Friday, February 15, 2013

Wave Hill Events March 1–March 8


Just a reminder that our hours change on March 15: Starting that Friday, we are open until 5:30pm, taking advantage of the increasingly long, lovely days of spring.

SAT, MARCH 2   FAMILY ART PROJECT—FAMILY ROOTS AND BRANCHES
Family Roots and Branches/Ramas y Raices Familiares
Make a family album featuring your family’s global roots. See and sketch trees from around the world and use your sketch in a collaged, hand-made book bound with a found twig. Bring family photos, if you like, to adorn your album. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 2    GARDENING DEMONSTRATION: INDOOR ORCHIDS
Isabel Lopatin grows orchids in her home and exhibits her exceptional plants at shows throughout the northeast. Discover the system she calls “strategic orchid growing”—a technique for getting the best results for the least work—and find out how to select and care for orchids that will thrive in your home.  A range of interesting orchids, especially suitable for indoor culture, will be for sale in The Shop. Free with admission to the grounds.
PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, MARCH 3    FAMILY ART PROJECT—FAMILY ROOTS AND BRANCHES
Family Roots and Branches/Ramas y Raices Familiares
Make a family album featuring your family’s global roots. See and sketch trees from around the world and use your sketch in a collaged, hand-made book bound with a found twig. Bring family photos, if you like, to adorn your album. Free with admission to the grounds.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 3    WINTER WORKSPACE: SCULPTING IMAGINARY PLANTS  WORKSHOP FULL
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Lina Puerta’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. The artist demonstrates how she creates images of the environment using natural materials such as mud and beeswax sourced from the site. Using these techniques, participants will make their own drawings of the local landscape. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Free with admission to the grounds. This program also takes place on March 12.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

SUN, MARCH 3    BIRDING BOOTCAMP  NEW
Can you tell a catbird from a cowbird? New and experienced birders are invited to join us to learn proven techniques for simple bird identification using visual and audible clues. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2–4PM

SUN, MARCH 3    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, MARCH 4
Closed to the public.

TUE, MARCH 5    WINTER WORKSPACE: VISUALIZING THE IMAGINERY—LANDSCAPE COLLAGE  WORKSHOP FULL
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Naomi Reis’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Participants will create collages of imaginary landscapes by adding tracings and drawings of plant life to photographs of existing buildings at Wave Hill. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day. Reis is offering a second, different workshop on March 9.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in February and March. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.
 
 

NYC TEACHERS' PENSION FUND DIVESTS FROM GUN INDUSTRY


Becomes Largest Pension Fund in the Country to Divest Since Newtown Tragedy

  
City Comptroller John C. Liu today announced that the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (“TRS”) has divested its publicly traded commercial gun and ammunition manufacturers. The move follows a thorough review process of the fund’s exposure to such investments in light of recent gun-related tragedies.

The school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and the continued prevalence of gun violence across the country prompted TRS’ Board of Trustees to request an evaluation of the system’s investments in the gun industry. The analysis concluded that divestment would be consistent with TRS’ fiduciary standards and overall investment process.

“There is no need to support these companies, whose products can destroy lives and shatter communities in the blink of an eye,” said Comptroller Liu. “Our investment portfolio gains nothing by doing business with these firms, and this is a sound decision that sends an important message about our commitment to addressing the plague of gun violence in every possible way.”

“This is the right thing to do,” said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. “After the tragedy at Sandy Hook, we, as educators, had to make sure that guns were not part of our holdings.”

The five companies TRS divested from are: Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE: ATK), Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN), Forjas Taurus SA (IBOV: FJTA4), Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC), and Sturm, Ruger & Company (NYSE: RGR).

The $46.6 billion fund is the nation’s largest pension fund to divest its gun industry holdings since the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., on December 14, 2012. Similar reviews are under way at pension funds across the country.

In addition to Comptroller Liu, who also serves as investment advisor to the fund, the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System trustees are Mayoral Representative Carolyn Wolpert, Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm, New York City Department of Education; and Sandra March, Melvyn Aaronson (Chair), and Mona Romain, all of the United Federation of Teachers.

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events, and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter. To receive Twitter updates via text message, text “follow johncliu” to 40404. View the latest Comptroller’s office videos on YouTube.


