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Table of Contents

It's Soccer Season...... page 6

Wordsearch: Transportation...... page 7

Make it Yourself!...... page 8

Who Wrote That? Robin LaFevers by Patricia M. Newman...... page 12

The Book Report: California Writers Writing by Connie Goldsmith ...... page 14

Back to School...... page 17

Calendar of Events...... page 22

Parties! Parties!...... pages 26–27

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Publisher: George Macko General Manager: Kathleen Egan Contributing Writers: Connie Goldsmith, . Patricia M. Newman Art Director: John Ochoa Junior Designer: Ryan Vuong Sales Manager: Patty Colmer Advertising: Marc Harris Distribution/Subscriptions: George Macko

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Deadlines for advertising and calendar listings are the 25th of the month prior to publication. Calendar listings should be mailed to 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818, faxed to (916) 429-9906, or e-mailed to [email protected]. Copyright 2010 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc., 2709 Riverside Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818. Phone: (916) 429-9901. Fax: (916) 429- 9906. E-mail:[email protected]. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF

Just for fun! ActivityVillage.co Keeping Kids Busy!

What’s small and cuddly and bright purple? A koala holding his breath! What happens when a cat eats a lemon? It becomes a sour puss! Why are elephants wrinkled? Have you ever tried to iron one? What do you get if you cross a fish with an elephant? Swimming trunks! Why do elephants never forget? Because nobody ever tells them anything! What day do fish hate? Fry-day. What do call a bear with no ears? B! Where do cows go on Saturday nights? To the MOOO-vies! Why is it hard to play cards in the jungle? There are too many cheetahs! When is it bad luck to see a black cat? When you’re a mouse! What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence? Time to get a new fence! What does a kitten become after it’s three days old? Four days old! What do you get when you cross a parrot with a centipede? A walkie talkie! What kind of animal goes OOM? A cow walking backwards! What animal has more lives than the cat? A frog, he croaks every night. What happens when a frog’s car breaks down? He gets toad away. What do you get when you cross a parrot with a pig? A bird who hogs the conversation. What did one flea say to the other flea? Shall we walk or take the dog? What do you get if you cross a crocodile with a flower? I don’t know, but I’m not going to smell it! What’s the difference between an injured lion and a wet day? One pours with rain, the other roars with pain! What is the strongest animal? A snail. He carries his house on his back! What is the difference between a flea and a wolf ? One prowls on the hairy and the other howls on the prairie! What did the clean dog say to the insect ? Long time no flea! How do you find where a flea has bitten you? Start from scratch! What do you call an elephant in a phone box? Stuck!

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide  5EPTYUIORASDFGHK

 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide  5EPTYUIORASDFGHK It's Soccer Photo Soccer Frame You will need: White and black craft foam, glue, black pen, card, Season! ribbon

hildren all over the You will need to: world are passion- Cut a circle from white foam. Cut a hexagon from ate about soccer, the middle of the circle. C Cut 6 small triangles from black foam. Glue the 6 whether they are playing small triangles around the outside of the white circle. When the glue is dry, trim the edges of the triangles themselves, supporting to fit the edge of the circle. their favorite league, Draw black lines from the corners of the hexagon to the points of triangles. teams, or just enjoying a Glue a photo to the back of the foam. Glue on a loop friendly kick around the of ribbon. To keep the back of the photo safe, glue to a piece of card and then trim around the outside so the playground. card fits the foam.

www.Activity Village.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy

Have fun coloring!

 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF

Eventually, westerns gave way to Lights, different popular culture genres Celebrate Grandparents with such as science fiction productions and today’s action-packed thrill- ers, many of which continue to free admission to Fairytale Town Camera, incorporate locomotives into their scenes and backdrops. randpa and Grandma can have fun too! Honor your grandparents on National Grandparents The opening of this new ex- Day on September 12 by including them in a trip to Fairytale Town. In honor of this wonderful Action! hibit in Old Sacramento is timed Gday, Fairytale Town will give grandparents FREE admission when accompanied by children to coincide with the completed ages 12 and under. After all, what do grandparents want most -- to see their grand-kids play! restoration of the 1891-vintage Grandparents will relive their youth, and let their imaginations begin to takeover as they he California State Railroad steam locomotive Sierra No. 3 engage with the kids through their adventure in Fairytale Town. Bring the whole family Museum features a new at Railtown 1897 State Historic for a day filled with fun. There will be a special performance by Northern California Vocal Texhibit titled “Rails and Park in Jamestown, California. A Artists Association on the Mother Goose Stage. Reels: Hollywood, Trains and star in its own right, Sierra No. This event is made possible in part by support from ScholarShare College Savings Plan. the Making of Motion Pictures”. 3 (also known as the “Movie General Admission prices are $4.50 on weekends and Children 2 and under are free. The exhibit features a variety of Star Locomotive”) has appeared For more information on Grandparents Day visit www.grandparents.com railroad-related artifacts, such as in more than 100 Hollywood scale models of train cars used for movie and television produc- special effect crash scenes in the tions. Some of the films No. 3 1939 epic “Union Pacific,” and starred in will be chronicled in a full-size smokestack and head- the “Rails and Reels” exhibit at Transportation! lamp used to “backdate” steam the Museum. locomotives to represent the Located in the Railroad Mu- old west. Visitors can also view seum’s Mezzanine Gallery, the hy not go on an adventure with your family. It could be just for the day, or you don’t station signs used in movies, in- special exhibit will continue even have to leave the house, just use your imagination. Think of all the possible ways cluding “High Noon”; a costume through May 31, 2011. Wyou could get to where you’re going by land, in the air, over water and over snow, fast from the 1979 television movie or slow, there are lots of ways to go! Search for the listed words that are hidden below. They “Orphan Train;” plus sheet mu- Operated by California State Parks can be found vertically, horizontally, diagonally, backwards and upside–down. Have fun and sic, movie posters, lobby cards, with financial assistance from the don’t forget to send us a postcard when you get there! original film scripts, and other non-profit California State Railroad Hollywood-themed promotional Museum Foundation, the California items from railroad related films State Railroad Museum is open daily D G Z M O T O R C Y C L E T S E E dating from the early 1900s. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanks- The focus of the exhibit is to giving, Christmas, and New Year’s R E V T L W N H O P S I M G C N S demonstrate how railroads have Day. Widely regarded as North A S A M T R A T V B C G T X A A R played an important role in tele- America’s finest and most popular vision and film productions since railroad museum, the complex of facil- O O Y D A C H R E V O H M S N L O the very early days of Hollywood, ities includes the 100,000-square foot and how they continue to play Railroad History Museum plus the B I C Y C L E A R D O N N N O P H starring roles in today’s increas- reconstructed Central Pacific Rail- ingly “virtual” productions. In road Passenger Station and Freight E T R U C K L C E J T O Y O E R A the early days of motion pictures Depot, 1849 Eagle Theatre, and Big T R A I N O I F D E E O K W N I U America was fascinated with Four and Dingley Spice Mill com- westerns, and locomotives often mercial buildings in Old Sacramento. A U X M S B C L W T R L O M L A T starred alongside leading actors For 24-hour information, visit www. and actresses such as Gary Cooper, californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or K C T J D L O O A S X L T O R A O Grace Kelley and Paul Newman. call (916) 445-6645. S K A T E S P G G K K A Y B X B M P M F N L K T N O I A B M I O Y O B A T K S I E B N K N R O L L A B R K Y E S S R J L R Y I V E N K I T R A V U L O W A L K A O B O T L Y X X U B A W N S U B M A R I N E

