Queens Parent October 2016 by City Guide NY

QueensParent OCTOBER 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Scheduling Woes

Time for a Cellphone?

How to solve common birthday party dilemmas

Knowing when kids are ready for independence

Haunted Fun Find Halloween events near you WHERE TO PICK PUMPKINS

â&#x20AC;¢

BEST JOBS FOR TEENS

OVER 10,000

COSTUMES • WIGS • MASKS • MAKEUP ITEMS & ACCESSORIES!

ORIGINAL QUEENS LOCATION 120-08 JAMAICA AVENUE RICHMOND HILL, NY 11418 • 718.846.1008 NOW IN NASSAU COUNTY 603 CANTIAGUE ROCK ROAD WESTBURY, NY 11590 • 516.500.9330 2

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

NOW IN SUFFOLK COUNTY 540 BROADHOLLOW ROAD MELVILLE, NY 11747 • 631.297.8600

WE KNOW THE MOMENTS… The ones that define us and give meaning to our lives. The moments that make us breathe deeply and then take our breath away… the ones when having our health makes everything possible.

This is what we’re made of. At Fidelis Care, we provide quality, affordable health coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life.

Compassion. Commitment. Community. And a mission to always care for you and the ones you love – moment by moment.

Quality health coverage. It’s Our Mission.

Estimate Costs:

It only takes a minute to view product choices and estimate costs with the Fidelis Affordable Care Advisor at fideliscare.org/enroll

Meet with a Representative:

Call 1-888-FIDELIS to meet with a Representative or visit fideliscare.org/offices to find a community office close to you

1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) TTY: 1-800-421-1220

fideliscare.org To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

QueensParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

October 2016 ››

Features

14 When Can They...? A guide to when your kids are old enough to do certain activities on their own

18 Happy Birthday, Unhappy Timing Tips for handling common birthday party scheduling dilemmas 40 So Your Teen Wants a Job... What adolescents need to know to earn their first paycheck 42 20-Minute Meals Three healthy recipes that can each be made in 20 minutes 44 Family First, Even From Afar How one NYC couple makes it work when the father travels with the Texas Rangers for much of the year

46 Where Everyone Is an Artist How to spend the day at Crayola Experience in Easton, PA

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 13 NYMP Q&A: Ron Leiber, the “Your Money” columnist for the New York Times, talks kids and money

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

12 Media Matters: New on DVD & Streaming 12 DIY Corner: Pumpkin Animals 22 Outing: Historic Village at Alliare 25 Family Activities Calendar 36 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Pumpkins 38 Where-To Guide: Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Activities

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

Directories 20 48 48 48 49 50

Birthday Party Directory Meet the Health Care Professional Catholic Schools Open Houses Family Resource Guide and Party Planner Advertisers’ Index

››

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Time for a Cellphone? 18 Scheduling Woes 40 Best Jobs for Teens facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

36 Where to Pick Pumpkins

38 Haunted Fun

Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

WE ACCEPT INSURANCES HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL

The only optical in Queens that specializes in children’s eyewear, including infants We deal with ALL eye vision issues including Strabismus (crossed eyes) and Amblyopia (lazy eyes) We have been providing eyecare to children and adults for over 13 years One-on-one patient specific attention utilizing cutting edge technology & the latest & greatest eyecare products

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

Buy ONE Pair of Glasses Get the SECOND Pair for FREE Restrictions Apply - Expires 10/31/16

CALL US AT 718-468-7500 192-07 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 53-15 Roosevelt Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 QueensParent

OCTOBER 2016 • Vol.22 • No.4

NYMetroParents Publications

EDITOR’S NOTE

Birthdays & Milestones

t feels like Adira, my 9-year-old daughter, has been agitating for more independence since the moment she came into this world. Like most parents, we’ve gradually given her more freedom, but letting her walk the streets on her own was a scary idea to us—until, one day, that changed rather spontaneously. I was home with our sleeping toddler while my wife took our two older kids on an errand. When we realized that Adira wouldn’t be home in time to catch her ride to play rehearsal, my wife and I decided that Adira would walk the several blocks home by herself. I waited for her outside, peering down the block until her smiling, proud-of-herself face came into view. Since then, we’ve talked a lot about when she might be allowed to do even more on her own. It can be hard to know when it’s appropriate and safe to give kids independence. To help guide you in making these decisions, we’ve gathered expert advice on when kids may be ready for specific milestones of independence, including getting a cellphone, going to the mall, and walking to school on their own (p. 14). Of course, no matter how old and mature our kids get, birthdays always loom large in their lives. We all want to give them the party they’re hoping for, but sometimes reality collides with those plans. In our case, we’ve got one kid born on Thanksgiving weekend and another on New Year’s Day, making party scheduling a challenge. We’ve also had the experience of calling a party venue weeks in advance only to find it’s booked for the weekend we’d like— and often for weeks before and after. Such problems are not uncommon, so we’re offering a useful guide to dealing with party scheduling dilemmas (p. 18). As kids get older, something else tends to grow in importance to them as well: money. Once they hit their teenage years, getting a part-time job is a realistic option and one that can provide important life lessons in addition to cash. Katelin Walling tells us everything we need to know for teens to get started in the work world, including the top jobs they might pursue (p. 40). If it’s October, it means baseball playoffs are upon us, and Halloween is just around the corner. To mark the former, Bethany Braun-Silva profiles a New York City family for whom Dad’s dream job—as a coach for the Texas Rangers—keeps him away from home for long stretches. The couple tells us how they make it work and how he stays involved in his kids’ lives even from a distance (p. 44). And as Halloween spirit ramps up, check out our guides to pumpkin-picking farms (p. 36) and haunted houses and other Halloween activities (p. 38). Or learn how to go beyond the standard jack-o’-lantern and make cool pumpkin animals (p. 12). Happy fall and happy Halloween to all! Michael Kress Editorial Director

EDITORIAL

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

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Randi Shulman, Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Fairfield Parent 914-397-0200 Judy Samuels, Randi Shulman Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro TRAFFIC MANAGERS: Alexis Brower, Shaquon Cates

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Anthony Diaz CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jiyon Son DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds GRAPHIC ARTIST: Sara Wentworth

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

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

Got a Story to Tell? Get Published! Queens Parent and NYMetroParents.com are seeking great stories from local moms and dads. We are looking for personal essays that capture the joys, challenges, and deep emotions that come along with being a parent—writing that makes us smile and nod in recognition, laugh out loud at the absurdity of it all, or maybe even shed a tear of empathy. We’ll publish our favorites on nymetroparents.com or in a future edition of the magazine. Submissions should be 600-800 words and written from your personal perspective. Send essays for consideration to dmgEDIT@davlermedia.com with the subject line “Voices Submission.”

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com fairfieldparent.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, FAIRFIELD PARENT and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2015, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

WEBSITE: www.ivydayschool.com

EMAIL: info@ivydayschool.com

Brand new state-of-the-art facilities

WE OFFER FREE FULL DAY PRE-K FOR ALL (UPK) PROGRAMS

Dimensions over 10,000 sq ft.

Indoor Playrooms Science & Discovery Rooms Meals Included

IVY DAY SCHOOL (II)

--- KISSENA BLVD. FLUSHING, NY

----- KISSENA BLVD. FLUSHING, NY

e v o L Kids Arts! l a i t r a M

I lud s

PERFORMANCE AND DANCE SCIENCE & DISCOVERY COOKING CLASS FOREIGN LANGUAGES FREE POTTY TRAINING

Arts & Crafts Rooms

IVY DAY SCHOOL (I)

Ag s 2-5

IVY DAY SCHOOL (III)

IAL FALL SPIAEC L

------ QUEENS BLVD. FOREST HILLS, NY

FALL SPECIAL

$999 ogram $99 ogram $9StartogPrrae!m Quick Start Pre! Quick FALL SPEC

artaiPrlabl Quick StAv Available!

Availabl

“Discover How Our Amazing Kids Martial Arts Class Not Only Teaches Kids Self-Defense...But Gives Them The Tools They Need For Success In Life!” Ages 3 Watch Our Video & Up Better Grades Focus ALL ABOUT

Sunday Classes Now Available!

PMA KIDS

Discipline

Concentration

Respect

Confidence

Manners

Bully-Proof

175-25 Horace Harding Exp. | Queens, NY www.ProgressiveMartialArts.com | 718-461-0700

What Our Parents Are Saying! QueensParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-qp

Who: Music Together® with Music and Me What’s New: A location in Flushing at the Queens Botanical Garden and a name change. Previously known as Mommy, Music and Me, the music class changed its name to Music Together® with Music and Me to better reflect its mission to be a program about music, fun, and community building, says owner Wendy DeAngelis. As for the new location, DeAngelis says, “We often sing about what is around us. With the beauty in the garden to reference, I believe it enriches the class in an exciting way.” Want More Info: 43-50 Main St., Flushing; 718-229-0033; musictogetherwithmusicandme.com

Courtesy Music Together® with Music and Me

Music Together Class Changes Name, Adds New Location in Flushing

The whole family can enjoy music and fun at Music Together® with Music and Me.

Check out the larger then life Halloween attractions at Rubie’s Costume Company.

Courtesy Progressive Martial Arts

Who: Rubie’s Costume Company What’s New: Free Halloween attractions at locations in Richmond Hill, Westbury, and Melville. The Richmond Hill location features a new Containment Breach interactive, giving customers a scary and adrenaline-heightening experience. The Westbury store is home to The Dark Zone, a small haunted walkthrough in which animatronic zombies will force past obstacles to get to you. The Mellville store features Dr. BacktoLife, a mad and decrepit scientist that sings and moves to more than 70 unique songs with his dog. Want More Info: 120-08 Jamaica Ave., Richmond Hill; 603 Cantiague Rock Road, Westbury; 540 Broadhollow Road, Melville; rubies.com

Courtesy Rubie’s Costume Company

Rubie’s Costume Company Features Free In-Store Attractions

Marital Arts School Now Open Seven Days a Week Who: Progressive Martial Arts What’s New: The martial arts school is now open seven days a week. The school offers 70 classes a week, consisting of programs in Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, and Filipino Kali. “We wanted to help the parents who work,” says owner Kathy Sacoulas. “We needed to make it work for them so their kids have a full opportunities to train.” Want More Info: 175-25 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows; 718-461-0700; progressivemartialarts.com

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Kids can now take Sunday classes at Progressive Martial Arts.

Garden School Cultivating Success in Every Child

Realistic Alternative to Manhattan Schools Near Public Transportation/ Private Bus Available Nursery to Grade 12, Independent, College Prep School • Strong Academics, small classes, character education • Accredited, AP classes, athletics, college counseling

OpenHouse Houseand andMerit MeritScholarship ScholarshipExam Exam Open Saturday,December December105th th 9:00 am 9:00 am Saturday,

• Merit Scholarship Exam for Grades 5 -10, preregister by 12/02/15 • Open House for Nursery to Grade 12 • Merit Scholarship Exam forreceive Grades25 5 -10, preregister by 12/07/16 • Merit award recipients -100% tuition discounts • Merit award recipients receive 25 -100% tuition discounts • Open House for Nursery to Grade 12

33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Tel: (718) 335-6363 | www.gardenschool.org

THIS YEAR,

BE GREATER THAN

My fear of decimals! Lola S., 3rd Grade

Contact your local center for their Fall offers!

Astoria

Bayside

Forest Hills

Fresh Meadows

718-544-MATH

43-32 Ditmars Blvd. 43-17 Bell Blvd. 185-10 Union Turnpike 108-14 72nd Ave. Astoria, NY 11105 Bayside, NY 11361 Forest Hills, NY 11375 Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

718-726-MATH 718-747-MATH (Parking Available)

(Bwtn Queens Blvd & Austin St)

www.mathnasium.com QueensParent

UOTABLES

Posts from

Halloweens Past

When the big day finally arrived, Captain America was highly annoyed with the layers that his mama stuffed underneath his costume. Thankfully, the first trick or treat experience of the year seemed to cure the crank-factor. A single piece of candy tossed into a bag can work wonders! —NYC mom Monica Marino in a post entitled “Trick or Treat” on her blog marinobambinos.com

in an instagram Growing up NYC >> The brownstones in our neighborhood go all out for Halloween and #lilStrange kept sneaking candy out of her pumpkin. (Posted by @kristrange, aka Kris Strange, a NYC mom of two who blogs at mystrange.family)

REAL-LIFE GHOST

HUNTING

“The most common complaints are unexplained noises or a disembodied voice, the feeling of being watched or touched, occasional shadows or mists, and the unexplained moving or relocation of objects. The complaints often start with children reporting these things to their parents.” —Victor Furman, a NY-based “paranormal

in an instagram (Posted by @cuddlesandchaos, aka Jennifer Garry, a Westchester mom who blogs at cuddlesandchaos.com).

“We’ve made it a tradition each year to visit a senior citizen home before we head out to trick-or-treat. The elderly folks get such a kick out of the kids’ costumes and they usually put on quite the production.” —Brianne Manz, an NYC mom, in a post entitled “Halloween of ‘14” on her blog strollerinthecity.com

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

investigator,” in an interview with NYMetroParents entitled “My Husband is a Ghostbuster.” Read it all at nymetroparents.com/ghostbuster

MORE NYMetroParents HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS: COSTUME PLANNING: What should your child be this Halloween? (nymetroparents.com/costume) GET CRAFTY: Find spooky art projects at nymetroparents.com/ halloween-diy TODDLER FUN: How to trick-or-treat with your little one (nymetroparents.com/toddler-halloween) HALLOWEEN TREATS: Eyeball cake pops, monster ‘toes,’ and more at nymetroparents.com/halloween-treats

NOW ENROLLING 2016-2017 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

When your little angel thinks he’s a daredevil...

CHIN

EDUCATION CENTER

AFT

MUS

After School Program Little Winner / State Test Prep • Free school Pickup SUM L O M HO • Homework Help E SC • Music • Chinese ISTEIN • Arts & Crafts SC E ES

Call us at: 718.575.8877 Visit us at: www.isteinny.com

info@isteinny.com or isteinny@gmail.com 107-06 71 st Rd, 2 nd Floor, Forest Hills, NY 11375

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

Better have a good pediatrician. Make sure your kids are covered.

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

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

Contact Affinity Health Plan at 866.247.5678 (TTY 711) to obtain more information about Child Health Plus, a free or low-cost health insurance program sponsored by New York State for kids under the age of 19. To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.

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

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

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

AffinityPlan.org/CHP

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

QueensParent 11

Media Matters: MOVIES X-Men: Apocalypse H H H H

New on DVD & Streaming

(PG-13) Release Date: Oct. 4 Recommended Age: 13+ You’ll find superhero-size violence and fab effects in

Ice Age 5: Collision Course H HH (PG) Rele

this ‘80s-set threequel.

ase Date: Oct. 11 Recommended Age: 6+ The fifth installment in this franchis e is fine but not-so-fresh prehistoric

Alice Through the Looking Glass

HHH

fun.

