Archive for June, 2008

Personal trainer? Too pricey. Class at the gym? Too crowded.

Find the perfect balance at the Center for Movement. This UES Pilates studio offers small, drop-in group classes (using the mat, tower, reformer and other equipment) that give personal attention in the company of others striving for that long, lean bod. Whether you’re taking a break from the treadmill during pregnancy or trying to get your pre-baby abs back, the expert instructors will make sure your core is conditioned.

And if you’re not into the group thing, the Lexington Avenue and Scarsdale locations offer private sessions. But exercise loves company.

1460 Second Ave. (bet. 76th & 77th St.), 212-734-2277, centerformovement.com.

You finally scored an invite to your chic city neighbor’s fab Hamptons house (or hey, maybe you have one of your own, no judgment). You’re ditching town ASAP to head East, but what to bring the hostess who has everything?

Try the new haute couture haven Bellhaus, which brings fabulousity and exclusivity to a whole new level. OK, you won’t have time to order a bespoke creation before sunset cocktails, but pick up giftable candles, fragrance, skincare or books for your happy weekend home (and tell Junior not to touch — anything).

Actually, get one of each — just in case the kid spills or (gasp) breaks something. You want to be invited back next month.

Open Mon.-Sat. 11am-8pm, Sun. 12-6pm. 328 Montauk Highway, Wainscott, 631-537-5050, bellhaus.net.

This weekend: Play in the park, swim in a pool.

Visit
Cinderella Samba
Puppeteers from the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater perform the fairy tale set amidst the carnival energy of Brazil.
When: Thurs. 6/26, 10:30am; Free
Where: Madison Square Park, Oval Lawn, bet. 23rd & 26th St. and Madison & 5th Ave., 212-538-6667.

Randy Kaplan & Suzi Shelton
Rock out to kiddie tunes in Park Slope.
When: Fri. 6/27, 4pm; $5.
Where: Tea Lounge, 837 Union St., Brooklyn, 718-789-2762, tealoungeny.com.

See
Moonpowder
Award-winning children’s book author and DUMBO resident John Rocco reads from his new fantasy picture book.
When: Sat. 6/28, 4pm
Where: The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn, 718-666-3049, powerhousearena.com.

Ella Sets Sail
Join the Elephant Island Carnival with crafts and story time.
When: Sat. 6/28, 3pm; Ages 3+; Free.
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway, 212-343-6166.

Go
Brazilian Carnival
Dance, craft a set of rain sticks and catch story time at Bryant Park.
When: Sat. 6/28, 12-1pm
Where: Bryant Park Reading Room, bet. 40th & 42nd St. and 5th & 6th Ave., bryantpark.org.

Reading to your little one is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon — and gets them ready for the school days ahead. Whether on a trip, at the park or just hanging out at home, incorporate books into your family’s routine. Below are the top 10 summer reading tips from the NYPL:

1. Read to children from the time they are born. It’s never too early to start.

2. Set aside a special time to read, when you and your family are relaxed.

3. Children enjoy setting the pace of reading time. Encourage them to turn pages.

4. If they are not ready to sit still, read to children while they are playing and exploring. Active children learn on the move.

5. Many children like to hear the same story again and again. It comforts them and develops language skills.

6. Read together — on the go, waiting on line and at the park.

7. Sing to your children. Sing songs from your childhood or make up silly songs. You can find lyrics to your favorites online or at the library.

8. Read Mother Goose and nursery rhymes together. They are short, playful and build vocabulary.

9. Show your kids you love books. Keep books and magazines at home and let them catch you reading.

10. Visit the library often to choose books and enjoy programs together.

For a recommended book list, visit summerreading.org. For more information, visit nypl.org.

Where can you go to really cool off on summer afternoons? The city is full of public pools that offer that most surreal of summer-in-the-city experiences: the urban pool party.

All city outdoor pools are free and open to the public starting this Friday through Labor Day. General hours of operation are 11am to 7pm. Call individual pools for more specific information, or online at nycgovparks.org.

