Jersey Shore Family 2014 Winter Issue

2014 Gift Guide

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H A M I LT O N M A L L H A S E V E R Y T H I N G YOU NEED TO GET EVERYONE R E A DY F O R FA L L . W I T H 1 4 0 S H O P S , S TO R E S , A N D R E S TA U R A N T S I N O N E LO C AT I O N I T ’ S S O U T H J E R S E Y ’ S M O S T F A M I LY - F R I E N D LY M A L L .

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2014 Gift Guide

publisher’s note It’s that time of year again.We bring to you our Annual Holiday Gift Guide.

Find in this issue Santa sightings, Holiday Parades, Breakfast with Santa locations and so much more.. If you love trains or your child loves trains there are several locations in South Jersey to visit.

Look for the world’s easiest Gingerbread House recipe. No muss no fuss but fun and creativity for all.

Make it a tradition! Send us your picture on Facebook and we’ll share it with all of our fans.

Start a tradition that can be passed down and the memories will last a lifetime. Join us on Facebook and let us know what traditions you share with your family.

This is the time of year to be charitable. Children in our area need your help. CASA helps facilitate that.

They are looking for volunteers. You can read more in this issue. Help CASA help children all year long!

inside Features:

Easy Gingerbread House............ 4 Top Gifts................................... 6-7 Gift Guide.............................. 8-15

Tradition.................................. 16-17 Winter Happenings.............. 18-19 Help CASA Help Kids ........... 20 Holiday Crafts.......................... 22

P.O. Box 96, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Publisher, Pam Joseph and Sherrii Brentari To place an event listing e-mail information to pamela.jsf@gmail.com

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT PAM pamela.jsf@gmail.com

609-829-8796 design by Ugly Baby Marketing, LLC www.UglyBabyMarketing.com 1-888-444-0015 x 100

is always interested in helping the public.

If you want information on a specific topic, please let us know; and we wil help to answer your questions.

2014 Gift Guide

Jersey Shore Family is a free publication with a combined circulation of approximately 10,000 distributed through Atlantic County and online. Printed in the U.S. The publisher and advertisers will not be liable or responsible for typographical errors, omissions, misinformation, etc. contained in this publication. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for products which are in violation of the law. Comments can be received at pamela.jsf@gmail.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

All contents copyright 2013 Jersey Shore Family.

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Kid Friendly Gingerbread House Who doesn’t love gingerbread houses at the holidays? The mess and stress of actually making a gingerbread house... Not so much. Why add stress and extra work and cleaning to an already busy, busy time. We’ve found this ultra simple recipe for making simple but adorable gingerbread houses with your kids that even grandma will admire.

The best part is that you can really let your kids get creative without too much fuss. The below recipe is for a very basic small house but you can let your kids get as elaborate as they time will allow.

Make it with the kids at Christmas and start a new tradition that will add a lot of fun and creativity to the festivities.

Ingredients: • 10-20 whole graham crackers • 1-2 cans of white royal frosting • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar • cereal to decorate roof • candy to decorate your house like gumdrops, chocolate kisses, red licorice, and hard candies • large plate or tray • spoon • butter knife • small plastic bag • scissors Directions: 1. Start by preparing your frosting. Add 1/4-teaspoons of cream of tartar per can. Cream of tartar helps the frosting harden so your house can stand up.

2. Put your frosting mixture in a plastic bag and cut a hole in the corner, so you can squeeze the frosting out of it.

3. Parents use butter knife to cut graham crackers into angles for front and back of the house.

4. Using the frosting as ‘glue’, glue double graham crackers in the shape of a rectangle on a tray or plate.

5. Then, glue crackers to the sides to make a complete box.

6. You can prop the walls of the house up against something so the house dries straight.

7. Now put frosting on the corners of more graham crackers. Place the crackers on either side to make a peak.

8. Let your house dry for an hour.

9. Once the structure is dry use icing to “Glue” candy only house. Use your imagination! (Cereal works best for roof but mom or dad may have to help out to choose the best piece for consistency.)

