SANTA BARBARA FAIR AND EXPO... opens today and runs through Sunday at Earl Warren Showgrounds. This year's theme is Sweet Home SB. Follow the Candyland path to the Cupcake Palace or to sweet adventures in the Carnival. Stop by the SBParent.com table where "Supernanny" will be doing a casting call! We had a blast previewing the fair last night... check out our VIDEO and join us on some of the rides >
There are more great events this weekend posted below.

WELCOME KIDZMET.com... We would like to give a warm welcome to our newest sponsor, KidzMet.com. KidzMet is designed to be the "Expedia" of activity planning. They offer an advanced search tool so you can quickly drill down to the local enrichment classes that fit your child's age, interest, schedule and your budget. Sign up today(it's FREE) to be a parent member and take a chance to win a $50 Target gift card. Use KidzMet.com to search for kids classes, camps and extracurricular activities.

TEACHER APPRECIATION... Our school-age children spend 6-7 hours per day, 5 days a week, 9 months a year with their teachers so it seems important to figure out a way to show them how thankful we are of all that they do to help shape and prepare our children for the future. Teachers are responsible for educating 20 or more kids with varying personalities and learning styles on a daily basis, a task that needs to be applauded.

"I have spent many hours volunteering in classrooms and chaperoning field trips and find that I usually leave absolutely exhausted and whole-heartedly appreciative of the teacher's efforts. Over the years I have participated in and helped organize different events for teacher appreciation week. We have coordinated gift card purchases, made lunches and desserts and had children write special notes. This year our school PTA has come together and coordinated parents to take lunch duty for the teachers so that, as a group, the teachers can enjoy a homemade lunch that we prepare for them and have a day off of lunch duty. The response from our school staff has been very positive and we are excited to show them how we appreciate all that they do. Additionally, we will ask our kids to write a special note of thanks where they include a memory they have of this school year. No matter what you or your school decides to do for teacher appreciation week, take the time to tell your teacher thanks."

TEACHER NOMINEES... Next week we celebrate teachers and we are excited to be honoring the following that were nominated by local students and parents... Alice Robles, Amalie Kornell, Debra Hoffmann, Jeanie DeTomaso, Jennifer Gonzalez, Katie Autry, Kitty Jones, Lacey McCrigler, Laura Calene, Melanie Jacobs & Rob Stephenson, Ms. Malvinni, Pam McCabe, Teacher Terese, and Teacher Nicole. Scroll below or click to read about these teachers making a difference.

TEACHER GIFT IDEAS... if you are looking to give your teacher something special, we have an article below by local teacher Beth Kanne-Casselman that includes excellent suggestions. Another source for ideas can be the ParentClick.com product reviews >>

Below is a partial list of upcoming events and activities so click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything >>

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

Camp Calendar | School Schedules | Movie Showtimes

"Sweet Home Santa Barbara"

There's a lot of excitement on the menu - from appetizing carnival rides to delicious Fair treats to sightings of farm animals and livestock.

With more than 30 rides and attractions, there's sweet fun and excitement for the entire family. There's lots of entertainment on tap: Singing, Dancing, Magic and more will keep you and your family entertained for hours!  If you missed the Storybook Theatre last weekend, you can see "David and the Giant" on Sunday at 12N or 4pm. Visit Candyland Village (Warren Hall) to see the expo showcase of local foods, wine & beer, arts & crafts, horticulture and fine arts displays.

Wednesday and Thursday April 28th & 29th 4-9pm
(Carnival closes at 10pm)

Friday, April 30th 4-10pm
(Carnival closes at midnight)

Saturday, May 1st 11am-10pm
(Carnival closes at midnight)

Sunday, May 2nd 11am-9pm  
(Carnival closes at 10pm)

If you're looking to treat a teacher or a mom (Mother's Day is 5/9) you can find gifts or gift certificates at the businesses listed below. Click on the names of the businesses to go directly to their websites.

