Posts Tagged ‘jewish community center’

Looks like our heatwave is over, so here’s plenty of indoor fun for all.

Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival

A smorgasboard of animated and live action shorts and educational documentaries at this cheery film event for kids. Most intriguing: A screening of classic French film The Red Balloon, a sneak peek clip from Leonardo, a film developed by one of the makers of Pixar’s Ratatouille, and Cirkstur (pictured), a stop-motion Danish film starring mechanical dolls.

When: Sat., 1/24, 10:30am-6pm; 3+; $10 for an all-day pass (3 and under free).

Where: Auctions by the Bay, 2700 Saratoga Street (on the Alameda Naval Air Station), Alameda, baicff.com.

Orlando Thunder vs. San Francisco Bay Bombers

The stomping, slamming, powerful rollerbabes of the San Francisco Bay Bombers take on rivals from Florida in a rousing, semi-brutal roller derby spectacle that’s not a great idea for young kids, but is hilarious for older ones.

When: Sat., 1/24, 8pm; Age 6+; $9-20.

Where: Kezar Pavilion, 755 Stanyan Street (at Waller Street), $9-20, 415-753-7032, baycitybombers.com.

Chinese New Year Flower Fair

This traditional carnival takes place the week before Chinese New Year celebrations so that families can come and buy traditional celebratory flowers and fruits (tangerines, peach blossoms), while enjoying onstage performances from Chinese dancers and musicians. There’s a petting zoo and photo area for kids too.

When: Sat., 1/24, 10am-8pm; Sun., 1/25, 9am-6pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Grant Avenue from Clay to Broadway and Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton in San Francisco’s Chinatown, sanfranciscochinatown.com.

New Pickle Circus

Wonder at everything the human body can do at this annual circus extravaganza featuring acrobats, contortionists, gymnasts, clowns, and acrobats.

When: Sat., 1/24 5pm, Sun., 1/25, 11am, 2pm, Age 3+; $16-22.

Where: Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. (at Presidio Avenue), San Francisco, 415-292-1283, jccsf.org.

It’s cold out there. Bundle up and drink some cocoa.

Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lights Boat Parade

Stand on the shore and watch more than 100 boats from the St. Francis Yacht Club and the Fisherman’s Wharf Fishing Fleet parade by, alight with holiday decorations and illumination. The best places to stand are Pier 39 and Aquatic Park. Dress warmly!

When: Fri., 12/19, 6-9pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Pier 39, Embarcadero Street (at Beach Street), San Francisco, 415-673-3530, pier39.com.

Family Holiday Sing-Along

Strike the band and join the chorus– the Pacific Boychoir that is, which sings your favorite carols as the audience sings along.

When: Sat., 12/20, 11am; Age 3+; $5-25.

Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street (at Taylor Street), San Francisco, 415-392-4400, gracecathedral.org.

Winter Solstice at Muir Woods

Celebrate the season (and the shortest night of the year!) with a solstice party at the famous redwoods park. Participants will make a redwood wreath, sing holiday songs, and take a lighted walk through the dark woods.

When: Sun., 12/21, 3-8pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Muir Woods, Panoramic Highway (at Frank Valley Road), Mill Valley, nps.gov/muwo.

Family Hanukkah Celebration

Latkes are a featured player at this Hanukkah party, at which partygoers will also sing traditional Hanukkah songs, dance, spin the dreidel, and enjoy a special holiday performance. Linger afterwards for a community candle-lighting at 4:30pm.

When: Sun., 12/21, 2-4pm; All ages; Free (suggested donation $5-7 per family)

Where: The Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street (at Presidio Avenue), San Francisco, 415-292-1299; jccsf.org.

Feel that sun? It’s San Francisco’s summertime, and it’s time to think about swimming before the weather cools back off in July. If you haven’t already signed up for a series of swimming lessons somewhere like San Bruno’s tony La Petite Baleen or the magnificent pool at UCSF’s Mission Bay location, it’s not too late to get in on classes offered by San Francisco Recreation and Park — though most courses aren’t open for Internet registration until June, calling Recreation and Park at 415-831-2747 can usually find you an open space in one of the local pools. Classes are offered for kids as young as six months or as old as 17, and many are incredibly cheap or free.

If you can wait a few weeks, the new cycle of classes at the dreamily warm pool at the Janet Pomeroy Center out by the SF Zoo start June 9. Kids aged 3 and under get an introduction to water in the Cuttlefish classes; those aged 3-6 may opt for the Penguin option, in which kids learn swimming skills. There’s no schedule online for classes, but Cuttlefish classes are offered generally in the late mornings Tuesday through Friday, while Penguin classes are Tuesday and Friday afternoons. The online information is hopeless; call 415-665-4241 for questions and to register. Students in swim diapers are accepted.

Prefer drop-in pool time? The JCC offers daily Family Swim time free to members or to those who can pay the rather steep day fee, $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Most of the public pools in San Francisco offer open swim times as well, and for a much more reasonable $4 for adults and $2 for kids. Each pool has a different schedule, so finding the right location and pool may take some clicking around. But SF Rec and Park does admit kids in swim diapers, a bonus for those with smaller kids, if not the rest of us.