Thanksgiving is on it’s way, and Color Me Mine is the place to be. What a great opportunity to spend quality time with your children creating a special  platter with turkey handprints on it. Bring your children to Color Me Mine and use their handprints to make a special Thanksgiving platter that can decorate your holiday table. We offer a variety of platters for you to choose from, or let your child design a special plate for them to eat off of. Having this business for over ten years and seeing the excitement on the faces of children when they pick up there pieces is priceless. Our knowledgeable staff is there to help with everything from choosing your piece to adding those special finishing touches. Color Me Mine has a variety of holiday items that can be painted and given to everyone in the family and will be treasured forever. An appointment is not necessary but recommended due to parties on the weekends. With the holidays approaching don’t waste another minute come in a create that platter that everyone can enjoy at dinner.

For kids holidays usually mean time off from school, on the other hand for parents it’s finding a way to spend time with their kids doing fun activities. Most parents enjoy the down time, and try to relax after finally having a little break from the busy school week schedule. On the other hand kids are always looking for something exciting to do. With the weather changing at a fast pace in New Jersey outdoor activities like going to the park become a thing of the past. When looking for a different activity where you could spend time with your kids, and stay warm bring your family to Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own ceramics studio in Toms River.  Color Me Mine welcomes all ages, and gives you the ability to do a family activity all while being creative. It’s a way for your children to express their imagination, and have fun doing it. This month’s feature activity is a Thanksgiving platter. The original creation can be used for the turkey holiday in a few weeks and then will become a treasured tradition in your family.

On November 19th at 6:00 pm, Color Me Mine will have a children’s turkey handprint plate painting party.  The studio’s friendly staff will help each child create their handprint to resemble little turkeys. All children must sign up for the event which costs $20 per child. There are only 30 spots available, so it’s a good idea to call the studio early to reserve your spots.

While family members create a wonderful keepsake for the holiday, Color Me Mine owner Irene says they’re also, enjoying spending time together, laughing, and creating memories. It’s a time to be creative, and relax.

“Creating a Thanksgiving platter together as a family will become a cherished memory,” says Irene. “Families can come to the studio and enjoy themselves. They can be relived from their usual hectic schedules, and express their inner creativity.”

“From experience people usually find that creating a piece seems intimidating, but there’s no need to worry about that ,” says Irene. With our staff who are always eager to help, and the tools we provide anyone can create a work of art in no time.

“What everyone needs to be aware of is that Color Me Mine is a place where everyone can get involved and have fun,” says Irene. “Most people don’t consider themselves artistic, and sometimes have a hard time coming up with an idea for their piece. We’ve got that covered with stencils, stamps, and plenty of ideas from our staff.”

Customers are more than welcome to bring items from home to help with the creative process. Customers come in all the time wanting to create a beautiful piece, but seem to be stumped on how to make that happen. “That’s where my staff comes in.” says Irene. The staff takes time to discuss what the customer is looking to create, and then helps with every step along the way to make sure the customer is happy. “Sometimes all it takes is a good idea from the staff, and the customer can add to the idea to make it personal,” says Irene.

“When doing an activity parents are always concerned when it comes to their children’s clothes, but there’s no need to worry about attire at Color Me Mine,” says Irene. All paints are washable, non-toxic and lead-free, so parents don’t have to be concerned about the kids inhaling harmful fumes. Color Me Mine’s paints and glazes are completely 100% friendly to the environment.

Color Me Mine isn’t only for the holidays. It’s a fun activity to do with your children any time of the year. You can come in and let your child create a piece to display in their room, or even a special gift for a loved one. A handmade gift from your child is always a great idea. Especially when your shopping for a person who is hard to buy for. And dads there is nothing your wife will love more then a gift made with love by your children for Mother’s Day, or even her birthday.

Ceramic pieces range from $6.00 and up and the paint fee is $6.00 for children and $8.00 for adults. The prices include glazes and firing.  After all of your projects are completed, the staff of Color Me Mine will fire and glaze the items and then notify you when everything is ready for pick-up.

With the colder months ahead days off from school are also approaching and kids will be asking the same question, “What are wedoing today?” If you’re looking for something to entertain the kids, plan a creative day out at Color Me Mine ceramics studio in Toms River. Your kids will be proud of their creation. Were sure when your guests arrive on Thanksgiving the first thing your kids will do is show everyone the platter they made.

You can even get a head start on your shopping list for the December season. With so many pieces to choose from, there is something for everyone on your list. For more information, call (732) 864-9300 or visit the website at www.colormemine.com

Martial Arts schools have grown in numbers over the years.  They are in high demand for children, teenagers and adults.  Some choose a school on the recommendation of a neighbor or friend, it’s close to home or it is inexpensive.  The State of New Jersey mandates no regulation on operating or teaching martial arts.  Hence, the main reason there are so many schools to choose from in a small area.  There are many forms of Martial Arts being taught and the consumer needs to investigate when choosing a school for themselves or their children.  Before registering for martial arts instruction, be aware of what is being taught in the class and what is being said to young children when parents are not around.  It is imperative you know instructors have proper credentials and are knowledgeable in teaching Martial Arts.  Observing classes and instructors, getting recommendations, and interviewing owners is what will aid in the success of learning the appropriate use and correct techniques in martial arts.

An issue that has exploded over the past few months is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).  MMA is a full contact sport using different fighting techniques from boxing to martial arts and everything in between.  It is performed in a cage-like octagon ring with two opponents and a referee.  It has been described as a no holds barred fighting frenzy.  Since this barbaric entertainment emerged and gained rapid popularity, additional safety rules have been incorporated.  However, MMA takes fighting to a whole new level.  Like boxing, the objective is to knock out your opponent.    Fighters throw each other to the ground and grab hold to make their opponent immobile.  Submission holds gain an advantage since one of the fighters is physically impaired to move.  The other fighter pummels away at the head or body to achieve a severely beaten state even unconsciousness.

This is the new frenzy surrounding Martial Arts.  This type of fighting is affecting children, teenagers and young adults to learn this type of martial arts.  It is being taught on computers; teaching viewers to physically abuse and quite possibly harm themselves and others by mimicking what they see on websites and television.  Welcome to the new wild phenomena of Mixed Martial Arts.

MMA combines grappling, jiu-jitsu and traditional martial arts to overtake an opponent.   Grappling is a lot like wrestling with certain holds, sweeps and throws.  The WWF entertainment factor becomes reality in an MMA cage.  Striking your opponent with your fist or elbow is perfectly legal while you have them pinned to the ground in a choke hold.  Lifting and throwing down your competitor to perform a clinch hold and punching their face or body is also allowed.   Jiu-jitsu is a type of martial arts that teaches choking, submission holds and potentially breaking of bones.  A slightly dazed opponent after a choking move is less likely to offer any resistance.  Immobilizing a fighter to win could lead to unconsciousness, which may or may not be allowed, but is performed.

A 35-year-old MMA fighter, Sam Vasquez, died in Houston, TX on November 30, 2007.  He was hospitalized when he collapsed after being knocked out in the 3rd round of an MMA fight a month earlier.  Doctors performed two surgeries to remove blood clots from his brain.  After the second surgery, he had a stroke and died.    This is the kind of entertainment people of all ages are watching and imitating.

Another instructor in Virginia who teaches Mixed Martial Arts to children kicked an 11-year-old student over 200 times in the abdomen.  This was a challenge to see how many kicks the child could take before falling over.  The child’s parents were not present at the time and did not witness this act.  Parents need to be present at all times when their children are learning karate, jiu-jitsu, tae kwon do or any form of martial arts.  Question instructors and owners on abusive moves and potential dangers you see.

