Tree Lightings in NYC 2014

Holiday Tree Lightings in NYC 

Brooklyn

Park Slope Holiday Tree Lighting

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2014, 6:30pm

Tree lighting ceremony with music, treats and crafts
Location: Corner of 5th Avenue and 3rd Street

Atlantic Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting

Date: Ceremony - December 5, 2014, 6-8pm
Watch the Christmas tree light up and enjoy treats and tunes
Location: Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue at Bond Street

Manhattan

15th Annual Winters Eve at Lincoln Center
Featuring Arlo Guthrie, Kinky Boots and Billy Pointer

Date: Monday, December 1, 2014, 5:30-9pm, Rain, snow, or shine!
After the tree lighting, the event’s festivities continue all evening from Time Warner Center to 68th Street with more live music, outdoor food tastings, and fun for the whole family.
Location: The celebration begins with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at Dante Park at Broadway & 63rd Street and continues along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street

*I have attended this annual delight.  It has grown a lot since the first one but it is still charming. 

South Street Seaport Annual Tree Lighting

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 6pm

The event will feature live entertainment, family activities, the grand opening of the Seaport Ice Rink, and much more!

Location: South Street Seaport, Fulton and Front Streets

*I have attended this event.  There are not nearly as many activities as Winter's Eve but it is very nice.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date: Ceremony - December 3, 2014, 7-9pm (lit until January 7, 2015)

New York City's most celebrated tree lighting for over 80 years.  It includes televised musical performances by today's hottest artists. This year it included Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett and Mariah Carey.

Location: Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues

*I was able to attend the pre-taped musical performance of Mariah Carey last year.  That was a ball.  However, the crowd is just too big for me to attend the actual event. 

 

Charles A Dana Discovery Center 18 Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park
Date: December 4, 2014, 5:30pm
Over 20 illuminated trees on the Harlem Meer. Make holiday crafts, decorate cookies, and take your photo with Santa (bring your own camera). The event will culminate with caroling and the lighting of the Dana Center for the holiday season. Free.

Holiday on the Hudson Tree Lighting

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2014, 5-6pm

Celebrate the season with the local community, enjoy live music to sing and dance with, make holiday decorations and more.

Location: West Harlem Piers Park, West 125th Street & Marginal Street

Staten Island 

Christmas in Richmond Town and Traditional Tree Lighting

Date: December 7, 2014,10am-5pm
It's Christmas season in the Village! Watch as glittering ornaments are made by the Tinsmith, take your own photos with Santa, hear young carolers present holiday songs, or listen to lively storytelling session; tour the village, decorated in its holiday finery. Visit the Courthouse for greenery, home-baked goodies, and holiday gift items for sale. This year, like every year, the tree lighting is free! Join your neighbors and friends for a cup of hot cider under the tree.

Location: Staten Island Historical Society, 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island

Madison Square Park Holiday Tree Lighting 2014

Date: December 9, 2014, 3:30-5:30pm

Over 100 years of holiday tree tradition in Madison Square Park. Festivities start at 3:30pm with the countdown to the illumination of the Tree of Light beginning at 5pm. 
Free activities include:
A horticultural workshop
Reading Rangers story time
Performers from Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Broadway and Audra Rox
Free holiday treats 
Location: Madison Square Park is located between Madison Ave. and 23rd St.

Washington Square Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Date: December 11, 2014, 6pm
The Christmas tree at Washington Square is an almost 90 year old tradition and the Washington Square Christmas tree lighting tradition is older than Rockefeller Center’s.
On December 11th at 6 pm, the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and children and grown-ups alike sing holiday songs.  Santa Claus himself usually appears to lead the children in the illumination countdown. The Washington Square Association provides complimentary songbooks.

Location: Washington Square Park Arch is located at the foot of 5th avenue half a block from 8th avenue.

Bonus:  Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th at the Washington Square Arch; The Rob Susman Brass Quartet will lead all guest in singing Christmas carols.  Complimentart songbooks.

Menorah Lighting

Manhattan

World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Date: December 16-23, 2014 at 6pm (3:30pm on Friday for the Sabbath, 8:30pm on Saturday)

Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the world's largest menorah. Every night of Hanukkah, Grand Army Plaza showcases a 32-foot tall, 4,000-pound steel Menorah. Every evening during the holiday, a candle will be lit.

