Family Spotlight a
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February 2012
Defining dads A look at modern fathers in Los Altos
Also inside: • Cooking with kids • Family travel • Entertainment options for all A Los Altos Town Crier Publication
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Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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family spotlight m
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Defining dads
Local dads aren’t always comfortable talking about their feelings – or their roles as fathers – but many of them savor spending as much time as possible with their children. Page 5
Cooking with kids Megan Kempston shares a recipe for making sandwich cookies, a favorite among many youngsters. Page 13
Family travel Columnist Courtenay C. Corrigan discusses her adventurous family, and offers tips on what to take on vacation. Page 15
Upcoming events The area abounds with entertainment for the entire family, including Foothill Music Theatre’s “All Shook Up.” Page 18
Los Altos Town Crier 138 Main St., Los Altos, CA 94022
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Grace Acosta
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Upcoming Magazines Living in Los Altos
Love and marriage Columnist Grace Acosta writes about love, marriage and the hyphenated compromise in her “No Shoes, Please” column. Page 22
Money management Experts recommend that lessons on managing money should start at home and at a young age. Page 30 Page 4 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Publishes: March 28
Home & Garden Publishes: April 25
Los Altos Art & Wine Publishes: July 4 Circulation 16,500. Mailed directly to households in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and select areas of Mountain View. Hundreds of subscribers receive the Town Crier in neighboring communities as well as out-of-state. The Town Crier can be purchased at newsstands in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, and Palo Alto. Cover photo by Elliott Burr/Town Crier © Los Altos Town Crier Company Inc. 2012. All Rights Reserved.
parenting
Defining dads in Los Altos They prepare meals, drive carpools – they just don’t want to talk about it
By Eliza Ridgeway
Staff Writer/elizar@latc.com
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s an investigator into the world of Los Altos fathers, this reporter observed an array of tribal signals: baseball caps, loafers sans socks, plaid shirts, business suits, fleece and sporty blazers. But old or young, buttoned-down or laid back, all seemed united by an allegiance to a guy code of reticence when asked to define their dad roles. Approximately 150 local dads gathered at Los Altos United Methodist Church Jan. 25 to hear Family Resource Center-sponsored author John Badalament speak on Continued on Page 6
Elliott burr/town crier
Kevin Beedon plays with son Noah, 6, and daughter Emma, 4, outside their Mountain View home.
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Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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parenting Continued from Page 5 fatherhood. Part revival meeting, part encounter group, the event faced a notable challenge: the subject was important enough to get men in the seats, but they didn’t want to stand up and testify, particularly not about their feelings. That taboo territory – masculinity, feelings, the forbidden word: “relationship” – to some extent sums up the state of the modern dad, judging from the reactions Badalament sparked last month. “How the heck do you be it all – a dad, a friend, just a dude?” said Mountain View resident Kevin Beedon in an interview after the event. Beedon perceives a generational change from his happy childhood in a traditional Midwestern family that goes far beyond gender roles. “The world we live in, my parents just don’t understand it,” he continued. “Corporate America – the layoffs, transitions, constant change, and stress of managing a family in this environment. There’re always at least five things at the top of your mind: job, kids, wife, mortgage and summer camp enrollment. You feel you’re behind and summer camp’s still four months away. Oh, my God, I missed the boat – does that make me a bad parent?” Los Altos resident Brian Jones was so busy with dad duties that he couldn’t make Badalament’s talk. He was taking his children to their school’s science-fair meeting. “We are so tightly scheduled between work, kids’ activ-
Page 6 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Elliott burr/town crier
Ernest Hui works on a puzzle with daughters Karina, left, and Sarah.