10. Be sure to decorate one side at a time so the frosting has time to dry.

11. When it’s dry, you can dig in. Mmmm!

That’s a tasty house!

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2014 Gift Guide

Through January 4, 2015 Free for Franklin Institute Members

PLAN YOUR VISIT TODAY! 215.448.1200 | www.fi.edu | Philadelphia, PA TM and Š 2014 Sesame Workshop

2014 Gift Guide

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2014 Top Gifts Skylanders Trap Team

Family Favorite

Starter Pack

Another great Skylanders portal game. What’s the twist? Redeeming villains as heroes often makes for some dramatic moments, and the way Skylanders Trap Team allows portal masters the chance to play as captured villains leads this year’s sequel down a path of righteousness. It adds even more variety to an already massively diverse platformer RPG. Even better, Trap Team reclaims some of the series’ better features, like Skystones and tilting lock puzzles, which were disappointingly absent from last year’s Swap Force. We love the special edition characters and the additional items in the box. We have played for hours and we will play for hours more. We are already looking forward to the next edition. —$74.99

Teachers’ Pick

Clifford The Big Red Dog Food Science Kit

Clifford and his friends love exploring the world around them and with this exhilarating kit they are learning all about FOOD SCIENCE. Emily Elizabeth, the narrator in the colorful 20-page manual, guides young scientists through tasty experiments with catchy titles such as rainbow ice, ice-cream in a bag, homemade butter, layered test tube, exploding marshmallow, dancing pasta, jello magnifier, color chromatography, secret message, rock candy, edible volcano, chocolate slime and floating orange. Young Scientists will feel like

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real scientists when they use the included lab tray, measuring cup, test tubes, funnel and pipette to perform their experiments!

Join Clifford and his friends on an adventure into the world of science!

The kit is recommended for ages 36 months to 10 years old... we found this odd, but really, our toddlers did enjoy watching some of the experiments, especially the exploding volcano! — $19.99

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2014 Gift Guide

Parents’ Pick

Marker Maker by Crayola Calling all soon-to-be artists, scientists, and their mothers, who can’t say good-bye soon enough to the mess of watercolors and paints on the kitchen table.

Using the three primary colors, kids can create virtually any shade they wish by mixing little drops in a beaker, then dipping in a felt-tip absorbent marker. The quality of the markers is amazing and the clean up surprisingly easy. Great “Toy” to teach color combinations and creations.

—$17.99

Big Kids’ Pick

Air Hogs Rc

Roll anywhere! Obstacles and gravity are no barrier for the ground-to-air RC Air Hogs Rollercopter! We love the fact that the helicopter is encased in a cage. It makes it a lot more stable than stand alone helicopters.

The only drawback is that it takes a lot of batteries... but well worth it for the fun. Floor to wall... Wall to ceiling the whole family had a blast playing with AirHog’s new Rollercopter Helicopter!

Rollercopter Helicopter

by Spin Master MSRP $44.99 Available at

www.Amazon.com or your favorite store where toys are sold

Little Kids’ Pick F ashion D oll by American Plastic Toys

Delightful Dollhouse

Our little ones enjoyed play from all sides with their favorite dolls. The dollhouse needs a lot of room for full set up, but it makes playing with friends easy. Lots of accessories offered hours of fun for all of our girls, even the older girls (8+) had fun using their different styled dolls with the playhouse. — MSRP — $100

2014 Gift Guide

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Twinkling Firefly Frog

Babies

Fireflies twinkle in this cuddly Frog’s belly to create a magical glow that helps ease children’s fear of the dark and ensures a complete night of restful sleep. Sooooo soft with 2 soothing sounds to choose from and a 45 minute timer that works perfectly.

Surprisingly bright, this toy was a winner with all kids still afraid of the dark. — $34.95

Toddlers Yondi Travel Pillow by Trunki

The Trunki Yondi Travel Pillow is a great product for kids 2 and up who still travel in car seats.

