new york family september 1, 2011

SEPTEMBER 20

11

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14 New York Family | September 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

inside September 2011

FEATURES48 | The MoTher of All MATerniTyWith Her Eye For Style And Her Entrepreneurial Spirit, Liz Lange Has Turned Her Love Of Fashion Into A Maternity Wear EmpireJust Dont Call This NYC Mom Of Two A Superwoman

52 | The risingTen Years After 9/11, Three Local Women Talk About Life, Love, Loss and Family

v BAck To school34 Stylin For School: From Boots To Bomber Jackets, Fresh Fashion Looks For School

56 Schools Of Choice: In Her New Book, Noted Education Journalist Peg Tyre Helps Parents Ana-lyze What It Means To Be A Good School Today

60 Getting In: Two Former NYC School Admis-sions Advisors Have Written A Guide (Not A Tell-All) To Applying To Private School In The City

62 Lice-Free Living: Prevention And Treatment For Those Nasty Little Nits

64 On The Write Track: An Important But Declining SkillThe Art Of Writing And How To Cultivate It In Our Children

68 | clAsses guideFrom Mommy & Me Classes To Extracurricular Programs For Your Tween, Here Is A Guide To The Citys Most Inspired Offerings

88 | fAll culTure guideThe Top 20: Cant-Miss Museum Exhibits, Live Performances And Cultural Events For Families This Season

colUmnS18 | ediTors noTe Always Was And Always Will Be

30 | The new PArenTs exPoThe Baby Expo Of All Baby Expos, Featuring Harvey Karp, Liz Lange And MoreFor New And Expectant Parents

32 | The Joy of shoPPingDenim Diaries: Five Laws For Fending Off Mom Jeans And Finding The Perfect Pair

38 | PArenT in ProfileGimme Some Moey!: Kids Songstress And Local Mom Melissa Levis Reinvents Happily Ever After In Her New NYC-Themed DVD

40 | A good ideAA Miss Manners For The Digital Age, Faye Rogaski

Of socialsklz:-) Helps Children Nurture Their Social And Emotional Intelligence

44 | A sPeciAl PlAceForever Friends: Promoting Safe, Long-Term And Loving Matches Between People And Companion Animals, Bideawee Is The Perfect Place To Find A New Furry Family Member

94 | dreAM second hoMesCatskill Farms: Why A Cottage 100 Miles North Of Manhattan May Be Your Familys Best Investment Yet

98 | The lAsT wordThe Wall: In Renovating A Too-Tiny Bedroom, One Mother Demolishes The Bedrock Of Sibling Rivalry

dEpARTmEnTS20 | welcoMe To The fAMilyThe New Parents Expo, American Girl giveaway and how newyorkfamily.com is becoming a daily destination

22 | BuzzworThyVintage portraiture for kids, a former mayors childrens book, toolboxes for tots and more

24 | Ten ideAsOur monthly round-up of family fun in the city

The cover: Clothing: Dress by Trina Turk; Shoes by Manolo Blahnik. Jewelry: Lizs own. Hair by Valery Joseph/Owner of Valery Joseph Salon.

Makeup by Nikki Cullhaj for Valery Joseph Salon. Styled by Cricket Burns. Photography by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com). Shot on location

in East Hampton, New York. Corrections: In the July issue on page 54, the childrens music program Applause was incorrectly identified as Apple-

sauce. For more about Applause, visit applauseny.com.

48

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Knowing how the 10th anniversary of

9/11 would saturate the media, I was wary

of assigning our own story about it. Im glad

Heather Ouida, one of our contributing

writers, changed my mind. If you only read

one thing in this issue, I hope youll read the

conversation Heather moderated between

three local women, including her mother-

in-law, who each had loved ones who died in

the towers (page 52). By sharing how it was

and how it is, the women help us understand

the impact of tragedy on family over time

and the possibilities of family in the long

wake of tragedy. We should all be so resilient.

In one of my favorite exchanges in the

interview, Heather asks the panel if they

view New York negatively since September

11th. I was bowled over by their ongo-

ing affection. One woman, Lisa Luckett,

recounted how the streets [of the city]

were lined with people giving us their

support. Another, Danielle Salerno, felt

like she would move back tomorrow if I

couldits just so damn expensive! The

third panelist, Andrea Ouida, felt the same,

adding, There are a lot of great New York-

ersalways was and always will be.

To Lisa, Danielle, and Andrea, and

Heather too, I want to respond to your

eloquence with just two words: Thank You.

The rest of this issue features lighter

fare, but it also happens to be filled with the

kind of New Yorkers Andrea paid tribute

to, starting with our cover subject Liz

Lange (page 48) Famous for her maternity

fashions, Liz is a visionary with persistence,

guts and class. Shes such a good role model

that I plan to share our interview with my

11-year-old daughter.

Other great New Yorkers in the issue: Ev-

eryone at Bideawee! (page 44) Education au-

thor Peg Tyre! (page 56) The local lice slayers!

(page 62) For taking manners into her own

hands, Faye Rogaski of socialsklz :-)! (page 40)

The amazing and lyrical Moey! (page 38) And

this months cover photographer Thaddeus

Harden, who knows more about love and

resilience that any parent I know.

Finally, I also hope youll read our story

about how to cultivate your childs writing

skillsif only because we need interns.

A happy September to all,

ERIC MESSINGER [email protected]

Always Was And Always Will Be

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ON THE

THEW

EB

T O T H E F AM I LY co W

YOUR DAILY DESTINATION FOR ALL-THINGS FAMILYWe all troll the web for our daily dose of news, gossip and tips. So have you made NewYorkFamily.com a regular stop during your rou-tine surfi ng? If not, be sure to check us out morning, noon and night for updated blog posts, giveaways and more. The Daily Scoop serves up family fun, parenting news, shopping tips and timely articles every daykeeping parents in the know. Our Family Calendar shows you what to do around the city today, tomorrow and beyond. And our Joy of Shopping, Born & Bred, and Yummy Delicious bloggers post new ideas all the time. Have a wonderful idea or suggestion for our web-site? Please write to us at [email protected].

UPCOMING EVENTSTHE NEW PARENTS EXPOAttention new and expectant parents from the tri-state area! Come to the New Parents Expo this fall on October 15 and 16 at Pier 92 in Manhattan. Featuring such renowned speakers as Harvey Karp (author of The Happiest Baby on the Block), cover star Liz Lange (of Liz Lange Maternity), Vicki Iovine (author of The Girlfriends Guide to Preg-nancy), Rosie Pope (star of Pregnant in Heels) and Dr. Bob Sears (co-author of The Baby Book), the Expo will help parents make the most of an exciting new stage in life. Helping new moms and dads discover many of the best products in maternity, baby and toddler from national and local companies, the Expo will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. The show includes a speaker series, a stroller test drive track, a mothers lounge, a fashion runway and much more! To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com. (For more details, see page 30.)

