Queens Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM DECEMBER 2017
Family Vacation Guide • Washington, D.C., with kids • Cruises that leave from NYC • Why teens will love Niagara Falls
Holiday Fun! Tree and menorah lightings, Nutcracker performances, & Hanukkah recipes
The Big Apple Circus Is Back
A behind-the-scenes look at why it’s ‘better than ever’
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
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Open Registration & First Trial Class
FREE!
Dance Reverie
BRAND NEW CHILDREN’S DANCE PROGRAM
Best Reviewed Adult Dance Studio in Queens is NOW Bringing its Quality Instruction to a New Generation of Dancers
Children’s Dance Classes Ballet, Pointe Tap, Modern Jazz, Hip Hop Musical Theater Ballroom, Acting Irish Step Dance Creative Movement Mommy & Me Classes Established in 2011
Artistic Director Rhonda Cates
• Teacher and mentor for NYU Tisch School of Arts • Martha Graham Trainee • Featured Soloist with The Charlotte Ballet Company
100-35 Metropolitan Ave Forest Hills, NY 11375
Call : (347) 770-6434 | www.dancereverie.com
HILLCREST JEWISH CENTER DAY CAMP “The Camp Where Everybody Knows Your Name” Sunday March 18th, 2018 • Open House 1-3 p.m. Starting Sunday, January 14th, 2018 The Office Will Be Open From 10am - 12pm For Tours And Registrations Program for Children 4-14 Years Old • Extended Hours for Working Parents • Red Cross Swim Program • Krav Maga • Hip-Hop & Gymnastics Instruction • Sports (Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball) • Music & Arts and Crafts • Free Camp T-Shirt & Group Photo • Weekly Theme Days • Large Gymnasium & Recreation Room • Catered Kosher Lunches & PM Snacks • End of the Summer Carnival • Oneg Shabbat Services • Day Trips (Adventureland, Laser rtial Full & Pa Bounce, Splish Splash and more) rograms Season P • Early Morning Supervision Available • Family Swim Day & Movie Night • Overnight Trip • In Camp Overnight • Weekly Cookouts • Door to Door Transportation • Color War
Celebrating 60 Years Of Camp!!!
LARGE INDOOR POOL!
New For 2018! Special ½ Day Trips for Younger Campers (4-7 Years Old) Like us on
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183-02 Union Tpke., Flushing 11366 • hjcdaycamp.org • daycamp@hillcrestjc.org
Call 718-380-4145 QueensParent
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NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
December 2017 ››
14
Features
14 The Big Top is Back After filing for bankruptcy, the Big Apple Circus returns—under new ownership—to Lincoln Center.
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18 How to Choose the Perfect Family Cruise for Your Crew Find the right cruise for your family with these tips and a roundup of cruise lines departing from the New York area. 22 A Capital Adventure As it turns out, Washington, D.C., is a great place to take young kids. 24 I Took a 14-Year-Old YouTube Addict to Niagara Falls Seven surprises of taking a mother-daughter weekend trip to the falls 42 Celebrate the Festival of Lights Three international dishes to enjoy for Hanukkah
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48 How Can I Introduce Technology into My Child’s Life in a Safe and Appropriate Manner? Smart devices can be great tools—when they’re used wisely.
Connections
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Blogger Emma Johnson discusses raising kids as a single mom. 50 Voices: Reflections of a [Not So] ‘Very Cool Dad’
40
Fun & Activities
Family Activities CALENDAR ››
Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com)
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12 DIY Corner: Crafty Gift Guide 13 Media Matters: Apps That Keep Families Close 26 Outing: Pleasantville, Westchester County 29 Family Activities Calendar 40 Where-To Guide: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree 41 Where-To Guide: Kid-Friendly Museums
Directories 31 44 46 47 47 49 49
Meet the Health Care Professional #SnapShot2017 Professional Services Party Central Open Houses Family Resource Guide and Party Planner Advertisers’ Index
››
ON THE COVER ›› 14 The Big Apple Circus is Back Holiday Fun: 29 Lightings and Nutcracker performances 42 Hanukkah recipes Family Vacation Guide: 18 Cruises that leave from NYC 22 Washington, D.C., with kids 24 Why teens will love Niagara Falls facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
They’re not just our patients, they’re our inspiration.
We believe in heroes because we see them every day. That’s why we developed the GREAT KIDS Project. DNA from every patient builds our database and helps us predict why some children develop cancer. That knowledge guides treatment, minimizes risk and helps us understand how genetics contributes to cancer. That’s why our patients don’t just inspire us, they bring us one step closer to a cure. See why we’re inspired at Northwell.edu/GREATKIDS Cohen Children’s Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital supported by the people and the communities we serve.
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DECEMBER 2017 • Vol.23 • No.5
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik
EDITOR’S NOTE
MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf
A Season of Cheer, and Changes
REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Jordan Laird
H
appy holidays! As 2017 dwindles and 2018 dawns, it’s a time for changes everywhere, including here at NYMetroParents. I’m Deborah Skolnik, the brand’s new editorial director. Though you and I don’t know each other well—yet—we already have plenty in common, because I’m in the trenches right alongside you, raising children. I know what it’s like to hold a laughing baby up over my head and have her drool right into my open mouth (a mistake I made only once); to spend an afternoon scrubbing my living-room walls because my toddler decorated them with a red china marker; to lie awake at night with an aching heart after preschool graduation, and elementary and middle school graduation, as well. My daughters are 13 and 17 now, which means I’ve also figured out the best way to embarrass adolescents (by dancing/ pointing/breathing in public). I bet you’re familiar with some of these things, too. But I also know that every mom and dad’s journey is unique. That’s why I’m so excited to work for a brand with such a great motto: “Helping parents make better decisions.” We understand that your time, money, and energy are precious commodities, and we’re here to show you how to make the most of all three. Leaf through this issue, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Planning a holiday trip over your long-awaited winter break? Cruising with kids is more popular than ever, but the children’s programs on ships can vary widely. To help you figure it all out, we’ve got the ultimate guide to family-friendly cruises that leave from the NYC area, by Emma Steven (p. 18). If you’re more of a landlubber, you’ll want to check out Judy Koutsky’s report on touring Washington, D.C., with her elementary-school-aged sons (p. 22), as well the surprising discoveries that Christina Vercelletto made while visiting Niagara Falls with her teenage daughter (p. 24). Of course, there’s plenty of fun to be had right around here. Katelin Walling treats us to a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Big Apple Circus (p. 14), which is back at Lincoln Center and better than ever…we’re talking seven-people-making-a-pyramidon-a-high-wire better. (And you thought your life is a balancing act!) If you’ve ever thought about cutting your own Christmas tree, we’ll show you the best places to do it (p. 40). In addition, our roundup of kid-friendly museums (p. 41) will help you inject a little culture into this month’s stretch of delightfully school-free days. We at NYMetroParents are here to help you do your best, in the way that’s best for you. But no matter what, I hope everyone reading this letter has a holiday season that’s exactly the same—filled with joy, peace, laughter, and love. Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director
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Keep in Touch: 7 @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com December 2017 | nymetroparents.com 6editor@nymetroparents.com
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RingSport
Thai Boxing
QUEENS CAMPUS K - 8
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173-53 Croydon Rd. Jamaica Estates, NY 11432 718-658-6166 | www.unis.org
CHILDREN & TEENS PROGRAMS AGES 7 - 13 YEARS
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RingSport Thai Boxing Contact us: (718) 357-4813 Email: ringsportmuaythai@gmail.com ringsportthaiboxing.com 12-64 150th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357
Open Registration
Pre-ballet – Level Program Ages 2 to Adult
Ballet • Tap • Tippy Toes • Playgroups • Summer Programs Exciting Performance
Musical Theatre Class:
(AGES 6-12) Dancing • Singing • Acting!!!
Playgroup:
(AGES 15 months - 32 months) Children Discover Learning through: Music • Gym Time • Art • Cooperative Play • Storytime We are performing a family-friendly version of the
NUTCRACKER
Sunday, Dec. 10th at 4pm For tickets, please visit:
tututix.com/RoseAcademyof Ballet
70-11 Austin Street, 2nd Floor Forest Hills, NY 11375
racademyofballet@gmail.com | (718) 520-0207 | www.roseacademyofballet.com QueensParent
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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS
nymetroparents.com/np-qp
Dance Studio in Forest Hills Now Offering Children’s Classes Who: Dance Reverie What’s New: Dance classes for children held Thursday-Saturday, which were added in September. Children ages 5-18 can take ballroom, Latin, ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hiphop, and musical theater classes. Children ages 3-5 can participate in “creative movement” classes, which introduce basic elements of dancing styles. “We are a highly rated dance studio for adults, and we intend to hold our children’s classes to the same standard,” says studio owner Kyle Volkof, who teaches the children’s classes along with fellow dance instructors Kari Rusinko and Rhonda Cates. Starting in December, children’s classes will be offered five days a week. Want More Info: 100-35 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills; 347-770-6434; info@dancereverie.com; dancereverie.com
Children’s dance classes at Dance Reverie are capped at 10 to ensure every student gets equal attention.
Who: Archbishop Molloy High School What’s New: A video broadcast studio and strength and conditioning center, which were added in September after summer renovations. Plus, new computer science courses. The 625-square-foot video broadcast studio has a three-camera setup with lighting, sound, and computers to edit video using Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, and iMovie programs. The 2,500-square-foot strength and conditioning center for students and faculty has conditioning stations, three power racks, multiple dumbbell sets, and adjustable benches. New courses offered this year include AP Computer Science A (Java Programming), AP Computer Science Principles, Advanced Computer Graphics, and Computer Applications. Want More Info: 8353 Manton St., Briarwood; 718-441-2100; admissions@molloyhs.org; molloyhs.org
Laura Sawyer
Briarwood Catholic High School Renovates Facilities and Adds Courses
Many of Archbishop Molloy High School’s approximately 1,500 students are enrolled in the new computer science courses being offered this year.
Who: POParazzi Balloons and Events Space What’s New: Balloon drop, a service that allows guests to celebrate under a shower of falling balloons at a designated time during an event, which was added in August. POParazzi Balloons and Events Space is a full-service balloon company. It does custom balloon design, delivery, and setup for events. The company also rents its own private venue and can decorate it if desired. Owner Nicolle Robinson says “let our balloons fill any room,” is her company’s catchphrase because in her opinion balloons really are the easiest and most inexpensive way to fill up a large space. Want More Info: 61-19 Fresh Pond Road, Flushing; 347-204-5252: poparazziballoons@yahoo.com; poparazzievents.com
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December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Courtesy Priceless Event Planning
Balloons and Events Business Adds Balloon Drop Service
A party photo taken before the POParazzi Balloons and Events Space balloon drop.
Winter Holiday Break
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LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH SPRING 2018 SATURDAY PROGRAM Feb 3rd – April 28th for students entering grades K-8
Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?
INQUIRE ABOUT OUR SUMMER PROGRAM
LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The fall
program runs on Saturdays from October 7th to December 16th and the spring program runs on Saturdays from February 3rd to April 28th. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2017. The program expands
students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and 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
Follow us on Twitter
Admission is highly 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
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UOTABLES Blogging has a way of curating our life and trying to make things always look perfect and that’s just not reality. Some days I’m isolated from the world and my only window to what’s going on is my computer and some days I’m running around the city and sweating my ass off trying to get the stroller up and down those damn subway steps. —Allison Cooper, in a post entitled “Thoughts On Quieting My Mind,” on her blog projectmotherhoodnyc.com
in an instagram This pretty much sums up the past year... “Hey Mom and Dad, you guys still can’t keep up with me? Ha!” #jdpodolsky #cashmeoutsidehowboutdat (Posted by Manhattan mom @callybabie, aka Caroline Wexler)
A SPECIAL HOLIDAY FOR SPECIAL KIDS
in an instagram I ❤ Bay Ridge! #bayridge #bayridgebrooklyn #brooklynkids #atreegrowsinbrooklyn #brooklynliving #nycliving #scooter #microscooter #afterschool #kindergartener (Posted by @usjapanfam, aka Heather Tomoyasu, who blogs at usjapanfam.com)
“Every tantrum is different, every kid is different, every situation unfolds differently. Sometimes you’re in a good mood and taking a leisurely walk in the park, sometimes you’re already frustrated and running late. Sometimes you’re at home, sometimes you’re in Target, sometimes you’re at a restaurant... Sometimes there’s an obvious reason for the tantrum (you denied the kid a toy, you took the iPad away, big brother ate a candy bar in front of little brother), and sometimes there is no reason at all.” —Mike Julianelle, in a post entitled “Expert Tips for Parents Are Great (In Theory),” on his blog dadandburied.com
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December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
“The holidays can be fun, exciting, and filled with lots of activities, especially right here in New York City. Some of those can be loud and crowded, too. When you have a child with special needs, this time of year can be challenging. While I want my son to be part of it, not everything works for him and his needs. After lots of trial and error, I have figured out the best way to make him feel included, while hopefully having him understand what is going on. I do have to work extra hard to make this happen but I know it is worth it in the end.” In an article entitled “Spending the Holidays with a Child with Autism,” by Dana Greenburg; read the full piece at nymetroparents.com/holidays-autism.
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.
