SFkids.org Newsletter
November 2011 |
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The holiday season is almost upon us. Once Halloween is done it's game on. Luckily October was GREAT with wonderful weather.  We've got tons-o-information to share: who's open on Thanksgiving, school fair info, and much, much more. We love to hear from other parents with ideas about kid-friendly restaurants, activities, and more. We're also always looking for people to write feature articles. If you have something you'd like to submit we'd love to hear from you.
-Kim, Chris, Robin, & Nina, the SFkids.org team |
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| SFkids.org Events Calendar Highlights | |
Friday, 11/18
Art it! Friday Night Drop-in Art Studio at Children's Art Center. Friday.
DIY it! DIY Studio Workshops at Children's Creativity Museum (Formerly Zeum) for ages 3-12. Hip Hop it! San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest at Palace of Fine Arts. Runs November 18-20.
Speak it! Weekly Bilingual Spanish Music Class at JamaROO. Friday. First class is free.
Aww it! Puppy Movie Night at SF SPCA. Friday. FREE
 | | Giant Yoda Santa Making Party! |
See many more events for Friday
Saturday, 11/19
School it! Parents for Public Schools Workshop at Western Addition Branch Library. FREE
Design it! Holiday Design Bazaar at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. FREE
Sprout it! Sprouts Cooking Club at Venga Empanadas at 2pm.
Tale it! Folktales Across the African Diaspora at the Museum of the African Diaspora.
Drive it! San Francisco International Auto Show at Moscone Center. The Auto Show runs November 19-27, and it's open on Thanksgiving!
Gryffindore it! Harry Potter Marathon at Castro Theatre. Two days of films (4 per day) for only $12 each day.
See many more events for Saturday
Sunday, 11/20
Crack it! The Nutcracker at Main Library. Sunday. FREE
Yoda it! Giant Lego Yoda Santa Making Party. Sunday. FREE
Light it! Tree Lighting at Pier 39. Sunday. FREE
Help it! Presidio Family-Friendly Restoration. FREE
Talk about it! Childhood Matters Radio Show. Tune in for great parenting advice. 7am. FREE
Snow it! Hyatt Regency Holiday Snow Fall. Three times per day through 12/31. FREE
See many more events for Sunday.
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Please Never Hurt Yourself: A Father's Plea | 
Tragically, two San Francisco teenagers committed suicide in the past month, another earlier this year, and we're sure many more I don't know about. This piece was written by a San Francisco father of four.
By Richard Dudum
"One year ago, a very dear friend of mine lost his daughter. She committed suicide.
Our daughters grew up together. They held hands when they were four years old, put on lipstick and formal dresses that dragged on the floor when they danced together without shoes. They met every year at the annual father-daughter dance and every year they would leave the dinner table hand in hand for the dance floor. My daughter graduated. His daughter took her own life." Read more...
GIVEAWAY: Richard has generously offered to donate some of his books to SFkids.org readers. Email us for a chance to win.
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| Thanksgiving Week and Winter Break Camps |
It's time to start thinking about Winter Break Camps. Check out our listing on the Camps Page.
Some camps also have sessions over the Thanksgiving week: Adventure Camps (Marin), Destination Art, Glitter & Razz Productions (Oakland), JCC SF, San Francisco Gymnastics, Sarah's Science
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Parenting during the holidays: Keeping the spirit, while keeping your cool! | |
by Kerrie LaRosa
Holidays are a fun and exciting time. They can also be hectic, overwhelming and exhausting, as well as emotionally and financially taxing. Children can increase both the excitement and the stress of the holidays. As a parent coach and a parent, I'd like to share some of my tips for making sure you and your children enjoy the holidays. (read more...)
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| Nutcracker Mania |
 In the Bay Area you can find a performance of the Nutcracker everywhere you turn. The editors at SFkids have compiled this list to help you sort through the holiday offerings. Take your pick, or catch more than one performance. Make reservations now and don't miss at least one of these holiday treats. Read Nutcracker Mania! |
| Skating SF Style |
 Ice skating spells winter fun for the whole family. Here is a list of staff favorites for holiday season skating! Read the article here... |
| Holiday Family Fun 2011 |
 Print out our Holiday Family Fun Flyer 2011 to remind yourself of holiday lightings, ice skating venues, and Nutcracker performances throughout the City.
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Dickens Christmas Fair |  A Bay Area tradition for 33 holiday seasons, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair returns to the San Francisco Cow Palace Exhibition Halls for four weekends, from Friday, November 25 then weekends through Sunday, December 18, 2011. Come celebrate the holiday season in Victorian London! This year also marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth! For more information see the Dickens Fair website.
GIVEAWAY: The Dickens Fair has generously offered to give SFkids.org subscribers some free tickets to the fair! Email us for a chance to win!
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| The Fall School Search | |
The Fall School Search is in full swing!
Other Resources:
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| Advice for The Middle and High School Search | |
Two San Francisco parents give us great tips for the Middle and High School Searches.
The High School Search by Caroline Grannan "Choosing a high school is an important decision parents and teens need to make together. The following are some resources and tips to make the process a little easier." (read more) 
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and 
Before or after the feast begins, take the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the city. We have compiled a list of venues that are 
SFUSD has a great new website 