(PG) Release Date: Oct. 18 Recommended Age: 9+ This uneven, less-violent sequel has a girl-empowerment theme.

In Theaters Nov. 4: Trolls

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

Parents need to know that Trolls—a digitally animated musical comedy from DreamWorks—is inspired by the tall-haired troll dolls, but with more funky adventures than ‘60s nostalgia. The story follows an unlikely pair of troll heroes, the overly optimistic Princess Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) and her grumpy opposite, Branch (Justin Timberlake), who journey beyond their world and face the ugly, troll-eating Bergens. The voice cast also includes the likes of Zooey Deschanel, John Cleese, and James Corden. Some jokes might rely on potty humor or else go over kids’ head entirely, but overall, Trolls looks like a quirky, family-friendly movie.

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

DIY CORNER HALLOWEEN CRAFT

Pumpkin Animals

There’s no need to stop at carving pumpkins when it comes to Halloween. Experiment by making all sorts of creatures from pumpkins, squash, and other vegetables to add fun to your Halloween party. And when you have finished you can still cook and eat everything you have used! You Will Need • Pumpkins and squash in any shape, size, and color • Selection of other vegetables—carrots, Brussels sprouts, eggplants (aubergine), and zucchini (courgette) are all great • Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fresh ginger root, bay leaves • Sharp knife • Chopping board • Toothpicks (cocktail sticks) • Wooden skewers 1. Lay all your vegetables out on the table so you can see what you have. Start thinking about which animals you would like to make and play around with different arrangements to create some crazy creatures! 2. Push one end of a toothpick (cocktail stick) into the vegetable you would like to use, such as a carrot, and then push the other end into your pumpkin. 3. Push seeds into pumpkins to make eyebrows, teeth, nose, etc.

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

4. Seeds make great spikes for hedgehogs. Push them into a squash, using the pointed top of the squash as a nose. 5. Use a sharp knife and chopping board to cut slices of vegetables. (Remember to keep your fingers out of the way or ask an adult to help you.) The slices make great eyes when held in place with toothpicks. 6. Push half of one of the wooden skewers into a squash to join one onto the other. 7. Push another squash onto the rest of the skewer to join two together. 8. Make antlers, ears, arms, and eyes by attaching vegetables to the squash with toothpicks—Brussels sprouts make great ears! 9. Bay leaves are a good shape to use as hair or headdresses and decoration on your creatures. It is easy to push toothpicks through them, which can then be pushed into the pumpkins. Excerpted from My First Gardening Book, Ryland Peters & Small, $14.95; rylandpeters.com

NYMP Q&A Kids and Money Matters ››

d lishes b a t s E Year 42

By Bethany Braun

Ron Lieber is the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times and an awardwinning journalist. He recently published The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money. Any tips on how parents can start conversations about money with their kids? Well I think the first thing you need to stop and do is remind yourself to be open to the questions in the first place because it’s so tempting to shoo our kids away or shush them or shame them when they ask money questions. The fact of the matter is that money is a source of enormous power in our world but also a source of mystery for kids, precisely because grown-ups don’t talk about it enough. We need to be prepared to give our kids honest answers to the questions and don’t make them feel bad for asking. Should kids start earning their own money early on? When I think about jobs, I think about work that you do for somebody that you’re not related to for which you get paid—not household chores. I think every child should have at least one job, preferably a full-time job that they take on in the summer sometime during high school, and preferably every summer. I think every child should contribute, hopefully substantially, to the cost of their undergraduate education, and I think there’s something developmentally profound about having to show up someplace every day, where a team of other people or customers are relying on you and learning what it means to perform that task or a set of tasks for a wage where there’s a possibility that you’ll be kicked out by a boss if you’re not doing the things that you’re supposed to do. What’s your view on giving kids an allowance? Allowance is for practice, and money is something we want our kids to get good at. We should think about it in the same way that we should think about a musical instrument, or art supplies, or athletic equipment, and as with those things, or books, these are not things that we take away generally if our kids have not done their chores. I think the allowance should be given out without any conditions except that the money gets used responsibly, that you don’t lose it or burn it, and that you don’t buy anything or do anything with the money that is on the family’s banned-items list. As long as you follow all those rules, the allowance is yours. For parents who are tired of being nagged all the time for stuff, the quickest way to nip that in the bud is to actually double your child’s allowance if you can afford it, which may seem like a counterintuitive approach. But once it’s clear to them that they have this sum of money—but that until further notice, every single thing that they want as opposed to things that they need is going to have to come out of the allowance—then there’s no reason to bug you anymore because they know that the answer is going to be, “No, that’s what the allowance money is for.” Whatever that allowance is, they have to make that last and parcel it out and make tradeoffs around the things that they want the most.

r Registe! NOW

Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Hip Hop Modern • All Boys Hip Hop • Drama • Vocal Creative Movement • Mommy & Me • Contemporary Acrobatics • Musical Theatre • Ballroom

y Newlded n a p Ex sq. ft. 7,000 dios! Stu

ADULT CLASSES: Zumba • Ballet • Tap Ballroom • Latin

Online Registration Now Available americandanceanddrama.net 188-22 Union Tpke Fresh Meadows 68-02 Metropolitan Ave Middle Village

718-479-8522 CALL NOW to ask about our FREE TRIAL CLASSES!!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES:

For all ages: Disco, Gymnastics, Dress Up, Princess Parties, Arts and Crafts. 1 Party at a time • Huge Party Room (over 3,000 sq. ft.) Disco Laser Lights • Bubble/Fog Machine • Face Painting • Arts/Crafts Tattoos • Cotton Candy • Magicians • Gymnastics • Disco • Dress-Up Princess Parties - Hostesses become your favorite fairytale princess! QueensParent 13

When Can They….?

››

Riding the bus, walking to school, going to sleepaway camp, and more milestones of growing up: a guide to when your kids are old enough to do activities on their own By Laurie Sue Brockway

fter years of knowing your child’s exact whereabouts, who he is with, and what she is eating, it can be daunting, even scary, to ease your child into independent activities. But there will come a time when you will have to give your little one wings to fly—or at least, money to take a train somewhere. “A parent’s confidence in a child’s age-appropriate abilities to make good choices and be responsible goes a long way to instilling confidence in the child and provides a much-needed inner resource that would benefit any kid,” says Jody Ripplinger, MA, LMHC, a psychotherapist at Manhattan’s Citron Hennessey Private Therapy and a Brooklyn mom of three. “I think the real test is whether we as parents feel able to let our children out of our sight for periods of time, without letting our anxiety get the better of us.” We rounded up some of the big firsts and offer advice on when you might expect your child to be ready for them. Of course, you know your child best and every person and situation will be different, but we hope this helps you figure out when it’s okay for your child to take some big steps on his own.

Getting a Cellphone

It may seem like your child has been begging for her own phone for as long as she’s known how to talk. Most experts agree that kids should have phones once they start going out and about on their own, whenever that may be. Pre-paid, no-frills, functional phones just for calling in to the mothership, and vice-versa, are 14

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

fine. “We gave our kids cellphones once they started traveling alone, so it was around the age of 9,” says Alina Adams, a mother of three and author of Getting Into NYC Kindergarten. “But these phones are for announcing that they’ve arrived at their destination only. And the very, very cheap phones we got them can’t even download apps.”

Attending Sleepaway Camp

Experts we spoke with suggested 7 years old as the minimum age for sleepaway camp. Before you enroll, take into consideration your child’s prior response to separations, if he’s already successfully experienced a few nights away, whether friends are attending the same camp, and what the child’s expectation is, says clinical psychologist Joe Taravella, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine. “The average age for a first trip to sleepaway camp ranges from 7 to 9 years old, but it really depends on your child’s maturity and ability to separate from parents.” Some kids will dive in and others may beg to come home, so find out how the camp handles homesickness. “Sleepaway camp presents a wonderful opportunity for your child’s growth,” Dr. Taravella says. “Children feel part of a community and develop self-respect, maturity, self-esteem, independence, and responsibility.” They can also learn new coping skills and strengths, become more resilient and resourceful, and cultivate life-long friendships.

Going for a Bike Ride

Developmentally, children ages 8 and older should be able to take a bicycle out for a spin around the block by themselves if they are familiar with the neighborhood. A 10-year-old should be able to go out on longer rides accompanied by a friend, as long as they practice safety rules, Ripplinger says. There is a lot to pay attention to, so a child must be able to keep track of the environment around her while moving quickly on a bike. “Make sure he knows how to stay safe,” Ripplinger says. “Tell him to always wear a helmet, always stop at corners and wait for the green light, and be on the lookout for turning cars on the green when it is time to cross.” In New York City, kids can legally bike on the sidewalk until they are 12, and she recommends that they do. A cellphone, and assuring the child that she has your trust, helps.

Riding the Bus or Subway

Some parents are comfortable starting kids young, yet some transportation systems have established minimum age requirements for unaccompanied minors. Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road require kids to be at least 8, while Amtrak’s minimum is 12. “Additional factors to consider could include your child’s desire to ride alone, history of demonstrating responsibility and good judgment, and ability to follow directions as well as the length of the trip and/or the safety of the route,” says Amy DiBernardo, LMSW, clinical assistant professor in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Child Study Center. In preparation, go for a trial run, review subway and bus maps, and walk the route to the train or bus to point out places the child can go for help if needed along the way. Discuss safety concerns and how to identify police officers and security guards. DiBernardo says to send them with, an “emergency kit” that includes contact information, a cellphone if they have one, and additional money ($5-$15) in case a their pass, MetroCard, or ticket gets lost and your child needs to use another form of transportation.

Crossing the Street

National Highway Traffic Safe Administration says children are not ready to cross a street alone until 10 years of age, according to Dr. Taravella. Your child’s readiness depends on the ability to shift attention and also concentrate. “Children who tend to be impulsive and easily distracted can engage in unsafe crossing choices and other unsafe behavior,” he says. “Parents can reinforce judgment skills by walking with their children and always modeling safe pedestrian behavior for their children, such as not crossing the street when you don’t have the right of way or stopping at the curb and looking in all directions when crossing the street.”

Walking to School

Once children reach fifth or sixth grade, they might be ready to take the leap with their friends or by themselves, Dr. Taravella says. Some children initiate the conversation by asking their parents if they can walk alone or with their friends. “Parents should evaluate the distance to the school, how many streets to cross, the availability of crossing guards, and their child’s ability to navigate the streets safely to and from school,” he says. They’ll need coaching on continuously taking the safest route between school and home, and they should demonstrate for their parents that they have excellent traffic-safety skills. continued on next page ››

QueensParent 15

‹‹ continued from previous page

Not every child is anxious to go it alone. “My middle child was uncomfortable with the idea of going to school by himself,” Adams says. He was accustomed to traveling with his older brother, who moved on to a new school, but Adams had to take her younger daughter to school in a different direction, so she started him walking alone at 10 years old. “He was anxious, but he did it anyway, and has had no problems since,” she says. “He did not feel he was ready, but I did.”

Going to the Mall

“Dropping a child off anywhere alone definitely depends on the maturity level of the child, but I would say age 11 or sixth grade should be fine for any child with a friend, as long as the parent knows and trusts the friend,” says parenting coach Elisabeth Stitt, author of Parenting as a Second Language. Parents may be more concerned about kids being loud and disrespectful than being harassed, so avoid letting them go in large groups or trios. Pairs make for a better buddy system and less chance of fighting. Give kids a primer on safety and strangers. Limit money to just what they need, and outline your no-go zones. “Video arcades are good places to avoid until kids are a little older,” Stitt says. “They tend to be dark, and kid-to-adult ratio favors kids, which allows for more room for kids to behave obnoxiously and for peer mentality to develop. Places such as skating rinks, on the other hand, although kid-heavy, invite less trouble.”

Studying at the Library

You can start dropping them off at the library by themselves around ages 11 or 12, according to Danielle Lindner, children’s book author and founder and CEO of the London Day School in Florham Park, NJ. Start by accompanying your child but spending time in separate areas so that he knows where to find you if needed. This offers freedom without you being right on top of him. “As they get older and become more comfortable, demonstrating that they can be responsible, you can slowly give them more and more freedom to walk places with a friend or spend time with friends without adult supervision,” Lindner says. The other factor is library location, she adds. “If visiting the library means walking through an area that would generally be thought of as unsafe, I don’t think there is any age that a child should be able to walk alone in that case.”

Staying Home Alone

Opinions on when kids can stay home by themselves are wide ranging. “Trusting your child to stay home alone, especially the first time, is daunting for any parent,” DiBernardo says. “While concerns are warranted, allowing your child to stay home alone can have real benefits. It fosters a sense of responsibility and independence in your child and may help strengthen your work and life balance.” The decision depends on your child’s maturity and the situation: Is it a safe neighborhood, is there an alarm system, are there friends and family nearby? “Generally speaking, between the ages of 10 and 12 is an acceptable age range to leave your child home alone for a short period of time (an hour or so), provided that your child is not scared and you believe they are mature enough to handle the situation,” DiBernardo says.

Visiting the Doctor’s Office

Going solo to the doctor can encourage self-care as well as more 16

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

TIPS TO DETERMINE YOUR CHILD’S READINESS Start in small increments, do trial runs, and try role-playing. Additionally, ask yourself whether your child has: Exercised good judgment in the past and/or demonstrated responsibility. Examples may include finishing homework without being asked, completing chores, or watching a sibling. Shown that she can follow basic directions, such as locking the door or not opening the door for strangers. Demonstrated problem-solving skills. For examples, has he called you or family members in the past when he needed help? Has she demonstrated that she is capable of coping in stressful situations?

honesty with the physician. “Children can come into the office at 13 years old by themselves,” says Mary Ellen Renna, M.D., a pediatrician in practice in Jericho and author of 10 Steps to Almost Perfect Parenting. Even if you are there, stay out of the exam room. “It is always better to see a teenager without the parent present,” Dr. Renna says. “They are more likely to be forthcoming about sexual behavior or drug use if the parent is not in the room.” It’s different when a child is sick, because it is always better to have someone with you when you are ill. “Sick visits and emergencies should be accompanied by a parent as often as possible,” she says—unless the child is older than 17, drives, and is physically able to drive to the office.

Signing Up for an Email Account

Let school be the lead and find out if there is an age or grade in which they require students to have their own email, or if the school assigns email addresses to everyone. “Kids don’t really need one,” says Richard Rende, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and co-author of Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Children the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World. “Keep in mind that all kids— including and especially teens—can be impulsive and emotional and that plays out socially. So think about an age when you feel they are mature enough to use it responsibly—early teens—and teach them the rules of the game.” This applies also to texting, which kids probably do more frequently, he adds.

