Long Island Parent (Nassau) December 2016 by City Guide NY

LongIslandParent NASSAU EDITION

DECEMBER 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Staging a Holiday Classic

Behind the scenes at a local Nutcracker production

Weird Behavior Explained Why kids do the strangest things

Staycation Inspiration

Seven fun-filled itineraries for local family fun

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Contents

December 2016 ››

Features

14 Upholding a Holiday Tradition A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on a performance of The Nutcracker

16 Minding Their Manners It may seem quaint, but etiquette schools for kids are thriving. 18 Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Four recipes that use favorite flavor combinations 20 Kids Do the Weirdest Things Some of your child’s strangest behaviors and habits, explained by experts 42 A Staycation a Day Ideas for seven fun-filled family days around the New York metro area 45 Flu Shot 101 Four frequently asked questions

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 Voices: Pride and Fear 13 NYMP Q&A: Risa Klein, a certified nurse midwife, talks midwifery

Fun & Activities

12 Media Matters: Virtual Stocking Stuffers 12 DIY Corner: Christmas Crackers 24 Outing: Vanderbilt Museum 27 Family Activities Calendar 40 Where-To Guide: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Directories

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

44 46 48 49 49 50

Winter Break Activities #SnapShot2016 Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Family Resource Guide and Party Planner Advertisers’ Index

Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Staging a Holiday Classic 16 Manners & Etiquette Schools 20 Weird Behavior Explained facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

40 Cut Your Own Christmas Tree 42 Staycation Inspiration Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

LongIslandParent

DECEMBER 2016 • Vol.8 • No.7

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress

EDITOR’S NOTE

MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens

‘No Feet in Soup’

ne of my kids compulsively put her feet on everything, to the point where I had to institute a rule that’s become infamous in our household: “No feet in soup.” Another one can’t go more than a few minutes without her fingers in her belly button. I am sure many of you are nodding knowingly, since my kids are hardly unusual, even if the particulars differ person to person. Let’s face it: Kids do weird stuff, even they can’t explain why they do it. So we turned to the experts and asked them to explain kids’ unusual habits, from putting things up their noses to stripping in public to finding potty humor irresistible (p. 20). Usually, these odd-but-normal behaviors fade as kids get older and move on to the next mysterious habit. But learning to navigate the world can be difficult for many children. Enter manners and etiquette schools. You may have thought these were a thing of the past, but they’re alive and well in our region. And while they still teach kids the basics—sitting and eating properly at the dinner table, making eye contact and conversing with adults, and so on—many also ready their students for a world where so much communication happens via social media, texts, and email. Megan Bailey takes a look at today’s manners and etiquette programs and how participants benefit from them (p. 16). Holidays are, of course, a good time for kids to remember their manners, between the festive dinners and the presents for which they need to say thank you. It’s one of my favorite times of year, as I look forward to Hanukkah lights and my kids’ winter break. I often find, however, that I can’t decide what to do as a family, even when we are all eager for a fun outing. To help out, Bethany Braun-Silva offers seven “staycation” itineraries around the region (p. 42). Even though I don’t celebrate Christmas myself, I’ll admit to loving the lights, decorations, and general vibe the season brings. I’ll also make another admission: I’ve never seen The Nutcracker. Not by design, nor by opposition to it—it’s just never happened. So I was fascinated to read what it takes to mount a local production of this holiday classic in Samantha Neudorf’s behind-the-scenes look (p. 14). Whatever your plans this December, and whatever holiday(s) you celebrate, may the month—and the new year ahead—be filled with joy, peace, and health for all of you. Michael Kress Editorial Director

SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Karen Demeter (Fairfield, Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jonathan Perry, Kathryn Sheridan

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Caring Kids AWARDS

So many children and teenagers dedicate time to helping in our communities, and plenty of families do volunteer work together. If this describes your kids or your family, enter The NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards, and be eligible to win a $500 gift card!

Here’s how it works: • Go to nymetroparents.com/caring-kids between Nov. 1-Dec. 16. • Follow the directions there to tell us—in 75 words or less—about your child’s or your family’s community service efforts and the impact this volunteer work has on others. If you’d like, you can upload a photo or link to a video of them volunteering. • Eight Caring Kids will each receive a $500 gift card and a letter of commendation, and many more will be featured in our magazine and/or website. 6

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

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CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

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BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, FAIRFIELD PARENT and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2016, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

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Kids’ Gym and Education Center Offering Swim Lessons Who: M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center What’s New: Swimming lessons and instructions at the Long Island Swim School, which are offered through M.A.T.S.S. The dedicated staff at M.A.T.S.S. will supervise the escort to the swim school across the street and will happily welcome any children who wish to take part in beginners’ instruction, basic water safety lessons, and fun water play. “This is a fun and enriching class that enhances their day,” says Sylvia Claase, administrative and communications manager. “It is convenient for families as their children can be brought straight to the swim school right after their regular nursery school or program day. Less carpooling and chauffeuring for parents!” Want More Info: 171 Eileen Way, Syosset; 516-496-7765; matsskidsgym.com

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December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

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UOTABLES Their quirks are the things that are important to me. Not photos of them looking perfect. … When they were ready to go out that door, I was pretty sure that my heart might literally burst. My girls felt completely comfortable with themselves and completely beautiful. What better gift is there to give them? —Westchester mom Jennifer Garry, in a post entitled “School Picture Day Rebellion,” on her blog cuddlesandchaos.com

in an instagram Writing workshop at school ... I love every minute that I get to spend with my girls. (Posted by @3citygirlsnyc, aka Nilsa K, who blogs at 3citygirlsnyc.wordpress.com)

A SPECIAL MILESTONE “My son has autism and, at age 13, recently saw a movie in a theater for the first time. It is not something I thought would work for him—until now.”

in an instagram It’s so nice here, Mama! Can I take a nap? deitar no chão sujo do parquinho, né?

Tão gostoso

(Posted by @blogmeandthecity, aka NYC mom Fernanda Seelos, who blogs at blogmeandthecity.com)

“Every mother should know she is not alone in this. It is going to take some getting used to. Everyone struggles at first—everyone—even if they don’t admit it.” —Kate Bingham-Smith, in a post on scarymommy.com entitled “What Every Mother Should Know.”

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

—Manhattan mom Dana Greenberg in an article entitled “Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies: 5 Tips From a Mom Who’s Been There.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/autism-movies.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SEE THE WINDOWS: Find department-store holiday displays at nymetroparents.com/windows. CHOO CHOO! See where to find holiday train shows at nymetroparents.com/holiday-trains. COLD & FLU SEASON: Learn how to avoid common childhood illnesses at nymetroparents.com/prevent. HIT THE ICE: Find ice-skating rinks near you at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating.

VOICES

Pride and Fear

››

The intense, mixed emotions of being the wife of a police officer. By Bethany Braun-Silva

uring Spirit Week at my son’s school, students were asked to dress up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. My son chose to be a baseball player, and I figured we would see lots of other ballplayers, along with plenty of doctors and superheroes. But that wasn’t the most popular choice among kids at his school—not even close. As we approached the school, I noticed dozens of kids dressed as police officers, which surprised me. Boys and girls, younger as well as older kids, all decked out in navy blue uniforms and badges. I had a sense of pride, and I smiled at the innocence of these kids’ desires to serve and protect. I also got a rush of anxiety because, should these young children still want to be cops when they actually do grow up, they are in for a rough road. It’s a tough life, and police officers and their families need a lot of support—not to mention, it’s scary as all get out. My husband is a New York City police officer, and he is very dedicated to his job. He takes it seriously; he does it with pride and rarely complains. With two young boys at home and a demanding job with even more demanding hours, the fact that my husband doesn’t complain isn’t just worth mentioning, it’s a feat in itself. As a cop’s wife who also works, it has been tricky managing our schedules. He works nights, and so, between work and parenting duties, I sometimes go several days without interacting with my husband face to face. This is the norm, and the boys and I have grown accustomed to missing him and spending weekends without him. We try to capitalize on any time off my husband has by spending quality time together and doing fun things as a family. However, with the recent bombings and ever-present threats in New York City, we’ve had even less time together than usual, since he has been working tons of overtime. As for me? I am more anxious than ever about his career given the current climate and recent police shootings.

At home, we talk about these things in private. Our sons are 4 and 1 and best left out of conversations about the dangers of their father’s job, at least for now. However, one day in the near future we will have to sit them down and explain the realty of being a police officer. We will have to tell them that police officers sometimes make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the people of their community. That sometimes officers make bad decisions. That while it is a noble, selfless profession, many officers misunderstand the responsibility they have to protect and serve. In lieu of those talks, right now we have a strict family rule of saying “I love you” and giving hugs and kisses when Daddy leaves for work. It’s a great tradition that I’m sure many families enjoy, but in our home, as in many law-enforcement families, it is not to be missed, even on the busiest days. That’s the strange reality of living with a police officer. He might not come home after his shift. He might not come home ever again. That truth is something I carry with me always, but am sadly reminded of it more frequently of late. We live in scary times and part of me just wants to run away from it all and move to a more serene environment—somewhere with a backyard and a garden, where I can give my kids a more innocent upbringing. But that’s out of the question given my husband’s job. Plus, the reality is there are dangers everywhere. I support my husband in his career, just as he supports me in mine. Whatever happens, we will get through it as a family. With all that being said, life is otherwise great. Our boys are happy and healthy, and I have pretty much adjusted to the demands of being a police officer’s wife. It’s unfortunate that we live with the ever-present knowledge of potential tragedy in our lives, but that just comes with the territory. On the other side of it, we have our own personal hero who protects and serves us daily. My boys and I couldn’t be prouder.

LongIslandParent 11

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In Theaters Dec. 21: Sing Parents need to know that Sing is an animated comedy that looks like a mash-up between Zootopia and American Idol. In a world in which animals walk, talk, wear clothes, and— yes—sing, Buster, a koala (voiced by Matthew McConaughey), proposes to host a singing competition in a last-ditch effort to save his theater. Animals from near and far gather to vie for the prize money, including a gorilla trying to get out of his father’s gang (Taron Egerton), a suburban mama pig (Reese Witherspoon), and even a gambling mouse (Seth MacFarlane). Some of the humor might not be appropriate for the littlest kids, but overall Sing looks like a movie that kids and parents will be able to enjoy together.

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

DIY CORNER HOLIDAY FUN

Christmas Crackers

Making your own crackers is fun and easy, and it means you can put your own choice of novelties and silly handwritten jokes inside. Make the crackers from colorful wrapping paper and trim them with sequins or glitter finished with pretty bows. Or throw in some confetti to add a fun element to your New Year’s Eve party. You will need: • Cardboard toilet rolls • 8-by-8-inch piece of paper per cracker • Pencil • Ruler • Scissors

• Glue or sticky tape • Snaps for crackers (you can find these on Amazon.com) • Gifts, paper hats, and jokes • 8 inches of ribbon (¼-inch wide) per cracker • Sequin trim

Directions: 1. Lay the cardboard roll in the center of the paper and mark the position of each end using a pencil. Set the roll aside. 2. Using the marks made on the paper as a guide, fold the paper, right sides together, and press the folds flat. Using a ruler, mark out lines along the fold approximately ¾ inch apart, stopping approximately 1 inch in from the outside edge of the paper. 3. Use scissors to cut along the marked lines to create slits in the paper. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

4. Now unfold the paper and lay it flat, wrong side facing up. Place the cardboard roll on top. Apply a dab of glue or use a small piece of double-sided tape to hold the paper on the roll. Wrap the paper around the roll as tightly as you can. Apply glue along the whole edge of the paper and press firmly in place. Allow to dry completely. 5. Push the cracker snap through the open end of the roll. This is also the time to insert any small gifts or trinkets, a paper hat, and a joke or other motto. 6. Cut the ribbon in half and tie a length of ribbon around one end of the cracker. Tie in a knot. Repeat at the other end. Trim the ends of the ribbon on the diagonal with scissors to prevent them fraying. 7. Measure the circumference of the cracker and cut three lengths of sequin trim to fit. Glue the sequin trim in rows around the cracker. Allow glue to dry completely. Crackers Safety: Crackers snaps are a low-risk fire hazard and must always be used with adult supervision. Never pull a snap on its own. Visit nymetroparents.com/crackers for step-by-step photos. Excerpted from My First Christmas Craft Book, Cico Kidz, $14.95; rylandpeters.com. Photography by CICO Books 2016.

NYMP Q&A

What a Midwife Does ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

Risa Klein is a certified nurse midwife with an office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She was the “birth consultant” for the feature films Baby Mama and Laze.

