Family Times April 2018 by Family Times

APRIL 2018

FREE

KIDS EXPO

2018 P. 24

The bugs that plague us Boys, girls and scouting When a food makes you sick

Kids in the Wild

Learning to get by in the natural world

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FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT

SHOW & TELL

FEATURE

BECAUSE I SAID SO

KIDS EXPO GUIDE

Is a food making your child sick? Boy Scouts of America is opening its programs to girls.

Wilderness skills teach kids about the earth—and themselves. The battle between good and evil bacteria. The event formerly known as Summer Fun and Camp Fair returns on April 14.

CONTENTS

APRIL 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

SU M M E R ACTIVITY PLANNER PAGES 22-23

20, 21 LEARN 29

PRACTICE

PARTY

FAMILY FUN CALENDAR

ADVERTISER INDEX FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

FROM THE

THE PARENTING GUIDE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

APRIL 2018 | ISSUE NO. 192

EDITOR

Even in CNY, spring does arrive. The days grow longer and warmer, the snow melts, the plants sprout and their leaves unfurl. With warmer weather, kids can more easily venture into the woods and explore. Kira Maddox’s story on page 12 describes what children can learn in the woods and why it’s important.

Now that it’s spring, we can begin to anticipate summer. One way to plan is with the Family Times Kids Expo (formerly called Summer Fun and Camp Fair). Kids Expo takes place on Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds. For more details, see page 24. In addition, in this issue you can read about: foods that can cause illness in some children, and how to identify those foods (page 6); Neil Davis’ views on good and bad bacteria (page 18); and the Boy Scouts of America’s plans to include girls in all programs (page 10). We hope this issue offers many ideas for you and your kids to explore. Happy spring!

GENIUSES AT WORK PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan editorial@familytimes.biz MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Michael Davis CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tom Tartaro (ext. 134) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Barnes GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Greg Minix Rachel Barry CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh, Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Chris Xaver SALES MANAGER Tim Hudson (ext. 114) ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Elizabeth Fortune (ext. 116) EFortune@syracusenewtimes.com

REID SULLIVAN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Correction: In an article about Evan Bomgren, age 3, in the March 2018 issue, Paula Skiff was identified as Evan’s caregiver. In fact, his great-aunt Leslie Kopp takes care of Evan while his parents are at work. We apologize for the error.

Paige Hart (ext. 111) PHart@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Megan McCarthy (ext. 115) MMcarthy@syracusenewtimes.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118)

ON THE COVER

In this illustration, kids get up close and personal with life in the forest. For the story about young people in the wild, turn to page 12.

INSIDE

Rachel Barry used digital tools to paint the cover illustration. Rachel is a graphic designer for Family Times and sister publication the Syracuse New Times. She signs her freelance illustrations r.a.barry; her portfolio can be seen at rabarry.com. Advertising deadline for April is March 16. Calendar deadline for April is March 3.

Advertising deadline for May is April 12. Calendar deadline for May is April 6. 4

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

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Sickening Food

Sorting out intolerances, allergies and GI diseases BY MOLLY MORGAN

any people suffer with diseases and issues related to food, including: food intolerances, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome (or IBS) and celiac disease. While the symptoms can seem similar, the underlying cause of the reaction and discomfort in the body can be very different. The causes can range from an intolerance to an immune response or even an autoimmune disorder.

WHERE TO BEGIN If your child is struggling with gastrointestinal discomfort or what you think could be food allergy symptoms, you should begin first with a visit to your health care provider. This is important because your pediatrician can work with you to determine if further testing or evaluation is needed, such as working with a gastrointestinal specialist, allergist, or a registered dietitian. Getting the proper testing done to determine what is going on is essential because otherwise you could be improperly treating the underlying condition.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE Having a basic grasp of food allergy, food intolerance, IBS and celiac disease can help you understand how the treatment for each is different. Some 15 million Americans are affected by food allergies, and a food allergy can start in childhood or can begin in adulthood. A food allergy is an immune response or reaction when an otherwise harmless food protein is ingested. Symptoms of a food allergy are a result of the body’s defense and can range from mild to moderate or severe, including: hives, redness of skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, chest pain, trouble swallowing and life-threatening anaphylaxis. There is no cure for food allergies; the only 6

treatment for a food allergy is to not ingest that food. In contrast, food intolerance does not involve the immune system and may be referred to as non-allergic food sensitivity. An example of food intolerance is lactose intolerance, which is the body’s inability to digest and break down lactose (milk sugar). With food intolerance you may still be able to tolerate small amounts of the food. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder with worldwide rates of around 10 percent to 15 percent. IBS is characterized by chronic lower abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, gas, distension and altered bowel habits (ranging from diarrhea to constipation) but with no abnormal pathology. Treatment of IBS can be different for different people and one approach is a low-FODMAP diet—more to come on this. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. With celiac disease the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the little fingerlike structures (villi) in the small intestine. The treatment for celiac disease is strict elimination of gluten from the diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, farro, rye, triticale, and in many other ingredients and forms (for example, malt and brewer’s yeast).

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT

STEPS TO TAKE After you have worked with your health care provider to rule out underlying diseases, you are left to sort out what food intolerances are triggering your symptoms. Two strategies that can be used are an elimination diet or the low-FODMAP diet. When using these strategies, it is helpful to enlist the support of a registered dietitian who can help guide you through the process and work with you to narrow down what the culprit or culprits are.

ELIMINATION STRATEGY Before eliminating anything, keep a detailed record of everything that is consumed (meals, snacks and beverages) for a couple of weeks. Along with what is consumed, keep a record of how your child felt, bowel movements and gastrointestinal symptoms (such as bloating or pain). The record of what she is eating paired with the symptoms can help to zero in on what could be causing the distress. After you have completed the recordkeeping phase, the elimination process can start. There are different routes to take for elimination; one is very restrictive and one is more of a guesswork process. The restrictive method is to start with a clean slate and only consume foods that continued on page 8

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continued from page 6 are typically well tolerated by most people, such as rice and pears. Then gradually reintroduce foods over several weeks. Throughout the reintroduction, continue recording all foods and beverages consumed along with any symptoms to identify trigger foods that result in discomfort or distress. Something to keep in mind is that intolerances can take a couple of days to show up after eating a food.

the food again—rather that your kid may have to limit the portion or frequency.

LOW-FODMAP APPROACH An approach that is gaining traction to sorting out what foods are causing IBS symptoms is the low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP is an acronym that refers to groups of carbohydrates researchers have linked to irritation of the GI system: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.

The less restrictive route is, after the documentation phase, carefully evaluate the intake record you kept to identify any patterns. Examples of patterns could include: intolerance to high fat foods, dairy, etc. Then the identified foods or groups of foods can be eliminated and you can re-evaluate to see if your kid’s symptoms have been relieved.

With this approach, you eliminate all FODMAP foods and then slowly reintroduce the foods from each FODMAP group to determine which food or groups of foods could be causing the issue. For example, if foods in the monosaccharide group, like apples, honey and fruit sugar, are causing GI distress, avoiding or limiting these foods should relieve symptoms.

With an identified intolerance, it may not mean that your child can never have

A low-FODMAP approach is not meant to be a diet to follow strictly forever; rather

RESOURCES

it is intended to help evaluate which foods or groups of foods are not tolerated. Then you can determine how much of the specific food can be tolerated.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES Remember to use the support of your health care provider to navigate the process and use reliable resources. (See the suggested resources listed here.) While GI discomfort can be frustrating and uncomfortable, it is worth the effort to determine what foods or underlying factors are causing the symptoms. Molly Morgan is a registered dietitian and author of three books, including, most recently, Drink Your Way to Gut Health. She lives in the Southern Tier area with her two children and husband.Visit her website at creativenutritionsolutions.com.

