By Sally Deering

Teaching children how to behave in social situations runs the gamut from handling a salad fork to a nasty bully.  And thatâ€s just what Donna Bostany of Union City is prepared to do as she launches her new business, Your Charming Child, an etiquette training program for children 4 through 12 that her sister Lisa Butowsky started a year ago in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Bostany and Butowsky are Certified Etiquette Consultants trained at the International School of Protocol in Hunt Valley, Maryland, who teach manners and social skills to kids so they can become good citizens of the world. The sisters started teaching the classes to children in the Bucks County area and are now branching out to towns in Hudson.  On Mon, Tues, and Wed, August 5, 6, and 7, at the Hoboken Man salon, Bostany will teach her first series of etiquette classes to local recruits.

“Good manners help you make good decisions when dealing with other people which leads to respect for others as well as self-respect,” Bostany says. “By having good social skills, one does not need to engage in risky behaviors, but finds that popularity comes from being a good listener, a good friend and someone who makes other people feel at ease.”

 

Studies have shown that children are more open to etiquette instruction when taught by someone other than a parent, according to Butowsky and Bostanyâ€s website, www.yourcharmingchild.com.  At a younger age, children are more receptive to learning and retaining what they have learned.

Both sisters are extremely qualified to teach etiquette to kids. Along with their certification at the International School of Protocol, Butowsky holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University; and Bostany holds a BA in Theater from Penn State. Recently, the sisters collaborated on the children’s book SAY NICE THINGS, which teaches empathy and tolerance and touches on the problem of bullying

“The workshops will build your childâ€s self-esteem throughout his/her life leading to success in school, the workplace, and social settings,” Butowsky says. “Having these tools will encourage your child to be more respectful and helpful at home as well.  We strive to make learning fun through demonstrations and role playing and we keep our classes small for more individual attention.”

The two-hour workshops are held over three days and divided into Social Skills, Communication Skills and Table Manners. In Social Skills, children learn how to meet new people, make eye contact, interact and avoid rude behaviors like eye-rolling, littering and wasting.

“This is a world of interaction and although itâ€s great to have an iPhone and iPod, thereâ€s nothing that can take the place of eye contact,” Bostany says. “We are dealing with the technology generation.”

Children learn electronic etiquette in the Communication Skills workshop as well as listening/not interrupting, meeting people with disabilities and more. In Table Manners, itâ€s all about selecting and handling utensils, table behavior and conversation.

Bullying which is a controversial social issue is addressed in the Social Etiquette workshop.

“A child was sharing how his classmates tease him about his clothes, hair, his laugh – and heâ€s only in first grade,” Butowsky says. “We gave him some options on how to handle these kids like: ignoring by giving your ‘bored†face or walking away; showing confidence with posture, facial and body movements; speaking up with several clever comebacks; and getting support from your parents and teachers. “

Your Charming Child workshops focus children on the importance of social interaction and help them develop self-esteem, Bostany says.

“Emily Post said, ‘Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics, it is honorâ€,” says Bostany. “Putting the other person first, considering their feelings gives the child self-respect and the ability to respect others. Itâ€s all about relationships with your parents, your teachers, peers. Itâ€s about how you behave and interact in those relationships. Youâ€re judged by your social decorum. We teach not to judge because people look and act differently, but you are being judged by your social behavior.”

If you go:

Mon, Tues, Wed, Aug 5 6, 7, 9-11 am
Mon: Social Skills; Tues: Communication Skills; Wed: Table Manners
The Hoboken Man

1150 Maxwell Lane

Hoboken

(201) 601-0305

www.yourcharmingchild.com

Donna@yourcharmingchild.com

The post Your Charming Child:Cool Charm School – Donna Bostany and Lisa Butowsky Teach Kids about Manners and Social Interactions first appeared on River View Observer.

Union City Actress Donna Bostany will appear in a play “Sammy and Delilah”  on Sunday June 26, 8pm – Monday June 27 , 8pm and Tuesday June 28th 8pm as part of Polaris North’s “PLAYS’ FOR A SUNNER NIGHT.”

Anyone wishing to attend must RSVP 212-939-2361

POLARIS NORTH 245 w 29TH st 4th Floor, New York City

FREE EVENT: DONATIONS BENEFIT POLARIS NORTH REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED AFTER 

The following plays will be presented:

“Corporate Alchemy”   “Opportunity” Written and Directed by Ron Palais* Written and Directed by Edgar Chisholm*With: Joan Lunoe* and Barry Lank With: Amy Chang and Yasuhito Miyazono, Danny Hong, plus Yukiko Miyawaki Choreographer,

“Off-Key Aria” and Michael Bevins, Costume Design.
Written by Edward Lassiter*, Directed by Carla Torgrimson* “Saraâ€s Bench” With: David Elyha*, Keith Herron*, and Rick Alessa* Written by Eleanor Herman* Directed by Diane Martella*
With: Carol Carter, Hope Harley, and Fulton C. Hodges

“Sammy and Delilah” Written by Anne Pie†* Directed by Phillip Filiato* “The Hotel Lobbyist” With: Rick Alessa* and Donna Bostany* Written by Bara Swain, Directed by Diane Martella*With Joan Shepard* and Grant Machan*
* Member of Polaris North Inc.

Polaris North was established over 34 years ago by a small group of actors and playwrights who saw an opportunity to pool their money and energies to pay for a small space that could then be used by each of them in whatever way they felt would advance their professional careers.  That small group has grown to hover around the 100 mark over the years, that small original space has increased to one almost 3 times the original space.  Continuing their original mission, to maintain a space which members can use to further their professional careers.

