School's Out ... 10 Fun Things To Do
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It's that magical time of year again. The time between school and camp where the kids can sleep in, relax, go to the playground, pool, have endless playdates and get on your nerves. Just two days into summer break and you are all climbing the walls. A trip into the city is always an option. You can meet up with friends, wait on line at the American Girl Store or check out a museum. But, with several days to fill, there are things to do closer to home. This is in no way a definitive list but a few ideas. Feel free to share some of yours in the comments section below.
Outside Activities:
Muscoot Farm: Animals for the kids and history for you. This "Gentleman's Farm" was a dairy farm until the county took it over in the 1960s. Every Sunday there's a farmers market and an art gallery in the main house on weekends. The farm is located near Route 35 and 100 in Somers. http://www.muscootfarm.org
Pirates of The Hudson The Siege of Sleepy Hollow: Arrr! Before you have the kids walk the plank check this out. From July 2-4 Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow will hold its first ever pirate festival. Kids can take part in treasure hunts, run through a ship wreck and perfect their pirate patois (temporary tattoo included). Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for children under 18. 381 North Broadway, Route 9 in Sleepy Hollow, www.hudsonvalley.org
Saxon Woods Park: Right off the Hutch there is 700 acres for hiking, running, mini-golf and playgrounds. Saxon Woods boasts the county's largest swimming pool (county pass required) and a children's aquatic playground. Open 7 days a week from 8am-dusk. 1800 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains
Greenburgh Nature Center: Right off of Central Avenue is a little bit of wildlife. The GNC is a 33-acre nature preserve with trails, ponds and gardens. Inside the center kids can check out animals and reptiles. There is a wide range of weekend programs throughout the summer including Water Olympics, a puppet show and a storywalk. Space may be limited, but the GNC also offers camp to kids interested in the environment and animals. 90 Dromore Road, Scarsdale. www.Greenburghnaturecenter.org
Bronx Zoo: So, the cobra was a little unhappy, but the kids will love it. Top attractions include the Butterfly Garden, the Children's Zoo and a
LEGO Wildlife Expedition that's on from July-September. Ticket prices vary. Weekends get crowded so if you have a weekday off, go then. Also, even if your little one is a good walker, consider a stroller for your young pre-schooler. There is a lot of walking and a lot of hills. Off the Bronx River Parkway and Boston Road. http://www.bronxzoo.com/
Scarsdale Pool: Don’t forget special events closer to home at the Scarsdale Pool during July 4th weekend. The fireworks spectacular is planned for Friday night July 1st, scheduled to begin around 9:15 pm. And on Monday July 4th, the staff hosts a Carnival Day (for pool members only) with fun, games and races from 11 am – 4 pm. Visit www.Scarsdale.com for more details.
Inside Activities: Sometimes it’s just too hot or rainy to stay outside. Here’s a selection of what the great indoors has to offer:
The Scarsdale Public Library: From Baby Yoga to music classes to Chess Club for older kids, there is something happening nearly every day at the town’s library. Best of all, it’s all free. Check out www.Scarsdalelibrary.org for a calendar of events and to sign up.
Dino Dig: Go on your own expedition at this Mamaroneck spot. The kids will get a bucket and shovel so they can dig for fossils and other treasures. Call in advance to set up a time for a dig. The website says no drop offs. 914-381-3466. 300 Phillips Park Road in Mamaroneck. http://www.dinodigusa.com/
White Plains Bowl: Open every day from 9 am until midnight, this is a fun activity for families no matter what time of day. The Bowling Alley’s Summer Unplugged promotion allows kids under 16 to bowl for free (restrictions may apply). 47 Tarrytown Road, White Plains. http://www.amf.com/whiteplainslanes
Grand Prix: Go Karts, an arcade and a bouncy castle! Who needs to play outside with this massive play space up in Bedford Hills. Big kids and grown ups will speed along in go-karts on the inside track. Little kids can jump for hours on the bouncy castle. There is also a full service restaurant complete with ‘grown up’ beverages. 333 North Bedford Rd. Mt. Kisco. Check for hours and availability since they vary at 914-241-3131 or www.gpny.com.
Jen is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.
Sparkling New Salon Opens Downtown
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Christie Place has come to life – the new apartments are almost all occupied, Chat is busy day and night and several new retailers are opening on the ground floor of the complex. This week we stopped into Julius Michael Hair Salon at 1 Christie Place. The salon has been open for a few weeks and according to owner’s Monica and Michael, business has been brisk.
It’s no surprise as the space has been sleekly designed and beautifully appointed – with bright white walls, a black slate floor, mirrored customer stations and cool salon seating. The space is enhanced by floor to ceiling windows and high ceilings that give it a feeling of spaciousness.
We were greeted by Monica Wald of Armonk who reports that she met Michael when she was his customer at another venue. A talented stylist, Michael yearned to go out on his own, and after they became friends, the two decided to go into business together. When the new space became available in Scarsdale they jumped at it, realizing that Scarsdale offered a strong customer base, a lively downtown and ample parking in the new garage
They took a long-term lease and undertook a major construction project, spending lavishly on the setting.
On the day we visited, the salon was filled with men and woman getting haircuts, blow dries, straightening, highlights and dyes. 
Michael, along with a staff of 12 can do it all.
The new spot got some added buzz when it was revealed that Michael and his 18 year-old daughter Gabrielle have been approached by MTV to star in a new reality TV show. But we won’t give away all the details on that – stop by yourself and meet the star.
