Ronnie's Awesome List - November 2013

Check Marinhood, The Ultimate Kids Events Round-Up In Marin And Beyond, for the most up-to-date information of fun places and events for you and your family.

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Wondering what to do with all that extra Halloween candy? Here are a few suggestions.

SweetE Organic, November 1st-2nd, exchange for delicious organic, non GMO, allergy-conscious candy without artificial dyes.  SweetE will start you off with a few pieces of candy and you can augment those treats with a purchase of your family’s favorites! Candy will be donated to the Ritter Center in San Rafael.

Yolo Yogurt Lounge, 15% discount on froyo in exchange for donating your Halloween candy now through November 8th. Benefiting Blue Star Moms in Novato.

Nichols Orthodontics, Inc. will give you $1 for every pound for your unopened Halloween candy brought into their Greenbrae office on November 4th & 5th for Operation Gratitude, sending care packages to U.S. Military Troops.

If you know any other places holding a candy swap for charity please email me at ronniesharpe @ me.com.

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See It & Be In It, Plays for Young Audiences

Marin offers many choices in live theatre for younger viewers. From professional and community theatre to all child productions starting as young as 3. Here are some great opportunities to not only introduce your child to the magical world of live theatre but to also participate.

Rapunzel on stage now at the Marin Theatre Company (MTC) has completely sold out. You can buy the full-series packages so you do not miss out on the next three performances of A Year with Frog and Toad, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical – $45 for children and $60 for adults. Fairytale themed enrichment classes are offered at various elementary schools and MTC also has a Preschool class on Monday's, 3:30-4:15pm at the Mill Valley Community Center, 388-5208.

The Wizard of Oz performs at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley November 8 at 7:30pm, 9 & 10 at 2pm, November 15 at 7:30pm, 16 & 17 at 2pm. Enjoy one of the most celebrated children's stories ever told. Call 383-9600 or go online for tickets.

A Christmas Carol takes to the stage with The Stapleton Theatre Company on December 19th through 22nd at the Drake Little Theatre in San Anselmo. This is a wonderful family performance from a theater group that gives adults, teens and children the chance to work together both on stage and behind the scenes, to create quality community theater. This is a fun opportunity to work in live theatre with your whole family. Auditions for Oliver will be held in January, minimum age is 7. Tickets can be purchased online.

Snow White & the Many Dwarfs is performed by 5-7 year olds and directed by Marilyn Izdebski Productions. The show is exceptionally well-suited for young children and will take to the stage on November 15, 16, 22 & 23 at 7:30pm, November 6, 17, 23 & 24 at 1pm at the San Anselmo Playhouse. For more information call 453-0199 or buy tickets online.

The Last Unicorn is presented by Don't Quite Your Day Job Dancers in this family friendly performance at Stage Dor, 10 Liberty Ship Way, #340 in Sausalito. Performances take place November 15, 16, 22, 23 at 8pm and November 17 & 24 at 3pm.

Seussical, performed by the young students at the Performing Arts Academy of Marin (PAAM) will be presented at The Playhouse in San Anselmo November 2 at 7:30pm & November 3 at 2pm. The story jumps straight out of the pages of classic Dr. Seuss tales and matched with catchy music to create a very memorable and magical experience with your child.

Nemo, also presented by PAAM, will be at the Mill Valley Golf Course on Friday November 8th at 6pm by children ages 6-9 years old. This is a 45 minute performance well suited to a very young audience. For more information call 380-0887 or online.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is performing December 6-7 at 9:30am through Katia & Company. What is not to love about the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka. Get your Golden Ticket for really fun rendition of this childhood classic. For more information visit them online.

Based on the sell out performances and dynamic training program for young theatre goers, the popularity of live theatre is here to stay. Children as young as 3 will enjoy the many exciting benefits only a live performance can offer. Be sure to get your tickets early and make theatre part of your child's life today.

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Holiday Ice Skating Starts!

