January 2020 - Ann Arbor Family

FREE JANUARY 2020

Health & Wellness Set goals and find the experts to make this year your P.9 healthiest yet

A New Learning Opportunity

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Former Ann Arborite helps develop preschools in Cameroon Aknowledging our Children's Anxiety Local export offers advice to empower Generation Z

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St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Nascantur in Admiratione “Let them Be born in Wonder.”

- Open House -

Sunday, January 26th from 2 to 4 PM • Come and learn how a classical education leads our students in every grade and subject to an encounter in wonder with the good, the true and the beautiful - in creation and with the Creator beyond it.

• Daily celebration of Holy Mass with Eucharistic Adoration each Friday. Quarterly celebration of the Sacrament of Penance. Advent and Lenten upper school retreats.

Math, Science, Art and Music, with Studio Art and Choir required in Kindergarten through 8th grade and Latin beginning in 5th grade.

• Physical Education instruction in six wellness qualities of the human body: Movement, Strength, Cardiovascular, Endurance, Coordination & Diet.

• Offering a 7th/8th grade trip to Rome to explore the seat of the Catholic Church and the Roman origins of • Advancing the power of a child's memory, reason, and western civilization. imagination by expanding the command of language, • A seasonal boys and girls athletics program includes thought and expression in a rigorous school wide cross country, girls volleyball, boys and girls program of vocabulary, grammar and com, position basketball, girls cheer, and track. instruction.

• Extracurriculars include Chess, Forensics, Art, • Instruction grounded in the child's natural stages of Spanish, Violin, and Little Flowers. learning captured in the classical trivium of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric and the classical quadrivium of

540 Elizabeth St. • Ann Arbor, MI 48104 • (734) 769-0911

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• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

ONLINE

Volume 26 Issue 1 January 2020 n

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Kids Astrology

By Kimmie Rose

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Your little Capricorn is a perpetual people pleaser and consistently the center of attention. Whether your child creates a LEGO masterpiece or paints an amazing depiction of a loved one, his/her work is always noticed. This month your little Capricorn will be full of “I want to GO” energy. Be mindful of honoring that need to discover, learn and move. This is the perfect month to take an educational trip to UM Museum of Art, the Hands-On Museum or the UM Museum of Natural History. Parents, remember to get your rest because your little Capricorn is going to be full of mental, AND physical, energy this month!

Then follow what we like! /annarborfamily

We’re celebrating kids and family #annarborfamily on Instagram!

5 Amazing TED Talks Every Busy Parent Should Hear

When parenting overwhelms us, it’s time to rethink our approach and seek perspective

By Dolores Smyth

NEWYEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Editorial

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Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) RADIO DJ.

My New Year’s Resolutions for Parenting Teens

Nag less, encourage independence, and communicate more, to name a few

By Cheryl Maguire

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and general information, call (734) 668-4044 or fax (734) 668-0555. E-mail ads to adsin@annarborfamily.com Ann Arbor Family subscriptions are available by mail for $28/quarterly or $75 per year at Ann Arbor Family, 3003 Washtenaw, Suite 3, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.

Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing and should include the writer’s full name and phone number.

How to be a Sports Surgeon Kit Inspiring imaginative play and health awareness, this Little Medical School ® CLASSROOM IN A BOX offers aspiring sports surgeons a wide variety of hands-on and educational activities. The How to be a Sports Surgeon Kit (a $29.99 value) can be enjoyed multiple times with five separate activities: Lend Me a Hand, Skeleton, Sprains and Strains, Joints, and Tommy John Surgery. Students conclude their activities with a graduation ceremony and diploma. This kit is designed for children (6+) and can be used independently or with adult supervision.

Entire contents ©2020 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher.

Also publishers of:

On the cover Fynn + Odin Merchak

(Fynn is the smaller one, 3.5 months)

River Rouge, Michigan

Photo by Tiffany Ringrose Audited by

Congratulations

to December’s Winner

Samantha Burke

To enter, visit annarborfamily.com

recycle this paper for our children's future ...

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

It takes two steps to decide the best

We want to hear from you!

Nominate your favorite local people, places and spaces as Ann Arbor Family’s annual Family Favorites.

Nominations run through February.

Voting begins in March

They can’t win without you.

Only the TOP 6 make it to the final ballot!

most read online 1. Dr. Bowers Creates a Home Away from Home for Quirky Kids

2. A Slice Worth the Sacrifice at Joe's Pizza

3. Cheesecake and Family Go Hand-in-Hand

ANNARBORFAMILY.COM Does your Business have...

• Aging Inventory • Dicontinued Products • Scratched or Dented Merchandise • The Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley ReStore offers FREE donation pick up!

(734) 822-1530 Join other community leaders like those below to build a stronger and more sustainable community

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• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

#SHOW AND TELL We’re always looking for great photos to fill our community snaps page! Send your favorite moments to production@adamsstreetpublishing.com

Bentley Wright, 3, Ann Arbor Ele Jewell, 5, Ann Arbor

Sterling & Skye Scott 11 & 13 yrs, Ann Arbor

Olly Jewell, 1, Ann Arbor

ENTER OUR COVER KID CONTEST FREE NOVEMBER 2019

Meet Tessa!

Our 2019 Cover Kid Contest Winner

Digital Designers

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Creative ways techy kids can express themselves

SPEC AL Sguide Stories of hope and local resources for families with children with special needs

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Photography provided by:

Picture Your Child on the Cover of Ann Arbor Family Press!

Could your little treetown cutie be our April cover kid?

We are searching for the Ann Arbor area’s cutest kids to participate in a contest to be featured on our April 2020 issue cover.

How It Works To enter, visit annarborfamily.com and click on the contest link in the sidebar to the right.

• Readers can submit photos of their kids through January 31.

• Voting on the submissions will run February 3-28.

• The winner will be notified on February 28 and will be required to participate in a photo shoot in Ann Arbor prior to March 12.

Rules and Guidelines Brittany Bennion Photography

Entrants must reside in Washtenaw County. The child must be age 12 or under. One entry per child. The photo should feature your child only. Provocative or otherwise questionable content will not be considered. The publisher retains sole discretion to determine the appropriateness of content. By entering the contest, entrants agree to have their submitted name and photo displayed in our magazine and website and used by us for any purpose, at any time, without any fee or other form of compensation.

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

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Compiled and written by Laura Eliason

Increasing access to healthy food in Washtenaw County

Newborn Coleton Voss was the first baby in Michigan to donate his placenta as part of a new program that provides nutrient-rich tissue to help patients with serious medical needs.

A child’s first gift Alyssa Voss and her son, Coleton, gave a unique gift to others on the day he was born. The Voss family was the first in Michigan to donate their placenta as part of a new program aimed at providing nutrient-rich tissue to help patients with serious medical needs.

Expectant mothers who will give birth with a planned cesarean section at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor can take part in the unique program. St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor is the only hospital in the state offering placenta donation through Gift of Life Michigan, but the program likely will expand to other Michigan hospitals. The baby’s umbilical cord and placenta— typically discarded after birth— can be donated.

