James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
Latest posts by James
Atlanta families can celebrate the diversity of the city with great things to do all weekend. Chinese New Year celebrations shine a light on Asian culture and the contributions of Asian-Americans to Atlanta's development. The city's largest single-day celebration of Jewish culture takes center stage at the Georgia Aquarium, and kids can learn the fine art of block printing from an expert trained on the Indian subcontinent.
Elsewhere, kids can enjoy a nature hike, storytelling, and pair of activities at the Fernbank Museum, including its annual Pirate Day celebration.
If you didn't notice, we're about halfway through winter in the Orlando area. Next weekend we'll be waiting anxiously for groundhogs all across the country to share their winter insights. In the meantime, families in the Orlando area can enjoy a diversity of great things to do all weekend.
Celebrate with Central Florida's emerging Brazilian community at I-Drive Nascar; enjoy an inaugural music festival in Thornton Park; or join TVs Daniel Tiger and his friends on an adventure at the Bob Carr Theater.
The holiday season has come to a close in Washington, DC. But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop.
The city is brimming with activity on the first weekend back from holiday break. Enjoy a winter celebration in Nationals Park, performing arts in Arlington, and nature discovery at the National Museum of Natural History.
DC's NBA franchise, the Washington Wizards, hosts its annual kids day this weekend and wannabe chefs can learn a thing or two about making pizza in Sterling, Va.
Yes, there's plenty to do this weekend. Whatever you choose, know your friends at Mommy Poppins DC will be with you all through 2020.
The holiday season has come to a close in Orlando. But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop.
The Orlando area is brimming with activity on the first weekend back from holiday break. Enjoy storytelling and performing arts in Orlando and library discoveries in Orlando and Winter Garden. How about a toy and comics fest or perhaps a stage presentation of Schoolhouse Rock, both in the city? (Who could ever forget "Conjunction Junction"?)
A few holiday events remain if you just can't let go of the season, including a not-to-be-missed light show in Sanford. If your wallet is feeling pinched after the holidays, there are a number of FREE activities for families in the area this weekend, including a princess photo-op in Maitland, a fishing tournament in Sanford, and movie night in Kissimmee. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Orlando will be with you all through 2020.
Happy New Year, Atlanta. You've survived the gift-giving rush, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, and now can focus ahead to a bright 2020.
This weekend you can usher in the new year with a space adventure at the Fernbank Science Center, a nature hike in Roswell, even a toy adventure in Atlanta And that's just the beginning: Enjoy a makers club meeting just for girls, skating at a number of local rinks, and more.
Why not check out some final holiday happenings at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Centennial Olympic Park, and Stone Mountain before those events end their seasonal runs. Whatever you do, know your friends at Mommy Poppins Atlanta will be with you all through 2020.
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