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

FREE JANUARY 2019

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Giving a Voice to Youth in the Community p7 p9

Head of the Class Meet our local educational leaders

Washtenaw County Youth Commission brings youth to the local government table

The Kids are Online. Now What?

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How to design a family digital citizenship contract

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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

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It takes two steps to decide the best

2019

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

T h et i o n N o m ionram a t F

They can’t win without you. Only the TOP 6 make it to the final ballot!

ANNARBORFAMILY.COM

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Volume 25 • Issue 1 January 2019

P.9 Giving a Voice to Youth in the Community

Washtenaw County Youth Commission brings youth to the local government table

Go Play Outside!

Encouraging play for a healthy childhood

P.18

P.7

departments ann arbor favorites

#showandtell

what’s briefly happening

new kids

tween the lines

exceptional families

ask the expert 14

Online

JANUARY

Barricade the Door

What Parents Need to Know About The ALICE Training Program

By Cheryl Maguire

digital age 16

Screen-free, STEM-packed coding fun

healthy kids 18 parent profile 19 calendar 21 marketplace 23

commentary

Where to Skate in Washtenaw County The top places to get out on the ice By Laura Eliason

[Always online]

food fight 20

More Sushi Please

Custom culinary creations for the whole family

By Julie and David Sturza

giveaway

Open House Guide

Did you resolve to get your kids excited about STEM this year? Enter to win Botley™ the Coding Robot Activity Set (valued at $79.99), by Learning Resources, the first early coding robot to be STEM Approved™ by STEM.org for children as young as five. While it navigates obstacle courses, follows looping commands and detects objects, children get to learn early STEM skills and the basics of coding while playing and having fun. The big bonus: Botley is completely screen-free, and no phone or tablet is required! Instead, Botley has an easy-to-use remote programmer, which transmits commands- and off he goes! Ages 5+.

2018

Most Read Online

Many schools will be holding open houses during the new year. Check out our guide for dates and times.

To enter visit annarborfamily.com

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

Find out where kids eat free (or nearly free) in Washtenaw County

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

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

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

On the cover Carter, 7 and Isabella Kay Fleischmann, 2 weeks, Ann Arbor Photographer: Kat Foley

Adams Street Publishing Co. What do you hope to organize/declutter this year?

An inside look at what we’re loving for parents this month

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CLOSETS.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer

KIDS HOROSCOPE Dec.22— Jan. 20

By Kimmie Rose Mini pool party This is what every tea-lover’s cup needs in gloomy January! Throw a miniature pool party in your mug with FLOAT-TEA. Simply fill the stainless steel bottom with loose tea, twist on the top, sit back and relax. $16.99 shoptherocket.com

Cozy from Ecuador Keep cozy and comfy this winter in this Ten Thousand Village’s Plaid Chenille Poncho. This unique and memorable piece is perfect for keeping warm at winter gatherings of all kinds. Handmade in Ecuador. $99.99 tenthousandvillages.com

Your little Capricorn has the need to please and can be the center of attention with kids and adults. Whether they have just built the coolest Lego house or painted a picture of mommy, their work is always sure to be noticed. This month your little Capricorn will be full of “I want to GO energy”. Make sure you honor their need to discover and learn. This is a perfect month to take a trip to the museum or go somewhere that your little Capricorn can be in the know! You better get your rest mom and dad because your little Capricorn is going to be full of mental AND physical energy.

Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) MY CAR.

Advertising Sales Coordinator Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) PHOTOS. Sales/ Classifieds Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) I WILL DECLUTTER MY BASEMENT, MY SHED, AND MY WHOLE HOUSE!! (NO CHOICE- I’M MOVING). Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY BASEMENT.

Editorial

Assignment Editor Laura Eliason

(laura@annarborfamily.com) MY KIDS’ CLOSET! Calendar Courtney Probert (calendar@annarborfamily.com) HOPEFULLY MY THOUGHTS. Associate Editor Athena Cocoves (athena@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY SOCKS. Contributing Writers Laura Eliason, Kimmie Rose, Mary Rose Kulczak, Julie Sturza, David Sturza, Lori Maranville, Erin Marsh, Christa Melnyk Hines, April Huard, and Trilby Becker.

Art/Production

Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY LIFE. Senior Designer Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) COMPUTER FILES & PHOTOS. Graphic Design Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CLOSETS & ATTACHED GARAGE. Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY ENTIRE LIFE. Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY BANK ACCOUNT.

A good read for parents and kids to enjoy together

Administration

The weather is dreary, the perfect time to read together! Check out Trombone Shorty ($17.95), winner of both a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award, an inspirational look at overcoming our circumstances to follow our dreams. Another great selection from the Blackstone Bookstore and Cultural Center is, Black Pearls for Parents ($9.99), a collection of inspirational thoughts, practical advice and pearls of wisdom specifically for AfricanAmerican parents. $9.99-17.95 facebook. com/BlackStoneBookstore

Ann Arbor Family is here to help! From library story times to local events to special holiday happenings, our online calendar offers everything you need to stay active this winter season. For stories and ideas to be sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our parent e-newsletter today!

annarborfamily.com

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TWO JUNK ROOMS. Distribution Tracy Kimble (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY EMOTIONS.

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.

Eddie Knight (eknight@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DECLUTTERING MY FLASHLIGHT DRAWER.

Digital

Web Guru Deanna Woods (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MY EMAILS.

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.

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• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

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

Pamela, 3, Dexter Henrik, 5 and Wes

ley, 2

Wesley, 2, at Yost Ice Arena

Make-A-Wish Kid Neil Franks, 7, writing his let ter and dropping it in the iconic red mailbox at the Macy’s Oakland in Troy for the launch of the Believe Campaign. He was hoping to get a Go ldendoddle puppy!

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

Compiled by Laura Eliason

Support for families with young children with special needs It can be hard to be a special needs parent. To give parents the support they need in a friendly environment, Down Syndrome Head Start hosts a monthly, free baby playgroup Special Beginnings. They invite parents of children, ages 0-3, with developmental or intellectual disabilities to join them every second Thursday each month for some messy fun, music, and encouragement. Bring a light snack/drink for your baby or toddler. You must RSVP to reserve your spot. Call or email support@ downsyndromeheadstart.com. Every second Thursday of the month. 11am-12pm. 242 Community Church, 648 S. Wagner Rd. 734-780-6795. downsyndromeheadstart.com Free

Detroit’s world of aerospace and beyond A new exhibition has landed at the Michigan Science Center (MiSci)! Sun, Earth, Universe, a collaboration between NASA and the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net), is designed to engage audiences in the awe-inspiring fields of Earth and space science. MiSci is one of only 52 locations to receive this exhibition, featuring engaging, hands-on interactive exhibits and dazzling imagery, Sun, Earth, Universe is a 600-square-foot exhibition that connects visitors with current NASA science research and launches them on a journey to explore the universe. Visitors can also engage in fun, interactive Earth and space science experiences using skills essential to STEM learning in the 21st century. “We are honored and excited to be among the locations selected to feature this new exhibition,” said Charles Gibson, Outreach and Innovation Director. “It is our hope that this new space will inspire visitors to experience the world of aerospace and beyond through hands-on learning and exploration.” Closed Monday, Tuesday-Friday, 10-3pm, Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, Noon-5pm. $14/adult, $11/ child over 2. Under 2/free. Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St., Detroit. 313-577-8400. Mi-Sci.org

Getting an early start Many local school districts are partnered with Eastern Michigan University (EMU) to make it possible for local students to graduate from high school having already earned up to 60 college credits! The Early College Alliance (ECA), a unique educational program designed to fully immerse high school-aged students into the post-secondary learning environment, is a free, public program located right on EMU campus. Enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year is now open! Applications for the initial enrollment lottery should be submitted by January 25th. Students who submit an application after January 25th will be accepted into the program based on available open enrollment slots remaining per district. Want to know more? Join an information session on Tuesday, January 15 from 6:30-8pm in the EMU Student Center Ballroom A. Or sign up for a formal Shadow Day experience on January 17, March 26, or March 28. For more information and to apply, visit earlycollegealliance.info.

Ride the Zamboni, yes really!