The child’s birth is in no way affected, and there is no risk to the mother or the baby. The placenta technically belongs to the baby, making him or her the donor.

Placenta is rich in nutrients, so it has unique healing properties, most often used for traumatic wounds and diabetic ulcers, as well as eye injuries and diseases, dental and spinal procedures and sports injuries.

Food Gatherers, the Ann Arborbased food rescue non-profit, believes that access to nutritious food is a basic human right.

The Healthy School Pantry Program (HSPP), created by Food Gatherers in 2012, increases access to healthy food and encourages families to try a wide variety of produce. The program distributes food to 17 schools throughout Washtenaw County, partnering with schools that have a high rate of students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals. Families with an enrolled child at a participating school can receive free fresh produce every month. Along with fruits and vegetables, families receive simple, low cost, and nutritious recipes that incorporate the distributed produce.

To learn more, contact Erin Freeman at 734-761-2796 or erin@foodgatherers.org.

For a full list of participating schools, visit foodgatherers.org/hspp.

HEBREW DAY SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR

Local private school secures record donation Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor (HDS) is driven by a mission to nurture the development of knowledgeable, caring and committed Jewish children in a dynamic learning environment.

Through exceptional general and Judaic studies and Hebrew language immersion, students will create a meaningful and joyous connection to their heritage and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and involvement in the wider community.

In late 2019, the school secured a pledge from an anonymous donor for a gift of $1.8 million, the largest donation the school has received since its opening in 1975. The donation will support all aspects of the school’s operation.

For more information about Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor visit hdsaa.org.

The Discovery Center celebrates 45 years with a new woodland play area Ann Arbor preschool The Discovery Center continues its history of innovation in high-quality child care with the creation of a new woodland nature play area and a playground renovation and expansion. The new nature play area takes advantage of the Center’s 3.5-acre wooded site and includes paths through the woods and activity areas within. The playground renovation incorporates the latest materials (impact-absorbing turf and synthetic mulch) as well as child-friendly modifications such as peek-a-boo portholes, climbing towers, and large sandboxes with new shade canopies. Founded in 1974, one of the earliest high-quality child care centers in Michigan, it has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1993 The Discovery Center, 775 S. Maple Rd. 734-663-7496. thediscoverycenterpreschool.com

Interested in donating?

Talk to your prenatal care provider or call the St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Labor and Delivery unit with questions 734-712-0331.

Ann Arbor ranks high among the world’s top 100 hospital cities Digital healthcare provider Medelle has released a study of the 2019 top 100 hospital cities worldwide and Ann Arbor ranks #55. The study is based on data relating to infrastructure in terms of the medical workforce, education, quality of care, satisfaction, treatment efficiency, citizen accessibility, and more.

Ann Arbor came in at #7 of the top 20 hospital cities in the USA. “There are several existing hospital rankings around, but this is the firstever comparison of top hospital cities which looks at the bigger picture. It 6

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

answers this very important question: do their medical facilities cater to all of their city’s patients, not just the wealthy or privileged ones?” comments Daniel Kolb, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Medbelle. “We wanted this study to shine a light on the importance of hospital infrastructure, in particular looking at medical education, the deficit of surgeons and nurses, and the overall accessibility of healthcare. Without these building blocks, a city cannot offer its citizens the medical care that they need.”

See the full report at medbelle.com/best-hospital-cities-usa.

tween the lines

advice for parents with children 10-16

View

more p at an hotos of th narbo e rfami new facil ity ly.com .

Ozone House Opens New Ypsilanti Home

The ChadTough Foundation opens an office

Washtenaw County area youth have a new safe space

By Lori Maranville

Ozone House has been helping youth in crisis for 50 years. Now, the organization will do that from a new facility in Ypsilanti. Annually, in Washtenaw County, the number of homeless youth sits at about 1,300, due to abuse, neglect or rejection; mental illness or financial difficulties of their parents; or other crises. Each year, Ozone House provides safe refuge for 800 young people and more than 4,000 hours of professional therapy to those who seek services. The communitybased, nonprofit agency has a mission “to help young people lead safe, healthy and productive lives through intervention and prevention services.”

Big possibilities in a bigger building Staff and the youth served will see benefits of the new facility as more space, more privacy and housing almost everything under one roof.

The newly built 19,000 square-foot building at 1600 N. Huron River Drive will allow the organization to consolidate many services at the new location and house and counsel more young people than before. The new facility will be the location for Ozone House’s emergency shelter for youth ages 10-17, transitional housing for youth ages 17-20, the 24hour crisis line, their administrative offices, as well as an array of services that have come to be a vital part of the nonprofit’s mission since its formation 50 years ago.

“We not only provide for youth housing, but we also do counseling, case management, job training, after-school programming, leadership and life skills training,” said Heidi Ruud, Ozone House marketing and communications manager. “Ozone House focuses on providing a safe space for young people in crisis. We help them foster healthy relationships, and we help them realize their strengths and be productive in the community.”

New and improved The organization, providing these services for a long time at two locations in Ann Arbor and a drop-in center in Ypsilanti, Ruud explains, “We are so good at what we do and the quality of our facilities didn’t match the care that we provide.”

The young people Ozone House serves are often navigating trauma and crisis and in desperate need of a sense of security, stability and consistency. Erica Odum, residential coordinator, said the young people look forward to having their own space, a sense of privacy and simple conveniences like

having more than one washer so people can do laundry at the same time.

Now, instead of having a combined four shared rooms that sleep 12 at the current facilities, they will have 16 private bedrooms that can sleep 32 young people. In addition, they will have 11 counseling rooms, three kitchens, seven youth bathrooms, a community room for training and functions, an expanded food and necessities pantry, as well as laundry and shower facilities for day services for older youth. Public transportation is steps from the front door.

Ruud said, having dedicated office space for counseling and other services will be wonderful. “A lot of very personal conversations happen between our staff, counselors and young people. Our counselors will also have dedicated space that will be predictable and comfortable for youth and their families.”

Transition to a new home The transition to the new facility will be gradual, with Ozone House moving services from their Washtenaw Avenue location first. The Ozone House facility at 1705 Washtenaw Avenue has already been sold, but, Ruud said, the buyer has been gracious in letting them stay until February through their transition. Ozone’s house on the West side of Ann Arbor will also be put up for sale with the transitional living housing moved to the new location shortly.

The drop-in center at 102 North Hamilton Street in Ypsilanti will remain. The center offers a safe place for youth ages 13-20 to hang out, eat, do laundry, take a shower, get information, and get job coaching. It is also home to the organization’s Peer Outreach Workers (POW), a group of young people trained in leadership skills to be Ozone House ambassadors to other youths during a year-long paid internship experience. Some services at the drop-in center will move to the new facility.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for donors to the organization’s capital campaign is in mid-January and an open house for the public is in early March. Ruud said when the building is finished, and they get their appropriate licensing and move in, they hope to organize volunteers to help set up bedrooms and kitchen spaces.

To find out more about Ozone House go to Ozonehouse.org.

