Things to Do: October 2010 Archives

Railroad enthusiasts are invited to display their train artifacts, model train layouts, and photos at "Train Days," at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands.

"Train Days" will be celebrating its sixth year of fun on Jan. 15 and 16, 2011. Over 800 children attended Train Days last year with their parent, grandparents, or friends. They watched model trains run on huge and small layouts, played train games, talked to real engineers, and inspected real train tools and other "railroadiana."

Railroaders interested to participate, please contact "Train Days" organizer Nancy Kirkwood at (909) 307-2669 ext. 271 or e-mail nkirkwood@sbcm.sbcounty.gov.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

Borders bookstores have several big events coming up, including one today, Oct. 30. Here's the low-down on some family-friendly activities. To check on details at your local Borders, visit www.borders.com/online/store/LocatorView.

Saturday, Oct. 30: Spooktacular Halloween Party - 11:00 a.m.
Come in costume for storytime, a fun parade and more. Best for kids ages 3 to 8.

Saturday Nov. 6: Lego ® Atlantis Party - 2:00 p.m.
Building activities, games, Lego® Atlantis giveaways and more.! Best for kids ages 8 to 12.

Tuesday Nov. 9: Diary of A Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Release Party - 6:00 p.m.
A special event featuring all things Wimpy. Book discussion, games, art activities and Wimpy giveaways (while supplies last). Best for ages 8 to 12.

Saturday Nov. 13: Build-A-Bear Workshop ® Storytime - 11:00 a.m.
Storytime, crafts, a special offer from Build-A-Bear Workshop® and more. Best for kids ages 3 to 8.

We might have to do the Wimpy Kid release party. Mine are crazy for Wimpy Kid!

Division Gallery 9 and Riverside Metropolitan Museum will hold the seventh annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration on Tuesday, Nov.2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown Riverside in front of the Riverside Metropolitan Museum at 3580 Mission Inn Ave.

The event will begin with a procession of Aztec dancing beginning at Tio's Tacos down Mission Inn Ave. The street will be decorated with marigolds, traditional altars, catrinas and calacas. Live music and dance by Ballet Folklórico de Riverside will take place.

This community event celebrates both Mexican culture and art and will include art exhibitions, children's activities such as papel picado (Mexican paper art), traditional foods, and handmade Mexican items for sale. Community members may also bring a copy of picture of a loved one for the Community Altar.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information: 951-826-5273.

About the Holiday
Although celebrated in many cultures, Día de los Muertos, is an important Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones. It is celebrated every year as the holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). On All Soul's Day, adults who have died are honored through altars displaying their favorite foods, drinks, personal belongings, flowers, candles, and incense. The rituals surrounding Día de los Muertos have been practiced by Mexican Natives for thousands of years.

What: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Where: Downtown Riverside, in front of Riverside Metropolitan Museum (Between Orange and Lemon Streets)
When: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free

And another one!

The American Legion in Perris is holding a Halloween Breakfast and Kids Costume Contest Sunday, Oct. 31 from 8-11 a.m. Breakfast costs $6 and includes eggs to order, pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee. The contest will follow breakfast and will include a prize for the best costume.

Kids under 12 eat free. The Legion is located at 600 S. D. Street in Perris.

The American Legion Norco Post 328 will hold a Halloween Party for kids Sunday from 3-7 p.m. There will be a haunted house, games, food and drinks. For more information call 951-371-9108. All activities will take place at 3888 Old Hamner Rd. in Norco.

First 5 Riverside is launching its "Read Early, Read Aloud" campaign Oct. 31 through Books-R-Treats celebrations, held at Barnes & Noble Bookstores in Riverside and Palm Desert.

The first event will take place at Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 3485 Tyler St. in Riverside Sunday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be children's story times, free resources and giveaways. Children are invited to attend dressed in Halloween costumes. Present the code 10288868 at the cash register and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to First 5 Riverside to distribute Barnes & Noble gift cards to Riverside County families.

The campaign is meant to promote early literacy by encouraging parents and caregivers of children ages 5 and younger to read aloud to their youngsters and to participate in literacy activities in their communities. The campaign will continue throughout November.

Poor literacy skills is one of the major challenges facing school systems today, but child
development experts have found that reading aloud to children before they start school better prepares them for academic achievement and helps cultivate a love of reading, a vital foundation for learning.

"Everyone agrees children need to succeed in school, and while many factors influence how well a child does in an academic setting, their early intellectual growth plays a crucial role," said Harry Freedman, executive director of First 5 Riverside. "Learning to read should begin at infancy and continue throughout the toddler years because when they listen to stories, they gain crucial language skills."

This campaign is part of a regional effort including all Southern California First 5 Commissions. Families can visit www.ReadEarlyReadAloud.org or their local Riverside County library for more information on early literacy events, activities and resources.

