FYI Family Magazine Oct/Nov 2016 by FYI SW Michigan

Oc t / Nov 2016

AUTUMN ADVENTURES! Family Fun For All Ages

Dollar Store Hacks Salad Spinner Art Recipes, Advice and Events Galore!

Published by

Kalamazoo Public Schools

are reaching higher! st 5 years la e th r e v o te ra n o  Rising graduati nd high a l o o h sc le d id m , ry  Rising elementa chievement school student a dents taking u st f o r e b m u n e th  More than doubleent courses in the last 8 years Advance Placem e tuition for g e ll o c e e fr : e is m ro  The Kalamazoo P idency & attendance requirements apply) KPS graduates (res been or e v a h ts n e d u st S P K  More than 4,200of The Kalamazoo Promise are beneficiaries 00 students ,4 2 ly te a im x ro p p a  Growth of in the last 10 years

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it from the Ed

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M a r ie L iteoer Ed

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brian lam

ren briggs

Who are these lovely people? See below.

Oc t / Nov 2016

AUTUMN ADVENTURES!

Our recipe maven, Ren, gets multicultural with her Grilled Italian Burrito recipe on page 9. Ren’s recipe even gets the kids involved in making dinner, too. An Allegan mom, Ren is a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia School of Culinary Arts, a former baker for Alpen Rose, Via Maria and deBoer Bakery, and our favorite Christmas cookie creator.

When it comes to being a dad, our Family Man is blatantly honest. Brian readily admits he’d like someone else to “guest star” during those parental moments when discipline is involved. A Kalamazoo native, Brian juggles being a dad and a business owner with being a husband, brother and son, so you can understand why he sometimes would like to use a body double.

Family Fun For All Ages

Dollar Store Hacks Salad Spinner Art Recipes, Advice and Events Galore!

Published by

Publisher

encore publications, inc.

Editor

marie lee

anne lape

Melissa Lam

Graphic Designer alexis stubelt

Contributors

ren briggs, brian lam, melissa lam, anne lape, david miles, brian powers, emily townsend

Advertising Sales

tiffany andrus, celeste statler, krieg lee

Office Manager hope smith

The FYI staff has decided we are going shopping with Anne. In her Dollar Store Hacks on page 10, not only does she ferret out great bargains, but she has clever ways to use these inexpensive finds to get organized and stay clean. Anne, a teacher in Kalamazoo, is also the mother of a high schooler.

David Miles

For some of us, the salad spinner seems like just another utilitarian object in our kitchen. Not to Melissa — it’s a fantastic tool for making fun, beautiful art. Check out her step-by-step how-to for Spin Art on page 12. Melissa, who lives in Kalamazoo with her family, has spent her professional career working in early childhood education with a focus on arts, crafts and creativity.

David has a career that every comic-book loving, crayon-doodling kid dreams of: He’s an illustrator who has created pictures for Zonderkidz, Highlights, Sleeping Bear Press and, now, FYI Family Magazine. His illustration totally nails the Guest Dad in our Family Man column on page 30.

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Distribution mark thompson

FYI is published 6 times a year by Encore Publications, Inc. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation and advertising correspondence should be sent to Encore Publications, 117 W. Cedar St. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007. Phone: 269-383-4433. General email correspondence to publisher@encorekalamazoo.com FYI is distributed free of charge at locations throughout Southwest Michigan; home delivery subscription rate is $18 per year. Advertising rates and specifications at fyiswmichigan.com or by request. FYI does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors; articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect FYI’s opinions or those of the FYI staff. To learn more about us visit fyiswmichigan.com

About the cover: Our pint-sized sheriff, Paige Stubelt, right, has got law and order in hand, as well as the animals, including younger brother Owen. Photo by Brian Powers.

oct/nov 2016

In Every Issue 3

From the Editor

Our Contributors

Fun for Free

Family-friendly fun at no charge!

Playground Pick

Lots of play to be had at Mayors’ Riverfront Park

Make This!

An Italian twist on your basic burrito

10 Everyday Hacks

Dig into some great hacks — and deals — at dollar stores

Creation Station

FEATURE

Spin out some creative paintings

14 Is This Normal?

Autumn Adventures Fall is meant for families! FYI ’s family-fun experts share our list of favorite autumn activities

Ac tivities

Battling over bedtime? Little one preoccupied with death? You ask, experts answer

PARENT TO PARENT 30 Family Man

Wanted: Guest Dad. Must enjoy discipline…

22 Family Events

The area’s most comprehensive calendar of family-friendly fun!

28 Activity Page

Games, coloring and other fun to keep little hands busy

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Fun For Free FYI

Enjoy a Safe Halloween

It’s a daytime trick-or-treating and Halloween fun bonanza! On Oct. 29, Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo will be converted into a Halloween haven with plenty of non-spooky fun for your family. Hosted by the City of Kalamazoo’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Safe Halloween will provide games, contests, a bounce house and plenty of candy to fill Halloween bags. There will also be cider and Sweetwater’s donut holes as long as supplies last. Don’t forget to wear your costumes! When: 11 am–1 pm Oct. 29 Place: Bronson Park, downtown Kalamazoo Ages: All ages More info: kzooparks.org, 269.337.8295

Art Detectives

A great way to introduce your kids to art is through Art Detectives, a monthly program at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Kids ages 4–8 and their accompanying adults learn how to look at and appreciate art through storytelling, visits to the galleries and hands-on experiences. Each session has a theme that focuses on the objects in the KIA’s Permanent Collection or works in exhibitions on display. When: 11 am Oct. 8 & Nov. 12 Place: Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St. Ages: 4–8 with accompanying adults More info: kiarts.org, 269.349.7775

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Holiday Hoopla

Get into the spirit of the upcoming holiday season with two events in downtown Kalamazoo in November: Kalamazoo Holiday Parade With giant balloons, floats and bands, the annual Holiday Parade is a fun way to start thinking about the season of celebration. Make sure to take a bag to hold all the candy and goodies that parade participants hand out. Then stick around downtown and check out the afterparade happenings at the Kalamazoo Public Library and Kalamazoo Valley Museum. When: 10:45 am Nov. 12 Place: Downtown Kalamazoo; the parade route travels west on Lovell Street to Park Street, turns east on Michigan Avenue to Pitcher Street Ages: All ages More info: downtownkalamazoo.org, 269.388.2830

Tree Lighting Ceremony Ready for a little oohing and aahhing? The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Bronson Park promises an illuminating holiday experience. There will be activities around the park including a visit from Santa, as well as food trucks and trailers. The event is also a food drive for local food pantries, so bring an item or two of nonperishable food to donate. When: 5 pm–8 pm Nov. 25 Place: Bronson Park, downtown Kalamazoo Ages: All ages More info: kzooparks.org, 269.337.8295

Magic Dinner Show

Pack a dinner for the family, throw on your Halloween costumes and head to the Portage District Library for a show with local magician Brian Penny. The Stage Fright Halloween Magic Dinner Show promises to thrill and mystify audiences. When: 6–6:45 pm Oct. 27 Place: P ortage District Library, 300 Library Lane, Portage Ages: Kindergarten–5th grade More info: portagelibrary.info

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Mayors’ Riverfront Park

nsend Emily Tow

Playground Pick FYI

Reviewed by experts Olo, age 4, and mom, Emily Sykora

Home to football and soccer peewee leagues, music

festivals and, of course, Kalamazoo’s own Growlers baseball team, Mayors’ Riverfront Park is a popular destination. For good reason — there are tons of amenities whether you are a parent or child. Good thing our two playing experts are back on the scene to check out what’s rad and bad at the playground here. This is the first time Emily Sykora and her 4-year-old son, Olo, have played at Mayors’ Riverfront. However, Emily often bikes by the park on her commute into town along the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, which runs alongside the park. The park’s play structure and swings sit north of the baseball stadium and can be accessed via the same parking lot. On his way to the play structure, Olo had fun stopping by the football scrimmage field, next to Mills Street, and peering through the fence. He asked his mom, “Can we buy tickets for football games soon?” Redirected to the destination at hand, Olo went bounding into the fenced-in play area. He immediately found the horizontal tire swing, climbed on and asked for higher and harder pushes until he was laughing and holding onto the chainlink swing for dear life. As the temperature rose, Emily retreated to the shady perimeter of the playground under large dogwoods. Olo, though, showed no signs of stopping and began exploring the structure’s three slides, monkey bars, three multilevels, a fire station pole and more. He found a new friend and Emily let them play together, reminding the boys to stay within the fenced-in area. Emily appreciated how “new, safe and clean” the park appears to be. She pointed out the springy new turf lining the area under the play structure. However, there was no public bathroom available and she said that’s a big game-changer when it comes to favorite parks. “It’s pretty necessary, you know?” she said, with a light-hearted shrug.

