Mama Lead "Little Artists" Classes

Little Artists of Ithaca is offering two Toddler/Preschool Variety Series for children 18 months to 4 years old.  Both series will feature music, movement and art classes as well as a puppet show!

Email littleartistsofithaca@gmail.com with questions or to request a registration form (series will both be limited to 10 participating families).  There are two class options: Wednesdays from 10:40 - 11:25am and Thursdays from 4:40 - 5:25pm. 

1. Thursday Afternoon Toddler/Preschool Variety Class - Music, Movement & Art

Children 18 months to 4 years old will experience 3 music classes, 3 art classes, 3 movement classes and a puppet show in this 10 week series beginning 3/5. 

Teachers include Diane Hamilton (yoga), Judy Stock (music), and Angie Beeler (puppet show). Classes will begin Thursday, March 5th at Jillian's Drawers from 4:40 - 5:25pm. Tuition is $100 for the series.  Email Liz at littleartistsofithaca@gmail.com if you'd like a registration form or have questions.

2.  Wednesday Morning Toddler/Preschool Variety Class - Music, Movement & Art

Children 18 months to 4 years old will experience 3 music classes, 2 art classes, 3 movement classes, and a puppet show in this 9 week series beginning 3/25.  

Teachers include Courtney Schroeder of Little Buddhas, Rebecca Walsman (music), and Angie Beeler (puppet show). Classes will begin Wednesday, March 25th at Jillian's Drawers from 10:40 - 11:25. Tuition is $90 for the series.  Email Liz at littleartistsofithaca@gmail.com if you'd like a registration form or have questions.

Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittleArtistsofIthaca for fun at-home projects, class photos are more info.

DIY Kinetic Sand (and much more) at LivingIthaca.com

Have you discovered Living Ithaca yet? It's a money-saving resource especially geared to Ithaca and surrounding areas, run by Teresa Mogil, an awesome Ithaca mom of 3.

Teresa knows the ins and outs of living on a tight budget and aims to help others save money, eat healthier, and shop locally and have fun. Her site features coupon match ups, organic coupon round ups, recipes, and useful information and deals for those living in the Finger Lakes and surrounding areas, as well as fun lifestyle blog entries, like this fabulous entry about making Kinetic Sand.

Soccer Shots for Fall!

The following is repost from February, 2012. I'm happy to say both Nora and Finn now have many sessions of Soccer Shots under their belts, and they have loved every minute of it. Nora enjoys being in a big-kid's group now, and Finn thinks it's cool that his coach comes right to his preschool. Soccer Shots is currently registering for fall. Check out http://binghamton.ssreg.org/ for a location near you.

My Favorite: Soccer Shots

I'm excited for spring, because this year I plan to have Nora play some soccer!  She's never participated in a sport other than our goofing around in the backyard. I hope she'll really have a lot of fun with it, and it feels like she will, because I've only heard good things about Soccer Shots. Soccer Shots - 'Introduction to soccer' sessions for 3-5 year olds and 6-9 year olds have been professionally designed and are led by trained Soccer Shots instructors, like Coach Eddie. Each 30-40 minute session is held at your daycare, school site, or local park. I asked Coach Eddie of Soccer Shots to tell me a little bit about it.  Here's what he says:

"The primary objective of each session is to creatively introduce your child to the sport of soccer. Character development, physical skills, and fun are guaranteed in this exciting program.
Each Soccer Shots session incorporates the following: Basic soccer skills, exclusive Soccer Shots games, word of the day, use of imagination, fun fitness activities and exercises, coordination, balance, and agility development.

By enrolling your child in Soccer Shots, you can expect the following: Increased psychomotor development through fun fitness activities, introduction to team dynamics, character formation (lessons in honesty, sharing, helping, respect, self-control, attitude), development of active lifestyle habits."


And my favorite part? No gear is needed! All soccer equipment is provided to program participants.

You can check out the Soccer Shots website to see what sessions are going on near you and of course, to to reserve your child's spot! www.soccershots.org/binghamton

Fun at the Fair! Ellis Hollow Fair Sept. 6, noon-5

THE FAIR HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, SEPT 7 DUE TO PREDICTED AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS. SEE YOU SUNDAY!

