New York Family December 1, 2011

FAMILY HEROES | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | SWEET CHARITY DECEMBER 2011

December 2011 Established 1986 newyorkfamily.com

WWW.NEWYORKFAMILY.COM

, xoarley C AN INTERVIEW WITH

THE CREATIVE FORCE BEHIND THE KNOT, THE NEST & THE BUMP:

NEW YORK FAMILY

CARLEY RONEY

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THIS YEAR I’M JUST

ASKING EVERYoNE To

GIVE ME CAsH.

We are Bideawee, a community of caregivers, volunteers, and friends dedicated to helping animals and people build safe, loving and lasting relationships. This holiday season, please give to all the dogs and cats who give so much back.

TO DONATE . 1.866.262.8133 . bideawee.org

animal people for people who love animals™

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.org/donate 11/16/11 5:31 PM

They Are Only Young Once.

We Get It! FOR R E T S I G E R 012 SPRING 2

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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Nan Melville

Celso Duarte

Weill Music Institute

Family Concerts

One-hour, weekend afternoon concerts designed for families with children ages 5–10. Join us for fun activities—free to all ticket holders— one hour before each concert.

Tickets start at

$9

Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 1 PM | Zankel

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 1 PM | Zankel

Energize your family with the vibrant sound of Mexican Son Jarocho music! World-renowned harpist Celso Duarte has collaborated with artists such as Plácido Domingo, Mariza, and Wynton Marsalis.

Featuring alumni of The Academy—a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education

Celso Duarte

Ensemble ACJW

Let “the brightest, most promising postgraduate musicians the city has to offer” (The New York Times) inspire your children to pick up an instrument!

Carnegie Hall Family Concerts are made possible, in part, by generous endowment gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Lester S. Morse Jr., and the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund.

carnegiehall.org/FamilyConcerts | 212-247-7800 Box Office at 57th and Seventh Artists, programs, dates, and ticket prices subject to change. © 2011 CHC.

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AT

Happy Holidays Stop In For All Your Holiday Merchandise NEW LOCATION 1243 Third Ave. New York, NY 10021 Tel: 212-879-8076

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1215 Second Avenue btwn 63rd & 64th Streets NY 10065 212.706.9881

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Improve Up to TWO GRADE LEVELS!

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EBL Coaching

212-249-0147 Dr. Emily Levy, Director www.eblcoaching.com

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IN THE CI TY

Holiday Camp December 19-22 & 27-30

Spend your winter break with us!

Campers spend time on the farm with animals, participate in music, art, cooking, science, nature, games, animal care, yoga and much more. Everyday a special entertainer will engage the children in fun, laughter and learning.

Half Day Snowflakes Group 9:30am - 12:30pm | 3-4 years Full Day Peppermints Group 9:30am - 3:30pm | 4-5 years

Register Now for our Winter Classes!

Full Day Gingerbreads Group 9:30am - 3:30pm | 6-8 years Early Drop Off and Extended Day Options Available

Flexible registration!

Details at

TheArtFarms.org

The Art Farm In The City 419 East 91st St. NY, 10128 212.410.3117 • The ArtFarms.org • frontdesk@theartfarms.org

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FEATURES

DECEMBER newyorkfamily.com

42 | THE SEASON OF GIFTING

From Practical Winter-Weather Gear To A Charming Dollhouse, This List Of Holiday Finds Has A Bit Of Everything For Kids (And Some For Parents, Too!)

48 | CARLEY’S WAY

Smart And Savvy Mother Of Three Carley Roney On Her Parenting Rituals, Being A Lifelong New Yorker And Managing The Triplets—The Knot, The Nest and The Bump

55 | FAMILY HEROES

From The Guy Who Brings Children’s Stories To Life On Stage To The Mom Who Has Completely Redefined The Meaning Of Being “A Good Cookie”—Our Celebration Of 2011’s Family Heroes Will Enlighten, Amaze And Inspire

In The Mood: New Music For Munchkins And Moms

34 | A SPECIAL PLACE

The Little Bookstore That Could: For Over 40 Years, Bank Street Bookstore Has Remained A City Staple For Tiny Readers (And Teachers And Teens, Too)

36 | NEW PARENT ESSENTIALS

As The Journey Begins…

Products And Musings For New And Expectant Parents

38 | PARENT IN PROFILE

GIVING BACK

82 | THE LAST WORD

One Child’s Decision To Celebrate The Holidays Without Toys Has This Mom Of Multiples Reflecting On Generosity And Leading By Example

68 | SWEET CHARITY

From The Organization That Provides Disabled Children With New Bedrooms To The Ultimate Toy Drive, Our Annual Charity Guide Is Sure To Put You In The Giving Spirit

COLUMNS

16 | EDITOR’S NOTE

Heroes All Around

20 | NEW PARENTS EXPO

Several Thousand Expectant & New Families Converged On Pier 92 In NYC For The Largest Baby Show In The Area’s History!

24 | GROWING UP

Family Manners 2.0: Lizzie Post—Emily Post’s Great-GreatGranddaughter—Is Giving Sage Advice For A New Age

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32 | TIP SHEET

An NYC Family Trip Spans Three Generations And The Atlantic Ocean

66 | A LETTER TO SANTA

New York Family | December 2011

Talented Tumblers: Two Promising NYC Gymnasts Share What It Takes To Reach For The Stars (In The Gym, That Is)

The Queen Of Queens: How Astoria Mom Of Two Leni Calas Made The Website Queens Mamas An Indispensible Part Of Raising Children In Her Borough

72 | LONDON CALLING

12

28 | ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH

Guilt And Blisters: While Training For A Marathon, Sometimes A Child Is All It Takes To Go The Extra Mile DEPARTMENTS

18 | WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

A stellar ski trip giveaway to Smugglers’ Notch, a call for parent writers and an introduction to new bloggers at newyorkfamily.com

22 | BUZZWORTHY

Customizable kicks, a truly awesome book, how to capture childhood and more

76 | TWENTY IDEAS

Our monthly round-up of family fun in the city

The Cover: Hair and makeup by Kim Baker for Glama-Zon Beauty Photography by Michael Jurick, jurick.net Styled by Cricket Burns Shot on location in DUMBO, Brooklyn www.newyorkfamily.com

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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 ASSiSTANT PrOdUCTiON MANAgEr Quarn Corley qcorley @ manhattanmedia.com PHOTO EdiTOr Andrew Schwartz aschwartz@ manhattanmedia.com CONTriBUTiNg PHOTOgrAPHErS Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurick CONTriBUTiNg WriTErS Maria Riley, Joy Sherwood, Veronica Torok, Briehn Trumbauer, Mia Weber, Christine Wei, Joe Wack 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 SPECiAL PrOjECTS dirECTOr Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer @ 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 ACCOUNTS MANAgEr Kathy Pollyea kpollyea @manhattanmedia.com Manhattan Media PrESidENT/CEO Tom Allon tallon @ manhattanmedia.com CFO/COO Joanne Harras jharras @ manhattanmedia.com FOUNdiNg PUBLiSHEr Barbara Witt dirECTOr OF iNTErACTiVE MArkETiNg ANd digiTAL STrATEgY Jay Gissen jgissen @ manhattanmedia.com WEB PrOdUCTiON COOrdiNATOr Kathryn Fortuno kfortuno @ manhattanmedia.com EVENTS MANAgEr Jasmin Freeman jfreeman @ manhattanmedia.com EVENTS COOrdiNATOr Laura Mishkin lmishkin @ manhattanmedia.com New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Our Town, West Side Spirit, New York Press, Mitzvah magazine, The Capitol, City Hall, City Arts, Chelsea Clinton News, The Westsider and The Blackboard Awards. Š 2011 Manhattan Media, LLC | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

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New York Family | December 2011

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editors

NOTE

Heroes All Around I undoubtedly have a watered-down standard of heroism. For me, given the stresses of raising children, I’m impressed with any parents who manage to raise their kids with affection, kindness, a consistent ability to say no, and a general sense of calm for a few hours at a time! They are my heroes. Parents in sandboxes. Parents on playground slides. Heroes! Parents who help their overwhelmed parent friends by watching their children for a few hours.

Parents who help PTAs and sports leagues.

Parents who take the time to be extra solicitous of their neighbor’s kids so their apartment buildings feel like nice places to grow up. All of that is heroic to me.

But the people celebrated in our annual tribute to local Family Heroes are deserving in ways that are above and beyond my everyday standards. Typically, they are in the fortunate position of being able to have a positive influence on lots of kids, lots of families. More importantly, they deliver.

My colleagues and I like to challenge ourselves each year to come up with a group of Family Heroes that is so varied, it’s a tribute to the limitless possibilities of giving back and an inspiration to others.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to get to know this year’s group (starting on page 55), and let us know if we’ve hit our mark.

I don’t know our cover subject Carley Roney well enough to describe her as heroic, but without question she is inspiring. Working with her long-time partner, husband David Liu, Carley is Co-Founder of the powerhouse wedding planning brand The Knot, along with The Nest and The Bump. She’s helped so many new families get from here to there—all the while raising three delightful kids of her own. Don’t those amazing pictures (page 48) speak for themselves? The interview even more so!

There’s so much in this issue that I want to recommend and so little space in which

to do it. To wit: Don’t miss the Holiday Gift Guide (page 42), the Charity Guide (page 68), and the personal essays on giving back (page 66) and running the marathon (82).

Have a Happy December! I hear it’s a good month for everyday heroics.

ERIC MESSINGER EDITOR emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

even supermoms need care. call or walk-in today.

.

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New York Family | December 2011

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www.newyorkfamily.com

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We DeLiVeR MaGiC! See Holiday magic unfold in aisle after aisle of the coolest games, the hottest toys, the best in tech, dazzling dolls and preschool play! Brands you know & love, plus 100’s of exclusive items you’ll find only at Toys”R”Us. Come share the joy!

Only at

5

©2011 Geoffrey, LLC.

$ ToysRUS.indd 1

Valid thru 12/31/11

off

ANY purchase of $25 or more

One transaction only.

In-store purchase only. Excludes CPN ITEM # 948386 baby food, diapers, formula, wipes, Ameda, Baby Brezza, Baby Jogger, BOB, Britax, Bugaboo, Cybex, ERGObaby, Mamas & Papas, Motherhood Maternity, Nap Nanny, Pediped, Peg Pérego, Phil & Teds, Robeez, Tommee Tippee, Under Armour, electronic learning toys, netbooks, tablets, video game hardware, video games, Apple products, FAO products, RobotGalaxy, Buyer Protection Plan, gift cards, photo studios, phone orders, Special Orders, assembly fee, breast-pump rental fee, delivery fee, and shipping & handling. One coupon per guest. Not valid with any other “R”Us total transaction offer or on prior purchases. Coupon must be surrendered at time of purchase and value is forfeited if item is returned.

Coupon prorated among eligible items purchased. Only original coupons accepted. Void where prohibited. Valid Toys“R”Us Times Square store only. Cash value 1/100 of 1¢.

1514 Broadway at 44 St. • ToysrusTimesSquare.com

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Start a new family tradition today!

The LiTTLe OrCheSTrA SOCieTy 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 s e a s o n LiTTLeOrCheSTrA.Org 212.971.9500

happy Concerts are inspiring and memorable concerts for children and audiences of all ages that combine music, puppetry, dance and storytelling.

happyConcerts for young people ages 6-12 Amahl and the Night Visitors Edwin OutwatEr, GuEst COnduCtOr saturday, dECEmbEr 17, 2011 at 11am & 1Pm

A perfect holiday celebration for the entire family!

West Side Story and Other Music of the Americas nEw COnCErt PrOGram!

GErald stEiChEn, GuEst COnduCtOr saturday, FEbruary 4, 2012 at 11 am & 1 Pm

Featuring the Dancing Classrooms Youth Dance Company, a project of American Ballroom Theater, internationally known through the films Mad Hot Ballroom and Taking the Lead.

Cinderella and the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon JamEs Judd, GuEst COnduCtOr saturday, marCh 10, 2012 at 11 am & 1 Pm

A thrilling puppet and dance production!

PErFOrmanCEs at

Avery Fisher hall Lincoln Center 3-Concert Subscriptions from $45 to $135 Single Tickets from $15 to $50

scan here for tickets and info

Proud media sponsor of happy Concerts for young People

Cinderella photo on cover by Lyn Hughes. Production designed and created for The Little Orchestra Society by Manju Shandler. Design by Kristin Richards Lauricella, Lauricella Design. Š 2011 The Little Orchestra Society. All Rights Reserved.

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Welcome

to t h e fa m i ly

Calling All Parents Who Like To Write!

New York Family magazine is always looking to work with talented local parents interested in writing for magazines and websites. Depending on your level of experience, we have work-at-home internship opportunities for parents interested in cultivating their journalism skills, and more advanced opportunities (writing feature articles, blogging, columns, etc.) for parents who already have the expertise. Whatever your experience level, these are especially good opportunities to write about subjects like health and fitness, education, green living, home design, travel, culture, special needs, weekend activities and of course parenting and family. For more info, send an explanatory letter about your interest and background to NY Family Editor Eric Messinger at emessinger@manhattanmedia.com.

CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS Family Ski Trip Giveaway Want to spend a dreamy week in a winter wonderland—with skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, dog sledding and more? It’s getting chilly and that means it’s time to hit the slopes! If your family hasn’t already planned a ski trip to a great family resort like Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont…what are you waiting for? To help get you started, one lucky family of four will win a fabulous 5 day/5 night stay at Smugglers’ Notch, along with mountainside lodging, lift tickets and lessons! And, rest assured, children’s programs abound at Smugglers’ Notch where a FunZone Family Entertainment & Recreation Center will keep the gang busy before and after your time on the mountain.

To enter, send us an email explaining why you’d like to win to familygiveaways@manhattanmedia.com and put “Smugglers’ Notch” in the subject line. Be sure to include your contact info and address.

Deadline to enter is Friday, December 16.

Photo courtesy of Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

Win Skip Hop Crib Bedding Skip Hop’s new Complete Sheet Collection should probably be on your wish list this holiday season. Why? Because this new bedding solution looks like a fabulously dressed crib but acts as a well-constructed (and safe) bumper alternative. The four-piece set is 100% cotton and includes a sheet, nursery blanket, airflow wearable blanket and linen crib skirt.

The sets come in charming motifs like Alphabet Zoo and Chocolate Lattice. And Skip Hop is giving away two sets of their Complete Sheet Collection to New York Family readers. To enter, send us an email explaining why you’d like to win to familygiveaways@manhattanmedia. com and put “Skip Hop” in the subject line. Be sure to include your contact info and address. Deadline to enter is Friday, December 30.