FODMAP • www.monashfodmap.com/about-fodmap-and-ibs Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) • www.foodallergy.org Eatright.org • www.eatright.org/find-an-expert Celiac Disease Foundation • www.celiac.org

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BSA Continues to Evolve Additional Boy Scouts programs to accept girls | BY KIRA MADDOX

he words “ boy scout” tend to summon an image of a kid in a tan button-up shirt, green shorts and a sash full of merit badges. The child would be just as ready to help an old woman cross the street as he would be to start building a fire in the woods. But there’s a new Boy Scout on the horizon, and she’s a girl. Following a fall 2017 announcement, girls are to be allowed to participate in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Boy Scouts of America’s two most prominent programs. “We didn’t just wake up one day and say, ‘Oh yeah, girls.’ This has been talked about for years,” said Haley Sylvan, executive of the Tri-Rivers District of the Longhouse Council of the BSA. The BSA, a nationwide organization, was founded in 1910 and has more than 2.4 million participants, making it one of the country’s largest youth organizations. Its goal is to train young people in self-reliance, character development and responsible citizenship. This is accomplished through several outdoor and educational programs, including the well-known merit-badge system. Sylvan grew up an outdoorsy child and recalled her parents constantly encouraging her to go outside and play. She was a member of the Girls Scouts, joining when she was 14. As a child, she spent a lot of time at a Christmas tree farm owned by her great-grandparents. The farm and her great-grandfather eventually inspired her to study forestry in college. When she was looking for a direction for her career, a peer suggested she apply for a job with the BSA. “I thought he was nuts,” she recalled. “I had no idea women could work for the Boy Scouts.” 10

While the news that girls would be allowed in scouting made headlines, Sylvan said it wasn’t that much of a leap for the group. The BSA has several other programs under its umbrella that have been co-ed since the 1970s. The membership expansion was a way to continue that trend. There are three traditional divisions to the BSA: Cub Scouts for ages 7 to 11, Boy Scouts for ages 11 to 18, and Venturing for 14 to 21. Venturing is a co-ed program, as are the BSA’s specialty scouting programs, Sea Scouting and Explorers. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts were the final programs to remain single sex—sort of. While girls were not officially permitted to participate, they could often be seen at events and meetings regardless. “It’s rare that you go to a pack event and don’t see little sisters—or older sisters— nearby,” Sylvan said. Sometimes girls would even make up their own unofficial events on the sidelines, learning by watching. Scouting families began to voice their dissatisfaction with the exclusion of girls from some programs, noting that the separation made scheduling their kids’ activities unnecessarily stressful. “It can be hard to go from a sport event, to ballet, to karate, with scouts somewhere in the middle,” Sylvan said. “And some families can have multiple children in scouts on different days of the week.” If the girls had to stay home with a sitter or another parent while the boys went to scouts, that made it just a bit harder to attract newcomers to the BSA. In addition, permitting girls created a more family-friendly atmosphere, which is essential to the BSA’s mission. After the BSA’s fall announcement, there was some notable pushback from the Girl Scouts of the USA.

SHOW & TELL

“Girl Scouts offers a one-of-a-kind experience for girls with a program tailored specifically to their unique developmental needs,” the Girl Scouts of the USA stated on its website shortly after the announcement. “The need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need for success.” Although the names sound similar, the BSA and the GSUSA are separate entities. However, Sylvan said there is sometimes cooperation, depending on the level of rapport between the BSA director and his or her counterpart with the local Girl Scouts. In the North Country, Sylvan said it’s not uncommon for her to reach out to the Girl Scouts and vice versa to co-host events. “We’re not trying to bring girls out of Girl Scouts, we’re trying to get the girls who aren’t already there,” she said. “It’s just another opportunity.” There’s also nothing stopping a child from joining both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts; Sylvan said one girl who recently joined Cub Scouts in Herman is also a Girl Scouts member. Girls can join Cub Scouts nationwide beginning in September 2018, but the Longhouse Council, which oversees Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties, already has some female members after registering to be early program adopters, Sylvan said. An all-girls Cub Scout pack just registered in mid-March near Oneida. A program for older girls, who would be allowed to become Eagle Scouts, has also been announced but will not be put in place until some time in 2019. Kira Maddox is a staff writer for Family Times and the Syracuse New Times.

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Kids in the Wild Nature skills teach young people about the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and themselves BY KIRA MADDOX PHOTOS BY SARAH CHAFFEE

Kids in Ithaca-based Primitive Pursuits, a program in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, hike through the woods in this photo. The program also teaches kids wilderness skills such as how to make fires and conceal themselves in the woods, pictured in photos on the following pages.

FEATURE STORY

t’s the middle of summer on a hot June day. A group of kids trek through Arnot Forest, a 4,000-plus-acre expanse of woodland just south of Ithaca in the Finger Lakes.

The journey will take them from the wooden cabins and lodge of the main campsite into the sprawling forest and streams that feed Banfield Creek. On a clear day along the top ridge, you can see as far south as Pennsylvania. The kids, ages 11 to 15, pack only a small number of necessities: good hiking shoes, warm clothes and maybe a tent. But most of what they’ll use for their threeday camping trip will be provided by the nature around them. Through Primitive Pursuits, a nonprofit program in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the young people will learn the ways of wilderness and survival skills. Participants in more advanced programming build their own rainproof shelters, create tools from stones and sticks, and learn to harvest food sources.

“There’s this universal childlike passion: wanting to hide, wanting to catch crayfish, wanting to build a fire, wanting to make a fort,” says Justin Sutera, an instructor with Primitive Pursuits. “If we think about what got us excited as kids without someone telling us to do it, that’s how we base our programming.” Sutera grew up loving the outdoors: He was the type to run around in the woods near his house and study animals. This passion for nature continued into adulthood as he earned his bachelor’s degree in conservation biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and eventually got a job with Primitive Pursuits in Ithaca (after founding a chapter of the program at his alma mater). The organization has several options for young people to learn wilderness skills other than the advanced camp at Arnot Forest. It also has day camps and afterschool programs. At specialty camps, young people learn to make fires, sew clothes from animal hides, make bows, and conceal themselves in the woods using natural stealth and camouflage. Sutera, like many others in outdoor programming, says he sometimes hears comments that these “primitive” skills are no longer useful because of technology and because “we don’t live in caves.” “The response to that I’ve heard from a mentor of mine was, ‘Well, you still drink water, and that’s primitive also but still really important. You still breathe air; you’re not going to let go of that.’”

Most wilderness programs promote hands-on learning, making it a good outlet for curious kids.

Haley Sylvan, a district executive with the Boy Scouts of America and camp director at the Sabattis Scout Reservation, has a similar response. The BSA has been around since 1910 and prides itself on teaching children outdoor skills, among other things. “We might not always be in the wilderness, but when the power goes out it’s good to know those base survival skills,” she says. “You might not be starting a fire, but say your grandparents have a wood stove. It’d be nice to be able to help them out.” In fact, local outdoor skills instructors have noticed an increase in participants. Rebecca Terry is a forester with the Department of Environmental Conservation and was previously camp director at Pack Forest, a DEC-run children’s camp in the southern tip of the Adirondacks. The adventure camp is situated along 2,000 acres of forestland with an 85-acre lake and miles of hiking trails. Campers learn about the ecology of the landscape through activities like animal tracking and plant identification, and more hands-on skills such as shelter building and fire making. Camp instructors must have at least two years of higher education in environmental sciences, natural resource studies or similar areas. Because of this, they can teach in-depth lessons at the camp about ecology and their specific fields. With the use of social media to spread the word, Terry has noticed the camps fill up within weeks of registration being announced. “I think sometimes the kids come in and they don’t know what to expect, they’re a bit hesitant,” Terry says. “But after they go on that first backpacking trip in the middle of the week, that’s what solidifies their love for camp.” Jacob O’Connell, who runs several outreach programs at SUNY-ESF, said there’s a strong stigma against the outdoors that these types of programs help overcome. “One of the most transformative changes is when they realize nature isn’t dirty and bad,” he says. “A lot of people show up to our programs really afraid to touch anything or get their hands in anything.” Unlike the other programs, most of O’Connell’s take place in the Syracuse area. SCIENCE (Summer Camps Investigating Ecology in Neighborhood and City Environments) is a partnership in which undergraduates work with students in the Syracuse City School District to learn about the world around them. The kids go to places like Elmwood Park on the south side or right to their school’s playgrounds to observe and identify native animals, plants and bugs. continued on page 14 FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

continued from page 13 “To foster an interest in the environment in your own backyard and foster a sense of place is really meaningful to a lot of people,” O’Connell says. The kids also go to Onondaga Lake to trap and study fish and test the water quality. Working in their own neighborhoods helps overcome negative associations they may have with certain places and gives them more pride in their homes and themselves, he says. Most wilderness programs promote hands-on learning, making it a good outlet for curious kids.

