California Kids - August

August 2014

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Table of Contents Wordsearch: Have Fun Gardening!...........................page 7 Make it Yourself!.................................page 8 Who Wrote That? Sarah Albee

by Patricia Newman...........................page 9 The Book Report: Letters and Numbers

by Connie Goldsmith....................... page 13 Summer Guide.............................page 14–17 Calendar of Events................ page 18–19 Parties! Parties!........................ page 22–23

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AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

www.valcomnews.com Publisher: George Macko General Manager: Kathleen Egan Contributing Writers: .

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Don’t miss Sacramento Zoo’s Ice Cream Safari Join the staff at the Sacramento Zoo for it’s 30th annual Ice Cream Safari where you can get all-you-can-eat Baskin Robbins Ice Cream in cones, sundaes and floats along with all-you-candrink Coca-Cola beverages. Explore the 14-acre zoo with ice cream treats around every corner.

This fun event will be held Saturday, August 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. The zoo will close early, at 1:30, to set up this wonderful family event.

Entertainment for the kids and fun for everyone! Face painting, an Ice Cream Dance Party and live entertainment. Don’t forget to enter the GiRaffle for the chance to win some fun prizes.

Buy your tickets in advance and save. All proceeds from Ice Cream Safari will benefit the general maintenance and animal care at the Sacramento Zoo. Early Bird Ticket Prices - through August 13; adults: $17 and children (ages 2-11) $13, Sacramento Zoo members receive $2 off per ticket. General prices, August 14 until the event are; adults: $20 and children (ages 2-11) $15. No member discount. You can buy tickets online at www.saczoo.org or call, (916) 8085888 or in person at the Zoo daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are non-refundable.

The Sacramento Zoo is located in William Land Park, at 3930 W. Land Park Drive, Sacramento.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Fairytale Town events • August 2 and 3, Saturday and Sunday, Puppet Show: “Three Billy Goats Gruff,â€?

12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Enjoy a playful puppet show in Fairytale Town’s Children’s Theater. Puppet Art Theater Company will perform “Three Billy Goats Gruff,â€? the classic tale of three goats trying to outwit a troll, cross the bridge, and enjoy the field of green grass. Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to paid park admission and $1 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town box office or at the entrance to the Children’s Theater 15 minutes prior to show time.  • August 9 and 10, Saturday and Sunday, Cat & the Fiddle Music Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hey diddle diddle! Celebrate music and fun in the summer sun with a two-day music festival at Fairytale Town. Families can enjoy

rockin’ daytime concerts on the Mother Goose Stage each day. The Poodlums, The Hoots and Musical Charis will perform on Saturday.

Sunday’s performers include Mister Cooper, Musical Robot and Kepi Ghoulie. The concerts are free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5.50 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Children ages 1 and under are free. Visit www. fairytaletown.org for the full festival lineup. • August 15 and 16, Friday through Saturday, Family Campout at Fairytale Town, 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Spend the night in Fairytale Town’s storybook park. This exciting overnight adventure includes a theater performance, arts and crafts activities, a scavenger hunt, bedtime stories and a sing-along. Wake up the next morning under Fairytale Town’s canopy of trees to a

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Prices range from $25-$30 per person and include all activities. Member discounts are available. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown. org or call (916) 808-7462. • August 23, 24, 30 and 31, Saturdays and Sundays, The Fairytale Town Troupers present: “Beach Party Princess,â€? 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The Fairytale Town Troupers present a family-friendly comedy review packed with pretty princesses, silly surprises, music, magic and interactive fun. All performances take place on the outdoor Mother Goose Stage and are free with paid park admission.  • August 23, Saturday, Jackie Greene Live at Fairytale Town, gates open 6:30 p.m.

Concert starts 8 p.m.

Sacramento favorite Jackie Greene returns to Fairytale Town for a sixth annual benefit concert. Taking place on the park’s Mother Goose Stage, the outdoor concert supports Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. This is a special ticketed event. Tickets are $35 in July, and $45 in August, while supplies last. For concert rules and restrictions, visit www.fairytaletown.org.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Photos courtesy of Fairytale Town

(top) Musical Charis. (above) Musical Robot.

Fairytale Town is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children’s park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages.

From March through Oc-

tober, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Weekend admission is $5.50 for adults and children ages 2 and older.

Children ages 1 and under are free. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown. org or call (916) 808-7462.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Effie Yeaw Nature Center Events Free weekend activities: August 2, Saturday, Under the Oaks, 10:30 a.m.

Our mighty oak trees provide food and shelter for many animals and insects. Learn the how to identify different varieties of oak trees in the Nature Preserve and who might be living in them.

August 3, Sunday, Beaks, Claws, and Jaws, 1:30 p.m.

Who eats whom and how? Join a naturalist and find out how animals have adapted for survival.

Send us your Photos!

California Kids! is looking for themed photos to use for our monthly publication.

This is your BIG chance to land a cover shot!

For more info please contact kathleen@valcomnews.com

August 9, Saturday, Critters of the River, 10:30 a.m.

Herons, otters, and crayfish, oh my! Join the for a morning stroll to see what kinds of critters call the American River home.

August 10, Sunday, Skye’s the Limit, 1:30 p.m.

Come to the Nature Center to meet a resident red-shouldered hawk, Skye. Take a peek into the amazing world of birds of prey that live in and around the Nature Center.

August 16, Saturday, Birding for Families, 10:30 a.m.

Bring the family out for a birding and nature walk led by a Naturalist and special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Make sure to bring your binoculars, or the staff can loan you a pair.

August 17, Sunday, Exploring the Maidu Village, 1:30 p.m.

Nisenan Maidu people have lived in this area for thousands of years. Come learn about their special relationship to the land, which they still celebrate today, through stories and a hike through the Village.

August 23, Saturday, Nature Story Time, 10:30 a.m.

Come relax with the staff and enjoy some nature tales. Recommended for children and the young at heart.

August 24, Sunday, Critter Corner, 1:30 p.m.

Where do our animals come from? Why are they here?

Meet a couple of small animal residents at the Nature Center up close. Learn about each of their unique journeys and how they became an educational ambassador for the Nature Center. All ages welcome.

August 30, Saturday, Rattle Sssssnakes, 10:30 a.m.

These awesome animals deserve everyone’s respect. Learn to identify these amazing creatures and discover how they fit into the California landscape.

August 31, Sunday, Those Wacky Woodpeckers, 1:30 p.m.

Woodpeckers are instantly recognizable by their unique behavior of pecking vertically on trees and poles, but how much do you really know about these outstanding birds? We will clue you in.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is located 2850 San Lorenzo Way, at California Avenue and Tarshes Drive, Carmichael. Donations are gratefully accepted. There is a $5 per car entrance fee into Ancil Hoffman County Park (Free to members). For more information, call (916) 489-4918 or visit www.sacnaturecenter.net.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Have Fun Gardening!

H

ey Kids! Do you have a vegetable garden in your backyard? It’s fun to dig, plant, water and watch your vegetables grow! And it’s fun to pick them and eat what you have grown, too! YUM! Can you find the words related to vegetable gardens? Look carefully, words can appear vertically, horizontally, diagonally, backward and upside-down.

