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May 31, 2008
Kids' movies @ al fresco film fests
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'Tis the season for FREE outdoor movies in the DC area... and this year there are more kids' flicks among them than ever before. Here are some best bets:
Cox "Movies Under the Moon" in Fairfax (Van Dyck Park)
Movies start at approximately 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30, so arrive early to stake out your low beach chairs or blanket. Food, beverages, and popcorn sold on-site to benefit the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. Their lineup begins June 18 with "Shrek 3," June 19 with "Transformers," June 20 with "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," June 21 with "Hairspray," and ending June 22 with "Bee Movie."
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Alexandria (Bob Brenman Park)
Movies start at 8:30 p.m. and run Friday-Saturday, July 18-19. Lineup of films TBA, but some kids' selections are planned.
Bethesda Outdoor Movies (Auburn @ Norfolk Aves.)
Movies start at 9 p.m., nightly from July 29-August 2. Lineup of films TBA, but some kids' selections are planned.
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival at the Mansion at Strathmore (N. Bethesda/Rockville)
Movies are shown nightly at 8:30 p.m., August 15-23. Gates open at 6:30, so arrive early to stake out your spot. Not all nights are for children, but kids' flicks will include "Bee Movie" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Food booths featuring local restaurants will donate a portion of proceeds to the NIH Children's Charities.
Posted by Sarah at 10:52 AM. Permanent link to "Kids' movies @ al fresco film fests."
May 29, 2008
Weekend Watch: Dragon Boat Races (for real this time) & the Herndon Festival
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Good news: The Dragon Boat Races have been rescheduled for this weekend, and will be held Saturday and Sunday on the Potomac at the Georgetown/Kennedy Center waterfront. A fun spectator sport for little ones (and their grownups)!
Also... Out in VA it's the Annual Herndon Festival, today through Sunday. Very family-oriented, with children's carnival rides and games, live music and kids' entertainers, hands-on arts and crafts, a model train exhibit, and fireworks on Saturday night. Parking is said to be almost nonexistent, so be sure to read carefully about the shuttle service from the nearby high school and shopping center parking lots.
Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 8:56 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Dragon Boat Races (for real this time) & the Herndon Festival."
May 28, 2008
Sarah's work published in new book: The Maternal is Political
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Most days, being a writer falls distinctly short on both glamour and profit. And although relative poverty is a permanent condition for a scribe, every now and then the universe throws you a bone in the glamour department. Today is one of those days for me!
I'm excited to see my work published in a new book, The Maternal is Political: Women Writers at the Intersection of Motherhood & Social Change (Seal Press, 2008). And I'm utterly honored to be in the company of contributors including Anna Quindlen, Barbara Kingsolver, Marion Winik, Anne Lamott, Benazir Bhutto, Nancy Pelosi, Cindy Sheehan, founder of MomsRising.org Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, and many others. I've been reading and admiring some of these women since I was a teenager!
Many thanks to Seal Press and fabulous editor Shari MacDonald Strong for believing in my writing and putting it in such fine company.
Posted by Sarah at 10:18 AM. Permanent link to "Sarah's work published in new book: The Maternal is Political."
May 22, 2008
Free kids' sing-alongs & storytimes at PBK stores
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Granted, you might be overly tempted to shop shop shop while you're there... But as a nice respite from the summer heat, DC-area Pottery Barn Kids stores will be hosting FREE children's sing-alongs, featuring live performances from local kids' musicians.
Here are the upcoming gigs:
Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax
Two performances, 10 and 11 a.m.
June 5: C. Shells
August 29: Oh Susannah!
Tysons Corner Center, Mclean
Two performances, 10 and 11 a.m.
June 5: Bill Wellington
July 23: Oh Susannah!
White Flint Mall, N. Bethesda/Rockville
Two performances, 10 and 11 a.m.
July 23: Bill Wellington
August 27: Oh Susannah!
Some PBK stores are also offering Tuesday storytimes. Enjoy!
Posted by Sarah at 4:52 PM. Permanent link to "Free kids' sing-alongs & storytimes at PBK stores."
May 21, 2008
Discount code for 20% off Britax!
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Thank you, Amazon! I'm happy to share a discount code for another Britax sale.
You can save 20% on the purchase of any two or more Britax products, now through May 31. Just enter this "claim code" at checkout: BRITAX20.
