California Kids - June 2018

June 2018

www.valcomnews.com

 ZOO NEWS, 3 |  WHO WROTE THAT, 6 |  TRAVEL, 8 |  CRAFTS, 11

New Powerhouse Museum broke ground on May 31 The new Powerhouse Museum will revitalize the historic PG&E power station—listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and incorporate Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park into a dynamic new campus right on the Sacramento River. The new center will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education centers in science, technology, engineering, math, and space, helping to prepare the next generation workforce. The Powerhouse held its official groundbreaking ceremony on May 31. Maria Hill, marketing manager at the Powerhouse, wrote the following article detailing some of highlights at the new museum.

By Maria Hill Special to California Kids!

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model for 21st-century experiential education centers in science, technology, engineering, math, and space, helping to prepare the next generation workforce, the new Powerhouse Science Center will revitalize the historic PG&E power station—listed on the National Register of Historic Places— and incorporate Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park into

a dynamic new campus right on the Sacramento River.

We are proud to announce Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) as the naming rights sponsor.

There is little debate on the educational value that the new Powerhouse brings to the Sacramento region.

The need for improvement in science education is acute in Sacramento where elementary school students receive an average of 19 minutes of science instruction per week and 71% of the elementary schools in the Sacramento region have zero teacher hours dedicated to science education.

Studies have shown that most science learning is driven by, among other things, access to informal learning opportunities outside the classroom. Science centers allow children – regardless of their economic backgrounds – access to experiences which contribute to their knowledge of science and indeed build passions around pursuing science in high school and college and ultimately STEM careers.

The public need an increased knowledge of science to under-

www.valcomnews.com Publisher: David Herburger Editor: Monica Stark Contributing Writers: Steve DeBenedetti-Emanuel, Bitsy Kemper, Carmel Mooney Art Director: John Ochoa Graphic Designer: Annin Greenhalgh Advertising: Melissa Andrews, Linda Pohl - 916-429-9901 Cover courtesy Metro News Service California Kids! is published monthly and distributed to more than 1,000 locations in the Sacramento Valley, including all of Sacramento County, and portions of Yolo (Davis and Woodland), Placer (Rocklin and Roseville), El Dorado (Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville) counties.

Deadlines for advertising and calendar listings are the 25th of the month prior to publication. Calendar listings should be mailed to 1109 Markham Way, Sacramento, CA 95818, faxed to (916) 429-9906, or e-mailed to editor@valcomnews.com.

Copyright 2018 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. 1109 Markham Way, Sacramento, CA 95818.

Phone: (916) 429-9901. Fax: (916) 429-9906. E-mail:calkids@valcomnews.com. ©2018 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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stand the complex science-based issues confronting our country and the world. It is important to have a scientifically literate public who are more informed consumers and voters.

The new Powerhouse Science Center will be a dynamic epicenter of STEM education, exploration, and promotion for Northern California’s Capitol region. Its mission is to engage and inspire people of all ages to explore the wonders, possibilities, and responsibilities of science. By providing exciting exhibits, public programs, school and community outreach, as well as teacher professional growth opportunities, Powerhouse will help empower our STEM-literate community of tomorrow. By creating synergy among formal and informal learning, social responsibility, and entrepreneurship, it will become an essential place where the next generation of innovative scientists, engineers, technologists, inventors and educators are inspired.

The Center is a bold expansion of the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center that has served the Sacramento region since 1951. We will be renovating the 100-year-old Pacific Gas & Electric power plant just north of Old Sacramento, within a mile of the Golden 1 Center. Our new STEM educational campus will be five times the current Discovery Campus size, and be an anchor civic amenity for Sacramento’s riverfront. Powerhouse will unite scientific explorations with our area’s extraordinary potential, serving as a catalyst for neighborhood development and a vibrant component of California’s capitol.

Our current annual audience of 65,000 – 70,000 represents a diverse population from 19 counties in Northern California:

• 40% are from economically disadvantaged populations: • 64% self-identify as other than Caucasian; and • 18% are from Title I schools with high numbers or high percentages of low-income families.

Expanded programming at the new facility will allow us to reach pre-K, elementary, middle and high school ages and life long learners. Our feasibility study has estimated the new facility to serve over 250,000 annually, closely matching the audience of the Crocker Art Museum.

Visitors will enjoy a variety of fun, interactive, content-rich exhibition galleries, as well as scientific discovery labs/classrooms on campus. Exhibits will focus on the future, leveraging technology to teach us how to be better stewards of our world, ourselves and our universe. These experiences will challenge and inspire young minds to explore water, technology, alternative energy sources, biosciences, space and consider careers in STEM fields. A signature feature of the new facility will be a full-dome digital planetarium/theater capable of displaying films and star programs replicating the night sky. As the science center for the capitol of California, Powerhouse will also be a visible venue to engage and educate voters about global issues related to science, technology, engineering and math.