“We guide them to their own discovery, to their own acknowledgement of the material they want to learn,” Sylvan, the Boy Scouts executive, says. “It wasn’t that long ago that if I was told to do something, and I didn’t want to do it, I wasn’t going to do it. But if someone gave me the opportunity to learn, I find the boys—and young ladies—are much more receptive when they get to learn about something for themselves.” For the BSA, which is youth-led, this also creates more interest in leadership roles as scouts advance into more difficult programming. Outdoor skills and programming, according to all the instruc-

tors interviewed, foster greater character development in the children that may be more important than the skills themselves, including exposure to potential career paths. Terry participated in the Pack Forest camp as a young girl, and it sparked her serious interest in the outdoors. O’Connell, who grew up in Syracuse’s Valley neighborhood, recalled attending a science fair at SUNY-ESF that he’s now in charge of. Sylvan was a Girl Scout and worked in camps most of her young life before making the leap to the BSA after college. “Even the ones who don’t go on to study environmental science leave with a greater

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care and awareness for the world around them,” O’Connell says. It’s fun to watch kids who may have never gone fishing before, or who may have never had to take their own fish off a hook, come into his program, he says. “After they do it once, they get really into it.” The outdoors acts as the ultimate equalizer, Terry says. Pack Forest campers come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and when you’re out among the trees, no one cares what brand of clothing you wear or how big your house is. And in the BSA, the overall focus is on building character and being a good citizen. “Scouts are not afraid to help,” Sylvan says. “We teach them to be helpful, and so they are—doesn’t matter what the situation is.” The great variety in types of outdoor skills means most children can find something they excel in. Sutera, of Primitive Pursuits, says more creative children are drawn to fairy-door or shelter building, while traditionally athletic kids tend to prefer hiking. The ones who do best in the woods are the kids most willing to try new experiences and able to let their guard down. continued on page 16

“ Even the ones who don’t go on to study

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continued from page 15 “We really see it in the kids we work with over and over, that they develop these characteristics of being well-grounded in awareness and well-grounded in themselves,” he says. It’s not uncommon in Ithaca to meet kids who know how to start a fire without a match or lighter. The trend is moving steadily, and the city is becoming a hub for the interest. “I feel like at some point soon, people are going to start seeing nature connection as just as important as physical nutrition and exercise and health, because it’s that important to how we develop relationships in the world and how we find what we’re passionate about,” he says. An attempt to heal humans’ rift with nature underlies many of the environmental educators’ efforts. These teachers want kids to transform their wilderness knowledge into insights about how to take care of the planet. “We are of the earth: We come from the earth, we depend on the earth,” Sutera says. “And it’s so crucial because kids grow up building relationships with the natural world, and they’re going to make choices that reflect that.” Kira Maddox is a staff writer for Family Times and the Syracuse New Times.

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ON YOUR NEXT FAMILY VACATION...

GO SOUTH!

SATURDAY YOUTH ART CLASSES (AGES 4–12)

4-week session, Saturdays, 10:30am–12:30pm $65 Members | $85 Non-Members ART OUTDOORS April 28, May 5, 12, 19 Create art inspired by nature, animals, and outdoor sculpture!

SPRING BREAK YOUTH CLASSES (AGES 5–12) April 23–27, 9:00am–Noon Per day: $12 Members | $15 Non-Members

Looking for fun and creative activities during spring break? Sign up for one day or the entire week! Each day holds a different themed activity to engage young artists.

453-7557

Art Making West African Dance and Drum Performance

FREE FAMILY DAY!

April 7, Noon – 3:00pm FREE and open to the public

Ceramics Handbuilding Demonstration Community Mural and Storytelling

FAMILY FUN TRIPS START AT...

Sunseeker

FOUR SEASONS

31 ft. • Awning Generator • Slide-out Air Conditioning

RV RENTALS

724 Old Liverpool Rd. • Liverpool • New York • 13088 www.ser vicevanequipment.com

Chittenango Lions Club

www.Lionswalleyederby.org

Info@lionswalleyederby.org

Walleye Derby on Oneida Lake May 5 - 6, 2018

DERBY HEADQUARTERS Oneida Shores County Park 9400 Bartell Rd, Brewerton, NY I-81, Exit 31.East

AWARDS AND CLOSING ACTIVITIES Oneida Shores County Park Sunday, May 6 • 4:30 p.m.

CASH & MERCHANDISE PRIZES

Entry Ticket: $15.00

25 Size Contest Prizes ranging from $1500 to $75 Door and Bonus Draw Prizes 50/50 Raffle

3 Tagged Fish: $5000, $2500, $1250 TICKET LOCATIONS

BREWERTON Bartel Rd Bait & Tackle Brewerton Diner BRIDGEPORT Cookie's Bait & Tackle Fremac Marine Fisher Bay Restaurant Midlake Bait & Tackle

CAMDEN Carpenter's Paint & Hardware CANASTOTA Albanese Shoes & Sport Flo's Diner Johnnie's Pier 31 Restaurant

CENTRAL SQUARE Big Bay Marina Mirabito Truck Stop & Mart CHITTENANGO Advance Auto Parts CICERO A & P Marina Gander Outdoors

CICERO Chandler Automotive Gander Outdoors Kim's Cicero Diner Lakeshore Bait & Tackle South Shore Association CLAY Runnings of Clay

CLEVELAND App’s Landing Vella's Northshore Market CONSTANTIA Spruce Grove Marina Vella's Supermarket NORTH SYRACUSE Mickey's Bait & Tackle

PHOENIX Oneida River Bait & Tackle SYLVAN BEACH East Shore Bait & Tackle SYRACUSE TroutFitter

There will be continuous measuring and weighting at Oneida Shores County Park, Brewerton and East Shore Bait & Tackle, Sylvan Beach from 1:00 a.m. Saturday, May 5 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 6. Saturday, May 5th BREAKFAST: Bridgeport Methodist Church, Route 31 5-11 am TICKET SALES: April 1 – May 4, 2018 • ONLINE REGISTRATION: March 15 – May 4, 2018 • MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: April 1 – April 28, 2018

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

Bugs And Us

The battle waged between good and evil bacteria | BY NEIL DAVIS JR.

ids are gross. No, not your kids. Other people’s kids. I’m sure your children are perfectly clean and illness-free. They never bring home a stomach bug, befriend a turtle or have a trail of mucous running across their faces. Humans in general are downright offensive, especially at the microscopic level. We each harbor trillions of bacteria, some of us more than others. Don’t try to count them. It’s not really a competition, and the official estimates vary somewhat. But rest assured that your body contains more bacterial cells than human cells. Yes, really. As disturbing as that sounds, we have a healthy, symbiotic relationship with most of that company. They aid us in digestion and other processes. We provide them a warm breeding ground, and we taste pretty good. Occasionally, that hospitable combination can lead us to invite unwanted

bacteria, not to mention a slew of viruses and parasites that are up to no good. From tetanus to ticks to tapeworms, there seems to be no shortage of freeloading creatures looking to call us home. In short, humans are disgusting. But kids take this to another level. They often view basic hygiene as optional. They believe sleeves were intended as some kind of napkin/tissue catch-all. The littler ones even assume that every inanimate object not only can but should be inserted into their mouths. If you need proof of this, hand a 1-year-old a beach ball. It’s really no surprise how often they get sick. I was a biology major in college and I now work in the microbiology field. It’s literally my job to concern myself with the organisms that most people would rather not think about. This has always added an extra level to parenting, being aware of the wealth of serious microbes and other

BECAUSE I SAID SO

critters that are lurking out there, waiting to infect my daughter. My interest may have started around age 8 when my sister and I contracted head lice. For those who don’t know, lice are wingless parasitic insects that belong to the order Phthiraptera, a name derived from the Latin for “Every parent’s worst nightmare.” The initial shock is followed by weeks of treatment with special shampoos, fine-toothed combs, plus a lingering skin-crawling paranoia. I’m certain that I’m to blame for bringing these bugs home. I don’t recall being a particularly filthy child, but it’s a safe bet that my sister set the cleanliness bar a little higher than me. She bathed voluntarily, whereas I did so only under the threat of losing my TV privileges. My tub time largely coincided with when new episodes of CHiPs were going to air. For a parent, a crisis like lice infestation can feel like utter failure. It compromises

iSTOCK ILLUSTRATION

the core goals of keeping our children safe, happy, and still welcome in a neighbor’s home. In my own parents’ defense, the 1970s were a much hairier time in American history. Look back at those photos. The carefree attitude of the “Me” decade apparently included sporting nest-like ’dos perfect for cultivating a small louse farm. Blame disco. Now we live in 2018, a theoretically cleaner era replete with key advances in technology and medicine that can keep our world sterile and free of disease. We have antimicrobial everything, touchless faucets and hand dryers in public bathrooms, and phone apps that map out high concentrations of flu activity. We even have Roombas to vacuum our floors when we are too lazy. What could possibly go wrong? For my daughter, that question was answered by a foot infection that wreaked havoc with one week of her life. Sadie lives to dance and has the calluses to prove it, calluses that can be tested by the unforgiving dry winter air. One small crack was all it took. Minor pain led to inflammation,

redness and a trip to urgent care. Worse yet, this happened on the eve of one of the bigger dance competitions of the year, a three-day marathon of tap, contemporary and other forms, all of which require two working feet. Prescription in hand, we assumed the worst was over as Sadie winced her way through the first night of dancing. This, however, was no ordinary infection. This was MRSA. Officially, it’s known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but the more menacing maladies often hide behind the mystery of vague initials. The abbreviation sounded like a beast Godzilla should be fighting, making it no less intimidating. Essentially, MRSA is a strain of staph that often gets the inaccurate designation “superbug.” The term is not meant to suggest that we celebrate it the way we do the Super Bowl or a supermoon. It merely indicates that the bacteria have become immune to conventional antibiotics. So back to the doctor we went! My professional experience told me the infection was still treatable, but my parental neurosis had me fearing amputation. Sadie didn’t exhibit quite the same level of concern.