We took advantage of Amazon's last sale to get our newborn's car seat - as well as the new Britax Vigour stroller that's compatible with the seat. And with big sister ready to upgrade to a booster, we'll be going with Britax again. Can't beat the heavy-duty quality and safety ratings. Doesn't come cheap - So enjoy the 20% off while it lasts.
Posted by Sarah at 10:41 AM. Permanent link to "Discount code for 20% off Britax!."
May 20, 2008
Movie nights continue at The Family Room
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The Family Room on Capitol Hill, which just celebrated its first anniversary, continues its Family Dinner & Movie Nights on Friday evenings. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., with the movie at 6:30 - and kids are welcome to wear their pajamas!
Coming soon:
May 23 - The Lion King
May 30 - Pocahontas
June 6 - Enchanted
June 13 - Toy Story 2
June 20 - Annie
June 27 - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
The movie is free with admission. Cost for dinner, popcorn, and drinks is $5 per child; adult advance purchase $10 members, $12 non-members; adults at the door $12 members, $14 non-members.
Speaking of movies and kids... I recently discovered the online reviews from CommonSense Media, and I've found them very helpful in making decisions about movies that are appropriate (or not) for my four-year-old - who, like her parents, is a bit of a filmophile.
Now, if I could just sneak away from my hausfrau responsibilities to catch Sex & the City...
Posted by Sarah at 11:40 AM. Permanent link to "Movie nights continue at The Family Room."
May 17, 2008
Here's to Mama's health
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To mark National Women's Health Week, Revolution Health has set up an online Women's Health Expo, with info contributed by national nonprofits on topics like pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; mental health; fitness; healthy weight; breast cancer; heart disease, etc. And each time you visit one of the virtual "booths," the nonprofit organization gets a donation from Revolution Health to support its good work.
Be sure to check out their momScore feature, too. Fascinating stuff about how the DC area compares to other parts of the country for maternal health.
Posted by Sarah at 8:58 PM. Permanent link to "Here's to Mama's health."
May 16, 2008
Weekend Watch: Asian Street Festival in DC
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The coolest ticket in town this weekend: the annual Fiesta Asia Street Festival in DC and the Dragon Boat Races at the Georgetown waterfront.
The street festival takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Pennsylvania Ave. (between 3rd and 6th Sts. NW), with Pan-Asian foods, live performances of music and dance, a parade, martial arts demonstrations, artisans, and a lion dance competition. FREE admission.
The Dragon Boat Races run both Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. on the Potomac River. From the Georgetown waterfront you can see the 60+ dragon boat teams race against each other, as well as live Taiwanese dance and music performances (including the famous Ten Drum Art percussion group). FREE admission. For the best views, head to the Thompson's Boathouse Center (2900 Virginia Ave. NW).
UPDATE from reader Allison Riley, who says, "The Dragon Boat Races have been postponed until further notice, due to the flood conditions on the Potomac." Stay tuned for the reschedule date. But the street festival is still ON, and the weather is expected to clear in time to enjoy it!
Posted by Sarah at 10:20 AM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Asian Street Festival in DC."
May 15, 2008
New children's bookstore coming to Old Town
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Breaking news! A new children's bookstore will be opening soon in Old Town Alexandria, in the King St. space formerly occupied by A Likely Story (whose sad demise I reported in November).
Hooray for Books is scheduled to open sometime this summer, and we can hardly wait to turn out and support them. Hope my Alexandria readers will do the same! Independent bookstore owners focusing on children and families are facing a very tough market, so we need to show them the love!
Stay tuned for grand opening details...
Posted by Sarah at 9:15 AM. Permanent link to "New children's bookstore coming to Old Town."
May 14, 2008
"Summer Camp for Preschoolers" in NW DC
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Good news for those of you scrambling to make summer plans for your kids: Jonah's Treehouse in Glover Park, NW DC will be offering a brand-new Summer Camp for Preschoolers program, June 9 through August 22.
This half-day, drop-off program for ages three to five will be held in two sessions: Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Monday through Friday afternoons. Movement activities, cooperative games, art projects, snacks, stories, and music are on the schedule.
A brilliant solution to the preschool's-out-for-the-summer blues.
Posted by Sarah at 2:10 PM. Permanent link to ""Summer Camp for Preschoolers" in NW DC."
