Setting a world record with Ripley’s (Community Voices)
I’d never dreamed of setting a world record. But when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t refuse. It happened last week at the amusement industry’s annual convention in Orlando. I go each...
View ArticleToys will be toys (Community Voices)
This year, twelve toys were finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY. Five thousand suggestions had been submitted. The three winners were announced in early...
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Fairyland’s “Storytime” helps develop young minds (Community Voices)
“Read at whim! Read at whim!” I’ve borrowed my headline this week from the poet Randall Jarrell; it’s one of many quotes about the joys of reading that adorn a framed poster in my office. I’ve been...
View ArticleCouncilmember Cinderella (Community Voices)
History will be made on January third when the first former Fairyland Personality will be sworn in as Oakland’s newest city council member, representing Montclair. It was bound to happen, because...
View ArticleBuilding character by playing character at Fairyland (Community Voices)
Not every kid who graduates from Fairyland’s renowned Children’s Theatre program goes on to become a cheerleader, the captain of the tennis team, and a member of the National Honor Society. Not...
View ArticleFairyland’s Flecto Carousel gets a makeover (Community Voices)
Once upon a time — 1952, to be exact — Children’s Fairyland introduced a number of rescued sea lions to the park; they lived in their own Walrus and the Carpenter set. But in 1991, when they were...
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My Princess President
Imagine my surprise and delight to be presented on Christmas Day with a lovely and unique gift: a photograph of President Barack Obama wearing a tiara, surrounded by similarly crowned Girl Scouts. The...
View ArticleFairyland’s Bollywood Juliet (Community Voices)
Over the decades, New York City theatergoers have had opportunities to see many renditions of “Romeo and Juliet,” but next month at Manhattan’s Access Theater, they’ll have their first chance to see...
View ArticleFairyland’s new story quilt (Community Voices)
On the fourth Saturday of each month for the past year, eight remarkable women from the African-American Quilt Guild of Oakland worked to create a very special present for the kids of Oakland. Last...
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Of Cupcakes and Dragons (Community Voices)
Because I run a storybook theme park that boasts nine resident dragons and hosts over 200 birthday parties a year, and because I have a degree in film and broadcasting, the fine folks at the online...
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