Getting on Social Media

Early teens is probably the right time for most kids to start entering the social media world, but this may require a long period of monitoring, Dr. Rende says. “It will be a learning curve for kids because now they have a device that permits instantaneous expression of moods, kids will say things about other kids, misinterpretations can happen.” There are many different kinds of social media kids may delve into, so parents should take a proactive stance in learning about them and teaching safety tips. Parents should also be aware of the different minimum ages set by the individual networks for membership. “Practice transparent monitoring—not constant surveillance or lurking,” Dr. Rende says. While teaching good online protocol, hang on until you think they are ready to truly go solo. “You will need to practice good communication skills with your child and partner with them.” Laurie Sue Brockway is a journalist and author who has written extensively on love, romance, marriage, parenting, well-being, and emotional health. Her work has appeared in hundreds of print and online publications, including Woman’s Day, Everyday Health, and The Huffington Post.

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 718-640-6767 • 516-216-1791 www.LISpeechandMyo.com

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of: • Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders • Deviate Swallowing • Tongue Thrust • • Feeding & Swalling Problems /Aversions • Thumb Sucking • Articulation Disorders • Oral Facial Muscle Weakness •

Specialized Therapy Approaches Including Including: PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

“FEES”...Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Participating with most Major Health Insurance Companies

Jericho

500 North Broadway Suite 141

Lake Success 444 Lakeville Road Suite 202

Wantagh

3375 Park Avenue Suite 4010

Clover Prep Learning Center is the “best rated spot for learning” for students ages 2.5 to 12 years old featuring FasTracKids & JEI Learning. Ages 4-12

Academic Tutoring

Ages 5-10

Afterschool Homework Help

Ages 4-6

Gifted & Talented Test Prep

Ages 3-6

FasTracKids Core Science

Ages 2-4

Preschool Alternative

Ages 5-10

Mini Holiday & Summer Camp

Inquire about our FREE TRIAL CLASSES 192-11 Union Turnpike | Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

www.CloverPrep.com | info@cloverprep.com | 718.740.7888

Need a staycation?

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

ResouRces ARticles

“Inspiring confidence, lifelong learning and compassionate citizenship rooted in a rich Montessori curriculum for Nursery through Third Grade since 1968.”

KIND • JOYFUL • COMPASSIONATE • COLLABORATIVE PEACEFUL • RESPECTFUL • CONFIDENT

Find everything you need, faster at

“Montessori education provides a child-centered curriculum based on each individual student.”

29 Shelter Rock Road Manhasset, NY 11030

www.olgmanhasset.com 516.365.9832

Call Now to Enroll. Space Is Limited. QueensParent 17

Happy Birthday, Unhappy Timing

››

Tips for handling common birthday party scheduling dilemmas. By Bethany Braun-Silva

lanning your child’s birthday party can be lots of fun, but let’s face it, it can be really stressful, too. That’s especially true if your child has her heart set on a certain type of party or a particular venue, but for whatever reason, it’s just not feasible. Here we’ve listed some common birthday party planning scheduling dilemmas and what to do to make sure the day is still a success for your child.

Same Friends, Same Birthday

Dilemma: The invites have all been sent and the venue has been booked. You drop your child off at school a few days later only to find out that another child in his class has scheduled a birthday party for the same day. Solution: Ask the parents if they are absolutely set on that date. If so, suggest a change in time, and if they still won’t budge, see if your venue will offer a change in time. After all, two parties in one day is a dream for kids, even if it’s a nightmare for most parents.

The Venue Has No Openings Dilemma: You thought you were being a good parent by trying to book your child’s birthday party venue of choice months in advance. Or maybe you’re a lastminute person, and despite the best intentions, are calling just a little too late to schedule it. Whatever the reason, it turns out the place is all booked up and so are similar venues in the area.

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Solution: Try holding the party a few weeks earlier or later, or look at venues just a little further away. Your child might be disappointed at first, but ultimately, she’ll get on board, because after all, a party is still a party, no matter when it’s held. Alternatively, you can plan to hold the party at home. Your first step is to get on Pinterest ASAP and give it your best DIY try. Or get an assist from a party entertainer—think clown, face painter, or costumed character—who makes house calls. If a spa party is what she had in mind, recruit family and friends to act as estheticians for the day. If she had her sights set on something more elaborate, such as a club-themed party, turn the lights down and pump up the jams, or hire a musician or DJ to handle the tunes. You can pretty much MacGyver your way to a successful birthday party with a little planning.

Birthday On or Near a Holiday

Dilemma: If your child’s birthday is a week before Christmas, falls on Leap Day, or is July 4 or Jan. 1, fear not. You’ve probably already heard the stories of slighted kids who share their big day with a national holiday, but that doesn’t mean it has to be lacking in fun or that your kid won’t get all the birthday attention he deserves. Solution: Try moving your kid’s party a few days after the big holiday; that way the holiday is in the past and everyone can be completely focused on the birthday boy or girl. If that won’t work, try incorporating the holiday into your child’s party to make it all about her. Vicky’s Valentine’s Birthday Bash or Steven’s 7th St. Patty’s Day might be a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday without ignoring the big holiday elephant in the room. And families that have lateafternoon or evening get-togethers—such as Thanksgiving dinners or Memorial Day barbecues—might appreciate a morning activity that gets the kids out of the house and allows them some fun.

Siblings Who Have the Same Birthday

Dilemma: Your children have the same birthday or their birthdays are only a few days apart. While it may be convenient for you (no need to remember multiple dates!), your kids aren’t too keen on sharing a party. Solution: You can get really crafty here and try to convince your kids of all the great reasons to have a shared party. Or you can choose to split the parties, which means more work for you. If you choose to split them up, try to keep each party small and ask each child for one special thing she would like to include. If two parties are just not in the budget or schedule, try to arrange for separate events at the combined party. Perhaps have each child open presents in separate rooms, or split off for certain games. Each child can choose a favorite food, and you can have separate, smaller cakes for each, so no one feels slighted or has to compromise on his favorite flavor or decoration. Everyone can come together for cake and playtime—just make sure each kid has her moment in the spotlight.

Where Birthdays Come to Life! Where Birthdays Come to Life! ®

• • • • • •

Private Bounce Stadiums Private Party Rooms Giant Indoor Inflatables Easy to do! Dedicated Party Pros We Clean Up!

BounceU of College Point • (646) 883-5867 13225 14th Avenue • College Point, NY BounceU.com/college-point-ny

Offering Classes in:

Ballet Tap Jazz/Contemporary Hip Hop Acrobatics ... And MORE!!

First Class FREE!

ALL STAR STUDIOS 108-21 72nd Ave (4th ﬂoor) Forest Hills, NY 11375 • 718-268-2280 allstarstudiosnyc@gmail.com www.allstarstudiosnyc.com

Come visit us at our new location! QueensParent 19

BIRTHDAY PARTIES 2016 Your Local Guide to party places, resources and activities for kids! American Dance & Drama

188-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-479-8522 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village americandanceanddramastudio.com As one of Queens’s largest and most exciting birthday party locations, we specialize in one party at a time. Girls enjoy dress-up, disco, and gymnastic parties. Dance parties take place on our state-ofthe-art stage. Boys go crazy for gymnastics, basketball, and wild obstacle course competitions. We also offer a tunnel maze, moon bounce, ball pit, bubbles, fog machines, cotton candy, plus crazy craft, princess parties, and first birthday parties. Magicians are also available. Your place or ours! Private 3000-square-foot party room.

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! Planning a party is super easy. Pick one of our awesome premier packages, add a spectacular bundle for the best value, and leave the rest to us. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or gathering with friends, classmates, teammates, or clubs, we provide the ultimate private party and play experience. Cleanliness and safety are top priorities at BounceU of College Point, where the staff is attentive to your needs, providing superior customer service, and a personalized experience. Come celebrate with us today!

The DanceSource

98-11 Queens Blvd. (at 65th Ave.), Rego Park/Forest Hills 718-997-1278 dancesource.net info@dancesource.net The DanceSource offers birthday parties for families on Sunday afternoon, a 2-3 hour rental, including 1 hour of instructed dancing, with optional tumbling and music. That takes place in our large room (no street shoes, please), and we can set up table and chairs for lunch and party foods in the smaller studio. If you mention “Queens Parent Paper” we will offer you a free birthday cake from Costco as well. Contact us now for information, available dates, and times.

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 Babies ‘R’ Us in College Point Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing The Reform Temple of Forest Hills in Forest Hills The-Church-in-The-Gardens in Forest Hills Tiger Schulmann’s MMA in Glendale LICAM in Long Island City 718-229-0033 musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com We provide unique birthday party musical experiences for 1st through 6th birthdays. Families and friends participate and celebrate a very special birthday child’s day in a way in which everyone gets to share in the fun. Grown-ups marvel at the ways children express their musicality through movement,

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

song, and instrument play. Call us to customize your child’s musical birthday. We can come to your space. We offer Music Together® sessions for all seasons. Call or email to schedule your free trial class, or visit us online for easy registration.

Progressive Martial Arts

175-25 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows 718-461-0700 progressivemartialarts.com ks@progressivemartialarts.com Progressive Martial Arts hosts birthday parties for ages 3 and older. Our parties include games designed for all ages that introduce kids to cooperative games they no longer play in the school setting. Parents are also welcome to join in the fun. Our 4,500-square-foot facility provides the space for up to 40 children and is padded for safety. We set up, provide pizza and juices, and clean up. Our staff will also send out invites and thank you cards upon your request. Call now to schedule your child’s birthday

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 Inc. offers soccer birthday parties for children ages 2 and older. Its parties are fun, dynamic, and energetic. Its aim is to keep all the children moving and engaged. It offers both excellent indoor and outdoor locations in the Forest Hills-Rego Park area. Soccer Friends USA can manage large groups of children and provide all soccer equipment. For more information, please

visit soccerfriendsusa.com, call 718-261-2403 or 718261-2400, or email info@ soccerfriendsusa.com.

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 culinary school and No. 1 choice birthday party place where children explore their creativity in culinary arts. Offering a variety of party themes and classes, we exceed customer’s expectations with superior service, quality, and value. Fall hands-on cooking classes with stellar recipes are booking now! Hottest party theme: Cupcake Wars! Fun-tastic cookie, cupcake, chocolate, pretzel, or pizza, parties can be customized in our spacious party room with an ice cream candy bar, or chocolate fountain, making your party memorable!

Whitestone Lanes

30-05 Whitestone Expressway, Flushing 718-353-6300 whitestonelanes.net At Whitestone Lanes leagues are in full swing. Come visit us and join our Saturday family bowling league. Children’s birthday parties are rolling along. Starting at just $16.95 per child, your child and their friends can bowl for 1 hour and then enjoy 45 minutes in our party room, in which they will receive one slice of pizza, soda or water, and a trophy of their own! Upgrades are available. We are also taking reservations for corporate and holiday parties. Visit whitestonelanes.net for more information or call 718353-6300.

HARVEST FEST & PumPkin PATcH 2016 Queens Botanical Garden Sunday, October 16

FUN! FAMILicYGames

s Live Mus Farm Tours alk W e r tu Na Houses Bouncyod Vendors Tent r Fo Craft & Petting Zoo Beedditional fee) (a h tc a P Pumpkin MORE!

AND

Stop by tHe QueenS pArent & nyMetropArentS.coM tAbLe For A broAdwAy ticket rAFFLe!

Admission: $12 Adults and Seniors; $10 Children; FREE for members Pumpkin Patch and select activities require additional fees; food and beverage not included. Visit queensbotanical.org for complete information. Harvest Fest Lead Sponsor:

Additional Support:

Need a staycation?

ResouRces

Discover the joy of making music together with your family!

Co n for tact u tria a free s l cla s s!

8 Queens Locations (718) 229-0033 MusicTogetherwithMusicandMe.com

ARticles

with Music and Me

SOC SOCCER Ages 18 Months & Up

Find everything you need, faster at

Year-Round Soccer Program General Classes After School Summer Camp Futsal League Travel Team Birthday Party All Girls Class Soccer in Spanish

QueensParent 21

OUTINGS: Historic Village at Allaire

nymetroparents.com/outings

Explore Early Industrial American Life 1

Courtesy Historic Village at Allaire

The Historic Village at Allaire is a living history museum offering historic re-enactments, craft demos, hearth cooking, and more, open to the public April through December. ›› By Melissa A. Kay

1 Children get into the industrial spirit. 2 Laundry is hung out to dry, the old fashioned way at Allaire Village. 3 Halloween is a spooky time at Allaire. 4 Watch a blacksmith demonstration during your visit. 5 Fall fun includes pumpkin picking and hayrides.

The Historic Village at Allaire in Farmingdale, NJ, engages visitors and teaches the public what everyday life was like during early Industrial America by offering families historic re-enactments, craft demonstrations, carpentry, tinsmithing, hearth cooking, and much more.

Year-Round Fun

This museum with 13 original buildings offers a variety of educational tours, living history interpretations, gardens, exhibits, and special programs for all ages. Allaire’s historic interpreters and guides will give you an inside look into a different time and way of life, and the many challenges and triumphs of an early 19th century industrial community. Explore Allaire State Park with more than 3,000 acres of walking trails, picnic areas, and biking trails. Be sure to stop by the fresh bakery and do some shopping at the old-fashioned General Store and Enameling Building shop.

Annual Events

Group tours are offered year-round and 22

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

are a great way to experience industrial history. Tours can be scheduled at any time for any type of group. Allaire’s monthly calendar offers many great events including An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe, which includes a chilling performance of some of the poet’s favorite tales, and James P. Allaire’s Birthday every July 16, which includes numerous craft demonstrations and sweet treats. The Annual Ducky Derby, which is typically held in July, is a great event to raise money for the village. Children enter their rubber ducks into a race and are awarded prizes. Also be sure to check out the numerous flea markets and craft shows, the Annual Rolling Iron Antique Show in August, the Allaire 5K Run in October, and the Allaire Auxiliary Stocking Stuffer Sale in November.

October Highlights

Allaire dares you to brave the village and forest at nighttime when all the “monsters” come out. Join the Haunted Allaire hayrides, have your fortune told,

dance with Zombie Zumba, listen to haunted ghost stories around the campfire, and explore Hogwarts at Allaire. Preregistration is suggested. Oct. 14, 15, 21, and 22; 6-9:30pm. Adults: $15; children younger than 12: $10. Another favorite is the 19th Century All Hollow’s Eve celebration on Oct. 30. This is a fun event for all ages featuring spooky storytellers. Take a ride on the tractor and hay wagon to explore the park. Take part in historic demonstrations as villagers prepare for fall. Pick a pumpkin (limited supply) and decorate it! Costume contest and parade at 3pm. Adults: $5; children ages 5-12: $3. Wagon and tractor rides extra.

Details

Address: 4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale, NJ Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 15-minute drive from Flushing Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm Admission: Free; special events cost extra. For more information: 732-919-3500 or allairevillage.org

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

Do you want the BEST IDEAS for your celebration?

