COMMUNITY NEWS: Habana Outpost Back To School Bash (with FREE school supplies)

I just got a message about the following event at Habana Outpost - looks like a good one - enjoy!

We are having our 5th annual Back to School Bash at Habana Outpost! 

It's a free event open to Brooklyn families! 

Free School Supplies at Habana Outpost’s Back to School Bash!

Habana Outpost is helping Brooklyn kids and families prepare for the school year with our 5^th annual Back to School Bash! Enjoy free events in our courtyard from 12-4pm on September 5, 2011. 

Don’t miss our special musical guest Jeremy Plays Guitar performing a kiddie concert for tots of all ages from 1-2pm. 

Special back to school giveaways include: notebooks, pencils and rulers courtesy of Sean Meenan and Habana Outpost. 

Check out all of our free, fun events below!

Back to School Bash at Habana Outpost

Monday September 5^th 2011 (Labor Day)

12-4 pm

·      Free kids concert with Jeremy Plays Guitar at 1pm

·      School supply giveaways

·      Face painting

·      Clowns

·      Balloons

·      Stilt walker

·      Arts and crafts

·      Games and prizes

For more information, please contact Tiffany Baker 

at tiffany [at] habanaoutpost [dot] com

COMMUNITY NEWS: Local Roots CSA - Fall Season

I just got a note about the Local Roots CSA Fall Season...  they have locations in Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Williamsburg, and Tribeca and offer share options of vegetables, fruit, beef, duck, grains/beans, eggs, and bread.  

Their farmers are organic or use healthy growing practices.  Members can pick and choose which shares they would like and are not committed to a vegetable share, as is the case in most other CSAs.  Membership applications are due August 19th and they can sign up online at www.localrootsnyc.org

COMMUNITY NEWS: UPDATED Jam on DUMBO Summer Family Music Festival - Aug. 20

I just received a message about the following family music festival in Brooklyn later this month -- enjoy! Note the end time has changed to 5pm!

Jam On DUMBO Summer Family Music Festival

Bringing Free Entertainment to Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY – Sidewalks in the city may be getting steamy, but on Saturday, August 20^th, Brooklyn is really going to sizzle as Jam On DUMBO brings a full day of family entertainment to the Manhattan Bridge Archway.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Adams Street between Front Street and Water Street, kids’ entertainers will jam on as local vendors sell their wares in our community marketplace. The Summer Family Music Festival is free to attend.

Musical performers include: bluegrass act Astrograss; an interactive Afro-Haitian drum and song performance by Bonga; the funky Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band; kiddie cabaret band The Itty Biddies; ukulele duo The Mini Max Players; rockers Rolie Polie Guacamole; and teen alternative-rock group Still Saffire. The festival will also feature a performance by P for Puppet and a family yoga class led by Bija Yoga. 

Jam On DUMBO was founded in late 2010 by a group of local parents looking to bring more children’s music programming to the cobblestone-lined neighborhood known as DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). After hosting a series of successful winter music concerts, Jam On DUMBO began to think bigger: Along with planning its Summer Family Music Festival, the organization has brought a weekly drop-in music classes to a local café and is planning a Music Week at P.S. 307, a local elementary school that primarily serves the Farragut public housing complex.

For more information about Jam On DUMBO, please contact Jaime Pessin at jlpessin@gmail.com. Visit us online at www.jamondumbo.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamOnDUMBO, or on Twitter (@JamOnDUMBO).

COMMUNITY NEWS: KIDS' DIY PIZZA PIES / BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN THE THEATER DISTRICT

I recently got a message about the following kid-friendly dining option in the Theater District . . . 


Trattoria Dopo Teatro is now opening its door to host children’s birthday parties! 


Parents can rent out one of the rustic, spacious rooms in this expansive, high-ceilinged 1878 landmark space. With the help of a brick oven in the main dining room—exposed for diners to see and bearing artfully composed thin crust pizzas—Dopo Teatro is offering kids do-it-yourself pies that youngsters can assemble themselves right at the table. 

Children also have the option of choosing from the all new kid’s menu: 

PENNE WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCEORCHICKEN FINGERS WITH FRENCH FRIESORTWO SMALL BURGERS WITH FRIESORPIZZA MARGHERITA

ONE SCOOP OF CHOCOLATE GELATO

UNLIMITED OJ AND SODAS
 

$ 20.00 PER CHILD

COMMUNITY NEWS: DUMBO Stoop Sale - Saturday, June 18

 I just got a message about a DUMBO community sale (in coordination with with the DUMBO Improvement District, the DUMBO Parents Organization and Half Pint Citizens):

SATURDAY, JUNE 18
11 am - 4 pm
The Archway

(under the Manhattan Bridge)


If you are hoping to pick up gently used clothes, accessories, children’s toys, or books, please stop by.


