the home to teach our children about government, politics, and the issues of today, the better off they — and our country — will be. And if educators do the same work at school, our children can become a generation who takes Franklin’s words to heart and truly works to keep our republic.

Benjamin Campopiano is a secondary Instructional Coach and a social studies teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. Reach him at campopianob@ mdusd.org.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 11

W

hat could be more exciting than a new addition to the family? For siblings, so many feelings can come with the announcement or arrival of a new baby— anticipation, eagerness, nervousness, worry and sometimes lots of different emotions at the same time! Older siblings might feel proud and excited to help with a new baby, but also concerned about their shifting place in the family. They might want to discuss their feelings, or they might need encouragement to express their (maybe mixed) emotions.

As parents, we want to reassure our kids that they are loved and important, no matter what.

Books and other media are such a wonderful window into the variety of feelings that kids may have around new babies, and are a great springboard for discussion. When our second child was born, I appreciated content that gently presented and normalized a whole spectrum of feelings about new babies for our older daughter. Below are some of our favorites.

APPS FOR NEW BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS

For more, check out SmartFeed’s hand-picked media suggestions:

A young boy learns that a new baby will be joining his family, and wants to know where the baby will come from. A series of well-meaning friends, neighbors, and grownups provide pieces of the answer—but their answers are confusing!

Ultimately the boy’s parents explain how babies grow. A helpful list of questions and answers follows the story to guide parents whose children want additional information. Whimsical illustrations are beautiful and engaging.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT Games to Play Together (www.thesmartfeed.com/staff_picks/apps-i-canplay-with-my-kids)

Great Bedtime Stories (www.thesmartfeed.com/staff_picks/quick-hitsgreat-books-for-bedtime)

Sago Mini Babies (age 2-5) (www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/16331) I love all the Sago Mini apps, and Babies is no exception. Users get a chance to feed, dress, and play with a collection of impossibly cute baby animals. Really well designed—and fun!

The New Baby (age 3+) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/the-new-baby Featuring Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter characters, this sweet, interactive story follows Little Critter as he meets his new baby sister. Engaging, fun, and straightforward enough for the youngest users.

BOOKS FOR NEW BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS The Baby Tree (age 4-8) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/the-baby-tree

The New Small Person (age 3-8) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/the-new-smallperson Elmore Green starts out life as an only child, and delights in arranging his small toys without interruption, eating jellybeans (and not having to share the orange ones, his favorites), and enjoying the attention and adoration of his parents. But the arrival of a new, small person (his baby brother) changes everything. A funny but heartfelt story of sibling rivalry and acceptance. A favorite at our house.

Everywhere Babies (age 0-3) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/the-new-smallperson A sweet celebration of babies and their families, their triumphs and challenges, and the love that families share. A perfect first book for little ones, and a gentle introduction to babies for young siblings.

The Family Book and We Belong Together: A Book about Adoption and Families (age 2-5) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/the-family-book Illustrated in Todd Parr’s signature style, these books celebrate all kinds of families and the people in them. Nice choices for young readers.

A Baby Sister for Frances (age 4-7) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/24444

— ­and much more. Enjoy!

Frances has a new little sister, and she’s not sure how she feels about it. So many of the mixed feelings a new sibling can bring

are represented here, and in such a loveable, true way. This one is an oldie (expect pretty traditional gender roles) but still a goodie!

Pecan Pie Baby (age 5-8) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/pecan-pie-baby Gia’s going to be a big sister, but she is jealous of the new baby who gets all kinds of attention, even before it is born.

Through reassuring conversations with her mother, she begins to warm to the idea— and understands the ways she and her family will always be connected.

A MOVIE FOR NEW BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS Babies (Age 7+) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/babies Babies presents an amazing and intriguing look at babies and families around the world. This documentary follows 4 babies—in Japan, Namibia, Mongolia, and San Francisco—and takes an in-depth look at their first year of life. A great choice for older children and adults to watch together and discuss.

A TV SHOW FOR NEW BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS Ruby’s Studio: The Siblings Show (Age 4+) www.thesmartfeed.com/creations/ruby-s-studiothe-siblings-show This creative, fun show features real world problems that siblings encounter, and presents creative, compassionate ways to solve them. Features an adorable cast of kids and catchy music and dancing.

PRESCHOOLS

IT’S NOW YOUR TIME! Saint Mary’s Kalmanovitz School of Education offers a diverse pathway to a new career. Join us for an upcoming Info Session to learn more about our programs in Counseling, Leadership, and Teaching:

Thursday, October 13, 2016 Thursday, January 10, 2017 Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Thursday, February 8, 2017 6:00p – 8:00p 6:00p – 8:00p RSVP or inquire today for additional dates and more: stmarys-ca.edu/ksoe | (925) 631-4700 12 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

Nestled in the hills next to a local park where parents and kids often gather to play after school, we offer PLAY-BASED LEARNING for children 2.9 – 5 years old in a warm and engaging environment.

We follow a joyful 40 year tradition of gently nurturing children for the road ahead.

We’ve created a warm, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT that helps build social skills and foster curiosity.

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CALIFORNIA CROSSPOINT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CCHS is an award winning, independent, non-profit, religious, educational institution. We care for the entire child,academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 100% of our graduates have gone to college or the military since our establishment in 1979.

Grades: 6-12 25500 Industrial Blvd, Hayward www.cchsrams.org 510-995-5333

CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Happy, confident, self-aware students are our #1 priority. Together, our award-winning principal, Katie Murphy, exceptional staff and dedicated community, nurture each student from kindergarten to middle school, providing the solid foundation necessary for the teen years, high school and beyond.

Please join us for an Open House on Jan. 3 & Feb. 7 from 8:15 to 10 am.

Grades: K-8 1 Estates Dr Piedmont www.corpuschristischool.com 510-530-4056 x200

MOREAU CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Moreau Catholic is a college-preparatory high school committed to outstanding achievement in the Holy Cross tradition.

Our community of faith prepares students through transformative academic, social and spiritual learning experiences.

Grades: 9-12 27170 Mission Blvd., Hayward www.moreaucatholic.org 510-881-4300

REDWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS RCS offers a Christ-centered K-12 education to nearly 700 students in a safe, secure, loving, Christ-honoring environment equipping students for daily living and eternal life. ACSI/WASC-accredited. Tuition grants are available.

Grades: K-12 4200 James Avenue, Castro Valley www.rcs.edu 510-889-7526

SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE Our Kindergarten through 8th grade Catholic elementary school in Berkeley offers outstanding academics, technology, Spanish, Music & PE instruction. Kenneth Willers, Principal Mary Schweska, Registrar Grades: K-8 1225 Milvia St., Berkeley www.themadeleine.com 510-526-4744

ST. PHILIP NERI CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Open House: January 29 at 10:30. Come discover why families return for generations.

Saint Philip Neri Catholic School promotes respectful, responsible, reverent, lifelong learners. Academic achievement, faith formation, and family provide the foundation for success.

Grades: TK-8 1335 High St., Alameda www.spnalameda.org 510-521-0787

CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Our Kindergarten - 8th Grade welcomes families from diverse backgrounds.

Children thrive with outstanding academics, both general and Jewish.

Emphasis on values and tikkun olam (helping the world). Transportation from Oakland and Berkeley.

Grades: K-8 955 Risa Rd, Lafayette www.ccjds.org 925-284-8288

ST. AGNES SCHOOL Our Kindergarten Information Night is January 7th at 7:00pm. Please join us for our School-wide Open House: January 26th, 10am-12pm (9:00am Mass.)

Our new preschool is now open and accepting applications!

Kindergarten – 8th Grade 3886 Chestnut Ave., Concord www.stagnesconcord.com 925-689-3990 ST. DAVID SCHOOL Welcome to St. David School. We are a Pre-K through 8th grade school located right off Highway 80 in the Richmond Hills. Our quiet and safe location is filled with committed teachers and staff that are dedicated to teaching the “entire” student. St. David students are not only taught academics, but are taught strong moral & spiritual values that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Grades: PK-8 871 Sonoma St., Richmond Hills www.stdavidschool.org 510-232-2283

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL Providing a quality Catholic education, with a challenging, well-rounded academic curriculum. Fully accredited.

Safe, nurturing and caring environment.

Kindergarten – 8th Grade 1961 Plum St., Pinole www.stjosephpinole.com 510-724-0242 ST. PAUL SCHOOL St. Paul School celebrates 60 years of developing the whole child with a positive self-awareness and to their potential with rigorous academics, creativity, healthy physical and emotional development, and the formation of spirituality and faith.

Grades: PK-8 1825 Church Ln., San Pablo www.st-paulschool.org 510-233-3080

ST. PERPETUA SCHOOL St. Perpetua School has offered a rigorous academic program in a faith filled environment for over 50 years. We foster the education of the whole child, spiritually, academically and socially.

Grades: K-8 3445 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette www.stperpetua.org 925-284-1640

TEHIYAH SCHOOL Tehiyah’s dedicated teachers inspire the love of learning and personal growth of each child. Our diverse and nurturing community, based on Jewish values, fully embraces all kinds of families.

Bridge K – 8th Grade 2603 Tassajara Ave., El Cerrito www.tehiyah.org 510-233-3013

ST. THERESA SCHOOL Dedicated to educating the whole child: spirit, mind and body. Strong and dynamic curriculum serving grades Grades: K-8.

4850 Clarewood Drive, Oakland www.sttheresaschool.org 510-547-3146

OAKLAND HEBREW DAY SCHOOL We are a modern Orthodox Jewish day school providing excellence in Jewish and secular education to the entire Jewish community. We value diversity, character education and critical thinking skills.

Grades: K-8 5500 Redwood Rd., Oakland www.ohds.org 510-531-8600

Contact us at sales@parentspress.com Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 13

By Tony Hicks

Raising Dad Time Off Radar

G

erms, as you may know, are alive.

Which is how I know they’re out to get me.

Just like my kids. It’s like they’re planning together.

