August - September 2011 | KidsFunPlaza
When BIG BROTHER or SISTER Goes Back to School
FIRST DAY OF
School Frights
BACK TO SCHOOL…
WITHOUT A SIBLING
AFTER SCHOOL
Activities
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 1
CONTENTS KidsFunPlaza Event: KidsFunPlaza.Com............................................................................4 Community Guide: After School Activities........................................................................8 Baby: How to Educate Your Baby
with Visual Stimulation......................................................................................12
BACK TO SCHOOL
Toddler: When Big Brother Or Sister Goes Back to School.......................................14 KidsFunKitchen: Lucy, Zoe, and Elliot’s
Peach-Raspberry Smoothies...........................17
Restaurant Review: Karavalli ..........................................................................................18 Buy Local: Snip-its! ...................................................................................................21 Kiddo: Back To School…Without a Sibling...............................................................22 Preeschooler:
First Day of School Frights....................................................................24
Apple Orchads in the Area..................................................................................................26 Here is What’s Happening : List of family Events in the Area..............................................27
How to educate your baby with visual Stimulation
12
Family friendly Restaurant: Karavalli
14
When Big Brother Or Sister Goes Back to School
2 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
18
EDITOR’S LETTER
A
t roughly the same time every year, as predictable as cake on your birthday or sunrise in the morning, a slight, palpable change occurs. Gone are our family’s late evening walks; a little after 8:00 PM darkness has now settled. The sign in front of the nearby elementary school used to read, “Have a great summer!” Today it says, “Welcome back!” Then, there is the biggest sign of change. I spotted it just yesterday morning: a bright, delightfully red leaf, lying on the sidewalk. Fall is knocking on summer’s door! While I always lament the passing of summer and all that it entails, each year I eventually learn to welcome the coming of fall. Though it lacks some of summer’s advantages, it brings its own special warmth and charm. Already my mind it turning toward thoughts of apple picking and pumpkin carving! Fall always brings change. The start of a new school year signals a change of teachers and classrooms. There have been many changes here at Kids Fun Plaza, too! Throughout the summer we were busy putting the finishing touches on a new website. You’ll find many exciting features! You can now search for places to go to with your family, whether it is a park, restaurant, or museum. You will also see other people’s comments and reviews, so you can decide if the place would be a good fit for your family. In addition, you can search for what is most popular, find the best deals in town, network with other families, and so much more! So make sure to visit KidsFunPlaza.com today—registration is easy and free!
MEET OUR TEAM PUBLISHER
Ana Roca Castro Ana@KidsFunPlaza.com EDITOR IN CHIEF
Cassandra Spellman Cassandra@KidsFunPlaza.com
Art Director
Catalina Arango Catalina@KidsFunPlaza.com Marketing Director
Coleen Valenti Coleen@KidsFunPlaza.com Marketing Coordinator
Amanda Savarese Amanda@KidsFunPlaza.com Diversity Manager
Roxanna Homic Roxanna@KidsFunPlaza.com
BLOGGERS IN THIS ISSUE
Cassandra Spellman
Amanda Savarese Amanda Mouttaki Jennifer Dickison Elma Placeres Dieppa Caroline Lewin Barrett Kiki Lightbourn
Speaking of change, as you flip through our issue this month, you’ll see that some of our articles discuss the changes that fall—and a new school year—bring. Elma writes about her daughter reaching a significant milestone: the first day of Kindergarten! Jennifer discusses how her elementary-age son felt when his older brother started attending middle school. Lest we forget, babies also need education! Take a look at my article so you can begin teaching your baby using visual stimulation. On a different note, if you are looking for a place to get a great back-to-school haircut for your child, Amanda has a terrific review of Snip-its. Finally, if you and your family just need a break after a long day of work and school, Caroline has a review of an excellent local restaurant!
Check out our Facebook Page for contests. http://facebook.com/KidsFunPlaza Follow us on Twitter Twitter @KidsFunPlaza
Have a happy start to fall!
Cassandra Spellman EDITOR IN CHIEF
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 3
By AMANDA SAVARESE
Blog.KidsFunPlaza.com
LOOKING FOR FAMILY RELATED EVENTS AND RESOURCES IN TECH VALLEY, NY ?
K
ids Fun Plaza is thrilled to announce a completely new, redesigned plaza that offers you more exciting opportunities! The Capital District is experiencing lots of growth and the movement of families into the area. As a result, we felt called to fill a need: the need for a site that is accessible to everyone and that functions as a reliable and safe resource for local families. Kids Fun Plaza is the one-stop-shop for families to find great deals, to locate events and regional attractions, to share parenting information and advice, and to connect and network with other families! We are proud to introduce KidsFunPlaza.Com to everyone, primarily because there is no other comparable site designed as uniquely and sophisticated as this! With so many capabilities available, the possibilities are endless. As many of our local businesses are partnering with us to offer the community great incentives, you will be sure to find the best deals and the highest recommended places to bring your family. In addition to our online plaza, our magazine, Kids Fun Plaza, is distributed throughout the Capital District. Whether your children are two or twelve years old, you’ll be sure to find helpful articles because we
4 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
cover every age level—from babies to teens—and we even offer some wisdom from grandma! In addition, the magazine recognizes people in the community, lists upcoming events, and gives great suggestions for family activities each month. You can also visit our blog (Blog.KidsFunPlaza. Com), where you can find more information, ask questions, and join the conversations on a variety of topics! With increasing migration to the Capital District, we want to ensure a safe and reliable plaza where families can come to find the answers to all of their questions! The staff at Kids Fun Plaza is dedicated to helping you. It is our hope and goal to turn Northeastern New York into a plaza that offers opportunities, answers, and resources for our area families!
Not a mommy yet, But looking forward to when the time comes! Finishing education while loving life at Kids Fun Plaza! Total social butterfly, A member of five chambers, Women in Business, Young Professionals, & GenNEXT!
KidsFunPlaza.com Interactive directory where families can find everything in the area !
For any inquiries, please contact us at Partner@KidsFunPlaza.Com or 518-779-9307.
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 5
Bella’s Delicatessen (518) 668-3354 Lake George 42 Amherst St Lake George, NY 12845
6 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
ADVERTISE WITH US
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 7
COMMUNITY GUIDE
AFTER SCHOOL Activities First Friends Preschool and Daycare 48
Bits, Bytes & Bots - Computer Adventures
West Main Street, Broadalbin, NY 12025 Phone: 518-883-6005 www.firstfriendspreschool.webstarts.com coare@nycap.rr.com
10 Donwswood Ct. Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: 518.533.8018 www.bitsbytesbot.com albany@bitsbytesbots.com
Our goal is to provide a safe, happy, learning and nurturing environment for children to grow socially, emotionally and intellectually. Our staff will provide many opportunities for the development of your child through a blend of quiet play and a more structured morning program for the children of pre-school age.
