Category: Youth

Meet Angie Torres, Dance Machine

If you don’t have a little person under the age of 6 in your home, you may not have met instructor, Angie Torres. Angie has been teaching gymnastics with Arista’s Jump Start Gymnastics for three years and has recently added Children’s Ballet & Tap as well as Jazz & Tap classes for adults here at Red Morton Community Center. I met with Angie recently to go over Spring & Summer class ideas and was overwhelmed by the crazy amounts of energy she exuded. She can start a class at 9am and finish at 9pm, exercising the same amount of high-energy throughout the entire day!  I felt like I needed a nap after our meeting, but in a good way OF COURSE!  Here’s a little more about our beloved, resident Energizer Bunny!

When & Why did you start dancing?
I have been dancing since I was seven years old. I went to see the San Francisco Ballet perform the Nutcracker and I fell in love with the Sugar Plum Fairy. I wanted to be just like her, so I started taking lessons. Ballet was my first love, but soon I discovered my passion for jazz and tap as well.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was very young I wanted to be a school teacher. As I got older I wanted to be a dance teacher (and a broadway star!).

When did you start teaching?
I began teaching dance at age eleven. My mother had an art camp which she ran out of our house. She taught painting in the garage, and I would teach dance in the play room downstairs. We had about 40 kids a week. At the end of each week we would have a show for the parents. I have been teaching ballet, tap and jazz at Kirkpatrick’s School of Dance in San Mateo for six years as well as gymnastics with Arista for three years.

Fun Facts

Favorite Style of Dance: Jazz

Favorite Broadway Show: Guys and Dolls.

Favorite Performer: Bette Midler.

Favorite TV Show: Modern Family

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake AND Chocolate Mousse!

If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be?: Betty Boop

Come learn to dance this Winter from a seasoned dancer who makes learning fun. Classes for kids adults are held at Red Morton Community Center.

Click links to register for Angie’s classes!

Children’s Ballet & Tap – Ages 5-7
FRIDAYS 3:45-4:45pm
REGISTER (in progress 1/13-2/210)
REGISTER (2/24-3/30)

FRIDAYS 4:45-5:45pm
REGISTER (2/24-3/30)

Adult Jazz
THURSDAYS  8-9pm
REGISTER (1/19-2/16)
REGISTER (3/1-3/29)

Adult Tap
MONDAYS  8-9pm
REGISTER (1/23-3/26)

Tips for a Safe Halloween

 

If you grew up listening to your parents tell you that every apple would have a razor blade inside, some of these helpful tips will sound OBVIOUS to you. If you are more the type to take candy from a stranger (which we will all be doing on Halloween night), then read on! The Redwood City Police Department has put together this great list of safety tips too help all of us – adults & children alike- have a safe and candyriffic Halloween night!

ADULTS
  • Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.
  • Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.
  • Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately.   In San Jose call  9-1-1.
  • Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.

MOTORISTS

Exercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle.  Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.

TRICK OR TREAT TIPS
Make sure your kids dress up safely
  • Make sure costumes are flame retardant so children aren’t in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns.
  • Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night.
  • Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable, and they can obstruct a child’s vision, a dangerous thing when kids are crossing streets and going up and down steps.
  • Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
Make trick-or-treating trouble free
  • Create a map of a safe trick-or treating route and set a time limit for your children to “trick-or-treat”.
  • Trick-or-treaters should always be in groups so they aren’t a tempting target for real-life goblins. Parents should accompany young children.
  • Make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so you will know where they are going. Tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
  • Try to get your kids to trick-or-treat while it’s still light out. If it’s dark, make sure someone has a flashlight and pick well-lighted streets.
  • Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
  • Do not accept rides from strangers.
  • Remind kids to keep a safe distance from moving cars.
  • Cross only at street corners, never between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection.
  • Look in all directions before crossing the street, and obey all traffic signals. Walk, never run, across the street, and use sidewalks, not the street, for walking.
  • Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
  • Do not eat any treats until parents have inspected them.
  • Discard any homemade or unwrapped treats.
Check all treats before eating
  • It’s hard for kids to hold back from eating their treats until they get home. One way to keep trick-or-treaters from digging in while they’re still out is to feed them a meal or a snack beforehand.
  • Check out all candy in a well-lighted place when your trick-or-treater gets home.
  • What to eat? Only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Don’t forget to inspect fruit and homemade goodies for anything suspicious. By all means remind kids not to eat everything at once or they’ll be feeling pretty ghoulish for while!
  • Halloween can be a lot of fun for parents and kids alike–if everybody remembers the tricks and treats of playing it safe.
COSTUMES etc:
A note to parents:
  • Make sure your children’s costumes are not flammable.
  • Do not permit your children to wear cumbersome, floor length or vision-impairing costumes.
  • Reflectorized stripes make your costume more visible.
  • In lieu of masks, we recommend face make up.
  • Wear comfortable, safe shoes.
  • Call 9-1-1 if you suspect any tainted candy.