Free skating rinks in Ann Arbor The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services is offering fun ways for your family to get out on the ice this winter. Two pay for entry ice arenas: Buhr Park Outdoor Ice Arena (2751 Packard Rd.) and Veterans Memorial Park Indoor Ice Arena (2150 Jackson Ave.) offer skate rental services for $3. In addition to these arenas there will be three, free neighborhood ice rinks at Allmendinger, Burns, and Northside parks for the 2018-19 winter season. The rinks are free to use, but bring your own skates, no rental equipment is offered. The rinks will be maintained once daily to keep the ice in good condition, weather permitting. When ice conditions allow, the rinks will be open during regular park hours 6am–10pm. Stay tuned to the parks and recreation website (a2gov.org), facebook.com/a2parks and twitter.com/a2parks for periodic updates.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Does your child dream of riding on that majestic machine that glides over the ice, otherwise known by the magical name, Zamboni? The Kids Go Blue Club is offering its members a chance to enter to win a ride on the Zamboni at Yost Ice Arena during intermission of UM Hockey games. One child will win a ride and four game tickets. Per NCAA guidelines only children in 8th grade or younger are eligible to participate in Kids Go Blue Club activities. To enter, your child must be a member of the Kids Go Blue Club (it’s free to join) and must fill out the drawing form online (check the upcoming events calendar for eligible game dates and to apply). Eligible games include: January 8 vs. Merrimack, January 24 vs. Penn State, February 8 vs. Michigan State, February 22 vs. Ohio State, and February 23 vs. Ohio State. Various dates. Yost Ice Arena, 1116 S. State St. kidsgoblue@umich.edu. Mgoblue.com Free

tween the lines

Ann Arbor’s fragel purveyor closes, hopefully temporarily After 25 plus years in business, the wellloved northside Ann Arbor favorite MD Bagel Fragel is closing with hopes to reopen at a new location. Shop owners, Patricia and Michael Rockette, were notified by their new landlord in November that they had to be out of their location with only a few days notice. The community rallied in support, both in person and online and the Rockette’s were given an extension to move out until mid December. A GoFundMe account is set up to raise funds for Bagel Fragel to reopen in a new location. -LE To find out more visit gofundme.com/save-bagel-fragel and Facebook.com/Bagel Fragel.

Giving a Voice to Youth in the Community Local youth met with County Commissioners to discuss the formation of a County Youth Commission.

Washtenaw County Youth Commission brings youth to the local government table. By Mary Rose Kulczak

Ann Arbor startup promotes public health LiquidGoldConcept, a local startup based in Ann Arbor, is the first to successfully develop a realistic breastfeeding simulator. The lactation simulator is a wearable, anatomically-correct female chest, comes in a variety of realistic colors, and has features to show both correct and incorrect breastfeeding techniques, issues, and symptoms, such as latching, mastitis, and engorgement. The company has high hopes that the simulator will help to further educate health practitioners on issues related to breastfeeding and breast health, as well as to provide education and better support for breastfeeding mothers. -AD For more information, visit liquidgoldconcept.com or email info@liquidgoldconcept.com

An alternative to hospitalization for mental health services With their first location in Washtenaw County, New Oakland Family Centers provides a complete spectrum of quality, compassionate mental health services for local children, teens, adults and families. Within New Oakland’s continuum of care, their FACE to FACE day program offers a creative and flexible alternative to hospitalization for individuals who require a high level of care while maintaining connections to their families and communities. -LE Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. After hours appointments available. New Oakland Family Centers, 501 N. Maple Rd. 734-669-3610. newoakland.org

December 2018 Issue Corrections n We regret that in the article “Taking the Silence Out of Suicide” we misspelled Dr. Foster’s name. Please note the correct spelling is Dr. Cindy Ewell Foster. She was also misquoted due to a missing word. The sentence should have read: Suicide is a growing and complex problem, Foster said, and “requires a comprehensive public health approach for prevention.” n Photo credit was mistakenly omitted for two photos in the story “What’s in the Water?”. Brett Moyer took the photos of Mr. Steglitz and the Barton Dam. Mr. Steglitz’s name was also misspelled in the photo caption.

Elijah Hatcher-Kay, 14, confesses to being fascinated with politics. The eighth grader from Forsythe Middle School is one of several teens working with Washtenaw County’s Commissioners to establish a youth commission to allow young voices to be heard. Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Morgan has been working with Lori Roddy, executive director of the Neutral Zone, to turn the idea of a youth commission into a reality. Task force leads to formation of youth commission “My hope in creating a youth commission is that we will amplify the voices of young people, empowering them to be engaged citizens and activists in our community,” Morgan said. “Through the inclusion of youth voices, our decisionmaking and community leadership will be improved, which will mean better outcomes for Washtenaw County residents.” Lori Roddy, executive director of The Neutral Zone, agrees. “We are fortunate to work in a county where commissioners want to create more roles for youth to participate in their local government. This project has the potential to build a structure in our government that values youth voices and provides an authentic role for their voices to have impact,” she said. In 2017, a task force was formed that included individuals from the Neutral Zone, Corner Health, UM School of Social Work and the County Commission to begin the formation of a youth commission. Exploring governance structure models while also being mindful of budget concerns and the youth selection process, youth representatives were chosen from over fifty applicants. Twenty young people were chosen to ensure a diversity of thought, opinions and experiences, with geographic representation from all districts.

“The creation of a youth commission for Washtenaw County is important because young people have a meaningful voice and high stakes in the decisions that are being made in our community,” Morgan said. Concerns of youth deserve to be heard Megan Wilson, 14, is eager to add her voice to the conversation. “I feel that creating a Youth Commission is important because it gives us the opportunity to state our opinions in a non-judgmental group,” Wilson, a Belleville High School ninth grader said. “I’m interested in participating because it’s a new adventure and I love to go outside of the box and try new things.” Wilson and her peers were recently given the opportunity to meet with County Commissioners at the Neutral Zone to share their ideas, concerns and goals. This brainstorming session gave the Commissioners some insight into the mindset of local youth. For Elijah Hatcher-Key, the issues are myriad. “I want to learn all I can about how our county works while standing up for the best interests of young people when it comes to real issues like mental health funding, education, hunger, equality, human rights, and access to medical care,” he said. “Issues like school safety, the environment, and poverty and homelessness impact Washtenaw youth directly, so we have a perspective on them and a stake in addressing them,” he added. Morgan is proud of the work being done by this task force. “We have incredibly passionate, bright and engaged young people from across the county coming together in a collaborative way to learn about each other and about our county.”

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

PHOTO COURTESY OF MD BAGEL FRAGEL

advice for parents with children 10-16

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES for parents of children with special needs

Finding Normal in Exceptional Ways

Special tools for special needs By Lori Maranville

By most accounts, Ellie Stinson, is a typical 3 1/2-year-old. She goes to preschool, plays with her brother, Nathan, 7; and loves dolls, Hotwheels, and Legos. Her mom, Courtney Stinson, says Ellie is witty, funny, super social, has a strongwilled streak and “just lights up a room” when she enters. What isn’t so typical is that Ellie has a rare form of muscular dystrophy which requires care around the clock. She has a wheelchair, needs a ventilator and eats pureed foods via a gastrostomy tube. Central to her normal, happy childhood is her “village” of caregivers and her parents, Courtney and Jeff Stinson, who are using experience and know-how in engineering and dietetics to help Ellie thrive while, hopefully, helping others along the way.

What products and services are you developing to help Ellie and others with their special needs? I develop tube feeding recipes for others and host a private blenderized tube feeding group where I am able to answer questions and connect people to resources. Ellie has arm slings to help her lift her arms against gravity to do things like play with toys or color. We also designed a bag that greatly improves safety and speeds up the process of going out of the house with Ellie. The bag holds her suction machine and other essential equipment, replacing 3-4 bags that were usually needed. This means fewer bags to accidentally forget as we leave the house.

Giving back to children with special needs “We’ve realized we’re most rewarded in life when we’re helping others,” Courtney Stinson explains. “It brings us so much joy to see Ellie thrive and be happy. Other people should have that too. We want to bring products and nutrition to others so they can also ‘savor life.’” The Stinsons are currently developing businesses for products and services catering to special needs under the names Savor Life Nutrition, Savor Life Adapted and Cooking for Tubies. They have several websites dedicated to telling Ellie’s story and providing information about their businesses.

What experiences have you been able to give Ellie through resourcefulness? Playing in a foam pit at an indoor play place, going on bike rides with an adapted bike trailer, swimming, playing kitchen in an adapted harness.

Q & A with Courtney Stinson

What are you and your husband’s professional backgrounds? Jeff has a degree in physics and has worked as an engineer building medical positioning equipment for adults and pediatrics. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. How have you used your training to help Ellie? Jeff is very inventive and great at solving problems to help Ellie do more and feel more normal in life. I’ve used my knowledge and interest in food and nutrition to make sure Ellie is fed the best way possible. Together, my husband and I have designed and developed many tools and devices for Ellie to experience more normal activities in life. Note: We featured Courtney Stinson and her daughter, Ellie, in 2017. The family is still striving and thriving with hopes to make the path easier for others with special needs. To view our earlier story, visit annarborfamily.com. 8

Ellie Stinson,3, and her mom, Courtney.

Ellie plays outside in an adapted chair with arm harnesses and a tray for her chair.

Advice for the family of a special needs child? Celebrate all the little milestones. Focus on the good.

What are your special hopes for the year ahead for your family? A cure for muscular dystrophy and an insurance system that allows families to get the services and devices they need instead of trying to tell us what we need. For example, it took an entire year for Ellie to get her power chair because of insurance denials. She was also denied important wheelchair accessories like a parent stop switch or a tray so she can play while in her power chair. Also, I could use more time! Can someone please invent the time machine so days can have more hours in them, please? On Ellie’s village Stinson says she is thankful for her support system of family and caregivers who have surrounded their family with love. She is candid about the struggles saying “life isn’t sunshine and butterflies all the time. Every day is hard.” But, she says it is important to realize that everyone has struggles. “We should all lift each other up and help each other. We believe it’s important to help others and allow help when you need it.”

Courtney Stinson pulls Ellie in an adapted bike trailer.

Ellie Stinson on the go in her wheelchair.

For more information about Ellie and the Stinson’s businesses for special needs go to Courtney’s Stinson’s hub at courtneystinson.com.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COURTNEY STINSON

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Rachel Bechard CCC-SLP Speech Pathologist

Creating Brighter Futures

4201 Varsity Dr. 734-926-0740 creatingbrighterfutures.com

What is unique about working at Creating Brighter Futures?

Creating Brighter Futures started out as an ABA center for children with autism. They have since expanded their services to include Speech and Language Therapy for child with any type of speech or language difficulties. Many of our children are at our center for ABA therapy for many hours during the week and, as the speech pathologist, I am able to collaborate with other therapists here in order to provide our children with success in all environments. This way, my clients get exposure to some of their speech targets throughout the entire day rather than just during their speech session. There is a great team dynamic here where we all want to work together to give our children the most well-rounded therapy experience possible.

HEAD of the CLASS

What is the most rewarding part of being a speech pathologist? When a child finally makes a breakthrough or when you see everything just “click”. It feels like all of the hard work that both the child and I put into it was worth it and it makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the life of that child and their family. What inspired you to become a speech pathologist? I had a good friend

These top area educators are leading our children to their bright future

growing up whose sister barely communicated and the limited speech she had was very difficult to understand. She went to speech therapy for some time and suddenly her speech was very clear and her vocabulary increased significantly. This was around the time that I was doing some soul searching to determine what I wanted to do with my life and I thought that it would be a great feeling to be able to do something like that for other children. I did some job shadowing and found that speech pathology was something I wanted to pursue.

What motivates you every day? The chance to provide my clients with a voice.

By Laura Eliason

Continued on page 10

Barbara Daniel Program Director

TLC Adventure Preschool 1400 W. Stadium Blvd. 734-662-4419 trinityaa.org/preschool

What is unique about working at TLC Adventure Preschool?

TLC Adventure Preschool has a long history of over 50 years. The three teachers have been team teaching together for over fourteen years. Being a faith based school allows us the opportunity to easily introduce the important concepts of empathy, inclusion and values as they relate to each child’s developmental growth.

What is your favorite part of the school day? My favorite part of the school day is greeting the children at the beginning of the day with the anticipation that each new school day offers a new learning adventure.

What motivates you every day? Loving what I do by making a positive differ-

ence in the lives of children and working with committed experienced highly educated professional teachers that feel the same way.

What sets your school apart from other schools in the community? TLC Adventure Preschool is exclusively an early childhood education center that provides both multiage and same age related small group learning opportunities for every child.

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Continued from P. 9

Susie Cho

Lead Toddler Teacher

Go Like the Wind Montessori School

8845 Main St., Whitmore Lake 734-747-7422 golikethewind.com

What is unique about working at Go Like The Wind Montessori School?

Our school is driven with love in mind, and the genuine care that comes from that mindset is evident within the administrators and fellow teachers. Love is boundless, so naturally it flows to the children and their families as well! There is a lot of support in words and actions, and the community strives to support one another. The Montessori work we do also becomes apparent in the children’s lifestyle and academic work.

What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher? I feel rewarded simply

by being able to be a part of the child’s life and seeing the gradual changes that occur in the process of guiding them toward each developmental stage. It’s truly an honor to witness these sensitive periods of development and to go through the milestones with them.

What inspired you to become a teacher? I believe providing the right kind

of education is the best thing we can offer to young generations so that each person can become contributing members of society. And it has to start at a young age, when the mind is still absorbent. I have always thought that advocating for it from the sidelines would be enough. But then, I realized that being on the front lines, in the classroom, is where I want to be. I started out as a traditional elementary school teacher and ended up being a lifelong follower of Maria Montessori’s method of education.

What is your favorite part of the school day? I love walking down the hallway

with a few of my children during the day. We get to greet other students and teachers in their classrooms or in the hallway with a smile, hello, and a wave as we pass by. The children follow our every move at such a young age, and this simple act of kindness and love is one of the best things to replicate.

Wendy Kelley & Marciah Boerema Co-Teachers, Preschool Classroom

Early Learning Center Early Learning Center 3070 Redwood Ave. 734-973-7722 elcpreschool.com

What is unique about working at The Early Learning Center? Many people don’t

realize we have been personal friends for over 25 years and we have been working together, in the same classroom, for 14 years. We also share the same educational background, philosophy and workstyle in the classroom while working and playing with the children. Our school and the teachers have been voted by parents for several years as Ann Arbor’s Favorite and best!

What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher? It is very fulfilling to watch

the children develop friendships and see them deepen throughout the school year. The children are learning social skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Some of these important skills are taking turns, developing empathy, resolving conflicts, and strengthening communication skills. We are there every day to support the children in these important areas.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

What sets your school apart from other schools in the community?

The Early Learning Center is one of the few traditional half-day preschool programs in Ann Arbor that is not a daycare or a coop. ELC is accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and was established in 1975. ELC has been part of the Ann Arbor community for 43 years! We are seeing ELC graduates enrolling their children in the preschool they once attended!

What is your main goal for your school? Our primary goal is for children

to feel safe and secure and to build on social and emotional skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. We are here to help children grow and develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. In our classrooms we strive to help young children play, learn, create, discover and pretend in a warm and nurturing developmentally appropriate environment.

Continued on page 12

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COME TO OUR OPEN HOUSE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TLC! Sunday, Feb 3rd, 2019 • 3PM (734)662-4419

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Andrew Willing

Continued from P. 11

Teacher, Seventh and Eighth Grade Social Studies

All Saints Catholic School Canton 48735 Warren Rd. Canton, MI 48187 734-459-2490 allsaintscs.com

Tracey Marchyok Lead Guide

What is unique about working at All Saints Catholic School?

Acton Academy Ann Arbor 4115 Jackson Rd. 734-996-9959 actonannarbor.com

What is unique about working at Acton Academy Ann Arbor?

We are self-paced, collaborative, joyful, and mixed-age. We face challenges with a hero's mindset. We work toward "learning how to learn”. Our school encourages children to be curious and seek out what they don't understand. Most importantly, by stepping out of their way, they take ownership of their own education. We also use nature's systems to guide understanding.

What was your school's greatest accomplishment in 2018? Our group

wrote and performed a unique play teaching people about the value of small things. They called the play The Box Elder Play. It was written and performed at the Southeastern Michigan Stewardship Coalition's (SEMIS) Community Forum, a showcase of studentorganized projects.

All Saints Catholic School is a true community in every sense of the word. Parents, teachers and administrators collaborate to grow leaders strong in mind, body and spirit. At All Saints, teachers are empowered with a dynamic, faith-filled curriculum that inspires exciting learning across all grade levels. Every child deserves the highest quality educational formation, but All Saints Catholic School is unique in its capacity to support the academic, athletic, spiritual and service-learning growth of all children. Students and staff from all faith backgrounds are provided safe, nurturing opportunities to grow in faith, academics, and service to others. What more could we want for our young people?

Why did you become an educator?

What sets your school apart from other schools in the community?

I did not enter the teaching profession on the traditional path. After graduating from Aquinas College in 2008 I intended to pursue graduate school for Geography. In the short-term I began working as a substitute teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Working with young people, I felt called by God to realize my true vocation: education. Inspired by some wonderful educator mentors, I returned to Aquinas College to begin my Master in Education coursework. It was revelatory, and I felt (and continue to feel everyday) that I have heard God’s call to serve others as a dedicated teacher.

Acton Ann Arbor is learner-driven. Each week, goals are set and updated. We commit to being on a hero's journey and honor our studio contract. We use hero bucks as an accountability system. Students earn milestones and badges toward grade level completion. As a school, we collaborate and encourage each other.

Rachel Bechard, MS CCC-SLP

(734) 926-0740

4201 Varsity Dr., Suite B&C • Ann Arbor, MI 48108

LEARN MORE AT CREATINGBRIGHTERFUTURES.COM 12

What motivates you every day?

My students. They are humorous, caring, intelligent, creative, faith-filled, energetic, inquisitive, and courteous. I could happily go on and on. My students deserve the absolute best because they are the absolute best. We have many traditions in Room 213 (my classroom) from Good News Monday to Global Current Events on Friday, but my favorite traditions involve our daily greetings and salutations at the beginning and end of class. They motivate me every day to be the best teacher I can possibly be.

Art Teacher

We offer speech therapy to children with varying needs, including:

WE HAVE IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!