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Are there any misconceptions about midwives you want to set straight? Midwives are very smart. We go through very rigorous academic accredited midwifery schools. Sometimes people think midwives only do home-births for impoverished, poverty-stricken people around the world, and that’s really not true. Midwives serve women of all socio-economic backgrounds and what we do is we pride ourselves on understanding what is normal for each woman we see. We also do GYN-care, conscious conception planning, and contraceptive planning. Basically, midwives have a holistic view of the process of birth and childbirth is just an organic, natural process. Midwives see it as normal, it’s not a disease; it’s nothing to be afraid of. Can any woman see a midwife during her pregnancy? We take care of healthy, low-risk women. We don’t take care of women with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, or other metabolic diseases. We could co-manage women, but for the most part we take care of healthy women, but we are educated and experienced to screen for other risk factors. So many women think, “Oh, I’ll be safer with an OB,” but if there’s a true medical issue, then we will refer, consult, and collaborate with an obstetrician, with a perinatologist, or with a genetic counselor. So what I could share is that a lot of people don’t understand the magnitude of experience midwives have in terms of understanding the medical piece of it, and knowing when to and how to recognize if there is a challenge, and when to consult and co-manage. Any tips for woman to help make pregnancy an easier, more enjoyable process? Many women are working very hard, and they’re going up and down stairs and going to the gym, but unbeknownst to them, they’re throwing themselves into pre-term labor and their waters are breaking early because they’re doing too much. So I really encourage women to go slow. My phrase is, “be boring.” Modify work, go in late, work from home, do what you can so you can enjoy the last few weeks and not risk a premature labor. In our country we have very high infant morbidity and mortality, and it’s truly something that I believe could be avoided with positive communication about eating well, having protein in the diet, making sure a woman’s blood volume stays high, and getting enough rest. If a woman is dizzy by exercising and running around and forgetting to eat or drink, those all set up for preterm labor contractions.

S uc ce s s f ul F r ie n d s h i p s a re Po s s i ble !

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Samantha Neudorf

Julieta Cervantes

The party scene from the Westchester Ballet Company’s 2015 production of The Nutcracker

Logrea Dance Academy students rehearse the finale from The Nutcracker in October.

Upholding a Holiday Tradition

››

A behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to plan, choreograph, and perform The Nutcracker, a beloved holiday show. By Samantha Neudorf

t 1pm on a recent Saturday, Beth Fritz-Logrea ushers all of her ballet students into the studio to begin rehearsing the snow scene from Act I of The Nutcracker. The girls stand in position and Fritz-Logrea walks up to them to go over placement on the stage at Logrea Dance Academy in Ossining. Each girl is given a number, which corresponds to a marker on the stage designating where she should stand. Twenty minutes after first inviting the students in, they’re all in place and Fritz-Logrea walks to the front of the studio, sits in a director’s chair, and cues her husband, Jean Logrea, to start the music from the top of the snow scene. Rehearsal has begun. The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that kids and adults look forward to each year. First performed at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1892, the ballet is Alexandre Dumas père’s adaptation of the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Despite those roots, it was not until 1964 that The Nutcracker gained popularity. That’s when George Balanchine—considered by many as the “Father of American Ballet”—debuted his rendition of the ballet at New York City Center. In Balanchine’s words, his Nutcracker was to be “full-length and expensive,” according to Vanity Fair. He envisioned a grandiose tree for the background, and somehow managed to get a $40,000 tree commissioned to make the magic of The Nutcracker feel as real as possible. That magic, as well as the tradition of this ballet, are still very much alive and well today—at major venues such as Lincoln Center as well as at regional and local theaters seemingly everywhere. No matter where it is produced, the grace and 14

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

beauty on display is the result of countless hours of hard work by dedicated dancers, many of them teens at local high schools.

A Ballet Family

Westchester Ballet Company’s version of this classic has been the responsibility of co-directors Jean Logrea and Beth Fritz-Logrea since they became owners of the dance troupe in 1985. A year later, they founded the Logrea Dance Academy and named it the official school of the Westchester Ballet Company. Though Fritz-Logrea stopped personally performing in the production 25 years ago, she is both the choreographer and director of the show. Her husband has played the role of Uncle Drosselmeyer for the past 31 years, while their son, Nick, will be performing in his 25th Nutcracker show in several different roles: the butler in the party scene, the Mouse King, the Arabian pas de deux, and a soloist for the company’s Ukranian variation—an added scene that is not usually performed in other Nutcracker productions. Nick says the best part about performing each year is being on stage. “There’s something about being on stage and being in front of a large group of people and performing for them then getting the satisfaction of them applauding you at the end,” Nick says. “It’s a big adrenaline rush, something that I’ve loved from the very beginning.”

Balancing High School with Rehearsal

Back at rehearsal, there are nearly 28 girls who have been cast in the snow scene, divided into two groups, each of which will perform at two of the four shows. Fritz-Logrea runs through the

Planning the Production

To mount an ambitious production such as The Nutcracker, the Logreas start thinking about the show as early as late July or early August. Right after their spring season is over in May, they sit down and discuss which dancers are returning and start calling guest dancers to see if they will be available. Auditions for this year’s Nutcracker were held in midSeptember, and are typically open to whoever would like to be a part of it. Students at Logrea Dance Studio are not required to participate in The Nutcracker, and they are also not guaranteed a role just because they are a part of the company. Rehearsals begin a week after auditions and run until performance week—Dec. 1618 this year. In order to ensure the production is staged as planned, there are also many logistics to be considered. Westchester Ballet Company

Julieta Cervantes

scene with the first cast for the first time this season. All of these dancers are wearing pointe shoes and are between ages 11-18, including the dance studio’s three graduating seniors: Charlotte Chandler, Clare Hammonds, and Molly Powers. These three girls have been dancing for 15 years and have been performing in the Westchester Ballet Company’s Nutcracker for 10-12 years each. Powers and Chandler first started out as mice and Hammonds was a page; this year, they each have three roles—Chandler, a 17-year-old from Cross River, is a snow soloist, Chinese soloist, and the Dew Drop Fairy; Hammonds, a 17-year-old from Ossining, is a snow soloist, in the gigue variation, and is the flower soloist; Powers, a 17-year-old from Hawthorne, is a party scene guest, in the snow scene, and is a flower soloist. The teens dance ballet six days a week, which is how they’ve grown close to one another. “We’re all such good friends and the community surrounding us helps to put on the performance,” Hammonds says. “That plays a huge part in performance week for us.” The most challenging part for these seniors is juggling college applications and extracurricular activities with dance rehearsals six days a week. Saturday rehearsals for The Nutcracker are four hours long. “This teaches you time management because you’re here so often, but you need to focus on your studies, too,” says Powers, a member of the National Honor Society at her school. The end of the snow scene transitions into one in which Clara, the main character, travels to the Land of Sweets with the Nutcracker Prince. Clara is played by 14-year-old Rylee Carpenter of Ossining. She has played Clara for the past three years, and aspires to perform on Broadway when she is older. “I love being able to act, especially doing Clara,” Carpenter says. “I love the feeling of acting and dancing because it just lets me express myself more.” She also takes theater and singing lessons in addition to dance. Tim Bohrman, a 14-year-old from Carmel, is Logrea Dance Studio’s oldest boy, and has been dancing for 10 years. He will play Fritz, the lead soldier, and the Chinese soloist in this year’s performance, and this is his first year as a soloist. “A lot of the guy parts are a lot of fun because there’s usually a lot of cool jumps and turns,” he says. Bohrman started taking ballet after his older sister—who is now 20 and a trainee with the Orlando Ballet Company in Florida— started taking lessons. Though Bohrman also takes modern and tap at the dance studio, he says his favorite dance is ballet and intends to join a ballet company, just like his older sister.

Clara, as played by Rylee Carpenter, holds a Nutcracker doll in the 2014 show.

board members must consult with the performance venue—the Westchester County Center in White Plains—and the county Parks and Recreation department to take care of contracts. They also have to coordinate with the stage crew at Westchester County Center about technicalities such as lighting and set changes. The Logreas are able to bring in guest dancers from ballet companies around the world because of the connections they have made over the years as ballet dancers themselves. Beth and Jean met when they both danced at the Graz Opera House in Austria. There are usually four to five guest dancers who perform in their show, and the Logreas say it is good experience for their students to see what it is like to dance among a professional. “[To see] how they carry themselves on and off the stage, how they prepare for the production in the warm-up class, how early they arrive to the theater—it’s just good for the kids to witness,” Logrea says.

Keeping the Magic Alive

After the Mouse King is slayed on stage during the performance, a screen comes down, the Nutcracker Prince comes to life, and Drosselmeyer introduces him to Clara. The music crescendos, the lights dim, and dry ice blocks are placed to create the illusion of a dreamlike fog—then the snow scene begins. Nick says that is his favorite scene from the show. “I know dancers that have graduated from us and have come back to watch… they still say to this day that they always cry during the beginning of the snow scene,” Nick says. “I still get chills every time that music comes up.” Logrea recalls a time when a college student visited Westchester and watched the show—particularly the transition into the snow scene. “He said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I will never forget that in my life,’” Logrea says. It’s what every Nutcracker performer everywhere hopes for, performance after performance of this holiday-season tradition.

WHERE TO SEE PERFORMANCES OF THE NUTCRACKER IN NASSAU COUNTY Tilles Center for the Performing Arts 720 Northern Blvd., Greenvale Dec. 17, 6pm; Dec. 18, 1pm and 5pm $48-$78. tillescenter.org.

John Cranford Adams Playhouse Hofstra University 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead Dec. 18-19, 12pm and 5pm $42, $32 children and seniors. ohmanballet.org.

LongIslandParent 15

Courtesy Fleur de Lis Academy

Students at Fleur de Lis Academy in Norwalk, CT, prepare for the day’s lesson.

Minding Their Manners

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It may seem quaint in today’s world, but etiquette schools for kids are thriving nonetheless. By Megan Bailey

t seemed to be that whenever 5-year-old Belle sat down for dinner, most of it would end up on the floor rather than in her mouth. She overlooked the fork and knife and used the tools she was born with—her fingers. As a result, Belle’s parents got tired of crawling under the table to pick up whatever they’d had for dinner that night. But they couldn’t seem to get Belle to stop, so they turned to some outside help. That’s right: We’re talking etiquette school. Belle’s mom, Anne, decided to enroll her in a dining course at Beaumont Etiquette in Manhattan. Not wanting it to feel like a punishment, Anne set out to make sure Belle saw it as a fun and light-hearted activity. When the day came to start, Anne made it a big deal for Belle, dressing her daughter in a cute party dress, letting her put on some makeup, and getting her excited about using fancy tableware. During class time, Beumont’s founder and director, Myka Meier, taught Belle the basics of mealtime etiquette, including where your napkin goes, when to use a fork and a spoon, and how you shouldn’t put your feet up while eating. Today, Anne is happy to report, Belle’s food now reaches her mouth instead of the floor, she utilizes her silverware, and she even stirs her mother’s tea on a regular basis. “Do you think Myka would be proud that I did this?” Belle will ask Anne from time to time. Or she will turn to her little brother and say, “Good, Jack. You’re eating over the plate!” “She picked up some things from it, and I think it was a great thing, and I know she had fun doing it,” Anne says. “It was more of a fun activity than a class.”

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

In our fast-paced world, in which families are eating together less often and informality seems to rule the day, it may seem as if manners and etiquette are a thing of the fabled past. But Belle is far from the only area child who’s learned a thing or two from a program like Beaumont’s. Schools, classes, and private teachers dedicated to spreading the gospel of good manners are still thriving in 2016. “I think we’re all seeing a big increase in business because it’s becoming almost trendy again, it’s becoming cool,” Meier says. “I think the millennial generation and onward have a lot of new challenges in everyday life, and we have to cater to the changes that are happening around us.”

Manners vs. Etiquette

To understand what goes on in these programs, it’s helpful to define some terminology, starting with the fact that manners and etiquette are not, in fact, the same thing. “Good manners never change,” says Michelle Sperry, founder and director of Fleur de Lis Academy in Norwalk, CT. “For example, 100 years ago it wasn’t okay to bonk someone over the head and take their food. And, it still isn’t okay to do that.” Etiquette, on the other hand, is culturally specific, dependent on time and place. “Etiquette is a set of rules,” Sperry continues. “It changes with each era, style, demographic, etc. For example, 100 years ago people used to eat with their hands. Now, we eat with forks and knives, although in some cultures they still eat with their hands. But, nonetheless, these things will change.”

Manners, then, are basic social skills, such as holding the door for someone or sharing toys with friends, while etiquette programs cover modern American norms, which can include making eye contact with others or shaking hands. “All parents want their child to be successful. However, success is not only measured in academia, but through the way we teach our children to show courtesy, respect, honesty, and politeness,” says Dianne Marsch, founder and director of the Etiquette School of Manhattan.

