(Long Island, N.Y.) Are you looking to read a good book this summer? Or heck, why not. write one? I’ve got you covered. I caught up with an incredibly inspiring Massapequa Park mom and writer Dina Santorelli who is celebrating the release of her first novel Baby Grand. Here, I chat with Dina about the publishing process. If you ever had the desire to start writing that novel you’ve been thinking about for years than this just might inspire you.

Can you tell me a little bit what your novel is about?

Sure! Baby Grand is a thriller, which is my favorite genre. I like suspenseful and fast-paced stories, especially about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Here’s the official book blurb for Baby Grand:

In Albany, New York, the governor’s infant daughter disappears without a trace from her crib at the Executive Mansion. Hours later, newly divorced and down-and-out writer Jamie Carter is abducted from the streets of Manhattan. Jamie is whisked upstate, where she is forced by her captor, Don Bailino, an ex-war hero/successful businessman, to care for the kidnapped child in a plot to delay the execution of mobster Gino Cataldi – the sixth man to be put to death in six years by hardliner Governor Phillip Grand. What prevails is a modern-day thriller about family ties, loyalty, murder, betrayal, and love that’s told in deftly interweaving narratives that follow the police investigation of the missing Baby Grand, the bad guys who took her, and the woman who found the strength to protect her.

Summer is the perfect time to start reading a good book-and writing one! How long ago did you get the idea for your novel and when did you start writing it?

I actually got the idea for Baby Grand in the mid-1990s, which is when I was devouring thrillers by John Grisham, Michael Crichton and James Patterson, among others, while riding the New York City subways and buses to and from my office in Manhattan (I worked as a fulltime editor). I don’t know exactly when the idea for Baby Grand came to me, but it was around that time. I’d get lots of ideas for books – I guess New York City will do that to you – and I’d jot them down to work on at a later time. Fast forward about 15 years. Now I’m a suburban mom with three kids, and a successful freelance writing career, and all I can think about are those partial novels and story ideas that lay dying on my hard drive (there’s actually a line in Baby Grand about that – my heroine, Jamie Carter, is a freelance writer as well). I decided it was now or never, but how can I focus on fiction with three kids and a career? I did the only thing I could think of. I went to graduate school. There, I knew I would be forced to write “for homework.” I had grades to keep up, professors to keep happy. I knew going back to school would force me to put the novel “first” – where it needed to be. Four years later, I graduated from Hofstra University with a Master’s in English and Creative Writing and the first third of the manuscript for Baby Grand completed. Eight months later, an agent would read that first third and sign me. I truly believe if I hadn’t gone back to school, the novel would still be one of those things I “needed to get to one of these days.”

Writing a book, being a mom-oh my goodness! How on earth did you find the time?

Okay, so now it’s 2009, and I’m out of school. For the next six months, I try to work on Baby Grand, but I’m having trouble again. Without a professor hanging over me, I had fallen back into my life – you know, kids, work. I had been hired to work on a nonfiction title, Good Girls Don’t Get Fat, authored by Dr. Robyn Silverman, which was taking up a lot of my time. And when that was done I was designing my daughter’s elementary school yearbook. There was always something else I needed to do. I worried that my partial manuscript for Baby Grand would never be finished and would gather dust like the others.

Landing an agent was the best thing that could happen to me. Now I had incentive to put the novel first again, because somebody was waiting for it. And because I know I’m deadline oriented, I gave her a date for when I’d hand the completed manuscript to her. I just made it up. End of June. Boom. Now I HAD to get it done, right?

Panic set in. Writer’s block. Procrastination. I decided to start a blog that I called Making ‘Baby Grand,’ which I thought might help me get through the difficult times and help me network with other writers in the same boat (it did).

Finally, it was June, and I had asked for a six-week extension, because I was struggling so much with getting it done. Finally, I just put my foot down. I decided that I was going to write 1,000 words a day, every day. No excuses. Just sit down and bang it out. And that’s what I did. I worked in the morning or at night and spent time with the kids during the day. I put off my vacations until the end of summer. Six weeks later, Baby Grand was born.

Did your family support you when you said you were going to pen a novel? What was your family’s reaction?

My husband is forever supportive. Always has been. I’m very lucky that way. Although he is probably one of the most practical and level-headed people I know, I could tell him that I was going to become an astronaut this year, and he would not only believe me, but would support me. And my kids? Truth be told, they didn’t really care much about Baby Grand in the beginning. They just knew that their mom was “working on a book,” whatever that meant, but I don’t think they totally grasped the concept that their mother would be an author. They knew I wrote for magazines and for newspapers such as Newsday, but it didn’t sink in that I would write “a real book.” They just knew I was busy. Busier than usual. In fact, I remember finishing Baby Grand and telling them that I would be starting another novel, and their reaction was “OH, NO!” You know kids… They just want their Mom to concentrate on them and nothing else. But now that the book is out, I think they are very, very proud of me. They see that people are reading it.

My youngest son, who’s ten and doesn’t really care about anything other than riding his bike and eating French toast for breakfast, came up to me after school the other day and said one of the teachers yelled to him in the hallway, “Hey, Jack, I’m reading your mom’s book!” He said to me, “It was cool.” Now, we’ll all be at Ralph’s for ices, and I’ll pull out my smartphone and say to the kids, “Should we see where Baby Grand is on Amazon’s best seller list? Do you think we kicked 50 Shades of Grey out of the top spot yet?” And we all laugh. I love sharing in this excitement with them and also with my own parents, who never really “got” what I did for a living. Having a book out, though, everyone seems to understand.