A New England Nanny
7 Halfmoon Executive Park Dr. Clifton Park NY 12065. Phone: 518.348.0400 www.anewenglandnanny.com melissa@anewenglandnanny.com
A New England Nanny, the Capital District’s premier home help agency. Our expertise, experience and advice have benefited local families since 1991. Only the best will do: and that is exactly what we provide in Albany, Clifton Park, Saratoga, the Capital District of New York.
Before and After School Age Child Care Colonie Youth Center, Inc. 272 Maxwell Road Latham, NY 12110 Phone: 518.438.9596 www.colonieyouthcenter.org sjordan@colonieyouthcenter.org
Founded in 1965 by a group of North Colonie students, the organization has grown to include school age child care (before and after school care) at 14 locations in the Town of Colonie, recreational and summer camp programs and counseling services.
Ballston Area Community Center
20 Malta Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Phone: 518-885-3261 www.ballstonareacc.org bacc@nycap.rr.com
The Ballston Area Community Center (BACC) is a not-for-profit corporation serving youth, ages 5 to 18, who live in the Ballston Spa School District and surrounding area. Our Mission: To provide essential community services, programs, support and projects that enhance the social, emotional and recreational development of youth and families of the Ballston Area. 8 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
“Bits, Bytes & Bots offers a variety of classes including robotics, stop-motion, animated movie making and game creation. We offer an afterschool program, workshops, summer camps and birthday parties for children 6-14 yrs of age.”
Candyland Activity and Enrichment Center 906 Woodland Ave Schenectady NY 12309 Phone: 518.388.9912 www.candylandactivitycenter.com mayamcnulty@aol.com
“Children birth and up welcome! Hourly drop off, afterschool fitness program, indoor playroom, birthday parties, enrichment classes, summer camos and hockey tots!”
Drama Kids International
36 Graffin Drive Latham, NY 12110 Phone: 518.458.1313 www.dramakids.com/ny5 dramakids@nycap.rr.com
“Drama Kids provides remarkable creative drama education for children and young adults. We are the most popular after school drama program in the world, and have provided innovative programs to tens of thousands of children in the USA since 1999.”
COMMUNITY GUIDE JMU 4 Kids
Mad Science of the Capital District
13 Westphal Drive Delmar NY 12054 Phone: 518.376.6668 www.jmu4kids.com jurschel@nycap.rr.com
635 Plank Rd Suite 101 Clifton Park NY 12065 Phone: 518.373.2864 www.madscience.org/thecapitaldistrict info@madscience.org
“We offer a variety of summer camps and after school programs at various locations in the Capital District.”
“Mad Science is an enrichment program for elementary aged children. We provide fun, hands on experiments for children to explore the world of science.”
Kids Express
PO Box 279 Latham NY 12110 Phone: 518.782.5404 www.kidsexpress.org tami@kidsexpress.org
“Kids Express Kids Express is a new early childhood program with a strong focus on theory of mind, social skills development and character education.”
Music Box Arts - Music Together
Power House Athletics
872 Hazelwood Ave. Schenectady, NY 12306 Phone: 518.393.9580 www.musicboxarts.com musicboxarts@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 5817 Albany NY 12205 Phone: 518.229.5611 www.powerhouseathleticsny.com jessica@powerhouseathleticsny.com
Music Together is an internationally recoginzed early childhood music education program. Music Box Arts offers a varied schedule in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Renssealaer Counties
“We are committed to promoting active, healthy lifestyles for today’s youth. We provide experienced coaching to keep your kids moving!”
KidzArt
PO Box 645 Guilderland NY 12084 Phone: 518.456.4101 www.kidzartcrny.com smccarthy@kidzartcrny.com
“KidzArt is a confidence building drawing program. Students will explore all available media. Our projects never repeat. If you can dream it, you can draw it.”
Proctors Theatre My Place to Play
2623 Guilderland Ave, Rotterdam NY 12306 Phone: 518.346.3200 www.myplace2play.com friends@myplace2play.com
“A Children’s enrichment and activity center offering open play, preschool, summer camp, birthday parties and a variety of classes!”
432 State St Schenectady NY 12305 Phone: 518.382.3884 www.proctors.org jhunziker@proctors.org
“Proctors offers a variety of fun and interesting programs to keep your children engaged after school, on the weekends and during the school breaks! Contact us for more information!”
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 9
AFTER SCHOOL
COMMUNITY GUIDE
Sidney Albert Albany JCC
340 Whitehall Rd. Albany, NY 12208 Phone: 518.438.6651 www.saajcc.org Andrewk@saajcc.org
The JCC is open to all and located in a central location in Albany. The JCC has outstanding summer camps, fitness, aquatics, daycare and senior adult programs! Stepping Stones ll Early Learning Center 300 Valley View Blvd Rensselaer, NY 12144 Phone: 518.286.0139 www.ceo-cap.org clabarge@ceo-cap.org
The Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Greater Capital Region (CEO) is an “umbrella” agency that provides the overall leadership, policy guidance, coordination, and support necessary to successfully deliver a wide range of services. The programs at CEO are designed to empower individuals and families to build selfsufficiency in all life areas and rise out of poverty. CEO works in partnership with the individuals, families, and the larger community to improve the quality of life for all community members by addressing their social, emotional, economic and educational needs.
Sylvan Learning Center
3 convenient locations – Albany, Clifton Park and Niskayuna/Schenectady Phone: 518.869.6005 ext 5 www.sylvanlearning.com/centers/12205 admissions@sylvanlearningcenter.org
For more than 30 years, Sylvan has helped more than two million students learn to read, write, calculate and organize themselves to reach their potential inside and outside of the classroom. More importantly, Sylvan has helped children develop a love of learning and a confidence that they carry throughout their lives.
The Learning Lab 20 Hidden Crest Ct. Clifton Park NY 12065 Phone: 518.369.0598 or Phone: 518.928.4963 www.thelearninglab.us rthompson13@nycap.rr.com
St. Thomas the Apostle School
42 Adams Place Delmar, NY 12054 Phone: 518.439.5573 www.stthomas-school.org stacfoltan@yahoo.com
The Afterschool staff, works with individual and/or small groups of students providing supervision and instruction to assist in providing a positive learning environment that allows for students’ personal, social, and intellectual development. Designed for children in Kindergarten – Grade 8, the balanced program focuses on academics, organized play, art, computers, and free time.
Schauber Stables, LLC
We are staffed with teachers dedicated to providing academic enrichment in a fun atmosphere that promotes learning and inspiration!