parenting ities and keeping the house running, that time spent talking about being a dad cuts straight into exercise time, time with friends and even time actually being a dad,” he said. Jones noted that parenting is viewed as a particularly cooperative role – often between parents with equal career ambitions – and expectations for a father’s role include an expanded definition of “provider.” “one of the good things to come out of this change is that i feel much more connected to my kids’ routine and day-to-day life and struggles than i felt my dad was to mine,” he said. Beedon uses family rituals like an annual “mancation” retreat with his children and a group of other dad-child pairs to bond away from the pressures of the daily routine. He’s also active in Los Altos Methodist Church’s Children’s Center, as is Ernest Hui, who describes that community as a source of advice and solidarity. Hui puts into practice Badalament’s argument that being a father isn’t something you are, it’s something you do. He’s been dropping off his three daughters at various daytime activities for the past seven years and considers himself almost “one of the moms” – that is, among the involved parents. “i’m not sure i’m a typical dad,” Hui said. “i’ve done a lot of the pickups and drop-offs. There were a couple of other dads who did that and you gravitate toward each other,” Continued on Page 8
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parenting Continued from Page 7 Working from home as a consultant allows him to spend afternoon hours with his daughters (ages 7, 5 and 2), doing homework, shooting hoops and cooking dinner. “I made a conscious decision,” he said. “My dad had me when he was in medical school. Growing up, things were really lean – he’d come home between shifts and hold us and go back to work. We want our kids to know they come first, work comes later.” Badalament encourages dads to think about their own upbringings and which parts of their past Elliott burr/town crier they want to build on in new Kevin Beedon feeds dry cereal to his children, Emma and Noah. Beedon is ways. Beedon tried Badalament’s active in Los Altos Methodist Church’s Children’s Center. suggestion that he ask his children – son Noah, 6, and daughter Emma, 4 – for their assessment of how he’s doing as a dad. and bedtime management the week mom was on a busi “It’s amazing the responses you get,” Beedon said. ness trip. “Noah was funny. He was like, ‘Dad, you need to listen a “Their little world is different,” Beedon said. “A lot of little more. You do yell a bit every now and then.’” Continued on Page 10 Despite the mild critique, he got a thumbs-up for snack
Page 8 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
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parenting Continued from Page 8 parents assume they know what’s best for their child, but I have no idea. Asking questions helps us understand our children’s wishes and desires, instead of us just assuming that our expectations for them will make them happy.” John Yen invited Badalament to speak in Los Altos and said in an interview that making time to talk parenting with other dads was a priority for him – but hard to fit in. He also feels a sense of time pressure to connect with his children, and actively participates in shaping their values, while they are still young. The local father of two has a ritual of visiting a Sunday morning farmers’ market with his son, 7, and daughter, 5. “It’s a great opportunity to see friends and also for the kids to take responsibility for their food,” Yen said. “We give the kids part of the shopping list and some cash, and they take care of buying part of the week’s groceries on their own. As parents, we generally underestimate what our kids can do on their own.” Badalament proposes an “Oprah test” for measuring your parent-child relationship: If Oprah Winfrey interviewed your son or daughter about you, what would your child say? Based on that, what’s something you’d like to try to work on as a parent? “You’ve got to make yourself important,” he told local dads. “We fall for this myth that we don’t matter, Continued on Page 12
Page 10 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Town Crier file photo
Playing sports with their children is just one of the many duties of modern-day dads.
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parenting Continued from Page 10 especially when they’re teenagers. We’re the most important man in their lives.” Yen added, “I feel like there’s a window of opportunity to connect with my kids and influence their values. My goal as a father is that when the kids leave the nest, they say that they don’t need me anymore but want to be with me.” That’s something Hui strives for as well. “It’s an opportunity for them not to just love you because you’re their father – the relationship is key,” he said. “I want to have something we can Elliott burr/town crier fall back on, shared experienc- Mountain View resident Ernest Hui prepares dinner – Mandarin pork chops es.” – with help from his daughters, from left, Sarah, Aurora and Karina. Hui envisions having a oneon-one dinner with a teenage daughter and not having it For an expanded version of Badalament’s take on crash and burn in adolescent awkwardness. fatherhood, read his book, “The Modern Dads Dilem “Right now, the kids want me to walk them to their ma: How to Stay Connected with Your Kids in a Rapidly classrooms. Why waste that opportunity?” he said. “I Changing World” (New World Library, 2010). John Yen has started tweeting on the subject (@21dads). ❖ want to build a foundation now, so it’s not weird then.”
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cooking
Cooking with kids
Sandwich cookies are double the fun By Megan Kempston Special to the Town Crier
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veryone loves sandwich cookies. From fancy French macaroons to the ubiquitous Oreo, sandwich cookies come in all sizes, colors and flavors, making it easy to build the cookie of your dreams – and making them a great choice for a family baking project.