I’ve never heard germs are conscious, but I don’t know how else to explain their timing. I must’ve done something devastating to the germ world (virus world? I don’t know). Maybe it was all the allergy shots that stopped them when I

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was a kid.

But they know when I’m about to take time off. They know when I’m about to go somewhere. They know when I need to relax so my life in general doesn’t make my head explode.

And then they strike. Through my children.

Going through flu season is awful, for a number of reasons — some of which have nothing to do with people actually getting sick (or very sick, anyway).

My four girls are generally healthy.

Until vacation is involved. They’ve all been sick at Disneyland. I can draw you a map of where they’ve all upchucked inside the park. Which is a family thing. I threw up at Disneyland when I was a kid. As did my aunt. As did my cousin. Or maybe his pants just exploded.

Anyway, my wife and I went away for a weekend last month, to make sure we remembered why we got married. And, not unexpectedly, my eight-year-old came down with a fever the day before we left.

The kid hadn’t as much as sneezed in six months. Luckily she was scheduled to stay with grandma. Grandmas are great.

When they were just moms, they let us run down the middle of the street and otherwise disappear for 14 hours at a time when we were seven, but if one of their grandchildren as much as sniffles, they want to fly in three specialists from Sweden and back up a big rig full of antibiotics to nip this bug in the bud.

So we felt OK leaving. Until the next day, when I became almost too sick to get out of bed at the hotel. I was like that for three weeks. Then it was my wife, then it (sort of) came back around to the other kids.

The Model School

November wasn’t just a bad month for turkeys in our world.

The worst part was the kids. Not because they were suffering, but because they become as useful as month-old Jell-O when their parents get sick. The kids didn’t feel great, but it was nothing that stopped them from going to school, or going to parties, or playing video games for nine hours straight.

I think one of my kids actually fell down while faking a cough. It was like watching a bad flop in the NBA. I love my girls, but it’s like they smell something in the air and decide to work it to their advantage.

And then you wonder whether maybe they mean it. Until you hear them on the phone with their friends, laughing and talking about who wears what ugly clothes and who dates people who smell bad, or whatever. Then you walk into their room, and the fake coughing immediately starts.

Again, it makes me want to apologize to my mom. Because I’m sure I did the same thing. No one was going to outsick me.

Even if they were really sick.

Now we’re (hopefully) through with this year’s bout with the bugs and can move forward into 2017. And, obviously, I need to keep the vacation plans a secret as long as possible. I’m not sure I totally understand the connection, but I do know I don’t need to give the germs and my kids any more advance notice than necessary.

Tony Hicks is a columnist with the Bay Area News Group and the father of four daughters. Reach him at editor@parentspress.com.

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14 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

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By Peggy Spear

Teen Talk Should I Give My Teen Antidepressants?

W

hen my son was 15 and just starting high school, my family moved to New Orleans for my husband’s job. The culture shock was swift and intense, and we all felt it, but especially my son.

He began to suffer crying jags, intense anxiety and an aversion to his new school.

It was more than severe homesickness — he was suffering from depression and anxiety. His new doctor prescribed a low dose of the antidepressant Prozac, which helped a bit, until we moved back to California nine months later, at which point he didn’t need it at all.

I am thankful for the help the drug gave him, and I had no qualms about giving it to a teenager. What I do regret is that I did not take his recovery a step further, and added some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to the mix.

According to the National Institute of Health, a mixture of therapy and medication is the best way to combat anxiety and depression in not only tweens and teens, but adults as well, says Margie Ryerson, a Walnut Creek-based family therapist.

Sometimes, just therapy alone is needed to help teens deal with depression and anxiety.

As for drugs? “There is no pure answer,” Ryerson says, when drugs should be administered, except in extreme cases, such

as a child is exhibiting suicidal thoughts or actions, or has thoughts of or is exhibiting actions of hurting someone else.

For garden variety anxiety and depression like my son was feeling — which can in itself be crippling for the child and terrifying for the parents — Ryerson suggests a team approach, which starts with the child’s pediatrician or family doctor.

They can assess the child — even as young as nine — and recommend counseling or psychiatry, or both.

When a family is choosing a counselor, Ryerson suggests that it might be a good idea to have family therapy, and to let the child in on interviewing several prospective therapists so that they feel empowered in making a choice.

The second tier of treating anxiety and depression, Ryerson says, is seeing a psychiatrist for evaluation, and seeing whether they recommend antidepressants.

“Remember, it’s just a recommendation — you don’t need to give the child antidepressants if you don’t want to.”

But if a parent chooses to give a child medication to fight anxiety and/or depression, she says to be sure to include talk therapy, preferably CBT, as well. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties,

and so change the way they feel.

D. Raymond Hearey, a child and adolescent psychiatric specialist practicing out of Orinda, agrees with Ryerson that drugs alone may not be the most effective way to treat adolescent depression and anxiety.

“Parents should have the child assessed by a psychiatrist, to see if drugs are a good option,” he says. Don’t rely on the child’s doctor to prescribe the medication, he says.

Hearey says there is no “magic age” when it is okay to administer drugs — he has seen children as young as six respond well to medication, while older teens may not. Still, he says he would prefer not to prescribe medication to children and teens if there are other options, like therapy, that will work as well.

“Only use medication when it is needed,” he said, adding that the decision must be made by the psychiatrist, the parents and the child.

The other nebulous area is the particular medication that is prescribed.

Hearey says clinically, “there is no right answer,” but that some have shown better results in teens and children than in adults, and vice versa. Again, a psychiatrist will know those areas better than a pediatrician.

Ultimately, like most hard parenting decisions, whether to give your teen antidepressants is a judgement that needs a lot of study, input and faith — and hinges on how well you know your own child.

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Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 15

By Sarah Shaffer

Science and Nature Catapulting to the Head of the Class

W

ho is Bobby and how does something he said a decade ago reinforce a recent news release from the California State Education Board? Bobby was a nineyear-old whirlwind of a child, but so enthusiastic about the activities in my science and nature programs for kids that it was impossible not to be infected by his joy. One day, he showed up uncharacteristically glum. When I asked what was wrong, he confessed that his parents were mad at him because he’d gotten a lousy grade in science.

“But, Bobby, how is that possible? You love science.”

He looked at me dumbfounded. “This isn’t science. This is fun!”

In my first years in college, a professor asked me to list two beliefs that informed my approach to education. Since my own

primary school years had been characterized by a fear of failure, the first one was easy. “Children learn best when they’re having fun.” A kid who is laughing forgets to be afraid. Fear shuts down the creative capacity.

I hesitated a bit before coming up with the second. But then I remembered my bewilderment in sixth grade when the description of simple machines in our science textbook left me scratching my head. I recalled the gratitude I’d felt when an older friend demonstrated what a lever was by showing me a catapult he’d built.

Rule number two was born. “Children learn best by doing.” This playful, handson approach to teaching science has been a guiding principle ever since I launched my first after-school program.

Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) had all this figured out long before Bobby, the California Science Curriculum, and I did.

“Children learn best when they’re having fun.” A kid who is laughing forgets to be afraid. Fear shuts down the creative capacity.

“Children are born true scientists. They spontaneously experiment and experience and reexperience again. They select, combine, and test, seeking to find order in their experiences — ‘Which is the mostest?

Which is the leastest?’ They smell, taste, bite, and touch-test for hardness, softness, springiness, roughness, smoothness, coldness, warmness: they heft, shake, punch, squeeze, push, crush, rub, and try to pull things apart.”

On November 5, 2016, the Los Angeles Times reported that California’s Education Board has approved a curriculum framework that acknowledges the limitations of simple memorization and regurgita-

tion and calls for regular engagement in hands-on science investigations. Although the formal testing of the effectiveness of this approach won’t be complete until next year, Bobby and I feel comfortable predicting the results. It doesn’t take a meteorologist’s skill with forecasts; all one has to do is listen to the squeals of joy as the children in my programs build their own catapults.

Sarah Shaffer, award-winning educator, has been offering unique science and nature programs for children, parents, and teachers for over 25 years. More information about Sarah’s Science can be found at www.sarahscience.com

PRESCHOOLS

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16 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

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Family Fun Calendar JANUARY

10 | Tuesday

Tot Art — Walnut Creek

9 | Monday Baby Brigade at the New Parkway Theater — Oakland Finally a theater where baby’s crying is allowed. Baby Brigade shows are recommended for babies one and under. Movies are usually rated PG 13 or R and over 4 will be charged admission. Both bathrooms and theaters are equipped with changing tables. Lights are only dimmed so parents can move around with baby as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

Bring your little one ages 20 months to 4 years to explore the colorful fun world of art! Each week features a different art piece to create and take home as your child discovers how to use different art mediums, applications and color mixing. Some projects even educate through touch sensory and/or team work. In this class every work of art your child makes is unique and completely their own little masterpiece. Repeats Monday. Reservations recomended.

9:45 -10:30 a.m. Ages 20 mths-4, 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. Tiny Tots 10-20 mths, $18 per child, members $12. Small Talk Family Cafe, 1536 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek, 925-954-7468, www. smalltalkfamilycafe.com

6:30 p.m. $8/Parent Parkway Theater 474 24th St Oakland 510-658-7900 www.thenewparkway.com

Open Art Studio / Play Time —Alameda Children will be immersed in possibilities for exploration in our open studio design lab. Acrylic walls for painting, shelves of reuse material, a variety of media and tactile exhibits fill the space. The studio is open for all ages housing pottery wheels, glass and wood painting.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ages 10 & under. Twirl 1424 Park street, Alameda. 510-4730812, www.twirlalameda.com

Grown-up Game Night, 1960’s Batman Premiere at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach— El Cerrito Reminisce on the premiere of the 1966 “Batman” show on ABC with Adam

West and Burt Ward. POW! BIFF! FUN…at Playland with board games and pinball machines! Adults only (18-years and older), no children or babies please. Playland is a Museum of Old-Fashioned Fun chock-full with over 30 pinball machines set on FREE play, penny arcade games and a carousel carnival (where you can win prizes), miniature circus, magic shows, and interactive displays honoring America’s Bygone Amusements.