There is something about auto trips that seem to lull the little ones to sleep. You no longer have to worry about neck pains or discomfort that comes from their heads lopping onto their chests or shoulders. The travel pillow fits securely around their necks (up to 11.8”) and holds their heads firmly in the upright position.

The pillow is made of a soft, plush fabric and is filled with micro-beads. It is secured with hidden magnets that close strongly beneath the child’s chin. There is also a grip that will let you attach a light blanket or their binky holder.

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Trunki Travel ToyBox by Trunki Make tidying fun for tots with the Trunki Travel ToyBox, the world’s first ride-on, push-around travelling toy box! Take toys and games with you wherever you go? Lift off the lid, stash the toys, and away you go. With the lid on, turn the whole thing over and it becomes a ride-on toy box and if you own more than one toy box you can clip them together to make a Trunki train.

—$84.45

2014 Gift Guide

Pre-School

N ickelodeon by Paw Patrol Paw Patrol - Look-out Playset

Paw Patrol Lookout HQ Playset lets kids bring home the headquarters of the Paw Patrol pups. Just like in the show, Ryder has called the Paw Patrol to the Lookout headquarters to learn about their mission! Kids can organize and gather all the crew inside the tower before they race to the ruff-ruff rescue. Working elevator, slide, lights and sounds makes this one of our favorite toys this year. Little guys were fascinated with the slide and played for hours. (Watch out for the slide though... ruff play can knock it off but it’s easily fixed.) — $39.99

N ickelodeon On-A-Roll Marshall

by Paw Patrol

It’s Marshall to the ruff-ruff rescue as his doghouse transforms into a firetruck with a real working ladder and wheels! Great toy to use with the Look-Out Playset. Any fans of the Popular TV series will love this little guy.

Our 3 year old won’t watch the show now without his “Marshall Doggie” — $24.99

DiscoRobo

by TOSY Robotics Kids will be on their feet as they dance along and chat with this intuitive robot that matches the music with 56 bootyshaking dance moves! What a great addition to the family! This toy really shakes it’s booty and get’s the whole family up and grooving. Thumbs up for DiscoRobo. — $75.00

2014 Gift Guide

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Undercover Spy Cam

Ages 5-7

Chatsters

by Spin Masters Spin Master’s newest interactive doll, Chatsters, is a talking, moving, “thinking,” animated toy that will wow even the most tech savvy little girls. Our girls were delighted with this chatty new BFF. So many accessories it kept them busy for hours. A little pricey at full price but we were able to find some great sales. – $79.99

Cool Baker Magic Mixer Maker

by Cool Baker This gift is PERFECT for little wannabe bakers. Cool Baker recipes use your refrigerator’s cold instead of an oven’s heat.

In just 15 minutes your treats are ready to decorate, display, and eat! We liked the speedy - no cook treats and the kids had a great time decorating their creations. Easy clean up! — $39.99

Zoomer Dino by Zoomers Control him if you can! He can sense where you are and what you’re doing! Our kids all LOVED this little guy. He zooms around like a real “Pet” and corrects himself if he starts to topple. The more time the kids spent with him the more “Trained” he became and reacted to commands almost flawlessly. Best iPet we’ve ever seen! — $99.99

Zoomer Zuppies

Girls can now have a teacup sized ZOOMER™ that matches their own personality and style. Each of the seven pups has its own name and style. There’s one to match every outfit! Five different ways to play with these little interactive cuties.

Our girls LOVED the bright colors and mini games. They really liked that they could use them to play music. A big hit overall. — $39.99

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by Spy Gear The Spy Gear Undercover Spy Cam looks like a cellphone, but has a secret detachable camera that can be placed on walls! We were all super impressed with this “toy.” It’s motion activated camera is really advanced and takes great photos.

Our kids came up with a ton of creative ways to “Spy” on each other and share the photos with mom and dad.

— $29.99

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2014 Gift Guide

Ages 8-10

Sew Cool by Sew Cool

Sewing has never been sooo easy with Sew Cool the threadless Sewing Studio. Girls were able to make stuffed toys, doll clothes and a dozen other creations with the projects included with the package. Moms loved that they didn’t have to help much at all... independent work made our little sewers proud.