Today’s Needs

Most parents who send their children to these programs have modest goals, seeking attainable improvements in their kids’ behavior. “Most of the time the parents just want the kids to listen a little bit more, to chew their food with their mouths closed—it’s mainly that. If these things are not addressed now, later on they will be harder to learn,” says Arely Mendoza-Cantos, founder and director of Always Gracious, a manners and etiquette school for Long Island youth. “I find that young kids are really eager to please their parents and show their manners.” Many programs today include classes on digital etiquette—how to behave online, and how and when to put the device down and be present in the real world. “We have social media, and children especially are on computers all day and that sometimes is their preferred method of communication,” Meier says. “So, I found that they were losing really basic social skills.” Despite the emphasis on technology and digital media, many of the schools find their more traditional classes, especially those covering mealtime behavior, are the most popular. Educating today’s youth on how to communicate clearly—face-to-face and through their screens—how to conduct themselves in professional settings, and how to act at the dinner table are skills that can have an impact on their future and ultimately give them an advantage over those who have not been brushing up. “It’s interesting, a kid in our very modern world who has great social skills and great manners and great etiquette really stands out, because for most kids the bar is so low when it comes to social skills,” says Faye de Muyshondt, founder and director of the Manhattan etiquette school Socialsklz:-). “Parents are always trying to give our kids the competitive edge, but really the competitive edge in the modern world is an awesome set of social skills and a great foundation of manners and etiquette in life, because most kids don’t have it.” With the introduction of social media and the rise of technology, there is a newfound urgency to etiquette education. “Is it okay to text someone who’s more senior than you and use emojis? Is it okay to still be writing old-fashioned thank you letters? Just going over and making it a bit more relevant to today— that’s the whole point of it—for it to be practical etiquette that they use every day,” Meier says. Despite our digital world’s dizzying pace of change, knowing how to chew your food politely or conduct yourself during an interview are skills that are ultimately timeless. On the other hand, maybe putting our pinkies up and carrying a handkerchief are, indeed, a bit outdated. The key is to find the balance, and today’s schools understand the difference. “The more students we can teach all of these social, communication, and leadership skills to, it can change an entire generation,” Marsch says. “And I love every day that I can teach and make a difference in the life of someone.”

A GLIMPSE INSIDE LOCAL MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE PROGRAMS Alice Austen House 2 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island 718-816-4506 info@aliceausten.org aliceausten.org The Alice Austen House isn’t primarily focused on etiquette, but there is a reason its programs include this topic: Austen, a prolific photographer in the early years of the medium, lived for many years with Gertrude Tate, who taught etiquette and manners. Family courses are offered at the house or programs can be set up in schools and can focus on social etiquette, communication skills, or table manners. Always Gracious: The Academy of Etiquette 516-593-3817 alwaysgracious@optonline.net alwaysgracious.com Long Island’s Always Gracious has no set location, offering its programs—which include social etiquette, table etiquette, and image and style classes—in a family’s home, or for groups of 10 or more participants, on-site at a school or office. Lessons are also offered for the Spanishspeaking community. Beaumont Etiquette 5 Columbus Circle, #1701, Manhattan 212-390-1557 info@beaumontetiquette.com beaumontetiquette.com Beaumont Etiquette offers training one-on-one or in small groups and customizes courses based on a survey parents or guardians fill out about their child when they enroll. Beaumont Etiquette also offers online courses for children. In addition to classes on social skills and American dining manners, among others, its roster covers international dining and travel etiquette.

Etiquette School of Manhattan 101 W. 23rd St., Suite 525, Manhattan 877-506-2663 dianne@etiquetteschool.org nyc.etiquetteschool.org At the Etiquette School of Manhattan, founder and director Dianne Marsch mostly avoids classrooms and teaches her courses at restaurants, in private groups, or in schools. In addition to programs about dining, basic manners, and social skills, the school offers classes that include parents and grandparents as well as a Nanny Educational Etiquette Certification program (also taught in Spanish). Marsch also works with many low-income families and at-risk kids, teaching them the skills they need to transition into adulthood. Fleur de Lis Academy 327 Main Ave., Norwalk, CT 203-210-7155 enrollmanners@gmail.com fleurdelisacademy.com Fleur de Lis Academy runs several programs, one of which is First Impressions, covering manners and etiquette. It offers classes, private and semi-private lessons, workshops, leadership training, in-school sessions, and other programs. Socialsklz:-) 250 W. 85th St., Suite 1B, Manhattan 212-579-5300 info@socialsklz.com socialsklz.com Socialsklz:-) offers many public workshops and caters to our digital age (hence the emoticon and slang in the title). It offers a wide range of courses, from basic workshops to technology courses to CAMPsocialsklz:-).

Megan Bailey is a former NYMetroParents intern.

LongIslandParent 17

FOOD & NUTRITION

Make Your Own Hot Cocoa

››

Four hot chocolate recipes that use favorite flavor combinations. By Chelsie Jangord Nothing makes us enjoy winter more than coming in from the cold and enjoying a nice, steamy cup of hot cocoa. While these recipes call for specific vegan ingredients, feel free to use what you have in your cupboard.

Orange Hot Chocolate Makes 2-3 cups

Ingredients 3 cups non-dairy milk 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1/ 3 cup vegan chocolate chips Zest and juice of 1 orange Instructions In a saucepan over low heat, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and zest. Once thoroughly combined and heated, pour into mugs and top with Dandies Mini Marshmallows. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa Mix

Yields: Approximately 3 cups of dry mix Ingredients Dandies Pumpkin Marshmallows 1 cup cocoa powder 1 bag of vegan chocolate chips, frozen 3 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ½ cup powdered sugar Instructions Add frozen chocolate chips (it is very important that they’ve been thoroughly frozen) to a food processor and blend until chips have turned into a fine powder. In a mixing bowl whisk together chocolate chip powder, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, powdered sugar, and cornstarch. Fill a Mason jar with cocoa mix and top with Pumpkin Dandies to make a great gift that will stay good for up to a month. To make a cup of a hot cocoa, bring 1½ cups of non-dairy milk to a boil, add 3-4 Tbsp. of mix, and stir. Reduce heat and let simmer, stirring often to remove any clumps. Taste as you go: If you like your cocoa on the sweeter side, add an extra tablespoon of mix. Top with Pumpkin Dandies and enjoy!

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ingredients 1 handful of Dandies Peppermint Marshmallows 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder 2 cups non-dairy milk 4 Tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. peppermint extract Crushed peppermint candies, optional garnish Melted chocolate, optional garnish

Ingredients 3 cups non-dairy milk 1/ 3 cup natural peanut butter ¼ cup sugar 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder ¼ cup chopped dark chocolate or vegan chocolate chips 1 tsp. vanilla Handful of Dandies Mini Marshmallows

Instructions In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and peppermint extract. Whisk until all clumps have dissolved. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Optional: Dip the rim of a mug in melted chocolate, then into the crushed peppermint candies. Fill with hot cocoa, top with Peppermint Dandies Marshmallows, and enjoy!

Instructions In a saucepan over low heat, whisk together all the hot chocolate ingredients. Once thoroughly combined and heated, pour into mugs and top with Dandies. Up your game by drizzling on some additional peanut butter! The longer it sits the thicker it gets. If you prefer a thinner hot chocolate, you can add more non-dairy milk to reach the desired consistency.

Serves 2

Serves 2-3

Chelsie Jangord is the in-house chef at Dandies Marshmallows.

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Kids Do the Weirdest Things

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Some of your child’s strangest behaviors and habits, explained by experts. By Laurie Sue Brockway

hen my son was in kindergarten, the teacher called me in to tell me the staff was taking up a collection so that I could buy him new clothing. He’d been wearing the same clothes every day for two weeks, and the staff assumed it was because I was not able to properly clothe him. It took everything for me not to burst out laughing as I explained that my son decided he would wear only black pants and a favorite black sweatshirt—so I’d bought him five pairs of the same pants and sweatshirts and washed his clothes constantly. But I told him that it was the same outfit every day. When the teacher asked if he had other clothes, he apparently said no. Don’t get me started on the phase in which he insisted on wearing his Superman cape to school. Or the stuffed cat that had to be with us as all times. Kids do weird things. Really weird things. We asked experts to comment on some of the unusual traits we are bound to see as our kids grow.

Toddlers

Touching everything. If you feel like smudgy fingerprints cover every surface in your home, you’re not alone. “Many toddlers learn by touching,” says Mary Ellen Renna, M.D., a pediatrician in practice in Jericho and author of 10 Steps to Almost Perfect Parenting. “They are tactile learners. They need to touch, manipulate, open, tear, and pull items. They need to see what sounds they make, how they feel, what it tastes like.” Eating and licking gross things. Toddlers do not discriminate 20

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

when it comes to putting things in their mouths or up to their lips—dirt and snot included. “Children are inherently curious,” says Deena Blanchard, M.D., a Brooklyn- and Manhattan-based pediatric and postpartum depression expert with Premier Pediatrics and a mom of three boys. “As they grow and explore the world they will explore with all their senses. Early exploration is often oral in nature.” That’s why parents have to make sure there are no small pieces of things on the floor or within grasp. “The good news is that as children get older these habits fade,” Dr. Blanchard says. Flushing stuff down the toilet. Remember that time when you couldn’t find a toy or your sunglasses, and then you heard a splash? “Kids are attracted to the toilet more between ages 18 months and 2½ years, when they are developing their bathroom skills—toilet training,” Dr. Renna says. “Once they develop the aversion to their waste products, they don’t play around the toilet as much.” Taking over cellphones. Phones and other mobile devices are very attractive because they are filled with colors and sounds, Dr. Renna says. “They also have games and songs that are entertaining.” That doesn’t mean they should play with them. “I don’t believe kids should have access to a parent’s phone,” she says. “Too much potential danger there.”

Small Children

Sticking things up their noses—and elsewhere. Kids are usually led by the desire to see how things fit into other things.

“It is rare for children to put things in various places to act out or purposely annoy their parents,” Dr. Blanchard says. “It is much more likely that they are curious about what it would feel like to put a pretzel in their nose, or if a bead could fit inside their ear.” She says to talk to children about how their bodily orifices work and explain, We only put food in our mouths and that it’s not healthy or safe for your body to put things in your nose or ear. Most children grow out of these behaviors by age 5 or 6, or after they have to see a doctor to have something removed from an ear or nose. “It’s not actually a fun experience and that works in our favor as parents,” Dr. Blanchard says. Peeing on, or in, stuff. While dogs do it to mark their territory, kids do it to experiment and explore. “I know a 4-year-old who urinated in a backpack because he wanted to see what it felt like,” Dr. Blanchard says. To make sure it doesn’t happen again, focus on the positive and make it a teachable moment. “For example,” she says, “you can say, ‘I sometimes wonder what things may feel like too. It is important to only go pee in the potty or your pull up so we can keep the house clean.’” Also, tell children to check with you if they aren’t sure about whether they should do something. Clinging to an object of affection. Linus isn’t the only one who likes his security blanket. “The object in some way represents the parent who the child does not want to separate from,” says Gail Saltz, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at The New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornel School of Medicine and host of “The Power of Different” podcast. “The parent can come and go, so the object provides comfort and permanence in staying with the child and being snuggled or held.” Termed a transitional object, it can be a blanket, a stuffed animal, or toy—something that can be carried around. “Parents know if you leave it at home or it gets lost, there is hell to pay in the form of tantrums or refusal to go anywhere without it,” Dr. Saltz says. Making animal noises and sounds. There are a number of things that inspire kids to roar, purr, or make odd or loud noises. “It may be dramatic play, actually pretending to be an animal,” says Jephtha Tausig-Edwards, Ph.D., a New York City-based clinical psychologist. “It would not be unusual for a 3- or 4-year-old to pretend he or she was an animal until they tired of doing so.” It can also be to gain attention, or to make parents or peers laugh, she adds. Inviting imaginary friends to dinner. Imaginary friends can be helpful to kids who have gone through trauma and can serve as allies to any child. “These friends are sometimes only in the child’s head but can sometimes be seen in great detail by the child,” Dr. Saltz says. “It may be one or multiple people, animals or fantasy beings and is often viewed in a real friend way, with discussion, shared feelings, and inclusion in family activities.” This is all a reflection of this child’s imagination and creativity, and is more likely to occur for a child who has enough unstructured play time to invent a friend, she says. Stripping in public. “Young children can be unselfconscious about their bodies such that they may spontaneously strip off their clothing because they feel hot, or too restricted, or just like the feel of being naked—but obviously not when it’s cold out,” Dr. Tausig-Edwards says. “Sometimes, they may want to show the world their ‘big boy underpants’ or something they are proud of, which could also include genitalia if they feel this is

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LongIslandParent 21

‹‹ continued from previous page

important.” She says this behavior usually stops due to caregiver reprimands and/or pressure from peers in social situations such as birthday parties or playdates. It should clear up completely during the first year of preschool if not before. Drawing a masterpiece on a freshly painted wall. Remember that time when your kids unleashed their inner Michelangelos in unsolicited wall murals—furniture, upholstery, and other items? “This behavior can be an expression of artistic impulses and/or a method of gaining our attention,” Dr. Tausig-Edwards says. Or kids just think it is a good idea at the time. She suggests hanging large sheets of butcher paper with masking or some other nonmarking tape on all four corners and then invite your children to draw only on the paper. “You will know fairly quickly whether the driver of their behavior is more of an artistic impulse or more of an attention-getting one.” Decorating a sibling’s face with magic markers. They’re not trying to ruin their sister or brother’s good looks out of jealousy. “It’s usually part of fun, curiosity, or an imagination game,” Dr. Blanchard says. “It’s rarely manipulative or purposefully intent on upsetting someone. Kids are fun, curious little beings. They aren’t yet fully aware of the consequences of their actions and likely have not thought it through.” While this may lead to some coloring on your baby, it also leads to a time where your child is super fun to play with and talk to, she says. “Their minds are open and the world is their oyster. Try to embrace this period and guide your child in making good choices.”