Location: Grand Army Plaza Manhattan, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel

Brooklyn 

Grand Army Plaza Menorah Lighting - Brooklyn

Date: December 16-23, 2014 
Each night of Hanukkah gather at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to light the candles of the Menorah and some hot latkes, gifts for the children and live music.
Location: Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn - intersection of Vanderbilt and Flatbush Avenues

Both Menorah and Tree Lighting 

Carl Schurz Park Tree Lighting, Caroling and Menorah Lighting

Date: December 7, 2015, 5-6pm
A cherished, family tradition: carols, Cantori choir, Orbital Brass, candlelight, candy canes, hot chocolate... and an evening your family will cherish for years to come.

Location: Carl Schurz Park, East End and East 86th Street

Ouch Ferguson! No indictment?

         I remember finding out my first born was going to be a boy.  One second I was rejoicing.  With 4 sisters, a niece and a host of female cousins I felt like I hit the lotto.  The next second I felt like damn, "I am raising a Black man!"

         The woman in my family fared pretty well.  College graduates, home owners, etc.  My male cousins didn't fare as well.  One was killed just short of his 19th birthday by a friend showing off a family gun.  His last words were "See what you did?" because he told the friend to put the gun away.  My most promising cousin period is still struggling.  It goes on and on.

        I can't even say it is just this country.  United States of America.  As I travel the globe I continue to see people of African descent on the "bottom".  Or even the darkest people of a particular Nationality.  India, China, Brazil, the darker you are, the lower you are.

       I have the smartest, sweetest, and the most talented son.  He is unapologetically "Black".  Chocolate skin, full lips, curly hair.  I raise him with manners, I stress education, I try to expose him to everything but in this country it doesn't matter.

        With Blacks getting the worse education, the worse medical care and the lowest jobs, it's hard to break through.

        When a Black male public figure makes a mistake they are crucified.  Even with no convictions Bill Cosby, "OJ" Simpson and Michael Jackson were American heroes but have been destroyed by the same media that made them.  But White male public figures who are accused of or commit crimes they are given the benefit of the doubt.

         Woody Allen, Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, Steven Seagal, Tommy Lee, Ozzy Osbourne, Micky Rourke, Christian Slater, Dudley Moore, etc.  It gets quickly forgotten and they are able to make a living for their families and have a good name.  Even win awards and accolades.

Who can my son even look up to as heroes?


         Ever since the Rodney King, verdict I am sadden when I here of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, etc.  I cry for their moms whom have loved their kids, wiped their tears, kissed their boo boos and all for what?  To be wipe out senselessly and then to be victimized again by the judicial system.  But the saddest part is that ever since the Rodney King case I am no longer surprised by these verdicts.

          In high school over twenty years ago I remember crying to my friend in disbelief after the verdict for Rodney King was read.  After all, there was the video.  My friend was also African-American.  She consoled me.

        I later spoke about the verdict with an Asian friend.  She said simply, well he must have done something wrong.  I paused and didn't react, it was her truth.

        I just thought wouldn't it be nice to live in that America.  There are many Americas for different people.  The plight of the Native Americans, the undocumented, the Muslim, the poor get ignored for Kim Kardashian butt pictures.  But I digress.


       What can I tell my bright, kind, loving and inquisitve kids about our America?  The one that represents the free labor that built this country but is hated.  I am sincerely asking because I don't know.


EsposureMom

Tips for Enjoying MOMA Free Friday's!!

When my sister lived in Tortola, British Virgin Islands I always asked if she went to the beach. I imagined that life on a tropical island meant water, sun, sand and a piña colada. 

But my sister worked a full time job and her responsibilities kept her from a life of R&R. 

NYC is one of the worlds most visited locations on Earth. Since I live here I should take advantage of what it has to offer. 

In September I told my boyfriend I would take my kids to a play and a museum every month. Fast forward to November and I haven't done either yet. Yikes. Our weekends are filled with art, golf and gymnastics classes leaving limited time to peruse a museum or enjoy a play. 

Unfortunately and fortunately my son missed his art class last week Saturday. The class had a trip to the Museum of Modern Art to see the Matisse Cut-Outs exhibit. I promised the teacher that I would take him to the exhibit. He is working on his portfolio and I didn't want him to miss something that may help his art practice. 