• Marin on Ice opens at Northgate Mall on November 9th through January 12.
• Union Square Holiday Ice Rink opens November 7 through January 21.
• Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center opens November 6 through January 5.
• Yerba Buena Ice Skating open year round.
• Snoopy’s Home Ice

Enjoy,
Ronnie

Friday, November 1

Día de los Muertos Altar Making Event, 3:30-5pm, ages 5+, Honor your ancestors or a loved one with a beautiful Day of the Dead altar made from a shoebox, Mill Valley Library.

Saturday, November 2

Build a Mighty Ship, 9am-12pm, free, Home Depot.

Nature for Kids: Rush Creek, 10am–1pm, enjoy a beautiful oak forest on one side and a marsh on the other, join Juan Carlos Solis, Director of Education at WildCare, will share his expertise and translate it all in Spanish. Meet at the Pinheiro Fire Rd gate on Binford Rd in Novato.

Grand Opening Celebration of Purple Monkey Hair, a Salon for Kids!, 10am-3pm, free, activities include hair braiding, sparkling, temporary color and gems, face painting, glitter tattoos, henna tattoos, crafts, games, and a photo booth. Refreshments, raffles, giveways and prizes, courtyard of the Boardwalk shopping center, 1550 Tiburon Blvd.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration, 10:30am-3:30pm, free and fun for all ages, sugar skull decorating, face painting, memory box and more, Mill Valley Community Center.

Alison Faith Levy’s Big Time Tot Rock, 11am, play a delightful variety of musical styles. Her imaginative indie pop songs get kids dancing, singing, laughing, and even pondering the mysteries of the universe, asking the eternal question: Are there cupcakes in space? Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Share-a-Book, 11am-12pm, Practice reading skills by reading with a Canine Companion! Reserve a spot at the desk or by calling 506-3165, South Novato Library.

Family Movie Screenings, 1-2:15pm, free, Carmen for Families, one hour movie is a wonderful first opera experience, Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St (between A and B), San Rafael.

Junior Rangers: Turkey Walk, 3–5pm, Join us for the Junior Ranger program, created to teach youth about outdoor skills, natural history and environmental stewardship. Today’s program is intended for 7-12 year olds, though explorers of all ages are welcome to attend. Join rangers on the Terra Linda / Sleepy Hollow Open Space Preserve to learn about the Rio Grande wild turkey. This will be a moderately strenuous, 1 mile hike with great views of central Marin. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and snacks. Meet at the gate at the end of Freitas Parkway in San Rafael.

Dia de Los Muertos, Art, music, procession, face painting and more, Pickleweed Park, 50 Canal Street, San Rafael.

Sanctuary Night Hike, 6:45pm - 8:15pm, Interested in your local nature night life? Check out our Sanctuary after the sun goes down! Learn how animals have adapted to live in the dark and explore skulls and bones in honor of All Hallows Eve. Richardson Bay Audubon Center, Tiburon.

Mt. Tam Star Party, 7pm, free, “Is Anybody Out There?” What is the possibility of life in the universe and how can do we search for radio and optical signals from other civilizations with Dr. Dan Werthimer, SETI Institute, Rock Springs parking lot, Mountain Theater, Mill Valley.

Discovery Days at AT&T Park, 11am-4pm, free, hock-full of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows, all meant to entertain and inspire. With more than 150 exhibits, there is something for everyone to unleash their inner scientist.

Family Fun Field Day! 11am-12:15pm, enjoy an hour of park based, family friendly games and activities.  Start your weekend by getting yourself and your family active and healthy in your local national park! Crissy Field Center, San Francisco.

Mission Day of the Dead, 11am-4pm, join park rangers at the Mission Dolores Cemetery to sample yummy cultural treats and create traditional Day of the Dead art. Many Latin American cultures celebrate life and honor their heritage through art and stories, and this is your chance to participate! Fun costumes are welcomed, Mission Dolores, San Francisco.

San Francisco Day of the Dead, 7pm, Procession and Festival of Altars.