NYMP Q&A
All The Single Mommies ››
By Bethany Braun-Silva
Emma Johnson is the founder of the blog WealthySingleMommy.com, geared toward successful women who are raising kids solo, and recently wrote the book The Kickass Single Mom. What does it mean to be a “kickass single mom”? The goal is for women to live life fully on their own terms. We are living in a time of unprecedented opportunity, rights, and freedom for women. How do we make the most of these, while also honoring our own needs and dreams? This means each woman must think and act outside of any preconceived boxes. However, there are some tenets of “kickassiness”: Having or striving for financial independence, prioritizing our romantic needs, giving back, and focusing on being the kind of women we want our daughters to grow up to be, and our sons to embrace as their peers in every regard. What are your tips for successful co-parenting? Start from a position of 50-50. Except in cases of abuse, each parent should be presumed equal and competent, with the same rights and responsibilities for the children. This means equal time with the kids; equal say in matters like education, health, and religion; and equal priority for each parent’s extended family, including new romantic partners. Not long ago my work travel schedule suddenly became incredibly busy, and both my boyfriend and my ex’s girlfriend offered to help with the kids. A few years ago my ex and I wouldn’t have been able to negotiate that without a brawl, but I am here to tell you this kind of cooperation is an incredible gift to the kids and their adults, both logistically and emotionally. Also, whenever possible, eliminate or minimize money tension between your kids’ dad and yourself. If you are constantly fighting over money, or one person is angry with the other over sums paid or not paid, find ways to automate any payments, make transparent out-of-pocket expenses for the kids (for things like health care, extracurricular activities, child care), or bring in a mediator to smooth things over.
C on t u s to a c t v i s it a cla s s!
Discover the joy of making music together with your family! Find a location near you in Long Island or Queens: www.MusicTogetherLI-Queens.com
Want more activities to do this winter… NYMetroParents.com Helping parents make better decisions
Be Social
What are the advantages for kids being raised by a single mom? Many women find that single motherhood suits them far better than parenting inside of a traditional partnership. The kids benefit from mothers who are living their best lives. Also, single moms tend to take on tasks that have traditionally been assigned to men, such as breadwinning, home repairs, and yard work. Kids in these families are graced with an enlightened view of what men and women can and should do. All children in single-mom families have the advantage of knowing that family can mean different things to different people. Chances are, kids of single moms will have less time with their mother, because she works more and/or because they spend more time with their other parent. Lots of research has found that children benefit from the closer relationships they form with the other caregivers in their lives, such as grandparents and babysitters. QueensParent 11
DIY CORNER Crafty Gift Guide
By Katelin Walling
From subscription boxes to one-off kits, these crafty gifts give your DIY-lover the satisfaction of creating his or her own gift. Bonus: All materials needed to complete each project are included in the kit, or are common household items, so you won’t have to go to the store for a last-minute supply run.
Court esy K iwiCo
7 DIY Kits for the Crafter in Your Life
Creative Crates at Your Door
The subscription-based KiwiCo offers boxes for ages newborn to 2, 3-4, 5-8, and 9 and older that include creative materials or a full project and more, depending on the age range. Created to celebrate kids’ natural creativity and curiosity while helping parents bring enriching experiences to their children, boxes can be gifted in one-, three-, six-, or 12-month subscriptions. ($16.95-$19.95 per month; kiwico.com)
Court esy
Inspired by Netflix’s Project MC2, the Project MC2 Perfume Science Kit encourages girls to use STEAM skills to make their own signature scent. The set comes with a mini science lab and two scents; common kitchen ingredients such as lemon juice and vanilla also can be used to create fragrances. Other kits in the line include Crayon Makeup and H2O Nail. ($19.99-$29.99; toysrus.com)
ent
Founded in 2012 by designer Todd Oldham to inspire kids’ creativity and inventiveness, Kid Made Modern has kits for all the crafters in your life. You’ll find a wide range of appealing projects, from drawing comic books to designing jewelry and customizing musical instruments. ($14.99-$39.99; kidmademodern.com)
rtainm
Innovative Beauty
MGA Ente
ern
Courtesy Kid Made Mod
Kid Made Crafty
Mini Wonkas Courtesy Handcrafted HoneyBee
If your little crafter is into beauty products, but you’re worried about what’s in said products, you’ll love Handcrafted HoneyBee. These kits— created by a husbandand-wife team with backgrounds in education, math, and engineering—utilize STEAM education and Whole Brain Learning, while enabling girls to create skin care products such as lip balms and clay masks. ($28; handcraftedhoneybee.com)
Aspiring artists will appreciate the Art Making with MoMA kits, designed by Museum of Modern Art educators. They’re an easy way to create original artwork, while exploring the materials and techniques favored by such artists as Jacob Lawrence, Jackson Pollock, and Vincent van Gogh. Selections include Storytelling Art, Action Painting, and Brushstroke and Color-Mixing. ($16-$25; store.moma.org)
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December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Knit 1, Purl 1 Whether your crafter is an experienced knitter or picking up the needles for the first time, We Are Knitters offers a project kit that’s right at his or her skill level. Using sustainable, natural, and sometimes recycled fibers, the (aspiring) knitter in your life can make anything from a clutch or hat to a blanket or sweater. ($29-$250; weareknitters.com)
Courtesy We Are Knitters
A Design tesy MoM Coure, .moma.org Stor store
Inspired by Fine Art
Little candy lovers can DIY their own sweet treats with Glee Gum’s Make Your Own candy kits, which are designed to connect kids to the global community. Made from natural ingredients, the easy-to-use kits teach kids why seaweed is the secret to gummies, how rainforest rubber gives gum its bounce, and why the story of chocolate begins in the tropics. ($13.95; gleegum.com)
Courtesy Glee Gum
Busy (Beauty) Bee
Kindoma Storytime (Free,
Media Matters: APPS
Recommended age: 4+
Apps That Keep Families Close
with in-app purchases)
★★★★
This great app makes lon
g-distance shared readin g easy. iPad
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch,
Heads Up! ($0.99)
Recommended age: 7+
★
★★★ Family fun is guaranteed with this guessing game. Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
THE GAME OF LIFE: 2016
Recommended age: 8+
The classic game takes kid
Edition ($2.99)
★★★★★
s on a speedy 3-D adven ture. iPad, Android
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch,
Virtual Geocaching—Xnote
Recommended age: 12+
Send personalized, virtua
($2.99)
★★★★
l treasure hunts to any sm artphone. iPad
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch,
In Theaters Dec. 15: Ferdinand Parents need to know that Ferdinand is an animated, modernized take on the classic picture book The Story of Ferdinand. Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena) is a gentle bull who prefers sniffing flowers to fighting in an arena. But when villains see how big and scary-looking he is, they kidnap him to make him fight. He must rely on new friends (Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, David Tennant, and more) to escape and stay true to himself. The bright, colorful animation goes far beyond the book’s ink illustrations, and it’s safe to expect lots more slapstick and some rude humor. But overall this looks like a sweet, funny movie that kids and families will enjoy.
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
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Katelin Walling
“As long as you need to love, laugh, and wonder, the Big Apple Circus is here for you,” Ringmaster Ty McFarlan said at the end of the show.
The Big Top is Back
››
After filing for bankruptcy, the Big Apple Circus returns—under new ownership—to Lincoln Center, with Nik Wallenda and Grandma the Clown as headliners. By Katelin Walling
G
“
ood…good…good…good…good…good.” Grandma the Clown and I stopped talking mid-conversation—and I held my breath—as we gazed at the high wire in the Big Apple Circus tent. Nik Wallenda and his troupe were practicing the Wallenda Seven Person Pyramid during the last week of rehearsals before the circus officially opened, and I had a front-row seat. Other than the hum of the fans running to inflate the safety air mattress in the ring, all I could hear was the mid-walk check-in from the high-wire walkers—and it’s no different in performances. When I saw the full show during opening weekend, even the babies and toddlers in the audience seemed to realize that something dangerous and awesome was going on 40 feet in the air and didn’t make a sound. If the Wallenda name isn’t familiar to you, it will be once you see the Big Apple Circus this winter. Nik Wallenda, a seventh-generation member of the legendary Wallenda family, is headlining the 40th anniversary season of the Big Apple Circus with Barry Lubin, aka Grandma the Clown, who is appearing in her 26th season with the Circus.
‘The Big Apple Circus is Bigger and Better Than Ever’
I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t the Big Apple Circus file for bankruptcy last year? You’re right; it did. And that’s when Neil Kahanovitz, its chairman, stepped in. “I put together a group of people who wanted to keep the Big Apple Circus alive and in New York City,” he says. That group, Big Top Works, acquired the circus nearly a year ago. Kahanovitz—a spinal surgeon who took a five-year leave of absence from medical school in his 20s to be a circus performer—had compelling reasons to save the Big Apple Circus. “It’s one of the shining stars of the unique culture in New York City. You have Lincoln Center, which is the premier performing arts center in the United States, and right there for almost three months during the holiday season, you have what is now the pre-eminent circus in America,” he says. “And for decades and generations, people have grown used to bringing their kids and now grandchildren to see the Big Apple Circus, so it’s really part of New York’s cultural history.”
Typically the creative team (including the director, choreographer, lighting designer, set designer, and musical supervisor) starts to plan the season almost two years in advance. “This year, because we didn’t know if we were going to be able to buy the circus, we jammed almost two years of activity from a production standpoint into six months,” Kahanovitz says. “It’s been very hectic and…it’s certainly paid off.” Once the performers were confirmed—this year’s show has high-wire walkers, acrobats, clowns, contortionists, and puppies and ponies, among others—the team figured out the run of show with the aim of keeping audience members of all ages captivated. “Pardon the pun, but it’s really a juggling act of putting the acts in the right order so that it flows and continues to build throughout the first act and into the second act,” Kahanovitz says. After the circus completes its almost three-month run in Manhattan, it will travel to Atlanta, GA; Washington, D.C.; Boston, MA; Baltimore, MD; and possibly a few more cities, taking the tour through July. Kahanovitz’s goal? “That people realize that the Big Apple Circus is bigger and better than ever, that the acts are bar none the best in the world and are all gathered in an incredible production setting that has been developed by New York and Broadway’s finest production teams.”
The Ultimate Balancing Act
Clowning Full Circle
Barry Lubin (Grandma the Clown), on the other hand, “never intended to go into the circus,” he says. While he’d been a bit of a clown growing up, he discovered a passion for professional clowning during his college years. At the time, he was a student at Emerson College in Boston, MA, and thought he was going to become a television director. “The stress level was so unbelievable that I changed majors and changed majors and after three years, I wanted to take a year off to figure it out,” he says. “Well, I never went back because during that year off, I auditioned for [Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey] Clown College and just got drawn to this. I ended up going to Clown College instead of finishing my senior year, and was offered contracts with the now-defunct Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and it just kept snowballing.”
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ing Katelin Wall
With circus performing in his blood, Wallenda first began walking on the wire as a toddler. “I was about 18 months old…we were in California on a show called Circus Vargas, which is still running to this day, and I was walking up the tent line as my mom was helping me,” he recalls. By age 2, he was performing in the ring as a clown. As a young teen, the high wire beckoned again—“13 years old was my first performance up on a wire,” he says. Growing up in the circus was “an amazing life,” Wallenda says. His mother home-schooled him while they were on the road, and his field trips were to cultural meccas such as the Smithsonian and Gettysburg. “Wherever we were, we got to see history face to face,” he recalls. When the family was not touring, Wallenda attended private school. “It was a pretty awesome life for sure, to have a close family like that and to be able to see the world,” he says. “It’s an experience that most children don’t get.” Balancing his family life with performing is challenging for Wallenda, especially when walking on a wire across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon—huge TV productions that came with a lot of media, a lot of training, and a lot of focus, he says. “The truth is, I went out and did those things because my passion was always performing under a big top,” he adds. “The idea was to go out and do these giant productions to raise attention and raise awareness of what happens [in the tent].” Though Wallenda completed these and other amazing feats (he holds six Guinness World Records for tightrope walking), he says the accomplishment he’s most proud of is raising his three children. While none of Wallenda’s kids have expressed interest in becoming the eighth generation of circus performers, his 15-yearold daughter is following in his footsteps as a home-schooler traveling with her parents and the Big Apple Circus. Wallenda also has two sons, a 19-year-old who enlisted in the Marines, and a 16-year-old who is back home in Sarasota, FL, playing high school football.
As for why Wallenda and his wife, Erendira, who also performs in the show, decided to join the Big Apple Circus this season? “We saw it as a great opportunity. …We saw it as ‘hey, our industry needs a shot in the arm and this is a great opportunity with new leaders, new owners, to go out there and show the United States that the circus industry is still strong and going strong and will continue on,’ ” he says. “This is the premier circus, without question, in the U.S., so we saw it as a great opportunity to come back to the industry that we love and be a part of reinvigorating it. I think as a whole this team can do great wonders for our industry and for our passion.”
Grandma the Clown, performed by Barry Lubin, is back for a 26th season with the Big Apple Circus.
