Volume 7 |April 2011 | KidsFunPlaza
Enjoying
Spring with Your Toddler
Autism Awareness in our Schools
Non-Profit Organizations
Guide
Baby Gifts
with a twist
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 1
Contents Capital District Child Care Council .................................................... 4 Dr. Constance Glasgow, MD Heath Care Provider of the Month.................................................... 9 Autism Awareness in our Schools................................................... 10 Non-Profit Organizations Guide...................................................... 13 Baby Gifts with a Twist.................................................................... 16 Feeding Babies: best practices to create good habits..................... 17 Enjoying Spring with Your Toddler................................................... 18 Fun with Springtime Science for Preschoolers................................ 22 Earthly Remedies by Erin ................................................................ 23 Growing Your Own Food with the Kids............................................ 25 Grow Your Own Easter Basket......................................................... 26 Getting to Know Your Local Colleges............................................... 28 Hereditary Diseases and Nonprofit Organizations That Can Help........................................... 30 Concierto de flores en esta Primavera............................................ 31 Kids Fun Korner............................................................................... 34 Here Is What ’S Happening ............................................................. 35
2 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
EDITOR’S LETTER
H
appy spring! I don’t know about you, but my mood always brightens a bit when it starts getting warmer again after winter is over. And then it’s even better when the world starts looking green again. I can’t stand looking at dead, brown grass after the snow melts, but the new growth is such a pick-me-up! Our kids look forward to spring for different reasons. We finally let them play outside again without nagging about hats and mittens. They can dig in the dirt because the ground isn’t frozen, or they can finally get their bikes out of the garage and ride around the neighborhood. Yes, spring brings change and renewal, and we’ve got both at Kids Fun Plaza! As a matter of fact, we’ve moved into a new office in Clifton Park – so our fabulous team of professional moms has a new place to come together and do great things. And I got good news on the personal front, as well. My dad, who has been battling cancer since October, is now in complete remission! Talk about news to renew your spirit! What do we have in store for you in this issue? Ali will show you how to grow your own Easter basket. Beth wants to help your kids eat healthier by letting them grow their own vegetables. I have a piece about autism in our schools, since April is Autism Awareness Month. And Sandra has some advice for teens going on springtime college visits. To go along with our non-profits guide, Linda discusses hereditary diseases as Grandma’s Wisdom. We hope you enjoy our spring issue of Kids Fun Plaza, and we hope to see you on April 16 at Colonie Center for the Kids Fun Expo! RSVP now at http://blog.kidsfunplaza.com/summer-expo/
Chistina Gleason
Meet Our Team Publisher Ana Roca Castro Ana@KidsFunPlaza.com Editor in Chief Christina Gleason Christina@KidsFunPlaza.com Art Director Catalina Arango Catalina@KidsFunPlaza.com Marketing Director Coleen Valenti Coleen@KidsFunPlaza.com Advertising Coordinator Kelly Razzano Kelly@KidsFunPlaza.com Diversity Manager Roxanna Homic Roxanna@KidsFunPlaza.com Columnists Educator of the Month, Parent of the Month, Toddler, Kiddo
Beth Levine Beth@KidsFunPlaza.com Green & Healthy, Health Provider of the Month, Arts & Crafts
Alina M. Hensley Ali@KidsFunPlaza.com Preschooler, Special Needs Christina Gleason Christina@KidsFunPlaza.com KidsFunKitchen Kiki Lightbourn Kiki@KidsFunPlaza.com La Placita Maria del Pilar Casas Community Events Roxanca Chirac RoxanaC@KidsFunPlaza.com Teens Sandra Foyt Sandra@KidsFunPlaza.com
Check out our Facebook Page for contests. http://facebook.com/KidsFunPlaza • Follow us on Twitter @KidsFunPlaza
Grandma’s Wisdom Linda Carmical Sandra@KidsFunPlaza.com
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 3
Educators of the Month
C
apital District residents have a powerful, free resource available. The Capital District Child Care Council has been working with families, child care providers, and the community for 22 years to take some worry away. It is because of this dedication to the Capital District community that the Capital District Child Care Council was selected as the April Educator of the Month.
Q&A with Kate Smith
Director of Marketing and Technology KFP: The Mission of the Capital District Child Care Council is to promote quality early care and education in the region and to help others recognize that an investment in the education of our youngest children is an investment in our future. Please explain how the CDCCC does this within the community.
KS: High quality early care and education leads to school readiness and has a positive impact on the local economy. With over 100,000 children in the Capital Region who are likely to need some form of care outside the home, high quality child care is a vital part of our community’s infrastructure. Research has also shown that 90% of a person’s brain development occurs by age 5, making a high quality child care experience even more vital. That’s where the Child Care Council can help.
Capital District Child Care Council 4 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
The Capital District Child Care Council promotes high quality child care by supporting families, child care providers, and community members with information, resources and training. Families can access free resources when they are seeking care for their children, ask questions about what types of care are available, and receive customized lists of licensed or registered care in their area. Child care providers can call us for technical assistance, training, nutritional concerns, program accreditation and more. The community as a whole is always welcome to call us for information, resources, and to find out how to become involved in our mission.
By Beth Levine, TheAngelForever.com
One of the hardest things to do as a parent can be to leave your child in the care of other people. This is something that most of us will have to encounter at one time or another. As you begin the childcare quest, it can be overwhelming. There are so many options out there, questions in your mind, and uncertainties. KFP: The Council has been serving the region since 1989. How has the role of the CDCCC changed over the last 22 years?
KS: The council has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 22 years. What began as a small group of volunteers from local child care programs has become a staff of 50 employees. In the early years, the council mainly provided child care referrals and support services to child care providers such as training and nutrition programs. Now, the council serves a six-county region (with some services extending to a 17-county area), with programs such as the federally funded Eat Well Play Hard, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, social emotional development services, provider technical assistance, and education services. The role of the council has really developed into a leadership position for child care in the Capital Region.
KFP:
What is the QUALITYstarsNY program and why has the CDCCC become such a strong advocate in testing it and asking Governor Cuomo for its implementation?
KS: Quality Stars NY is a quality rating and improvement system that will empower families to become savvy consumers who choose high quality care for their children, it will provide policymakers with effective tools to improve early care and education quality, and it will give child care providers a roadmap – and support – for quality improvement. Quality rating and improvement systems are already being implemented, or are in the research and development phase across other states in the U.S. The Albany area was
Families seeking child care can call the CDCCC at 518-426-7181 or visit cdcccc.org to receive, free of charge, quality educational materials that will assist in the search for a child care program. Parent Educators at the Council can e-mail, fax, mail, or give licensed/ registered child care provider referrals over the phone.
one of 13 communities in NYS selected to conduct field tests to investigate the design of the system and help shape how the system will be implemented. Because our mission is to improve quality, the council strongly supports the implementation of QualityStarsNY. Readers can find out more on their website at QualityStarNY.org.
KFP:
The CDCCC has many programs that are available for local child care providers. What are some of the most popular in the area and how do these certificates assist them?
KS: One popular – and beneficial – program for child care providers is our technical assistance service. “Technical assistance” is another way of saying “one-on-one” consultation with a program and involves an educator from the council working closely with a child care provider to develop a plan for improvement, setting goals and outcomes, designed to make positive changes in the program. Other services for child care programs are workshops, social emotional services, on-site training, and Medication Administration Training. Another very popular program is our annual conference scheduled for October 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy. Last year, the conference hosted over 400 participants and provided caregivers the opportunity to attend workshops presented by early care professionals from around the country. Plans are underway for this year’s conference already, and we’ll be announcing the keynote speaker in our upcoming newsletter, the Leader, and in our e-newsletter – sign up on our website at cdcccc.org.
Once a parent contacts the council, a Parent Educator will ask some basic information regarding their child care needs, after the information is collected (all information remains confidential) the Parent Educator will get a provider listing together that meets the family’s needs.
KFP: New concerns about better nutrition have changed the way that child care providers feed children in their care. How does the CDCCC assist care givers in this area?
KS: The council can assist through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Programs (EWPH). The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program which reimburses registered, licensed, and legally exempt child care providers for serving meals and snacks which meet the USDA guidelines to the children in their care. Child care providers are in a unique position to help shape a lifetime of healthy eating. Through financial assistance and nutrition education CACFP supports providers who want to improve the quality of nutrition offered at a critical time in young children’s development. Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (EWPHCCS) is an initiative funded through the New York State Department of Health. The program was developed to help prevent childhood obesity. The goals of EWPHCCS are to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase low fat dairy consumption, and increase age-appropriate physical activity among preschoolers, their families, and caregivers. A big thank you to Kate Smith from the Capital District Child Care Council for taking time to do this interview. It is my hope that this information will help many more people within the Capital District.
QUALITY EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION THAT PARENTS RECEIVE
a Contact information to
check the complaint history of a program
a Referrals to New York
State licensed/registered providers
a Earned Income Tax Credit a Financial assistance April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 5
By Beth Levine, TheAngelForever.com
I love the fact that when I walk into the school, the kids run up to me to say “Hi Mrs. Pribis!” or “Hi Pathogen Pribis!”because I’ve shared so many experiences with them. I feel like I have a strong connection to my children’s school and classmates. I find that incredibly comforting as we each go about our days and separate ways. – Dr. Anneke Pribis Parents often wear many different hats in a given week. This would be an understatement for Dr. Anneke Pribis. Not only does Dr. Pribis go to her office each day, but she is also an active volunteer throughout the community. In order to spend more time with her family, Anneke tries to work these activities into items that she can do with her husband and two sons. Pribis credits her supportive family, including her in-laws that help with her children daily, for allowing her to get so much accomplished. She is the Sunday School teacher for one son’s class, helps with the EOC rural food delivery, organizes an annual bicycle rodeo and healthy kids day at Galaway School (where she serves on the School Health Advisory Council), and teaches an adventure academy class with her husband Mark.
6 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Imagine being able to take a passion of yours and combining it with family and volunteer work. This is exactly what Dr. Pribis has done. Anneke helped to set up a FIRST LEGO League at St. Mary’s. Her desire to spend time with her children, and inspire more children to embrace science and technology were a motivating factor in this commitment. It is because of this dedication to the Capital District community, along with the St. Mary’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) that Dr. Anneke Pribis was selected as the April Parent of the Month.
A Big Part of the School Two years ago, Dr. Pribis and her husband Mark volunteered to coach the first year of the FLL at St. Mary’s. Both of their children
are interested in science and they had experience with the LEGO NXT robots. Mark coaches the 4th and 5th graders, while Anneke coaches the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. A grant from Ballston Spa National Bank has helped to fund the adventures of the after school enrichment club. The club, which meets Friday afternoons, has grown significantly in a year. Now there are a total of 10 parent coaches to meet the large increase in children that have signed up. In one year, the FLL went from one older team and two younger teams, to two older teams and three younger kids. Each team has two coaches and six kids. “We figured out that over 20% of the current 1st through 5th graders did LEGO League this year! It has really become a big part of the school.”
Anneke Pribis
Parent of the Month from Saratoga County
Balancing Work and Family Life Pribis states that one of the biggest successes of the FLL would be the research project they did with one of the older teams this year. The kids chose to research kidney failure because two of the team members have close relatives with kidney transplant. “They found out that diabetes was the number one cause of kidney failure and that 1 in 3 kids born after 2000 will likely get diabetes in their lifetime. We visited an endocrinology office for research and then the kids developed a skit about it. They performed the skit for their classmates to raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight to prevent type II diabetes. Now the kids want to start a diabetes club in school to follow through on improving the school menu and continuing the awareness campaign. It’s like a grassroots wellness program...coming from the kids, not the adults!”
Connecting With Kids over Science In addition to FLL, Anneke can be found spending time at school helping out the teachers. Sue Reiter, a science teacher at the school invited Dr. Pribis in to do a presentation on germs and the immune system. During this, they played a game where she was called “Pathogen Pribis” and the kids were parts of the immune system. They also built icosahedral virus particles and designed their own custom viruses, while talking about boogers. “To this day, when I walk into the school invariably some 5th grader comes up to me with a big smile and says ‘Pathogen Pribis!’”
I asked Anneke what some of her must do’s are to help with the work and family balance. Here is what she shared: • Don’t be bothered by a messy house. My favorite quote from my awesome mother-in-law is, “Dull women have immaculate houses.” If you have a choice between cleaning and building a snow fort, build the snow fort every time. • Compartmentalize. I learned this the hard way when we used to live in Vermont and I had a 24/7 call schedule for delivering babies. Work is work. Family time is family time. • Always remember: family is most important. We frequently reevaluate to make sure we’re got our priorities straight.
This doesn’t always happen and we try to correct. I am the one who often takes on more than I should and then gets cranky. In our 15 years of marriage, Mark has gotten very good at graciously reminding me to tone it down. • Try to combine volunteering with family time. That’s why a lot of my volunteer work is things like coaching FIRST LEGO League and teaching Sunday School. I get to spend time with my kids and get to know all of their friends. Mark and I also share a lot of volunteer activities so everyone’s together and we can cover for each other. Other volunteer activities that we do that include the whole family are things like the rural food deliver – we all go. I actually feel guilty that I get all of the fun volunteer activities. The parents who volunteer to do mundane tasks really deserve all of the credit.
A big thank you to Dr. Anneke Pribis for taking the time to do this interview. She is an inspiration on how to combine family and volunteer time to help with the work and family balance. I wish Anneke, her family, and her FIRST LEGO teams much success. For more information about FIRST LEGO League, go to FirstLego-League.org.
Pathogen Pribis also spent time with the Young Scholars class dissecting a sheep brain. The class was learning about the anatomy of memory. “Some squeamish kids held the brain in their (gloved) hands and really loved it. The feedback afterward was ‘I thought it was going to be gross, but it was really neat.’”
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 7
8 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Heath Care Provider of the Month
Dr. Constance Glasgow, MD CapitalCare Pediatrics By Alina M. Hensley, TheCraningGap.blogspot.com
“
When we moved here, there was nothing. A general store on the corner, a farm that delivered milk, and a farm that delivered eggs. And that was it. We worked with Mr. Van Patten to build our house, and we designed it so that the office could be right in it. It was nice, because I could be home with my boys. They always knew I was there. And we had dogs, and the patients could play out in the yard with them while they were waiting.” For someone like me, who spent most of her formative years here in Clifton Park, it’s difficult to imagine the world Constance Glasgow speaks of. She sits at her desk in her vibrant orange office, hands folded, and regards me with kind eyes. She tells me the sort of story that one doesn’t often get to hear. The two-room doctor’s office she describes seems to be from the same page in history as a one-room schoolhouse. It is something neither I, nor any of the rest of us can imagine these days, so used to the fast paced, clinical and impersonal atmosphere of a standard physician’s practice. But sitting here with Dr. Glasgow, things seem very personal indeed. She is soft spoken, and my time with her goes fast. Her halo of white curls is aglow in the light reflecting off the snow banks outside. Her story isn’t a story about medicine as much as it is a story about people. It began when she was 16, having taken a summer job assisting the nursing staff at the New York Hospital in Queens. She says the defining moment that set her on the path of medicine was when a surgeon burst out of the OR running, still in his scrubs, and he was saying saying, “The anastomosis worked, the anastomosis worked!”
Dr. Glasgow remembers, “That was the first time I’d heard it, and I thought it was the most beautiful word. And for him to come out like that – because he was very, very staid and standoffish – I thought, wow.” Having deeply supportive and loving parents, she says that she and her brother, a lawyer, never had to worry about facing adversity in anything they sought to do. I speculated that being a black woman in that era must have been tremendously difficult for her when entering the world of medicine. She says, “It never crossed my mind.” Enrolling in medical school at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, Dr. Glasgow was just one of a few women in her class. She graduated with a degree in Pathology, and moved with her husband, Dr. Twitty Styles, then a Parisitologist, to Mexico. She spent a year there blindly navigating the medical system, as she spoke no Spanish, before returning to New York in the early ‘60s. This time, to Schenectady, where her husband began work at Union College, and she opened up a small practice where she finally began her career in family medicine. In 1967, they moved to Clifton Park, where the roots of what would become CapitalCare finally took hold. In the ‘80s, they moved out of their home office and built their first office building on route 146 near the Shenendehowa campus. This is the first building you see on your right as you come into the complex. Just a few years ago they upgraded to a newer, larger building to the rear of the property where the practice thrives to this day, and you can find Dr. Glasgow here in her bright, warm office.
When I asked her how things had changed for her, going from being so close to her patients and being able to spend so much time with them, to the way things are now with appointments scheduled back-to-back, everyone rushed in and rushed back out again, she admits that it’s not how it used to be. The meaning of Family Medicine is gone; relationships aren’t fostered between a care provider and their patient. “But the doctors now are young. They don’t remember how it was before, so it’s okay, I think. It’s going to be okay. No one knows what they’re missing.” (Editor’s note: Dr. Glasgow was my childhood doctor. When I was a baby, she had my parents bring me to her home office one night after hours when I was really sick. She still remembers my name and says hi to me when we run into each other in Price Chopper. Is it any surprise I bring my son to her practice?) But you can see in Dr. Glasgow’s face that she remembers that time very well and still keeps that intimacy forged between herself and her patients in her heart. It truly is about the people, for her, and if I had any doubts as to that, the Hippocratic Oath displayed prominently on her wall would stifle them. “I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being…” it states. And I think, for as long as she continues to practice medicine, Constance Glasgow holds to this with all her heart. April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 9
Special Needs
Autism Awareness
A
pril is National Autism Awareness Month, and I think it’s safe to say that most of us are aware that autism exists. But what many people may not realize is just how broad the autism spectrum is – and that the Rain Man stereotype is not the only type of autism there is. Your child may have autistic classmates that you know about – and he or she may have some that you don’t know about.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS When most people think of autism in schools, they probably envision a separate special education classroom where kids with severe disabilities attend life skills classes and cannot interact with the neurotypical (“normal”) students. While this does occasionally happen, more often, children with more severe forms of autism attend programs like those offered at Wildwood School in Schenectady. I have a cousin with autism who is nonverbal, and he attended Wildwood when he was younger. I also happen to know someone who works there and is wonderful with the kids.
He does not receive any sort of special services because he was “declassified” upon leaving preschool. His classmates probably have no idea he isn’t just like them…and most parents probably wouldn’t realize it either – just like many other children with autism. It’s not always obvious; sometimes kids just need a little extra support to overcome their particular difficulties with social skills, etc. And some kids on the spectrum attend regular classes but get pulled out for things like speech, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. This may be the only indication to their friends that something is “different” about them. Or some kids may have support staff in the classroom to help them get through the day. The thing about integrated classrooms is that they are beneficial for both autistic students and their neurotypical classmates. Autistic students can learn from their classmates who model age-appropriate social behavior about how to behave and react in the classroom. Typical students can learn about diversity, making them aware of and teaching them to get along with people of all different abilities. ARE YOU AWARE?
The truth is that school districts always look for the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students of all abilities. While there are some autistic students who require intensive attention and the higher staff to student ratio of a segregated classroom, that is no longer the norm that is synonymous with autism in schools. INTEGRATED CLASSROOMS
in our Schools By Christina Gleason, CutestKidEver.org
10 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
If your child is in public school – or even in some private schools – chances are, he or she has at least one classmate with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Because of the law concerning the least restrictive environment, many students with an autism diagnosis are attending regular classes with neurotypical students. My son, who has a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, is in a mainstream kindergarten classroom.
The most important thing to know about kids with autism is that they are often just like their classmates; they just have different challenges.
@
For more about autism awareness, please visit these sites:
• Autism-Society.org • WorldAutismAwarenessDay.org • http://www.hhs.gov/autism/
Christina Gleason is a happily married mom of one very active little boy and Founder of Phenomenal Content LLC, which provides online copywriting for businesses. Read her blog at www. CutestKidEver.org!
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April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 11
HEY PARENTS !
for
KidsFunSummer Expo
at the Colonie Center on April 16th THE LARGEST SUMMER CAMP FAIR IN NORTHEASTERN NY No need to drive around from camp to camp. Come meet over 40 Summer Camps at the Colonie Center on April 16th and get:
Free reusable Camp Fair 2011 tote bag with all relevant information and goodies A full day of Camp workshops to give your kids a feeling of the camp activities Meet and take pictures with all the characters: Eastern Bunnies, Clowns, Super Heroes and more! Enjoy the Bouncy Castles free of charge
Parents and future campers can visit with over 40 local and out-of-state representatives from: * Residential Camps * Day Camps * Academic Summer Programs * Athletic Summer Programs * Teen Adventure Programs * Fine Art Programs * Public andaPrivate School Camps * County Offerings * and much more.
All the information you need to find a summer camp for your family will be here. Don’t miss this ONE DAY ONLY event! FREE ADMISSION. FREE PARKING.
For ideas about your summer camp options, pick up the March 2011 Day Camp Directory at any Price Chopper, YMCA or Public Library. The directory will also be distributed at Camp Fair and online listings are viewable all year long. For Exhibitors - Be a part of this sold-out multi-booth expo. Go to http://advertise.kidsfunplaza.com/kidsfunsummer-expo/
12 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Non-Profit Organizations Guide North Eastern NY
A
t some point in a person’s life, if not definitely, there may be a devastating medical diagnosis or other tragic event. If and when you find yourself in need of support or information after receiving life changing news, there is most likely a non-profit organization to turn to for help. Many offer financial support, information, and some much needed emotional support. We have pulled together a list of some non-profit organizations to bring awareness of what is available to you. While this is not anywhere near a complete, it gives you a place to start.
YMCA Camp Chingachgook NYCharities.org NYCharities.org is a free site dedicated to helping everyone donate time, money, or talent to New York’s 98,000 + charities. New York, New York 212-844-0560 support@nycharities.org www.nycharities.org Parks & Trails New York Albany, New York 518-434-1583 ptny@ptny.org www.ptny.org New York State Museum Albany, New York 518-474-5877 www.nysm.nysed.gov Citizen Soldier: New York’s National Guard in The American Century Office of Cultural Education | NYSED Albany, New York 518-474-5877 nysm.nysed.gov/citizensoldier
Community Guide By Linda Carmical
New York State Nurses Association Latham, New York 518-782-9400 info@nysna.org www.nysna.org
The Carver Community Center of Schenectady, Inc. Schenectady, NY 518-3748456 ext 104 rwalker@carvercc.org www.carvercc.org
National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death & Pregnancy Loss Resource Center Washington D.C. 866-866-7437 info@sidscenter.org www.sidscenter.org
Catholic Charities Senior Services in Schenectady County Schenectady, NY 518-372-5667 info@cathcharschdy.org www.ccseniorservices.org
American SIDS Institute Naples, Florida 239-431-5425 www.sids.org Animal Protective Foundation Scotia, NY 518-374-3944 ext 110 info@animalprotective.org www.animalprotective.org Bethesda House of Schenectady, Inc. Schenectady, NY 518-374-7873 drossi@bethesdahouseschenectady.org bethesdahouseschenectady.org Boys and Girls clubs of Schenectady Schenectady, NY 518-374-4714 megzcraig@yahoo.com www.bgcschenectady.org
Crossroads Center for Children Schenectady, NY 518-280-0083 info@crossroadcenter.org www.crossroadcenter.org Mohawk Opportunities, Inc. Schenectady, NY 518-374-8424 hr@mohawkopportunities.org www.mohawkopportunities.org Niskayuna Community Foundation Niskayuna, NY 518-935-7899 Info@niskayunacf.org www.niskayunacf.org Schenectady Community Home, Inc. Scotia, NY • 518-346-5471 webrecruiter@arcschenectady.org www.arcschenectady.org The Schenectady Foundation Schenectady, NY 518-393-9500 racarreau@schenectadyfoundation.org www.schenectadyfoundation.org
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 13
Non-Profit Organizations Guide North Eastern NY Autism Society of America, Albany New York Chapter Schenectady, NY 518-355-2191 Info@albanyautism.org www.albanyautism.org American Diabetes Association Albany, NY 518-218-1755 ayoung@diabetes.org www.diabetes.org Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition Albany, NY 518-459-2388 jrightmyer@setonhealth.org www.smokefreecapital.org American Red Cross, Adirondack Saratoga Chapter Glens Falls, NY 518-792-6545 ferrisg@usa.redcross.org redcrossadirondacksaratoga.org ASPIRe N.Y., Inc Saratoga Springs, NY 518-932-4356 info@aspireny.org www.aspireny.org
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Human Services Glenville, NY 518-399-4624 kconnelly@chsny.org www.chsny.org
Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties Schenectady, NY 518-370-1902 jlsspresident@gmail.com www.jlschenectadysaratoga.org
CAPTAIN Youth & Family Services Clifton Park, NY 518-371-1185 info@captainyfs.org www.captainyfs.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Glens Falls, NY 518-743-1700 greateradirondack@jdrf.org www.jdrf.org
Domestic Violence Services and Rape Crisis of Saratoga County Saratoga Springs, NY 518-583-0280 dvrc@crisny.org www.dvrcsaratoga.org Double H Ranch Lake Luzerne, NY 518-696-5921 jroyael@doublehranch.org www.doublehranch.org Empire State Youth Orchestra at Proctors Theatre Schenectady, NY 518-382-7581 esyoed@esyo.org www.esyo.org Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY Albany, NY 518-489-8110 mrichard@gsneny.org www.gsneny.org
AUSA Capital District of NY Chapter Bolton Landing, NY 518-644-3559 wvalenza@gmail.com www.ausacdny.com
The Giving Circle, Inc. Saratoga Springs, NY 518-226-104 info@thegivingcircle.org www.thegivingcircle.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region Albany, NY 518-862-1250 info@bbbscr.org www.bbbs.org
International Institute for Human Empowerment, Inc Albany, NY 518-393-9491 sueshipe@humanempowerment.org www.humanempowerment.org
14 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Moreau Family YMCA Fort Edward, NY 518-761-9622 info@glensfallsymca.org www.moreauymca.org Muscular Dystrophy Association Albany, NY 518-489-5495 ctallon@mdausa.org www.als-mda.org Northeast Parent & Child Society Schenectady, NY 518-346-1284 john.henley@neparentchild.org www.neparentchild.org Adirondack Spintacular Mayfield, NY 518-863-8998 carol@adirondackspintacular.com www.adirondackspintacular.com The Prevention Council Saratoga Springs, NY 518-581-1230 heather@preventioncouncil.org www.preventioncouncil.org Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Schuylerville, NY 518-695-3315 info@rebuildingtogethersaratoga.org www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.org
Saratoga Bridges Malta, NY 518-587-0723 vmuratori@saratogabridges.org www.saratogabridges.org Saratoga Center for the Family Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-8008 debtomaso@saratogacff.org www.saratogacff.org Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3158 j.hoxsie@saratogaeoc.org www.saratogaeoc.org Saratoga Springs Lion Club Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3675 saratogaspringslions@nycap.rr.com www.saratogalions.com Shelters of Saratoga Saratoga Springs, NY 518-581-1097 sosed@nycap.rr.com www.sheltersofsaratoga.org Soroptimist International of Saratoga County Saratoga Springs, NY 518-581-1201 soroptimistsaratoga@gmail.com www.saratogasoroptimists.org United Way of the Greater Capital Region Saratoga Springs, NY 518-899-5211 jbuchas@nycap.rr.com www.unitedwaygcr.org Unlimited Potential, Inc Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-2851 BHollowood@upsaratoga.com www.unlimitedpotentialonline.com
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 15
Baby
By Kelly Razzano, AlbanyMommy.com
S
pring is a popular time for baby showers. Shopping for baby gifts can be easy sometimes, but sometimes it can be difficult. If you are going to a baby shower and have a nice, full registry to choose from, it will be easy. If the registry is almost bought out or you’re buying for someone you work with, it might be a bit more challenging. I love to buy people baby gifts. What better celebration that a new baby? I also love to buy presents that are a little different, not something that someone else will also give. Here’s a list of ideas for baby gifts that are just a little “different” and unique and my reason for liking each.
Flip video camera. ($129-$229) It’s small, easy to use, and fits perfectly in a diaper bag or pocketbook, so you can easily take it anywhere. It also looks so much like a camera that you can sneak it into the delivery room.
Door chimes.
($10-$40) Think to the future when their little one is up and walking. Magnetic door chimes can be purchased at your local hardware store. Place one part on each side of the door and you’ll hear a chime every time the door opens. Parents know when a little one may escape into the backyard, and kids know when parents are arriving home. After witnessing a cousin get out of a locked door at the age of 3, we ran out and got door chimes for all of our doors.
Restaurant gift cards. My mother-in-law got us
gift cards to restaurants close to our house for our shower. I thought it was strange, but I soon learned differently. When new parents have no sleep and can’t function, but can just call and order food, drive over, and sit in a takeout parking spot without having to get out of the car, it is a joyous thing. Make sure you pick places that have curbside pickup so they don’t have to get out of the car – Macaroni Grill, Pizzeria Uno, Outback Steakhouse.
TiVo. ($100) How much do you actually sleep the last
month of your pregnancy? I watched a ton of late night and early morning television during my last few weeks. After the kids were born, I would watch TV while doing late night feedings. I was so afraid I would fall asleep while feeding and drop the baby that I always turned the TV on. TiVo was what helped me not go crazy from infomercials and I Love Lucy reruns. Record all my favorite shows during the week and watch them at 2am. How many other people will think of that as a gift? I gave it to my sister during her second pregnancy as a shower gift, and I’m still the favorite sister four years later!
Diapers. I know this sounds simple, but I don’t mean just
any old diapers. You never know which diapers are going to work best on your child. We used only Pampers for one and only Target brand for the other. All kids are different; all diapers are different. Get the new parents small packages of a few different brands of diapers. When they are home for two days and discover that their child leaks out of the only brand they have, you’ll be the favorite!
Baby Gifts with a Twist
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KidsFunKitchen
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 17
Toddler
By Beth Levine, TheAngelForever.com
Enjoying
Spring April Showers Fun Snow in the northeast moves on out, leaving us with April showers and a lot of melting snow. Rather than tell your child not to run, jump, or splash in a puddle – encourage it. Invest in a pair of rubber boots and a raincoat. Watch as your child explores what happens if they lightly hit the water with their foot, versus stomping their foot down. With the warmer weather, kids will enjoy experiencing time in the rainy world, getting some much needed energy out.
with Your Toddler
Spring is finally here, and it is a time to rejuvenate and watch the natural world come alive. There are so many options to explore with your toddler. Remember that the best way to teach them about the spring time is to let them experience it using their own senses. Children will take away much more if you allow them to have a multi-sensory experience. Since it may be a little muddy to think about time at the park, below are some ideas to try with your toddlers.
Kites, Umbrellas, and Rainbows
Items associated with the spring are great to use as a craft time focus. Pull out some finger paints, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and anything else you have around to get creative. Get a spare hanger, some yarn, and construction paper to make a spring time mobile. There are so many possibilities, especially if you tie into a book that you read with your child. Be sure to check out some of the spring book ideas as s starting point.
Make a Grass Creature Toddlers will start to notice the outside world coming alive and turning green. Be sure to show your child the new grass growing, trees budding, and flowers blossoming. No doubt they will be curious to know how it happens. Buy a small flower pot and help them to create a face on it. When everything is done being decorated, fill it with some soil and sprinkle grass seed on top. This activity will show your toddler how to care for growing items. As the grass begins to grow, you will have green hair growing on your flower pot creature.
Animal Watching Time As the weather continues to get warmer, more and more animals will return to the area. Kids are fascinated with birds, flying, and the sky above. Find a good location around your house to put a bird feeder. With any luck, you can place it so your child will be able to view it while inside. Talk about the birds and how they land, eat, and go back to nest building. Explain what the squirrels, which will no doubt invade the feeder, are doing. Have your child help you shop for bird seed and refill the feeder when it is needed.
18 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Have fun, enjoy the warmer temperatures, and be sure to introduce your toddler to the joys of spring in the northeast.
Spring Time Book Suggestions for Toddlers (and beyond)
It’s Spring! Linda Glaser
The Happy Day Ruth Krauss
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 19
20 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Gianduia Mousse
Cherimoya - lime Sorbet
Grilled Fish
Spiced Sea Bass with Carmelised Fennel Raspberry Pie
Roasted Salmon And Rhubarb
Ginger Yogurt with Fruit
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Tilapia with scallions and black bean sauce
Kid-Friendly Sushi
Meatloaf Burrito
Maple-Cinnamon Applesauce
TUESDAY April 26
Flan
Standing Rib Roast with Cognac Sauce
Mousse with mixed fruits Marinated Bean Salad
Pie with Hot Chocolate Tuna Caserrole Leftover
Salmon Salad
Green Beans with Bacon
Potato Pancakes
WEDNESDAY April 20 WEDNESDAY April 27
Bacon and Cheddar Omelette
WEDNESDAY April 6
WEDNESDAY April 13
Fruit and String Cheese
Mediterranean Picknic Snack
Melon yogurt Snack
Pear Mousse
Pasta alla Bolognese
Beef Burrito
Beef Burritos
Tartlets with Vanilla Shake
Toast with JamFruit and String
TUESDAY April 19
Cocoa-Nut Bananas
TUESDAY April 12
Candied Walnuts
Strawberry - Mascarpone Trifle
Raspberry Tartlets
TUESDAY April 5
Beef Stew
Peppered Beef Fillet
Beef Stroganoff
Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds
Fruit with Chocolate and Pistachio Sticks
Gobble Up Granola Snacks
Lunchbox Snacks
Prosciuto and Melon Salad
Mexican Tortilla
Green salad with mozarella
Turkey Salad
Ana’s Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict
Honey Apricot Cornbread
MONDAY April 25
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
MONDAY April 18
Honey Glazed Ham and Parmesan Baked Broccoli
Gnocchi with creamy Gorgonzola
Easy Baked Penne
Asparagus Carbonara
MONDAY April 11
Mashed Potatoes
Yogurt Covered Pretzels
Coconut Snacks
Banana Tortilla Snack
MONDAY April 4
Deviled Angel Eggs
Go Out for lunch!
Go out for Lunch!
Go Out for lunch!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Potato & Bacon Omelet
SUNDAY April 24
WEEK 4
Poached Eggs with spinach and ricotta
SUNDAY April 17
WEEK 3
Bagels for Brunch
SUNDAY April 10
WEEK 2
Cinnamon Honey Glazed Sticky
SUNDAY April 3
WEEK 1
Find all the recipes and shopping lists on KidsFunKitchen.com
MEATS/BEANS
DAIRY
FRUITS
VEGGIES
GRAINS
42 Oz
FOR MOM
WEEKLY GOAL
35 Cups
10 Oz
10 ½ Cups
14 Cups
35 Oz
KIDS (2-8)
WEEKLY GOAL FOR
DESSERT
DINNER
LUNCH
SNACKS
BREAKFAST
GLOSSARY
Monthly Menu
Number Of Servings
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 21
Fruit with Sorbet
Lemon Bars
Chocolate Truffles
Pistachio Meringues with toasted coconut
Individual Apple Charlotte
32
23 16
19
16 11,630 Cal
12
22
16
13
16 10,983 Cal
27
25
20
Brazo Gitano
Dulce de Leche
Flan de Coco
Arepa
19 12,117 Cal
The Dominican Flag
Locrio Loco
Mangu
Spanish Tortilla
12
Coco balls
Fruit and String Cheese
Mango Sorbet
Sesame Stick Snacks
18
10 12,751 Cal
16
Bacalaitos with Chorisos
Sea Soup
Sopa de mariscos (seafood soup)
Green Salad with Trout
Pie with Avena
Breakfast Burritos
25
SATURDAY April 30
Mincemeat Pie
Yuca with Chorisos
SATURDAY April 23
Cheesecake with Lime-Poached Pears
Baked Southwestern Tilapia
Pumpkin Pie
Pork Tortilla
Canadian-bacon Strata
FRIDAY April 29
Mincemeat Pie
Huevos Rancheros
11
Salmon in parchment
Cajun Rainbow Trout
SATURDAY April 16
Fruit and Graham Crackers
Peanut Butter Snack Cups
Won Ton Snacks
SATURDAY April 9
Pork Salad
Tuna Sandwich
Green Salad with Olives and Mozarella
Creamy Fish Chowder
Eggs Florentine
Lemon Bars in Spanish Oatmeal
FRIDAY April 15
Veggies Scrambled Eggs
FRIDAY April 8 FRIDAY April 22
Marmalade-glazed Ham
Pizza Snacks
Pork Tenderloin
Coriander-crusted Pork tenderloin
Kid-Friendly Sushi
Fruit with Chocolate and Pistachio Sticks
Quick & Yummy Snack Pizza Snacks
Turkey Salad
Chicken Salad
Go out for Lunch!
Caprese Salad
Cookies with Rasberry Smoothie
Cupcakes with Banana Shake
Hash Brown Frittata
THURSDAY April 28
Cake with Hot Chocolate
THURSDAY April 21
Coconut Cupcakes
THURSDAY April 14
Crepes Suzette
Vermont Spice Cake
Gianduia Sandwich Cookies
THURSDAY April 7
Apple -braised Turkey thighs
Strawberry Torte
Stuffed Trukey Breast
Roast Chicken
Apple Cake
Yogurt with Fruit
Ham and Swiss Rolls
Parmesan Triscuit Snacks
Just enter your age, height, weight & gender at: mypyramidtracker.gov/ planner
FIND OUT YOURS
45 ½ Cups
21 Oz
14 Cups
21 Cups
56 Oz
FOR DAD
WEEKLY GOAL
35 Cups
12 Oz
10 ½ Cups
17 ½ Cups
Preschooler
Fun with Springtime Science for Preschoolers By Christina Gleason, CutestKidEver.org
S
pringtime is full of possibilities. As it gets warmer outside, you can start letting your kids play outside a bit more. Why not use this opportunity to have some science fun with your preschooler?
Fun in the Garden Teach kids about how plants grow. Let your preschooler pick out seeds at your local garden center. Read the instructions and plant the seeds together. Keep track of the plant’s growth on a calendar, or take pictures twice a week to visually track its growth. Let your child water the plant – with your supervision to ensure nothing gets drowned. If you plant different types of seeds, have your preschooler make a hypothesis about which ones will bloom first – then see if they’re right!
Fun with Solar Power Make a solar oven together out of a cardboard box and aluminum foil. On sunny days, you can learn about solar energy by cooking marshmallows or hot dogs in your oven. Amaze your preschooler by cooking outside without a fire!
Fun with Metamorphosis Learn about life cycles with a butterfly kit. Feed the caterpillars and watch as they grow. Read some books about caterpillars and butterflies as you wait for your caterpillars to break out of their chrysalises, then set them
free once the butterflies emerge! There’s a great episode of Wild Kratts on PBS Kids that teaches kids about the migration of monarch butterflies, if you’re interested.
Fun with the Sky On a day with nice, fluffy clouds in the sky, spend time with your preschooler watching the clouds move. Discuss what clouds are made of while you try to decide what each cloud looks like. Point out how they move across the sky as a way to talk about the wind. If it’s windy enough, you can fly a kite for a more hands-on lesson about the wind.
Fun with Flowers Take some cut white carnations and put each of them in a separate vase or glass of water, then add a few drops of food coloring to each. Use a different color for each carnation so your preschooler can
22 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
watch each of the carnations turn colors. For more fun, mix colors (i.e. red and yellow to make orange) in one vase or switch the vases after a day or two to see what happens!
Fun with Senses Amaze your kids by actually letting them play in the mud! If you have a sensory table, you can fill one side with dry dirt and another side with mud. Let your preschooler squeeze the dirt and mud through her fingers. Ask her how each of them feels. You can also change up the textures with rocky soil, sand, etc. If you don’t have a sensory table, you could just let her play in the dirt and use a cup of water to turn some of it into mud. Christina Gleason is a happily married mom of one very active little boy and Founder of Phenomenal Content LLC, which provides online copywriting for businesses. Read her blog at www. CutestKidEver.org!
Earthly Remedies
Buy Local
by Erin
By: Kelly Razzano, AlbanyMommy.com
D
o you love your baby’s bottom? Want to pamper your little one’s tushy? I have something for you. I first heard of Earthly Remedies by Erin because of their Baby’s Butt Cream. One of the local cloth diaper services was raving about it. This cream works incredibly well with both cloth and disposable diapers and is made by a local Mom. Erin also makes Baby’s Butt Balm in a stick form. Why didn’t I find this when my kids needed it? If there is one thing I couldn’t stand, it was getting diaper cream all over my hands while covering the kid’s bottoms – and then trying to get their clothes back on without getting the cream all over them. A stick is so easy! No mess on your hands. Think of how much easier it would be when you are changing diapers out and about. This is a mom who really gets it!
Earthly Remedies isn’t just about babies. She carries items for all body parts: Eczema Relief cream, hand salve, Mommy’s Belly Cream, Hand and Face Cream, Arnica Muscle Rub, and so much more. You can view all the products at her website, EarthlyRemediesbyErin.com. Be sure to check out the special section for pets, and keep the ticks away from your pets with Tick Flick’r.
You can find Earthly Remedies by Erin on their website, at Morningsun Traders in Schoharie, Sonrise Diaper Service, and at a few Farmer’s Markets this summer. Visit the website for a complete list of local stores and to keep an eye for the Farmer’s Markets dates and locations. You may contact Erin Either at 518-534-3003 or info@ EarthlyRemediesbyErin.com.
Erin grows her own herbs to use in her products, and they are all 100% natural and chemical free. Erin even has her own beehives to produce the beeswax she uses in her products. Isn’t that so cool? Her website even states that she makes everything fresh to order. It’s just like getting your very own custom made items. After this winter, our skin needs a little tender loving care.
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 23
24 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Kiddo
By Beth Levine, TheAngelForever.com
D
o your children like to eat items that they help to make? Mine do, and most children seem to be more willing to try items that they help to cook or bake. Those food items that once made them turn their noses away are suddenly interesting to them when they have a stake in the meal making process. Imagine taking this a step further. How would your child react to planting, caring for, and growing their own fruits and vegetables? Now that spring is here, sit down with your family and allow your children to take some ownership in planning your garden. Even if you do not have a big yard, a small patio with some pots, soil, and seeds can provide a spring and summer learning experience. Making a Plan and Purchasing Supplies Prior to heading to the store, sit down and brainstorm about different fruits, vegetables, and spices that you would like to try growing. Think about uses for your eventual bounty. Will you make salads, soups, dry spices to use later in the year, or simply have some nutritious fresh snacks? Think about a location to plant your items in.
Determine if there is enough light and room for growth in the area. Also be sure to stay away from animals that might want a snack. Rabbits in the area can be quite pesky; we learned that the hard way many years in a row. Look around your house to see what supplies that you have from previous years that can be used again. Have your child make a list of what you will need. If you plan on growing your garden from seeds, ensure you have the items to do this. Last year, we took our son to the garden supply store and had him help to pick out packets of seeds to grow. It was entertaining to watch him decide on which items to get. Planting and Responsibilities Make planting your seeds a special occasion. Have a planting party. Allow your kids to make labels for the areas so you remember what seedlings will grow there. Another option is to have your child map out the garden on paper. Your new key will help you to remember which plants grow best for future years. Come up with a chart or way to make sure that you tend to the plants. Be sure to come up with a plan that includes your child in watering, weeding, and plucking the fruits of their labor once they have grown.
Even if your garden is not a success, the time spent with your child is priceless. They will learn the ups and downs of nature, how lucky we are to have farmers, and get to spend time learning at home with you. April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 25
Green & Healthy
Grow Your Own Easter Basket
T
ell the truth. How many Easter baskets have you collected over the years? It seems to me that Easter baskets – kind of like bunnies – just seem to proliferate. I remember having closets overrun by them, and there were more still at my grandmother’s house. They never all got used; I was an only child after all. So it leaves me wondering, now that I’m a mother – what, exactly, is the point? My daughter loves to grow things, as I find most children do. There’s something about nurturing a plant from seed that resonates with every child’s personal relationship with love. They see their parents love and mimic it wherever possible, be it in doll play or in gardening. Taking my daughter’s love for planting, we decided to make this Easter a green one. Literally. And whether your family celebrates that He is Risen or you just really love springtime and the bunny-shaped chocolate that comes with it, this is a great project for anyone.
What you’ll need: • A shallow wicker basket, (about $3 for a 1” deep circular tray basket, at Michael’s.) • Paper towels • Potting soil • Grass seed Starting a few weeks before Easter, help your child place a single layer of paper toweling in their basket (to prevent the soil from running out during watering) and fill it to the top with soil. Sprinkle seeds on top and place in a sunny windowsill on a tray or cookie sheet to collect runoff. Water generously and keep soil moist.
By Alina M. Hensley, TheCraningGap.blogspot.com
Here are some great all-natural ideas for treats: •G reen & Black’s Organic White Chocolate Bar ($4, Walmart.) • S urf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans ($1.99, Hannaford.) • L indt Stracciatella Lindor Truffles ($4, Walmart.) •B asil the Bunny ($46 for large size, $36 for small, BlaBlaKids.com)
Wait for the grass to sprout – which it will do quickly! Once the grass has begun growing, rotate the basket every other day to prevent the grass from growing at an angle towards the window. The night before Easter morning, have the children leave their baskets outside on a porch or patio. (Or, if the weather is slated to be too frosty, keep them inside.) In the morning, let them see what they find nestled inside their homegrown grass from the Easter Bunny!
•H and-painted wooden Pysanky eggs (Starting at $6, Bestpysanky. com) • F lower or veggie seeds, and a pair of gardening gloves and trowel (Starting at $1, Target.) •T iny wooden toys (Check out ‘Gifts Under $15’ at Hearthsong.com)
[Takeaway Tip:] Take it farther: Have each child plant perennial wildflower seeds among the grass in the tray and place outside along the front walkway, or in the garden in the back yard. The roots will eventually break free from the paper towel, and the basket and grow straight into the ground. Eventually, the basket will decompose, and every year, perennial wildflowers will grow in the place where the basket sat! Alina Hensley is happily raising her daughter in her native New York, and passionately passing on her love for writing, culture, and the arts.
26 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011 Tomatoes Photo: Ben Mc. Leod on Flickr
WAYS TO LEARN AS YOU GROW YOUR GARDEN
a Teach the basics that plants need to survive.
a Draw plants and label all of the parts. a Use a notebook and journal as the seedlings grow. Draw pictures or take photos to include.
a Record observations of plant movement as the light position changes.
a Guess which seeds will grow first. Keep track of your hypotheses and see how it turns out.
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 27
By Sandra Foyt, AlbanyKid.com
Teens
Getting to Know Your Local Colleges
I
n the spring, college campuses are inundated with visits from high school students who suddenly realize that graduation is right around the corner. With little time left before making one of the most important decisions that they will ever make, families scramble to schedule as many college visits as they can into the spring break. Getting to know your college options ends up being hectic and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many ways for parents to introduce colleges in low-key and dare-we-say fun ways, long before it’s time to send in those personal essays. College events are a boon to the budget-conscious, providing an amusing way to explore a campus and a low-cost way to entertain a family. Colleges differ in the kinds of programs they offer, but many host events that are open to the public. Annually, Hudson Valley Community College opens its doors for large-scale events such as the Rensselaer County International Fair or the Capital District Garden & Flower Show. In the winter, you can ice skate during public hours at the arena, or attend sporting events throughout the year. Year-round, the school’s calendar of events includes theatrical and musical presentations ranging from Shakespeare to steel pan music, and most of the programs are free.
Another great way to introduce children to colleges and careers is to enroll them in college outreach programs. The College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) hosts a whole series of community events during their annual NANOvember, while the Society of Women Engineers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) organizes the very popular Exploring Engineering Day in February that brings more than 400 elementary students for a full session of hands on workshops. Both are free to attend. Many area families also head to Cambridge, MA every year to attend the weekend SPLASH program in November or the one-day SPARK program in March at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For a nominal fee, both give middle school and high school students a chance to sign up for an eclectic mix of one-shot classes that can include unusual topics such as the biology of love, casino math, or pen spinning. In the summer, students can really get to know a school by attending a summer camp program. For students who are not ready to travel far, there are many excellent day camp options at local colleges such as the Summer Enrichment Programs at RPI. Older students may want to take advantage of residential programs such as Annual Creative Writing Workshop hosted at Skidmore
College by the New York State Summer Young Writers Institute. Additionally, mature students have a wide range of options for residential summer camp programs locally and internationally. Colleges everywhere put out the welcome mat, inviting the public to be a part of their community. Families benefit not only by giving children the opportunity to get to know their college options, but also by discovering a fabulous resource for inexpensive family fun.
a HVCC Events Calendar http:// bit.ly/gil3xv
a NanoCareer Day and Student Outreach at CNSE http://bit. ly/dYbaaF
a Exploring Engineering Day http://bit.ly/i6fMdd
a MIT Outreach Programs http://bit.ly/hYCOrL
a Summer at Rensselaer http:// bit.ly/hciwUb
a New York State Summer Young Writers Institute http:// bit.ly/fdugX3
28 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 29
Grandma’s Wisdom
By Linda Carmical, LindaCarmical.com
P
eople tend to believe that, as they grow older, their health will deteriorate. Take my mom for instance; she has high blood pressure, diabetes, the onset of Alzheimer’s, and recently had a stroke as a direct result of these. There’s a long history of diabetes in my family: Aunt Alice, Granny Irene, and my mom. For this young grandma, it’s very scary to think of the old saying “It skips a generation.” Makes me worry it’ll be harder on me since it didn’t skip one. These diseases historically have been a problem of the older demographic, but more recently, high blood pressure and diabetes have become more common in the younger population as well. Fortunately, there are numerous nonprofit organizations available to help people suffering with these conditions or have someone close to them inflicted with one or more of these. People touched by these diseases may find the resources provided by these organizations to be useful as they manage the care of a loved one. Diabetes The American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org, 1-800-342-2383) provides an enormous amount of information for those suffering with the various forms of the disease as well as for their caregivers. In addition to basic information the organization also offers dietary and fitness advice and community outreach programs. For those who wish to support diabetes research, there are also opportunities to donate and become involved in lobbying efforts. Alzheimer’s Disease The Alzheimer’s Foundation for America (alzfdn.org, 1-866-232-8484) is designed specifically to help the people suffering from Alzheimer’s as well as their family members and caregivers.
30 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
Hereditary Diseases and Nonprofit Organizations That Can Help
The website provides information about the disease along with local and national events provided to raise awareness and the latest news and research concerning the condition. In addition to information about Alzheimer’s, they also have sections dedicated to related illnesses such as Huntington’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease. The goal of the group is to help more people learn about the early stages of dementia, regardless of cause, in order to help patients obtain an earlier diagnosis so they can begin treatment that’ll improve their quality of life. Heart Disease The American Heart Association (www. heart.org, 1-800-242-8721) provides information on a variety of diseases that relate to the heart and circulatory system such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, arrhythmias, heart attacks, congenital heart defects, and strokes.
In addition to information specific for these diseases, they also provide resources to help individuals maintain a healthier lifestyle, fun ways to support research for a variety of conditions, classes to help learn life saving techniques, the latest research, and resources specifically for caregivers. If you’re looking for resources that focus more closely on local residents, NYCharities.org is a good place to start. You can search their database by entering a keyword, such as diabetes, to find nonprofit organizations specializing in the type of information you’re interested in. I’ve found this site to be very useful for me in locating nonprofit organizations specializing in my family’s diseases. While this is primarily a tool to help donors find worthy organizations, it is an excellent resource to help locate groups that may be able to provide assistance to those in need as well.
LindaCarmical.com This grandma is a southern girl at heart who came to realize one day staying home, being my own boss, blogging, and dabbling in web content was where it’s at. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell me I’d be working harder and longer hours than ever before! It’s a good thing I love this!
By María del Pilar Casas
La Placita
Concierto de flores en esta
T
Primavera
odas las épocas del año son preciosas, pero la primavera tiene un toque especial que debe alegrar nuestros corazones y el de nuestra familia. Hay muchas cosas que podemos hacer, motivar a nuestros hijos a que disfruten de la hermosa creación, que cada mañana sonríe ante nuestros ojos. Apreciar el colorido de las flores, observarlas con atención, percibir la vida y energía que de ellas emanan. Así profundizamos sobre esa sublime obra de Dios, que nos ofrece paz, alegría y la posibilidad de salvar nuestra naturaleza y cuidar de este planeta con verdadero amor y esmero.
Así enseñaremos a nuestros hijos que la solidaridad y hermandad, es muy importante para la construcción de un mundo mejor.
Son tiempos complicados para el mundo, muchas catástrofes han sucedido y un sinnúmero de personas buscan solidaridad y presencia en estos momentos. A lo mejor llegar a los lugares de desastre es difícil para muchos, pero podemos enviar nuestras oraciones y energías positivas, para que salgan poco a poco de sus angustias. Y que mejor manera que empezar desde nuestro propio corazón, ofrendando un concierto de flores que debe iniciar con un simple pensamiento de amor solidario.
Abril es un mes hermoso, tiene una magia especial y Albany ha sido consciente de esto, por eso a finales del mes y principio de Mayo, Albany Park, ofrece el tradicional “Festival de Tulipanes”, que incluye eventos musicales y la coronación de la Reina del Tulipán. Una celebración que atrae no solo a sus ciudadanos a nivel local, sino regional.
Hace noventa años Japón comenzó la tradición del “National Cherry Blossom Festival” - Festival de los Cerezos, y como muestra de su hermandad y símbolo de amistad, regaló a los Estados Unidos 3,000 árboles de cerezos, en doce variedades, esta hermosa tradición adoptada por la capital de los Estados Unidos, tuvo su origen en la ancestral cultura Japonesa y debe motivarnos en estos momentos difíciles, para pensar en su gente y hacer algo desde nuestro hogar. Por ejemplo podemos con nuestros hijos durante esta temporada de primavera, sembrar árboles florales en nuestro jardín, en memoria de todos aquellos que perecieron y como símbolo de vida para quienes tratan de seguir adelante.
Tengamos Rosas en diferentes sitios de nuestra casa y establezcamos misiones para los integrantes del hogar, deberán cambiar las flores cuando ya se marchiten y cada uno escogerá un color, de acuerdo a la intención que ofrezcan al ponerlas. Así nuestros sitios preferidos de casa, lucirán siempre alegres, recibiendo sus dulces fragancias y alegrando la vida de todos con sus variados y hermosos colores.
¡Demos nuestro mejor concierto en esta primavera! iniciando con notas de amor desde el corazón, en el hogar, con nuestros hijos y sembrando en familia ese hermoso árbol por nuestros hermanos, que hoy viven en el dolor de haberlo perdido todo y a quienes enviaremos un verdadero camino de Rosas, para que transiten por él y vislumbren nuevos horizontes primaverales para sus vidas. Recuerde que sus pensamientos y palabras positivas son energía para el Universo entero.
Maria del Pilar Casas. Colombian writer and publicist living in Miami Florida. She has published three books of poems and participated in various cultural publications in the United States and his native country. Her children and home are the driving force and inspiration of her life. What she loves the most ... writing. mariadelpilarcasas.com. April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 31
Kiki Lightbourn
W
ith Easter right around the corner, many parents have already begun to prepare for the arrival of the Easter Bunny. With the weather warming up, family on the way and an action packed Easter egg hunt on the horizon, there is a lot of planning to do in just a few weeks. One of the most common questions around this time includes “Hey Mom… what’s for dinner tonight?” Here are a few yummy ideas to make this year’s Easter Dinner memorable and delectable. Eggs Eggs Eggs! With eggs on the brain it’s no surprise to sit down and find them on your plate for dinner. Here’s a recipe for yummy deviled eggs (or as my mom likes to call them “Angel Eggs) to serve as the ham is cooking in the oven (yes I said it, you’re about to cook a ham, but don’t worry I’ll walk you through that too!). So tonight’s Menu will be: • Deviled Angel Eggs • Honey Glazed Ham • Mashed Potatoes • Parmesan Baked Broccoli Deviled (Angel) Eggs • 12 Servings • Prep/Total Time: 15 min. Ingredients • 12 hard-cooked eggs • 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes • 1/2 teaspoon minced chives • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
• • • • • • •
1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons milk Fresh parsley Additional paprika
Directions • Boil Eggs. Slice eggs in half lengthwise; remove yolks and set whites aside. In a small bowl, mash yolks. Add the next 10 ingredients; mix well. Evenly fill the whites. Garnish with parsley and paprika. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 each) equals 147 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 216 mg cholesterol, 163 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 6 g protein. Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/ Best-Deviled-Eggs
Kiki Lightbourn Blog:http://KidsFunKitchen.com
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Honey Glazed Ham Ingredients • 1 (5 pound) ready-to-eat ham • 1/4 cup whole cloves • 1/4 cup dark corn syrup • 2 cups honey • 2/3 cup butter Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Score ham, and stud with the whole cloves. Place ham in foil lined pan. 3. In the top half of a double boiler, heat the corn syrup, honey and butter. Keep glaze warm while baking ham. 4. Brush glaze over ham, and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Baste ham every 10 to 15 minutes with the honey glaze. During the last 4 to 5 minutes of baking, turn on broiler to caramelize the glaze. Remove from oven, and let sit a few minutes before serving. Amount Per Serving Calories: 521 | Total Fat: 28.3g | Cholesterol: 96mg Source: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/honey-glazed-ham/Detail.aspx
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingrediesnt 2-1/2 lb. baking potatoes (about 7), peeled, quartered 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 tsp. salt Directions COOK potatoes and garlic in boiling water in large saucepan 20 min. or until potatoes are tender; drain. MASH potatoes until smooth. STIR in remaining ingredients until well blended. Nutritional Information: Calories 200 Total fat 10 g Saturated fat 6 g Cholesterol 35 mg Source: http://www.kraftrecipes.com
Baby Broccoli With Garlic Ingredients • 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil • 4 medium bunches broccolini (about 8 oz. each), ends trimmed, or 2 medium heads broccoli, stems peeled and sliced, flowerets separated into 1 1/2 inch pieces • 1/2 tsp. salt • 2 garlic cloves, crushed with garlic press Directions In deep 12 inch skillet, heat 1 Tbs. oil over medium high heat. Add broccolini or broccoli and salt; cook 4 minutes, tossing vegetables to coat well. Add garlic and remaining 1 tsp. oil, and cook 1 minute longer, stirring. Add 3 Tbs. water; cook broccoli 2 minutes longer or until tender crisp Source: http://www.recipe4living.com/1.%20%20 http:/www.recipe4living.com/recipes/baby_broccoli_with_garlic.htm April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 33
What do you want to do that day? Send us a letter to KidsFunPlaza at Clifton Corporate Parkway, Suite 470, Clifton Park, NY 12065 and let us know
34 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011
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WHAT ’S HAPPENING Schenectady
SCHENECTADY MUSEUM & SUITS-BUECHE PLANETARIUM
• FETCH! LAB: 3:00 4:30 pm Come to this exciting weekly program to learn about science and do hands-on activities like the ones on the popular PBS tv show!
Blow It Away Make a traveling breeze with a vehicle that is part car and part sailboat at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium’s FETCH! Lab. April 21, 22 and 23 Canine House of Cards Build a structure out of paper that is strong enough to support the weight of a jumbo dog biscuit. FREE with Museum admission. April 14, 15, 16 and 17.
Operation Espionage Make invisible ink and reveal a secret message at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium’s FETCH!™ Lab. FREE with Museum admission. April 7, 8, 9 and 10. Toy Chemistry Mix up a gooey solid that you can mold and stretch into weird shapes. April 28, 29 and 30.
• LITTLE WONDERS OF SCIENCE. March 17 and 19, 11:00-12:00 pm. Caps, Hats, Socks and Mittens Introduce children ages 3 to 5 to the science of the four seasons with Caps, Hats, Socks and Mittens and a fun craft. Advance registrants receive a FREE book and materials to continue the study of science at home. Space is limited. Call 518.382.7890 Ext. 224 to register today! FREE with Museum admission. April 14 and 16. • SCIENCE OF THE CIRCUS SCIENCE. Thursday, April 28, 2011 @ 4pm - 5:30pm The talented performers of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey astound audiences across the country with acts of daring and skill that require concentration, patience, timing, dexterity and courage. Many of the laws and principles of physics, such as balance, gravity, momentum and more, are brought to life in this special performance. Become familiar with these science concepts in a way that makes learning fun.
15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady Phone: (518) 382-7890 Email: Programs@SchenectadyMuseum.org • schenectadymuseum.org
Saratoga County THE DISCOVERY PROGRAM
HYDE COLLECTION Children’s Vacation Art Studio Classes - Drop-in activity program for kids 6-12 with adult chaperone. Tuesday, April 19, 2011 - Fri, Apr 22, 2011 The Hyde Collection will host two sessions of art studio classes for students in grades 2-6. These classes will take inspiration from Earth Day and focus on reusing resources to create art. Students will make paper, found object sculptures, and artist books. $20 per child of Hyde members, $30 per child all others.
A free program for children in pre-K through grade 6 A special Discovery Day is held at The Hyde on the third Sunday of each month. Families are invited to drop in between 1pm and 3pm. (Tours begin approximately every 15 minutes.) Each month’s Discovery Day has a different theme, is designed for the whole family, and includes a guided tour with a hands-on art activity in our Louis P. Brown Art Studio. Changing themes encourage monthly visits and ensure that there is always something new to see and learn at The Hyde! 161 Warren St Glens Falls. Phone: (518) 792-1761. Feb 22 - Feb 25 Email: info@hydecollection.org • hydecollection.org April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 35
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WHERE TO GO Saratoga County
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA
Photo NASA @ http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/
•TUESDAY FOR TOTS. 10 am - 12 pm and 1 -3 pm. This is a special time for our younger visitors to gain preschool readiness skills in a fun and social environment. Join us anytime between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1 – 3 pm for playdough, crafts, games and friends! April 5, 12, 19, & 26.
Earth Day Family Festival. 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. April 18, free with Museum admission. Let’s celebrate spring and Earth Day with an afternoon of environmental activities. We will close off our upper parking lot for Earth Day themed crafts, games, and outdoor fun! Alphabet Soup. April 6, 13, 20, & 27, 10:30-11:30 am. Free with Museum admission, ages 3+. Join us for our fun weekly program, 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 whole language experience is a great way to reinforce early literacy in preschoolers! Story Art. April 7, 14, 21, and 28, 10:30am-11am. Free with admission. Reading together is always better, so please join us Thursdays for an exciting new story each week. We’ll use our imaginations and the story to inspire art projects that explore different media and styles. Stretching with Stuffee. April 1, 15 and 29, 10 am-10:30 am. Free with Museum admission. Stuffee will join us to facilitate exercise through silly songs and stretching. This gentle program will promote imaginative movement and flexibility. Kids and parents, please come dressed to move! This week Dr. Q, from AAC Family Wellness Centers, will join us in Stretching with Stuffee! 69 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs • Phone: (518) 584-5540. Dec 21 -Jan 18. cmssny.org
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CLIFTON PARK-HALFMOON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Story Time for 2 and 3 years old April 6, 13 and 27, 10:30 - 11:00 am: A lively mix of stories, songs and rhymes makes this a special time for you and your child. This drop-in story time is offered weekly on Wednesdays beginning April 6 and ending May 25(No session April 20). Child must be at least 2 years old on the first day of the series and must be accompanied by an adult. No siblings (except twins*) please! Animal Book Adventure: Frog Frenzy. Tuesdays. 4:00 PM-5:00 PM For children in grades K-2. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, April 5 at 9 am.Join us for stories, facts and a craft about these fascinating creatures. Location: Children’s Activity Room Registration Ends: 4/12/2011 at 3:00 PM. Contact Number: 371-8622
Dance, Dance Dance! (K-2) April 10. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Put a little groove in your move. We’ll explore simple steps and put together a dance/movement piece. Wear loose comfortable clothing and lightweight shoes. Bring a water bottle. Program Room A-B Registration Ends: 4/20/2011 at 1:00 PM Contact: Youth Services PJ Storytime For ages 2-6. 5:45 or 6:30 pm Join Diane Payette, local performer and educator, for a quiet story time. PJ’s are welcome. A nice opportunity for children whose parents work outside the home. This is a weekly drop-in program for families with children ages 2-6. April 4th through 25th (no session on April 18). 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY. • Phone: (518) 371-8622 Email: cphcirc@sals.edu • cphlibrary.org
ACTIVITIES in North Eastern New York Rensselaer County TROY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Albany County BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY
• Preschool Family Story Time Family Storytime will be offered for children up to the age of 5, accompanied by parents and caregivers. We will share stories, rhymes, songs and simple crafts. Mondays at 10:30 am – Sycaway Branch Wednesdays at 10:30 am – Main Library Fridays at 10:30 am – Lansingburgh Branch
•Watercolorful Painting Tuesday, April 19th at 2:00 – 3:00pm Main Library Using kitchen objects, seasonings and some brushwork, children will create work your family will want to frame not just tack on the fridge. Please call 274-7071 to sign up as space is limited. For children age 7 and up
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
Albany County
KIDSFUNSUMMER EXPO at the Colonie Center on April 16th THE LARGEST SUMMER CAMP FAIR IN NORTHEASTERN NY All the information you need to find a summer camp for your family will be here. Don’t miss this ONE DAY ONLY event! FREE ADMISSION. FREE PARKING.
• Friday Movie: Tangled April 22. 3:00 PM- 5:00 PM Family Event. Disney Movie Tangled (210, PG, 100 minutes) will be shown.
• I, Robot-a look into the future of robotics April 23. 2:30 PM-5:00 PM Grade 6 and up. Sign up is required. Folks from UAlbany’s College of Computing and Information will give you a basic overiview of robotics and help you design a social robot for a task you choose
Photo Jerry Reynolds
•Anime Club at the Main Library - Main Library. April 6 and 27. 5:30. Thanks to the Weed and Seed Program, the Anime program is back at the Troy Public Library, and it’s better than ever! Join us for Anime viewings, DDR nights, contests, and prizes EVERY Wednesday. If you have any questions, feel free to call the library at 274-7071 and ask for Maria.
• On my Own. Tues and Wed. 1:30 PM-2:00 PM, Age 3-5. Parents stay close by at our lobby cafe tables. At 10:30 – 11:00 am on Thursdays.
April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 37
WHERE TO GO
Photo clevercupcakes on Flickr
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Fancy Nancy cupcake party April 20. 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Age 3-10. Sign up is required. Wear your fanciest party clothes, but bring an apron-because you’ll be decorating and eating your own cupcake. Fancy crafts and stories, too. 451 Delaware Ave • Phone: (518) 439-9314 . Email:bpl@uhls.lib.ny.us • bethlehempubliclibrary.org • Story Art May 06, 2011. 11:00 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Location: Kids’ Cove Enjoy the Museum by listening to a story, exploring objects from the teaching collection, and creating a fun art project. Themes will be announced on the day of the program. Meet in Kid’s Cove ﾪ FREE Program for Toddlers and Preschoolers ﾪ Pick up tickets at the Main Lobby Desk
• Rain Or Shine ... It’s Reading Time. April 13 and 27, May 11 and 25 2nd and last Wednesdays of the month. Read a story with Museum staff and visit a special exhibit to learn more about New York State. Meet at Kids’ Cove. For Preschoolers Only FREE Program • Family Fun Day April 16 and May 21st. 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Location: Adirondack Hall The Museum offers fun for everyone with family games, crafts, and other theme-based activities. April 16 – Spring Has Sprung May 21 – Art Is in the Landscapes Around Us Furry Tales And Touchables May 07, 2011 : 11:00 A.M. - 11:45 A.M. Meet at Discovery Place Recommended for children 4 to 6 years of age. FREE Program Stories come to life as youngsters touch real animal skins, bones, plants, and more while listening to a storybook reading each time. Cultural Education Center of the Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY. Phone: (518) 474-5877. Email:msparks@mail.nysed.gov • nysm.nysed.gov
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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 April 2011 | NENY, Northeastern, NY | KidsFunPlaza 39
40 KidsFunPlaza | NENY, Northeastern, NY |April 2011