 Polaris North is a not-for-profit organization  that operates as a cooperative,  a total volunteer organization, which has no paid staff and are governed by an Executive Committee, also unpaid, consisting of 4 elected officers and 3 advisors appointed by the committee.  Their   mission statement reflects their original intent: “Polaris North is a cooperative group of actors, playwrights and directors.  By payment of annual dues, the members maintain a studio space which can be used by them in various ways as they see fit to enhance their professional careers.”

The post Union City’s Donna Bostany Appearing in Polaris North’s “Plays For A Summer Night” first appeared on River View Observer.

PLAYWRIGHT’S WORKSHOP III

will present workshop performances of short works by Polaris North member playwrights, directed by PN members, and performed by PN member actors and special guest.

Polaris North is located at 245 W. 29th Street, 4th Floor, between 7th and 8th  Avenues, NYC.  

This evening of One-Acts runs one weekend only:  March 11, 12, at 8:00pm and March 13 at 7:00pm. 

There will be a reception after each show. This is a free event but donations will be happily received at the door.

 The program will be: 

       The Sole Connection  by Walter Thinnes 

 Directed by Pamela Wilson

                 Featuring Carla Torgrimson and Bruce Barton

 

Darcey and Duke

by Gabriella Fox

Directed by Phillip Filiato

Featuring

                                 Donna Bostany and Thomas Moran                               

Frisky

By Walter Thinnes

Directed by Pamela Wilson

Featuring

Kaitlin Monte   Greg Cohan   Lena Gilbert

 

The Garden Club

by Philip Filiato

Directed by Pamela Wilson

Featuring

Nina Rochelle   Greg Cohan   Thomas Moran

 

 All about Evelyn

by Laurel Lockhart

Directed by Leslie Lynn Meeker

Featuring

Diane Tyler and Eve Sorel

 

For reservations please call 646.938.4538  Bring a friend!!!!

www.polarisnorth.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Hudson County Resident Donna Bostany in One Act Play Series first appeared on River View Observer.

Kenneth Del Vecchio Chairperson

Mayor Dave Roberts and the City of Hoboken

Presents

THE NATION’S HOTTEST…TRUE…FILM FESTIVAL
May 29, 2009 – June 4, 2009

Cloris Leachman, (Academy Award, 4-Time Golden Globe, 19-Time Emmy Winner & Nominee) will be the 2009 HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Emcee- Comedian Mike Marino

 

 

 

Award Presenter -                                                                                                            Donna Bostany

For video of  past FilmFestivals Hoboken International Film Festival

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

Hoboken International Film Festival (“HIFF”) is dedicated to showcasing and promoting fine non-studio films, TV pilots, and screenplays from filmmakers throughout the United States and internationally. The best submissions will be rewarded with cash prizes in nearly ten categories. As will be discussed in the next section, HIFF has quickly become one of the top ten best film festivals in the world.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

With a celebrity jury comprised of Academy Award and Emmy winners, and powerhouse partners this past year that include CBS, Anheuser-Busch and Stella Artois, TD Banknorth, 101.9 RXP, The DoubleTree Hotel, The Jersey Journal, The Melting Pot, Glaceau SmartWater, and hosted by Mayor David Roberts and the City of Hoboken, HIFF is a worldwide renowned film festival. Showcasing the edgiest domestic and international movies and their filmmakers, HIFF will kick off on May 29, 2009 with its opening night films–that will be viewed by nearly 1,000 fans and industry personnel at Pier A Park, located directly on the Hudson River and overlooking the majestic New York City skyline.

The 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award winner will be Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show; Young Frankenstein; The Women; The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Dancing With the Stars). At this past year’s Gala Awards Ceremony, noted as one of the best in the country for its Oscar-like class and fanfare, Billy Dee Williams personally accepted the HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2007 HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Charles Durning (2-time Academy Award/8-time Golden Globe/12-time Emmy winner and nominee). The 2006 recipient was Frank Vincent.

In addition to nonstop screenings during the week of the festival, HIFF offers a slate of panel discussions held by top industry leaders. The 2007 group included an Academy Award winning producer, CBS news anchors, MTV casting director, CBS soap opera star, a studio executive and a star talent manager.

HIFF also offers unique, star-studded special events. Some past special events include: the “Keg Party Blowout & Screening” sponsored by Sheraton Suites on the Hudson, Harbor Bar and Brasserie, and Stella Artois–featuring the movie “Beer League” and a party with the movie’s filmmakers and stars including Artie Lange (The Howard Stern Show); a series of films from Academy Award nominated actor Danny Aiello, with a special Q&A held by Aiello and the filmmakers of his new film “The Shoemaker,” as well as a live concert by Aiello and his band; a series of Charles Durning films and special screenings and parties with Durning.

HIFF awards the winning filmmakers with cash prizes in the following categories: Best Feature Film; Best Director (Feature Film); Best Screenplay (Feature Film); Best Actor (Feature Film); Best Actress (Feature Film); Best Short Film; Best Documentary; Best TV Pilot; Best Unproduced Screenplay. There are also awards given in several other categories. In addition, there is a Grand Prize (for Best Narrative Feature Film) of a distribution deal offer (2009 company TBA).

All festival venues are located in the heart of New Jersey’s artistic capital, with gorgeous, waterfront scenic views of the New York City skyline.

HIFF will be held from May 29, 2009-June 4, 2009 in Hoboken, NJ.

The post Hoboken International Film Festival May 29- June 4th first appeared on River View Observer.