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NorthSBCountyParent |
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Bringing up baby is easier said than done — which is precisely the problem for so many of us.
New parents, particularly first-timers, are inundated with advice and opinions from family members, friends, co-workers, checkout clerks, postal carriers and well-meaning strangers on the street. And that’s just about the issue of cloth diapers vs. disposables.
Because most of us are too busy to do the research on our own, we dutifully follow these leads, sometimes to fruition but often to frustration. There has to be a better way, we think, but where can we find it?
Right here.
Elsewhere in these pages you’ll find the results of the first Parents’ Choice Awards sponsored by sbparent.com, N.E.W. (Network of Enterprising Women) and the Beacon.
Rachael Steidl of sbparent.com came up with the idea for an awards program that actually meant something to those folks who need it most: You. Or people just like you, but newer at it.
Family-friendly businesses and services — reliable and consistent family-friendly business and services — are always in high demand, but sometimes they’re just not that obvious.
As the area’s only trusted news and information source for South Coast families, we knew our very loyal and vocal readers would leap at the chance to share their years of knowledge with the larger community — even if it meant revealing family secrets about the best this or that.
We think you’ll find our listings quite useful and complete, and we trust you’ll visit the winners — as well as the honorable mentions — to reward them for making our lives easier.
In the meantime, if we’ve missed something, do let us know. There’s always next year.
The South Coast Beacon
Leslie Dinaberg
4/14/2005
When one person gives advice, you can take it or leave it. But when hundreds of people chime in on the best places to spend your time, and your money … well, it just makes sense to perk up your ears.
So listen up -- and even take notes if you need to -- these are the first annual Parent's Choice Award winners, brought to you by SBParent.com, N.E.W. (Network of Enterprising Women), and the South Coast Beacon.
Birthday and Shower Invitations Winner: Paper Ink 3325 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.3580
Honorable Mention: Glenda's Party Cove 3319 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.4500
Whether you're looking to create your own invitations, or buy them off the rack, Paper Ink has everything you could possibly need to announce the festivities. And honorable mention winner Glenda's Party Cove is just a few steps away.
Holiday Cards Winner: Costco 7095 Market Place Drive Goleta, CA 93117 685.4461
With bargain prices on both photo cards and traditional boxed sets, it's no wonder that Costco's a local favorite.
Honorable Mention: P J's Hallmark Shop 6990 Market Place Dr. Goleta, CA 93117 685.5588
Birthday Supplies and Favors Glenda's Party Cove and Pacific Company were tied for first place. Luckily for you, they're both located in Loreto Plaza, just a few doors down from one another.
Winner: Glenda's Party Cove 3319 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.4500
Winner: Pacific Company 3309 State St. #A Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.9552
Place to Host a Birthday Winner: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center 3888 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 563.7336 www.my-gym.com
With an all-inclusive package that provides everything but the cake, My Gym is a great choice for busy parents with active kids.
Honorable Mention: local parks Visit www.santabarbaraca.gov/Parks/ for information on facilities and rental availability for Santa Barbara City Parks and www.sbparks.org/ for Santa Barbara County Parks information.
Best Birthday Cakes Winner: Costco 7095 Market Place Drive Goleta, CA 93117 685.4461
Honorable Mention: Anna's Bakery 7018 Market Place Dr. Goleta, CA 93117 968.5590
For a big party, there's no better value in town than Parent's Choice winning Costco cake. Honorable Mention winner Anna's Bakery, just across the parking lot at Camino Real Marketplace) is known for its creative decorations (the big wave surfing cake is a favorite) and having a wide variety of confections.
Babysitter Grandma and Grandpa were the winners in this category, hands-down. However, if you're not lucky enough to have grandparents in town, some of the other sitters mentioned were: Christin Allrich, Yolanda Espinoza, Erin Feeney, Jessica Fink , Kayla Howard-Anderson, Lauren Klapp, Caitlin Leff, Sara Martinovich , Christina Palacio, Pamela Palacio, Sloan Pettersen, Stacy Radujko, Nicole Richardson, Corrigan Speicher , Christina Villalovos, Sierra Young, Kristi Ware and Beth Williams.
