Things to do this weekend of Mar 31-Apr 1, 2012

** Spring Fling at Filoli
Mar 31, 10AM-3:30PM, Filoli Gardens
http://www.filoli.org/special-events-and-exhibits/spring-fling.html

** Trains and Planes Display
Mar 31-Apr 15; Hiller Aviation Museum
http://www.hiller.org/model_trains.shtml

** BubbleMania
Apr 1, 11AM and 2PM; SF JCC
https://tickets.jccsf.org/public/show.asp

** Feast for the Beasts
Mar 31, 9AM-3PM; Oakland Zoo
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/Calendar_Item.php?i=22

** Egg-stravaganza: if you want to adopt a small animal:
Mar 31, 11AM-2PM; Oakland
http://tinyurl.com/7kyf2ef

** Picture with Easter Bunny
Apr 1, 10AM-2PM; Santana Row, SJ
http://www.santanarow.com/events/easter_photos

** Chocolate Seder
Apr 1, 3PM-5PM; Los Gatos JCC
http://svjcc.org/events/

** Mavericks Invitational Festival
Mar 31, 9AM-5PM; Half Moon Bay
http://mavericksinvitational.com/2012/01/be-a-part-of-the-mavericks-festival/

** Code of the West Gun Show
Mar 31-Apr 1, 9AM-5/4PM; Vallejo
http://www.scfair.com/events.html

EGG HUNT EVENTS:

** Bunny Fun Hunt
Mar 31, 10AM-1PM; Los Gatos High School
http://www.lgsrecreation.org/Pages/specialevents.html

** Family Dat at the Park: Egg Hunt
Mar 31, 9AM-11:30AM; Newark
http://www.newark.org/calendar-of-events/event/famil/

** Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast
Mar 31, 9AM-11AM; San Bruno
http://sanbruno.ca.gov/

** Las Madres Spring Festival: Egg Hunt
Mar 31, 10AM-Noon, Morgan Hill
http://www.lasmadresmorganhill.org/

** Easter Egg Hunt (SF)
Apr 1, 11AM-3PM; Kezar Gardens
http://www.facebook.com/events/349786098397190/

School Statistics

Couple years ago I was interested to get a greater picture of neighborhood schools. I've created a table based on the data from http://www.greatschools.org website. Recently I've updated info on some of the schools. If you don't see the year, the data are from 2009.
There were no data for English CAHSEE (CA standard Exam) in 2009, so the number you see shows % of kids, who passed Math Exam. Currently there are data for both, Math and English Exit Exams (relevant for High Schools only). CST% shows percent of kids who passed STAR test at or above Proficient level.

All Elementary Schools data are from 2009.

I thought this info might be interesting for people planning to re-locate into this area.

Discounted subscriptions to Cricket magazines

When I grew up in Russia, my parents subscribed to a lot of different periodicals. Around 8 or 9, I started to receive my first newspaper. It was quite boring and political (Yes, can you believe it? Politics in a newspaper for 9 years old), but I loved it anyway.
Of course, selection of possible periodicals for kids in US is huge and hard to chose from. I'd like to limit commercials, but don't always succeed. My son loves to get magazine mailed directly to him. We've tried a few over the years.
I just received a promotion for Cricket magazines and want to share it, because that's the best price I've seen so far: http://www.savvysource.com/offers/theme/cricket-magazines-for-young-imaginative-readers-27/
Cricket has different magazines for different age groups. We've only had experience with "Muse", and my kid loved it. They promise to have no advertisement in "Cricket" magazine. There are ten subscriptions involved in the promotion, check them out and enjoy!

Things to do this weekend of Mar 24-25, 2012

** Daniel DaVinci, The Juggling Genius
Mar 24, 3:30PM; Santa Teresa Branch Library
http://www.sjpl.org/event/daniel-davinci-juggling-genius-1

** ABC to Drawing
Mar 24, 3PM; King Library, SJ
http://sjpl.org/tags/king-library

** Flower and Garden Show
Mar 21-25; 10AM-7/6PM; San Mateo
http://www.sfgardenshow.com/index.php/the-show/the-show

** Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival
Mar 24-25, 10AM-5PM; Belmont
http://www.pacificfinearts.com/schedule.htm

** Home, Garden, Culinary and Wine Expo
Mar 24-25, 10AM-5PM; Santa Cruz
http://cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com/public-events/hgexpo/

** All-American Cars and Trucks
Mar 24-25, 8AM-5/4PM; Pleasanton
http://www.good-guys.com/events/2012-events/item/all-american-get-together-2?category_id=2

** Meet the Zoo's New Peccaries
Mar 24-25, 11AM-4PM; SF Zoo
http://www.sfzoo.org/announcements/meet-the-zoos-new-peccaries