Powerhouse Science Center has revealed recently redesigned project renderings of the 50,000 square foot campus where visitors can experience: • 20,000 square feet of exhibition space • A state-of-the-art 120-seat full-dome digital planetarium theater

• Welcoming grounds including a redevelopment of Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park • A unique, riverfront special events venue for corporate and private functions “We have 80 percent of funding in place for this $50 million project, and now we look to the community, individual philanthropists, and our corporate citizens, to help us cross the finish line of our fundraising campaign.” – Michael Galane, President of the Board of Directors, Powerhouse Science Center Funding from this next phase of the campaign will support enhancements to exhibits and galleries, installation of a technologyrich design lab, excellence in educational and exhibit programs, establishing an endowment fund, and more.

Otto Construction is the general contractor and Dreyfus and Blackford is the project architect. Groundbreaking ceremony for the new center was held Thursday, May 31 with comments by Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Sacramento City Council Member Steve Hansen. Construction on the site will begin in June and it is currently estimated that the build time will take 18 months. We are targeting an opening date of late 2020, barring any unforeseen hurdles.

The current site on Auburn Boulevard will be returned to the City of Sacramento when we relocate to the new facility.

Maria Hill is the Marketing Manager for the Powerhouse Science Center, which is currently located at 3615 Auburn Blvd.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • JUNE 2018

Snow leopard cub born

Animal profile:

Pelicans Zamboni and Montana

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he majority of the animals at the Sacramento Zoo were all either born at the Sacramento Zoo, or at another AZA-accredited zoo and moved to Sacramento based on a breeding recommendation by the coordinator for that species.

However, the zoo’s resident pelicans, Zamboni and Montana, have a unique story of how they ended up in Sacramento. About six years ago, both birds were brought to the Sacramento Zoo from a Montana rehabilitation facility as a result of injuries they both independently sustained in the wild.

Zamboni has the most noticeable injury – a missing wing caused by abandoned monofilament fishing line becoming wrapped

tightly around it. While it is not a regular occurrence, the zoo is happy to provide a safe home for these two birds who were deemed to not be releasable back into the wild by U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

To closely monitor how much they are eating, zookeepers have trained the pelicans to voluntarily stand on round wooden stations and wait for their fish to be tossed to them.

You wouldn’t think that

large birds who swallow their meals whole would be picky, but these two sure are! Montana, the female pelican, enjoys capelin while Zamboni, the male, does not.

Both birds were originally placed on the lake shared with the flamingos. However, last year they moved to new accommodations: the lake exhibit across from the thick-billed parrots. You can now see them upclose on the path that separates the two lakes.

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he Sacramento Zoo has a new resident – a male snow leopard cub. This was the first pregnancy for the cub’s five-year-old mother, Misha, and six-year-old father, Blizzard, and the first snow leopard birth at the Sacramento Zoo since 2006.

Misha gave birth to two cubs on May 6. Mother and cubs were and are closely monitored over a closed-circuit video system. Several days after birth, one cub began to decline in health and passed away. Initial exams indicate the cub suffered from severe birth defects, including a cleft palate.

A full necropsy (animal autopsy) is being performed at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Misha and the remaining cub continue to be closely monitored by staff through closed-circuit video. The pair are being housed in an off-exhibit maternity den where mother and cub can bond and allow for proper nursing and care in a quiet space.

Veterinary staff performed a brief neonatal exam on May 10. At that time the cub weighed 1.35 pounds and showed normal signs of growth and development including a strong heart and lungs. Dr. Jenessa Gjeltema, Associate Veterinarian who performed the exam said, “I was pleased by how robust and vibrant the cub appeared at its first evaluation, and we look forward to seeing how he continues to grow and develop.”

Through consistent video monitoring, veterinary and zookeeper staff have observed that Misha is exhibiting exceptional care of her cub and displaying positive maternal behaviors at this stage.

Misha and the cub will remain off exhibit until later this summer when the cub is routinely leaving the nest area and coordinated enough to navigate his habitat and make his public debut. The Sacramento Zoo will continue to provide updates on the progress of the zoo’s newest resident.

This breeding was carefully planned and recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan. Any snow leopard birth is significant due to the species’ declining population in the wild.

Let’s go to the City!

SF Ferry Building Farmers’ Market Exploratorium

Pier 41

PIER 39 Shops & Dining Fisherman’s Wharf

AT&T Park

Daily ferry service from Vallejo

Giants Game Service Follow. Connect. Share.