Martial Arts is a precise form of self-defense.  Instructors teach where to hit and how to hit properly without injuring yourself.  Breaking a wooden board the wrong way could fracture or break a hand.  Learning the skill of how to correctly hold your hand while breaking a board allows students the ability to break thicker pieces of wood, as they get older and stronger.  Mastering Martial Arts takes years of practice and teachings.  Utilizing the safety of the techniques ensures no one gets hurt while building character, strength and gaining knowledge.

Parents need to be vigilant that the martial arts being taught to their children, or themselves, is safe.    Schools in the area are beginning to teach a Mixed Martial Arts class andparents may not even be aware there children are learning something dangerous.  Kum Sung stresses safety and proper technique when teaching their students.  No student moves to the next level unless they are proficient in their abilities.  Learning the correct way of hitting, kicking, or breaking a wooden board is what Dr. Sung and his instructors at Kum Sung have mastered over the years.  When locating a Martial Arts school, investigate what they are teaching, how students learn and the credentials of the staff interacting with you or your children.  Dr. Sung describes his Martial Arts teachings as not just a hobby, but a way of life.  This is my heritage and culture this is the same sentiment shared by martial arts masters like Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.  Ensure you can view all classes and know what your children are doing in the class.  Martial Arts is a safe, physically fit activity that promotes self-esteem and success throughout all aspects of life.  Visit kumsungkarate.com or call and speak to Dr. Sung or one of the instructors.  Be aware of what they will and are actually learning.

Breakwater Beach

Casino Pier, Seaside Heights, NJ

732-793-6488

Cenral Shore region

Starting with their new Toddler Area, it is ideal for the smallest member of any family. With safe, soft play throughout, your little one will slide and have a splashtacular good time.

They have something for everyone. Their Family Play Section is a totally interactive multi-level area for everyone from 3 to 103. With their water slides you will find a different experience with each twist and turn. Also, with hundreds of interactive play elements and dancing fountains you will not stay dry for long. All while having fun with your family and creating life long memories. Watch Out for the Tipping Troller, you may get thousands of gallons of water dumped on you (hopefully there won’t be any sharks). If after playing you are feeling a little chilly, jump into one of 2 new Hot Springs that will easily fit 20 people each.

For the brave at heart, test their Zero – Gravity Racer. This 6 Lane Racing Slide lets you compete against others as you plummet on a mat to the finish line. Forget relaxing in our LazyCrazy River … with cannons being shot off, bubbles coming from every direction and depth charges shooting you with water; you will never know what will be around the next curve. If you do want to relax, you can recline in one of our many lounge chairs throughout the park. Our other amenities include, bathrooms, lockers, changing areas, food
concession, and a gift shop for all your needs. As always, trained lifeguards are on duty to safely monitor all water activities.

This is only the beginning of a multi-year renovation to this new water park. Next year even more and exciting attractions will be added to what will be “The Best Water Park, On The Jersey Shore”

What’s New

Enjoy your day in your own private cabana where you can sit, relax, and take in the sun! Each cabana features 2 chaise lounge chairs, 2 beach-style chairs, 4 large bottles of water, a small locker rental, as well as food & beverage service right to you.

Cabanas are available for rent on a first come/first serve basis. Because of demand, we encourage advance reservations.

2010 Cabana Pricing

Cabana (all day) = $85 plus tax
Cabana (3 hour) = $60 plus tax

Please note that waterpark admission is NOT included with Cabana Rental. Admission into the waterpark is a separate charge. If you rent a cabana for the day, your admission wristbands must be valid for the entire day. Food, drink and gratuities are not included in cabana rental fee.

CoCo Key

Indoor Water Park

Mt. Laurel Marriott, 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel NJ

856-234-7300

Southern NJ

CoCo Key Water Resort, New Jersey’s ultimate indoor water park is located at the Mt. Laurel Marriott. CoCo Key Water Resort is an indoor water park. They have a  relaxing adventure river to  an incredible 40-foot slides, interactive play area, indoor/outdoor spa, state of the art arcade ! Wouldn’t it be great to be able to get away to the tropical islands any time you want without having to leave New Jersey? Now you can, at CoCo Key Water Resort, New Jersey’s Newest & Largest Indoor Water Resort.  CoCo Key combines the relaxation and enchantment of the islands with the wild excitement of a 55,000-sq. ft. indoor water park. Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at CoCo Key, featuring a selection of signature attractions including:

CoCo Key Water Resort is seconds away from exit 4 of the NJ Turnpike, just 12 miles outside Philadelphia and minutes away from Adventure Aquarium and Cherry Hill Mall.

Hurricane Harbor

537 Monmouth Rd, Route 537, Jackson, NJ
732-928-1821

Central NJ

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is conveniently located in Jackson, New Jersey.

Soak up the sun at the one of America’s best water parks — Six Flags Hurricane Harbor! This tropical island paradise offers a million-gallon wave pool, one of the world’s longest lazy rivers, nearly 20 water slides and a massive water playground for wet and wild fun!

What’s New

Tot Tornado whirlwind.  The Tornado, an enormous funnel-shaped water attraction, will offer guests the ultimate in tubing thrills all summer long when it opens May 29.

This exciting new water ride will blast thrill seekers down a 135-foot long vortex tunnel and into a 60-foot wide funnel.  During the journey, guests will blast into the eye of the storm, swishing from side to side by more than 5,000 gallons of water before being released into a calm and refreshing catch pool. Families can enjoy Tornado together in specially-designed, cloverleaf-shaped tubes that seat four.  Those not brave enough to take on this new thrilling adventure can ride out the storm from the observation platform which will feature a spectacular view of all the action.  The Tornado will touch down between the water park’s tube slides “Bada Bing, Bada Bang, Bada Boom!” and the speed slide complex “Jurahnimo, Cannonball & Wahini Falls.”

The Tornado will join a host of thrilling Hurricane Harbor rides and attractions including an enormous half million gallon wave pool, one of the country’s longest “lazy rivers,” a massive, two-story family water playground and nearly 20 high-speed thrill slides.

“We are excited to add a new dimension of thrills to our water park,” said Mark Kane, park president of Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari and Hurricane Harbor.  “The Tornado’s innovative shape and enormous size will allow families and friends to experience the ultimate in non-traditional tubing, together.”

Sahara Sams

Indoor Water Park

535 N. Route 73, West Berlin, NJ

856-767-7580

Southern NJ

Imagine traversing a cargo rope obstacle course suspended over a rain forest lagoon, splashing your way through a 410 foot adventure river ride, having 1,000 gallons of water unexpectedly rain down from above, navigating through a wild maze of twisting and turning rapids with your family. Imagine experiencing it all indoors.
Welcome to Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park — New Jersey’s only freestanding Indoor Water Park and state of art arcade.

Sahara Sam’s is an innovative entertainment and activity experience that is a premier family attraction located in southern New Jersey just minutes from Philadelphia and accessible by major highways and bridges in New Jersey and the Philadelphia region. The $23 million venue offers nearly 58,000 square feet of water rides, interactive games, dining, party rooms and much more. Located in West Berlin NJ on a 13-acre parcel along Route 73, Sahara Sam’s represents the next step in providing affordable familydestination fun.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park features a wide array of exhilarating, state-of-the-art water rides and attractions, interactive games, and great ticket and party packages.

