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Observer Staff

Windy City

Jean Shafiroff. Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images

From Evacuation to Hibernation: How New Yorkers Rode Out the Storm

As Hurricane Sandy hurtled toward land, New Yorkers’ preparations took a variety of forms. Some stocked up on essentials (lettuce, probiotics and Homeland); others simply worked through the worst of it, at least as long as the power stayed on. Whether barely scathed or hip-deep in water, New Yorkers of all stripes and circumstances tapped their intrepid spirits—and well-stocked liquor cabinets—to get through the Storm of the Century. Here’s how they did it:  Read More

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Fright Night, for All

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

Customs, holidays and festivals vary from town to town, country to country. But one thing they all have in common is that these celebrations bring people together as communities, gathering around shared histories in appreciation of culture and lore.

With Halloween around the corner, and autumn and winter festivities just down the road, we set out to discover the different ways families are coming together in New York and across the Read More

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Houston: Children's Museum of Houston

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

“All children, all people, learn differently.” Last week, mother and founder of Building Dyslexia Awareness Danielle Mowery joined us as we searched for alternative methods to educating our kids. From children’s museums and language immersion programs to other non-traditional educational experiences, we found a number of ways to keep young ones engaged, even outside of the classroom.

“Having that chance to be involved on such a different level, to succeed in something beyond academics, gives children confidence and Read More

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Paris, Je T'aime

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

From the museums of Paris to the slopes stretching across the Colorado Rockies, traveling the world can bring dreamlike destinations to life, encouraging curiosity and imagination in first-time travelers, and a renewed sense of wonderment in those who’ve been around the block once or twice.

Milly designer, Michelle Smith, can’t get enough of it. And when a family is as close as hers, the kids are bound to get in on the action. “I love family adventures! I want my children to understand the world is a very large place, with cultures and languages different than our own.” This week we looked near and far for places and travel experiences that provide more than just a vacation from the daily trudge. With the help of Ms. Smith’s clan, we picked up a few tips on how best to travel in style as a Read More

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Houston: Galvaston Fishing Guides

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

This week, The Art of Parenting explores the city’s ability to keep even the most active families entertained, all the while playing together. Along the way, we met the Francois family who—by getting their kids out of the house—have created a tradition of fitness and fun. Whether rolling for a strike or swinging for the fences, encouraging sports close to home keeps families spending quality time Read More

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Miami: Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

All across the country, museums are developing children’s programs to encourage kids to actively engage in cultural experiences. From sculpture gardens to hands-on studio time, we take a look at the different ways families are interacting with exhibits and learning about art. We also visit with fashion icon and mother-of-two Cynthia Rowley to discuss why her family makes a special effort to take advantage of city’s many cultural offerings. Read More

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Fashion, and Family: A Lifestyle

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

Fashion’s influence has always been far reaching, and now, more than ever before, designers and brands are using that influence to impact the world around them, lending a hand to a number of charitable causes.

Last week we took a look at a handful of these individuals and organizations, exploring how they are leaving their handprint on children’s non-profit initiatives, all the while engaging their own families and communities in a widespread Read More

Sponsored by Mercedes Benz

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From the Comfort of Your Front Yard

An Urban Parent’s Guide to Raising Cultured Children

Curious about the interesting ways that cosmopolitan families are engaging with their local communities, and staying in touch with the city at large? We’re profiling different urban families to learn all about their everyday cultural adventures in a new digital series: The Art of Parenting. Meet the Kopsovas of Fort Greene, where they spend time together enjoying and supporting their Read More

Crude-ités

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The original

Our Suggested Alternative Porny Asparagus Newsweek Covers for the Ultimate Troll, Tina Brown

Newsweek stunned no one this week when their most recent cover appeared on newsstands—a striking image that managed to be not only sexist, gratuitous and just plain ludicrous, but recycled. The image  was a stock photo that had previously been used in several other magazines. Unsavory and unoriginal!

We say, if you’re going to go for it…really go for it. Click through to see our ideas for future Newsweek covers. Have at it, Tina.

Photo illustrations by Ed Johnson. Read More