MUMS & TOTS NEWSLETTER
June 2004

WELCOME!  A big ‘HELLO’ to all newcomers to Warsaw.  We
would like to welcome you all and hope you will be very happy
here and make lots of new friends through Mums & Tots.

MUMS AND TOTS GENERAL INFO      

Mondays – All tots up to 3 years – The group meets at different houses between 1000 hrs-1200 hrs on a voluntary basis. 

Tuesdays

Kangurek Play Centre in the Old Paper Mill, Konstancin from 10am As well as your children being able to run around and let off some steam, part of the morning is also dedicated to a singing circle and arts & crafts where they can show off their artistic talents!  (Coordinator: Lindsey Wislocki 847-8774 or 0608-477563).  The play centre charges 12zl for the morning (for Mums & Tots members) or you can purchase a discount card costing 100zl for 10 sessions.

Stonoga Play Centre, ul. Zielona, Piaseczno from 10.30am. A break-away group of recent Mums and Tots graduates (three years plus) has started meeting at Stonoga from about 10.30-12.30 on Tuesdays. 8zl for the session. Everyone welcome but due to the advanced age of the children the play is a bit more robust than at Kangurek.

Throughout the summer and if the weather is fine a group will also meet at the outdoor play ground “Malpa Gaj” on the corner of ul. Rybaltow and ul. Wawozowa in Ursynow

Baby Music for babies up to 18 months (or so) every 2 weeks at 10am in different mum’s houses – see schedule.

Thursdays - Mini music takes place in different houses between 1000-1200 hrs on a voluntary basis.

Fridays – For mums-to-be and babies under 18 months.  It takes place at different houses between 1000-1200 hrs. (Coordinator: Christine Ashton – tel 847 0373).

Use the schedule printed at the end of the newsletter for the above groups in conjunction with your contact list. (Please email postmaster@mumsandtots.com if you need a new contact list at any time.

Mums’ (and Dads’) nights out
These are monthly socials to give us the chance

to get together without babies & children. Keep an

eye on the website for details of June’s event.

Tracey will e-mail everyone in due course!

The Book Club
The next meeting is on 8^th June. “The five people you meet in
heaven” at Tania’s house. If you are interested in joining this group
please contact Tania (0609 962659)

Useful Baby & Toddler Information

Formulas for Approximate Average Height and Weight of Normal Infants
Age	Weight in kg	Weight in Pounds
At birth	3.25	7
3 - 12 months	(age in months + 9) / 2	age in months + 11
1 - 6 years	(age in years x 2) + 8	(age in years x 5) + 17
7 - 12 years	((age in years x 7) - 5) / 2	(age in years x 7) + 5
Age	Height in Centimeters	Height in Inches
At birth	50	20
At 1 year	75	30
2 - 12 years	(age in years x 6) + 77	(age in years x 2.5) + 30

Market Watch!

With the weather improved it’s time to wander around Warsaw’s outdoor markets. The ‘granddaddy’ of them all, of course, is Europe’s largest outdoor market at Dziesieciolecia Stadium, aka the ‘Russian Market’ in Praga on Zieleniecka St., corner of Waszyngtona St, just over the Most Poniatowskiego Bridge. Parking can be tricky but from Centrum Metro all of the many trams on Jerozolimskie headed towards the river stop right outside the market. For safety leave valuables at home and take only the cash you’ll need! Held daily but best at weekends before 12:00. Head for the upper rim of the stadium – where there are fun sights - or you’ll be trapped in the endless aisles of cheap clothing around the outskirts.

Another favourite is the Koło Flea Market, Ciołka St, corner of 99 Obozowa St., open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7am till around 2pm (Tram 24 from Al Jerozolimskie, near Centrum). There is a wide selection of both real and fake antiques/junk – don’t forget anything pre-1945 would need a special permit for export. Not far from the market is the Wola Park mall, with large Auchan supermarket, for ‘proper’ shopping afterwards.

More practical outdoor shopping is available at Hala Mirowska, corner of Jana Pawła II and Plac Mirowski Ptasia, just past the Mercure Hotel, with the flower stalls at the front and the fruit and vegetable stalls to the side. (Trams 10, 16, 17, 19, 33, and 47 all stop here. For parking, best try on other side of JPII, behind the Atrium Building). Rewarding on a sunny Saturday morning, the stalls sometimes have fruit and veg not available in the supermarkets and the flower displays are always a delight. Ignore the adjacent ‘flea’ market of individuals selling personal odds and sods and the downmarket supermarkets in the Halls themselves (though for essentials. a small Albert supermarket has recently opened on the other side of the road.) Across the street also are City Café, TGIF and 99 for lunch, though keen walkers might like to follow Ptasia to its end, cross busy Marszałkowska to the compact but pretty Ogród Saski/Saxon Gardens, then across Piłsudskiego Square to the new Metropolitan Building and trendy The Cinnamon bar.