RETRACTABLE ROOF: One of the most unique aspects of Sahara Sam’s is its one-of-a-kind retractable roof, which opens up to let the outdoors in on sunny days.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Sahara Sam’s remains a warm 84 degrees of low humidity weather all year long thanks to a state-of-the-art temperature control system.

Pirates Cove- Land Of Make Believe

354 Great Meadows Road – Rt. 611, Hope, NJ
908-459-9000

Northwest NJ

For 56 years, the Land of Make Believe has been entertaining families from the tri-state area. Family favorites include our million dollar Action River Ride, a Roller Coaster, Buccaneer Pirate & Wading Pool, Tilt-A-Whirl, Civil War Locomotive, Hayride, Old McDonald’s Farm, Middle-Earth Theater, “Black Hole” #1 Rated Waterslide, Grand Carousel, Sidewinder, Pirates Fort, Pirates Cannonball, the Brand New Pirate’s Plunge, Jump Around Frog and Lots, Lots More.

As New Jersey’s Premiere Family Amusement & WaterPark, the Land of Make Believe features Safe and Wholesome recreation, entertainment and activities for real families like yours. You’ll find Exciting Rides, Shows, Attractions, Games, WaterPark, and Picnic Area on over 30 acres. The Land of Make Believe and Pirate’s Cove has been designed exclusively for an action-packed day of special family fun for parents and their children.

The Land of Make Believe is located in northwest New Jersey, 60 miles west of New York City, and 10 miles east of the Delaware River just off Route 80, exit 12. Nestled in the foothills of the famous Jenny Jump Mountains and State Park, the Land of Make Believe is a landmark in the historic town of Hope. Only one hour from the Lincoln Tunnel or George Washington Bridge, 90 minutes from Philadelphia or Scranton, PA.

Free Parking, Free Picnic Area and Free Water Park included with paid admission!

What’s New

Pirate’s Plunge,

Escape the pirates in this adventurous body slide. 42″ minimum height requirement to ride alone. Children under 36″ must ride w/adult.

New Jersey’s First Indoor Waterpark!

Splash Zone

3500 Boardwalk, Wildwood NJ

609-729-5600

Southern NJ

Mixing adrenaline-pumping thrills with family-style fun is our specialty. With more than 16 attractions, Splash Zone Water Park offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Adventure seekers can find super soaking thrills riding the white water rapids of The Beast of The East, the only 6-person raft ride on the east coast. Or roar through total darkness on The Midnight Run, a twisting, turning enclosed tube slide. Speed fans will enjoy testing their skills while soaring down the Speed Dominator. Giggle Bay offers an interactive water playground featuring our famous 1000-gallon bucket of water that crashes down, drenching everyone in its path. And the smallest water park fans can splash in Zoe Zone, a tiny tykes play area featuring a shallow pool of water, fountains, and soft play equipment. Everyone in the family can enjoy slides, body flumes, water blasters, or a meandering ride through the park on an inner tube in Adventure River. And when you’re not getting drenched in the water, Splash Zone offers sunbathing areas, a picnic facility and mouthwatering food at the Zone GrillFree Parking!

Mountain Creek

200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ

973-864-8444

Northern NJ

Mountain Creek Water Park in Northern NJ .The Park offers a variety of water-based activities for all ages and all swim levels.  Height restrictions are posted for all attractions and enforced.  Minors (anyone under the age of 18) must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. The parent/guardian is solely responsible for supervision of their minors. The park does not assume any responsibility or liability for unattended minors. The park cannot accept any responsibility for unattended minors. Children are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Only you know your own, your child’s, or anyone you are supervising level of swimming skills.  We strongly recommend all Guests under 48″ or who are weak or non-swimmers wear Coast Guard approved lifejackets where appropriate. In the wave pool, all guests under 48″ are REQUIRED to wear a lifejacket and be accompanied by an adult.  We insist that parents keep their children within arms reach for their close supervision on all water activities. Life Jackets are available Free Of Charge at Guest Information located inside the park.  When in doubt, wear a life jacket!

What’s New

Mountain Creek has a whole new twist on coming down the mountain. Introducing the Alpine Pipeline, a high-flying, two person Alpine express that goes from daylight to darkness in the blink of an eye. Come ride the new Alpine Pipeline and discover for yourself the unparalleled sensation of screamin’ down the mountain like a comet through a carwash.  It’s definitely NOT for wimps.

Keansburg Runaway Rapids

275 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ
732-495-1400 Right across the street and just a few steps from The Keansburg Amusement Park is Runaway Rapids Water Park. You can purchase a two park pass so you can go to the waterpark or Amusement Park all day. Runaway Rapids has dozens of rides and interactive attractions. There is also a very nice sunbathing area surrounding the play pool areas. The park has been recently cleaned up a bit and some all  new features have been added to the waterpark.

Raging Waters-Morey’s piers

Morey’s Piers, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood NJ

609-522-3900

Southern NJ

Enjoy the thrills at Raging Waters Waterpark in Mariner’s Landing Amusement Pier located on Schellenger Ave. in Wildwood, NJ.  Morey’s Piers original beachfront waterpark offers the thrills and the fun things to do that you and your family have come to love on your family beach vacation.  Attractions include:

• Waterpark rides and waterpark attractions for all ages
• Two interactive children’s play areas
• Picnic facility for group outings
• Wreckers beach grille
• Raging Waters waterpark locker shop
• Central location – a great pier!

Ocean Oasis – Morey’s piers

Morey’s Piers, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood NJ

609-522-3900

Southern NJ

Ocean front water park. Kids of all ages will love Bonsai Beach, a 10,000 square foot interactive water play area. Several fun water slides the older kids will enjoy, also. While the kids enjoy the great rides, mom and dad can relax in the all new resort-themed atmosphere, which features include family cabanas and huts, hammocks, massage therapy, and plenty more! Beach Grille and Oasis Cafe are open all day to satisfy the entire family.

Clementon Splash World

114 Berlin Road, Clementon, NJ

856-783-0263

Central NJ

Cool off with over 13,000 square feet of splashing, sliding, drenching, beat-the-heat fun. This Polynesian-themed adventure includes 8 slides, 10 different play platforms and more than 125 sprays, jets, bubbles, streams, squirts, wheels and waterfalls. And high atop the 50-foot tall structure sits the big Kahuna himself—with a giant water bucket that dumps more than 422 gallons of water on the unsuspecting islanders below. Children under 6 years of age must have adult supervision. Some slides have a minimum of 36 inches, others have a minimum of 40 inches.

Thundering Surf Waterpark

8th Street & Bay Ave. Beach Haven (LBI), NJ

609-492-0869

Central Shore Region

Thundering Surf Water Park is definitely the place to spend a few hours with the entire family! We are located in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, NJ. We have something for all ages! Toddlers can play in our BRAND NEW Kiddie Play Area called “Cowabunga Beach”. This area is designed specifically for ages 9 months to 5 years old. Our new “Dancing Fountains” are something everyone will love! Take some great pictures of your children trying to catch the fountains as they jump and dance around the kiddie area! Our 6 Giant Waterslides are designed for single and double tubes. Parents are able to slide together with a child! Experience our one-of-a-kind “Lazy Crazy River!” While the river is Lazy, cruise around with the current and relax. But don’t get too cozy…. when the river turns “Crazy”… be prepared as a small wave rolls through the river because you’re going to get wet! Along the river, parents and children can interact with others that are outside of the river with slap targets and super soaker water guns. So don’t think that just because you are standing on the interactive bridge that you are going to stay dry! And watch out for the “Giant Tipping Bucket” as you cruise around the river and under the bridge!

Come have some fun…. or just relax and sunbathe on our SunDeck located inside the waterpark so you are never too far from you children!