6-10p.m. $10 for Adults (adults only) Playland Not-at-the-Beach 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-5923002 www.playland-not-at-thebeach.org

Drop-in Open Play — Alameda Run, jump, bounce, dance, play, and more in any sort of weather in this indoor play space for the littlest of

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Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 17

Adventure Series 1 Comics Make SelfLiteracy Come Alive

O

ur kids are naturally curious, creative beings that have the power to change the world—they just don’t quite know it yet.

That is why we at Know Yourself pride ourselves on unlocking the fundamental parts of who young people are through Self Literacy: a foundational working knowledge of the body and mind.

Although this textbook definition may seem black and white, it is anything but to children who have yet to see in full color how powerful their own minds and bodies can be.

Just as the five senses work in conjunction to move us forward in our everyday lives, my team at Know Yourself works every single day to help empower the next generation of thinkers, leaders and doers.

We believe that once young people become fluent in how their minds and bodies work, they will be easily inspired to make healthy choices that place them on the path to success throughout their lives.

But how does one deeply engage young

people in a fast-paced, technologicallydriven world?

Kids use their phalanges and metacarpals to text their friends everyday on their smartphones, yet probably couldn’t point them out to you on an anatomy chart.

We go about our daily routines at school, at work, and at home, yet often forget about the 206 bones in our bodies (300 at birth, but some eventually fuse together) that work together to make our actions possible every single day.

Know Yourself’s mission is to equip young people with the tools to discover, understand and fully appreciate their bodies and minds and the wondrous ways they work together to create the miracles of thought, movement and emotion. This critical knowledge serves to ground young people firmly in themselves and supports physical, mental and emotional health well into adulthood.

A Meeting of the Minds.

We’ve worked collaboratively to bring

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the brightest scientific and artistic minds together to create a graphic novel adventure that teaches Self Literacy through creativity and innovation.

Since its inception, each Know Yourself Adventure Series has placed a key emphasis on creative storytelling and compelling narrative, two important ingredients that make our comics a vibrant gumbo of learning across all educational spectrums.

Our first Adventure Series titled “The Five Senses,” follows Dr. Bonyfide and the Time Skaters crew in an exploration of the human body and mind in Ancient Greece, blurring the lines of history, art, science, and education to engage young readers of all interests.

In addition to our original Adventure Series comic books, we also produce workbooks and Adventure Guides with a host of activities, recipes, and experiments, to meet our young readers at every level of interest.

In terms of modern pedagogy, it’s widely accepted that children learn more thoroughly when they have different access points.

By learning with story, learning with illustration and relating what they’re learning to a geographic place and time, young readers unknowingly unlock a gateway to literacy and life-long learning.

In short: children would much rather learn from an exciting, multi-layered story they can connect with.

Lic. #010204748

Much like the characters in our comics and workbooks, our team members at Know Yourself come together with one common goal: to make an Adventure Series come to life.

We know that representation matters.

It’s important that children from all backgrounds interact with characters they can identify with. Not only do we make diversity a priority on our team, we’ve also created a diverse set of characters in our comics and workbooks to connect with our young readers.

Our featured character Pinky, for example, has a super sense of smell and is smart, curious and creative. Together she and her friend Stokely, who loves skateboarding and hamburgers, must work together using their talents in a voyage to ancient Greece, where they encounter Aristotle and learn a valuable lesson about the five senses.

Moving the elements of visual storytelling forward in an Adventure Series also includes working with a diverse cast of talented artists—an effort led by our Director of Comics Sam Sattin.

Sam understands just as I do, that seamlessly incorporating multiple angles of art, education, science, and history is no easy task.

It involves a great deal of meticulous research and exploration on our end to ensure we make learning about Self Literacy fun, yet accurate and authentic.

Visually, Sam and his team of artists must find a way to make this big balloon of intersectional Self Literacy translate to the page, from concept to creation.

What happens when a page turns? How do you depict pacing? And what problems can be posed if you don’t understand exactly how that process works?

Moreover, how does depicting text and image relationships strengthen literacy, and the comprehension of elevated subject matter?

By getting into the weeds and asking these kinds of crucial questions we are able to create amazing visual storytelling aides for our young readers that will stay with them long after they turn that last page, and open up their minds to new paths of both education and expression.

The Human Body as a Universe.

Condensing something as complex as the human body down to a digestible format for children certainly has its challenges.

But the payoff is exponential.

We have created an entire universe with the human body as its center.

Whether we’re time traveling back to ancient Greece to learn about our five senses with Aristotle, or fast-forwarding to outer space to explore our respiratory system, ours really is an entire world that children and parents alike can inhabit.

The Know Yourself universe is an everchanging creation much like the bodies that we currently inhabit.

By boosting a child’s self-esteem, making them less fearful/more confident, and empowering them to be the best versions of themselves, we’re using visual storytelling to create happy, healthy adults.

Our story is unique, it’s exciting, and, best of all, it’s always expanding.

This article was provided as part of an ongoing series by the team at Know Yourself. More information about Know Yourself and their adventure series can be found at https://knowyourself.com

Montessori at Five Canyons 510.581.3729 22781 Canyon Ct. Castro Valley www.montessoricastrovalley.com Toddlers (18 mo.) - Preschool - TK - Kindergarten - Extended Daycare

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

A ministry ofMonday Bay Area Chinese Bible Church - Friday 7am - 6pm lunch service provided

1803 TTPreschoolalameda.org North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

Facility # 013422027 1803 North Loop Rd | Alameda | Facility # 013422027 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 | kim.smith@bacbc.org Telephone # 510-995-5383 ext. 1336

18 Parents’ Press | East Fax Bay |#Jan/Feb 2017 510-373-2241

Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.

- Maria Montessori

littles. Each Monday and Friday.

12 -2 p.m. $5 per child. Ages 6 mo.2 years. Terra Tech Fitness, 2203 Mariner Square Loop, Alameda. www.terratechfitness.com

11 | Wednesday Child Protection Workshop for Adults Presented by KIDPOWER — Berkeley Practice ways to protect kids from harm and prepare them to take charge of their own safety. Learn skills to keep kids safe with strangers, peers, and others at school, out in the world, at home, on social media… Everywhere!

8-8 p.m. $18 per family, includes dinner Ages 5-12. JCC East Bay Berkeley, 1414 Walnut St. Berkeley, www.jcceastbay.org

Off the Grid Food Trucks — El Cerrito Bring the family, a picnic blanket, and an appetite for adventure. Sample treats from CupCakes, Curryup Now, Fiveten Burger, KoJa Kitchen, Slider Truck and Gyro Stop. This is a fun community event with some music and lots of great food. This event runs every Wednesday night.

Conservatory. The popular exhibit returns by overwhelming demand, transforming the Special Exhibit gallery into a beautiful and intimate cottage garden aflutter with hundreds of butterflies on the wing including magnificent monarchs, western swallowtails, painted ladies and more. The Butterfly Bungalow at the entrance to the gallery also allows you to observe the pupae in their chrysalis stage. You never know, you may be lucky enough to catch the moment when one of these delicate beauties emerges.

Through 6/30/17 10 a.m - 4 p.m.., free. Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, www. conservatoryofflowers.org

Free Art Studio Time — Berkeley Donate three or more canned food items and enjoy three hours of open art studio time at Brushstrokes. Donations go to Alameda County Food Barrel. This event is ongoing every Thursday evening. Please call to confirm.

5-8 p.m. Donation of three canned goods per person is admission. Ages 5-12. Brushstrokes Studio, 745 Page St., Berkeley. 510-528-1360, www. brushstrokestudio.com

5-8 p.m. Free admission, food prices as marked. All ages. San Pablo at Carlson, El Cerrito, www. offthegridsf.com

13 | Friday

12 | Thursday

Ingenuity Lab, is a place for homeschool families to explore STEM concepts while completing exciting challenges together. In our current unit, “Bridges, Bricks and Blocks,” kids have the opportunity to design, build and test their own bridges using a variety

Butterflies and Blooms — San Francisco Get eye to eye with a butterfly in the exhibit Butterflies & Blooms at the

Ingenuity Lab for Families — Pleasant Hill

Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr Day of media including paper and Legos as well as building virtual bridges on Minecraft Edu. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. free Pleasant Hill Library 1750 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, ccclib.org

Friday Nights @ Oakland

Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5 to 9 p.m. Members and ages 18

SCHOOLS

Cultivating Creativity and Intellectual Curiosity For Over 70 Years K-5 // Now Enrolling // Schedule a Tour Today

1809 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94703 // 510-883-6990 // berkwood.org

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 19

School Open Houses School Open Houses JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 More Open House Information at www.SchoolsBayArea.com ALAMEDA

DANVILLE

MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF ALAMEDA Open House JANUARY 19, 2017 @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM and JANUARY 26, 2017 @ 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 1400 6th St. 510-521-9227 http://www. montessorielementaryalameda.org

THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House JANUARY 7 and 17, 2017 @ 1:00 PM Upper School Open House JANUARY 8, 2017 @ 1:00 PM 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard.