G O L E K O H C I T R A V R B

H C R A M T N G K W E I I B E

S D E B N E D R A G L P X R X

R Z U C C H I N I E E E E O T

Artichoke Bean Poles Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Celery Corn

C A R R O T S E N V U R W C O

V L U O Y R E L E C P I A C P

T U R N I P S G R E A W T O S

O C O E A N E E O A O K E L Y

N G L U E T E A C R B B R I N

I T O M A T O S C R E E N S N

O W I B C S A E N L A R Y E U

Garden beds Lettuce Onions Ripe vegetables Scarecrow Shovel

N O L I P K R O S E N H S G S

S E E L A A E Q O T P S H A O

S N S E C D U A N T O A O B T

U I O S A A E N R U L E V B O

O A I S S I K C O C E C E A P

F R L H E H E E C E S B L C C

Soil Squash Sunny spot Tomato screens Turnips Water Zucchini

Make it yourself!

Beaded Butterfly Craft

H

ere’s an idea for a very pretty beaded butterfly craft for kids.

Adapt them for all ages by changing the thickness of the wire and the size of the beads. Imagine a flurry of these hanging in your window in summer time - so cute!

They would also make a gorgeous mobile, or even a little necklace charm if made small enough.

Sparkly Suncatcher Butterfly

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his pretty butterfly looks lovely up against the window, or hanging in the breeze with a few friends. If you laminate it carefully it will stand up to hanging outdoors, too, although it won’t last indefinitely.

You will need: Bright colored paper or card, multi colored glitter, laminating pouch and laminator (or contact film), green foam or card, wiggly eyes

You will need: Craft wire, beads (some nice butterfly ones but any beads are fine), thread to hang

You will need to: Thread the beads along the craft wire leaving a space free at the ends.

Twist the wire into a butterfly shape, then twist the ends of the wire around to secure and push the loose ends through a bead so they are out of sight. This is quite fiddly so younger children may need adult help. Tie onto thread to hang your beaded butterfly.

Tissue Paper Suncatcher Butterfly

You will need to: Fold the paper in half. Cut out a butterfly wing shape, and then cut another shape about an inch in so that you end up with a frame when you unfold the butterfly. Lay the shape carefully in your laminating pouch (or on the sticky side of your contact film). Fill the center of the butterfly with glitter. Carefully lay the top layer of the pouch over the butterfly and feed through the laminator. Laminators get very hot so young children will need an adult to do this part for them. If you are using contact film make sure you completely cover the sticky bit with the other side of the contact film. Cut around your butterfly. From green craft foam or card, cut a body for your butterfly and stick it on with glue or double sided tape. If you are going to hang your butterfly up, you might want to sandwich a length of thread between the butterfly and the body before you glue them together.

Add two wiggly eyes and put your butterfly out on display.

T

Simple Butterfly Shape Collage

You will need:

ur butterfly shape collage is a pretty way to reinforce shape learning with younger children and of course can be adapted for whatever materials you have on hand.

his butterfly craft is perfect for younger children but can be enjoyed by all ages: older kids can design their butterfly while younger children will be happy to tear shapes and arrange them haphazardly. The butterfly looks lovely up against a window or hanging in the breeze.

Tissue paper, laminating pouch and laminator, green foam or card for body (optional), wiggle eyes (optional)

You will need to: Fold a piece of tissue paper in half and cut out a butterfly wing.

Unfold.

Lay the butterfly carefully in your laminating pouch. Cut or tear shapes from different colors of tissue paper and place them on top.

Carefully lay the top layer of the pouch over the butterfly and feed through the laminator. Remember, laminators get very hot so young children will need an adult to do this part for them. Cut around your butterfly. To hang it up you will need to punch a tiny hole near the top - use a sharp needle or a small hole punch. Or attach to a window with small pieces of sticky tape.

O

You will need: Card or paper, metallic is nice, pre-cut sticky shapes or cut your own, glue, scissors

You will need to: Draw four oval shapes onto the card you will use for the butterflies wings, and cut out. Draw another elongated oval for the butterfly’s body, and cut out.

Glue the pieces together using the photo as a guide. Now decorate your butterfly with either the pre-cut sticky shapes or an assortment of shapes that you have cut yourself.

Crafts courtesy of: www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Who wrote that?

The Creators of Your Child’s Favorite Books Featuring Sarah Albee

By Patricia Newman

S

arah Albee is a history nut. From early on her father bounced her on his knee with tales of how Dr. John Snow proved that the 1854 cholera epidemic in London was caused by contaminated water from the public pump on Broad Street.

“When I go to a school visit and ask third and fourth graders, ‘How many of you guys like history?’ almost everyone raises their hand,” she says.

“By the time they land in my husband’s [history] classroom freshman year of high school they hate history.”

But Albee hopes to change their minds by showing them how it is relevant to their lives and piquing their curiosity.

“My mission is to tantalize kids with fun facts from history that maybe will get them to learn more.”

Which is exactly how Albee’s father hooked her, and she is grateful that her parents endowed her and her siblings with confidence and curiosity.

“We were not afraid to try new stuff,” she says. Albee was one of those kids who wanted to be fourteen different things when she grew up. “In a way, I feel like I have achieved that. As a nonfiction history writer if I want to learn about X, Y or Z, I can and write a book about it. It’s almost like a get to do whatever I want for a living.”

While studying for her undergraduate degree at Harvard she had the vague idea that she would someday enter the world of publishing, but not necessarily as a writer. She played basketball in college

and after graduation played for a semi-pro team in Cairo, Egypt. With the help of a stellar recommendation from a poetry professor who encouraged her writing, Albee landed a journalist job at the American University in Cairo Press Office. “I still owe her a thank you note thirty years later,” Albee says.

Upon her return to the U.S. she became an editor at Sesame Street (Children’s Television Workshop back then). She first saw the program on television as an adult.

“I was too old to have grown up on Sesame Street, but I knew I wanted to be part of this show,” she says. “It incorporated all the things I love best: humor, wonderful music, characters with real complexity and it’s for kids.”

Her position created the perfect segue to writing children’s books. “As an editor [for Sesame Street] I would write books on staff.” The popular Elmo Loves You is a Sarah Albee book. “Once you have books in print it’s easier to get published,” she says.

“When I left Sesame Street and moved to Connecticut with my husband, I had plenty of work.”

Work she rarely turned away because by that time she had three children. Albee wrote Dora’s Backpack, the launch title for the Dora the Explorer series and a New York Times bestseller. “It paid for our minivan,” Albee quips. “Who knew it would be a big hit.”

After accumulating a number of published credits

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Albee felt confident enough to return to history. “Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up started as a labor of love without any thought about if it was publishable,” she says. Her research led her beyond public sanitation to architecture, clothing and hygiene habits of different eras throughout history. “Both Bugged and Why’d They Wear That? arose out of my research on the Poop book and sanitation because they are of a piece.” For instance, one chapter in the Poop book is devoted to filth diseases that result from bad sanitation, such as cholera. But many of these diseases were insect vectored (yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, typhus and bubonic plague), so the research for Poop overlapped with Bugged: How Insects Changed History.

