All Over Albany

Tinker and Fiddle

We got an Ask AOA question awhile back about programming classes for kids, and this looks like an interesting program...

An org called Tinker and Fiddle is offering HTML basics and Launch Pad/Arduino basics classes at the new Electric City Barn starting in January. Each class runs for two hours on six Saturdays. (The class links have descriptions.)

The deadline to register is December 31 January 31. And the fee is $350 for each class, with need-based scholarships available.

Org blurbage for Tinker and Fiddle: "Tinker & Fiddle is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education company that encourages underrepresented youth to learn and apply technology through creative exploration and problem solving. We host programming in the Capital District for youth ages 8-14 and design STEAM curriculum for grade levels K-12."

By the way: The org also takes donations if you'd like to help with need-based assistance.

photo via Tinker and Fiddle

Groups and other good resources for new parents?

Katie emails:

I'm a new first time mom and it's been suggested that I look into "mom groups" in the area while I'm out on maternity leave. Do your readers have suggestions on either groups of some sort to look into or other resources they found valuable with a new baby? I don't know if I'm the "group type" but it seems like getting out of the house will help me maintain some semblance of sanity, I'm just not quite sure where to start.

Meeting new people can be hard, especially if you're new to a place or situation. But being able to connect with people in a setting where you already know they're sharing the same experience can be a big help. If anything, you have something to talk about right from the start.

So, got a suggestion for Katie? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a group/activity/place can be helpful.

Pop-Up Adventure Playground in Albany's Washington Park

From September's pop-up adventure playground

This looks like it could be fun time for kids: There's a free Pop-Up Adventure Playground event planned for Albany's Washington Park October 14 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. It's in the section of the park near Madison and Willett.

What is an adventure playground? Well, it's basically of collection of all sorts of items -- cardboard boxes, tires, finger paint -- that kids are allowed to play with however they want.

We were curious about this idea -- because, let's face it, a good cardboard box is one of the best toys -- so we reached out to the organizers to find out a little bit more.

(there's more)

The Pass It On Sale for kids stuff is back this weekend

The popular Pass It On Sale for kids items returns to the SportsPlex of Halfmoon this weekend (September 28-30).

The consignment sale -- now in its 16th year -- is a twice-yearly event. (The October sale has fall and winter items, the May sale spring and summer.) And tens of thousands of "new and gently worn" children's items across 60,000 square feet. It's really big. Blurbage:

At Pass It On you will find clothing (sizes newborn to juniors) toys, books, videos, baby equipment (strollers, swings, etc.), sports equipment, children's furniture and more! Clothing is inspected to ensure the highest quality and our sales floor is extremely organized for the best shopping experience.

The sale is open to the general public from 8 am to 8 pm Saturday, and Sunday 8 am to 2 pm. (Sunday is half-price day.) Admission is free.

There's also an early session for new parents the Friday evening of each sale -- you have to sign-up for that ahead of time. It looks like it's already full this time around, but it's something to keep an eye on for the future. The new-parent sign-up is usually about a month before the sale.

Local coding or 3-D printing classes for kids?

Tom emails:

My 11 year-old son has expressed interest in computer coding (he's been doing some at code.org) and also 3-D printing. He's a very strong student, especially in math where he's been accelerated one year since 3rd grade, so I think he'd excel at both. I'm looking for classes or organizations that teach coding or 3-D printing to kids. There's an 8 week class at the Albany library that would be great for him but it's entitled "Girls Who Code", and there doesn't seem to be one for boys. Can anyone point me toward classes/groups for him?

Sure, a class like this can help a kid follow their interests, or even set them on a path toward a career. But there's also something valuable in just learning a little bit about how all this stuff works. Our world is saturated with computing devices. Knowing something about the concepts on which they run is a good thing for anyone.

So, got a suggestion for Tom and his son and other kids? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a place can be helpful.

Advice for tracking down apartment/home rentals for families?