Schauber Stables, LLC is a family operated equestrian training facility conveniently located in Saratoga County. Our focus is on the young and the young at heart. . . providing a stable place to experience the joy of horses!
The Music Studio
428 Schauber Rd Ballston Lake, NY 12019 Phone: 518.281.0088 www.schauberstables.com karen@schayberstables.com
10 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
1237 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12205 Phone: 518.459.7799 www.the-music-studio.com themusicstudio@verizon.net
Creative music classes that instill a love of music and joy in making music for children 2-7. An innovative, supportive faculty, award-winning custom curriculum for more than 30 years.
Activities The Neighborhood Nanny
3714 Carman Road Guilderland, NY 12303 Phone: 518.379.5995 www.theneighborhoodnanny.com info@theneighborhoodnanny.com
“A drop-in child care center and Child Development Center in the education wing of Lynnwood Church offering classes and workshops for children & a break for parents.”
New Scotland Elementary School 369 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 Phone: 518.475.6775 www.newscotland.albany.k12.ny.us gjones@albany.k12.ny.us
Extended-day programs exist at all of City School District of Albany’s elementary and middle schools. Albany High School also offers an array of clubs and activities beyond the normal school day. These programs not only offer working parents an opportunity for child care, but they also provide students with extended learning and enrichment activities that contribute to a well-rounded educational experience.
Jewish Community Center
2565 Balltown Road, Schenectady Phone: 518.377.8803 www.schenectadyjcc.org ellenc@schenectadyjcc.org
Join ASEP, located at the Schenectady Jewish Community Center, for a variety of fun-filled activities including; Swim Lessons, Piano Lessons, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Ceramics, Sports and so much more. Something for everyone” programming is chosen on a daily basis by the children.
Cohoes Community Center
22 Remsen St # 40, Cohoes Phone: 518.237.7523 www.cohoescommunitycenter.org JDoemel@cohoescommunitycenter.org
“To meet the recreational, social, vocational and child care needs of the residents of Cohoes and Capital Region through organized programs for families, children, young adults and senior citizens.”
Carver Community Center St Matthew School & Day Care
75 Whitehall Rd, Albany, NY 12209 Phone: 518.463.6495 www.stmatthewlutheranschool.org gail_stmatt2@nycap.rr.com
St. Matthew Lutheran School offers a spiritual and learning experience for your Preschool, Pre-K to Kindergarten child while providing the capital district area a qualified day care facility close to downtown Albany. We provide care for children between the ages of 3 years through 12 years. Our Program includes a number of exciting options for Parents.
Leading the Way for Little Learners, LLC
Near Colonie Center and Routes 87 and 90 Phone: 518.339.4842 www.leadingthewayforlittlelearners.com allen@leadingthewayforlittlelearners.com
Leading the Way for Little Learners provides preschool, pre-k, kindercare, day care, child care, before/after school, tutoring and summer camp services.
Bits, Bytes & Bots
943 Palmer Avenue, Clifton Park Phone: 518.533.8018 www.bitsbytesbots.com westchester@bitsbytesbots.com
Bits, Bytes & Bots offers a variety of classes including robotics, stop-motion animated movie making and game creation. Our curriculum is always on the cutting edge of the technology and our robotics program utilizes the Lego® Mindstorm® NXT robots. People ask us what the difference is between our programs and other technology programs available and we proudly tell them that WE TEACH!
700 Craig St Schenectady, NY Phone: 518.374.9371 www.carvercc.org rwalker@carvercc.org
It is the mission of Carver Community Center, Inc. to respond to the varied needs of individuals and families living in the City and County of Schenectady and to continue to develop new initiatives to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.
Kenney Community Center
YMCA LOCATIONS www.ymca.net
616 North Pearl Street Albany, NY 12204 Phone: 518.463.9622 20 Community Way East Greenbush, NY 12061 Phone: 518.477.2570 900 Delaware Ave Delmar, NY 12054 Phone: 518-439-4394 465 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205 Phone: 518.869.3500
2500 21st St Troy, NY 12180 Phone: 518.272.5900 250 Winding Brook Dr Guilderland, NY 12084 Phone: 518-456-3634
1502 Chrisler Ave Schenectady, NY 12303 Phone: 518.382.1848
1 Wall St Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: 518.371.2139
433 State St Schenectady, NY 12305 Phone: 518.881.0117
Corner of Park Place & Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12308 Phone: 518.388.6124 www.union.edu/campus/community/volunteer/kenney tatema@union.edu
127 Droms Rd Scotia, NY 12302 Phone: 518.399.8118
Offering education, health and wellness workshops for the neighboring communities, the Kenney Center is truly an outreach center, providing Union students with opportunities to mentor youth and volunteer in a variety of ways while also serving as a vibrant resource for the College Park Neighborhood and Schenectady as a whole.
100 Saratoga Village Blvd Malta, NY 12020 Phone: 518.583.9623
RT 9 W West Coxsackie, NY 12192 Phone: 518.869.3500
290 West Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518.583.9622
290 West Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518.583.9622
58 N. Pawling St Hagaman, NY 12086 Phone: 518.842.2130
20 Old Gick Rd Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Phone: 518.587.3000
184 Main St Greenwich, NY 12834 Phone: 518.587.3110
213 Harrison Street Johnstown, NY 12095 Phone: 518.848.3447 August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 11
BABY
By Cassandra Spellman, paxetbaby.com.
See it Through: How to Educate Your Baby with Stimulation Cassandra Spellman is grateful to be a wife and new mother! She enjoys writing, gardening, and tracking her adventures in the world of parenting on her blog paxetbaby.com.
B
abies are among the best and brightest learners. They learn in a myriad of ways, every day, and there are many ways that you can help foster your baby’s education. One of the first and simplest places to start is with your baby’s gift of sight. Visually stimulating your baby will encourage him or her to learn, explore, and develop!
The ability to see begins even before birth. In fact, by the seventh month of pregnancy, a baby has all five of his or her senses ready to go. That being said, some of those senses are more developed than others; vision happens to be the least developed sense at birth. While your baby’s eyes are capable of seeing, the nerve cells in the brain and retina cannot process the information just yet. In fact, newborns can only see 8-12 inches in front of them! Despite these limitations, there are ways that you can visually stimulate your newly born baby. He or she will enjoy bold, contrasting colors and will also stare at stripes and angles. A newborn’s favorite sight of all, however, is your face. Make sure you set aside time just to gaze at each other. By 4-8 weeks old, your baby will return the favor by giving you his or her first social smile! When your baby is 2 months old, he or she may enjoy an activity mat or gym. The bright colors and designs on the mat will definitely be visually stimulating for him or her! Plus, as your baby grows older, he or she will come to enjoy investigating any mirror or hanging objects.
