Remembrance and Fun on Memorial Day

Though it can feel like just another well-earned day off, Memorial Day is ultimately about fun and remembrance.  Here are some family-friendly activities around the city that will allow you to do both:

Port Richmond Memorial Day Parade: 9:45am.  Starts at Thompson St. and Allegheny Ave... people start lining up along the route before 9am.

Lawn Games in Franklin Square: 12pm-3pm.  Free!  Located on Old City at 200 N. 6th St. on the grounds of one of the best playgrounds in the entire city and right across from the rich history of the Betsy Ross House.
http://historicphiladelphia.org/day/franklin-square/

Memorial Day at the National Constitution Center: 10am-3pm.  Free with regular admission.  A day filled with events to help children understand the importance of remembering.
http://constitutioncenter.org/

And if you're staying close to home or celebrating with friends, consider making flags, having your own parade, or using the holiday as an opportunity to talk with your child about the true cost of war.

Great Deals on Some of the Activities Posted Recently on GAP!

These deals are currently available thanks to Funsavers from the Philly Fun Guide.  I highly recommend signing up for their weekly email for half price tickets at:

http://www.phillyfunguide.com/funsavers_signup

Garden Railway!  Admission to the Morris Arboretum is 50% off on Tuesday June 1 and Wednesday June 2 from 10am-4pm with the coupon from Philly Funsavers.  That makes adult admission just $7, students $3.50, and kids under three still free!  Here's the recent GAP post about the new Roadside exhibit:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/05/opening-of-garden-railway-at-morris.html

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!  We LOVED this show... with promotional code PFUN, you get 50% off ticket prices for the 11 AM Fri. May 28th show, making tickets $8 for kids and $15 for adults.  Here's the recent GAP post about the show:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/05/theater-review-if-you-give-mouse-cookie.html

Beauty and the Beast! A production of Storybook Musical Theater.  Half price admission means $5 for kids and $6 for adults.  To redeem offer, call 215-659-8550 and use the code, "Funsaver".  Here's the recent GAP post about the production:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/05/beauty-beast-musical-st-joes-university.html

And one not previously posted on GAP, but this Saturday at 11am, kids of all ages can get discounted admission for The Colonial Kids Quest at the Historic Philadelphia Center (across the street from the Liberty Bell).  Call 215-629-4226 and use the code "funsavers".
http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/day/adventure-tours/

And don't forget... Fri. night is the last Friday in May... that means one more FREE Decorate Your Own Cupcake night at Bredenbeck's in Chestnut Hill.  No coupon or code necessary.  We went last week... delicious!
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/05/yummmmmm-decorate-your-own-cupcake-fri.html

Opening of the Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum: Saturday May 29

Since moving to Chestnut Hill from the UK in summer 2008, the Morris Arboretum has been a favorite of ours. We first walked there with our son, a few months old, in his stroller and enjoyed a picnic in the grounds in the shade of one of their beautiful trees. We have been back many times and have enjoyed the seasonal railway as well as the new permanent Tree Tops exhibit, which is great fun for all ages.

On Saturday, the Garden Railway will be open for the summer, until Labor Day, with a theme of ‘American Roadside Attractions’.  The onsite Bruno's Café will be transformed into a 1950s diner for the day, and visitors will be able to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream from 12pm on their journey towards the Garden Railway. With a changing theme each year, the Garden Railway is a miniature world set in the splendor of a summer garden, featuring historic buildings created entirely of natural materials, each meticulously detailed with leaves, bark, vines and twigs. Logs and branches are also used to create unique tunnels and overhead trestles. Nestled among woody plants, colorful annuals and perennials, the finished product is an enchanting landscape that never ceases to delight visitors both young and old. 

The Railway is free with regular admission ($14 per adult) and those under 3 are FREE. See their website for further details on admission prices, memberships and hours (http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml ). Also, those who travel on foot/bike/public transport have their admission reduced by half!

Mt. Airy Teachers Fundraiser at the Trolley Car Diner Sunday 5/23

Support Our Teachers, Support Our Children
Mt. Airy Teacher's Fund Fundraiser
Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Visit for a small plate and wine reception at Trolley Car Diner and help teachers educate and elevate Mt. Airy students through creative programs and events!  According to the Dec. 17, 2009 Mt. Airy Independent, the Mt. Airy Teacher's Fund awarded $11,000 in grants last year to 26 public school teachers.  Grant sizes ranged from $385-$500 and helped to fund anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and other educational projects for Mt. Airy students.

