parentSYRACUSEfree

November 2010

Fall funCentral New York offers

plenty to do this autumn

12-15

Special report

35

BullyingStudy reveals it’s no bullWarning signs parents should look forMixed messages: rumors via text

� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

Openers

See Puerto Rico on page 3

EditorJennifer Wing

434-8889 ext. 340editor@syracuseparent.net

Ad ManagerHeidi Tyler

434-8889 ext. 320Ad Sales

Colleen Kompf422-8048

Kathryn Bell434-8889 ext. 314

Joan Brockway Griffiths, 662-3690

We want your news!Syracuse Parent welcomes submissions of pictures, stories and letters. Send all correspondence to:

Syracuse Parent 2501 James St., Suite 100Syracuse, NY 13206

http://www.syracuseparent.netemail: editor@syracuseparent.netSyracuse Parent and CNY Family is a unit of Commu-nity Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 15th day of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates available upon request. Syracuse Parent reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services, or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by contributors do not nec-essarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright © 2008 by Syracuse Parent and CNY Family. No por-tion of Syracuse Parent may be reproduced without permission from the editor.

Paradise found, learning along the way

We recently returned from a trip to Puerto Rico – a lush U.S. territory bordered by white sand beaches drenched in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.

My husband spoke at a conference last month at the El Con-quistador Resort in Fajardo, and I tagged along on the trip. The hotel – part of the Waldorf Astoria collection – did not disappoint. With everything from a casino to a waterpark, it caters to all tastes and agendas. The highlight, however, is the resort’s beach – located across blue-green waters on Palomino Island and accessible only by catamaran. Patrolled by iguanas, roosters and, on its rolling emerald hills, hermit crabs, the coral-speckled beach faces Little Palomino Island, a small oval of sand with a lonely cluster of palm trees that seemed pulled right from “Azul,” my canned screen saver at work.

The trip was full of a lot of firsts, including my first successful snor-

keling expedition and the first time I sat at a bar in a pool. The most significant first was that this was our

first vacation without the children since my daughter’s birth more than eight years ago. It was tough, spending nine days without Cassidy and Jacob, but I felt it was an important step – for both us and them.

For us, it was pure couple time. I won’t lie and say that we didn’t talk about the kids. We did – a lot. But there is something to be said for being able to hang out by the pool or at the beach without having to keep one eye open for sand-throwing or tots wandering too far into deep water. We danced at the resort’s nightclub, caught the action at the tables in the casino, toasted each other at meals in fine restaurants and

0730

1

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • �

INSIDEIn the garden:Herb reminiscent of myrrh page 4

From the stack:Bookworm sez page 4

On your block:Mommy & Me celebrates 10 years page 6Festival of Trees Garage Sale set page 6 Let’s cook:Create an edible Thanksgiving story page 7

Child safety:Tips to keep safe on the road this winter page 9

Things 2 Do: Get out; get moving pages 12-15

What we’re thinkingParent Child of the Month

Cyndi FarrareAlicia Snyder of Liverpool checks out some pumpkins.

On the cover

AbOuT The phOTOgrApher: Cyndi Farrare is owner of Cyndi

FarRare Images. For more information visit cyndifarrareimages.com.

tipped a few during the eternal “happy hour” to be found at the various poolside bars.For them, it was time with their grandmothers and grandfather. They continued their daily

routines – going to school, playing in a football game, attending cheerleading practice, church school and the Monster Mash at school. It was learning they could cope in our absence, though hopefully they missed us a bit.

I have to say, I learned a lot on the trip. We visited the El Yunque Rainforest, the only U.S. tropical rainforest. While there, we

learned about its inhabitants, swam in a pool beneath a waterfall and heard about the delicate ecosystem from a knowledgeable tour guide.

We spent a day in Old San Juan, visiting its two forts and walking along narrow streets of cobblestone lined with tall buildings featuring scrolled ironwork and brightly-colored exteri-ors. We passed by the Church of San Jose, where Juan Ponce de Leon was once buried.

A moonlight boat tour of the nearby bioluminescent bay featured waters teeming with micro-organisms that glowed whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue.

In order to sample Puerto Rican cuisine we visited a local tavern and ate mofongo, a dish of mashed plantains, vegetables and chicken, beef or seafood served in a tall wooden bowl and topped with either a red sauce or a butter-garlic sauce. We also ate rice and beans, chicken and sauce, beef and sauce and a fried beef taco straight from a roadside stand. It was all comfort food at its best – cooked to perfection.

Puerto Rico is associated with many different things, two of which spring immediately to mind – rum and parrots. We had plenty of the former but, other than a few fine feath-ered friends in our resort lobby, we saw no parrots in the wild. According to the El Yunque Rainforest’s website, “there are about 85 Puerto Rican Parrots birds left and they are all in the El Yunque rainforest and in the Rio Abajo Parrot program. The Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery program has had some success in increasing their numbers. There were only 20 birds left in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo.” It is sad that there are less than 100 parrots in the wild, but our

tour guide was hopeful that their numbers would increase – witness the American Bald Eagle’s triumphant resur-gence.

When I think of Puerto Rico I think of its friendly people, bright skies, sand and sea, music in the air – both salsa and that of the coqui frog, delicious food, plentiful rum and sangria and a lush landscape that needs to be protected.

Ponce de Leon, in searching for the fountain of youth, was said to have discovered Florida instead. It would

seem that, in becoming governor of Puerto Rico, he found his own paradise on this jewel of an isle.

I know I found mine, if only for a spell.

bullying is no bullWhen it comes to bullying, many parents might think to themselves, “not my child.” We

hear of the extreme cases of bullying, many of which have unfortunately led to tragedy. The stories are heart-wrenchingly real, but may seem displaced from our reality of what hap-pens in our own backyard.

But, according to a survey done by Dan Olweus, an expert on bullying issues, 17 percent of American students reported being bullied two times a month or more during school.

The Washington Post reported the information, gathered from the anonymous survey of more than 500,000 U.S. third to twelfth graders. The survey reflected similar rates of bully-ing experience for both boys and girls.

So, almost one in five children are bullied at least twice a month, which begs the ques-tion, what can we, as parents, do?

The most important measure is to simply be there for our kids. Listen to them. Let them know that, no matter what, we are there for them. Make home their safe haven, a place where they can seek comfort and shelter. Encourage them to air their day-to-day successes and problems. Be patient, even when it is hard.

Look for warning signs of bullying (see box, page 5). If you suspect there is a problem, don’t sweep it under the rug with platitudes like “sticks and stones…” Take it very seriously, and let your child know you are not only sympathetic to their plight, but also are willing to explore viable solutions to it, whether through contacting administrators or through other means.

Unfortunately, internet and cell phone use is another way for these bullies to get to our children. The sad fact is we cannot always be with our children, but we can be there for them.

Alexander Franklin rides the wagon to get apples at Beak and Skiff apple farm. He lives in Liverpool with his mother and stepfather Nicole and Tony Robles.

Big Trucks 2010 a successBig Trucks 2010 was once again a huge

success due to the efforts of so many. The gorgeous weather, the volunteers, and the organizations that supported us that day made this event perfect! The children who attended entered with eyes of amaze-ment and left with smiles of satisfaction. This is the Skaneateles Nursery School’s

only fundraiser and the proceeds from Big Trucks helps maintain our programs, teachers, and scholarships. Without the support of our community in Skaneateles and the Syracuse area we would not be able to have such a worthwhile event. Thank you so much for helping to make this day a special one that will continue to benefit the children for the year to come.

SkANEATELES NURSERY SCHOOL

Letters

Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish of mashed plantains, vegetables and chicken, beef or seafood served in a tall wooden

bowl.

JenniFer Wing

from page 2Puerto Rico

� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

Ready to trade-in your home? Perhaps you should remodel instead!

by Linda VanMarter

Each year, millions of Americans move into the home of their dreams. As time goes by, families expand, kids grow older, and suddenly that home isn’t quite so perfect anymore. Or perhaps you still love your home, but you really want a gourmet kitchen and a larger master bedroom. Should you start looking for a new house? Or would it be better to stay where you are and remodel instead?

Both options involve a significant investment of time and money, so it’s impor-tant to take your time and make an informed decision. You’ll also want to be sure to consider both the financial and the emotional sides of the equation. Let’s begin by examining the financial factors involved.Moving

A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers:

F rom the stacks

Make a ‘last ditch’ effort as winter approachesAs winter approaches, the garden is given a “last hurrah,”

a phrase made popular from the title of Edwin O’Connor’s 1956 novel, or we make a “last ditch effort” to get something in the ground. “Last ditch” of course being the final “ditch” or trench in the last line of defense.

