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The Parenting Guide of Central New York www.familytimes.biz | October 2014

Brick Heads

Feed those teen boys protein!

Legos launch kids in new directions Rochester: The Flower City offers diversions aplenty

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Who won the Best of Syracuse for families? See p. 24 9/18/14 3:24 PM

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family times • october 2014

4 • Editor’s Note 6 • Storytime

Lessons in friendship from mean girls.

8 • Recipe Doctor

Feed your teen boy a healthier version of chicken “wings.”

10 • Travel: Rochester

The Flower City offers varied attractions only a short distance away.

16 • Brick Heads 16

Legos have grown into an educational phenomenon.

22 • Family Matters

Capture a moment!

Kids need to devise some of their own pursuits.

24 • Best of Syracuse Awards See the winners in the family-friendly categories of the readers’ picks competition.

26 • Family Fun Calendar of Events Advertiser Index In this photo by their mother, Lia Garnes, Carlton and Kyle Garnes wait for the bus on the first day of school. Carlton is a student at Allen Road Elementary School and Kyle is at Bear Road Elementary School, both in the North Syracuse district. We welcome reader submissions, whether photos of your kids or their artwork. Send high-resolution photos (jpg format saved at 3-inches-by-5-inches or larger) or color artwork to editorial@familytimes.biz. Please include the child’s first name, age, hometown, and information about what’s going on in the photo (or the art), as well as the parent or guardian’s full name and daytime phone number, for verification.

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Party................................... 14-15 Learn....................................... 23 Practice...............................25 Backpack Directory................ 34

Family Times October 2014

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family times The Parenting

Guide of Central New York

OCTOBER 2014

issue No. 150

PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod

Building Blocks

Editor in chief Reid Sullivan editorial@familytimes.biz VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Michelle Bowers (Ext. 114) MBowers@syracusenewtimes.com MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp Photography editor Michael Davis

egos used to be infamous for causing pain if you stepped on them barefoot. But in recent years the bricks have acquired increasing fame and complex uses—not to mention a devoted following among educators, librarians and even parents. In this month’s cover story, Aaron Gifford explores what’s new with Legos (page 16). On page 24 we announce the winners in the family-friendly categories of the Best of Syracuse readers’ choice competition. From 2011 to 2013, Family Times sponsored a separate contest, the Besties, just for businesses, attractions and organizations geared toward parents and kids. This year, Family Times merged its family-friendly categories into the Syracuse New Times’ pre-eminent readers’ choice awards program, the Best of Syracuse. The result was a bonanza of attention, votes and fierce campaigning among the businesses and nonprofits that serve Central New York families. See who came out on top on page 24. And for the rest of the Best of Syracuse, make sure to pick up the Oct. 1 edition of the Syracuse New Times. Finally, if you’re looking for some frightfully fun activities, check out this month’s calendar of events!

OFFICE COORDINATOR/CIRCULATION MANAGER Lacey Martino (Ext. 110) creative services manager Caitlin O’Donnell DESIGNER Meaghan Arbital DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Ty Marshal (ext. 144) Contributors Deborah Cavanagh,Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Eileen Gilligan, Emma Kress, Linda Lowen, Cary Rector, Tonja Rector, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Chris Xaver ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Advertising Sales Manager Jessica Luisi (ext. 139) JLuisi@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com Lija Spoor (ext. 111) LijaSpoor@syracusenewtimes.com

Reid Sullivan Editor in Chief

Joseph Taranto (ext. 115) JTaranto@syracusenewtimes.com COMPTROLLER Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) CLASSIFIED SALES Lija Spoor (ext. 111)

On the cover: Josiah, 6, gets into Legos. Inside: Josiah hangs out with his sister, Julia, 2, and parents, Tim and Heather Feng. The family lives in Manlius.

Michael Davis Photo

Subscribe to Family Times by mail and receive 12 issues for only $20. Call (315) 472-4669 to order. Family Times 1415 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 472-4669 fax (315) 422-1721 www.familytimes.biz

Caitlin O’Donnell Design Family Times thanks Maria Moore at Bricks 4 Kidz for the loan of some of her models and Legos, pictured on the cover, here and on the story on page 16.

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2014 Bronze 2014 Silver Award Winner Award Winner Editorial Awards Competition

Design Awards Competition

Advertising deadline for November is Oct. 16. Calendar deadline for November is Oct. 3. 4

Family Times October 2014

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The Trouble With Friends Lessons from mean girls | By Linda Lowen

hat shelf of books on mean girls and childhood friendships? I read them all and still screwed up.

For years, I’d been poised to identify and caution my two daughters against the potential bad apple. Yet the real threat—the nice girl—I overlooked. These kids are disarmingly polite, dress neatly, and speak like a network anchor, but watch out. They’re proof of why we sometimes have to trust our kids’ judgment. My older daughter, Jaye, was shy in kindergarten. (All names in this story have been changed.) Once she found her tribe, she moved through elementary school surrounded by friends from different backgrounds. But another mother with high schoolers told me, “It won’t last. By ninth grade, they’ll split by neighborhoods: village kids, McMansion kids, apartment complex kids.” Cynical, I thought. Then seventh grade happened. Jaye came home upset over what Jessica said at lunch. “We can’t be friends anymore. You’re a Chang. I’m a Ching. Chings and Changs don’t mix.” It seems two girls had arbitrarily divided the entire group using odd, racially tinged labels. It wasn’t racism—just an attempt to establish social 6

superiority. Chings in, Changs out. By high school, my friend’s prediction had come true. I didn’t question Jaye until junior year, when Jessica’s mom buttonholed me at the supermarket. “It’s too bad our daughters don’t hang out anymore. Jess says she’s tried, but Jaye sticks to her own crowd.” They shared the same interests, and the Ching/Chang incident was history. So why weren’t they friends? “I ran into Mrs. Richards,” I said at dinner. “She told me Jessica’s invited you to do stuff, but you always say no. How come? I like Jess. She’s nice.” Jaye frowned. “Sure, Mom, I’ll hang out with Jess—if you want me to get drunk or stoned every weekend.” So I was wrong about Jess. But with my younger daughter, Em, I’d already spotted the wolf in sheep’s clothing in her crowd. The opposite of Jaye, Em entered kindergarten a wild child but eventually joined a smart, studious group of girls. They were tight as only female cliques can be, and clever enough to form an acronym of their names: DREAM. The one nightmare was Alexis, a girl who said hurtful things and offered

cruel advice preceded by, “I’m telling you because I care.” Em was a prime victim whose doll-head phobia made her easy prey. As a child, Em tolerated playing with dolls, but a head peering above a blanket sent her screaming. Once the girls outgrew toys, Em seemed past her fear. By eighth grade she’d begun to break away from the DREAM team, listening to heavy metal bands and wearing black—tastes the other girls didn’t approve of. Megan, the group’s quiet leader, always pulled Em back. I was grateful for this thoughtful friend who watched over my daughter and was a good influence. That year at Em’s birthday party, Alexis presented a beautifully wrapped package. Tearing away the paper, Em shrieked. I saw a box covered with doll heads, painstakingly cut out of toy catalogs and glued on. “What’s wrong?” Alexis said with a smile. “Don’t you like it?” Inside was an expensive hat, scarf and mitten set from Em’s favorite store, but in pink—a color Alexis knew Em hated. Afterward, I blew up. “What is wrong with Alexis? I’m this close to calling her mother.”

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“Don’t, OK? That’s what she does.” “Well, the other girls are nice. Megan especially. I’m glad she looks out for you.” Em said nothing. And didn’t, for many years.

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“You mean you’re writing about Megan?” I’d known their on-again, off-again friendship hinged on convenience. Em was the last-minute playdate, invited only when everyone couldn’t make it. She typically did what Megan wanted. But finally, Em told me, she’d had enough. One afternoon, while swinging in the backyard, Megan wanted to go inside and play with dolls. Em didn’t. “I’m the guest,” she said. “Don’t I have a say?”