“So, I’ll be ready to dance by Sunday, right?” she asked. No, she would not. A few unsettling days followed, marked by the typical hope any parent has for a scary ordeal to turn into a character-building experience. In the end, everything worked out fine. Sadie learned that missing a weekend of dance is not the end of the world, and I learned that the copay on my health insurance does not increase with the threat posed by an infection. Despite our best intentions, children will continue to test the limits of medicine, not to mention decency. Scientists will discover new vaccines and better disinfectants. Kids will play in the toilet and let dogs lick their faces. And we, as parents, will try not to view their sickness as a sign of personal failure. Remember, all kids can be a little gross—sometimes even yours. Neil Davis works at Bristol-Myers Squibb and lives in Liverpool with his daughter.

Discover the power of family music making Discover the power of family music making Offering early childhood music and movement classes to children, Offering early childhood music and movement classes to and the adults who love them. Classes located all over CNY. children, and the adults who love them. Classes located all over To find the one nearest you, orthe visit website CNY.call To find one our nearest you, call or visit our website www.bluebirdmusictogether.com www.bluebirdmusictogether.com • (315) 427-6985 (315) 427-6985

Igniting Strength, Coordination and Character! Discover the power of family music making Offering early childhood music and movement classes to ENROLLMENT children, and theOPEN adults who love them. Classes located all over Begins at any time CNY. To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website

A safe, loving environment Where teachers can teach, and students can learn!

RECREATIONAL CLASSES www.bluebirdmusictogether.com 427-6985& up Ages (315) 16 months

TUMBLING CLASSES Celebrate your birthday with a Blaze Birthday Bash! 709 North Main St, North Syracuse • 315-452-6704 • blazegymnastics.com

www. FaithHeritageSchool .org

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

Learn As You Grow CAMP DIRECTORY

Summer Programs

www.LightoftheWorldBallet.com 315-396-1886

CAMP EXPLORATION Celebrating You and Me! Three cheers for the red, white and blue! Pioneer Days Camping Week Lego Mania Sports Camp Secret Agents Creative Workshop/ Painting with a Twist Mad Scientist Carnival week Food Fit 4 Kids! Field Trips Goodbye To Summer Wacky Week

Guest Speakers Daily/weekly “Clubs and Lodges” Creative Exploration Cooking, Photography, Gardening and much more! Nutritious Breakfast, Buffet Lunch & Snacks Certified, Well Trained & Caring Staff A Quality and Affordable Program Monday through Friday 5 Convenient Locations OCFS Licensed DSS Subsidized

ALSO OFFERING Infant, Toddler & Pre-K Summer Programs!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Come join our team! Solvay 487-0821 | Syracuse 474-5627 | N. Syracuse 458-4233 Cicero 699-7189 | Camillus 487-4132

learnasyougrowccc.com

www.LightoftheWorldBal et.com 315-396-18 6

*Ballerina Camp Ages 3-9 July 30- Aug 3

*Jr. Summer Dance Outreach Ages 8-12 July 30 - Aug 3

*Summer Dance Outreach

3537 James Street Syracuse, NY 13206

Empowering students from PreK-8th grade to think deeply, serve humbly, and trust God wholeheartedly.

Learn more about our NEW PreK program starting this Fall!

Ages 10-19 July 15-27

Thurs. May 10th 6-7pm

RSVP

pjasecretary@gmail.com or 315-468-0117

Discover our history of excellence during a screening of the PBS documentary "The Blueprint: The Story of Adventist Education"

May 3rd from 6-7:30pm Refreshments & adult-supervised childcare provided. 412 S. Avery Ave. | Syracuse, NY 13219 | ParkviewJuniorAcademy.org 20

LEARN

Family Times March 2017

THE PARENTING GUIDE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

Family Times: The Parenting Guide of Central New York

We like you, so please like us!

@cnyfamilytimes

/FamilyTimes

P R E - K

T H R O U G H

G R A D E

STILL TIME TO REGISTER! In Camillus & Manlius

TIME TO DANCE! AGE 1 TO ADULTS thedancestudiocny@gmail.com Call: 315-922-3232 TheDanceStudioCNY.com WE DO BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

Pre-K Programs Apply now for the 2018-19 school year! 3 Year Old • Tues/Thurs • Half Day 4 Year Old • Monday-Friday • Full Day

NEW

INTRODUCING OUR

June 25 August 24 Full or Half Day

• For ages 6 weeks through 5 years

• Full- and part-time • Daily Red Cross sessions available Swim Lessons

• Cheerleading • Circus • Coding

• Day Tripper • Fishing • Gymnastics

• Rocketry • Theatre • ...and more!

• SyraCruisin’ Travel Camp for grades 7–10

JCC of Syracuse 5655 Thompson Rd., DeWitt 315-445-2360 • www.jccsyr.org

Open to all public and parochial school students entering Pre-K4 or Kindergarten. Don't let your child lose all they have learned this school year! Keep the learning going with our extended Pre-K/Kindergarten Summer Scholars Program. Different themes for every week will combine academic activities and summer fun. For more information on our programs, go to

smabville.org 49 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville | 315-635-3977

LEARN

arts

North Syracuse Central School District

Le Moyne College

Early Education Program

Summer

Institute

Vocal Jazz July 9 – 13

Strings July 23 – 27

Film July 9 – 20

Musical Theatre July 30 – Aug. 3

Theatre July 9 – 20

Creative Writing July 30 – Aug. 3

lemoyne.edu/summerinstitute (315) 445-4230

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2018-2019

OPEN E N R O L L M E N T JUNE 25-27 Survivor | CLOSED JULY 2-4 JULY 9-11 MSFL Safari JULY 16-18 Blow It Up JULY 23-25 Merry Festivus Happy Everything JULY 30-AUGUST 1 Gettin' Dirty | AUGUST 6-8 Splish Splash AUGUST 13-15 Summer Blast Closing @ 2pm For info: 315-252-2225 | www.fingerlakesmontessori.com admin@fingerlakesmontessori.com | 6734 Pine Ridge Rd, Auburn

Music Monday • Target Tuesday Wheels or Walking Wednesday Thirty Minute Thursday • Fitness Friday - Daily Swimming Lessons - Weekly Field Trips - Nature/Science - Art Projects - Sports & Athletics - Specialized Choices • Free Shirt & Water Bottle • Snacks & Lunch Included

NOW ENROLLING FO R SUMM && 22001186//1197 SSC HO CH OO ER OLLYYEEA AR R!! • Focus on Kindergarten readiness skills & social emotional development • Healthy snack served daily • Indoor and Outdoor Motor Areas • Integrated Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds • Full & Half Day Classes Available

Teachers & Teaching Assistants. On-site RN & LPN staff.

205 S. Main St., N. Syracuse • 218-2222 • www.nscsd.org/main.cfm

CBAMER SUMLE Z SIZ 018 2

Where Fun & Knowledge Meet Camps Include:

• USA Chess Camp • Study Skills • Basketball, Soccer, Football, Baseball, Volleyball & Softball Camp • Personal Statement Workshop • Creative Writing • Ceramics • Video Game Creation & More Mr. Joseph Assaf (Program Coordinator) cbacamps@cbasyracuse.org

A Special Day Camp For Grieving Children August 20th - August 23rd, 2018

Call 315-634-1100 www.hospicecny.org

SUMMER ACTIVITY PLANNER

MAKE THIS THE BEST SUMMER EVER!

Math • Reading • Technology • Music • Art Study Skills/Writing • Social Awareness Who: Students 6 to 13 years of age When: July 10, 2018 - August 16, 2018 Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00am to 2:45pm Where: Pine Grove Middle School 6318 Fremont Road East Syracuse, NY 13057

Enroll now for summer camps at www.thefirstteesyracuse.org FUN and EDUCATIONAL for boys and girl! Kids learn core values, life skills, and healthy habits through golf while making new friends. All coaches are certified by the National First Tee Organization. THE FIRST TEE OF SYRACUSE

5050 Jamesville Rd Jamesville, NY 13078

MANLIUS PEBBLE HILL SCHOOL

Programs 2018 MPH can help your child get more out of summer with programs for students in pre-K through grade 12. MPH Summer Programs are open to students from any school district, June 25 August 10. Children of all ages can enjoy summer programs in theater, cooking, foreign language, horseback riding, fishing, field trips, film production, engineering and robotics. Options include day camp, academic and enrichment programs, ACT and SAT preparation and driver education.