E asks:

A friend of mine is moving with her 15 month old son from Washington DC to Albany, to be closer to her parents (she grew up in Delmar!). She's looking to rent (for the next year or so) a nice, comfortable apartment/house (2-3 bedroom) near a daycare and is currently considering a downtown/Center Square Albany location (near Empire Plaza) or near Delmar - she'll be working from home.

Would you have any tips on how to best locate [an apartment or home to rent] (websites, locations, etc.)? She'll be coming to the Albany area in 2 weeks and then planning to move over the summer so she's got a bit of time (and flexibility) and opportunity to look at different places.

Any advice on renting in Albany area welcome.

E's question points toward a situation that, anecdotally at least, sometimes seems to be a challenge for people around here: finding a good apartment or rental situation for a family with kids. Over the past year we've encountered multiple families with young children who had a tough time finding a rental that met their needs. And we get the sense it's particularly difficult in the city of Albany itself.* Whether it's a case of an actual lack of stock -- or the lack of a good way of tracking down homes to rent -- is a good question. (Also: A few anecdotes doesn't necessarily mean there's a broad problem.)

So, got a suggestion for E's friend? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a place or approach can be helpful.
____

* We'll just add a generalized comment in support of the ubiquitous Albany two-families in which the flats are stacked one on top of the other. Most of them have three (small) bedrooms and if you're on the first floor, it's probably not too many stairs for regularly moving a stroller or other kid stuff.

Young Futures

From the paint-your-own-cone art activity during Free Cone Day. / photo courtesy of Young Futures

A little boy is painting a picture of an ice cream cone outside the Ben & Jerry's on Madison Ave in Albany during Free Cone Day; he's covered it all -- cone and ice cream both -- in bold, energetic black paint.

"Hey, he envisioned what he wanted, he formulated a plan, and he successfully executed it," says Young Futures founder James Mitchell, grinning.

Young Futures is an Albany organization dedicated to bringing free arts education to kids, especially those neighborhoods where that sort of opportunity can be hard to find.

(there's more)

Black Family Technology Awareness Day at RPI

The 18th Black Family Technology Awareness Day is this Saturday, February 3 at RPI. It's a free, daylong series of events to get kids and families acquainted with educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Blurbage:

This year, workshop highlights include Domino toppling, learning about the field of engineering, using math formulas to calculate the number of calories that can be burned while hula hooping, exploring the basics of 3-D printing, using games to teach math and science, and learning about LEGO robotics. Other offerings include an interactive skill-building session to help parents learn about available STEM apps, tips from Rensselaer admissions officers and students on how to navigate the STEM college experience, and a computer coding session to assist students with learning how to create websites.

That link above includes a bunch of details about the works.

The events stretch from 8 am (opening ceremony at 9:15 am) to 1:15 pm on Saturday. It's free and open to the public, but registration is required.

photo: RPI

Here are a few events coming up at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve

One of the events is about coyotes. The animals sometimes show up on camera traps in the preserve, as above. / photo: Albany Pine Bush Preserve

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve has a bunch of events coming up over the next few months -- about nature, history, or just being outdoors -- for both adults and kids.

Here are a few that caught our eye...

(there's more)

Family Electronic Textiles Workshop / MomUp! Raising Kids Who Code at TVCOG

TVCOG is in the Quackenbush Building in downtown Troy.

This looks like it could be fun: The Tech Valley Center of Gravity and its THINQubator program for kids is hosting a Family Electronic Textiles Workshop this Sunday, February 4. Blurbage:

In this project based workshop Youth-Adult pairs will learn together about electronic textiles (e-textiles) working with conductive thread, sewable batteries, LEDs, and microcontrollers to make a plush monster with a glowing heart to take home. Adult participants will also gain info on where to buy parts for future projects, and get links to lessons for other e-textiles projects. No previous sewing experience is necessary. The workshop is geared to kids 8 and above, but younger ages are welcome if the accompanying adult feels the child will be able to handle this level of activity.

The workshop is from 1-4 pm. The registration fee is $55.

MomUp! Raising Kids Who Code
Also that Sunday: TVCOG has a program called "MomUp! Raising Kids Who Code" from 9-11 am. Blurbage (link added):

(there's more)

A kid-friendly brunch or lunch spot?