Día de Muertos Community Concert, 1pm for pre-concert festivities in the Davies Symphony Hall lobbies, including refreshments, children’s activities, and colorful displays, San Francisco Symphony.

Mountain Lake Science Saturdays: Restoring the California Floater Mussel in Mountain Lake, 1-2pm, learn about the importance of restoring native mussels in Mountain Lake with demonstration experiments and the improvements in water quality that can be achieved through the use of mussels, Presidio, San Francisco.

Drop-In Science, 10:30am, spinning tops, Randall Museum.

Doing and Viewing Art, ages 4-12, 10am, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by teaching artists, deYoung Museum.

Laurie Berkner, 1pm, a live solo concert performance by the awesome children’s music superstar and preschool television favorite Laurie Berkner, Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

Afternoon Art, 1pm and 4pm, make an animal bank, Randall Museum.

Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.

Sunday, November 3, New Moon, Daylight Savings Time Ends

Beginning Birding, 9:30-11:30am, ages 8+, enjoy the beautiful fall weather and birds along Rodeo Lagoon. Join volunteer Jane Haley for an easy walk along the lagoon.

Children’s Program at Green Gulch, 10am, after a short talk, the children leave the zendo to participate in their own special programs. Activities include crafts, seasonal projects on the farm and garden, yoga, and ritual. Please check in before the program at the table near the southwest side entrance of the zendo.

Christopher Smith, 11am, storytime in song, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Comedy Magician Robert Strong, 11:30am, JCC, San Rafael.

Drop-In Art Making, 1-3pm, Utopian Magnets, Inspired by ­­­the exhibition Work in Progress: Considering Utopia, create magnetic shapes, forms, figures and use them to imagine your own artistic utopia, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

World-renowned Physical Comedian Unique Derique in his award-winning juggling show! 11am, Randall Museum.

Children’s Storytime and Family Walk, 10:30am, a docent-led Family Walk following Children’s Storytime in the Library, featured book “Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale About How Fire Came to the People”, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park.

Panhandle Park Action Project, 11:30am-1:30pm, for an afternoon of nature activities for kids of all ages! The outdoor event will feature hands-on art, scavenger hunts and face-painting. Meet the dynamic educators of BranchSF and support our local parks this weekend, Panhandle Park Playground (between Fell and Oak, near Ashbury).

Monday, November 4

Museum Mondays for Little Ones, 10am-12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, art and craft activities and a movie EVERY Monday of the month. Activities are designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers, Schultz Museum.

Tuesday, November 5, Election Day

Becoming a Wildlife Detective, 10am-12pm, ages 4+, Discover the wildlife of Muir Woods and learn how they have adapted to their environment by examining various animal pelts and skulls, uncover various clues animals leave behind--and find out what these clues tell us about the amazing animals that make the redwood forest their home on this easy one-mile hike.

After School Storytime and Crafts, 3:30-4pm, Corte Madera Library.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Release Party! 4pm, Wimpy Kid trivia and bingo, photo opportunities, snacks and giveaways! Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera.

Guy Fawkes, bonfire on the beach, this event is pending, check website for updated information, Muir Beach.

Wednesday, November 6

Share A Book-Read to a Therapy Dog for Readers, 3pm, Belvedere-Tiburon Library.

Thursday, November 7

Harvest Crafts and Story with Felicia Farrell- Martin, ages 5 & up, registration required, Come make some wonderful crafts featuring a harvest theme, and hear some great seasonal stories with Felicia Farrell-Martin. Limit 30 children- sign up today by calling 415-789-2662 or jdesk@bel-tib-lib.org. Belvedere-Tiburon Library.

Play Matters! It Really, Really Does, 6pm, free, World-renowned psychologist, Stuart Brown Ph.D. and M.D., is making a rare public appearance. He is the founder of the National Institute for Play and considered the grandfather of play, Dr. Brown will share his life-long research and advocacy work on the important role of play in human development; from shaping and growing young brains to staying vital through more mature life stages, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.

