New Parents Mega Expo
SEPTEMBER 2011
See page 30
September 2011 Established 1986
WWW.NEWYORKFAMILY.COM
THE
BIZ of
LIZ
NEW YORK FAMILY
FROM MATERNITY TO MOTHERHOOD, A CONVERSATION WITH LIZ LANGE Cover_0911.indd 1
“GOOD SCHOOL”
GUIDE
9/11:
A FAMILY
PERSPECTIVE
FALL CULTURE
KIDS
8/22/11 3:40 PM
DISCOVER HIS TORY, HEROISM
AND HANDS-ON FUN.
The Captain’s Bridge
Indoor & Outdoor Fun
Exploreum Interactive Hall
Growler Submarine Proudly supported by
School Recess Camps
Birthday Parties Official Sponsor
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Equal Housing Opportunity.
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BUILDER | OWNER | MANAGER
GlenwoodNYC.com
8/15/11 5:30 PM
IN THE CI TY
Back to School Fall Registration is Underway! Adult Participation Classes ages 1-4 Rock, Smocks & Animals
Live Music, Art, A New Animal Every Week & Petting Zoo!
Gentle Separation Play Group age 2
Monday-Thursday Mornings Our warm, cozy atmosphere and our nurturing staff will help your child to separate and relax. And best of all, our animals will get their attention. This combination will allow your child to feel safe and get ready to separate.
After School Classes ages 3-8
Mini Chef • Art Adventures & More • Animal Care
Have Your Birthday Party on the farm!
Register for a semester of classes & receive 5 Afternoon Drop In Play Time passes! The Art Farm In The City 419 East 91 St., NY • 212.410.3117 Come Explore TheArtFarms.org and Discover Programs for all Ages!
Classes
Birthday Parties
Play Group
Weekend Programs
Part-Time Pet
Camp
Drop In
breast center “Having cancer inspired me to imagine a breast care center that would meet women’s needs in a whole new way. Someplace women would feel welcome and comfortable. Where they would receive comprehensive patient-centered care, based on the very latest research, all in one beautiful setting. Where their doctors would truly work as a team inside a top-ranked hospital with access to renowned experts in all areas of diagnosis and treatment. I’m thrilled that the Dubin Breast Center will do
”
all this, and more.
Eva Andersson-Dubin
Patient, Physician, Philanthropist For more of Eva’s story, visit dubinbreastcenter.org
1.855.TO.DUBIN
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TO TURN ON A LIGHT BULB.
© 2011 92nd Street Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association. An agency of UJA-Federation.
Client: 92Y
92Y.org/worlds
92nd Street Y is a world-class, nonprofit community and cultural center that connects you to the worlds of education, the arts, health and wellness, and more. Open yourself to new possibilities.
Don’t let all that energy go to waste. Check out our afterschool programs and summer camps at 92Y.org/worlds.
OUR BRAINS GENERATE ENOUGH
ENERGY
AN OPEN DOOR TO EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS
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8/15/11 5:31 PM
Pre-Professional Ballet Program and special Boy’s Classes Ages 7-18
Mother & Child Classes Ages 2-3
Pre-Ballet, Tap, Modern and Drama Ages 3-6
Adult Open Classes All Levels Ballet, Tap, Zumba, Jazz, Pilates and Yoga
The fall semester begins September 19th. Call or email for registration and schedule information.
BalleT aCademy eaST
1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10128 212-410-9140 info@baenyc.com www.baenyc.com
The Parents League o f
n e w
y o r k
A non-profit association of parents and independent schools since 1913 Admissions Advisory Services Parenting Education Events and Workshops Online Resources Publications
WE KNOW SCHOOLS The Parents League of New York is affiliated with over 300 Independent Schools 115 East 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028 212-737-7385 Join online at ParentsLeague.org
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Fall for Fitness at 92nd Street Y We’ve got classes, lessons and leagues for kids of all ages. • Gymnastics • Tiny & Junior Tumblers • Swimming • Basketball • Private Coaching • Pee Wee Tennis • KidSports
Explore your family's creativity and musicality in interactive jazz classes for adults and kids 8 months to 5 years.
• Teen Fitness Classes • Personal Training • Birthday Parties
FALL TERM ABC s of Jazz September 27–November 20 Swing to your favorite nursery rhymes, scat along with your child, and play a solo with the band as you explore the ABCs of jazz.
E N R O L L T O D AY
jalc.org/webop 212-258-9922
at 92Y.org/MayCenter Enroll today! Register or call 212.415.5500
AN OPEN DOOR TO EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS™ Official Media Partner
92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street An agency of UJA-Federation
NEW YORK CITY
P re m i e re M u s i c & D r a m a P ro g r a m !
Enroll Now for Fall • Classes begin Sep. 10!
184 East 76th St. New York, NY 10021 Applause_0911.indd 1
(212) 717-0703
Call Us Today! applauseny.com 8/15/11 5:26 PM
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8/19/11 12:10 PM
inside 48
September 2011
88
34 FEATURES 48 | The MoTher of All MATerniTy With Her Eye For Style And Her Entrepreneurial Spirit, Liz Lange Has Turned Her Love Of Fashion Into A Maternity Wear Empire…Just Don’t Call This NYC Mom Of Two A “Superwoman” 52 | The rising Ten Years After 9/11, Three Local Women Talk About Life, Love, Loss and Family v BAck To school 34 Stylin’ For School: From Boots To Bomber Jackets, Fresh Fashion Looks For School 56 Schools Of Choice: In Her New Book, Noted Education Journalist Peg Tyre Helps Parents Analyze What It Means To Be A “Good School” Today 60 Getting In: Two Former NYC School Admissions Advisors Have Written A Guide (Not A TellAll) To Applying To Private School In The City 62 Lice-Free Living: Prevention And Treatment For Those Nasty Little Nits 64 On The Write Track: An Important But Declining Skill—The Art Of Writing And How To Cultivate It In Our Children
68 | clAsses guide From Mommy & Me Classes To Extracurricular Programs For Your Tween, Here Is A Guide To The City’s Most Inspired Offerings 88 | fAll culTure guide The Top 20: Can’t-Miss Museum Exhibits, Live Performances And Cultural Events For Families This Season colUmnS 18 | ediTor’s noTe Always Was And Always Will Be 30 | The new PArenTs exPo The Baby Expo Of All Baby Expos, Featuring Harvey Karp, Liz Lange And More—For New And Expectant Parents 32 | The Joy of shoPPing Denim Diaries: Five Laws For Fending Off Mom Jeans And Finding The Perfect Pair 38 | PArenT in Profile Gimme Some Moey!: Kids Songstress And Local Mom Melissa Levis Reinvents “Happily Ever After” In Her New NYC-Themed DVD 40 | A good ideA A Miss Manners For The Digital Age, Faye Rogaski
Of socialsklz:-) Helps Children Nurture Their Social And Emotional Intelligence 44 | A sPeciAl PlAce Forever Friends: Promoting Safe, Long-Term And Loving Matches Between People And Companion Animals, Bideawee Is The Perfect Place To Find A New Furry Family Member 94 | dreAM second hoMes Catskill Farms: Why A Cottage 100 Miles North Of Manhattan May Be Your Family’s Best Investment Yet 98 | The lAsT word The Wall: In Renovating A Too-Tiny Bedroom, One Mother Demolishes The Bedrock Of Sibling Rivalry dEpARTmEnTS 20 | welcoMe To The fAMily The New Parents Expo, American Girl giveaway and how newyorkfamily.com is becoming a daily destination 22 | BuzzworThy Vintage portraiture for kids, a former mayor’s children’s book, toolboxes for tots and more 24 | Ten ideAs Our monthly round-up of family fun in the city
The cover: Clothing: Dress by Trina Turk; Shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Jewelry: Liz’s own. Hair by Valery Joseph/Owner of Valery Joseph Salon. Makeup by Nikki Cullhaj for Valery Joseph Salon. Styled by Cricket Burns. Photography by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com). Shot on location in East Hampton, New York. Corrections: In the July issue on page 54, the children’s music program Applause was incorrectly identified as Apple-
sauce. For more about Applause, visit applauseny.com.
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New York Family | September 2011
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EdiTOr ANd CO-PUBLiSHEr Eric Messinger emessinger @ manhattanmedia.com SENiOr EdiTOr Whitney Casser wcasser @ manhattanmedia.com ASSOCiATE EdiTOr Kat Harrison kharrison @manhattanmedia.com ArT dirECTOr George W. Widmer gwidmer @manhattanmedia.com PrOdUCTiON MANAgEr Ed Johnson ejohnson @ manhattanmedia.com dEPUTY PrOdUCTiON MANAgErS Jessica Balaschak jbalaschak@ manhattanmedia.com PHOTO EdiTOr Andrew Schwartz
A Permanent Place on the
aschwartz@ manhattanmedia.com
Best-Addressed List
CONTriBUTiNg PHOTOgrAPHErS Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick CONTriBUTiNg WriTErS Melanie Dostis, Kelly Farrell, Sandy Krulwich, Gavriella Mahpour, Maria Riley, Nancy Ryerson, Elora Tocci
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 NEW PArENTS ExPO Rebecca Martin 212-284-9732, rmartin @ manhattanmedia.com CirCULATiON Joe Bendik jbendik@ manhattanmedia.com AdVErTiSiNg COOrdiNATOr Jennie Valenti jvalenti @ manhattanmedia.com BUSiNESS MANAgEr Shawn Scott sscott@ manhattanmedia.com
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New York Family | September 2011
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Marketing & Sales by
WA R B U R G MARKETING GROUP
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. © 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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8/22/11 10:26 AM
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8/10/11 8/15/11 8:38 1:16 AM PM
editors
NOTE
Always Was And Always Will Be Knowing how the 10th anniversary of 9/11 would saturate the media, I was wary of assigning our own story about it. I’m glad Heather Ouida, one of our contributing writers, changed my mind. If you only read one thing in this issue, I hope you’ll read the conversation Heather moderated between three local women, including her motherin-law, who each had loved ones who died in the towers (page 52). By sharing how it was and how it is, the women help us understand the impact of tragedy on family over time— and the possibilities of family in the long wake of tragedy. We should all be so resilient. In one of my favorite exchanges in the interview, Heather asks the panel if they “view New York negatively since September 11th.” I was bowled over by their ongoing affection. One woman, Lisa Luckett, recounted how “the streets [of the city]
were lined with people giving us their support.” Another, Danielle Salerno, felt like she “would move back tomorrow if I could—it’s just so damn expensive!” The third panelist, Andrea Ouida, felt the same, adding, “There are a lot of great New Yorkers—always was and always will be.” To Lisa, Danielle, and Andrea, and Heather too, I want to respond to your eloquence with just two words: Thank You. The rest of this issue features lighter fare, but it also happens to be filled with the kind of New Yorkers Andrea paid tribute to, starting with our cover subject Liz Lange (page 48) Famous for her maternity fashions, Liz is a visionary with persistence, guts and class. She’s such a good role model that I plan to share our interview with my 11-year-old daughter. Other great New Yorkers in the issue: Everyone at Bideawee! (page 44) Education author Peg Tyre! (page 56) The local lice slayers! (page 62) For taking manners into her own hands, Faye Rogaski of socialsklz :-)! (page 40) The amazing and lyrical Moey! (page 38) And this month’s cover photographer Thaddeus
Harden, who knows more about love and resilience that any parent I know. Finally, I also hope you’ll read our story about how to cultivate your child’s writing skills…if only because we need interns. A happy September to all,
ERIC MESSINGER EDITOR emessinger@manhattanmedia.com
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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W co
TO T H E FA M I LY
UPCOMING EVENTS THE NEW PARENTS EXPO
Attention new and expectant parents from the tri-state area! Come to the New Parents Expo this fall on October 15 and 16 at Pier 92 in Manhattan. Featuring such renowned speakers as Harvey Karp (author of The Happiest Baby on the Block), cover star Liz Lange (of Liz Lange Maternity), Vicki Iovine (author of The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy), Rosie Pope (star of “Pregnant in Heels”) and Dr. Bob Sears (co-author of The Baby Book), the Expo will help parents make the most of an exciting new stage in life. Helping new moms and dads discover many of the best products in maternity, baby and toddler from national and local companies, the Expo will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. The show includes a speaker series, a stroller test drive track, a mother’s lounge, a fashion runway and much more! To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com. (For more details, see page 30.)
STROLL & ROLL IN RIVERSIDE PARK
What better way to enjoy the crisp fall air than to stroll down Riverside Park in a charity walk? On Sunday, October 16, bust out your favorite baby buggy to help the JCC in Manhattan fundraise for their Academics + Community Equal Success Program. In a scenic twomile stretch, you’ll be helping the JCC provide after school tuition assistance to hardworking students in need. Scooters are welcome, too! Get pumped for cool prizes, giveaways, and a performance just for kids. To register, visit jccmanhattan.org/stroll or call 646-5055708. Cost is $36 for a family of up to five members.
AMERICAN GIRL GIVEAWAY
ON THE
W E
B
Can you believe that the popular American Girl dolls collection has been around for 25 years? The latest to join the historical ranks are Cécile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardner—two friends whose lives are set in the 1850s. As readers learn, the girls must reach across the boundaries of race and class to help the city of New Orleans during a time of need. To share their stories, American Girl has created a six-book set including Marie-Grace and the Orphans and Cécile’s Gift. And we have the two new American Girl dolls and a book set to giveaway! To enter, send us an email explaining why you’d like to win: familygiveaways@manhattanmedia.com and put “American Girl” in the subject line. Deadline to enter is Friday, September 23.
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YOUR DAILY DESTINATION FOR ALL-THINGS FAMILY
We all troll the web for our daily dose of news, gossip and tips. So have you made NewYorkFamily.com a regular stop during your routine surfing? If not, be sure to check us out morning, noon and night for updated blog posts, giveaways and more. The Daily Scoop serves up family fun, parenting news, shopping tips and timely articles every day—keeping parents in the know. Our Family Calendar shows you what to do around the city today, tomorrow and beyond. And our Joy of Shopping, Born & Bred, and Yummy Delicious bloggers post new ideas all the time. Have a wonderful idea or suggestion for our website? Please write to us at newyorkfamily@manhattanmedia.com.
New York Family | September 2011
CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS
WIN TICKETS TO THE OHMIES
If taking your rambunctious preschooler to the theater sounds like torture, you probably haven’t given The Ohmies a try. This 50-minute musical production has a kid-friendly script, catchy tunes, and colorful props and costumes that would keep even the most restless kid glued to her seat with eyes on the stage, but The Ohmies takes it a step further—children hop and shake along with the lovable characters. Seated on mats, kids learn yoga poses and move with the story as it teaches lessons on making new friends and staying fit and healthy. Little ones are encouraged to wear comfy clothes so they can get active too! Best of all, we’re giving away four pairs of tickets to the show. To enter, send us an email explaining why you’d like to win: familygiveaways@manhattanmedia.com and put “The Ohmies” in the subject line. Deadline to enter is Monday, September 12.
www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:35 AM
The Home Depot Kids Workshop 1st Saturday of Every Month
FREE arts & craft activity for families instilling do-it-yourself skills and a sense of accomplishment
Saturday October 1
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday November 5
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FIRE SAFETY DAY
CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY
Fire Rescue Helicopter
Picture Frame
Finished painted example
Finished painted example
For more information, visit homedepot.com/workshops
buz
S
worthy
The CheCklisT for
tool time
Let your child channel his inner craftsman with the Red Toolbox Combo Birdhouse & Tools kit. Jam-packed with everything she will need to create her very own birdhouse, the kit includes a hammer, screwdriver, 2 x 2 clamps, a saw and a file that fits to work with her small hands. Once it’s built—family project!—you and your little one can delight in the winged visitors that will visit your backyard for a little rest and relaxation in their new home. What’s more, Red Toolbox sells a complete line of individual tools and kits that are ergonomically designed for children, including a cordless drill, fret saw, tool belt and much more. For more information, visit red-toolbox.com.
make your own mario world
Does your little one love racing around with Mario and Luigi in the super popular Wii game Mario Kart? Then invite those favorite friends off the TV screen and into your living room for the next road race. With a new building set from K’NEX, the first collaboration between Nintendo and the construction toys, game fans can construct their own racetracks and send motorized cars manned by Mario, Luigi or Yoshi around real-life courses. Each set can create a racetrack in itself or be connected with others to make superhighways, obstacle courses or whatever your little speed demon dreams up. For more information, visit knex.com/mariokartwii.
n ot yo u r av e r ag e S na p S h ot
Based on the embellished staging of vintage portraiture, Homespun Photos creates highly individualized, stylized and contemporary photos of children (even pets!). The resulting images are not your run-of-the-mill school portraits, but instead capture the unique life of a child, posing with her favorite doll or emulating his beloved hero. The process is ultra-collaborative and Homespun Photos looks to the parent to make sure every detail is worked out, from hair and makeup to setting and props. And to make things uber-convenient, the photo shoot takes place in the comfort of your own home. For more information, visit homespunphotos.com.
See ed write
Who knew that Ed Koch was writing children’s books? We were pleasantly surprised to hear that the former mayor has penned an autobiographical picture book—published by Tim Zagat of the Zagat Restaurant Surveys and with an introduction by Bill Clinton—based on his experiences growing up as a “chubby child.” Eddie Shapes Up is a delightful story of a thoughtful young boy who would rather put his nose in a book than spend recess on the playground. Readers soon learn that Eddie is self-conscious because he’s not as athletically skilled as his peers. When he does join in on a game of dodgeball he is called “fatso” and, for reasons we all understand, refuses to stay in the game. But as Eddie begins to change his ways and eventually prioritize his health, readers discover that he is much happier leading a life of eating well and exercising. The moral of the story is clear: taking care of yourself can be fun and will change the way you experience so many things—like a game at recess—for the better.
S a f e t r av e l S
You might double check your child’s safety before hitting the road, but what about when you’re airborne? According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children under 40 pounds should be strapped into child safety seats on airplanes, which is where CARES comes in. CARES—the Child Aviation Restraint System—is the only Federal Aviation Administration-certified harness for tots on planes. Conveniently weighing only one pound, the device fits in a small pouch, is inexpensive and is easily adjustable for any plane seat you’ll encounter. All that’s left to do is buckle up! For more information, visit kidsflysafe.com.
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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They Are Only Young Once. We Get It! FOR R E T S I G RE 1 FALL 201
Gymtime Gymnastics Rhythm and Glues All the fun and activity you can possibly have in one place!
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.
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GREAT IDEAS for
SEPTEMBER
September 10
THE WILD WEST SIDE
Courtesy the Mugrabi Collection/©2011 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/Artists Right Society (ARS), New York
[All Ages] At the 9th Annual West Side County Fair, visitors will be able to enjoy live music, carnival rides, square dancing and a petting zoo—all free! Scheduled to perform: Woody Pines, jazz banjoist Cynthia Sayer and Electric Junkyard Gamelan, among others. Kids will love the “Green Acre” environmental corner where they can engage in activities that promote green living. Be sure to check out the sideshow acts and dazzling feats of Lady Circus, an all-female performing troupe straight out of Brooklyn! (Riverside Park, between 59th and 72nd Streets, 212-408-0219, riversideparkfund.org) September 17
FILM FEST FUN [Ages 5 and up]
Lights, Camera, Action! In conjunction with the Children’s Museum of the Arts, Big Movies for Little Kids will host its free Student Film Festival on Governors Island. From 11am to 3pm families can view a slew of very short films—four minutes or less—created by New York City film students ranging in age from 3 to 18 years, working in live action, documentaries, stop-motion animation and other genres. There will also be a special screening of the CMA’s award-winning short “Diamond of the Pig.” (Governors Island, Our Lady of the Sea Chapel, 718-596-9113, bigmoviesforlittlekids.blogspot.com) September 17-18
COUNTRY IN THE CITY [All Ages]
September 6-October 4
WILD ABOUT WARHOL
[Ages 4 and up] The 92nd Street Y is hosting an Andy Warhol Children’s Festival, including an art exhibit, “Warhol: Paintings for Children.” This exhibit will display 80 original Warhol paintings at
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hol’s Shoes, during which kids can make 3-D shoe sculptures based off of Warhol’s shoe drawings; and the Rubber Stamp Workshop, where children will experiment with rubber stamps a la Andy. (92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92Y.org)
New York Family | September 2011
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kids’ eye level to enable easy viewing for youngsters. During three consecutive weekends (September 10-11, 17-18, 24-25), little artists can participate in free Warhol Workshops. These workshops include the Drop-In Silkscreen Studio, where families can create their own works of art using stencils and the silkscreen technique; Ceramics: War-
The 29th Annual Queens County Fair at the Queens County Farm Museum is the only www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:17 AM
tHe gReat sumMer zoOfari A LEGO® WILDLIFE EXPEDITION! WEEKENDS JULY– SEPTEMBER VISIT BRONX.ZOO FOR DETAILS.