Tell me how exciting it is to finally have it out there (I need motivation!)

It is very exciting, but also a tremendous relief. I think I’ve been stressing about this book – just getting it done and getting it out there – for so long that I forgot how it feels to totally relax. Originally, my agent and I had planned to traditionally publish Baby Grand, but I made the decision in January to self-publish. The explosion of eBooks and the self-publishing industry was just too difficult to ignore. And when I made that decision, I felt some of that stress lessen. And then when Baby Grand finally came out at the end of May as an eBook, and I downloaded it, and the formatting seemed fine, and people were downloading it with ease and liking it, the anxiety disappeared altogether. Now, I’m truly enjoying the excitement while trying to promote the book as best as I can.

How can we find it/buy it?

Baby Grand is available for Amazon Kindle and Kindle apps. In the fall, it will be available for other eReaders and as a paperback.

So what’s next for you? Do you think you’ll write another novel?

But, of course! I’ve got all those story ideas to get to! I’m currently working on my second novel, a stand-alone thriller titled, In the Red, which stems from another idea I came up with sometime in the mid-1990s. I hope to have it done by the end of August, which means it’s back to 1,000 words a day, end-of-summer vacationing and my kids waiting patiently for their mother every day to close her laptop to go swimming. Happy summer!

Dina Santorelli -is a freelance writer/editor who has written for many print and online publications, such as Newsday, First for Women and CNNMoney.com. She served as the “with” writer for the nonfiction title, Good Girls Don’t Get Fat (Harlequin, 2010), and is the current Executive Editor of Salute and Family magazines for which she has interviewed many celebrities, including James Gandolfini, Tim McGraw, Angela Bassett, Mario Lopez, Gary Sinise and Kevin Bacon. You can follow Dina on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and on her blog. Baby Grand, her first novel, is available on Amazon.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Parenting is full of hits and misses. While sometimes, I’m patting myself on the back for a job well done, other times I’m scratching my head, uncertain if I made the right decision. (I know, I know, welcome to the club.) To help take some of the guesswork out of motherhood, I caught up with Denise Schipani, author of Mean Moms Rule: Why Doing the Hard Stuff Now Creates Good Kids Later (APRIL 2012; Sourcebooks; $14.99).

In her (very relevant and useful) parenting book, she reasons that being a Mean Mom is the surest path to creating good kids, and ultimately, of course, good adults, good citizens of the world. Here, she gives one wishy-washy mom (me!) some tough love.

I have to admit, I’m a flip-flopper. One day, I’m as mean as The Grinch, and the next I’m all puppies and unicorns and easy-going about everything. Should I pick a side?

Schipani: You want the short answer, right? That would be yes, and your “side” should actually fall between Grinch and unicorns. The key is being consistent, because kids are geniuses at sniffing out cracks in your armor, and using your wishy-washiness to their advantage. I realize this sets it up as a parent-versus-kid battle, but in a way it is, isn’t it? You’re battling to grow them up into functioning humans; they’re battling for unfettered access to the remote control and the snack cupboard. You don’t want to be a softie parent solely to keep them from turning into TV zombies, but because if you’re too much of a pushover, they ultimately won’t respect you. Be a flip flopper too long, and when you do have to bring the hammer down, they won’t believe you, or care. And replace “you” with “their boss” and you’ll begin to see what I mean when I yammer on about taking the long view of parenting.

The caveat, and there’s always a caveat: you can still be sweet, and kind, and fun-loving without being a softie in a “please walk all over me!” t-shirt. Here’s what I mean: A wishy-washy parent pulls out her wallet whenever the ice cream truck comes along. A firm but loving parent is the one who says no to that when warranted, but who pulls the car over to the cute-looking ice cream shop for an impromptu, infrequent (but awesomely appreciated) treat. See the difference?

Being a “mean mom” is by no means the easy way. Can you give moms one of your strongest tips on how to stand your ground and not give in so easily?

Schipani: Think about the end game. It’s so, so tiring to say the same things, day in and day out, and so tempting to just pack it in and let them use their sleeves as napkins; do their book reports for them; and call their college professors to beg for a better grade (see how I progressed there? Neat, right?). If you keep your eye on the prize, it gets easier to stay strong.

Also, don’t cave out of fear, because the fear is always out of proportion to the situation at hand. Let’s say your kid is begging for the whatever-it-is that he just has to have or he will die. You fear a big to-do, worse than the tantrums you feared when he was a toddler. But if you say no (with good reason, usually) firmly and consistently, you’ll find that more often than not, what you feared (the worst day ever!) is over before you know it. That thing he had to have? Forgotten. (And if it’s not, then work out some way he can earn it!)

I’m sure former ‘softies’ are thanking you for writing this book and offering some skills on how to hang tough. What are some of the comments you have been getting from readers?