STROLL & ROLL IN RIVERSIDE PARKWhat better way to enjoy the crisp fall air than to stroll down River-side Park in a charity walk? On Sunday, October 16, bust out your favorite baby buggy to help the JCC in Manhattan fundraise for their Academics + Community Equal Success Program. In a scenic two-mile stretch, youll be helping the JCC provide after school tuition assistance to hardworking students in need. Scooters are welcome, too! Get pumped for cool prizes, giveaways, and a performance just

for kids. To register, visit jccmanhattan.org/stroll or call 646-505-5708. Cost is $36 for a family of up to fi ve members.

CONTESTS& GIVEAWAYS

WIN TICKETS TO THE OHMIES If taking your rambunctious preschool-

er to the theater sounds like torture, you probably havent given The Ohmies a try. This 50-minute musical produc-tion has a kid-friendly script, catchy tunes, and colorful props and cos-

tumes that would keep even the most restless kid glued to her seat with eyes on the stage, but The Ohmies takes it a step furtherchildren hop and shake

along with the lovable characters. Seated on mats, kids learn yoga poses and move with the story as it teaches lessons on making new friends and

staying fi t and healthy. Little ones are encouraged to wear comfy clothes

so they can get active too! Best of all, were giving away four pairs of tickets

to the show. To enter, send us an email explaining why youd like to win:

[email protected] and put The Ohmies in the subject

line. Deadline to enter is Monday, September 12.

AMERICAN GIRL GIVEAWAYCan you believe that the popular American Girl dolls collection has been around for 25 years? The latest to join the historical ranks are Ccile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardnertwo friends whose lives are set in the 1850s. As readers learn, the girls must reach across the boundaries of race and class to help the city of New Orleans during a time of need. To share their stories, American Girl has created a six-book set including Marie-Grace and the Orphans and Cciles Gift. And we have the two new American Girl dolls and a book set to giveaway! To enter, send us an email explaining why youd like to win: [email protected] and put American Girl in the subject line. Deadline to enter is Friday, September 23.

NYF_0911.indd 20 8/22/11 10:35 AM

SaturdayOctober 19:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SaturdayNovember 5

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Home Depot Kids Workshop1st Saturday of Every Month

FREE arts & craft a ctivity for families instilling do-it-yourself skills and a sense of accomplishment

Fire RescueHelicopterFinished painted example

Picture FrameFinished painted example

For more information, visit homedepot.com/workshops

CELEBRATEVETERANSDAY

FIRESAFETYDAY


buzThe CheCklisT for

worthy

Safe travelSYou might double check your childs safety before hitting the road, but what about when youre

airborne? According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, children under 40 pounds should be strapped into child safety seats on airplanes, which is where CARES comes in. CARESthe Child Aviation

Restraint Systemis the only Federal Aviation Administration-certified harness for tots on planes. Conveniently weighing only one pound, the device fits in a small pouch, is inexpensive and is easily

adjustable for any plane seat youll encounter. All thats left to do is buckle up! For more information, visit kidsflysafe.com.

tool t imeLet your child channel his inner craftsman with the Red Toolbox Combo Bird-house & Tools kit. Jam-packed with everything she will need to create her very own birdhouse, the kit includes a hammer, screwdriver, 2 x 2 clamps, a saw and a file that fits to work with her small hands. Once its builtfamily project!you and your little one can delight in the winged visitors that will visit your backyard for a little rest and relaxation in their new home. Whats more, Red Toolbox sells a complete line of individual tools and kits that are ergonomically designed for children, including a cordless drill, fret saw, tool belt and much more. For more information, visit red-toolbox.com.

make your own mario worldDoes your little one love racing around with Mario and Luigi in the super popular Wii game Mario Kart? Then invite those favorite friends off the TV screen and into your living room for the next road race. With a new building set from KNEX, the first collaboration between Nintendo and the construction toys, game fans can construct their own racetracks and send motorized cars manned by Mario, Luigi or Yoshi around real-life courses. Each set can create a racetrack in it-

self or be connected with others to make superhighways, obstacle courses or whatever your little speed demon dreams up. For more information, visit knex.com/mariokartwii.

See ed writeWho knew that Ed Koch was writing childrens books? We were pleasantly surprised to hear that the former mayor has penned an autobiographical

picture bookpublished by Tim Zagat of the Zagat Restaurant Surveys and with an introduction by Bill Clintonbased on his experiences growing up as a chubby child. Eddie Shapes Up is a delight-ful story of a thoughtful young boy who would rather put his nose in a book than spend recess on the playground. Readers soon learn that Eddie is self-conscious because hes not as athletically skilled as his peers. When he does join in on a game of dodgeball he is called fatso and, for reasons we all understand, refuses to stay in the game. But as Eddie begins to change his ways and eventually prioritize his health, readers discover that he is much happier leading a life of eating well and exercising. The moral of the story is clear: taking care of yourself can be fun and will change the way you experience so many thingslike a game at recessfor the better.

not your average SnapShotBased on the embellished staging of vintage portraiture, Homespun Photos creates highly individualized,

stylized and contemporary photos of children (even pets!). The resulting images are not your run-of-the-mill school portraits, but instead capture the unique life of a child, posing with her favorite doll or emulating his

beloved hero. The process is ultra-collaborative and Homespun Photos looks to the parent to make sure every detail is worked out, from hair and makeup to setting and props. And to make things uber-convenient, the

photo shoot takes place in the comfort of your own home. For more information, visit homespunphotos.com.

S

BUZZWORTHY_0911.indd 22 8/22/11 10:18 AM

Gymtime Gymnastics Rhythm and GluesAll the fun and activity you can possibly

have in one place!

They Are Only Young Once.We Get It!

1520 York Avenue, New York, NY 10028 212.861.7732For more information and a full list of classes for your child visit: www.gymtime.net.

REGISTER FOR

FALL 2011


GREAT IDEASSEPTEMBER

for

September 6-October 4WILD ABOUT WARHOL[Ages 4 and up]The 92nd Street Y is hosting an Andy Warhol Childrens Festival, including an art exhibit, Warhol: Paintings for Children. This exhibit will display 80 original Warhol paintings at

kids eye level to enable easy viewing for youngsters. During three consecutive week-ends (September 10-11, 17-18, 24-25), little artists can participate in free Warhol Workshops. These workshops include the Drop-In Silkscreen Studio, where families can create their own works of art using stencils and the silkscreen technique; Ceramics: War-

hols Shoes, during which kids can make 3-D shoe sculptures based off of Warhols shoe drawings; and the Rubber Stamp Workshop, where children will experiment with rubber stamps a la Andy. (92nd Street Y, 1395 Lex-ington Avenue, 212-415-5500, 92Y.org)

September 10THE WILD WEST SIDE [All Ages]At the 9th Annual West Side County Fair, visi-tors will be able to enjoy live music, carnival rides, square dancing and a petting zooall free! Scheduled to perform: Woody Pines, jazz banjoist Cynthia Sayer and Electric Junk-yard Gamelan, among others. Kids will love the Green Acre environmental corner where they can engage in activities that promote green living. Be sure to check out the side-show acts and dazzling feats of Lady Circus, an all-female performing troupe straight out of Brooklyn! (Riverside Park, between 59th and 72nd Streets, 212-408-0219, riverside-parkfund.org)