— $34.99

Air Hogs

Zero Lazer Gravity

by Spin Master So much fun. We loved taking turns running the car up the walls and around pictures. It works great on any smooth surface and runs for about 20 minutes per charge. It takes 6 batteries, but they seem to last a decent amount of time before needed to change out.

Great for whole family even the little guys. —$39.99

Airplane Design Studio Model Kit

by Guillow

Design, build and fly a variety of balsa wood rubber band powered and free flight aircraft! Use your imagination and design it. With the over 35 parts supplied in the design kit, you can build your airplane then take to the sky! The pieces are made of balsa wood, so little kids need help to keep from breaking. But never fear, there are plenty of pieces in the kit to make tons of different creations... and the planes really do fly! From age 5 to adult we really had a great time putting together our flying friends. Definitely recommend as a gift for anyone interested in model planes. — $24.99

Air Huntress Firetek Bow, Pink

One of the best toys we’ve seen this year. Easy enough for our 4 year olds, still a lot of fun for tweens. Amazingly accurate for a toy, easy to aim easy to launch the “Arrows.” We love that it’s super safe and the neon glow in the dark features make this far more fun that similar toys.—$29.97

2014 Gift Guide

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Tweens and Teens Locker Lookz

by Locker Lookz

Girls can give their school locker a make-over from basic to beautiful with high-fashion locker decorations that make it easy for them to have an amazing locker in no time! LockerLookz gives your girls the power to express themselves through our unique mixand-match locker design collections of wallpaper, storage, accessories, rugs, and lighting. Our girls loved the LockerLookz Magnetic Chandelier... Classy!

Prices range from $3.99 - $18-99

Audiophile Shelf System

by Crosley The Crosley Audiophile Shelf System is different than anything you’ve seen or heard before. Start with the clean, “new-stalgic”look that takes design cues from modern art and features gently rounded cabinet corners with sleek retro accents. Featuring a dock for iPad, iPhone or iPod, that lets you hook up and charge your device —$249.95

Chromebook 11.6” LED Notebook in Silver

by Samsung

From among the world’s lightest to the most powerful, Samsung mobile computers take productivity with you wherever you go.

1.70 GHz, Exynos processor, 2GB Memory, 16GB Storage. Super light, super fast, super cool.... AND affordable! Need we say more?

—$249.99

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2014 Gift Guide

Gamers

Destiny by Activision

From the Creators of Halo and the company that brought you Call of Duty.

In Destiny you are a Guardian of the last city on Earth, able to wield incredible power. Explore the ancient ruins of our solar system, from the red dunes of Mars to the lush jungles of Venus.

Defeat Earth’s enemies. Reclaim all that we have lost.

SRP: $59.99

FIFA 15 Electronic Arts

FIFA 15 brings soccer to life in stunning detail so fans can experience the emotion of the sport like never before.

Witness the intensity of crowds and listen to commentators guide fans through the story of the game with Dynamic Match Presentation. New Emotional Intelligence allows players to react to opponents and teammates within context.

SRP: $59.99

Just Dance Kids 2014

by Ubisoft

The coolest dance experience for kids is back! Featuring over 30 fun dance routines to kids favorite songs, including hits from today’s most popular artists, TV shows and movies. Just Dance Kids 2014 gets kids of all ages up and dancing with colorful graphics, super-fun dance moves, and kid-friendly gameplay!

SRP: $19.99

Safe Sitter® Course

Saturday - One Day Training

Be the sitter that all parents & kids want!

When: • November 15th • December 20th Where: AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus, Pomona, NJ

Fantasy Life by Nintendo

Fantasy Life 3DS. Embark on the adventure of your dream life as you craft cast fish mine battle and explore like never before. With the innovative Life system your choices don’t just upgrade characters they help shape your journey. Explore a huge fantasy landscape beside surly dark paladins slick pirate captains regal princesses and others who share your taste for the unknown.