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Megan glared. “You don’t get it, do you? I invited you over so I could have fun. We’re going to do what I want because you’re at my house. You’re my friend. You’re supposed to entertain me.” “After that,” Em said, “I was confused. That wasn’t how I saw friendship. I thought friends liked being with each other— that everything friends did together was fun. I began worrying about my role as a friend and what I was supposed to do. It’s made me insecure about friendship. I find it hard to make new friends.” I felt sick. It was my fault for urging Em to spend time with a “friend” who treated her as just another plaything. For not understanding that Em’s withdrawal from the group was actually her effort to assert herself and gain independence. Parents walk a thin line between intelligence and ignorance. Our life experiences may provide long-term insights our kids’ lack, but we don’t have the full picture. Friendship is the first test, but there are many others, including first love, first heartbreak. Knowledge gaps provide space for our kids to try and fend for themselves. You want to throw out your arms and protect them. I did. But you have to let your kids stumble. You have to let them fall. Stand on the sidelines with a first aid kit if you must, but let them fall. You have to, because that’s part of growing up. They’ll never learn to heal if they never get hurt. Linda Lowen teaches at the Downtown Writer’s Center and is co-producer and co-host of Take Care, a health and wellness radio show on WRVO.

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Hot ‘Wings’ for Teens 1 6-ounce bottle of your favorite hot sauce (I used Goya) Olive oil Cut each breast length wise into three equal-sized strips.

chris xaver photo

6 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

Heat a heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet with a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken strips. Liberally add about one-quarter of the hot sauce while cooking. Cook until done (you can cut one open to see if it’s cooked through) and then serve with additional hot sauce. Note: One of my chefs poured his sauce into a small cup and dipped into it.

How to Satisfy a Teen’s Hunger A chicken-wing makeover removes fat but retains heat | By Chris Xaver

nyone who has seen a teenage boy eat knows they are voracious. Inactive teen boys from ages 14 to 18 need 2,000 to 2,400 calories a day; active ones require 2,400 to 3,200 calories, and teen athletes can burn through up to 5,000 calories a day! They’re not just eating to eat, they’re eating to grow. Beginning at age 13, boys will gain 20 percent of their adult height and 40 percent of their adult weight. Still, all calories are not equal, so this is a great starting point for a conversation with the young men in your life. Protein calories help them (and all of us) feel more satisfied. Recently, I spent some time in Florida hanging out with three young males, ages 10 to 20, among other guests. I asked them what they like to eat. They immediately concurred: chicken wings. But, I wondered aloud, are traditionally prepared wings good for them? No, they decided, wings, as served in most pizza joints, are not the healthiest of dishes. Why? Because they’re fried, they answered. They were right. In my estimate, 90 percent of restaurant wings are fried, while some are baked, and some are charbroiled. 8

We then talked about why else wings are “unhealthy.” And it all revolved around fat. Most people believe the way to live a healthy diet is to watch how much fat we consume. Traditional chicken wings are deep fried with the skin on, and then they are bathed in butter and hot sauce. So the boys and I discussed we could reduce the fat while maintaining the flavor. The first thing they suggested was baking or grilling the chicken wings. We could do that, I agreed, but grilling the wings with the skin on would result in many flare-ups and they’d likely be more charred than tasty. They asked about baking them. That, too, would work—but I did mention we were in Florida where the temperature was pushing 95 degrees by 10 a.m.? So, I asked, how about chicken “strips” cut from full-size skinless breasts dipped in wing sauce? Yes! Because it’s not the bonein-mouth feel of the wings they like, but the hot flavor. Besides, the strips are easier to eat and there’s no pile of bones afterward to toss out. So, it seemed the strips were the way to go for this trio. We headed to the market and got six of the biggest breasts available. When we re-

turned home, I showed the young men how to cut the chicken into long “like-size” strips. And then the cooking process began. We used a heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet with some olive oil. The olive oil provided a healthy fat while keeping the chicken strips from drying out. Breast meat tends to get dry quickly if overcooked or cooked too quickly. To infuse the flavor of the wing sauce into the meat, we poured a quarter of the bottle of hot sauce into the pan while the strips were cooking. The boys were so into this process! They carefully turned the strips and watched the skillet, making sure the pieces cooked evenly. Once they were finished we simply added more hot sauce. Not butter. It’s the hot sauce that gives the flavor; the butter simply makes the experience richer. Teenage boys like the heat: part taste, part machismo. Regardless, they didn’t miss the butter or the deep-fat frying in the least. Happy teens, happy adults—a success for everyone. Chris Xaver, Ph.D., is a local TV and radio personality with three children and five grandchildren.

Family Times October 2014

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10-Travel (Rochester)

Into the West A Rochester jaunt offers many possibilities story By Eileen Gilligan Photos by michael davis

Rochester Museum and Science Center

ost Central New York parents know about the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. But the Flower City offers much more for children and parents to explore after a mere 70-minute drive

from Syracuse.

Most of the following fun spots in Rochester can entertain children of all ages for many hours, but I like to split them up into half-day adventures or two-for-one road trips.

exhibit, other displays for building and imagining being an inventor, and much more. Toddlers to teens and their parents will find many exhibits to attract their interest.

Syracuse has its own science museum and zoo, but it’s fun to check out new ones.

Before heading west, check the schedule for the Strasenburgh Planetarium, located in the museum. Shows vary from a Grand Canyon Adventure to a trip to Mars and Saturn or laser displays, among others. (A separate admission fee is required.) If you choose to stay overnight in Rochester, consider the weather, call and check with the planetarium box office, and climb the planetarium’s 60 back stairs to the telescope offering a magnified view of the stars and planets.

The Rochester Museum and Science Center is located just a few blocks from the Strong Museum, which makes it easy to get to—because I already know how to drive to the wonderful Strong Museum. There’s so much to do and touch on the three floors of the hands-on science museum, including AdventureZone, which shows what goes on under water in Lake Ontario, the Expedition Earth 10

Family Times October 2014

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IF YOU GO ACTIVITIES Rochester Museum and Science Center. 657 East Ave. Seneca Park Zoo

Telescope viewing is free and run by volunteers from a local astronomy club from dusk until 10 p.m. Speaking of looking outside, after a few hours in the museum, it’s time to let the kids loose at the Seneca Park Zoo. Located near the Genesee River in Rochester, the zoo is easy to find and features a wide assortment of animals, including a rhinoceros and a polar bear. Sit down for a bit and ride the double-decker safari bus through the African exhibit or grab a bench to watch the penguins, otters and orangutans. Entrance to the zoo closes at 4 p.m., although the zoo remains open until 5 p.m. And a bonus for parents: Membership at Syracuse’s Rosamond Gifford Zoo gets you half-price admission to Rochester’s zoo. If you’re up for one more stop on the way home, try Ontario Beach Park, in Charlotte. This park is open year-round and features the 1905 Dentzel Menagerie Carousel, which runs until Columbus Day (Oct. 13 this year). The amazing ride is $1. The park also has fishing, pickleball nets and two geo-caching sites.

DAY TWO Rochester could fuel many day trips, so here are ideas for a second one. Syracuse has the Erie Canal Museum, but Rochester offers boat rides on the Erie Canal. Several companies, such as Colonial Belle, lead tours on the canal in summer through October. While a two- to three-hour tour may be long for young children, Colonial Belle offers a 90-minute ride on Sundays. These cruises depart from Fairport, just 20 minutes east of Rochester. If that’s too boring for younger kids, they’ll probably love The Sandbox, also located in Fairport. The indoor facility spans 6,000 square feet of activity for children up to age 7 to enjoy. Kids age 8 and up may want a bigger challenge, so try indoor climbing away from home at RockVentures. For those 14 and older, RockVentures offers a short training session on holding the ropes for a climber, which means the teens can belay for each other. Having a chance to belay increases young climbers’ skills, responsibility and, ideally, enjoyment of the climbing experience. More than 50 ropes—or places for

(at the corner of Goodman Street), Rochester. (585) 271-4320. www. rmsc.org. Features three floors of exhibits. Admission is $13 for adults, $17 including admission to the Strasenburgh Planetarium. Free reciprocal admission for MOST museum members to the museum; planetarium admission is extra. RMSC admission for children ages 3 to 18 is $11, $14 including admission to the planetarium. Children under 3 are free.