The Saline-based ChadTough Foundation has found a home on Michigan Avenue in Downtown Saline in the building formerly housing the now-closed Ed’s Bread. This is the organization’s first permanent office space. The mission of The ChadTough Foundation is to inspire and fund game-changing research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

The ChadTough Foundation, 201 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-707-8732. chadtough.org

Judson Center moves to a new, larger space

The Judson Center has relocated to a larger space at 3917 Research Park Drive, Suite B-1A, in Ann Arbor.

The multi-county human service agency provides autism programs, behavioral health services, child and family services, including foster care and adoption in tandem with its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan. Their location on Packard Road in Ann Arbor will continue to offer children and family services, including foster care, adoption, early head start and family preservation programs.

Call for hours. Judson Center, 3917 Research Park Drive, Suite B-1A. 734-794-2930. judsoncenter.org

A women’s resale store for all sizes

Clothes resale is a growing trend in the United States, and Clothes Mentor is bringing its upscale resale shop to the Maple Village shopping center. Clothes Mentor sells gently used namebrand and designer clothing, shoes and accessories for up to 70% off original retail prices. They pay cash on-the-spot or store credit for apparel in sizes 0 to 26, petites and maternity as well as shoes, handbags and other accessories. They also offer a free personal shopping service and host customer events such as Girls Night Out. Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm, Sunday, 12-4pm. Clothes Mentor, 339 N. Maple Rd. 734-263-2150 | clothesmentor.com

Nail your creative projects

The Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) has licensed Creativebug for use by all AADL library cardholders.

Creativebug offers more than 1,000 award-winning video classes on painting, knitting, crafting, sewing, and more, taught by recognized design experts and artists. Be sure to check out their fun kids’ classes. Learn how to draw manga, make some galaxy slime, or create a beautiful felt flower headband.

Visit aadl.org to find out more or to log into Creativebug.

For their Crisis Line text “Ozone” or call 734-662-2222 www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

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7 Ways to Be a Positive Parent for Your Child with Special Needs Connie Combs offers her expertise to help ensure a bright future for families

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PHOTO CREDIT: CREATING BRIGHTER FUTURES

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Children engaging in play therapy at Creating Brighter Futures.

Parenting is hard, but parenting a child with special needs can be downright daunting. Too often, parents feel isolated and scared when their child receives a diagnosis. However, with the help of caring professionals, such as local expert Connie Combs, there is hope.

As Program Coordinator of Creating Brighter Futures, an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) center-based autism treatment center, and a proponent of positive parenting, Combs shares the following ways to ensure you and your family not only cope, but thrive, with a diagnosis.

1. Build your rapport and relationship first.

It’s so important to meet children where they are. We can’t connect with them if we are always imposing demands. Instead, we should remember to enjoy time with our children and lean into their unique interests.

Instead, build relationships with the staff.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to offer it. Act as a team to support your child.

5. Make time for your other children.

If you have other children, you know the guilt that comes with not devoting an equal amount of attention. To help, carve out some one-on-one time, even if it’s only 15-20 minutes a week. Start a tradition. Maybe every Monday, go out for ice cream, just the two of you. These moments can be very powerful and precious.

6. Be on the same page as your partner.

If you have a partner in parenting, it’s important to check-in with each other. If you don’t have the same goals in mind, you’re going to struggle moving forward.

Consider seeing a marriage or family therapist, even if it’s only once a month. It’s a chance to check-in and ask, “Are we okay?”

3. Be flexible.

While consistency is key, you also have to remember you’re not always going to get your way. If something simply isn’t working, don’t do it. Just as we ask our children to be flexible, we need to be flexible too.

7. Be mindful of the day.

When we have special needs kids, we tend to get in the habit of predicting to avoid issues. We pre-worry so much that we often forget to enjoy the day and cherish our children in the moment. Remember too that if the day is not going well, tomorrow is a time to start again, refreshed. Show yourself some grace.

Parenting a child with special needs requires special parenting. Try not to become discouraged if you don’t immediately see results. As Combs reminds us, “Parenting rewards often come much later. Do not despair! Your hard work will pay off.”

4. Have a working relationship with your child’s school.

Remember that teachers are really on your side. You can’t just make demands.

For information about how to enroll your child in Creating Brighter Horizons, visit the website creatingbrighterfutures.com or call 734-926-0740.

2. Be consistent.

Being consistent is the most effective way to create a predictable and stable environment for your child. It’s important to state your expectations clearly, give appropriate processing time, and then follow through. Try and avoid repeating your request over and over and remember the 1:1 ratio: one request, then action.

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Health & Wellness

Anticipating a happy, healthy New Year, but looking for the experts in town? In need of a practitioner or specialist? Looking for wellness coaches to help you feel your best? We’ve rounded up some local experts to help you make this one of your best years yet!

GUIDE 2020

Set goals and find the experts to make this year your healthiest yet

St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor

By Laura Eliason

5301 McAuley Dr. Ypsilanti | stjoeshealth.org St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Dance Classics 3777 Plaza Dr., Suites 4 & 5 734-302-4248 | aadanceclassics.com

Ann Arbor Dance Classics (AADC) is an all-inclusive dance studio providing quality dance education in a familyfriendly, nurturing and professional environment since 1996. We offer recreational dance for ages three to adult, in all abilities and levels and we offer performance and competitive dance for ages five to eighteen. We are giving everyone who chooses AADC the opportunity to thrive in dance (and in life) both mentally and physically. Deena Fournier, Owner and Director at Ann Arbor Dance Classics, tells us how dance education can provide both physical and mental benefits.

“Dance education at AADC provides you with limitless health benefits, too many to mention here! Dance education teaches artistry, many life skills and athleticism. We are providing you the ability to learn a moving art form, skills to achieve poise and mental focus, keeping you in physical shape while working within a group of other individuals attaining similar goals.

Helping you to develop a better understanding of both your mind and body, creating benefits you can use for a lifetime!”

Pediatric specialists at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor care for infants and children of all ages. St. Joe’s offers a comprehensive range of services and subspecialists that provide specialized care for pediatric conditions. This includes a Pediatric Unit, Newborn Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Physical Therapy and behavioral health services. The hospital also offers an urgent care and a Pediatric Emergency Center for when the urgent care is closed or in case of life-threatening emergencies. A common concern that many parents have at this time of year is how to best treat their child’s fever and when to bring their child to the emergency room. Dr. Lee Benjamin, Director of Pediatric Emergency Center Clinical Operations in St. Joe’s Department of Emergency Medicine offers his advice.

“If an immunized child over three months old with fever appears well, alert, and interactive, parents should ask their pediatrician to guide treatment. If a child under three months old has a fever, or if an older child appears ill, emergency department evaluation may be needed, as these kids may be sick and require hospitalization. Every child is different. Some may be well, playful and active with a fever of 104, while others look very ill with a fever of 101. If the patient does not appear well, especially after fever reducers are provided, seek medical care.”

