Community Happenings

Mark-it-Down Monday!: A whole bunch of holiday hoopla at the Children's Museum of SLO. Including... making a slime-style melting snowman! ⛄️Daily this week from 11am -2pm. Check out the link to their monthly calendar for the smorgasbord of seasonal fun stuff for the family! https://www.slocm.org/

Thursday's Thought: the critical role of connected, engaged fathers in the lives of little ones. The POPS program through CAPSLO helps to empower dads--- providing them with supports and skills along their journeys as parents. New groups are now forming for the first of the year! Please check out the flyer for more details-- and be sure to spread the word! 😊

Weekend Watch: A merry good time for the family! 😃 WHAT: Winter Wonderland WHEN: Tonight, Friday, December 7th 5-9pm WHERE: Downtown Atascadero A magical landscape complete with a massive snow slide, snow play areas, rock climbing wall, bounce houses, Joe’s Little Train, Santa and Mrs. Claus and over 50 food and craft vendors! No entry fee. https://visitatascadero.com/

Thankful Thursday: a special sendoff for a true champion for children. Tracy Schiro has been a First 5 SLO County Commissioner for 8 years, while also serving as Deputy Director for the Department of Social Services. (Pictured here with First 5 Chair and District County Supervisor Bruce Gibson) Last night, we had the opportunity to congratulate Tracy on her retirement later this month! Our wish for her-- is that she will work at relaxing-- as hard as she has worked at improving the lives of little ones and families in our community over the years.😊

Start the weekend on a high note with your little ones! It's Talk.Read.Sing.Time! again tomorrow morning (Friday) at 7:30am on Instagram Live! Story and song combine for a fun, interactive opportunity for families. All ages welcome, but we'll mostly be aiming for 4 and under! Join us-- and please spread the word!📚🎼💞 IG handle @first5slocounty https://instagram.com/first5slocounty?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1rwt2chos2iut

Feel-Good Friday: a young man who's giving struggling youth-- hope for their futures! Spencer Claxton has cleared hurdles and crushed obstacles to live his best life. Now he's helping others benefit from his experiences. AND as such, he's December 2018's Hands-on Hero. Push play and feel adversity-- turn to accomplishment! https://youtu.be/D6-uzkfdoTo with San Luis Obispo County Office of Education

An early rise-- for early literacy!📚🎼🎉 Join us TOMORROW MORNING, November 30th, for our inaugural First 5 Talk.Read.Sing. Time on Instagram Live! The fun starts at 7:30am-- complete with story, song and silliness! And we don't care if you and the kiddos are still in your pajamas! Please share with parents of little ones. All ages are welcome, but we'll mostly be aiming for 4 and under. We hope it'll become one of your family's favorite Friday traditions!😊 IG handle @first5slocounty and https://instagram.com/first5slocounty?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1rwt2chos2iut

Thursday's Thoughts: One year of infant care can cost the same as a year of college tuition.. AND... 70% of working families in SLO County do not have access to licensed child care. Assistance is available through CAPSLO's Child Care Resource Connection. Please check out the flyers if you know someone who could use some help! Because families need and deserve support.💗

Giving Tuesday. Spread the love. 💞 Please check out the links below for ideas on where you can share your time, talents and financial resources with worthy organizations and individuals in our community. https://www.givingtuesday.org/ https://www.kiddosagogo.com/blog/10-ways-to-give-locally-on-givingtuesday https://greatnonprofits.org/city/san-luis-obispo/CA/sort:relevance/direction:desc https://www.unitedwayslo.org/agency-links

On the eve of Thanksgiving, we feel overwhelming gratitude for all of the those who've played a part in First 5 San Luis Obispo County's 20 Years of working to help give children the best possible start in life. There was a wonderful sense of community at yesterday's celebration and Proclamation at the Board of Supervisors' Meeting. May we all move forward with a renewed commitment to recognizing children's value in all of our lives. 💗😊

In case you missed it! Push play! Many thanks to all of our partners across the county, who help us support children to be healthy, active learners who grow up in families and communities that nurture them! http://www.kcbx.org/post/central-coast-voices-20th-anniversary-first-5

