Flow Circus Hits Valley Stream Today!

Flow Circus is coming to town this evening to show you how to master 5 skill toys from around the world. The Flow Circus program is a unique blend of magic and juggling that engaged our young readers in a way that fills their hearts with passion and their heads with dreams.

Young adults in grades 5-12 are welcome to attend. Registration is required and will be limited to 25 participants. Preference is given to Valley Stream library cardholders. Register at the Adult Reference Desk or call 516-825-6422. For further information or to register, contact Librarian Ms. Kenney or Director Ms. Eng. 

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Fitness Friday: Valley Stream Mom Dea Myers

My fitness status is a bit stagnant right now after preparing for multiple trips.  However, I am doing my best to remain healthy, minus the Hostess cupcakes and soda.  King Kullen places them right at the checkout line which gets me every time.  Please pray for my will power.  I have just a little.

Please meet Dea Myers, a Valley Stream Mom of two who finds time for her legal career, family life, church and counsels others on being fit.

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Her Story

In 2009, I weighed about 200 pounds. That was the heaviest I had ever been (except during pregnancy) and I was not proud of it. About 5 years prior, I had been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder/thyroid disease also known as Hashimotos. I was always athletic and physically fit, but not being able to lose weight was a huge strain on me. I am a busy professional, with a family, and a life. I didn’t have time to go to the gym and outdoor activities in the Northeast are only weather-permitting. I felt like I had to do something!

Like many of us, I would sit and watch infomercials late at night, or early in the morning. For years I watched workout, health, and fitness infomercials but always thought those people aren’t me. One day my husband ordered P90X. I just knew it was going to sit on the shelf and collect dust, like so many other fitness VHS tapes (I’m dating myself), videos, and fitness equipment (bowflex, TRX, treadmill, heavy bag, gold’s gym something or other, you name it!) that we already owned. After about a week, I put in the DVD and followed the program. Before I knew it, I had completed 90 days and haven’t turned back since! In the interests of full disclosure, I could have done better with what I ate at that time. Thankfully, now I drink Shakeology which keeps me on track! After P90x, I did Insanity. After Insanity, I did Chalean Extreme. I continue my fitness journey and haven’t looked back!

Follow Dea here, on Twitter, and on Facebook to see what she's into these days.


Video: #MochasatWH White House Mom's Briefing

Last week, I visited the White House for an historical briefing with other Mocha Moms around the country.  The benefit of joining this support group for stay-at-home-moms of color has been amazing.  I will provide infomation on this natinal organization at a later time.  Not a mom?  This briefing is really for ALL women.

Please take a moment to watch the entire video or in part as time allows.  Grab a pen and paper.  Grab some tissue because there are moments that will touch your heart.  You're a woman.  You're a mom.  You're emotional when it comes to your children.  We're human and we cry.  You can hear my question at the 1:16:00 mark to Tina Tchen, Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President.

Enjoy your day!



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What Gets Me Going

I have a thing for candles. You can find these beeswax candles here.

I love wall hangings but I don't know where to start.  You can find more on this here.

Winter Recess Outings - NY Science Museum

Museum guest Chloe explains how a Network works to my children

I just couldn't get myself together Monday morning and at the last minute found my mojo.  I took the kids to the New York Science Museum after learning that the Long Island Children's Museum was closed.  I thought it was anyway.  Being married to an attorney still has not taught me to "read the fine print." Anyhoo, the science museum was extremely crowded which I figured, however I went late in the day.  Didn't matter.  The experience was just okay.  The Preschool room was not only crowded but had a waiting list.  I also took a bump on the hip by a rude employee who hit me with the half door outside of the prschool play area and didn't even say excuse me.  I don't think he realized he was at risk for being blogged about.  These days, we're ALL at risk.  Next, it seemed as if the employees were clues less as to where certain events were held.  As a former museum publicist, I don't expect everyone to know everything, but it would make sense for employees to have a schedule of events on them.  Instead he pointed and said "over there" is where I could find a list. 

Save the 5th Precinct: Community Forum Tonight

There will be a Community Forum on the closing of the 5th Precinct will be held Wednesday, Feb 22 will be at 6:30PM at the American Legion - 51 Roosevelt Avenue Valley Stream. Please share and email your network to help keep our children, families, and community safe.  The fifth precinct covers School Districts 13, 24, and 30.  If you live in any of these school districts, and chances are that you, the closing of this precinct WILL affect you and your family.

Visit www.Envisionvalleystream.org to sign the petition.  Change starts from the bottom up.

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Mom's Briefing at the White House

I am no stranger to the White House.  I have memories as a little girl of many trips to Washington, D.C. where during one trip my family visited The White House during the Carter Administration.  One of my fondest memories is that of my sisters and I meeting the White House Butler as President Carter sat in the Oval Office steps away from where we stood.  At one point, I tired of visiting our nation's capital and didn't care to ever go back. As a political wife and former history museum publicist, I have grown to like politics (not everything about it), developed an interest in history, and love walking the streets of the capital of the United States of America.

Little did I know that two decades later my family and I would be given a private tour of the West Wing of the White House by a friend of my husband's who worked for the Obama Administration all within a day's notice.  It pays to have connections. It was surreal and will go down as the most memorable experience of my life.  So I thought.

For the third time in my life, I was granted historical access to the White House along with fellow Mocha Moms from Queens, Long Island, and across the country.  Why, you ask, is this historic?  For the first time, a group of African American women who are primarily stay-at-home mothers were given access to some of the Obama Administration's key leaders.  Wow.