Saturday, November 9

McNears Mighty Kids Mud Run, 9am–12pm, this is the adventure race where kids will test their grit and endurance, all while having the time of their lives! Participants from age 5-14 will be challenged with a course through grass, sand, mud, and the woods with fun and trying obstacles in their way. No animals (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Questions: Contact a ranger at 446-4424 orMcNearspark@marincounty.org. McNears Beach, San Rafael.

Pizza Party on Horse Hill, 9am-1pm, broom-busting pizza party and raffle, pull broom and sow native grass seed. The work requires considerable strength and stamina but it is possible for volunteers as young as 5 years old to join if teamed with a parent or guardian. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Greg Reza at 473-3778 or GReza@marincounty.org.

Honeybee Family Farm Day, This new program will help you learn more about honeybees and native pollinators. We'll have an observation hive on display and you'll learn the basics of backyard beekeeping. Kid-friendly crafts will be extra sweet today! Slide Ranch.

Free Entrance Days at the National Parks

Caminata Entre los Gigantes, 1-2:30pm, discover the secrets of the giant trees that reside in Muir Woods on this easy one-mile walk. This is a Spanish-language event. We will learn how these trees have lived for a thousand years, and what we can do so they can be here for a thousand years more, Muir Woods.

Community Open House, 10:30am–2:30pm, explore the Opera House and enjoy onstage musical demonstrations with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and vocal soloists, sing-along with the San Francisco Opera Chorus, stage combat workshops and wig and makeup demonstrations for adults and families, family activities in the Opera House: scavenger hunt, costume photo booth, prop-making, costume crafts, sing-along with the Adler Fellows—and more! War Memorial Opera House.

Kids Club, 11-12pm, Join us for educational games, activities and music at Northgate, San Rafael.

Spin a Tale with Randy Kaplan, 11am, blends American Roots with Country music and the Blues. Renowned for his comedic storytelling, he captures the imagination and attention of everyone in the room. Randy is offbeat, smart and very funny, as well as an absolute ace guitarist, Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Animal Photography for Kids, 12-3pm, $30, ages 10-14, Children will learn the basics of digital photography and get tips for photographing animals as they capture “A Day in the Life of the Marin Humane Society.” For questions call 415.506.6288.

Share-a-Book Dogs, 1-2pm, read aloud skills with a dog in a supportive atmosphere. Sign up for a 15-minute appointment by calling 389-4292 x4741, Mill Valley Library.

Eric Maddox of Timothy Murphy School, 2pm, This event is brought to you as part of the bookfair for Timothy Murphy School at St. Vincent's School for Boys, Barnes & Noble, Corte Madera.

Oceans Aglow: Family Night Hike & Campfire, 5:30-8pm, $12 per person, Join us for a night hike to Rodeo Beach in search of bioluminescent plankton twinkling in the sand, NatureBridge, Sausalito.

Afternoon Art, 1pm and 4pm, make a miniature cityscape, Randall Museum.

Drop-In Science, 10:30am, explore and build animal bones, Randall Museum.

Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.

International Body Music Festival's Hambone Summit, 11am, SFJazz Center, San Francisco.

Sunday, November 10

Trails Less Traveled By, 9:30am-12pm, a three-mile exploration of trails from Fern Creek to Camp Alice Eastwood. The ferns, creeks, and tanoaks will inspire us to learn about "Leave No Trace" ethics and discover how to be better stewards. Families welcome. Must be able to hike moderate slopes and be able to stand for extended periods of time. RSVP required, Muir Woods.

Marin Science Sunday: Magnificent Migrations, 10am-5pm, free, celebrate the animals that love to travel!  Marine mammals are famous for their epic migrations along the California coast, Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.

Sunday Special: Eddie Madril, Native American Hoop Dancer, All ages, 11-11:45am, Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the skill, artistry, and humor of Native American hoop dancer Eddie Madril, Pascua Yaqui tribe member. He'll share the rich traditions of America’s indigenous peoples through the beautiful expressions of song, story, and dance. Learn some American Indian sign language, Mill Valley Public Library.

