Liberty Science Center IMAX

Liberty Science Center

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address   222 Jersey City Blvd. Jersey City, NJ  07305 phone  (201) 200-1000 hours  Tue.-Fri. 9 am-4 pm, Sat.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm parking  $5 general adm  $15.75; $11.50 seniors and children 2-12; $5 teachers; additional fee for IMAX and 3D films www.lsc.org

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IMAX and Theater Shows  NatureTravel to fascinating lands, through amazing ecosystems, into space and even back in time with eye-popping films shown on the nation's largest IMAX Dome screen. With images completely filling your field of vision, you'll feel a part of the action! Purchase advance tickets by calling 201.253.1310 or e-mail sales@lsc.org for more information. • Kid Friendlywww.naturefind.com Ages: All ages Price: Included in admission  • Fri 2/11 at 9am   • Sat 2/12 at 9am   • Sun 2/13 at 9am   • Mon 2/14 at 9am   • Tue 2/15 at 9am   • Thu 2/17 at 9am   • Fri 2/18 at 9am   • Sat 2/19 at 9am   • Sun 2/20 at 9am   • Mon 2/21 at 9am   • Tue 2/22 at 9am   • Thu 2/24 at 9am   • Fri 2/25 at 9am   • Sat 2/26 at 9am   • Sun 2/27 at 9am   • Mon 2/28 at 9am   • Tue 3/1 at 9am   • Thu 3/3 at 9am   • Fri 3/4 at 9am   • Sat 3/5 at 9am   • Sun 3/6 at 9am   • Mon 3/7 at 9am   • Tue 3/8 at 9am   • Thu 3/10 at 9am   • Fri 3/11 at 9am   • Sat 3/12 at 9am   • Sun 3/13 at 9am   • Mon 3/14 at 9am   • Tue 3/15 at 9am   • Thu 3/17 at 9am   • Fri 3/18 at 9am   • Sat 3/19 at 9am   • Sun 3/20 at 9am   • Mon 3/21 at 9am   • Tue 3/22 at 9am   • Thu 3/24 at 9am   • Fri 3/25 at 9am   • Sat 3/26 at 9am   • Sun 3/27 at 9am   • Mon 3/28 at 9am   • Tue 3/29 at 9am   • Thu 3/31 at 9am

Raising Excellent Kids in an Insane World: Part 1 Self-Esteem

"Healthy self-esteem is a child's armor against the challenges of the world."

THINKSTOCK

"Not enough self-regard can lead people to become depressed, to fall short of their potential, or to tolerate abusive situations and relationships."
"Self-esteem is the experience of being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and of being worthy of happiness."
So go the self-esteem mongers, who for the past 50 years have managed to sell an idea to us that may not carry the weight they gave it. The way we seem to have translated this idea is that: a) we have to constantly praise our children; b) happiness is the most important thing in our lives; and c) as Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman put it, "... one of the self-esteem movement's key tenets: that praise, self-esteem, and performance rise and fall together."
When my daughter was younger - about 16 months - I had praised her for an activity she had accomplished. At that time, I started to think about how we use praise and what some of its purposes might be. Remember, we're told by experts to use praise as a way of encouraging our children's interest and/or as a device to build self esteem.
Between 1970 and 2000, apparently, more then 15,000 scholarly pieces were written regarding the connection of self-esteem to just about all things in our lives. Then, the Association for Psychological Science had Dr. Roy Baumeister (a leading champion of the idea of self-esteem) do a serious review of all these self-esteem writings.
Well, what the heck did Dr. Baumeister find? It seems it came down to only 200 studies that actually used scientifically-sound measurements. After a review of those, he came to the conclusion that having high self-esteem won't enhance grades, help you do better in your career, or lower violence. Believe it or not, it seems that very hostile, aggressive people have a high sense of themselves! So much for the notion of, "they're compensating for low self-esteem." Using praise incorrectly and at inappropriate times can actually be unproductive.
Dr. Baumeister now seems to think that the continued attractiveness of self-esteem is connected to parents' feelings about their children's accomplishments: "when they praise their kids, it's not that far from praising themselves." Also, from my point of view, it's easy. Easy to throw out "positive" words and not worry about doing the actual work of helping "produce" an excellent child.
What I have observed (and what researchers have found) is that not all praise is equal - and it should be targeted in use. For a nice overview on this topic, read Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's NurtureShock (the chapter called "The Inverse Power of Praise").
So, what is praise? How might we use it more effectively?
Check back in two weeks for a continuation on this topic.
Let me know your thoughts on this topic by leaving a comment here.
A Montclair resident, Frank Diaz can be reached at raisingexcellentkids@gmail.com.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