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Olo had difficulty picking a favorite part of the park but reminisced about his “super-charged speeds” on the tire swing. Before leaving, Emily wanted to let FYI readers in on a beautiful, secret spot in the park. She pointed to the field behind the playground and pretended to whisper: “Just south of the playground on the trail, there is a clearing with sculptures that are white art deco pillars with really cool designs.” Emily explained that she loved stopping there to break up her long bike rides and relax. “Who doesn’t love cool little places like that?” she asked. Where: 251 Mills St. Hours: 8 am–dusk

Best ages: 3 years–adult Amenities:

• Fenced-in park with disability-friendly ramp leading to play structure • Sideways tire swing, regular swings (no infant or disability-accessible swings) • Picnic shelter without electricity, seating capacity of 30–40 people, outdoor grill • Nearby Growlers stadium, football field, basketball court, canoe launch • Water fountain • Adjacent to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and Kalamazoo River — Emily Townsend

Make this! FYI

Family Dinner Grilled Italian Burrito by

Ren Briggs

Get everyone involved in making dinner tonight! This simple recipe lets kids construct their own burritos, while adults do the “grilling.”

Ingredients •1 package (10) extra large tortilla shells •1 6 oz. deli-sliced smoked turkey breast •7 oz. thin-sliced smoked provolone cheese • 10 oz. fresh baby spinach • 6 oz. jar of pesto

HOW TO

Ren Brig

• Cooking spray

• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1. Lay out desired amount of tortillas flat on a table or countertop. 2. Spread 3/4 tablespoon of pesto evenly onto each tortilla. 3. Lay 2 slices of provolone cheese in the center of each tortilla.

7. Spray a skillet generously with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.

4. Layer 4 slices of turkey on top of cheese.

8. Place burritos into pan and press gently to help seal.

5. Place 1/4 cup of fresh spinach and desired amount of diced tomato evenly down the center of tortilla.

9. Grill 2–4 minutes on each side, until both sides are golden brown.

HINTS

6. Fold the top and bottom sides of • Let your kids put their favorite the burrito about 1/4 of the way into the center, then fold the burrito toppings in their burritos, such as black olives, banana peppers, over front to back until the fold is pickles, onions, mushrooms or on the bottom. (Make sure to tuck jalapenos. tightly.)

• Don’t overfill your burrito or it will be hard to wrap up and grill. • Here are some alternate tastes to try in your burrito: — Ham and swiss cheese with honey mustard. — Taco meat, shredded cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion. Top with fresh salsa and sour cream when you are finished grilling. — Hummus and your favorite vegetables.

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Everyday Hacks FYI

Dollar Store Hacks by

Anne Lape

As a mom of a teenage son, an aunt of two little ones

and a teacher in her 21st year on the job, the dollar store is my ultimate life hack. I might spend $50 in a single trip, but for that $50, I get 50 THINGS!! It makes me feel like a shopping genius. I am not, in general, a shopping genius. I do not clip coupons or compare prices or run to a bunch of stores. But the dollar store keeps my budget on track and allows me to feel like I’m splurging. I buy things at the dollar store that my son always seems to need: earbuds (not because they give out, but because he leaves a trail of them wherever he goes) and his favorite snacks (I’m convinced he lives on a steady diet of snacks, rather than actual meals). As a teacher, I rely on the dollar store to keep my classroom stocked with pencils, notecards, lined paper, sticky notes, staples, tape and dry-erase markers. It’s also a great place to find the word search and coloring books my students love. There are some great life hacks that can be found at the dollar store as well. You want to know for how much? A dollar.

Toiletries for Guests Keep a stash of extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shaving items on hand for overnight guests who may have forgotten something or for outof-town friends that find themselves having an unintended sleepover because of our glorious Michigan weather. It’s a lot easier to persuade a dinner guest not to go out on icy roads when I let them know that I can make them comfortable with a new toothbrush and toiletries for the morning.

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Soap Box Card Holders Playing cards and card games are hard to manage as the flimsy cardboard boxes they come in break down and crucial cards and the rules for the game become lost to the ages. Plastic soap boxes are ideal for storing decks of cards and card games. If your child is into Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokemon, these inexpensive little holders are great for their carefully crafted playing “decks,” because the boxes both store and travel well. Make sure to label the boxes with a permanent marker.

Plastic Tablecloths I keep a stash of plastic tablecloths at home and school to use for crafting and as drop cloths. Are your kids messy eaters? Put a plastic tablecloth under their chairs at mealtime. When it’s over, just gather the cloth and shake it out outside (the chipmunks and birds will love you) and wipe clean. Using plastic tablecloths when my son played with Play-Doh saved my oriental rugs.

Frozen Sponge Ice Packs Those ice packs you put in your kids’ lunch boxes have a habit of breaking down or disappearing. Never fear! There is a dollar store solution: sponges. Get a sponge wet, place in a sandwich bag and freeze overnight. These work as well as gel packs and not only are reusable but, if lost, are easily replaceable.

Organize Your Car The dollar store is a boon for stocking your car and keeping it organized: Stash your trash Buy a plastic container meant for cereal (find one with the flip-top lid), place a plastic shopping bag in and voila! Instant car trash can. And if you take your corners a bit fast (I know nothing about that), trash won’t spill out because of the flip-top lid. Keep straws on hand How many times have you found yourself short a drinking straw or the kids drop their straws on the car floor where you know the five-second rule most definitely doesn’t apply? Store extra straws in a long rectangular

toothbrush travel-case holder and keep them in your car’s console or glove box. Easy access for little travelers Those over-the-door shoe organizers are great to store toys, snacks, books and art supplies for your kids to reach on long car rides. Hang one on the back of the seats in front of where your children sit and put their necessities in the clear slots where they can easily see and reach them. If the organizer is too long, use a pair of scissors to trim off the area below what you need. Console storage An ice pop mold fits easily into the center console of many cars. Now instead of an abyss where change and receipts go to disappear forever, you have slots for sunglasses, change, pens and other odds and ends that rattle around. So now you know my ultimate life hack: the dollar store. If I need new pens, a baking pan, hand soap, a screwdriver, an afternoon snack or school supplies, you’ll find me at the store where the dollar is queen.

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Creation station FYI

Spin Art by

Melissa Lam

A number of arts and crafts projects require

a tremendous amount of set-up from parents. Certain tools, supplies and directions require more than just adult supervision and can result in the child being more of an observer or passive participant who gets to occasionally squeeze the glue or stir a spoon.

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12 â&#x20AC;˘ Oct/Nov 2016

• When satisfied with your creation, remove the paper from the spinner and let dry. • Rinse the salad spinner between pictures to remove excess paint and dry with a towel.

Hints • Experiment! Try drops of paint in different sizes to see how the paint slides and flies around the paper, or make different types of lines with your paint to see how it runs. • If your are worried about the lid coming loose during spinning and splattering paint everywhere, you can either help your child hold the lid on or tape it closed using a few pieces of masking tape. • Glue on glitter or rhinestones to your dry spin art to jazz it up. • Make several spin arts and display them as a mobile. It can be as simple as decorating or painting a stick and hanging the pictures with string or fishing line from the stick. Not this project! Not only can Spin Art be completed from start to finish by kids over the age of 5, but also offers a sense of experimentation and surprise. The supplies for Spin Art are few and simple and the project can take as little as 10 minutes, or you and your child can spend an afternoon doing it. The project gives children a sense of autonomy since little to no adult help is required and it’s fun to witness kids’ curiosity when they open the lid of the spinner to see their creations.

Materials Needed • Washable tempera paint • A salad spinner • Construction paper or card stock • Scissors

How To •C ut the construction paper or card stock to a size and shape that will fit into the salad spinner basket. •P lace the paper at the bottom of the salad spinner basket and drop a small amount of paint on it. •C lose the lid and spin. Lift the lid to see the transformation of shapes and colors. • Add new drops of paint to get layered colors.

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Is this normal? FYI

You Ask, Experts Answer

My 3 1/2-year-old seems overly concerned with death. She has been telling me often lately that she doesn’t want her grandma and grandpa to die. And recently, when her aunt had a bad case of the flu, my daughter kept asking me if her aunt was going to die. I’m not sure where the fear has come from as we haven’t had anyone close to us pass away. Do I just let the behavior be or should I talk to her about death? — Vicksburg Mom

Death can be a difficult topic to discuss at any age. However, kids often talk about and/or act things out they are trying to make sense of, so since your daughter has brought the topic up multiple times, talking with her may be beneficial. Before talking with her, however, it is important to take a moment and consider your own views and beliefs about death in preparation for speaking with her. A place to start the conversation may be to ask your daughter what she thinks it means to die and from there decide how much more discussion is necessary. When discussing death with her, keep in mind her age and talk about it in an age-appropriate way. Kids usually ask questions seeking information they are able to handle, so allow her to lead and answer her questions as simply as possible. Too much information may be overwhelming. Also, because she is associating death with illness, it may be helpful to reassure/normalize both getting sick and getting better. For example, try relating being sick with the doctor, who helps keep her healthy and gives medicine to make her all better. If your daughter continues to fixate on death and you notice it begins impacting her in other ways, such as difficulty sleeping, creating anxiety, tearfulness, loss of appetite, etc., it may be beneficial to seek a professional consultation.