ON THE WEB Meet Our Newest Bloggers This fall, we’ve added some promising new bloggers to our online roster. They have a diversity of backgrounds, talents and interests, and we think they’re all pretty great. Allow us to make a few quick introductions. Joe Wack is taking our Parenting In Progress blog by storm. A writer and sketch comedian, he currently teaches science to elementary school children in the Bronx. He lives in Harlem with his wife and 3-year-old son and blogs about the joys and the uncertainties of parenting, always with a hint of wit. New to our Joy Of Shopping blog is independent media producer Mia Weber. Her passion for pop culture and fashion inspired her to start writing at sopresh.blogspot.com. She has a great eye, even better taste, plus a knack for finding new and noteworthy buys. Recently joining Born & Bred is Debra Flashenberg—a certified vinyasa yoga instructor who is now Director of the Prenatal Yoga Center, Prenatal & Postnatal. Debra writes mostly about childbirth, health and wellness. She is the proud mother of new baby boy, Shay. Also new to Born & Bred is Angela Johnson, a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom living in Brooklyn. In the (very little) free time she has, she enjoys practicing yoga and baking, and also considers herself an amateur DJ. We’re constantly adding new contributors to our blogs. Stop by and see what they have to say! (Don’t just take our word for it.) www.newyorkfamily.com

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December 2011 | New York Family

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n e w pa r e n t s e x p o

Photos by Michael Kormos Photography

Keynote speaker, Dr. Harvey Karp

SceneS From The new parenTS expo Several ThouSand expecTanT & new FamilieS converged on pier 92 in nYc For The largeST BaBY Show in The area’S hiSTorY! Many were expecting and their “bumps” gave them away. Others brought their infants and toddlers with them. They came from the city. They came from the suburbs. All in all, 2,500 new and expectant families joined New York Family at the largest event in its history, the New Parents Expo, which took place on the weekend of October 15 and 16, at Pier 92 in NYC. The beloved

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Dr. Harvey Karp, the creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block, and The Happiest Toddler on the Block series of books and DVDs, was the keynote speaker. The voluminous Pier 92 was packed with both national and local vendors. The dads (yes, the dads) seem to love their Dads Lounge. And good, informative fun was had by all—especially the little ones in the play area!

Join Us at our next Big Baby show!

Following on the success of the New Parents Expo, we’re planning an even bigger show with more attractions for new and expectant families next spring. Details will be announced soon. For now, if you’re interested write us at newparentsexpo@manhattanmedia.com, with “New Parents Expo” in the subject line. We’ll make sure you’re the first to hear all the info about the next show.

www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 3:55 PM

www.preschoolofamerica.us

A Year-Round Program Mon-Fri 8:00am-6:00pm General Programs Infant program 3mos-1yr Toddler program 1-2yrs Nursery program 2-3yrs Preschool program 3-4yrs Pre-kindergarten 4-5yrs After school program 5yrs-up

Special Programs Piano class Art class Dance class Karate class Yoga class Soccer class Foreign language class

Two New Brooklyn Locations Bay Ridge • 863 60th Street 11220 Cobble Hill: 382 Baltic St. 11201 Please Call (212) 767-0606

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Locations Serving 3 mos - 6 years

2109 Broadway @ 73rd St. 345 W 42nd St. @ 8th Ave. 25 Tudor City Place @ 41st St. (Ages 2 and up) 212-262-4545 212-681-4671 212-877-1388 1190 Park Ave. @ 93rd St. 1501 Lexington Ave. @ 97th St.

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11:49 AM

Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your approval constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions, legal and ethical compliance in this document. NYMETROPARENTS will not accept liability for errors overlooked on proof. Colors shown are representative and may vary in individual copies of the magazine. AD IS NOT TO SCALE. We appreciate your prompt attention and approval. Created 05/04/2011 12:26 PM 25

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three little birds music music education & exploration for children

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T h e C h e C k l i s T fo r

Customize your KiCKs

showcase your sole-ful style with customizable shoes. several brands, namely keds, Converse and Nike, allow you to start with a blank canvas shoe for a reasonable price and then add color, patterns or designs. Want camo keds, cupcake-covered Converse or basketball-inspired Nikes? All of these and more are possible with each company’s personalized program. if you’re a detail-oriented person, you’ll like being able to choose almost everything, from the color of the laces to the shade of the rubber sole. With men’s, women’s and kids styles available, this can be an artsy project for the whole family.

For more information, visit kedscollective.com, converse.com and store.nike.com.

your Fam’s LittLe sCreen Debut

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but not if no one ever sees it. fortunately, yourlittlefilm is here to make sure your digital pictures and movies get off of your computer (or phone) and out to your loved ones! started by father and filmmaker logan hale, yourlittlefilm is a service that takes your raw media data and turns it into a short motion picture tailored to your family’s preferences. Just send your files to the experts at Ylf who will do all of the editing for you and send back your own special “little film” electronically, or in hard copy with a customized DVD jacket. The finished product is so easy to share and great for gifts and keepsakes.

For more information, visit yourlittlefilm.com.

this booK is awesome

There’s nothing that provides life perspective quite like being a parent. Based on the popular photo blog of the same name, My Parents Were Awesome tells the stories behind all of the funny retro snapshots (submitted by readers) that hint at how stellar your parents used to be. Before baby bottles and car seats, who knows what sort of shenanigans they were up to? Thanks to blogger eliot Glazer, now you’ll know. This collection of stories ranges from the heartwarming to the hilarious and reminds us that parenthood is not the only aspect of a mom or dad’s identity. someday in the future, your kids might realize you were once cool, too. for the time being, My Parents Were Awesome makes a splendid read for awesome parents everywhere.

For more information, visit myparentswereawesome.com.

oFF-broaDway with ChiLDCare

Thanks to Playwrights horizons, creators of Playtime!, a new childcare service located right in the Theater District, parents can treat themselves to an affordable evening out while their kids (ages 4-12) have fun, too. Playwrights horizons seeks to make theater more accessible to moms and dads who often opt to stay home instead of dealing with the combined high cost of childcare and off-Broadway ticket prices. Playtime! is just $15, and all childcare providers, provided by sitters studio, are background checked and CPr certified, so parents can see a show with a clear conscience.

For more information, visit playtimenyc.org.

Cast & Capture

You may be eager to forget sleepless nights and incessant crying, but there are some parts of being a new parent that you’ll want to hold onto forever. With Wrightson & Platt life cast sculptures you can turn the tiny perfection of your newborn into a timeless keepsake. Master artists work with parents to create sculptures in gold, silver, lead crystal glass and bronze that are intricately detailed and beautifully personal, from every small wrinkle of your child’s hands right down to the curve of her toes. The next time you sit marveling at how fast your baby is growing up, let Wrightson & Platt step in and help you capture these precious pieces of your child’s life.

For more information, visit wrightsonandplatt.com.

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www.newyorkfamily.com

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Up

GROWING

Family manners 2.0

From Doling Out Chores To shushing your son’s smartphone, lizzie Post—emily Post’s Great-Great Granddaughter— is Giving sage advice For a new age

BY Paula Balzer Cocktail parties, gift wrapping, cookie baking—all sure signs the holidays are here. But on top of the merriment the season brings, there is ample opportunity to commit countless faux pas, especially if children are adoringly tossed into the mix. Enter: the First Lady of Etiquette, Emily Post. In the recently released 18th edition of Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners For A New World (William Morrow, 2011), Lizzie Post, Emily’s great-great granddaughter and one of the new generation of Posts, sheds light on some of today’s trickier issues. Covering 21st Century problems like texting and Facebooking with class, this iconic hardcover addresses the typical etiquette quandaries for which the Post Institute is well known. Here, Lizzie Post advises families on some hard-to-navigate holiday scenarios.

TABLE MANNERS Your holiday table is worthy of a spread in Martha Stewart Living. Everyone is gathered for your cozy (yet elegant) meal when your tweenage son whips out his iPhone. How do you keep the peace?

LIZZIE POST: Hopefully what you’ve done beforehand is tell your kids to put their devices away during holiday and family time. It’s not appropriate and this is a time you want to focus on the people you’re with. But, don’t make it seem scandalous that the kid snuck the phone to the table and is doing this.

airfare. Is there a way to break the news and avoid hurt feelings?

LP: As nicely and [as] honestly as you can. “We had such a great time with you last year, but unfortunately it’s not in our budget to make the trip. We really hope we’ll be able to make it another year.” Don’t say you hope you’ll be able to make it next year because you haven’t been invited yet! If it’s in your budget to [host] them, offer that if it works for you.

ATTENDING PERFORMANCES You adore your best friend’s daughter, but it’s the fourth year in a row you’ve been invited to the Christmas performance where she has only one line! Can you politely decline?

LP: If you really cannot fathom going to this event, then say, “I wish I could come and support her, but it’s not in the cards for [me] tonight.” People feel they have to give big reasons—I’m sick, I’m out of town—[but] all of those will get you in big trouble if they aren’t true. Just say no.

DINING OUT You thought the drama of dividing a restaurant check ended with your single days. Now you’re out with Uncle Bob and his brood who all order dessert, Aunt Mary who loves her cocktails, and your single sister-in-law who just gets a salad. When dining out en famille, who pays?

LP: Talk about it ahead of time. That way when the check arrives, it’s not too complicated. [Say], “Let’s all cover our own families” or just keep it to entrées and a couple of apps for the entire table and split it [evenly].

ENTERTAINING AT HOME You’re hosting a group of family and friends overnight for Thanksgiving. You wake up the next day to an epic mess. Is it out of the question to ask guests to pitch in with clean up?

LP: It’s not impolite, it’s a big to-do. My mom holds a meeting two weeks before Thanksgiving and doles out who is going to be doing what. So-and-so is in charge of filling water glasses and lighting candles. She never gives anyone a rotten task like taking out garbage or doing dishes. Those definitely fall into the do after your guests leave department.

TRAVELING NEAR AND FAR Last year you hosted your in-laws for the holidays. This year they want you in Boca for Christmas with the new baby and two kids. It’s just not reasonable for you to spend that much money on

THE GOOD CONVERSATIONALIST You’re at a holiday gathering trying to talk to your tweenage nephew who is accustomed to communicating primarily via text message. How do you initiate conversation?

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CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS SERVICES You’re in church or synagogue when your kids suddenly find something utterly hilarious. How do you deal with the situation without attracting even more attention?

LP: After one or two [nudges] with the elbow, I would very quietly and discreetly excuse yourself to a different area. You want your kids to participate and be present, but there are times when kids just can’t and it’s important to recognize that. Don’t embarrass your child and make them feel horrible.

BOOK JACKET DESIGN BY MARY SCHUCK

GIVING AND RECEIVING GIFTS The gift giving and receiving is never ending today, opening the door for repeat gifts and ones that are just downright inappropriate. How do you teach a child to receive all gifts graciously?

LP: Explain to kids that we’re not always that excited about what’s in the package—and that sometimes it can be something we already have—but it’s very special when the person who gave us the gift is there. I would talk to my kids about always putting a smile on my face and saying “thank you so much.” That’s all they have to say.

LP: You can always ask if he’s into sports, or if there’s an after school activity he’s into these days. Kids really like it when you’re interested in them. It’s important to speak to them like you would to the other adults around the table. And as a mom, I would talk to my kids about what good topics are.

FORMAL DINNERS You don’t want an EpiPen situation at a formal dinner party, but do you need to adjust your carefully planned dinner menu to accommodate gluten-free, vegan and carb-free diets?

LP: The best thing to do is when people RSVP is to check in to see if there are any major food allergies or dietary restrictions.

But when it’s the more picky stuff, say “I haven’t encountered that before, is there a specific dish you can bring?” Also, ask yourself if there is a hearty version of a salad that would meet someone’s needs? It doesn’t need to be a faux-duck version of a main meal!

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OF THE ctivity A MONTH

BY TIFFANIE GREEN If parents are looking for a sport that will strengthen their child’s balance, develop precision in body movement and bolster mental toughness, then they should look no further than gymnastics. This centuries-old sport puts the flexibility of the human body to test in an elegant show of balance, coordination and agility.

Not quite sure your five-year-old is up to the task?

Don’t worry. Gymnastic classes are offered in all skill levels in gyms across the city. Instructors teach basic movements for young children and beginners, then up the difficulty and intensity as a child gets older.

To further convince you of how fantastic gymnastics can be, we spoke with two young New York City gymnasts about their love and dedication to the sport.

MELODY SALERNO, 16, NYC ELITE

Two Promising NYC Gymnasts Share What It Takes To Reach For The Stars (In The Gym, That Is) 28

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How long have you been involved with gymnastics?

I’ve been doing it since I was seven and I am now 16, so nine years.

Was signing up for gymnastics classes your own decision or your parents?

Both. I tried out many different sports and then I found gymnastics and realized I loved it. I was only two weeks into the recreational classes when they asked me to join the pre-team.

The pre-team in gymnastics is for the serious competitors. Recreational programs typically only meet about once a week. What kind of time commitment is required for competitive gymnastics?

It’s very time consuming. I have a four-hour www.newyorkfamily.com

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How does all that practice affect your schoolwork?

Sometimes I have to leave practice early but it’s manageable.

How different is team gymnastics from other team sports?

It’s different from other sports like football or soccer because it’s more individual work.

What is your favorite event?

High bar. I like the kind of gymnastics you do on the high bar like the giant and dismounts.

What has been your greatest achievement in the sport so far?

I was the 2011 State Champion in level seven.

What would you say to a kid interested in gymnastics who thinks the sport might be too difficult or challenging?

It’s a hard sport, it takes a lot of time and dedication. So, I would say that you should never give up and keep trying.

What are your future goals in gymnastics?

I don’t really want to go to the Olympics. Overall, I want to get better. Right now, I’m not that strong and that is a really important thing in gymnastics. So, to get strong would help a lot.

For more information, visit columbusgymnyc.com.

workout five days a week. Balancing that with school is challenging but also doable. It teaches me time management, and turns out to be positive in the long run.

Does that kind of commitment ever get overwhelming?

[At] the beginning of each school year I would question whether I wanted to stay with it. I’ve come very close to quitting but I have coaches [who] support me. My coach has definitely kept me in the sport and helped me to love it as much as I do now.

How competitive is team gymnastics?

It’s definitely very stressful at times but I think it’s a good kind of stressful. You learn to cope with the kind of pressure you are put under and you always have your teammates alongside you.

What is your favorite event?

Beams, even though everyone tells me how scary beams must be. It’s the event you need to use your mind the most. You need to be focused and mentally strong and that is one of my strengths.

What do you think it takes to be a competitive gymnast?

Lots of time management but mostly dedication. If you are really interested and passionate about the sport, the talent comes with it. It’s really about being into it and loving the sport. That’s what is going to keep you going and help you be successful.

What has been your proudest achievement in the sport so far?

I won First Place for fifteen-year-old Regional Champions.

That was really exciting because last year I didn’t even qualify for Regionals. This year, I qualified and not only qualified but also won the meet. I was very happy about that.

Would you recommend that more kids get involved in gymnastics?

Absolutely. I really think it was a good choice. I have learned so much. To be dedicated to something like this will carry me very far in life.

For more information, visit nycelite.com.

Luca RicciaRdi, 13, cheLsea PieRs

How long have you been involved with gymnastics and how many days a week do you typically practice?

I have been involved for about six years. I practice four days a week for about three and a half hours.