PICK UP YOUR COMPLIMENTARY ZOOFARI PASSPORT AND EMBARK ON AN EXCITING CONSERVATION ADVENTURE WITH PASSPORT STAMPING STATIONS, AMAZING LEGO WILDLIFE SCULPTURES AND A CHANCE TO BUILD YOUR OWN WILDLIFE MASTERPIECE!
PRESENTED BY:
©2011 Wildlife Conservation Society. Lego is a registered trademark of the lego group and is used here by special permission. ©2011 The Lego Group.
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place in the city (that we know of) to experience all the sights, sounds and smells of a county fair. Families will be treated to food, hayrides, fair rides, livestock, arts & crafts, and even produce competitions. Children can race against each other in the Amazing Maize Maze or see who can gobble up the most in the pie-eating contest. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. (Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org)
Wonderstruck—a tale with two interwoven narratives and over 460 pages of original, intricate artwork. The evening will also include a reading of the book by actress (and New York Family July cover mom) Emily Mortimer. (Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at West 95th Street, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org) September 22-25
ART AFFAIR [All Ages]
September 17-18
INSPIRED INVENTIONS [All Ages]
ations in a street parade. Finally, don’t leave the festival without seeing the Bindlestiff Family Circus, complete with clowns, acrobats and high-flying feats. (All over DUMBO, 718-488-8588, dumboartsfestival.com) September 24
MUSEUM MANIA
[All Ages] On Saturday, September 24, Smithsonian magazine will host their 7th Annual Museum Day. For one day only, various museums around the city (and across the country) will open their doors to allow the public free access to their exhibits. By downloading a Museum Admission Card, visitors can roam the galleries of places like The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and The Brooklyn Museum. In addition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will be partnering with Smithsonian magazine, and museumgoers will be able to donate to a worthy cause. A Museum Admission Card gives museum entrance to two people or one household per email address. (Museums throughout the city, smithsonianmag.com/ museumday) September 25
HARMONY ON THE HUDSON [All Ages]
SEPTEMBER 23-25
NO FLYING ELEPHANTS HERE [All Ages]
One of Battery Park City Conservancy’s great annual family events, this year’s performers includes Tom Chapin & Friends, Hazmat Modine and Baby Loves Salsa. Kids can enjoy lawn games, street games, art activities, and bopping around the beautiful outdoor area overlooking the Hudson. Not to mention, it’s free! From noon to 6pm. (Wagner Park, just north of historic Battery Park, bpcparks.org)
September 20
BOOKING IT
[Ages 10 and up] The start of the sixth season of Symphony Space’s Thalia Kids’ Book Club will welcome Caldecott Medal-winning children’s author and illustrator Brian Selznick (the creator of Hugo Cabaret). He will discuss his most recent novel,
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babylovessalsa.com
Have a child with a creative or inventive bug? Take him or her to the New York Hall of Science for the Second Annual World Maker Faire. Created by the staff of MAKE magazine, makezine.com and craftzine.com, this fair is the place to be to see thousands of new inventions and crafts from pro and amateur inventors. Off-beat project categories include: Robotics, Textile Arts and Crafts, Electronics, Puppets, Kites, and even Food and Beverage Makers. (Hall of Science, 4701 111th Street, Queens, 718-699-0005, makerfaire.com)
The whole family can enjoy the Affordable Art Fair NYC, which showcases contemporary art of all mediums from over 65 local and international galleries. The Fair is teaming up with LittleCollector, the first art gallery designed specifically for children, to create the LittleCollector Kid’s Lounge. Little ones will be able to engage in activities that are geared to introduce them to the world of contemporary art, including an artsy balloon workshop. Fair admission is free for kids under the age of 12. (7 West 34th Street, 212-255-2003, aafnyc.com)
For 15 years, the DUMBO Arts Festival has brought art, live music and literary programming to its Brooklyn neighborhood. This year, the festival will feature special children’s events as well. The Acrobuffos, a comedy and street theater group, will present their exciting new show, Waterbombs!, a hilarious water balloon gladiator show. Kids can also make flags and puppets at the Great Small Works Workshop and then march with their cre-
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.
www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:17 AM
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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
MORE TO LOVE The Mandell School—One Of The City’s Best Regarded And Beloved Private Schools— Will Open Two New Nursery School Divisions For Uptown And Downtown Families BY BRIANNA McCLANE A prominent black-and-white photo greets visitors near the front entrance of the Mandell School’s cheerful modern building on West 98th Street and Columbus Avenue. It shows laughing children sitting on the front stoop of its former home, a nearby townhouse, surrounding Max Mandell, who founded the school in 1939, and his daughter, Barbara Rowe, who was the Head of School for many years. In its high-profile perch, the photograph is a poignant statement of how important Mandell’s academic and social roots are
walking distance of Battery Park City. Both will be open for the 2012-2013 school year. “The new nursery programs will be in parts of the city where there are lots of parents with young children who could use more options,” explains Rowe. “When it comes to nursery school, we’re big believers in the appeal of having a local, neighborhood school that you can call your own, where a child can go to the local park after school and be with his or her friends. I often say to parents, “Take out a stroller and do a test run. See how long it takes to get your child to a given pre-school. If the experience feels stressful and overwhelming, then the school is probably too far away from where you live.” Naturally, Mandell's new pre-school locations will reflect the uptown school in
tor , Direc ylvain Kate S rogram P of New ment p Develo
Take a tour: You don’t have to be an educator to know when you’re observing a cheery classroom where the teachers and children are engaged and the spirit of creativity and curiosity is in the air. to the school. Still, one can’t help but marvel at how Mandell has grown in recent years: Mr. Mandell's popular and well-regarded Upper West Side nursery school now includes a thriving “ongoing” school, spanning kindergarten through 8th grade and occupying two state-of-the-art school buildings. And there’s more good news on the near horizon. In August, Gabriella Rowe, who is Max Mandell's granddaughter and the present Head of School, announced that the Mandell School will be opening two additional nursery programs—one on the Upper West Side in the Lincoln Square area, the other in Tribeca, within
ADVERTORIAL_MANDEL.indd 28
all important regards, using the same timetested curriculum in a classroom setting that is welcoming, child-centered, and noted for its eco-conscious design. The schools will be staffed by veteran Mandell teachers as well. Max Mandell believed that to flourish every young child must have a nurturing and stimulating environment that focuses on and provides for their unique development. To this day, the Mandell School uses both traditional and progressive approaches to support a challenging academic curriculum, incorporating collaboration as well as hands-on experiential learning. In engaging, age-appropriate ways, it nurtures their students’ sense of community with the hope, as Rowe puts, “of them becoming responsible, active citizens of the world.” The new nursery divisions at Lincoln Square and Tribeca will welcome children between the ages of 2 and 5, and at capacity they’ll have between 100 and 120 students. Parents interested in the new branches can apply this fall, following the same application process
8/22/11 10:29 AM
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
of the school—of walking its hallways and visiting its classrooms— to get a feel for it. After all, you don’t have to be an educator to know when you’re observing a cheery classroom where the teachers and children are engaged, and the spirit of creativity and curiosity is in the air. You just have to be an interested parent. While Mandell’s new nursery school locations are under renovation, families interested in applying to them this fall will be able to tour the nursery school on W. 96th Street to see what a Mandell school and education are like. You’ll begin by following the polka dots down the hallway to three new classrooms for toddlers and pre-nursery students. “We’ve tried make each room like the school itself, warm and welcoming,” explains Kate Sylvain, Mandell’s Director of New Program Development. Around the corner are three doors; one painted blue, another in yellow and one in green. The spaces themselves have high ceilings and large windows, making it easy to imagine creativity sparking freely. Baby dolls, trucks, building blocks are all within reach of small hands. A friendly giraffe leans against a miniature fort complete with slide. A visitor can’t help but wish to be a toddler again.
Phot
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ndr s by A
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as the parents applying to Mandell’s West 96th Street nursery school or to other established private nursery schools in the city. One of the reasons Gabriella Rowe originally decided to embark on the herculean effort of transforming her well-established nursery school into part of a larger school that went up through 8th grade was to give her families the option and security of knowing that their children automatically had a home in the K-8 division if they wanted it. Families who enroll in the new branches will have the same guarantee. At the same time, Mandell’s nursery school families also have the option of looking elsewhere for their child’s continuing education. In fact, Mandell has engaged Robin Aronow, one of the city’s most wellrespected and experienced school consultants, just for that purpose: to help interested families navigate the “ex-missions” process. Aronow will advise Mandell parents on which
schools to apply to, including other independent schools, public school Gifted and Talented programs, and neighborhood public and parochial schools. “We are aligned with our families: we want them to be happy and comfortable with their ongoing school of choice—whether it’s Mandell or another school,” says Rowe. If they haven’t already, parents applying to nursery school this fall have lots of research ahead of them. They will be reading school websites; they will talk to friends whose children attend schools they’re interested in; they will check out guidebooks like Victoria Goldman’s, The Private Directory of Manhattan’s Nursery Schools. But they should keep in mind that there’s nothing like taking a tour
ADVERTORIAL_MANDEL.indd 29
As Sylvain describes it, the classrooms are tailored for all kinds of students. In each room, for example, is a “Cozy Corner.” Pillows are propped in comfy piles near book-filled crates. Stuffed animals round out the inviting nook where Sylvain says the timid kids will migrate to first. Here they can sit and survey the room, listen to the chatter in the play kitchen and slowly become curious enough to venture out and play with others. “Each child is an individual and some take longer than others,” Sylvain says. “We’re building that independence and self-esteem so they can continue on.” Like Rowe, Sylvain knows first-hand how parents stress out about nursery school admissions. She has two pieces of advice: Do your homework and trust your instincts. “Focus on what you value as a parent and what you want your child to learn,” she says. “Go with your gut. You know your child the best and you know what you want for your child.” For more information, visit MandellSchool.org.
8/22/11 10:30 AM
T H E
B A B Y
o p x E OF ALL
R BE 16 TO ND OC A 15
new parents expo
BABY EXPOS
OUR
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Liz Lange - Designer of Liz Lange for Target and CoFounder of Shopafrolic.com
Dr. Harvey Karp Author of The Happiest Baby On The Block
Dr. Bob Sears – Co-Author of The Baby Book and The Portable Pediatrician
Rosie Pope – Star of Bravo TV’s “Pregnant in Heels” & Rosie Pope Maternity
Vicki Iovine – Author of The Girlfriend’s Guide series and Huffington Post columnist
Also speaking: Ali Wing of giggle, Susan Hunt Stevens of Practically Green, Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks
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www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:31 AM
FOR MORE INFO AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT
newparentsexpo.com
Avio Stroller by Inglesina
Open and fold this sleek stroller with one hand and be the envy of all your friends. Plus, it comes equipped with a cup holder and a roomy storage basket. $499, inglesina.com
A Special Sneak Peek At A Few Expo Exhibitors
Calendula Diaper Care by Weleda
Relieve diaper rash the natural way. Formulated with calendula flower extract and zinc oxide, this soothing cream keeps baby moisturized while keeping skin safe. 2.8 oz, $12, weleda.com
The Biggest Event Ever For New And Expectant Parents! Coming this fall to Pier 92 in Manhattan on October 15 and 16, the NEW PARENTS EXPO will feature the best maternity, baby and toddler products from national and local companies, along with noteworthy speakers like Harvey Karp and Liz Lange. Don’t miss an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. To learn more about the New Parents Expo and to purchase tickets, visit NEWPARENTSEXPO.COM. For questions about exhibiting or attending, contact Rebecca Martin at rmartin@manhattanmedia.com or call 212-284-9732. www.newyorkfamily.com
NEWPARENTEXPO_0911.indd 31
Oshi Mat
Make a comfy space for your infant to play, have her diaper changed or enjoy tummy time (just about anywhere) with this cute, portable and water-resistant mat. $49.95, oshimat.com
Infant Pacifiers by WubbaNub
Tiny hands can control teething relief by holding onto a fun, plush friend attached to a pacifier. WubbaNubs keep baby soothed and protect the pacifier from being lost or dropped. Machine washable. $12.99, wubbanub.com
Official Charity Partner
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September 2011 | New York Family
31
8/22/11 9:31 AM
For more INFo aND to Purchase tIckets vIsIt
newparentsexpo.com
avio stroller by Inglesina
Open and fold this sleek stroller with one hand and be the envy of all your friends. Plus, it comes equipped with a cup holder and a roomy storage basket. $499, inglesina.com
a special sneak Peek at a Few expo exhibitors
calendula Diaper care by Weleda
Relieve diaper rash the natural way. Formulated with calendula flower extract and zinc oxide, this soothing cream keeps baby moisturized while keeping skin safe. 2.8 oz, $12, weleda.com
the Biggest event ever For New and expectant Parents! Coming this fall to Pier 92 in Manhattan on October 15 and 16, the NeW PareNts exPo will feature the best maternity, baby and toddler products from national and local companies, along with noteworthy speakers like Harvey Karp and Liz Lange. Don’t miss an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. to learn more about the New Parents expo and to purchase tickets, visit NeWPareNtsexPo.com. For questions about exhibiting or attending, contact Rebecca Martin at rmartin@manhattanmedia.com or call 212-284-9732. www.newyorkfamily.com
NEWPARENTEXPO_0911.indd 31
oshi mat
Make a comfy space for your infant to play, have her diaper changed or enjoy tummy time (just about anywhere) with this cute, portable and water-resistant mat. $49.95, oshimat.com
Infant Pacifiers by WubbaNub
Tiny hands can control teething relief by holding onto a fun, plush friend attached to a pacifier. WubbaNubs keep baby soothed and protect the pacifier from being lost or dropped. Machine washable. $12.99, wubbanub.com
official charity Partner
Gold sponsor
September 2011 | New York Family
31
8/22/11 9:32 AM
the
of shopping
DENIM
S E I R I A D five Laws for fending off Mom Jeans And finding the perfect pair By Heather Chaet My name is Heather and I have a confession. I wear mom jeans. I’m not quite channeling Tina Fey in that “Saturday Night Live” sketch. And my denim isn’t as scary as those Pajama Jeans advertised on TV. Yet, in my jeans, I’m sloppy, dowdy, and frowzy… Yes, rejected Smurf names could describe how I look. I know I have a problem, but I have no clue how to fix it. Paralyzed by so many choices when shopping, I get stuck. Stuck while wearing mom jeans. Not good, people. Not. Good. At. All. Enter Beckie Klein and Martina Gordon, a.k.a. my Fairy Godmodels. When I met New York Family’s resident style mavens for drinks, it ohsoquickly turned into a jean-tervention. “Jeans are part of your closet’s foundation, just like the little black dress or the white shirt,” they told me. “Once you have the right foundation, everything else falls into place.” My days of wearing mom jeans had to stop. With Beckie and Martina as my guides, I now have that elusive perfect pair of jeans (actually three of them). Sure, it took nine stores and five hours, but you can do it too—by following Beckie and Martina’s five laws for finding the best pair of jeans for your bod.
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Law #1: Meet Slim, everyone’s BFF. “The only jean you really need is a slim, fitted jean in the dark wash,” Martina says. Also called skinny or straight, “all of our clients—sizes 0 to 14— rock in this style of jeans. It follows the simple rule that if it fits and is body-hugging, it’s more flattering than when you try to hide your figure,” Beckie adds. Other must-haves: a white pair and a grey pair or a pair in a dark, but more casual wash.
Law #2: It’s going to take time. “Think of jeans shopping as a mission,” Beckie reminds me. “Go to stores where you can try many different brands at one time,” Martina says. And forget the number on the tag—try on your regular size, as well as a size up and a size down. The process may be frustrating, but it is one worth doing. “You are investing this time to save time later – after you find the perfect jeans, your daily dressing will be so much easier,” Martina adds.
Law #3: Price doesn’t matter. Beckie and Martina swear by a pair of jeans that costs $40. So, why should I buy one that costs $189? “You don’t need to—if you find the perfect jean for $59, buy a couple of pairs and call it a day,” Beckie says. If you find a pair that screams “I will change your life!” and costs a bit more than you usually spend, Martina says to think about how many times you will wear them. If you live in jeans like I do, the “cost per wear” is pennies, even for a $150 pair. Law #4: Don’t get swayed by trends. “You don’t mess around with your foundation,” Beckie says. Skip the superlight washes or the hippie bell-bottoms you see in magazines. “They may be in style, but they probably aren’t your style,” she adds. Pick another trend to freshen your look for the season. “Keep your jeans dark and fitted and have fun with your shoes or accessories,” Martina suggests. Law #5: Trust your gut. How do you know when it’s the ideal pair? Beckie offers this advice: “If you don’t feel beyond fantastic in the dressing room, they aren’t the right jeans.” Martina says, “Do squats. It loosens them up and you get a better idea of how they will be. Live with them for a few minutes.” We’ll have more shopping hints and tricks from Beckie and Martina all month long at newyorkfamily.com. And for more from the fashion experts, visit beckiemartina.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:29 AM
Beckie and Martina have given us the five laws to follow on how to find that perfect pair of jeans. “With jeans, price is not the leading factor in quality. What looks the best has to do with what works on your body,” Martina says. “We have jeans we have fallen in love with for $40, and we have jeans that we have had forever that were $200,” Beckie adds. Here’s the scoop on a few of their favorites, for every budget, in stores now.
toll free 866 Falc USA
Beckie And Martina’s Best Buys At Every Price
BEst Buys undEr $75 The Fairy Godmodels say Levi’s, Gap 1969, and Uniqlo are the stores to hit for a great pair of jeans at a great price. “Zara is another place that has great jeans for not a lot of money,” Martina says. GAP 1969 LEGGinG JEAn ($69.95): This legging jean from Gap’s 1969 line comes in some fantastic washes and colors (dark blue, grey and moss green). “It’s great with an oversized sweater that covers the tush area and boots in the fall,” Martina suggests. uniqLo skinny Fit ($39.90): For under $40, this dark blue jean is a must for every closet. “We have put this jean on almost all of our clients,” Beckie raves.