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Is Your Child Ready For Camp?

redwoodcitycamps.org
{ Kids enjoying their first camp experience at Stulsaft Park }

Parents! Does the word “Summer” ignite feelings of panic about how you are going to entertain your child all season long? Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services is again offering a variety of fun and enriching camps for preschoolers this summer. Our camps are built to be inviting, caring and chock full of age appropriate activities for your little one, to help to ensure a positive first camp experience.

Camp is a great opportunity to try something new.  Because our camps are usually half-day and one week long, it gives parents flexibility to pick and choose from a variety of themes and topics so kids can have varying experiences. It can also provide some “drop-off” practice for the first day of preschool.

Here are some tips to help get you over the hurdle of deciding if your young child is ready for camp, as well as tips for making the transition much easier:

Your child may be ready for camp if …

  1. Shows signs of independence, goes to school, is accustomed to being separated from you for extended periods and or has older brothers or sister they look up to.
  2. Enjoys making new friends and doing hands on activities.
  3. Enjoys playdates with other children.

Which camp to pick?

  1. Is your child crazy about the outdoors, dinosaurs, soccer, dance, art, bugs, fairytales, cooking etc? Pick a camp that will keep your child’s interest. Many camps will have a theme listed when you sign up. Consider your child’s interests when making a selection.
  2. Ask neighbors and friends about camp suggestions, they can be some of the greatest resources.
  3. Consider if your child would do better in a full day or half day camp setting. If a full day would be too long, consider sending them to a half day camp. Many times a half day is a perfect amount of time for a new camper.

Tips for a better transition

  1. A short and sweet goodbye works best for all. After you sign your child into camp, give them a hug and kiss, introduce them to their leader, and tell them to have a great day.
  2. Make sure your camper has what they need to go to camp. All their clothes and lunch box are labeled with their name since many times campers may have the same items.
  3. If you have specific parent questions about camp or the activities call before the camp starts that way you have your answers before dropping off your child on the first day.
  4. If your camp is held at a local park or community center it may be a good idea to visit the location with your child beforehand.
  5. Before the first day of camp you may want to talk to your child about going to camp and the exciting things they will be doing.
  6. On average, 8 year olds are ready for “sleepover” camp. To ease the transition, kids should experience sleeping over at a relative’s or friend’s house at least one night before going to an overnight camp.

Camps start June 20th. It’s not too late to sign up. Visit our Redwood City Camp Website for more information at RedwoodCityCamps.org.  This list can also be found on our Camp Website.

Record-Breaking Turnout for Motorcycle Poker Run!

350 motorcyclists turned out for the 7th Annual Poker Run!

Record-Breaking Turnout for Motorcycle Poker Run – $40,000 Raised for San Mateo County Kids

Redwood City, CA – A record-breaking crowd turned out for the 7th Annual Redwood City Poker Run on Saturday, May 14. An incredible total of 350 motorcyclists and guests showed up on over 300 motorcycles to raise money for Redwood City’s After School Sports Programs, including Redwood City Police Activities League and Redwood City Parks & Recreation, as well as the San Mateo County Sheriffs Activities League. The entire goal of the event is to help children in San Mateo County, and this event really accomplished that, having raised nearly $40,000 for that great cause!

Jason Pullen Stunt Rider
Jason Pullen, Motorcycle Stunt Rider

The economic situation today is particularly challenging for many kids growing up in San Mateo County, and they need the community’s help more than ever. This annual motorcycle ride fundraiser is a great way a lot of folks to give back to the community, while having a great time. The fundraising ride was assisted by the California Highway Patrol, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, and put together with the dedicated work of many great volunteers. The main sponsors of this fabulous fundraiser are Dudley Perkins Co. and the Golden Gate Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter.

