Nearby Youth Baseball

SFX Youth Sports - which begins its 30th year of little league baseball in Prospect Park for boys and girls - is having registration and player ratings (only to ensure team balance) this weekend at the SFX gym at 752 President Street near 6th Avenue. SFX Youth Sports also will be hosting indoor baseball workouts this winter for kids interested in trying out for the travel program. Contact SFX Board Member (and Kensington resident!) Steven Reiser at steven.reiser@verizon.net for details on the baseball programs or visit http://www.sfxyouthsports.com/RatingsDayInfo.pdf.

Local Music Classes

Parents of toddlers, we have alot of local music classes right in our own backyard. There are Music Together classes at Cynthia King Dance Studio and Playground of Sound is starting at both Honeydew Drop (a good place to arrange a playdate in February) as well as the Flatbush Jewish Center at Church Avenue. (See past listings linked for info).

Playground of Sound - Winter Session

From Michael Harren at Playground of Sound.... After a highly successful pilot session of music classes at the Honeydew Drop Playhouse, I have decided to offer a full length session in Windsor Terrace/Kensington. Each class is 45 minutes of physically active fun with a wide variety of instruments, props and movement activities.

Here's the schedule, now at two locations:
Honeydew Drop Playhouse
1113 Church Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Saturdays at 9:15 and 10:15
Jan 19- March 22
**includes 30 minutes of playtime after class**

Flatbush Jewish Center
E 5th St (at Church Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Mondays at 9:15 and 10:15
Jan 14-March 17

The Winter session is 10 weeks long. Classes are mixed age and open to children from birth to four years of age. Tuition is $230.00 (additional siblings $180.00) and includes The Bunny Collection book and CD.

Where the Locals at? #5

From the comments on our almost ready to publish Kensington Gift Guide:
Tot Stops is for hip kids everywhere. Created by two Brooklynite Moms, Illustrator Selina Alko and designer Jessica Sequinot (Kensington Resident), Tot Stops brings the energy and electricity of New York City to high-quality, home-grown t-shirts made in America. Reinventing the souvenir t-shirt with designs from New York illustrators and artists and keeping it sweatshop-free, Tot Stops takes the t-shirt to a new level.
For Moms & Dads, Aunts & Uncles, Grandparents & friends, Tot Stops tees make a perfect gift for anyone who loves New York and wants to celebrate artistry, diversity and quality.
Stores: Scaredy Kat 229 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215
Maggies Threads 411 Seventh Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215
Capucine 20 Harrison St. New York, NY 10013
Orange Blossom 180 Lincoln Pl. Brooklyn, NY 11217
For wholesale or to buy direct contact jessica@totstops.com or TotStops.com
E-commerce site coming soon!

Music Together at Cynthia King

Music Together winter session at local Cynthia King Dance Studio begins December 3rd.
From the email:
This 10-week session includes a 2-week winter break, from 12/22 through1/4, where there are no classes. This was arranged with families whotravel during the winter holidays in mind. So if you're planning to beout of town during the winter holidays it's not a concern; you can still register for Music Together without missing any classes! The complete session runs from 12/3 through 2/24 (that's 10 weeks ofclasses plus the 2 weeks off mentioned above). To register, visit our website: www.mtparkslope.com and click the"Register Online" button.

Classes are Monday and Weds. and are billed as mixed age.

New Addition for Children's Music Classes

Playground of Sound Specially Priced Pilot Session
Honeydew Drop Playhouse at 1113 Church Avenue

December 1- 22

The session is four weeks long and will meet Saturday mornings at 9:15. Mixed age classes are open to children from birth to four years of age. Tuition is $60.00 and includes four classes, Lion Collection book and CD, and a half hour of playtime in the Honeydew Drop playroom after class. This is a special price to get things started down here in Kensington/ Ditmas Park area!

The creator of these classes, Michael Harren, just started putting together a website ( http://www.playgroundofsound.com/ ), which includes information about the classes he offers on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. If you want to know more about the material he uses, there is more information at http://www.themusicclass.com/

Depending on demand, he will be offering 10 week sessions at Honeydew and at the Flatbush Jewish Center on E5th St. at the corner of Church Ave. starting in January!

Need Space in Kensington for "Mommy & Me"

I am working on finding a location in Kensington/ Windsor Terrace in which to offer "Mommy and Me" style music classes. My sister lives in the neighborhood, and based on the conversation on the KWT Neighbors Yahoo group, there is a need for these classes in the area. I have tried the Synagogue on E5th and Church St and they have a great room, but it is only available on Mondays. That will be great to start with, but I am looking for something that is more flexible. I tried the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Fort Hamilton Parkway and they have no space to offer. Ideally, I need an enclosed room (carpeted would be great, but not a necessity) that I could rent by the hour for my classes. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Contact michael.harren@gmail.com

New Parents Meeting - Tuesday 11am

This is a casual gathering of parents with new babies. This Tuesday, 11 am at Lonelyville Cafe on Prospect Park SW & Vanderbilt, across from the Vanderbilt Playground. If it's rainy we'll meet inside; if it's nice out look for us in the backgarden.

