On a recent Monday morning Lisa Goosmann,a recent president of the Alto-View Newcoiner’s Club, hosted theclub’s weekly “Moms and Tots” group at her home in LosAltos. While a 6-month-old boy swang in a bucket seat and toddlersplayed together in the Goosmann’s backyard sandbox, their nearbymothers shared cups of coffee, homemade muffins, and relaxed conversationabout a range of topics, from the latest information on preschoolsand pediatricians, to the best area family activities.
While there are several local groups for mothers and young children,the Alta-View Newcomer’s “Mom and Tots” is unique. Membersand their children, who range in age from newborns to preschoolers,usually meet Monday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at one of theirhomes. While most “Mom and Tots” members joined thegroup after recently moving to Mountain View or Los Altos, onedoesn’t have t.o be a new resident to participate in “Momand Tots” or other Alto-View Newcomer’s popular activitiesincluding wine tastings, pot luck suppers, gourmet dinners, men’stennis and book club.
Goosmann herself first joined the club when she moved to Los Altosmore than three years ago with her husband, Tony, and now five-year-olddaughter, Melissa. Now also the mother of Erik, 2, Goosmann saidthe group provides mothers new to the area an opportunity to “meetother women who can share information about the area, from parksto preschools. It’s very social to Dafna Brown, who lives withher husband, Tom, and son, Nathan, 2, in Mountain View, joined”Mom and Tots” last year. Brown, who is originally fromSunnyvale, says, “Although I wasn’t new to the area, I didn’tknow many people who had small children. I wanted a play groupfor Nathan.” Since she joined, “I have discovered awealth of resources thanks to the group,” Goosmann said.
Margaret Taylor was expecting her third child, Michael, when she,her husband, Patrick, and their two young children, Daniel, 3,and Margot, 2, moved to Los Altos last May. Taylor joined the”Mom and Tots” group shortly after the family’s arrival.”It’s been a great way to ir,eet other mothers, who are experiencingsimilar things you’re facing being new to the area,” Taylorsaid.
Mountain View resident Kim Stedman agrees. Stedman, her husband,Geoff, and daughter, Nicole, 1 1/2, moved here last year fromthe East Coast. “The group allowed me to meet other momsand also introduce Nicole to new playmates,” Stedman said.
According to Goosmann, “Mom and Tots” is one of theAlto-View Newcomer’s strongest groups. The club began in the late1960s, and continues to support an active membership, which variesin age, interests and kiackgrounds. The bimonthly wine tastingevening is another popular club activity. Although it is usuallyheld in club members’ homes, the event is occasionally held atlocal wineries. Annual club membership for each family is $15.For more information about the “Mom and Tots” groupand the Alto-View Newcomer’s Club, call Lisa Goosmann at 965-7546.
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