MORE THAN 80 PROGRAMS REGISTER TODAY. mphschool.org

SUMMER ACTIVITY PLANNER

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

TAKES OVER!

hat do kids want? Stuff to do! And that’s what’s featured at Family Times Kids Expo 2018 (formerly Summer Fun & Camp Fair). It’s all happening on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the State Fairgrounds’ Horticulture Building. Admission is free!

Parents and kids can experience a variety of entertainment while exploring activities and products. Entertainment will include a new-this-year display of monster trucks (Shockwave and Be Aware); big screen video games by FunFlicks; dance, drum and choral performances; and a fencing demonstration. Children can also bounce in a bounce house, get their faces painted, and take part in a painting session of their own. Among the exhibitors will be sports organizations, summer and afterschool programs, daycares, health services, county libraries, summer camps, and more. The whole event is sponsored by Family Times: The Parenting Guide of Central New York, the magazine that offers area parents informative and inspiring articles and comprehensive event listings every month. 24

KIDS EXPO GUIDE

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

JCC OFFERS SUMMER CAMPS FOR EVERY INTEREST

DEWITT – The Jewish Community Center of Syracuse is all about families coming together with the community. We offer programs and services for infants, toddlers, school-age children, teens, adults and seniors... something for everyone! Come for a visit and tour. You don’t have to be Jewish to become a member of the JCC.

70-PLUS YEARS OF CAMP TALOOLI

PENNELLVILLE – Camp Talooli is a rustic, lakeside summer camp in the woods of Pennellville, NY, just 25 miles north of Syracuse, between Phoenix and Mexico. For more than 70 years, children have fallen in love with our day and resident camping programs. Come walk in our forest, swim in our lake, sing songs around our campfire, make friends to last a lifetime, and you’ll fall in love with Talooli, too.

SYRACUSE NEW YORK’S #1 BOUNCE HOUSE – PARTY RENTAL SERVICE

SYRACUSE – Turn your kids’ party into a Syracuse bounce house, moonwalk, party rental event with one of our water slides or inflatables. We specialize in officially licensed themed units. Each Bounce House is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before each rental for your child’s protection. We are a family owned business operating in Syracuse.

FIVE STAR URGENT CARE OPENS 6TH LOCATION

DEWITT – Five Star Urgent Care is your quick, convenient ER alternative for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses when your doctor’s office is closed or can’t see you. As a walk-in clinic, our friendly, professional staff can treat common, minor injuries and illnesses – with no appointment necessary.

MARY KAY IS A LEADER IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

SYRACUSE – At Mary Kay, success lies in providing innovative, high-performing products. Every Mary Kay product meets the highest standards of safety, quality and performance. With more than 200 products today, Mary Kay has earned the trust and loyalty of millions of Mary Kay brand lovers for more than 50 years now.

CUE-DOGS DOES THE GRILLIN’ – YOU DO THE CHILLIN’

CENTRAL NEW YORK – Cue-Dogs is a mobile hot dog cart featuring Hofmann’s hot dogs and Gianelli sausage. Cue-Dogs is owned and operated by Joe Speach and his family. Our season starts April 1st and goes until November 1st. We specialize in weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, graduation parties, birthday parties, family gatherings of 50 people and over, and so much more.

IT’S LOVE AT FIRST SLICE

CAMILLUS – Cam’s Pizzeria has six locations here in CNY. They’ll be serving up fresh slices along with doing pizza demonstrations where kids can make their own pizza. In business since 1980, Cam’s would like to thank all their customers for their support! FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

SETTING THE STAGE FOR TOMORROW’S STARS

EAST SYRACUSE – The mission of Syracuse Children’s Theatre is to provide cultural enrichment to the children of Central New York through enjoyable, exciting and enlightening theatrical experiences, as well as highly acclaimed children’s theatrical productions.

A RECORD FOR DEVELOPING COMPETITIVE SOCCER PLAYERS

SYRACUSE – Global Premier Soccer (GPS) is one of the largest and most successful soccer organizations in the USA. GPS currently operates programming in 15 US States and territories plus Canada. The GPS model has each location produce players using the same development model that includes GPS Juniors, GPS Trainers, the GPS Early Development Program (EDP) and the GPS Premier Team Program.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

MATTYDALE – Longhouse Council, BSA serves approximately 6,500 youth and adults in the counties of Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence in Central and Northern New York. Longhouse Council is supported by a paid staff who operate a service center in Syracuse and two camp properties: Camp Woodland in Constantia and Sabattis Scout Reservation within the Adirondack Park.

MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF DELIVERING QUALITY HEALTH CARE

SYRACUSE – Patients who have been coming to Molina Healthcare since childhood often return as adults with children of their own. Our members stay with us because we know how to take care of their medical needs and have the tools and resources to help keep their family healthy today and always.

EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM – SUMMER ENROLLMENT

NORTH SYRACUSE – Focusing on kindergarten readiness skills and social emotional development, the North Syracuse Central School District is now accepting enrollment into their summer programs. Full and half day classes are available.

BASCOL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

ONONDAGA & OSWEGO COUNTIES – Bascol is the premier before and after school child care program serving grades K through 6 in Central New York! With over 25 years of history, BASCOL’s 19 locations now reach both Onondaga and Oswego counties. We’re focused on providing superior child care with convenient school sites, qualified professionals, and planned activities designed to promote fun and encourage each child to grow to their fullest potential. 26

KIDS EXPO GUIDE

TEACHING FAMILIES TO BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE

SYRACUSE – New York Life wants to help you manage your finances, so you’re free to focus on what’s really important. With New York Life by your side, you’ll have expert guidance in managing your finances, so you can focus on the things that matter most. Making you free to be good at life.

YMCA – EXPERTS IN FUN

CENTRAL NEW YORK – YMCA camps keep kids’ minds and bodies active while nurturing the Y’s core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Kids will make new friends and lasting memories as they enjoy activities they love. Each camp is unique, with offerings for kids ages 2–16.

DON’T GO TO CAMP THIS SUMMER, JOIN OUR CLUB!

AUBURN – Champions for Life is a multi-site, nonprofit organization made possible by dedicated efforts of our administrative staff, coaches, and instructors. These efforts are governed by our volunteer board of directors.

UPSTATE MEDICAL RESEARCH

SYRACUSE – We are conducting a genetic child behavior research study with families who have children ages 6-12 years. Each participating person is paid $50. Stop by our booth or call Pat Forken at 315-464-5619.

ROTHSCHILD EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

SYRACUSE – Camp Rothschild is a nondenominational camp, located at Temple Adath Yeshurun. It is a fully-equipped camp including: two separate playgrounds, a basketball court, a climbing wall, and a large indoor play area. There is also an on-site swimming pool for Red Cross swimming lessons and free swim. Morning snack, healthy lunch and an afternoon snack are provided.

SK HENNA

LIVERPOOL – From simple to complex traditional designs, artist Sally has 15 years of experience under her belt. She makes her own paste and uses 100 percent natural herbs and essential oils. Her passion for art shows throughout each piece she creates.

TERRA SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SYRACUSE – Terra Science and Education is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to education and innovation. It was founded in 2011 for the improvement of K-16 education through consulting, scholarships, research and public forums. Our educational programming is open to local public and private schools. Terra maintains a direct relationship with Syracuse Academy of Science and Utica Academy of Science, providing student scholarships and programs. FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

LEARN, EXPLORE, CREATE, & RESEARCH

ONONDAGA COUNTY – OCPL is one of 23 public library systems chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. It operates the Central Library, 10 city libraries, and 21 independent libraries in suburban Onondaga County. We offer a jam-packed events calendar for kids to expand their horizons.

FACE PAINTING AND LIGHT-HEARTED HUMOR

STEUBEN – Coco’s Big Shoe Clowns bring fun and entertainment to any party. With face painting and balloon twisting talents they are sure to bring smiles for any occasion. Book them for your upcoming party or corporate event.

PREMIER LEARNING TOY COMPANY

SYRACUSE – Discovery Toys is the premier learning toy company dedicated to helping children learn and grow through pure play. A trusted brand for over 40 years, we specialize in learning products for newborns through school aged children. Feel free to join my Facebook group: Amy’s Toys to Discover.

WONDERWORKS: START YOUR ADVENTURE

SYRACUSE – WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind with 40,000 square feet of “edu-tainment.” The attraction combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination.

PAINTING WITH A TWIST

DEWITT – Painting with a Twist in DeWitt specializes in FUN art, not fine art! We offer instruction from local artists in our two-room studio on Erie Boulevard and throughout Central New York. With over 6,000 painting options PWAT DeWitt is perfect for birthday parties, school break fun and summer art solutions! Stop by the PWAT DeWitt booth for a create your own, make-and-take painting project!