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My 5-year-old will not go to bed when it is time. She gets out of bed constantly and sometimes will go into her older sister’s room and wake her up. We always put her back to bed and threaten her with consequences if she gets out of bed again. We have removed all of the toys from her room so she doesn’t stay up and play with

Have you been thinking about becoming a foster parent or adopting an older child? them, but she has started to be naughty when she is returned to her room. For instance, she took all her clothes out of her dresser and piled them in the middle of the floor. Sometimes it is 11 p.m. before she falls asleep and we have a tough time getting her — and ourselves — up the next day. Help! — Portage Mom

Even though this problem is common for 5-yearolds, it doesn’t make it any easier. This can be a power struggle that drives a parent crazy. Though this situation is frustrating and addressing it when you have a lack of sleep yourself is even harder, it is important to approach it in a positive way. Start by exploring your daughter’s room with her to attempt to identify if there is anything in her room that is causing fear or discomfort. Also, offer to rearrange the room or to add small, special things, such as a new lampshade, nightlight or artwork on the wall to encourage her room to be a special place. Also, make sure she is getting enough energy out during the day, and if she is still a napper, cut her nap out so she is more tired for bedtime. If there is still trouble in the battlefield, positive reinforcement may be your strongest ally in this war. Set up a behavior system such as a chart where your daughter can earn small rewards or privileges based on staying in her bed until she goes to sleep. Remember to be consistent and you will prevail! Questions answered by Nichole Holliday, MA, LLPC, LLMFT, Private Practice at Child & Family Psychological Services Portage, and Alyssa Noonan, LLMSW, Private Practice at Child & Family Psychological Services Kalamazoo

Children in foster care are good kids in a bad situation. They deserve a fresh start in life so they can begin to thrive. Bethany provides training, resources, and support services throughout your experience.

For more information and to attend a free, no-commitment info meeting, please contact Bethany today!

269.220.6095

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Autumn

Adventures

With its cooler temps and abundant color, fall is great time for getting out and about with your family. The outdoors beckons with nature walks and corn mazes, while there are great indoor activities for those not-so-temperate days. So to help plan a fabulous fall, the family fun experts here at FYI are sharing some of our favorite autumn adventures:

als See Anim

Owl Prowl Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta Take a nighttime walk at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and listen to the sounds of the woods and call for owls. Will they call back? At the start of the program, there will be a visit from one of the sanctuary’s ambassador owls. Dress for the outdoors and prepare for wildlife magic. When: 6–7:30 pm Nov 11 Cost: Adults $7, seniors or students $6, children ages 2–17 $5; members: adults $5, seniors or students $4, children ages 2–17 $3 Info: birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, 269.671.2510

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Zoo Boo Binder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek Binder Park’s annual event has trick-or-treating, a train, hayrides, carnival games with prizes and blacklight mini-golf. You can also visit Haunted Africa and walk through a straw maze. When: Oct 19–30; 5-8 pm Wed—Fri, 1—8 pm Sat & Sun, closed Mon & Tue Cost: Regular admission for trick-ortreating; see website for additional activity costs; bring a decorated pumpkin for $1 off admission Info: binderparkzoo.org, 269.979.1351

Animals of the Mitten Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo Visit the KNC any Wednesday in October with your little one to learn about a different Michigan animal friend. Hear a story, color a picture and meet a live animal! Animals will be handled by trained naturalists and animal care staff. Geared for children 5 and under with an adult. When: 10–11 am Weds in October Cost: Regular admission plus a $2 program fee per child Info: naturecenter.org, 269.381.1574

Art e c n e i r e Exp Upjohn Mason Grandchildren Gallery Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo Promising an “unplugged” experience, the KIA has revamped this gallery providing hands-on opportunities for children ages 2 and older. Unveiled in August, the redesigned gallery features a larger-than-life drawing wall, a glow-in-the-dark nook, a magnetic wall, robot art and a draw-it-yourself station. The space has been designated as a tech-free zone so visitors can enjoy a screenfree creative experience. When: 11 am–5 pm Tues, Wed & Sat; 11 am–8 pm Thurs & Fri, noon–5 pm Sun Cost: Free for children through age 12 and KIA members; $5 non-members Info: kiarts.org, 269.349.7775

ArtPrize Downtown Grand Rapids It’s an art exhibition like no other. For 19 days, art from around the world is showcased all over downtown Grand Rapids — in museums, restaurants, hotels, public parks, lobbies, walls, bridges — anywhere you look you’ll see art. This family-friendly, strollerfriendly art show is also a competition, with each of the more than 1,400 entries at nearly 200 venues contending for cash awards. There are even educational and family activities to keep the little ones entertained. Sound overwhelming? Determine where to go and what to see before hand by browsing venues on the ArtPrize website or download the free mobile app. When: Sept 21–Oct 9; 5–8 pm Mon– Thurs, noon–5 pm Fri & Sat, noon–6 pm Sun Cost: Free Info: artprize.org

Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo and beyond A little closer to home, but just as engaging, is Kalamazoo’s monthly Art Hop on the first Friday of each month. Art Hop has expanded beyond the streets and stores of the downtown mall to other neighborhoods, including the Arcadia, River’s Edge, Edison/Washington Square, and Vine districts. You’ll find art from live performances of music, dance and comedy to paintings, photography, sculpture and more. If it’s art, it’s there. When: 5–8 pm, the first Friday of each month Cost: Free Info: kalamazooarts.org

Take a C olor Tou r By Car By Bike By Boat Ramona Park, 8600 S Sprinkle Road, Portage Whether your family fishes or just wants to take in autumn’s beauty by canoe or kayak, Ramona Park is an excellent location for a fall cruise around Long Lake. For families that don’t own boats, a canoe and kayak can be rented at Lee’s Adventure Sports, 269.381.7700. When: 8 am–dusk; restrooms open until Oct 31 Cost: Free admission after Sept 5 Info: portagemi.gov

Atwater Loop Trail, 6310 Texas Drive, Kalamazoo Load up the mountain bikes and head to the northeastern end of Texas Township for a mountain biking adventure. The 3.8-mile forested loop offers tree-lined canopies bursting with color and beginnerlevel challenges, so it is perfect for all ages and experience levels. When: 7:30 am–5:30 pm May–Nov Cost: Free Info: singletracks.com/bike-trails/ al-sabo.html

Old Douglas Road, Kalamazoo Old Douglas Road north of Kalamazoo toward Cooper offers a traditional — and quick — color tour. The road, in its one-mile entirety, is lined with trees that create a magical tunnel. Along the twists and turns, peek through the foliage and see farms, woods and fields. On Saturday mornings, you can catch live music and a quaint diner experience at Cooper Cafe’s Bluegrass Breakfasts from 9:30 am–noon. When: Dawn–dusk Cost: Free

Info: awesomemitten.com/kzoosfall-color-tour/

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Harvest Moon Giant Maize Quest Harvest Moon Acres Corn Maze & Fun Park, 18725 M-40 Highway, Gobles It’s not just a corn maze, it’s a quest. With twisting pathways, questions and answers, and picture rubbings, this maze is a game. Your family will spend time together getting lost in the maze and working together to find your way out. When you do, there’s other fun to be had, including indoor barn activities, zip lines and the Cattle Castle: a 40-foot slide flanked by hay bales. When: 10 am–10 pm Sat, 1–6 pm Sun, through Oct 30 Cost: $8, children under 2 free

Gull Meadow Farms 8544 Gull Road, Richland With a different, unique pattern every year, Gull Meadow’s corn maze offers six acres of meandering trails through the corn stalks. There’s an amazing array of activities outside the maze to participate in as well, including pumpkin checkers, pig and duck races, an animated chicken show, a tube slide, jumping pillows and a zip cord. For a new adventure, When: Daytime corn maze, 11 am–6 try the nighttime flashlight maze. pm Sat & Sun, through Oct. 30; nighttime activities, dark until 11 pm, When: 4–7 pm Mon–Thurs, 4–8 pm through Oct 31 Fri, 10 am–close Sat & Sun, through Oct. 30

Cost: Corn maze, $8; wristbands for all activities $8.50 weekdays, $9.50 weekends; season pass $24.50; free for children under 30” Info: gullmeadowfarms.com, 269.629.4214

Info: harvestmoonfun.com, 269.628.5401

Find a al Festiv

Fennville Goose Festival Downtown Fennville They say what’s good for the goose is good for, well, families. Inspired by Fennville’s location along Canadian geese migration routes, this annual festival has live music, a parade, unique food and carnival rides in addition to the Wild Goose Chase 5K and Gosling Run, arts and crafts and a petting zoo. When: Oct 7–9; check website for times Cost: Free admission, prices vary by activity Info: fennvillegoosefestival.net

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18 • Oct/Nov 2016

The Witches of New Salem 4516 24th St, Dorr Fun and family-friendly during the daytime, this venue features a corn maze and activities including farm animals, a pumpkin patch, a hayride, a paintball shooting gallery and a pumpkin canon. Nighttime is better for teens and older with its Haunted Corn Maze, Witch’s Woods and the Zombie Death Wagon that offer enough scary adventures to fill the night air with plenty of screams.