Airplane Golf cart Skis Air Balloon Helicopter Sled Automobile Horse Snowmobile Bicycle Jet Ski Submarine Boat Motorcycle Taxi Bus Scooter Train Canoe Skateboard Truck Covered Wagon Skates Walk

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide  5EPTYUIORASDFGHK Make it yourself! Pencil Door Hanger Pipecleaner and

his pencil door hanger is an easy kids craft using craft cup- Bead Bagtags Tboard supplies, but it looks great! Great for Back To School or anytime. ecorate your bags and satchels with these super easy pipecleaner and bead Dbagtags – perfect for kids to make for You will need: school, or as gifts for friends and family. 4 craft sticks (ideally colored), optional paint, craft foam in light brown or pink, black and any other color, double sided tape, sticky letters, You will need: ribbon You will need to: Key ring, Pipecleaner, Beads Lay the 4 craft sticks side by side. Using the width of the sticks as your guide cut a triangle from light brown or pink foam and a rectangle from another color. You will need to: Use double sided tape to attach the triangle to one end of the sticks and rectangle to the other. Turn over and you will see a pencil shape. Thread the pipecleaner on to the keyring. Now thread on some beads. Cut a tiny triangle of black and stick to the top of the triangle as the You can use alphabet beads to spell out messages, or any beads that you nib. have. You could make so many different types of designs. Twist the ends Tape a loop of ribbon to the back. Add a message with sticky letters. of the pipecleaner tightly together. Mold the loop of pipecleaner into any Variation – use only 3 sticks and leave off the loop to make a bookmark. shape that you fancy.

some thin rectangles from black paper and glue these on to form the roof. Schoolhouse Cut a small bell shape, two squares and a rectangle from white paper. Ask your child to draw a self-portrait on the rectangle, two of his/her school friends on the squares Collage and teacher on the bell. Glue these onto your school, the rectangle as the doors and the squares as windows. Cut a door and two windows from black paper and et kids used to the idea of going back to school a bell from yellow (make these slightly bigger than (or their first day at school) with this Schoolhouse your picture ones. Fold each so it forms a flap and GCollage craft. glue the edges of the flap to the collage. Write (or use sticky letters) on each flap to say who You will need: is inside. Add any other embellishments you like. Large sheet of paper Red, black, yellow and white paper, Pens, Glue stick, Optional photos, sticky let- Ideas for using our Schoolhouse ters and other embellishments. Collage:

Make it at home to help nervous children get used You will need to: to the idea of school. If they don’t know any other children going, leave some of pictures blank and fill Cut out a long rectangle from red paper for the in after their first day/week. chimney/tower of the schoolhouse. Now cut the top Make it at school to help children get used to the peo- into a point. Glue to the centre of the large sheet of ple in the classroom. Use photos and replace the ‘friends’ paper. with classroom assistants. Make sticky labels with the Cut a house shape from red and glue this on to the adults names on. The children can then take these home collage to form your basic school house shape. Cut to introduce their families to their classroom.

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

 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF Fall Book Sale at Cupcake for a Folsom Library Cancer Cure ooking for a sweet way to help kids affected by cancer, engage your employees and support another local business? The 7th LAnnual Cupcakes for a Cause® Week will take place September hop for incredible bargains in 1000’s of gently used books, DVDs, videos, 26, 3 to 6 p.m., at The Baker’s Daughter, 11437 Sunrise Gold Circle CDs and much more in both children and adult materials. All proceeds #D, Rancho Cordova. The Baker’s Daughter is participating, and S directly benefit the Friends of the Folsom Library, a 100% non-profit as- you can help double their donation! sociation. The event being held is by RSVP only. The Baker’s Daughter wants Feeling lucky? Awesome gift baskets valued at over $100 each will be raffled; to make sure they will have enough cupcakes for you to decorate for tickets only 3 for $2. this cause. $5 a cupcake $3 goes to the cure! Come to the Folsom Public Library’s Georgia Murray Building Meeting Room Come in September 26 and buy their special Cupcakes for a Cause at 411 Stafford Street, Friday through Sunday, September 17 to 19. A special (please pre-order a week in advance!). They will donate a portion of preview sale will be held, Friday, September 17, 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 the proceeds from their sale to CancerCare for Kids, a special pro- (including children). gram of national nonprofit, CancerCare, that helps children affected And the Saturday and Sunday sale is from 9 to 4 p.m. Admission FREE. by a cancer diagnosis, whether their own, or that or a loved one. For more information, visit [email protected] or call (916) 608-8743 or 355- Everyone loves cupcakes! See more details call (916) 436-1665 7374. and RSVP on Kids - Making, Baking, Decorating: http://thebak- ersdaughter.ning.com/events/event/show?

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide  5EPTYUIORASDFGHK

Celebrate Grandparents’ Day, September 12

randparents are important to children in so many ways. They have patience and time when parents are often busy. They have stories to tell and interesting games to play. They are also good for treats and spoiling, which we all need from time to time! G ActivityVillage.co Keeping Kids Busy!