BEst Buys ovEr $100 If you can spend a bit more, “head straight to AG,” Martina says. “The denim there is unbelievable. They feel like Frette linen on your body.” Another brand they love is J Brand. “You can find it at Scoop or Barney’s or Bloomingdale’s—any department store.” Also among their denim loves are jeans from Rag & Bone and All Saints. AG JEAns “thE ZiP” ($178): This pair comes in white, grey and dark blue. “I have this jean and have been living in it all summer,” Martina confesses. AG JEAns “thE FArrAh” in thE 3 yEArs WAsh ($210): “The high-waisted dark jean with flare leg is everywhere this fall. It’s not going to replace the clean line and versatility of the classic, dark, fitted jean, but with a high heel, it can be a very chic, slimming look to wear on occasion,” Beckie says. J BrAnd 811 Mid-risE skinny in BriGht rEd ($176): Say you have a flawless pair in a dark wash and a cool white pair. Feel like going for a color? Check out this red one from J Brand. “It’s a bluered—so rich, we love it,” Beckie says.
www.newyorkfamily.com
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www.naturino.com September 2011 | New York Family
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Back
to school
STYLIN’ FOR
SCHOOL From Boots to Bomber Jackets, Fresh Fashion
looks For Back to school
Merrell’s practical boots will keep your tiny adventurer stylish, whether it’s the first day of school or a hike through the park. Available in three different colors, the suede kickers are waterproof and super-comfortable for long, active days. Merrell Wilderness Origins Waterproof Little Kids $75.00 merrell.com With Naturino ballet flats, your child won’t need to worry about a change of shoes between classes, recess and after-school activities. These Mary Janes, adorable with a pink and purple embroidery flower detail, will transition seamlessly throughout the day. NaturiNo 7831 $50.00-56.00 naturino.com
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Got a girly girl on your hands? The Kosmoboot by Crocs is not only cozy but stylish to boot! With water-resistant nylon and rubber outsole pods, let her explore her outdoorsy side and keep the girly girl within. CroCs Kids’ Kosmoboot in Ultraviolet/Dahlia $59.99 crocs.com
For a “back to cool” look that will have girls racing for the bus, try a mid-length Diesel jacket over a graffiti-printed dress. Street style lends little ones the perfect edge on the playground. Diesel usa Greenstones & Pumpkin And Bean Jacket $199.00 Uptown Kids Dress $79.00 diesel.com
www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:08 AM
Clothing.ShoeS.aCCeSSorieS
CoMe in or Shop online !
Lesters.com Manhattan 2nd ave @ 80th St . 212.734.9292 Brooklyn . Greenvale . HuntinGton . rye
Lesters_0911.indd 1
faLL 2011
8/15/11 1:24 PM
(continued from p.34)
Boys will rule the school this fall with a studious look courtesy of Sierra Julian. Plus, a chocolate-and-orange color scheme, when pairing the oxford shirt and vest, practically smells of pumpkin pie. sierra Julian Berza Shirt $79.00 Briciola Pants $88.00 Bocata Vest $88.00 sierrajulian.com
Plaid will never go out of style, so dress your little guy up or down with coordinated khakis or jeans. For a more casual look, try these straight leg denims. These five-pocket pants are prewashed for extra comfort and minimal shrinking. The Children’s PlaCe Plaid Woven Shirt $19.95
Premium Jeans $27.95 childrensplace.com
Your little guy will be looking dapper in this traditional RL sweater vest. Perfect for picture day or dinner out with the family. And as autumn days begin to sneak up on the city, the quilted bomber jacket will keep the chill at bay. Available in four different colors, this updated classic with diamond-quilted microfiber is built to last. ralPh lauren Childrenswear – rl GanG Fairisle Vest $85.00
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Richmond Bomber $89.50 ralphlauren.com
www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:08 AM
Jack L. Mitchell, DDS Orthodontics: Rita V. Taliwal, DMD, MS
www.pediatricdentistNYC.com 305 East 55th St. New York, NY 10022
between 1st & 2nd Avenues 212-755-3355
Photo by Bitten By a Zebra
Gimme Some
moey! Kids Songstress Melissa Levis Reinvents “Happily Ever After” In Her New NYC-Themed DVD
BY NaNcY RYeRSoN Melissa Levis, perhaps better known as “Moey,” has cast a spell over Central Park. Since 2005, she has taught her popular Moey’s Music Party classes under a leafy tree on Cedar Hill, turning otherwise napping preschoolers into musicians, dancers and even princesses who sway to the beat, dazzle with instruments and even clean up at her command. Over the past three years, she and her band have performed 26 concerts in the park, drawing big crowds and earning her the moniker the “Pied Piper in Pink.” Levis is an award-winning children’s performer who has lived in New York for the past 20 years. Her first CD, “Moey’s Music Party” featured NYC-inspired tunes, earning her a big thumbs up from Mayor Bloomberg, who complimented her for well-representing the city with songs like “New York City Kid.” For her new DVD, she’s continued to use the city as a muse, conducting research by jogging around the park with her friends and picking out the prettiest spots for filming with her biggest fans. And now, she’s bringing the enchanted forest of Central Park and her catchy tunes to tots nationwide with her sophomore release, “Happily Ever Moey!: A Fairy Tale Lark in Central Park.” Featuring refurbished fairy tales set in New York’s most famous park—and told through her trademark folksy music—“Happily Ever Moey!” is Levis’s first foray into film. “I think New Yorkers will see this video as a Where’s Waldo,” says Levis. “Like, oh I know that spot, oh I know that spot. It’s really fun for kids and for parents.” Giving some classic fairy tales an urban twist, Moey sings as the tortoise and the hare race around Central Park’s running loop and Tavern on the Green houses the Three Little Pigs. Other tales get fully revamped for the 21st Century, like Little Riding Hood who judokicks the Big Bad Wolf and Snow White and Sleeping Beauty who chant “I’m no helpless maiden, the whole wide world is awaitin’!” In addition to wholesome entertainment, Levis hopes that the meaning behind her songs will build character as well as music,
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reading and counting skills in her little listeners. And with degrees from Brown University and NYU, Levis’s music for kids isn’t just sugary sweet. “It’s like those recipes for putting spinach in brownies,” she says. She even changed some of the endings to bolster a positive, proactive message for today’s youth. “To really live happily ever after, it’s not just marrying your prince or your princess,” says Levis. “It’s changing the endings, rewriting the stories, finding better endings. Be your own hero.” Writing songs that operate on many levels is nothing new for Levis, who got her start performing original numbers at high-end birthday parties before going into Off-Broadway theater. She made the leap from writing adults tunes to penning kiddie melodies when she became a mom. When her son Monty was born, she decided to chronicle the minutiae of motherhood through music, like the time he refused to wash his hair. And although it’s sometimes hard to balance being a rock star with being a mom, she’s grateful for her family’s support and for having a career that they can be proud of. Now eight, Monty even makes cameo appearances in her DVD. “I really believe in dramatic play and dress up,” she enthuses. “I want to encourage the idea of making costumes, of making instruments, of really empowering children that creativity is accessible for them.” The DVD has already received a Starred Review from School Library Journal, but what’s next for the Pied Piper in Pink? Her own TV show; Moey and her band are currently shopping around for the best production company for the job. “Moey is like the best part of me,” says Levis. “Melissa is the mom who gets her kid on the bus to get to camp and puts on the suntan lotion. But Moey is like my inner child – the joyful, fun, creative, spontaneous, and ebullient part of me.” Kids can rock out with Moey in her weekly Moey’s Music Party Classes at The New York Junior League (130 East 80th Street) Thursdays and Fridays this fall. For more information, visit moeysmusicparty.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:46 AM
T RIM
T RIM TRIM
TRIM
©2011 Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. Ad: Arnell Group
over-drying can waste a lot of energy and damage clothing. the best way to avoid over-drying is to…
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answer: c
what’s the largest energy user for homes in our area?
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showers use less energy than baths because... a. they require the water to be less hot than a bath does b. the acoustics are better for singing
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a good
idea
From eye contact
to empathy
a Miss Manners For The digital age, Faye
Rogaski Of socialsklz:-) Helps Children Nurture Their Social and emotional intelligence BY Elora Tocci “My 5-year-old son recently went on a ‘big boy’ night out to a concert with his uncle and was invited backstage after the show. My brother-in-law raised two kids in the Village and I figured nothing could phase him, so I was pretty surprised when he called. I answered expecting to hear his Birmingham snarl yelling at me to come get my crazy boy and take him home, but I was relieved and surprised when he instead asked, ‘Where did Sebastian learn to shake hands like that?!’”says city mom Stephanie Ogozalek. “The shock continued into the next day when I received phone calls and emails from a few people he met—all impressed with this confident, mannerly little boy with the great handshake.” If it’s hard to imagine such a young boy shaking hands and making eye contact with the friendliness and comfort level of a seasoned networker, the explanation is a little surprising itself. “Where did he learn the handshake that made such a strong impression on all these adults? At his fun manners class,” reveals his proud mom. The class is part of a program known as socialsklz:-). As its funky lettering suggests, socialsklz:-) covers some of the territory of traditional manners classes but its own manner is relaxed and relatable. At its core, it’s really about using manners education as a springboard to understand and develop age-appropriate life skills. “Even though so much of what we do involves technology, the in-person face-to-face interaction remains crucial to success—and if you think about it, that’s true whether you’re a five-year-old, a 15-year-old, or a 65-year-old,” says socialsklz:-) Founder Faye Rogaski, who spent years in the world of public relations before figuring out how to merge her knowledge of the marketplace with another deep passion: working with children. Rogaski has developed curriculum and classes for children ages 4-7, tweens, and teens. She also offers specialty workshops for girls and for classic transitional experiences like going back to school or starting camp. This fall she’s introducing after-school programming called CLUB socialsklz:-) as well. To teach children social and emotional skills—and to get parents to believe in her too—Rogaski knew that she had to create a program that somehow seemed cool and contemporary. Otherwise only the most traditional families would give it a go, and most kids would not respond very well to it. Although her underlying goal of improving social behavior is serious and worthy, her methods are
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engaging and fun, with emphases on lots of interactive games and role-playing, as well as mini-excursions around the neighborhood and a special socialsklz:-) dinner party. At the same time, the topics she manages to explore with children would be difficult for most parents to take on at home (where many children just wouldn’t want to hear it, and many parents wouldn’t have the necessary reserves of patience, good cheer and determination). At socialsklz:-), by contrast, even the youngest children focus on the importance of personal qualities and behaviors like mindfulness of others, body language, a good handshake, proper introductions and making friends. Older kids take on those and more particular challenges of their age, like peer pressure, cyberbullying, taking responsibility, being empathetic, and making a good first impression both face-to-face and face-to-Facebook, as well as grooming tips and personal style. At the beginning of every semester, socialsklz:-) classes quickly turn into “like,” “um,” and “ya know”-free zones—a big contrast to the settings that originally inspired the idea when Rogaski was teaching communications at Fordham University and NYU. “I saw that kids were coming to college without the basic social skills you need to win an interview and succeed in the workplace as well as personally. I sat back and thought about the greatest lesson I could offer my students and I knew it was making a good first impression and managing your own personal brand,” she says. In the nearly two years since she first started socialsklz:-), Rogaski has seen first-hand the impact the program can have on children and families, but she was especially gratified last year to www.newyorkfamily.com
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8/9/11 12:22 PM
Add Social Skills To Your Back-To-School Checklist
BY FaYe RogaSki
It’s more important than ever to not only get your children a back-to-school outfit, but to also equip them with a good set of social skills for school.
Set: Practice setting your alarm a few days before the start of school so you get used to waking up and getting out of the house on time. Clothes: Pick out your outfits the night before so it’s not a
source of stress in the morning. Even if you wear a uniform, be sure it’s laid out with socks, shoes, etc.
Handshakes: Even though you might not shake hands
with your friends, it’s important to know how to properly greet adults and teachers. Hands meet web-to-web with a firm grip. Maintain eye contact the entire time.
Organization: Write down your homework assignments, bring
a copy of your schedule home so you know what books to bring, and pack your backpack the night before.
Outstanding: Give everything you do your all. From homework
to after-school activities, always put in 100%. And if it’s not outstanding, own it and discuss how you can improve for the next time around.
Laugh: School can be a stressful place, so in the midst of tests, peer pressure and athletics, remember to laugh and have some fun with your friends. Finally, for parents of the older age set (8 and up), or for those who are online, it’s imperative to stay aware of your children’s Internet activity. Be proactive and talk to them about what is and isn’t appropriate on the web. Even more so, if your child is having a conflict with a friend, encourage him or her to handle those issues face-to-face rather than face-to-Facebook. Conflict resolution is a skill that your child will take through school, to the work place and beyond. come across an academic study that verified the extent to which she was really on to something. “The scientific journal Child Development released a comprehensive analysis of 33 studies which found that ‘teaching kids social and emotional skills leads to an average 11 percentile-point gain in their academic performance over six months compared to students who didn’t receive the same instruction.’” says Rogaski. “In other words, by helping kids improve their sense of social confidence, chances are you’re also helping them become more confident and hardworking learners.” According to Rogaski, the study also found that students who had some social skills training—whether in kindergarten or in high school—were better able to form bonds with not only their peers but also with their teachers. As someone who bonds so easily with kids, the finding made perfect sense to Rogaski, who recently demonstrated for this reporter how even a first impression can make a huge difference. Rogaski entered a classroom room filled with children ages four to seven, and introduced herself to her students in two different ways. First, she came in smiling, upbeat and ready to get to
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Even the youngest children focus on the importance of personal qualities and behaviors like being mindful of others, body language, a good handshake and making friends.
know her students. Next, she entered with slumped shoulders, dragging her feet. “I then asked the kids to list a few words to describe each of those people and which person they’d rather have as their instructor, and right off the bat they understand how quickly a first impression is made,” says Rogaski. While some parents may be wondering how to get their kid to agree to take an etiquette class in the first place, Rogaski says it’s not as difficult a sell as it may seem. “I asked one girl what her parents told her she was coming here for, and she said ‘To meet people!’” Rogaski recalls. “Which basically is true. The classes are small, and they really interact and get to know one another.” “But of course what they’re really learning is how to get along with people, one of the most important skill sets to have in life,” Rogaski adds. Just ask Sebastian what a difference even a handshake can make. socialsklz:-) has locations on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Tribeca and Brooklyn. For more information, visit socialsklz.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:21 AM
a
special
place
Forever Friends promoting Safe, long-Term and loving Matches Between people and companion animals, Bideawee Is The perfect place To Find a New Furry Family Member There’s a cat in the window. She’s curled up into a ball with a paw over her face, half-asleep behind the glass. Her furry tummy subtely rises and falls as she gently breathes a restful sleep. But as comfortable as this kitty may be, the cozy nook she’s found to lie in is only temporary. In fact, she’s here to find a new permanent home. This kitten is just one of thousands of cats and dogs given refuge over the years at Bideawee—an animal welfare organization that provides temporary homes to cats and dogs before matching the animals to loving, responsible owners and families. “It’s about finding a match that will be forever,” says Nancy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer at Bideawee, while stroking a black cat named Opie on her desk. “Our goal is to get them adopted and keep them adopted.” This notion of finding “forever homes” and saving animals from cruelty is the same principle Flora Kibbe founded Bideawee upon in 1903 when she was saving dogs and keeping them in her Manhattan apartment. It was 1915 Nancy Taylor, President and chief executive officer at Bideawee, with a puppy up for adoption. when she moved Bideawee—which means “stay awhile” in Scottish—to its current home owner. We love them through their entire life,” says Taylor. in Murray Hill, where she could save unwanted She’s referring to the plethora of services that Bideawee proanimals from being drowned in the East River. vides: adoption, training, veterinary care, dog runs, accreditation Today, Bideawee has grown to encompass three locations, for therapy dogs, pet memorials and even Doga (that’s yoga for including Westhampton and Wantagh centers on Long Island. The dogs!). These practices allow pets and owners to remain a part of organization adopts about 1,000 pets each year and saves animals the Bideawee family long after they’ve been paired up and settled from municipal shelters and from families that can no longer care in at home. for their pets. While based in New York City, Bideawee rescues Take Candice Alustiza and her three-legged dog, Joey, who cats and dogs from across the country and even Puerto Rico. The Manhattan offices are warm and friendly, which may have have been with Bideawee every step of the way—from adoption to vet services. something to do with all the happy animals roaming the space. “For anyone who’s looking for a vet practice or a place to Pickles the cat is snuggled up in the corner of an office. And Asha, adopt a dog, I always say come to Bideawee,” says Alustiza a puppy who’s been on TV, is affectionate when you come out who found Joey after searching for pets online. Despite missof the elevator. Wonka, the cat downstairs, is eager to meet new ing Joey’s television debut on LX New York with Ashley Judd, visitors. Alustiza found the puppy-in-need and fell in love soon after. In this five-story building, Bideawee is doing much more than Since then, she’s taken Joey back to Bideawee for a number of simply providing accommodations to unwanted pets. “The thing X-rays and tests to find that he’s perfectly healthy despite his that sets us apart is that we’re able to stay with the pet and the three-legged status.
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Photography by Andrew Schwartz
BY AleSSANdrA HickSoN
www.newyorkfamily.com
9/6/11 5:38 PM
also provide plots, cremation, viewings and grief counseling. And the guidance doesn’t end there. Many Bideawee volunteers receive training for various tasks, like infection control while working with animals in isolation that have been picked up from municipals and are often sick. The
“For anyone who’s looking for a vet practice or a place to adopt a dog, I always say come to Bideawee.” organization has nearly 400 such volunteers who walk dogs, socialize cats, help at fundraising events or work as pet therapy assistants at schools, nursing homes and hospitals. “This is such a cohesive community. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a shelter environment with such a strong human-animal bond,” says Suzi Soloway-Andres, a thirdyear volunteer who cleans kennels and socializes cats. In fact, Soloway-Andres had experienced the loss of her own cats and volunteered to help her through the mourning process. Since her time at Bideawee she’s adopted a new cat and found a home at the facility. After all, owning a pet is a full commitment, a “lifetime commitment,” according to Taylor, who notes that cats often live 20-plus years. Before adopting a cat or dog, a potential owner needs to be ready for a decades-long commitment to animal care. And it’s more than just walking and feeding your pet. According to Taylor, a healthy cat or dog can cost between $1,000 and $1,400 annually. But it’s clear at Bideawee that the benefits of loving and being loved by an animal are priceless. “It brings so much warmth,” says Solloway-Andres who feels like she can make a difference through her volunteer work in a very pet-friendCandice Alustiza and her adopted three-legged dog, Joey. ly town. “We see people every day who meet new people because Alustiza and Joey went through the typical adoption proof their animals,” says Taylor about NYC pet owners. “There’s cess, which includes playing with the animals in interaction a wonderful subculture that grows up around [owning a pet] that rooms and having all members of the family meet the cat or dog makes people resources to each other about where to find a great before adopting. vet, a great groomer, a great place to board your animals.” “It’s all about finding the right pet for the right family,” says As Taylor points out, owning a pet and going to pet hot spots Taylor, who refers to Bideawee’s adoption associates as matcharound the city allows one to encounter all sorts of people they makers. “For instance, if we know that a person is a couch potato, wouldn’t normally meet. But there’s more than just people and we’re not going to adopt a border collie that wants to run all day pets socializing. According to three-legged Joey’s adopter, Canto that person. Conversely, if somebody is a tri-athlete, we’re probdice Alustiza, we may have found the best part of owning a pet in ably not going to match him with an overweight dachshund.” New York City. The successful results of the matchmaking process yield an “Everyone in New York is so busy, but it’s so nice to come extremely low return rate—only 4.5%—compared to the national home at the end of the day, open the door and see this little guy’s shelter rate which can vary between 15-20% of adopted pets. face,” says Alustiza as Joey is wagging his tail and licking her finUsually, owners return pets because there’s an unforeseen health gers. “That’s my favorite part of the day—coming home to him.” or behavioral problem. That’s why Bideawee guarantees that every pet is spayed, neutered, micro-chipped and immunized. They also For more information, visit bideawee.org. receive dentistry attention and are treated for every medical condition that their veterinary offices can identify, amidst a fully functional operating room and a cozy waiting area. Not to mention— Bideawee never euthanizes a pet unless it’s an incurable situation. And when an animal is put down or passes away, Bideawee is still there to support the mourning family. “We want the whole end of life encounter to be dignified, to be respectful, to enable family members ample opportunity to grieve the loss of their family member,” says Taylor, who notes that Bideawee employees are given bereavement days for loss of pets. They
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www.newyorkfamily.com
9/6/11 5:41 PM
THE
MOTHER of all MATERNITY
WITH HER EYE FOR STYLE AND HER ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, LIZ LANGE HAS TURNED HER LOVE OF FASHION INTO A MATERNITY WEAR EMPIRE…JUST DON’T CALL THIS NYC MOM OF TWO A “SUPERWOMAN” BY ANGELA JOHNSON PHOTOS BY THADDEUS HARDEN STYLED BY CRICKET BURNS 48
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www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:36 AM
P
regnant or not, there are probably very few women in America who are not wellacquainted with Liz Lange and her role in maternity fashion. After years of running her own high-end boutique, Lange has come to define cool, affordable maternity fashion in her pioneering partnerships with major retailers like Target and Nike. Her sensibility honors a woman’s desire to be fashionable and comfortable during a highly transitional life phase. But if you spend some time with Lange, you’ll discover that her world is more than working with fabrics and fittings. This New York native and mother of two credits her own mom with introducing her to the thrill of getting her hands on that perfect buy. But she hadn’t really considered fashion as a career until after college, when she was inspired by an up-and-coming designer. These days, in addition to her thriving maternity line at Target, Lange has a ready-to-wear women’s line with the Home Shopping Network, a fashion website called Shopafrolic.com, and she speaks regularly on the importance of entrepreneurship. As a devoted mom to Gus and Alice, Lange deeply values family time. And apparently there’s another designer at home who’s even more talented than she is!