Grandma the Clown was created at the beginning of Lubin’s career, when he was just 22 years old. “Grandma is a compilation of my two grandmothers, who I love very much, and my observation of senior citizens through the years. It’s one of many characters that I started off with, and it’s the one that audience members identified as the one they wanted to see more of,” he says. Lubin has now been performing for 43 years, and this year kicked off Grandma the Clown’s 26th season with the Big Apple Circus. He’d left back in 2012 to pursue other opportunities, one of which was to be the first professional clown to perform on all seven continents, which he completed in January with a show for penguins in Antarctica. “The great thing about Grandma is, in a person’s life a grandmother is a beloved figure...I pay tribute to senior citizens, I don’t make fun of senior citizens. And now, in fact, I am a senior citizen. I’ve come full circle. I was a 22-year-old little old lady and now I’m a 65-year-old little old lady.” His bio on the Big Apple Circus’ website says his daughters “have gracefully navigated the world having to explain that their father is also a Grandma.” Though his children are adults now, Lubin says balancing clowning with raising children was difficult. “Years and years and years ago, the family did travel together, but my wife and I decided we wanted our kids to have the opportunities to take swim classes and dance classes and have a social life that was more like a ‘normal’ child’s,” he says. “Over the years I have missed a lot of important moments in their lives, but I try to minimize that as much as I possibly can. They’re adult children now, so they tolerate it pretty well, and they did back then as well. [But] it made me ache when I had to miss a dance recital or something extremely important in their lives because they only got to do it once.” The chance to have more time with his daughters, who live locally, was part of the equation when deciding to be part of the
A Show for the Young and Young-at-Heart
Back in the arena, the tightrope walkers have finished practicing the Wallenda Seven Person Pyramid and are back on the ground. The staging team works quickly to break down and fold up the safety air mattress and set up for the next act to rehearse, just like they do during full performances. In addition to Wallenda and Grandma the Clown headlining the Big Apple Circus, this year’s show also includes Ty McFarlan as ringmaster; the Anastasini Brothers performing their icarian act (one brother does flips and does tricks while balancing on the other’s feet); Dandino, a roller-skating act; Elayne Kramer, a contortionist and seventh-generation circus performer; Jan Damm performing a ‘rola bola’ balancing act; Gamal Garcia Tuniziani, a juggler and third-generation circus performer; the Flying Tunizianis on trapeze; clown Joel Jeske, “who is a phenomenal partner” to Grandma the Clown, Lubin says; and Jenny Vidbel, who performs with her horses, ponies, and dogs. For those who are concerned about the welfare of the animals performing in the show, rest assured they are treated well. (When I visited the horses and ponies, who are rescue animals, in their clean stables during rehearsals, they were enjoying fresh hay.) “They are part of Jenny’s family. When she rescues these animals, she doesn’t really look at them as performers first. If they do work out to be performers and it’s something they like to do, then good. But if not, they spend the rest of their lives out in the pasture at the farm, which is in a gorgeous setting in upstate New York,” Kahanovitz says. “Those horses and ponies are just as happy as any horse or pony I’ve ever seen, and they’re immaculately taken care of. Jenny, first and foremost, is completely in love with every one of those animals.” And you can see that affection in the show. The Wallenda Seven Person Pyramid is the show’s finale—an act “that has never been done in New York City, and it’s something that people recognize as the most difficult aerial feat, particularly on the high line,” Kahanovitz says. The pyramid was first conceptualized in 1946, when Wallenda’s great grandfather sat “at his dining room table with a bunch of wine glasses, and said, this would be cool, and started stacking them up and created the seven-person pyramid. He started training for it on the wire in 1947 and performed it all the way through 1962,” Wallenda says. The family stopped performing the stunt that year when two of Wallenda’s uncles died and one Kateli n Wa lling
The Wallenda Seven Person Pyramid is “the most dangerous feat you can do in the circus world,” Nik Wallenda says.
Big Apple Circus’ 40th anniversary season. “Getting to spend the holidays with my kids…when I’m all over the globe is very difficult to do, obviously,” Lubin says. “I have a tradition with my kids where on Christmas Eve, we drive around and look at the lights in New Jersey and have dinner together. It’s a very small thing, but a very important thing.” Family time, and the fact that Big Apple Circus is the “best circus in the world,” he adds, made the decision relatively easy. “I’ve crossed almost everything off my bucket list and being back in New York is a big moment for me. When I stepped out of my trailer in makeup just now, to me it was like, this is pretty fantastic. It feels like coming home.”
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was paralyzed from the waist down during a performance in Detroit, MI. The catastrophe occurred because one of the performers “was under the weather, slipped, and fell,” Wallenda says. The family brought the pyramid back to the high wire in 1998, and now New Yorkers young and young-at-heart can see “the most dangerous feat you can do in the circus world,” according to Wallenda. Producing a show that appeals to all ages is something Kahanovitz says is important to Big Top Works. “What really excites me is to talk to people as they leave the show, and they realize that this is not just a circus for children. It’s a circus for everyone. And we have put together a show that really has something for everyone. Clearly children love it, but what we’re really excited about is the fact that people in their 20s and 30s and parents and grandparents love it just as much, if not more.” The Big Apple Circus is at Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center, Manhattan, with performances through Jan. 7, 2018. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bigapplecircus.com.
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Nik Wallenda rides a bike across the high wire, while his wife, Erendira, hangs by her mouth 40 feet in the air.
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How to Choose the Perfect Family Cruise for Your Crew ›› Find the right cruise for your family with these tips and a roundup of cruise lines departing the New York area. By Emma Steven
C
ruises are the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market—it’s estimated that more than 25 million people will set sail this year. But with so many cruise lines competing to woo families, how do you decide which one is perfect for you? To help, we have gathered tips on how to pick a cruise that fits your crew, along with a list of the best family cruise lines departing from the New York area. All aboard!
Things to Consider When Planning a Cruise What does your family need? Almost all cruises now offer some type of family programming, but the services and facilities vary between cruise lines and even individual ships. Some are better for babies and young kids, some for tweens and teens, and others are best for intergenerational parties. A ship that suits teens who want to entertain themselves may not be great for a sports-enthused tween, or a toddler obsessed with Disney princesses. Do you want drop-off activities for the 18
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kids or to play together as a family? Scheduled or freestyle fun? Investigate what’s offered and consider what each member of the family needs. How old are your kids? Each cruise line splits its kids’ activities by different age ranges. Check that these work for your family, especially if you want siblings to play together. If you have really young kids, double-check that your chosen ship offers drop-off activities. Some will only allow potty-trained kids or children ages 3 and older in their programs. Most ships do not allow children who are not potty trained into the water areas and pools, so if you have a toddler, check first. What size ship suits your party? Larger and newer ships are more likely to have bigger cabins and family suites, as well as exciting-sounding facilities such as bowling alleys and ice-skating rinks. They can also have a party atmosphere and crowds. Smaller ships may have fewer activities, but some fam-
ilies prefer the more sedate atmosphere and shorter lines. If you have teens who like to wander, you’ll want to bring cellphones to keep track of them on a larger ship. How many days do you want the cruise to last? Most lines offer cruises ranging from three to 14 days. Up to seven days can be a good starting point for families and cruise newbies. After all, you don’t want to book a 14-day cruise and discover you hate it on day two! Consider how many days it will take your family to relax and settle in so you can come back from your vacation well rested. What lodgings suit your family’s needs? Each ship has a variety of accommodations, from basic cabins with dividing curtains, to suites with sea views and balconies. Some lines have better basic cabins, some better suites. If you have small kids and won’t be out every night, it’s worth making sure your cabin won’t be above a bar or nightclub. Do you want flexible or set dining times? Each cruise line has a multitude of restaurants and dining choices. Some offer flexible, casual dining where you can pick and choose from whatever cuisine you want. Others are more formal, giving you set times to dine each night. Almost all cruises will offer buffets as well as dining rooms, room service, and often at least one formal meal per trip. What type of entertainment interests you? Many cruise lines offer big-name performers and Broadway-worthy productions. Others have acrobatic shows, character meet-and-greets, or activity zones so the family can entertain themselves at a water park, ice-skating rink, or bowling alley. What atmosphere do you want? Do you prefer a traditional, more formal ship or something more casual? A themed cruise or a trip with unrelated but exciting activities? Do you want to pick activities as you go, or to be scheduled? Some ships have a party atmosphere, while others are more laid-back. Figure out the ambience you desire overall as well as in the mornings and evenings.
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What is your perfect itinerary? From the New York area, the Caribbean is a popular choice for families. Other destinations include city stops in New England and Canada or beach-focused trips to the Bahamas and Bermuda. Some cruise lines stop in Orlando, FL, which is perfect if you want to hit the theme parks or other nearby attractions. Just keep in mind many of the organized activities on land can be expensive, so you may want to plan ahead and book your own entertainment. Read the fine print While some cruises are truly all-inclusive, others may charge more for certain things on board, excursions, or for activities during stops on land. Know what is—and isn’t—included in your ticket price, so you don’t have any surprises when it’s time to disembark.
Family-Friendly Cruise Lines Departing the New York Area More and more families are taking to the high seas for vacation, and New York is a popular place to set sail. Now that you have the tools to plan your cruise, evaluate each cruise line to find the best fit before looking at the specific ships’ offerings. continued on next page ››
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Disney Cruise Line Disney offers some of the most popular cruises for families, particularly families with young children. With just one ship sailing from New York, the Disney Magic, you’ll have to book early. Where to? Itineraries to the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada. Bahamian cruises stop off at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Families on this trip also get the chance to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida as one of their stops. Highlights: The big draw is the opportunity to make your kid’s dreams come true as they meet their favorite characters. Options include tea with a princess, character breakfasts (select cruises of seven nights or more only), and character meet-and-greets. Other highlights include Disney movies on the big screen, dinner shows, and splashing in Goofy’s Pool. Disney cruises are famous for their Broadway-quality family entertainment and original shows. Exclusive to Disney Magic is Tangled: The Musical, the first-ever stage adaptation of the animated film. The Pirate Night deck party is also a big hit. Kids clubs: The ships have kids clubs for children ages 6 months and older, including a drop-off nursery (extra fee applies) for babies. Another bonus for families with young children: Disney is one of the only cruise lines with splash areas for kids still in diapers. Dining: Guests are given set dining times; eating at the same time each night with the same people, but rotating through different restaurants. There are also casual options, buffets, in-room, and, of course, character dining. Best for: Families with children ages 12 and younger, but Disney cruises attract fans of all ages. Old and young love the classic, Golden Age styling; famous customer service; and smaller size. To book: disneycruise.disney.go.com Carnival Cruise Line Families enjoy Carnival cruises in part because the ships have lots to do and offer good value for the money, along with a laid-back, social atmosphere. The brand-new Carnival Horizon is scheduled to set sail from New York starting May 2018. Where to? From New York, the Carnival Horizon will depart directly to Bermuda. An itinerary for an Eastern Caribbean cruise includes stops in Grand Turk, San Juan, and Amber Cove. Highlights: There’s a Seuss character breakfast (green eggs and ham, of course!), a parade, and themed activities. The new Carnival Horizon will also feature a Dr. Seuss-themed water park. The whole family can enjoy exciting water slides; two theaters, including an IMAX; and SportSquare, a large outdoor recreation area including mini golf, a ropes course, and foosball tables, to name a few of its many attractions. Carnival is also famous for its nightlife for grown-ups, including comedy clubs and big-name performers. Kids clubs: On offer for ages 2-17, including a special teen-only lounge with a DJ. Younger children do not have to be potty trained to attend, but children older than 3 will have their parents contacted if they need to be changed. Dining: Standout options include Bonsai Teppanyaki and Guy’s Burger Joint from Food Network personality Guy Fieri. Best for: Families with children ages 2 and older. Laid-back cruisers who like to be entertained all the time, even by the pool. Dr. Seuss fans and burger lovers. To book: carnival.com Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line offers a relaxed atmosphere and a huge fleet. The Norwegian Escape, Breakaway, and Gem all sail from New York. 20
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Where to? The ships embarking from New York have itineraries to the Bahamas and Florida, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Eastern Canada and Quebec, and transatlantic (one-way) cruises to London, England. Cruises are also available to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Norwegian Cruise Line is a specialist in the Caribbean and has its own island, Great Stirrup Cay, a stop on the Western Caribbean as well as Bahamas and Florida trips. Highlights: Norwegian Cruise Line introduced ‘Freestyle Cruising,’ which means you can follow your own schedule for activities and eating. This cruise line is famous for its nighttime performances and meal entertainment such as Cirque Dreams, an acrobatic and dance show. Kids clubs: The Guppies Nursery (exclusively on the Norwegian Escape), offers care for children ages 6 months to 3 years. Norwegian Cruise Line offers youth programs divided by age groups for children ages 6 months to 17 years. Activities might vary from ship to ship and depending on the age of your child, but some offerings include circus school, theme nights, parades, treasure hunts, and painting. Dining: Options include specialty dining, buffets, room service, and dining rooms. There are no set dining times, but reservations are available. Best for: Families who want to make their own schedule during the day and love shows. To book: ncl.com Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean cruises are a popular choice for families, with nonstop action for every age. Anthem of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas sail from Cape Liberty, NJ. Where to? Cruises departing Cape Liberty head to Bermuda, Bahamas, Eastern and Southern Caribbean, and also have itineraries to Bermuda and Boston, Canada and New England, and Bermuda and Caribbean. Cruises to the Bahamas will enjoy a stop at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International’s private island, and passengers can also spend a day in Orlando exploring theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center, or Cocoa Beach. Royal Caribbean International also has Fall Foliage Northbound Cruises to experience peak fall, scheduled for September 2018. Highlights: Royal Caribbean is famous for its never-ending list of innovative play zones and activities, including a rock climbing wall, surfing simulator, trapeze school, and skydiving simulator. A partnership with DreamWorks brings character visits and parades on board from movies such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda (available on Anthem of the Seas). Entertainment varies per ship but can include Broadway musicals such as CATS or Grease as well as original productions. Kids clubs: Fun and educational programs are offered by age group for children ages 6 months to 17 years. A drop-off nursery is offered on select ships including Anthem of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has great teen entertainment including parties and nightclubs, and offers group and in-cabin babysitting for children ages 1 and older. Select cruises have a Baby Splash Zone for children who are not completely potty trained. Dining: Choices range from casual to elegant, such as Johnny Rockets diner, Chef Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian (Anthem of the Seas), and Chef’s Table for five-course gourmet meals. Best for: Active families with teens or tweens. Cruisers who are always on the go and want to try everything. Musical lovers. Screenagers who will appreciate the high-speed Wi-Fi. To book: royalcaribbean.com
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Clockwise from left: The author’s sons pose with the Washington Monument in the background during their trip to Washington, D.C., last spring; the author’s sons at the National Air and Space Museum; the author’s sons at the FDR Monument. Opposite page: The author’s sons enjoy an ice cream treat at the National Mall.