Kids can help mix the cookie dough and drop it on a baking sheet. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, they can sandwich their favorite fillings between the cookies. Then, of course, comes the fun part – eating them. Even better, because sandwich cookies naturally lend themselves to personalization, the chaperones can make their own slightly more sophisticated sandwiches while the kids pig out on chocolate cookies with peanut-butter filling (though those sound delicious for adults, too).
Cary Kempston/Special to the Town Crier
This basic, slightly spiced cookie makes a great base for fillings such as peanut butter, Nutella or jam. Sandwich cookies are all about creativity. You can pretty much use any firm cookie as the base, from shortbread to sugar cookies. Make a basic cookie (like the ones pictured) to go with a variety of fillings, or take it up a Continued on Page 14
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Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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cooking Continued from Page 13 notch with triple-chocolate-chip walnut cookies, if that whets your appetite. if wheat is a problem in your house, search online for a gluten-free cookie recipe that will bake up crisp, such as a peanut-butter and oat cookie. Make the cookies huge and round, or roll out the dough on a clean surface and cut out tiny hearts, flowers and other shapes. when it comes to fillings, there are even more options. Any spread with a reasonably thick consistency will work as a sandwich-cookie filling, from jams (reduced in a small saucepan over low heat if too runny) to Nutella. You can whip up a homemade fruit curd (lemon, lime or mango) with seasonal produce to sandwich between a barely spiced vanilla cookie, or make a chocolate ganache with a hint of chipotle chili powder for the center of cinnamon sandwich cookies. Peanut butter is fine on its own, but you can also make a peanut-butter frosting by adding cream, butter and powdered sugar if you want to amp up your sugar rush. And then there are ice cream sandwiches. when the weather gets a little warmer, use the same firm cookies as bases for any ice cream you fancy picking up at the store or churning at home. Looking for a great activity for a children’s party? Set out three or four varieties of cookies and an array of fillings, and let the kids have fun mixing and matching to their hearts’ content. ❖
Sandwich Cookie Base Adapted from “williams-Sonoma Cookies” (Simon & Schuster, 2002)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg in microwave-safe container, heat butter and sugars in microwave until butter has melted. Pour into large mixing bowl and add egg and vanilla extract. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, then mix well. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes and up to 48 hours. (This prevents overspreading in oven.) Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them approximately 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Flatten slightly for rounder cookies. Bake until cookies are golden brown at edges, approximately 10-12 minutes. Let cool on pans for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to cookie rack to cool completely. once cool, fill with favorite fillings and enjoy. Makes 18-20 cookies for 9-10 sandwich cookies.
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family
The family that stays together, plays together By Courtenay C. Corrigan
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boarding every weekend in the winter and river guiding on the American River every weekend from April to August. So, the invite to party with a bunch of river rats seemed much more attractive than ringing in the New Year with strangers in a bar in the City. Lo and behold, there was my future husband. Had I known, I might have toned down the platinum hair and blue fingernails that were still considered avantgarde, but who would have predicted that I’d meet Mr. Right at 28 below? After a hilarious courtship, we married. We enjoyed a romantic honeymoon in Fiji, drinking champagne, lounging on the beach, snorkeling, diving, drinking Kava with the locals and managing to find just the right balance of activity and relaxation. It was perfect. So perfect, that I cried as we said our
Family Matters
e are an adventurous family. Sometimes we find adventure, sometimes adventure finds us. To travel is to invite the unexpected – whether it be changes in schedules, malfunctioning modes of transportation or the prospect of catastrophe, natural or otherwise. The best of plans may go awry, but the Corrigans stay – and play – together.
