February 2019 - Ann Arbor Family Press by Adams Street Publishing Co.

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Find your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect summer camp match

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• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Volume 25 • Issue 2 February 2019

Now is the time to select summer camps to rock your kid’s summer.

departments ann arbor favorites

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exceptional families

EDUCATION GUIDE

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Profiles February giveaway

Photos courtesy of Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor

Part 1

Parent’s Night Out A Guide to a Fun Night on the Town

digital age 15 healthy kids 18

Win a winter getaway at Ann Arbor’s Hilton Garden Inn

parent profile 19 calendar 21 marketplace 23

commentary

food fight 20

Want a Healthier Family Life? Consider these five fresh tips By Kathryn Streeter

[Always online]

A Red Carpet Entrance Into Ann Arbor

Jim Brady’s makes a great first impression for kids and adults alike

By Julie and David Sturza

Most Read Online 1. What’s In the Water?

Ann Arbor Water Testing and Filtering

2. 2018 After School and Field Trip Guide 3. Parenting the Video Game Fanatic

Local resources for new moms

Penny Pinching

Has that cabin fever brought on by a Michigan winter set in? Enter to win an overnight stay and a family adventure at the new Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor (a $150 value). The Hilton Garden Inn Ann Arbor is located across the street from Briarwood Mall, a short drive from Downtown, and is the perfect destination for a family weekend adventure or an overdue romantic getaway. Check out the hotel’s heated pool and spa complete with interactive water features that the kids will love. Order room service from the hotel’s Garden Grille and Bar. Don’t want to venture out in the cold? Join them in the Garden Grill and Bar for a relaxed, comfortable experience. They even have a kids menu. - LE

To enter visit annarborfamily.com

Where kids eat free

annarborfamily.com Join us and our 1,500+ followers for laughs, updates & parenting discussions.

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

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

On the cover Landon 5 months, Canton Photographer: Love in Art Photography 3

Adams Street Publishing Co. An inside look at what we’re loving for parents this month

What should your valentine get you this year? Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CHOCOLATE.

KIDS HOROSCOPE

Music by black composers Can you name three Black composers of classical music? Leading classical violinist, soloist and mother Rachel Barton Pine can name 350, and over the past 15 years has discovered more than 900 compositions by Black composers, many of which were previously hidden in the shadows. The internationally-renowned violinist and her Rachel Barton Pine (RBP) Foundation Music by Black Composers (MBC) project are excited to show the world how #BlackisClassical through the release of The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation’s Coloring Book of Black Composers. - LE $18.95 sharmusic.com

Women who dared What can you do when faced with the daily grind of prejudice, ignorance, and enslavement? The women on these blocks persevered. They dared. And in their daring, they made advancement possible for women of the future. This set of 32 hand crafted Women Who Dared Blocks by Uncle Goose features women who made significant contributions. One embossed side per block. -LE $64.99 thelittleseedling.com

January 21February 20 By Kimmie Rose

Your little Aquarius wants to make sure everyone is happy. This child is surely in touch with your emotions. Teaching your little humanitarian to take care of themselves as much as they do others can be hard because they see the world as interconnected. This month brings opportunity for your little water bearer to make an emotional difference in the world and nurture themselves as they will be very inquisitive about nature and how things work. Buy some seeds and sow them inside to watch them grow; then plant them outside when the weather warms. Your little Aquarian, full of energy, will love the hands-on experience this month!

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer

Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A FLASH OF HER SMILE.

Advertising

Sales Coordinator Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CHUCK TAYLORS. Sales/ Classifieds Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) HOTEL ROOM IN DENVER. Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CHOCOLATE.

Editorial

Assignment Editor Laura Eliason

(laura@annarborfamily.com) THE CLASSICS: FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE, ALWAYS. Calendar Heather Mooney (calendar@annarborfamily.com) DINNER. Associate Editor Athena Cocoves (athena@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CAMPING GEAR. Contributing Writers Laura Eliason, Kimmie Rose, Mary Rose Kulczak, Julie Sturza, David Sturza, Lori Maranville, April Huard, Trilby Becker, Ainsley Davis, Cheryl Maguire

Art/Production

Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.

com)

RED VELVET CAKE SHIPPED FROM GEORGIA. Senior Designer Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) WHO? Graphic Design Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A TRIP TO A SUNNY WARM BEACH. Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) I NEED TO GET A VALENTINE FIRST.

A warm brew for cold winter mornings

Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) PEACH AND QUIET.

Ann Arbor’s Arbor Teas offers a taste of New Orleans with their Organic Chaga Chicory tea. Famous in New Orleans, roasted chicory root is often blended with coffee to create the beverage, ubiquitous in Louisiana. However, in their tea, organic chicory root is blended with organic chaga to create a caffeine-free herbal tea that is a great alternative to coffee. Not only does this blend look like ground coffee, it brews up a thick, rich cup that has the same dark brown appearance and a similar flavor. Excellent with milk and honey, this organic herbal tea can be prepared in a standard coffee maker, french press, or as a loose leaf tea. -LE $4.50 -$48.95 arborteas.com

Administration

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CARIBBEAN WITH PALM TREES PLEASE...HINT KEVIN Distribution Tracy Kimble (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com) EVERY DAY IS VALENTINE’S DAY.

Digital

We’re celebrating kids and family

#a2kids

on Instagram! Want to be featured on our IG? Use the hashtag #a2kids and your pictures could end up on our page.

Web Guru Deanna Woods (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) A STANDARD POODLE. THEY’RE SMART.

Advertising/General Info: For advertising

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.

Need to get out of the cold? We have a little something for every age group! From Ninja Zone, to open gym, to our recreational gymnastics program, we’re sure we have something to fit your schedule! Summer Camp schedule coming soon!

734-222-1810 4

FIND LIKE AND FOL LOW US

Visit us at www.champgymaa.com

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

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We’re always looking for great photos to fill our #showandtell page! Send your favorite moments to production@adamsstreetpublishing.com

Max Muir, 2, Ann Arbor

Hazel, 2,

Saline

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en at St. Francis, Ann Ar

Steyn, Leya, Ari, and Ed

First of Seven

Between midnight and 7am on January 1st, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor welcomed seven babies into the world. Northville residents Samantha Holt and Frank Olbrantz met their newborn son, Alexander Michael, in the Labor and Delivery Department of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. Alexander weighed 7lbs, 7oz and was Saint Joseph Mercy Health System's first baby of 2019.

Edan Azat, 1, Ypsilanti

(Back row from left to right) Bernadet Edwards, RN, Cameron Mouro, MD, and father Frank Olbrantz ring in the new year with (front row) mom Samantha Holt and newborn Alexander Olbrantz

Samantha Holt and Frank Olbrantz welcomed their newborn son, Alexander Michael Olbrantz, into the world at 12:26am in St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor’s Labor and Delivery Department

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

Compiled by Laura Eliason

Beat cabin fever Beat the winter blahs at Cabin Fever Weekends at the Toledo Zoo. With half price admission and unique Zoo experiences each Saturday, along with a full schedule of animal encounters, feeds and demonstrations each Sunday. This unique winter weekend series continues throughout the month and is included with the price of admission. February events are theme focused with animated character meet & greets, fun games, creative crafts, teachable conservation moments and much more! February 2: Zooper Bowl, February 9: Play Naturally Toledo Day, February 16: Happy Heart’s Day, February 23: Not Monkeyin’ Around Day. Visit their website to find out details for each day. The Zoo offers half-price admission coupons available online and valid until March 1. -LE

Public Schools

February 2, 9, 16, 23. 10am-4pm. $18-21. Tickets are half off during the month of February. Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo. 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org

Baby-Friendly USA has designated St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor a Baby-Friendly hospital, recognizing St. Joe’s for the highest breastfeeding support standards for mothers and newborns in the maternity setting. “St. Joe’s has distinguished itself as a destination for expecting mothers seeking a safe and supportive environment for themselves and their baby,” said Bill Manns, president of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and Livingston hospitals. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program, sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund, consisting of evidencebased policies and practices at birthing facilities to encourage the optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Ann Arbor Open teacher Chad Downs thought he was on his way with the rest of the school to a December assembly to meet Michigan’s Interim Superintendent Sheila Alles. Instead he learned that he had been named a 2018-19 Milken Educator—an honor that comes with an unrestricted $25,000 award to be used any way he wishes. The Milken Educator Awards, recognizing teaching excellence, target early-to-mid career education professionals for their impressive achievements and for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Only one award was given in Michigan this season. Downs is the first Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) teacher to receive the prestigious award. Downs teaches a third and fourth-grade classroom and encourages students to follow their passions as they direct their own studies and track their progress. In his 15th year of teaching in the AAPS district, Downs touches many areas of the school as the co-curricular director responsible for athletic and academic clubs as well as teaching a course on manners and civility during the school’s twice-yearly Focus Study period. Congratulations Mr. Downs!