You can still squeeze in the occasional bulb. A few cro-cuses in the lawn now and perhaps even try writing out a spring greeting in bulbs. It’s corny, but it works.

Besides bulb planting, fall is also a great time put in some last minute perennials.Everything from lilies and peonies to lavender and rudbeckia can be planted now. Fall

planting suits grapes and berries as well as Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis), Astilbe, Tree Peonies, Chrysanthemums, Peonies, Shasta daisy and Aquilegia, Phlox, Lavender and Rudbeckia all do well planted late in the year.

It will be best if you can get six weeks before the first hard freeze but many of these hardy plants will simply settle in for the winter with very little growth and then burst forth early next year.

By contrast, perennials planted in the spring not only have to get over transplant shock but need to grow a new root system and if not properly “hardened off ” from life in a greenhouse, may not even survive.

You may even be able to pick up some late season bargains at nurseries and garden supply stores.

After you’ve planted the perennials, be sure to water them. Depending upon the weather you may want to lightly water newly-planted perennials if you don’t get at least some rain every week before winter.

Cover with a thick mulch and wait until spring. In early spring gently rake the mulch away from the perennials as they sprout.

Most perennials do best in full sun or partial shade, but some, such as Astilbe and ferns, can grow in woodsy areas of deep shade.

A nice advantage of tucking a few perennials and bulbs together now is that you can do it without cutting through a lot of vegetation and damaging established root systems.

While most perennials can tolerate late fall planting, most ground covers don’t take well to fall planting and do better if planted in the spring. Azaleas and rhododendrons also often do better when planted in the spring.

As you plant perennials think ahead for varieties that provide food for birds, such as Coreopsis grandiflora Echinacea or Coneflower, Gallardia, perennial sunflower Helian-thus maximilliana, Liatris spicata, and Rudbeckia.

So whether you look at this as the garden’s final hour or simply the end or last of the garden, the last brings us to lasting and what we do now at the garden’s last hour, your last ditch effort as it were, will give you lasting perennials for years to come.

“girl in the Know: Your Inside-and-Out guide to growing up” by Anne Katz, rN, phD, illustrated by Monika Melnychuk, Kids Can press, $18.95

All your life, you couldn’t wait to grow up. You always dreamed of the things you’d do when it happens.

But now that you’re growing up, you’re wondering what’s so great about it. Your skin is gross, your moods are wild, your body is doing weird things, you feel like you can’t trust your friends… but you’ll get through it, especially if you’ve got “Girl in the Know: Your Inside-and-Out Guide to Growing Up” by Anne Katz, RN, PhD (illustrated by Monika Melnychuk) on your shelf.

Let’s start on the outside. For most of your life, you’ve probably used different names for the body parts that make you a girl. Katz says that’s fine – but you should know the proper names anyhow, “even if they sound funny.”

And then there’s the inside of you. Chances are that you’ve already noticed your moods going up and down like an insane

rollercoaster. That’s normal, Katz says. Your hormones and your brain are “under construc-tion” and on their way to becoming adults, too. Decision-making - one of the things you were so excited to do when you grew up - is harder than you thought it would be. It helps to talk about it, Katz says.

Author, adjunct professor, and counselor Anne Katz writes with a hip kind of authority that won’t make girls roll their eyes. I liked that “Girl in the Know” takes things further than all the other “what’s go-ing on with my body”-type books: Katz also matter-of-factly offers advice on friendships, acceptance, and health, while the illustra-tions by Monika Melnychuk keep things generally light.

While definitely meant for 9-to-15-year-old girls, there’s no “No Boys Allowed” sign on the cover of this informative conversation-starter. For kids on the edge of growing up, “Girl in the Know” is a book to know about.

“That’s Awesome! The World’s Most Amazing Facts & records”by the editors of Time for Kids, Time home entertainment, $19.95

Right about now, your head hurts.You’ve been in school for awhile, learning new math formulas,

weird experiments in science, and things that happened when Grandma was your age. That’s cool stuff, but your brain is cramped. You don’t know if you can fit much more into it.

Why not try? Seriously, you won’t mind when you read “That’s Awe-some! The World’s Most Amazing Facts & records” by the people at Time for Kids. It’s like a

mini-vacation for your brain.So you say you’re fascinated by what you’re learning in science class. Page through

this book and read about snakes that are longer than your classroom and can eat an entire sheep whole (probably a kid, too!). You’ll learn that there were dinosaurs that weighed less than a tiny lapdog. And you’ll see that what you flush down the toilet may contain an answer to battery life and less pollution.

Don’t know what you like best about school? Well, give your head a minute: on aver-age, your brain thinks 70,000 thoughts a day. It might be thinking one right now!

No matter how long school has been in session, your child may be suffering from mid-semester slump. That’s why the timing for this book couldn’t be better: “That’s Awe-some!” is one of those fun, informative, I-didn’t-know-that diversions that are practically meant to get kids revved up to learn.

Filled with full-color pictures and lots of info-bites on more than a dozen topics, this book is a browser’s dream. There’s something for every child’s interest, and every page gives them just enough to spark their curiosity and make them want more. Young read-ers will barely know they’re learning, and I like that.

Perfect for kids ages 9 and up, this book is made for sharing. If you’ve got a kid who needs a reading boost, “That’s Awesome!” may help them get a-head.

Bookworm sezThe Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

See Estimates on page 11

0730

2

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • �Special report

Mixed messages

Local student target of rumor via textby Miranda L. pennock, mpennock@cnylink.com

There are so many classifications for students in the school system, it’s sometimes difficult to keep up on the lingo.

Some terms, though, have remained constant for years: Nerds. Jocks. Band geeks. Bullies.

No matter what they’re called, it seems at one point or another, someone from each group is the brunt of a joke or some form of abuse by another group.

Recently, a student at Cicero-North Syracuse High School was the target of a rumor started through text messaging, a new wave of bullying, but no different than the 1960s kid who beats up a younger student for his or her lunch money.

“The issues are the same; kids have problems with other kids for a lot of reasons. Today kids respond to their thoughts

with text messages, e-mails and Face-book,” said C-NS School Resource

Officer Doreen Brisson, a 27-year veteran deputy with the

Onondaga County Sheriff ’s Department. “Things can be said that at times are not a true reflection of a person, but once in print, it’s right there.”

As the face of the sheriff ’s department in the school for

the last decade, Brisson said as the resource officer, a lot of

issues arise with bullying. But whether a person is being bullied

or not is left to interpretation.“If a person feels someone is picking on

them, then to them, they are bullied,” she said.Brisson has found that many times when a student who has sent something

inappropriate is talked to about it, they say, “I didn’t mean it that way,” “I was just mad. I’m Ok now” or “They took what I said the wrong way.”

“It can be very overwhelming to investigate,” she said.With a rise in complaints in recent years, when a student reports an issue, Bris-

son said she, a dean or a principal listen to all sides and work to resolve the original issue — the basis for why something was said in the first place.

“Most times, bringing all involved together clears the air,” she said.While there is no special training for officers when it comes to bullying, the

sheriff ’s office enforces the New York State penal law when applicable. Legally, if someone breaks the law, it would be considered harassment or aggravated harass-ment, but most of the time just getting the parties involved together to talk about the matter stops the bullying, Brisson said.

Changing the means of bullying from face-to-face to through a text message, an e-mail or a Facebook status doesn’t change the end result. Someone always ends up feeling outcast or vulnerable.

“Bullying is what it is — making someone feel bad, putting them down. Doing it over an electronic device makes it cyber bullying,” Brisson said. “Both ways hurt.”

Ways parents can help their children from being bullied — or becoming the bully — include checking computers and cell phones their children use and staying aware of what activities the kids are involved in. Some signs of being bullied may be appar-ent, such as if the child no longer wants to do an activity they have always enjoyed or if they aren’t hanging out with the same kids they used to, Brisson said.

“Parents should get as much information as they can from their child about the situation. Parents need to teach the child how to handle situations that come up in life. Friends sometimes do things that are hurtful,” she said. “Listen to them. If necessary, contact the school if the bullying will have an effect on your child’s school day. Children need skills to cope with things. Parents need to teach their child how hurtful things they do or say can be to a person.”