MitzvahMarket.com Sign up to receive a FREE e-newsletter at MitzvahMarket.com/signup

www.facebook.com/MitzvahMarket

twitter.com/MitzvahMarket

pinterest.com/source/mitzvahmarket.com

QueensParent 23

Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration Get Your FREE Copy New Issue in 2016

2015-2016

MIT ZVA HM ARK ET.C

Your single source for:

g Entertainers g Caterers g Favors g Photographers g Invitations and more...

FREE COPY

I want a free copy of the 2016 Mitzvah Market magazine Name

How to create

a Program for Your Service

Homeland CeleMibrtzvatahion Planning a Bar/Bat in Israel

Address State

Phone

Zip

Photo Credit: André Maier

Photo Credit: Beth Capuano

Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distribution@davlermedia.com 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018

GRO UP PUB LICA TION A DAV LER MED IA

Photo Credit: André Maier

City

Get This Party Started!

a Fun Ways to Make Grand Entrance

Mitzva

Family Spotligh ts

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Fall Festival (No. 4 on our list).

y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: GAIL WARREN qpcal@davlermedia.com

OCTOBER CALENDAR

26 Editor’s Hot Tickets

31 Animal Lovers, Special Needs

28 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Movers & Shakers

32 Show Time!, Crafty Kids

29 Mini Musicians

34 Dance Party, On Screen

30 Holiday Fun, Once Upon a Time

33 Smarty Pants 35 The Great Outdoors, Little Foodies

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!

Science Fair 101: Shrunken Heads

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Experiment with oxidation while making funny apple faces that wrinkle and shrink. From hypothesis to conclusion, children will get hands on experience to collectively create an innovative science fair project. WHY WE LOVE IT: This project is sure to impress any science teacher. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

2016 World Maker Faire

WHEN: Oct. 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Get inspired to make, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, build, think, and play while celebrating art, science, and technology. Hundreds of “makers” will present fun creations such as rockets and robots, and there will also be arts and crafts, artisanal foods, live music, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new! Maker Faire takes creativity to the masses. WANT TO GO? $35; $25 children ages 3-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Sunnyside Shorts 2016 Film Festival FREE

WHEN: Oct. 7-8, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 1-2:30pm and 7pm WHERE: Sunnyside Reformed Church, 4803 Skillman Ave., Sunnyside AGES: All WHAT: This festival will showcase films from all over the world, in var-

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

ious genres including animations, narratives, and documentaries as well as local film makers, in the spirit of Sunnyside’s diversity. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite films, and refreshments will be served. WHY WE LOVE IT: The mission of this festival is to bring cultures together through the art of filmmaking. WANT TO GO? 718-426-5997. sunnysideshorts.com.

Fall Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-4pm WHERE: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: All WHAT: Stop by King Manor and make corn husk dolls, churn butter the old-fashioned way, press apple cider, play historic games, and learn to square dance. Bring a fall-themed family photo and have them digitized for free by the Queens Memory team. WHY WE LOVE IT: Experience a slice of country life! WANT TO GO? 718-206-0545. kingmanor.org.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Queens FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 10am WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 53-51 111th St., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Families can honor breast cancer survivors, remember loved ones they have lost to this disease, and raise funds and awareness to help end it forever. WHY WE LOVE IT: The journey to end breast cancer starts with a single step. WANT TO GO? 718-886-8890. makingstrideswalk.org/queens.

Harvest Fest & Pumpkin Patch

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 11am-6pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: A fun-filled afternoon with live music, old-fashioned games, nature and garden walks, composting demos, craft and food vendors, petting zoo and pony rides, and the ever-popular pumpkin patch. Additional fee for the pumpkin patch and other activities. WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun way for the family to celebrate the season. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 children. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

Open House New York FREE

WHEN: Oct. 15-16, Saturday-Sunday, see website WHERE: Venues across the five boroughs AGES: All WHAT: Every year, Open House New York flings open the doors of interesting buildings across the five boroughs, making it possible for the public to see inside for the first time. The list of places is revealed on Oct. 5. Sign up early, as some venues get booked quickly. WHY WE LOVE IT: Last year’s venues include the inside of Google Inc., Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, The Ukrainian Institute of America, and Umbrella House Rooftop Garden—there is a huge range of places to see. WANT TO GO? ohny.org.

Queens Food Day FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 11am-3pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 35-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Features cooking and gardening demonstrations, youth planting workshops, and many more activities led by local food justice and environmental organizations that are working together to build community access to fresh and affordable food. Plus several local food vendors on hand to offer fresh and delicious local and international delicacies. WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun and educational day of learning, cooking, and eating. WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

The DanceSource Have you ever tried a Dance Class?

Our smaller classes provide more attention in class, and more detail provide for each dancer. NEW: Russian speaking teacher on Thursdays! Наши новости: Уроки Танцев на русском языке по четвергам! The Dancesource oﬀers Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Gymnastics, Zumba, Hip-Hop, Classical Barata Nathyam, Modern, Ballroom (Latin & Classics), Bollywood, Georgian Dance and Private Wedding Classes, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, Quincinera dances, Birthday Parties oﬀered.

Administration available after school Monday-Thursday 4:30-7:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-2pm, and Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm. Rental space is available.

98-11 Queens Blvd at 65th Avenue • Rego Park, NY Tel: 718-997-1278 • info@dancesource.net

www.dancesource.net • Check out our website!

185-10A Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718-264-ROBO (7626) robomindtech@gmail.com Immerse. Make. Inspire

Kings From Queens

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 28, 11am WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Celebrate the music and legacy of an amazing collection of musicians from Queens! This special concert relives the meteoric rise of such legends as Louis Armstrong, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Fats Waller, and others. WHY WE LOVE IT: Popular Broadway personalities, perform the songs of your life by the artists who got their start in Queens! WANT TO GO? $49. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

‘Grease’ Sing Along

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 31, 4pm and 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy Halloween dressed as your favorite Grease character! Don those pink jackets, grease up your hair, sit back, and join Danny, Sandy, and the gang, in singing (and dancing) along to the lyrics on the screen. WHY WE LOVE IT: GREASE is the word! WANT TO GO? $13; $8 children. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org. ››

FALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! > LEGO Science & Robotics Programs (K-8) > Video Game Design (Grade 3-8) > Robotics Competition Team Development > Group Programs & School S.T.E.M. Field Trips FREE TRIAL CLASS! 10/1 Sat 11am

OPEN HOUSE & Registration 10/1 Sat 11-1pm 10/9 Sun 1-2pm (Please e-mail or Call to RSVP Open House or Free Trial) Home to NYC FIRST Lego League & National World Robot Olympiad Champions

QueensParent 27

MOVERS & SHAKERS Girls Inc. of New York City Family Day 5K Fun Run/Walk

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. World’s Fair History Tour FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 11am WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Hear the stories behind the Unisphere, New York State Pavilion, Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo aviary, the carousel, and more. Tours are led by Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s volunteer docents. WANT TO GO? 718-352-1769. nycgovparks.org.

Fall Harvest Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 12-3pm WHERE: Victory Field Forest Park, Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive, Woodhaven AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate fall with live performances, crafts, games, pumpkins face painting, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nycgovparks.org.

Open House New York FREE

WHEN: Oct. 15-16, Saturday-Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm WHERE: Queens Historical Society, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The house museum, including its newest exhibit, Toys & Games From the Attic and Beyond!, will be featured. WANT TO GO? 718-939-0647. queenshistoricalsociety.org.

Halloween Harvest Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11am-3pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Make a costume with Socrates artists, listen to live music, enjoy a special art-making workshop with Free Style Arts Association, get your face painted by Agostino Arts, try harvest foods from local restaurants, and enter your dog in the ever-popular Annual Juried Canine Costume Contest. WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

4th Annual LIC Flea & Food Market FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 11am–6pm WHERE: LIC Flea & Food Market, 5-25 46th Ave., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: The market returns to the waterfront with more than 80 vintage, artisan, and food vendors, for what will be the largest market of its kind in Queens County. WANT TO GO? 212-402-3489. licflea.com. 28

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10am-2pm WHERE: Astoria Park, 19 19th St., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: Hundreds of runners and walkers come together to commit to a Family Day Fun Run/Walk benefiting underserved youth in Astoria. WANT TO GO? $35; $18 college students with ID; $15 children ages 8-18. 718-267-2839. active.com.

Tween Yoga

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: This class which mixes traditional poses, such as sun salutations with partner work, breath and body awareness, and strength builders. Bring a towel and water; mats provided. WANT TO GO? $16. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Mounted Cowboy Shooting Match

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 11:30am-1:30pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration Fairgrounds, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Watch as New York’s original mounted shooting club The Island Long Riders, dressed in Old-West attire, navigate a course on horseback while shooting targets. The show is based on the historical reenactment of shooting events held at Wild West Shows during the 19th century. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8400. islandlongriders.com.

Music and Movement

WHEN: Oct. 5-26, Wednesdays, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Musical instruments and sing-along songs get the youngest children’s bodies moving. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Yoga in the Gardens

WHEN: Oct. 1-29, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11:15am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Students will be lead through a dynamic, yet gentle, continuous flow of postures and conscious breathing. Participants must bring a yoga mat, yoga strap, and towel. WANT TO GO? $18 per session. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Rocket Park Mini Golf

WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Monday-Friday; 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5 and older WHAT: In this nine-hole miniature golf course, players will explore key science concepts such as propulsion, gravity, escape velocity, launch window, and gravitational assist. WANT TO GO? $6 family fee with admission: $15; $12 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS The Songs of Music: Voices from Taiwan

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 1:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: This concert will immerse the audience in the most beautiful harmonies from across the continents. The Hai Tien Chorus joins forces with the seasoned Taipei Harmonic Chorus to demonstrate compelling vocal techniques. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Sunday Concerts At Central: International Garifuna Band FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 4:30pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: All WHAT: Led by singer and composer Felix Gamboa Valentin, the band represents the music, dance, and culture of Africa, the Caribbean, and Central America, and plays all rhythms of Garifuna music, along with the respective dances. WANT TO GO? 718-990-0700. queenslibrary.org.

Musical Romp with Steve Weeks

WHEN: Oct. 9-10, Sunday-Monday, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Colorado-based singer Steve Weeks brings an interactive family romp filled with music, humor, and games. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concerts: Kiran Ahluwalia FREE

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14, 7:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Indian-born singer Kiran Ahluwalia fuses the hypnotic grooves of India and Pakistan with passionate Saharan desert blues and innovative Western jazz. Ahluwalia’s vocals are backed by a band that includes the guitar wizardry of Pakistani-American musician Rez Abbasi, as well as harmonium, tabla, and bass. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Judy Collins with Special Guest Ari Hest

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 8pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 718-793-8080. kupferbergcenter.org.

St. Lukes Chamber Ensemble FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 2:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: St. Luke’s explores storytelling through music. Participants are invited to write short stories about their communities, and hear them come to life through music. Musical instruments will be provided. WANT TO GO? 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Bickram Ghosh’s Drum of India

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 3pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Comprised of four master drummers from India, playing a variety of traditional Indian drums, and supported with sitar, this ensemble has thrilled audiences throughout the Indian continent. The tradition of drumming in India is one of the oldest and most evolved in the world. WANT TO GO? $25; $14 for children 12 and younger. 718-7938080. kupferbergcenter.org.

New Music Horizons

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 28, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Classical pianist Matthew Koraus and jazz bassist Mark Wade will each perform a set of original music and explain their writing process. Afterward, audience members will be invited to talk informally with the composers. WANT TO GO? $10; free for students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Beethoven, Schubert, and More

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 28, 8pm WHERE: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Explore the great variety of songs and sonatas written 200 years ago, by Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and others. This program will be performed by Ensemble 1816. WANT TO GO? $30 at door; $25 online. 718-206-0545. kingmanor.org.

Black Violin

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Midwood, Brooklyn AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Combining classical music training with hip-hop and R&B influences, Black Violin has created a distinctive multi-genre sound that is quickly becoming an international phenomenon. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org. ›› QueensParent 29

Haunted House

WHEN: Oct. 29-30, Saturday, 1-7pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Step inside this Haunted House for a spooky adventure. Hayrides, treats, mulled cider, and New York apples will be sold. WANT TO GO? $4. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Children’s Fall Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Families should wear their favorite costume and join in all the fun, featuring children’s games, pig races, pony rides, food, and more. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Halloween at the Garden

HOLIDAY FUN Halloween Trunk or Treat and Food Drive

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2-5pm WHERE: Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens AGES: All WHAT: Families can celebrate Halloween in a safe, friendly environment, and help the needy. Volunteers will park their Halloween decorated cars and pass out candy from their trunks. WANT TO GO? Donations accepted. 347-878-6614. friendsofmaplegrove.org.

Haunted Lantern Tours at Water Battery FREE

WHEN: Oct. 28-29, Friday-Saturday, 6:30pm WHERE: Water Battery Gate, Fort Totten Park, Cross Island Parkway between Totten Avenue and 15th Road, Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Join the NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers as they mix history with Halloween fun on an outdoor, walking haunted lantern tour. WANT TO GO? 718-352-1769. nycgovparks.org.

Halloween Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12-3pm WHERE: Fort Totten Park, Cross Island Parkway, between Totten Avenue and 15th Road, Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy at a spooky, fun-filled afternoon, featuring crafts, games, rides, music, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-352-4793. nycgovparks.org.

RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns

WHEN: Oct. 7-30, see website for dates, 6-10:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: You’ll see classic fan-favorites such as life-sized dinosaurs, dragons, and safari animals, as well as a number of new structures featuring time-honored characters from some favorite movies, including one that will make you feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far, away. WANT TO GO? $26; $22 children ages 3-12 and seniors; free for children 2 and younger. 818-639-8981. therise.org/njny. 30

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 12-4pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 4350 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Families can show off their Halloween costumes and bring their trick-or-treat bags, then add a Caribbean flair to their Halloween costumes by making their own carnavale mask with guest artist Manuel Macarrulla. WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors and students; $2 children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and younger. 718-886-3800. nycgovparks.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME! Toddler Tales: ‘Go Away Big Green Monster’

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy a fun monster tale to get ready for Halloween. Encourage a child’s love of reading by listening to a nature related story especially chosen for the littlest nature lovers. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Animal Tales: ‘Big Pumpkin’

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: See what happens when a bunch of Halloween characters work together. Kids will hear an enchanting story about different animal friends. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Family Storytime FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 11:15am WHERE: Douglaston Little Neck Library, 249-01 Northern Blvd., Little Neck AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children accompanied by an adult caregiver, will listen to stories, sing songs, dance, and perform fingerplays. WANT TO GO? 718-225-8414. queenslibrary.org.

Halloween Family Night: Folklore and Fun

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 6, 5-7pm WHERE: The Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing

AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss a night of spooky storytelling, art making, treats, and games, all celebrating the immigrant traditions and folklore that made Halloween. Come in costume and join the fun. WANT TO GO? $3. 718-729-8567. hiptohip.org.