I met my husband in the back of a helicopter. I was snowboarding with a girlfriend who had invited me to spend the Millennium New Year’s Eve with her and 23 others in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Although compelling, the lure of snowcatting, heliskiing and snowmobiling wasn’t what got me there. It was that invitation to the Mad River Millennium New Year’s Eve party. At the time, I was running my company in San Francisco – suit and heels, bag lunches at my desk – and having a ball. To maintain my sanity, I went snow-
Continued on Page 16
VENTANA’S INNOVATIVE YOUNG FIVES Ventana School offers a progressive educational experience for children with Fall birthdays who would benefit from an additional year of kindergarten preparation in a play based program. Taking our inspiration from Reggio Emilia, we encourage investigative learning, artistic expression and critical thinking. • Our Young 5’s Program has as its goal to naturally support children’s social-emotional, fine motor, gross motor skills as well as those basic cognitive skills they need to enter kindergarten as capable, confident learners • Class size of 16 with two certified teachers with project based curriculum • Beautiful classroom environments including a garden, music and art studio • Individualized instruction based on the development of the whole child. • Fostering values of inclusiveness, cooperation, and non- competitive learning To find out more about our programs and to arrange for a tour please contact Robin Jurs, Director, at 650-948-2151 x115 or robinjurs@ccla.us. Christ Episcopal Church 1040 Border Road • Los Altos, CA 94024 www.ventanaschool.org Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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family Continued from Page 15 goodbyes to the staff and locals at the small resort. So perfect, that I convinced my new husband to let me buy a very large Kava bowl of our very own. So perfect that as we flew into the morning sunrise en route to LAX, I didn’t notice that the sun was actually on the wrong side of our eastbound flight. The pilot announced over the intercom that he had turned the plane around and we were headed back to Fiji, even though we should have been a couple hours from LAX. His message is etched in my memory: “Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that all the airports in the United States are closed. We have been told we must return to Fiji.” Most passengers reacted with outrage and indignation, and the phrase, ‘What the –– ?” was muttered more than once. We feared the worst, of course, but no one could have imagined the devastation of 9/11. As we cleared customs and collected our bags, we watched the events of that day unfold on CNN. Dumbfounded, we stood in the airport, unable to move. We spent an extra week in Fiji, trying to figure out how to get home. We couldn’t go anywhere without the Fijians asking about us, our families in the U.S., if we needed anything. The world had shrunk exponentially that week, and as far from home as we were, we were surrounded by the love of family. As a result of that experience, all these years later, my
courtesy of Courtenay C. Corrigan
The Corrigan family of Los Altos Hills ventured to Australia in 2008. husband still will not leave the Continental U.S. without our kids. If he can’t find multiple ways to get home in a crisis, he won’t go. Couple that with our wanderlust, his European relatives and my East Coast family, and we have logged more miles than most Samsonites. When we travel with our three boys, we get many compliments on how well they adapt. I have no secret strategies – it’s just that they’ve been hitting the road since they were born. Thankfully, modern gadgets make the going a whole lot smoother. The bottom line is that we know we are going to get there, one way or another.
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Page 16 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
family Plus, you never know when the pain of traveling might become a moment your family will never forget, like the time my boys had a preflight contest to see who could drink an entire Gatorade the fastest. I don’t remember who won, but I know at least one of them wet his seat on the plane. Is it always fun? No. But it is always time well spent together. Based on our experiences, here are a few travel tips: • Neither Mom nor Dad is your donkey, so if you want to take it, you have to care for it. (Everyone has their own rolling backpack.) • You eat when there is food or risk not getting fed. • You use the potty before every flight, as you never know how long you may have to stay in your seat. • Everyone carries a full pair of spare clothes, underpants especially. • Always leave a pair of shoes by the door in a hotel and keep important documents together and quickly accessible. I learned that one during a 3 a.m. fire drill in Norway. • Make sure all your gadgets are fully charged. Bon voyage.
Courtenay C. Corrigan is a Los Altos Hills resident. ❖
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events
Upcoming local performances feature a princess and The King Town Crier Staff Report
O
utdoor activities for the family are limited this time of year – even in the often-sunny Bay Area – but luckily there are plenty of indoor entertainment options available locally over the next few months. Among them:
• “All Shook Up.” The Foothill Music Theatre production features hit songs made famous by Elvis Presley and a book by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro. Fraught with mistaken identities and starcrossed lovers, the fast-paced musical is peppered with Elvis favorites including “Burning Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “A
David Allen/Special to the Town Crier
Foothill Music Theatre’s production of “All Shook Up” is scheduled to run through March 11 at the Lohman Theatre in Los Altos Hills.
