Welcome to this week’s edition, hope you are keeping cool during this intense heat we are having during the first days of fall. Make the most of it while it lasts, at lots of seasonal fairs going on around Marin and Southern Sonoma. Support our local farmers and their delicious produce as you enjoy a play date, and get into a Latin mood at a great restaurant in San Anselmo.
Weekend Events
Friday October 1st
Friday Night Fusion, the Village Corte Madera, from 5.30 – 7.30 pm
Local musicians perform while you enjoy a wine tasting presented by Sonoma County Vintners for $15 per person including a local cheese plate.
Saturday October 2nd
‘Andy’s Local Market’, 688 Point San Pedro Road, San Rafael from 11.00 am – 4 pm free, & evening concert 7.00 – 11.00 pm, general admission $50. www.andyssummerfest.com
A family style carnival at the Loch Lomond Marina which is helping to support San Rafael City Schools. It features a petting zoo, pony rides, art, games, bouncy houses, Triumph skateboard demonstrations and kid’s stage with school music groups. BBQ by Sol Food and Lagunitas beer garden.
‘12th Annual Hometown Festival’, the grounds of the Unity of Marin Church, Palm Drive at 11 – 4.00 pm
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Diversity and everyone is invited to ethnic forms of dress. There will be games, arts and crafts for children and the popular local band ‘The Hamiltones’ will perform alongside a children’s ethnic dance group. Food and drink provided by a variety of local vendors such as Café Joel, Hamilton Café, Sonoma Latina Grill and Homeward Bound.
‘Timothy Murphy School Pumpkin Patch’, St Vincent’s Field @ Marinwood/St Vincent exit off Hwy 101, October 2nd – 29th, from 10.00 – 5.30 pm. www.godmothers.org
A variety of activities including hay pile, bounce houses, snack shack and pumpkins galore, all proceeds will benefit the Timothy Murphy School at St Vincents.
Olivia Goes to Venice’ Event, Borders, 588 Francisco Blvd West, San Rafael 11.00 am, www.borders.com
Launch of Olivia, the stylish pig’s new adventure in Venice, Italy.
Saturday & Sunday October 2nd & 3rd
Sonoma Country Harvest Fair, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, Sat & Sunday 10.00 – 7.00 pm, adults $8, older kids $3 & kids under 6 are free. www.harvestfair.org
The fair is a celebration of harvest featuring a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, zipper, super slide, tea cup ride, free wagon rides, early engine display, hay maze and other barnyard games. Wine tasting with 150+ wineries, chef demonstrations, microbrew tasting on the Saturday only and continuous live jazz and art show.
Sunday October 3rd
‘Princess Ballerina Benefit Concert & Silent Auction, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, 3.00 – 4.30 pm, $15 -20.
Event featuring a princess beauty makeover salon, professional princess photographs, bouncy house, games and activities, edible treats and performances by Miss Kitty, Tutu School students, Baby Bird music and Performing Arts Academy of Marin Broadway Ensemble.
Play Date Idea
The Farmer’s Market at the Civic Center in San Rafael, on Thursdays mornings (8.00 am – 1.00 pm) are much more family friendly than Sundays, as it is smaller and quieter now that older kids are back to school, allowing parents to maneuver their strollers around the vendors with ease.
A good place to start is at the bouncy houses and puppet show where toddlers sit attentively enjoying the music and their favorite characters from Sesame Street. Once the show is over move through the market where there are plenty of fresh fruit for the kids to sample as you grab your waffle or pastry from the bakery and much needed cup of coffee at the new ‘Maddie’s Mud’ (Marinwood’s new neighborhood vendor providing good coffee and conversation). Our other favorite vendors are the ‘Home Made Ravioli & Olive Co’ that offers pesto, dips, olives and wonderful fresh pasta; the Ravioli is delicious especially the butternut squash which is a winner with the kids. Look out for fresh muffins such coconut & banana or orange & zucchini, also the naughty but nice ‘Teeny Cake’ that offers mini size cupcakes, a special treat for little ones.
The seating area on the opposite side of the market always has great music by local musicians playing and is surrounded by great hot food venders such as Aidell’s Sausage, Pizza Politana and Brittany Crepes & Galettes. So you can sink your teeth into a hot sausage sandwich on Rosemary bread or a margarita pizza washed down with organic lemonade while enjoying the musical performance.
Next, take a stroll around the lake, past the petting zoo and pony rides to the Civic Center Park for some much needed free play which will tire them out for their afternoon nap.
Restaurant of the Week
Marinitas, 218 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, www.marinitas.net
Marinitas is a great place for a family lunch or early evening dinner, it is also a fabulous place to enjoy Margaritas on a balmy evening with friends. The place itself has a wonderful ambiance due to its Latin style deco, tall open windows, and exotic dark wood interior.