That is a lot of practice time. Do you ever want to not attend a practice?

Sometimes when I’m tired but most of the time I want to go.

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WhERE To LEARN ANd PRACTICE GYMNASTICS 74th St. MAGIC 510 East 74th Street 212-737-2989 74magic.com 92nd Street Y 1395 Lexington Avenue 212-415-5500 92y.org ABC Gym Kids St. Veronica’s Church 149-155 Christopher Street 347-622-1009 nycgymkids.com Asphalt Green 555 East 90th Street 212-369-8890 asphaltgreen.org Chelsea Piers 23rd Street & the Hudson River 212-336-6666 chelseapiers.com Columbus Gym 606 Columbus Avenue 212-721-0090 columbusgymnyc.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 Kidville Multiple locations in Manhattan 212-772-8435 kidville.com My Gym 250 East 60th Street 212-421-9496 22 West 66th Street 212-724-3400 my-gym.com NYC Elite 100 Avenue of the Americas 212-334-3628 421 East 91st Street 212-289-8737 nycelite.com NY Kids Club Multiple locations in Manhattan, 347-706-4700 nykidsclub.com Sokol NY 420 East 71st Street 212-861-8206 sokolnewyork.org YMCA Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-630-9600 ymcanyc.org

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Melodies For The Mellow laura Veirs – Tumble bee

Trust us on this: play Laura Veirs’ new (and first ever) family album on a gray winter day. Suddenly it will feel like summer all over again. Inspired by the birth of her son and drawing inspiration from hundreds of songs from the past several centuries, Tumble Bee is a light and gracefully nostalgic record. The instrumentals are engaging without feeling forced and each song has a quiet strength—Veirs’ strong suit over the years—which sometimes gets buried in other children’s albums. “Soldier’s Joy” will have your daughter busting out dance moves as if at a square dance. “Jamaica Farewell” will inspire a conga line and “Prairie Dream” will turn little dreamers into ballerinas. The songs, which feature the likes of Colin Meloy and Brian Blade, are simple enough to sing along to on the first listen. And the use of repetition makes them particularly easy to learn. Get lost in Tumble Bee and discover a new musical quirk each time you play it. $15, lauraveirs.com

happy-Go-lucky harMonies JusTin roberTs - JunGle GyM

Round up the kiddos and get ready to giggle! Justin Roberts packs a punk rock punch in his 7th family music release. With oddball lyrics like “sailing on a moonlit cardboard box,” Roberts’ newest album is fully loaded with the usual fanfare of fun rhythms and hilarious tunes. Lyrical youngins’ will especially love “Gym Class Parachute”—the anticipation of teamwork is half the fun! More noteworthy songs include “Snow Day” (who doesn’t love one?), “New Haircut” and “Never Getting Lost.”

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Perfectly sung right to your tot’s ears (though parents, it might remind you of some of the bands you used to listen to in college), it’s no surprise this was a Grammy-nominated release. Justin and his band, The Not Ready For Naptime Players, will be jamming at Symphony Space in April. Buy the album now so your kids can sing along with him live in the spring. Soon, the whole family will think he is a rockstar! $15, justinroberts.org

a sooThinG soundTrack Melissa errico – leGrand aFFair

Ever since we got to know Melissa Errico and her husband, Patrick McEnroe (”The Actress And The Athlete,” August 2008), we’ve been impressed with her varied contributions to family life. Not only is she the Founder of Bowery Babes (a thriving non-profit neighborhood group dedicated to supporting downtown mothers and families) but she also created a beautiful CD (Lullabies & Wildflowers) about the experience of new parenthood. It was a revelation because, as Errico showed, new moms need their own kind of lullabies—smart, soothing, melodic expressions of the big changes in their lives. A Broadway veteran known for her transcendent voice, Errico’s new release, Legrand Affair, stirs the heart. New parenthood is not a direct theme this time, but the emotion is certainly there. Errico worked on the songs in bits and pieces over six years and across eight cities—all the while giving birth to three children. How’d she do it? With the help of great support, of course, including the legendary music producer Phil Ramone, a 100-piece symphony orchestra and the musical genius of the man himself Michael Legrand! Enjoy this. $18.98, amazon.com www.newyorkfamily.com

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a

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The LiTTLe

For More Than 40 Years, Bank street Bookstore has remained a City staple For Tiny readers (and Teachers and Teens, Too)

BY ANgelA JohNsoN If you’ve read Goodnight Moon more times than you can count, we suggest you rally up the tots for a trip to Bank Street Bookstore. A part of the Morningside Heights community for more than 40 years, this charming and independent book nook not only carries a sturdy selection of extraordinary reads but also has puzzles and games for kids of all ages.

The shop’s story began in 1970 with a small space in the lobby of Bank Street College, primarily serving the college faculty and parents of students in the School for Children. Twenty years later, the store expanded into its current bi-level location, at the corner of 112th Street and Broadway, and has grown to be an invaluable resource to both teachers—who can find supplies and curriculum materials—and literary-minded parents throughout the neighborhood.

But let it be known: Bank Street Bookstore is a young reader’s paradise. Kids will delight in the floor-to-ceiling shelves that are stocked with titles in almost 20 different languages. Overwhelmed with the possibilities? Narrow it down by heading to the heart of the store, which boasts a colorful display of carefully chosen staff favorites.

If you’ve got a baby at home or even in tow, you don’t have to wander too far beyond the first floor. On the second level, content is designated for older children and teens. It features a wide range of fiction and educational books, as well as math, reading and logic games. There is even a special area devoted to reads on life’s more serious subjects such as death, bullying and divorce.

And in a time when many small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, Bank Street Bookstore continues to thrive under the leadership of Director Beth Puffer, who has been with the store for 25 years now. A former early childhood educator, her time at Bank Street began as a holiday gig, serving as a short-term break from teaching. She enjoyed her work at the store so much

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that she never quite made it back to the classroom.

Puffer explains that while a large portion of Bank Street’s customer base comes from the surrounding neighborhood, the store appeals to readers from across the tri-state area and even around the globe. “We have educators who come from places like Hong Kong, The Philippines and Australia year after Director Beth Puffer year to shop here and have books shipped to them back home,” she says. Additionally, many of the store’s titles can be found on Bank Street’s website, which is thoughtfully organized by age and topic, the way most of the in-store requests are received.

Puffer touts her knowledgeable, well-read staffers and their ability to think outside of the box as one of the key features that distinguishes her store from the competition. “The staff is the crown jewel of the store,” she says. “A teacher may come in requesting materials for a specific curriculum unit, and we’ll not only suggest non-fiction materials, but also poetry, fiction and different subjects they might not think of that could expand a child’s vision of the topic.”

And Bank Street Bookstore is not just a place to buy

PhoTos BY ANDReW sChWARTZ

BooksTore ThaT CouLd

www.newyorkfamily.com

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hardcovers and paperbacks. The shop also hosts a variety of concerts as well as author and illustrator events each month.

“We’ve heard over the years what an effect it’s had on children to meet the author or watch an illustrator create in front of their eyes,” Puffer says. “It’s like magic.”

Though faced with a diminishing number of physical bookstores due the proliferation of e-readers and online shopping, Beth Puffer remains optimistic about the future. “We hope people will continue to support the idea of sitting with a child, turning the pages of a book and seeing the original art as it was created.

We hope to be able to continue to be the resource that we’ve been for years. I think we’re going to be here for a long time.”

We think so, too.

To learn more, visit bankstreetbooks.com.

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Bank Street Recommends Great Reads Through The Years AGES 1-3 My Animals by Xavier Deneux; More, More, More Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams

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December 2011 | New York Family

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n e w pa r e n t e ss e n t i a l s

AsProducTs The AndJourney Begins…

Musings For new And exPecTAnT PArenTs

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1. Diaper BaG Jonathan adler for skip Hop Duo essential Diaper Bag by skip Hop, $75, skiphop.com Skip Hop’s newest collaboration brings NYC parents the vibrant designs of Jonathan Adler with innovative diaper bags and accessories. In trademark Adler patterns like Wave Multi, Flame Yellow and Chevron Blue, the Duo Essential Diaper Bag comes with a coordinating zip case and laminated changing pad.

2. strOller switch Four by peg pérego, $499.99, pegperego.com The compact and highly maneuverable Switch Four is a versatile travel system that allows baby to face inward or out. With a large canopy and foot muff, this stroller keeps little ones cozy and warm in even the most severe winter weather. For newborn babies and toddlers up to 45 pounds, the Switch Four progresses with your child—offering four backrest recline positions, telescoping handles and a builtin rear footboard for a second passenger, when the time comes!

3. parentinG BOOK today’s Moms: essentials for surviving Baby’s First Year

by Mary ann Zoellner and alicia Ybarbo, $16.99, amazon.com Offering essential parenting advice by way of their characteristic humor, NBC’s Today Show Producers Mary Ann Zoellner and Alicia Ybarbo have written a guide for modern moms navigating the first year of raising baby. Today’s Moms advises readers on everything from breastfeeding products to financial planning, and is loaded with shared experiences, wisdom and anecdotes from contributors such as Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, Al Roker and many more.

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4. MaternitY ClOtHinG You Go Girl Grey suit by suits Your Belly, $390, suitsyourbelly.com Corporate working mom Jennifer Skanron is big on style and, like most parents, value—which is what inspired her to design maternity wear that will last an entire nine months of pregnancy (and beyond). Skanron’s fashionable Zip In Panel is worn with the classic straight leg suit pant under or over the belly as your body changes throughout and even after pregnancy. To complete the fitted look, this wool cashmere suit comes with a soft jacket offering hidden zippers to expand with your growing belly.

5. aCCessOrY the strollaway by MetrotOts, $39.99, metrotots.com Suitable for practically any interior or exterior door, the slim StrollAway door hanger comes with a removable spacer for a perfect fit with any stroller. Able to hold 35-40 pounds with ease, this device can accommodate angled handles, continuous handle bars and even jogging strollers. Trust us, your already-cramped NYC apartments will thank you.

6. BOnUs strOller 100 series lightweight stroller by Baby Cargo, $109.99, babycargo.com Subway stair climbing has met its match. Recently launched by an NYC mom, the user-friendly brand Baby Cargo has just introduced its new ultra lightweight umbrella stroller. With features like an adjustable canopy, tailored pockets, a shoulder strap and handle, the 100 Series is a good choice for parents with children 6 months and older.

The black matte aluminum frame is sleek looking and rustfree and, perhaps best of all, the entire stroller weighs a mere 13 pounds. www.newyorkfamily.com

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born & bred Baking With BaBy Posted By: Alex Richards

One of my mommy friends mentioned how insane her milk supply was after making a batch of Lactation Cookies.

Apparently, if you add a little ground flaxseed and Brewer’s Yeast to your oatmeal cookies, your milk supply will go KABOOM! It ain’t no lie. My supply has been fine, but as my daughter gets bigger, I sometimes worry that I’m not enough of a Milk Messiah for her anymore.

So, while Trixie was asleep in the Baby Bjorn, I started baking. I was ohso-careful every time I opened the oven, cautiously turning away from the heat and covering my baby’s face. I didn’t spill sugar on her head or clang the pots too loudly.

The first batch smelled so good that I a took piping hot cookie straight off the tray to have a nibble and…a chocolate chip broke off and went down Trixie’s shirt. OMFG! Five seconds later she was wide awake and wailing like a banshee. Immediately I tore off her clothes to assess the damage. If it scarred, would she ever forgive me? Can Child Services arrest mothers for harboring rogue chocolate chips? I almost cried when I saw the red mark on her shoulder blade. I applied a little Bacitracin and it healed completely, but I was shaken up, and I learned a valuable lesson (or two): a) don’t bake with a baby strapped to you, and b) don’t be a greedy pig and eat the cookies hot off the tray. Got it? nights Of the Living DeaD Posted By: Kristen Haas Trying to navigate hormonal changes and figuring out how to care for a new baby doesn’t leave much time for anything—including sleep. It took us about a week before my husband and I finally figured out that we both couldn’t both stay awake through the night. Suddenly, Derek had an epiphany: we should work in shifts!

I breastfeed Dylan, so I have to be present and awake www.newyorkfamily.com

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Posts from our new Parent blog at newYorkfamilY.com (sort of awake) for every feeding. When Dylan wakes up, Derek gets him out of his crib, calms him, changes his diaper and prepares him for a feeding. I struggle to get out of bed and hobble over to the couch, strap on My Brest Friend and the baby is handed over. After the feeding is over, I bring him back to his crib and climb back into bed and we do it all over again an hour later. This divide-and-conquer approach saved our lives in those early weeks.

If you’re in the midst of this now, just remember, there is a light at the end of that crazy newborn tunnel. Before you know it, baby will be sleeping for longer stints of time and you will begin to feel less like the undead. The more baby sleeps at night, the more you will begin to feel like yourself again. Now, if only there was time to shower…

BeyOnD the CarDBOarD BOx Posted By: Leah Black I love finding great toys for my son, but often it’s the everyday household objects that end up fascinating him the most. At 15 months old, he manages to have fun exploring everything from Tupperware containers to shoe boxes. There are a handful of items that have been strangely mesmerizing to him, so I’m sharing them in the hopes that other children will get just as much satisfaction out of this stuff as we did.

Post-it notes. I grabbed a pack of these off the kitchen counter as I was about to leave on a long car trip recently, in the hopes they might be a fun distraction for my son when he got fussy. He ended up peeling one Post-it Note after the other off the pack over the course of half an hour. Now I break them out when we’re playing at home and need a new diversion. radio. The radio is endlessly fascinating to kids, who love to turn it on and off, fiddle with the volume and switch stations. The more basic the radio, the better. empty tissue box. Children love to fill up and then empty containers. It’s fun because you can’t always see what you’ve put in there, so kids have to reach their hand in and feel around for whatever is inside. My son fills an empty tissue box up with wooden rings, plastic straws or whatever else is lying around. sign UP fOr BOrn & BreD To sign up for a weekly newsletter of Born & Bred’s tips, news, musings and other highlights for expectant and new parents with children up to 24 months, go to newyorkfamily.com.

December 2011 | New York Family

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in profile

Photo by Andrew Schwartz

The Q ueen Of Queens

Leni Calas with daughters Roxy and Max.

How Astoria Mom Of Two Leni Calas Made The Website Queens Mamas An Indispensible Part Of Raising Children In Her Borough

By Christine Wei It’s a busy October afternoon and Leni Calas is hard at work preparing to host a pre-teen Halloween party for her daughter, Max, 12, while also brainstorming venues for a community-wide parenting event next year. She’s simultaneously taking care of her two-year-old, Roxy, who is running a fever. On top of it all, she’s scheduled a Skype call with a New York Family reporter who wants to learn more about her blog-turned-smash-hit of a website.

In the end, she brings her computer into the kitchen to e-chat with me as she lays out some snacks. Welcome to the life of the woman who founded Queens Mamas, a hyper-local guide for parents navigating New York City’s largest borough.

