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Dream Big, Read! this Summer at the Marin County Free Library

Summer reading at the Marin County Free LibraryNow that school is almost out and summer vacation is just around the corner, it's a good time to start looking for fun activities to do with the kids. One of our favorite summer activities is the summer reading program at the Marin County Library. It's a great way to discover new books and revisit some old favorites. Children are awarded prizes based on the number of books they read—books that are read to them count, too, so even younger children who can't read yet can get involved in the fun.

This year the Marin County Free Library sponsors its “Dream Big, Read!” reading program from June 9 through August 11. Prizes include rainbow gel pens, magnetic bookmarks, Round Table Pizza coupons, and a "Dream Big, Read!" T-shirt. To claim their prizes, your kids can take their reading logs to the children's librarian at your local library branch. Check with your local library for details.

An Old Fashioned Ice Cream Experience at Lala's Creamery in Petaluma

Lala's Creamery in PetalumaSometimes it seems like the days of the old fashioned ice cream parlor are a thing of the past, but then you run across a place like Petaluma's Lala's Creamery. Located right downtown on Petaluma Boulevard North (across from Starbucks Coffee), Lala's is a retro temple to all things ice cream, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Heck, it's probably worth a trip up to Petaluma just to go there!

Step through Lala's Victorian façade and into their cool and clean ice cream parlor. In keeping with the exterior architecture, the indside of Lala's makes you feel like you've stepped back into the 1890s, with crisp white paintwork, marble tables, exposed brick walls, swiveling stools at the counter, and a black-and-white checked tile floor.

Step up to the counter and order your treats. Your choices, including a selection of seasonal ice cream flavors and a variety of soda fountain creations, are written on chalkboards. Lala's makes their ice cream in small batches on-site from local ingredients, and uses it in old school indulgences that you and your family probably have never had before (but your parents and grandparents might recognize some of them).

A Family That Eats Together: Grilled Chicken with Bruschetta

Grilled chicken with bruschettaMarin Mommies presents this week's guest recipe from Nicole Cibellis, Marin mom and author of the blog A Family that Eats Together, where she shares meal plans and recipes that will please foodies and children alike. Nicole is also the creator of the new Little Froglet line of children's activewear.

Nicole's meal plan for this week features Moroccan meatballs with couscous, pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, beef stir-fry with snow peas, penne with sausage and peppers, and this grilled chicken with bruschetta—perfect for an early summer barbecue.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Hiking with Kids in Marin: Turtle Back Nature Trail in China Camp State Park

Turtle Back Nature Trail at China Camp State ParkFamilies looking for an easy, fun, and educational hike in Marin need look no further than Turtle Back Nature Trail in San Rafael's China Camp State Park. This 3/4-mile hike along a well-maintained and accessible loop trail offers sweeping vistas of San Pablo Bay, wildlife viewing, and the opportunity to learn a little bit about the natural communities that you'll find here.

Turtle Back Nature Trail winds its way around a small hill that resembles a turtle shell (hence the name). The path takes hikers through a variety of different natural environments, including open grasslands, salt marsh, and through a shady oak and bay laurel forest.

Look for birds like herons and egrets and other wildlife as you make your way along the trail.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Stretching into Mainstream Popularity?

Rhythmic gymnasticsMarin Mommies presents an article by guest contributor Barbara McVeigh.

Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that Americans often don’t talk about or even know about, in contrast to Europe where it’s one of the leading competitive sports for girls. Also known as gymnastique moderne, the athletes perform floor routines to musical accompaniment using rope, hoop, ball, club or ribbon. They practice rigorously for years to achieve a high level of grace, balance and flexibility.

Despite the lackluster of local mainstream appeal, there is a growing, devoted group of families who find great value in a fairly new coach with Rhythmic Academy of Marin (RAM). Six years ago Coach Natalia Makrushina arrived from Russia, and she has families driving their children from across the San Francisco Bay Area many times a week for multiple hour practices, including intense stretching and ballet study. And, they are competing around the state and country, winning lots of awards.

"She’s firm, but she’s fair,” the girls say.

And, clearly they respond well to her coaching.

Mountain Play Magic with the Music Man

The Music ManWhere can you see a colorful musical theater production with a professional cast in an idyllic outdoor setting with amazing panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area? The Mountain Play, of course! We had a chance last Sunday to catch this year's production (the 99th—it's been a Marin County tradition since 1913) of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, and it was a delight from beginning to end.

Marin musical favorite Susan Zelinsky was outstanding in the starring role of River City, Iowa librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo, while Robert Moorhead charmed as the smooth-talking yet ultimately good-hearted con man Harold Hill, who convinces the citizens of River City that the only way to keep their sons out of the billiard parlor and away from trouble (with a capital "T") is to get them into a boys' marching band.