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Comments on Mayor Bloombergs Final State of the City Speech


 City Comptroller John C. Liu today made the following statement in response to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s State of the City address:

 

“Obviously, Mayor Bloomberg can point to some accomplishments after 11 years, especially in improving New Yorkers’ health through reductions in smoking. But his selective retelling of history leaves out some troubling facts: near record unemployment, record numbers of homeless, record income disparity, record stop and frisks, record claims against the NYPD, record numbers of school closures, and a failed education record that has only one in five high school students graduating from college.  How can we be satisfied with that? No one can say that New Yorkers of all walks of life shared equally in the accomplishments he claims as his legacy.  Bloomberg’s third term was a great mistake, and this entire City is paying the price for that act of hubris.”

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STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ
RE: Mayor Bloomberg’s ‘State of the City’ Address
 
“I congratulate Mayor Bloomberg on both his final ‘State of the City’ address and his promise to not only rebuild those communities that were devastated by Superstorm Sandy but to do so in a matter consistent with his 12-year commitment to making all of New York City cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

“I also thank Mayor Bloomberg for his continued push for federal gun and immigration reform, bold environmental initiatives and his commitment to continue to work with my office on the responsible redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory.

“I agree with the mayor’s echo of President Obama’s call for greater technology education opportunities in our City, and I urge that one of these new tech schools be opened right here in the Bronx. I am also happy to hear that the mayor has proposed a new health careers high school in the South Bronx. The children of the Bronx need access to lucrative career training, and this high school is a great first step towards that goal.

“However, the mayor’s insistence that the police department’s ‘stop and frisk’ program is perfect and needs no reform is unfortunate. As I have stated in the past, I believe that the NYPD’s ‘stop and frisk’ program, as it is currently constituted, needs considerable reform, so that the police can keep our streets safe while also respecting the constitutional rights of our citizens.

“We must return to the ‘stop, question and frisk’ policy of years past, and I remain prepared to work with the police department and this administration on meaningful reform of these policies, provided they are ready to do that work as well,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

 

 

   

Highlights of Mayor Bloomberg's Final State of the City Address


This is taken in part from the State of the City speech given by Mayor Bloomberg earlier today at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“Over the past eleven years, we have beaten the odds, and the obstructionists, over and over again, not just here in Brooklyn, but in neighborhoods all across the city. For instance, back in 2002, we were told that you couldn’t bring crime down any further without locking up more people. But today, murders and shootings are at new record lows – and, so are incarceration rates.

“Back then, we were told businesses would flee the city after 9/11. Today, there are a record number of jobs in our city – and Lower Manhattan is more full of life than ever.

“Back then, we were told the school system could never be fixed. Today, graduation rates are up by 41 percent – compared to just nine percent in the rest of the state.

“Back then, we were told that Manhattan would always be the prime driver of job growth. But today, job growth is happening fastest outside of Manhattan, and it exceeds the national average in all five boroughs.

“Again and again, we have defied the conventional wisdom. We’ve gone from having the sixth highest poverty rate among the 20 largest cities to having the eighth lowest – and we’ve reduced the welfare rolls by 22 percent. We went into the recent national recession later than the rest of the country, and we came out sooner and stronger. We’ve added more than 750 acres to our parks and turned New York City into an international leader on green growth and climate change.

“We’ve raised life expectancy to record highs – far outpacing the national average – and we’ve cut teen pregnancy to record lows. We’ve reduced fire fatalities and traffic fatalities and emergency response times to record lows. And we’ve built the largest and most sophisticated counter-terrorism operation of any police department in the country.

“As a result of all this work, even though we’re still recovering from the most devastating natural disaster in our entire history, each of the five boroughs is better off today than ever before and the state of our city has never been stronger!

“But as far as we’ve come, our work is not done. We have unfinished business – and only 320 days to complete it. As the countdown clock in City Hall says: we’re going to Make Every Day Count.

“Our goal is not to spend the year cutting ribbons. It’s much bigger than that: Our goal is to advance projects – and start new ones – that will keep our city on the right course for decades to come. And to do that, we’ll take on the toughest jobs – and the most politically difficult jobs.

“The special interests and campaign donors have never had less power than they’ve had over the past 11 years. And this year, we’re going to show just how true that is.

“That’s why 2013 will be our busiest – and most important – year yet.

“Today, I’d like to share our plans for how we’ll keep New York City on course for a brighter future. And this is the perfect place to do it, here at Atlantic Yards – the largest development project in Brooklyn’s history.