Additionally, while researching Poop Albee discovered that filth ran in the streets before the invention of sewers and that prompted questions about fashion.

“When people were dumping chamber pots out the window, how did people walk from place to place in long hemlines and delicate shoes?” she wondered. “The answer is they would slip their feet in these things called pattens which lifted you up above the muck.”

Albee uncovered so many overlaps between public sanitation, fashion and insects that she kept separate lists for independent book ideas that trace each topic through history. “For me it was important to [organize my books] chronologically, because I think kids don’t get enough of chronology.

They don’t know that during the Roman Empire the Han Dynasty was at the exact same time.”

Albee works from her Connecticut home. “I tend to work too much and too long,” she says. “Part of that is being married to a teacher whose work is never done either. We’ve both had to teach ourselves to close the computer and do something fun. But we love what we do.” In fact, Albee’s idea of “geek heaven” is spending the day in the New York Public Library. “I forget to have a sip of water let alone eat lunch. You get into that zone and it’s so amazing!”

During the school year, Albee’s husband delivers coffee to her in bed at 5:00 each morning and she writes for an hour. Then she gets her kids off to school and walks the dog before settling in at her computer where emails, photo research, fact checking and manuscript revisions await.

Albee’s passion for history and her irreverent sense of humor shine through in her

books. Side bars throughout Bugged are called “Insect Asides.” In Why’d They Wear That? the chapter on the broad shoulder styles popular during King Henry VIII’s reign is called “Padded Bros.”

A Sarah Albee history book digs deep to show the grossest, weirdest, most embarrassing and most outlandish facets of history.

Next month: Joy Preble

Patricia Newman visits schools! Her newest book Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch a Junior Library Guild Selection, is now available. Visit her website at www.patriciamnewman.com for more information.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Sarah Albee Visit: www.sarahalbeebooks.com

SELECTIONS FROM Sarah Albee’s LIBRARY Bugged: How Insects Changed the World, Walker/Bloomsbury, 2014 Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up, Walker/Bloomsbury, 2010 The Amazing Animals series: Cheetahs, Gareth Stevens, 2010 Chimpanzees, Gareth Stevens, 2009 Lions, Gareth Stevens, 2009 Giraffes, Gareth Stevens, 2009 Elephants, Gareth Stevens, 2009 Elmo Loves You, Candlewick, 2009 Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Backpack, Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon, 2002 The Dragon’s Scales, Random House, 1998

Upcoming Why’d They Wear That?: Fashion as the Mirror of History, National Geographic, 2015

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

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Follow. Connect. Share.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

11

Full of heart, humor and one special hero, Antboy!

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young boy who yearns to be something “special” transforms into a mighty super hero in the quintessential family adventure, Antboy, now available on DVD and digital from Cinedigm.

Overlooked 12-year old Pelle is transformed into an extraordinary superhero after he is bitten by a super-ant and inherits its abilities. Overnight, the boy who nobody noticed becomes a local hero as he is dubbed “Antboy.” With the help of his new friend and sidekick, comic-loving Wilhelm, climbing walls, flipping cars, stopping robbers and saving babies all become part of his new drama life. But all this changes when super-villian “the Flea” kidnaps a young girl, the subject of Pelle’s affection and terrorizes the citizens of Middlelund. Antboy, with his sidekick Wilhelm and their friend Ida who won’t take no for an answer, must fight this treacherous evil, rescue the damsel in distress, save the town from a super-villain and be home in time for dinner.

The rating is PG. Can be purchased on www.Amazon.com or at Walmart

12

Plan your next adventure at Rocknasium–Davis’ own Climbing Gym since 1992!

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ocknasium is an indoor rock climbing facility located in Davis, California and the perfect place to plan your next birthday party–– for any age!

They pride themselves on making their facility welcoming to people of all ages, abilities and motivations - from toddlers to teenagers looking for a fun birthday party, to college students and professors looking for a fun way to exercise, couples looking for a fun date night, or the hard-core climbers training for competition or preparing for a run at Yosemite’s El Capitan! They offer classes, yoga, personal training, team building and a full range of kids programs including summer camp.

Rocknasium Climbing Gym is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (530) 757-2902 , email info@rocknasium. com or visit www.rocknasium.com.

Rocknasium Climbing Gym is located at 720 Olive Drive, Suite S, Davis, CA 95616. advertorial

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

THE BOOK REPORT

Letters and numbers

By Connie Goldsmith

E

very child learns the alphabet and how to count, and most learn long before first grade.

Books can turn those simple tasks into a joyous good time when parent and child read together. Play alphabet and counting games during tedious car rides.

Call out a letter, such as B, and see how fast your child can spot a bike, a ball, or a blue balloon. Try counting blue cars, red stoplights, or yellow bikes. Numbers and letters form the foundation for all learning. Making it fun for children now may ensure that it remains fun in the future.

“Backseat A-B-See,” by Maria van Lieshout. (Chronicle).

“Vroom! Vroom! From the backseat, what do you see?”

Perfect for a long drive, this beautifully-designed book may prevent the dreaded and repetitious, “Are we there yet?” Who knew each letter of the alphabet can be represented with a road sign? From A for airport, B for bike route, to X for X-ing and Y for yield, this book is laid out in bright signs arranged on a black highway. Using the alphabet to learn road signs is a unique concept that will appeal to travelers of all ages. The author writes that she was always interested in road signs and when she discovered her son had the same fascination, she set out to create a book to celebrate them. ** Reviewer’s pick of the month**

“Alphabet Trucks,” by Samantha R. Vamos, illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke.

(Charlesbridge). What little boy can resist a book about trucks? And a book that shows an alphabet’s worth of trucks is doing double duty teaching. Each twopage spread features two trucks in a rhymed couplet.

“I is for ice-cream truck, with frozen treats to taste. J is for junk truck, removing scrap and waste.” See the dump truck release a load of Ds; see the cargo truck dropping off the Cs. Learn what knuckle-boom, quint and zipper trucks are. “Day and night, just watch and see, trucks work hard, from A to Z.” This charming book, illustrated in oil and acrylic, could easily become a bed-time favorite for your little truck fancier.

“R is for Robot: a Noisy Alphabet,” by Adam F. Watkins. (Price Stern Sloan).

In this hilarious book, an army of weirdly appealing robots is hard at work – very noisy work. The robots are engineers, construction workers, musicians and workers of all kinds. One robot in a truck honks his horn (AHOOGAH) at another pushing a cart (Beep.

Boop.) One clangs, crashes, clanks, and clinks as another robot vacuums up a drip drop. Be sure to look for the other alphabet objects on every page, such as the mechanized frog for F, and the karate-playing robots for K. The very colorful art is bright and bold, sure to elicit a gaggle of giggles from readers and listeners alike.

“Teddy Bear Addition,” by Barbara Barbieri McGrath, illustrated by Nim Nihoff.

(Charlesbridge). The teddies are on an addition mission. This colorful book starts with 50 bears, and shows children how to sort and count by sets: four teddies in the blue set, thirteen in the red set. Teddy bear math brings the important concepts of sorting, counting and adding to life. Math terms such as addend, sum and equation are introduced.