For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit stjoeshealth.org.

Visit a2schools.org for more information.

hools trustee Jess

ica Kelly and teache

r Chad Downs.

Photo Courte sy

Ann Arbor Public Sc

Sweet treats for Valentine’s Day in Chelsea

Storytelling festival for the family Join The Ann Arbor Ark for a Sunday afternoon of stories for the whole family. The Ark’s Storytelling Festival brings masters of the tale, from near and far, to pay tribute to humanity’s oldest art. This year’s tellers are Laura Simms, Edgar Oliver, and Ivory D. Williams. -LE Sunday, February 24. 1pm. $10/ person. The Ark, 316 S. Main St. 734-761-1800. theark.org 6

of Ann Arbor

A friendly place for baby’s arrival

Ann Arbor Open teacher named a 2018-19 Milken Educator

Offering your family a fun, and delicious, way to enjoy Valentine’s Day, Chelsea businesses will showcase an assortment of decadent treats during the 11th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Saturday, February 9. Over 30 local businesses and restaurants will be hosting an indulgent experience offering Valentine’s Day shopping incentives and sweet treats. “The fun goes beyond chocolate, there are opportunities for our customers to ‘make and take’ free valentine crafts” shared Jennifer Fairfield, owner of the Garden Mill, where kids can ‘make and take’ a Valentine bird feeder, while supplies last. Smokehouse 52 BBQ will showcase Smoked Chocolate Tres Leches and free hot chocolate will be available at the carryout entrance of the Common Grill. Stop by The Chelsea Depot where an Artisan Market will feature 12 area artisans showcasing jewelry, pottery, soaps, and more. And make sure to stop by Chelsea's Curling Fest 2019 located next to Chelsea Lanes, 1180 S. Main St., featuring a tournament on Saturday, February 9. There will be learn-to-curl ice times on February 8 and 10. –LE Saturday, February 9. 10am-5pm. Main Street, Chelsea. Find them on Facebook. chelseamich.com

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Jim Brady’s Opens in Ann Arbor

Jim Brady’s, an iconic Detroit eatery, opened in December in Downtown Ann Arbor at 220 Main Street. The two story restaurant offers patrons a step back in time to the 1950s, when the original Jim Brady’s opened in Detroit. The first story houses a bar and restaurant seating, while the second story welcomes guests to the Five Four Room cocktail lounge. The menu features signature burgers, classic American fare, like sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese, and fusion cuisine, such as miso salmon, and blackened chicken carbonara. -AD Daily. 4pm-12am. Jim Brady’s, 209 S. Main St. 734-562-1954. jimbradysdetroit.com

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

Brighton Coffee House and Theater received a warm welcome from the community when it opened its doors recently, buzzing with business from early morning until late evening. More than a coffee house, they offer baked goods, sandwiches, and salads as well as an array of coffees, espresso drinks, and teas. Brighton Coffee House and Theater, seeking to entertain as well as caffeinate Brighton residents, will spotlight local talent with theatrical performances, including children’s theater, weekly musical shows, book signings and other community events. -TB Brighton Coffee House and Theater, 306 W. Main St., Brighton. 734-972-1266. brightoncoffeehouse.com.

Re-opening with a new mission

Just worry about the Romance... LEAVE THE CLEANING TO US

After closing late last year, Nu2u Again has opened to replace the former thrift store, Nu2u, and with a new mission. The new resale shop is a non-profit driven by a mission to benefit the local special needs community by donating proceeds to Saline special needs organizations and by hiring students and adults with special needs to staff the shop, teaching life skills and fostering independence. -LE Nu2u Again, 1311 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-944-1112. nu2uagain.com

WE’RE MAID FOR THIS.

SAVE $10 ON YOUR FIRST 10 REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLEANINGS Offer valid one-time per household. New customers only.

A new playground in tribute to a local hero

• Professional Quality, Affordable Price • No Contracts • 24-hour Clean Guarantee

There’s a new universal play structure located in the heart of Ypsilanti. Dedicated to beloved local activist, attorney, and mother Liz Dahl MacGregor who passed away in June. The playground includes many accessible features such as a rock and raft, sensory chimes and panels, a crows nest and a merry go all. The playground also features two slides, a rock wall, swings and a rope ladder. -LE Riverside Park, Corner of Huron St. and Cross St. Ypsilanti. 734-487-9646. cityofypsilanti.com

• Bonded and Insured • Call for a FREE Estimate

PLEASE CALL MOLLY MAID® OF ANN ARBOR & LIVINGSTON COUNTY

734-665-7575

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES for parents of children with special needs

Theater for All Abilities

The 4th Wall Theater Company encourages performers with special needs By Mary Rose Kulczak

Katie Mann and Annie Klark were working in a theater camp when they imagined something new. Why not open the stage for people with special needs? Mann, with a masters degree in special education, and Klark, with a masters degree in vocal performance, combined their shared experiences and in 2012 launched 4th Wall Theater Company. Their motto, “theater is for all abilities!” “We didn’t begin 4th Wall to be therapy, but in a way it has turned into a quasi-therapeutic experience,” Mann said. “By being mobile, we enter into an environment the student is already comfortable with. From there they are more open to learning and experiencing new things.” To date, the 4th Wall has taught in over 150 locations throughout Michigan, with nearly 9000 students participating. Setting the stage for success With a staff of 30, pairs of instructors are sent into the field where they teach students singing, acting and dancing in schools, libraries, and faith-based locations around the state. Francesca Bucci, 10, now a veteran performer, has Down syndrome, lives with her family in Lake Orion and has been acting with 4th Wall since she was just seven. Her mother, Maureen Bucci, has noticed Francesca’s growing confidence ever since. “Francesca has always been pretty social and loves music and dancing. 4th Wall incorporates both of these into every class, as well as the acting piece. It has also been helpful with her speech and socialization skills. The students work on enunciating their words, looking people in the eye when talking and even practice improvisation during the games they play in class. The students learn to work with each other and their instructors,” Bucci said. A unique, student-led approach to theater Mann says that their, “goal at 4th Wall Theater Company is to make sure every actor is supported. Besides being mobile, what’s unique about our program is that it is student-led. In our weekly classes, our students write the final performance they star in for family and friends. The students can be anything they would like to be, from Elsa to Spiderman to a giraffe.”

“For the family and friends who see the final show, there usually isn’t a dry eye in the house,” Mann said. “To see their child with special needs who, for many families, are doing something they never dreamed would be achievable, it is a moving moment.”

A troupe of actors from 4th Wall Theater Company performed at TEDxDetroit in 2016.

A chance to shine For Francesca Bucci and her family, 4th Wall has provided a place where parents and students can quickly make friends. “Francesca has made so many friends at 4th Wall. We are a big family. We all support and encourage each other’s kids,” Bucci said. “I enjoy 4th Wall because I am getting to know parents of students with Down syndrome at many different ages and stages in their lives. The moms have been a great resource and support. I have also really loved getting to know the students. I know what I can look forward to as Francesca grows older,” Bucci added. Mann has also witnessed participants and their families become positive role models for others in their communities. “The beauty of theater is its flexibility. We need everyone to tell a story. So no matter one’s physical, mental, or emotional ability, they are a star in our cast!”

Katie Mann and Annie Klark, co-founders of 4th Wall Theater Company.

For more information, visit 4thwallkids.com/ programs or email info@4thwallkids.com

Ann Arbor Theater Group Spring 2019 Classes March 16-May 11 12-1pm

Francesca Bucci, 10, is now a veteran performer.