“The Third Water Tunnel is just one of many big projects that are supporting our economy, growing our tax base, and making our communities better places to live. On Staten Island, thanks to support from Borough President Molinaro and Minority Leader Oddo, we’re building the largest new park since the 1930s at Fresh Kills.

“At Ocean Breeze on Staten Island, we’ll finish construction of one of the largest track and field complexes on the East Coast – and our largest PlaNYC recreational center.

“Across the bay in Lower Manhattan, next to the National September 11th Memorial and Museum, the Port Authority is completing 1 World Trade Center, the tallest building in the
Western Hemisphere.

“In midtown, we’re helping the New York Public Library build the largest circulating and research library in the world.

“At Hudson Yards, the MTA will finish construction on the Number 7 train extension, the first new subway track to be funded by the City in 50 years – and the catalyst to the most ambitious development ever undertaken in our City.

“Next door, the High Line – once slated for demolition – will complete its third leg next year.

“All of these projects will strengthen our economy and our communities. All over the city, we’re renewing our landscape in ways that create good jobs for New Yorkers today, and position us to lead the innovation economy of tomorrow.

“In West Harlem, we’ve set the stage for Columbia University to build an entirely new campus, which will increase the size of its engineering faculty by 50 percent. And we’ve helped New York University, Fordham University, and the City University of New York all embark on major expansions of their campuses.

“Never before in our city’s history has there been so much university expansion and never before has there been so much scientific investment. This year, we’ll finish construction on the next phase of the BioBat Center at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. We’ll open a $50 million Genome Research Center in Lower Manhattan. At the East River Science Park, not only will we complete the next major phase of construction, a major pharmaceutical company, Roche, will move 200 research jobs from New Jersey there. And we’ll move forward with our plans for a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility and a new health science center for CUNY’s Hunter College. All of this university and scientific investment is generating jobs – not only for those who will work in the labs, but for all those who will build and operate them and for all of the small businesses that will surround them.

“In the Bronx, we’ll work with Borough President Diaz to bring new life – and good jobs – back to the Kingsbridge Armory. In Queens, we’ll work with Major League Soccer to bring soccer back to our city for the first time since the Cosmos left in 1977.

“At Willets Point – ignored by the City since Robert Moses failed to turn it into parkland – we’ll work with Borough President Marshall to begin the process of cleaning it up and bringing jobs and open space to the community – and down the road, hopefully even a convention center.

“In Manhattan, we’ll bring to life two projects that have been on the drawing boards for decades: redeveloping the South Street Seaport and developing the sites around Seward Park on the Lower East Side, and I want to thank the community board and the local elected officials for their great work on that project.

“In Brooklyn, we’ll begin creating a new community called Greenpoint Landing – with more than 5,000 new homes, parks and open space, a marina, a public school and shops. Just a little south of there, we’ll move forward with a plan to turn the old Domino Sugar Plant into new housing and we’ll create the commercial space that Brooklyn’s growing tech community needs.

“At the Brooklyn Navy Yard, we’ll work with the State to help Steiner Studios begin creating a 50-acre new media campus. The campus will eventually provide 2,500 good jobs in film, television and tech – two of the fastest-growing industries in our city.

“We’ve already turned the Navy Yard into the most successful urban industrial park in the country, but it still has dozens of unused acres with crumbling historic buildings. This media campus will preserve many of those buildings – while also creating the jobs we need for our future.

“We’ll take the same approach to the single most important piece of unfinished business that lies ahead of us in 2013: rebuilding the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy – and creating a more resilient and sustainable city.

“Forty-three New Yorkers lost their lives in that storm, and it’s up to us to do all we can to prevent that from happening again.

“After the storm passed, it was clear that the houses and businesses most damaged by Hurricane Sandy were built decades ago, while those that were built in the last few years, or are now being built, held up pretty well.

“That was no accident. Our administration has fundamentally changed the way we conduct waterfront development. But Sandy raised the bar – and now we must rise to the occasion.

“This year, we’ll develop a long-term plan so that when extreme weather hits – we’ll be able to get the lights back on quickly and ensure that the heat keeps working, the gas stations stay open, the hospitals maintain power and the transportation system keeps operating.
 
“Children in every neighborhood deserve great schools, and no matter who stands in their way, we will fight to deliver for them. We will not give up on any child. One of the reasons we’ve been able to increase graduation and college readiness rates is that we’ve created many more high quality school options.

