PotreroHillParents.org

After all the hoopla surrounding Mother’s Day, one of my favorite black intellectuals Chris Rock puts the appreciation of fathers in the proper perspective…

Everybody takes Daddy for granted. Everything’s Mama. Dear Mama. Always loved my Mama. What’s the Daddy song? “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone.” Nobody appreciates Daddy.

Now, Mama’s got the roughest job. l ain’t gonna front. But at least people appreciate Mama. Every time Mama do something right, Mama gets a compliment… ’cause women need to hear compliments all the time.

Women need food, water, and compliments. That’s right. And an occasional pair of shoes. That’s right. Women got to hear it all the time, or they lose their minds.

And get Daddy to make sure you thank your Mama for everything. Tell your Mama how good the food is. Tell her how nice the house looks. Tell your Mama how nice her hair looks.

“Did you tell your Mama? You better go in there and tell your Mama!” That’s right. Tell your Mama! Tell your Mama! Tell your Mama!

Nobody ever tells Daddy sh*t. Read more »

Hard to really believe, but according to this article. Our kids are finding a new way to facilitate communication with their cell phones. Just when we thought we could prevent them from using their phones in school, some genious figures out how to create a ring tone that the teachers apparently can’t hear. Go figure, will they ever stop outsmarting us? Let’s hope not

NEW YORK - Students are using a new ring tone to receive messages in class, and many teachers can’t even hear the ring.

Some students are downloading a ring tone off the Internet that is too high-pitched to be heard by most adults. With it, high schoolers can receive text message alerts on their cell phones without the teacher knowing.

Read more…..

LIBRARY NEWS
June 2006

BRANCH RENOVATION UPDATE
Plans are moving forward for branch renovation. In order to enlarge the branch by extending the second floor over the library’s existing first floor, the design must come before the city’s Planning Department for review. A notice will be posted at the branch announcing the upcoming variance hearing. If you haven’t seen the design yet, stop by the library today to get a close-up look. You can also check the library’s website at http://sfpl.org/news/blip/potrerosurvey.htm and click on “Design Plans”. For further information about the Branch Library Improvement Program, please call 415/557-4354.

And on a related noted: Potrero Hill residents had the opportunity last month to meet artist Gina Telcocci, who will be creating an artwork for the renovated branch. Ms. Telcocci is a sculptor who creates three-dimensional artworks with plants and other natural materials. For further information about the new Potrero Branch artwork process, call Judy Moran, Arts Commission Public Art Project Manager, at 415/252-2586.

FOR TEENS THIS SUMMER
If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, you can join the library’s TEEN SUMMER READ 2006, which runs from June 16 through July 28. Come in and sign up, keep track of what you read and your time, fill out a “Comment Card” for each 10 hours of reading that you do, and receive prizes for reading!

SOMETHING FOR CHILDREN
“Don’t Bug Me…I’m Reading” is the theme for San Francisco Public Library’s 2006 Summer Reading Club, which runs from June 17 through August 12. The purpose of the Summer Reading Club is to encourage children to keep reading during the summer. Preschool-age children also can participate by having someone read to them. All children up through age 13 who join the club and participate will receive small incentive prizes for reading, and upon completion of reading for eight or more hours, will receive a grand prize. Grand prize options include the following: paperback books, theme-related toys, and passes to Bay Area museums and attractions such as the Presidio Bowling Center, the California Academy of Sciences, Bay Area Discovery Museum, ZEUM, and San Francisco Zoo. Come to the library for more details.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS IN JUNE
In conjunction with the Summer Reading Club, Potrero Library will have many free programs for children throughout the summer, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Library. Here’s the lineup of this month’s special programs:
Thursday, June 22 at 10:30 a.m. “Snuggle Bunny Sing-Along”, featuring storyteller and singer Sheila Rubin. For children of all ages.
Wednesday, June 28 at 2:00 p.m. Live from the Insect Discovery Lab! Fascinating bugs come to the library. For children ages 5 and up.

There are also other programs for children throughout the month:
Infant/toddler lapsit, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes on Thursdays, June 1, 15, and 29 at 10:30 a.m. For children newborn through age 3.

Evening storytime on Tuesdays, June 6, 20, and 27 at 7:00 p.m. For ages 3 to 7 years old.

Evening films on Tuesday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m.: “Let’s Give Kitty a Bath”, “The Ceterpillar and the Polliwog” and “The Foolish Frog”. For ages 3 and older.

Please note: All library programs are free. Meeting room is not accessible by elevator. Groups, please call in advance for reservations.

Jensa Woo
Potrero Branch Library Manager

The first 4 or 5 months are simple, babies only need formula or breastmilk and they’re as happy as can be. Then it’s time to introduce solid foods. It can be a big decision. Is it hard to make baby food? How bad is the jar food? Will my baby develop bad habits depending on what he eats (or doesn’t eat) first?