Contribution for Fundraiser: $50, $100, or $250
Donations to be paid at the door.

Healthy Kids Day and Free Laurie Berkner Concert at the Mann on Saturday May 22

You might not know who Laurie Berkner, but chances are, your kids do!  She's the kindie music sensation behind Noggin favorites like "We are the Dinosaurs", and she also the mastermind for the music for "Jack's Big Music Show".  Kids are drawn to her, but so are parents... happy that the music is good AND enjoyable to people over the age of 5.  But while Berkner may be the main draw, the main event is Healthy Kids Day, sponsored by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.



Healthy Kids Day starts with a Kids walk/run at 9am.  From 12-4pm, there will be games, rides, education for families, cooking demonstrations, exercise, music, exhibits, face painting, magic, music, meet-and-greet, arts and crafts and more!  The concert seating begins at 2pm, and the opening act for LBB, Hip-Hop-Harry, starts at 2:35pm.  Special guests, including Winston Justice and David Akers of the Philadelphia Eagles, Ryan Madson of the Phillies, and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown will be on hand to motivate kids to be healthy.


WHAT: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Healthy Kids Day
WHEN: May 22nd  from 12-4 pm  Laurie Berkner Band 3pm
WHERE: The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Ave.
Philadelphia, PA                                            

FREE tickets available by pre-registering online at CHOP.
For more information call 267.426.6904.

You MUST pre-register to obtain a ticket to this event! 

YUMMMMMM! Decorate your own Cupcake Fri. Night at Bredenbeck's!

It doesn't get much tastier than this; on the two remaining Friday nights in May, Bredenbeck's Bakery is offering "Decorate Your Own Cupcake Night".  All ages are welcome to stop by between 6 and 9pm to choose and top their very own delectable creation... FREE.  Stop by after dinner, or after a night out at the Treehouse Play Cafe's outside summer jazz series, or just have cupcakes for dinner!  Sure to be a crowd pleaser.  

Cost: Free
Dates: May 21 and May 28
Time: 6-9 pm
Location: Bredenbeck's Bakery
8126 Germantown Ave.
Chestnut Hill

Project P.L.A.Y. School: Reggio Emilia, Philadelphia Style

This is the first in what hopefully will be a *series of family reviews of preschools, schools, and child care centers serving children in the Northwest.  If you would like to submit a post about why your family loves your child’s center, school, or preschool, please follow the email link below.  Project P.L.A.Y. School is located in Elkins Park... just a few blocks off of Cheltenham Ave.  Kathy Goldenberg and Karen Chayot are both the owners and teachers of this wonderful multi-age program.  

Project P.L.A.Y. starts at age 2 and 1/2 (diapers ok), and goes through age five or six.  The children are grouped together into one class (maximum per day is 14 children, but class size is usually around 12 or less).  The preschool operates from 9am through 3pm Monday through Friday, from September through May, but options exist for part day (noon dismissal or after lunch dismissal), part time (2-4 days/week), and summer camp.  Lunch is included in the tuition for options after 12pm.  An after school program is available if needed through Watoto, with coverage until 6pm.  This makes Project P.L.A.Y. accessible to families with many different scheduling needs.  

By far, project P.L.A.Y.’s most extraordinary ingredients are Kathy and Karen.  They are genuinely warm, caring, curious, and exceedingly loving and patient with young children.  They build nurturing relationships with the children and also with their families.  Our whole family adores them!  Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, community, collaboration, and creativity form the building blocks of their program.  

Children truly lead in this program... my four year old came in excited one day to finally fit into his older brother’s Michael Jordan jersey... only to realize that there was no basketball hoop at school.  Kathy and Karen suggested he make one, and he spent much of the morning, with their support, constructing his own hoop AND ball!  And last week, he had the idea of hosting a “bird-watching party”, so that morning was spent making homemade binoculars for the celebration.  Photos and video documentation of the children’s work is frequently shared with families.  Kathy and Karen masterfully follow children’s interests and offer the gentlest of guidance.  