Bullying...More than sticks and stones?

by Mary Jo rapini, Med, LpC

B u l l y i n g i s thought of as be-ing an ordinary passage of grow-ing up. We a l l remember being pelted with some sor t of hur t fu l words. Some kids r e m e m b e r b e -ing beaten up on the playground. A l t h o u g h t h i s wounded many children of gen-erations past, it wasn’t always taken seriously. When we hear the word “bully”, we continue to think of it as not a big deal. However, bullying has changed. It is more than words or getting teased on the playground. It is inescapable harassment, physical assault, verbal abuse, and a constant bar-rage of cyber attacks that leave kids feeling defeated, fearful and alone.

According to Maureen Hackett, a mental health child advocate, children and teens are at fragile stages in their develop-ment of identity and self-esteem. Their relation-

ships with peers are an integral part of how they see themselves and how they view their sense of worth. This is just one of the aspects that makes bullying so dangerous. Hackett goes on to say that the young victims look to their parents and other adults in their life for validation, apprecia-tion and protection. When parents, teachers, or other adults in children’s lives don’t take bullying seri-ously or fail to help them, the child is hurt further. Many times this intensi-fies the bullying children are experiencing.

There is also no escape.

Warning signs children are being bullied:l They come home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings.l They have unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches.l They complain about not having friends.l They seem afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part with peers in organized activities (such as clubs).l They have no interest in school or their grades. They begin to struggle with school.l They are weepy, sad, moody, or depressed when they come home from school.l They complain frequently of headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments.l They experience a loss of appetite or begin to gain weight.l They appear anxious and suffer from low self-esteem.

“Bullying is what it is — making someone feel bad, putting them down. Doing it over an electronic device makes it cyber bullying. Both ways hurt.”

-C-NS School Resource Officer Doreen Brisson

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman, of Start Talking: A Girl’s Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. Read more about the book at StartTalkingBook.com and more about Rapini at maryjorapini.com.See Bullying on page 11

� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

On your block

Festival of Trees garage Sale set10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at Shoppingtown Mall, DewittLower Level of former bonTon store

Shop the best holiday décor sale in town! Peruse the selection of gently used holiday decorations, collectibles, ornaments, artificial trees and more! Proceeds benefit the Everson Museum of Art.Other everson events:

elements: A Celebration noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 & 14

Join us for a weekend of celebration on the opening weekend of Haudenosaunee: Elements. Music and dance will fill the Rosamond Gifford Sculpture Court, along with gallery walks, performance art, demonstrations and hands-on art making.

elements for Kids! (Ages 5-12)noon to 1 p.m. Nov 20, 27, Dec 4, 11, Art Zone

Young art lovers are invited to join artists from the Onondaga Nation in the creation of traditional and contemporary art projects. This art hour will also include story telling and hands-on projects.

Mommy & Me of CNY celebrates 10 years

Photo Courtesy oF Mary LaWyer o’Connor

Montessori to hold Admissions Open houseMontessori kindergarten student Katherine Niederhoff of Liverpool paints a picture of North America. Montessori School of Syracuse, located in Dewitt, will hold an Admissions Open House on Sunday, November 14th from 2-4pm. The school provides over 150 children, ages 3 through 12, from 20 different school districts with a quality preschool and elementary education based on Montessori philosophy and methods. Montessori School of Syracuse strives to help students reach their full potential as independent, life long learners and caring global citizens. Information about the school and the Open House is available at mssyr.org or by calling 449-9033

When Jennifer Cr ysler’s oldest daughter was 16 months old, Crysler went on a search for toddler friendly activities in the Syracuse area and was surprised there wasn’t much to do. “At that time, there wasn’t Gymboree or My Gym facilities that you could take your kids to play”, said Crysler. “We drove all the way to Rochester one day to attend a gym class just to have something to do.” It wasn’t long after that drive to Rochester that Crysler found a brochure about Mommy & Me of CNY at the North Syracuse library.

Mommy & Me of CNY was co-founded by friends, Elaine Impel l izz ier i and Jennifer Guild, who mirrored the idea after a group that Impellizeri had been a member of when

she lived in Las Vegas. Mommy & Me of CNY started with eight members and within ten months had grown to 120 fami-

lies and at its peak had over 400. Today the group remains strong with 150 member fami-lies.

The group gathered last month to celebrate the club’s 10th anniver-sary with a Fall Harvest Party at Beak & Skiff

Apple Orchards in LaFayette. Each Mommy & Me child re-ceived a kiddy bag to pick a few apples, a small pumpkin to decorate, a pony ride, apple cider and donuts and of course an anniversary cake! Over 100 old and new members were in attendance.

Mommy & Me of CNY is a not–for –profit support group specifically aimed at support-ing moms who choose to stay at home with their children,

including those who work out of their homes and those who work part-time.

Moms get together with their children for age-oriented weekly playgroups, holiday parties, farm visits, arts & crafts and gym related activi-ties. Each monthly calendar consists of over 40 activities for all ages. There are “Moms Only Night Outs” when Moms get together without their children as well. The group gives back to the community with diaper

drives, clothing donations and fundraising efforts for local families in need.

For many it is a way to con-nect. “My son was a winter baby. I felt that I had been cooped up in the house for months with nowhere to go or any real commitment to anything,” said Desiree Sal-vagni from Liverpool. “Joining Mommy & Me was a way to make sure that my son and I got out of the house. I had friends

Mommy & Me of CNYWebsite: mommynmecny.com

Membership dues: $28 a year, $10 trial membership

from Oct 1 to Dec 31

“In Mommy & Me, we share the joy of little successes our children do each and every day. Each week, each month and each year we see our children grow and develop into these little people who seem to amaze and surprise us with their ability to master a variety of tasks. It is this very growth and development that has created Mommy & Me. And, what a strong beating heart!”– President Elaine Impellizzieri’s Farewell Letter, April 2002

Some of the many members of Mommy & Me of CNY.

Taste of Strathmore planned at Most holy rosary

Taste of Strathmore, featuring foods of thecommunity and raffle baskets will be held throughout the

evening of Saturday Nov. 13 at Bishop’s Academy at Most Holy Rosary.

See Mommy & Me on page 10

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • �

Create an edible Thanksgiving story

by Jodie Fitz

The calendar has turned once again, and the busier-than-busy season has arrived. If your house is like mine, then the holidays add just that small amount of extra chaos that makes the regular chaos appear normal once the holidays have come and gone.

It can be a challenge with a house full of children and sched-ules to fit the fun into the holidays. And yet having said that, I really mean enjoyment from your perspective, because rest assured, no matter how chaotic the parents are feeling, the kids enjoy the season regardless.

I have always strived to add in something memorable for my family to do together each holiday, and for me that comes in the form of cooking. I have found that helping with side dishes and desserts is a great way for kids of all ages to feel like they’ve played a role in the planning and preparation.

One of the recipes my family will be making this year will be my Honey Apricot Cornbread and to make it special, I print out Native American symbols from the Internet and let the kids tell a story using the symbols on top of the bread with gel frosting. The children can help to prepare the cornbread, and while it’s baking, they can plan out their story on a piece of paper to com-plete once the bread has cooled. If the little ones are too young for the frosting tubes, you can plan together and they can select the symbols they like best for the top.

Not only is this edible project fun for the entire family, it cre-ates a great conversation for everyone who visits and shares your Thanksgiving feast.

Kids of all ages can help decorate the Honey Apricot Cornbread with Native American symbols.

honey apricot Cornbread1/4 cup Price Chopper butter, softened2 Price Chopper eggs1/4 cup Price Chopper 1 percent milk1/4 cup Price Chopper honey1/2 teaspoon Price Chopper pure vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon Price Chopper salt2 teaspoon Price Chopper baking powder1-1/2 cup white corn meal1 cup Price Chopper all-purpose flour12 ounces Price Chopper apricot preservesPreheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8-by-8-inch pan; set aside. Mix together

butter and eggs until light and fluffy. Add in milk, honey and vanilla extract; mix. Add in all dry ingredients; mix together thoroughly. And, finally, add in the apricot preserves. Bake for 25-30 minutes inserting a cake tester into the middle to make certain that the bread is cooked all of the way through. Let the cake cool before serving. Best served the same day.

Added fun: Using decorating gel, create Native American symbols on top of the cake for your Thanksgiving celebration.

Let’s cook

You can join Jodie monthly and get more recipes through the online Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club that is free and can be found at www.pri-cechopper.com un-der the program sign up section of the site. Jodie also visits local communities with Price Chopper for fun programs/events. To learn more about her, visit www.jodiefitz.com.