925-362-7223 http://www.athenian.org/

SAINT PHILIP NERI School Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 10:15 AM 1335 High St. 510-521-0787 http://school.spnalameda.org/ BERKELEY ECOLE BILINGUE DE BERKELEY Open House JANUARY 7, 2017 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Information Session JANUARY 10, 2017 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 1009 Heinz Ave. 510-549-3895 http://www.eb.org/ MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL Mini Open House JANUARY 12, 2017 @ 9:30 AM 2727 College Avenue. 510-841-8489 http://maybeckhs.org/ SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE Information Night JANUARY 12, 2017 @ 6:30 PM Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 10:30 AM 1225 Milvia St. 510-526-4744 http://themadeleine.com SHU REN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 28, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM 2125 Jefferson Ave. 510-3758056 http://www.shurenschool.org STEP ONE SCHOOL Transitional Kindergarten Open House JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 499 Spruce St. 510-527-9021 http://www. steponeschool.org WALDEN CENTER & SCHOOL Information Session JANUARY 10, 2017 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 2446 McKinley Ave. 510-8417248 http://www.walden-school.net/

LIVERMORE

FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 28, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 939 El Pintado Rd. 925-820-1343 http://www.fms.org/

FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 7, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 949 Central Ave. 925-579-0110 http://www.fms.org/

ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL TK/Kindergarten Information Meeting JANUARY 20, 2017 @ 9:30 AM 435 La Gonda Way. 925-837-2977 http://www.stisidore.org

MORAGA

DUBLIN

ORION ACADEMY ASPERGER’S – NLD HIGH SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 25, 2017 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 350 Rheem Boulevard. http://www.orionacademy.org/

FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 6665 Amador Plaza Rd. 925-829-2963 http://www.fms.org/

THE SAKLAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House JANUARY 6, 2017 @ 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM 1678 School Street. 925-376-7900 http://saklan.org/

THE QUARRY LANE SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 6363 Tassajara Rd. 925-829-8000 http://www. quarrylane.org/

OAKLAND

ST. RAYMOND SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Kindergarten Information Night FEBRUARY 8, 2017 @ 7:00 PM 11557 Shannon Ave. 925-828-4064 http:// straymondschool.org/ EL CERRITO TEHIYAH DAY SCHOOL Bridge-K + Kindergarten Open House JANUARY 22, 2017 @ 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM 2603 Tassajara Ave. 510-233-3013 http://www. tehiyah.org/ HAYWARD CALIFORNIA CROSSPOINT ACADEMY Open House FEBRUARY 4, 2017 25500 Industrial Blvd. 510-385-2792 http://crosspointacademy. org

CASTRO VALLEY MISSION HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Open House FEBRUARY 4, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 2330 Pomar Vista Ave. 510-3178627 http://www. mhmschool.org/

OLD FIREHOUSE SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 23, 2017 @ 6:30 PM and FEBRUARY 27, 2017 @ 6:30 PM 984 Moraga Rd. 925-284-4321 http://www. oldfirehouseschool.com/

LAFAYETTE CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Middle School Open House JANUARY 19, 2017 955 Risa Road. 925-284-8288 http://www.ccjds.org

SCHOOLS

MENTORING ACADEMY Information Session JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 5951 College Avenue. Please RSVP to info@ mentoringacademy.org 510.400.7696 http://www.mentoringacademy.org/ MONTCLAIR COMMUNITY PLAY CENTER Preschool Information Night JANUARY 25, 2017 @ 7:00 PM 5815 Thornhill Dr. 510-3397213 http://www.mcpckids.org/ THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Kindergarten through Elementary School Tour JANUARY 10 and 31, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Info Session and Tour for 4th to 6th Grade Applicants JANUARY 11, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Toddler and Preschool Applicant Tour JANUARY 12 and 25, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM 3618 Dimond Avenue.

510-531-8566 http://therenaissanceschool.org/ SAINT THERESA SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM 4850 Clarewood Dr. 510-547-3146 http:// www.sttheresaschool.org/

PLEASANT HILL FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 490 Golf Club Road.

925-685-2949 http://www.fms.org/ RICHMOND ST. DAVID SCHOOL Open House and Pancake Breakfast JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 870 Sonoma Street.

510-232-2283 http://stdavidschool.org/ SAN PABLO ST. PAUL SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 1825 Church Ln. 510-233-3080 http://www.st-paulschool. org/ UNION CITY MISSION HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 28, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 250 Tamarack Dr. 510-493-2189 http://www. mhmschool.org/ WALNUT CREEK BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 30, 2017 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 245 El Divisadero Ave. 925-945-6464 http://www.bereaneagles.org OLD FIREHOUSE SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 9, 2017 and FEBRUARY 13, 2017 @ 6:30 PM 55 Eckley Lane. 925-934-1507 http://www.oldfirehouseschool.com/ WALNUT AVENUE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL Open House JANUARY 28, 2017 @ 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM 260 Walnut Ave. 925-937-7063 http://www. waccp.org/ Parents’ Press welcomes news of public, independent, and charter school open houses, information nights, and tours as well as school fairs. Please submit at http://www.schoolsbayarea.com

ORINDA FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 30 Santa Maria Way. 925-254-7110 http://www.fms.org/ PINOLE SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 29, 2017 MASS @ 10:30 AM OPEN HOUSE @ 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM 1961 Plum St. 510-724-0242 http://www.stjosephpinole.com PIEDMONT

School of the Madeleine 1225 Milvia Street | Berkeley, California 94709 | (510) 526-4744 | www.themadeleine.com

CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 3 and FEBRUARY 7, 2017 @ 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM 1 Estates Drive. .

510.530.4056 http://www.corpuschristischool.com/ PLEASANT HILL FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 21, 2017 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 490 Golf Club Road.

925-685-2949 http://www.fms.org/

Tour 1/10 at 1:15pm * Information Night 1/12 at 6:30pm * Open House 1/29 at 10:30am

Please call 510-526-4744 or see our website www.themadeleine.com

20 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

CALLING ALL CAMP DIRECTORS Submit your summer camp information now!

Contact us at camps@parentspress.com to receive a form The 2015 Parents’ Press Summer Camps Guide appears in the March 2015 issue.

Want to purchase a display ad to increase visibility of your summer camp? Contact us at sales@parentspress.com

and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 318-8400, www. museumca.org

14 | Saturday Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at Playland-Notat-the-Beach Help honor Dr. King’s impact with a freedom-themed treasure hunt and special quiz testing your knowledge of our country’s Civil Rights leader.

Bonus: An extra day to play; they are open Monday!

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 for children and seniors, and $15 for general admission. Playland Not-atthe-Beach 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org

16 | Monday MLK Jr. Day East Bay Regional Parks ‘MLK Day of Service — Oakland The Park District will be celebrating its 8th Annual Day of Service that continues Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s vision to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer together to the beloved community. Volunteers will assist staff in restoration work and invasive plant removal in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitats.

Volunteers will also be participating in the restoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove and Damon Marsh.

8:30 a.m. – 12 p m Free Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakport St Oakland 1-888-327-2757, www.ebparks.org

Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland This exhibition which will prompt visitors to reflect on sneakers as a representation of identity and sports fashion, while also incorporating community-inspired elements including what it means to be “Town-fitted” Oakland-style, a term developed to represent local fashion. Film footage, photographs, design drawings, and interactive media will showcase the history, technical advancements, fashion trends, and marketing campaigns

that have played a role in the sneaker’s evolution.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15.95 general; $10.95 seniors and students with valid ID, $6.95 youth ages 9 to 17, and free for Members and children 8 and under.

There is a $4 charge in addition to general admission pricing for special exhibitions. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510318-8400, www.museumca.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend at Playland-Notat-the-Beach Help honor Dr. King’s impact with a freedom-themed treasure hunt and special quiz testing your knowledge of our country’s Civil Rights leader.

Bonus: An extra day to play; they are open Monday!

SCHOOLS

Flashlight Tour, USS Hornet — Alameda Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the USS Hornet including spaces that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during the day. The three-hour guided tour begins at 8:30am 8:30am-11:30am Admission is $35 RSVP at (510) 521-8448 x 224, 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, www.usshornet.org

15 | Sunday Jack Of All Trades — Oakland Think of this as sort of a mini-Treasure Island Flea Market. This free event combines kinetic art, workshops and live performances with fun and food.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www. jacklondonsquare.c

Community Family Run, Walk or Stroll and Picnic — Berkeley We will meet and enjoy a wonderful walk or jog around Cesar Chavez Park.

The Berkeley Marina offers wide paved trails and spectacular views of the three Bay Bridges, Alcatraz and Angel Island.Enjoy connecting with other local moms and families. We will have a beautiful 4-mile route marked. This is a fun and informal community event so feel free to run, walk or stroll as far as you want (or as far as the little ones can handle).

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Free. All ages.

Berkeley Marina - César Chávez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA 94710, Berkeley mamaarmy.com

Model Railroad SocietyWalnut Creek The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States.

This model railroad features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

11am-6pm Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/ adult. All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

The

Journey Begins Here French-Spanish Immersion ~ Visual Art ~ Music ~ Challenging Academics Engaging Environment ~ Ages 2 ~ Middle School

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 21

46

Bay Area Museum & Attractions Offer Free or Low Cost Admission Day

Asian Art Museum: Free - first Sunday of every month.

Autodesk Gallery: Free - always.

Bay Area Discovery Museum: Free - first Wednesday of every month.

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive: Free - first Thursday of every month.

Burlingame Pez Museum: Free - first Thursday of every month.

Cable Car Museum: Free - always.

California Academy of Sciences: Free - check calendar, SF resident days vary check calendar.

Cantor Arts Center: Free - always.

Cartoon Art Museum: Pay What You Wish - closed for relocation until Spring 2017.

Chabot Space & Science Center: Free - first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders ; $5 - after 6 pm first Friday of every month.

Children’s Creativity Museum: Free - check calendar.

Chinese Historical Society of America: Free - always.

Conservatory of Flowers: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

Contemporary Jewish Museum: Free - first Tuesday of every month, check calendar, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders; $5 - after 5pm every Thursday. de Young Museum: Free - first Tuesday of every month, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Discover & Go: Free - always, Public Library card holders reserve free and discounted passes to local museums and cultural institutions.

Exploratorium: Free - check calendar.

GLBT Historical Society: Free - first Wednesday of every month.

International Art Museum of America: Free - always.

Japanese Tea Garden San Francisco: Free - every Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-10 am.

LACIS Museum of Lace and Textiles: Free - always.

Legion of Honor: Free - first Tuesday of every month, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders.

Musee Mecanique: Free - always.

Museo ItaloAmericano: Free - always.

SCHOOLS

Museum of the African Diaspora: Free - check calendar.

Museum of American Heritage: Free - always.

Museum of Anthropology: Free - closed until 2017 for renovations.

Museum of Craft and Design: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

Museum of Performance and Design: Free - always.

Oakland Museum of California: Free - first Sunday of every month, ages 18 & under every Friday 5-9 pm. ; Half Price - every Friday 5-9 pm.