You can add by numbers or by pictures of teddies. This book is not for the novice counter, but the friendly teaching teddy on each

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

page helps us out with easy instructions. You can move on to other objects found around the house such as grapes, Legos or crayons to show children how to transfer newly learned math skills to the real world.

“Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action,” by Caroline Stills, illustrated by Judith Rossell. (Holiday House). This countdown book starts at ten and goes down, while introducing the simplest of addition as well. The brilliantly-colored and very lively mice cavort through their household chores.

Some work, some goof off, a concept familiar to parents.

Ten darling mice wake up in a triple bunk bed. “9 mice tidy. 1 mouse somersaults.

9+1 = 10.” Then it’s on to breakfast, where “8 mice cook. 2 mice juggle. 8+2 = 10.” As the pages advance, the number of mice actually working decreases, and the number of mice goofing off increases, but the mice always add up to ten. The high-spirited art, done in pencil, acrylic and collage, is filled with humorous details that kids are sure to enjoy, such as washing the dishes in a giant teacup.

Connie Goldsmith (www.conniegoldsmith.com) lives in Carmichael where she writes for adults and children. Her newest nonfiction juvenile books, “Bombs over Bikini,” and “Traumatic Brain Injury: from concussion to coma,” are now available.

Other books include: “Battling Malaria: on the Front Lines Against a Global Killer,” and “Influenza,” one of the USA Today Health Reports series.

Her books can be found in school and public libraries, and at online booksellers.

13

Enjoy the day with sidewalk chalk activities www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com

art picture into as many pieces as you divided the rectangle eep kids busy and having into and assign each art piece fun in the summertime with a part of the rectangle. creating sidewalk chalk Have the children draw one art. This is a fun activity for part of the masterpiece. When all ages. Here are a few ideas they are done take a picture for your young artists: and see how close they came to the original.

• Body Outline Trace –Have • Stencils – Make or buy the kids lay down in different stencils of different sizes and positions on the concrete shapes. Have the kids place and then draw around their the stencil on the ground and shapes. Then let them fill and color in the stencil. color the outline with their • Trace Shapes –Use cardface, features and clothes. board shapes you’ve cut out Give them a theme such as in different shapes or have beach, formal, summer day, the kids trace around objects such as buckets, hoses, chairs, winter day, farmers, etc. boxes, etc.

• Masterpiece – Print out • Portraits– Have the chilseveral pictures of different dren draw portraits of each famous art masterpieces that other with their sidewalk have simple lines and shapes. chalk. When they are done Give each child a different have them draw frames masterpiece and ask them to around their pictures and/or make a bigger version of the have the object of the portrait art with their sidewalk chalk. lay down next to their portrait After they are finished take and take a picture. a picture with the original • My View– Have the chilartwork in the picture. Vari- dren draw pictures of what ation: Chalk out a large rect- is right in front of them - a angle and then divide it into picture of their house, car, 4, 6 or 8 equal parts. Cut the backyard, street, etc.

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K o h l’ s B u c K l e u p t o G r o w u p

helmets – the best defense in a crash Wearing a helmet properly when you ride your bike, scooter, or skateboard can save your life.

For more safety information, visit us online or call us at 916-734-9799.

www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/injuryprevention • www.facebook.com/buckleup2growup

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• Bug Parade – Draw pictures of a bug parade. Draw large ladybugs, grasshoppers and beetles one right after the other like they are parading across the sidewalk.

• Flower Garden–Draw

a huge flower garden with different colors of large flowers, leaves, bugs, worms, etc.

• City Map – Draw a picture of your city using sidewalk chalk. Include your house, streets and landmarks that the kids are familiar with in your town.

• Yard Map – Have the kids draw a bird’s eye view of your backyard with their sidewalk chalk. Include the shape of their house, car, swing set, bushes, sidewalk, etc.

• Treasure Map – Draw a sidewalk chalk treasure map. Let the kids draw a treasure map of the yard and how to get to a hidden treasure using broken chalk lines on the map. After they draw the map let them hide a small treasure for other children to find.

• Under the Sea – Have everyone contribute to an under the sea picture. Include water, sand, underwater plants, fish, sharks, whales, starfish, waves, boats etc.

• Sidewalk Chalk Rainbow –Use 7 colors of sidewalk chalk to draw a huge rainbow and a pot of gold at the end.

• Faces – Draw lots of oval shapes on the ground and let children fill in the heads with eyes, noses, hair, mouths, ears, hats, etc.

• Footprints - Research several animals and find out what their paw prints look like.

Using sidewalk chalk draw the footprints / paw prints so that they go up and down the driveway and sidewalks.

Some fun animals footprints to draw are elephants, ducks, cats, horses and dinosaurs.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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Behold the living legends!

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hildren of all ages will believe in the unbelievable with the all-new circus spectacular, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents LEGENDS, coming to the Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena, September 12–15.

Iconic Ringling Bros. stars meet fabled mythological creatures at the place where legends live…

The Greatest Show on Earth®! Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing circus athletes perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder in a celebration of the LEGENDS that have captured imaginations for centuries. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson guides Paulo the Legend

Seeker on his quest to discover real, living circus legends from around the world…along the way encountering the fantastical Pegasus, a Unicorn and the remarkable Woolly the Mammoth!

Featuring over 100 performers spanning 25 countries plus more than 85 animals from nearly every continent around the world, the Ringling Bros. 144th Edition features several unique acts including: • China National Acrobatic Troupe from Beijing perform several impressive acts including balancing 20 people on two bicycles, fast-paced hoop diving and graceful Diabolo juggling skills

• Introducing the Double Trapeze, especially designed for Ringling Bros., with the attempt of four consecutive triple somersaults in a row • Plus additional circus legends highlighted in the show such as Big Cat trainer Alexander Lacey; edge-of-your-seat Cossack Riders equestrian stunts; Globe of Steel motorcycle daredevils; of course no show would be complete without the Ringling Bros. Clown Alley and treasured performing pachyderms!

Sept. 14 - 1 and 5 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 15 - 7 p.m., at the Sleep Train Arena – One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, 95834.

The circus will run Friday, Sept. 12 - 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 - 11:30 a.m, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday,

TICKETS: Prices range from $20, $25, $45, $65 (VIP) and $110 (Ringmaster Zone)

Photo courtesy

Opening Night discount tickets available for just $11 (select seating only; not valid on VIP/premium levels) Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the venue Box Office.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

AUGUST 30TH to SEPTEMBER 1ST 2014 • 10AM TO 6PM DAILY

A BENEFIT FOR CHILDRENS ARTS EDUCATION

art by Julia Flippo

FREMONT PARK 16th & Q Street M

ARTS & CRAFT VENDORS M SIDEWALK CHALK ART 30 MUSICAL ACTS M BEER GARDEN M FOOD TRUCKS

(916)213-5059 or chalkitup. org Thanks to our major sponsors: K-HITS 101.5, University Art, zipcar and CADA

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Cool off with Water Balloon Games www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com

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eep the kids cool and having fun with these water balloon activities:

• Balloon and Dart game (for older kids) - Fill up several water balloons and tack the ends to a large cork board with thumbtacks. Place the board about 10 - 15 feet from the throwing line. Kids then line up behind the throwing line and one at a time throw darts at the water balloons. To score points write point values on the water balloons with a permanent marker before hanging them up. Balloons that are filled the most will pop the easiest so make them the lowest point value.

