Sunday, December 18, 2011

American Labor Museum


Where: Haledon, NJ
More Info:
Group tours $5 per person. The museum is open Wednesdays - Saturdays from 1-4pm and is closed on major holidays except for Labor Day.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $$
Family Fun

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Located in Haledon, the Pietro Botto House, home of the American Labor Museum, is a must see for those interested in the history of work and the labor movement throughout the early 20th century. The house played an important role in 1913, where the leaders of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) addressed the striking workers of the Paterson silk factory. The official website offers "many opportunities to preserve family histories, attend exhibit openings [and] glimpse at the lifestyle of an early 20th century family." Click here to see a list of exhibits. The 2012 Entertainment book for Bergen County contains a 2 for 1 coupon. The museum is located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ 07508. Call 973-595-7953 for more information.

Insectropolis



Where: Toms River, NJ
More Info: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm;Closed December 24th thru January 1st and Major Holidays. Admission is $7 per visitor, children under 2 are free.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $$
Family Fun ♥♥
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Come visit New Jersey's only Bug Museum! Get acquainted with all those scary insects you can't bear to look at. Insectropolis is an exciting museum containing interactive displays and for the very brave, hands on exhibits! According to the official website, "Insectropolis will motivate visitors to discover the little known lives of insects and foster a greater appreciation for bugs and their place in our world." Children will love to see the live exhibits and cockroach racing! Click here to see a calendar of special events. The 2012 Entertainment book for Essex County has a 2 for 1 admission to the museum.

Directions:

From the North:

Take Parkway South to Exit 88. Take Route 70 West to Route 9 South. Insectropolis is approximately 2 miles on the left hand side behind Ozane Pest Control. Both facilities are located across the street from Carlton Pools and Hertz Car Rental.

From the South:

Take Parkway North to Exit 83 (Pleasant Plains – Route 9). Take Route 9 North. Insectropolis is approximately 2 miles on the right, behind Ozane Pest Control. Both facilities are located across the street from Carlton Pools and Hertz Car Rental.

From the West:

Route 571 East to Route 9 North (Large intersection with Home Depot). Make a left onto Route 9 North. Insectropolis is approximately 2 miles on right, behind Ozane Pest Control. Both facilities are located across the street from Carlton Pools and Hertz Car Rental.

Long Pond Iron Works





Where: Hewitt, NJ
More Info:
There is no charge to tour the grounds, which are open from sunrise to sunset. There is a small charge to enter the museum.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥

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Founded in 1766, Long Pond Ironworks made iron for many purposes and was in continuous operation until 1882. You can still see the ruins of the iron furnaces and other buildings located in the historic town of Hewitt. The Friends of Long Pond Ironworks is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Ironworks and other associated structures. Click here to learn more about them. According to the official website, "the village and furnaces at Long Pond produced iron for the Continental Army, for the American forces in the War of 1812, and for the Union Army during the Civil War. Long Pond Ironworks is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and has been designated a National Historic Landmark." The museum is open during the weekends between the hours of 1pm and 4pm between April and November. Visitors to the museum can see artifacts and exhibits from the ironworks era. Click here to read a more detailed history of Long Pond Ironworks. The Visitors Center and Museum is located on Greenwood Lake Turnpike (Rt. 511) in West Milford. Click here for a list of directions.

Teterboro Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame




Where: New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum, Teterboro
Cost: Regular entry: $7.00; Children-Seniors: $5.00; Group rates 10 or more*: $6 adults, $4 Seniors and kids (*Includes museum guides)
Trip Assessment:Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $$
Family Fun ♥♥
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The New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum was founded in 1972. It's mission is to preserve the state's aviation and space heritage while providing an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the early days of aviation. The museum contains a number of exciting exhibits, such as the X-15 rocket engine and America's first hovercraft. Click here to see a list of exhibits. Visitors must see The Hall of Fame which honors the memories of the men and women who each made a significant contribution to the field of aviation. The cost is $7 per person. The 2012 Entertainment book has a 2 for 1 coupon.