Instructional Camps

July 19-23 and August 9-13

TENNIS CLUB800 NOTTINGHAM ROAD, SYRACUSE, NY 13224 315-446-2323

www.drumlins.com

JUNIORPROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

FALL 2010USTA Quick Start (ages 5-8)

Tues & Thurs 4-5pm - $100/8 sessionsDevelopmental program created and endorsed by the USTA and USPTA

Grippers (ages 9+)Beginner/Advanced Beginner

Mon & Wed 4-5:30pm - $150/8 sessions

Rippers (ages 9+)Low Intermediate/Intermediate

Tues & Thurs 5-6:30pm - $150/8 sessions

Pee Wee & Hot Shots (ages 5-9)Sat 9-10am and 10-11am - $90/6 sessions

Enjoy Tennis - A Sport for your lifetime!Drumlins... committed to Junior Excellence!

0729

8

SYRACUSE CITY BALLETPRESENTS

A CA CA CHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN’’’SSS

NNNUTCRACKERUTCRACKERUTCRACKERSaturday, November 27th, 2010

1:00 PM & 7:00 PMCrouse-Hinds Theatre, Mulroy Civic Center

$5 Child Tickets!Adult seating starting at $21.50

www.TicketMaster.com or (315) 435-2121

WWW.SYRACUSECITYBALLET.COM

Home for the Holidays? Don’t Miss Syracuse’s Newest and Brightest Holiday Tradition!

The same beautiful music and the same magical story, but specially adapted for children and chock-full of surprises!

HHHURRYURRYURRY!!!The first 1000 people to purchase tickets before

November 8th are eligible to win tickets to the

Sugar Plum Social before each show!

0436

0

� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre will perform its production of, “Alice In Wonderland” every Saturday through Dec. 18 at 12:30 p.m. at Spaghetti Warehouse. From left are Navzad Dabu as the White Rabbit, Binaifer Dabu as the Queen of Hearts, Harper Carroll as Alice, Meredith Mancini as The Mad Hatter, Michael Carroll as the Cheshire Cat. Tickets are $5. Call 449-3823 for reservations.

All about Alice Get your sweet tooth ready!

Hercules Candy Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 20 and 27. Hercules Candy is located at 200 West Heman Street, East Syracuse. For more information call 463-4339.

VISIT US ON THE WEB AT...SENECAFEDERAL.COM

MAIN OFFICE35 Oswego St.Baldwinsville638-0233

LIVERPOOL105 Second St.Liverpool457-1280

ONLINEwww.senecafederal.com

NORTH SYRACUSE201 North Main St.North Syracuse458-6543

Each depositor insured to at least $250,000Temporarily increased from $100,000 to $250,000 through 12/31/2013

Parents, help your children learn about money and savings online at:

“Dollar The Dragon”

Find on our website:• ONLINE BANKING

• DEPOSIT AND LOAN INFORMATION

• SECURITY NEWS

• LINKS AND RESOURCES

• OUR NEW COMMERCIAL

• MANY FINANCIAL CALCULATORS

0908

8

Fun For Kidson our website

0737

1

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • �Child safety

See Travel safety on page 10

Seven steps for road travel safety this winter by Sarah Tilton, child passenger safety

advocate

Whether it’s a drive around the cor-ner or across the country, it’s impera-tive to take the proper precautions for a safe trip year-round. Still, as winter approaches, holiday vacations and school breaks make November through January a busy travel season. As a certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician, I’ve helped families make sure their children are well-protected and content on the road during all seasons. Here’s how to make sure your trip is as safe — and fun — as possible.

Make safe seating a priority. The importance of a good car seat cannot be overestimated. You wouldn’t buy a vehicle without taking it for a test drive, so if it’s possible, place the car seat in your car to ensure a proper fit be-fore purchasing it. Some vehicle manufacturers offer a list of suggested car seat models and many car seat companies have detailed online safety resources (such as the Britax Child Safety Center at www.britaxu-sa.com).

Protect your child from all sides. We know that head injury is the leading cause of death for children up to 12 years old involved vehicle crashes. It also comprises 65 percent of injuries in both frontal and side impact crashes. Fortunately, there are car seat manufacturers that develop car seats with advanced safety technologies to reduce the risk of head injury in the event of a vehicle

crash. Parents should also look for a car seat with superior side impact protection. This is marked by features such as deep side and head wings that are made from energy-absorbent mate-rial and an adjustable head support to minimize lateral head movement in a crash. This is important because approximately one in four of all motor vehicle crashes that involve children occur from the side, and these crashes result in a significantly higher injury rate than front or rear crashes, ac-cording to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Go to a professional. About 80 percent of all car seats are installed and used incorrectly. Even if you’ve carefully followed the instructions in the manual and watched online

installation demos to install your child’s car seat, it’s crucial to visit a certified CPS techni-cian for a triple-check. Visit NHTSA’s Web site (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) for a list of child safety seat inspection stations and trained technicians by ZIP code.

Maintain normal schedules on the road. Try to keep your routine of meals and naps while you’re on the road. If your baby doesn’t like to sleep in a mov-ing vehicle, leave right after he wakes up from naptime or early in the morning. On the other hand, if your child does do well sleeping in the car, plan for his naptime while you’re moving. It will give you a few extra hours of peace and quiet.

Pack smart. You know how short your

child’s attention span can be, so it’s better to come prepared with more ac-tivities than not enough. Audio books are a time-tested favorite for keeping kids occupied on long car trips. Ask your librarian or bookstore salesman to recommend the most popular titles for young children. Along with every-day items like diapers and paper tow-

els, be sure to pack winter safety items and keep them in the trunk to ensure your family’s comfort. Winter items can include warm blankets, thermoses, flashlights and tire chains if you’re traveling in snow.

Visit the backseat. If you’re travel-ing with just one child, remember how

Sarah Tilton is a child pas-senger safety advocate with Britax Child Safety Inc., a lead-ing car seat and stroller manu-facturer. An active Certified Passenger Safety (CPS) tech-nician and instructor, Tilton frequently participates in child passenger safety activities at a local, state and national level. She is currently active with the Safe Kids Charlotte Mecklenburg coalition and is a member of the North Carolina Child Passenger Safety Train-ing Committee.

The importance of a good car seat cannot be overestimated.

Saturday, December 1111:00 a.m.

$10 - $19

John H. Mulroy Civic Center

04359

06916

10 • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

lonely it can get in the backseat. Let your spouse concentrate on driving while you enjoy some one-on-one time with your child. Play a game, read a story, or draw together.

Plan for the weather. No matter what area of the country you’re driving in, winter weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather forecast before you leave and keep abreast of conditions on the road by calling the U.S. Department of Transportation Road Conditions Hotline or listening to the radio every few hours. Also consider giving yourself scheduling flexibility. For example, you might plan an extra day at the front and end of your trip in case you need to leave early to avoid bad weather or stop en route if you hit a storm.

The key to a successful road trip is in the preparation. If you’ve installed the proper car seat, planned the right activities and timed your journey, the biggest worry on your mind will be how to answer that seventh cry of “Are we there yet?”

from page 9Travel safety

who were counting on me to be there and so I had to go out.”For others it is a way to spend one on one time with their children.

Pam Southworth from Phoenix who has been a member for over seven years said, “When you are at a Mommy & Me activity, your children have your exclusive attention, there are no distractions from the daily routine of home life like laundry, cooking and cleaning.”

For all it is the memories of their children’s early years. Mommy & Me of CNY is an independent, not-for-profit organization

for the development of young children ages 0 to 5 years. Through various activities and functions, Mommy & Me provides its members the foundation of educational stimulation in the arts, sciences and community awareness as well as social interaction for moms, dads and/or guardians and their children. Mommy & Me is actively involved in fundraising in an effort to as-sist families and organizations in need. Through various activities and field trips, children and their parents are afforded the opportunity to spend qual-ity time together in a social setting that is both fun and educational.

from page 6Mommy & Me‘Legend of the Banana Kid’ set at theaterOpen Hand Theater will feature “The Legend of

the Banana Kid” as part of its family favorite series, “A World of Puppets,” Saturday Nov. 6 at the Castle on North Salina Street, 518 Prospect Ave., Syra-cuse,

The series is held at 11 a.m. the first two Saturday mornings of each month,

The Frog Town Mountain Puppeteers will perform “The Legend of the Banana Kid,” with a remote Western town, a mysterious cowboy, a seedy group of outlaws and Little Chucky, who brings justi

ce back to the town using bananas as his weapon of choice. Riding on his trusty goat, Chucky the Banana kid encounters all kinds of wild Western fun.