For Ferry Route, Schedule, Ticket and Terminal Information www.SanFranciscoBayFerry.com (707) 643-3779 JUNE 2018 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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Best in Class Education Center added Pocket neighborhood location after success in Elk Grove

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ocal businesswoman Jenny Tran opened her second Best in Class Education Center in Sacramento on Saturday, March 17 at 7600 Greenhaven Drive, Suite Number 6. Jenny opened her first Best in Class in Elk Grove just three years ago, and due to the success she’s seen is expanding her services to provide more students in the area with advanced learning programs and tutoring services by opening a second location nearby. Jenny took some time to speak with California Kids! about her success with improving the academic lives of students in the area through her services Best in Class.

California Kids! Tell us about the learning center and how it differs from other tutoring centers.

Jenny Tran: The biggest, most influential difference between Best in Class and our competitors is that Best in Class has a class size limit for both private and group tutoring. Smaller class sizes allow students to get the individual attention needed to fully succeed in their academic careers. Each student learns differently and at Best in

writing skills as well as foundational math concepts to apply throughout their education.

Class we offer specialized tutoring and learning programs to cater to children of all learning levels and ages.

CK: Tell us about the tutors.

JT: All of our tutors have a college education in the subject they’re teaching, making all of our educators highly qualified.

Some of our English tutors are even high school teachers in the subject, and we also have a tutor with a Masters in English who is currently pursuing her PhD in English. We also have several math tutors who are medical students.

CK: What can one expect with a typical session?

JT: Best in Class provides tailored lessons to help build each students’ confidence in their academic career. In our private tutoring sessions, we offer lessons in Math, Language Arts, Science and History. We then assess which skill sets and activities will be most beneficial to the student depending on what they’re trying to achieve and their current learning level. We also provide SAT and ACT tutoring and enrichment programs in Math and English to allow children to apply critical thinking, reading and

CK: Tell us about the variety of programs that the center offers.

JT: As mentioned previously, Best in Class offers several advanced programs.

Our Enrichment programs provide students in small group classes with lessons in math and English, building a foundation of skills and critical thinking. Private tutoring lessons are available in a variety of subjects depending on what the child’s specific needs are. Our SAT and ACT prep programs are utilized by high school students preparing for placement exams.

CK: Why did you decide on the Pocket neighborhood for the development of a new center? What does this center feature? Are there be any differences between this center and the Elk Grove location?

JT: The Sacramento center will be slightly bigger, however due to the success we’ve seen over the past four years at our Elk Grove center we’d like to replicate many of the processes

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already in place at our new center. We’ve found success with our students in Elk Grove and look forward to working with students in the greater Sacramento area to better their academic lives.

CK: What are your goals for this center?

JT: The main goal is to provide more students in the area with the opportunity to advance their academic careers through our excellent learning services.

CK: How did you get started in the tutoring business? Tell us the story of how it all came to be.

JT: My experience with Best in Class is quite unique. My family and I used to live in San Jose, and our children were attending a competing private tutoring center in the area. My friends referred me to Best in Class, so my husband and I decided to take a chance and enroll our children at the center. After just six months of tutoring, my daughter tested into seventh grade math as a sixth grader, and my son was excelling in areas he was previously struggling in in school. When we moved to Sacramento, I wanted them to continue with their lessons at Best in Class because my children’s education is the most important thing in my life and I wish to do everything in my power to allow them to expand their knowledge and skills. There were no Best in Class centers in the area at the time, so my husband and I thought, “Why not open one ourselves?� We opened our first center in Elk Grove almost four years ago. I am a firm believer in the quality of materials that Best in Class provides and have seen its programs work for my own children in their education.

CK: Tell us a success story about one of your students.

JT: We have several students come to us who are a year behind in Math and Reading and are now straight A students. I recently had a student who enrolled in an SAT prep class with us and after taking the SAT in December scored an impressive 1500.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • JUNE 2018

The Dad Navigates Troubled Waters

By Steve DeBenedetti-Emanuel

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ello everyone. My name is Steve DeBenedetti-Emanuel, and I’m excited to announce that I am joining the paper to write a monthly column called “The Dad Navigates Troubled Waters.”

I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist, working in Midtown Sacramento, where I specialize in counseling adolescents and adults, both solo and in couples. I’m also married to Stephanie and have a son named KD. And much of what I’m writing about will be the highs and lows of parenting him. Believe me, he’s a charming, lovely, bright, cheery little 10-year-old. We call him sunny side up. I’m biased, but they really don’t come any better than he is.

Seriously.

And he’s still that with me. But we also have our challenges. Just this morning, he and I hung out and talked about the importance of being a consistent parent. What the heck, my son instructed me on the importance of being consistent. We cracked-up and then I busted myself because by talking about being consistent, I wasn’t being consistent.