Contact information:

400 Fred Wehran Road
Teterboro NJ 07608
Phone: 201-288-6344
Fax: 201-288-5666
Email: njahof@verizon.net
http://www.njahof.org/

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Royal Wedding Party, New York City



Where:
DUMBO, Brooklyn, New York City
(Location: 155 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201)
More Info: Friday 29 April. Party starts at 9am and finishes at 1am. All day pass $60, Evening pass $30.

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Calling all expats and Anglophiles - come join in the wedding celebration of Prince William and Catherine Middleton held in the DUMBO district located in Brooklyn, New York.

The official party website invites you to "join us from 5:30am for the FREE Screening of the Royal Wedding on a MASSIVE Screen under the Arches of the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO. The live and uninterrupted coverage will be provided by BBC America."

Activities include a fancy hat competition, face painting, British music, stand up comedians, British party games and a raffle.

Bring the whole family and share in the celebrations.




Thursday, March 10, 2011

Make Money From Your Kids Stuff

If you are like most families, you probably have a stash of kids clothes, that no longer fit any of your children, stuffed away somewhere, with the intentions that you will either donate them or sell them at the yard sale you never officially planned (or maybe you did and you have leftovers).  You may have also tried selling them on auction sites or local ad sites.  But your items don't often sell or they get lost in the shuffle or other ads and auctions.

Now you have a new option.  Selling your kids stuff via an online consignment shop!

StorkBrokers
StorkBrokers.com is an online marketplace that allows parents to sell all their no longer needed baby & kid items.
What makes StorkBrokers unique is that:
  • It’s a community of parents who want to help and have meaningful interactions with each other;
  • Most every parent already has a house full of inventory ready for sale; and
  • If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can request someone list it and we’ll notify you when they do.

Join us in the quest to make everything “New Again”!

Monday, March 7, 2011

All New Jersey Is A Stage...

Celebrate the 14th Annual Family Week at the Theatre by attending some exciting shows for the family that are either completely free or at low cost per ticket.

Start by clicking here --> http://stagesfestival.org/ to search for local events from magic shows to plays to acting workshops!

Enjoy the show(s) with your family!   The FNJ family plan on attending one of these very soon.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Free Pancakes at IHOP!



It's National Pancake Day, and IHOP is doing their annual free short-stack (3 pancakes) per customer.  All they ask is that you give a donation toward the Children's Miracle Network charity.  This offer is running all day today, so stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, OR all three (who says you can't have pancakes any time of the day?)!


For More Information visit: http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/

Enjoy!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Make Your Own Pull-String Piñata!

It has been a while since I posted a craft, hasn't it?  Well, here's a fun one that you can do for less than $5!  A homemade piñata!  These are my instructions and since I did not take step-by-step photos, I have gone through the trouble of making you illustrations for each step.  Make this a family project and enjoy!



What you will need:
  • computer paper or newspaper (computer paper is supposed to be stronger)
  • 1 part flour to 2 parts water (for paste)
  • tissue paper or tissue decoration streamers in the color(s) of your choice
  • latex balloon (I used only one, but in case it pops on you or you want to make a design, buy a pack at the dollar store)
  • craft glue
  • curling ribbon in the color(s) of your choice
  • thin wire (like the type used in gardening for securing plants) - you can probably use a strong piece of string or yarn, but I used the above wire, since we had some already.
  • A small bowl or cup to act as a "stand" for the balloon
  • a picture of a character or wording to stick on the front (optional)

Instructions
1. Mix 1 part flour and 2 parts water (ex: 1 cup flour + 2 cups water; 2 cups flour + 4 cups water) with a whisk until smooth.  Make sure you use a container that you can reach into and dip the paper and pull out easily, I prefer something wide and shallow.

2. Inflate balloon.  I didn't go for a design this time, I wanted something quick and easy, so I just inflated the balloon as large as it would go without popping easily.

3. Rip newspaper or computer paper into strips or squares, whatever you feel most comfortable with.  Just keep in mind that larger pieces cover more surface area and makes the project go faster.  But, not too large or too long!