September 17FILM FEST FUN[Ages 5 and up]

Lights, Camera, Action! In conjunction with the Childrens Museum of the Arts, Big Mov-ies for Little Kids will host its free Student Film Festival on Governors Island. From 11am to 3pm families can view a slew of very short fi lmsfour minutes or lesscre-ated by New York City fi lm students ranging in age from 3 to 18 years, working in live ac-tion, documentaries, stop-motion animation and other genres. There will also be a special screening of the CMAs award-winning short Diamond of the Pig. (Governors Island, Our Lady of the Sea Chapel, 718-596-9113, bigmoviesforlittlekids.blogspot.com)

September 17-18COUNTRY IN THE CITY [All Ages]

The 29th Annual Queens County Fair at the Queens County Farm Museum is the only

September 17-18COUNTRY IN THE CITY [All Ages]

September 17FILM FEST FUN[Ages 5 and up]

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10GoodIdeas_0911.indd 24 8/22/11 10:17 AM

08/08/11

BRONX ZOOBZ_FULL_LEGO_7.20.11NY_FAMILY

8,625 x 11,3758,125 x 10,8757,625 x 10,375

1:1

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100

PRESENTED BY:

tHe gReat sumMer zoOfariA LEGO WILDLIFE EXPEDITION!WEEKENDS JULY SEPTEMBERVISIT BRONX.ZOO FOR DETAILS.

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WEEKENDS JULY SEPTEMBER

PICK UP YOUR COMPLIMENTARY ZOOFARI PASSPORT AND EMBARK ON AN EXCITING CONSERVATION ADVENTURE WITH PASSPORT STAMPING STATIONS, AMAZING LEGO WILDLIFE SCULPTURES AND A CHANCE TO BUILD YOUR OWN

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To submit an event listing, please email [email protected].

Sign up for New York Familys popular weekly e-newsletter

with tips on activities, shopping, and parenting at newyorkfamily.com.

place in the city (that we know of) to experi-ence all the sights, sounds and smells of a county fair. Families will be treated to food, hayrides, fair rides, livestock, arts & crafts, and even produce competitions. Children can race against each other in the Amazing Maize Maze or see who can gobble up the most in the pie-eating contest. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. (Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org)

September 17-18INSPIRED INVENTIONS[All Ages]

Have a child with a creative or inventive bug? Take him or her to the New York Hall of Science for the Second Annual World Maker Faire. Created by the staff of MAKE magazine, makezine.com and craftzine.com, this fair is the place to be to see thousands of new inventions and crafts from pro and amateur inventors. Off-beat project categories include: Robotics, Textile Arts and Crafts, Electronics, Puppets, Kites, and even Food and Beverage Makers. (Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Queens, 718-699-0005, makerfaire.com)

September 20BOOKING IT[Ages 10 and up]The start of the sixth season of Symphony Spaces Thalia Kids Book Club will welcome Caldecott Medal-winning childrens author and illustrator Brian Sel-znick (the creator of Hugo Cabaret). He will discuss his most recent novel,

Wonderstrucka tale with two interwoven narratives and over 460 pages of original, in-tricate artwork. The evening will also include a reading of the book by actress (and New York Family July cover mom) Emily Mortimer. (Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at West 95th Street, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org)

September 22-25ART AFFAIR[All Ages]

The whole family can enjoy the Affordable Art Fair NYC, which showcases contemporary art of all mediums from over 65 local and international galleries. The Fair is teaming up with LittleCollector, the fi rst art gallery de-signed specifi cally for children, to create the LittleCollector Kids Lounge. Little ones will be able to engage in activities that are geared to introduce them to the world of contempo-rary art, including an artsy balloon workshop. Fair admission is free for kids under the age of 12. (7 West 34th Street, 212-255-2003, aafnyc.com)

SEPTEMBER 23-25NO FLYING ELEPHANTS HERE[All Ages]

For 15 years, the DUMBO Arts Festival has brought art, live music and literary program-ming to its Brooklyn neighborhood. This year, the festival will feature special childrens events as well. The Acrobuffos, a comedy and street theater group, will present their exciting new show, Waterbombs!, a hilarious water balloon gladiator show. Kids can also make fl ags and puppets at the Great Small Works Workshop and then march with their cre-

ations in a street parade. Finally, dont leave the festival without seeing the Bindlestiff Family Circus, complete with clowns, acro-bats and high-fl ying feats. (All over DUMBO, 718-488-8588, dumboartsfestival.com)

September 24MUSEUM MANIA[All Ages]On Saturday, September 24, Smithsonian magazine will host their 7th Annual Museum Day. For one day only, various museums around the city (and across the country) will open their doors to allow the public free access to their exhibits. By downloading a Museum Admission Card, visitors can roam the galleries of places like The Childrens Mu-seum of Manhattan, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and The Brooklyn Museum. In addition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure will be partnering with Smithsonian maga-zine, and museumgoers will be able to donate to a worthy cause. A Museum Admission Card gives museum entrance to two people or one household per email address. (Museums throughout the city, smithsonianmag.com/museumday)

September 25HARMONY ON THE HUDSON [All Ages]

One of Battery Park City Conservancys great annual family events, this years performers includes Tom Chapin & Friends, Hazmat Mo-dine and Baby Loves Salsa. Kids can enjoy lawn games, street games, art activities, and bopping around the beautiful outdoor area overlooking the Hudson. Not to mention, its free! From noon to 6pm. (Wagner Park, just north of historic Battery Park, bpcparks.org)

September 22-25ART AFFAIR[All Ages]

September 17-18INSPIRED INVENTIONS[All Ages]

SEPTEMBER 23-25NO FLYING ELEPHANTS HERE[All Ages]

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ylove

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September 25HARMONY ON THE HUDSON [All Ages]

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B Y B R I A N N A M c C L A N E

A prominent black-and-white photo greets visitors near the

front entrance of the Mandell Schools cheerful modern building

on West 98th Street and Columbus Avenue. It shows laughing

children sitting on the front stoop of its former home, a nearby

townhouse, surrounding Max Mandell, who founded the school

in 1939, and his daughter, Barbara Rowe, who was the Head of

School for many years. In its high-profi le perch, the photograph

is a poignant statement of how important

Mandells academic and so-

cial roots are

to the school. Still, one cant help but marvel at how Mandell has

grown in recent years: Mr. Mandell's popular and well-regarded

Upper West Side nursery school now includes a thriving ongoing

school, spanning kindergarten through 8th grade and occupying

two state-of-the-art school buildings.

And theres more good news on the near horizon.

In August, Gabriella Rowe, who is Max Mandell's granddaughter

and the present Head of School, announced that the Mandell School

will be opening two additional nursery programsone on the Up-

per West Side in the Lincoln Square area, the other in Tribeca, within

walking distance of Battery Park City. Both will be open for the

2012-2013 school year.

The new nursery programs will be in parts of the city where

there are lots of parents with young children who could use more

options, explains Rowe. When it comes to nursery school, were big

believers in the appeal of having a local, neighborhood school that

you can call your own, where a child can go to the local park after

school and be with his or her friends. I often say to parents, Take out

a stroller and do a test run. See how long it takes to get your child to

a given pre-school. If the experience feels stressful and overwhelming,

then the school is probably too far away from where you live.

