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Tunes for the Kids & You

If you looking for some fun things to do with the kids The Bay Area Discovery Museum has some tunes you can both enjoy. BADM is holding their third annual series of Hip Kid's music - featuring rock 'n roll, hip hop, pop, Irish dance tunes and more that appeals to kids and their grown-ups.

All shows at 11 a.m.

Members $5; General Child $10; General Adult $12(includes Museum admission)

Ages 1 & up

Culann's Hounds

Saturday, October 10

Named for one of the great warriors of Ireland, Culann's Hounds will be playing an acoustic set of Irish dance tunes. Combining vocal harmonies with melodies on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, accordion and bohran, they produce an eclectic blend of modern and traditional Irish music. Join them for a high energy show with plenty of opportunity for singing, dancing a jig and perhaps some howling with the Hounds. Visit www.sfhounds.com

Halloween Stomp with The Time Outs

Saturday, October 31

Put on a costume and join the Time Outs for a Halloween dance party. They will be performing a lively mix of kid-centric indie pop, 60s garage and good old-fashioned rock and roll. This high energy show encourages kids and adults alike to sing along, learn some new dance moves, and walk like a monster. Check them out at www.thetimeouts.com .

Banana Slug String Band

Saturday, November 7

Be part of the musical fun as the Banana Slug String Band performs their earth-loving songs. This duo plays music that is so infectious that children can't help singing, dancing and laughing along as they learn about this home we call Earth. Music, theater, puppetry and audience participation create a rich experience for the entire family. Visit www.bananaslugstringband.com

Alphabet Rockers

Saturday, November 14

Shout it out with the Alphabet Rockers. Featuring hip grooves, rocking guitar lines and tight rhymes, this is music that you can enjoy no matter what your age. Every catchy and clever song in this genre-hopping show introduces preschool concepts from counting money to naming the colors of the rainbow. Visit www.alphabetrockers.com

20,000 Volts Under the Sea by The Brian Waite Band

Saturday, November 21

Meet Brian, Clif and Todd, a band of rock 'n roll adventurers! Our heroes just booked an undersea gig at The Neptune Theater in Atlantis City but they don't know where it is. After heading off in their submarine, they meet (and play) many musical sea creatures. Come be part of the adventure and help the band reach their destination. Visit www.brianwaite.com

Octopretzel

Saturday, Dec. 5

Octopretzel' s show is as exuberant as their whimsical name . The band creates engaging music that inspires curiosity, wonder and appreciation for the magical world we live in. Their blend of four-part harmony and skilled musicianship, guarantees a danceable, singable and super fun experience for kids of all ages. Visit Octopretzel at www.melitamusic.com .

Fireworks in September?

Union City is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year and is having a lot of fun events for the family. I attended their Parade back in May and to my surprise it wasn't just a few cars rolling down the street, it was a cute parade with floats, big balloons, classic cars, and more. The atmosphere was great and very family oriented.

On September 12th they are holding their "50th Anniversary Concert & Fireworks Spectacular" from 5:45pm - 10pm at James Logan High School. Tickets cost $10 for Adults & $5 for children under 12. Entertainment includes Papa Doo Run Run, Quest Crew (love them!), Boyz Nite Out, Sage, & more! You can buy tickets online. They have few more events planned for the rest of this year so if you live in Union City or the surrounding area you should check out their website for more information!

BAM's Weekend Gudie

08/28/2009 – 08/30/2009

8/28 - 8/30
Eat Real Festival
Fri 4pm – 9pm; Sat 10am – 9pm; Sun 10am – 5pm
Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
Free Entrance (All food $1 - $5)
http://www.eatrealfest.com/

08/28
Willow Glen Safety Fair & Outdoor Movie: Wall-E
6pm – 9pm
Bramhall Park, 1101 Camino Ramon, San Jose
Free
http://www.downtownwillowglen.org/eventinfo.php?eventid=7808

08/28
Starlight Movie In The Park: Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

6:30pm

1101 West Redline Avenue, Alameda

Free
http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/arpd/pdf/starlight_movie_journey_center_earth.pdf

08/29
"RAGGS" KQED's Meet and Greet @ Hillsdale Shopping Center
10:30am – 11:30am
Hillsdale Shopping Center, Sixty 31st Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Free
http://www.hillsdale.com/special.php

8/29
Starlight Evenings @ Roaring Camp Railroad

8pm

Roaring Camp Railroads,Felton, CA 95018Adult $22; Child $16
http://www.roaringcamp.com/events.html

8/29
Movie Night at Ardenwood: The Chicken Run
8:30pm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont, CA 94555
Free
http://www.ebparks.org/node/1124

8/29 & 8/30
The San Ramon Eco-Festival
Sat 9am-9pm & Sun 9am-7pm
Bishop Ranch Civic Center, San Ramon, CA
Free
http://www.eco-festivals.org/

8/29 & 8/30
Italian Family Festa
Sat 11am-9pm & Sun 11am-6pm
Lincoln Avenue, Downtown Willow Glen, San Jose
Free
http://sites.google.com/a/iahfsj.org/italian-american-heritage-foundation/Activities---Programs/Festa

A Booty'licious Snack

First off I have to shout out to the Pirate's Booty Company and let them know they have an AWESOME marketing team & product! The picture below is what they sent me to try out their product...I just love it. I believe in good presentation and this is one of the better one's have seen since starting the blog. Anyway, onto the post...