Stokes Homestead Fall Festival 13988 CR 215, Grand Junction From s’mores and caramel apples to live music and bowling with pumpkins, Stokes Homestead knows how to have a harvest festival. This twoday event is family-friendly to the extreme with activities including trickor-treating, a pedal kart track, wagon rides, tractor-pulled cow train rides, gem mining, pumpkin painting, upick apples and an arts and crafts fair. When: 10 am–5 pm Oct 15 & 16

Cost: $7 for children, $4 for adults Info: stokeshomestead.com/fallfestival, 269.427.7777

Cost: Daytime: $7, free for children under age 3; Nighttime: $20 each for the Witch’s Woods trails, Haunted Corn Maze and Zombie Attack; combo rates are available for 2 or more of the attractions Info: witchesofnewsalem.com, 616.681.2342

Kalamazoo Russian Festival Fetzer Center, Western Michigan University Get to know a little more about Russian culture at the Kalamazoo Russian Festival. This is the 21st year for this annual festival offering a vibrant display of Russian music, dance, poetry and art with the goal of promoting an understanding and appreciation of Russian culture. With Russian food, musical performances, dancers, programs for children, educational speakers and vendors selling Russian wares, the festival is a local favorite. When: 9 am–5 pm Nov 15

Cost: Adults $10, students $6, children ages 2–12 $3, family package $25 Info: kzoorca.org, 269.679.4878

ing v o o r G ing & Get Mov Halloween Costume Shamble Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort, 7417 N 38th St, Augusta Get your young ones out on the golf green with an exciting new twist — Halloween costumes! Whether you decide to participate in the shamble competition or just do a bit of driving practice, your kids will love the experience of seeing costumed characters everywhere on the golf course. When: 8 am–5 pm Oct 29

Cost: Non-members: check website; members: $29 Info: Gulllakeview.com, 269.731.5013

Candlelight Trails Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Road, Hastings Experience the magic of Michigan woods at night when you hike forest and tallgrass prairie trails by candlelight. Listen for owls and other nocturnal creatures while enjoying the changing seasons. After the hike, listen to a lecture on the local ecology next to a warm fire with coffee and hot chocolate to sip on. When: 7:30–9:30 pm Oct 29

Cost: Adults $6, children $3; free to members Info: Cedarcreekinstitute.org, 269.721.4190

Peppa Pig Live! Miller Auditorium, Western Michigan University Get moving! Get dancing! Get singing! with Peppa Pig. Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is an action-packed live show featuring your child’s favorite characters as life-size puppets and costume characters. Audience members are encouraged to participate throughout the show with moving, dancing and singing. When: 6–8 pm Oct 12 Cost: $28.50–$128.50

Info: Millerauditorium.com/peppapig-live, 269.387.2300

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Have en we o l l a H Fun Haunted House Crafts & Spooky Spaceship Mission Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N Rose St, Kalamazoo Get crafty with your little ones and create a variety of items you would find in a haunted house, from cobwebs to dishes, brooms and lanterns. Design ghosts, assemble bats, create tombstones and more! Every 30 minutes from 12:30–3:30 pm, the museum will recruit a brave and daring crew to help retrieve an abandoned spooky spacecraft. When: 11 am–4 pm Oct 29

Douglas Glow in the Park Beery Field, downtown Douglas At the center of this quaint lakeside town just south of Saugatuck, the park will be all aglow. Glow in the Park is a family-friendly event with live music, local cuisine, face painting, Halloween games and so many glow sticks and lights! Families and kids are encouraged to come in a glow-themed, family-friendly costume. When: 7–10 pm Oct 28

Cost: Free

Cost: Free; vendors will be selling items

Info: Kvm.kvcc.edu, 269.373.7990

Info: Douglashalloween.com

PRICE

five DOLLA

L TICKE

The Night Before Christmas Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 | 3pm | Chenery Auditorium Daniel Brier, Conductor Come early, activities begin at 2pm!

TICKETS:

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20 • Oct/Nov 2016

Trunk or Treat VerHages Fruit Farm & Cider Mill, 8619 West ML Ave, Kalamazoo Folks that live in rural areas know trick-or-treating can involve a lot of driving from house to far-flung house. VerHages has a solution: its annual Trunk or Treat, where folks gather in one place to give out candy and let their little ones trick-or-treat. Decorate your car’s trunk and hand out candy as your kids go trunk-to-trunk trick-or-treating. When: Oct 29; arrive by 5:45 pm to park and set up; trick-or-treating starts at 6 pm Cost: Free Info: verhagesfruitfarmandcidermill. com, 269.375.0153

e Run a Rac

Homecoming Campus Classic Western Michigan University This scenic run through WMU’s main campus is open to all ages. The 5K Run is timed, but the 5K Walk and kids’ 1K Fun Run are not. Parents can run with children at the 1K event for free. For the 5K, there are 17 age divisions from 7 and younger up to 80 and older, and the top finishers in each division receive a Gazelle Sports gift certificate. Kids’ 1K participants age 14 and under receive a participant’s medal. When: Oct 8, race day registration and packet pick-up, 7–9 am; Fun Run begins at 8:45 am; 5K and Walk begin at 9:15 am Cost: Until Oct 6: Family $45 (limit 5 members), adults $20, students $15, children 14 and younger $10. Oct 7 & 8: Family $50, adults $25; students $20; children 14 and younger $15 Info: wmich.edu/campusclassic, 269.387.8400

Jack-O’-Lantern Trail Run South Westnedge Park, Portage A run that promises mud, dirt, pumpkins and a chance to wear a costume? Sounds like a kid’s dream. The Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) Jack-O’-Lantern 5K and 10K Trail Run does just that, winding through terrain that showcases Portage’s Bishop’s Bog Preserve and Eliason Nature Reserve. In addition to the 5K and 10K Trail Run, there will be a Kids’ Pumpkin Patch Trick-or-Treat 0.5 mile and 1 mile Fun Run for children 12 and under. The Kids’ Fun Run includes a costume contest for children 12 and under. When: Oct 29, 5K Run 8:30 am; 10K Run 9:30 am; Kids’ Pumpkin Patch Trick-or-Treat Run 11 am Cost: Free for the kids’ runs; $15 for either the 5K or 10K, $20 for both; late registration is $20 for 5K or 10K or $25 for both Info: kalamazooarearunners.org

Turkey Trot 5K Western Michigan University If you missed your chance to run through WMU’s campus in October, or liked it so much you and your family want to do it again, the WMU Turkey Trot 5K is for you. The oldest running race in southwest Michigan, the Turkey Trot has been burning calories since 1952. There are competitive age groups for 13 and under up to 70 and older. When: Nov 19, registration 7–8 am; race starts at 8:30 am Cost: $20 before Nov 14, $25 day of race Info: wmich.edu/rec/intramurals/ turkeytrot

ience c S t u O Little Scientists Seek Annual Chemistry Day Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N Rose St, Kalamazoo Area chemists come together to explore and solve mysteries through chemistry. Your family can join them for an afternoon of experiments, demonstrations, hands-on activities and the chemistry of fibers and forensics. Activities have been developed for all ages, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Eco Raft Race Kalamazoo River, from Mayors’ Riverfront Park to Arcadia Brewing Behold a strange and environmentally friendly race! Cheer on teams of everyday engineers who will float boats they’ve constructed from recycled, eco-friendly materials down the Kalamazoo River. This race will be a When: noon–4 pm Oct 8 hoot to watch and inspiring for young Cost: Free eco-engineers out there. Info: Kvm.kvcc.edu, 269.373.7990 When: 2–4 pm Oct 1 Cost: Free

Info: Kzooparks.org

Kalamazoo Public Library-Oshtemo, 7265 W Main St, Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Public Library-Central, 315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo It’s never too early to introduce your preschooler to the wonders of science. KPL will host morning sessions for children ages 3–6 and their caregivers, where excited little scientists can explore a different STEM theme every week — including everything from earth science to aviation to computers. When: 10:30–11:30 am every Friday in October, KPL-Oshtemo; 10:3011:30 am Oct 10 & Nov 14, KPLCentral Cost: Free

Info: Kpl.gov, 269.553.7804 to register

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WHERE IS?