For the technical minded, the weekend computer market – Centralna Komputerowa Gielda – on corner of Batorego and Niepodlegŀości, close to Pole Mokotowskie metro, is an experience. Hundreds of sellers with everything you could imagine for a computer, from empty cases in which to build your own computer, through modems, chips, software etc. Open Saturday/ Sundays from 0800 – 1600. And not too far for a walk back across the road and through Pole Mokotowski Park for refreshments off the grill at the Lolek pub (close to the Żwirki I Wigury side of park).

Tips & Recommendations

Krakow? Gdansk? Check Intercity & Express train timetables, reserve tickets (for collection on train), English language site, http://www.intercity.com.pl/en/main. And remember that while a 1^st Class rail return to Gdansk is 218PLN, an early booking on LOT http://www.lot.com (at least 2 weeks in advance) offers return flights for 250PLN.

Banja Luka, 101 ul Puławska (854 0782) is currently ‘hot’ with some good magazine write-ups. Serving no nonsense Balkan food with - between 6-10pm - musical accompaniments. Pleasant outside eating area.

Tired hosting visitors? Direct them to the 100 bus from Plac Zamkowy (ul Podwale) for a ride round the ‘tourist sights’ for the price of a regular bus ticket. With an all day ticket they can get on and off for exploring, including a stop at Łazienki park.

Recipe Corner!
For those Brits missing our ready made shop bought 'mixed spice' here is a recipe....

6 level teaspoons whole cloves  (GOZDZIKI)

5 level teaspoons whole allspice berries (ZIELE ANGIELSKIE)

12cm cinnamon stick (CYNAMON)

4 level tablespoons freshly grated nutmeg (GALKA MUSZKATOLOWA)

6 level teaspoons ground ginger (IMBIR)

Grind all together and store in an airtight jar. Makes enough to set up your own business!

NEWS SERVICES
To receive the New Warsaw Express, an English language newspaper e-mailed to you weekly, free of charge, subscribe by sending an email to local@nwe.com.pl

Also, for news in English, the Warsaw Voice has a web-site: www.warsawvoice.pl

The British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC)’s Business Portal has a section on Living and Working in Poland-Leisure time. They plan to feature good ideas, recommendations etc: www.bpcc.org.pl/leisure_time
The BPCC also produce a free bi-monthly English language magazine “Contact International Business Voice” To subscribe contact Anna at media@bpcc.org.pl Or phone 654 5971

Other useful publications:

Insider magazine, cost 6 zl, available monthly, also check www.wbj.pl/insider/calendar.asp for latest whats on at cinemas and theatres. You can subscribe to the Insider for a cost of 33zl for 6 monthly issues, 66zl for 12 or 132zl for 24 months. Magazines are posted to your home or office, and arrive in advance of the 1^st of the month. Payment can be made via credit card. You can also receive SMS notification of new events etc coming up in Warsaw : Write a text message stating “Insider”, send to 7936. Cost 10.98zl per month.

Hotelier’s ‘Warsaw, Destination Alliance’ www.destinationwarsaw.dmkproject.com

The official Polish Government site, www.poland.gov.pl

www.poland.pl in English and www.polska.pl in Polish, port for all internet information about Poland

English language site on cultural events in Poland www.culture.pl/en/cultu

http://www.e-warsaw.pl official website of Warsaw, in English

Cultural events

For Theatre, Opera, Concerts check out www.ebilet.pl which has most upcoming events and lets you book on line. Or phone 622 0060 9am-5pm

The Warsaw Chamber Opera (Warszawska Opera Kameralna) 14^th Mozart Festival (15 June - 26 July 2004). See www.wok.pol.pl

Uwaga! Opera season ends 27^th June until 24 Sept. This month at the National www.teatrwielki.pl includes Pan Marimba (1st, 1800), Haunted Manor (1st), Carmen (16^th & 18^th) and the final premiere of the season is the ‘musical drama’ Salome (25^th & 27^th) music by Strauss, libretto Oscar Wilde.

Until 13 June, former Turner prize winner (2002) British artist (and musician) Martin Creed whose works are described as “highly humorous and often seem to have no material value, reduced as they are at times to mere titles”. Centre for Contemporary Art, Ujazdowski Castle. Open 11-17 except Monday (Fridays until 9.00 p.m). Details at http://csw.art.pl/new/2004program/0304cale_e.html

As each summer, from May to end of September, on Sundays at 12 & 4 pm, hear Chopin's music at the beautiful Łazienki Park, besides sculptor Wacław Szymanowski’s monument of Chopin.