Schipani: I’m hearing very gratifying things such as, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” and “Where have you been all my life?” and “Thank you for putting into words what I’ve always instinctively felt is the right thing to do.” I feel like I’m finding my tribe, because being a mean mom is out of the mainstream. But I’m starting to think that instead of being a total anomaly, I am instead part of a silent majority. My favorite responses are those – and there are surprisingly many of them – who say that the cover and the title made their kids nervous. I mentioned kids are smart, right?

Do your kids think you’re mean?

Schipani: Why, yes, they do, and thank you very much for asking! If they’re not shooting “you’re sooooo mean” daggers at you, you’re not doing it right. My children know, down to their bones, that I am there for them. I will never let the bottom fall out of their lives if I can help it at all. But I have to be this way for them, so that they end up, hopefully, with the strength and the skills and the smarts to build their own fantastic lives. Plus, a psychic once promised me granddaughters, so I have to grow up decent men, so they can attract some awesome mates to the fold. Long view!

For more, go to www.meanmomsrule.com. 

(Long Island, N.Y.) With one crack of the bat, suddenly it’s baseball season. Baseball is a great team sport to get the kids involved in, there are some precautions parents and coaches can take to keep kids safe and prevent future injuries.

Tony Wanich MD, Attending Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center believes that with the proper precautions and appropriate preseason training and conditioning, the vast majority of baseball injuries, which are increasingly common among young athletes due to high demands and expectations, can be prevented.

The most common injuries, says Dr. Wanich, involve the shoulder and elbow and are typically due to overuse. The best approach is prevention through appropriate conditioning, training and following safe guidelines for play. Here are six safety tips from Dr. Wanich on how to play ball without injuries.

1. Warm up: Establish a consistent warm up routine prior to any athletic activity, include a stretching program where stretches are held for 30 seconds.
2. Run it out: is a key component in pre-activity warm-up and preseason conditioning, and is an important way for pitchers to develop endurance and stamina and for position players to develop speed and agility.
3. Build strength: Strength training is essential for baseball players, special attention needs to be paid to the rotator cuff, biceps, triceps, and forearm muscles.
4. Don’t overdo it: The adage that practice makes perfect is not always the case in baseball – it is important to avoid pitching on consecutive days.
5. Mastery first: Youth pitchers should focus on developing accuracy and control through good pitching mechanics, focus on mastering the fastball before moving on to other types of pitches.
6. Communication is key: Communication between players, parents and coaches is an easy way to identify problems before they become more significant injuries. Persistent pain, which does not improve with rest, should be evaluated by a Sports Medicine specialist.

Play by the rules. Little League Baseball has established a set of age-appropriate pitch count guidelines which both coaches and parents should follow to avoid overuse injuries. They have also established a set of guidelines regarding the amount of rest needed between games depending on the number of pitches thrown. Dr. Wanich believes it is important that parents take these guidelines into consideration and advises that most injuries can be treated non-operatively if addressed early enough.

(Long Island, N.Y.) It’s the season of celebrations and chances are, your calendar runneth over with upcoming weddings, parties, proms, showers, and religious event invites. With that in mind, I decided to shine a light on one local business that really gets it right. If you need to pretty up for upcoming parties and big events, consider heading to Hollywood Salon & Day Spa in Miller Place. You’ll be in very good hands…

While many small businesses come and go, Hollywood has been in business for 19 years and they have a stellar reputation on Long Island as a trusted beauty source–and the go-to spot for pampering and relaxation. The salon and day spa has a talented (and friendly!) team that specializes in all aspects of hair, nail and skin care including laser hair removal and a large market for bridal services.

I recently chatted with Hollywood Salon & Day Spa owner Maryann Saccocio to learn the secrets of their success and longevity here on Long Island.

I have seen a lot of small businesses come and go and Hollywood Salon & Day Spa seems to be going strong. What do you attribute your longevity to?

Saccocio: I think our longevity can be attributed to the Basics; Customer Service, Professionalism and our education levels of the staff. We also stay motivated and on top of technology so we can communicate easily with our customers and the rest of the public.

What has been the most challenging aspect of staying afloat during a rocky economy?

Saccocio: The most challenging aspect of staying afloat during a rocky economy is giving the clients the same fair pricing. All of our manufacturers have been raising the prices for our professional and retail products throughout the last two years. It’s a trickle effect, but we try to remain fair, as the clients feel the increases in all their daily purchases like gas, food, etc.

While many companies reward their new customers, I love how you are rewarding your loyal customers. Can you tell me about your loyalty program?

Saccocio: Our Loyalty Program is to reward our continuous clients for showing their loyalty to us. Most salons practice giving coupons or discounts to new clients, but fail to remember that it is their regular clients that support their business and they in turn will refer new clients.

Our loyalty program works like this; You sign up for free and get a fun-looking Hollywood Card and a discount coupon for signing up. Every time you purchase a service or product you receive points. It’s point for dollar ($75.00 is 75 points) when you reach 300 points you receive a $10.00 coupon. You also receive coupons for your anniversary, birthday or any specials or events that we do. You can use the coupons towards product purchase or services and it is good for 30 days.

Do you use social media for promoting business?

Saccocio: Yes we do. We use Facebook (facebook.com/hollywoodsalons) Twitter (Hollywood Salon @hollywoodsalons) and we also have our own app you can download free from the app store.(At present only available to iPhone, iPad, iTouch will be available for droids in April.)

We use each of these to send out specials and discounts, mention events and show off our work. We love to interact with the public and get their response.