Having received all of my formal education from Catholic learning institutions, in some small way I wanted to be a part of the faith-filled academic landscape that prepared me. I want to be there for this generation of young people and support their growth as informed, critically-thinking disciples of Christ.

Suzanne Higgins

SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES

• Speech Production • Apraxia • Augmentative & Alternative Communication • Literacy • Language Expression & Comprehension • Social Skills • And More!

And why did you decide to be a Catholic educator in particular?

Daycroft School

100 Oakbrook Dr. (Primary) 1095 N. Zeeb Rd. (Elementary) 734-662-3335 daycroft.org

What is unique about working at Daycroft School? Daycroft is an amazing place to work because everyone comes together to create an atmosphere where children love to learn. Students come to school ready to explore their world and join in our culture of kindness. Daycroft students are always incredibly excited about learning, making connections and developing skills. What inspired you to become a teacher? I really enjoy helping others, problem solving and creating an inspiring art studio. I get to do all three of these things everyday.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher? It is incredibly rewarding to watch students show joy and pride in accomplishing something profound. Children often surprise themselves with what they can accomplish. Seeing students beam with pride is a wonderful feeling. What sets your school apart from other schools in the community? Daycroft is a small school that creates an homey atmosphere. Students, teachers, administrators, and families all work together like one big family.

STILL

Do They Need Help? FILM NGST.

Dr. Aimee Kotrba, psychologist with Thriving Minds in Chelsea and Brighton, offered these clues that a teen or tween may need help with their anxiety.

FA TESY O COUR PHOTO

Pressure to Perform Teen Teen anxiety anxiety highlighted highlighted in in documentary documentary “Angst” “Angst”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGST. FILM STILL

By By Mary Mary Rose Rose Kulczak Kulczak

Teens and tweens are facing more pressures than ever before, with overbooked schedules, standardized test performance expectations, college requirements and the minefield that is social media. Not surprisingly, with these pressures, anxiety disorders and depression in teens has increased. Performance anxiety For Brittany Bryant, a seventeen year old Saline High School senior, the anxiety became apparent in her dance performances. “As a teenager involved with competitive dance, I constantly felt pressure to try my hardest and strive for success. I thought too much about what other people were thinking, especially in the dance world,” Bryant said. “This paranoia eventually got to me. I found that I was no longer dancing for myself,but dancing with the fear that someone else was watching and judging me.” Soon, these feelings affected not only her dancing, but also her school work and everyday life, to the point where she had difficulty completing even simple tasks.“This obsession completely consumed me and I knew I had to do something about it,” Bryant revealed. Saline Area Schools recently addressed the topic of teen anxiety with a screening of the independent documentary “Angst”. Parents and students from Saline and neighboring school districts were invited to attend. The hour long movie shows the struggles of young people, while also offering information from professionals. Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps,

Brittany Bryant, Saline High School senior, shares her experience with anxiety. L to R: Brittany Bryant - SHS senior, Rosie Kendall - SHS senior, Dr. Aimee Kotrba, psychologist.

who also struggles with anxiety, appears in the film. The screening was followed by a question and answer session featuring a community panel made up of students, school counselors, administrators and area psychologists. Dr. Aimee Kotrba, a clinical psychologist and owner of Thriving Minds Behavioral Health in Chelsea and Brighton, was one of the featured panelists. She offered insight into this disturbing trend in mental health. “There has been a large increase lately in anxiety disorders overall, including teen anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety,” Dr. Kotrba said. “We aren’t sure specifically what is contributing to this, but there is evidence that increased busyness and demands on teens is impacting anxiety, as well as the use of social media.” Where to turn for help “The most important thing that schools, teachers and communities can do is to reduce the stigma around anxiety by talking about it, and

communicating that it’s okay to get help,” Dr. Kotrba offered. Bryant agrees. “Sometimes, all it takes is asking for help,” she said. “At Saline, student-run organizations such as Minding Your Mind Matters and the new therapy dog are just two examples of the incredible support in our schools. If students don’t know where to turn, the school is a fantastic place to start.” Dr. Kotrba pointed out that research shows a reduction in anxiety in communities where schools and families work to build relationships. Hope for the future Dr. Kotrba was encouraged by the film, as well as by the support shown by the community for this film screening. “It was a fantastic, heartfelt movie with such a solid core of research-based information for parents and teens,”

Dr. Aimee Kotrba

n Avoidance: “The most obvious sign of anxiety is avoidance. Individuals who feel very anxious usually try to manage that anxiety by avoiding uncomfortable situations or demands.” n Constant reassurance: “Teens may show a lot of reassurance seeking behavior, where they are constantly asking parents or others if things will be okay, or to help them prepare for upcoming situations.” n Social media use: “Parents may wish to monitor their teen’s social media and computer use. Many teens with anxiety will talk on social media about their feelings even when they will not talk about it in person.”

Finally, Dr. Kotrba offers hope to those seeking help. Cognitive behavior therapy can offer teens coping mechanisms, encouraging them when situations feel scary. “Additionally, medication for anxiety might be helpful in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety and reducing the racing unhelpful anxiety thoughts,” she said. she said. Bryant was also impacted by the film. “Angst does an incredible job of depicting anxiety. It is heartwrenchingly real and honest. The whole time, I felt so much hope. I felt hope because I knew that this film can reach out and touch so many students as it has touched me.” For more information, visit the website angstmovie.com, or Dr. Kotrba’s website at thrivingmindsbehavioralhealth.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGST. FILM STILL

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ask the Expert

Plan for a Healthier, More Relaxed, and Positive New Year THEATER

Ypsilanti massage therapist Andrea Gruber shares advice and inspiration By Laura Eliason

Presents

Owl’s Winter A delightful collection of stories based on Arnold Lobel’s Owl at Home.

Thursday, January 24 – 10am Friday, January 25 – 10am & 12:30pm Saturday, January 26 – 11am

PHOTO CREDIT ERICA PERRY

Performances at Towsley Auditorium Washtenaw Community College For tickets, call (734) 995-0530 Or order online at www.wildswantheater.org

Is one of your goals for 2019 to be healthier, more positive, relaxed, and energized? Parenting can be tough and exhausting, and it’s sometimes hard to find time for yourself. A goal without a plan isn’t likely to happen so this year we asked Andrea Gruber, owner and massage therapist at Ypsilanti’s Massage Mechanics to help parents put together a plan for more self-care, healthier living, and positive thinking in the new year. What is a great first step that readers can take to be healthier in the new year? Remember the 80/20 rule. What you do 80% of the time is what sets the tone for your health, and because we are all human, be forgiving of what you do the last 20% of the time. My best advice for starting a new health or wellness routine... To pick something small but achievable. Consistency has the most impact. Set a small goal you know you can keep up, like taking a long walk with a friend or loved one once a week, going to the gym but only 2-3 times per week to start instead of 5, or drink a big glass of water in the morning before you have your coffee.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

What’s one easy thing that readers can do immediately to feel better in the new year? Drink more water! Chronic dehydration can have the same symptoms as depression. I personally try to drink 1/3 of my body weight in ounces of water a day, and when I do that I feel really great both physically and mentally. How can massage therapy fit into a positive health plan in the new year? Massage therapy isn’t just a luxury item, for relaxation only, or an expensive day at the spa. At Massage Mechanics we promote therapeutic massage as a form of preventative maintenance for one’s health. Massage can be very effective at helping chronic pain or injuries and when received regularly a consistent positive effect on a person’s health. Any advice you’d like to share? I’m inspired by the quote, “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.” Realizing this inspired me to take action, try new things, and explore more ideas. I used to stop myself before I even started because I was afraid of failing, now I’m worrying less about the possibility of failure while actually doing the things I always wanted to do.

Popular Subscription Boxes Reviewed

By Erin Marsh

y the time many kids reach elementary school, they have more than enough toys. While children will always want more play things, thanks to playdates and YouTube (7-year-old Ryan from Ryan Toys Review makes $11 million a year!), many of us are overwhelmed by the toys cluttering our houses. Introducing subscription boxes: an educational gift for children that arrives each month by mail. Each small box contains learning activities--think of it as fun homework--that engage children while simultaneously teaching them about science, geography, nature, or literature. It’s the gift that keeps on giving--without adding more junk to the playroom. Most subscription boxes cost around $20/month, and we kid-tested some of the most popular ones: Little Passports Science Expeditions, Green Kid Crafts Junior Discovery, and Little Passports USA Edition. Each of the activities incorporated the use of household staples--vinegar, baking powder, pens— and provided other necessary items. All items were disposal and waste was minimal.

Little Passports Science Expeditions (ages 9+)

Cost: Starts at $18.95. Shipping not included. Renewal automatic. littlepassports.com/ little-passports-science-expeditions

Little Passports USA Edition (ages 7-12)

Cost: Starts at $12.95. Shipping not included. Renewal automatic. littlepassports.com/ little-passports-usa-edition

The USA Edition is informative, and they do an excellent job of introducing rather dull state details in an interesting manner. My 5-year-old and 3-year-old couldn’t do much on their own, but they enjoyed the scratch art and analyzing the USA map. I would be interested in trying the Early Explorers edition, which is geared for ages 3-5. Recommend? I think this subscription would be useful as a compliment to your child’s education, so if s/he is learning about the states, then this would be perfect.

