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October 1, 2004 |
Number 50 |
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The Orange Cat |
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Calendar, Advice & Tips for Busy Families in the San Gabriel Valley | |||||||||||||||
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By Karen E. Klein Because sleep problems can be so taxing, it seems that a cottage industry of books, tapes, theories and experts on kids and sleeping has sprung up to address it. Approaches range from the "cry it out" camp to the "family bed" devotees. But what do you do if nothing seems to be working? What if the books aren't enough and advice from other parents doesn't hit the mark? This is the situation that a friend of mine found herself in a few months ago, and I thought her solution was interesting enough to share. Orange Cat reader Stephanie says she has always had a hard time getting her son to sleep. A night owl, he naturally preferred staying up late and sleeping all morning. Because her husband also enjoys staying up late, and liked having his son keep him company, they pushed his bedtime back later and later. But as her son got older, Stephanie told me, the late nights started to become an issue. By this summer, when he hit 3-1/2, her son was not only staying up past 11 p.m. and having a hard time getting up for preschool, but he was also waking up at 3 every morning and refusing to go back to sleep until his dad got into bed with him. "It really started interfering with school and I got concerned about what was going to happen when he went to elementary school," Stephanie said. Nothing she tried was working, including cutting his naptime back from two hours to one. Not only was her son having trouble getting through his day, she and her husband were dragging through their busy work schedules, too. Something had to be done. She had read books and talked to other parents, but their advice didn't seem applicable to her family's situation, she said. For one thing, most books suggested that she incorporate bath time into her son's bedtime routine. But since her son has taken morning showers since he was a baby, that didn't work. "Baths weren't a soothing thing - they only invigorated him," she said. Stephanie talked to her pediatrician, who suggested that she give her son a dose of Benedryl (over-the-counter allergy medication) at bedtime for a couple of weeks to make him sleepy. I was surprised (and a little shocked) to hear that a doctor would suggest that, but she said other parents had advised her to do the same thing. Unfortunately, the medicine put him to sleep but didn't keep him asleep, Stephanie said. Her doctor was ready to refer her to a sleep clinic when she talked to another friend who referred her to a pediatric sleep therapist. "This friend has three boys and she had taken two of them to this sleep therapist and was planning on doing it for the third," Stephanie said. "I figured that the therapist must really come up with individualized solutions, and that's what we needed." The sleep therapist - a marriage and family counselor who began specializing in children's sleep problems several years ago - is based in Beverly Hills, but she works on the telephone for clients who aren't near her office. The initial, two-hour consultation with Stephanie and her husband was wide-ranging, covering questions about her pregnancy and her son's birth, the medical and family history and a specific discussion of the problem. "She put us on a regimen around bedtime, a lot of which I had read in books, though some of it was novel to me," Stephanie said. "The one thing that was particularly helpful, at least in my situation, is that my husband was the person who handled bedtime. I realized that he was setting himself up for a situation that was bound to get worse, but my telling him and showing him books wasn't nearly as effective as a real expert telling him - not in a confrontational way - what we needed to do to turn things around." With her husband's cooperation, Stephanie began following the nighttime ritual with her son. The therapist helped them come up with a list of five things that their son needed to accomplish before bed: Use the potty, brush his teeth, put on his pajamas, keep the light off in his room and stay in his bed. . They set up a system of rewards for accomplishing the tasks on time - charts and stickers that he can accumulate and redeem for prizes like his beloved Thomas trains. But along with the schedule and the rewards, the bedtime atmosphere in the house also had to change, the therapist said. "My husband and he used to get really wild before bedtime, with pillow fights and wrestling and other craziness, because he was trying to physically wear our son out. But what happened was that he'd collapse, get a cat nap, and wake up again." The expert advised soothing rituals, with quiet activities like art projects and board games. And absolutely no television within an hour of her son's new bed time - 8:30 p.m. "Even the most mundane show can work him up," Stephanie said. Because she's a morning person and gets up to get her son ready for school, Stephanie used to make dinner, do the dishes and go to bed early - leaving her husband to handle nighttime