Pirate's Booty has been a snack passed around our playgroup for the past year or so. We think it is just great because it taste good, it's bite size for the kids, and it's all natural. I just found out that we have been missing out though! We have only tried the Aged White Cheddar (yum!), but there is a whole line of different flavors we didn't know about! Pirate’s Booty also comes in great flavors like Barbeque, Veggie (vegan), Bermuda Onion and Sea Salt & Vinegar too! All Pirate’s Booty products are low in fat (130 calories per serving) gluten and trans-fat free as well as tree-nut free. Some healthy snacks overpower their food with flavor, but these bite sized rice & corn puffs have just the right amount of flavor. It’s great on-the-go snack to take the park or pack in your child’s lunchbox. I’m sure you’re going to love it! Pirate’s Booty is sold all over the Bay Area and online.

The San Ramon Eco-Festival

**Updated 8-31-09: Apparently the EcoFest put on hold "Eco-Festivals has experienced logistical issues with the current venue for the San Ramon Eco-Festivals Event." I apologize if this cause any confusion.***

Eco-Festivals, Inc., an organization that encourages people to live simple and cost-effective green lifestyles, has teamed with leading environmentally-conscious vendors and experts to announce the first annual Eco-Festival being held at Bishop Ranch Civic Center in San Ramon, California on August 29-30, 2009. The free two-day event aims to provide “good green fun for everyone.” Event hours will be Saturday, August 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Main Stage: listen to the sounds of well-known environmentalist rock band U2 through cover band Zoo Station, and additional performances by Bay Area talent.
• Meet the Experts: learn about different green industries as experts share their knowledge in sessions designed to raise environmental awareness and provide take-home tips.
• Kids Zone: play sustainable carnival games, ride solar/bio-fuel powered rides and enjoy performances by the country’s most famous children’s acts, such as nationally acclaimed PBS children’s performer SteveSongs, as well as the Happy Birds (featured on “The Tonight Show”).
• Food Court: experience the future of organic dining while testing the latest tools for eco-friendly cooking, cleaning, and disposal.
• Vendor Village: browse the latest sustainable goods and services for the home, garden and office.
• Fashion Show: view chic, stylish fashions showcasing clothing, jewelry and beauty products made from organic materials.
• Auto Zone: discover the latest innovations in electric cars, hybrids and sustainable car care that don’t sacrifice quality or style.
• Career Zone: learn how to make sustainability a full-time career at the on-site job fair.
  

Cut the Costs of Living Expenses - Guest Post

Since the San Francisco Bay Area is known for its steep cost of living, pinching pennies here and there is a high priority for many residents, especially in this economy. Whether you are living paycheck to paycheck or can afford to browse through Pleasanton apartments in search of a new swanky place to live, saving money on living expenses leaves you with more room to build up your retirement savings, plan for vacations, or splurge on a special event or purchase. As long as you have some patience and put in some extra effort, making small changes everyday can lead to big rewards with time. Plus you can still afford to live in one of the country’s most exciting and diverse places.

Eating a Nutritious Diet
You can still enjoy San Francisco’s fabulous restaurant scene, just maybe not everyday. Instead of eating out for meals every day, eat a simple breakfast (such as cereal or oatmeal), bring a packed lunch to work, and cook dinner at home. Cooking may take a little bit more time, but if you shop and plan ahead of time, it can save you hundreds of dollars per month. You don’t even need to buy a cookbook, as so many delicious recipes are available for free online. When shopping at the grocery store, buy generic brands and take advantage of store coupons and sales, and plan your weekly menu based on the store’s promotions. When you plan a weekly menu, you can better utilize ingredients you purchase and prevent those impulse buys. Head to the local farmers markets that the city offers and buy seasonal produce, which is cheaper than fruits and veggies not in season. In addition to the cost savings, you may find yourself actually enjoying cooking and since you have control over all the ingredients, you can customize your meals to suit your individual health needs. Another cost cutter is skipping the local coffee shop and brewing your coffee at home. A few dollars may not seem much during a single day, but it all adds up eventually.

Saving On Utilities
One of the simplest things you can do to save electricity is switch from regular incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy, will last 10 times longer, and will ultimately save you about $30 per bulb. It practically pays for itself in about 6 months. To further save electricity, have all or most of your electronics plugged into a power strip and switch off the whole strip when you leave the house or during the night when they are not in use. That way, the electronics won’t draw an electric current, even when they are powered off. In the winter, instead of cranking up the heat, use more energy efficient and inexpensive space heaters and use an electric blanket in bed.

Entertainment on a Budget
You don’t have to suffer from boredom when you are trying to cut costs. After all, part of living includes some type of entertainment. Instead of buying new books and renting movies at a rental place, borrow books and movies from the local library for free. Even if you do end up renting movies and TV shows, it will still be cheaper than going to the movies. Think about hosting get-togethers with friends by having drinks and cocktails at your place or a friend’s since buying things like liquor will be cheaper than individual drinks at a bar.

**This guest post has been brought to you by Avalon Communities**