Things to Do With Your Children in San Francisco

Posted on October 29, 2012 by jpalmer

San Francisco is an amazing city, with lots to see and do. But what are some great places to go if you have children? Below are some of the best places in San Francisco for kids.

Musee Mecanique

Located on Pier 45 at the foot of Taylor Street in Fisherman’s Wharf, Musee Mecanique is one of the world’s largest privately owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and arcade games. Every game is still in its original working condition, and you can play them! Admission is free every day.

Where: Pier 45, Shed A, San Francisco, CA 94133

CuriOdyssey

Formerly called Coyote Point, CuriOdyssey in nearby San Mateo is a place where kids can connect with the Earth and learn about the nearly 100 animals onsite—from golden eagles to rubber boas. They hold numerous activities throughout the year, and even host birthday parties. Find out more at www.curiodyssey.org.

Where: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401

San Francisco Zoo

What child doesn’t love animals? Spend the day viewing hundreds of animals from all over the world. For hours and admission fees, visit www.sfzoo.org.

Where: 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco, CA 94132

Go for a Cable Car Ride

San Francisco is famous for its cable cars, and even if you’ve lived in the city your whole life, your children will still get a kick out of taking a trip on a national landmark.

Where: Visit www.sfcablecar.com for route information.

Chinatown

Have fun and learn a little about Chinese culture at the same time. Tour the many little shops, watch fortune cookies being made, or check out the amazing, colorful kites at the Chinatown Kite Shop.

Where: Grant Ave. and Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94101

Pier 39

Near Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 offers several attractions that will interest little ones. Children can ride the double-decker Venetian carousel, view several free performances on the stage at the end of the pier, and watch sea lions sunning themselves in the small marina beside the pier. There’s also the Aquarium of the Bay (www.aquariumofthebay.com), a unique underwater attraction featuring 300 feet of tunnels where you can view over 20,000 marine animals from San Francisco Bay and other nearby waters.

Where: The Embarcadero and Beach St., San Francisco, CA 94133

These are just a few of the many wonderful things you can do with your children in San Francisco. With a little research and creativity, you can find enough things to do in this amazing city to keep your kids busy every day of the year.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/jasantiso

Best Skating Rinks in Baltimore

Posted on October 8, 2012 by mprice

As winter closes in, the days are becoming shorter and spending time outdoors becomes a thing of the past, at least for this year. Ice skating and regular roller skating are perfect ways to have fun indoors while getting some exercise, and rinks are often open year-round. Whether you’re a professional skater or a beginner, lace up your skates and practice your triple toe loops at one of these great skating rinks in Baltimore.

Mount Pleasant Ice Arena

Managed by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, the seasonal Mount Pleasant Ice Arena gives Baltimore natives the chance to hit the ice and try out recreational skating and hockey, receive skating instruction as well as viewing performances and competitive skating. Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill frequently trains at the arena, while world champion Kimmie Meissner began her career here.

Where: 6101 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21239

Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center

If you’re planning on hosting a special event, like a birthday party or a workplace gathering, the Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center is the best spot, as you can rent out the entire ice arena for your group at a reasonable hourly rate. Public skating lessons are also available, while general admission is only $4. Purchase a season pass for $30, which gives you 10 skating sessions.

Where: 200 South Linwood Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224

Reisterstown Sportsplex

Located at the end of I-795 in the Reisterstown Regional Park, Reisterstown Sportsplex is one of the most well maintained rinks in the Baltimore area. The state-of-the-art arena offers high quality recreation programs and family entertainment, like public skating, figure skating and ice hockey. You can even get involved in the wacky sport of broomball here, a game similar to hockey but played with an inflatable ball and brooms.

Where: 401 Mitchell Drive, Reisterstown, MD 21236

Skateland Orchard

If you feel like groovin’ while you’re movin’, head to Skateland Orchard. While this charming arena is not an ice skating rink, it does pride itself in being the “home of the best urban, hip-hop, R&B and old school roller skating.” Located just outside of Baltimore, this year-round skating rink is great for groups or just hitting the rink solo. Skateland Orchard often hosts holiday-themed skate nights, so check the website to stay up-to-date.

Where: 8855 Orchard Tree Lane, Towson, MD 21286

Hot Skates

Another indoor roller skating rink, Hot Skates is perfect for birthday parties and other special events. Take the whole family for a night of affordable skating fun at Family Fun Skate Night, every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m., and pay only $1 per person.

Where: 1716 Whitehead Road, Woodlawn, MD 21207

Photo credit: iStockphoto/cjmckendry

Plan a Staycation around Norwich, New York

Posted on September 11, 2012 by ag-admin

Can’t get away for a vacation? Plan a staycation in Norwich with you family and enjoy the great outdoors.