The Moth StorySLAM: Haunted

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 24, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Prepare a 5-minute story about a spooky fixation. Ten featured stories are scored by teams of judges selected from the audience who pick the StorySLAM winner. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

stART (Story + Art)

WHEN: Through Oct. 27: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children listen to the reading of childhood classics and new favorites. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Children’s Storytime FREE

WHEN: Oct. 6-27, Thursdays, 11am WHERE: The Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St., Astoria AGES: 3-5 WHAT: A special morning of fun for the little ones. Listen to stories from authors and staff featuring selections from current and classic children’s books. WANT TO GO? 718-278-2665. astoriabookshop.com.

Storytime & Craft

WHEN: Through Nov. 27: Sundays, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Little nature lovers enjoy a relaxing afternoon featuring nature-inspired stories, followed by a botanically themed craft activity. WANT TO GO? $4; $3 seniors; $2 students with ID and for children older than 3. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS Kickoff to Fall With Sheep Shearing FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 11am-4:30pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Savannah Sky will keep feet tapping as families wander through the Pumpkin Patch. The Amazing Maize Maze will be open and the livestock coordinator will demonstrate sheep shearing. WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Batty for Bats

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Dispel some common myths about bats and get a better understanding about these helpful creatures, then take a nature walk to see APEC’s own bat box by the windmill. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

The Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 12-3pm WHERE: Tompkins Square Park, Avenue A and 10th Street, East Village, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: See the best pooch costumes in Manhattan at this famous parade. Watch dogs compete for cash prizes with fabulous costumes. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 212-639-9675. nycgovparks.org.

Fall Dog Weekend

WHEN: Oct. 29-30, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Bring your leashed dog to enjoy healthy exercise and to meet fellow dog lovers, and view exhibits in designated areas of the grounds. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Halloween Dog Costume Celebration FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 10am WHERE: Little Bay Park Dog Run, Cross Island Parkway, between Utopia Parkway and Totten Avenue, Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Bring the family dog dressed in his or her best costume for this fun event. Prizes will be given out. WANT TO GO? 917-353-3813. nycgovparks.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS Autism-Friendly: ‘Mr. Poppers Penguins’

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 3-8 WHAT: An autism-friendly version of this fun production based on the book by Richard and Florence Atwater. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org. ›› QueensParent 31

‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’

WHEN: Sept. 30–Oct. 10, see website for show times WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The New Victory Theater opens its new season with a new production of the Jules Verne science fiction tale, bringing together multimedia, projections, and technology to make the audience feel like they are under the sea, too. WANT TO GO? $16-$38. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Masters of the Mind

SHOW TIME! New York Theatre Ballet: ‘Carnival of the Animals’

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 3pm WHERE: Schimmel Center, 3 Spruce St., Lower Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: In a magical forest, Queen Diana and her shaggy lion rule a charming assortment of animals who live more or less peaceably until a pair of lost children wander in, and then the fun begins. WANT TO GO? $20; $10 children. 212-346-1715. schimmel.pace.edu.

‘Pete the Cat’

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: 3-8 WHAT: When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn his manners. This groovy cat get the whole family rocking. WANT TO GO? $14. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.

‘The Color of Frida’ Puppet Show FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 3:30pm WHERE: Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison St., Ridgewood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: In this colorful one-woman show, Frida tells the stories behind her most famous paintings with the use of puppets and songs. WANT TO GO? 718-821-4770. queenslibrary.org.

The Head-to-Toe Music and Comedy Show FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 3pm WHERE: Broadway Library, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: The whole family will enjoy an interactive, funny, and wonderful time filled with movement and music. WANT TO GO? 718-721-2462. queenslibrary.org.

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Guy Bavli and Company manage to break the rules of logic and deliver an interactive entertainment experience that will keep the audience mezmorized, with belly-laughing humor and amazing feats of the mind. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

The Capitol Steps: ‘Mock The Vote’

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 23, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Before what could be the most historic election of our time, the candidates get the once over by some the greatest satirical minds performing for live audiences and heard on the radio. Hear Donald Trump sing a rock song, Bernie Sanders sing a show tune, and Hillary Clinton do stand-up comedy. WANT TO GO? $40. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

‘Mr. Poppers Penguins’

WHEN: Oct. 15-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11am, 3pm, and 7pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A feel-good musical based on the popular book by Richard and Florence Atwater. One day, a package of penguins arrive on the doorstep of Mr. and Mrs. Popper, and what happens next is hilarious fun. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Workshop for Kids FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: This silly adventure combines puppetry, mime, dance, and music. WANT TO GO? $13; $8 children. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 9am-12pm WHERE: The Home Depot, 73-01 25th Ave., East Elmhurst AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This hands-on workshop is designed teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. Kids get to build and decorate a toy fire truck with real wheels, and receive a free Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin, and certificate of achievement. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-507-9007. homedepot.com.

Opera Pomme Rouge Presents ‘Hansel and Gretel’ FREE

Make a Nature Placemat FREE

‘Squirrel Stole My Underpants’

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 1:30pm WHERE: Queens Museum, Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Corona AGES: All WHAT: This performance includes the opportunity for kids to learn songs and dances, and use homemade props to participate in the show. WANT TO GO? 440-623-2617. operapommerouge.wix.com/home. 32

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 4pm WHERE: Poppenhusen Library, 121-23 14th Ave., College Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will use leaves, twigs, and other objects they find outside to make a placemat. WANT TO GO? 718-359-1102. queenslibrary.org.

Crafternoon FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 3:30pm WHERE: Rosedale Library, 144-20 243rd St., Rosedale AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Kids can show off their creativity using a variety of media, including but not limited to paints and crayons. WANT TO GO? 718-528-8490. queenslibrary.org.

Make & Take a Gourd Instrument FREE

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 7, 4pm WHERE: Langston Hughes Library, 100-01 Northern Blvd., Corona AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This workshop teaches an ancient craft, art, and skill called beading to create and personalize an authentic Gourd Shekere instrument. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-651-1100. queenslibrary.org.

“Owl” Be Your Friend!

WHEN: Oct. 4-28, Tuesday-Friday, 2:30pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Create your own friendly owl collage using torn paper and feathers. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516224-5800. licm.org.

Saturday Crafts FREE

WHEN: Oct. 1-29, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Poppenhusen Library, 121-23 14th Ave., College Point AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids can show off their creativity and have fun making crafts. WANT TO GO? 718-359-1102. queenslibrary.org.

Frightening Floating Ghosts

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 30, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Create a spooky and fun floating ghost and test it out in the museum’s wind tunnel. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Drop-in Family Art Workshops FREE

WHEN: Oct. 2-30, Sundays, 1:30pm WHERE: Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Corona AGES: 5-12 WHAT: These fun, educational 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.

SMARTY PANTS Young Writers Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 2, 12:30pm WHERE: The Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St., Astoria AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Kids will use writing prompts and exercises to work on their creative writing process in a fun and encouraging environment with an instructor. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-278-2665. astoriabookshop.com.

Jeopardy FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 4pm WHERE: Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison St., Ridgewood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Don’t miss an exciting kid’s version of the trivia game Jeopardy. WANT TO GO? 718-821-4770. queenslibrary.org.

Computer Science Club FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 4pm WHERE: Peninsula Library, 95-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Learn to code using Scratch. WANT TO GO? 718-634-1110. queenslibrary.org.

In Arts We Trust: Chinese Opera in New York City

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: An animated discussion features leading performers and producers of New York’s Chinese Opera community. Discussion will include the preservation of the old traditional art form and how they create and present original works that lead to the evolution of this opera’s aesthetics and techniques. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Young Discoverers Club: As the Leaf Turns

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 12:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Why do the leaves change color in the fall? Young Discoverers will participate in a chromatography experiment designed to illuminate the color profile of leaves, then they will head outside to explore a vibrant and diverse deciduous forest. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Queens (as the World’s) Village: Know Your Neighbor FREE

WHEN: Oct. 1-22, Saturdays, 2:30pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village AGES: All WHAT: Participate in a photography workshop project that highlights the rich, cultural diversity in the neighborhood and learn how to use social media and hashtags with the project. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

Just Hatched!

WHEN: Oct. 11-25, Tuesdays, 11:15am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Enjoy singing songs, moving to music and hands-on activities that spark curiosity and discovery. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $45. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com. ›› QueensParent 33

ON SCREEN Kern & Hammerstein’s ‘Show Boat’ in Concert FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 11am WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-08 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: All WHAT: In this screening of a concert filmed at Lincoln Center in October 2015, Vanessa Williams, Julian Ovenden, Norm Lewis, Jane Alexander, Fred Willard, and Lauren Worsham star in the saga about the lives, loves, and heartbreaks of show folk on the Mississippi River. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.org.

Family Movie: ‘Ratchet and Clank’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2pm WHERE: Briarwood Library, 85-12 Main St., Briarwood AGES: All WHAT: When the galaxy comes under threat, a mechanic and his robot ally join an elite squad of combatants to save the universe. WANT TO GO? 718-658-1680. queenslibrary.org.

DANCE PARTY Fall For Dance Festival

WHEN: Through Oct. 8: See website for show times WHERE: New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This internationally acclaimed, two-week festival will include performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Bangarra, Compagnie Accrorap, Dada Masilo, Grupo Corpo, Hong Kong Ballet, Richard Alston Dance Company, and more. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-581-1212. nycitycenter.org.

The Tamburitzans

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 9, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Artistically representing the dances, music, and songs of East European and neighboring cultures, the Tamburitzans present a wonderful two-hour journey through the towns, back roads, and villages of the “Old Country.” WANT TO GO? $35. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

Keigwin and Company

WHEN: Oct. 22-23, Saturday, 2pm and 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this refreshing vision of dance that combines wit, style, and heart in a special tribute to Leonard Bernstein. The company showcases Larry Keigwin’s unique and electrifying style of contemporary dance. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company: ‘Dia de los Muertos’

WHEN: Oct. 29-30, Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Dia de los Muertos is a captivating work about the unending relationship between the living and the departed featuring passionate live music, larger-than-life characters, and breathtaking dance. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org. 34

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

The 35th Anniversary Asbury Short Film Concert

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 21, 7:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Asbury Shorts is New York City’s longest running noncompetitive exhibition of award-winning short films. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Saturday Afternoon Movie FREE

WHEN: Oct. 1-29, Saturdays, 12pm WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Enjoy a variety of movies, including The Secret Life of Bees, Spotlight, and Me Before You. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org.

Super Cinema Saturday FREE

WHEN: Oct. 1-29, Saturdays, 2:30pm WHERE: Forest Hills Library, 108-91 71st Ave., Forest Hills AGES: 5-12 WHAT: A feature-length film in Forest Hills’ Story Hour Room. WANT TO GO? 718-268-7934. queenslibrary.org.

Behind the Screen

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30am-5pm; Fridays, 10:30am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: The museum’s core exhibition features more than 1,400 historical objects, art works, video clips, and interactive experiences that show how moving images are made, marketed, and exhibited. WANT TO GO? $12; $9 students with ID; $6 children ages 3-12. 718777-6888. movingimage.us.

Wonders of the Arctic

WHEN: Through March 2, 2017: daily, 10:30am-4:30pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Wonders of the Arctic takes audiences on a journey across one of the most beautiful and frigid places on earth, exploring how humans and animals have adapted and flourished for thousands of years. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 students and seniors; $16 children. 212769-5100. amnh.org.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Wildflower Meadow Tour FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 20, 11am-12pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, 103rd Street Footbridge, Randall’s Island, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Come take a tour of our Wildflower Meadow, which stretches along the East River near the iconic Hell Gate Bridge. It’s home to an array of native and ornamental plants that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.

Fall Soil Health

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10am-12pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 4350 Main St., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Join QBG Farm staff to learn how to care for your soil during fall and winter and discuss soil testing, cover crops, mulch, and compost application. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors and students; $2 children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and younger. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

Children’s Garden Program

WHEN: Oct. 1-22, Saturdays, 2-4pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 4350 Main St., Flushing AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids spend time planting, playing, observing, and learning in a nurturing environment. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $20. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

APEC Adventure Time: Pumpkin Patch

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Take a look inside a pumpkin and observe which animals like to eat it. Toddlers and their caregivers enjoy some special time together as they socialize with other youngsters and learn about nature. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $18. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Pumpkin Patch FREE

WHEN: Oct. 1-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4:30pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy wandering through the patch to find your perfect pumpkin for a memorable farm adventure for the whole family. WANT TO GO? 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

The Amazing Maize Maze

WHEN: Through Oct. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4:30pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Kids and adults alike will have a blast finding their way out of this 3-acre corn maze. The adventure begins with a “Stalk Talk” to prepare participants for the challenge of finding clues, solving puzzles, and making their way out of the maze. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 4-11; free for children 3 and younger. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

LITTLE FOODIES Young Chefs: Ghoulish Grub

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids can cook up some scary Halloween treats, if they dare! During this class, the young chefs will create a delicious “Pizza Mummy” and hot cocoa with floating eyeballs. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Kids in the Kitchen

WHEN: Oct. 7-28, Fridays, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids will create tasty treats, take home recipes, and enjoy your yummy creations at the end of each class. WANT TO GO? $5 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Coming up next month: NOV. 5-6: Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, Flushing Town Hall, Flushing NOV. 11: Gingerbread Lane, NY Hall of Science, Corona NOV. 25: Junie B Jones, Queens Theatre In The Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park QueensParent 35

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Pick Your Own Pumpkins ››

Research by Lauren Diaz

You can paint them, carve them, bake with them, and decorate with them! This fall, get out and pick your own pumpkins, then playfully master them into crafts or treats. Many pumpkin patches offer fun autumn activities, such as hayrides, corn mazes, and farm stands with fresh fruits, vegetables, and delicious pastries. Spooky or silly, picking your own pumpkin is definitely one thing: fun for the whole family. As always, confirm details ahead of time.

Decker Farm 435 Richmond Hill Road, Staten Island 718-351-1611 historicrichmondtown.org/ decker-farm Pumpkin picking through October (weekends only starting Oct. 1, 11am4pm; closed Oct. 8, but open the following Sunday and Monday). Self-guided tours and hayrides offered. Cornfield on-site. Free shuttle bus service available from the Historic Richmond Town parking lot to the farm. Admission: $6 per person or $20 for a family of four. Additional cost for pumpkins. Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens 718-347-3276 queensfarm.org Pick your own pumpkins on weekends, 11am-4:30pm, throughout October. Hayrides

and a 3-acre interactive corn maze on-site.