Naturally, Mandell's new pre-school locations will

refl ect the uptown school in

all important regards, using the same time-

tested curriculum in a classroom setting that is welcoming,

child-centered, and noted for its eco-conscious design.

The schools will be staffed by veteran Mandell teachers as well.

Max Mandell believed that to fl ourish every young child

must have a nurturing and stimulating environment that focuses

on and provides for their unique development. To this day, the

Mandell School uses both traditional and progressive approaches

to support a challenging academic curriculum, incorporating col-

laboration as well as hands-on experiential learning. In engaging,

age-appropriate ways, it nurtures their students sense of commu-

nity with the hope, as Rowe puts, of them becoming responsible,

active citizens of the world.

The new nursery divisions at Lincoln Square and Tribeca will

welcome children between the ages of 2 and 5, and at capacity theyll

have between 100 and 120 students. Parents interested in the new

branches can apply this fall, following the same application process

The Mandell SchoolOne Of The Citys Best Regarded And Beloved Private Schools

Will Open Two New Nursery School Divisions For Uptown And Downtown Families

MORE TO LOVE

S P E C I A L P R O M O T I O N A L S E C T I O N

Take a tour: You dont have to be an educator to know when youre observing a cheery classroom where

the teachers and children are engaged and the spirit of creativity and curiosity

is in the air.

Kate Sylvain, D

irector

of New Progra

m

Development

ADVERTORIAL_MANDEL.indd 28 8/22/11 10:29 AM

as the parents applying to Mandells West 96th Street nursery school

or to other established private nursery schools in the city.

One of the reasons Gabriella Rowe originally decided to em-

bark on the herculean effort of transforming her well-established

nursery school into part of a larger school that went up through

8th grade was to give her families the option and security of

knowing that their children automatically had a home in the K-8

division if they wanted it. Families who enroll in the new branches

will have the same guarantee.

At the same time, Mandells nursery school families also have the

option of looking elsewhere for their childs continuing education. In

fact, Mandell has engaged Robin Aronow, one of the citys most well-

respected and experienced school consultants, just for that purpose: to

help interested families navigate the ex-missions process. Aronow

will advise Mandell parents on which

schools to apply to, including other independent schools, public school

Gifted and Talented programs, and neighborhood public and parochial

schools.

We are aligned with our families: we want them to be happy

and comfortable with their ongoing school of choicewhether its

Mandell or another school, says Rowe.

If they havent already, parents applying to nursery school this

fall have lots of research ahead of them. They will be reading school

websites; they will talk to friends whose children attend schools

theyre interested in; they will check out guidebooks like Victoria

Goldmans, The Private Directory of Manhattans Nursery Schools.

But they should keep in mind that theres nothing like taking a tour

of the schoolof walking its hallways and visiting its classrooms

to get a feel for it. After all, you dont have to be an educator to know

when youre observing a cheery classroom where the teachers and

children are engaged, and the spirit of creativity and curiosity is in

the air. You just have to be an interested parent.

While Mandells new nursery school locations are under reno-

vation, families interested in applying to them this fall will be able

to tour the nursery school on W. 96th Street to see what a Mandell

school and education are like.

Youll begin by following the polka dots down the hallway to three

new classrooms for toddlers and pre-nursery students. Weve tried

make each room like the school itself, warm and welcoming, explains

Kate Sylvain, Mandells Director of New Program Development.

Around the corner are three doors; one painted blue, another in yel-

low and one in green. The spaces themselves have high ceilings and large

windows, making it easy to imagine creativity sparking freely. Baby dolls,

trucks, building blocks are all within reach of small hands. A friendly

giraffe leans against a miniature fort complete with slide. A

visitor cant help but wish to be a toddler again.

As Sylvain describes it, the classrooms are tailored for all

kinds of students. In each room, for example, is a Cozy Corner.

Pillows are propped in comfy piles near book-filled crates. Stuffed

animals round out the inviting nook where Sylvain says the timid

kids will migrate to first. Here they can sit and survey the room,

listen to the chatter in the play kitchen and slowly become curious

enough to venture out and play with others.

Each child is an individual and some take longer than others,

Sylvain says. Were building that independence and self-esteem so

they can continue on.

Like Rowe, Sylvain knows first-hand how parents stress out

about nursery school admissions. She has two pieces of advice: Do

your homework and trust your instincts.

Focus on what you value as a parent and what you want your

child to learn, she says. Go with your gut. You know your child

the best and you know what you want for your child.

For more information, visit MandellSchool.org.

S P E C I A L P R O M O T I O N A L S E C T I O N

Photos by An

drew

Sch

wartz

ADVERTORIAL_MANDEL.indd 29 8/22/11 10:30 AM


T H E B

OF ALL

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ExpoExpoBABY EXPOS

Dr. Harvey KarpAuthor of The HappiestBaby On The Block

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Liz Lange - Designer of Liz Lange for Target and Co-

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Also speaking: Ali Wing of giggle, Susan Hunt Stevens of Practically Green, Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

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Infant Pacifiersby WubbaNubTiny hands can control teething relief by holding onto a fun, plush friend attached to a pacifier. WubbaNubs keep baby soothed and protect the pacifier from being lost or dropped. Machine washable. $12.99, wubbanub.com

Coming this fall to Pier 92 in Manhattan on October 15 and 16, the NEW PARENTS EXPO will feature the best maternity, baby and tod-dler products from national and local companies, along with notewor-thy speakers like Harvey Karp and Liz Lange. Dont miss an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. To learn more about the New Parents Expo and to purchase tickets, visit NEWPARENTSEXPO.COM.For questions about exhibiting or attending, contact Rebecca Martin at [email protected] or call 212-284-9732.

The Biggest Event Ever For New And Expectant Parents!

A Special Sneak Peek At A Few Expo Exhibitors

Avio Stroller by InglesinaOpen and fold this sleek stroller with one hand and be the envy of all your friends. Plus, it comes equipped with a cup holder and a roomy storage basket.$499, inglesina.com

Oshi Mat Make a comfy space for your infant to play, have her diaper changed or enjoy tummy time (just about anywhere) with this cute, portable and water-resistant mat. $49.95, oshimat.com

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Infant Pacifiersby WubbaNubTiny hands can control teething relief by holding onto a fun, plush friend attached to a pacifier. WubbaNubs keep baby soothed and protect the pacifier from being lost or dropped. Machine washable. $12.99, wubbanub.com

Coming this fall to Pier 92 in Manhattan on October 15 and 16, the NeW PareNts exPo will feature the best maternity, baby and tod-dler products from national and local companies, along with notewor-thy speakers like Harvey Karp and Liz Lange. Dont miss an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. to learn more about the New Parents expo and to purchase tickets, visit NeWPareNtsexPo.com.For questions about exhibiting or attending, contact Rebecca Martin at [email protected] or call 212-284-9732.

the Biggest event ever For New and expectant Parents!

a special sneak Peek at a Few expo exhibitors

avio stroller by InglesinaOpen and fold this sleek stroller with one hand and be the envy of all your friends. Plus, it comes equipped with a cup holder and a roomy storage basket.$499, inglesina.com

oshi mat Make a comfy space for your infant to play, have her diaper changed or enjoy tummy time (just about anywhere) with this cute, portable and water-resistant mat. $49.95, oshimat.com

calendula Diaper care by WeledaRelieve diaper rash the natural way. Formulated with calendula flower extract and zinc oxide, this soothing cream keeps baby moistur-ized while keeping skin safe.2.8 oz, $12, weleda.com

official charityPartner

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th e o f s ho p p i n g

B y H e a t h e r C h a e t

My name is Heather and I have a confession.

