| SFkids.org Newsletter
December 2011 |
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Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Son tan ul chuka hamnidah, Merry Christmas, Froehliche Weihnachten, Meli Kalikimaka. Happy Holidays from everyone at SFkids.org.  This month we offer reminders to keep you on your toes as well as ideas for holiday fun for all ages. Visit our homepage weekly for calendar highlights. Be sure to tell a friend.
Look out for our New Years newsletter the week after Christmas with information about what's going on New Year's Eve and ideas for winter break. 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, SFkids.org team |
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| SFkids.org Events Calendar Highlights | 
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Free Holiday Events in December |
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| Snow In San Francisco? | |
Mayor Edwin M. Lee and First Lady Anita Lee have announced that City Hall will open its doors and offices to the public for the San Francisco Season of Giving City Hall Open House on Sunday, December 18th from 11am - 3pm. Civic Center Plaza will host family activities, including a children's snow park, the entire weekend. 
The snow park is open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in Civic Center's Joseph L. Alioto Performing Arts Piazza on both Saturday and Sunday, December 17th and 18th.
The public is also encouraged to give to the San Francisco Season of Giving campaign, which Mayor Lee launched last month and will last until the January 8, 2012 Mayoral Inauguration. Residents and businesses are encouraged to give back to their own communities by supporting organizations that are providing warm meals, a place to stay, and other essential services to the people of San Francisco. For more information about the San Francisco Season of Giving campaign, go to: sfgov.org/seasonofgiving
Those that have given what they can will be provided an opportunity to take a photograph with Mayor Lee in front of the Tree of Hope at City Hall.
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| Tips for Fighting Holiday Depression | |
It's not just Elvis Presley who had a "Blue Christmas." For millions of people in the United States, singing the blues during the holidays is much more than a sad, sad song: it's a serious clinical condition. (read the full article ...)
Thanks to the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (www.mha-sf.org) for this article.
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| Holiday Events |
Here are a few lists we've made of holiday events. Check our Calendar (see Holiday Events Category) for a TON of holiday events. Also see our Events Page which is updated weekly.  Nutcracker Mania!In the Bay Area, there's a Nutcracker performance everywhere you turn. (read more)We have compiled a list of places where you can find the man in the red suit (read more)Holiday Teas for All!It's that time to put on your fancy dress and take in a holiday tea. (read more)Skating San Francisco StyleSkating is winter fun for the whole family. See our list of local venues. (read more) |
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On Target at Archery Range in Golden Gate Park | |
 by Darya Mead
Whether you have a Robin Hood fan, a small Cossack (a kid into ancient weaponry) or you just love fun, free, urban family activities; you've got to check out the Golden Gate Park Archery Range . It's a beautiful and well-maintained piece of park real estate, by the beach, on 47th Ave., just south of Fulton. It's easy to park and accessible by (read more...) |
| All We Want for Christmas is ... for You to be our Facebook Fan |
 We've got about 1200 Fans of our Facebook Page, but we're hoping to have 1400 by midnight New Years Eve. Help us reach our goal! Spread the word to all your friends. |
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Finding Balance and Making Meaning During the Holidays | 
by Suze Allen
The holidays are a time for togetherness and celebration, which is a lovely thing, but all too often the "high holidays" involve staying up too late, over indulging and running from event to event without any down time or self-care. This can create a lot of stress within families. Everyone is tired, over-stimulated, and their four pillars (sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation) are crumbling. Sometimes getting back into balance starts with admitting that your cultural or religious holiday traditions don't mesh with your true belief system. (read more...) |
| The End of Magical Thinking? | |
We ran this article last year but we loved it and thought it was worth highligting again.
by Suze Allen
This very well could be the last year that my children believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and all other magical beings. I feel the immenseness of their oncoming disbelief bearing down on me as if I am tied, helplessly, to the cold steel tracks of a high-speed train. "I know they're not real. I know they're not real. I know they're not real." Ugh.... (read more)
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| Giving Back |
The holiday season is always a good time to remind ourselves (and teach our kids) about the importance of giving back to our community. There are many ways your family can help others who need a little extra help or love. See our Volunteering Page for a great list of ideas.
This holiday season, join San Francisco and its social service partners in the Season of Giving, by giving back to our diverse communities in need. For more information see sfgov.org.
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| Family Snow Adventures |
 Just going to the snow can be a great thrill for kids (particularly City kids). Even though there's not a ton of snow in the mountains now, any day it could be a winter wonderland.
While snow vacations can be really expensive, a quick day trip (read more ...)
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Rec & Park Winter Camp & Winter Signups | 
The winter recreation season is upon us! Check out SF Rec and Park new activity guide for a wide array of exciting programs for you and your family, including yoga and fitness classes for parents and capoeira and karate for the kids. Registration begins December 17 online and at 13 sites throughout the city. Please note: registration in District 4 will be available at Wawona Clubhouse (901 Wawona St.) on Saturday, December 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out the Youtube video...
Looking for something cool and exciting for your kid to do during the winter break? Try one of Rec & Park's popular winter camps, a refreshing alternative to those wintertime blues, including EcoAdventures Camp, Tennis Camp, Indoor Rock Climbing, a Wild West camp and swimming. Camps run Dec. 19-23 and 27-30. Visit sfreconline.org to browse our complete catalog of winter camps. Get out and play!
Check for other winter camp ideas on SFkids.org too. Camps/Winter.
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| The School Search |
SFkids.org has great school search resources. See our Education Page, Public School Page, Private and Independent School Page, and Preschool Page. School Enrollment DeadlinesApplications for most schools (from preschool through high school) are due early in the year. The SFUSD enrollment deadline for most schools is January 27. Some SFUSD schools (Lowell & SOTA) and charter schools have different deadlines and different application requirements. Visit the SFUSD website for more information or contact the district's Educational Placement Center at (415) 241-6085. |
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and 
Looking for something for the kids? Don't want to break the bank? Check out our list of 