Seneca Park Zoo. 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester. (585) 336-7200. www.senecaparkzoo.org. Adult admission is $11 through October and $8 for children 3 to 11. Children 2 and younger are free. Admission is half-price with membership to Syracuse’s Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Ontario Beach Park. 4800 Lake Ave., Rochester. (585) 753-7275. www2.monroecounty. gov/parks-ontariobeach.php. Open year-round.

Colonial Belle. 400 Packett’s Landing, Fairport. (585) 223-9470. www.colonialbelle.com. Boat rides on the Erie Canal, leaving daily from Fairport. Prices range from $9 to $20 depending on the length of the tour. Family Times October 2014

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ACTIVITIES The Sandbox. 1350 Fairport Road, Fairport. (585) 3887263. www.thesandboxplayground. co. Indoor playground for children up to age 7. Admission starts at $7.50 for a child ages 1 to 7, with discounts for siblings and infants. Adults are free.

RockVentures. 1044 University Ave., Rochester. (585) 442-5462. www.rockventures. net. Features a variety of indoor climbing walls for use with ropes. Admission is $15, but several combination packages that include climbing shoe rental and training are available. Stokoe Farms. 656 South Road, Scottsville. (585) 8890770. www.stokoefarms.com. Admission, which includes most activities, is $10 a person; children under 2 are free. See website for specials. EATERIES Bill Gray’s Diner. 4870 Culver Road, Rochester. (585) 266-7820. www.billgrays.com. More than 10 locations in the Rochester area.

Rhino’s Pizza. 85 Donovan St., Webster. (585) 872-3150. www. rhinospizzany.com. Public Market. 280 N. Union St., Rochester. (585) 4286907. www.cityofrochester.gov/ publicmarket/. Open Saturdays, 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Village Coal Tower Restaurant. 9 Schoen Place, Pittsford. (585) 381-7866. www. villagecoaltower.com. Open daily.

Pittsford Farms Dairy. 44 N. Main St., Pittsford. (585) 586-6610. www.Facebook.com/ Pittsford-Farms-Dairy/.

Aladdin’s Natural Eatery. 8 Schoen Place, Pittsford. (585) 264-9000. myaladdins.com. Three Rochester-area locations. Open daily.

SHOPPING Lands’ End Inlet. 2000 Miracle Mile Drive, Rochester. (585) 424-3500. www.landsend. com. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Marketplace Mall. 1 Miracle Mile Dr., Rochester. (585) 475-0757. www.themarketplacemall.com. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 12

Family Times October 2014

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people to climb—are available on the 18,000 square feet of challenging walls. For an outdoor experience, head to Stokoe Farms, one of several area farms to host harvest festivals on the weekends in the fall for pumpkin picking and other activities. Located in Scottsville, it is just outside Rochester on the way home to the Syracuse area. The term “farm” does not capture all the activities available, such as zip lines, bouncy “pillows,” a tube slide, an open four-lane slide, a hay chute, wagon rides, pedal cars, animals to feed, not to mention the pumpkins, apples and other snacks. EATS The science museum offers Mario’s Café with a selection of paninis and the usual chicken fingers and lighter snacks in the late afternoon. My kids know Bill Gray’s Diner from the Strong Museum and we like to stop at the one by Seabreeze Amusement Park—even when it’s not summertime. Abbott’s Custard is served at many of the more than 10 Bill Gray’s locations in the Rochester area. For pizza and rhinoceros fans, try Rhino’s Pizza, with a sit-down location in Webster. If visiting on a Saturday any time of the year, check out the Public Market, similar to Syracuse’s CNY Regional Market. Families can stroll and stop for finger foods, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Another picturesque spot is the Village Coal Tower Restaurant, located in Schoen Place in Pittsford on the canal. Visitors can take a walk along the Erie Canal and stop for a traditional breakfast, lunch or dinner next to the historic coal tower. Afterward, share some leftovers with the ducks, check out the cute shops and head around the corner to the Pittsford Farms Dairy for ice cream, bakery items and milk, of course. Aladdin’s Natural Eatery has three locations in the Rochester area, including one in Pittsford. For homemade pasta, sauces and dressings, Aladdin’s offers an alternative to fast food. HEADING HOME Save some energy, parents, for the end of the day. The deal with my children is that I will let them play in Rochester all day (thank goodness the museums close between 5 and 6 p.m.) and then it’s Mom’s time. That means we’re off to the Lands’ End Inlet, really an outlet and regular store on the other side of the city from the Strong Museum. The Marketplace Mall is across the road from Lands’ End, if more shopping is on your list. Then it’s a stop for fast food and we’re on the road home. Eileen Gilligan, an award-winning writer and mother of two, lives in Baldwinsville.

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Family Times October 2014

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Brick Heads More than a toy, Legos have become a gateway to engineering, robotics and more story By Aaron Gifford Photos by michael Davis

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ith a half-dozen two-by-four Lego bricks, a child literally has millions of different creations at his

or her fingertips. A school today can become a rocket ship tomorrow. Multiply that by many more bricks of different lengths, widths, shapes and colors, throw in a few minifigurines (“minifigs”), and the possibilities are infinite. Understanding the potential of Legos is a math challenge in itself. During the work and play that follows, a child might develop social and creativity skills while also inadvertently learning about math, science and art. Today’s educators are embracing the connecting plastic bricks. Locally, several districts have hosted workshops for every age group from preschool to high school. Public libraries offer Lego play spaces for younger children and sponsor clubs where kids can hone their building skills and compete against other young people. “Go to any library where there’s Legos, and there’s always evidence that they’ve been played with,” says Margaret Portier, director of innovative family services at the Fayetteville Free Library. “There’s even interest in doing a program for adults. People love the openness of Legos. There are so many ways to play with them.” According to The Lego Book, a Lego-commissioned publication written by Daniel Lipkowitz, Lego founder Ole Kirk Christiansen, an established home builder and furniture maker, opened a wooden toy workshop in 1932. He bought a plastic injection molding machine 14 years later and developed the interlocking brick in 1949.

Heather Feng, of Manlius, says her two children developed an interest in Legos when they were toddlers. The family picked up some Duplo blocks (larger pieces designed for smaller hands) at a garage sale, and Josiah, now 6, immediately favored them over his newer toys. He’s moved on to the Star Wars and Ninjago sets, while his younger sister, Julia, 2, has inherited the larger bricks. She likes to build animals, barns and fences, Feng says.

“They just gravitated toward them,” she says. At 3, Josiah enjoyed a Lego walkie-talkie set and completed various designs of a car set. He fell “head over heels” for Legos, Feng says, after playing with the landscape sets. He’s been to the Lego Store in New York City, and he recently saw The Lego Movie. The family is planning a Lego birthday party for him. Feng says playing with Legos has sparked his curiosity about new things. Both of his parents are software engineers. Josiah likes to read their work materials, view architectural designs on their laptops and often asks about terminology used in their professions, she says. “I feel like he’s always had an interest in engineering,” she says. “This just helps him build upon it.” Josiah participated in a Lego Bricks 4 Kidz workshop at his school. The Central New York franchise of Bricks 4 Kidz, which was established in December 2013, offered after-school programs in three districts during its inaugural year and is expected to reach out to many more schools in the months ahead, says Maria Moore, owner of the Central New York franchise.