When did you decide that you wanted to have a career in fashion? I studied Literature at Brown and thought I was going to be a writer. After college, I went to work at Vogue. I loved fashion, so it was a great place to be, but I worked for the Books and Culture Editor. While I was there, I met a struggling young designer and fell in love with what he was doing. I actually begged him to let me come and work for him. So I left this glamorous world at Vogue and went to a very gritty office in the Garment Center. Because there were just three of us, I learned everything out of necessity. It was kind of a crash course in the business of fashion. But even then, he was the designer, not me. Being a designer never crossed my mind. How did you make the transition into maternity fashion? I was in my twenties and my friends started getting married and getting pregnant. The designer I was working for had a struggling business and my friends would shop wholesale from us. They would come in wearing something oversized and then put on one of our more fitted dresses, which I thought made them look so much better and thinner. When I asked why they weren’t shopping at maternity stores, everyone would say, “You don’t understand, maternity clothes are awful!” They were spending a lot of money on clothes that were too big, paying a fortune to have them altered, and the clothes were still ill-fitting. It made me realize that pregnancy is a time when women need to shop. You’re going to spend money, because none of your old clothes fit. I couldn’t get the idea out of my mind, so I went to my designer friend and said, “I know how you can turn your business around. Do a maternity line!” He thought I was crazy. It was so unglamorous and there were no pregnant celebrities at the time. But I found myself up at night sketching—even though I can’t really draw!—and thinking about stretchy fabrics I could use. No one was using stretch fabrics back then. I finally realized that if I didn’t do this line and someone else did it, I would never forgive myself. So, I did it. So how did your partnership with Target come about? I was making clothing one at a time for women who came to see me, so it was really expensive. I began to grow and within three years, I was dressing pregnant celebrities and getting a lot of press. I opened a flagship boutique on Madison Avenue, one in Beverly Hills and one on Long Island. But I was also getting letters from customers who wanted to wear my clothes but didn’t have a celebrity body or budget. It got me thinking about how I could bring the line to more people. After September 11th happened, the marketplace changed. I thought about how my high-end business would survive and all of those customer letters and decided to approach Target. Back then they hadn’t started partnering with designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Cynthia Rowley. Within a year, we rolled out a secondary line of Liz Lange to all of their stores. They also had their own private label maternity designs, but in a few years, I had taken over the entire maternity department as it exists today. After almost ten years, I think it has been one of Target’s longest standing designer partnerships. People told me that if I partnered with Target, my high-end business would suffer, but everything worked out and it’s just been amazing. Even prior to the Target deal, I was approached by Nike and did a line of Liz Lange maternity athletic apparel from 2000 to 2005. That was also unusual because prior to me, Nike had only www.newyorkfamily.com
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partnered with athletes. I’ve been really lucky to have had licensing deals with Nike and Target.
“The most important advice ever given to me is that you have to remember that until someone does something new, no one ever thinks it’s a good idea.”
How would you describe yourself as a mom? I think I’m very loving and pretty easygoing. I’m not a helicopter mom. Maybe because I grew up in the city, I’m comfortable with them going places by themselves as long as they keep up with me on their phones. My mom was very strict with me, so I think I’m kind of a pushover. Plus they’re great kids who I can trust. I’m very close with them. What is it like raising your kids in New York City? I grew up on the Upper East Side, so it never crossed my mind to raise them anywhere else. We do get away to our house on East Hampton in the summer, so I feel like we have the best of both worlds. I’m a diehard New Yorker, born and bred.
What is your involvement with Liz Lange for Target Maternity today? I spend most of my time these days being the face of the brand. I record voice-overs for the Liz Lange website within Target, do all of the press opportunities and answer customer questions. I sold the brand in 2007, but I stay on and completely manage the Target relationship. Additionally, I partnered with my new owners to create a women’s line called Completely Me by Liz Lange which is exclusive to HSN and soon to launch on the shopping network in Canada. It’s a line of mix-and-match women’s ready-to-wear based on some of the figure-flattering design principles I learned from doing maternity clothing for so many years.
How do you balance the demands of your career with the responsibilities of being a mom? I think that’s a funny question. When I hear it, I imagine myself perfectly balanced on a beam doing a pirouette, but that is not the reality of my life. It’s a juggle and pieces are always falling. Sometimes I’m at the office and I feel like I should be at home and vice versa. It never gets easier. I feel really lucky to have great help in the office and great help at home, which makes all the difference in the world. I don’t want to pretend I’m Superwoman. I couldn’t do it without great help. I really look up to women who do it with fewer resources. I think as women and moms, we’re all just doing our best.
You’ve been able to pursue other projects, as well. Can you tell me more? I started a women’s shopping e-newsletter with my sister called Shopafrolic.com. Everyday we post a beauty, apparel or accessory item that we really love. We both say what we like about the item or what we might wear it with. A photo of the item takes you to the website where you can buy it. We try to keep the price points reasonable. Anyone can show a beautiful Prada dress, but we’ll show what we found at Forever 21 or Zara. There are also designer interviews and picks with people like Tory Burch, Nina Garcia or Tommy Hilfiger. We’ve even featured Kim Kardashian. We really do it for the love of shopping.
What do you see in the future for your business? It’s so hard for me to see the future, because if you had asked me ten years ago I wouldn’t have said deals with Nike or Target. I think the great thing in this business is that anything can happen. You never know what’s next. I’m really excited about my continued work with Target, my line for HSN and growing the Shopafrolic e-newsletter and website. I’m also in the initial phases of working on a book about being an entrepreneur. I speak around the country to entrepreneurs, and I’m really passionate about the subject.
If you could collaborate with any designer, who would it be? It would either be Michael Kors, Prada or Oscar De La Renta. I just worship their work so much. With Michael Kors, I love his classic, All-American, Upper East Side style—that classic “lady who lunches” look. His understanding of American sportswear is just so chic in my mind. I love Oscar De La Renta’s use of heavy embroidery, embellishment and Latin influence. I find it so sexy, beautiful and feminine. And Prada creates those perfect minimalist pieces that you just need. Tell me about your two children. I have a 12-year-old son, Gus, and a 10-year-old daughter, Alice. My daughter is an aspiring fashion designer. She’s much more talented than I am! She’s very creative and a very good artist. My son is into skateboarding and getting into trouble! They have very high-spirited personalities.
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What advice would you give women who want to start their own businesses? The most important advice ever given to me is that you have to remember that until someone does something new, no one ever thinks it’s a good idea. You really need to learn to shut out the naysayers. There’s always negativity surrounding any new idea. And as women, we can be so hard on ourselves. Don’t focus so much on what you can and can’t do.
Liz Lange
Meet At The New Parents Expo Love Liz? We couldn’t agree with you more! You can catch her at our New Parents Expo on October 15 and 16 at Pier 92, where the famous designer will be a special Keynote Speaker. For tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com. See page 30 for more info. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:37 AM
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AN OPEN DOOR TO EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS ™ 92nd Street Y Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street An agency of UJA-Federation
The F
BY HeatHer Ouida
Ten Years After 9/11, Three Local Women—Two Who Lost Their Husbands And One Who Lost Her Son—Talk About Life, Love, Loss And Family As Only They Can Tell It
the next morning. She needed to be protected and I was actually in or me, as it is for many Americans, the ten-year anniversary full-function mode. In terms of support, for 12 months we all got of 9/11 is about honoring the spouses, children, brothers, what most people who lose loved ones get for only a few weeks. sisters and friends who were lost. It is about honoring the [The other women nod in agreement.] For me, 9/11/2002 is when men and women who served New York and our country—those the darkness, the despair, [and] the isolation all set in. who lost their lives in the midst of the tragedy, and the others Andrea: It’s very surreal that someone can be there one minwho served in the weeks and months that followed. It is about ute and not the next. But how I got by was a lot of good people honoring the City of New York and its boundless compassion around me, family and friends and a wonderful minister who met and resilient spirit. As this monumental anniversary approached, it was my with us weekly. My husband was also in the building and he got out. privilege to speak with Lisa: Good lord – you three women who lost had three people connected some of their loved ones. to this! For who else better to help Andrea: Yes, my husus understand the human band, my son Jordan who dimension of 9/11 and how worked at Cantor Fitzgerald it plays out in the lives of but was in London on 9/11, families? They are Danielle and Todd. A lot of what kept Salerno, who was four me going was concern for months pregnant with her other family members because first child when she lost I kept thinking how much her husband, John “Pepe” more horrible it was for my Salerno; Lisa Luckett, at husband having been in the the time a mom of a fourbuilding. So part of it was month-old, a four-year-old and a seven-year-old, who Danielle Salerno: “I still being there for other people, but personally I listened to a lost her husband Teddy love Manhattan. I would lot of music, read poetry about Luckett; and my mother-in-law, Andrea Ouida, who lost her 25-year-old son, Todd Ouida. move back there tomorrow losing people, read books on grieving and the afterlife. if I could – it’s just so damn Lisa and Danielle: In the days and weeks after 9/11 how did you So did we! get by, how did you breathe? expensive! [laughs] I love it Danielle: I remember so vividly that first night, People always want to trying to fall asleep and feeling like I wasn’t breathing. more now because it’s so know how they can help You’re numb. I don’t think you know how to get by. resilient and amazing.” and what they can say to What got me through was knowing that my family was a family who has suffered there, and knowing that I was pregnant after being with Pepe for 13 years—knowing I had a part of him because I couldn’t a tragedy. What are some things that family, friends and even strangers said and did that you found to be the imagine living without him. most helpful and comforting? Lisa: Everyone around me was spinning in such a way that I Andrea: People talking about Todd, or just listening to me had to be the one that kept it together. Nature was going to give me talk about Todd. You want this person to not be gone or forgotten. everything I needed. If I was numb, I was not going to let myself feel bad for not feeling bad. I had a four-month-old, a four-year-old I still find myself purposely saying something about Todd because I want him to be there. There is really nothing you can say that is and a seven-year-old. Jennifer [my seven-year-old] went to school
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www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:40 AM
Lisa: When my kids are acting or looking like Teddy, I tell them. I try to find the positive in every way I can. Danielle: I remember thinking they died tragically but that people die tragically every day. We were lucky because we had so many people helping us. I am a better person for having gone through this because I appreciate everything so much more. Lisa: That’s so interesting Danielle. Andrea, do you feel that way having lost a son? Are you able to appreciate the little things more and feel like you grew from this tragedy? Andrea: You can’t help but grow from it. I appreciate things more. I remember after Todd died and it was autumn and all the leaves turned and they were so beautiful. I was grieving and grieving but I could still notice beauty. Lisa: You can’t stop seeing the beauty. To this day, I see and get the best of people. I am someone that normally takes care of other people. And all these people wanted to take care of me and I realized that only way I could help people is by letting them help me. As I see it, this event didn’t just happen to me it, it happened to an entire community, a whole city, an entire culture. It was personal for everyone. Everyone was grieving. Andrea: I never had the feeling, “Why me?” My feeling is life is just so random. Danielle: Pepe was supposed to be out of the office Lisa Luckett: “All these people wanted on 9/11 but he ended up goto take care of me and I realized that the ing in. I can never say, “What He was there and that’s only way I could help people is by let- if?” the end of it. Lisa: If your number ting them help me. As I see it, this event comes up, then that’s it. How didn’t just happen to me it, it happened else do you justify random to an entire community, a whole city, an loss at the wrong time?
truly comforting. Lisa: When you want to help someone, don’t ask. Just do it. A friend of mine picked up my daughter ever day, brought her to school and delivered hot coffee to me. Danielle: Sometimes I had nothing to say to anyone because I didn’t want to speak. So in addition to what both of you said, my other point would be allowing people to grieve the way they need to as opposed to the way others think you should. I don’t really believe in “the steps” [of grief] because, oddly enough, I was never angry; I was scared. I just kept thinking that Pepe would never meet his child—just how Andrea, your son would never see his mother again, and Lisa, your husband would never see his children again, and knowing all they would be missing out on. Lisa: I grieved that first. That Teddy would never see his kids grow up. Danielle: To me that is more painful than my own loss.
Death is such a hard thing to talk to children about and many parents struggle with how to tell their children about the loss of a parent, grandparent, relative or even a sibling. What advice would you give them? Danielle: Jack wasn’t born yet and I couldn’t wait for him to start talking because it was so lonely [laughing]. There is so much I wanted to tell him and still want to tell him. I can never understand why people don’t talk about death or are afraid to talk about it. Because there is nothing better than raw feelings to heal. You need to be open and honest. Death is not a secret in our house. When they ask, they’re ready to hear it. entire culture. It was personal for everyIs it possible to turn Lisa: I agree. I started giving my tragedy into hope? kids information then and have never one. Everyone was grieving.” Lisa: Absolutely. Those stopped. You give it to them in their lanbuildings could have been hit guage not in adult terms. We talk about in the middle of the day. We could have buried 40,000 people. It could Teddy all the time. We’ve moved forward and are taking Teddy always be worse. The support that came with 9/11 was so mind-blowwith us along the way. ing. If you’re ever going to be in a tragedy or go through something Andrea: I strongly agree with talking about the person scary, you want to be with New Yorkers. They are one cool group! because by talking about the person they [the children] know that Danielle: I think you can turn anything into hope. You just everyone in this family is loved and cherished and valued—and have to choose to do it. know they are too. Lisa: Maybe this taught us to live life a little better. To make Lisa: I actually like crying—but not in a bad way. [laughs] sure we always right our wrongs. I like feeling the pain of the loss because it means it’s still real. I Andrea: Believe it or not, I remember thinking right after 9/11 love that I still remember him so vividly. One gift of all this is that how much I still had to be thankful for. I had two other children. we can see the people we lost in our children. And now have five beautiful grandchildren! We also started the Todd Ouida Children Foundation, which helps children with anxiWhat are some ways that you preserve the memories ety disorders—which seemed like a good way to honor his legacy. and honor the person you lost? www.newyorkfamily.com
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But turning tragedy into hope, Lisa and Danielle, I am sure people look to you as their inspiration. Danielle: Andrea, as much I miss Pepe—he was my best friend and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him—I admire people like you and my mother-in-law so much because I can’t imagine having one of my children die before me. You’re my hero. Lisa: I totally agree with that. It’s hard to even fathom losing a child. Andrea: What I can say is [the grief] gets less intense and less frequent. But there are still times 10 years later that I think, how could that be? But it’s not every day.
swers. But what I enjoy the most is learning together, alongside of my kids. I try to give them the global perspective as much as possible. I would never be as good a parent as I am now had I not gone through what I went through. My kids see that I am always trying. Danielle: What’s so great about kids is that if you’re truly trying, your kids know. But going to back to what I like to do with my boys, my most favorite thing is having regular date nights with them. Now and then I try to take one of them out—obviously not the baby yet—on their own. I love getting to talk one-on-one with them and hearing things that I would never hear when we are all together— I have four boys—except for maybe at bedtime. But at bedtime, I usually fall asleep while I am reading to them.
These days what do you most enjoy doing with your Do you view New children (or grandYork negatively since children)? September 11th? Andrea: One of the Danielle: No. I still things I especially enjoy love Manhattan. I would dong with my grandmove back there tomorchildren now that they row if I could – it’s just so are older is just chatting damn expensive! [laughs] with them and hearing I love it more now because what they think. I love it’s so resilient and amazwatching all five of ing. them with each other. I Andrea Ouida: “What I can say is [the grief] Andrea: I love New like playing board games and sports York too. I’d probably live games. gets less intense and less frequent. But there there too, like Danielle, if Lisa: Andrea, did you do all of that with your own children? are still times 10 years later that I think, how it weren’t so expensive! At the beginning, right after Andrea: Not the sports so could that be? But it’s not every day. 9/11, people saw a differmuch. [laughs] ent spirit. I think things Lisa: I ask that because I am are pretty much back to normal now. There are a lot of great New wondering if you feel like you are able to do that as a grandparent Yorkers, always were and always will be. because you now know what is truly important. Danielle: I remember driving into to New York right after 9/11 Andrea: Great question! I am able to be more fully present to register—because families of victims had to register—and the because I don’t have all the responsibilities. It’s more pure enjoystreets were lined with people giving us their support. ment. How about you two? Andrea: The outpouring was unbelievable. Lisa: They’re teenagers—I don’t know if I enjoy any of it. Just kidding! As a single parent, you get a great benefit. I never got Heather Ouida is the Co-President of babybites, a social and second guessed with my parenting. Parenting by yourself is a lot of educational community for moms and moms-to-be. work and can be pretty stressful and I don’t always have all the an-
Noteworthy 9/11 Charities Andrea’s suggestion: The Todd Ouida Children’s Foundation (mybuddytodd.org) financially supports psychological services for children of families in need, promotes mental health initiatives, and works to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of anxiety and depression in children. Danielle’s suggestion: Pepe’s family started the John Pepe Salerno Founda-
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tion, which benefits the 105 children, born after 9/11, who lost their dads on 9/11. Its main purpose is to bring the kids together once or twice a year so that they know they are not the only ones who didn’t get to meet their fathers. For questions regarding sponsorships or donations, call Dina Connelly at (203) 972-8955 or email JPSFoundation@optonline.net.