PLEASE  POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT ANY OF THESE FAMILY- FRIENDLY WATER PARKS. WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS,TIPS AND INSIGHTS.

You know the saying, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!”  Well, depending on what you order at The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, in Lavallette, you may find yourself yelling, “I want some Hot Fudge baby this evening, and I need some Hot Fudge baby tonight!”  Take your family to The Music Man and enjoy some good old-fashioned ice cream with a twist!  The Music Man provides a friendly and warm atmosphere for the young and old, serving up vaudeville style performances and ice cream sundaes to your liking.

“Every show performed here is different and is basically done on the fly,” explained The Music Man owner Aggie Roberts. “You could come here seven nights a week and see something different each time you come, because each show features a different performer and group performances.”  One thing that is certain to stay the same, however, is the enthusiasm of the cast and crew, as well as the quality time you will spend with your family.

You will be treated to a menu featuring everything from “naked” ice cream in over fifteen flavors to delicious over-the-top sundaes, along with a nightly performance of Broadway and upbeat American tunes sung by performers who dance and sing their way around the entire shop.  You may even find them singing directly to you and incorporating you into their show!  “It’s a family entertaining experience that appeals to all ages,” says Aggie’s wife, Josephine.

Aside from the nightly Broadway Cabaret show, which begins every night this summer at 6pm, The Music Man performs Theme Shows are on Thursdays and Fridays.  On Thursdays you can make a reservation for “Hannah Banana” This show finds the Music Man Cast auditioning for the title, it’s Hannah Montana meets American Idol.  Fridays at 5pm guests can make a reservation for The GLEEful “Ice Cream Musical,” featuring songs that have been presented on the ever popular TV Show GLEE.

“Apart from our Broadway Cabaret and Theme Shows we have our Children’s Fairy Tale Series,” added Aggie.  “At 4pm Monday through Wednesday, we offer a Children’s Performance where each child is treated to an afternoon snack of one scoop of ice cream as our cast members either get into character as Pirates and Princesses, or bring alive some of their favorite storybooks.” Aggie explained.  On Mondays, bring your little one dressed up as his or her favorite Pirate, Princess or Super Hero as the cast and crew themselves get all dressed up along with them.  On Tuesdays a special Puppet Theater performance of The Little Mermaid is offered as well as a special guest appearance from The Music Man’s mascot “FRED”, which stands for Feel Good Every Day! Wednesdays, your child can experience one of their favorite storybooks come alive as the cast visually tells stories such as Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, and Cinderella, and turns into character right in front of their eyes

Going into their 8th season, and serving over 40,000 patrons in the summer of 2009 is something that owners Aggie & Josephine are very proud of.  “My wife actually purchased this very building [the shop’s location] for my birthday present in 2003.  I was working in corporate America at the time, but had the desire to combine my love and experience in performing arts along with my wife’s experience as a digital artist and make us a career from that,” Aggie explained. Aggie took his experiences of working at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre’s Outreach Department, and also as a dessert theater performer in Hopewell, NJ, along with his educational background in Theater and Education, and the concept of “The Music Man” was born.  “From the start, Josephine and I knew this would not fail.  We had our hearts in it, and it empowered us as a couple to try something new.  This summer is our 6th and best season yet, and I have never once looked back on our decision” Aggie added.

The cast and crew have also completely bought into the concept and truly love what they do. They are the heart and soul of the ice cream shop, doing everything from performing daily to hundreds of patrons, to working hard at their individual production positions.  “We provide our cast with a complete educational program.  Not only do they perform each and every day, but they each hold a different production position, which gives them a well-rounded summer learning experience.  Some of the positions include company manager and box office manager.”  Aggie added that he and his wife have even set up housing for the cast for the entire summer, and their program has attracted performers from all over the country.

New to their menu this year is the Improv Comedy Bunch, new live show designed to make you laugh a lot!  If you like the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” then please come out and support this new adventure at The Music Man. The Improv Comedy Bunch is a reservation show be sure to call ahead. Tickets are $8 and include a “bottomless” coffee cup.  Ice Cream and other treats are available at an additional price. Gratuity not included.   Our Morning Café opens at 7am when the phone starts ringing as our guest start planning their day.  And once the summer is over, be sure to ask about The Music Man’s education outreach program. You can have The Music Man and it’s cast brought right to your child’s school this winter to perform character education and leadership programs.  For further information and questions visit, www.njmusicman.com <http://www.njmusicman.com>  or call 732-854-2779.  The Music Man is located at 2305 Grand Central Ave (Route 35 North) Lavallette, NJ 08735

Dinosaurs once again roam the earth in a spectacular theatrical arena show, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular, based on the award-winning BBC Television Series. WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular is now on tour in North America and will perform 12 performances at Madison Square Garden in New York. More than 3.1 million Americans have already seen the production since it opened in July 2007.

The show originated in Australia, where after years of planning, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS came to life at Sydney’s Acer Arena in January 2007.  The show proved itself such a sensation, that this North American tour was fast-tracked.  It began a short three months after completing its sold out engagements in Australia. Since that time, the show’s two companies have played to 4.4 million people worldwide and generated over $210 million dollars in overall ticket sales.

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular is brought to North America by The Creature Production Company, headed by CEO Carmen Pavlovic.  Pavlovic said, “The BBC Series was a brilliant blend of special effects, escapism, excitement and information.  Our show brings together all of that, plus something extra -  it’s live!   In this production, seventeen roaring, snarling “live” dinosaurs mesmerize the audience – and are as awe-inspiring as when they first walked on earth.”

Pavlovic continued, “The dinosaurs are life-size, making the show so immense, it could only fit in arenas. It’s a $20 million arena spectacle of unprecedented size and quality, which captivates young and old alike. With Walking with Dinosaurs, we really believe we have created a new genre in entertainment and we hope to continue to bring new product to arenas for years to come ”

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular has s been seen on “The Today Show,” Good Morning America,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and has been written about in Newsweek, The New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor and the Wall Street Journal. It was the subject of a Discovery Channel Really Big Things episode and a video clue category on Jeopardy.

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Tim Haines, creator and producer of the original BBC series, which was seen by a worldwide audience of 700 million, serves as Project Consultant to WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular.  The series won six Emmy and three BAFTA Awards.

Ten species are represented from the entire 200 million year reign of the dinosaurs.  The show includes the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the terror of the ancient terrain, as well as the Plateosaurus and Liliensternus from the Triassic period, the Stegosaurus and Allosaurus from the Jurassic period and Torosaurus and Utahraptor from the awesome Cretaceous.  The largest of them, the Brachiosaurus is 36 feet tall, and 56 feet from nose to tail.  It took a team of 50 – including engineers, fabricators, skin makers, artists and painters, and animatronic experts – a year to build the original production.

The show depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution, complete with the climatic and tectonic changes that took place, which led to the demise of many species.  With almost cinematic realism, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS has scenes of the interactions between dinosaurs, and the audience sees how carnivorous dinosaurs evolved to walk on two legs, and how the herbivores fended off their more agile predators.

The history of the world is played out with the splitting of the earth’s continents, and the transition from the arid desert of the Triassic period is given over to the lush green prairies and forces of the later Jurassic.  Oceans form, volcanoes erupt, a forest catches fire — all leading to the impact of the massive comet, which struck the earth, and forced the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Variety said, “The dinosaurs are stunning, life-size and faultlessly nimble. In act one, the beasts parade into the arena gnashing and cavorting as a safari-suited paleontologist describes their attributes … in the second half, the action cranks up, culminating in a spectacular clash as a T-Rex mom defends her baby from predators. Sonny Tilders’ triumphant creature design ensures ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ is a truly spectacular spectacular. It is everything a dino-phile could want.”