Christopher Smith, 11am, storytime in song, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Free Entrance Days at the National Parks

Drop-In Art Making, 1-3pm, Utopian Magnets, Inspired by ­­­the exhibition Work in Progress: Considering Utopia, create magnetic shapes, forms, figures and use them to imagine your own artistic utopia, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Preschool Gallery Hour with Aaron Kierbel and Andy Strain, 10-11:30am, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Monday, November 11, Veterans' Day

Nature for Kids: Deer Island, 10am-1pm, Spend the holiday taking a walk through oak forests and open meadows with the family. This beautiful little ridge that rises above the surrounding marshland is a great place to enjoy an autumn day. Call 893-9527 after 7am on the morning of the event to hear a recorded message if cancelled. Meet at the gate on Deer Island Ln in Novato.

Exploring the Towering Redwoods, 10:30-11:30am, ages 7-11 y.o., a special redwood exploration program using our music, art and science senses to get to know the towering trees. Dress for the weather. Bring a snack or lunch, water, a sketch pad, sharpened pencils, and your listening ears and singing voices. Other tools provided, RSVP required, Muir Woods

Learn To Skate – Free Clinic, 1–3pm, Join us at the McInnis skate park where rangers will offer tips and techniques for beginners as well as ways to attack features that build confidence and skill. This event is geared towards the newbie skateboarder and those looking to cross over from other board sports, but aren’t quite sure how to start. Make sure to bring your board, helmet and pads. Questions: Contact Supervising Ranger Adam Craig at 446-4423 orACraig@marincounty.org. McInnes Park, San Rafael.

Free Entrance Days at the National Parks

Museum Mondays for Little Ones, 10am-12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, art and craft activities and a movie EVERY Monday of the month. Activities are designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers, Schultz Museum.

Exploratorium will be open!

Tuesday, November 12

How to Draw Mushrooms, 10-11:30am, free, Fungi are a delight to sketch and paint. Learn a simple approach to sketching mushrooms and some of the most common errors that can creep into your fungus sketching. We will explore techniques with graphite pencil, watercolor and colored pencils, Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, Tiburon.

After School Storytime and Crafts, 3:30-4pm, Corte Madera Library.

Creatures of the Night, 4:30-6:30pm, ages 7+, Discover the nocturnal animals of Muir Woods and learn how they've adapted to survive and thrive in darkness. Also, play with some fun flashlight "Morse code" and see how light pollution affects these animals, Muir Woods.

Meet Jeff Kinney, Author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 7pm, Schultz Museum.

Wednesday, November 13

Jeff Kinney - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, 5pm, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

A Raid On The Oyster Pirates, 6 pm, join actor Felix Justice as he reads from Jack London’s tale, and painters William T. Wiley and Chester Arnold, along with noted curator Peter Selz, discuss the art of Diebenkorn and Wiley, University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.

Story Pirates, 6:30pm, Using stories submitted by children, the Story Pirates create outlandishly funny sketches and mini-musicals that leave kids and their parents howling in the aisles! Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa.

Thursday, November 14

Learn How to DJ: for 6th-12th grade, 3-5pm, Learn the fundamentals of digital and analog DJ mixing and broadcasting with Project Level and the DJ’s of KMEL. Learn how to set up and use turntables and develop your own radio show, RSVP 473-2050, Marin Oaks High School, Novato.

Friday, November 15

INK, 6pm, a lively group of "tweens" who LOVE books (and a few who didn’t know how wonderful books were until they came to a meeting!) One of the perks of membership is being able to read books BEFORE they arrive at the store and recommend books to other kids. If it is an “INK Recommends” book, trust us: it’s a winner!, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Gennifer Choldenko - Al Capone Does My Homework, 6:30pm, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Saturday, November 16

Habitat Restoration & Holiday Wreath Making Workshop , 9am-2pm, restore oak woodland and grassland habitat by removing outcompeting Douglas-fir seedlings and use the branches to make holiday decorations. Wreath and decoration supplies will be provided but please bring tools if you have them and small ornaments, ribbon, dried flowers or sparkly bits of recycled materials to repurpose for your own unique decorations. This event is FREE but limited to 30 participants, so please reserve a space. The whole family is welcome! Lake Lagunitas parking area. A free day parking pass will be provided. 