100 N. Staebler Rd. Suite 100 All ages welcome. $138 per student. Eight Saturday classes, with final performance on May 11 at 12:30PM.

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission

Unity in Learning Camps Leslie Science & Nature Center

Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

1831 Traver Rd.

Independence Lake County Park

47884 D St., Belleville | 734-997-1553 lesliesnc.org/camps/summer-camps

Rolling Hills County Park

Through the Unity in Learning partnership, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Leslie Science & Nature Center, and Yankee Air Museum now offer families incredible day camps and drop off programs at two fantastic locations in Ann Arbor and Belleville. Adventure, friendship, and discovery await you! They even offer overnight camps for your older children. Post-care is available until 5:30 for an additional fee.

2960 Washtenaw Ave. | 734-971-6355

3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake | 734-449-4437 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti | 734-484-9676 washtenaw.org/parks

Washtenaw County Parks offers three camps featuring age-appropriate activities and exciting learning experiences. Your child will have the opportunity to participate in swimming, nature hikes, craft projects, games and more. The fee includes a t-shirt, park entrance, a Friday snack and hotdog lunch. Visit washtenaw.org/parks for more information and visit parksonline.ewashtenaw.org to register. Grade 1-age 11 | Staff/Camper Ratio: 1:10 $150-$165 per-week, depending on camp location One week sessions start June 17 and run Monday-Friday, 9:15am-4:15pm. One hour of pre-care and post-care are available for an additional fee.

Yankee Air Museum

Preschool-8th grade. Robust volunteer program for ages 13 and above. Staff/Camper ratio: 9:1, with staff and one high school volunteer with each group. $270-$375 Week-long camps run June 17-August 29.

Camp DoYaWanna Wild Swan Theater’s Studio

6175 Jackson Rd. | 734-995-0530 | wildswantheater.org

Wild Swan Theater drama camps are fun experiences where kids can feel safe and comfortable exploring the imaginative world of theater. Their main goal is that every camper has a great time cultivating their creativity and leaves camp feeling successful. With a new theme every week, activities will include warmups, theater games, and improvisations that bring people together in a nurturing, memorable way.

PART 1

Ages 4-12 | Staff/Camper Ratio: 1/10 $125 - $175 Week-long camps: June 17-21, June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26, July 29-August 2

Cont. on Pg 10

SUMMER CAMP

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

TAKE FLIGHT

WWW.LESLIENC.ORG/CAMPS www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cont. from Pg 9

Ann Arbor YMCA

Daycroft Discovery Days

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

Toddler & Preschool Campus

The Ann Arbor YMCA strives to foster kids’ curiosity. Rooted in caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the Y’s holistic approach works wonders, preparing kids for life one fantastic summer at a time. The Y is a place where everyone belongs and can be themselves while engaging in new experiences, building new skills and making new friends. Camp Birkett, an ACA-accredited program, provides a traditional camp experience (transportation to and from Ann Arbor available), and is the perfect place for your child to explore the summer outdoors. The Y also has a wide variety of sports and specialty camps from Physics to Fishing or Bowling to Basketball as well as service-learning opportunities for teens. Pre and post care is available. Ages 5-16 Staff/camper ratio varies by age. Price varies. Financial assistance is available. Eleven weeks of full and half-day camps at the downtown Ann Arbor YMCA facility and at Camp Birkett on Silver Lake in Pinckney. Weekly sessions of Camp Birkett run from June 17-August 30. Camp Al-Gon-Quian has one and two-week sessions running from June 22-August 25, with a four day mini-camp for youth ages 6-10.

100 Oakbrook Dr. 734-930-0333

Young 5, Kindergarten & Elementary Campus 1095 N. Zeeb Rd. 734-662-3335 daycroft.org

Daycroft Discovery Days camps offer a huge variety of summer fun. Creative exploration of art, clay, STEM, robotics, sharks, spies, mermaids, American Girl, martial arts, baking/cooking, chess, LEGO building, dance, world culture themes and sprinkler water fun, to name a few! Their elementary campus offers free pre-camp care from 8-9am and post-camp care until 5pm for a small fee. Ages 33 months-8th grade Staff/camper ratio: Toddler 1:4, Preschool 1:10, Young 5's, Kdg & Elementary 1:15 $180-$295, depending on the subject of the camp and half or full day Week-long camps June 10-August 16. 9am-4:30pm

Camp PAWS Jr. (Pets Are Worth Saving) Ann Arbor Rec & Ed Camps Humane Society of Huron Valley 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. humaneed@hshv.org | hshv.org/camppaws

Five fun-filled mornings that will surely make your tail wag! Young campers will enjoy stories, games and crafts focused on how to care for and respect our animal friends. And they’ll get to visit the adoptable animals, too—including kittens, dogs, rabbits and small mammals. HSHV will provide a small snack each day. Campers will receive a paw-tastic Camp PAWS T-shirt along with other animal-themed goodies throughout the week! Ages 4-5 Staff/Camper Ratio: 1:5 $115 June 10-14 and July 22-26, 9am–noon

1515 S. Seventh St. 734-994-2300 aarecedcamps.com

At Rec & Ed camps, young people form friendships, explore, and learn together. Their summer camps are designed to give your child an exciting and enriching summer experience under the supervision of trained and experienced leadership. It is their goal to provide your child with a safe and fun summer with ageappropriate, enriching programs that include sports, creative arts, outdoor education, and much more. Ages 3-15 Staff/Camper Ratio: 2:24 $69-$314 June 17-August 30. 9am-4pm (extended care available depending on camp)

CampPAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) Technical Theatre Camp Humane Society of Huron Valley 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. humaneed@hshv.org | hshv.org/camppaws

Animals, animals, animals! This fun-filled camp includes visits from animal rescue groups and daily interactions with adoptable animals, games, humane education and more. Campers will need to bring a sack lunch and drink each day; HSHV will provide an afternoon snack and a “paw-tastic” T-shirt! Aftercare from 4-5pm is also available for an additional fee. Not only will you engage with animals through toys you make, treats you give and tricks you learn, but also you’ll prepare to become a responsible and compassionate future pet owner! Ages 6-11 Staff/Camper Ratio: Minimum 1:10 $285 Different sessions from June through August, 9am-4pm

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre 322 W. Ann St. 734-971-2228 | a2ct.org

Come learn about what goes on behind the scenes in this very hands-on camp, led by Brice O'Neal, of Community High School's Community Ensemble Theatre (CET). Each day of the one-week, full-day camp will focus on accomplishing a specific goal or project. Each full day session will include hands-on work in the A2CT scene shop (building set pieces, painting flats, etc.) and studio work (lighting, sound, etc.). In addition, participants will create a notebook with all the information they learn, and will participate in an end-of-camp showcase. For those entering grades 4-12. $280 for A2CT members, $300 for non-members June 24-28. 9am-4pm

Global Spark Camp Ann Arbor Civic Theatre 322 W. Ann St. 734-971-2228 | a2ct.org

Spinning Dot Theatre is excited to bring you this interdisciplinary and interactive camp! In collaboration with A2CT, Global Spark! combines theater arts, movement, music and visual arts as well as language skills in multiple foreign languages. The culmination of the camp is a performance crafted from top to bottom by the young people – thus providing them learning experiences in not only acting but choreography, directing, costumes, lighting, set design, producing, etc.

JUNE 17TH THRU AUGUST 22ND

For kids entering grades 2-6. $280 before June 1/$300 after July 15-26. 9am-12pm

The Bemis Farms Summer Camp is for school-age children 5-12 years old.

WRIT T E N BY C HRIS T OPHE R DURANG

1-to-13 teacher to camper ratio Daily activities are planned around our weekly field trips.

DIRE C T E D BY C AS S IE MANN

Campers may register for the entire summer, for 2 week sessions, or a portion thereof.

TICKETS: WWW.A2CT.ORG

Vanya+ Sonia+ Masha+ Spike.

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PARTNER

MARCH 14-17, 2019 @THE ARTHUR MILLER THEATER THUR @ 730P FRI-SAT @ 8P SUN @ 2P

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cont. from Pg 10 Spend time on crystal clear Higgins Lake this summer at one of multiple one and two-week camps for ages 7-17. Sign up for STEAM, Sailing, or an Expedition to South Manitou Island!