He was supposed to start his chore chart at 7, and it was almost 715.

JUNE 2018 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

Having made his point, he bolted, did his morning routine in a flash, and was ready to head out the door with Stephanie. They left on time.

It was a good morning.

And this is the perspective from which I’m writing these pieces: a supposed parenting expert who struggles being a good parent. Don’t get me wrong; if you knew me you’d think I’m pretty good. But behind the scenes I spend time in the parenting trenches with the rest of us.

I hope you can relate with what I write.

Monopoly and my phone Father’s Day is coming up. What a perfectly convenient place to dive in!

Sure, it’d be fun to drop a grand or two and go somewhere for the weekend. Anywhere. But since somewhere and anywhere aren’t in the budget, I’m going simple, mellow, and perfect.

I’m looking at a sleep in, have brunch with Stephanie and KD, maybe an escape for my book and some awesome coffee, and a quick snooze. Then it’s a bbq with friends. Perfect, right! I’ll feel honored to be a dad.

Since I’m one of those reflective guys, I’ll also use this day as an opportunity to assess how I think I’m doing as a dad.

When KD was little, Chutes and Ladders and Candyland were family “favorites.” I couldn’t stand them.

Honestly, I fantasized about throwing them in the dumpster. These days, we’ve moved-on to Monopoly. I’m not a hater, but after at least a hundred games with KD, I “strongly dislike,” it. I’m not at the point where I lose on-purpose, but I’ve set a time limit of an hour or less.

Still, as tempting as it is to say, “Oops, we gave it away,” I think it’s going to be around for a while longer.

Because when we play it’s face-to-face, father-son time. Between moves we talk about what’s important in the life of a ten-year-old. We connect. It’s our glue. And I know that the more we’re connected, the better life is.

Cellphone: I run my business with my phone. I need to keep it close by to answer calls and monitor texts.

But when I’m truly honest, 85% of the time I spend on my phone is unnecessary. After all, how many times a day can I see if I have new emails, play games, and check out my social media? And when my eyes are on the screen, they aren’t on

him, and everything goes downhill.

He clamors for my attention, and it isn’t pretty.

This isn’t brain surgery, but it’s a good reminder. As I move along I’m going to keep taking a ride on the Reading Railroad and hope I land on Free Parking. I’m going to preserve data and turn the darn phone off.

Until next time…

I also want to announce that I facilitate a 10-week men’s counseling group, in which a group of seven men get together to discuss life challenges like parenting, relationships, job stress, and other topics. In the past, men have embraced these groups, as it has provided an opportunity to discuss tough issues without the stress of outside influences. My next group begins in September. For more information, please email or give me a call. Thanks! ****************** Steve DeBenedetti-Emanuel can be reached at 916-919-0218 and at steve@ rivercitycounseling.com His website, which includes 150 or so parenting, relationship, and random blogs is www.rivercitycounseling.com.

He can also be found on Twitter @ rivercitysteve and on Facebook at River City Counseling.

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Who wrote that?

KIDLIT CREATORS WHO MAKE KIDS WANT TO READ An interview with Danna Smith

Who Wrote That? is a monthly column that profiles the talented authors and illustrators who are bringing children’s books to life.

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uess what Danna Smith wanted to be when she grew up? If you guessed teacher, you’d be half right. It was a toss-up, she said, between teacher and mortician. “Don’t judge me!” the angelic-looking author added with a laugh.

Danna sat down and talked with columnist Bitsy Kemper about her writing journey.

Bitsy: First off, it’s pronounced Dan-na, not Dayna, right?

Danna: Yes! Thank you for checking. My name rhymes with banana. As a child, my nickname was Danna Banana. In fact, one of my sisters has dropped my name completely and calls me Banana, which can lead to strange looks from people in public.

BK: When being a mortician didn’t pan out, what made you think about writing?

DS: My teacher encouraged my efforts (teachers rock!) and I knew someday I would try to become a published picture book author. Of course, I had no idea how to go about following my dreams as I had never met an author. It wasn’t until much later that I found the opportunity and guidance I had been looking for in a writing conference. I was ready to go from writing strictly for pleasure to writing for fun and publication.

BK: When did you get serious about writing?

DS: I submitted my first story 19 years ago, in 1999. I mailed it in (snail mail in those

By Bitsy Kemper

days) and to my surprise, the editor wrote back saying she like my manuscript. She was changing jobs and took the manuscript with her to her new publishing house. They ended up making an offer.

BK: That was fast!

DS: It still took a few years for Disney-Hyperion publish to A Wild Cowboy but it was my first book—and it sold without an agent, to a large publisher.