Preschool Winner: Circle of Friends Children's Center 400 Puente Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93110 692.8516
A perennial favorite among local parents, Circle of Friends is also known for having really fun fundraisers.
Honorable Mention: The Oaks Parent-Child Workshop Director - Marilyn Statucki 605 W. Junipero St. Santa Barbara. CA 93105 682.7609
Elementary School Winner: Foothill Elementary School 711 Ribera Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93111 681.1268 www.foothill.goleta.k12.ca.us/
Honorable Mention: Hope Elementary School 3970 La Colina Road Santa Barbara, CA 93110 563.2974 www.sbceo.org/~hope/
Pediatrician Not unexpectedly, given their longevity in town, the Children's Medical Clinic dominated this category, with Dr. David Abbott (father) and Dr. Steven Abbott (son) coming out in first and second places. Sometimes it pays to go into the family business.
Winner: Dr. David Abbott Children's Medical Clinic 15 E. Arrellaga St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.1095
Honorable Mention: Dr. Steven Abbott Children's Medical Clinic 15 E. Arrellaga St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.1095
Honorable Mention: Dr. Gerard Brewer 2421 Bath St., Suite B Santa Barbara, 93105 682.7771
Pediatric Dentist Winner: Dr. Robert Ruby & Dr. Yvonne Rochon 15 E. Arrellaga St. Suite 4 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 963.4404
Honorable Mention: Dr. Steven Mascagno 2780 State St., Suite 5 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.4141
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit be by the time he is a year old. By age 3, the average child has three decayed teeth -- and that is with only 50% of children seeing a dentist -- so the earlier the better to prevent problems before they occur, said Dr. Marc Grossman.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist Winner: Dr. Margaret Echt 2329 Oak Park Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.8166
Honorable Mention: Dr. Susanne Ramos Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic 515 W. Pueblo St. Santa Barbara, 93105 681.8911
Honorable Mention: Dr. Ayesha Shaikh 2323 Oak Park Lane, Suite 202 Santa Barbara, 93105 687.5500
Occupational/Physical Therapist Winner: Dr. Mark Brisby 5638 Hollister Ave., Suite 301 Goleta, CA 93117 681.7273
Family Therapist/Psychologist Winner: Michael Madden 23 W. Mission St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 569.2272
Holistic Health Care Winner: Maes Center for Natural Health Care 9 E. Mission St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 563.8660 www.maescenter.com
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Center for Natural Medicine 34 E. Sola St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 966.3003 www.sbcnm.com
Child Friendly Restaurants Winner: California Pizza Kitchen 719 Paseo Nuevo (on Chapala St.) Santa Barbara, CA 93101 962.4648 www.cpk.com
Honorable Mention: Beach Grill at Padaro 3765 Santa Claus Lane Carpinteria, CA 93013 566.3900
Honorable Mention: Red Robin 3825 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.4000 www.redrobin.com
California Pizza Kitchen has great kids meals, with sundaes as a special treat. You can't beat the view - or the sandbox - at the Beach Grill at Padaro, and you can't beat the bar at Red Robin.
Grocery Store A lot of people discovered Trader Joe's when the big chains went on strike last year, and apparently the appetite for well-priced, high-quality, health-conscious food has stuck.
Winner: Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's (Goleta) 5767 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117 692.2234
Trader Joe's (Santa Barbara North) 3025 De La Vina Santa Barbara, CA 93103 563.7383
Trader Joe's (Santa Barbara South) 29 South Milpas St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 (805) 564-7878 www.traderjoes.com
Honorable Mention: Vons 1040 Coast Village Road (Montecito) 34 W. Victoria St. (Santa Barbara) 163 S. Turnpike Rd. (Santa Barbara) 3855 State St. (Santa Barbara) 165 N. Fairview Ave. (Goleta) 850 Linden Ave. (Carpinteria)
Grocery Delivery A godsend for new parents who often have a hard time getting into the shower in those early weeks, let alone getting into the car, grocery delivery is fast becoming a way of life for many on the South Coast.
