This year will be the year to top all years before! the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce has outdone themselves, yet again, in organizing an amazing event for everyone in the SF Bay Area! On Saturday July 19th and Sunday July 20th, Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park will be transformed into one of the most delightful, family friendly summer events the Bay Area has to offer, The 22nd Connoisseurs’ Marketplace!

Let me walk you though the essentials. Santa Cruz Avenue will be closed off from University Ave to El Camino. Ample parking is located in the lots along Oak Grove Ave and Menlo Avenue, both run parallel to Santa Cruz. For the locals, and those so inclined, I say, “Pack up the kids, wagons, bikes, trikes, and head on down!” There will be bike parking areas on the inner corners of Santa Cruz Avenue, throughout the fair. The event does ask that all pets are left at home.

The main music stage will be at Fremont Park, on the corner of Santa Cruz and University. On Saturday July 19th from 5:30 to 8 PM, enjoy an after-hours free concert by Double Funk Crunch. There is plenty of room to picnic and dance! The first food area is also located in this area on Santa Cruz. Walking east the first new item added is the Burt’s Bee “Hive” on the south side of University Drive and Santa Cruz. The Kids’ Fun Zone if located on the northern corner of University and Santa Cruz.

As you meander down the fair, there are artists or all varieties, beverages, and smaller music venues. The food selection is varied and delicious! From Gyros and hawaiian BBQ, to Pupusas and Gumbo, this Marketplace will have it all! At the north corner of Chestnut and Santa Cruz is the Gillette Fusion Tent. They will be having free traditional barber shaves, (among other interesting activities), which are recommended before the BBQ. 

The Connoisseurs’ Marketplace and Santa Cruz Avenue come to and end with yet another large food area and a new addition called “Organic Alley“. The Alley, promoting organic and sustainable farming and produce, is located on Johnson Alley and Santa Cruz. You might think of it as the alley you park in when you run the kids to Cold Stone Creamery. 

The Connoisseur’s Marketplace runs from 10 AM until 6 PM, both Saturday and Sunday. So, brake out the walking shoes and sunscreen! Saddle up the kids! And come down to Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park for a fun filled family friendly event!

See you there!

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Michelle Rocks! Obama ‘08 t-shirts for the whole family, hoodies, dog shirts and more are all now available at http://www.cafepress.com/menlomamma.

Happy Shopping!

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This Saturday and Sunday, head to my favorite city south of Menlo Park, yet before you hit Santa Barbara, Los Altos, CA.  Along the beautiful, tree lined streets of its town, The Los Altos Village Association is presenting their annual Los Altos Art and Wine Festival. 

The event begins Saturday July, 12th at 10 AM and runs until 6PM. Saturday night from 6-8PM, there will be a free concert by The Heartbeats on the Main Stage. So bring the kids and your dancing shoes. 

Both State and Main Streets will be closed off for the activities. This year there will be a wide variety of artisans selling their work, music, delicious food, micro brews, and wine tasting featuring local vintners. And debuting this year will be an all new Kidzone! So, there is something for everyone!

The event planner does ask that people do not bring their pets. Which is a no brainer, as we all know dog’s feet burn on hot cement. Pads are not shoes.;)

Have a great time at this fabulous event on our magnificent peninsula!!

Cheers!

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A friend sent this to me, and I just had to share, as the positive energy is just infectious!

Come visit my store on CafePress!

I just love the Obamas! Intelligent, confident, thoughtful, what is not to like?! Second to that, I love fun t-shirts for the littles that make me laugh. The “Michelle Rocks” is actually serious though, because, well, she does!

These are to be worn proudly to summer camp, swim lessons, Tahoe vacations, and every Menlo Park event all summer long! Happy Shopping! 

Grab the kids and head downtown! The Menlo Park Block Party  begins this Wednesday June 25th.  From 6-9:30 PM, walk around downtown, listen to music, eat great food, and celebrate our exceptional community of Menlo Park. 