PROJECTION FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS

CENTRAL NEW YORK – FunFlicks is a full service indoor and outdoor movie event provider for towns, parks and recs, schools and pools, neighborhoods, churches, backyard birthdays, graduations, and more. We provide quality equipment and expertise with over 10 years of experience in the field of audio production and projection.

FENCING SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES

SYRACUSE – The Syracuse Musketeers will be performing at Family Times Kids Expo. We offer a unique experience that isn’t available many places locally. We teach modern fencing, warm up techniques, weapons, on-guard position, footwork, basic parries, fencing games, bouts and so much more! 28

KIDS EXPO GUIDE

We offer riding lessons for all ages and levels! Ask about our Tiny Trotters program. 2096 Berwyn Rd, Lafayette, NY 13084 (315)677-3643 suzifilly@gmail.com

PRACTICE

APRIL ONLY

AGES 2½ & UP

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION $

Summer Camp dates coming soon!

NOW!

BEGINNER-ADVANCED Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe & Lyrical

7948 Morgan Rd, Liverpool • (315) 652-1875 • Est. 1972 • Member of DEA • liverpoolschoolofdance.com

• • • • • • •

BOUNCE HOUSES SLIDES INFLATABLE GAMES WATERSLIDES MECHANICAL BULL CONCESSIONS & MORE

CALL 315-806-2172 | KAHUNAPARTY.COM

free $20 game play

with purchase of $20 game play

DESTINY USA • 315.401.3700 *Promotional. EXPIRES: 12/31/2018. Present this coupon at Front Desk to redeem. Limit one coupon per customer per Power Card®. Coupon value may not be divided into multiple Power Cards. Barcode valid for one use only. Minor policies vary by location – please check www.daveandbusters.com/locations for details. Not valid with any other oﬀers, including Eat & Play Combos, Half Price Games Wednesdays or any Half Price Game promotion. Not valid with Special Events Packages. Coupon must be surrendered at time of redemption and may not be photocopied or duplicated. Non-negotiable. Power Card activation fee is $2. ($3 Times Square). NOT FOR RESALE.

PARTY PLANNER

April

2017

Please note: Mistakes happen. To confirm event details, call the sponsoring organization’s phone number or visit the website.

Friday, March 30 PASSOVER BEGINS Tigris Shrine Circus. 10:30 a.m., 2:30 & 7 p.m.; & March 31. See acrobats, clowns, animals and more. The show is about two and a half hours long, including a half-hour intermission. A benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Toyota Coliseum, State Fairgrounds, Geddes. $20/general admission; free/age 2 and under. (Advance purchase prices are lower.) (315) 478-0277. TigrisShrineCircus.com. Egg Drop. 2:30 p.m. Children can attempt to build a container that, when dropped from various heights, will protect an egg from breaking; for ages 5-12. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Saturday, March 31 Tigris Shrine Circus. 10:30 a.m., 2:30 & 7 p.m. See March 30 listing. Teen Easter Egg Hunt. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Take an hour to find as many eggs as you can, then get a chance to decorate them. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 4586184. nopl.org. Rice Creek Story Hour. 11 a.m. Elementary-age children ages (kids must be accompanied by a caregiver) can hear tales of nature and animals’ wild ways. Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road, 1 mile south of SUNY Oswego’s main

CALENDAR

campus, Oswego. (315) 3126677. oswego.edu/ricecreek. Alice in Wonderland. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presents an interactive version of the tale, in which children in the audience help Alice play croquet with the Queen, color the roses red, and join in the Wonderland fun. Children are invited to dress as their favorite fairy tale character. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $6. Reservations recommended: (315) 449-3823.

Sunday, April 1 EASTER Chemsations. 2 p.m.; also April 15. Local high school students demonstrate chemical reactions with color changes, bubbles and light. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600. sciencenter.org.

Monday, April 2 Learn and Grow Espanol (Ages 0-2). 9:30-10 a.m.; also April 9. Instructor Kristie Rodriguez teaches this class using songs, games and hands-on activities. Fee payable directly to instructor by cash or check. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. $7/ child. Registration required: (315) 637-6374. ffl.org. Learn and Grow Espanol (Ages 3-5). 10:30-11:15 a.m.; also April 9. Instructor Kristie Rodriguez teaches this class using songs, games and hands-

on activities. Fee payable directly to instructor by cash or check. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. $7/child. Registration required: (315) 637-6374. ffl.org. Gaming for Adults with Special Needs. 1:30-3 p.m. Adults with special needs can play Wii games and board games; caregivers must remain in the room. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Study Group. 3-5 p.m.; also April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Teens can get together with friends to get a start on homework; additional assistance available 4-5 p.m. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Monday Funday. 5 p.m.; also April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Children ages 5-12 can make a craft. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. Multiple Moms Mingle. 6 p.m. Monthly meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Twin Trees Too, 1029 Milton Ave., Syracuse. For more details and to reserve if you wish to attend: multiplemomsmingle.com.

Tuesday, April 3 Sign Language Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also April 17. Children ages 3-6 can learn several signs that correspond to the stories that day. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org. Read, Sing and Play. 10:30 a.m.; also April 10, 17 & 24. Children ages 1 ½ to 5 and families or

caregivers can enjoy stories, games, fingerplays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Terrific Tuesdays. 4-7:30 p.m.; also April 10, 17 & 24. Children of all ages and their families can drop in, read together, play a board game, make a craft or engage in other activities. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 6723661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.

Wednesday, April 4 First Steps. 9:30-10 a.m.; also April 11, 18 & 25. Children who are good walkers, up to age 3, can with a caregiver take part in a program with music, movement, crafts and more. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org. Baby Storytime. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 11, 18 & 25. Babies and caregivers can share rhymes, songs, stories and signs in this language-building program. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org. Early Learners Storytime. 11 a.m.; also March 14, 21 & 28. Children ages 2-4, with accompanying adult, can take part in a session with stories, rhymes, songs and crafts. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. (315) 454-4524. salinalibrary.org. Homeschool STEAM Club. 1:30-3 p.m. Homeschoolers ages 5-10 can learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math with hands-on activities and experiments. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen Game Day. 3-5 p.m. Young people age 12 and up can join game pros from TCGplayer for Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon and YuGiOh!. Beginners are welcome. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. Registration encouraged: (315) 435-1940. After School at the Library. 3:30 p.m. Kids age 5 and up can play with Legos. Paine Branch Library, 113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5442. Teen Geeks. 6-8 p.m.; also April 18. Teens can play board games in the first session of the month and video games in the second. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org. Words and Music Songwriter Woodshed. 6:309 p.m. Songwriters of all ages and skill levels can bring work, and get and give constructive opinions and suggestions. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Thursday, April 5 Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m.; also April 12, 19 & 26. Children ages 3-5 can hear stories and then make a craft. Siblings welcome. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 6723661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.

Friday, April 6 Mixed-Bag Movies. 3:30-5:30 p.m. See Wonder (PG-13), about a fifth-grader with physical differences who enters mainstream school for the first time. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen Open Homework Hour. 3:30-4:30 p.m.; also April 20. Young people ages 12-18 can come by for homework help and healthy snacks. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Saturday, April 7 Public Fishing. 9:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 14, 21 & 28. Families and individuals can come for a morning of fishing; bait, rods and reels provided. Volunteers are on site to help beginners. (Fishing license not required.) Carpenter’s Book Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. $5/ person. Registration required: (315) 689-9367. Build on Your Nature Knowledge. 10 a.m.-noon; also April 28. Kids can join a naturalist to construct things that will benefit wildlife: a bat house (April 7) and a bird feeder (April 28). Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $7/child; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519. Paws to Read. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 14, 21 & 28. Kids can read to a friendly dog from Paws Inc. of CNY. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Paws and Books. 10:30 a.m.; also April 21. Kids ages 5-12 can read a story to Cooper, a dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen. Afterward, they can stay to make a dog-related craft. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

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Pups ‘n Pages. 11 a.m.-noon; also April 21. All ages of participants can come read to or just hang out with a dog. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032. nopl.org. Family Day at the Everson. Noon-3 p.m. Take part in art-making activities inspired by current exhibitions; help create a collaborative community mural and listen to storyteller Vanessa Johnson; and watch a West African dance and drum performance (1:30 p.m.). Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 474-6064. Ukulele for Beginners. 1-2 p.m. Pat Doherty teaches a class for newcomers to the ukulele. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Open Chess. 2-4 p.m.; also April 14, 21 & 28. Players of all ages and levels can meet up with others for a game; beginners welcome. Boards available or bring your own. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m.; every Saturday. In upcoming sessions of this weekly interactive series, topics will include: robotics; engineering (April 14, noon & 2 p.m.); ice and water; and space and earth science. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/ages 2-64; $7/seniors, age 65-plus; free/under 2. (607) 2720600. sciencenter.org. Marble Run Fun. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can build a unique track for marbles to race through. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Sunday, April 8 Local Author Meet and Greet. Noon-2 p.m. Local authors of children’s, teen and adult books will talk about their work, and sell and sign their books. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Monday, April 9 Hospital vs. Homebirth. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn the facts about hospital and homebirths, and discuss common myths. Sponsored by the Doula Connection. CNY Healing Arts (parking and entrance in back of second building), 195 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse. Free. Registration recommended: (607) 483-8284.

