The Ridge Creative Center

Happy Santa Lucia Day, Every year the students at the Ridge Creative Center in partnership with The Scandinavian East Coast Museum hold a Santa Lucia festival for families in the Bay Ridge area. We have been doing it for about 20 years. It includes: craft making, cookie making and ends with the Santa Lucia Procession and other traditional songs. For the last several years Charlotte Amandusson who was raised in Sweden has been joining us, as well as a visit from the tomte (e...lf). It is very disappointing that we cannot host it this year due to Covid. To compensate and add some holiday joy, I have gathered some photos from past events. I have also put together some clips that will help you celebrate this event in your home. I like this one for the opening and the large number of children involved, the traditional instruments and some Lucia songs I had not heard before. You will also hear a smattering of English. Lucia 2019 - From Gränna Sweden - YouTube And I really like this one, because it begins with the ringing of the bells signaling the daybreak, the singing is heavenly and it is beautiful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2-Q_ObdE-4 I included this song, Jul, jul, strålande jul, a quiet song, almost like a lullabye. This version gave me the translation and I realized it is actually a song of peace and comfort So necessary this year. Traditional Swedish Christmas song with translation - Jul jul strålande jul - YouTube The children’s favorite song is about the Tomtes, little elves who guard the house and farm. In exchange all he wants is a bowl of warm rice porridge with cinnamon, butter, sugar and I like to add a little cream for him. The song is called Tomtarnas Julnatt - Tipp Tapp Here is one version with a sing-along. Tomtarnas Julnatt - Tipp Tapp - YouTube This other one dates much further back and you can see the tomtes working in Santa’s shop. It even has a bit of swing. Fem Bobbies - Tipp Tapp - Tomtarnas Julnatt - ( Swedish ) The elf's Christmas Night - YouTube God Jul! (I'd like to thank the Brooklyn Papers for these images, the primary photographer is Arthur DeGaeta - tusen takk!)

Greetings! With all of the current disruptions and uncertainty, I look to nature for comfort. Whether I am admiring Autumn's shifting hues or the roses dusted with snow this past Wednesday, it never disappoints, even in our dense urban environment. Miraculously, this past week a whale was hanging out in New York harbor. Today, I suggest we look to the skies. Venus sparkles, which is not unusual, but Mars and its reddish glow can be seen, as well as Jupiter and Saturn who... like to move in tandem. One night the later two made an almost perfectly diagonal line with the moon on top. Another time the 3 formed a triangle. But there is much more the skies offer this month. I encourage you to share these with your children. "Northern lights, known for glowing red and green colors, could be visible this week across northern US." Unfortunately, this was a disappoinment. But, why not track them with your kids online? People across the world have been documenting these beauties. "11 Amazing Photos from the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year" https://petapixel.com//11-amazing-photos-from-the-norther/ This weekend on December 13-14: "Geminid Meteor Shower Set to Peak the Same Day As Total Solar Eclipse" https://www.msn.com//geminid-meteor-shower-set/ar-BB1bR2Jl This is also a good time to see Saturn's Rings with magnification. Another celestial occurrence involving Saturn is scheduled and has not been seen since the Medieval Ages, when Saturn and Jupiter will converge. This phenomenon is known as The Christmas Star and has not been seen since 1226. Wow! "Jupiter and Saturn will come within 0.1 degrees of each other, forming the first visible "double planet in 800 years" https://www.cbsnews.com//jupiter-saturn-great-conjunction/ Jupiter and Saturn will form the first visible "double planet" in 800 years on the winter solstice - CBS News https://www.msn.com//jupiter-and-saturn-will-/ar-BB1bBuB0 Look to the Skies! Victoria Hofmo The Ridge Creative Center #arts #education #global studies #kids being kids

I always have faith in humans who bring joy to others!

Help Santa track down his missing reindeer before Christmas Eve at Brookfield Place! Search for snowflakes posted throughout BFPL; that's where they like to hide. Collect all the reindeer and pick up a special present at the concierge!

Another reason to love Bay Ridge. With all the cancellation, folks are thinking outside the box. The 5th Avenue B.I.D. is collecting letters for Santa. Thanks 5th Avenue B.I.D.!