Adding even more action to downtown, The Summer Concert Series premiere event coincides with the Block Party.  From 6:30 - 7:30 PM come to Fremont Park on the corner of Santa Cruz and University Avenue in Menlo Park to listen to Fred McCarty. Tables at the park can be reserved by calling 650.330.2208.  People are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, chairs, dinner, and fully enjoy the event. Kudos to Menlo Park Community Events for providing such a wonderful treasure! Wear your dancing shoes, big kids and little kids alike!

My personal recommendation is to hit the children’s play area set up on Santa Cruz Avenue first. Cheeky Monkey will be donating a jumpy house for the event. Once some energy has been expended, you can stroll the Avenue chatting with friends and enjoying the event. Stay downtown for dinner. Many locally owned and operated restaurants such as Bistro Vida will be open with extended outdoor seating, music, delicious French food. A simply delightful atmosphere to dine and socialize when you are block partied out. Ask nicely and they will make your little ones a yummy grilled cheese with pommes frites that is scrumptious. 

E-mail your friends, make some phone calls, load up the wagons, jump on your bikes, and spend a wonderful summer evening out in your downtown! See you there!

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If ever you are looking for a fun way to spend a lovely summer night out, check out the outdoor movie nights in Downtown Los Altos, CA.  Downtown Los Altos is a treasure on the peninsula. And on every Friday night, beginning June 20th, they will be showing a movie outdoors on Main Street. 

Movies play after dinner time. The street is closed at 6 PM and the movie starts by 8:30.  Some families elect to do picnic dinners. Others may opt for one of the many friendly and wonderful restaurants in the downtown area. My pick it Maltby’s. Located at 101 Plaza North, Maltby’s is one of my favorite peninsula restaurants. And when you add “kid friendly” into the equation, it just may rank # 1. 

In concise form, here is what I love about Maltby’s. First, the service there is fantastic!  Without exception, the wait staff is well trained, competent, and polite. There is a thorough children’s menu. For those with children who are particular when food is concerned, know that your child will be a fan. As an entertainment bonus, Crayons and paper are provided. And C, the food is delicious! I have yet to have a meal that is not well prepared and served in a timely manner. The Chicken Cobb Sandwich is nothing short of casual culinary genius. If anyone if a fan of fries, these will rock your world. Side salads are also a delectable option. And, did I mention that the price is right as well?! 

Lastly, a lovely aspect of Maltby’s is that you can dine outside. You and your family can sit outside, under trees on sidewalk tables that line the restaurant in beautiful Downtown Los Altos. It really is a pleasant experience where everyone goes away happy. My only regret is that they have not opened one in Downtown Menlo Park. Yet? Here’s hoping! Bon Appetit! Enjoy the evening!

Sooo not “green“, but it is the only sunscreen that does not invariably lead to tears in a child’s eyes. Banana Boat Baby Tear Free is now at Coscto in Redwood City, CA. They currently selling bundles of 2 eight oz. spray cans and 1 one oz. cream tube of their 50 SPF made with AvoTriplex, a photostable UVA technology. So, stock up for the summer!

If you are battling the eco-mom dilemma, I would like to share my experience. Whole Foods Market has some great, high SPF, baby and child formulated , organic sunscreens. These will inevitably ruin your day at the pool or the lake. For the sake of time, I will skip the hour long list of everything you, as the star mom you are, do to prepare everyone for your fabulous day of fun in the sun. Enough said, here’s how your day will play out with your pasty, organic SPF 70:
1. Lube up for the day.
2. Child hits the water.
3. Water hits the eyes of said child.
4. Child cries from the burning sensation of the sunscreen in his/her eyes, which leads to the immediate wiping the eyes, further saturating them with burning sunscreen.
5. Mom drops everything and spends the next 30 minutes trying to clear the sunscreen out of child’s eyes. (I have witnessed everything from direct express breast milk to lake water.)

The best part of this great scenario where you have come to the rescue, calmed your child, cleared the sunscreen and tears away, is that it will be nighttime before you notice the sunburn they got from not having adequate coverage for the rest of their day.

So my vote is, if you go into water, suck up the green thing, and go for the Banana Boat Baby Tear Free. Recycle the can, wash them down with organic, paraben-free soap when they are done, but protect their skin and eyes from burning. And have a much happier day at play. Happy tear free summer!