Long Island Albert H. Schmitt Family Farms 6 Bagatelle Road, Dix Hills 631-549-1159 schmittsfamilyfarms.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 8am-6pm daily. Fall festival featuring hayrides and a haunted maze on weekends, as well as a train ride, John Deere trike play area, duck races, and fire truck slides. Fall decorations for sale, as well as roasted corn, fresh baked pies, candy apples, mums, and ornamental kale. Benner’s Farm 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket 631-689-8172 bennersfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

through October, 12-4pm weekends only. Hayrides (including a haunted hayride), Big Swing, and farm animals. Select Saturdays and Sundays feature special guests and Sundays feature live music. Admission: $8; $6 children (includes corn and hayrides). Harvest Festival: Oct. 9, 12-4pm. Borellas Farm Stand 485 Edgewood Ave., Saint James 631-862-7330 borellasfarmstand.com U-pick pumpkins in October, 11am-5pm weekends only. Hayrides, snacks, corn maze, live music, and other activities. Farm stand with homegrown fruits and vegetables. Free parking. Free admission for children younger than 3. Live music and tasting room available on weekends (12-7pm on Saturday; 12-6pm Sunday).

Brightwaters Farms & Nursery 1624 Manatuck Blvd., Bay Shore 631-665-5411 brightwatersfarms.com U-pick pumpkins through Oct. 30, 9am-5pm daily. Hayrides, inflatable rides, and a farm store with novelty decorations, apples, candy apples, and full concession stand on weekends only. Admission is charged on weekends and Columbus Day, and includes face painting, clown entertainment, animal viewing, and unlimited hay rides. The Fall Festival starts Sept. 24 with pumpkin fields, a beer festival, and live music. F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm 26 Pinelawn Road, Melville 631-271-3276; schmittfarms.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 9am-5pm daily. Free hayrides. Seven-acre corn maze with admission. Country store on premises. Weekend and Columbus Day activities include inflatable rides and food concessions. Haunted corn maze and haunted mansion Friday-Sunday through October. Fairview Farm 69 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton (GPS: 69 Horsemill Road, Watermill) 631-537-6154 fairviewfarmatmecox.com Pick your own pumpkins, gourds, and squash through the second week of November, 10am-6pm, Thursday-Sunday, plus Monday holidays. Eightacre corn maze. Admission: $10; $8 children ages 4-11; free for children younger than 4.

nymetroparents.com/where-to Greenland Family Farms 17155 County Road 48, Cutchogue 631-734-5791 greenlandfamilyfarms.com Pumpkin picking throughout October, 9am-5pm daily. Hayrides by appointment only. Fall decorations, kites, statues, trees, bushes, and perennials for sale. Harbes Family Farm 715 Sound Ave. Mattituck 631-298-0800 harbesfamilyfarm.com U-pick pumpkins through Nov. 1, 9am-6pm. Apple picking on weekends (and Columbus Day), 9am-6pm. Hayrides weekends only, corn maze, pony rides, farm animals, and snacks available. Fall decorations for sale. Restrooms on-site. Hank’s Pumpkintown 240 Montauk Highway, Watermill 631-726-4667 hankspumpkintown.com U-pick pumpkins and apples through October, 9:30am-6pm daily. Three corn mazes, wagon rides, tractor rides, pedal cart racetrack, and more. New attractions include a giant chair for family photos, a wooden dairy barn play structure, and tractor seesaws. Maze Park and apple orchard are only open on weekends and school holidays. Admission to Maze Park: $13. Krupski’s Vegetable & Pumpkin Farm 38030 Route 25, Peconic 631-734-7841 U-pick pumpkins through October. Farm-fresh produce for sale. Open MondayThursday, 10am-6pm, and Friday-Sunday, 9am-6pm. Lewin Farms 812 Sound Ave., Calverton 631-929-4327; lewinfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 9am-5pm

daily except Tuesdays. Cash only. Call before visiting to confirm pick-your-own dates, as they are subject to change. Stakey’s Pumpkin Farm 270 West Lane, Aquebogue 631-722-3467 stakeyspumpkinfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins through October. Hayrides, corn maze, bounce house, face painting, and pony rides on-site. Greenhouse, country store, and Snack Shack with roasted corn and apple cider doughnuts on-site. Open Monday-Friday, 12-5pm; weekends and Columbus Day, 9am-5pm. Open 9am-5pm weekdays for schools and other groups; call in advance for reservations. The Milk Pail Farm & Orchard 50 Horsemill Lane, Water Mill 631-537-2565; milk-pail.com U-pick pumpkins and apples through October, 10am5:30pm Saturday-Monday and holidays. White Post Farms 250 Old Country Road, Melville 631-351-9373 U-pick pumpkins through Oct. 30. Fall festival weekends through the end of October include live entertainment, hayrides, pony rides, games, and more; 10am-4pm. Open weekdays 10am-4pm with free admission. Woodside Nursery & Garden Center Inc. 134 E. Woodside Ave., Patchogue 631-758-1491 woodsidenurseryandgarden.com Pick your own pumpkins through October, 9am-6pm daily. Haunted house and balloon bounce every day. Face painting, gold rush, scarecrow making, and roasted corn on weekends

and Columbus Day. Birthday parties and field trips available.

Westchester County Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights 914-962-2368 hilltophanoverfarm.org U-pick pumpkins and vegetables through the fall, 10am-4pm Saturdays only. Organic practice. Three hiking trails on-site. Guided tours available. Free parking. Farm stand with farm-grown produce, seasonal vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, honey, grains, and maple syrup; open 1-6pm Fridays and 10am-4pm Saturdays. Bring your own bags. Outhouse Orchards 139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem 914-277-3188 outhouseorchardsny.com Pick your own pumpkins and apples through mid-October, 9am-5pm daily. Stuart’s Fruit Farm 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs 914-245-2784; stuartsfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins and apples through November, 10am-5pm daily. School tours available weekdays in October. Group tours available through the barn, cider mill, and cold storage, ending with a chance to pick apples or pumpkins. Cash and check only. Bakery open daily with pies, apple cider, apple cider doughnuts, muffins, scones, and other treats for sale. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm 1335 Whitehill Road, Yorktown Heights 914-245-5111

wilkensfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins in October, Friday-Sunday, 10am4:30pm. Bakery and Appleseed Gift Shop on-site, plus a Farm Market with pre-picked farm produce, snacks, apple cider, and more.

Rockland County Dr. Davies Farm 306 Route 304, Congers 845-268-7020 drdaviesfarm.com Pick your own pumpkins and apples through the first weekend in November, 10am-4pm daily. Hayrides to the pumpkin fields offered on weekends (weekdays by appointment); $5 per person. Farmers market with homegrown and local produce open daily. Large field with picnic areas.

Bergen County, NJ Secor Farms 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah 201-529-2595 secorfarms.com Pick your own pumpkins through October. Hay maze, corn maze, millet maze, apple cider doughnuts, pies, animal farm, and flower garden. Hayrides offered weekdays, 3-5pm, and weekends, 10am4:30pm. Farm stand open daily, 8am-6pm. Visit Facebook page for most up to date info. Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale 201-666-0472 demarestfarms.com Pumpkin and apple picking in the fall, weekends and holidays, 9:30am-4:30pm, weekdays, 9:30am-4:30pm (group picking during the week by appointment only). Hayrides to the orchard. Store on-site open daily, 8am-6:30pm.

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

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Activities ›› Research by Jonathan Perry

Whether you’re looking for something spooky or just outdoor fall fun this Halloween season, these haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin blazes, and autumn activities in New York are sure to make this Halloween one to remember.

take home, or enter a carving competition. Other offerings include a dog costume parade and free trick-or-treating. Ghouls and Gourds Brooklyn Botanic Garden 150 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights 718-623-7200; bbg.org While pumpkin-related crafts are involved, there’s so much to do at this annual 6-hour celebration you might end up skipping them. Enjoy book signings from renowned authors and illustrators, waltz with woodland creatures, and witness a flying flea circus. Costumes are essential: You’ll want to wear them to the day’s closing parade.

Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park 718-347-3276; queensfarm.org This ‘maize’ maze is produced by the American Maze Company—its first three corn mazes made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Arrive early for the ‘stalk talk,’ which features puzzle-solving tips to prepare you and your kids for the challenge of navigating the 3-acre labyrinth. Halloween Harvest Festival 32-01 Sculpture Park at Broadway, Long Island City 718-956-1819; socratessculpturepark.org At this free event, make your own Halloween costume, dance to live music, get crafty with art projects, ghoul up with some spooky face paint, and enjoy locally harvested treats! Got a cute canine that loves to dress up in costume? Enter them in the Annual Juried Canine Costume Contest. Rockaway Fall Festival Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway 38

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

718-318-4000 Now in its 10th year, this (free!) festival offers a pumpkin patch, pony and hayrides, and other seasonal entertainment.

Brooklyn Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel 186 Jay St., DUMBO 718-260-5588 gravesendinn.org Produced by City Tech’s theatrical troupe, Theatreworks, as its annual fall production, this visually stunning haunted house is high-tech as well; sensors react to visitors’ movements. Luna Park Halloween Harvest 1000 Surf Ave., Coney Island 718-373-5862 lunaparknyc.com Not only can you see one of NYC’s largest pumpkins here (and win up to $1,000 if you guess its weight!), you can pick and paint a (smaller) pumpkin of your own to

Puppetry Arts 12th Annual Haunted Halloween Carnival 1st Street Recreation Center, 1st Street at 4th Avenue, Park Slope puppetryarts.org The first 200 children to attend this Halloween-day carnival receive a free trick-or-treat bag! Expect Star Wars characters roaming around, puppet crafts, live music, and games. The carnival helps to give Halloween costumes to families in need through partnerships with local shelters and foster care programs.

Manhattan Museum of Natural History 21st Annual Halloween Celebration Central Park West at 79th St., Upper West Side 212-769-5100; amnh.org Technically this isn’t a haunted house, but we’ll let that slide: It’s a chance to experience the Halloween version one of NYC’s most iconic buildings. Magic, zombie shows, origami, and trick-ortreating are some of the top attractions; be sure to say hello to Clifford and Curious George if you see them roaming the halls!

Central Park Conservancy Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail 14 E. 60th St., Upper East Side 212-310-6600 centralparknyc.org After pre-registering for your ‘flotilla,’ bring your pre-carved pumpkin or jack-o’-lantern for a sunset journey across the Harlem Meer (Note: Arrive early before it reaches capacity!). Other festive activities include spooky mask making and live carving demonstrations, as well as arts and crafts.

Pumpkin Park at Adventureland 2245 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110), Farmingdale 631-694-6868; adventureland.us Sick of haunted houses? Visit Pumpkin Park for haunted train rides instead: one for children of all ages, and a scarier version for teens and adults. Bonus: Your kids can enjoy free trickor-treating in the park, and unlimited admission bracelets to use on other rides during the day.

Wantagh Halloween Haunted House 1632 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh 516-804-9047 In lieu of admission, this haunted house accepts food, personal care items, and/or pet food donations to Long Island Cares. Come in costume for the haunted house; stay for the Halloween party and spook walk on haunted trails.

Bayville Scream Park 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville 516-624-7433; bayvillescreampark.com Amusement park enthusiasts will want to take advantage of unlimited one- and two-day passes to the scream park, featuring tamer versions of the park’s nighttime haunted houses. Other fun activities include the tombstone treasure hunt, storytelling, and Halloween arts and crafts.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/haunted-houses

Haunted High Line Halloween West 14th Street to West 17th Street, Chelsea 212-206-9922 thehighline.org The haunted house at this event is actually a haunted train tunnel, created by puppet master Ralph Lee (Fun fact: Lee is responsible for turning the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade from a community event to the festival of today). Other memorable events include meeting ghosts from the West Side’s industrial past, and creating kites out of fears to be set free.

Nassau County RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury 516-252-3392 therise.org With five locations (Old Westbury; Secaucus, NJ; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA; and Pomona, CA), this event features more than 5,000 hand-carved glowing pumpkins and live celebrity carving artists. Follow the 1/3-mile-long jack-o’lantern walking trail made extra festive with an original Halloween-themed musical score. Look out for a 50-foot dragon comprised entirely of pumpkins, plus safari-themed creations at this year’s event. QueensParent 39

So Your Teen Wants a Job… ››

What kids need to know to earn their first paycheck. By Katelin Walling

rowing up, if I wanted something that wasn’t necessary (makeup, UGG boots, CDs, my pet rat and all the proper accouterments), I had to buy it with my own money. I also knew from an early age that I would be responsible for paying for my college education while my parents would pay for room and board. (Mom and Dad decided this as a way to guarantee all of their kids would attend classes and do well in school—they figured that if my brothers and I were paying for our own education, we wouldn’t waste it.) Since my brothers and I didn’t get a weekly allowance to buy the unnecessary items we wanted, I took a job the first chance I could. My first job was delivering newspapers when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and I began babysitting when I turned 12 (only on the weekends!). Other positions I held were as a janitor at the church my family attended, a housekeeper for an inn during the summer, a newspaper carrier (again), a waitress in a retirement community’s dining room, and a waitress at a Mexican-Irish restaurant. And that was all before earning my high school diploma. So I know a thing or two about working as a teenager. There are a lot of options available, but also a lot of rules and regulations specific to teens younger than 18 in the workplace. If your teen wants to start earning his own money, where to start? Here is our best advice.

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

First Job Options

There are a variety of options available to those ages 16 and older (some are even available for tweens and younger teens)—just make sure to check the state’s child labor laws to see what jobs minors can legally hold and whether they need working papers, as well as how many hours per week and what times of day they can work. Our top choices for first jobs for teens include: Babysitting: There are a plethora of sources for teens to find families who need sitters, first and foremost family connections and word-of-mouth. The two families I primarily sat for in middle school were my first-grade teacher and one of my dad’s coworkers. Other sources available now for finding families are sites such as UrbanSitter.com, HelloSitter.com, Sitter.me, and SitterCity.com. An option for younger kids is being a mother or father’s helper— someone who is there to occupy the kids while Mom or Dad is trying to get work done in the house. One thing I did to ensure my preparedness for caring for children was to take an American Red Cross Babysitter Training course, which teaches 11- to 15-year-olds basic child care and first aid skills, as well as how to keep everyone safe and help children behave.