Though it’s hard to believe, Calas hasn’t always been this bursting-at-the-seams busy. In fact, it was the relative boredom of being a stay-at-home mom that inspired her to start a blog during her second pregnancy. Frustrated with the lack of a regional onestop guide when she was raising her older daughter. Calas saw a gaping hole in the community that she could fill. Today, Queens Mamas—a website built by parents, for parents—comprises

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around ten mommy contributors who write about all-things parenting in their neighborhoods. Two years after the site’s inception in 2009, their collected words of wisdom now reach over 4,000 followers on Twitter and Facebook.

“What differentiates us is that we genuinely live in the neighborhoods that we write about,” Calas says. “I wrote the article on Halloween events because I live here, and people who read the website can probably see me [at the events].”

For someone who’s become a pseudo-celebrity in the parent blogosphere and who won First Place at the Queens Economic Development Corporations StartUP! Business Plan Competition just last year, Calas is surprisingly modest when it comes to talking about her achievements with The Mamas Network. “It’s really very mundane,” she humbly says of her typical day, which starts with getting her daughters up, dressed, fed and off to school. “[My day is] all on the computer, typing away.” What she neglects to mention, of course, is that the daily keyboard grind she does at local cafes and in between errands makes the family lives of thousands of readers more manageable and fun.

In running Queens Mamas, Calas is focused editorially on a www.newyorkfamily.com

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single goal: buckling down on local neighborhood hotspots, tips and events. This specific niche is why the site largely caters to the five-years-old and under crowd (despite her desire to address all ages), and why Calas chooses to limit content outside of her borough. “There are plenty of places where a Queens parent can find out where to go in Manhattan,” she points out, shifting the attention to her writers’ steadfastly local perspective.

“We’re trying to encourage people to keep their families and their money close to home, so that economically—ultimately— the neighborhoods will be better.”

More importantly, as a New York native currently living in Astoria with unconditional love for the larger city, Calas pushes her website as a vehicle for long-term investment in all Queens neighborhoods. “The social responsibility element to what you do as a media [company] is encouraging growth through local business,” she argues, speaking in an impassioned but articulate manner that makes it clear why so many parents have fallen under the spell of her website. “We’re trying to encourage people to keep their families and their money close to home, so that economically—ultimately—the neighborhoods will be better.”

Besides stepping out of the virtual world, it was this hope of bringing businesses to service Queens parents in their own communities that largely inspired Queens Mamas’ first-ever expo last spring. Calas indignantly reveals that Queens has a grand total of three independent baby stores. For her, that simply doesn’t cut it.

The effects of the day-long fair were profound. Calas exclaims, “To say, ‘I’m going to, on one consolidated day, bring fifty businesses into your community [that will] service you and your children, give you stuff for free, and make your parenting life super easy’—it’s Christmas for parents.” That there were pregnant women lined up out the door and down the block only goes to show how much this two-way introduction was needed.

Following the success of the expo, Calas decided to work her publishing magic in two more NYC boroughs this past summer.

Upholding her golden standard of homegrown content, she hired new wordsmiths to inject regional perspective into parenting in Long Island and Brooklyn. “Each website has its own editor and local contributors who give it the local flavor that moms search for online,” she promises, while continuing to oversee hires and even do some writing herself.

The current success of The Mamas Network however, doesn’t mean that it’s always been smooth sailing. Transitioning from personal writing to working with web developers and managing a team took some adjusting. “I crashed my own website once, literally took it off the Internet,” Calas laughs. But when conversation turns to the joys of her job, she truly lights up.

“I love really making an impact on people who live in this area,” she says. “To have people email you or call you or see you on the street and really mean that you’ve been able to provide them with something that they didn’t have before—I love that the most.”

Calas similarly delights in empowering the other mothers who work for her: “To be able to stay at home with your kids, enjoy your life with your children, work and make money at the same time— that’s the holy grail of parenting, and I’ve been able to serve that up.”

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Though her current focus is on ramping up the new sites for other New York parents, Calas is already dreaming of more potential projects: new events, guidebooks, perhaps even iPhone apps. And while it can be stressful managing a team of stayat-home moms, this work structure ultimately speaks to the authenticity of The Mamas Network. “We’ve built a business around being parents, and the mothers who work for me make absolutely no apology for it,” Calas says, standing behind the novel workplace she’s created. “My ad sales manager’s toddler is running around while she’s on a business call, and that’s who we are. We live this life.”

To get your fill of Queens, visit queensmamas.com.

f O t s e B Leni’s s For Kids Queen Best Any Day Activity Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool and Rink is open all year round. Take a dip or skate a lap no matter the month. nycgovparks.org Best Free Place To Go 5Pointz is a collection of graffiti-inked warehouse buildings in Long Island City right next to MoMA PS 1. 5ptz. com Best Lunch Spot For Kids BareBurger is a friendly and organic burger joint in the heart of Astoria with a delicious children’s menu. bareburger.com Best Store For Kids At SITE NYC in Astoria, you can buy your tot an “I Heart Astoria” onesie, a “Queens” pillow for your couch, and toys for all ages. sitenyc.com Best Mommy and Me Class “Fun with Chinese Characters” teaches language in oral- and performance-based lessons, using Chinese actors to play out stories live. funwithchinesecharacters.com Best Tween And Teen Activity Outdoor jet pools, hot tubs, waterfalls and sauna huts are only a few of the things that can be enjoyed at the Spa Castle in College Point. nyspacastle.com www.newyorkfamily.com

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holiday

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The SeaSon of GifTinG

from Practical Winter-Weather Gear To a Charming Dollhouse, This List of holiday finds has a Bit of everything for Kids (and Some for Parents, Too!)

BY Mia WeBer

1. For holiday (s)hoppers: Your little ones can snuggle up with Babo the bunny while you unwind and pamper with organic holiday soaps.

Babo Bunny holiday Stocking Stuffer by Babo Botanicals $18, babobotanicals.com 2. For the “big” kid: It’s easy to get lost in all the adult sophistication of new technology. Check out these nostalgic cases to remind yourself to stay playful! etch a Sketch® iPhone Case by headcase $24.99, getaheadcase.com

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3. For the French-y fashionista: Help your aspiring taste-maker stay stylish with this playful sweater dress from a budding Parisian label. onassis dress by Pearls & Popcorn $49, bloomingdales.com 4. For the littlest linguist: Give your children a head start at becoming little citizens of the world—they will learn over 180 words and phrases in a new language.

Spanish deluxe gift Set by little Pim $84.95, littlepim.com 5. For the astute accessorizer: This precious purse in a classic plaid is the perfect size for an urban kid’s winter essentials—mittens, tissues and chapstick! girl’s Plaid Purse by The Children’s Place $9.95, childrensplace.com

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6. For the eco-friendly entertainer: Add pizzazz to your morning’s orange juice or afternoon snack time with this globalized and environmentally friendly set of glasses—a percentage of the proceeds goes to UNICEF. “our Future” Juice Set by green glass $56, greenglass.com 7. For the young glamour girl: This sweet wool party dress is the perfect combination of upscale chic and childlike whimsy—perfect for holiday occasions and dress-up days.

Bonaventura dress by Sierra Julian $145, sierrajulian.com

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8. For the charitable chef: Savor some sweet moments whipping up pancakes and noshing on gingerbread and biscotti with the fam. Plus, spread some holiday cheer—15% of every purchase goes to the charity of your choice.

Breakfast Gift Box by Baking for Good $60, bakingforgood.com 9. For the app-savvy artiste: Witness the wonder of a children’s classic reinvented for the smart phone experience.

Harold and the Purple Crayon iPad book app by Trilogy Studios $6.99, itunes.apple.com 10. For the sketching stylist: And Harold’s innovative imagination takes on the fashion world with this literary tee.

Harold and the Purple Crayon Tee $22, outofprintclothing.com

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11. For the tiny trekker: Keep your kiddies’ toes warm, dry and totally in-vogue with these luxe, yet sturdy, desert boots.

Suede Lace Ankle Boots by Naturino $74-79.75, naturino.com 12. For the travel-ready toddler: Gear up for your next cosmopolitan vacation by handing some of the planning over to the youngest adventurer in the family.

Not-For-Parents Book Series by Lonely Planet $14.99 each, shop.lonelyplanet.com

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13. For the cozy city kid: With fun faux-furs, stylish scarves and cuddly knits, this winter accessory collection is hot, hot, hot!

Hats & Scarf by Appaman, Price range at appaman.com

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14. For the pint-sized professional: With a fan base that includes the Beckham boys, this cheeky tee takes “business casual” to a whole new level.

Little Man Baby Tee by Blume $56, blumegirl.com

15. For crusaders against the cold: Show any blizzard who’s boss with this efficient and tech-savvy heater.

Dyson HotTM Fan Heater by Dyson $399.99, dyson.com 16. For the gifted gamer: One of America’s favorite party pastimes gets a tricky twist—perfect for holiday gatherings or family game night!

Reverse Charades Junior Edition $23.99, reversecharades.com

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17. For the digital dreamer: The interactive screen on these techie timepieces is sure to serve as insurance against sleeping through any morning alarm.

Multimedia Photo Clock by Zazoo Kids $89.99, zazookids.com 18. For the organic infant: How can you go wrong with a classically inspired, super soft, natural fiber teddy that also happens to be washing machine durable?

Cuddle Bear by TANE Organics $63, taneorganics.com 19. For the wintery wanderer: These precious mittens let your child channel the wonder of the animal kingdom while keeping snug.

Mopsey Baby Mittens by Stella McCartney Kids $38, stellamccartneykids.com 20. For the urban equestrian: This sleek rocker is not only a playtime treat for your little one, but also a chic, vintage-inspired décor piece for your home.

Vintage Wood Carousel Horse by Restoration Hardware Baby & Child $249, rhbabyandchild.com 21. For the dapper dresser: The bold metallic pewter on this sleek shoe is accented by soft, pink ribbon laces, serving as the perfect pop of flare for any party ensemble.

OMG shoe in light pink metallic by Nina Kids $55, ninakids.com

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22. For the creative crafter: Boxes of thematic fun and supplies to kick-start the imagination arrive at your doorstep monthly!

Kiwi Crate subscription by Kiwi Crate $19.95/month, kiwicrate.com

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23. For the green baby on-the-go: This whimsical, BPA-free travel cup is sure to make any thirsty kid smile as he sips through a straw.

Lollacup $18, lollacup.com

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24. For the miniature modernist: In a refreshing break from the traditional dollhouse, this diminutive urban oasis teaches minimalist design at an early age.

Dylan House by Brinca Dada $149, yoyo.com 25. For the snuggly snow angel: Because not even the most tenacious tots are immune to the icy chills of a New York City winter, this snowsuit is as weatherproof as it is adorable.

Infant Buttery Bunting by The North Face $60, thenorthface.com 26. For the diaper diva: No need to sacrifice style for storage space – this chic diaper tote is a must for multi-tasking mommies.

Amore Tote by Ty Lucas $345, tylucasbaby.com

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27. For the pop-art popstar: The iconic Julius character takes to tending tunes as a quirky iPhone dock.

Julius Dance Machine iPod Docking Station by Paul Frank Industries $99.95, paulfrank.com www.newyorkfamily.com

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Carley's Way

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www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 6:05 PM

Smart And Savvy Mother Of Three Carley Roney On Her Parenting Rituals, Being A Lifelong New Yorker And Managing The Triplets—The Knot, The Nest and The Bump

By Whitney Casser Photos by Michael Jurick Styled by Cricket Burns

www.newyorkfamily.com

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December 2011 | New York Family

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first meet Carley Roney at her office on a mild autumn afternoon. In the high-ceilinged Soho loft where her company XO Group Inc. is currently headquartered I can feel the sparks of creative development hatching with each passing second. There’s electricity in the air. I half-expect to hear bottles of champagne popping as I make my way through the open workspace. Amidst three-tiered model wedding cakes, pastel paper flowers and coffee klatches that burst with ideas, stands Carley.

It’s past three o’clock in the afternoon, she hasn’t had a chance to eat her lunch, but she’s full of energy and quick with a smile. We dive right in.

Carley went to NYU film school and graduated just as the Internet began to take shape. It was in college that she met her future husband and business partner, David Liu, with whom she decided that a new media enterprise would be her calling. Three short years after getting hitched, David and Carley gave birth to TheKnot.com in 1996—a wedding website for traditional, offbeat and everything-in-between brides. In an industry they originally considered “tacky and too froufrou,” David and Carley were slowly and methodically building their base, generating much-needed content, ideas, inspiration and making connections. The following year, just as they were receiving financing for their new company, daughter Havana arrived, now 14. Things only picked up from there.

The next decade would bring two more children—Cairo now seven-years-old and Dublin now three—along with a pair of new businesses, The Nest for budding home buyers and The Bump for new parents.

“They’re amazing times to be part of someone’s life,” Carley gushes.

We talk and talk, about everything from choosing a wedding photographer and starting your own business to spending an afternoon playing Legos with the kids. Carley is relaxed but poised, funny but thoughtful. She’s lightning fast with a joke.

The next time I see Carley she’s at home in Brooklyn with her family of five. If she was comfortable in her office, she’s downright tranquil in her apartment. With kids running around getting dressed for the photo shoot, Carley sits for hair and makeup while gently encouraging her youngest son to try on his monkey pajamas to show off to the group.

We open a bottle of champagne and enjoy some light mimosas.

Carley toasts the shoot and the crew of eight who have invaded her home before smiling for the camera.

How did you first become interested in the wedding industry?

To be perfectly frank, I was not the girl who dreamed of her wedding from day one. I threw my wedding in under six weeks.

David had to plan most of it! We were like downtown New York City kids. “We’ll just throw a party! What’s the big deal?” I certainly gained a lot of respect for the industry after going through it but more so gained a knowledge of how completely confusing and backwards it was. Everything from [vendors] not letting David make decisions about the flowers because the “wife-to-be” wasn’t there. Or, the fact that there was no way you could access the information when you get home at eight o’clock at night when everything is closed. I was like, “How do people plan weddings? Do you have to quit your job to do it?”… Eventually, when we saw the Internet we thought to ourselves: “Wow. This would completely change that wedding thing, wouldn’t it?”

And how did The Knot eventually lead to The Nest and The Bump?

You have to listen to your audience and what they want. On The Knot, once we had a following, there was an explosion of the community on our message board and visitors to our site… What happened was that after their wedding, people wouldn’t leave. So they kept coming back…but they talked off-topic. They’d suddenly be talking about test-driving cars and having babies and the people on the wedding space would be like, “I don’t care about that! Right now I want to talk about tulips or freesia!”… So we would get these requests…and then we spun it off into its own site, The Nest. And the same thing happened with baby… I always wanted to launch the baby side. I think that is a moment in time when you need a ton of advice, you really want a community of people to talk to.

What do you find most challenging about your work?

On a daily basis, the biggest challenge of our life here is just picking priorities. There are a million exciting things to do [at] any minute. But to be a good business, you only have so many people and the math has to work out. When you’re in an organization full of creative people who are always getting struck by lightning bolts…to be able to have that balance between doing the maintenance of our business and picking what new things to invest in is very hard.