A Capital Adventure
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With many historical venues and lots of walking required, a trip to Washington, D.C., seemed risky. Turns out, it’s a great place to take young kids. By Judy Koutsky
M
ost people think of Washington, D.C., as the quintessential eighth-grade graduation trip. The kids are old enough to understand (some, if not all) of the history, and with all the walking involved, they have the stamina for truly exploring the region. But last spring, when my boys were 6 and 8, in kindergarten and second grades, we thought perhaps a trip to our nation’s capital wasn’t a bad idea, especially given the tumultuous political election we’d just lived through. Could a trip there be educational and fun for two high-energy, short-attention-span kids? We decided to find out. We stayed at the River Inn, in large part because it’s affordable and centrally located: It’s near Georgetown, the Metro, and a mile away from the National Mall. Plus, the property has kitchens in all rooms and there’s a giant Whole Foods five minutes away (where we went daily). The staff at the hotel was extremely friendly and super knowledgeable; I was constantly asking their opinion on where to go and when. It’s not a fancy property, but for my family of four, it was a good fit. Turns out many people from the Northeast (and from our town) were in D.C. for spring break. Each family we talked to toured our
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December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
nation’s capital in a different way. Some did only one activity each day or focused on one area during their stay. We are a full-speedahead family, and so we make the most of every visit, which often means packing in as much as possible. Here’s what we did during our four-day trip to our nation’s capital.
The International Spy Museum
Even before heading to D.C., I had heard of this museum. It’s one of the few for which you have to pay to get in (it’s not a Smithsonian) and the $20 ticket price (for adults; kids are cheaper) can be tough to swallow for a family. Despite the price, the lines are long, a sure tip-off that this museum is popular. While much of it was above my kids’ heads (the idea of government spies was fictional in their mind), my younger son said this was his favorite museum of all that we visited.
The Newseum
This was hands-down my favorite. Like the spy museum, you have to pay to get in, but it was not super crowded. A highlight of the six-floor Newseum was the exhibit about the Berlin Wall, featuring
The National Zoo
The star attraction here is the pandas, and they were well worth the line to see. The zoo is free since it’s part of the Smithsonian, and there’s not a line to get in, just to see the pandas, which is also free. Both of my kids loved seeing these cuddly, cute creatures, and we spent a chunk of time simply watching them. The zoo is a good way to take a break from all the history and science museums.
National Air and Space Museum
This is the most-visited museum in Washington, D.C., and for good reason. We spent several hours taking in the various aircraft and space exhibits, plus we saw an IMAX movie. The kids loved this museum (and the IMAX); it’s well worth a full afternoon or day.
National Museum of Natural History
We saw another IMAX movie here and also spent time at the must-sees: the Hope Diamond and plenty of dinosaurs and mammals from around the world. For younger kids, make sure to take them to the Butterfly Pavilion, the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, and Q?rius, the hands-on lab that has a dedicated junior section for those ages 10 and younger. Also, Objects of Wonder focuses on a bunch of weird stuff that kids find fascinating, such as a hunk of whale earwax.
Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Even though we walked nearly 20,000 steps a day (it was fun to watch the numbers climb on our Fitbits!), having the option to jump on the bus and rest for a while was great. Also, I really appreciated the narrative on the bus. Everyone gets a set of headphones and sets the dial to their language preference. We took the bus to the zoo, to Arlington National Cemetery, around the National Mall and Tidal Basin, and toured much of D.C. that way.
Monuments and Memorials
The weather in D.C. the week we went was beautiful and perfect for walking. We visited many memorials—Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt— and this was one of my favorite things we did. Simply being outside in such a beautiful setting and surrounded by inspirational quotes from great leaders appealed to and inspirited each of us.
Firefly Restaurant
Most of our dining while in Washington, D.C., was on-the-go. Truth be told, my kids are not great at sitting down for long periods of time, but I wanted to try Firefly since I had heard that it’s built around a large indoor tree, which sits in the middle of the room, and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and comfort food. Verdict: The pot roast is divine, definitely a favorite dish. Ingeniously, they give all children cookies to decorate as soon as they sit down. My boys took the project seriously and gave serious thought to where they were putting the sprinkles and chocolate chips. No iPads were needed to entertain them, and I was able to have adult conversation while the boys were preoccupied. Then when the food arrived, our waiter took the cookies away to be baked and brought them back for dessert. My kids thought this was the best restaurant ever! Turns out, there is plenty to do and see in Washington, D.C., for young kids. We enjoyed our visit so much, we are thinking about coming back next year. Judy Koutsky is a Westchester-based writer who writes often about travel, parenting, health, and lifestyle.
Judy Koutsky
an actual piece of the wall; my kids were fascinated by the idea that a city could be walled in and people were not free to leave. We also saw Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, and the exhibit about Civil Rights was especially interesting to my kids. I feel like we all got an education from this museum.
Arlington National Cemetery
While some families avoid this stop, we thought it was an important one to visit. We went straight to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to watch the changing of the guard. My kids found this very fascinating: The guards change every 30 minutes. Then we slowly walked back and talked about soldiers and war at the level that was appropriate for them. Kids today know about these topics—how can they not, with what’s in the news every day?—and discussing it with them in a way they understand allowed them to ask questions and created an open dialogue.
Washington Nationals Baseball Game
My kids love sports; me, not so much. But even I got into the energy of a Nationals game. The crowd was so energetic that it was simply contagious. Plus, there are playgrounds on-site for kids who can’t sit still for hours. Before hitting the game, we stopped at a Shake Shack across the street from the park and feasted on burgers, fries, and shakes. Due to the location of the restaurant, pretty much everyone was going to the game, so the excitement started even before we entered the ball field. We went to an evening game, and it was a great way to spend a warm night, after walking all day. QueensParent 23
Christina Vercelletto
A view of Niagara Falls
I Took a 14-Year-Old YouTube Addict to Niagara Falls ››
A mother-daughter weekend in Niagara Falls felt like a preposterous idea. So I tried it, and here are the seven surprises I got. By Christina Vercelletto
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f you have a child between the ages of 12 and 15, you’re often confused. They change friends, their taste in clothes, their favorite foods—sometimes overnight. They’re with you physically, but their minds and spirits definitely are not, as they look down at their phones for hours on end. Some days, nothing you do, or offer to do, is right. My 14-year-old daughter, Amelia, a good kid by any definition, jumps out of the car before I’ve even come to a complete stop at the home of her BFF of the week, and doesn’t look back. She stiffens a little when I hug her, remarking, “Mom, you’re like really close to my face right now.” Together time is now largely limited to mani-pedis—if she can bring a friend. That’s why a mother-daughter long weekend seemed like it might be tough to pull off without tears (on her part or mine) before the end of it. But a long weekend to Niagara Falls, that classic vacation destination where her grandma honeymooned
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circa 1960? And without a friend in tow? I like a challenge, so I convinced her to go. (Fine, I pointed out we’d need mani-pedis for the trip). Here are the seven discoveries we made: We can agree on something. The flight from JFK was only about an hour, less time than many of us spend commuting to work. On the other end, Buffalo Niagara International Airport is as easy to get through as my garage. Maybe easier. There was no line (not one person!) in security, and it looked unusually clean for an airport. Or, at least, if you had a toddler who put a pretzel bit found on the floor in his mouth, you wouldn’t consider calling 911, as you may at LaGuardia. Amelia marveled, “This isn’t even like an airport…” I couldn’t agree more, I said. I felt hopeful.
She’s not beyond noticing when I’m not nearby. At Sheraton at the Falls, the pool area has two tropical aquariums. If you upgrade to a club-level room, well worth the splurge, you get free breakfast, hot food and all, so there is minimal morning rushing. And then at 5pm, they have gratis beer and wine and hearty snacks laid out, conveniently in a lovely glass-enclosed space right next to the pool. So there I sat, with my pinot noir, waving to Amelia when she looked up to see where I was. Wait! Did she just look around to see where I was? I’m still allowed to help her. Yes, it’s kitschy, and been around forever, but we donned the garbage bags they hand out as ponchos and boarded Maid of the Mist. How wet could we get, I wondered? I’ll just say this: If you go to Cave of the Winds first, keep the foam sandals they give you. This boat ride gives you a perspective you really can’t get any other way. When we got off, we looked like two madwomen, our hair wet yet somehow still windblown, and black mascara streaks running down our cheeks, donned in foam sandals and bright blue trash bags. We laughed. “Can you get my face?” she asked. I wiped her cheeks with a tissue. She did not say I was too close to her face. My utensils are not necessarily contaminated. When we arrived at Hibbard’s Original Frozen Custard in nearby Lewiston, which we were told has the custard to end all custard, Amelia tried the thick soft serve in cookies and cream. I got black raspberry. We ate our treats at picnic tables. She tried mine, off of my spoon, without saying “Ew, no…” She knows better than me sometimes. I’m the one who climbs the 377 steps to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, then, frozen in fear, tells everyone I’ll meet them back down in the lobby. I didn’t share Amelia’s enthusiasm about a Rainbow Air helicopter ride over the Falls. But she cajoled me, saying it would be fine, and what could happen when they do 40 rides a day, and she would hold my hand if she “really had to.” The floor was see-through. So unless I closed my eyes the whole time, there was no way to avoid seeing that I was really, really, really high up. I resolved not to let my 14-year-old daughter, who was giddy with excitement, see me close my eyes. And it was awesome.
Christina and Amelia Vercelletto prepare for a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls.
Somehow, it didn’t bother me as much as I anticipated, though admittedly I avoided looking down at the floor. I just told myself I was on a plane, which somehow doesn’t bother me. Taking in the amazing views knowing I would only be able to see them for five minutes of my life distracted me from my distance from the Earth. She’s not too old for the Rainforest Café. Who else remembers this place? They had a few around here years ago. It’s fun, what with the indoor thunderstorms and animatronic tigers and all, but it’s definitely a place for kids. Something Amelia has been insisting she no longer is for a good two years now. But it was getting late, we were hungry, and the Rainforest Café is attached to the lobby of Sheraton at the Falls. You don’t even have to go outside. Turned out, she loved it. We shared a monstrous plate of nachos we barely put a dent in, and then she dug into pasta with veggies. I had a surprisingly good steak. Surprisingly because, well, steak at a kid’s place seemed dicey. But the gamble paid off. Seeing her sip raspberry lemonade from a plastic kid’s cup made my night. A little bit of the paranormal makes history cool. At my insistence, we hit a bounty of historic (read: educational) attractions just outside of Niagara Falls. The first was the NYPA Niagara Power Vista in Lewiston, with sophisticated, teenfriendly exhibits that made all that science information relatable to their day-to-day lives. Amelia didn’t emerge a hydropower genius, but she loved the motion simulator ride that replicates the journey of a single drop of water as it turns into energy. The ride sprays mist all over you, perchance we didn’t have enough back at the Falls. Go to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown before or after the Power Vista, since they are only 10 minutes apart. At the fort, we explored the very same buildings that were occupied by NativeAmerican, French, British, and American soldiers in the 18th century, and got a feel for what life at the fort was like with reenactments by blacksmiths, coopers, and bakers. Our tour guide told us the story of a local newspaper reporter who wanted to stay overnight in one of the buildings that was reputed to be haunted. He barely lasted two hours. An episode of the erstwhile Syfy series Ghost Hunters had been filmed here. Amelia and I used to love that show—but when she got to be 12, she became lots less interested in watching TV with mom than staring at YouTube. The next day, we ventured underground at the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride. As part of the 70-minute guided tour, you walk through a misty water tunnel that was blasted out of solid rock, and examine artifacts left behind by the Irish immigrants who did the work in the early days of the Erie Canal. Our tour guide, who was quite the character, informed us that if water drips on your head, it’s a year of good luck. Well, our tour group now has enough luck for our children’s children. I don’t think it’s going too far to bring an umbrella. The boat ride is a damp proposition, too. (Clearly, there is no eluding water in these parts.) A zip line across the canal is coming soon, they told us. And—what are the odds!—this tunnel was also the site of a Ghost Hunters episode. When we got back to our room that night, Amelia and I stayed up and streamed the episodes. Just like the good old days. Christina Vercelletto is a travel writer and a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day. She lives on Long Island with her kids, a chiweenie, Pickles, and a 20-pound calico, Chub-Chub.
QueensParent 25
OUTINGS: Pleasantville, Westchester
nymetroparents.com/outings
5 Reasons We Love Pleasantville
Nature, film, and charm just a train ride from Manhattan. ›› By Kathryn Sheridan 2 Courtesy Jacob Burns Film Center
Courtesy Pleasantville Farmers Market
3 Courtesy New York State Parks
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1 Jacob Burns Film Center offers a variety of indie, foreign, and documentary film screenings. 2 The Pleasantville Farmers Market often offers live music and entertainment for kids, such as Marco the Magician. 3 The Rockefeller State Park Preserve consists of more than 1,000 acres of picturesque land as well as Swan Lake.
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he appropriately named village of Pleasantville in Westchester County has all the charm of a small community while boasting the benefits that come from being a train ride away from Manhattan. Pleasantville is familiar worldwide to the subscribers of Reader’s Digest, which made the village its headquarters and maintains a presence there. The village was noted in GQ’s list of “Top Ten Best Smelling Cities in the World.” They write, “If Norman Rockwell’s paintings emitted a scent, this is what it would be.” Here are the five reasons we love Pleasantville.
A Movie-Buff’s Haven
Credited with putting Pleasantville on the cultural map, the nonprofit Jacob Burns Film Center draws moviegoers in for screenings of indie, foreign, and documentary films. Film industry powerhouses such as George Clooney, Woody Allen, Robert Redford, and Stephen King have made guest appearances and speeches at the landmark theater. Programs and classes are offered for kids and adults of all ages to learn about film, storytelling, and production.
