Let's Talk About Special needs Children, And Autism, Also, A List Of Toys I sell Including Collector's Beanie Babies!

Today I have a couple of things to talk about.  The most important is how I deal with children that have special needs, and second is some of the products I sell in my little Bronx haircut shop.

Working With Special Needs Children, Autism In Particular 

Over the last few days, I have had many children with special need come into my store.  Children in wheelchairs, children with autism, and children with all kinds of differing abilities.  I am comfortable in all of these situations because I have a genuine feeling of respect for the child, and of course, as I always say, I love what I do. 

For those of you who do not know, I worked in the board of education in NYC in a program for autistic children, so I know many if not all of the possibilities about how your children will react, along with knowing how much the parents of all of my customers want to see their children look good.

We've had some pretty amazing situations in here!  After some kids leave, it looks like a major storm hit. I don't mind...that is what I am here for!

The other day a child came in all the way from Connecticut.  She was autistic, and non verbal.  A beautiful clean well dressed kid, but her parents had not been able to really comb her hair well during the 5 years of her life.  At first glance, when I saw the knot in her hair, I thought I'd have to cut the whole thing out.  It was the size of a grapefruit!  But we gave her a book, and some other toys to play with, and we had her favorite program on in the background, and I worked a ton of my favorite conditioner (Marisol's Melon) into her hair, and slowly started combing and cutting...at one point I almost gave up...but I kept going and we did it!  Her parents were a big help in the whole process. It needed to be done, and it was. It was actually pretty easy, but when we began, we had no idea what to expect! She had never had a haircut before.

My point?  Don't feel uncomfortable, or embarrassed, or worried about your child's reaction, or how your child looks, when you step into my shop.  All of us wonder how we will be received in different circumstances, especially when it comes to our children.  We know we shouldn't, but not one of us hasn't been embarrassed because of something involving our child.  As long as YOU act appropriately to your child during the process, I'll be OK!

No hitting, no choking, and no yelling!  
I don't mean from the child...That's OK. I expect it...I mean from you!


Some Things On Sale In My Shop 

Beanie Babies!!!!  Old ones!  Collectors editions!  I have so many, all previously owned and looking for new homes.  Here is a small sampling of what I have. Bubbles, Huggy, Humphrey, and Millennium.  Antlers, Clover, and Foxy, Checkers,Prince, and Sire.  Lots of McDonald's Beanies in and out of packages, Arod, Ken Griffey Jr., Muhammad Ali!  Mike Tyson!  If you are wondering what I have, or if I still have what you want, give me a call. 718-432-6622.

Jewish Board Games!!!!  Mitzvah Match and Kosherland.


Adorable La Baby Nursery Dolls!!!! Caucasian, African America, and Asian.


MuniPals Subway Trains!!!! I've got the whole line of them.


Loose Train Tracks!!!! They fit with Thomas the Tank Engine, and Brio.


Circle Of Friends Hair Products!!!! Including the great Marisol's Melon leave in conditioner.


Fantastic Anti Lice Products!!!! The Jolis Cheveux brand  from The Lice Treatment Center.


And of course, FANTASTIC CHILDREN'S HAIRCUTS!  I love what I do!


Everybody Is Welcome In My Bronx Hair Salon/Barber Shop...Kids come to me from all over. Manhattan, including around Dyckman Street, Broadway, Seaman ave., Washington Heights, Inwood, Hudson Heights, Upper West Side, NYC, NYS, Tribeca, Bronx, Crosby Ave, Pelham Parkway, Pelham Pkwy, Country Club, Middletown Road, Connecticut, New Jersey, Teaneck...Etc!  

Someplace Special
Haircuts and Toys for Kids
490 west 238th St.
Bronx, NY 10463
718-432-6622
www.someplacespecialforkids.com
http://someplacespecialhaircutsforkids.blogspot.com
http://someplacespecialforkids.shutterfly.com/
Make A Small Loan, Make A Big Difference - Check out http://www.Kiva.org To Learn How!

Ebates And Mr. Rebates, Usually I Write About Dealing With Scared Children! Consider This A Holiday Gift From Me!

MY FAVORITE LINKS

I know that I posted this before, and I rarely re-post, especially so quickly, but with this crummy economy we have, I thought this would be helpful to many of you, so here goes!  Excuse me if you think this is a little spammy...I do not mean to do that, I just want to save you all some money!

First of all, do you guys know about ebates? A fantastic website where you get rebates back from things you would have bought anyway. At this point, I have gotten back over $500 credited directly to my paypal account. Amazing.  I would have bought these things anyway, this just makes it that much more fun!

If you click through this link, you and I will BOTH get a bonus of $5.00  (sometimes they even give $10.00!) (After you make your first purchase!



Another site, Mr. Rebates sometimes has slightly better deals, and sometimes ebates does. I go back and forth between the two.  Either way I make money.

Here is the link for Mr. Rebates, and they also give a bonus for signing up.

You can also click the banner below.

There is no better time than now for holiday shopping, and to start getting rebates back from EVERYTHING you buy!

BOTH sites have every store you'd want to buy from...You'd be crazy not to join both rebate sites and check which has the better deal every time you buy! I just got a 10% rebate from GAP put right into my paypal account!  12% from Sephora!  WHY NOT!

Enjoy yourself while you are shopping, but remember to shop locally too.  The little stores in your own neighborhood are struggling to survive these days. Mom and pop ain't bringing home a whole load of bacon any more so spend some time shopping in your own neighborhood.  We appreciate it!

Important News About A Contest That Can Bring A New Life To A Worlds Worth Of People , And Save Children From Child Trafficking And A Life Of Forced Labor.

Please help the IOM/USAIM continue to rescue trafficked children!

Click this link and vote for USAIM to win the money they need to continue their good works!

Here is a little about the organization to help you make it your business to vote, taken from the USAIM website. Keep in mind, that the IOM/USAIM saves children and adults all over the world.

Overview

USAIM supports the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Project Trafficked Children of Ghana. This program is fighting to help hundreds of children forcibly taken from their families to work in the fishing villages along Lake Volta in Ghana. Your donations can help reunite them with their families, send them to school, and keep them from once again being caught up in this terrifying net of forced child labor.

 

Trafficked Children in Ghana Project

For the past three years, IOM has rescued hundreds of children. The children were forced to engage in fishing under life-threatening conditions along LakeVolta at Yeji in the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions of Ghana. This project brought the children back to their families and enrolled them in schools or apprenticeships in their home communities. The process continues by delivering comprehensive rehabilitation, reintegration, and follow-up assistance to these traumatized children.

This project seeks to protect the children from being once again caught up in the net of forced labour. The Project will provide continuous support to rehabilitate, reintegrate, and monitor them for at least one year following their rescue and return to their home communities.

Thank you all so much...this is very near and dear to my heart!

Mr. Eric Peasah Is Coming To NY! Children With Special Needs, A Final Plea About Shopping Locally!

Mr. Eric Peasah of the IOM

I  am very excited right now!  Mr. Eric Peasah will be coming all the way from Ghana to the Bronx to speak about the problems of child trafficking and forced labor of children in Ghana. I am honored that he is coming to see me, as well as coming to see the students of Monroe College who have been so wonderful in fund raising for the organization.

Mr. Peasah works for the I.O.M....International organization for Migration.  A wonderful group that helps people all over the world.  If there is something you can do for these children, and if you are interested in meeting with Mr. Peasah, please get in touch with me.  He will be in NYC in early December, 2009. If you would like to donate, do so here.

Working With Special Needs Children

Those of you who know me, know that there is nothing I think is more important than the feelings of children. That is why I became involved with the IOM, and that is why I do the work I do.  The gratifying work I do with the families of typically developing and special needs children, trying to make those children as comfortable as possible while getting a haircut.

It might seem funny to some that I write about it in such a serious manner, after all, it's only a haircut!  But to some children, it is a major thing.  It is VERY serious!  Some children just hate every second of it.  It might be scary, the feelings might be just a little to intense for them to process.  I get it.  I really do.  The hardest thing for me is not when the child has a hard time, the hardest thing for me is when the parent doesn't get it! When the parent has a hard time! Not if the parent cries too, I understand that, it is hard to see your child so unhappy, but when the parent tries to shame the child into behaving! Your child isn't doing it on purpose!

I do the best I can. There is NOTHING I haven't seen at this point!  If I need to have a tea party first with your child, I will.  If I need to play with trains first or during the haircut with your child, I will.  If I need to stand on my head for your child...well figuratively I will but literally, maybe not!

I have alot of success and many, many kids who have cried before in other shops do not cry here!

Just remember, I do the best I can, which is better than the rest, but I don't guarantee your child won't cry.  That I cannot do. Keep in mind...I've been kicked, punched, spit at, and thrown up on.  I just keep going as fast as I can, IF YOU WANT ME TO, and as carefully as I can without hurting your child.  PLEASE never feel embarrassed. I know what to do, how to do it and most important, what to expect.  When I am done, 99% of the kids act like nothing ever happened.  And they look good too! 

In the past I worked for the board of education in district 75, the district for special needs children, and my shop is wheelchair accessible, everyone is welcome! 

A Final Thought About Small Stores Surviving In this Economy

Keep in mind everyone, that a store cannot live on haircuts alone.

I hesitate to say this, but while I am very busy, and often have to turn away walk-ins, as all of my customers know,  I haven't been able to find a second haircutter that can do this work well and like it. Without a second haircutter, not enough money comes into the shop, so I continue to struggle to keep Someplace Special going.