And how would you describe your relationship with David?

Our relationship is very yin-yang. There are a huge amount of similarities in terms of interests and things like that. But there’s also the “opposites attract” concept. You know, I would like to go out and David would like to stay in… At work, David is all vision and I’m all execution. So it really works incredibly well, but we’re also both incredibly bull-headed… He calls me the Energizer Bunny.

So do you have any tricks for balancing home and work life?

I’ve just been dying for someone to find a way for there to be one more day in the week. Because that would really help me a lot! My secret to survival is that when I’m home, I’m home. If I’m home and my kids are awake, I’m 100% there. I completely shut off everything else. But when they go to bed, the “work me” turns on again.

Any funny stories about resolving differences or agreeing on priorities?

One thing that the both of us agree with is that there is no such thing as spoiling your children with time or attention… It’s been a little more challenging since our daughter became a teenager. I was willing to be a little bit more lax than he was.

With David being Chinese, have you merged cultures and traditions in any interesting ways?

We always have a big dinner party around Chinese New Year… We eat a lot of Chinese food because David’s mother cooks for us a lot. And we travel to China. We take the kids to Asia—I think they’ve gone every other year. It’s great now because we’re starting the business in China so we have a reason to go a lot. It a huge shared passion that David and I have. We love to travel. (continued on page 52)

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(continued from page 50) What are the holidays like at home? Does your family have any holiday traditions?

We have a Chinese-American Thanksgiving so we have dumplings and turkey! We invite all of our friends who have nowhere to go or people from the office who are international. We go to China every couple of years for Christmas. But I’m the holiday girl in the household for sure. We always go to Rhode Island, where I’m from, and pick out a Christmas tree. My whole strategy with it is, you can’t in any way want it to be perfect. It’s the activity, not the outcome. So all of my Christmas ornaments are at the reaching-level of the children, mostly at the bottom of the tree. And then there are three random ornaments higher up that I’ve hung.

What was your own childhood like? Are you recreating that for your children or are you doing things differently?

My parents got divorced when I was six, so everything was always very complicated. But my parents had a completely amicable divorce so they all came together on the holidays. I am trying to recreate for my kids a sense of ritual. Whether it was my dad always making pancakes in the mornings…the things that you remember.

Finish either sentence: “I am the kind of mother who always…” or “I am the kind of mother who never…”

I’m the kind of mother who never makes my kids go back to their room. If my kids come into my room they can climb right into my bed. I don’t care if it’s an hour after they went to bed or four o’clock in the morning.

In your opinion, what are some of the most misunderstood aspects about pregnancy and parenthood?

I think that everyone sees these things as a science and they’re much more of an art. I’m in the advice business and I recommend reading all of the experts, but at the end of the day, it’s kind of about how you feel about things. You have to trust your own instincts. Regarding pregnancy, I think that we are hyper-educated, which is good, but I think that we really don’t trust our bodies.

People also aren’t prepared for the emotional transition. For some people it is completely peaches and roses. And then for some people, it’s the hardest transition in their life to suddenly sit home for six weeks with a worm.

What the best and worst piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received?

Never feel guilty because it doesn’t do anybody any good. And,

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To take us back to your day job, what are you currently working on? You’re expanding into China so how does that play into the future of your brands?

There’s still so much to do. Everything is changing and there’s new technology. We have a lot of mobile applications that are building communities, so you can talk to other pregnant moms in your birth month all around the country, on your mobile phone…

So for us there are just so many ways to touch people. On the wedding front, and even on the baby front too, we’re starting to look at executive producing TV…identifying talent or storylines. With this international expansion, China is the biggest wedding and baby market in the world. People are very interested in American advice, particularly on these topics.

You love to travel and you’re starting to spend more time abroad, but do you consider yourself a lifelong New Yorker?

I do. I graduated high school early in order to come here. I will never leave this place.

5 Favorite Things To Do In NYC With Family

Go To Governors Island. We love taking the free ferry over to Governors Island to ride bikes and enjoy a nice picnic. Definitely a must-do summer activity.

Play In The Park. We play soccer in Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn and hang out for hours in Empire Fulton Park under the Brooklyn Bridge. We also love riding on Jane’s Carousel in DUMBO—the horses on this carousel are exquisite!

Ice Skate. Ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park is an activity we all look forward to each winter.

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occasionally, randomly, out of the blue, play hooky. And tell your kids, “You’re not going to school today and I’m not going to work today.” And show them that they are what really comes first.

Watch A Performance At The New Victory Theater. I am an avid New Victory fan. We see almost every show each season. I love to take the kids to dances and performances from all over the world— they have a blast!

Explore Art Galleries. There are tons of galleries in DUMBO that we love to hop, and the DUMBO Arts Festival is filled with music, performances and art that blow the kids’ minds each time we go.

www.newyorkfamily.com

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December 2011 | New York Family

11/16/11 5:18 PM

F amily h e r o e s Chief AnimAl enthusiAst Jon forrest Dohlin, DireCtor of the new York AquArium

BY CristiNa DimeN

But for WCS and the New York Aquarium to continue their mission of connecting people to nature, Dohlin explains that fundraising starts primarily through paying for admission tickets, sampling fare at the café or purchasing souvenir photos or gifts.

Guests ready for a deeper level of commitment can become a WCS member, patron or donor.

Looking ahead, Dohlin shares that exciting things are underway. “We’re very close to breaking ground on our new shark exhibit, which is going to be an utterly transformative exhibit. It’s a great opportunity to get people engaged, involved and passionate about one of the biggest and most important challenges in conservation right now, which is the decline in shark population,” he enthuses. “I want to get this exhibit built and opened.”

For more information, visit nyaquarium.com.

Julie Larsen maher/WCs

hArlem’s role moDels Dr. robert houCk, exeCutive DireCtor of frienDs of the ChilDren nY Jon Forrest Dohlin with Nuka, a Pacific walrus

With a background in biology and architecture, Jon Forrest Dohlin never thought he’d realize his lifelong dream by combining both disciplines on his journey to becoming Director of the New York Aquarium.

Using his love for creative expression, Dohlin worked on the design team for the Congo Gorilla Forest in the Bronx Zoo right out of graduate school. He went on to lead similar projects for the aquarium during his 10 years at the zoo’s design department.

In 2008, his career path led to the New York Aquarium where his duties now entail meeting with staff and donors, ensuring the integrity of the facilities and the collection, collaborating with trainees and choreographers on shows, as well as designing exhibits.

Dohlin shares the knowledge gained through his years with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and his passion for the marine environment when he takes on his favorite task—giving tours. He loves interacting with families, dignitaries and members, and appreciates the excited look kids get when they realize, “it’s so much cooler than they even imagined to be close to animals, [and] to get to see the people that work with them.”

“Almost every child has an innate, intrinsic love and fascination with animals,” he says, encouraging parents to bring their little ones to the aquarium, which is open 365 days a year. Children of all ages can experience fun, educational programs—such as the popular Aquatheater or the Sea Lion Celebration, where a select group meet trainers and pose for pictures with the animals.

Over 750,000 annual visitors enter the gates of Brooklyn’s primary cultural attraction—mostly locals coming from within a 10-mile radius. “We are extremely proud of our history and our present role as the anchor of Coney Island,” states Dohlin.

To run a cohesive operation, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes. Without hesitation, Dohlin credits WCS and the aquarium staff who “are amazing people [who] get me energized and make me feel privileged to work with them every day.”

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New York Family | December 2011

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BY BriehN trumBauer Dr. Bob with a few of the Achievers

To understand how Friends of the Children NY (FOTC NY) operates, you first have to learn the lingo. It’s an early-intervention program in Harlem that intends to break the cycle of generational poverty. At-risk children are observed in the classroom, on the playground, during lunch and at drop-off and pick-up for a sixweek period while they’re in kindergarten. The most at-risk kids are selected to take part in FOTC NY. “We say there’s nothing [children] can do to get kicked out, except move beyond our ability to serve them,” says Executive Director Dr. Robert Houck.

So why kindergarten? Harlem has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. Children in that type of environment follow school dropout and juvenile delinquency patterns because they don’t see alternatives for their future, Houck explains. “The FOTC model lets us start early enough [to] prevent a lot of the damage and really capitalize on the potential that lies within.”

Once invited to the program, the kids become Achievers, a name that carries affirmative meaning and affects how they view www.newyorkfamily.com

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Lower Manhattan’s Leading Lady JuLie Menin, Chairperson of nyC’s CoMMunity Board 1

BY TiFFaNie GreeN Julie Menin’s career as a civic leader began on September 11, 2001. Before that day, Menin was the small business owner of a vibrant restaurant across from the New York Stock Exchange. Following 9/11, Menin devoted her efforts to revitalizing the crippled area of Lower Manhattan with the creation of the not-for-profit Wall Street Rising. Her enormous efforts to strengthen Lower

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Manhattan caught the attention of Community Board 1 (CB1) and in 2001 she was appointed for membership. Being on the community board allowed her to weigh in on vital matters affecting CB1’s Julie Menin and family

Marci Beckerman

themselves. “This is an opportunity to see lives dramatically change,” says ‘Dr. Bob,’ as the Achievers have affectionately nicknamed him.

Each Achiever is then gender-matched with a Friend. “We wanted to stay away from the name ‘mentor’ because…it’s usually short-term,” Dr. Bob says. A Friend must make at least a threeyear commitment so that the children don’t experience another traumatic loss; many have witnessed a parent being taken to jail or a death in the family. The Friends are college-educated, highly trained professionals who become true role models by spending four hours of one-on-one time a week with each of their eight Achievers. They go on enrichment outings to museums and parks, or spend time in the Achiever’s classroom.

Dr. Bob remains quite humble about his role at FOTC NY. “The Friends—they’re the real heroes,” he says. But it was a stroke of fate that led him here. After working with two agencies for neglected and abused children, The Crossnore School and the Grandfather Home for Children—both in North Carolina—Dr. Bob and his wife decided to move to New York City to be closer to their family. “I was looking for an organization in New York at the time that FOTC was looking for somebody to come take over,” he says. “It turned out to be a really good match.”

The most rewarding part of FOTC NY for Dr. Bob is to see the progress of the Achievers. “[It’s] to see them all of a sudden begin to believe in themselves.” One of his favorite success stories is about a boy whose father was incarcerated. After participating in the program, the young man is now his school’s varsity quarterback as a junior, and his dad plays an active role in his life.

Due to his backgrounds in business and clinical psychology, Dr. Bob says one of his strengths is company revitalization. And that’s precisely what he’s done with FOTC NY. When the NY branch first began in 2001, there were 24 Achievers. Since becoming Director in 2007, that number has grown to 119, while still maintaining the intimate relationship-building factor. Dr. Bob has also initiated the alumni portion of the program, which supports the Achievers through college graduation rather than stopping after high school. FOTC NY plans to move to a bigger location by the end of this year, and Dr. Bob hopes to eventually have Friends Places in all five boroughs.

“My vision is this,” he says. “Fifty years from now, there’s going to be a successful individual… sitting with his grandchild telling [him or her] about this Friend who changed the destiny of their family. And it’s not going to affect just that one Achiever, it’s going to affect…generations to come, thousands of New Yorkers.”

region—Lower Manhattan below Canal Street.

Today, Julie Menin sits as Chairperson of the Board, having held the position since 2005. “We often end up addressing issues that are certainly not ones that we predicted would happen,” says Menin of the scope of topics CB1 tackles. “The decisions that we make have real implications well beyond the Lower Manhattan community. The eyes of the world are certainly on Manhattan.”

From tackling much publicized issues like the creation of Park51 (known across the country as the “Ground Zero mosque”), to pioneering the movement of the trial of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, to the current battle surrounding protestors at Occupy Wall Street, Community Board 1 has certainly had its share of dealing with national headline topics.

“You have to be extremely proactive and able to move quickly to address issues as soon as they happen,” says Menin.

Nevertheless, not every issue CB1 takes on is divisive.

“Frequently I will be at a PTA meeting or meet with a government agency that has an issue regarding service delivery in the neighborhood,” says Menin. “Every single day chairing the community board is different. It’s a real honor.”

Closing in on her final year as Chairperson, Menin has certainly made her mark, championing the creation of community centers, parks, public schools—including the first “green” public school in Manhattan, PS 276 in Battery Park—and affordable housing in Lower Manhattan.

Widely considered a candidate for Borough of Manhattan presidency, Menin is focused on issues like education reform before her term ends. “Right now we have a situation with our public www.newyorkfamily.com

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schools. Many are overcrowded,” she says. “We have pushed very hard in Lower Manhattan for the creation of new schools. Education is a privilege not a right. That right should mean that kids do not have to go to schools in classes that are absolutely too large.”

Despite the ongoing changes that she is advocating, Menin is proud of Lower Manhattan’s revitalization. “The success is in the community and their perseverance to rebuild. In the weeks, months and years after 9/11, people said that no one would live downtown again. We rolled up our sleeves and did the hard work it took to rebuild our neighborhood,” she reflects. “Now we are the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the city of New York.”

Ten years after her entrance into community affairs and the remarkable growth that she has championed, Julie Menin credits her role as parent for keeping her in the field. “It’s why I choose to stay in public service,” she notes. “As a parent, what is it we are working for? We are working to make our community and our city the best place for the next generation.”

For more information, visit juliemenin.com.

Turning girls inTo leaders BarBara Murphy-WarringTon, Ceo of The girl sCouTs of greaTer neW york

BY VeroNica Torok

Warrington, as the Girl Scouts of Greater New York will celebrate 100 years in 2013. Instead of resting on its laurels, MurphyWarrington says, the organization is busy ensuring that it will thrive for another 100 years to come by hearing the voices of its members at both the national and local levels.

Empowering girls to lead is especially important in a council like the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, where two-thirds of the 25,000 members come from low-income families. Furthermore, of the 112 councils across the United States, only MurphyWarrington’s is entirely urban. New York City Girl Scouts unites young women from such a diverse array of backgrounds that Murphy-Warrington likes to call it the “UN of girls.”

“We bring [the girls] together as equals to learn together, work together, [and] transform the world. I think that that’s the power of what we’re doing in Girl Scouts,” says Murphy-Warrington.

In the future, she hopes to partner with other organizations that promote positive images of women, such as the nonprofits of Sharon Bush and Lauren Bush-Lauren, as well as to collaborate more with Girls Scouts donors. Furthermore, Murphy-Warrington would like to eventually create a Girl Scouts community center within the city, a safe place where members could come to exchange ideas.

In the meantime, however, she is committed to interacting with as many individual girls as possible—her favorite part of the job—and expanding the Girl Scouts resources to better serve an increasing demand for more troops in the five boroughs.

“We’ve been very focused over the past 100 years internally and we’ve learned so much, we’ve really grown up,” says Murphy-Warrington. “And now we need to take our perspective, view, expertise, our knowledge outside of Girl Scouts and start to bring together the extraordinary organizations within this city [that] are concerned about youth […] to start making a difference within the city.”