Park Stewartship at 20: Tennessee Valley, 10am-12pm, the Roving Ranger "mobile trailhead" on Saturdays in October for snacks, music, and prizes, and get inspired by this volunteer/education program that has transformed public lands—and people’s lives—since 1993.

Fall Birding at Bothin Marsh, 9am–12:30pm, Come and view an exciting array of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors in Bothin Marsh along the bike path. We will focus on the different species that have arrived for the fall migration. This event is open to all ages and skill levels. Rain will cancel this event. Questions: Contact Ranger Christin Lopez at 897-0618 or CLopez@marincounty.org. Meet at the Pohono Park and Ride.

The Bootlegger Soiree, 6pm, featuring Whiskey Bar, SpeakEasy Lounge, music to rival the Cotton Club with The Party Crashers,  Ab-so-lute-ly swanky Dinner, Attaboy Auctions, Real McCoy Raffles, and much more! Corinthian Yacht Club.

Fall Color Photography at Willis Evans Canyon, 9–11am, Join Ranger/photographer Craig Solin as we explore fall colors at beautiful Willis Evans Canyon in San Geronimo. If weather allows we will take a short hike up the trail focusing on nature’s various colors. We’ll also walk through a small Redwood grove exploring shadows and patterns. Bring layered clothing, a snack, a camera, and good footwear as it could be muddy or slippery. Questions: Contact Ranger Craig Solin at 473-2816, Meet at the gate on Redwood Canyon Dr in San Geronimo.

Harvest Festival, 9am-5pm, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.

Storytime at Greenwood School, ages 4-6, Greenwood School at 17 Buena Vista, Downtown Mill Valley RSVP to admissions@greenwoodschool.org

Doll Tea Party, 3pm & 4pm, Ages 4+, $10 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Pottery Barn Kids, RSVP required, 927-1636, Village at Corte Madera.

Manor Elementary School Winter Faire, 4pm, 150 Oak Manor Drive, Fairfax

Rollickin’ Irish Music with Culann’s Hounds, 11am, Combining vocal harmonies with melodies on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, Culann’s Hounds 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. Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Afternoon Art, 1pm and 4pm, build your own castle board, Randall Museum.

Drop-In Science, 10:30am, participate in the egg drop challenge, Randall Museum.

Doing and Viewing Art, ages 4-12, 10am, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by teaching artists, deYoung Museum.

Candlelight Tour, 6:30-8pm, RSVP required, Fort Point.

Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.

40th Anniversary Celebration of  A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, 10am-5pm, enjoy a recreation of Snoopy’s Thanksgiving meal of toast, popcorn, and jelly beans from the classic television holiday special, along with hands-on crafts, and other fun family activities! Schultz Museum.

Sunday, November 17, Full Moon

Make Your Own Nature Guide, 10am–12pm, A ranger will teach kids about local plants and trees the creative way! First we will discuss and use various plant samples found in the area to create a plant identification book. Then we will head out on a short nature walk to field test the books. This event is recommended for ages 5-12. Rain will cancel this event. Questions: Contact Ranger Charlie Schonwasser at 473-2816 or CSchonwasser@marincounty.org. Meet at the gate on Deer Island Ln in Novato.

Children’s Storytime and Family Walk, 10:30am, a docent-led Family Walk following Children’s Storytime in the Library, featured book “Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale About How Fire Came to the People”, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park.

Christopher Smith, 11am, storytime in song, Book Passage, Corte Madera.

An Afternoon with McSweeney's McMullens, 1pm, for afternoon filled with awesome books for kids! Book Passage, Corte Madera.

