Memorial Day Savings at Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and to kick things off and Thank our readers, here are some hot savings for you.

Just Goto to Sixflags.com and type Promo Code: TGIS74





You will receive the following discounts:
Theme Park Admission...... $29.99
Water Park Admission........$16.99
Meal Voucher....................$13.49
Parking..............................$20.00

Valid 5/24 - 6/2 Limit 10 tickets per transaction

Things to do with the Family - March 2013

Thing to do with the Family - March 2013

March into Spring with Activities that will get you and your family out the house and into the fun.

Shows: 
Sunday March 3rd - Bill Blagg - Illusionist

Experience an unforgettable day of magic & illusion with one of the nation’s top magical stars
Bill Blagg! Bill is taking the art of magic to new heights by combining grand scale magic illusions, and his unmatched personality to create one of the most unbelievable, interactive, magic experiences witnessed today.

Shows at Bergen PAC 1 and 4PM
Tickets start at $17.00

Drapkin Family Cabaret Room at Bergen Performing Arts Center

30 N. Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631 

Friday March 8 - Cirque Ziva

8:00 pm

Shea Center for Performing Arts

Recognized as the only Chinese acrobatic company touring the U.S., the Golden Dragon Acrobats bring to you a new fast-paced, technically innovative and beautifully presented show, Cirque Zíva. 

Admission:

Adults $30 / Children $25  

WPU Students $10 (1 ticket per student. Must show ID, limited quantity available).

WP Faculty, Staff and Alumni discounts apply. 

Saturday March 9th - Cirque Ziva

4:00 PM 

Bergen Performing Arts Center

The Golden Dragon Acrobats hail from Cangzhou, Hebei province, in the People’s Republic of China and have toured the United States continuously since 1978. Its members are athletes, actors and artists who have studied and trained for their craft since early childhood. The group averages 200 performances each year and has toured through all 50 states and in over 65 countries across the world. In 2005, their Broadway debut and seven-week run at the New Victory Theater earned two prestigious New York Drama Desk Awards nominations (for Best Choreography and Most Unique Theatrical Experience).
Admission:  $29-$49

Friday-Sunday March 8-10th - Charlotte's Web

The Garage Theatre Group celebrates its 20th Anniversary season along with the 60th anniversary of "Charlotte's Web ," one of the most popular children's stories of all time. Michael Bias directs the show, which features original music by Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie). Imaginative costumes created by Terry Thiry are featured among the feathered and furred barnyard characters.



Joseph Robinette's play, "Charlotte's Web," is based on the children's classic by E.B.White. Witten in 1952 and a Newberry Honor award winner, it is a story of loyalty and friendship. Though she is small in stature, Charlotte the spider has a big heart that leads her friend Wilbur the pig to understand and accept his place in the world.

The cast also includes a little girl named Fern who also loves Wilbur, a less-lovable rat, Templeton, and a barnyard full of lively farm animals whose story is as strong and as delicately magical as a web itself.

"Charlotte’s Web" is will be presented at the Becton Theatre on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m, Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m, and Sunday, March 10 at 2:00 p.m. The theater is located at 960 River Road in Teaneck, on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Location: 960 River Road, Teaneck, NJ

Parking is free and plentiful in the FDU lot adjacent to Route 4. The theatre is a short walk away along the Hackensack River.



Tickets for each performance are $18 for adults and $16 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. For tickets, visit www.GarageTheatre.org or call 201-569-7710.