San Bernardino City Unified School District will hold its annual craft fair Friday, November 5, with proceeds going to scholarships and classroom supplies.

This year's them for the Holiday Craft, Gift, & Food Faire will be "All Is Bright." The event will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the District's Board of Education building, located at 777 North F Street in downtown San Bernardino. Everyone is welcome to eat, shop, and get into the holiday spirit.

Among the many wares for sale will be scarves, jewelry, holiday ornaments, ceramics, baked goods, Mary Kay cosmetics, and nachos. Attendees will have a chance to enter a drawing to win some of the crafts and decorations on display. And, vendors and shoppers can also enjoy free, live entertainment by the Arroyo Valley High School Dance Company and other school groups.

Families are encouraged to enter a holiday photo in the All Is Bright Family Photo Contest. To enter, send a digital picture of your family to sheri.becar@sbcusd.com with "All Is Bright Photo" in the subject line. You will receive an email reply with a photo release form and additional information. Winners will be announced during the Holiday Craft, Gift, & Food Fair.

Vendor applications are being accepted through Friday, October 29 on a space-available basis. There is a $25 fee per vendor space. Proceeds from this year's vendor fees will support San Bernardino Teachers Association (SBTA) charitable programs, including scholarships for District graduates and teacher grants for classroom supplies.

To sign up as a vendor, enter the photo contest, or for other information, contact Sheri Becar, event coordinator, at 909-881-8120, ext. 402729, Monday through Friday.

The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana has been invaded by six- and eight-legged guests.

The Spooky Science: Bug Invasion, with bug animatronics, an insect collection and interactive stations, opened Oct. 2 and will continues through the end of the month, including the first-ever Halloween weekend celebration.

Visitors will see Dr. Sue's Traveling Insect and Arthropod Zoo with praying mantis, tarantulas, glowing scorpions and giant ants. Learn how mosquitoes spread disease, why they bite and how to stay protected at OC Vector Control's Mosquito Chamber.

Members of the Rat and Mouse Club of America So Cal Chapter will talk about rats and mice needs and how to train them. Bee keepers will provide the buzz on bees, including how the flower-feeding insects produce honey and pollinate crops.

Then there's the Creepy Crawlers Stage Show. Audience members will meet arthropods including a live tarantula, hissing cockroaches, black Empire scorpions and even some amphibians and lizards that like to eat bugs.

Saturday and Sunday activities include the Water Pollution Show, Grasshopper Anatomy 101 and "Bee Smart" story time. Children are invited to show up in costume for the Spider Mash Dance and Costume Parade at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The Pumpkin Factory, at nearby Main Place Mall, partnered with the Discovery Science Center for the Halloween celebration. At the science center, look for themed trick-or-treat stations, a costume parade, "It's a Bug's Life" story time, pumpkin decorating and more.
The Pumpkin Factory will have themed trick-or-treat stations, rides, a petting zoo and the pumpkin patch.

For the complete weekend schedules visit www.discoverycube.org.

SPOOKY SCIENCE: BUG INVASION
Where: Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana
When: Now through Oct. 31
Admission: $12.95 adults; $9.95 children 3-17; free for members
Information: www.discoverycube.org

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, at Cal State San Bernardino, will host its third annual Spooky Night on Oct. 30. Guests can enjoy night tours through the museum's permanent Egyptian collection, family crafts and a costume contest.

Admission will cost $3 per person or $10 per family. Parking costs$5. For more information call 909-537-3374.

First 5 San Bernardino will hold the "All Aboard the Reading Railroad Literacy Fair" at the San Bernardino County Museum on Sunday, Nov. 7. Geared toward children age 5 and younger, the free event will have storytelling, library card sign ups, free educational games and prizes.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., First 5 will show families the fun in developing daily reading habits and cultivating a love of books. Children will be given a passport to take to a reading station where they will hear a story told by a storyteller. After all stations have been visited, Kindergarten and preschool children will receive a backpack filled with school supplies.

Children can also participate in the many activities in the museum's courtyard, including games, learning centers and even getting their own library cards. Parents will receive information on the importance of early reading and how to incorporate books into their daily routines. The events will also focus on the importance of the parents' role to read early and read aloud to their sons and daughters.

"Current research overwhelmingly supports the importance of facilitating early and emerging literacy skills in preschool-age children as a critical foundation for literacy development," said Karen Scott, executive director of First 5 San Bernardino.

What: All Aboard the Reading Railroad Literacy Fair
Where: San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 7
Admission: $8, adults; $6, military or seniors; $5 students; $4, children age 5 to 12; free, children under 5 and museum association members
Information: 909-307-2669, www.sbcountymuseum.org

The Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, in collaboration with the Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students will hold the annual Celebración del Día de los Muertos on Friday, Oct. 29 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the museum's Visual Arts Center. Admission is free and there is complimentary parking in Lots L and M.

