Free Screening of Kindergarten Shuffle

"Free Screening of Kindergarten Shuffle
You are welcome to attend a FREE screening of The Kindergarten Shuffle – a parent’s eye view of the New York City Kindergarten admissions process. The docudrama follows three parents as they search for the best school of their child. If you have a child in pre-school, this is a can’t miss event!

Several actors and writer/director Douglas Morse will be in attendance to talk about the movie and answer questions about their kindergarten admissions process.

Please arrive a few minutes before showtime. The movie is 90 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWD4uUgC0sE

Date: Dec 16, 2010
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: The New School: 6 East 16th Street Room D-1009
Contact: moviemaker@gmail.com"

Find the perfect camp!

        New York Family Magazine and the American Camp Association of New York bring you a brand new, special December Camp Fair on the Upper West Side! Come check out over 30 different day and sleep away camps!  Their website lists several other dates throughtout the city for the coming year.

Date: Dec 12, 2010

Time: Noon to 3 PM

Location: The Ethical Culture Fieldston School 33 Central Park West
                           (btwn 63rd and 64th Streets)

Contact: http://www.newyorkfamilycamps.com/

Read Out Loud! @ PS 92 Family Literacy & Book Festival

Saturday, December 4, 2010     All Day  in PS 92 Cafeteria
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
222 W 134th Street (between 7th & 8th Ave.)
New York, NY 10030

All free! For families and children ages 4-12. Check out what’s happening!
There will be a lot of activities for the children as well as the parents. Below is a lost of some activities planned for the event.. It will be a fun filled and informative day.

• Book Giveaway Each child chooses a brand-new book for their home library! Hundreds of titles for babies to age 12. (All ages)
• Get your own library card! The neighborhood Countee Cullen Branch has public program information and library card sign up. New York Public Library (All ages)
• Make an Illuminated bookmark with decorative initials and illustrations inspired by the age-old tradition of Illuminated manuscripts. Cathedral of St John the Divine Pre-K – Grade 6

Schedule of Activities

How to draw comics -12:30 & 2:00
30 min. Grades 3-6

Musical Books - 11:30 & 1:30
30 min. Pre-school – Grade 6

“If Wishes Were Fishes” 11:30 & 1:30
30 min Grades 2-4

The Storyteller’s Candle- 12:00
30 min. Auditorium Pre K – Grade 3 English/ Español

Read with Sesame Street Pre K- Grade 1

Sesame Around the World - PreK-5  English/Español

The Electric Company - Grades 2-5

We’re All the Same Inside - K- Grade 3

Bringing Books to Life - 11:30 & 1:30   30 min K – Grade 2

Picture this! Making Storybooks - 11:30 & 1:30   30 min. Pre-K – Grade 5 & Adults

¡Lee en Voz Alta! A Haute Voix! - 11:30 12:00 1:30
30 min. Pre K – Grade 4   English/Español/Français

LIVE with the Big Bad Wolf & the Three Little Pigs -11:30 & 1:30
30 min Grades 1-3

Create Your Own Adventure! 11:30 & 1:30
30 min Grades 2-4

“Walking Around” Living Poetry Everyday - 11:30 & 1:30
30 min. Grades 3-6

Intergenerational Read Aloud - 12:00
30 min. Pre K – Grade 3

Special Workshops for pre-teens!

Express yourself! Performance Poetry -12:30
45 min. -Grades 6-8

Girls Only! - 12:30 & 1:30
30 min. Girls, Grades 7-8

Rhythm & Rhyme - 12:00 & 1:30
30 min. - Grades 5-8

Want to be a journalist? - 12:00 & 1:30
30 min - Grades 6-8

Do you dream of being in the spotlight?--12:00 & 1:30
30 min. - Grades 6-8

Dance, Movement & Stories - 12:00 & 1:30
30 min.   Gym -Grades 5-8

Especially for Parents: Workshops, Panels and Info Stations


Motivating Boys to Read * Special Panel 12:00   30 min.
Our male guest authors & illustrators discuss what motivates boys to read while sharing their own experiences and offering advice to parents. Discussion and open Q&A

Let’s Talk: Kids and Show Biz 12:00 & 1:30   30 min.
Designed to educate parents about the acting industry. Get the tools needed to research and make wise decisions about getting your children involved in acting and modeling and why reading and speaking well is key to success! Jay Lyric Production