But if you’re looking for primary colored bins filled with plastic toys, you won’t find them at Project P.L.A.Y.  The school is located in the upper classrooms of St. John’s church, but the space has been recreated with natural items, inviting textiles, genuine art materials, and found objects.  The school has the use of 4 different rooms... one is used as a Studio, one a Living Room, one is a Theatre, and the last room is the Lunch Room.  The hallway gets a great deal of use too... for everything from flying turtles (see side picture) to puppy races.  This allows lots of space for activity, exploration, and small group work, and it creates a natural and homelike environment.  The outdoor space is small, but offers both grassy and hard top surfaces and is used so creatively... the children thrive in outdoor exploration too.  The current group of children is a vibrant, curious, energetic and racially diverse class who are clearly engaged and joyful in their play.  

Project P.L.A.Y.

http://www.projectplayschool.com/

1224 Melrose Avenue

Elkins Park, PA 19027-3018

 215-740-5751 or 215-479-6235

* If you would like to write a post about why your family loves your child’s center, school, or preschool, please email jenbradley4@mac.com

New Charter School Possiblity: Learning Differences High School

The Whole Life Charter School is a proposed new charter high school in Cheltenham, accepting students from neighboring districts, including Philadelphia.  This charter school was underwritten by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a thoughtful space for learning alternatives.  WLCS will be constructed with the guiding principles of Big Picture Learning and geared toward students with learning differences.  

This free public school will offer: a small school, small class sizes, student choice, student-initiated learning, learning by doing, strong and daily student advisory, intense project work, cooperative learning, and teaching the whole student.  The school day will begin later (consistent with research on adolescent sleep needs), and have a very different structure from traditional high school schedules, with longer blocks of time and more integration of subjects (rather than typical 45 minute periods for each discrete subject).   There will also be time spent each day honing skills for standardized tests, community meetings, and exercising.  


I attended an informational meeting for interested families.  The team for WLCS is very committed and hopeful for a September 2010 or January 2011 opening.  They have three options for possible locations and will select once the charter is approved.  Cheltenham residents will have first priority for the school, but any remaining slots may be filled with students in neighboring districts.  The WLCS team anticipates plenty out-of-district slots for students.  

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie... guaranteed fun!

Theater Review: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie

The Arden Theatre in Old City is currently running a wonderful play based on Laura Numeroff’s beloved 1985 children’s book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  In keeping with the original tale, the two actors in the play are up to some wild antics.  We attended a weekday performance last week with our preschool, and it was a big hit with both kids and adults alike. 

The Arden is a small, intimate theater where there’s no such thing as a bad seat. The set design for the play is a joy to behold... with larger than life replicas of Felicia Bond’s illustrations.  My children especially enjoyed the oversize fridge and its contents.  But it’s the antics between the mouse (Steve Pacek) and the boy (David Raphaely) that are destined to bring out the belly laughs.  Even the adults in our group were drawn into the slapstick.  There is a brief 10 minute intermission, but if you go during the week, bring your own snacks for the break, as the concession stand is only open on weekends.

Adapted by Jody Davidson

Directed by Whit MacLaughlin

Book copyright ©1985 Laura Numeroff

Illustration copyright ©1985 Felicia Bond

Arden Theatre

40 N. 2nd St.

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Adults: $32.00

Child: $18.00

But check out Target Half Two for One nights: Thursday 7pm performances!

http://www.ardentheatre.org/2010/mouse.html

Lyric Fest Concert Today (Sunday) in Chestnut Hill!

The Unplug! Family Concert is designed to move children to put down their ipods and venture into the interactive world of music.  The concert is staged as a musical journey through our city, with broadway, classics, jazz, and even a mini opera! The musical lineup includes Emily Bullock, Suzanne DuPlantis, Jeffrey Halili, Randi Marrazzo, John Packard, Elizabeth Racheva, actors Jake Miller and Karim Council, the 'Grads' of the Keystone State Boychoir, Joe Fitzmartin, music director, and Laura Ward at the piano.

Sunday May 16, 3pm
Tickets are $16 at the door, $5 for students.
8855 Germantown Avenue
Chestnut Hill

Spring Concert and School Fair: Weekend Options

The weather is going to be beautiful this Saturday, so why not get outside for a fun and relaxing family event, the annual Spring Concert hosted by the Cooperative Nursery School!

