March 4, 2010
The weekly newsletter of Rego Park - Forest Hills activities to entertain, stimulate and exhaust your kids.
Forest Hills Lego Club Inspires Kids Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) With a desire to encourage young people to think outside the box and look beyond sports or music as an aspiration, Coach Iffat Roumie, a mom of three in Forest Hills, wanted to find a way to use her MIT degree in Architecture to bring the love of robotics to children in the community. “Lots of schools in the community reached out to me and asked if I could volunteer in their school, but as a mom of three young children I didn’t have a lot of time to volunteer” said Iffat. She said that she knew she would want to volunteer and that as soon as her kids were old enough she sought out robotics programs that her children could be a part of. “The programs I came across were only within schools and only open to students in that school. So I knew I needed to start something that would be open to all children in the community.” With that in mind and with the help of FIRST Lego, a league that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders, Iffat created the Forest Hills Lego Club. The club engages its participants in exciting mentor-based programs that encourage a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). When the club first started, members met weekly in Iffat’s basement and included her two older children, Yasmeen (12 years-old) and Feras (9 years-old) and their friends.  Iffat’s youngest, Sinan (4 years-old), will surely follow in her older siblings footsteps. In the past year, the club’s popularity has grown and now consists of 19 members around the age of 9-12 years old. “To accommodate the growing needs of our club, the Forest Hills Youth Activities Association has allowed us to use their soccer field house on Saturdays to meet as a club,” said Iffat. The club is broken out into three teams, each of which won awards at the FIRST Lego League (FLL) Queens Qualifying Tournament that took place at Aviation High School in January. Their win has qualified them to compete in the citywide FIRST Lego League Tournaments taking place at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan on March 14. To participate in the tournaments each team spent 8 to 10 weeks on a research project and on programming a robot to perform a set number of tasks. The research project had them pick a community, something as small as their own block or as big as the universe, choose a mode of transportation within that community, and find a problem with it that they could solve. Here are the projects that helped each team advance to the citywide tournament: Mindstorm Mechanics – Winners of the 2nd Place Championship Awards at the Aviation High School tournament Mindstorm Mechanics looked at the way traffic affected school drop-off around P.S. 144 in Forest Hills and discovered the need for an additional school crossing guard as well as a re-routing of traffic around the school. They created a petition for a new crossing guard and gathered hundreds of signatures in support of their cause. They then submitted the petition through the City of New York. They also created a drop-off lane within the schoolyard so that parents could drop off their children without blocking the streets or leaving their cars. Robo Squad (pictured above) – Won the 4th Place Research Award at the Aviation High School tournament RoboSquad took a look at how submarines are disposing of waste. The team found that they use Trash Disposal Units (TDUs), which compact the waste into galvanized steel cans and dispose them into the sea. RoboSquad came up with two main solutions: Turn the TDUs into torpedos so the waste could be blasted to bits.  Arm the TDUs with tracking devises and using robotic submarines to pick them up and carry them back to land where their contents could be recycled. Planetary Forces – Won the Judge’s Award at the Aviation High School tournament This group looked at traffic patterns in Forest Hills and decided to help the environment, it would be better if people rode their bikes instead of driving cars. Planetary Forces then came up with an imaginary skyway that bike riders could use to get around the community. At the Citywide FLL Tournament, teams will have five minutes to present these research projects, five minutes to present the technical and design aspect of  a robot they built, and two and a half minutes to have it complete its set number of tasks in which it will have to accomplish a mission,. Winners will be based on these three categories as well as on their teamwork. Iffat couldn’t be prouder of the teams and looks forward to seeing them participate at the Javits Center. Check back here later this month to find out how the Forest Hills Lego Club teams fared at the tournament. Or, if you’re too anxious to wait, you could attend the tournament live, visit http://nycnjfirst.org/ for more information. If you’d like more information on how your child could participate in the Forest Hills Lego Club e-mail iffat@foresthillslego.com or attend this weekend’s Forest Hills Lego Club Open House on March 6. Scroll down to "This Week's Picks" for more details on this event. Back To Top Kaplan Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Kicks off “Read Across America” Promotion Funny hats, skinny cats, and green eggs and ham. March 2 was Dr. Seuss’s birthday and it also marked the beginning of the “Read Across America” promotion by the National Education Association. To inspire the love of books the Kaplan Tutoring Center in Forest Hills held a celebration in honor of Dr. Suess where kids of all ages came to eat cake, drink punch, play educational games and win prizes.   