duty. Now, she said, she is more involved playing family games and reading to her son at bedtime. "I used to throw my hands up and just listen to the yelling and screaming about him not wanting to go to bed. This way, it's more work for me but I find I'm really enjoying us interacting as a family and I also have time with my husband after my son goes to bed," she said. Another change the therapist suggested: Her son used to put on his pjs right after dinner. Now, that's part of a bedtime routine that is strictly laid out and followed, minute-by-minute, with lots of warnings about what's coming up next: "We've got 15 minutes to finish this game of Chutes and Ladders, and then we have to clean up and go put on pajamas." The transition to the new schedule was rough and her son objected strongly to his earlier bedtime, Stephanie admitted, but the therapist called each night to go over exactly what had happened and tweak the routine as needed. It took about a week to break in the new program. When her son got up during the night and came into their room, his mom and dad were told not to give him any attention at all. "There was to be no yelling, no screaming, no punishing, no negotiating and no threatening. We just got up and marched him right back to bed. He would whine about how he couldn't sleep and we insisted he had to get back in bed and stay there. He might cry, but when we went back 10 minutes later, he'd usually be asleep," Stephanie said. The great thing about having a professional to talk to was the immediate sounding board for issues that cropped up, she said. "It was like having a cheerleader there to encourage us - especially since the first couple of nights were pretty hairy. After that, we talked to our son about how great he felt after getting a good night's sleep and he started to pick up on our enthusiasm about it." The drawback of employing a sleep therapist, of course, is that it is costly: Close to $400 in this case. "It was helpful to have a coach, but it was expensive. For us, it was worth it because we had gotten into poor habits with our son and we were paying the price," Stephanie said. "I think parents could do this on their own if they are willing to really, really work on it." Stephanie's advice: It takes a joint effort from the parents to decide on a bedtime ritual, make it realistic, figure out what kind of rewards would motivate your child to follow through and then stick to it without caving in. Sounds like a solid plan to me! I hope her thoughts and story can help some of our other readers who are at their wit's end with bedtime. Orange Cat reader Julie asked me recently about Kidspace Museum, the Pasadena children's museum that closed its facilities off South Lake several months (years?) ago. Turns out that a grand re-opening is planned for December at the museum's new home in Brookside Park, near the Rose Bowl. Stay tuned to The Orange Cat and we'll let you know all about it. Meanwhile, here's another announcement: We are adding a new feature to your friendly e-newsletter! We'll now be offering discount coupons for events and advertisers that you can print out. We'll try to make it obvious when a particular venue or advertiser is offering a coupon by making a clickable link on the listing or ad involved. If you're interested in taking advantage of a great value (and who wouldn't be?), you'll simply click on the link and go to a new page, where you'll find the coupon. We're also working on a coupon index for each issue that will allow you to peruse all the coupons that are currently being offered. At least, I think we're working on that. Right, Brad? [Yup. You can see all one of them that we have so far by clicking here. - Brad] If there's anything else we can do to make your life easier, more affordable, or help you get a better night's sleep, please do let me know. After all, we at The Orange Cat are here to serve. It's finally starting to feel cool and crisp outside. I know it may not last, but for the time being: Happy Fall! Karen@theorangecat.org |
Dates and times subject to change; activities free unless noted; phone numbers provided if reservations are requested; please note age ranges on some activities. Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 Merry-Go-Round: Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Need to start your holiday shopping early? Expansion of the Santa Anita Mall opens today. New features include double-decker carousel, new playtown and family lounge, along with movie theaters, 12,000-square-foot food court and retail wing. Merry-go-round will be free all day. 400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004 Open House: The Little Gym of La Canada 3-6 p.m. Come enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of stretching, tumbling, music, refreshments, raffles and prizes. The Little Gym offers motor skill development programs by way of non-competitive gymnastics for children ages four months to 12 years. Information: 818-249-4GYM (4496). 2196A Foothill Blvd., La Canada. Pancake Breakfast: Monrovia High Big M Boosters 8 to 10:30 a.m. Pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice will be served; money raised goes to athletics department. $4. Monrovia High School, cafeteria, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia. Author Event: Vroman's Bookstore 10:30 a.m. Illustrator Marla Frazee discusses and signs, "New Baby Train," her book for preschoolers that brings a Woody Guthrie song to life. Singer Michelle Bloom will also appear. Ages 2 through 6. 