To survive, I must make income from selling things. But it painful to me when a child comes in and begs for a toy, and their parent says that they are on their way to Toys R Us, so they can't get something now.  You don't have to buy from me, but though it is hard for me to say this, if you do not, once in awhile, I cannot exist.  And that is part of the reason that there are so many empty store fronts on Riverdale Avenue, or any avenue in America.  The internet, the malls, and big stores have taken over.

Little stores cannot get the deals and the low wholesale prices that big stores get.  We do not get tax breaks. We cannot sell millions of items with low mark-ups and expect to pay our rent.  Owners have a hard time making a living wage.

If I don't make some money, how can I expand my inventory and serve you all better?

As time goes by, I have less and less toys, But I do have some nice ones...And I would LOVE to have more!

Please remember to shop locally.  If you do not, at least once in a while, someday, you will have no choice.  And honestly, where will you find someone like me who will sit on the floor with your child and play while they are giving her/him a haircut?

It really is your choice. I love what I do and I do not want to go away.

To see what I have currently, check out my facebook page.

Someplace Special, Riverdale Food And Restaurants, Riverdale Strength And Fitness Club, Ebates And Mr. Rebates!

Today a more personal blog about the things I like out in cyber-space and in and around the Riverdale area.

FOOD

Ahhh Riverdale!  So much untapped potential here! The food is good, but there is not a big variety especially for lunch! For instance, right now I am sitting here eating a poppyseed bagel with cream cheese that I bought from Riverdale Bagels , it's always great to have a good bagel, and this one is very good! And yesterday I had a wonderful chicken slice from Salvatore's of Soho.  Great Pizza!

But the problem is, that for the last 8 years that I have been in business, for lunch I have eaten bagels, pizza, and more pizza. Sometimes turkey or BLT's from Blue Sky and Blue Bay, and fantastic salads from River City Grill. Oh yea, and more pizza

But I'm a little bored, I need more choices, good choices, healthy choices! So I am looking forward to the opening of the new Greek restaurant that will be opening practically across the street from my store...Greek Express!  I heard they were having trouble with their gas line, but right now it looks like they are back on track and opening soon. I'll keep you posted!

I am also looking forward to the opening of  Jay-Bars...a kind of Zabars in the Bronx.  Keep your fingers crossed, they have been having gas line problems too, from what I have heard.  

EXERCISE

I think you all know that I go to an exercise class! I go to the Riverdale Strength and Fitness Club.  And the trainer, William Harris can be reached at this email address,  and is easy to work with...well, he is easy to work with, but the work isn't easy!.

He is now starting a class for children, for more information, Read this!

MY FAVORITE LINKS

First of all, do you guys know about ebates? A fantastic website where you get rebates back from things you would have bought anyway. At this point, I have gotten back over $500 credited directly to my paypal account. Amazing.  I would have bought these things anyway, this just makes it that much more fun!

If you click through this link, you and I will BOTH get a bonus of $5.00  (sometimes they even give $10.00!)


Another site, Mr. Rebates sometimes has slightly better deals, and sometimes ebates does. I go back and forth between the two.  Either way I make money.

Here is the link for Mr. Rebates, and they also give a bonus for signing up.

There is no better time than now for holiday shopping, and to start getting rebates back from EVERYTHING you buy!

Enjoy yourself while you are shopping, but remember to shop locally too.  The little stores in your own neighborhood are struggling to survive these days. Mom and pop ain't bringing home a whole load of bacon any more so spend some time shopping in your own neighborhood.  We appreciate it!

That being said, remember I have all of the Munipals NYC subway cars, and I can do mail order! Give me a call! 718-432-6622.

If you join my facebook fan page, You can see many of the toys I carry. Please join!
In my next post, I will be listing more cool Riverdale businesses and websites including some great charities I am involved with.  Stay tuned!

Bronx Parking, New York Times Article Mentions Someplace Special, Haircuts And Toys For Kids!

I was mentioned in an article this morning in the New York Times. 

A Bronx Parking Paradise, for a While
Michael M. Grynbaum
Published: October 27, 2009

Of all the tiny tortures that come with driving a car in New York City, perhaps none are more taxing than the ritual of alternate-side-of-the-street parking.
It’s the peaceful morning ruined by an early alarm, the tedium of circling for a space, the despair of spying a tuft of tickets growing from a windshield wiper. But starting on Wednesday, drivers in a portion of the Bronx will be granted a rare reprieve: The city is suspending the rules for six to eight weeks.

The suspension will affect a swath of Riverdale stretching from the Harlem River to West 263rd Street, encompassing the area’s main shopping drags and prime residential streets that peer out to the Palisades. Parts of Kingsbridge and Spuyten Duyvil also will be included.
The reprieve will give the city time to replace 2,200 street signs. The signs will reflect a new policy to clean the area’s streets only once a week instead of twice. The new rules will go into effect in December; until then, Riverdale is a parking paradise.

“It’s a very big deal,” said Tony Perez Cassino, who led an effort by a community board to bring about the changes. “It makes everybody’s life a little bit better.” Privately owned parking spaces in the area can sell for up to $50,000 for prime indoor spots, according to Scott Kriger, a Citi Habitats broker who specializes in Riverdale properties.

So ingrained is the alternate-side ritual in the city’s psyche that George Costanza, on an episode of “Seinfeld,” took a job moving cars from one side of the street to the other. (The result, of course, was bedlam.)

To get the reprieve, Riverdale had to show that 90 percent of its streets were rated “acceptably clean” for three years running. It is only the third time that the city has relaxed the rules. The first two suspensions benefited Brooklyn neighborhoods: Park Slope in 2008 and areas of Fort Greene, Boerum Hill and Downtown Brooklyn this year.

Suzanne Axelbank, owner of Someplace Special Haircuts and Toys for Kids, a children’s salon off Riverdale Avenue, said she would welcome the changes. Her walk to work has been replaced with an unpleasant search for a parking spot since she broke her foot recently. “I parked five or six blocks away, and I had to walk with my broken foot.”

Told of the rule change, Fernando Ferrer, a former candidate for mayor and a 10-year Riverdale resident, feigned surprise: “I’m shocked. Shocked! In an election year?”
Did he suspect some political motivation? “Is the timing fortuitous? Let everyone come to his or her own conclusion,” Mr. Ferrer said. “That’s the beauty of being the incumbent. You can time everything.” He was referring to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who defeated Mr. Ferrer in 2005 and is again seeking re-election.

A spokesman for the Department of Sanitation, which oversees the parking rules, said logistics had determined the timing.
Spaces that fall under other parking restrictions may be cleaned during the rule suspension, city officials said, but in general, the affected streets will go unwashed.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, reached by telephone, said that parking was never an issue for him while growing up in Riverdale because he did not have a driver’s license. He said his commute to Horace Mann, a private school in the area, was accomplished on foot. “Downhill on the way there,” he said, “and a hard uphill walk on the way home.”

Holiday Shopping! Munipals Train Sets and Berenguer Dolls, Anti Lice Shampoo, And Shampoo From Circle Of Friends!

Time to start holiday shopping! 

At Someplace Special, we have a full line of New York City subway cars from MUNIPALS, designed to fit on your Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio Tracks...The full NYC shuttle set WITH tracks is now on special for $30.00 originally $39.95! 

We also have a small cute line of dolls from Berenguer...Including adorable Asian and African American dolls, as well as Caucasian.

On another note, we've got the best anti-lice shampoo around from The Lice Treatment Center called Jolis Cheveux...smells like cinnamon!

We also have a new shipment of Circle of Friends shampoos in...Including the fantastic Marisol's Melon leave in conditioner! Wonderful for curly hair, and any hair!


One more thing...join my facebook fan page and see pictures of all of my products!  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Bronx-NY/Someplace-Special-Haircuts-and-Toys-for-Kids/51573983756?ref=ts
And check out all of my websites...THANKS!

Someplace Special
Haircuts and Toys for Kids
490 west 238th St.
Bronx, NY 10463
718-432-6622
someplacespecial@gmail.com
www.someplacespecialforkids.com
http://someplacespecialhaircutsforkids.blogspot.com
http://someplacespecialforkids.shutterfly.com/

 

If you'd like to have something shipped, just let me know!  We accept credit cards and Paypal!

Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys for Kids. A Children's Beauty Salon, A Children's Barber Shop.

A new customer told me that when she looked on google for  "children's barber shop" or "kid's barber shop" in the Bronx,  Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys for Kids did not come up.  I know when you look up "children's haircuts bronx" it comes up right away.


In all truth, I never thought of my shop as a barber shop.  Barber shops have a different license than beauty salons. Barbers get barber licenses, and what I have is called a cosmetology license. Do we do alot of the same things?  Absolutely!  But our training is a little different.  In most states, there is a legal distinction between barbers and cosmetologists, with different licensing requirements. These distinctions and requirements vary from state to state. One of the main things is that in New York State, a cosmetology licenses does not allow you to use a straight razor and shave people.


But as far as I can see,  NO ONE learns the skills I have from any training school. Barber or Cosmetology.

I can't imagine a class in "Cutting around the Thomas Table 101"  Or "Haircuts on a moving kiddie ride"  or "Let's play with rolling balls for 10 minutes before we get started."  Let alone, phys ed. classes  to strengthen the knees that I am constantly crawling around on!  And, above all...the most important part of the 20 plus years of on the job training that I have had...ENJOYING the challenge of trying to make a child comfortable and not scared.  That is a psychology class that is never taught at a barber or cosmetology school!


This is the kind of thing I do.  Whatever I need to do, and I love it!