Explore Where Art Can Take You With David Wilson, 10am-3pm, ages 4-12, Free, RSVP requested, a day of discovery, hands-on projects, and an artist-led sing-along at the final site of his commission "Arrivals" Start at David Wilson’s trailhead in front of SFMOMA’s building, 151 Third Street San Francisco.

Korean Culture Day, 11am-4pm, free admission, art activities, food, music, and dance at this all-day banquet of Korean Culture, Asian Art Museum.

Drop-In Art Making, 1-3pm, Utopian Magnets, Inspired by ­­­the exhibition Work in Progress: Considering Utopia, create magnetic shapes, forms, figures and use them to imagine your own artistic utopia, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Monday, November 18

Museum Mondays for Little Ones, 10am-12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, art and craft activities and a movie EVERY Monday of the month. Activities are designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers, Schultz Museum.

Tuesday, November 19

After School Storytime and Crafts, 3:30-4pm, Corte Madera Library.

Friday, November 22

MB14: Books for Young Adults, 6pm, MB14 stands for “Must be 14” It's a book club for young adults at Book Passage, Corte Madera.

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Saturday, November 23

LOLLIPOPALOOZA, 9:30am and 11am, featuring Tim Cain, Miss Kitty, Chris Smith, Cindy Cohen, Peter Penhallow and the Dream Circle Band, Westminster Presbyterian Church 240 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, 461-1066

Give Thanks to Food Family Farm Day, We celebrate food and where it comes from on this special family day! Take a journey through the full cycle of seed to meal, and learn about food traditions from around the world. We'll fire up the cob oven and bake some bread to enjoy with our homemade butter! Slide Ranch.

Kids Club, 11-12pm, Join us for educational games, activities and music at Northgate, San Rafael.

Fall Birding at Stafford Lake, 9am–12pm, This Novato reservoir is a great place to see waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and more. Some are just passing through, others will be staying for the winter. Bring binoculars, water, a snack, and wear sturdy shoes. This event is open to all ages and skill levels. No animals (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Rain will cancel this event. Questions: Call Park Ranger Christin Lopez at 897-0618 or CLopez@marincounty.org. Stafford Lake, Novato.

Get the Groove with The Hipwaders, 11am, This talented trio will get you in the mood for a dance party. The Hipwaders play their irresistible blend of witty lyrics, classic harmonies and pop-rock tunes that is a hit with all ages. Their fresh spin on such classic subjects as siblings, math and toys will get everyone in the house joining in. Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Professor Smart's FUN WITH PHYSICS Show, 3:30-4:20pm, grades K-5, Fairfax Library.

Afternoon Art, 1pm and 4pm, make a fringe scarf, Randall Museum.

Drop-In Science, 10:30am, make whirlybirds and experiment with rotor dynamics, Randall Museum.

Doing and Viewing Art, ages 4-12, 10am, Family tours are followed by related hands-on art projects led by teaching artists, deYoung Museum.

The Great Dickens Fair opens through December 22.

Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.

Imago Theatre Frogz!, 2pm, illusion, puppetry, and acrobatics, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley.

Sunday, November 24

Festival of Lights, 9:30am-2:30pm, free, enjoy the biggest & best Hanukkah party in Marin! Marin JCC, San Rafael.

Marin Science Sunday: Magnificent Migrations, 10am-5pm, free, celebrate the animals that love to travel!  Marine mammals are famous for their epic migrations along the California coast, Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.

Imago Theatre Frogz!, 3pm, illusion, puppetry, and acrobatics, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley.

Happy Birthday Charles Schultz, free day, Schultz Museum.

Exploration Workshops: All About the Barber of Seville, 12:30pm, ages 6+, $5/pp, experience Rossini's delightful comedy in an interactive, multi-generational workshop based on the themes, story, characters and music, Chorissima Hall, San Francisco Girls Chorus Building, 44 Page St, San Francisco.