I went on the MoMA website and check the price.

http://www.moma.org/m#home

$25 for and adult and free for children under 16. Which isn't too bad but the museum closed at 5:30 except on Friday which happened to be free from 4-8. Since I work until 4, only Friday could work with my schedule. 

Here are my tips.

1. The address for the MoMA is 11 West 53rd street between 5th and 6th. But head straight to West 54th because that is where the free tickets are handed out. 

2. Don't bring a backpack. All backpacks must be checked. Since my kids came straight from school, they had backpacks. They weren't alone knapsack, book bags, backpacks are very popular with NYC tourist. We waited for almost an hour to check our bags. 

3. After we waited on the long line, a security guard suggested that we'd start from the top. He said there would be less of a crowd because people typically worked their way up. This was great!  We got to see all of the greats, Picasso, Van Gough, Monet, etc, without too much of a crowd. 

4. Download the MoMA app and bring headphones. The MoMA does lend out iPods and headphones to listened to info about certain pieces of work but you have to submit an ID. You can borrow them at various places in the museum. 

Note that at 7pm all iPods must be returned in one location on the first floor leading to a long wait. 

5. Relax and enjoy. It may more crowded than usual but it's not the MTA subway crowd. 

6. Special exhibits are only at specific times so be prepared to have to wait. But there is so much to see it is a delightful experience. 

My kids and I have a great fall evening!!!!

Part Two: She has come undone.

The longest day of my life was February 1, 2014. We spent most of the day not knowing Asiyah's status, not knowing if she was going to make it and trying to figure out what's next. 

We have a cousin in St Croix who is very familiar with the Virgin Islands and their medical care. My cousin strongly suggested that we get Asiyah back to the U.S.  Florida and New York were mentioned but Puerto Rico was also an options. 

I spoke regularly with my mother and my other cousin.  She was the cousin who owned the vacation home in Florida where we spent our girls only trips. All we wanted to do was to be with Asiyah. 

I spoke to Asiyah's husband and I kept telling him that I couldn't lose her. That she was my only big sister. He said he was trying get  her the best care. When I asked more question about her condition, he told me her head was split open. I became so frantic. 

My boyfriend returned to be by my side. I waited and waited for information. I tried to keep a positive front for my children.  I later spoke to Asiyah's friend in Tortola who was with my sister. She said Asiyah was stable and her calm and faithful voice started to make me feel calmer. 

My mother's sister works for United Airways and was able to hold 4 stand-by tickets for us. By that evening it was clear that Asiyah was going to Florida.  During that evening she was stabilized and flown to Puerto Rico and then to Fort Lauderdales' hospital Broward Health Medical Center. 

February 2

My cousin, my mom and myself purchased one way stand-by tickets and were on our way to see Asiyah on February 2nd. As anxious as we were to see her, our connection was delayed even longer by a faulty door that was being replaced while we were on the plane. Fortunately once we got to Fort Lauderdale our other cousin drove us to the hospital. 

My heart was in my throat as I walked down the corridor to see Asiyah. Once I went in the room I felt a bit relieved. She looked at us and her eyes showed she recognized us and tears rolled down her face. 

She was banged up. Serious bruises were on the right side of her face. They were on her cheek and forehead. There were scraps and bruises all over her body. 

Asiyah was hooked up to many machines. She was breathing with a machine that had tubes going through her mouth down her throat to her lungs. She could not move her body, she could not talk or even hold up her own head. 

But once I saw that she was able to recognize us we rejoiced and loved up on her. I mentioned that although Asiyah was alert, she fortunately wouldn't remember those days in Florida.

All through the day she was in and out of sleep due to the accident and the medications.  We stayed by her side. My cousin returned home that evening relieved that Asiyah was aware and on the road to recovery. My mom and I rented a car and stayed at my cousins vacation home in Pompano, Florida. 

Asiyah's  husband stayed by her side at night allowing my mom and myself an opportunity to eat, sleep and bath. 

My sister had a journey ahead. But she had a major thing working on her behalf. She was in good physical shape. She fooled the staff who believed she was in her 20's. Someone even thought she was a teen. At 40, she kept active and that worked to her advantage. 

A cat scan showed no fractures.  Asiyah was responding to some voice commands with her eyes and some nodding.  