Do you have any great Mother’s Day or Spring-type packages?

Saccocio: Yes–here are two of them: 1 Hour Massage (reg. $75.00 Mother’s Day Price $60.00) ; Spa Pedicure/Spa Manicure 1/2 hour Reflexology (reg $105.00 Mother’s Day Price $85.00)

(Long Island, N.Y.) If you’re looking for some fun family activities right here on Long Island, here’s one to mark on your calendar: The Annual Spring Open House and Waterfront Festival will take place on Friday evening March 30th, 2012 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and all day Saturday March 31st 2012 and Sunday April 1st, 2012, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The free and family-friendly event includes boating and water sports trials and tips; nature talks; food, wine and beer tastings with live acoustic guitar music; and local artist exhibits. It’s a great way to spend the day outdoors for some easy and breezy bonding time.

Port of Egypt Marine – Nestled between Southold, the first English settlement in New York, and the historic seaport of Greenport, the eight-acre property with expansive bay view, including bird sanctuary, has a full dock with 150 slips, high/dry stack storage for 80 boats, 25-ton travel lift, new and used boat sales with award-winning boat service, marine supply store, bait and tackle store, retail fish market, swimming pool with bath house, kayak and bicycle rentals, Hertz car rental, 17-suite Heron Suites accommodations and fine dining restaurant. In 2011, Port of Egypt Marine celebrated its 50th anniversary as the nation’s oldest Grady-White fishing and cruising boat dealership and its 65th year in business.

Foodies take note: If you like to chow down and sample the spirits, this is the spot! North Fork food, wine and beer tastings are from Cornell Oysters of Hog Neck Bay, A Lure Chowder House and Oyster-ia, Southold Fish Market, Greenport Brewery, Long Ireland Brewery, Macari Vineyards and Osprey’s Dominion Wine. Also at the on-property Heron Suites is a tasting of local olive oils and jams from A Taste of the North Fork and Vines and Branches.

Ready to set sail? The Port of Egypt Marine secured these family boating safety tips from US Coast Guard Auxiliary (they will be giving free vessel safety checks and boating safety tips on 3/31 and 4/1)

• Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
• Wear a life jacket and make sure it fits properly
• Make sure the load on the boat is balanced
• Always keep hands and feet inside the boat
• Keep seated in the boat when it’s in motion
• Don’t ride on the bow
• Be a good lookout for others and what’s happening on the water
• Always swim with a buddy
• Stay with the boat if it capsizes, don’t try to swim ashore

WHAT: Annual Spring Open House & Waterfront Festival
WHEN: Friday, March 30, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, March 31 – April 1, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: 62300 Main Road, Southold, NY 11971, 41.04.34 N and 72.24.16 W

(Long Island, N.Y.) If you’re looking for one last winter hurrah without a long drive–whisk the kids away for a few days and head to Windham, NY. The Catskill region is a fast but fun escape that won’t break the bank (It’s about 2.5 hours from the George Washington Bridge–exit 21 off of the NYS thruway.)

And if you also feel bad for the kids who never really had the chance to play in the snow or enjoy some winter fun this year, than you might want to jump on this quickly. According to the folks at Greene County in the Catskills, they recently got well over half a foot in the mountains.

Skiing at Windham Mountain is a blast for the entire family. This was only our second time on the slopes yet after a couple of hours of lessons, the kids were zipping down the (easy) trails like pros. I was very impressed with Windham Mountain’s rental shop–the employees were very helpful and friendly–and most important: patient with a family of newbie skiers. They offer equipment in a full range of sizes, with ski boots from size 6 (junior) to 16 (adult), and snowboard boots from size 12 (junior) to 15 (adult) and the process of getting set up is simple and easy. All multi-day rentals receive free overnight ski valet – just drop them off in the rental shop when you are done for the day and pick them up at the same location the next morning (space is limited; first come, first served).

In addition to skiing and riding, Windham Mountain has an Adventure Park with ice skating, snow tubing and zip line. There is a Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe center located at the Windham Country Club. The Patio features an amazing bungee trampoline that flings you 25 feet in the air as you jump and flip–so fun!

Fun activities: Be sure to hit the Windham Mountain Adventure Park for some exhilarating snow tubing and zip lining. There’s an uber-cozy lodge where you can kick back and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. The Adventure Park is all about family fun, day and night. There’s also an outdoor 120′ by 60′ skating rink and snowmobiling for the kids.

Snow Tubing – Rocket down a 650-foot snow-covered slope, lying flat on your back in a canvas-covered tube. Located at the Windham Mountain Adventure Park, the tubing hill is many lanes of downhill fun. Best of all, no skill is required. Just as long as you’re tall enough to get in and out of the tube, you can ride. Ride solo or tie up to six tubes together for a group run. Equipped with snowmaking and grooming, for the best tubing possible.

Another fun, not-to-miss activity was the Windham Mountain Adventure Park Zip line. (The weight minimum is 100 pounds.) and the Snowmobile Park which features a fleet of 120cc Arctic Cat snowmobiles just for kids. (Parking & ticketing is available at the Adventure Park Lodge)

If you’re looking for a fun place to eat with the kids, be sure to drop in to The Chicken Run where the serve great chicken, ribs, burgers and best of all–there’s an ice-cream bar, roast-them-yourself s’mores, and an large outdoor teepee the kids can sit in.