SRP: $39.99

2014 Gift Guide

Time:

8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Ages:

11 to 13 years old

Fee:

$45

For more information call 1-888-569-1000 or visit www.atlanticare.org/safesitter.

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Games Shark Mania

by Spin

Master

It’s a shark-chomping race with no time to waste! Reach the safety of the island at the end of the track before the shark knocks you off!.

Great fun for older kids a little too stressful for our littlest pirates. The key to the game is speed. Nerve wracking excitement with easy set up.— $19.99

Family Challenge

by Spin Master

byPatch Products

Buzzword Junior is designed with younger players in mind, you and your teammates have 45 seconds to solve a set of clues, and all the answers contain the Buzzword.

With clues for all ages, you’ll “see” why Buzzword Junior is the perfect family game.

Our kids ages 4-14 have had a great time playing this together and that says it all. It is pretty simplistic for the adults but older kids had fun helping youngest when they got stuck. — $15.99

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by Gamewright

Pass the sushi! In this fastplaying card game, the goal is to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by.

Score points for making the most maki rolls or for collecting a full set of sashimi. But be sure to leave room for dessert or else you’ll eat into your score! Very cute artwork keeps the game interesting. We played with 2, 3 and 4 players... the more the merrier (with 2 players it was sort of dull). Strategy does come into play with older players, but the little guys had fun just the same.

— $14.99

In Beat the Parents Family Challenge, parents and kids play against each other.

Options for easy, medium, or hard questions keep both parents and kids engaged.

The best family game we’ve seen this year. Great for ages 5+ and challenging for both the youngest and oldest players! — $19.99

BuzzWord Junior

Sushi Go!

Moustache Smash

by Spin Master

Look! Match! Smash!

Moustache Smash is the matching game that is speedy, sillylooking fun! Seriously fun... kind of like a silly “Slap Jack” with a disguise. A little dexterity is necessary to get the suction cup on back of mastache wand to grab the card but overall the recommended ages 6-11 is about right.

Although some of our “Sillier” adults loved this game almost as much as the kids. — $15.99

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2014 Gift Guide

Stocking Stuffers

For the Home

Sundae Specials

by Gifts.com

Holiday Poppers

by Hog Wild Toys Lookout for popping holiday fun! We LOVE these little poppers, safe and fun for everyone. POP! We couldn’t put them down! Now there’s more holiday cheer… the ever-festive Holiday Pig Popper is joined by three new winter wonderland friends: the Holiday Snowman, Holiday Elf and Holiday Reindeer!

— $9.99

This collection includes everything needed to make an ice cream sundae; simply add your favorite ice cream. Caramel wafer, chocolate hazelnut wafer cookies, brownie brittle chocolate chips, Sweet Tarts, Sour Punch twists, lollipops, pomegranate puffs, and more. — $49.95

Charm Necklace Jewelry Kit

by Sugar LULU With everything they need to make a super special necklace, this kit is a great gift for every girl. They will love creating their own designs with this beautiful necklace set.

Packaged in a cool, collectible tin. A perfect gift to give and get! —$25.99

2014 Gift Guide

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Tradition!

What helps bond us and reconnect with loved ones more than holiday traditions? Lifelong memories are formed around the holidays and honoring or creating traditions takes just a little time and energy, well worth it in the long run.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite traditions. What traditions do your family honor each year? Please share with us on our facebook page at: facebook/jerseyshorefamily.

Creating holiday traditions should always involve food! Spend time with your kids, partner, parents or loved ones in the kitchen, baking Christmas cookies or decorating gingerbread houses. Pick a holiday recipe that you only make at Christmas – perhaps homemade candy canes will be your new holiday tradition – and invite friends and family to help make them.

New family traditions include making different Christmas ornaments from scratch every year, such as popsicle stick picture frames or popcorn wreaths. Christmas ornaments can become holiday traditions even if you add a new

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variation each year. For instance, put new family photos in Christmasy picture frames; every year, line them up on the mantle or bookcase. If you don’t have time to make Christmas ornaments but like this idea of creating new Christmas traditions, consider purchasing instead of making a new ornament every year.