They did an MRI to check her head and spine. She was moving her foot but not her hands.  The swelling was going down. 

February 3:

The doctor said Asiyah's lack of movement is probably due to the impact of the accident. This particular trauma was diffused axonal injury. 

Diffused axonal injury is one of the most common and most devastating form of brain injury. It was compared with shaken baby syndrome. When I googled the meaning I feared the worse. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffuse_axonal_injury

But what it meant was that Asiyah wasn't moving but she wasn't paralyzed. Her brain was shaken and it was unsure what she would eventually be able to do. 

He also mentioned that her twist hair extension helped cushion her brain from more damage.  They acted as a helmet.  They were similar to the ones pictured below:

On this day her right arm and right leg moved.  

She was alert and responsive when awake. 

She had a slight fever. 

They started to decrease the air on her ventilation slowly in the hopes that she has the strength and ability to breathe on her own. 

February 4:

My sister from Maryland was able to come. With her and my mom we watched Asiyah work her hardest to breath or her own. Sweat poured down her face while she tried with all of her strength to breath. 

The doctor said if she could not breath on her own, they could not put the tube down her throat again. They would have to do a tracheotomy and put a hole in her neck to create an airway. This tube would decrease the chance of pneumonia while she was in the hospital. 

After trying so hard, Asiyah requested the breathing tube. She could not breathe on her own. It was heartbreaking. We were ushered out  of the room so they could prepare for the surgery. 

They started giving her steroids every 8 hours to build the lungs and antibiotics because of the fever. They were treating the fever with Tylenol but they decided to move it along with antibiotics although they didn't have the blood and urine results yet to know why there was a fever. 

While Asiyah was up, she enjoyed us chatting to her, personal family videos, Beyoncé music videos and magazines. My sister and I also took out her twisted extensions for the nurse to wash.  Her hair was filled with caked on blood and dirt.  It was so sad to think of what she had been through.

February 5 

I had my first breakdown. I was leaving that day at 7pm. I felt like I could walk out of here and she couldn't. I didn't want to leave until she was well enough to walk out on her own. In the hospital cafeteria, my mom consoled me and told me it would be alright. 

My mom stayed in Florida. She still had my two sister to care for.  Tjana was in her third year of college and Djenne was in her last year of high school but she was determined to be with her first born. She was definitely my rock and my hero. I called her several times all day, every day. I also texted family and friends to keep them posted on Asiyahs recovery. 

Accompanied with my sister from Maryland, I returned to NYC while she went to Maryland. 

February 11

Asiyah was still running a fever. They thought it may be a lung infection so they increased the antibiotics to every 4 hours. They took a culture and would get the results in a few days. She was moved from ICU to the respiratory ward. Now the focus was to get her to breath on her own. They started trying to wean her off the respirator. 

Asiyah also started getting physical therapy. The focus was on arms first. Asiyah still nodded to communicate but she started mouthing some words. 

February 13

The bacteria causing the infection which was in her throat and not her lungs is pseudomonas.  Asiyah was finally given the proper antibiotics three times per day. 

Asiyah was moving more everyday. Even scratching her own itches. She had a stronger grip. Especially her left hand. We both share that in common as well. Left-handedness. 

They watched Being Mary Jane.  Asiyah stayed alert long enough to watch the whole show. 

When I spoke to Asiyah while my  mother had the phone on speaker, I asked her to be my Valentine and my mom said Asiyah smiled. 

She hadn't had a fever since they started giving her the correct antibiotics. Her friend came from Tortolla and my mother said that really lifted Asiyah's spirits and she has been showing improvements. 

February 17

Today Asiyah started breathing unassisted. They put her in a chair today to sit up. Asiyah had occupational therapy for her smaller muscles like her hand grip and physical therapy to move her limbs. 

Asiyah smiled when my kids spoke to her. This was a busy and hard working day for Asiyah

February 19

Asiyah wrote her name. Yes. Things like writing her name was new. She had to remember where she lived, what schools she went to and what occupation she held.  She didn't even know the password to her iPad or laptop. 

With the speech therapist, she was finally able to eat. She was able to drink apple juice and eat graham crackers and ice cream. That was a happy day. 

With the physical therapist she moved a little more.  One of her high school besties arrived and that lifted her spirits and lead to a more feisty Asiyah. 