Page 18 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
events Little Less Conversation” and “one Night with You.” it follows a hip-swiveling roustabout who shakes up a small town. Directed by Milissa Carey, “All Shook Up” stars Los Altos resident Katherine Goldman as Natalie, a 1950s tomboy swept off her feet by guitar-playing Chad (Tony DiCorti). The production, which opened Feb. 23, is set to run through March 11 in the Lohman Theatre at Foothill College, 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Performances are scheduled 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10-$28; parking is $3. For advance tickets and more information, call 9497360 or visit www.foothillmusicals.com.
• “Cinderella.” Peninsula Youth Theatre presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale. The title character is a young woman forced into servitude by her evil stepmother and stepsisters. But aided by her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into a princess and invited to a royal ball at which she finds her prince. The musical is scheduled to open Saturday and run through March 11 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, MainStage, 500 Castro St. Performances are slated 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 10, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 a.m. March 8, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 9, and 1 p.m. Continued on Page 20
DAViD ALLEN/SPECiAL To THE TowN CRiER
Los Altos resident Katherine Goldman, right, stars in Foothill Music Theatre’s “All Shook Up.”
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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events Continued from Page 19 March 11. Tickets are 7-$22. For advance tickets and more information, call 903-6000 or visit mvcpa.com. • “To PYT with Love.” A one-night celebration of Mountain View-based Peninsula Youth Theatre’s 20th anniversary will feature a lighthearted look at some of PYT’s best productions over two decades. Scheduled 7 p.m. March 8 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, MainStage, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $18-$22. For advance tickets and more information, call 903-6000 or visit mvcpa.com. • “Just So Stories.” Learn how the camel got his hump and the leopard got his spots in this world premiere, part of the Peninsula Youth Theatre Stories on Stage series. Performances are scheduled 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Friday and
David Allen/Special to the Town Crier
Chad (Tony DiCorti, right) catches the heart of mechanic Natalie (Katherine Goldman) in Foothill Music Theatre’s “All Shook Up.”
Page 20 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
events 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, SecondStage, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $8-$10. For advance tickets and more information, call 9036000 or visit mvcpa.com. • Pacific Ballet Academy Spring Showcase. The San Jose Ballet Association presents the Mountain View-based academy’s annual student showcase. Highlights include “Les Sylphides,” staged by directors Marion and Rima Chaeff. Performances are scheduled noon and 5 p.m. March 24 and 25 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, MainStage, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $20. For advance tickets and more information, call 9036000 or visit mvcpa.com. • “Go, Dog. Go!” The Peninsula Youth Theatre Stories on Stage production is a rollicking musical adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s beloved children’s book about an impending dog party. Dogs travel in a variety of ways – by bicycle, scooter, skis, roller skates and car – to get to the party held on top of a tree. “Go, Dog. Go!” is scheduled to run April 27 and 28 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, SecondStage, 500 Castro St. Tickets are $8-$10. For advance tickets and more information, call 9036000 or visit mvcpa.com. ❖
Town Crier welcomes ideas for Family Spotlight
R
eaders of the Town Crier’s annual Family Spotlight magazine are welcome – and encouraged – to submit suggestions for next year’s edition or to offer comments on this publication. The local family guide focuses on moms, dads and children. There are five ways to contact Pete Borello, editor of Family Spotlight. They are: • Send an email to peteb@latc.com. Please write “Spotlight” in the subject line. • Call 948-9000, ext. 315. If it’s after regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays), please leave a message. • Send a fax to 948-6647. Please write “Attn: Spotlight” at the top of the page. • Mail a letter to the Town Crier, Attn: Spotlight, 138 Main St., Los Altos, CA 94022. • Stop by the Town Crier office in downtown Los Altos. The best days to drop by are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. When contacting the Town Crier, please include a phone number and/or email address so that we may respond to your comment, concern or suggestion.