4. Dip a strip of paper into your paste mixture, run your thumb and forefingers through it to wipe excess paste off and begin covering the balloon. At first it is a little awkward.  You will notice that as soon as you start to add the paper mache, the balloon will begin to tip with the weight.  Try to keep it balanced on the other side or have someone help by holding it up for you.  Start at the base where the knot of the balloon is, don't cover the knot, leave an open circle around it.  This will become the opening at the top where you pour the treats into.  It helped me to start at the base then flip it over, prop it in a little bowl/bucket for a stand and work on the other end and meet them in the middle.

5. Cover the entire balloon, let it sit for about ten minutes so it's not so messy and come back to it to add a second and third layer.

6. Later on, you will want to return and add a 4th and possibly 5th layer to the bottom of the balloon (the wider part opposite of the knot), because this will be the bottom where the treats sit and you want this part to be strongest to hold them.

7. Leave the balloon standing on the cup/bowl/bucket to dry overnight, or 10hrs. (fig 1)  You will know it is dry by touching it, it will be matte and if you feel any coolness, it is not quite dry yet.
fig 1 - drying balloon piñata propped on small bowl

8. Once you are sure it is dry, pop the balloon with a needle and remove it from the paper mache shell.  You will now have a hollow balloon-shaped object with an opening at the top (where the balloon's knot used to be). (see fig 2)  Now is also a good time to test the strength of your piñata.  Place the treats inside and hold it by the top edges to see if it feels strong enough.  For me, this was enough layers to hold candy and treats that filled the piñata up to halfway.
fig 2 - piñata shell with opening

9. The next step is to set up your crafting supplies.  Tissue paper, glue, picture (optional) and curling ribbon and wire.

10. At the top of your pinata, where you have the round opening, poke four small holes, perpendicular to one another. (see fig 3)  Do not poke the holes too close to the edge, these are the support for hanging the piñata up!  I'd say about 1.5" away from the edge, should be good.
fig 3

11. Weave wire or yarn through the four holes, give it a little slack, but not too much.  Then tie ends securely.  This is the hanging support for the piñata. (see fig 4)

fig 4
12. Now you will cut long pieces of curling ribbon.  Use your own discretion as to how long because you want to know where you're hanging it from and how high so that the children can reach it.  Loop the ribbon through the wires as shown in fig 5.
fig 5
13. Turn the piñata upside down so the base is facing you.  You are now going to create the trap door for all the candy to fall through when strings are pulled.  With a pencil, lightly mark the center base of the pinata shell to make a 3x3" square. (see fig 6)
fig 6

14. Now you are going to take a knife or sharp razor blade and cut along three sides of that square only!  Leave one side attached to the piñata, this is your "hinge" for the little trap door. (see fig 7)

fig 7
15. If you have a rough idea of how many children will be attending and participating, cut that number in long pieces of curling ribbon. Poke a hole into the trap door is indicated in fig 8, then holding the ribbons on one end, push them through the hole and tie a tight knot on the inside of the trap door (fig 9).  You can also tape the knot to the inside of the door to keep it extra secure.
fig 8                                                                                                         fig 9

16. Close the trap and sparsely add tape to hold closed, just enough to hold the treats in but that the children will still be able to pull it open.  You can test the door by filling the piñata now.  If it bulges or seems about to open, you may want to add a little more tape before you move on to the next step!

17. Now it's time to decorate!  Flip your piñata upright (trap door at bottom) and, if you've chosen to add a picture of a character (I chose Barbie to match my daughter's party theme) glue it to the center front, you can also tape it sparingly for extra security.  Choose a nice, bright color from among your tissue to create the border around your picture.  Rip approx 2inch pieces, one at a time, crumple it,open it up, dab glue onto the spot on the piñata where you want it, then push the piece of tissue onto that spot.  Repeat this around the border of your picture until it's done.

18. Do the same as above with the tissue all over the piñata, in whatever pattern you choose.  Space the pieces out at first, then go back and fill in the white spaces.  Give the glue a couple of hours to dry and you're done!
A closer look at our Barbie Piñata
Please let us know if you attempted this craft and how it turned out!  We appreciate your feedback!