With the start of fall right around the corner, the thought of upcoming vacations may have crossed your mind. But with high gas prices and not a lot of vacation time left, your dream of getting away may be just that – a dream. That doesn’t have to be the case, though, especially for residents of Norwich and surrounding New York cities. Whether you’re looking to vacation with your family, friends or by yourself, consider planning a staycation and stay local while taking a break from your everyday life. Here are a few ideas for staycationing in Norwich.

Golf
Grab your clubs and head out for a fun and challenging day on one of these courses. Get a foursome together and make friendly wagers – closest to the hole, hole-in-one and overall winner. Some courses also offer up gorgeous views, so if you find yourself looking for your ball in the middle of the woods, at least you have a great view. Practice your golf swing and head out to play a round.

Canasawacta Country Club: A challenging par 70 course, Canasawacta is open to the public. If you’re not happy with your golf game, you’ll be happy with the traditional and family-friendly atmosphere found in the clubhouse. 261 County Road 44, Norwich, NY 13815
Gold Rush Miniature Golf: Fun for the entire family, Gold Rush has various themes in the mini golf course, such as western, pirate and cartoon. To make things more interesting, there are various elements that add to the fun, including a pond, waterfall and windmill. 4853 State Route 233, Westmoreland, NY 13490

Northeast Classic Car Museum
For car enthusiasts in the Norwich, N.Y. area, there’s the Northeast Classic Car Museum. This educational facility collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits vehicles which are related to the evolution of transportation. You’ll find more than 150 classic and vintage vehicles in the museum, dating from the early 1900s through the early 1970s. Additionally, you’ll find WWI and WWII airplane engines, videos and more. 24 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815

Outdoor Activities
With the weather beginning to cool down, there is no better excuse to spend some time outdoors. Although all two square miles of Norwich is land, the Chenango River winds south along the eastern edge of the city, and the Canasawacta Creek flows south along the western border. Check out these outdoor activities:

Bowman Lake State Park: For a relaxing local getaway, plan a camping trip here. Close to 200 campsites are located on the 660 acres of Bowman Lake State Park. The lake itself is 35 acres and stocked annually with rainbow and brook trout. If you’re not sure about committing fully to an outdoor adventure, you’ll be glad to know that the park provides hot showers and bathrooms. Other activities include a swimming beach, paddleboats, hiking trails and picnicking. 745 Bliven Sherman Road, Oxford, NY 13830
Chenango Canal Nature Walk: Spend a day in Bouckville and hike five miles along the waters of the Chenango Canal. The trail runs from Woodman’s Pond to the corner of Elm Street and Canal Road. Fishing enthusiasts will be glad to know that the canal is a year-round destination for trout fishing, using artificial lures only. The canal is stocked with brown and brook trout. Route 20 and Canal Road, Bouckville, NY 13310

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/4×6

How to Be a Good House Guest

Posted on July 23, 2012 by jgrimes

Be a great houseguest, and you’ll always be welcomed back to stay.

There’s an old saying about both fish and house guests smelling after three days, so take that as a warning to not overstay your welcome at a friend or family member’s home. Instead, arrange before you visit how long you will be there, making sure it’s no longer than two days. If you need to stay somewhere longer, offer to go to a nearby hotel for part of the trip. It may not be the most economical solution, but it will ensure you and the host remain friends after the visit. After you’ve scheduled your visit, follow even one of the tips below, and you’ll always be the guest invited to come back and stay awhile.

Bring something

The most remembered guests are the ones who bring something thoughtful to the owners of the home. When you arrive at your friend’s home, present the host with a good bottle of wine (ask a wine store employee to recommend a budget-friendly one), box of cookies, flowers, monogrammed initial coffee mug or something for the home. Sites such as Red Envelope.com and Gifts.com specialize in helping you find the perfect item to say, “Thank you for welcoming me into your home.”

Make yourself at home

Well, sort of. In this case, making yourself at home means giving a host the idea that she doesn’t have to go out of her way to make you feel comfortable. Instead of asking her for a glass of water, get it yourself. See if you can locate the towels in a nearby linen closet or cabinet before you ask her where they are. Remind your host how cozy or inviting her home feels and how grateful you are that she let you stay.

Offer to help

Whether you wash the dishes after a meal, fold clean laundry you see lying around (but not underwear), cook dinner for the host one night, take the dog for a walk or straighten the living room, your host will greatly appreciate your help. Your being at your host’s home has slightly thrown off her schedule, so anything you can do to make up that difference will keep your host feeling more at ease.