Randall Museum: Free - closed until Spring 2017 for renovations. Live Animal exhibit is temporarily at Mission Art Center at 745 Treat Avenue, as well as the Art, Ceramics and Science studios San Francisco Art Institute: Free - always.

San Francisco Botanical Garden: Free - every morning 7:30-9am, second Tuesday of every month, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.

San Francisco Fire Department Museum: Free - always.

SF Camerawork: Free - always.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Free - always 18 & under.

SFO Museum: Free - always.

San Francisco Railway Museum: Free - always.

San Francisco Zoo: Free - check calendar (residents only).

San Jose Museum of Art: Free - check calendar, first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders. $5 - after 5 pm third Thursday of every month.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art: Free - always.

San Mateo County History Museum: Free - first Friday of every month.

Sake Museum: Free - always.

Tech Museum of Innovation: Free - first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders ; Half Price - last hour of every day; Third Thursdays.

Yerba Buena: Free - third Thursday of every month, 5-10 pm, Yerba Buena museums and neighborhood venues.

Wells Fargo History Museum: Free - always.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 for children and seniors, and $15 for general admission. Playland Not-atthe-Beach 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org.

17 | Tuesday DISPERSAL: Seed Pod Photography by Anna Laurent — Berkeley Anna Laurent is an artist with a unique insight into the natural world.

In her series Dispersal, she explores the myriad forms through which plants reproduce. To the uninitiated, Laurent’s close up portraits of flora and seeds could easily be mistaken for works of abstract art or images of contemporary sculpture. From samples collected as far afield as Hawaii and Kurdistan, Laurent’s work serves as a stunning reminder of the diversity, beauty and fragility of the natural world. Through 1/30 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with Garden Admission. UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510643-2755, botanicalgarden.berkeley. edu

Children’s Yoga— Berkeley Join Prana for tiny yoga with tiny yogis. This is an ongoing class that meets each Tuesday. Drop in or sign up for a block of classes.

4-5 p.m. $9 per student. Ages 3-5.

Prana Yoga Center, 1723 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. 510-655-3664, www. yogalayam.org

18 | Wednesday Open Art Studio / Play Time —Alameda Children will be immersed in possibilities for exploration in our open studio design lab. Acrylic walls for painting, shelves of reuse material, a variety of media and tactile exhibits

22 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

fill the space. The studio is open for all ages housing pottery wheels, glass and wood painting.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ages 10 & under. Twirl 1424 Park street, Alameda. 510-4730812, www.twirlalameda.com

19 | Thursday Third Thursday Stroll — Piedmont Support local artists and businesses while enjoying food, music, and more.

6-9 p.m. Free. All ages. Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. www. piedmontavestroll.org

Butterflies and Blooms — San Francisco Get eye to eye with a butterfly in the exhibit Butterflies & Blooms at the Conservatory. The popular exhibit returns by overwhelming demand, transforming the Special Exhibit gallery into a beautiful and intimate cottage garden aflutter with hundreds of butterflies on the wing including magnificent monarchs, western swallowtails, painted ladies and more. The Butterfly Bungalow at the entrance to the gallery also allows you to observe the pupae in their chrysalis stage. You never know, you may be lucky enough to catch the moment when one of these delicate beauties emerges.

Through 6/30/17 10 a.m - 4 p.m.., free. Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, www.conservatoryofflowers.org

21 | Saturday

Free Children’s Crafts — Walnut Creek

Batman Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach — El Cerrito

Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday!

Reminisce of the 1966 “Batman” show on ABC with Adam West and Burt Ward. POW! BIFF! FUN… How could “The Happiest Place on Eartha” not celebrate this Kitsch Classic??

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 for children and seniors, and $15 for general admission. Playland Not-atthe-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org.

11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Free. Ages 3 and up. Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925944-1495, www.lakeshorelearning. com

22 | Sunday Master Magician Robert Strong— Berkeley The Buddy Club is thrilled to welcome back one of America’s most popular and famous performers! The Comedy Magician Robert Strong travels America as one of its most sought-after

corporate Magicians – with dramatic illusions, mentalism, and amazing sleight-of-hand – but maybe his most impressive talent is his ability to make you laugh!

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. $8 per person. All Ages. JCC East Bay Berkeley, 1414 Walnut St. Berkeley, www.jcceastbay. org

Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Interactive classroom presentations take you on a journey into the big blue.

Hosted by our expert education team, these multimedia classes focus on a new-topic each month, ranging from Creatures of the Deep to Endangered Species, you’ll learn fascinating facts

SCHOOLS

20 | Friday Free Friday at Lindsay — Walnut Creek Every third Friday of each month at Lindsay Wildlife Museum is free to all. All ages will get a chance to get up close to the exhibits and activities at no cost.

10 a.m-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www. lindsaywildlife.org

Zoovie Night: Zootopia — Oakland Pillows, blankets and jammies encouraged as families get cozy in the Zimmer Auditorium. Hot cocoa and popcorn are provided but bringing a picnic basket is encouraged as well.

6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. $7/person. All ages. Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www. oaklandzoo.org

Friday Nights at OMCA— Oakland Oakland’s popular weekly night market is back for a third season of fun and festivities with Off the Grid food trucks, local live music, California beverages, and extended hours in the Galleries and OMCA Store. The popular family-friendly drop-in workshop this month is “make a button for a hero in your life”, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bring the whole family to OMCA for a sampling of the best in Bay Area curbside cuisine! All ages.

5-9 pm $7.50/Adults, 18 and under are free! Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland 510-3188400, www.museumca.org

The Renaissance

International School TRIS Middle School · 21st Century Skills · Core Academics · Music · Fine Arts · Language Immersion · · Project-Based Learning · Travel ·

·

Parent’s Night Out- Berkeley Drop off the kids for play and fun while parents enjoy a movie or dinner out. Pizza for dinner included. Space limited, so call to make a reservation.

Ages 2-7 5:30-9:30 p.m. $39/child, $29/ siblings.

Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. 510- 647-1111, www.habitot.org

lic# 010214382 TheRenaissanceSchool.org • 510.531..8566 Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Boulevard • Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Avenue

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 23

26 | Thursday Exploratorium Full Spectrum Science — San Francisco What’s going on inside the nucleus of an atom? Why does it spit out radiation? Did you know that you are exposed to radioactivity every day?

Learn the facts about this somewhat controversial topic.

COURTESY OF CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER

1pm & 3pm Free with Admission, $29 Adults, $19 Youth, Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St) San Francisco 415) 528-4444 www. exploratorium.edu

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland

about marine mammals and their watery world.

12 & 2 p.m. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 2897325, www.marinemammalcenter. org

23 | Monday Tot Art — Walnut Creek Bring your little one ages 20 months to 4 years to explore the colorful fun world of art! Each week features a different art piece to create and take home as your child discovers how to use different art mediums, applications and color mixing. Some projects even educate through touch sensory and/or team work. In this class every work of art your child makes is unique

and completely their own little masterpiece. Repeats Monday. Reservations recomended.

24 | Tuesday

9:45 -10:30 a.m. Ages 20 mths-4, 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. Tiny Tots 10-20 mths, $18 per child, members $12. Small Talk Family Cafe, 1536 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek, 925-954-7468, www. smalltalkfamilycafe.com

Join us for some musical story telling...The children retell stories through music, movement and dialogue. Age 8-10 years

Munchkin Mondays — Concord Energetic toddlers can jump for one hour or longer. Sky High Sports features dozens of large trampolines for hours of indoor bouncing fun. For kids walking up to 6 years.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. $6 per child, per hour.

Not valid on holidays. Sky High Sports, 1631 Challenge Dr., Concord. 925-6825867, www.con.jumpskyhigh.com

SCHOOLS

Challenging Minds, Nurturing Spirits, Together

K-8 Excellence Since 1956

Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland Opening day of this exhibition which will prompt visitors to reflect on sneakers as a representation of identity and sports fashion, while also incorporating community-inspired elements including what it means to be “Town-fitted” Oakland-style, a term developed to represent local fashion.

Film footage, photographs, design drawings, and interactive media will showcase the history, technical advancements, fashion trends, and marketing campaigns that have played a role in the sneaker’s evolution.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15.95 general; $10.95 seniors and students with valid ID, $6.95 youth ages 9 to 17, and free for Members and children 8 and under.

There is a $4 charge in addition to general admission pricing for special exhibitions. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510318-8400, www.museumca.org

Treble Tales — Berkeley

3:30-4:30 p.m. Admission $10, first class free La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck AveBerkeley www.

TrebleTales.org

27 | Friday Model Railroad SocietyWalnut Creek

25 | Wednesday DISPERSAL: Seed Pod Photography by Anna Laurent — Berkeley Anna Laurent is an artist with a unique insight into the natural world.

In her series Dispersal, she explores the myriad forms through which plants reproduce. To the uninitiated, Laurent’s close up portraits of flora and seeds could easily be mistaken for works of abstract art or images of contemporary sculpture. From samples collected as far afield as Hawaii and Kurdistan, Laurent’s work serves as a stunning reminder of the diversity, beauty and fragility of the natural world. Through 1/30 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Free with Garden Admission. UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510643-2755, botanicalgarden.berkeley. edu

The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States.

This model railroad features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

8 to 10 p.m. Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/ adult. All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

ST. DAVID SCHOOL “Where Faith and Knowledge Meet”

STEM Curriculum | Diversity | Faith Filled Community

JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE

January 3 & February 7 8:15 to 10 a.m.

St. David School is a Preschool through 8th Grade Catholic school that offers a caring, faith-filled environment, where we focus on students individual needs. We foster the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical needs of all students. Financial Aid is Available.

Call today to schedule your tour.

Open House & Pancake Breakfast Sunday, January 29 10:00am-2:00pm

870 Sonoma Street • Richmond Hills • 510-232-2283 stdavidschool.org • twitter.com/@StDavidSchool

1 Estates Drive, Piedmont | 510.530.4056 x200

officesecretary@corpuschristischool.com corpuschristischool.com

24 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

5-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Cypress St., between N. Main and Locust, Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekdowntown. com

Free First Wednesday at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito Enjoy free admission and all the fun activities and displays at the Bay Area Discovery Museum today.

