FYI Family Magazine: Feb/March 2016

Feb/March 2016

School Smarts

A Guide to Kalamazoo County Schools

Stuck Inside?

Our Favorite Indoor Fun Spots

Plus: Date Nights at Home Family-Friendly Events Crafts, Recipes & More

Published by

Now in Kalamazoo and Portage

Hope Starts Here

We know taking the step to get help for your child, teenager or your family can sometimes be a difficult one. That’s why we are committed to treating you with compassion from your first call through your last appointment.

· Child, family and couples counseling · Therapy for depression, anxiety, behavior problems, addiction and more · Testing for ADHD, learning disabilities, concussions Professional. Confidential. Compassionate.

866.852.4001 pinerest.org/outpatient

Christian Mental Health Services

r o t i d E e h t from

s … the t month s e g n lo r’s r, like like winte stays ove m d e n e a s ry n h ca in Janua ld like. and Marc earnest f us wou in o s y e n a iv February rr n the ya tha r and all on usuall y longer te s a a in w e w r s e n fo c e t, froz — that it to embra usegues ound ho member d indoors e re p p to a tr rd a snowb ha while are ting this hen you hy I work ri w w w y s t, ll t’ n a ia e h c T m s — espe m line is very mo closenes he botto at at this T ). th e g id in fun and ts o d ou e best make th (and I am ds rages s in g t’ n w le ri e o b s rc n ca gale-fo to or not, er is now rm with er! (Pow e want it w th r e e g th to an ice sto e e wh ality tim r comes great qu e that winte for m o s at ideas inter.) nding re e W g p . s f e o c y b ll ra of it oors.

FYI is fu ber. Emb issue of eing outd . Remem b is g n n th ri o t, e n k a e ic fl asy ke st th eously e ren’t so a ou do ju rg y u o o g lp y e d n h n e To t hacks a oors wh take the ate nigh time ind spots to d l g e a in c y m lo o jo t h n s te fun be ver stay-a e of the ve a little le a m c h o r s to u n o s o y From a guide list of wa project to ve a long a g h n ti e w in , a s p g initie providin oor activ , d e in id r u fo G . s ty kids charter ol Smart and toas vate and ual Scho ’s warm n ri n p a , c s li I’ Y b where it F pu ’s not is issue is March, it ptions — th o d l n in o a o o h ry ls c a A many s in Febru n on the se even u a c e fall.

B t . x formatio onth’s ounty for ne C s n o o o z ti a p e, this m o m id l s la o a in o K h y c sta — in about s iggle. So ason to to think ke you g other re a n m a d to e too early e re n ns are su case you h colum g And, in u of FYI! a L u t s s this is e nd La a y n jo a n e M d y Famil et up an ut your fe p , k c a b sit

M a r i e L eitoer Ed

fyiswmichigan.com •

3•

ren briggs

Who are these lovely people? See below.

One of Ren’s best creative kitchen talents is her ability to develop easy recipes that taste delicious while minimizing food-related messes. Ren is an Allegan mom and a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia School of Culinary Arts. Ren is also a former baker for Alpen Rose, Via Maria and deBoer Bakery and our favorite cupcake maker.

Feb/March 2016

School Smarts

A Guide to Kalamazoo County Schools

Stuck Inside?

Our Favorite Indoor Fun Spots

Plus: Date Nights at Home Family-Friendly Events Crafts, Reci`pes & More

brian lam

Published by

Brian was born and raised in Kalamazoo and, despite the best efforts of his teachers through the years, has an interesting — and humorous — take on his hometown’s history.

When not rewriting history, Brian runs two small businesses, Improv Effects and Lam Creative Solutions. He lives in Kalamazoo with his wife and daughter, who, we are happy to report, is not learning history from her dad.

Publisher

encore publications, inc.