So when you are looking for a place to get your child's hair cut, children's barber shop, or children's hair salon, I hope you will try me out. Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys for Kids, and join the people who come to me from all over the Bronx, Westchester, Long Island, Orange County, Rockland County, Morris Park, and Manhattan (especially the Inwood, Washington Heights area and Dyckman Street area)

No one is as happy to do what I do as I am!  See you soon!

The Link to St. Gabriel's Contest!

Oyy!  For those of you who subscribe, the link to the St. Gabriel contest did not work on the last version that was sent out . Try this!
http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/3604373

Vote For St. Gabriel...A Great School In Riverdale, New York

Riverdale is full of wonderful schools, from nursery schools to high schools, and right now, one of our schools is in a contest...St. Gabriel's.  Many of my customer's children attend St. Gabriel and tell me about how wonderful the teachers and staff are. Some have moved their children from other schools and are so happy they made that choice.

Right now, St. Gabe is in a contest to win $20,000. The contest is sponsored by Target.  Let's see if we can get out enough votes to help the children of St. Gabriel's win!

Here are some comments posted on the contest site about St. Gabriel...

"St. Gabriel's School is a wonderful school. The teachers are fantastic. They make learning fun. My children love going to school everyday. I thought my daughter would struggle in school as she is the youngest in the class, however, to my surprise, she is doing fabulously. Thanks to the wonderful teachers, she has an understanding of the work and is doing great. St. Gabriel's is a wonderful academic school and I am confident that my children are receiving the best education possible."

"St. Gabriel School provides an excellent education, preparing students for the demands of high school. Beyond that, the nurturing environment and sense of community set the school apart from others in the area. We love being part of the St. Gabriel School family."

"St. Gabriel school's academics are second to none. My children look forward to going to school every day and are consistently inspired by the superb teachers. The faculty is dedicated and committed to giving their students the tools needed to become successful in high school and college. The principal fosters a nurturing and happy environment where the students feel welcome to express their views. Parents have the peace of mind knowing that their children are being given the best opportunity to succeed in life."

So come on, add your votes to the ones already cast and make St. Gabriel's school a winner...since we all know, it already is a winner!!

Read about St. Gabriel's here...All about St. Gabriel

Vote here...St. Gabriel's...The Best of the Bronx!!

P.S. Even if St. Gabriel does not win the big prize, $500. is given out to a different school randomly every week. That's alot of bucks right there!

Someplace Special Is Now In A Contest From American Express

Hello everyone!
Someplace Special is once again in a contest. This one's pretty big as it is a national contest sponsored by American Express and NBC for small businesses.

I know I've asked before and you've come through. But I'm asking once more for you to vote.

In this case, though, you can only vote once... and... most important... the VOTING ENDS THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13!

That's right, THIS SUNDAY

So I need you to do it right now! In order to qualify Someplace Special needs to get at least 50 votes IMMEDIATELY!

So would you be so kind as to go to this page...
http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=8111

RIGHT NOW!... register on the upper right... and then click the button that says... "Support this Story, Endorse Now" for Someplace Special.

http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=8111

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it... and for this contest... I am only asking for one vote from you so we won't keep bugging you... and please tell your friends!

Thanks so much

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please let me know.
 

We Won The Parent's Connect Contest For The Best Children's Haircut Place In NYC!

Just a quick note to tell you that we won the contest for the best Kids Haircut Place in NYC! To all of you who voted for me, THANKS! I have the BEST customers in the world!
More to come...

Keeping In Shape While Cutting Children's Hair In The Bronx.

Cutting hair is a hard job. You have to stand all day long and move your body in some pretty strange positions. It is way more tiring than you can imagine. Yes, haircutting is a very physically demanding job!

Cutting children's hair is even harder. You have to sit on the floor and play WHILE you are cutting hair. You have to walk around following the child WHILE you are cutting hair, and you have to crawl around on your knees WHILE you are cutting hair. I reach, I bend, I stretch, and play with your children WHILE I am cutting their hair. Honestly, when they stay still I get a little mixed up!

Still, with all of this activity, I felt like I wasn't getting enough exercise, so I started walking to work most days which has become a 2 1/2 mile trek at this point. Through rain and snow and heat of summer, you can see me walking up and down the hills of Riverdale making my way to the thing I love most. Cutting children's hair.

But still, I felt like I wasn't getting enough exercise! I need to keep on my toes to work with your kids, so I started a new exercise regimen. I joined a program called Crossfit. I recommend it highly. The leader, Bill, is very good at what he does and knows how to get the best out of everyone who joins. No matter how much I dread going in to do the work, once it starts, and certainly by the time it is over, I feel great.

I just wanted to pass this on! In case you thought that cutting hair is what I do 24/7! Anyone who is interested, especially if you live in the Bronx or Manhattan, should check out Bill's website and try it out!

Back From England, And Ready To Cut Children's Hair. Come On In!

Hey all, I'm back!

I went to sunny old England. Yes, while I was there, and it was raining all of the time over here in NYC, it was sunny and beautiful there. I didn't have to open up my umbrella once!

I took a good look at some interesting hairstyles in London and Liverpool, and at a future date I will be happy to describe them to you, but for now, I have some catching up to do...I have to do a large backlog of haircuts for the people who waited for me to get back from my trip.

Just wanted to let you all know that I am back, and ready to rock!

But please...call to make an appointment...I hate to turn people away....and if you call, I won't have to!

Closed For Renovations

Someplace Special will be closed from July 19th until July 29th for some renovations.
Sorry for any inconvenience! If you need more info, give the shop a call.

Once Again, Time To Vote!

For Haircut
in New York
OK Everyone, we are coming up to the last few days of the Parents Pick awards. Only 6 more days left to vote as I write this, and you can vote every day!

I'm proud to say that after 7 years in business, I have a wonderful relationship with all of my customers, past and present.

Click on the icon above and vote for Someplace Special!
Thanks for your votes!

I Love A Challenge, And I Do Not Care How Much Your Child Moves During A Haircut, Or If I Have To Do It Sitting On The Floor!

A few things to keep in mind if you come to Someplace Special...

I does not matter to me if your child stays still or moves during the haircut!
Not only have I done a haircut on the moving ride that is outside of the store, but I've come to realize that few children stay still, some just move a bit more (or alot more) than others! I'd rather you NOT tell your child to stay still! I like them to feel natural and comfortable and not like I am a threat.

There is NOTHING I haven't seen or done in the last 15 years of doing children's hair. NOTHING! In my 30 years of haircutting experience, I have learned quite a bit!

I NEVER mind crawling on the floor to get the job done.
I have knees of steel and I see it all as a challenge, and fun! I like a little variety in my day.

I routinely do haircuts while walking around the Thomas the Tank Engine train table. I actually get a kick out of it! It's hard to keep standing in one place all day!

Please do not tell your child to be ashamed of themselves if they cry or get upset during a haircut. Fear cannot be helped. I promise they will get over it, but each child does it at their own pace. Shaming a child makes me sadder than anything, because it makes them sad too.

Some kids who are not afraid might not even realize they are moving. I do not mind at all! I just want to make friends and do a good haircut, and I will do whatever it takes to get it done.

I see each child as an individual, a person to respect.

ALL children, typical and special needs, welcome here!!

And do leave comments! I see people come to this site from all over the world. If you have any questions, or comments, or ideas, or just want to say hi, please do!

One More thing, if you are reading this before July 15th 2009, please vote for me in the Best Haircut Place in New York City contest! You can do it every day!

Thanks!

Children Come To My Shop From All Over. I'd Love To Meet You Too! Lots Of Experience With Children On The Autistic Spectrum.

I am sitting in my little store.
I am surprisingly busy today. I had a cancellation so I have a few moments to write. I was just marvelling at the amount of people who come to me from far away. Washington Heights, Inwood, the Upper West Side, even kids from Soho and Chelsea.

I started out as a small local shop, but as time has gone by, I started seeing customers from Bronxdale, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park and Country Club! I'm easy to get to. Close to the Major Deegan and the Henry Hudson, and close to a few bus and train lines.

I get kids from Queens (quite a few actually) and even a some from Long Island. When someone comes in and says they drove all the way from Orange County, or Rockland, I almost cannot believe it!

I have customers from Scarsdale, Hastings, Ardsley and Irvington. Let's not forget Mount Vernon and of course Yonkers. I could go on and on! If I didn't get a few people from new Rochelle or Teaneck every day, I'd be shocked!

Yes, I even get people from all over New Jersey!

I am humbled and gratified when I see how people come from so far. I try my best to do the best possible work on wiggling, moving children. I always hope to keep them happy, and comfortable. Honestly, I don't even need a child to be still!

But why, I wonder? What is it I can offer that keeps you coming back?

For typically developing children who like haircuts, or the child that hates haircuts, I have tons of energy! Energy to get right down on the floor with them and play. I can often be seen crawling on the floor and clowning around with a child. I always put them first. I have the worn out pants to prove it. If you want a hairdresser without dirty knees, don't come here! I love it! I love it so much when I can make a kid more comfortable. Believe me, there is NOTHING I haven't seen or done in the 30 years I've been doing hair! NOTHING.

If the child feels a bit more comfortable and can sit in a chair ( a regular chair or one that looks like a jeep) I have special toys to keep their attention, along with a TV. I have tons of tapes! I even have video games if they are older! But those are the things you can see, I also have alot of "secret weapons" I use to get a haircut done!

For the child that might have issues, I have energy and I have experience. Alot of experience. I've spent time with kids in wheelchairs, along with having worked in the board of ed. with multiply handicapped children and autistic spectrum children. I know how to deal with children who have sensory processing disorder and I can work with just about any type of child you have. I don't promise or guarantee they will like it, I can only promise that I have the experience to make it as pleasant and as fast as possible. and after I am done, I promise they will look good!

