Nearby Halloween Happenings & Beyond

Offer ends 10/312012

Valley Stream

Valley Stream Haunted Firehouse
Weekends in October
Time: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sundays
100 Brooklyn Avenue
For info:  (516) 561-1777


Inc. Village of Valley Stream Pumpkin Painting Contest
Saturday, October 20th (Rain date October 27th)
Location: Hendrickson Park @ The Mini-Golf Course
Pumpkin Painting Contest
Ages 5 - 8 @ 10:30 a.m.
Ages 9 - 12 @ 11:30 a.m.
Call for reservation: (516) 872-6003 or 256-0468

Inc. Village of Valley Stream Costume Contest
Saturday, October 20th (Rain date October 27th)
Location: Hendrickson Park @ The Mini-Golf Tent
Ages 3 & Under - 1:30 p.m. 
Ages 4 - 6 - 2:00 p.m.
Ages 7+ - 2:30 p.m.
Categories of competition: Storybook, Most Original, and Funniest

Valley Stream Junior/Senior North High School Halloween Happening
Friday, October 26th
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
730 Herman Avenue - Franklin Square (Cafeteria)
Free Admission - Games/Activities/Refreshments
Students 12 years and younger must come with an adult
Come in costume!

Mall-O-Ween @ Green Acres Mall
October 27th
Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Costume Contest

Registration 11am-12pm

Judging 12pm-1:30 pm

Prizes Awarded 1:45pm

DJ, Dancing and Games, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Face Painting, Temporary Tattoos, Balloon Artist, Pretzel Making and more.

Jack O'Lanterns Ablaze
Saturday, October 27th
Jack O'Lanterns Ablaze begins at 7 p.m.
Hendrickson Park Gazebo (adjacent to Community Center)
Bring your carved pumpkin for display
Judging categories: scariest, funniest, Most original

Valley Stream Historical Society
Date: Sunday, October 28th
Pagan-Fletcher Restoration
143 Hendrickson Avenue
Kids costume contest 
Time: 3 p.m.
Donations accepted
For info:  (516) 825-7157

Village of Valley Stream Halloween Fun
Wednesday, October 31st
Time: 4:30 p.m. (30 minute intervals)
Hendrickson Park Community Center
Hayrides, children's activities and refreshments begin at 4:30 p.m.
To register: (516) 872-6003

Nearby Villages

Halloween Mural Painting Contest - Rockville Centre Rec 
October 20th
Time: 11 a.m.
Grades 4 - 8

Halloween Havoc - Lynbrook 
Atlantic Avenue
October 28th (Rain Date October 29th @ Greis Park)
Time: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: Free

Ragamuffin Parade & Party
Rockville Centre Recreation Centre
October 28th
Time: Parade @ 2 p.m., Party @ 3 p.m.
Cost: $8.00/family (party)
No parade if it rains


Spooky Fest @ Tanglewood Preserve - Rockville Centre
October 19 - 21 & 26 - 28
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $10/kid  $5/adult

Franklin Square Horror
Halloween Night Only (Super Scary!)
Time: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
1148 Norbay Street, Franklin Square

Queens County Farm
The Farm's Haunted House is open Friday - Sunday
Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
It's alot of scare for just $4/person

This page will be updated and available on the left side bar until 11/4.  If you would like to add an event, please email me at valleystreammom@gmail.com. 

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Expos, Dog Parks, Greening Valley Stream, and Imagination Movers

Before my gas tank runs empty, I need to unload a few events on you coming up FAST this weekend.  The event of the season for moms/parents is going down at the New York Science Museum on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  After you leave the opening ceremony for the new Valley Stream Dog Park which happens at 11 a.m., you may want to pay a visit to our friends Queens Mamas who have worked diligently at presenting such an awesome event.