By FRANK DIAZ
COLUMNIST

North Jersey News Reports: Fun Indoors!!!!

Indoor amusement centers offer escapes in all weather

Monday, February 7, 2011 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2011, 10:18 AM

BY JIM BECKERMAN

THE RECORD

STAFF WRITER

Xanadu, the world’s first indoor amusement complex, was built by Kublai Khan more than 800 years ago.

TARIQ ZEHAWI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Liam Kong, 6, and Noah Lebowitz, 5, both of Hoboken, at the Bogota Golf Center.

This famed pleasure dome has proved an inspiration to today’s indoor amusement centers.
True, Xanadu had no indoor go-karts, boardwalk rides or miniature golf courses — to name some of the summery activities that, thanks to human ingenuity, North Jerseyans are now enjoying even in this most ghastly of winters.
But there were “sinuous rills,” the poet tells us. Also “a mighty fountain.” The BogotaGolf Center has both.
A great fountain, splashing over an outcrop of artificial rocks, bubbles through a vast indoor landscape of hills, dales, ravines and inclines. Here, miniature golfers can putt their bright red, blue and green balls to their hearts’ content, under the protection of a sheltering roof.

DON SMITH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Mathew Szawaluk, 14, of Glen Rock takes a turn in a batting cage at In the Swing in Waldwick.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no!” says Matthew Albert, 11, ofTeaneck, whose little blue ball has missed the first hole by several inches.
“This is just practice, this one,” he says.
Outside, the ground is snow-covered, the temperatures arctic. But indoors, you might be forgiven for thinking it’s April. Temperatures are moderate, the 18 holes are inviting, bits of live greenery dot the artificial landscape.
“Weekends are very big here,” says Bogota Golf Center manager Nancy Park, whose 10-year-old facility also offers indoor driving ranges, basketball games and batting cages. “People can’t play outside because of the snow.”

For indoor fun

Here's a sampling of indoor amusement attractions in the area.
* Bogota Golf Center: 30 Cross St., Bogota. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Free admission; pay-as-you-go attractions. 201-489-2400 or bogotagolfcenter.com.
* City Sports on 4: 62 Route 4 east, Englewood. Noon to 10 p.m. weekdays and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Sports center with indoor turf. Free admission, pay-as-you-go attractions. 201-567-1111 or citysportson4.com.
* Funtime Junction: 400 Fairfield Road, Fairfield. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday. $9.75 for children; free for adults. 973-882-9777 or funtimejunction.com.
* In the Swing: 145 Hopper Ave., Waldwick. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. ($5 for upstairs "playland.") 201-444-3556 or intheswing.biz.
* Monster Mini Golf: 49 E. Midland Ave., Paramus. 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays except holidays. $7.50 adults, $6.50 children. 201-261-0032 or monsterminigolf.com.
* Palisades Center: 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack, N.Y. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Indoor carousel and Ferris wheel. 845-348-1000 or palisadescenter.com.
* Paramus Park: 700 Paramus Park, off Route 17, Paramus. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Indoor carousel. 201-261-6108 or paramuspark.com.
* Velocity 17: 87 Route 17 north, Maywood. 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Free admission; pay-as-you-go attractions. 201-994-1200 or v-17.com.
* Westfield Garden State Plaza: 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Indoor carousel. 201-843-2121 or westfield.com/gardenstateplaza.
— Jim Beckerman