Lego’s system of play—the idea that every element should connect to every other element— was launched in 1954, according to The Lego Book. The company’s product line exploded after that, including every type of vehicle imaginable, landscapes, towns, monuments and eventually battery-operated sets. Lego figurines, which now accompany most themed sets, were created in 1978. The company eventually obtained rights to make products with Star Wars, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter characters, including video games. Lego amusement parks opened in California and later in Florida. There are many knock-off products, including Mega Blocks, makers of the popular Halo sets. And the Minecraft video game, an international bestseller for children as well as adults, was influenced by Lego’s success.

Margaret Portier of Fayetteville Free Library works with Sam Spignardo and Jeremiah Lubin. Family Times October 2014

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The sessions were six weeks (one day after school each week) and served students in kindergarten, elementary and middle school. PowerPoint presentations explained scientific concepts like motion, inertia and friction, and the students would later demonstrate the principles using Lego creations. The older children worked on robotics sets where the Lego model was connected to a computer. They also did the programming that instructed the model how to move. “This fosters an approach to how things work,” says Moore, who became interested in tinkering as a child after watching her father and brothers work on the family car. She opened the Central New York franchise shortly after moving here from Albany because she wanted an enrichment program that could start with her own young children. Bricks 4 Kidz, which began five years ago and now has franchises all over the globe, seemed like the perfect fit. “Kids just don’t tinker as much anymore, and I’d also like to see more girls get interested in this,” Moore says. “There’s a need for more engineers. It’s a good idea to offer programs to those who show an interest in math and science early. Engage them in this, and let them see if these skills can be a viable later on.” Stacy Fowler, of Cazenovia, says her two sons, 9-year-old John and 6-yearold Riley, also began their Lego career with Duplo blocks at a young age and participated in two Bricks 4 Kidz workshops during the previous school year. The first involved making animals and the second concluded with assembling a catapult that had moveable parts. The organized Lego play, Fowler says, inspired the boys to work together. At home, they prefer to play apart. “They’d come home and talk about what they made together,” she says. “They actually enjoyed helping each other.” 18

Audrey Kissel says her daughter Anna, now 12 and a middle school student in the Jamesville-DeWitt district, got into Harry Potter-themed sets and then the Mindstorm Lego robotics kits when she was in elementary school. Her younger daughter, Kate, now 9, showed a mild interest in Legos while son Charles, now 6, was hooked on the blocks the day Anna shared them with him. Now, Legos are the only toys he’ll play with.

Charles’ approach to Legos isn’t uncommon: He’ll follow the instructions to complete a set, play with it for a while, and then combine it with others sets to make his own creations, even if the themes—Harry Potter, Star Wars, super heroes or Lego City—are different. Kissel, who works as a child psychologist, says Legos have helped her children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. “They do well in school,” she says. “They also have visual-spatial skills. The kids who already have those skills gravitate toward Legos.” That’s not to say Legos are the perfect toy, or the only toy that promotes cognitive development, Kissel says. She likes that they are so durable and don’t break as easily as action figures or other types

of toys, but they are also pretty expensive, especially the themed sets. While it’s not uncommon for children to prefer Legos over the company of other children, in doing so they can be controlling and unwilling to accept other ideas as a collective creative effort. “Personalities emerge. You do have kids who want to control the play,” Kissel says. “They are a great tool for using your mind, but you also want them to learn how to work together with other kids.” Library-funded programs

are helping with that task. Fayetteville Free Library, for example, features “Legos in the Café” every Wednesday after story hour. The program, which is aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, is to promote discovery through self-directed play, says Portier, the library staffer. For the older children, the library has First Lego (ages 9 to 14) and Junior First Lego (ages 5 to 10) robotics teams where participants prepare for competitions against students from other districts. More than 30 children applied to be on the team, and 10 were randomly selected. There are currently more than 40 teams in the Central New York region.

Family Times October 2014

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Maria Moore, owner of the local Bricks 4 Kidz, looks at a motorized model with her son, Cameron, age 3.

A team from Minoa won last year’s competition at SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome. As part of the competition, teams receive the assignment two to three months before the regional competition. In last year’s challenge, “Nature’s Fury,” teams had to build a robot that had to maneuver and pick up items in a 4-by-6-foot Lego sheet in less than two and a half minutes. Materials are provided to the team but instructions for building the robot are not, so students must work together to complete research, development and troubleshooting duties before assembling a tactical plan for their robot’s run, Portier says. “The coaches don’t get involved with the building or research,” she says. “We’re just there for general guidance. The kids get to know each other.” Those who aren’t randomly selected to the First Lego team can still participate in the library’s Mission Lego Brainstorm sessions, a monthly program where children work in groups of four to complete Lego robotics projects. After reviewing tutorials, the kids bring their creations to life in the form of soccer players, gladiators, catapults, or robots that can climb stairs, Portier says. Legos are so popular now that kids naturally still want to build with them during the summer. Bricks 4 Kidz even offered summer camps. Rachel Fishman, a sophomore at SUNY Binghamton, instructed Lego sessions this past summer in Fayetteville at Guzman’s Dance Studio. By the end of the weeklong session, most kids in the program, whether they were 5 or 12, knew how to follow instructions and did not need to ask for help on their projects, she says.

The participants’ enthusiasm for learning about gear ratios to make their vehicles move as fast as possible was contagious, Fishman says. “I was impressed that they were asking us first about how the things they learned about science and technology could be applied to Legos, as opposed to us explaining it to them first.” Fishman, who is studying engineering, says she developed an interest in science after taking trips to Syracuse’s MOST (Museum of Science and Technology) with her father, an engineer. Legos and Lincoln Logs were her favorite toys growing up. She believes that programs like this could pique the interest of children who would otherwise not be exposed to the concepts of engineering at school or home. “In school, you may not see so many kids raising their hands to participate,” she says, “but, with Legos involved, you sure see that here.” Aaron Gifford is an award-winning writer who lives in Cazenovia with his wife and two children.

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315-440-2244 for information and your tour! 4786 Roberts Rd. canterburystablesny.com Family Times October 2014

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CNY Karate Open House at CNY Karate & Kobudo Schools October 11th from 10 a.m.-noon. Give your child the tools necessary for success in school and to become a success in life! 437-9417, 720 W Manlius St, East Syracuse, NY 13057, cnykarate.com

Abbott Farms Family Fun on the Farm! Fall Festival every weekend through Oct. 31. Wagon rides, bounce house, face painting, barnyard featuring goats, rabbits, pigs and chickens. Baby chicks coming soon. Fresh pressed cider, donuts, fritters, pies available on the farm or in the store. Corn maze, apple slingshot and apple cannon. Farm fresh fruit, vegetables, pumpkins. 3275 Cold Springs Rd Baldwinsville, New York 13027, 638-7783 abbottfarms.com

WonderWorks WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park combining education and entertainment in more than100 hands-on exhibits. Visitors navigate NASA spacecrafts, lie on a bed of nails, experience the sensations of a 5.3 earthquake, climb the indoor ropes course, compete in lazer-tag and much more! 9090 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse, 466-7700, wonderworksdestiny.com

DRIVER’S VILLAGE “Click then drive” online buying experience at DVOffers.com Click to shop with complete confidence for 1000s of new, plus over 700 used and certified pre-owned vehicles from Driver’s Village. 1-888-356-6466, 5885 E. Circle Dr, Cicero, NY 13039, DVOffers.com

Developmental Evaluation KidSpeak is an interactive puppet workshop that helps children and adults understand learning style differences, especially children with autism spectrum disorders. Workshops are offered free of charge due to the generous financial support of Kohl’s Department Stores. The Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center, 472-4404, KohlsAutism.com 20

Family Times October 2014

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Special A dve r t ise m e n t Beak & Skiff Enjoy the taste of fall. Wagon rides, delicious apple picking and yummy cider donuts await! Our kids area is a great place to spend some time on a beautiful day. Start making memories. Hours: Seven days a week, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Beakandskiff.com, 2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette, NY, beakandskiff.com

Flamingo Bowl

s es

Family Appreciation Day at Flamingo Bowl Sunday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE! Three games of bowling, a soda, fries and a hot dog for everyone! FREE! 7239 Oswego Road (Route 57), Liverpool, FlamingoBowlCNY.com Make your home safer

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The LiteRise® cordless system operates Hunter Douglas shades with an easy lift of a handle. No dangling pull cords mean a safer home for children and Manlius Pebble Hill School’s Open House Sunday, 16, from 1ofp.m. to pets.isRight now,Nov. take advantage special savings with select and tour our new buildings and meet our faculty! Experience purchases. in one visit

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Manlius Pebble Hill School, 5300 Jamesville Road, Syracuse, NY 13214 for important window covering safety tips, news and more.

