I just learned about www.SpontaneousSmiley.com. It is a conceptual art piece that lives on the internet and captures smiley faces that exist in our everyday world: a parking meter, a manhole cover, a dresser drawer, a piece of cheese. The point is, if one looks long and hard enough, one can find a smiley face and snap its photograph--smiling all the while. Indeed, it is infectious and fun for kids of all ages. The Chief Smiley Captain is a woman named Ruth Kaiser, who happens to be an artist with a UCB degree in fine arts. As president and founder of TotDrops, Ruth also works with preschool-aged children who no doubt inspire her daily with oodles of happyness and imaginative vision that can spot joy in the mundane. The Spontaneous Smiley project started almost 2 years ago on Facebook and now has over 2,500 members submitting their smileys from around the world. When folks started posting photos on behalf of their kids, Ruth launched her website so kids could participate. Several high school teachers are using the project in their photography classes across America. Ruth hopes to get a huge corporate sponsor to get cameras and printers into classrooms and into the hands of children on a larger scale. Anyone out there interested? It's a great way to teach kids photography and help them hone their skills as they attempt to capture that ever elusive emotion--happiness--in a smiley face! To all you parents out there, I dare you to grab the camera and take the kids on a smiley face hunt. You'll be amazed at what they find and how much smiling YOU can do in one day. Best of all, it doesn't cost a thing. Enjoy! Kathryn
www.SpontaneousSmiley.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Restoration Hardware Baby & Child Store Now Open!
OMG! Are you a fan of luxury plush items at Restoration Hardware? I never had a blankie as a young child, but I am now hooked on my luxury plush throw. Can't sleep without it. Makes me feel 5 all over again! Speaking of such an innocent age, I just learned that Restoration Hardware has opened a new Baby & Child store at the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. Now baby can have luxury plush for his/her nursery and an adorable bear too. In addition to toys, games, apparel, blankies, (check out those cute mobiles--what a great shower gift!), they will also have a nice selection of furniture for baby and kids. Take a peek at their wonderful stuff and then hit the mall!
http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rhbc/index.jsp
http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/rhbc/index.jsp
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Totally Sweet Destination: Powell's Sweet Shoppe
Moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents...you have GOT to check out Powell's Sweet Shoppe in Lafayette. They are in the new Lafayette Mercantile Building on Mt. Diablo Road and this place is filled with outrageous candy and confections that will give you that "blast from the past" feeling. Remember Mary Janes, Beemans, Clark Bars and Wax Lips??? They've got em--and Good & Plenty too! My kids like the different color M&M dispensers, perfect for making that perfect rainbow custom blend. There's all the candy I remember from my childhood in the old-fashioned barrels and a ton of new stuff and novelties that will make your eyes pop out. Willy Wonka is playing all the time on the flat screen TV and kids can watch a bit while they lick their lollipops and wait for the grownups to buy one of those "to-die-for" gelatos. Divine! There's something for everyone and once you visit, you will always come back--for that occasional special treat or a weekly indulgence. Go this weekend. Surpise the kids! And tell owners Zeina and Nabil Hissen (and Manager Didi Reed) that the Minivan Reporter sent you!
http://www.powellsss.com/go/index.cfm/locations/california/lafayette/
http://www.powellsss.com/go/index.cfm/locations/california/lafayette/
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
"Applause for the Cause" June 6 Fundraiser
Just wanted to let you know that the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center, part of Alta Bates/Summit Medical Group, will be having its first annual "Applause for the Cause" fundraiser. I am on the committee as a volunteer, helping to round up sponsors and support from the community. I've been so impressed by the generosity of so many people, including Genentech, Chloe & Jane, Sumbody, Sagawise Stones, Edible Arrangements, and o2 Marketing.
The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center helps women, regardless of their ability to pay, to get important diagnostic procedures aimed at detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages. Early detection really is the cure, and I am doing my part to pay-it-forward and help this center elevate this most worthy cause and raise money for crucial educational resources and services. The Bay Area is a hot spot for breast cancer and most of you no doubt know someone who has been touched by this disease. Please let me know if you would like to help or participate. A little enthusiasm can help us a lot--even if it is passing out fliers or telling your girlfriends, sisters, aunts, mothers, brothers, husbands, fathers, grandparents, colleagues, etc.