Single Parenting & Parenting with Love 11:30 & 1:30    30 min.
In small, supportive discussion groups, parents work to find new solutions to strengthen their parenting skills. Workshops empower parents to become more involved in their child’s education. Single parenting @ 11:30 AM and Parenting with Love @ 1:30PM Every Person Influences Children (EPIC)

Blueprint to Financial Success
Provides step-by-step instructions on how to set and achieve financial goals, with tips on ways to budget and help become debt-free and financially literate. NY Life Insurance Company via Sesame Workshop

Learn about Adult Education Programs 11:30 & 12:30    30 min.
Learn information about Pre-GED, GED, ESL, computer skills, career and technical information and health careers. All programs available at the Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center. Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center

Meet the Authors: Reading & Activities   12:30    45 min.

Meet the author: Regina Brooks
Featuring: Never Finished, Never Done! Saturday morning is supposed to be fun! Will Shayla ever finish her list of chores? Listen to the story.(Pre-school – 1st Grade)

Meet the author: Selina Alko
Featuring: Peanut Butter, Big Brother & more
Big brother wonders whether the new baby will look like him. He blends from semisweet dark daddy chocolate bar and strawberry cream mama’s milk. Listen to the story and draw pictures of your family. (Pre-school – 1st Grade)

Meet the author/illustrator: Pat Cummings
Featuring: Harvey Moon, Museum Boy & more
To liven up the class trip, Harvey brings his pet lizard to the museum. Whoops. When Zippy escapes, the adventures begin! Pat Cummings teaches children how to draw and how stories become books.(Grade1-2)

Meet the author/illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Featuring: Grandma’s Gift & more
Eric and Grandma visit the art museum. Inspired by the art, Eric wants to grow up to be an artist. What special gift does Grandma give him to help reach his dream? Based on the author’s childhood. (Grades 2-4)

Meet the author: Lenore Look
Featuring: Alvin Ho, Allergic to Birthday Parties … & more
The third hilarious chapter book in the series about Alvin Ho, a boy who’s afraid of everything. What could possibly be so scary about a birthday party? Listen to the story and make your own “Personal Disaster Kit” to survive anything you’re afraid of! (Grades 2-4)

Meet the author: Rigoberto González
Featuring: Antonio’s Card/La Tarjeta de Antonio
Antonio’s family is different from a lot of kids’. This is a story that will help all children speak up for the ones they love. Listen to the story and the author discusses different kinds of families. Make a card for someone you love. (Grades 1-4) (English/ Español)

Meet the author: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Featuring: 8th Grade Superzero
Reggie (“Pukey”) McKnight finds himself in the middle of a school election and other middle school complications. Listen to the story and brainstorm how to be a ’superhero’ in your own community. Make your own slogans and action plans. (Grades 4-8)

**Healthy snacks for sale to benefit the PS 92 Parent Association**

What's In Your Go Bag?

The New York City Office of Emergency Management recommends that every household consider assembling a Go Bag - a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. Each household member's Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year. Your Go Bag should contain:

Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.)

Extra set of car and house keys

Credit and ATM cards and cash (especially in small denominations). The New York City Office of Emergency Management recommends you keep at least $50-$100 on hand.

Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars

Flashlight, battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries. You can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries at retail stores.

Medication and other essential personal items. Be sure to refill medications before they expire. Keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages.

First Aid kit

Sturdy, comfortable shoes, lightweight raingear, and a mylar blanket

Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map

Child care supplies or other special care items

For additional information on the Go-Bag, please visit the New York City's Office of Emergency Management.

Challenging Behaviors Workshop

RSVP Required.

Managing challenging behaviors of loved ones with developmental disabilities can be one of the most stressful aspects of parenting. This free workshop will focus on providing families with practical strategies that they can use at home. Preventive, alternative skill-building, reinforcement and desensitization strategies will all be addressed. Research has supported the use of these approaches for a wide range of challenging behaviors in both children and adults. Workshop participants will leave with a greater understanding of why challenging behaviors may occur and how families can successfully intervene at home.

Light refreshments will be served.
Date: Nov 9, 2010
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: AHRC's Dean O'Hare Center - 113 Water Street, Brooklyn, 11201


113 Water Street, Brooklyn, 11201
Event Contact: Jennifer.Amendola@ahrcnyc.org/  212-895-3446 or
Donna.Gifford@ahrcnyc.org/  212-780-2713

NEW LOWER PRICE ON THE FLIP MINO HD VIDEO CAMERA

Great News! The best gift of the holiday season just got better!
Avon has reduced the price of the Flip MinoHD Video Camera during the holiday season .

