The Marin Scoop: May 2011

This week I am launching the new ‘Weekly Calendar of Ongoing Baby Activities in Marin’, this will feature classes like mom support groups and activities for parents with infants up to walking age. It will be posted every week alongside the ‘Weekly Calendar of Ongoing Toddler Activities’.

I will be taking a break from writing my weekly reviews and stories until June to spend special time with my newborn daughter who arrived in the world last Friday.

Weekly Calendar of Ongoing

Baby Activities in Marin

(Infant – Walkers)

Monday

10.00 – 10.30 am – Book Babies, San Anselmo Library, 110 Tunstead Ave Town Council Chamber

10.00 – 11.00 am – New Mom’s Group (0-12 mths) until June 11^th, Fairfax Youth Center (next to Peri Park), 16 Park Road, Fairfax (donations accepted)

9.30 – 10.15 am & 10.30 – 11.15 am – ‘Music Together of Marin’ (birth to 5yrs) The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael (Free but preregistration required)

3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista Blvd

Tuesday

9.30 – 10.45 am – Baby Bounce Story time – Larkspur Library, 400 Magnolia Ave, 1^st Floor

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (6 months to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd

10.00 – 11.30 am – Drop-in Playtime (under 5yrs), The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

11.00 am – Mom & Baby Group, The Parent’s Center, UU Marin Church, 240 Channing Way, San Rafael (from May 31^st)

1.30 – 2.30 pm – Mom & Baby Yoga, The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael, (June 7^th – June 28^th)

Wednesday

11.30 - 11.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael

3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera

Thursday

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (6 months to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

11.00 – 12.30 pm – New Moms Group, The Parent’s Center, 514 Fourth Street, San Rafael

Friday

10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time & Sing Along with Sara Sonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Free Playgroup (Under 5), Marin Head Start, 610 Drake Ave, Marin City

Saturday

11.00 am – NEW Mother’s Club (great for working moms wanting to connect) at The Parent’s Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael

Weekly Calendar of Ongoing

Toddler Activities in Marin

Monday

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato

10.00 - 10.30 am - Kid's Story Time Club, Pharmaca, 7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato

10.00 – 10.30 am – Book Babies, San Anselmo Library, 110 Tunstead Ave Town Council chamber

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

10.00 - 6.00 pm - 'Jump n Bounce’, 718 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo (every day)

Tuesday

9.30 – 10.45 am – Baby Bounce Story time – Larkspur Library, 400 Magnolia Ave, 1^st Floor

10.00 – 10.30 am - ‘Baby Bounce’ Story time at Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks’ (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.00 – 11.30 am - ‘Play date for 2 and under’ at The Parent’s Place, 600 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

10. 00 – 11.00 am – ‘Little Soccer Club’ (3 – 5yrs) until Apr 5th, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito

10.15 - 10.45 am - 'Music Circle' (walkers up to 3 1/2), 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

11.30 – 12.00 pm – ‘Jamaroo Kids’, Terra Linda Community Center, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael

3.30 – 4.15 pm – ‘Doodler’s Craft Time, Terra Linda Clubroom, 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael

Wednesday

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Suite 3, Novato

10.00 -10.30 am – Music Together, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11^th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

10.15 - 10.45 am - ‘Music Circle’ (walkers up to 3 1/2), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael

11.30 - 12.00 pm - ‘Music Circle’ (infant to walkers), The Parents Center, Heller’s, 514 4th St, San Rafael

10.00 - 10.45 am - Fun & Funky (age 2 - 4), Fairfax Community Center,

10.30 - 11.30 am – Adventure Club Drop in Play, MLK Gym, 610 Colma Street, Sausalito

11.00 - 11.30 am – Story Time at Giggle Store, Corte Madera Village

11.00 -11.30 am – Preschool Story Time, Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd

3.00 – 5.00 pm – Crawlers Camp (up to 23 months) at Stretch the Imagination, 47 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera

Thursday

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11^th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11^th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

11.00 am & 12.00 pm – Bookmobile presents Story Time at the Farmers Market, The Civic Center, 3501 Civic center Drive, San Rafael

10.00 - 12.00 pm - 'Indoor Power Play' at Cal Star Gym, 70 Digital Drive, Novato

9.30 – 10.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (up to 24 months) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael (CLOSED THU MAY 19TH)

10.30 – 11.30 am - ‘Jumping Jacks' (24 months & up) at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.15 -10.45 am – Toddler Story time (2-3 yrs.), Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley

10.30 – 11.00 am – Story Time at San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael

11. 00 – 12.00pm – ‘Mommy & Me- In the Garden’ (1 – 4 yrs. until June 9^th), Landmarks Art & Garden center, 841 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

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, Sausalito

Friday

9.30 - 11.00 am - Art for You and Me, San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael

9.30 – 12.30 pm – Playgroup Drop in (until June 11^th) Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax

9.30 – 10.15 am – Doodlers Craft Time, Terra Linda Club Room, 670 Del Ganado Road, Terra Linda

10.00 – 10.30 am – Intro to Ballet, Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, Fairfax (until July 6^th)

10.30 - 11.30 am - Story Time with Sara Sonnet, San Rafael Library, 618 B Street, San Rafael

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Jumping Jacks, Strawberry Recreation District, 118 Strawberry Drive, 2^nd floor gym

10.30 – 12.00 pm – Free Playgroup (Under 5), Marin Head Start, 610 Drake Ave, Marin City

Celebrate Mexican culture and folklore with a Cinco de Mayo fiesta at the BADM on Saturday or if your children are a fan of cars then check out the ‘Classic Car Parade’ taking place in San Rafael later in the day.

