Parents Press November 2016 East Bay

Bay Area Turkey Trots | Budget Friendly Snow Days | Jewish Traditions

EAST BAY

November 2016

The East Bay’s Number One Resource for Parents

School Open Houses page 18

A Sweet Collection of Holiday Events

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INSIDE egional East Bay R ict’s Park Distr ture Na Regional in uide G y Activit

At Prospect Sierra, our whole focus is to help your children become successful students and caring

people who strive to build a better world. Come see how we’re different.

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ADMISSIONS INFORMATION DAYS

Elementary School (K-4) Tapscott Campus November 13, 2016 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9018

tsierra.org

Middle School (5-8) Avis Campus November 6, 2016 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9025

Contents

www.parentspress.com Publishers Robert and Tracy McKean

November 2016

Features

Art Director Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Contributors Benjamin Campopiano, Aaron Crowe, Tony Hicks, Erika Mailman, Haley Reen, Mary Ann Scheuer, Susan Solomon Yen Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com

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Holiday Shows

Thanks to Giving: Teaching Children to be Charitable

A Bay Area Round up of Holiday Performances and Celebrations

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.

Departments 3 4

10 Fun Family Acitivites

14 Teach Inn

Off the Press

16 Raising Dad

Rainbow Zoos and Pinball

5 Bookshelf

Don’t Do Homework, Do Skillwork

When Non-religious Parents’ Children Want to go to Church

Jewish Traditions and Values for All

17 Family Fun Calendar

6

Kids’ Culture

18 School Open Houses

Budget Friendly Snow Days

6

Family Cents

6 Ways to Save for Family Vacations

25 Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots

Advertiser Category Index Enrichment Programs.............................. 3-4 Family Fun...................................................5 Health and Wellness............................. 7, 13 Holiday Performances..................................8 Preschools...........................................14-19

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. ©2016 Parents’ Press

Professional Services...................................2 Retail....................................................... 12 Schools...............................................20-27 Transitional Kindergarten Guide............... 11

Got Science?

We do it all!

Voted Best

After School Science Programs Saturday Science Workshops Camps During School Breaks

Thanksgiving • Winter • Spring • Summer

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650-345-2300 Special-Education Legal Services

Free Initial Consultation Get The Education Your Child is Entitled To! 1169 Chess Drive, Suite C Foster City, CA 94404

A Time to Give Thanks!

As your local Neighborhood Family Lawyer I am thankful for having served Bay Area families for several years.

To show my thanks, I am giving away 2 gifts to the first 3 families in November to schedule their Estate Planning Session!

My Thanksgiving gift to you and our community...

The first 3 families to make an appointment in November get a FREE 2 hour Family Estate and Legacy Planning Session PLUS I’ll donate $100 to a local food bank in your name (Valued at over 750.00!)

Call (510) 992-6773 to start your planning TODAY!

To learn more call (510) 581-3739 or visit www.sarahscience.com 2 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

Law Office of Cassandra C. Massey, P.C. www.masseyestatelaw.com

During your FREE Planning Session you will...

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To Your Family’s Future, Cassandra C. Massey, Mom and Attorney

N OV E M B E R

0 1 Featured Activites

1 | Tuesday Oakland Ballet Presents Luna Mexicana: A Day of the Dead Celebration — Oakland

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A family-friendly celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead, with dancing, costumes, live music and holiday treats. A cast of ten dancers tells the story of a young woman whose departed loved ones joyously dance back to life on the Dia de los Muertos. Audience members of all ages are encouraged to attend in Day of the Dead costume, and prizes will be awarded for the most impressive outfits.

7 p.m - 8 p.m. Adults $15 and up, $5-10 for 18 and under. All ages. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway Oakland, 510-893-3132. oaklandballet.org

3 | Thursday 2

A Walk with Paul Bannick — Walnut Creek

Get an exclusive tour with world-renowned author, photographer and conservationist Paul Bannick! Bannick will lead a tour through his photography exhibit The Owl & the Woodpecker on display at Lindsay Wildlife through Dec. 31. Visitors will tour the gallery with Bannick who will answer questions about the images he shot of the most important species of owls and woodpeckers in North America. The exhibit, with 25 large prints, illustrates how these birds define and enrich the specific habitats on which they depend, and highlights the critical importance of conservation.

10 a.m.5 p.m. Free for members, non-member fee $10. All ages. Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, lindsaywildlife.org

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4 | Friday 3

Splish, Splash — Oakland

Theatre for the Very Young is coming to Fairyland! Our new interactive theater experience, a collaboration with Bay Area Children’s Theatre, invites babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to explore the wonders of water, from bath time to ocean voyages.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 general admission. All ages.

Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland.

510-452-2259, www.fairyland.org

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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

5 | Saturday 5

Holiday Art & Craft Fair — Castro Valley

Shop for local, handmade, one-of-a-kind items at affordable prices! Ceramic Bowls, Mugs, Vases and Decor., Garden Art, Hand Sewn Items, Jewelry, Wood Crafts, Knitted and Crocheted Items, Unique Gift Items and more!

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. All Ages. Kenneth C. Aitken Senior & Community Center 17800 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, (510)881-6778

Patchwork Show: Modern Makers Festival— Oakland

This fabulous free and family friendly event showcases local emerging artists, crafters and designers alongside artisan food, DIY craft workshops, gourmet food trucks and music.

Featuring clothing, accessories, jewelry, garden finds, home goods, pet gear, and more!

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-6459292, www.jacklondonsquare.com

Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek

From now until Jan. 16, 2017, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park! Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

12 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Fri. $12 per person. Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekonice. com

26 | Saturday Open Studios — Berkeley

A unique array of fine art and artisan craft will be shown,. All work is handcrafted, and many pieces are one-of-a-kind. This self-guided tour presents a unique opportunity to meet the artists, to buy original & creative gifts, and to see working craft studios. The art walk gives viewers a glimpse into the creative process, and the opportunity to sign up for classes and workshops.Repeats Sunday.

Free. All Ages. Go to website download maps of studios www.berkeleyartisans.com

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Sno-vember — Treasure Island

The Treasure Island Flea Market is at it again!

This monthly collection of artists, collectors and designers, is the largest in northern California. Enjoy food trucks, local musicians, and a full bar. All weekend long.

12 | Saturday 8

10 a.m- 10 p.m.. $45/day per adult, children 12 and under $30/day. Discounts for adv purchase.

All ages. Alameda Point 1680 Viking Street, Alameda, pacificpinball.org

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11 | Friday 7

is our biggest show yet! This three-day Pinball extravaganza will add up to an amazing experience that is fun for the whole family.

Repeats Sunday.

Golden Age of Pinball Exposition—Alameda

The Pacific Pinball Museum presents the largest collection of working pinball machines from the 1930s to present day with this year’s ”Shoot The Moon” Pacific Pinball Expo honoring the Golden Age of Pinball. Housed in our new storage facility at Alameda Point this

10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 per person, kids 12 and under free. All ages. Treasure Island, Ave. Of the Palms, San Francisco. www.treasureislandflea.com

Expert Parent-Child Advice and Forensic Testimony Peter Ernest Haiman PhD • Nationally recognized for over 40 years helping parents understand and resolve child and adolescent rearing problems • Provides custody and visitation consultation to parents involved in divorce • Writes research-based reports for clients used in family courts • His published articles for clients, reports and advice are based on the research See his website for his references and published articles at www.peterhaiman.com

510.665.5513

East Bay Riding Academy

EL CERRITO SPORTS CAMP Non-competitive and Co-ed since 1992

Sunday Soccer

@ Canyon Trail Park

Head coach: Joel Gildersleeve Fall Session: Through December 11 Soccer 12:00 - 1:30 pm Ages: 4-5, 6-7, 8-10

Ongoing, on-site Registration Our new riding school is designed to teach kids to ride who may not have their own horse. We provide top quality school ponies trained in dressage and jumping. Riding lessons as well as horse management lessons are offered.

San Ramon & The Horse Park at Woodside 925.588.1480 • EastBayRidingAcademy.com

any Sunday at 11:40 am.

Fees prorated. Same fee resident/non-res. Sibling discount.

Fresh fruit snack break.

Rain outs made up.

Plan Ahead for Spring Session (April 2 - June 4) and Summer Sports Camp 2017!

www.elcerritosportscamp.com (510) 559-8208 November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 3

OFF THE PRESS

By Erika Mailman

Rainbow Zoos and Pinball

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aklander Lucille Lang Day announces the November release of her children’s picture book The Rainbow Zoo. With lavish illustrations by Hayward artist Gina Aoay Orosco, the book takes children on a tour of a special zoo where the animals are wild colors: like the saffron cow (possibly an acknowledgment of how India holds the cow sacred, and also uses saffron in much of its cooking?) and the indigo frogs. Let’s not even get started on the plaid hot dogs!

“To me, the diversity element is implied in the book: we needn’t have preconceptions about what color living beings ‘should’ be, and whatever color they are, they are fun, beautiful, and special,” says Day. “I hope that young readers will feel that way about both animals and people. My first children’s book, Chain Letter, also had an implicit message. The text of that book is a humorous chain letter, and the message is that superstition is silly.”

Besides an MFA in creative writing from San Francisco State University,

Day has an M.A. in zoology from UC Berkeley: this book pretty nicely teams her two interests! “I wrote The Rainbow Zoo after a visit to the Oakland Zoo with my grandchildren,” says Day. She was also the director of the Hall of Health, a museum in Berkeley for 17 years. “It was sponsored by Children’s Hospital, and, sadly, closed in 2009,” she adds. “Anyhow, we saw a lot of children on school field trips!”

The book’s illustrator Gina Aoay Orosco [awaiting quote from her]

Check out a special event Nov. 1113, the “Shoot the Moon: the Return of the Pacific Pinball Expo,” with a VIP event the evening of the 10th.

This takes place off-site, at a storage facility at Alameda Point, at 1680 Viking St. The VIP event includes open bar and a silent auction, among other goodies. (510) 769.1349, 1510 Webster St. in Alameda. www. pacificpinball.org. Open daily except Mondays and holidays; check website for hours.

Admission: Family All Day Pass: $50 (2 Adults & 2 Kids 12 and under); Adult All Day Pass: $20; Children 12 and under: $10 (Flat Rate, good for All Day); Students, Military, and Over 65: $15 (with valid ID); Adult One Hour: $10 (No “In and Out” privileges)

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Arcades are wonderful, except the quarters never last as long as you think they should. Enter the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, where you pay a flat fee upon entry and all the machines are set on “free play.” Kids 12 and under pay an astonishingly-low $10 to play all day on 100 machines. Besides the sheer joy of access to the machines, the museum stresses an educational mission: “To teach science, art and history through pinball, and to preserve and

FAMILY FUN The Bay Area’s Most Treasured Holiday Tradition this year proudly presents

a revels christmas in wales

promote this important part of American culture. “ The museum is looking to expand STEAM classes and traveling exhibitions.

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Make exploring your Jewish community your family’s next big adventure.

Find ways to connect:

The Youth and Family Concierge Part of

Sprout

Contact our concierge about your family’s needs: concierge@jfed.org or 510.809.4914.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE EAST BAY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

December 9–18, 2016 Tickets from $20 Oakland Scottish Rite Theater www.californiarevels.org or 510.452.9334

Sign Up

for our E-Newsletter delivered semi-monthly to your inbox! www.parentspress.com

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4 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

By Allyson Bogie and Mary Ann Scheuer

Bookshelf Jewish Traditions & Values for All

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families. Marcus celebrates the Moon Festival with his new friend Liang, and then gets a big surprise on Sukkot. This book shows a positive side to a difficult time in Jewish history.

ur Jewish community in the Bay Area is tremendously diverse in heritage, race and nationality.