Listen to live music by two wonderful local bands: Hank's Cadillac and The Knife & Fork Band , while the kids run around the beautiful grounds of the school and church and play on the playground. There will be food for all, a raffle, face painting, nail painting, hair wraps, a moon bounce and more!

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Family tickets are $35. All of the proceeds go to the Cooperative Nursery School, a non-profit parent-run preschool founded in 1967 in Germantown/Mt. Airy, serving children aged 3-6.

Saturday, May 15th, 5-8pm
6503 Lincoln Ave. (enter on Johnson St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Call 215.844.5770 or visit www.CooperativeNurserySchool.org for more information.

And if you want yet another weekend of back to back activities or can't make Saturday's concert, no worries... Miquon's Spring Fair is on Sunday!  The kids will enjoy lots of play, games, and all around fun on Miquon's beautiful sprawling campus.  The whole family will enjoy great music and yummy food to nourish both body and soul.  This year's raffle offers everything from gift certificates to local stores, theater performances, video cameras, and even a pool party!


Sunday May 16th, 11am-3pm
The Miquon School
2025 Harts Lane
Conshohocken, PA
http://www.miquon.org/index.cfm

Child Care Subsidy Available for Eligible Families

Great news for eligible families...  Late last week, the PA Office for Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Child Care Information Services (CCIS) were able to clear their waiting lists for Child Care Works Subsidy.  All eligible previously wait-listed families have now been enrolled for the first time since 2003.  Families who have been discouraged by the long waiting lists are now encouraged to apply for Child Care Works assistance... immediate service or very short waiting times are now expected!

Eligibility Guidelines:  Single parents, married couples, and unmarried parents living together can all be eligible for subsidized child care. In order to qualify in Philadelphia, all parents living in the household must:

• Work at least 20 hours per week or work at least 10 hours per week and go to school/ training at least 10 hours per week
• Receive income within certain guidelines (see below)  
• Live in Philadelphia
• If you are a teen parent under the age of 22 attending school/GED program or a parent who has received TANF benefits within the last 90 days, please contact your local CCIS.
• The parent is responsible to help pay for child care. This is called co-payment. The co-payment may be as little as $5.00 per week and varies according to your income and the number of people in your family. Most families eligible for a child care subsidy pay between $5 and $25 each week for their child care. The family only has one co-payment, regardless of how many children they have in care. The state pays the rest, usually about $75 to $95 a week per child.
• The parent may choose the provider of his or her choice. The parent may choose a child care center, a small family day care home, a group day care home or even a relative or neighbor to care for his or her child.

Family Size	Max. Yearly Gross Income
2 (single parent with one child)	$28,000
3	$42,400
4	$49,600
5	$56,800

Family Size: Your family consists of you, your spouse, or other parent and all children living in the household.

Yearly Gross Income:  These are the general income guidelines, but you may possibly be eligible even if your income is slightly above this amount.  Contact CCIS for more information.  “Gross” is all money, earned (money from working) and unearned (such as child support), BEFORE taxes.  

Eligible families can apply in person at a local CCIS office:

888-461-KIDS (5437)

http://www.philadelphiachildcare.org/contact/ccislist/ccislist.html

or apply online through the COMPASS portal:

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/CMHOM.aspx

Beauty & the Beast Musical St. Joes University May 11-15

The Storybook Musical Theater of Abington will perform Beauty and the Beast this week in the Bluett Theater on the campus of St. Joseph's University.  The production is an adapted score of the original musical, with all the excitement and drama of the classic tale.

Beauty and the Beast is recommended for children ages three and up.  While there are definitely tense moments, this tale typically has something for everyone... great music and lots of action with a good bit of romance to top it all off.  And yes, there are beautiful gowns involved!

Performances are held on weekdays at 10:15am and Saturdays at 11am.  The May 12 show is sold out.  Tickets are $10 for children and $12 for adults, with group rates available.

Bluett Theater
St. Joseph's University
56th & Overbrook Ave. Philadelphia
http://www.storybookmusical.org/thirdShow.htm

Shop Locally: Celebrate Mothers Day Along the Avenue

Though it’s impossible to do justice to all of the wonderful possibilities, here’s a start list of ten more local Mother’s Day ideas in the 19144, 19118, and 19119 zip codes: 

1. Browse Antique Row in Germantown for a rare find.  The 5200-5300 blocks of Germantown Avenue have several antique shops with goodies you won’t see in Pottery Barn.