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ogy titles she purchased for her library. LaFevers’ love of research manifests itself physically—her cheeks flush with excite- Who Wrote That? ment as she opens a new source book and falls into her subject. “I always find The Creators of Your Child’s Favorite Books plot solutions in research,” she says. Her husband quips that she writes books as Featuring Robin LaFevers By Patricia M. Newman an excuse to research. During LaFevers’ school visits, second and third graders habitually approach her to ask if Theodosia is too hard for them obin LaFevers grew up in Los Ange- to read. Rather than simply nodding les with seven brothers and a consis- with an apology, LaFevers responded Rtent parade of rescued animals, such with Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist—“ac- as chipmunks, a peacock, an anteater and cessible fantasy for emerging readers.” even bears. “We were a happy, squabbly, While researching Theodosia, LaFevers quarrelsome, but loving litter,” she says, found a medieval bestiary. Flipping the but as the only girl in that rambunctious pages of the volume, she studied the group she often felt at the mercy of her creatures and asked “What if they were sensitive nature, detecting undercurrents real?” Nathaniel, reluctant adventurer lost on her brothers. LaFevers found and aspiring beastologist, follows in the solace in the animals, frequently carrying footsteps of his indomitable Aunt Phil (a a chipmunk in her pocket. “They were a vibrant role model for 50+ women). “I formative part of my experience,” she says adore [Nathaniel] as if he were a child of the close relationships she forged with of mine, a living breathing person in my ground.” Now that she has found her pas- them. “Having access to them all the time life,” LaFevers says. sion, she pours herself into it. “The most was…mystical.” LaFevers works from her Carpinteria interesting parts of me are in the books. LaFevers knew she wanted to write home in Southern California. Upon As the author, I want to be invisible.” when she was eight years old after reading her mind that her character’s trials were waking in the morning, she pads (still in the Narnia books. “I inhaled [them] in also part of her emotional landscape. Her pajamas) to the coffee pot and then to her Next month: Ann Whitford Paul a week,” she says, but unfortunately she parents divorced when she was seven and rocking chair where she writes in long hand describes her path to publication as “long she dreamed of reuniting them. or on her Netbook for two or three hours. Patricia Newman is the author of Jingle and torturous.” She found inspiration and After completing the Lowthar’s Blade “That’s my best, most productive, most the Brass (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). Her support in the Society of Children’s Book trilogy, LaFevers sat in her rocking fertile time,” she says, “when my brain is newest book, Nugget on the Flight Deck Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and chair—her favorite thinking place—try- still in touch with my subconscious.” Pri- (Walker), is now available. Visit her website Romance Writers of America studying ing to “crawl back into her eleven year or to writing for a living, LaFevers held a at www.patriciamnewman.com to watch the and polishing her craft. Success finally old skin” to figure out what would have number of other jobs she calls her “training trailer. came at an SCBWI conference when an met her needs. The answer: “An ac- agent offered to represent her work. “I tion/adventure starring a girl front and was six feet off the ground!” LaFevers center.” The name Theodosia, an old says. “It’s such a leap from no one believ- English name, popped into her head ing in me to someone willing to align her for her main character. A self-described MORE ABOUT professional reputation with mine.” Anglophile, LaFevers loves everything LaFevers’ books often mimic events in British and set her story in London. Rock- R.L. LAFEVERS her life whether she plans it or not. One ing in her chair brought her back to the How to Contact R.L. LAFEVERS of her earliest books, The Forging of the time when she loved Ancient Egypt as a Website: www.rllafevers.com Blade (book one of the Lowthar’s Blade kid. “The more I researched, the more I series), features a character who wants discovered Egypt was a source of some to find his father and put his family back of our western magical practices.” She together. LaFevers wrote the book to set her Theodosia books in 1907 during selections from celebrate the pure love of a child and the the golden age of Egyptology. “Plotting R. L. LAFEVERS’ LIBRARY faith and support children extend to their is easier when you delete the modern families, but at that time it never crossed ways to solve problems,” LaFevers says. Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: The Basilisk’s Lair, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. “Sifting through ancient papyri is more Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. compelling than Google.” Interestingly, Theodosia and the Serpents Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008. of Chaos marks LaFevers’ first “girl” book. Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix, Houghton Mifflin “One of the most important things we Harcourt, 2009. bring [to our stories as authors] is our Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. unique, quirky, foible-y perspective. The Lowthar’s Blade #3: The True Blade of Power, Dutton, 2005. important lesson is to tap into one’s own Lowthar’s Blade #2: The Secrets of Grim Wood, Dutton, 2005. emotional landscape.” LaFevers often felt overlooked in her chaotic family of Lowthar’s Blade #1: The Forging of the Blade, Dutton, 2004. brothers and pets and she maintains that The Falconmaster, Dutton, 2003. “as writers, the ideas that will be the most fertile for us come from the period where Upcoming we had the most trauma.” Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Spring 2011. Although LaFevers was an Egypt fan Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: The Wyvern’s Treasure, Houghton Mifflin when she was eleven, she did not retain Harcourt, Oct. 2010. much of what she’d learned. “Google is my God,” she says referring to her Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: The Unicorn’s Tale, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Spring 2011. online searches that yielded such sources as a London street map circa 1895 and the obscure and out of print Egyptol-

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The BOOK REPORT California Writers Writing

By Connie Goldsmith

undreds of children’s writers live in California. The authors of these books live in Santa Monica, Napa, HSacramento, and San Francisco. Some of today’s best books are written by California writers. Take a look and see what you think.

“A Balloon for Isabel,” by Deborah Underwood, art by Laura Rankin. (Greenwillow). The animal kindergarteners are about to graduate. Skunks, raccoons, bunnies, and baby bears the perfect dog who is waiting for you! Check out Linzi’s direction – the Earth was rotating beneath it. The author get bright balloons to celebrate the big day, but not Isabel organization at: www.theforgottendog.org. conveys a complex scientific concept in a way that readers or the other little porcupines. Teacher, Mrs. Quill (herself will readily grasp. Science teachers and librarians will enjoy a porcupine) says, “Balloons are not safe for porcupines. “One Too Many: a Seek & Find Counting Book,” by Gianna showing this book to their students. The porcupines will each get a lovely bookmark.” Isabel Marino. (Chronicle Books). What a busy barnyard! One flea doesn’t want a bookmark. She wants a BALLOON! Isabel jumps at sunset to a watering trough. Two cows, three horses, “Babies Don’t Eat Pizza, a Big Kids’ Book About Baby Brothers and Walter try to cover their quills so they can get balloons. four goats, five sheep – you get the picture – soon follow. and Baby Sisters,” by Dianne Danzig, art by Debbie Tilley. Wearing a box doesn’t work. Neither does strapping on pil- Watch the flea as it jumps from page to page amongst the (Dutton). This book stands head and shoulders above oth- lows or covering themselves in bubble wrap. Finally, Isabel ever-increasing array of animals around the trough. Finally, ers of its genre – prepping older sibs for a new baby. Maybe finds the perfect solution, sticking gumdrops over her quills. “one too many” arrives. It won’t shock you to learn which it’s how the author gives the sib a stake in the new baby, On graduation day, Isabel and the other porcupines dance animal empties out the place in a big hurry. The artist/author saying, “your baby,” over and over. Maybe it’s giving the sib into class, quills covered with colorful gumdrops. A happy keeps the fun going with extra seek and find challenges at the credit for being older and wiser, inviting him to help mom celebration ensues. The animal kids are darling, with wonder- end. Count the total number of animals. Find the rabbit that with the new baby. Maybe it’s the scene showing prenatal fully expressive faces. This is a sweet and appealing story. climbs on other animals, or the pig whose ear the other animals somersaults. Or just maybe it’s because the author is a real- like to nibble. Parents and children can find hours of fun in this life R.N. and an experienced teacher of sibling preparation “Finding Danny,” by Linzi Glass. (Walden Pond Press). I beautifully designed book with a surprise, “Uh-Oh” ending! classes. Giggle at the humorous advice sections covering dare anyone who loves dogs to read this charming book what babies like (sticky, gooey messes) and what they eat without a few tears! Bree’s journalist parents have killer “Come See the Earth Turn,” by Lori Mortensen, art by Raul (hint: NOT pizza!). The ink and watercolor cartoon draw- schedules and never enough time for her. Border collie Allen. (Tricycle Press). For two centuries scientists tried ings filled with visual jokes add another dimension to this Danny is Bree’s constant companion. Newsmom leaves the but failed to prove the Earth turned on its axis. In 1851, fun book. The final page gives tips on how to manage the gate open one day and Danny disappears. So begins Bree’s Léon Foucault, a seemingly minor scientist, built the first current child and the newcomer. search for him and her foray into the world of lost and aban- pendulum, a weight that swings back and forth while sus- doned shelter dogs. Quirky dog rescuer Rayleen inspires pended from a fixed point. He invited the scientists of Paris Connie Goldsmith lives in Carmichael where she writes for Bree to set up an adoption day for red-listed dogs (those to watch his amazingly simple experiment. Foucault releases adults and children. Her latest nonfiction juvenile books, due to be put down). It’s a huge success and all the dogs his pendulum, which at first, swings back and forth along “Battling Malaria: on the front lines against a global killer,” find new homes. The story ends happily when Danny and a line on the floor. As the minutes tick by, the pendulum and “Skin Cancer,” one of the new USA Today Health Re- Bree reunite. Penned by real-life dog rescuer Linzi Glass, starts to swing away from the line. Everyone knew what ports series, came out in August. Her books can be found this story may tempt you to look in your local shelter for that meant – the pendulum wasn’t swinging in a different in school and public libraries, and at online booksellers.