Camp counselor: For those teens who went to summer camp as a kid and wish they could go back after they age out, being a counselor at a sleepaway or day camp is the perfect option. According to a 2012 Economic Impact Report conducted on behalf of the American Camp Association, 7,000 camp programs in the Northeast employed a total of 190,000 people, with the majority of those seasonal jobs being held by 16- to 24-year-olds. Bonus: Teens will learn valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, responsibility, time management, and problem-solving. Dog walker: Whether a neighbor needs someone to walk Fido occasionally for a few extra bucks, or your teen wants to make dog-walking a full-fledged part-time job (heck, some people in NYC are able to make a living by walking dogs), this task gets your kids active outside. Plus, if you’re thinking of getting a family pooch, this is good practice for a tween to see what goes into the care of a dog. Food service: There are a variety of jobs in the food service industry, from scooping ice cream at the local shop to making cappuccinos and lattes in the neighborhood café to any of the jobs in a restaurant, including busser, dishwasher, host or hostess, server, or bartender. Note: The minimum age to serve alcohol in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut is 18. Landscaping: From mowing lawns to raking leaves to shoveling driveways and sidewalks in the neighborhood, this is a sure-fire way for tweens and teens to earn some cash. Kids: Just make sure you ask your parents for permission before you push their mower around the neighborhood! Lifeguard: Another (mainly) summer option, teens as young as 15 (some facilities require teens to be at least 16) can take the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course to learn to recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care until EMS personnel arrive. Lifeguarding locations include local pools, beaches, amusement parks, and water parks. Paper routes: I had paper routes a couple of times when I was growing up, my first in elementary school in a nearby neighborhood and my second in eighth grade in a neighborhood near school so I could walk there after school. I earned a small fee each week, but the real money was in weekly or monthly tips from subscribers—and especially during the holidays. Check with your town’s paper to see if it has any opportunities available. Retail: From stocking the shelves at the grocery store to folding clothes at Gap to staffing a register at Target, there are a number of opportunities at local and big-box retail stores for teens. Bonus: Some stores offer discounts for employees—teens just need to make sure they don’t spend their whole paycheck before it gets to their savings account!

must obtain working papers to document where they are working—and to make sure the minors and employers know the limits of the laws. In New York, a minor first needs to get an application from her local public high school or school district office. (NYC residents need to visit their local public high school.) After the minor fills out the form, a parent or guardian must sign it. In addition, the minor needs proof of age (birth certificate) and a written statement from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant saying he is physically fit to work. Once the minor has all the necessary documentation, she needs to bring the application back to the high school, and working papers can be issued on the spot, according to the New York State Department of Labor (labor.ny.gov). I credit my strong work ethic as an adult to my early entry into the workforce—yes, even though it was only a paper route. It taught me responsibility, reliability, time management, and following through with a commitment. It also taught me the value of a dollar at an early age. Yes, I may have wanted the expensive Levi’s, but I didn’t need them when the much-cheaper jeans from Old Navy worked just as well. When I did want something (like those aforementioned UGG boots), I saved my hard-earned money to pay for them myself—and I wore those ruby-colored slipper-like shoes until they had holes in the soles to get my money’s worth. For some, their first job sparks an interest that leads to their future career. I delivered papers, which got me interested in journalism and led me to publishing; a friend mowed lawns and now owns a landscaping company. But for many, the first job was a way to earn money on their way to success. If you follow #FirstSevenJobs, you know that Tony Goldwyn (President Fitzgerald Grant on Scandal) was a farm hand; LinManuel Miranda (creator of Broadway’s Hamilton) worked the slushee machine at his aunt’s store; Stephen Colbert worked in construction; and astronaut Buzz Aldrin was a dish washer. Even First Daughters aren’t off the hook: the Boston Herald reported that Sasha Obama worked at a restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard over the summer. So… What’s your teen’s first job going to be?

Bowling Birthday Party Packages Available Year Round

Taking reservations for 2016 & 2017

Obtaining Working Papers

Child Labor Laws may vary from state to state, but for the most part, they all limit the number of hours minors can work daily and weekly, and during what time of day they can work. Some laws even limit what types of jobs minors can hold. In order to uphold these laws, minors who wish to work

Children's Birthday Parties start at $16.95 with upgrades available

Teen parties starting at $24.95

718-353-6300

www.WhitestoneLanes.net QueensParent 41

FOOD & NUTRITION

20-Minute Meals

››

Bright and colorful, this fresh recipe makes a delicious light supper. It’s a good weekend brunch dish, too, which you could serve topped with a poached egg for each person. Serves 4 Ingredients 3 eggs ¾ cup plain/all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ cup crème fraîche 1 cup canned sweetcorn 1 bunch of coriander/cilantro, chopped A small bunch of spring onions/scallions, sliced 1 tbsp. canola oil, for frying Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Lime wedges, to serve

For the Salsa 4 tomatoes, diced 1 red onion, diced 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed Juice of 1 lime 2 tbsp. olive oil NOTE: If you’re following glutenfree diet, simply replace the flour with a gluten-free blend, which will work just as well.

Directions 1. Start off by making the pancake batter. Place the eggs, flour, baking powder, crème fraîche, and two-thirds of the sweetcorn in a blender. Blend for approximately 30 seconds until smooth. Tip the batter into a bowl and then stir in the remaining sweetcorn, half of the coriander/cilantro, the spring onions/scallions, and a

Cod, Green Bean, and Cherry Tomato Parcels Baked in a parcel, this delicate fish retains all of its moisture while taking on plenty of flavor from the other ingredients. Serve with tender new, salad potatoes, which will soak up all of the cooking juices when crushed with the back of your fork. Serves 4 Ingredients 7oz French beans 4 cod fillets (each approximately 4-5 oz.) 4 small bunches of cherry tomatoes (each with approximately 5-6 tomatoes)

Olive oil, for drizzling ½ lemon 1 tbsp. pine nuts 16 basil leaves ¾ cup white wine Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Cut four pieces of baking parchment large enough to form a parcel for each piece of cod. 3. Place the green beans in equal piles in the middle of each piece of paper. 42

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

pinch of salt. Leave to one side while you make the salsa. 2. To make the salsa, combine the tomatoes, onion, avocado, chili, and garlic in a bowl. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Stir well and then add most of the remaining chopped coriander/cilantro. (If you have any extra sweetcorn left you can add this to the salsa, too.) 3. To cook the pancakes, heat 1 tbsp. canola oil in a frying pan and when sizzling, drop in 2–3 large tablespoons of batter at a time, letting each spread out to form small round pancakes. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, then flip over to cook for a further 2 minutes, until nicely golden brown. Keep the pancakes warm while you cook the rest of the batter. 4. Once all of the pancakes are cooked, top with the salsa and the remaining coriander/cilantro. Serve with wedges of lime to squeeze over.

4. Lay the cod fillets on top of each pile, followed by a bunch of cherry tomatoes. Drizzle each with a little olive oil, followed by a squeeze of lemon juice, and a few pine nuts. Tear each basil leaf in half before placing them on top. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Partially seal the parcels by twisting the edges of the paper together at both ends so that when you add the white wine it won’t leak out. Pour the wine into the parcels, then finish sealing the edges and top of the parcels and place them on a baking sheet. 6. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. When you’re ready to serve, lift the whole parcels onto the plates, open the edges and dive in.

Sweetcorn Pancakes with Avocado Salsa

As the school-year schedule kicks into high gear, cooking balanced meals can seem too time-consuming. Here are three healthy recipes that can each be made in 20 minutes. By Katriona MacGregor

Beef Stir-Fry with Green Peppers Taking a minute or two to make your own stir-fry sauce is really worth it. Not only will the result be fresher and tastier than anything you squeeze out of a packet, you can play around with the ingredients and adjust the seasonings to suit your own tastes. To this quite basic recipe, you could also add black-eyed beans, mangetout/snow peas, mushrooms, or pak choi/bok choy in place of, or as well as, the vegetables listed. Don’t worry if you don’t have a wok, just use a large frying pan; the key is to cook quickly over a high heat without the ingredients being crowded.

Specializing in individual program for students with AD/HD and Learning Disabilities, including Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorder and Language (Expressive/Receptive) Processing Disorders Call TODAY for a Private Tour! Academic Excellence Differentiated Instruction College & Career Counseling Social Emotional Learning Small, Supportive Classes Skills for Social & Academic Success

ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 15, 2016 | 12:00 PM VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL 322 Port Washington Boulevard Port Washington, New York 11050 516-365-4900 ext.105

Grades 1-12!

Visit our website at: www.vincentsmithschool.org

Registered by the New York State Board of Regents-Accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. The Vincent Smith School is a non-profit corporation and is open to all without regard to race, creed or national origin.

Serves 4 Ingredients 1 heaped tsp. cornflour/ cornstarch 3 tbsp. soy sauce 3 tbsp. mirin (rice wine) Canola oil, for cooking 1 bunch of spring onions/ scallions, sliced 2 green peppers, deseeded and sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed

1lb 9oz rump steak, sliced into strips 2/ cup stock 3 5 tbsp. oyster sauce 3 tbsp. sweet chili sauce 2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted, to serve (optional) Steamed rice or noodles, to serve

Directions 1. Place the cornflour/cornstarch in a small bowl and stir in the soy sauce and mirin until you have a smooth paste. 2. Heat 2 tbsp. of oil over a high heat and, when very hot, add the spring onions/scallions, peppers, and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and slightly golden at the edges, but still have a bit of bite. Tip out of the pan and leave to one side. 3. Add a little more oil to the pan and, when hot, add the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring all of the time until the meat is cooked and has taken on some color. 4. Take the pan off the heat and add the cornflour/cornstarch mixture, followed by the stock, oyster sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Return to the heat and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Add a little more stock if the sauce is too thick. Return the vegetables to the pan and stir to heat everything through. 5. Serve with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, if you like, and some steamed rice or noodles.

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 NOW FOR FALL

354 Lakeville Road • Great Neck, NY • 516-466-8422 Visit our website: www.CMSGN.com

Extracted from Healthy Speedy Suppers by Katriona MacGregor © Katriona MacGregor 2016 published by Nourish Books, London, Hardback, $24.95

QueensParent 43

Family First, Even From Afar

››

For one NYC father, the job of his dreams means living apart from his wife and kids for much of the year. The couple tells us how they make it work. By Bethany Braun-Silva

aseball season is coming to an end, and that means it’s time for Queens native Anthony Iapoce, hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, to finally return home to his family here in New York. Anthony fulfilled his lifelong dream of working in Major League Baseball when he was hired by the Rangers last fall. However, the job requires him to be with his team for long stretches of time. His wife, Suzanne, was accustomed to him traveling for work—including stints in the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins organizations—but this was the first time they faced a long-term separation. Somehow over the past year, the Iapoces were still able to buy a home, have a second baby—and there’s a third on the way now, too—and look completely unfazed (at least on the outside) by these major life events. I know the family personally—our kids went to school together, and I am friends with Suzanne—and I can attest to the fact that the Iapoces make living apart look easy, although it obviously is not. I talked to them about how they keep it all together and manage work and family time while one spouse lives away from home.

Making It Work

Suzanne and Anthony Iapoce met as kids growing up in Queens. Their mothers were very good friends, so they found themselves drifting in and out of each other’s lives as they got older. Anthony made a career for himself in baseball and traveled quite a bit as a result, and it was through the help of Facebook that he and Suzanne were finally able to make a romantic connection. Cut to a few years later, and they are now married with two beautiful daughters, 4-year-old Lily and Abby, who turns 1 this month, and a baby due in the spring. Anthony says even though he’s achieved his personal goal of working in the Major Leagues, what’s more important to him is being a great dad—and that balance takes a bit of figuring out. The key to making it all work is “great family and friends,” he says, and for the Iapoces, that includes Suzanne’s parents, who took Lily to and from school every day last year. When Anthony is away, the family uses FaceTime frequently, allowing Lily to connect with her dad by talking to him and showing him artwork and pictures from school. Since welcoming Abby in the fall, the family has been faced with the expected challenges that come along with having a new baby 44

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

The Iapoce family visits Dad at his workplace.

and being a family of four. This put extra pressure on Suzanne, who also worked full-time as teacher. “I remember being worried about my girls, thinking, How am I going to pick up the slack?,” she says. “Anthony is such a hands-on, active dad, even when he’s not there. He’s so engaged with them and so present with them, and his presence is extremely powerful, so I was worried about picking up the slack of him being absent.” For Suzanne, taking on double duty as a parent meant letting other chores go, at least temporarily. For one thing, the selfproclaimed “neat freak” chose to let dishes pile up in the sink in exchange for some quality time with her girls, which she says was well worth it.

Hometown Home Base

One of the biggest decisions the Iapoce’s faced upon receiving the news of Anthony’s new job was where to live. After some back and forth, they made the decision to keep their home in New York and not move to Texas. Anthony has been with four organizations during the past 10 years, so the family would be faced with potentially frequent moves if they relocated every time he took a new position. Plus, he travels with the Rangers, so the couple figured it would be best to keep the girls and Suzanne near their family in New York. “We decided to stay with our support system,” Suzanne says. “My parents are here and they are so active in our daughter’s lives, and it was important for us to be near them.” Even with Anthony being away, the couple managed to purchase their first home this summer. With some creative scheduling, Anthony was able to make it to the closing, and the Iapoces were

able to check off another important milestone for their family. Suzanne and the girls spent the rest of the summer traveling to Anthony’s games. “Taking the opportunity to travel to him as much as possible is what we are going to be doing to make it work, we are learning as we go with this baseball life,” she says.

Setting Great Examples

Anthony is a testament to what working hard and never giving up will get you. As a kid in Queens, he never stopped playing baseball, which included teams at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Astoria and St. Joseph’s Catholic Youth Organization, and then in high school at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School. He continued in college and transitioned to the Minor League, but the goal was always the Big League, Anthony says. When the Rangers came calling, Anthony and the family were excited, but he knew he was going to have to be away more than before and that was always in the back of his mind. “It’s tough because as far as a personal goal, like where I’ve wanted to be my whole life, this is it, but now it’s also that I want to be a great dad,” he says. “So I’m trying to figure out how to balance that.” Anthony hopes that this fulfillment of a lifelong dream will inspire his girls to pursue their own passions. “The thing with Lily and Abby is trying to show them that you can get to where you want to get, you just got to keep going and believe in yourself,” he says. When it comes to his girls he wants them to “believe that anything is possible.” With the Rangers holding a comfortable lead in their division as of our press time and widely expected to go deep into the playoffs, Anthony’s return home is likely to be delayed a bit this year—albeit for all the right reasons. Still, he, along with Suzanne and the children, look forward to spending some time living in the same place for a while, until it’s time for Anthony to head back to work for next season.

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY! 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29 • From 11 am to 4 PM!

Music & More for Toddlers!

Private Lessons Ages 4 & Up!

Musical Aurora® for 2-5yr (Free Sample Class Every Saturday) Early Bird Rock™ 6 months- 3yr Leaping Larks™ Pre-Nursery 1.9-3yr

Piano▪ Violin▪ Viola ▪ Cello▪ Guitar Recorder ▪ Voice ▪ Clarinet▪ Flute Saxophone ▪ Percussion Music Theory ▪ Composition Song Writing

Drawing & Illustration: Ages 9 & Up

NEW GROUP LESSONS: 7 & Up! Guitar ▪ Voice ▪ Cello ▪ Drums

Call Today for More Information! (718) 261-2237 108-10 72nd Avenue Forest Hills, NY • www.belleartiny.com

Serving Flushing, Rego Park, Forest Hills and Jamaica since 1994

Limited Space! As low as $15/week

Call Today

allmychildrendaycare.com | 347-708-7827 Private Tuition and Government Subsidized Programs. Visit our blog at allmychildrendaycare.com/blog A Great Interactive Resource for Parents of Young Children

Does Your Kid need a haircut? ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at Abby and Lily Iapoce sport Texas Rangers gear.