Ever since the first cloudburst spoiled the first picnic, amusement entrepreneurs have been looking for ways to maximize cash flow by making their concessions weatherproof. Steeplechase, the most famous amusement park of Coney Island’s golden age (it closed in 1964), was mostly indoors. So was Asbury Park’s late, lamented Palace Amusements, immortalized by Bruce Springsteen.
“They’re perfect for bad weather conditions,” says Colleen Mangone, spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, based in Alexandria, Va. “If it’s a rainy or snowy afternoon, they provide a great venue for moms and dads to spend time with their kids.”
Ray Winslow would agree. To entertain his grandson, Orin, 9, they head to In the Swing, an indoor entertainment center in Winslow’s town ofWaldwick, where there are batting cages, indoor playgrounds (for kids ranging from toddler to age 7) and arcade games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Hoop It Up Basketball.
“If kids can’t go out and play, I’d rather have them in here playing games than home watching television,” Winslow says.
Here and there, traditional boardwalk amusements can also be found indoors. At Funtime Junction in Fairfield, kids can take a flight on a helicopter ride that stays well below the ceiling. At the Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., kids can ride a three-story Ferris wheel or a double-decker carousel, all in the comfort of a climate-controlled shopping mall.
“They would go to the beach in the summer,” says Fernando Mora of Yonkers, N.Y., who was taking his kids Santiago, 5, and Sofia, 3, for a spin on the Palisades carousel. “This is as close as they get in the winter.”
In fact, almost anything can be put under a roof, if the roof is big enough. Even a whole racetrack, in the case of Velocity 17 in Maywood — where speed demons can get their Dale Earnhardt on as they zoom along a 2,000-foot track at the breathtaking speed of 35 mph.
It actually does feel breathtaking in the imported Bowman go-karts, says Velocity 17 President Jerry Joseph. “You’re 1 inch off the ground, so you feel like you’re going 75 mph,” Joseph says. “The kart handles like a Formula One car.”
The need for speed is enough to lure Maureen Piccione and her husband, John, all the way from Brooklyn almost every weekend. But they visit Velocity 17 (it also boasts an indoor playground, pedal cars and other attractions) most often in the winter, Maureen says.
After all, what else is there to do?
“We can do this even when it’s snowing,” she says.
E-mail: beckerman@northjersey.com

FREE Play Group Offered!

Playgroup to be offered on Thursdays

Thursday, February 3, 2011 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2011, 1:23 AM

PASCACK VALLEY COMMUNITY LIFE

Temple Emanuel
Woodcliff Lake – The temple plans on offering a playgroup for mothers and infants up to 12 months old.
The free program will be held twice a month on Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants in the playgroup come from many towns in the area including Hillsdale,Mahwah, Montvale, Upper Saddle River, Washington Township and Woodcliff Lake.
The program is sponsored by Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Program and is facilitated by Parent/Child Program Coordinator and long-time ECP staff member Lisa Lonschein.
Temple Emanuel Playgroup will be held at the synagogue, 87 Overlook Drive in Woodcliff Lake. The group will be held in the Youth Lounge, which has a direct entrance from the driveway.
Upcoming dates for the playgroup are Feb. 3 and 17, March 3 and 17, April 7 and 28, May 5 and 19 and June 2.
Pre-registration is not necessary.
For more information call 201-391-8329 or e-mail amy@tepv.org.
Information is also available on other classes for children ages one through five.

Nothing Says "I Love You" Like a Cockroach....

Bronx Zoo Promotes Creepy Crawly Cockroach Gift

February 9, 2011 3:22 PM

Out of Valentine’s Day gift ideas? Consider naming a cockroach after your loved one. (Photo: The Wildlife Conservation Society)

BRONX (CBSNewYork) – They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But this Valentine’s Day, you can get your girlfriend a new best friend.

