Generation Tennis will be holding tennis clinics for kids (age 4 to 10) at The Newton Armory (across from Trader Joe’s) during the weeks of June 18 – 22 and June 25 – 29.
We received our first grant from the USTA last month, in support of our mission, which includes bringing kids into the game of tennis early, and fostering inter-generational family play in our own backyards/driveways and public parks — affordable exercise and fun!
The registration form is here.
Please welcome Dr. David Oliver who has renamed his chiropractic, rehab and massage practice from Newton Wellness Center to Move Well Chiropractic to better reflect what he does. This week, he focuses on preventing back pain by having you closely examine just how you are set up at your computer.
Proper Ergonomic Set Up for Computer Users
If you are using a laptop as your main computer you are actually placing even more stress on your spine than with a desktop. Since the screen is attached to the computer, it places your neck in an anterior and forward flexed position – leading to increased muscular tension in your neck and upper back. This also places your spine in a stressed position which, with prolonged exposure can lead to earlier spinal degeneration.
I recommend switching to a desktop or modify the way you use your laptop. For example, some people get docking stations or external monitors which, help put the screen in the proper position. For a cheaper alternative you can place your laptop on a stack of books – bringing it up to the proper height (mentioned below). You then need to buy an external keyboard and external mouse (can be found now a days for about $20) well worth the money when you look at the long term gains! Once you have your laptop set up; as if it were a desktop, follow the mentioned corrections and guidelines below.
The top of the monitor should be at the level of your eyebrows and no higher than the top of your head. Placing the monitor on a book or two may be necessary in order to achieve this height. If you use multiple monitors you need to be sure to rotate your chair when changing between monitors – don’t rotate your head. If you find yourself straining to see the monitor you may need to get glasses or change the setting on your computer to make the font larger. The monitor should be 20-40 inches from your head, you can move within this range to gain the best view of the monitor.
Next, drop your arms down again and only bend slightly at your elbows. You should feel significantly less tension and pain doing this. If you were to work for hours on end with your shoulders and arms elevated, you would cause those muscles to fatigue over time. You would also develop muscular adhesions and trigger points (those extremely common hard painful knots you feel in your upper back and shoulders).
All of this leads to increased pain and discomfort in your upper back and neck. To avoid these complications you need to position your keyboard at the height of your elbows or just below – with your shoulders relaxed, not shrugged. Your elbows should be resting at your side not away from your body.
A lot of times simply raising the height of your chair can correct the problem (remember to adjust the monitor height if you raise your chair). However, for some (either because of desk height or other issues) this does not correct the problem. Some people may need to change desks or have a keyboard drawer installed to allow proper keyboard height. When you finally do get the keyboard to the proper position, remember that your mouse must also be at the same height and close – you should not have to reach for it!
Dads Do Good is partnering with Six Flags New England to host “Physics Of Roller Coaster” on July 15th, 2012.
Aimed at kids Kindergarten through High School
Price ($39.99) includes session with Six Flags engineers, buffet lunch, parking and access to Six Flags New England theme park/water park
RSVP (purchase tickets) by 07/11. Details here.
This event is open to all!
Coaster Physics App for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. $.99. hat are the laws of Physics governing the motion of a roller coaster? How are speed and acceleration related? How does the g-force change at different points along the track? Click on image to view at iTunes.
Sift & Mix with Rebecca Newell of The Beehive
The Beehive Participates in Popular Celebrity Chef Kids Cooking Class at the Boston Center for Adult Education
WHAT: On Monday, June 18th, 2012 from 3:30PM to 4:30PM, children will have the opportunity to tap into their creative side, working spoon to spoon with The Food Network’s “Chopped” Champion and celebrity chef Rebecca Newell of The Beehive in the Boston Center for Adult Education’s (BCAE) state-of-the-art-kitchen facilities. The BCAE’s Bean City Kids program is continuing the popular monthly series of interactive kids’ celebrity chef classes!
The interactive cooking classes are hands-on, allowing kids to explore a whole new world of food appreciation while learning the tricks of the trade. They will take part in the cooking process of ham & cheese as well as make your own French crêpesfrom start to finish, building confidence and pride in the dishes they’ve created. At the end of the session the group will sit down with Chef Newell and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Conveniently scheduled after school, the classes are perfect for children six to nine years of age! The themes & items prepared vary from month to month. All classes will involve two dishes that are both prepared by Chef Newell and students. All classes are nut-free. There MUST be a parent/caregiver present during class who is responsible for each child (no more than 3 kids per adult). Child’s registration fee covers caregiver.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sift and mix with Chef Rebecca Newell
WHEN: Monday, June 18th, 2012; 3:30PM-4:30PM; 1 session
COST: $45 Members/Non-Members, $15 Materials
WHERE: Boston Center for Adult Education 122 Arlington Street Boston, MA 02116.