The evening of festivities will include light appetizers and refreshments, an art exhibit by Xavier Cázares Cortéz, a community altar, family crafts, DJ music, Aztec dancers, documentary film screening and more.

A VIP reception will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for a minimum donation of $20. At the reception visitors can meet Xavier Cázares Cortéz, artist/curator/educator. There will be a wine bar and appetizers and prize drawings. The proceeds go to support the Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students' scholarships at Cal State San Bernardino.

For more information call 909-537-7373 or visit http://museum.csusb.edu.

Ontario Museum of History and Art will hold the Family Discovery Day Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) on Oct. 30 from noon to 4 p.m.

The family-friendly event will include artist-led workshops, storytelling and hands-on craft stations throughout the museum. Remember loved-ones and share in this artistic and cultural family event. For more information call 909-395-2510. No reservations are required.

The Family Discovery Day event is part of the museum's current exhibit, "Artists Celebrate El Día de Los Muertos," which includes artwork created by 30 contemporary artists. Through artistic expression, the exhibition is epitomized by popular trends, life-affirming symbolism and the autumnal tradition of celebrating the lives of those who have passed-on.

The museum is located at 225 South Euclid Ave. in Ontario.

Join Executive Chef Roberto Argentina of Farm Artisan Foods for a day of cooking demonstrations, recipes, and gourmet brunch at the Asistencia in Redlands on Saturday, October 30 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. Cost is $75 per person, and reservations are required.

"Chef Roberto will demonstrate techniques and ways to create the perfect Californian cuisine suing locally grown produce," said Curator of History Michele Nielsen. "Peek in the kitchen and watch the staff as they work, sip refreshing libation, then enjoy a delicious gourmet brunch. Guests will also be able to meet and chat with local growers and farmers."

To make reservation or for more information, call the Museum Association at 909-307-2669 ext. 225 or e-mail lavery-brown@sbcm.sbcounty.gov. A portion of the program proceeds will be used to support the exhibit renovations at the Asistencia.

The Asistencia is located at 26930 Barton Road in Redlands. For more information, call (909) 307-2669 ext. 240, or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

Discover how the Serrano Indians lived in the Inland area hundreds of years ago in the family fun day, "Serrano Toys, Tools and Weapons," at the San Bernardino County Museum on Saturday, Nov. 6. The program will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is included in paid museum admission.

Visitors will learn more about the Serrano people by playing with replicas of Native American toys, using a pump drill to make holes in leather, and watching demonstrations of rabbit stick and spear throwing. Rabbit sticks are also commonly known as "throwing sticks" and were used to hunt small animals.

Children will also be able to make some Serrano games to take home.

Family Fun Day
What: "Serrano Toys, Tools and Weapons"
Where: San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6
Admission: $8, adults; $6, military or seniors; $5 students; $4, children age 5 to 12; free, children under 5 and museum association members
Information: 909-307-2669, www.sbcountymuseum.org

Get ready for winter! (Even though it's supposed to be 92 degrees again today.)

The San Bernardino County Museum will hold the family workshop "Snowflakes" on Sunday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. Supported by the James Irvine Foundation, the program is included in paid museum admission.

"Is it true that each snowflake is really different and unique?" asked Museum Educator Carla Rosenkild. "How can snowflakes be captured and saved? Participants can explore some really interesting work being done with making and photographing snowflakes, and then create designs of their own that they can use for their homes."

This workshop is appropriate for all family members that can use scissors; volunteers will help smaller hands. Because space is limited, reservations are required. Call 909-307-2669 ext. 256 for more information.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 (adult), $6 (senior and military), $5 (student), $4 (children aged 5-12), and child under 5 and Museum Association members are free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

San Bernardino County Museum will hold the avian-themed Family Fun Day "Birds of a Feather" on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program is included in paid museum admission.

Visitors can learn to draw birds in the land and water bird galleries at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There will be bird watching in the museum courtyard and gardens led by museum educators. Visitors can also visit the bird car to see some birds up close, made and bird flip book and fold bird origami.

What: Birds of a Feather Family Fun Day
Where: San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 23
Admission: $8 adults; $ military or senior; $5 students; $4 children aged 5 to 12; free for children under 5 and museum association members
Information: 909-307-2669, www.sbcountymuseum.org

Rick Steves, travel writer and public broadcasting program host, is coming to Redlands. Steves will offer his 90-minute lecture "Europe Through The Back Door," a presentation that focuses on getting the greatest value out of every travel dollar.

Steves will also discuss destinations that give the traveler an opportunity to gain an authentic experience that goes off the beaten path.