“We’ve opened 576 new schools over the past 11 years, and we’re on track to have added 100,000 new classroom seats by the end of this year. 149 of those new schools have been charters and yet there are still more than 50,000 children who are still on charter school waiting lists. Those children and their parents have waited long enough.

“This September, we’ll open 26 new charters and we’ll work to approve many more for 2014. Some of them will be located within existing public school buildings even though there are special interests who want to prohibit that from happening.

“As we recycle more plastics, we’ll also tackle New York City’s final recycling frontier:
food waste. We bury 1.2 million tons of food waste in landfills every year at a cost of nearly $80 per ton. That waste can be used as fertilizer or converted to energy at a much lower price. That’s good for the environment and for taxpayers. This spring, we’ll launch a pilot program to collect curbside organic waste from single family homes in Staten Island, for composting. If it succeeds, we’ll develop a plan to take it citywide.

“We’ll also take food recycling in schools citywide. There is no better way to teach the next generation about the importance of recycling than to make it a part of their school day routine. It has been phenomenally successful where we’ve tried it – and I want to thank all the parents who were so supportive. I know some of them are with us today – please stand up so we can give you a hand.

“Now, one product that is virtually impossible to recycle and never bio-degrades is Styrofoam. But it’s not just terrible for the environment. It’s terrible for taxpayers. Styrofoam increases the cost of recycling by as much as $20 per ton, because it has to be removed.

“Something that we know is environmentally destructive, that is costing taxpayers money, and that is easily replaceable, is something we can do without. So with Speaker Quinn and the City Council, we will work to adopt a law banning Styrofoam food packaging from our stores and restaurants. And don’t worry: the doggie bag and the coffee cup will survive just fine.


 

Four Loko Agrees to Change Misleading Packaging and Labeling


After Years of Pressure by Senator Klein and Health Officials, Four Loko Agrees to Change Misleading Packaging and Labeling
Klein and FDA Hope that Changes will Reduce the Danger to Young Customers

    After over a year of pressure by State Senator Jeff Klein, the Independent Democratic Conference, and other health advocacy organizations, the makers of popular alcoholic malt beverage Four Loko, have agreed to make significant changes to their packaging.  On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission said that the creators, Chicago based Phusion Projects, would be required to place an “alcohol facts panel” in the back of their malt-flavored beverages.  The containers will also be re-packaged so they can be resealed, a measure that experts say will reduce the likelihood of customers guzzling down the beverage in one short sitting.

“I am pleased that the makers of Four Loko are finally taking serious steps that will reduce the danger of these products to our country’s children. These regulations have been a long-time coming and I will keep a close watch on Phusion to ensure that they stay true to their word” said Senator Jeff Klein.

Senator Klein has long pushed Four Loko to make changes to these “Alcopops” beverages, also known as High Alcohol Flavored Malt Beverages.  Four Loko’s 12% alcohol content makes a single serving far more dangerous than that of an ordinary alcoholic beverage—in fact, a super sized can delivers the alcoholic equivalent of 4-5 beers. The product’s high alcohol content, cheap price, and colorful and misleading labeling have been identified as key components to Four Loko’s successful marketing campaign for young and underage customers.

In June of 2010, in an effort to identify the extent of medical problems inflicted by alcopop beverage on New York’s youth, Senator Klein conducted a survey of colleges and hospitals across New York State. Senator Klein’s investigation uncovered multiple cases of hospitalization related to alcopop consumption.

At the time, as Chairman of the New York State Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Senator Klein issued legislative subpoenas in June of 2011 regarding the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of Four Loko.  The subpoena garnered wide media attention and was part of the Committee’s ongoing investigation into high alcohol Flavored Malt Beverages and their impact on minors.

On March 2012, Senator Klein passed legislation that included moving these beverages out of corner shops and restricting their sales to liquor stores only.  These drinks are heavily marketed to under aged consumers, who, through an investigation conducted by the NYPD’s Bronx Borough Command in 2011, have been able to easily purchase the drinks at local convenience stores.


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York


Now it’s the Bronx Borough President’s Time!

You should know that the Constitution of the United States of America mandates that the President of our Nation, once a year, informs Congress about the current situation of the nation and presents his future plans for the nation.  This event, which is broadcast live for all residents in our nation, is called the State of the Union Address.

It is also important for you to know that this mandate is followed by governors, mayors, city council presidents, and almost every elected official who oversees townships and municipalities.