The New York Times said that in this show dinosaurs make “a thundering comeback after 65 million years.”

Gloria Goodale of the Christian Science Monitor said, “When the dinosaurs start pouring out onto the stage, if you don’t have to stifle the natural flight response of any living breathing being, then it’s your pulse that needs checking.”

Newsweek called the show, “that rare entertainment beast that parents and kids can enjoy together.”

It took 50 artists and technicians one year to build the show. The 17 dinosaurs were originally “hatched” by Tilders, the head of creature design, in a Melbourne Docklands workshop big enough to park a 747. For the North American tour, the only building large enough to house rehearsals for the dinosaurs – some as large as 36 ft tall by 56 ft long, was the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center!

Artistic Director William May is known around the globe for co-producing shows with Malcolm Cooke for the past 30 years, including The Hobbit and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  He produced Marilyn An American Fable on Broadway and co-composed and wrote the musical Always for the West End.

Director Scott Faris directed Michael Crawford in EFX at MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, which at the time was the biggest stage production ever conceived, and was on the production team that created Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage Hotel.  Faris has directed Chicago the Musical in 16 countries around the world in over a dozen languages. Most recently he directed Bette Midler in her new Las Vegas show, The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace.

Faris said, “We take the audience on a journey back in time and show them how the dinosaurs might have actually looked in their prime – huge, sometimes frightening, sometimes comical monsters – that fought for survival every day of their lives.  Our dinosaurs move exactly like they are real — with all the roars, snorts and excitement that go with it.  The realism is mind-blowing!”

Sonny Tilders, who designed and built the creatures has been, for the past decade, one of the major creative forces of the high-tech world of animatronic puppetry for film and television.  He was one of the lead animatronic engineers for Jim Henson’s Creature workshop on the Farscape series, followed by work on Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Peter Pan, Ghost Rider and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Tilders said, “Many of the technologies we are using on WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular are borrowed from film. The computer software and hardware we have developed is based on the systems used to control animatronic creatures in feature films.”

“To make it appear that these creatures are flesh and blood weighing six, eight or even 20 tons, we use a system called ‘muscle bags,’ made from stretch mesh fabric and filled with polystyrene balls, stretched across moving points on the body.  These contract and stretch in the same manner that muscle, fat, and skin does on real creatures.”

“The puppeteers use ‘voodoo rigs’ to make many of the dinosaurs move.  They are miniature versions of the dinosaurs with the same joints and range of movement as their life-sized counterparts.  The puppeteer manipulates the voodoo rig and these actions are interpreted by computer and transmitted by radio waves to make the hydraulic cylinders in the actual dinosaur replicate the action, with a driver hidden below the animal, helping to maneuver it around the arena.”  Suited puppeteer specialists, who are inside the creatures, operate five of the smaller dinosaurs.

Warner Brown wrote the script of WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular. He is an accomplished writer whose works include the book of the musical Flickers on Broadway, the screenplay of Nijinsky for Regent Entertainment, the musical The Black and White Ball, which features music by Cole Porter and The Truth About Light, written with composer Jimmy Roberts.  Other credits include a new version of Half A Sixpence for the West End in 2008, Garbo – The Musical with music by Jim Steinman and Michael Reed, playing in Europe, and the plays and musicals Scandal, The Biograph Girl, Six for Gold, Cinderella, Talullah for a Day and Dance for Life.

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WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular will perform 12 performances at Madison Square Garden in New York. The performance schedule is:

• Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – 3PM & 7PM
• Thursday, July 22, 2010 – 11AM & 7PM
• Friday, July 23, 2010 – 11AM & 7PM
• Saturday, July 23, 2010 – 11AM, 3PM & 7PM
• Sunday, July 25, 2010 – 11AM, 3PM & 7PM

Tickets for the general public are on sale NOW by calling 866.858.0008, online at www.thegarden.com/dinos or in-person at the Madison Square Garden Box Office. For groups, please call 212.465.6080. For more information, please visit www.dinosaurlive.com. Video of the show is available on our site under “Meet The Dinosaurs” tab in the middle of the front page.

Lately, whenever I walk around the house, I see one.  Maybe there’s a pink princess on the family room floor, a red pizza slice on the kitchen table, or a brown baseball bat on the sink in the bathroom.  Finding them in the bathroom really drives me crazy!  If you have a child over the age of five, you know what I’m talking about.  They’re Silly Bandz!  Chances are you have lots of these colorful rubber bracelets sprinkled throughout your house, just as I do.  These slinky rubber bands which are worn around the wrist are shaped like animals, musical instruments, princesses, sea creatures, flowers and many other things.  They are the latest kids’ craze and are the main topic of conversation in schools across the country.  In fact, some schools have even banned the bracelets because teachers and administrators find them to be too distracting.

The bracelets, which are made of colorful silicone molded in different shapes, return to the original shape when taken off the arm.  Usually, kids keep them in plastic baggies they can securely close so none of their precious commodities will get lost.  Half the fun is collecting the bracelets and the other half is trading them with friends, which helps keep the trend fresh and exciting.  These transactions can take place on the school bus, on the soccer field, at the lunchroom table, or anywhere else. Here’s how it works:  One kid will take a band off her wrist, hold it up, and ask what bands other kids will trade for it.  Then the transaction occurs.  According to one of my six-year-old daughters, once the trade is made, the deal is sealed.

“The person really has to make up their mind before they trade Silly Bandz, because when you trade it, you trade it and that’s it,” says Chloe.  “You’re never going to get that Silly Band back again.”

The fad, which hit stores about a year-and-a-half ago, is the brainchild of Toledo, Ohio businessman Robert Croak.  Many different suppliers sell virtually identical bands, all with different brand names, but most kids call them all “Silly Bandz.” BCP Imports has a trademark on that name. A spokesperson for the company says the number of employees at the main office shot from about 20 a year ago to almost 70 today.  At around $5 for a 24-pack, they’re a relatively cheap collectible.  This factor definitely contributes to their staying power and popularity.  Plus, they are sold pretty much everywhere moms and kids frequent on a regular basis like supermarkets or other local stores.  Pretty convenient, huh?

Penny Chandler, a Brick mother of four, fully understands the Silly Bandz craze.  Her girls actually look forward to going to the doctor because they know they can get Silly Bandz after the appointment.

“My four daughters, ages 5, 5, 3, and 2 receive Silly Bandz at our chiropractor’s office which we visit on a regular basis,” says Chandler.  “The girls really look forward to it!  They can exchange one if they have doubles, or just simply add to their collection!  They are crazy about displaying them at the dinner table and with friends wherever we go. My youngest daughter fell a few weeks ago, and it was then that I realized just how powerful these silly bands really are!  As she sat hysterically crying in my lap, a seven-year-old young man handed her a corn dog band which made her so happy.  It was like he gave her a million dollars!  It really helped dry up all of those tears!”

Wow!  Now they are a healing mechanism!  Being able to console a kid during a crying episode is quite significant.  So, just what does this fad have that drives kids over the edge and can wipe away the tears, too? My other six-year-old daughter, Chelsea, finds it exciting and fascinating to see which bands she’ll come across every day on the school bus.

“I like Silly Bandz because you can trade them and you can get different ones,” says Chelsea who particularly likes the glow-in-the-dark bands.    “It’s cool to trade them, but it’s a little hard, too.  Some people aren’t good traders.  You have to be careful.  The people who have the most Silly Bandz usually have the best ones.  That’s who I like to trade with.”