Go to www.campwestminster.com to see more summer offerings and to register!

Bemis Farms Summer Camp 77 W Bemis Rd., Saline 734-944-1709 bemisfarmschildcare.com

The Bemis Farms Summer Camp is for school-age children 5-12 years old. Campers may register for the entire summer, for 2 week sessions, or a portion thereof. Daily activities are planned around their weekly field trips. Contact them for more information! Ages 5-12 Staff/camper ratio: 1:18 Contact for pricing information. June 17-August 22

Camp Westminster 116 Westminster Dr., Roscommon 989-821-9474 campwestminster.com

At Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake, they want to give your child the opportunity to try new and exciting activities, gain confidence, make real connections with new friends and positive role-models, spend valuable time splashing in crystal clear Higgins Lake, and grow in their faith in a safe and encouraging community. They are youth development specialists and that’s what they’ve been doing for 90 years. Ages 7-17 Contact for pricing. One and two-week sessions offered June 16-August 3.

Washtenaw County Parks Summer Day Camps • OFFERING CAMP AT THREE LOCATIONS FOR CHILDREN Grade 1 through age 11 • ONE-WEEK SESSIONS STARTING JUNE 17TH Monday-Friday ∙ 9:15am-4:15pm (One-hour pre- or post-care available for an extra fee) For more information: Independence Lake County Park 734.449.4437 ∙ $150/week, 9 weeks 3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center 734.971.6355 ∙ $165/week, 8 weeks 2960 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor (Includes 2 field trips; $10 discount for annual members) Rolling Hills County Park 734.484.9676 $150/week, 10 weeks 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti Twp.

Group games, arts and crafts, nature programs, fishing, swimming, and more! Photo credit: Bryan Mitchell

For more information, please visit: washtenaw.org/parks Register at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org (Fee includes T-shirt, park entrance, and Friday hot dog lunch)

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

SPONSORED CONTENT

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Acton Academy Ann Arbor

Relocating to East Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area this fall! 734-996-9959 | actonannarbor.com/tour Are you feeling like school should be more than state-mandated curriculum and standardization? Acton Academy does too! In their mixed-aged, collaborative studio, learners are given real-world challenges with life-long applications, nurturing divergent thinkers confident to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the future. They offer a learning environment that focuses beyond tests and grades, empowering children by embracing personal learning. It is a place with infinite academic growth through self-directed core studies and where Socratic discussions foster critical thinking and necessary social skills. Is your child ready to be challenged and inspired? Schedule a tour of their studio and experience a new way of schooling that honors your child's hero's journey. Open enrollment for fall has begun for K-Grade 5. Looking for 6th grade this fall? They would love to hear from you!

SUMMER CAMP 2019

Offerings available at GoLikeTheWind.com Tutoring and Enrichment

SAT/ACT Prep

Homework Help

Mathnasium teaches children of all skill levels to understand and master math. We boost grades, build confidence, and develop critical thinking for today and for their future. We’re the authority in math education, growing over 900 centers worldwide. Start your child’s transformation. Mention this ad for a comprehensive free assessment today.

Changing Lives Through Math™ Mathnasium of Ann Arbor • 734-408-1118 www.mathnasium.com/annarbor 2111 Packard St. Ann Arbor MI Mathnasium of Dexter • 734-424-9195 www.mathnasiumtutoringdextermi.com 7061 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd. Dexter MI

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

PRESCHOOL: Montessori Fusion including special enrichments such as music art, & more ELEMENTRY: Weekly themes of specialized Art, Tech & Music plus Adventure & World games Camps MIDDLE: Counselor in Training Leadership Program MORNING & AFTERNOON EDUCARE AVAILABLE EACH DAY

Call 734.747.7422 or email info@golikethewind.com to schedule an individual tour anytime. We offer a continuum of care & education with programs for Infants, Toddlers, Primary (ages 3-6), Elementry & Middle School.

digital age “Everyone Has a Cell Phone But Me!”

Deciding if your tween or teen should have a cell phone By Cheryl Maguire

“Everyone has a cell phone but me,” whined my 12-year-old daughter. “Your twin brother doesn’t have one either,” I responded. A variation of this same conversation had been going on between us for years. I knew what my daughter was saying was true, that most of her friends had a cell phone. According to a 2016 Techcrunch article, the average age of a child then he/she first gets a smartphone is age 10. I finally caved when my twins turned 13 because it was easier for me if they had one. At that age, they entered a new school, Jr/Sr High School. They had the opportunity to stay after school to participate in activities or sports. Sometimes they also received extra help from their teachers after school, which meant varying pick up times between the two of them. The frequent changes became confusing (for all of us) and required them to go to the school office to use the phone which meant they missed out on class time. It was much easier for me to send a quick text asking, “What time do you need me to pick you up?”, rather than waiting to hear from them.

But what age is best for your tween or teen to have a cell phone? The answer will be different for every family, and even kids within the same family, since maturity levels vary for all kids. Here are some factors to consider: Responsible Behaviors. Cell phones are expensive and enable your children to have access to the Internet.You want to make sure your kid demonstrates responsible behavior by keeping track and caring for personal belongings before you allow them to have their own cell phone. You also want to make sure they can be responsible regarding Internet safety. Safety. According to a 2015 National Health Institute Survey, almost half of all American homes did not have landlines. If your tween or teen stays home alone without a landline then they may need a cell phone so they can call 911 or other emergency personnel, if necessary. Your child may also feel safer knowing they are able to contact you when they are alone. Or, they may feel safer in certain situations, like walking alone to/from the bust stop, if they had a cell phone.

Questions to Consider

Has your child been able to keep track of expensive items (such as jackets, headphones, iPad) for the past month?

Has your child used good judgment when using the Internet (you can check their search history or opened apps)?

Does your child follow rules and limits within the home and school?

Is your child respectful of other people?

If you answered mostly “yes” to these questions, it might be the right time for a phone. But before you buy, discuss the responsibilities with your child of taking care of the phone and Internet safety. Remind them, using a cell phone is a privilege.

Do you feel you can trust your child? Do

you feel your child is responsible?

Does your child walk and wait at the bus stop alone? Are there times when your child is alone at home? Is your child involved in multiple activities?

Convenience. The more involved your tween or teen becomes in activities, the easier it will be for both of you if your child has a cell phone for communication because you can contact them directly to find out where they are or when they need to be picked up.

Craft a Fast, Healthy Bowl with Local Veggies, Local Meats and Wild-Foraged Ingredients. VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, AND ALLERGY FRIENDLY!

734.887.6655 5060 Jackson Rd. | Ann Arbor

Order online and receive menu updates at: www.FreshForage.com www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

FAMILY

Pediatric

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dentists Guide

We know that you want to find the dental practice that works best for you and your kids. These dentists are dedicated to keeping smiles bright and clean for the whole family!

Dentist Profiles

By Laura Eliason

Wurtzel Family Dentistry 4554 Washtenaw Ave. 734-971-2675 annarbordentist.com What sets your practice apart?

We are a true family practice, Donald started the practice over 35 years ago and his daughter, Lindsey joined 9 years ago and son, Ben 7 years ago. We love seeing many generations of families, including children for all their dental needs. We pride ourselves on having the newest technology while still maintaining a welcoming, family atmosphere.

Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry Ann Arbor Location: 2074 S Main St. Chelsea Location: 200 S Main St., Chelsea 734-663-2490 annarborpediatricdentistry.com

What’s one thing parents need to know about supporting their child’s dental health?

Dental health is extremely important to a child’s overall health. Good oral hygiene, a healthy diet and regular dental check-ups are essential to a child’s being.

What sets your practice apart?

Our mission is to provide the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents and those with special healthcare needs. We have five pediatric dentists who have specialized training in caring for the unique dental needs of children. Our team is truly a family and we provide a family-friendly environment to ensure the most comfortable and positive experience possible as though they are part of our family too!

What’s one thing parents need to know about supporting their child’s dental health?