Not enthused about the opening of another drinking establishment, Elena posted on AOA's Facebook page:

Please, share some family caffe options if you know one - I am trying to find a place where I can take my kids for brunch or lunch, that are NOT fast food, old stinky diner, or soggy pizza place. The perfect place for me would be a restourant or caffe with a cute kids play corner.

This is a good question. And, of course, opinions about what makes a place kid friendly or not are going to vary. Maybe it's a menu. Maybe it's the atmosphere. Maybe it's just that there's some space to run around a little bit.

So, got a suggestion for Elena? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're suggesting a place can be helpful.

Here's how New York State's new paid family leave program will work

A screengrab from the state's explainer site.

New York State's new paid family leave program will allow people to start taking leave January 1. And this week the Cuomo admin released a walkthrough of how the program will work. Press release blurbage:

Starting January 1, 2018, Paid Family Leave will provide employees with wage replacement and job protection to help them bond with a child, care for a close relative with a serious health condition, or help relieve family pressures when someone is deployed abroad on active military service. Employees are also entitled to be reinstated to their job when their leave ends and to the continuation of their health insurance during their leave.

The program will be phased in over the next four years. Starting in 2018, employees will be able to take eight weeks of leave at 50 percent of their weekly wage. Those numbers will increase annually until 2021, when it's 12 weeks at 67 percent.

(there's more)

Pushing the button one last time to start up the State Museum carousel

Ann with her favorite carousel horse, Doc. (He only has three horseshoes.)

Back in 2001, Ann Winnicki was working in the State Museum's gift shop when her boss came to her with an unusual question: What would she think about being a carousel operator?

"And I said, 'There's no carousel here.' And he said there's going to be one on the fourth floor."

The State Museum had a circa 1915 carousel in storage and it was preparing to install it on the mezzanine level. Ann remembered seeing all the carousel's horses lined up in the gallery, waiting for their place on the circular platform. "I watched them build it."

Since then, the carousel has spun for hundreds of thousands of people. Winnicki has been pushing the button to start many of those rides. But this Thursday she'll push the button for the last time. She's retiring.

"I don't normally cry," she said this week, misting up. "It's very emotional."

(there's more)

Gawking at the new Five Rivers visitor center

The new $8.9 million visitor center is now officially open at the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar. The "green" building includes interactive exhibits, classrooms, multipurpose space, restrooms, and staff offices. It's open Monday through Saturday 9 am to 4:30 pm.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has an Outdoor Day event there this Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm with activities such as animal demonstrations and guided walks.

Here's a look around the new building...

(there's more)

Experiences to share about Albany schools?

Eric emails:

I live in Pine Hills and it offers just about everything I'm looking for: a (relatively) safe, walkable neighborhood, lots of parks, some diversity, interesting people... The problem is that my kid is about to enter the school system and I'm hearing things about the Albany school district that concern me. My experience as a former teacher was that the kids who graduate from the upper level programs at Albany are more well-prepared for life after high school and college than many of their suburban council peers. I've heard that smart, but lower-performing kids are being pushed into the honors classes in hopes of helping them achieve more, but the real effect is that the honors classes are being dumbed down.

I've seen several comments on AOA from parents who are proudly raising their kids in Albany, so I'd love to hear what their experiences are with the schools. Are they happy with the public schools? Are they sending their kids to charter or private schools?

Thanks for the help!

Based on similar previous conversations, we're guessing people probably do have a few thoughts to share. And something that's been very clear in conversations both here on AOA and in-person is that kids, families, and situations are varied and often in different in their own ways. What might be right for one family might not necessarily work for another. So we'd just like to gently remind everyone to be respectful of that.

So, have some thoughts for Eric? Please share!

Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: Which school district should our family pick?
+ How Albany can make its case better for why young families should stay

Pass It On Sale spring 2017

The popular Pass It On Sale for kids items returns to the SportsPlex of Halfmoon May 5-7.