** Monterey Bay Classic Livestock Show
Mar 24-25, Monterey
http://www.montereycountyfair.com/pdf...

Cool deals

** If you missed discount tickets for San Francisco race (see the post below), there is another one in San Jose this Sunday, Mar 25, 2012. I was told by different people that those races are fun event for the whole family. You can get more info: http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-jose-ca/san-jose-challenge-1

** In case it will rain during weekend, here is an in-door activity: bowling at Homestead Lanes. Groupon offers discounted packages for three, four, or six people, with drinks and snacks: http://www.groupon.com/deals/homestead-lanes-2

Race around San Francisco

San Francisco Challenge: A race of wits around the city by the bay.

The San Francisco Challenge is an urban adventure race. Teams of two or more will race around the city, competing against other challengers for top cash prizes as you plot race strategy, solve tricky clues, and explore undiscovered corners of the city. Think of it as a 5K that tests your brains as much as your legs, with much bigger prizes and a whole lot more fun! At the finish line, there will be an after-party with cold water, a costume contest, food and drink specials and an awards ceremony for the winners. (Offer Expires 11:59pm, 3/18/2012)

https://www.goldstar.com/shows/540551/checkout/new

Cool deals

** If you didn't see "Totem" by Cirque Du Soleil, I would strongly recommend it. We went few days ago and the whole family really enjoyed the show. Goldstar offers discounted tickets: http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-jose-ca/cirque-du-soleils-totem

** For those who enjoy whitewater rafting, TravelZoo offers a good deal: http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/San-Francisco/Other/11830
I checked some reviews, positive in general, but seems like there are might be some issues with customer service.
I would recommend to check reviews before making your purchase: http://www.yelp.com/biz/w-e-t-river-trips-lotus 
More reviews for the same company, but operating at different location: http://www.yelp.com/biz/w-e-t-river-trips-sacramento

Things to do this weekend of Mar 17-18, 2012

** Spring Farm Tour
Mar 17, 10am-1pm; Deer Hollow Farm
http://www.fodhf.org/farm_tour_2012_flyer.pdf

** Xtreme Science Magic Show with Dan O'Brien
Mar 17, 3PM; King Library
http://sjpl.org/tags/king-library

** St. Patrick's Day Festival
Mar 17, 10AM-5PM; Civic Center Plaza, SF
http://www.sresproductions.com/sfstpatricksday.html

** Family Fest: Celebration of Birds and Spring
Mar 17, 10AM-3PM; Portola Valley
http://www.scvas.org/index.php?page=text&id=event

** Lego Models Exhibition
Mar 18, 10AM-4PM; Santa Clara
http://www.bricksbythebay.com/

** Persian Bazaar
Mar 17-18, 9AM-5PM; Cupertino
http://plancast.com/p/a11p/kahrizak-foundations-annual-norooz-bazaar

** St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Mar 17-18, 10AM-5PM; Dublin
http://dublinca.gov/index.aspx?NID=293

** Cinderella
Mar 18, 1PM; Villa Montalvo
http://www.montalvoarts.org/events/cinderella_fpas/

** Junior Engineer Day
Mar 17, 10AM-3PM; SF
http://ggmrc.com/about/events/
Location: http://ggmrc.com/about/where/

** Model Train Show
Mar 17-18, 11AM-6PM; Walnut Creek
http://www.wcmrs.org/

** Be a Leprechaun for the Day
Mar 17, Noon-3PM; Marin History Museum, San Raphael
http://www.marinhistory.org/

** PaddleFest
Mar 16-18, Santa Cruz
http://www.asudoit.com/paddle_fest/index.html

Bouquets to Art at De Young Museum

Once a year "Bouquets to Art" at De Young Museum:
Taking place March 13 - 17, 2012, the 28th Annual Bouquets to Art will feature 150 floral arrangements by prominent designers and garden clubs that interpret and complement the de Young Museum’s permanent collection.
General admission allows access to all galleries. Tickets are required for floral demonstrations and for seated lunches and teas; these include general admission. General admission is free for museum members.
http://bouquetstoart.famsf.org/

Things to do: weekend of Mar 10-11, 2012

** NASA Family Night: Destination Station
Mar 9, 5PM-9PM; Oakland
http://www.chabotspace.org/calendar.htm?date=3-9-2012&p=301723

** Taiwanese Glove Puppet Show
Mar 10, 3PM; San Jose
http://sjpl.org/tags/king-library

** Purim Palooza
Mar 11, 9:30AM-3PM; San Rafael
http://www.marinjcc.org/events/2012/03/11/jewish-holiday-celebrations/purim-palooza/

