Weekend Puppet Shows in Montclair

Friday, Jul 31, 2009 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

princessmoxie.jpgJennifer Levine, local puppeteer, brings her puppets to The Edgemont Park Shelter House in Montclair every weekend in August. Each week will bring a different story and a different cast of characters.
There will be two performances of the shows and a special guest apperance by local juggler, Jen Slaw to entertain all ages.
Here are all the details…

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Give Your Son an Unusual Name and Jail Could Be in His Future

Friday, Jul 31, 2009 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (7)

jailkid.jpgThere are so many worries when choosing your child’s name. You don’t want to offend an entire religion, hurt a family member’s feelings, or choose a name that is too common. But be careful when choosing a unique name for your son, because a new study shows that naming a boy an unusual name could land him behind bars.
In the professional journal Social Science Quarterly, Shippensburg University professor David Kalist says giving baby boys unusual or feminine first names makes them more likely to land in jail.
The study looked at 15,000 names given to baby boys between 1987 and 1991. The more unusual the name, the more likely that boy would turn to crime. Kalist explains, “Uncommon names are likely not the cause of crime but correlated with factors that increase the tendency toward juvenile delinquency.” Prior studies reveal that uneducated people tend to choose unusual names and spellings for their children.

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Potty Training Part 2: Advice from Local Moms

Friday, Jul 31, 2009 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (3)

pottytraning.jpgAs I wrote yesterday , I’m about to potty train my 2-year-old. In addition to speaking with a pediatrician, I also asked all the moms I know for tips. The advice ranged from structured plans with lots of positive reinforcement to a very laid-back, go-with-the-flow approach. (What kind of flow? That sounds messy to me.)
The most creative method of all involved a poopie sandwich that the child can eat. Glen Ridge mom of two, Julie Law, explains:

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Post-Baby Bulge: One Mom Considers Tummy Tuck

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 1:00pm  |  COMMENTS (9)

175px-Various_scalpels.pngMorning sickness, gas, hemorrhoids, back pain and swollen feet are bad enough. Then you have to deal with what your body looks like after the 40 weeks are up.
Even if you get back to your pre-baby weight, you are often left with stretch marks and a saggy belly. This can lead to baggy shirts–maybe even, these jeans, to hide that pooch.
Anne Gorfinkle, a local mom of three is tired of the question, “When are you due?”. She’s not expecting anything but her 18-month-old to throw his peas on the floor. She has reached her goal weight and is slim, but three large babies have stretched her stomach out. She is considering a tummy tuck, but before she goes under the knife, she wants to give it her all at the gym…

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Get Your Tickets to “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Now

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

ChorusLine[1].jpgTickets are on sale now for the Gas Lamp Player’s summer production of the musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. A cast of 71 kids ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade perform the play, which was originally written for a cast of six. You will see a chorus line of dancing blankies and musical notes, a flock of bridge playing birds who hang out with Woodstock, all of Snoopy’s siblings and many of the well known Peanuts characters.
Gas Lamp Players founder and president explains, “The mission of Gas Lamp Players is to nurture confidence, creativity and a sense of community through the performing arts. In our summer production, we make it a priority to involve kids of all ages, and find appropriate ways to showcase their talents.” Check out these talented kids at next week’s performances on August 6 and 7.
Tickets are on sale now. Keep reading for all the details…

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Potty Training Part 1: Advice from a Pediatrician

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (1)

pottychair.jpgPotty training. What a dirty job. My youngest daughter turned 2 in June and is showing signs of readiness. I dream of the day that I don’t have to change her poopy diapers. But if my first daughter is any indication, potty training won’t be easy.
This time, I called a professional. Dr. Anisha Khanna, from Khanna Pediatrics in Glen Ridge, offered the following advice:

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“Summer Swagg” Dance Party at Unbelieva-Bills

Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 2:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

summer_swagg_2,_7-16[1].jpgUnbelieva-Bills, the children’s entertainment center, now offers weekly teen dance parties throughout the summer. Called “Summer Swagg“, the dance parties are the inspiration of Montclair High School students and Unbelieva-Bills owner, Bill Dubiel.
Bill had the idea of making Unbelieva-Bills available as a fun venue for teens. He approached a group of teens eating popcorn at the snack bar and had a conversation with them. “After an engaging conversation I realized that they were my ticket for making this happen. With a little guidance and lots of support, I gave them the opportunity to take on this project and run with it.”, said Bill.
According to the students, “Mr. Dubiel is really ‘swaggtastic’ for letting us put together the Summer Swagg events.” In the photo, (pictured left to right), are Erika Joab, Izzy Elvins-Burrows, Bill Dubiel, Grace Powells, Maya Pitts, Danielle Davie, Zeba Sroya and Eric Bembridge.

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Cookie Decorating Classes Sweeten Up The Day

Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

IMG_1687.jpg Cupcakes with lots of thick, sweet frosting probably fall into the category I’d call ‘impulse purchase’ – and such was my happy fete this afternoon. I was captivated by a pair of square framed, lime green reading glasses over at CoCo An Experience, when I decided to step next door to Le Baker’s Dozen and mull it all over with a treat. That’s when owner Therese Baird told me all about the children’s cookie decorating classes – and the next one is this afternoon, at 2:00. There’s still time to sign up, but hurry! Section I, ages 5 to 8, takes place at 2:00 today (Wednesday). Section II, for ages 9-12, takes place tomorrow, Thursday, at 2:00. The cost is $25. By the way, you can buy cool things besides baked goods at Le Baker’s Dozen. The vintage aprons pictured here are only $12 each. By the way, click here to see those lime green reading glasses.

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Giveaway: Magnets, Bookmarks & More by Smart Women

Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (5)

smartwomenlogo.jpgThe founder and owner of Smart Women Company, Julie Hellwich, is one smart woman. She knows how hard it is to pick out a little gift for housewarmings, parties and thank yous. She solves the problem with her retro designed magnets, bookmarks and other witty things. From pencils printed with “Smart Women Mark Their Words” to notepads with the heading “Smart Women Make a List and Check it Twice” her products are useful and funny.
Thanks to Julie, Barista Kids is giving away three Smart Women gift sets–great for giving or keeping. You’ll get: The Smart Reader Set (bookmarks), The Magnetic Set (magnets) , and The Seal the Deal Set (bag clips).
To enter, keep reading…

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This Week’s Highlights: July 29 – August 4

Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Where did July go? It seems as if school just got out, but there is only one more month left of summer vacation. If you’re looking for things to do to fill the long, summer days, check our calendar often. It’s filled with all the family events in Baristaville. Here are this week’s highlights:
See a Free Movie
July 29
Bring the kids to your local Clearview Cinema for their Cinema Kids Club.
Play Some Games
July 31
The Montclair Public Library offers Drop-In Games every Friday. No registration required.
See a Puppet Show
August 1
Enjoy a Princess Moxie puppet show at the Edgemont Park Shelter House.

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