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

cont. on pg. 10

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Profile by Sanford 215 North Maple Road, Suite A-1 734-270-4060 | profileplan.com

PHOTO CREDIT HASSAN HODGES-HH PHOTO GRAPHICS

Health & Wellness cont. from pg. 9 Profile offers the most complete solution for healthy weight loss and lifestyle change.

Physicians and medical researchers designed their program based on what science says are the keys to simple, effective, and sustainable weight loss. Profile members work one on one with a certified health coach and follow a personalized nutrition, activity, and lifestyle plan customized to their DNA. Brent Engels, Franchise Owner of Profile by Sanford in Ann Arbor, shared his advice on the positive impact parents’ healthy choices can have on their families.

“Our program teaches the importance of healthy habits, not only in nutrition but in lifestyle as well. These healthy habits set an example for children, but also be incorporated into their daily life as well.

Parents can make healthy food choices for themselves as well as their whole family and encourage participation in physical activities. This is not limited to going to the gym, it could be family walks, playing tag, or any number of other activities to stay active. Parents are also better able to take care of their children when they also take care of themselves.”

Winter/Spring 2020 Caring and trained staff! There’s so much to do at the Saline Rec Center! Convenient, flexible scheduling, affordable

Themed Birthday Parties Dive into Swim Lessons Pool Party Nuts About Science Party Bricks 4 Kidz Lego Party Nerf Wars Party

Fourteen different levels, beginners to advanced students.

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FOR EVENTS & MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

734-429-3502 • cityofsaline.org/parks

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• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Lucky’s Market 919 South Industrial Hwy. 734-368-9137 | Luckysmarket.com Lucky’s Market began with the radical idea that eating well should be affordable, and shopping for it should be fun. They’ve created a place where people could find healthy food, plus some of the good stuff they grew up with to balance out all of that kale. They believe in good food for all: sometimes that good food is bacon, and sometimes it’s quinoa. Balance is everything! Carrina Castellonos, Front End Team Member, gave us some tips on how parents can help kids make healthy food choices early on.

“Helping kids navigate the food world is a challenging part of parenting, for sure!

Birthday parties, school celebrations, and just getting through the day without a ton of sugar and processed foods can be really hard. Our best advice is not to demonize anything, and to make sure there are plenty of healthy choices around. Let kids help you plan meals, model the food choices you’d like to see, and add veggies to everything! Spinach goes with everything— trust us.”

Champion Gymnastics 7240 Jackson Rd. 734-222-1810 | champgymaa.com Gymnastics is a great way for kids to stay fit, learn new skills, and develop resilience and strength. For owner Launie Aben, gymnastics has always been about inspiring children. Aben first got involved with the sport when her oldest daughter was 4 years old. Over twenty years of coaching experience later, she uses her love for gymnastics to inspire and educate young athletes. Her gym offers a variety of programs for girls and boys, ages 18 months to 18 years, such as Ninja Zone, beginner, intermediate and advanced gymnastics classes, tumbling classes, and a competitive team for girls and boys. Plus, Champion Gymnastics has expanded, adding a climbing net, 10 ft & 8 ft warped walls, monkey bars and more!

cont. on pg. 12

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Health & Wellness cont. from pg. 11 Live in Balance Consulting

Ann Arbor YMCA

Questions and additional information requests can be sent to monica@liveinbalanceconsulting.com or visit liveinbalanceconsulting.com.

Live in Balance Consulting helps clients re-style their lives to meet their wellness goals and create more balanced living. Their comprehensive approach addresses the 3 pillars to successful transformation-nutrition practice, physical fitness, and positive mindset. They work together to design a personalized plan that will help guide them through their wellness journey, from nutrition 101 to intuitive eating, and transformational success. Services include: 1-on-1 Coaching, Spa & Self-care products, Workshops, & Events. Live in Balance owner Monica Gobba, a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, offers her advice for families that want to improve the health of their families this year.

“Family mealtime can be a fun way to improve nutrition. It also helps to cultivate the culture of wellness and develop positive eating habits at a young age. The whole family can also make healthy food choices a part of their daily routine by treating a trip to the grocery store or farmers market as a treasure hunt. Ask for help in finding the items on your food shopping list. Parents should also model healthy eating. Children’s attitudes and actions toward everything from nutrition to exercise to politics are shaped by our own actions and behaviors. It’s also important to get the whole family involved in meal preparation. Assign each person an age appropriate task-younger children can wash foods, while older siblings chop, or set the table while dinner is in the oven. Research shows that kids who are involved in preparing meals have more positive attitudes towards food and are more likely to eat the foods they prepare. Including your children in shopping and cooking alongside you helps them develop their own taste, preferences and enjoyment of healthy foods.”

400 W Washington St. 734-996-9622 | annarborymca.org

Spend time this year being active as a family! The YMCA is a great place for families come together and stay active and connected all year long.

Enjoy swimming in the family pool in the evening or on the weekend, or shooting hoops on the basketball courts. Fitness, sans a rigid class schedule or punishing routine, can be an integral part of your family life and enhance together-time while maintaining your health. Through the generous contributions of donors, the YMCA provides financial scholarships to enable all members of the community to enjoy YMCA programs. We asked Jan Hack, the YMCA’s Communication’s Director, what one easy habit is that a family can implement to live healthier today.

“Play every day! Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do. As long as your arms and legs are moving, it’s good for you.”

Saline Parks & Recreation 1866 Woodland Dr., Saline.

734-429-3502 | salinerec.com

The Saline Rec Center is the hub for fitness, family activities, leagues, swimming, and more for the greater Saline area. The Rec Center offers a wide variety of activities for all ages. Our unique ramps into both pools make it a safe and convenient way for small children and those with mobility issues to enter the pools. Memberships as well as day passes are available. All are welcome, even if you don’t live in Saline. Saline Rec Center Certified Fitness Instructor Jill Cooper shared her ideas on how parents can engage their kids in a healthy lifestyle and encourage fitness.

“Take family walks, or create family challenges like a jumping jack challenge, planking challenge, and hula hoop challenge. Make these challenges into a game or competition. Be sure to make fitness fun; set goals and give rewards. Rewards can be fun things like sitting at the head of the table for family dinner, or being awarded the family member of the week. Take advantage of your local Rec Center or park for swimming, shooting basketballs, and playing tennis. It is important for parents to set the example for their kids. A family that plays together, stays together!”

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Email: monica@liveinbalance.com or Call direct (313) 550-4693

www.liveinbalanceconsulting.com 12

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

EMU CONVOCATION CENTER ∞ January 26 EMUConvocagtion Center

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www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

13

Chasing Two Rabbits and Catching a New Learning Opportunity Former Ann Arbor resident partners with people of Cameroon to develop preschools

By Lori Maranville

from the educational system and unable to participate in decisions that affect the forests that surround them and their very way of life.

“Their forest is rapidly disappearing around them, and a lot of them worry that the forest won’t be there in the future,” Strader said. “Some want to prepare their children for a life without the forest, while others say they need to do everything they can to protect the forests for everyone.”

