App Research Project - $175 payment per child

Touchstone Research has a special opportunity for teens ages 12-17 to be a part of a fun app research project with an in-person follow-up session for a popular technology company. Please read the description of the project below carefully, so that you can determine if this is a good fit for your child. They are looking for teens (ages 12-17) to participate in a 3 day diary project plus an in-person interview.

Here are the details:

• 3 day online diary project starting in November or December
• Follow-up interviews at a facility in Menlo Park 
• Teens Ages 12-17 years
• They pay $75 for the diary and $100 for the in-person session. That is a total of $175 per child.

The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and will help them determine whether your child fits the criteria they are looking for. You will be able to select the times you are available. Please click on this link to take the survey.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to answer all questions as honestly as possible. Failure to do so will result in the removal of your account. Please click on the link below to take the survey:
https://touchstoneresearch.3uu.us/uc/2018F2110118APP/?a=&b=FK

This post is sponsored by Touchstone.

Easter Events in the San Francisco Bay Area 2018

If you're looking for some fun things to do to celebrate Easter with the family in the San Francisco Bay Area, here's the place to start.

Please add your favorites in the comments section!

SAN FRANCISCO 
What: Spring Eggstravaganza (egg hunt, inflatables, carnival rides, entertainment, carnival rides, food for sale, rib cook-off)
Where: Sharon Meadow at Golden Gate Park
When: Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 11-3 Cost: $10/person (free 2 and under). Get them in advance by calling 415-831-6800 or at the Maclaren Lodge Annex

What: Union Street Easter Parade (and festival with face painting, climbing wall, activities, characters)
Where: Union Street in Cow Hollow, San Francisco
When: April 11, 2018 from 10-5, parade at 2
Cost: Free

Get 'Yer Tickets: Junot Diaz at Kepler's

Junot Diaz, the New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winning writer of  The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and This Is How You Lose Her, is introducing his new picture book, Islandborn at Kepler's in March. The book is about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination. The book poses questions about identity and belonging, in the story of a young girl's imaginary journey back to her birthplace.

"Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else. Hers was a school of faraway places."

When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember The Island--she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories - joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening - Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. Through their anecdotes she creates her drawing and comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: "Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you."

When: March 21 at 6 pm
Where: Kepler's Books - 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Tickets: $5 (entrance only) or $25 (entrance plus book) - plus fees

Opinion study: Social Media - $125 or $150 in Menlo Park

Probe Research is doing an opinion study on January 30th and January 31st. The incentive is $125/$150 the time commitment is 30/130 minutes. The study takes place in Menlo Park and the topic is social media.

If interested, fill out their pre-survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/83QZM3P and they'll contact you if you qualify or they want more information.

Coming Up: Girls Who Code Founder and Author Reshma Saujani Speaks

Kids have a chance to meet Reshma Saujani , the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit organization championed by Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai and John Legend. She is a former Deputy Public Advocate of New York City who galvanized industry leaders to close the gender gap in STEM education and empower girls to pursue careers in technology and engineering. In 2010, she became the first South Asian woman to run for Congress. Since 2012, Girls Who Code has taught computing skills to and inspired over 10,000 girls across America.

The book (Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World) shows what a huge role computer science plays in our lives and how much fun it can be. It's part how-to and part girl-empowerment.

Tickets are free, but they ask for an RSVP.
When: August 25 at 7.00 p.m.
RSVP: here
Where: Kepler's Books in Menlo Park (1010 El Camino Real)

Coming Up: USA Football Protection Tour - Free Half-Day Camp

USA Football has a Protection Tour to make football safer for players. They're hosting a free half-day football camp to get youth players on an NFL field to learn the fundamentals, get their helmet fitted and more.

Where: Santa Clara
When: July 18, 2017 from 9-12
Who: ages 7-14
Register: begins June 15, 2017
Register here.

Coming Up: ADHD with Katherine Ellison

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Katherine Ellison will be talking about ADHD at a special evening at Kepler's. Her new book is ADHD: What Everyone Needs to Know.

She'll be in conversation with Melissa Belle Anderson. She'll discuss all of the most controversial ADHD topics, including:
-does it even exist?
-is it just for kids?
-how much do meds really help?
-how does it affect women differently than men?

Rates of diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are skyrocketing, throughout America and the rest of the world. U.S. rates of youth diagnosis have increased 40% from just a decade ago. Adults with ADHD are now the fastest-growing segment of the population receiving diagnosis and medication. The disorder is painful and sometimes disabling for individuals and tremendously costly for society; yet, widespread misinformation, skepticism, and unanswered questions have jeopardized effective diagnosis and treatment. The book is researched and written by Stephen Hinshaw, an international expert on ADHD, and Ellison.

Moderator Melissa Belle Anderson is the mother of two, and was diagnosed with ADHD late in life. Since receiving treatment, she is now a full time, first-generation college student, entrepreneur, and ADHD advocate.