The lecture is Sunday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Fox Event Center in Redlands, followed by a reception at 4:30. Tickets are $35 per person for the lecture or $60 per person for the lecture and a reception that follows.

Proceeds benefit KVCR Public TV and Radio. Tickets are available by calling KVCR at
909-384-4350 or by visiting www.KVCR.ORG/events.

Steves, a 55-year-old native of Edmonds, Wash., says he has spent a third of his life living out of a suitcase. He started his European travels in 1973 while in school. By his own estimate he continues to spend 120 days per year abroad. His travel firm, Europe Through The Back Door employs 72 people. His "Rick Steves' Europe" series is a public television mainstay, and his nationally-distributed weekly public radio program is heard every Sunday afternoon at 3 on 91.9 KVCR public radio. Steves has also written more than 50 books on European travel.

Remember "Sixteen Candles" and "Pretty in Pink?" Believe it or not, 80s icon Molly Ringwald will be right here in the Inland region Saturday, Oct. 16 promoting her new book "Getting the Pretty Back" and "InStyle" magazine's Not Your Daughter's Jeans.

Ringwald will be at the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors who buy from Not Your Daughter's Jeans will receive a free signed copy of the book.

Visitors to the San Bernardino County Museum on Sunday, Oct. 10 can learn the techniques behind photographing small objects in the workshop, "Photography Made Simple: Macro-Photography."

The workshop will be at 1 p.m. and repeated again at 3 p.m. and is included in paid museum admission.

Led by artist Terry Long, the class will guide visitors in the art of macro-photography, which can be pursued with highly technical equipment or with point-and-shoot cameras, or even with cell phone cameras.

The "Photography Made Simple" workshops offer basic skills for building photographic techniques.

What: Photography Made Simple: Macro-photography
Where: San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
When: 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $8 adult; $6 military or senior; $5 student; $4 children aged 5 to 12; free for children under five and museum association members
Information: 909-307-2669, www.sbcountymuseum.org

The Chino Youth Museum has once again won Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards, an annual nationwide online poll that allows parents to vote for their favorite family places, products and parenting tips.

This year the voting took place from July 7 to August 31. The Chino Youth Museum was named winner on Sept. 15 and will be featured on the ParentsConnect website throughout the year.

"We are honored that the Chino Youth Museum was once again selected as the top youth museum in the area by Nickelodeon," said Mayor Dennis Yates.

For more information on the museum visit www.chinoyouthmuseum.com, or for more information on ParentsConnect visit www.parentsconnect.com.

YMCA of the East Valley will help families plan for earthquake survival with a series of two-hour workshops designed for participants ages 10 and older.

"Camp Quake" workshops will take place Oct. 16, 18 and 23 at the Redlands YMCA and Oct. 25 at the Highland YMCA.

The interactive workshops were designed by Pamela Henry of Redlands who formed the earthquake preparedness group Fault Line after the 7.2 Baja Calif. earthquake in April.
"It really shook me up and I wanted to get some help to feel better prepared," Henry said. "But there was nothing out there. What I really needed was a life coach for earthquake preparedness."

So Henry began researching and ended up creating her own company to do just that -- help individuals and groups create customized earthquake emergency plans.

Camp Quake activities will include information on "10 things you can do tonight," creating a shopping list, customizing a family plan, learning about community preparation, starting a community network and more.

The program is free to YMCA members and $15 for the public. Register by calling Veronica Bulaich at 909-798-9622 extension 210.

The workshops will fall in line with the annual Great California ShakeOut statewide earthquake drill Oct. 21 at 10:21 a.m. Register to participate in the ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org.

CAMP QUAKE
Where: Redlands YMCA, 500 East Citrus Ave.; Highland YMCA, 7793 Central Ave.
When: Redlands: 9-11 a.m. Oct. 16; 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18; 9-11 a.m. Oct. 23. Highland: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25
Cost: $15 public, free for YMCA members
Register: Veronica Bulaich at 909-798-9622

Start Out Smart - Read will host the 14th annual cooking class, "Hall of Fame Recipes" back after a one year hiatus. The Monday, Nov. 8 class will once again be led by restaurant owner and entrepreneur Martha Green and will include cooking tips, variations, new ideas and more.

A single reservation can be made for $40 or a table for eight can be reserved for $320.

The class will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino at 6 p.m. Participants will sample recipes by the well-known chef and learn to create several dishes.

Start Out Smart - Read provides books and education for parents on the importance of reading to infants and toddlers.

'Hall of Fame Recipes'
Where: First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino, 1900 North D St., San Bernardino
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 8
Donations: $40 single reservation; $320 table for eight
Reservations: Kathy Toy at 909-881-3268