I wear mom jeans.

Im not quite channeling Tina Fey in that Saturday Night Live

sketch. And my denim isnt as scary as those Pajama Jeans advertised

on TV. Yet, in my jeans, Im sloppy, dowdy, and frowzy Yes, rejected

Smurf names could describe how I look. I know I have a problem,

but I have no clue how to fix it. Paralyzed by so many choices when

shopping, I get stuck. Stuck while wearing mom jeans. Not good,

people. Not. Good. At. All.

Enter Beckie Klein and Martina Gordon, a.k.a. my Fairy

Godmodels. When I met New York Familys resident style mavens

for drinks, it ohsoquickly turned into a jean-tervention. Jeans are

part of your closets foundation, just like the little black dress or the

white shirt, they told me. Once you have the right foundation,

everything else falls into place.

My days of wearing mom jeans had to stop. With Beckie and

Martina as my guides, I now have that elusive perfect pair of jeans

(actually three of them). Sure, it took nine stores and five hours,

but you can do it tooby following Beckie and Martinas five laws

for finding the best pair of jeans for your bod.

five Laws for fending off Mom Jeans

And finding the perfect pair

Law #1: Meet Slim, everyones BFF. The only jean you really need is a slim, fitted jean in the dark wash, Martina says.

Also called skinny or straight, all of our clientssizes 0 to 14

rock in this style of jeans. It follows the simple rule that if it fits

and is body-hugging, its more flattering than when you try to

hide your figure, Beckie adds. Other must-haves: a white pair

and a grey pair or a pair in a dark, but more casual wash.

Law #2: Its going to take time. Think of jeans shop-ping as a mission, Beckie reminds me. Go to stores where you

can try many different brands at one time, Martina says. And

forget the number on the tagtry on your regular size, as well

as a size up and a size down. The process may be frustrating,

but it is one worth doing. You are investing this time to save

time later after you find the perfect jeans, your daily dressing

will be so much easier, Martina adds.

Law #3: Price doesnt matter. Beckie and Martina swear by a pair of jeans that costs $40. So, why should I buy one that

costs $189? You dont need toif you find the perfect jean for

$59, buy a couple of pairs and call it a day, Beckie says. If you

find a pair that screams I will change your life! and costs a bit

more than you usually spend, Martina says to think about how

many times you will wear them. If you live in jeans like I do,

the cost per wear is pennies, even for a $150 pair.

Law #4: Dont get swayed by trends. You dont mess around with your foundation, Beckie says. Skip the super-

light washes or the hippie bell-bottoms you see in magazines.

They may be in style, but they probably arent your style, she

adds. Pick another trend to freshen your look for the season.

Keep your jeans dark and fitted and have fun with your shoes

or accessories, Martina suggests.

Law #5: Trust your gut. How do you know when its the ideal pair? Beckie offers this advice: If you dont feel beyond

fantastic in the dressing room, they arent the right jeans. Martina

says, Do squats. It loosens them up and you get a better idea of

how they will be. Live with them for a few minutes.

Well have more shopping hints and tricks from Beckie and

Martina all month long at newyorkfamily.com. And for more from

the fashion experts, visit beckiemartina.com.

DAIRIESDENIM

JOYofSHOPPING_0911.indd 32 8/22/11 9:29 AM


Beckie And Martinas BestBuys At Every Price

Beckie and Martina have given us the five laws to follow on how to find that perfect pair of jeans. With jeans, price is not the leading factor in quality. What looks the best has to do with what works on your body, Martina says. We have jeans we have fallen in love with for $40, and we have jeans that we have had forever that were $200, Beckie adds. Heres the scoop on a few of their favorites, for every budget, in stores now.

BEst Buys undEr $75The Fairy Godmodels say Levis, Gap 1969, and Uniqlo are the stores to hit for a great pair of jeans at a great price. Zara is another place that has great jeans for not a lot of money, Martina says.

GAP 1969 LEGGinG JEAn ($69.95): This legging jean from Gaps 1969 line comes in some fantastic washes and colors (dark blue, grey and moss green). Its great with an

oversized sweater that covers the tush area and boots in the fall, Martina suggests.

uniqLo skinny Fit ($39.90): For under $40, this dark blue jean is a must for every closet. We have put this jean on almost all of our clients, Beckie raves.

BEst Buys ovEr $100 If you can spend a bit more, head straight to AG, Martina says. The denim there is unbelievable. They feel like Frette

linen on your body. Another brand they love is J Brand. You can find it at Scoop or Barneys or Bloomingdalesany department store. Also among their denim loves are jeans from Rag & Bone and All Saints.

AG JEAns thE ZiP ($178): This pair comes in white, grey and dark blue. I have this jean and have been living in it all summer, Martina confesses.

AG JEAns thE FArrAh in thE 3 yEArs WAsh ($210): The high-waisted dark jean with flare leg is everywhere this fall. Its not going to replace the clean line and versatility of the classic, dark, fitted jean, but with a high heel, it can be a very chic, slimming look to wear on occasion, Beckie says.

J BrAnd 811 Mid-risE skinny in BriGht rEd ($176): Say you have a flawless pair in a dark wash and a cool white pair. Feel like going for a color?

Check out this red one from J Brand. Its a blue-redso rich, we love it, Beckie says.

toll

free

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to s c hoo lackB

With Naturino ballet flats, your child wont need to worry about a change of shoes between classes, recess and after-school activities. These Mary Janes, adorable with a pink and purple embroidery flower detail, will transition seamlessly through-out the day.

NaturiNo7831$50.00-56.00naturino.com

From Boots to Bomber

Jackets, Fresh Fashion

looks For Back to school

Merrells practical boots will keep your tiny adven-turer stylish, whether its the first day of school or a hike through the park. Available in three differ-ent colors, the suede kickers are waterproof and super-comfortable for long, active days.

Merrell Wilderness OriginsWaterproof Little Kids $75.00 merrell.com

STYLINSCHOOL

FOR

Got a girly girl on your hands? The Kosmoboot by Crocs is not only cozy but stylish to boot! With water-resistant nylon and rubber outsole pods, let her explore her outdoorsy side and keep the girly girl within.

CroCs Kids Kosmobootin Ultraviolet/Dahlia $59.99 crocs.com

For a back to cool look that will have girls racing for the bus, try a mid-length Diesel jacket over a graffiti-printed dress. Street

style lends little ones the perfect edge on the playground.