Editor

marie lee

Graphic Designer alexis stubelt

Contributors

anne lape

Melissa Lam

krystal belcastro, ren briggs, brian lam, melissa lam, anne lape, jef otte, brian powers

A kindergarten teacher, Melissa’s creativity is always switched on. This month she shows us how to use a little glue and paint to create gorgeous works of art. Melissa lives in Kalamazoo with her husband and 6-year-old daughter.

As the mother of a teenage son, Anne knows a little something about having to find ways to sneak in some quality time with her significant other. This month, she provides some great hacks for stay-at-home date nights. Anne is a writer and teacher living in Kalamazoo.

Advertising Sales

sophia jacobs, celeste statler, krieg lee

Office Manager hope smith

Distribution kama mitchell

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.

Jef ot te

To learn more about us visit fyiswmichigan.com

•

4 • Feb / Mar 2016

Our Family Man always presents readers with an open-eyed view of being a parent and having parents. Jef completed an MFA in creative writing at Western Michigan University and is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in Spin Magazine, Village Voice and our sister publication, Encore.

About the cover:

Lawton grandmother Christine Zedeck loves to spend time with her 9-month-old grandson, Owen Stubelt, son of Joe and Alexis Stubelt of Portage.

Photo by Brian Powers

Feb/March 2016

In Every Issue 3

From the Editor

4

Our Contributors

6

8

Fun for Free

Family-friendly fun at no charge!

Make This!

Chilli without the bowl!

10 Everyday Hacks

Romantic and fun stay-at-home date nights

12

Creation Station

Creating watercolors that look like stained glass paintings

14 Is This Normal?

FEATURE

16

What do you do when your child steals from a friend? You ask, experts answer.

36 Activity Page

2016 School Smarts

Charter? Public? Private? Schools of Choice?

Our simple guide helps you make sense of your school options in Kalamazoo County

26 Indoor Winter Fun Our favorite local spots to find indoor fun this winter

Ac tivities

Coloring, word games and other fun to keep little hands busy

PARENT TO PARENT 30 Family Man

It’s inevitable — you will become an annoying parent

38 Last Laugh

A history of Kalamazoo …. sort of

32 Family Events

A comprehensive calendar of family events

fyiswmichigan.com •

5•

Fun For Free FYI

Experience a Winter Jamboree

Where can you build a snowman, try out kayak sledding and even see a sled dog team? At Winter Jamboree, a free community celebration of winter fun.

The City of Portage Parks & Recreation, Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation, Lee’s Adventure Sports and Pedal Bicycle have joined together to offer winter activities including snowshoeing, kayak sledding, sledding, a snowman-building contest, igloo building, ice bowling and fat-tire bike and sled dog team demonstrations.

Bring the family and your sleds, dress for the weather and prepare for some fun in the snow.

When: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Feb. 6 Place: Milham Park Golf Course 4200 Lovers Lane Ages: All ages More info: 329-4522

Meet the Authors

Hear authors Sonya and Sean Hollins read from their new children’s book, Benjamin Losford and His Handy Dandy Clippers and get a haircut, too.

The book is illustrated by local artist Kenjji and tells the story of Benjamin Losford, the son of a fugitive slave who became the first barber and AfricanAmerican citizen of Edmore, Michigan. The Hollinses will tell the story behind the book and free haircuts will be provided by local barbers. There will also be a reception with food provided by Kenisha Morgan-Darden.

When: 6–7 p.m. Feb. 9 Place: A lma Powell Branch Library/ Douglass Community Center 1000 W. Paterson St. Ages: All ages More info: kpl.gov/powell, 553-7960

•

6•

Feb / Mar 2016

Watch a Live Radio Show

Video may have killed the radio star, but that doesn’t stop All Ears Theatre from performing shows in the style of radio’s Golden Age. Watch actors, musicians and sound effects artists perform on stage while the show is being recorded for broadcast at a later date on WMUK 102.1. You might pick up some clever tricks like brushing your hands through corn flakes to create the sound of walking through leaves or clicking dinner knives together to simulate a sword fight.

