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Published: 22 August 2011

Created: 22 August 2011

Last Updated: 22 August 2011

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It's been 80 days since the search began for Edgemont resident Lauren Spierer. The 20-year-old junior at Indiana University has been the subject of an intense search in and around the Bloomington area, but remains missing today. Lauren's parents have maintained a steady presence in Bloomington since June 3 and continue to be involved in search efforts and following any leads that come in.

Charlene Spierer, Lauren's mother, said "Our energy and our efforts remain undiminished. We get through each day with the love and support of family, friends, acquaintances and people we don't even know. We will find Lauren." Spierer has put out a plea that anyone with information about Lauren please come forward. Lauren's father Rob added, "Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be of help. Please don't hold back. Anything you know, anything you saw, anyone you spoke to might help us find Lauren."

The Spierers said they know Lauren would be "leading the search" if one of her friends were missing. "She is kind, compassionate and full of life. Please, whoever knows something, remember what she means to you, what she would do for you and please help us," Charlene said.

Lauren is described as 4 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Any information should be phoned to the tipline at (812) 339-4477; e-mailed to helpfindlauren@gmail.com; or mailed anonymously to Find Lauren, PO Box 1226, Bloomington, IN 47402.

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Published: 31 August 2011

Created: 31 August 2011

Last Updated: 07 September 2011

Hits: 6041

Fall is in the air and that means it’s time to sign yourself and your kids up for pre-school and after-school activities as well as classes in art, music, sports, enrichment and more. We invited the directors of area programs to send us their program descriptions and here is what they shared. To add your program to the directory, contact us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.

Preschool Programs:
Creative Playtime at Grace Lutheran Church provides morning and afternoon programs for children ages 2 to 5 years old, with several extended day options. Creative Playtime's curriculum is developmental and age-appropriate. It is designed to foster children's growth by stimulating their curiosity. We promote language and social skills and the building of self-esteem, while respecting each child's uniqueness as individuals. Their development is enriched through books, music, cooking and dramatic play. Kindergarten readiness is achieved in a playful and nurturing setting. Creative Playtime is staffed with highly qualified, caring and dedicated teachers committed to providing a quality program for the children. Extended day options include: Lunch Bunch, Extended Day #1 (12:15pm-2:45pm), and Extended Day #2 (2:45pm-5:15pm). Extended Day #2 is available as a stand-alone drop off afternoon program. Both Extended Day programs have an emphasis on science covering such themes as testing hypotheses, the five senses, rocks and fossils, insects and animals, objects in motion, mixing and measuring, and making solutions.

For more information, please contact Director Gigi Aronoff. 59 Grand Boulevard, Scarsdale, visit www.creativeplaytimescarsdale.org , email: info@creativeplaytimescarsdale.org or call 914-472-4777

Hoff-Barthelson Music School is one of Westchester County’s most cherished and active cultural resources and has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and outreach.

Music exerts a profound impact on children’s lives! Young Children being their music education at Hoff-Barthelson helped and encouraged by experienced, dedicated teachers. Our Music Programs for Young Children offer a range of choices for preschoolers, all of which help them acquire many skills through music and music activities. Children learn to focus, observe keenly, concentrate and learn to watch and take turns with their peers. Music and Movement Classes; Recorder Classes; Suzuki Instruction. HBMS also offers a full Preschool for 3 and 4 year-olds.

The School’s educational approach for older students centers on quality individualized instruction, a comprehensive, broad musicianship program, and numerous performance opportunities for students. Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, NY.  Call 914-723-1169, email: hb@hbms.org, or visit us at  www.hbms.org

Welcome to the Early Childhood Center at the JCC of Mid-Westchester. We offer infant/toddler parenting programs for ages 6 months to 2 years where you and your child can enjoy art, music, baby and me, and mommy and me classes all led by early childhood professionals. Our preschool offers programs for children ages 2-5 years. Two, three, and five day programs are available, as well as early drop off (8am) and late pick up (6pm), extended day enrichment and our popular "lunch bunch" lunch program. Our staff will help you create the perfect day for your child by linking your child's preschool program with one of the many exciting classes that the JCC offers such as swim, gymnastics, dance and more. To learn about these programs and more, please visit our website at www.jccmw.org or call 914-472-7095.