Asser Levy Recreation Center
East 23rd St. & FDR
212-447-2020
Pack some sandwiches and spend the day splashing around this outdoor pool in Kips Bay, which dates from the 1930s. There’s also a wading pool for toddlers. Swim lessons are available to members.

Astoria Pool
Astoria Park, 19th St. at 23rd Drive, Queens
718-626-8620
At 165 feet wide by 330 feet long, this pool — situated on the East River — is the largest in the city and has incredible views of Manhattan’s skyline. Opened by Robert Moses in 1936, the Art Deco pool features vintage details such as mushroom fountains that spray water 25 feet in the air, underwater lighting fixtures, “no water pistols” signs, and wooden changing booths.

Barretto Point Park
Tiffany St. & Viele Ave., Bronx
718-617-2373
The “Floating Pool Lady,” a seven-lane pool on a barge, has parked in Hunts Point this summer. The freshwater pool has a pool house, locker rooms, bathrooms and great views of the NYC waterfront.

Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
1 Clarkson St. (7th Ave. South & Leroy)
212-242-5228
Formerly known as the Carmine Recreation Center, this West Village 100-feet by 50-feet outdoor pool has lap lanes in the deep end and a diving board. Constructed in the 1930s, a large fish mural was added in 1987 by pop-artist Keith Haring. The locals play handball and bocce at the on site courts, and the kids can play at the playground and ball fields.

Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
127 Pitt St. (East Houston & Stanton)
212-387-7687
Built in 1936 and renovated in 1992, this pool was used by the 1952 Olympic team to prepare for the games in Helsinki, Finland. Offers two outdoor pools: a good-sized kiddie pool (2-1/2 feet deep all around) and one for older kids (3-1/2 feet deep all around).

John Jay Pool
77th St. & Cherokee Place
212-794-6566
One of two pools in Manhattan (the other being at Tony Dapolito) that allows diving. The center also houses a snack bar and a small playground with benches.

Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive at 145th St.
212-694-3665
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 3:30-5:30pm; Sat., 1:30-6pm; Sun., 9am-6pm; 4 to 15 years $1; adults $2.
This is a state-run pool and there is a small fee. Perched 69 feet above the Hudson River, the 25 yard pool offers panoramic views of the George Washington Bridge and the Jersey Palisades. The nearby park features nice grassy picnic areas.

Sunset Park Recreation Center
7th Ave. at 43rd St., Brooklyn
718-965-6533
Sunset Park sits on the highest point in Brooklyn and offers great views of the Manhattan skyline along with an Olympic size outdoor pool.

When school ends and summer kicks in, you could all use a little new scenery — and keeping travel-time to a minimum is key. Below is a list of grown-up spots that a kid will also find fun. No Disney. No Club Med. Just family-friendly weekend getaways within a few hours of the city.

Lake Placid, New York: Home of the Olympic village and situated in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, there’s plenty to do here: Hike, fish, canoe, bike, swim, indoor ice skate, take a tour of the Olympic sites, or a scenic boat ride to check out the Great Camps on Lake Placid. Mirror Lake Inn on the lakeshore has its own beach and a health spa for some adult pampering.

Northwest Corner Connecticut & the Berkshires: Walking, lake swimming, hiking, art galleries, impressive restaurants — plus music, dance, and theater in Tanglewood. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum for family fun activities, and check-out the famous Lime Rock Park raceway. The Interlaken Inn offers extensive country gardens, an outdoor pool and special family packages.

Spring Lake, New Jersey: Just about an hour outside of Manhattan via car or NJ Transit from Penn Station is the sleepy beach town of Spring Lake. Founded in 1892, you’ll find rambling Victorian mansions with wraparound porches, and a kid’s park surrounded by weeping willows and a spring-fed lake with swans. The two-mile non-commercial boardwalk is great for strollers and leads to an immaculate stretch of beach. Let the kids experience some traditional Jersey-style rides and amusements at the Point Pleasant boardwalk. The Breakers Hotel is just steps from the ocean and has a unique Jersey Shore style.