If you are interested in selling some of your "extras," there are still tables available (and there is a discount for reservations made through Krrb).

(For more info, click here.)
Enjoy!

COMMUNITY NEWS: New CSA for Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, and Tribeca!

I just got an email about the following opportunity to join a CSA for those of you in Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, or Tribeca . . . 

The Local Roots CSA is now accepting members for the 2011 Summer Season!  

Local Roots is a unique CSA model designed to offer greater convenience for its members with features like enhanced product variety and payment flexibility.  Members have the opportunity to pick and choose product shares, allowing members the convenience of picking up a week's worth of fresh, locally grown groceries at one distribution location.  We offer vegetable, fruit, duck, beef, egg, grain/bean, juice, and/or bread options.  Our summer season runs from June - August, so members pay upfront for 12 weeks of produce as opposed to 24 weeks (don't worry, we'll have a Fall CSA as well).  By paying for half a season upfront, we hope this will be a bit more flexible for our members.  CSA locations are in Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Williamsburg, and Tribeca.

Check out all the details on the website and sign up for shares before they are sold out!  Membership applications are due May 23, 2011.  

COMMUNITY NEWS: Children's Yoga in Clinton Hill

I just got the following info about a new Clinton Hill location (and a grand opening party!) for Bija Kids Yoga . . .  



Grand Opening Party for our NEW! Clinton Hill Location
The first Brooklyn studio devoted exclusively to children's yoga!

900 Fulton Street btwn Waverly and Washington Avenues.
Sunday April 10
10am - 3pm

Free children's yoga sessions, concert with Michael of Preschool of Rock, Food and Drink, Chair Massages for Grown Ups and More.

10% Discounts off all spring class registrations, summer camp, teacher trainings and birthday parties on Sunday April 10.

Bija Kids Yoga is a comprehensive children's yoga program for crawlers - age 9.  We offer classes, birthday parties, teacher trainings, workshops, summer camp and more.  In addition our new home at 900 Fulton Street will offer music classes, art classes, French classes and more to support families in our community.  Conveniently located on the same block as the C Train (3 blocks from the G) our beautiful 2500 square foot studio space is the place for kids yoga in Brooklyn.  Location doesn't work for you?  We offer satellite classes throughout Brownstone Brooklyn.  Licensing Opportunities Available.

COMMUNITY NEWS: Parenting, Pizza, and Political Action - March 14

Brooklyn parents,


I just got an email about the following event . . . it looks very interesting.


EVENT: Parenting, Pizza & Political Action on 3/14!


You know that parenting is hard work, but did you know . . .

• That new parents in California and New Jersey get paid leave, but state lawmakers have failed to pass paid family leave in New York?

• That half of public school parents in New York City don’t have any paid sick days to care for their kids (your child’s classmates)?

• That pregnancy discrimination and unfair treatment of mothers at work is on the rise in New York?

• That part-time workers, disproportionately women, are routinely denied access to fair pay and benefits?

• That in New York City, the cost of child care is increasing $1612 per year?

New York parents are invited to

speak out!

You may be tired . . . but we’re all sick and tired of politicians who talk about family values but don’t value our families.

Old First Reformed Church

729 Carroll Street

(corner of 7th Ave.)

Monday March 14th, 2011

5:30pm-7:30pm

Join other parents to let our public officials know that supporting families is good for workers, good for business, and good for our economy.

Release of “Failing our Families,” a new report from Human Rights Watch, Presentation of A Better Balance’s Working Families Bill of Rights, speak out moderated by Ann Crittenden—author of The Price of Motherhood, and information on campaigns around paid leave that are going on right now.

Bring your kids and join us for free pizza and political action!

Please RSVP by visiting A Better Balance’s events page on Facebook or by sending an email to ABBevents [at] gmail.com

Sponsored by: A Better Balance, Human Rights Watch, and the New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition

Co-Sponsors: Center for Children’s Initiatives, Park Slope Parents, Public Health Association of New York City, Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York, Women of Color Policy Network, The What to Expect Foundation, Working Families Party, NYC Dad’s Group, National Physicians Alliance - NY

COMMUNITY NEWS - More Yoga!

I received the announcement below earlier this week -- my apologies for failing to get this up until tonight.  (in swamp of work lately... oh, and, Baby's First Birthday Party is tomorrow... ) NEW TO KIDS YOGA? LOOKING FOR A GREAT AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITY THIS FALL? CHECK OUT BIJA KIDS YOGA CLASSES FOR FREE!