Coming up on 29 July at Torwar, the Doors (of the 21^st Century). Not strictly a tribute band as it has original members (well not all of them, obviously. Vocals are taken by ex-Cult singer Ian Astbury)

The next ‘Tasty Classics’ - enjoy a meal while listening to Richard Berkeley and the New Chamber Orchestra – is at the Hotel Bristol on 3 June. Tel. 0-502-965-353 or e-mail richardberkeley@wp.pl

Theatre, Opera, Concerts
Make life easier by booking all your theatre, opera and concert tickets

On-line www.eBilet.pl. The site is available in English. Or phone 622 0060 9am-5pm

ATTENTION, ATTENTION !

All little and big flies are warming up their engines and are ready to attack us. After many cold months they will eat their fill. Mosquitoes, flies, wasps, hornets, ticks and others start a new life now. There are various reactions to their bites. It can be a little red dot or a huge, itchy patch, or even a serious allergic reaction. If symptoms are severe or you feel generally unwell seek medical advice. It is a good idea to buy a mosquito net and use insect repellents. When going to meadows or forests long trousers with socks and higher shoes, long sleeves with tight cuffs and hats should be worn. If you get a tick it should be removed as soon as possible and preferably by a medical authority. For common bites a compress with gauze soaked in sodium bicarbonate solution (1 teaspoon in 1 glass of warm water) once a day for few nights is very helpful. You can get buy Fenistil gel from the pharmacy which will help for bites.

Please note inclusion of an advert in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of goods or service by Mums & Tots

French for Tots Club - Wednesday 10 am to 11 am

Come along for an hour of creative play and songs in French.  No previous knowledge of French is necessary.

Please phone 0691420069 for a place for the morning session. 25 zl per person.

Carolyn Heaton, ul. Cisowa 17, off ul. Idzikowskiego, Stegny
I have been running such courses in the UK for the past 10 years and references can be made available upon request.  If you need any more information please contact me Carolyn Heaton by email at caragea708@yahoo.co.uk

Wanted: English language books for secondary school in Dobre Miasto
I have had a request from an English teacher in a Polish school who wants to set up an English library for her students. If you have any books that you no longer want, please contact me or if you could help purchase books for them.
Pam Rickard 843 6117

Sinnet Tennis Club, ul Golkowska 2
If anyone is thinking of joining this very nice Tennis Club we are currently awaiting a response from their marketing team as they have promised to come up with a membership which may be more reasonable than the offers they are currently selling. Possibly a more family orientated and/or an off peak Mon-Fri membership for those of us who want to join a gym etc but would only use it while our children are at school.

Sewing Machine Repairs

MECHANIKA MASZYN DO SZYCIA

The Kempisty Co. ul. Marszalkowska 41. Tel: 628 38 01

Open 10am-5pm Monday to Friday

This is a tiny shop on the roundabout with the church just before you get to Plac Konstytucji heading into town.

Fast service - happy to service 'unknown' make of sewing machine. (My machine now works as well as it did 20 years ago! Prew)

Clothing repairs & alterations:

KRAWIECKICH PRACOWNIA POPRAWEK - Galeria Mokotow. On base level along the corridor from the baby changing rooms near Hypernova. Follow the scissors sign. Very quick and not expensive (29zl to shorten sleeves on jacket).

Beata Roose is collecting clothes, shoes, toys for a very poor family living near Warsaw. There are 3 children under the age of 5 years.

If you have anything that you no longer need and are willing to donate, please contact Beata on 608 384042.

Study in English in Warsaw

Collegium Civitas, a top-ranking private university, offers degree programs in International Relations, Sociology and Political Science, with a unique combination of excellent faculty from the Polish Academy of Sciences, small classes, EU-funded study abroad programs and the best location in the Palace of Culture. international@collegium.edu.pl tel. (48)(22) 656 71 87 www.collegium.edu.pl

Learning Polish with Akademia Nauki

Language school with 5 years' experience.
We guarantee:
    Professional & experienced teachers,

    Small groups (2 to 3 students), or

    Individual tutoring,

    Two, easily accessible downtown school locations,
    The course schedule (days and hours) fully adaptable to your requirements, and

    Effective studying!

You don't have to be an alien in the city anymore.
Visit our website: www.akn.pl or phone 629 57 26 or 629 56 33 for more details

Can you help?
We are looking for volunteers (preferably with English as a first language) to visit some physically disabled English speaking Polish ladies who live at the Sue Ryder Home at Konstancin for conversation. Can you spare a couple of hours on a Tuesday afternoon every 6-8 weeks for a very rewarding experience?
Contact Lynne Baillieu, 845 8120 or Annie Williams, 642 5211

Car for Sale

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0, 1996, low mileage:

82,000 km, 2 owners from new, fully maintained and serviced by Ford Garage, ABS, air-bags, radio/cassette, 4 winter tyres, navy blue paintwork with some scratches. Excellent family car.