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The Fabric Mill

The Fabric Mill 5900 East Seneca Turnpike The Fabric Mill promotes Child Safety Month in October. Jamesville, NY 13078 by and M-F: 10:00 Stop AM - 6:00 PM learn about cordless lift options that will make Sat: 10:00 your AM - 4:00 PM home safer for your little ones. Free cordless lift upgrades available. Ask about

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Fort Rickey

Fall Fun Festival at Fort Rickey Children’s Discovery Zoo. Open to the general public weekends only, including Columbus Day, Sept. 27–Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, children under 2 free. 44439

For more info, visit fortrickey.com.

Family Times October 2014

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Silvia Bianchini/THINKSTOCK

Free Time

Overscheduling kids stifles their development | By Cary and Tonja Rector

hildren need to play—for social, physical and emotional development, and for mental health. As a matter of fact, play is so important for children it is listed as a right by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights. Unstructured, child-driven play is the primary way children learn about their environment. It provides opportunities to practice large and fine motor skills as well as social and decision making skills. Play allows children to express emotions and work out stress. Play involving parents is imperative for children to form strong relationships and develop confidence. Go to any playground or park and observe the parents and children. What you are likely to see is kids playing on swings and jungle gyms while parents sit nearby engrossed in their smartphones. These parents are providing supervision but are not fully engaged with their children. As kids call out “watch this!” parents look up distractedly with acknowledgement and return to their screens a second later. While kids are getting free play, many are 22

attempting to engage with their parents and inviting them to join in the fun. Ideally some play should involve adults but be controlled by kids. When adults are structuring play, kids stop taking the initiative and passively accept rules, format and decisions made by adults. Joining your child in child-directed play allows parents an opportunity to see the world through the child’s eyes. Playing with your child with full attention and engagement is important in developing and strengthening the parent-child bond. When children make the rules for play, they can practice decision making, discover their own interests, manage their stress and grow their confidence. Over the last several decades, children’s free time has become dominated by structured activities. Organized activities certainly offer benefits to children. Participation outside of school in sports, music and other programs offers children chances to socialize, exercise and engage their creative side. The problem arises when scheduled, structured activities leave little or no time for free, unstructured play.

Many enrichment activities are heavily marketed to parents. Parents worry their children will fall behind peers if they are not involved in numerous activities. A lot of time is spent preparing for and driving to and from these activities. Time spent in the car is time not spent playing together. According to an American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report by Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg, while many children thrive in a highly scheduled environment, others react with anxiety and other signs of stress. Ginsberg writes, “There is evidence that childhood and adolescent depression is on the rise through the college years. Although there are certainly many factors involved, and a direct link between the early pressure-filled intense preparation for a high-achieving adulthood and these mental health concerns cannot be made on the basis of current research, it is important that we consider the possibility of this linkage. We can be certain that in some families, the protective influences of both play and high-quality family time are negatively affected by the current trends toward highly scheduling children.”

Family Times October 2014

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Learn

Having a highly scheduled lifestyle also affects parents. Precious downtime is surrendered to transporting children to and from activities. Parents already juggling work and home responsibilities find themselves feeling harried and exhausted. There is less time to spend with children enjoying the daily routines of cooking meals, talking or playing together. Even when time allows, parents are worn out and don’t have the energy to fully engage with their children.

SewSyracuse Sewing Lessons

Kids & Adults, Private or small group sewing lessons

Silvia Bianchini/THINKSTOCK

Parents are concerned about preparing their children for the future. How can they predict what skills will be needed in the adult world? Regardless of what the future brings, all children will require resiliency, compassion, a decent work ethic and decision-making skills. Having an involved, attentive, loving relationship with a parent best fosters these attributes.

sewsyracuse@gmail.com 315-427-1994

PLAY

Parents know their children best and can judge what balance of structured and unstructured time best suits their particular child. Be wary of falling into the trap of filling free time with numerous enrichment activities. Unstructured time is good for kids. During unstructured time, play with your children in ways organized by them. You will get a precious glimpse into their world and your relationship will be better for it. Cary and Tonja Rector are married and live with their son in Manlius. Cary is a licensed mental health counselor and Tonja is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

“

is the highest form of research.” -Albert Einstein

“PLAY is the highest form of research. - Albert Einstein

”

“PLAY

Open House Hit the trail! learn & play

Oct 19, 2-4pm

Cazenovia Art Trail October 4 & 11 for details and a list of artists, visit:

art-trail.org

is the highest form of research. - Albert Einstein

”

learn & play

Open House

New School kids learning about New School kids2-4pm learning about irrigation at Jamesville Beach Oct 19, irrigation at Jamesville Beach

OPEN HOUSE www.newschoolsyracuse.org

New School kids learning about irrigation at Jamesville Beach

OCTOBER 19, 2-4PM www.newschoolsyracuse.org

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Katie’s PumPKin Patch

KatiesPumpkinPatch.com

Sunday 10-6 • Mon-Fri 10-7 cLOseD satuRDaYs Directions: Take Rt. 690W Rt. 370 exit. Turn right off exit, look for Katie’s signs 1/2 mile on left or go another 1/4 mi. turn right on Dunham to Red Barn on right. From the North: 690S to 370 W exit turn right off exit.

638-0876 for picking field of

U-PICK PUMPKINS $3.00 EACH Corn Maze FREE on Sundays Also Gourds, Squash, Corn Stalks, Straw Bales & Indian Corn SUNDAY HAYRIDES the day.

Family Times October 2014

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Birthday Cakes and Cupcakes Wegmans

CNY Playground Wegmans Playground at Onondaga Lake Park

6789 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. 446-1180. wegmans.com.

Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool. 451-7275. onondagacountyparks.com/ wegmans-playground/.

Nominees: Geddes Bakery, Patrician’s Snowflake Bakery Shoppe, Mrs. Kelder’s Cakes, 83 & Company

Party Place for Kids WonderWorks 9090 Destiny USA Dr., Syracuse. 466-7700. wonderworksonline.com/destiny. Nominees: The Wild Animal Park, Billy Beez,

e asked, and readers answered! In the first-ever family-friendly segment of the Syracuse New Times Best of Syracuse competition, nominating and voting for readers’ favorites in 11 categories took place on the New Times’ website. Voting concluded on Sept. 12. The winners appear here. For the rest of the BOS, pick up a copy of the Syracuse New Times on Oct. 1.