We are a Family Owned and Operated Business at this same location for over 26 years. Live, work and raised our children in the community. Our focus is keeping your family vehicle safe! •We do complete bumper to bumper services• • AAA approved • We service all Domestic & Foreign vehicles • Quality oriented • Regular or test only smog tests available • Convenient location • Free shuttle service available • Friendly, Reliable Service
If your car fails the smog test…. We can a lso do all smog rep airs & retesting
1544 West El Camino Real Mountain View
(between Shoreline & El Monte)
650-996-8231
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
Page 21
Stanford Continuing Studies
love and marriage
Love and marriage, practically speaking By Grace Acosta
T
No Shoes, Please
wenty-five years ago, I was newly engaged and belaboring over whether I should keep my birth name, Nakashima, or switch to Acosta.
Stanford Continuing Studies offers a broad range of courses in:
liberal arts & sciences creative writing professional & personal development Designed to cultivate learning and enrich the lives of adults in the Bay Area, most courses are taught by Stanford instructors and are open to all.
Spring Registration Opens Feb. 27 Most Classes Begin April 2 continuingstudies.stanford.edu
I wouldn’t touch the hyphenated compromise, Nakashima-Acosta, with a 10-foot pole. It was bulky and bizarre – too much of a mouthful even for me – and felt more like baggage than an identity. On the one hand, I wanted to retain the distinction of being Japanese American. I admired – and still do – my cultural heritage and felt a personal pride in it. On the other hand, I also wanted us to live under one banner, one headline – and I wanted that for our family Continued on Page 24
No Fluoride or other toxiNs iN our distilled & PuriFied Water (20% off in-home distillers)
Pure Water health store 1603 hollenbeck ave at Homestead (next to Safeway) in Sunnyvale
408-245-Pure (7873)
5 Gallons Free to New Customers only With this ad *limit one Per Family Page 22 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
Page 23
love and marriage Continued from Page 22 as well. Just as “Nakashima” proclaimed uniqueness and singularity (at least in my mind), “Acosta” spoke to my desire for union and unity. i was probably overthinking it, but i pondered this issue for a good while until one day, while talking with my boss about my wedding, i blurted out something about not being able to make a decision about my surname. “what’s your fiance’s name?” she inquired. “Acosta,” i replied. “Change it,” she commanded. “why?” “Because you’ll move from the middle to the beginning of the alphabet, and your life will never be the same.” She was right. Back in the day when actual eyeballs scanned lists and sheaths of papers and card files necessitated rifling, it was a revelation to be situated more or less at the head of everything. So often i would hear, “oh, look, you’re right on top,” and i could retrieve anything – packets of information, tickets, paychecks, documentation from any reception table – almost instantly, and with greater ease and efficiency than if my name had started with an “N.” it still amuses me that after all the mental back-andforth i put myself through, the solution to my dilemma was so practical and straightforward it was almost el-
egant. And i’ve discovered since then that almost-elegant solutions to many challenges i’ve faced continue to elude me. i persist in overthinking, struggling to make cases for idealistic, lofty notions while life itself and those wiser than i point out more streamlined approaches. Changing my name for expedient reasons was a start to a new marriage, a new life, a new way of thinking and being. But i never completely lost the “Nakashima” in me, in both good and bad ways. i’ve kept my maiden name as a middle name but really only use it when i sign checks. what it once represented – pieces of my history and identity that i deemed too valuable to discard – happily remains, though when a stranger registers my name and countenance, he’s likely to ask, “Are you Filipina?” That’s oK. if he went just by my face, he’d presume i’m Chinese – even Chinese people do that. Underneath whatever label, the authentic me is there. But i’ve already advised my daughter that when she decides to marry, unless the man of her dreams is surnamed “Abbott” or “Aardvark,” she should stick to the name she was born with. Grace Acosta is a Los Altos resident. Email her at theacostafamily@ sbcglobal.net. ❖
Custom & Security Hardware • Baldwin • Schlage • Alno • Colonial Bronze • Valli + Valli • Ashley Norton • Phylrich Plumbing • Grohe Installation available Custom & Security Hardware 126 San Antonio Circle Mountain View 650-941-2800 ©1996 Baldwin Hardware Corporation Reading, Pennsylvania 19612 USA
Page 24 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Camps
2012
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
Page 25
Camps
2012 Open to the Public Full & Part Time Programs, Classes and Camps Ages Preschool & K-5
Themes include
* Actors Academy * Kids in Motion * Music & Magic * Little Chefs * Super Scientists * Math Madness
Summer 2012 June 19thAug. 10th Open Enrollment March 29, 2012
1468 Grant Road • Los Altos • 650-968-5957
Page 26 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Camps
2012
TRAINING CAMP
RETURN HOME
Sunken Diamond
SUMMER CAMPS [2012] The Stanford Baseball School (Ages 7-12) ($210)
The Stanford Baseball Games Camp (Ages 7-12) ($210)
The Stanford Baseball School (9am-12pm) is an opportunity to learn individual skills, baseball fundamentals and team strategy at the beautiful and newly renovated Sunken Diamond on Stanford Campus. Players will be grouped by age, ability and prior experience, and will be taught outfield play, infield play, pitching, rundowns, base running, sliding, double plays and much more.