These things didn’t happen to me! It was a big break that kick-started my career.

BK: Sounds like you’ve had an easy path.

DS: Oh my no. It’s never easy. Since then I’ve had 300 rejections and counting!

BK: Holy cow! You must have thick skin.

DS: When I was a child, I asked Santa for a unicycle every year, I wanted one in the worst way.

Money was scarce in my family, but Santa could bring one, right?

I’d awake Christmas morning with lovely gifts but no unicycle.

My wish finally came true years later, but I had no idea how hard that thing would be to ride! I practiced every day, learning to jump off the seat and to my feet before crashing, letting the unicycle fall to the ground.

Before long the seat was shredded where it connected with the road so many times, but I finally learned to ride.

BK: How did that prepare you for a writing career?

DS: I was in heaven pedaling around my neighborhood year after year. I learned that things are often harder than they appear but if I want something

badly enough, I can make it happen. If I get knocked down with a rejection letter, I pick myself up and try again. In fact, rejection makes me more determined to succeed.

BK: You’ve had quite the successes too. Tell me about some of your awards.

DS: The Hawk of the Castle received starred reviews, became a Junior Library Guild Selection, and was named a Bank Street College of Education Best Books of 2018. My lyrical story, Arctic White, about a girl, her grandfather and the Northern Lights became a Crystal Kite Award finalist at SCBWI, the major children’s book writer and illustrator organization.

BK: That must make you feel good.

DS: I love it when my books receive awards – who doesn’t like to have their work acknowledged with excellence by top children’s book reviewers and committees? For me, however, creating books to share with children is the reward. The awards are a bonus. Awards allow my books the opportunity to be seen by more children in more places around the world, and that is my ultimate goal!

BK: I think readers should have the ultimate goal to pick up some of your books! Looks like you have a whole bunch coming out this year. Best to you, Danna.

Bitsy Kemper is author of 16 children’s books and 5 e-books. You may have seen Bitsy on CNN, heard her on national radio, noticed her quoted

in a range of places from Parenting magazine to Writing Children’s Books for Dummies, or seen her work in countless newspapers, radio and TV stations across the U.S of A. Busy with three kids (four if you count her husband), she happily finds time to present at schools and writer conferences from CA to NY. Find out more at www.BitsyKemper.com

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AUTHOR DANNA SMITH

Danna Smith is an award-winning author living in Northern CA with her husband and two grown children where she is hard at work on her next book.

Website: www.dannasmithbooks.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/authordannasmith/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannasmith8 Picture Book Review Blog: https://picturebookplaylist.com/blog/ Favorite saying (found on tumblr): “I write because creating something that didn’t exist before is as close to magic as I’ll ever get.”

SEE DANNA SMITH June 2nd 11-1:30AM Barnes & Noble in Folsom June 28th 10AM Rio Linda Library in Rio Linda

RECENT BOOKS BY DANNA SMITH Springtime Babies (A Little Golden Book) Illustrated by Takako Fisher, Penguin Random House, 2018 The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval Falconry Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, Candlewick Press, 2017 Arctic White Illustrated by Lee White, Henry Holt & Co., 2016 Swallow the Leader Illustrated by Kevin Sherry, Clarion Books, 2016 Mother Goose’s Pajama Party Illustrated by Virginia Allyn, Doubleday Books, 2015 Coming soon: Three more Little Golden Books will release later in 2018, Rocket-Bye Baby: A Spaceflight Lullaby, The Colors of Summer, and The Colors of Winter.

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CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • JUNE 2018

Bubble Recipe

Guest Post

Ice Cream Math M

ake your own bubble blowing mixture!

Summer wouldn’t be summer without the chance to blow bubbles! Use this bubble recipe to make up your own batch of super bubble mixture. Store it in jars or bottles overnight for an even better mixture. Scroll down this page to find our bubble recipe.

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he Ice Cream Counting Printable set comes with 12 cones – the first 10 are numbered from 1 to 10 and then there are 2 empty cones (very useful for adding your own numbers) and 57 scoops of ice cream in blue, yellow and pink.

The original idea of the printable was for the kids to use it as a counting activity – place the number of correct scopes on each cone. So for the cone with number three on the kids need to add three scopes of ice cream.

You could turn it into a very nice counting poster.

If you line up the cones from 1 to 10 and then add the scoops, the kids will see how each ice cream gets bigger as the number increases.

You could also write the number words on some of the scoops and then the kids need to match the correct word scoop to the correct number cone.

If your kids are learning how to spell the number words, how about getting them to write out the words on the scoops themselves?

You could also combine the number words and counting idea into one.

Write the number words out on some scoops and

then also draw out dots, lines or tally marks that represent each number. This way the kids can add the correct number word and the correct number of dots to each cone.

