Happy Birthday Sparky! When I was a kid, my parents signed me up for ice skating lessons. For years I took lessons at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena.  If I was lucky, my dad would get me hot chocolate at Warm Puppy Café. In the corner sat a table with a “Reserved” sign on it where Charles Schulz sat on occasion to watch families enjoy skating at his ice arena. This Sunday, he will most likely be watching from his “Reserved Table” in the sky as locals gather at the Schulz museum to celebrate what would have been his 87th birthday (November 26th is his actual birthday) celebration. In honor of Sparky’s birthday, the museum is offering free admission all day long, and will be serving ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery from 1 – 3 pm.
Sun Nov 22nd, 11am – 5pm
Ice cream served 1pm – 3pm
Charles Schulz Museum
Free

Family Day and Green String Fest at Green String Farm The third Saturday of the month, Green String Farm hosts Family Day, an event that introduces farming to kids and parents alike through fun activities on the farm. Through arts & crafts projects and some fun games, families will be able to learn about things like composting, water, and farm animals. After the event, families can stay for some farm fresh snacks. Stay a little longer, and you can take part in the Green String Fest! Meet local organizations and local food vendors from around our community, take a tour of the farm, and end the night grooving to the sounds of Faith in Phantoms and the Green String Band. There will be food, hot drinks, and kids’ activities throughout the day. Don’t miss this full day of exciting events at Green String Farm.
To reserve space for Family Day, email Jenny at jenny@greenstringfarm.com. To learn more about the Green String Fest, be sure to check out their blog entry on the event.
Saturday Nov 21st, 2pm – 3pm Family Day, 3-10pm Green String Fest
Green String Farm – 3571 Old Adobe Rd. Petaluma
Cost: $10, kids get in free. Barter accepted, no one will be refused.

Vintage Holiday Boutique Craft Fairs during the late fall and early winter months always put me in the holiday mood. One fair that has gone all out to give a festive feel to anyone who enters is the Vintage Holiday Boutique in Petaluma. All vendors are selling vintage goods, or vintage-inspired crafts. Set in the historic building of the Open Door Church, even the building is vintage. Get yourself in the holiday spirit at this fun boutique, and maybe even take care of a few people on your holiday gift list!
Sat, Nov 21st, 9am – 3pm
Open Door Church (5th and B streets)
Free

Polar Express Pajama Storytime The holidays in our house always warrants the annual reading of the Polar Express, a fabulous book by Chris Van Allsburg. Borders Bookstore feels the same way. That’s why they will be retelling the story in many of their stores. But wait, it gets better! They are inviting the public to come in their jammies to enjoy the story while being as comfy, cozy as possible. So don those feet pajamas, get out that stuffed rabbit or bear, and curl up at Borders while hearing the exciting tale of a young boy on his train adventure to the North Pole!
Sat, Nov 21st, 11am
Local Borders Bookstores
Located at 2825 Santa Rosa Ave, and at the Coddingtown Mall
Free

Tree Lighting Celebration at Pier 39 The magic of the holidays starts early over at Pier 39 with their annual tree lighting celebration. And to help light the tree, Mickey Mouse and a couple of his friends have come all the way from Disneyland to join in the festivities. Bring the munchkins and take part in the excitement of meeting their favorite Disney friends, and enjoying live entertainment before the official lighting takes place at 5:30pm.
Sun Nov 22nd, 2pm – 5:30pm
Pier 39, San Francisco
Free

Ways to Give

One reader, Amy, suggested giving to ChildFund.org. She says that she and her son “yearly buy gifts for those on our list from their gift list. Great site to buy something for someone who has everything. Give them the gift of giving!” At the site, you can buy a family a pair of goats, a child a bicycle so that they can get to school, and even a water purifier for a school.

Another reader, Zoe, wants to remind everyone that “the Redwood Empire Food Bank is giving out more food than ever in these tough economic times. Some cans of healthy soups (low sodium, low fat) or other easy to prepare items would be welcomed, I’m sure.” Their Winter Food and Funds Drive is going on now through January 31, 2010. You can drop off cans of food in barrels conveniently located at several local stores. Click here for a list of participating merchants.

Do you know of any family friendly events coming up? Or are you aware of a need that local families can help out with? Leave a comment, or email me at crissi@santarosamom.com.