Older Kids

Refusing to talk about their day at school. Some kids just need downtime when they get home. “As a mom of three boys, I totally understand the frustration of asking your child how was your day at school and getting back, ‘fine.’” Dr. Blanchard says. “After a long day at school kids may not be in the mood to talk or review their day.” Try asking your child more specific questions instead of broad ones, such as: What did you eat for lunch? Or, What made you smile today? Or wait until bedtime to chat, when kids are more relaxed. Giving the pet a makeover. Some kids like to dress up pets like dolls and put barrettes on long-haired dogs, but Rachel Barrack, a veterinarian with Animal Acupuncture, has also seen cases of kids trying to add color. “Kids love to color with markers and crayons, but keep these away from your pets,” says Barrack, who practices in NYC. She says that body glitter and nail polish are also not safe. Holding pets (or siblings) up like Simba. The sweet scene in the Lion King inspires kids to hold their pets up like a baby lion. However, Barrack says, “this is not only scary for them, but you can drop them.” That goes for little sister or brother, too. “We don’t want to encourage children to do any weird things with pets,” Barrack says, suggesting pet-friendly alternative activities such as cuddling, teaching and learning new tricks, exercise, reading, and “pet-friendly” arts and crafts. Playing with prickly things. Some foods need close parental supervision. Naresh C. Rao, D.O., FAOASM, of Sports Medicine at Chelsea, shares a cautionary tale about a 9-year-old sister and

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

6-year-old brother who saw a prickly pear in a grocery store. “The sister picked it up, and it felt fuzzy. She then told her brother to pick it up,” he says. “After both of them held it, they felt pain and told mom.” As it turned out, he says, “The slivers from the Prickly Pear had to be removed by a pediatric dermatologist because the spikes were so small that the doctor needed specialized equipment to have it removed from their skin.” Creating obstacle courses. Dr. Rao, who lives in Scarsdale and was on Team USA’s sports medicine team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, has treated injuries relating to kids playing around in cars. One 9-year-old boy decided to buckle all the seat belts in the back of Mom’s minivan and swing through them like an obstacle course. “He then convinced his 11-year-old sister to join him,” Dr. Rao says. “She got through one but then got caught up in the next one. It was so tightly wrapped around her body that the latching mechanism would not release.” The seat belt needed to be cut to free her.

Tweens

Girls going gaga over male pop idols. It’s a rite of passage that harkens back beyond Elvis and the Beatles and the Backstreet Boys. “Teen idols are often fantasy romantic partners when tweens and teens first start to have crushes,” Dr. Saltz says. “It is a safe way to express and experience romantic and sexual feelings in an exciting way.” Teens and tweens feel close to the idol by going to concerts and playing their music, which explains why parents find themselves shelling out money for tickets, T-shirts, and posters. Because adolescent brains are more primed for risk taking and emotionality, a teen may go to great lengths to be close to and experience their idol, Dr. Saltz says. Boys using potty humor. “Boys love potty humor—farts and poop jokes never get old— and that’s why they will read a series like Captain Underpants over and over again,” says Hillary Tubin, former literacy educator and author of Boys and Books: What You Need to Know. “Boys also love to read in the weirdest positions: standing, squeezed into a tiny space, in a fort, on their backs with their arms raised and the book high in the air, and while moving around to name a few.” She says boys are the happiest when they get to read a book such as Captain Underpants squeezed into a tiny space made into a fort, with a flashlight in hand and their favorite pet close by. Being tied to electronic devices. The romance begins early on and by the time kids have cellphones and iPads they might as well have been born with the device firmly attached to their hand. Texting is how teens communicate. “We live in a world of constant motion and as such they grab anything to keep constantly busy,” says technology expert Donna Conroy, co-founder of House Monkey. Always monitor use, she says, and get kids to take a time-out from devices as much as possible. Laurie Sue Brockway is a journalist and author who has written extensively on love, romance, marriage, parenting, well-being, and emotional health. Her work has appeared in hundreds of print and online publications, including Woman’s Day, Everyday Health, and The Huffington Post.

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OUTINGS: Vanderbilt Museum

nymetroparents.com/outings

Mansion, Museum, and Planetarium 1

Courtesy Vanderbilt Museum

William K. Vanderbilt II, who was an ocean and natural world enthusiast, posthumously helped to turn his sprawling estate into a museum for marine-life and natural history. ›› By Melissa A. Kay

1 Winter is a festive time at the mansion. 2 The museum is home to numerous pieces of fine art. 3 The Vanderbilt’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium offers fun and educational programs for kids and adults. 4 William K. Vanderbilt II collected tools from expeditions around the world, which can be seen in exhibits in the museum. 5 The mansion is a “living museum,” which can be toured regularly.

Vanderbilt Museum is a wonderful educational experience and an interesting and exciting combination of mansion, marine and natural history museum, planetarium, and park.

Year-Round Fun

The mansion offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a renowned family from the Jazz Age through the end of World War II. Set atop 43 breathtaking acres, see the SpanishRevival style mansion and its distinctive architecture. Check out oceanic expeditions, global journeys, islands, marine life, bird and insect life, and more in the many exhibits at the museum. Specimens in the exhibits show the artisanal talents of Asian, Pacific, and African cultures including their artifacts, clothing, and utensils. The Reichert Planetarium is one of the most advanced in the country. Visitors can see seasonal shows and special features created for families and school audiences under the 60-foot dome. The $4 million makeover has revealed new seating, a renovated lobby, and a gift shop. 24

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

December Highlights

Come to Vanderbilt to hear live Beatles music in the planetarium. On Dec. 11 from 7-8:30pm, The Liverpool Shuffle, a Long Island Beatles tribute band, will play songs beloved by generations under the dome. Tickets are $20 for adults in advance or $25 at the door. Kids ages 5-15 pay $15 and kids ages 5 and younger may attend for free. While the band plays, a montage will be projected into the planetarium’s dome, featuring 1960’s photos, news clippings, pop-culture iconic moments, and more. On various dates in December, see Laser Holidays, an all-ages program featuring laser lights and digital artwork set to holiday music. The kids will enjoy the music in an exquisite venue with family and friends.

Annual Events

Through Jan. 2, 2017, come to the planetarium to see Long Island Skies. Following the program, and weather permitting, the planetarium staff will open

the Observatory. One World, One Sky depicts Sesame Street’s Elmo and Big Bird who discover that they see the same stars at their friend Hu Hu Zhu who lives in China. Night Sky, Live! features lectures by an astronomy educator who will use the planetarium’s Starball to show viewers what the Long Island night sky will look like on the very day they visit the venue.

Details

Address: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport Directions: Approximately a 40-minute drive from Garden City Hours: Through April 10, 2017: museum: Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 124pm (the last mansion tour is at 4pm); planetarium: Tuesday, Friday-Sunday, see website for show times. Admission: $7; $6 students with ID and seniors ages 62 and older; $3 children 12 and younger. Planetarium show and mansion tours: an additional $5 each per person. For more information: 631-854-5579 or vanderbiltmuseum.org

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The Only Resource a Family Needs to Plan Their Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Simcha

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Turn the page for details on Ohman’s New York Dance Theatre ‘The Nutcracker’ (No. 7 on our list).

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DECEMBER CALENDAR

28 Editor’s Hot Tickets 30 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Holiday Fun 31 Must-Sees in NYC WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

EDITOR: DEE SAUNDERS nassaucal@davlermedia.com

32 Mini Musicians, Once Upon a Time 33 Little Foodies

34 Crafty Kids, Smarty Pants 35 Special Needs 36 Show Time!, Movers & Shakers 38 Dance Party, On Screen

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the nine events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

First Night and Tree Lighting

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 6:30-9pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live holiday music, a performance by members of the Bethel Concert Choir, a visit by Santa Claus, a tree lighting ceremony on the South Terrace at 8:15pm, and light refreshments. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: The house will be enchantingly illuminated for this special evening! WANT TO GO? $15; $8 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

‘Max and Ruby in The Nutcracker Suite’

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 4:30pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Max and Ruby, those cute bunny siblings, bring to life a magical performance to give a fun-filled day out for all the family. WHY WE LOVE IT: Where else can you see bunnies dancing The Nutcracker? WANT TO GO? $39 and up. 516-247-5200. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

Holiday Tree Lighting FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 9, 5:30-8pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum State Park, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Experience Planting Fields Arboretum in all its winter splendor. Listen to carolers, visit Santa, tour Coe Hall, and view spectacular holiday displays. WHY WE LOVE IT: The tree is a magnificent 35-foot Japanese Umbrella Pine that will be lit by Santa himself. WANT TO GO? 516-922-8600. plantingfields.org.

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Madison Theatre Christmas Celebration: ‘A Home for the Holidays’

WHEN: Dec. 17-18, Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: Featuring Broadway’s own exceptional performers and designers. Come share in the joy of Christmas. WHY WE LOVE IT: They’re bound to sing one of our favorite holiday songs! WANT TO GO? $25-$45. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the Musical’

WHEN: Dec. 1-18, Wednesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A stage production of the classic, animated TV special featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and, of course, Rudolph! WHY WE LOVE IT: Happiness is being able to revisit your childhood with your kids! WANT TO GO? 212-465-6741. theateratmsg.com.

Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 18, 7pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All

HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW® November 19 – January 16 NYC’s Favorite Train Show is New and Bigger Than Ever!

Ohman’s New York Dance Theatre ‘The Nutcracker’

WHEN: Dec. 17-18, Saturday-Sunday, 12pm and 5pm WHERE: Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: This rendition of The Nutcracker is the only one on Long Island performed in the tradition of New York City Ballet’s legendary George Balanchine. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a delightful performance that will appeal to young and old alike. WANT TO GO? $42; $32 seniors and children. 631-462-0964. ohmanballet.org.

Insertion date: DECEMBER 01, 2016 Size: 3.55" x 4.7" 4C MAG

WHAT: In this program, the Ladies perform classic Christmas carols, in their signature arrangements, highlighting unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step-dancing. WHY WE LOVE IT: Complete with full band and traditional Irish step dancers. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Glenn Mohr Chorale: Christmas in Heaven FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 18, 4pm WHERE: United Methodist Church, 35 Verbena Ave., Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: In this musical comedy, four very different guardian angels, Tobias, Sylvester, Sgt. Margaret, and Annabelle are perplexed by how the “mortals” react and experience a contemporary Christmas. WHY WE LOVE IT: This is a lighthearted, must-see family production! WANT TO GO? 516-354-4969. glennmohrchorale.com.

Celebrating Kwanzaa

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Join Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and LICM to explore this unique holiday that celebrates African-American culture. WHY WE LOVE IT: You will learn about the rich traditions and the meaning behind Kwanzaa, and make your own crafts to join in the festive fun! WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››

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JUST 20 MINUTES ON METRO-NORTH FROM GRAND CENTRAL GET TICKETS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT NYBG’S ANNIVERSARY AT NYBG.ORG/125

11/9/16 11:13 AM LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

NBG-0044-TrainShow_NyMetroParents_3.55x4.7_Dec01_v1.indd 1

SPRING 2017 SATURDAY PROGRAM January 28th, 2017 - April 22nd, 2017 for students entering grades K-8 in 2016

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

An Education Where Children Thrive Under the Guidance of Great Teacher in an Environment that Stimulates Creativity and Individual Potential!

• A proven system celebrating over 100 years of practice, research and worldwide recognition • Our fully equipped spacious classrooms offer the most enriched curriculum available for 18 months - 6 years. • Fully affiliated with the American Montessori Society since 1998. • Early drop-off and extended day available. REGISTER FOR JANUARY 354 Lakeville Road • Great Neck, NY • 516-466-8422 Visit our website: www.CMSGN.com

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual spring program for gifted children. The spring program runs on Saturdays from January 28-April 22. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in 2016. The major focus of the program is to expand students’ knowledge and develop creative and critical thinking skills. The program offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

For information call 516-299-2160 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth Now find us on Facebook

Admission Admi miissio sio i n iis h highly ighly s selective and enrollment is limited.

LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director

LongIslandParent 29

HOLIDAY FUN Westbury House Tour

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Make a visit to Westbury House part of your holiday tradition. With decorated period rooms, Santa, cookies, and cider, this holiday celebration is a must for the entire family. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17, free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Poetry Workshop FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1, 4pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to write poetry and share what they’ve written. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

Kids Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot, 600 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids learn to build or create a useful, fun product. WANT TO GO? 516-488-8500. homedepot.com.

‘Agatha Christie is Missing’ Interactive Murder Mystery FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The audience is led on a fun-filled romp in this interactive murder mystery. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. WANT TO GO? 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Make a Gingerbread House FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Construct your own fabulous gingerbread house just in time for the holiday season. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Meet Santa FREE

WHEN: Nov. 25-Dec. 23, Monday-Friday, 1-4pm and 5-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm and 2-6pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss Santa in the store, and don’t forget to bring your camera. WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Holiday Choral Concert

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 1:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Holy Name of Mary School Choir of Valley Stream performs holiday songs of the season. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Girl Scouts Holiday Concert

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 17, 1pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Girl Scouts Chorus of Nassau County performs favorite holiday tunes. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Great Stories: Holidays at Barnes & Noble FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10:30am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Hanukkah stories, songs, and crafts to celebrate the holidays, hosted by the Sid Jacobson JCC. WANT TO GO? 516-365-6723. barnesandnoble.com.