You can now purchase the world's simplest high-definition video camera for the unbelievable price of only $139 with no additional purchase required.
 
 
EXTRAORDINARY HOLIDAY OFFER!
NOW ONLY  $139
NO Anew purchase required  199 VALUE!

Jesse Jackson Raises Specter Of 14th Amendment Challenges In Pitch To Dems

By Sam Stein First Posted: 10-27-10 02:54 PM

 
 Hoping to motivate minority and Democratic base voters, Reverend Jesse Jackson has begun airing concerns that the Republican Party could challenge the 14th Amendment and even the Civil Rights Act should it take power in Congress. The civil rights icon told the Huffington Post on Tuesday evening that he has made a round of speeches and recorded several robocalls in an effort to drive up early voting turnout. Among the pitches are those focusing on some of the more memorable and eccentric GOP policy proclamations of the past few months.
     "In one of their positions, the 14th Amendment was being challenged, the Civil Rights bill of '64 was being challenged, they said their intent upon winning was to defeat the president," Jackson said. "They want to defeat the health bill which covers preexisting conditions and college students and all these overtures to overturn the Constitution are very threatening to ourselves."

Read the complete article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/27/jesse-jackson-raises-spec_n_774867.html

Pumpkin Festival in Parks : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Pumpkin Festival in Parks : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation: "Saturday, October 30, 2010
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Central Park, the Bandshell Area
(enter at 72nd Street)

Join NYC Parks and HUB TV for Pumpkin Festival, New York City's annual celebration of the fall harvest season in leafy Central Park!
Taking place on Saturday, October 30, Pumpkin Festival takes the very best traditions of the autumn season and offers them all for FREE! Activities will include:
Circus Berzerkus Haunted House – our spooktacular haunted house is back again this year and scarier than ever!
Catch a sneak peek of the Haunted House
on Friday, October 29th from 4-7pm!
Scarecrow Competition – click on the tab above to learn more about how you can participate! Grand prize is $200! Additional prizes from Dunkin' Donuts, HUB TV, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and others!
Pumpkin Patch – kids take home a free pumpkin!
Arts & Crafts – including pumpkin decorating!
Marionette Performances by Puppets in the Park
Hay Rides
Walkabout Characters
Face Painting
NY Rangers Road Tour & Slapshot Booth
Megamind Trivia Showcase– try to outsmart Megamind and earn MEGA free prizes!
Greenmarket Vendors
Live Entertainment – click on the tab above to see who's performing and when!
All events are free!

Please note that the lines for the Circus Berzerkus Haunted House, Pumpkin Patch, and Hay Rides may close as early as 4:30 p.m."

Hearing on Fee Policies

The City Council’s Education; Youth Services and Public Housing Committees will be holding a joint public hearing on the impact of DOE and NYCHA fee policies on the ability to provide services for youth. “Oversight: The impact of the Department of Education’s and New York City Housing Authority’s fee policies on the ability to provide services for youth.”
Both the Department of Education (DOE) and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) charge fees for use of their facilities. Last spring, DOE adopted a new regulation, Chancellor’s Regulation D-180, regarding the Extended use of School Buildings. This regulation establishes the procedures for organizations and individuals to follow in order to use NYC public school buildings outside normal school hours and on days when school is not in session, including weekends and holidays. The regulation supercedes policies previously articulated in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual (SOPM) and introduces changes in DOE’s policies and fee structure which may impact accessibility of services to children and youth.
Members of the Education; Youth Services and Public Housing Committees would like to hear from the public on this subject.
We invite members of Community Education Councils, parents, students, educators, advocates, and all other stakeholders and interested members of the public to testify. at this hearing.

Start Date: Oct 29, 2010
End Date: Oct 29, 2010
Event Time: 10 a.m.(*public testimony is estimated to begin after 11:30am)
Event Location: 250 Broadway - Committee Room, 16th Fl, Manhattan
Event Contact: jatwell@council.nyc.gov"

'Including Samuel' Screening

The Division for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners (part of the Department of Education) invites all parents to a screening of 'Including Samuel,' a documentary which highlights inclusive education for students with special needs. The event will include a presentation of the documentary and will have guest speakers focusing on supporting student achievement.