Amagansett, NY: For Hampton diehards, check out the family-friendly Gansett Green Manor, which is happy to accommodate requests for high chairs, baby monitors, cribs and babysitters. Charming, comfortable cottages, surrounded by beautiful beaches — all within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Mystic, Connecticut: About as family-friendly and fun for adults as it gets with its nineteenth-century seaport, cool aquarium, nearby beaches, and namesake pizza joint.

You’ve read all the material on how to prep your DD for a new arrival, but maybe what she needs is a good story. Brooke Shields captures the excitement of becoming a big sis in her new children’s book, Welcome to Your World, Baby. With colorful illustrations by Cori Doerrfeld, the book paints a happy picture of sisterhood — down to sharing pink nail polish and hosting super secret sleepovers.

Catch the author/celeb mom at a signing, next week at Barnes & Noble in Tribeca — and let your DD see other big sisters in the making.

When: Tues. 6/24, 4pm.
Where: Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., 212-587-5389.

This weekend: Have an ice cream.

Hear
The Jimmies
Rock out to silly songs for the shorter set at Washington Irving High School.
When: Sat. 6/21, 3pm (doors open at 2pm); Ages 4+; Free.
Where: 40 Irving Place (bet. 16th & 17th St.), gimmiejimmies.com.

Care Bears on Fire
The kiddie band heats up Southpaw.
When: Sun. 6/22, 5pm, All ages; $10.
Where: 125 5th Ave., Brooklyn, spsounds.com.

Visit
Queens Library Family Fun Day
Check out magicians, pony rides and educational activities.
When: Sat. 6/21, 11am-3pm.
Where: Queens Library at Long Island City, 37-44 21st St. (at 14th at 38th Ave.), 718-990-0700, queenslibrary.org.

See
International Puppet Festival
This second annual event features three live performances from traditional Chinese, Czech and Greek puppet troupes, as well as puppet-making workshops.
When: Sun. 6/22, 12-5pm; Ages 5+; Free with museum admission.
Where: Yeshiva University Museum at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th St.(bet. 5th & 6th Ave.), 212-294-8330, yumuseum.org.

Go
Smith Street Fair
Enjoy bites from the local restaurants that make up Stink-Fest ‘08. The lineup includes live music from the Dirty Sock Funtime Band and Stinky Bklyn’s cheese-eating contest.
When: Sun. 6/22, 11am-5pm.
Where: Smith St. & Vine, Brooklyn, stinkybklyn.com.

You’ve successfully converted your 1BR into a two-bedroom family nest (with a makeshift “playroom” in the corner that doubles as your home office…and dining room). An extra person yielded a lot of extra stuff, and even though he’s outgrown it you intend to keep it for the next baby (when yes, you will have to move).

The Box Butler’s new service, Three Boxes and a Baby, helps save some closet space. These city storage pros provide three trunk-size containers to store clothes and toys to keep for memories, or for your next offspring. You pack, they take it away.

Sure beats schlepping to mini-storage.

For more information, visit the theboxbutler.com.

High-maintenance hairdos are a thing of the past when pregnancy or toddler patrol sets in during the summer. But you still need to look chic, should a last-minute rooftop cocktails invite come your way.

We checked in with Suki Duggan of the Donsuki Townhouse Salon for some low-maintenance summer styling advice. Below are her tips for time-strapped tresses:

• Grow out your hair during pregnancy, and for fun add long layers around the face — it will not only shape your glowing skin but make you look thinner as well.
• If your hair is fine and straight, try giving your locks more oomph by using a mousse or gel product on damp hair. From the bottom tips of your hair scrunch it in an upward movement and then loosely blow dry.
• The messy side ponytail is very popular this summer. After volumizing your straight hair or soothing your curly hair, pin back the top crown section of your hair, and tease it in a gentle forward manor with a bristled brush. Then take the bottom portion of your hair and loosely pull it back in a low ponytail to the side.