Real, Live Reindeer! FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 21: Monday-Saturday, 8am-9pm; Sunday, 8am-8pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Come see real, live reindeer during store hours. WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale

WHEN: Dec. 1-24, daily, 10am-5pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Popular varieties and sizes of Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths will be for sale for the holidays. Proceeds benefit programs at Queens Farm. WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Holiday Cookies or Candy House

WHEN: Dec. 21-28, Wednesday-Thursday, 4pm; TuesdayWednesday, 10am WHERE: Celebrations In The Kitchen, 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville

AGES: All WHAT: Make your own festive cookies from scratch, or create your very own candy house to display on your family’s table this season. WANT TO GO? $29.95-$39.95. 516-396-2193. celebrationsinthekitchen.com.

CityBound

Must-Sees in N Y C

Holiday Open House FREE

Jayme Thornton

WHEN: Dec. 26-28, Monday-Wednesday, 12-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a tour of the decorated 1772 Adriance Farmhouse. seasonal craft activities, warm up with freshly mulled cider and snacks. A Victorian Christmas tree will be on display. WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Thursday-Sunday, 7pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas—past, present, and future. WANT TO GO? $35; $28 children ages 13-17; $20 children ages 5-12. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.

Animated Christmas Story FREE

Countdown to 12

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 31, 12-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Ring in 2017 all day with fun activities and an extreme dance party. The countdown ball drops at 12pm and 4pm. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››

I’m With The Band The best-selling, award-winning, Laurie Berkner Band rolls into town this month for one morning only! This special holiday concert will celebrate the season with a mix of traditional songs, Berkner classics, and new songs. Berkner is famous for being the queen of kiddie rock and performing shows that little ones love, but don’t send the parents to sleep. Get your tickets early! Dec. 3; 11am. Age: All. $37.50-$100. New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St., Upper West Side. 212-799-5000. laurieberkner.com

John Minchillo / AP Images for Macy’s Inc

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Monday-Saturday, 8am-9pm; Sunday, 8am-8pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: The walk-through story features child-sized animated Christmas characters, including Santa. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted for Long Island Cares. WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

The North Pole On 34th Street Macy’s Santaland starts just after Thanksgiving and sees our hero in a red suit turn the 8th floor of the famous store into a Christmassy North Pole. Complete with cheerful elves, animatronic displays, presents, and most importantly Santa himself! Book early for a shorter wait time; this is one of New York City’s most famous holiday treats. Don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa. For shorter wait times come early in the day and in the season, or book a Santaland Express Pass to skip the line. Nov. 25-Dec. 24. 9am-9pm (with some exceptions, see website). Age: All. Free to visit and photography package purchase is optional. Packages start at $20.99. Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., Midtown. 212-695-4400. macys.com/santaland. LongIslandParent 31

China Philharmonic Orchestra

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 8pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: A program of Prokofiev and Shostakovich with Long Yu, music director and conductor, and Julian Rachlin on violin. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

Metis Concert Series: Christmas Lights

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 7pm WHERE: Community Church of Little Neck, 46-16 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck AGES: All WHAT: Featuring Julia Meynert, violin, and Nina Siniakova, piano, performing the works of Ravel, Grieg, and Gershwin-Heifetz. WANT TO GO? Call for prices. 718-229-2534. cclittleneck.org.

Sylph Chamber Music Concert FREE

MINI

MUSICIANS Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1, 7pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: This evening of luxury and levity features Fazil Say performing Mozart’s sophisticated Piano Concerto No. 21, including the gorgeous slow movement popularized by the classic Swedish film, Elvira Madigan. WANT TO GO? $48. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

John Pizzarelli Quartet: Holiday Hits and More

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2, 8pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney. WANT TO GO? $50 and up. 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Long Island Flute Club Holiday Concert

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 1pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Long Island Flute Club performs holiday favorites in the Red Ballroom. Arrive early, as seating is limited. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Sing Along with Irv FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Irv Plastock will be singing traditional children’s songs and holiday favorites. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org. 32

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park, Queens AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A selection of songs for the holiday, a litle Latin, and some jazz. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Holiday Concert

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 3pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Suzuki on the Island performs holiday favorites. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Celebrate the Holidays with David Glukh Enterprises FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: An afternoon of klezmer, jazz, and holiday classics performed on piccolo trumpet accompanied by piano. WANT TO GO? 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME ‘The Sun is Also a Star’: Teen Author Event FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 91 Old Country Road, Carle Place AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teens get to meet the author of this newly released book. WANT TO GO? 516-741-9850. barnesandnoble.com.

Pajama Storytime FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village, Queens AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Kids and their caregivers enjoy a fun storytime. Be sure to wear your pajamas. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

Sunday Morning Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 4-Jan. 8, 2017: Sundays, 10:30am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset AGES: 3-8 WHAT: What exciting adventures will your children discover in the pages of a book this week? Join in and see. WANT TO GO? 516-365-6723. barnesandnoble.com.

Weekly Storytime FREE

WHEN: Dec. 1-Jan. 26, 2017: Wednesday-Thursday, 10am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 91 Old Country Road, Carle Place AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join in for a fun story time. Kids will read and do a related activity. WANT TO GO? 516-741-9850. barnesandnoble.com.

Afternoon Tea & Tour

LITTLE FOODIES Teen Edible Marshmallow Igloo Houses FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2, 4pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Making an igloo house out of marshmallows, frosting, and goodies. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Gingerbread House Contest & Bake Sale

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4pm WHERE: Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, 143 Hendrickson Ave., Valley Stream AGES: All WHAT: Vote for your favorite house and see an icing demonstration at 2pm. WANT TO GO? Donations accepted. 516-872-4159. vsvny.org.

Cake Decorating

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 7pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Pastry chef Mary T. Sydor show you how to decorate a special cake. WANT TO GO? $3 materials fee. 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Ugly Sweater Cookie Party FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 1:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Enjoy a tour of the decorated house, and a full afternoon tea. The menu includes tea sandwiches, scones, seasonal desserts, and a selection of specially blended teas. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $40. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Building Gingerbread Houses

WHEN: Through Dec. 17: call for dates and times WHERE: Riesterer’s Bakery, 282 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Build beautiful gingerbread or chocolate houses to take home and enjoy. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 516-481-7636. riesterers.com.

Teen Cuisine: Gingerbread House Decorating FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6:30pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Build your own gingerbread house using cookie cutouts, royal icing, and lots of candy. Take home a complete gingerbread house. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

Winter Holiday Magic

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:30pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13-17 WHAT: You’ll use sugar glaze, fondant, and royal icing to create these ugly (but cute) little sweater treats. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

WHEN: Dec. 21-23, Wednesday-Friday, 4:30-6pm WHERE: What’s Cooking?, 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Enjoy a Christmas and Hanukkah menu. Make a gingerbread house, and bake and decorate sugar cookies to take home, along with incredible potato latkes and more. WANT TO GO? $49.95. 516-922-2665. whatscookingny.com.

Cream Tea and Tour

Winter Mini Camp

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 11am and 1:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enjoy a cream tea, which features scones, clotted cream and jam, and tea. Then, take a tour with a docents of the magical Westbury House. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $20. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Holiday Sweet Tea FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 6:30pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Bring your favorite tea cup and enjoy spiced tea for the holidays with Chef Barbara Sheridan. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

WHEN: Dec. 27-29, Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-1pm WHERE: What’s Cooking?, 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Each day your camper will create a winter craft, and cook a delicious, hearty lunch, a healthy snack, and a treat to take home. WANT TO GO? $49.95. 516-922-2665. whatscookingny.com.

Kids in the Kitchen

WHEN: Dec. 2-Jan. 27, 2017: Fridays, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Create tasty treats, take home recipes, and enjoy your yummy creations at the end of each class. WANT TO GO? $5 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ›› LongIslandParent 33

Craft Buddies FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 15, 4:15pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Children will make a winter craft with teen volunteers. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Children’s Holiday Crafts: Drop-In Activity

WHEN: Dec. 3-17, Saturdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Create ornaments and other holiday-related crafts to deck your halls. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

CRAFTY KIDS

Terra Cotta Pot Fun FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 1, 5pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park, Queens AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Make a special gift out of a Terra Cotta pot and some sweet treats. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Mommy and Me Fun with p[ART]y Art FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: For families with little ones with a participating adult. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Holiday Craft Day FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10am-4:45pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: All WHAT: Everyone is welcome to come in and make a holiday craft. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Ceramic Ornaments

Let It Snow Glass Etching Waterless Snowglobe Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 18, 2pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Tour Westbury House’s naturally inspiring winter décor and, later, create your own waterless snowglobe. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $15. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Sock Snowpeople

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 29, 1pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Create your own fun and easy snowperson with a sock, then decorate your creation to take home. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Crafts For Kids FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Lakeshore Learning Store, 2079 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Kids will have a ball making exciting crafts that they can use or display. Every craft is educational and fun. WANT TO GO? 516-616-9360. lakeshorelearning.com.

SMARTY PANTS Sunday Science: Space Exploration

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2-4pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Discover the science of astronomy, and tackle the challenges of a space-traveler. WANT TO GO? $14. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Decorate tree and Santa ornaments. WANT TO GO? $2 fee. 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

An Introduction to Herbs and Health FREE

DIY: Holiday Jewelry Making FREE

Day Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Create your own unique charm bracelet with a help of a professional jewelry designer. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org. 34

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 5, 7pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn the history, basics, and art of modern herbalism. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org. WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 10am-12pm WHERE: Beth Sholom Day Camp, 401 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Meet camp leadership, tour this beautiful indoor-outdoor facility and ask all of your questions! WANT TO GO? 516-621-9257. bethsholomdaycamp.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Open House FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 7pm WHERE: Vincent Smith School, 322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Prospective families can become acquainted with the Vincent Smith School by attending the open house. WANT TO GO? 516-365-4900. vincentsmithschool.org.

Creative Expeditions Neil deGrasse Tyson: ‘An Astrophysicist Goes To The Movies’

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7:30pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Neil deGrasse Tyson is director of the renowned Hayden Planetarium in New York City. His brilliant descriptions, stories, and video will take audiences on a breathtaking journey through time and space. WANT TO GO? $50 and up. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

Winter Owl Prowl

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 16, 6-7pm and 7:30-8:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: A wildlife expert from Volunteers for Wildlife brings live owls for a meet and greet and later leads the outdoor search. Bring flashlights to guide your way. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Sunday Science: Solve the Crime

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 18, 2-4pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 5-12 WHAT: In this program, collect clues, explore evidence, and put it all together to solve the crime. WANT TO GO? $14. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

Tiny Tots

WHEN: Through Dec. 22, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11am WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Each week brings with it new themes, and with each new theme come new activities that both delight and educate at every turn. WANT TO GO? $8. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

KaleidoZone: Portraits by Many Hands

WHEN: Through Jan. 8, 2017: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: In this exhibition, you’ll learn to see characteristics of both the person on the canvas and the person who put them there. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, Tuesdays, 4-5:15pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children who are on the autism spectrum, along with their families or caregivers, engage in gallery experiences that encourage talking about and making art. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors; $4 children ages 4-12; $2 weekend parking fee. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

Teen Compass: Autism and the Arts

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 20, Tuesdays, 4-5:15pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Students with autism will have the opportunity to apply their artistic skills and functional academic learning in a real world setting, while preparing to transition to after-school life. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors; $4 children ages 4-12; $2 weekend parking fee. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

TAPA After-School Program

WHEN: Through Dec. 28, Tuesday-Wednesday, 3-6pm WHERE: Theresa Academy of Performing Arts, 250 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach AGES: All WHAT: Children with special needs, as well as typically developing children, are welcome. After-school classes include music, art, dance, drama, and yoga. WANT TO GO? $30 per day; $20 individual classes. 516-432-0200. tapany.org.

Saturday Respite

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturdays, 9am-12pm WHERE: Theresa Academy of Performing Arts, 250 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach AGES: All WHAT: Respite classes for children with special needs as well as typically developing children. Classes include music, art, dance, drama, and yoga. WANT TO GO? $40 per week. 516-432-0200. tapany.org.

Sensational Kids Open Play Time

WHEN: Dec. 5-Jan. 30, 2017: Mondays, 5-7pm WHERE: Bounce Trampoline Sports, 310 Michael Drive, Syosset AGES: All WHAT: These evenings are tailored to create a more secure environment for individuals with autism. Bounce! staff members have experience working with children and individuals with special needs and have received sensitivity training from the Elija School. WANT TO GO? Call for cost. 516-762-1300. bouncesyosset.com. ››

Traveling Exhibit: Your House, My House

WHEN: Through Jan. 8, 2017: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: See how culture, climate, tradition, and geography influence the way a house is built. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. LongIslandParent 35

‘HONK!’ Children’s Musical

WHEN: Dec. 2-11, Fridays, 7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Nassau Community College Theatre, 1 Education Drive, Garden City AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. WANT TO GO? $9; $7 seniors and college students; $6 for children 12 and younger. 516-572-7676. ncc.edu/theatre.