2. Fresh Flowers!  London Flower Shop at 14 E. Armat St., also in Germantown, should have blooms to brighten anyone’s day.

3. Crafty Mama?  Gaffney’s Fabrics in the 5400 block of Germantown has a wide range of fabrics with fabulously low prices.  

4. Have a bookworm for a Mom?  Why not treat her to a novel from the Big Blue Marble Bookstore?  Knowledgeable staff can help you find just the right book, or gift certificates to allow her to do the browsing.  Just off the Avenue at 551 Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy.

5. If she missed making the cut for Oprah’s Mom makeover show, no worries!  Gift certificates from Culture or Divinity Hair Salons in Mt. Airy will give her a fresh look.  The two wonderful salons are right around the corner from each other at 7201 Germantown Ave.

6. With the gorgeous weather, how about winding down with a nice cold brew at Earth, Bread, and Brewery at 7136 Germantown Ave. in Mt Airy?  The restaurant has hand-crafted beer, earth-baked flatbreads and a wonderful local feel.  

7. Bike Enthusiast?  Wissahickon Cyclery at 7838 Germantown in Chestnut Hill has bikes and gear for novices through experts hoping to navigate the hills and valleys of the area.

8. This requires some planning, but what about a gorgeous and delicious custom cake from Bredenbeck’s or The Night Kitchen bakeries in Chestnut Hill?  Both bakeries have very creative artists who can whip up a delicious cake to match any Mom’s personality. 

9. Looking for artsy jewelry, bags, or clothing?  Mango, now located at 8442 Germantown in Chestnut Hill, is sure to have something to catch her eye.

10. Does Mom need a day at the spa?  Diamond Spa in Chestnut Hill at 8430 Germantown offers massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and more for the mom who wants to be truly pampered.

This is just a drop in the bucket of possibilities for shopping locally this Mother’s Day... for more ideas, just take a drive along the Avenue.  But whatever you decide, enjoy the day!  

May 5-6 Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children's Charities

Why not do some early Mother's Day shopping at an event with proceeds going to children's programs throughout the Philadelphia region? This year marks the 96th annual Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children's Charities.  A trip to Rittenhouse Square is always a feast for the senses, but on May 5-6, entertainment, food, and gorgeous flowers are sure to please shoppers of all ages.  (Don't forget to bring money for the lemon sticks!)  Events include actors, singers, drumline, and dancers. Proceeds this year will be distributed between the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, Smith Playground, Tabor Children's Services, and Youth Service, Inc.  Beautiful weather is predicted for both days, so why not take the kids downtown for a good cause?


Hours: 8am-6pm
Schedule of Events:
http://rittenhousesquareflowermarket.com/home/calendarevents/poster-contest/

Looking for Parenting Support?

The Center for Parenting Education in Abington has several classes scheduled in May.  The Center offers workshops, activities, coaching and online programs to parents with children of all ages.  Through interactive sessions, parents are encouraged to balance unconditional love with limit setting.

Family memberships are available for $45/year, but are not required to register for classes (though members pay reduced fees).  Parents seeking support but needing fee waivers are encouraged to call 215-657-5720.

The following classes are offered in May.  Preregistration is required.

New Mother/New Baby Group- for Mothers and infants up to one year old.

Tuesday May 4 from 10-11:30 AM

The Community Center at the Giant Food Store, 315 York Rd. Willow Grove, PA

Free

Tackling Temper Tantrums: for Caregivers of children from 1-5 years old.

Friday May 7 from 9:30-11:30 AM

The Community Center at the Giant Food Store, 315 York Rd. Willow Grove, PA

$15 for members; $20 for non-members

Turning Conflict into Cooperation: The Skill of Problem Exploration for ages 4 and up.

Wednesday May 19 from 7:00-9:00pm

Willow Hill Elementary School 1700 Coolidge Ave. Willow Grove, PA 19090

$15 for members; $20 for non-members

Registration is quick and easy online through the following link:

http://www.centerforparentingeducation.org/programs_schedule.html