** SF Ocean Film Festival
Mar 8-11, Pier 39
http://www.oceanfilmfest.org/about/

** Winter Jazz Festival
Mar 9-11, San Jose
http://www.sanjosejazz.org/winter-fest

** Arbor Day Festival
Mar 10, 10AM-1PM; Mitchell Park, Palo Alto
http://www.canopy.org/pages/about-canopy/special-events/arbor-day-2012.php
Mar 10, Pioneer Park, Mountain View
http://www.mountainview.gov/city_hall/comm_services/forestry/arbor_day.asp

** Out and About Kid Festival
Mar 10, 10AM-5PM; Morgan Hill
http://www.southvalleykidfest.com/

** Innovator of the Month Workshop (3-12 years old)
Mar 10, Noon-2PM; San Francisco
http://creativity.org/explore/innovation-studio/

** All tickets are sold out for Science Safari, but you can still sign up for Geocaching Event in April: http://ysi.tikkl.com/campaigns/safaris-1112

Can you see Aurora Borealis in Silicon Valley?

Today may just be the day.

Image Capture of Solar Flare. Credit: NASA/SDO/HMI

The sun let loose an intense solar flare on March 6, 2012. The coronal mass ejection (CME) arrived at Earth early Thursday morning, around 5:45AM ET.
This eruption from the sun has been classified as an X5.4-class solar flare. X-class flares are the strongest classification of solar flares.
Fortunately, geomagnetic storm didn't reach expected heights, so our cell phones and GPS systems shouldn't have too much disruption. At the moment geomagnetic storm is rated G1 on a scale of G1 to G5. For farther updates you can visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/News030712-X5-4.html
There is something interesting that might come out of this largest solar flare that hits Ears in the last 5 years: DeAnza College Planetarium Director Carl Vonahnen said that "Aurora Borealis might, just might, become visible in Silicon Valley tonight". Of course full moon will not help us to see it, but try your luck this evening. Watch out for Northern Lights in your sky tonight.

Happy Purim and International Women's Day to everybody!

Events: Education for Parents

"Raising Resilient Girls"
Mar 9th, 7:30PM-9PM
Montclaire Elementary School, GLC Room

Simone Marean, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the internationally recognized Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) will cover:
- How and why girls are aggressive with one another
- The "Good Girl" phenomenon
- What girls need to avoid victimization
- The power of emotional intelligence
- The importance of mistakes
- The limitations of blame
- Seeing conflict as opportunity for change

"Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills" 
 by Ellen Galinsky
Mar 15th, 7PM-9PM
Mountain View High School

Ellen Galinsky is the past president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She is also a former professor at the Bank Street College of Education, as well as the author of Ask the Children and The Six Stages of Parenthood, along with more than 125 articles in academic journals, books, and magazines.
In "Mind in the Making", she identifies seven life skills essential to success—in school, the workforce, and life: focus and self-control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges, and self-directed engaged learning.

Register: http://ellengalinskymvla.eventbrite.com/
Info: http://mindinthemaking.org/meet_ellen_galinsky/

Things to do: weekend of Mar 3-4, 2012

** Free Family Day at SFMOMA
Mar 4, 11AM-4PM, SF
http://www.sfmoma.org/exhib_events/events/2042

** Purim Carnival
Mar 4, 2-5PM; Berkeley JCC
http://www.jewishgateways.org/events/2012/mar/4/purim-carnival

** Hakone's Garden Dragon New Year Celebration
Mar 4, Noon-4PM; Saratoga
http://www.hakone.us/events/upcoming-events.html

** Home Depot Kids "Build a Race Car" Workshop
Mar 3, 9AM-Noon, different locations
http://tinyurl.com/6v4o5yr

** Free Crafts for Kids
Mar 3, 11AM-3PM, different locations
http://tinyurl.com/89je8v9

** Science Night
Mar 3, 5PM-7PM; Palo Alto Museuim of American Heritage
http://www.moah.org/

** SF International Chocolate Salon
Mar 4, 10AM-6PM; Fort Mason Ctr
http://www.sfchocolatesalon.com/

** Summer Resource Fair
Mar 3, 10AM-3PM; SF
http://www.sfkids.org/content.aspx?id=12358

** Jewelry, Gem & Mineral Show
Mar 2-4, 10AM-6/5PM; Newark
http://www.mgscv.org/

** Hand Made Bicycles Show
Mar 2-4, 10AM-6/5PM; Sacramento
http://2012.handmadebicycleshow.com/2012-show/

** Family Overnight at USS Hornet
It's probably too late for Mar 2, 2012, but you can register for following dates:
http://www.uss-hornet.org/groups/overnightfamily/