Live 2 Bounce, Kidz Club

Children’s Party Entertainer Doug “The Bubble Man” Rougeux 204 W. Granger Road, Syracuse. 391-6744. bubblemania.com/doug. Nominees: Jeff The Magic Man, The Face Paint Lady,

Nominees: Green Lakes State Park, Shove Park (Camillus), East Hill Elementary School, Canal Landing (Fayetteville)

Place to Buy Baby Items Babies “R” Us 2027 Park St., Syracuse. 424-3998. babiesrus.com. Nominees: Wear It Again Kids, Basic Baby/Chicks and Hens, Indie Kids, Pride + Joy

Kid-Friendly Attraction Rosamond Gifford Zoo 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. 435-8511. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Nominees: The Wild Animal Park, WonderWorks, Billy Beez, Thunder Island

Salt City Sound Machine, The Painted Rainbow

Parent’s Night Out Destination Funny Bone Comedy Club 9090 Destiny USA Dr., Syracuse. 466-6000. destinyusa.com. Nominees: Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Bittersweet, Salt City Improv Theater, Black Olive

Family Amusement or Water Park Enchanted Forest Water Safari 3183 Route 28, Old Forge. 369-6145. watersafari.com Nominees: Darien Lake, Sea Breeze, The Wild Animal Park, Thunder Island

After School Program YMCA of Greater Syracuse 340 Montgomery St., Syracuse. 474-6851. ycny.org. Nominees: Yoga for Kids of CNY, BASCOL, Y.E.S. Program (DeWitt), Bricks 4 Kidz

Dance or Gymnastics Program CNY Gym Centre 3649 Erie Blvd E., Syracuse. 728-6888. cnygymcentre.com. Nominees: Liverpool School of Dance, Tawn Marie’s Dance Centre, Blaze Gymnastics, GC2 Gymnastics

Early Childhood Program Jowonio School 3049 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. 445-4010. jowonio.org. Nominees: Main Street Early Education Program, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Cazenovia Children’s

Family Times October 2014

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House, Bluebird Music Together

9/18/14 10:57 AM

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OCTOBER

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

Saturday, Sept. 27 Liverpool Public Library Book Sale. 9-5

p.m.; also Sept. 28. More than 80,000 books and CDs. Early bird sale, Saturday, 8-9 a.m.; $10 admission. Bag sale, Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Liverpool Elementary School, 910 2nd St., Liverpool. 4570310. lpl.org.

Dinomania Opening Day. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kokoro Exhibits’ realistic animatronic dinosaurs return. First-day activities include a special speaker and a chance to dig for dinosaur eggs your child can keep. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $10/adults; $8/seniors and ages 2-11. 425-9068.

Sensory Friendly Storytime. 10:30 a.m.

Children with sensory integration issues or other special needs, accompanied by a caregiver, can take part in a program combining books, songs and activities that promote learning and play at the preschool developmental level. Beauchamp Branch Library, 2111 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Registration required: 435-5320 or 435-3395. Free.

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; also Sept.

28. Festival is an opportunity for those of all ages to try outdoor pursuits such as skeet shooting, turkey calling, archery, fly fishing, canoeing and muzzle loading. Demonstrations by woodsmen and displays of local wildlife art. Beaver Lake Nature Center parking lot, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $5/vehicle. 638-2519.

Fall Toy Fest. Noon-4 p.m. Bounce house, magician, cider, doughnuts and more. Haba Toy Outlet, 4407 Jordan Road, Skaneateles. Free. 685-6660. www.Facebook.com/HABAOutletStore.

The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. See Aug. 30 listing.

Make a Banned-Books T-Shirt. 2:30 p.m.

Kids ages 5-12 can design and make a T-shirt with the cover of a banned book on it. (Harry Potter and Captain Underpants are included in that number.) Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. 435-5326.

Early Autumn Paddle. 4 p.m. A naturalist leads an early-evening paddle, with a break on an isolated point to snack on cheese, crackers and cider. Beaver Lake Nature Center parking lot, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $25/including canoe rental. Registration required: 638-2519.

Sunday, Sept. 28 National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk. 10:30 a.m. (registration at 9:30 a.m.).

Individuals with Down syndrome along with their friends and families promote acceptance and advocacy with a two-mile walk; followed by picnic lunch and festivities. Music by TJ Sacco & the Urban Cowboys. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. Free. T-shirts/$10-$17. Registration required: 682-4289. www.dsaofcny.org.

Liverpool Public Library Book Sale. 11 a.m.3 p.m. See Sept. 27 listing.

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sept. 27 listing.

Wild Mushroom Festival. 1-4 p.m. Members

Nestling of short-eared owl.. Oskanov/THINKSTOCK

Owl Prowl, Oct. 11

of the Central New York Mycological Society lead woodland hikes in search of mushrooms (1 & 1:30 p.m.); also, demonstrations on cooking, growing your own mushrooms and making paper from mushrooms. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/ vehicle. 638-2519.

Monday, Sept. 29 Tinker Tots. 10-10:45 a.m. Children ages 3-5 will have hands-on opportunities to learn, explore

Family Times October 2014

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Drop in for Legos. 2-7 p.m. The library provides Legos (and Duplos for younger kids) for children to build with. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 30 See Ongoing Events

Wednesday, Oct. 1 Teen Geeks. 6-8 p.m.; also Oct. 22. Kids in

grades 7-12 can hang out, play games, eat snacks and create. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Pajama Storytime. 6-6:30 p.m. Children ages 2-5, with a caregiver, can wear pajamas, bring a stuffed toy, and hear stories, songs and rhymes suitable for nighttime. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org. Multiple Moms Mingle. 6:30 p.m. Monthly meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Ruby Tuesday, 3220 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Reserve if you wish to attend: multiplemoms mingle@gmail.com. www.multiplemomsmingle. com.

Friday, Oct. 3

Museum, 518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse. $10/adults; $6/children. Reserve: 476-0466.

See Ongoing Events

Lego Castle Adventure Opening Weekend. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; also Oct. 5. A display by the

Saturday, Oct. 4 GiGi’s Playhouse Run & Dash for Down Syndrome. 8-9:30 a.m. (registration); 9:30 a.m.

(Dash for Down Syndrome); 9:45 a.m. (1 mile walk); 10 a.m. (5K run/walk). Events raise money for Gigi’s Playhouse. Saw Mill Creek Pavilion, Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. $20$35. 288-7529. www.gigisplayhouse.org/syracuse.

Mommy & Me Rummage Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Mommy and Me of CNY holds its fall rummage sale, a place to find deals on maternity, infant and children’s items, with prices starting at $1. Liverpool Elks Lodge, 3730 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville. Free admission. 558-3480. www. mommynmecny.com.

Miles for Molly Walk. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Walk and dog rescue event, speakers and more—to raise awareness of puppy mills and animal abuse. Driver’s Village, 5885 E. Circle Dr., Cicero. Donations. 885-1082. www.mollyswish.org. Zombie Walk. 10:30 a.m. In an event for the

Thursday, Oct. 2

family, participants can come to the library and get made up, or meet at 11:20 a.m. already made up. The route will be from the library to the Salt Museum, along the Onondaga Lake Shore trail and back to the library for cider and doughnuts. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Storytime. 10:30 a.m.; also Oct. 9, 16, 23 and 30. Preschoolers and caregivers can take part in a program with stories, songs and rhymes. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. 435-1940.

A World of Puppets. 11 a.m. Crabgrass Puppet Theater performs “Pirates, Princes and the Pea.” Children as young as 3 and parents can come for an up-close look at the performance at 10 a.m. for an additional $5. International Mask and Puppet

CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS

Fundraiser for Salt City Hoops. Noon-4

p.m. Three-point shooting contest and gift baskets for raffle. Benefit for nonprofit youth basketball league. Sharkey’s Bar & Grill, 7240 Oswego Road, Liverpool. $15; free/age 6 and under. 491-1015.

Little Red Riding Hood. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presents an original version of the fairy tale, in which children in the audience help Little Red and Grandma bring the Wolf to trial, then become judge and jury. Children can dress up as fairy tale characters to enhance their fun. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $5. 449-3823. Artful Tales. 1-2 p.m. Children age 3 and up and caregivers can explore the galleries and hear stories that connect picture books and the art in the museum. Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. Free. 474-6064. Register: kgriffiths@ everson.org. The Diary of Anne Frank Preview. 2 p.m. See excerpts from the Appleseed Productions version of the play. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. 435-1940. Sciencenter Showtime: Naturalist Outreach. 2 p.m.; Saturdays. Learn about the life and behavior of animals and plants with a member of

Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, serving Onondaga County since 1975 & Cayuga County since 2009.

NAVIGATING THE WAY TO HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE

Nestling of short-eared owl.. Oskanov/THINKSTOCK

Lego Users of Central New York fills a room. Get a chance to create a paper figure head or see a special performance (Saturday only, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.). The Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester. Admission: $13.50; free/ younger than 2. (585) 263-2700. www.museumof play.org.