Great Play of Scarsdale is a kids’ gym for children ages six months through fifth grade that uses its unique curriculum to help kids build confidence and competence in motor skills. Classes are conducted in a patented Interactive Arena™ that uses computer technology, image projection and directional sound to bring the space to life. The concept has been recognized as one of the most innovative youth programs in the world by the IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association), the global trade association for the fitness industry. Great Play offers four fantastic, age-appropriate programs, each built on the same underlying philosophy and structure for making youth physical development fun and effective! Classes are high energy and interactive and tap into the key developmental windows that open at each stage of a child's growth. They use a broad-based approach to help ensure that each child develops to his or her physical potential -- starting from a broad foundation of introductory motor skills for the younger Players, all the way through complex sport skills for fifth graders. They also offer birthday parties and events such as Parents’ Night Out.

For more information on classes, events and birthday parties, visit: www.greatplay.com/scarsdale , email: scarsdale@greatplay.com or call at (914) 713-3470.

Music:
Please join us for the fall 2011 semester of Music Together, when we'll be singing and dancing to the Bongos collection! Beginning the week of Saturday, September 24 we're offering a number of classes each week for children from birth through age 7. Most classes are mixed-age classes—for children from birth through kindergarten age with a parent or other adult caregiver—but we also have several specifically for babies 6 months of age or younger. And we're also offering—for the first time ever—the Music Together Big Kids program. Big Kids is for 5- to 7-year-olds with or without an adult caregiver and is the next step for children who have attained basic music competence and who now need fun, developmentally appropriate activities to help them master these skills and attain basic music literacy. Finally, the adult guitar class is back after its summer hiatus! Guitar for Grownups is being offered again in Chappaqua and Scarsdale and is open to all families who register children in one or more of our classes. To register or for more information about each of these types of class, as well as tuition fees, please go http://www.overthemoonmusicandmore.com or call 914-722-2025.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester provides high-quality music programs for students of all ages and abilities from pre-school through adult. Our teachers are expert professional musicians and experienced educators who enjoy working with all types of students. Introduce your young child to the joys and benefits of music in a Music Skills class, where children learn music fundamentals through rhythm games, creative movement, songs, stories and improvisation. Introductory group instrumental classes use a Suzuki approach that engages the child in the learning process at an age-appropriate level.

Youth ages 8 to 12 will find lots to do at MCW. Private instrumental lessons build a solid foundation while offering each child an individualized approach to learning. Supplement the lesson with a Theory Basics class, or participate in one of our performing ensembles such as Youth Chorus or Junior Strings. Young thespians will find a home in our Junior Musical Theatre and Creative Dramatics Workshops. For teens, the Conservatory is the perfect place to meet like-minded peers while developing high level musical skills. Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Ave., White Plains, NY 10606, 914.761.3900, http://www.musicconservatory.org/

Art Classes:
RAD Art School offers art classes for children starting at eight years old, high school students, and adults. The program is designed to teach drawing and painting in all mediums. We also offer a college portfolio program. For a schedule of class times please contact Ava DeVries at 914-723-3131 or email avadevries@yahoo.com. We are located at 217 E. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale, NY.

Enrichment:
Chinese Language Program (CLP) was developed by two moms who were searching for a fun and engaging way for their own children to learn Mandarin Chinese. Today, CLP supports families of all backgrounds in teaching this important global language to their children.CLP offers "mommy & me", after school classes, and a summer immersion camp to children from birth to 11 years of age. Find out more about our program at www.clpchildren.com, 51 Popham Road, Scarsdale, NY, email: chineselanguageprogram@gmail.com, or call 914.907.6075.

Little Linguists offers Immersion and Native Spanish classes for children 4-10 years old, taught by certified native teachers. In our Total Immersion Program, children acquire the language through class interaction, games, songs, storytelling and role-play. Our Native Spanish Program is for kids raised in Spanish-speaking households who want to broaden their knowledge of the language by mastering conversation, reading and writing. We welcome you to our World in Spanish and look forward to helping your children learn the language of the present and the future! For more information, please write us to info@littlelinguistsny.com, call us at (914) 488-4330/4363 or visit us at www.littlelinguistsny.com . We are located at 1 Heathcote Rd, Scarsdale, NY.

For nearly 30 years, Gtec Kids' after school, creative arts and sciences program, has been captivating inquisitive 2nd to 5th graders with a curriculum that ranges from prehistoric times to the year 3000. At Gtec, children are exposed to hands-on, real life experiences that enhance their ability to create, design, invent, and perform. As a sampling, their students create animated movies, simulate an archaeological dig, build a model lung, and design and direct TV commercials. Their facility offers equipment for each student such as digital and video cameras, weaving looms, dissection materials, drafting tables, illuminated animation boards, Smartboard technology, and more! G·tec Kids offers programs to children in grades 2-5. Its small class size of six students affords semi-private instruction. Students meet once a week for 1 ½ hours after school for 30 weeks. Visit http://www.gteckids.com/ , call 914 636 0888, or email astix@optonline.net for more information. The director, Dr. Stix, is always available to answer your questions.