Here in New York State, practically everyone has already given their State of their respective government or municipality Address.  Starting with Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and practically every other borough president, the speeches have been given.

Now comes the time for Bronx Borough President RubĂ©n DĂ­az, Jr., who in more familiar settings is called “Rubencito,” to render his Fourth Annual State of the Borough Address.

You will hear directly from the lips of the President of Bronx County, or as I refer to it: El Condado de Papa Dios.  (Others who used to call it El Condado de la Salsa, now call it El Condado de la Salsa y el Merengue due to the great influx of Dominicans who reside here.)  Bronx Borough President RubĂ©n DĂ­az, Jr. will be informing us about the Bronx’s economic, housing, labor, educational, health, environmental, transportation, and social services situations.  He will let us know all about his many achievements during his tenure, and share with us what he envisions for the future of this great county.

Yes, my friends, you should all come to this great event on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 11:00AM at James Monroe High School located at 1300 Boynton Avenue (on the corner of East 172nd Street) in the Bronx River section of the Bronx, where the Honorable Rubén Díaz, Jr. has invited everyone to come and hear his speech about the State of the Bronx and his plans for our great borough!

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

 

LIU APPLAUDS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL


  City Comptroller John C. Liu issued the following statement in support of President Obama’s call to increase the federal minimum wage:

“New Yorkers should find a lot to like in last night's State of the Union address. President Obama's proposal to increase the federal minimum wage to $9.00 is necessary to rebuild the middle class and help the working poor climb out of poverty.  In order to combat our City’s high cost of living and growing wealth gap, we continue to call for raising the minimum wage in New York City to $11.50 an hour. While we wholeheartedly support the President's proposal, the fact remains that $9.00 goes much further in Oklahoma City and Salt Lake City than in New York City.”

Background:
During his December State of the City address, Comptroller Liu called for a New York City minimum wage of $11.50 an hour, to be phased in over five years and then pegged to the Consumer Price Index.

Comptroller Liu’s Minimum Wage Proposal at his State of the City –
December 20, 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeZIUGDaSzA&feature=youtu.be

Comptroller Liu’s Income Inequality in NYC Report – May 21, 2012:
http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/opm/reports/2012/NYC_IncomeInequality_v17.pdf


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Toy Fair 2013


   The New York Toy Fair 2013 was the place to find this Christmas's "next big toy". As you will see from the photos below there could be many big toys this Christmas or Chanukah.















Left - The Power Rangers were out in force at the Toy Fair as usual.
Right - There were bins of ball to be had.
 

 










Left - is a variation on the famous board game Monopoly called Old Age-Opoly where John Moran explains that the company has been in business for 28 years.
Right - some other versions of the Opoly game. 

 










Left - is the old classic small slot racing game on the market for over 25 years that has been updated for better performance.
Right - For a few dollars more one can get a real top of the line much larger home slot car racing game. 











Left - Star Trek space ships, phasers, and communicators from Captain Kirk and Piccard are still being made.
Right - The new breed of robots that do more and cost less. the one on the right or the dinosaur now sell for $79.99 suggested retail.  












Left - Unlike the old hand held robot fighters these are electronically controlled.
Right - Is a wooden Boys action Figure House.

 













Left - Tom Sempts of Oyo Sports Toys shows off his companies Baseball and Football products that are Lego compatible as you can see on the right.











Left - An assortment of wooden sleds since there was a blizzard the day before the Toy Fair began.
Right - Yoo Hoo from the My Little Pony booth mingles with the crowd. 















Left - In October 2012 two college buddies started a company that makes mustache tattoos, and the company has taken off. The pair have an NCAA licencing agreement now for college teams.
Right - Art Radani another young entrepreneur shows off his Ring Stix of which there are several different varieties.












Left - Brett Outchcunis of Yomega Corp shows his combination move of Double or Nothing & the Eiffel  Tower. While yo yo sales peaked in the late 1990's Yomega produces high performance yo yo's for competition, and sales are still strong. 
Right - Stink Cards from Stinkerz.com are not only for boys. Girls like the stink cards also.











Left - For Girls is Wild Styles dolls and accessories.
Right -  Sassy Fashion handbags for girls. 










Left - Three friends  who started the Bunnies by the Bay company.
Right - is a company that makes washable color able stuffed toys.












Left - A stencil drawable game called Doodle Art.
Right - Julie Blumberger of Jewish Educational Toys shows off some great gifts and toys for Chanukah.