Fresh Produce Year-Round
Since 1998, the Pleasantville Farmers Market has provided year-round access to healthy, locally grown food. Today, it is the largest farmers market in Westchester County with more than 55 vendors and it attracts upwards of 2,500 people each week. Weekly vendors are posted on its website along with an interactive map so visitors can locate and learn more about them. Through Nov. 18 the market is located next to the Metro-North station at Memorial Plaza on Saturdays from 8:30am-1pm. Most weeks May-October the outdoor market features live music and events for kids, as well as health and culinary events. During the winter, Dec. 2-March 24, 2018 the market is housed in the local middle school on Saturdays from 8:30am-1pm. 26
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
The Preservation of Nature
Offering hiking trails, fishing, and panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Rockefeller State Park Preserve is a favorite outdoor destination of Pleasantville residents. The park consists of more than 1,000 acres of picturesque land donated by the Rockefeller family. The system of carriage roads created by John D. Rockefeller, a horse-lover, remain in use in the park. In the fall guests can enjoy peak fall foliage and in the spring visitors can view the Peony Monument’s 425 tree peonies in bloom next to the Rockefeller Art Gallery, which has rotating exhibits of two-dimensional arts.
Indie Literature Lovers
Located just around the corner from the Pleasantville Metro-North station, the Village Bookstore is an old-fashioned wonderland of good reads. The store also hosts author readings and poetry contests. Its most famous customers might be Bill and Hillary Clinton, who live in nearby Chappaqua and adopted the store after their local bookstore closed.
The Live Music Scene
Every year on a Saturday in July, thousands flock to the village for the Pleasantville Music Festival. The all-day event features a mix of established musicians and bands and newcomers on two stages. Families can bring blankets and chairs to enjoy a day of live rock and blues tunes during the next festival, July 14, 2018.
Want to Go?
Directions: Approximately a 45-minute drive from Flushing For more information: nymetroparents.com/pleasantville
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December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Ideas When You Need Them:
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Turn the page for details on Santaland (No. 6 on our list).
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DECEMBER CALENDAR
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Editor’s Hot Tickets
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Holiday Fun
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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Crafty Kids
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Movers & Shakers, Once Upon a Time
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On Screen
38
Dance Party
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Smarty Pants, Mini Musicians
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Show Time!
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EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 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!
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The Ten Tenors: Home For The Holidays
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90th Anniversary Holiday Concert
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 3pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Undoubtedly one of Australia’s most successful touring entertainment groups of all time, its overall vision is to create a feeling of comfort and warmth for a family gathering. The concert is guaranteed to give the audience a great selection of traditional Christmas songs and contemporary classics. WHY WE LOVE IT: The feel-good show that will make you want to Falalalalala. WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 718-793-8080. kupferbergcenter.org.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17, 4pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Celebrate the holiday season at the annual concert of the Oratorio Society of Queens and Maestro David Close performing excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” with chorus, soloists, and The Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens. WHY WE LOVE IT: Hear your favorite Christmas and Hanukkah songs! WANT TO GO? $35; $30 seniors and students; $10 for children 12 and younger. 718-279-3006. queensoratorio.org.
The Chocolate Expo
Holiday Market FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 10am-7pm WHERE: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: The Chocolate Expo gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy tastings and sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, gelato, cheeses, and more from more than 90 local, regional, and international vendor booths. Kids can enjoy free facepainting and balloon twisting, along with a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s New York and America’s largest chocolate event! WANT TO GO? $10-$20. 516-572-4111. cradleofaviation.org.
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Holiday Historic House Tour
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 1-5pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the unique histories of seven historic sites in Flushing and Corona. Each site will offer special activities and refreshments, and a mini bus will be available to take visitors to selected historic houses. WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the historic riches of the holiday in Queens. WANT TO GO? $15; $5 children. 718-463-7700. queenshistoricalsociety.org. 30
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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WHEN: Dec. 3-17, Sundays, 12-6pm WHERE: Bohemian Hall, 29-19 24th. Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: Swing by Bohemian Hall’s main hall to snag that perfect handmade gift for your loved ones. At all three events, there will be a full house of vendors selling art, jewelry, toys, chocolates, body care, handbags, clothing, stationery, scarves and hats, pottery, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: The array of vendors makes holiday shopping fun. WANT TO GO? 718-274-4925. astoriamarket.com.
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Santaland FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: daily, see website for store hours WHERE: Macy’s, 151 W. 34th St., 8th Floor, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Visitors will wander through a 13,000-square-foot Christmas Village filled with holiday treasures, the biggest of which is Santa Claus himself. After meeting Santa, guests can buy a photo package. Visits are by reservations only this year. WHY WE LOVE IT: He knows if you’ve been bad or good! WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/santaland.
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‘Happy As Clams: The Musical’
WHEN: Dec. 12-31, Tuesday-Friday, see website for times WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Clammy and her best friend Grabby, the fiddler crab, learn about creating friendships when they befriend a love-struck fluke, float with a jelly, and stumble upon a hungry sea star. WHY WE LOVE IT: This popular show gets everyone singing, dancing, and clamoring for more (while sneaking in some local environmental science and geography). WANT TO GO? $9 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Meet the Health Care PROFESSIONAL
Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Queens: 718-640-6767 • Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Suffolk: 631-689-6858
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.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
WHEN: Dec. 21-Jan. 6, see website for dates, 3:30pm and 7pm WHERE: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: A family-friendly holiday musical based on the beloved animated TV special. Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole Peanuts gang as they dig past the commercialized gimmicks of presents and decorations to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. WHY WE LOVE IT: Charlie Brown and friends bring the holiday spirit back to life for families once again. WANT TO GO? $20; $12.50 children. 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.
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Installation: A Memory of Astoria
WHEN: Through Feb. 11, 2018: Wednesday-Thursday 10:30am-5pm; Friday, 10:30am-8pm; SaturdaySunday, 10:30am-6pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: Commissioned by the Museum of the Moving Image, this is an impressionistic portrait of the blocks surrounding the museum. Wube walked the neighborhood to observe the area’s confluence of cultures, focusing on everyday moments, sights, and sounds. WHY WE LOVE IT: The exhibit reveals the diverse and rapid changes throughout Astoria. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-7776888. movingimage.us.
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
Mornings @ MoMI
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: Visitors can explore the exhibitions and participate in art-making projects. Light breakfast refreshments will be served in the Moving Image Cafe. Reservations required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Families on the autism spectrum can enjoy access to the museum before it opens to the general public. WANT TO GO? $5; free for children younger than 3. 718-7776888. movingimage.us. ››
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Santa HQ: Photos With Santa FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: daily, see website for times WHERE: Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst AGES: All WHAT: Santa will be available for photos and visits at his Headquarters presented by HGTV, located on Level 2, Center Court. This year’s features include online reservations, elf-ray vision, a naughty-or-nice o’ meter, fun holiday photo options, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-592-3900. shopqueenscenter.com.
Holiday Open House FREE
WHEN: Dec. 26-28, Tuesday-Thursday, 12-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Warm up by the fireplaces of the decorated Adriance Farmhouse at this celebrated annual event. Take a tour of this historic landmark building and enjoy seasonal kids’ crafts and hot mulled cider throughout the afternoon. WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.
CRAFTY KIDS Snowy Evergreen Wreath Decoration
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. Breakfast with Santa FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 2, 8am WHERE: Queens Center Mall, JCPenney Wing, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A jolly good time with Santa at this Kids Club Breakfast. Children will enjoy complimentary breakfast, fun, games, and a special visit with Santa himself. WANT TO GO? 718-592-3900. shopqueenscenter.com/events.
Christmas in the Garden FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 12-5:30pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live musical performances, photos with Santa (fee required), garden tour, holiday crafts, tree lighting, and blowout sales at the QBG Shop. WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.
Garden School Open House and Merit Scholarship Exam FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 9-11:30am WHERE: Garden School, 33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights AGES: All WHAT: This open house is for all families interested in Garden School’s core program for all grades of the school. WANT TO GO? 718-335-6363. gardenschool.org.
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WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: The beauty of winter is the focus of this class as children create their own snowy, evergreen wreath banner to take home and enjoy for years to come. The program will include a walk along the APEC trails and a cup of hot cocoa. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Craft for Kids FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11am WHERE: St. Albans Library, 191-05 Linden Blvd., St. Albans AGES: 9-12, adult WHAT: Make new and exciting Christmas crafts. WANT TO GO? 718-528-8196. queenslibrary.org.
Collage Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 1pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Create a paper collage inspired by FTH teaching artist Steve
Palermo’s solo exhibit Gods, Beasts and Men. Explore how you can transform images found in magazines into exciting visual stories while discovering your own voice. All materials will be supplied. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
ON SCREEN
Snow Globe Wonderland
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2pm WHERE: St. Albans Library, 191-05 Linden Blvd., St. Albans AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This month’s movie will be Spider-Man: Homecoming. WANT TO GO? 718-528-8196. queenslibrary.org.
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A sprinkle of creativity and a dash of imagination are all you need to design and create your own winter wonderland snow globe. WANT TO GO? $6. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.
Celebrate with Candles
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join us for a special workshop as we roll and decorate our own beeswax candles for the holidays we celebrate. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Family Holiday Crafts FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:30pm WHERE: Laurelton Library, 134-26 225th St., Laurelton AGES: All WHAT: Families can create memories and holiday crafts. WANT TO GO? 718-528-2822. queenslibrary.org.
Lego Hour FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Saturdays, 3pm WHERE: Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Come to the library to join in on the Lego fun. WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. queenslibrary.org.
GingerBread Lane 2017 Workshops
WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: These workshops will take participants to the road, track, and water with all of the fixings to design a truly sweet car, boat, or train. Each participant will receive a kit with all of the materials that Chef Jon Lovitch uses to create his GingerBread Lane exhibit: gingerbread pieces, icing, and candy. WANT TO GO? $15 per project. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.
Drop-in Family Art Workshops FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Sundays, 1:30pm WHERE: Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing MeadowsCorona Park, Corona AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: These fun workshops invite families to take part in a shared learning experience. Activities offer families the opportunity to reflect on the artworks presented in museum exhibitions as they work collaboratively to create unique works of their own with a variety of different materials. WANT TO GO? 718-592-9700. queensmuseum.org.
Drop-In Moving Image Studio
WHEN: Through Feb. 11, 2018: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Families can create media and other projects, build their own puppets and animation inspired by The Jim Henson Exhibition and Behind the Screen. Activities include stop-motion animation, puppet making with found objects, create your own meme, and coloring. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.
Movie Saturday FREE
‘The Secret of Kells’
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11am WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 9-12 WHAT: An Oscar-nominated animated film set in medieval Ireland on the eve of a Viking invasion. Prior to the screening, members of Darrah Carr Dance will present a fun, interactive Irish dance demonstration. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.
Holiday Movie Afternoon FREE
WHEN: Dec. 8-22, Fridays, 4pm WHERE: East Elmhurst Library, 95-06 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst AGES: All WHAT: Bring some popcorn and enjoy great holiday classics for the whole family. Watch Elf Dec. 8; Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dec. 15; and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Dec. 22. WANT TO GO? 718-424-2619. queenslibrary.org.
Family Movie FREE
WHEN: Dec. 27-29, Wednesday and Friday, 2pm WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Enjoy some post holiday cinema just for kids with Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie on Wednesday and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul on Friday. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org.
Animated Musical Double Feature FREE
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 29, 1-5pm WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-06 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a year-end animated musical double feature of Moana and Sing. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.org.
‘Dream Big: Engineering Our World’
WHEN: Through June 30, 2018: daily, 2pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars, and smart, sustainable cities, this film celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.
‘Conquest of the Skies 3D’
WHEN: Through June 30, 2018: daily, 3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Embark on an extraordinary journey to unravel the evolution of flying animals, from the first flying creatures to the organisms we know today. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org. ›› QueensParent 33
Teen Digital Media Lab FREE
WHEN: Dec. 1-15, Fridays, 4-6pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 13-17 WHAT: A series of free design jams just for teens. Share in your favorite kinds of media making and experiment with new techniques and materials. WANT TO GO? 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.
Soohorang & Bandabi
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join us as we make “masks” in the shape of the mascots in 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea: Soohorang (white tiger) and Bandabi (black bear). WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-2245828. licm.org.
Gulliver’s Gate
SMARTY PANTS Mandarin Classes for Preschoolers FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 4: Mondays, 3:30pm WHERE: North Forest Park Library, 98-27 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Bilingual Birdies will teach 45-minutes classes in English and Mandarin with live music, movement, dance, puppetry, and games. WANT TO GO? 718-261-5512. queenslibrary.org.
UNIS Queens Open House FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 9-10am WHERE: United Nations International School, 173-53 Croydon Road, Jamaica Estates AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Parents who are interested in applying for kindergarten through eighth grade for the 2018-2019 academic year are invited to visit this Queens campus, learn more about the curriculum, and take a tour. WANT TO GO? 718-658-6166. unis.org.
Hello Hangeul
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 12:30-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Get an introduction to the art of calligraphy using a brush and ink. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516224-5800. licm.org.
Kids Play and Learn FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 3pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children and their caregivers are invited to this program to develop early motor skills such as creativity, listening, social interaction, balance, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-990-0700. queenslibrary.org. 34
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: daily, 9am-10pm WHERE: Times Square, 216 W. 44th St., Times Square, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Artists from eight countries took part in building this miniature world, featuring cities from across the globe, all built to scale. You can even pay to have your body scanned and become part of the exhibit. WANT TO GO? $36; $27 seniors and for children 12 and younger. gulliversgate.com.
Heart & Seoul: Growing Up in Korea
WHEN: Through Jan. 7, 2018: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: The growing popularity of all things Korean, from fashion and film to music and cuisine, called “Hallyu” (the Korean Wave) is on view. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-2245800. licm.org.