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Angel Festival: Memorial Park 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Angel collectors and enthusiasts gather for art, face-painting, music and talks on angelic subjects. Information: 626-794-4458. 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Saturday Craft: Lakeshore Learning Store 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hang-anywhere collage mirror is a dazzling mirror that kids can set up anywhere. Materials like glitter, yarn and collage shapes provided. Ages 3 and up. 3848 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Central Chat: Pasadena Central Library 1-2 p.m. A book discussion group for ages 13 to 18 takes up the theme of "Ghosts and Haunted Happenings." Bring a favorite ghost story or haunted happening to discuss. Teen Central, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Magic the Gathering: Pasadena Central Library 3-5 p.m. Fun for beginners or experienced players! Enjoy the card game that started the whole collectible card game hobby. 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Bring Your Hands-Bring Your Ears!: University of La Verne 10 a.m. Kids' Music Club series kicks off with a journey through music and sound, featuring Jon and Cindie Rothe. Information: 909-593-3511, x.4921. Founders Auditorium, second floor, room 104, 1950 Third St., La Verne. Water Fest 2004 Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food, drinks, treats, raffle prizes, petting zoo, pumpkin carving and costume contests, arts & crafts will be offered at educational water conservation fair. Arcadia County Park, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 Pajamamania: Monrovia Public Library 7:15 to 8 p.m. An evening storytime geared to children ages 4 to 7, but open to everyone. Children are invited to come dressed in their pajamas and bring a favorite pillow to snuggle up to while listening to bedtime stories and munching on popcorn. Other activities include songs, flannel board tales, films and prop tales. Parents are invited to stay and join in on the bedtime fun! 321 South Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. Arts Walk: La Pintoresca Branch Library 3 p.m. Students are encouraged to develop their artistic skills and explore creative ideas. Free after-school art classes taught by a professional artist. Every Monday through Oct. 25. 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2004 Crime and Safety Tips: MOMS Club Pasadena 10 a.m. General meeting will feature a speaker from California Crime Fight. Stand-up comedian Byron Walls will discuss crime prevention techniques and many safety tips families can use. Information, email: membershipvp@pasadenamomsclub.com. Group has no religious affiliation. Trinity Lutheran Church, 997 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Music for Infants: Pasadena Conservatory of Music 11 a.m. Parents with infants from 6 months to 1 year are invited to a free class. Together, infants and parents enjoy songs, dances, rhymes and playing instruments such as shakers, bells, claves and drums. Information: 626-683-3355. 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. Teen Poetry Workshop: Monrovia Public Library 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Experts teach you how to write and publish your own poetry. 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 World Drumming Class: Pasadena Conservatory of Music 4:30 p.m. Hands-on, active, music-making class is based on the drumming traditions of West Coast Africa and the islands of the Caribbean. In this free introductory class, students learn to play layered rhythm patterns on drums, unpitched percussion instruments and pitched instruments. Second- and third-graders begin at 4:30; fourth- to sixth-grade students meet at 5:30. Information: 626-683-3355. 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. Stories in the Afternoon: Norton Simon Museum 4 p.m. "Heroes and Heroines" focuses on tales of adventure and bravery in this story hour for children and families held in the museum's galleries. Free with museum admission of $6 adults; free under 18. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 3rd Annual Open House: Mothers & More Pasadena 7:30 p.m. An opportunity for women to connect with other mothers in the community while learning more about the services and support offered by Mothers & More. Information: 866-206-9068, ext 3921 or email: mothersandmorela@onebox.com. Polytechnic School, Gosney Hall, 1030 E. California Blvd., Pasadena. Family Night: Arcadia Public Library 7 p.m. Fun, exciting professional performances for the entire family. No registration needed; seating limited to 150 people. 20 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia. Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 Drum Group: Caltech 8 p.m. Les Percussions de Guinee from West Africa, widely recognized as one of the most extraordinary drumming ensembles in the world, appears with Amazones, a female drumming, song and dance group. Adults $29, $25, $21; $10 youth. Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown: Citrus Music Theatre Workshop 8 p.m. Musical about the Peanuts cartoon characters is presented tonight, Oct. 9 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 students/seniors. Citrus College Little Theatre, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004 Public School Panel: Pasadena Education Network (PEN) 3-5 p.m. Panel of Pasadena Unified parents discusses Reality vs. Myth: What to Believe? Would you like to consider public school for your children, but you fear that PUSD does not stand up to the local private schools? Adults only; learn more about PEN and meet other parents interested in public education in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre. Contact PEN via email: pasadenaednetwork@earthlink.net or toll-free: 866-216-7334 Pasadena Central Library, auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Pop Bottle Science: Vroman's Bookstore 2 p.m. Lynn Brunelle, a writer for "Bill Nye the Science Guy," demonstrates science magic based on her pop bottle science kit. Ages 8 to 12. 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Celebrate The Arts: Monrovia Arts Festival 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two-day fine arts festival is a family celebration to encourage the production and appreciation of the arts in Monrovia. Proceeds benefit art programs in Monrovia schools. There will be more than 100 fine artists displaying, demonstrating and selling their artwork; a silent auction; a school-arts display; and a special area featuring hands-on art activities for children, coordinated by local artists Lisa & Rachel from Paint 'N' Play. Food and entertainment also offered. Also Sunday, Oct. 10. Monrovia Library Park, 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. Tender Land: Pasadena Festival of Art, History, Music and Science 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Opening day of a multi-faceted festival that brings together 14 cultural institutions in Pasadena to celebrate the changing perceptions of nature and the human relationship to the earth. Concerts, dance presentations, lectures and exhibits, bus tours and workshops will be featured; check website for locations and times. Festival runs through Jan. 29, 2005. Various venues around Pasadena. Pioneer Days: City of Sierra Madre 12-4 p.m. Gold panning, apple bobbing, butter churning, clothes washing, cabin building (with Lincoln logs), pioneer dress-up, watermelon seed spitting contest, three-legged races, hoop races, wheel barrow races and more. Check website for times, locations. Also Sunday, Oct. 10. Various venues, Sierra Madre. Living History Day: Eaton Canyon Nature Center 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Costumed interpreters, historical site hikes, history shows, crafts, activities and picnicking celebrate the social and environmental history of Eaton Canyon. Information: 626-398-5420. 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena. Saturday Craft: Lakeshore Learning Store 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Autumn Collage Tree helps children get in the spirit of the season. Kids just bring their creativity - we supply the rest! Ages 3 and up. 3848 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 Support Group MOMS Club of Pasadena-North 10 a.m. General meeting of group for stay-at-home moms features clinical psychologist speaking on how children process information and how schooling impacts them. Visitors and children welcome. Information: 626-580-8514 or email: membershipnorth@pasadenamomsclub.com. Group has no religious affiliation. Trinity Lutheran Church, 997 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004 Open House: La Pintoresca Branch Library 5-7 p.m. Kids, bring your family and check out the library. Get a library card while you’re here and find out what’s going on this fall. 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 Teen Poetry Workshop: Monrovia Public Library 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Experts teach you how to write and publish your own poetry. 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004 Author Event: Vroman's Bookstore 10:30 a.m. Gris Grimly reads and signs "Boris and Bella," a new Halloween story for ages 2 through 6. 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Fiesta: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival rides, games, a watermelon-eating contest and other picnic games, huge bake sale, food, bingo and poker, live music and a BBQ dinner are featured at church festival. Also on Sunday, Oct. 17, 1 to 8 p.m. Information: 626-345-1323. 1879 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. All Natural Ingredients: Norton Simon Museum 2-3 p.m. For this family day, children and families take a guided tour of the collections, exploring what nature provides to artists, from insect-based colors to animal-hair brushes. Free with museum admission of $6 adults; under 18 free. Information: 626-449-6840. 