True twins who even think alike, Chloe wholeheartedly agrees with her sister and fellow Silly Bandz buddy.

“I like Silly Bandz because they are so cool,” says Chloe who likes the princess Silly Bandz the best.  “I like to trade with the kids who have the best ones because they might have the one that you really want.  Then, once you get it, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.  I’m just so happy that I can trade Silly Bandz.”

As if the excitement wasn’t enough, now kids can trade the Silly Necklace which debuted in June.  At the moment, they are only available online at sillybandz.com.  It will be interesting to see if the Silly Necklace will enjoy as much popularity as the bracelets in the upcoming months.  There’s one thing I know for sure: the Silly Bandz bracelets are here to stay for a long time in my household.  My daughters are so obsessed with looking for new packs in the stores and then trading with their friends, that I can’t even imagine them losing interest in this new hobby anytime soon.  Just when I thought we had enough Silly Bandz to last us a lifetime, I’m hit with another desperate request:  “Mom, can we get the New York Yankees Silly Bandz?  Please?  I don’t have them and they are my favorite baseball team!  Pretty please with a cherry on top!”  How can I resist?  Guess where I’ll be tomorrow morning?

By Sue Gerard

This family resort has withstood the test of time.  Rocking Horse Ranch has been around since 1958.  It was originally established by Toolie and Gloria Turk who were from NewYork City but had a love of horses.  They wanted to create a resort that was a little less “rustic” than your typical dude ranch of the day, and more family friendly.  They converted one of the oldest hotels in Ulster County New York in a town called Highland.  They worked on the property during the week and catered to guests on the weekends.  It was the first and only ranch in the country to have an indoor and outdoor pool, water skiing, snow skiing, a nightclub and dozens of other activities in their facility.

After 10 years, business was booming and improvements were continually made to better satisfy guests.  Then tragedy struck in January 1971.  The Turks life’s work and dreams went up in flames during a New Year’s weekend fire.  All the guests were safe, but only the brick walls and chimney were left standing.  They decided to rebuild and made it bigger and better than before.  Now it truly was “their” structure and they have been thriving ever since.

I personally have been to this ranch twice in the winter months.  It was highly recommended by a friend who had taken her family there in both the summer and winter.  It is just under a 3 hour drive from Brick, so it’s not a bad ride to get there.  They even provide free pickup service from the Poughkeepsie Train Station or Stewart Airport if that’s your preferred method of travel.

I decided to go to Rocking Horse Ranch the first time in February 2009 after researching prices to take my kids skiing for the first time.  They were only 4, 6 and 8 so I needed to get each of them lessons and we all needed ski rentals.  Without even staying over anywhere, I was floored by the cost.  I looked into Rocking Horse Ranch and they were offering a special price the week before President’s Weekend.  Although I had to pull the kids out of school, we were able to book 3 days and 2 nights with them for not too much more than one afternoon at a Pocono based ski resort!

We had so much fun that we decided to try and go back about every other year, but we couldn’t stay away and went again this year!  The resort allows you to arrive as early as you’d like and use their facility even if you can’t check into your room.  They also let you stay as late as you’d like on your last day.  We got up early and arrived at 10:00am which is when the ski slopes open up.  My kids were so excited to try this new sport!  When we first arrived, our initial reaction to the size of their hills was disappointment.  However, once we realized the two of us hadn’t been on a ski slope for over 10 years, the hill seemed much bigger and more manageable!  And… it was so perfect for the kids.

As long as the temperatures remain low enough, RHR has 100% snow making ability.  They have a ski rental room where you fill out a form your first day with a release and all your pertinent information.  That form gets filed during your stay so all you have to do is give them your name and they pull out the right size boots and skis for you each time.  You get to know the staff very quickly while you are there since it is a very personal experience.  There is a bunny hill to learn on (they call it the “never ever area”) with instructors right there to help you learn how to snowplow and turn and use the rope lifts.  After one morning of lessons my boys were going half way up “the big hill” and by the second day they were going all the way to the top and skiing down by themselves.  You can ski from 10am to 4pm daily.

All your meals at Rocking Horse Ranch are included in the price of your stay.  On your first day, you don’t get lunch so prepare ahead for that if you plan to arrive early like we did.  We packed a lunch and ate it in the lobby which has many inviting couches, seats and tables, a bar and a fireplace.  There is also a side room (called the Round-up Room) with more seating, a big table and a TV.  That room has hot chocolate and coffee available with free food such as pound cake, cookies, brownies, etc.  There is also free At the dining room, you are seated with other guests at tables of 8 or 10.  The Turks wanted to set it up this way so that guests had a chance to mingle and get to know each other.  Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and there is a great variety to choose from.  Dinner is ordered from a menu of about 5 appetizer choices and 5 dinner choices.  They wanted to avoid a buffet style at every meal and give the guests the chance to “be served.”

Guests come mainly from Long Island, New York City, Westchester, north and central New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.  The general demographics of their average guest family has kids that range in age from 2 to 13.  They do not charge for children under age 4.  They have a supervised day camp and nursery for the youngest guests if you care to take advantage of that, and have activities for the tweens and teens too!  There is a Wii room where you can play wii games for free, as well as an arcade room with various video games and a ping pong table.  Every evening they have entertainment.  The ranch scouts for their entertainment in New York City as well as via the internet and by holding trial runs at the ranch.  A musical guest generally starts off and the headliner is either a magician, ventriloquist, juggler, circus act, comedian or general family entertainer!  All the acts we’ve seen were great and fun for the whole family.  We made sure we didn’t miss any of them while we were there.

Also during the winter months they offer night snow tubing from 7-9:30, weather permitting.  At the base of the run they have a bonfire where you can keep warm and provide marshmallows for roasting after a frosty ride!  By the end of the day, the tubing trail gets slick so the rides are fun and fast!  Another activity you don’t want to miss!

Although we’ve only been there in the winter, their busiest season begins at the end of June when school lets out and runs through Labor Day.  They are always at full capacity with 120 rooms booked solid.  They have a main lodge and a detached lodge called the Oklahoma Building.  The main lodge has 2 room sizes which can accommodate up to 4 people, or up to 6 people.  Bunk beds are provided in the larger rooms and some even connect with other rooms if you are staying with other families.  Oklahoma rooms are less expensive but only hold up to 2 people, or up to 6 people.  More rooms are expected to be built in coming years.

In the summer, the activities are endless.  They have a lake on site.  They provide waterskiing rides where you are taken around the lake 3 times and have a bar on the side of the boat to hold onto which is easier than attempting to get up when pulled by a rope.  There is no age limit; you just need to know how to swim.  They also have banana boat rides where you have up to 10 people straddling a big banana boat that is pulled by a ski boat.  For those that want a more serene ride, you can go kayaking or get on a paddle boat and ride around the lake.

There is catch and release fishing for fresh water bass.  You can play miniature golf, tennis, horseshoes, bocce ball and shuffle board.  There is both organized and “pick up” play for basketball, volleyball and softball.  For the adult crowds, there is “beer” softball and “beer” volleyball activities which are always a hoot.  There is the outdoor pool to utilize in the summer, as well as the indoor pool all year round.  You feel like you are on a campus with something to do at every turn.