Sunday March 24th - Sleeping Beauty
2:00 pm
Shea Center for Performing Arts
Admission: $10
This fully-staged musical is based on the classic fairy tale love story.
Presented by the American Family Theater Group

Stretching out with your Kids

When I first started kidzense my daughter was 4 and the focus of the site was things to do with your kids. At kidzense we strive to present parents with great events and activities to share with their kids. However this past weekend my daughter presented me with an opportunity to experience something that I always wanted to do.
Let me give a little back story. For Christmas my daughter asked for a skateboard. I expected that she would try it out, but didn't think she would take to it like she did. On Christmas she was really excited to get her board and immediately  wanted to try it out. On her first day back to school after Christmas break I received a video with my daughter skateboarding across a basketball court. Within a week she was riding down some pretty steep grades, performing kick turns and some other simple tricks.
A few weeks ago we went to an outdoor skate park and had our first experience with riding up and down a quarter pipe. We decided to look for some indoor skate parks and came across Garden Skate located in Pine Brook NJ. They offered a beginners clinic on Saturday mornings. So this Saturday we decided to check it out. The instructors worked well with the group demonstrating the basics and building upon that. Despite being a group clinic each child was given some personal attention. By the end of the clinic the entire class was able to ride into the quarter pipe, perform at least a partial kick-turn and ride back down.
After the class my daughter wanted to stay and skate a while longer. That's when it hit me. This was an opportunity to try something that I always wanted to. Instead of sitting on the sidelines as a spectator rationalizing that I was too old I could step outside of my comfort zone grab a board and take the ride of a lifetime or least the ride of my childhood. When I was a kid I loved skateboarding but growing up on the east coast there weren't any skate parks (at least that I knew about) I would have given anything to ride a skate park back then, but being able to do it in my forties together with my daughter was an special experience. I was so proud of her working diligently for the last month picking herself up from countless falls to try again. It was a truly amazing day where I was  transported back in time. It was exhilarating, fun, and connecting experience.
I am so glad I decided to stretch outside of my comfort zone to be open to have this experience. I highly recommend that you follow your child into the unknown.
       

Holiday Events and Traditions 2012

The Holidays are here and for some, "The most wonderful time of the year" can be the most stressful time of the year.
There is a little more than a month till we ring in the New Year and so much to do between decorating and gift getting and holiday get togethers it can be overwhelming. Or with a little planning it can be the stuff that creates some lifelong memories.
So don't let the stress of the Holidays turn you into a Scrooge take a pause and get out and enjoy some holiday events.

If you event is outside here are some tips to make the most of it.
Get there early enough to find close parking. Especially if you are going with young children, walking a few blocks and standing around can equal crankiness.
If your children are 3 or younger use a stroller or a wagon to tote them around and provide a place for you to store items.
Make sure you have your cellphone to coordinate meeting up or regroup.

Dress warm and in layers. Have a hat, gloves, scarf, warm socks, and shoes nothing can make an outdoor event miserable like cold toes and fingers.

Scope out a nearby restaurants and coffee shops for a break from the cold or bathroom break (An app like yelp can be helpful)

Bring snacks and thermos with hot chocolate.

If you are going into NYC and are driving know where you are going to park and how you are going to get from place to place.
If you are taking the Ferry in I highly recommend the NYC waterway App which is a lifesaver for getting your bus back to the ferry terminal. You can even purchase you ferry tickets ahead of time and show the phone screen at the boat.

Hopefully these tips will make you event more enjoyable and now onto the events

Live Shows

The Nutcracker - Ballet

David H. Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center
Now through December 30th
Best Priced Seats starting at $29 are 11/29,12/4,5,6,11,12 (Mat & Eve)
nycballet.com or 212-496-0600

Paramus Catholic High School 425 Paramus Road Paramus NJ
Featuring the Internationally acclaimed Donetsk Ballet
Dec 7&8 at 7:00 PM Dec 9th at 2 PM
Tickets are $35-$40
201-670-4422

Arts and Crafts Shows
Saturday December 1 9 am-4 pm
Christmas Craft boutique & bake sale
St. Philip the Apostle school
797 Valley Road Clifton NJ
Free Admission over 40 Vendors

Sunday December 2 10 am -4 pm
Indoor Arts and Craft Show
Clifton Jewish Center
18 Delaware Street Clifton NJ
973-772-3131