May 13, 2008
Stroller rally for child product safety
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Fed up with all the recalls? You can do something about it. Consumer advocacy groups have organized a "stroller rally for toy and product safety" on Capitol Hill, this Thursday the 15th starting with a press conference at 10 a.m. at Upper Senate Park (Constitution Ave. between New Jersey and Delaware Aves.) Local parents and their children are invited to take part.
You've read the headlines that made 2007 "the year of the recall." From toxic paint on imported Thomas the Tank Engine toys to BPA in baby bottles to the injury-prone Polly Pocket magnets to pthalates in baby bath soaps. Then, in December of last year, the U.S. House of Reps responded to public demands by passing legislation to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ban lead in children's products, and increase scrutiny of imported toys. In March, the Senate passed its own CPSC reform proposal, which also bans phthalates - dangerous developmental toxins - in children's products.
The next step for the House and Senate bills is a conference that brings together the two pieces of legislation. The stroller rally is intended to give Congress the message that we want to see the strongest possible combination of these bills pass.
For more info about the rally, contact Erin Wingo at U.S. PIRG: ewingo-at-pirg-dot-org or 202.546.9707.
Posted by Sarah at 12:00 PM. Permanent link to "Stroller rally for child product safety."
May 12, 2008
Coming soon to Bethesda: Hot Mama fitness studio
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Local personal trainer Vionna Jones is opening a new women's fitness studio in Bethesda, just for expectant and new (or even not-so-new) mothers: Hot Mama Fitness will offer prenatal fitness and yoga classes, as well as fitness classes that allow moms to bounce back after having a baby.
What I like most about this concept is that it creates a social space where women can get support - along with the workout - and connect with other expectant and new mothers. Childcare will be available! (Almost unheard of at DC-area fitness centers.) And Vionna tells me the studio will also offer nutrition education and services, as well as workshops on a variety of topics.
Evening classes begin in June. And the grand opening is set for September 6. To sign up for their newsletter and register for classes, go to www.hotmamafitnessstudio.com.
Posted by Sarah at 11:29 AM. Permanent link to "Coming soon to Bethesda: Hot Mama fitness studio."
May 9, 2008
Weekend Watch: Ode to mama
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It's Mother's Day... and boy do you mothers deserve the five-star treatment. Pass this along to your family if they need some suggestions for honoring and pampering you this weekend (and trust me, they do):
If you haven't yet selected a gift, shop to it. Pronto. Something handmade by the children is also a nice touch. Click here for gifts you must NOT give.
No cooking, no cleanup. Take mama out to brunch. (And to minimize crowd-stress, go extra-early or make a reservation!)
Plan a low-key outing to enjoy Washington's springtime blooms (and get a nice little photo opp of mom with her kiddos).
Last but not least, give her some uninterrupted sleep. The greatest gift of all! You can even send her one of these humorous e-cards from the Sleep Foundation to let her know that rest, sweet rest, is coming her way.
Happy day, one and all!
Posted by Sarah at 12:59 PM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: Ode to mama."
May 8, 2008
May 19: "Keeping Kids Safe" seminar in Arlington
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An important event for all of us who are concerned about the safety of our little ones: On Monday, May 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool will host a seminar open to the public. This child safety educational event will be led by Lt. Brett Butler of the Arlington County Police Department Special Victims Unit and Graciela Cerda, director of the Arlington County Child Advocacy Center.
The evening promises to be both informative and thought-provoking, with professional guidance of the discussion on how to keep our kids safe in an unsafe world. Topics will include teaching your children about strangers, protecting your child from sexual abuse and abduction, Internet safe practices, and any related topics participants bring to the table.
Cost is $15 per person or $25 per family. Payment at the door on the night of the seminar, but please direct your questions and RSVPs to: eileen.piper-at-verizon-dot-net.
The event will be held in the lower level of the church in the preschool activity room. Arlington Unitarian is located at 4444 Arlington Blvd., on the southwest corner of Rt. 50 and George Mason Dr.
Thanks to DCB reader Eileen Piper for sharing this announcement. Eileen is an inspiration and a great resource on this tough but vital subject. She's a local mother of two, a former prosecutor in the District of Columbia, a survivor of child sexual abuse, and married to a forensic scientist who processes evidence from crimes in which children are victimized. She's also a parent at the hosting preschool, and a strong advocate for DC-area families.
Posted by Sarah at 10:26 AM. Permanent link to "May 19: "Keeping Kids Safe" seminar in Arlington."
May 7, 2008
McLean MOMS Club wants YOU!