What's the best way to celebrate finishing your first week back at school? The Ellis Hollow Fair, of course! This year marks the 62nd annual old-fashion country fair in the heart of the East Ithaca neighborhood of Ellis Hollow. Free and open to the public, the fair is full of kids games, face painting, dunking booth, music, hayrides, SPCA animals and lots of other family friendly entertainment. 

 And did I mention the food? There's hot buttered corn on the cob, chicken barbeque, ice cream, doughnuts, cotton candy, and everyone's favorite: HOMEMADE PIE!

There's also tons of stuff to buy! There's a quilt raffle and a silent auction, plant and book sales, and every child's dream: the white elephant sale, where you can take home an armful of toys for a buck or two! (plus a coffee maker, yarn, skis and a nice chair for the sunroom).

It's super fun and admission is free! 

Saturday, September 6, from 12-5.

See you at the fair!

Free Summer Meals for Kids

The Summer Food Services Program provides free meals to all kids and teens 18 and younger. Breakfast and Lunch at the Northside Community Center (625 Hancock St) from daily through August 30 and the Southside Community Center (305 S Plain St) daily through August 22. More information can be found below. Please share!

Potential Rabies case - these children need to be found

TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Frank Kruppa – Public Health Director
Urgent Need to Identify 3 Children Exposed to Rabid Bat

(Ithaca, NY – July 3, 2014) – The Tompkins County Health Department must locate 3 children who were playing with a bat that has been confirmed to have rabies. This occurred at Montgomery Park in the Village of Dryden on Monday, June 30 between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

This is an urgent situation. It is imperative that the Health Department identify the children to evaluate the need for rabies treatment. Untreated rabies in humans is fatal. There is no cost for rabies treatment.

Anyone with information about the identity of these children should call the Health Department immediately at 274-6688 any time day or night.


http://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/urgent-need-identify-3-children-exposed-rabid-bat

Something Amuse-ing! Handmade in America Fest July 5 from 12-6

 Press Bay Alley (118 W Green St in Downtown Ithaca) has a new storefront, Amuse: Modern Cottage Industry!  The Grand Opening is Tuesday July 1st with the Ribbon Cutting Wednesday July 2nd 11am.

Amuse presents a fresh take on "Handmade in America" with one of a kind gifts in small packages for the whole family. Cottage Industry production has been on the rise and makers from across the country are creating the things people need and love right in their living rooms. Amuse showcases over 50 such American Makers and likened to “Etsy in a store”. All of the Makers at Amuse are US based, 40% are local to Ithaca and the surrounding area. No product at Amuse is over $50 and everything possesses function and/or exceptional whimsy! 

 To celebrate the exiting new development in Press Bay Alley (formally the Ithaca Journal Building) Amuse and surrounding businesses will sponsor a Handmade In America Fest Saturday July 5th from 12-6pm. Come celebrate the day after Independence Day In Press Bay!

All Day temp tattoos and hula hoops FREE
All Day DJ stylings of Fellow Traveler FREE
All Day kids crafts with local artists (and Maker's of products at Amuse) Susan Keough & Molly Bargar FREE
12-2pm Face painting by local artist Daniel Lisbe FREE 12:30-2pm Music by Miss Turn-up and the Sprouts featuring Miss Angie FREE
2-4pm Jewlery Making class at Ithaca Generator $16
2-4pm Fiddle Busking by Brian Burke FREE
4pm Music by State of Floral FREE
4pm Product Development Roundtable with IG FREE
5-6pm Zumba! FREE

Vending in the first space in Press Bay just for the event:
Bellwether Hard Cider
Keeley's Cheese Co.
Celia's Ice Pops

Kristina Thelen previously owned and operated Funky Junk on The Commons and Funky Fresh on Taughannock Blvd, specializing in upcycled furniture. She recently closed that business to devote all of her energy in this new boutique storefront downtown. Kristina is thrilled to develop business back downtown and especially in the Press Bay Alley space!

To contact Amuse:
www.IthacaisAmusing.com ithacaisamusing@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/amusemoderncottageindustry ph. 607.216.8146
Amuse Store Hours:
Mon 11-5pm Tues closed (except opening day 10-6pm) Wed 11-5pm Thursday 11-7pm
Friday 11-8pm Sat 11-8pm Sun 11-4pm