Three shows are scheduled for February and March: When: Faith’s Nuggets, 6–6:45 p.m. Feb. 6 Sorry, Wrong Number, 6–6:45 p.m. Feb. 20 Ozma of Oz, 6–7 p.m. March 19 Place: First Baptist Church 315 W. Michigan Ave. Ages: 4 and up More info: kalamazooarts.org, 345-2195

See Maple Syrup in the Making

We curse maple trees for dropping leaves in autumn but celebrate their sap in spring. Honor those maple trees at the Maple Syrup Day Open House at MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest.

Visitors can enjoy a wagon ride to the sugar bush, learn to tap a maple tree, watch sap collection, visit Maple Manor and taste a fresh syrup sample. There will also be a presentation about the history of making maple syrup. Children’s activities include face painting, maple syrup snow cones and games.

And while technically not free, this event is super cheap for families: admission is $1 per person and children 2 and younger are free.

When: Noon–5 p.m., March 19 Place: W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest 7060 N. 42nd St., Augusta Ages: All ages More info: kbs.msu.edu, 731–4597

fyiswmichigan.com •

7•

Make this! FYI

Family Dinner Game Time Chili Pockets by

Ren Briggs

Chili season and sports playoff season were made for each other.

We like to watch those “big games” on television as a family, gathered in the living room. But I am always aware of the potential for chili, carpet and children to collide (not made for each other), so we have these delicious puff pastries filled with a hearty chili to warm up your family and keep the carpet chili-stain free.

•

8 • Feb / Mar 2016

Ingredients 1/4 lb. lean ground beef, cooked and drained 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 14.5 oz. can chili-ready tomatoes, drained 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. steak sauce (like A1 or Heinz 57) 2 boxes puff pastry sheets 1 egg Baking sheet Parchment paper

How to

Hints • Puff pastry can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores.

• It’s important to thaw out the puff pastry before using — the pastry is hard to unfold when frozen and can break.

• Adjust the amount of chili powder to your family’s liking — some like a stronger chili flavor (add more in that case) and some like less (add less).

• Sprinkle shredded cheese along with the chili into the pockets before baking.

• Dip your chili pocket in nacho cheese sauce or sour cream for extra deliciousness.

1. Let the puff pastry sit at room temperature to thaw; this will take about 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Whisk egg in small bowl. Set aside.

theayres-group.com

4. In a large pot, cook beef and drain off grease.

5. Add beans and tomatoes to meat.

6. Add chili powder and steak sauce.

7. Heat thoroughly.

8. While heating chili mixture, lay out puff pastry sheets and cut each pastry puff sheet into 4 squares.

9. Brush a small amount of egg on the left and bottom edges of puff pastry squares, in an L-shaped pattern.

Insurance for Families. Insurance for Business. Insurance for You.

Homeowners l Automobile Umbrella Liability l Life Insurance Annuities l Medicare Supplements

10. Using a slotted spoon to drain off extra liquid, place small amounts of filling onto middle of puff square.

11. Fold dry edges over onto egg-coated edges to form a triangle. Use a fork to press along edges to seal.

13. Place chili-filled pastry triangles onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Ralph Hayward Insurance

14. Brush tops with remaining egg.

220 West Prairie P.O. Box 87 Vicksburg, MI 49097

15. Bake for 20−25 minutes until tops are golden brown.

269.649.1914 • 800.646.9773 Athens

Constantine

Edwardsburg Harbor Springs Schoolcraft *offices independently owned & operated.

Sturgis

Vicksburg

fyiswmichigan.com •

9•

Everyday Hacks FYI

Stay-at-Home Date Night by

Anne Lape

We’ve all heard it said often: spending one-on-one time with your partner is key to a strong relationship. But finding the time and money for a weekly date night, especially when kids are small and need babysitters, can be almost impossible. Fear not, because FYI has a hack for that! Here are some stay-at-home date night ideas that require minimal planning and very little cash.

What to do with the kids?

