Hey Kids! is a weekly feature looking at what’s coming up for families and kids of all ages.
I come from a very long line of New Englanders. Perhaps in self defense, as a coping mechanism, they’ve always claimed to not much care for baseball. And yet, every few years, as October began, I got phone calls just as I was leaving work, or during dinner, or, once or twice, as I was washing dishes.
Until 2004, that is, the year my grandmother died. She was born in 1912; the last years were tough, but she hung in just long enough. She’d once told me she had a lot in common with Babe Ruth, and I guess that year all the curses were lifted.
So I’ve never really cared that much attention for baseball: it was in my blood, but something to be denied. But this fall, that’s changed. At least I like what goes along with it: We’ve watched games at 4 neighbors’ homes; Jasper has two new playmates; a friend caught a foul ball last night. Occasionally, for a moment, bases loaded, bottom of the seventh, I think I understand why it’s called the three dimensional game.
So this is how it begins. For Jasper, I think this is the beginning of a love affair. It has broadened his community– new faces at our pumpkin carving party, and bolstered his sense of belonging in the city at large: a smile whenever someone catches sight of his Giants shirt. He runs towards children playing catch on the playground, and asks for baseball. He sits next to his father, staring intently as different pitches are described and the existential dilemma of whether to swing or not to swing is invoked.
Jasper calls pumpkins “Halloween”, and baseball caps “Halloween Hats”. Halloween and the Giants… quintessential San Francisco, with colors to match. I wonder what Jasper will make of Baseball in years to come. If they win it all, will he think he was the good luck charm?
At Home
There are a lot of Halloween activities this weekend, and of course the Day of the Dead parade next weekend. I’ve never been, but I’m thinking perhaps Jasper and I should make a little memorial to my Grandmother, complete with baseballs, of course.
Trick-or-Treating
Fair Oaks is always done up in style for Halloween, with treats to match. Due to the game time, this year tick-or-treating will start around 4:00 pm.
Parades
Just across Potrero Avenue, the Potrero Hill Community Garden hosts an annual Jack o’ Lantern walk. The whole garden is open, and spooky: perfect opportunity for the kids to parade around in their costume. Plus the view cannot be beat.
Saturday, October 30, 6 – 8 p.m. All ages. Free. Potrero Hill Community Garden, 20th at San Bruno.
Parties
Also on Saturday, Paxton’s Gate Kids hosts their annual Halloween party, complete with “make your own shrunken head”, and Junipero Serra Elementary School hosts a haunted house.
Halloween Party. 11 am- 1 pm, Saturday, October 30. All ages. Free. Paxton’s Gate Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia at 18th.
Halloween Festival. 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday, October 30. All ages. Entrance free, proceeds from food and games benefit Junipero Serra PTA. Junipero Serra Elementary School, Holly Park between Highland and Park.
Furlough Day
Reminder that Monday is a Furlough day. Most of the schools have drop-in care, but if you are at home with a little one, it’s a great day to check out Los Tamborcitos at Parque Ninos, or grab a free museum entrance pass from the Library.
Remembering
From the day of the Undead to the Day of the Innocents to the Day of the Saints, to the day of the Dead– there is plenty to remind us of the fleeting nature of time, and of those who’s time has past this time of year. SOMarts (934 Brannan at Eighth) and Mission Cultural Center (2868 Mission at 24th) have interesting takes on display, and a visit to both could make a great morning outing. On Monday afternoon at 4 pm, the Library (300 Bartlett at 24th) offers a workshop in making your own altar.