She actually mouthed to her dear friend to bring her more ice cream.  

There were no vocalizations yet because there was a feeding tube down her nose. 

Asiyah also ate lunch and dinner this day. 

February 21

More close friends have visited and recovery was coming quicker and quicker. 

Asiyah has completed her antibiotics and moved out of the respiratory ward. 

Asiyah was cleared to start rehabilitation. The plan was that she will be in NYC in a few days to go to NYU's Rusk Institute. 

I had planned to fly back to see her in March but Asiyah progressed so well she was ready to come to NYC.  

February 26

My mom, my sister Asiyah and her husband boarded a private plan to NYC. Asiyah started talking even with the hole in her neck. While she breaths independently, a trac space saver still in her neck. She still can not walk, sit up unassisted or move her legs much but she is heading to her hometown.

ExposureMom

Part 3: Putting the Pieces Together coming soon. 

February 1, 2014 - I Almost Lost my Big Sister

On the morning of February 1st, my boyfriend just left to run errands and my kids were sleeping.  I checked my phone as I do every morning.  Missed calls from my mother and father!  I immediately expected the worse.  They are both not "callers". 

I called back sadly expecting to hear bad news about my moms older brother who was in the hospital.  Instead my mother told me that my only big sister, Asiyah Grant, was in a horrific car accident.  She said they were unsure if Asiyah would make it.

Asiyah was living in the British Virgin Island of Tortola with her husband, step-son, beloved dog Dora and other dog Mystic.  

Asiyah went for an early morning jog on February 1st and was hit by a car. The drivier sped off.

Upon hearing this from my mother, I screamed and collapsed to the floor..

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/update-zion-hill-hit-run-driver-released-without-charge

Part One: Growing Up

There are 5 Grant sisters.  Three of us born in the 70's and 2 of us born in the 90's.  Asiyah started this familial sorority 10/07/1973 and I joined her two years and a day later.

I was a darling and delightful child. 

Asiyah and I rarely fought. 

As the years rolled on, I followed her from school to school and our relationship grew. Of all the sisters, we spent the most time in the same schools:

Elementary school: PS 316

Intermediate School: IS 383 Phyllipa Schuyler

High School: Brooklyn Technical High School

College: SUNY at Buffalo

(I went to other schools for my advanced degrees in education)

Asiyah graciously let me tag along with her all through high school. I was able to go to clubs and hang out with her and her friends. 

In college she continued to play the big sister roll. She would chastise me if she felt I was partying too much. She also introduced me to college groups like NSBE, National Society for Black Engineers, African dance class and BSU, Black Student Union. She lead me to becoming an RA, Resident Advisor in the dormitory. 

We were also road dogs on those long 8 hour rides from Buffalo to Brooklyn and vice versa. 

One time the car stalled on the side of the road. (This was before cell phones). After looking under the hood at nothing we recognized for a few minutes, I was able to get the car to started. We both decided that there would be no pit stops until we made it to Brooklyn. 

Asiyah graduate from SUNY Buffalo with a civil engineering degree while I graduated with a degree in Psychology. 

Asiyah made a career as a civil engineer and moved continuously in her position with the government:

Washington State

Denver

Albany

Delaware

Maryland

New Jersey

I pursued education.  But as our early twenties came our bond continued.  We stamped up our passports. We took amazingly fun and adventurous trips. We went to:

Costa Rica

Paris

Rome

Alcapuco

New Orleans

Saint Martin...

I remained in Brooklyn while she worked all over. By age 26 I was a new mommy working as an infant and toddler teacher for Bank Street Head Start. 

Around this time Asiyah switched careers to pharmaceutical sales.  She bought a nice home in nearby New Jersey. 

6 days shy of my 30th birthday, I had baby number 2 and was living in my new home in Bushwick. Asiyah always an adventurer around this time met a man on a girls trip to Tortola and moved there.  They would later marry.  

As the only sister from the seventies to remain in Brooklyn, I cared for my little sisters, born in the 90's as well as my kids. Tjana and Djenne were my first babies.  Asiyah having been gone for most of their upbringing was more like the older sister on the Cosby show. She was rarely seen.

But she continued to be a sister that I can count on to vent to.  She was always a phone call away.  She has always believed in me and has always wanted the best for me. She has been a personal cheerleader. She has always been very blunt and forward with me. 

