News from Family Matters!

MAY 2011 Tuesday, May 3, 9 am, Community Food Distribution The San Diego Food Bank is giving away FREE fruits, vegetables and other food items on the first Tuesday of every month to individuals, families and seniors in this area. Please bring bags for your items. The parking lot is used for the distribution, so come early to find parking on the street. The line begins to form around 8 am. For more information, visit the San Diego Food Bank website. Saturday, May 7, 10 am, Women's Fest Goes DIY (Do it Yourself) The San Diego LGBT Community Center's Women's Resource Center will once again bring local women together for a day-long festival of workshops, entertainment and resources celebrating all women and their allies. "Women's Fest 2011: Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.)!" will take place on Saturday, May 7, from 10 am to 5 pm, at The Center (3909 Centre Street, Hillcrest). This year's festival will focus on the D.I.Y movement, which empowers individuals to take matters into their own hands when it comes to artistic expression, home repairs, self-publication, community building, transportation and more. Festival highlights include workshops on everything from zine creation to D.I.Y. home repairs, a lunchtime panel discussion focused on media and communications, a live performance by the San Diego Women's Chorus, numerous local artisans and vendors, and free lunch provided by Naked Pizza. Registration begins promptly at 10 am on the day of the event. The entire event is free to attend and open to all. For a detailed event schedule and workshop descriptions, visit the webpage. Thursday, May 12, 7 pm, Understanding the "B" in LGBT Join The Center and the Bisexual Forum on Thursday, May 12 at 7 pm for "Understanding the 'B' in LGBT." This interactive workshop will explore the dynamics within the LGBT community that can leave bisexual individuals feeling misunderstood and left out. Audience participation and discussion will be strongly encouraged. Topics will include how to define bisexuality, the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid and its significance, stereotypes surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity in general, myths and misconceptions of bisexuality, and more. This event is free, open to all, and will take place in The Center's library. For more information, to request an accommodation or to RSVP, contact Jane Schmoll at 619.692.2077 x121 or jschmoll@thecentersd.org.  Saturday, May 14, 11 am – Dusk, Kite Flying and Bonfire at Mission Ski Beach Join Family Matters and tell the kids to go fly a kite. Bring a picnic lunch for your family, lawn games, blankets, chairs, umbrellas, snacks, sun screen - and don't forget the kites!  Bonfire will start at dusk.  Anyone want to volunteer to bring s'mores? Where: Mission Bay at Ski Beach. Look for the Family Matters Banner & rainbow flags. Directions: From Interstate 8 go West to the beaches. Take the West Mission Bay Drive exit, turn right at the end of the exit onto West Mission Bay Drive, which will become Ingraham Street, keep forward and go over the bridge then turn right on Vacation Road look for signs to Ski Beach. As soon as you enter the parking lot turn left at the first turn and drive through the parking lot till you see the last restroom building. We will be in that area. Jane's cell is 619.822.3969 if you get lost. For additional information, contact Jane Schmoll at families@thecentersd.org   Save the Date! Saturday, May 7 – Women's Fest Friday, May 20 – Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sunday, Sept. 25 – AIDS Walk San Diego   Saturday, Oct. 22 – The Center's Annual Gala Saturday, Oct. 29 – Nightmare on Normal Street  May at a Glance 5/6 Infant / Toddler Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am Center Kids Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am 5/7  North County Family Playgroup (NCF) 1 - 3 am 5/11  I Play for Charity 6:30 - 9 pm at Dave & Busters (benefits Family Matters) 5/13  Infant / Toddler Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am Center Kids Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am 5/14  Go Fly a Kite @ Mission Ski Beach, 11 am - dusk 5/20  Infant / Toddler Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am Center Kids Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am 5/27  Infant / Toddler Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am Center Kids Playgroup @ The Center 9:30 - 11:30 am Playgroups Infant Playgroup @ The Center Fridays, 9:30-11:30 am Parents with kids ages 0 - 2 meet every Friday from 9:30 – 11:30am.  Need some adult conversation? Come join us!   Playgroup for 2 - 5 year olds, Fridays, 9:30 – 11:30 am This group is growing rapidly. Join other parents and kids every Friday in the auditorium at The Center. Enjoy arts & crafts and organized play. Bring your tricycle or big wheel and join the fun! Saturday, April 2, 1-3 pm, North County Family (NCF) Playgroup This group focuses on children ages 0-8, but all ages are welcome. Older kids can help assist the little ones in art and play activities and are given a badge to wear that identifies them as helpers. This group meets in Carlsbad. Free to Be! Call for Date and Location This is a playgroup for gender-variant children up to age 12, which will allow them to be themselves in a friendly, supportive environment.  Friends, family and siblings are welcome.  For information and location, contact Marcie at sebastien844@yahoo.com or 619.239.7335. For more information on playgroups, contact Jane Schmoll at 619.692.2077 x121 or families@thecentersd.org. The Center is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and in the provision of all services. The Center provides services without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic characteristics, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local laws. Visit The Center's website at www.thecentersd.org.