As part of the National Random Acts of Life Improvement campaign, IKEA, The Life Improvement Store, will be helping people prepare for Memorial Day weekend by giving away free IKEA blue bags across the country on Thursday, May 24, 2012. The large, iconic, reusable bag is flexible, lightweight and easily cleaned, making it an ideal companion to transport items for all types of activities throughout summer – like trips to the beach, the pool or a backyard BBQ.

As part of the IKEA Life Improvement Project, a program designed to help inspire and empower people to improve their lives, as well as the lives of others in their community, last year IKEA launched the Random Acts of Life Improvement campaign to surprise and delight the public with tokens of appreciation to improve everyday moments in their lives.

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For more information on the local IKEA Blue Bag giveaway – including location/timing, follow the local IKEA store Twitter handle at @IKEA_Brooklyn.

*Blue Bags will be available while supplies last*

**Giveaways will occur in select, high-traffic commuter areas not in IKEA stores. The public can follow their local IKEA store on Twitter for details**

Thursday, May 24, 2012
7:30am
Borough Hall
Follow @IKEA_Brooklyn for additional details.

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Our very own Elizabeth Leach recently launched an incredible resource for moms in upstate New York called Wee Westchester. Along with Elizabeth Detmer and Brooke Lea Foster, this comprehensive (and fun) site focuses on everything Westchester. This includes a daily calendar of cool things to do in the area, tips on mommy style and design, kid-friendly recipes from local chefs, day trips, date night ideas, and anything else of interest to Westchester moms.

The gorgeously designed site also includes sections to find the latest tips for date nights, style, play and food/restaurant ideas. As the moms stated, “We traded life in the city for a white picket fence in Westchester, NY. But we’re not willing to sacrifice style — or fun.” We love that attitude, and are proud to support this exciting new website.

For more information, please visit: http://www.weewestchester.com/

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Children nationwide will take part in a growing grassroots movement to celebrate America’s parks through play on Saturday, May 19, as they participate in National Park Trust’s (NPT) Second Annual National Kids to Parks Day, a program to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors, the natural beauty and adventure in the parks.

For talented local juniors hoping to become the next Roger Federer or Serena Williams, the road could begin at City Parks Foundation’s 26th annual Reebok Junior Tennis Academy Tryouts. Fifty players between the ages of eight to 16 will be selected for the Academy, a free, six-week tournament-training program held from July – August.

For an application to sign up for City Parks Foundation’s Reebok Junior Tennis Academy tryouts on May 19th or for more information on the program, please call 718-760-6999.

North Shore-LIJ Health System is a signature sponsor of City Parks Foundation’s Sports & Fitness Programs, which offer free expert instruction to over 15,000 New York youth and seniors at over 60 locations citywide.

Reebok Junior Tennis Academy Tryouts
Saturday, May 19th
3:00 PM
USTA/ Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows Park
Queens

For more details, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

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This weekend, the Love Your Library Day Book Sale will feature thousands of books from $1-$3, including kids’ books, hardcover and paperback fiction, history, biography, film and theater, science, cookbooks, beautiful art and photography books, vintage titles and much more.

The event also includes readings, art activities, a bake sale and snazzy Brooklyn Public Library shirts for sale – all to raise money for the library and raise awareness of how important libraries are:

11 AM – Lela Nargi reads her book “The Honeybee Man” a finalist for the Cook prize for children’s science writing
11:30-12:30- Curious Jane camp leads art activities for kids
12:30- Cobble Hill Playgroup Director Carol Troha from “Storytime with Carol & Friends” reads one of her favorite books
2:30- Josh Lewis reads from his popular “Super Chicken Nugget Boy” series

Assemblywoman Joan Millman and City Councilmember Brad Lander will also be there to buy books too! All proceeds from the book sale and bake sale will go to benefit the Carroll Gardens branch and every t-shirt sold will benefit the Brooklyn Public Library’s “Support Our Shelves” campaign.

Also, they are looking for volunteers. Sign up here.

Love Your Library Day Book Sale
Carroll Gardens Library
Saturday, May 19
10 AM – 4 PM
396 Clinton Street on the corner of Union.

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Even though Mother’s Day is over we are still all for the pampering and cute cards from our kids. Time Out New York Kidsis taking that up a notch by offering an incredible contest where moms can enter to win a spa package from Oasis Day Spa in New York City. To enter, simply send a photo of yourself with your kids  to win a 30-minute massage and a 30-minute facial. Bonus: All moms that enter will receive a special discount to Oasis Day Spa. Contest ends on June 1, 2012.

To enter, please visit: Time Out New York Kids

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Poets House is hosting some fantastic programs for children and families this May. Here is a brief overview of just some of their poetry events and exhibitions.