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Thanks to reader Julie Brown for sharing this announcement: The MOMS Club of McLean, VA is in the midst of a membership drive, and they invite you to join.
This support group for professional and stay-at-home mothers and their children is for residents of McLean, Great Falls, and Dunn Loring (zip codes 22101, 22102, 22066, and 22027). Julie says,
"We are a relatively new branch of the nonprofit MOMs Club International, with a growing membership...a combination of both working and stay-at-home mothers. We're extremely diverse in interests, children's ages and activities. We try to have about one event a week if not more, which can range from a general meeting at a library, a playgroup at the park, a tea at someone's home or a free afternoon of music at a local coffeehouse. If you are interested in joining our chapter, have any questions, or would like to see a sample calendar, please email mcleanmomsclub-at-yahoo-dot-com. We encourage prospective members to attend two public events to get a sense of who we are before joining. We welcome you! By the way, all activities are voluntary: You attend what you can, when you'd like to. We have an annual dues of $25, which goes toward newsletter mailings, supplies, special events, guest speakers, etc., but we can accommodate a member who wishes to participate with special financial needs."
Posted by Sarah at 11:38 AM. Permanent link to "McLean MOMS Club wants YOU!."
May 6, 2008
New Takoma Park children's shop celebrates Mother's Day
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Did you know? There's a new (and utterly adorable) children's boutique in Takoma Park! The Pajama Squid, located near the Takoma metro station on the red line (7320 Carroll Ave.), will celebrate Mother's Day with a FREE event this Friday, May 9.
DC-area writer Lorraine Gordon will speak and sign copies of her book, Dancing with Momspirations, from 6 to 7 p.m. Stop by to meet Lorraine, check out the store, and enjoy some light refreshments. (I understand those luscious mini-cupcakes from Cake Love will be on hand.)
FYI, The Pajama Squid sells both from their Takoma Park storefront and their virtual store online. And they were featured this week by CoolMomPicks, offering a special discount through June 4 and the chance to win a giveaway prize.
Congrats to owner Tiffany King for bringing new children's retail to the neighborhood! To learn more, give them a ring at 301.560.7956.
Posted by Sarah at 10:21 AM. Permanent link to "New Takoma Park children's shop celebrates Mother's Day."
May 5, 2008
FREE "baby spa" opportunity
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Here's a fun chance to pamper your baby (ages four weeks to pre-crawling) at Hela @ The Collection in Chevy Chase - for free! Tomorrow and Wednesday, May 6-7 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, participants are invited to an infant massage instruction session.
In partnership with Infant Massage USA, Hela Spa is expanding its baby spa services, encouraging families to check out the benefits of practices like therapeutic touch. It's true: The research suggests that babies who are massaged tend to sleep longer and more deeply, spend more time active and alert for learning, have fewer problems with gassiness or constipation, and benefit from the bonding experience with their caregiver.
The Collection spa is located at 5481 Wisconsin Ave., Level 2. No charge, but class size is limited. Call 301.613.9828 to reserve your space.
p.s. I'm a firm believer in spa days for MOMS, too. Aside from feeling good, it's the best preventive medicine for a tired, busy body. And Hela Spa's Georgetown location is offering Mother's Day specials - including a "mom-to-be" package that sounds divine. Be sure to forward this link to your partner, if he needs a little nudge in the gift-giving direction!
Posted by Sarah at 11:52 AM. Permanent link to "FREE "baby spa" opportunity."
May 1, 2008
Weekend Watch: The Sippy Cups, live in DC
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There's big buzz for The Sippy Cups, performing two shows live at DC's National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium this Saturday at 12 noon and 3 p.m.
Tix are $16 for adults and $12 for kids age 10 and under. To get yours, call 202.857.7700 or click here.
Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "every parent's favorite kid rock band and quite possibly the illegitimate offspring of The Cat in the Hat and Joey Ramone," the Bay area-based band "blends imaginative originals, cult-rock favorites from groups like the early Pink Floyd, exciting visuals, puppets, aerial feats, and juggling into an unforgettable whirlwind of a show that appeals to everyone."
The Cups have appeared on ABC's Nightline and have gotten air-time on XM Kids Radio and Sirius Radio's "Kids Stuff." Their debut CD is Electric Storyland.
Posted by Sarah at 7:45 AM. Permanent link to "Weekend Watch: The Sippy Cups, live in DC."