Winner: www.Albertsons.com
Health Food Store Winner: Lazy Acres Market 302 Meigs Road Santa Barbara, CA 93109 564.4410 www.lazyacres.com
Honorable Mention: Lassen's Health Foods 5154 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117 683.7696
Take-out Meals Winner: Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch (Santa Barbara) 2618 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 569-1872
Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch (Goleta) 63 North Fairview Ave. (in the Fairview Shopping Center) Goleta, CA 93117 569.1872 www.sbchickenranch.com
Honorable Mention: Fresco 3987 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 967.6037
Childbirth Classes Winner: Cottage Health System
Both Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (682.7111) and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (967.3411) childbirth classes had plenty of fans.
New Parent Classes Winner: PEP- Baby Basics Postpartum Education for Parents 564.3888 www.sbpep.org
Honorable Mention: Infant Times Taught by Laura Sobell Santa Barbara City College Adult Education 300 N. Turnpike Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93111 964.6853
Parent Support Groups Winner: PEP Postpartum Education for Parents 564.3888 www.sbpep.org
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Parents of Multiples www.santabarbaramoms.org/
Diaper Services Winner: Enviro-Baby 2445 Murrell Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93109 967.5370 www.enviro-baby.com
Advertising that they've saved more than 574,276 diapers from Santa Barbara landfills as of Feb. 1, Enviro-Baby provides weekly pickup and delivery of cotton diapers, as well as odorless diaper pails.
Doulas and Nurses Winner: Kitty Maxwell 682.5606
Art Supplies Winner: Art Essentials 32 E. Victoria St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.5456
Honorable Mention: Michaels Arts and Crafts 187 North Fairview Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 967.7119 www.michaels.com
Toys Winner: Kernohans
Kernohans (Goleta) 5739 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117 964.6499
Kernohans (Santa Barbara) 1324 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93101 687.3777 www.kernohanstoys.com
Honorable Mention: KB Toys 136 S. Hope Ave #47 (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.6026
Honorable Mention: Toyland 3821 Santa Claus Lane Carpinteria, CA 93013 684.3515
Educational Materials Winner: Bennett's Educational Materials 5130 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, CA 93111 964.8998 www.bennettseducational.com
Maternity Clothes Winner: Due Maternity 1223 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 966.4400 www.duematernity.com
Honorable Mention: Motherhood Maternity 121 S. Hope Ave. (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.7040
Kid's Clothes Winner: Gymboree Clothing 3815 State St. (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.7773 www.gymboree.com
Honorable Mention: The Gap Kids 617 Paseo Nuevo Santa Barbara, CA 93101 899.9124
Kid's Shoes Winner: Nordstrom 17 W. Canon Perdido St. (in Paseo Nuevo) Santa Barbara, CA 93101 564.8770 www.nordstroms.com
Honorable Mention: Payless Shoe Stores 627 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 962.2866 197 S. Turnpike Road Santa Barbara, CA 93111 683.1861
Used Kid's Clothes and Toys Winner: Polar Bear 726 Anacapa St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.6637
Honorable Mention: Replay 2945 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 569.1313
Kid's Sports Equipment Winner: Play it Again Sports 4850 Hollister Ave. Santa Barbara, CA 93111 967.9889 www.playitagainsports.com
Honorable Mention: Sportmart 7035 Marketplace Dr. Goleta, CA 93117 968.8551
Baby Furniture/Equipment Winner: Baby Furniture & Accessories Santa Barbara 1936 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 682.7517
Honorable Mention: Chicken Little 1236 State St. Santa Barbara, 93101 962.7771
Children's Furniture Winner: Hopscotch Fine Furnishings 110 South Hope Road (in La Cumbre Plaza) Santa Barbara, CA 93105 730.1007 www.hopscotch.com
Honorable Mention: Baby Furniture & Accessories Santa Barbara 1936 De La Vina St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 682.7517
Bookstore for Kids Winner: Chaucer's Books 3321 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.4067 www.chaucers.booksense.com
Honorable Mention: Border's Books, Music & Café 900 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 899.3668 7000 Marketplace Dr. Goleta, CA 93117 968.1370
Kid's Haircuts Winner: Kids Cuts 4317 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 681.9596
With a child's dream playroom full of toys and videos, there's no need to be nervous about your baby's first haircut. The only difficult thing about Kids Cuts is getting your kids to leave.