12 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
The American Optometric Association offers some other ideas for providing visual stimulation for babies 2-3 months old. They recommend introducing new objects into the baby’s room, or even just moving the crib to provide some new material at which the baby can gaze. Talking as you move about the room will encourage your baby to follow you with his or her eyes. A night light will allow your baby to look at his or her surroundings once awake. Also, providing your baby with supervised tummy time will literally give him or her a whole new perspective on things! Your baby’s sight will develop at an astonishing speed. By 3 months, your baby will be following objects with his or her eyes. Also, he or she will be able to distinguish your face from all other faces out there. By 4 months, your baby can see every color of the rainbow! This is a great stage to introduce colorful, moving toys. Your baby’s motor skills are also taking off. He or she can perceive distances and will begin reaching for objects…so watch out! At 5 months comes the beginning of object permanence: even if your baby can’t see an object, he or she knows that it is there. Peek-a-boo becomes a fun game for you and your baby to play!
By 6 months sight has become your baby’s strongest sense and at 8 months his or her sight is as good as that of an adult. His or her eyes will stay a permanent color now, too. Throughout this time you can use a mobile to visually stimulate your baby—bright, primary colors are best. Bright board books that you can read together, posters by your baby’s changing table, and toys with faces are also good ideas. Don’t feel you need to invest in special items to visually stimulate your baby though; sometimes leaves on a tree or a ceiling fan will do the trick! How can you tell if what you are doing is visually stimulating for your baby? Some tell-tale signs are the brightening of your baby’s face and the rhythmic movement of your baby’s arms or legs. If your baby were previously active, he or she will stop and stare when visually stimulated. With a little visual stimulation you will help the development of your child’s sight and raise a lifelong learner!
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 13
By Amanda Mouttaki , marocmama.com
Toddler
When
BIG BROTHER or SISTER
Goes Back to School
The day has finally arrived and your schoolage children are on their way out the door for another year of school. Then the tears start flowing. No, not your tears, mom! It’s your toddler! Just last week as I dropped off my guy at daycare, I was greeted by a little one sobbing at the fence. “Missing his mom, huh?” I asked my son’s teacher. “No, his sister. It’s the first day she’s gone to school without him.” I don’t find it surprising that younger siblings can take the separation harder than parents! My two boys are very close and I vividly remember the days when my oldest son went off to school while my little one was left alone.
4-- Create a routine for your toddler and try to include one activity
Here are some suggestions I used to make the transition easier:
5-- Involve your toddler in activities at home that can be too compli-
1-- Check out some books from the library ahead of time relating
6-- Go and have lunch at your older child’s school. Chances are that
to siblings going back to school and start talking about the change ahead of time.
each week. It could be a library story time, tot music class, or a play date. This will mimic a school routine and again give your toddler something to look forward to each week.
cated when his or her older sibling is around, such as making a special treat or helping to fold the laundry.
the older child will love showing off his or her sibling and your little one will think it’s a blast to “go to school.”
2-- Include your toddler in the older sibling’s “back to school” day. 7-- Allow your child to be sad. Even if you’ve made excellent plans, Allow your younger child to see where big sister will be during the day and talk about how your toddler will also go to school one day when he or she is older.
3-- Plan something special for your toddler for the first day back to
school. Just as big brother has something special that day, your toddler will also have something to look forward to as the day approaches! 14 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
your little one will likely still feel some separation anxiety and sadness. Give him lots of hugs and kisses and let him know that big sister will be coming home soon! Have you dealt with a similar experience? What other tips and suggestions do you have to help toddlers deal with back to school?
CAROLINE LEWIN BARRETT . blog.timesunion.com/tablefor5 www.ourdailyeats.com
KIDSFUNKITCHEN
Lucy, Zoe, and Elliot’s
Peach-Raspberry Smoothies
As long as anyone can remember, Elliot’s sisters, Lucy and Zoe, have been preparing food for him. They make his toast, spread his peanut butter, and grate the cheese for his pasta. There is a particular story about food preparation that Elliot and Zoe love to hear. The setting is a sleepy, cold New Year’s morning many years ago. My husband, Paul, and I were taking the precious opportunity to have a few extra minutes dozing in bed. From our bedroom we can hear what transpires in the kitchen. So I fully knew that Zoe and Elliot had come downstairs to fix themselves breakfast. She was five years old; he was two. I could hear the sound of his fuzzy footed pajamas, padding around on the hardwood. He followed wherever she went. First I heard the cereal cabinet opening, followed by the rattling of spoons in the drawer. Zoe pushed a stool and stepped up for two bowls. All the while, I could hear Elliot, her faithful sidekick, reminding her, “Ilk! ilk! ilk!”
4 very ripe peaches (local peaches are so good right now!) 1 c. frozen raspberries 1 c. vanilla yogurt 2 c. orange juice (or water) Combine all in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve right away. Any leftovers can be frozen for delicious freeze-pops!
Finally, with all the breakfast items set up, Zoe followed Elliot’s urging, pushing the stool to the fridge and pulling out the big gallon of milk. Fully awake now, I lay in bed, smiling at the thought of Zoe sweetly preparing breakfast for her little brother. The cereal was served and not even a drop of milk spilt. They ate, Zoe talked, and Elliot listened. She told him all about New Year’s Day, fulfilling her big sister duty to educate him about the world. Five years have since passed. Elliot can now say “milk” properly, prepare his own bowl of cereal, and even cook scrambled eggs (with a parent close by). Yet, in many ways, things in my kitchen haven’t changed since that New Year’s morning. Elliot’s sisters are always around, giving him advice and introducing new ideas. Lucy and Zoe especially love to make their own smoothies and have taught him how to do so as well. Last week all three made a peach-raspberry smoothie using peaches that were bruised. The smoothie was sweet and delicious, and tasted a lot like summer. Afterward, the girls demonstrated how to pour the leftovers into popsicle molds for a cold, homemade treat even worthy of breakfast.
