Just off 5th Ave, a few blocks away from Bryant Park, on 38 West 38th St., you will find an very unassuming entrance to a building, much like any other in NYC. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor however, and you will enter Galli’s Fairy Tale Theater.  A small stage, with a few rows of chairs, it is the place where I witnessed a group of very young children take in the art of theatrical peformance.

The show, The Frog Prince, had one important lesson to teach the little ones about fear: Face it. Breathe it. Do it. And Galli Theater for Personal Growth teaches that lesson to children and adults alikethrough their theater workshops and camps. With classes like “Soul Movement” and “Be The Star that You Are” for kids, the Galli group really encourages self-expression and self-confidence while instilling the craft of acting and performance on stage.  Adults can learn ways to express their creativity, or gain the training they need to teach others the art of theater.

During the performance I attended, children were encouraged to participate and the actors would often interact, even inviting some of the children to walk on stage and dance with them.  Everyone was having a lot of fun, including the parents who took great delight in watching their children become so involved and concerned for the characters of the story.

Prince: Guillermo Hernández De La Fuente, Frog: Inga Jaanimets, Princess: Fatima, King: Steven Weisser

Very casual, and low key, this is a perfect place to bring your child and make him/her feel comfortable about the stage, the experience of theater, and maybe even the art of being in it.

And though The Frog Prince involved an all-adult cast, they also feature all-kids cast, and I have been told these are amazing as well! The next one will be Galli’s Wolf and the 7 Little Goats and will take place from Jan 23 – Feb 7; Sat & Sun at 3pm. Check out their calendar for performances and ticket information.

When we lived in Madison, WI, my now 12 year old had discovered his love for football. Strangely enough, he, like his Dad, doesn’t follow football on television or sports magazines, but he loves playing the game. When the decision came about to move to New York City, my son had only one request: that I find a way that he could continue to play football.

A pretty simple request it may seem, except, this is New York City. It isn’t always easy to find a serious league for any sports, that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and that doesn’t seem to hold practices smack in the middle of a work week. But I promised my son I would find something and I began my search for a Manhattan-based league the minute the last box was unpacked.

I came across a few leagues, but not one impressed me as much as the Downtown Giants. Their leagues start for kids as young as 5 (Peanut Division) and go as far up as age 14 (Midget). They also have a Cheerleading Squad, and are currently hosting a Wrestling Club for kids wanting to stay busy during the Winter break.

Coaches: Brian, Tim, Carl, and Cliff

My son has enjoyed being a part of the league since he started.  The one thing I dreaded about joining any sports activity (because we parents also join in a way with our children) was dealing with the “team parents”. I have to say that overall, more than not, the parents are very easy to talk to and get along with. The coaches are approachable and incredibly friendly with the kids…and the kids, whose families come from all walks of life, White, Black, Latinos,etc.,wealthy, middle-class, etc., are incredible well adjusted and have been so great to my son. A true representation of the face of New York.

I have met several great people and made some good friends, as has my son. It’s a lot of work. The schedule requires my son to practice 2-3 times a week in Pier 40 (West Village) and Battery Park area, and games are usually on Saturdays, sometimes requiring travel to other boroughs to play against other leagues.  But he loves it and never complains, even when it rains.

The league currently has open registration for Flag Football as a way to keep the kids moving, active, in the game, and in training until the season starts up again.  If your child has never played the game before, this is a perfect time to introduce him/her to it.  The non-tackle aspect of Flag Football allows for the child to focus on the rules and strategy of the game without the concern of getting hit or pushed around.

It is a true gem for the active, sports loving kid.

Visit their site for more information on costs, ongoing registrations, team ages and requirements, and more.

I came across a cookie product that was truly delicious and unique. But what makes the product so much more delicious is the fact that it was made by a woman with the spirit of a true NY Metropolista!

Sara Leand, a former TV producer (who produced shows for E!, Lifetime and TLC) and new mom, traded in her corporate life to focus on her passion for making cookies and other treats.

“Ever since I was a little girl I experimented with fun creations in the kitchen,” said Leand, an Upper West Side resident. “I love coming up with cookies and treats that are new takes on classics. My goal is to bring back positive memories from ones childhood.”

She has succeeded in through her creation, the Chipn’eztel, a sweet and savory cookie made from every one’s two favorite snacks, potato chips and pretzels.

A self taught baker , Leand’s inspiration was her grandmother whose motto was “make people smile.”  The birth of her daughter Lily, named after her grandmother, motivated her to finally take the steps to bring back the Sara Cookie Company, which first came to be in her college dorm. She sold cookies and treats throughout  campus and local store to rave reviews. Eventually she had to but the business on hold to focus on her studies.

The Chipn’eztel come in four delicious varieties: Original (dusted with sugar), dipped Dark Chocolate, hand dipped in White Chocolate, and assorted bite size.

The Chipn’eztel can be found in gourmet stores in and around the city, including Zabar’s Grace’s Marketplace (Greenvale, N.Y.), Westside Markets, Maywood Markets (N.J.), Garden of Eden (all locations), Amish Bazaar (Upper West Side), and Amish Market (45th St.). They are also available in Fanciful Gift Baskets in Los Angeles and online at www.sarasnacker.com.

My absolute favorite is the hand dipped Dark Chocolate, though the White Chocolate is also delicious. Bravo to this amazing woman, mom, New Yorker, and inspirational entrepreneur for following her heart and creating such a great product!