We currently have over 150 members, and we're still growing! To join, go to our
Google Group at http://groups.google.com/group/colevalleyparents.
If you don't have a Google account, the best way to join is for us to invite your
email address: send a request to colevalleyparents@googlegroups.com.

Join us for our weekly open playgroup on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 12.
(We're there most Sundays, with the exception of some holiday weekends and
very rainy days!) We meet at Grattan Playground, on Alma Street between
Stanyan and Shrader (not to be confused with the Grattan Elementary School
playground on the next block). This playgroup has become a great way for
neighborhood kids and parents to get to know each other, so come on by!
I'll be sporting a "Cole Valley Parents Network" sticker, so find me and introduce
yourself. If your child is too young to appreciate a playground, come anyway
and meet some other parents. Or you can participate in one of our member-
hosted weekday playgroups, which are especially good for the little ones.

When you join CVPN, you're joining a Google Group, where our members share
info about everything from girl scout cookies and garage sales to nannies and
strange neighborhood noises. You can get doctor recommendations, ask about
babysitting rates, or organize an activity. And since we're all sure to see each
other around the neighborhood, our members always stay friendly in their posts!

In addition to our playgroups, we've had family hikes and picnics, as well as an
occasional parents' night out. (There's been talk of a bowling night for dads!)
Once you join, you can keep an eye out for posts about new activities, or you can
organize one yourself!

Check out these sites for more ideas about life in Cole Valley and San Francisco:
California Academy of Sciences
Children's Playground in Golden Gate Park
ColeValleySF.com
Cole Valley Improvement Association
Golden Gate Mothers Group
Golden Gate Park
Grattan Elementary School
KidFriendlySF.com
Park Branch Library
Randall Museum
San Francisco Music Together
Talk Line Family Support Center
Upper Haight Farmers' Market

The Cole Valley Parents Network was started by a mom and dad living in Cole
Valley who wanted to get to know some other local families. We lived in the
neighborhood for many years before moving to Los Angeles, where both of our
sons were born. In LA we were very involved in a neighborhood parents' group,
as well as our older son's preschool, and we met lots of other families. Once we
got back to San Francisco, we wanted to create that same sense of community.
So we decided to tap into our wonderful neighborhood and get something started!