Westchester Math Lab is a math enrichment program for children in grades K-8. Founded in 2009, Westchester Math Lab helps students achieve a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and offers advanced math courses to students who are looking for more challenge. The program aims to strengthen and advance math skills, teaches how to analyze and solve mathematical and logical problems and builds confidence. The courses are based on a Singapore Math curriculum and are supplemented with a wide variety of other material such as Word Problems, Math Olympiads, Brain Teasers, Puzzles and Math Drills. Westchester Math Lab is a registered center for Math Kangaroo in USA, NFP, Inc. There are currently two locations: Dobbs Ferry NY and Scarsdale NY. To learn more about the program or register for the Fall 2011 semester, please visit http://www.westmathlab.com/ or email: info@westmathlab.com or call 1-866-956-3804.

Social Skills:
Sociable Kidz provides social skills for children ages 4-15. Small groups ensure individualized attention. Lessons include: communication skills, problems solving, sharing, taking turns, self-esteem, play skills with Legos and bullying techniques. We also offer Expressive Art. We learn about different artists and do art projects while utilizing our social skills. Our newest class is called SK Table Tennis. Kids learn how to play table tennis while practicing their conversational skills. Visit us at www.sociablekidz.com or call 914-502-3295 for more information.

Sports:
Backyard Sports is Westchester's leading provider of afterschool and weekend sports programming. Our outstanding lineup of professional teacher/coaches provides exceptional technical training for children of all levels of ability. For registration information please visit our website at www.byardsports.com or call Danny Bernstein at 914-304-4052.

Kinderkickers introduces soccer to boys and girls ages 3, 4, 5 and 6. Soccer is taught in such a way that children will develop a love for the game and have fun. The program is instructional. Emphasis is on individual skills, dribbling, passing, ball control, and shooting. Each session culminates with a small-sided game. The program features and outstanding instructional staff, snacks and T-shirts and a weekly game. Fall progam dates in Scarsdale are Saturdays from 9am-10 am on September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, and 22. The program is held at St. Pius School, 85 Palmer Avenue in Scarsdale. From information, contact Kinderkickers at (914) 833-2024 or visit http://summitsoccer.net/kinderkickers.html

After 35 years of sharing our unique philosophy and training world-wide, Seido Karate opened its newest location in Elmsford. Our traditional Japanese karate style was founded by world-renowned ninth degree black belt, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, and incorporates the development of the mind, body and spirit. Our school or dojo provides high quality adult and children’s programs that develop strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity but also aim to develop individuals of the highest moral character. We are happy to announce that we also added a Mommy/Daddy and Me class for families that would like to train together.

World Seido Karate - Johshin Honzan, 1 Parkway Plaza (Exit 21 off the Saw Mill River Parkway), Elmsford (914) 909-5000 General Inquiries: honzan@seido.com, or visit: http://www.seido.com/

Yoga Station: No matter what our age, a consistent yoga practice can help us learn to breathe through life’s more trying times, whether we are navigating the playground or studying for finals. For the young athlete, the benefits of yoga are increased flexibility and strength, while cultivating a quiet peaceful mind. Yoga helps the young artist get out of her head and into her body, which translates to a freer and more confident performance. At Yoga Station, our kids’ classes are filled with laughter. We are a judgement-free zone, which allows us to have fun and not take ourselves too seriously, while focussing on the fundamentals of yoga.

Classes are available for Toddlers – ages 1-3, Preschoolers ages 3-5, Kindergarten to third graders, fourth to seventh graders, teens and adults. To learn more, visit our website at www.theyogastation.com , call (914) 874-6295 or stop by the studio at 221 East Hartsdale Avenue, Suite D in Hartsdale, a few steps from the train station. Classes begin September 10th.