14 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF California Kids Columnist Has New Books Out

ot only has Con- nie Goldsmith been N reviewing children’s books for California Kids for the past twelve years, she’s been busy with her own writing career as well. She writes about health and science for children and adults. As an RN with a master’s degree in health care, Connie also writes con- tinuing education articles for nurses. She has four new books out this fall from Lerner Publishing’s nonfiction imprint, Twenty-First Century Books. The first is, Battling Malaria: On the Front Lines Against a Global Killer. This mosquito-borne disease kills about one million people a year around the world. Yet malaria can be prevented with such low-tech measures as hanging bed nets over children’s beds, and dumping standing water so that mosquitoes cannot breed. Connie’s other three books are the result of a partnership between her publisher Lerner, and USA Today, the nation’s most widely-read newspaper. She has written three books for the new series which is titled USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders. Her books are about hepatitis, influenza, and skin cancer. While Connie’s books are written for grades 8-12, adults who want to learn more about these important health topics also may be inter- ested in reading them. Her books may be found in public libraries, school libraries, and at online booksellers. Visit Connie’s website at www.conniegoldsmith.com and see all her books at her author’s page at www.amazon.com. Fall warehouse book sale!

he Friends of the Sacramento o f 1 4 t h Avenue. More than 75,000 Public Library are sponsoring paperback and hard-bound books, T a big Fall Warehouse Sale on videos, books on cassette and m o r e two consecutive Saturdays, Septem- will be sold at prices ranging from ber 11 and September 18. Public $ . 5 0 t o $2.00. All proceeds, after sale hours will be noon to 4 p.m. expenses, benefit the Sacramento on September 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 Public Library. p.m. on September 18. A preview for The Book Den store will be open Friends’ members only is scheduled during the Warehouse Sale and Pre- for 9 a.m. to noon, September 11. view, too. At the Book Den shop - Prospective members may join at the pers select from individually priced door for $15 and attend the preview. better books, including collectibles, The sale will be held in the Friends’ and other materials, with most books warehouse, at the rear of their Book priced at $3 and up. The Book Den is Den store, 8250 Belvedere Avenue, regularly open Thursday through Sat- Suite E, between Power Inn Road urday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more and Florin-Perkins Road just south information call (916) 731-8493.

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Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Pencil Holder Craft

his pencil holder is a quick and easy recycling craft! The craft was designed by a very clever mother with an excellent crafty Twebsite, www.craftideas.info - please go and check it out! Here is a quick idea for a quiet craft afternoon. There are some very colorful plastic straws available cheaply so your child can have fun creating designs for any decor! You will need: Used and clean can or crisp container, acrylic paint, paint brush, plastic straws, scissors, white glue (or hot glue gun and hot glue sticks for older children) You will need to: Paint the can and let dry before continuing. Cut the straws to fit the height of the can. Using the hot glue gun, glue the first straw on the can and then continue with the rest of the straws until the can is completely covered. * An alternative for younger kids, instead of using hot glue is to use a wide and strong double sided sticky tape. Wrap tape around the can and adhere the straws to it. ActivityVillage.co Keeping Kids Busy!

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Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Back to School! Back to school countdown

his is a fun way for chil- dren to countdown the Tdays until school starts. You will need: Sheet of large construc- tion paper, scraps of colored paper, black paper, chalk, pens, glue, small rectangle of card, passport size photo (optional), sticky tack You will need to: From the colored paper, cut out scraps to make a house and a school. Lay these on the construction paper, the house in the top left, school bottom right. From black paper cut 14 (or however many days you intend to count down for) rectangles. Lay these on the paper so they form a path from home to school. When you are happy with the way it looks, glue everything in place. Use colored pens to add windows and other details. On the black rectangles write numbers, starting at the house with 14 and counting down to 1 next to the school. Glue the photo on to the scrap of card. Alternatively you could draw yourself or a school bus. Pin the paper up, and stick the card to the house with stick tack. Every day as the time gets closer to starting school move the card one space closer to the school. WWW.VALCOMNEWS.COM

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide 17 5EPTYUIORASDFGHK Painting for Paws! Weekend appy Tails will hold their 2010 Activities at the H Painting for Paws! Art Show and Recep- tion, Saturday, Sep- Discovery Museum tember 25, 6 to 10 p.m., at the Pavilions Shopping Center, Fair Bone Zone Grand Opening - September 4 and 5, Oaks Boulevard near 12:30 to 4 p.m. Celebrate the opening of the Discov- Howe Avenue, Sacra- ery Museum’s newest exhibit, Bone Zone. Bring the mento. whole family to learn about skulls, skeletons and healthy The Happy Tails bodies. Kids can dress in doctor’s lab coats to make- cats and dogs are once believe in our doctor’s office and dentist chair. Adults again busy with their and children role play in our ‘50s-themed Healthy Eat- creative endeavors, ing Diner. Bring your camera! Remember all the fun painting one-of-a-kind by making a paper skeleton to take home (ages 12 and pieces of original art- under). (Members-only breakfast and exhibit preview work for this year’s 8:30 to 10 a.m., RSVP only) Painting for Paws! With great artistic tal- Creepy-Crawly Critters - September 11 and 12, ent and enthusiasm, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Spineless wonders! We are crazy for their talented four- invertebrates this weekend at the Discovery Museum legged residents are Science & Space Center. Observe and touch live creepy- prancing their paws crawly specimens. Pick your favorite at the cockroach and swishing their races! Kids 12 and under make paper beetles to take as tails through water-based, non-toxic paint to create colorful a souvenir. Have an unforgettable creepy-crawly experi- and exciting works of art. Pieces are matted and framed, and ence! accompanied by a photo and bio of the furry artist. Proceeds from the artwork will benefit Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary of ARRR! Shiver Me Bones! - September 18 and Sacramento. 19, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Avast Mateys! Help the Discovery In addition, there will be food, wine, a silent auction and Museum Science & Space Center celebrate international prize drawing for sale. Volunteers also will be on hand to pass Talk Like A Pirate Day by visiting this weekend. Learn out information and answer questions about Happy Tails Pet about the history of bones in pirate lore and the role bones Sanctuary. play in the pirate world. Guests 12 and under who arrive There is an entrance fee of a $10 donation per person. dressed like a pirate can claim a small “treasure” to take Founded in 1993, Happy Tails is an all-volunteer, no- home. All children can make a pirate craft. Arrr! kill pet sanctuary committed to rescuing abandoned and abused animals, and finding them permanent, loving Fall Foliage Fun - September 25 and 26, 12:30 to homes. For more information on Happy Tails, please 4 p.m. Welcome the Fall season by trekking around the visit www.happytails.org. grounds and learning to identify trees using a Nature Trail Guide. The wide smooth path around the pond is good for toddlers, strollers, and wheelchairs. How many turtles can you see? Families with children 12 and under can make a leaf print banner .