December 1-2 11 am - 5 pm
Hoboken City Hall Holiday Craft Fair
94 Washington Street
for more information goto hobokennj.org or call 201-239-6639

House Tours


Van Riper-Hopper House Museum
Dutch American Holidays-Living History
Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 2 12:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Period decorations, music, holiday food and games of the past at Van Riper-Hopper House Museum
533 Berdan Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470
Admission:$5 adult; $1 child
973-694-7192

Candlelight Christmas Tour and Tea
Saturday Dec 1
Tea at 2:00 and Tour betwenn 3:30 - 7:00 pm
$25 per person
http://historicinnsofspringlake.com/specials.htm
For tickets and information, call 732-449-0577 or 732-449-9090

Model Trains
Ramapo Valley Model Railroad Club Holiday Show
12/2, 12/9 and 12/16 1-4 pm
620 Cliff Ave Ho-Ho-Kus NJ
Annual Holiday open house featuring more than 500 feet of mainline track
845-359-0746

Holiday Model Railroad Sound and Light Show
11/30,12/2 and 12/7-9
295 Jefferson Ave Union NJ
tmrci.com 908-964-9724

Train Festival
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Drive Camden NJ
Model Trains, Crafts, and a reading of The Polar Express
Check dates
856-365-8733


Real Trains

The Santa Train
December 8, 2012
Westfield station ( between North Avenue and South Avenue at the foot of Summit Avenue)
Raritan station (between Thompson Street and Anderson Street, 1/4 mile south of Route 202
The Jersey Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus is operating a Santa Claus Special for the kids.  The train departs from Raritan at 8:30 AM and also from the eastbound platform (off South Avenue) of the Westfield Station in Westfield at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There is no afternoon departure from Raritan. The trip features Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus along with a few of Santa's helpers. There are sing-a-longs, candy canes and coloring books for the kids. In addition, each car on the train features a drawing for a trainset; that's ten train sets per trip! The trains operate west to Highbridge, NJ and back, a two hour trip. Santa pays a visit to each car and is more than happy to pose for pictures with the kids. This year, tickets are only $14.00 for adults and $12.00 for children age 1 to 12. Children under 1 are FREE. So join Santa and the crew for two hours of fun and Christmas joy!!!
To Purchase tickets & infomation visit
http://www.jcrhs.org/santa.html  JCRHS Hotline (908) 233-3603 or email at webmaster@jcrhs.org.

Whippany Railway Museum's 21st Annual Santa Claus Special
The Santa Claus Special departs the Whippany station on:Sunday, December 2 Saturday, December 8 Sunday, December 9 Saturday, December 15 Sunday, December 16, 2012
The 10-mile, 45-minute round trip excursion from Whippany to Roseland and return allows riders time to enjoy the Spirit of the Season and the merriment on the train. All of our past trips over the last 20 years have been virtual sell-outs, and seeing the excited faces of the children as they climb aboard the Christmas Holiday-decorated trains, ensures an afternoon of Family Fun. During each excursion, Santa makes his way through the train and visits with every child onboard. Santa's helpers follow along, giving the kids a special gift from Santa. Be sure to bring your camera and take pictures of the kids with Santa, so they can always remember their day onboard the train! order tickets on line at https://www.dynamicticketsolutions.com/wrym/ Any available walk up tickets go on sale at the Museum ticket office each operating day at 12 Noon.
(973) 887-8177


Tree Lightnings and Holiday Festivals 
Nov 28th 80th Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center
The 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 with live and taped performances from 7-9 PM, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions will watch it live across the globe. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 11pm on January 7th, 2013.
https://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/2012/11/28/2012-rockefeller-center-tree-lighting/

Holiday Light Show
Nov 26-Jan 2
Lake Meone in Historic Smithville
615 East Moss Mill Road
Over 100 Christmas trees float magically on the lake in this orchestrated show of lights and music
609-748-8999

