Valentines Day Wreath

Create a heart-shaped wreath to hang on your door using red ribbon and cellophnae.

Morris Park Library (Adults)
Saturday, February 11, 2012, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Arts and Crafts with Sandi Lusk and Woody Brundage

Hands-on projects using a variety of skills.

Westchester Square Library
For infants to age 18 months, ages 18 to 36 months, ages 3 to 5 years, ages 5 to 12 years
Saturday, February 11, 2012, 1 p.m.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

1:00 p.m.

The center connects children with nature to encourage active exploration of the natural world. Children who spend time outdoors develop strong imaginations and learn to socialize better with others. Urban Park Rangers are role models who encourage children to let their imaginations run wild in a safe, supportive atmosphere.

All supplies provided.

Location: Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx

Cost: Free

Event Organizer: Urban Park Rangers

Contact Number: (718) 378-2061

Saturday, February 11, 2012

1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Location: Hunts Point Recreation Center

Cost: Free

Event Organizer: Bronx Recreation

Contact Number: (718) 860-5544

WINE TASTING FROM APPETIZERS TO DESSERT, WITH A FOCUS ON DESSERT WINES

Pitch and Pass was imagined to be a low pressure way for single people to meet new people. SINGLES  are introduced to other not directly but through recommendations of friends, family, co-workers, etc. ,folks known as Pitchers.

HOW IT WORKS: Anyone can join the group to tell great things about their SINGLE friend (that’s the Pitch). Folks register to participate at an in person event involving edutainment (cooking class, wine demo , etc). During the event, SINGLES  do nothing but mingle, but PITCHERS spend the time getting to know other people who have great things to “pitch” about their  SINGLE friend to make a match for the special person that they are pitching that evening. We hope that every SINGLE leaves with a match, but more importantly they leave having a good time. This group is for good hearted people who like to have fun and recognize that love, friendship, fun and dating can mix. To fully participate a SINGLE person and a trusted friend MUST buy tickets to our wine event.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit here.

So, I arrived at the Press Gate at Madison Square Garden for the St. Johns vs West Virginia game in New York City and checked my bags.  There, myself and Photographer, Clifford Dickson were given our press passes- Awesome.  Our names were written and Bronx Mama Blog directly underneath. We met with Judith Kane, Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) Director of Communications. Judith set us up in the press area where we were able to unpack and get ready to meet the commissioner.  Meeting the commissioner of the New York City Office of Emergency Management was an honor.  Honestly I must say the commissioner is proficient at what he does.  He has a team of hard-working staff and they all serve a purpose- safety planning, preparing and responding to emergencies.

Here is how the interview went:

Priscilla: Hello my name is Priscilla, I will be interviewing you and the Photographer is Clifford, he will be videotaping and taking our photograph.

Commissioner of OEM: Nice to meet you both.

Priscilla: Thank You

Clifford: Nice to meet you commissioner

Commissioner of OEM: So tell me about Bronx Mama

Priscilla: Bronx Mama is a blog that was started for mothers/parents in the Bronx community to inform them about activities, events, culture and resources in the Bronx.

Commissioner of OEM: That sounds interesting

Priscilla: Yes it is very informative.

Priscilla: So commissioner, why don’t you introduce yourself and tell us what you do.

Commissioner of OEM: My name is Joseph Bruno and I am the Commissioner for the New York City Office of Emergency Management. The OEM is responsible for oversight and development of the City’s emergency management plans. Also runs the Notify NYC emergency alert program, by which citizens can sign up to receive phone and email alerts about emergencies and events happening in their neighborhoods.

Priscilla: Wow. That is a great responsibility Commissioner. What advice would you give to people who are not prepared for emergencies and don’t take preparing for one serious.

Commissioner of OEM: Well first I would like to say have a safety plan.  A safety plan consists of friends, relatives, neighbors, people that you can trust and call in an emergency. Second you need to have communication- a cell phone, home phone. Always let someone know where you are. Keep a bag that consists of important materials you would want should something come up.  The bag should also be in a place you can get to and someplace you would remember placing it.

Priscilla: That is great information commissioner and very helpful.  Many people do not prepare and do not feel it is necessary to worry about emergencies.

Commissioner OEM: They should because accidents and emergencies do happen.

Commissioner of OEM: You know Priscilla you seem very into preparing and informing people on what to do in order to be ready for an emergency.