The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center is located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento. Admission is: $6 adults (18+), $5 seniors (60+), $5 teens (13-17), $4 children (4-12), $0 children (3 and under) Ages appropriate for: 4 to 12 years old. For more information, all (916) 808-3942 or visit www. thediscovery.org

18 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF

Just for fun!

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide 19 5EPTYUIORASDFGHK Draft Horse Classic tickets on sale now ajestic Draft Horse perfor- and $21 for reserved seating. After mances, breath-taking com- September 22, performance tickets M petitions, and seeing a Draft are $21 for general seating and Horse “up-close” are all part of the $24 for reserved seating. Tickets festivities at the 24th annual Draft can be purchased by calling (530- Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, 273-6217), faxing (530-273-1146) September 23 to 26, at the Nevada or visiting the Fair Office on Mc- County Fairgrounds in Grass Val- Courtney Road. ley. Whether it’s the Draft Horses Although there is a charge for working farm equipment, pulling the Draft Horse performances in carriages, or working side by-side on the arena, admission to the Fair- a hitch, these amazing animals com- grounds is free so all can enjoy the pete with elegance and power and many activities of the Harvest Fair. are the best of the best. The grounds are alive with western Tickets to this event are on-sale music, Harvest Fair agricultural now. You can call your order in or competitions, world-champion lum- purchase the day of the event. If you berjacks performing for the crowds, purchase your performance tickets a live shoeing competition, and Art before the Draft Horse Classic be- at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want gins, you will save $3 off the regular to miss the opportunity to visit the admission price. barns and meet the famous Draft Horses up-close. This year, we’ll There are six performances to choose even be offering guided barn tours. from: For these tours, reservations are Thursday, September 23, at 6:30 p.m. required and are limited to groups Friday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. of eight or more. Saturday, September 25, at 10 a.m. and On Saturday, September 25, enjoy 6:30 p.m. the Fall-like weather underneath wine tasting, and a commemorative The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located Sunday, September 26, at 10 a.m. and the tall pine trees for “A Taste of wine glass. To purchase tickets on- on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 4 p.m. the Gold,” featuring food from lo- line, visit www.nswinecountry.com. 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone cal restaurants, confectioners and For information or to purchase hard number is (530) 273-6217 and the FAX For Draft Horse performance wineries. Although Fairgrounds copy tickets, call the Grass Valley number is (530) 273-1146. www.Nevada- tickets, purchase them before admission is free, tickets for this Downtown Association at (530) CountyFair.com for more information. You Wednesday, September 22, and event must be purchased. Tickets 272-8315 or www.historicgrassval- can also follow us on Facebook at “Nevada tickets are $18 for general seating include five food tastings, unlimited ley.com. County Fairgrounds.” Valley Hi-North Laguna Library Join the fun at the celebrates its first year with Thrive Family Arts community party Festival

alley Hi-North Laguna Library staff will celebrate the library branch’s one-year anniver- aiser Permanente and Roseville Arts invite children of all ages to sary with a community party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 11, at 7400 the Thrive Family Arts Festival on Saturday, September 11, from VImagination Parkway, Sacramento. K10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, 1600 Eureka Road, in Roseville. Free family activities will feature: Kids will have a messy and marvelous time as Kaiser Permanente physi- • 10 a.m.: Storytime with Ms. Rhonda cians and staff put down their stethoscopes and pick up paint brushes for • 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Face painting with Kimberlee Wilson a day of fun and creativity. Activities for families include arts and crafts • Noon to 2 p.m.: Classical music with harp and flute musicians, booths staffed by local artists, making healthy treats, dancing, music and Music A Due learning that it’s fun to be healthy. For more information about the art • Noon to 2 p.m.: Henna artistry with Blanca Rose festival, visit www.kp.org/Roseville, or call 916-783-4117. • Noon to 3 p.m.: Bargain Book Sale, hosted by the Friends of Valley Hi-North Laguna Library • 2 to 4 p.m.: Craft making with ArtWorks

The celebration is sponsored by the Friends of Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, County of Sacramento District 2, and City of Sacramento District 7. For details, call the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit saclibrary.org.

20 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF Movie night at Upcoming concert at Fairytale Town Fairytale Town njoy more music from the Mother Goose the old with the new. Guests can help Sal Val- airytale Town will once again feature a classic children’s Stage as Fairytale Town hosts a concert entino celebrate his birthday, as we sing “happy movie for its Movie Night on Sunday, September 5, 7 E this summer. Sal Valentino will perform birthday” to Sal! Fp.m., over the Labor Day weekend. Featured on the Big on September 9, gates open at 6 p.m., con- The cost to attend is: Adults $10; Children 12 Screen, will be Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. This cert starts at 7 p.m., as Sal celebrates a special and under are free. Tickets are available online at classic movie is based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl birthday. www.fairytaletown.org; or at the Fairytale Town and features the nutty Mr. Willy Wonka, portrayed by Gene Box Office. Parking is free in William Land Park. Wilder, and his candy kingdom. Watch as a cast of characters The Sal Valentino Band and Strings Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park who search for golden tickets to win a factory tour, seek candy Sal Valentino is the legendary singer of the The Drive, Sacramento. For more information, call riches and the Everlasting Gobstopper. Beau Brummels and Stoneground from San (916) 808-7462. Guests will be treated to the outdoor theatre under a Francisco 1960’s rock scene. Sal now fronts his canopy of trees and stars. This event is lawn seating only own orchestra featuring a full string section. On Fairytale Town Concert Policy: Lawn seating only. and no outside food or beverages will be allowed. Tickets his new CD, “Every Now and Then,” Sal draws No outside food or beverages, cameras, or chairs are $5 each, and Fairytale Town members receive a 2 for on his years of musical experience and combines allowed. 1 admission, children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available online at www.fairytaletown.org

Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 808-7462. “Plant the Reading Seed Ohlone Day and Watch it Grow” ultivate, plant, water and fertilize, then watch elebrate the ways of the Ohlone People of the past them grow! Tend to children the same way you with those of the present at Henry Cowell Redwoods Cwould a garden and watch those kids grow in C State Park. You can take part in many activities that mind, spirit, creativity and imagination! 2010 marks bring alive the traditional ways, crafts, and practices of Fairytale Town’s 10th Anniversary of the ScholarShare the Ohlone People on Saturday, September 11 from 10 Children’s Book Festival on September 25 and 26, a.m. to 4 p.m. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m This two-day festival will feature Ohlone people will share their traditional basketry, songs, children’s book author and illustrator presentations, stories, tools, musical instruments, dance, and their history. This storytelling performances, celebrity readers, a book hands-on event lets you participate in Ohlone crafts and games, hot swap, and hands-on literacy activities offered by an rock cooking and fire making, traditional dances, and storytelling array of community-based literacy organizations. Best presentations as you discover more about Ohlone culture. The of all, admission to the event is FREE. (Adults must main entrance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located accompany children and vice versa.) off Highway 9 in Felton. More information is available by calling (831) 335-7077. This year’s line-up of author and illustrator pre- senters on the Mother Goose Stage include: Doug Hansen - Award Winning Author of Mother Goose in California Angela Dominguez - Illustrator of Ava Tree and Rancho Del Oso Nature the Wishes Three, La Noche Buena, Carmen Learns English, and others Patricia Newman - Author of Nugget on the & History Center Flight, Jingle the Brass Linda Knoll - Author & Illustrator of Over in the Located 16 miles north of Santa Cruz along Valley Highway One, at Waddell Creek (831) 427-2288 Rachel Dillon - Author & Illustrator of Through Endangered Eyes David Schwartz - Author of Where Else in the Wild, Animal Tracks - Sunday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Where in the Wild, How Much is a Million Natural History Hike and Lesson–Meet at the Waddell Terri Farley - Author of Seven Tears Into the Sea, Phantom Stallion Series Beach parking lot for a lesson in tracking animals with Tod Tolya Thompson - Author of The Smarties Series, including, Wheezing Winona Weatherbee Haddow. Tod has been a teacher in the tracking club for the Lily Toppenberg - Illustrator of Delta & Dawn: Mother & Baby Wahales’ Journey past 5 years. He will help you learn to read the signatures In addition to author and illustrator presentations on the Mother Goose Stage, Sacramento Area of animals left as tracks and how to tell their gait, age and Youth Speaks (SAYS) will recite original poems, and Puppet Art Theater will perform puppet shows even sex from these tracks. Look at tracks on the beach in the Children’s Theater. Children bringing in gently used books may trade them for another one and then check the marsh trail. Finally end at the Nature at the Book Swap. and History Center to research what you have found and “Its a day full of fun literacy activities and a great way to introduce your child to a variety of books, look at other examples of tracks. This class is appropriate authors, and children’s literature,” says Kathy Fleming, Executive Director of Fairytale Town. for families (best for kids over 6). Learn to think like an animal and try to put together the pieces of a puzzle left For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (9160 808-7462. Fairytale Town is located at 3901 by their tracks. Land Park Drive in William Land Park, Sacramento.

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide 21 5EPTYUIORASDFGHK Calendar of Events

September 15, Food Preservation to escape a fire, home fire preven- Avenue, Suite E, Sacramento. The Critter Demonstration, 6:30 to 8:30 tion, disease prevention and more. Friends of the Sacramento Public Especially p.m., 4145 Branch Center Road, This fair is best for those who live in Library are sponsoring a big Fall Sacramento. The Sacramento a flood-zone area. For more infor- Warehouse Sale. The sale will be held Events County UC Cooperative Extension mation, call (916) 264-2920 or visit in the Friends’warehouse, at the rear for Parents Master Food Preservers invite you saclibrary.org of their Book Den store, between to attend a food preservation public Power Inn Road and Florin-Perkins September 15, Animal September 11, UC Master Gard- demonstration: “Apples and Ol- Road, just south of 14th Avenue. Over Program, 4 p.m., 7335 ner Program, 8:30 to 11:30 ives.” There is a $3 fee. No advance Ongoing, Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 75,000 paperback and hard-bound Gloria Drive, Sacramento. a.m., Fair Oaks. Drop by to see registration is required. For more 2 p.m., 8250 Belvedere Avenue, books, videos, books on cassette and School-age children, ages 5 the orchard, berries, grapes and information, call (916) 875-6913. Suite E, Sacramento. The Book more will be sold at prices ranging to 12, are invited to meet vegetables. Talk to UC Master Den, has books for sale and is open from $.50 to $2. For more informa- some endangered critters Gardeners as they work. Get ideas Fridays and Saturdays. The Book tion, call (916) 731-8493. at a free program at Rob - and advice about creating a beauti- September 18, Safety Fair, 11 a.m. Den is operated by members of bie Waters Pocket-Green - ful and productive river-friendly, to 2 p. m., 4660 Via Ingoglia, Friends of the Sacramento Public haven Library. Featured earth-friendly garden. Wander in Sacramento. The Sacramento Public Library. For more information, call September 11, Community Party, animals include a python, the water efficient landscape. Ask Library is partnering with the City (916) 264-2880. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7400 Imagina- parrot, chinchilla, frogs, gardening questions and see how of Sacramento Office of Emer- tion Parkway, Sacramento. Valley iguana, and bugs. Kids will they make every drop count. Drop gency Services to celebrate National Hi-North Laguna Library staff will learn how factors, such as by the Fair Oaks Horticulture Emergency Preparedness Month Wednesdays, Crochet and Knitting celebrate the library branch’s one-year population growth, habi - Center south of Madison, on Fair by hosting a Safety Fair at North Circle, 6:30 p.m., 11601 Fair Oaks anniversary with a community party. tat destruction, pollution Oaks Boulevard, in Fair Oaks Park, Natomas Library. Representatives Boulevard, Fair Oaks. Enjoy a bit There will be free family activities such and lifestytle choices, can next to the library. This is a free from community agencies will pro- of conversation and companionship as 10 a.m. Storytime, face painting, impact wildlife. For more program. For more information, vide life-saving information to help at the Fair Oaks Library Crochet and music, artistry, book sale, and craft information, call (916) call (916) 875-6913. prepare residents for natural disasters Knitting Circle. All ages and skills are making with ArtWorks. For more 264-2920 or visit sacli - and home emergencies that include welcome; this is not an instructional information, call (916) 264-2920. b r a r y . o r g community flooding, earthquakes, class but some assistance will be avail- September 11, Food Pres- extreme weather, how to escape a fire, able. Please bring your own hooks, ervation Demonstration, 10 home fire prevention, disease preven- needles, yarn and a project to work on. November 13, Celebration of Mira- September 16, Wild Animal a.m., 4145 Branch Center tion and more. This fair is best for If you need a project, the library can cles, 5 to 11 p.m., Historic Folsom. Program, 3:30 p.m., 6700 Road,Sacramento. This is a those who live in a flood-zone area. provide you with ideas and patterns Friends of NICU (www.friendsofnicu. Auburn Boulevard, Citrus free program and no advanced For more information, call (916) to make newborn baby hats. Those org), a charitable organization dedi- H e i g h t s . K i d s a r e i n v i t e d registration is required. The 264-2920 or visit saclibrary.org wishing to donate their baby hat cre- cated to helping the families of sick and to meet animal ambassadors Sacramento County UC Coop- ations to the Mad Hatters, who pro- premature babies in Sacramento area from around the world at a erative Extension Master Food vide free newborn baby hats to local hosptials, invite you to attend, “Celebra- free nature program at the Preservers invite you to attend September 24, Huge Book Sale, 3 hospitals– can do so through the Fair tion of Miracles.” The event will be held Sylvan Oaks Library. The live, a food preservation public to 7 p.m., 8900 Elk Grove Boule- Oaks Library. For details, call (916) at Lake Natoma Inn, in the Historic wildlife creatures on display demonstration: “All Dried vard, Elk Grove. Find bargain books 264-2920 or visit saclibrary.org. District of Folsom. The event hopes will include an alligator. For Up! Basic introduction to safe at the Friends of Elk Grove Library to raise funds to help families with sick more information, call (916) dehydration techniques.” For book sale. The sale will also be held and premature babies in the NICUs at 264-2920 or visit saclibrary. more information, call (916) Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. Mercy and Sutter hospitals. org 875-6913. to 4 p.m., Hundreds of gently-used paperback and hardcover books will Special be on sale, including mysteries, ad- Sunday, Free Admission, 10 a.m. to venture, romance, sci-fi, biographies, 1 p.m., 216 O Street, Sacramento. history, geography, travel, philoso- Events The Crocker Art Museum is offering phy, and health that are priced from free admission hours to visitors. For 50 cents to $1 each. There will also more information, call (916) 808- September 2, Teen Poetry Program, be used children’s books available for 7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org. 4 p.m., 4235 Antelope Road, An- 10 cents to 25 cents each. For more telope. Teens are invited to the North information, call (916) 264-2920 or Highlands-Antelope Library, to create visit saclibrary.org a poem from the spines of their favorite book, Magnetic Poetry style, at this free Storytellers program. Search the library shelves for September 25, Safety Fair, 11 a.m. books with interesting titles, and stack to 2 p. m., 7335 Gloria Drive, them to create found poetry. Teens Sacramento. The Sacramento Public can vote for their favorite poem, and & Puppetry Library is partnering with the City see their book spine poem posted on of Sacramento Office of Emergency the Sacramento Public Library website, Services to celebrate National Emer- Flickr, and Twitter. For more infor- gency Preparedness Month by host- mation, call (916) 264-2920 or visit First Mondays of each month, Dog ing a Safety Fair at Robbie Waters saclibrary.org Program, 6:30 p.m., 9845 Folsom Pocket-Greenhaven Library. Repre- Boulevard, Sacramento. Join the sentatives from community agencies fun the first Monday of each month will provide life-saving information September 11 and 18, Fall Ware- at the Rancho Cordova Library for to help prepare residents for natural house Book Sale, noon to 4 p.m. on “Reading with Dogs,” with Lend a disasters and home emergencies September 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heart Pet Therapy. For more infor- that include community flooding, on September 18, 8250 Belvedere mation, call (916) 264-2920. earthquakes, extreme weather, how