• Balloon Stomp - Fill up lots of water balloons and place on the ground. Let the kids stomp them until they are all popped.

• Blindfold Toss Game – Blindfold the players with bandanas and have them try and toss water balloons to each other.

• Catch and Duck– Divide the kids into 2 teams and have them stand at least 30 feet apart. Each team gets a plastic tub filled with water balloons and an empty plastic tub. The teams take the water balloons and throw them at each other. While they are throwing water balloons they are also trying to catch the balloons that are being thrown at them. The balloons that are caught are placed in the empty container. When there are no more the caught balloons are counted and the the team with the most wins.

• Circle Turn Game –Divide players into teams of two. Give each team a water balloon. Place the water balloons on their stomachs and without using their hands they must each turn a complete circle without dropping the balloon. The balloon must be in contact with both players at all times. If a balloon pops give them another one and they must start back with the balloon in between their stomachs.

• Diving Board Catch Game You’ll need a swimming pool with a diving board and water balloons. While the kids are jumping off the diving board have one person toss a water balloon to them to see if they can catch it before they hit the water.

•Duck, Duck, Splooosh! Played just like Duck Duck Goose only instead of patting the heads of the players in the circle they are gently bopped on the head with a water balloon until they choose who they want to chase them and they try and break the water balloon on that persons head.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

• Feet Pass Divide kids into two teams and give each team an equal number of water balloons. Have them sit down and line up side by side on the ground. At the end of the line set up an empty container. The object is to pass the balloons down the line using only their feet. The last person in line places the water balloons in the empty container. The team who has the most balloons at the end wins.

• Guessing Game Before the party guests arrive fill balloons with different items such as rice, pasta, marbles, pennies, etc. and then fill with water. Have kids guess what is inside the balloons.

• Hand Towel Race Relay race using a hand towel and water balloons. Divide children into 2 teams. Give each team a tub of water balloons and a hand towel. Two at a time the players will each grab an end of the hand towel and place a balloon in the center. They must race to an object they run around and then back to their teams without dropping or in any way popping their balloon. First team back wins!

• Hide and Seek Played just like the traditional Hide and Seek game except when a person is found they must be tagged with a water balloon before they make it back to the base. If they are tagged before making it back to the base then they are out. This game is played just like the traditional tag game except that whoever is “it” has water balloons and uses them to tag the other players. Once tagged that child becomes the new “it” and must run and get a water balloon to try to tag another player else.

• Hot Balloon Potato Play hot potato using a water balloon with a small hole poked in it that causes a little leak as it goes around the circle.

• Laundry Basket Catch You’ll need 2 laundry baskets, water balloons and a net is optional. Divide the kids into two teams and give each team a laundry basket. Throw the balloons back and forth (over the net if you have one set up) and the kids try and catch them in their baskets. 1 point for a balloon that is caught and not popped.

• Mud Clean Up Game This is messy, but fun! Ask 2 adults to get really muddy - make sure their body, clothes and hair are covered in mud. Divide the kids into 2 teams and give them plenty of water balloons. Have them stand about 15 feet away from the muddy adults. The object is to be the first team to clean off their person by throwing the water balloons at them. For safety give the adults a face mask and / or eye protection.

Portola Redwoods State Park From Highway 35, turn west onto Alpine Road, go 3 miles, and turn onto Portola State Park Road. Use low gear as both these roads are steep and winding (650) 948-9098

• Old Tree Amble, Fridays in August at 3 p.m.

Join interpreter, Audrey, on a scenic and gentle 1 mile hike to the ancient and awe inspiring redwood tree known simply as “The Old Tree”. See the majestic redwoods in all forms and stages of their development and learn about what makes these giants so unique, and vital to the plant and animal community. All hikes meet at the Hopkins grove, next to the Visitor Center. Hike generally lasts 1 hour.

• Campfire!, Every Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. in August Enjoy marshmallows, the comforting warmth of a campfire, and have some fun. Some activities include entertaining and educating slideshows about the unique and interesting features of our park, as well as singalongs, silly skits, and trivia. Program generally lasts around 1 hour. Meet at the Campfire Center.

SPECIAL CAMPFIRE • Banana Slug Saturday, August 18, 7 p.m.

Come learn about everyones favorite yellow slimeball while roasting marshmallows, singing songs and participating on stage. Fun for all ages and will meet at the Campfire Center.

• Junior Rangers -- Every Saturday and in August at 11 a.m.

Have some fun playing in the woods and learning about the redwoods and its inhabitants: past and present. Junior rangers is a State-wide program designed for children ages 7-12 and gives children an opportunity to learn, have fun, and earn themselves the coveted title of Junior Ranger. Program topics range from plants, and animals, to Native Americans and Historical Events. Sorry parents, this program is just for kids. Drop-off and Pick up is at Hopkins Grove next to the visitor center. Programs are one hour long.

• Little Rangers -- Every Saturday and in August at 2 p.m.

Our littlest rangers should have some fun in the forest too. Little Rangers is designed for children ages 3-6 accompanied by their parents. This gives children an opportunity to learn about some of their favorite plants and animals in the park while having a total blast. Activities include puppet appearances, games, puzzles, sing-alongs, and coloring. Groups meet at the Hopkins grove next to the visitor center and last roughly 30 minutes.

• Coffee n’ Crafts -- Every Sunday in August from 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Come to the Visitor Center for a good ol’ fashioned cup o’ joe and your very own bat. Free coffee is provided for our grown-up visitors, and a bat-making project is provided for our littler visitors, but grown-ups are welcome to make their own bat, too. Learn about these cool winged mammals, hang out with Audrey the Interpreter and your fellow campers, all while enjoying your coffee and crafts.

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Calendar of Events Arts & Crafts

otters, and crayfish. Join the staff for a morning stroll to see what kinds of critters call the American River home. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Sunset State Beach

August 5, 14, 26, Loom Bracelets, 4 p.m. 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento. Are you wild about Loom Bracelets? Come join the staff at the Arden-Dimick Library for looming, sharing, and having a blast. Bring your projects, start new ones, share your work, learn ideas and get creative. Perfect for ages 6 to 12. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 10, Skye’s the Limit, 1:30 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Come to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center to meet a resident red-shouldered hawk, Skye. Take a peek into the amazing world of birds of prey that live in and around the Nature Center. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Located 16 miles south of Santa Cruz via Highway One on San Andreas Rd. (831) 763-7123

Campfire Programs, Friday, August 8, and 15, 8 p.m.

Enjoy the campfire center for an evening of interactive and educational entertainment for the whole family. You will be delving into topics such as the most extreme marine mammals, creepy crawling creatures, the magic of migration, and much more through song, story, and celebration. Wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Junior Ranger Programs, Friday, August 8, 15, 3 p.m. and Sunday, August 3, 10, and 17, 10 a.m.

Explore and play games as you learn about plants, birds, mammals and more. For ages 7-12, Junior Rangers earn rewards for their participation in this one-hour program that is offered in most CA State Parks.