MINI
MUSICIANS Fairy Tale: World Music from Korea
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 1, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Featuring traditional Korean instruments, Fairy Tale creates music inspired by Korean traditional poems and songs, folk stories, healing messages, and sentimental feelings of Korean poems, and jeongga: Korean traditional vocals. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
An Evening with Amadi and Debby Azikiwe
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30pm WHERE: Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Currently the music director of the Harlem Symphony, Amadi Azikiwe and his pianist wife Debby will bring to JCAL a night of classical music by Mozart, Bach, Paganini, and Sarasate. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-658-7400. jcal.org.
Monthly Jazz Jam
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Jazz Jams are a fun way to hone your skills and jam with your peers. All are welcome, regardless of instrument (vocalists, too!). WANT TO GO? $10; free for students and jamming musicians. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
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Holiday Concert: Let It Snow
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 3pm WHERE: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Long Island City’s holiday concert tradition of the season featuring the Astoria Symphony Orchestra with conductor, composer, and U.S. Army Music Officer, Silas Huff; accompanied by vocalists Heather Petruzelli and Anthony Maida. WANT TO GO? $30; $10 children ages 3-12. 718-482-5151. lagcc.cuny.edu.
Voices of New York Christmas Choral Concert FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2:30pm WHERE: Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Ave., Forest Hills AGES: All WHAT: A community chorus will sing Christmas, Hanukkah, and other seasonal choral music. Solo pieces will also be performed. WANT TO GO? 718-268-7934. queenslibrary.org.
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Queens College Choral Society: 77th Annual Winter Concert
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 8pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This performance reflects ideas of transformation, migration, and finding home while celebrating the diversity of Queens. WANT TO GO? $20. 718-793-8080. kupferbergcenter.org.
Winter Chorus FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 18: Mondays, 4pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join the winter chorus for seven weeks of singing. WANT TO GO? queenslibrary.org.
Toddler Music FREE
WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Wednesdays, 10:15am WHERE: Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: There will be songs, instruments, crafts, marching, and dancing. WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. queenslibrary.org. ››
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From Tel Aviv to Harlem: A Big Band Hanukkah Celebration with Eyal Vilner and His Orchestra FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: All WHAT: An 18-piece New York City-based jazz orchestra celebrates the beautiful repertoire of traditional holiday songs. WANT TO GO? 718-990-0700. queenslibrary.org.
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HOLIDAY FUN A New York Christmas: Sibyl Groff, Writer & Tour Guide
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:30pm WHERE: Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead, 14335 37th Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Sibyl Groff, known as The Spirited New Yorker, is an experienced and highly acclaimed licensed New York City tour guide whose expertise includes the architecture, artwork, and history of Rockefeller Center, midtown Manhattan, and New York City. Find out more on what is the meaning of Gothamtide and why New York City is the Christmas capital of the world. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-939-0647. queenshistoricalsociety.org.
8 Days of Klezmer
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 3pm WHERE: Kingsborough Community College, The Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join this celebration of the festival of lights. Explore the unique spirit of klezmer with melodies of joyful sorrow, as well as Gypsyflavored Hanukkah favorites. WANT TO GO? $30-$32. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.
33rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11am WHERE: Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Blvd., East Elmhurst AGES: All WHAT: Shop at the Kwanzaa Marketplace where you can buy art, jewelry, clothing, crafts, and food. Enjoy a full day of craft workshops, live music, dance, and spoken word performances. WANT TO GO? 718-651-1100. queenslibrary.org.
Holiday Market
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 1-5pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Artists and craftspeople from the Queens area will be selling their wares, including jewelry, paintings, handcrafted ceramics, paper goods, greeting cards, and clothing. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
New Year’s Party FREE
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 29, 4-5pm WHERE: Broadway Library, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Get ready for 2018 by learning about New Year traditions around the world, playing games, writing resolutions, and creating party hats. WANT TO GO? 718-721-2462. queenslibrary.org.
‘The Three Bears Holiday Bash’
WHEN: Through Dec. 30: Tuesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park, West 81st Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This variety show combines song, dance, and puppetry while drawing from the stories of Hanukkah, the Night Before Christmas, and Kwanzaa. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 children. 212-360-1399. cityparksfoundation.org.
‘Christmas Spectacular’ Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Queens Opera Theater: ‘The Gift of the Magi’
WHEN: Through Jan. 1, 2018: daily, see website for times WHERE: Radio City, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Combining the old with the new, the Christmas Spectacular brilliantly takes audiences on a gorgeously choreographed journey from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, to the streets of Manhattan, to a beautifully classic “Living Nativity.” WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 212-247-4777. rockettes.com/christmas.
Kwanzaa Celebration
WHEN: Through Jan. 14, 2018: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing, and candy. GingerBread Lane has won the Guinness World Record for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 for the largest gingerbread village. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors, students, and children. 718-6990005. nysci.org.
WHEN: Dec. 17-18, Sunday, 2pm; Monday, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The classic O’Henry short story, set to music and lyrics, tells the story of a young couple living in New York City on Christmas Eve 1905. They loved each other so much that they each sold their most prized possession to buy the other a Christmas present. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org. WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Get hands-on as we 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, free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. 36
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
GingerBread Lane
MOVERS & SHAKERS Long Island Nets vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Join the Long Island Nets take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. WANT TO GO? $18-$40. 800-745-3000. longisland.gleague.nba.com.
Serve, Spin, Smash
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 1pm and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn how to master a serve when New York Table Tennis comes to LICM. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-2245800. licm.org.
Long Island Nets vs. Salt Lake City Stars (Jewish Heritage Night) WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 14, 7pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Help the Long Island Nets celebrate Jewish Heritage Night. WANT TO GO? $18-$40. 800-745-3000. longisland.gleague.nba.com.
Public Skating
WHEN: Jan. 8-Dec. 23, Monday-Friday, 9am-5:15pm; Friday, 7-9:50pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-4:45pm; Saturday, 8-9:50pm WHERE: World Ice Arena, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 131st Street and Avery Avenue, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Whether you’re lacing up skates for the first time, or you’re an experienced skater, participants will love ice-skating at the World Ice Arena. WANT TO GO? $6 weekdays; $9 weekends; $5 skate rental. 718-7609001. worldice.com.
Harlem Globetrotters
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Known for the one-of-a-kind family entertainment, the Harlem Globetrotters bring the 2018 World Tour to Barclays Center to take on their long-time adversaries the Washington Generals. WANT TO GO? $18 and up. 718-933-3000. barclayscenter.com.
Gettin’ Jegi With It!
WHEN: Dec. 9-29, Saturday and Friday, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Jegichagi (Korean hacky sack) is a traditional outdoor game in which players kick a weighted paper sack (jegi) into the air and try to keep it aloft using their feet. Create your own jegi and practice your skills. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free children younger than 1. 516-2245800. licm.org.
Public Ice-Skating
WHEN: Through Feb. 28, 2018: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm
WHERE: Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This outdoor rink offers an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline, plus a skating school, a hockey program, and birthday parties. WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $5 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger; Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-439-6900. wollmanskatingrink.com.
Bank of America Winter Village
WHEN: Through March 4, 2018: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The park becomes a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice-skating rink (free entry!), a European-inspired open-air market for holiday shopping, rinkside dining, and more. WANT TO GO? $20 skate rental. 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.
ONCE UPON A TIME Toddler Tales: ‘Bear Snores On’
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 2, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: While Bear is taking his winter nap, many forest friends stop by to greet him. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.
Itty Bitty Book Club: ‘Pete the Cat’ FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11am WHERE: Rochdale Village Library, 169-09 137th Ave., Jamaica AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy a fun discussion of a favorite cool cat in children’s literature. Hear stories, play the Pete the Cat Groovy Buttons Game, and make crafts. WANT TO GO? 718-723-4440. queenslibrary.org.
Newtown Literacy: What A Character!
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 3pm WHERE: Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison St., Ridgewood AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Kids develop a fun and interesting character from even one small detail by using their imagination and powers of observation. WANT TO GO? 718-821-4770. queenslibrary.org.
Wordless Books Can Tell A Story FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 4pm WHERE: Poppenhusen Library, 121-23 14th Ave., College Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will explore the stories told by wordless books. WANT TO GO? 718-359-1102. queenslibrary.org.
Read To A Dog FREE
WHEN: Dec. 14-21, Thursdays, 3:30pm WHERE: North Hills Library, 57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children can select a book to read aloud to Jami, who has been certified as a therapy pet partner. WANT TO GO? 718-225-3550. queenslibrary.org. ›› QueensParent 37
DANCE PARTY ‘This ‘70s Nutcracker’
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 2, 1:30pm and 5pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Come and experience Long Island School of Ballet’s psychedelic take on the classic tale. Set in the ’70s, a young man is transported magically to the Land of Television, by his strange relative Chick, where he discovers ballet for the first time. WANT TO GO? $20. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.
Migrations: The QC Faculty Dance Concert
WHEN: Through Dec. 3: Thursday-Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Features world premiere choreographic works by the internationally renowned faculty members of the dance program at Queens College. The works are performed by the talented students of the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance, and embraces diverse forms of dance including modern, contemporary, and African. WANT TO GO? $10-$16. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.
‘Sleeping Beauty’: State Ballet Theatre of Russia
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The enchanting story of wishes that really do come true. Set to the music of P. Tchaikovsky and inspired by the timeless fairy tale, this is one of the most magical and hopeful of the storybook ballets. WANT TO GO? $23 and up. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.
Calpulli Community
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Celebrates a year of learning in dance and music with a fun family performance. Students of all ages from Queens and Staten Island will perform folk dances from across Mexico. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
Moscow Ballet’s ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate this Christmas with the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, featuring over-the-top production values and world class Russian artists. Larger-than-life puppets and nesting dolls and gloriously hand-crafted costumes bring the Christmas spirit to life. WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.
Gotta Dance!: QPAC’s Broadway Dance-Along Winter Workout Challenge
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 11am-1pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Join dance professional Carmen LaRosa as she re-creates the most popular dance numbers from some of the most popular movie musicals 38
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
of all time. Then, get up on stage and be taught a reimagined version of the routine you just finished watching. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.
Vado Diomande & Kotchegna Dance Company Performance
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2:15pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Vado Diomande & Kotchegna Dance Company will delight, teach, and inspire audiences with the joyful dances of the Ivory Coast. Colorful clothing, exuberant song, vibrant dancing, and the exciting rhythms of djembe and doundoun drums will sweep the audience into a powerful experience of West African village life. Attend an interactive workshop prior to the show at 1pm. WANT TO GO? $13; $8 children. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance
WHEN: Dec. 7-9, Thursday-Saturday, 8pm WHERE: Danspace Project, 131 E. 10th St., East Village, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance presents this cumulative work that explores self-awareness, familial bonding, and identity formation. By varying spatial orientation to the audience, utilizing various groupings, and highlighting key moments from previous pieces in the trilogy, the presentation offers audiences multiple perspectives of each character. WANT TO GO? $22 and up. 866-811-4111. danspaceproject.org.
‘The Hip Hop Nutcracker’
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 8pm WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush, Brooklyn AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Hip Hop Nutcracker re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive hip-hop choreography. The show features a dozen allstar dancers, DJ, violinist, and vivid digital scenery. WANT TO GO? $29 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.
‘The Nutcracker’
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17, 3pm WHERE: Kingsborough Community College, The Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Nutcracker, a perennial holiday favorite, is an enchanting adventure through a little girl’s fantasy world of fairies, princes, toy soldiers, and an army of mice. Be transported by this full-scale production, with Tchaikovsky’s wondrous score, choreography by worldrenowned Marius Petipa and The Mariinsky’s Vasily Vainonen, and 40 of Russia’s brightest ballet stars in glorious costumes. WANT TO GO? $30-$32. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.
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The Roz Brown Christmas Experience FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 14, 2pm WHERE: Seaside Library, 116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Park AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the holidays with familiar favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and more. WANT TO GO? 718-634-1876. queenslibrary.org.
Guess What Family Comedy Show FREE
SHOW TIME ‘From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler’
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 3, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: 5-12 WHAT: ArtsPower’s enchanting musical, based on E.L. Konigsburg’s Newbery Medal-winning classic, follows Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie up the stone steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and right into the middle of an adventure. WANT TO GO? $14. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.
‘A Christmas Carol’ FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2pm WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-6 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This one-man play is based on the condensed version Dickens himself used on his historic reading tours of the United States and is adapted here to offer a unique theatrical experience. Actor Greg Oliver Bodine plays Dickens who must perform from memory the magical story of Scrooge’s journey from miserliness to redemption. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.org.
‘Pinkalicious’
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 2pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Pinkalicious loves all things pink, from fairy dresses to cotton candy to bubblegum, and especially pink cupcakes. But when Pinkalicious eats one too many, she turns pink herself. What will she do? WANT TO GO? $15. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 1pm WHERE: The Creek and the Cave Comedy Club, 10-93 Jackson Ave., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Watch NYC comics do their PG best, and in between kids can go on stage and tell a joke. Knock-knock jokes are allowed. WANT TO GO? 718-706-8783. facebook.com/guesswhatpg.
‘Dragons Love Tacos’ & Other Stories
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2pm WHERE: Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Dragons love tacos, but unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa, and if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa, you’re in red-hot trouble. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children. 718-658-7400 x144. jcal.org.
‘Interstellar Cinderella’
WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: New York City Children’s Theater, The Beckett Theatre, 410 W. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Cinderella of the future is an engineer hoping to revolutionize space travel with a new invention. She’s eager to show the prince her hyper warp speed engine at the space parade, but her evil stepmother tries to get in the way. WANT TO GO? $29.25. 212-573-8791. nycchildrenstheater.org.
‘A Christmas Carol’
WHEN: Dec. 8-22, Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Titan Theatre Company’s award-winning adaptation of Dickens’ timeless tale returns to Queens Theatre this December. WANT TO GO? $18. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.