Of course, we can’t forget about the horses.  There is horseback riding available every day.  They have 4 trail rides times during the week and 6 on the weekends.  There are 3 levels of rides including beginners, novice and advanced.  The beginner trail rides are the most popular and they have many wranglers along the trails making sure everyone has control of their horses.  You walk along the wooded trails at that level.  The novice riders do get to trot a little.  If you don’t have the skills to maintain proper control of your horse, then they will take you over to the beginner riders.  The advanced riders get to canter (gallop) with the horses along the trails.  The saddles are western so you have to be comfortable in that style.  I rode horses as a young girl but learned English so I was actually dropped down to novice when I was told I wasn’t keeping my but in the saddle!  I’m used to being up on my heels and posting!  All trail rides take about an hour and you must be 7 years old to ride.

If you have a younger child 6 or under, don’t worry, they have pony rides!  You can take your child over to the small area in the morning from 9:30-12:30 or after lunch between 2 and 3pm.  A staff member will walk your child around on a pony and you can ride as much and as often as you want.  Horse drawn hay rides are also available throughout the day.  They pick you up by the tennis courts and take you through the woods for a short ride.

Other activities which are available year round include the fun barn and rifle range.  The rifle range includes a shooting gallery and indoor archery.  The rifles shoot at an array of black light targets with air powered BB’s.  The fun barn is an indoor facility off by itself that’s great to visit as its own activity or a filler in between other events you are planning in your day.  There is a foam factory with interactive soft play with 10 air powered cannons, a climbing wall, a moon bounce, volleyball net and ping pong tables.  My kids love to go there.

There are activities and special events planned for each and every day.  These may include such things as riding demonstrations, tour of the stables, sports trivia, bingo, character lunches in the dining room, shoot out contest, scavenger hunts, horse betting, karaoke, arts & crafts, line dancing, etc, etc.  A schedule is available when you check in or can be picked up at any time at the front desk during your stay.

Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself.  Relax, rejuvenate and refresh yourself at the massage and facial center.  These services are not included in the price but rates are competitive.  There is also a fully equipped exercise room and men and women sauna rooms to enjoy.

New in 2009 is the Big Splash Indoor Water Park.  It was an expansion to the indoor pool area and now includes interactive fountains and dumping buckets, twin slides for toddlers, a water walk challenge with cargo netting, mini geysers and a 230 foot giant waterslide.

Don’t forget to visit their Gift Shoppe located right in the lobby.  I love to get Christmas tree ornaments from our vacations and they have a few on hand.  It’s always nice to go home with a souvenir so you can be reminded of the wonderful stay you had at Rocking Horse Ranch!

Over the next 5 years, they are planning to add on about 30 more rooms, increase the size of their dining room (and possibly have the option of eating at your own table instead of with other guests), provide a public meeting space, add on to their new indoor water slides and change their ski rope lifts to a magic carpet lift.  They are constantly looking for ways to attract and maintain their guests as well as keep them happy while they are there.  We sure were happy every time we went and are looking forward to our next visit!

Rocking Horse Ranch is located at 600 Route 44/45 Highland, NY 12528.  You can contact them at 1-800-647-2624 or visit their website at www.rockinghorseranch.com. There is a lot of information on the site and rates are posted for various seasons.  I also suggest signing up for their email list so you can take advantage of promotions and specials.

Having a birthday this year? Of course you are, so why not book your next party at Shore Ballet School! With their amazing ideas they can personalize your theme and bring your vision to life. A dance class is great entertainment and gives your guests a chance to be involved, even if they have had no formal dance experience.   The director of the school, Chrissy Starr, does all the great party planning herself with that personal touch you can only receive from a homemade business. When her daughter and son came along, she started using the space for their parties, and that sparked her inspiration to start her popular “dance” birthdays. Partygoers adore Ms. Starr’s enthusiasm, and she has fun with the kids and loves introducing the true fundamentals of dance. Ms. Starr is a certified dance instructor. Her teacher training began in London, England when she attended and graduated from the prestigious Royal Ballet School.  It was there that she learned how to work with children of all ages and train students to dance in a safe age-appropriate manner.  Upon retuning to the U.S. she continued her studies obtaining more teaching certifications while still performing in ballets and musical theater productions. The party package includes set up of tables, chairs and goodie bags. It also includes clean up which is a big plus for busy parents! The party itself starts with a 30-minute class of your choosing: Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro or Broadway. For boys popular themes include Pirates and Rock-n-Roll. For girls, Disney Princesses and Ballerinas are top picks. After dancing, eating cake and singing “Happy Birthday” kids have more time for musical games and piñatas. Wanna dress up at your party? Of course, dress up is the rage! All costumes are encouraged and they enhance the mood of the party for everyone. Shore Ballet can even personalize a co-ed dance party for boys and girls. Together brothers, sisters, friends and cousins can have fanciful themes such as princesses & knights, Idol Pop Stars, and countless others.   The historic Shore Ballet building is a renovated church that is spacious and can accommodate up to 80 guests. They even host weddings and showers in their 56×30 foot hall that’s amazingly open with vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. The school is easy to find and just minutes off Rt.37 East in Toms River. Chrissy Starr is proud to proclaim her school is not a franchise, but a family owned local business that has been in the Toms River area for 32 years. Her growing curriculum and party ideas are all original and her customers love that personal creativity. Her dance parties are just another way of inviting kids and parents into the world of theater and dance. For Ms. Starr, owning the school is not just a job, but a passion. She loves her vocation, and since starting the parties she has had the opportunity to celebrate special moments with numerous families!

By Tricia Berwick

These days, it seems like there are more party ideas for birthdays than ever before. With so many resources to choose from, it’s easy for moms to get overwhelmed in the planning process. However, selecting the right option for your child’s next birthday fiesta doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Before any preparations are made, decide if you would like to host the celebration at home or invite guests to your child’s favorite party place. Once this decision has been determined, the other details will automatically fall into place.

First, it’s best to figure out how many children will attend the party. If the birthday boy wants to have fun with his entire class and neighborhood friends, think about whether or not your home is large enough to comfortably accommodate this type of guest list. Even with a long list of family members and friends, Neptune mother of three, Aimee Lomerson decided to have her twin sons’ birthday party at home last year.

Check out more places to have your child’s birthday party.

“When trying to find a place to have a party, we always need to look into something that caters to a wide range of ages and can be suitable for boys and girls, since we have a lot of cousins within a few years of each other,” says Lomerson. “There are a few places that do this, like McDonald’s or indoor jungle gym places. But, once you have attended several parties at each of these places it becomes boring. And it’s very expensive. So for my boys’ fourth birthday we decided to have an at-home party. We didn’t have $350 to spend on a birthday party and we felt like the old-school home party is actually something new and exciting to many kids. Having it in a place has its perks – they usually do everything and all you have to do is send invitations and show up. That is great! But sometimes having fun with a theme and needing to be creative is also great.”

Once the Lomerson family decided to throw a home party, they created a plan to keep the kids busy and entertained. Having organized activities keeps the party flowing smoothly, the kids out of trouble, and the sanity of the parents maintained. To reduce her level of stress, Lomerson kept the menu simple so she could channel her energy and concentration into entertaining the children, which was her top priority.

“We knew that we would have a packed house and that we needed to care for adults as well as kids,” says Lomerson. “So we kept it simple with the food. We served a sandwich platter for adults and had kid-friendly foods that matched our combination Wiggles and Spider-Man themes, like ‘Dorothy the Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets,’ and ‘Spider-Man Macaroni and Cheese.’ After the kids ate, we had arts and crafts projects set up on a big table and then played ‘Wiggles Freeze Dance’ and ‘Pin the Web on Spider-Man’ using a Spider-Man poster and webs that I printed from the computer.”