Well, you could try putting them to bed early. I don’t know about your little angels, but my son would never go for that one. So if you’d like date night to start before bedtime, give the kids a fun evening of their own in another room with a movie and snacks. Consider hiring a mother’s helper: a young teen who may not be old enough to babysit on his or her own yet, but wouldn’t mind earning a few dollars to watch a movie and eat pizza with your kids.

If you have friends with kids, offer to do a date night swap: you take their kids for a couple of hours one evening and on another weekend night they’ll take yours.

Night at the movies Thanks to video streaming services, there are more movies than ever before to watch from the comfort of your own couch. Make it special by trying one of the following: • Watch a movie you saw together on one of your first dates. Even if one or both of you hated the movie, you’ll have something to laugh and reminisce about.

•

10 • Feb / Mar 2016

•G o nostalgic and watch a movie your parents or grandparents saw when they were dating. You might have to search a little to find a copy of the flick if it’s not readily streamed and you can always check your public library to see if it has a copy.

• Pick a country, any country. Make it a foreign-film-and-food night by choosing a country, selecting a film from that country (with subtitles if you don’t speak the language) and order takeout from a restaurant that serves that country’s cuisine.

media. With your tongue firmly in cheek, “check in” at your house, take some photos of how fantastic you look and post pictures of your delicious meal.) Create an evening you won’t, and can’t, forget.

Take time for a tasting Whether you and your partner are lovers of beer, wine, chocolate, cheese or ice cream, you can have a tasting evening where you partake of new brands and flavors of your favorite treat. To prepare for your evening of tasting, each of you is responsible for bringing three or four new brands or flavors of your treat that you haven’t tried before. If you’ve never experienced a tasting, an online search can help you get started, letting you know what to look for, vocabulary to use and how to set up your tasting to get the most out of the flavors.

Dance the night away Night-in on the town Just because you’re staying in doesn’t mean you can’t look and act like you are really going out on the town.

Get dressed up, wearing what you would if you were headed out. Plan and cook a special dinner or order takeout from your favorite upscale restaurant. If you order takeout, serve it on plates at a table set for dinner. Put away your technology, play some music, sit together, have dinner and talk. (One exception to putting down the technology: post your evening on social

You don’t need to go to the hottest local club to get your groove on. Have a dance party where you are. Plan ahead and create a playlist of songs you both like and will move to, and then close the curtains, dim the lights to get a little club atmosphere going and start dancing. For a more club-like atmosphere, string colored lights around the room or borrow someone’s mirrored ball (c’mon someone you know has one).

Regardless of how you spend your evening together, find a way to make it special. Keep technology distractions to a minimum, choose something out of your normal routine and focus on each other rather than the 10,000 things you both have to do. A couple hours’ vacation from reality can make facing real life a little bit easier.

fyiswmichigan.com •

11 •

Creation station FYI

Stained Glass Watercolors by

Melissa Lam

Clockwise from bottom left: Sienna Lam applies black glue to pencil lines she’s drawn to outline her painting; she paints watercolors to fill in between the lines; and the finished product looks like a stained glass creation.

•

12 • Feb / Mar 2016

Painting with watercolors is a fun and safe activity for children of all ages. Here’s a simple twist that adds a whole new dimension to the classic family-friendly craft: black glue. Using black glue gives the painting a stained glass appearance and keeps the paint inside the lines when even the youngest of painters swipe their brushes across the page.

Here’s How to Do It: Materials Needed

Tips • The consistency of the black glue is important. It should still be thick; add only enough black paint to give the glue a dark color, but no more.

• Other colors can be used for the glue, but dark colors are preferred because lighter colors don’t pop as much on white paper.

• If working with very young kids, you might want to sketch the design and drizzle the glue for them.

• Watercolor paints • Watercolor paper • Watercolor brushes • 1 4-oz. bottle of Elmer’s glue • Black acrylic paint • Pencil • Plastic cup or jar half-filled with water (for paints) Directions •P our half the bottle of glue into another container and seal it for use at a later time. Add black acrylic paint to the remaining glue in the bottle until the glue is a deep black color.