We recommend that parents help their child brush their teeth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day until the child can do it well on their own, which is usually around age eight. Drinking habits and a healthy diet of balanced meals is best to avoid frequent snacking or grazing on food through the day, as it can increase your child’s risk of cavities. We recommend limiting to two snacks a day that consist of crunchy fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and nut products. Avoiding sugary drinks. Milk with meals, and water in between meals, is best for dental health.

What is a common question you get asked by parents and what is your response?

We are often asked when to bring children in for their first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children visit the dentist by age one, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. At this first visit, the pediatric dentist will examine your child’s teeth, check for decay, make sure the teeth are coming in the correct order, and brush the teeth with a soft toothbrush. Parents will learn tips and tricks for successful brushing, nutrition information and thumb/pacifier habits.

What is a common question you get asked by parents and what is your response? We are often asked when should they bring their child for their first dental check up? It is recommended to come anytime from 6-12 months or after the eruption of teeth.

University of Michigan School of Dentistry – Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Clinics 1011 North University 734-763-6933 dent.umich.edu/patients What sets your practice apart?

At the U-M dental clinics, we provide comprehensive dental care in a comfortable environment that supports oral health for patients of all ages. Our orthodontic and pediatric dental clinics provide everything from cleanings to fillings to braces and more at cost-effective prices by dental students under the supervision of our expert faculty.

What’s one thing parents need to know about supporting their child’s dental health?

Starting the conversation early with kids is important to establish good oral health habits. As soon as the first tooth emerges, parents can start introducing concepts of brushing teeth. Early visits, starting at age one, can actually save money and improve health by catching tooth decay and other issues before they become bigger problems for children.

What is a common question you get asked by parents and what is your response?

We often are asked why it is so important to brush and floss every day. Again, developing good habits early in life can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth, gums and overall health. We help patients of all ages build healthy smiles for life.

Providing the highest quality dental care to infants, children, adolescents and those with special needs.

Now seeing patients in two locations: Ann Arbor & Chelsea

734-663-2490 • AnnArborPediatricDentistry.com 16

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Katherine Kelly Orthodontics 1020 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. E, Saline 734-429-7676 DrKatherineKelly.com Moving this summer to: 1245 Industrial Dr., Saline (At corner of Campus Drive) What sets you apart?

We are a friendly, family-oriented team that provides exceptional care and personalized treatment options utilizing state-of-the-art technology. Call our office today to arrange a complimentary consultation so that we can evaluate your occlusion (bite) and smile!

Why select an orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. They receive an additional 2-3 years of formal specialized education after completing dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those who successfully complete this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists”. Dr. Kelly is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) and is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a confirmation of her commitment to lifelong quality patient care.

What is the average age and duration of orthodontic treatment?

When early treatment is indicated, it may begin as early as age 7 and last for about 12 months. The more typical patient begins comprehensive treatment when the permanent teeth have erupted about age 12. This treatment may be achieved with traditional full braces or aligners and usually takes 12-24 months to complete.

Give your Child the Gift of a Healthy Smile

il y Family

te oriite Favor ER

WINN ER

Poorly aligned teeth can lead to dental problems. Achieving your child’s healthy beautiful smile is a team effort involving an orthodontist, your dentist and other dental specialists. Call today to schedule a Complimentary consultation

Dr. Katherine Kelly ORTHODONTICS

734-429-7676

1020 E. Michigan Ave., Suite E Saline, MI 48176 drkatherinekelly.com

Donald J. Wurtzel DDS • Linsdsey E. Wurtzel DDS • Benjamin M. Wurtzel DDS

Craft a Fast, Healthy Bowl with Local Veggies, Local Meats and Wild-Foraged Ingredients. VEGETARIAN, VEGAN, AND ALLERGY FRIENDLY!

Family Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry & Whitening Implants • Periodontal Treatment Oral Surgery • Root Canal Therapy Crowns, Bridges, & Dentures

734.887.6655 5060 Jackson Rd. | Ann Arbor

Order online and receive menu updates at: www.FreshForage.com www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

healthy kids

Under Pressure

Community book study explores student mental health By Mary Rose Kulczak

The pressure to get good grades. The pressure to excel at sports and the arts. The pressure to get accepted to the ‘right’ colleges. Adolescents and teens are under an increasing amount of pressure every year. Many are being pushed to the breaking point, with national trends showing a rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide among those ages groups. Dr. Christopher Timmis, superintendent of Dexter Community Schools, has become increasingly alarmed by this trend. For this reason, Dexter parents and educators were recently invited to take part in a community book study to begin conversations about adolescent development and student mental health. The district distributed 350 copies of the book At What Cost? Defending Adolescent Development in Fiercely Competitive Schools by Dr. David Gleason. Over one hundred parents, along with educators, attended the kickoff event in December, 2018. Dr. Gleason, a clinical psychologist who has studied adolescents for more than 25 years, was invited to speak on the topic, explaining what his research into adolescent brain development has found and why this topic is so important to student mental health.

A disturbing trend “Over the years, we have experienced an increase in kids with anxiety and depression challenges. We had been looking for resources when I stumbled upon this book last spring,” Timmis said. “Some of the stories that Dr. Gleason described resonated. They really resembled a lot of what we’ve been experiencing with kids.” Timmis felt that the book study would help parents and schools to better understand the pressures that adolescents are now facing when pushed to excel academically, artistically and athletically, often sacrificing of their well-being in the process. “We are expecting more and more of our kids, but we are not really responding to what is developmentally appropriate,” he said. A case for developmental empathy Dr. Gleason’s research supports this as well. He has interviewed many parents and educators across the country, as well as in Europe and Asia. The responses were nearly unanimous.

Dr. David Gleason, clinical psychologist and author, spoke with Dexter parents and educators about adolescent development. “Adults around the world acknowledge that on the one hand, they want more than anything to educate and parent their students and children in healthy, safe, and balanced ways. However, because of unprecedented economic and cultural pressures, these same adults also acknowledge that they are too frequently over scheduling, over working, and at times, overwhelming their students,” Gleason said. “The best way to support teens and tweens in competitive school environments is for educators and parents to come together, to actively collaborate with each other, on deciding about best practices that both understand and respect the ‘still developing status’, and the health and well-being of these students,” he added. Continuing conversation The Dexter community continued this conversation on January 15, when Dr. Gleason returned to lead parents and educators in an interactive workshop. Superintendent Timmis is hopeful that the district will find ways to better support students in the future. “Understand that this is not just a Dexter challenge, but it is a broader issue across schools, across the country and across the world,” Timmis said. “We are actually going to try to work to make changes and understand the problem.” For more information on future workshops, contact Dexter Community School offices at 734-424-4100 or email info@dexterschools.org.

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Help For Stressed-Out Students How can parents and educators support adolescents during their stilldeveloping years? Dr. David Gleason, clinical psychologist and author of “At What Cost? Defending Adolescent Development in Fiercely Competitive Schools”, suggests, “Two areas of focus are particularly important.”

1. Changing school start times — to enable teens to get the sleep they desperately need — to no earlier than 8:30 AM in secondary schools around the world 2. Incorporating the instruction of executive functions (planning, prioritizing, organizational skills, time management, emotional understanding and regulation, etc.) into the daily curriculum for all high school students. Dr. Gleason emphasized that parents and educators need to work together to find solutions. “This is not a problem that the students can address. This is an adult problem, one that needs, and absolutely requires, that the adults come together and generate creative, previously un-thought-of solutions to the adaptive challenge of trying to educate their students in healthy and safe ways, while simultaneously protecting and respecting the students’ health and well-being.”