If you have the time to plan activities and can accommodate the guests in your house, home parties can be very rewarding and meaningful for your child. All it takes is a little creativity and preparation ahead of time.

“A person can have lots of fun creating an at-home party,” says Lomerson. “The ideas you can find on the Internet are endless. And if you can afford to spend a little more, there are all types of fun parties to have in your home – carnival themes, a petting zoo and pony rides. I think that switching it up each year keeps it exciting.”

Another advantage to having an at-home party is that the schedule of younger siblings does not need to be affected. Whenever it is one of her older girls’ birthdays, Brick mother of four, Penny Chandler always chooses this option because it works better for her little ones.

“A big advantage to having a party at home is that babies can nap in their own cribs and they’re not off of their schedules,” says Chandler. “Also, at home you don’t have to worry about any of them slipping off with someone else. You know all of the kids are safely inside your house. Plus, the party can last as long as you want and you’re not restricted to how many children can be invited. The more the merrier!”

Of course, all of this sounds gre

at, but the important thing to realize is that after the party is over, all of the mess needs to be cleaned up—by you! This factor alone is the main reason Howell mother of three, Tracy Hill has all of her parties outside of the house.

“When my sons were younger, it was nice to have parties at home, because we mainly had family over,” says Hill. “But now that the twins just turned five and my younger son is three, I prefer having it somewhere where they can run around, play with their friends and I can simply enjoy watching them laugh and have fun and not worrying about cleaning up the house. Having three boys means finding a place that fits their high energy levels and lets them feel special playing somewhere new. We are home every day so having a birthday party at the house seems like the same old routine. Plus, having it outside the house usually means a meal, the cake, and goody bags may be included. That’s one less thing for mom to worry about! The kids seem to really enjoy being at a birthday party and playing with new things and taking part in different activities.

If you decide that having the party out is your best bet, look into hosting the celebration at a park, family fun center or restaurant. If you’re not sure of what may be a hit with the kiddies, ask friends and family members for ideas about which places deserve a call and which ones you should seriously avoid. Most birthday party establishments offer discounts for weekday events,

so it might be worth it to plan the party on a Tuesday and save a few dollars. The beauty of having the party out is that other people will take care of the activities and food, but you should still be able to infuse some of your child’s theme into the event.

So, grab your calendar, pick a date and begin the planning process. Remember to include your children in the party details, too. Who knows? Your child could surprise you altogether and choose not to have a party—either at home or at a favorite place.

“This year we skipped a party all together and gave the kids the option to go to Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania instead,” says Lomerson. “They were thrilled! Variety is the spice of life!”

After enjoying an exciting inaugural season, Jersey Shore Pirates is back for another summer of fun and adventure along the Metedeconk River. The Sea Gypsy 2, which sails from Riverfront Marina, on Princeton Avenue in Brick, is ready to engage and captivate your children as they search for treasure.

Owners Rob “Captain Scurvy” Corring and his wife Jessica, have prior experience with boating and buccaneers and have created a true-to-life pirate ship adventure. Families across the New Jersey Shore area are enjoying this unique form of family entertainment.

“The public has had a tremendous response to our Pirate Adventures,” says Rob Corring. “Last year we had a rough start with the inclement weather early in the season but as soon as the weather improved, we really started to see the “word-of-mouth” advertising that is so important to us. Friends told other friends and mothers who sailed with their families returned for birthday parties. It was really great to see the return Pirates. We had some mates sail with us three and four times throughout the season. Our crew puts their heart and soul into every trip and we believe it really shows when you see families coming back for another sail.”

“Captain Scurvy,” is part of the energetic and enthusiastic crew, along with 18-year-old Christopher Hendershot, otherwise known onboard as “Pirate Smee.” While on board, both men lead kids on an interactive treasure hunt and teach the little sailors how to properly read a treasure map. Before they set sail, the kids always listen to a few rules about water safety, which is of utmost importance to the Jersey Shore Pirates staff. The kids will then hoist the ship’s flag and begin their journey. Together, the kids on the ship will work as a team to defeat “Pirate Pete,” who has stolen the keys to their treasure. They will collectively use the ship’s water cannons to defeat the enemy and secure the treasure! At the conclusion of the ride, children will be treated to authentic pirate “loot” as a souvenir of their journey.

For Corring and the rest of his crew, the best part of each trip is watching the kids have tons of fun on this high seas adventure.

“What we enjoy the most is the reaction of the kids on The Sea Gypsy 2,” says Corring. “Nothing is better than watching the mates’ faces when they haul their hard earned treasure from the waters, or when they battle the dreaded “Pirate Pete” with the water cannons. Although we offer several sailings a day, every trip ends up having something new and exciting. The reaction of the kids is always the best part.”

For two consecutive seasons, Corring and his crew have enjoyed watching the reaction of little Jake Vowteras. His maiden voyage last year made such an impression on the young sailor that his mom felt compelled to have his birthday party with the family-owned and operated business.

“I have been listening to him talk about Jersey Shore Pirates ever since we sailed on the ship early last summer,” says Jake’s mom, Kimberly. “For nearly a year, Jake has asked when his pirate party was going to be. There wasn’t even a question of what should we do for his fifth birthday! The party was amazing and everyone had the best time. It’s hard to even say who had more fun. And although it’s a cruise for kids, it’s a really nice time for parents too. You’re out on the water, it’s scenic, and it’s relaxing and so enjoyable, even though 22 kids are screaming “Argh!” the whole time!”

Since preparing for the adventure is a major part of this event, Corring and his staff made a few changes during the off-season to further enhance the customer’s overall experience.

“This season we have expanded our offices so that we can present more of an experience for our families and groups when they arrive at the dock,” says Corring. “We have a larger shop where we offer more retail options. It was really important to us, that when you enter our office, you know that we are trying to improve on what we do, and what our guests experience. It took a lot of work over the winter, but we believe it will improve on the overall experience which is what we want. We will always try to exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Customer satisfaction is one of Jersey Shore Pirates’ top priorities. The crew will go to great lengths to make sure that all of their guests have had a pleasant and enjoyable experience aboard the Sea Gypsy 2.

“One of my favorite parts of the business is when we get someone who is slightly skeptical about what we do and then they approach us at the end of the Pirate Adventure to let us know they had a great time,” says Corring. “They admit that they weren’t sure what to expect when they arrived, but as they watched their mini-mates turn into Pirates right in front of their eyes they became believers. Our PirateAdventure is designed to keep the kids’ attention from start to finish. To anyone who has every tried to keep a 4- year-old occupied for almost two hours, you would be amazed how our crew does it for multiple kids at one time, six times a day.”

The Jersey Shore Pirates adventure is geared toward children ages 3 to 10. They sail from May-October and are available for birthday parties, class trips, and families. During October, they sail on Saturdays and Sundays only, with six different sailing times to choose from.

Before the children enjoy this exhilarating adventure, they first must be transformed into swashbuckling pirates. Upon arrival, kids will be welcomed by enthusiastic staff members who will assist the children in selecting a perfect pirate costume. The little mates will then receive their very own pirate names, learn some valuable pirate lingo, and also have the opportunity to get their faces painted with pirate “tattoos.” Before the kids head down to the dock for their trip, the staff will remind the children to keep a look out for “enemy pirates” in the area.

Prior to sailing times for check-in, face painting, and dress-up. For more information, check out their website at www.jerseyshorepirates.com or call 732-899-6100. Reservations are highly recommended and it’s suggested to that you arrive 30 minutes prior to sailing times for check-in, face painting, and dress-up.