•S crew the glue bottle’s lid on tightly and shake. Sometimes it helps if you use a wooden skewer to stir first.

•U se a pencil to sketch your design on the watercolor paper.

• Trace the outline of the sketch with black glue.

How to Be Memorable Four basic elements go into every piece of great advertising: 1) A display that’s relevant to your audience, and changes how they look at things.

2) A catchy, accessible-but-short slogan, tagline, or headline.

3) Brand presence, so the audience connects to your company or product.

4) A spark of magic.

Ultimately, your audience decides if your advertising is amazing, worthwhile, and memorable. They must find the spark in your advertising … so let it shine!

Print provides one of the best ways to meet all four elements of a memorable advertisement.

Print delivers provocative images to intrigue your intended market. Print uses text that people really think about. Print makes sure your audience identifies with your logo and name, keeping your branding connected.

As for magic—print works anywhere, without electricity, devices, or searching. If you want the most out of your advertising, print makes memories.

• Allow the glue to dry overnight.

• Paint the rest of your design with watercolor paint.

• Let your painting dry.

☎

1116 W Centre Avenue 323-9333 PortagePrinting.com

fyiswmichigan.com •

13 •

Is this normal? FYI

You Ask, Experts Answer

What do I do when my child steals?

Q:

Two days ago, my neighbor told me that she suspected my 10-year-old daughter had stolen some items from her house. My daughter often goes there to play with her child.

The items she took were a charm bracelet, a stuffed animal and a book. When I looked in my daughter’s room, these items were in a shoebox under her bed. When I asked her about it, my daughter said she didn’t know how these items got there and that she didn’t take them from the neighbor. We returned the items and I made her apologize and now she can no longer play at the other child’s house. I feel like I didn’t approach this situation right with my daughter. What advice can you give me moving forward?

— Kalamazoo Mom

•

14 • Feb / Mar 2016

In Need of a Mental Health Professional?

Contact PCC

A:

Addressing sticky fingers can be a tricky situation. Teaching a child who is 10 years old that stealing has consequences is an important step in addressing the concern.

Some children have difficulty thinking through the options; they have to make a good choice before acting due to impulsivity. Also, children sometimes have difficulty understanding how it makes others feel to have something stolen from them. Teaching skills to address impulsivity, to help your child think first and act second, can help your child in many areas of her life. Teach her to slow down and think through different choices before making a decision on how to act rather than acting on impulse.

Building empathy can be done by helping your child imagine what it would feel like to have one of her own cherished items taken without permission.

Then help your child think of what she would want to happen to help her feel better and use this to decide together how to make amends.

For a 10-year-old, being involved in discussing appropriate consequences for stealing can also be meaningful. For example, ask her what consequence she thinks would be fair for a child who took one of her items, and if appropriate, then apply it to her. If sticky fingers persist after conversation and consequences, seeking professional help may be of benefit.

Independent mental health therapists guided by clinical knowledge, theory, research, and compassion.

Our Services: • School/Social Issues • Parenting • Stress • Anger • Relationships • Depression • Addictions • Marrige Counseling • Health concerns • Aging

Helping individuals of all ages, couples and families

Professional Clinicians and Consultants, INC. www.counselingpcc.com

s t R E c N O C y b a B CRY S RDAY 11 AM on SATU

ren under the certs allow child on i-c in m EE e These FR enjoy a 45-minut their families to d age of five and an in an open beautiful music performance of tle one feels like t—even if your lit en m on vir en le flexib ty of space to move and plen om ro is e er Th cr ying! snacks are us, kid-friendly tio tri Nu g. in rk pa for stroller . ch performance provided after ea

Feb 13 Mar 12 Apr 9

e Center Bronson Gilmor Branch KPL Oshtemo e Center Bronson Gilmor

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. fontanamusic.org 269.382.7774

fyiswmichigan.com •

15 •

•

16 • Feb / Mar 2016

SCHOOL SMARTS C

hoosing a school for your child can be a big decision for a parent, especially since there are more choices than ever before.