Can't make it to the NYSCI? Pay a visit to Home Depot instead for a "Clean, Green, and Valley Stream" Community event you won't want to miss.  From 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. you find anything from a kid's workshop, raffles, bouncy house, cotton candy, balloon animals, pinatas, live animals, Zumba dancing, live music, sports clinic and much more.

It's Cinco De Mayo this weekend and I haven't heard of any celebrations happening in the community.  If you know of one, please let me know.  In the meantime, here are some Awesome Margarita recipes from FoodieCityMom.com that I just might try after the kiddies are fast asleep of course.  A little historical tidbit, Cinco De Mayo should not be confused with Mexico's Independence Day but the victory of the Mexican militia over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  Yeah, I didn't know either.

On Sunday, May 6th, the Rockville Centre Recreation Center is hosting a Children's Marketplace from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. where you can find oodles and oodles of gently used baby items.  Strollers, high chairs, play things, shoes and toys will fill the center. I'm on the fence about becoming a vendor.  Well, I'm off the fence now and won't be a vendor but still may attend.  I do have tons of stuff to donate but I also know that House of Hope is looking for clothing for toddlers.  I may drop a few bags off with them knowing that my children's old clothing will go to a child in need.  It's your decision of course on what to do with your items. 

The Imagination Movers are rockin' out in Westbury this Sunday to the tune of $85/ticket for orchestra. Isn't the television show cancelled?  Well, without reading too much into it, looks like these guys were a band BEFORE the Disney deal and remained a band afterwards.  Good for them.  My daughter loved the opening and closing songs to the show!  Turn around, turn around, turn around....

Check back for updates this weekend.  Gotta run to my son's Mother's Day Tea now.  Camera. Check.  Tissue. Check.  I'm going to be a mess. 

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Valley Stream Egg Hunt - Photos

Here are a few photos I took at today's Valley Stream Egg Hunt.  Share your photos and email them to me at valleystreammom@gmail.com.  Happy Easter!


Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Easter Egg Hunt - Today!

Unfortunately my family was not selected to attend the White House Egg Roll, but the Valley Stream Easter Egg Hunt will bring just as much happiness to my children who have no idea I even entered the coveted lottery.  Oh well. Below is a list of area Egg Hunts which will be updated as info becomes available.  Register early!

Inc. Village of Valley Stream
Saturday, April 7th
Grade K-2
Kiddie Rec Playground @ Hendrickson Park
Time: 11 a.m.

Grade 3-4
Kiddie Rec Playground @ Hendrickston Park
Time: 11:45 a.m.

Gold and Silver egg finders will receive special prizes!

Bring your little chicklets ages 1 - Pre-K to meet Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny at 12:30 p.m. under the gazebo on the West side of Hendrickson Park.  Chicklets will recive candy treats!  Bring your camera!

(It's been brought to my attention that the little ones ages 2 - 4 can't participate in the egg hunt.  Well that's not fair is it?  If this is STILL the case next year, ValleyStreamMom.com will host an Egg Hunt.  What do you think about that?)

*******************

Lynbrook Recreation Department Annual Easter Egg Program
Saturday, April 7th (Rain date April 9th)

Magic Show @ 9:30 a.m.
Egg Hunt for children 10 and under begins immediately following the magic show
Inflatable bouncies!

Pre-registration @ Greis Park is required and open to all Lynbrook residents and/or School District 20.
Call (516) 599-8000 for information.

*******************

Rockville Centre Recreation Department Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31st @ 9:30 a.m. (Rain Date April 1st)
Veteran's Park
Call (516) 678-9238

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Kid Friendly Easter/Spring Place Card Settings

Miniature baskets for place holders

 Floating Flowers

DIY Chocolate Easter Bowl - Directions

Easter Party on a Budget from Celebrations at Home

Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt Party - Celebrations at Home

Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt Party - Celebrations at Home

Pier 1 Imports

I went into the store last week and they have the ca-utest items for Easter

I bought these cute little baskets for $1.95 (now reduced to $1.46) in hopes of recreating the first picture in this post plus a little of my own decor.  I'll take and post picts of the final item.

