Best Of The Web: October 12-18

Contributors: Celene McDermott

Here’s a weekly roundup of parenting articles that piqued
our interest. Enjoy! —

Among the older middle-aged set, birth rates are booming. And it seems like everyone has an opinion on the matter. What do you think? Should we respect Mother Nature’s menopausal deadline, or follow where science and technology lead us? (New York Magazine)

Locker décor is being taken to a whole new level. Gone are
the days of a simple teen heartthrob mini poster or a few snapshots with
friends. Middle school girls across the country are putting their personal
touch on locker
interior design
. (NY Times)

Public or private? Blogger Robert Niles on the benefits
of a public school education
. What’s more, in his words education “ought to
be about lifting up, not weeding out.” (HuffPo)

A bedtime story for high-tech kiddies, Goodnight
iPad
is a quirky parody that pokes fun at the age of technology. (Babble)

Surprise! You’re
pregnant…again. There’s just one problem, though. You’ve gotten rid of many of
your baby stuff. How about hand-me-downs from other moms? We love these tips
for how to throw an eco-friendly,
second-hand baby shower. (Rookie Moms)

From the iPad to the
iPhone, one NYC mom and media producer/game designer reflects on the death of
Steve Jobs and
apple’s influence on children. (GeekMom)

And while we’re
talking about the positive effects of apple products, check out a new study
that found that
iPads may help kids with severe vision
impairments
. (TechNewsDaily)

It’s National School Lunch Week! With childhood obesity on the rise, is it
time for a visit to the cafeteria at your child’s school?
(NY Times)

Eden Kennedy breaks down Occupy
Wall Street
for us, with a bit o’ humor, at The Stir. (Cafe Mom)

Ever poked around your kids things, just for fun? One
blogging mom uncovers what
she finds in her kid’s declared “home office.”
Disclaimer: It’s all
hilarious and “fantastically weird.” (A
Little Pregnant
)

Relevant Directory Listings

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Gaga Madness

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.</span></p>

The Music Institute of Long Island

<p dir="ltr">Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island’s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently. </p> <p dir="ltr">They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>About the Directors: Carol & Geri Kushner:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches & performers. They believe in instilling the love of music,  fostering proficiency, success, confidence & believe all MILI students achieve success.</p> <p dir="ltr">Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College & Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College & Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University & have taught in L.I. public schools.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9f5dcc8-7fff-2ad2-edea-98d61c367d72"></span></p>

Yuletide Factory

<p>Fill your hearts with circus cheer—the merry daredevils of Cirque Mechanics (Zephyr, 2023) are back with an industrial-strength spectacular for you and your kin. Sparkling with holiday spirit, the ever energetic ensemble of acrobats transforms a drab assembly plant into a holly jolly Yuletide Factory! From the wonder of the German wheel to festive flips from the trampoline wall, they dash and dance through a pageant of powerhouse stunts with grins and goodwill. It’s high-flying fun, comfort and joy for the whole family!</p>