Archive for September, 2008

The crisis on Wall Street is affecting everyone from York Avenue to Yerba Buena. You’ve told your kids a million times that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” but in this spend-happy city maybe it’s time to give them a hands-on lesson in finance.

Entrepreneur and Brooklyn dad Alan Wolan, author of Moneyology 1: A Kid’s Guide to Money, (the first of a 10-part series) says knowing how to manage money is the second most important skill in life (the first: knowing how to get along with people). He advises parents to teach young kids (and maybe themselves!) the following:

Fantastic Four: There are four things you can do with a dollar — spend it, save it, invest it or donate it. Buy a four-chambered piggy bank so kids can start getting used to the idea of dividing their money.

Origin of $: Most people are taught that they have to work hard for their money. That’s great for instilling a good work ethic, but it’s also important to learn how money can work for you through skillful investing. Help your child invest some of his money in the stock market and make a game of checking the stock prices on your iPhone.

Neat Freak: Uncrinkle your bills and keep them in order in your wallet. Sounds ridiculously simple, but it’s a great precursor to organizing files when the tax man cometh.

Cash is King: People tend to spend more with credit cards; they swipe, sign and never look back. It’s more painful to sit and count out the proper bills and see how much money you’re really spending. Create good spending habits early on.

Negotiating: Another great skill to learn early in life. Prices are flexible. And comparison shopping is now easier than ever thanks to the Internet. It’s all about maximizing your assets.

Visit moneyology.com.

– L.B.

In the land of self-maintenance, were the eyebrows the first thing to go? You throw on a pair of Oliver Peoples and push that stroller down Seventh Avenue with your head held high…and hope no one notices the unibrow.

While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by the Boom Boom Beauty Bar, the latest bedazzled brow-shaping salon that will wax you back to life. And if that’s not enough to put the spring back in your step, take it a bit further with bikini waxing, lash tinting or a quick lip gloss-and-go.

Keep your head up.

Open Mon.-Fri. 11am-7pm, Sat. 10am-6pm. 35 Seventh Ave. (bet. 12th & 13th St.), 212-229-BOOM, boomboombeautybar.com.

This weekend: Debate your mate.

Go
Big in Japan
Take an interactive journey to discover the traditional art and cultural elements of kamishibai, or “paper theater” story telling. And don’t miss the special selection of innovative Japanese design and everyday products.
When: Sat. 9/27, 1:30pm; Ages 3-7; Free.
Where: Felissimo Design House, 10 West 56th St., japan-c.com.

Hear
Audra Rox
Brooklyn-based kiddie rock band gives another energetic performance, combining rock, punk and bluegrass.
When: Sun. 9/28, 12:30pm (doors open at 11:30am); $20.
Where: Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 866-468-7619, highlineballroom.com.

Funkey Monkeys
Described as “Seinfeld meets the Wiggles,” this six-member band incorporates sketches into their funky kid’s music.
When: Sun. 9/28, 2pm; Ages 4+; $15/Adults, $10/Kids.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3337, thejewishmuseum.org.

Do
Brooklyn Pie Social
Bubby’s Pie Company hosts its annual pie-palooza in DUMBO to raise funds for local public schools. Stop by to sample the best sweet and savory.
When: Sun. 9/28, 12-3pm; $25 for five tastes.
Where: 1 Main St., Brooklyn, bubbys.com.

See
Kevin Henkes
The Caldecott-winning children’s author will be on hand to sign copies of his new picture book, Old Bear.
When: Thurs. 9/25, 5-7pm.
Where: Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th St., 212-989-3270.

Stylish, European, classic, mix and match. They’re the words that describe your ideal wardrobe…oh yes, and your kid’s too.

While you still hunt for that elusive French-inspired frock, get your little ones outfitted at the Jacadi store just opened on the UES. This newest outpost combines the chicest children’s fashion, home and beauty products for fall. Whether it’s for a mademoiselle (sweet cotton blouses, precious jumpers, silk cardigans) or a petit lord (preppy gilets, bomber jackets, cotton knickers), dressing like junior royalty might even inspire them to say merci.

De rien.

1242 Madison Ave. at 89th St., 212-369-1515, jacadiusa.com.

Before Maisy and Angelina Ballerina, a petit elephant dressed in a green suit and yellow crown was arguably the most popular character in children’s literature.

Revisit a classic at Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors, a new exhibit currently on view at the Morgan Library & Museum. Nearly 200 works, including early sketches and original watercolors for the first book by father-and-son authors and painters Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff, illustrate the methods behind Babar’s creation (believe it or not, the series was once controversial).