This selection of books portrays a wide range of families coming together to celebrate a holiday, solve a problem or share a meal. No matter your religious beliefs, you will find some of your traditions and values reflected in these stories.

Hanukkah Hop, by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Steven D’Amico (Simon & Schuster; $12.99; ages 3–8; 32 pp.).

Get ready to boogie with Rachel and her family at their Hanukkah hop party.

The klezmer band arrives and everyone dances until they drop. The balloons pop, the lamps tip over and the guests are so tired that they have to spend the night. Kids will love the lively rhymes and celebratory pictures.

Chik Chak Shabbat, by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (Candlewick; $15.99; ages 3–7; 32 pp.).

Goldie cooks a delicious Shabbat dinner every week, and her Asian, Italian, Indian and Latino neighbors join her.

When she’s too sick to cook dinner one week, her neighbors save the day bringing food from their own cultures.

A delightful celebration with food, neighbors and friends.

Here Is the World, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal (Abrams; $18.95; ages 4–7; 48 pp.).

Take a stroll through a year of Jewish holidays with this book, which combines simple rhymes with detailed pictures. A family introduces their new baby to each of the holiday traditions and tells her that the world is “spinning with joy at the wonder of you.”

Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup, by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Deborah Melmon (Kar-Ben; $7.99; ages 5–8; 32 pp.). Like many kids, Sophie is a mix of two cultures. Her bubbe makes Jewish chicken soup with kreplach, and her nai nai makes Chinese chicken soup with wontons. She brings her grandmas together, and they discover that their soups are not really so different— and that love is the most important ingredient in both dishes.

Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed, by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Amy June Bates (Candlewick; $16.99; ages 5–8; 40 pp.). Who’s ever heard of a cat writing music? Well, Moshe’s cat Ketzel pranced across the keys, composed an award-winning 21-second piece of music and pulled Moshe out of his own composing slump. This beautiful picture book is based on a true story.

Potatoes at Turtle Rock, by Susan Schnur and Anna Schnur-Fishman, illustrated by Alex Steele-Morgan (KarBen; $17.99; ages 5–8; 32 pp.). On a cold Hanukkah night, Annie leads her family around in the woods near their home as they use potatoes to stay warm and then to make a menorah, celebrating their own special tradition. At their last stop, they turn the potatoes into a delicious treat, make snow dreidels and say a holiday prayer.

Hanukkah Bear, by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka (Holiday House; $16.95; ages 4–7; 32 pp.). The latke smells coming from Bubba Brayna’s house are so enticing that a bear knocks on the door. Bubba Brayna can’t hear or see very well, and so she thinks the bear is the rabbi. When everybody arrives for Hanukkah dinner, the children discover that instead of feeding the rabbi, Bubba gave all the latkes to a bear instead!

Allyson Bogie is the librarian at Korematsu Middle School in El Cerrito, CA, and loves visiting her local public library with her two young children.

Allyson and her family are Jewish, and these books are approved by her Hanukkah-loving 5-year-old.

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

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel, by Caryn Yacowitz, illustrated by David Slonim (Arthur A. Levine; $17.99; ages 4–8; 32 pp.). This lively book is based on the “I Know an Old Lady” song. In this version, the old lady swallows a dreidel, oil, latkes, a menorah and more, and each time her family worries that “perhaps it’s fatal.” Each page is illustrated in the style of a different famous artwork, including Starry Night, The Scream, and American Gothic.

Shanghai Sukkah, by Heidi Hyde, illustrated by Jing Tsong (Kar-Ben; $17.99; ages 5–9; 32 pp.). Can Sukkot be the same in Marcus’ new city?

His family has moved to Shanghai to escape the Holocaust, and he lives in a crowded building with many other

FAMILY FUN

Hannah’s Way, by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Adam Gustavson (KarBen; $7.95; ages 6–9; 32 pp.). Hannah is new to her school, and she’s worried that she won’t get to go to the class picnic. Because she is an Orthodox Jew, she is not allowed to ride in the car on the Sabbath. Hannah is surprised when her entire class offers to walk there with her instead, and she finally starts to feel included in her new town.

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 5

By Haley Reen

Kids’ Culture Budget Friendly Snow Days

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ow many kids in California have never seen or touched snow before? More than a few, certainly.

However, one advantage of California and the Bay Area is that a snow day is a short drive away, and families can be back into T-shirts and coastal weather by dinnertime. Northeastern California has many places where families can enjoy the white stuff without a hotel or a ski pass. Kids will love the chance to go to one of the many great destinations within a three-hour car ride where they can sled, tube, have snowball fights and make some snow angels.Starting with the closest place to play, check out Holidays on the Farm at the Dell’Osso family farm in Lathrop, near Tracy (holidaysonthefarm.com).For $20, you can go down Snow Tube Mountain as many times as you can cram into 90 minutes.

There are also zip lines, ice skating (weather permitting), pony rides and a petting zoo. Open until January 2, 2017.

Check the website for details.South Bay residents may want to head over to Strawberry and visit Leland Snowplay (snowplay.com).

Get some lodging and make a weekend of it. Enjoy snacks by the fire in the lodge while kids go bananas on the kiddie hill. Older kids can ride mini snowmobiles, and the bigger hills are lift served, so snow bunnies can ride and slide. Excellent weekday rates offer a great excuse for playing hooky from work and school. But don’t wait: Snowplay closes in Tahoe is of course an obvious choice, just three hours from most of the greater Bay Area. Save the heavy spend-

ing on ski parks where little ones don’t have much to do, and have some family fun on the cheap at Adventure Mountain (adventuremountaintahoe.com). They sell snow tubes and sleds, but guests can also rent: a two-person sled for $10 a day plus deposit, a tube for $25 a day plus deposit, or snowshoes and poles for $18 a day. It’s just $25 per vehicle (not per person!) for an all-day pass, so cram everyone into the SUV and enjoy.

They even have snow bibs, gloves, hats and boots for sale in the lodge in case you forget something at home.

Another Tahoe choice is Soda Springs (skisodasprings.com) near Donner Summit. Folks can ski here, as well as tube and snowboard. There’s even a program for parents ($10) and children ($30) to learn snow sport basics together. Helmets and equipment are included in the price. There is even a super-cool tube carousel.

Right near the Soda Springs park is Tubes R Us tubing center in Kingvale. A bit more low-tech and a bit more budget friendly, it offers groomed tubing runs with a magic carpet lift, as well as a day lodge with a snack bar and store. Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. All-day tickets for ages 6 to adult are $24; kids 5 and under are $8. Halfday session tickets are $18 for adults 13+, $15 for youth 6–12, and $8 for kids 5 and under. Parking fee $10. 53010 Donner Pass Road, Soda Springs. More info: (530) 426-3121. There’s no website, but check out Yelp for reviews.Way out east of Lodi, near Murphy, the central Sierras’ Bear Valley Cross Country & Adventure Company operates groomed

sledding and tubing hills for families with children ages 3 and older. Hill access with sled rental $11 per person; with tube rental $16 per person; $2 access fee per non-sledder. You cannot bring your own equipment, unfortunately. Picnic tables, park benches and portable toilets are available. 1 Bear Valley Road, off Highway 4, Bear Valley.

More info: (209) 753-2834 or bearvalleyxc.com.

There is also many an option to simply park and play. You won’t find many amenities or sometimes even restrooms, but bring a picnic and your own equipment and save a lot of money at the following snow play areas: • Donner Summit (near Truckee off I-80) • Blackwood Canyon (near Tahoe City off Highway 89) • Carson Pass (off Highway 88) • Echo Lake (off Highway 50)

• Iron Mountain (off Highway 88 near the Kirkwood ski area) • Lake Alpine (off Highway 4) • Meiss Meadow (off Highway 88 near Carson Pass) • Spicer (off Highway 4) • Taylor Creek (off Highway 89 near Fallen Leaf Lake) • Yuba Pass (off Highway 49) With so many destinations to play, what are you waiting for? Load up the kids in the car, pack a thermos of cocoa and get ready to get frosty. Pro tip: Bring a garbage bag to put wet clothes and boots into when you’re done, and bring some clean, dry layers to change into for the ride home. Your children will love the memories you make playing in the snow.

Haley Reen is a Bay Area-based freelance writer. Contact editor@parentspress.com with comments.

By Aaron Crowe

Family Cents 6 Ways to Save for a Family Vacation

P

lanning ahead for a family vacation won’t only help prevent last-minute price gouges and booked up flights and hotels, but can also save families money.

Booking a summer or winter vacation—when children are out of school for a long stretch of time—can be difficult to think of doing months ahead. But a long lead time allows you to plan better and gives you more time to save money.

The average summer vacation for an American family of four costs $4,700, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a fair amount of money to save over a year, and even a lot more over six months.

Here are six ways families can save for a vacation, turning a big expense into smaller chunks of savings that are easier to work into a budget:

another place to put your money before you get to spend what’s left on daily necessities.

If you can afford it, a vacation fund can be an account that you contribute to each month—or annually if you get a bonus at work—and not be something you have to think about. You should still do the fun part of planning a vacation, but put the money in a separate account

Set up a vacation fund.

If you’re already putting money each month into funds for emergencies, household maintenance, college, retirement and other regular needs and goals, then setting up one for vacations should be easy. Or it can feel like

6 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

so you don’t spend it elsewhere.

Automate it.

Just as you’re automatically contributing to a retirement account at work or a college fund through transfers from your checking account, you can do the same with a vacation fund. At the very least, putting aside a few hundred dollars a month for

vacations will get you halfway there when the vacation arrives.

Work a side gig for vacations only.

Income from a part-time job or freelance work can be set aside each month to pay for a vacation.

Get the whole family involved. If an 11-year-old girl can make money selling secure passwords for $2 each, chances are your children have some ideas for online businesses they or your family can start to make some extra cash.

You can drive for Lyft for a few hours a week, become a mystery shopper, sell your extra stuff on eBay, babysit, make holiday crafts, tutor or use whatever skills you have to make some money on the side.

Cut expenses.

Your family can probably find a few places to cut expenses. The cable TV bill, eating out at restaurants and going to the movies can be pared back from most budgets and replaced with cheaper activities. You might be able

to save $200 or more each month by cutting expenses.

The difficult part, however, is taking that money that isn’t being spent and putting it aside for a vacation. If you don’t, then the savings can easily be spent elsewhere.

One method is to set up an automatic transfer at the end of each month from your checking account to a savings account set aside for vacations. If you move an extra $200, then be sure you already have at least that much in budget cuts planned for that month, so that the savings move without you realizing it.

Pay ahead.

If you have any extra money each month or it’s already in your budget, you can pay for most of a vacation months ahead by buying airline tickets, making hotel reservations and reserving a car.

You’ll likely get cheaper rates than if you wait until the last minute to book, and the expenses will be paid once your vacation starts.

Use credit card rewards.

If you have a credit card that offers cash back or rewards points for spending, then those points can often

be used for free airline miles, hotel stays and other vacation expenses.

It’s a way to use your daily expenses on a credit card to help pay for the main costs of a vacation. However, be aware that if you’re not paying your credit card bill in full each month and are paying interest or late fees, then they can negate the rewards you’re getting.

My last tip is one that won’t save you an extraordinary amount of money, but can be a fun way to save some extra money for souvenirs or something fun: a change jar. Keep a few jars around the house to put spare change in, and chances are you’ll have close to $50 or

so each year to give the kids for pocket change during a trip.

Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance writing. He lives in Concord with his wife and daughter, and enjoys planning and saving for vacations.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 7

MARK FOEHRINGER’S

COURTESY OF MARK FOEHRINGER

NUTCRACKER SWEETS

Here are some top picks for the Nutcracker this holiday season:

The Dance Center and Berkeley City Ballet berkeleycityballet.org

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Design Firm:

photo : andy mogg

Ages 2 and up Dance Camps Birthday Parties 4 state-of the art studios, sprung floors Easy parking Easy online registration & payment

Client: Publication: Contact: Ad Size: Insertion: Email:

8 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

Berkeley Ballet Theater Presents: The Nutcracker PERFORMED IN OAKLAND For more than thirty years, BBT’s The Nutcracker has been a community favorite. Called “More touching than San Francisco Ballet’s performance” by New York Times dance critic Alastair MacCaulay, BBT’s version of the ballet’s storyline is an extension of the school’s commitment to bringing good things to those less fortunate.

Tickets $35 Friday, December 16 – 7PM Saturday, December 17 – 11AM*, 3PM, 7PM Sunday , December 18 – 11AM*, 3PM *Performances include post-show Sugar Plum Fairy Parties where audience members are welcomed onstage to meet the dancers (separate admission required). Regents’ Theater at Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 510-843-4687, www.berkeleyballet.org.

Berkeley City Ballet Presents - The Nutcracker PERFORMED IN FREMONT

Every year the Berkeley City Ballet stages an elaborate production of the Nutcracker. The BCB Nutcracker features a cast of over 40 dancers with elegant costumes and sets. Dancers from area professional companies augment the cast. Berkeley City Ballets Nutcracker has an outstanding reputation as one of the few traditional, full-length, productions of the holiday favorite in the East Bay. September 2016 Amy Neiman Design $25 for Adults, $20 Seniors/Students/Staff, $15 Children 12 and under.

Amy Neiman December 17-18, 1pm & 5pm. Smith Center Ohlone College, 43600 Mission 1820 Tenth Street, BerkeleyBlvd.

94710 Fremont 510-659-6031, www.berkeleycityballet.org.

(510) 649-7787 Berkeley City Ballet Elizabeth Godfrey (510) 841-8913 Parent's Press — 2.333" x 7.75"

Oakland Ballet Company Presents Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker” OAKLAND

parentsprs@aol.com (pdf OK)

Oakland Ballet Company’s spritely and colorful version of this

holiday classic is a holiday tradition that is fun for then entire family. Brimming with holiday magic, this is the Nutcracker to see!. With live music by the Oakland Symphony and Mt. Eden High School Womens’ Ensemble. $23-90 for adults with discounts for Seniors, children, and groups. Showings Saturday December 17 at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm; December 18 at 2:00 pm.

Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. 510-893-3132, www.oaklandballet.org.

COURTESY OF OAKLAND BALLET

Dance-Along Nutcracker®: The Fantastic Adventures of Captain Nutcracker!

SAN FRANCISCO The 31st Dance-Along Nutcracker®: The Fantastic Adventures of Captain Nutcracker! Clara and her brother Fritz will take you on a wild adventure into the world of villains and superheroes. Named “Best Bets for Holiday Dance,” the Dance–Along Nutcracker® is a zany audience participation show perfect for the whole family.

$18 for children, students & seniors. $30 for adults. Saturday, December 10 at 3pm and 7pm; Sunday, December 11th at 11am and 3pm. Yerba Buena Center For The Arts Forum, 701 Mission St., San Francisco. 415-978-2787, www.sflgfb.townalive.com.

San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker SAN FRANCISCO This is the classic, real-deal. Dress up and arrive an hour prior to curtain for photo ops with the cast.

Show from Dec. 10-29. Ages 5 and up. Please check the website for times and tickets prices. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. 415-865-2000, www.sfballet.org.

Mark Foehringer’s “Nutcracker Sweets” SAN FRANCISCO This 50-minute condensed version of the classic ballet is perfect for tiny and squirmy ballet lovers. The cast and crew will meet, greet and pose for pictures after the show, so bring a camera!

Tickets from $31. Show from Dec. 10-29. Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center. www.nutcrackersweets.org.

Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker SAN RAFAEL This is a pretty epic performance with 175 super-talented dancers shipped in from all over the state and country. There’s a special Candy Cane party after the 1p.m. Saturday and Sunday shows.

Dec. 10 and 11. Showtimes at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. $43 for adults, $27 for seniors and youth. All ages. Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue Of The Flags, San Rafael. 415-453-6705, www.marinballet.org.

Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker SAN RAFAEL The vibrant, lavish Stapleton Ballet Nutcracker provides a b erkel ey b al l et th e a te r where allstart can dance magical to the holiday season! Now in its 28th year, this production features inspired dancing, beautifully crafted sets and berkeley ballet theater where all can dance

THE

NutcrackeR December 16-18

Friday 7pm, Saturday 11am, 3pm, 7pm & Sunday 11am, 3pm

Celebrate the Holidays Join us for the East Bay’s premier at this joyous, familyfamily-friendly Nutcracker friendly tradition.

Children performance.

Meet the dancers at can meet our dancers at Sugar Sugar Plum Fairy parties following Plum Fairy parties after the 11am the 11am performances (separete performances on Saturday and admission).

Sunday (separate admission).

REGENTS’ THEATER | 510.843.4687 |

TICKETS at BERKELEYBALLET.ORG

December 16-18,2016 Friday 7pm Saturday 11am, 3pm & 7pm Sunday 11am & 3pm

Tickets

available Nov. 1

$35 per seat

Regents’ Theater at Holy Names University 3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619 510-843-4687 berkeleyballet.org

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 9

The 31st Annual Christmas Revels: A Revels Christmas In Wales

COURTESY OF STAPLETON BALLET

OAKLAND

exquisite costumes. Artistic Director Virginia Stapleton’s engaging production is designed to delight audiences young and old and features guest artists performing with over 250 dancers from the Stapleton School of Performing Arts. Complimentary meet and greet with costumed characters after 1:00 p.m. matinees.

1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-454-5759 (Box Office: 415-473-6800). www.stapletonschool.org.

Other Holiday Events

I

f families are in the mood for something other than the Nutcracker, here are some other options for holiday performances around the Bay:

This year, the California Revels is “coming home” to Wales. Even though we’ve never been there before, there is much about Welsh culture and customs that feels familiar and comforting. Set in the 1920’s childhood village of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, our show will evoke the spirit of family gathered ‘round the hearth, and villagers singing in the glow of the blazing yule log.

Featured performers this year include Robert Sicular, Kevin Carr, Susan Rode Morris, James Galileo and Margaret Davis.

Tickets priced $20-$60 with discounts for patrons under 25. December 9-11 & 16-18 Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1pm & 5pm. Scottish Rite Theater 1547 Lakeside Dr, Oakland. http://californiarevels.org

Enchanted Winter Faire BERKELEY Enchanted Winter Faire presented by Berkeley Rose School. Join us for a magical afternoon of storytelling, crafts, children’s games, holiday shopping, and live music! Appropriate for children of all ages.

Free. Dec.3 12pm - 4pm. Berkeley Rose School 2515 Hillegass Ave Berkeley. http://berkeleyrose.org

Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios BERKELEY Over 100 handpicked artists and craftspeople at studios, workshops and galleries in Berkeley, California will open their doors to the public during the 26th annual Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios.

Free. Saturdays and Sundays 11-6 p.m. Weekends, Nov. 26-27 & Dec.3-4, 1011, 17-18 (plus weekdays, Dec. 19-24). Various locations in Berkeley 2547 Eighth Street #24a Berkeley. http://www.berkeleyartisans.com

We Are One - Oakland Youth Chorus’s 42nd Annual Holiday Concert OAKLAND Join the award-winning singers of the Oakland Youth Chorus in a celebration of the songs, traditions, and diverse cultures that honor and create community. Sing with us as we raise our voices together to empower others and create harmony.

December 10, 2016 @ 6:00 pm. First Presbyterian Church of Oakland 2619 Broadway Oakland. http://oaklandyouthchorus.org

Craneway Crafts Fair benefit for KPFA Public Radio RICHMOND

Fall registration is OPEN!

Celebrate creativity and community at the Craneway Crafts Fair…a benefit for KPFA Public Radio on December 17th & 18th at the Craneway Pavilion. The Fair showcases affordable contemporary art and original crafts exhibited by 200 artists, and presents handmade Fair Trade goods from indigenous communities around the world.

December 17, 2016. Admission is $12 (ages 18-64) Senior and Disabled $8, Youth are Free. Craneway Pavilion 1414 Harbour Way S Richmond. http://cranewaycraftsfair.com

Marin Dance Theatre’s “Sophie and The Enchanted Toyshop” SAN RAFAEL Marin Dance Theatre brightens the holiday season once again with its magical holiday performance, “Sophie & the Enchanted Toyshop.” Returning by popular demand for the 20th year, the beloved ballet has been seen by thousands of children and families who have made it a cherished holiday tradition. Over 100 children ages 4-pre-professional perform in the wonderful ballet.

December 17th at 1pm and 5pm. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-499-8891 (Box Office: 415-473-6800). http://www.mdt.org (510) 848-SING eastbaymusictogether.com

10 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN GUIDE children a comprehensive educational program in an ideally prepared humanistic developmental learning environment.

2330 Prince St., Berkeley ModelSchool@aol.com 510-549-2711

ideal start for our youngest students.

1335 High Street, Alameda www.spnalameda.org 510-521-0787

MONTCLAIR COMMUNITY PLAY CENTER

An intimate afternoon program with two teachers and 10-12 children, MCPC’s Bridge K combines free-play and teacher-led activities for kindergarten readiness, with an emphasis on social skills, problem solving, and emotional literacy. MCPC is a not-for-profit coop.

5815 Thornhill Dr, Oakland www.mcpckids.org/bridge-k 510-339-7213

STEP ONE SCHOOL

Child-centered academics including art, science, language and music enrichment. Expansive, natural and dynamic outdoor environment. Small class size and low student:teacher ratio. Morning, mid-day and full day schedules.

499 Spruce Street, Berkeley www.steponeschool.org 510-527-9021

A L A M E DA C O U N T Y

Accredited by the German Government and WASC, the German International School of Silicon Valley provides dual-immersion programs (German/English) at three locations (Mountain View: PreK–12, Berkeley: PreK–6, and San Francisco: K–3) in the Bay Area.

1581 Le Roy Ave., Berkeley www.gissv.org 510-558-0436 Berkeley Hills Nursery School is a small, private, nonprofit preschool dedicated to the total development of each child. We provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment in which the uniqueness of each child is honored.

GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI

Serving families since 1978, GLM is located in the Grand/Lakeshore Ave. area of Oakland. Please visit our website. 466 Chetwood St., Oakland

THE CHILD UNIQUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

The Transition Kindergarten Program at The Child Unique offers a robust kindergarten curriculum that offers concrete, real-world living education in language, math, and the sciences with a focus on cultural subjects, the arts, sustainable gardening and respect for others and the planet.

2226 Encinal Ave., Alameda Preschool–Kindergarten www.thechildunique.org 510-521-9227

www.grandlakemontessori.com 510-836-431

EB offers children from Preschool through grade 8: bilingualism, academic excellence, a nurturing atmosphere, and a highly diverse international community. Accredited by CAIS/WASC and the French Ministry of Education.

Preschool - 8th Grade 1009 Heinz Ave., Berkeley www.eb.org 510-549-3867

THE QUARRY LANE SCHOOL

3390 Deer Hill Roa., Lafayette www.dvms.org 925-283-6036

The Quarry Lane School offers an advanced Junior Kindergarten program at our Dublin campus and PreKindergarten programs at our two preschool campuses in Pleasanton.

6363 Tassajara Rd., Dublin www.QuarryLane.org 925-829-8000

Hacienda (HeadsUp!) Child Development Center offers a kindergarten program for 5 and 6 year olds who will be entering first grade the following year. The curriculum facilitates problem solving, critical thinking and collaborative discussions and projects. The curriculum exceeds the requirements of all local public schools.

Our Montessori early childhood programs include children who are 5 and 6 years of age and offer developmentally appropriate educational activities available for each child.