You don't have to feel embarrassed or out of place here! Whatever your child does, it's been done before, whatever your child says to me, it's been said before! But I am proud to say that most of the children who come here leave happy!

And the best part of all, the very best part is that I have developed a wonderful group of customers. People that I would be happy to call my friends!

If you want to call me and ask any questions, please feel free! .

Oh yes, I love what I do...Oh did I already say that?

Special Offer!!!!!!!
This month, June 2009, I have a special offer for medical students from Einstein Hospital. Show me your ID and I will take $5.00 off of the price of a regular haircut!

Just for your info, a list of places that people have come to me from...
Israel (many old customers who come back for visits with family and squeeze in a haircut)
Viginia, Maine, Russia (everytime the family came to New York!), Teaneck, Pelham Parkway, Bergan County, Nyack, Fort Lee, Bronxdale Ave., Flushing, Jackson Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge, Scarsdale, Hastings, Ardsley, Irvington, Mount Vernon,Yonkers, NewRochelle, Teaneck, Mamaroneck, Boston, Rockland, Crosby avenue, Williamsbridge road, Middletown road, Orange County, Fieldston, Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester, Riverdale, White Plains, Morris Park, Students at Einstein medical school, and I'll keep adding more! Let me know if I've missed you!

Vote For Someplace Special, Parents Pick For A Haircut In New York!

For Haircut
in New York
Once again, I am asking you to vote for me in a contest! Just click on the above link and vote for me, Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys for Kids.

On the other hand, it was so nice just to be nominated!

Oh, I forgot to say, you can vote every day until July 15th! Cool!

If you have trouble with the link, try this Parents Pick

Amalgamated Nursery School Bazaar

Yippie! Today I will be selling toys at the Amalgamated Nursery School Bazaar, something I have always wanted to do since my kids went there so many years ago! Come Join me by the train park on Orloff Avenue!

I will have New York City Subways, train whistles, conductor hats, and some wooden dress up dolls, among some other things from the shop.

See you there!

Lice Control And Prevention from Someplace Special And The Lice Treatment Center

What Happens If You Get Lice???
Don't Panic...The Lice Treatment Center is at your service!

Normally, an owner of a kids haircut place does not like to think about lice. I guess nobody likes to think about lice, but especially in places like mine! Every child who comes into my shop gets a lice check whether they know it or not. Before I start a haircut, I part the hair in the most likely places that lice lay their eggs. I can tell right away what the situation is! If I see eggs, I have to stop the haircut because getting lice is like catching a cold...it's nothing to be embarrassed about, but it spreads quickly!

All of the schools in my area are seeing a tremendous lice breakout, and the parents ask me what they can do to prevent it from happening to their child. I have finally found a product and a company that I can endorse. It is called The Lice Treatment Center and it is full of knowledgeable, friendly, skilled people who want to help you!

If you call them at 1-888-LICE-AWAY (1-888-542-3292) they will be happy to discuss with you what services and products will best meet your families needs.

Their product line, Jolis Cheveux (which means "Pretty Hair") is all natural and organic and made in the USA! And best of all, each product is guaranteed to work! And even better, it makes your hair look beautiful!

The company was founded by two women, Dr. Elin Cohen, a board certified pediatrician, and Elizabeth Solovay, who has been featured on the internet, radio, and has published articles about lice, along with being an adviser to schools and camps.

Not only does the Lice Treatment Center Have wonderful products, it also offers complete lice removal services including in-home and on-site consultations and lice removal by its professional team of lice removal technicians.

And...if you live close enough to my shop, you can stop by and get all the lice removal supplies you will need as soon as you need them.

So the next time you have this itchy problem, don't panic! Call the Lice Treatment Center
at 1-888-LICE-AWAY (1-888-542-3292). They will know what to do!

I plan on having them send someone out to do a talk at the store for parents. Stay tuned!


On A Lighter Note...
We will be selling scrapbooking supplies in the near future. Stay tuned for news on that as well!

On My Days Off...

When most of us have a day off, we plan on doing something productive and meaningful. Maybe we want to hang out with family, read a book, do some paperwork, clean the house, draw pictures...even meet up with some old friends. On my days off, I usually do a little of this and a little of that. Reading , cleaning, and If I'm lucky, I get a chance to create something, maybe even draw or paint a bit! But this past weekend I started doing something that even I can't believe. I made up a new humor website.

I love creating. That is why I love doing hair. I consider what I do on your child's head a sculpture, and I have always enjoyed doing sculptures. Once someone asked me if I had ever sold any of my artwork, and I thought about it and realized that I sell my artwork every day on your children's heads! Even the way I try and calm a scared child draws on my creativity!

So the other day, on my day off, just for fun, I started working on a new website called www.canyoumakeafunnyface.com. There is still alot more for me to do, but I invite you to come take a look and maybe have a good laugh. I had a few chuckles working on it!

There are videos and photos of children and adults making funny faces, and even some of cats and dogs with funny expressions. There is also alot of chin business (if you don't know what that is, take a look and see!) In the future I hope to keep adding interesting and funny new posts.

I'd love for you to join me and send me photos, drawings, videos, and anything else you might like to share. If I can add them I will. Let's all have a great time with this!

Send any submissions to canyoumakeafunnyface@gmail.com and please join me in the fun!

Can you make a funny face?

Interesting Video From BronxTalk With Gary Axelbank

BRONX TALK/MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

How Is Cutting Hair Like Playing A Violin? Practice, Practice, Practice!

Hi All. Just thought I'd check in.

Hope all of you have enjoyed your holidays and have taken advantage of the glorious weather we have been having on and off. Off today, I might add!

I had a few interesting moments the other day and It set me to thinking that cutting hair is like playing a violin. You have to practice often, and have a feel for it, and when it comes to cutting children's hair, even more so.

One adorable little girl, about five years old came in and she was so scared. I used the art of distraction to the utmost. Jumping around, saying silly things, making jokes. You have to have the feel...some children you go slowly to make them comfortable...some children you get goofy to distract them. Sometimes I am wrong...but not often.

I never shut up during her whole haircut, I did that with a girl a few years older a week ago, another beautiful kid. I never stopped talking and dancing around when I did those haircuts. I had them totally distracted, and I got the jobs done. And they both looked good too!

Now for those of you who already know me, don't laugh at the way I toot my own horn! I want to get the word out to the folks who do not know me so they can see that there is an option for their children who have trouble getting a haircut.

I can never guarantee, and maybe there is alot of luck involved, but like the concert violinist, I too practice my skill on a daily basis. 10am till 6pm (I'm flexible if you call ahead,) 5 days a week, Wednesday thru Sunday.

Hope to hear from you soon!

It's Our Birthday!

Hard to believe, but today April 3rd, is the 7th anniversary of Someplace Special, Haircuts and Toys for Kids. I want to thank all of you for your support and friendship over the years.

As you all know, I have tried to make Someplace Special into a place where kids WANT to come and where kids feel comfortable. Where they feel respected and taken care of. A right that every child in this world should have.

In the past, I have had birthday parties in my store with between 200 and 300 people in and out through the course of the day, now my store is much smaller and there is no room for that, so if you are passing by, please join me for a slice of birthday cake (kosher of course).

I couldn't have done this without ALL of you, my customers....past...present...and future.

THANKS!

I may be a bit of a kvetch sometimes, but I am truly a lucky person, and I know it!

Haircuts And Car Washes on Passover

Ahhh, the seasons of hair. Yes hair has seasons. Seasons to be short, seasons to be long, and seasons to look extra neat.

When school starts, you want to look neat, so you pay a visit to the hair salon. Holidays come, time to look good again, so you get a nice trim, change your style, maybe look a bit more mature...a bit more spiffy!

If you like your hair short for the summer, to keep it out of the way, you get a haircut. When it gets warm outside, things tend to get busy in the shop. But maybe you like your hair long for the summer so you can tie it up and forget about it, then the haircuts slow down.

These are the seasons of hair.

So what does that have to do with my title...Haircuts and Car Washes?

Passover is coming. Time to get haircuts and clear out the chometz. If you'd like more info specifically about what these things mean, click on the links.

See, my shop has a couple of extra seasons that some other shops might not have. Since we are in an Orthodox Jewish area, about 50% of my customers who follow certain traditions, do not get haircuts after Passover starts for a period lasting up to seven weeks. So one extra busy season we have starts about six weeks before Passover. All of a sudden I have a rush of people who want their kid's hair cut so they can schedule the next one right before the holidays. All day every day seems to be busy! I find myself wondering when the children are actually in school! Then suddenly...s l o w...

I start wondering where everyone is! The phone starts ringing, future dates are filling up, but I am sitting down and answering the phone, not scrambling to finish haircuts. I start to wonder. Where is everybody? And then...

BOOM. The place goes crazy! I love it. People are piling in, older men whose barber shops are closed on Sundays start begging me for haircuts, children are laughing and playing with my Thomas the Tank Engine play table. People take their kids out of school to get their haircuts. And I start feeling bad because I can't get to everyone! Last year I worked some days from 9am to 9pm!!!

My point? Call Call! Call me! Don't forget to make an appointment, I don't want to turn you away, I'm here for you! And what does this have to do with car washes? Keep in mind that you might have to spend a long time on line to get your car totally cleaned of chometz at the car wash. You might have to wait quite awhile for the services you need because of the crowds, and you might have to wait a bit in my store, but if you make an appointment, you probably won't have to wait much! I'll try to squeeze you in if you walk in without an appointment but you might have a very long wait. Or even be turned away, and if you call early, I will know to add hours and open the shop on days that I am normally closed.