22 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • AUGUST 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF Sylvan Oaks Library hosts Used book sale set at wild animal program Elk Grove Library

ids are invited to meet animal am- ind bargain books at the Friends of Elk Grove Library book sale on bassadors from around the world Friday, September 24, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Sep- K at a free nature program at 3:30 F tember 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 8900 Elk Grove Boulevard, p.m., Thursday, September 16, at Syl- Elk Grove. van Oaks Library, 6700 Auburn Blvd., Hundreds of gently-used paperback and hardcover books will Citrus Heights. be on sale, including mysteries, adventure, romance, sci-fi, bi - The live, wildlife creatures on dis- ographies, history, geography, travel, philosophy, and health play will include an alligator. that are priced from 50 cents to $1 each. There will be many This program is sponsored by the used children’s books available that are 10 cents to 25 cents Friends of Sylvan Oaks Library. For e a c h . details call the Sacramento Public Book sale proceeds will benefit the Elk Grove Library. For details, call Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit saclibrary. saclibrary.org. org. New Audio-Visual Wild animal kids’ System brings program slated

chool-age children, ages 5 to 12, are invited to meet some endangered critters at a free program at 4 p.m., Wednesday, visitors closer to SSeptember 15, at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, Sacramento. Featured animals include a python, parrot, chinchilla, frogs, iguana, animal care and bugs. Kids will learn how factors, such as population growth, habi- tat destruction, pollution and lifestyle choices, can impact wildlife.

he Sacramento Zoo has added a new audio- For details, call the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visual system to the Dr. Murray E. Fowler visit saclibrary.org. T Veterinary Hospital giving Zoo visitors the opportunity to see how the Zoo’s veterinarians provide the best possible care to the resident a n i m a l s . In addition to watching the procedure through the Quick and refreshing viewing windows, visitors can also get an up-close look via the camera mounted in the treatment room. It projects a live image of the procedure in progress great for parties on the large screen of the viewing window. The pan, tilt and zoom functions give visitors a close up view as if you were in the room yourself. Lemonade Recipe A speaker system has been added so that you can hear comments from the veterinary staff. When possible, a staff person will assist visitors You will need: in asking questions directed to the veterinary 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, juice from 4-6 lemons, 4 cups of cold staff during procedures. As a result of the Sacra - sparkling or plain water mento Zoo’s collaboration with UC Davis Wildlife Health Center and the School of Veterinary Medi - cine, visitors are likely to see senior veterinary You will need to: students and resident veterinarians participating Mix together one cup of water with one cup of sugar in a small in the medical examinations. A monitor in the saucepan. Heat the mixture to boiling, stirring constantly until the laboratory window allows you to see what the sugar is completely dissolved. animal health technician is viewing under the Allow the water and sugar mixture to cool, before pouring it into a microscope. pitcher or bowl and refrigerating. Once the mixture has cooled, add the When the treatment room is not in use, the AV juice from the lemons and stir. Strain the lemon juice if desired, and system will be used to display information about then mix four cups (or more, to taste) of cold water into the lemonade. conservation programs the Zoo is involved with, To serve, pour the lemonade into a pitcher and add lemon slices. live camera feeds showing animals that are hos - pitalized as well as science-based programming. When you enter the Zoo, ask at the ticket booth Tip: Make an extra batch and freeze it into ice cubes to add to the lemonade, prior to serving. This will prevent the drink from if there are any scheduled activities in the veteri - nary hospital for the day. Most exams are Monday becoming watered down. through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon. ActivityVillage.co Keeping Kids Busy

SEPTEMBER 2010 • CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide 23 5EPTYUIORASDFGHK The Circus is coming!