I had little idea of what the day would entail.  Eight MochAmazing women from the Queens/Long Island Chapter of Mocha Moms were asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. but our excitement told us to arrive early.  The excitement won.  We were the 2nd group to arrive awarding me, as the first person from our group to enter the room, to choose seat #1.  I don't recall knocking anyone out of my way but people have been known to block events out of their mind.  Just kidding.  I would later be asked to move down two seats to accommodate two national Mocha Mom board members.  I'm still okay with that.  I was at The White House.

What made this experience so memorable was being surrounded by other mothers who who are just like me.  Mothers who care about their children's health, fitness and access to healthy food.  Mothers who want affordable healthcare for their children.  Mothers who care about their children's education.  Mothers who care about the stories and struggles of other mothers. 

There were several memorable moments during the 3-hour conversation, however one take away from this experience will forever be etched in my mind.  As a mother you often wonder if the sacrifice you make to leave your career to care for your children is appreciated.  If the sacrifice is noticed.  You often wonder if you're doing the right thing for your children, family, and for yourself.  It is and you are.  The reason why we were invited to The White House is because the Obama Administration, the highest office in America, wanted us to know these three simple, yet powerful, words that make a huge impact to moms.  "We see you."

We all started to cry.  That's affirmation enough.

I look forward to sharing snippets of the conversation complete with loads of information you may or may not know about.  Stay tuned to upcoming posts. 
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50 Great Side Dishes + Printable

There's something about cooking side dishes that sends me pretty close to anxiety attacks.  Let me be clear. I can cook. Everyday, my mom who worked outside of the home, would call home at 3 p.m. to tell me and my two sisters to 1) peel the potatoes 2) cut the potatoes 3)boil the potatoes 4) mash the potatoes.  I don't quite know what happened after that.  I do know that to this day I have not mastered the art of mashed potatoes the way my mom makes them.  Lumps and all.  I know it's taboo to have creamy mashed potatoes with lumps, but there's something about those lumps that makes the dish yummy.  My mom is known for her lumps in Toledo.

My "from scratch" repoitoire consists of green beans seasoned with smoked turkey and an occasional potato (cut up of course), and....well, I guess that's all I can think of right now.  My family likes it which is why I continue to make it.  Other side dishes I have mastered are sweet corn on the cob (boil and serve), spanish rice (Goya - boil and serve), and seasoned red skin or baby white potatoes (Lipton Onion Soup seasoning). 

I happened upon Lovely Little Snippets blog while cruising my FB feed.  I am in love with this blog even if I don't read another post.  I'm sure I will though if this is what I'm going to find on a weekly basis.  I already printed this list of 50 great side dishes and plan to print off another copy to place in my handbag for easy access while visiting the grocery store. Personally, I don't consider items 41 - 50 "side dishes" because they're not vegetables, but 40 out of 50 ain't bad.





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Winter Recess - Local Events

Henry Waldinger Library Events + Black History Celebrations

Black History Month Craft
February 22nd
Time: 4 p.m.
Come hear a story about the Underground Railroad and the importance of quilts.
Register: (516) 825-6422

Toy-ing Around
Flow Circus presents "Skill Toys from Around the World"
February 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Registration: Kids 10+
Call the number above

Young adults! Celebrate Black History Month and show off your knowledge of Black History by taking our Black History Quiz. Stop by the library any time from now until Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 5:30pm and grab a copy of the quiz. Completed quizzes will be entered into a raffle.

Rockville Centre Recreation Events

Center for Science Teaching and Learning

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Five Days Of Style Event - A Pea in The Pod

Button Front Bi-stretch Suiting Maternity Jacket - $149.00

Expectant moms in search of fashionable and flattering work attire need to look no further, A Pea In The Pod partnered with InStyle Magazine to create the ultimate workwear collection for stylish moms-to-be.

Sleeveless Ruched Maternity Dress - $79.50

The collection debuted last week at an exclusive event, appropriately named “5 Days of Style” that was held at Destination Maternity’s, Madison Avenue flagship store in New York City. The debut included a personal styling event featured an array of “Insider Picks”, with style experts on site to help expectant moms-to-be with creating those winning, work-week looks.

Short sleeved maternity sweater - $49.99

The “5 Days of Style” Collection highlighted a few classic wardrobe staples, simple basics such as pencil skirts, blazers, trousers and wrap dresses from premier designers, versatile enough for expectant moms to create multiple looks, taking away the anxiety of dressing for work.

Short Sleeved Pleated Maternity Shirt - $39.99

Finally, what would a styling event be without a little pampering?  Moms-to-be were treated with indulgent, mini massages and hand treatments, and staff was on-hand with skincare advice and product demos.

Margaret Wilson is a former InStyle Writer/Editor and currently works for Saks Fifth Avenue.  Margaret will host a Teen Fashion Workshop on Sunday, March 18th in Valley Stream.  For details, send an email to sparkleclubinfo@gmail.com.

Follow Margaret on Twitter @magnficentstyle

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Happy President's Day

Last week, both of my kids came home from school wearing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hats.  I thought they were absolutely adorable.  My daughter asked me out of the blue, what number is President Obama?  Yes!  As a volunteer for Gen44NYC, I knew this one!  I told her, President Obama is the 44th President of the United States.  She then asked me what number George Washington was.  Yes!  I know this one too.  I told her that George Washington was our first President.  She asked where is he now?  Uh oh.  My daughter is very sensitive when it comes to hearing of people being sick or deceased. I thought this one over briefly and gently said, he's with God.  She said ok.  Whew! 

Abe Lincoln Paper Hat Craft
George Washington Coloring pages

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History of President's Day (www.History.com)

Presidents' Day, celebrated each year on the third Monday in February, is a day when Americans honor the legacies of the U.S. presidents. The holiday was established in 1800, when Congress declared February 22–George Washington's birthday–a federal holiday. Still legally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day has become a day to honor not only Washington, but Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president who was born on February 12, and the lives and accomplishments of all U.S. presidents.



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