Lisa’s Suggestion: “If everyone was treated the way I am, the world would be at peace!” Some of the special organizations that helped with financial support and essential information included: The Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County (corindacarford.com/theallianceofneighbors.html); Knights of Columbus (kofc.org); and The American Red Cross (redcross.org). www.newyorkfamily.com
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SchoolS of choice In her New Book, Noted Education Journalist Peg tyre helps Parents Analyze What It Means to Be A “Good school” today
BY MelaNie DoStiS A few years ago, journalist and NYC mom Peg Tyre rocked the educational establishment with her groundbreaking and bestselling The Trouble With Boys—a polemic which unpacked how our school systems can be inhospitable to boys. Now she’s back with another timely and well-researched book—The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids The Education They Deserve—which has so many good ideas about the future of education, it’s bound to become a helpful guide not only for parents but also for educators. Can you tell me about your professional and personal backgrounds? Are you raising kids in the city or the suburbs? I have been a journalist my whole career. I was a correspondent for CNN and then I covered education and social trends for Newsweek for seven years. [Tyre has two children, 15 and 19. She and her family live in Park Slope, Brooklyn.] What inspired you to write The Good School? After writing The Trouble With Boys, I really sat back, recalibrated and thought: What else is there that I’m interested in
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doing? I believe everyone should have equal access to education. I decided to focus on all the things I had the privilege to learn and what parents should also know because it’s useful to them. They’re the ones in this whole school reform. The data tells us that parents don’t choose that well. I like to think that with The Trouble With Boys I contributed to opening this new dialogue. And the issues [from The Trouble With Boys] are known about and worse today. So I asked myself: How can I not just write a book that people will read but write a book that will further discussion? And that’s the story of how this book came about. In your opinion, what should parents look for in a preschool? Preschools play a funny game because they’re so busy telling you how lucky your child will be to get in. Parents are really nervous about looking at what the schools really offer. They don’t really know what to look for. One thing the research doesn’t really support is a big worksheet approach to academics in preschool. Learning needs to be play-based, that’s one of the things parents should look for. Teachers should know how to embed learning through play. And it shouldn’t just be play all the time! But it shouldn’t be worksheets, like a scaled-down version of third grade all the time either. There should be a ton of talking, also singing, rhyming, clapping to the beat for syllabication. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:50 AM
Parents pay huge amounts of money for preschools in New York City. Is it worth it? There’s some cartoonish anxiety levels. But I think more preschool options will be opening up for parents. I think what middle class parents have to realize is that they have really good options and they need to take a deep breath. During your reporting and research, what did you find most surprising to discover about education today? I approached math with deep dread but I found that innovative stuff is happening there. What’s really interesting to me is what’s happening in the laboratories: cognition of math, how we hold numbers. It was really surprising to me to see how that field is exploding and will be pressing into classrooms in about five years. I’m pretty stoked! It’s about to undergo traumatic transformation. Kids will think about numbers very differently. We have this internal math structure. In some kids it’s stronger, and in some kids it’s weaker. The question then is: Can we intervene? Should we? So how do you get kids to think that math is meaningful? I think we know less about the building blocks of math. Teachers know less about the right order to teach math. Teachers need to be immersed in serious training and be good at math themselves. You don’t want teachers that are “math phobes.” And how do you address reading in the digital age? It’s really important for your kids to stay at grade level. It’s so common for kids to be behind grade level and for parents to find out too late. Parents really need to get together with the school and find out what can be done. Reading is good! I think parents need to lighten up about what their kids read. If you look at the data, you’ll see any kind of reading is good, from a cereal box to a graphic novel to a gamer magazine, Twilight, Hardy Boys—it doesn’t matter! It doesn’t have to be Tolstoy; let them read what they want to read. And a lot of learning is going online. I worry that it’s a way of cheapening the educational experience. I don’t want my kids to be learning Death of a Salesman online. I want them to be with some fantastic teacher who can bring to them the richness of this cultural artifact. You talk a lot about students who are behind grade level. What can be done to change or prevent this? How responsible are schools and teachers, and how responsible are the parents? At preschool, parents need to be ask questions like: How is my kid doing at establishing sounds and letters? Parents shouldn’t hear, “Oh your kid is very well-behaved; we love him a lot.” That’s no good. You never want that! You’re looking for substantive knowledge. Teachers should be on that. If you learn your kid is starting to fall behind, then a parent needs to ask the teacher what can be done for extra support. Parents should watch out for: “He’s behind but he’ll catch up.” Parents need to ask what can be done right away! An even worse answer is: “I think he should stay behind a year.” You don’t want to hear they’re going back to the same school with the same program and the same kind of instruction. He didn’t learn the first time, he’s not going to learn the second time. It’s a matter of bringing him the information in a different way. Do you believe that other countries have figured out the education system better than we have? It’s not really an apples to apples type of comparison. Finland for example is really small and the schools there are nationalized. www.newyorkfamily.com
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We don’t have a big overarching school board that controls school like they do. Teaching education here is highly variable and that’s where some problems come in. What are your thoughts on private versus public education? There are some fantastic private schools and there are some really mediocre private schools. And then there are some really expensive private schools that are mediocre. Many parents think that just because they’re paying a lot and some of the kids in the graduating class are getting into Yale that the school is fantastic. But what parents do not see is that many of the kids are canceled out in the data, that some kids don’t do well, that teachers are not getting a lot of development. Those are bad signs for schools! It’s hard to get the information that you need about private schools. Some schools live off their reputation and so the schools do not have to do much serious self-examination. How do you think the American education system has changed over the years and in what direction do you believe it is heading? Public schools were sort of a monopoly for a while. But some schools were really bad and there was no way to change them. There’s been a big effort to break that up and to create new models and other options for parents. That came with a responsibility for parents; we have a lot of options and it’s really hard to sort them through. That’s how I think we got here... Parents are starting to realize that there are really good options in NYC and that is a pretty new and exciting development in the last 15 years. If your kids are highly accomplished, there are fantastic high schools. There is also a whole other rung of experimental schools which I think are super interesting and working really well. I’m very encouraged by the public education in New York. However, I do worry that NYC makes it hard for parents to find a good school; parents have to go on a kind of mall crawl from open house to open house. I hope that my book makes it a little easier for them. What’s next for you? Any projects in mind? I’m a little tired from this book. I’m going scuba-diving with my son and then I don’t know! For more information, visit pegtyre.com. September 2011 | New York Family
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GETTING IN Two Former NYC School Admissions Advisers Have Written A Guide (Not A Tell-All) To Applying To Private School In The City
BY MOLLY O’MEARA SHEEHAN In 2008, Jennifer Brozost, then an admissions officer at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, approached her co-worker Vimmi Shroff with an idea: why not start a business to help New York City parents navigate the notoriously nerve-wracking process of applying to private schools? The two women have seen New York’s private school admissions from every angle. Brozost taught second grade before working in admissions for seven years; Shroff taught kindergarten before her eight-year admissions career. They bonded when Brozost was applying to schools for her daughter at the same time as Shroff was applying for her son. Just a year after starting their consultancy, PEAS (Private Education Advisory Services), Brozost came to Shroff with another big request: would she co-write a book with her based on their experiences? They ended up collaborating on The NYC Private School Admissions Handbook, which published in June, and walks parents through the steps they must take (from playgroup politics to admission tests) to apply to the city’s private nursery schools and kindergartens. You write that you wished you had a book like this when you were applying to schools for your own children. After working in admissions, why would you need a guide? Jennifer Brozost: To keep ourselves organized. In the back of the book, we have checklists and places for notes. People can go to their interview, come back, and write down everything there. It gets so crazy when you apply. Also, we included anecdotes to keep it light. We know it’s a serious process, but the more relaxed our clients are, the better they are going to do in their interviews. You don’t recommend prepping children for the kindergarten admissions test, but aren’t you in effect prepping their parents? JB: It’s not really prepping parents. It’s just educating them on the process. It is giving them someone real to talk to after each interview. We’re just kind of doing a lot of their homework for them, and they can trust us. They go to these different schools and then ask us to interpret the education for them.
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What is the first tip you give to parents applying to nursery school or kindergarten? Vimmi Shroff: Talk to someone who is objective [in order] to learn about a school. In this process there is a lot of park bench gossip. We saw tons of “frenemies” created this year, parents who were applying to schools who could be nasty to each other. What is the top mistake that parents make? VS: Herd mentality. This is New York City, and people get so caught up and competitive and think the admissions process is their personal game, but it is actually a child’s life they are dealing with. Show respect to your child for who he or she is. Do not follow what other people want your child to be doing. JB: You really need to understand the philosophy of each school to which you are applying. That information is crucial for you to make the right decision. You want to find a school that fits your child. You write that all New York City private schools offer fabulous educations. Can you explain why? VS: Because they invest in great teachers. They value education. That is the reason they are a school in New York City. It’s not easy to run a school here. They are always learning. The private schools also have a lot of resources compared to public schools. JB: You’re also getting smaller classrooms, and more individualized attention. The problem with public schools, even though there are great ones, is that they are getting overcrowded again. Also they really have to bring up the bottom of each class to perform well on tests. So in the third grade, because of the third grade testing, they really teach to the test for a lot of the year. It’s not a negative thing; it’s just different. Private schools are not held to those public testing standards, so kids do a lot of different things. For more information, visit nypeas.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:53 AM
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LICE-FREE
LIVING
Prevention And Treatment For Those Nasty Little Nits
By ElisaBEth FrankEl rEEd Bugs crawling through a child’s hair—the thought are found and provides links to local services that will assist with alone is enough to make any parent wince. While exposure is treatment. inevitable for young kids, especially as school swings back in sesGot lice at home? Don’t panic. The standard remedy remains sion and campers return from destinations both near and far, lice washing with a special shampoo to kill the bugs and then thorevoke more fear than necessary. According to experts, there are oughly combing the hair with an extremely fine-toothed comb to plenty of convenient and effective measures for prevention and, if ensure the removal of every egg. need be, a foolproof treatment plan. To help loosen eggs and get them to stick to the comb, Adie Many of the common nit-driven misconceptions encompass Horowitz, the owner of Licenders, a NYC-based head lice treatthe who and the how. To set the record straight: kids can’t get lice ment studio, recommends using a thick hair conditioner mixed from playing with animals, nor can the tiny bugs fly (phew!) or with baking soda and combing small sections at a time. There are even live for very long on furniture—they can only be transmitalso products which contain enzymes to break down the glue that ted by close contact with other people. Dalya Harel, the CEO of LiceBustersNYC, a lice removal service, can certainly attest to this attaches the eggs to hair. If it all seems a little overwhelming, her company is there to help. “Our goal is to take the horror away as she’s frequently seen heightened demand for her services after from parents and give them their lives back quickly.” sleepover parties—“the more, the merrier,” she jokes. Contrary to popular opinion, lice don’t like dirty hair—they September is National Head Lice Prevention Month. For more prefer clean coifs where they can easily hold onto the hair follicles, and their eggs will stick to the scalp. “Lice are very hygienic, information, visit headlice.org. they only come to clean people,” Harel says. So letting children’s hair stay a bit oily will help prevent lice from setting up residence, Babo Botanicals Rosemary Tea Tree Lice Repel Conditioning Spray but there are also shampoos, conditioners Clinically proven to be 95% effective at repelling lice, especially when used and sprays that contain repellant to keep the in combination with the companion shampoo, this conditioner is certifiably bugs at bay. Harel even recommends using a organic. Rosemary, mint and tea tree oils combine to keep lice at bay. drop of garlic extract on the hair. 8 oz. bottle, $18, babobotanicals.com Risa Barash, the Founder of Fairy Tales Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel® Leave-In Conditioning Spray Hair Care, emphasizes that “it’s really headThe so-good-smelling blend of rosemary, citronella, tea tree, lemongrass, to-head contact” that causes lice. She suggests peppermint and sage in this repellent conditioner has proven to be 92% keeping kids’ coats, hats and scarves away from effective at preventing lice. 8 oz. bottle, $10.95, fairytaleshaircare.com others to prevent the bugs from crawling over,
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Licenders Lice Shampoo An all-natural shampoo (containing zero pesticides) that relies on enzymes to kill lice by dissolving their shells. And unlike pesticides, insects won’t develop a resistance because they use the same enzymes themselves. 8 oz. bottle, $34, licenders.com So Cozy® Boo! Shampoo and Conditioner These all-natural hair care products will not only clean, strengthen and detangle your kiddo’s strands, but also contain tea tree, rosemary and lavender oils to spook the nits away—for good. 8 oz. bottle, $14.50, socozy.com www.newyorkfamily.com
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On The Write Track
An Important But Declining Skill—The Art Of Writing And How To Cultivate It In Our Children
BY MELANIE DOSTIS The start of a new school year brings with it an age-old question for many parents: Is my child on the right track? Odds are that the core subjects—math, reading and science—have already been drilled into your child’s brain. From spelling words out with blocks (thank you, nursery school) to investigating cells through a microscope lens—parents know that it is their duty to teach their kids these essential skills as early as possible. Yet in the shadows of these educational building blocks lies a
subject that receives too little attention and is anxiously approached by both parents and educators alike. We’re talking about writing. Author and educator Pam Allyn believes that every child is entitled to be both a writer and a reader. In her new book, Your Child’s Writing Life: How to Inspire Confidence, Creativity, and Skill at Every Age, we learn that writing development begins at birth. Think back to the first time you saw your child sprawled out on a cozy mat, knees bent upon half-broken crayons. There, he
(continued on p.66)
The Writer’s Ladder (According To Pam Allyn) Birth-2 years: Active communication is key. Be near your baby and make solid contact. Read aloud from the minute they’re born. 2-4 years: Play is essential. Let them scribble and ask them about their story. Move on to reading concept books out loud. 4-6 years: Introduce them to the computer where they can store some of their writing. Celebrate their developmental spelling skills; be your child’s greatest cheerleader and don’t criticize. 6-8 years: Make sure your child is practicing writing daily. It can be in a journal or on an iPad. It doesn’t have to be long pieces, just snippets. Keep
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reading out loud! 8-10 years: Move on to chapter books. Talk to your child about character development. Work on projects together such as creating a play, writing a chapter or an alternate ending to a story. Beyond: Keep the lines of communication between you and your child open. Help your teen find other writing audiences and encourage her to share her work. Make it a point to introduce digital technology, from texting to blogs to Gchat, for more informal writing opportunities. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:00 AM
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(continued from p.64)
concocted his first masterpiece. Perhaps with carefully thought out Crayola strokes, he drew mommy, daddy, siblings and himself. The final touch—a scribble that legibly read “my family.” The moment was fleeting, but one thought should have resonated within you: How can my child go from writing such a simple phrase to writing a poem or even a story? What’s more, how can my child go from writing those two words to becoming a lifelong writer? Writing is everywhere. It is at the root of everyday tasks from text messaging and passing notes in class, to math problems and science labs. But to think that writing comes naturally to everyone is simply not true. Good writing skills do not manifest while a child is writing her SAT essay or fixating on that college paper for entrance into her dream school. Similarly, a child’s fear of the blank page will not dissolve during a class lesson crammed into one grade level. “Children are hungry for information. We need to cultivate that,” Allyn insists. Similar to other subjects, a child’s knowledge of writing is boundless and there is a lesson that needs to be addressed at each new age bracket. Enter: Allyn’s fine-tuned “Writer’s Ladder,” which outlines what parents should be doing every step of the way, where a child should be in the learning process at each age, and what books are appropriate to foster the powerful connection between reading and writing in the minds of children. Starting with newborns, understand that babies take in the information they hear within their surroundings—and this is especially true when they are making noise themselves. Those incoherent (albeit precious) sounds should be not ignored or passively giggled at. Instead, Allyn insists that parents join in on the “writer’s babble”—a term she coined to reference the babblingesque noises babies make—which can help foster two-way communication. For the toddler group, Allyn advises a big dose of free play—putting on shows, acting out favorite stories—and establishing a tradition of reading stories out loud. Since the toddler stage is also when a child is most observant, parents should join in on their curiosity and ask basic questions such as “What happens first/next/last?” when reading a bedtime tale. When your kiddo hits five, you should start sharing the thought process behind writing. Prompt your budding Whitman with phrases like:
“My story is about...” and “I thought about this...” From ages 6-9, independence kicks in. Consider introducing them to a writer’s journal, which is the best way to remember moments such as making new friends and embarking upon a new school year. As parents work to cultivate their child’s writing skills, they should emphasize how much they really want to be there, working side-by-side. “I always felt from a very young age that my parents were interested in my world and what I had to say. That makes a child more willing to talk,” Allyn shares. Throughout her book and in her own family, she stresses the importance of the parent/child relationship—at all ages. As a child grows older, it’s important for parents to avoid being too critical and to remain attached to the learning process, even if they are unfamiliar with it after years outside of the classroom. “It is a profound thing that takes trust and risk on both sides,” Allyn advises. Strong and passionate writers are those who fell in love with words early on. Go ahead, slip a journal into their crib—we won’t tell a soul. Promise.
Where To Write 826NYC This non-profit will boost your child’s writing confidence through its popular drop-in tutoring and workshops, as well as field trips—all for free. Ages 6-18. 826nyc.org The JCC In Manhattan Those with a serious love for words should check out The JCC’s advanced writing workshops which focus on craft, style, revision, clarification, and the ultimate writing prize—getting published. jccmanhattan.org Pencil Heads One-on-one tutoring at Pencil Heads will push your child to write and perfect her story in various genres: play, novel, short story, etc. pencilheads.com Scribble Press Scribbling is encouraged here; with “Parent and Me” classes for little ones and “Scribble Author and Scribes” classes for bigger kids, your child will surely be on the write path. scribblepress.com Writopia Lab These intense workshops are perfect for tween writers, during which they will review each other’s work and possibly read them out loud at local venues. writopialab.org
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Head Of The Class Whether You’re In The Market For A Mommy & Me Class Or An Extracurricular Program For Your Tween, We’ve Put Together A Guide To The City’s Most Inspired Offerings Looking for the perfect fall activity for your child? From animals that play instruments and bilingual babies to culinary adventures your kids will slice and dice for, read on for some of the coolest kids’ classes around.
CRITTER ENCOUNTERS
MASTERPIECE MUSIC
A SPECIAL PROGRAM
other great children’s tunes.
Art Farm in the City’s Animal
Join Hands On! for the fall session
The 14th Street Y offers weekend
(abcdoreme.com)
Care-Animal Science after school
“Ming’s Masterpiece.” Kids go on a
programs during the academic
program will give your child the
music-filled adventure with a young
year for children with special
opportunity to spend time with live
boy who discovers that the strings
needs and their families. These
animals and to develop the impor-
inside his piano are played by a
programs include sports, art and
tant science skills of observation,
friendly group of animals. Featuring
Capoeira and are geared for children
classification and communication.
12 original songs, the curriculum
on the high-functioning end of
Using a hands-on approach to
will explore the world of sound and
the autism spectrum as well as
learning, your child will participate
pitch. (handson4music.com)
children with communication and
in stories, fun games and creative crafts. (theartfarms.org)
BUILDERS "R" US Girls and boys go beyond blocks in
language delays. For more information, contact Dana Federbush at Dana_Federbush@14StreetY.org or
MUSICAL FRUIT
Kidville’s Construction Junction.
Named “Best Music Class” songs
This advanced art program lets
for seeds at apple seeds is a rockin’
children learn how to plan, build and
NAMASTE NEWBIES
music experience that encourages
construct their own 3-D art projects!
Karma Kids Yoga offers so many
kids to sing, play instruments, and
Roads, towers, monuments and
classes for infants through teenag-
dance and move as much as pos-
pyramids are some of the structures
ers, like Family Yoga! Partner Poses
sible. Kids travel the world, visualize
to be introduced, imagined, and
are emphasized, as well as group
songs through art and practice
created. (kidville.com)
games and Flying Yoga—a great way
counting with magic tricks. (appleseedsnyc.com)
MUSIC APPRECIATION A brand new NY Kids Club class—
646-395-4336. (14streety.org)
to stay connected and continue to bond with your child. (karmakidsyoga.com)
TINY TUMBLERS
Musical Tots—features classical
The Tiny Tot Fitness Program at
music, jazz, rock & roll and favorite
SING AND PLAY
Columbus Gym concentrates on
nursery rhymes in a fun, upbeat
With affordable and flexible drop-in
balance, coordination and fine motor
environment. A professional guitar-
music programs, kids at ABC Do-
skills along with sports, props and
ist and talented singer leads group
Re-ME! love the popular Musical
circle time. Mini gym/super gym
activities and sing-alongs as your
Playdate, Musical Stories and Clas-
classes provide an introduction to
young musician is exposed to new
sical Playdate. The guitar-playing
basic skills using the vault, balance
rhythm patterns, melodies and a
teachers lead the class in giggles,
beam, bars, floor and trampoline.
diversity of percussion instruments.
dance and song by performing
(columbusgymnyc.com)
(nykidsclub.com)
favorite nursery rhyme-songs and
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FALL FEASTS Be sure to check out 74th St. MAGIC’s new cooking class, Seasonal Fresh Chefs. Celebrate fall’s harvest while learning to cook! Your child will love cooking with the hearty and colorful bounty of fall fruits and veggies. (74magic.com)
MUSIC MAKERS For kiddies 3-5 years, the 92nd Street Y offers Dalcroze Music Classes on Wednesdays and Sundays this fall. Dalcroze uses vocals, instruments and movement to help students develop rhythmic skills, explore their musical creativity and learn to play songs on percussion instruments. (92Y.org)
GO GREEN The first-class curriculum at Asphalt Green inspires, educates and provides the tools to build lifetime sports skills and fitness habits for all ages. Check out an improved baseball program this fall, which includes the new Developmental Academy for more advanced players. (asphaltgreen.org)
www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:09 AM
MAKE SOMETHING
ART FOR ALL
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD
TENNIS GOES TINY
At Make Meaning, kids and adults
Church Street School for Music and
Fostering creativity and confidence in
New this fall: pee wee tennis at the
can tap into their imagination with
Art offers innovative music & art
children for over 35 years,
JCC in Manhattan! Learn all aspects
different creative experiences
experiences for all ages. Don’t get
Gymboree Play & Music offers its
of tennis in a fun nurturing way. Chil-
including candles, ceramics, soap
closed out of the popular Arts Ex-
legendary Play & Learn gym class.
dren will learn groundstrokes, volleys,
and jewelry. Make Meaning also of-
press Preschool and Pre-K Program,
Sensory stimulation, problem-solving
and overheads in a non-competitive
fers private parties, a café and retail
or the Afterschool Arts Academy
games and storytelling intertwine to
manner. (jccmanhattan.org)
boutique. (makemeaning.com)
program! (churchstreetschool.org)
stretch the body and mind. Grown-
AMAZING ANIMALS
TINY TASTERS
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s
Join Taste Buds and taste your way
Central Park, Prospect Park and
through weekly Culinary Adven-
Queens Zoos have launched a new
tures. Cook up a new and delicious
FALL IN LOVE WITH ART
week. With a pack of classes, attend
Toddler Time series, an exciting new
dish each week. Recipes vary from
In their 11th year, Kids at Art
any time that works for you! Toddle
program for young children that
savory to sweet and classes focus on
focuses on the basics of visual arts,
Around includes choice-based,
offers an introductory glimpse into
ingredients, tastes, techniques and
with age-appropriate art projects for
messy sensory art as well as dynam-
wildlife, nature and the environment.
making new friends.