Calendar

and invent. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374.

Start Your Search For High Quality Child Care Here! Contact Us For:

Child Care Referrals Parent Guide to Finding High Quality Child Care Guidance on Choosing The Right Care Information on Paying For Child Care Information on Starting A Child Care Business @ccscny

Call: 315 • 446 • 1220 ext. 303 www.childcaresolutionscny.org

Toll Free: 888 • 729 • 7290 ext. 303

Web: www.childcaresolutionscny.org Email: parenthelp@childcaresolutionscny.org 6724 Thompson Rd • Syracuse, NY • M-F • 8:30-4:30 34 Wright Ave • Auburn, NY • 13021 • T-F • 8:30-4:00

Family Times October 2014

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World of Puppets, Oct. 4

Calendar

Yoga Storytime. 4:15-5 p.m.; also Oct. 23. Kids

ages 6-10 and parents can do yoga poses and learn breathing exercises. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Outer Space. 4:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can make their own paper plate planets and galaxy play dough. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. 435-5326.

Strengthening Families Conference. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Karol Kumpfer of the University of Utah presents the Strengthening Families Program, which has been found effective in preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Genesee Grande Hotel, 1060 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. Register: 471-1359. www.cr.prc.org. Sensory Friendly Time. 5:30-7:30 p.m. MOST staffers turn down the noise, turn off the flashing lights and shut off the air compressors so people with sensory issues can enjoy the museum. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Cost: $5. 425-9068, Ext. 2143.

Curious George Visits Storytime. 7 p.m. Kids can wear pajamas and join a storytime that features everyone’s favorite monkey. Don’t forget your camera! Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

Craftastic Critters. 4:30-5:30 p.m.; also Oct.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Cornell University’s naturalist outreach program. Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/ adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600. www.sciencenter.org.

14, 21 & 28. Kids ages 5-10 can drop in to make a different craft each week. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374.

Sunday, Oct. 5

Wednesday, Oct. 8

LaFayette Apple Festival. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; also Oct. 12. Entertainment, food court, pie baking contest, scarecrow contest, pony rides, craft sale, apples and cider. Half-mile south of Route 20 on Tully Farms Road, LaFayette. $5/person; free/age 12 and under. www.lafayetteapplefest.org.

Moto-Inventions. 1-2 p.m.; Sundays. Tinker

Star Party: Lunar Eclipse. 4:30-6:30 a.m. See

Animal ABCs. Noon. A Rosamond Gifford Zoo

with provided recycled materials and electricity to make whirling, moving machines. Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600. www. sciencenter.org.

Lego Castle Adventure Opening Weekend. 1-4 p.m. See Oct. 4 listing.

Monday, Oct. 6 Yoga for Everyone. 6-7 p.m.; also Oct. 13, 20 and 27. Gentle yoga class. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. 435-1940.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

an early-morning eclipse that reaches totality just as the moon sets. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $8. Register: 673-1350.

Creation Club Junior. 4-5:30 p.m.; also Oct. 22. School-aged children will learn introductory skills for making their own videos, podcasts and 3D models. This month build bridges, have a strongest bridge challenge and learn about marshmallow engineering. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 6376374. www.fflib.org. Bullying Prevention Class. 5:45-6:30 p.m.; also Oct. 15, 22 & 29. Team Sgarlata provides martial arts lessons. Team Sgarlata, Lakeshore Heights Plaza, 6195 Route 31, Cicero. Free. Register: 6999898.

Storytime. 10 a.m.; also Oct. 14, 21 and 28.

Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can watch anime on the large screen, take part in drawing and trivia contests, and more. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Yoga Storytime. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also Oct. 21.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Bring a child, ages 1-5, for books, songs, dance and fun. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. 435-3519.

Kids ages 3-6 and parents can have a full-body experience that builds early literacy skills and healthy bodies at the same time. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Nature on Wheels Tours. 1:30-3 p.m.; also

Oct. 14. Electric tram takes visitors with mobility limitations on a slow tour through the forest, accompanied by a naturalist. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $3/ person. Parking: $4/vehicle. Registration required: 638-2519.

Smart Play. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Children age 5 and under can explore a free-play environment that promotes discovery, creativity and the development of early literacy skills. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 6376374. www.fflib.org.

Trail Tales. 1 p.m. A naturalist reads stories

to children ages 3-5 and leads them on a walk through the forest. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. 638-2519.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPEN HAND THEATER

Friday, Oct. 10

staffer gives a presentation that features live animal visitors, animal artifacts and other fun; best for birth to age 5, accompanied by an adult. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. 435-3519.

Little Red Riding Hood. 12:30 p.m. See Oct.

4 listing.

Star Wars Reads Day. 1 p.m. Star Wars fans of all ages are encouraged to dress in costume and take part in a Jedi Training Academy activity, a scavenger/trivia hunt, and more. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948. Cardboard Challenge Game Day of Play.

2 p.m. Kids can play arcade games recently made out of cardboard by children at the library. Other OCPL branches are also taking part in the day of play; call for details: Betts Branch Library (4351940); Hazard Branch Library (435-5326); Mundy Branch Library (435-3797); Paine Branch Library (435-5442); Soule Branch Library (435-5320); and White Branch Library (435-3519). Beauchamp Branch Library, 2111 S. Salina St., Syracuse. 4353395. Free.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. The American Hockey League team faces the Springfield Falcons in the first home game of the season. War Memorial, 800 S. State St., Syracuse. $16-$20, plus applicable processing fees. 473-4444. Owl Prowl. 7-8:30 p.m. Join a naturalist on a walk in search of these magnificent and secretive birds. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $8/individual. Register: 673-1350.

Family Times October 2014

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PHOTO COURTESY OF OPEN HAND THEATER

Pediatricians

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Calendar

Sunday, Oct. 12 LaFayette Apple Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. See

Oct. 11 listing.

Syracuse Crunch. 5 p.m. Vs. Hartford Wolf Pack. See Oct. 12 listing.

Columbus Day Activities. 12:30-3 p.m. Live animal talks with a naturalist at 12:30 and 3 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., take a hike with a naturalist. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/vehicle. 638-2519. Hispanic Heritage Month Activities. 2:30

Terrific Thursdays. 11 a.m. In this session of the series for homeschooling families, kids in grades K-12 will learn about endangered species: why some animals are endangered, what can be done to save them. Animals from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will be introduced. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required (including names and ages of all children attending): 446-3578.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Tinker Tots. 11-11:35 a.m. Children ages 3-6 will have hands-on opportunities to learn, explore and invent. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

p.m. Children ages 5-12 can learn interesting facts, take part in a trivia game and design a Hispanic heritage postage stamp to win prizes. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. 435-5326.

Monday, Oct. 13 COLUMBUS DAY

Teen MOPS. 4-6 p.m.; also Oct. 28. 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. 5692542. Drop in for Crafts. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Children

from preschool age to grade 6 with a caregiver can make seasonal crafts; all materials provided. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Spider-Man Stunt Show. 10 a.m.-noon; 12:302:30 p.m. Two-hour show features the webslinger doing tricks. There will also be participation in hero training. For age 8 and under. KidzClub Indoor Play and Party Place, Three Rivers Plaza, 219 Route 57, Phoenix. $12/child. Prepaid tickets required: 695-2211. www.kidzclubfun.com.

Thursday, Oct. 16

Tween Tech Talks. 5-6:30 p.m. Kids ages 8-12 can learn about popular, useful technology and how to make it work for them. In this session, they can learn about an audio tool for recording songs and voiceovers, and changing music files. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 4570310. lpl.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 Autism Activist Talk and Book Signing. 7 p.m. Jesse A. Saperstein talks about and signs copies of his book Getting a Life with Asperger’s: Lessons Learned on the Bumpy Road to Adulthood. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

Yoga Time. 6-7 p.m. Caregivers and children age 5 and older can take a class with Heidi Panek of Asauna Yoga. Bring mats or beach towels and a bottle of water. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 254-8286.