Festival of Trees
11/27-12/2
Red Mill Museum Village
56 Main Street Clinton NJ
Dozens of Beautifully decorated trees dot the village
908-735-0914

Season of Light
Sat & Sun now through 12/30 3-4 PM
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street Newark NJ
Holiday Planetarium show traces many of the worlds holiday customs
From Santa Claus and the Yiule Log to Christmas Tree Lights and the Hanukah menorah

Christmas in Cape May
Now through Jan/3
Seaside Town is transformed into a Dickens Holiday Village Christmas Celebration

Christmas Tree and Neapolitian Baroque Creche
Metropolitian Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Ave NYC
11/20-1/6
A vivid eighteenth Centure Nativity scene and lighting ceremonies

Annual Origami Tree
American Museum of Natural History 79th Street NYC
11/21-1/2
The display pays tribute to some of the museums biggest and best
including the Blue Whale, Dinosaurs, and the Space Shuttle
212-769-5100

Family day at the Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Ave Montclair NJ
December 2nd
Participate in a day of Museum wide art activities
973-746-5555

Downtown for the Hoilidays in Ridgewood
11/30 5:30 pm -9 pm (Lighting takes place at 7:30)
Annual Tree Lighting ceremony
Live music and theatrical Performances
Food Games and lots of Holiday Cheer

Happy Holidays

Harry Potter Spells

If you are going to be a character from Harry Potter for Halloween this year. Why not get into the spirit and cast a few spells while you are in character.
If you want to repair an object just say: Accio Repairo.
To levitate an object say: Wingardium Leviosa.
To open locked objects say: Alohomora.
Expecto Patronum  Conjures an incarnation of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy or hope, known as a Patronus.
Here is a video with All Eight Harry Potter Movies (Just the spells)

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RideYourBike: West Milford Pump Track

Got Kids who like to ride their bikes. Why not pay a visit to the West Milford Pump track where your little Kenevil can challenge themselves and hone their skills.
Dont quite know what a pumptrack is click here to get all the details
RideYourBike: West Milford Pump Track

Boo at the Zoo 2012

Boo is Back!
Celebrate a New York Halloween tradition
Come visit our bats, tiger cubs, and creepy-crawly critters and enjoy the crisp fall weather at the zoo. Take the family on a hayride, explore a Haunted Mansion, and enjoy music, magic and more. Treat stations around the park will sweeten your visit. Buy four or more tickets online and get a free limited edition Boo at the Zoo Snake Hat
weekends September 29-October 28, 2012.

Creepy Hollows Hayride Enjoy a thrilling hay ride beneath a canopy of beautiful fall foliage past the Birds of Prey exhibit and through the animated town of "Creepy Hollows." The ride includes a look at an abandoned town where anything can happen, so watch out for crashing crates, shaky houses, and strange creatures. The adventure is accompanied by spooky Halloween music. Hayride admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.

The Haunting at Habitat Mansion The Habitat Mansion, once owned by wildlife conservationist Dr. Benton Broome, is said to be the most haunted landmark in the Bronx Zoo. Dr. Broome left his legacy of preserving animal wildlife, habitats and conserving the earth's precious ecological resources to his son, Dusty. But Dusty is not up for the challenge and the ghost of his father wants to ensure the memory of all endangered species is not forgotten. In the Haunted Habitat mansion, ghosts of the past, visions of extinct animals, and the messages of Dr. Broome's ghostly house servants encourage guests to remember the importance of protecting wildlife from the threat of extinction. Mansion admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.

Costume Parade Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside a giant python and 8 foot witch on stilts as well as other creatures from the Alice Farley Dance Company. Time: Noon & 2:00 p.m. Location: Starts at Zoo Center

Hay Maze Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure. Purchase tickets online

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Open house at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

October 6th there is an Open house at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Fun events and attractions for the whole family there are over twenty exhibit tent and lectures throughout the day visit ledo.columbia.edu/open house for more information.