Grandma accidentally ordered this box for our 5-year-old. Grandma also failed to read the fine print: all subscriptions renew automatically “for your convenience,” so if you simply want to gift one box for one month, you must cancel immediately after buying the first, and most expensive, box. That being said, this box was pretty neat. Since the activities were geared for older children, my parental involvement was heavy, but my scienceminded 5-year-old thoroughly enjoyed learning about the solar system and assembling and painting a diorama of the planets in their rotational orbit. Of course an exploding volcano was also included. It can’t be home science without one of those! Recommend? Yes, but I agree with the 9+ age classification. The activities are also rather timeintensive, and if your child is busy with extracurricular activities and homework, it might be better to save these boxes for summer learning. If your child loves science experiments and will make time for these educational activities, then it’s definitely worth the time and money.

Green Kid Crafts Junior Discovery Box (ages 2-4)

Cost: Starts at $17.95. Does not renew automatically. Sibling option. greenkidcrafts.com/gift

The most expensive option, Green Kid Crafts blew the other subscription boxes out of the water. The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) company is a bronze Green America certified business, and many of the materials in the box are made from 100% recycled materials AND can be reused. One of the activities even encourages children to reuse the box by finding science materials around the house to put in their “science box.” Those are just some of the selling points for parents. While this box is slightly more than the others, you get your money’s worth. Each bag contains two projects, for a total of 6 (or more) fun backyard/ household experiments. The experiments were appropriate for ages 2-4, including more visual images and minimal text, and that meant less parental involvement. Win! These projects would easily engage older children as well. I have no doubt our neighbor girls, who are 10 and 12, would be just as interested as my 3- and 5-year-old. This could also be a great way for an older sibling to teach a younger sibling. Speaking of siblings, Green Kid Crafts also provides a sibling package: 2 identical boxes each month, starting at $26.95. For less than $10/month, get an additional box--and avoid the bickering. The only tricky part is that the boxes must be the same, so if your children have a large age gap, you may have difficulty deciding which box will work best. Recommend? Yes. Even if it’s a bit pricier, the experiments are age appropriate and engaging. Plus, it’s a bonus that siblings can help each other.

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

digital age

The Kids are Online: Now What? How to design a family digital citizenship contract by Christa Melnyk Hines

Here’s a checklist of points to cover in the contract:

The holidays are over and your child is still in the honeymoon phase with their brand new smartphone, laptop, or gaming system. Now comes the hard parenting work: we raise our kids to be polite and respectful in person so how do we stress those same values in the online environment? A digital citizenship contract can help you spell out expectations for appropriate online behavior, sending a clear message about how seriously you take your child’s safety and online reputation.

n Treat others with dignity and respect. In other words, treat people the same way you wish to be treated, just like in person. Unacceptable behavior includes posting/texting cruel remarks, gossiping, bullying, using profanity, and impersonating others. n Think before your post. “Teenagers are all about instant gratification. They aren’t necessarily thinking: ‘well if I do this how is this going to affect the other person? How’s this going to affect my life in the future?’” says Sarah Manriquez, a licensed clinical social worker.

Involve your kids in the process, outlining a contract to start a family dialogue about issues that may arise.

n Remind your kids to ask themselves questions like: “Would I want Mom or Dad to see this?” and “Would I be embarrassed if everyone in school saw it?” n Show empathy. Explain that when they forward or share photos/texts/ video that are harmful to a peer, they inadvertently condone cyberbullying. Also, steer clear of mean-spirited chat rooms where anonymous members dish up snarky, cruel comments for entertainment. n Ask permission. Before logging into someone’s personal device, ask first and then log back off of the device when finished. Tell your child that before downloading an app, he needs to discuss it with you first.

For more ideas about creating a family digital citizenship contract, visit Safekids.com. Additional online resources, include CommonSenseMedia.org and ConnectSafely.com.

Fami

orites

yl Fav

n Personal accountability matters. Errors of judgment happen and kids are still learning. Immediately address the situation together, whether they need to craft an apology or remove a comment or photo.

2019

Check out thatsnotcool.com, a site for kids featuring scenarios and text responses to help kids manage cyberbullying, dating violence and awkward peer situations like password requests and gossip.

n Don’t talk to strangers. Some free texting and gaming apps permit members to connect with other members even if they aren’t “friends.” Emphasize that exchanging text messages with someone they don’t know is the same as talking with a stranger. n Guard personal information. Avoid sharing personal information with unknown individuals in a chat room or a public forum like email address (don’t use your email as a user name), street address, social security number, school name, birthday or photos with geotags. n Assume everything posted is public. Texts, images and posts can be saved and shared. Mine the latest news, TV shows and other media for examples that can lead to conversation and empathybuilding opportunities.

n Stress that privacy is earned. Because you are ultimately responsible for your child’s behavior whether online or off, have access to all passwords, check their phones and visit the apps/social media networks they frequent regularly. n Pledge not to text and drive. Finally, if your child is of driving age, include a pledge on your contract that states a promise that he will not text and drive. Consider watching the 30-minute documentary by Werner Herzog together called “From One Second to the Next” on YouTube.

n Ignore attacks. Tell your kids to let you or another trusted adult know if someone bullies them. Reacting or retaliating generally adds fuel to the fire. If the bullying continues, your child can politely ask the person to stop; report the behavior to the content provider; and/or block the individual. Preserve the evidence and contact law enforcement if your child feels scared or threatened.

We want to hear from you!

n Establish boundaries. Declare certain times of the day, the car or areas of the house as no-phone/no-device zones. At the end of the day, power down and store electronic devices in a central location of your home.

n Clearly state consequences. Consequences could include loss of devices, limitation of screen time (except for required school work) and suspension of driving privileges. n Sign here. After your child signs the commitment, hang it up near your computer or on your refrigerator as family reminder. Review and adjust as needed.

V O T E NOW

Nominate your favorite people, places and spaces in Ann Arbor, now for our annual Family Favorites.

Nominations run through February and voting begins in March.

ANNARBORFAMILY.COM 16

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

ONLY THE TOP 6 NOMINEES MAKE IT TO THE FINAL BALLOT

summer camp Guide

Summer Mon-Fri 10a-4p Last trolley at 3:30 pm

CANDY FACTORY TOURS!

ISSUE DATE: FEB. 1ST • RESERVE BY JAN. 15TH RESERVE SPACE NOW!! Call 734.668.4044 or Email Sales@AdamsStreetPublishing.com www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

healthy kids

Places to Go, Things to Do  Leslie Science and Nature Center

Go Play Outside!

lesliesnc.org

Encouraging play for a healthy childhood

 Hike It Baby Ann Arbor provides a comprehensive list of local hikes. hikeitbaby.com/

By Trilby Becker

The defining word many of my friends use to describe their childhoods in the 70s and 80s is ‘free.’ After school and on weekends they would stuff snacks in their backpacks and peel out on their bikes as their mothers’ voices faded behind them- “Be home by dinner!”. But those days of childhood are over. Safety concerns and the pressure to enrich the lives of children compels parents to enroll them in various extracurricular activities, resulting in many children having little unstructured free time while more and more of that time is spent in front of screens. Could a lack of playtime, particularly outdoors in nature, be detrimental to children’s well being? Nature deficit disorder tied to behavioral problems In 2005, psychologist Richard Louv wrote a book titled Last Child in the Woods, where he noted the precipitous rise in the number of American children diagnosed with behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, and depression. Analyzing data tracking the corresponding

decline in the amount of time children spend playing outside, and data on the effects of time spent in nature, such as reduced stress levels and improved cognition and emotional intelligence, Louv concluded that many children suffer from a condition he termed Nature Deficit Disorder. Based on his findings, Louv encourages parents to carve out time for children to play in nature as a necessity for their well being. A local place to get outdoors The Leslie Science and Nature Center (LSNC) in Ann Arbor sits on 50 acres of woods on Ann Arbor’s Northside, and hosts camps, after school activities, and special events year-round. Executive Director Susan Westhoff encourages parents to take advantage of the LSNC and the county’s abundant parks to get children outdoors in every season. The Center’s extensive trails are open to the public, A busy mother herself, Westhoff understands the challenge. “There isn’t a lot of time in the evenings. Between homework and dinner, it can be difficult to

location/ann-arbor

get my kids outside.” It’s even harder in winter. Daylight hours are fleeting, and the deep cold of Michigan keeps many kids indoors. “Bundle them up!” says Westhoff. “Use the long nights as a chance to study the night sky. Learn to recognize animal tracks in the snow. There are all sorts of wonderful things to do and explore outdoors in winter, even in your own backyard.” Pediatricians’ Rx: Play for patients The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has taken a stand in defense of play in general. The AAP’s research has found that play can develop life skills, from executive function, adaptation, and learning, to resistance to stress. The study concluded with a recommendation that pediatricians prescribe unstructured, screen-free time for their patients. Many pediatricians are heeding the call. The PLAY Project, a nonprofit research and training center based in Ann Arbor, was founded by Richard Solomon, MD, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician with a special focus on children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). His research has found that the symptoms of children with ASD are reduced significantly when parents engage with them in play from an early age. “We must take play seriously!” Solomon insists. “Play is responsible for seeking novelty and making new discoveries through exploration. In humans, play is one of the keys to imagination, sense of humor, and social skills. I can say with certainty that children with ASD can be engaged through play. And when they are approached by others in a way that is fun and makes them laugh, play promotes developmental gains.”