Where to stay: Christman’s Windham House – Located just 1.5 miles from Windham Mountain, is the oldest continually-operating inn in the Catskills. The property has been owned by the Christman family for nearly 58 years. The historic Inn is also a 27-hole golf resort and restaurant set on 300 acres. The rooms are warm with rural charm –the kids loved the colonial-style setting–with some modern special touches. Rooms vary in size. All have private bath, CATV, AC, phone, and Wi-Fi. Beds are either queen or king, one room has a double and queen and a continental breakfast is included with the room. As a family of four, we felt so welcomed and relaxed here.

If you miss out on the winter fun this year, put it on your list for next season’s family getaway for sure. Or head there for a quick spring/summer escape: Windham Mountain’s Adventure Park offers chairlift skyrides, dual racing zip lines, a wide and ever-changing list of events, local golf and hiking and some good old fashioned family bonding.

Wait, winter’s not over yet! Here’s your ticket to a gold-medal getaway.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Winter seemed to have skipped right over us here on Long Island, but it has been snowing up a storm at one of my favorite places on earth: Lake Placid. We spent some time there during the summer and we vowed to return during the winter when the area truly becomes magical. Perfect timing.

Lake Placid is known worldwide as the “Winter Sports Capital of the World.” The destination hosted two Olympic Winter Games and even now it continues to play host to numerous international competitions. National Geographic Magazine has named Lake Placid, N.Y. as one of the “Best 10 Winter Trips 2012.” The two-time Olympic village was one of only three United States destinations to make the worldwide list.

Warming Up To Winter Sports: Honestly, we were not a winter-getaway type of family.until we took this action-packed trip. Even if you have never skied before in your life (like me and the kids!) it’s never too late to learn. After some wonderful skiing lessons, we had a blast-even learned enough skills to go up the ski-lift and down the mountain a bunch of times all full of smiles. If you’re looking to get that one last winter thrill, this is an ideal spot. The ski season will typically last until Easter weekend, perhaps a little longer depending on the weather. Lake Placid is truly one of my favorite places in the world to visit. Worth the (very scenic and peaceful) drive. What to do, where to go? Read on…

Go Skiing! Whiteface Mountain (www.whiteface.com)  is where it’s at. It’s touted as “The Greatest Vertical East of the Rockies” and while the mountain attracts athletes from all over the world, it’s a place that local families flock to as well. It has plenty of terrain for skiers and riders of all ages and levels. If you’re newbies or need a refresher, don’t forget to sign the kids up for group lessons at Kids Kampus and book an individual lesson for yourself. Also be sure to try some Cross Country Skiing at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

Other family fun activities: Be sure to check out the Olympic speed skating oval. Bring your own skates or rent them. In the center of the Speed Skating Oval, one of the few outdoor rinks of its kind left in the country, get cozy and warm up around the fire pit. On both rinks, you’ll be skating with history. Here’s the story: It was in Lake Placid during the 1932 Winter Olympics that Norwegian figure skater, Sonja Henie, won gold and pirouetted into hearts around the world. That same year, the USA Men’s Speed skating Team made a gold medal sweep, with local hero Jack Shea striking gold twice and teammate Irving Jaffee winning the remaining two medals. Nearly 50 years later on that very oval, USA Men’s Speed skater Eric Heiden set Olympic history by winning an unprecedented five gold medals.

Another great place to hit— Snow tubing at Olympic Jumping Complex. We totally lucked out. The first time we tried to go for an hour session was right before dinnertime and it was too crowded. So we waited until near dark and it was like he had the hill to ourselves! The perfect activity to get the blood pumping. Bonus: every tubing ticket purchased, funds will go to support USA Ski Jumping.

Where to Eat: Before you hit the slopes, grab some breakfast at The Breakfast Club (the eggs benedicts are incredible!) Stop in for lunch at Pan Dolce Restaurant and enjoy a stellar dinner, The Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Company (be sure to order the “Grilled Crisp Romaine” appetizer!) Or drop in, kick back and chow down with some great food at The Cowboy (2226 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid)

Must Not Miss: If you’re brave enough, the Bobsled Experience is one for your bucket list! Chills, thrills, and the coolest way to see what it feels like to be a comet. You get a professional driver and a brakeman and the thrill-ride begins on the half-mile point on the track –the same one used by Olympic racers! All four of us got to go together-my little one was in the back because we were seated tallest to shortest. I wasn’t sure if she’d be laughing or crying at the end but under her helmet, she was all smiles and begged to go again. It’s pricey but absolutely exhilarating!

Also, about 35 miles away is the Tupper Lake Wild Center, and it is a must-see. They’re open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the winter season. You can take part in the special Wild Winter Weekend action-they offer free snowshoe use for everyone who visits, if you are interested in a hike on top of the snow. There are so many educational and fun things to see there. For example, the indoor Hall of the Adirondacks houses the Living River Trail and its live exhibits, including the otters at Otter Falls. The otters are awesome and there’s a wealth of information about the nature of the wild Adirondacks.

