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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Recent Kids Activities - 2009 October

Hi All,
Just to let you know what kind of events you might have missed by not referring to my blog earlier, here is a variety of things that happenned in the last few weeks which we enjoyed with our son (at some of these events, we were accompanied by some of our friends, but as currently I do not have permission from any one of them to include references to their names, so I will better omit such information for now - but pls. leave me a comment if you are OK for me to include your/your kids names in this blog or later posts to this blog):
2009

October

(Special month - DIWALI & Halloween)


  • 27-30: Halloween Trick-n-Treating

    @Summerwood Apartments from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
    Cost - N/A.
    This is the most fun part of the Halloween day every year for Aakarsh.







    But this year, it was special for Aakarsh as I also had a day off from work this time and was able to accompany Aakarsh for trick-n-treating all through. Aakarsh enjoyed this as he had both his parents with him rather than his mom only as usual.


  • 27-30: Halloween Celebrations w/Gigante

    @Michael's (participating stores) from 10 AM to 11 AM followed by
    @San Jose Sharks Stadium 2 PM to 6 PM
    Cost - FREE.











    This was a hit with the kids - the biggest halloween celebrations that we have been to ever - the whole stadium was converted into a big playground for the kids with jumper houses, a big hay maze and Gigante and other characters to take pictures with + free face painting, balloon toys, pumpkin decoration and lots of other stuff including trick-n-treating games and a small petting zoo. Aakarsh loved it and enjoyed even more when Ansh & Amisha also joined around 3 PM and Aryan joined in the evening.
    Another main thing was the big costume parade which saw around 500 kids participating in the kids costume contest and judged by 3 judges including Barack Obama and Gigante himself!


  • 27-30: Pre-Halloween: @Toshiba & Summerwood Community










    @Toshiba (annual halloween celebrations) & Summerwood (Annual Costume Contest)
    Cost - N/A.
    I can not post pictures of of other colleagues who participated in the Toshiba annual costume contest.
    Similarly, I can not post the pictures of all contestants at the Summerwood (our apartment community) annual kids costume contest.
    But both events were a lot of fun and here are some pictures from both.


  • 25: Halloween Pets Parade @Sunnyvale Downtown:







    @Sunnyvale Downtown
    Cost - FREE.
    This turned out to be great Great FUN!! Lots of pets in interesting costumes (checkout the superman dog (Not super dog) in one of the pics) alongwith their mentors & mentor's kids in matching costumes - Aakarsh was in Superman's costume and he found another group there who had SuperGirl, SuperDog, BatDog, BatMobile, but were missing the SuperMan and thus joined them to complete the group - no wonder, their group was specifically interviewed briefly by the organizers during the parade. I also joined the parade in Were-Wolf's costume - Bhavna preferred staying out of the parade and shoot our videos and pictures.


  • 24: Lowe's FrankenString Magic Trick Build & Grow Event:



    @Lowe's, Fremont
    Cost - FREE.
    This was the second Lowe's clinic we took Aakarsh to - and like the first one, he enjoyed this too - though we reached this time much more relaxed around 10:25 AM (unlike last time when we hurried to be the first one to reach). This time, these guys were out of the aprons and did not want to give away the hammers to take home - but gave the protective eye-glasses to take home (ofcourse the kit and the final trick were for us to take home). But the good things this time were that they gave a certificate of participation this time (unlike SanJose Lowe's) and also told us that if for any reason, we can not register online, we can try coming to the store just before 11 AM on the day of the clinic and try our luck at getting the free kit to take home and make it there (as, we were informed, each Lowe's gets around 10 to 25 extra kits). Also informed to us was that if, if, we have registered online, then we can also pick-up the kit on the day before the clinic in case we know that we will not be able to make it to the clinic on the day. This time's activity involved more nails and some stickers pasting also - which Aakarsh enjoyed quite a bit. It required some careful string tieing and positioning which was taken up by his dad (myself) - Bhavna again preferred to stay behind the camera this time also.