adies and Gentlemen… Circus Schedule and Ticket Information: Children Of All Ages… Thursday, September 9 – 7 p.m. L The Greatest Show On Friday, September 10 – 11 a.m., Earth® just got Greater with 7 p.m. Ringling Bros. and Barnum Saturday, September 11 – 11 a.m., & Bailey® Presents Barnum’s 3 and 7 p.m. FUNundrum! Featuring 130 Sunday, September 12 – 11 a.m., 3 performers from six continents, and 7 p.m. almost 100,000 pounds of per- Ticket Prices: $14, $17, $23, $38 forming pachyderms, cowboys, (VIP), $60 (Front Row) and $90 pirates, and mermaids, Barnum’s (Circus Celebrity) FUNundrum! is a super-sized Opening Night tickets available spectacle so massive you just for 50% off (not valid on VIP or can’t miss it! Tickets for this premium seating) stupendous spectacle are on sale All seats reserved and available for Sacramento’s ARCO Arena’s at www.ticketmaster.com, ARCO Thursday, September 9 to Sun- Arena Box Office or call (800) day, September 12, show. 745-3000. Wilder Ranch State Big Basin Redwoods Park Activity Located two miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1 (831) 426-0505 State Park Calendar The History of Wilder Ranch: A tour of the Historic Ranch Buildings All Saturdays and Sundays in Septem- Saturday, September 25 wood loop trail and meet colorful characters ber at 1 p.m. Discover what life was like a century or more Honor the Visionaries, Valued Workers and from Big Basin’s past—listen to the stories of ago on this innovative dairy ranch. The hour-long tour Visitors that have shaped the character of Big a pioneering homesteader, an early conserva- includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1896 water-powered Basin over the past 104 years. Revel in the tionist, the first female ranger at Big Basin and machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. Park beauty of the majestic old growth redwoods more! Half-mile, 1.5-hour walk, wheelchair store sells maps, books, water, power bars, and unique that inspired the movement to Save the Trees! and stroller friendly. gifts. Celebrate our wild heritage with a melodrama, hikes, games for kids and more! The park is Boating, Dancing, Dining and More!—Big Living History Demonstrations located 9 miles outside of Boulder Creek on Basin in its Heyday - 11:30 a.m. Some Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hwy 236. For more information, call (831) Big Basin was a very popular tourist resort Volunteers lead living history activities on 338-8883. in the 1900s. The park had a hotel, store, post many weekends at Wilder Ranch State Park. S t o p office, barbershop, dance hall, tennis courts, by for a picnic and you may also find blacksmiths, a lake and more! Take a fascinating tour with quilters, and cooks demonstrating their skills Event activities: Dan Friend, a ranger here in the 1970s, and on the ranch. Visitors can gain first-hand ex - Coffee Talk - 9 to 11 a.m. “see” Big Basin as it was in those vibrant early perience of what life was like by taking part in Come to the Sempervirens Room next days. This is a one-mile, two-hour walk. hands-on living history activities on this circa to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot 1900 dairy ranch, one of the first in Santa Cruz chocolate! This is a great way to start your day Scott’s Old-Time Redwood Loop Walk, C o u n t y . Call (831) 426-0505 for other activi - in Big Basin. Docents will be happy to answer Part 2 - 2:30 p.m., 1.5 hours ties and dates. your questions about the park and help get you Get in a time machine with Docent Scott going on the right trail. Peden as he leads us on a 1924 Redwood Loop History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Walk. This is a one-mile, 1.5-hour walk. Ranch Area Scott’s Old-Time Redwood Loop Walk Saturday, September 11 at 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Children’s Games - 3 to 5 p.m. This challenging guided three-hour hike will Get in a time machine with Docent Scott Step back in time and play some old-fash- explore the natural and cultural history of the up - Peden as he leads a 1924 Redwood Loop ioned children’s games. Stop by anytime during per hills of Wilder Ranch State Park. M e e t i n t h e Walk. Over the years, the Redwood Loop this two-hour program. The games are for kids Wilder Ranch Parking lot. B r i n g g o o d w a l k i n g Walk meandered over a much longer distance, of all ages. Meet at the Old Lodge. shoes, lunch, snacks, and water. H i k e i s c a n c e l e d and passed by many of the old buildings and i f r a i n . even older trees. Scott has a map and photos Old-Time-Ranger Campfire - 6:30 p.m. of trees and buildings of that era—he’ll try find What was it like to be a ranger in days gone Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks the exact spots those old photos were taken! by? Join at our historic campfire center for an September 4, 18, and 25 at 11 a.m. This is a one-mile, 1.5-hour walk. evening with Dan Friend, a ranger here in the On these two-hour natural history excursions 1970s. He’ll regale you with tales of raccoons, you will explore the plants, animals, and geol - Redwood Loop Melodrama - 11 a.m. and renegade campers, rescues and more! Fire light- ogy of the spectacular coastal bluffs. Meet at 2 p.m. ing and marshmallows ( marshmallows and the Wilder Ranch interpretive center. Bring Celebrate Big Basin’s history! Take a walk sticks provided) at 6:30 p.m.; program begins a snack, water, binoculars, and good walking into the past on the easy, family friendly red- at 7. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. s h o e s . Binoculars are available to borrow. W a l k is canceled if rain.

24 CALIFORNIA KIDS! Family Fun Guide • SEPTEMBER 2010 5EPTYUIORASDF First 5 Sacramento Children’s Celebration Brings Fairytale Town to Life Special to California Kids information about countywide programs hree-year-old Jenny has listened to and services from more than 60 com- her mom read her books and nursery munity organizations, including First Trhymes since she was a baby, including 5 California Hands-On Health Express favorites like The Three Little Pigs, The Little mobile van, Library Wonder Wagon and Engine that Could, and Jack and the Beanstalk. the Smile Keepers Dental Van. The an- These stories and more will come to life on nual Conga Line starts at noon and this Saturday, October 9, as Jenny joins more year features The Cat in the Hat. than 6,000 Sacramento County families at A limited number of free Regional Fairytale Town for the First 5 Sacramento Transit (RT) bus passes and light rail Annual Children’s Celebration. passes are available to Fairytale Town “First 5 Sacramento supports programs from anywhere in Sacramento County and services to help meet the diverse and can be obtained through First 5 Sac- needs of local families,” Roger Dickin- ramento and their grantees. son, Chair of First 5 Sacramento and the Fairytale Town is located at William Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Land Park on the corner of Sutterville “Our Children’s Celebration brings the Road and Land Park Drive in Sacra- community together to learn about these mento. For more information on the free valuable resources in a fun environment day of family fun and available resources for the entire family.” to help parents raise children “happily, Funded by First 5 Sacramento, this ever after,” contact First 5 Sacramento FREE family event from 10 a.m. to 4 at (916) 876-5865 or online at www. Children under five can receive a free dental screening and learn about the importance of teeth and what p.m. will be filled with fun, resources, First5Sacramento.net. the dentist does. food, entertainment, activities, exhibits, raffles and much more. While local chil- About First 5 Sacramento dren ages zero to five engage in learning Research shows that a child’s brain de- throughout life. Based on this research, five. In the last year, First 5 Sacramento activities, meet larger than life mascots, velops most dramatically in the first five California voters passed Proposition 10 distributed approximately $15 million to watch puppet shows, pet zoo animals years and what parents and caregivers do in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax local programs and services that meet lo- and color on a giant kid’s coloring wall, during these years to support their child’s on cigarettes to support programs for ex- cal needs of Sacramento County children parents and caregivers will gain valuable growth will have a meaningful impact pectant parents and children ages zero to and families.

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Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! Parties! What I Like About You

“What I Like About You” is an esteem-boosting game which can be played in the family, classroom, or at a party. Age: any You will need: A stack of paper and a pencil for each player. You will need to: Give each person a stack of paper and a pencil. Call out the name of one of your party members and ask everyone to write that name on the top of the paper. Now write down something you like about that person. Fold in half, and throw the papers into a hat. Continue until you have written something about everyone. Now pass the hat around and take turns pulling out a paper and reading what is on it out aloud. Simon Says A traditional game enjoyed by younger children. Age: 3+ How to play: The children gather around an adult who gives instructions to them, preceded by “Simon Says”. For example:

“Simon says touch your head” “Simon says dance around the room” The children follow the instructions unless the adult leaves out the “Simon says” in which case anybody following instruc- tions is out. Hints:

This can be a good game when you are stuck for inspira- tion and need to get the kids moving for a few minutes - but don’t rely on it keeping them amused for too long! The simplicity of this game means that only the young- est children will enjoy it - and then, generally, only if they are not “out”! If you want, instead of sitting out, the losing children can be given a letter of an animal (such as p-i-g or, for a longer game, d-o-n-k-e-y, which they find funny).

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