Ypsilanti Mom’s Program Inspires Readers and Celebrates Diversity

PHOTO BY LORI MARANVILLE

Black Men Read group counters stereotypes and forms connections By Lori Maranville

Ypsilanti mother Yodit Mesfin Johnson uses the word “synergy” to describe the partnership that developed with fellow parent Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha when they launched their Black Men Read (BMR) organization. The idea started simple enough in 2016 when a teacher at Johnson’s son’s school asked her to help find readers for his class, specifically black male readers. There is a definite deficit in teachers of color, she said, and those children who get to see more diversity in leadership statistically have more successful outcomes, and project greater diversity, in their future. Seeing the potential in the idea of inviting black men to tell stories featuring predominantly black characters, Johnson later paired with Tucker-Ibarisha and approached the administration of Mitchell Elementary to set up regular Black Men Read storytimes. Johnson said there was initially some fear that the events would be seen as exclusionary, but the school embraced the story times and the first Black Men Read event was a success. Reading the response The response to the program has been overwhelming both in the men who have stepped forward to be readers and the children and families who have showed up to listen and be a part of the events. Their first event drew 50 children and families from all walks of life, highlighting the fact that their program is not just for black children. “It’s a community program and we invite, welcome and celebrate inclusivity,” Johnson said. “If you believe in the power of the human spirit, BMR epitomizes that. It is love. It is community. It is family. It is celebrating difference in a way that invites other people to be a part of it. We believe that all children benefit from stories that celebrate what’s great about the mosaic of our community, while ensuring that my black son isn’t made invisible by a curriculum that is not inclusive.” Tucker-Ibarisha said reading that reflects your own experience can make the reading richer and provide a personal connection that expands a child’s view of the world and their place in it. She said a program like Black Men Read is “magical” in the sense that it can transcend the barriers in society. “I think our mission is centered on disrupting this dominant narrative that black men aren’t involved with their families or their communities,” Johnson said, noting that the reality is actually quite the opposite.

The pair call their program “story time with intentionality” as it provides children the opportunity to see diversity in the stories that are told and the people who tell them. “If nothing else, we hope to be a cog in the wheel that changes those long-term outcomes for children,” Johnson explains. The storytellers and their stories The readers, Tucker-Ibarisha says, serve as role models and ambassadors of sorts, storytelling through a “black lens” and normalizing the experience, history and culture of black people. The stories themselves are chosen sometimes by the readers, sometimes by Johnson or Tucker-Ibarisha, but always with an eye toward providing a rich experience for the children listening. Stories that have been featured during BMR events include “The Princess and the Pea” by Rachel Isadora; “The Girl Who Spun Gold” by Virginia Hamilton and Leo Dillon; and “Peekaboo Morning” also by Rachel Isadora. Storytellers have included a local farmer, an aspiring engineer, a retiree, a barber and a leader in the affordable housing movement who had previously been homeless. A BMR kids club The program is now countywide and has its hub at Blackstone Bookstore, 214 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti, which hosts story times on the fourth Saturday of every other month. Teachers and community groups can schedule an event and a partnership with Ypsilanti District Library was recently developed to bring BMR story time to YDL branches. Johnson and Tucker-Ibarisha said they seek to go into areas that are underserved, helping all children know that they matter. For more information find Black Men Read on Facebook (@BMRBlackMenRead) or contact Johnson at yodit@lipsandhips.org or Tucker-Ibarisha at tibarisha@gmail.com.

PHOTO BY LORI MARANVILLE

The mothers behind Black Men Read (BMR)

Yodit Mesfin Johnson co-founded the Black Men Read organization with Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha.

Yodit Mesfin Johnson Johnson is a long-time entrepreneur and non-profit executive at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor. She has one son,Tyson, 9, as well as “bonus” daughters who are 20 and 26. As a mother, Johnson said her involvement with BMR speaks to her heart. Her father was from Ethiopia and her mother was a teacher and later a professor at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). She lost her mother when she was very young, but, she said, she was raised feeling genuinely loved and affirmed and is fortunate to have a sense of identity that goes beyond the dominant narrative. “The majority of experiences I’ve had with black men have been positive and affirming and loving and wonderful and I know many men of color who are amazing — certainly far more than (the way they) are characterized in this country, so I choose that narrative.” For her own son, she said, she wants to give him the tools that allow him to expand that box of his identity beyond what the world tries to put on him and do it in age appropriate ways. “Tyson deserves the kind of liberty, freedom and joy of being a carefree child that every other child deserves. I’m not trying to put too much of the world’s messages about who he should be on him.

Area mom Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha co-founded Black Men Read organization.

Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha Tucker-Ibarisha is a biology professor at EMU and a lecturer at Washtenaw Community College. She has two daughters, ages 8 and 6. “For me as a black mother, I think very carefully about the stories that I am giving my daughters because I understand that I shape their experience by the stories that I tell them, by the narratives that I give them. My intention is to make my daughters the kind of people that will show up as citizens of the world-really confident in themselves and clear in who they are, but at the same time open to being able to be anywhere, embrace anyone and interact from a space of confidence, not insecurity.” She said she remembers the feeling of studying abroad in Kenya as one of only two black students on the trip and seeing a role reversal of sorts, in which a person’s whiteness was not front and center in the way individuals are identified, as in the United States. “We show up with unlimited potential, but society has all of this historical context and social constructs that limit that.” The remedy, she said, is real experience. Excited by the potential of the BMR program, Tucker-Ibarisha, said she believes in the idea that things can be better and puts her energy into making that happen.

Upcoming BMR Events Black Men Read Kids Club 11am | Fourth Saturdays (March 23, May 25, Sept. 21, Nov. 23) Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center, 214 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti 11am | Third Saturdays (Feb. 16, March 16) YDL-Superior, 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti

Raising Powerful Kids for a Powerful Community (Kids and Parents) 3:30-5:30pm | February 2 YDL-Whittaker, 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti Featuring stories about resilient kids like Ruby Bridges.

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

A Red Carpet Entrance Into Ann Arbor

Jim Brady’s makes a great first impression for kids and adults alike By Julie and David Sturza

Jim Brady’s knows how to make a first impression. A bright red carpet entrance and shiny wood floors, painted red, provided an exciting invitation to this Metro Detroit export that had our threeyear-old oohing and ahhing. The design and construction of the new location is reflected in an interior unlike anything else on Main Street. Jim Brady’s decor is incredible; with fun pop art, mid-century light fixtures and furnishings, and raised booths we really felt like we were dining out. The kids enjoyed exploring the three floors and we all agreed that the third floor was our favorite. Request one of the two circular mezzanine booths for a truly memorable dining experience. Kids options abound We started with the roasted cauliflower ($10) appetizer along with grandma’s fried chicken poppers ($10). Warm and tender, with light breading and a mild seasoning, the chicken poppers were a huge hit with the kids. The adults also enjoyed them, along with the ranch dipping sauce infused with McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix. A note for readers, these are the same chicken poppers offered on the

Famous desserts What really stood out for us was the dessert. The house made Vernor’s ice cream ($4) was outstanding. We were advised by our server that on a followup visit we should try their banana split which features the Vernor’s vanilla ice cream along with their house made strawberry and chocolate ice cream fla-

JIM BRADY’S

209 S. Main St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-562-1954 jimbradysdetroit.com Open daily, 4pm-12am (kitchen closes at 11pm; lunch hours coming soon)

kids menu. With a number of options (buttered noodles, quesadilla, chicken breast, burger, mac & cheese, and corn dogs) each priced at $7 and served with one side, the Jim Brady’s kids menu helps it stand out among Main Street dining options. Our kids tasted the awesome mac & cheese with its super rich flavor and the corn dog, but the stand outs on the kids menu were the sides. There were many options, including some healthy ones – fries, salad, tots, tortilla chips, apples & yogurt, and pineapple wedges. Our kids loved the thin apple slices, served with vanilla yogurt. The adults ordered the namesake burger that helped to make Jim Brady’s famous back in the 1950s, the Diamond Jim Brady’s special sandwich ($11). Surprisingly, this burger classic does not boast too many fixins’ — that is no bacon, BBQ or onion rings on top. We appreciated the no frills approach to the burger and enjoyed the savory house spice blend that makes this burger shine. We also tasted the blackened chicken carbonara ($18) and enjoyed the fresh, al dente vegetables that accompany the pasta. The sliced asparagus and sweet peas side was a nice touch to balance out the chipotle cream sauce. The menu has a balanced variety of choices, without being overwhelming to those trying to make a decision amidst somewhat wild little ones. Surely there is a salad, sandwich, or entree for most diners. Many items on the menu have stood the test of time and are served exactly the same way as they were way back in 1954!