It was a beautiful ride up Highway 35 and along the beautiful San Mateo County coastline, and this year included a surprise guest, stunt motorcycle rider Jason Pullen, to add a little more excitement to the day. The prize drawing included fabulous items such as a 42-inch flat screen, and a several of sets of new tires. The entire event was a great success, and most importantly raised significant funds for kids in San Mateo County.

The official event website is redwoodcitypokerrun.com where there is more information about this wonderful annual fundraiser.

Top 5 Reasons Redwood City LOVES Andy Z!

 
How AWESOME is Andy Z &  The Andyland Band’s, Pumpkin Patch video? Show it to your kids and get them revved up for Saturday’s Concert (see below).
 

If you are saying to yourself…”WHO IS ANDY Z?” our guess is that you do not have a young child.  That aside, Andreas Zamenes, aka Andy Z, has been entertaining children up and down the Peninsula, around the Bay Area, at Birthday Parties galore and more recently over the airwaves of internet radio, Pandora!  Whether he’s gracing us with his repertoire of “Kindie” Rock, with hilarious original songs influenced by the likes of Smashmouth and Bob Marley or leading a group of exuberant little fans around our Courthouse Square akin to a modern day Pied Piper, Andy Z is sure to not only entertain your family, but bring out your inner-child.

Why do WE love Andy Z so much?

  1. He takes our children away from our their iPads and Televisions and into the imaginary world of Andyland.
  2. He gives us songs that can bridge the gap between classic childrens music and something we actually might CHOOSE to listen to!
  3. Getting into an Andy Z show is much easier than landing tickets to American Idol…oh and did I mention…usually FREE!
  4. Andy z and The Andyland Band don’t just sing songs, but put on a REAL INTERACTIVE SHOW, complete with kids in costume and dare I say Mob Dances? Well maybe that is a little extreme, but his Rendition of Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum sure gets those kids up and moving!
  5. And lastly…HE’S FROM REDWOOD CITY!

Not to worry! The word on the street is that he is expanding his reach to “Tweeners” (kids ages 8-12) with his newest Halloween Adventure themed album, due out on October 1, 2011. You can look forward to many many more years with Andy Z!

See Andy Z and the Andyland Band this Saturday, May 7,  from 11am-1pm on Courthouse Square in Redwood City! Families will enjoy a fun kid’s concert, an inflatable playland, and can also create a Mother’s Day Gift in the craft area. Bring sunglasses for you and the kids, it is sure to be a bright and beautiful day on the Square!

This concert is sponsored by the Redwood City Mother’s Club, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, and the Redwood City Redevelopment Agency.

He Sings, He Acts, He Teaches Kids! Meet William O’Neill.

Drama teacher Bill O'Neill

Who is William O’Neill?

When William O’Neill came to us, I thought, “could this guy be for real?”  Baritone Opera Singer, Actor, Drama Teacher, a performing arts Jack-of-all trades! Plus, his easy-going presence, playful demeanor and enthusiasm for the Arts was hard to ignore. Oh…and he also founded a very popular Theater and Singing program through the City of San Clemente PARKS & RECREATION! YES!  Thankfully, he decided to move up north and join us in Redwood City. He will be teaching After-School and Summer Theater programs this season (see below). We are excited to announce, that the Summer Camp will be held at the AMAZING Carrington Hall at Sequoia High School.

William, aka “Bill” started doing theater when he was very young. His Church-Music-Director-Father encouraged him to try singing and acting.  Bill started singing in the choir at the ripe age of five years old, and ventured on to do his first musical when he was eight. He has NEVER STOPPED SINCE!  His love for performing brought him to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he graduated with a M.A. in Voice and Opera. Bill has performed in many productions at the SF Conservatory of Music. Some of his more noteworthy parts include: Bottom, in A MidSummer Night’s Dream; Sarastro,  in The Magic Flute; Don Magnifico, in the opera of Cinderella; and Colline, in La Boheme.

Check out his Pipes & Chops in this video of Bill performing in La Boheme:

Some Fun Facts About Bill:

Fave movie: I’d have to say it’s toss up between The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter Movies. I’m a big fantasy buff!

Fave TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Iron Chef America

Fave Actors: Male: Matt Damon / Female: Natalie Portman

Fave Dessert: Gourmet Cupcakes! Especially from places like Sprinkles or Kara’s Cupcakes.

Fave place to see a show: Broadway in New York, OF COURSE! Second is Carrington Hall in Redwood City 😉

First acting role: A street kid in the musical of Cinderella when I was 8. My first speaking part, was Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol when I was in 7th grade.