Addresses, phone numbers & websites of venues frequently appearing in the calendar: Air Zoo — 6151 Portage Rd, 382-6555, airzoo.org Binder Park Zoo — 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org

ONGOING

Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3

Thru Oct 2, POPnology, handson exhibit of pop culture’s impact on technology, Air Zoo, all ages, regular admission

Thru Nov 23, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, two children build a rocket & take a voyage thru the solar system, 11 am Mon–Fri, 1 pm Sat, 2 pm Sun, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3

Thru Oct 9, Oklahoma!, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical set in Indian Territory after the turn of the 20th century, 7:30 pm Fri & Sat, 2 pm Sun, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, 329 S Park St, 3431313, kazoocivic.com, all ages, call for ticket prices Thru Oct 9, ArtPrize, international art competition, various venues in Grand Rapids, artprize. org, all ages, outdoors, FREE

Kalamazoo County Expo Center — 2900 Lake St, 383-8778, kalcounty.com/parks/expo

Thru Oct 16, 1776, Farmers Alley Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical about the birth of our nation, 7:30 pm Thurs, 8 pm Fri & Sat, 2 pm Sun, Little Theatre, 798 Oakland Dr, 343-2727, farmersalleytheatre. com, ages 8+, $33–35

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — 314 S Park St, 349-7775, kiarts.com

Thru Nov 22, From Earth to the Universe, voyage thru space & time, 3 pm Tues & Thurs, 2 pm

Comstock Township Library — 6130 King Highway, 3450136, comstocklibrary.org

Kalamazoo Nature Center — 7000 N Westnedge Ave, 381-1574, naturecenter.org KalamazooValley Museum — 230 N Rose St, 373-7990 KPL-Alma Powell — Kalamazoo Public Library-Alma Powell, 1000 W Paterson Ave, 553-7960, kpl.gov KPL-Central — Kalamazoo Public Library-Central, 315 S Rose St, 342-9827, kpl.gov KPL-Eastwood — Kalamazoo Public Library-Eastwood, 1112 Gayle Ave, 553-7810, kpl.gov KPL-Oshtemo — Kalamazoo Public Library-Oshtemo, 7265 W Main St, 553-7980, kpl.gov KPL-Washington Square — Kalamazoo Public LibraryWashington Square, 1244 Portage Rd, 553-7970, kpl.gov Parchment Library — Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org Portage Library — Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info Richland Library — Richland Community Library, 8951 Park St, 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org

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22 • Oct/Nov 2016

Thru Nov 23, Dinosaurs at Dusk, explore an Earth full of feathered dinosaurs, 3 pm Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 Thru Jan 8, Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling within the Forces of Nature, investigate how homes use & discard energy, water & natural resources, museum hours, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Opening Oct 1, Sensory Showtimes, Storks, a welcoming environment for guests with special needs, times vary, Celebration! Cinema, 6600 Ring Rd, Portage 324-7469, celebrationcinema. com, all ages, regular admission

WEEKLY

am, Parchment Library, ages 2–3, FREE

Mondays

Preschool Storytime (Nov only), stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–5, FREE

Baby & Toddler Storytime (Nov only), stories, fingerplays & movement, 9:30 & 10:30 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE Time for Two’s Storytime (Oct 3–24 only), stories, songs & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, age 2, FREE Storytime: 2–3 Year Olds, stories, songs & a craft, 10:30 am, Comstock Library, ages 2–3, FREE Disc Golf Club, learn to play disc golf (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, grades 5–12, outdoors, FREE Tuesdays Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market (thru Oct 25), produce & other goods, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank St, 359-6727, all ages, outdoors, FREE Baby & Toddler Storytime (Oct only), stories, fingerplays & movement, 9:30 & 10:30 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE Family Storytime (Nov 8–29 only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–5, FREE Toddler Tales (Oct 4–18 only), story, rhymes & songs, 10:15

Storytime: 1–2 Year Olds, stories, songs & a craft, 10:30 am, Comstock Library, ages 1–2, FREE Baby & Me Time (Oct 4–18 only), bounces, rhymes & songs, 11:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 0–24 mo, FREE Wednesdays Baby Lapsit (Oct 5, 12 & 26 only), songs, bounces & rhymes, 9:30 am, KPL-Central, birth to walking, FREE Animal Encounters, story, coloring & a live animal, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission plus $2/ child Family Storytime (Oct only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–5, FREE

Oct 19–30, ZooBoo, trick or treat among the animals, 5–8 pm Wed–Fri, 1–8 pm Sat & Sun, Binder Park Zoo, all ages, outdoors, regular admission; see website for additional activity costs Oct 29–Nov 2, Michigan Festival of Sacred Music, music of diverse religious traditions, times & venues vary, 382-2910, mfsm.us, all ages, see website for cost Nov 4–12, Ramona Quimby, Civic Youth Theatre production about a girl’s passage thru 3rd grade & her family relationships, Parish Theatre, 426 S Park St, 343-1313, kazoocivic.com, all ages, $10 Opening Nov 12, Sensory Showtimes, Trolls, a welcoming environment for guests with special needs, times vary, Celebration! Cinema, 6600 Ring Rd, Portage 324-7469, celebrationcinema.com, all ages, regular admission Nov 18–Dec 28, A Christmas Carol, Dickens’ holiday classic,

Toddler Talk, toddlers play & adults share with a parent educator, 10:15 am, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 1–3, FREE Baby Steps (Oct 5, 12 & 26 only), rhymes, songs & books, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, walking to 24 mo, FREE Storytime: 3–5 Year Olds, stories, songs & a craft, 10:30 am, Comstock Library, ages 3–5, FREE Farmyard Wednesdays, a different farm-related theme each week, 10:30 am–noon, DeLano Homestead, 555 West E Ave, 381-1574, naturecenter.org, ages 0–5, regular admission plus $2/child Baby Talk, talk infant care with Carolyn Call, RN, 1:30–3:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, birth–12 mo, FREE Code Lab, explore programming concepts thru virtual resources & hands-on activities, 4–5:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE

I’m a Big Kid Now: Independent Storytime (Nov only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE

Teen & Be Tween Time, various afterschool activities (registration required; check schedule), 4–5:30 pm, Comstock Library, grades 4–12, FREE

Preschool Pals (except Oct 26), stories, song, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE

Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market (thru Oct 27), produce & other goods, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank

Thursdays

8 pm Fri & Sat, New Vic Theatre, 134 E Vine St, 381-3328, thenewvictheatre.org, all ages, $25

October

Nov 25–Dec 11, A Christmas Story: The Musical, 1940s setting about Ralphie, his family & his Christmas dream, 7:30 pm Fri & Sat, 2 pm Sun, Civic Auditorium, 329 S Park St, 3431313, kazoocivic.com, all ages, $15-25

The Super Run 5K, a superherothemed event to raise funds & awareness for nonprofit organizations, 8–11 am, Spring Valley Park, 2600 Mt Olivet Rd, 856777-8737, thesuperrun.com, outdoors, $40-45

Nov 25–Jan 6, Mystery of the Christmas Star, discover a scientific explanation for the star the Wise Men followed, 3 pm Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 Nov 26–Dec 31, Season of Light, explore historical, religious & cultural customs of the holiday season, 11 am Mon–Fri, 1 pm Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 Nov 26–Jan 5, Orion Nights, learn to find stars within the constellations, 3 pm Tues & Thurs, 2 pm Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3

St, 359-6727, all ages, outdoors, FREE I’m a Big Kid Now: Independent Storytime (Oct only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Family-Style Storytime, stories, songs & fingerplays, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 2–5, FREE Family Storytime (except Nov 3), stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–5, FREE Storytime: 3–5 Year Olds, stories, songs & a craft, 10:30 am, Comstock Library, ages 3–5, FREE Fridays Family Storytime (except Nov 18), stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 0–5, FREE Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 3–6, FREE Saturdays Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market, produce & other goods, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank St, 359-6727, all ages, outdoors, FREE Zumba (except Oct 29), dance, strength training & kickboxing, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, grades 5–12, FREE

Saturday, October 1

Geocaching Extravaganza, explore the woods & find hidden caches, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, outdoors, regular admission Fall Stamp & Cover Show, buy & sell stamps, covers, postcards & supplies, 10 am–5:30 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 517-676-4160, all ages, $6 adults, ages 12 & under free Cuentos y Canciones, celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with bilingual stories, songs & special guests, 10:30 am, KPL-Washington Square, ages 1–11, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPLOshtemo, all ages, FREE Creature Feature: Mice, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Perler Bead Animal Craft, place beads on pegboard & melt them together, 11 am, Comstock Library, all ages, FREE Birds of Prey—Live, see a redtailed hawk, barred owl & great horned owl up close, 1–2:30 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, all ages, $7 adults, $5 ages 2–17 Kalamazoo Book Arts Center Open House, featuring a giant globe, forest mural, animal cards, papermaking & food, 1–4 pm, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W Kalamazoo Ave, Ste 103a, 373-4938, kalbookarts. org, all ages, FREE First Saturday @ KPL, stories, activities & door prizes, 2–3:30 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Eco Raft Race, watch as rafts built with eco-friendly materials race down the Kalamazoo River, 2–4 pm, Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills St, kzooparks.org, outdoors, spectators free. Sunday, October 2 Fall Stamp & Cover Show, buy & sell stamps, covers, postcards & supplies, 10 am–3:30 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 517-676-4160, all ages, $6 adults, ages 12 & under free