PHOTO COURTESY OF

JIM BRADY’S

vors as well. “You can’t find a banana split like it these days,” she added. For our family, however, we zeroed in on Jim Brady’s famous homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting ($7). It did not disappoint. Even our 5-year old declared it worthy of a return visit (high praise). And the best part is that for every piece of carrot cake sold, the restaurant donates a portion of the price to Ann Arbor’s very own Tiny Lions Lounge & Adoption Center. Jim Brady’s is a bit pricey for our normal casual meal out with the kids, but if you’re looking for a new and unique atmosphere to check out along Main Street, it’s a solid option, with more kids’ choices than most. Save some cash by hitting Jim Brady’s happy hour Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm, when all appetizers are priced at $6.

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

The Short Course:

Kid-friendly: Yes To avoid wait: Come for an early dinner Noise level: Loud Bathroom amenities: No changing table High chairs? Yes Got milk? Yes Kids’ menu? Yes Anything healthy for kids? Yes Food allergy concerns? Friendly staff are more than willing to accomodate

{ Feburary

2019 }

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

1 FRIDAY Burns Park Players presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid 7:30pm. $15 - $30. Tappan Middle School. burnsparkplayers.org The Burns Park Players are very excited to announce their 2019 production of The Little Mermaid! Additional performances are on 2.4 at 4pm, 2.8 at 7:30pm, and 2.9 at 2pm.

Family Art Studio: Fantastical Realities 11am. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free Come create fantastical stories through collaging found images. Get a tour of the exhibition, followed by a hands-on workshop with local artist Adrian Deva. Designed for families with children of ages 6 and above whose parents remain present. Free but registration is required.

This Ain’t Nothing New: A Black History Month Celebration 6pm. Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. riversidearts.org Free Kick off Black History Month with this reception featuring a gallery full of visual art, an opening ceremony, a series of speakers exploring the title of the exhibit “This Ain’t Nothin’ New” and Beau Monde: An Anthology of Black Movement in America.

Kids’ Ice Fishing Clinic 12pm. $2. Independence Lake County Park, Whitmore Lake. parksonline.ewashtenaw.org Kids will have a chance to learn about winter fishing, safety practices, and types of fish then warm up inside by the fire and have hot cocoa and cookies. Best for ages 5-12, siblings are welcome. Bait and fishing equipment will be provided. Please register online.

2 SATURDAY 2019 Gluten Free WinterFest 10am. $7 - $10. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. gfcelebrations.com Celebrate delicious gluten free cuisine with the food of up to eight amazing restaurants, caterers and food trucks, live musical entertainment, shopping galore, gluten free food product exhibits, kids’ activities and more!

Raising Powerful Kids 3:30pm.Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free Parents will learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the science of building resilience in kids to improve their health and wellbeing. Kids will hear a read aloud about Ruby Bridges and other resilient kids and do crafts nearby. Stay to watch the Ruby Bridges movie together and talk about it.

THURSDAYS, MONTH OF FEBRUARY A place to hang Does your teen (grades 6-12) need a place to fill the time after school is out? The Ann Arbor District Library is hosting a new teen program, After School Special, to do just that. Held in the Secret Lab at the Downtown branch, AADL staff will be on hand to lead teens in crafts such as making wallets, small soldering projects, and one-shot pen and paper RPG campaigns, or teens can do their own thing or just hang out. The Secret Lab will also make its various art supplies available for use on homework (think poster board presentations) or just for fun. They will also have a selection of awesome graphic novels for those wanting to read and relax. Available projects, crafts, and reading material will change from week to week and light snacks will be available. Sounds like a great time. Please note, the February 28 event will take place at the Traverwood Branch due to Downtown Library closure.

Thursdays in February. 3-5pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown, 343 S. 5th Ave. 734-327-4200. aadl.org Free

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 PEG+CAT comes to Ann Arbor Based on the Emmywinning PBS Kids show PEG + CAT, this fun musical features wild comedy, countless favorite songs from the show, and Peg’s super coolest pal Ramone! When Peg’s Mom asks Peg and Cat to mail some really important letters they come face to face with a really big dog. Really Big Problem! To solve it, they’ll need math—bar graphs, size comparison, position words, fair sharing, and a whole lot of counting. They’ll also need to count on each other, and the audience too, to solve their problem in 60 minutes. Part of the Benard L. Maas Foundation Not Just for Kids Live Performing Arts Series presented by Toyota.

Saturday, February 23. 4pm. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8397. michtheater.org

www.annarborfamily.com • February 2019 •

3 SUNDAY

5 TUESDAY

Hand Drumming Workshop & Circle With Randall Moore 3-5pm. $15. The Rumpus Room, Chelsea. therumpusroomchelsea.com Cultivate your inner rhythm with Randall Moore, percussionist for The Ragbirds, owner and drum builder at Woodspeak Drums. All ages and experiences levels welcome. No experience necessary.

4 MONDAY Valentine’s Day Chocolate Making Class 7-8pm. Boulevard Market, Tecumseh. tecumsehlibrary.org Free This informative demonstration class focuses exclusively on chocolate. Explore kinds of chocolate and share secrets with John and Erika Aylward of Boulevard Market. After class, you can buy chocolate for your special Valentine.

A2 Community Sing with Matt Watroba 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor Senior Center. calendar.a2gov.org Free Just like singing around a campfire, you’ll remember that old ballad or childhood family song in no time. Community Sings are sure to make memories and build a new family friendly tradition. Book Discussion: 2019 Washtenaw Reads Winner, Reading with Patrick 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free Join a discussion of Reading With Patrick by Michelle Kuo. The Washtenaw Reads program is a community initiative to promote reading and civic dialogue through reading and discussing a common book.

6 WEDNESDAY Nature Tykes Preschool Program Planet Protectors 9:45am. $36 - $40. Leslie Science and Nature Center. lesliesnc.org For 4-5 year olds to learn and grow independently in this drop-off program. Registration required for each month. Held inside and outdoors - so dress for the weather! Also on 2.6, 2.13, 2.20 and 2.27.

8 FRIDAY Just for Younger Kids: Valentine’s Storytime Tasting 10:30-11am. $10. Zingerman’s Deli. zingermansdeli.com Hear Silly Tilly’s Valentine and then taste a few of the favorite Valentine treats! For kids ages 2-5. Parents attend free. Welcome to stay in a reserved room if you order your own lunch. Lantern Lit Ski, Snowshoe & Hike 7pm. Eddy Discovery Center, Chelsea. chelseamich.com Free Embrace winter with a healthy, lantern lit activity. A half-mile loop lit for skiers, another for walking and snowshoeing complete with a fire ring for warm up. Some snow shoes are available to borrow. Mother Son Dance 6:30pm. $8-12. Livonia Elk’s Lodge, Livonia. ci.livonia.mi.us Moms in your favorite dress, sons looking to impress, boogie down to our awesome DJ! Souvenir photos, snacks, refreshments and contests are all part of the fun. All ages welcome.

• PRESENTS •

9 SATURDAY A lively collection of African tales performed through storytelling, acting, dancing, and drumming.

(Ages 4-10)

Thursday, Feb.21 - 10am (Sold Out!) Friday, Feb. 22 - 10am (Sold Out!) & 12:30pm Saturday, Feb. 23 - 11am

SHIPWRECKED! An original, stirring coming of age drama set during a November storm on Lake Huron in 1893.

(Ages 8+)

Thursday, Mar. 7 - 10am (Sold Out!) Friday, Mar. 8 - 10am & 12:30pm Saturday, Mar. 9 - 2pm Performances at Towsley Auditorium Washtenaw Community College For tickets, Call (734) 995-0530 Or order online at www.wildswantheater.org

Black History: Local History 3pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free Come pick up an African American history tour map to visit local sites relevant to the history of African Americans in Ann Arbor. Then, watch and listen to AADL’s Living Oral History Project as local residents recount their past. All ages. Tea Time! 10am. $10. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. mbgna.umich.edu Learn how different cultures take part in this important break time that brings people together. Cocoa and herbal tea for kids, samples and crafts for all. Best for 4-10 years olds. Please register online.

10 SUNDAY Black History Trivia 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Malletts Creek. aadl.org Free Do you know your Black History? Come to this family friendly event to show off what you know and you might leave with a prize or two! Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Grade 3-adult. Drawing for Kids: Romero Britto Valentine Cards 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Come for a directed drawing activity for youth with artists from the Ann Arbor Art Center! Use vibrant colors and bold patterns to design a colossally cool Valentine card. Grades 1-5.