The Nov. 13 performance will be “Anansi, Spiderman of Africa!”

For more information call 476-0466, email info@openhandtheater.org or visit OpenHandTheater.org.

Looking for motivated students who want to play the violin/viola. Opportunities to perform in special events or recitals. Excepting students of all levels/ages. Lessons available at the academy or at your home. 15 years experience teaching and performing.

315-745-9030 • 300 W. Genesee St. • Syracuse, NYsyracuseviolin@yahoo.com

0729

9

0691

2

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • 11

While home used to be a safe haven, now there is an onslaught of cyber bullying so the terrorizing often continues at home, even in the child’s own room.

What can we do to help with this situation that happens every day, ev-erywhere, to many children? The first step may be getting involved to change the laws.

Encourage the state to recognize bullying as a form of abuse. Currently the word “bullying” minimizes what our children are going through on an emotional, or even physical level. They are being terrorized.

The best advice for parents regarding helping your child is take it seriously. Do not minimize it. Write everything down (for future reference).More tips for parents with children who are being bullied:

l You need a plan and you need to make an appointment with your child’s teacher. Share your ideas with the teacher and make sure that they include the time spent at both school and at home.

l Talk to your child with a private or school counselor. This will help rein-force your child’s sense of worth. Many counselors have ideas of how best to intervene using other resources. If your child has a private counselor, he should visit the school in order to help support the teacher’s efforts.

l Limit your child’s computer time and have her share threats she is receiv-ing with you. If your child has a cell phone, be aware of how much texting

is taking place. Make sure you have a copy of these threats in case you need legal help.

l If there is no improvement within a week, it is time to take it to either the principal (if the abuse is happening at school) or other person in charge. If you are the parents of a bully:

l Your child needs counseling along with a professional assessment from a psychiatrist. (Your whole family may be encouraged to attend.) Bully behavior is learned and suggests that there may be a “bully mentor” in your home.

l Make a doctor’s appointment for your child. Sometimes children act out with impulsive and angry behaviors when there is something wrong with them medically (a hormone imbalance, for example).

l Set firmer limits at home. Limit

your child’s ability to text and use the Internet.

l Violence toward your child (spank-ing, etc.) will not stop the behavior and may make their bully maneuvers more intense.

Overprotecting your child and telling yourself that it is normal child behavior doesn’t work either. There is nothing normal about hurting another child. You need to act and you need to do it now.

Behind every bully who is terroriz-ing another child, there is a parent who has ignored the bully’s behaviors and decided that it will go away on its own. Bullying does not go away. It usually gets worse, and intervention on both the parent’s behalf (the parents of the bully and the parents of the child being bullied) works best.

from page 4Estimates✓ How much will it cost to purchase a

home that will meet your needs?✓ How much could you sell your exist-

ing home for? ✓ What will it cost to move? Don’t for-

get the cost of the realtor to sell your home, moving all of your home furnishing and personal belongings, telephone and cable installations, perhaps new window dress-ings (windows rarely are the same size).

✓ How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move?remodeling

What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures.

How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the “payback”? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

If the decision about whether to reno-vate or move were purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look at the numbers and come to the right conclu-sion. However, there are also emotional factors that come into play, and they have a

value as well. Let’s consider some ex-amples.reasons you may want to move:

✓ If you relocate to a new neighbor-hood, your children could attend superior schools.

✓ You would like to reduce your com-mute or have better access to local ameni-ties, such as restaurants and shopping.

✓ You're not particularly fond of your current neighborhood.

✓ Your yard is too small, and you can-not expand it.reasons you may want to stay and remodel:

✓ You're happy with your location. It's convenient, you love your neighbors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor.

✓ You love the layout of your home.✓ All you need is a little more space,

and your home will be perfect.Of course, only you know what is truly

important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you

think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares.

Once you've completed your list and your financial assessment, it's time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? I

If you choose to remodel, then you'll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midstream.

If you decide to move, then there are low-cost improvements you can make to your existing home that will help it to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms provide the biggest return on investment in this area.

Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it's important to ensure that you have proper financing in place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase

a home, a mortgage originator will help you to determine how much you can af-ford, as well as which loan package works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of remodeling, you should meet with a mortgage professional before any construction takes place. Otherwise you may severely limit the type of financing options available to you.

Linda VanMarter is a branch manager with Guaranteed Home Mortgage Co., Inc., a Licensed Mortgage Banker – NYS Banking Dept., Equal Housing Lender; 452-5626. Lvanmarter@ghmc.com.

from page 5Bullying

Member

DOORSTO MUSICMUSIC CLASSES FOR

CHILDREN 4 TO 6A good ear is learned...

We can teach it!All children are born with talent.

It needs to be awakened!All children can learn music if

it’s introduced in their formative years!

Convenient DeWitt

Location655-3274

• Piano/Keyboard • Ear Training• Percussion

• Music Reading

Musical skillsthat last a lifetime

0691

8

St. Matthew’s SchoolSt. Matthew’s Church

Byrne Dairy

209 W. Heman St.

Yates St.

Ellis St.

W. Manlius St.

Hercules Candy Companyæ

209 W. Heman St.

Silv

er S

t.

www.herculescandy.com

209 West Heman St.,East Syracuse

463-4339Hours:

Monday - Saturday 10-6

Hercules Candy CompanyJOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSESaturday: November 20 AND November 2710 a.m. - 4 p.m.• FREECandyMakingTours• RegisterforFREEPrizes• FREECider

• FREEBalloonsfortheKids• FREECandyTastings

Kin

ne S

t.

0436

6

0436

4

TASTE OF STRATHMORESaturday, November 13th, 2010 at

Bishop’s Academy at Most Holy Rosary Featuring Foods of the

Community & Raffle Baskets throughout the evening

1� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

Things 2 doMon Nov 1Intro to Baby Signing. 6:30-7:30 PM. Sponsored by Doulas of CNY. 407 Tulip St, Liverpool. Pre-register. 455-6MOM. Tue Nov 2Mom’s Morning Out. 9:30 AM. Coffee and discussion group for moms. Community Wesleyan Church. 112 Downer St, Baldwinsville. Free. Childcare: $2/session. 638-2222. Wed Nov 3Multiple Moms Mingle. 6:30 PM. Club for mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Ruby Tuesday’s, Dewitt. Free. 308-0277.

Thu Nov 4Finger Lakes MOPS. 9:15-11:30 AM. Fun and fellowship for moms and children ages 0-5. Grace Chapel. Routes 20 & 175, Skaneateles. 299-5605. CNY Autism Society of America. 7-9 PM. Jowonio School. 3049 E. Genesee St, Syracuse. 447-4466.

Fri Nov 5 Disco Dance Party. 6-8 PM. kidzClub Indoor Play and Party Place. 219 County Route 7, Phoenix. $8/child, adults/free. 695-2211.

Sat Nov 6Home Depot Kids Workshops. 9 AM-noon. Children ages 5-12 accompanied by an adult learn about tool safety while building from project kits. Each child also receives an apron and pin. Free. Pre-register at your local Home Depot. Sibling Preparation Class. 9:30-11 AM. For children ages 3-10 and a parent. St. Joseph’s Hospital Room 5313. $. 448-5515.

National Toy of Hall Fame Celebration. 10 AM-8 PM. Toy fun celebration the induction of the 2010 class into the hall. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. 585-263-2700. More info Festival of Trees Garage Sale. 10 AM-2 PM. Gently used holiday decorations, collectibles, ornaments, artificial trees, and more. Proceeds benefit the Everson Museum of Art. Shoppingtown Mall, Dewitt. 474-6064. A World of Puppets: The Legend of the Banana Kid. 11 AM. Open Hand Puppet Theater. $8/adult, $6/children. 476-0466. SU Football. Noon. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121. Magic Circle Children’s Theater. 12:30 PM. Interactive children’s theater featuring Alice in Wonderland. Spaghetti Warehouse, Syracuse. $5/person. Pre-register. 449-3823. Sun Nov 7National Toy of Hall Fame Celebration. Noon-5 PM. Toy fun celebration the induction of the 2010 class into the hall. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. 585-263-2700. Youth Orchestra Concert. 4:30 PM. Featuring the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra. Mulroy Civic Center. $12. 424-8222.