But the reason I printed our copy was for number bonds.

You could write out all the sums on the different scoops and then the kids match the scoops to the cone. So for cone number 4 they would need to add the scoops with 3+1, 4+0 and 2+2.

This could be used as number bond revision activity, so you could write out all the sums for each cone and then added them to the different cones.

If you want to extend it to number bonds for numbers

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JUNGLE CAMP 2018 JUNE 2018 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

great than 10, you could just write the numbers on the empty cones or you could cut out a small circle, write your number on the circle and then glue it onto one of the existing cones like this: The cones could be used for skip counting prac tice. The kids can write the different numbers on the scoops and then add them to the cones.

Because we were in an ice cream maths craze we also thought of making Odd and Even cones. We stated off with Cone 1 for Odd numbers and Cone 2 for even numbers and then wrote out all the other odd and even numbers on the scoops and added them to the correct cones.

Make Bubble Wands If you don’t mind getting a bit soapy, you can blow surprisingly large bubbles by looping your thumb and first finger into a bubble blowing wand!

Or loop some wire (garden wire works particularly well and is easy to loop) into home-made bubble wands. You can made huge wands out of wire coat-hangers, but adult supervision is required because the ends can be sharp. Pipe cleaners work too, but get soggy.

Drinking straws make lots and lots of sweet little bubbles.

If you have any Scooby-Doos in the house (the plastic strings used for making key fobs - not the cartoon dog!), you can easily twist these into excellent, colourful bubble wands.

With a bit of practice you can make 3 or even 4 loops from one Scooby-Doo string.

Raid your kitchen drawers; look carefully and there are bound to be a few kitchen implements that have holes in them!

Bubble Recipe 1/2 cup of dish detergent (washing up liquid) 5 cups water (Soft water is best. If your water is very hard consider using distilled or bottled water) 2 tablespoons glycerine (available at the pharmacy or supermarket). You can substitute light corn syrup (not golden syrup!)

Mix the ingredients together very carefully, so that you they don’t get too bubbly. Pour into storage containers and, if possible, leave overnight to blend. https://www.activityvillage.co.uk

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A Sacramento area spring hike for outdoorsy families who need to unplug, disconnect and reconnect with nature

By Carmel L. Mooney

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he Sierra foothills are vibrant green, wildflowers are blooming, and wildlife is abundant for foothills nature hikes. One such hike just an hour from Sacramento and a half an hour from Marysville is a gorgeous jaunt to Beale Falls, also known as Fairy Falls by the locals.

This easy yet spectacular hike takes outdoor loving families through meadows, gentles hills, some wooded areas and over rocks to a spectacular 100-foot waterfall perfect for a picnic or in later spring, a refreshing swim. Our kids absolutely love this as an annual spring family tradition. So far, we’ve done the hike a few times this year already.

The elevation gain on this 5-mile round trip hike is about 300-feet with most of the hike occurring on a well-maintained trail. Depending on what area of the falls you want to access, you will have to traverse some rocks at the foot of the falls.

Several sandy beaches also provide nice areas for sunbathing and picnicking. We’ve taken our kids and their friends of all ages, ranging from age 4 and up. Toddlers, tweens, and teens alike all love this gorgeous hike. When the kids were very little we even hiked the trail with a double jogging stroller. It’s fairly smooth in most areas until you get right to the falls. There you will have to leave your stroller on the trail’s edge to meander down the rocky trail to the water.

While this is not a difficult hike even for young children, the terrain is varied and very minimally challenging in a few areas. Several new trail markers have recently been erected, so just wear good walking shoes, follow the signs, and enjoy the lush scenery and wildlife.

Walking the dirt road you will likely see cattle and numerous birds.

At the end of the road, about one quarter of the way to the falls you will turn right and pass through a metal gate, climb a gentle hill and cross a cattle crossing/guard. The edge of the meadow just past the cattle guard offers two trails and either one will take you to the falls and to several great swimming holes and picnic spots. We always enjoy looking for tadpoles, frogs and interesting fish, and we’ve never been disappointed as there’s lots of varied wildlife to spy.

Our kids have often brought binoculars, a butterfly net, bug catcher,

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and other similar kid supplies along on the hike, to further enjoy the experience.

You can also follow the trail a bit further along the creek side and climb over some rocks to the overlook of Beale Falls. When you are ready to head back, just retrace your route. At a leisurely pace, you’ll need to allow about three hours for the entire round trip, not counting extra time you plan to enjoy the falls. There is no cell service, so plan accordingly.

Be sure to pack ample fresh drinking water and some energy snacks.

We usually find 32 oz. per person to be perfect. Be cautious as rattlesnakes are occasionally spotted on the trails and surrounding areas.