• February 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Hunt for the Yeti 12-2pm. $3. Rolling Hills County Park, Ypsilanti. parksonline.ewashtenaw.org Explore Rolling Hills County Park in search of Eddie the Yeti, as part of the Winter Fun Fest. Best photo wins a prize! Crafts & light refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration encouraged online. Kids’ Game-Together 2pm. Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Plymouth Green. sweetwaterscafe.com Free Join for kids’ board and card game get together. Most games will be elementaryage appropriate, but feel free to bring your own games to share & play.

11 MONDAY Origami Paper Flower Bouquets 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free Come create a bouquet that will last far beyond Valentine’s Day! Using pages from recycled magazines and origami techniques, construct flowers that will never wilt. Grade 3-adult.

12 TUESDAY Button Bouquet 6:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Pittsfield. aadl.org Free These flowers won’t fade! Using buttons of various colors and sizes, create a posey of button flowers to brighten your February days. Grade 6-adult.

13 WEDNESDAY Nature Storytime - Bee & Me 10-11am. $4 - $5. Leslie Science and Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Children between 2-5 years old learn to appreciate nature with stories, hikes, animals and activities. New themes each week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

16 SATURDAY Daddy Daughter Dance 6:30-8:30pm. $20/couple. Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center. washtenaw.org Dads, treat your daughters to a special evening out on the town by participating in crafts, refreshments, dancing the night away, meeting a princess and more! $5 for each additional child. African American Read-In 12pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free All are welcome to come read or listen to selections from the works of African American authors. Bring a favorite poem or passage from a book or read one of the library’s! Books available for all ages. The Fantastically Funny Family Entertainment Show 11am. Dexter District Library. dexter.lib.mi.us Free Come see comedian, ventriloquist and puppeteer Richard Paul for his family fun puppet show. All ages will be laughing out loud at the jokes, life-size puppets, magic and audience participation. Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra 3:30pm. $6 - $12. Washtenaw Community College, Towsley Auditorium. ypsilantisymphony.org Enjoy a musical afternoon with the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra as they celebrate their 20th anniversary!

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19 TUESDAY Youth Council 5:30-7pm. Saline Recreation Center. cityofsaline.org Free An opportunity for youth to “let their voices be heard in the community.” All teens living in Saline School District in 8th-12th grades are welcome to apply to be a part of the action.

20 WEDNESDAY Michigan Hummingbirds 7:30pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. mbgna.umich.edu Free Join Allen Chartier for a program on his study of hummingbirds in Michigan and the Great Lakes area. Learn how you can participate in this study, how to attract and feed hummingbirds.

21 THURSDAY Under the African Sky 10am. $10 - $12. Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College. wildswantheater.org A collection of African tales performed through storytelling, acting, dancing, and drumming. Colorful costumes, masks, and music will delight and teach all, with opportunities for audience participation! Additional performances on 2.22 at 10am and 12:30pm, 2.23 at 11am.

22 FRIDAY Movement Based Learning with Brain Gym 9:30am or 10:30am. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org Free Katy Held leads this movement based program designed to promote learning, relaxation, and balance. Try this relaxing way to engage your brain! Grade 9-adult. Princess Bride 9:30pm. $8.50-$10.50. State Theatre. statetheatrea2.org Audiences are encouraged to quote-along with the film! A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. Based on the William Goldman novel “The Princess Bride.”

23 SATURDAY Peg + Cat LIVE! 4pm. $23 - $50. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org Based on the Emmy-winning PBS Kids show PEG + CAT this awesome musical features wild comedy, countless favorite songs from the show, and Peg’s super coolest pal Ramone! They’ll also need to count on the audience too, for their problem to be solved. Storytime at the Museum 11:15am. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free Hear a story in the galleries and include a fun, age-appropriate, hands-on activity related to it. Children ages 3-6 and siblings are invited to join with parents. Youth Making Change in Ypsi 3:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free Hear from young people who are making a difference in our community, including the Ypsi/Ann Arbor Youth Citizens of the Year from 2017 and 2018, then learn about teen volunteer opportunities.

Mondays

Breathe Together – Parent & Child Yoga 10am. $13. Breathe Yoga Studio, Chelsea. breatheyogachelsea.com Discover the benefits of yoga for your kiddo as you both strike a pose! Please bring yoga mats. Ages 2-5 with parent or caregiver (flexible with age, if siblings come too). Drop in or sign up for 4-8 week sessions.

Tuesdays

Tummy Times 10-11am. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free Come meet other new or expecting parents, enjoy a drink from Sweetwaters and relax while your child has fun engaging with special toys for young babies (up to 12 months). Half Off Tuesdays 4-10pm. $5-$8. Zap-Zone, Ypsilanti. Zap-zone.com Laser tag, bumper cars, VR Zone, and VR Ride half off all day. Special grants half off for each attraction session per person.

Wednesdays

Mama & Me Coffee Hour 10am-noon. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse. cutivateypsi.com Free Join this Meetup for mothers and babies (suggested age birth-12 months).

$5 After 5pm Thursdays 5-8pm. $5. Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. aahom.org Every Thursday the museum is open late with admission only $5. Babies 23 months and under free.

Fridays

Toddler & Parent Art Adventures 10-11am. Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. riversidearts.org Free Get creative and messy with your little ones during hands-on art activities in the open studio.

24 SUNDAY

Black History: Hand Lettering 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood. aadl.org Free Join to hand-letter inspiring quotes from historical and modern Black voices. Quotes and supplies provided to make a one-of-akind piece that celebrates a part of Black history. All ages. Winter Nature Walk 10am. Furstenberg Nature Area. a2gov.org Free Kick off National Invasive Species Awareness Week by learning to identify native and non-native trees and shrubs. Dress for the weather, and be prepared for a long hike. Meet at the parking lot off Fuller Road.

26 TUESDAY Underground Railroad Movement in Lenawee County 7pm. Tecumseh District Library. tecumsehlibrary.org Free Explore the Antislavery Movement origination in Lenawee County in the 1830s up to the start of the American Civil War with Ray Lennard, curator of the W. G. Thompson House in Hudson.

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Saturdays

PHONE: 734-668-4044

Drawing in the Galleries 1-2pm. University of Michigan Museum of Art. umma.umich.edu Free Student Docents or other facilitators will be on hand to provide free sketching materials and facilitate your experience of looking and drawing. Beginners welcome! Meet at the UMMA Store. Not on 2.16. Story Time with Linda Zimmer 11am. Bookbound. Bookboundbookstore.com Free Come listen during story time with Linda Zimmer in an independent community bookstore. For kids ages 6 and under. Circle K Homework Help 3pm-5pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Students in grades K-12 can get homework help provided by volunteers from the U of M chapter of Circle K. No appointment necessary. Also offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-8pm.

27 WEDNESDAY

Storytelling for Kids 1pm. $10. The Ark. theark.org Each year, The Ark’s Storytelling Festival brings masters of the tale from near and from far to pay tribute to humanity’s oldest art. This year’s tellers are Laura Simms, Edgar Oliver, and Ivory D. Williams with stories for the whole family.

DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS: Display classifieds

Baby Playgroups 10:30-11:30am. Ann Arbor District Library, Traverwood. aadl.org Free Parents and guardians (no older siblings) can bring their babies up to 2 years old for an engaging playtime full of various stories, toys, rhymes and songs. Also held at AADL-Downtown on Mondays at 10:30am.

Sundays

Thursdays

LINE CLASSIFIEDS: Only $20 per month for 20 words or less. Each additional word is 40 cents each and any artwork will be $5 extra.

Irene Butter: Author & Holocaust Survivor 7pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free YDL is honored to welcome Holocaust survivor, professor, and author Irene Butter. Her memoir details her journey and how the heart keeps its humanity during inhumane times. Book sale and signing to follow.

28 THURSDAY Celebration of the Community Concert 7:30pm. Washtenaw Community College, Towsley Auditorium. WCCBand.org Free Join the 80-piece Washtenaw Community Concert Band to celebrate with a program dedicated to community. Free parking. Refreshments will be served.

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