JOIN US FOR A

NO OBLIGATION TRIAL CLASS

AT CHAMPION GYMNASTICS! Not sure if gymnastics is for you?

TRY A CLASS!

If you don’t want to join, you are under no obligation to pay!

(734) 222-1810

www.ChampGymAA.com

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

 Allmendinger, Burns, and Northside Park Outdoor Rinks for ice skating. Use of the rink is free, but you will need your own skates. a2gov.org

 Borrow a telescope from the Ann Arbor District Library for night sky watching. aadl.org  Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation washtenaw.org/288/ Parks-Recreation

 Animal tracking in the snow  Build snow forts  Go sledding Find our sledding guide online

If your kids are cold they’re not going to have any fun, so be sure they are properly dressed, with a warm hat, a good base layer, and waterproof boots and mittens.

Local mom Danielle Gutelli transforms her blog into a business

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANIELL GUTELLI

Clark + Aldine

Michael and Danielle Gutelli work on a project together.

By April Huard

Mom. Wife. Foodie. Those are the words Danielle Gutelli used to describe herself when she started her blog in 2014. A year ago, Gutelli and her husband Michael rebranded that blog into a home design, remodeling and styling company named Clark + Aldine. The Gutellis live in Plymouth with their sons, Enzo (6) and Ziggy (3). Ann Arbor Family Press talked with Gutelli about her blog and new business. Tell us about starting your blog Mom. Wife. Foodie. I started my blog in August 2014, the summer we moved to Michigan. We made a major life decision to leave city life in Chicago after ten years to be closer to family. I quit the job I loved as an elementary school teacher to stay home with our oldest son, Enzo. The blog gave me an opportunity to create my own personal corner of the internet; an outlet where I could continue to be creative and keep from getting lost as a new mom. Your blog and instagram feed are absolutely beautiful. What message do you hope moms take away from those platforms? I hope to inspire moms to be creative and make them feel that they too can create beautiful spaces that they want to be in! On Clark + Aldine, I try to source as many things as I can to help make it easy for our readers to recreate the space in their own homes. We also do lots of DIY projects and tutorials explaining how we made the projects come to life. What is your favorite kind of project and why? One where Michael and I get to work together and completely update a space, bringing it from the past to

the present. I love showing clients the potential of a space they have never dreamed of themselves. How do you balance running a business with the needs of your family? Honestly, this is all a balancing game. We don’t have this all figured out, and I am constantly trying to adjust what I do to have a better balance in life. We ask for help, and we ask often. I also have scheduled times to go on social media. Otherwise, I find myself lost down the social media rabbit hole! What is the most rewarding thing about starting your own business with your husband? The most rewarding part of it is getting to work next to my best friend every single day. We both get to celebrate our victories together and work through our challenges. And we start every morning with hot lemon water and coffee on the couch. What better way to start every work day? What is your vision for Clark + Aldine? The name Clark + Aldine comes from the two streets we lived on in Chicago when our paths first crossed. Like the intersection of two sides of Chicago, Michael and I each bring a unique set of skills, passions, and experiences to our business, and our goal is really to keep fueling those passions and finding joy in our work. We are constantly thinking of new ways to dream big, think outside the box and find happiness with what we do daily, whether it’s design, renovation, or travel. We want to help more people create the perfect home for their families.

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Danielle and Michael Gutelli with their sons, Enzo and Ziggy.

Website: clarkandaldine.com Facebook: clark and aldine Instagram: clarkandaldine Pinterest: clark + aldine

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www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

More Sushi Please! MOMO SUSHI

895 W Eisenhower Pkwy Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (734) 800-4909 facebook.com/momosushiA2

Custom culinary creations at Momo Sushi means the whole family can enjoy this sushi restaurant By Julie and David Sturza

Open daily, 11am-9pm Located in the Colonnade Shopping Center on Eisenhower Road in Ann Arbor, newly-opened Momo Sushi describes itself as a “fast-casual seafood fusion” restaurant. But with kids who aren’t reliable seafood lovers, we were curious if we could make it work for all of us. While the name suggests a sushi bar, it’s really much more than that, offering a wide variety of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese dishes and an extensive menu. Kid-specifics We started our meal with a bubble tea ($3.50). Momo offers a variety of tea and bubble flavors; we chose taro tea with mango bubbles. The bubbles (large balls of tapioca) really delighted our 3-year old. Our kids are dumpling addicts and the hot and tasty steamed gyoza served with ponzu sauce ($5) were a delicious way to start the meal. Momo offers a fun kids meal option. For $7, kids (no age limit) can get their choice of tempura shrimp, veggies or chicken with a side of soup (miso or udon) and edamame or octopus salad. Our 5-year old was all about the tempura chicken and he did not shy away from the octopus salad which highlighted the octopus in fun, bite-size pieces. Our 3-year old crushed the miso soup: his, hers, and ours. Custom creations Our friendly server could tell the adults were a bit overwhelmed by the wide-ranging menu and suggested that we try both a cupbop and a sushi burrito; two of their featured dishes. The cupbop (poke bowl to Hawaiians, or donburi to the Japanese) allows you to choose your rice, protein, toppings, and sauces. We went with Tuna Lover Cupbop ($12): marinated tuna, spicy tuna, spicy crab salad, edamame, corn, cucumber, masago, carrot, sweet potato chips, lettuce and a choice of one of five house sauces. It was so fresh and the taste was amazing! We also selected the Dragon Burrito ($13) - eel, 2 tempura fried shrimp, spiced crab, cucumber, avocado, eel sauce, chili sauce, and sesame oil crunch. It tasted like a delicious, giant sushi roll. Ultimately we preferred the cupbop to the sushi burrito only because the riceto-other ingredient ratio was more balanced. The sushi burrito would be a perfect eating on the go option. 20

Classic tastes We also tried the Bibimbop, in part because we were so pleased to see it served in a hot stone bowl. The Korean specialty certainly met our expectations and lovers of this classic will be satisfied. Momo also offers a diverse selection of vegetarian ($3-$5), classic ($3-$8), and specialty ($11-$15) sushi rolls. The Salmon-Avocado-Cucumber roll ($5.25) was the star of our 3-year old’s day. Not lunch. Day. She devoured almost all 8 pieces on her own, so we will be back for that roll again. We ended the meal on a high note with delicious Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream (a rice cake surrounding an ice cream center, $5).

Bibimbob

Family-friendly assessment The service at Momo Sushi was exceptional. Friendly and fast, they kept the food coming and were unruffled by our 3-kid circus. They took care to place hot dishes, like the Bibimbob, out of our younger crowd’s arms’ reach and were happy to bring extra plates for sharing and extra chop sticks when inexperienced hands sent them flying to the floor. Unlike other sushi joints, the wide-ranging menu at Momo means that parents and sushi-loving kids can get their raw fish fix while sushi-averse family members have plenty of delicious options as well. With fair prices, great service, abundant options and tasty food, Momo was a hit with our family.

Salmon-Avacado-Cucumber Roll

The Short Course

Tuna Lover Cpbop

Dragon Burrito

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

Kid-friendly: Yes To avoid wait: come for lunch or an early dinner Noise level: Medium Bathroom amenities: No changing table High chairs? Yes Got milk? Yes Kids’ menu? Yes Anything healthy for kids? Yes Food allergy concerns? Many gluten free options.

{ January

2019 }

Saturday n January 12 Back in time

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

1 TUESDAY The Music Lady Noon-3pm. $12.50. Hands-On-Museum. aahom.org Beverly Meyer will lead a music class at the Museum.

2 WEDNESDAY Winter Art Camp 10:30am-2pm. $65. Ruby’s Makery. rubytaluastudio.com The camp will lead kids ages 6-11 through various art forms including drawing, pottery and painting. Woodspeak Drum Experience 1-2pm. $12.50. Hands-On Museum. aahom.org Randall Moore will lead an interactive hand-drumming experience. Boredom Busters: Spring Rolls 4:30-5:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Superior. ypsilibrary.org Free Learn how to make this delicious snack using rice paper and veggie fillings.