QueensParent 45

Where Everyone Is an Artist ››

A visit to Crayola Experience offers a day of colorful fun for kids—and adults—of all ages. By Shara Yolku

here’s a reason the Crayola brand has been around for more than 100 years: It is simple yet innovative, and gives kids the tools for unleashing their wondrous artistic creativity. The same can be said about the company’s attraction in Easton, PA, Crayola Experience. Formerly the site of a Crayola crayon factory, it was redesigned in 2013 as a family activity destination that will delight young artists and non-artists alike, especially those ages 2-10. With 26 interactive exhibits and more than 60,000 feet of creative adventures, plan to spend the day there expressing your own inner artistry along with your little scribblers.

The Nuts and Bolts

Only a 1-hour, 40-minute drive from Flushing, Crayola Experience is the perfect day-trip distance for families with young kids. Parking is easy, with either street meters ($1 per hour, maximum 2 hours) or the lot right behind the Crayola building ($3 per hour). The fun starts before you even enter the building, where children can play on and pose with the enormous marker and crayon sculptures in front of the building. Inside, there’s a coatroom to dump your stuff (jackets, snacks, etc.) before you

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

get started. Regular tickets are $19.99 per person ($16.99 if you buy online in advance), and it’s free for kids younger than 2. Each ticket gets you one goodie bag containing two tokens that you’ll need for two of the activities, and the bag will hold all the cool stuff the kids make. Additional tokens are available for purchase at vending machines near the activities.

Highlights to Hit

It’s smart to have a plan as you head in, because during peak times or seasons it can get crowded, which makes it harder to move quickly between all of the exhibits. Plus, the exhibits vary by wait time, energy level, and cool-factor. So while you might be tempted to do each activity in order on every floor, here are some attractions to prioritize in order to get the best out of your visit: The Crayola Factory on the second floor is a good place to start to get the kids excited, and it offers a bit of a Crayola education. Crayola keeps the factory-visit spirit alive with a cute theatrical show featuring two animated crayons and a live Crayonologist who teach the kids how crayons are made with fun facts and demonstrations.

Planning an Activity or Event for Children or Families?

Get FREE Exposure on

Fairf ieldParent.com

NYMetroParents.com

Right outside the theater is Wrap It Up, where they can “buy” a crayon with a token, name it with a custom label, and then wrap it with a special tool. On the third floor there’s a large space for non-structured art and play. Kids can cut, color, paint, and glue at the Activity Studio and Paint Palette, at which staff regularly rotates the projects, and then switch to the Color Playground in the center of the room to burn off some energy climbing and sliding. (The younger set can play safely at Toddler Town on the second floor.) Kids can use the provided chalk to draw on the floor of the playground, or use dry-erase markers to decorate the whiteboard-material animal figures. Next door, the dimmed lighting at Doodle In The Dark will help bring their energy level back to normal as they experiment with light, color, and interactive media. Kids can doodle on light boards with neon markers, dance in front of a special screen that displays an animated crayon guy mimicking their every move, or play on the floor screen on which projected objects move when stomped on. At this point, you’ll probably be ready for a lunch break! Cafe Crayola on the first floor is quick and easy, as long as you’re OK Frida y with typical kid-friendly fare. There’s also the option to bring a d s rs u h T lunch and picnic or if you’d like to venture6out to one y esdaon-site, n d e W 5 of the restaurants nearby, make sure you get your hands stamped for 4 re-entry. After re-fueling, the second floor has high-tech activities to satisfy your post-millennial Picassos. Your older ones will love 13 own creating a computerized 4-D animated adventure of their drawing at Color Magic, and12you can bring the little ones to Be A Star, 11 at which they can make a coloring page using their own image. Down the hall they can get their sensory groove on at Modeling Madness, which features Crayola’s unique foam-like version of play-dough. Token and cash vending machines20sell the Model Magic in almost every color, 19 and kids can sculpt away at tables set up with tools. 18

016

s2 e i t i v i t c mily A

se u o H Open JCC at

016

ies 2 t i v i t c A mily

d Wednes

y Thurssda

Frida

se u o H Open JCC at

Fairf ieldParent.com every month.

Shara Yolkut is a former music business executive who can now be found gallivanting in and around NYC with her three young kids who share her adventurous spirit andon insatiable need for variety. Be featured the largest family activities

Calendar in the metropolitan New York area.

If You Have Extra Time

The highlights explored above usually have little or no wait 27 time involved. But if your kids have the 26 patience to wait on line, the fourth-floor activities are fun, too. At Melt & Mold they can 25 turn a crayon into a keepsake (a ring, dinosaur, or crayon guy), and the Drip Art station is good ole’ spin-art using melted crayon wax. The third activity on the floor generally has less of a line, so if you have another adult with you, it might be worthwhile to split up and have one wait on one of those lines while the other goes to Meltdown with the kids, at which they can paint with melted crayon wax. Submit your entries online to If you still have some steam left, and the thought of bringing Fairfi your kidseldParent.com/submitevent to a store doesn’t make your head explode, visit the Crayola Store the first floor. Along withreview its ubiquitous All entries on subject to editor’s branded products, it sells cool Crayola souvenirs unique to the and acceptance. site, customizable crayon and marker sets, and T-shirts and puzzles made from creations you colored earlier. it to At the end of your Announce Crayola Experience, themore goodie than bags are filled with projects100,000 and keepsakes, you’ve all majorly scratched your parents who are visiting coloring itch, and you can still make it home in time for dinner.

27 26 25

Submit your entries online to

NYMetroParents.com/submitevent All entries subject to editor’s review and acceptance.

Announce it to more than 100,000 parents who are visiting NYMetroParents.com every month. Be featured on the largest family activities Calendar in the metropolitan New York area. QueensParent 47

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL To be in this section, call 212-315-0800 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Nassau and Suffolk: Commack, East Yaphank, Farmingville, Jericho, Lake Success, Stony Brook, and Wantagh 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.

HELP WANTED! NYMetroParents is looking for experienced temporary help in our midtown Manhattan office.

Projects Include: • Data Entry • Customer Service • Operations/Ad Hoc Projects • Magazine/Flyer Distribution

Flexible Schedules & Earn Extra Income! Please email resume or work history to:

projectwork@davlermedia.com 48

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

29 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset 516-365-9832 olgmanhasset.com sister.kelly@olgmanhasset.com Our Lady of Grace is committed to providing an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual and educational growth. The school strives to foster and maintain an educational experience for children from nursery to third grade, inspiring them to pursue lifelong learning. The school has offered high quality education for more than 48 years and is rooted in the core values of love, spirituality, respect, community, and beauty. Our teachers recognize that children learn in different ways and accommodate all learning styles.

OPENHOUSES 2016 Belle Arti Center for the Arts, L.L.C. 108-10 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-261-2237 belleartiny.com directors@belleartiny.com Open houses offered Saturdays Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 11am-4pm.

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 Hug Music will host open house registration on Saturdays, Oct. 1, 8, and 15, from 9am-3pm. Please contact us for more information.

JEI Learning Centers

Auburndale: 347-408-4098 Floral Park: 718-347-3138 Fresh Meadows: 718-740-7888 Great Neck: 516-482-2234 Rego Park: 718-441-3762 Coming soon to Forest Hills! jei.com JEI is offering free math and English diagnostic tests in October at participating locations. Inquire about our Essay Contest open house on Saturday, Nov. 5 throughout Queens.

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 Babies “R” Us in College Point Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing The Reform Temple of Forest Hills in Forest Hills The-Church-in-The-Gardens in Forest Hills Tiger Schulmann’s MMA in Glendale LICAM in Long Island City 718-229-0033 musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com Call or click to schedule a free trial class with your family at one of our open house classes and get ready to make Music Together® with Music and Me!

RoboMindTech S.T.E.M. Education Center

Creativity, Science, Robotics & L-E-G-O Learning Fun 185-10A Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-264-ROBO (7626) robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for an open house on Oct. 1 or 8, at 11am. RSVP via email or phone.

Vincent Smith School

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900 vincentsmithschool.org Join us for an admissions open house on Oct. 15 at 12pm, for first through 12th grades.

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

To advertise: 212-315-0800 or nympads@davlermedia.com

TUTORS

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

HUG MUSIC

Singing and Speech Teacher

NINA’S TUTORING CENTER

(All Styles Ages 9 thru adult)

Private Tutoring by Experienced Tutors.

• Specialty in preparation for Creative Arts Schools • Also specializes in teaching speech, articulation, diction & conversational English • Will Produce your Demo. (20 years teaching and professional performance experience) Reasonable rates, Flexible Schedule, References Available

For All Grades For All Subjects School Homework All School Tests

Education, Juilliard & Boston Conservatory of Music

Call Sandra 718-575-8363 sandysperformancestudio.com Checkout YouTube: Sandy Bosko

Complies with Common Core Standards

SHSAT, TACHS, SAT, REGENTS, CITY/ STATE WIDE TESTS

Now Registering for CITYWIDE/STATEWIDE ELA, MATH and SCIENCE TESTS.

BABY & TODDLER MUSIC GROUPS

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • LOOK FOR YELLOW SIGN

PIANO, GUITAR, VOICE LESSONS

87-02 GRAND AVENUE, ELMHURST, NY Phone : 718-205-7508 92-22 CORONA AVENUE, ELMHURST, NY Phone: 718-606-1056

Hug Me, Hug Melody 1 & 2 (6mo - 4 yrs olds) Small-sized classes: 6 children with 2 teachers • Flexible instruction tailored to each student • Private or duo lessons offered • Introductory private lessons for toddlers 5-WEEK PACKAGE available

MUSIC THERAPY

Various programs available, including Musicreative, our original music education method especially effective for children with Autism, ADHD & Down syndrome Social Skills Group (4-7 years old)

TUTORING MATH 1+2=3 N.Y.S. Certified teacher who is patient and caring now tutoring math (all levels/all exams)

www.HUGMUSICNY.com

I can help you pass any exam!

contact@hugmusicny.com/ 718.487.4309

Call Anita at 917-754-6678 A2+B2=C2

112-01 75Ave. Lower level Forest Hills

SELF STORAGE Rock Solid StorageTM

5X5 ONLY $30 10X10 STORAGE ROOM

$1 A DAY! // REGULAR RATE: $45 OFFER EXPIRES: 11/15/2016

! FREE

NOW $195

1 MONTH + USE OF MOVING TRUCK

OFFER EXPIRES: 11/15/2016

FREE PICK-UP (BY AVAILABILITY) INQUIRE ABOUT OUR MOVING SERVICES

CALL: 718.217.8900 184-08 JAMAICA AVE / HOLLIS QUEENS, NY

NEED to help your

child do better in school? FIND tutors, enrichment options, and other ways to help your child thrive – in our online Parent Resources Directory

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

PARTY PLANNER ’s Cooking t a h ? W A CULINARY SCHOOL AND PARTY PLACE FOR KIDS

30 EAST MAIN ST OYSTER BAY, NY

516 922 COOK(2665)

FUN-tastic Bir thday Parties:

Cupcake • Cookie • Chocolate • Pretzel • Pizza CRAZY Cupcakes • Cupcake WARS Chocolate Fountains • Ice Cream Sundae & Candy Bar • Bubble Wrap Stomping Pajama Breakfast Party and MORE!

2 HR. Workshops: Columbus Day 10/10 Halloween 10/26-28

Decorate Chocolate Haunted Houses! Cooking Classes • Scouts • Special Needs

FALL CLASSES REGISTERING NOW! Visit us at www.whatscookingny.com

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com QueensParent 49

AD INDEX

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

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS

CLASSES

Fidelis Care New York..................................................... 3

All Star Studio................................................................ 19

Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 45

Little Optics Inc. .............................................................. 5

DanceSource (The)....................................................... 27

DanceSource (The)....................................................... 27 LIU Center for Gifted Youth........................................... 11

MUSIC

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES

Mathnasium..................................................................... 9

Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 45

American Dance & Drama............................................. 13

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School.......................... 17

Ivy Day School................................................................. 7

BounceU - College Point............................................... 19

Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 21

Music Together with Music and Me............................... 21

RoboMind Tech ............................................................. 27

Progressive Martial Arts................................................... 7

Vienna Music................................................................. 39

Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 21 Vienna Music................................................................. 39

Queens Parent Party Planner........................................ 49 RoboMind Tech ............................................................. 27 Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 21 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 41

DANCE All Star Studio................................................................ 19 American Dance & Drama............................................. 13

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING Flushing Town Hall........................................................ 15

DanceSource (The)....................................................... 27 RELIGIOUS

CAMPS All My Children Day Care.............................................. 45

DEVELOPMENTAL Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 17, 48

All Star Studio................................................................ 19

RETAIL

American Dance & Drama............................................. 13

EDUCATION

Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 45

All My Children Day Care.............................................. 45

Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 17 Countryside Montessori School..................................... 43 Garden School................................................................. 9 IStein............................................................................. 11

Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 17 Countryside Montessori School..................................... 43 Garden School................................................................. 9 JEI Learning Center....................................................... 51 KENT Institute............................................................... 43

Ivy Day School................................................................. 7

Mathnasium..................................................................... 9

JEI Learning Center....................................................... 51

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School.......................... 17

KENT Institute............................................................... 43

Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 21

Mathnasium..................................................................... 9 Music Together with Music and Me............................... 21 Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 21 Progressive Martial Arts................................................... 7

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School.......................... 17

Vincent Smith School.................................................... 43

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS Flushing Town Hall........................................................ 15

RoboMind Tech ............................................................. 27

Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 21

Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 21

Rubie’s Costume Company............................................. 2 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 41

Rubie’s Costume Company............................................. 2

SPECIAL EVENTS Flushing Town Hall........................................................ 15 Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 21 Rubie’s Costume Company............................................. 2

SPECIAL NEEDS Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 17, 48 Vincent Smith School.................................................... 43

SPORTS Progressive Martial Arts................................................... 7 Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 21 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 41

TUTORS Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 17

CHILD CARE / DAY CARE All My Children Day Care.............................................. 45

HEALTH

JEI Learning Center....................................................... 51

Ivy Day School................................................................. 7

Affinity Health Plan........................................................ 11

KENT Institute............................................................... 43

October 2016 | nymetroparents.com

We've got everything for a…

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

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

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CENTER. NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL! Auburndale 200-13 32nd Ave (347) 408-4098

Floral Park 256-10 Union Tpke (718) 347-3138

Fresh Meadows 192-11 Union Tpke (718) 740-7888

Great Neck 485 Great Neck Rd (516) 482-2234

Rego Park 98-00 62nd Dr (718) 441-3762