Thanks to the rise of charter schools, homeschooling, virtual schools and Schools of Choice programs, parents have a plethora of options on how and where their children will be educated.

Understanding a little more about those options is the goal of FYI’s 2016 School Smarts guide. The guide provides a list of the schools and school districts in Kalamazoo County serving kindergarten through 12th grade.

Each listing includes the school’s or district’s enrollment and a brief description of what it offers. We also have informational features explaining what charter schools are and how parents can utilize Michigan’s Schools of Choice program.

It doesn’t require a Ph.D. to find the right school for your child, but having information about your options is a great place to start!

fyiswmichigan.com •

17 •

Public Schools Kalamazoo County has 10 school districts that enroll nearly 37,000 students.

Climax-Scotts Community Schools 372 S. Main St., Climax, 746-2400, csschools.net Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment 544 This rural district offers 1 elementary school, a combined junior-senior high school encompassing grades 6—12 and an alternative education program.

Comstock Public Schools 3010 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, 250-8900, comstockps.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 1,989 This district offers 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 2 high schools (one is an alternative high school). Comstock started a STEM academy in 2013 that serves kindergarten through 8th grade.

Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools 1076 N. 37th St., Galesburg, 484-2000, g-aschools.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 1,093 This district has 1 elementary school, 1 middle school and 1 high school.

Gull Lake Community Schools 11775 East D Ave., Richland, 488-5000, www.gulllakecs.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 2,955 Gull Lake Schools has 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 2 high schools (one is an alternative high school). Gull Lake also offers the Home School Partnership and a virtual middle school and high school program.

•

18 • Feb / Mar 2016

What is Schools of Choice?

The Schools of Choice law, enacted 20 years ago in the state of Michigan, allows parents to enroll their children in public schools outside of their district assignment or to any school building within their district assignment — as opposed to requiring students to attend their neighborhood public school buildings.

What this means is that if you live in one community in the county but work in another (say you live in Schoolcraft but work in Parchment), you may opt to have your child attend school where you work. There are a number of reasons why parents choose to move their children from one district to another — from proximity to employment or day care to wanting a different environment than their district offers (say, more urban vs. rural).

Parents can also choose to have their child attend a different school building within their own district, again for a variety of reasons, from the quality of the school to its proximity to their work.

To utilize Schools of Choice, here are some things to remember: • Schools of Choice may be used to enroll in both public and charter schools.

• In Kalamazoo County, you must be released from your district in or-

Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) 600 W. Vine St., Suite 400, Kalamazoo, 337-0004, kamsconline.com Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 300 The Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) provides an accelerated education in mathematics, science and technology to selected high school students in Kalamazoo County. Admission is competitive for the half-day program.

der to move your child to a new one.

To be released, you must apply for release from your assigned district.

• The board of a school district may enroll a nonresident student without release, but parents will often have to pay tuition to have their child attend a school in that district.

• To choose a different school building within your district that is outside of your assigned district mapping, open enroll in the school of your choice at the deadlines determined by the individual school. Start this process early — there are waiting lists at some schools.

• Students who live outside the Kalamazoo Public School district cannot enroll in KPS through Schools of Choice and be eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise.

• If you choose to go to another district or to a school building within your district that is outside your assigned district mapping, you will most likely have to provide transportation for your child to and from school.

• Contact the school district corresponding to your choice or visit its website for information and applications for enrollment or release.

For more information on Schools of Choice in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/mde.

Kalamazoo Public Schools 1220 Howard St., Kalamazoo, 337-0100, kalamazoopublicschools.com Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 12,311 The county’s largest school district with 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools (including an alternative middle school) and 4 high schools (this includes an alternative high school and KAMSC). The district offers students the Kalamazoo Promise, which provides free in-state college tuition.

