May 7 - 11- Staff Appreciation Week. PTA needs your help. - SPRING SHOW K, 2nd, & 4th perform May 15 @ 6pm. - - - May 15 7-8pm OPEN HOUSE - - - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS JUNE 1 - 12:15 Dismissal

Free (or nearly free) activities in our area for families to enjoy together!

by Ruth Lewis - Bowers Parent and Bowers School Site Council Member

(1) The Library

One of the best free resources around, the Santa Clara Library offers scores of books and movies you can rent for free, a reading area for kids, a play area for small children in the children's section and regularly scheduled storytimes for babies, preschoolers, elementary school kids and families. In addition, there are countless of activities scheduled throughout the year that families can take advantage of at no additional charge. See their web site for more info: http://library.santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=8

(2) The Park

Santa Clara has a multitude of parks that offer free family fun. From playgrounds, to picnic areas, to huge grassy fields, ponds, birds to observe and water play areas for summer fun, the park is the ideal place to spend time with kids. Here is a link to a map list of all Santa Clara parks: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&biw=1024&bih=419&gs_upl=1173l7558l0l8537l25l12l0l3l3l0l2607l6925l2-4.1.1.9-2l12l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&wrapid=tlif132682728828310&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=list+of+santa+clara+parks&fb=1&gl=us&hq=parks&hnear=0x808fb7815c08c193:0xe475a47ca3c0bfc0,Santa+Clara,+CA

(3) Rancho San Antonio

The preserve's extensive 23 miles of trails are available for exploration, whether one chooses to hike, bike, or horseback ride. A highlight of the preserve is Deer Hollow Farm, a working farm with a cow, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, other animals, and an organic garden as well as numerous turn-of-the-century ranch buildings. An additional attraction is the restored Grant Cabin, furnished to represent living conditions in the late 1800s. From I-280, north or south, take the Foothill Boulevard exit and proceed south on Foothill Boulevard approximately 0.2-mile to Cristo Rey Drive. Turn right on Cristo Rey Drive, continue for about 1 mile, veer right around the traffic circle, and turn left into the County Park entrance. http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_rancho_san_antonio.asp

(4) Triton Museum

Smack in Santa Clara sits one of the West Coast's best collections of American Indian art and artifacts: the Austen D. Warburton Collection. Warburton, a former city councilmember, participated in archeological excavations and wrote extensively about Native Americans, and when he died in 1995 he willed more than 150 objects to the Triton. The donations include tools, pottery, baskets and musical instruments, as well as art objects, spanning the time period from the ninth through the 20th century. There are other reasons to visit the Triton, including, currently, a stunning invitational show of glass sculpture, but few museums offer a collection guaranteed to transport you to another time and place so dazzlingly. www.tritonmuseum.org.

(5) Guadeloupe River Park

The river park is a 3-mile section of land that runs along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the heart of downtown, and adjacent to the park are the gardens, together providing 150 acres open to the public. Discovery Meadow includes a giant Momopoly board, children's bridge and parade of animals and Arena Green includes a tot playground and carousel. http://www.grpg.org/ThePark.shtml

(6) Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

This is a really cute hands-on learning experience for young kids. There is also a small zoo outside with bunnies, turtles, fish, snakes, and owl and various other creatures. Admission is free, but the museum recommends a nominal donation upon arrival. Next to the museum is Rinconada Park which has two separate play areas, including a gated tot lot with swings, sand, and picnic tables. http://www.friendsjmz.org/

(7) Harris-Lass Historic Museum

The Harris - Lass House Museum is located at 1889 Market Street in Santa Clara, California. It is the last farm site in the city of Santa Clara and is named for the two families who owned and lived on the property for 125 years. The museum consists of the house, a classic California barn, summer kitchen, tank house and landscaped gardens. Children under six are free but adults are $3 admission. http://www.harrislass.org/

(8) Sunnyvale Historical Society & Museum

Heritage Park Museum is a newly built recreation of the original 1840's Martin Murphy, Jr. State Historical Landmark House. Museum exhibits include the Ohlone Indians, Murphy artifacts and archives, agricultural re-known history, and into our massive transformation into the high-tech center of the Silicon Valley today. Admission is free. http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1866

(9) Emma Prusch Farm Park

This park is home to San José's largest barn where 4H livestock projects are housed; animals vary throughout the year so keep coming back to see what is around. The park also features robust community gardens, a rare fruit orchard and acres of open grass perfect for picnicking, kite flying, games and relaxing. Bring a quarter or two so you can feed the chickens and goats. There is also a great plaground for little and big kids. http://www.sjparks.org/regional/emmaprusch.asp

(10) Vasona Lake County Park

This is a huge park with lots of activities for the family. Oak Meadow Park, adjacent to Vasona has a wonderful playground with a train to play on a replica of a fighter plane to play on as well. There is lots of grass and picnic areas, and seasonally, families can take carousel rides ($1) and a train ride around Vasona Park ($2). http://www.bjwrr.org/