Make your family story a new tradition at Christmas. Keep copies of your annual family Christmas card or letter, and read them out loud each Christmas. Or, read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” out loud to your kids the night or week before Christmas. Holiday traditions are about you

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2014 Gift Guide

as a unique family, warts and all. Sometimes new holiday traditions start by accident and continue unattended; other times, you have to deliberately implement your new holiday traditions. Either way, holiday traditions are a reassuring, fun, and healthy way to celebrate the holidays.

2014 Gift Guide

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H y a a d i p l p e o H November 22nd

The Christmas Fantasy with Light Parade Storybook Land

Welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus with a magical lighting of the park. Parade begins at 4:30pm.

November 2nd, 2am

November 22nd, 23rd, 28th & 30th December 6,7,13,14,20,21 12-3pm

“Fall Back” change clocks

Free Horse & Carriage Rides

November 11th, 2:00pm

Ocean City City Hall, 9th & Asbury Ave.

Santa’s Arrival Parade

November 27th-January 6th Thursday-Sunday, 5:30pm-8pm

Hamilton Mall outside the mall by Macy’s and then lead Santa to his new home away from the North Pole...the mall’s center court.

Christmas Lights Show

November 11th

Veterans Day - Honoring Military Vets

Lake Meone, Historic Smithville Enjoy popular songs of the Holiday Season synchronized with a dazzling Christmas tree light show..

November 27th

Happy Thanksgiving

November 29th, 30th December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st 12-3pm November 15th, 8:45am-4pm

Photos with Santa in the Lifeguard Boat in OC

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Pomona Fee: $45

December 5th, 6:30pm

November 21st - January 3rd

Smithville Village Greene at Colonial Inn

*See parade schedule on our calendar

Safe Sitter Course

Christmas in Cape May Santa Trolleys & Breakfast with Santa www.CapeMayMac.org

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Music Pier, Ocean City (Fee: $10)

Santa Arrives in Galloway Decemeber 6th, 8:30am & 11:30am

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus Renault Winery, Egg Harbor, Fee: $13/adult & $12/child

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2014 Gift Guide

s g n i en December 6th

Dickens of a Holiday

All Wars Memorial Park, Main St., Mays Landing

Trains...Trains... Train s. . .

Atlantic County 4-H Model Railroad Train Display

December 7th and 14th, 1pm - 3:30pm

2nd floor near Sears, Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing running Nov. 11 to Jan. 10; Fri. 7-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm & Sun. 10am - 8pm.

Tuscany House at Renault Winery, 72 North Bremen Avenue. EHC, $45 per person.

Patcong Valley Railroad

December 7th, 1pm

November 15th (10am-6pm) &16th, 29th, 30th

Winter Princess Royal Tea

Rt. 40, Richland

December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 27th January 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th

Christmas Parade

Asbury Ave. from 6th-11th St., Ocean City

The times each day are 10 AM to 4 PM unless otherwise noted

December 8th, 11am

Open House with Santa Claus Cardiff Fire Department, Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp.

December 8th

Galloway Tree Lighting

Ocean City Train Show

Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City December 6th (10am-5pm) and 7th (10am-4pm) Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.

December 31st, 4-7pm

Galloway Municipal Complex Enjoy Santa, carolers, hot chocolate

2 New Year’s Eve Parties at King Pin!

December 20th, 8-11am

King Pin Bowling Entertainment Center, EHT

4-7pm for Kids, 8pm-1am for Grown Ups

Breakfast with Santa

January 8th, 10:15am

Flanders Hotel, Ocean City

Free trial class at Music Together

December 20th, 8:45am-4pm

Safe Sitter Course

Atlanticare Regional Medical Center, Pomona Fee: $45

Call to register 609-748-8309

December 24th, 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30pm

FAA clears Santa for take off Track Santa by calling 609-485-6000

December 25th

2014 Gift Guide

See a complete list of Santa Sightings at www.jerseyshorefamily.com www.JerseyShoreFamily.com 19

Help CASA Help Kids Every day across the United States, 1,900 children are victims of abuse and neglect. Four of those children will die every day. While not all children are born into the arms of loving, capable parents - all children deserve the right to grow up in safe, loving homes.