"Applause for the Cause" will be on June 6, 2009, at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center. The guest performers are the legendary Dionne Warwick, Sinbad and the Oakland Youth Chorus. Tickets are now available at tix.com
The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center helps women, regardless of their ability to pay, to get important diagnostic procedures aimed at detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages. Early detection really is the cure, and I am doing my part to pay-it-forward and help this center elevate this most worthy cause and raise money for crucial educational resources and services. The Bay Area is a hot spot for breast cancer and most of you no doubt know someone who has been touched by this disease. Please let me know if you would like to help or participate. A little enthusiasm can help us a lot--even if it is passing out fliers or telling your girlfriends, sisters, aunts, mothers, brothers, husbands, fathers, grandparents, colleagues, etc.
"Applause for the Cause" will be on June 6, 2009, at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center. The guest performers are the legendary Dionne Warwick, Sinbad and the Oakland Youth Chorus. Tickets are now available at tix.com
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
This Just In
Color Me Mine opened the doors to a brand new studio in downtown Lafayette in the La Fiesta Square. This paint-it-yourself ceramics studio lets customers design and paint their pieces and pick them up later after the studio glazes and fires their works of arts. I've also just learned of a new retail shop—Monkey Bars—for baby clothing, gear and furniture on Park Street in the charming island city of Alameda. You'll find lots of organic cottons and gender neutral items in this fun, hip store, which is great for baby shower shopping.
Congratulations to MOCHA (Museum of Children's Art) in Oakland. This wonderful non-profit will be celebrating 20 years of children's art with a birthday bonanza, featuring an art-cade of fun for kids of all ages. Located in Swan's Marketplace on 9th Street, MOCHA manages children's art exhibitions and also offers studio art workshops and camps. Visit www.mocha.org to check out their online gallery and get details on their birthday celebration, slated for April 26, from noon-5pm. Admission is free.
Speaking of free. Camp Kesem, a UC Berkeley student-run program that offers a free summer camp for kids who have or had a parent with cancer, is now enrolling for their camp in August. The one-week camp is open to all children, ages 6-13, in the Bay Area and Central Valley. Camper applications are available online at www.campkesem.org/berkeley.
Kathryn
Congratulations to MOCHA (Museum of Children's Art) in Oakland. This wonderful non-profit will be celebrating 20 years of children's art with a birthday bonanza, featuring an art-cade of fun for kids of all ages. Located in Swan's Marketplace on 9th Street, MOCHA manages children's art exhibitions and also offers studio art workshops and camps. Visit www.mocha.org to check out their online gallery and get details on their birthday celebration, slated for April 26, from noon-5pm. Admission is free.
Speaking of free. Camp Kesem, a UC Berkeley student-run program that offers a free summer camp for kids who have or had a parent with cancer, is now enrolling for their camp in August. The one-week camp is open to all children, ages 6-13, in the Bay Area and Central Valley. Camper applications are available online at www.campkesem.org/berkeley.
Kathryn
Minivan Reporter, Issue 1
Blurbs from the Burbs
Nothing says mom like minivan! Honk if you see me--squealing into the school pick-up line, dashing down to the Farmer's Market or running around your town covering the local beat for Bay Area Kids . I am happy to report that there are tons of kid-oriented products, programs and services right here in the East Bay. We are fortunate to have so many educational and enrichment opportunities available for our families. Here's a snapshot of some of the noteworthy destinations that I've discovered along my travels.
Happy Campers Close to Home
Summer will be here before you know it. If you are looking for a unique summer program for your son or daughter, you don't need to look very far. Take for example SewNow! Fashion Studio. Imagine a huge room filled with Brother sewing machines ready to whiz, whirl, hum and hem. Summer campers can learn about fashion design and the art of sewing. The brainchild of fashion designer, Susan Goldie, SewNow! Fashion Studio brings the craft of sewing back into the mainstream, right off Lafayette's main street on Moraga Road. It's a great place for birthday parties or an unforgettable mother-daughter date too. Come create your own fashion keepsake and see why families are saying SewNow! is "so cool" and au so courant!
Another camp idea that the kids are just crazy about is Mad Science. We were first introduced to Mad Science when we threw a Mad Science birthday party for my son, Henry, and his preschool pals years ago. Talk about great chemistry! Henry still fondly recalls wearing that white lab coat and making slime with his friends. Today, he fancies himself the next Einstein (with nicer hair) and is taking a NASA-approved Mad Science enrichment program at his school to learn all about space-complete with take-home projects that he loves to build. As the world's leading science and enrichment provider, Mad Science covers a variety of science-related topics to engage the kids. Check out your local community center or YMCA for Mad
Science Summer Camp programs near you.