The surroundings reflects the Mexican and Latin America inspired menu that has a modern twist, the majority of which are offered as small plates so you get to try a variety of flavors. Some examples include the Empanadas filled with linguisa sausage, potato, caramelized onions, swiss chard and Oaxaca cheese, Queso Fundido with three cheeses, chorizo, crushed potatoes and pumpkin seeds blended with smoky chile sauce, cilantro creme and nopales salad. My husband loves the Ceviche served in three different styles; Classic which is shellfish, tomato and lime, Vera Cruzano which is scallops, roasted Serrano chile, orange, cucumber, jicama and avocado sauce, and Tuna Crudo which is adobo and cucumber. The Enchiladas and tacos are great especially the Taco filled with grilled steak, avocado, grilled onion and chipole sauce. I recommend ordering side dishes of green rice and black beans which my son devoured with a Grilled chicken and avocado sandwich.
The desserts are really wonderful, especially the Mexican Chocolate Pot de crème or the Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae with cajeta sauce, peanuts and Mexican Wedding Cookie, delicioso!
A Weekly Calendar of Toddler Appropriate Activities in Marin
Monday
10 .00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato
10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tuesday
10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Drop in Play’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle', at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael
11.00 - 11.30 am – ‘Book Club Story Time’ at ‘Pottery Barns Kids’ store, Corte Madera Village
4.00 – 8.00 pm - Farmer’s market, Grant Avenue, Novato
Wednesday
9.30 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym is back! Digital Drive, Ignacio
10.15 – 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ at The Parents Center, Heller’s store, 514 4th St, San Rafael
10.30 – 10.50 am – ‘Story Time with Miss Kitty', Civic Center Library
10.30 - 11.30 am - Drop in Play, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito
11.00 - 11.30 am – Story Time at Giggle Store, Corte Madera Village
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, Corte Madera
4.00 – 8.00 pm - Farmer’s Market, Bolinas Park, Bolinas Road, Fairfax
Thursday
8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center (Puppet Show and balloon lady by Jumpy Houses)
9.30 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, Digital Drive, Ignacio, Novato
9.30 – 10.30 am – ‘Jumping Jacks’, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
11.00 - 11.30 am - Story Time at Barnes & Noble, 313 Corte Madera Center
3.30 - 4.00 pm - 'Stories with Phil Sheridan', Sausalito Library, 420 Litho Street
3.00 – 7.00 pm – Farmers Market, Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross
6.00 – 9.00 pm - Farmers Market, 4th St, between Lincoln and B St, San Rafael
Friday
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sarah Bonnett, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael (until Oct 1st)
10.30 - 11.30 am - Tot's Club, City Hall Parks & Recreation, 420 Litho Street, Exercise Room, Sausalito
9.00 – 2.00 pm – Farmers Market, Alto Shopping Center, Mill Valley
9.00 am – 2.00 pm – Farmers Market, Bank of America parking lot, Downtown Sausalito
Monday
10 .00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato
10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Tuesday
10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Drop in Play’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle', at The Parents Center, Heller's Store, 514 4th Street, San Rafael
11.00 - 11.30 am – ‘Book Club Story Time’ at ‘Pottery Barns Kids’ store, Corte Madera Village
4.00 – 8.00 pm - Farmer’s market, Grant Avenue, Novato
Wednesday
9.30 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym is back! Digital Drive, Ignacio
10.15 – 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ at The Parents Center, Heller’s store, 514 4th St, San Rafael
10.30 – 10.50 am – ‘Story Time with Miss Kitty', Civic Center Library
10.30 - 11.30 am - Drop in Play, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito
11.00 - 11.30 am – Story Time at Giggle Store, Corte Madera Village
3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, Corte Madera
4.00 – 8.00 pm - Farmer’s Market, Bolinas Park, Bolinas Road, Fairfax
Thursday
8.00 – 1.00 pm – Farmers Market, The Civic Center (Puppet Show and balloon lady by Jumpy Houses)
9.30 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, Digital Drive, Ignacio, Novato
9.30 – 10.30 am – ‘Jumping Jacks’, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael
10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael
11.00 - 11.30 am - Story Time at Barnes & Noble, 313 Corte Madera Center
3.30 - 4.00 pm - 'Stories with Phil Sheridan', Sausalito Library, 420 Litho Street
3.00 – 7.00 pm – Farmers Market, Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross
6.00 – 9.00 pm - Farmers Market, 4th St, between Lincoln and B St, San Rafael
Friday
10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sarah Bonnett, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael (until Oct 1st)
10.30 - 11.30 am - Tot's Club, City Hall Parks & Recreation, 420 Litho Street, Exercise Room, Sausalito
9.00 – 2.00 pm – Farmers Market, Alto Shopping Center, Mill Valley
9.00 am – 2.00 pm – Farmers Market, Bank of America parking lot, Downtown Sausalito
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