Give your child the BEST preparation for life through a Montessori Education!

Dedicated to growing Independence, Self Confidence, Good Citizenship, and a True Love of Learning

Enrolling now for Fall 2016...

Call today to schedule a tour!

Ages 2.5 to 6 years old

Building families 25+ years

810 East Centre Avenue Portage, Michigan 49002 269-327-8277 otismontessoriacademy.com fyiswmichigan.com •

19 •

Mattawan Consolidated Schools 56720 Murray St., Mattawan, 668-3361, mattawanschools.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 3,764 Mattawan Schools has 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school.

Parchment School District 520 N. Orient St., Parchment, 488-1050, parchmentschools.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 1,713 This district has 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 2 high schools (one is an alternative high school).

Portage Public Schools 8107 Mustang Dr., Portage, 323-5000, portageps.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 8,659 This district has 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3

high schools (one is an alternative high school). Portage Public Schools offers the International Baccalaureate program in high school.

Schoolcraft Community Schools 551 East Lyons St., Schoolcraft, 488-7390, schoolcraftschools.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 1,102 Schoolcraft Schools has 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school.

Vicksburg Community Schools 301 S. Kalamazoo Ave., Vicksburg, 321-1000, vicksburgcommunityschools.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 2,645 Vicksburg Schools has 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school.

Source: Individual Public School Districts, enrollment information as of November 2015.

The Greta Berman Arbetter

K azoo School Creativity.

Curiosity.

Confidence.

• PK – 8th Grade • Daily physical education, plus K-8 music, art, and Spanish • Strong sense of community • Small class sizes = more individual attention • Nurturing, child-centered approach • Indoor-outdoor learning experiences in Kleinstuck Nature Preserve • Each child is known, cared for, and respected

kazooschool.org

269-345-3239

•

20 • Feb / Mar 2016

Charter Schools Evergreen Academy 2121 Hudson Ave., Kalamazoo, 488-6324, oneamazingclass.org/ evergreen-academy Grades: K–6 Enrollment: 40 With an emphasis on core academics, this school is managed by the Foundation for Behavioral Resources in Augusta and authorized by Grand Valley State University.

Forest Academy 5196 Comstock Ave., Kalamazoo, 488-2315, oneamazingclass.org/ forest-academy Grades: K–6 Enrollment: 188 With an emphasis on core academics, this school is managed by the Foundation for Behavioral Resources in Augusta and authorized by Grand Valley State University.

Most likely to succeed When education starts with pre-K, students are more likely to thrive in the classroom, graduate from high school and earn higher pay.

The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency is a proud member of Kalamazoo County Pre-K. Together, we work to make sure every child can enter kindergarten ready to succeed – in school and in life.

PR E - K

K A L A M A Z O O

C O U N T Y

DreamBigStartSmall.org 269-250-9333 Partners: Kalamazoo County School Districts Kalamazoo RESA Head Start Great Start Readiness Programs Great Start Collaborative Kalamazoo County Ready 4s Kindergarten Readiness Action Network

The greatest gift you can give your child!

For 40 years, we have served as a non-profit, private education institution for children ages 3–12. Our highly trained, credentialed teachers nurture and cultivate the curiosity of children from preschool to 5th grade while providing a strong foundation for continued academic success.

Learn about the Montessori philosophy and the gifts The Montessori School has to offer your child today!

www.themontessorischool.org | (269) 349-3248 Kalamazoo, 750 Howard Street | Richland, 6274 N. 32nd Street

Imagine a school where teachers focus entirely on giving your child the best possible education, where each student gets the attention he or she needs, and where virtues are taught every school day.

That’s Paramount Charter Academy. For your child, it changes everything.

Seats Available

Call Katie at 269-207-0568 today.

K - 8 • NO-COST • SAFE fyiswmichigan.com •

21 •

What is a Charter School?