The Kitchen Plays
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 11, 7:30pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Staged readings created to benefit the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department, and featuring the talents of alumni writers, actors, stage managers, and designers. There will be a Q-and-A after the performance with the writers, actors, and director, as well as a recption with light refreshments. WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $10. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.
Coming up next month: JAN. 11-14, 2018: Disney On Ice Presents Reach For The Stars at NYCB Live, home of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale JAN. 14, 2018: Sweet Honey in the Rock: A Special MLK Jr. Celebration at Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, Flushing JAN. 20, 2018: Dreams of Sand at Flushing Town Hall, Flushing
QueensParent 39
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Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
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Research by Melissa Wickes
Bring holiday cheer and family bonding from the farm to your home by cutting your own Christmas tree this winter. Head to a 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. shamrockchristmastreefarm.com Nov. 24-Dec. 24, daily, 9am-5pm. Tools and assistance provided. Pre-cut trees, handmade wreaths, and crafts also available. Santa appearances on weekends, 12-5pm. Shamrock Express train rides (weather permitting) and a fire pit to enjoy while you’re waiting for your ride. Ornaments, nutcrackers, tree toppers, and more available in the gift shop. No pets allowed.
New Jersey
Long Island Elwood Pumpkin Farm 1500 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-368-8626; elwoodpumpkinfarm. com/elwood-christmas-tree-farm Nov. 23-Dec. 24, weekdays, 3pm-dusk, and weekends, 10am-dusk. Pre-cut tree lot is open every day until 7pm. 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. 24-Dec 24, Wednesday-Monday, 8am-4:30pm. More than 10,000 trees ranging from 2-foot table toppers to 10foot ceiling scrapers. Bow saws and netting available. Trailer rides back from the field.
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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 mikeschristmastreefarm.com Nov. 24-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, 9am6pm; call to check availability. Tools and assistance provided. Santa appearances on weekends. Christmas shop on premises. Tree shaker and free saws available; no chainsaws allowed. Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm 20685 Main Road, Mattituck 631-298-4619 or 631-298-4118
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Morris County Hidden Pond Tree Farm 4 W. Field Road, Mendham 973-865-6362; hiddenpondtreefarm.com Nov. 24-Dec. 20, Tuesday-Sunday, 9am5pm. Pre-cut trees also available. All trees grown at the farm are pesticide-free. Refreshments available. Free hay rides (weather permitting). Marshmallow roasting around the bonfire and free hot chocolate on weekends. Christmas shop with wreaths, greenery, centerpieces, and other decorations. After the first weekend, call for updates on availability before visiting. Rolling Green Farm 61 Hacklebarney Road, Long Valley 908-879-7457 Nov. 24-Dec. 24, Black Friday and weekends, 10am-5pm. Cut your own trees. Wreaths, tree sprays, and antiques for sale in the shop. Sussex County Country Heritage Farm 129 Plains Road, Augusta 973-875-5590; countryheritagefarm.com Nov. 24-Dec. 18, weekends, 9am-4pm. Saws provided. Christmas shop with decorations, ornaments, wreaths, holly, tree stands, and garland on-site. Hayride to haul tree back from field provided.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/xmastrees
WHERE-TO GUIDE
nymetroparents.com/where-to
Kid-Friendly Museums
›› Research by Barbara Russo
Andrew Kelly / New York Hall of Science
Dig up dirt on extinct species, go back in time with a history lesson, and immerse yourself in another culture without leaving your own backyard—all of this is possible at local children’s museums! There’s no shortage of exciting destinations where your kids can soak up equal parts education and excitement. All of these museums have exhibits specifically geared toward the kid crowd, so no one will be disappointed when you set out on your adventure. Most destinations even have tours, so you and your kids can become experts on presidents, dinosaurs, tornados, or whatever you wish, all in a day’s admission! Hours and exhibitions are subject to change—please call ahead or check the website to confirm.
Sandbox, one of the New York Hall of Science’s Design Lab activities, allows families to work with simple machines and design systems using kinetic and potential energy.
Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria 718-777-6888; movingimage.us Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30am5pm; Friday, 10:30am-8pm; SaturdaySunday, 10:30am-6pm Admission: $15; $11 seniors and college students; $7 children; free for children younger than 3; free for all on Fridays, 4-8pm The only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the art, history, technique, and technology of the moving image in all its forms. Permanent exhibit: The Jim Henson Exhibition features a rare look into the creative mind and life of Jim Henson with 300 objects and 47 puppets on display, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and more. New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th St., Flushing MeadowsCorona Park 718-699-0005; nysci.org Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm;
Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm Admission: $16; $13 seniors, students, and children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2 Get your hands on more than 450 sciencethemed exhibits that engage learners of all inclinations and ages. Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park 718-347-3276; queensfarm.org Hours: daily, 10am-5pm. Monday-Friday: Outdoor visiting only. Saturday-Sunday: Farmhouse tours available. Admission: Free; fees apply for public events The museum strives to preserve Queens’ agricultural and horticultural past while heightening awareness of present-day sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices. Queens Museum New York City Building, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing
718-592-9700; queensmuseum.org Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: Suggested donation: $8; $4 seniors; free for students and children 18 and younger. Free guided tours on Sundays, 2-4pm. The museum is dedicated to visual arts and features six galleries. It offers regular artist workshops and lectures.
Manhattan 9/11 Memorial Museum 180 Greenwich St., Financial District 212-312-8800; 911memorial.org Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; FridaySaturday, 9am-9pm. Last entry: SundayThursday, 6pm; Friday-Saturday, 7pm Admission: $24; $18 seniors, veterans, and college students; $15 children ages 7-17; free for members and children younger than 7 The 9/11 Memorial Museum offers ageappropriate entry points into the history of the World Trade Center, 9/11, and its aftermath. On Saturdays, children can participate in drop-in activity stations tied to artifacts and themes. All programs are free to ticketed museum visitors. American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street, Upper West Side 212-769-5100; amnh.org Hours: daily, 10am-5:45pm Admission: Suggested donation: $23; $18 students and seniors; $13 children ages 2-12 One of the largest museums in the world, the collections are made up of more than 32 million specimens and artifacts. Currently on view: The Titanosaur, open through Jan. 19, 2020, the fossil remains of a recently discovered 122-foot-long dinosaur. Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/museums QueensParent 41
Mowie Kay
FOOD & NUTRITION
Potato dumplings and potato spinach croquettes
Celebrate the Festival of Lights ››
Three international dishes to enjoy for Hanukkah By Paola Gavin “Over their two thousand years of exile, Jews migrated across the world, taking their culinary heritage and traditions with them. Wherever they went, they adapted local and regional dishes to fit their own strict dietary laws and, as a result, Jewish food today encompasses an enormous variety of cuisines and cooking styles,” Paola Gavin writes in her recently published cookbook, Hazana: Jewish Vegetarian Cooking. This Hanukkah (Dec. 12-20), why not enjoy tasty recipes with Russian, Turkish, and Italian roots?
Potato dumplings stuffed with curd cheese and chives Pampushki from Russia
Pampushki can be fried or boiled, sweet or savory. For sweet pampushki, simply omit the chives from the filling, add a tablespoon or two of sugar and the grated rind of a lemon, then serve lightly dusted with sugar. In Russia they generally fry pampushki in vegetable oil, but as I believe cooking with vegetable oils can be bad for your health, I prefer to use olive oil instead. Serves 4 1 lb. potatoes, peeled 2½ cups mashed potato Olive oil, for shallow frying For the filling: 8 oz. curd (pot or farmer’s) cheese 1 egg yolk
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1-2 tablespoons finely chopped chives Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1. To make the filling, place the curd cheese, egg yolk, and chives in a bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. 2. Coarsely grate the potatoes, then squeeze out as much water as possible. Place in a bowl with the mashed potato, season with salt and pepper, and mix well. Form the potato mixture into balls about the size of an egg. Punch a hole in the center with your forefinger and fill with a teaspoonful of filling, then close up to seal the filling inside. Flatten slightly and shallow-fry until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Potato and spinach croquettes
Fritikas de spinaka kon patatas from Turkey
These delicious little croquettes may be served as a light main course or a side dish. Traditionally they are often prepared for Rosh Hashanah, or for Passover—in which case, matzo meal is used instead of flour. Serves 4-5 8 oz. spinach 2 lb. potatoes 2 eggs, separated Salt and freshly ground black pepper Flour or matzo meal, for dredging Olive oil, for deep-frying
1. Wash the spinach thoroughly, then cook in a covered saucepan over a moderate heat for 5 minutes or until wilted— the water clinging to the leaves is sufficient to prevent scorching. Drain well and squeeze dry, then chop finely. 2. Boil the potatoes in plenty of lightly salted water for 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, peel and then force through a sieve or mash with a potato ricer. Add the spinach and egg yolks and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Shape into balls the size of a walnut and flatten slightly, then set aside to cool. 3. Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Dip the croquettes into the egg white then roll in flour. Working in batches, deep-fry the croquettes in hot oil until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
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BIRTHDAY PARTIES!
Apple fritters
Fritelle di mele from Italy
These delicious apple fritters are often made for Chanukah and Tu Bi-Shevat, the Festival of the Trees. For a variation, try making them with other fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, apricots, or figs. Serves 4-6 4 tart apples 4-5 tablespoons brandy Olive oil, for deep-frying Icing (confectioners’) sugar, for dusting For the batter: 1 cup unbleached plain (all-purpose) flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1 egg, separated 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons dry white wine 1. For the batter, combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl and make a well in the center. Add the egg yolk, olive oil, wine, and 5 tablespoons water and mix well, then gradually stir in up to another 5 tablespoons water to make a smooth batter. Leave to stand for 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, peel and core the apples and cut into rounds about ¼-inch thick. Place in a shallow bowl and pour over the brandy. Let the apples steep for 30 minutes. 3. To finish the batter, in another bowl, whisk the egg white until stiff and then gently fold into the batter. Working in batches, dip the apple rings into the batter and deep-fry in hot oil until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve at once, dusted with icing sugar.
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Recipes excerpted with permission from Hazana: Jewish Vegetarian Cooking by Paola Gavin, published by Quadrille October 2017, RRP $35.00 hardcover.
QueensParent 43
#SnapShot
2017
nymetroparents All Star Studios ›
•••
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nymetroparents Come join the All Star family!! We love dance!!
nymetroparents Students moving, grooving, and dancing with a Broadway professional.
All Star Studios 108-21 72nd Ave., Forest Hills | 718-268-2280 | allstarstudiosnyc.com
United Nations International School 173-53 Croydon Road, Jamaica Estates | 718-658-6166 | unis.org
nymetroparents Music Together® with Music and Me ›
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United Nations International School ›
Magic Day Camp ›
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nymetroparents Sing! Dance! Play! where Music Learning Supports All Learning!®
nymetroparents Magic Day Camp: “Where Every Day is Magical!” and exciting day trips happen all summer long!
Music Together® with Music and Me | Astoria, Bayside, Forest Hills (North and South), Glendale | 718-229-0033 | musictogetherwithmusicandme.com
Magic Day Camp 216-01 Union Turnpike, Bayside | 718-634-8109 | magicdaycamp.com
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nymetroparents Hug Music ›
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Hug Music | 112-01 75th Ave., Forest Hills | 718-487-4309 | hugmusicny.com
The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School ›
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Dance Reverie Dance Studios ›
nymetroparents Come check out the new youth dance program at #DanceReverieDanceStudios: one of the best-reviewed studios in Queens.
nymetroparents Enjoy various music classes for babies, children, and special learners at @hugmusicny!
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Dance Reverie Dance Studios 100-35 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills | 347-770-6434 | dancereverie.com
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Fantasy Forest Amusement Park ›
nymetroparents Our school’s small group instruction is where play and learning go hand in hand.
nymetroparents Reach for the sky when riding Queens’ only roller coaster!
The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills | 718-268-7980 | citgnurseryschool.org
Fantasy Forest Amusement Park | 5351 111th St., Flushing MeadowsCorona Park | 718-788-2676 | fantasyforestnyc.com
nymetroparents Rose Academy of Ballet ›
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nymetroparents Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. ›
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nymetroparents Young dancers can be inspired by #RoseAcademyofBallet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ on Dec. 10 at 4pm and register for winter dance classes now!
nymetroparents Dr. Hafeez, expert on learning, ADHD, memory, and development, talks with Dr. Oz.
Rose Academy of Ballet 70-11 Austin St., 2nd Floor, Forest Hills | 718-520-0207 | roseacademyofballet.com
Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. 114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS2, Forest Hills | 718-441-0166 | comprehendthemind.com
QueensParent 45
Professional services
Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS AVENUE ORTHODONTICS 150-33 14th Ave., Suite 100, Whitestone 718-767-8400 avenueortho.com Dr. Eleni Michailidis and Dr. Abraham Chahine are highly trained orthodontic specialists. Schedule a complimentary consultation at Avenue Orthodontics to learn about the options available for your entire family. DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Queens: 718-640-6767 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, 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. LEGAL SERVICES THE LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH H. NIVIN, P.C. 118-35 Queens Blvd., Suite 1220, Forest Hills 347-642-0376 153-01 Jamaica Ave., Suite 201, Jamaica The Chanin Building 122 E. 42nd St., Suite 2100, Manhattan nivinlaw.com jhnivin@nivinlaw.com The Law Offices of Joseph H. Nivin, P.C., focuses on family and matrimonial law, including both contested and uncontested matrimonial proceedings, custody, visitation, orders of protection, child support, spousal maintenance, and paternity. PHOTOGRAPHY GLYPH CREATIVE STUDIO MARIANA MARTINIS 2525 Borden Ave.