Clean up after yourself

After you’ve showered, hang up your towel, and throw used linens in the dirty clothes hamper. Even better, if you have the time, wash your linens and towels, fold the towels and put the linens back on the bed. At the very least, make up the bed and put dirty dishes in the dishwasher or hand-wash them.

After you leave, send a thank-you note to the host to reiterate that you had a wonderful time and she made your stay warm and pleasant.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/denisLit

How to Host a Game Night in Your Apartment

Posted on October 27, 2011 by ag-admin

Know your audience to be able to host the perfect game night for family, friends or coworkers.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/monkeybusinessimages

Hosting a game night is a great way to meet your neighbors, get to know your friends or coworkers better or bring your family closer together for one night a week or month. You could also find out critical personality traits from a romantic interest – you can learn a lot about a person by how they act when they’re competing. Whatever your reason for hosting game night, the best part is that you don’t need to decorate for it or send out invitations – a clean house is all you need to host a rowdy bunch of friends or a quiet group of coworkers. As for the next steps, read below for tips on how to host a game night that will ensure everyone has a good time.

Location

Decide if you want to host each game night at your house or if you want to rotate homes. If it’s at your house, move furniture around in your dining room, living room or den so everyone can sit facing each other, and bring in card tables and folding chairs if you need them. Let everyone invited know if your game night is BYOB or if you’re providing cocktails.

Games

Decide if you want a relaxing game night with wine and casual conversation, or if you want a more lively game night that brings out everyone’s personality. For the former, games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Uno or traditional card games, such as poker, spades or even bridge are best. For the latter, games like Outburst, Pictionary, Yahtzee, Bunko, Scene It! or Twister will bring out everyone’s extroverted and competitive side.

Food

For eating during game night, there are two possible scenarios: Either you may be entirely too busy to eat, or your chosen games will wear you out so much that you’re left ravenous. Either way, finger foods that can sit out at room temperature or in a slow cooker are the answer for quick nourishment. Make easy meatballs by combining a package of thawed pre-made meatballs with a small jar of grape jelly and 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and to make pigs in a blanket, cut refrigerated biscuits into thirds, wrap around cocktail sausages and bake according to biscuit package directions. Set out bowls of Goldfish crackers and nut mixes and a raw vegetable platter. For dessert, slice refrigerated peanut butter or sugar cookie dough into rounds and stuff into the cups of mini-muffin tins. Bake as directed, and during the last minute of baking, press unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses or mini peanut butter cups into the tops of each cookie.

Extras

You don’t always have to have game night with the same group of people – vary it between coworkers, friends, members of an organization or sports club you belong to, family members and neighbors to see who best meshes together. Select games based on how well you know the people you invite; you don’t want to play Twister with people you hardly know (and they probably don’t either) – or a mild game of bridge with your rowdy siblings. Keep the evening casual in terms of food and cocktails to make everyone comfortable. Also, know the rules of each game before you play it and make sure everyone else is familiar enough with it, as constantly looking at the rule book will ruin the flow of your game. Listen to feedback from everyone at the end of each night to gauge whether or not to bring a game back or retire it for awhile.

How to Choose the Best Neighborhood for You

Posted on August 19, 2011 by ag-admin

To find the best neighborhood, prioritize, research, sacrifice and visit.

Deciding where to live isn’t just about the specifications for an apartment; it starts with determining the area in which you want to find that perfect home – the area where you will shop, play, eat and live.

Your neighborhood, like your apartment, needs to suit your individual needs and interests. But how do you know whether the new area will provide the comfort and convenience you’re looking for? Use the following guidelines to figure out what locations are best for you and your new home.

Prioritize
Your first step is defining what you need most out of your neighborhood. Are you single and looking to frequent restaurants and bars? Are your kids going to start or continue school soon? Is a branch of your favorite grocery store or bank nearby? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start narrowing down your search area to specific locations that meet your needs and give you easy access to the places you visit the most.

Research
Once you’ve decided what neighborhood qualities are most important to you, start searching for the areas that best fit your criteria. If you’re single, where are the hubs of post-school or work activity? If you have kids, where are the best schools? If you hate traffic, which neighborhoods are closest to work or campus? Also be sure to look at crime rates (crimereports.com), traffic patterns and doctor and specialist availability in these areas.

Sacrifice
Chances are you won’t find an area that is perfect – proximity to everything usually means lots of traffic, and a more secluded location with a low crime rate usually means you’ll be traveling further to get to work, school and errands. So decide what you’re willing to give up. Will you commit to a longer commute if it means living in a better school district? Can you bear a higher crime rate if you can live closer to your favorite social spots? Like with the initial prioritizing questions, answers to these questions will help narrow down your list of possible neighborhoods.