18,000 zl or nearest offer. Available beginning of July.
Contact Pam Rickard 843 6117 or 0606 301 066

Violin Lessons

English speaking teacher. Call Kavel Dobrowolski 0 (501) 424281

Cat looking for new home

Our 4 year-old very handsome male cat, Sydney, is looking for a new home with a garden to play in. He is fully house-trained, up-to-date with inoculations and has been neutered.

His needs are simple: he loves whiskas cat food and adores roast chicken, he likes to stay in when it is cold but most of the time likes being outside, and he likes someone to give him a cuddle now and then! He is a Polish moggie- he was born in Sopot and lived at the Residence with the McGregor family for his first six months. We adopted him when they were posted back to the UK.

We would love to keep him, but know that he would not like living on the 33^rd floor of a Beijing apartment block! If you could offer him a home or know someone who could, please call Pam Rickard 843 6117 or 0606 301 066 for more details

Pani Highly Recommended

Pani Ela has worked for us for 5 years (and before that for other British families). She understands some English but speaks only Polish . She is good with children and has carried out all the usual duties for us: cleaning, washing, ironing etc, some cooking for the children. Very reliable and trustworthy. Available to work in the afternoons/early evening Monday- Friday (she has another job in the mornings). Can also baby-sit in the evenings/weekends if required. She would consider most areas provided there is public transport (she lives in Mokotow area) Available for work from July. Contact Pam Rickard 843 6117 or 0606 301 066

Desperately seeking Housekeeper!

I am looking for an English speaking (basic), responsible person who can look after my home, cook and babysit. It would be a real bonus if they were willing to learn Indian cooking!! Ideally I would like someone to live in but am willing to consider other options. References are also required. Please contact Mrs Anu Balaji on 0605-242-944 or home tel 8477302

Do You Need a Great Party Cook?

Available at short notice

Affordable

Can help plan your menu - using various cuisines or a fusion of:

Greek, Italian, Polish, Asian ....

Table decorations and accessories available

Please call Kasia on 0600 895 297 or e-mail to kasia@e-project.pl

A big thank-you from The Talizman Foundation

Thank-you all so very much for organising and supporting the Mums & Tots Bazaar and helping to raise funds for Talizman.  The raffle raised 680pln and the cake stall 300pln, so along with the table fees of 720, we have hit a massive 1700 pln!  Peter will also add his 10% from his wine sales, so we will probably make it 2000pln!!!

Again, my sincere thanks for all the work and efforts you made.
Janing   

And finally…

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this months’ newsletter. Please remember that this is your newsletter.  Please send us anything you think might be of interest to other readers, particularly if you are a newcomer. Your comments are always welcome (as long as they are not too hurtful!!).  Please send your thoughts either to me, Bianca, on BandB@inicia.es or to Laura on spindlers@neostrada.pl

Baby Group (Fridays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Christine Ashton – ashton@data.pl)

11^th June NO MEETING

18^th June Barbara K – Zoliborz

25^th June Outside Lolek – Pole Mokotowskie Park (cancelled if raining)

2^nd July Kate S - Mokotow

9^th July Catherine Q - Centrum

16^th July Celia – Saska Kepa

23^rd July Kate S - Mokotow

30^th July Celia P – Saska Kepa

6^th Aug Lisa M – Wilanow

13^th Aug Carina B – Konstancin

20^th Aug Barbara K – Zoliborz

27^th Aug Celia P – Saska Kepa

Toddler Group (Mondays 10am -12pm)
(Organiser Sarah Brett - brett@globster.pl)

7^th June Sarah - Konstancin

14^th June Loretta - Mokotow

21^st June Heather - Stegny

28^th June Jenny - Mlociny

5^th July Bianca - Mokotow

12^th July Annie - Zoliborz

19^th July Joanna - Ursynow

26^th July Tracey – Konstancin

2^nd Aug Laura - Mokotow

Baby Music (Tuesdays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Christine Ashton – ashton@data.pl)

8^th & 22^nd June Helen – Mokotow

6^th July Catherine Q – Centrum

20^th July Nathalie – Wilanow

Mini Music (Thursdays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Prew Bowtell - bowtell@poczta.neostrada.pl)

3^rd June NO MEETING

10^th, 17^th, 24^th Sandra - Wilanow

1^st & 8^th July Anne – Mokotow

15^th, 22^nd & 29th July Suzanne – Powsin

For full details on all the events organised by Mums & Tots take a look at the comprehensive website www.mumsandtots.com