PHO

T

ON OC

TRIB

UTED B

Y SARAH STRADER

An impossible choice for parents Strader lives and works among the Baka people of Cameroon, partnering with the indigenous group of huntergatherers to develop community preschools that combine the forest and the Preschools for Cameroon’s Baka classroom while celebrating the richness To address these needs, Strader works of their culture and traditions. Early on an ongoing basis with Baka community on, a Baka father explained to Strader members and local Cameroonian nonprofthe “impossible choice” Baka parents it ASTRADHE to create a curriculum in face: Baka children today need the Baka language and musical to learn forest-based skills style that honors the rich for survival, as well as oral traditions already school-based skills ingrained in the to engage with the community. The outside world. curriculum is He said that similar to Sesa“they are both me Street, usvital, but they ing stories, are like two songs and rabbits rungames to ning in opteach baposite direcsic literacy tions. If you try skills to young to chase them children. They both, you lose learn math, letthem both,” the ters, sensory skills, Sarah Strader, Ann Arbor native and founder of Two Rabbits, facilitates a lesson for Baka father explained to drawing and social children in Cameroon.

Strader. skills in their Baka lanStrader explained that guage and also learn French the Baka are capable and knowlthrough stories, games and other edgeable about the forest, yet 80 percent activities to prepare them for primary school. of the adults self-identify as illiterate.

Two Rabbits then works with commuChildren face many barriers to formal nity members to record the curriculum in schooling, including that they don’t audio form onto crank-powered mp3 playspeak the French language taught in ers and train community teachers to use the schools. Because of their lack of formal audio lessons as a guide to delivering rich education, the Baka people find them- early learning activities. selves marginalized by society, excluded

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH STRADER

Five years ago, Ann Arbor native Sarah Strader founded the nonprofit Two Rabbits with a mission to bring culturally adapted education to children in the remote forests of Africa. “Our goal is putting people in the lead so they can do amazing things for themselves,” Strader said of her work.

Children in Cameroon hold a crank-powered mp3 player used to deliver preschool lessons to them through the Two Rabbits nonprofit organization. Ann Arbor native Sarah Strader started the organization to help the Baka children of Cameroon find success in a formal classroom setting and their forest home.

Blending forest and classroom Strader’s interest in early childhood education and social justice issues was sparked when she was a student at Pioneer High School. She traveled to Ghana through the AFSinternational student exchange program, and, later in college, went to Cameroon through a study abroad program.

Before starting Two Rabbits, Strader lived among the Baka people of Cameroon as part of a year-long Fulbright research grant. She said she was constantly in awe of the skills of her Baka hosts in their forest home. One day, she watched 4-year-old Buba catch a spined fish with her bare hands. To the Baka people, these forest skills are vital to their people’s survival, culture and way of life.

Q+A with Sarah Strader

When you are back in town, where is one “must-go” place for you? Washtenaw Dairy.

PHOTO BY LORI MARANVILLE

If you talk to the families in Africa about your hometown Ann Arbor, what would you share as its best attribute?

We have four perfect seasons: sunny summers, bright falls, snowy winters, and flowery springs.

Best part of living in Cameroon?

I love spending so much time in nature! The forest is beautiful.

What is the most surprising thing you have seen or done while in Cameroon?

Somehow my favorite food has become a white forest grub. Yum!

Two Rabbits founder and director Sarah Strader recently returned to Ann Arbor for a presentation at Ann Arbor District Library.

14

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

For Strader’s part, she started Two Rabbits because she wanted to help those families “catch both rabbits” by helping them balance a classroom-based education that respects and preserves the traditions and teachings of their forest-based way of life.

“It is not just about making sure kids are ready for school and know their letters and numbers,” Strader said, “but also to make sure they are proud of their culture and they have the opportunity to pursue forest-based learning too.”

Cultural exchange possibilities The Two Rabbits program has seen success, having expanded from two pilot classrooms to 20 centers, reaching more than 1400 children to date. Beyond empowering the Baka people to take the lead in educating their children and advocating for themselves, Strader also wants to foster understanding through a Cultural Exchange Partnership between Ann Arbor area children and those in Cameroon. She hopes to engage Ann Arbor area schools, churches and other child-focused organizations in sharing stories, photos and ideas with one another about their lives.

“Person to person connection—I think that’s how we’re going to overcome a lot of the challenges we face today. That’s how we’re going to create a more equitable world: by connecting and caring about other people.”

To learn more about Sarah Strader’s work with Two Rabbits and the Cultural Exchange Partnership go to chasingtworabbits.org or contact Two Rabbits at chasingtworabbits@gmail.com.

healthy kids Acknowledging Our Children’s Anxiety Rather Than Dismissing It University of Michigan Professor Keating offers advice to empower Generation Z

By Miranda Keskes

are worried about a shooting at their school, with 25 percent of teens feeling very worried.

The Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a poll last summer over attitudes concerning climate change, surveying adults as well as teenagers from the ages of 13-17. Their findings revealed that 57 percent of teenagers feel afraid when they think about climate change.

As parents, we want to protect our children. When they’re toddlers, we hold them close, assuring them there is no monster hiding under the bed. As they become adolescents, we share advice when they’re fighting with a friend and show empathy over a low-test grade. We understand these types of tribulations, having gone through them ourselves, and readily offer a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

But what do we do when they come to us with worries over larger issues such as school shootings or climate change?

When we were kids, we did not widely discuss these issues. In fact, they may be fears we hold as well.

Real fears our teens face The Pew Research Center conducted a survey in 2018 that included teens from the ages of 13-17 and their parents. The study revealed that 57 percent of teens

What we can do to alleviate stress So how do we help ease our children’s worries when we don’t have concrete solutions?

It may be tempting to alleviate their fears by telling them not to worry because a school shooting is unlikely, or that climate change is too big of an issue even to bother worrying over.

While that tactic is meant to provide comfort, simply telling them not to worry isn’t going to take the worry go away.

This messaging negates our children’s feelings and can lead to a sense of learned helplessness, potentially developing into anxiety or even depression.

The reality is, many of our children’s fears are valid. As such, they need guidance on how to handle these fears. By merely dismissing them, we miss out on the opportunity to teach them how to cope effectively.

Daniel Keating, Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and author of the column, “Stressful Lives,” shares the following advice on how to foster a feeling of empowerment, rather than panic, in your child.

Acknowledge your child’s fears It’s important to acknowledge the reality of your child’s feelings. Don’t dismiss them as unusual or unnecessary. This might not be particularly reassuring, but it’s better than denial. Teach them resilience, the ability to recover quickly from stress, in the face of fears.

Encourage your child to take action Often, we might think that individual efforts are doomed; we can’t do anything about it, so why try? However, individuals making choices can, over time, lead to cultural shifts. For example, a lot of evidence shows that cigarette smoking becoming culturally unacceptable began with individual choices that developed into a new culture.

Similarly, a child with fears about climate change can make an individual choose to put a plastic bottle in the recycling bin. This may not, in and of itself, be a huge impact, but it does create a different cultural set of beliefs of how people can make a change.

Empowering Generation Z Professor Keating shares, “These global issues are going to fall particularly heaviest on Gen Z in terms of trying to come up with solutions. However, there’s also a lot of meaningful energy.”