Submitted by Beth Kanne Casselman, MEd, LMFT

As a teacher of twenty-plus years, a mother of two young children (one about to begin kindergarten) and a psychotherapist working with families--many including children with school-related issues-I can attest to the fact that Teacher Appreciation is a celebration truly appreciated by teachers.

Some parents have asked what they can do to best express their appreciation of their children's teachers, and from personal experience, I can make the following suggestions:

TASTY EDIBLES: Like most creatures, teachers enjoy eating. And though during the school day most of our eating is done on the fly, it's awfully nice when we encounter a buffet of treats awaiting us in the teachers' lounge. While we're usually racing back to our classrooms to grade papers, prepare for the next science lesson, or to help a student cope with a special challenge we're snacking and these edible signs of appreciation do every bit as much to fill our hearts as our tummies.

NOTES: Personal notes of appreciation are like manna to teachers. Frankly, in this climate of test outcomes and API scores, the notes teachers receive are more often filled with complaints than praises. And while we definitely want to be informed when children have problems, it's awfully nice when we hear that we're doing something right. Whether the notes are written by children or their parents, they go a long way towards brightening our day. I began keeping a file of such letters 17 years ago, and, on particularly difficult days, a quick read through the file is a tonic for flagging spirits.

The letters that touch me most are those that are specific rather than general. If your child is the one writing the letter, you might encourage him or her to write about an especially enjoyable classroom project, a particularly memorable learning experience, or an interaction with the teacher that has made a vivid impression. And if it's you, the parent, writing the letter, instead of the generic: We appreciate all that you do for Jimmy or Susie. It's been such a great year. Try instead to emphasize the teacher's special contribution to your child's school experience and growth as an individual.

GIFTS: Gifts aren't something that teachers expect, but if it's within your means or you can collaborate with other parents, you might want to give an outstanding teacher a special token of your appreciation. Who wouldn't welcome a gift certificate for a day at a spa, a facial or manicure, or dinner at a nice restaurant - things teachers don't normally indulge in because of time or expense. Or, if you happen to know a teacher's hobbies-such as yoga, hiking, or travel-you might want to consider a gift related to their specific interest. Be sure to choose something the teacher will use personally. Gift certificates to such places as Border's, Chaucer's, and Target usually wind up being spent on books or supplies for the classroom or on underwear for their own children.

Your child's teacher probably already has a desk laden with mugs, pots of African violets, and similar novelties-and doesn't need more. But you can show your thoughtfulness with something more personal such as stationery or post-its notes or a rubber stamp emblazoned with the teacher's name.

While hardworking, dedicated teachers get their greatest reward helping youngsters develop, there's no denying the pleasure of having their work recognized and valued. Teacher Appreciation days commemorate the important teacher-student-parent connection-a relationship we can all enjoy and celebrate.

Beth Kanne-Casselman, MEd, LMFT has a private psychotherapy practice and specializes in treating families with young children, individuals, and couples. She helps parents with concerns relating to their children and family life, and often works one-on-one with younger children and adolescents. In addition to her therapy practice, Beth has taught school for the past twenty-plus years. For more information, please feel free to call Beth at 895-6960. 

Submitted by Mari Mender, Local Mom & Nurse

Medical Marijuana was decriminalized by Prop. 215 in 1996. It was designed to protect a specific class of people - the seriously and terminally ill. It does not apply to recreational users of marijuana who simply feel they get some "medical" benefit.

On May 11th our city council votes on the issue. Certain members of council want to allow storefront entrepreneurs to sell marijuana for recreational use for profit. These are marijuana dispensaries. It is a contentious issue and has far reaching consequences for our city, county and state. Santa Barbara City Council has allowed Marijuana Dispensaries to operate illegally. The city has failed at enforcing the law and control of outright drug trafficking, this puts our community at risk. Especially our youth.

There is a major rally on May 11 in front of city hall before council session- join our Facebook Group called FIGHT BACK SANTA BARBARA to stay informed.

People opposed to this ordinance need to be there: parents, kids, neighborhoods, PTAs, educators, health care professionals anyone and everyone that agrees, Compassionate use cooperatives yes- Retail business model NO! READ MORE >>