It is Mother’s Day on Sunday so I have suggested some options on where to go for a special brunch to treat all the mamas out there!

Weekend Events

Saturday May 7^th

‘Cinco de Mayo Fiesta’ from 10.00 – 5.00pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Fort Baker, Sausalito, free with museum admission; www.baykidsmuseum.org

Enjoy a daylong celebration of Mexican culture and folklore through music, dance and traditional crafts. The ‘Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno’ will perform a free outdoor dance performance at 11.00 am, and there will be music at noon by ‘Mariachi Los Cachorros’. Crafts will be happening in studio 10 where children can make a paper flower or tin ornament as a “recuerdo” or remembrance of the day. There will also be a special Cinco de Mayo menu at the Café Discovery.

‘Sing and Play Saturdays at The Magic Bus Studio’ from 9.30 – 10.15 am, 1350 Center Road #12, (inside the Body Kinectics Gym Building), Novato; www.musicwithmelissa.com

Preview the Kindermusik program for newborn to 5 years old before enrolling, held first Saturday of each month. Pre-registeration is required at www.winter11singandplay.ezregister.com

‘Windrush Farm Family Day’ from 8.00 – 5.00 pm, 2263 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma, adults $20 MALT members/$25 non-members, $10 children/$55 for family of 4 or more;

Come see the lambs, feed the llamas, goats and cows, learn about how their wool products are made and make your own wool bracelet. Also make butter to spread on bread with local homemade jam which can be enjoyed with your picnic. Space is limited so sign up for a tour in advance, see website; www.malt.org/programs/index.php#may

‘Classic Car Parade & Rockin’ Street Dance’, 12.00 – 6.00 pm, parade at 5.00 pm, Fourth Street, between Lincoln & D St, San Rafael, free; www.downtownsanrafael.org

If your kids love cars then check out the hundreds of hot rods, custom, classics, eco and vintage autos at the Classic Car Parade. There will be live music from noon, children’s activities, food and beverages.

Origami Boat Race from 12.00 – 1.30 pm, Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley; http://www.millvalleylibrary.org

Kids 5 years and up are invited to take part in this library tradition that has been happening since the 1970’s. Origami master Jeremy Shafer will be teaching a paper boast-making workshop in the Creekside room before moving outside to launch the vessels at 1.00 pm. (Please wear old clothing and rain boots if possible).

‘Book Signing Event for “Secrets of a Baby Nurse” from 4.00 – 7.00 pm, Pacheco Plaza Shopping Center, 366 Ignacio Blvd, Novato.

Marsha Podd R.N is the author of the “Secrets of a Baby Nurse” and will be signing copies of her new book in the courtyard area. The event will feature music by Miss Kitty and Melissa Ayotte, also champagne and hors d’oeuvres.

Sunday May 8^th

Mother’s Day Brunch options

I am sure most mothers would like a sleep in on Sunday morning followed by a special brunch out somewhere, so here are a few suggestions on where to go. It is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants so be sure to book a table in advance.

‘L’Apart Resto’ is a great place for alfresco dining that has re-opened after the winter break on San Anselmo Avenue and will be offering a special menu on it’s sidewalk terrace that includes special egg dishes and pain perdu with berry compote in addition to their regular French menu; http://www.lappartresto.com/

Their other restaurant ‘Le Garage’ is also a wonderful place to enjoy brunch overlooking the harbor in Sausalito; http://www.legaragebistrosausalito.com/ outside seating are limited so make a reservation. It is also just a few steps away from the kid friendly Kayak Beach (a full review can be found in the ‘Play date’ of this blog).

If you want to take a car trip out to the country, Ranchos Nicasio in the town square of Nicasio will be offering a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 10.00 – 3.00 pm, and special dinner from 5.00 – 8.00pm that includes Roast Beef au Jus, Baked Petaluma Ham, Hickey Smoked bacon and Applewood sausage, scrambled eggs with buttermilk pancakes, homemade scones, croissants, cheesecake and brownies. Full menu and prices on their website; www.ranchonicasio.com

For an alternative brunch experience why not check out the Mother’s Day brunch at McClelland’s Dairy where you can take a tour of the farm and even milk a cow before enjoying brunch. Brunch features locally sourced cuisine including quiche, berry salad, chocolate brownies, crème fraiche and vanilla ice cream. It begins at 9.45 am and lasts for three hours. Cost and details on their website; www.mcclellandsdairy.com

If you are feeling adventurous you can take part in a hike to West Point Inn on Mount Tam where they will be hosting a Mother’s Day pancake breakfast from 9.00 – 1.00 pm on Sunday. It is not appropriate for infants unless they are in a backpack. See details & prices on their website; www.westpointinn.com

Coming Soon…

I will be launching a ‘Weekly Calendar of Ongoing Baby Activities in Marin’ very soon, if there are any classes/activities that you would like me to include please let me know by leaving a message in the comments box: