ALL ABOUT MOM: FASHION, FITNESS, BEAUTY AND TREATS MAY 2011
May 2011 Established 1986
MOMS WE
LOVE
WWW.NEWYORKFAMILY.COM
GOLF and TENNIS
FOR CITY KIDS
30
COOL BIRTHDAY
PARTY IDEAS
TRACY R
Po
NEW YORK FAMILY
On Raising A Big City Family With Lifelong Love Michael J. Fox Cover_0511.indd 1
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SPEND SOME
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inside
April 2011
32 28
FEATURES 44 | Tracy’s Turn Throughout her storied life as an actress, wife to Michael J. Fox and mother of four, Tracy Pollan has found that it’s the family ties that matter most 49 | MoMs We Love 50 | Whether at Cool Mom Picks or Mom-101, Liz Gumbinner’s mix of canniness and humor has made her one of the web’s most beloved mom bloggers 51 | As executive director of the New York chapter of the Children’s Defense Fund, Emma JordanSimpson fights for children’s rights 52 | With PENCIL, Lisa Belzberg helps businesses become active partners in school communities
Kelsey Banfield is reinventing mealtime with dishes meant for everyone in the family 59 | How style-savvy bloggers Tara Mandy (of Stroller Traffic) and Elina Furman (of A-List Mom) joined forces to create the hottest parenting awards around
32 | a good idea With MiniMunchers, Carla Sullivan has created the ultimate resource for finding childfriendly restaurants in the city
60 | Wandy Yeap Hoh’s techsavvy kids inspired her to create MeeGenius, a website and app which adds some digital magic to the joy of reading children’s books
34 | acTiviTy of The MonTh If golf or tennis is your child’s game, check out these city courts and courses that offer lessons for all ages
60 | parTy TiMe Inspired birthday party themes— and venues throughout the city that can bring them to life
36 | a speciaL pLace With professional photographers, hip children’s clothing and a candycoated backdrop, Upper West Side studio PhotoOp is a picture-perfect destination for families
colUmnS 14 | ediTor’s noTe Much To Love
53 | BabyBites has bloomed into a trusted parenting resource and support network for moms with children up to school age
20 | joy of shopping Put some spring in their step with the season’s cutest kids’ shoes
54 | Award-winning art teacher Ida Owens talks about her commitment to arts education— both in the classroom and at home
22 | heaLTh and WeLLness for MoMs 22 | Fun classes for moms who want to focus on fitness
56 | A foster mother for over 12 years, Sandra McNulty opens her doors to kids in need, while helping other foster moms care for teenagers 58 | Inspired by her lifelong love of cooking, “Naptime Chef ”
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24 | Five fresh beauty products for moms 26 | Stylist-recommended closet staples that moms can count on 28 | Gifts to please and pamper every mom this Mother’s Day
40 | sTarTing ouT Dispatches and musings from our new parent bloggers 42 | groWing up When a child is struggling with homework, sometimes all that’s needed is a plan 70 | in The neighborhood The Sheffield, a favorite Manhattan luxury residential building, redefines quintessential New York living 82 | on second ThoughT An NYC mom recounts her first year as parent to a 8-year-old girl from Ethiopia
dEpARTmEnTS 16 | WeLcoMe To The faMiLy The New Parents Expo, two great giveaways and what’s happening at newyorkfamily.com 18 | buzzWorThy From Piper Weiss’ photo collection “My Mom, Style Icon” to Victoria Brown’s new novel “Minding Ben,” five of this season’s best reads for moms 30 | oh, The pLaces you’LL go From a legendary Cape Cod resort to a rustic refuge in Provence, splendid destinations for summer travel 72 | caMp counTdoWn How summer camp helps kids develop emotional intelligence 76 | Ten ideas Our monthly round-up of family fun in the city 78 | cuLTure for kids May’s best exhibits and performances for families The cover: Tracy Pollan in a navy organdy gown by J. Mendel, pave sapphire bangle and turquoise with pave sapphire bead necklace from Jennifer Miller. Hair by Creighton Bowman for Exclusive Artists Management. Makeup by Troy Surratt for Artists By Timothy Priano. Styled by Cricket Burns. Photography by Chayo Mata. Shot on location at 15 Union Square West www.newyorkfamily.com
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Think Deeply. Speak Confidently. Act with Purpose and Heart. The Packer Collegiate Institute,
the oldest independent school in Brooklyn, is a college preparatory day school providing coeducational programs from Preschool through Grade 12. A culturally diverse body of approximately 130 full time and 15 part time teachers comprise the Packer faculty. The student/faculty ratio is 1:7 in the Upper School. Its 998 students represent all five boroughs of New York City and parts of New Jersey. The Packer campus contains over 65 classrooms, two libraries, two gymnasiums, a fitness center, a theater, a dance studio and a dining commons, in addition to its timeless Gothic Revival Chapel.
For information about applying to our pre-school through grade four, please visit PRE & LOWER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS on our web site. For information about applying to grades five through twelve, please visit MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS on our web site.
Grounded in rich traditions while embracing the future, Packer balances the value of scholarship and intellect with the importance of meaningful and sustained relationships. We are committed to the development of an educational environment that best prepares students to become contributing members of a multicultural and interconnected society. This goal is supported through admissions efforts, attention to diverse learning styles, multicultural curriculum and behavior that demonstrates respect for the individual. We guide our students to develop talents, pursue aspirations, and become empathetic, responsible, globally-minded women and men.
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www.packer.edu
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editor And co-publisher Eric Messinger emessinger @ manhattanmedia.com deputy editor Katie Main kmain @ manhattanmedia.com senior editor Whitney Casser wcasser @ manhattanmedia.com AssociAte editor Kat Harrison kharrison @ manhattanmedia.com Art director George W. Widmer gwidmer @ manhattanmedia.com style director Joy Sherwood jsherwood @ manhattanmedia.com production MAnAGer Mark Stinson mstinson @manhattanmedia.com deputy production MAnAGers Heather Mulcahey hmulcahey @ manhattanmedia.com Jessica Balaschak jbalaschak@ manhattanmedia.com photo editor Andrew Schwartz aschwartz@ manhattanmedia.com contributinG photoGrAphers Daniel S. Burnstein, Suzanne Cohen, Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick Jennifer Lee, Josh Lehrer, Sarah Merians contributinG Writers Janet Allon, Leah Black, Kristina Cappucilli, Robin Saks Frankel Tiffanie Green, Alessandra Hickson Angela Johnson, Davita Louie Celene McDermott, Cristina Pastor Chandni Rathod, Christeen Vilbrun Group publisher Alex Schweitzer 212-284-9735, aschweitzer @ manhattanmedia.com publisher John Hurley 212-268-3086, jhurley @ manhattanmedia.com AssociAte publisher Mary Ann Oklesson maoklesson @manhattanmedia.com senior Account MAnAGer Gina Waldman gwaldman @ manhattanmedia.com AssistAnt to the publisher Marissa Broxmeyer mbroxmeyer @ manhattanmedia.com circulAtion Joe Bendik jbendik@ manhattanmedia.com AdvertisinG coordinAtor Jennie Valenti jvalenti @ manhattanmedia.com business MAnAGer Shawn Scott sscott@ manhattanmedia.com Accounts MAnAGer Kathy Pollyea kpollyea @ manhattanmedia.com Manhattan Media president/ceo Tom Allon tallon @ manhattanmedia.com cFo/coo Joanne Harras jharras @ manhattanmedia.com FoundinG publisher Barbara Witt director oF interActive MArketinG And diGitAl strAteGy Jay Gissen jgissen @manhattanmedia.com Web production director Lesley Seigel lseigel @ manhattanmedia.com events MAnAGer Stephanie Musso smusso @ manhattanmedia.com new york Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of Avenue magazine, our town, West side spirit, new york press, Mitzvah Magazine, the capitol, city hall, city Arts, chelsea clinton news, the Westsider and the blackboard Awards. Š 2011 Manhattan Media, llc | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, new york, ny 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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on • Best
ss World-Cla
ucti xpert Instr cilities • E
Value
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editor’s
NOTE
Much To Love
A
s any fan of the classic sitcom “Family Ties” surely remembers, when Tracy Pollan joined the show, ultimately becoming Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend, the chemistry between their characters was so powerful it wasn’t all that surprising to later learn that they started dating in real life. Witty, charming, smart, likeable— she (or her character, at least) seemed to embody all the qualities fans loved about her famous co-star while also striking a strong, dignified counterpoint to his enthusiastic excesses. Two decades of marriage and four kids later, it’s a pleasure to get reacquainted with Tracy in this issue’s cover story. I feel doubly blessed because she’s just the kind of distinguised New York City mom—affable, classy, philanthropic— I’d want on the cover of this particular issue, which is largely devoted to celebrating motherhood, most notably our Moms We Love.
I hope you’ll take the time to get to know them as well. There’s a lot of charm and inspiration in these pages, in the varied and interesting ways these women have gone beyond their own personal experiences as parents to make all sorts of special contributions to the wider world of children and family. We love them because they write about “cool” things but never with cool-speak—always with sense, sensibility and joy. We love them because of the strength, intelligence, and humor they bring to their days and nights of helping the most unfortunate children. We love them because, well, we really wish we had them for an art teacher— but are so happy for the thousands of kids they’ve taught over the years. We love them because of their incredibly productive use of naptimes to make meals that adults and kids both look forward to devouring. We love them for these and many
other reasons…but I’d be remiss if I didn’t also highlight a few other treats in the issue. The moms’ wellness package is a dandy mix of fashion, beauty, exercise and shopping. Carla Sullivan, who created a great restaurant guide for families called MiniMunchers, is certainly another mom we love. As is Arlene West, an NYC mom who shared with us her experience adopting an older child. From Tracy to Arlene, it’s an honor to honor them all. havE a happy May, Eric MEssiNgEr emessinger@manhattanmedia.com
Milstein Science Series Sunday, May 15 | Noon– 4 pm
with Museum admission
Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, first floor
D
iscover what scientists know about some of the largest creatures on Earth—living and extinct. What kinds of adaptations allow such huge creatures to survive? Learn how scientists study these animals through observations in the field and using new technologies in the lab.
Proudly sponsored by the Paul and Irma Milstein Family. Open Daily | Central Park West at 79th St. | 212-769-5100 | amnh.org
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Welcome to the Family UPCOMING EVENTS
Contests AND
GIVEAWAYS
Calling All New And Expectant Parents! Coming this fall, our New Parents Expo is expected to be the single biggest event for New York Metro area parents in the nation this year! This mega-show welcomes parents to discover many of the best products for maternity, baby and toddler from national and local companies, and will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. You’ll get the lowdown on strollers, car seats, nursery furnishings, safety products, early enrichment programs, infant and toddler toys, high chairs, baby bottles, lactation consultants, child CPR, family apps and countless other new parent essentials and resources. The expo will also include a speaker series, a stroller test drive track, a mother’s lounge, a fashion runway and much more! The event will be held October 15 and 16 at Pier 92. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com.
ON THE
W E
B
Discover Style, Food and Toddler Tips We understand that not every household is the same (hey, that’s one of the reasons why this city is so cool). So rather than having your inbox blasted with information that doesn’t quite fit—why not sign up to receive tips and resources about topics you’re interested in on newyorkfamily.com? Expecting a little one or already have a baby or toddler at home? Get updates from our “Born & Bred” blog for expectant and new parents. Consider yourself a style maven? Don’t miss out on the latest from “Joy of Shopping.” Are you the next Food Network star? Let the family-friendly recipes at “Yummy Delicious” stir your inner gourmand. Plus, every Wednesday and Thursday, get our parenting newsletters, which are full of tips and events for NYC families. See you online!
Find Us On Facebook: New York Family is now on Facebook! Check in throughout the day for great family events, special giveaways, news items and more tips on family life in the city.
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Win Tickets To“The World’s Largest Dinosaurs” At AMNH Get ready to geek out with your inner paleontologist. This month marks the opening of the exhibition “The World’s Largest Dinosaurs” at the American Museum of Natural History. Explore the anatomy of the super-sized species that thrived for 140 million years—the longnecked and long-tailed sauropods. Families can examine the creatures’ colossal bodies by viewing life-sized bones, muscles and internal organs. And don’t miss the dig pit! We’re giving away 4 family four-packs (includes general museum admission and exhibition entrance). To enter, write to us at newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com, with “Dinosaurs” in the subject line, including your contact information. Deadline to enter is May 16.
Win An Acupuncture & Massage Package From Dasha Wellness Attention moms, escape from the hectic world and come relax at Dasha Wellness! We’re giving away their Mother Earth package which includes a 90-minute acupuncture session targeting points for stress relief and relaxation, followed by a 30-minute massage. To win, write to us at newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com, putting “Dasha Wellness” in the subject line. Please include contact information. Deadline is May 18. For more on Dasha, see dashawellness.com or call 212-755-5500.
www.newyorkfamily.com
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IN THE CI TY
June Camp May 23rd-June 24th
Spend a Summer on the Farm! June 27th - August 19th
Summer Camp Ages 3-8 Our indoor eco-friendly facility offers a full day and half day camp experience for children ages 3 - 8. Children get hands on experience learning about and caring for live animals in our award winning petting zoo. It’s time for them to coo with the birds and hop with the bunnies. Register by week or for the whole summer! 2, 3 & 5 days per week. Groups based on 15 children with 3 teachers. Camp activities include:
The Art Farm In The City 419 East 91 St. NY, NY 10128 212.410.3117 • TheArtFarms.org
• Animal Care • Cooking • Crazy Science • Art Projects • Music • Yoga • Outdoor play • Soccer • Swimming
PLUS Weekly Themes Farm Animal Week Green Week New York City Week Circus Week Wild Water Week Exotic Animal Week Wild Wild West Week Science & Nature Week
Learn More About Camp & Other Programs at TheArtFarms.org
buz
WORTHY
g ICONIC MOM
May THE CHECKLIST FOR
Moms, remember the days when you actually had time to be stylish and fashionable? Would you be surprised to learn that your own mother was once a fashionista herself? When Piper Weiss first discovered photos proving her mom was once a chic and trendy lady, it inspired her to start the blog “My Mom, the Style Icon” (momstyleicons.blogspot.com). Just in time for Mother’s Day, Weiss is releasing “My Mom, Style Icon,” a new book based on the hugely popular blog. Featuring a collection of 200 color and black and white photographs of stylish mommas, “My Mom, Style Icon” proves that every woman—including Mom—is capable of being so much at one time.
g GOT A SECOND?
A portable keepsake for moms on the go, “Mom’s Five-Second Memory Journal: A Memento of Motherhood” is a playful and eccentric collection of prompts to jot down thoughts on life as a wife and mother. Even if you have only five seconds to spare, this journal is perfect for busy moms who want to capture those priceless moments of motherhood. A quick-and-easy solution for moms on the move, this journal will keep all your memories fresh and fun for years to come.
g A U N T A P P R E C I AT I O N
Any good mother can recognize the loving “savvy auntie” (i.e. the childless woman who nonetheless plays a vital and enriching role in the lives of the children around her) in her child’s life. Now, there’s a go-to book to accompany the savvy auntie lifestyle, based on Melanie Notkin’s popular website on modern aunthood. “Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids” is a valuable resource for sophisticated, educated and independent women who play a special role in children’s lives. With essential information and fun facts, “Savvy Auntie” addresses everything from child development, health and well-being to tips for baby showers and birthdays.
g H O M E R O O M H I AT U S
After watching her eldest daughter struggle at a relatively rigid public school, Laura Brodie knew that her firstborn needed a change from the uninspiring routine. In her memoir, “One Good Year: A Mother and Daughter’s Educational Adventure,” Brodie divulges the difficult decision she made to begin homeschooling her child in the fifth grade. As she embarks upon a year unlike any other, this skeptical mother discovers a short-term, do-it-yourself solution to an overcrowded school system. What emerges is a unique bond between a mother and a daughter that will transform the way you think about homeschooling.
g A NANNY STORY
Discover an urban tale of one young woman’s opportunistic journey from Trinidad to New York City in the compelling novel “Minding Ben” written by Victoria Brown. The hopeful story revolves around the protagonist, Grace, who settles in the immigrant-infused Crown Heights, Brooklyn and becomes a live-in nanny for an upper middle class family in Manhattan. As she adapts to city life, she learns secrets about her demanding employers, and struggles to cope with the gossip of scheming nannies in Union Square Park. Ultimately, while Grace discovers the numerous cultural and class distinctions in her new surroundings, she also finds triumph in a city where anything is possible.
w For more tips and ideas visit newyorkfamily.com
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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Gymtime Gymnastics Rhythm & Glues Flexible Schedule n FLEX SUMMER 1 (DATES 5/2-6/11) n FLEX SUMMER 2 (DATES 6/13-7/15) n FLEX SUMMER 3 (DATES 7/18-8/19)
Registration is open for summer
Fall Registration Is Now Open For All Your Favorite Gymtime Classes
Call to Register 1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 • 212.861.7732
For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.
THE
OF SHOPPING
WALKING onSUNSHINE
Put Some Spring In Their Step With The Season’s Cutest Kids’ Shoes
1. Kay in Skull Gray By Birki $69.95; birki.us
Styled By Joy Sherwood
2. Water Pro Skip Kids in Skyway By Merrell $55; merrell.com
3. Bahama Crib in Purple Gingham Canvas By Sperry $42; stride rite stores or striderite.com
3. 4.
1. 5.
4. Mini Melissa Heart Jelly Flats
By Mini Melissa; designed in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood $99; saks.com
5. Bianco in Red
By Naturino $63; naturino.com
6. Caleb Navy
By stride rite $30; striderite.com
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2. 6.
www.newyorkfamily.com
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Give your kids a head start
Winner of 20 Awards Gift Sets, DVDs, Music CDs, Flash Cards, Apps, and more 10 Languages Available
www.LittlePim.com
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HealtH & Wellness for MoMs
SWeaTing iT Fun Classes For Moms Who Want To Focus On Fitness By Cristina Pastor
With summer just around the corner, chances are you’re looking for new ways to jump-start or simply spice up your exercise routine. Here’s a list of unique workout classes that will work wonders on your body—whether you’re an expectant mom, a new mom or a longtime veteran of mommyhood. Dasha Wellness This whole body health center’s popular Mat Pilates Class is a great choice for moms of all ages and fitness levels. The class is designed to re-strengthen the core, focusing on proper breathing and correct spinal and pelvic alignment with a concentration on smooth, flowing movement to ensure lean and lengthened muscles. Dasha offers Mat Pilates as well as Reformer Pilates, which incorporates resistance training and is perfect for practicing with a friend. (dashawellness.com) Exhale Mind and Body Spa Exhale’s Core Fusion Boot Camp delivers a solid, full-body workout, combining the slimming effects of cardio with the toning power of strength training. Using core balls, weights and a mat-based abdominal series, the result is a highly-challenging cardio program. Participants will experience body-shaping results like lean abs, sculpted legs and a tighter derrière, as well as an incredible boost in stamina. (exhalespa.com) Fitnotic Fitnotic’s most popular classes for moms are the Baby Belly Boot Camp and the Hoopnotica Hoopdance.
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Founder Sheryl Wilson, describes the Baby Belly Boot Camp as a “challenging, effective and fun” total-body workout for moms. The class combines cardio drills and resistance exercises with a focus on core strengthening and stabilization. The Hoopnotica Hoopdance is perfect for those looking for a fat-burning workout that will keep them having fun while toning their muscles. (fitnotic.com) Karma Kids Yoga Fitnotic The Mom & Baby Yoga class integrates yoga and play to get participants into shape while strengthening the bond between moms and their infants. This program is ideal for babies from six weeks old to those just starting to walk, according to Shari Vilchez-Blatt, founder and director of Karma Kids Yoga. Experience flowing asanas, challenging postures and calming restorative time in a playful and safe environment. Baby Yoga exercises help to strengthen growing muscles, aid in digestion and promote better sleeping patterns. Dads are welcome, too! (karmakidsyoga.com) Amplitude Vibration Studio This Upper East Side hotspot is ideal for moms on-the-go. Amplitude’s window-lined studio offers a 20-minute workout on vibrating plates (trust us on this one) known to boost bone density. The vibrations—which
you encounter through exercises like squats and hamstring stretches—also tone your muscles without damage to your joints. For the adrenaline junkies out there, you can also sign-up to use their anti-gravity treadmill, which allows you to run at a percentage of your body weight. (amplitudevibration.com) SoulCycle For moms seeking more of a challenge than pre- or postnatal yoga, SoulCycle just might be the ideal workout, says Gabrielle Etrog Cohen, director of public relations. This lowimpact, high-energy bike ride takes the pressure off the knees and, for expectant moms, reduces any bouncing that might affect the baby. Riders can engage in arm and back exercises as well as intense core strengthening. (soul-cycle.com) www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 1:58 PM
Photos © Adam Zeliger
a sanctuary in the heart of nYC Designed to enhance Your Well-Being From the Inside, out. Dasha Wellness was created with the sole interest of our clients and patients in mind. Whether it is a medical condition or the important need for ME time, our team is here to provide for our clients a welcoming and relaxing environment that nourishes the mind and heals the body. We tailor specific wellness plans that help our clients reach and maintain their wellness goals. Simply stated, we want you to be happy and healthy.
Wellness services
lIFestYle services
• • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Active Release Technique Acupuncture Chiropractic Cold Laser Therapy Custom Orthotics Graston Technique Medical Massage Pain Management Physical Therapy Postural Ergonomics Pre/post Rehab Spinal Decompression Therapy
Body Treatments Cosmetic Enhancements Facials Massage Therapy Nutrition Personal Training Pilates Reiki Sports Performance Enhancement Stress Management Weight Loss White Glove Treatment
Dasha Wellness presents Its ChIlDren’s Wellness program: Generation D was created in response to the high demand from New York City parents for one-on-one, customizable children’s wellness programs. Whether you want your child to become a better athlete, learn to make healthy choices, or gain a boost in confidence and motivation, we offer tailored fitness plans guaranteed to enhance your child’s well-being!
115 e 57th street, suite 520 | new York, nY 10022 (212)755-5500| dashawellness.com|generationdkids.com Follow Us on Twitter! @dashawellness
Like Us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/dashawellness
HealtH & Wellness for MoMs
The Face Of Spring
Five Fresh Beauty Products For Moms BY Shara BeNiSoN
Worth the click
time to replace an item from your makeup bag? no need to trek across town—the new online boutique BeautyBar. com is at your service. the site carries more than 2,800 items from top luxury brands, including hard-to-find lines like Vincent longo, Korres and Bond no. 9 new York. the best part? three complimentary product samples with every purchase and free shipping for orders over $39.
rise and Shine
Making Waves
textured, messy manes turned heads at fashion Week this spring when designers like Peter som and Cynthia steffe sent models down the runway with coifs that were perfectly, well, undone. Bumble and bumble’s new Bb. Texture hair (un) dressing crème, $26, recreates the rough, second-day style with ease, thanks to a “dry moisture” formula that gives hair the grip and volume needed to perfect the look. the hybrid gel-creme contains a unique blend of silica and humectants for moldability that leaves hair looking tousled and matte without feeling overly dry. “Bb.texture is perfect for creating the soft, dry-textured locks that are so popular for spring,” says Bumble and bumble hairstylist nico aceves. to get the look, he recommends towel-drying hair and applying a small amount of the product to damp strands before blow drying with a diffuser attachment. loosen, ruffle and tousle hair by hand to break up the product as it dries for a scuffed-up, wavy finish.
Magic Wand
flyaway strands disappear like magic with a gentle sweep of John Frieda’s Full repair Touch-Up Fly away Tamer, $9.99. Infused with Inca inchi oil, the clear gel tames frayed ends and fuzzy, broken strands along the hairline for a polished look. the mascarainspired brush is ideal for precise application. simply smooth the wand over dry, styled hair for on-the-go touch ups and a boost of shine.
Wake up to younger-looking skin with philosophy’s Miracle Worker a.M. Duo, $58, an antioxidant treatment that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and improves skin’s clarity. the two-part kit contains 60 application pads and a bottle of Miraculous anti-aging retinoid solution, a potent elixir of antioxidants, vitamins and natural botanicals that deliver the benefits of a retinoid—minus the irritation. Before using, simply pour the liquid solution into the pot of cotton rounds and discard the bottle. this unique “fresh pour” system helps maintain the stability of the retinoid. (It’s pretty fun to do, too.) Use one pad on the face before applying moisturizer every morning for skin that glows.
Sheer Bliss
the latest multitasking lip stain from Clinique is a busy mom’s dream come true. the brand’s chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip colour Balm, $15, hydrates lips with a potent blend of shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba seed oil while leaving behind the perfect dose of sheer color. the lightweight formula is ideal for buildable coverage; apply a single coat for a subtle look or multiple coats for a more intense effect. available in eight shades ranging from nudes to berries, the fragrance-free sticks are sure to become a go-to favorite.
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 2:48 PM
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the entire family... surgical Procedures performed in our accredited facility include:
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4/25/11 1:53 PM
HealtH & Wellness for MoMs
Chic MOM
Wardrobe Wonders Two Models Turned Re-Stylists Recommend Closet Staples Moms Can Count On By beckiemartina, re-stylists
Casual MOM 26
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Regardless of the reasons—weight gain, limited budget, a jam-packed schedule—we all at some point find ourselves on the verge of giving up our sense of style. Luckily, there are a lot of great options out there these days that don’t break the bank, but in order to find the pieces you can always count on to work, look stylish and fit, you’re going to need to make a list. We recommend a little time and meditation inside your closet to make note of what you really wear, edit what you don’t and be honest with yourself about your body, age and lifestyle. It can save you precious hours of shopping aimlessly, only to come home with nothing that solves any of your problems. Moms really need at least two types of go-to outfits (besides those for work): one for their adult life and another for the mommy one. For the latter, it’s important to keep it washable but cute—not too expensive, but looking like you made a little effort, and if it gets pizza or park mud on it, it can easily be replaced. T-shirts are an easy-to-find everyday mom essential. One of our favorites is the stripy T, a great summertime style we never tire of looking at that adds a little kick to any outfit and summons memories of the seaside. When away from the little ones, go for more sophisticated, fluid blouses in silk or cotton to pair casually with a good pair of jeans or skirt for daytime and a black cigarette pant for night. Throw on any of the above with a cardigan and cute ballet flat or sandal and you’re good to go, day or night. One last piece of shopping advice: you can’t build a wardrobe in a Soho afternoon. It is a process that, with a plan and a little focus, will happen over time. So with those free hours you only find every now and then, try to tackle one closet staple you are sorely missing at a time. How are you on ballet flats? Do you have a good pair of fitted jeans? Are your T-shirts ready to be retired? Is there a single summer skirt or dress in your closet? We wish it were only about the shopping list. But, really, the solution is also internal. You have to make time for yourself. Or be willing to try. There is a proven correlation between looking and feeling good. Feeling put together can be the difference between just making it through another kid-filled day and making that day your own as well. Beckie Klein and Martina Gordon—known together as beckiemartina—are former models, fashion industry veterans and professional “re-stylists.” They’ll be contributing their savvy style advice to New York Family on a regular basis. For more tips from beckiemartina, check out our shopping blog, Joy of Shopping, at newyorkfamily.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 2:46 PM
HealtH & Wellness for MoMs
Mom For You, BY JoY Sherwood
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8
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Whether She’s Sunning At The Beach, Out On The Town Or Relaxing At Home, There’s A Gift To Please And Pamper Every Mom On Mother's Day Or Any Day 1. Peony & Python Beauty Case by Bobbi Brown
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Designed exclusively for Bobbi Brown by the Designer and founder of tibi $40; bobbibrown.com
2. Imagination Scented Candle by Disney scents of sequoia trees, cool moss and green leaves available June 2011 $19.50; Disney store, 1540 Broadway
3. A Day Away Gemina Bag by Kate Spade straw with natural cowhide trim $225; katespade.com
4. Cherry Blossom Tumblers by Tervis Hot and cold, microwave-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe $15 for 16 oz., $19 for 24 oz.; tervis.com
5. Double Disc Earrings by Kelly Gerber Jewelry striking black diamonds $3,500; kellygerber.com
6. Patchuli Rubber Open-Toe Wedge Pumps, by Melissa rubber wedge, 4”, available in black or nude. $140; saks.com
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5
7. Bowthi Thong Sandal, by Manolo Blahni leather flat with bow detail $495; nordstrom.com
8. Keys Sunglasses by Tiffany & Co. Blue frame featuring key and rhinestone detail. $380; lenscrafters.com www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 4:56 PM
Oh,
the places you’ll go
Bring ON The sunshine
From a legendary cape cod resort to a rustic refuge in provence, great Destinations For summer travel By Chandni Rathod
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club Cape Cod, Massachusetts Why not spend your next family vacation in a charming seaside town at Cape Cod? Nestled in historic Chatham is the secluded Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, with breathtaking views of Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The resort provides a multitude of activities to delight kids ages 2-12. The Children’s Center features a nautical-themed playground with a “tot lot” for little ones and “children’s area” for those over five. The outdoor facility is equipped with pirate ships, treasure chests, run ramps and swinging ropes, as well as an interactive aquatic playground. Daily activities also include “dive-in” movies, teen gaming nights and lessons in swimming, sailing and tennis. (wequassett.com) Charleston South Carolina Charleston’s unique blend of historical sites, assorted shopping (antiques, anyone?), and pristine beaches makes it a worthy summer destination. Upon arrival, families are invited to join the Charleston Explorers Club, where they can pick up a keepsake passport at the visitor’s center, collect souvenir stamps and win prizes. History buffs and adventurers alike will have a blast discovering Charleston’s historic forts, homes, plantations and gardens. (explorecharleston.com; charlestonfamilyfun.com) Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa Whitefield, New Hampshire Families can take an eco-conscious excursion this summer to the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, located in New Hampshire’s bucolic White Mountains. Parents will appreciate the resort’s green initiatives, which include installing a wind-turbine, using energy-saving light bulbs,
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recycling cooking oil to make diesel fuel, using its water tower to irrigate the golf course and grounds, growing its own vegetables and flowers, and more. Kids can enroll in the complimentary Mountaineering Club where they can take part in activities like cardboard boat races, frog hunts and horseback riding. An on-site greenhouse also gives little ones the chance to plant maple tree seedlings and fast-growing veggies. (mountainviewgrand.com) Hotel Crillon le Brave Provence, France Spend a family-friendly summer holiday overseas at the rustic yet refined Hotel Crillon le Brave, made up of seven restored stone houses dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The hotel offers family packages with large suitestyle rooms and activities for young children. Kids (and parents!) can learn to speak French, make delectable signature French desserts, and learn how croissants are made at a local bakery. What’s more, the resort offers plenty of fresh air and outdoor recreation with horseback riding around Mont Ventoux, golfing and kayaking on the Sorgue River. (crillonlebrave.com)
Kimberly’s Pick Of The Month “Located on the Riviera Maya where the jungle meets the ocean, Rosewood Mayakobá is reachable via a non-stop flight from NYC. Rosewood Mayakobá’s children’s program, Rosebuds, features a wide range of activities. My children so enjoyed the eco-tour of the mangroves that they took it twice. The highlight of our stay, though, was Pirate’s Night: all the children dressed up as pirates and scoured the property during a scavenger hunt. Off-property, Riviera Maya offers water parks, boating excursions and an eco-archaeological park dedicated to Mayan and Mexican cultures, along with sophisticated shopping and fine dining.” Kimberly Wilson Wetty, co-president of Valerie Wilson Travel, regularly contributes her family travel tips to New York Family. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 3:54 PM
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4/27/11 4:01 PM
a g d
IDEA
DINING
aLa KID
Carla Sullivan with son Ryan and daughter Keelin. Baby Kelly joined the family this spring.
With MiniMunchers, Carla Sullivan Has Created The Ultimate Resource For Finding Child-Friendly Restaurants In The City By Megan Maxson
How often are you across town with your family, wishing you knew of a nearby restaurant with a kids menu? Whether planning ahead or out-and-about town, parents often find themselves clueless when the need to feed hits. That’s when MiniMunchers comes to the rescue. Carla Sullivan, a mom of three, founded MiniMunchers. com to take the guesswork out of city dining. This one-stop website lists city restaurants with a separate children’s menu and judges their kid-friendliness based on various criteria: whether the restaurant has a stroller-accessible entrance, highchair availability, a varied menu, children’s cups, a bathroom with a changing station, crayons or other entertainment, and timeliness of service and value. “I am passionate about going out to eat with my husband and my kids…and I realized that there really wasn’t a site with all of [this kind of] information that is dedicated to [people with] children.” Before becoming a mom, Sullivan was a television reporter in the Midwest and later moved on to working in public relations on the East Coast. After starting her family with her husband, Bob, she teamed up with Molly Snyder of Metropolitan Moms—an organization that plans cultural events for moms and kids—to be more involved in parenting circles, and later decided that she was ready for something of her own. “Every restaurant that has a review, has been reviewed by me or by me with a child or two or three,” says Sullivan. She even posts the kid’s menu on the MiniMunchers site, so you can order as soon as you sit down. A restaurant’s rating is made in the form of crayons –1 crayon being the worst and 4 the best. A broccoli rating means it’s a total dud, but “we haven’t had a broccoli restau-
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rant yet,” Sullivan gushes. MiniMunchers.com gives you the option of searching for a restaurant by price, cuisine, neighborhood or destination. So, for example, if you’re near the Children’s Museum of Manhattan with your kids and craving pan-Asian, MiniMunchers will tell you to head to Fatty Crab. It’s as easy as that. Sullivan has also enlisted “expert munchers”—experienced professionals in the field—to contribute recipes to her site. Sullivan currently focuses on Manhattan and hopes to expand her site to include the other boroughs. “It really is neat that I’ve gotten a loyal following that is using the site and giving me tips. I think a lot of it has to do with that I have a little ‘street cred’ given that I’m a mom too.”
4 Kid-Friendly Restaurant Picks From Carla Sullivan: Blue Smoke in Gramercy: “It has a really nice varied menu that is reflective of their adult menu. The kids get cookie dough to decorate and they bring it back to you in a goodie bag to go.” (bluesmoke.com) Moomah in Tribeca. “Kids love the art projects they can do at this creative space while they eat, and moms can have a glass of wine.” (moomah.com) Landmarc in Columbus Circle. “It has the best children’s menu I’ve ever seen in a restaurant—everything from ‘ants on a log’ and ‘green eggs and ham,’ to filet mignon, to hamburgers and hot dogs.” (landmarc-restaurant.com) Carmine’s in Times Square. “The portions are huge and of great quality; you can get one appetizer and one entrée for a family of four. And the staff is so welcoming.” (carminesnyc.com) For more kid-friendly restaurant picks, visit minimunchers.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 1:52 PM
Jack L. Mitchell, DDS Orthodontics: Rita V. Taliwal, DMD, MS
www.pediatricdentistNYC.com 305 East 55th St. New York, NY 10022
Partials_0511.indd 21
between 1st & 2nd Avenues 212-755-3355
4/21/11 2:01 PM
ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH
T N E R E F F DI STROK ES By Celene McDermott
While you may not find country clubs to lure your city kids into playing tennis and golf, New York does offer sprawling greens and top tennis facilities that let them teeoff or racket around. Here are a few courts and courses to inspire and perfect their game.
Golf
Brooklyn Junior Golf Choose from a variety of programs to learn the game: The First Tee, which spans five teaching levels; The Brooklyn Junior Golf Academy, which offers small classes in a golf course environment plus driving range practice; and a Brooklyn Junior Golf Tournament for those looking to compete. Brooklyn Golf Center, 3200 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, brooklynjrgolf.com. Chelsea Piers Golf Club Located in a 2,000-square-foot indoor training center, The Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers allows kids to perfect their game with after school lessons from golf pros. The facility also offers the only multi-tiered, year-round outdoor driving range in Manhattan. A year-round curriculum for elite junior players is offered for those hoping to make the JV or varsity high school golf team. Summer camp and family clinic also available. 59 Chelsea Piers, chelseapiers.com. CityParks Golf Aspiring golfers aged 6-17 can take advantage of free golf lessons held in public parks and courses throughout the five boroughs from July 5–July 29 and August 1–26. Kids can also try out for the CityPark Intermediate Program and Junior Golf Academy. Visit the website for the complete schedule. Multiple locations, cityparksfoundation.org.
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New York Family | May 2011
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Chelsea Piers Golf Club
CityParks Junior Golf Center Located on 11.8 acres, this facility offers free golf lessons to NYC athletes ages 5 to 17. Enjoy a 6-hole golf course, nine-station driving range practice and a clubhouse with classroom space. 8850 14th Avenue, Brooklyn (adjacent to the Dyker Beach Golf Course), cityparksfoundation.org. Golf Manhattan Private lessons by a PGA Golf Professional are offered by the hour for kids ages 7 and up. After school programs will be offered as well at this luxurious golf lounge, which also features PGA TOUR Simulators. 122 East 25th Street, golfmanhattan.com. Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy (KTUGA) Founded by Kate Tempesta, recently named one of the Top Young Instructors by Golf Digest, KTUGA helps kids ages 4 and up learn proper technique, etiquette and skill in both indoor and outdoor settings. The curriculum combines a mixture of putting, driving, pitching and chipping to help children learn four basic shots using age-appropriate methods. Multiple Manhattan locations, ktuga.com. Randall’s Island Golf Center Individual and group lessons are offered by PGA golf professionals. Features over 80 heated and covered tees, a grass tee area, putting green and 36-hole miniature golf course. A Junior Golf Clinic is also offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and kids can sign up for The Kelley Brooke Golf Camp to learn basic golf skills via miniature golf. 1 Randall’s Island, randallsislandgolfcenter.com.
Tennis
BumbleBee Tennis A Tiny Toddler program is available for ages 2-4, while ages 4-7 can sign up for “Tiny Tennis,” and ages 8-11 will
Photo: Robert Adam Mayer
If Golf Or Tennis Is Your Child’s Game, Check Out These City Courts And Courses That Offer Lessons For All Ages
www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 11:01 AM
learn more advanced skills in “Mini Aces.” A summer camp will also be available. Multiple Manhattan locations, bumblebeetenniscom. Central Park Tennis Center Private and group lessons are available, as well as after school programs for 4-to 7-year-olds and 8-to 15-year-olds. Kids can also sign up for a Tiny Tots summer camp (ages 4-7) or a Junior Camp (ages 6-16). The facility features 26 newly-reconditioned Har-tru courts and four hard courts, generally available for the season April through November. 96 Central Park West, centralparktenniscenter.com. CityParks Tennis, presented by Chase This summer, from July 5-August 16, City Parks Foundation will offer free tennis lessons to more than 7,000 children (ages 5-16) citywide. Free use of equipment is available at more than 36 parks throughout the city. A beginner’s tournament concludes the Central Park Tennis Center program, and for intermediates, the Chase Aces Tournament is held at the Flushing Meadows Tennis Center in mid-August. Visit the website for the complete schedule. Multiple locations, cityparksfoundation.org. Riverside Clay Tennis Association Beginner lessons are offered for member children and grandchildren, ages 3-9. Children ages 10-18 who are serious about tennis can try out for the Junior Ace Program, available after school in the spring and fall. West 96th Street in Riverside Park, rcta.info.
Roosevelt Island Racquet Club Kids of all ages can sign up for All-City Junior Tennis, which offers a well-supervised tennis development program year-round in both indoor and outdoor facilities. A Tournament Training program is also offered for competitive students. 281 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, rirctennis.com. Sportime at Randall’s Island Facility includes 144 courts. Sportime’s Junior Tennis program and John McEnroe Tennis Academy for Elite Players are designed to excite kids about the world of tennis and nurture young players into world-class athletes. Summer camp sessions will also be offered. One Randall’s Island, sportimeny.com. Sutton East Tennis “Pee Wee” Tennis introduces the sport to ages 3-6 in a small group setting, while ages 8-18 can sign up for a PreJunior Development program, where the size of the net and racquets are modified for young players. A Junior Development Program for ages 8-18 lets kids learn more advanced skills, and those with two years of experience can sign up for Junior Matchplay to compete in practice matches. 488 East 60th Street, suttoneasttennis.com. Yorkville Youth Athletic Association Beginner and advanced group lessons are offered by Sutton East Tennis for a bargain, generally for kids in second to fifth grade. York Avenue and 89th Street, yyaa.org.
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May 2011 | New York Family
35
4/25/11 11:11 AM 4/25/11 11:02 AM
a
special
place
CaMera Ready professional photographers, Hip children’s clothing and a candy-coated Backdrop Make photoOp a picture-perfect destination For Families By alessandra Hickson
The glam dressing room, with its lightbulb-framed vanity mirror and mound of beauty products, is fit for a celebrity. But it’s not starlets who will be playing dress-up here—it’s New York City kids. Welcome to PhotoOp, the new Upper West Side portrait studio that turns out cool, elegant photos of the whole family. Kids of all ages (even newborns) are given star treatment here, injecting the typical portrait experience with pizzazz. The end result? Fun, modern, professional portraits that showcase each child’s personality and sense of style. “The goal is fabulous pictures in a stress-free environment,” says Nathan Gindi, a father of three and creator of PhotoOp, which opened in February. Gindi, formerly a partner at a Manhattan law firm, always loved taking pictures of his children. But when it came time to find a portrait studio that offered professional images of five-year-old Lynn, three-year-old Sam and fourmonth-old Hannah, Gindi couldn’t find a fit. So he turned to family friend and renowned photographer Brian Marcus and pitched the idea of a portrait studio for this untapped market. “There was nothing offering that,” says Gindi. And the few studios that did charged well into the thousands for a few snapshots. “My kids change every three months…I want to be able to do this every year and not feel that it’s going to cost me three or four thousand dollars.” At PhotoOp, a basic package starts at $99, with add-ons running a shoot up to $450 or more. If that still sounds pricy, remember: this isn’t a trip to the local mall’s portrait studio. This is an all-inclusive, 45-minute photo shoot with experienced photographers, many with backgrounds at top magazines and newspapers. PhotoOp offers trendy wears and accessories from Crewcuts and Zara Kids, your pick of costume jewelry and lighting, as well as colorful backdrops like a candy dot wall made from edible sweets. On top of
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New York Family | May 2011
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the set-up, PhotoOp and its photographers also retouch and edit their photos on site. “A lot of places you go to say, ‘We don’t retouch because they’re babies.’ That’s cockamamie,” says Gindi, citing drool as one aspect of baby photography that’s rarely desired. The end products are put online in a private album for immediate viewing and parents can come in and pick their favorites. Families can also choose from a wide array of gifts with high-quality printed photos: special bags from London, trays, make-up bags and more. You can even buy Plexiglas prints for the grandparents! As for the response to the store, Gindi says it’s been “fabulous!” Photos on display in the windows draw their fair share of admiring glances from those passing the Columbus Avenue storefront. In addition to portraiture, PhotoOp offers birthday parties. Ten kids get two hours in the studio to either strike a model-esque pose or have an exclusive dance class with a professional instructor. Both events include a party hostess and a stylist who bring clothing for the party guests and a special outfit for the birthday kid. You can also bring in an iPod to rock out to your favorite tunes. The added bonus of the birthday event is that parents don’t have to take photos—it’s already been done for you. “They get their hair done, they get their make-up done, we pull down the seamless paper and just shoot fabulous photos of eight or nine or ten girls having a blast,” says Gindi. Currently Gindi and crew are booked solid with shoots on weekends, doing anywhere between six and eight sessions per day. During the (continued on page 38) www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 2:36 PM
Now eNrolliNg for fAll!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER? WHETHER YOU’RE STAYING IN NYC OR HEADING TO THE BEACH, SPORTIME CLUBS HAVE ALL OF YOUR TENNIS, FITNESS AND SUMMER CAMP NEEDS COVERED!
A warm and nurturing pre-school environment for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. • Small class size • Secular and Jewish curriculum • New Mom’s Day Out Classes for toddlers 18 mos. • Mommy & Me Classes • Extended Day Enrichment Program
60 Smith Avenue, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
914-666-7595
JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE EVENT,
SUNDAY, MAY 15TH, 11:00AM TO 2:00PM, AND FIND OUT WHY SPORTIME IS THE ONLY PLACE TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER SPORTIME RANDALL’S ISLAND
Meet pros from the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and speak to them about our great summer camps Excel Tennis Camp and Tennis & Sports Camp. For adults, we offer summertime adult tennis lessons, clinics and leagues, group exercise classes, fitness classes and personal training programs.
SPORTIME CLUBS IN THE HAMPTONS QUOGUE AND AMAGANSETT
Learn more about our amazing clubs in Quogue and Amagansett, including summer membership options and their first-class tennis, fitness and sports programs and camps.
212/427-6150
www.SportimeNY.com/Manhattan
SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, MAY 15TH, 11AM - 2PM We’re located at One Randall’s Island!
Partials_0511.indd 7
4/21/11 1:17 PM
(continued from page 36)
12 East 96th Street, New York, NY 10128
Pre K-12th Grade
La Scuola d’Italia is a private unique Italian/English bilingual and bicultural school reflecting the best features of the Italian and American education. Knowledge of the Italian/English language is not a pre-requisite for admission to Pre-K through 9th grade. La Scuola d’Italia is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York and by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Italy. The School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
www.lascuoladitalia.org tel. 212-369-3290 email: secretary@lascuoladitalia.org
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New York Family | May 2011
Photo: Katie Donnelly
LA ScuoLA D’ItALIA GuGLIELMo MARcoNI
week, they take three or four shoots a day and spend the rest of their time editing and covering events. “We always want to be out there showing people that this is not a mall shoot. When we’re not shooting you, we’re shooting Fendi’s fashion show,” says Gindi. And it’s true. Not only is PhotoOp covering Fendi’s Kids’ Fashion Show but they recently shot Stuart Weitzman’s Columbus Circle Grand Opening Party with Moms and the City, which included uniquely-designed photo strips. In the fall, families can expect an East Side PhotoOp. Other future plans include a downtown store and even one in Brooklyn. When Gindi isn’t working at the studio, he’s enjoying his own photography collection. His tastes lie with photos of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald by late jazz photographer Herman Leonard. And of course Gindi busies himself in his all-important role as “the fun daddy.” “I love being a parent. I love being in the city,” says Gindi. Though he admits shuttling his three kids around can be difficult for him and his wife. “You try going down Lexington Avenue at 3 o’clock in the afternoon to get to class. It’s wild!” But he loves that Lynn gets to visit the city’s numerous museums to see the paintings from her storybooks. And that Sam is singing songs about taxis. One of Gindi’s favorite pictures was taken by a PhotoOp photographer. It’s a sunny day in the park with his family. In the snapshot, his son is smiling and running at full speed, while Gindi is in the background holding his daughter. The photo could be featured in any art magazine, but it’s still natural and fun. Fine art meets fresh creativity is one way to describe PhotoOp. Another is with Gindi’s own words: “I wake up in the morning and say, ‘Everything in here, it’s all fabulous!’” PhotoOp, 442 Columbus Avenue (at 82nd Street), 212-362-1911, photoopnyc.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 11:08 AM
? y B a B h o oh no!
Don’t panic!
this hilarious guide
from alice BraDley & eDen M. KenneDy is here to help show you how to handle the serious business of having babies.
Available at bookstores everywhere! • Also available as an ebook
For more visit www.lets-panic.com
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SUMMER DAY CAMP June 27th to July 29th, 2011 www.UNIS.ORG For children 4 to 14 years old Swimming, Basketball, Soccer, Tennis, Chess, Computer, Arts & Crafts, Hip Hop & Tap Dances, Robotics, Math, English & ESL…
Office of Special Programs 1-212-584-3083 Email: ljalilvand@unis.org 24-50 FDR Drive (at 25th Street), New York, NY 10010
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Starting
OUT
BORN & BRED
Dispatches And Musings From Our New Parent Bloggers [Editor’s Note] A few months ago, we launched Born & Bred, our blog for expectant and new parents, at newyorkfamily.com. The blog provides news, tips and resources (and great weekly giveaways) on everything from bump to baby to toddler. Below is a sampling—for more, sign up to follow Born & Bred at newyorkfamily.com. How NPR Restored My Sanity I miss the days when my son had no interest in TVs, computers, cell phones or any other devices that keep me connected to the outside world. Now that he’s 10 months old, it’s almost impossible to use any of these gadgets in front of him. If I’m typing away on my computer, he’ll zoom over as soon as he hears the click-clack of the keyboard and bang on it with me. If I watch TV in his presence, it’s disturbing how a commercial for say, kitty litter, causes him to drop all his toys and stare at the screen, zombie-like, until I shut it off, at which point he goes back to whatever he was doing—15 seconds of his life down the tube. When I’m talking on my cell phone, he claws at my phone to get in on the action. But there’s one piece of technology I’ve discovered we can enjoy together—the good old-fashioned radio. Avi appears enchanted with the idea that music and voices can emanate from a little box. So I’ve started tuning in to the local NPR station. Sitting beside Avi, surrounded by books and toys and soggy Cheerios, I get to stay semi-informed about what’s happening beyond my living room floor while also enjoying my son’s sweet company. -- Leah Black My Daughter’s Not-So-Unique Name My husband and I angsted over what to name our child for the entire nine months. It is a seriously big decision, right? You’re going to say this name every day for the rest of your life. And more importantly, I wanted to choose a unique name, a name that wouldn’t be shared with half the girls in her first grade class. And so when she was born we chose Beatrix. X names had always been high on our list, and it suited her. Well, imagine my surprise (and frustration) when I discovered her name’s popularity. “She’s our 10th Bea this year!” said our pediatrician. “There are two girls named Beatrice in my building!” a new friend exclaimed.
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I cling to the fact that her name is Beatrix with an X, and not Beatrice. That’s why we’re mostly calling her Trixie. Spotlighting that X like it’s in a talent show. Plus, I haven’t come across any other Trixie’s in the neighborhood....except that for Christmas a friend gave us one of his favorite children’s books, “Knuffle Bunny”. It’s adorable. But it’s about a little girl named Trixie (grrr) and her daddy (a tall, skinny, strawberry blond who wears glasses, a.k.a. my husband—double grrr) and their escapades in Park Slope (where I live—triple grrr!). Oh well. My little baby will always be unique to me! -- Alex Richards The Pregnancy Dreams No One Warned Me About Before I got pregnant, I heard about the dreams. Expectant friends would describe nightmares during which their babies came out looking like Pee Wee Herman or one of those flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz. But what have recently come as a surprise to me are the husband dreams. I should start by saying that in real life, my husband is an angel. But in my dream life, my husband has been a real louse lately. In one string of dreams, he keeps leaving me— to tour the country with a newgrass band, to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef, to run away with a woman from down the street. The worst part is when the dream cuts back to me, at home and unsuspecting. Inevitably I’m sitting on the couch in sweats, eating ice cream and watching “Supernanny.” At first I would kick my husband awake in the middle of the night and berate him: “How could you? I am carrying your child!” But now, whenever my dream husband does something awful, I wake up and think about how lucky we are—me and this baby, that is. I remind myself that instead of going on tour, he’s already picking out silly lullabies on his guitar; that instead of scuba diving a thousand miles away, he’s planning to fit one of those cute plastic whale covers over our bathtub faucet; and that instead of running away, he is happily devoted to us, ice cream and Supernanny addictions notwithstanding. -- Katie Main www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 10:10 AM
The New Parents Expo: The Nation’s Biggest Event For New Parents This Year Calling all new and expectant parents! Coming this fall to Pier 92, our New Parents Expo is expected to be the single biggest event for parents in the nation this year! This megashow will enable parents to discover the best maternity, baby and toddler products from national and local companies, and will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. You’ll get the lowdown on strollers, car seats, nursery furnishings, safety products, early enrichment programs, infant and toddler toys, high chairs, baby bottles, lactation consultants, child CPR, family apps and countless other new parent essentials and resources. Highlights of the expo will include:
e A Speaker Series where doctors, doulas, sleep consultants, nutritionists, home designers, registry consultants, and baby experts will be on hand, offering informational seminars and hosting question and answer sessions. e A Stroller Test Drive Track, where parents will have the opportunity to see, feel, and most importantly, test out many different stroller brands on the 200-foot track with real-world conditions. e A Mother’s Lounge filled with comfy chairs, fullystocked changing tables, breastfeeding pillows, bottle warmers and refreshments. e A Fashion Runway showcasing the latest designs in maternity, baby, and toddler clothing. The event will be held October 15 and 16 at Pier 92. Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 the day of the show. To learn more about the New Parents Expo and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com, find it on Facebook or follow it on Twitter @NewParentsExpo. www.newyorkfamily.com
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May 2011 | New York Family
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Up
GROWING
A
MATTeR OF TIMe
When A Child Is Struggling With Homework, Sometimes All That’s Needed Is A Plan By Emily Levy
As parents, we’ve all seen our school-aged kids experience overwhelming frustration when it comes to homework. But sometimes it’s not the number of assignments that’s causing stress. After all, who hasn’t seen their child wait until the night before to begin studying for a test or planning a major project? While it’s not uncommon for children to be unrealistic about how long it takes to complete their assignments, the good news is that a simple time management technique may be all that’s needed to get your student on track. Here, Emily Levy, owner of the Manhattan-based tutoring service EBL Coaching, offers some tips to help your child get organized and focused: • Purchase a proper assignment book. You’ll want to make sure the book has only one day per page, with a section for each class, so that your child has plenty of space to write down assignments. • Ask your child to organize the page into four columns: ET (estimated time), AT (actual time), O (Order) and D (Done). • Explain to your child that she only has to write down assignments in the “Assignment” column while at school. Then, after about a 20-minute break after school (enough time for a quick snack), she should begin completing the sheet. • Begin by asking your child to estimate how much time each assignment will take to complete and write it in the ET (Estimated Time) column. For example, he might predict that it will take 20 minutes to complete a math worksheet, 40 minutes to study for a spelling test and 35 minutes to answer questions from his science textbook. • Next, your child should complete the O (Order) column by ordering the assignments based on which one she will do first, second, third, etc. It is generally better for students to do the longer, more complex tasks first, since they tend to have more energy early on. Also, attempting a harder task first leaves time to call a friend or reach out to a parent if they need help. • Your child should then start working on the first as-
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signment and time herself to see how long it actually takes, then write that time in the AT (actual) time section. Use an analog clock rather than a digital one so she can visually see the time passing. • Finally, once each assignment is done and put away, your child should check off the D (Done) column. A completed assignment book page might look like this: ET
AT
O
D
Assignment
MATH
20m
35m
4
√
Complete worksheet
SCIENCE
35m
50m
2
√
Answer questions on p.40 of book
When students first use this strategy, they often find that there is a large discrepancy between the estimated and actual time. However, as they practice, kids will become more realistic about how long tasks actually take to complete, and in essence, build better time management skills. Other tips to consider: • Give your child a realistic sense of how time passes, and help him learn to transition from one activity to the next by using time increments for every day activities. For example, if he is playing a game on the computer, tell him how much time he has left to play, and then set a timer near him that will go off when the minutes have passed. • Set up a behavior chart or report card goal to help with task initiation and make children aware of distracting habits that often delay getting them started. Eventually, these goals should become more automatic and children will no longer need to write them down. As children progress through school, the demands will grow exponentially as the quantity of work increases: more tests, longer assignments and multi-step projects. The more children practice these strategies, the more efficient they will become at managing their time. Ultimately, their efforts should pay off with continued academic success. Emily Levy is the owner of EBL Coaching, a specialized one-on-one and small group tutoring service catering to students in Pre-K through 12th grade. For more info, visit eblcoaching.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 10:04 AM
Training the dancers of tomorrow
REGISTER NOW a division of STEPS on Broadway 2121 Broadway @ 74th St., New York, NY 10023 212 874-3678 • www.StepsNYC.com
Photo: Rosalie O’Connor
A magical summer of movement & music…
Instead of wasting time struggling to come up with things to do—hang with your new friends at Oasis Central Park & Oasis Downtown in New York City!
Information sessions being held in an area near you!
Oasis Day Camps offer boys and girls ages 4-11 a summer experience unrivaled by even the most expensive private day camp programs. With many varied activities, campers enjoy positive learning in a safe, nurturing environment, where they develop lifelong skills, improve proficiency and most importantly have fun. ■ Many Special Events: parties, visual & performing arts, field trips, “Halloween Day,” fashion designs and much more ■ Experienced Counselors: dedicated role models & mentors college age and older ■ 1:6 Counselor to Camper ratio: children are always supervised and attended ■ Expansive Facility: tennis & basketball courts, softball fields, soccer fields, nature trails, and swimming pools ■ Bus & Shuttle Service: available for pickups & drop-offs at select locations ■ Teen Travel Program: for 12-14 year olds–Oasis Central Park
To rSVP, visit: www.oasisChildren.com/events.php
Campers come in to new friends and leave with lifelong memories. Come enjoy summer at Oasis Central Park and Downtown in NYC!
Oasis Central Park & Downtown in NYC
Better than hanging out! Reserve your spot today and SAVE! CentralPark-Downtown_NYFamily.indd 3
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www.OasisChildren.com
or Call
800-317-1392 3/24/11 10:23 AM
4/21/11 1:37 PM
Throughout Her Storied Life As An Actress, Wife To Michael J. Fox And Mother Of Four, Tracy Pollan Has Found That It’s The Family Ties That Matter The Most 44
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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By Whitney Spaner Photography by Chayo Mata Styled by Cricket Burns www.newyorkfamily.com
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May 2011 | New York Family
Hair by Creighton Bowman for Exclusive Artists Management, Makeup by Troy Surratt for Artists by Timothy Priano, Photographed on Location at 15 Union Square West
"G
rowing up in New York was a blessing and a curse,” says New York-based actress Tracy Pollan. “Everywhere else I go seems slower and less exciting. ” At 50 years old, you would think that Pollan’s life would be exciting enough. She’s been married to ’80s idol Michael J. Fox for 22 years, with whom she raises four kids while keeping up her career—but the pulsing streets of New York are in her blood. “I love the energy of New York. It’s part of who I am,” explains the petite blonde, a bundle of energy herself. After shooting a cover story all day, she quickly changes from an aqua-green Carolina Herrera gown into jeans and a grey cashmere cardigan, and rushes off to see her daughter’s after-school hip-hop performance. “I’ll be walking on a street in other places thinking, ‘Why is everyone walking so slow! Don’t they have to be anywhere?’ It’s terrible, but I walk really fast and I get a million things done in a day.” New York may be their home now, but Pollan and Fox met in Hollywood in 1987 when Pollan played girlfriend Ellen Reed to Fox’s Alex P. Keaton on the long-running sitcom “Family Ties.” Just three years into their marriage, Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a degenerative neurological disease. Though there’s currently no cure, Fox and Pollan work tirelessly with the foundation they started in 2000 to raise money for Parkinson’s research: The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Pollan has just finished designing a line of sterling silver dog tags adorned with inspirational phrases in collaboration with Ralph Lauren and they host large, starstudded fundraisers in both New York and L.A. (It’s Funny in N.Y. and It’s Sunny in L.A.). And through it all they’ve raised four beautiful children: Sam is in his junior year in college on the West Coast and twins Aquinnah and Schuyler are sophomores in high school. The youngest, Esme, is in third grade and already asking her mom if she can be an actress. She recently went to visit Pollan in New Orleans where she was filming the sequel to Lifetime’s 2009 film, Natalee Holloway, about Natalee’s disappearance on a Spring Break trip to Aruba in 2005. Pollan plays Holloway’s dis“On paper, he [Michael J. Fox] traught but looked like a guy that I should determined mother, Beth have stayed away from. Twitty. But for He was wild, but I could see the most something there.” part, their family life is anchored in Manhattan. The couple lives on the Upper East Side only three blocks from where Pollan grew up. And though she still goes out to L.A. for pilot season and awards shows, “the stars would really have to be in line” for her to book a show there. After all, her life in New York keeps Pollan surrounded by family and friends, and allows her to maintain a certain degree of anonymity. She is still very close to her parents and siblings, all well-known in New York literary circles. Mom, Corky, wrote a popular column in New York Maga-
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zine called “Best Bets” and contributed regularly to Gourmet; dad Stephen is a lawyer, consultant and prolific business-advice book writer; and older brother Michael is the author of the The Omnivore's Dilemma, a foodie’s manual to eating ethically. “That gene just skipped me,” says Pollan of her family’s flair for the written word. On weekends the family heads to the Connecticut countryside (minus brother Michael, who is a professor at Berkeley) for some “extended family time.” During the week when they’re back in the city, Pollan usually tries to stay home to help the kids with their homework and cook “family dinner,” which they have every night. “We eat lots of chicken and fish and tons of vegetables—it’s always a big
Photos: Patrick McMullan
met back in high school, “in the program for people who were bad at math, so we had that in common—we were at Dalton and we met in this tiny room with all these other mathematically-challenged people!” Grey recalls. Grey now lives in L.A., but Pollan says they talk “constantly” and their daughters Esme and Stella are best friends as well. “Stella [Grey’s daughter] wants to name her daughter Esme and Esme wants to name her daughter Stella, which could get confusing,” laughs Pollan. “It’s really cute.” When she goes out to L.A., Pollan and Grey usually go to dinner or exercise together. “We never don’t see each other when we’re “I remember Michael told me on the same coast,” Grey says. “We need a couple that his mother once said the Tracy Pollan with husband, Michael J. Fox at the of visits; one time is nevNew York City Ballet Spring Gala, 2008 er enough to catch up.” best friends you’ll ever make Back in the ’80s are the friends you meet when they were all becoming stars in L.A., Polthrough your kids, and that’s lan says it was growing up really been the case for us.” in the city with her affluent, literary-minded family that meal,” says Pollan. Michael’s favorite? helped her to handle her fame (she “I make a really good chicken bouilla- also starred in the coming-of-age baisse that he really likes.” Date night, dramas “Promised Land” with Meg however, usually involves dinner out. Ryan and Kiefer Sutherland and “We love going out to new restaurants, “Bright Lights, Big City” opposite and we live uptown so we love going Fox) more gracefully than Fox who, out downtown.” back in 1987, was enjoying his “Fam- Pollan with daughters Aquinnah and Schuyler at the Michael J. Fox Foundation For ParkinWhen asked if there is a group of ily Ties” fame with a garage full of son's Research Benefit, November 2010 actor-couples who hang out in New cars and a house full of stuff. “I grew York, Pollan says, “If there is, we don’t up with a lot more, so for me, it was my foundation, and Michael had the know about it!” Instead, they’ve met all about being more subtle and just same thing. I think if you have that as most of their friends through their trying not be flashy.” But despite your foundation, you’re really so far children. “We have a few friends that his Hollywood phase, something ahead of the game,” says Pollan. “That’s are actor-couples, but for the most made her stick around. “On paper what I knew. Anything different than part, our friends are not in the busihe looked like a guy that I should that would have been not the norm.” ness—they’re business people. I think have stayed away from. He was wild, Despite her hectic city life, Pollan it’s a little bit different in L.A. But my but I could see something there,” she does take time to slow down. She and really good friends are people I met explains. “And also when I met his Fox do The New York Times crossthrough my children. I remember family—they’re such a strong, loving word puzzle together (he’s sports and Michael told me that his mother once and grounded family and I knew politics, she’s literature and medicine) said the best friends you’ll ever make that that’s where he’d come from and every morning. Even better than solvare the friends you meet through would hopefully return.” ing Sunday’s puzzle is feeling content your kids, and that’s really been the And he did. Pollan attributes her in her life and relationship. “I feel like case for us.” stable marriage to the example her we finally figured it out,” Pollan says. That is, aside from her best friend, family and the Foxes set. “My parents “We know the drill and we just are Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey. They were such a strong couple and that was able to be.”
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www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 3:35 PM
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From A Defender Of Children’s Rights To An Arbiter Of Cool Stuff For Parents And Kids, Meet This Year’s Distinguished Group Of Moms Making A Difference
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oms Sense Plus Sensibility we love
whether She’s Covering New Products (In Cool Mom Picks) or Sharing Her experiences As Mom (In Her Blog Mom-101), liz Gumbinner’s Mix of Canniness And Humor Has Made Her one of The web’s Most Beloved Bloggers Among Moms Liz Gumbinner with daughters Thalia, 5, and Sage, 3.
By Christeen Vilbrun When describing Liz Gumbinner, co-founder of the sassy shopping review website, Cool Mom Picks, the term “supermom” seems almost inevitable, but she’d be the first to graciously demur. As Gumbinner recently said on her popular personal blog, Mom 101, “Frankly, I don’t do it all nor do I want to. I’m sure I do more than some and less than others; there’s great comfort in that middle section of the bell curve. I also find solace in the fact that I won’t be busy forever. There are times for productivity and times for rest. Times for input and times for output. There were times in my life when I sat around and played Spades on Yahoo for hours on end. I just don’t have that luxury right now.” Right now Liz, who lives in Brooklyn, is a devoted mom to five-year-old Thalia and three-year-old Sage, and creative director of an ad agency. But the main reason she’s regularly founded on distinguished lists of online influencers like Parent magazine’s Top 10 Power Moms and The Nielsen Power Mom 50, is her work as co-publisher, and editor-in-chief of Cool Mom Picks (coolmompicks.com), which many moms across the country enjoy as a source of reliable and savvy (and often quite entertaining) recommendations on products for families. Covering a vast array of stuff with a proudly-declared “soft spot for nonmainstream products and services,” the site is a stroll through shopping serendipity, whether you come upon superhero costumes with style, enchanting alphabet posters for a nursery, or “metal lunch boxes
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like the olden days, only way cooler.” Cool Mom Picks got its start in 2006 as a simple grassroots shopping blog. At the time, Gumbinner had recently started her personal blog, Mom 101 (mom-101.com), a virtual space she describes as “a room of my own, as Virginia Woolf put it. It’s the place I can connect with the parenting community on a deep level about the topics and issues we care about...everything from parenting culture to reality TV to politics.” Through Mom-101, Gumbinner met fellow blogger Kristen Chase, of the popular MotherhoodUncensored.net. The two quickly became friends and decided to start Cool Mom Picks after only one month. The decision was a no-brainer for Gumbinner, who shared Chase’s passion for blogging about mommy stuff and loved the idea of helping small businesses get the word out. Moms were eager and willing to check out this new site that promised to “track down cool stuff so you can stay busy being fabulous.” The site readership continued to grow, and it wasn’t long before Cool Mom Picks was getting reviews and being featured on other sites. Now in its fifth year, the site has gained nationwide acclaim. Real Simple magazine named it one of the three best websites for parents, and Gumbinner has been featured on The Today Show and has even sat down with Katie Couric. For Gumbinner and Chase, the success was both exciting and unexpected. “It’s truly an amazing feeling anytime you’re able to get recognition for doing something you love to do,” Gumbinner says. But while Parents magazine once called
Cool Mom Picks “the online arbiter of cool for the swingset crowd,” this mom doesn’t consider herself cool at all. “We are not cool moms, we just pick out cool mom stuff,” she says. “ My kids only think I’m cool when I tell them they can have ice cream for lunch!”
Liz Gumbinner’s Cool Mom Picks For Spring And Summer A chic diaper bag in bright orange from Timi + Leslie, always makes our mood match the sunshine outside. (timiandleslie.com) Keep the MD Moms Sunscreen Singles in your diaper bag and always be ready for impromptu picnics. (mdmoms.com) The stainless steel water bottles from Earthlust are the most beautiful we’ve seen! (earthlust.com) Cienta shoes are so perfect for kids in the warmer months--the sneaker in a Mary Jane style goes from playdate to playground. (cienta.es) If you have a newborn, the Aden + Anais muslin swaddlers are a must in warm weather. (adenandanais.com)
www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 4:59 PM
oms
we love
Giving Voice emma Jordan-Simpson, executive Director of The New York Chapter of The Children’s Defense Fund, Fights For Children’s Rights By Tiffanie Green
Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson and family.
Through her work with the New York chapter of the Children’s Defense Fund and as a proud mother of three, the Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson doesn’t often know what her days will look like—but, she says, that’s the X factor that keeps her going.
children in their neighborhood. I might end up at a rally in the South Bronx. It might extend into the evening, doing a workshop with parents helping them to understand their role in protecting their children. Typically it’s a long day, but the time goes by so fast.
by these policies. Then I look at how my children have experienced the education system. It’s a reality check. It makes you see that, [in the case of] a lot of the things we are promoting on a policy level—on a real level, where kids are actually experiencing it, it does not work.
What’s the Children’s Defense Fund’s primary mission? It’s an advocacy organization born out of the Civil Rights movement. We are focused on ensuring that every child gets a healthy, fair, safe and moral start in life and success through adulthood. We do that by providing a strong voice for children. For the past forty years we have paid particular attention to the needs of poor, minority and children with disabilities.
What has been your biggest accomplishment since working with CDF? What I am working on now. We are seeing that you have to make an investment in the communities that are feeding children into the cradleto-prison pipeline. We are able to map out exactly where these children come from—the poorest neighborhoods with low-performing schools and high rates of admittance into detention centers. It makes sense then to invest in positive building of children in those neighborhoods. I see more and more of our public leaders embracing the idea that there is absolutely no way we are going to be successful if we do not invest in the neighborhoods where the most vulnerable children live.
How do you hope to counteract the effects of these policies that you feel are doing more harm than good? One of the things that CDF is focusing on is promoting “freedom schools.” They are these amazing summer programs that stop learning loss. They are culturally-based and teach a love of reading. My children have been involved and to see the light bulb go off over their heads about their own ideas of vocation, of purpose, of career, and how they can have an impact in the world…it just brings it all home for me.
How did you become involved with the organization? I got a call one day from Marian Wright Edelman [founder of CDF]. She shared this amazing vision about the work needed to dismantle the cradle-toprison pipeline. I started learning more about the policies and factors that drive children in New York into this fear system. It brought together all the work that I had been focused on for the last 20 years. Describe your typical day. I might meet with staff to brief on policy. I might do a conference call with local pastors on what’s happening with www.newyorkfamily.com
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How has being a mother affected your work with the Children’s Defense Fund? Being a mother has everything to do with my work. I get to see issues through their eyes. I’ll give a perfect example: on a policy level, we are grappling with the impact of zero-tolerance policies in schools. On the surface, it sounds wonderful for everyone to abide
Speaking of your children, what are your favorite things to do with them in the city? We love restaurants—everyone in the family is a critic. Also, at Christmas time, we get in the car and drive through the neighborhoods, like Dyker Heights, to see the decorations. It’s a magical time for us. Also, the Coney Island aquarium and walking along the boardwalk. It’s a little kitschy, but that’s the kind of people we are. We like that nuttiness. For more info, visit cdfny.org. May 2011 | New York Family
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oms
WE LOVE
Partnership In Progress By Angela Johnson New York City mom Lisa Belzberg believes that the condition of our public schools is the civil rights issue of today. As founder and executive chairperson of PENCIL (Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning), a non-profit organization that unites leaders in business and education, she is devoted to getting the two groups working together to affect change on the society as a whole. Having attended public schools in her native Canada, Belzberg notes that unlike in the United States, there isn’t a plethora of private school options. Therefore public school is the norm for most Canadian children, regardless of race, class or religion. “In no way do I think my school was the best, but it was most certainly an equalizing force that everyone in town went to the same place and was invested in the school,” she says. That kind of community commitment buttresses PENCIL, which she originally launched in 1995 anchored by a Principal For A Day initiative to help recruit corporate contacts. In the program, prominent New York business leaders visited city schools to meet with faculty and parents and brainstorm ideas for collaboration. PENCIL has since grown into a yearlong alliance with over 400 active partnerships. Participating companies span just about every industry imaginable and include well-known firms such as JetBlue Airlines,
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Citigroup, Estée Lauder and Warner Music Group. Belzberg stresses that PENCIL’s partnerships are not meant to have individuals from the private sector telling the schools what to do. Instead, they are meant to foster a collaborative environment in which both parties can develop innovative solutions to the school’s issues, which in the past have included things like developing faculty leadership opportunities, fundraising guidance and enhancement curriculum. Belzberg points out that many last well beyond the minimum one-year commitment and identify other issues to tackle. “Assuming we’re nurturing it properly, the partnership can go on forever. The circle expands, getting deeper and more significant,” she says. An example of one such partnership is between Bushwick Leaders High School in Brooklyn and JPMorgan Chase. Partners since 2006, JPMorgan was able to help create a new computer lab for the school, complete with laptops for students and Internet access. The numerous meetings, fundraisers
and school visits it takes to keep PENCIL thriving keep Belzberg on the go. She admits that like most working parents, she balances the demands of her professional and personal lives at the expense of sleep. However, she feels fortunate to have a job that lets her be present for her family (her three children and three stepchildren range in age from 11-24) when they need her. “I love being there to do homework or when they have something on their mind and need to talk,” she says. To Belzberg, being present also means sharing her work with her kids, but keeping the Blackberry away from the dinner table. “I bring my work home because it’s very important that my kids understand what I do, the values that I hold,” she says. “I used to say that the best thing for us would be if we could go out of business. I no longer believe that. I feel that every city should have an understanding of the importance of public/private partnership in education.” For more about PENCIL, visit pencil.org.
Photo: Andrew Schwartz
With PENCIL, Lisa Belzberg Helps Businesses Become Active Partners In School Communities
And When She’s Not Saving Schools She’s Saving Your Wardrobe! We’ve all had it happen before—you’re headed out the door with a minute to spare, only to look down and find that you’re wearing your three-yearold’s oatmeal on your favorite blouse. It’s why Lisa Belzberg and business partner Erin Pace have created a simple way for parents to protect their clothing. They call it Koobli, a functional unisex machine-washable garment. “I wanted something I could take off, throw on and be totally present when I was with my kids,” Belzberg says. Visit koobli.com for more information. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 12:05 PM
WE LOVE
A Bigger Bite!
BabyBites moms Renee Sullivan, Laura Deutsch, Elise Jones, Tanya Charney, Chana Balk and Heather Ouida.
Originally Focused On New Moms Lunches, BabyBites Has Bloomed Into A Trusted Resource For Support And Education For Mothers With Children Up To School Age By: Chandni Rathod an interactive weblog, videos and a talk The BabyBites network plans its meetAfter having her first child, Laura radio show. ings around their kids’ lives, even when it Deutsch found the transition from In addition, the BabyBites nanny means meeting at eleven o’clock at night. career track to motherhood difficult listings page has attracted a lot of Rounding out the BabyBites team and overwhelming. Lonely and stressed, interest from mothers. Past employers is Renee Sullivan, the director of the she envisioned a way that new moms can post recommendations about their Manhattan support groups, who has could easily meet, mingle and build a nanny for potential employment. Also, become known for her ability to run sense of community. Taking matters due to popular request, BabyBites has several support groups at a time and into her own hands, Deutsch launched added baby nurse and babysitter boards still have all the answers mothers are BabyBites in 2006, with its very first to the website. “It’s an interesting conseeking. Similarly, Ronni Soled is the luncheon on the Upper East Side. Baby- cept and it speaks highly about moms director of the Manhattan Luncheon Bites received a tremendous response and their caregivers,” says Deutsch. Division, and can often be found helpand Deutsch was inundated with emails Today, Deutsch lives with her ing other moms set up play dates. from fellow moms who wanted Babyhusband and children, Ava (5 ½) and As the BabyBites crew continues to Bites meet-ups in their neighborhoods. Jacob (3), in Summit, NJ. After living grow and focus on moms living in the “Being a mom clearly helped me come in the city for several years, she and her city, Deutsch and Ouida haven’t ruled up with events,” says Deutsch. husband felt they needed more space. out expanding beyond New York. In Three years after that first lunch, Ouida lives with her family on the fact, the team anticipates making a few Heather Ouida joined the BabyBites Upper East Side. “I feel so lucky,” says big announcements at their second anteam with her own questions and ideas Ouida. “I love the vibe of the city. All nual MommyBites Summit on May 19, about raising kids. She thought moththe unexpected moments, the street so stay tuned! erhood would get easier as her sons performers, and the diversity of human For more information, visit babybites.com. (Christopher, 8 and Nicky, 5) got older. beings. Everybody’s story is unique.” But as the kids outgrew diapers and milk At the same time, bottles, Ouida learned that children have she feels the pace of many stages of growing pains. Inspired Manhattan and being THE ULTIMATE MOMS NIGHT OUT by her own experiences, she helped overcommitted is the create KiddyBites, a support group for most difficult aspect of Babybites invites city moms (and dads and parents with kids over the age of three. city living. even grandparents!) to their annual MommyBites Summit: The Ultimate Moms Night Out, “I like to use my personal stories to “I have to remind myhappening May 19 at the Columbia Faculty show everyone that motherhood can self to slow down the pace House. It’s an evening to meet other parents; be hard,” Ouida explains. “Sometimes for the kids,” explains enjoy wine and snacks; check out a variety kids do put stress on our marriages, Ouida. “Kids should of cool kids’ products and services; and hear and sometimes we all feel like we’re not have time to do nothing, from notable parenting experts, including being a good enough mom.” and it’s important to be keynote speaker and “ScreamFree Parenting” Today, BabyBites has grown into a completely present.” author Hal Runkel, Cool Mom Picks publisher social and educational parent network Catering to their and CEO Kristen Chase, and Emmy-winning with events in Brooklyn, Westchester own specific mom needs, producers Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia and Manhattan, as well as an active on- Deutsch and Ouida say Ybarbo. All attendees will be entered to win line presence. Deutsch and Ouida have that the best part of the incredible raffle prizes and will leave with a gift bag. To learn more, visit babybites.com. expanded BabyBites to include various job is still being able to live seminars, classes, support groups, have a mom schedule.
Photo: Andrew Schwartz
oms
THE MOMMYBITES SUMMIT:
www.newyorkfamily.com
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May 2011 | New York Family
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oms For The Love Of Art we love
Award-winning Art Teacher Ida owens Talks About Her enduring Commitment To Arts education—Both In The Classroom And At Home By Kristina Cappuccilli
As a longtime art educator and recent recipient of the NYC Art Teacher Association’s “Art Teacher of the Year” award—not to mention a Fulbright scholarship—Ida Owens strives to make her classroom at Q270, an elementary and middle school in Queens, a place where students are given the liberty to explore the depths of their creativity. Not surprisingly, Owens gave her daughter, Aziza, the same treatment—and she became an art teacher, too. Tell me about your career. How long have you been an art teacher? Is it something you always knew you wanted to do? I’ve been teaching for over 25 years. I spent my first 19 years teaching in Brooklyn, and I’ve been teaching in Queens ever since. I teach art to grades K-8, with a predominant concentration on grades 6-8. I’ve always wanted to teach. Coming from a family of educators, it’s almost like it’s in my blood. What’s a typical day in your art class like? A typical class starts out with a demonstration and a Q&A about the topic at hand. Depending on the topic we’re covering that day, we work with other mediums of creative expression, such as literature, music and dance, in order to further develop our knowledge of the subject material. I allow the students to work on individual projects or collaborations throughout the class
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time. When they finally complete their work, we critique each piece, which invites suggestions and critical comments. Congratulations on winning a Fulbright scholarship! Tell me about the research you’ll be doing in India this summer. The Fulbright scholarship gives educators the opportunity of a lifetime, quite literally. The purpose of the program is to help administrators enhance their understanding of foreign cultures through field study. I wanted to travel to India because it’s a country rich in cultures and traditions that I’d love to bring back into the classroom. What do you love most about your work? One of my proudest moments as a teacher traces back to one of my students from Brooklyn. She made magnificent projects in my classroom and went on to keep up with art in college. Shortly after, she decided to student teach with me. She was ready to teach in my place by the time I left to take on my new position in Queens. Being able to pass the torch to my former student was my most rewarding experience. Your daughter, Aziza, is also an art teacher. What is it like to be able to share that passion with her? As artists, we always like to keep our minds creatively active. We fill the household with music, dance and different languages so that our creative processes are able to develop further. We love to travel to different countries
Ida Owens
and expose ourselves to new ways of thinking: Jamaica, Africa and the Dominican Republic, to name a few. It’s amazing that I’m able to share my passion with someone who’s so important to my life. As a mom of an adult daughter, do you have any advice for new parents who are just starting out? I think that when they’re young, children need structure and direction. At the same time, they need their freedom. They need to be given choices and you do that by exposing them to different facets of the world. You have to grant your child the opportunity to think critically so that they can make informative decisions. And if you’ve done your job right, that shield of knowledge will always be there to protect them. What were some of your favorite things to do with Aziza in the city when she was growing up? I enjoyed raising her in the city because it’s so alive. We went to museums, free concerts, thrift shops, foreign film festivals—anything that stimulated our interest. We continue to explore New York together because it’s always changing and evolving. When you’re lucky enough to live in the city, you have to take advantage of everything that’s available. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 12:20 PM
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oms
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Mother
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Andrew Schwartz
A Foster Mother For over 12 Years, Sandra McNulty opens Her Doors to Kids In Need, while Helping other Foster Moms Care For Teenagers
Sandra McNulty with daughters Caitlin, 18, and Samantha, 17, and 12-year-old son Richard, who was adopted from foster care. She also has a 23-year-old daughter, Liliana, a 5-year-old granddaughter, Briana, and two young foster children.
By Kristina M. Cappuccilli
Queens mom Sandra McNulty understands the obstacles and challenges that children in the foster care system face. A foster mother of 12 years for The New York Foundling, McNulty devotes much of her time to helping other moms become better foster parents, too. As a support group facilitator for the agency’s new KEEP Safe program, McNulty works to equip these moms with the skills needed to handle the challenges of raising teenagers in foster care. The only independent center dedicated to the protection of children in the NYC area, The New York Foundling provides support for families faced with issues like poverty,
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drugs and abuse through a multifaceted network of specialized programs. In the past, The Foundling has focused on education and resources for younger foster children. Yet it’s the adolescents and teenagers who need more focused attention, according to executive director Bill Baccaglini. Many have been in the system their entire lives and carry emotional and behavioral baggage. As a result, they have difficulty with their peer relationships and in education and sometimes turn to violence and substance abuse. The New York Foundling is currently addressing these problems with the launch of KEEP Safe, originally implemented in San Diego, and they have high hopes of making an impact. “She [McNulty] was hired because of her strong desire to help children in need and her effectiveness as a parent, as evidenced by the success she has had with her own children as well as her many foster children,” explains Baccaglini. After being approached by a fellow colleague about being a facilitator for the program, McNulty attended a week of intensive training. She now spends her time making home visits and giving families details about the program, then enlisting them in a 20-week training session to provide effective ways of dealing with the difficulties of raising adolescents. So far, she says, her visits have been well-received by parents; they share her eagerness to help The Foundling launch the program. “It helps us learn from each other,” she says. “We figure out which ideas work and which ones don’t.” Her goal is to minimize disruptions in the foster care arrangements and improve parent/child relationships. McNulty has always loved being surrounded by children. She and her husband of 20 years have three biological www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 12:27 PM
oms
we love
daughters, now ages 23, 18 and 17. But she gave no thought to becoming a foster parent until a family friend told her of her own experiences. After learning about the opportunity to help children in need, McNulty quickly became interested and attended an orientation at The Foundling, which was founded in 1869 as a home for abandoned children. It’s now been 12 years since she became a first-time foster parent, and she has assisted many children along the way. Recently, the adoption of her first foster child, who’s now 12, was finalized, and McNulty is currently fostering two other young children. Her family has been extremely supportive since the beginning, she says. “When my family learned about my interest in becoming a foster mother, everyone encouraged the idea. My daughters were eager to have a brother.” With the leadership skills of foster parents like Sandra McNulty, along with support from the entire Foundling staff, Baccaglini is certain that KEEP Safe is headed in an optimistic direction. “All of us in this system have to come together to create better responses to the adolescent population. Until every child is protected, we can’t rest. With the KEEP Safe Program, we’re one step closer to reaching that goal,” he says. And he acknowledges that the foster care system has certainly improved over the years. “No one can deny that today, this is a much better child welfare system than it was 10 years ago,” he says, thanks to The Foundling’s dedication to expanding its programming. But even with the constant training, workshops and informational sessions that The New York Foundling offers, Baccaglini feels that there is always room for improvement. “We uphold a commitment to staying ahead of the curve, to anticipating tomorrow rather than just reacting to it. It’s all about aiming to be socially relevant to the times,” he says. As for McNulty, foster care will always be a part of her life. “As long as I am able to still give, I want to continue doing it because there are so many children out there who need it,” she says. “Hopefully if the KEEP Safe program goes well, it will be another part of me.” When she’s not busy with The Foundling, McNulty spends time with her family at the park or the movies, or can frequently be found taking her kids to dance competitions or karate. She says living in the city has helped her kids learn to be responsible and independent. And as for motherhood? “There’s no book that teaches you about being a mother,” she says. “But I would definitely say that it’s a blessing.”
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For more information, visit nyfoundling.org. www.newyorkfamily.com
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oms
WE LOVE
“Once I realized I could cook during naptime, it brought a sense of normalcy back into my life.”
While You Were Sleeping… Inspired By Her Lifelong Love of Cooking, Kelsey Banfield (a.k.a. The Naptime Chef) Is Reinventing Mealtime With Dishes Meant For Everyone In The Family—Including Little Ones By Robin Saks Frankel
When her daughter was born in late 2007, Kelsey Banfield didn’t want to trade cooking for caretaking. Like all new parents, Banfield found herself too exhausted to make the gourmet meals she used to relish preparing. But once her daughter settled into a more predictable routine, she realized that she could do the bulk of meal preparation during her daughter’s naps, and that she could create dishes to satisfy parents and children alike. With this goal in mind, Banfield declared herself “The Naptime Chef ” in 2009 and launched a cooking blog for parents who want to share meals with their children. Building on the success of her popular blog, Banfield is a contributor to New York Family’s Yummy Delicious blog and a columnist for Babble’s food blog as well. Her first cookbook is due to release next spring from Running Press and is chock-full of sophisticated meals for the whole family to enjoy.
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How did having a child change your approach to cooking? When I was mourning the loss of time in the kitchen, people were telling me I’d learn how to cook new foods. But I didn’t want to cook new food. It’s not that the food I make is different, it’s how it’s made. I didn’t want to give up the “good stuff ” and I didn’t want to compromise taste for efficiency. What inspired you to come up with the idea for “The Naptime Chef”? My whole life, I’ve always loved cooking and baking and I used to cook all the time before having my kid. Once I started to realize I could cook during naptime it brought a sense of normalcy and routine back into my life. I was joking around with a friend and called myself The Naptime Chef. In my previous career at Sloan-Kettering (in development), I worked on a charitable cookbook and really enjoyed it. I wanted to get back into that world. I did some research and there was noth-
“Naptime Chef” Kelsey Banfield in the kitchen with her daughter Daphne, 3.
ing out there at the time like this idea. I love cooking and I love the fact that I can share that with everyone. What can your readers expect to find in your forthcoming cookbook? In the book there are 125 recipes and 100 of them have never been published. I did want to include some of the readers’ favorites like pulled pork in a Dutch oven and artichoke lasagna. Every single one of the recipes could be made during naptime, or when the kids are at school or soccer. You recently moved from New York City to Connecticut. What did you like about being a mom in the city and how does it compare to your life now? I loved being in the city, I loved walking everywhere. I’m happiest in Connecticut on the days I don’t have to start my car. If I had nothing to do when we lived in the city, I would just go outside for a walk with my daughter. People spend more time at home in the suburbs. For great tips and recipes from Kelsey, visit thenaptimechef.com, or check out her posts at our food blog, Yummy Delicious, at newyorkfamily.com.
www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 12:18 PM
we love
Photo: Jennifer Spellman
oms
Tara Mandy (left) with children Greta and Henry and elina Furman with son Julian.
And The Cribsie Goes To… How Style-Savvy Bloggers Tara Mandy (of Stroller Traffic) and elina Furman (of A-list Mom) Joined Forces To Create The Hottest Parenting Awards Around By Christeen Vilbrun
In the spring of 2009, Tara Mandy and Elina Furman unknowingly launched two different websites with the same mission—to provide web content to moms with young children in a newsletter format. Though competitors, they not only developed a respect for each other’s work, but also found they shared a lot in common—including navigating motherhood with young kids in the city. Their friendship led to a business partnership and the launch of The Cribsies, the well-received awards www.newyorkfamily.com
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series for the mom industry (brilliance born in a shared cab ride!). Before collaborating on The Cribsies, Mandy came to the momosphere through her March 2009 launch of Stroller Traffic (strollertraffic.com). Prior to, she spent 10 years as an editor at New York Magazine and felt that new moms needed an outlet where they could get all the information that was most important to them, including new trends and parenting news, without having to search for it. With that in mind, she created an email newsletter for moms with kids under the age of three, which gets sent out once a week nationally and twice a week in New York City. While Mandy was busy launching Stroller Traffic, Furman and her sister Leah had been working together to launch a similar service, A-List Mom (alistmom.com). Using her new media and publishing experience as an editorial director for WomensDay.com and Seventeen.com, Furman and her sister were able to create a site where style-savvy moms could sign up to receive the latest parenting products and services delivered straight to their inbox. It grew from just 200 subscribers to 15,000, and garnered
coveted rankings in publications such as InStyle magazine, which named A-List Mom 2010’s “Best of the Web—Kids.” While many people may never have agreed to sit down with a competitor, Furman and Mandy say it felt natural to join forces and collaborate on the Cribsie Awards. “We basically came together and said, ‘Let’s do what we already do, which is select what we think are the best products, but let’s take it another step further by allowing moms to use their voices in each category to select the best of the best’,” says Mandy. Over 4,000 brands were nominated, and Mandy, Furman and the editorial board were left to come up with criteria for choosing finalists. The nominations helped shape the awards themselves, along with the six categories: nursery, mealtime, play, gear, fashion and web. All in all, 350 finalists were selected based on criteria of functionality, style and design, innovation and popularity. Mandy and Furman took care not to select only mainstream brands, making sure to include a few start-up companies that had interesting sources of inspiration. In the final stages of the process, the public got to vote again to pick winners. With ten awards in each category, there were a total of 60 winners, ranging from “Chicest Diaper Bag That Doesn’t Look Like A Diaper Bag” (winners included Petunia Pickle Bottom and Stork Sak) to “Best Distraction When You Need to Shower” (winners included seats and swings like the Evenflo ExerSaucer and the Baby Bjorn Babysitter Balance). Although only in its first year, the 2011 Cribsies were met with such success that Furman and Mandy are already working on next year’s awards— and they say there are many new initiatives underway to make it even bigger. But with so much going on in both their individual and joint businesses, how exactly do they find balance? “At the end of every day I feel like there were shortcomings on both the mom side and the business side, but I’m not willing to give up my attempt to do both as full-time as I can,” Mandy says. “There are sacrifices, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” To view this year’s full list of Cribsie Awards, visit cribsieawards.com. May 2011 | New York Family
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oms Once Upon An App we love
How wandy Yeap Hoh’s Tech-Savvy Kids Inspired Her To Create MeeGenius, A website And App which Adds Some Digital Magic To The Joy of Reading Children’s Books By Chandni Rathod
With three growing girls and a growing business, Tribeca mom Wandy Yeap Hoh has become one busy “mompreneur” since launching her own company with friend David Park just one year ago. MeeGenius, a reading application that allows parents to download children’s books onto their iPad or other mobile device, was fashioned for a new generation of readers who are tech-savvy, need flexibility and appreciate interactive voice narration and word highlighting features. As Yeap Hoh and Park each watched their young kids eagerly delve into playing with smartphones and computers, they had the idea for a reading device that would enable parents to spend more time with the kids while on the go. As Park was a professor and frequently commuted between New York City and Washington, D.C., he wanted to be able to read a story to his kids while he was away, and incorporating educational technology into the mix seemed like the perfect solution. “We wanted to spend time with them on the computer, but we really didn’t find anything that was good for the children, like reading a book. There were no audio playback enhancements that allow the children to be engaged in the book, or personalization tools,” Yeap Hoh recalls. She and Park spent 16 months doing research and development before teaming up with a digital creative agency to launch the MeeGenius app, which features audio personalization and lets parents record their own voice and customize a story with their child’s name as one of the characters. MeeGenius currently works with various publishers and content providers to offer 60 books in its online library at meegenius.com. Over the next year, more reading comprehension tools are planned to enhance each child’s reading experience. MeeGenius is also involved with a pilot program at one NYC school where the app will be integrated into the school curriculum and used on classroom iPads. Yeap Hoh drew from her experiences working for several large corporations as a business executive in investment banking. But it’s her kids who seem to inspire her with new
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wandy Yeap Hoh with husband william and children Sophia, 5, Audrey, 4, and Caroline, 17 months.
ideas, as being a mom and working on products for children seem to go hand-in-hand for her. “They’re my go-to people [for feedback about] the stories they like, what they like about it, and they give ideas as to what works and what doesn’t work for children,” she says. For example, her girls taught her that “kids’ attention spans turn on and off pretty immediately by different voices and narration. The actual stories are very important to how the kids react. They’ll tell you when they like the pictures, and you know when you have a really great illustrator on hand.” When they’re not talking about ideas for MeeGenius, Yeap Hoh and her girls enjoy going to the butterfly exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History and attending children’s theater productions. What’s most rewarding to Yeap Hoh about motherhood is simply watching her children grow. “Just seeing them become little persons as time goes by, watching their personalities unfold; I think that’s the most rewarding thing,” she says. In addition to running her own company and spending time with her family, Yeap Hoh is also an active philanthropist; she is on the Friends Committee of Baby Buggy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing NYC families in need with essential equipment, clothing and products for their infants and young children. So how does she juggle her kids and active life with her new venture? “Organization, organization, organization,” says Yeap Hoh. “It’s also really about not being afraid to ask for help. I’m very lucky to have people that I can rely on to make my life possible.” For more information, visit meegenius.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
4/24/11 12:33 PM
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PARTY TIME Want To Make Your Child’s Next Birthday Party Unforgettable? Check Out These Inspired Themes—And Venues Throughout The City That Can Bring Them To Life! MAZES, RACES & MORE: Blend free play and organized activities at the 92nd Street Y’s GymMaze Craze party, which features a spiral tunnel slide, two ball pools, a rope swing and more. Preschoolers driven by speed will love Chelsea Piers’ Ultimate Tykes Challenge, which includes relay races with tricycles, potato sacks and scooters. PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES: Housed in a 1930’s subway station, The New York Transit Museum’s train-themed party provides little transit lovers with guided tours of its memorabilia, including vintage collections of subway cars. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum offers party packages with themes like Treasure Hunt, Pilot, Astronaut and more. Looking for a more musical experience? Head to Three Little Birds, where kids learn songs about transportation and imitate the sounds vehicles make using musical instruments. A PREHISTORIC PARTY: Throw a Dinosaur Discovery Party at the American Museum of Natural History! The birthday child and guests learn how paleontologists use evidence
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to unveil the secrets of these extinct creatures, then explore the Dinosaur Hall and see dinosaurs “pop” to life in the 3D art collection.
music while playing games like freeze and limbo. A special visit from Gymtime’s Mr. Bananas is included!
FARM FUN: Experience the Farm Animal Party at Art Farm in the City. In addition to the animals normally there, children will get to meet ducks, a sheep, chickens, turkeys and a goat from the farm in the Hamptons. You can also get the full farm experience at the Queens County Farm Museum, where children can partake in an animal feeding, a farmyard tour and tractor drawn hayride!
BALLERINA BASH: At Ballet Academy East, the birthday child and friends can enjoy a personalized ballet class with an instructor, pianist and party host. After the lesson, guests will dance a ballet story told by the teacher and enjoy some refreshments. At Twinkle Party, kids can learn some new steps from a professional ballerina, participate in balletthemed crafts and activities and put on a performance for the parent guests.
AMUSEMENT PARK FUN: At Victorian Gardens at Wollman Rink in Central Park, party participants enjoy unlimited rides all day! Celebrations can be customized with the addition of entertainment like clowns, magicians, face painters, balloon sculptors, musicians and more. MOVE AND GROOVE: It’s like two parties in one with Gymtime Rhythm & Glues’ Gym Party! Spend one hour having a ball with coach-led activities and free play in the gym, then change tunes and groove to DJ
AMERICAN IDOL: Throw your child an American Idol party at Citibabes! Guests can participate in dance contests, sing their favorite songs and enjoy their own personal Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell or Randy Jackson. A face painter or balloon artist will also join in on the fun! UP, UP, AND AWAY!: Has your child ever tried a zipline? They can as part of the Gymnastics Party at My Gym, which also features games, activities, and songs. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Kids also have the chance to soar through the air with the Gymtastic! Party at 74th St. MAGIC, which includes rides on the venue’s exclusive filing swing, on top of plenty of fun in their fully equipped gym or baby gym and the use of the party room or rooftop playground. Roll N’ Bowl: Kids can compete to stay out of the gutter while they battle each other in a birthday bowling game. From choosing the perfect bowling shoes, to enjoying snacks and drinks, to hopefully rolling a strike, it’s a full afternoon of fun! Great places to host parties include Bowlmor Lanes, 300 New York, Harlem Lanes and Lucky Strike. An Artsy Affair: Kids can try their hand at weaving at Loop Of The Loom, choosing from a wall filled with over 500 colors of spool. Or, tap into their inner diva with the Rock Star party at The Craft Studio, where they can decorate superstar sunglasses, a pop star microphone, and celebrity-inspired hair piece. For more hands-on fun, head to the newly unveiled Make Meaning, where kids can create and take home their masterpiece in candles, soap, paint, ceramics, glass or jewelry. Kids At Art offers a variety of “Arty Parties” where kids can make picture frames, flower pots, puppets, cigar box purses and more. Little Shop of Crafts offers four party fun themes: PlasterCraft Painting, Pottery Painting, Mosaics and Create-A-Cuddly. Finally, check out Poloppo’s party options—kids will flip over the chance to design their very own t-shirts! Toys & Dolls: If your child loves American Girl Place, a special day at the New York store is the ultimate present! Parties include a sit-down meal, doll tiara for each guest, a table game, a take-home craft and much more. If it’s robots, not dolls, your child loves, head to Robot Galaxy, where guests can hop aboard a “spaceship,” design their own robot, then activate it! Or, how about stuffing, stitching and dressing your own stuffed animal from scratch with a Build-ABear party? Date On Skates: Put on a pair of skates and show off your skills on the rink—or learn a few new moves from an on-site instructor. For a winter-wonderland skate party, Wollman Skating Rink or The Rink at Rockefeller Center both provide picturesque backdrops to a skating soiree. If your
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child wants to skate in the summer, City Ice Pavilion hosts parties year-round. Get Pampered: Treat your birthday girl and friends to a full makeover at Cozy’s Cuts For Kids with the Glamorama Birthday Party, which includes hair-dos, makeup and manicures—plus music and an art project! Or, stick to the fingers and toes at Dashing Diva, where guests get pampered with a manicure and pedicure. The Yoga Spa Party at Karma Kids Yoga includes yoga moves accompanied by aromatherapy, hand and foot massages, henna tattoos, island-style hair braiding, nail polishing and more! Finally, wherever you hold your party, Face Art By Melissa (faceartbymelissa.com) can create fabulous designs (glitter tattoos, too!) to match your theme! Princess Party: Don royal court-dresses, shoes, jewelry, tiaras, wands, glitter nail polish, fairy dust, eye shadow, jewels, and more with the Happy Birthday Princess Party at Let’s Dress Up! The day even includes a birthday tea served under crystal chandeliers. Or, add a little music to the mix with a Princess party by Moey’s Music Party. Guests love Moey’s sparkly pink dress and even get their own boas, tiaras and slap bracelets to wear while enjoying Moey’s oneof-a-kind songs! Toying Around: Looking for an iconic party venue? At FAO Schwarz, families can rent the entire store if they like—though taking over a portion of the store or using the party room is also an option. Customize your own party theme with the help of the staff. Learn And Explore: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s renowned Playworks exhibit, a unique, hands-on learning environment for kids, is also the site of their PlayWorks-themed birthday party, where kids can become a firefighter, “cook” a meal in the Little Apple Deli, create a birthday masterpiece on the gigantic art wall and more. Kids At Work specializes in creating engaging party experiences—like musical performances and art and science activities—for children turning ages 1-4. Rock N’ Roll: How about a personal birthday concert? 92YTribeca offers a party space for use either before or after the venue’s popular B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Kid) concerts. The songs for seeds celebration at apple seeds features a live band (guitar,
keys and drums) that kids can rock out to. Or, have a dance party with Applause NYC and put together your own playlist for live musicians to perform. Puppets and bubbles are included! Kids can also rock out to Little Maestros, who sing and play guitar, piano and drums. Songs range from traditional kids songs to classic party tunes (or request your own). They even break out puppets, bubbles, parachutes, and more fun activities. Moviemaking Madness: Kids can tap into their inner filmmaker with the Animation Celebration at Children’s Museum of the Arts. Participants learn the basics of claymation and then collaborate on a short animation movie that brings their creativity to life. Pizza Party: Kids can mix, measure, and stir up their own whole wheat pizzas—learning about the cooking process along the way—with the Pizza Party Extravaganza at Taste Buds. Later, they’ll eat their creations followed by delicious cupcakes they decorate themselves (and take home a personalized apron to boot.) With Mini Chef NYC’s Pizza Party at Dos Caminos, birthday guests mold pizza dough into fun shapes, then enjoy a magic show while it bakes in the oven. Calling Clifford Fans: The Scholastic Store offers up Clifford’s BIG Birthday Bash, featuring a special storytime and craft project. The finale is truly BIG—when Clifford stops by for photos, music and dancing, cupcakes and cuddling! Tennis Time: At SPORTIME at Randall’s Island, tennis pros lead kids in fun and games on the courts (outdoor courts and picnic tables are available in summer), followed by a pizza party in a private room. Is table tennis more your child’s speed? Check out Spin, which specializes in ping pong and has plenty of tables to play on! Zoo Adventure: The Central Park Zoo offers a theater-themed party that also features a live animal encounter—perfect for kids who’ve been vying to get up close and personal with the zoo’s inhabitants! Or, choose your own animal theme at the Bronx Zoo, which offers parties that combine fun activities, arts and crafts, visits to exhibits and live animal guests in the party room! Pass, Kick, Score!: Opt for the Platinum Ball Party with Super Soccer Stars for some www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 11:31 AM
Come Play Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga!
Birthday Parties at 74th St. MAGIC Please join us for:
Taming the lions.
Yoga for Babies Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Families Community Yoga CircusYoga Prenatal Yoga Free Story Time Yoga Yoga Birthday Parties Special Events Teacher Training
ffordable a d n a n u f ...a ty to Birthday par remember
Where:
Bring the zen home with our new CD, Come Play Yoga!, Mom’s Choice Awards Winner, available at CDbaby. com, Amazon, selected tracks on iTunes and now playing on Pandora. Karma Kids Yoga | 104 West 14th Street, NYC | karmakidsyoga.com | (646)638-1444
MAGIC’s fully equipped gym, baby gym, sundrenched party room and rooftop playground When:
weekdays and weekends during the summer months
RSVP:
212.737.2989 www.74magic.com
Under the red canopy 510 East 74th Street (off York Ave.) NYC 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com
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action-packed time on the field. The party includes at least two coaches who oversee activities from warm-up exercises to games to a mini-World Cup tournament. Food and cake follows, and each child leaves with a Super Soccer Stars soccer ball to continue the fun at home. Exciting Experiments: Want to explore the unknown? At Liberty Science Center, party guests can command an electromagnetic crane, climb a fossil-studded rock wall and control the water in a gushing geyser. For a more scientific approach, team up with Mad Science, which hosts birthday parties featuring hands-on experiments like tornado tubes, indoor fireworks and chemical reactions that produce light! Playspace Party: With a forestthemed play area, an interactive water adventure space called Splash!, and a soft play room, there’s plenty of fun to be had with a Playtime Party at City Treehouse! Or, move the party outside at the West Side YMCA, where kids can play on the venue’s new rooftop playground as part of the Roof Top Party, replete with a slide and spongy surface. At Klub4Kidz in Williamsburg, party goers spend an hour in the four-level indoor playground (complete with crawl tubes, slides, tunnels and web bridges) before enjoying 30 minutes of music, dancing, games and food in the party room. Customize Your Own Affair: Looking for a great all-around venue where you can customize your own party and theme? Try the JCC of Manhattan. It provides the party space while you bring the creativity! Slate is another great space, which has its own party planner to help you customize the perfect bash. Sweet Treats: Host your child’s birthday fete in the brand-new, state-of-the-art party space at Dylan’s Candy Bar! The real-life candy land offers party packages for every age, from “Sugar Babies” for 1st and 2nd birthdays to the “Hide and Sweet Cupcake Party” for kids ages 7-12. Games Galore: Host a Coney-Island style carnival for your child replete with a basketball toss, fish pong, concession stands, snow cones and more at Carnival, a whimsical space above Bowlmor Lanes. Looking for the ultimate arcade experience? Head to
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Dave & Buster’s for Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Dance Dance Revolution and more! Bring On The Music: Sing, play kid-size instruments, explore the sounds of the orchestra, and have lots of musical fun with a birthday party at Hands On! Singing “Happy Birthday” never sounded so good! Martial Arts Fun: Kick, punch, and chop your way through the big day with a birthday party at one of the city’s leading martial arts studios. Tiger Shulmann’s Karate, West Side Taekwondo and East Side Tae Kwon Do are all excellent options. Amazing Athletes: With the Sports Party at Asphalt Green, partygoers have the chance to partake in a sports bonanza, honing their skills in soccer, basketball, softball, flag football and more all in one day! Or, host an Ultimate Sports Party at Kidville, which includes games, relay races and other challenges. Want a more focused sports celebration? Celebrate with Kids In Sports and chose two to three sports to focus on from among baseball, basketball, flag football, floor hockey and soccer. At the NBA Store, aspiring hoop stars can get suited up in NBA All-Star jerseys, pose for photos and show their skills in contests and drills. For a more zen birthday experience, kids can host a Yogi Beans party, where they can partake in fun yoga activities led by a certified and experienced instructor. Gym’s The Word: Kids run, bounce and slide to their hearts’ content at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties include the use of the tunnels, a space bouncer, tumble track and more. Columbus Preschool and Gym offers a great combination of gym time and old fashioned party fun. Another great gymnastics experience is Discovery Programs, where a coach guides kids on the trampoline, rings and more as part of the Gymnastics Party package. Let little ones tumble to their heart’s content at Gymboree Play & Learn, where you can choose from a variety of kid-pleasing themes. Or, try the Jump N’ Jive Party at New York Kids Club, which includes the chance to jump on the venue’s 20-foot trampoline and tackle obstacle courses. A Personal Circus: Kids can create their own circus with the Under The Top party at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.
Guests fly on aerial silks, juggle, make their own pyramids and become silly clowns. Optional add-ons include cotton candy machines, candied apples, a bouncy castle, magician and more. —Reported by Leah Black, Brittany McNamara and Teresa Tobat
The Venues 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street, 212-780-0800, 14streety.org 74th St. MAGIC, 510 East 74th Street, 212-737-2989, 74magic.com 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92y.org 300 New York, 212-835-2695, threehundred.com 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street, 212-601-1000, 92y.org/92YTribeca American Girl Place, 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street, 877-247-5223, americangirl.com American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West 212-769-5100, amnh.org Applause New York City, Home of Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies, Broadway Babies and Superstars, St. Jean’s Community Center, 184 East 76th Street, 212-717-0703, applauseny.com apple seeds, 10 West 25th Street, 212-792-7590 ext. 208, appleseedsnyc.com Art Farm in the City, 419 East 91st Street, 212-410-3117, theartfarms.org Asphalt Green, 555 East 90th Street, 212-369-8890, asphaltgreen.org Ballet Academy East, 1651 Third Avenue, 212-410-9140, balletacademyeast.com Bowlmor Lanes, 110 University Place, 212-255-8188, bowlmor.com Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, 718-741-3836, bronxzoo.com Brooklyn Boulders, 575 DeGraw Street, Brooklyn, 347-834-9066, brooklynboulders.com Build-A-Bear Workshop, 565 Fifth Avenue, 212-871-7080, buildabear.com Carnival, 110 University Place, 212-255-8188, carnivalnyc.com Central Park Zoo, East Side between 62nd and 63rd streets, 212-439-6500, centralparkzoo.com Chelsea Piers, West 23rd Street and the Hudson River, 212-336-6500, chelseapiers.com Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, 631-537-8250, cmee.org Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street (between Amsterdam and Broadway), 212-721-1223 ext. 219, cmom.org
www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 11:31 AM
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Citibabes, 52 Mercer Street, Third Floor, 1-800-697-0107, citibabes.com City Ice Pavilion, 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, 718-505-6230, cityicepavilion.com City Treehouse, 129A West 20th Street, 212-255-2050, citytreehouse.com Color Me Mine, 116 Franklin Street, 212-941-0120, tribeca.colormemine.com Columbus Gym, 606 Columbus Avenue 212-721-0090, columbusgymnyc.com Cozy’s Cuts for Kids, Various locations in Manhattan 212-585-COZY, cozyscutsforkids.com The Craft Studio, 1657 Third Avenue, 212-831-6626, craftstudionyc.com Creative Play for Kids, 212-729-1667, creativeplayforkids.com Dashing Diva, Various locations, 212-228-9999, dashingdiva.com Dave & Buster’s, 234 West 42nd Street, 646-495-2015, daveandbusters.com Discovery Programs, 251 West 100th Street, 212-749-8717, discoveryprograms.com Dylan’s Candy Bar, 1011 Third Avenue, 646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com East Side Tae Kwon Do, 325 East 65th Street, 212-755-5982, eastsidetaekwondo.com The Early ear, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-877-7125, theearlyear.com FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue, 767 5th Avenue, 212-644-9400, fao.com Gymboree, Various locations in Manhattan, 1-877-4-GYMWEB (1-877-449-6932) gymboreeclasses.com Gymtime Rhythm & Glues, 1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732, gymtime.net Hands On!, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-339-9915, handson4music.com Harlem Lanes, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, Third and Fourth Floors, 212-678-BOWL, harlemlanes.net Hi Art!, 227 West 29 Street Studio 4R, 212-209-1552, hiartkids.com Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Sreet and 12th Avenue, 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org Jodi’s Gym, 244 East 84th Street, 212-772-7633, jodisgym.com Karma Kids Yoga, 104 West 14th Street, Second Floor, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com Kick & Play, Various locations, 212-877-5425, kickandplay.com Kids At Art, Little Shop of Crafts, 431 East 73rd Street, 212-410-978, kidsatartnyc.com Kids At Work, 242 W27th Street Suite 4A, 212-488-8800, kidsatworknyc.com Kids In Sports, Various locations,
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212-744-4900, kisnyc.com Kidville, Various locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, 212-362-3923, kidville.com Klub4Kidz, 159 North 4th Street, Brooklyn, 718-599-5900, klub4kidz.com Let’s Dress Up!, 345 East 85th Street, 212-879-0956, uppereast.com/lets-dress-up Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park 222, Jersey City Boulevard, NJ, 201-200-1000, lsc.org Little Shop of Crafts, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-717-6636 (East Side), 212-531-2723 (West Side), littleshopny.com Loop of the Loom, 227 East 87th Street, 212-722-2686, loopoftheloom.com Lucky Strike, 624-660 West 42nd Street, 646-829-0170, bowlluckystrike.com Make Meaning, 329 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-0350, makemeaning.com Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 West 60th Street, 212-787-1178, manhattanmovement.com Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, 120 Warren Street, 212-766-1104, manhattanyouth.org Moomah, 161 Hudson Street, 212-226-0345, moomah.com Mini Chef NYC, Various locations, 212-727-2703, minichefnyc.com Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue, 212-534-1672, mcny.org My Gym, Various locations, 800-4MGYMS, my-gym.com NBA Store, nba.com/nycstore New York Kids Club, Various locations in Manhattan 347-706-4700, nykidsclub.com New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, 718-694-1600, mta.info.mta/museum Poloppo, 877-396-4863, polopo.com Poppyseed Pre-Nursery, 424 West End Avenue, 212-877-7614 Queens County Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Parkway, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org Reebok Sports Club/NY, 160 Columbus Avenue, 212-362-6800, reeboksportsclubny.com. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, 234 West 42nd Street, 212-398-3133, ripleysnewyork.com Robot Galaxy, 1514 Broadway at 44th Street, robotgalaxy.com The Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway, 212-343-6166, store.scholastic.com Slate, 54 West 21st Street, 212-989-0096, slate-ny.com Soccer by Coach Fher, 917-650-3008, coachfher.com Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Avenue at 56th Street, 212-833-8100, sonywondertechlab.com
Spin New York, 48 East 23rd Street, 212-982-8802, spinyc.com Sports Club/LA, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-218-8600, thesportsclubla.com Sportime at Randall’s Island, 212-427-6150, sportimeny.com Steps On Broadway, 2121 Broadway, 212-874-2410, stepsnyc.com StoryTime By Design, 1296 Lexington Avenue between 87th and 88th, 917-533-4201; 917-405-7959, storytimebydesign.com Super Soccer Stars, Various locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and the Hamptons,212-877-7171, supersoccerstars.com Taste Buds, 109 West 27th Street, 212-242-2248, tastebudscook.com Three Little Birds Music, 266 East 78th Street, 212-744-0404,tlbmusic.com. Tiger Shulmann’s Karate, 39 West 19th Street, 10800-620 3971, tsk.com Twinkle Party, West 48th Street and 10th Avenue, 646-455-8311, twinklepartyfun.com Victorian Gardens, Wollman Skating Rink in Central Park, 212-982-2229, victoriangardensnyc.com Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts, Various locations, 877-946-4868 watsonadventures.com West Side Taekwondo, 700 Columbus Avenue, 212-663-3998, westsidetkd.com West Side YMCA, 5 West 63rd Street, 212-912-2600, ymcanyc.org Wollman Skating Rink, Central Park, 212-439-6900, wollmanskatingrink.com Xtreme Rhythmic Academy, 351 East 74th Street and First Avenue, 646-457-7527 Yogi Beans, 131 West 86th Street, 212-787-9642, yogibeans.com
Party SuPPlieS & FavorS Crystal Party Supplies, 4306 Broadway, 212-543-9463 Dinosaur Hill, 306 East 9th Street, 212-473-5850, dinosaurhill.com Party City, 38 West 14th Street, 212-271-7310, partycity.com The Children’s General Store, 168 East 91st Street, 212-426-4479
State News, Various locations in Manhattan, 212-831-8010
www.newyorkfamily.com
4/25/11 11:32 AM
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Fabulous Face Painting and Gorgeous Glitter Tattoos for your next Special Event!
Call 212-876-3332 www.FaceArtByMelissa.com
4/21/11 1:41 PM
in
Neighborhood the
The Sheffield A favorite Manhattan luxury Residential Building Re-defines Quintessential new York living By Celene McDermott
Located between West 56th and West 57th Streets, accessible via a private driveway and landscaped outdoor plaza, sits The Sheffield. The 58-story former luxury rental building, located in Columbus Circle just blocks from Central Park, has had a long-standing reputation. “When Rose Associates had built The Sheffield in 1979 and we had a pool and a gym and a lounge on the top floors, we were ahead of our time; it was one of the earlier buildings that had these types of amenities,” explains Jack Levy, senior managing director of Rose Associates. But, he adds, the building’s former amenity space is “nowhere near the magnitude that we’re building now.” By summer, the top 57th and 58th floors will feature The Sky Club, comprising an enclosed indoor pool, outdoor sun-deck, roof deck with BBQ areas, a fitness center spanning almost 3,000 square feet with separate aerobics/stretching rooms, locker rooms and steam rooms, his and her spas, and two lounges (one glass-enclosed). The lounges will feature panoramic views, catering kitchens, wet bars, billiard tables, and flat screen TVs. In addition, a 500-square-foot children’s playroom will feature bold interior design by CetraRuddy, with plans to hold children’s programming. But the amenities aren’t the only features drawing families to the building. The location has long been one of the building’s selling points. “It’s immediately accessible to Central Park, it’s a few blocks from Lincoln Center and the Theater District,” says Levy. “Also, 57th Street offers incredible retail. There’s much more in that location than in any other part of the city.”
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The location also allows families to enjoy spectacular views from each of the building’s “premier sky residences.” Two penthouse floors offer floor-to-ceiling windows. During the conversion to a condominium building, the original 845 apartments were combined into 580 condominium units, from studios to four-bedroom layouts featuring up to 3,400 square feet. New windows were put in to maximize the light, air and views, and architectural design firm CetraRuddy handled all the interior finishes, including solid plank Nordic Ash floors throughout. Gourmet kitchens feature Varenna Italian cabinetry, SubZero refrigerators, Bosch cook tops, Calacatta gold marble counters and backsplashes, while bathrooms offer cloud-white ceramic tile walls, soaking tubs and separate glass-enclosed showers. Other building features include a pet spa, concierge service by Abigail Michaels, storage and laundry rooms on each floor (some residences have their own washers and dryers), bicycle storage and parking garage. With its new design and conversion to a condominium building, one thing is clear, as Levy sums up: “We wanted to appeal to a broad variety of needs, because the building has studios up to 4-bedrooms, and features a great variety of demographics. We needed to have something for everyone.” Address: 322 West 57th Street Prices: Studios to 4-bedroom residences range from $775,000 - $7.6 million Developer: Fortress Investment Group and Rose Associates Architect and Designer: CetraRuddy Sales Office: 888-420-8815 Website: thesheffield.com www.newyorkfamily.com
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Dream Homes 123 West 93rd Street, Unit 5D
This pre-war charmer between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues has sunlight streaming into the living room and the master bedroom. Beamed ceilings, original hardwood floors and well-preserved prewar details grace the oversized living and dining rooms. The original dining room was cleverly split to create a third bedroom while maintaining a formal dining room adjacent to the kitchen. The full-service building, built in 1925, offers a large exercise room and storage units in the basement. Conveniently located one block from Central Park, specialty restaurants and excellent shopping, including a brand-new neighborhood Whole Foods. Asking Price: $1,139,000 Maint/CC: $1,797 Agent: Richard Perkins, Prudential Douglas Elliman, 212-769-6578
133 West 28th Street, Unit 6C This airy loft offers plenty of space for dining and entertaining. Located in a pet-friendly co-op in the heart of Chelsea’s historic Flower District, the property boasts a welcoming foyer, all-new lighting throughout and gleaming wood floors. The kitchen features an island and breakfast bar, the roomy master suite offers a spacious walk-in closet and spa-like windowed bath complete with whirlpool tub, and the second bedroom (or office or den) is adjacent to a full bath housing a washer/dryer. The home is convenient to several subway lines as well as plenty of restaurants and shops. Asking Price: $1,200,000 Maint/CC: $1,500.59 Agent: Ivana Tagliamonte, Halstead Property, 212-381-6575
100 Congress Street, Unit 202 Located just around the corner from beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park, this six-story condo building is home to many families. Each of the 30 apartments features brick exterior walls as well as individually-zoned heat and air conditioning. Kitchen amenities offer CaesarStone countertops and Euro-style appliances like Fisher & Paykel refrigerators, Bertazzoni ranges and Bosch dishwashers. The building also offers a rooftop terrace, lounge with a flat screen TV, 24-car garage, and a “virtual doorman” service that uses CCTV cameras. Not to mention spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and the East River! Asking Price: $1,175,000 Maint/CC: $1,175 Agent: Roger Coryne, Heights Real Estate Advisors Phone: 718-624-0100
www.newyorkfamily.com
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Camp
countdown
GEttInG AlonG How Summer camp Helps Kids develop Emotional Intelligence By Posie Taylor
Jeremy and Tony are excited to go fishing. Their counselor helps them to work out a way to share the one rod fairly without arguing. Their new-found ability to share without anger carries over to their cabin and who will operate the only working flashlight. Sarah’s nature counselor watches with delight to see this shy nine-year-old gently and competently organize her camp friends into teams for a wildflower search. At the beginning of camp, Sarah was too nervous even to express an opinion about whether she preferred hot dogs or burgers on the grill. Matthew and Valerie watch out for Robert as he maneuvers the climbing wall. They yell encouragement, cheering on their friend, who, unlike his cabinmates, struggles daily with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. On Opening Day, these two teased Robert about his unstable walk and slow progress across the field. Cabin discussions about disabilities, a counselor’s careful example of kindness and respect, and just spending time together have helped the three form a strong friendship. These children all demonstrate sophisticated skills in areas scientists are suddenly watching closely. Observers are finding that a set of abilities, collectively called emotional intelligence, has much to do with how children grow and
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succeed. These skills—self-awareness, self-control, empathy, the ability to wait, the ability to listen, cooperate, share and work well with others—are actually better predictors of adult success and happiness than traditional IQ scores. In his book “Emotional Intelligence,” clinical psychologist and author Daniel Goleman makes two important assertions that parents may not find surprising. He reports on new research showing that children whose emotional intelligence skills are well-developed tend to be more successful at school, have deeper and healthier relationships, grow up to have more fulfilling work lives and become valuable and contributing members of their communities. Goleman’s second assertion is that these emotional intelligence skills can be taught. Parents have long tried to teach courtesy and politeness to their children, but were never sure their teaching could overcome inborn capabilities. Parents and teachers have assumed that the patience children display naturally is probably most of the patience they can muster, or that they are good or bad sharers, gentle friends or playground bullies from birth. A group of researchers, led by Howard Gardner, a psychologist at the Harvard School of Education, have proven otherwise. They have shown that thoughtful teaching, conversation, modeling and practice can develop and nurture these skills, especially when that teaching is consistent throughout a child’s day and year. www.newyorkfamily.com
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ity to live happily away from home. Successful camp summers can help smooth the transition to college in later years.
Real Challenges Build Resiliency Great camps have been teaching emotional intelligence since they began. Children away from home, with new friends and new challenges, can learn much about themselves and their own strengths and abilities. Perhaps the canoe doesn’t head where it should at first, or a cabinmate is unwilling to be friendly. Away from the familiarity of home and school, campers can test their own perseverance, and, with caring and thoughtful help, build new life skills for themselves. Social skills, too, grow exponentially at camp. A campfire marshmallow roast is an exercise in sharing of sticks and the front row around the campfire. When campers take turns carrying the lunch to the top of the mountain, they learn firsthand how wonderful working together can be. A good counselor will gently remind her young hikers
of this lesson, not later, but during the climb, when the message is fresh. Teachable Moments at Camp Summer camps work hard to train staff in modeling and teaching emotional intelligence skills. Camp counselors are often closer in age than teachers, and the informal atmosphere of camp encourages relaxed conversations at picnics or getting ready for bed. Then, too, there are usually more counselors with the children than in a regular classroom, allowing more interaction than one lone teacher can possibly supply. When children find adult friends at camp who model perseverance, listening, teamwork and appreciation of differences, they set new and high standards for their own behavior. When they feel appreciated and valued by these friends, they are surer of their abil-
Four Ways To Prepare Your Child For The Camp Experience
The American Camp Association (NY and NJ) offers the following helpful hints as parents begin to prepare their children for camp: Focus on education. Camp provides children with the opportunity to explore a much larger world. It also offers parents and children a chance to practice normal, healthy separation, allowing kids to develop autonomy and a stronger sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills and learn about teamwork. Share the prep work. Camp decisions should be made together. When children feel that they are part of the decision-making process, they are more comfortable. As a team, search camps online and take a tour of the
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Emotional Intelligence Lessons: After Camp and Beyond When campers return home from camp, parents can help them keep building their summer skills throughout the year. Chores are a great teaching opportunity at home, for example. Parents who model working together as a family to get jobs done are reinforcing vital lessons from camp. Empathy means recognizing others’ needs, literally “feeling with” another person. Television reports are full of stories of children who have not been taught to empathize, children who become bullies or delinquents or worse. Parents can use these same TV reports as teaching moments about caring and sympathy. Parents who teach emotional intelligence skills to their kids year-round will find the lessons reinforce each other in wonderful ways. And summer camps, where these lessons have been taught for years, are a key part of the reinforcement. To learn more about camp and child development, please visit the American Camp Association’s family website, campparents.org. Posie Taylor serves as a board member-at-large of the American Camp Association. She is also the executive director emerita of the Aloha Foundation. Reprinted from CAMP Magazine by permission of the American Camp Association.
camp venue. If your child is going to a resident camp, pack together. Talk, talk, talk. It’s only natural that as the first day of camp approaches, some kids may experience uneasiness. Encourage your child to talk about these feelings. Parents should let their child know that they are confident in their child’s ability to handle being away from home. Get real. It’s important for families to maintain realistic expectations. Camp is a microcosm of the real world, so just like life, there will be highs and lows. Remind children that the most important thing is to relax and have fun. -- Jess Michaels
Visit the ACA NY/NT resource website, campwizard.org or call 1-800-777-CAMP (2267) to speak with a camper placement specialist. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers! That’s why Summer at St. Bart’s offers four options that include swim every day:
Tiny Tot’s at St. Bart’s June 6th-August 19th yearswe want 9am happy to 12:30pm Not every kid wants the same kindAgeof 3-4.5 camp, and campers! That’s why St. Bart’s is offering • Artsthatandinclude Craftsswim • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Rooftop play three options every day: st St. Bart’s Day Camp June 8th June – August St Bart’s Day• Camp 6th-21August 19th Perfect for 3 1⁄2 to 8 year olds: swimming every day, sports, art or science, dance, plus a whole Age 4.5-7 years 9am to 3pm lot more on our rooftop playground! • Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • ndDance and Movement • Rooftop play Island Sports Camp • June 22 – August 21st • Fun with Science • Karate • Drama • Extended day options For 7 – 13 year olds who like something a little more sporty. Start the day with science, art, yoga or drama, then jet off forCamp a day of June softball, soccer, The day19th concludes back at Island Sports 27thand–tennis. August St. Bart’s withAge swimming instruction in our trips indooronce pool.a week/private bus 7-13 years • Special nd st Adventure Camp June 22 –Island August 21 lessons • Soccer •Field Sports• at Roosevelt • Tennis This camp is great •forUltimate 8 – 13 Frisbee year olds• who about sports art, science • Softball • Kickball Relayaren’t Racescrazy • Touch Footballbut• are andintomore… and a little adventure. This camp offers two (2) educational/recreation trips per week in and outside ofAdventure Manhattan. Also includes sports, 20th-August yoga, drama and a weekly art/science showcase. CampsomeJune 19th TWO educational/recreational Summer at St. Bart’sAge also7-13 offersyears flexible•scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunchtrips/week and After Camp program. To register, schedule a family convenience, more and information, contact Eileen Reddy at • Arts and tour Craftsat your • Sports in our orgymreceive • Dance Movement • Yoga (212) 378-0203, reddy@stbarts.org or• visit our •website: Drama Karatewww.stbarts.org. • Science Summer at St. Bart’s also flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp programs. St.offers Bartholomew’s Church Contact Eileen Reddy at 212-378-0203, reddy@stbarts.org or Janette Coleman at coleman@stbarts.org. Park Avenue at 51st Street • www.stbarts.org • 212.378.0203 www.stbarts.org.