Priscilla Lino: Thank you Commissioner.

Priscilla Lino: For someone like myself or someone that just wanted to be a volunteer and help prepare others for emergencies, does OEM allow people to help out?

Commissioner of OEM: Actually I am glad you asked this question.  The OEM has many volunteers and they are all trained in preparing for emergencies and safety planning.  Ready New York is a program OEM started in 2003 that helps people prepare for emergencies. Through Ready New York, people are able to call 311 to learn more about preparing or visit our website at www.nyc.gov/readyny OEM has also partner -shipped with NYC schools with a program called Ready Schools to teach children how to prepare for emergencies.

Priscilla: That is excellent Commissioner. Now that we have discussed your partnerships with programs to prepare for emergencies, let’s discuss your partnership with St. Johns University. How did it start?

Commissioner of OEM: I attended St. John’s University Law School and earned my J.D there. I have a long time relationship with St. John’s. but I wont say how long because that would be telling my age.

Priscilla: ok that is fine. You can tell me afterwards when the cameras go off.

Commissioner and Priscilla laughs.

Priscilla: Well Commissioner I must say it has been a pleasure speaking with you and learning what you do for the city.  Will you be watching the game?

Commissioner of OEM: You bet I will.

Priscilla: so will I, the game should be starting soon. Enjoy the game Commissioner.

Commissioner of OEM: You too Priscilla.

Commissioner of OEM: And thank you Clifford.

Clifford: No problem it was my pleasure.

In the latest Elisa Contemporary Art exhibit, we see the influences of Pop Art from the 1960’s and explore how five contemporaryartists bring modern heroes to life in a whole new way. You’ll see Superheroes including Superman, Wonder Woman and CaptainAmerica and meet some new characters.

Two Special Events:

A Valentine’s Day Toast to your Favorite Hero on Saturday, February 11th from 5-7pm

Two Art Workshops for Children (age 5+). Each workshop will be led and inspired by the work of one artist.

Saturday, February 25th from 1-3pm Superhero Collage paintings with Oliver Peterson. (ages 5+)

Sunday March 25th from 1-3pm. Superhero illustrations with Jerome Walford (ages 8+)

RSVP Required. Further details available at www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com

Elisa Contemporary Art, 5622 Mosholu Avenue (near 256th Street), Riverdale NY 10471.

Hours: Friday/Saturday 10 am – 6 pm (Sunday March 25th 12-5 pm) and by Appointment

Did you know that in Africa, a child dies every 45 seconds from Malaria? There are more than 225 million cases of Malaria reported each year worldwide.  This life-threatening disease is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through bites of infected mosquitoes, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  ING Activewear created MOSKEETO ARMOR™, a fabric that is mosquito repellent and certified for up to 50 washes! INGActivewear and Touch the World have teamed up with fashion designers Guy Wood of 5001 FLAVORS, Lawrence Pizzi, and D. Barak Stribling to launch this product internationally through theCode Purple Event. This life changing technology has initiated an international campaign against Malaria and is centered on MOSKEETO ARMOR™. MOSKEETO ARMOR™ holds the potential to save millions of lives across the world. Thanks to Touch The World (TTW), ING Activewear has been able to help distribute the MOSKEETO ARMOR™ to those in need in Africa.

February 16^th marks the launch of the Code Purple Event during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. The event will spread awareness and raise funds to distribute this product to every soul living in an environment where Malaria is a risk factor. The fundraising event will feature unique collections from the aforementioned designers, as well as special musical guest performances, a live auction, raffles, and giveaways.

Learn more about the initiative by watching “Pam’s Story”: www.youtu.be/i1whMTQ5hWs

To celebrate this wonderful campaign and to encourage everyone to share- one lucky BronxMama reader will win a swag bag! To enter, simply re-tweet this posting on Twitter and be sure to include @BronxMama_com so we see it! Winner will be announced soon.

Just to update you in case you’ve missed our last two posts about Trop 50′s True Resoltutions, Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. Share your secret motivation and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. You can even submit incognito with a fierce disguise. Bonus: Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card.

So! For our last giveaway, we welcome readers to share what reward they are treating themselves to if they are able to keep up their resolution. Don’t have a reward in mind? Think of something you’d love to do! Please leave your first and last name and best email to contact you with!

Thanks to YouCast and Trop 50 for this fun giveaway!