3 THURSDAY Gerald Ross Performance Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free The talented Ross (ukulele) has shared the stages with such greats as Doc Watson and Arlo Guthrie Boredom Busters: Snowman Slime 4:30-5:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Superior. ypsilibrary.org Free Bring the family for a fun craft creating a sparkling snowman.

4 FRIDAY Gemini at Hands-On Museum 1pm and 3pm. $12.50. Hands-On Museum. aahom.org Visit the Museum and enjoy a concert by folk duo Gemini. Two performances are scheduled.

5 SATURDAY An Introduction to Synthesizers 1-4pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Westgate. aadl.org Free North Coast Modular Collective, a group of musicians, makers, artists, coders and technologists, present an introduction to synths to help participants get started on making electronic music. Prof. Ray’s Everyday Science 1-2pm and 3-4pm. $12.50. Hands-On Museum. aahom.org Engage in a chemistry experience using everyday foods at the Museum. Also, Sunday, 1.6 at 1pm and 3pm. Boredom Busters: Pop Tab Bracelets 4:30-5:30pm. Superior Library. ypsilibrary.org Free Make a fun bracelet using pop can tabs.

The Ann Arbor District Library

6 SUNDAY Mother Goose’s Kerrytales 2pm. Hollander’s. hollanders.com Free Hollanders will host a family playdate with Mother Goose. Bob Ross Paint-Along 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Paint a happy landscape scene in the style of Bob Ross. Also offered at 3pm.

Head back in time and relive the glory of the 80s with your family at a 1980s Tripendicular Crafting Party. The Ann Arbor District Library will host a fun afternoon of 80's crafts including ribbon barrettes, woven loom potholders, DIY Chinese jacks, plastic lanyard keychains, Shrinky Dinks, and more! Not into crafting? Play with a fashion plate set or Holly Hobbie Colorforms instead! Come for the crafting and stay for treats. They will have NERDS, Pop Rocks, Whatchamacallits, Fun Dips, Capri Sun, and more for snacking while you listen to THE greatest 80's hits (plus some deep cuts)! Come dressed in your 80's finest for a chance at retro prizes!

Saturday, January 12. 2-4pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown, 343 S. 5th Ave. 734-327-4200. aadl.org

7 MONDAY Disney Art 10:30-11:30am. $10. Ruby’s Makery. rubytalulastudio.com Ages 5-9 will color the illustrations of Mary Blair of the Disney Studios. Disney Art Second Session 11:45-1pm. $10. Ruby’s Makery. rubytalulastudio.com Ages 10 - teens will learn about the art of Disney illustrator Mary Blair.

8 TUESDAY First Tuesday Lego Club 4-5pm. Dexter Library. dexter.lib.mi.us Free Kids in grades K-8 gather to build Lego creations. Teens Using Drugs Programs 6-7:30pm. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center. dawnfarm.org Free Part one: What to Know will be hosted in the Exhibition Room.

Friday n January 25 Mother and son night out Pittsfield Township Enjoy a night out with your son at Pittsfield Township’s Mother & Son Dance: Sports Night. Wear your favorite team’s sports gear and enjoy a pizza dinner, playing games, and of course some dancing! Mom, grandma, an aunt or other special family member are welcome to attend but dad, grandpa or uncles are requested to sit this one out. Pre-registration is required by January 18.

Friday, January 25. 6-8pm. $30/resident, $35/non-resident. Pittsfield Township Community Center, 701 W. Ellsworth Rd. 734-822-2120. recreation.pittsfield-mi.gov

Homeschool Gym Class 1-2pm. $39-$48. Saline Rec Center. salinerec.com Children 5-12 years old will explore and practice fitness activities including soccer, floor hockey, kickball, basketball, and many others. This class meets every Tuesday through 2.12.

9 WEDNESDAY Taking Flight Preschooler Program 9:45-11:15am. $36-$40. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Kids 4-5 years will learn independently of their parent in this 90 minute program exploring nature. Must register before Wednesday, 1.2. Muslim Cool: Race, Religion and Hip Hop in the United States 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free In conjunction with the Becoming American series, Dr. Su’ad Abdul Khabeer presents her latest work, which is an ethnography on Islam and hip hop and how they intersect, challenging the meanings of race in the US. Book signing is included in the event. Icons of Anime “Akira” 7pm. $8-$10. State Theatre. statetheatrea2.org Watch the groundbreaking 1988 anime film following teenager Tetsuo and his newly-realized superpowers.

www.annarborfamily.com • January 2019 •

Tumbling Tots 9:30am. $60-$75. Saline Rec Center. salinerec.com Little ones are introduced to tumbling and will learn somersaults, log rolls, bridges, and other tumbling activities. Meets every Tuesday through 2.13.

10 THURSDAY Rob Crozier Trio Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free The modern jazz trio is lead by Rob Crozier. The ensemble performs original and jazz standards.

1980s Tripendicular Crafting Party 2-4pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free This evening is dedicated to 80’s crafts such as ribbon barrettes, woven loom potholders, Chinese jacks, lanyard keychains, Shrinky Dinks and more.

12 SATURDAY Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-1pm. Chelsea Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free Browse the selection of gently used books and media. Take home a bag for only $5. Plymouth Ice Carving Competition

Super Stories Book Club 4:30-5:30pm. Dexter Library. dexter.lib.mi.us Free Share stories, snacks and activities at this children’s book appreciation club from kids in grades K-2. Animation Using Processing 6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Explore simple and advanced animation techniques using the coding language Processing. Becoming American Film & Discussion: Immigration and Popular Culture 6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free The Search for General Tso will be screened, followed by a discussion moderated by professor Frances Kai-Hwa Wang. Resin Art Jewelry 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Using tinted resin with basic color theory and harmony practices, decorate jewelry pieces and create rings, beads and bracelets.

11 FRIDAY Homeschoolers Meetup 10:30am-noon. Chelsea Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free The group will meet up for an outdoor activity, so dress for the weather. All ages. Plymouth Ice Tubing 6-9pm. Downtown Plymouth. plymouthicefestival.com Free Ride 100 feet of inner tubing fun during the Ice Festival. The activity continues Saturday, 1.12 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, 1.13 from 11am-5pm. “The Greatest Showman” Sing-Along 7pm. $8-$10. Michigan State Theater. michtheater.org The film will be shown with onscreen lyrics. P.T. Barnum takes the audience on an exciting look behind the scenes of the three-ring circus. Arbor Opera “Orpheus & Euridice” 7:30pm. $10-$32. Kerrytown Concert House. kerrytownconcerthouse.com Soprano Monica Dewey stars in this modern adaptation of the Greek myth written by Ian Gordon. Directed by Colter Schoenfish. Also, Sunday at 2:30pm. Film & Discussion: The Price of Providence 7-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Watch a screening of Imran J. Syed’s documentary that spotlights Dwayne Providence who was wrongfully convicted of murder in Detroit. After a decade in prison, he is finally released, but continues to work toward justice.

King for a Day 3-4pm. $25-$35. The Michigan Theater. michtheater.org Based on the #1 PBS Kids series, your children’s favorite characters take the stage in a new adventure.

14 MONDAY Refugee Foster Care Informational Session 5:30-7:30pm. Samaritas Refugee Youth Services. samaritas.org Free If you are interested in opening your home, long-term or short-term, to a refugee child, this seminar will provide all the information you’ll need to know. RSVP to RFCinfo@ samaritas.org or call 517-321-7663.

15 TUESDAY Printmaking Workshop 6-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Join Sajeev Visweswaran in learning the art of relief printmaking with the linocut technique. 10am-3pm. Kellogg Park, Plymouth. plymouthicefestival.com The Ice Carving competition will take place Saturday morning and continue with the College Team Carving Competition from 10am-3pm. Plymouth Petting Zoo & Ice Playground 11am-5pm. Carousel Acres. plymouthicefestival.com Free Visit the ice carvings and petting zoo during the Ice Festival. Also on Sunday, 1.13. Birding Adventure 2pm. Whittaker Library. ypsilibrary.org Free Take a group walk around the grounds with Wandering Washtenaw. Princess Day Troll Takeover 2pm. $30-$35. Tecumseh Center for the Arts. thetca.org Laurel’s Princess Parties is teaming up with the TCA for a fun afternoon with Poppy & Branch. For ages 3-10 years. Additional parent admission for only $5. Edible Neurons 3pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Superior. ypsilibrary.org Kids with adults learn about how the brain works. Beatles Sing-A-Long 3:30-5pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Michigan. ypsilibrary.org Free A live band will accompany the sing-along. All ages welcome.

13 SUNDAY Nature Storytime 10-11am. $4-$5. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org The hour long program takes children and their parents inside and outside for science themed learning and exploration. Registration suggested.

Teens Using Drugs 6-7:30. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center. dawnfarm.org Free Part two: What to Do will be held in the Exhibition Room of the Hospital. Becoming American Film & Discussion: Promise and Prejudice 6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Promise and Prejudice explores the historic and current tension between Americans acceptance of immigrants and the concern of economic and cultural effects of newcomers. Youth Open Mic 6pm. $2-$3. The Ark. theark.org Youth ages 5-17 are invited to the stage and may choose to perform a poem, song, story or theatrical monologue to the Ark’s audience. Sign up online through the website.