MONTESSORI FAMILY SCHOOL

The Kindergarten Transition Program at Montessori Family School is located at our El Cerrito Campus and offers children ages 4 1/2 to 6, the time and support they need to transition from preschool/early childhood to the more rigorous and exciting learning experiences that lie ahead in the Elementary Program.

7075 Cutting Blvd., El Cerrito www.montessorifamily.com 510-236-8802

We are an afternoon play-based transitional kindergarten.

The staff is warm, experienced, and comfortable with the emergent curriculum and the California Learning Foundations, prerequisite to the Common Core public elementary standards. Your child will be kindergartenready by the time September rolls around.

HACIENDA (HEADSUP!) CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER ECOLE BILINGUE DE BERKELEY

DIABLO VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL

GRIFFIN NURSERY SCHOOL

2410 Prince Street, Berkeley griffinnurseryschool.org 510-845-2025

C O N T R A C O S TA C O U N T Y

Oakland Montessori Schools offers an indoor-outdoor classroom, Spanish, art, music, and gymnastics in a setting supporting a child’s natural growth and development. Children develop skills for success. We offer flexible schedules.

3625 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland www.oaklandmontessori.com 510-482-3111

BERKELEY HILLS NURSERY SCHOOL

1161 Sterling Ave., Berkeley www.berkeleyhills.org • 510-849-1216

OAKLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL

RENAISSANCE SCHOOL

A challenging, educational environment for toddlers–8th grade, where students learn through hands-on experience, investigation, and research. Our curriculum also includes tri-lingual (Spanish-English-French) immersion, Kodaly choral music, and a fine arts program.

3668 Dimond Ave., Oakland www.therenaissanceschool.org 510-531-8566

NOMURA PRESCHOOL

Offering academic excellence and nurturing care to Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, and surrounding communities since 1964. Our balanced program includes age-appropriate academics, enriching art and music, creative free play, and potty training. Open yearround with full- and half-day options.

1711 Carlson Blvd., Richmond www.nomurapreschool.com 510-526-7847

4671 Chabot Drive, Pleasanton www.headsup.org/headsup 925-463-2885

PEEKADOODLE ACADEMY OF DANVILLE

ROCKRIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

An academic and developmental program that provides opportunities for children to become engaged in their learning. RMS is committed to helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment.

Our program will prepare your child for kindergarten by introducing letters, numbers and simple math through real life, meaningful interaction. We focus on early literacy and foster independence and creative thinking through a balanced approach to learning.

2425 Camino Tassajara, Danville www.peekadoodle.com 925-736-7335

5633 Manila Ave., Oakland www.rockridgemontessori.org 510-652-7021

FRANCOPHONE CHARTER SCHOOL OF OAKLAND

The Francophone Charter School of Oakland is a French immersion public elementary school serving grades TK through 4th grade in 2016-17. The school that will grow one grade at a time each subsequent year until 8th grade. The school uses the French language and the many interwoven cultures associated with it to develop bilingual and bi-literate global citizens who are openminded and value intellectual curiosity, personal integrity and creativity.

TK - 4th Grade 9736 Lawlor Street., Oakland http://francophoneschool.org 510-394-4110

JCC EAST BAY PRESCHOOL

Children in this intimate class express themselves through varied media as they learn. The innovative curriculum will help develop the skills needed to be successful learners. An environment rich in Jewish culture, our children welcome Shabbat and holidays. All are welcome at the JCC! Financial assistance may be available. Transportation available from BUSD.

1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley http://www.jcceastbay.org/transitionalkindergarten-afternoon-program 510-848-0237 x122

TEHIYAH DAY SCHOOL SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE

School of the Madeleine is a Catholic elementary school with a vibrant Dominican tradition of education and service in the Diocese of Oakland. Our mission is to inspire students to grow as educated, morally informed individuals.

1225 Milvia St., Berkeley www.themadeleine.com

Meeting the needs of the whole child -- socially, emotionally, cognitively, and beyond -- Tehiyah’s BridgeKindergarten instills self-confidence, a love of learning, and a sense of community through a curriculum rich with Jewish values and traditions.

6305 Barrett Avenue, El Cerrito www.tehiyah.org 510-233-3013

Don’t See Your Program?

GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY – BERKELEY CAMPUS

MODEL SCHOOL

The Model School provides a true alternative for parents who know that children can’t wait and want for their

SAINT PHILIP NERI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

– Add Today –

Our Saint Philip Neri Transitional Kindergarten program nurtures academic, social and spiritual development for all students. The low student-teacher ratio provides the

http://SchoolsBayArea.com

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 11

By Susan Solomon Yem

W

hen my son, Daniel, was in third grade, he wrote a thankfulness poem. It became a family tradition to read it at every Thanksgiving dinner. Daniel was thankful for his family, his friends, his pets and because the poem had to rhyme, he was thankful for a street a mile away called River Road. Our address was James Avenue and what rhymes with Avenue?

I loved listening to Daniel recite year after year. Listing the things we are thankful for is an annual ritual. While this is the month to encourage our children towards gratitude, perhaps we should also encourage them to give.

Historically November, the launch of the holiday season, sees the highest levels of charitable donations and volunteerism.

Charity Begins at Home But giving is not just about making financial contributions to worthy causes. It is an attitude of the heart that is often cultivated at home with some of the simplest gifts of kindness.

Children are usually eager to help Mom and Dad. Let them, even if it means a task that should take ten minutes, now takes twenty.

Do your kids see you model helpfulness? Are you assisting an elderly neighbor to take out the trash or sweep the steps? I still recall the day my boys, without my prompting or her asking, ran to unload groceries from the car of the young mother who lived next door. She and I were both pleasantly surprised by this spontaneous act.

Giving in the Neighborhood There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer as a family. In fact, Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, has designated November 19th as Family Volunteer Day — a day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods.

Families can design their own volunteer opportunity or choose from several local projects at http://fvd. generationon.org/.

The website, randomactsofkindness. org, challenges visitors to Be the Spark with several suggested benevolent activities including knitting blankets for babies, writing thank you notes to veterans and paying it forward by covering the tab for a patron at a restaurant where your family is eating a meal.

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As new parents you need to be very aware of each other’s needs right now.

Mothers are often so overwhelmed with caring for a new baby that they don’t have much energy left for the couple relationship. Dads, on the other hand, may not get The 80:10:10 Rule to enjoy the baby as much and may feel deAs the economy prived of both their has matesteadily and their expecimproved, financial contributions tations of what fatherhood would be to like. charities have increased.

In the No one can imagine what daily life past will be year alone Americans $373.25 like with a new baby. Ofgave course, no one has billion causes, upso it’s the timetoorphilanthropic energy to talk about this, no wonder thatprior both year. parents wind 4.1% over the Incan 2015 theup

largest source of charitable giving was individuals, with an average household contribution of $2974.00.

Many financial advisors suggest an 80:10:10 formula. 80% of income is designated towards household expenses. 10% goes to savings and 10% is donated. Teaching children this formula not only creates lifelong wise money management, it establishes the importance of giving to those in need.

Although designed for teachers, Learningtogive.org, includes a portal for parents to inspire philanthropy at home. Check out the link to The Philanthropy Project, philanthropyproject.com/#campaigns, a platform that helps youth bring service projects to life.

ALAMEDA

Fortunately, nature designed babies to rapidly move through this period of complete dependency on mom. Soon, your baby will become a delightfully social being. By the time you read this, she will be smiling and flirting as she discovers that there is more to life than a good meal and a nap. In fact, by the end of her third month, she’ll be so delighted to see her dad that you’ll see her get excited and animated just seeing his face. So be patient, support each other through this difficult time, and you’ll all emerge intact.

Giving is not just about making financial contributions to worthy causes. It is an attitude www.parentspress.com of the heart that is often cultivated at home with some of the simplest gifts of kindness.

HEALTH & WELLNESS VISIT THESE WEBSITES FOR MORE

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Assure that your donations are going to worthy causes by checking them out at a website like Charitynavigator.org.

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For more information and to see if you qualify, contact: City of Berkeley WIC Program 830 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94710 510.981.5360 Migrant families are welcome! wicprogram@cityofberkeley.info Visit us at www.cityofberkeley.info/publichealth Do you with health care?

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Is your son or daughter already in an out-of-home placement and are you looking to connect with other parents in the same situation?

This six-week parenting group starting in early March offers help and support during stressful times.

Cindy Rasicot, MFT is in private practice in Lafayette, California with a specialization in adoption issues. She is a Director of Willows in the Wind, www.willowsinthewind.com

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Cindy Rasicot, MFT | cindy.rasicot@gmail.com | 510.332.0463

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March 2014 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 11

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November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 13

By Ben Campopiano

Teach In Don’t Do Homework … Do Skillwork

A

s we transition fully to the Common Core State Standards, it is time to fully embrace the fact that the content is not the main point. The purpose and the point—the absolute main point—is the skills.

Whether your child is learning the state capitals in grade school, or studying supply-side economics on the way out of high school, you have to bring every little task, assignment and problem back to the main point—the skill. You may hope that your little one, middle schooler or teenager is the next surgeon general or senator, but the truth is that you literally have no idea what they will do for a living, how they will do it or what their career (or multiple careers) will look like. The only thing that you can be certain of is that your child will need to

utilize the skills they develop now, no matter what they do next. Your child’s skillwork should focus on problem solving, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, reading, writing, speaking, listening and a whole host of character skills, like grit, perseverance, dedication, teamwork, ethics, honesty and joy.

Too often in education, a child’s homework, classwork or schoolwork is about the content. The goal becomes memorizing the formula, getting the problem solved, acing the exam or just finishing the task. As parents, we must constantly remind our children to work on the skill when they are doing their work. For example, we can ask them to explain the steps they took to find the solution, have them write out the state capital within a complete sentence or

However we encourage our children to develop their skills, we cannot sit back and let their work devolve into merely work that’s done for a grade or a score. practice their speech in front of the family instead of just reading it off cards in their room.We should use subtle (and not-so-subtle) methods to get our children to do their skillwork; sometimes we must demand it from them in the moment, whereas other times we’ll have to prod it out of them without them even knowing what we’re doing. But however we encourage our children to develop their skills, we cannot sit back and let their work devolve into merely work that’s done for

a grade or a score. The work they are given must be done in such a way that it serves a greater purpose for their future.

To better understand the importance of skillwork, consider the development of Jack Nicklaus, perhaps the best golfer who’s ever lived. When Nicklaus first learned the game of golf, his coach gave him one simple instruction over and over: hit it as hard as you can. The purpose of this instruction was to make sure Nicklaus focused on the main

PRESCHOOLS If you could give your child one gift to last a lifetime, what would it be?

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thing—practicing the skill of the swing, particularly swing speed. It wasn’t until later that Nicklaus began learning the mental game of competition, studying golf courses and taking a deep dive into the more complex side of the sport. And, it wasn’t until really late in his career that he backed off the skillwork to focus more on the “content,” or the tasks at hand, like film study, strength work, course analysis, etc.The lesson learned from Nicklaus is that our children must develop their skills at a young age, so that when they are older they can actually focus more on the content, or the delivery of the skills they’ve been perfecting since the beginning. If we neglect the skillwork now, our kids will struggle later—no matter how well they may know the state capitals or supply-side statistics.The main goal of the Common Core State Standards is to ensure that students graduate from high school with the “knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in college, career and life.” It’s only natural that our kids often slide too far toward developing knowledge and stray too far from developing their skills.

This happens because our children are naturally competitive, dedicated, motivated and results-driven. As they

Nobody can predict what our kids’ careers will look like, but we can all agree that regardless of the profession, our children will need to be great communicators, great problem solvers, great speakers, great readers, writers and listeners.

get older, academic pressure builds, grades become more important, scores take on greater value and work becomes about the solution, rather than the process. It is our job as parents to constantly bring things back to the main point—developing the skill they will need to succeed at whatever they do next.