Tickets are still available for the remaining Mountain Play performances, which take place on June 3, 10, 16, and 17. All shows begin at 2 pm.

Something for Everyone at the Marin Home and Garden Expo—Win Free Tickets!

Marin Home & Garden ExpoThe 2012 Marin Home and Garden Expo comes to the Marin County Fairgrounds and Exhibit Hall on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3. The Marin Home and Garden Expo, run by the Marin Builders Association, is the successor to the long-running Marin Home Show, with new innovative exhibits and features.

With over 200 exhibitors showing all things home-and-garden, special presentations, expert demonstrations, celebrity lectures, live musical entertainment from Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums and local Marin County musical groups, and more, the Marin Home and Garden Expo has something for everyone.

A Family That Eats Together: Grilled Eggplant, Red Pepper, and Tomato Focaccia Sandwiches

Griled eggplant sandwichMarin Mommies presents this week's guest recipe from Nicole Cibellis, Marin mom and author of the blog A Family that Eats Together, where she shares meal plans and recipes that will please foodies and children alike. Nicole is also the creator of the new Little Froglet line of children's activewear.

Nicole's meal plan for this week features tacos and tostadas al pastor, chicken meatball soup, rocket pesto with linguini, and this grilled eggplant, red pepper, and tomato focaccia sandwich.

What I love about grilling are the endless combinations of vegetables that can be grilled. Grilling imparts a smoky and more complex flavor to each type of vegetable that you just can’t get from any other cooking method. The key is low temperature grilling using marinades and fruity oils so that the vegetables don’t stick. In this recipe, I use herbed goat cheese to round out the flavors of the sandwich. If you can’t find focaccia, use a good fresh loaf of bread. Serve with a side salad or tomato salad.

Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge at this Sunday's Golden Gate Festival

It's not every day that an iconic local landmark turns 75, and the Golden Gate Bridge marks that momentous milestone this Sunday, May 27. Celebrate the span this Sunday at the Golden Gate Festival, a historic birthday party taking place along the San Francisco waterfront. Admission is free for all!

The main Golden Gate Festival activities will be held at Fort Point, Crissy Field, the Presidio, and the Marina Green. Anniversary events will also be held at Fort Mason Center, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco Maritime Historical National Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.

Festival Highlights

  • Fireworks on Sunday from 9:30–9:50 pm in a spectacular grand finale that showcases the Bridge, the Bay and surrounding national parklands. Optimum viewing spots are along the waterfront from Fort Point to East Marina Green. The hills above the Marina and Cow Hollow also provide stunning views. An accompanying soundtrack wil be aired live on KFOG 104.5/97.7FM. (Note: Fireworks will not be televised and will not be visible from Fisherman’s Wharf south down the Embarcadero; weather permitting, fireworks will be visible from Pier 39.)
  • International Orange Artists’ Exhibition at Fort Point, 10 am–7 pm.
  • Crissy Field Stage highlighting dance, music, and local bands, 11 am–11 pm.
  • Road Trip through History featuring vintage cars and motorcycles from 1937 to the present. East Crissy Field, 11 am–5 pm.
  • Crissy Field Center Future Fair with activities and demonstrations showcasing sustainability technologies and innovations in the pioneering spirit of the Bridge. East Beach, 11 am–7 pm.
  • Vintage Maritime Display and Historic Watercraft Parade with classic boats spanning 75 years. St. Francis Yacht Club, 11 am–3 pm.
  • Marina Green Stage featuring dance and music organizations and local bands. West Marina Green, 11 am–10 pm.
  • Marina Green, Crissy Field, and Golden Gate Bridge Plaza retail outlets offering official 75th Anniversary souvenir merchandise. Various waterfront locations, 10 am–8 pm.

Is Your Family Prepared for an Emergency?

Cary and Max of PrepareUsEmergency preparedness is one of those things that everyone should think about, but few people do until disaster actually strikes. This is especially relevant here in California, which is of course earthquake country. Are you and your family prepared? We asked Cary Schneider and Max Kwan-Rosenbush of PrepareUs, the two local Marin entrepreneurs behind the Go-Bag family emergency preparedness kit, to tell us a little about their product and to give us some tips on preparing your family for an emergency.

What was the inspiration behind creating the Go-Bag?

Cary and Max were attempting to create emergency preparedness bags for themselves and their families. As they were doing this, they both realized the growing urgency for individuals and families to prepare themselves efficiently to survive a natural disaster, as well as the lack of sufficient high quality preparedness products on the market.

In addition, they realized that buying a bag or making their own meant they would have to worry about what expired  and find it at retail cost, or buy a whole new bag every couple years. The two soon came to the harsh realization that finding all of these items was a painstakingly difficult process, and furthermore, the costs began to add up. They realized that they could make a difference in their community by developing the All Inclusive Family Disaster Preparedness Package.

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