In the late summer we love to go apple picking at farms in Marin and Sonoma County. It's so much fun to choose and pick your own fruit, but sometimes you end up with more apples than you know what to do with. I've been trying to figure out different creative ways to use apples, since I hate to see any go to waste.

Fresh-baked apple walnut bread is delicious, easy to make and a great way to use up extra apples. It also makes the house smell amazing while it's baking. It's good as part of breakfast, as a snack, or even dessert. My kids love to get a slice in their lunchboxes, too.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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Get ready to believe! Tickets for the California State Railroad Museum's annual holiday Polar Express train rides go on sale to members only on September 26–28, 2017 and to the general public on Saturday, October 1, 2017. The Railroad Museum's sister organization, Railtown 1897 in Jamestown will also be holding Polar Express train rides again this holiday season.

Members of the Californa State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897 are eligible to participate in member advance ticket sales. In order to reserve member tickets, your membership must be active or renewed as of Monday, September 5, 2017.

Celebrate art and storytelling at libraries across the county at the first Marin Comics Fest! Taking place starting today, September 9, 2017 and running through September 16, the Marin Comics Fest features fun family-friendly happenings at local Marin libraries and other venues, including Blue Moon Comics and Copperfield's Books in San Rafael.

Learn about comics, graphic novels, a from renowned cartoonists, artists, and writers like Art Roche, Thi Bui, Judd Winick, Serena Valentino, Brian Fies, and others. There will even be a Latino comics expo at the Novato Library on Saturday, September 16.

Check their page on the San Rafael Library's website for a full schedule of events and locations, and follow the Fest on Facebook for updates and info. The Marin Comics Fest is produced in in partnership with Friends of the San Rafael Public Library, Copperfield's, and Blue Moon Comics.

Pick your own organic apples at Chileno Valley Ranch. RSVP to reserve your spot and read about our visit here.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, September 8

• Breakfast with Enzo
  Sports Basement, San Francisco Presidio
  Friday, 10 & 11 am
  Enzo Garcia plays guitar, banjo, accordion, musical saw, jew's harp, enzotar, appalachian dulcimer, slide flute, percussion and more. He has been performing and recording professionally for over fifteen years, the last ten of which he has spent in the San Francisco Bay Area. Recommended for children 7 and under. Drop in any time. Cost: $7 per person additional child siblings under 7 months free. Lots of free parking too. For more info, call (415) 652-2474 or visit his website.
• French Storytime (L'Heure du Conte)
  San Anselmo Library
  Friday, 11–11:30 am
  For children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Talk, sing, read, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music in French. No registration required. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with children during all storytime sessions. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, Council Chambers, San Anselmo. For more info, visit their website.
• Picnics on the Plaza
  Town Hall Lawn, San Anselmo
  Friday, 5–8 pm
  The popular Picnics on the Plaza events feature music and family fun in downtown San Anselmo. Bring your picnic basket or buy food at the event. Sponsored by the San Anselmo Economic Development Committee. Location: 525 San Anselmo Avenue, Town Hall Lawn, San Anselmo. For more info, visit their website.
• Parents' Night Out
  Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
  Friday, 5–10 pm
  Drop off the kids and enjoy a night out! While you relax, the kids will be having fun with the Marinwood staff. Games, park time, arts and crafts, dinner and a movie at the end of the night! Activities include a toy room, dodgeball or just hanging out. Ages: at least 2 but less than 11. Cost: $25 per child. Register here. Location: 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.
• Broadway Under the Stars Gala Celebration
  Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen
  Friday–Sunday, 5 pm
  Don’t miss this fast-selling, end of season celebration packed full of powerhouse performances, community tributes, sentimental reflections and more. Bring a picnic before the performance. The show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $45–$149. Purchase tickets here. Location: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. For more info, visit their website.
• Kids Night Out: Night at the Museum
  Rolling Hills Club, Novato
  Friday, 6–9:30 pm
  Some men are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them! At Rolling Hills, we know all our kids are great! Join us for a Dum Dum bubble gum blowing contest, Night Watchman Games, and “Night at the Museum Bingo”. This is a PG movie and may not be appropriate for all children. A pizza dinner will be served. Ages 5 and up
  $24  Members and $34 Guests. Register here. Location: 351 San Andreas Dr, Novato. For more info, visit their website.
• Free Movies at Old Mill Park
  Mill Valley
  Friday, 8 pm (starts at dusk)
  Bring your family, blankets, low beach chairs, flashlights and picnics and enjoy this free movie in the park: Beauty and the Beast (live action). Location: 352 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.
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After all our apple picking excursions to Chileno Valley Ranch, we decided to make our favorite apple pie. This is my go-to recipe for this treat. It's an adaptation of the recipe that used to be on the back of the box of Trader Joe's frozen pie crusts. I don't know what it is about it, but it makes what my family thinks it the best apple pie ever. I still usually use the Trader Joe's pie crusts for this, since they're really good quality and make for a lot less work. Feel free to make your own pie crusts or to use a different brand, though.

I made this pie with Mutsu apples from Chileno Valley Ranch, but any good baking apple, like Gravenstein or Granny Smith, will work equally well.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds apples (about 6 medium), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 package Trader Joe's pie crusts, thawed
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Looking for fun indoor play spaces for the little ones? There are several places to take the kids to get them out of the house and burn off all that extra energy, especially on a cold or rainy day. Here are a few ideas for fun indoor drop-in activities in Marin County and beyond:

Berkeley

• Habitot Children's Museum
  2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley
  (510) 647-1111
  Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30–12:30 pm & Friday–Saturday, 9:30–4:30 pm
  Discovery Museum for young children, toddlers and infants. Fun activities, hands on exhibits, arts & crafts, fun classes, music and much more. Cost: $10.00 children and adults, Monday–Thursday (free under 12 mo.) and $12 children and adults, Friday–Sunday. For more info, visit their website.

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Parents Place in San Rafael has been a valuable resource for countless Marin County parents and families. They offer a wide variety of programs and classes for parents and children throughout the year. Here are a few of the classes they are offering for the month of September.

Parenting Young Children Through Separation of Divorce (birth–8 years)

Sunday, September 13, 7–9 pm
Acquire information and effective skills on how to manage the challenging process of separation/divorce while keeping your child's best interest in mind. We'll cover important topics such as post-separation parental adjustment, the major factors that affect children's adjustment, how to identify "red flags" for children, when/how to get professional support, parent-child communication, and the co-parenting relationship. With Susan Byrd, LCSW. $45. Register here.

Work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner at the Marin Turkey Trot on November 23.

Running is a fantastic way for the whole family to get outside, get fit together, and enjoy the beauty of the Bay Area. Families have plenty of opportunities to race together in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area this fall, from family fun runs and walks to cross-country half-marathons! There's something for every fitness and experience level.

September

Clo-Cow Half Marathon

Sunday, September 17
Downtown Petaluma
The 7th running of the Clo-Cow Half Marathon & 5K takes place in Historic Downtown Petaluma. This beautiful half-marathon course takes you through rural Sonoma County farm country, over rolling hills where you'll be cheered on by sheep, horses, and of course cows! The trip out there is a challenging one, but the inclines just make the views even more rewarding! Find event details and registration here.

On September 16 and 17, 2017, artists from around the country will gather beneath the redwoods at historic Old Mill Park for the 61st annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. This popular family-friendly festival features the work of over 140 artists, great live music, and kids' entertainment ranging from puppet shows and magic to sing-alongs and storytelling. It all makes for a magical weekend under the trees!