In regards to climate change specifically, Professor Keating states, “If adolescents can get Teach your child to encouragement from be mindful the fact that ‘we didn’t Be mindful of what’s accause these problems, tually going on. Complete but we’re going to fix it,’ descent into hopelessness that can be empowering is not warranted or useful. too.”

Even though certain issues We are raising Genmight feel dire, efforts are When children fear gobal problems, eration Z. It’s up to us Professor Daniel Keating says not hopeless. It’s importo ensure we are raising it’s best to foster feelings of tant to acknowledge the them to be a generation empowerment, not panic. possibility of change. that feels empowered Practice mindfulness to make a positive difference, one indiwith your child. Enjoy time together. vidual decision at a time.

Be in the present moment, focusing on what you do have control over.

Help your child connect with others Making social connections is a powerful way to alleviate fear and build resilience.

If children can connect with others around the issues that concern them, it creates a sense of empowerment and helps to foster meaningful relationships around a unified cause.

Providing Ann Arbor area families with a quality, affordable preschool education for more than 40 years.

Join us at one of our upcoming open houses! Meet our incredible teacher Renee Hult, talk to coop parents, see the classroom, and learn about our 3 and 4 year-old classes.

OPEN HOUSES

Saturday, February 1, 10am-12pm Thursday, February 6, 6-7:30pm

Glacier Way West Side Cooperative Preschool 900 S. Seventh St. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 995-0707 info@glacierwaycoop.com Glacier Way is a Certified Michigan Green School

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

15

Quality and Variety at CoreLife Eatery CORELIFE EATERY

205 North Maple Road, Suite 26 Ann Arbor, MI 48103 | 734-412-4101 Open Daily 11am-9pm corelifeeater y.com “You are what you eat” is the motto of this fresh, bright restaurant. When you walk through the door, you understand that you will be eating fresh and healthy food with quality ingredients. Indeed, they serve sustainably-sourced, GMOfree food made in-house. The colorful display of celery, red and green peppers, oranges, lemons, mesclun mix, spinach, Napa cabbage, arugula, romaine and kale behind the counter makes a statement: “get ready for something your body will thank you for.”

Cutting vegetables, not corners Their soups and bone broths, as well as the flavorful pork loin, are slow-cooked overnight and ready to serve the next day.

All of their unique sauces, salad dressings and handcrafted beverages and juices are made daily from scratch from fresh ingredients. If you love fresh salads, creative juices, savory grain bowls and hearty bone broth soups but don’t love searching

A healthy take on fast food

By Lillian Saba

for hard-to-find ingredients in the grocery store and chopping at home, this restaurant should be at the top of your list.

Beautiful bowls We took our three young children, ages 2, 4 and 6, for lunch after hockey practice.

It was during a UM football game, so it was not crowded. As we stood in line to order at the counter, each dish was displayed on poster-sized boards indicating ingredients, calories and potential allergens like soy. The kids thought it was fun to point to the ingredients they wanted. They all chose something different and slightly new for them. My oldest daughter selected the Kids’ Power Plate ($4.95), which includes grilled chicken, purple rice, corn and mandarin oranges.

The chicken was nicely seasoned for kids.

They thought the purple rice was fun and tasty; my husband and I liked that it was a healthier alternative to white rice.

My other daughter wanted a salad so she chose the Southwest grilled chicken salad ($9.45). It was also recommended by one of the employees as a crowd favorite. Although she was attracted to the tortilla strip garnish, the salad itself

open house Feb 2nd from 3-5pm •

CELEBRATING OVER 50 YEARS OF CARING & NURTURING

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CERTIFIED EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

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MEETS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY FROM 9:00-1:30

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KINDERGARTEN READINESS FOR CHILDREN AGES 2.5-6.0 YEARS

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NON-DENOMINATIONAL CREATIVE CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT

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SOCIAL EMOTIONAL & ACADEMIC PREPARATION

1400 W. Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI

trinitya2.org/preschool • 734-662-4419 16

was full of flavor.

My son had the gluten-free mac and cheese ($3.00) (traditional mac and cheese was not on the menu). I thought it was too dry, but he enjoyed it and didn’t seem to mind that it was glutenfree. There is a large variety of options for kids ranging from simple grilled chicken to adultsized entrees. There is something on the menu for even the pickiest 2-year-old.

Food for your core My husband and I ordered a few dishes to share. With the “choose two combo” option, you can order a small salad or bowl with a side or drink for under $10. We tried the spicy Thai chicken and rice noodle salad, the spicy coconut curry chicken soup, the tuna poke with Napa cabbage bowl, and the Korean barbeque pork warm rice bowl ($10.95). I really liked the spicy Thai chicken dish with its crunch and kick. My husband was expecting it to be a warm noodle dish, so he was disappointed that it was served cold. However, he really enjoyed the spicy coconut curry soup, made with slow-cooked broth and delicious, but hot, spices. The Korean barbeque dish had unique ingredients such as kimchi and Sriracha sprouts, topped with a fried egg.

Although it did not match up to traditional Korean restaurants we have been to, it was still a very decent dish.

We were both underwhelmed with the tuna poke bowl. It had too much kale that overpowered the taste of the tuna.

Overall, however, we thought the dishes were full of unique flavors, colors and textures. Everyone ordered a different juice: beetroot lemonade, honey ginger lemonade, cranberry cayenne lemonade, tropical green tea and apple cider green tea ($1.45-$2.95). I loved the beetroot lemonade the best! Each had distinctive flavors and was quite refreshing.

Some have a little heat so make sure the kids taste them before filling a full cup.

Final course CoreLife Eatery’s menu is designed to offer clean, healthy and flavorful meals in a relaxed atmosphere. My husband and I appreciated the opportunity to teach our kids how different types of foods can be both tasty and healthy.

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

Prices are reasonable, but be prepared to bus your table. It is a rare restaurant focused on providing healthy, quality foods harvested from sustainable sources. If you truly are what you eat, go to CoreLife Eatery for a better you.

The Short Course:

Kid-friendly: Yes. To avoid wait: It’s counter service.

Noise level: Depends on the crowd.

Bathroom amenities: Yes and changing tables in the bathrooms.

High chairs? Yes, and booster seats.

Kids’ menu? Yes! Anything healthy for kids? Yes, it is all fresh and healthy.

Food allergy concerns? Everything is customizable. Their menu is peanutand gluten-free.

{ january 2020 }

Put Faith in Your Child’s Education

All calendar events are subject to change, cancellation and limited size. Calling ahead for confirmation is recommended.

1 WEDNESDAY Puzzling Adventures Ann Arbor Learn all about Ann Arbor’s history and landmarks with this unique adventure! Start at any time of day you want, bring your friends and spend a few hours with this exciting and fun tour! Available any day, reserve at Puzzling Adventures website. $49.99. 319 S. 5th St., Ann Arbor. puzzlingadventures.com

2 THURSDAY Zoo Camp - Camps at the Toledo Zoo engage children through educational programming, hands-on activities, and behindthe-scenes tours. Each day features a different ‘theme’ and focus. Register online.