The consignment sale -- now in its 15th year -- is a twice-yearly event. And it's big. The sale boasts that it has 80,000 "new and gently worn" children's items across 60,000 square feet. What sorts of items? Blurbage:

At Pass It On you will find clothing (sizes newborn to juniors) toys, books, videos, baby equipment (strollers, swings, etc.), sports equipment, children's furniture and more! Clothing is inspected to ensure the highest quality and our sales floor is extremely organized for the best shopping experience.

The sale is open to the public Saturday, May 6 from 8 am-8 pm and Sunday (half-price day) from 8 am-2 pm. Admission is free.

There's also an early session for new parents that Friday evening -- you have to sign-up for that specifically. (If that's full, keep an eye out for it on the Pass It On Facebook page in the fall. The new-parent registration usually opens about a month-and-a-half before the sale.)

Advice on navigating the local daycare scene?

Ak reached out with this question:

I need some help with childcare. I am a full time graduate student and I am having terrible luck with daycare. Everyone is on a waiting list. and it seems the ones with openings are not up to par. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm located in the Troy area. But I am a full time student in Albany. So anywhere in those regions. My son is 5 months old and I have been in multiple waitlist since I was pregnant. Including Samaritan, ualbany kids and Albany med. ...

Im definitely worked about who can care for my child especially this being my first child. I've been relying on family but am looking for something more consistent and stable. It would be great if you could post this. Thanks so much!

We've had daycare questions in the past, including one a little more than a year ago and there are some thoughtful suggestions there.

The thing that struck us about Ak's question is that if you're a new parent -- or new to the area -- it might be difficult to get a handle on how the daycare scene here works. Like any complicated (formal or informal) system, even if you're willing to put the time in to search and research sometimes you're still left with the question: Which (literal or figurative) line should I be standing in right now?

So... If you have a a suggestion for Ak about a specific daycare, great. But we're also hoping some parents with young children might be able to share some advice about the best way to navigate the daycare scene here. A few sentences on that could be a big help.

An LGBT-friendly obstetrician/gynecologist?

C. emails:

My wife and I are looking to start the process of getting pregnant, but we'd like to make sure that our OBGYN is someone who is open to same sex couples and knowledgeable about that process. If anyone has suggestions for doctors in and around the Albany/Troy area that they have had positive experiences with, we'd appreciate it!

An important question! With so many questions we get here about doctors, one of the central issues is often people wanting to find a doctor who takes the time to listen and answer questions. So if you have a physician to recommend, it'd be helpful to hear about the aspect of the experience.

Got a suggestion for C. and her wife? Please share!

photo:Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Good diaper options, especially cloth diaper services?

Laura emails:

My partner and I are expecting a baby in early May and we're exploring all of the different diapering options out there. We haven't settled on anything yet but we're hoping to find out more information about cloth diapering services. Do readers in the area use a service? Are there any in the area? Web searches have only yielded places that have closed in recent years.

This topic of cloth diaper services came up many years ago, but as Laura mentions, it looks like the services mentioned then are all no longer operating.

So, got a suggestion for Laura and her partner? Please share! And a sentence or two about you're recommending a service (or strategy) can be very helpful.

photo: Flickr user Ben Husmann (CC BY 2.0)

Checking out the Via Aquarium

The new Via Aquarium opened this past weekend in the mall now called ViaPort Rotterdam. The 25,000-square-foot aquarium is the latest attempt to replace big box stores and retail anchors as mall attractions.

I admit, I was a bit skeptical about a for-profit mall aquarium. But after visiting, I believe this is a valuable addition to the area. It's not the New England Aquarium, but it's well done, provides a new educational experience, and there's nothing else like it around here.

(there's more)

Animal walk-and-talks at the Pine Bush

This photo was captured by a camera trap in the Pine Bush a few years ago.

There are all sorts of animals that either live in, or make their ways through, the Albany Pine Bush: coyotes, porcupines, foxes, fishers, deer, and so on.

The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center has a bunch of family-friendly talk-and-walk programs about these animals coming up over the next month...

(there's more)

"Kids Curate" at the State Museum

Really, we just wanted to show this photo of the dog treadmill. We gotta get the backstory on this.