Caroline Barrett is the mother of three food-loving children and the wife of Paul, an exceptionally grateful husband. They live in Delmar, where they are always looking for a good meal. Caroline and Paul are the owners of a small food manufacturing company, Our Daily Nuts. They produce maple roasted nuts and distribute their product throughout the Eastern US. Their products can be found at: http://www.ourdailynuts.com. August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 15
MONTHLY MENU
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
Chocolate Pancakes
Oatmeal with Apple Butter
Apple Walnut Tart crumbled with Yogurt
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Breakfast Bagel
Honey-Nut Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Polenta with Fruit Compote
Apple Spice Cookie Bar
Matcha Shortbread
Whole Grain Toast with Apple Butter
Apple Spice Cookie Bar
Apple Maple Pecan Bread
Matcha Shortbread
Apple Maple Pecan Bread
Suppli al Telefono
Pear and Walnut Sandwiches
Corn Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper
Beef and Potato Burritos
Bombay Aloo
Fresh Chicken Salad
Roasted Potatoes with Eggs Over Easy
Whole Grain Toast with Apple Butter
Apple Spice Cookie Bar
Matcha Shortbread
Corn Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper
Whole Grain Toast with Apple Butter
Apple Maple Pecan Bread
Whole Grain Toast with Apple Butter
WEEKLY GOAL
FOR MOM
42 Oz
17 ½ Cups
10 ½ Cups
12 Oz
WEEK 1
Gnocchi à la Parisienne
Dessert Pizzas
Mozzarella and Porcini Calzone
No-Bake Apple Walnut Tart
Cheesy Beef and Potato Bake
Ginger Yogurt with Fruit
Number Of Servings
SUN
Granola with Milk
MON
16
TUES
Yogurt with Fruit
Broccoli Pasta Snickerdoodle
Ice Cream Sandwiches
13
16
WED
Toast with Jam
Cereal with Milk
Baked Chicken with Carrots and Olives
Sliders w/ Avocado & Chipotle Mayonnaise
Baked Salmon and Spinach en Papillote
Snickerdoodles and Fruit
Tiramisu
Coconut Potato Candies
27
25
35 Cups
10,983 Cal
THURS
FRI
SAT
Cranberry Orange Pancakes
Granola and Yogurt
Coffee Cake WEEKLY GOAL
FOR DAD
Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Fruit with Chocolate and Pistachio Sticks
Fruit and String Cheese
Grilled Cheese and Copper Pennies
Marinated Bean Salad
Beef and Spinach Burrito
Fruit and String Cheese
Carrot French Fries
Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Fruit with Chocolate and Pistachio Sticks
Fruit and Graham Crackers
Marinated Bean Salad
Caprese Salad Yogurt and
Salmon, Cucumber and Dill Salad
Coconut Butterut Squash Soup
Fruit and String Cheese
Graham Crackers
Caramelized Onion and Apple Mini-Tarts
Yogurt
Yogurt with Fruit
Fruit and String Cheese 56 Oz
21 Cups
14 Cups
21 Oz
WEEK 3
Spinach Gnocchi
Polpettone
Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
Spaghetti Tacos
Spinach stuffed Swordfish
Grilled Turkey with Zucchini
BBQ Chicken Pizza 45 ½ Cups
Vermont Spice Cake
Fruit
Pear Mousse
Number Of
16 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August Servings - September 2011
32
Fruit with Sorbet
Vermont Spice Cake
12
19
23
Cheesecake with Lime-Poached Pears 11
12,117 Cal
Cheesecake with Lime-Poached Pears Just enter your age, height, weight & gender at: mypyramidtracker.gov/ planner
By: Kiki Lightbourn
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
Oatmeal with Fruit and Nuts
Brazo de Gitano
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Granola and Yogurt
Granola with Milk
Yogurt with Fruit Whole Grain
WEEKLY GOAL FOR KIDS
(2-8)
Whole Grain Toast with Nutella
Trail Mix
Scallion Pancakes
Caramel Corn
Trail Mix
Caramel Corn
Toast with Nutella
Greek Chickpea Salad
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joe Burritos
Chicken Chili Tacos
Fall Vegetable Soup
Warm Lentil Salad
Black Bean Soup
Trail Mix
Scallion Pancakes
Whole Grain Toast with Nutella
Trail Mix
Whole Grain Toast with Nutella
Trail Mix
Shrimp Samosas
35 Oz
14 Cups
10 ½ Cups
10 Oz
Brazo de Gitano
Broccoli and Bacon Beschamel on Radiatore
Chicken and Bean Chili
Spiced Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream
Raspberry Pie
Number Of Servings
SUN
Chocolate Banana Crepes
MON
16
TUES
Cereal with Milk and Fruit
Baked Chicken Drumsticks Spiced Carrot
Pasta All’Amatriciana
Cake with Coconut Cream
Raspberry Pie
19
Beef Stew with Rice Volcanoes 35 Cups
16
WED
Flan with Granola
Baked Trout with Potatoes
Pumpkin Gingerbread Pancakes
12
Fruit with Sorbet
22
Fruit
WEEK 2
Rainbow Chard Gnocchi
11,630 Cal
THURS
FRI
SAT
Granola with Yogurt
Yogurt with Fruit
Cereal with Milk and Fruit
GLOSSARY
BREAKFAST
Kid-Friendly Sushi
Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds
Kid-Friendly Sushi
Apple Cake
Kid-Friendly Sushi
Salad Nicoise
Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds
SNACKS
LUNCH
Orecciette with Pesto
Brown Rice and Pomegranate Salad
Beet Salad
Green Beans with Bacon
Turkey Sandwiches
Spinach Cups
Mushroom Almond Couscous
DINNER
DESSERT
Loaded Sweet Potato Skins
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Crispy Fried Tofu
Sweet Potato Potstickers
Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds
Crispy Ravioli with Roasted Tomatoes
Pizza
Mincemeat Pie
Guava Cake
Pumpkin Pie
Salad Nicoise Fried Spaghetti
GRAINS
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Herb Roasted Chicken
Christina’s Baked Ziti
Turkey with Gingered Cranberry Sauce
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Flan
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Mincemeat Pie
FRUITS
DAIRY
MEATS/BEANS
Number Of Servings
20
18
10
16
WEEK 4
VEGGIES
Locrio de Pollo with Red Beans
25August -12,751 Cal2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 17 September
restaurant review
Karavalli Z
oe was moping in the back seat. We were all in the car, on our way out for dinner, and she was not getting her way. You see, she had requested Thai noodles, one of her favorite meals. But there wouldn’t be any Thai noodles on this evening. Lucy and Elliot also looked unhappy—Elliot because I just reminded him of the “no soda” rule in restaurants and Lucy because she’s almost twelve and doesn’t need a reason to be grumpy. So when we walked in to Karavalli, I was hoping that things would be looking up, and soon. It didn’t take long. Elliot took one look around the beautiful dining room, complete with a cerulean blue ceiling, and all whining over the soda issue ceased. Lucy seemed cheered by the interior, too, and I even caught her smiling as the waiter showed us to a table. Zoe, on the other hand, wasn’t won over so easily. I was hoping, based on the tales that I had heard from friends, that this Latham restaurant would please all tastes: from the Indian food enthusiast to the youngest child and pickiest eater.