‘Scrooge’

SHOW TIME! ‘Madeline’s Christmas’

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, check websites for times WHERE: The Showplace at the Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: On Christmas Day, disaster strikes when everyone gets the flu— everyone, that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.

‘James and the Giant Peach’

WHEN: Through Dec. 4, Saturdays, 2pm; Sundays, 12pm WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3 and older WHAT: A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, a boy and his insect friends take an amazing journey across the ocean. WANT TO GO? $13. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 9, 7pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, Queens AGES: 5 and older WHAT: All the splendor, magic, and joy of the holiday season is here in this Dickens’ classic. Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with this new, original production filled with haunting special effects and heartfelt sentiments. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

WHEN: Dec. 11-24, Saturdays, 11am; Sundays, 12pm WHERE: The Showplace at the Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: Follow miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns the true spirit of the holidays. WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.

‘Frosty the Snowman’

WHEN: Dec. 28-30, Wednesday, 1pm; Friday, 11am WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Frosty and his friend Jenny must save the town of Chillsville from Ethel Pierpot’s evil plan to melt all the snow. WANT TO GO? $11 in advance. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

‘Jack Frost’

WHEN: Dec. 29-30, Thursday-Friday, 11am WHERE: The Showplace at the Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: This charming musical tale tells of a girl so beautiful she melted the heart of Jack Frost himself. WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.

‘Red Riding Hood’

WHEN: Dec. 27-31, Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Experience this innovative musical that offers an interactive take on a classic tale. WANT TO GO? $9 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

‘Elf Jr.’

WHEN: Dec. 3-11, Saturdays, 6pm; Sundays and Wednesday, 2pm; Friday, 7pm WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-ofwater comedy follows Buddy the elf in his quest to find his true identity. WANT TO GO? $11 in advance; $13 at the door. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, Queens AGES: All WHAT: It’s Christmas season, and Charlie Brown is depressed. He confides in Linus this fact, citing his dismay with the overcommercialization of Christmas and his inability to grasp what Christmas is all about. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac. 36

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS Little Playmates FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Special time for play and circle fun for babies and their caregivers. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Children’s Family Preschool Hour

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 5, 10:15am WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children enjoy one hour of singing, dancing, storytelling, and a craft. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

Play Hooray Kids FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 12pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Sing, dance, and play with our friend Molly Mouse. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Family Preschool Hour FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 15, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy an hour of singing, dancing, storytelling, and a craft. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Preschool Workshops FREE

WHEN: Dec. 5-19, Mondays, 10:30am WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A three-week workshop of music, crafts, stories, and movement. Register in person. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

12/11 Sun 3:30-5pm

Kids in Motion with Lee Knight FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10:30am WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join us for music, movement, songs, rhymes, and games. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

Infant & Toddler Classes

VOLLEYBALL

• FLAG FOOTBALL

•

MULTI - SPORT

Unlimited Sports Action

Winter Programs

SPORTS ENRICHMENT CLASSES •AGES 2-10

Developmental classes that work on motor skills, hand-eye coordination, socialization, and sport-specific skills. Classes include baseball, basketball, flag football, lacrosse, multi-sport, soccer & volleyball.

SCHOOL VACATION PROGRAMS •AGES 3-10

Half-day and Full-day drop-off is offered to our athletes when school is not in session. “Turf-time” is a multi-sport program where the athletes are broken down by age. Athletes can choose from playing baseball, dodge ball, soccer, basketball, obstacle coarse, and more!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

•

•AGES 2 & UP

BASEBALL

We provide everything needed so that parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy the party! Athletes can choose from a variety of sports and we will make sure to cater to your every need!

LACROSSE

•

BASKETBALL

VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER

•

WHEN: Dec. 7-Jan. 25, 2017: Wednesdays, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Musical instruments and sing-along songs get the youngest children’s bodies moving. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››

BASEBALL

SOCCER

Music and Movement

•

WHEN: Through Jan. 25, 2017: daily, 10am-12:15pm WHERE: M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym, 171 Eileen Way, Syosset AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids socialize with other children and play, learn, and grow through movement, tumbling, and music. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 516-496-7765. matsskidsgym.com.

30 Beechwood Avenue • Port Washington, NY 11050 • (516) 767-7675

www.UnlimitedSportsAction.com LongIslandParent 37

TheJewishWeek TheJewishWeek

The Jewish Week I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H

UJA-Federation of NY AND

Central Synagogue

IS PROUD TO PRESENT

U.S.- Israel Relations In The Trump Era DAVID MAKOVSKY DAVI D MAKOV S K Y

DAN SENOR

The New York City Ballet Performs George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’

DAN S EN O R

M O D E R AT E D B Y

ABIGAIL POGREBIN

Author of “Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish,” and the forthcoming book, “My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew.”

AB I G AI L PO G R E B I N

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 7:30 PM

CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE (652 LEXINGTON AVENUE)

TICKETS $20 ONLINE / $25 AT DOOR FREE FOR STUDENTS WITH VALID ID To purchase tickets go to www.thejewishweek.com/makovsky-senor

www.thejewishweek.com PRINT

DIGITAL

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

‘The Nutcracker’ Performed by Eglevsky Ballet

WHEN: Dec. 17-18, Saturday, 6pm; Sunday, 1pm and 5pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: The production promises to delight with visions of a Sugar Plum Fairy, her dashing Cavalier, angels, dolls, and a Christmas tree that grows right before your eyes. WANT TO GO? $48 and up. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

AND

Co-author of best-seller “StartUp Nation,” former advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense and presidential candidates.

Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Ballet’

WHEN: Dec. 2-4, Friday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 5pm; Sunday, 4pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: Leggz Ltd. Dance presents this magical extravaganza with international ballet stars, joined by gifted young dancers from all over the metropolitan area. The South Shore Symphony will perform live. WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

WITH

Mideast expert, award-winning journalist, and former senior advisor to Secretary of State Kerry’s peace team.

DANCE PARTY

CUSTOM PUBLISHING

EVENTS

WHEN: Nov. 25-Dec. 31, see website for show times WHERE: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A New York holiday tradition—the original and the best! Tchaikovsky’s beloved melodies will transport you to a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of soldiers, and an onstage blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 212-496-0600. nycballet.com.

ON SCREEN

Lincoln Center Local Screening: ‘Sinatra: Voice for a Century’ FREE WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 11am WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-08 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a screening of the gala concert filmed at the 100th birthday celebration of Ol’ Blue Eyes. There will be performances by the NY Philharmonic, Christina Aguilera, Sting, and Bernadette Peters, among others, to make this a memorable event. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.org.

Children’s Movie: ‘Finding Dory’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 5, 3:30pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village, Queens AGES: All WHAT: The sequel to 2003’s Finding Nemo, Finding Dory focuses on the amnesiac fish Dory, who journeys to be reunited with her parents. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

‘Eddie The Eagle’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: All WHAT: It is a feel-good story about Michael “Eddie” Edwards, an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Get Healthy With ChiroMom

Karaoke At The Movies: ‘The Little Mermaid’

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 6:30pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the magic of Disney and be the star of the movie, as the audience is encouraged to dress up as their favorite character, sing, and dance their way through this interactive family-oriented film. There will be a trivia contest with prizes before each showing. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

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Christmas Film: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 19, 3pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Sentimental 1946 classic about a man who attempts to end his life, only to be saved by his guardian angel. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

‘Shop Around The Corner’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 22, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A young man finds the girl of his dreams in an unusual place. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 29, 3pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Nineteen-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

2874 Merrick Road· Bellmore, NY · 516-221-1212

‘Miracles from Heaven’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: All WHAT: Based on the incredible true story of the Beam family. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Clensing and Detoxification Programs Available!

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2463 S. Long Beach Rd.

Get advance notice on activities, Deer Park 1755 Deer Park Ave. participate in group discussionsGlen Head and receive special notices. 679 Glen Cove Ave.

$10 OFF One HeadCheck OR 10% OFF One Treatment

www.FairyLiceMothers.com

May Be Covered Under Insurance * Covered under FLEX Health Spending We Accept Competitor’s Coupons—One coupon per visit www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

‘Star Trek Beyond’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 30, 3pm WHERE: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13-17 WHAT: The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test. WANT TO GO? 516-354-5280. elmontlibrary.org.

Coming up next month: JAN. 14: Oblate Dogs at Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington JAN. 14: The Wizard of Oz at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, Bellmore JAN. 28: Parsons Dance Company at Tilles Center, Greenvale

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents LongIslandParent 39 ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree ››

Research by Jonathan Perry and Kathryn Sheridan

Bring holiday cheer and family bonding from the farm to your home by cutting your own Christmas tree this winter. Head to your local tree farm and spend a few fun hours seeking out your family’s perfect tree, then cut it yourself. You can also load up on some festive wreaths, garlands, and baked goods to make the holiday merry and bright! As always, call ahead of time to confirm hours and tree availability before planning your adventure.

Carter Christmas Tree Farm 123 N. Country Road, Miller Place 631-331-4699; cartertreefarm.org Through Dec. 18, weekends, 9-4:30pm. Saws are provided or bring your own. Pretagging trees is available starting Nov. 19. Also offers tree-wrapping services. Dart’s Christmas Tree Farm 2355 Main Bayview Road, Southold 631-765-4148; dartstreefarm.com Nov. 25-Dec. 24, daily, 9am-5pm. Offers hayrides, hot chocolate, snacks, handmade wreaths, tree-cutting supplies, and friendly elves to cut and carry your tree. Visits from Santa on weekends in the afternoon. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Elwood Pumpkin Farm 1500 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 40

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

631-368-8626; elwoodpumpkinfarm. com/elwood-christmas-tree-farm Nov. 25-Dec. 24; weekends, 10am-dusk (to cut your own) or 7pm (to purchase pre-cut); weekdays, 3pm-dark (to cut your own) or 7pm (to purchase pre-cut). Bring your own saw to cut your tree. Staff will help you tie your tree to your car (no charge). Grandpa Tony’s Tree Farm 305 Weeks Ave., Manorville 516-639-3587 Nov. 27-Dec. 24, daily, 8am-4:30pm. Call to schedule an appointment. Matt’s Christmas Tree Farm 309 Weeks Ave., Manorville 631-874-6260 mattschristmastreefarm.com

Nov. 25-Dec. 24, daily, 8am-4:30pm. Bow saws and netting available. Trailer rides back from the field. Loading and tying assistance provided. Candy canes available for kids. Leashed dogs welcome. Potted trees also available. Mike’s Christmas Tree Farm 323 Weeks Ave., Manorville 631-874-3551; mikestreefarm.com Nov. 25-Dec. 24, daily, 8am-4:30pm. Fresh wreaths also available. Tree wrapping and saws provided. Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm 30105 Main Road, Cutchogue 631-734-8641 santaschristmastreefarm.com Thanksgiving weekend through December (until inventory sells out), daily, 9am-6pm;

call to check availability. Tools and assistance provided. Santa appearances on weekends. Christmas shop on premises.

Wreaths, roping, and tree stands available. Hayrides, crafts, refreshments, and gift store open on weekends. Precut trees also available for sale.

Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm 20685 Main Road, Mattituck 631-298-4619; 631-298-4118 shamrockchristmastreefarm.com Nov. 25-Dec. 24, daily, 9am5pm. Tools and assistance provided. Pre-cut trees, handmade wreaths, and crafts also available. Santa appearances on weekends, 125pm. Shamrock Express train rides (weather permitting) and a fire pit to enjoy while you’re waiting for your ride. No pets allowed.

Paproski’s Castle Hill Farm 25 Sugar Lane and 5 Hattertown Road, Newtown 203-426-5487 Nov. 28-Dec. 24, weekends, 9am-5pm, and weekdays, 2-5pm. Provides assistance in wrapping and tying your

tree to your car. After, enjoy a complementary hot cider and cookies by the farmhouse fire, or take a hike across the 5-acre farm. Also offers pre-cut trees and handmade wreaths. Hartford County

Rose’s Berry Farm, LLC 295 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury

860-633-7467; 860-633-6001 rosesberryfarm.com Through Dec. 23; FridaySunday, 9am-4pm. Christmas shop with decorations, frozen pies, homemade jams, and hot chocolate. Tree skirts, tree stands, and ornaments available for purchase. Assistance is provided in wrapping and loading the tree onto your car.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/xmastrees

Connecticut Fairfield County

Everett’s Corner Tree Farm 136 Sherwood Road, Easton 203-268-2508 everettscorner.com Nov. 25 and Dec. 3-4, 1011: 9am-dusk. Tools and tree transportation provided. Free baling and twine to secure your tree available. Jones Family Farm 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton 203-929-8425 jonesfamilyfarms.com Through Dec. 24, daily (except Thanksgiving Day), 9am-5:30pm. Arrive before 4pm if you plan on cutting your own with a provided saw. Twine and tree baling services available. Holiday decorations and traditional crafts and ornaments for sale. Refreshments available. Leashed dogs welcome during Christmas time, but are not allowed in gift shops or winery. Maple Row Farm 555 N. Park Ave., Easton 203-261-9577; mrfarm.com Nov. 27-Dec. 23, daily, 9am4:30pm. Tree baling and assistance provided. Saws are provided or bring your own (no chainsaws allowed). LongIslandParent 41

Courtesy MSG Entertainment Courtesy Billy Beez

Courtesy Cradle of Aviation Museum

Courtesy Brooklyn Boulders

Celebrate the holidays with the beloved Radio City Rockettes and witness the iconic kickline.