The premise that every child deserves a safe, permanent home is at the core of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children mission.

Established by a Seattle family court judge in 1977, CASA is now a national network of programs that recruit, train and support community volunteers. In Atlantic and Cape May Counties, 200 volunteers give a voice to 450 youth living in foster care but that is still only a fraction of the nearly 1,000 children living in care in our community.

CASA volunteers are empowered by the courts to give judges the critical information that they need so that each foster child receives appropriate care and resources. Volunteers advocate for the children until they are placed in a permanent home. For many children, the CASA volunteer may be the only consistent adult in their lives.

Foster care was originally established to be a temporary safety system. Unfortunately, it has become a way of life for too many children.

Youth can spend years moving between foster homes or living in group homes without the security of a family - neither biological nor adoptive.

For the youth who turn 18 and age out of the system, their future is bleak.

Often under-educated, jobless, and homeless it is easy to understand how

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these young adults often turn to drugs, prostitution or criminal behavior as a means to survive.

Even with all of the challenges faced by foster youth, CASA volunteers are still able to affect positive changes for so many – helping the 9 year old who never went to school get the tutoring that she desperately needs, watching a brother and sister finally move into the same foster home, or hearing the judge order the anger-management counseling that a young boy needs. It is these, and so many other, actions that are taken by CASA volunteers that give each child the opportunity to overcome and thrive.

As a society, we have an obligation to help change the outcomes for all children that enter foster care.

Whether through volunteering, advocating, fostering, adopting or simply supporting the organizations that work with these children, we will.

If you would like to find out how you can get involved with CASA for Children, please contact us at (609) 601-7800 or visit AtlanticCapeCASA.org.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ­ — Margaret Meade

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Karen DeRosa has been the Director of Community Development at CASA for Children for five years. She has over 15 years experience in non-profit communications, special events and fundraising.

2014 Gift Guide

Even Santa Claus loves Christmas in Cape May! NOV. 21 TO JAN. 3

Celebrate the Season with lots of family-friendly tours & events!

H Santa’s Trolley Rides H Breakfast with Santa H Christmas Exhibit plus...

HOUSE TOURS • GHOST TOURS • TROLLEY TOURS • FOOD & WINE EVENTS Tours & activities sponsored by the

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC)

(609) 884-5404 • capemaymac.org

2014 Gift Guide

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Holiday CRAFTS

There are so many great holiday crafts—we couldn’t pick just one. Check out these DIY Craft websites for kids and get creative! family.disney.com activityvillage.co.uk ivillage.com kiwicrate.com babble.com woohome.com parenting.com parents.com marthastewart.com michaels.com instructables.com artinaction.org kidknits.org

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2014 Gift Guide

The Village will be open, even the RIDES! Bring your cameras there’ll be PHOTO Ops with Santa, Mrs. Claus & all of the characters!

Sat….

Dec. 6th 8:30 am or 11:30 am

Menu… Eggs, French Toast, Sausage, Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, Danish, Juice, Milk & Coffee

Cost…

Child $12.00 Adult $13.00

For Tickets… please call Community Services @ 652-8657 Tickets are Required & Not Sold at the Door!

Seating is Limited to a first Come Basis…

Don’t Miss Out, We sell out Every Year!!!

2014 Gift Guide

www.JerseyShoreFamily.com

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This place puts the early in early childhood

NOW OPEN AT 6:30 AM

Early Childhood

Milton & Betty

Katz JCC 501 Jerome Avenue 501North N. Jerome Avenue Margate, NJ Margate, NJ 08402 jccatlantic.org

609.822.1167 Ext. 130 jccatlantic.org

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Specializing in childcare from six weeks to kindergarten. Call today to schedule a tour of our enhanced facility including an indoor pool, full-size gym, nature and science room and much more.

609.822.1167 Ext. 130

www.JerseyShoreFamily.com

2014 Gift Guide