Caroline Barrett is the mother of three food-loving children and the wife of Paul, an exceptionally grateful husband. They live in Delmar, where they are always looking for a good meal. Caroline and Paul are the owners of a small food manufacturing company, Our Daily Nuts. They produce maple roasted nuts and distribute their product throughout the Eastern US. Their products can be found at: http://www.ourdailynuts.com. 18 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
My friends’ recommendations proved to be right for us. We started our meal for five people with water and the complementary appetizers on the table. There were bowls of two different condiments: one a creamy mint sauce, the other, a bright orange onion relish. To accompany them was a basket of very thin crackers. It was the Indian version of chips and salsa, and Elliot dug right in with gusto. He loved cracking the crisp wafers, scooping up the onions, and then covering everything with the bright green sauce. If we had announced that dinner was over when that basket was empty, I believe he would have left, happy and satisfied. Lucky for us, the best was yet to come. We ordered naan, an oven baked flat bread similar to pita, but doughy and stretchy and loved by everyone in my house. Their tandoori chicken arrived steamy, hot, and bright red. This dish is traditionally marinated in yogurt and cooked in a tandoor oven. Turmeric and chili give the chicken its color. Karavalli’s version was moist and perfect. We also ordered Dal Makhani, lentils cooked in cream and spices. Theirs is more spiced than most, but delicious all the same. Elliot’s favorite dish was the lamb korma. Korma is rich, super creamy, and very mild. The lamb pieces were bite-sized and quite tender. I can’t say how much Elliot ate; after his third helping, I stopped counting.
CAROLINE LEWIN BARRETT . blog.timesunion.com/tablefor5 www.ourdailyeats.com
For my vegetarian daughter, we ordered Palak Paneer and Aloo Gobi. Palak Paneer is a dish made from Indian cheese and spinach. While other Palak Paneer dishes we’ve had consisted of big pieces of cheese covered in sautéed spinach, this version was different; Karavalli purees the spinach and the cheese, creating a light-textured dish, almost like a spinach mousse. The flavor is mild and creamy, and I simply could not get enough. There was also the vegetarian Aloo Gobi: cauliflower and potatoes, cooked in ginger, garlic, turmeric, and a tiny hot pepper. We laughed as I dared Zoe to eat the pepper, which she did. Her face turned pinkish and she immediately guzzled down her cold water. The wait staff at Karavalli’s was kind and assisted us in navigating the menu. Our knowledgeable waiter helped us decide how much to order, wisely recommending dishes with moderate spice and easily answering our questions. With our bellies full of chicken, lamb, lentils, and savory Indian spices, we declined dessert and even coffee. There simply wasn’t room! With our $72 bill (and $14 tip) paid and bag of leftovers in hand, we left Karavalli. My husband and I were both satisfied and full. My daughters, though they didn’t get their Thai noodles, were smiling and laughing as we walked out. Even Elliot, the guy who was crying as we pulled into the parking lot before dinner, skipped out, the soda long forgotten. LATHAM - KARAVALLI 9B JOHNSON ROAD LATHAM, NY 12110 TELEPHONE: 518-785-7600 FAX: 518-785-1200 EMAIL: manager@karavallilatham.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS - KARAVALLI REGIONAL CUISINE OF INDIA 47 CAROLINE STREET SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866 TELEPHONE: 518-580-1144 EMAIL: manager@karavallilatham.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS - ROCKLAND 416 NANUET MALL SOUTH NANUET, NEW YORK 10954 Tel: 845 215 9794 Fax: 845 215 9796
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 19
20 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
BUY LOCAL
Snip-its
By AMANDA SAVARESE
F
rom start to finish and beyond, a haircut at Snip-its is truly an adventure! It all begins as kids enter the salon, stepping into a magical, engaging, cartoon world characterized by floor to ceiling murals and splashy, vibrant colors. I had the pleasure of meeting with Kim Berube who is the owner of Snip-its in Clifton Park. She told me about all of the exciting things they do to make your children’s hair cutting experience as fun and painless as possible! She has seven amazing stylists, two receptionists, and two Party Directors. The salon is also Autism Certified, so you know your children are in good hands! Here is just a taste of the Snip-its experience: after checkingin, your child will receive his or her Snip-its Adventure Club card and then can meet and interact with Snips and the Gang: Flyer Joe Dryer, Curly Comb, Maranga Mirror, Jean Luc le Spritz, and Marlene & Charlene, the Clip-ette sisters in the Snip-its Animated Show. Kids are welcome to sing along with the Snip-its gang as they entertain with their own theme songs and adventures. At the styling station, with Mom or Dad close at hand, the Snipits’ specially-trained stylists work their Snip-its Magic while the kids keep busily entertained on the Snip-its Adventure Play Stations, featuring custom computer games and activities with Snips and the Gang. Each cutting station is specially-designed for maximum safety and comfort, including a safety strap for toddlers, a parent chair for Mom or Dad, and plenty of room to move around. Upon completion of the haircut, kids trade in their Adventure Club card, along with a lock of their freshly cut hair, for a special prize at the Snip-its Magic Box.
Parties at Snip-its are particularly snazzy and exciting! There are many reasons to throw a party: birthdays, Bat Mitzvahs, First Communions, pre-dance recitals, Girl Scout & Brownie Troops, after-school outings, school vacation week, summer camp field trips, or just to have a special celebration. The Clifton Park Snip-its offers two specially-themed celebrations: the Glamour Party and the Rock Star Party! The Glamour Party is the perfect way for your little fashionistas to release their inner divas. The specially-trained Snip-its Party Directors will help each girl “glam it up” with a dazzling hair style, fabulous party outfit, make-up palette, and nail polish color of her choice. Once the primping is complete, the girls will be able walk down the Snip-its Catwalk and strike a pose for all to see! The other, equally exciting alternative—the Rock Star Party—allows each participant to “Rock Out” with VIP treatment from start to finish. Select a style to get the party started, pick out a groovy outfit, a make-up palette suitable only for the next big star, and nail polish to match. Once the makeover is complete, the show begins!
The next time your child needs a haircut (or a party!), try Snip-its for an exciting, one-of-a-kind experience! Check out www.SnipIts.com for more information!
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 21
By Jennifer Dickison , mylittleme.com
Kiddo
Back To School…
Without a Sibling
B
ack to school for me is usually bittersweet. While I dread the early mornings and the daily struggles, I’m ready for a regular routine and a little peace and quiet.
My fourth grader, on the other hand, was not at all ready for the changes this year. For his entire school life, he had walked to and from school with his older brother. They had always been together—until now. This year, the oldest moved up to 6th grade at a new middle school. This change and its affect on my youngest child did not enter my mind at all. Instead, I was busy worrying about my older son entering middle school, hoping that he would adjust and succeed in his new environment. I kept thinking how easy it would be to take care of the youngest once the oldest was already on the bus. I would only have to get one boy out the door at a time and, to make things even better, there would no longer be any fighting between the two of them or divided attention from mom.