Diesel usaGreenstones & Pumpkin And

Bean Jacket$199.00

Uptown Kids Dress$79.00

diesel.com

BACKtoSCHOOL_0911.indd 34 8/22/11 10:08 AM

Clothing.ShoeS.aCCeSSorieS

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The Childrens PlaCePlaid Woven Shirt$19.95

Premium Jeans$27.95childrensplace.com

Your little guy will be looking dapper in this traditional RL sweater vest. Perfect for picture day or dinner out with the family. And as autumn days begin to sneak up on the city, the

quilted bomber jacket will keep the chill at bay. Available in four different colors, this updated classic with diamond-quilted microfiber is built to last.

ralPh laurenChildrenswear rl GanGFairisle Vest $85.00

Richmond Bomber$89.50ralphlauren.com

Boys will rule the school this fall with a studious look courtesy of Sierra Julian. Plus, a chocolate-and-orange color scheme, when

pairing the oxford shirt and vest, practically smells of pumpkin pie.

sierra JulianBerza Shirt

$79.00

Briciola Pants$88.00

Bocata Vest $88.00

sierrajulian.com

Plaid will never go out of style, so dress your little guy up or down with coordinated khakis or jeans. For a more casual look, try these straight leg denims. These five-pocket pants are pre-washed for extra comfort and minimal shrinking.

(continued from p.34)

BACKtoSCHOOL_0911.indd 36 8/22/11 10:08 AM

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B Y N a N c Y R Y e R S o N

Melissa Levis, perhaps better known as Moey, has cast a spell over Central Park. Since 2005, she has taught her popular Moeys Music Party classes under a leafy tree on Cedar Hill, turning otherwise napping preschoolers into musicians, dancers and even princesses who sway to the beat, dazzle with instruments and even clean up at her command. Over the past three years, she and her band have performed 26 concerts in the park, drawing big crowds and earning her the moniker the Pied Piper in Pink.

Levis is an award-winning childrens performer who has lived in New York for the past 20 years. Her first CD, Moeys Music Party featured NYC-inspired tunes, earning her a big thumbs up from Mayor Bloomberg, who complimented her for well-repre-senting the city with songs like New York City Kid. For her new DVD, shes continued to use the city as a muse, conducting re-search by jogging around the park with her friends and picking out the prettiest spots for filming with her biggest fans. And now, shes bringing the enchanted forest of Central Park and her catchy tunes to tots nationwide with her sophomore release, Happily Ever Moey!: A Fairy Tale Lark in Central Park. Featuring refurbished fairy tales set in New Yorks most famous parkand told through her trademark folksy musicHappily Ever Moey! is Leviss first foray into film.

I think New Yorkers will see this video as a Wheres Waldo, says Levis. Like, oh I know that spot, oh I know that spot. Its really fun for kids and for parents.

Giving some classic fairy tales an urban twist, Moey sings as the tortoise and the hare race around Central Parks running loop and Tavern on the Green houses the Three Little Pigs. Other tales get fully revamped for the 21st Century, like Little Riding Hood who judo-kicks the Big Bad Wolf and Snow White and Sleeping Beauty who chant Im no helpless maiden, the whole wide world is awaitin!

In addition to wholesome entertainment, Levis hopes that the meaning behind her songs will build character as well as music,

reading and counting skills in her little listeners. And with degrees from Brown University and NYU, Leviss music for kids isnt just sugary sweet. Its like those recipes for putting spinach in brownies, she says.

She even changed some of the endings to bolster a positive, proactive message for todays youth.

To really live happily ever after, its not just marrying your prince or your princess, says Levis. Its changing the endings, rewriting the stories, finding better endings. Be your own hero.

Writing songs that operate on many levels is nothing new for Levis, who got her start performing original numbers at high-end birthday parties before going into Off-Broadway theater. She made the leap from writing adults tunes to penning kiddie melo-dies when she became a mom. When her son Monty was born, she decided to chronicle the minutiae of motherhood through music, like the time he refused to wash his hair. And although its some-times hard to balance being a rock star with being a mom, shes grateful for her familys support and for having a career that they can be proud of. Now eight, Monty even makes cameo appear-ances in her DVD.

I really believe in dramatic play and dress up, she enthuses. I want to encourage the idea of making costumes, of making instruments, of really empowering children that creativity is accessible for them.

The DVD has already received a Starred Review from School Library Journal, but whats next for the Pied Piper in Pink? Her own TV show; Moey and her band are currently shopping around for the best production company for the job.

Moey is like the best part of me, says Levis. Melissa is the mom who gets her kid on the bus to get to camp and puts on the suntan lotion. But Moey is like my inner child the joyful, fun, creative, spontaneous, and ebullient part of me.

Kids can rock out with Moey in her weekly Moeys Music Party Classes at The New York Junior League (130 East 80th Street) Thursdays and Fridays this fall. For more information, visit moeysmusicparty.com.

Kids Songstress Melissa Levis

Reinvents Happily Ever After

In Her New NYC-Themed DVD

Gimme Somemoey!

Photo by Bitten By a Zeb

ra

PARENTPROFILE_0911.indd 38 8/22/11 9:46 AM

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a good i d e a

to empathya Miss Manners For The digital age, Faye

Rogaski Of socialsklz:-) Helps Children Nurture

Their Social and emotional intelligence

From eye contact

B Y E l o r a T o c c iMy 5-year-old son recently went on a big boy night out

to a concert with his uncle and was invited backstage after the show. My brother-in-law raised two kids in the Village and I figured nothing could phase him, so I was pretty surprised when he called. I answered expecting to hear his Birmingham snarl yelling at me to come get my crazy boy and take him home, but I was relieved and surprised when he instead asked, Where did Sebastian learn to shake hands like that?!says city mom Stephanie Ogozalek. The shock continued into the next day when I received phone calls and emails from a few people he metall impressed with this confident, mannerly little boy with the great handshake.

If its hard to imagine such a young boy shaking hands and making eye contact with the friendliness and comfort level of a seasoned networker, the explanation is a little surprising itself.

Where did he learn the handshake that made such a strong impression on all these adults? At his fun manners class, reveals his proud mom.

The class is part of a program known as socialsklz:-). As its funky lettering suggests, socialsklz:-) covers some of the territory of traditional manners classes but its own manner is relaxed and relatable. At its core, its really about using manners education as a springboard to understand and develop age-appropriate life skills.

Even though so much of what we do involves technology, the in-person face-to-face interaction remains crucial to successand if you think about it, thats true whether youre a five-year-old, a 15-year-old, or a 65-year-old, says socialsklz:-) Founder Faye Rogaski, who spent years in the world of public relations before figuring out how to merge her knowledge of the marketplace with another deep passion: working with children.

Rogaski has developed curriculum and classes for children ages 4-7, tweens, and teens. She also offers specialty workshops for girls and for classic transitional experiences like going back to school or starting camp. This fall shes introducing after-school programming called CLUB socialsklz:-) as well.