Nobody can predict what our kids’ careers will look like, but we can all agree that regardless of the profession, our children will need to be great communicators, great problem solvers, great speakers, great readers, writers and listeners. No matter what they are doing in 2050—or how they are doing it—they will need to be gritty,

determined, honest, hardworking and driven. So, regardless of the task at hand—whether it be learning those state capitals or analyzing supply-side economics—continue to challenge your children to do the skillwork that will serve them forever.

Ben Campopiano is a vice principal at Northgate High School in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

PRESCHOOLS

Oakland Montessori School

Serving children 24 months to 6 years

Join our diverse community of confident children, supportive parents and experienced teachers.

ART • MUSIC • GYMNASTICS • YOGA

A ministry of Bay Area Chinese Bible Church

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

Tours on Wednesdays at 9:30am Please RSVP at info@oaklandmontessori.com

510-482-3111

www.oaklandmontessori.com

•

3636 Dimond Ave

Lic #010214163

Call us today:

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

Fax # 510-373-2241 CHATHAM SCHOOL

C

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kim.smith@bacbc.org Chool FUN Chatham HILD -CENTERED PRESCHOOL

Fun Child-Centered PreSChool

C

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CM

MY

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CMY

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4500 Road 4500 Redwood Redwood Road Oakland, CA94619 94619 Oakland, CA

4359 39th Avenue 4359 39th Avenue Oakland, 94619 Oakland, CACA 94619 Lic#01341436

66 mo. mo. --Kindergarten Kindergarten

2 yrs.

- Kindergarten 2 yrs.

- Kindergarten extended care

Lic#013418176 Lic#013418176 Lic#013418177 Lic# 013418177

((510) 5 1 0 ) 531-1302 531-1302 fax: (510) 531-1301

Lic#01341436

(510) ( 5 1 0531-1534 ) 531-1534

• We do Potty Training • Snacks/Hot Lunch We do Potty Training • Snacks / Hot Lunch Part Time/Full Time 7:30 am-6 pm Part Time / Full Time 7:30am - 6pm

www.chathampreschool.com www.chathampreschool.com

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 15

By Tony Hicks

Raising Dad What? You Want to go to Church?

M

odern living, even in the suburbs, often means being in a bubble for some of us.

For example, in my town I see lots of churches. Which must mean lots of local people who go to churches.

Which just doesn’t compute to me, because not only do we not go to church, but we don’t know a lot of families who do. At least that’s what we think.

So it was a bit strange for my wife and me when our 8-year-old came to us and announced that she wanted to go to church. She’d heard about this God person and wanted to know more.

Plus this little boy she likes goes, so ...

Who was I to complain? I’ve made far more drastic decisions for girls I

liked. My wife did a bit of investigating concerning a church right up the block—the same one my daughter’s little buddy goes to. Apparently, it doesn’t espouse many of the things that would naturally keep us away: No hating on minority groups, no fire and brimstone, no 49ers fans ...

Well, maybe. But I’m willing to let that slide.

And because my wife is such a better person than me, she decided to let our 8-year-old discover church for herself, instead of just shutting her down by pointing out a shiny light or something.

So she took her to church last Sunday.

I was all for it, as long as no one told me I couldn’t spend the morning at my usual place of Sunday worship: in front of a television tuned to the NFL.

PRESCHOOLS Dynamic Education The Optimizing Each Child’s Potential Child Enrolling Now for 2017 Day Schools, LLC Family operated since 1976

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I got the full report when they got back. Our daughter—whom we call Lucy, because that’s her name—had a great time. She liked taking food from one place to another—whatever that means—and she liked the singing. Best of all, she liked hanging around with a couple friends she found there. Yes, including the boy.

She was a bit mum on the God and Jesus talk. She acknowledged it and seemed to be fine with it. But, for her, it was the whole experience that was positive.

My wife wasn’t quite as thrilled, though she didn’t hate it or anything.

But, like I said, she’s a much better— and far more patient—parent than me. She found herself volunteering for food-related duties and not immersing herself so much into the adult worship.

Because, like I tell the nice people

when they come to our door trying to recruit us for whichever religion they represent, having a belief built on being non-religious is as much of a belief as what they define as “belief.”

But where does that leave us?

My daughter wants to go back to church again. She wants to sing some more and find out more about what these churchgoing folks are talking about. So my wife is going to go back with her, let her check it out, and offer some guidance that isn’t so slanted (something else she’s much better at than her husband). I’ll be going to my own Sunday services at the same time.

But I admit to being fascinated and looking forward to hearing what my little girl takes from all this.

Tony Hicks is a columnist with the Bay Area News Group and the father of four daughters.

Reach him at editor@parentspress.com.

H e l p i n g t O m a k e c h i l d h o o d a j O u r n e y, n O t a r a c e .

Low Ratios Highly Trained Teachers

www.t cdschools.com Preschool • Pre-K • Jr.-K • Toddlers • Kindergarten • School Age ANTIOCH 925-754-0144

SAN RAMON 925-820-2515

PLEASANTON 925-462-1866

LAFAYETTE 925-284-7092

MORAGA 925-376-5110

Lic# 073406638

Lic# 070208769

Lic# 013420524

Lic# 073406632

Lic# 073406850

ps-k through elementary multi-age classroOms open year-round, 7am to 6pm educational exCellence since 1978 dance, gymnasticS, capoeira S i g n u p o n l i n e f o r a t o ur t o d ay !

www.grandlakemontessori.com

The Child Unique Montessori School • Toddler • PreSchool • Transitional Kindergarten 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.

LIC. #010209453

WWW.BERKELEYHILLS.ORG * 510-849-1216 Call today to schedule a visit Limited space available 16 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

New second language and PE program

Enrolling Now! 2226 Encinal Avenue Alameda 510.521.9227 www.thechildunique.org

Lic.#013414800

2012 2013

466 Chetwood, Oakland (510) 836-4313

BayAreaFamilyCalendar.com

Post Your Event Today!

Your Source for Family Fun Events and Things to Do.

November Family Fun Calendar Oakland Ballet Presents Luna Mexicana: A Day of the Dead Celebration— Oakland A family-friendly celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead, with dancing, costumes, live music and holiday treats. A cast of 10 dancers tells the story of a young woman whose departed loved ones joyously dance back to life on the Día de los Muertos. Audience members of all ages are encouraged to attend in Day of the Dead costume, and prizes will be awarded for the most impressive outfits.

7–8 p.m. Adults $15 and up, 18 and under $5–10. All ages. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland.

510-893-3132, oaklandballet.org

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 Mall LEGO Store, 1444 Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. 925-737-0704, www.stores.lego.com

2 | Wednesday Free First Wednesdays— Berkeley Enjoy free admission to the UC

Botanical Garden on the first Wednesday of every month.

Established in 1890, the Garden, which is open to the public year round, has more than 13,000 different kinds of plants from around the world, cultivated by region in naturalistic landscapes over its 34 acres.

9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. All ages. UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley. 510643-2755, www.botanicalgarden. berkeley.edu

Ice Skating—Dublin Dublin’s ice skating rink hosts hockey teams, events and open skating times. Check the online schedule before you visit.

10–11:30 a.m. and 2–4:30 p.m. $9 adults, $8 17 and under, $4 4 and under, $3 skate rental. Dublin Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Road, Dublin. 925-829-4445, www. dubliniceland.com

Free First Wednesdays—Berkeley Botanical Gardens

Celebrating 31 years!

3 | Thursday A Walk with Paul Bannick—Walnut Creek Get an exclusive tour with worldrenowned author, photographer and conservationist Paul Bannick! He’ll lead a tour through his photography exhibit “The Owl & the Woodpecker,” on display at Lindsay Wildlife through Dec. 31. Visitors will tour the gallery with Bannick, who will answer questions about the images he shot of the most important

PRESCHOOLS

BY DADEROT, COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.

1 | Tuesday

(510) 724-1724 www.la-casita.org Lic. #073400781

A Unique Bilingual Montessori Education Preschool, Transitional-K and Kindergarten (2.5-6 years)

Spanish and English

Music Classes

Flamenco

Gymnastics

Now Enrolling For

Mindful Live Yoga

Drama

592 Tennent Ave. Pinole, CA 94564

2016 - 2017 American Montessori Society Member

EARS 2016 1986 CELEBRATING 30 Y

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment

Email to Schedule a Tour

www.RockridgeMontessori.org Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618 Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 17

species of owls and woodpeckers in North America. The exhibit, with 25 large prints, illustrates how these birds define and enrich the specific habitats on which they depend, and highlights the critical importance of conservation.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free for members, non-member fee $10. All ages.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. lindsaywildlife.org

Open Making Hours at ACOE’s Makerspace— Hayward Come design, build, program, make, 3-D print, solder and more. Free for teachers, students and families of Alameda County public schools.

Drop in, 3–6 p.m. Free. Ages 6 and up. ACOE’s Makerspace, 313 W. Winton Ave., Hayward. 510-6707751, mms.acoe.org

4 | Friday Splish, Splash—Oakland Theatre for the Very Young is coming to Fairyland! Our new interactive theater experience, a collaboration with Bay Area Children’s Theatre, invites babies, toddlers and preschoolers to explore the wonders of water, from bath time to ocean voyages.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. $10 general admission. All ages. Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 510-452-2259, www. fairyland.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.

6–8 p.m. Free. All ages. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 5388 Ninth St., Oakland. oacc.cc

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California— Oakland Join OMCA and Off the Grid in August for DJs, live bands, dancing, gourmet food trucks and more. There will be a family drop-in activity related to one of the exhibits. This event repeats each Friday night.

5–9 p.m. Free for members and ages 18 and under, $7.50 for adults.

Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510-318-8400, www.museumca.org

Every first Friday of the month, join the block party with live music, shops open late, monthly art exhibits and more.

6–9 p.m. Free. All ages. Temescal Alleys, 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.

6–10 p.m. $5 per person. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. 510-3367373, www.chabotspace.org

Temescal Alleys First Friday Block Party— Oakland

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES ALAMEDA MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF ALAMEDA Open House NOVEMBER 16, 2016 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 1400 6th St. 510-521-9227 http://www. montessorielementaryalameda.org SAINT PHILIP NERI CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Info Night DECEMBER 1, 2016 @ 7:00 PM 1335 High St. 510-521-0787 http://school.spnalameda.org BERKELEY THE ACADEMY NOVEMBER 16, 2016 @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 2722 Benvenue Ave. Open House at The Academy. 510-549-0605 http://theacademyschool.org/ BAYHILL HIGH SCHOOL NOVEMBER 15, 2016 @ 6:45 PM 1940 Virginia Street. Bayhill High School Open House. 510-984-0599 http://www.bayhillhs.org/ BERKWOOD HEDGE SCHOOL Open House DECEMBER 10, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1809 Bancroft Way. 510-883-6990 http://www.berkwood.org/ BLACK PINE CIRCLE SCHOOL Kindergarten Admissions Information Event NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Grades 6-8 Admissions Information Event NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Events also on December 3. 2027 7th Street. 510-845-0876 http://blackpinecircle.org/ ECOLE BILINGUE DE BERKELEY Open House NOVEMBER 19, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1009 Heinz Ave. 510-549-3895 http://www.eb.org/ GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY - BERKELEY CAMPUS Open House NOVEMBER 12, 2016 @ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Open Classrooms NOVEMBER 17, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM 1581 Le Roy Avenue. 510-558-0436 http://www.gissv.org MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL Mini Open House DECEMBER 8, 2016 @ 9:30 AM 2727 College Ave. (510) 841-8489 http://www.maybeckhs.org SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE Information Day NOVEMBER 9, 2016 @ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM 1225 Milvia St. 510-526-4744 http://themadeleine.com SHU REN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL K-8 CAMPUS Primary and Middle Years Pioneer Drop In Event NOVEMBER 23, 2016 @ 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM 2125 Jefferson Ave. (510) 841-8899 http://shurenschool.org

SHU REN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PreK Open House Info Session - Student Show Case of Mandarin DECEMBER 3, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1333 University Ave. (510) 981-0320 http://shurenschool.org STEP ONE SCHOOL Transitional Kindergarten Open House NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 10:00 AM 499 Spruce St. 510-527-9021 http://steponeschool.org/ WALDEN CENTER & SCHOOL Information Session NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2446 McKinley Ave. 510-841-7248 http://www.walden-school.net DANVILLE THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House NOVEMBER 12, 2016 @ 1:00 PM Upper School Open House NOVEMBER 13, 2016 @ 1:00 PM 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard.