When: Thursday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
RSVP: Requested
Cost: free

Halloween 2015 events for families in the Bay Area

In case you weren't aware, Halloween is coming up! I wanted to add some more to this post but realize that I'm running out of time. So I'll add more as it comes in, but I wanted to make sure none of these events passed!

Here are some Halloween 2015 events for families in the Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO
What: Stern Grove's Scaregrove
When: Friday, October 23 from 3-9
What: Haunted house, hay rides, arts and crafts, inflatables, carnival rides
Cost: $8/person - all inclusive (free ages 2 and under)
Who: the whole family
More info: Scaregrove

Get 'Yer Tickets: DJ MacHale in Menlo Park - Free

My tween son and niece are huge DJ MacHale fans. He writes the Pendragon series and is introducing the new Voyagers series, part sci-fi, part eco-mystery, plus action/adventure. You can learn more about it (and buy it) at Machale's appearance at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park.

Get your free ticket here to see MacHale here.

When: Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m.
Where; Kepler's Books (1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park)

Date Night: The Middleman Economy at Kepler's Books - and Giveaway

If you're looking for a night out with or without the partner, here's one to check out. Bay Area author Marina Krakovsky will talk about her new book "The Middleman Economy: How Brokers, Agents, Dealers, and Everyday Matchmakers Create Value and Profit." Given how the internet makes it much easier to do many purchases and deals directly, why go through a middleman, like a broker, agent or dealer? For the book, Krakovsky interviews people like:

-Drew Rosenhaus, apparently the most powerful agent in the NFL who gets better deals for clients but angers team owners.
-LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs, an appliance flipper on Craigslist who makes money by buying used washers and dryers and selling them for profit, making happy both the people who want to get rid of their junk, and those looking to buy used.

The book and lecture might get you thinking about different ways to run your life, or your business. This talk is part of the Peninsula Arts & Letters series.

And you can possibly win a free copy at a Goodreads giveaway.

Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Where: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: free, but get them here

Coming Up: Kevin Henkes comes to Kepler's in Menlo Park

Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite children's authors. Our favorites of his include Lily's Purple Plastic Purse and  Julius: Baby of the World, but he's also written Chrysanthemum, Kittens Last Full Moon, The Little White Rabbit, Owen,, Good Day and Lily's Big Day. He's a Caldecott Medalist too (I love the illustrations). Well, he's coming to Kepler's Books on October 1 and you can see him - with or without your kiddos. Ha ha! He'll be talking about his new book Waiting. Read more about the book here.

When: Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.
Where: Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Road, Menlo Park
Tickets: tickets are free, but RSVP here. Maybe they'll close the event if it's full.

Bay Area Summer Camps 2015

I've been behind on organizing my own kids' summer camps this year. But it's not too late to sign up for camp still. Today we're going to highlight some interesting camps to check out.

SAN FRANCISCO
Butterfly Joint - this new woodworking camp in San Francisco offers week-long sessions with objects to make like necklaces, wooden boxes, floating bookshelves and stools. Camps are small, limited to 15 students each.
Ages: 4-12
Times: 9-3
Where: Mission district

Take My Word For It - this writing class/camp focuses on creating self portraits with words
Ages: incoming 6-8th grade
Times: June 1-5; from 1:30-5
Where: private home in San Francisco;

Renegade Girls Tinkering Club - learn hands-on science with fun experiments and STEM work. Only a few spots left.
Ages: 6-10
Times: 9-3 with optional after care
Where: San Francisco

Coming Up: Scouting Saturday at Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos

As the mom of both a former Cub Scout and Girl Scout, I'm constantly on the lookout for scouting field trips and activities. Here's one for both groups!

Hiller Aviation Museum is hosting Scout Saturday this weekend, Saturday January 11th, with special talks at 11 and 11:45 a.m.

All scouts and leaders in uniform, or with scout ID, will get in free all day.

At 11, Retired USAF Col. William Wardwell will describe his experience in scouts, rising to the Eagle Scout rank. He later became an Air Force aviator and flew supersonic Northrop T-38 and Lockheed C-141s. Learn how his experiences as a Scout shaped Col. Wardwell’s career as an aviator in the service of his country in missions that spanned the globe.

At 11:45, Hiller presents Flying with Poodles, where local aviator Karen Morss will talk about her experience with aviation and scouting. She grew up outside Philadelphia, taking her first airplane ride with her father when she was 8. On ride convinced her that aviation was a beautiful way to see the world. Karen's careers included founding her own business and cultivating Meyer lemon orchards. In between she earned her pilot certificate, bought an airstrip, and founded a flight school—all accompanied by her flying poodles! Today Karen writes children’s books, including “Flying Poodles—A Christmas Story.” Karen will describe her experiences as an aviator, author and businesswoman in an inspirational presentation.

You can pay an additional fee to participate in their Flight Simulation Zone, from 11-2.