My personality has been that if I have an issue, I need to talk it out. My family however is very private. My mother keeps matters to herself. Asiyah absorbed a lot of this behavior. I rarely knew what issues she was having if any. 

In recent years Asiyah and I were taking girl trips with my amazing cousin that has a vacation villa in Pompano, Fl. It was during these trips that she opened up about herself more. (After some prying)

Asiyah mentioned feeling that as the big sister she felt the need to be composed and strong. She didn't feel it was right for her to bring her "baggage" to her younger sisters. She wanted to be our rock. To divulge her wisdom and opinions but not share her personal experiences. 

I felt fortunate for those trips in 2012 and 2013 because it gave me an opportunity to expand our relationship even more. 

October 7th 2013, she turned forty. She spent most of the year in and out of trying to make different plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday. She settled into a quiet reflective birthday in Tortola. 

While the island is beautiful it's not just a day at the beach. Paradise for her had work duties. Fortunately as she turned 40 she left a miserable job as a civil engineer and started a career in wealth management. Asiyah also had pet duties, home chores, interpersonal relationships...  The same issues that come with living any where. 

In less than 4 months of being 40, her new promising new career, her health, her life was almost taken away from her.... 

ExposureMom

Part Two: She has come undone coming soon

What are my kids up to? Free and Low-Cost Activities

My kids attend a school in the West Village that gives them a wealth of activities.

At school, my son plays soccer and trombone. He is in student council. He writes for the school paper. He is a member of the comic book club. He also took a wonderful trip to Williamsburg Virgina. 

My daughter went on a farm trip and is playing the recorder and singing in chorus. 

But like most New York City moms, I have them enrolled in other activities as well.  They are free and low cost activities.

Free
Joan Mitchell foundation art program:
joanmitchellfoundation.org

On Saturdays from 10:30 - 1:30 my son, the artist, is enrolled in the Joan Mitchell Foundation Middle School Portfolio Preparation art class. He submitted 5 drawing and completed an application detailing his artistic goals in order to be selected for the program.  The program includes all of the art materials. They go on trips to art museums. It is located in Manhattan in a newly renovated building.  

On Saturdays from 11:00-2:00 my daughter, the fashionista, is enrolled in the Joan Mitchell Saturday Studio art class.  All of the art materials are included as well.  Her class is located in Brooklyn.

Note:  It is difficult to travel back and forth through boroughs but this weekend I realized I had just enough time to squeeze in some yoga at Yoga to the People in the East Village.  http://yogatothepeople.com/new-york/  This is free as well (donations are welcome) and kids are welcome to come as well.

I love both locations but the Manhattan site is very modern.  I love that my son is with artist that draw as well as or better than him.  After the first day he noted 4 artist had drawn the plant better than him.

New York City Parks Department
http://www.nycgovparks.org/
The Parks department offers tons of free and low cost activities for children all over New York.

-After School
Both children are signed up for after school through the parks department.  My son rarely attends and my daughter goes a few days on some weeks but it is a safe and free place to go until I come from work.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/afterschool 

-Swimming
At the same facility where they are signed up for after school, there are free swim lessons available on Tuesdays and Thursday.  My children go once per week.  As an avid swimmer myself, I feel it is important that everyone know how to swim,
http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/aquatics 

-Youth Street Hockey
The Parks department offers youth street hockey clinics for children between 5-17.  The session is from December 6 -February 28.  My kids will get the opportunity to participate in this activity at their after school.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/street-hockey

Low Cost
First Tee of Metropolitan of New York
http://www.thefirstteemetny.org/club/scripts/public/public.asp 

-Golf
The first tee offers programs all over the world.  In NYC they have classes at the Brooklyn Golf Center, Monshulu Golf Center in the Bronx, The Harlem Golf center and at Chelsea Piers.

The sessions run in 7 week intervals at a cost of $25.  What a bargain!  Golf materials are available on site.  They offer classes on both Saturday and Sunday.

Aviator Club
http://www.aviatorsports.com/sports/gymnastics 

-Gymnastics
My daughter wants to do beauty pageants, ballet, sing and do gymnastics. So I researched all over the internet and found the Aviator Club to have reasonably priced and the location in right across the street from golf.  Perfect!


Have you found any great deals in NYC?



ExposureMom