Satisfied that we had covered all of our bases, we asked to meet the Julius in Julius Michael Salon. Turns out there is no Julius – that’s just a name Michael gave himself years back when he worked at a salon with three Michael’s and needed to end the confusion.
Julius Michael Salon
1 Christie PlaceScarsdale, NY 10583
914-725-1123
Open Tuesday – Saturday, and by appointment Sunday and Monday
Runway to Remember
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On June 4th, LF stores sponsored a "Runway to Remember" to fund pediatric cancer research at Chase Park in Scarsdale. Runway models from Scarsdale and Edgemont high school sported outfits from LF stores and Rothman's. The event was a "kids helping kids" effort and primarily organized by the girls working at LF stores. A t-shirt was designed by Olivia Gold with the words "Find a Cure." This was a huge effort to bring the community together for a cause. Thank you to the 26 stores who participated in the event, listed below. LF stores, Gregory Gillin, La Dentelliere and La Dentelliere at Home donated a very generous 10% of sales for the day and the other stores participated by flat donations or donations of goods. All funds were donated to tay-bandz/kids curing cancer. Tay-bandz/kids curing cancer is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding pediatric cancer research.
Thanks to the following retailers for your support:
- Courage b
- Dunkin Donuts
- Giannoini’s
- Gregory Gilin
- Haagan Dazs
- Holsten Jewelers
- Houlihan Lawrence Realty
- Julius Michael Scarsdale Hair Salon
- La Dentelliere, Inc.
- La Dentelliere At Home
- Langes
- Learning Express
- LF Stores
- Petticoat Lane
- Pro Sports Physical Therapy
- Scarsdale Candy & Cards
- Scarsdale Spencer Pharmacy
- Sotheby’s International Reality
- Space.NK
- The Scarsdale Flower Shop
- Rothman's
- Tsevis Furs of Scarsdale
- Villa Roma
- Verizon
- Wilson & Son Jewelers
- Zachy’s Wine & Liquor, Inc.
Lemonaid Time
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On Saturday, June 11, Scarsdale’s kids sold lemonade around town to benefit the thousands of families who are living in poverty in New York City. The kids sported Lemonaid t-shirts and raised funds for the Robin Hood Foundation.
The Robin Hood Foundation partners with more than 240 of the best poverty-fighting nonprofit organizations in New York City. They initiate and run projects where they see unmet community needs. And they created and operate a 9/11 Relief Fund. While there is great diversity among these programs, they all have one thing in common: They work. Learn more here:
End of Year Events in Edgemont
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The month kicked off on June 1st, with the AP Art exhibit and the high school senior awards ceremony, where dozens of awards are handed out to students in all four grades. It is a wonderful evening where families, students and faculty come together to celebrate the academic, athletic and community achievements of students. On June 2nd, the Spring Sports Awards were handed out to all the students who participated in modified, junior varsity and varsity spring sports. Then on Monday, June 6th, the EHS Filmmaker's Club will present their first film, Budget Cuts, at 6:30 and 7:30 pm, in the school's auditorium. On Tuesday, June 7th, the high school will host Open Mic Night. Performances will starts at 6:30 pm. Finally on June 8th, classes will officially end at the junior /senior high school and final exams start on the following day.
In the lower grades, the kindergarteners at Greenville celebrate their end of year by having a family picnic on June 17th where kids and the families gather on picnic blankets outside to enjoy a beautiful lunch together. On the same day, the first graders host their annual "Donuts with Dads" where everyone brings in their fathers and grandfathers to enjoy breakfast together. The kids all take turns reciting special poems written about their fathers. The first grade also hosted "Muffins With Mom" in May where mothers and grandmothers enjoyed their breakfast with the kids. The second graders celebrate their end of year with a trip to the Bronx Zoo. And one of the most exciting June events is the annual Colonial Fair celebration for the fourth graders at the Greenville School, when the grade travels back in time and spends an amazing day living in the colonial times.
The junior high kids will celebrate their end of year on June 8th when the whole junior high heads for the school fields for their annual field day event. The two grades are broken up into teams identified by matching color t-shirts and have a fun-filled afternoon playing crazy sports games against each other. Earlier that day, students will be recognized for special achievements at the junior high awards ceremony. The seniors at the high school celebrate their upcoming graduation at the Senior Prom, which this year will be held at the Surf Club in New Rochelle on Friday, June 10th. Another annual June tradition is senior video night on Wednesday, June 15th where seniors gather with faculty to enjoy dinner and view a dvd of special moments of the past year. Each senior goes home with a copy of the dvd.
The weeks leading up to graduation are marked with special yearbook distribution times at all three schools when everyone who ordered a yearbook gets their yearbooks and spends time looking through their memento-filled books and kids and teachers sign everyone's yearbooks. It is customary at all three schools to include pictures of every child in every grade in each school's yearbook so many families start their yearbook collections when their kids are in kindergarten and purchase the keepsake every year.
Finally, no month of June would be complete without the graduations and moving up ceremonies. All three schools will have their ceremonies on Thursday, June 23rd. Grenville will kick off the day at 9 am, followed by Seely Place at 11 am, ending with the senior high school commencement at 6:30 pm. Everyone is hoping for a sunny June 23rd this year. Congratulations to all the graduates.
Pictured at top: Fourth Graders at the Colonial Fair
