Today's Topics:
1. barking dogs (Jenee Libby)
2. Re: kid sports/activities? (Rebecca Maclean)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jenee Libby <penpapercoffee@yahoo.com
>
To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Highland Park] barking dogs
I didn't save the email from the gentleman who expressed his concern over barking dogs, but now I wish I had. I too live in the Wellesley/Heberton area, and I can recall one Saturday or Sunday about a week ago where there was a barking dog who, literally, barked for about 6 hours straight. He never let up. This wasn't your usual "It's summer and people are outside grilling" type of barking but a constant barking for hours and hours and hours on end.
And yes, I should have done something about it but like many of us I figured maybe someone else would. (Sorry) Now that I think of it, that dog may have been thirsty or hot or something (it was very hot that day) and now I feel bad I didn't take more action. Is there something, someone we could call if this happens again?
thanks, Jenee Libby - Wellesley Avenue
"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes."
---Henry David Thoreau
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Rebecca Maclean" <hera314@gmail.com>
To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:27:42 -0400
Subject: [Highland Park] Re: kid sports/activities?
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions regarding what activities
to do with wiggly kids who aren't quite old enough for organized
sports options (my son just turned 4). Since so many people asked me
to share my results, a compiled list is below. Lots of mentions of
Gymkhana. Feel free to email me if you need more information on a
particular suggestion listed, I compiled the basic info but didn't
include full contact information that people may have provided for a
few ideas.
I'll also say that many people mentioned that it would be fun to have
neighborhood playdates or get-togethers so local kids could meet
neighbors their age. I'm not in a position to organize such activities
but would certainly support someone who has the time to do so!
Becky
----
At age 4, I think my older two played soccer at the local Y. I found
soccer to be great at burning off a lot of energy, because it involves
a lot of running back and forth. And at that age, the running is
pretty much useless, except for the sake of exercising.
----
If you're looking at something where you'd be paying anyway, Dance
Alloy has Creative Movement class for that age. My daughter really
enjoyed it. It's mostly girls, but not a gender specific class at
all. Very laid back, and most of the parents I met there were great.
Also, there is a martial arts place on Liberty Ave. between Friendship
and Bloomfield that we are looking into.
----
Squirrel Hill Baseball and Sacred Heart Baseball start them as young
as 3 and 4. Before baseball, we took our kids to Gymkhana, My Gym (at
the Hartwood Towne Center) and the Sportworks at the Science Center.
[NOTE: Sacred Heart Baseball's website says that they start at age 5,
and the person who runs that program emailed me and mentioned that
kids under 5 don't normally do well in the program. I couldn't find
info on Squirrel Hill baseball online]
----
I have been taking my 4 year old son to
http://www.gymkhanafun.com/default.asp for exercise but I am not sure
this is what you are looking for. When your son turns 5, you can try
to enroll him in Martial Arts. I recommend the Traditional Martial
Arts Society http://www.tmas-dojo.com. They like for the kids to be a
little older but it depends on how attentive you child is. I have
been training there for 7 years and they offer adult and kids classes.
----
You might also check with a Y program or
the Boys and Girls club. There is one in Shadyside and one on Butler
street in Lawrenceville.
----
How about some of the art classes at the Center for the Arts as a
"group" activity?
----
St Raphael School in Morningside (just a few blocks from Highland
Park) offers indoor soccer to children in preschool - 4 and up for 6
weeks/once per week beginning in February. The fee is $35.00 for
non-St. Raphael students, $25 for St. Raphael Students and includes
the instruction, a shirt, socks and an ice cream social at the end of
the "season". The weekly classes are taught by licensed instructors
of soccer, with instruction in dribbling, passing and scoring with no
pressure (they don't even keep score) followed by a scrimmage, three
on three or four on four play.
----
we did this program at Pitt a few years ago and had a good experience.
Probably too late for the Summer sessions but you could consider it
for the Fall...
http://www.education.pitt.edu/kinderkinetics/
----
My son is currently taking capoeira at Nego Gato, www.negogato.org
at
1424 Fifth Avenue. The class is on Saturdays at 11:00. The cost is
$10.00 a class or $35.00 for the month. No need to sign up - just
come and enjoy! The class is very small and consists of 4 to 8 year
olds. Folks have yet to find them or the sport. The children's
classes are mixed age - in keeping with the community spirit of the
art form. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to play alongside their
children - at no extra cost. (Believe me when I say it is a whole
body workout! LOL!)
On 7/18/07, Rebecca Maclean <
hera314@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone -
>
> My son just turned 4, and is starting to show some interest in
> organized sports/group activity kinds of things. I have absolutely no
> idea how to get him hooked up into local leagues of any sport, or if
> he's even old enough (such is the plight of someone who didn't have
> brothers growing up). I have friends whose kids have done Dynamo
> soccer, but I believe they start at age 5. Please email me any
> suggestions for local sports/team activities/etc. Any help is greatly
> appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
> Becky Maclean
> Jackson St.
>
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