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Hello Parents,
When I think of the words independence day my mind goes to the very first time my two-year-old daughter declared, “I do!” at the top of her lungs. Yes, independence comes in many forms.

Still it’s fun and educational to celebrate the traditional federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 with good old family fun. Even your two year old, with her newly acquired independence, can appreciate the festivities. Just remember fireworks shouldn't be handled by children. Be safe.

If you're still looking for summer fun for your kids, view our Camp Directory.

And, for a heads up tip, check out the Things You Should Know section at the end of this newsletter.

Have Fun,
- Jean Sheff, Editor

Start Early: Wednesday Activities
Pay-What-You-Wish Activities. Wednesday is pay-what-you-wish donation day at the zoo and activities abound. 3pm penguin feeding. 2:45pm White-throated bee-eaters (birds) hunt live crickets and zookeeper answers questions. 11:30am, 1:30 and 3:30pm tiger enrichment demonstrations. 2:30pm primate training demonstration. Wednesday, July 1. Zoo hours, 10am-5pm. $12 parking. Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd. and the Bronx River Parkway, Bronx. 718-220-5100. www.bronxzoo.com.

Independence Celebration. A celebration with entertainment, giant inflatable rides, food and fireworks. 6-10pm. All ages. Wednesday, July 1. Rain date July 2. FREE. White Plains High School, White Plains. Cancellation hotline 422-1338. Photo: White Plains fireworks by Hidenori Inagaki.

Fireworks. See the fireworks. 9:15pm every Wednesday and Friday through Sept. 4. FREE. Parking $4. Playland Park, Playland Parkway, Rye. 813-7010. www.ryeplayland.org.

Thursday Tips
Ferdinand and Becka Storytime. Children hear Ferdinand play his guitar and readings of the latest children’s books. 10:30am. Thursday, July 2. For children preschool age. FREE. Barnes and Noble, City Center, 230 Main St., White Plains. 397-2420. www.bn.com.

Mini Fireworks. Learn about fireflies and why they flash. Afterwards search for nighttime activity and watch for different signature patterns. 8:30-9:30pm. Thursday, July 2. All ages. $5 adults. $3 children. Registration required. Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich. 203-869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org.

Friday Fun
Evening Howl. Visit the Wolf Conservation Center during dusk for a wolf-related activity, a sunset hike to howl with the wolves and some ice cream. Take flashlights. Friday, July 3 and July 10, 11, 24, 25 and July 31 at 7pm for families with children ages 6 and up; 6:30pm July 17 for families with children ages 5 and under. $15 adults. $12 children 12 and under. Reservations required. Directions provided following registration. South Salem. 763-2373. www.nywolf.org. Photo: Ambassador wolf Atka howling, courtesy Wolf Conservation Center.

MusicFest. Hear the Westchester Philharmonic, picnic and see fireworks. Take chairs, blankets and picnic dinner. 5pm gates open. 8pm concert. Friday, July 3. FREE. Kensico Dam Plaza, Bronx River Pkwy., Valhalla. 864-7275. www.westchestergov.com.

Saturday Celebrations
Firecracker Craft. Kids create a cool, kid-safe firecracker decoration in celebration of our nation’s birthday. Saturday 11am-3pm. July 4. FREE. Lakeshore Learning Store, Midway Shopping Center, 969A Central Park Ave., Scarsdale. 472-1820. www.lakeshorelearning.com.

Independence Day 1809. Hear the cannon and reading of the Declaration of Independence, join a parade through the manor with costumed residents and hear speeches and songs. Military reenactors invite visitors to drill and muster. Take a picnic lunch. Food/beverages available 10am-6pm. Saturday July 4. All ages. $12 adults. $6 children ages 5-17. Free for children 4 and under. Van Cortlandt Manor, South Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson. 631-8200. 271-8981 weekends. www.hudsonvalley.org. Photo courtesy Historic Hudson Valley.

Independence Day 1859. Go back in time and celebrate with period music, country dancing, ice cream demonstrations, dramatic presentations and take a house tour with costumed guides. Take a picnic or purchase food. 10am-6pm. Saturday July 4. All ages. $12 adults. $6 children ages 5-17. Free for children 4 and under. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, West Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown. 631-8200. 591-8763 weekends. www.hudsonvalley.org.

Old Fashioned Celebration. Families picnic and have fun playing old-fashioned games and churning ice cream. Take picnic and blanket. 1-3pm. Saturday, July 4. All ages. FREE. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 864-7282. www.muscootfarm.org.

Pops, Patriots and Fireworks. See a concert in the Venetian Theater featuring Sousa marches, music from Disney, Duke Ellington and Gershwin and a fireworks finale on lawn. 8pm. Saturday, July 4. All ages. $30-$70 (half price tickets for children 12 and under, call 232-1252). Reservations required. Caramoor, Venetian Theater, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah. 232-5035. www.caramoor.org. Photo courtesy Caramoor.

Super Sunday
Famous and Historic Tree Trail. Take a walking tour through a grove of historic trees with Lasdon horticulturist Tolly Beck. The trees along this trail are all direct descendants of trees having historic significance to America. Explore our country's history and the trees that witnessed it. 2-3pm. Sunday, July 5. All ages, FREE. Registration required. Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial, 2610 Amawalk Rd., Katonah. 864-7264. www.westchestergov.com.

Summer Scavenger Hike. Search for objects on a hunt list in the woods, field, salt marsh and shore. 10am. Sunday, July 5. All ages. FREE. Marshlands Conservatory, Rte. 1, Rye. 835-4466. www.westchestergov.com.

Timely Tip
Children with Special Needs
Looking for ways to assist your child with special needs as you navigate the educational and social arena? Check out our new Special Needs Resource Guide (see the left side of our home page next to Things To Do) as well as Web-only special needs articles at www.westchesterfamily.com.

Get a free NAPPA award-winning stroller or car seat!
NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards) is proud to announce the winners of its 2009 Parenting Resources competition. Pick up a copy of the June issue of Westchester Family or head online to nappa.parenthood.com to see which products our judges and parent testers selected as the best maternity, baby gear, parenting books and innovative family products. While you're on the Web site, enter to win a Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller (valued at $660) or the Evenflo Symphony Car Safety Seat (a $198 value)! YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT: Click on www.parenthood.com/NAPPA/win_baby_gear.php to enter to win; contest ends at midnight, July 1, 2009.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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