An exhibit at the Bronx Zoo is filled with thousands of nameless cockroaches, and for a small price, you can have one named after a loved one.

RELATED: Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide

The $10 price tag benefits the Wildlife Conservation Society, and gets the recipient an e-card with the name announcement.

“Nothing says forever like a cockroach,” said Jim Breheny, Senior VP for Living Institutions and Director of the Bronx Zoo. “They are resourceful, resilient, and have been around for hundreds of millions of years.”

For more information, click here.

Lots to do at the Montvale Library!!!!!

What’s coming up in February and March at the Montvale Library Children’s Department!

Registration for Winter Story hour is over and most of our story hours are full.
Some story hours have waiting lists so if you have signed up and will not be
attending please call so someone can take your spot.  Also, if you are going to
bring a friend to story hour, please let us know so we can have sufficient materials
for craft.  If you have any concern that the library maybe closed because of
weather, please call before making the trip over here.  We will be extending story
hour for one week because of all the snow cancellations.  From Monday – Thursday we
will now be closing at 9pm.
And please, please show your support for the library by checking out books when you
come to story hour!

Ok, back to fun stuff…


Artist Peri will be at the library  on Sun., February 13th for Paper making workshop
for ADULTS.  Registration is required. There is also a $20 fee for this program for
materials and you will receive a deckle (used to make paper) so that you can make
decorative paper at home out of junk mail and paper scraps!  This program is for
adults but older children are welcome to accompany a registered/ paid parent.  Call
for more information. Art Club with Artist Peri will meet on Thursday, Feb. 17th at 4:30pm.  This program
is for children in 2nd grade and up.  Registration is required in person only.

The 3 rd and 4th grade book club, which usually meets on the second Friday of the
month, will meet on the third Friday of February (the 18th) at 3:45pm.  The book we
are reading for this meeting is The Twits by Ronald Dahl.  Please call if you are
interested in joining.  We will go back to meeting on the 2nd Friday of the month in
March.

*The library is closed  on Monday, February 21st in honor of Presidents day.  We will
have story hour as scheduled the rest on the week.* Night Time Story hour will be on Wed., Feb. 23rd at 6:30pm for children ages 3 and
up.  Don’t forget to wear your PJs. Registration is required and will only be taken
in person.

Our first Kids cooking club will meet on Thurs., Feb 24th at 4:00pm.  This club will
be for student in 1st grade and up.   Registration is required in person.  We will
be learning about healthy foods, recipes, measuring, kitchen safety, and making
food!  This club will meet on the last Thursday of every month. On Friday, March 4th the Learning Experience will be visiting again for two special
story hours.  2 yr olds will meet at 10:30am and 3-4 yr olds will meet at 1:30pm.
Registration is required in person only.

3rd a nd 4th grade book club will meet on Friday, March 11th at 3:45pm.  The book for
this meeting will be picked at our February meeting.

On Monday, March 14th at 3:45pm, we welcome Mark the Magician for a special Luck o’
the Irish Magic show for children age 4 and up.  Registration is required in person
and will begin on February 28th.

On Wed., March 16th at 10:30am, we will be having a special Baby Sign Language class
with Fran Roesemann.  She incorporates music with sign language for little ones.
This will be a two part class meeting on March 16th and the 23rd. Registration is
required for this program in person only and will begin on Feb. 21st. Art Club with Artist Peri will meet on Thursday, March 17th at 4:30pm.  This program
is for children in 2nd grade and up.  Registration is required in person only. Night Time Story hour will be on Wed., Mar. 23rd at 6:30pm for children ages 3 and
up.  Don’t forget to wear your PJs. Registration is required and will only be taken
in person. Violin and Cello lessons will begin again on Saturday, March 26th.  Lessons are
FREE!  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to introduce your child to a new
instrument.  Instruments do have to be rented prior to start of lessons.  They can
be rented from Woodside Instruments in Park Ridge at a very reasonable price.
Please call Mrs. Giulia for more information about this program. http://www.stringsforlittlestars.com/