Honorable Mention: Tortoise and the Hare 1221 State St. #4 in Victoria Court Santa Barbara, CA 93101 963.3393
Scrapbook Supplies Winner: Santa Barbara Scrapbooks 918 Chapala St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 962.5099 www.sbscrapbooks.com
Not only does Santa Barbara Scrapbooks offer everything you need to preserve your family's memories, it now offers free Mommy and Me memory classes as well as kid's scrapbooking classes for a nominal fee.
Honorable Mention: Michaels Arts and Crafts 187 North Fairview Ave. Goleta, CA 93117 967.7119 www.michaels.com
Family Photographer Winner: Brad Elliott 565.6052
Place to get Car Seat Checked Winner: California Highway Patrol 6465 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117 967.1234
Outdoor Fitness / Health Clubs Winner: YMCA
Santa Barbara Family YMCA 36 Hitchcock Way Santa Barbara, CA 93105 687.7727
Montecito Family YMCA 591 Santa Rosa Ln. Santa Barbara, CA 93108 969.3288 www.ymca.com
Honorable Mention: Moms in Motion http://momsinmotion.com/
Place to Volunteer with Kids Winner: Unity Shoppe 1219 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.4122 www.unityshoppe.org
Kids Parade Winner: Fiesta Children's Parade
Honorable Mention: PEP Halloween Parade
Hiking Trail with Kids Winner: Rattlesnake Canyon To reach the trailhead for the Rattlesnake Canyon Trial, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission in Santa Barbara. Follow the signs to the Mission and from there, proceed north on Mission Canyon Road to Foothill Road and turn right. Make a quick left, once again onto Mission Canyon Road, and take it to Las Canoas Road and turn right. Take Las Canoas about 1-1/2 miles, look for a wide turnout near the second stone bridge and park your car along side the road.
Honorable Mention: Jesusita Trail To reach the top of the trail, exit the 101 Freeway at Mission Street, head northeast to Foothill Road and turn right. Turn left on Tunnel Road and take it to the trailhead. Beyond the gate look for signage for Inspiration Point and Jesusita Trail.
Annual Family Event Winner: Old Spanish Days Fiesta
Get ready for this year's festivities at the annual costume sale on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Carriage Museum. For more information call Mally Sneddon at 964.7650.
Honorable Mention: Summer Solstice
Places to Take a Field Trip Winner: Santa Barbara Zoo 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93103 962.5339 x26 www.santabarbarazoo.org
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta del Sol Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.4711 www.sbnature.org
Honorable Mention: UCSB Marine Science Institute 893.3765 www.msi.ucsb.edu
Beach Winner: Goleta Beach Park 5986 Sandspit Road Goleta, CA 93117 967.1300
Park/Playground: TODDLER Winner: Hidden Valley This park, at Calle de Los Amigos and Torino Drive, is tailor-made for toddlers, with lawn, barbeque facilities and a great little playground, plus over 15 acres of creekside foliage and wildlife accessed by a walking path. The only downside: there's no bathroom.
Honorable Mention: Willowglen Park 600 Willowglen Road
Honorable Mention: La Mesa Park At Cliff Drive and Meigs Road
Honorable Mention: Chase Palm Park East Cabrillo Boulevard at Garden Street
Honorable Mention: Hilda McIntyre Ray Neighborhood Park 1400 Kenwood Dr.
Honorable Mention: Goleta Beach Park 5986 Sandspit Road Goleta, CA 93117 967.1300
Park/Playground: PRESCHOOL Winner: Kids World Located in downtown Santa Barbara at Garden and Micheltorena Streets, this park is a favorite for elementary school kids too, with whimsical community art contributions throughout the playground.
Honorable Mention: Chase Palm Park This 10-acre facility on East Cabrillo Boulevard features fountains, creeks, a lagoon, carousel, snack bar and a Shipwreck Playground modeled after an ocean schooner from the turn of the century. The city-sponsored free Summer Concert series is also a favorite for families.