Where to Stay: For all-out, top-notch luxury accommodations, Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa is the place to book-it’s the only four diamond resort on the lake, and totally worth the splurge. There’s a world-class spa, three restaurants, an indoor pool-even a private ice rink! If you’re on a budget or want a throwback to classic Lake Placid charm, Wildwood on the Lake is a wonderful suggestion. It’s owned and operated by the (very hospitable!) Weber family for 39 years and they truly make you feel like a welcomed guest. Enjoy an indoor heated pool, whirlpools, and sauna. Their winter-package prices are extremely affordable. Ask for a room with a fireplace-so warm and cozy!

(Long Island, N.Y.) Confession: I always wanted to do stand-up comedy. And if I wasn’t too darn chicken, I think I’d be pretty darn good at it. What’s it like to get up there in front of a crowd? Find your groove in the comedy circuit? Make a room full of strangers LOL? I asked two local comics to chime in.

Evan Weiss

What made you decide you wanted to be a comedian?

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was younger. I grew up in front of the TV watching everything from Sesame Street, reruns of I love Lucy , and Three’s Company. I really enjoyed watching every comedy special HBO ever ran. The biggest and best comics always seemed to be from Rodney Dangerfield’s Young Comedian HBO Specials. This is where you would see the comics who really pushed the envelope and who you would never see on Carson. That’s where Andrew Dice Clay got his biggest introduction to me and really blew everyone away and helped lead to his first hour HBO special and becoming one of the biggest comedy stars of the 80’s, one of the few people to sell out the Garden.

Were you always funny as a kid?

Na, as a kid I think I was more shy and awkward. I wasn’t much into doing my homework which lead to what I saw as a sentence to a long term Special Ed Career. I really had no respect for the teacher the way they talked down to me like I was stupid so I would talk down to them and just be a complete wise-ass in class I guess as a self defense. It was really hard to stay awake in class because I would stay awake to watch Johnny Carson and then David Letterman every night.

So what did your friends and family say when you told them you were doing that first show? Supportive? Skeptical?

Ironically it’s so hard to make money or to do well my parents just always wanted me to get a “real” job and move to Florida. My friends are always supportive. My first time on stage for stand-up was 1995 at Stand-up NY.

So what’s it like getting up there in front of the crowd for the first time?

I’ve never been shy or scared about getting on stage but neurotic to such an extreme that I wanted every joke to work. I never wanted to bomb or I never wanted any joke to bomb. I started writing anything I could for like 2 years before I ever stepped on stage. But the first time on stage was fun just to make them laugh and get up.

How did you get started in your career in comedy?

My first time on stage like I said before 1995 then for like 1996-2002 I went pretty consistently on stage every week wherever I could. I ran my first open mic at Ed’s Bay Pub in Patchogue in 1997. Stage time is always a challenge and quality stage time. I started hosting at an open mic in 2000 at the Gateway Comedy Club that was located at the Medford Inn. Which lead to some paid hosting gigs for the owner of the shows. That’s when my parents decided to move to Florida and leave me all alone at the ripe young age of 28. My friend got me involved in this business that rhymes with spam-way. From 2002-2007 I really didn’t do too much comedy except for maybe a month in between.

In 2007 I decided I wanted to perform again and do it for me for the fun and love of it. Create perform enjoy. Since then I hosted Long Island’s Funniest person contest at McGuire’s Comedy Club in 2008 and 2009. I became the co-host of two different Podcast. One was called Nobodylistensus.com and another called hatespeechradio.com modeled after an uncensored shock-jock format with my comedian friends and now married couple David Harris and Heather Height. I performed all over Long Island, NJ, PA, CT, upstate NY and NYC. I now produce my own shows at 3 different clubs on Long Island – The Brokerage ,Governors, and McGuire’s. One of the biggest highlights is performing and opening for The Legend Revered Bob Levy.

What’s your day job?

Right now I’m working at Wal-Mart for the third time.

Do you mine that for funny material?

I honestly try not to look for funny. I try to look for the honesty and the pain and that’s where the funny usually comes. Yes of course who loves their job? Even people who do love their jobs have to put up with a lot of #$@! that you don’t love. On my Hiatus from comedy I stepped into an open mic at a bar and saw a “comic” doing my jokes word for word.

Can you tell me about your next upcoming show?

Sunday, February 26th at 8pm at the Legendary Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, NY we have a show. It’s going to have some of the unique and funniest talent from Long Island. Hosting the show is Heather Height from Opie and Anthony and featuring is me, Evan Weiss, Kathy Arnold, Mort Barry, James O’Donnell, Jimmy Farrel, Patrick Taylor, Christan Zee and headlining is Danny Lofaro. Dan is a winner of Long Island’s Funniest Person Contest 2006 and has performed all over the country including the Comedy Works in PA. Come on out for a great show www.brokeragecomedy.com. For reservations call 516-781-5233.

Andrew Bayroff

What made you decide you wanted to be a comedian?

Not an easy one to pinpoint. It may have been my early school antics, getting kicked out of class for making the class laugh. Making faces, physical humor, a small quip here and there. It was by no means wanting for the lime light, or become a star. My early exposure to comedy: George Carlin, Sid Ceaser, Mel Brooks, Bill Cosby, Jerry Lewis, and of course, Monty Python, I guess rubbed off on me in some way. The one that stands out is George Carlin, of all the comics, I can certainly say his act, his approach, his way with words struck a chord in me.

Were you always funny as a kid?