To get involved, visit girlscoutsnyc.org.

a prinCipal for The neediesT JessiCa nauiokas, founder and prinCipal of MoTT haven aCadeMy CharTer sChool BY crisTiNa DimeN

Unattainable standards of female beauty, sinking numbers of women in politics and insufficient examples of females in leadership positions have all led to a scarcity of role models for young girls today, says Barbara Murphy-Warrington, recently named CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York.

“From standing out in the classroom to taking advanced classes in math and science and all the way to joining the top ranks in corporate boardrooms or the operating rooms of Silicon Valley, girls and women are backing down,” says Murphy-Warrington.

Five months ago, this energetic leader returned to the Girl Scouts, an organization that shaped her own youth, bringing with her 20-plus years of experience in corporate leadership. Moreover, she brought enthusiasm and passion for transformative change.

“It was the perfect time to come to Girl Scouts,” says Murphy-

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New York Family | December 2011

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andrew schwartz

CEO Barbara Murphy-Warrington (far right) and Girl Scouts.

Surrounded by chaos and uncertainty in their home lives, children in the welfare system—especially those in foster care—need a www.newyorkfamily.com

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stable environment where they feel safe, secure and nurtured outside of the house. Considering these kids spend about eight or nine years of their life in pre-high school classrooms, ideally they need a school where they can experience a steady presence of adults who will encourage them in their emotional, social and academic development.

This is where Mott Haven Academy Charter School (Haven Academy) comes in. Dedicated particularly to the needs of children in the South Bronx, the school marries a stable environment and solid academics with an array of services for the children’s emotional needs. The school succeeds in a way that is a tribute to its dedicated staff; perhaps none more so than Principal and Founder Jessica Nauiokas.

Nauiokas has a daunting list of daily tasks—from meeting with teachers to classroom observations. But she makes it a point to spend time with the kids. “It’s definitely hard work.

But, my students make it worth it,” she says.

Nauiokas welcomes students each morning, takes on recess and lunch duty so she can interact with them further, and mingles with families at dismissal time. She helps her pupils celebrate their birthdays by gifting them each a brand new book to keep, which they choose from the selection in her office.

“My time with students is in the form of helping them reflect on the choices they’ve made,” she says. “Noticing their growth in their relationship-building skills, to how they’re able to be truth tellers—that’s where I’m most proud of our work.”

The concept for Haven Academy came out of an idea presented to Nauiokas in 2006, by Bill Baccaglini, Executive Director of The New York Foundling. “The most compelling part was this notion that the school could become the most stable force for children who are experiencing a lot of instability in their home life,” recalls Nauoikas.

“I really walked away from the conversation feeling like that this is the perfect fit for me. For the experience I had been gaining, and for what my passion is as an urban educator in being able to create a special and unique place for students,” she says.

With the support of The Foundling, the city’s largest and oldest welfare agency, Mott Haven Academy Charter School opened its doors to 90 kids in kindergarten and first grade in fall 2008. Currently there are 220 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Opening one grade at a time, Haven Academy’s goal is to become a K through eighth grade school—wherein graduating eighth graders will possess the solid academic skills needed to vie for competitive high school spots.

According to Nauiokas, statistics note that child welfare-involved kids sometimes change schools five to six times before they’re even in fourth grade. These children have to constantly form new relationships with other students and teachers, and often miss instructional time—resulting in cumulative academic problems that hinder their growth as they progress to the upper grade levels. “We really want to reverse that experience for child welfare-involved children,” Nauiokas insists.

But, as she acknowledges, there’s a lot of work still to be done.

“I’m confident that over time we’re going to be able to make a very important impact on the lives of scholars who come to Haven Academy.”

For more information, visit havenacademy.org.

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StorieS on Stage Benjamin Salka, Ceo and Co-Founder oF Story PirateS

BY ChristiNe Wei

It’s true: kids really do have the best ideas. Lucky for us, the Story Pirates caught on early.

In 2003, Benjamin Salka, now the organization’s CEO, and his friends rallied together to teach kids to believe in the power of their ideas, first by hosting workshops to help students write and revise original stories, then by adapting the students’ words into a schoolwide comedy performance that often brings their peers to tears.

“Story Pirates is so powerful because it not only tells kids that they have great ideas, but [it] also gives them the tools to put their ideas to work,” Salka says. What began as a pilot program in a single Harlem school, Story Pirates now serves over 200 schools in addition to touring over 15 states, ranging from one-show visits to year-long residencies.

Story Pirates is all about nurturing children’s inherent imaginations. Salka points out that creativity is a large part of being able to communicate well. “Writing is a part of nearly every discipline in the world,” he argues, though he’s also quick to highlight the importance of their programs in science, math and social studies.

But Story Pirates doesn’t simply wax philosophic—it actually helps kids experience writing’s real-world applications outside of formal test-taking. “When kids understand that writing is connected to their ability to be seen, heard and understood, it has much greater power,” Salka says. “We show them that writing is a way to express your ideas to the world—it’s a way to make people think, laugh and feel.”

Since the beginning, Salka was the perfect man for the job.

Hailing from Off-Broadway productions, he was inspired by his time at The DreamYard Project, an arts and education provider servicing Bronx youth. Salka played every role from bookkeeper to janitor, and everything in between, as he set up an inspiring vision and solid infrastructure for the company as the CEO. “Our unofficial mission became to blow kids’ minds,” he says. www.newyorkfamily.com

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Now, he continues to work 20-hour days, planning creative initiatives and meeting with other big-thinkers in education and entertainment to grow Story Pirates’ impact. “My partners and I fostered a sense that Story Pirates isn’t just a company; it’s a movement,” he adds of one belief he still evangelizes relentlessly: kids have the best ideas. “Because of that, our energy is infectious, and we believe we can help empower today’s young people to be creative and invent the ideas that will define a new generation.”

Speaking of the future, Story Pirates is digitizing their workshops and productions so their programming can be accessible anytime, anywhere, even for those without great arts and education programs in their neighborhoods.

In the end, Story Pirates is achieving every English teacher’s dream: getting kids to write and appreciate words as agents of change. But part of its real secret to success is simply that Story Pirates provides solid entertainment. “The people who become Story Pirates are incredibly dedicated, and the combination of their talent and their dedication is what makes Story Pirates so different.”

of the organization have hosted nearly 4,000 events held in communities all over the nation, and have raised four million dollars for the cause.

To get inspired, visit storypirates.org.

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Cookies ThaT Care GreTChen WiTT, Co-Founder oF Cookies For kids’ CanCer

BY MereDith OlsON Gretchen Witt was sitting on the steps of her son Liam’s preschool, telling herself one thing over and over: “I have to do something.” Two-and-a-half-year-old Liam had been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma—a form of pediatric cancer—earlier that year, and after intensive treatment he had been declared cancerfree. But Gretchen knew there was more to be done.

At the beginning of Liam’s treatment in 2007, she had been shocked to discover that pediatric cancer was the number one disease killer of children. Many parents, just like Gretchen and her husband Larry, can be simply unaware of these shocking statistics. Pediatric cancer has been considered a taboo topic and, as a result, has typically received little funding—a fact the Witts knew had to change if Liam and kids like him were going to receive better treatments through research.

What Gretchen had been searching for finally came to her: she would sell 96,000 cookies in a bake sale to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. “It was 8,000 dozen, it seemed perfectly reasonable for me at the time, but I’ll admit it was a big number,” Gretchen remembers. “Yet at the same time, I just kinda thought, ‘Why not?’ After what I’d been through with Liam, anything seemed possible.”

Gretchen and Larry immediately started contacting friends and families of children going through cancer treatment to help spread the word about their new endeavor. With the help of volunteers, all 96,000 cookies were sold in three weeks, generating over $400,000 for pediatric cancer research.

After the bake sale, people kept calling to ask what they could do in their communities to help raise money. The Witts decided to start Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a year-round non-profit foundation dedicated to fundraising and awareness. To date, supporters

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New York City is one of their primary markets, and a favorite of Gretchen’s. “This is the city of dreams…where anything is possible. This is the city where you’ve got this melting pot of people from all over the world, and it doesn’t matter what religion, race or creed somebody is, we all work together. In my opinion, it is one of the most amazing places. This is Oz to me,” she says.

Larry and Gretchen estimate that they’ve helped to fund more than two dozen pediatric cancer studies through their work, and their support network both online and in Manhattan continues to grow as more parents begin to openly discuss this disease. In 2011, Liam lost his fight with a recurring, aggressive cancer.

“Every reader of this magazine feels that their child is the most important child out there. And you know what? Their child is the most important child,” Gretchen explains with gusto.

Then she grows quieter. “What happened to my child is an example of what can happen to any child. Pediatric cancer doesn’t discriminate against anybody.”

For more information about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and ways to contribute, visit cookiesforkidscancer.org.

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11/17/11 12:53 PM

Giving

back

A Letter to

Santa

one Child’s Decision to Celebrate the Holidays Without toys Has this Mom of Multiples reflecting on Generosity And Leading By example The twins and I were recently discussing all the upcoming events we have on our calendar—birthdays, anniversaries and of course, the holidays. During our discussion, my son had an epiphany. “Ma, I don’t want any Christmas presents this year. I want to give them all to poor children.”

What? This shocked me. “Johnny, are you sure?” He replied, “Yes, let’s write Santa a letter right now.”

Armed with a pen and piece of paper, he wrote a letter to Mr. Claus (first grade handwriting and all). We put it in an envelope and I promised to mail it to the North Pole the next morning. My daughter however, his twin, totally missed the generosity cue. The concept went right over her 6-year-old head.

That evening, I discussed my son’s letter at length with my husband and we agreed—no presents from Santa for Johnny.

If he was going to be generous, we were going to support his wishes. Soon, my Aunt Vivian got wind of the letter (and his request) and decided to write Johnny a reply as Santa. When he read it, his face lit up and he immediately stuffed the note into his pocket to show his friends.

My son’s charitable spirit may be impressive for a child his age, but it’s something that we have been instilling in our kids since they were small. A few years ago, as a way of clearing out the toy insanity that was our 650-square-foot apartment, I decided that the twins and I would sort through and donate the items that were in good working order, but hardly played with anymore. Sure, eBay crossed my mind, but I think the better lesson was in giving, not business.

I started off by explaining to the kids how lucky they were.

And that while some children get several gifts for the holidays (like them), others get nothing at all. Now, it was their turn to do something nice for someone else.

We made three piles: Keep. Throw away. Donate. I was amazed at their generosity. Believe it or not, they had decided to give most things away.

After their final decisions were made, we took a trip over to the New York City Rescue Mission on Lafayette Street to donate the items in person. The staff was so pleased! Their gratitude surely injected my twins with the “giving bug.” I

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Natalie with her twins, Johnny and Anna.

Jane Goodrich

BY Natalie Diaz

didn’t realize it then, but this moment planted tiny giving seeds that I would watch sprout over the next few years.

But let’s get one thing straight: I’m not saying that my kids aren’t your typical hyped-up holiday tots. They, too, love to rip the wrapping off of anything with their name on it. What I am saying is that after all is said and done, they choose to give some of their brand new, unopened goodies to children who are less fortunate. I never asked them to do it; they came up with this system all on their own.

But how? I think there is a word for this—imprinting. Webster’s describes it as a rapid learning process that takes place early in the life of a social animal and establishes a behavior pattern. Perhaps all my volunteer work has rubbed off on my kids. Just maybe, my random acts of kindness didn’t go unnoticed. An initial imprint was made by my parents—who are very active community and church volunteers—onto me, and now I pass it onto my twins.

Parenting professionals always say “lead by example” and that is what you need to do. If you want to have generous children, instead of writing a check to your local charity, why not donate some of your valuable time? Talk to your children about others who are in need. Enlighten and teach them about their good fortune in both health and possessions.

I sometimes wonder if my children are more generous simply because they are twins. I was lucky in this way—there were very few lessons to teach about sharing since they have been sharing straight from the womb. They shared a bed as infants, they shared many toys as toddlers and they continue to www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 3:51 PM

share me as their mother. I’m lucky that my lap is wide enough to still accommodate two little bottoms! (This is my excuse for why I don’t hit the gym harder.)

It could be that their good-hearted nature happened in utero when they discovered that they were one part of a whole. I’m proud of my twins. To me, parenting success is exactly what I have now. I achieved it when I read my son’s letter.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Launching the global online network for parents of multiples, Twiniversity, and producing Multiplicity, the must-have magazine for parents of multiples, Natalie Diaz is on a mission to help families with twins, triplets and quads alike. She is also a full-time mom raising 6-year-old twins in NYC with her husband, John.

SaNTa’S

(a.k.a.

ian’s) aunt Viv

ReplY

Dear Johnny, I got your letter and it made me very happy. I will

give your toys to the poor children in the world this

year. Most children only think of themselves and not other children. You are very special.

You are a very kind and nice little boy. Your wish

will bring happy faces to many poor children.

The Giving Starts Here Donate brand new items this holiday season. Here are three organizations with wish lists of their own.

Covenant House covenanthouse.org Baby Clothes, Clothing For First Job Interviews, Underwear & Socks (Teens)

I will remember you next year. Be a good boy and

remember to listen to your mommy and daddy.

I love you very much,

From Santa in the North Pole

New York City Rescue Mission nycrescue.org Bath Towels, Canned Goods, Shampoo Women In Need women-in-need.org Diapers (All Sizes), Toiletries, Twin-Size Bedding

www.newyorkfamily.com

FOSTERING_CHARITYPICKS_1211.indd 67

December 2011 | New York Family

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11/16/11 3:51 PM

Giving

BACK

Sweet CHARITY

From Providing Disabled Children With New Bedrooms To The Ultimate Toy Drive, Our Annual Charity Guide Is Sure To Put You In The Giving Spirit In the spirit of the season, we’ve asked some of our favorite New Yorkers—a wide range of people who we’ve been lucky to work with during the past year—to tell us about their favorite charities. If you can, please take the time with your family to choose a charity to give back to this season. Here are some great family-related causes to support during the holiday season or anytime of year.

Alicia Harper Founder and Editor of mommydelicious.com As a former NYC public school elementary teacher, I love and wholeheartedly believe in the mission of Books For Kids, an organization aimed at promoting literacy all-around, particularly for low-income and at-risk children in the preschool years. In fulfilling its mission, Books For Kids creates libraries, donates books and works with a plethora of literacy programs for our youngest learners to develop the critical foundation and skills they need to succeed in life. It’s so imperative for children to develop early literacy skills, and Books For Kids works tirelessly to ensure this. (booksforkids.org) Alison Lowenstein Founder of brooklynbaby.com, Author of City Kid New York, City Weekends and City Baby Brooklyn The Family Center (TFC) helps families below the poverty line cope with parenting dur-

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ing terminal illness, navigate conflict and transition through loss.