Camp 3-6 year olds Winner: Zoo Camp (Santa Barbara Zoo) 500 Ninos Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93103 962.5339 x48 www.santabarbarazoo.org
Honorable Mention: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center 3888 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 563.7336 www.my-gym.com
Camp 6-12 year olds Winner: Westmont Sports Camp (at Westmont College) Westmont Summer Camps 955 La Paz Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93108 565.6010 www.westmont.edu/sports/summer_camps/camps.html
Honorable Mention: UCSB Camps UCSB Department of Recreation 893.3913 www.par.ucsb.edu/youthprog/youthprog.html
Overnight Camp Winner: YMCA Camp Arbolado 562.943.7241 www.ymcawhittier.org
Best Parent & Child Class It was a tie between Kindermusik and My Gym, both of which offer great parent participation sessions for young children.
Winner: Kindermusik 1213 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 884.4009 www.kindermusik.com
Winner: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center 3888 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 563.7336 www.my-gym.com
Afterschool Program Winner: Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara 531 E. Ortega St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 963.4017 www.girlsincsb.org
Honorable Mention: Creative Arts Inc. 681.1200 www.creativeartsinc.org
Sports Programs Winner: AYSO Soccer Goleta -- 685.6806 Santa Barbara -- 687.4134 www.soccer.org
Honorable Mention: Blaze Water Polo Directors Beth Tompkins (637.0250) and Cathy Schreier (637.2040) www.blazewaterpolo.com/
Tutoring Program Winner: Dublin Learning Center 112 W. Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 926.7122
Art Program Arts Alive! a newcomer on the arts scene, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's Ridley-Tree education program tied for the best children's art program. Both offer a wide variety of well-loved classes for budding artists.
Winner: Arts Alive! Dance and Creativity Center 1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez Santa Barbara, CA 93103 963.2278 www.artsalivesb.com
Winner: Ridley-Tree Education Center at McCormick House 1600 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 926.1661
Cooking Classes for Kids Winner: Healthy Cooking with Kids 683.2525 www.healthycookingwithkids.com
Dance Classes Winner: Gustafson Dance 322 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 965.6690 www.gustafsondance.com
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Jazz & Dance Academy www.sbjda.com/company.html
Gymnastics Program Winner: The Spirals Gymnastic Foundation Robertson Gymnasium University of California, Santa Barbara 968.2453 www.spiralsgymnastics.org
Honorable Mention: My Gym, Children's Fitness Center 3888 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 563.7336 www.my-gym.com
Science & Marine Program Winner: Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta del Sol Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.4711 www.sbnature.org
Etiquette Program Winner: Mind Your Manners 565.4149 www.mindyourmanners.biz
Swim Lessons Winner: Wendy Fereday Swim School 964.7818
Honorable Mention: Wilson Swimming 964.7795
Water Sports Program Winner: Blaze Water Polo Directors Beth Tompkins (637.0250) and Cathy Schreier (637.2040) www.blazewaterpolo.com/
Honorable Mention: UCSB Surf & Kayak Camp 893.3913 www.par.ucsb.edu/youthprog/surfcamp.html
Tennis Programs Winner: Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club 5800 Cathedral Oaks Rd. Goleta, CA 93117 964.7762 www.calwestgroup.com/coac
Honorable Mention: Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation classes www.sbparksandrecreation.com
Best Travel Agent Winner: AAA Travel Agency 3712 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 682.5811 www.aaa-calif.com
Best Local Hotel for Families Winner: Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel 1260 Channel Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93108 969.2261 www.fourseasons.com
Check out the "Kids for All Seasons Program," a complimentary service, where you can leave your child with counselors to dine at "The Raft" (poolside cafe) and do arts and crafts, games, and swimming. Friday night date nights are also available, where parents can leave their children to watch movies.
Honorable Mention: Harbor View Inn 28 W. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 963.0780
Honorable Mention: Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd. Santa Barbara, CA 93103 564.4333
Can't get enough? Look for more in-depth profiles of some of the Parent's Choice Award-winning businesses in upcoming issues of the South Coast Beacon.
Did we miss anything? If there are categories you would like to see next year, or awards that you just plain disagree with, let us know by emailing opinion@scbeacon.com.
Special thanks to the following vendors who donated prizes for our drawing: This Little Piggy Wears Cotton - My Gym - SB Axxess Book - Ty Warner Sea Center - Books - Pizza Mizza - Jelly Photography - Due Maternity - Artesia Spa - Serafina