2-11 year olds. Classes are limited
ic music and movement including
Youngsters learn about animals
(tastebudscook.com.)
in size so that each child receives
guitar. (kidsatworknyc.com)
through educational games, crafts, sing-alongs, storytelling and more. (wcs.org)
ups and little ones work together to encourage development through play. (gymboreeclasses.com)
Search Classes Online
IT’S TODDLE TIME! Toddle Around for active and curious toddlers is a drop-in program at Kids at Work that takes place five days a
FLICK FANS Moomah is offering exciting new creative classes this semester,
LET LITTLE ONES DRIBBLE
Find our comprehensive classes guide online at newyorkfamily.com.
Chelsea Piers has added a travel
It’s a hotspot for all the best in programs including art, cooking,
where young animators create their
basketball team to its roster this
sports, language, mommy & me classes, music, cultural enrichment…
own original movies and Star Wars
fall for children in grades 4 through
and the list goes on! From day classes to after school offerings, we
Craft Quest for aspiring Jedi Mas-
6. For younger kids, the feeder
have something for everyone from toddlers to teens. To make your
ters. (moomah.com)
program to the travel team is called
web-surfing and classes-cruising a bit easier, the editors at New York
Blue Chips, and is brand new this
Family have redesigned the page’s search engine to optimize your
season. It’s a class for 2nd and 3rd
time online. Now you can easily hunt by class category or neighbor-
graders looking to improve their
hood. And with hundreds of listings, from martial arts to social skills,
bball skills. (chelseapiers.com)
you’re bound to find something special for your little one, or yourself!
CLASS AT THE MUSEUM
(CMOM) include EatSleepPlay which introduces parents and children to the importance of making healthy choices and Modern Masters which involves painting, sculpture and silkscreening. (cmom.org)
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is bringing kids into the kitchen, one meal at a time. With classes like Kitchen Science, Homemade Pasta, Hey Mom—I’ve Got Dinner! and Teen Cake Baking, ICE will make little chefs out of your little ones. (rec.iceculinary.com)
STUDY BUDDIES The Kumon method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills. (kumon.com)
LEARN A LANGUAGE Children engage in fun language immersion classes through music, art, dance, puppets and games using the “I’m Bilingual” approach designed by award-winning educator Yolanda
New interactive exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
including The Animation Adventure,
individual attention. The fall session
MINIS IN THE CITY
is from September 12-December 22.
Citibabes is offering some exciting
(kidsatartnyc.com)
new fall classes including Art Masters, Creative Inspiration, Lenguaje Musical, Little Hip Hoppers, Moey @ Citibabes (yes, Moey from Moey’s Music Party!), and more! (citibabes.com)
COOK AND LEARN Starting this fall, cooking classes in the Gymtime Rhythm & Glues Kitchen will focus on natural, fun and tasty recipes to introduce children to
Borrás at Musical Kids International. (musicalkids.net)
THINK BRIGHT The Bright Kids NYC OLSAT Bootcamp has been successfully preparing hundreds of children for admission to NYC public Gifted and Talented programs. Program runs from September to Decem-
JAM WITH JAZZ
new and healthy dishes. Chef Carla
NYC’s fastest-growing music school,
encourages children to engage their
New York Jazz Academy, is now
senses to touch, smell and taste
PLAY AT POPPYSEED
offering Jelly Jamz music classes
each ingredient. (gymtime.net)
Poppyseed Pre-Nursery classes
to infants and toddlers. Kids explore fundamentals in general music, movement and jazz. Junior Jazz (up to age 12) and Teen Jazz programs also available. (nyjazzacademy.com)
SOC IT TO YOU Take advantage of a free soccer class trial at SocRoc on September 8 at Go Fish (220 East 86th Street). The fall semester starts on Septem-
DISCOVER DANCE
ber 13, with locations throughout the
Discovery Programs has been a trea-
boroughs. (jsocroc.com)
sure of the Upper West Side for close to 40 years. They offer parenting support workshops and Early Childhood Education Programs and over 100 dance and gymnastic classes weekly for 6 months-14 year-olds. (discoveryprograms.com)
EVERY SONG A STORY Like Glee? Then you’ll love Scribble Press’s brand new songwriting class. Budding music stars will create and record their own song and explore the power of music to tell a story. (scribblepress.com)
ber. (brightkidsnyc.com)
provide the continuity and consistency needed for forming special friendships. A daily routine provides enrichment and fosters creativity through singing and dancing with instruments, exploration of the sensory world of art, interactive play with a variety of toys, mini-gym, and snack and story-time. (poppyseedprenursery.com)
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE? The Peridance Capezio Center's Core Training Program is designed for aspiring dancers ages 8-17 interested in a focused, professional program geared towards advanc-
www.newyorkfamily.com
CLASSESGUIDE_0911.indd 69
September 2011 | New York Family
69
8/22/11 9:10 AM
ing their ballet technique. Along
a nurturing environment, as well
with their training, the core students
as a foundation of life skills and
have the opportunity to perform
intellectual stimulation. Programs
throughout the year, which enhances
include the Children’s Creative
their stage presence and perfor-
Dance Club and the Performing
mance qualities. Auditions for the
Arts Pre-Professional Division. This
Core Training Program are Sunday,
fall, The Ballet Club will also offer
September 18. (peridance.com)
workshops in yoga and nutrition. (theballetclub.com)
ALL ABOUT ART
THE VENUES MULTI-SERVICE 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street, 212-780-0800, 14streety.org.
ArtKids and ArtXplorers have merged
LEARN HOW TO ACE
to become ArtXplorers offering live,
For children as young as four, Quick-
virtual and audio art tours, art reviews
Start Tennis is the fast, fun way to get
212-737-2989, 74magic.com.
and advice and more. ArtXplorers is
kids into tennis—and keep them play-
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue,
offering customized tour series for
ing. Hourly classes start September
kids to fit your schedule. Two 4-5 year
13. (sportimeNY.com/Manhattan)
old weekly and bi-monthly classes
Create Your Own Comic Book at
(artxplorers.com)
The Craft Studio! Go on an exciting
MUSEUM OF CHANGE
journey as you plan out your story by
This September marks big changes
choosing your own plot, adding color,
for the Children’s Museum of the
inserting a real picture of you as the
Arts (CMA), as it will be moving to
superhero and add action stickers.
a new home in Hudson Square. The
This workshop takes place Tuesday,
new facility features multiple art
October 4. Other classes offered
studios, a state of the art sound sta-
throughout the year.
tion and media lab, a clay bar and a
(craftstudionyc.com)
2,000 square foot gallery. All month long, the museum will celebrate with workshops and events like Art Olympics and High Five CMA Mural. (cmany.org)
212-415-5500, 92Y.org. American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. and Central Park West, 212-769-5200, amnh.org.
COMICS FOR KIDS
still have spaces available.
74th St. MAGIC, 510 East 74th Street,
apple seeds, 10 West 25th Street, 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. Central Park Zoo, Southeast Corner of Central Park, 212-439-6500, centralparkzoo.com. Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street & the Hudson River, 212-336-6666, chelseapiers.com. Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM),
SAY HELLO TO HIART! Fall 2011 is a total HiArt! fiesta! Ellen Berkenblit teaches drawing and painting; Sydney Chastain Chapman is returning for Paint and Collage;
TWIRL AND MORE
check out Jess Levey’s Rising Shut-
The Ballet Club is a unique program
terbugs; Lisa’s Letters and Arty Facts
that offers professional training in
with Lisa Freedman; Johana Skalsky
(continued on p.72)
212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org. Church Street School for Music and Art, 74 Warren St., 212-571-7290, churchstreetschool.org. Citibabes, 52 Mercer Street, 3rd Floor, 212-334-5440, citibabes.com. Discovery Programs, 251 West 100th Street, 212-749-8717, discoveryprograms.com. Gymboree Play & Music, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 877-496-5327, gymboreeclasses.com. Gymtime Rhythm & Glues, 1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732, gymtime.net. JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org. Jodi’s Gym, 244 East 84th Street, 212-772-7633, jodisgym.com. Kids at Work, 242 West 27th Street, #4A, 212-488-8800, kidsatworknyc.com. Kidville, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-772-8435, kidville.com. Moomah, 161 Hudson Street,
92nd Street Y
74th St. MAGIC
212-226-0345, moomah.com. NY Kids Club, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 347-706-4700, nykidsclub.com.
Applause NYC
Poppyseed Pre-Nursery, 424 West End Avenue at 81st Street, 212-877-7614. Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Avenue, 718-399-7327, prospectparkzoo.com. Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th Street, 718-271-7361, queenszoo.com. YMCA, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-630-9600, ymcanyc.org.
70
New York Family | September 2011
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www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:16 AM
kids swim 50-meter Olympic pool gymnastics team soccer
youth sports martial arts
Baseball | Basketball | Flag Football | Gymnastics | Martial Arts | Soccer
| Swimming | Camps | Leagues and Teams | Expert Instructors
Fall Classes Begin September 10. Registration Now Open! asphaltgreen.org 212.369.8890 ext. 2080 • 555 East 90th Street, New York, NY 10128
leads kids in Mixed Media magic;
culinary traditions and play-baking.
CARE TO DANCE?
SPEAK AND PLAY
and hold your hats for a new theater
(fiaf.org)
Two-year-olds will love the Ailey
¡Hola! A Playgroup in Spanish
Extension’s Tiny Steps creative
and Ballet en Español are unique
movement program while teens ages
grass-roots immersion programs
12-17 can enjoy Teen Extension, high
where children learn to love Spanish
energy classes in Ballet, Hip-Hop
because it’s taught in the most fun
and Contemporary Jazz. All levels
way. This fall, they will resume a
welcome. (aileyextension.com)
17-week semester and have added
program with Fringe Festival star, Romy Nordlinger! (hiartkids.com)
TAKE-HOME COOK Chef Rob Endelman’s Cook With
DANCE TO THE MUSIC
Class offers cooking instruction in
Home of Baby Ballerinas, Hip
the comfort of your own home with
Hoppin’ Street Jazz, Demi Soloists
his private one-on-one and group
and so much more, the Joffrey
lessons for children 6 years and
Ballet School is a world-renowned
older. (cookwithclass.net)
program. Dance classes begin at the age of two with live music and performances that will create memories that last a lifetime. (joffreyballetschool.com)
A DANCE FOR ALL AGES Explore the contemporary Latino soul through dance! Ballet Hispanico offers programs for children that allow for dance exploration
WEAVE-ALONG
in an environment that is safe, acces-
The calming environment at Loop
sible and inclusive. Classes include
of the Loom hosts artistic growth
Hip-Hop, Salsa, Jazz and Ballroom
through the creation of various
dance. (ballethispanico.org)
handmade crafts such as weaving, felting and spinning from natural fiber, dyeing, sewing, knitting and crochet. For kids ages 5-8, the Sprouting Weavers class involves shorter sessions during the fall semester. (loopoftheloom.com)
JUST GYM IT! Jodi’s Gym has been providing fun, friends and fitness to New York kids for 30 years. Programs for children include: Teeny Tumblers, Mighty Muscle Movers, Rockin’
WILL WALK FOR FOOD This fall, join Home Cooking New
classes to the schedule. (holaplaygroup.com)
York for their new Walking and
BEYOND BALLET
Tasting Tours of NYC. Sample Indian
Ballet Academy East offers classes
foods in Jackson Heights, Chinese
to children and adults of all levels.
cuisine in Chinatown, and Cupcakes
Programs include the Pre-pro-
and Fine Chocolate on the Upper
fessional Ballet Division, pre-
East Side. Bring the whole family!
ballet, Mother & Child, tap, modern
(homecookingny.com)
drama, and adult ballet, tap, Pilates,
MARTIAL ARTS MASTERS
Zumba™ and yoga. (baenyc.com)
Classes for children ages 3-5 at West
MAKE MUSIC (AND FRIENDS TOO)
Side Taekwondo use physical activity
The Lucy Moses School at Kaufman
to promote respect and confidence.
Center offers Music for Toddlers. Chil-
Starting at age 6, children can enroll in
dren age 18 months to two years learn
the Children’s Program, which empha-
the basics elements of music through
sizes discipline. (westsidetkd.com)
movement games, stories and songs. (kaufman-center.org/lms)
Rollers, Tumbling Tots, Jodi’s
NUMBERS GAME
A FRENCH FEAST
Jumpstart, Summer and Holiday
The Mathnasium Enrichment Pro-
GET READY TO DANCE
This fall, the French Institute
Camps, Creative Cartwheeling Kids,
gram is offered year-round for quali-
The School at Steps’s Pre-Dance
Alliance Française is offering Kids
Fun-Tastic Gymnastics, Accelerated
fying students in 2nd grade through
and Pre-Tap Classes are for kids
Pastry workshops, Cook in French
& Advanced Gymnastics, Totally
pre-algebra. Whether your child
ages 4-5 and incorporate live
classes and Petits gourmets work-
Tumbling, Motion Evolution, Songs
is advanced in math, struggling in
music to further develop children’s
shops for toddlers. Petits gourmets
for Seeds, Mad Science and Creation
school, or somewhere in-between,
creativity, preparing them for ballet,
brings the kitchen to life in a child-
Station Dance classes!
this program is sure to get and
jazz and tap at the basic level. Fall
friendly environment that aims to
(jodisgym.com)
keep your child “Crazy About Math!”
classes begin September 7.
(mathnasium.com/manhattan)
(stepsnyc.com)
encourage a love for French through
(continued on p.74)
Make Meaning
lues
ythm & G Gymtime Rh
Joffrey Ballet School
Jodi's Gym
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New York Family | September 2011
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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YOGA FOR YOUNGSTERS
plexities of school admissions.
Yoga Stars invites children to explore the
(princetonreview.com)
practice of yoga in a fun, approachable and active way. Children are introduced to the mind-body connection through the use of imagination, music and adventure. (yogastars.com)
A GYM OF ONE’S OWN Incorporating music, dance and games, My Gym classes are designed to build self-esteem and confidence through age-appropriate, non-competitive
THE VENUES ARTS & CRAFTS
GET GLOBAL
gymnastics and fitness activities. The
ArtXplorers,
This fall, Bilingual Birdies offers a
state-of-the-art facility can also host
646-785-9759, artxplorers.com.
special after school program for 3s and
action-packed birthday parties.
4s at the International Preschools—Man-
(my-gym.com)
darin and French Through Live Music. Super cool bilingual musicians teach kids basic vocabulary and short phrases. (bilingualbirdies.com)
Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA), 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org.
LEARN TO SIGN Learn American Sign Language through songs and play with other parents and babies or toddlers close to your child’s
The Craft Studio, 1657 Third Avenue, 212-831-6626, craftstudionyc.com. HiArt!, 227 West 29th Street, Studio 4R, 212-209-1552, hiartkids.com. Kids at Art, 431 East 73rd Street
FALL INTO FILM
age at Baby Fingers Creative Sign
Get into the action with Take Two Film
Language Program. Go home each week
Academy’s Fall Filmmaking and Acting
with new vocabulary and new tunes to
Workshops for kids ages 8-15. Kids and
enhance communication between you
212-722-2686, loopoftheloom.com.
teens learn all aspects of the filmmaking
and your child! (mybabyfingers.com)
Make Meaning, 329 Columbus Avenue,
process from the inception of an original story to the completion of a short film. All students have the opportunity to experience acting in front of the camera as well as directing, screenwriting, green screen, editing and hands-on camera operation. (taketwofilmacademy.com)
DANCE WITH ME Highly-skilled music teachers and pianists work together to introduce music to
212-288-2928, scribblepress.com.
COOKING Collina Italiana,
and stories. Specially-designed kid-sized music instruments await the touch of curious little hands. New at the East 78th Street Studio is Dance with Me, a dance
focusing on preparation and practice to
and pre-ballet program.
improve performance in the classroom
(theearlyear.com)
and schools learn to navigate the com-
212.362.0350, makemeaning.com. Scribble Press, 1624 First Avenue,
sing-alongs, movement, musical games
The Princeton Review helps students by
website - parents, teachers, students
Loop of the Loom, 227 East 87th Street,
children at The Early Ear. Kids engage in
REVIEW THIS!
and on standardized tests. Through its
(at Little Shop of Crafts), 212-410-9780, kidsatartnyc.com.
GO BILINGUAL For children ages 1-3, Bilingual Buds is
(continued on p.78)
212-427-7770, collinaitaliana.com. Cook With Class, 163 Amsterdam Avenue, #318, 917-704-9056, cookwithclass.net Home Cooking New York, 236 West 26th Street, 917-803-6857, homecookingny.com. The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd St., 1-800-522-4610, rec.iceculinary.com. Taste Buds, 109 West 27th Street, 212-242-2248, tastebudscook.com.
DANCE Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 405 West 55th St., 212-405-9500, aileyextension.com. Ballet Academy East, 1651 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, 212-410-9140, baenyc.com. The Ballet Club, 328 East 61st Street, 2nd Floor, 212-204-6348, theballetclub.com. Ballet Hispanico, 167 West 89th Street, 212-362-6710, ballethispanico.org. Asphalt Green1 Art Farm in the City
Joffrey Ballet School, 434 Avenue of the Americas, 212-254-8520, joffreyballetschool.com. Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th St., 212-501-3360, kaufman-center.org/lms. New York Theatre Ballet, 30 East 31st Street, 5th Fl.,
Victoria Jackson Photography
212-679-0401, nytb.org. Peridance Capezio Center, 126 East 13th Street, 212-505-0886, peridance.com. The School at Steps, 2121 Broadway, 4th Floor, 212-874-3678, stepsnyc.com/school.
EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL ENRICHMENT Take Two Film Academy, 795 Columbus Avenue, 917-546-6816, taketwofilmacademy.com. Eastside Westside Music Together
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PUT YOUR HEART INTO MORE THAN JUST A WORKOUT JOIN THE Y NOW AND PAY NO JOINER’S FEE EXPERIENCE THE Y DOWNLOAD A FREE ONE-DAY PASS AT YMCANYC.ORG CALL (212) 630-YMCA FOR DETAILS
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 12-4PM JOIN YOUR Y Chinatown Y Harlem Y McBurney Y Vanderbilt Y West Side Y
(212) 912-2460 (212) 912-2100 (212) 912-2300 (212) 912-2500 (212) 875-4100
EVERYONE IS WELCOME. We work to eliminate all barriers to full participation. Ask at any Y about the Financial Assistance program.
YMCA_0911.indd 1
8/15/11 5:25 PM
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d d Amsterdam an year on 76th an th 10 in s C’ en JC op e th It’s ors wide we throw our do you’re invited as our programs, of e st ta a rience celebration! Expe d giveaways! special offers an ing oftop Wine Tast • Sing-Along • Ro Showcase y linar • Massage • Cu ry Exhibit ay Zone! • Galle Pl ds Ki or do • In m Dancers lli Ga Boutique • • Jewelry + Art w Health Club ring $200 off ne fe of be ’ll we d An e Open House. you sign up at th Memberships if
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334 646.505.5708 |
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at 76th st
a beneficiary
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www.jcsocroc.com P. (917) 703-0409 with Locations in Manhattan & Queens
30
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fo r k i d s 9 mos to 12 yrs
teeny tumblers • mighty muscle movers • rockin' rollers jodi's jumpstart • tumbling tots • creative cartwheeling kids funtastic gymnastics • totally tumbling • motion evolution mad science • songs for seeds • creation station • open play jodis to go • best birthdays ever! 1 12/15/10 11:49 244 E.NYFamilyad1_11.pdf 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633 • AMwww.jodisgym.com • 25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisco • 914.244.8811
C
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three little birds music music education & exploration for children
CM
MY
CY
CMY
Music Classes, Playroom Birthday Parties and More
K
266 east 78th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue
schedule your free trial today! www.tlbmusic.com 212 744 0404
offering Mandarin Mommy & Me: a
still confidence, self-esteem and good
45-minute, full immersion experi-
listening skills. Perfect for children
ence for toddlers, taught by head
ages 4-5 years with upcoming school
preschool teachers. Its theme-based
interviews. (applauseny.com)
curriculum uses storytelling, music, art, and movement to inspire students to sing, speak and understand language in context. (bilingualbudsnyc.com)
Music and Art. (diller-quaile.org)
LET’S SING TOGETHER Calling all 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds! Eastside Westside Music Together
ACT AT ATLANTIC
is rolling out Music Together® Big
Atlantic for Kids at Atlantic Acting
Kids this fall. The Big Kids class
School offers classes in acting,
blends elements of the Music
playwriting, improvisation and much
Together curriculum with new
Theater classes for toddlers through eighth graders are taught by professional theater artists. New this fall is Your Voice, a class for kids grades 6-8 that explores Musical Theater through personal writing, and exploration of dance, song and theater. (tadatheater.com)
more. The Creators class is a must
musical activities, skills, and chal-
JAZZ HANDS
RIDE THE CAROUSEL
for any young performer looking for
lenges perfect for 5- to 7-year-olds.
Learn the ABC’s of Jazz in WeBop
The Carousel of Languages is a for-
an after-school outlet for creative
(eswsmusictogether.com)
this fall. Jazz at Lincoln Center is
eign language program for children
expression. Through improvised
ages 6 months to 10 years, offering
games, structured movement
lessons in Italian, Mandarin, French
exercises and storytelling this class
and Spanish. Visit their new Upper
explores all areas of performance
West and Upper East Side locations!
and beginning playwriting.
Fall session begins September 12.
(atlanticactingschool.org)
(carousellanguages.com)
MANGIA! Toddlers can pick up basic Italian words and phrases through songs, games, dance, film and arts and crafts at Collina Italiana. Classes also available for elementary and
offering a WeBop class that focuses on swing, blues, improvisation and other jazz essentials. Over the course of 8 weeks, you and your child will explore your imagination, creativity and musicality. (jalc.org)
GET CREATIVE
middle-school kids. Specialty
MUSIC AND MORE
FOR LANGUAGE LOVERS
Creative Play For Kids brings music,
theater, cooking and arts and crafts
Little Maestros takes children on a
The Language Workshop for
movement and play all together in
classes and homework help avail-
fantastic musical journey featuring
Children offers Classes, Camps, and
their fun and upbeat program this
able, as well. (collinaitaliana.com)
four live musicians who sing and play
Preschools in French, Spanish, Ital-
fall! Check out the LIVE music class-
ian and Chinese to kids 6 months-9
es, music and art combo classes for
years in Languages for Tots®,
toddlers, and a fantastic class for
Languages for Children, Immersion
non-mobile babies 3 to 6 months.
Preschool and Family Preschool.
(creativeplayforkids.com)
(languageworkshopforchildren.com)
GET SPORTY This athletic program at Kids In Sports offers a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, floor hockey, flag football and soccer, in
guitar, piano and drums. Kids love musical storytimes, imaginative play, language development activities, puppet shows and “bubble music.” (littlemaestros.com)
MUSIC SCHOOL
a fun and encouraging setting. This
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE
Early Childhood classes—taught by
fall, they are expanding programs
The Simply Sports athletic program
At Applause NYC’s Broadway Stars,
credentialed educators, artists and
with JUST CLASSES where kids can
for kids emphasizes not just skills
your child takes the stage to get a real
musicians—provide creative and
focus on their favorite sport!
and technique, but a love of the
introduction to musical theater and
unique experiences at The Diller-
(kisnyc.com)
game. Classes available in soccer,
performing through theater games,
Quaile School of Music. Courses
improvisation, singing and dancing!
include Story Dramatization, Four
These classes are a great way to in-
Seasons: Art & Music, and Preschool
FIND YOUR VOICE Sing! Dance! Act! TADA! Musical
basketball, flag football, baseball, hockey and dodgeball. (simplysports.net)
(continued on p.82) appleseeds
The JCC
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8/22/11 9:17 AM
Fall Semester Begins September 14th Come to
MAGIC’s Fall Open House
Saturday, September 10th, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fun and games for the whole family, plus
Big Top Science Presented by Mad Science 2 showings: ---- at 11:30 am ---- at 1:00 pm
Meet our dedicated teachers, tour our facility and don’t forget to enter to win a free 17-week class this fall. Register before September 10th or at the Fall Open House and save $50 per class registration Call us today at 212.737.2989 or visit us at www.74magic.com
Follow us. on Twitter 74thStMagic_0911.indd 1
Join us on Facebook
Under the red canopy at 510 East 74th Street (off York Avenue) - New York City 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com
8/15/11 1:23 PM
Poppyseed Pre-Nursery Enrich your child’s day with Music, Art, Gym and Play! •Mommy And Me • Pre-school Alternative •Age Appropriate Classes For Babies, Toddlers & 2’s 424 West End Ave. @ 81st | 212.877.7614 poppyseedprenursery.com
The Diller-Quaile School of Music
Early Childhood Music Classes (Infants - 7 Years) Music & Art Preschool Classes Instrument & Voice Lessons Orchestra, Chorus, Chamber Music & Suzuki Playing Classes High School Certificate Program Adult Programs & Teacher Training Concerts for All Ages The Diller-Quaile School of Music 24 East 95th Street New York, NY 10128 212-369-1484 www.diller-quaile.org Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools
Your next right move... CURRICULUM CLASSES AFTER SCHOOL CHESS PROGRAM EARLY BIRD CLASSES TEAM TRAINING CHESS WORKSHOP PRIVATE CHESS LESSONS ONLINE CHESS PROGRAM PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHESS CAMPS TOURNAMENTS
For Information, call 646-807-9236 or email at NYCHESSKIDS@GMAIL.COM visit us at www.NYCHESSKIDS.com
I WANT MY MOEY!
Coach Theatre Arts. Classes are broken
Moey’s Music Party is the wildly popular
down by age and skill level.
interactive music class that explores a
(stagecoachschools.com/uppereastside)
different party theme each week through songs, instruments, dress up, puppets, phonics and fairy tales. Classes meet at the New York Junior League (130 East 80th Street). And now downtown moms can party too! New this fall, classes will be offered at Citibabes in Soho. (moeysmusicparty.com)
LITTLE KICKERS Brought to you by the creators of Super Soccer Stars, Kick & Play is a parentchild pre-soccer & movement program specifically designed for toddlers. Experienced instructors along with puppet friends, Mimi & Pepe, take you and your little one through a world of exciting physical activity. (kickandplay.com)
CREATURE CROONING Music for Aardvarks may be coming to your neighborhood, with new classes in Bay Ridge, Bushwick and Long Island City starting this fall! Interactive classes include simple movement, dancing, singing, storytelling and instruments, often with a city-focused theme. (musicforaardvarks.com)
TAKE THE STAGE Through classes in dance, music and drama, kids gain an appreciation for the arts and build self-confidence at Stage-
THE VENUES GYMNASTICS Columbus Gym, 606 Columbus Avenue,
HELLO HULA This fall, Three Little Birds Music
212-721-0090, columbusgymnyc.com.
classes are inspired by dance. Every
My Gym, 250 East 60th Street, 212-421-9496
week, children learning about a new
22 West 66th Street, 212-724-3400, my-gym.com.
genre of dance by playing the music that accompanies it and exploring the culture of its origin. Some of the styles they’ll meet: disco, hula, flamenco, tap, swing, ballet and tango. (tlbmusic.com)
WAY TO GO, SPORT Sports leagues for kids! Fastbreak Kids offers basketball, baseball and football (both flag and tackle). (fastbreakkids.com)
YOGA GOES EAST East Side Tae Kwon Do is starting an exciting new class for kids this September called Samurai. Kids will learn the arts of ancient Japanese warriors. East Side Tae Kwon Do is also excited to announce the opening of a kids yoga school: East Side Yoga, offering classes to kids of all ages, starting on September 1. (eastsidetaekwondo.com)
SOCCER POWER Soccer by Coach Fher offers popular classes year-round. The program
LANGUAGE Baby Fingers, Multiple locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, 212-874-5978, mybabyfingers.com. Bilingual Birdies, Multiple locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, 646-443-1313, bilingualbirdies.com. Bilingual Buds, 175 Riverside Boulevard, 212-787-8088, bilingualbudsnyc.com. Carousel of Languages, 1300 Madison Avenue and 144 West 72nd Street, 212-501-8524, carousellanguages.com. French Institute Alliance Française, 22 East 60th St., 646-388-6612, fiaf.org. ¡Hola! A Playgroup in Spanish, locations in Manhattan, 917-648-5006, holaplaygroup.com. Language Workshop for Children, locations in Manhattan, 212-396-0830, languageworkshopforchildren.com.
MUSIC & PERFORMANCE ABC Do-Re-ME!, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 646-434-1419, abcdoreme.com. Applause NYC, 184 East 76th Street,
introduces children to basic soccer skills
212-717-0703, applauseny.com.
through a series of fun games and activi-
Atlantic Acting School, 76 Ninth Avenue,
ties. The fall season runs September 12 to November 19. (coachfher.com)
212-691-5919, atlanticactingschool.org. Creative Play For Kids, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-729-1667, creativeplayforkids.com.
(continued on p.86)
The Diller-Quaile School of Music, 24 East 95th Street, 212-369-1484, diller-quaile.org. The Early Ear, 48 West 68th Street, 110 West 96th St., 353 East 78th Street, 212-877-7125, theearlyear.com. Eastside Westside Music Together, 102 West 75th St., 212-496-1242, eswsmusictogether.com. Hands On!, Multiple locations, 212-628-1945, handson4music.com. Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, 212-258-9800, jalc.org. Little Maestros, Multiple locations,
SocRoc
212-772-8435, littlemaestros.com. Moey’s Music Party, New York Junior League, 130 East 80th Street, moeysmusicparty.com. Musical Kids International, 1296 Lexington Avenue, 212-996-5898, musicalkids.net. Music for Aardvarks, 199 Lafayette Street, 718-858-1741, musicforaardvarks.com. New York Jazz Academy, 263 West 86th Street,
Andrew Schw
artz
718-426-0633, nyjazzacademy.com. StageCoach Theatre Arts, Held at PS6, 45 East 81st St., 347-678-8989, stagecoachschools.com/uppereastside.
Mathnasium
TADA!, 15 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor, 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com. Peridance Capezio Center
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Three Little Birds Music, 266 East 78th St., 212-744-0404, tlbmusic.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 9:18 AM
Come Play Yoga at Karma Kids Yoga!
Warriors can do anything.
Yoga for Babies Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Families Community Yoga CircusYoga Prenatal Yoga Free Story Time Yoga Yoga Birthday Parties Special Events Teacher Training
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. Visit our website to learn about the benefits of yoga for children, our Class Descriptions, Special Events, other locations around NYC and Brooklyn, Children’s Yoga Teacher Training, and Yoga Birthday Party information. KARMA KIDS YOGA 104 West 14th Street, NYC (646)638-1444 downdog@karmakidsyoga.com karmakidsyoga.com
Voted “Best Kids Yoga” by TimeOut NY Kids and New York Magazine.
Sign up now for special offers on great family fun! Camps Classes Shows Travel
Restaurants After-School Activities Cultural Events
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The Baby Expo of All Baby Expos! October 15th & 16th At Pier 92 The New Parents Expo announces the keynote session with America’s #1 Pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp: The Happiest Kids on the Block
Join us on Saturday, October 15th or Sunday, October 16th as Dr. Karp presents a 90-minute intensive on his revolutionary baby calming, sleep boosting, toddler taming techniques from his bestselling DVDs/books, The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block.
For tickets and more info: Visit newparentsexpo.com Like us on Facebook Gold Sponsor
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Call Rebecca Martin 212 284 9732
Presented by
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8/18/11 2:43 PM
YOGA FOR YOU
PUT ME IN, COACH
An educational, energetic and transfor-
EBL Coaching will be offering a weekend
mative yoga program for children of all
Skills Building Course, which teaches
ages, Yogi Beans will be offering daily
reading, writing, reading comprehension
kids yoga classes and teacher trainings
and math skills at the elementary level,
this fall at a new uptown studio. Classes
and test taking, note taking, organiza-
include Yoga for kids 2-10, Postnatal Baby
tion, reading comprehension and writing
& Me, Me & You Yoga, Tweens & Teens
skills at the middle/high school level.
and Special Needs. (yogibeans.com)
(eblcoaching.com)
BE A STAR
MAKE MATH FUN
Fall into soccer season with Super
Launch Math Achievement Centers
Soccer Stars! Kids, ages 2 and up,
provide Pre-K through 8th grade kids
develop skills, self-confidence and
with inspiring math instruction. Launch
teamwork in a fun, non-competitive
engages kids with fun, real world activi-
environment. Positive reinforcement and
ties that illustrate math’s connection to
low child-to-coach ratios ensure that
subjects they love. Launch—Real World
students improve soccer skills through
Math—Out of this World Fun!
warm-ups, drills and games.
(launchmath.com)
(supersoccerstars.com)
YOUTH GROUP
THE VENUES SPORTS & ADVENTURE East Side Tae Kwon Do, 325 East 65 Street, 212-755-5982, eastsidetaekwondo.com. Fastbreak Kids, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-724-FAST, fastbreakkids.com. Kids In Sports, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-744-4900, kisnyc.com. Physique Swim School, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-725-0939, physiqueswimming.com. Simply Sports, Multiple locations in Manhattan, 877-213-BALL, simplysports.net. Sportime at Randall’s Island, One Randall’s Island, 212-427-6150, sportimeny.com.
TAKE IT TO THE STAGE
YMCA’s Teen Center provides a safe and
Ballet School NY, the official training
constructive place for youth to thrive
school for New York Theatre Ballet,
during after-school hours and includes:
offers children’s classes from Pre-Ballet
sports, college prep, nutrition, dance and
SOCCER
through Advanced levels by audition or
the arts. Teen Center is free and open to
Kick & Play, Locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Hoboken,
invitation only. Qualified students have
young people ages 12-18. (ymcanyc.org)
the opportunity to perform with NYTB. (nytb.org)
STRETCH WITH ME Mommy & Me Yoga at The Prenatal Yoga
West Side Taekwondo, 700 Columbus Avenue, 212-663-3998, westsidetkd.com.
212-877-5425, kickandplay.com. Soccer by Coach Fher, Multiple locations, 917-650-3008, coachfher.com. SocRoc, 235 East 49th Street,
WATER BABIES UNITE!
Center focuses on strengthening the
Kids ages 8 and older can enroll in swim
bond between parent and child. Learn
team prep at Physique Swim School,
interactive, slow-moving postures, along
while kids under 3 years and their
with infant massage and exercises that
throughout the Tri-State area,
parents will like the sing-along program,
assist the development of your child’s
212-877-7171, supersoccerstars.com.
Me and My Shadow. All swimmers will
motor skills. (prenatalyogacenter.com)
learn to be safe, confident and efficient.
917-703-0409, jsocroc.com. Super Soccer Stars, More than 150 locations
TUTORING Bright Kids NYC, 225 Broadway, Suite 3104,
(physiqueswimming.com)
917-539-4575, brightkidsnyc.com. EBL Coaching, 17 East 89th Street, Suite 1D, 212-249-0147, eblcoaching.com. Kumon Center, Various locations, Three Little Birds
1-800-ABC-MATH, kumon.com. Launch Math, 173 West 81st Street, Lower Level, 949-528-6240, launchmath.com. Mathnasium, 1597 York Avenue, 212-828-6284, mathnasium.com/manhattan. Princeton Review, 594 Broadway, Suite 502, 646-613-9500, princetonreview.com.
YOGA Karma Kids Yoga, 104 West 14th Street, 646-638-1444, karmakidsyoga.com.
The School At Steps YMCA
The Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 West 72nd Street, 2F, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com. Yoga Stars, 131 West 86th Street, 212.787.9642, yogastars.com. Yogi Beans, yogibeans.com.
86
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9/6/11 5:44 PM
back to school at
Fall-Winter Preview 2011
20
THE TOP
CAN’T-MISS MUSEUM EXHIBITS, LIVE PERFORMANCES AND CULTURAL EVENTS THIS SEASON
“Hi Cat” ©Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
BY GAVRIELLA MAHPOUR AND NANCY RYERSON
THE ART OF EZRA JACK KEATS EXHIBIT soundtrack of 1930s tunes plus an original song. Catch it from September 3 - December 18. Puppetworks, Inc., 338 Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.
“BEYOND THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR” by the CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS at GOVERNORS ISLAND Artsy tots will be inspired by the kid-created masterpieces in this exhibit—the result of a summer’s worth of student art from CMA’s Summer Art Colony classes. The pieces range from landscapes and cityscapes, to surrealism and ceramics. Some kids (ages 6 to 14) even put together short animated films and documentaries that will be shown on a loop. The opening reception on Saturday, September 10 is from 11am to 3pm and will include hands-on art projects related to the work you’ll see in the gallery. The art will be on display on Governors Island until September 25. Governors Island, 212-440-2200, govisland.com; Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org.
THE RELUCTANT DRAGON at PUPPETWORKS A misunderstood little girl and an intelligent (but kind of creepy) creature team up in this charming classic adapted for marionettes. As the two work together to figure out who’s really been stealing the village’s sheep, the townspeople learn not to judge a book by its cover. Set in 1932, this enchanting show includes a
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JUST KIDDING SERIES at SYMPHONY SPACE Forget Saturday morning cartoons. Little kids and tweens alike can start their weekends off with musical musings and literary loving all autumn long at Symphony Space. Catch musical sketch comedy from the Story Pirates, check out the impressive acrobatics of Galumpha, or groove to Cat and Bird’s Eastern European flair—just to name a few fall
offerings. For tweens, Symphony Space hosts popular authors for an interactive morning that includes creative writing, Q&As with the author and a book signing. Meet Norton Juster (The
JUST KIDDING SERIES
In The Time Phantom Tollbooth), Julia Avarez (In Of Butterflies) and more. The Just Kidding series starts in September. Tickets range from $11 to $25. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.