Start Date: Oct 28, 2010
End Date: Oct 28, 2010
Event Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Event Location: St. Francis College - 180 Remsen Street
Event Contact: djshepp@schools.nyc.gov"

Insideschools.org

Unleash the Power of Avon's Newest Mens Fragrance- Turn4XT

Avon has a wonderful new product called Turn4XT Eau de Toilette Spray, our latest men's fragrance, debuting in C-26.

Turn4XT has an invigorating scent of spicy pepperwood and is infused with java vetiver and masculine mahogany. Turn4XT, which features NASCAR champion Carl Edwards, is sure to become a favorite of Avon customers, who are looking for a dynamic new fragrance for the men in their lives. Priced at just $26, Turn4XT makes the perfect holiday gift idea for men of all ages.

Shop Avon for this and many other products at www.youravon.com/cherylawitt
 
This posting below is from an email sent to me by the Avon company.

R. Kelly - When A Woman Loves

Make Money Online and Maximize Your Income!

     If  you are interested in making money online from the comfort of your home, the park or anywhere you feel then you need to check out this site.  It provides listings of various places that you can become an affiliate and make money for free.  Most programs are free to join. There are many affiliates that are earning over $100,000 simply from promoting a variety of affiliate programs. 
     That could be you if you know where to look and what to do.  The website will inform you of various affiliate programs and work at home ideas to help you achieve your financial goals.  It lists some of the best affiliate programs online that will help to maximize your income.  Browse through the site and check out their easy to use directories.  Go to http://cwittdesigns.tripod.com/

 

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalls Roll-Up Blinds

Bamboo Roll-Up Blinds with Valence

Model #MS3672WA04 

 Thought I would post this information on my blog because the safety of children is very important to me. A product recall has been issued by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores for the Bamboo Roll-Up Blinds with Valence. The recalled item was sold between April 2009 and December 2009 and pose a serious strangulation hazard, according to Jo-Ann Fabrics . The notice posted on their site reads:

HAZARD:

Strangulation can occur when the lifting loop slides off the side

of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the

free-standing loop, or if a child places his/her neck between the

lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

Consumers should immediately stop using the roll-up blinds and return the product to the nearest Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store for a full refund. (Post Until 2/25/2011 In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Blessings and be safe.

Olin's Bday Correction

Olin's birthday was on the 16th.  That's when I wrote it and forgot to publish it to the blog.  I thought I did but I realized I left it as a draft because I was intent on finishing my son's resume for a job interview he had this morning.

Olin Sr's Birthday

     

Today is Olin's birthday.  My baby is 48yrs young today. I wish we could've gone out to celebrate but unfortunately this multiple sclerosis put a damper on things.  We will celebrate later with the children when I'm up to going out. 

     Olin, Happy Birthday honey and much love to you. I wish you love, happiness and prosperity in the coming year and for many years to come. Have a blessed birthday filled with fun and happiness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Where have the years gone?  It seems like it was just yesterday that I gave birth to my eldest son and now he is ready to vote.
Today, (well technically it was yesterday since I am writing this after midnight.) was Olin Jr's birthday.  He was very excited and I was happy because he was so thrilled.   He reached another milestone in his life- his eighteenth birthday.  He was happy to have graduated high school after four long, stressful years and now considers himself a free man.  He is registering for college next Spring but wants to get some freedom from books for the Fall.  Finally he gets to "come and go as a young man should without parents making so many decisions for him."  Jr. also realizes the world will treat him differently now that he is eighteen and is considered an adult.  He cannot do silly things and get away with it because he is 'underage' - those days are over and that ship has sailed.  Instead he is looking forward to driving, getting a car, his own apartment, college, buying lotto and so much more. 
        Son, here's to many more wonderful years ahead, filled with happiness, health success and prosperity.  You have grown into a fine young man and I am very proud of you. Your future looks bright and the world is your oyster.
 

Words of Wisdom

• Remember, "as a man thinketh, so is he" and
• Whatever the mind can conceive, you can achieve.
• "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change"

Haven't posted anything in a while due to health challenges but I'll try to pick up the slack.  Today I'll just post a couple of funny and strange images.

                                                         this speaks for itself

What in the world ???  lol



this one defies description

I hope you enjoyed these images.  They are from a favorite joke site called AhaJokes.com.  Check them out sometime.