Since most of the hiking trails are wide open spaces, be sure to prepare with sunblock as midday sun may be intense. A hat may be helpful as most of the trail is not shaded. This is an exceptionally dog-friendly hike, so families who are dog lovers will want to bring their furry friends along. Many horseback riders also frequent the trail. My kids delight in watching an occasional cattle drive with local ranchers rounding up their herds on the trail.

To access the trail head:

Drive from Marysville on Hwy 20 towards Grass Valley. Turn right on Hammonton/Smartville Rd. (newly named Chuck Yeager Road), from the Beale AFB exit. Continue 5 miles to Waldo Road. Turn left on Waldo Road, which is a dirt road. Cross the one-lane bridge and turn left. Drive to the dead end at the wooden bridge. You can park right by the yellow gate. This is the trail head for this gorgeous Springtime hike.

CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • JUNE 2018

Kid Friendly Eateries Near Funderland

By Funderland Staff

You and the kiddos have spent your beautiful summer day at the park; the sun starting to set and some tummies have started grumblin’. It is dinner time. Quickly, before the car ride home turns into a whirlwind of hangry 6 year olds, you’ve got to get some grub for those little bellies. You don’t want to trek everyone half way across town for a bite to eat after a long day of fun and you are in luck! As it turns out, Sacramento is full of very kidfriendly eateries and we have come up with a list of dives to checkout with your little ones after your day at Land Park.

There are plenty of options located within a few miles away; Land Park is located in a prime location for good eats of any kind; many being within 15 minutes, or less, from the park. Anything from ice cream to burritos, everyone will be able to find something to hit the spot, without breaking the bank.

Freeport Blvd features everything from sushi to mexican food to burgers and fries. It can be daunting, thinking of the budget of a full day on the town with all of the mouths to feed; however these establishments offer meals under 10, and sometimes 5 dollars.

Here is Funderland’s list of kid-friendly restaurants by Land Park: LaBou: 4400 Del Rio Road, Sacramento, CA 95822 This café is located, conveniently, right across the street from Land Park! Is is the perfect spot for an affordable bite that is a quick walk away.

This is a perfect place to pop into and grab a snack at any point in the day! They have breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads and paninis, along with a full sandwich menu; all under 10 dollars! It is hard to

beat a deal like that, especially when it is so close by.

Marie Callender’s: 5622 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95822 Phone: 916391-4300 At this all-American restaurant and bakery, you will find a plethora of hardy eats that anyone will love, no matter the age! To make it even better, all kids under 12 will eat for free with purchase on Saturdays and Tuesdays after 4. A perfect stop after a long day on the rides! Every kid’s meal comes with a piece of Mary’s famous pie; but only if you eat your veggies!

Riverside Clubhouse: 2633 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento CA. About 2 miles from Land Park is this café that features a wide array of culinary confections; from pizza and wings, to calamari and Fettuccine. It has meals that kids will be more than happy with and something the adults can fill up on as well without compromising quality.

Kids eat free on Tuesdays and Kid’s Meals are only $7 every other day of the week!

Vic’s Cafe and Ice Cream: 3193 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA This low-key café has perfect lunch options that are light and affordable. The kids menu features simple items that will fill up the little ones for under $5 each! As if that weren’t reason enough, there is also an ice cream parlour adjacent to the café; making this the perfect stop after a long day at the park! For the grown ups, their sandwiches will surely hit the spot without breaking the bank.

Papa Murphy’s Pizza: 4424 Freeport, Sacramento, CA, 95842

Are you are in a hurry to get home and want an easy dinner? You are in luck!

Located across the street from Funderland, this is a foolproof pizza spot for any parent looking to find a quick “bake-at-home” meal on the way back from the park. They have all the toppings you could imagine and

have little mini pies for the kiddies.

Togo’s Sandwich Shop: 4421 Freeport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822 Since the ’70s, this franchise has been a go to sandwich spot for Sacramento, and this one is very close by.

Togo’s has all of your deli

style sandwich favorites and a few creations to mix it up.

There is a rewards program for frequent visitors and a Kids menu, for the little ones under 12; complete with a sandwich, fountain drink, and a bag of chips!

This another great option for someone looking for a quick meal near the park.

Construction Is Underway The City of Sacramento, Department of Utilities and its construction contractors are working on water meters, water mains, and water service lines in the area.

Visit www.MetersMatter.org to learn more about the project and to find out what may be happening in and around your neighborhood.

This work may result in: • Traffic delays • Sidewalk closures • Construction-related dust and noise This work addresses the State’s mandate for water meters to be installed on all water services.

Thank you for your cooperation on this very important project.