By the way, if you do not follow these traditions for Passover, please come in for a haircut after Passover! I'll be thrilled to see you (as I am thrilled to see all of my customers anytime).

Haircuts and car washes. It's our busiest time of the year!

My Child Is Afraid Of A Haircut. WHAT Do I Do???

There is not alot of things you can write about in a blog that is primarily about children's haircutting! So I sit here thinking and wondering what it is that my customers and the people all over the world who come to my website would like to hear!

I can see where you all come from, the different cities and countries, and although I do not know specifically who you are, I know what you are interested in hearing about by the things you click on in my blog. One popular item is how to deal with scared children. That's what everyone wants to know! Children who are scared of haircuts. Well, Of course, I have alot of experience with that, but so many factors are involved.

There are many reasons that a child is scared, and PLEASE, keep in mind that other than being a hair care professional, a parent, and an avid reader of psychology books, I am not an expert. I only know what I have seen after 30 years of cutting hair, and I think I have seen almost all there is to see in terms of cutting CHILDREN'S hair. From the parent who is really the scared one to the child who just doesn't want a haircut at the moment. I really have seen alot!

Some children just have an extra dose of self preservation. They are scared of a stranger, scared of being hurt, or just scared of something new. Some children do not like to be touched, maybe they have a sensory issue, or other special needs. Some children, girls or boys, want long hair, and their parent wants it short. I have seen children as young as three have strong preferences about length. Some children are afraid of the hairdryer, or the buzzers, and some children are just afraid of it all.

Over the years I have seen that kindness and respect toward the child go a long way. Patience and playing while getting a haircut works in most cases. Some parents like to spend alot of time discussing the upcoming haircut. If you do, talk about how good you think the haircutter will be, how the haircutter knows just how to do the right thing. Try not to spend too much time mentioning that it won't hurt, as a matter of fact, try not to mention that at all! Sometimes a child has never even considered the possibility of pain until they have heard it. Do not compare me to a doctor. Never even say that I am NOT like the doctor! Don't plant any ideas!

Tell your child that you have had haircuts, that the grandparents have had haircuts, and that you get to pick out a movie to watch, and sit in a red car. Talk about the water bottle and that they might have a great time getting sprayed with it, make it sound like fun! I your child doesn't like getting sprayed, tell them they won't get sprayed! Take their lead! If your child is not impressed by any of that, I am perfectly happy walking around the Thomas the Tank Engine table while doing the haircut! Tell them they have come to play and have a good time!

Some children are better off not discussing the coming haircut too much. It just makes them more anxious. Use your own discretion! But after many years of dealing with my own child, and other's children, my advice is to be careful about validating their feelings too much. Saying over and over again that you know they are scared and that they should be very brave just feeds into a downward spiral of more and more fear! I see it all the time. Distraction is the key!

What REALLY does not work is shaming the child by telling them that they are to big for this behavior, yelling at the child (well I saw it work once in seven years) or choking the child...yes I saw that once too!

For some kids, nothing will make the experience better, but I do know this, there are no children who scream and yell during a haircut because they are bad! Any child that does scream is honestly scared, and any sort of discipline will be meaningless.

Now you have this to decide...Does it really matter if my kids hair is longer than I'd like? MUCH longer than I like? MUCH MUCH longer??? If it doesn't matter, wait a bit. Things do suddenly change.

If it does matter, come to me, I will make it as swift and painless as possible, it might actually turn out to be a pleasant experience, and if not, I promise that someday, your child will suddenly get over it!

There is a reason that people drive miles and miles from all over to come to my little Bronx shop to get haircuts!

Kindness and Respect ARE the keys!

Happy Holidays To ALL!!! (and a way to get $1.00 off of your childs next haircut)

OK, so I am going to mix a little holiday message with a little business message!

First of all, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you who celebrate this time of year! Whatever it is Chanukah, Chrismas, Kwanza, or something I haven't heard of! Have a wonderful day!

With all of the crazy concerns we have nowadays, if you have family, friends, or both, a warm place to stay and food to eat, you have to be thankful! Not only do I have all of that, I have my wonderful customers who I can honestly say I look forward to seeing every day.

I also have the people from all over the world who happen upon my blog and read it...HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you too!

And now some business...Bring in or email me a photo of your child and I will take $1.00 off of their next haircut.

See you soon, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Why Come to Me?

I have been thinking about it for awhile now, a bit of a continuation to my post about people coming to me from all over. Here I am pretty much in the middle of Riverdale, part of the wonderful but much maligned Bronx. Actually in the middle of my target area. Just off the Henry Hudson. Are you coming from Manhattan? Are you coming from Westchester? I am so easy to get to!

How many people come to me from all over New York City? How many come for my 30 plus years of experience, my work with autistic kids, my love of what I do.

I grew up in Inwood. I loved it there. Spent much of my younger life hanging around the Nagle avenue YW YWHA. I know the area and I know the people! A quick jump on the 7 bus, and you come right to my store! A ride on the #1 train with a transfer to the 7 bus if that is easier, and here you are! The 10 bus stops nearby as well!

How many come from Monsey, and other areas you would not expect? Larchmont, Scarsdale, Orange county! I can't believe it myself!

Why? Aside from my experience, I have a small child friendly store, with a Thomas the Tank Engine play table to play with anytime, even if you are not getting a haircut! Why would someone from the upper west side, or even Chelsea opt to come all the way to me with all of the choices around? We only do one child at a time. you get ALL of my attention. YOU ARE WHAT MATTERS TO ME.

And my blog and website...people read them from ALL OVER the world!

Also, I have some pretty decent toys, at pretty decent prices, so please, give us a try at Someplace Special. Call and make an appointment, try not to just walk in because we are very busy, and I will be just thrilled to see you!

No appointment needed for toy buying! Save on shipping, shop locally!

See you soon!

We Have a Pretty Cool Selection of Gifts Right Now!

WPIX SHOOT WENT GREAT!
The video shoot for the channel 11 morning show with Tiffany McElroy went very well on Tuesday! I can't wait to see how it comes out. As soon as I know when it will be on, I'll let you know. I had help from a few customers and neighbors and that made me feel very good. One of the things that has made me love my work so much is the fact that so many of my customers, in fact 99.99% of them are a pleasure to work with! How lucky can I be!

WE HAVE SOME NICE TOYS IN THE SHOP!
I want to remind you all that I have a nice selection of gifts in the store right now and It would be great if you could do a little bit of your holiday shopping with me. Imagine not having to get into a car and drive far, or spend hours searching the internet for what you want! Maybe I have it, maybe it is right in your backyard. Come take a look and be pleasantly surprised.

Right now, my biggest seller is my NYC transit authority approved MTA wooden trains that fit on the Thomas and Brio tracks. And you thought you had to go downtown to the Transit Museum to get them! I'll even mail them to you, and you can pay with a credit card or paypal. If you are interested, come in or give me a call. I have the whole line!

I also want to say that you can look me up on Facebook and join my group. At some point I will start posting contests and news that you can only find there.

Hope your Thanksgiving was GREAT!

Happy Thanksgiving, and FREE HAIRCUT OFFER !!!!!

Hello friends!
First of all, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Of course I will be closed. As you remember how lucky you are to be with friends and family, remember the children in Ghana, or anywhere else that people are suffering and do your best to help.


RED ALERT!!!!!!!

On a TOTALLY different note... Channel 11 will be coming to my shop to tape on Tuesday, December 2nd at 10am and I need a few customers there. Your NEXT haircut free for the first FIVE who get in touch with me. You MUST communicate with me first in order to cash in on this great offer. If you do not let me know, and just walk in, There will be no free haircut. I only have a limited amount of space. Call Friday, Saturday, or Sunday when I am working and leave a message with your phone number so I can call you back.

Thanks again, and have a wonderful day!

Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester, and Beyond. Children Come To Me From All Over!

People sometimes ask me where my customers come from. They assume that most of my customers are local...Not really!!

I was as surprised as anyone that along with all of my good friends from one end of the Bronx to the other, especially Riverdale, I started noticing people from Manhattan and Queens. Alot of people! Then all over Westchester. Hastings, Ardsley, Irvington, and all along the river towns. Scarsdale (a surprising amount of people from Scarsdale come to me), Larchmont, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, even Somers,which is so far away, and of course Yonkers, which is so close. If I haven't mentioned a town, well someone from there has probably been to me too!

Orange county, Rockland county, all over New York State!

Lots of New Jersey of course, Connecticut, and of course there are the "pop ins."

Who you may ask are the "pop ins?"

Well let's say you moved to Israel, Or Maine, or England, or Chicago, and you are coming in to NYC to visit a relative, why not stop and get a haircut? More people than you can imagine actually do! Hey, just take the trip for the haircut! I LOVE seeing children that I haven't seen in awhile!

I had a family that used to come in from Russia that were recommended to me by a friend of theirs IN RUSSIA! They came in pretty often, and I thought that was pretty cool!

Another category of "pop ins" are the kids that only come to me occasionally. Maybe their schools are not convenient to getting to me before I close. Really I know that there are a million reasons that someone might love me, my shop, and my haircuts, but may not be able to get to me. ANYTIME you show up for a haircut, or even just to stick your head in and say a big hi, I'll be so happy to see you!

I have had the absolute privilege of watching so many children grow up. That is on the list as being one of the GREAT perks of my job. I LOVE the "pop ins!" I love the regulars!

So come in and get a haircut, just say hello, or play with my trains. I'm here every day except Monday and Tuesday, and I am waiting to see you!