Funny? Well, I got kicked out of class on a number of occasions, not sure how funny the teacher thought I was being. However, I never did anything malicious, I made small jokes, physical humor that made the other students laugh. It disrupted the class, so, out I went.

What was your friends and family’s reaction when you told them you were venturing into comedy?

When I told my friends that I started doing stand-up most said, “That makes sense” or “I can see that.” Now, even though my parents were a huge fan of comedy, and exposed me to the greats early on, having one of their sons seemingly commit to it long-term was a big difference. While I was out in LA they asked how everything was going, with a hint of worried skepticism. They never disparaged me though. I think, as any parent would, mine just didn’t want to see me go off on a path that there was no return from if things did not pan out. Now that I am back in NY, and 10 years later, their fears have diminished to a great degree. Having them see me perform in Los Angeles was definitely a highlight.

What was it like getting up there in front of the crowd for the first time?

Painful. I pretty much bombed my first year doing stand up. After that, I started to find my voice, my direction. I’m still working on both.

How would you describe your comedy?

Thought-provoking, hard-hitting, and extremely topical. Actually, it’s none of those things. I draw my material from dates, dating, other personal experiences, and family stories/activities. An example of this: for the past 20 years or so, I’ve been helping my parents’ setup and store their patio furniture.

What started as a loose premise quickly became my closing joke. I fashioned it as my suburban World’s Strongest Man competition, with my parents giving the commentary. My father commenting on how strong I was, while my mother mentioning she doesn’t have grandkids yet. (Hi Mom!) I actually had a couple of people come up to me after a show to tell me they just visited their parents to do the exact same thing. Talk about things that happen in your family, chances are others have shared the same experiences.

Can you tell me a little about your experience in comedy?

My history is a bit disjointed. I actually started stand up in Houston, TX. Spent a year on stage in Houston, then moved to Los Angeles. Within 2 weeks of moving to LA I auditioned for and was accepted into the Groundings improv school. The Groundlings is the improv school in LA, and one of the top in the country, so to say the least, I was extremely excited. I completed three out of four levels there, not bad. All-the-while, I was also doing stand up. I was fortunate enough to do shows at The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, and Ice House. Among countless coffee houses, and any open mic night that offered a comic a place to try out new material. After nearly 5 years in LA, I moved back to NY to be closer to family and friends. Now, after an eight year hiatus, I’ve decided to go back to stand-up. At my first show back at Gotham Comedy Club it was as if I never took a break. It felt very natural to be on stage. The audience laughed at my entire set, it was a good night.

Even though I never made it to TV, some of the people I did shows with in LA did make it to Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, and various TV shows and movies. Not name dropping, but very cool to be that close to people that made it.

What’s your day job? Do you mine that for funny material?

I’m an interactive designer by day. Or in other words, a web designer. Actually, a bulk of my material is about my dating experiences since being back in NY. That, and peppered with family/friends makes for a good connection to the audience.

Tell me about your next upcoming show

My next show is at the Metropolitan Room in NYC: Friday, February 10th at 9:30pm.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Looking for a fabulous Florida destination for the family that doesn’t involve a very famous mouse? Don’t get me wrong, Disney’s great, but there is another highly desirable destination in the sunshine state that’s surprisingly family friendly-and it might be a bit off your radar.

Sarasota & Her Islands is hidden gem. Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast and home to Siesta Beach (rated number one in the country) there’s no better spot for a family fun vacation. There’s plenty to explore: experiential and educational attractions beyond the pristine sandy beaches.

One big selling point for parents: you can fly right into Sarasota. You can get one-way flights directly into SRQ, the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, from many locations. It’s a quiet, low-key, sparking clean airport and many of the hotels are an easy, breezy drive away.

Where to go, what to do to keep the kids and the adults happy? Here’s the ultimate kid-tested, kid-approved guide.

Where to Stay

Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel: Situated on Lido Beach in Sarasota, Florida, this colorful hotel offers two outdoor pools and 600 feet of private beach. The staff is warm and friendly-not once will you feel like the kids aren’t welcome. Nothing is more frustrating than checking in to a family friendly hotel and learning after you get there it’s anything but! (The breakfast is delish so make sure you schedule in a family sit down for scrambled eggs before the day’s activities begin.) Each room is equipped with free Wi-Fi and cable TV.

What to Do

Shopping & Ice Cream at St. Armands Circle: St. Armands Key – an island shopping center removed from the bustle of the mainland by two bridges over magnificent Sarasota Bay. Unique in concept, history, and beauty, St. Armands provides an unforgettable experience for visitors from all over the world.

Bob’s Train: Bob’s Train is an actual train… a circus train. In fact, it’s the only circus train in the world owned by an individual. (Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus is a corporation.)It is also a restaurant and has opened its doors for lunch now from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday .You can enjoy the vintage circus photographs and posters and Bob Horne, the owner and cook, who is a walking history book with expert detailed knowledge of Sarasota and it’s circus past.

Ringling Museum, John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay

Circus Sarasota is truly awe-inspiring and entertaining, As Florida’s only not-for profit resident circus, the mission of Circus Sarasota is to pay homage to an extraordinary community legacy by broadening the artistic contribution of the circus through education and human service outreach programming; it fulfills its mission by enriching, educating and entertaining audiences of all ages.