Mon Nov 8Monday Kicks. 10 AM-2 PM. Playful learning activities for ages 2-6. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. 585-263-2700. A Matter of Size. 7 PM. Comedy film about four overweight friends in the Israeli city of Ramle. Temple Society of Concord. 910 Madison St, Syracuse. 475-9952. Tue Nov 9Mom’s Morning Out. 9:30 AM. Coffee and

discussion group for moms. Community Wesleyan Church. 112 Downer St, Baldwinsville. Free. Childcare: $2/session. 638-2222. Sciencenter Storytime. 10:30 AM. Story and related science activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Included with admission. kids under three receive free admission. Sciencenter, Ithaca. 607-272-0600.Preparing for Baby. 6:30-7:30 PM. Sponsored by Doulas of CNY. 407 Tulip St, Liverpool. Pre-register. 455-6MOM. Wed Nov 10MOMS Club East. 9:30-11:30 AM. Monthly meeting for kids and moms who choose to stay home full or part time. Manlius United Methodist Church. 111 Wesley St, Manlius. 406-5294. Symphony Kids Concert. 10 & 11:30 AM. Introducing the orchestra. Mulroy Civic Center. $5. 424-8222. HOPE.network. Noon-2 PM. Faith-based support for families w/special needs kids. HOPE’s Bounty Luncheon. Northside Baptist Church, Liverpool. 436-3301. Teen Advisory Board. 6:30-7:30 PM. Teens can provide their input on library programs and book choices. Maxwell Library, Camillus. Free. 435-3827. Thu Nov 11Adventure Day Camp. 9 AM-4 PM. Children ages 5-12 spend the day playing and exploring the outdoors as well as participating in indoor activities. Baltimore Woods. $. Pre-register. 673-1350. Legos at the Library. 10 & 11:30 AM. For grades k-5. Fayetteville Free Library. Pre-register. 637-6374.

Sensory Processing Disorder Support Group. 7 PM. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation Parents-Connections Group for parents of children with sensory processing issues. Beecon Baptist Church. 4800 Rt 31, Clay. 247-4195.

Fri Nov 12Mom’s Shopping Night. 6-9 PM. Let your kids play while you check out local mommy-owned businesses. $6/child for supervised play, adults/free. kidzClub Indoor Play and Party Place. 219 County Route 57, Phoenix. 695-2211. SU Mens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121.

Sat Nov 13Multiple Moms Mingle Sale. 8:30 AM-noon. Huge sale sponsored by local club for mothers of twins and triplets. Martha Eddy Room, NYS Fairgrounds. Free. 308-0277. National Geographic Maps Weekend. 10 AM-8 PM. Learn about real-life adventures through maps, artifacts, and interactive experiences. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. (585) 410-6359. Celebrate the New Wimpy Kid Book. 11 AM. Fun festivities celebrating the release of the fifth book in this popular series. Barnes & Noble Clay. Free. 622-0370. A World of Puppets: Anansi the Spider. 11 AM. Open Hand Puppet Theater. $8/adult, $6/children. 476-0466. Elements: A Celebration. Noon-4 PM. Haudenosaunee dance, performance art, and hands-on art making. Everson Museum. 474-6064. Magic Circle Children’s Theater. 12:30 PM. Interactive children’s theater featuring Alice in Wonderland. Spaghetti Warehouse, Syracuse. $5/person. Pre-register. 449-3823.

Continued on page 13

Dr. James E. Brown, Jr.

Dr. Richard Waldman

Dr. Chris La Russa

Dr. John RosserDr. Suchitra Kavety Jane Fields, CNM Kandice Kowalewski, RPA-C Dr. Melissa Brown

792 1/2 N. Main St.N. Syracuse, NY 13212

701-0500

770 James St.Syracuse, NY 13203

422-2222

4302 Medical Center CriveFayetteville, NY 13066

329-7222

www.afwomensmed.com

0691

5

0692

0

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • 1�

Things 2 doNational Gaming Day Celebration. 2 PM. Fayetteville Free Library. Pre-register. 637-6374. New School Gala. 7-10 PM. A Sense of Delight featuring live music, food, and silent art auction to raise money for scholarship fund. Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage. $. 475-6453. Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 7:30 PM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444.

Sun Nov 14National Geographic Maps Weekend. Noon-5 PM. Learn about real-life adventures through maps, artifacts, and interactive experiences. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. (585) 410-6359. Elements: A Celebration. Noon-4 PM. Haudenosaunee dance, performance art, and hands-on art making. Everson Museum. 474-6064. Montessori School Open House. 2-4 PM. Offers high-quality education for children ages 3-12. 155 Waldorf Parkway, Dewitt. Free. 449-9033. Family Movie Matinee. 2 PM. Fayetteville Free Library. Pre-register. 637-6374. SU Mens Basketball Game. 3 PM. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121. Capernaum North. 3-5 PM. Faith-based friendship group for teens and young adults with disabilities. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego Street, Liverpool. Free. Pre-register. 699-7333.

Mon Nov 15Bonnie Braddoc Lecture. 6 PM. Learn about genetic testing concerns for the Jewish population. Temple Society of Concord. 910 Madison St, Syracuse. 475-9952. SU Womens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Syracuse University. $. 443-2121.

Tue Nov 16SU Mens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121. CNY Tourette Syndrome Support Group. 7-9 PM. Baldwinsville Public Library. 635-6967. Wed Nov 17Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 11 AM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444. Breastfeeding Back to Work and School. 1-3 PM. For mothers who will continue to breastfeed as they return to work or school. St. Joseph’s Hospital Room 5313. $. 448-5515. Camillus Page Turners. 6-7:30 PM. Book club for kids ages 8-12 and their parents featuring lively discussion and light refreshments. Maxwell Memorial Library. Free. 672-3661. Infant & Child CPR Class. 6:30-8:30 PM. St. Joseph’s Hospital Room L-100 D. 448-5515. SSO Member Performance. 7 PM. Temple Society of Concord. 910 Madison St, Syracuse. 475-9952. Thu Nov 18Finger Lakes MOPS. 9:15-11:30 AM. Fun and fellowship for moms and children ages 0-5. Grace Chapel. Routes 20 & 175, Skaneateles. 299-5605. Th3. 5-8 PM. A common day each month where 17 Syracuse visual art venues are open to recognize and support local artistic achievements. Infant Safety & CPR. 6:30-7:30 PM. Sponsored by Doulas of CNY. 407 Tulip St, Liverpool. Pre-register. 455-6MOM. The Puppy Mill. 7 PM. Film screening and discussion highlighting the cruelty of puppy mills. Community Folk Art Center. Free. 442-2230 Fri Nov 19

Smart Play. 10:30 AM. Drop-in play for ages 2-5 featuring new literacy-oriented toys. Fayetteville Free Library. 637-6374. Teen Gaming And Karaoke Night. 6:30 PM. Dewitt Community Library. Pre-register. 446-3578. Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 7:30 PM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444.

Sat Nov 20eGame Revolution Opening Weekend. 10 AM-8 PM. Experience electronic games old and new. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. (585) 410-6365. Smart Play. 10:30 AM. Drop-in play for ages 2-5 featuring new literacy-oriented toys. Fayetteville Free Library. 637-6374. American Girl Storytime. 11 AM. American Girl story and crafts. Barnes & Noble, Clay. Free. 622-0370. Saturday Fly Tie. 11 AM-noon. Learn and share fly-tying techniques. Bring your own tools and materials. Baltimore Woods. Free. 673-1350. Elements for Kids! Noon-1 PM. Storytelling and hands-on art projects for ages 5-12 with artists from the Onondaga Nation. Everson Museum. 474-6064. More info Magic Circle Children’s Theater. 12:30 PM. Interactive children’s theater featuring Alice in Wonderland. Spaghetti Warehouse, Syracuse. $5/person. Pre-register. 449-3823. Turkey Time Crafts. 1:30 PM. kids ages 5-10 can make a decoration for Thanksgiving Day. Dewitt Community Library. Pre-register. 446-3578. Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 7:30 PM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444. Deep Blue. 8 PM. Live interpretive dance and theater performed by Archedream for Humankind. Palace Theater, Hamilton. $20. 824-1420.

Sun Nov 21Families Explore. Noon-4 PM. Explore the world through music, dance, crafts, and other activities. Corning Museum of Glass. $14/ages 20 and up, 19 and under are free. (607)974-3306. eGame Revolution Opening Weekend. Noon-5 PM. Experience electronic games old and new. Strong Museum, Rochester. $. (585) 410-6365. SU Mens Basketball Game. 2 PM. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121.