Keeping it Green
The Bay Area is rich with green ideas and wonderful places for eco-friendly shopping, organic dining and environmental caretaking. Your local Recycling Center offers a great opportunity to teach the kids about recycling. Both of my kids have taken the lead on collecting our family's soda cans. Once a month, they go off with dad to the Recycling Center and come home with a nice chunk of change from the redemption value of the cans. You'd be surprised how it all adds up! This is a great way for the kids to take responsibility, participate in recycling and earn their keep to help save for that Wii! From a reuse perspective, check out Freecycle.org, a web-based network to promote waste reduction and help save the landscape from being taken over by landfills. This nifty little organization provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to recycle/ give. You never know what will be up for grabs or who will take your stuff for free. I also am very fond of the Treehouse Green Gifts on College Avenue in Berkeley. They have a gorgeous selection of eco-friendly gifts that are recycled, organic, handmade, or fairly-traded, or a combination of all four. A special kids' section offers quality toys and there are sumptuous items for mom and new baby too. Don't forget your local farmers' markets and Farm Fresh to You, which delivers organic produce to your door, direct from the farm.
For the home, SunClean Carpet Care, offers organic and non-toxic treatments to clean your carpets and upholstery-safe for children, pets and planet Earth. The Child Day School in San Ramon has just started its garden education program. The garden classroom will give its preschoolers hands-on opportunities to plant seeds and work the soil as well as learn about parts of the plants and where our food comes from. Do I smell zucchini bread?
Take care,
Kathryn
Nothing says mom like minivan! Honk if you see me--squealing into the school pick-up line, dashing down to the Farmer's Market or running around your town covering the local beat for Bay Area Kids . I am happy to report that there are tons of kid-oriented products, programs and services right here in the East Bay. We are fortunate to have so many educational and enrichment opportunities available for our families. Here's a snapshot of some of the noteworthy destinations that I've discovered along my travels.
Happy Campers Close to Home
Summer will be here before you know it. If you are looking for a unique summer program for your son or daughter, you don't need to look very far. Take for example SewNow! Fashion Studio. Imagine a huge room filled with Brother sewing machines ready to whiz, whirl, hum and hem. Summer campers can learn about fashion design and the art of sewing. The brainchild of fashion designer, Susan Goldie, SewNow! Fashion Studio brings the craft of sewing back into the mainstream, right off Lafayette's main street on Moraga Road. It's a great place for birthday parties or an unforgettable mother-daughter date too. Come create your own fashion keepsake and see why families are saying SewNow! is "so cool" and au so courant!
Another camp idea that the kids are just crazy about is Mad Science. We were first introduced to Mad Science when we threw a Mad Science birthday party for my son, Henry, and his preschool pals years ago. Talk about great chemistry! Henry still fondly recalls wearing that white lab coat and making slime with his friends. Today, he fancies himself the next Einstein (with nicer hair) and is taking a NASA-approved Mad Science enrichment program at his school to learn all about space-complete with take-home projects that he loves to build. As the world's leading science and enrichment provider, Mad Science covers a variety of science-related topics to engage the kids. Check out your local community center or YMCA for Mad
Science Summer Camp programs near you.
Keeping it Green
The Bay Area is rich with green ideas and wonderful places for eco-friendly shopping, organic dining and environmental caretaking. Your local Recycling Center offers a great opportunity to teach the kids about recycling. Both of my kids have taken the lead on collecting our family's soda cans. Once a month, they go off with dad to the Recycling Center and come home with a nice chunk of change from the redemption value of the cans. You'd be surprised how it all adds up! This is a great way for the kids to take responsibility, participate in recycling and earn their keep to help save for that Wii! From a reuse perspective, check out Freecycle.org, a web-based network to promote waste reduction and help save the landscape from being taken over by landfills. This nifty little organization provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to recycle/ give. You never know what will be up for grabs or who will take your stuff for free. I also am very fond of the Treehouse Green Gifts on College Avenue in Berkeley. They have a gorgeous selection of eco-friendly gifts that are recycled, organic, handmade, or fairly-traded, or a combination of all four. A special kids' section offers quality toys and there are sumptuous items for mom and new baby too. Don't forget your local farmers' markets and Farm Fresh to You, which delivers organic produce to your door, direct from the farm.
For the home, SunClean Carpet Care, offers organic and non-toxic treatments to clean your carpets and upholstery-safe for children, pets and planet Earth. The Child Day School in San Ramon has just started its garden education program. The garden classroom will give its preschoolers hands-on opportunities to plant seeds and work the soil as well as learn about parts of the plants and where our food comes from. Do I smell zucchini bread?
Take care,
Kathryn
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