411West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The Gruffalo: Saturday Series for Kids 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark woods in this magical adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face-to-face with the very creature he imagined? This play series is designed especially to introduce young children to theater. $6. Haugh Performing Arts Center, Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. Andean Music: CalTech 8 p.m. For over three decades, Inti-Illimani's music has intoxicated audiences around the globe. Wedded in traditional Latin American roots and played on more than 30 wind, string and percussion instruments, Inti-Illimani's compositions are a treasure for the human spirit. Adults: $29, $25, $21; $10 youth. Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. Saturday Craft: Lakeshore Learning Store 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Little ones create their own personalized key chains out of yarn and a variety of beads. They can even spell out their names or initials. Ages 3 and up. 3848 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Puzzlemania: Pasadena Central Library 1-5 p.m. Jigsaw puzzles take brains and concentration. Join us on the Teen Patio for a puzzling afternoon. We’ll be putting together several puzzles. How many puzzles can we put together in four hours? Come help us find out! 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Young Readers Club: Pasadena Central Library 2 p.m. Book discussion group for ages 9 to 11 reads and chats about "The Witches," by Roald Dahl. Story room, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Register Early Teen Book Club Sierra Madre Public Library Free program is open to readers in grade 7 and up. Group meets Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. to discuss books and publish a teen book review newsletter. Session begins Oct. 7 and runs through Jan. 13, 2005. Enrollment limited; register early. Information 626-355-7186. 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Barks and Books: Pasadena Humane Society Be a special reading buddy to a real live dog! Elementary school-aged children can read a book about dogs to a gentle dog. This program is held several times a month; check website for times and reservations. Various Pasdena branch libraries. A Night with Poe & Gorey: The Huntington Library Discover the scary side of the classics, during an evening inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Edward Gorey to be held Oct. 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. Costumed characters will reenact chilling scenes by candelight, guaranteeing plenty of fun and thrills. Ages 10 and up. Adults $18, children $12. Registration mandatory: 626-405-2128. 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. The Nutcracker: Luckman Fine Arts Complex Ballet Internationale-Indianapolis performs holiday classic over Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26 - 27, at evening and matinee times. $65, $55, $50. Box office: 323-343-6600. California State University, Los Angeles. Family Nature Walk: Children's Nature Institute Nature walk specifically designed for families with young children will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Hike led by Alison Morgan. Registration mandatory; limited spaces fill up fast: 310-998-1151. Eaton Canyon, 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena. Night Walk: Descanso Gardens Docent Jim Jackson will lead the way through the night life of Descanso and share information about the gardens' history on Oct. 8 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Ages 12 and up; bring jacket and flashlight. $13. Register by Oct. 6: 818-949-7980. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge. Children’s Workshop Bamboo: The Huntington Library Imagine a kind of grass that you can use to build a house, play music on like a flute, carve into a flower vase or ride on like a bike. You really can do all that - and more - with bamboo, a member of the grass family. Kids will explore the world of bamboo and create some unique crafts in this morning workshop, held Oct. 16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 7 and up. $15. Registration: 626-405-2128. 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Family Adventures: L.A. County Arboretum Afternoon nature program for the entire family is held on the first Saturday of every month at 2 p.m. A short story or talk, a walk and take-home nature craft are included. $20 per family. Oct. 2: Creepy tree hike and storytime. Nov. 6: Leaf art. Registration: 626-821-4623. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Family Nature Walk: Children's Nature Institute Nature walk specifically designed for families with young children will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. Event led by family team Debbie Hill and Dorthea. Registration mandatory; limited spaces fill up fast: 310-998-1151. Eaton Canyon, 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena. Career and College Day: Pasadena City College 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fourth biannual "Get a Life in the Arts" day, Nov. 6, is specifically designed for high school students interested in careers in the arts. Includes panel discussions with professional artists and designers; Q&A with college art students, a college fair, portfolio reviews and financial aid consulting. Seating limited, register early: email careerday@armoryarts.org or call 626-792-5101 x113. 