925-362-7223 http://www.athenian.org/ EL CERRITO PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL Elementary School Information Day Grades K-4 NOVEMBER 13, 2016 @ 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM 2060 Tapscott Avenue. 510-236-5800 http://prospectsierra.org/ PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL Middle School Information Day Grades 5-8 NOVEMBER 6, 2016 @ 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM 960 Avis Dr. 510-236-5800 http://prospectsierra.org/ TEHIYAH DAY SCHOOL All School Open House and Think Tehiyah-A mini maker event NOVEMBER 6, 2016 @ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Bring a Friend to School Day at Tehiyah Day School! NOVEMBER 11, 2016 Middle School Open House NOVEMBER 16, 2016 @ 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM 2603 Tassajara Avenue. 510-2333013 x239 http://tehiyah.org/ EMERYVILLE ESCUELA BILINGÜE INTERNACIONAL Parent Information Sessions. Pre Kinder and Lower School (K-5th grade): NOVEMBER 19, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Middle School (6-8th grade): NOVEMBER 12, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 4550 San Pablo Ave. 510-653-3324 http://www.ebinternacional.org LAFAYETTE CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Check Us Out Day NOVEMBER 11, 2016 955 Risa Road. 925-284-8288 http://www.ccjds.org

18 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

MORAGA ORION ACADEMY Fall Open House NOVEMBER 9, 2016 AND JANUARY 6, 2017 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 350 Rheem Blvd.

925-377-0789 http://www.orionacademy.org THE SAKLAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House NOVEMBER 4, 2016 AND JANUARY 6, 2017 @ 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM 1678 School Street. 925-376-7900 http://saklan.org/ OAKLAND AURORA SCHOOL Family Day NOVEMBER 5, 2015 @ 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM School Tours NOVEMBER 16 AND 18, 2015 @ 8:45 AM – 10:45 AM 40 Dulwich Road. 510-428-2606 http://www.auroraschool.org HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL Middle School Open House (Grades 6-8) NOVEMBER 13, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM 4315 Lincoln Ave 510-531-1300 http://www.headroyce.org

ST. THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Kindergarten Information Night NOVEMBER 17, 2016 @ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Information Meeting for Grades 1-3 NOVEMBER 18, 2016 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 4850 Clarewood Dr 510-457-1488 http://www.sttheresaschool.org THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Pre-Primary / ​Primary Tour NOVEMBER 8, 2016 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Info Session and Tour for Kindergarten and First Grade Applicants NOVEMBER 15, 2016 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM 3618 Dimond Avenue. 510-531-8566 http://therenaissanceschool.org/ ORINDA ORINDA ACADEMY Open House.

DECEMBER 4, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 19 Altarinda Rd. 925.254.7553 http://www. orindaacademy.org/ PIEDMONT

MENTORING ACADEMY Information Session NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Information Session DECEMBER 3, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 5951 College Avenue.

Please RSVP to info@mentoringacademy.org.

510.400.7696 http://www.mentoringacademy.org/

CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Open House.

NOVEMBER 1, 2016 @ 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM and DECEMBER 6, 2016 @ 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM 1 Estates Drive. 510.530.4056 http:// www.corpuschristischool.com/

OAKLAND HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Preschool Open Art Studio DECEMBER 5, 2016 @ 3:00 PM 5500 Redwood Road. Please RSVP at plichterman@ohds.org or call (510) 531-8600 x12 http://www.ohds.org/

HACIENDA SCHOOL Open House NOVEMBER 16, 2016 @ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 3800 Stoneridge Dr. http://www.headsup.org/ hacienda-school/

PARK DAY SCHOOL Kindergarten Open House NOVEMBER 13, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Lower School Open House DECEMBER 11, 2016 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Middle School Open House DECEMBER 11, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 360 42nd Street 510-6530317 http://www.parkdayschool.org/

BEREAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL New Student Preview Day NOVEMBER 4, 2016 @ 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Open House NOVEMBER 5, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 245 El Divisadero Ave. 925-945-6464 http:// www.bereaneagles.org

REDWOOD DAY SCHOOL Children’s Open House NOVEMBER 19, 2016 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Lower School Open House DECEMBER 3, 2016 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Middle School Open House DECEMBER 3, 2016 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 3245 Sheffield Avenue. 510-534-0800 http:// www.rdschool.org ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Lower School K-5 Open House NOVEMBER 12, 2016 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Middle School 6-8 Open House @ 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM 116 Montecito Ave. Please register 510-285-9627 http://www.spes.org/

PLEASANTON

WALNUT CREEK

THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL Evening with the Educators DECEMBER 1, 2016 @ 6:30 PM 975 North San Carlos Drive. 925-933-0666 http://www.sevenhillsschool.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

5 | Saturday Holiday Art & Craft Fair—Castro Valley Shop for local, handmade, one-ofa-kind items at affordable prices!

Ceramic bowls, mugs, vases and decor; garden art; hand-sewn items; jewelry; wood crafts; knitted and crocheted items; unique gift items and more!

9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. All ages. Kenneth C. Aitken Senior & Community Center, 17800 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. 510-881-6778

Kids Night Out—Berkeley Brushstrokes Studio invites busy parents to drop off their kids for paint and pizza while they go enjoy a date night. The $32 fee includes a meal and drink as well as a $16 piece of pottery to paint and take home.

Call and reserve a spot. Repeats the first Saturday of each month.

6–8:30 p.m. $30 per child. School-age children. Brushstrokes Studio Inc., 745 Page St., Berkeley. 510-528-1360, www.brushstrokestudio.com

Patchwork Show: Modern Makers Festival—Oakland This fabulous, free, family-friendly event showcases local emerging artists, crafters and designers alongside artisan food, DIY craft workshops, gourmet food trucks

and music. Featuring clothing, accessories, jewelry, garden finds, home goods, pet gear and more!

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

Craft Fest—Walnut Creek The Bedford Gallery in the Lesher Center hosts this weekend-long craft extravaganza. This is the place to find truly unique and handmade items for the folks on the holiday list.

Repeats November 6.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. All ages.

Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-295-1417, www. bedfordgallery.org

6 | Sunday Cuban Rumba Jam: Play, Sing, Dance & Enjoy— Berkeley Come enjoy the Afro-Cuban folkloric drums, dances and songs of rumba—a group of related, community-oriented music and dance styles in Cuba.

3:30–6 p.m. Free. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. lapena.org

Family Acro-Jam— Emeryville The whole family can participate in

$5 First Friday at Chabot—Oakland warm-up activities and games while doing acrobatic yoga dancing. Super fun fitness for everyone.

4:30–6 p.m. $20 adults, kids free.

Ages 4 and up with adult. Athletic Playground, 4770 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville. 510-355-1626, www. athleticplayground.com

for hours of indoor bouncing fun. For kids walking up to 6 years.

7 | Monday

9 | Wednesday

Munchkin Mondays— Concord

Toddler Kindergym— Oakland

Energetic toddlers can jump for one hour or longer. Sky High Sports features dozens of large trampolines

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

11 a.m.–1 p.m. $6 per child, per hour. Not valid on holidays. Sky High Sports, 1631 Challenge Drive, Concord. 925-682-5867, www.con. jumpskyhigh.com

PRESCHOOLS

Color Me Children Preschool & Kindergarten

Preschool

#013411559

Hands-on learning in a small, group environment 12–14 children ages 3 – 5 years

#013412517

“A Place Where Learning is FUN-DA-MENTAL” Ages 2 Yrs.– Kindergarten

The Creative Play Center’s program provides a rich, nurturing environment in which creative play and learning takes place.

• 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday • Challenging Academics • Large Outside Play Area

Preschool is 9 am until 1 pm - (extended hours available)

Applications are currently being being accepted

• Full-time & Part-time Rates • Small Classes • Computers

NOW ENROLLING FOR KINDERGARTEN

(510) 524-9399

www.CreativePlayCenterAlbany.com

2

1151 Portland Ave., Albany, CA 94706

s… ion 8115 Fontaine St., Oakland, CA 94605 • (510) 430-1322

at loc

1141 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94702 • (510) 548-6423

Lic. #010204748

Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten One of Berkeley’s Best Loved Preschools 2’s program, Nursery School and Transitional Kindergarten

Opening in the Nursery School – call now Ages 2 through 6 Lic # 010209297

Gold - Best Childcare Gold - Best Independent Preschool

499 Spruce Street, Berkeley 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

TK Open House Saturday, November 5th 10am-12pm Children Welcome!

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 19

welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

12–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri. $12 per person.

Weekend pass (5 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday): $15/person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekonice.com

COURTESY LINDSEY MUSEUM

Rockin’ Kids SingAlong—Berkeley

Nov., 14, Thankful for Wildlife—Walnut Creek event repeats several times a week; check the website for details.

10–11 a.m. $12 first visit, $132 for program sign-up. Ages 1–3.

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

10 | Thursday

hosts several open bounce times throughout the week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Socks required!

3–7 p.m. $30 for pizza and bounce for 4. $10 each child for two-hour bounce only. All ages.

Bouncefarm, 280 Arthur Road, Ste. A, Martinez. 925-228-2028, www. bouncefarmfun.com

Open Bounce Family Night—Martinez

11 | Friday

Family night at Bouncefarm means two kids and two adults can spend $30 and get two hours of bouncing and a pizza! Reservations are suggested. There is a separate area for small toddlers. Bouncefarm also

Walnut Creek on Ice— Walnut Creek From now until Jan. 16, 2017, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park! Anyone able to skate is

Kids of all ages can rock out in several different languages and with a variety of instruments. They’ll love the songs, which teach about colors, shapes and more. Five weekly sessions, but drop-ins are OK. 10:30–11:30 a.m. $10–20 per family. All ages. La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-849-2568, www. rockinkidssingalong.com

Open Studio Time— Oakland MOCHA hosts this drop-in art and creativity time for young children to explore art materials they might not have at home.

This activity repeats weekly, Thurs., Fri., Sat.10 a.m.–1 p.m. $7 per person. Ages 18 mos.–6 years.

Museum of Children’s Arts, 1625 Clay St., Oakland. 510-465-8770, www.mocha.org

Tri-Valley Children & Maternity Sales Event— Livermore At this seasonal, pop-up children’s

marketplace, you can buy and sell everything you need for your growing family. Shoppers save, on average, 50–90 percent off retail prices!

9 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. All ages. The Barn, 3131 Pacific Ave., Livermore. www.pleasanton.jbfsale.com

12 | Saturday Veterans Day Weekend— El Cerrito Military I.D. gets a discount on admission this weekend, so come to Playland-Not-at-the-Beach on Saturday and Sunday! Stay and enjoy magic shows and unlimited arcade games. Win tickets to exchange for prizes.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 youth and seniors.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-5923002, www.playland-not-at-thebeach.org

Kids Lantern Festival— Albany Celebrate Martinmas with Kinderstube. Children will perform on stage, and all are encouraged to do the lantern walk. Lanterns available for purchase, or bring one from home.