If you are looking for an opportunity for your child to learn about the Indian holiday of Diwali - The Festival of Lights, create, and socialize, we have a few spots left for our upcoming Vacation Day program on Election Day, Wednesday, November 11rh. Wednesday, 11th Theme: Diwali - The Indian Festival of Lights Project: Mixed media collage of the festivities. ... Trip: A walk to Taj Mahal restaurant to take out some traditional Indian tidbits eaten during Diwali. The cost is $80 per day for those who are registered in our After School for the 2019 - 2020 or current school term or who attended our Summer Program in 2019 for 4 or more weeks. For others the cost is $90 per day. The day runs from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. We are located in Union Church at the corner of 80th St and Ridge Blvd. Please email or call if you are interested. 347 - 860 - 1932

Some wonderful memories from the past. . I wanted to add am interesting and enlightening comment from Ras Erdal about one of the images posted on Facebook years ago .at this time of the year. ""That middle pic hit home. I can remember on Halloween on 56th Street in the 30s and early 40s, and the smart families would remove those gates before dark or they would have to spend a lot of time finding them the next day...and never put out the ash can on Halloween .(in those days, most homes burned coal. It was my chore to put out the ash can(s) on the pickup day."

A charity to consider.

There is so much tension in our world today, clogging up our brains and psyche. I thought you would enjoy these few minutes of beauty and peace.

If you are looking for an opportunity for your child to create, learn about Day of the Dead and socialize, we have a few spots left for our upcoming Vacation Day program on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. Tuesday 3rd, Theme: Día de Muertos - Day of the Dead Project: Create your own Day of the Dead altar, mementos and offerings. Trip: We will walk to Mandato’s Mexican Bakery and purchase traditional cakes to go. ... The cost is $80 per day for those who are registered in our After School for the 2019 - 2020 school term or who attended our Summer Program in 2019 for 4 or more weeks. For others the cost is $90 per day. The day runs from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. We are located at Union Church on 80th St and Ridge Blvd. Please email or call if you are interested. 347 - 860 - 1932 #art #education #kidsbeingkids

Something to enjoy with your kids! A Swingin’ Sesame Street Celebration https://www.pbs.org//a-swingin-sesame-street-celebration-/... #art #education #kidsbeingkids

Halloween Memories with The Ridge Creative Center 2016 - 2019 #art #education #kidsbeingkids

November Vacation & Party Days With The Ridge Creative Center November 3rd, November 11th,, November 20th & November 27th The Ridge Creative Center @ Union Church is offering 3 full day programs for students during the following November Vacation Days, as well as a half day Holiday Art Party, for the following days: Election Day Tuesday - November 3rd, Veteran’s Day - Wednesday - November 11th & the day after Thanksgiving Friday - November 27th. The party will be on Frid...ay, November 20th for 3 hours. Each day will include: a lesson on the theme of the day, a related art project and a snack. Students need to bring their own lunch. The cost is $80 per day for those who are registered in our After School for the 2019 - 2020 school term or who attended our Summer Program in 2019 for 4 or more weeks. For others the cost is $90 per day. The day runs from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. The cost for the party is $50 and includes: games, a snack you create and an art project. The time is 9 am - 12 pm. Please note we need 4 students registered per day to open. There is limited space. In order for us to plan appropriately, we are asking parents to register and make payment the week before the date their child will attend. Those who cancel are still responsible for payment. Details follow. Tuesday 5th, Theme: Día de Muertos - Day of the Dead Project: Create your own Day of the Dead altar, memotoes and offerings. Trip: We will walk to Mandato’s Mexican Bakery and purchase traditional cakes to go. Wednesday, 11th - Diwali - The Indian Festival of Lights Project: Mixed media collage of the festivities. Trip: Taj Mahal restaurant to pick up traditional Indian tidbits eaten during Diwali. Arty Party: Friday, 20th from 9 am - 12 pm Theme: Autumn’s Abundance and will include: games, an edible project and an art project. Friday 27th - Mark Twain Day in Honor of His Birthday Film: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court with attention to time travel and the imagination. Project: Choose a time, location, main characters and plot. Create an illustration for your story using: colored pencil, chalk, oil pastels, markers and or paint. We can be reached at 347 - 860 - 1932 [email protected] #arts #education #wherekidscanbekids

Halloween Count down. Time to laugh.

Although this seems geared for adults, students who had mastered cutting with scissors would enjoy this https://www.facebook.com/events/581245542747775/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22multi_join_nearby%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22feed_story%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A[]%7D]%22%7D

FYI - Although seems targeted to adults , it would also be fun for student who have mastered cutting with scissors. https://www.facebook.com/events/993833581116939/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22multi_join_nearby%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22feed_story%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A[]%7D]%22%7D

New Location THE RIDGE CREATIVE CENTER @ UNION CHURCH OF BAY RIDGE 7915 - Ridge Boulevard *Full Day & Vacation Day Programming ... *6 - 8 Student Cohort / Pod - Wednesdays & Fridays Other dates available if interested *Creative Arts, Indoor & Outdoor Activities *Socialization and Remote Lesson Assistance You can learn more about our program on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheRidgeCreativeCenter See our slideshow below and imagine us offering the same fun and creativity adding masks and social distancing. Tours by appointment 347 - 860 - 1932 [email protected] #arts #education #wherekidscanbekids