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10
GreaT Ideas for may
JAPAN DAy
Through May 22
IN A WORLD OF GADGETS [Ages 5+]
Technology is ubiquitous—but is it possible to live without? This is the theme explored in “Odd Day Rain,” TADA! Youth Theater’s new rock/mod-opera musical set in 2211, written by Nina Trevens and Deirdre Broderick. The story follows two girls who become friends despite their differences—one living entirely without technology and another who can’t live without it. Children will love the storytelling and live music, and will learn about the power of human connection and importance of feeling with their hearts (instead of machines). This musical runs until May 22nd; performance times vary. Regular tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children, but limited cheap tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. 15 West 28th Street, 212-252-1619 x128, tadatheater.com.
May 5-8
THE GIFT OF ART [All Ages]
Creative kids can show mom how much they care! Now in its tenth year, the New York Affordable Art Fair (AAF NYC) invites families to discover and buy contemporary art from today’s best new talents as well as more prominent artists. AAF has also partnered up with LittleCollector.com, a contemporary art gallery created just for children, to extra kid-ify the fair. Among tons of other fun activities, tots will get the opportunity to learn drawing techniques from cartoon/anime artist Gigi Chen. Moms, bring your child on Mother’s Day for free admission and an AAF Mother’s Day gift bag. Takes place Thursday, May 5th through Saturday, May 7th 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8th). Tickets are $20 for general admission. 7 West 34th Street, 212-255-2003, aafnyc.com.
May 6-15
WILD FOR FLOWERS [All Ages]
If you look past the skyscrapers, you may be surprised to find out that NYC has 53,000 acres of open space and 778 native plant species. During Wildflower Week, budding botanists can get familiar with the city’s landscape through a garden tour, lecture or native plant workshop, and even dine on delectable edibles at a local restaurant. Children’s events include a Wildflower Walk, Baby Bugs Workshop where kids sing along to nature-themed tunes, an interactive Plant Fair and more. Events are free, but advanced registration is suggested. For this year’s complete event listings and locations, visit nycwildflowerweek.org.
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NyC WILDFLOWER WEEk May 7
ENCHANTING MUSIC [Ages 6-12]
Enjoy a unique production of “Peter and the Wolf” presented by the Little Orchestra Society, as they celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Sergei Prokofiev’s Russian masterpiece. Directed by Annette Jolles, the staged “play within a play” includes colorfully-costumed actors and dancers. The cast will also feature special guest artist Paul Binder, founder of the Big Apple Circus. After the performance, continue the celebration with a family benefit at The Russian Tea Room. Performances will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, 1941 Broadway, 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org.
May 8 & 22
CELEBRATE JAPAN [All Ages]
Come celebrate all things Japanese at this year’s Japan Day, held in Central Park. The celebration is meant to promote a deeper understanding of Japanese
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culture while strengthening relationships within the Japanese grassroots community. The event kicks off on Mother’s Day with the fifth-annual Japan Run, a four-mile New York Road Runners race with 5,000 participants, followed by kids’ races. Then on May 22nd, the whole family can enjoy a day full of food, activities and games, live music and entertainment at the Japan Day Festival at Rumsey Playfield. Japan Run will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Japan Day Festival will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Central Park, 830 5th Avenue, 212-398-7145, japandaynyc.org.
May 9 and 23
SPROUT SCREENINGS [Ages 2+]
Want to introduce your little ones to the world of cinema and help develop their love for film? Big Movies for Little Kids, a film series for children ages two and up, offers old-school screenings featuring some popular, lovable characters. First up, on the
9th, will be “Czech Shorts,” a series of shorts by Czech animator Zdenek Miler featuring a friendly little mole, Krtek, with ineffable curiosity. Then on the 23rd, kids can enjoy “Wacky Races,” an animated Hanna Barbera classic about sinister Dick Dastardly and his sidekick dog as they do everything in their power to win a road race. Screenings are at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $7 and may be purchased online. Cobble Hill Cinemas, 265 Court Street, Brooklyn, 718-875-9254, bigmoviesforlittlekids.blogspot.com.
May 14
RYTHMIC AWARENESS [All Ages]
Bring the whole brood to a concert celebrating the release of Grammy-nominated Brady Rymer’s new CD, “Love Me for Who I Am.” Inspired by and dedicated to children affected by autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and related disorders, the CD features songs meant to serve as anthems for children with disabilities and their families. With songs such as “Picky Eater,” “I Don’t Like Change,” “Who Wants to Wear Shoes?” and “Keep Your Wiggle Alive,” the whole household will have a blast (and also relate) while remembering to celebrate life despite its obstacles. Concert will begin at 1 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Southpaw, 125 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-230-0236, spsounds.com.
May 15
DISCOUNTED DESIGNER DUDS [Ages 0-8]
Keep your kids looking stylish (for affordable prices) at the 5th Annual Spring Event hosted by Shop Lucky Finds. Families can search for jawdropping deals on boutique items and nearly-new designer labels for children, including Jacadi, Bonpoint, Catamini, Crewcuts, Juicy and Ralph Lauren. Shoppers can even expect to find baby gear and kids’ toys at the trunk show. The event will also give back to the community—all unsold merchandise will be donated to Room to Grow, a non-profit organization benefitting in-need children. The event is held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st Street, 917-593-3574, shopluckyfinds.com.
May 21
SKETCH THE FUTURE [Ages 6-12]
BRADY RYMER www.newyorkfamily.com
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SHOP LUCKY FINDS
Come spend your morning on the High Line to celebrate the Whitney’s new Meatpacking District expansion as part of their art-inspired Community Day. Guided sketch tours of
the suspended oasis and surrounding area will end with a family sketching session. Tours leave every 15 minutes beginning at 10 a.m., last tour leaves at 11:30 a.m. First come, first serve. Free. Enter at Chelsea Market Passage, 16th Street and 10th Avenue, whitney.org/groundbreaking.
May 21
CAMP FOR A CAUSE [Ages 17+]
Listen up, camp alumni! Rally together your sleep-away amigos (for nostalgia’s sake) for a day of tug-of-war and wacky relays—all in the name of charity. Camp Games for a Cause is raising donations for kids from low-income communities to have a positive camp experience (just like you did!) through scholarships, trainings and program support. The day promises camp cheer, food, and plenty of camaraderie. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; activity kick-off at 9:30 a.m. Fundraising required in order to participate. Columbia University, Broadway and 116th Street, campgamesforacause.org.
To submit an event listing, please email newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com.
Sign up for New York Family’s popular weekly e-newsletter with tips on activities, shopping, and parenting at
newyorkfamily.com.
May 2011 | New York Family
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MANHATTAN CHILDREN’S THEATRE
Hundreds of stories are told by a group of four actors in less than an hour in “The Complete Tales of the Brothers Grimm,” through May 30. Kids of all ages will watch abridged versions of “Sleeping Beauty,” “Tom Thumb,” “Snow White” and “Cinderella” all on one stage. 52 White Street, 212-226-4085, manhattanchildrenstheatre.org.
NEW VICTORY THEATER
PUPPETWORKS
THEATERS 92YTRIBECA
The community center’s BYOK (Bring Your Own Kid) Sunday music series invites families to enjoy some of the coolest kid-friendly music around. Joanie Leeds performs a rock concert for kids on May 15, followed by Billy Kelly and the BlahBlahBlahs’ humorous sing- and dance-along on May 22. 200 Hudson Street, 212-601-1000, 92ytribeca.com.
There will also be a full set by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza at the corner of Columbus Avenue and 65th Street, 212-721-6500, jalc.org/essentiallyellington.
LITERALLY ALIVE CHILDREN’S THEATER
BMCC TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
This Borough of Manhattan Community Collegeaffiliated theater strives to promote cultural and educational activities for the greater metropolitan area. On May 21, The Hudson Vagabond Puppets perform the classic tale of “Ferdinand the Bull” in a narrated ballet with masked dancers and mechanical figures. 199 Chambers Street, 212-220-1460, tribecapac.org.
COBBLE HILL CINEMAS
Every other Monday, Cobble Hill Cinemas hosts the children’s film series “Big Movies For Little Kids.” On May 23, kids can view the Hanna Barbera classic “Wacky Races” about sinister Dick Dastardly and his sidekick dog as they do all they can to try and win a road race. 265 Court Street, Brooklyn, 718-596-9113, cobblehilltheatre.com.
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
Join Wynton Marsalis and the nation’s top three high school bands for a night of eloquence deemed “Essentially Ellington” on May 14.
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NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET
The New York Theatre Ballet is the most widely seen chamber ballet company in the United States, and boasts frequent programming designed specifically for kids. The tale of Sleeping Beauty is performed on May 14 and 15, as part of the theatre’s “Once Upon A Ballet Series,” which performs storybook ballets in less than one hour for young audiences. 55 East 59th Street, 212-679-0401, nytb.org.
PUPPETWORKS
Dorothy, The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion come to life through intricately crafted marionettes and an original score in L. Frank Baum’s great American classic, “The Wizard of Oz” running through August 21. 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.
CARNEGIE HALL
An educational family concert series is held throughout the year for parents to introduce their children, ages 5-10, to the world of music. On May 14, Haitian vocalist Emeline Michel performs a family concert, mixing Creole and French folk songs with jazz. Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th Street, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org.
The world-renowned experimental theater company Mabou Mines performs “Peter and Wendy” live on stage May 6-22, based on the adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel about the fleeting nature of childhood. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org.
Literally Alive is an NYC-based children’s theater company that produces original musicals based on classic children’s literature. Families can check out the theater’s ensemble musical production of “The Little Mermaid,” which runs through the end of May. The Player’s Theater, 115 MacDougal Street, 212-866-5170, literallyalive.com.
VITAL THEATRE COMPANY
LINCOLN CENTER
Lincoln Center’s “Meet the Artist Saturdays” series lets kids get up close and personal with some of their favorite artists as well as explore new musical genres. Grammy nominee Dave Eggar and the young dance troupe Hammerstep invite children of all ages to participate in a live dress rehearsal and interactive workshop on May 7. They’ll concentrate on traditional music mixed with the worlds of Irish step dance and hip-hop. The David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets, 212-875-5456, lincolncenter.org.
Through July 31, families can see a live musical version of the beloved book “Pinkalicious,” about a girl who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes. The Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, 248 West 60th Street, 212-579-0528, vitaltheatre.org. www.newyorkfamily.com
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Broadway’s Longest-Running Musical...EVER.
Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200 MAJESTIC THEATRE, 247 West 44TH St. www.PhantomBroadway.com
NEW YORK POLICE MUSEUM
MUSEUMS AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Don’t miss “The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter,” featuring 500 butterflies, which will be featured through May 30. Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-7695100, amnh.org.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS
CMA strives to extend the benefits of the arts to children and their communities. Besides a series of art workshops throughout May, don’t miss the final Saturday dance performance of the JT Lotus Dance Company on May 14. 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN
This museum offers art-based educational exhibits, programs and extensive outreach. On May 21, kids can create works inspired by Islamic mosaics during the Arts Festival from Islamic Lands Islamic Art and Architecture. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, cmom.org.
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
The second Sunday of every month, don’t miss the Guggenheim’s family tours, which incorporate hands-on activities for kids ages 5 to 10. On May 8, kids will learn about the ways artists color their world in “Paint the Town Red…Or Green! Or Purple!” A new exhibition showcasing artwork by students participating in the Learning Through Art educational program opens on May 13. 1071 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Don’t miss the events coinciding with Fleet Week, May 25-30, when military ships visit New York Harbor. Kids will enjoy Broadway performances, the famous “Tug of War” military battle, displays along Pier 86, and the kick-off of the summer movie series on the Flight Deck. Also, on weekends in the Discovery Deck in the Exploreum, the “All Hands on Deck” program offers hands-on activities, experiments and lessons
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for kids featuring sea, air, space and life-at-sea themes. Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street, 877-957-SHIP, intrepidmuseum.org.
JEWISH MUSEUM
Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights, 718-694-1792, mta.info/museum.
RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART
The Jewish Museum features a permanent collection of more than 28,000 objects relating to Jewish heritage and history. Every Sunday, families can drop in for art workshops and children’s book readings. Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, 212-423-3337, thejewishmuseum.org.
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
On May 22, families with kids ages 3-7 can listen to stories, sketch and discuss Dutch stilllife painters and create their own still life in a “Start with Art Plus” workshop. Fifth Avenue, 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
Home to an extensive collection of art from the Himalayas and the surrounding regions. In May, the younger set can take advantage of an Early Childhood Art class on Thursdays, while ages 3-5 can sign up for The Little Explorers Club, or Family Story Tours (ages 5 and up) on Wednesdays. The theme for May is “Wonderful Weaving,” where kids can observe woven carpets from Tibet and try their hand at weaving. 150 West 17th Street, 212-620-5000, rmanyc.org.
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
On select Saturdays and Sundays in May, kids ages 11-14 can make their own personal portraits while learning about those created by German Expressionist artists. West 53rd Street, 212-708-9400, moma.org.
The Hall features the largest collection of hands-on science exhibits in New York City. In May, The Science Playground will open (60,000 square feet!), along with the Rocket Park Mini Golf course. 47-01 111th Street, Queens, 718699-0005, nyscience.org.
NEW YORK POLICE MUSEUM
Dedicated to preserving the history of the New York City Police Department, this museum boasts hands-on educational exhibits for kids. May 22 is Family Day, during which a variety of activities will educate kids and parents about the different departments and units of the NYPD. 100 Old Slip between Walter Street and South Street, 212-480-3100, nycpm.org.
NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM
Dedicated to the history of urban transportation, this museum caters to children programming (especially on the weekends.) May 14-15, kids will learn how workers dig underground subway tunnels and examine samples of types of rocks found beneath the streets. Corner of Boerum
The Whitney houses a collection of 20th century American art. On May 13, new parents can explore the museum with babies in tow as part of the popular Stroller Tours program, led by Whitney Teaching Fellows. On May 21, in celebration of the Whitney’s downtown expansion, families can also take a tour of the High Line and surrounding area and cap off the day with a sketching session. 945 Madison Avenue, 212-570-3600, whitney.org. www.newyorkfamily.com
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photography by: Rogerio Voltan
taste life.
As time goes by, we recognize the increasing importance of the dining experience as a form of entertainment and enjoyment in life. www.tastingsnyc.com • 212.744.4422
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on second
ought
Becoming Us
Arlene West with her daughter, shurube Alimansky.
An NYC Mom Recounts Her First Year As Parent To An Eight-Year-Old Girl From Ethiopia
W
BY ArleNe P. West
hen my daughter spontaneously hugged me the other day, and thanked me for coming on her school field trip with her class, her affection was so heartfelt that it nearly took my breath away. It hasn’t always been that way. Just one year ago, I found myself crying in a hotel room in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here was the culmination of a dream: to finally be a mom. With my beautiful new daughter asleep in the next bed, I was supposed to be ecstatic. It started when I began waking at 3 a.m., an inner voice telling me that I’d always regret not having a family. I finally had a heart-to-heart with my husband of 20 years, and told him that I felt that adoption was the right thing for us to do. He hesitatingly but trustingly agreed. After a blur of adoption conferences, adoption agency events and meetings with doctors, social workers, adoptive parents and others, we chose international adoption. My husband and I found ourselves attracted to the beautiful Ethiopian kids, who seemed happy and sweet and bright. We decided that we’d like to give an older child a great home. Back to Addis. Sitting in our hotel room, I kept wondering why I didn’t feel more of a connection to this little girl. On some level, I had thought that the minute I held her, my mothering instinct would kick in. But while she was adorable and full of energy, she seemed to project, How did I get here? Who are these people? When do I leave? She must have been absolutely terrified, and, frankly, we were too. She spoke no English other than a handful of words like “hungry,” “toilet,” and “sleep,” and my husband and I knew about the same in her language. Instead of her mom, I felt like the latest in a line of temporary caregivers. As I sat crying while she slept that night, my husband reassured me that our relationship with our little girl would build over time.
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Once home in New York, our daughter seemed to love the energy of her new city. Soon, she started kindergarten and thrived there, making friends and picking up English at an astonishing pace. Then one day she packed up her stuffed animals and some clothes and headed to the elevator of our building, crying and pounding the ground. She said to us, “You, America. Me, Ethiopia. I go home.” Our hearts broke with her pain. We decided to ask for help. A social worker from our adoption agency, Gladney, spent a ten-hour day coaching us. We found a therapist who had been adopted herself. We spoke with other parents who had adopted older kids, and with those who had adopted Ethiopian kids. Little by little, we began to see small breakthroughs. She asked me how to respond to a classmate who asked whether I am her “real mother.” A couple of weeks later, I heard her tell a different child, “Of course that’s my real mom!” After six months, I started to notice that she would take my hand more readily, and cuddle with me as we read together at night or watched a movie. I felt so proud of her progress, her successes at school, her enjoyment of books, her athletic achievements, her connection with friends. A couple of months later, we went to a circus event where she got her face painted like a tiger. She urged me to have mine painted as a tiger, too, so everyone would know we were related. So I did, and we spent the rest of the day roaming the city with our tiger faces, making people laugh and having a ball. Now that we’ve just celebrated our first year together, we all feel very much like a family. My husband and I can’t imagine a more perfect kid for us—she’s spunky, funny, smart, sensitive and oh, so cute. We can only imagine the great things that year two will bring! Arlene West can be reached at awest@nybrt.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
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