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March 2011The Best Cabin Fever Yetby Dalia Tole
The 9th Annual Cabin Fever, held on February 13, was one of the most successful and well-attended events HFA’s history. We would like to extend a warm welcome to the 55 new families that joined Hoboken Family Alliance at Cabin Fever.
The Hoboken H.S. gym was converted into an indoor playground, where vendors showcased their local children’s offerings. As Polka Dot (Ron Albanese) emceed, the center stage became several music concerts (Music Together, Kindermusik, Garden Street Music, A Music Space), a theater workshop (Mile Square Theatre), a dance floor (Hudson Dance and Movement), and a yoga studio (Mimi Kids Yoga). On the floor, adventurous children ran to play with the drum set (The Drum Den), shiny guitars (The Guitar Bar), soccer balls (Super Soccer Stars), novel toys and puzzles (Big Fun Toys), get their faces painted (Rachel Evans Face Painting) or get balloon ani-mals from Boo the Clown.
Other children sat down at one of the various arts and craft tables, while their parents gathered information about day camps that offer busing to Hoboken (Deerkill Day Camp, Deer Mountain Camp, Spring Lake Day Camp, LakeView Day Camp, Camp Riverbend and The Oval Girl Scouts Day Camp), infant CPR (HUMC), and photog-raphers (Kenneth Chen Portraits, Hartshorn Portraiture) . Other pre-senters included KINDERGerman, Beyond Basic Learning, CNTP Orthodontics, Cooktivity, Kindermusik, Greetings from Hoboken, and Vicki Jewelers. Lunchtime did not come in the way of fun, as Anthony David’s Catering had set up its table right outside. In addition, A&P Supermarkets of Hoboken donated delicious juice and cookies, and Happy Family Brands handed out samples of their products. Families left Cabin Fever with handcrafted Valentine’s day cards and polaroid style photos to remember the event.
Then there was the raffle. Local businesses donated close to 150 wonderful prizes, including black bag items with values between $250-1000. Prizes included children’s class passes and birthday par-ties, spa and beauty gift certificates, restaurant and store gift certifi-cates, professional photo-sessions, designer baby gear, cookbooks/DVDs and a MLB package. As per the HFA tradition, the proceeds from this raffle will go towards our philanthropic grants for 2012.
A special note of thanks to the local supporters—Dr. Brescia, Migliaccio, Tully, Chin, Moon & Safi (platinum sponsors), John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Greetings from Hoboken, Creative Groove Studio, Norma De Ruggiero/ Robert De Ruggiero Inc, Realtors and Irene Perello - Hudson Place Realty—who made donations for the event. Additional support came from our Annual Gold level sponsors: Avanti Cleaning Service, Beyond Basic Learning, Bright Horizons at Maxwell Place, Camp Riverbend, Deer Mountain Day Camp, Garden Street Productions, Hartshorn Portraiture, HBK Travel, Hoboken University Medical Center, Hudson Dance and Movement, IRMS Reproductive Medicine, Kids Communicate, Liberty Science Center, Muller Insurance, Priority Chiropractic, Progressive Pediatrics, Romparoo, Spring Lake Daycamp, Stevens Cooperative School and Super Soccer Stars. Without your assistance we could not host such a large event. We cannot say enough thanks to our volunteers from the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity at Stevens University. Thanks also to Nazish Ahmed, Julie Hartigan and Lisa Jonap for raffle and sponsor help. Cabin Fever 2011 was a collective effort, led by our new Special Events Director, Lexi Coen, who worked tirelessly to bring it all together. Great job, Lexi!
For a slideshow of photos from the 2011 Cabin Fever, courtesy of Kenneth Chen, please visit hobokenfamily.com or click here.
HFA March ‘112
You Know You Want To TravelHoboken’s Travel Agency.
Specializing in vacation packages, cruises, intern-tional travel, corporate travel, weddings and honeymoons.
Call today to start planning your next vacation.
HBK Travel * 720 Monroe Street, Suite E507201-222-9425 * [email protected]* www.hbktravel.com
HFA members receive $50 off vacation bookings of $750 or more now through 12/31/10. One discount per booking; not to be combined with any other offer. New bookings only.
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HFA Community Neighbor Awardsby Michele Hulsman
HFA was pleased to award over $10,000 in grants at this year’s Cabin Fever festival. For HFA’s Seventh Annual Community Neighbor Award Grants, we bestowed seven grants, one to each of the following independent, highly-respected, not for profit orga-nizations: Hudson Milestones, Hudson CASA, Hoboken University Medical Center, Hudson Cradle, Women Rising, York Street Project, and Hudson Perinatal Consortium Doula Program. All of the recipients serve children or families in Hoboken and the sur-rounding areas within Hudson county, and the HFA’s grant money will be used to directly provide a service for families or children. You can read more about these won-derful organizations by visiting the hobokenfamily.com website or clicking here. These recipient groups will be contributing articles over the coming months to update us on their progress.