To teach children social and emotional skillsand to get par-ents to believe in her tooRogaski knew that she had to create a program that somehow seemed cool and contemporary. Otherwise only the most traditional families would give it a go, and most kids would not respond very well to it. Although her underlying goal of improving social behavior is serious and worthy, her methods are

engaging and fun, with emphases on lots of interactive games and role-playing, as well as mini-excursions around the neighborhood and a special socialsklz:-) dinner party.

At the same time, the topics she manages to explore with children would be difficult for most parents to take on at home (where many children just wouldnt want to hear it, and many parents wouldnt have the necessary reserves of patience, good cheer and determination).

At socialsklz:-), by contrast, even the youngest children focus on the importance of personal qualities and behaviors like mindfulness of others, body language, a good handshake, proper introductions and making friends. Older kids take on those and more particular challenges of their age, like peer pressure, cyber-bullying, taking responsibility, being empathetic, and making a good first impression both face-to-face and face-to-Facebook, as well as grooming tips and personal style.

At the beginning of every semester, socialsklz:-) classes quick-ly turn into like, um, and ya know-free zonesa big contrast to the settings that originally inspired the idea when Rogaski was teaching communications at Fordham University and NYU.

I saw that kids were coming to college without the basic social skills you need to win an interview and succeed in the workplace as well as personally. I sat back and thought about the greatest lesson I could offer my students and I knew it was making a good first impression and managing your own personal brand, she says.

In the nearly two years since she first started socialsklz:-), Rogaski has seen first-hand the impact the program can have on children and families, but she was especially gratified last year to

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come across an academic study that verified the extent to which she was really on to something.

The scientific journal Child Development released a com-prehensive analysis of 33 studies which found that teaching kids social and emotional skills leads to an average 11 percentile-point gain in their academic performance over six months compared to students who didnt receive the same instruction. says Rogaski. In other words, by helping kids improve their sense of social confidence, chances are youre also helping them become more confident and hardworking learners.

According to Rogaski, the study also found that students who had some social skills trainingwhether in kindergarten or in high schoolwere better able to form bonds with not only their peers but also with their teachers.

As someone who bonds so easily with kids, the finding made perfect sense to Rogaski, who recently demonstrated for this reporter how even a first impression can make a huge difference. Rogaski entered a classroom room filled with children ages four to seven, and introduced herself to her students in two differ-ent ways. First, she came in smiling, upbeat and ready to get to

know her students. Next, she entered with slumped shoulders, dragging her feet.

I then asked the kids to list a few words to describe each of those people and which person theyd rather have as their instructor, and right off the bat they understand how quickly a first impression is made, says Rogaski.

While some parents may be wondering how to get their kid to agree to take an etiquette class in the first place, Rogaski says its not as difficult a sell as it may seem.

I asked one girl what her parents told her she was coming here for, and she said To meet people! Rogaski recalls. Which basically is true. The classes are small, and they really interact and get to know one another.

But of course what theyre really learning is how to get along with people, one of the most important skill sets to have in life, Rogaski adds.

Just ask Sebastian what a difference even a handshake can make.

socialsklz:-) has locations on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Tribeca and Brooklyn. For more information, visit socialsklz.com.

B YF a Y e R o g a S k i

Add Social Skills To Your Back-To-School Checklist

Even the youngest children focus on the importance of personal qualities and

behaviors like being mindful of others, body language,

a good handshake and making friends.

Its more important than ever to not only get your children a back-to-school outfit, but to also equip them with a good set of social skills for school.

Set: Practice setting your alarm a few days before the start of school so you get used to waking up and getting out of the house on time.

Clothes: Pick out your outfits the night before so its not a source of stress in the morning. Even if you wear a uniform, be sure its laid out with socks, shoes, etc.

Handshakes: Even though you might not shake hands with your friends, its important to know how to properly greet adults and teachers. Hands meet web-to-web with a firm grip. Maintain eye contact the entire time.

Organization: Write down your homework assignments, bring a copy of your schedule home so you know what books to bring, and pack your backpack the night before.

Outstanding: Give everything you do your all. From homework to after-school activities, always put in 100%. And if its not out-standing, own it and discuss how you can improve for the next time around.

Laugh: School can be a stressful place, so in the midst of tests, peer pressure and athletics, remember to laugh and have some fun with your friends.

Finally, for parents of the older age set (8 and up), or for those who are online, its imperative to stay aware of your childrens Internet activity. Be proactive and talk to them about what is and isnt appropriate on the web. Even more so, if your child is having a conflict with a friend, encourage him or her to handle those issues face-to-face rather than face-to-Facebook. Con-flict resolution is a skill that your child will take through school, to the work place and beyond.

GOODIDEA_0911.indd 42 8/22/11 10:21 AM


p l a c ea special

Photograp

hy by Andrew

Sch

wartz

B Y A l e S S A N d r A H i c k S o N

Theres a cat in the window. Shes curled up into a ball with a paw over her face, half-asleep behind the glass. Her furry tummy subtely rises and falls as she gently breathes a restful sleep. But as comfortable as this kitty may be, the cozy nook shes found to lie in is only tempo-rary. In fact, shes here to find a new permanent home.

This kitten is just one of thousands of cats and dogs given refuge over the years at Bideaweean animal welfare organization that provides temporary homes to cats and dogs before matching the animals to loving, responsible owners and families.

Its about finding a match that will be for-ever, says Nancy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer at Bideawee, while stroking a black cat named Opie on her desk. Our goal is to get them adopted and keep them adopted.

This notion of finding forever homes and saving animals from cruelty is the same principle Flora Kibbe founded Bideawee upon in 1903 when she was saving dogs and keeping them in her Manhattan apartment. It was 1915 when she moved Bideaweewhich means stay awhile in Scottishto its current home in Murray Hill, where she could save unwanted animals from being drowned in the East River.

Today, Bideawee has grown to encompass three locations, including Westhampton and Wantagh centers on Long Island. The organization adopts about 1,000 pets each year and saves animals from municipal shelters and from families that can no longer care for their pets. While based in New York City, Bideawee rescues cats and dogs from across the country and even Puerto Rico.

The Manhattan offices are warm and friendly, which may have something to do with all the happy animals roaming the space. Pickles the cat is snuggled up in the corner of an office. And Asha, a puppy whos been on TV, is affectionate when you come out of the elevator. Wonka, the cat downstairs, is eager to meet new visitors.

In this five-story building, Bideawee is doing much more than simply providing accommodations to unwanted pets. The thing that sets us apart is that were able to stay with the pet and the

owner. We love them through their entire life, says Taylor. Shes referring to the plethora of services that Bideawee pro-

vides: adoption, training, veterinary care, dog runs, accreditation for therapy dogs, pet memorials and even Doga (thats yoga for dogs!). These practices allow pets and owners to remain a part of the Bideawee family long after theyve been paired up and settled in at home.

Take Candice Alustiza and her three-legged dog, Joey, who have been with Bideawee every step of the wayfrom adoption to vet services.

For anyone whos looking for a vet practice or a place to adopt a dog, I always say come to Bideawee, says Alustiza who found Joey after searching for pets online. Despite miss-ing Joeys television debut on LX New York with Ashley Judd, Alustiza found the puppy-in-need and fell in love soon after. Since then, shes taken Joey back to Bideawee for a number of X-rays and tests to find that hes perfectly healthy despite his three-legged status.