Founding Friendships: Treasures from the Collections of Elizabeth Kray and Stanley Kunitz
On view from May 15 to October 6
Poets House co-founders, poet Stanley Kunitz and arts administrator Elizabeth Kray, wanted Poets House to be a place of friendship. This exhibition, comprising  art works from Kunitz’s collections and numerous manuscripts from Kray’s, foregrounds their dedication to amity and hospitality. Highlights include paintings by Philip Guston, Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, Jack Tworkov, among many others, as well as letters by Galway Kinnell, Denise Levertov, Derek Walcott and James Wright.

25th Anniversary Program
Thursday, May 17, 7:00PM
Passwords: Vijay Seshadri on W.H. Auden
Poet Vijay Seshadri Poet Vijay Seshadri addresses the life and work of this prolific British-born poet, who spent much of his adult life in New York creating an unparalleled body of work.

25th Anniversary Program
Tuesday, May 22, 7:00PM
Passwords: Rosamond King on Caribbean Poets of the 20th Century
 Scholar and poet Rosamond King shares her insights into the groundbreaking output of 20th-century Caribbean poets, including the works of Kamau Brathwaite and M. NourbeSe Philip.

25th Anniversary Program
Thursday, May 31, 7:00PM
Passwords: Martín Espada on Puerto Rican Poetry
Poet Martín Espada addresses the political poetic tradition of Puerto Rico, from Julia de Burgos to three major poets—Clemente Soto Vélez, Juan Antonio Corretjer and Francisco Matos Paoli—who were imprisoned for their “seditious” words.

Poets House
10 River Terrace
New York, NY 10282
www.poetshouse.org

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Sunday is Mother’s Day and Cumbe Dance in Downtown Brooklyn is celebrating women with a special Zumba Liquid
Brunch! This includes a one-hour Zumba Class, catered to those of all fitness levels, and complimentary champagne, mimosas, bottled water and fresh fruits.

Zumba Liquid Brunch for Mother’s Day
Cumbe Dance
Corner of Fulton and
Flatbush Avenues in Downtown Brooklyn,
Accessible by car with both street and lot parking or by subway
(2,3,4,5 to Nevins)
Event begins at 11:00am with one hour Zumba Class beginning at
11:30am.
Price: $35 per couple[(mother/daughter, mother/son, two friends,
spouses, etc.) (students must be 21 and over to partake in
complimentary champagne, 18 and over to attend event)].
Preregister on www.AMFitnessGroove.com

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Vanilla cupcakes topped with chocolate covered ants and fruit loops…chocolate cupcakes sprinkled with jalapenos and bacon bits…all this and more is available for moms and kids as a special Mother’s Day treat at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Time Square. And on Sunday, May 13, 2012, kids who bring their mothers to Ripley’s Times Square will find free admission for mom at this the one-of-a-kind attraction.

During their journey through 18,000 square feet of astonishing artifacts, exclusive oddities and interactive exhibits, families are invited to stop at the Odditorium’s theatre room where Ripley’s Times Square has partnered with Sonii Cakes and Catering to create the ultimate cupcake decorating workshop. Moms and kids will have the opportunity to create unbelievable sweet creations with over-sized cupcakes, colorful frosting and a variety of odd and unusual toppings from chocolate covered insects and Pop Rocks to pineapples and pretzels.

In order to redeem free admission, all mothers must be accompanied by at least one paid full-price child admission. Cupcake decorating available while supplies last.

Cupcake Decorating
May 13th
12:00pm to 5:00pm
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

For further information, visit www.ripleysnewyork.com or call 212.398.3133.

The Bar on Fifth, located in the swanky Setai hotel on 5th avenue hosts the hottest family musical brunch in town. Join Tina Devaron, Tunes with Tina, jazz pianist, singer and creative song-writer for an interactive children’s concert and a delicious pre-fix brunch featuring both kid and adult options. Children (ages three and up recommended) will enjoy singing along with Tina to familiar songs and having Tina invent a personalized song (on the spot) using their age, name and hobbies. This fun and interactive approach was a great way for kids to feel special as they bopped along to Tina’s wonderful voice. Kids depart with a yummy goody bag filled with the London Company candies and Tina’s kid’s musical CD. It is the most memorable time our family has had on a Sunday afternoon in a long time!

Tunes with Tina
Sundays ONLY
Two 90-minute shows: 10am and 12noon
$40/ per person
$20/ for children three and under
Includes custom kids tasting menu and two-course meal for accompanying adult

Setai Fifth Avenue
Bar on Fifth
400 5th Avenue at 36th Street
Reservations Required

Call 212.695.4005

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