Although it sometimes seems like there’s never enough time to do anything these days, the article below explains how important early nutrition is, and also how making healthy food for your baby is not all that hard or time consuming. Of course, I always keep a couple of jars on hand, just in case.

A Fresh Start to Healthy Eating

Introducing solid foods is a very important step in your baby’s development and well-being. In fact, studies show that babies who are fed nutritious, healthy diets grow into stronger kids and better-adjusted eaters than those who are fed poor diets.

Many parents don’t realize that making baby food at home is a simple and economical plan to provide your baby with the best in quality, nutrition and taste. It makes it easy for you to ensure your child gets the best start possible. Making baby food using fresh, all-natural ingredients has many benefits, including:

* Increased nutritional value
* Elimination of additives
* Improved freshness
* Added variety
* Enhanced control
* Lower costs

Read more…

In advance of Marion Nestle’s upcoming Potrero Hill event to discuss her new book, What To Eat, PotreroHillParents.org had the opportunity to ask the author and well-known nutrionist some questions about food, health and parenting.

Here’s our exclusive interview:

PHP: In your latest book What to Eat, you mention that there’s not just one single nutrient that will make you healthy. Can you give us a few examples of how we can make sure our kids are eating healthy?

Nestle: Oops. That isn’t quite what I meant. One single nutrient alone won’t make you healthy. You need enough—but not too much–of all of them. Since there are more than fifty nutrients required for health, you would go crazy trying to keep track of them one at a time. The great thing about food is that you don’t have to. Unprocessed foods contain loads of nutrients, although the proportions of single nutrients differ. That’s why eating lots of different kinds of foods is a really good idea. If you can encourage your kids to taste and try many different foods, even eating small amounts of them, you really don’t need to worry about single nutrients (and if you still have nagging doubts, give them a multivitamin).

PHP: From unhealthy school lunches to being bombarded by television ads for junk food, we recognize how “tempting” it is these days for kids to eat the wrong foods. What advice can you give parents to keep their children on track nutritionally?

Nestle: I see three problems with junk foods. They are heavily advertised to make kids want them, they are highly processed so they are not as nutritious as “real” foods, and they are loaded with calories which today’s kids don’t need. Worse, the advertising is designed to make kids think they are supposed to eat those foods, and not the foods that you eat. Kids should be eating foods for grownups, just smaller amounts and not heavily salted or sugared. If you don’t want your kids eating junk foods, don’t have those foods in the house.

PHP: How can parents get involved to create real change in the way schools feed our kids?
Read more »

Submitted by Jensa Woo

LIBRARY NEWS
May 2006

A NEIGHBORHOOD CELEBRATION
The 51st Annual Potrero Hill Artists’ Exhibition was on display last month at the Potrero Branch Library and was well-received by folks who stopped in to view the artwork. This year, artwork was submitted by eight-one artists who live, work, or study on Potrero Hill. A show like this would not have been possible without the help and support of many. A hearty “Thank you!” to all who worked to make this year’s exhibition and opening reception a memorable one:
Read more »

Ladybug Preschool’s second location, Ladybug Too, has some spots available
—

1) Afternoons
2) Mondays
3) Girls

If interested, call Yvonne Hove, the director. We toured their new location and it is amazing! Yvonne’s phone number is 415-776-5054.

Their new school is in Cow Hollow on Greenwich. It is Reggio Emilia-based and the kids are always active, doing artwork, learning cooking, playing, reading, or music. Yvonne has 17 years experience and is fabulous.

As reported earlier this month on PotreroHillSF, Downtown High School will replace International Studies Academy (ISA), at Vermont and 18th Street in the fall, with a new and different student body.

Public Notice:

How can parents and neighbors prepare?

Please come, meet and talk with:

Frank Tom, High School Superintendent of The S.F. board of Education
Richard Maggi, Principal of Downtown High and their staff

Monday, April 24 at 7:00PM at the ISA Cafeteria, 693 Vermont Street

Topics for discussion:

- What are the best ways to avoid property vandalism?
- Will there be off-street parking for staff and students?
- What times will they arrive and depart?
- How do we handle the ongoing litter issues?
- Are there going to be evening events at the school?
- What security services does the school provide?
- Can we expect strife with ISA students 3 blocks away?
- At what point should we call the police?
- Who will address specific neighborhood grievances later?
- How can we work together to be good neighbors?

Discuss these questions and your other concerns with the people responsible!

We’re proud to announce the launch of PotreroHillParents.org, the first official website for moms and dads on “The Hill.”

No, we’re not serving cupcakes or cold refreshments. But, yes, it’s like an open house.

Take a look around, make yourselves comfortable, and peek inside the cupboards.

Our goal is to provide an exclusive neighborhood resource for families raising children on and around Potrero Hill. We invite and encourage all parents to participate. Consider this an online extension of our community, and let’s have some fun together.

It’s about sharing and learning from each other collectively. Asking questions and getting answers. Getting involved and staying informed. It’s a forum and place for all of us, so let’s enjoy it.