9am–5pm, free Bay Area Discovery Museum, 577 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-339-3900, www.baykids museum.org

2 | Thursday — Groundhog Day Jan. 13 — Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland COURTESY OF OFF THE GRID / MARC FIORITO

28 | Saturday— Chinese New Year Year of the Rooster Celebration—El Cerrito Are you a rabbit or an ox? Perhaps you’re a dragon. If you are a sheep, well, this is your year! Learn more about your sign with Playland-Notat-the-Beach’s “Animals of the Lunar Zodiac” personality quiz. Kids can also decorate their own lion dance masks.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! This event runs Saturday and Sunday.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10/children and seniors, and $15/general admission.

Playland Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org

STEM Superhero Series at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito Get ready for some serious fun! Kicking off on January 30, our new STEM Superhero Series invites young visitors to use their STEM superpowers to solve real world challenges. All STEM Superheroes will receive capes to adorn with badges earned at each event; attend all four to complete the mission! Events include special facilitated programs for all ages and performances, all free with admission.

9am–5pm, free with admission Bay Area Discovery Museum, 577 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-3393900, www.baykids museum.org

29 | Sunday White Elephant Preview Sale — Oakland Eager shoppers anticipate their first opportunity to see and buy the new,

the unusual and the unexpected at the White Elephant Sale Preview. Lines form early, and shoppers are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $15 (advance) / $20 (at the door on Sale day) Children under 12 years of age are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland, whiteelephantsale.org

30 | Monday Baby Brigade at the New Parkway Theater — Oakland Finally a theater where baby’s crying is allowed. Baby Brigade shows are recommended for babies one and under. Movies are usually rated PG 13 or R and over 4 will be charged admission. Both bathrooms and theaters are equipped with changing tables. Lights are only dimmed so parents can move around with baby as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

6:30pm $8/Parent Parkway Theater 474 24th St Oakland 510-658-7900 www.thenewparkway.com

FEBRUARY

Hobby Hounds Kids club — Richmond Paint pottery and have fun with the Hobby Hounds Kid’s Club. Make a different art project every session. Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

6 p.m. to 7:15p.m. $15/per child. Ages 4-12 The Painter’s Pot, 5327 Jacuzzi St., Richmond. 510-524-1939, www. thepainterspot.com

Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland Opening day of this exhibition which will prompt visitors to reflect on sneakers as a representation of identity and sports fashion, while also incorporating community-inspired elements including what it means to be “Townfitted” Oakland-style, a term developed to represent local fashion. Film footage, photographs, design drawings, and interactive media will showcase the history, technical advancements, fashion trends, and marketing campaigns that have played a role in the sneaker’s evolution.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15.95 general; $10.95 seniors and students with valid ID, $6.95 youth ages 9 to 17, and free for Members and children 8 and under.

There is a $4 charge in addition to general admission pricing for special exhibitions. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510318-8400, www.museumca.org

3 | Friday Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5-9p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 318-8400, www. museumca.org

Asian Cultural Center First Fridays: Art, Performance & Games — Oakland Come out for a night of fun and creativity as the Oakland Asian Cultural Center hosts First Fridays, an evening of art, performance, workshops and games every first Friday of the month.

6 p.m.- 8p.m. Free. All Ages Oakland Asian Culteral Center 5388 9th St. Oakland , oacc.cc

Temescal Alley First Friday Block Party — Oakland Every first Friday of the month join the block party with live music, shops open late, monthly art exhibits and more.

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Free. All ages.

Temescal Alley, 49th St. at Telegraph and Clarke, Oakland. www. temescalalleys.com

$5 First Friday at Chabot — Oakland Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages. Join them each month for hands-on activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5 per person.

Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, 510-3367373, www.chabotspace.org

Rockin’ Kids Sing-a-long Berkeley A musical play group for kids of all ages. Hosted by Stephanie Pepitone, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former punk rock singer/guitarist.

Stephanie plays acoustic guitar and leads families in about an hour’s worth

1 | Wednesday First Wednesdays — Walnut Creek Juggling Unicyclists, balloon animal artists, and face painters extraordinaire will delight little ones while the grown-ups enjoy food, beer, wine and live music. First Wednesday of each month.

Open House Jan 29 2017

SCHOOLS

10:30am–12:00pm

Spanish, Art, Music and P.E. Multimedia Computer Lab • Event Center/Gym Science Lab • Music Room Applications available by visiting the school

Please contact the Admissions Director at 510-457-1488 if you have any further questions Saint Theresa School

4850 Clarewood Drive • Oakland

www.sttheresaschool.org Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 25

4 | Saturday Lunar New Year Festival — Berkeley Join us in celebrating the start of a new Lunar Year!

FREE family event featuring award winning lion dancers, martial arts, treat give-away and a store blessing parade!

12 - 4 p.m. Free. All Ages. Fourth Street Bekeley, www.fourthstreet. com

Feb 5, The Bubble Lady— Berkeley of singing, dancing, music making and fun. This event repeats every Friday.

5 | Sunday

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. $10/per family. All ages. La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley (510) 8413800‎ www.lapena.org

Solano Avenue Lunar New Year Celebration —Albany Two hours of free performances in-

SCHOOLS

Bridge Kindergarten and Kindergarten Prospective Parent Open House Sunday, January 22 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join students, teachers, and parents and children’s musician Isaac Zones for a fun and informative Open House, where you can learn about our experiential curriculum that unites award-winning general studies with values-based Jewish education from Bridge K through 8th Grade.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Michelle Tirella-Ventura, Director of Admission: mtventura@tehiyah.org or 510.233.3013 x7102

Awaken. Build. Connect.

cluding singing, dancing, and drama programs. Dance by the Ah-Lan Dance (El Cerrito, CA); Gongfu by the Golden Lion and much more!

10 a.m. Free. All Ages.1115 Solano Avenue at Kains, Albany 510- 5275358, www.solanoavenueassn.org

The Bubble Lady— Berkeley The Bubble Lady delights her audiences with bubble space ships, bubble trumpets, baby bubbles, bubbles inside of bubbles, volunteers inside of really BIG bubbles…you get the idea.

11 - 12 p.m. $8 per person. All Ages.

JCC East Bay Berkeley, 1414 Walnut St. Berkeley, www.jcceastbay.org

Free First Sunday at OMCA—Oakland If a Superbowl watch party isn’t your thing, come enjoy a day at OMCA! Visit the Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Visit major special exhibition All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50 and the just-opened Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture. Don’t miss family-friendly exhibition Bees: Tiny Insect, Big Impact in the Gallery of California Natural Sciences. Check out the Architecture Tour at 1 pm, and the California Art Tour at 2 pm. Pick up a treat for yourself or a loved one in the OMCA Store.

11a.m. to 6 p.m., $5 suggested donation. All ages Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland 510-318-8400. www.museumca.org

6 | Monday Munchkin Mondays — Concord Energetic toddlers can jump for one hour or longer. Sky High Sports features dozens of large trampolines for hours of indoor bouncing fun. For kids walking

up to 6 years.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. $6 per child, per hour.

Not valid on holidays. Sky High Sports, 1631 Challenge Dr., Concord. 925-6825867, www.con.jumpskyhigh.com

Baby Brigade at the New Parkway Theater — Oakland Finally a theater where baby’s crying is allowed. Baby Brigade shows are recommended for babies one and under. Movies are usually rated PG 13 or R and over 4 will be charged admission. Both bathrooms and theaters are equipped with changing tables. Lights are only dimmed so parents can move around with baby as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

6:30pm $8/Parent Parkway Theater 474 24th St Oakland 510-658-7900 www.thenewparkway.com

7 | Tuesday Monthly Model Build — Pleasanton The Stoneridge Mall LEGO store hosts this free build day. First come, first served. Each child gets a LEGO mini kit to take home.

5 p.m. Free. Ages 6-14. Stoneridge Shopping Center Lego Store, 1444 Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. 925-7370704 www.stores.lego.com

Free First Tuesday at the Palace of the Legion of Honor — San Francisco The Palace of the Legion of Honor offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm free. Palace of the Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., San Francisco, 415-750-3600, legionofhonor.famsf.org

Free First Tuesday at the De Young Museum — San Francisco The De Young Museum offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm, free. De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, 415-750-3600, deyoung.famsf.org

8 | Wednesday Toddler Kindergym — Oakland Kids who are walking to age 3 can come and enjoy tumbling, climbing, parachute play, bubbles and the ball pit. Baby siblings are welcome. This event repeats several times a week, check the website for details.

10 to 11a.m. $12/first visit, $132 for program sign up.

Temple Beth Abraham Social Hall, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 510832-0936 www.tbaoakland.org

9 | Thursday Hobby Hounds Kids club — Richmond Paint pottery and have fun with the Hobby Hounds Kid’s Club. Make a different art project every session. Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

6 - 7:15p.m. $15/per child. Ages 4-12 The Painter’s Pot, 5327 Jacuzzi St., Richmond. 510-524-1939, www. thepainterspot.com

Butterflies and Blooms — San Francisco

Contact us at sales@parentspress.com 26 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

Get eye to eye with a butterfly in the exhibit Butterflies & Blooms coming to the Conservatory this fall. The popular exhibit returns by overwhelming demand, transforming the Special Exhibit gallery into a beautiful and intimate cottage garden aflutter with hundreds of butterflies on the wing

“Bridges, Bricks and Blocks,” kids have the opportunity to design, build and test their own bridges using a variety of media including paper and Legos as well as building virtual bridges on Minecraft Edu. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. free Pleasant Hill Library 1750 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill, ccclib.org

The Golden Gate Neighborhood of North Oakland is hosting a monthly Second Saturdays event with art, music, food, classes and family-friendly activities. They’re focusing on the DIY character of the neighborhood, so come out and see what you can add to the mix.

11 | Saturday

All day. Free. All ages. San Pablo Ave@ Alcatraz in north Oakland.