Visit
With a short list of areas determined, visit each one at various times during the day. Do cars barely move during rush hour? Are mornings particularly quiet and peaceful? Is there too much commotion at night? Also, talk to residents of the areas (your potential neighborhoods). Ask what they like most and least. Go to local stores and see what’s available. Observing the characteristics of the neighborhoods and comparing them to your preferences will allow you to pick the perfect one for you.

Once you’ve found the best neighborhood for you, don’t be a stranger. Get to know your neighbors, visit local vendors and take advantage of the great area you chose.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/GeorgePeters

Best Cities for Families

Posted on August 19, 2011 by ag-admin

Discover the best cities to move your family, with playgrounds, parks and educational opportunities.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/kevinruss

Once you’ve decided you want kids, next is deciding where to raise them. Do you want to experience all four seasons every year, or are you searching for the sunniest place possible? Are you willing to move anyway, or does your job confine you to a certain region? Do you want to explore events in new areas, or can you not bear living more than hour from your Red Sox or Longhorns?

With your personal parameters in mind, take a look at our list of the five best cities in the country for families. We looked at crime rates, green space, parkland, schools and exhibits, attractions and specialties in each city. The five results cover virtually every region and requirement, so you’re sure to find one that will suit you and your future children perfectly.

Denver
With hundreds of parks – more than 300 city, mountain and community parks – good air quality and 4,000 acres of natural open space, Denver offers you ample opportunities to explore the outdoors with your kids. If you love to walk, hike or bike, you’ll especially love this Rocky Mountain locale, since 29 city parks and six mountain parks have trails. The city also has seven dog parks. Your and your children will also love the many family-friendly spaces, including Boondocks Fun Center, Gymboree Play and Music, Elitch Gardens and the Denver Art Museum. Additionally, Denver has an excellent children’s library system.

Boston
In addition to an 82 percent graduation rate, one of the highest per capita pediatrician rates and a low crime rate, Boston has an outstanding 8.3 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents. In fact, more than 16 percent of the land area in the city is parkland. In the spring and summer, your family will love visiting the Franklin Park Zoo, the New England Aquarium and the Frog Pond in Boston Common, where the little ones can splash and play all afternoon. If you and your kids prefer indoor recreation, Boston offers ample entertainment inside too, with the New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Theatre and the Boston Children’s Museum, which features life-size chess pieces, among other exhibits.

Minneapolis/St. Paul
The Twin Cities offer new and growing families some of the best recreational activities in the country, with more than 300 parks, 52 miles of paths, the Water Park of America and the LEGO Imagination Center, located at the Mall of America. The cities offer 15.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, and families love the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, which features 52 miles of paths, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the Nickelodeon Universe, which is the largest indoor amusement park in the U.S. Older kids will also fawn over Valleyfair, the largest amusement park in the state, with more than 30 rides covering seven acres.

San Jose
With an extremely low crime rate (it consistently ranks as one of the lowest in the country), beaches, 250 days of sunshine and citywide extended elementary and middle school days to accommodate working parents, San Jose is a dreamland for many families. Almost 15 percent of the land area is parkland, and the city is home to Henry W. Coe State Park, the largest state park in California. Children and parents will enjoy Emma Prusch Farm Park, the Tech Museum of Innovation and the Children’s Discovery Museum. At the 28,000-square-foot discovery museum, kids can see and participate in the Living Space, Run! Jump! Fly!, Bubbalogna and Streets of Circles exhibits among others.

Austin
Although often considered a college and music town, Austin is also an excellent destination for families. Kids love the Austin Zoo, the Austin Nature and Science Center and the Austin Children’s Museum. Austin’s Park is another popular locale, with rock climbing, laser tag, a video arcade, go-karts, mini golf and bumper carts available. Families also love Zilker Park and the 351 acres available for exploration, as well as The Dinosaur Park, which is fun and educational, the RadiJazz Playnasium and Café Monet, a studio where you can paint your own pottery.

Top 6 Cities to Reinvent Yourself

Posted on August 19, 2011 by ag-admin

Known for its residents' active lifestyle, Boulder, Colo., is a great place to reinvent your fitness routine.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/epicurean

From bad breakups to a dead-end job market or even just a change of lifestyle, the reasons that people have for wanting to ditch their “old life” and start a new one are endless. Whether you just graduated college and are looking to begin a career or you just want a fresh start in a new town, here are some great cities that are conducive to the art of self-reinvention that will fit your next stage of life.

