Powerhouse Books Opens in Industry City

Powerhouse at IC is the third location of the beloved indie bookseller and the first in Sunset Park.

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Industry City has welcomed a brand new tenant: Powerhouse at IC is the newest outpost of the local indie bookstore chain. It brings a curated selection of literary titles and an impressive, diverse selection of children's books to the Sunset Park development.

Centrally located in the Food Hall of Building 2, Powerhouse at IC is open and airy, with sunlight pouring through large, industrial windows. With yellow accents, the space feels warm and inviting, ideal for perusing the shelves for your next great read or gift.

Best Sledding Hills in Fairfield County, Connecticut

When winter weather turns into a day off from school it’s time to head for the hills—sledding hills, that is. We're lucky to have more than our fair share of awesome sledding hills here in Fairfield County, from gentle dips for toddlers and preschoolers to dramatic slopes that draw brave 'tweens and 'teens. Grab a thermos of cocoa, your warmest mittens, and yes—this year, at least—your face masks, of course.

Here is a list of some local favorite spots to spend a couple hours burning off that cabin fever. If you live in central Connecticut, check out these Hartford-area sledding hills, and for a little bit more of an adventure, visit our Connecticut Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Guide.

NYC Schools Set Phased Reopening for Some Students

NYC's public schools are set to begin a phased reopening on Monday, December 7, for early childhood, elementary, and special education students.

On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a phased reopening for New York City's public schools, which have been shuttered since Thursday, November 19. School buildings reopen Monday, December 7, for elementary and early childhood students; District 75 students are eligible to return to school buildings on Thursday, December 10.

In an abrupt shift, de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced they would be moving away from the hybrid model; students who have opted for blended learning will be moved to full, five-day, in-person schedules as soon as schools can accommodate them with adequate space and staffing. There is still no timeline for middle and high school students to return to school buildings.

Six Flags Debuts Holiday Lights Drive-Thru for Christmas Season

Six Flags Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru features more than a million dazzling lights, festive holiday themes, and a seasonal soundtrack.

It's no secret Christmas light drive-thrus are the it attraction of the 2020 holiday season. In fact, just after we published this massive list of 20 must-see holiday drive-thrus in the tri-state area, we caught wind of another destination-worthy drive-thru. Fresh off the success of its summer drive-thru safari, Six Flags Great Adventure debuts a Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru on Monday, November 30.

The theme park is already a holiday destination for its weekends-only Holiday in the Park experience, but this new holiday lights drive-thru means you can visit Monday through Thursday nights to experience some holiday magic and over-the-top festive displays. Read on for the details on this new attraction, including how to score the required reservations, and find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide or our Event Calendar.

NYC Schools Shutdown: Find Free Child Care, Meals, and More Support

New York City is offering FREE child care through its Learning Bridges Program for families struggling with child care. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The New York City Public School system's latest shutdown wasn't exactly a surprise to city parents, but that doesn't mean we can't all use a little support to get through this period, however long it lasts. From FREE child care to paid programs and info on FREE meals and DOE-issued devices, here's where New York City parents can turn for help right now.

Be sure to bookmark our Homeschool and Online School Guide for parent-tested tips, tricks, helpful hacks, and more to break up the monotony of remote learning.

Northeast Ski Mountains for Families

Waterville Valley is introducing a new parent-child learn-to-ski program. Photo courtesy of Waterville Valley

Think cool, fresh air against your cheeks, hot cocoa around the fire, and quality outdoor time with your kids: A trip to a Northeast ski mountain is the perfect cure for cabin fever and the winter doldrums in 2020 and 2021. Parents looking for a day trip or weekend escape will be excited to know that many nearby ski resorts are adopting capacity restrictions and social distancing plans to keep families safe while they hit the slopes. Here are some of our favorite ski areas where you can purchase lift tickets, make reservations, or even book ski or snowboard lessons now, including spots in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and even one gem in Virginia.

Read on for our family ski picks, as well as important information about interstate travel restrictions and other safety policies that may guide your choice. Be sure to check out our Snow Sports Guide for the scoop on more winter fun in the great (and safe) outdoors.

New York City Schools Close Due to Coronavirus Uptick

New York City Public Schools will close temporarily beginning Thursday, November 19.

In the midst of the rising COVID cases, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have announced New York City Public Schools will close temporarily beginning Thursday, November 19.

"We do need to close our schools for the coming days," Mayor de Blasio said at a late-afternoon press conference. "No one is happy about this decision because so much good work has been put into opening the schools to begin with and making them so safe. We set a very clear standard, and we need to stick to that standard. I want to emphasize to parents and educators, to staff and to kids, that we intend to come back. We intend to come back as quickly as possible."

The school closure is the latest development in a roller-coaster back-to-school season for New York City families, marred by delayed starts and changes to opt-in rules for blended learning.

Holiday Light Shows: Drive-Thru and Drive-By Christmas Displays in Philly for 2020

Join your Sesame Street pals for A Very Furry Christmas display and show. Photo courtesy of Sesame Place

Every Christmas season the Philadelphia area comes alive with stunning holiday lights and decorative displays. Festive light shows can be found everywhere, including farms, gardens, and even theme parks.

We've picked some of the best Christmas lights events in Philly and the suburbs for families, many professionally choreographed to Christmas music. While most of these events are FREE, some are so spectacular they are worth the price of admission.

Looking for more seasonal ideas? Our Philadelphia Holiday Guide includes details on cut-your-own tree farmsChristmas season day trips, and more.

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