And don't forget to visit me for your holiday shopping...had to throw that in there!...Munipals, Munipals, Munipals! And lots more! Stop spending your time at your computer looking for no shipping codes! I promise, I won't charge you any shipping! Shop locally!

Forced Labor In Ghana, See My Previous Post

For those of you new to my blog, It is supposed to be about cutting children's hair, and if you read previous posts and future posts, you will see that it mostly is, but I also have a special interest in the problems with forced labor of children in Ghana, so check out an older post of mine, Child Slavery in Ghana and take some time to watch the video.

I PROMISE I will get back to the business of writing about haircuts and my store in my next entry!
But for now, If you want to know more about how I handle autistic children, scared children, or any children, just scroll down for posts about what actually goes on in my store.

Thanks to Everyone Who Made October 29th Special for Someplace Special and the Children in Ghana

The Press conference is over.
Finally I can breathe and finally I get a chance to write! Forgive me for taking so long to get to it. As you know I am pretty busy at work, but it is now time to thank everyone out there.

There were many people in my store Wednesday, October 29th, and I had a wonderful time. So many things happened and there are so many people I must thank.

Of course, the first people I must thank are the people working for the children in Ghana. Without their love for the children and their commitment to help get the word out, I would not have found out about what was happening and been so moved to help.

So I want to thank:

Eric Peasah, Slava Madorsky, and Niurka Pineiro from the IOM. Truly, they are wonderful people and the world is a better place because of them.

Everyone from Oriental Trading Company who went out of their way to make my winning the contest a wonderful event. Yes, they certainly do "Make the World More Fun!"

Craig Katz and Linda Chokoverty, who helped with some of the planning and set up events at Mount Sinai Hospital and at their home.

The Monroe College SIFE team who raised money by selling bracelets that contain the name of one of the children I sponsor, Welcome and who are thinking up business plans for the moms in Ghana so they will become self-sufficient and not feel forced to sell their children to traffickers. In fact, the SIFE team will continue to support the IOM and sell bracelets and make money to help support the children.

The news organizations who covered the event: The Daily News, The Caribbean News, the Riverdale Press and the Bronx News, along with countless Blogs who featured me like Bronx Mama, Mommy Poppins, Boogiedowner, and others.

Bruce Silverman who is technincally not with the news but who videotaped the event for the Oriental Trading Company.

David Bonanno who helped make my store look great, and is an all around nice guy.

Eliot Engel, who attended the ceremony at my store, and added me to the congressional record, I could not believe it! And Oliver Koppell who came to Monroe college to speak about the problem of child trafficking with the SIFE team and Mr. Peasah..

I ESPECIALLY want to thank my customers, and new and old and friends and relatives who voted for me in the contest, without whom I wouldn't be writing this today! Click on this, and see the story that won!

AND, of course my sweet wonderful husband Gary Axelbank, who helped me with EVERY aspect of this event (and my life) and set up some great PR, and finally got me on to BronxTalk, his TV show on channel 67! Now that was fun!

I am sure there are more of you to thank for one of the most wonderful days I ever had, but we will get to that, and post photos as soon as there is time. THANKS ALL!!!!!

And let's keep helping those children! You can bring any donations to me or send them to USAIM yourself. The truth is I was doing this before the contest and I'll continue to support them after the contest!

And if there is anyone out there who wants to send me to Ghana, so I can bring some donations personally, just give me a call!

We Are Having A Press Conference With Mr. Peasah of Ghana, and Oriental Trading Company!

Wow! We here at Someplace Special are now getting ready for the arrival of The Oriental Trading Company as well as the great Mr. Eric Peasah of Ghana. We are having a celebration in my store on Wednesday October 29th at 10:00 for the Oriental Trading Company to present checks to Mr Peasah and to me. I am hoping there will be a decent press turn-out, as well as some of you showing up to share in the fun!

After all, the contest was to MAKE THE WORLD MORE FUN! and hopefully, that is what I did.

If you want to make any donations to Mr. Peasah for the fine work he does in rescuing children that have been sold into forced labor, you are invited to do so. I would be happy to give the checks personally to Mr. Peasah. Or you can give them to him!

What an honor for me!

Or you can donate directly to USAIM, or the IOM. In the meantime, you can check out the page that Oriental Trading did about me and my store, and the work I do.

On A Different Note...MUNIPALS!
Finally, you don't have to go downtown to buy them!
In the store we are now selling great wooden trains made by munipals with all of your favorite subway lines. The A, the 1, the 4, and others. They are wonderful and well made, and will fit on your Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio track. Don't forget we also have inexpensive loose track made by Melissa and Doug to add to your Thomas and Brio collections. Come in and take a look.

Or just come in and play!

If Your Child Does Not Like Haircuts or Even Hates Haircuts...A Couple of Stories.

Early this morning a mom came in with the sweetest looking little boy around two and a half, three years old. She whispered quietly, "we've never had a successful one" meaning of course a successful haircut.

I went over to the little guy as he eyed my Thomas the Tank Engine play table. I got down on my knees and started playing with the trains. Knocking them off, saying silly things. After a few moments, he came over and started playing with me.

This went on for awhile...and this is one of the reasons I like my job... I get to sit on the floor and play! When I felt it was time to get closer, I took the plunge and started actually buzzing his hair. I left out a lot of the little tricks I used to make him feel more comfortable, But he never stopped moving, yet it came out great! His first successful haircut!

Now, I don't mind if a kid is walking, playing, dancing, or doing anything that involves his or her head moving. And when I am working on a child, or any age kid, that child is the most important person in the shop to me.

Sometimes I am working on an Autistic child, or a child in a wheelchair, Or any kid who needs extra attention, and another customer might feel a little uncomfortable. My attitude is go out and take a little walk! Whoever I am working on is my focus, just as you will be my focus later on. I try to give 100% to the most important person. The child on my chair! Or, of course, the child walking around and playing while I cut!

I have another boy who's come to the shop a couple of times. He's an older boy with autism. I will say that he is not a big lover of haircuts! But there was one point that I looked into his eyes, and a smile came to my face, and then a smile came to his! At that point it was smooth sailing! It worked out great.

Since then, I have listed my services on two Autism websites, along with being on the lists of countless schools. As a matter of fact, I worked in a school for autistic children a few years ago.

Some children cannot be soothed. They just hate or are scared of the whole process. If you want me to do their hair in spite of their crying, I can. I will be careful, quick, and will not hurt them.

Some advice...many children get more scared if you talk to much about and go over and over the process. For some kids, the more they talk about something and ask to do it, the more scared they really are of it. The ones who cry really cannot help it.

Come see me! I can never guarantee your child will let me cut his hair quietly. I cannot guarantee your child will let me get close, or touch her or him. But I work hard, and I respect your child! Let me make friends with your child. As I said, I do my best, and I love what I do!

And the Winner Is...

I can hardly believe this! Check out this web page Oriental Trading ...scroll down to the big button that says "Make the world more fun! Contest and instant win game. Read the winning story." And read the winning story!

I can hardly believe it!

And get a load of your Oriental Trading Company catalogs! You know you'll get at least two in the next mail. There is my name bigger than life on the back. Wow!

Remember, you are all invited to our little party on October 29th when we will be presented with our prizes from the Oriental Trading Company. Mr. Eric Peasah from Ghana, and Slava Madorsky from USAIM will be right in my little shop to accept, along with me, and the Oriental Trading Company!

Wow again! And Thanks!

Oriental Trading Company Comes to the Bronx!

As you know, I am closed today, as I always am on Tuesdays, and I will also be closed tomorrow Wednesday, for the Jewish holiday.

For those of you who are interested, on October 29th, time to be announced, I will be having representatives from Oriental Trading and from USAIM at my store. I'd love to make it a party, and you are all invited. Too bad I am not in my former large spot! But of course, this is all for a wonderful cause, so I am hoping to get some kids from the local schools, and maybe even some reps from some of the churches and synagogues in the area. Any ideas you have, please email me!

Of course it goes without saying that to host people from USAIM and Mr. Peasah from Ghana at my store is a dream come true, as I am trying to expand on my work with Ghana and the children there. It has truly made me feel more fulfilled in my life. But something about hosting the Oriental Trading Company is real cool too! Who ever thought that would happen? After all of these years of buying things from them for my store, for the kids in Ghana, and of course for all of the birthday parties and other events I had for my own children over the years!

What they are doing for the children in Ghana is so wonderful. $5,000 in cash, and $5,000 in prizes goes a long way in Ghana! Thank you OTC!

I hope I can make all of their experiences good ones in the Bronx!

Holiday Schedule

Just want you all to know that I will be closed for Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1. One extra day more than my usual Monday and Tuesday.

I will also take off Thursday October 9th for Yom Kippur.

Remember to call and make an appointment before the holiday. See you soon!

News and Thoughts From My Busy Shop!

Still waiting to hear about the fun things that might happen with Oriental Trading! My fantasy...they will actually send me to Ghana to present gifts to the kids! I have become very involved with the situation in Ghana. Then I could meet the two children I sponsor, and the other children too.

I was turned on to an interesting website City of Refuge Ministries that illustrates more of the problem and the work. There are many Christian organizations working in Ghana. The Organizations I work with the, IOM and USAIM are not Christian ministries. They are governmental agencies.



On to things that actually have something to do with the store!

This week has been moderatly busy. As you know, the last few weeks have been a crazy crazy BUSY wonderful time in the shop. I had to turn away many because I was already over booked. I always say that you have to have a sense of humor to come into my place! and an appointment if I am that busy! I am crawling on the floor trying to catch a toddler, my message machine is answering phone calls, and there is a general feeling of fun in the place along with hair on the floor! Please Please make appointments! I am willing to come in early and stay late if I know you are coming! I LOVE what I do!