Throwback Thursday to two decades now of helping give children the best possible start in life! Tune in to KCBX Central Coast Voices today (Thursday, 11/15) from 1-2pm, when we'll reflect on the 20th Anniversary of the Children and Families Act, creating First 5s across the state! 🎉 http://bit.ly/2RTzF64

In 1998 "Friends" was a force-- and stamps were 32 cents. Ya know what else? First 5 was born!... elevating the needs of early childhood all across our state and right here in San Luis Obispo County. Please join us next week as we celebrate strides-- and look to the future! Bring your babies, bring your friends. No better way to start the season of gratitude. 😊🎉

Learning and leading by doing! Nate Potter is a role model to others, particularly young children, by setting an awesome example in service to his community. This Los Osos native lives the 4-H pledge daily, and we at First 5 SLO County are proud to announce Nate as our November 2018 Hands-on Hero. Hit play to get to know Nate and hear why he ignites enthusiasm through all of his efforts!

TONIGHT! A Spooktacular Start to the Weekend: SLO Parks and Rec's Boo Bash in Meadow Park, which will be transformed into a family-friendly costume party and haunted park/house. The fun begins at 5pm (Friday, Oct. 26th)! Enjoy an outdoor movie at dusk, “Curious George: A Boo Fest”, savor yummy selections from food trucks-- and check out free games and activities for all! Attendees are asked to bring/donate a non-perishable food item to the Food Bank Coalition.🎃👻

What's Up? Wednesday: an upcoming, no-cost opportunity to check your family's health! Free screenings and services this Sunday, October 28th from 1-4pm at the Fire Station in Morro Bay. Hosted by the Latino Health Coalition. Just click on the flyers for more details!

Tuesday's Triumph: celebrating one of those wins for children and families. 😊 https://people.com/health/breastfeeding-rooms-all-major-us-airports-new-law/

Weekend Watch: planting the seeds for family fun... it's all things pumpkin at the SLO Children's Museum this month! Check out tomorrow's Pumpkin in a Pumpkin activity... and a plethora of other gourd options for the little ones! 😄🎃 https://www.slocm.org/programs?view=calendar&month=October-2018

Thursday's Thought: Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) Day! You can take action and stand up for some of our most vulnerable-- during this day of public awareness, community and connection. Visit https://cehn.org/ceh-movement/cehday/ for ways to get involved and even join the Twitter chat taking place from 11am-Noon PT.

Weekend Watch: one-stop shopping for new parents or parents to be! You'll find us alongside a bevy of other community partners and resources at the Birth and Baby Fair at Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton. 10am-2pm tomorrow, Saturday, October 6th! We're a proud sponsor of the Donor Breastmilk Drive taking place there, being hosted by our friends at the Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition!

Feel Good Friday: We are thrilled and humbled to help honor such great representatives for all who work so tirelessly on behalf of our young children and families. 💗

Our world is a better, more connected place when we strive to open global doors for opportunity, learning and cultural understanding. October's Hands-on Hero-- is a firm believer in that philosophy and puts it into action every day. Meet Amy Kardel, whose work is enriching the lives of our youth-- and our entire community. https://youtu.be/0161P4BWRHA

Weekend Watch: a guaranteed gourd time for the whole family! 😄The 81st annual Harvest Festival in downtown Arroyo Grande! Fun activities galore TONIGHT, Friday, September 28th and tomorrow, Saturday, September 29th. Pack up the 'lil pumpkins for this autumn favorite on the Central Coast! Check out the link for times and events taking place: http://www.agharvestfestival.com/

What's Up? Wednesday? How about a super healthy start to Fall and Winter for the whole Family?! Free screenings are coming up in Paso Robles this Friday, September 28th, 2018 from Noon to 3pm. Hosted by our friends at the Latino Health Coalition. You'll find our First 5 booth there-- so swing by to chat, get info and fun stuff for the kiddos! 😊💗

Autumn Awesomeness Starts This Weekend! Paso Robles Recreation Services invites you to celebrate during its 2nd annual Fall Family Fun Fest tomorrow, Saturday, September 22nd from 10am until 2pm at Centennial Park. An obstacle course, face painting, live music, crafts and food! #5 on the Children's Bill of Rights for SLO County: "Enjoy daily physical activity and time outdoors." http://prcity.com/301/Special-Events https://www.first5slo.org/bill-of-rights.php