It offers an incredible array of services from legal, counseling, emotional support and more. Founded in 1994 by four women working at the NYC Department of Social Services who were concerned for the children of AIDS patients, the organization has evolved to help children whose parents have cancer or whose families encounter other destabilizing factors. My children and I are going to purchase toys for the drive—instead of simply donating as a family, I love the idea that my kids can choose presents for the children. It really helps them to understand that they are giving something to another child. (thefamilycenter.org) Carla Sullivan Founder of minimunchers.com It is very important to me to involve my children in appropriate ways to give back. Because both my husband and I were greatly affected by 9/11, we now consider ourselves patriotic and support our men and women who fight for our freedoms. This year we became involved with Operation Gratitude, an extremely financially efficient organization that collects items and assembles care packages to send to the troops. We sent in most of our Halloween candy and intend to send holiday treats as well. (operationgratitude.com)

www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 3:58 PM

Carley Roney Co-Founder of XO Group Inc. (formerly The Knot Inc.) Female empowerment has always been a personal passion of mine, and I’ve had the privilege to work with groups like Step Up Women’s Network, which provides career mentoring and professional networking for young ladies all the way up to emerging executives. Another particular soft spot to my heart is the Sophia Academy in my home state of Rhode Island—a private middle school for girls from low-income families—where I am an active supporter. It’s extremely important to me that young ladies are provided with the tools to succeed, and that women of all ages encourage one another. Girls rock! (suwn.org) Dr. Harvey Karp Creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block books and DVDs I love the Environmental Working Group (EWG)! The members work hard, work smart and have been powerful champions in protecting children (and all of us) from environmental threats starting almost 20 years ago—back when “green” was just a color. As a pediatrician, I often recommend to moms and dads their regular reports on healthy products: from the safest sunscreens to the best—at least chemically—shampoos, creams, etc., which are all available on the EWG website for free. EWG is one of the nation’s most trusted environmental groups—and one of the most effective and influential ones, with over one million Americans on their mailing list. (ewg.org) Jesseca Stenson Contributor to queensmamas.com Once you know about Queens-based Blissful Bedrooms, you won’t soon forget this group. It is a charity whose mission is to give disabled children a new room, a new community of friends and a network for them to succeed despite many obstacles. It gives a sense of relaxation and ownership to kids who really need it, by giving them their own functional and enjoyable spaces—things most of us take for granted—that they are largely confined to because of mobility issues. Blissful Bedrooms is in need of various donations to keep the charity going and also welcomes volunteers. Check out its wish list to see how you can help. (blissfulbedrooms.org) Jessica Shapley Founder/Director of momsupport.org Room to Grow is an exceptional organization dedicated to enriching the lives of babies born into poverty. During their one-on-one appointments with staffed social workers, parents receive developmental information, customized support and all of the baby items needed throughout the critical first three years to ensure a child’s healthy and secure start in life. Items and services reach clients directly. Offering materials and advice for hosting drives and pick-up options for donations, Room to Grow makes volunteering and donating easy for busy families who want to give to those who might not be as fortunate. (roomtogrow.org) www.newyorkfamily.com

GIVINGBACK_1211.indd 69

Katie Brown Lifestyle Expert, Author and Host of “Katie Brown Workshop” I strongly support the mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation, a charity that aims to listen to, connect with and heal survivors of sexual abuse. Joyful Heart creates a community of survivors, caretakers and supporters that can inspire a dialogue to end the cycle of violence. Through powerful healing retreats, educational programs and partnerships, Joyful Heart reaches out to engage people who have often gone unheard. Shop the Joyful Heartshop this holiday season to benefit this amazing cause! (joyfulheartfoundation.org) Lance Somerfeld and Matt Schneider Co-Organizers of NYC Dads Group We love Baby Buggy, an organization dedicated to providing essential clothing, gear and services to families in need. In collaboration with over 50 community-based organizations, Baby Buggy distributes new and gently used essentials that pass a safety test. By making donations through proven programs like Head Start and Nurse-Family Partnership, Baby Buggy ensures that families not only receive immediately needed items—from cribs and strollers to clothing and bottles—but also that recipient parents are enrolled in programs that will help build their long-term self-sufficiency.

Teams of dads from our group regularly visit Baby Buggy Headquarters to clean, sort and pack items for distribution, and last spring we partnered with Baby Buggy to organize a drive to support graduates of the Bronx Fatherhood Program. (babybuggy.org) Lara Serebrier Paul Creator & CEO of iKidNY I am passionate about the Harlem Children’s Zone Project (HCZ), which is dedicated to helping children and low-income families succeed. Perhaps best known for its partnership with Promise Academy Charter Schools, which boasts a remarkable impact on the educational development of low-income children, HCZ also provides programs on early childhood education, community development, family enrichment and health awareness. Under the leadership of Geoffrey Canada, HCZ uses these programs to help break the cycle of generational poverty for the thousands of children and families HCZ serves. (hcz.org) Liz Gumbinner and Kristen Chase Publishers of Cool Mom Picks We’re huge proponents of those working to reduce the maternal mortality rate around the world, and one of our favorites is the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA). It’s an international coalition of like-minded organizations around the world, helmed by global patron (and former UK First Lady) Sarah Brown. And we couldn’t agree more with their premise that safe motherhood—something we take for granted in the US—is a human right. What we particularly love about the WRA is that their goals to save more mothers and babies in pregnancy and childbirth are both lofty and eminently reachable.

Hooray for mothers helping mothers. (whiteribbonalliance.org) December 2011 | New York Family

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11/16/11 3:58 PM

Liz Lange Designer of Liz Lange for Target and Co-Founder of shopafrolic.com

vere food allergies, I am passionate about helping all children with allergies lead healthy lives and raise awareness around the issues that surround this growing but hidden disability. (foodallergy.org)

Women—mothers—are dying by the thousands around the world because they don’t have a skilled health provider when they give birth or they can’t get a basic PAP test—things we take for granted. Jhpiego is my favorite charity because it is solving these problems in creative ways and keeping women alive. In Afghanistan, 3,000 new midwives are at work saving lives because of Jhpiego’s efforts. In more than a dozen countries, women are screened for cervical cancer today through a technique that uses vinegar. That’s Jhpiego’s brilliance: designing simple, innovative solutions that prevent the needless deaths of women and families. For someone who is a mother and a woman whose business has always centered around mothers and a cervical cancer survivor myself, Jhpiego tops my list! (jhpiego.org)

Sarah Chang Founder of thestrollerballet.com and Content Manager of gogirlfinance.com

Renee Sullivan Founder of babybites support groups With food allergies in children on the rise—affecting nearly six million children in the United States alone—FAAN (The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) educates parents, caregivers and schools in the diagnosis, research and management of food allergies for children and adults alike. As a mom of a child with se-

As the mother of a girl, I am passionate about the power of organizations for young women. As a blogger (and former social studies teacher), I can attest to how cathartic and empowering writing can be. I love Girls Write Now, because it provides mentorship and a space for creative expression for atrisk girls. (girlswritenow.org)

EDiToR’S PiCk Eric Messinger Editor of New York Family While many families know the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) as a place to take their kids for wonderful exhibits and classes, there is another side to the museum’s mission that’s equally impressive and worth supporting. It’s less visible to the general public, but CMOM does an extraordinary amount of community outreach, working with impoverished families to improve health practices, early learning and literacy. In fact, because CMOM is so good at connecting to parents and children, many leading poverty programs—including Head Start—like to partner with them. You would, too. (cmom.org)

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Winter

travel

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an nYC Family Trip Spans Three generations and The atlantic ocean

BY CaroleeN MaCkiN Last summer, our family finally embarked on a trip to London that we had talked about taking for years. It was a chance to visit familiar places together (all three generations of us) and, for the youngest, an opportunity to experience London for the first time.

Of course, we also hoped for a sighting of the Queen and the new Duchess of Cambridge (or as one of my daughters kept pestering, “When will we see Kate?”).

I have traveled to London on many occasions, and my husband, John, has spent a lot of time there recently for business, but our individual experiences could not compare to seeing the city through the eyes of our 8- and 10-year-old daughters and my 17-year-old niece. Having my mother with us, with her own years of London travel, gave us each a wonderful appreciation for the city that we would not have had on our own.

As we planned our visit, I had each family member give me their list of “London Musts” so we would be sure to accommodate everyone’s interests. Here are the highlights.

The London Eye A ride on this iconic ferris wheel, originally intended to commemorate the Millennium, seemed like the perfect start to our visit and was my daughter Charlotte’s “must.” A feat of design and engineering, the Eye offers incredible views of the entire city—especially the Thames. My mother was initially nervous about the ride but very happy that she came, as the views were incredible and the capsules moved slowly. Each capsule holds approximately 25 people for a 25-minute ride above the city. (londoneye.com)

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New York Family | December 2011

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“Trooping the Colour”

Our viewing of the pageantry was unique, as it came just six weeks after the Royal Wedding and heightened our family’s interest in Kate and William. But typically this is an annual event held on the second Saturday each June. It’s called “Trooping the Colour” or the Queen’s Birthday Parade. Anyone can attend and see the troops of the Royal Guard and the Royal Family in carriages. The Royal Mall, where most of the public parade activity happens, is so vast that it was easy to get a clear glimpse of the Royal Family from close proximity (yes, we did see Kate and the Queen!). The “trooping” ceremony is performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth Armies, and has been a tradition since the 17th Century. We saw an impressive 41-gun salute by the King’s troop, and a Royal Air Force “fly past” at the end as the Royal Family waved from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Also, there are rehearsals for this big day on each of the two Saturdays preceding the Queen’s Birthday Parade—great opportunities to view the pageantry. (trooping-the-colour.co.uk) www.newyorkfamily.com

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and for sTaying sTaTeside, some of our favoriTe PlaCes To sTay and Play all WinTer long Club med Punta Cana (The dominican republic) Club Med Punta Cana is situated on the largest beach on the island and features 75 acres of breathtaking tropical gardens. This allinclusive resort offers programs for children of all ages: Petit Club Med has activities, walks and outside play, while Club Med Passworld gives tweens and teens an exclusive area to meet up and enjoy sports and artistic activities like dance, DJ lessons and more. For parents, the resort also boasts an open-air nightclub, trapeze and windsurfing lessons, aqua fitness classes and much more. (clubmed.us)

The youngest generation taking in the sights.

Winston Churchill’s War Rooms Updated in 2005, this underground shelter created during World War II and used by Churchill and his advisors to plan war strategy is not to be missed! For my niece, Haley, a high school junior, it topped her list. My husband had visited several years ago and couldn’t believe how vast the changes were. The rooms now include a state-of-the-art “Lifeline” exhibit, which features a massive 50-foot interactive table that chronicles the time of Winston Churchill. Visitors can drill down to each day of Churchill’s life with technological animations and sounds. (iwm.org.uk) Westminster Abbey My mother’s “must” was Westminster Abbey. We spent over two hours at this site of living history, including many royal occasions from coronations to weddings and funerals. We hired a Blue Badge Guide who told us fascinating stories and shared historical anecdotes. Visiting the Abbey was a great precursor to our tour of the Tower of London and seeing the Queen’s Jewels, as many of the stories are interrelated. (blue-badge-guides.com) British Museum Over 250 years old, the Museum has collections ranging from pre-history to the present day, with some of its most well-known being the Egyptian, Roman and Greek collections. After learning about the Rosetta Stone this past year, Sophie, our fifth grader, was desperate to see it in person. It is one of the Museum’s greatest treasures. (britishmuseum.org) Hyde Park Gardens One of my husband’s favorite spots in London, which he wanted to share with us, was Hyde Park Gardens, just off Hyde Park Corner. He discovered it one day on a run. It’s a perfect spot to take your Harrod’s Food Hall goodies for a picnic lunch and rest between sights. There are comfortable benches, a charming fountain and beautiful gardens. You can also rent Barclays bikes to ride around the park – they only cost one pound and can be returned at any Barclays bike stand. Just remember to ride on the left side! (royalparks.gov.uk) A former marketing executive, Caroleen Mackin lives on the Upper East Side with her husband and two daughters.

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Hunter mountain (Hunter, new york) Nestled in the heart of the northern Catskills, Hunter Mountain is known for its beautiful views, luxury spa and slopes that accommodate all ability levels. Hunter is just over two hours away from the city and has 14 trails tailored to families and beginners. The resort offers Playcare for those too young to ski, as well as Explorers and Mountaineers lesson programs for novices of different levels.

There’s also a Burton learn-to-ride program for little boarders, a snow tubing park and winter break camps. (huntermtn.com) disney Cruise A recent addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney DreamTM, will capture the attention of families looking to take on the high seas this winter. With its classic early 20th-Century design, the Disney Dream combines inspiration from the golden age of cruising with state-of-the art technology. Little ones will love the “splashtacular” AquaDuck, a high-speed water coaster, while parents can enjoy either elegant adults-only dining or familyfriendly magically themed restaurants. (disneycruise.com) Keystone (Keystone, Colorado) Part of the distinguished Vail Resort chain, Keystone is a family ski mecca on the value end, with activities like a glow stick parade down the mountain and disco tubing—not to mention, the ultimate snow fort. The chain has also just introduced a cool mobile app, EpicMix, to enhance the on-mountain experience with photos of your ski feats! (keystoneresort.com) nickelodeon suites resorts (orlando, florida) Heading to Florida for some theme park fun? Consider checking into the Nick Hotel, an extraordinary getaway featuring Nickelodeonthemed rooms, heated pools, slides and flumes, interactive water towers, private cabanas and daily poolside shows with Nick’s signature green slime. There’s a kids-only spa, mall, 4-D movie theater and tons of Nick Studio Shows. The fam can even hop aboard a journey to the North Pole on THE POLAR EXPRESS EXPERIENCE. Plus, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando are just a short shuttle ride away. (nickhotel.com) smugglers’ notch resort (smugglers’ notch, vermont) Smugglers’ Notch takes family recreation to a whole new level with everything from dog sledding to snowmobiling to zip-line canopy tours of the resort. Kids can try airboarding, the next generation of snow tubing, and even build their own sleds. After a full day of family races or personalized ski lessons, thrill-seekers will be more than ready to wind down with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Any extra energy can be burned off at the indoor family recreation center or state-of-the-art video game room. (smuggs.com) www.newyorkfamily.com

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DECEMBER

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Through December

ANGELINA BALLERINA GETS MERRY [Ages 2-10]

Everyone’s favorite 8-year-old Mouseling is set to deck the halls in style.

Join her by catching a special weekend or holiday performance of the Vital Theatre’s Angelina Ballerina The Very Merry Holiday Musical. Fans of the beloved book series can watch a small star with big dreams spin across the stage. Plenty of pirouettes and tutus are sure to delight young dancers, who will learn from Angelina’s passion and determination to achieve her goals.

Tickets are $29.50. 2162 Broadway, 212-579-0528, vitaltheatre.org.

Through December

TREES, TRAINS AND TREATS

robert Benson

[All Ages]

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a favorite among kids and adults alike for its minute replicas of classic New York landmarks and its whimsical winter scenes. Watch tiny trains whiz around bridges and skyscrapers made of nuts and leaves, and new for visitors this year is the Artist’s Studio, for families to see just how these buildings came to be. Gingerbread houses and puppets will delight as classic movies play to set the scene. Families can also look forward to an appearance

by Thomas the Tank Engine. Tickets are $20/adults, $18/students and seniors, $10/children 2-12. Children under 2 are free. 2900 Southern Boulevard, 718-817-8700, nybg.org.