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FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

Tuesday, April 10 Yoga Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m. Children ages 3-6 take part in a full-body experience that incorporates yoga poses, breathing exercises, songs and more. Mats are provided; socks must be worn. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: (315) 637-6374. ffl.org. Teen MOPS. 4-6 p.m. Young mothers, ages 13-21, with children under 6 enjoy a faith-based program with fun, food and activities while their children are cared for by the childcare program. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 569-2542. Creation Station. 4:30-7 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can stop by to make three spring-themed crafts. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Superhero Storytime. 6:30-7 p.m. Kids ages 4-6, with a caregiver, can dress as a superhero, hear stories and make crafts. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184. nopl.org.

Wednesday, April 11 Let’s Pretend. 1 p.m. Children ages 3-5 learn about an animal that lives at Beaver Lake by acting out how the animal behaves. Each program includes a craft and outdoor activities. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/child; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519. Teen Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can come and talk about anime. Cosplay is okay, but library staff must approve. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Thursday, April 12 Teen Writing and Drawing Group. 3:30-5 p.m. Teens can share art or writing, get feedback, and talk about their projects. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Open Late Til 8. 4-8 p.m. Explore a science theme in a sensory-friendly environment, with activities for adults and for those with sensory issues. The museum offers quiet areas where participants can sit, relax and regroup. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $5 (ask for the sensory-friendly rate to get discounted admission). (315) 425-9068. most.org. Tuition and Other College Concerns. 6:30-8 p.m. John Decker of College Assistance Plus will talk about tuition-reduction programs as well as marketable majors and NCAA sports regulations. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org.

Friday, April 13 Time for Tots Playgroup. 9:30-10:45 a.m.; also April 27. Education playgroup for children ages 18 months-5 years and their caregiver. Stories, songs, arts and crafts, and more. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 8131 Soule Road, Liverpool. $3/ family. Registration recommended: (315) 622-2843. NYCrossofChrist.org/Tots.

CALENDAR

Star Party. 7:30-9:30 p.m. See constellations and planets through telescopes. Orion will be setting, being replaced by Leo the Lion. (Backup date: April 14.) Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $9. (315) 673-1350. Register: baltimorewoods.org.

Saturday, April 14 Good Samaritan 5K & 10K Run/Walk. 9:30 a.m. Event begins with a kids’ sprint, followed by a 5K and 10K. Music and other entertainment, after the run/walks. A benefit for Christian Health Service of Syracuse, a local medical mission. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. $30-$35/adults; $15/ages 5-12. goodsamaritanrun.org. Kids Expo 2018. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. At this event (formerly known as Summer Fun & Camp Fair), families can learn about summer camps and programs as well as shop for products and services for kids. There will be monster trucks to see, bounce houses to jump in, and a full slate of live performances. State Fairgrounds, Geddes. Free. (315) 472-4669. FamilyTimes.biz. Upcycling Cereal Boxes. 10-11:30 p.m. Participants age 10 and up can learn how to turn old cereal boxes into functional items. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org. Meet the Orchestra. 10:30 a.m. Kids and parents can enjoy a Symphoria performance while learning about the instruments of the orchestra and the musicians who play them. The orchestra’s Instrument Discovery Zone opens at 10 a.m., before all Kids’ series performances. Inspiration Hall, 709 James St., Syracuse. $15/adults; $10/senior citizens; free/under 18. (315) 299-5598. ExperienceSymphoria.org. Rip Van Winkle. 11 a.m. Puppets tell the story of the generous man who accidentally sleeps his life away. Open Hand Theater, Shoppingtown Mall, Suite No. 3, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. $5. (315) 476-0466. openhandtheater.org. Hansel and Gretel. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presents a comical, interactive version of the tale, in which the brother and sister are clueless until they get help from a leprechaun and children in the audience, and teach the grumpy witch the virtue of kindness. Children are invited to dress as their favorite fairy tale character. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $6. Reservations recommended: (315) 449-3823. Science Saturday. 2-4 p.m. Kids can make their own seed jars. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

Sunday, April 15 See Ongoing Events

Monday, April 16

Rhyme Time. 10:30 a.m.; also April 30. Children from infants to age 2 (siblings of all ages welcome) can, with a caregiver, learn songs and nursery rhymes, followed by free play. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Minecraft Nights. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Kids can compete with others their age and survival mode turned on. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Homeschooling 101 for Parents. 7-8:30 p.m. Parents of homeschoolers can learn about different topics; in this session, participants will discuss time management. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Tuesday, April 17 See Ongoing Events

Wednesday, April 18 See Ongoing Events

Thursday, April 19 Xbox in the Evening. 5 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can play on the Xbox One. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Friday, April 20 Earth Day Crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids can make a craft from recycled materials. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org. Figure Drawing for Teens. 3-5 p.m. Join Teen Advisory Board member and artist Beyonce and learn to draw figures. Materials provided. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. Registration encouraged: (315) 435-1940.

Saturday, April 21 Junior Café Scientifique. 9:30-11 a.m. The Technology Alliance of Central New York presents a talk on the subject of stem cells and their superpower. The talk is geared toward middle school students, who must be accompanied by an adult. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Free. Register by email: jrcafe@tacny.org. Homeschool Open House. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Homeschooling families and those considering it can share experiences and learn about local educational and enrichment opportunities. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Earth Day Cleanup & Festival. 10 a.m. Help beautify the neighborhood, then celebrate with a party that will feature music, food, face painting, and a magic show by the Twin Magicians. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3519. Under the Sea Day. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The zoo’s Octo-Maze bounce house opens for the season. There’ll also be ocean-themed games, crafts and more. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Zoo admission: $8/adults; $5/ age 62 & up; $4/ages 3-18; free/ age 2 and younger. Reservations required: (315) 435-8511, Ext. 113. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Family Train Day. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. See trains on the permanent layout and running in loops on the floor. There is also a children’s play area. Presented by the Central New York

Large-Scale Railway Society. The Commons, Driver’s Village, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Cicero. Free. cnylsrs.net. Hansel and Gretel. 12:30 p.m. See April 14 listing.

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Earth Day Project. 2 p.m. Participants can make their own musical instruments out of recycled materials. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 435-3636. Lego Club. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can take turns playing Lego Dimensions on the Xbox One or build with actual Legos. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Multicultural Artistic Experience. 6:30-10 p.m. Performances will range from West African Drums and Dancers to jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly, with many more. Event is family-friendly. Refreshment buffet served 6:30-7:30 p.m. May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. $10/family. (315) 446-4339.

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Earth Day Celebration. 1-4 p.m. This fun, educational event will feature crafts, guided nature walks, live animal shows, and a performance of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. Free. (315) 673-1350. baltimorewoods.org.

MENT N O R I V N E OOL DAY SCH

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Family Dance. 6:30 p.m. Children and adults of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in fun and simple dances. United Church of Fayetteville, 310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. $2/adults; $1/teens & kids. syracusecountrydancers. org.

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Sunday, April 22 EARTH DAY

See Ongoing Events

Monday, April 23 Spring Adventure Week. 10 a.m.; daily through April 27. Featured creature program, 10 a.m. (daily) & 1 p.m. (April 23-26). Exploring with a Naturalist, 10:30 a.m. (daily). April 25, 1 p.m.: Skull Detectives, learning about animals’ lives by examining skulls. Live Birds of Prey program, April 27, 1 p.m. ($5; reservations required). Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519. Family Movie. 1-3 p.m. In the movie Coco, aspiring musician Miguel enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary performer. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Button Time. 2-4 p.m.; also April 24. Kids can come by and make their own button. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 4353636. Tween Taste Challenge. 2-3 p.m. Kids ages 8-12 can taste test different foods. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 458-6184. nopl.org.