Tiny Tot Time

The Garfield Public Library is offering Tiny Tot Time where children along with their caregivers will quietly play with blocks, puzzles and toys. This quiet playtime gives both children and caregivers a chance to socialize and meet new friends.
Location: 500 Midland Ave Garfield, NJ 
Tickets: Registration required: 973-478-3800
Ages: All ages
Schedule
 • Thu 2/10 at 10am-11am  
 • Thu 2/17 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 2/24 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 3/3 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 3/10 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 3/17 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 3/24 at 10am-11am
 • Thu 3/31 at 10am-11am

Potty Training Basics

YM-YWHA of North Jersey

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address   1 Pike Dr. Wayne, NJ  07470 phone  (973) 595-0100 www.ymha-nj.org

Potty Training Basics  Every parent hopes that the process of potty training for them AND their child is quick and easy! This free workshop is led by Sandra Van Nest, LCSW, Social Worker, JFS of North Jersey, whose expertise is with children as well as families. She will provide important information and tips that will help you understand if your son or daughter is ready to be toilet trained and how to make this milestone as stress free as possible for both of you! Topics will include how to know when your toddler is ready for potty training and how to facilitate that readiness, strategies of potty training and how to choose which is right for your child and your family, what to do if there is a setback and coordinating preschool and home when potty training. Tickets: Registration required: /www.chiltonhealth.org/parenteducation.shtml Information: (973) 595-0100 Free Schedule  • Wed 2/9 at 7pm

One of North Jersey's Own! Go B.J.!!!!!

Westwood students rooting for hometown celebrity B.J. Raji

Friday, February 4, 2011
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2011, 5:56 PM

BY MELISSA HAYES

THE RECORD

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON TWP. – Chris Vieitez admits that he’s a N.Y. Giants fan, but on Sunday he’ll be rooting for the Green Bay Packers and hometown celebrity B.J. Raji.

AP

Green Bay Packers lineman and Westwood grad B.J. Raji answers a question during media day for NFL football Super Bowl XLV Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

“From Westwood High School to the NFL championship game – incredible,” the high school sophomore said.
Raji, who graduated fromWestwood in 2005, isn’t just a local celebrity. After his interception, touchdown return and celebratory dance in the Jan. 26 NFC Championship against the Chicago Bears, the 337-pound lineman has gained notoriety.
Students at Westwood Jr./Sr. Regional High School held a pep rally in Raji’s honor during lunch Friday. Many spoke in awe of his now-famous touchdown and student Christian Sapp even did the “BJ Raji Dance” during the brief event in the school’s gymnasium.
The eighth grade class held a rally for Raji Thursday, attended by his brother Ade Raji, a sophomore at the school.
Both events were taped and Assistant Principal Frank Connelly said the district plans to send the footage to Raji.
“We were just obviously excited about one of our own playing in the Super Bowl,” he said of the rallies. “We felt it was the least we could do.”
Raji’s brother wasn’t at Friday’s rally. But Connelly said he had a good excuse for missing school – he was travelling with his family to Dallas to watch Super Bowl XLV.
Vieitez wasn’t the only student who said they aren’t normally Packers fans but they will be Sunday.
“It’s pretty interesting because he once came from this school,” sophomore Amir Bayat said adding that Raji is his reason for cheering on Green Bay.
Ben Schurr who lives near Raji’s family said he was excited to watch the NFL draft and looks forward to seeing someone he knows play in the big game.
“I can’t wait,” Schurr said.
Schurr, who described the Packers as one of his “top five” teams, said it has been exciting to watch his neighbor play this season.
“Every time he gets a sack, we scream,” he said.
Even students who don’t follow the sport said they plan to watch Raji play.
“I’m not a football fan, but I would root for B.J. Raji,” sophomore Charles London said.
Sophomore Jay Wallace, a Steelers fan, said he’ll be rooting against Green Bay, but he still looks forward to seeing Raji in the game.
“I think it’s cool,” he said.
E-mail: hayes@northjersey.com