Through December

THE WINTER GARDEN [All Ages]

With 100,000 white lights illuminating its glass atrium, the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden becomes the perfect place to be festive throughout the month of December—all for free. Have Christmas in Killarney with lilting Celtic music, celebrate Hanukkah with Yiddish tunes or indulge in classical choral arrangements. Don’t forget to stop by for

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New York Family | December 2011

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storytime or take a moment to whisper your wish list in Santa’s ear. 220 Vesey Street, 212-417-7050, artsworldfinancialcenter.com.

December 2-17

WILD WINTERFEST

[All Ages]

This month, spend some quality time in the company of your favorite animals at the Central Park Zoo’s Winterfest. On the first three Fridays and Saturdays of the month, the zoo will host festive activities from 2-6:30pm.

Watch 4-D movies and enjoy the animals “opening” their presents—they like the holidays, too! Warm up from your walk under the twinkling lights with some hot soup or cocoa in the Dancing Crane Café. Tickets for the Total Experience are $18/adults, $13/children and $15/seniors, with online discounts available. 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, 212-439-6500, centralparkzoo.com.

Begins December 2

ACROBATIC EXTRAVAGANZA [Ages 4+]

Get ready to witness an astounding performance at the New Victory Theater, in their New York premiere, by a group of contortionists, aerialists and gymnasts from Cirque Shanghai’s Bai Xi. They can balance en pointe on a man’s head, climb a three-story stack of wobbling chairs and conquer something called the Wheel of Death.

If that doesn’t sound impressive (and a bit scary), we don’t know what is! Tickets begin at $17 for general admission. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org.

December 3

PARTY LIKE A POLICE OFFICER [All Ages]

At the Police Museum’s Holiday Party (11am-2pm), kids can learn about the daily duties of officers around the world and try on the museum’s collection of international uniforms—all the while learning about the holidays of different countries: Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid and Kwanzaa, just to name a few. Guests are encouraged to spread holiday cheer by bringing along a donation for Toys for Tots. The event is free with regular admission—$8/adults, $5/students, seniors and children. Free for children under 2. 100 Old Slip, 212-480-3100, nycpolicemuseum.org.

www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 4:00 PM

Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

WILD WINTERFEST

December 3

HO, HO, WHO’S SANTA? [Ages 5-10]

Before Rudolph, there were Glossie and Flossie. And do you know where the first Christmas tree was decorated or why we hang stockings? Find out the answers to these holiday history questions at the Big Wooden Horse Theatre Co.’s presentation of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus at 1:30pm. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, who is also the creative mind behind The Wizard of Oz, this story tells of Santa’s early years. The show is filled with wit, puppets, songs and plenty of audience participation. Tickets are $25 for general admission. BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, 212-220-1460, tribecapac.org.

December 4 and 17

THE GOLDEN TICKET [All Ages]

As part of the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s ongoing Family Films series, you have two chances to see screenings of Mel Stuart’s classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The on-screen musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s tale starts at 11am on December 4 and 4pm on December 17. Tickets are only $6. Talk about a golden deal!

Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65th Street, 212-875-5367, filmlinc.com.

December 8

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING

[Ages 3+]

’Twas a reading of The Night Before Christmas, when all through Barnes & Noble, not a child wasn’t smiling, not even a one! The actual poem rhymes a bit better than that, and Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey will give a special reading of the children’s picture book adaptation of Clement Moore’s original work. The duo will perform songs in conjunction with the reading, which also features a CD by Peter, Paul and Mary. Kids will love this spirited, holiday-themed presentation so much that they’ll be dreaming of Old St. Nick and his reindeer come Christmas Day. Free, 4pm. 150 East 86th Street, 212-369-2180, barnesandnoble.com.

December 10-11, 16-18

THE BIG BAD WOLF [All Ages]

For a spin on the holiday tradition of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf, the Guggenheim will marry the visual and performing arts like never before. Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi will narrate the story while New York City Opera’s Music Director George Manahan conducts the Juilliard Ensemble. To enhance the visual component and personify the story, artist Jason Hackenwerth is creating balloon sculptures that will hang from the ceiling to symbolize each of the characters and the setting.

Tickets are $35 for general admission. No late admissions. Peter B. Lewis Theater, 1071 Fifth Avenue (enter via ramp at 88th Street), 212-423-3587, worksandprocess.org. www.newyorkfamily.com

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December 2011 | New York Family

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11/16/11 4:00 PM

Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera ©2007

Begins December 16

ENCHANTED OPERA Richard Termine

[Ages 7+]

December 10-18

THE NEW AND IMPROVED NUTCRACKER [Ages 3-12] Sometimes even Sugar Plum Fairies are better spiced up, and that is just what the New York Theatre Ballet has done in its production of Keith Michael’s Nutcracker. This Art Nouveau spin on the beloved holiday classic maintains the beauty of the original story but ups the excitement with choreography specifically tailored to entertain little ones.

The performances are part of NYTB’s Once Upon A Ballet family series, a collection of hour-long ballets that keep even the shortest attention spans captive. Ticket options start at $21/children and $26/adults.

Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, 212-679-0401, nytb.org.

Introduce your children to the magic of opera with the Metropolitan Opera’s English language performance of the classic story, Hansel and Gretel.

Soaring vocals will transport families into fairyland, teasing the tale with heightened drama that only an opera can add. The smallest of viewers will be holding their breath as the witch croons out mischief, luring Hansel and Gretel further into the mysterious forest. So dress in your finest and head to Lincoln Center for an enchanted evening of spells and song. Ticket prices begin at $30. The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, 212-362-6000, metoperafamily.org.

December 17-18

CONTEMPORARY CLARA [All Ages]

Clara and the crew break it down in the Peridance Capezio Center’s version of The Nutcracker. The original choreography by Igal Perry will blend the classic magic of the ballet with contemporary dance styles, such as hip-hop and modern, to create a different perspective of this childhood favorite. See dancers ages 7-16 with professional guest artists as the lead roles. With four chances to see the show, you’ll have visions of snowflakes and sugarplums dancing through your head the rest of the holiday season. Peridance Capezio Center, 126 East 13th Street, 212-505-0886, peridance.com.

December 18

A FAMILY AFFAIR

[Ages 0-5]

December 11 Davey Wilson

RETURN TO YOUR GRASSROOTS [Ages 5+]

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s new health-focused exhibit, EatSleepPlay™, will whip your kids into shape with its “Ask the Experts: Grassroots Fitness Project” workshop. Heather Gunn and Will Rivera will lead kids in a total body conditioning program by using hurdles, hula hoops and balance beams. The exercises will help develop essential body movements such as running, jumping and throwing. Following both sessions at 2 and 3pm, the experts will be on hand to answer questions from parents. This event is included in the $11 admission price. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

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New York Family | December 2011

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Music runs in Chip Taylor’s family, and he wants to share it with yours!

Head over to 92Y Tribeca with your little ones, grab a bagel and enjoy original songs from the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s first children’s album. Along with his three granddaughters, Chip Taylor celebrates the beauty of childhood and family through tunes written about the freshness

www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 4:00 PM

�e holidays just got sweeter.

The Met’s English-language presentation for families returns!

b

theatre allet Ne w Yo r k

diana byer

artistic director

HANSEL AND GRETEL 8 PERFORMANCES ONLY! DEC 16, 21, 24 eve, 26, 29 mat, 30 mat JAN 3, 7 mat

Tickets from $30.

Orchestra seats start at $85.

the nutcracker December 10–11 & 17–18 New Costumes!

New Scenery!

New Production!

Lots of Surprises!

Photo: Richard Termine

Humperdinck

Photo: Ken Howard/Met Opera

presents

For tickets & information,

nytb.org

metopera.org | 212-362-6000 LISTEN TO METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO 24/7 ON

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This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

Florence Gould Hall 55 East 59th Street

11/16/11 3:15 PM

CHANUKAH ON ICE

of a kiddo’s perspective. This concert is part of 92Y’s Bring Your Own Kid (B.Y.O.K.) series, perfect for tots five and under and charming for musiclovers of all ages. Tickets are $15, and babies under 2 are free.

200 Hudson Street, 212-601-1000, 92y.org.

December 18 [Ages 6+]

In the pilot production of the Thalia Teen Theatre Project at Symphony Space, youth from across the city will perform The Legend of The Giant Caterpillar, a fable from the Ivory Coast. Watch the actors inhabit an imaginary village that is getting along splendidly—that is, until a huge caterpillar moves in. Villagers must pass the caterpillar in order to gather water from the river, so it is up to their chief to save them. Can he do it? Find out what happens in this new musical adaptation of an old African tale, and come prepared to laugh as the audience participates in the action and learns a thing or two about politeness along the way. Free, 1 and 3pm. Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

December 18

HOORAY FOR HANUKKAH [Ages 3+]

Celebrate the Jewish Museum’s Hanukkah Family Day by bringing your creativity in full force! From 12-4pm, children can commemorate the Festival of Lights by making their own Hanukkah lamps, inspired by the museum’s collection. The merry music of Ben Rudnick and Friends will get museumgoers into the dreidel-spinning spirit as they decorate their own toys. Festivities are perfect for children ages three and up, who are invited to browse the collection of wintery Ezra Jack Keats illustrations for ideas and try their hands at constructing New York Family | December 2011

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December 20

CHANUKAH ON ICE [Ages 3+]

TEENS TAKE THE STAGE

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unique menorahs, a Jewish Museum tradition. Activities are free with admission. 1109 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

To observe the first night of Chanukah, those who celebrate the holiday are invited to light a six-foot-tall hand-carved ice menorah during Chanukah on Ice’s NYC skating party. From 6-9pm, the Wollman Rink will be completely rented out for a night on the ice, complete with kosher foods (don’t miss out on the traditional Chanukah donuts!) and the tunes of the Jewish music group The Yeshiva Maccabeats. Advance tickets are $22/adults and $18/children ages 3-13. 830 Fifth Avenue, 212-864-5010, chanukahonicenyc.com.

December 26-30

A SCIENTIFIC SOIRÉE [Ages 5-10]

Join the New York Hall of Science for a festive (and educational) take on the holiday season and “Re-Make the Holidays” with countless fun craft projects. Ongoing activities, which run from 11am–5pm each day, include: building an “Occu-pod” out of plastic bags and lost-and-found clothing to turn trash into treasure (limited availability), DIY cards and ornaments, plus a Rainbow Machine that creates different seven-color patterns. There will also be smaller workshops and camps, such as LED Light Painting, Music Machines, Robotic Oil-Spill Cleaning Boats and Sculpting the Holidays with ice carving. These will require advance registration; check the website periodically for updates about prices. 47-01 111th Street (Queens), 718-699-0005, nysci.org.

December 31

CELEBRATE KWANZAA [All Ages]

Come celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa! Described as a “feast for the soul and senses,” the gala (12-4pm) will allow families to experience African dance, spoken word, live music and customary craft making. The Kwanzaa Marketplace will feature vendors, visual artists, craftspeople and representatives from cultural institutions to educate visitors about the meaning of the holiday. And don’t forget to indulge in some delicious festive foods at the Museum Food Court. The celebration is free, but there is a suggested donation of $19/adults, $10.50/children ages 2-12 and $14.50/students and seniors. Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org. www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 4:00 PM

Nothing Lights Up a New York Winter Like...

Telecharge.com|212.239.6200 O MAJESTIC THEATRE, 247 W. 44 St. Phantom.indd 1

11/16/11 5:51 PM

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L ast w o r d

GuiltAnd Blisters

While trAininG for A MArAthon, soMetiMes A Child is All it tAkes to Go the extrA Mile

BY Joe Wack Last month, my wife ran the ING New York City Marathon. I’m incredibly proud of her. She did it all by her lonesome. She put in the months of training; no running group, no private guru, just her and the road. And that takes something. Especially when you’ve got a kid.

This is actually the third year in a row that one of us has trained for a marathon. After our son Spencer was born, I decided that it would be a good idea for me to get in shape, so as not to leave him fatherless at a young age because his dad was fonder of Ben & Jerry’s than of exercise.

So I took all of the half-hearted running I’d done over the previous decade and cranked it up a notch. I started running races. I dropped a good 40 pounds and I set my sights on running the full 26.2 miles.

If you’ve got a kid, distance training is a bit trickier. If you’ve got a spouse who has no problem staying home while you’re spending hours and hours running down the sidewalk, you’re set.

My wife runs, so leaving the kid with her was not an option. If we lived near our families, we could drop the kid off at Nana’s while the two of us put in our weekly mileage. But our families live nowhere near us.

Which leaves…babysitters? Right. Four months of the kind of hours we’d have needed a sitter for would’ve bankrupted us.

So we schlepped the kid along.

Actually, one of our earliest purchases when my wife was pregnant was a jogging stroller. It takes some getting used to. A part of running, as I’d learned how to do it, is to swing your arms. Pushing a jogger down the road, you can’t exactly swing your arms. Joggers don’t turn on a dime, either. Additionally, when the kid is small, you have to use a car seat with the thing, which makes it even heavier and harder to maneuver. I won’t even go into what a hassle a jogging stroller is on a crowded subway train. Woof.

But, in spite of these issues, we learned to use and love the jogger. Our kid has spent roughly 12,879 hours in the jogger thus far. (That’s a rough estimate.)

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The author and his son, Spencer.

When the kid is small, it’s pretty easy. They sleep 97% of the time anyway, so it’s no great deal for them to sleep in a jogger.

As they age though, it becomes a bit trickier. You have to provide them with entertainment; bring along a toy (or ten). The kid needs you to take care of a dropped sippy cup or a runny nose, so you’re stopping periodically. Also, there’s a big difference between running a quick three miles and asking a kid to sit in a jogger for an eighteen-mile training run.

So now, in addition to the logistics of training with a kid, you’ve got the guilt of training with a kid. Sure, it’s nice to know you’re setting a good example of an active, healthy life for the wee one to live up to. But you weigh that against forcing the kid to sit in a jogger for two or three hours. Or, if one spouse is making the sacrifice to stay home so the spouse in training can get in the necessary miles, the runner is left with the guilt of spending all this time away from the kid.

What I’m saying is, I’ve got some guilt around these issues.

I do have something to hold onto though; something to keep those feelings at bay. When I’m looking down at the kid, wrapped up in a blanket in the jogger at 8:30 on a Wednesday night, out late because I have to get in an eight-mile run after work, I think of the lovely image of my son and I, twenty years from now, running a race together.

That helps.

Joe Wack currently teaches science to elementary school children in the Bronx. He writes for NewYorkFamily.com’s Parenting In Progress blog. He lives in Harlem with his wife and 3-year-old son.

www.newyorkfamily.com

11/16/11 4:06 PM

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11/16/11 5:52 PM

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