Healthy Trails Challenge

On Sunday, the official beginning of our recent heat-wave, my husband "treated" me and the kids to a surprise hike of Los Gatos Creek Trail where he used to do training runs (the shadeless and dusty stretch which starts near Forbes Mill, underneath the fancy shops on University and stretches beside Highway 17 to Lex. Reservoir). I had vaguely remembered the three hour "death march" we took at this particular trail when we were first dating, but I held my tongue in the hopes of being a good sport and a role model for the kids. However, with three of us girls soon counting spiderwebs to kill the time and whining,"are we there yet," above the din of the freeway, it re-freshened my memory of the first experience. Tricked again!

But I was happy to pick up a brochure about a new program called the Healthy Trails Challenge. Once you've registered, You and the family have 12 months to hike 5 of the 21 trails in the Santa Clara County Parks system and log your activities. With the second set of 5 trails you are promised a free gift (...new shoes...we could only dream!) So bring your hats and water bottles. The County Park's activity calendar is also available online.

Quicksilver County Park's Mining Museum Grand Re-opening

Years ago we were scouting rural wedding locations and my husband and I took a drive into New Almaden. We had read about the Casa Grande, an 1854 historic mining hotel owned now by the County Parks Department. It is located in a lovely setting near a brook with mature trees and a patio for hosting events. Unfortunately, the facility was no longer rented for private functions, but luckily it has recently undergone a long renovation and the mining museum will be open to the public for a re-dedication day on:

Pioneer Day
Oct. 9, 2010 from 11am-3pm.

Activities will include:
Children's games, entertainment, the "Original Well's Fargo Coach" and a horse-drawn wagon. Food available for purchase.

It's sure to be a great resource to introduce local history to students and families, thanks to the fine efforts of all the volunteers and County Parks Dept.

NOVA/ Connect Job Seekers Center

Anyone affected by the recession or just interested in developing their future career goals should check out this great free resource center for all things job-search related: resume workshops, career advisement, computer classes and interview preparation. It is located near the Sunnyvale Public Library, at 420 S. Pastoria Avenue. 408/774-2365.

Connect! Calendar

I plan to attend one of their career advisement sessions soon and will report back on my observations.

Autumn Book Festival

We came across this flyer for an upcoming scholarship fundraiser the other day while attending an event at San Jose State's Career Center:

Paul F. Byrd
Autumn Book Festival
Sat. Oct. 16, 2010

Divine Science Community Center
1540 Hicks Avenue
San Jose

• Huge Book Sale with free Harry Potter books for the first 50 kids 14 and under.
  
• Free T-shirts and balloons (while supplies last)

We love a good used book sale and frequently shop the Friends book sale sections at our local branch libraries for beginning chapter books and VHS tapes, so this sale will definitely go on the family calendar!

Free Pass to Lawrence Hall of Science

Here is a free pass for one youth admission (age 3-18) with the purchase of an adult ticket, to Lawrence Hall of Science:

https://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/exhibits/youthpass/youthpass.php

Free Cooking Events

Stopping in at the impressive Whole Foods in Sunnyvale the other morning for a quick tour before an appointment, I happened upon something new to me: Cooking seminars in their demonstration classroom! What better way to brush up on a few new recipes to put into the family rotation. Some of their choices included: Kids Cooking with the Culinary Dude ($25.00 for two hours) to Wich'-Craft: The Art of Making Innovative Sandwiches ($35.00 for two hours). They also host tons of FREE special events and workshops, such as a Food Fest, a program on healthy school lunch menus and Hot August Nights: Battle of the Burgers and Brews. I confess that this up-market chain is not on my regular shopping circuit. But I just love "window shopping" at their deli and gleaning ideas for my own summery salads.

Check out their Calendar for August.