San Rafael

We asked Marin Kids & Maternity Consignment's Melissa Hereford to tell us a little about the back-to-school bargains that can be found at their retail store on West Francisco Boulevard in San Rafael. They try to live up their motto, "Saving the planet, one outfit at a time" by offering a great selection of gently used (or "new-to-you") children's apparel and more, much of it perfect for back-to-school! Marin Kids & Maternity Consignment is also a great place to sell your old children's clothing and maternity wear. They're located at 814 Francisco Boulevard West and open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm. Visit them online at www.marinkidsconsignment.com.

It’s time again for the Marin County Fair at the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael, near the Marin Civic Center. This theme for this 64th fair is "Going Global—Connecting Cultures". Highlights include a Global Stage with entertainment from around the world, a Global Village in the Exhibition Hall, a Global Kitchen where you can experience local and international foods, and more.

Of course there are also the more traditional fair offerings like farm animals and Hambone Express pig racing in the barnyard, 28 free (with fair admission) carnival rides, the 21st annual Creatures and Models exhibit (with appearances by the ever-popular Imperial Storm Troopers of the Golden Gate Garrison), concerts, fine arts, bonsai, and of course the nightly fireworks display.

This year's Marin County Fair runs from Thursday, July 1 through Monday, July 5, 11 am to 11 pm daily.

This summer the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center presents its Summer Nights series of outdoor concerts, movies, and entertainment at its campus in San Rafael. Bring a picnic, your blanket, low-backed lawn chairs, and dancing shoes—there's fun for the whole family! Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, and there's a playground available for supervised play and the art room will be open for coloring fun.

This summer's outdoor concert lineup features Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums (this Saturday, June 19), Nigerian Brothers West African Highlife Band (July 10), Sambaguru featuring Katia Morales (July 17), Los Pinguos (July 31), and Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie (Auguest 7). All concerts start at 7 pm; doors open at 6:15 pm, and there's a dance lesson at 6:40 pm.

Concert tickets are $20 for JCC members, and $25 for the general public. Kids 6–17 are $5, and children 5 and under are free.

Also offered as part of Summer Nights is "So Much More than a Movie," a film series featuring a family-friendly movie, a live performance, and fun on the playground. On June 26, take in a performance by 'Til Dawn, Marin's teen a capella sensation, and a screening of the classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. June 24 features Shrek II and a performance by family entertainer, comedian, and juggler Unique Derique. The series closes on August 14 with a screening of the animated feature An American Tail with a performance by Marin's favorite family musician, Tim Cain.

Marin Waldorf School in San Rafael is offering a new Parent-Child program starting December 3. If you want to learn more about the Waldorf approach to parenting principles, this is a good way to try it out and get acquainted. These are warm and inviting gatherings, filled with a spirit of play, community, and love for the parenting journey.

Each meeting also includes open discussion about parenting and how Waldorf ideas can support parents and provide skills to nurture their relationship with their child.

• Special Season Session for Young Toddlers
  December 3, 10 and 17
  Thursdays 9 to 10:30 am
  Session fees: $75

• Pre-crawlers to Crawlers
  Thursdays, January 7–April 1 and April 22–June 10, 11:30 am to 1 pm

• Babies and Pregnancy, for Pregnancy and Infants
  Fridays, January 8–April 2 and April 23–June 11
  11 am to 12:30 pm
  Session fees: winter $275, spring $185
• Young Toddlers, walking up to 2 years of age.
  Fridays, January 8–April 2 and April 23–June 11, 9 am–10:30 am
  Session fees: winter $275 • spring $185
• Older Toddlers, 20 months to 3 ½ years.
  Thursdays, January 7–April 1 and April 22–June 10
  9 to 11 am or Saturdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am
  Session fees: winter $300, spring $200

For more info, call Barbra Rosen (415) 479.8190 ext. 147 or go to www.marinwaldorf.org.

On Wednesday, December 9, Marin Dance Theatre and Marinwood Recreation Department present a sneak preview of the popular holiday ballet Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop. From 1:15 to 2:15 pm, meet some of the characters from this beautiful ballet and watch them perform their dances. This event takes place at the Marinwood Community Center at 775 Miller Creek Road in San Rafael. The performance is free, but reservations are required. RSVP to hschulte@marinwood.org.

If you want to see the full-length version of Marin Dance Theatre's Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop, it will play at the Marin Civic Center on December 19 at 1 and 5 pm. It's a two-act children's ballet that features over 120 dancers plus professional guest artists. Adults $33, students and seniors $23. For more information, go to www.mdt.org or the Marin Center Box Office to purchase tickets.

Join The Parents Center, Heller's for Children, and the Novato Mother's Club for a free infant/toddler sleep and breastfeeding panel on Wednesday, October 28 from 7–9 pm and features a panel discussion with infant/child sleep consultant (and frequent Marin Mommies contributor) Angelique Millette and lactation consultant Margie King. A brief lecture will be followed by question and answer session. Best of all, this event is free to the public. RSVP to georgia@theparentscenter.com

The Parents Center is located inside the Heller's store at 514 Fourth Street (on the east side of 101) in San Rafael. Located in Heller's loft area (in space donated by Heller's), the Parents Center is a comfortable, welcoming place that offers support and education for new and expectant parents. Moms are invited to come in, feed and weigh baby, have a cup of tea and relax. There's even a special rocker for breastfeeding moms with an optional privacy screen. There is a library of books and dvds for loan, and classes, workshops, and programs are also offered. For more information, visit www.theparentscenter.com.

This fall, Marin's own Golden Gate Opera presents its production of Hansel and Gretel at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael. This opera version of the Brothers Grimm story (by the 19th-century German composer, not the '70s singer…) is a favorite of families worldwide and tells the story of the two young title characters who stumble upon the witch's gingerbread house while lost in the woods. This production will be sung in English.

Performances are Friday, October 23 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 25 at 2 pm.

Hansel and Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel in the original German) has been popular with adults and children since its premiere in 1893, and is often performed around Christmas. Its music is influenced by both traditional German folksongs and the works of Humperdinck's mentor, Richard Wagner.

Golden Gate Opera's Hansel and Gretel is directed by international opera star Edna Garabedian, and features Geoffrey Gallegos conducting the Golden Gate Opera Orchestra and a professional cast including Diana Tash (Hansel), Lauren Woody (Gretel), Valentina Osinski (The Witch), and others. Children from SingersMarin's Starlights and the Shan-Yee Poon Ballet School will appear in the roles of gingerbread cookies and the guardian angels who protect Hansel and Gretel at night in the forest.

Tickets are $65, $55, $40, and $30, with premium seats going for $75. Students and children are half-price. For more information and tickets visit www.marincenter.org or www.goldengateopera.org.

Every child loves books by children's author and illustrator Eric Carle. Carle classics include The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Tiny Seed. Learn about how to make your own art using Carle's techniques at Art for ME's workshop tomorrow, July 20, from 4 to 5 pm at Riley Street art supplies on 4th Street in downtown San Rafael.

Kids ages 4 to 6 will explore Eric Carle's collage techniques and make their own illustrations in his style. To create his unique and distinctive illustrations, Carle paints interesting, colorful patterns, then cuts them out and layers them.