Kids take in the view at Brooklyn Boulders. A Grumman F-11ATiger, one of 75 aircraft at Cradle of Aviation Museum Billy Beez’s play space will keep the kids busy for hours.

A Staycation a Day

››

Ideas for seven fun-filled family days around our region. By Bethany Braun-Silva

here’s no better way to create lasting memories as a family than taking a trip together, especially around the holidays. As a mom of two young boys, however, I know how hard—and expensive—it can be to take a trip. The good news is you don’t need to get on an airplane or even stay at a hotel to have a memorable and exciting winter break. The New York metro area offers such a wealth of things to do with kids that there are virtually endless possibilities for a “vacation” right here at home. To help, we’ve created a list of seven great local “staycation” itineraries—a week’s worth of kid-focused fun for you and your family to enjoy this holiday season.

Brooklyn

Courtesy Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Check out Brooklyn Boulders, at which adults and kids can scale mountain-like fixtures in Boerum Hill. You can also experience a bit of history at the New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn. Got an animal-lover on your hands? Head to Coney Island and visit the New York Aquarium to marvel at the sea turtles, sharks, seals, and more.

Fairfield County, CT

The Stepping Stones Museum for Children offers kids educational fun.

Check out the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, which is home to a special “Animals Without Passports” exhibit through Jan. 2, 2017. The Stepping Stones Museum for Children, also in Norwalk, offers a great variety of activities, including Zumba® classes for kids and an Elf Workshop in which children can create their own Christmas tree ornament. Top off the day by catching a performance of The Nutcracker at The Palace in Stamford.

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Long Island

Garden City’s Cradle of Aviation Museum features more than 75 aircraft and spacecraft, a dozen cockpits, and 30 hands-on exhibits. You can keep the learning going with a trip to Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, Theodore Roosevelt’s home, which offers tours and ranger activities for kids. Kids can also enjoy troutfeeding demonstrations and tours at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium in Cold Spring Harbor and take a trip back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage, at which they can take part in the junior apprenticeship program, dress in authentic period clothing, and learn historic crafts.

Manhattan

Start at everyone’s favorite, the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. You can then take a short trip downtown—walk through Central Park if it’s not too cold—to experience the holiday fun

at Rockefeller Center or take in the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Finish up with some grub at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Midtown, since you’re sure to be hungry.

Queens

Courtesy New York Hall of Science

Head to Corona to experience GingerBread Lane at the New York Hall of Science. It won the Guinness World Record—in 2013, 2014, and 2015—for the largest gingerbread village. You can also see a family-friendly show at Flushing Town Hall or check out the annual Holiday Market there. Next, head over to Funtopia USA for some arcade fun in Middle Village.

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Kids take in the amazing feat that is GingerBread Lane at the New York Hall of Science.

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Rockland County

Head to the Palisades Center in West Nyack for some serious family fun all in one place. Kids and adults can take on the ropes course at Palisades Climb Adventure. Afterward, parents can sit back while iLuminate.MetroParent.3.55x4.7.4C.indd 1 their kids jump and play at Billy Beez, an indoor play space. Younger kids will enjoy the Ferris wheel and carousel just off the food court, Do while older ones can catch a movie or IMAX and go ice-skating. to find

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Westchester County

Courtesy Legoland Discovery Center

Have a museum-filled day at the Katonah Museum of Art in Katonah or the Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye (or both!). Afterward, head over to Ridge Hill in Yonkers for an afternoon at Legoland Discovery Center, to experience the festive creations at Bricktacular. Walk just a block or two within Ridge Hill to find a bite to eat or be truly adventurous and try indoor skydiving at iFly.

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Kids can build and learn with Legos at Legoland Discovery Center.

LongIslandParent 43

Winter Break Activities @ Play Amusements

229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com Enjoy breakfast or lunch with Santa! Take photos with Santa and receive a special toy-filled stocking! Princess Elsa and Olaf, as well as Minnie and Mickey, will be there to add to the holiday fun! Stay and play at Long Island’s newest location for family fun! @ Play Amusements is fully remodeled and equipped with exciting rides, such as an indoor roller coaster, laser tag, bumper cars, more than 100 arcade games, and bouncers. Special discount game cards available! Sunday, Dec. 11, breakfast from 9:30-11am, and lunch from 12:30-2pm.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfha.org; steved@cshfha.org It’s holiday season and we have activities sure to bring forth good cheer! Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, or tea as Santa Claus lights the hatchery’s Christmas tree on Dec. 3 at 5:30pm. Get your Santa photos here! Visit the hatchery Dec. 26, 28, and 30, and learn how we care for the fish in our trout hatchery. Watch the trout jump and splash as they devour special fish food, and learn about the hatchery’s reptiles and amphibians. On Dec. 29, 11am-3pm, make homemade playdough using the hatchery’s animals as your inspiration!

Eye Level Learning Center: Williston Park

61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700; myeyelevel.com Eye Level is a supplemental education program with a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of each student. We work to support the academic success of your child whether your goal is for early learning, supplemental education, or academic enrichment and challenge. We are the leading provider in supplemental education in the areas of math, reading, and writing. Our philosophy is that every child has the potential to achieve academic success, and all of our programs are individualized to meet the needs of every student. Call to schedule your free diagnostic placement test today!

Fairy LiceMothers

2463 S. Long Beach Road, Oceanside 866-561-0492 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Lice is the gift that keeps on giving. Fairy LiceMothers says, “Once a week, take a peek” by doing a quick 10-minute weekly comb-out with the MagicWand and MagicHalo conditioner. Watch our comb-out video to learn how to check your children at fairylicemothers. com/lice_treatment.html. Or schedule a headcheck at one of our three Long Island locations. Headchecks are normally $25 but mention this ad and get $10 off. Remember: Advice is always free.

Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center

431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426) longislandaquarium.com It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays and we’re pleased to present activities sure to bring forth good cheer! Celebrate with our Santa Brunch on Dec. 11. Enjoy a traditional brunch, make a holiday craft, and meet Santa! Price includes aquarium admission! Get your Santa photos here (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only)! Stop by for a quick and easy way to get your child’s photo with Santa! Come to our Fishes & Wishes Family-Style New Year’s Eve Party! Includes cocktail hour, buffet dinner, dancing, crafts, dessert, plus a mock-midnight toast, all within the aquarium!

Mathnasium Learning Centers

1759 Grand Ave., Baldwin 516-544-2525 414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) 661 Old Country Road, Plainview 516-881-7997 1003 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) 217A Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights 516-484-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Centers, the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise with centers throughout Nassau County, specializes in teaching kids of all ages math in a way that

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. Our experienced math tutors utilize our proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™, to deliver a customized learning plan designed to address each student’s needs. Our instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th St. (7 Train to 111th St.), Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens 718-699-0005; nysci.org Dec. 27–30 is an exciting time at NYSCI. This year, we will be running our sixth annual ReMake the Holidays Festival, featuring large-scale ice sculptures and ice sculpting lessons, a giant puppet installation and workshops, as well as immersive artworks by artists and scientists matched up to create climate change awareness. This year’s ReMake will feature projects and hands-on activities all around the museum. In fact, there’s only one way to top off these offerings: a trip to our GingerBread Lane exhibit! A sweet time for all!

Northwell Health Ice Center

200 Merrick Ave., East Meadow 516-441-0070 northwellhealthicecenter.com Looking for a way to keep the kids active during the winter break? Check out the Northwell Health Ice Center public skate schedule and hit the ice! Skating is fun and something the whole family can do together. Plus, during the winter months, enjoy the season and skate outside on the outdoor rink. Visit northwellhealthicecenter.com to see the public skate schedule.

Not Just Art

183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300; notjustart.com create@notjust art.com Twinkle and shine at Not Just Art this December: enjoy musical artsy fun during winter vacation! Check our calendar for the schedule. Contact 516-922-8300 or create@ notjustart.com to reserve spots! Winter Wonderland Studio: Chill out with cool art, science, and sensory projects and explorations; ages 3-10; 1½-hour session; $24 for first child, $18 for a sibling. Singalong Music: Drums, dancing, and musical merriment for everyone; 45-minute classes; $12 for the first child, $10 for a sibling

(siblings younger than 9 months are free); ages newborn to 5 years with caregiver.

Premier Education Center/ RoboMindTech

575 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho 718-264-7626 MPM Math Center 25 Cuttermill Road, No.4, Greatneck 516-418-6102; robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Build a Lego holiday ride or play sports in the Robot Olympics! Channel your child’s creative energy into exciting projects in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with our unique, hands-on curriculum. Home to NYC FIRST Lego League and National World Robot Olympiad Champions, RoboMindTech is an award-winning STEM education center that inspires young minds with engineering. From robotics, video game design, and coding to Lego creative play, we offer a variety of immersive weeklong summer camps and after-camp studios. Call to RSVP for our open house!

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

4323 Vermont Route 108 S., Jeffersonville, VT 888-393-9097; smuggs.com Find your family’s perfect winter vacation at Smugglers’ Notch Vermont. With 1,000 acres of mountain terrain, you’ll find something for everyone. Three inter-connected mountains offer terrain to meet all types of skiers and riders. Kids at Smugglers’, as well as adults, are treated to the best ski and snowboard programs in the East. With on-hill activities focused on fun, learning has never been so appealing, especially for the No. 1 Kid Friendly Resort in the Eastern U.S. and Canada as voted by the readers of SKI Magazine. Celebrating 60 years of family fun!

Unlimited Sports Action

30 Beechwood Ave., Port Washington 516-767-7675 unlimitedsportsaction.com info@unlimitedsportsaction.com Vacation camps are offered half-day and full-day when school is not in session. Turf Time is a multi-sport program in which the athletes are grouped by age. Age-appropriate games will be played, including baseball, basketball, dodgeball, obstacle courses, parachute games, playground games, and soccer. Turf Time is offered on any day off from school year-round! Lunch is included for extended half-day and full-day campers. Ages 3-10.

Flu Shot 101

›› Four frequently asked questions. By Aimée Kahn, M.D., MPH

Can I get the flu from the flu shot? This is a common misconception regarding the influenza vaccine, so let’s clear the air. The influenza vaccine that’s given by an injection (shot) does not contain any living virus. To make the vaccine, the virus is heated and inactivated prior to testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means the virus cannot infect you and cause you to have the flu infection. What can happen, though, is one person may have an illness brewing around the same time as getting the vaccine. Then, that person feels worse after the flu shot and assumes it is the flu. But again, this is not possible because the flu shot does not have a live virus—so you are safe. The protection from the vaccine takes approximately two weeks to start working. If you’re exposed to the flu virus within two weeks of receiving the vaccine, you are not yet fully protected and you could get sick. The most common side effects of getting the vaccine are soreness at the site of injection, headache, and muscle ache—which only last one to two days. Who should get the flu vaccine? The influenza vaccine is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older. The best way to protect newborns younger than 6 months from the flu is for caregivers to get vaccinated. Also, all pregnant mothers are at a higher risk of getting sicker from the flu than others and are recommended to get the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. This not only offers protection from the flu for the mother, but for the newborn as well for several months after birth. If you have a serious anaphylactic allergy to eggs, talk to your doctor before getting the influenza vaccine. I hate needles; is there another way to get the vaccine? The influenza vaccine is available in two forms: an injection and nasal spray. The nasal spray does contain a live vaccine;

however, the virus is weakened and then tested by the FDA. Unfortunately, during the 2016-2017 flu season, the nasal spray is not recommended as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. But do I really need to get the flu vaccine? There are many benefits to getting the influenza vaccine. The flu vaccine can prevent you from getting sick from the flu. Vaccination also reduces the chances of flu-related hospitalizations from complications of the infection. As mentioned, vaccination during pregnancy protects the mother and newborn, which is especially important as babies’ immune systems are not as strong as those who are older and can have much worse outcomes with infection. It is impossible for the vaccine to cover every single strain of the influenza virus. If you’re infected but have gotten the flu shot, your symptoms will be milder and not as severe as if you are unvaccinated. Getting the vaccine reduces the chances that you will get the flu. Catching the flu can cause a very serious illness that can result in hospitalization and even death. Every year, nearly 100 children die in the U.S. from complications of the flu. Young children and those older than 65 are more likely to have worse symptoms from the infection. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, nasal congestion, and feeling tired. Children are more likely to also have vomiting and diarrhea, compared to older age groups. You’re most likely to spread the infection one day before symptoms start and up to a week or more after. If you’re feeling these symptoms, believe your child is, or need to get the flu shot, see your primary care doctor or pediatrician. Aimée Kahn, M.D., MPH, is board-certified and specializes in pediatrics. Dr. Kahn is seeing patients in Crystal Run Healthcare’s West Nyack office.