Mon Nov 22Nature’s Little Explorers. 10 AM-11 AM. Hands-on learning about the natural world for kids age 3-5 and an adult. Baltimore Woods. Pre-register. $12. 673-1350. Stroll Through Lights on the Lake. 5-9 PM. Onondaga Lake Park. 453-6712. New School Family Activity Evening. 6-7:30 PM. Barnes & Noble, Dewitt. 475-6453. Teen Book Discussion Group. 7 PM. For grades 6 and up. Dewitt Community Library. Free. Pre-register. 446-3578. SU Womens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Syracuse University. $. 443-2121.

Tue Nov 23 Sciencenter Tactile Time. 10:30 AM. Toddlers and preschoolers explore their world through touch. Sciencenter, Ithaca. Included with admission. (607) 272-0600. Dog Walk Through Lights on the Lake. 5-9 PM. Onondaga Lake Park. 453-6712. Fri Nov 26Dickens’ Christmas. Noon-4 PM. Strolling

Continued on page 14

Family Health Plus benefits* include:

Physician services

Dental services

Lab tests & x-rays

ER & emergencyambulance services

Diabetes supplies & equipment

*some limits may apply to certain benefits.**administered by the Medicaid Fee for Service program

Physician Visits Your Own Primary Care Physician

Hospitalization Lab & X-Ray

Vision Care Much More!

Child Health Plus from New York State and Total Care provides free or low-cost health insurance for children who qualify up to age 19.

Total Care is the oldest and largest Medicaid Managed Care plan in Central New York, serving Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland and Tompkins counties. With more than 1,000 providers, from primary to specialty care, Total Care “has you covered.”

Child Health Plus coverage includes:

No Co-Pays Well-Child Visits

Dental Vision, Hearing, Speech

Hospitalization & Surgery Emergency Care

Much More!

Family Health Plus is New York State’s health care program for adults who don’t have insurance but whose income is too high to get Medicaid.

Inpatient & outpatient health care

Prescription drugs & smoking cessation products**

Vision, speech & hearing services

Drug, alcohol & mental health treatment

Much more!

0691

4

1� • Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010

Things 2 doDickens characters, carolers, street theater, carriage rides. Downtown Skaneateles. Free. 685-0552. Tree Lighting Ceremony. Live music, entertainment and more. Clinton Square.Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 7:30 PM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444.

Sat Nov 27Dickens’ Christmas. Noon-4 PM. Strolling Dickens characters, carolers, street theater, carriage rides. Downtown Skaneateles. Free. 685-0552. More info Elements for Kids! Noon-1 PM. Storytelling and hands-on art projects for ages 5-12 with artists from the Onondaga Nation. Everson Museum. 474-6064. Magic Circle Children’s Theater. 12:30 PM. Interactive children’s theater featuring Alice in Wonderland. Spaghetti Warehouse, Syracuse. $5/person. Pre-register. 449-3823.

Sun Nov 28Dickens’ Christmas. Noon-4 PM. Strolling Dickens characters, carolers, street theater, carriage rides. Downtown Skaneateles. Free. 685-0552. Syracuse Crunch Hockey. 3 PM. War Memorial at Oncenter. $. 473-4444. Home School Expeditions. 10-11 AM. Discover the wonder of science in the great outdoors. Baltimore Woods. $12. Pre-register. 673-1350.

Mon Nov 29Breastfeeding Class. 6:30-8:30 PM. Pregnant women and their partners learn about breastfeeding benefits and methods. St. Joseph’s Hospital conference room L-100 D. $. 448-5515. Belly Casting. 6:30-7:30 PM. Sponsored by Doulas of CNY. 407 Tulip St, Liverpool. Pre-

register. 455-6MOM. SU Womens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Syracuse University. $. 443-2121.

Tue Nov 30SU Mens Basketball Game. 7 PM. Carrier Dome. $. 443-2121.

ONGOING EVENTS

Childbirth Preparation & Refresher Classes. St. Joseph’s Hospital. $. 448-5515.

Creative Arts Academy Auditions. Ongoing for grades 7-12. Community Folk Art Center. 442-2230.

DivorceCare Support Group. 7 PM Mondays. Northside Baptist Church. 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool. 652-3160.

Farmers Market. 4-8 PM Tuesdays, 10 AM-5 PM Thursdays, 7 AM-2 PM Saturdays. CNY Regional Market. 422-8647.

GriefShare Support Group. 7 PM Mondays. Northside Baptist Church. 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool. 652-3160.

High Point. 6:45-8:15 PM Wednesdays. Faith-based songs, games, and activities for kids in kindergarten through grade 5. Community Wesleyan Church. 112 Downer St, Baldwinsville. Free. 638-2222.

Kiddie Café. 10 AM-2 PM Wednesdays. Puzzles, coloring, kids music, snacks, and fun. Fayetteville Free Library. 637-6374.

KidzPlaygroup. 10 AM Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6 PM Fridays. Music, fingerplays, arts & crafts, and games geared for toddler and preschool

social interaction skills and learning. For ages 1-4 with caregiver. kidzClub Indoor Play and Party Place, 219 County Route 57, Phoenix. $40/4 weeks, includes open play after. 695-2211.

Lengualectual Spanish for Children. 9-9:45 AM Fridays. Dewitt Parks & Recreation. $. 243-5211.

Mix It Up! Youth Art Classes. 10:30 AM-noon Saturdays through November 20. For ages 4-12. Everson Museum. $70/4 class-session. Pre-register. 474-6064.

Morning Bird Walks. 7:30 AM Wednesdays & Saturdays. Beaver Lake Nature Center. 638-2519.

Newborn Care Class. 6-8:30 PM Wednesdays and 2nd/3rd Mondays. St. Joseph’s Hospital Room 5313. $20. 448-5515.

Paint Brushes & Junior Artists. 11 AM-12:30 PM Saturdays, through October 16. For ages 5-11. Community Folk Art Center. 805 E. Genesee St, Syracuse. $10/class. 442-2230.

Pilates, Cardio, Yoga. Various times and locations. Essential kneads, Cicero. 699-8820.

Pre-Ballet Class. 10-11 AM Saturdays. For ages 4-8. Community Folk Art Center. 805 E. Genesee St, Syracuse. $10/class. 442-2230.Sainte Marie Among the Iroquois. Noon-5 PM weekends. $3/adults, $2.50/seniors, $2/kids, $10/family. 453-6768.

Sciencenter Showtime! 2 PM Saturdays. See science in action with an interactive presentation. Sciencenter, Ithaca. Included with admission. 607-272-0600.

Shake, Wiggle, and Rock. 9:30 and 10:30 Tuesdays & Saturdays. Creative movement and music for ages 6 months – 4 years. $10/class. Steeplechase Apartments Clubhouse. Weatheridge Drive, Camillus. 399-9060.

Small Business & Personal Finance Seminars. Various topics, dates, and locations. Sponsored by Cooperative Federal. 473-0223.

Story Art Wednesdays. 4:30 PM Wednesdays. For kids age 5-10. Maxwell Memorial Library, Camillus. Free. 672-3661.Teen Art Program. 4-6 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays. Liverpool Art Center. 101 Lake Drive, Liverpool. $60/month. 234-9333.

Tiny Tigers Karate Prep Class. 5-5:45 PM Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15 PM Wednesdays, 10:15-11:30 AM Saturdays. Excel Martial Arts Training Center. 600 Nottingham Road, Syracuse. $100/10 sessions. 506-5726.

Weekend Walks With A Naturalist. 1:30 PM Saturdays & Sundays. Beaver Lake Nature Center. Free w/admission. 638-2519.

Wellness Walking Group. 10 AM Mondays & Wednesdays. Beaver Lake Nature Center. Free w/admission. 638-2519.

Yoga. 5:30-7 PM Fridays and 1-2 PM Sundays. All levels welcome. $5/class. Zen Center of Syracuse. 492-6341.

YogaKids. 4:30-5:30 PM Thursdays for ages 4-7; 5:45-6:45 PM Thursdays for ages 8-11; 3-4:15 PM Sundays for tweens/teens. CNY Yoga Center. 101 1st St, Liverpool. $. 622-3423.

Zumba. 6:30-7:30 PM Tuesdays. Community Folk Art Center. $10. 442-2230.

Continued on page 15

0730

4

Syracuse Parent and CNY Family • November 2010 • 1�

STORYTIMES

Barnes & Noble Clay. Preschoolers, 10 AM Thursdays. Grades k-3, 7 PM Friday. 622-1066.