The Stanford Games Camp (12:45-4) is an opportunity to utilize skills learned in the Baseball school, in real life game situations. Teams consisting of 9 players will be grouped together with a coach for the entire week. 50% of each session is devoted to games, and the other 50% to hitting in batting cages and viewing Baseball videos. Games will be played on Sunken Diamond, our turf field, and adjoining grass fields.
TOGETHER ($420) Summer 2012 Dates WEEK 1: JUNE 11-15 School/Games WEEK 2: JUNE 18-22 School/Games WEEK 3: JULY 9-13 Games/Games
***** PLEASE NOTE *****
The School and Games Camps are TWO SEPARATE CAMPS, but are designed TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER. These two camps are for ages 7-12. There is a Supervised Lunch Break. Kids may purchase lunch (pay at camp) or bring lunch from home.
WHEN REGISTERING ONLINE: You may choose M-TH option for both camps. Read selections carefully. To register or for more information: www.stanfordbaseballcamp.com
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
Page 27
Camps
2012 Camps run by experienCed mtn. view hs CoaChes and student athletes
JuneJune 11-July 27th 11-July 27th Register at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com Register at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com For more info 650.479.5906 or info@SpartansSportsCamp.com
For more info 650.479.5906 or info@spartanssportsCamp.com Mountain View High School • 3535 Truman Ave. • Mountain View, CA • 94040
mountain view high school Benefit • 3535the truman ave. mountain view, Ca • 94040 All Proceeds Mountain View•HS Athletic Department. all proceeds benefit the mountain view hs athletic department.
CAMPS RUN BY EXPERIENCED MTN. VIEW HS COACHES AND STUDENT ATHLETES.
Grades 3-5
multisport Camp
Grades 6-9
sports specific Camps, strength and Conditioning Camps
Grades 10-12
strength and Conditioning Camps
June 11-July 27th
Register at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com
For more Enjoy info 650.479.5906 or facilities info@SpartansSportsCamp.com our beautiful including
the new pool and weightroom!
Mountain View High School • 3535 Truman Ave. • Mountain View, CA • 94040 All Proceeds Benefit the Mountain View HS Athletic Department.
CAMPS RUN BY EXPERIENCED MTN. VIEW HS COACHES AND STUDENT ATHLETES.
Grades 3-5
Multisport Camp
Grades 3-5
Multisport Camp
Grades 6-9
Sports Specific Camps, Strength and Conditioning camps
Grades 6-9
Sports Specific Camps, Strength and Conditioning camps
Grades 10-12
Strength and Conditioning camps
Grades 10-12 Strength and Conditioning camps
Enjoy our beautiful facilities including the new pool and weightroom!
Page 28 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Enjoy our beautiful facilities including the new pool and weightroom!