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HFA March‘113
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HFA Spring 2011 Swap Meetby Michele Hulsman
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011Time: 9-11 am (accepting Drop off items); 12:30-2:30 pm Swap Meet SalesLocation: Hoboken High School, 800 Clinton Street, Hoboken (Cafeteria)Cost: Free for HFA members; $5 suggested donation for non-members
How Does it Work?
Please drop off your items during the “drop-off” period (between 9-11 am). This will help us run the swap more efficiently. You will be issued credits that you can use during the sale from 12:30-2:30 pm. You receive one credit for one item of clothing or multiple credits for larger items such as bouncy seats. You can exchange these credits for clothing, shoes, coats, and toys. Larger baby gear items are for cash pur-chase only.
If you don’t have any items for exchange or would like to take home more items than you brought, you may purchase items for cash (example: $1 per children’s clothing, $2 maternity clothes, $2 shoes, $1-$10 toys, $10-$25 larger baby gear).
Kindly do not drop any items off during the sale. Any items you bring, in excess of your purchases, will be considered donations and will go to In Jesus’ Name, Hudson Cradle and other local organizations in need. All drop-offs after 12:30 pm will be considered straight donations and will not receive any credits. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
What to Bring?
• Baby, toddler, and children’s clothes, costumes, shoes, and coats (items in condition from gently used condition to new, unstained, with all pieces included) in sizes 0-16.• Baby gear (strollers, bouncy seats, diaper bags, etc. Please be sure to bring all pieces for these items). • Toys and children’s books (only complete items with all small parts in a plastic bag taped to toy if applicable, and books with all pages in readable condition only, please).• Maternity clothes and nursing tops.• Formula, diapers, medicines, food and baby toileteries will be donated.
What is gently used? Gently used means that all clothing is like new and/or has been washed a few times. All clothing is clean, free of stains/tears, and maintains its original color and shape. All clothing where applicable, have all fasteners in good working condition, working zippers, no frayed edges, no pills, and have seams and hems that are intact.
Please use your best judgment—if you do not find it acceptable for your child to wear that clothing, neither will anyone else!
What NOT to Bring?
• Furniture• Stuffed animals• Carseats, diaper disposal systems, potty seats, underwear, bathing suits• No adult clothing (aside from maternity clothing)• Items without all their parts
Donate
We can provide a tax receipt for donations only. If you want to donate but can’t make the swap, or have any questions, please contact [email protected].
HFA March ‘114
Reclaim Your Boundariesby Karin Stewart
Years ago, I tried to help a loved one through a depression. Instead of getting him out of his, I almost fell into depression myself. That day, I learned a very important lesson: taking care of yourself first is not a luxury, it is a necessity. I had given him all my energy, and then some - too much. By not pulling back and taking care of myself first, I almost got both of us in trouble (he pulled through, by the way).
What is it in us that makes us breach our boundaries like this to care for others? And not just in extreme cases like mine, but most often in small ways, by saying yes when we really want to say no, by keeping in our lives people who drive us crazy because we would feel like the ‘bad guy’ if we took them out of our lives, by always putting oth-ers ahead of us.
We’re doing the equivalent of putting the oxygen mask on others before putting it on ourselves, and while the result of this is not as damaging, breaching our boundaries and giving people more energy than we have is not without consequences. Yet we still do it, because we often don’t realize the consequences until late in the game, when they get severe: burn out, depression, illness…
Do you find yourself breaching your boundaries, and giving more energy (mental, physical or emotional) than you really have available?
First, remember that taking care of yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. You can’t give what you don’t have, or at least not without consequenc-es. Taking care of yourself allows you to replenish your energy so you have more to give to your children, your family, your friends, your work, everyone.
Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Then, take action to reclaim your boundaries and your energy:
• If you pay attention to it, you’ll find that some people leave you energized, while oth-ers leave you drained. Eliminate or at least reduce your contact with the latter, and you’ll feel your overall energy go up immediately. If you can’t stop seeing them alto-gether, put boundaries. For instance, one such person for me was a family member, so I made sure to see him only at family events, rather than one-on-one, since the latter left me completely drained. This allowed me to use my energy for myself and people who genuinely needed it. Simply doing this will give you more energy, and will give you a lot more time too. • Start setting time for yourself, and keep this time as sacred, not to be disturbed no matter what. You wouldn’t even think of canceling an appointment with a friend to see another one (unless there is an emergency). Why do you do it when the appointment is with yourself? Start treating yourself the way you treat your best friend.
Karin Stewart, PhD, founder of Daily Mastery, gives busy mothers and pregnant women the tools and skills they need to make all the pieces of their life puzzle fit effectively and comfortably. Find out more and contact her at www.DailyMastery.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KarinStewartPhD.