Still, I have interesting seasons in my store. Right now with the back to school rush not quite so rushed, people are starting to wait until right before Rosh Hashanah ,so things have slowed down a bit, although the weekend was pretty busy. The holiday begins at sundown on Monday September 29 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday October 1. Right before it starts I will see another surge. Call soon! Also, you never know when someone will cancel. I PROMISE I will get all of you done!

I have been thinking about the toys in the store.

Everyone, tell me what kind of toys you want. You can email me at someplacespecial@gmail.com
Green stuff? Batmans? More art supplies? Educational toys? You tell me!

Remember, you are invited to come and play with my Thomas the Tank Engine play table anytime, so come in even if you are not getting a haircut or buying a toy!

See you soon!

A Fun Job Waiting For YOU!

A Great photo of me and a pretty little customer that was taken by her nice dad. The mom is real nice too and it makes me think about how lucky I am to be able to work in the environment I do. Great kids, great parents, and I really enjoy my job and have alot of fun. So I was wondering...

Is there anyone out there that might enjoy working in a great place like this? Are you a licensed hairdresser with some experience? Do you love kids? Are you willing to crawl around on the floor to make them comfortable? If not, I will!!

Do you have a special skill? Braiding? Chemical work? Do you want to rent a chair? Do you NOT want to rent a chair?

Do you want to stay away from braiding, chemical work and just want to concentrate on great haircuts?

Whatever you want to do, lets talk!

Here you can have a flexible schedule, a fun place to come to, and alot of new friends.

Give me a call if you happen to read this and are interested. I'm waiting to meet you!

Remember, Licensed hairdressers only!

A Bunch of Stuff!

Someplace Special

Keep your eyes open for the new Oriental Trading Company Catalog. They say I will be somewhere in the Halloween issue. Wild! Huh? Not a place I ever thought I'd be!

By the way, I will be closed Sunday. I am sorry about that. I know that it would be a very busy day if I were there, but family obligations take precedence this Sunday. My mother in laws 80th birthday party! After the busy weeks I've had getting all of the children ready for school by making them look good, I need a good party!

I want to remind you all that if you have a child with special needs, please come visit my shop. As you can see, big or small, I will make your child's experience as pleasant as I can. If you want any information about the organization that this young man's father runs for parents of autistic children, go to www.bxangels.org Looks like a great organization.

He's a handsome boy and a good dresser too! A bit taller than most of my customers, but as you see, I'll do anything I need to do to get the job done. Even stand on my tippy toes!

There is one more photo I'd like share with you. A beautiful girl who comes to me, and I was lucky enough to have my camera in the store! I've actually taken alot of pictures, and over the coming days I will download more. But for now...




See you soon!

We're Back!

Hey all my friends! It has been pretty busy here lately. As you know, I went on vacation to Niagara Falls, and on to Cleveland to see the Rock and Roll hall of fame. I had a great time in both places, but the real highlight of my trip was to visit my son in Rochester. It's nice to see one of my own kids for a change!

Then I took another day off and saw Bob Dylan in Saratoga. Now you know why I haven't been around for a few days.

I had a very nice chat with the CEO of the Oriental Trading Company. Seems like a real nice guy who has a few kids of his own. There was more I wanted to say about what the children in Ghana go through, but I get a little shy with people, unless I am cutting their hair! Boy, I'd love to go visit them. I am looking forward to hearing more about what is in store for those wonderful kids in Ghana from the Oriental Trading Company. Also, what's in store for me!

I was thinking, it isn't that our kids have too much, it is that all kids should have too much! By too much I don't mean the things money can buy, although a nice, secure, comfortable, home and food should be a right too! I mean the loving and security, the holding and comforting, a chance to learn...too much should be a right for every child. But the most important thing is an adult or pair of adults that a child can rely on, that will not hurt them. That is the key.

A very good friend once said to me "we can only be truly independent if we know we have someone we can depend on." Think about it. That is what children need.

So till I have something else to say...
Talk to you soon!

We Will Be Closed Sunday August 17th!

Sorry! But we will reopen Wednesday the 20th! Call us after 10:00 on Wednesday to make an appointment!
See you then!

Here I am again! I'm back and the phone keeps ringing and ringing! Thank goodness!

I want to thank you all for your congratulations and good wishes about me winning the Oriental Trading Company's contest, Make the World More Fun. As I said, I emailed many of you about this contest, and so many of you have told me how impressed you are that Oriental Trading Company is taking part in ths wonderful mitzvah! After all of these years of buying things from them, it is nice to see that they appear to be a very nice company.

I still do not know what is ahead now that I've won, but I sure hope it will be fun! I'm waiting to hear more from them.

If you want to come in for an appointment, please give me a call first, we will be very busy this week, and I will not be here Sunday.

Thanks again

Hey all! I've been away for a few days, but don't worry, I'll be back for more hair cutting starting Wednesday August 13th. Call me then to make an appointment.

I want to inform all of you...

I WON THAT CONTEST

from the Oriental Trading Company!!! Those great kids in Ghana who used to be slaves, and the children that are still slaves and are yet to be rescued will be getting $5,000 worth of Oriental Trading products and $5,000 CASH. I could never afford to do this on my own!

THANK YOU Oriental Trading!!!

I also want to thank all of the people that I have been driving crazy for votes. Of course that will stop now. My customers to whom I have spoken of nothing else, People on the street that I grabbed, some that I really did not even know, All the Yahoo groups that I sent emails to asking for votes (and members really did vote) My old high school friends, and their friends , my wonderful local friends and my relatives and their friends, EVERYBODY who helped me out with votes on the Oriental Trading website, I thank you all!

The people who work with the children are already making their orders, and I know that there will be a ton of publicity, local and national, but I have to fill out a few forms first to get the ball rolling and then I guess it will be splashed all over their website!

What a vacation I am having!
Thanks again, all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to VOTE!

Two very important items...TODAY, August 4th is the LAST day to vote for my story on Oriental Trading!!
Please do! If I win, those former slave children in Ghana will get $10,000. $5,000 in Oriental Trading products, and $5,000 in CASH.
Voting is going on until 5:00
Vote Here!

For more information about what is going on with these children in Ghana, see my June 10th entry.

ALSO it is always best to make an appointment at the shop. I am the only one cutting hair and I would hate to have anyone wait. Not only that, people come from so far away to get haircuts from me, I would really hate to be too busy to even get to you! Always call ahead if you can!

I Am A Finalist In A Contest and I Need YOUR Help To Win!

Many of you already know that Someplace Special has been very active in helping children who are, or have been, slaves in Ghana. Well now something very special has happened to Someplace Special, and I need your help!

A couple of months ago, I entered a contest held by The Oriental Trading Company, a toy catalog that many of you have heard about. The challenge was to write an essay telling about a person or an organization that you believed could use a little more fun in their lives.

As it turns out, I have been notified that I am among 10 finalists picked from thousands of entries. At this point, I need all of you to go to this website, www.maketheworldmorefun.com and vote for me (one vote per computer). The children in Ghana will receive $10,000, half in cash, and half in product from Oriental Trading Company , If I win.

For more information about the situation that now exists in Ghana, please read my blog and watch the video I have posted in the June 10th entry. You may also check out the organizations that will get the money and distribute it to the children, the IOM and the US arm of the organization, USAIM.

Thanks so much, and please go and vote, you will be doing the children and the world a big favor! Only one vote per computer will be allowed!

This is the entry that put me in the top 10

In Ghana is a group of children that has lived their early years in slavery. Poor parents, overwhelmed by their child's needs, sell them to fisherman as apprentices, not realizing the children will become slaves as young as 5 years old. They dive into freezing water to untangle fishing nets and herd cattle. They are beaten often, eat little, and get no medical care. I have been dealing with an organization called the IOM (international organization for migration), which buys back these children and sends them to school. They try to give them a secure life, food, clothes, shelter, and an education.

When I found out about the children, the store I own had a party and donated money spent on art projects to the organization. My customers decorated gold cardboard crowns we bought from you, with all kinds of collage materials we bought from you, and made $500.00 for the organization. Then I thought they needed fun in their lives and ordered blow up vinyl animals and sport balls from you along with tootsie pops. The kids were thrilled. I see so many things I would like to send them in your catalog, but I just cannot afford to do all I want even though you have wonderfully fair prices. My business still makes very little profit. PLEASE HELP THESE KIDS HAVE FUN!!! They have had so little in their short lives. I pray you will show them that people really do care. Soon another group of children will be rescued. The IOM has to keep returning for more. Show them all you care!
Photos of the children are Courtesy of the IOM

Hey All, It's My Birthday! July 5th

This might be the very first time I have ever closed or not worked on my birthday, unless I was already scheduled for day off, but since it is a long weekend, I figured that I'd take a break! Of course I will be back to work on Sunday, so call after 10:00am to make an appointment.

I thought you might think this was kind of cute!

Child Slavery in Ghana

As you know, I have decided to do my part fighting against child slavery. Take a look at this video and see why the problem has touched me so deeply.

Here is a link to a very interesting article about the problem. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/mar/22/sarahleft. You will have to copy and paste if you want to read it, as I haven't quite figured out how to make links yet!!

The IOM, International Organization for Migration, needs money to help buy back the children who are enslaved. The only way the slave masters, as they call themselves, will let the children go is if they are paid. To that end, I will be selling plaster pieces, princesses, dinosaurs, trains, and other items that you and your children can take home and paint. I will also give you two colors of paint, all for $5.00. The money will go to the IOM.