August 9, Animal Masks, 2 p.m., 2112 22nd Street, Sacramento. While learning about animals that live in California, kids will create a mask that can be worn and looks like a particular animal. This fun program will be held at the McClatchy Library.

Kids ages 6 to 12, will create a snack from food these animals love, sunflower seeds with salad greens. Enjoy the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” while you enjoy your snack. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 9, Critters on the River, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Bring the family to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center for a special program on herons,

August 16, Birding for Families, 10:30 a.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael. Bring the family out for a birding and nature walk led by a naturalist and special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Birdwatchers of all levels welcome. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair from the staff. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

Critter Events August 3, Beaks, Claws, and Jaws, 1:30 p.m., 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael.

Bring the kids to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in beautiful Ancil Hoffman Park to find the answer to, who eats whom and how?

Join a naturalist and find out how animals have adapted for survival. For more information, call (916) 489-4918.

August 9, Wild Things Program, 2 p.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael. Come to Carmichael Library for a program presented by Wild Things.

Wild Things provides live wildlife educational programs, with wild animals from around the world. For more information, call (916) 264-2920. Best suited for children ages 6 to 12.

Special Events August 2, Harvest Day, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 11549 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks. Harvest Day-2014 will be held in the horticulture center gardens.

Harvest Day’s dynamic lineup includes representatives form local nurseries, Western Sunset and the University of California. Attend mini presentations featuring compost, pollinators, and native plants. Visit over 30 educational booths, learn about straw bale gardening and find that perfect gift for the gardener who has everything at the silent auction. Taste tomatoes, grapes

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and stone fruit. This is a free event. For more information, call (916) 875-6913.

August 5, Read to a Dog, 3 p.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Read to a Dog is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to the McKinley Library to read to these furry friends, or they may borrow a book from the library’s collection. This will be held in the community room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 5, Lego Block Party, 6 p.m., 828 I Street, Sacramento.

First Tuesday of every month it’s a Lego Block Party at the Central Library. The staff supplies loads of Lego and Duplo blocks––you supply your imagination. Come build in Kids’ Place, street parking will.

Be free after 6 p.m. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 5, Read to a Dog, 6:30 p.m., 9845 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento. Read to a Dog is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to the Rancho Cordova Library to read to these furry friends, or they may borrow a book from the library’s collection. This will be held in the community room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 5, 12, 19, 26, Baby Stay and Play, Noon, 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Bring your baby (ages 0-18 months) to the Elk Grove Library for a fun playtime. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 6, Read to a Dog, 6:45 p.m., 11601 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks. Read to a Dog is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to the Fair Oaks Library to read to these furry friends, or they may borrow a book from the library’s collection. This will be held in the community room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 7, Juggling Program, 4 p.m., 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento. Performer and educator Doug Nolan brings his high energy show to the library for the “Paws to Read” summer reading program. Doug’s juggling virtuosity combined with comedic antics and audience participation makes it a delightful event. Join the fun at the Arden-Dimick Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 7, 14, 21, 28, Busy Bees, 11 a.m.,8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Read about bees, make a “hive” and enjoy a bee-pollinated snack with California Food Literacy at the Elk Grove Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Calendar of Events August 7, 14, 21, 28, Busy Bees, 11 a.m., 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Bring the kids, ages 6 to 12 to the Elk Grove Library for a special program about bees. Read about bees, make a “hive,” and enjoy a beepollinated snack with California Food Literacy. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 7, 14, 21, 28, Stay and Play, 11:45 a.m., 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael.

Parents and caregivers are invited to bring in their babies, toddlers, and other children to ‘stay and play’. The staff at the Carmichael Library will put out toys for the children to play with while their parents socialize. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 8, Sci-Fi for Kids, 3:30 p.m., 11601 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks. Are you a kid who loves science experiments?

Come to the Fair Oaks Library for Sci-Fi! Each month you’ll make some hypotheses, conduct a group experiment, talk about what happens and why and more.

This is a program that is best suited for children in elementary school. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 9 & 10, Banana Festival, 10 a.m. to 7 and 10 a.m. to 5, William Land Park, Sacramento. The Fifth Annual Sacramento Banana Festival will be held at William Land Park celebrating culture, diversity, art, food, health and community.

There will be live entertainment, tons of delicious banana dishes, annual Chef Challenge, 5K Run/ Walk, health pavilion, fun contests, carnival games and rides, fashion show, exhibits and more.

Admission only $5. Children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information visit www. sacbananafestival.com.

August 9, Food Preservation Demonstration, 10 a.m. to noon, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento. The Sacramento County UC Cooerative Extension Master Food Preservers presents, “The Pressure’s on!”

- basic introduction to safe pressure

canning techniques.” This will be held at the Sacramento Cooperative Extension Office. This is a free program. No advanced registration is required. For more information, call (916) 875-6913.

August 15, Block Party, 3 p.m., 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Bring your building skills to the Belle Cooledge Library as the staff pulls out piles of Legos, Duplos, and Megablocks for kids of all ages to create and imagine. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 15, Read to a Dog, 2 p.m., 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Kids are invited to the Elk Grove Library for a fun program. Bring your own books or borrow one form the library collection, then read aloud to a furry friend. Sign up inside the library for 10-15 minute sessions. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 17, Open House, 10 a.m. to Noon, 502 Riley Street, Folsom. Folsom Montessori, Preschool and Kindergarten will hold an open house on Sunday. Now enrolling for Fall. For more information, call 351-0345 or visit www.folsommontessori.com.

August 20, Food Preservation Demonstration, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento. The Sacramento County UC Cooperative Extension Master Food Preservers will present “Pick a Peck of Perky Pickles–Cucumbers, Peppers, and other vegetables. There is a $5 material fee payable at the door. No advanced registration is required. For more information, call (916) 875-6913.

August 26, Read to a Dog, 6:30 p.m., 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Read to a Dog is a fun and proven method for boosting a child’s reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog and adult volunteer. Children may bring their own books to the Belle Cooledge Library to read to these furry friends, or they may borrow a

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

book from the library’s collection.

This will be held in the community room. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 26, Sing Along with Mister Cooper, 11 a.m. 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento. Sing and learn with Mister Cooper for 30 minutes of pure entertainment at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

This program is for children ages 3 to 7 and their families.

For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 29, Busy Bees, 4 p.m., 9845 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento. Kids are invited to the Rancho Cordova Library to learn about bees and what pollination is, learn about four types of native bees that help produce some of California’s crops, and make your own mason bee house out of paper.

There will be a storytime, too.

For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

To October 29, Wednesday, Picnic in the Park, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., 4th and C Streets, Davis. Bring the family to the Farmers Market in Central Park. Enjoy the International Food Faire, kids activities, and live music. For more information, visit www. davisfarmersmarket.org.

Meet in Kids’ Place on the lower level. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, Baby/Toddler Stay and Play, 10:15 a.m., 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento.

“Stay and Play” is an unstructured social time for babies and toddlers, ages 0 and up) and their caretakers at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. Developmental toys and board books will be available. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 6, 13, 20, 27, Baby Lapsit, 10:30 a.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Babies from birth to 18 months old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. This all happens at the McKinley Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 6, 13, Toddler Storytime, 11:15 a.m., 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento.