Open to ages 5-10 years and 11-12 years. $40-$50. 9am-3pm, Thursday and Friday. Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way. 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org Spy Academy - Grades K-5 will be amazed at the ‘spy’ themed activities. Kids learn how to master a disguise, write in code and play mystery games. 2-3pm.

Pittsfield Library, 2359 Oak Valley Dr. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free Cupcake Wars - Grades 5 - 12 compete for ultimate winter cupcakes using decorations, frosting and original artwork.

Prizes awarded. 1-2:30pm. Dexter Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter. 734-426-4477. dexter.lib.mi.us Free

Prices vary. Festival hours: 5-10pm, Friday.

10am-10pm, Saturday. 10am-6pm, Sunday. Downtown Plymouth, Main & Ann Arbor Trail. 248-817-8836. plymouthicefestival.com Kinder Concert - Members of the Ann Arbor Symphony perform a free community concert, geared towards younger children. A story will accompany the performance. 10am & 11am. Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free Homeschool Meetup - Students learn about winter animals in Michigan, how they survive, where they live and what they eat. 10:30am-noon. Chelsea Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-475-8732. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free

11 SATURDAY 2020 Indoor Winter Food Truck Rally - Whether you’re looking for a sandwich, desserts, lobster or vegan options, you’ll find something to your taste!

Music and door prizes, too! Noon-6pm.

Price TBD. Washtenaw Farm Council. facebook.com/Ms.Ks.Kitchen

Cont. on pg 18

Virtual Reality Experience - Ages 12 & up experience the Playstation VR system. All games are age appropriate.

10am. Chelsea Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-475-8732. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Funky Frosty Friday - The first Friday of the month, skate along to music.

Costumes encouraged. $4-$6. Skate rentals $3. 7-8pm. Buhr Park, 2751 Packard Rd. 734-794-6234. a2gov.org

4 SATURDAY Sensory Storytime - Ages 3-7 years with an adult listen to interactive stories, songs and movement, followed by adaptive free-play hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library. 10-11am. Westgate Library, 2503 Jackson Ave. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free Sensory Open Play - Families connect with the community at this free play hour. Games, toys and crafts provided for children of all abilities. 10:30am. Chelsea Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea.

734-475-8732. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Beauty & the Beast - The Marquis’ original take on the classic story takes to the stage for its final performances of this season, running every Saturday and Sunday through the end of the month.

2:30pm. $10. Marquis Theatre. northvillemarquistheatre.com

10 FRIDAY Plymouth Ice Festival - The three-day fest features the annual ice carving competition, a 100 foot inner tube run, ice playground, family petting zoo, and community main stage performances. Festival food available for purchase. Through Sunday.

PHOTO CREDIT AMERICANGIRL.COM

3 FRIDAY

SUNDAY n JANUARY 12 A doll’s day out

Treat your little girl, or boy, and their American Girl Doll to a day of pampering. A special bonding moment for your child and their doll, each will be treated like royalty as they enjoy this spa-like experience and American Girl Doll-themed crafts and games. Register online in advance.

Sunday, January 12, 2-4pm. $43/resident, $56/non-resident. Summit on the Park, Maple-Oak Room, 46000 Summit Pkwy., Canton.

734-394-5460. mi-canton2.civicplus.com

MONDAY n JANUARY 20 Diversity Day

Spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day exploring the many ways we are both different and the same with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor at their JFS Diversity Day event. This event will provide families with the opportunity to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day together with hands-on activities focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Activities will be offered by various organizations such as the NAACP-University of Michigan Chapter, Friends In Deed, and the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

Monday, January 20. 9:30-11:30am. Free but with a $25 suggested donation.

Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, 4800 E Huron River Dr. jfsannarbor.org

SATURDAY n JANUARY 25 Kids DJ at LIVE

Support local youth artists and enjoy something you’ve never experienced before at LIVE Ann Arbor nightclub’s kids DJ event. Local, talented youth DJs, MC, and producers will put on a family-friendly, fun-packed three-hour performance.

Saturday, January 25. 2pm. $7 suggested donation. LIVE Ann Arbor, 102 S. 1st St., 734-678-1060.

FRIDAY n JANUARY 17 Storytime and tasting at Zingerman’s Deli

Perfect for a cold January morning, Zingerman’s is bringing its popular JUST FOR KIDS tasting events to the preschool ages 2-5.

Read the book Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak and then taste chicken soup and rice! Participants will be taught to taste food like an expert, using the five steps to tasting great food. Parents attend free. Pre-register online.

Friday, January 17. 10:30-11am. $10.

Zingerman’s Deli Upstairs Next Door, 418 Detroit St. 734-663-3400. events.zingermanscommunity.com

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2020 •

17

Kinder Concert - Members of the Ann Arbor Symphony perform a 30-minute concert, geared towards younger children.

A story accompanies the performance.

10am. Chelsea Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-475-8732. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free Book Sale - Fill a bag with gently used books, magazines, and other media for only $5. 10am-1pm. Chelsea Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-475-8732. chelseadistrictlibrary.org A Winter Dweller’s Celebration This family-friendly concert features musician/storyteller Genot Picor. 2-3pm.

UMich Kelsey Museum, 434 S. State St. 734-764-9304. lsa.umich.edu Free

12 SUNDAY Dancing Babies - RobinSongs invites ages 5 & under (with an adult) to the dance party. Sing-a-long and dance to the music. 1pm. Westgate Library, 2503 Jackson Ave. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Watch the original film version starring the legendary Gene Wilder as the mysterious and elusive candy maker as he invites several families into his factory for a special tour. $8.50-$10. 1:30pm.

Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. michtheater.org

14 TUESDAY

A Christmas Carol Wild Swan Theater Presents

Frog and Toad

Bhutan: The Cloud Kingdom - This colorful stage adaptation takes audience members on a journey to the tiny kingdom, Bhutan, which sits at the top of the The Himalayas. $7. 7:30pm. Tecumseh Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh.

517-423-6617. thetca.org

15 WEDNESDAY Healthy Food Distribution - A variety of healthy food options will be passed out at no charge. No identification or income requirements. Volunteering opportunities available. 2pm. Washtenaw Services, 555 Towner St., Ypsilanti. 734-544-6700. washtenaw.org Free

18 SATURDAY Dexter Ice Fest - Do you want to build a snowman? Head on out to the Dexter Ice Fest for their snowman building contest, live ice carving demos, special craft projects for children, even cocoa and s’ mores stations to warm you up! 11am. Price TBD. Monument Park. dexterchamber.org Blacksmithing for Teens - Ages 12-17 are invited to this workshop focused on passing down the timeless craft of smithing. Students gain hands-on experience and training. Register. $175. 9am-4pm.

Michigan Folk School, 7734 Plymouth Rd. 734-985-0198. mifolkschool.com

Two of Arnold Lobel’s most beloved characters, Frog and Toad, show how good friends help each other through thick and thin, cheering each other through the hard times, and celebrating life’s joys. Join Frog and Toad as they greet spring, plant a garden, and share a basket of cookies.