Fall into Fashion Show, view trendy fall fashions from 360° & Caroline’s Classic Attire, 2 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE Who Eats What?, meet some captive wild animals & discuss predator/prey relationships, 2 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission St. Luke’s Animal Fair, rides, petting zoo, Zoomobile & pet blessing, 2–5 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 247 W Lovell St, 345-8553, all ages, outdoors, FREE Monday, October 3 Anime Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parchment Library, FREE Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30–6 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Tuesday, October 4 Stroller Stroll, explore nature along stroller-friendly paths, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, outdoors, regular admission Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Tech Tuesdays, experiment with cutting edge technology tools: LittleBits, 4:30 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5–12, FREE Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30 pm–6 pm, KPLEastwood, grades 5–12, FREE Breakdance with Kalamacrew, learn some moves from a local b-boy crew, 6:30 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5–12, FREE Wednesday, October 5 Zumba for Kids, a high-energy dance session, 4:30 pm, KPLAlma Powell, ages 6–11, FREE Robots & Builders, join First Lego League or First Tech Challenge for activities & demos, 6–7:30 pm, Portage Library, grades 4–12, FREE Reel Wheels: Ghostbusters, view a Ghostbuster car & the 1984 movie, 6–8 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE Thursday, October 6 Just Between Friends Kalamazoo, children’s & maternity consignment sales, 4–9 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 616-450-5611, all ages, FREE Cuentos y Canciones, celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with bilingual sto-

ries, songs & special guests, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 1–11, FREE Friday, October 7 Just Between Friends Kalamazoo, children’s & maternity consignment sales, 9 am–9 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 616-450-5611, all ages, $3 Art Hop, art @ locations around Kalamazoo, 5–8 pm, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE Fennville Goose Festival 2016, vendors & stage show, 5–10 pm, downtown Fennville, fennvillegoosefestival.net, all ages, outdoors, cost varies Chenery Gospel Series Fall Fest, featuring the Mark Trammell Quartet, Greater Vision & Second Half Quartet, 7 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, call for ticket prices Saturday, October 8 Bird Banding Up Close, test your bird identification skills & examine birds up close, 9–10:30 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Trees of Distinction Hike, hike & learn about the oldest, largest & most distinct trees, 9 am–noon, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, 7214190, cedarcreekinstitute.org, all ages, outdoors, $6 adults, $3 children Just Between Friends Kalamazoo, children’s & maternity consignment sales, 9 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 616-450-5611, all ages, FREE Fennville Goose Festival 2016, Wild Goose Chase 5K, car show, arts & crafts, carnival & parade, 9 am–9 pm, downtown Fennville, fennvillegoosefestival.net, all ages, outdoors, cost varies SW Michigan Postcard Club Show & Sale, postcards from the 1890s to present, 10 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center North, 517-230-0734, all ages, $2 adults, ages 16 & under free Creature Feature: Box Turtle, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Art Detectives: Reflections, investigate the sculptures of Chul Hyun Ahn, 11 am–12:30 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 5859291, ages 4-8, FREE

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Chemistry Day, experiments, demonstrations & hands-on activities, noon–4 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE

legal assistance, clothing giveaways & family activities, noon–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 373-5163, all ages, FREE

Happy Healthy Kids: Get Moving, tips to get your kids off the couch, 6:30 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE

Sunday, October 9

Peppa Pig Live!, musical show featuring life-size characters, 6 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium. com, all ages, $28.50–$128.50

Monday, October 17

Kalamazoo Record & CD Show, new & used records & CDs, 11 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A, 734-604-2540, all ages, FREE Fennville Goose Festival 2016, arts & crafts, tractor show & carnival, 11 am–5 pm, downtown Fennville, fennvillegoosefestival.net, all ages, outdoors, cost varies October Brunch, Artist’s Presentation & Bicycle Tour, Susan Badger shares her work in watercolor & a 12-mile bike ride goes thru the trails, 11:30 am & 1 pm brunch, 12:15–1 pm artist’s presentation, 2 pm bicycle tour, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, 721-4190, cedarcreekinstitute.org, all ages, outdoors, $18 adults, $9 children ages 4–10 Monday, October 10 Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE Musical Storytime, songs, stories & guests, 6:30 pm, KPLOshtemo, all ages, FREE Tuesday, October 11 Small Wonders: Spectacular Spiders, interactive nature stations, 10–11:30 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, outdoors, regular admission plus $4/child Bookworms, a book club for kids & their grown-ups: Gaby, Lost and Found, by Angela Cervantes (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 6–11, FREE Speak It Forward Presents, a bimonthly poetry writing workshop for teens & tweens, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Teen Book Club, a discussion of Prime Choice, by Stephanie Moore (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Teen Mom Night, stories & crafts for babies; hair & nails for moms, 6 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, ages 0–5 & adults, FREE Wednesday, October 12 Project Connect, health/vision screenings, dental cleanings,

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24 • Oct/Nov 2016

LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 6:30 pm, KPL-Washington Square, all ages, FREE Meet the Author: Gary Schmidt, Newbery Award-winning author of Orbiting Jupiter & The Wednesday Wars, 6:30–8 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Friday, October 14 Family Fun: Just Move Storytime, move, dance & stretch with books & music, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE LEGO My Library, create with LEGOs, 10 am–2 pm, Portage Library, grades K–5, FREE Friday Teen Night, art-making, museum-strolling & pizza, 6–8 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, teens, FREE Saturday, October 15 Mom-to-Mom Sale, new or gently used baby, children’s & maternity clothing, toys & furniture, 9 am–1 pm, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, 3451125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages, $2 adults, ages 12 & under free Fall Fest Craft Show, crafters, vendors, bakers & candy stations, 9 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 2178704, all ages, FREE Small Wonders: Spectacular Spiders, interactive nature stations, 10–11:30 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, outdoors, regular admission plus $4/child Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade reptiles, amphibians & small mammals, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A, 779-9851, all ages, $5 adults, $2 ages 6–17, under 6 free LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Crescendo Café & Open House, music, KSO petting zoo & local food, 1–4 pm, Crescendo Academy, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall, 345-6664, crescendoacademy.com, all ages, FREE

J-Pop Club, enjoy the latest from Japanese culture, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Maker Mondays, drop in for tinkering, creating & exploring different projects (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREE Ridenours in Concert, fatherand-son duo, 7 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen St, Portage, 344-3966, wpcportage.org, all ages, FREE– donations accepted Tuesday, October 18 Musical Storybooks: The Maestro Plays, KSO’s String Quartet, interactive learning & a craft (registration required), 9:30 & 10:30 am, KPL-Central, kalamazoosymphony.com, ages 3–5, FREE Stroller Stroll, explore nature along stroller-friendly paths, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, outdoors, regular admission Teen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4–5:30 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Wednesday, October 19 Musical Storybooks: The Maestro Plays, KSO’s String Quartet, interactive learning & a craft (registration required), 9:30 & 10:30 am, KPL-Central, kalamazoosymphony.com, ages 3–5, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 4 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, all ages, FREE Crafternoon, make crafts with friends, 4:30 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Pizza & Pages, discussion of A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Evening Storytime, a storytime for the family, 7 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Thursday, October 20 Musical Storybooks: The Maestro Plays, KSO’s String Quartet, interactive learning & a craft (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, kpl.gov, ages 3–5, FREE

Bicycle Helmet Program, get fitted for a bicycle helmet (appointment required), noon–4 pm, Bronson Methodist Hospital, 601 John St, 341-7959, children over age 1, $10 LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 4 pm, KPL-Eastwood, all ages, FREE Crafternoon, make crafts with friends, 4:30 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREE Teen & Tween Halloween Party, watch The Addams Family & make a craft, 6–8 pm, Parchment Library, tweens & teens, FREE Friday, October 21 Preschool Play & Learn, games, puzzles, manipulatives & dramatic play, 10–11:30 am, Portage Library, grades 3–5, FREE LEGO Club, imagine & build (registration required), 4–5:30 pm, Comstock Library, all ages, FREE Saturday, October 22 Bird Banding Up Close, test your bird identification skills & examine birds up close, 9 am– 10:30 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Ultimate Indoor Garage Sale, home décor, electronics, clothing & more, 9 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 9035820, loriesevents.vpweb.com, all ages, $2 adults, children free Family Fun Chamber Series: Carnival of the Animals, KSO’s Brass Quintet, instrument petting zoo & a craft, 10:30 am, KPLCentral, all ages, FREE Creature Feature: Owl, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Making a Difference at Spooky Science, a day of science experiments & things to take home, 11 am–3 pm, Leila Arboretum, 928 W Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, 969-0270, lasgarden.org, all ages, $2 per person Family Fun Chamber Series: Carnival of the Animals, KSO’s Brass Quintet, instrument petting zoo & a craft, noon, KPLCentral, all ages, FREE Kalamazoo Concert Band: It’s About Time, 7:30 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud. com, all ages, FREE

Sunday, October 23 Fall Color Hike, hike thru the woods to scenic overlooks, 2 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, outdoors, regular admission Monday, October 24 Maker Monday, tinker, make, create & explore: candy crafts, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE SHARE Book Club, Society for History and Racial Equity book club discusses The Black Panther, by Ta-Nehisi Coates (registration required), 6 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5-12, FREE Musical Storytime, songs, stories & guests with Mr. Bill, 6:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 1–11, FREE Tuesday, October 25 Trick or Treat Parade, trick or treat & enjoy a story (registration required), 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 0–5, FREE Speak It Forward Presents, a bimonthly poetry writing workshop for teens & tweens, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE

Teen Halloween Extravaganza, costumes, candy sushi, crafts & the movie Hocus Pocus (registration required), 6:30–8 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Wednesday, October 26 Trick or Treat Parade, trick or treat & enjoy a story (registration required), 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 0–5, FREE Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30–6 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5–12, FREE Hogwarts Halloween Party, a Harry Potter-themed party with games & crafts (registration required), 5–7 pm, Comstock Library, grades 4–12, FREE Pumpkin Carving Party, carve a pumpkin for the Creatures of the Night event, 5–7 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Trunk or Treat, Halloween trickor-treating, 6:30–8 pm, Centerpoint Church, 2345 N 10th St, 375-4815, centerpointkzoo.org, ages 5–10, outdoors, FREE Thursday, October 27 Gilmore Spooktacular, a safe Halloween alternative with cool cars, trunk-or-treat, a film & special treats, 4–7 pm, Gilmore Car

Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, gilmorecarmuseum.org, all ages, $5 adults, children 12 & under free

Zumba for Kids, a high-energy dance session (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 4–8, FREE

Stage Fright Halloween Magic Dinner Show, magician Brian Penny entertains as families eat dinner, 6 pm, Portage Library, grades K–5, FREE

Stephanie Blythe “Sing America!,” Fontana presents a lively concert of favorite American songs with audience participation, 7:30 pm, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, 382-7774, fontanamusic.org, $5–35

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Family Event, an introduction to a Mexican holiday that honors family & friends, 6:30 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, all ages, FREE Happy Healthy Kids: Fun Fuel, ideas for healthy snacks & meals, 6:30 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE Kalamazoo Public Schools Choral Fest, 7 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, FREE Friday, October 28 LEGO My Library, create with LEGOs, 10 am–2 pm, Portage Library, grades K–5, FREE Creative Painters on Canvas with Inoka, create a masterpiece on canvas (registration required), 1 pm, Portage Library, grades K–2, FREE

Saturday, October 29 Jack-O’-Lantern 5K & 10K Trail Run & Kids’ Pumpkin Patch Trick-or-Treat Fun Run, 8:30 am 5K, 9:30 am 10K, 11 am Kids’ Fun Run, South Westnedge Park, 9010 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, karjackolanterntrailrun.wordpress.com, all ages, outdoors, $15 Fall Festival, dress in costume & enjoy games, crafts & snacks, 10:30 am–noon & 1:30–3 pm, Comstock Library, all ages, FREE Safe Halloween, costume contests, pumpkin racing & bounce house, 11 am–1 pm, Bronson Park, kzooparks.org, all ages, FREE

HANDS-ON HAPPENINGS CHEMISTRY DAY OCTOBER 8 | 12-4 PM | FREE

SAFE HALLOWEEN OCTOBER 29 | 12-4 PM | FREE

“HOME” MADE GIFTS NOVEMBER 12 | 12-4 PM | FREE

The FREE Portage Printing 2017 Calendar. A Holiday Tradition Since 1986. Begins Nov.1st, while supplies last. One per visit, please.

☎

1116 W Centre Avenue 323-9333 PortagePrinting.com

WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK: THEATER PERFORMANCES DECEMBER 26-JANUARY 6 12 NOON | FREE

kalamazoomuseum.org 269.373.7990 The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees

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25 •

Nitewalk, a spooky nightwalk thru a cemetery, caves & dark corridors, 11 am–3:30 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, adults & older children not easily frightened, outdoors, FREE Safe Halloween: Haunted Houses, create items found in a haunted house: cobwebs, brooms, ghosts, bats & more, noon–4 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Spooky Spaceship Adventure, a daring crew retrieves an abandoned spacecraft, every 30 minutes from 12:30–3:30 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE The Day the Earth Stood Still, movie showing, 2–4 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Creatures of the Night: Tricks & Tales, a non-scary Halloween alternative with animals, a craft, music & a snack, 4–7 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, $8/child Candlelight Trails, walk the woods by candlelight & listen for owls & other creatures, 7:30–9:30 pm, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, 721-4190, cedarcreekinstitute.org, all ages, outdoors, $6 adults, $3 children Sunday, October 30

Powell, Douglass Community Center, all ages, FREE Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party, celebrate the release of Book 11: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down, 6 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, grades 1–12, FREE Wednesday, November 2 Family Fun: Family Yoga Storytime, stretch, move & dance with Zumba, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Reel Wheels: Back to the Future, see a DeLorean & the 1985 movie, 6–8 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE Thursday, November 3 Family Fun with Crossfit AZO, run, jump, climb, crawl & leap, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Preschool Dinovember Event, dinosaur-themed story & multisensory activities, 1 pm, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Friday, November 4 Family Fun: Jump, Turn, Dance & Learn, music, props & creative movement, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Art Hop, art @ locations around Kalamazoo, 5–8 pm, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE

Southwest Michigan Train Show & Sale, operating layouts, clinics, vendors & hands-on children’s layout, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 344-0906, kmrhs.org, all ages, $6 adults, children 10 & under free

Birds of Prey, see some of Michigan’s raptors, 6:30–8 pm, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Rd, Hastings, 721-4190, cedarcreekinstitute. org, all ages, $10 adults, $6 children

Monday, October 31

Christmas Boutique Arts & Crafts Show, artisans & crafters from the Midwest, 9 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 327-5373, all ages, FREE

Halloween Fun, Halloween celebration for preschoolers, 10 am–noon, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE

NOVEMBER

Tuesday, November 1 Family Fun: Just Move Storytime, move, dance & stretch with books & music, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Tech Tuesdays, experiment with cutting edge technology tools: Ozobots, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Day of the Dead Celebration, music, food, face painting & dancing, 5:30 pm, KPL-Alma

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26 • Oct/Nov 2016

Saturday, November 5

Kalamazoo Numismatic Club Fall Coin Show, buy, sell & trade coins, paper money & memorabilia, 9 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A, 381-8669, all ages, FREE

Ray Charles, Motown & Beyond, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents Ellis Hall & Motown classics, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, kalamazoosymphony.com, ages 8+, $24–60 Sunday, November 6 Fall Migration Celebration, identify the waterfowl at Wintergreen Lake & enjoy activities along the trail, 1–4 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, all ages, $5 adults, $3 ages 2–17 Bronco Marching Band Concert, 3 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, all ages, call for ticket prices Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra: Symphonic Evolution, 4 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 3370440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, call for ticket prices Monday, November 7 Create-a-Craft, (registration required), 4:30 pm, Parchment Library, grades 1–4, FREE Anime Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parchment Library, FREE Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30–6 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Tuesday, November 8 Bookworms, a book club for kids & their grown-ups: The Turtle of Oman, by Naomi Shihab Nye (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 6–11, FREE Speak It Forward Presents, a bimonthly poetry writing workshop for teens & tweens, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Teen Book Club, a discussion of Prime Choice, by Stephanie Moore (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE

Kalamazoo Russian Festival, Russian food, music, dancers & children’s activities, 9:30 am, Fetzer Center, WMU, 6794878, kzoorca.org, all ages, $10 adults, $3 ages 12 & under, $25 family pass

Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30–6 pm, KPLEastwood, grades 5–12, FREE

LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPLOshtemo, all ages, FREE

Wednesday, November 9

First Saturday @ KPL, stories, activities & door prizes, 2–3:30 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE

Build a Dinorama, build a spot for dinosaurs (registration required), 6–7:30 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 6:30 pm, KPL-Washington Square, all ages, FREE

Thursday, November 10 Time for Two’s Storytime, interactive stories, songs & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, age 2, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 4 pm, KPL-Eastwood, all ages, FREE Pizza & Pages, discussion of Habibi or 19 Varieties of Gazelle, by Naomi Shihab Nye (registration required), 4:30 pm, KPLCentral, grades 6–12, FREE Friday, November 11 Owl Prowl, a nighttime walk to listen & call for owls, 6–7:30 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, all ages, outdoors, $7 adults, $5 ages 2–17 Friday Teen Night, art-making, museum-strolling & pizza, 6–8 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, teens, FREE A Salute to Veterans: Big Band Event, a 1940s dance hall featuring the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra, 7–9 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Saturday, November 12 Art Detectives, story, gallery visit & art-making, 11 am, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 5859291, ages 4–8, FREE Ceramic Dinosaur Craft, choose from a variety of dinosaurs to paint, 11 am, Comstock Library, ages 0–18, FREE “Home” Made Gifts, create gifts made from materials found in homes, noon–4 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Hansel and Gretel, Ballet Arts Ensemble performance, 2 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, call for ticket prices Sunday, November 13 Hansel and Gretel, Ballet Arts Ensemble performance, 2 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, call for ticket prices Second Sundays Live, retro pop shuffle-doo-wop, soul & jazz, 2 pm, Parchment Library, all ages, FREE Monday, November 14 Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE

Creating a Culture of Reading Literacy Event, crafts, food & a literacy obstacle course, 5:30 pm, KPL-Eastwood, all ages, FREE

Preschool Play & Learn, games, puzzles, manipulatives & dramatic play, 10–11:30 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE

Musical Storytime, songs, stories & guests, 6:30 pm, KPLOshtemo, ages 1–11, FREE

LEGO Club, imagine & build (registration required), 4–5:30 pm, Comstock Library, all ages, FREE

Tuesday, November 15

Saturday, November 19

LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 4 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, all ages, FREE

Kick-off Classic: Synchronized Skating, skating competition of over 135 teams, 6 am–10 pm, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, 345-1125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages, $10 for all days, ages 5 & under free

Teen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4–5:30 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Wednesday, November 16 Crafternoon, make crafts with friends, 4:30 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Manners at the Manor, etiquette training from a professional (registration required), 4:30–6:30 pm, W.K. Kellogg Manor House, 3700 Gull Lake Drive E, Hickory Corners, 6712160, conference.kbs.msu.edu, ages 5–13, $15 students Evening Storytime, a storytime for the family, 7 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Thursday, November 17 Time for Two’s Storytime, interactive stories, songs & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, age 2, FREE Crafternoon, make crafts with friends, 4:30 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREE Zumba for Kids, a high-energy dance session, 4:30 pm, KPLEastwood, ages 6–11, FREE Holiday Art Sale, fine quality art by the Kalamazoo Valley Potters & Art Etc., 5 pm–8 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 873-0537, kazooartsale.com, all ages, FREE Build a Fairy House with Your Family, (registration required), 6–8 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Friday, November 18 Kick-off Classic: Synchronized Skating, skating competition of over 135 teams, 3–11:15 pm, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, 345-1125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages, $10 for all days, ages 5 & under free Holiday Art Sale, fine quality art by the Kalamazoo Valley Potters & Art Etc., 9 am–8 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 873-0537, kazooartsale.com, all ages, FREE

WMU Turkey Trot 5K, a run thru WMU’s campus, 8:30 am, Student Recreation Center, WMU, wmich.edu/rec/intramurals/turkeytrot, all ages, outdoors, $20–25

Tuesday, November 22 Speak It Forward Presents, a bimonthly poetry writing workshop for teens & tweens, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE

Tuesday, November 29 Teen Star Wars Party, trivia, crafts, competitions & snacks (registration required), 6:30–8 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE

Tree Lighting Ceremony, the lighting of Kalamazoo’s Christmas tree, 5–8 pm, Bronson Park, kzooparks.org, all ages, outdoors, FREE

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, holiday music with multimedia effects, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300,

Wednesday, November 30 Game On, board, card and video games, 4:30–6 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5–12, FREE MercyMe, the Christian vocal group sings holiday hits, 7:30 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium. com, all ages, $25–40

Kalamazoo Antique Toy Show, antique, vintage & collectible toys, 9 am–2 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 262-2467171, all ages, $7, free after 1 pm

Events may change without notice. FYI Family Magazine makes all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the events listed here, but makes no warranty for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the events information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of the information.

2017 Preschool Guide

in FYI’s Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 issue!

International Games Day, join gamers from around the world & play games, 1–3 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE

Dec 2015 / Jan

Sunday, November 20

Monday, November 21

Musical Storytime, songs, stories & guests with Mr. Bill, 6:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 1–11, FREE

Friday, November 25

Holiday Expo & Craft Show, Michigan vendors & crafters, 9 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 616-706-2314, loriesevents.vpweb.com, all ages, FREE

Kick-off Classic: Synchronized Skating, skating competition of over 135 teams, 6 am–3 pm, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Dr, 345-1125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages, $10 for all days, ages 5 & under free

Maker Monday, tinker, make, create & explore: pixel art, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE

Turkey Trot Time Prediction 5K Run, a run thru a cross country course, 9–11 am, Portage West Middle School, 7415 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, 929-4954, karturkeytrot.wordpress.com, all ages, outdoors, $15, $50 family maximum

Saturday, November 26

LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE

Monday, November 28

Thursday, November 24

Holiday Art Sale, fine quality art by the Kalamazoo Valley Potters & Art Etc., 9 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 873-0537, kazooartsale. com, all ages, FREE

Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade reptiles, amphibians & small mammals, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Room A, 779-9851, all ages, $5 adults, $2 ages 6–17, under 6 free

millerauditorium.com, all ages, $25–50

Our comprehensive guide to preschool options in the Greater Kalamazoo area

2016

2016 ol Prescho Guide Plus:

winter handling Hacks for pens Poop hap be snow glo Make a ! nts galore And Eve

Published

www.fyiswmichigan.com

fyiswmichigan.com •

27 •

Kids’ Corner FYI

Activity Page

Match the dressed up children to their shadow

Help the worm get to the core of the apple

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28 • Oct/Nov 2016

Tic Tac Toe

Color by Number

Family Man (continued from page 30) The problem is that I’m just really bad at the role of disciplinarian. When I do finally execute the “One and Done” disciplinary approach, it’s so out of character for me that my daughter and wife both look at me like I’m some kind of a monster. While my daughter is off crying because of my “cruelty,” my wife and I have to have a discussion about discipline. It’s a no-win situation. So I’m proposing the idea of a Guest Dad. We use this approach at the youth soccer club where I coach. Once or twice a season, coaches are encouraged to guest coach another team, with the idea that they may be able to bring in some new ideas or, if the messaging is the same, players that have become jaded to the messages of their own coach will hear those messages reinforced by someone else. So this is how Guest Dad would work: 15 minutes after I ask my

daughter to get ready for bed and I see that she is still playing with her toys, I’ll call the Guest Dad. He’ll come in and tell her that if she doesn’t get ready for bed immediately, it’s lights off and door closed with no book or story. When he finds her still playing a few minutes later, he’ll simply turn off the lights in her room and close the door. While she’s crying and my wife is telling me what a monster he is, I’ll just shrug in agreement and say, “I know, but what can I do? It’s his shift.” Bam! Mission accomplished and I’m still a good guy. I believe that I’d just need a few of these Guest Dad sessions and then all I’d have to do is threaten to get the Guest Dad. Eventually, I wouldn’t even need him. Hey, maybe the guy in the video store actually was a Guest Dad! I know what you’re thinking, “Get over it. Parenting is tough. Isn’t the idea of the Guest Dad just a way for you to shirk your parental responsibilities?”

Yes. Yes it is. But before you judge me (and don’t act like you won’t, because judging others’ parenting techniques accounts for 40 percent of communication between non-related parents), I don’t think I’m in the minority with my parenting style. Like other dads, I like to be positive around my daughter and I don’t want the stink-eye from my wife. I recognize that there is a balance, and that my role is to find that balance. I think that ultimately what’s important is that my daughter knows I love her and am looking out for her best interests. So regardless of whether it’s “lay down the law” time, or Round 12 of a please-brush-yourteeth match, what will ultimately matter is that she knows I care. At least I think that’s what ultimately matters. I’ll have to check with the Guest Dad. That guy knows how to parent.

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Family Man FYI

The Guest Dad by

t was the greatest parenting play I have ever seen. It happened in a Blockbuster Video (remember those?) in Denver. As I was staring at the rows of new releases, I heard a guy say to his kid, “Put it back. I’m not going to ask you again or we’re leaving with no movie.” He didn’t yell or growl. He said it very matter-of-factly. I glanced over. A kid was holding a box of candy toward his father, and the dad was pointing across the store to the candy rack near the checkout counter. The kid pouted and skulked off toward the rack. Minutes later, as I’m checking out my video, the same kid, who is now standing next to me, grabs some candy and puts it behind his back. His

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30 • Oct/Nov 2016

Brian Lam

dad sees this and, in just as a matterof-fact tone as before, says, “I said I wasn’t going to ask you again.” He sets the movie on the counter, makes the kid put the candy back, and says, “Let’s go. No movie tonight.” The kid starts crying and protesting, reluctantly following his dad out the door. As I see this, I’m thinking, “Countdown to them returning after another stern warning in 3… 2… 1…” — but no! The car headlights come on in the dark parking lot and the car drives off. I didn’t have kids at the time, but I remember thinking, “When I’m a parent, that’s exactly how I’m going to parent.” Smash cut 15 years later, and a typical conversation with my daughter goes like this:

“I’ve asked you five times to turn the TV off. You’re done.” “Just 15 more minutes? Please?” “No.” “Please? Please?” “You’ve watched enough.” “Please! I promise!” “You promise what?” (Promise is a buzzword she uses when being grilled about teeth brushing and what not, but often uses it at random times.) “Just . . . can I please watch 15 more minutes?” “Did you read today?” “Yes, I promise!” (Lightbulb!) “That’s what I was promising.” “How much did you read?” “A bunch.” “Okay, just 15 minutes,” I say as if this will put it to an end and I won’t be having this same conversation again in 15 minutes. After these interchanges, I often think back to the man in the video store. How the heck did he do that? Whatever elixir gave him the fortitude to lay down the law needs to be bottled up and sold to parents worldwide. As a dad, I feel pressure to be the disciplinarian of the house. Without getting into a debate about gender roles or the modern family, it’s just the world I know. My dad was the disciplinarian, while, in my mom’s eyes, my brothers and I could do no wrong. My wife is a little like my mom in this regard (about our daughter, not about me). (continued on page 29)

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