Mulled wine, beer and sausages will be for sale, and raffle tickets for great prizes are available too.

4–7 p.m. $2 family donation. All ages. Bay Area Kinderstube, 842 Key Route, Albany. 510-990-1609, www. kinderstube.org

SCHOOLS Enrolling Now!

Open House Events • November 16th 10am-12pm • December 7th 10am-12pm

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

– Inspired, Gifted and Talented –

MESA

Montessori Elementary School of Alameda

The International School For All • Small Class Size • Soccer • Mixed Age Groups • Ukelele • Community Involvement

At MESA - Montessori is mind-changing education!

Lic#013420948

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

510.521.0595

montessorielementaryalameda@gmail.com

20 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

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

Golden Age of Pinball Exposition—Alameda The Pacific Pinball Museum presents the largest collection of working pinball machines from the 1930s to the present day with this year’s ”Shoot The Moon” Pacific Pinball Expo, honoring the golden age of pinball. Housed in our new storage facility at Alameda Point, this is our biggest show yet! This three-day pinball extravaganza will add up to an amazing experience that is fun for the whole family. Repeats Sunday.

10 a.m.–10 p.m. $45/day per adult, $30/day children 12 and under.

Discounts for advance purchase.

All ages. Alameda Point, 1680 Viking Street, Alameda. www. pacificpinball.org

Pooh Happens—El Cerrito

4:30–7:30 p.m. $59 per person. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www. jacklondonsquare.com

Thankful for Wildlife— Walnut Creek Let your kids guide their own discovery of the natural world.

Designed for children ages 2–5 to play and learn, along with an adult caregiver. Observe special demonstrations and hands-on presentations with our animal ambassadors.

10 a.m.–12 p.m. –$10 for members, $20 for non-members, $6 additional siblings ages 2+. Lindsay Wildlife

Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www. lindsaywildlife.org

15 | Tuesday Free Meals for Kids— Oakland Children’s Empowerment sponsors this free meal program. Anyone under 18 will receive free meals, no questions asked. Supplies are limited; first come, first served.

Many branches of the Oakland Public Library offer this program several days a week, most afternoons. Check the nearest library for the time and dates.

Nov., 13,Golden Age of Pinball Exposition— Alameda

SCHOOLS

Silly Old Bear. Come and do a scavenger hunt through the Hundred Acre Wood to find Winnie-the-Pooh and friends, and win prizes. Stay and enjoy magic shows and unlimited arcade games. Win tickets to exchange for prizes.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 youth and seniors.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-5923002, www.playland-not-at-thebeach.org

beyond the expected

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.com

13 | Sunday Golden Age of Pinball Exposition—Alameda The Pacific Pinball Museum presents the largest collection of working pinball machines from the 1930s to the present day with this year’s ”Shoot The Moon” Pacific Pinball Expo, honoring the golden age of pinball. Housed in our new storage facility at Alameda Point, this is our biggest show yet! This three-day pinball extravaganza will add up to an amazing experience that is fun for the whole family.

10 a.m.–10 p.m. $45/day per adult, $30/day children 12 and under. Discounts for advance purchase. All ages. Alameda Point, 1680 Viking Street, Alameda. www.pacificpinball. org

14 | Monday Super Moon Kayak Paddle—Oakland Enjoy an evening of moonlight paddling on the Oakland estuary, and experience the calm waters and city lights on this leisure sunset adventure. This full moon will showcase the moon at its closest point to Earth thus far in the 21st century; it won’t come this close again until 2034!

The Renaissance International School A Unique Middle School Experience Tri-lingual Immersion . Music . Fine Arts . Academics Age 2yrs ~ Middle

www.therenaissanceschool.org/parentspress.php lic# 010214382 Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Blvd. • Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Ave. To schedule a tour: 510.531.8566 or info@therenaissanceschool.org

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 21

3:30–4:30 p.m. Free. 18 and under.

Eastmont Library, 7200 Bancroft, Ste. 211, Oakland. 510-615-5725, www.oaklandlibrary.org

5–9 p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free, adults $7.50. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510-318-8400,‎ www. museumca.org

16 | Wednesday

19 | Saturday

Dance With Me— Berkeley Shawl-Anderson Dance Center’s Dance with Me class is for walkers through age 4 and their caretakers.

Children and adults will dance, sing, play movement games and enjoy props for this fun-filled, 45-minute class, which repeats every Wednesday.

9–10 a.m. $16 per child. Ages walking to 4 years. ShawlAnderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. 510-6545921, www.shawl-anderson.org

17 | 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

Moms’ Night Out— Berkeley On the third Thursday of each month, Brushstrokes Studio offers extended hours—perfect for parents to have

College Readiness Basics, Cal State East Bay— Hayward

Nov., 18, Zoovie Night—Oakland

a little “me time” and a creative outlet. This is ideal for a book club or parenting support group to meet and enjoy. Please make a reservation.

8–10 p.m. $15–40. Adults.

Brushstrokes Studio Inc., 745 Page St., Berkeley. 510-528-1360, www. brushstrokestudio.com

animals that call the zoo their home.

Hot cocoa and popcorn are provided, but bringing a picnic basket is encouraged as well.

6:30–9:30 p.m. $7/person. All ages.

Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. 510-632-9525, www. oaklandzoo.org

18 | Friday Zoovie Night—Oakland

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California— Oakland

Pillows, blankets and jammies encouraged as families get cozy in the Zimmer Auditorium to see Ice Age 5: Collision Course. Zoo mascot Roosevelt the Alligator will introduce moviegoers to some nocturnal

Join OMCA and Off the Grid in November for DJs, live bands, dancing, gourmet food trucks and more. There will be a family drop-in activity related to one of the exhibits.

This event repeats each Friday night.

This two-hour community workshop, Train the Trainers: College Readiness Basics, provides an overview of high school graduation and college readiness requirements for entry into the CSU system. Students and their families will learn strategies to support success in graduation completion and submitting the CSU college application online.

10 a.m–12 p.m. Free. High schoolers and parents. Palma Ceia Baptist Church, Bennett Hall, 28605 Ruus Road, Hayward. 510-885-2310, csueastbay.edu

Free Friday Lindsay Wildlife—Walnut Creek The third Friday of each month at Lindsay Wildlife Museum is free to all. All ages will have 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

SCHOOLS

MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL

Berkeley’s Independent College Preparatory High School

Mini Open House December 8 9:30am

2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 22 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

Oakland Zoo—Zoo Kids: Harvesters & Hibernators—Oakland Harvesters & Hibernators: Winter is coming next month. Did you know some animals sleep during the winter when it is very cold, while others still hunt and forage for food?

Learn how different animals prepare for winter. ZooKids is a series of weekend classes for children ages 4–5. Each class includes touring part of the zoo, making a craft, meeting small animals up close and a snack. ZooKids is a great way for our younger visitors to connect with wildlife.

9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. $23. Preschoolers.

Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. 510-632-9525 x141, www.oaklandzoo.org

program sign-up. Ages 1–3.

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

hours making cards with provided materials. This is a great way to teach kids to give back and think of others. Please request a volunteer application ahead of time by emailing info@litaofcontracosta.org.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Free. Ages 5 and up. 1 Plaza Del Hombre, Port Costa. www. litaofcontracosta.org

24 | Thursday— Thanksgiving Make Cards for Seniors—Port Costa

25 | Friday

Each year on Thanksgiving and the Friday after, families come from all over Contra Costa County to volunteer to make cards for seniors living in nursing homes in the Bay Area. Plan to spend two

Holiday in the Park— Vallejo Beginning this weekend and continuing until January 3, Six

Flags will celebrate the holidays with snow and sledding, Santa and special holiday-themed shows.

12–9 p.m. Tickets start at $53.99. All ages. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo.

707-644-4000, www.sixflags.com

Candle Lit Labyrinth Walk & Live Music— Berkeley Walk the free labyrinth at Grace North Church in Berkeley, with 97 candles lighting the path, while listening to music. The Winding Way musicians, an acoustic musical group, will play songs from many

SCHOOLS

Great Dickens Christmas Faire—San Francisco It’s opening day of the 2016 Charles Dickens Christmas Faire. Held at the Cow Palace, this event features crafts, music, bawdy adult shows, kids’ art projects and shows, Santa, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Victorian parlor dancing at Fezziwig’s. Food and drink galore, too! Repeats weekends through December 18.

10 a.m.–6 p.m. $12 ages 5–12, $25 ages 13 and up. Kids under 5 are free. .800-510-1558, www. dickensfaire.com

Beyond the Expected

21 | Monday Baby Brigade—Oakland Finally, a theater where babies are allowed to cry. Baby Brigade shows are recommended for parents with babies 1 and under. Movies are usually rated PG-13 or R, and kids 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 babies as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

Early evenings on Thursdays, and midday showings on Saturdays. $8 per parent. The New Parkway, 474 24th St., Oakland. 510-658-7900, www.the new parkway.com

22 | Tuesday 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

23 | 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.

10–11 a.m. $12 first visit, $132 for

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November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 23

world religions that inspire inner peace and hope while guests sit and listen, or walk.

6–7 p.m. Free. All ages. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St., Berkeley.

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

Tours 8:30am 12/1 and 1:15pm 1/10 * Information Night 6:30pm 11/9 and 1/12

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

Sign Up

Thanksgiving Weekend— El Cerrito Spend Black Friday playing pinball and winning prizes instead of in a hectic store. Stay and enjoy magic shows and unlimited arcade games, and win tickets to exchange for prizes.

10 a.m.–5 p.m. $15/general admission, $10/youth and seniors.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-5923002, www.playland-not-at-thebeach.org

Open Studios—Berkeley

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View a unique array of fine art and artisan craft. All work is handcrafted, and many pieces are one of a kind.

This self-guided tour presents a

unique opportunity to meet the artists, buy original and creative gifts, and see working craft studios.

The art walk gives viewers a glimpse into the creative process, along with the opportunity to sign up for classes and workshops.

Repeats Sunday.

Free. All ages. Visit website to download maps of studios. www. berkeleyartisans.com

Sno-vember—Treasure Island The Treasure Island Flea Market is at it again! This monthly collection of artists, collectors and designers is the largest in northern California.

Enjoy food trucks, local musicians and a full bar. All weekend long.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3 per person, kids 12 and under free. All ages. Treasure Island, Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco. www.treasureislandflea. com

27 | Sunday Great Dickens Christmas Faire—San Francisco Visit the 2016 Charles Dickens

KINDERGARTEN – 8TH GRADE

GROW INTO GREAT

Open Houses October 22 Open Houses November 19 (K-2) – 9:00-10:30 am Lower School (K–5) from 9:30–11:30 a.m.

December 3 (K-5) – 9:30–11:30 am Middle School (6–8) from 1:00–3:00 p.m.

December 3 (6-8) – 1:00–3:00 pm

Tuition-Free French Language Immersion Tuition-Free French Tuition-Free French in Oakland Language Immersion Immersion Language

in Oakland Enroll TK-4now! now!

Enrollgrades grades TK-4 in Oakland

Enroll grades TK-4 now!

COME CHECK US OUT! Join Us For A School Tour INFORMATION MEETINGS & TOURS: See Schedule at INFORMATION MEETINGS & TOURS: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 - 10:30am-Noon www.FrancophoneSchool.org Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 - 6-7:30pm

510.534.0800

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 - 10:30am-Noon Sunday, 10, 2016 - 1:30-3pm 9736Jan. Lawlor St, Oakland Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 - 6-7:30pm Saturday, Feb. 2016 - 10:30am-Noon 510-394-4110 |6,FrancophoneSchool.org Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 - 1:30-3pm Saturday,9736 Feb.Lawlor 6, 2016 10:30am-Noon St, -Oakland

rdschool.org

510-394-4110 | FrancophoneSchool.org

9736 Kindergarten Lawlor St, Oakland 510-394-4110 | FrancophoneSchool.org

Discover why families have been returning for generations.