Activities at IHM

1. Brownie and Daisy Registration - Friday September 14th 2007
3:00 pm- 5:00pm for Daises and Brownies
3:00ish- 5:30 for Juniors Cadettes and Seniors
Friday afternoons at Immaculate Heart of Mary School at Fort Hamilton Parkway.
ALL Girls Welcome!
Registration is $10 for the year. Dues are $10 monthly
All girls are required to have vest/sash/ smock (Depending on age group)
Uniform not required But Black pants and White shirt required for parade and award ceremonious. Included within dues are the projects the girls do at meetings and the snack provided at every meeting as well as badges, pins, membership card, etc....

2. Basketball registration - Saturday September 15th 10 am until noon.
Registration is for all teams and the Saturday morning clinic. Registration fees of $65 for team players and due at registration. Clinic fees $30 and uniform fees $45 will be collected at a later date. Parent must accompany child to registration. Birth certificate required for all new players.

Back to School

Those trains and buses will be more crowded today. It's the first day of school. Best of luck to all the teachers and students at all our local schools - PS130, PS179, PS 230, PS 230 Annex, IHM and IS62.

Local New Parent Group - Meets Tuesday

Meet other Windsor Terrace and Kensington parents! Join them on Tuesday, September 4 at 11:00 am at Lonelyville (154 Prospect Park Southwest). All parents with newborns/infants are welcome to join whether this is your first or second edition!

Kids Concert This Sunday at Greenwood Playground

Free Kids Concert in Greenwood Playground with Joanne Riehl!

Come and join Joanne for singing and frolic this Sunday, September 2 at 10:30am.


Her past playground concerts were big hits with the neighborhood children and they won't want to miss it!

New 'Moms' Group!

Join some new parents this Thursday, August 30th at 11:00 at Lonelyville (154 Prospect Park Southwest). All parents with newborns/infants are welcome to join, whether this is your first baby, second, or more!

On a side note we suggest anyone looking for some local parenting tips or info to join the KWT neighbors yahoo group.

Greenwood Playground Kid Events

Sunday Morning
August 26th, 10:30 a.m.
Join Joanne Riehl for an end of Summer children's concert at GreenwoodPlayground.

Monday Morning
August 27th, 11:00
Prospect Zoo Programming - Learn all about Sea Lions!
Ages four to ten. There will be a sea lion story, sea lion skulls, a sea lion training game and a fish craft to bring home. Find Audrey Lucas up front by the chess tables.

And don't forget crafts for kids with Rene every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 and Wednesdays at 3:00.

Brooklyn Dragons (Youth Rugby)

Youth Rugby, started by a Kensington local, is looking for kids to join the league. Second season of the Brooklyn Dragons will begin in Prospect Park on Sept 9th. Check the site for more details.

Todays Kids Events

Craft time @ Greenwood Playground! (see above)

Ezra Jack Keats Story Hour
11am-12pm at Babbo's Books

242 Prospect Park West (between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue)

We know its not Kensington but its close enough and an independent book shop so we support it!

Greenwood Playground this Saturday!

Don't forget!

Prospect Park Zoo Programming comes back to Greenwood Playground!
Saturday, August 4th, 2pm
Owl Pellet Dissection for ages 7-12. Be an archaeologist and detective by digging through Owl pellets with zoo programmer Audrey Lucas. Reassemble bones with her to investigate and determine the owl's last supper. Look for the Zoo banner for location.

Put it on the Calendar! National Night Out Againest Crime

National Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday August 7th
5 pm - 8 pm

Greenwood Playground (unofficially named Kevin F. Conroy after a fallen neighbor who died in the towers on 9/11)


For details contact Frank Siclary, Community Affairs officer (76), 718-965-6326

CA's handle noise complaints, quality of life issues, narcotics etc. This event is a chance for the community to get to know their local precinct. There will be stuff for kids including face painting, a clown, snacks and food for all. There will also be bike etching--a chance to register your bike with the police department with a number etched on it. We'll be there!

Toy Drive for Greenwood Playground

Are you tired of packing up your stroller with large toys your child insists on taking to the playground? How about the multiple stops it takes to get to the playground because the unwieldly toy keeps falling out or jams the wheels?

The Friends of Greenwood Playground has put together a communal toy collection that can be checked out with the Parks Associate. We are looking for donations of large push toys such as doll strollers, ride on toys and wagons (no bicycles/tricycles), games and toys in good usable condition.

Support your local playground by donating toys to Greenwood Playground!

July 31 - August 5 during regular park hours
Drop off toys at the Park House with the Park Associate

Greenwood Playground - Upcoming Kid Events

Sing-A-Long with Gina
Thursday, August 2nd, 11am
Gina Samardge will be performing in the toddler area of the Greenwood Playground. Come give Gina a big welcome to our side of the expressway!!

Prospect Park Zoo Programming comes back to Greenwood Playground!
Saturday, August 4th, 2pm
Owl Pellet Dissection for ages 7-12. Be an archaeologist and detective by digging through Owl pellets with zoo programmer Audrey Lucas. Reassemble bones with her to investigate and determine the owl's last supper. Look for the Zoo banner for location.

More Prospect Park Zoo Programming
Tuesday, August 21st (Time to be announced)
Animal Wheel of Fortune! Come test your animal knowledge and win zoo prizes with zoo educator Audrey Lucas.

End of Summer Concert
Sunday, August 26th, 11am
Come join local musician Joanne Riehl for her end of summer concert in the park.