  • 17: DIWALI Celebrations @Reals:




    Fun-filled night enjoyed to the fullest by Aakarsh, ourselves and our friends who shared the fun with us on Diwali - music, Dance (lots of dance from "Jimmy-jimmy aaja-aaja all the way to Nagada-nagada & Bachna ae Hasino") followed by great potluck food and light crackers - we also had prizes for best dancing couple and best kid dancer - all kids were judged best dancers !!


  • 11: Blue Angels / Fleet Week @SF:






    @Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco
    Cost - FREE.
    I try not to miss this every year - and end up watching this almost every alternate year - But this time was special - first time watching with my Son Aakarsh having proper sense of an Air-Show. He enjoyed the Air Show - especially the Blue Angels part - very much - and he paid full attention to my explanations on different Blue Angel formations - especially the COBRA act.


  • 10: Lowe's Ball Toss Game Build & Grow Event:
    @Lowe's Ridder Park Dr., San Jose
    Cost - FREE.
    This is really great - all you have to do is register your kid for the free event in time (before the limit of 50 kids is full) - you go to the Lowe's store you registered for before 10 AM. They welcome you nicely, give you the bag with all the necessary raw material for the project (Ball Toss Game this week) including the nails, etc. - they give you a hammer, Lowe's kid's size apron, kid's size protective eye goggles and a brick. EXCEPT the brick, you can take home EVERYTHING ELSE (including the hammer, apron, etc.).


    I helped Aakarsh positioning the nails and inserting them the initial few mm into the wood, the rest - he was pretty apt at picking up quickly and working his way through the completion of the full working Ball Toss Game. He not only enjoyed the process of hammerring the nails, etc., but also enjoyed playing the game after coming back home - AND more than anything else - he likes to put on the apron almost every day for few minutes since that day. I have already signed him up for the next 2 upcoming Lowe's FREE kids projects.


Sunday, October 11, 2009

Upcoming Activities/Events - 2009 October

Disclaimer: The information provided here is to the best of my knowledge (based on when I came to know about it) and for reference only. Even though I will try to keep the latest information posted here, but Changes/Cancellations/etc. may happen without notice to the information provided here. I can not be held liable for any kind of loss/injury caused by using this information or for any changes in the pricing/details/schedules or any kind of misinterpretation of the information here or for any thing. I am in no way involved in organizing these activities - I am merely providing the information as I know purely from the point of view of spreading the information and probably having a good time in case some of us happen to be at any of these events at the same time.

2009

October

(DIWALI / Halloween)


SPECIAL BOWLING COUPON Oct 16 - Nov 15: DETAILS IN MIDDLE



  • 03: Day in the Park:
    Where: Lake Cunningham Park, 2305 S White Road at Cunningham and Tully
    When: October 3, 2009 10am-4pm
    Cost: No information available
    A mega-fun family filled day of entertainment for children and their
    parents with a variety of food, kid's activities, a resource fair, and
    job fair component.


  • 03: Dandia - Stick-Dance:

    Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center
    Singers: PreetySha and Troupe
    Time: 7 PM - 12: 30 AM
    Cost: $13 per person / Kids under 5 - Free / parking free
    www.giftofvision.org/events/Events.htm
    Dandia events are always fun for the whole family & kids as well as singles. I have taken my girl friends to such events, been there with other friends, taken my wife, taken my kid to such events - and every time - it was a fun time of varying intensity. Though I would still say that the most memorable ones was the one held in Cal-State, Hayward few years back.


  • 03: Dandia - Stick-Dance:

    Venue: Centerville Junior High School, 37720 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
    Singers: Sharvari Dixit and Troupe (afaik)
    Time: 7.00 PM to 11.30 PM
    Cost: $15 per person / Kids under 10 - Free
    Palo Alto www.vibhadandia.org
    Dandia events are always fun for the whole family & kids as well as singles. I have taken my girl friends to such events, been there with other friends, taken my wife, taken my kid to such events - and every time - it was a fun time of varying intensity. Though I would still say that the most memorable ones was the one held in Cal-State, Hayward few years back.