G.WIZ Science Museum: This place is just too cool for school. There’s world-class exhibits, top-notch educational programs, unique events, and more this is a great way to spend the day with your inquisitive little scientists. It’s hours of hands-on/do-touch fun.

Where to Eat

Nancy’s BBQ: Pulled pork, chicken, ribs, sensational sides and sweet, this BBQ picnic palace is a must-stop. You and the kids will feel cool fueling up in this casual Sarasota hotspot. Ask if Nancy’s there-she as sweet as can be!

Old Salty Dog Restaurant: This spot, voted best outdoor dining in Sarasota offers the most fabulous fish and chips available in the free world but the big draw is the famous Salty Dog: 1/4lb dog dipped in beer batter and deep fried. Indulgence to the extreme but well worth it. Welcome to the doghouse!

Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar: With more Frozen Daiquiri Flavors than you can ever dream of, the adults can treat themselves and they’ll even whip up some non-alcoholic treats for the kids. Psst: Get the Siesta Burger: A half-pound of ground chuck grilled to perfection and smothered with guacamole and melted pepper jack cheese

Must Not Miss

Sarasota Jungle Gardens: One of the oldest continuously operating attractions in the State of Florida, Sarasota Jungle Gardens features 10 acres of lush tropical vegetation, winding jungle trails and entertaining, educational bird and reptile shows throughout the day. The “Kiddie Jungle” features a fun playground and the Flamingo Café serves delicious sandwiches, ice cream and snacks and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Has seven centers for scientific research focusing on sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals, coral reefs, the study of toxins in the environment and their effect on human health, aquaculture, coastal ecology and fisheries enhancement. Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year.

Paddle Boarding on Sarasota Bay: What’s “SUP”? Well, it’s short for Stand Up Paddleboards and it’s a blast. Not only is it a fun way to cool off–it’s a great way to tone up because done right, paddling on this stand up surf board really works your core and upper body. Or you can just coast along with a guided tour with “I Kayak Sarasota”-the owners, Sarasota natives, are friendly, patient and fun and they are devoted to making your time in the water safe and entertaining. Your best bet for family bonding while soaking in Sarasota’s natural beauty.

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary: Lions and tigers and bears-and a whole lot more! Get up-close and personal with the world’s most exotic animals. Founder Kay Rosaire is an eighth generation animal trainer from one of England’s most respected families of animal trainers. The Rosaires are known worldwide for their gifted animal training ability, for their work within the entertainment and film industry, and as animal educators. You and your family will stand in awe of these amazing animals and the organizations pledge to creating a true sanctuary, with love and respect.

We’re shining a light on local small business owners to help make this holiday season merry and bright.

(Long Island, N.Y.) If you’re on the hunt for a really unique holiday gift, you must check out Camibands. The motto for this clever fashion solution is “just slip one on and GO!” These are so fabulous because I was able to revive a ton of things I had in my closet already and give them a new look.

These are great to wear to the gym, too! “The Camiband business happened to have stemmed from a pair of favorite yoga leggings!” says Camibands creator Holly Xerri. “Women can use their existing leggings and add the flip down “yoga” piece with my Spandex Camibands, without having to invest in a fancy-smancy, pricey, new yoga wardrobe commitment! Best part is they can be worn on top or bottom!”

Big bonus for me: I’m able to wear a few sweaters with plunging necklines (too much cleavage!) so I love, love love these nifty bands! I caught up with Holly and we chatted about how she banded a great idea together.

So how did you come up with the idea for Camibands? It’s so clever!

Thank you for the “clever” comment…LoL. It was in 2008. I had bought a pair of yoga type leggings with a longer than usual flip down piece that covered me to where it counts (covering all my lady parts). Then I thought why not just have a nice stretchy band that I could use with any of my existing leggings, pants and tops that were just too short?

How did your friends and family react when you told them about your idea?

My older teenage daughter at the time rolled her eyes and said “you will never do this” (so of course, I had to follow through to set the right example to her). My friends and family each gave me lots of input…so I listened. By the time I was done I created an accessory that could be actually worn 3 ways. The Camiband now is used by women all over the country as a cleavage cover (when worn under low cut tops), midriffs (when worn at the waist) or even over bikini bottoms (for a chic beach or poolside look).

What’s the best part of owning/operating your own company?

Sleeping till I naturally wake in the morning (LoL)… I really need my sleep! There is also this sense of satisfaction of being able to be my own boss. I don’t need anybody to push me. Being a “type A” personality I put enough pressure on myself. This was supposed to be a hobby, but as a friend of mine once looked me in the eye, she warned me that what starts out as a “hobby” can easily turn into real business. She was so right.

I think Camibands makes a great gift for any gal–moms, aunts, wives, and friends. How can we buy it?

I spent a lot of time developing my website www.camibands.com since I only sell online. I wanted to make it both a creative and fun shopping experience. My favorite part is “The Real Camiband Women” page which shows real ladies, of all ages wearing Camibands all 3 ways… Fun!

What stand out “highlight moment” comes to mind as you look back over the past three years since you started this business?

It had to be this past August of 2011 when Camibands made it on the TODAY SHOW with Hoda, Kathy Lee and Jill Martin. Proceeding that my company Avenue X Innovations, LLC was named one of StartupNations 2011 “Most Innovative” National Home-Based business winners.