Friday, Oct. 17 Toddler Dance Party. 10:30 a.m. Kids ages 18 months-5 years old, with caregivers, can dance with their friends. There will be musical instruments, bubbles and more. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 446-3578. Spooktacular. 6-9 p.m.; also Oct. 18, 24 & 25. At the Pumpkin Patch, kids up to age 16 can take part in activities or take a tour of the Haunted House. Burnet Park (former ice rink), via Coleridge or Avery Avenue entrances, Syracuse. Free admission. 473-4300. Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Springfield Falcons.

See Oct. 12 listing.

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Whether it’s enjoying the views, apple picking, romping with your kids in the play area, savoring our bakery treats or shopping in our general store there is always something to do on Apple Hill. Join the tradition. FALL HOURS: OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 10-6. beakandskiff.com | 2708 Lords Hill Rd • Lafayette, NY 30

Family Times October 2014

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Ls9907/THINKSTOCK

Calendar

a team and raise money for local programs that support healthy pregnancies. There will be music, a kid zone with activities and crafts, and a picnic lunch. SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Donations. 463-0700.

Fall Festivals; see Ongoing Events

The Great Zoo Boo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; also Oct. 25 & 26. See Oct. 18 listing.

New School Open House. 2-4 p.m. Learn

about the K-8 school’s individualized curriculum, focus on communication, and other features. The New School, 5205 Jamesville Road, DeWitt. 475-6453.

Monday, Oct. 20 See Ongoing Events

Tuesday, Oct. 21 See Ongoing Events Howling Hayride. 7-9 p.m.; also Oct. 18, 23, 24

& 25. Enjoy an experience that includes a house of horrors, a maze, cider and a doughnut. Maxwell Park, Badgley Road, East Syracuse. $6.50/advance (before Oct. 18); $8/door; free/age 5 & under. 4469250, Ext. 9.

Saturday, Oct. 18 The Great Zoo Boo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; also

Oct. 19, 25 & 26. A bustling Halloween bash with characters and sets for kids to enjoy in a “kooky not spooky” atmosphere. Costumes encouraged! Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Admission included with Zoo Boo activities: $8/adult (admission only); $12/ age 3 & older; $8/age 2 & younger. 435-8511.

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Little Red Riding Hood. 12:30 p.m. See Oct.

tors. See Oct. 12 listing.

CNY Doula Connection. 6:30 p.m. Pregnant women can bring their questions to this fun and informative meeting with members of CNY Doula Connection. Jen Deshaies from Bluebird Birth & Breastfeeding will talk about preparing for breastfeeding. Cazenovia Library, 100 Albany St., Cazenovia. Free. 395-3643.

Sunday, Oct. 19

Thursday, Oct. 23

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Walk raises money and

Enchanted Beaver Lake. 6-8:30 p.m.; through

4 listing.

Spooktacular. 6-9 p.m.; also Oct. 24 & 25. See

Oct. 17 listing.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Binghamton Sena-

awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Clinton Square, Syracuse. Donations. (800) 227-2345. cancer.org/stridesonline.

March of Dimes March for Babies. 10 a.m.

(registration); 11 a.m. (walk). Walk three miles as

Oct. 26. More than 400 jack-o-lanterns and luminaria light the way along two magical trails; also, face painting, fortune telling and treats. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. $3/person, free/under age 3; $5/vehicle parking, advance; $10/vehicle parking, day of. Advance reservations recommended: 638-2519.

Manlius Pebble Hill School

OPEN HOUSE

Tour our new buildings & meet our faculty! The Bradley McNeil ’93 Learning Commons & Phoenix Student Center State-of-the-art Distance Learning Classroom Visual Arts and Design Center - including FAB Lab Makerspace Cutting Edge Collaborative Technology Spaces

Office of Admissions

446-2452, ext. 117

www.mph.net

Sunday, November 16 1 P.M. - 3 P.M.

UNCOMMON To The Core!

admissions@mph.net

AskAParent@MPH.net Family Times October 2014

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ADHD Conference. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; also Oct. 30. National experts will discuss controversies associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as identification, causes, medications, and child and family supports. Storer Auditorium, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. $70/single day; $120/full conference. Registration required: 382-0541. www. adhd-2014.eventzilla.net.

michael davis photo

Calendar

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Lego Brainstorm. 3:30-5 p.m. Kids in grades

3-5 will learn basic Lego robotic programming and then form teams to design and program a robot to complete a mission. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Thursday, Oct. 30 Mall-O-Ween, Oct. 30

ADHD Conference. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. See Oct.

Friday, Oct. 24

Mall-O-Ween. 1-7 p.m. Costumed children can

29 listing.

Dreaming with Dinosaurs Sleepover. 6:30

Spooktacular. 6-9 p.m.; also Oct. 25. See Oct.

17 listing.

Enchanted Beaver Lake. 6-8:30 p.m.; through Oct. 26. See Oct. 23 listing.

Saturday, Oct. 25 The Great Zoo Boo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; also Oct. 26. See Oct. 18 listing.

Symphoria Halloween Concert. 10:30 a.m. Kids and parents can enjoy a concert called “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night,” with spooky music by the symphony, and stories and narration by local author Bruce Coville. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume. Inspiration Hall, 709 James St., Syracuse. $4-$15; free/age 18 and under. Reserve: 299-5598. Halloween Storytime. 11 a.m. Kids can dress in costume, hear Halloween stories, and enjoy activities and treats. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

Enchanted Beaver Lake. 6-8:30 p.m.; through Oct. 26. See Oct. 23 listing.

Sunday, Oct. 26 The Great Zoo Boo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. See Oct. 18 listing.

trick-or-treat through the mall, picking up goodies from local vendors. Benefit for The Children’s Consortium. Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. $1/child. 427-8454. www.shopping townmall.com.

Tales for Teens. 6:30 p.m. Kids in grades 7-12 can bring favorite scary stories to read to their peers—or just listen to others’ terrifying tales. There will be candy. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. 435-3636.

Friday, Oct. 31 HALLOWEEN

Spooky Science Halloween Event. Noon-4

p.m. Explore tricked-out exhibits, spooky activities and eerie demonstrations. Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: free. (607) 272-0600. www. sciencenter.org.

Enchanted Beaver Lake. 6-8:30 p.m. See Oct. 23 listing.

Spooky Science. 11 a.m. Warren Allmon of

Ithaca’s Paleontological Research Institution talks about the history of dinosaur art. Also, take part in dinosaur-themed activities. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $10/ adults; $8/seniors and ages 2-11. 425-9068.

Little Red Riding Hood. 12:30 p.m. See Oct.

4 listing.

Spooktacular. 6-9 p.m. See Oct. 17 listing.

Celebrate Halloween

p.m. Families can spend the night at the museum and enjoy an evening of dinosaur activities such as reconstructing a dinosaur. There will also be an IMAX movie, an evening snack, a continental breakfast on Sunday, and more. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. $40/person. Reservations required: 425-9068, Ext. 2132.

Monday, Oct. 27 See Ongoing Events

Tuesday, Oct. 28 Halloween Fun for Kids. 6 p.m. Children ages

4-10 can listen to Halloween-themed stories, play games, and enjoy some make-your-own refreshments. Paine Branch Library, 113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. Free. 435-5442.

at the FFL!

Happy Halloween Party. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids ages 2-5 can get into costume, hear spooky stories, do crafts and eat snacks. Bring a goodie bag for library trick-or-treating! DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Tune in Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 9:15 a.m., for columnist Maggie Simone’s preview of what’s in the next edition of Family Times!

Saturday, October 11th • 11:00am - 3:00pm • Haunted House, Costume Contest • Games, Crafts, Prizes, Cookout • Bake Sale, Book Sale, Raffles Fun activities for kids of all ages!