Chinese New Year Festival & Parade — San Francisco Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers , and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 268’ Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”) It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco.

5:15 p.m. Free. All ages. See Website for parade route and activities, chineseparade.com

Jack Of All Trades — Oakland Think of this as sort of a mini-Treasure Island Flea Market. This free event combines kinetic art, workshops and live performances with fun and food.

Through 6/30/17 10 a.m - 4 p.m.., free. Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, www. conservatoryofflowers.org

10 | Friday Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5 to 9 p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 318-8400, www. museumca.org

Rockin’ Kids Sing-a-long Berkeley A musical play group for kids of all ages. Hosted by Stephanie Pepitone, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former punk rock singer/guitarist.

Stephanie plays acoustic guitar and leads families in about an hour’s worth of singing, dancing, music making and fun. This event repeats every Friday.

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. $10/per family. All ages. La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley (510) 8413800, www.lapena.org

Ingenuity Lab for Families — Pleasant Hill Ingenuity Lab, is a place for homeschool families to explore STEM concepts while completing exciting challenges together. In our current unit,

12 | Sunday Year of the Rooster at OMCA —Oakland Explore connections between the diverse Asian cultures represented in California, and celebrate the Year of the Rooster with live music, traditional lion and dragon dances, martial arts, storytelling, Chinese opera face painting, hands-on art-making activities..

All activities included with Museum admission.

Noon to 4:30 p.m. Children under 6/ Free, $6/Youth, $15/Adults All ages.

Oakland Museum of California 1000 Oakl Street. Oakland 510-318-8400, www.museumca.org

What Is Common Core Math?

Lawrence Hall of Science — Berkeley

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www. jacklondonsquare.com

Step into the shoes of your child and build your own confidence with common core math standards. Work with your child as they learn math in a deeper and more connected way, and as they gain the tools to help them succeed in the classroom and at home.

Family Program: A Botanical Valentine’s Day Tea — Berkeley

3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Free with admission.

Lawrence Hall of Science 1 Centennial Dr, Berkeley (510) 642-5132 www. lawrencehallofscience.org

Our annual tradition returns with a lovely botanical tea in honor of Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a celebration of herbs and flowers at this educational walk and tea party. We’ll use all of our senses as we explore the nature of these fragrant edibles, with a special opportunity to collect for our makeyour-own tea party snacks and garden drinks. Finish the fun by making valentines from pressed botanicals to take home.. 2 sessions. Registration required

MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL

Berkeley’s Independent College Preparatory High School

Mini Open House January 12 9:30am

2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 Open Houses Jan 19 6-7:30pm Jan 26 4-5:30pm

10 a.m. & 1p.m. $20 Adult, $15 Adult Members, $18 Child, $13 Member Child. UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510-6649841, www.botanicalgarden.berkeley. edu

Valentine’s Day and President’s Day Weekend- El Cerrito

– Inspired, Gifted and Talented –

A little love mixes with the usual magic in the Playland-Not-at-the-Beach air this weekend. Relive the romance of bygone days of carnivals and carousels, penny arcades and pinball classics. Win your Valentine special prizes in our carnival games area! Because we love you: Enjoy an extra day to play; open Saturday, Sunday and Monday!

MESA

Montessori Elementary School of Alameda Fall Enrollment Begins

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10/children and seniors, and $15/general admission.

Playland Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, 510-592-3002, www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org.

• Feb 13 - Wait List Enrollment • Feb 21- New Enrollment

Felting Fun — Fremont

The International School For All

Visitors can spin wool into yarn and then knit or weave with it. Or, skip all that and give felting a try. Card some fleece from our sheep and then make your own felt ball to take home and tease the cat.

10:30a.-11:30am Free. All ages.

Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont. 510-5442792 www.ebparks.org

• Small Class Size • Soccer • Mixed Age Groups • Ukelele • Community Involvement

At MESA - Montessori is mind-changing education!

Lic#013420948

including magnificent monarchs, western swallowtails, painted ladies and more. The Butterfly Bungalow at the entrance to the gallery also allows you to observe the pupae in their chrysalis stage. You never know, you may be lucky enough to catch the moment when one of these delicate beauties emerges.

Second Saturday Music and Art Walk- Oakland

www.MontessoriElementaryAlameda.org 1400 6th St., Alameda

510.521.0595

montessorielementaryalameda@gmail.com

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 27

Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Join us on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month for Marine Science Sunday - a FREE engaging ocean-inspired classroom series from our education experts. These interactive classroom programs are great for all ages!

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325 COURTESY OF OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA / TERRY LORANT

13 | Monday Tot Art — Walnut Creek Bring your little one ages 20 months to 4 years to explore the colorful fun world of art! Each week features a different art piece to create and take home as your child discovers how to use different art mediums, applications and color mixing. Some projects even educate through touch sensory and/or team work. In this class every work of art your child makes is unique and completely their own little masterpiece. Repeats Monday. Reservations recomended.

9:45 -10:30 a.m. Ages 20 mths-4, 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. Tiny Tots 10-20 mths, $18 per child, members $12. Small Talk Family Cafe, 1536 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek, 925-954-7468, www. smalltalkfamilycafe.com

Fridays Nights @ OMCA — Oakland 3105 Shattuck AveBerkeley www.

TrebleTales.org

14 | Tuesday— Valentine’s Day

15 | Wednesday

Treble Tales — Berkeley

Its open skating time! Dublin has an ice skating rink that hosts hockey teams, events and free skating times.

Check the website before going for open skate times.

Join us for some musical story telling...The children retell stories through music, movement and dialogue. Age 8-10 years 3:30-4:30 p.m. Admission $10, first class free La Pena Cultural Center

Ice Skating — Dublin

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. $9 adults, $8 17 and under, $4 4 and under, $3 skate rental. Dublin

Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Rd., Dublin.

925-829-4445, www.dubliniceland. com

16 | Thursday Third Thursday Stroll — Piedmont Support local artists and businesses while enjoying food, music, and more.

6-9 p.m. Free. All ages. Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. www. piedmontavestroll.org

Hobby Hounds Kids club — Richmond Paint pottery and have fun with the Hobby Hounds Kid’s Club. Make a different art project every session. Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

6 p.m. to 7:15p.m. $15/per child. Ages 4-12 The Painter’s Pot, 5327 Jacuzzi St., Richmond. 510-524-1939, www. thepainterspot.com

SCHOOLS

granD lakE moNtessOri eLemenTary

School Tour January 20 at 9:30am

St. Paul School

Educating the Mind • Body • Spirit with Faith Preschool and TK - 8th grades

JoinIfus forWant our Open House Jan CHILD...

29 10am-1pm You the BEST for–your • Small classes • Academic rigor • Safe, loving & faith-filled • Character Formation • Art, P.E., Music, Spanish • STEEAM /project based • Robotics & Coding • Sports program • FREE Before/Afterschool care

Sign up online for a tour today!

Multi-age ClassRooms • 7Am to 6pM 466 chEtwood, oaKland, ca (510) 836-4313

NOW ENROLLING

Call for a Tour Today!

wWw.GrandLakemOntessoRi.coM

www.st-paulschool.org

510-233-3080

San Pablo

Saint Joseph School A safe, nurturing environment

- Preschool - TK & Kindergarten - French Bilingual Program - International Community

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR Schedule your visit today! www.eb.org 28 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017

• Grades K-8 • Extracurricular activities • Challenging academic program • 18:1 student ratio in grades K-5 • Specialty classes • Extended Care: M-F, am & pm

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Mass at 10:30am, followed by Open House at 11:45am-1:00pm

Celebrating over 50 years of Academic Excellence Phone 510.724.0242 • FAX: 510.724.9886 1961 Plum St., Pinole, CA 94564 • www.stjosephpinole.com Accredited by WCEA and WASC

17 | Friday

19 | Sunday

Free Friday at Lindsay — Walnut Creek

Niles Canyon Railway — Sunol

Every third Friday of each month at Lindsay Wildlife Museum is free to all.

All ages will get a chance to get up close to the exhibits and activities at no cost.

Known as the railway museum where the exhibits come to life, the Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc. operates the Niles Canyon Railway as a living history museum interpreting the importance of our heritage railroads in the development of California and the nation. Their mission is to develop and operate a working railroad museum for the benefit of the general public .The Pacific Locomotive Association also has railroad artifacts on display and interpretive educational exhibits at the Sunol Depot. Families can enjoy rides through the scenic east bay on a historical train. Repeats on the first and third Sunday of each month.

10 a.m-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www. lindsaywildlife.org

Rockin’ Kids Sing-a-long Berkeley

A musical play group for kids of all ages. Hosted by Stephanie Pepitone, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former punk rock singer/guitarist.

Stephanie plays acoustic guitar and leads families in about an hour’s worth of singing, dancing, music making and fun. This event repeats every Friday.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. $10/per family. All ages. La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley (510) 841-3800, www.lapena.org

Diesel train departs Sunol Depot 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Free under 3, $7 ages 3-12, $10 Seniors, $12 ages 13-adult. All ages.

Niles Canyon Railway, 6 Kilkare Rd. Sunol. 510-996-8420, www.ncry.org

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland

20 | Monday— President’s Day

OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito

5 to 9 p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 318-8400, www. museumca.org

18 | Saturday Flashlight Tour, USS Hornet — Alameda Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the USS Hornet including spaces that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during the day. The three-hour guided tour begins at 8:30am 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Admission is $35, RSVP at (510) 521-8448 x 224 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda, www. uss-hornet.org

Peralta Hacienda Park Clean Up— Oakland Lend a hand picking up trash, pulling weeds, painting out graffiti, and making our park a safer, more beautiful place! Refreshments are served.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free.All ages. Peralta Hacienda Historical Park 2465 34th Avenue Oakland, 510-532-9142, www. peraltahacienda.org

FREE ADMISSION

h 5t nual An

ALL FREE! Bring the entire family.