Camps
2012 Where: Santa Rita School, Los Altos
summer Fun for Grades K - 4
los altos Kidzadventures sign up at:
www.lakakidz.com
Where: “NEW LOCATION”
Gardner Bullis school, los altos hills enrichment classes: computers, art, science explorations, robotics, Puppetry, Young chefs, Outdoor Games, and many more endorsed by the los altos school District
Session 1:session June 20 -1: June 30 JUne 18 -5JUne 29 Session 2 : July - July 15 session 2: (No classes held on 7/1& 7/4)
JUlY 2 - JUlY 13 Magic Activity Day4th Holiday) (No School - July Fri. July 1
AcAdemic:
skills for Kindergarten • reading into First Academic Classes for all Abilities reading, Writing and math
Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
Page 29
money
Teaching children good money management ARAcontent
C
hildren learn the basics – math, English and science – at school. But when it comes to learning about saving and spending money wisely, the lessons begin at home. According to a National PTA article on FamilyEducation.com, “Money gives people – both young and old – decision-making opportunities.” The article goes on to state that “Educating, motivating, and empowering children to become regular savers and investors will enable them to keep more of the money they earn and do more with the money they spend.” Following are tips to help you educate your children about good money management. • Help them establish a savings account. Children accumulate money in many ways – from birthday presents to jobs they’ve organized like walking a neighbor’s dog or mowing lawns. But putting that money into a piggy bank doesn’t do anything. Explain about interest, and find a bank or credit union that offers accounts that don’t charge monthly fees, doesn’t require a minimum
account balance, has good interest rates and is insured by the Federal Deposit insurance Company or the National Credit Union Share insurance Fund. • Set a budget for yourself and your children. Children follow by example, and you can make a good impression by showing them how you stay within a budget – whether it’s for food, utility bills or fun activities. Help your kids establish a budget, and explain the differences between needs and wants. • Set up a savings plan. Speak to your children about planning how much of their income they should put away for the future. it’s a good time for them to plan for larger upcoming expenses like owning a car, paying college tuition or renting an apartment. • Discuss ways your children can add to their income. Determine if you want to establish an allowance, or encourage them to be an entrepreneur and start their own business: set up a lemonade stand, wash cars, mow lawns and rake leaves, baby-sit, etc. Helping them develop a good work ethic when they’re young will also help them foster excellent employment skills when they join the real world as adults. ❖
Camps
2012 AFTER SCHOOL ATHLETICS 2012 FLAG FOOTBALL SUMMER CAMP • MT. vIEw HIGH SCHOOL
JULY 23rd – July 27TH Registration opened January 26th online at
www.afterschoolathletics.com 7th Annual Flag Football Summer Camp. Ages 7 thru 13. 9am - Noon with optional lunch. Open to all residents of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Mountain View & surrounding communities. vince Giacomini (408) 892-9193 email: vince@ptsi.com
Jerry Sorensen (650) 906-0491 email: gjsorensen@sbcglobal.net
Page 30 | Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012
Classified Ads
List of Advertisers
650-948-9000 ext. 308 • Email jt@latc.com
Bay area relocation services Homes • Apts. • Storage Fully Licensed / Insured. #CAL-T 190632
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After School Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 American Legion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Bald Eagle Camps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bay Area Relocation Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Bay Area Running Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Beth Tompkins/Sereno Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CA-1 Home Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 California Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 City of Los Altos Recreation Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Custom & Security Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 El Camino YMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FastFrame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 International School of the Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Kensington Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Los Altos Kidz Adventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Lawn Stork Rentals 408.773.6242
Los Altos Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Malovos & Konevich, Attorneys & Counselors at Law . . .14 Mid Peninsula High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rent the Stork, Keep the Bundle Celebrate Baby’s Birth
www.StorkStoppedHere.com
I’m a 7 ft. tall Lawn Stork
Serving Bay Area from Morgan Hill to Los Altos, Palo Alto & Menlo Park
Miramonte Vet Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Montecito School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Mountain View Parent Nursery School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MVHS Spartans Sports Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Owen Signature Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Pacific Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Peninsula Youth Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pinewood School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Pompeii Ristorante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Pure Water Health Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Shelly Potvin/Coldwell Banker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
• • • •
Window Washing Steam Carpet Cleaning Pressure Washing Gutter Cleaning
CALL US TODAY! (408) 646-4131
SRI International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Stanford Baseball Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Stanford Continuing Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Stork Stopped Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Susan Kramer Silver & David Kim/Intero Real Estate Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Kitchen Crafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ca1cleaning@yahoo.com lic#051308
The Levy Team/Sereno Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Home & Garden Magazine
Union Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Ad close deadline:
Ventana School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Transpac Real Estate Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Coming April 25, 2012
US Sports Camps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 29
Wed., March 21, 2012
Waldorf School of the Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Publication date:
Wed., April 25, 2012
To reserve ad space call (650) 948-9000
Woodland School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 YMCA Camp Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Family Spotlight | February 29, 2012 |
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