Save Our Beloved Sandbox Threads!

I received the following message from Andy, the owner and designer of Sandbox Threads. Please do what you can to help him and all of the small business owners who are in trouble!

Happy New Year from Sandbox Threads

Last April, I sent an "April Fools" email saying that Sandbox Threads was going out of business. It was a joke. This time around, I'm not sure.

Right now, many of you might be thinking that the recession and slow sales are driving us out of business, well, that is not the case. Our sales are up from this time last year, and until yesterday, we were having a very good 2009.

That was until I finally started paying attention to the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act). On Feb. 10, the CPSIA will go into effect, and while the intent of the legislation is good (keeping lead toys out of the hands of children), the umbrella, over-reaching implementation will destroy thousands of small businesses catering to children, like SBT.

This legislation requires lead testing for all products designed for children 12 and under. In order to stay in compliance, we would have to test all of our onesies/shirts in every color, size, style. The cost of testing the products we offer would be approximately $1,200,000. Needless to say, we do not make anywhere near that sort of money, and thus, we will have to close up shop. The fine for one noncompliance starts at $100,000.

In recent days, some positive news has started to trickle out, and Congress seems to finally get it, but as of yet, no official delay or rewrite of the legislation has occurred.

So, how can you help? Just follow the below link and write to your Congressperson and Senators. It will not take five minutes to write all three folks, and you just might help save SBT along with most other small companies that produce products for children.

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help

NEW! Weekend Toddler Tunes!

Good news: Starting this weekend, Toddler Tunes will be meeting Sundays at 4:15 pm (as well as Wednesdays at 11:15am). So the first Sunday will be January 25, and we will continue throughout February. From there we'll see what interest is like.

Please tell your friends, and I'll look forward to seeing you Sunday if you can make it.

Sundays at 4:15 p.m.
Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m.
St. John's Episcopal Church
Corner of Orange and Humphrey Street in New Haven

Pancake Breakfast for Old Saybrook Fire Dept

The Old Saybrook Fire Department’s
Junior Division is pleased to host:
Sunday Pancake & Breakfast Buffet
Eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, coffee, tea, juice
All are invited to attend and enjoy hot & fresh tasty food
served by our junior volunteer firefighters!
Old Saybrook Fire Department, 310 Main Street
Sundays: Jan 25th, Feb. 8th & Feb 22nd, 2009
8:00 am to 12 noon ~ Only $5.00 per person
Free tours of the firehouse upon request (Must be accompanied by a
member of the O.S.F.D.)
Thank you for supporting the Old Saybrook Fire Department’s Junior Division
310 Main Street, Old Saybrook, 06475 (860.395.3149)

Puppet Show at The Peabody Saturday

Roxi Fox is preparing for the February holidays, but none of Roxi’s friends are around to help. Could the cold weather and short days have something to do with their disappearance?

Join puppeteer Betty Baisden as Roxi learns firsthand about hibernation.

The Peabody Museum, New Haven
Saturday, January 24th at 11:00 am

Neighborhood Music School's Children's Concert Series

Announcing Neighborhood Music School's 2009 CHILDREN'S CONCERT SERIES!

This FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, NMS' Children's Concert Series will welcome back MARIA SANGIOLO!

MARIA SANGIOLO

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
4:00 p.m.

in NMS Recital Hall
100 Audubon St, New Haven (624-5189)

WHO IS MARIA SANGIOLO?
Based in Pomfret, CT, Maria Sangiolo began her career as folk singer for adults, but she now sings for children almost exclusively. Maria has recorded three children's albums: Hello Moon (2000), Fairy Moon (2004) and Under the Mystic Sea (2007). You can learn more about Maria at www.mariasangiolo.com or sample her music on www.amazon.com or www.cdbaby.com
.
Maria's concert will be lively and danceable folk-rock, and is appropriate for children up to 8 years old. The concert will last about an hour and will be immediately followed by a PIZZA PARTY in NMS' Front Space. Soothe hungry tummies with $1 pizza slice and free juice!

Tickets for MARIA SANGIOLO are On SALE NOW at NMS' Front Desk or by calling NMS at 624-5189.

$10 - Adults
$5 - Children over 2
Free - Children under 2

PLEASE buy your tickets ahead by calling or visiting NMS (624-5189). Tickets will be sold on concert day ONLY if they are available.

Proceeds from the Children's Concert Series concerts benefit NMS' Preschool & Toddler Program. Proceeds from corporate sponsorships benefit NMS' Fund for Financial Aid.

Here is a schedule for the full series:

Friday, JANUARY 23, 4:00 p.m. - Maria Sangiolo - family folk-rock

Friday, FEBRUARY 6, 4:00 p.m. - Baba Coleman - fantastic drumming

Friday, MARCH 6, 4:00 p.m. - Robert the Guitar Guy - family folk-rock (not the same Robert who runs Toddler Tunes)

Apologies

Please forgive our long hiatus here at New Haven Kids. We are presently working on promotional materials and logo designs, etc. We will be up and running again very, very soon. Thanks for your patience!