Family Gallery Tour, 11:30am–12:15pm, Step into a gallery journey and experience the adventures of Frog and Toad, Owl, and many other characters from Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s books in the exhibition Frog and Toad and the World of Arnold Lobel, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

Drop-In Art Making, 1-3pm, Frog and Toad Studios, Delve into Frog and Toad and the World of Arnold Lobel as you explore the art and stories in Lobel’s beloved books, Contemporary Jewish Museum.

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Monday, November 25

Museum Mondays for Little Ones, 10am-12pm, enjoy stories, movement games, art and craft activities and a movie EVERY Monday of the month. Activities are designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers, Schultz Museum.

Tuesday, November 26

After School Storytime and Crafts, 3:30-4pm, Corte Madera Library.

Thanksgiving Storytime and Crafts, 11am, Pottery Barn Kids, Village at Corte Madera.

Wednesday, November 27, Hanukkah

Nature for Kids: Indian Tree, 10am–1pm, head up the hill and visit several different forest habitats, shaded by bay trees, an oak covered hill, and finally end up in a little grove of redwoods. Along the way we’ll talk about these different habitats and the different kinds of animals that live in each place. Heavy rain may cancel. Meet at the trailhead on Vineyard Rd in Novato.

Exploration Workshop: All About Carmen, 11am-12pm or 12:30-1:30pm, ages 10+, $5/pp, dynamic and engaging activities that will transport us to the world of this dramatic tale, learn about the characters by moving like them to music from the opera, reenact a staging rehearsal, taking on all the roles from the props master to Carmen! San Francisco Opera.

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, 5pm, Union Square, San Francisco.

Thursday, November 28, Thanksgiving

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, 5pm, Union Square, San Francisco.

Friday, November 29

San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland, 12pm, featuring a Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, free snow sledding, and one of the largest Holiday Parades in the Bay Area, Fourth Street ~ B Street to Lootens, San Rafael.

Tree Lighting Ceremony, Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco.

The Velveteen Rabbit, runs through December 15, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Family Fun Weekend, 10am-5pm, Join cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos for live performances and cartoon workshops throughout the day! Schultz Museum.

How to Draw with Your Child, 10am-12pm, Join cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos to learn how to have fun drawing with your child. This class includes drawing games, instruction, and advice for engaging your budding artist. Advance reservations required by calling (707) 284-1263 or online, Schultz Museum.

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, 5pm, Union Square, San Francisco.

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Saturday, November 30

Learn to Saltwater Fish at McNears, 8:30–10:30am, rangers will teach the basics of saltwater fishing, limited number of fishing poles and bait will be provided first come, Rain will cancel this event. Questions: Contact Supervising Ranger Dan Sauter at 446-4424 or DSauter@marincounty.org, McNears Beach Park, San Rafael.

San Rafael Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland, 9am, featuring a Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, free snow sledding, and one of the largest Holiday Parades in the Bay Area, Fourth Street ~ B Street to Lootens, San Rafael.

Multicultural Sing-along with Jose-Luis Orozco, 11am, renowned bilingual musician, educator and children's author. Join him for an interactive journey through Latin American culture and music. Sing and dance along to original and traditional songs in Spanish and English and learn the words in Spanish to such classics as “Old MacDonald.” Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Holiday Cookie Decorating, 2-4pm, RSVP required, 444-0734, each child will receive a goliday sugar cookie to decorate as they wish, either to be saved... or savored. Panera Bread, Northgate Mall, San Rafael.

Afternoon Art, 1pm and 4pm, create an abstract art stick puzzle, Randall Museum.

Drop-In Science, 10:30am, learn about bees and take some honey home, Randall Museum.

Children’s Fairyland, Oakland.

The Velveteen Rabbit, runs through December 15, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Bill Graham Menorah Lighting, 5pm, Union Square, San Francisco.

Exploration Workshops: All About the Barber of Seville, 11am & 12:30pm, ages 6+, $5/pp, experience Rossini's delightful comedy in an interactive, multi-generational workshop based on the themes, story, characters and music, Chorus Room, War Memorial Opera House, enter through North Stage Door at Franklin and Fulton Streets.