Best City for Single Men
New York
If you have ever complained that there are no single women to date in your town, maybe you should consider moving to New York. According to a recent singles map of the United States from the Boston Globe, the best cities for single men are large metro areas located on the East Coast and Midwest. The best city for single men is New York City, where single women outnumber single men by more than 210,000.

Best City for Single Women
Los Angeles
Ladies, if you are tired of dating hand-me-down men in a market ruled by women, move west where the odds are stacked in your favor of finding “Mr. Right.” According to the latest data by the US Census Bureau, Los Angeles has 90,000 more single men than women. If you are looking to reinvent your love life, you can certainly reposition yourself in Los Angeles as a hot commodity.

Best City for Starting a Family
Virginia Beach, Va.
Perhaps you are looking to reinvent your life with a family in mind. In this case, a low crime rate, good schools, many parks and fun activities are key attractions. According to US News and World Report, Virginia Beach is just the place you are looking for. The city has the most playgrounds of any city in the United States and has 14 miles of free beaches to let your kids run wild. Your kids can explore an impressive ecosystem of species in the 9,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which includes bald eagles and loggerhead sea turtles.

Best City for Starting a Career
Houston
According to Forbes Magazine, Houston is among the nation’s best cities to begin a career. Home to some of America’s strongest big and small companies, Houston attracts the country’s most talented professionals in the nation. Yahoo Hot Jobs ranks Houston as a top job city because it is considered a leader in the oil and gas industry, and a major health services center. Not only is Houston a good city to reinvent yourself for a new career, but it is also a good place to shop, eat out and enjoy a quality lifestyle that is for the most part, affordable.

Best City for Staying Active and Healthy
Boulder, Colo.
If you are turning over a new leaf and want to reinvent yourself as a health nut, consider moving to Boulder for maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle. According to a recent Gallup poll of more than 353,000 Americans, Boulder ranks as the as the “happiest and healthiest” city in America. Western cities have long been ranked as healthy in terms of active adults and healthy lifestyle, but Boulder seems to take the cake this year based on key factors such as health status, nutrition and exercise, mental health and life balance.

Best City for Retiring
Las Cruces, N.M.
Retirement is the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself. Take your hard-earned savings and start a new life to enjoy your golden years. Located in balmy southern New Mexico, Las Cruces is the perfect town to do just that. Who says retirement has to be boring? Many retirees consider this college town the perfect blend of activity and leisure. This city is for active adults who like living in a dry climate with very picturesque scenery. Plus, affordable housing means you can stretch your retirement dollars for years to come. There are plenty of cultural events to keep you busy and if you are interested in working during your retirement years, you can always pick up a part-time job.

How to Select a Senior Friendly Apartment

Posted on August 18, 2011 by ag-admin

From independent living to assisted living, we've got you covered in senior-friendly apartments.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Alija

When the time comes to look for senior housing, so many options are available, from independent care to assisted living, from affordable to luxury apartments.

Reasons for moving to senior-friendly apartments vary and can include going through a divorce, becoming financially unable to continue making payments on a mortgage, death or relocation of relatives or friends, needing emotional support, desiring more close-to-home social activities, selling a home to free up equity or just a desire to be rid of home and garden maintenance.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the options, just learning what all of your choices are can help you decide what the right senior apartment is for you or a loved one. Most adults 55 years old and up will want to look into two types of senior living communities: independent living and assisted living.

Independent Living
These communities usually have a wide range of recreational and social activities and are designed for independent seniors who can live on their own but desire a secure, community-oriented environment. They offer little or no health services, such as on-site pharmacies or nursing care, but they have a variety of services on the campus, such as laundry facilities, transportation or cafeterias. Some of these villages have age restrictions (typically 55-plus), and some don’t. Some independent living complexes have constant planned events, such as socials, group outings and exercise classes, and others offer minimal activities.

To select the right independent living community, ask your loved one or determine for yourself how active and social you want to be in your new space. Do you crave the quiet of retirement, want non-stop activities or a combination of both? If you’re going to sell your car, find a place that has access to transportation or is in walking distance to grocery stores, shopping venues, post offices and similar businesses. If your health is generally good, an independent living apartment is perfect.

Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities combine housing, personalized support services and healthcare. They are for those who need some assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, some medication assistance and dressing, but for the most part, are able to function on their own. Assisted living apartments usually include meals, some housekeeping and laundry services, but do not provide the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home.

In choosing an assisted living facility, you must determine if you need assistance with medications, as the regulations on that differ from state to state. If you are healthy but only require assistance with routine daily activities, assisted living communities are ideal for you.

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