May is National Bike Month so dust off your bikes and get on the road. Bike to work and school Friday, May 19th, 2012.

Transportation Alternatives (T.A.) will be staffing critical commuter paths around the city on this bike holiday. In the Bronx, we’ll be on 161 Street & Grand Concourse at Lou Gerhig Plaza. Cyclists can stop for a quick commuter breakfast.

T.A. Station: (7-10AM)
Location: 161 St and Grand Concourse

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TA Bronx will also be leading a ride from Poe Park (Grand Concourse & Kingsbridge Rd) to 161 Street (3.3 miles). At 8 AM, some of us will continue from 161 Street into Manhattan to 34 Street (9 miles).

Meet: 6:45 AM
Ride Start: 7 AM (sharp)
Arrive at 161 Street: 7:45 AM
Bike into Manhattan: 8 AM
Arrive at 34 Street: 9 AM

Come sing your heart out for this special karaoke event:

Friday, May 25th, 2012
Doors open at 5pm
Free admission
Donations are appreciated
Complimentary Latin dinner buffet
Happy Hour 6pm-10pm
Karaoke 7pm-12am
Raffling prizes throughout the evening

Picture by Amy Vega Guobadia

Saturday, May 19th, 2012
Muskrat Cove and Concrete Plant Park
10:00am – 2:00pm
Free, no registration required.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is offering BPMM Adventures, two week-long summer sessions incorporating history and nature, for children entering grades 1 through 4. Participants will learn about 19th-century living through a mansion scavenger hunt; create Native American-inspired

artwork using natural materials; explore Native American Three Sisters crops and heirloom vegetables and herbs in the brand-new Children’s Garden at Historic Bartow-Pell; burn some energy with period games like “graces,” which was thought to help develop grace and posture; explore the great outdoors with nature hikes; and roll up their sleeves to make some of their own snacks, like Grandmother’s Harvest Drink, the refreshing 19th-century beverage made with an interesting combination of water, ginger, sugar, and vinegar. Participants will capture

memories of all their activities in a scrapbook keepsake to bring home with them at the end of the week.

Each summer session offers different activities so children may enroll in both. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided.

Summer Session I will be held Monday, June 25 through Friday, June 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The registration deadline for Summer Session I is June 11.

Summer Session II will be held Monday, August 6 to Friday, August 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The registration deadline for Summer Session II is July 23.

Space is limited; the maximum number of participants for each session is 10. Cost is $150 per child per session; $120 for members at the Family Friend level and higher. Scholarships are available. For additional information, contact Valerie Albanese-Fraher at valbanese@bpmm.org

Bartow-Pell, an 1840s Greek Revival mansion and a National Historic Landmark, is owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, operated by the Bartow-Pell

895 Shore Road Bronx, NY 10464 | 718.885.1461 | www.bpmm.org | info@bpmm.org

The award-winning Vital Theatre Company is pleased to announce the extension of STINKYKIDS, THE MUSICAL, with book and lyrics by Sammy Buck, music by Daniel S. Acquisto with direction by Tim Drucker, based on the books by Britt Menzies. Performances will be May 12th, 19th and 26th at 1pm at Theatre 80. Tickets start at $25. The show is appropriate for ages 3-12. For reservations visit www.vitaltheatre.org or call (212) 579-0528. Theatre 80 is located at 80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenue.

BronxMama had the chance to attend over the winter, and it was a hit with all of the kids there-so its definitely worth the trip outside of the Bronx to see it. But, of course it would be awesome if the Stinky Kids made their way over to this side of the bridge in the future!

Last week I had the chance to attend Destination Maternity’s Fall 2012 Fashion Preview. I was excited to check out their latest looks since I am myself expecting! Finally, my six year old mini me and inspiration for BronxMama is going to be a big sister!

Along with getting a sneak peak of this Fall’s maternity fashions, we also were able to chat and mingle with Pregnant in Heel’s Rosie Pope specifically about her new line designed for A Pea in the Pod Collection.

Rosie explained that she wanted to design a line that could go from the desk to dinner, so most of her pieces looked great as a work outfit, but could also be worn on a date night or event with just a few changes of accessories. Many of her pieces are also designed so that they can be worn AFTER the baby comes. This is great, because we all know what happens to those expensive maternity clothes after the baby comes- they are either thrown away or given to the next pregnant person. And, wearing the same dress pregnant and then without a bump can make it almost impossible to realize it’s the same dress!

While I loved all of the clothes, I have to say my favorite piece was a diaper bag that Rosie showed us. If only I had put this on my baby registry!

Being eight months pregnant, there was no way I was going to pass down the opportunity to feel pampered on a Sunday afternoon. As it often goes with being a mama, I didn’t have a sitter-so I brought the mini me with me, and let her hang with the girls. I opted for the facial, a hand paraffin treatment and eyebrow threading. And it was amazing!

A lot of moms don’t get the chance to pamper themselves, but we all agreed it was much needed and well deserved. For many of us it was our first facial or massage- and I’m sure it won’t be the last! While the spa isn’t huge, the decor is soothing, the rooms are extremely comfortable-and smell good too! I would definitely recommend treating yourself- or dropping hints for a Mothers Day gift- and check out Tones Spa.