  • 9 - 11: DIWALI MELA:


    Where: Sunnyvale Temple (420 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale)
    When: Oct 9 & 10 & 11
    Cost: FREE Parking - Entrance $7 per person per day
    Diwali celebrations enormisity and elegance in India is far more than the Chinese New Year or Independence day celebrations here in US. Even though the celebrations here in US for Diwali are no comparison to what they are back in India, but this Diwali Fair held in Hindu Temple is a fair attempt to reproduce the euphoria and nostalgia of being back in India at this time. The fair opens on Fri evening and goes till midnight on Fri, then whole day Sat and closes finally at 6PM on Sun - all this time, there will be lots of good Indian food, Indian cultural programs, Indian arts & crafts for sale, etc., etc. I plan to take Aakarsh there on Fri night atleast - Sat/Sun might be busy with Lowe's & Fleet week.


  • 10: Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic:
    Venue: Participating Lowe's locations
    Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
    Cost: Not sure (Free for first 50 kids ?)
    https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/default.asp
    On this date, kids make the Ball-Toss game.


  • 10: Dandia - Stick-Dance:

    Venue: Centerville Junior High School, 37720 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
    Singers: Sharvari Dixit and Troupe (afaik)
    Time: 7.00 PM to 11.30 PM
    Cost: $15 per person / Kids under 10 - Free
    Palo Alto www.vibhadandia.org
    Dandia events are always fun for the whole family & kids as well as singles. I have taken my girl friends to such events, been there with other friends, taken my wife, taken my kid to such events - and every time - it was a fun time of varying intensity. Though I would still say that the most memorable ones was the one held in Cal-State, Hayward few years back.


  • 10 - 11: SF Fleet Week & Blue Angels Air Show:


    Where: Pier39 area in San Francisco
    When: Oct 10 & 11
    Cost: FREE airshow viewing from most of the places (you only pay for specials - like boat rides, visit to ships, food, etc.)
    (FREE rides on the F-line on Oct10/11 - as per an ad - courtesy CVS Pharmacy)
    Blue Angels are perhaps one of the best air show fleets in the world - I try not to miss any showing in the bay area or adjoining areas - even the kids should like it - Aaakarsh will like for sure as he is very much fascinated by the airplanes.
    Schedules are as below:
    SATURDAY
    9am-5pm Navy in Space Exhibit, Fort Mason
    11:30am-12:30pm Parade of Fleet Week Ships
    12:30pm-3pm Air Show
    3pm-4pm Blue Angels
    9:30pm Fireworks at Pier 3
    SUNDAY
    9am-5pm Navy in Space Exhibit, Fort Mason
    11am-4pm Ship Tours
    12:30pm-3pm Air Show
    3pm-4pm Blue Angels


  • 11: FREE - Tech Museum Entrance:
    Where: Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose
    When: Oct 11
    Cost: FREE.
    Second Sunday of Every Month - free entrance for all ages - in October, the date is Oct 11 (I guess :-).


  • Oct 16 - Nov 15: FREE Bowling for upto 10 people:
    Where: AMF Moon Lite Lines, Santa Clara
    When: Oct 16 to Nov 15 (ANY one Day - with me (Ramneek) accompanying you)
    Cost: FREE GAME for upto 10 people - I Have the coupon.
    So, let's plan to hit the Moon Lite lines on a particular day - we are 3 - 7 more friends welcome - pls. reply or leave me a comment.


  • 17: OktoberFest Celebrations - German Style:
    Where: Historic Downtown Campbell
    When: Oct 17: 10 am - 6:00 pm
    Cost: Admission FREE / Parking FREE.
    Supposedly the most authentic Oktober Fest celebrations (German Style) in the Bay Area - not sure how many kids oriented events will be there - but I gues it wont harm to checkout something boasting of being the most authentic !
    http://www.campbellchamber.com/pages/specialevents/oktoberfest.htm


  • Oct 17: DIWALI @ Reals:
    Where: DIWALI Celebrations @ My Place, Santa Clara
    When: Oct 17
    Cost: Need to get onto Guest List - RSVP ASAP