We are offering 2 free Bija Kids Down Dog classes this week for 3 - 8 year olds THURSDAY 9/23 in DUMBO Pomme 81 Washington St (@ Front) 4PM - 4:45PM TUESDAY 9/28 in PARK SLOPE Ellie Herman Annex 463 4th Street (btwn 7th and 8th) 3:30PM - 4:15PM Down Dog Classes introduce kids to the practice of yoga.  Yoga poses and principles are explored in a variety of fun ways and nature, basic anatomy and imagination are all key aspects of the class. Students are encouraged to explore the ways their bodies move through creative projects, collaboration, storytime, and songs.  Chanting, breathing exercises and simple mediation techniques relax the mind.  Practitioners are empowered to use yoga anytime they want to calm down, find more focus and express themselves positively.  No yoga experience necessary. please email yoga@bijakids.com in advance to hold your spot.  space is limited!!!! VIEW OUR ENTIRE FALL SCHEDULE ONLINE AT www.bijakids.com/schedule.html

COMMUNITY NEWS - Yoga!

I received the following press release this week (take note future yoginis and yogis!)...

BIJA KIDS EXPANDING INTO MORE SCHOOLS AND YOGA STUDIOS

Popular children’s yoga program a hit in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY – In its sixth year, Bija Kids, the highly acclaimed Brooklyn-based children’s yoga company, is adding several new programs to meet exceptional demand from area schools, parents, and children.

This fall, Bija Kids will expand to five Brooklyn yoga studios open to the public. Plus, it will enter more classrooms than ever before – 12 schools will have its yoga classes as part of their school-day curriculum or after-school programs. In addition, Bija Kids still offers free or sometimes paid special events throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan.

On Sept. 12, Bija Kids will host a free day of classes at its new Clinton Hill location. All ages are welcome.

COMMUNITY NEWS: After-school art program

A new after-school art program for 7-11 year olds starts this fall at the Old Stone House in JJ Byrne Park in Park Slope:  Art in the House!  The program will use the American Revolution, colonial life, and the Park Slope/Brooklyn community as a springboard for "fun and funky hands-on art activities."

Kids in the program will work on painting, print-making, sculptures, and a weekly group mural.  The last day of the program will be an art opening party for family and friends.

I am a fan of the arts, and my husband (the history teacher) is excited about using history as inspiration for kids' art... so please check it out!

Also, stay tuned for arts-related posts...

(yesterday, Baby ate some chalk at the playground, which is a start if nothing else)

BREAKING NEWS... and Update

Fire and huge amounts of smoke pouring out of building near Waverly and Myrtle...

Waverly between Myrtle and Willoughby is already closed off with a fire truck and two police cars on one end (the Willoughby end).

Hoping that no one was hurt...

UPDATE:

From the Myrtle Ave blog, and The Local, it seems the fire was on the roof of a building near Myrtle and Waverly, and that there were no serious injuries.

RED JACKET ORCHARDS CSA - Carroll Gardens and East Village Pick-Up!

I just received the following tip about a CSA with pick-ups in Carroll Gardens and the East Village...

Interested in getting farm fresh fruit at an affordable price?  Would you like to support a local, family farm?  These are two great reasons to sign up for a CSA!  Through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), members pay a farm up front for share of produce that they can pick up from a distribution location once a week.  The price they pay for this share is cheaper than purchasing the same quality of produce at a grocery store or farmers' market.  At the same time, a CSA ensures a certain amount of revenue for the farm.  By joining a CSA, members can also familiarize themselves with their farmer: they can learn more about how their food is grown and who grows it.    

    

Though most vegetable CSAs are sold out in the city, you now have an opportunity to sign up for something completely new - a fruit CSA!  The Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA will provide members with weekly shares of farm-fresh fruit from August - November.  Fruit CSA shares in the city are currently additional product shares of vegetable CSAs - you must be a member of a vegetable CSA to partake in the fruit share; this is not the case for the Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA, who is completely independent of any vegetable CSA.  The Red Jacket Orchards Fruit CSA shares will have a variety of fruits grown on their orchards in upstate NY, such as peaches, plums, pears, apples, and grapes.  In addition to fruits, members will receive apple sauces, jams, and fruit juices.      

The Red Jacket Orchards CSA will have two distribution locations, which are listed below.  Full and half shares are available.  Full shares are priced at $22 per week and half shares are $13 per week.    Membership applications should be sent in by August 5th.  To see a sample share list and for more information on how to sign up, visit http://redjacketorchardscsa.wordpress.com/about/  or e-mail redjacketorchardscsa@gmail.com.

Distribution Locations:
1.  Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain
513 Henry Street, Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens)
Corner of Henry Street and Sackett Street
Tuesdays, August 10 – November 9 from 4:00pm – 6:45pm

2.  Jimmy’s No.43
43 E. 7th Street, Manhattan (East Village)
Corner of 7th Street and 2nd Ave
Saturdays, August 14 – November 13  from 12:30pm – 3:30pm