Tuesday, April 24 Smartplay. 10:30 a.m. In this self-guided program, babies and toddlers can explore different types of play at their own pace. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org. Homeschool Chess Club. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Homeschoolers and families can learn to play chess or match strategies. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen Candy Olympics. 2-4 p.m. Teens can take part in the M&M Relay, a Candy Relay and more. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 458-6184. nopl.org. Giant Comic Strips. 2-3 p.m. Children in kindergarten and up can use large rolls of paper to make their own candy strips. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: (315) 699-2032. nopl.org. Break Week at Hazard. 2:30 p.m.; daily through April 26. Each day create something different; for ages 5-12. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Spring Break Food Frenzy. 5 p.m. Take part in a blind taste test, then make snacks with the ingredients; for ages 12-18. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Horses Full Acre Sports Field Music led by our own “Mr. Songflower” Red Cross Swim Lessons taught by certified WSI/Red Cross Instructors Sports Nature Study Lakefront Swim Lessons for Older Campers Swimming in our own on-site heated in-ground pool State of the art playground All groups are led by certified teachers Recreational outdoor activities Weekly special events Extended hours & breakfast available Four supervised, exciting optional overnights throughout the summer for grades one through seven And much more

531 East Genesee St.

Fayetteville, NY 13066

Phone: 315-637-6071 Email: ceds1@verizon.net

Website: www.creativeenvironmentdayschool.com FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

Wednesday, April 25

Thursday, April 26

Friday, April 27

Building Day. 10-11 a.m. Children age 3 and up and caregivers can build with Legos, Duplos and other building materials. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl. org.

Drop in Crafts. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Children of all ages can make seasonal crafts. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl. org.

Glove Monsters. 2-3 p.m. Kids age 8 and up can turn orphaned gloves into stuffed friends. Use provided gloves or bring your own. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: (315) 6992032. nopl.org.

Tween Cooking. 2-3:30 p.m. Kids ages 9-12 can create dishes to taste and take home. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org. Earth Day STEAM. 2-3 p.m. Kids age 7 and up can make a terrarium in a jar, learn about water pollution and more. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184. nopl.org. Code Dojo. 7-8 p.m. Tweens can join other techies to explore different aspects of technology each month; in this session, they’ll learn about making web pages and apps for smartphones. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org. Robot Petting Zoo. 4-5:30 p.m. Schoolaged kids and older can play with Dash Robots, Spheros, Codeapillars, Ozobots, Mecchanoid robots and Cozmo. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

MasterChef for Kids. 2-3:30 p.m. Kids age 8 and up will work in teams to create a dish using mystery ingredients. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: (315) 699-2032. nopl.org. Petit Teen Book Club. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teens can talk about favorite books. This month they’ll discuss Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Spring Break Game Night. 5 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can play a trivia game as individuals or on teams. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Parenting a Child with Diabetes. 7-8:30 p.m. Pharmacist and diabetes educator Susan Sloane will share information about raising a diabetic child. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Spring Constellations and Planet Observation. 7:30-9 p.m. The group CNY Observers gives an outdoor lecture on spring consellations and tips for remembering their relative positions (Cloud date: May 3). Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/ vehicle. Preregistration required: (315) 638-2519. Pajama Story Hour and Craft. 6:30 p.m. Kids can wear pajamas, hear stories, make a craft and eat a snack. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

Graphic Novel and Comic Book Club. 4 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can discuss a book and use it as inspiration for their own graphic novels. This month’s book is Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy, available through Hoopladigital. com. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Saturday, April 28 Party for the Planet. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day and learn about the zoo’s efforts to sustain biodiversity. See keeper talks and visit activity stations. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. $8/person, plus zoo admission: $8/ adults; $5/age 62 & up; $4/ages 3-18; free/age 2 and younger. (315) 435-8511. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Be the Scientist. Noon-4 p.m. Explore the activities of a nanoscientist. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068. Hansel and Gretel. 12:30 p.m. See April 14 listing.

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CALENDAR

Sunday, April 29 Step Up 4 Kids. 8-11 a.m. A Kids Fun Run (9:30 a.m.), 5K (10 a.m.) and children’s activities help raise money for the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Sawmill Creek Shelter, Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool. $30-$35/5K; $15/Kids Fun Run. mcmahonryan.org.

Monday, April 30 See Ongoing Events

ONGOING EVENTS Peanut Butter Jelly Time. Thursdays, 5 p.m. Members of the community can join in making more than a hundred bagged lunches to hand out to the hungry and homeless in downtown Syracuse. The Road, 4845 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. (315) 218-6066. wholelygroundsattheroad.org. Weekend Walks With a Naturalist. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Nature discovery hike with different topics each weekend. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519. Great Swamp Conservancy Nature Trails. Daily, dawn to dusk. Throughout the year, visitors can grab their walking shoes and explore 4.5 miles of well-groomed, flat trails. Trails feature a 900-foot boardwalk, osprey nesting platform, and wetland and grassland restoration areas. The area is a stop for many migratory waterfowl and songbirds; other wildlife include muskrats and beavers. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Free. (315) 697-2950.

Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Hiking trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Interpretive Center open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays. Snowshoe rental: $5/day. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. (315) 673-1350. Wegmans Playground. Boundless Playground for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes. Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free. (315) 451-PARK. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville (formerly DeWitt Community Library) Storytimes. Story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Check website for times. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. Registration required: CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578. Maxwell Library Storytimes. Storytimes and book groups for all ages. Call for dates and times. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. Northeast Community Center Library Storytimes. Preschool storytimes with rhymes and occasional games; youngsters learn group listening and participation skills. Call for times. Northeast Community Center Library, 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. Free. (315) 472-6343, Ext. 208. NOPL Brewerton Storytimes. Age 2 and up: Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. (315) 676-7484. NOPL Cicero Library Storytimes. Toddler Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Preschool Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032.

NOPL North Syracuse Library Storytimes. Birth-age 3: Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Ages

3-5: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon. Daycare Storytime: Fridays, 10-10:30 a.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration requested: (315) 458-6184.

Calendar listings are free! Send information about your familyfriendly event to: Family Times calendar, 1415 W. Genesee St., Syracuse; fax to (315) 422-1721; or email to editorial@ familytimes.biz. Include date and time of event, location with numbered street address and town, price, and phone number for publication. We give priority to low- or no-cost events aimed at parents, kids, or parents accompanied by kids. For consideration, listings are due by April 6 for the May issue.

ADVERTISERS INDEX 93Q .................................................................................................................16 Baltimore Woods .........................................................................................11 Big Kahuna Party Rentals ...........................................................................29 Blaze Gymnastics .........................................................................................19 Bluebird Music Together ............................................................................19 Canterbury Stables ..................................................................................8,15 Champions for Life ........................................................................................8 Chittenango Lions Club ..............................................................................17 Christian Brothers Academy .....................................................................22 CNY Autism Society of America ................................................................9 CNY Tix ........................................................................................................34 Creative Environment Day School ...........................................................33 Crouse Hospital .............................................................................................7 Cruisin’ Cones ..............................................................................................31 Dave & Buster’s ...........................................................................................29 Eastview Mall ..................................................................................................5 Edge FCU .......................................................................................................11 Everson Museum of Art ..............................................................................17 Exceptional Family Resources ....................................................................11 Faith Heritage School .............................................................................16,19 Family Life Network ....................................................................................15 Flamingo Bowl ...........................................................................................5,29 Four Seasons RV Rentals ............................................................................17 Good Samaritan 5k ......................................................................................16 Hematology/Oncology Associates ............................................................11 Hospice of CNY ..........................................................................................22

Jewish Community Center ........................................................................21 Joan Condlin’s Liverpool School of Dance ..............................................29 Joe Ball ...........................................................................................................31 Jordan Elbridge Country Kids ...................................................................31 Learn as you Grow ......................................................................................20 Learning Disabilities Association of CNY/LAUNCH ............................23 Le Moyne College ........................................................................................22 Light of the World Ballet ...........................................................................20 Manlius Pebble Hill ......................................................................................23 Mike Carter’s Cartoon Island ...................................................................29 Montessori School of the Finger Lakes ...................................................22 North Syracuse Central School ...............................................................22 Painting with a Twist .....................................................................................9 Parkview Junior Academy .....................................................................14,20 Pediatric Associates .....................................................................................16 Rothschild Early Childhood Center .........................................................22 Spinnaker Custom Products ......................................................................34 St. Mary’s Academy .....................................................................................21 The Dance Studio CNY ..............................................................................21 The First Tee of Syracuse ...........................................................................23 Towne Center Fitness Studio ....................................................................11 Trillium Stables .............................................................................................29 Upstate Medical University .......................................................Back Cover Weiss, Savedoff & Ciccone ...........................................................................9 YMCA ..............................................................................................................2 FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2018

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YOUR CONCUSSION EXPERTS

BRIAN P. RIEGER, PHD, DIRECTOR OF THE CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CONSULTS WITH A PATIENT. Concussion is a head injury that occurs when the normal functioning of the brain is disrupted by a blow or jolt to the head. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness and memory problems. Most people recover from concussion in a week or two, but when symptoms last longer and aï¬&#x20AC;ect performance at work or school, ask for the experts. The Upstate Concussion Center provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for concussion and sports concussion. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call today.

MORE INFORMATION 315-464-8986 OR VISIT UPSTATE.EDU/CONCUSSION

Concussion Center

ASK FOR THE EXPERTS. ASK FOR UPSTATE. 315.464.8986