Send me your table decor and I'll repost it on the blog.

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Someone told my daughter that a little leprechaun will visit her home tonight.  Boy will she be disappointed in the morning.  We're not even Irish.  But then again, isn't everyone Irish on St. Patrick's Day?

Enjoy your day and please be safe!

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Happy President's Day

Last week, both of my kids came home from school wearing George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hats.  I thought they were absolutely adorable.  My daughter asked me out of the blue, what number is President Obama?  Yes!  As a volunteer for Gen44NYC, I knew this one!  I told her, President Obama is the 44th President of the United States.  She then asked me what number George Washington was.  Yes!  I know this one too.  I told her that George Washington was our first President.  She asked where is he now?  Uh oh.  My daughter is very sensitive when it comes to hearing of people being sick or deceased. I thought this one over briefly and gently said, he's with God.  She said ok.  Whew! 

Abe Lincoln Paper Hat Craft
George Washington Coloring pages

****************************

History of President's Day (www.History.com)

Presidents' Day, celebrated each year on the third Monday in February, is a day when Americans honor the legacies of the U.S. presidents. The holiday was established in 1800, when Congress declared February 22–George Washington's birthday–a federal holiday. Still legally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents' Day has become a day to honor not only Washington, but Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president who was born on February 12, and the lives and accomplishments of all U.S. presidents.



Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Happy Valentine's Day

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Celebrate Black History: Trustee Dermond Thomas

Last March, Dermond Edwin Thomas, 35, was the first African American ever to be elected a Village Trustee with the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream in its 87 year history.  

 

Originally from Gary, Indiana, Mr. Thomas was raised by a young, single mother who did everything she could to give him everything he needed while she continued her college education.  While in Kindergarten, Thomas was enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Program at his school which gave him a sound education.  After attending an 8th grade information session sponsored by A Better Chance, he went home to tell his mother that he wanted to go to boarding school to get a solid education.  With the support of his family, community and church, he left for Ojai, California where was elected School Chairman and graduated from The Thacher School four years later.

He went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Amherst College in 1998 serving in many leadership positions including Co-Class President, and then obtained his Juris Doctor with honors from Columbia Law School in 2001.  He is a 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do and played baseball as a young child until he began college.

April 2011 Swearing In Ceremony @ Village Hall

Currently he is a practicing attorney and is Director, Corporate Counsel at MSC Industrial Direct in Melville, NY.  He was appointed by Governor Cuomo to sit on the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) Board last Spring under the recommendation of New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. 

He is a family man and has been married for over 8 years to his amazing wife, Kimberly (that's me). He and his wife have two young children, Olivia and Cole.




Past/Upcoming African American History Makers

Kymberley Clemons-Jones - First African American to pastor Valley Stream Presbyterian Church
Dermond Thomas - First African American Village Trustee, Inc. Village of Valley Stream

Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.

Village Black History Month Events & Beyond

Clear Stream Avenue School will host a Celebrate Black History Month event on Thursday, February 9th at 7 p.m. Students will perform readings, step routines, presentations, and musical numbers as some of Valley Stream's very own history makers receive honorable mentions. 

Central High School Black History Month Celebration
February 16th @ 6:30 p.m.

The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library
Celebrate Black History Month Black History Quiz Young adults are invited to stop by the library any time and grab a copy of the quiz. Completed quizzes will be entered into a raffle thru February 29th.

Essay Contest
Children in grades 1-6 are invited to choose an African-American who has inspired you and discuss his or her contribution to America in an essay between 150-250 words. Essays should be the work of an individual child and one essay may be submitted per child.

Rockville Centre
Lakeview Library Black History Month Celebration
February 11th
Performances and presentations by Voices of Virtue and Lady Laura & Dat Band
1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre
Info: (516) 536-3071

Elmont
Multiple ongoing events


Follow Valley Stream Mom on Facebook or on Twitter @valleystreammom.