•  Baby Announcements
•  Charities-Toy Donation
•  Contests 
•  Family Poll
•  FREE Movie Tickets!
•  FREE Summer Concerts

Family Poll of the Month
What do you appreciate most about your child's grandparents?

A. Parenting advice    B. Love and attention they give my child  
C. Generous presents, financial help   D. Free childcare  
E. All of the above

Answer this and many more interesting poll questions
by clicking here.

K’NEXpert Search
The hunt for the most creative model creation is on! Construction toy company K’NEX invites kids, ages 5-12, to build original models made entirely from K’NEX parts. Three grand prize winners from each age group (ages 5-6, 7-8 & 9-12) will each receive a $10,000 savings bond, and seven additional winners will each receive $1,000 savings bonds. Also at stake are $500 worth of K’NEX building sets, a trip for three to New York City for the awarding ceremony, and the winners’ own photo gallery page on www.knex.com. For more information, visit Website. Deadline: Sept. 30.

Inventor's Circle
Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin (whoever your favorite, famous inventor may be) vote on who you “tink” deserves to be in our Inventor’s Circle! Get a chance to win a one-year Family Exhibit Experience Pass to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and see the new Tinkering exhibit! Other prizes include a Frigits Magnetic Marble Run and a Amaze-N-Marbles Construction Set. One entry per child. Winners will be selected at random.
Deadline: Sept. 26, 9 pm.
click here

Enter the SDFM “Behind the Counter” contest
for a chance to take your group
on a private tour of a
local McDonald’s restaurant.

 Learn about food nutrition –
Watch the food preparation process –
See safety practices –
Enjoy lunch for the entire group! –
click here

Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest
Aspiring kid chefs are encouraged to put their culinary skills to the test by reinventing the classic peanut butter sandwich. Whip up a tasty twist to this popular snack for a chance to win scholarship funds worth $2,500-$25,000! Adults can also exercise their creativity by joining the Jif Moms Voice Their Choice Contest. Submit an essay (250 words or less) about how you as a mom (or a mom you know) make the best choices for the family. The grand prize winner will fly to New York City and be one of the judges at the contest finals in March 2009
For details, go to www.jif.com
Deadline: Nov. 14

Kids On The Go

Toddlers to Teens
Fall 2008 Extracurricular Activities Guide.
A listing of after-school activities throughout San Diego County.
Click here

Stage A Special Event

A resource planner for schools, clubs, sports teams & organizations. Your one-stop shop for assemblies, carnivals, at-school programs, field trips, fundraisers and group sales.
Click here

Party Guide
Whether you’re a first-time party planner or the go-to person for throwing the perfect bash, this comprehensive listing (click here) filled with great party venues, the finest entertainment, creative gift ideas, party décor and supplies, is the ultimate partner in making your celebration a success.

The Refrigerator Door
Want to be part of our readers’ page? Share your family snapshots or hilarious kiddie one-liners. Receive an age-appropriate gift for your child when your submission is published!

Email editor@sandiegofamily.com.
Digital photos are welcome. Include kids’ names, ages, gender and your city. Winners will be selected at random.

Or mail original artwork to:
The Refrigerator Door, SDFM
P.O. Box 23960
San Diego, CA, 92193
Include kids’ names, ages, gender and your city. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your submission returned. Winners will be selected at random.

If we print your submission, your child will receive the family film "Nim's Island," just released on DVD.

Click here to see this month's Refrigerator Door submissions

Special Needs Resources on the Web
Vital information on recreation programs, medical care providers, parenting classes, educational services and support groups for families with special needs are just a click away.

Click here for access to this comprehensive guide.

Toys for
Underprivileged Kids

Background
Twice each year, San Diego Family Magazine reviews new toys. As part of our review process, toy manufacturers donate samples of their toys submitted for review. We have a Summer toy review and a Holiday toy review.

Do you know of a charity that can use some new toys? Submit a children’s charity to be considered for a future donation.

To Submit a Request
Only nonprofit organizations serving children between the ages of newborn to 17 in San Diego county will be considered to receive a toy donation. Please click here to download a Toy Donation Request Form.

Need Acrobat Reader? Click icon below.

Deadlines
Holiday Program: December 1, 2008.
Summer Program: June 1, 2009
Only San Diego County Charities are eligble. Submitting a request does not guarantee a donation.
You can submit your request via
e-mail to:
Sharon Bay, Publisher;
publisher@sandiegofamily.com
mail to:
San Diego Family Magazine,
Toy Charity Request,
P.O. Box 23960,
San Diego, CA 92193;
fax to: 619-685-6978.
The form must be filled out completely to be eligible.

A Blockbuster Read
After renting one of your favorite movies, don’t forget to take home a certified hit: the most recent issue of Family Magazine. Packed with the latest tips, trends and happenings around the county, it's no wonder it’s been getting a lot of rave reviews. Blockbuster, the world’s leading provider of videos, DVDs and video games, has stores all around San Diego. To find a Blockbuster near you, visit www.blockbuster.com.

Family Magazine at Your Doorstep
Wish you could have our magazine delivered to you? Then wish no more! Have your copy sent straight to your home. Get 12 fun-filled issues plus Out & About 2007 for just $18. All you have to do is send a check/money order made out to San Diego Family Magazine and mail it to: San Diego Family Magazine, Subscription Request, P.O. Box 23960, San Diego CA 92193.

Is There a New Baby in Your House?
Let us help spread the word to friends and family about your newborn with Family Magazine’s FREE baby announcements. E-mail us your baby’s full name, date of birth, parents’ names, address and phone number at: family@sandiegofamily.com or mail to: San Diego Family Magazine, S.D. Babies, P.O. Box 23960, San Diego, CA 92193. Announcements for babies, one year and younger, will be included in future issues. San Diego Babies are published in January, March, May, August and October. As our gift to your family, you will receive three free months of Family Magazine delivered to your home. Send in a photo of your bundle of joy to be considered for Baby of the Month.

Be A Role Model –
Share the Rewards of Reading
San Diego McDonald’s and The San Diego Council on Literacy have joined together to raise awareness about local literacy programs available to those who need them. The “Readers are Role Models” campaign encourages role models to volunteer as tutors by encouraging them to learn about literacy programs available in the area and inspire those with lower literacy rates to improve their quality of life.
Literacy is more than just an individual’s ability to read – it also includes one’s ability to write, speak English, and compute and solve problems at a proficiency level necessary to function on the job, in the family and in society.
More than 400,000 adults in San Diego County struggle daily with these basic literacy skills.
Consider being your child’s role model by volunteering as a literacy tutor or spreading the word about programs available for people who need them.
Visit sdmcdonalds.com for more information on how you and your family can get involved.