Forever Friendspromoting Safe, long-Term and loving

Matches Between people and companion

animals, Bideawee Is The perfect place To

Find a New Furry Family Member

Nancy Taylor, President and chief executive officer at Bideawee, with a puppy up for adoption.

SPECIALPLACE_0911.indd 44 9/6/11 5:38 PM


Alustiza and Joey went through the typical adoption pro-cess, which includes playing with the animals in interaction rooms and having all members of the family meet the cat or dog before adopting.

Its all about finding the right pet for the right family, says Taylor, who refers to Bideawees adoption associates as match-makers. For instance, if we know that a person is a couch potato, were not going to adopt a border collie that wants to run all day to that person. Conversely, if somebody is a tri-athlete, were prob-ably not going to match him with an overweight dachshund.

The successful results of the matchmaking process yield an extremely low return rateonly 4.5%compared to the national shelter rate which can vary between 15-20% of adopted pets. Usually, owners return pets because theres an unforeseen health or behavioral problem. Thats why Bideawee guarantees that every pet is spayed, neutered, micro-chipped and immunized. They also receive dentistry attention and are treated for every medical condi-tion that their veterinary offices can identify, amidst a fully func-tional operating room and a cozy waiting area. Not to mentionBideawee never euthanizes a pet unless its an incurable situation. And when an animal is put down or passes away, Bideawee is still there to support the mourning family.

We want the whole end of life encounter to be dignified, to be respectful, to enable family members ample opportunity to grieve the loss of their family member, says Taylor, who notes that Bide-awee employees are given bereavement days for loss of pets. They

also provide plots, cremation, viewings and grief counseling. And the guidance doesnt end there. Many Bideawee

volunteers receive training for various tasks, like infection control while working with animals in isolation that have been picked up from municipals and are often sick. The

organization has nearly 400 such volunteers who walk dogs, socialize cats, help at fundraising events or work as pet therapy assistants at schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

This is such a cohesive community. I dont think Ive ever been in a shelter environment with such a strong human-animal bond, says Suzi Soloway-Andres, a third-year volunteer who cleans kennels and socializes cats. In fact, Soloway-Andres had experienced the loss of her own cats and volunteered to help her through the mourning pro-cess. Since her time at Bideawee shes adopted a new cat and found a home at the facility.

After all, owning a pet is a full commitment, a lifetime commitment, according to Taylor, who notes that cats often live 20-plus years. Before adopting a cat or dog, a potential owner needs to be ready for a decades-long commitment to animal care. And its more than just walking and feeding your pet. According to Taylor, a healthy cat or dog can cost between $1,000 and $1,400 annually.

But its clear at Bideawee that the benefits of loving and being loved by an animal are priceless. It brings so much warmth, says Solloway-Andres who feels like she can make a difference through her volunteer work in a very pet-friend-ly town.

We see people every day who meet new people because of their animals, says Taylor about NYC pet owners. Theres a wonderful subculture that grows up around [owning a pet] that makes people resources to each other about where to find a great vet, a great groomer, a great place to board your animals.

As Taylor points out, owning a pet and going to pet hot spots around the city allows one to encounter all sorts of people they wouldnt normally meet. But theres more than just people and pets socializing. According to three-legged Joeys adopter, Can-dice Alustiza, we may have found the best part of owning a pet in New York City.

Everyone in New York is so busy, but its so nice to come home at the end of the day, open the door and see this little guys face, says Alustiza as Joey is wagging his tail and licking her fin-gers. Thats my favorite part of the daycoming home to him.

For more information, visit bideawee.org.

For anyone whos looking for a vet practice or a place to adopt a dog, I always say

come to Bideawee.

Candice Alustiza and her adopted three-legged dog, Joey.

SPECIALPLACE_0911.indd 46 9/6/11 5:41 PM


WITH HER EYE FOR STYLE AND HER ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT, LIZ LANGE HAS TURNED HER LOVE OF FASHION INTO A MATERNITY WEAR EMPIREJUST DONT CALL THIS NYC MOM OF TWO A SUPERWOMAN

BY ANGELA JOHNSONPHOTOS BY THADDEUS HARDENSTYLED BY CRICKET BURNS

MOTHER MOTHER THE

MATERNITYof all

CoverStory_0911.indd 48 8/22/11 10:36 AM


P regnant or not, there are probably very few women in America who are not well-acquainted with Liz Lange and her role in maternity fashion. After years of running her own high-end boutique, Lange has come to defi ne cool, affordable maternity fashion in her pioneering partnerships with major retailers like Target and Nike. Her sensibility honors a womans desire to be fashionable and comfortable during a highly transitional life phase. But if you spend some time with Lange, youll discover that her world is

more than working with fabrics and fi ttings.

This New York native and mother of two credits her own mom with introducing her to the

thrill of getting her hands on that perfect buy. But she hadnt really considered fashion as a career

until after college, when she was inspired by an up-and-coming designer. These days, in addition

to her thriving maternity line at Target, Lange has a ready-to-wear womens line with the Home

Shopping Network, a fashion website called Shopafrolic.com, and she speaks regularly on the

importance of entrepreneurship. As a devoted mom to Gus and Alice, Lange deeply values family

time. And apparently theres another designer at home whos even more talented than she is!

When did you decide that you wanted to have a career in fashion?I studied Literature at Brown and thought I was going to be a writer. After college, I went to

work at Vogue. I loved fashion, so it was a great place to be, but I worked for the Books and Culture

Editor. While I was there, I met a struggling young designer and fell in love with what he was do-

ing. I actually begged him to let me come and work for him. So I left this glamorous world at Vogue

and went to a very gritty offi ce in the Garment Center. Because there were just three of us, I learned

everything out of necessity. It was kind of a crash course in the business of fashion. But even then,

he was the designer, not me. Being a designer never crossed my mind.

How did you make the transition into maternity fashion?I was in my twenties and my friends started getting married and getting pregnant. The design-

er I was working for had a struggling business and my friends would shop wholesale from us. They

would come in wearing something oversized and then put on one of our more fi tted dresses, which

I thought made them look so much better and thinner. When I asked why they werent shopping

at maternity stores, everyone would say, You dont understand, maternity clothes are awful! They

were spending a lot of money on clothes that were too big, paying a fortune to have them altered,

and the clothes were still ill-fi tting. It made me realize that pregnancy is a time when women need

to shop. Youre going to spend money, because none of your old clothes fi t. I couldnt get the idea

out of my mind, so I went to my designer friend and said, I know how you can turn your business

around. Do a maternity line! He thought I was crazy. It was so unglamorous and there were no

pregnant celebrities at the time. But I found myself up at night sketchingeven though I cant re-

ally draw!and thinking about stretchy fabrics I could use. No one was using stretch fabrics back

then. I fi nally realized that if I didnt do this line and someone else did it, I would never forgive

myself. So, I did it.

So how did your partnership with Target come about?I was making clothing one at a time for women who came to see me, so it was really expen-

sive. I began to grow and within three years, I was dressing pregnan

new york family september 1, 2011

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