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718-838-4827 glyphny.com At Glyph Creative Studio we would love to capture your family’s exciting and precious moments of life in a fun, beautiful, and very spontaneous way. SPECIAL NEEDS HUG MUSIC, CREATIVE & NURTURING MUSIC LESSONS FOR EVERYBODY Music Lessons and Music Therapy 112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309 hugmusicny.com contact@hugmusicny.com We offer various fun and nurturing music classes, including music lessons on multiple instruments, music therapy for children with special needs, and baby-toddler music classes. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500 hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured they will feel confident. LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Queens: 718-640-6767 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, 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. STEPS TO SOCIALIZATION 13 South Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Steps to Socialization was created to help children who have difficulty socializing. We teach children how to think socially, step by step. Working in small groups, we cover a variety of topics, including how to establish and maintain friendships and initiating and maintaining conversations. SPECIALTY APPAREL BRAVO! DANCE BOUTIQUE 108-12 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-309-9787 bravodanceboutique.com bravodanceboutique@gmail.com Bravo! Dance Boutique understands the value of community. Our mission is to be able to provide local families the convenience of obtaining dance apparel at competitive prices. THERAPY & COUNSELORS COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, P.C. 114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Manhattan 1-888-441-0015 comprehendthemind.com Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an expert in diagnosing and treating all childhood psychological and learning conditions, has a refreshing approach: direct, warm, and competent. These qualities have made her sought after in the field of neuropsychology and child development. TUTORS & TEST PREP 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 Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring. Enriching every qualified, gifted child. We are also a John Hopkins CTY info and SAT testing center.
PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. POPARAZZI BALLOONS & EVENT SPACE 61-19 Fresh Pond Road, Middle Village 347-204-5252 poparazzievents.com Follow us on Instagram: @poparazziballoons poparazziballoons@yahoo.com Making magic happen with balloons! Turn your dream party into a reality with POParazzi! We custom design your ideas to create the ultimate experience. PARTY PLACES @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements! It offers 40,000-square-feet of fun ranging from 92 arcade games, inflatables, and bumper cars to a roller coaster, carousel, disco room, and laser tag! AMERICAN DANCE & DRAMA 188-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-479-8522 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village americandanceanddramastudio.com We are one of Queens’ largest and most exciting birthday party locations, offering dress-up, disco, and gymnastics
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources
parties. We also offer bubbles and fog machines, cotton candy, plus crazy craft, and princess parties! BOUNCEU OF COLLEGE POINT Whitepoint Center, 13225 14th Ave., College Point 646-883-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/college-point-ny collegepoint.ny@bounceu.com BounceU of College Point is where birthdays come to life! We provide the ultimate private party and play experience. Come celebrate with us today! CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including cookie baking and decorating, cupcakes “from scratch,” muffin and scone baking, and brownies. Come in, call, or visit celebrationsinthekitchen.com for more information on parties.
MUSIC TOGETHER® WITH MUSIC AND ME Celebrating our new look with our new name! Wendy DeAngelis, center director (Mommy, Music & Me Inc. since 2003) Gym-Azing in Astoria Shotokai USA Karate in Bayside The Reform Temple of Forest Hills in Forest Hills The Church in The Gardens in Forest Hills Tiger Schulmann’s MMA in Glendale 718-229-0033 musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com We provide unique birthday party musical experiences for first through sixth birthdays. Call us to customize your child’s musical birthday. We can also come to your space. POPARAZZI BALLOONS & EVENT SPACE 61-19 Fresh Pond Road, Middle Village 347-204-5252 poparazzievents.com
Follow us on Instagram: @poparazziballoons poparazziballoons@yahoo.com Our enchanting, multi-level venue hosts all types of celebrations. Call us or stop by an open house and start planning your next event. SOCCER FRIENDS USA INC. 106-06 Queens Blvd., 3rd Floor Gym, Forest Hills 718-261-2403; 718-261-2400 347-756-2568 (para Español) soccerfriendsusa.com soccerfriendsusa@hotmail.com Soccer Friends USA wants to celebrate your child’s next birthday party with you! We offer soccer parties for children ages 2 and older at several fantastic locations. THINKERTOTS 1818 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-488-3414 thinkertots.com thinkertotsnhp@gmail.com We can custom design your party with open playtime and music or you can rent out our location. We provide themed paper goods. USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include 1 hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and 1 hour in a private room for pizza. WHAT’S COOKING? 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay 516-922-COOK (2665) whatscookingny.com info@whatscookingny.com Martha Stewart, Newsday, and News 12 boast What’s Cooking? is a No. 1 Choice Birthday Party Place where children can explore their creativity in culinary arts. Funtastic cookie, cupcake, Cupcake Wars, chocolate, or pizza party can be customized in our spacious party room making your party memorable!
OPEN HOUSES 2017 Garden School
33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 718-335-6363 gardenschool.org Garden School tours happen weekly, Wednesdays at 9am or by appointment. Annual weekend open house, Saturday, Dec. 9: presentation at 9am. No RSVP needed, children welcome at the tours and open house.
The Kew-Forest School
119-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills 718-268-4667 x125 kewforest.org/openhouse You are invited to join us at an open house on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1-3pm. RSVP at kewforest.org/openhouse or call for more information.
United Nations International School
173-53 Croyden Road, Jamaica Estates 718-658-6166 unis.org rsorrentini@unis.org Join us at our Queens campus school for students in kindergarten to eighth grade for an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 9am. RSVP rsorrentini@unis.org.
QueensParent 47
How Can I Introduce Technology Into My Child’s Life In a Safe and Appropriate Manner? ›› Smart devices can be great tools—when they’re used wisely. By Laura Hart
M
any parents find technology use among their children to be a topic of anxiety. Some fear an interest in technology may lead to an over-saturation of video games and lack of academic or social focus. What many parents don’t realize is, technology usage should be a tool to help children think creatively and eagerly engage in learning. Learning and growing are not one-size-fits-all experiences, as many educators may have led us to believe. Developing a creative and confident learner is something you build by noticing, listening, and engaging with your child in what interests them. To this end, introducing your child to technology is an exciting experience, as there are infinite fun and engaging approaches. When thinking about technology introduction and integration, there are a few things to consider, all of which remain true when speaking about grade-school students, adolescents, or grown adults. First, technology should be used as a supplement to foster interest and enthusiasm in life, rather than a necessity a child is
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pushed toward out of fear that they will not succeed or be ready to face the next challenge in life. The second thing to remember is, it’s quite difficult not to have some aspect of technology in your child’s life. The key is to make sure they have the opportunity to play with it, as they might play with clay, painting, or music. Having this ability will naturally lead children toward the coding, robotics, stop-motion animation, or maker activities that provide so much of what professionals in the 21st-century job market are looking for. Creativity, the ability to work in a team, the ability to take a large challenge and break it down into smaller tasks, and to communicate well with others are all skills fostered through technology use. And they’re more necessary than ever for the future facing our children. Although there are countless applications and networks through which to introduce children to technology, the key is trusting your children to make good decisions and being there to support their choices.
FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE
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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
Music Together with Music and Me ................27
IStein ..............................................................17
PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING
All Star Studio .................................................17
Music Together, LLC ....................................... 11
KENT Prep .....................................................31
Dance Reverie Studios .....................................2
Christy’s Gymnastics ......................................43
Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................7
LIU Center for Gifted Youth ..............................9
Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................7
Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................27
United Nations International School - Queens...... 7 PLAY SPACES
BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES @ Play Amusement .......................................... 9
CHILD CARE / DAY CARE
BounceU - College Point ................................43
All My Children Day Care ...............................43
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS
Christy’s Gymnastics ......................................43
Circle of Friends .............................................43
@ Play Amusement .......................................... 9
Gulliver’s Gate ................................................27
Gulliver’s Gate ................................................27
Music Together with Music and Me ................27
CLASSES
Music Together, LLC ....................................... 11
LIU Center for Gifted Youth ..............................9
New York Hall of Science .................................9
United Nations International School - Queens...... 7
Queens Parent Party Planner.........................49 Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................27
DANCE
The Bay Terrace at Bayside ...........................52
All Star Studio .................................................17 Dance Reverie Studios .....................................2
CAMPS
Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................7
New York Botanical Garden............................27 New York Hall of Science .................................9 The Bay Terrace at Bayside ...........................52
Christy’s Gymnastics ......................................43
RELIGIOUS Circle of Friends .............................................43 RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES The Bay Terrace at Bayside ...........................52 SPECIAL NEEDS
FITNESS
Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech ......19, 31
RingSport Muay Thai ........................................ 7
Northwell-Cohen Children Clinical Mag ............5
Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................7
All My Children Day Care ...............................43 All Star Studio .................................................17
@ Play Amusement .......................................... 9
SPORTS DEVELOPMENTAL
HEALTH
Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp ...................3
Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.... 19, 31
Northwell-Cohen Children Clinical Mag ............5
RingSport Muay Thai ........................................ 7 Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................27
Countryside Montessori School ......................31 Dance Reverie Studios .....................................2
EDUCATION
MUSIC
Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp ...................3
All My Children Day Care ...............................43
Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp ...................3
TUTORS
IStein ..............................................................17
Circle of Friends .............................................43
Music Together with Music and Me ................27
IStein ..............................................................17
KENT Prep .....................................................31
Countryside Montessori School ......................31
Music Together, LLC ....................................... 11
KENT Prep .....................................................31
QueensParent 49
VOICES
Reflfle fl ctions of a [Not So] ‘Very Cool Dad’ ››
After years of working at parenting magazines and websites, our former editorial director says goodbye to the beat. By Michael Kress
I
was in the grocery store with my kids recently, and in an effort to get them to take a break from trying to kill each other long enough for me to check out, I decided to ask them directly: “Please take a break from killing each other so I can check out.” It didn’t really work, but it did catch the attention of a young woman passing by, who turned to me with a big smile and told me I was a “very cool dad.” Of that I am not sure, but the interjection was enough to somehow silence my kids long enough to allow me to pay and flee. Mission accomplished. Of course, my first instinct was to figure out how I’d write about the anecdote. That’s what we journalists do, and for the past seven years—the last two-plus at NYMetroParents—my career, and my passion, has focused on parenting magazines and websites. Now, as I say goodbye to the beat and begin a new chapter, I am feeling wistful but am also looking forward to my return to being a parenting civilian rather than a professional. When people hear I work in parenting media, they tend to ask for the best piece of advice I’ve learned, or make some comment about how I must be a great parent because of my job. Underlying the question or comment is the assumption that there is some Secret to Perfect Parenting lying somewhere waiting to be unlocked. Of course, there is not, and the articles I’ve published would never claim there is. Ask me instead about the safest way to put a baby to sleep or whether kids’ allowance should be dependant on their doing chores, and then we can have an indepth conversation. Parenting media, like parenting itself, is usually focused on the micro and the mundane—on solving the specific challenge or achieving the unique goal of the moment. In short, it strives to aid in the day-to-day struggles and adventures of modern parenting, rather than propose a Pefect Parenting Plan. That said, I have picked up a few lessons here and there, from the content I’ve edited and my own decade of experience as a parent. What are those? Here are just a few highlights: Michael Kress is the former editorial director of NYMetroParents and the father of three girls.
50
December 2017 | nymetroparents.com
1. Kids’ moods will change in a heartbeat. The child throwing an epic tantrum will shrug it off and move on, while the siblings at war will suddenly be playing and laughing together—all while we adults continue to fume and shake, feeling the effects of the conflict long after our kids have forgotten about it. There is a saying about certain cities that if you don’t like the weather, wait a little while and it will change; so, too, for kids’ moods and behaviors. If you have the wherewithal to wait it out, this rough moment will certainly pass. 2. There is no substitute for being present. The best gift we can give our kids is time and attention. Unfortunately, there is the not-small matter of careers and income, and this is one of the harder things for many of us to give, especially in our commutecrazy metro area. At the very least, we can make sure to make the most of the time we do have during the week with our kids and on the weekends, being present not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. Which means: Put down that phone (advice I preach better than I practice). 3. There is nothing more important than raising your kids to be kind. Resilience, academic success, social skills—these things are all important. But I’d give anything to know my kids will live lives of empathy, generosity, and kindness. The greatest moments I can recall as a parent? When I see one of my kids going out of her way to help a sister, friend, or occasionally, my wife or me. 4. Fart jokes are always funny. This is a universal truth that transcends age, gender, or interest. It just is. And that is a fact that can come in handy when stress levels get high and anxiety needs to be released. A bonus of working in parenting media is the free swag—and I must give a shout-out to all the companies that shipped toys and books and baby products that have enriched our lives and occasionally merited a review or mention. My kids, to be clear, are devastated that I am leaving. And there is so much I will miss, too, and not just the goodies. The true reward has been in digging into the issues that matter so much to our lives as parents, learning and growing from the content we’ve published, and sharing it with you to help all of us be the best parents we can be. I look forward to continuing to be part of this community, as a parenting civilian and a reader.
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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
HILLSDALE • MONTVALE
SEPTEMBER 2012
NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012
Class Is In!
After-School Activities
✓ ❑ ✓ ❑
Resource Guide
✓ ❑ ✓ ❑
SLOW DOWN!
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
How to Manage Kids’ Schedules
What Makes a Good Mentor?
+ 174 Family
+ 130 Family
(see our calendar, p. 26)
(see our calendar, p. 32)
Events
Events
Plus: Learning to Let Go
Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child
Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
•
Dinosaur Fun
Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
QueensParent 51
Come to the Bay Terrace for the following free events throughout the Holiday Season!
SANTA & ELF VISITS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 | 10AM – 5PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 | 10AM – 5PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 | 10AM – 5PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 | 10AM – 5PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 | 10AM – 5PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 | 10AM – 5PM MENORAH LIGHTING SUNDAY, December 17 | 6PM
26th Avenue and Bell Blvd. Bayside, NY 11360