HFA March‘115
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Making the Best of the Space You Got by Anna Novosyolok
Hoboken’s population has grown by 30% in the last decade. Many of our new resi-dents are families who in the past might have moved to the suburbs. Some of us have always lived in cities; many moved for college or a job. Some of us have always wanted to raise families here; others sort of fell into it. And for most of us, Hoboken living = limited space.
As a professional organizer working in and near Hoboken, I constantly hear cries for help finding “more space”. This same cry comes from people raising a family in 900 square feet and those with three-story townhouses. No matter how much space we have, stuff tends to fill it.
These 7 tips can help you live a less cluttered urban life:
#1. Assign every item a home. For example, store all your scissors in one place. When you need one, you’ll know exactly where they are. Putting like items together also helps you see how many you have and pare down extras.
#2. The item’s home should be where you use it most often.#3. If you find yourself constantly looking for something in a different place from
where you find it, relocate its home there.#4. Go vertical. Ikea came up with extensions for their bookcases for a reason…
Store your kids’ toys and books on the bottom shelves. Put your books, albums, pic-tures, etc. on the upper shelves.
#5. Look for furniture solutions with embedded storage. Making smart choices about your furniture is critical to optimizing your space. Buy a coffee table with storage inside: store magazines and coasters. Choose a crib with a trundle drawer: store sheets and outfits.
#6. Go digital. Subscribe to paperless statements from your bank and credit card companies. Scan your photos and store your albums. Create digital photobooks, which hold many more images and take less shelf space.
#7. Follow the “One In, One Out” rule. Buy a shirt? Give away a shirt. Dedicate a bin to your kids’ art supplies and when it gets full, encourage them to go through it and get rid of used up markers, broken crayons, etc. before restocking.
Our lives might be short on space, but living so close to one of the greatest cities in the world allows us to live lives rich in experiences. With smart use of your space and good organizing, you can find that you have just about all the space you truly need.
Anna Novosyolok is a professional organizer and a Hoboken mom of two. Visit her website and blog on www.HudsonOrganizing.com or follow her on facebook at www.facebook.com/HudsonOrganizing
Upcoming HFA EventsSpring Swap Meet—Sunday, April 3, Hoboken High School
Spring Fling and Egg Hunt—Saturday, April 16, Church Square Park
Hoboken Spring Gala—Thursday, May 12, W Hotel Hoboken
HFA March ‘116
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Do You Need a Mouthguard?By Catarina Ferreira, DDS and Cristina Teixeira, DMD, MS, PhD
Last April, during the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League Soccer, Inter Milan’s Maicon received an accidental shoulder knock to the mouth by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. This made him lose one of his teeth and he had to undergo surgery.
Now, imagine what it would be like if your little champion unexpectedly lost a couple of his or her front teeth. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “increased competitiveness has resulted in a significant number of dental and facial injuries, which represent a high percentage of the total injuries experienced in youth sports”. Youth and adults receive thousands of sports related face injuries each year.
So what can you do to protect your smile while playing your favorite sport? According to the American Dental Association, a properly fitted mouthguard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that provides a protective surface to distribute and dissipate transmitted forces on impact minimizing the risk of trauma to the lips and intraoral tissues such as lacerations, crown or root fractures, avulsions etc.
Athletic mouthguards vary from inexpensive preformed plastic trays designed for use without any modification, to custom made individually designed devices that per-fectly fit your child’s teeth. Custom-made mouthguards usually have better retention and comfort, less interference with speech and breathing, and more adaptability to orthodontic appliances.
If you or your child practices one of the activities shown in the table below, consider a mouthguard for his or her protection.
AcrobaticsBasketballBicyclingBoxingEquestrianExtreme sportsField eventsField hockey
FootballGymnasticsHandballIce hockeyInline skatingLacrosseMartial artsRacquetball
RugbyShotputtingSkateboardingSkiingSkydivingSoccerSoftballSquash
SurfingVolleyballWater poloWeightliftingWrestling
Adapted from The Journal of the American Dental Association
Choosing a mouthguard can be a challenging task. However, when making your decision, be sure you select a mouthguard that not only is resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable, but is also durable, easy to clean and fits properly your child’s mouth.
Here are some tips to help to take care of your new mouthguard:
• Before and after each use, rinse it with cold water or an antiseptic mouth rinse. You can also clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.• Use a firm, perforated container to store or transport your mouthguard.• Avoid high temperatures, such as hot water, hot surfaces or direct sunlight will mini-mize distortion of the mouthguard.• Have regular dental check-ups in order to make sure that your mouthguard is always in good condition to provide effective protection without irritating your mouth.• We would like to help you protect your or your child’s smile! Therefore, during the month of March 2011 we invite you to visit our office, CTNP Orthodontics, to get a FREE mouthguard.