While proudly wearing a paper version that she colored of the famous hat worn by the cat in The Cat in the Hat, six-year-old Nadia said that she had a great time at the event. She went on to exclaim that her favorite Dr. Seuss book is Yertle the Turtle and that, “the snacks are the best part [of the event]!”   According to the National Education Association, “Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.”   To also help your child do better in school, Kaplan Tutoring offers math help, reading help and homework help. For more information contact Shawndra Card Grant at (718) 880-3663.   Also, to foster the love of reading in your home, visit www.kidsreadtoday.com, where you will find an unparalleled selection of children’s books that are categorized by Baby & Toddler, School Age, Kid Kits and more.   You can also click here to purchase Dr. Seuss’s Book Collection box set, which includes Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop and Fox in Socks. Back To Top This Week's Picks: Saturday, March 6 - Forest Hills Lego Club Open House Invite all your friends and family and come see our Forest Hills Lego Club! Teams will present their Research project and demonstrate their Robot on the mission Game Table! Where: FHYAA Club House 66-01 Fleet Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Who: Forest Hills Lego Club How: www.foresthillslego.com Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top This Week's Calendar: March 4th through March 10th Thursday, March 4 - La Leche League Local meeting providing information and support to mothers who breastfeed. Where: 108-19 71 Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 5:30 PM ( Meets every Thursday ) Who: Forest Hills Pubic Library How: For driving, subway and bus directions, click here Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Thursday, March 4 - Visit with Marty & Iris at UNO'S Family Night Out Fabulous Fun Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures & Magic! Where: 107-16 70th Rd, Forest Hills, NY‎ 11375 When: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM ( Every Thursday ) Who: Uno Chicago Grill and Party with Marty & Iris How: E, F, V, R to 71st Continental Ave. Cost of event: n/a For more info: Call Uno's at (718) 793-6700‎, or to learn more about Party with Marty & Iris visit, http://partywithmarty.net/ Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Friday, March 5 - Toddler Time This program for toddlers ages 2 to 3 1/2 features songs, stories, and fingerplays. Where: 91-41 63 Drive Rego Park, NY 11374 When: 10:30 AM ( Every Friday ) Who: Rego Park Public Library How: R, V train to 63rd Drive Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Friday, March 5 - A.H.E.A.D. (Association for Home Educators Advancing Dreams) Meeting for parents who home school their children. Where: 108-19 71 Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 1:30 PM ( Meets every Friday ) Who: Forest Hills Public Library How: For driving, subway and bus directions, click here Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Friday, March 5 - Recycled Treasures Create a sculpture made from recycled materials with artist Robin Weiss. For ages 5-12. Where: 98-30 57 Avenue Rego Park, NY When: 4:30 PM Who: Lefrak City Public Library How: G, R, or V to Woodhaven Blvd or 63rd Dr. Walk 5 blocks to 57 Ave. Cost of event: Admission is free. Space is limited. Preregistration is a must. For more info: Click here. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 - Mother/Daughter Natural Facials Girls ages 7 and up and their mothers learn about and enjoy all the skin rejuvenating benefits of nature. They'll combine natural products such as honey, crushed almonds and egg whites to cleanse and soften their skin, while listening to soothing music and enjoying sweet scented candles. Wear comfortable clothes. A healthy snack and all materials included. Limited to 5 mother/daughter pairs. Where: 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY 11363 When: 10:30 AM Who: Alley Pond Environmental Center How: For directions, click here. Cost of event: $20 For more info: (718) 229-4000 Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 through Sunday, March 7 - Evening Sky Constellation Show: Astronomy Discovery Lab View the night sky and learn more about constellations. Where: 47-01 111th Street Flushing , NY 11368 When: 1:00 PM ( there is another showing at 4:00 p.m. ) Who: NY Hall of Science How: For directions, click here. Cost of event: Free with general admission. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 - Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade Families Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Day with this parade, featuring bag pipers, marching bands, and more. Where: Beach 129th and Newport Avenue to Beach 90th Street, Rockaway Beach. When: 1:00 PM Who: Queens County How: Check www.queenscountyparade.org for more info. Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 - Perfectly Penguin Wintertime is a great time to appreciate how perfectly penguins are adapted to life in the snow.  Stories, photos and actual penguin feathers are used to explore how these lovable birds survive and raise chicks in the freezing cold. We will meet live animals. A snack and craft are included. Participants must be toilet trained.  Where: 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY 11363 When: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM ( Again on Feb 27 ) Who: Alley Pond How: For directions, click here. Cost of event: n/a Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 through Saturday, March 20 - The Lion In Winter By James Goldman The Parkside Players is a non-profit community theater group which has been bringing affordable live theater to the Forest Hills Community since 1981. Located at Grace Lutheran Church on the corner of Union Turnpike and 71st Road (just south of Metropolitan Ave.) in Forest Hills, New York, the Parkside Players produces three shows per year (fall, winter and spring). Where: 103-15 Union Turnpike Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 2:00 PM Who: The Parkside Players How: Click here for directions. Cost of event: $14 / $12 for Seniors For more info: Between February 20 - March 6 this production will be showing February 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, March 5 & 6. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 6 through Sunday, March 7 - Math Midway Film Festival The Grapes of Plath – 28 minutes Hacker is out to ruin an underwater ceremony in the Crab Kingdom — where a prince is going to assume command of his domain. The CyberSquad must find the prince by estimating their way through a series of underwater adventures. Mother's Day – 28 minutes It's Mother's Day in cyberspace and Hacker is determined to wreck it for everyone, especially Motherboard, by derailing the train that picks up the rare and colorful Madre Bonitas. Using a decimal point the Cybersquad and Digit try to repair the breaks in the line and save Mother's Day. Where: 47-01 111th Street Flushing , NY 11368 When: 2:00 PM ( Next showing at 3:00 p.m. ) Who: NY Hall of Science How: For directions, click here. Cost of event: Free with general admission. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Sunday, March 7 - St. Pat’s for All Parade & Fair Families will enjoy floats, stilt walkers, unicyclists, puppeteers, and more. Where: The parade route begins at 43rd Street and Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside, goes east on Skillman, north on 56th Street, east on Woodside Avenue, and ends at Woodside Avenue and 61st Street. When: 1:00 PM Who: St. Pats for All How: Check out www.stpatsforall.com for more details. Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Monday, March 8 - Mom/Dad Baby Yoga with Jennifer Fink Oppenheimer For Parents and children, two months to new walkers: This class is a great way for moms to spend time bonding with their babies. Infants are natural yogis and yoginis. Just watch a baby try to push up off the floor - it’s a cobra pose! In Mom and Baby yoga, moms will practice asanas that help strengthen and tone the body after labour and delivery. Baby Yoga exercises will help muscular development, aid in digestion and help with circulation. This class is appropriate for all levels. Dads are welcome too! Where: 107-40 Queens Blvd, Suite 206 When: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM ( Every Monday ) Who: Bamboomoves Yoga Studio How: E, F, R, V train to Forest Hills Cost of event: Single Class $22, 5 Classes $105 ($21/class, 8 wk exp.), 10 Classes $190 ($19/class, 10 wk exp)... First visit: 20% off class or class pack For more info: (718) 263-0788, bamboomovesnyc@gmail.com, check out our website: www.bamboomovesyoga.com for more information and full adult/kids class schedule. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Tuesday, March 9 through Thursday, March 11 - Hip & Healthy Kids with Tiffany Denise Kids ages 11-14 receive tips and a hands-on introduction on how to have a healthy lifestyle all through their growing years. Where: 98-30 57 Avenue Rego Park, NY When: 4:30 PM Who: Lefrak City Public Library How: G, R, or V to Woodhaven Blvd or 63rd Dr. Walk 5 blocks to 57 Ave. Cost of event: Free For more info: For more info, click here. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Wednesday, March 10 - Picture Story Time Stories, rhymes, songs, puppets, finger plays and a craft are included in our Picture Story Time for children 2-4 years old. Parents and caregivers attend with the children. Where: 98-30 57 Avenue Rego Park, NY When: 10:30 AM ( Every Wednesday ) Who: Lefrak City Public Library How: G, R, or V to Woodhaven Blvd or 63rd Dr. Walk 5 blocks to 57 Ave. Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Wednesday, March 10 - Mother Goose Time Interactive program featuring nursery rhymes and songs. For babies ages 6 months to 2 years old. Where: 91-41 63 Drive Rego Park, NY 11374 When: 11:00 AM ( Every Wednesday ) Who: Rego Park Public Library How: R, V train to 63rd Drive Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Teen Scene: March 4th through April 5th Thursday, March 4 - Book Discussion Join our monthly adult book discussion group. This month we will discuss "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd. Where: 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 6:00 PM Who: North Forest Park How: By bus: Q23 or Q54. Driving: LIE to Woodhaven Blvd. South. Left onto Metropolitan Ave. Cost of event: Free For more info: For more info, click here. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Friday, March 5 - Wii Sports Challenge Every Friday have fun as you challenge your friends in bowling, tennis, baseball, football, Mario Brothers and many other sports and activities playing with Wii.  [Add to My Events] -- Where:   98-30 57 Avenue Rego Park, NY When: 4:00 PM Who: Lefrak City Public Library How: G, R, or V to Woodhaven Blvd or 63rd Dr. Walk 5 blocks to 57 Ave. Cost of event: Free For more info: Pre-registration required. For more info, click here. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 20 - Queens Library Presents "National Testing Day," with Princeton Review Join your peers across the country to see how you would score on the SAT, ACT or PSAT on March 20th. Take a free, full-length practice test under actual testing conditions and get comfortable with the exam's format. SAT or ACT? Not sure whether to take the SAT or ACT? On National Testing Day, we'll offer The Princeton Review Assessment (PRA). The PRA is a test designed to help determine if you would score higher on the SAT or ACT. Where: 108-19 71 Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 11:00 AM Who: Forest Hills Public Library How: For driving, subway and bus directions, click here Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Monday, April 5 - Key Club International High school students meet to discuss civic issues. Where: 108-19 71 Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 4:30 PM Who: Forest Hills Public Library How: For driving, subway and bus directions, click here Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Plan Ahead: March 13th through April 11th Saturday, March 13 - Sid the Science Kid Family Day Meet Sid from the popular PBS KIDS show "Sid the Science Kid".  Hang out with Sid, take part in some super fab lab investigations, add your age to the birthday chart, get your own investigation journal, and see some of your favorite episodes.  And remember; keep asking lots and lots of questions! Where: 47-01 111th Street Flushing , NY 11368 When: Again on 3/21 Who: New York Hall of Science How: For directions, click here. Cost of event: n/a Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 13 - Open House: Forest Hills Kids Corner Summer Camp - All Star Studios This Open House allows families to find out more about Forest Hills Kids Corner's unique summer-camp experience for kids ages 5-16. All Star Studios, Bamboomoves, "Belle Arti" Center for the Arts and Young Chefs Academy have joined together to provide a combination of professional instruction in dance and theater arts, yoga/martial arts, music, as well as cooking in one fun-filled summer camp package. Where: 108-12 72nd Avenue-Ground Level Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM ( Again on 4/24 & 5/15 ) Who: Forest Hills Kids Corner How: E, F, R, V to 71st Continental Cost of event: n/a For more info: Click here for more information. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Sunday, March 14 - Lucky to be Cooking Workshop Join Our 3rd Annual Young Chef's Academy St. Patrick's Day Tradition. Students will learn about the Irish culture and prepare some festive authentic Irish recipes! This workshop menu consists of 4 Shamrockin’ recipes: Irish Soda Bread Shamrock Cookies Dublin Coddle Boxty *** The lads and lasses who wear green will receive an extra prize! *** Where: 108-10 72nd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Who: Young Chef's Academy How: E, F, R, V train to 71st Continental Cost of event: Chefs Club Members $49. Non-members $59 For more info: Advance Reservations Required. Sibling Discounts Available. www.youngchefsacademy.com/foresthills Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Tuesday, March 16 - Brave Girls, Strong Women Celebrate Women's History Month with storyteller Robin Bady, who will share stories about girls and women from around the world. She will be accompanied by Violinist Deni Bonet. Space is limited. For ages 6 and up. Where: 108-19 71 Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 3:30 PM Who: Forest Hills Public Library How: For driving, subway and bus directions, click here Cost of event: Free Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 20 through Sunday, March 21 - ShadowPLAY Experiment with colorful lights, shadow puppets, colored gels, and tubes in this unique exhibition. Where: 47-01 111th Street Flushing , NY 11368 When: n/a Who: NY Hall of Science How: For directions, click here Cost of event: Free with general admission. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Saturday, March 20 - Duck, Duck, Goose As the weather gets cold, the birding gets hot.  Join the Rangers as we look for ducks and geese that consider NYC in the winter warm! Where: Mauro Playground, Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Park Drive East and 73 Terrace). When: 10:00 AM Who: Flushing Meadows Corona Park How: For help with directions, click here. Cost of event: Free For more info: Call (718) 846-2731. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Monday, March 22 - Recycled Treasures Create a sculpture made from recycled materials with artist Robin Weiss. For ages 5-12. Where: 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 When: 4:00 PM Who: North Forest Park Library How: By bus: Q23 or Q54. Driving: LIE to Woodhaven Blvd. South. Left onto Metropolitan Ave. Cost of event: Admission is free. Space is limited. Preregistration is a must. For more info: For more info, click here. Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Sunday, April 11 - RoboCup Junior RoBoCup Junior teaches young visitors about robotics through various challenges that focus on soccer, rescue and dance. RoboCup Junior’s task require teamwork and problem-solving; and strongly emphasize the educational value of the achievements. Participants should be able to read, but should not be older than 19. Where: 47-01 111th Street Flushing , NY 11368 When: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Who: NY Hall of Science How: For directions, click here Cost of event: Call for pricing Add to My Macaroni Back To Top Put a Book in a Child's Hand Do you love children? Do you love books? Want to help put a book in a child’s hand? If you've answered yes to the above questions, e-mail me at jennifer@kidsreadtoday.com to find out how you can plan a party at your home to talk about an amazing line of children's books. This will be a great chance for you to gather with friends who may also want to learn about children's books ... and you can come away with some great FREE books for your kids home library! Check out www.kidsreadtoday.com for more information, I look forward to planning a party with you! Back To Top Read to Me Enter to win $50 worth of chidlren's books Read to me riddles, read to me rhymes Read to me stories of magical times Read to me tales about castles and kings Read to me stories of fabulous things. Read to me pirates, read to me knights, Read to me dragons and dragon back flights Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then When you are finished, please read them again. - By Jane Yolen, Children’s book author For your chance to win $50 worth of books to read to your children, click here! Back To Top March is Reading Month: Be an example! What could be better than a whole month dedicated to loving books?! That’s what March is all about, the love of reading! While it’s important to encourage our children to read and foster a love of books, this is a good opportunity to fall in love with it yourselves and set a great example. However, responsibilities like family, work and household duties can make it hard to find the time to open a book. With a little creativity, it is possible to make extra time to indulge in a great book. Here are some tips: If you’re reading this, it most likely means you live in the central part of Queens, and if you work in Manhattan, that most likely means you are commuting to work on the subway every day. This is the best time to crack open a book and catch up with James Patterson. Our subways rides to and from work are when my husband and I do most of our reading… and boy does it help make the commute fly by! Do you commute to work by car?! Have you ever considered audio books? This would be a great way to use your commuting time to “read” your books. Read to your kids! OK, for those of us with toddlers and younger tikes, reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear doesn’t quite cut it. But those of you with older kids, consider reading some of what they love. Many books, like the Harry Potter Series and the Twilight series, are entertaining for both kids and adults. Reading to or with them can help to mix reading time with family time. Go to bed later. That’s right, I said it… I know it may seem unfathomable to take away from the precious amount of time you do get to sleep for reading, but consider this, if you spend 15 minutes before bed reading a chapter or two of your favorite book it can help to relax you and clear your mind of the day’s craziness. Throw your favorite book into your purse or bag. If you ever find yourself waiting a long time at the doctor’s office or on a line at a bank, that book will come in very handy in keeping the time from going as slow as a watched pot of boiling water. Turn your TV off. Most of us can always seem to find 60 minutes to watch which women will get a rose from the bachelor, but still can’t find the time to read a book, hmmm… Read during lunch. If you normally eat lunch at your desk, use that time to read, too. If you get sixty minutes for lunch, you've just found an extra hour of reading time every day. Back To Top
We try to make the information in this newsletter and on the web site as accurate as possible, but event and venue information is subject to change without notice, and we cannot and do not warrant it. Always call your destinations ahead of time to confirm dates, times, locations and admission fees. This message has been sent from Macaroni Kid to iffat@aol.com. Click here to unsubscribe. Macaroni Kid, Inc., 860 Montauk Highway, Unit 8, Water Mill, NY 11976