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#SnapShot

2016

nymetroparents Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts ›

nymetroparents

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@ Play Amusements ›

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nymetroparents Who says you can’t have fun indoors? @ Play Amusements 229 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale 631-815-5355

nymetroparents Calling all young thespians! Believe it or not, summer camp enrollment is right around the corner! If you’re considering sending your little one to a summer camp for the arts, look no further than @usdanarts! Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights | 631-643-7900

nymetroparents Kenwal Day Camp ›

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nymetroparents They say camp friendships can last a lifetime and we could not agree more. Who will your child’s new best friend be this summer? Kenwal Day Camp | 100 Drexel Ave., Melville | 631-694-3399

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

nymetroparents Vincent Smith School ›

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nymetroparents Nothing is better than children expressing themselves through creativity Vincent Smith School | 322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900

nymetroparents

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Our Lady of Grace Montessori School ›

Bakshi Law ›

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nymetroparents What's Cooking? ›

nymetroparents If you’ve ever had a question about special needs law, Lara Bakshi has an answer.

New York City ›

nymetroparents See the Statue of Liberty and the 49 other things your child should experience in New York City! nymetroparents.com/bucketlist

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nymetroparents Can you guess what these kids are making? What’s Cooking? 30 East Main St., Oyster Bay 516-922-2665

Bakshi Law Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133

nymetroparents

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NYCB Theatre at Westbury ›

nymetroparents Christmas is right around the corner! If you’re a fan of #CharlieBrown, you definitely won’t want to miss this at @theatrewestbury! NYCB Theatre at Westbury | 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury 516-334-0800

nymetroparents Today, preschool—tomorrow, the world! #worldtravelerintraining Our Lady of Grace Montessori School 29 Shelter Roack Road, Manhasset | 516-365-9832

nymetroparents

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NYCB Theatre at Westbury ›

nymetroparents If your child loves Max and Ruby, they’ll this! NYCB Theatre at Westbury | 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury 516-334-0800

LongIslandParent 47

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

To be in this section, call 516-883-4543 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics 1000 F. Park Blvd., Massapequa Park 516-798-1111 62 Lake Ave. S., Suite A, Nesconset 631-360-PEDS (7337) 615 Montauk Highway, West Islip 631-661-PEDS (7337); ampediatricdental.com adelbergped@optonline.net

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Nassau and Suffolk: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com; Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Queens: 718-640-6767

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry 959 Brush Hollow Road, Suite #101, Westbury 516-333-3033 kidsteeth4li.com kidds@optonline.net

ChiroMom 2874 Merrick Road, Bellmore 516-221-1212 mychiromom.com mychiromom@gmail.com

Long Island Whole Child Academy School for Twice Exceptional Learning 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville 347-668-3676 liwholechild.org; etrdream@aol.com

Merrick Pediatric Dentistry 1756A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.com

We are Drs. Adelberg, Montalvan, Bennet, Pistilli, Postel, Schecter, and Abraham. Our purpose is to provide outstanding dentistry in a child- and family-friendly environment. We treat your family like they are our own. All of our doctors are board-certified specialists and offer the most combined laser dentistry experience on Long Island. We want your visit to our office to be an extraordinary experience, that will make you say, “Wow!” Our three offices even look like a theme park. We hope to make your children love visiting the dentist.

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry cares for all of your child’s oral health needs in a fun, kid-friendly environment that includes iPads and chairside TV monitors. Drs. Ehrenman and Khan are dedicated and trained to ease dental anxieties for young children as well as patients with special needs. Their years of advanced training include hospital and sedation dentistry. Please visit kidsteeth4li.com to learn more about what Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry has to offer!

Dr. Ellen Richer, founder and head of The Long Island Whole Child Academy, the first and only school for Twice Exceptional Learning, earned her doctorate at Teachers College Columbia University, specializing in the psychology of motivation, behavior change, and learning styles of at-risk youth, and creating non-traditional learning environments to reignite motivation and achievement. Also a trained literacy specialist, she has spent her career investigating, observing, and interacting with highly capable learners who are limited by a variety of learning challenges: executive functioning, sensory processing, social cognition, ADHD, extreme anxiety, Asperger’s syndrome, ASD, and dyslexia.

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES—Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.

Dr. Dana Walters is a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care. Dr. Walters has practiced in a variety of areas, including Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and has brought her passion for helping families discover the benefits of chiropractic care to Bellmore, as ChiroMom. ChiroMom offers chiropractic care utilizing techniques including immune boosting treatments, musculoskeletal and nutritional work, activator techniques, massage therapy, and lifestyle education. As a mom, Dr. Walters experiences first-hand how chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood sets a solid foundation for greater health and well-being.

Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting. Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure consistency that is so important to young children. The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also participates with most major insurance plans.

OPENHOUSES 2016 East Woods School

31 Yellow Cote Drive, Oyster Bay 516-922-4400 eastwoods.org Join us for an open house Dec. 8 from 9-11am.

Green Vale School

250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420; greenvaleschool.org Attend an open house at 9am on Jan. 24, 2017, and April 6, 2017, to discover how our outstanding faculty and small class sizes can help your child excel.

Long Island Whole Child Academy School for Twice Exceptional Learning

175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville 347-668-3676 liwholechild.org; etrdream@aol.com Join us for an open house Dec. 14 at 6pm. RSVP requested. Call 347-668-3676.

Portledge School

355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-750-3100; portledge.org

Join us for an information session and tour of our 60-acre campus. Dec. 9 from 9:30-11am. Simon Owen-Williams, head of school, and current students share their perspective on the Portledge experience.

Premier Education Center / RoboMindTech

575 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho 718-264-7626 MPM Math Center 25 Cuttermill Road, No.4, Greatneck 516-418-6102 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for an open house and registration Dec. 11 from 3:30-5pm at the Greatneck location.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 844-824-9790 usdan.com Young artists flourish at Usdan. Be part of a Usdan for a visit and information session: Dec. 3, Jan. 8, 2017, Feb. 5, 2017, March 5, 2017, April 2, 2017, and May 7, 2017.

Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Register your child ages 4-18 for a demo lesson taught by our director. Learn about our gifted kindergarten, after-school enrichment, writing workshops, art workshops, and STEM/STEAM classes. Call 631-549-2313.

Vincent Smith School

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900 vincentsmithschool.org Join us for an admissions open house on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7pm, and Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at 12pm.

PARTY PLANNER

To advertise: 516-883-4543 or nympads@davlermedia.com

Nurturing Creativity ®

music together ®• art • science classes • winter break studio days • parties playdates • homeschoolers • scouts

Art classes in Oyster Bay, Plainview Music Together® in Babylon, Bellmore, Garden City, Huntington, Manhasset, Massapequa, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Sea Cliff

183 South Street, Oyster Bay NY www.notjustart.com 516-922-8300

To Advertise Call 516-883-4543

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium LIVE ANIMAL ENCOUNTER & FISHING PARTIES AVAILABLE Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am | ages 2-5 Join us for an hour of fun-filled nature activities (fish feeding included). Crafts ~ Stories ~ Games

516-692-6768 www.cshfha.org

Our See site Web for NOW info! more

REAL Hands-On, Creative Baking Birthday Parties & Classes

• New Spacious, Clean & Safe Exhibition Style Kitchen plus private party rooms and gourmet café! • All-Inclusive Party Packages for Birthdays of All Ages, Family Parties & Celebrations of All Kinds Scan Our Code for Info & Updates

63 Old Country Rd. • Hicksville, NY • 516-396-2193 In Delco Shp. Ctr.-easily accessible (only 1½ mi. S. of L.I.E. exit 41S)

LongIslandParent 49

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NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES

Mathnasium .........................................................5

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING

@ Play Amusements.......................................9, 46

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School................47

New 42nd Street..................................................23

Long Island Parent Party Planner........................49

RoboMindTech.....................................................37 Vincent Smith School..........................................46

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.......................46

Music Together, LLC............................................25 New York Hall of Science......................................2 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islander.............8

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT /

Unlimited Sports Action.......................................37

EVENTS / OUTINGS

What’s Cooking...................................................47

@ Play Amusements.......................................9, 46

CAMPS Countryside Montessori School...........................29 Kenwal Day Camp...............................................46 Mathnasium .........................................................5 Music Together, LLC............................................25 New York Hall of Science......................................2 RoboMindTech.....................................................37 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.......................46 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE

PLAY SPACES @ Play Amusements.......................................9, 46

iLuminate.............................................................43

RELIGIOUS

Live Nation - NYCB Theatre at Westbury............47

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School................47

New York Botanical Garden.................................29 New York Hall of Science......................................2 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islander.............8 Planting Fields Foundation..................................52

RETAIL Once Upon a Child..............................................23

Ski Butternut........................................................25 Smugglers’ Notch................................................41

SPECIAL EVENTS Jewish Week (The)..............................................38

FAMILY TRAVEL

Planting Fields Foundation..................................52

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School................47

Smugglers’ Notch................................................41

CLASSES

HEALTH

Adelberg Montalvan - Massapequa Office..........48

Bakshi Law..........................................................47

SPECIAL NEEDS

Eye Level Learning Center..................................25 LIU Center for Gifted Youth.................................29 RoboMindTech.....................................................37 Unlimited Sports Action.......................................37 What’s Cooking...................................................47

DEVELOPMENTAL Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.......23, 48

Affinity Health Plan..............................................21 ChiroMom......................................................39, 48 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry.............3, 48 Fairy LiceMothers................................................39 Fidelis Care New York...........................................9 Merrick Pediatric Dentistry...............................7, 48

ChiroMom......................................................39, 48 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry.............3, 48 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.......23, 48 Long Island Whole Child Academy......................48 Vincent Smith School..........................................46

Steps To Socialization.........................................13 SPORTS

Long Island Whole Child Academy......................48 KID’S CLASSES

Kenwal Day Camp...............................................46

Vincent Smith School..........................................46

Steps To Socialization.........................................13

Unlimited Sports Action.......................................37

EDUCATION

LEGAL SERVICES

THEATER

Bakshi Law..........................................................47

Live Nation - NYCB Theatre at Westbury............47

Steps To Socialization.........................................13

Bakshi Law..........................................................47

New 42nd Street..................................................23

Countryside Montessori School...........................29 Eye Level Learning Center..................................25

MUSIC

LIU Center for Gifted Youth.................................29

Music Together, LLC............................................25

TUTORS

Long Island Whole Child Academy......................48

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.......................46

Eye Level Learning Center..................................25

December 2016 | nymetroparents.com

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

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Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

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Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

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Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

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HolidayEvents AT COE HALL & PLANTING FIELDS ARBORETUM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 2016

12TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING AND VISIT FROM SANTA

HOLIDAY POINSETTIA & CYCLAMEN DISPLAY 10:00am – 4:00pm daily during December in the Main Greenhouse

FREE ADMISSION

FREE ADMISSION! FREE ACTIVITIES!

No Parking Fee! 5:00pm – 8:00pm / Tree will be lit at 6:00pm sharp! Delight in all kinds of holiday excitement at Planting Fields including caroling by the Barber Shop Quartet, House of the Red Hart Singers, Hot Cocoa and refreshments at the Hay Barn/Visitor Center by COFFEED INC., Coe Hall will be decorated for the season and will be open for self-guided visits with Jack Kohl performing in the Great Hall! Visit with Santa until 7:30pm in the Hay Barn! SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH AND 11TH, 2016

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL AT COE HALL

$10 Admission Fee / FREE for members and children under 12 11:00am – 4:00pm, both days

Experience Coe Hall decorated in holiday style. See Santa, children’s face painting, decorate a gingerbread cookie to take home, listen to the wonderful live music throughout the day by Jack Kohl, Edward Daniel Pisano and the House of the Red Hart Singers.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2016 AT 7:00PM

MUSIC AT THE MANSION – LAPIS LUNA

Sponsored by AARP Long Island $30 non-members / $20 members Lapis Luna brings you the captivating music of 1930s, 40s & 50s. The band’s style embraces music from the first half of the 20th century including hot jazz, early blues, big band, bebop and retro cha-cha, bossa nova, mambo & rumba. Their specialty is playing timeless melodies the way they were meant to be heard: vibrant, fun, romantic & cool. Led by jazz chanteuse Shawn Aileen Clark, Lapis Luna transports you to a long-gone era of genuine romance and spirited swing. They come to Planting Fields to play holiday songs from their album "Snowbound" along with obscure vintage winter music. Songs include "Warm December" and "Christmas Island" from the 1940s and "By the Fireside" which was a hit in 1930, along with some holiday favorites with a twist. Join them for an evening of swinging winter music! Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. FOR TICKETS: visit www.eventbrite.com and search Coe Hall.

For more information, contact Jennifer Lavella (516) 922-8678

PLANTING FIELDS ARBORETUM STATE HISTORIC PARK f

1395 PLANTING FIELDS RD., OYSTER BAY, NY 11771 . 516-922-8678 . WWW.PLANTINGFIELDS.ORG PLANTING FIELDS FOUNDATION