Adults:
Hoff Barthelson Dalcroze Eurhythmics is an approach to music and movement that encourages learning through active participation. Exercises and games, originally designed for young children, but of equal value for adults, involve singing, movement and improvisation in a relaxed setting, often with the fun and excitement engendered by the use of small percussion instruments, hoops, balls and scarves. This approach to learning music concepts through movement has been extended into an original offering at Hoff-Barthelson: ElderRhythmics: Dalcroze for the Older Adult. More information is available at www.hbms.org . Information and registration for ElderRhythmics: 914-723-1169, or email: hb@hbms.org

Scarsdale Adult School: At more than ten convenient local venues, new and returning faculty will be teaching enriching day and evening courses to adults seeking to satisfy their intellectual curiosity, learn new skills, and enjoy scholarly rapport with other members of the community.

This semester at SAS includes a wide range of humanities classes on art, architecture, film, history, literature and music. The adult school offers recreation classes in dance, fitness, golf and card games. To satisfy increased demand, SAS has added more computer classes to its skill enhancement course selection. Other skills classes of interest pertain to arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, photography, foreign languages, music, finance, and self-improvement. Health and wellness courses on nutrition, spirituality, and stress reduction round out the curriculum. To sign up for classes and view all SAS offerings, visit www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org . Call (914) 723-2325 with any questions.

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Published: 17 August 2011

Created: 17 August 2011

Last Updated: 17 August 2011

Hits: 3866

The darkening economic picture and the wild swings in the stock market have made many in Scarsdale worry (again) about their own financial futures. It’s true that money can’t buy happiness—we all know people who have huge bank accounts and are miserable—but it does help pay for a lot of fun things like vacations, dinners at restaurants, new clothes, new gadgets and so on. Despite your best intentions, your kids may have already started to equate the two. More likely, the kids assume these fun things are just part of life. But that may not always be the case. Anxiety over jobs, savings and the future is palpable in Scarsdale as it is everywhere. The current economy may force you to cut back, or you may want to change your spending ways before something dire happens. You and your spouse may be on the same page about changing your family’s spending habits, but getting this across to your kids without scaring them or upsetting them isn’t the easiest of tasks. It’s do-able and it may even teach them a thing or two.

Kathleen Piaggesi, a Certified Financial Planner based in Scarsdale, offers these tips for talking to your kids about money:

The Money Out of the ATM is Not Infinite: A lot of kids, especially younger ones may see you run to the bank and a wad of $20s suddenly appears. They may think there’s just a magic endless supply. In fact when my son was about six he once suggested we install an ATM machine in our foyer to spit out an endless supply of bills. Explain your expenses to your children – and tailor the conversation to be appropriate for their age. There is no need to get into the details of how much you earn and what your mortgage or car payments cost you each month; but you can list your expenses and say you only make a certain amount and you all must work within that framework.

You may want to consider limiting trips to the bank to once a week and taking out what you think you’ll need in cash. It may feel retro but it could increase your awareness of what you spend for you and your kids and give you ideas about how you can cut back.

Tie Allowance to Chores and No Longer Be Bank of Dad or Mom: Again, totally retro, but our parents may have had a point. Make the kids work for what they earn, even if it’s just straightening their rooms or clearing the dinner table. They may even like the sense of responsibility this gives them. Of course you won’t let your kid starve or be without a few dollars in their pocket if they go somewhere, but try and be firm on this one. It may seem like common sense and people reading this may sniff that this is why kids today are spoiled brats, but a lot of parents work hard to give their kids the best life possible and that often means giving them money whenever they need it. Remind yourself that giving them responsibility and setting limits is part of being a good parent.

If You Have to Cut Back- Do It Together: Kids will see the hypocrisy immediately if they are forced to cut back on things and you are still doing all the things you’ve always done. Cut back as well. You may not be the most flagrant of spenders in your home, but demonstrate that this is a group effort. Piaggesi adds that your children may also feel singled out or punished if they are asked to change their ways and you do not. Piaggesi says that if you approach cutting back or saving as doing something as a family the kids may be more receptive.

Keep Calm and Make a Game Plan: These are difficult times and you may have lost your job -- or are living on less due to the loss of a bonus or investment income. It can be scary and overwhelming. If you have older kids, they may remember what it was like in 2008 and understand what is going on now. They may be very nervous about their future, college or their overall sense of security and be too upset to talk about it. Make your family a team. Talk about a plan but try and do it in a broader context. Explain that not going on a vacation this year, or not doing a certain after-school activity or shopping in certain stores will save the family money and secure your future. You may be freaking out inside, but try and stay calm when talking to your kids about money. These dark days could be a time of real growth in your family and when you get through it--and you will--you and your family will come out stronger, smarter and perhaps more appreciative of what you have.

Jen is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.