Hiller is at 601 Skyway Road in San Carlos. Anyone participating with the scouts, who is not in scout uniform or with scout ID, will need to pay regular admission, though the special talks are included in that.

Coming Up: Story Time - Hanukkah - I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel

Hanukkah is later this month. Join in story time with Caryn Yacowitz. She'll be reading from her book I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel on Saturday December 6, at 11:00 a.m. The book is a hilarious take on the world's greatest works of art! You'll love this old lady and will want to visit her every Hanukkah for years to come.

About the book: "A family drives through the snow to visit their beloved bubbe, who spreads out a Hanukkah supper for everyone to enjoy. But one dish goes a little wrong. Beyond the joy of a Jewish take on this most American of folk songs, the illustrations here offer hilarious parodies of great works of art by da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso, and other masters."

Where: Kepler's Books (1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park)
When: Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m.
Cost: free (book is extra, but you don't have to buy the book to attend)

Coming up: Justin Roberts Concert

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players heads back to the Bay Area for his annual concert sponsored by the Mountain View Parent Nursery School and Foothill College Child Development Department.  This Grammy-nominated performer, and winner of six Parent Choice Gold Awards, is fun for parents and kids (I know because I've been!)

When: Sunday, November 2nd with two concerts: 11 am and 2 pm.
Where: Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills
Who: Great for families with children under 12
Tickets: $13/advance purchase, $15/door. Get them here.  

UCSF Study and After School Transportation via Boost

I have a couple of things for you today that are completely unrelated. One is a paid study at UCSF, and one is the opportunity to win a $100 Target card for purchasing after school transportation through Boost.

UCSF Study
Researchers at UC San Francisco are looking for 7-12 year old boys and girls (and their parents) to participate in a study of parent and child social interactions. This study involves a single 90 minute lab visit that includes several shared interactions between you, your child, and members of our research staff. They are interested in an individual's physiology during social interactions so they will use skin sensors to measure things like heart rate and blood flow. In addition, a set of questionnaires will be completed, at your convenience, prior to the lab visit.

For completing the study, you'll get $80 and your child will receive a $10 Target gift card. Also, you will be contributing to the knowledge of child development while engaging in new experiences with your child! If you are interested in participating, please email or call: Sara Waters (650) 380-6835 or parentstudyUCSF@gmail.com.

Boost by Mercedes-Benz
I got a lot of positive comments from readers when I posted about the Boost by Mercedes-Benz after school transportation service (user review here). With school getting closer, they're running the Boost Back-to-School Shopping Spree Promotion, and giving away a $100 Target gift card. If you need rides to/from camp, they are doing summer rides as well.

As for their promotion, from now through Friday August 8, every person who registers and/or makes a Boost purchase will automatically be entered into the promotion. They'll announce the winner on Monday, August 11 by email blast and on the website.

Coming Up: Junie B. Jones Bus Tour

Many of us are huge fans of the Junie B. Jones series of books, so you'll want to go to the "Junie B. Jones Stupid Smelly Bus Tour" at Kepler's in Menlo Park on Monday, June 2, at 5.00 p.m. - a national tour that brings Junie B. live and in-person across the country to meet her fans. 

Bring your family to watch Junie B. ride into Menlo Park in the Stupid Smelly Bus (and yes, you can take photos next to it!). Come and watch Junie B. in a hilarious  live theatrical performance based on the bestselling series, grab a Junie B. giveaway, and get your books stamped by Junie B. herself! 

Tickets are $5 (plus a $1.17 service fee) here.

Focus group: Tracking physical activities/exercise - $100 payment

The Oracle Applications User Experience team is looking for people who have tracked their exercises or physical activities in the past to participate in a 1.5 hour focus group on the topic of employee wellness. 

It takes 1.5 hours, done on site at Oracle headquarters in Redwood Shores on May 19, 2014. Participants get a $100 Amazon.com e-gift certificate for participation and you'll be fed lunch or dinner.

If interested, sign-up at: http://goo.gl/1eTmzB. They'll call you if you qualify. 

Please write "Debbie Kaplan - Frisco Kids - blog@friscokids.net" in the referral spot. 

Coming Up; Passover Story Time

It's Passover story time for 4-5 year olds. It's led by Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School teachers. And it's free.

Where: Linden Tree Books (265 State Street, Los Altos)
When: Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m.
RSVP: to amitchner@hausner.com

Coming Up: Indian folk dance competition - Youthsava

I've seen Dance Moms on TV, and I see a lot of pictures of my friends' kids in dance competitions. So it was refreshing to see this come through my inbox - an annual dance competition for Indian folk dances to Bollywood music. Not only that, but the kids plan their own dance routines in addition to perform them. Indian breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are available for purchase.

What: Youthsava 2014
When: Saturday, April 1, doors open at 9 a.m.
Where: 525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas
Cost: $20/adult, $8/child