“THE SNOWY DAY” AND THE ART OF EZRA JACK KEATS EXHIBIT at THE JEWISH MUSEUM This fall, the artwork of famed children’s author Ezra Jack Keats will be on display at The Jewish Museum. Featuring over 80 of Keats’s original drawings—from Whistle for Willie and Peter’s Chair to The Snowy Day—museumgoers will have the rare opportunity to view the author/ illustrator’s preliminary sketches and collages, including his paintings inspired by Asian art and poetry. As part of this special exhibit, one of The www.newyorkfamily.com
8/22/11 10:11 AM
UNCLE PIRATE by VITAL THEATRE COMPANY
Jewish Museum’s galleries will be designated as a reading room for parents and children to enjoy Keats’ celebrated works. Exhibit runs from September 9-January 29. Museum admission is free for children under the age of 12 and $12 for adults. Recommended for all ages. The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.
STONE SOUP at LITERALLY ALIVE CHILDREN’S THEATRE The beloved children’s book by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell will be adapted for the stage by the Literally Alive Children’s Theater. Stone Soup is about two lost soldiers from the Revolutionary War era who wander into a village whose residents are unwilling to share their supply of food, until the soldiers begin preparing Stone Soup. Prior to the performance, the theater will host a one-hour interactive arts workshop where they will discuss how they adapted the book into a musical. Even better, bring a few canned goods along to be donated to a local soup kitchen. Stone Soup will run from September 18-November 5. Tickets start at $25 per person. All ages are welcome. The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, 212-475-1449, literallyalive.com.
UNCLE PIRATE by VITAL THEATRE COMPANY Wouldn’t fourth grade be easier if your uncle were a pirate? Swashbuckling 3- to 12-yearolds will enjoy the adventures of Wilson, an average kid who finds out that his mother’s long lost brother is a real-life pirate. (A pirate with a talking penguin, no less.) But don’t worry, this pirate isn’t into pillaging. He’s more interested in showing kids that if you want to be a successful buccaneer, you have to go to school! Because how else can you learn to read a treasure map? Follow Wilson’s musical adventures as his uncle helps him deal with school bullies and conquer the fourth grade. See Uncle Pirate September 24-November 13. Tickets start at $25. The McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, 4th floor, 212-579-0528, vitaltheatre.org.
BOO AT THE ZOO at THE BRONX ZOO Get spooked at the Bronx Zoo this October for the zoo’s annual scare fest. Go on a haunted safari or take a spooky hayride—and there’s plenty for little scaredy-cats to do, too! We hear the hay maze is fun and ghost-free, or visit the extinct/endangered animal graveyard to learn more about wildlife protection. And whether you www.newyorkfamily.com
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dress up as a scary lion or a cute puppy, don’t forget to don a costume for the parade. There will also be arts and crafts and plenty more creature-themed excitement. Visit any weekend in October to get in on this annual celebration of fall. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, 718-220-5100, bronxzoo.com.
“BEYOND THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR” sion is $12 for children between the ages of 3 and 6, $19 for youth ages 7 to 17, and $24 for adults. Recommended for all ages. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86 between 46th Street and 12th Avenue, 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org.
THE LITTLE PRINCE at THE NEW VICTORY THEATER The Bristol Riverside Theatre will present Rick Cummins and John Scoullar’s adaptation of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry story, The Little Prince. This one-hour puppet production tells the story of a pilot who has crashed in the desert and befriends a little prince, who explains that he has been traveling the planets on a mission to discover what is important in life. This theatrical gem is a must-see for children and parents alike. Runs from October 1-16. Tickets start at $14 per person. Recommended for ages 6 and up. The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3000, newvictory.org.
“EJECT!”: AN EJECTION SEAT EXHIBIT at THE INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM An essential, lifesaving piece of equipment for any pilot—aircraft ejection seats have evolved considerably since the Second World War. Explore the astounding history of this piece of equipment in this exhibition, which will display 10 ejection seats dating from the Korean War to the present. Museumgoers will also have the opportunity to sit in the real thing! This exhibit will run from October 1-February 5. Museum admisSeptember 2011 | New York Family
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Fall-Winter Preview 2011 THE LITTLE PRINCE at THE NEW VICTORY THEATER superhero. In the Sleep zone, visitors can view an image of a sleeping child and discover what happens in the body during slumber. The Play section will encourage families to stay active in the soundproof laser dance chamber. Opens on November 5. Museum admission is $11 per person. Recommended for ages 2 through 10. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org.
LOLLI-POPS: THE ORCHESTRA – A HAPPY FAMILY at LITTLE ORCHESTRA SOCIETY
“THE MATH MIDWAY” EXHIBIT at LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER The arrival of fall can only mean one thing for kids: back to school! While crunching numbers for a test may seem tedious, learning about math will be utterly fabulous thanks to the upcoming “Math Midway” exhibit at the Liberty Science Center. The interactive display featuring 21 hands-on activities will showcase squarewheeled tricycles that glide smoothly on a circular track of arcs and demonstrate the beauty of geometry with plastic polyhedra. Children will also be able to create a pen-and-ink drawing using a mechanical harmonograph. Runs from October 7-January 22. Museum admission is $11.50 for children 2 through 12 and $15.75 for adults. Recommended for all ages. Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, 201-200-1000, lsc.org.
SLYVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE at THE TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The moral of this story? Be careful what you wish for. The Enchantment Theatre Company will present Sylvester and the Magic Pebble at the Tribeca PAC. This thought-provoking stage production tells the tale of Sylvester the donkey, who is transformed into a rock by the magic of his red pebble and his struggle to get back home to his family. Based on the book by William Steig (author of Shrek), this theatrical reimagining reminds us that family and friends are truly priceless. Don’t miss the performance on Saturday, October 15. Tickets are $25 per person. Recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 9. The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, 212-220-1460, tribecapac.org.
ENCHANTED WAVE HILL WEEKEND at WAVE HILL Prepare to be spellbound! Families will be charmed by the array of free enchantmentthemed activities that the pretty park has to offer. Begin your weekend with a family art project
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where children can make magic wands and tiny fairy houses, then listen to storyteller Rama Mandel weave tales filled with sorcery and adventure. Later in the day, hear Jim Keyes (a.k.a. Jim the Gentle Giant) sing about faraway places and creatures during “Stories and Songs.” Lastly, when accompanied by an adult, children ages 10 and up can take a Garden Folklore Walk to unearth the myths of witch hazel and snakeroot. Catch the fun on October 22-23. Programming is free and recommended for all ages. Wave Hill, 675 West 252nd Street, Bronx, 718-5493200, wavehill.org.
WHO IS DUKE ELLINGTON? at JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER Introduce your little cool cats to a jazz great in an accessible, interactive performance with this Jazz at Lincoln Center/Jazz for Young People event. Duke Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions and kept a great band for more than 50 years, and kids can learn all about him through an hour-long presentation hosted by contemporary jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. Enjoy talks about the music as well as activities based around the songs and performances. Before the show, check out free pre-concert activities like dancing and crafts. Discover Duke on November 5 at 1pm or 3pm. Tickets are $12, $20 or $28. Rose Theater at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-258-9800, jalc.org.
“EATSLEEPPLAY: BUILDING HEALTH EVERY DAY” EXHIBIT at THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN Learning how to maintain a healthy lifestyle has never been more fun (or relevant) thanks to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s upcoming exhibit, EatSleepPlay. This interactive exhibit will teach youth essential facts about nutrition, sleep and exercise, via educational games and activities. The program is divided into five thematic areas, like Eat, where kids will be able to sort fruits and veggies into bins and create their own nutritious
Introduce your tots to classical music in the cutest way possible with the Lolli-Pops. Each colorfully costumed Lolli-Pops character represents a different member of the orchestral family, like strings or percussion. The performance includes timeless pieces like Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” and Debussy’s “Cakewalk.” The sugary characters make new music go down sweet for 3- to 5-year-olds, and parents will enjoy hearing great music in an adorable, familyfriendly setting. See it on November 12 at 10am or 11:30am, or on November 13 at 1pm or 2:30pm. Tickets are $40 for prime seating and $15 for rear balcony/rear orchestra seating. The Little Orchestra Society, 330 West 42nd Street, 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org
TADA! YOUTH THEATER SEASON PREVIEW EVENT The TADA! Youth Theater Resident Youth Ensemble presents “Sneak Peek: A Musical Revue.” Be the first to enjoy musical numbers from their upcoming season, including songs from The History Mystery, Everything About School (Almost) and a brand new musical still in the works. The award-winning kids of the Resident Youth Ensemble produce high-quality original musicals that are guaranteed to get your whole family out of their seats. The Sneak Peek will run from
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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
Fall-Winter Preview 2011
EATSLEEPPLAY: BUILDING HEALTH EVERY DAY surface of Mars, see a replica of a lunar habitat and check out authentic equipment from past space missions. For dedicated space lovers, there are also challenging computer games and plenty of chances to hear from scientists on what the future holds for reaching out beyond earth. Could there be life on other planets? Would a moon colony be possible within our lifetime? Take one small step to this exhibit and make one giant leap in learning. “Beyond Earth” opens November 19. American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, 212-769-5000, amnh.org.
Photo by Carol Pratt
KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL at THE SKIRBALL CENTER
November 18-20. All ages are welcome. TADA! Youth Theater, 15 West 28th Street, 212-2521619, tadatheater.com.
“BEYOND EARTH: THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION” at THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY America’s last space shuttle (for a while at least) may have launched, but kids can still dream about the final frontier thanks to this great exhibit. Walk through a recreation of the
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Any parent and child who have had to bring a favorite stuffed animal to the laundromat can surely understand the trauma that comes from watching Teddy spin around with dirty underwear. That’s the experience that this fun musical captures, based on the beloved picture book by Mo Willems. What starts as a quick trip to a Brooklyn laundromat takes a turn for the worse when Trixie’s favorite fuzzy friend gets lost. It’s up to Dad to save the day! You’ll have five chances to see this heartwarming family musical with performances spanning November 25–27. Tickets are $15 - $25. NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place, 212-352-3101, skirballcenter.nyu.edu.
HANSEL AND GRETEL at THE METROPOLITAN OPERA The classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale will be brought to life when Richard Jones’s English-language production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel returns to The Metropolitan Opera. The exquisitely imaginative sets (each act takes place in a different kitchen) and costumes by John Macfarlane are not to be missed. There will be several midweek matinee performances especially for families. Hansel and Gretel will run for eight performances during December 16-January 7. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. Lincoln Center, West 62nd-65th Streets, 212799-3100, metoperafamily.org/metopera.
BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY MUST-SEES These shows aren’t new, but every time you take a child to Broadway, their eyes light up all over again. If you haven’t seen them yet, here are some theatrical staples to catch this season. Or better yet…see them again! Billy Elliot: Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street, 212-239-6200, billyelliotbroadway.com. Blue Man Group: Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette Street, 1-800-BLUEMAN, blueman.com. The Gazillion Bubble Show: New World Theatre, 340 West 50th Street, 212-239-6200, gazillionbubbleshow.com. Lion King: Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street, 866-870-2717, lionking.com. Sister Act: Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, 212-239-6200, sisteractbroadway.com. Spiderman Turn Off the Dark: Foxwoods Theatre, 213 West 42nd Street, 212-556-4750, spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com. www.newyorkfamily.com
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SECOND HOMES
CATSKILLFarms
Why A Cottage 100 Miles North Of Manhattan May Be Your Family’s Best Investment Yet
BY KELLY FARRELL When you live smack dab in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities, sitting on a porch and cracking open a book may seem mind-numbingly slow-paced. But that’s exactly what inspired Charles Petersheim’s business: to get families out of Manhattan and reunited with nature in its purest form. In the wake of the September 11th attacks ten years ago, Petersheim escaped to Sullivan County just 100 miles north of the city. “When 9/11 happened, it created chaos in my life,” Petersheim explains. “The construction management industry froze as people stopped building, my lease was running out and at the exact same time, I happened to be buying a cottage upstate.” After a slew of jobs fixing up old properties in the area for young Manhattan professionals, Petersheim dreamed up Catskill Farms: a homebuilding company that built “new old-homes” or homes that have all of the personality and charm of old American cabins, but without the flaws of aging properties. “Older homes have a personality and emotion—you can feel the people who were there before you,” emphasizes Petersheim. “The whole trick was - how do you build a home that successfully emotes the same way an older home does? Somehow we were able to do it.” Catskill Farms has now built 100 of their eco-friendly and affordable homes for Gothamites looking for a respite from urban living, often with inviting features like sloping ceilings and wood accents that give the homes a rustic feel. “It’s a pre-conscious decision of wanting to remove themselves from the suburban or urban pace of life,” Petersheim says. And beyond appealing to the eye, Petersheim explains that
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there are a number of reasons that the company has proven to be recession-proof. “We can [build houses] quickly and effectively,” he says. “They trust us to make a vague aspiration and dream into reality quickly and on budget.” The advantage of country living for families is also obvious. “It is an investment,” he says. “We’re not getting enough time together, we have too much going on in the city—too much ballet, too many soccer lessons, too many nights out—and it’s a great investment [for] the family to spend time together.” And in a world of man-made parks and steely skyscrapers, the 997-square mile area of Sullivan County may be just what you need: picturesque lakes, ponds, mountains, and perhaps its most alluring feature—acres and acres of nothing at all. For more information, visit thecatskillfarms.com.
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This 1,000 square-foot cottage nestled in the woods of Sullivan County, just outside the town of Narrowsburg, is inviting from the outside-in. Set on five rolling acres (plenty of land to explore!), it features a driveway leading to a screened-in back porch—perfect for a family bench or an oversized rocking chair. Inside you’ll find 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and a cozy kitchen and dining area that opens into the living room—complete with a woodburning fireplace, wide plank floors and salvaged beams. Asking Price: $285,000 Agent: Charles Petersheim, Catskill Farms, 845-557-3600 www.newyorkfamily.com
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Meanwhile...Back in the city
A Sample Of The Local Family Market
610 West End Avenue, Unit 3D
This newly available Upper West Side home is ideal for buyers who desire classic surroundings with modern touches. The 8-room condo (3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms) boasts high ceilings, a spacious entryway, den/media room, living room and a formal dining room for entertaining. The modern eat-in kitchen has all the amenities necessary to cook up a feast including a Sub Zero refrigerator, a Thermador range oven and a Bosch dishwasher. The master bedroom, the second bedroom and the kitchen are all corner rooms with double exposures to allow for plenty of light. Classic features include an original decorative fireplace, original herringbone floors and detailed molding. Asking Price: $3,495,000 Maint/CC: $3,590 Agent: Deanna Kory, The Corcoran Group, 212-937-7011
333 East 91st Street, Unit 16C
This breathtaking Upper East Side condo is perfect for those who seek a dramatic view of the city. It has 9 floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room area and 9’6”-high ceilings. The 2 bed/2 bath coop has a brilliant state-of-the-art kitchen with Viking and Bosch appliances. The master bedroom features a walk-in closet and the master bath has a Zuma soaking tub perfect for relaxing in. Other amenities include a stackable washer/dryer and Brazilian Afromosia flooring. The building offers the use of two rooftop terraces, a children’s playroom, private lounge, game room and fitness center. Asking Price: $1,713,000 Maint/CC: $2,349 Agent: Jacky Teplitzky, Prudential Douglas Elliman, 212-891-7263
2098 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Unit 8PQ
The 1,842-foot condo provides a great space for growing families. It has 4 beautiful bedrooms and 3 stunning bathrooms. For views of Morningside Park and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine one can simply look at the apartment’s windows. The master suite even has a private balcony for lounging around. Additional features include a washer/dryer, new hardwood floors and tons of closets. The building is home to a roof-deck, fitness center, 24-hour doorman service and bike storage. The condo is centrally located and within walking distance to Central Park. Asking Price: $1,430,000 Maint/CC: $1,243.77 Agent: Norman Horowitz and Traci Guberman, Halstead Property, 212-381-4214 www.newyorkfamily.com
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September 22 - 25, 2011 Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York City Special Show Event for New York Family Readers: Friday, September 23, 12:30pm at the Park Avenue Armory Author and TODAY Show Correspondent Susanna Salk presents her best selling book, Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play. R.S.V.P to roomforchilderen@manhattanmedia.com Admission is free
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In Renovating A Too-Tiny Bedroom, One Mother Demolishes The Bedrock Of Sibling Rivalry B y L o r r a i n e D u ffy M e r k l “It doesn’t matter that it’s small,” my husband Neil said of the altered third bedroom of our then-new apartment. At the time he was right. Our daughter, Meg, who would be sleeping in it was only two-years-old, didn’t need much furniture, and had yet to accumulate many worldly possessions. Two years later, however, Meg had not only experienced a dramatic increase in belongings, but also in awareness that her living quarters were not as palatial as her older brother’s. His room was twice the size as hers. This was the final straw in Meg’s growing list of, “Why does Luke have (fill in the blank) and I don’t?” The three-year age difference was always my reason, but it was not one that she considered reasonable. Actually, the real reason Luke’s bedroom was so much bigger than his sister’s was because Neil had seen no need to renovate. He didn’t want to deal with general contractors, not to mention the money and the mess. Also, he is one of seven and growing up saw inequality as the norm. I am an only child and saw my daughter’s point about having a larger and more beautiful room. But the lack of equality that Meg felt was creating a wall between us. I wanted to knock down this barrier sooner rather than later, but realized that first I had to tear down one of a different kind. The former shareholder had divided the bedroom space into a half office-half breakfast nook. She cut the room in two by building a wall of sheetrock, complete with pocket doors which, when closed, concealed her home office, leaving the windowless nook exposed. To make this area more accessible, she removed the entranceway’s French doors, as well as the crown molding. If there is a hell for people who have bad design judgment, they’re saving a place for our coop’s former occupant. When I decided it was time for change, I literally had to take matters into my own hands. I started on a Sunday afternoon when Meg and Luke were spending the day with my mother-in-law. Neil was not feeling well and had taken a cold remedy that caused drowsiness. As he was drifting off, and therefore powerless to stop me, I mentioned I’d be taking down the wall in Meg’s bedroom. He yawned and mumbled, “That’s nice,” as he dozed off in the living room’s recliner. Manned with a hammer and screwdriver, I unhooked the doors, then pried off the molding before going to work on one side of the partition. Just as I finished cleaning up the debris of my labor, Neil woke up and the kids got home. They all looked on in horror at the sight of Operation Meg’s Room in full swing. Neil walked off questioning my sanity. Luke inquired innocently if we were keeping things in their current state of dishevelment. Meg looked as though she wanted to cry. Before, her room was merely small. Now, it was also a wreck. I assured everyone I had it all under control. For the next week when my son was at school, I enlisted my mother to keep Meg occupied so I could finish the demolition. (For the record, a licensed GC and sledgehammer would have gotten the job done in an afternoon.) Prying, banging, chipping away, not just at the barrier that divided the room, but at whatever doubts Meg had that she was not as worthy as Luke of grand surroundings. At the end of each day she’d come in and give her digs the once over, still unsure of the outcome. “Trust me,” I’d say. She’d shrug and say, “OK.” What choice, after all, did she have? “See, your room is now the same size as Luke’s,” I said, sweeping my arms over the space like a game show prize model one day. Her eyes and mouth were open wider than I’d ever seen. I painted the room Meg’s favorite colors. Together we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to pick out Disney princess bedding and wall decals. When Operation Meg’s Room was complete, she told me she loved it, and me for making it happen. Meg finally had the proof she needed that she was equal to her brother, who stopped by to survey my handiwork and offered, “Yeah, it looks better without the wall.” It felt better, too.
If there is a hell for people who have bad design judgment, they’re saving a place for our coop’s former occupant.
Lorraine Duffy Merkl is the author of the novel, Fat Chick, and a columnist in New York City.
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www.newyorkfamily.com
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