Listen, sing, play, create and have fun at the toddler storytime at Arden-Dimick Library.

For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 6, 13, 20, 27, Music and Stories, 10 a.m., 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove. Enjoy music and stories with Michael Hemsworth of New Songs of Elk Grove at the Elk Grove Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 7, 14, Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m., 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento. Listen, play, sing, create and have fun at preschool storytime at ArdenDimick Library. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

August 7, 14, 21, 28, Toddler/Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m., 601 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento. Join the staff at the McKinley Library for song, fingerplays and stories especially for ages 18 months to 5 years, followed by playtime.

For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

Storytime & Puppet Events August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Baby Storytime, 12:10 p.m., 828 I Street, Sacramento.

Bond with your baby and make new friends at the Central Library. Baby Lapsit Storytime is designed to encourage early literacy ldevelopment through shared reading, songs, games and movements. Recommended for birth through 24 months, but older kids are welcome.

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Discovery Museum Science and Space Center Activities • August 2 and 3, Meet a Rock Hound!, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m. Visit the Discovery Museum to meet and learn from a local “rock hound.” This geology enthusiast is bringing his amazing collection of rocks and fossils that he has collected over the years. See a bendable rock, a mineral that bends light, a whale vertebrae fossil and more. There is a family-friendly presentation at noon and 2 p.m. for all ages. Each family gets a free poster as a souvenir (as supplies last). Planetarium shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. are included with admission (ages 4 and above only).

• August 9 and 10, Volcanic Blast!, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m. Did you know there are 1,900 active volcanoes on earth? Or that that lava can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit? Learn about volcanoes and their impact on planet earth this weekend at the Discovery Museum. Volcano demonstrations take place at noon and 2 p.m. Kids 12 and under receive a volcanic rock to take home, plus a make-and-take paper volcano craft.

Enjoy the volcano area of the Blast from the Past exhibit.

Planetarium shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. are included with admission (ages 4 and above only).

• August 16 and 17, Breathe California, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.

Take a deep breath and meet special guests from Breathe California. They’ll teach your family all about Sacramento’s air. The family feature at noon or 2 p.m. will explore the connection between clean air and healthy lungs. Learn how food waste is used to help improve our air quality. Children 12 and under are invited to create and decorate a model of a wind turbine to take home (from 12:30 to 4 p.m.). Admission includes planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. for ages 4 and older.

• August 23 - 29, Closed for Exhibit Maintenance The Museum is closed this week for repairs, cleaning, painting, touch-ups, fix-ups, tune-ups, and general maintenance. It will be back open in time for 3 days of LABOR DAY fun.

• August 30 and 31 and September 1, Labor Day Fun, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Enjoy the holiday weekend by showing your patriotic pride. Visit the Discovery Museum this weekend for a self-guided tour of the “Blast from the Past” exhibit.

Kids crafts one of the Museum’s favorites, a patriotic windsock. Included with admission are planetarium shows at 1 and 3 p.m. (ages 4 and above only); animal presentations at noon and 2 p.m.(all ages). Picnics are always welcomed on our grounds.

The Discovery Museum Science and Space Center is located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento. General admission: $8 adults (18+), $7 seniors (60+), $7 teens (13-17), $6 children (4-12), $0 children (3 and under), ages appropriate for 4 to 12 years old. For more information, call (916) 808-3942 or visit www.thediscovery.org.

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First 5 Sacramento Offers Tips for Healthy Family Eating

Cooking with children, visiting local farmers’ markets and planting a summer garden among the ways to develop healthy eating habits that last a lifetime A message brought to you by First 5 Sacramento

Proper nutrition in children ages zero to five can reinforce lifelong eating habits that contribute to a child’s overall well-being and help them to grow up to their full potential with a healthy life. Most experts advise that you can often get children to eat more veggies if you start early by offering your older infant and toddler a large variety of vegetables, set a good example by eating vegetables yourself, offer a lot of choices, and mix vegetables into a food that your child already likes. First 5 Sacramento has compiled a list of tips to promote healthy family eating.

Cook with Your Children Cooking together can be a delicious learning experience for children and their parents. Children can explore new foods and learn about nutrition, not to mention develop math and reading skills as they measure and read directions. By following a few simple guidelines, you can make cooking safe and fun, and entice your children into trying something new: •Invite your child to help plan a meal or pick a recipe (and keep a list of child-friendly recipes).

•Create a safe place where children can cook.

•Give preschoolers their own safe utensils.

•Eat your creation together and enjoy!

Visit Your Local Farmers’ Market Most fruits and vegetables have a special peak time of year when they taste their best and are most abundant, and the more recently they’ve been picked, the better they taste. Farmers’ markets are great places for children ages zero to five to try new fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Visit your local farmers’ market and you and your children may discover an exciting taste or flavor. Find a Farmers’ Market near you at HYPERLINK “http://www.california-grown.com” www. california-grown.com.

Plant a Summer Garden Children learn a great deal from growing their own fruits and vegetables. To get

started, designate a section of your yard as a place where your child can plant his or her own vegetables. Then let your child harvest the veggies and help decide how to eat them. Community gardens are also a great way to get involved in growing fruits and vegetables.

In addition to these tips, try to keep children on an eating and snacking schedule: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks.

This helps them feel signs of hunger and stops mindless munching between meals.

Make the kitchen off-limits unless it’s time for a meal or a planned snack. Limit calorie-rich juices, sodas, and other liquids. To keep children hydrated in the heat, give them plenty of water.

For more information, tips, and games about healthy eating please visit the Dairy Council of California at www. healthyeating.org.

About First 5 Sacramento: Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life.

Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco products to support programs for expectant parents and children ages zero to five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento distributed approximately $14 million a year in Prop 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs. Each county has a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. Surrounding First 5’s include: First 5 Yolo: (530) 669-2475; First 5 Placer: (530) 745-1304; and First 5 El Dorado: (530) 672-8298.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Join the Ice Henry Cowell Cream Walk Redwoods State Park Â

Located Off Hwy 9 in Felton (831) 335-7077

                                                                   • Pine Basket Making Program at Campfire Center, Saturday August 2 and 16, 10 a.m. to Noon Before there were pots, pans, and bowls to gather foods and prepare dinner, in California people used baskets. State Park Docent Cheryl VanDeVeer will teach you how to start a coiled basket using Ponderosa Pine needles and raffia. This class is designed for children 10 and up and adults. Meet at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campfire Center, located at 2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley, at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Program is free. Park entrance/parking fee is $10. For more information call 335-7077. • Full Moon Madness Astronomy Night, Friday, August 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Meet at the Visitor Center via the Park’s main entrance off Hwy 9 Join an evening walk and moonlit guided tour of the coast redwoods and moon gaze through telescopes.

Activities include music, crafts for kids, and an engaging presentation about outer space. The main entrance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located off of Highway 9 in Felton at 101 Big Trees Park Rd Felton, 95018. Parking fee is $10, Program is free.

This event is appropriate for all ages and no reservations are needed. More information is available at (831) 335-7077.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Opening Night Tickets $11!* Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability.