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Continuing Activities Montrose Harvest Market: Weekly farmer's market includes giant slide, obstacle course bouncer and 25-foot portable rock climbing wall. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 818-957-3809. Montrose Shopping Park, Honolulu Ave. and Ocean View Blvd, Montrose. Monrovia Public Library "Time for Twos" is an introductory storytime for toddlers and their parents held Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Activities include stories, songs, flannel tales and a small creative project. "Munchkin Storytime" is offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. for children 3-5. The half-hour program includes stories, songs, flannel tales and incentive stickers. 321 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia. Sierra Madre Public Library: Two Preschool story hours are held each week in the Children's Room. Mondays at 10 a.m., and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Cathy Ryne, children's librarian, tells stories, sings songs, and organizes craft projects. 626-355-7186. 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Excellence in Education Home school park day; bring lunch, toys, games, sports equipment. Mondays at noon. Eisenhower Park, Colorado Blvd at Second St., Arcadia.. Monrovia Reads: Hour-long story times include crafts, stories, songs and fingerplay. Ages 0-5 with parents or caretakers. Tuesdays 10 a.m., All Nations Church, 1948 S. Peck Road; Thursdays 10 a.m., Boys and Girls Club, 600 S. Shamrock Ave., Monrovia. MOMS Club of Pasadena-North Support group for stay-at-home moms meets regularly for all-member meetings, speakers, interest groups, playdates and much more. Serving Pasadena (north of 210 fwy) and Altadena. For more information please e-mail: membershipnorth@pasadenamomsclub.com . MOMS Club of LaVerne Support group meets regularly for play dates, park days, storytimes, coffees and field trips. Various locations; check online calendar for dates, times. Information: momsclublvsd@yahoo.com . Rock Climbing: Jungle Gym Toddler and children's climbing classes, homeschool groups, competitive climbing and winter adventure camp offered at gym designed for kids 14 months to 14 years. Birthday parties and family nights also available. Information: 626-446-5014. 305 N. Santa Anita Blvd., Arcadia. [Coupon] Adventuring Preschool Playgroup: We are moms of preschoolers in the San Gabriel Valley, exploring different free museums, parks and taking field trips together. We meet Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call Michelle for information: 626-305-7636. . Mt. San Antonio College International marketplace is held every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring arts and crafts, antiques and certified farmer's market. Parking and admission is free. Stadium parking lot, off Temple Avenue, just west of Cal Poly. Huntington Hospital: Perinatal Health Education department offers ongoing classes and support groups for new moms, including breastfeeding Thursdays 10 to 11:30 a.m.; Mommy & Me Tuesdays 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Postnatal Fitness Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5:45 to 6 p.m.; Baby & Me; infant care; and infant/child CPR. Some classes involve fees. Information and registration: 626-397-8768. Monrovia Family Festival: 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Games, food, rides, shopping and farmer's market. Myrtle Ave south of Foothill Blvd, Monrovia. MOMS Club of Covina & West Covina Support group meets reularly for playdates, walking groups, parties for stay-at-home moms or part-time working moms seeking day time activities for children of all ages. Serves mothers in Covina, West Covina, Azusa and Irwindale. New member meetings held at 10:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of every month. Information: email JillVidal@hotmail.com Covina Library, 234 N. Second Ave., Covina. Vroman's Book Store: 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Storytime with Mr. Steve features contemporary and classic tales read aloud. Ages 2 to 8. 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Eaton Canyon Nature Center Family nature walk held every Saturday morning, weather permitting, 9 to 11 a.m. Walking shoes, sunscreen, water, hats are recommended for this guided walk geared toward families with small children. Meet in front of the building. 626-398-5420. 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena. Pasadena Central Library and its branches offer 15 storytimes each week, for infants through age 8. All programs are free, some require pre-registration. Check website for schedules. . Pasadena Central Library: Short preschool videos shown every Friday at 10 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium. Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. The Huntington Library Nature activities are scheduled on Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Kids of all ages can explore the world of nature at hands-on plant discovery carts located at the Lily Ponds, Desert Garden and Japanese Garden. Older kids can examine plant cross-sections under a microscope, learn how plants and animals use camouflage, compare soil and water samples, or look for local wildlife using a field guide. Younger children can make leaf rubbings, examine seed pods, create origami, or experience "a bug’s life" through insect puppet play. On the first Saturday of each month, nature crafts are also offered near the entrance pavilion. No reservations required; free with museum admission. $15 adults, $12 seniors (65+), $10 students (ages 12-18 or with student I.D.), $6 for youth (ages 5-11), free for children under 5. Information: 626-405-2100. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Glendora Public Library PJ family story time at 7 p.m. each Wednesday offers a half hour of magical stories, songs and fingerplays. A great alternative to TV! Information: 626-852-4891. Children's Room, 140 S. Glendora Ave., Glendora. South Pasadena Public Library: Family Storytime Tuesdays 7:30 to 8 p.m.; Pajama Storytime: For ages 3-5, Wednesdays 7 to 7:30 p.m.; Preschool Storytime: For ages 3-5, Thursdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.; Toddler Storytimes: For ages 1-2, Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.; For ages 2-3 Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. Grandparents Read-Aloud: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 to 5 p.m. Register at 626-403-7358. 1100 Oxley St., South Pasadena. Altadena Public Library: Preschool storytime Wednesdays 11 a.m. 626-798-0833. 600 E. Mariposa Ave., Altadena. Monrovia Canyon Park: Guided nature hike held 10 to 11:30 a.m. most Saturdays. Call 626-256-8282 to confirm. Monrovia Nature Center, 1200 N. Canyon Blvd., Monrovia. San Marino Public Library: Weekly preschool story time for 3- to 5-year-olds offered on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 3:30 for 5- to 8-year-olds. Call 626-300-0777 to register. 1890 Huntington Dr., San Marino. Mrs. Nelson's Storytimes: Preschool storytime, for ages 2-5 and parents, Tuesdays 10 a.m. PJ Storytime Fridays at 6 p.m. All ages welcome Saturdays at 11 a.m. Register: 909-599-4558. 1030 Bonita Ave., La Verne. San Dimas Public Library: Preschool story time is held every Friday at 11 a.m. 145 N. Walnut Ave., San Dimas. Stone Center for Children's Books Children’s storytime is held Saturdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Information: 909-607-3670. Stone Center, Claremont Graduate University, 740 N. College Ave., Claremont. Arcadia Public Library: Grandparents and Kids reading hour is held Mondays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., from Oct. 4 through Dec. 20. This is a drop-in program, no registration required, for children of all ages to hear stories read by experienced, caring seniors. 20 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia. MOMS Club of San Dimas: Support group meets regularly for play dates, park days, storytimes, coffees and field trips. Various locations; check online calendar for dates, times. Information: sandimasmomsclub@yahoo.com. Blue Chair Children's Books Toddler storytime Tuesdays at 11 a.m.; afterschool storytime Thursdays, 3:30 p.m.; special events every Friday night, check website for details. 177 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. Gymboree: Play, music and art classes offered on an ongoing basis. Free trial classes for new families. Information on classes: 626-445-1122; parties: 626-445-5161. 518 W. Huntington Dr., Monrovia. Parents Without Partners Covina Valley chapter of single-parent group holds orientation meeting and dance on the second Friday of each month, 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Information: 626-294-3211. Pyramid Room, Covina Bowl, 1060 E. Rimsdale Ave., Covina. Sierra Madre Moms Club Support group for mothers and their kids meets weekly and sponsors play groups and park dates. Serves residents of Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Arcadia, Temple City and Duarte. Information: email Paulimorin@earthlink.net . Hurst Ranch: Living history ranch is open to the public on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: 626-813-0116. 1227 S. Orange Ave., West Covina. MOMS Club of Pasadena Support group for stay-at-home moms meets regularly for all-member meetings, speakers, interest groups, playdates and much more. Serving Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino and Ahambra. For more information please e-mail: membershipvp@pasadenamomsclub.com. Pacific Theatres Monday Mom Movies are first-run film screenings specifically for mothers with babies. Check website for schedule. Paseo 14, Paseo Colorado, Pasadena. West Covina Library: Homework help is offered on a walk-in basis, free of charge, Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Helpers assist youngsters in grades 1 through 8 with homework questions, homework strategies and study skills. Help is available in all subjects, including math. Tutoring is available on Saturdays by appointments. Storytimes are held Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for the whole family and on Fridays at 10 a.m. for preschoolers. 1601 West Covina Parkway, West Covina. Are you aware of a great event or venue that we're not listing? If so, please let us know so we can include it in the next Orange Cat. Email: karen@theorangecat.org. |
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