Barnes & Noble Dewitt. Preschoolers 10 AM Thursdays. 449-2947.

Betts Branch Library. Thursdays 10:30-11 AM, starting September 10. 435-1940.

Dewitt Community Library. Baby Bop ages 4-18 months, Thursdays at 10:30. Toddler Time ages 18 months to 3 years, Tuesdays at 10:30. Preschool, Wednesday at 10:30 AM and 2 PM. 446-3578.

East Syracuse Free Library. 10:30 AM Tuesdays for birth-age 3, 10:30 AM Wednesdays for ages 3-4. 437-4841.

Fayetteville Free Library. Preschool for ages 2&3, Tuesdays at 10:30 AM. Preschool for ages 4&5, Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. First Steps for up to age 3, Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. Cuddletime for babies, Thursdays at 11:30 AM. 637-6374.

Maxwell Memorial Library. Preschool for ages 3-5, Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:30. Stories with Sally for 3 and under, Wednesdays at 10:30. Toddlers age 1-4, Saturdays at 10:30 AM. 672-3661.

NOPL Brewerton. 10:30 AM Mondays for ages 2-4. 11-noon Mondays playgroup for ages 6 months-5 years. 676-7484.

NOPL Cicero. 6:30 PM Mondays (family story hour), 10 & 11 AM Tuesdays, 11 AM

Wednesdays. 699-2032.

NOPL North Syracuse. 6:30 PM Tuesdays (family story hour), 10 & 11 AM Wednesdays, noon Thursdays. 458-6184.

Pottery Barn Kids. 11 AM Tuesdays. Carousel Center. 423-5215.

Read & Play Storytime. 11 AM & 1 PM Wednesdays. For ages 2-4. Salina Free Library. 454-4524.

Toddler Book Club. 10:30, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM Mondays. Strong Museum, Rochester. Free with admission. 585-410-6359,

EXHIBITS & SHOWS Dickens’ Christmas. Noon-4 PM weekends starting November 26. Strolling Dickens characters, carolers, street theater, carriage rides. Downtown Skaneateles. Free. 685-0552.IMAX Movies. Toy Story 3 and more. MOST. $. 425-9068. Glass Harvest Offerings. Through November. See the world’s largest glass pumpkin, make your own glass pumpkin, harvest hunt through the world’s largest glass collection, and more. Corning Museum of Glass. $. (607) 974-8124.Glass Holiday Wonderland. November 30-January 2. Giant glass ornament trees, make your own glass ornaments, winter wonder glass hunt. Corning Museum of Glass. $. (607) 974-8124.

Lights on the Lake. 5-10 PM, starting November 24. Two mile drive-through holiday light display. Onondaga Lake Park. 451-7275.

Museum of Young Art. 10 AM-6 PM Tuesdays-Thursdays and 10 AM-3 PM Saturdays. Syracuse’s

first museum dedicated to children’s art. One Lincoln Center. 424-7800.

National Geographic MAPS: Tools for Adventure. Strong Museum, Rochester. (585) 410-6359.

Quilts=Art=Quilts. Through January 9. Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn. 255-1553.

New School Art Exhibit. Through November 30. Barnes & Noble, Dewitt. 475-6453.

On My Own Time. Through November 14. Amateur art exhibit featuring local artists. Everson Museum. 435-2162.

The Salt City Comes of Age. Featuring images and artifacts from Syracuse 1880-1915. Onondaga Historical Association. Free. 428-1864.

Silverman Planetarium. Zoo in the Sky, 11:15 AM weekends and school holidays. Autumn Skies, 3:15 PM weekends and school holidays. MOST. Admission. 425-9068.

Tech City. Learn how to solve problems through engineering. Sciencenter, Ithaca. Included with admission. 607-272-0600.

Toothpick City II. Watch Stan Munro as he

creates the largest toothpick structure in the world featuring famous buildings from around the world. MOST. 425-9068.

The Wonderful Word of Butterflies. Over 400 preserved butterfly and moth specimens from 5 continents. MOST. Admission. 425-9068.

Things 2 do

Rothschild Early Childhood Center

Rothschild Early Childhood Center • 450 Kimber Road, Syracuse, NY 315-445-0049 • www.rothschildearlychildhoodcenter.org

• Day time programs for ages 6 weeks to 5 years-old • Music, Physical Education, Art and Science

• Hot lunch, morning and afternoon snacks included • Before and After School Programs for ages 5 to 12 years-old Jamesville DeWitt & Syracuse School Districts;

Vacation weeks, Snow days• Full and part time schedules 06

917

0691

9

All pianos & organs

on sale from $500

Great Northern Mall • 622-3926www.pianoandorgancenter.com

0736

0

Yamaha, Korg, Roland, Lowrey, Allen, Weber, & Samick

6 months same

as cash

PEDIATRICASSOCIATESWhat every child needs

CAMILLUS601 North Way

Phone: 487-1541

LIVERPOOL8086 Oswego Rd.Phone: 652-1070

FREEPrenatal

Consultation

Staff on call24 HOURS

A day!

0691

3

nygearup.syr.eduNovember 2010

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is the state agency that has been designated by the Governor’s office to administer the NY GEARUP Program. Funding for NY GEARUP is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

NY GEARUP at Syracuse University receives $567,000 in funding that is matched 100 percent by in-kind services for a total funding of $1,340,000.

HESC helps people pay for college by providing a comprehensive range of financial aid services, including

the Tuition Assistance Program, guaranteeing student loans, and administering the nationally recognized New York’s College Savings Plan.

New York State is a leader in the national financial aid community, providing more grant money to college students than any other state.

NY GEARUP @ Syracuse UniversityNYGEARUP

315.443.7848NYGEARUP@syr.edu

CONTACT US

Early Decision and Early ActionIf your child finds a college that

seems a perfect fit, applying early may be a good idea. Early decision and early action plans allow your child to apply early (usually in No-vember) and get an admission de-cision from the college well before the usual spring notification date. You know by December or January whether your child has been ac-cepted at the first-choice college.

Sometimes, students who apply under these plans have a better chance of acceptance than they would through the regular admis-sion process. These plans are also good for colleges because they get students who really want to go to the college to commit early in the process.

Early Decision vs. Early ActionYour child should understand

the differences between early decision and early action before sending in applications. Keep in

mind, also, that the rules may vary somewhat by college. Your child can check with the school counselor to get an understanding of the earlyapplicant’s rights and obligations. Below are some important facts about the three types of early-ap-plication plan.

Early decision plans are bind-ing. Your child agrees to attend the college if accepted and if the college offers an adequate financial aid package. Although your child can apply to only one college for early decision, applying to other colleges through the regular admission process is allowed. If your child is accepted by the first-choice college early, all other applications must be withdrawn.

Early action plans are similar to early decision plans, but are not binding. If accepted, your child can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, your

child may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, candidates have until the late spring to let the college know their decision.

Single-choice early action is a new option offered by a few col-leges. This plan works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early (ei-ther early action or early decision) to any other college. Your child can still apply to other colleges under regular decision plans and is not required to give a final answer to the early-application college until the regular decision deadline.

Should My Child Apply Under One of These Plans?

Your child should apply under an early decision or early action plan only if your child is very sure about wanting to attend a particular col-lege. Your child should not apply under an early decision or early action plan if planning to weigh

offers and financial aid packages from several colleges later in the spring. Also, your child shouldn’t apply early if it would be beneficial to have more senior year work to show a college.

Which Colleges Offer Plans?More than 400 colleges offer an

early decision plan, an early action plan, or both. Many colleges list this information on their websites.

A Last Word of AdviceIn the fall, it may seem appealing

to get the college decision over with, but your child may want to keep op-tions open during senior year, while learning more about colleges and personal preferences. On the other hand, your child may be confident of thriving at a certain college. If so, your child is the type of student early decision was created for.

Courtesy of Collegeboard.com

Nottingham Senior BreakfastPHOTOS BY CAiTLiN DONNELLY

LEFT: Yadira Junco and Dar-ius Smith wait on line for pancakes during the Senior Breakfast at Nottingham High School on Oct. 13. CEN-TER: Brian McElroy, Dwayne Britt, Hali Escke, Daniqua Hicks, Tailor Edmond, Taylor Hughes, Gabby Royal and Alfonso Gyder socialize dur-ing the half-day celebration. RIGHT: Fadila Memisevic and Hatidza Salkic fill out senior “bests” for the yearbook.