And get a glimpse of 1930s Paris through the eyes of a gentle giant.

When: Through Jan. 4. Tues.-Thurs. 10:30am-5pm, Fri. 10:30am-9pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 11am-6pm; $8/Kids, $12/Adults.
Where: The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave. (bet. 36th & 37th St.), 212-685-0008, themorgan.org.

Sometimes you find something truly great — like a cheap tailor or a neighborhood bakery — then suddenly, poof, it’s gone.

Before it ups and leaves, check out luxe kiddie clothing brand Kicokids’ new pop-up store at Chelsea Market. The spontaneous space is a funhouse of fashion, with an activity corner, children’s art gallery and circus tent-inspired fitting room mixed with merch from designer Tia Cibani. Knits and wovens are given candy trims, superhero color combos and spunky style that will be the talk of the playground.

Going, going, gone.

Open Mon.-Wed. & Fri-Sat. 10am-6pm, Thurs. 10am-8pm, Sun. 11am-6pm. 75 Ninth Ave. at 16th St., 212-675-5426, kicokids.com.

The best things in life are worth waiting for: chocolate souffle, a table at The Waverly Inn and NYC landmarks.

After a year of construction, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum reopens this weekend, with new exhibitions and programs from a freshwater pond to an imaginative toddler gallery. Originally founded in 1899 as the world’s first museum just for kids, the daffodil building is now twice the size (plus it’s “green,” with details like geothermal heating and recycled flooring).

Stop by on Saturday and Sunday for live performances from Louie! and Alex & the Kaleidoscope Band, and a bevy of hands-on activities where kids can touch a live snake, design a Caribbean carnival costume or play in a giant sandbox..

OK, maybe you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy it all. In fact, the tots may have to drag you away kicking and screaming. You’ve been waiting a long time for this.

When: Sat. & Sun., 9/20 & 9/21, 10am-6pm; All ages; $5.
Where: 145 Brooklyn Ave. (as St. Marks Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

This weekend: Sunshine — get it while you can.

See
Gazillion Bubble Show
The popular performance makes a special appearance at CMOM.
When: Sat. 9/20, 4pm; All ages; Free with museum admission (tickets available one hour prior).
Where: 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1234, cmom.org.

Finding Nemo
Head to the JCC in Manhattan for a special screening of the animated film, followed by a storytelling hour from Disabled Fables.
When: Sun. 9/21, 11am; $5.
Where: 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., 646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org.

Go
Little Red Lighthouse Festival
This annual event includes hayrides, lighthouse tours, games and face painting.
When: Sat. 9/20, 12-5pm.
Where: Fort Washington Park, Riverside Drive & Henry Hudson Parkway, 212-333-2552, nyrp.org.

Do
Baby Loves Disco
Get into the groove at this afternoon dance party.
When: Sun. 9/21, 2-5pm; Ages 6 months to 7 years; $15 (purchase tickets in advance).
Where: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleeker St., babylovesdisco.com.

Ride a Bike, Fly a Kite
Governors Island is offering free bike rentals (for up to one hour) and kites to visitors.
When: Fri.-Sun., 9/19-9/21; Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-7pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Governors Island (ferries leave from South & Whitehall St.), govisland.com.

Having a baby has changed everything, including your mind and body. Those last 10 pounds (which you’ve easily shed BB) just won’t leave your belly, and your brain doesn’t function like it used to.

Get rebalanced: Mindful Health, headed by holistic nutritionist Nicole Glassman, offers a total body fitness plan with new technology like electrodermal screening, detox foot baths and antioxidant scans (it’s not as scary as it sounds) that can help with everything from PPD to fertility issues. Or, join the 90-day program (coming up in October and November) that combines group fitness training with nutrition counseling.

Think of it as an energy boost from the inside out.

Visit mindfulhealth.biz.

You simply cannot part with the memories of your baby’s first blankie — no matter how tragically worn it is. And that beloved doll looks so lonely tucked away on a shelf.

Brooklyn-based artist Juliette Conroy will photograph your child’s memorabilia — pajamas, a fave quilt or summer swimsuit — to make a display-worthy piece of art. Not only will it save storage space (keeping all of her old layette may not be practical), but you’ll have a gallery-inspired print (the color and light-saturated images are totally contemporary) that makes for a one-of-a-kind family keepsake.

Now how about turning the stroller into a sculpture?

Visit friendswithafish.com.