Fave acting role: My favorite show I’ve ever been in is actually one I’m doing right now. It’s called a Year With Frog and Toad. I’m performing it with Bay Area Children’s Theater. I play the part of Toad.

First movie you ever saw: Hahaha… I think it was probably the original Tron in the early 80’s. I also recall seeing the original Clash of the Titans around the same time. So I’m not sure…

What does Music & the Arts mean to you?: I have advice for all of the kids out there, to never give up on your dreams. When I was a kid I had a lot of speech problems to overcome, but doing things like music and theater is what helped me to break though those problems and give me self-confidence. I wouldn’t be the adult I am today without all the training I had a as a child.

Camp & Class Information:

3rd-5th graders can enjoy…
Adventures in Theater Workshop – Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm beginning April 5th for 8 weeks
CLICK HERE FOR INFO/REGISTRATION

5th-8th graders can enjoy…
Too Much Drama! – Thursdays, 3:30-5pm beginning April 7th for 8 weeks
CLICK HERE FOR INFO/REGISTRATION

Summer Camp at Carrington Hall…
Summer Performing Arts Program – Monday through Friday, 8:30am-3pm, July 11-22. 
CLICK HERE FOR INFO/REGISTRATION



Sandpiper Kids Bake for a Cause

collage of kids and bake sale

Last year, the children of the Sandpiper Youth Club Program in Redwood Shores, wanted to do something for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake. They of course did what they knew best…have a bake sale! A goal of $1000 was set, and in less than 3 hours, they accomplished it! The recent devastation in Japan prompted our program’s fearless leader, Telisha “I came to teach you” Brent to embark on a repeat performance.  Armed with homemade flyers and enthusiasm, the staff and children promoted their sale for Tsunami/Earthquake Relief on the Monday prior to Friday’s sale. They informed the community and the school, and asked for donations of baked goods or cash to support their endeavor. Our staff also agreed to bake cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc. in the name of charity, on their own time.

cupcakes!Over 25 parents brought baked goods from home and Telisha “I reach out to my friends” Brent tapped into her  network and was able to secure 100 more cupcakes from a friend of hers who was interning at a bakery! They had over 500 cupcakes alone!  Our kids were somewhat saddened on the day of the main event, when the weather became extremely uncooperative which unfortunately added some poetic justice to the cause. Gale force winds, sheets of rain and even a TORNADO WARNING (what???) stood in the way of their hopes, but did not discourage their efforts in the least. The Bake Sale had less exposure to passers-by, as it had to be relocated indoors.  Surprisingly, the act of charity prevailed and approximately 300 people purchased or just made a donation to the cause.

yummy cupcake!This time, the children had set a goal of $1500 and were recognizably excited about donating, and at times, buying a couple of items and paying with a $20 and donating the change. The outcome? They raised a whopping $1042 for Japan Relief Efforts.

Besides raising money to help those in need, Telisha  feels strongly, that “events like these are important to involve children in to teach them a sense of compassion. The children were willing and eager to help, and to be honest…that was just as important as the money they raised.”  They had a sense of pride and a strong feeling that they too have made a difference.

Ready…Set…RUN!

Ahhh… the wind in their hair, the smell of fresh air, getting their hearts pumping while keeping their fingers from texting… such great benefits can be attained through the extremely accessible sport of running! Running doesn’t require expensive equipment, just a pair of good shoes and a desire to get out there and do one’s best!

Ready, Set, Run is a “character building” running program for Boys and Girls, ages 8-13, that will prepare kids to participate in a 5K (3.1 mile) run—The Redwood City 4TH OF JULY FUN RUN!

  • Participants will receive 12 weeks of running instruction, a training manual, t-shirt, and enrollment into the Redwood City, 4th of July Fun Run.
  • COST: $25.00
  • Topics Covered: Proper physical training and nutrition, goal-setting, confidence, peer pressure, self-esteem, respecting authority, etc.
  • MANDATORY PARENT ORIENTATION: MARCH 24TH @ 6PM RED MORTON CENTER.

Program Days/Dates: April 4th-July 4th Mondays & Wednesdays
Times: 4pm-5:30pm (No class 4/18-2/22)
Location: Kennedy Middle School (Stulsaft/Sequoia HS)

Registration Deadline: March 16th, 2011. Click here for a registration form!

We are very excited about offering this new program to the youth of Redwood City! If you have any questions, please contact Erin Niemeyer at 650.780.7335.