Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

6 FREE Chess Clubs for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 10:00am

“Life is a kind of chess,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in his 1786 essay on “The Morals of Chess.” Chess teaches foresight, circumspection and caution, as well as not to be “discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs,” he wrote.

Fast forward a couple hundred years, and it's believed there's a positive effect on cognitive development in children who play chess. In addition to offering intellectual stimulation, chess crosses cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, bridging gaps in a disparate population.

Fortunately, numerous opportunities for Westchester children to play chess exist. In addition to schools often offering extracurricular play, we previously rounded up chess camp options and have now compiled FREE chess clubs and classes available at Westchester libraries. Whether your child is a novice or a Bobby Fischer, there’s something for everyone—in fact, there’s at least one option for each weekday.

Keep tabs on our Event Calendar, as programs are often added or repeated. Read on and go for checkmate!

FREE STEAM Fun for Westchester Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 03/20/2017 - 10:00am

STEAM programs are really heating up in Westchester, with both in-school and extracurricular activities sprouting up all over the place. In case your family hasn’t yet caught the craze, STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math, and there's a growing movement to ramp up education for kids in these areas.

We previously posted our guide to STEAM centers in Westchester. Now, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite FREE STEAM programs planned for kids this spring. Whether your child is a future physicist, meteorologist, computer programmer, entomologist, astronomer, mathematician, collage artist or engineer, there’s something for all ages and interests.

Our Event Calendar is frequently updated with new additions, so view it often to stay up to date. Now grab your planner, ‘cause things are getting really STEAM-y out there!

9 Ways to Celebrate Purim in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 4:00pm

It’s almost time for Purim, the carnival-like Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jews being saved by Queen Esther from murderous Haman. Often referred to as the Jewish Halloween, you certainly don’t need to be Jewish to join in on the celebrations.

There are plenty of family-friendly Purim events occurring in Westchester this month, so read to find out the who, what and where.

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Greenburgh Nature Center's Maple Sugaring Party for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 03/03/2017 - 12:30pm

A privilege of living in Westchester is the seasonal fun that families can have in Northeast nature. In the fall, we get to go apple picking, and in February and March we have the good fortune to take part in maple sugaring.

We’ve already rounded up our top picks for where to tap a tree in Westchester and the Hudson Valley; now read on for our deeper dive into the Greenburgh Nature Center’s Maple Sugaring Party based on first-hand experience.

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Girl Power: Where to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 03/02/2017 - 4:00pm

If the recent women’s marches are any testament, girl power is alive and well, and women and girls across the country are fired up. Perfect timing: March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the many women throughout history who helped break gender barriers and fight for independence, respect and privileges. Westchester families have much to celebrate, and we’ve helped identify ways to do so.

It was in New York that Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton launched their movement in support of women’s suffrage around the turn of the 20^th century. And whereas the U.S. will celebrate the centennial of the 19^th amendment in 2020, our own local centennial is happening right now, as New York State granted women the right to vote in 1917.

Various Westchester venues are staging celebrations by showcasing some stellar female role models—from computer programmers to first ladies, educators to survivors (and even a chess champion)—all to honor our predecessors and to inspire younger girls to make their own mark.

Now grab your daughters and sons and head out to any and all of these Women’s History Month programs. These are designed to model strong contributions to society and relentless determination. Visit our Event Calendar for more details and many more ways to inspire your children.

Rockin' Jump Ridge Hill: Where Kids can Jump and Climb the Walls

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 02/24/2017 - 10:00am

It's beginning to feel a bit more like spring, but that doesn't mean every day will be sunshine and roses (there's still March and its whole lion/lamb thing to endure). When the kids are bouncing off the walls, the best thing to do is bring them somewhere it's encouraged—like an indoor trampoline park!

We previously told you all about our visit to Mount Kisco’s Rockin’ Jump, and since then another Westchester outpost of this franchise opened at Ridge Hill in Yonkers, near Legoland Discovery Center. We recently hopped on over to the newer—and larger—Rockin’ Jump to size it up.

Looking for more things to do when the weather is cruddy? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook!

Valentine’s Day Fun: Top FREE Activities for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sat, 02/04/2017 - 4:00pm

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and love and creativity are in the air! If those Pinterest valentines are making you envious—but the mad dash of daily living has you resorting to pink and red construction paper with crayons and stickers—we propose the perfect solution: Take it on the road.

Our Event Calendar includes numerous ways to get ready for Valentine’s Day. Below, we’ve culled our top FREE events that allow kids of all ages the opportunity to whoop it up at celebrations and make gifts for their special sweetheart—all without getting any glitter on your rug!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Mommy Poppins!

The Best Kid-Friendly Holiday Shows (Other than The Nutcracker!)

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 11/21/2016 - 4:00pm

The holiday season is fast upon us, and while there are some ways we can self-pace how we savor the season, one recommendation for advance planning is to purchase tickets for holiday performances. Not only do they often sell out in advance, but claiming choice seats can avoid the familiar whines of “I can’t see …”

Fortunately for Westchester residents, there are various holiday productions to choose from in addition to the The Nutcracker performances in our area. We’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly productions—from traditional concerts to new musical theater—to help you ring in the holiday season. Read on and click through for details. Also be sure to visit our Event Calendar, where you’ll find an ever-growing number of other holiday events we’re curating for your family to enjoy!

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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