This article is contributed by CTNP Orthodontics located at 79 Hudson Street, Suite 400, Hoboken, who specialize in adult and children’s orthodontics. For more information, please call (201) 714-9800 or visit ctnporthodontics.com.
Disclaimer: CTNP Orthodontics is one of the generous sponsors of HFA. The above may be considered an advertisement and not an endorsement or recommendation of HFA.
HFA March‘117
Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Easy Ways to Clean GreenBy Jennifer Mortarulo
Remy was having a play date in her apartment in less than five minutes. Her bath-room was a dirty mess. In a panic and out of cleaning supplies, she reached for a lemon. Not to make lemonade for her guests, but to clean her bathroom. She cut it in half, sprayed a little juice on the soap scum, scrubbed it and voila! it was gone. Remy was a green cleaning goddess and she didn’t even know it!
Cleaning green is as easy as cutting a lemon. Many people think that green clean-ing requires special products and techniques, when in reality it’s the easiest cleaning you can do. For starters, you probably already have many of the “green” cleaning products that you need in your home (like a lemon). A lemon not only naturally cleans soap scum but leaves behind a fresh, citrus scent.
Another eco-friendly cleaning staple is distilled vinegar. Vinegar kills 99% of all bacteria. You can use it straight for your kitchen to disinfect cutting boards and coun-ter-tops. Or you can put it in a spray bottle, add water, and use it to clean the rest of your house. It is safe even for kids’ toys. Try adding an essential oil like peppermint or lavender to give the vinegar-water solution a nice, fragrant smell.
If you are looking for a scouring powder, try baking soda. Just sprinkle some in your sink or bathtub. Moisten a cleaning cloth with a little water and scrub away to remove soap scum and dirt.
Cleaning with natural products is not only healthier for you and your family, it is also cost-effective. Products like lemons, vinegar and baking soda are much cheaper than anything you would find in the cleaning supply aisle in your supermarket. Besides, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are not releasing harmful toxins in your home.
Jennifer Mortarulo is the owner of Clean Green Co, an eco-friendly cleaning company now in Hoboken. For more information, email [email protected], visit www.cleangreenco.com or call 908-342-5437.
Books for Bullies and the BulliedBy Lois Rubin Gross
Bullying is a “hot topic,” right now. We are hearing a lot about children who are teased or worse at school, on the playground, on the school bus. It is time to acknowl-edge that we all let this happen, often without realizing it, because no one wants to admit that their child might be the bully and often we miss the signs of a bullied child.
If your child is reluctant to go to school, camp, or the playground because other kids “won’t play with him,” he may be a victim. If your child rejects other children because they look, act or dress differently then, sadly, you may have a bully in the making.
Here are some books to share with your children to reinforce self-esteem and dis-courage teasing:• Goggles, by Ezra Jack Keats—Young children find a way to outsmart older bullies.• Swimmy, by Leo Lionni—Swimmy teaches fish cooperation to overcome a fear-provoking big fish.• The Recess Queen, by Alexis O’Neill—Mean Jean is queen of the playground until a new girl teaches that friendliness is a better strategy.• Not All Princesses Dress in Pink, by Jane Yoleni—Girls can do anything is the fundamental message (boys, too), and they don’t have to dress in a particular way.
NON PROFITORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 5195
NEWARK, NJ 07102
HOBOKEN FAMILY ALLIANCEP.O. Box 1194Hoboken, NJ 07030
Address Service Requested
Hoboken Family Alliance Contactswww.hobokenfamily.com
Newsletter Director and Editor
Dalia Tole, [email protected]
Community Affairs Director
Francoise Vielot, [email protected]
Director for Special Needs Children
Theresa Howard, [email protected]
Finance Director
Rachel Matthai, [email protected]
Marketing Director
Shana Lee, [email protected]
Membership Director
Cindy Altberger, [email protected]
Philanthropy Director
Michele Hulsman, [email protected]
Special Events Director
Lexi Coen, [email protected]
Web site Director
Steve Walkowiak, [email protected]
The purpose of the Hoboken Family Alliance is to improve the Hoboken Community and its way of life through the efforts of individual and family volunteers.
The HFA focuses its efforts on education and parenting issues, philanthropy, children’s resources and events.
HFA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For membership, upcoming events, and parenting resources please visit
www.hobokenfamily.com.
If you have stories or story ideas for upcoming issues please email [email protected]. Submissions become the property of HFA and are subject to copyright rules.
Articles and photos cannot be republished without permission.
Stevens
Cooperative
School
A Leader in Progressive
Education since1949
www.stevenscoop.org
Hoboken Newport
2s - 8th grade K - 6th grade
and growing
Tours available by appointment.
Financial aid is available to qualified families.
For more information, please call or e-mail:
Hoboken 201.792.3688
Newport 201.626.4020
Stevens Cooperative School is accredited by the
New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