  • 17 & 18: Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival:
    Where: Historic Main Street, Half Moon Bay
    When: Oct 17 & 18; Saturday & Sunday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (both days)
    Cost: Admission FREE / Parking - no information.
    Saturday, October 17
    7 a.m. Pancake Breakfast
    9 a.m. Festival Opens
    10 a.m. Costume Contest
    12 noon FedEx Great Pumpkin Parade
    2 p.m. Pie Eating Contest,(age 11 and under)
    2:15 p.m. Pie Eating Contest,(age 12 and over)
    3 p.m. The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Show
    5 p.m. Festival Closes
    Sunday, October 18
    7 a.m. Pancake Breakfast
    8 a.m. Pumpkin Run/Walk on Coastside Trail
    9 a.m. Festival Opens
    10 a.m. Pumpkin Carving For Fun (not a contest)
    2 p.m. Pie Eating Contest,(age 11 and under)
    2:15 p.m. Pie Eating Contest,(age 12 and over)
    3 p.m. The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Show
    5 p.m. Festival Closes
    PLUS: Pumpkin Patches, Marching band, Pumpkin carving, Haunted Barn, Giant pumpkin photos, etc.
    http://www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/schedule.html


  • 23, 24, 25, 30, 31: Halloween @Great America:
    Venue: Great America
    Time: Every Fri & Sat in Oct & Oct 25, 7 PM - mid-night
    Cost: Special Ticketed Event (check out Great America Web-site)
    During these Special days/times, Great America is hosting special haunts, mazes, rides, etc. on Halloween - separate ticketed event.


  • 24: Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic: Frankenstring Magic Trick:
    Venue: Participating Lowe's locations
    Time: 10 AM - 11 AM
    Cost: FREE for first 50 kids registered online
    https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/default.asp
    On this date, kids make the Frankenstring Magic Trick.
    Having gone to the similar event on Oct 10, I dont want to miss out the fun my son will have at this event.


  • 25: Sunnyvale Halloween Pet Parade:

    Where: Sunnyvale Downtown
    When: Oct 25, Sunday: 10 am - 4:30 pm
    Cost: Admission FREE.
    10:00 am - 11:30 am: Parade
    11:30 am - 04:30 pm: Faire
    I will like to check this out - seems quite different from others. Suppossed to be an annual event termed as "eye candy" for whole family. Pet and human costumes, American Pet Idol talent contest, etc. shall make this event more colorful.
    http://sanjose.org/visitors/events/dates.php?id=48581


  • 25: Michael's FREE Event: T-Shirt Coloring
    Venue: Participating Michael's locations
    Time: Sunday, Oct 25, 1 PM - 3 PM
    Cost: Need to purchase a T-Shirt
    Paint the T-Shirt using free paint supplies provided by Michael's - while supplies last.


  • 30: Warehouse of Horrors: Pre-Halloween Party - Free Stuff
    Venue: SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery, 577 S.Market St., San Jose
    Time: Friday, Oct 30, 6 PM - 10 PM
    Cost: Free admission
    Doors open at 6 PM and supposed to be some sort of haunting experience with store employees participation (not sure). As per my information, you can have a chance at getting free comic books & refreshments (not sure how many supplies they have).
    I think I will give it a try with my wife & son.


  • 30, 31 & Nov 1: FREE Tokens @Chuck E. Cheese's:
    Where: Participating Chuck E. Cheese's Locations
    When: Oct 30, 31 & Nov 1 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
    Cost: FREE 20 Tokens (Trick or Tokens).


  • 31: Michael's FREE Event: Free Halloween Stuff
    Venue: Participating Michael's locations
    Time: Saturday, Oct 31, 10 AM - Noon
    Cost: FREE
    Free trick or treat pail, Free coloring activity, Free Crayola pencil topper demo and Make-it Take-it Halloween frame, Free balloon and candy - while supplies last.


  • 31: Halloween & Parade:

    Where: History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose
    When: Saturday, October 31: 1pm to 4 pm
    Cost: Admission is $2.00 per person or $5.00 for four
    An old fashioned, scare-free Halloween Party - a fun, safe, and family-friendly experience for all.
    Trick or Treat at the Historic Houses in the Park
    Costume Parade and Contest at 2 PM
    Other attractions include: Trolly Rides, Wrap-a-Mummy contest, Jack-o-Lantern Contest, Halloween Story Time.