If one of your resolutions for 2010 was to exercise and get in shape, you are not alone.  Regular exercise has proven long term health benefits - reduce the risk of some cancer, make your moods better, lower blood pressure, lose weight and many more.   Many moms with little babies feel as if they have run a marathon at the end of each day, when they actually spend the day chasing their kids around!  It's definitely a challenge for parents to make time for themselves and fit in exercise, and when schedules get too full, the work-outs are the first to go.  The key to successful exercising is finding a routine that will help keep you motivated. For you, it might not be joining a gym, but it might be walking a few days each week with a friend, either outside (weather permitting) or in the malls. 

NEED YOUR HELP! Did you know that 10 parks on Long Island may close by summer 2010 due to government budget cuts? Potential park closures includes those in Brentwood, Brookhaven, Caleb Smith, Cold Spring Harbor, Heckscher, Hempstead Lake, Nissequogue River, Orient Beach, Trail View and Valley Stream.  Other cuts are up for discussion including the closure of some pools, programs and events and reduction of maintenance in other areas. If you're on Facebook, join a new group, Save Long Island Parks>> and see ways that you can help to keep our parks open.

BLOG Visit our blog to find out great ways to fit in fitness, even into the busiest of schedules!

CONTEST WINNER Congratulations to Vivian H. from Dix Hills, the winner of our family 4 pack of tickets to see Gustafer Yellowgold's Show at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington and Gustafer Yellowgold DVD.  Have a great time at the show, Vivian!

WIN This week, we're going to be giving away a few family 4 packs of tickets to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation's Kids Party for a Cure on March 7.  This year's event will be held at Dave & Busters in The Source Mall and should be a fun time for all! Each family 4 pack of tickets is valued at $275 and it's a fantastic day complete with dinner, games, inflatables and so much more - all for a great cause.  Visit our Contest Page to see how your family can win!

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT Head on over to our spotlight page and learn more about two great local foundations - Carol Kestenbaum Foundation and Nicole Schiffman Foundation.  Both Carol and Nicole were young women from Long Island who were killed tragically three years ago.  Read our spotlights to learn how their families are honoring their memories through various programs.

EXTREME MAKEOVER Ty Pennington and the cast from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition are looking for families from Long Island with homes that have major problems that affect the family's quality of life each day and don't have the resources, ability or time to fix the issues.   If this sounds like your family or one that you know, e-mail a short version of your story to CastLongIsland@gmail.com, and feel free to include a video or photos.  Click here>> for more information and an application.

Have a great week!

Below is only a partial list of upcoming events and activities so be sure to click on our EVENT CALENDAR so you do not miss anything.

Use the PARENT PLANNER to click on events and resources you are interested in and click PRINT MY PLANNER to print or email your list.

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If you have a daughter between the ages of 6 and 17 years old who loves horses, check out Kimberly Farms Sleepaway Horse Camp, located just three hours from Long Island in North Bennington, Vermont.  Girls can attend for as many weeks as they want, from one week to five weeks, and savor summer in Vermont's rolling hills and abundant meadows.  Each camper receives individualized attention to further horsemanship and life skills. Each week is packed with fun activities both on and off the horses. Campers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves into horses, ride at least twice per day, trail riding, horse care and more. Kids of every level of riding welcome and private riding lessons are available to campers.  Visit Kimberly Farms Sleepaway Horse Camp on the web at www.KimberlyFarms.org or call 802.442.5454 for more information.