Information Night 11.17.2016 6:30–8 pm

Information Meeting for Grades 1 - 3

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE

11.18.2016 9–10:30 am

Spanish, Art, Music and P.E. Multimedia Computer Lab • Event Center/Gym Science Lab • Music Room Applications available at Information Meeting Small Group Tours beginning November 28 INFORMATION NIGHTS • Dec 1, 2016 and Jan 11, 2017 • 7PM OPEN HOUSE • Jan 29, 2017 • 10:15 AM – 12: 15 PM TUESDAY TOURS • Please call to schedule a tour

Please contact Karen at 510-457-1488 to schedule a small group tour

1335 High Street, Alameda, CA 94501 • 510-521-0787 • school.spnalameda.org

Saint Theresa School

24 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

4850 Clarewood Drive • Oakland

www.sttheresaschool.org

W

ith the average person consuming over 4,000 calories on Thanksgiving Day make a part of your holiday tradition a nice little run to start the day. More running races are held on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year.

So lace up and start a new family tradition with our rundown of Bay Area Turkey Trots. Please check websites for registration and current pricing information.

contest. The event takes place in beautiful Downtown Walnut Creek and goes through a flat terrain of neighborhoods, businesses, and part of the Iron Horse Trail.

Novato

San Jose

Entry Fee: Youth $28+, Adult $50+

Pinole

Start Thanksgiving Day off own the right foot at the Applied Materials “Silicon Valley Turkey Trot”. Before the big games, the big meal, the parades and the pies, why not get in a little exercise with a few thousand neighbors? It’s an event the whole family will enjoy! Many have made the “run” or “walk” a Thanksgiving Day tradition.

Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving 5K, 10K Run • www.brazenracing.com Entry Fee: 5K & 10K $44-$49

Choose between a 5K and 10K, as well as the Little Turkeys Race: a run for the kids (roughly 100 yards) against the Nitro Turkey. Children (10 and under) attending with 5K/10K runners will receive free entry into Little Turkeys and receive special medals and a goodie bag.

Piedmont Piedmont Turkey Trot 5K www.Raceroster.com Entry Fee: 5K Adult (13+) $35-$45 5K Youth (12 and under) $25-$35

The fun begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Piedmont Exedra located at Highland and Magnolia Avenues. Over the past 14 years, the Piedmont Turkey Trot has grown to be a treasured event for many families, friends and neighbors. Run to win or walk to enjoy the brisk morning air and good cheer. And all those finishing the 5K course will have bragging rights at their Thanksgiving table that evening! The Piedmont Turkey Trot is a nonprofit organization supporting local charities and organizations.

Come kick off a great Thanksgiving with an Invigorating fun run or walk in the park--before the parades, football games, and feasting commence!

The Marin Turkey Trot 1 mile, 5K, 10K, Gobble Wobble www.marinturkeytrot.com

Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Runs, 10K Wheelchair, 5K Elite www.svturkeytrot.com

Allow yourself some guilt-free indulgence this Thanksgiving Day by spending the morning burning off the calories you will replace later with pumpkin pie!

Entry Fee: All adult races: $44 and up; Kids Fun Run: $12-$69

The Youth Gobbler 1 Mile and Turkey Trot 5K are run cross-country style on the trails of Marin’s Open Space. The Pilgrim 10K is a road out and back through the beautiful IVC campus and along Ignacio Blvd.

There are several events to choose from within the 5K and 10K runs and walks, along with a kid’s fun run. Elite runners, joggers, and walkers will enjoy the downtown San Jose course, which is flat, fast and flows through downtown neighborhoods and business areas.

Napa Napa Valley Turkey Chase, 5K, 10K, Kids 100m Dash www.napaturkeychase.com Entry Fee: Youth, 17 and under: $30, Adults $35.

Napa’s only Thanksgiving Day 5K/10K with more than 1,300 participants who work up an appetite for Thanksgiving Dinner.

San Francisco

Almaden Valley’s Run Turkey Run, 5K, 10K • www.Runsignup.com

San Francisco Turkey Trot, 3 miles, 5 miles, 100m dash www.sanfranciscoturkeytrot. com/2016

Entry Fee: Kids 12 and under $22+, Adults $27+

Entry Fee: $38

San Jose

San Francisco Thanksgiving Day 5K, Kids Dash – www.Imathlete.com Entry Fee: Adults $35

Earn your day’s indulgence at the Thanksgiving Day 5K San Francisco! Join family, friends and your community Thanksgiving morning for a quick run, jog or walk along the Embarcadero and under the Bay Bridge. More than just a healthy start to the holiday, the Thanksgiving Day 5K is a fun way to give back while you give thanks. This is a Gun Start / Family Fun run so bring all your friends and family!

Mountain View Spartan Turkey Trot, 5K, Kids Run, 1 Mile • wwww.Mvhsturkeytrot. shutterfly.com Entry Fee: Adults $25, Youth, 5-17, $15, Children under 5 $10

Welcome to the 7th Annual Mountain View High School Spartan Turkey Trot. Proceeds to benefit MVHS Sports Boosters to support student Athletes.

Participate in the Bret Harte Booster Club’s 2016 Run Turkey Run 5K/10K and start your Thanksgiving off on the right foot! This fun family run starts and ends at Leland High School in scenic Almaden Valley, San Jose. Both the 5K and 10K courses are run on level terrain on the paved trails along the Alamitos Creek and the Open Space area.

Corte Madera

Walnut Creek Forma Gym Turkey Trot, 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Runs www.Formaturkeytrot.com Entry Fee: Kids Run $17, 5K/10K for 17 and under, $28; 5K/10K for 18 and over, $43.

The Forma Gym Turkey Trot is an event the entire family can enjoy. There are several races to choose from including Kids Fun Runs, 10K and 5K runs, and festival areas with costume

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, 5K www.cortemadera100.com Entry Fee: Free

This fun 5K Family-Friendly “run, walk, scoot, or bike” Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot is for all ages. Everyone is invited and it’s FREE! Treats and beverages will be provided at the finish line.

SCHOOLS

A distinguished independent school for preschool through 8th grade Solid Academic Foundation

Hands-On Learning

Character Development From the Preschool sandbox to the Middle School science lab, from the Kindergarten storybook to the 8th grade research paper, Seven Hills students arrive with a sense of wonder and graduate with a sense of possibility.

Our graduates are problem-finders and problemsolvers, connectors and contributors, and agents in their own learning. They go on to high school and college careers of depth and meaning, and lives of purpose and fullfillment.

Visit our website and sign up for a tour.

WWW.SEVENHILLSSCHOOL.ORG | 925-933-0666 975 N. SAN CARLOS DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK At the edge of Heather Farm Park

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 25

granD lakE moNtessOri eLemenTary Sign up online for a tour today!

littles. Each Monday and Friday.

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

Christmas Faire. Held at the Cow Palace, this event features crafts, music, bawdy adult shows, kids’ art projects and shows, Santa, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Victorian parlor dancing at Fezziwig’s. Food and drink galore, too! Repeats weekends through December 18.

10 a.m.–6 p.m. $12 ages 5–12, $25 ages 13 and up. Kids under 5 are free. 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City.

800-510-1558, www.dickensfaire. com

30 | Wednesday Make and Mingle (Grown-Ups Only)— Berkeley

28 | Monday

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

Drop-in Open Play— Alameda

wWw.GrandLakemOntessoRi.coM

Run, jump, bounce, dance, play and more in any sort of weather in this indoor play space for the littlest of

The last Wednesday of the month is a night when grown-ups can get their art on. This month, participants will make a pendant from wine corks, enjoy snacks and libations, and have an opportunity to chitchat with other adults. Please make a reservation.

Check website for times. $25 per person. Adults only. Sticky Art Lab, 1682 University Ave., Berkeley. www.stickyartlab.com

OPEN HOUSE: NOV. 12 I OPEN CLASSROOMS: NOV. 17 WWW.GISSV.ORG

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Scie

nce

Music Art Technolo y Sports s g Field T gram rips International Exchange Pro

LEARNING IN GERMAN AND ENGLISH The German International School of Silicon Valley offers high-quality programs that foster critical and imaginative thinking, academic excellence and an appreciation for cultural diversity.

Berkeley Campus in the Hillside School in the Berkeley Hills 1581 Le Roy Avenue Preschool - Grade 9 (one grade being added per year)

MoUNTaiN ViEW • bErKELEY • saN FraNcisco

Challenging Minds, Nurturing Spirits, Together

K-8 Excellence Since 1956

IDE TO REGIONAL GU

OOLS PRIVATE SC01H7 2016/2

Your Child ht School for Finding the Rig lishers of From the pub

The New Guide Is Out

2016/2017 East Bay Guide to

Private Schools Pick up a printed copy or download your digital copy today! http://www.SchoolsEastBay.com Presented by Parents’ Press

JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE Nov 1, Dec 6, Jan 3 & Feb 7, 8:15 to 10 a.m.

SPECIAL INFO SESSION: Nov 5, 9 to 11 a.m.

1 Estates Drive, Piedmont | 510.530.4056 x200

officesecretary@corpuschristischool.com corpuschristischool.com

26 Parents’ Press | East Bay | November 2016

PHOTO BY RAYMOND VAN TASSEL; COURTESY OF DICKENS FAIRE

Today’s fearless learners, tomorrow’s compassionate leaders.

Nov. 27, Great Dickens Christmas Faire—San Francisco

St. Paul’s is an independent K-8 day school steps north of Lake Merritt.

Tours weekly Open House, November 12, 2016 Tours weekly • Open House, October 15, 2016 510-285-9617 • www.spes.org - Preschool - 8th Grade - French Bilingual Program - International Community - Challenging & Creative Curriculum

ENROLLMENT SEASON OPENS SOON!

Children for 2017-16 school year Schedule your visit email: mjohnson@eb.org Call 510-549-3867 or visit www.eb.org

Sign Up

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CLASSIFIEDS ➤ CLASSES/LESSONS MUSIC Best Violin lessons Professional concert violinist. Experienced and enthusiastic. All levels. North Berkeley studio.

Call Donna at (510) 524-5203. $10 introductory lesson.

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.

➤ FAMILY TRANSPORTATION GOING TO THE AIRPORT AND NEED A CAR SEAT? We provide the right car seat for the safety of your child. Taxi rates. 415-305-0819. americanalimo@yahoo.com

➤ PARTIES

Santa, Easter Bunny and lots more! Your child’s favorite character. 650-574-3568. www.allstarshowgrams.com

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: 510-823-3923. www. furscalesandtails.com Please check out our great Yelp reviews.

➤ SERVICES

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

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)521-9600, 925-736-9600. www.impeccableinteriors.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,

➤ TUTORING / EDUCATION

Have Room In Your Heart?

And your home for one more child? Grow your family by Fostering/Adopting a waiting child.

All ages. No fees. A Better Way. 510-601-0203 x305. www.abetterwayinc.net

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 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.

➤ EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Work From Home Part-Time Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy looking for creative, reliable independent contractor with passion for administration.

20 hours / week. $20-23/hr DOE. Help at Alameda office 1x/week. Email resume info@ wisdomofthewhole.com Want a Classified Ad? email classifieds@parentspress.com

November 2016 | East Bay | Parents’ Press 27

Ready. Set. Enroll.

Learn how a Stratford education prepares your child to be a creative problem-solver, innovator, and leader!

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Schedule a tour today!

StratfordSchools.com/tours

The curiosity to reach. The courage to grasp.

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PRESCHOOL - 8TH

Our fun, STEAM-infused curriculum (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) is enhanced with music, foreign language, and physical education. Stratford School is the perfect balance…where tradition meets 21st century learning.

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Now Enrolling

Join us for a Tour

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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.

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