January 2011

Dim Sum in the Capital Region

Looking for a way to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the Capital Region? Take the kids out for Dim Sum. Was it by chance or destiny that we stumbled onto the new Dim Sum Happy Hours at P.F. Chang’s? I suspect the whisper of a Wood Dragon. It was late in the afternoon when [...]

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Of Metal Rabbits and Wood Dragons

by Cie McCullough Buschle

01/24/11 Have you been confused by all the recent talk about horoscopes? Would you like to be introduced to a less confusing astrology? Do you know your Chinese Zodiac Animal? Well, what if I told you that with Chinese Astrology you get not only an animal, but an element as well. And that’s not all. [...]

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Family Friendly Dining at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant

by Sandra Foyt

Dining out with four kids, all under the age of six, is no picnic. With our large party, we had to be especially careful about where we went out to eat. We needed a budget-minded restaurant where patrons take children in stride, and it had to have kid-appeal. Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant fit the bill [...]

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Educators Challenge: Win a Smart Board for your School!

by Sandra Foyt

Here is a chance to help two good causes – those affected by brain, head and neck cancer AND your school: REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL IN THE CRSS RACE FOR HOPE EDUCATOR’S CHALLENGE AND COMPETE TO WIN A SMART BOARD™ INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD FOR YOUR SCHOOL! The Capital Region Special Surgery (CRSS) Race for Hope EDUCATOR’S CHALLENGE [...]

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Seeing Snow for the First Time

by Sandra Foyt

When my sisters told me that they were coming to visit so that their children could see snow, I was so excited. Although we see each other from time to time on our travels, this was their first visit to the Capital Region in five years. And it was the first visit for the youngest [...]

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The Chinese Legend of How the Animals Gave Their Names to the Years

by Cie McCullough Buschle

The Chinese years have interesting animal names, instead of boring numbers like Western years, but there are only twelve animals that have the honor of having a year named after them. However, there is a strict order to these animals, and every twelve years the order starts all over again. 鼠 rat (or mouse) 牛 [...]

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That Was Easy! Auto Glass Repair at Home

by Sandra Foyt

I’m not sure when the pebble hit the front windshield of my Suburban. I vaguely recall a pinging sound in the not too distant past, but it was a small crack, easily ignored during the crazy busy weeks leading to my sisters’ visit. But, then, wouldn’t you know it, the little crack spread while I [...]

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Taming the Snow Mess with Deterrence and Swiffers

by Sandra Foyt

My husband thinks that it’s OK to walk into the house with snow encrusted boots. “They’ll melt,” he says, not realizing that he’s leaving a trail of dusty footprints. At least he can be trained to take off his boots at the entrance. The dog – not so much. I was waging a losing war [...]

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Open Audition for Homeschool Musical

by Sandra Foyt

Out of the Box Creative Learning presents NEW YORK MOSAIC: The history and culture of New York’s people through stories, songs and dances. This is an original production written by Rebecca Angel to celebrate the diversity and accomplishments of people who have called New York state their home. Although the main focus at rehearsals will [...]

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When Does Christmas End?

by Cie McCullough Buschle

For most American schoolchildren, Christmas ends on the first day of school in the New Year. For adults, it is the day the tree is taken down, the ornaments are put away, the stockings are un-hung. For retail stores, it’s December 26th; that’s the day to clear out all the unsold Holiday merchandise so there [...]