16 WEDNESDAY Nature Storytime 10-11am. $4-$5. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org The hour long program takes children and their parents inside and outside for science themed learning and exploration. Registration suggested.

18 FRIDAY KinderConcerts, Ann Arbor 10-10:30am. & 11-11:30am. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. a2so.com Free The Ann Arbor Symphony hosts two 30 minute concerts, perfect for young children. Danish Hygge Cozy Winter 6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor Library. aadl.org Free Enjoy a cozy evening at the Library with a virtual fireplace, warm drinks, sweet treats, and mellow music. Beth Battey, local crafter, will be on hand to help with knitting and crocheting projects if you wish to work on them. Additional date, Friday, 1.25.

19 SATURDAY KinderConcerts, Dexter 10am-10:30am. Dexter Library, Dexter. a2so.com Free The Ann Arbor Symphony hosts a 30 minute concert, perfect for young children. KinderConcerts, Chelsea Noon-12:30pm. Chelsea Library, Chelsea. a2so.com Free The Ann Arbor Symphony hosts a 30 minute concert, perfect for young children. Wheel of Fortune 2pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Superior. ypsilibrary.org Free Spin the wheel to solve puzzles. Ages 9-14. St. Joe’s 4th Luminary Walk 4-7pm. St. Joseph Mercy. st.joesannarbor.org Free Wander the two miles of lighted outdoor trails where there will be accompanying live music and beverages for purchase. Parents’ Night Out at LSNC 5-10pm. $25-$30. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Register by January 16 to enroll your child for a night of fun at the Nature Center. A Panera lunch and snacks will be included with the activities.

20 SUNDAY Mommy and Me Cooking Class 2-4pm. $45. Wines on Main, Chelsea. winesonmainchelsea.club Get creative in the kitchen with your little one by making your own custom brand of guacamole. $60 with two children.

Winter Theatre Course 4:30-5:30pm. $90. Wild Swan Theater. wildswantheater.org Play theatre games, learn songs and be creative in this six week class for ages 7-11. Wednesdays through 2.20. Washtenaw Reads: Michelle Kuo 7-8:30pm. Rackham Auditorium. aadl.org Free Harvard graduate and child of Taiwanese immigrants, Kuo will read her latest work on mentoring a remarkable student in the town of Helena, Arkansas, followed by a Q&A.

17 THURSDAY

Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players 1pm. $12-$15. The Ark. theark.org The Family Series continues with the lighthearted trio’s musical storytelling concert.

KinderConcerts, Saline 10:30-11am. Saline Library, Saline. a2so.com Free The Ann Arbor Symphony host two 30 minute concerts, perfect for young children.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!:

Grosse Ile Quintet Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free The classical/pop quintet will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through song.

• January 2019 • www.annarborfamily.com

“Frozen” Sing-Along 3pm. $13-$16. Michigan Theater. michtheater.org Watch the movie and sing your favorite songs with the audience.

21 MONDAY Nature Detectives Day Camp 8:30am-5:30pm. $65-$70. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Kids in K-5 will learn about nature and science. Every Day Camp at the Leslie Center changes from week to week so kids are always learning something new. Register by Wednesday, 1.16. Popcorn & Movie Time 1-2:20pm. Dexter Library, Dexter. dexter.lib.mi.us Free The 2018 film “Christopher Robin” will be shown.

Michigan’s Underground Railroad 2pm. Michigan Library. ypsilibrary.org Free Author Willie Payne will give a presentation using music and photography, following the lives of African American slaves on their journey north to freedom. Lunar Wall Hanging 6:30-8pm. $25. Ruby’s Makery. rubytalulastudio.com Create a decorative wall hanging of the lunar cycle. For ages 14 years and up. MLK Day Celebration 6:30pm. Ypsilanti Library. ypsilibrary.org Free Poet and activist Akili Jackson will host the interactive presentation “The Power of Words”. There will be music and open mic spoken word and poetry, sharing stories of positive change.

22 TUESDAY Bringing Baby Home 6-8:30pm. St. Joe’s Mercy. stjoesannarbor.org Free Get information on the first month of care and selfcare.

23 WEDNESDAY Icons of Anime “Spirited Away” 7pm. $8-$10. State Theatre. statetheatrea2.org The whole family will enjoy this beautiful animated film by director Hayao Miyazaki. 10 year old Chihiro must learn many lessons in the spirit world to save her parents.

24 THURSDAY Makerspace 2-3pm. Dexter Library, Dexter. dexter.lib.mi.us Free Kids in grades K-8 can explore various crafts and puzzle challenges. Karapetyan-Suarez Duo Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free The duo will perform classical Armenian folk music for violin and piano. Becoming American Film & Discussion: Help Wanted? Immigration and Work 6:30-8:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free This film tells the story of the Irish, Norwegians, and the Mexicans who fled their countries to come to America and what contributions they have made. A discussion moderated by Professor Cristhian Espinoza-Pino will follow. Chinese New Year Celebration 2-3:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Watch a Lion Dance, make crafts, listen to a traditional Yaogu Drum performance, and watch a calligraphy demonstration.

25 FRIDAY TinkerLab 11am. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free “Where Animals Go in Winter” is a story hour and activity program for kids 2-6 years old. Nerf Wars 5-8:30pm. $12. Saline Recreation. salinerec.com Bring your friends and nerf guns for an epic Nerf battle! Nerf bullets, team bandanna and protective eyewear are included. Age groups start at different times, check online for full schedule. Register in advance.

Piano Music at the Library 7pm. Bloomfield Library, Bloomfield. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events Free Piano students from UM will give a public recital at the Library. Snow White and the Dancing Dwarfs 7pm. $10. Copeland Auditorium, Dexter. dextercommunityplayers.org Come see the amazing dancers of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White. Her evil stepmother, the all-knowing mirror, and the prince join on stage too. Additional performances 2pm and 7pm Saturday, 1.16 and 2pm Sunday, 1.27.

26 SATURDAY STEM Day 1pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Michigan. ypsilibrary.org Free Mentor to Youth hosts science, technology engineering and math activities for ages 8-18. Unicorn Dreamcatcher 6pm. $25. Ruby’s Makery. rubytalulastudio.com Make a fun unicorn decoration. American Girl Tea Party 10am. $15. Saline Rec Center. salinerec.com Bring your favorite doll, enjoy tasty treats and make crafts for you and your doll. Additional time offered at noon.

27 SUNDAY Nature Storytime 10-11am. $4-$5. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Learn about ‘nests’ with your family. Kids 2 and under are free. Learn to Play Mah-jongg 2-3:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown. aadl.org Free Stuart Baggaley will instruct on how to play the Chinese game resembling Gin Rummy. Extraordinary Places: Extreme Temperatures 2-3pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilantilibrary.org Free The UM Museum of Natural History will lead a hands-on presentation about the hottest and coldest places on the planet.

29 TUESDAY Glow Storytime 6:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free All ages are invited to a special glow-inthe-dark story time. University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra Concert 8pm. Hill Auditorium. smtd.umich.edu/performances-events Free Kenneth Kiesler directs the UMSO in a winter concert featuring works by Bartok and Brahms.

marketplace Tuesdays Drop-In Storytime 6:30-7pm. Saline Library. salinelibrary.org Free No registration is required for these 30 minute storytimes for ages 2 years and up. Additional weekly dates are: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at 10:30-11am.

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Babytime 10:30-11:15am. Chelsea Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free Meet with other families with babies at this weekly playdate and singalong. For ages 2 and under.

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Nature Storytime 10-11am. $4-$5. Leslie Nature Center. lesliesnc.org The hour long program takes children and their parents inside and outside for science themed learning and exploration. Registration suggested.

Thursdays Toddlertime 10:30-11am. Chelsea Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org Free This weekly playdate at the Library focuses on early education and socializing for ages 18 months - 3 years and their guardians. $5 Thursday at Hands-On Museum 5pm-8pm. Hands-On-Museum. aahom.org Admission after 5pm is only $5!

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31 THURSDAY Camila Ballario Noon-1pm. Gift of Art at University Hospital. med.umich.edu Free Singer songwriter Camila Ballario will perform her original songs. Anne Frank Remembered 7-9pm. Ypsilanti District Library, Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org Free Join veteran film critic Perry Siebert in watching the 2004 award-winning documentary followed by a discussion.

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30 WEDNESDAY Nature Storytime 10-11am. $4-$5. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Learn about ‘nests’ with your family. Kids 2 and under are free. Registration Ends for Day Camp 9:45-11:15am. $36-$40. Leslie Science & Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Be sure to sign up for “Nature Tykes Preschool Program” at the Leslie Center. Registration ends today for the Wednesday, February 6 day camp. The cost is $36-$40 and will run from 9:45am to 11:15am. Leslie Center. lesliesnc.org

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