Performances at Towsley Auditorium, Wednesday, January 22 - 10am (added performance - no ASL interpreter) Thursday, January 23 - 10am Friday, January 24 - 10am (SOLD OUT) Friday, January 24 - 12:30pm Saturday, January 25 - 11am Washtenaw Community College,

4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

For Tickets, call 734.995.0530 or order online at wildswantheater.org 18

Mozart Birthday Bash - The Ann Arbor Symphony will celebrate the composer’s birthday with a selection of major works by Mozart including Symphony No. 29. The Orchestra is joined by guest violinist Itamar Zorman. $20-$75. 8pm.

Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. a2so.com

19 SUNDAY Hedgehog Crafts - Kids craft pine cone hedgehogs in honor of Hedgehog Day. Noon-1pm. Westgate Library, 2503 Jackson Ave. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free

• January 2020 • www.annarborfamily.com

20 MONDAY Martin Luther King Day at Flipside Kids have the holiday off school? Why not spend it at Flipside? Kids K-5 will get a chance to play, create art and more. The studio will provide snacks and a pizza lunch. 9am. $70. Flipside Art Studio. flipsideartstudio.com Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service - Volunteers will help host an ice skating event, leading activities both on and off the ice. So if you don’t know how to skate, you can still participate! Contact jchase@a2gov.org for more information.

10:45am. Parks and Recreation Facilities. calendar.a2gov.org Free

22 WEDNESDAY Frog and Toad - Wild Swan Theatre presents the classic tale based on the characters created by author Arnold Lobel.

Families will enjoy watching Frog and Toad help their friends. Tickets may sell out. $10-$15. Through January 25. 10am, Wednesday & Thursday. 12:30pm, Friday.

11am, Saturday. Wild Swan Theater, 6175 Jackson Rd. 734-995-0530. wildswantheater.org

23 THURSDAY Winter Hikes - Preschoolers (with an adult) explore the outdoors with a Parks Interpreter, searching for signs of red foxes and other animals native to Michigan.

Register online. 10-11am. County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd. 734-971-6337. washtenaw.org Free

25 SATURDAY Great Lakes Days - Learn more about our valuable resources the Great Lakes through presentations, activities and lectures. 10am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday.

UMich Museum of Natural History, 1105 N. University Ave. 734-764-0480. ummnh.org Spinning Dot Theatre Youth Company - The youth theatre troupe will perform a “Global Play Project.” $5.

2-4pm. 614 Second St. 734-585-5134. a2tix.com Family Game Night - Visit the popular coffee shop for game night. Play house board games or bring your own. Support the shop with a purchase. 4-6pm.

Cultivate Coffee, 307 N. River St., Ypsilanti. 734-249-8993. cultivateypsi.com Free Free Open Skate - Open skate and ice skate rentals are free from 6-7pm. Farmington Hills Arena, 35500 W. 8 Mile Rd., Livonia.

248-478-8800. facebook.com/ fhspecialservices American Girls - Register students in grades 2-6 explore the American Doll series of books. 1-2pm.

Livonia Library, 32777 5 Mile Rd., Livonia. 734-466-2493. livoniapubliclibrary.org Free Family Art Studio - Ages 6 & up (with an adult) take a guided tour of the Museum, followed up hands-on art workshops. Register. Donations appreciated.

11am-1pm. UMMA, 525 S. State St. 734-764-0395. umma.umich.edu Free Parks and Crafts - Make an embossed art project all about recycling and sustainability, and enjoy a swim in the heated indoor pool. Register more than a week in advance and receive free admission for open swimming! 1pm. Mack Indoor Pool. ecocenter.org Free

26 SUNDAY

More listings online at annarborfamily.com

Preschool Expo - Find information about area preschools. Representatives will be available to answer questions. 1-4pm.

Downtown Library, 343 S. Fifth Ave. 734-372-4200. aadl.org Free Nature Explorers - This outdoor educational program invites ages 5-6 years (with an adult) for a winter hike and campfire.

Register. 2-3pm. County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd. 734- 971-6337. washtenaw.org Free Little Mermaid Sing-along - Watch the 90s Disney classic following Ariel the mermaid. This sing-along version includes on-screen lyrics. $13-$16. 3pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-994-4801. michtheater.org PJ Masks Live - Watch Romeo, Night Ninja and Luna Girl live on stage in this theatrical version of the popular cartoon series. $25-$60. 2pm. EMU Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt Rd., Ypsilanti.

734-487-2282. annarbor.org

335 S. Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (734) 263-7610

28 TUESDAY Seed Swap - Pick up a variety of flower, herb and produce seeds and start planning your spring garden. Visitors are encouraged to bring saved seeds from last season to giveaway. 3-7pm.

Farmers Market, 16 S. Washington St. 734-786-8401. growinghope.net Free

30 THURSDAY Washtenaw Reads: Jose Antonio Vargas - The Pulitzer Prize-winning author will discuss his latest published work, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” and how his personal experience reflects an entire population. 7pm. Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. 734-973-3300. aadl.org Free

Now Open /letsgoblow

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19

wags to wiskers pet sUpplies

"Where pets and their people shop"

2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103 | wagstowiskers.com | (734) 769-2000

pet Products!

KEEP THE PAWS CLEAN

PROTECT THOSE PUPPER PAWS! If you’re not going to invest in booties or paw balm or dogfriendly deicer, then our next recommendation would be ensuring that your dog’s paws and feet are staying dry and clean. A towel by the backdoor should suffice - we also have some mats and towels specifically for these conditions so come to your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores and speak with an associate.

With neighborhood and city streets coated with deicing substances, it’s important to wash off your dog’s feet. Small cuts can become bigger problems due to these substances.

Some people keep a bucket next to the door to rinse their dog’s feet as soon as they come in from the cold.

Use warm water and make sure to reach spots between the toes and pads.

Use our 20% off coupon!

MAKE THE INDOORS FUN Even the pups that love romping around in the snow will be spending some extra time indoors this winter.

It’s natural that pet parents will be a little less motivated to get their daily walk in or to go the distance to get your dog the exercise they need.

Stop by your local Wags to Wiskers for some ideas on making the indoors extra fun: we’ll show you some engagement and enrichment activities, a new line of exciting and semi-indestructible toys, and share a few of our best ideas to help winter pass positively.

GET A WINTER TRIM!

Another winter safety tip for dogs is to get a winter haircut from your local groomer. Specifically, the hair on the feet of long-haired dogs can collect salt, ice balls, and other winter materials between pads and toes. You can cut these at home if you’re careful, but it’s best to ensure that as a whole, your dog’s fur is well trimmed going into the winter season. If you get them groomed soon, they’ll have some time to grow a thicker mane as winter comes on.

Thank You for Donating to our Pet Supplies Drive!

20

SALE!

WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR DOGS

wags to wiskers

20% OFF!!

All Pet Beds & Clothing expires 2.01.20 MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER EXCLUSIONS MAY APPLY, SEE STORE FOR DETAILS