Well, contrary to my expectations, it is now the third week of school and I have had nothing but fighting, tantrums, and excuses every morning from my youngest son. He always finds some reason for not going to school! I thought at first that maybe he didn’t like his new teacher or perhaps he was having trouble with some other kid. I even thought that maybe he was in need of some severe discipline. I was wrong. I now realize the problem: he is missing his older brother. Even though they would argue most of the time during their walk to school, he still misses him. I wish I had anticipated this problem before the school year began. I should have thought that he may feel a little sad, a little scared, and a little alone without his brother there beside him. I could have prepared him more: we could have discussed his feelings and found a way to deal with them. In doing so, we could have avoided the horrible mornings of these past few weeks. Now that I have figured out what was behind all of the struggles and tantrums, I am hopeful that we can work together to make each morning and the rest of the school year a little easier and a positive experience for all of us.
My name is Jenny and I have been a stay-athome mom for four years, a mom for twelve years. I have four children ages 12, 9, 4 and 11 months, all with wonderfully different personalities that make life interesting! Check out my blog at: http://mylittleme.com!
22 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 23
By Elma Placeres Dieppa. www.mzelma.com
First Day of School Frights
Preschooler
J
ust five years ago my husband and I welcomed a baby into this world. Yes, we talked about the future: “Imagine when she takes her first steps!” and, “Imagine her first day of preschool!” These and many other milestones have passed, but for some reason her first day of Kindergarten seems like such a big deal! There are reasons why it’s so monumental: the day is longer, the kids are bigger, and some of the field trips will be without me. Without a doubt, the umbilical cord has been cut! My precious little baby—the same one who beats her papa every time when playing the Wii, passes through the security line at the airport like a seasoned traveler, and handles an iPad like an appendage—that little baby is going to Kindergarten. In addition to the school lists (remember to shop online early for backpacks and lunchboxes and last minute at big box stores for the best prices), we started talking about Kindergarten right as preschool ended. It was introduced by the teachers and I did my part of presenting it in all its glory: projects, friends, glitter, and glue. Our conversations alternated between highlighting the similarities (you will have a snack, the bathroom is in the classroom, you were a little nervous when you started preschool) and explaining the differences (there will be more writing, you will have computer time, you will love it even more). A week before school started we changed routines to mimic the times at school for lunch and snack, and even stopped by the school to meet her new teacher and assuage her trepidations about the unfamiliar environment. Now she’s wearing her backpack around the house, counting down to the first day of school, and me? I’m scared to death, but I’ll never tell a soul.
Elma Placeres Dieppa, wife & mother of two, tackles motherhood and work with humor, style...and a killer pair of heels. You can read more of her musings at www.mzelma.com
24 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 25
APPLE ORCHARDS LINDSEY’S IDYLLWOOD ORCHARD & FARM 267 Sugar Hill Road Rexford NY, 12148 Phone (518) 371-5785 RIVERVIEW ORCHARDS 660 Riverview Rd. Rexford NY, 12148 Phone (518) 371-2174 SARATOGA APPLE, INC. 1174 Rt 29 Schuylerville NY, 12871 Phone (518) 695-3131
SCHENECTADY COUNTY BUHRMASTER FRUIT/PRODUCE Rt. 50 Scotia NY, 12302 Phone (518) 399-5931
SCHOHARIE COUNTY BOHRINGERS FRUIT FARM H. C. R. #1 Box 10 Middleburgh NY, 12122 Phone (518) 827-5783
ALBANY COUNTY ALTAMONT ORCHARDS, INC. 6654 Dunnsville Road Altamont NY, 12009 Phone (518) 861-6515 INDIAN LADDER FARMS INC 342 Altamont Rd Altamont NY, 12009 Phone (518) 765-2956 Rensselaer County BEST BERRY FARM 1078 Best Road Box 142 B East Greenbush NY, 12061 Phone (518) 286-0607 GOOLD ORCHARDS INC 1297 Brookview Station Rd Castleton-on-Hudson NY, 12033-3116 Phone (518) 732-7317
SARATOGA COUNTY BOWMAN ORCHARDS LLC 157 Sugar Hill Road Rexford NY, 12148 Phone (518) 371-2042 BOWMAN ORCHARDS NORTH 107 Van Aernem Rd Ballston Spa NY, 12020 Phone (518) 885-8888 DEVOE’S RAINBOW ORCHARDS 1569 Rt 9 Clifton Park NY, 12065 Phone (518) 371-8397 26 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
SHARON ORCHARDS 573 Chestnut Street Sharon Springs NY, 13459 Phone (518) 284-2510 TERRACE MOUNTAIN ORCHARD LLC Terrace Mountain Orchard Road Schoharie NY, 12157 Phone (518) 295-8212
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BELLINGER’S ORCHARD 685 Argersinger Road Fultonville NY, 12072 Phone (518) 922-8558 SAND FLATS ORCHARD 371 Martin Rd Fonda NY, 12068 Phone (518) 853-4999
WASHINGTON COUNTY BILLY BOB’S ORCHARD 720 County Route 2 Putnam Station NY, 12861 Phone (518) 547-8309 FAIRVIEW ORCHARD 11962 State Route 4 Whitehall NY, 12887 Phone (518) 282-0013 HICKS ORCHARD LLC 18 Hicks Road Granville NY, 12832 Phone (518) 642-1788
list of family events in the area here is
WHAT ’S HAPPENING
CATS
COHOES MUSIC HALL
• Sept 8 - October 2, 2011 | 8:00 PM Cost: $25-$35 The second longest running musical on Broadway kicks off the ninth season at Cohoes Music Hall. The Jellicle cats are celebrating at the Jellicle Ball, awaiting Old Deuteronomy’s choice of which cat will be reborn into a new life. One by one, the cats step forward to introduce themselves, auditioning for the chance to take the journey to the Heaviside layer. Cohoes Music Hall, 58 Remsen Street Cohoes, NY Phone: (518) 237-5858 http://www.cohoesmusichall.com
ALBANY-RENSSELAER AMTRACK STATION
Photographs: Amtrak Train: JP mueller 99 on Flickr; Cats: Quadratestadt Mannheim on Flickr
AMTRACK ANNIVERSARY AUGUST 27, 2011 Cost: Free Join us in celebrating Amtrak’s 40 years as America’s Railroad SM by exploring our history, archives, and exhibit train — or take home a memento from the Amtrak store.