Find out about Camps, Day Care, Preschool, Sports, Scouts, Enrichment, Performing Arts, S.T.E.M. & S.T.E.A.M. programs, Tutoring and much more Schools for all ages & subjects

Don’t miss the Biggest Camp & School Fairs of the season

SAN RAMON

Sat. Feb. 25, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

FREE ROBOTICS, CODING WORKSHOPS

Join us for some musical story telling...The children retell stories through music, movement and dialogue. Age 8-10 years

3:30-4:30 p.m. Admission $10, first class free La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck AveBerkeley www.

TrebleTales.org

22 | Wednesday Ice Skating — Dublin Its open skating time! Dublin has an ice skating rink that hosts hockey teams, events and free skating times.

Sun. Feb. 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Acalanes High School - 1200 Pleasant Hill Road

www.ContraCostaCampFair.com

FREE

Goody Bag to first 200 families Free Raffle at Camp Fair

Register today for Exhibitor Space www.ContraCostaCampFair.com

MAGAZINE

1 Free Raffle Ticket for each canned good donation

9 a.m. –4 p.m., $13.95/admission Bay Area Discovery Museum, 577 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415339-3900, bayareadiscoverymuseum. org

Treble Tales — Berkeley

LAFAYETTE 1/2 mile off Hwy. 24 near I-680

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with your family at BADM! Enjoy lion dance performances, taste delicious Chinese food, observe professional calligraphers, and more. This event is presented in partnership with the Marin Chinese Cultural Association.

21 | Tuesday

www.TriValleyCampFair.com

Free Camps, Great Prizes

Produced by (925) 408-4014 jay@BayAreaFamilyFest.com

www.ContraCostaCampFair.com Check the website before going for open skate times.

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. $9 adults, $8 17 and under, $4 4 and under, $3 skate rental. Dublin Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Rd., Dublin. 925-8294445, www.dubliniceland.com

23 | Thursday Music and Movement with Viola — Albany Toddlers and their caregivers will explore movement with music from around Asia in a fun and creative environment.

The first class is free with an option to sign up for more with a discount.

Corner, 1319 Solano Ave., Albany. 510593-9660

Toddler Kindergym — Oakland Kids who are walking to age 3 can come and enjoy tumbling, climbing, parachute play, bubbles and the ball pit. Baby siblings are welcome. This event repeats several times a week, check the website for details 10 to 11a.m. $12/first visit, $132 for program sign up. Temple Beth Abraham Social Hall, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 510-832-0936 www. tbaoakland.org

4:30-5:15 p.m. . Ages 2-5. Church on the

CLASSIFIEDS ➤ CLASSES/LESSONS MUSIC

➤ ➤ PARTIES

Best Violin lessons Professional concert violinist. Experienced and enthusiastic. All levels. North Berkeley studio. Call Donna at (510) 524-5203. $10 introductory lesson.

FUR, SCALES AND TAILS ANIMAL SHOWS For your party, school, camp or daycare. Over 15 different animals in every show. Fun for children of all ages. Call Tracy the Animal Show Guy at: 510-8233923. www.furscalesandtails.com Please check out our great Yelp reviews.

Piano and Flute lessons Highly professional, experienced teacher. All ages welcome. Libushe Moskowitz, (510) 235-5860 in El Cerrito.

Piano Lessons in Berkeley Patient, experienced teacher. I have successfully prepared students of all ages, beginners to intermediate-advanced. Alexandra Yurkovsky, MA (510) 849-2613 $10 introductory lesson.

➤ ➤ HEALTH & WELLNESS Lactation and Parenting Consultant Joanne Rucker, Pediatric RN, CLS

Experienced, knowledgeable, insightful, caring.

Office or home visits. Long and respected local career. Breastfeeding and child development specialist. www.joannerucker-rn.com joanne@ joannerucker-rn.com 510-558-3120

The Puppet Company Creates “Fantasies in Miniature” at your child’s party.

Classics, Fables, fun for audiences of all ages!

Professional puppeteer, 40 years of entertainment experience. 510-569-3144. www.puppetcompany.com All-Star Showgrams Rated four stars in “Babies by the Bay.” Princesses, superheroes, pirates, train conductors, cowboys, Elsa, Mary Poppins, Mother Goose, Dorothy, clowns, wizards, magicians, face painters, balloonists, storytellers, dance parties, mascots, jugglers, Santa, Easter Bunny and lots more! Your child’s favorite character. 650-5743568. www.allstarshowgrams.com

The Bubble Lady - Rebecca Nile How about something really different? An interactiveaward winning BUBBLE EXTRAVAGANZA SHOW – SUPER FUN! SUPER BUBBLES! PEOPLE IN BUBBLES! Bubble questions? 415-384-0619. rebecca@ thebubblelady.com or www.thebubblelady.com.

Tutoring Is Caring Individualized help with mathematics, reading, writing, study skills, confidence, and motivation. All ages welcome. Rediscover the joy of learning. Call Esther, 510-733-0467.

➤ ➤ SERVICES Impeccable Interiors House Cleaning Cleaning homes & offices in Contra Costa & Alameda Counties for over 20 years. One-time, weekly/bi-weekly, monthly. Licensed & insured. Visa/MC. (510)5219600, 925-736-9600. www.impeccableinteriors.com

➤ TUTORING / EDUCATION It’s All About Literacy Skilled, compassionate, effective, individualized reading and writing instruction, grades 1-10. Early intervention, remediation, skill building, or creative enrichment. Build self-esteem and success! Ivy (510) 528-8773. www.ivysandz.com

➤ ➤ PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

Reach thousands of parents and prospective customers with a Parents’ Press classified ad Contact us today sales@parentspress.com

Jan/Feb 2017 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 29

24 | Friday

and Legos - as well as building virtual bridges on Minecraft Edu.

Model Railroad SocietyWalnut Creek

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. free Pleasant Hill Library 1750 Oak Park Blvd.• Pleasant Hill, ccclib.org

The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States.

This model railroad features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

8 to 10 p.m. Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/ adult. All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

Parent’s Night OutBerkeley Drop off the kids for play and fun while parents enjoy a movie or dinner out. Pizza for dinner included. Space limited, so call to make a reservation.

Ages 2-7 5:30-9:30 p.m. $39/child, $29/ siblings.

Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. 510- 647-1111, www.habitot.org

Ingenuity Lab for Families — Pleasant Hill Ingenuity Lab, is a place for homeschool families to explore STEM concepts while completing exciting challenges together. In our current unit, “Bridges, Bricks and Blocks,” kids have the opportunity to design, build and test their own bridges using a variety of media including paper

25 | Saturday Tri-Valley Camp & School Fair – San Ramon This annual free event features booths for camps, schools, preschool, daycare, sports, martial arts, gymnastics, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and family vacations. Activities and exhibitions included.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free Admission.

Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. www.

ContraCostaCampFair.com

Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Join us on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month for Marine Science Sunday - a FREE engaging ocean-inspired classroom series from our education experts. These interactive classroom programs are great for all ages!

10am - 5 pm Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free Admission.

San Ramon Valley High School 501 Danville Blvd Danville www. kidfestconcord.com

27 | Monday

Battle of the Bands Hayward

Get eye to eye with a butterfly in the exhibit Butterflies & Blooms coming to the Conservatory this fall. The popular exhibit returns by overwhelming demand, transforming the Special Exhibit gallery into a beautiful and intimate cottage garden aflutter with hundreds of butterflies on the wing including magnificent monarchs, western swallowtails, painted ladies and more. The Butterfly Bungalow at the entrance to the gallery also allows you to observe the pupae in their chrysalis stage. You never know, you may be lucky enough to catch the moment when one of these delicate beauties emerges.

Through 6/30/17 10 a.m - 4 p.m.., free. Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, San Francisco, www.conservatoryofflowers.org

The Battle of the Bands allows new and undiscovered bands great exposure and a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate talents in musical arrangement, song composition, instrumentation, and vocals. This is one of the longest running musical special events in the Bay Area!

6:30 pm COST: $10 adv, $12 at door All ages. Chabot College Performing Arts Center Building 1400 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward-Hayward Area Recreation and Parks 510.881.0211

26 | Sunday Contra Costa Camp & School Fair –Lafayette This annual free event features booths for camps, schools, preschool, daycare, sports, martial arts, gymnastics, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and family vacations. Activities and exhibitions included.

Butterflies and Blooms — San Francisco

recommended for babies one and under. Movies are usually rated PG 13 or R and over 4 will be charged admission. Both bathrooms and theaters are equipped with changing tables. Lights are only dimmed so parents can move around with baby as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

6:30pm $8/Parent Parkway Theater 474 24th St Oakland 510-658-7900 www.thenewparkway.com

28 | Tuesday Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland Opening day of this exhibition which will prompt visitors to reflect on sneakers as a representation of identity and sports fashion, while also incorporating community-inspired elements including what it means to be “Town-fitted” Oakland-style, a term developed to represent local fashion.

Film footage, photographs, design drawings, and interactive media will showcase the history, technical advancements, fashion trends, and marketing campaigns that have played a role in the sneaker’s evolution.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. $15.95 general; $10.95 seniors and students with valid ID, $6.95 youth ages 9 to 17, and free for Members and children 8 and under.

There is a $4 charge in addition to general admission pricing for special exhibitions. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510318-8400, www.museumca.org

Baby Brigade at the New Parkway Theater — Oakland Finally a theater where baby’s crying is allowed. Baby Brigade shows are

Ready. Set. Enroll.

Now enrolling Preschool – 8th grade

OPEN HOUSE January 28 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stratford School makes admissions decisions early — and easy! So why wait? Enroll your child in a school that inspires children to become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders.

REGISTER NOW for our Open House StratfordSchools.com/NorCalOH

The curiosity to reach. The courage to grasp.

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Accrediting Commission for Schools

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Preschool State License Numbers: 073402482, 013417816, 013420588, 434404890, 434408056, 434407977, 434404336, 434406722, 434408877, 384001837, 434410807, 434410816, 073406680, 013420939, 414004014, 434413440. © 2016 Stratford Schools, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

30 Parents’ Press | East Bay | Jan/Feb 2017