SEPT. 12 – 15

SLEEP TRAIN ARENA

SEPT. 19 – 21 STOCKTON ARENA

Fri. SEPT. 12 7:00 PM* Fri. SEPT. 19 7:00 PM*

Sat. SEPT. 13 11:30 AM 3:30 PM 7:30 PM

Sun. SEPT. 14

Mon. SEPT. 15

1:00 PM 5:00 PM

7:00 PM

Sat. SEPT. 20 11:30 AM 3:30 PM 7:30 PM

Sun. SEPT. 21 1:00 PM 5:00 PM

Buy Tickets: Ticketmaster.com t 7FOVF #PY 0GGJDF 279261

W

hat’s more fun than eating homemade ice cream on a hot summer day or night in Sacramento?

Walking to get to where you can eat that ice cream and taste testing to see which place has your favorite flavor. Everyone’s invited to join in the Sacramento Walking Sticks annual Vic’s to Gunther’s Ice Cream Walk, including the family dog.

The Start Location for the walks is Vic’s Ice Cream, 3199 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento. The walks are scheduled for Wednesday night, August 6, with registration between 6 -7 p.m.

If you can’t make the night walk, then come on Thursday morning, August 7, and register between 9-10 a.m. The routes are exactly the same; you can choose between a 5K (3.1 miles) loop or go the distance on a 10K (6.2 miles) loop that takes in both ice cream parlors. (If you choose to do the 5K, you can drive a short distance to Gunther’s to complete your taste test).

Gunther’s Ice Cream Shop is located at 2801 Franklin Boulevard, Sacramento.

The walk route between the two locally owned ice creameries in the Land Park and Curtis Park neighborhoods is rated a 1A and is suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, scooters and wagons. It’s a lovely shady stroll through upscale neighborhoods with classic 20’s and 30’s homes. The longer route takes in a walk thru Sacramento City College and Curtis Park. The cost of the walk is FREE (donations are always welcome) and $3 if volkswalk credit is desired.

The beauty of volkswalking is that people go at their own speed and the events are always non-competitive. Families are encouraged to stop along the way to enjoy the neighborhood playgrounds.

Everyone will receive written walk directions with a map.

The Sacramento Walking Sticks are the largest volkssport club in the USA with over 500 members; you do not have to be a member to walk with us. For more information, visit www.SacramentoWalkingSticks.org.

#RinglingBros

Ringling.com

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Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Pool Party!

U

• Send sunglasses with a colorful tag that has the information for the party.

• For a pirate pool party send a treasure map style invitation.

Pool Party Invitations

Pool Party Decorations

• Write party information on beach balls with a black permanent marker and send deflated to guests.

• Write pool party information on Frisbees and send to guests - ask them to bring the Frisbees to the party!

• In the trees outside the party venue hang small blow up swim rings, swim goggles, nose plugs, etc.

• Use colorful beach towels for table cloths.

• Fill buckets with sand and tie helium balloons to the handles.

www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com

se these great ideas to make your next pool party extra special.

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

• Hang fishnets around the edge of the party and fill with shells, crabs and seahorses.

• Hang blow-up beach balls around the party area.

• Place swim rings around the mailbox or in front of the party venue to tell party guests “This is the place!”

• Decorate with palm trees (easy to make by cutting out large green leaves then hang about 20 straight gold or brown ribbon strands from the middle to make a hanging trunk. These can be as tall as you want - just make the ribbons long. )

Pool Party Activities

• Make funky flip-flops Buy cheap flip-flops for each guest. Cut colorful fabric into strips 1 - 1.5 inches x 3 - 4 inches. You’ll need about 80 cloth strips per pair of flip-flops. Tie the strips onto the top of the flip-flop - covering the whole top part. Really fun and the kids love them!

• Beach Ball Exchange - Buy enough blow-up beach balls for every guest. Blow them up and let kids autograph each others with permanent markers. Fun activity while presents are

being opened or kids are eating.

Pool Party Food Ideas: Hot dogs or hamburgers, Goldfish crackers served in large conch shells, shell pasta with alfredo sauce, blue Jell-O with Swedish fish inside, served in clear containers. Sandwiches cut with a fish shaped cookie cutter. Jell-O jiggles cut into fish, starfish and shell designs with cookie cutters.

Set out a sundae bar where kids can make their own sundaes. Sprinkles, syrups, toppings and fruit. Taco or Nacho bar. Let the kids decorate their own BIG cookie or cupcake.

Party Favors for Pool Parties: Pool noodles - find them at the dollar store for cheap. swim rings, large pool floats, swimming masks or nose plugs, water guns, water balloons, flip-flops, sunglasses, bubbles, beach balls, beach towels, buckets and shovels - use for goodie bags to hold the party favors

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2014

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Parties!

Watermelon Party www.birthdaypartyideasforkids.com

AWatermelon Invitation Ideas

watermelon theme is a perfect birthday party idea for a summer party.

• Glue a wide piece of green and white striped ribbon to the top of pink note cards for a fun and easy watermelon invitation.

• Glue pink patterned scrapbook paper over 1/2 of a note card - and green patterned scrapbook paper over the other half. In the center, where the papers come together, glue a piece of black and white polka dotted ribbon.

Watermelon Party Decoration Ideas • Green and pink party supplies in any pattern. Green and white checkered tablecloth with hot pink plates, cups and flatware. Wrap pink flatware in green napkins and tie with a black polka dot ribbon. Or decorate party area in a traditional picnic theme with red and white checkered tablecloths, picnic baskets, fresh flowers and blankets on the ground for guests to picnic on.

Craft • Watermelon Flip - Flops - Make funky flip flops for the guests to wear during the party. Buy green and pink material and tie on to flip flops.

Watermelon Party Games • Traditional picnic games -Set up traditional picnic style games for the guests to play such as a three legged race or tug of war.

AUGUST 2014 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

• Watermelon Seed Hunt - Cut out teardrop shapes from poster board for the watermelon seeds. On a few watermelon seeds write down a number this number will correspond with small gifts or candy. Hide the seeds and ask guests to find all of them. When the watermelon seeds have all been found the kids can turn in the seeds for small gifts or prizes.

• Watermelon Eating Contest - Cut slices of watermelon in equal sizes and place on paper plates. The guests then place their hands behind their back and on “go” start to eat their watermelon slice as quickly as possible. The first guest to finish wins a small prize.

• Watermelon Roll Relay - Divide party guests into two teams and each team gets a large watermelon. The object of the game is for the teams to roll their watermelon across the playing area to a set mark and then back. First team with all of their members to complete the relay wins. Variation: After kids master rolling the melon with their hands have them roll it with their noses or feet or anyway they can without using their hands.

Food Ideas: Watermelon, watermelon and fruit kabobs - cut thin slices of watermelon and other fruits with a round or flower shaped cookie cutter and place alternating fruit slices on skewers. (might want to shave the ends so they are not so sharp for the kids), pink lemonade, picnic type foods such as hamburgers or hotdogs Party Favor Ideas: Watermelon candies, watermelon seeds in a terra cotta pot, bubbles, sunglasses, pink and green beach towel Goody / Loot Bag Ideas: Pink and green sand pails, pink paper bags with green tissue paper (or vice versa), green boxes tied with pink ribbons

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