This is fun: The State Museum has opened voting for a "Kids Curate" exhibit set for February. Blurbage:

The ballot includes 15 objects from the State Museum's collections representing various areas including history, biology, paleontology, geology, and ethnography. The seven objects with the most votes will appear in a special exhibition on the 4th floor of the State Museum February 24 - 26, 2017. Children are encouraged to submit their comments on why they voted for a particular object; selected comments will be featured in the exhibition. ...

The Kids Curate exhibition in February 2017 will include the seven objects with the most votes as well as interactive, family-friendly programming. Curators, scientists, and historians will also be available to talk to children about the State Museum's history and science collections and how exhibitions are created. More information about Kids Curate will be announced in early 2017.

The ballot includes some fun items, including the dog treadmill pictured above. (There's also one piece of nightmare fuel.)

The voting is open through November 30.

Good neighborhoods for trick-or-treating?

Sean emails:

I was wondering if your readers could weigh-in with the places they think are the best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Our family had a lot of fun exploring a new neighborhood last year and were hoping to do the same this year.

On a tangent from Sean's question: Candy and costumes get most of the attention for Halloween, but one of the great -- yet probably under appreciated -- things about the holiday is the way neighborhoods become, at least for one night, explicitly open and friendly to people we might not know. There's something heartening about that.

Anyway... got a suggestion for Sean and his family? Please share! A sentence or two about why you're recommending a neighborhood is helpful.

Suggestions for youth soccer programs?

Sean emails:

Are any of your readers familiar with the youth soccer programs in the Capital District? We live in Albany and are looking for a way to introduce our current and future kids to organized soccer. We would love some help figuring out the options and getting some input on which ones people prefer.

Sean's question touches on something we've wondered about: Where are kids playing soccer in the city of Albany? Are there kids playing soccer in the city of Albany? We've seen a bunch of baseball diamonds and Little League games and some football games. But we can't remember passing a kids soccer game. That's always seemed weird, because in most places around the country soccer is a big youth sport. (And given that Albany has an increasing immigrant and refugee population -- including many people who come from soccer cultures -- it seems like there'd be even more kids who'd want to play.)

So, digression over... Got a suggestion or thought for Sean? Please share! And a sentence or two explaining your suggestion is always helfpul.

photo: Flickr user Kate Brady (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Ask AOA: Which school district should our family pick?

Sean emails with a question that's a little bit different -- his family has young children and they're thinking about where to settle. They are, in some sense, free agents looking for the right school district. From his email:

It's one thing to look at graduation statistics, crime statistics, etc and focus on the "bad" for reasons why you wouldn't want to live somewhere and have your kid go to those schools, or even using those stats to justify why your school is better ("my team is better than your team b/c yours sucks"). You also hear all kinds of anecdotes and stereotypes about various school districts, yet those only seem to encapsulate the best-of-the-best or the very worst of the students that pass through.

I'd be most interested in hearing people lobby for what they think is the best school system and associated community, and why. For example:

+ I think Albany schools are the best b/c kids get to experience (socially) what the real world is like. They will academically succeed or fail in any school district more or less the same, but here they are enriched to a degree that you can't get anywhere else in the region. Or...

+ I think Voorheesville schools are the best b/c the school system is small enough that everyone gets to participate in whatever they want - clubs, sports, music. Whether you're destined to become a PRO or are just trying something out, you will have a place on the team / in the group. Or...

+ I think Shen schools are the best because kids are put in a competitive environment where they truly have to earn their accolades, whether athletically or cognitively. The cream will rise to the top, but everyone will benefit from the competition.

In short, we get the feeling Sean is looking for reasons to actively pick a school district rather than reasons to not pick another district.

Of course, this is a complicated question. And the right situation for one family might not be the right situation for another. But if you have some thoughts to offer, please share! Even if you don't have a specific district suggestion, some thoughts on how to think about the decision could also be helpful.
____

Earlier on AOA:
+ How Albany can make its case better for why young families should stay
+ Ask AOA: Best Capital Region small town, village, or suburb for settling down?