RSVP: Registration is necessary. Please visit www.bcae.org or call the Boston Center for Adult Education at 617-267-4430to sign up. There must be a parent/ caregiver present during class time. No more than 3 students per adult.
ADDITIONAL: Suitable for children 6-9 years of age. Completely nut-free. Children must be supervised by a parent or a caregiver.
click on image to view at Amazon
2012 FREE FUN FRIDAYS SCHEDULE
FREE ATTRACTIONS EVERY FRIDAY THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS
Tanglewood Family Fun Fest (June 29, 2012)
On Friday, June 29 from 4-7pm, families are invited to enjoy the beauty of the Tanglewood campus while taking part in an educational scavenger hunt, watching a live musical performance and partaking in other fun family activities. The event is free, but advance registration is recommended. Visit www.tanglewood.org/familyfunfest for more information and to register.
Museum of African American History (June 29)
Please note that this includes free admission both museums – in Boston (46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill) and Nantucket (29 York Street).
Reagle Music Theatre (July 13, 2012)
This is an afternoon performance (2:00 p.m.) of Bye, Bye Birdie starring Tony Award Nominee Anita Gillette. This venue has a 1,000-seat capacity – no reservations accepted. Tickets will be distributed the day of the performance at the theatre, on a first-come first-serve basis(limit of four per person), between 8:00am and 2:00pm. The theatre is located at Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham. Unfortunately, children under 5 are not permitted in the theatre.
New Repertory Theater (July 27, 2012)
There will be two performances (2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) of Tales of Poe based on the writings of Edgar Allen Poe in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown. This venue has a 340-seat capacity – no reservations accepted. Tickets will be distributed at the theatre, on a first-come first-serve basis, starting two hours before each performance.
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (July 27, 2012)
This is a nighttime performance of the political drama CORIOLANUS as park of CSC’s 17th season of Shakespeare on the Common. The performance will begin at 8:00pm at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common and has a running time of approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Note: This play may not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised.
Boston Harbor Islands (August 24, 2012)
This is a free ferry ride to either (or both) of the two most popular Boston Harbor Islands – Georges Island (with historic Fort Warren and ranger-guided tours) and Spectacle Island (with a life-guard supervised beach and 5 miles of hiking trails).
Free tickets for the Harbor Islands Express Ferry will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis at Long Wharf-North, 66 Long Wharf, in downtown Boston (near the Aquarium subway station). The ticket window will open at 8:00 a.m. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes starting at 8:30 am, with a 3 hour window to return. Each adult in line may pick up a maximum of 4 tickets. (There will be no special arrangements for groups of more than 4 to be on the same ferry). Tickets will be handed out for the earliest ferry, then the next, and so on, until all ferry seats for the day are distributed – last year, all tickets were distributed by 10:30 am.
My friend Ann told me about Darby Road Home Furnishings which features handcrafted new & vintage furnishings, as well as custom upholstery and accessories. The store is in Waltham, just a block down the road from Wolfers Lighting on Route 117.
It’s one of those places where you want to browse … there are nooks and crannies full of wonderful furniture and unique accessories. I don’t know of an eclectic mix like this in the Boston area. It’s a little like Mohr McPherson but Darby Road is more European/ American style though there are a lot of nice Asian items there that I coveted.
It’s that time of year to dream of a beach house. In my case, it’s a fantasy Pinterest board, but for others, this is the mad scramble time to get vacation homes ready for the summer.
I thought it would be fun to take this fantasy beach room from Sea Cottage and see how Darby Road could recreate it with items in stock and ready to go. In fact, since they have such a large inventory, you can get great beach style in seven days, door to door! (Of course, this assumes your beach house is in Maine, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, the Cape, Narragansett or generally around the Eastern Seaboard.)
image from Sea Cottage
So we took this beach living room, and voila!, we recreated this look. Here’s a sampling of some fun beachy looks I found.
Darby Road has a carefully curated selection of fabrics for custom upholstery. You can buy this linen covered armchair off the floor for $850 if you need Instant Beach House.
If you have more time, you can add a pop of color or texture by choosing your own fabric on a wide variety of other upholstered frames that they offer. Armchairs with custom upholstery, from $500 to $1200. Sofas and sectionals starting at $790.
A Darby Road exclusive painted/distressed Swedish style bench $750.
Large & unique selection of down filled pillows from $39 to $125.
LARGE (40” X 32”) Coral prints @ $425 ea.
Zinc top dining table with old wood base, bring out the lobsters and gather the family round…$1750.
Stop by to see how you can make a room in your house or summer cottage an instant beach house. The courteous staff at Darby Road would love to help you create your perfect space.