| A Note From New York Family's Editor |
B-F-F: In a rough world, it's no small comfort to know that I live with two superheroes: Mermaid-Man (my 4-year-old son) and Barnacle Boy (my 8-year-old daughter), who together fight evil under the sea. I haven't seen my children that much lately, as I've been working unconscionably long hours to close the next issue of the magazine before I go on vacation. I've also taken the Facebook plunge, which, so far, has been a fun respite, a sentimental journey, a power trip, and a discovery process. (A few days ago, someone threw an octopus at me! Who knew?) But whatever it is I'm looking for on Facebook, I doubt I'll find anything like the bond my two aquatic-based superheroes have forged in my absence. This morning they clasped hands and shouted in unison, "One, Two, Three . . . Best Friends Forever!" They've never said that before. -- Eric Messinger (emessinger@manhattanmedia.com) |
| Parenting Tip |
| Fair Thee Well: Last week's thought about improvising an excursion to the Dutchess Country Fair as a great excuse to get out of the city and get back to nature was so popular we wanted to toss out a few more possibilities for the remaining days of summer (and one for fall). Here you go: the Great New York State Fair, the Smolak Farms Peach Festival, the Brooklyn Fair (in Brooklyn, Connecticut), the Haddam Neck Fair, the Vermont State Fair, the Lancaster Fair and, again, we recommend the Queens County Fair, as a pleasant local adventure on September 20 or 21. |
| Joy's Shopping Tips |
A Scone That Stands Alone: Who can resist that buttery, flaky breakfast pastry known as the scone? The Brooklyn-based Rabbit Hole Bakery & Bistro's signature scone is a pinwheel version filled with apricot or raspberry jam, eliminating the need to have jam on the side of your plate! They also offer other baked goods and breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Scones start at $2.25; 352 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, 718-782-0910, rabbitholebakery.com.
Bra Hopping: If ever there was a shopping event that had a natural connection to breast cancer awareness, it's the Wacoal- sponsored fundraiser coming up at Saks Fifth Avenue. Sign up for a complimentary bra fitting in a Wacoal, DKNY or Donna Karan Intimate bra and $2 will be donated to the The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Wacoal will also donate an additional $2 to the cause for each bra purchased. August 21 and 22, 11 am to 5 pm; Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Avenue, 212-940-2429, saksfifthavenue.com. Keeping Track of Baby: The Day to Night Baby Log by Skip Hop is a six-month book that lets parents record their baby's feedings and sleep schedules, as well as doctor visits and baby gifts. It includes a light-up clock that will help you take notes in the middle of the night. There is also a handy built-in timer that makes monitoring nap and feeding times very easy. $39; also available at Kidville, kidville.com. * Joy Sherwood is the Style Director of New York Family. She can be reached at jsherwood@manhattanmedia.com. |
| Activity Tips* |
| Play Dates at the Zoo: The Bronx Zoo is turning itself into a funhouse for a week. Dubbed Play Week, families can enjoy amenities like the Fisher Price Play Space, the Power Wheels Driving Track, storytelling, puppet theater, and arts and crafts. And you know what? The animals aren't on vacation. Details: August 18 to 24, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, 718-220-5100, bronxzoo.com.
Blues, Barbecue, and Shrek: The 9th Annual Blues and Barbecue Festival at Hudson River Park featuring lots of great blues bands, and grub from NYC restaurants takes place at Pier 54 (near West 14th Street). August 24; 2-9 pm. Just as cool: two nights earlier the Park is screening Shrek , as part of its RiverFlicks for Kids series at Pier 46 (near Charles Street). August 22; begins at 8 pm. Free popcorn at movie. Details: Hudson River Park, 353 West Street, 212-627-2020, hudsonriverpark.com.
Music, Crafts, and Andy Roddick: A child does not have to be a tennis fanatic to have a great time at Arthur Ashe's Kid's day at the U.S. Open, which will include the opportunity to play tennis and hang out with pros like Andy Roddick and Ana Ivanovic, while also enjoying a big concert featuring DEMI LOVATO!!!!!! of Disney's summer smash "Camp Rock," and other performers. There will also be face painting, hair braiding, juggling, plate spinning and other fun projects. Details: Games and clinics are from 9:30 am-1 pm and the concert is from 1-4 pm. Admission is free for children's activities, games and clinics. For more info: usopen.org; for tickets, visit: ticketmaster.com.
*Activity Tips are from New York Family and GoCityKids.com. |
| The Week's Bonus Tips |
Free Children's Classes & Activities Expos: What classes, activities and enrichment programs should you enroll your child in this fall? To help thousands of New York City parents answer that question, New York Family magazine is sponsoring three major expos in September--two in Manhattan (9/14 and 9/20); one in Brooklyn (9/21). From "Mommy and Me" to hip-hop dance, from early-gymnastics to science and architecture programs, the expos will cover the gamut of NYC's incredible offerings for children from six months to 12-years-old. REGISTER NOW! The first 200 people to register for any of the free expos will be eligible for a free family vacation at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont. Click here for more info, dates, locations, and to register. And Speaking Of Children's Classes...During the next few weeks, many children's activity and enrichment centers offer free sample classes and Open Houses for interested families. If there's a program you've wanted to check out, this a good opportunity to call them up and see if they have anything like this available. Also, our friends at Mommy Poppins have put together a handy list of free classes and open houses that they know about.
Two New Nursery School Admissions Seminars (West Side and Downtown Editions): New York Family magazine is sponsoring two soup-to-nuts seminars on the preschool admissions process in September. Both feature leading nursery school directors and admissions experts. The Westside seminar, co-sponsored by Baby Bites, will take place on Wednesday, September 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The Downtown seminar, co-sponsored by Citibabes, will take place on Wednesday, September 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Both events cost $50. For more info and to register for either event, visit newyorkfamily.com. |
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