I have also made up 500 rubber bracelets with the name of one of the children Someplace Special sponsors. His name is Welcome, and I thought that was a nice sounding name to make a charitable contribution to. The bracelets will be $3.00 to $5.00 or more, whatever you are comfortable giving, and they come in adult and kid sizes.



Welcome is a bright 12 year old boy who has spent much of his life in slavery. Now he is in school and doing well. We also sponsor a boy named Selassie. He is only 5 years old, and has already lived through the horror of slavery.

Recently I sent a box of toys to the children, you can see them blowing up the assorted vinyl toys I sent. Since I am also used to giving children lollipops, I sent a bunch of those too! Whatever I can do to make them happy, Just like I do with your children, I will, but I need your help!

Please remember to pick up some bracelets and some plaster pieces to paint, make a kids life just a bit happier.

Thanks everyone, and I will try to keep the posts a bit lighter now! After all, Someplace Special is a happy place!

Someplace Special Gives Back

I've been thinking a lot about the kids in Ghana who are used as slaves by the fishermen on the Volta river.

These kids at 5 years old are up at 6AM to help the fishermen get the nets ready, make sure that the nets are not ripped, and then plunge into the freezing water to unstick stuck nets and help catch the fish. When they are done fishing hours later, they herd the cattle.

Yes! Can you imagine, 5 year olds! And 6 and 7 and so on.They are hardly fed and never taken to doctors, and many are beaten regularly and they never go to school. They are truly slaves!

I cannot ignore this situation. Here I am working with your wonderful, beautiful, happy, kids and you all know that my goal with my customers is to make them as happy as possible during their haircuts. TV, toys and anything it takes. They deserve it!! I love it, and that is why I do it. But these other kids so far away in Ghana deserve it too! So do all children in the world, New York, Myanmar, everywhere. Even just the basics! They don't even have that.

These days I am in contact with some great people in Ghana who are helping these kids, and I am going to set up a fund. The Welcome fund, so named for the 12 year old boy that this store sponsors with the money made at our 5th birthday party. A very bright 12 year old named Welcome, who was BOUGHT BACK (yes, I said BOUGHT back! That is how the organization in Ghana gets the children to safety). Now he attends school and lives a free life.

I will be selling off my plastercraft items that we used to use at parties and paint for $5.00 for each plastercraft piece and 2 paint colors. That money will go to the IOM, The International Organization for Migration (slavery is considered forced migration). Please help me save another child.
Thanks everyone!
Suzanne
PS, as if this all wasn't enough, I will also have my little Kiva piggy bank out to collect pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, to help people with micro loans around the world!

Some Cute Pictures

Just thought you might like to see a few of my sweet customers. I cut the hair of alot of girls too, I just do not have any pictures of them right now.

If you have any pictures you would like to send me, please do!

Someplace Special is always SOMEPLACE SPECIAL!

Great New Products in the Shop

Things are really busy at the shop now. It is definitely a good idea to make an appointment! And not only are people coming in for haircuts, they are also coming in for the many toys we are selling now. All kinds of things like Zoosticks, great beginning chopsticks for those little sushi lovers out there
And bubbles bubbles...LOTS of bubbles!


I really cannot believe how many nice things I am surrounded by now in my new store.I have tried my best to pick out things you will all like. California Baby products, Anti Lice shampoo from Circle of Friends, realistic looking animals from Schliech and adorable tiny baby dolls. I also have the greatest finger puppets. Please come in and take a look! GREAT things to fill a party bag with.
As always, I invite you to come in and play with my Thomas the Tank Engine Play Table any time!

A Little Bit About What I Do

Wow! Today a family who had been customers and moved to Georgia stopped by so their child could get a haircut.

I am always so flattered when that happens, and it happens a lot! Of course they came to visit friends and family and found a chance to fit me in, but recently a family came all the way from Maine JUST for a haircut! Of course I am sure they visited some friends too, but the haircut was the original reason for the visit!

Both of these families are wonderful people.

Now the child from Maine is really NOT a big fan of haircuts, but I did my best as I always do.

Over time I have developed a large following of kids who love haircuts, kids who are typical developing but hate haircuts and special needs kids. I am always happy to try my best. I can be mighty silly, and am able to distract many kids so they get a good haircut. Unfortunately for some kids only the tight grip of a parent will make it possible for me to do the job. For 99% of these extra sensitive children, as soon as I stop, they are fine. I like to think of them as having a strong sense of self preservation.

I can never guarantee that I will make a child who hates haircuts happy, but I seem to have a lot of success, and I get the job done 99 out of 100 times.

So if you have a kid who hates haircuts, try me out! I will do my best to make your child as happy as possible with bubbles, puzzles, and skill!

OH YEA, I almost have the new store set up the way I want it, thanks to some wonderful friends and customers. Dina (who runs a great art class Wednesdays and Fridays)Dave, Bonnie, Jodie, Norm, Maria, and others. Forgive me if I left you out... It's been like an Amish barn raising...you're all wonderful!

Check out these Cuties!

Here is one guy whose hair I cut for the first time a few years ago, and still do. He always comes in with the most beautiful long blond hair and we cut it all off and start again! Too bad his face doesn't show here! he's just gorgeous!



Here is another baby who is truly a miracle! Just take a look at him! Another gorgeous kid!

Send me your photos! I'd love to post them! Just email to someplacespecial@aol.com

Remember To Make Appointments! It's Getting Busy These Days

As you know, Passover is just about here! Before passover, April 20th, is the last time Orthodox Jews can get their hair cut because as it says on the Chabad website, "

"The seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot are a time of anticipation and preparation, during which we retrace the Israelites' journey from the Exodus to Mount Sinai. As our ancestors did more than 33 centuries ago, we count these 49 days and refine the 49 sefirot ("attributes" or characteristics of the soul) associated with them.

But the Omer weeks are also a time of sadness. No marriages are conducted during this period; like mourners, we don't cut our hair or enjoy the sound of music. For as the Talmud tells us, it was in this period that thousands of Torah scholars, disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva, died in a plague because "they did not conduct themselves with respect for each other."

So, if you want to get a haircut before April 20th...make sure to call and make an appointment. I am sure to be super busy before then!

There is enough time to get to ALL of my customers, as I will be opening early and closing late, and maybe working a couple of Mondays and Tuesdays, which I never do! I am also taking alot of vitamins these days!!!

See you ALL soon!

My Changing Table Is All Hooked Up! And Please...Try To Make An Appointment (not for the changing table!!!)

Yippee! My new changing table has been installed, in the bathroom, just like it is supposed to be, so I will not need to put a curtain around it like I planned! I am so happy to have it (it is the little things in life!) and I invite everyone with kids to come in and use it any time. My bathroom is your bathroom!

A thank you to Peter Kelly, my contractor...if you need one, I'd be happy to recommend him!

I want to warn everyone that this is a very busy time for haircuts at Someplace Special. PLEASE make appointments early. I am really sorry to have to do that, but if you call first, there will be room for everybody. I will be starting early, and ending late so everyone can look beautiful for their holidays and beyond.

Lots of toys and workbooks in the store. Come and get 'em!

Shop locally! You'll have more time for everything else!

A New Changing Table, a New Neighbor, and Some Thoughts

For those of you interested, there will be a new changing table put up in my store! You all know I'm all for convenience for my customers! Unfortunately in the new store a regular changing table did not fit in the bathroom so I bought the type that folds against the wall. It will be put up right by the bathroom. Eventually I will put up a curtain too so you will have a bit more privacy.

As a matter of fact, I know exactly where I will get that curtain! Right next door to me, a new store is opening. It is called Three Brothers Upholstery. The owner is a real nice guy named Edgar, and I am thrilled because it has been a bit too quiet on my block. Now I have company! Please visit Edgar for your upholstery, refinishing furniture and drapery needs. He can even recover your car seats. Tell him I sent you!

There are a couple of very worthy charities I have been wanting to tell you about. One is a wonderful organization called the IOM. The International Organization for Migration. It is a wonderful organization helping enslaved children in Ghana. This organization actually rescues them and reunites them with their families, along with educating and helping the families stay together.

Another is Kiva. Kiva is dear to my heart because it is set up to help people trying to run their own businesses and climb up out of poverty. I know how it is to need that few extra dollars, so it is wonderful to be able to help people in similar situations at a level that is comfortable for you.

Please take a look at these organizations!

And come in and change your baby any time!

The New Space is Coming Together

Right now, we are almost finished with our big move, and big things are happening even if our space is actually a little smaller!

First of all, the new space is really starting to feel great! Lots of friends coming in to wish me good luck, and lots of toys being delivered to keep me busy putting them away in between doing what I love, haircuts on kids!

There are so many toys in the store now. I have really adorable finger puppets, flying pigs, mice in baskets, all kinds of bubble blowers and Alex Bathtub toys. One thing I found when I went to the toy fair this year was an ORGANIC play dough compound that feels like play dough but is made of high quality organic ingredients that are blended when ordered so they are fresh! Come try out a sample! It comes in all different colors.

I am also working on an order of California Baby products. If anyone has any requests, let me know. I am going to try and discount the products...

Which leads me to this...ALMOST no toy in my store will be over $10.00! Maybe only a special purchase here and there, but right now ALL but one toy, a bubble blower that a baby can operate by themselves ($19.99) will be $10.00 and under. Including all of the Melissa and Doug puzzles I have that originally cost more.

So until next time...Come on in!

Remember, even if you are not getting a haircut you are welcome to play in the store with our Thomas train set up!