Contact us for more information: www.MetersMatter.org Meter Information Line: 916-808-5870

JUNE 2018 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy Saturday, June 23 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Fairytale Town 3901 Land Park Drive Sacramento, CA 95822

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hakespeare’s popular fairy-themed comedic play comes to life at Fairytale Town, along with all-you-can-eat Crystal ice cream! Join us for a magical midsummer’s eve featuring multiple ice cream tasting stations, live entertainment, hands-on activities, an enchanted marketplace and more!

Celtic band Stepping Stone will perform throughout the evening on the outdoor Mother Goose Stage, and Shakespeare Lite will present Pyramus and Thisbe from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Children’s Theater at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.

Theater performances are free but seating in the theater is limited.

Sample delicious Crystal Creamery ice cream flavors at stations around the park.

Pick up dinner from one of our featured food trucks or the Dish & Spoon Cafe.

Bottom’s Up Tavern will be open with wine and beer available for purchase.

Renaissance or fairy themed costumes for the whole family are strongly encouraged.

Please note:

Purchase Tickets

A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy is a special ticketed event.

No outside food or drink.

Fairytale Town will be closing at 2 p.m. the day of the event in order to prepare for the evening’s festivities. https://webhost. corecashless.com/fairytaletown/ events/

Advance Tickets (May 1 – June 22): Adults: $15 Children (2-12yrs.): $7 Children 1 and under: Free Fairytale Town members receive $3 off per ticket Day-of Tickets (beginning June 23): Adults: $20 Children (2-12yrs.): $10 Children 1 and under: Free No member discount

Explore  Roam  Discover 100-acre Nature Preserve Nearly 40 Resident Animals Natural History Museum Weekend Discovery Programs

Open 9am-5pm Tuesday thru Sunday www.SacNatureCenter.net

(916) 489-4918 Located in Ancil Hoffman County Park, Carmichael

Connecting Campers With What Matters 2018 Overnight Camp YMCA CAMP RAVENCLIFF YMCA CAMP LOMA MAR Youth Camp (Ages 7–13) Session 1: Session 2: Session 3: Session 4: Session 5:

June 24 - July 1 -At Camp Ravencliff July 1 - 8 -At Camp Ravencliff July 15 - 22 -At Camp Loma Mar July 22 - 29 -At Camp Loma Mar July 29 - Aug. 5 -At Camp Loma Mar

Teen Camp (Ages 13-15)

ycamprocks.org • 925-455-7975

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Fee

Session 1: July 8 - 15 -At Camp Loma Mar

For more information or to register online visit

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3

$680 $600 $560 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • JUNE 2018

Make it yourself!

Dad’s Dream Picture

Football Pitch Mouse Mat

hether dad dreams of driving a Mercedes, lifting the Super Bowl or scoring a hole in one, your kids can make it come true with this clever idea. They will have fun with this, too!

ere’s a fun soccer themed mouse mat kids can make for themselves as a gift perfect for Father’s Day!

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You will need:

Green craft foam White acrylic paint

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You will need:

Newspapers and magazines Photo of Dad (make sure kids ask permission before they cut up any photographs! We photocopied and enlarged ours) Glue stick Backing card

Instructions

Instructions: Look through the newspapers and magazines until you find a picture of someone lifting the cup, hitting the home run or driving dad’’s favorite car.

Cut out the picture and glue it to the backing card.

From the photo cut out Dad’’s face and glue it on to the picture.

Golf Trolley Pen Pot

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his golf trolley pen pot is a cute gift kids can make for keen golfer dads on Father’s Day.

You will need: A toilet roll tube Paint Felt or foam Glue Black buttons Chenille stem Letter stickers

With a pencil and ruler lightly sketch the pattern of a football pitch on the foam. We drew around a cup for the circles.

Paint over the lines with white paint and a steady hand!

Dad Socks

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very year, fathers around the world get given gifts of socks. Why not stand out from the crowd? With a little bit of imagination, kids can make this year’s Dad socks extra special!

You will need: Socks (not ribbed) 3D fabric paint (the kind that you squeeze out) in a variety of colors

Instructions:

Instructions:

Paint your tube and leave it to dry.

Cut the chenille stem in half bend in to a handle shape. Glue to the inside of the tube.

Glue two buttons to the bottom of the tube as the wheels.

Cut some rectangles from felt or foam and, gluing along 3 sides, stick these to the tube as pockets.

Finally decorate with letter stickers if you wish.

Let your imagination go wild!

Here are some socks that we decorated: Bear in mind that your painted socks might not be the most comfortable socks that will Dad will own. He will probably prefer to wear them around the house in the evenings to keep his feet warm!

Crafts courtesy of: www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy JUNE 2018 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide

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