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
F
IS FOR
FALL
THU, SEP 15, 2011 10:30 AM Join CMOST staff in an exploration of the fall season! In this hands-on science class we will learn all about what causes the season, learn about how animals in the wild are changing their habits and create a cool fall collage to take home. Ages 2-5. Pre-registration is required. General Admission: $5.00 per person for ages two and up Dome Shows: $1.00 per person for each show Phone: (518)235-2120 250 Jordan Road (in Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy, New York 12180
August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 27
here is
WHERE TO GO
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE CAPITAL REGION
• ALPHABET SOUP September 21 and 28, 10:30-11:30 am Free with Museum admission, ages 3+. Join us for Alphabet Soup! Starting with the letter A, each week we will learn a new letter of the alphabet through crafts, games, stories, songs and more. This multidimensional language experience is a fun way to reinforce early literacy in preschoolers!.
WHEN: THU, SEP 15, 2011 | 6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM WHERE: 11 NORTH PEARL ST, DOWNTOWN ALBANY COST: $75 / TICKET This year attendance is anticipated to surpass 200, with young and established professionals from our community. We will feature several signature cocktails, gourmet fare and much more.
• SILLY SCIENCE September 22&29, 10:30 am. free with Museum admission. Recommended for children 5 and under. Join us for our newest program, Silly Science! Each week we will explore the different ways science is all around us! We will learn about water, forces, seasons, animals, and much more!
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA
museum day
SEPTEMBER 24 ALL DAY Receive two free museum admissions with the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day coupon, available on www. smithsonian.com. Limit one coupon per family.
• WORLD TRAVELERS: PERU October 5, 1:45-2:30 pm, free with admission.p Please pre-register . We caught the bug—the travel bug, that is! This month we are going to Peru. Our guest instructor, the well-traveled Nisha, takes children ages 3 to 5 on an adventure every month visiting new countries and learning their language, snacks, stories, art and songs. Bring your children to enjoy the fun while opening their eyes to our diverse wide world. 69 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs • Phone: (518) 584-5540. www. cmssny.org
28 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
ACTIVITIES in Tech Valley NY CLIFTON PARK-HALFMOON PUBLIC LIBRARY
CLIFTON PARK-HALFMOON PUBLIC LIBRARY
CLUB
Photographs: Machu Picchu: Pedro Szekely on Flickr; Candy corn: Liz West on Flickr; Lego pieces: Mr T in DC on Flickr
TALK LIKE A PIRATE • DAY MOVIE MARATHON DATE: 9/19/2011 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Ahoy, mateys! ‘Tis the 4th Annual Talk Like a Pirate Day, and we be celebratin’ with movies and more fer all ages: Elmo and the Bookaneers: Pirates Who Love to Read(“G”, 30 minutes )10 AM and 1:15 PM Treasure Planet (“PG”, 95 minutes) 4:00 PM Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13, 143 minutes) 6:30 PM
Date: 9/23/2011 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM LEGO builders in Grades 3-5 are invited to take part in CPH Library’s LEGO building club. Within a time limit, groups or individuals will create a LEGO display based on a theme. Use the Library’s LEGOs or bring your own.* Registration is REQUIRED and begins Friday, Sept. 16 at 9am.
BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bring your best voice and wear your best pirate gear, because throughout the day we’ll be hunting treasure in the Children’s Library - and for the very first time - making a “Give us your best ARRRR!” video recording • PRESCHOOL MOVIES Date: 9/22/2011 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM A series of short, literature-based films for children ages 3-6 will be shown. This is a drop-in program (registration is NOT required), however children must be accompanied by an adult. Siblings are welcome. 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY. • Phone: (518) 371-8622 Email: cphcirc@sals.edu • cphlibrary.org
• CANDY CORN BINGO 10/14/2011. 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Age 3 and up. Can you finish the game before you eat the pieces? Prizes for the winners. August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 29
WHERE TO GO
BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY • ROBOT READALONG Date: 10/7/2011. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Up to age 6. Stories and a craft for fans of R2D2, C3PO and other readingready robots.
451 Delaware Ave • Phone: (518) 439-9314 . Email:bpl@uhls.lib.ny.us bethlehempubliclibrary.org
TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY • BULBS, CORMS, AND TUBERS FOR ALL SEASONS AT LANSINGBURGH Saturday, Sep. 24, 10:30AM Topics covered will include; planting hardy bulbs in the fall and caring for them, planting, lifting, dividing, and storing summer bulbs and potting and forcing bulbs indoors.
Sycaway Branch : School 18, Hoosick Street , Troy NY Phone: (518) 274-1822 Lansingburgh Branch: 114th Street and 4th Avenue, Troy NY Phone: (518) 235-5310 Main Library: 100 Second Street, Troy NY Phone: (518) 274-7071. Email: troyref@uhls.lib.ny.us • thetroylibrary.org www.engagedpatrons.org/Eventscalendar 30 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011
15TH ANNUAL IRISH FESTIVAL SARATOGA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS September 16th – 17th
Cost: $16 in advance and $20 at the gate BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. The 15th Annual Irish 2000 Festival at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds brings together some of the greatest Celtic performers in the world on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. Among the more than 30 acts scheduled are Carbon Leaf, Gaelic Storm Enter the Haggis, Celtic Cross, Glengarry Bhoys, Black 47 and The Clancy Legacy.
“TOGETHER” BOOK TALK FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN / LANSINGBURGH BRANCH
Wednesday, September 14 – October 19 from 6:00 – 7:30pm Do you have children between the ages of 9 and 11? Would you like to spend more time reading and discussing books as a family? Do you want to take part in an enjoyable program that will help everyone in your family get more out of their reading experience? Then the Together program is for you! Join us for this six-session program where 9 to 11-year-olds and their parents get together to talk about books and ideas. Books, snacks, and activities are all provided at each session.
Photographs: celery bulb by Jules stonesoup on Flickr; R2D2: Ben Jacobson
here is
Editorial Calendar for KidsFunPlaza! Month
Theme
Guide
January 11
New Beginnings
Health Care Providers
February 11
Love
Schools
March 11
Community
Camps
April 11
Spring
Non-Profits
May 11
Family
Traveling
June 11
Summer
Staycations
July 11
Arts & Crafts
Museums/Local Arts
August 11
Education
After Schools
September 11
Autum/Nature
Farmers/Markets
October 11
Halloween
Party Resources
November 11
Thanksgiving
Daycares
December 11
Holidays
Kid Friendly Restaurants
To be on the guides contact advertise@kidsfunplaza.com or call 888-512-1444 August - September 2011 | Tech Valley, NY | KidsFunPlaza 31
32 KidsFunPlaza | Tech Valley, NY |August - September 2011