The term “charter school” is most often used to denote a public charter school, which is a publicly funded, privately run educational institution offering a sort of hybrid alternative to traditional public and private schools.

Like public schools, charter schools are funded by tax dollars and are subject to a performance review every three to five years. Created in 1992 under a law that allowed them to receive public funding, charter schools are open to the public and, according to the National Education Association, charter and public schools typically serve similar local demographics.

What makes a charter school different than a public school? To start, anyone can establish a charter school — a community group, parents, a business, etc. Charter schools must be approved by state-sanctioned entities before they may open enrollment, says the NEA. Second, charter schools are given more flexibility when it comes to their

curriculum; they’re able to operate more freely and don’t have to adhere to strict state mandates, calendars or objectives, other than the performance testing, including state-mandated standardized testing.

Charter schools were created with the intention of establishing more choice for parents when deciding on avenues for education, says the NEA. Enrollment in charter schools is limited, like private school, and charter schools usually take new students via a lottery system.

So which is the best free education choice — public or charter? Let the debates begin. There’s no consensus on the benefits and drawbacks of charter schools versus public schools, according to the NEA and the Center for Public Education. Researching your local options, visiting schools, talking with administrators and local parents and making the decision that’s right for you is probably the best bet, says the NEA.

Great Lakes Exploration Academy 6200 West KL Ave., Kalamazoo, 844-292-4532, www.gleacademy.org Grades: K–5 Enrollment: Not available Tentatively opening in Fall 2016 with an environmental and outdoor emphasis, this school is authorized

by Ferris State University.

Oakland Academy 6325 Oakland Dr., Portage, 324-8951, oneamazingclass.org/ oakland-academy Grades: K–6 Enrollment: 226 With an emphasis on core academics, this school is managed by the Foundation for Behavioral Resources in Augusta and authorized by Grand Valley State University.

Currently Enrolling for Preschool, Kindergarten, a Lifetime of Learning, and Friendship.

4 2 2 1 E A S T M I L H A M , P O R TA G E • 2 6 9 . 3 2 9 . 0 1 1 6 • KA L A M A ZO O CO U N T R Y DAY. O R G • P R E S C H O O L T H R O U G H E I G H T H G R A D E

•

22 • Feb / Mar 2016

Paramount Charter Academy 3624 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, 553-6400, paramountcharteracademy.org Grades: K–8 Enrollment: 547 With an emphasis on virtues and college preparatory academics, this school is managed by National Heritage Academies and authorized by Bay Mills Community College.

• Hackett Catholic Prep, 1000 W. Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, 381-2646, hackettcatholicprep.org Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 254 • St. Augustine Cathedral School 600 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, 349-1945, stakzoo.org Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 332 • St. Monica Catholic School 530 W. Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, 345-2444, stmonicakzoo.org Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 338

Private Schools Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo 1000 W. Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, 381-2646, csgk.org This nonprofit school system is affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo and offers a faith-based education for students from preschool through high school at its three schools:

Gagie School 615 Fairview Ave., Kalamazoo, 342.8008, gagieschool.com Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 358 A for-profit, independent school with a 40-year history.

St. Michael Lutheran School Christ for Kids Childcare Center 7211 Oakland Drive  Portage, MI 49024 St. Michael Lutheran Church LCMS

 Preschool – 8th Grade  Class sizes allow for more individual attention  Programs are open to all  Tuition Assistance is available for those who qualify  Proven academic excellence  Convenient wrap-around childcare for children as young as 2 1/2

www.stmikeschool.org School (269) 327-0512 Christ for Kids (269) 327-4889 Church Office (269) 327-7832

Education with Christ at the Heart

International Baccalaureate/ Advanced Placement

Greta Berman Arbetter Kazoo School 1401 Cherry St., Kalamazoo, 345-3239, kazooschool.org Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 116 This nonprofit, independent school began in 1972 and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

Heritage Christian Academy 6312 Quail Run Dr., Kalamazoo, 372-1400, hcaeagles.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 232 This nonprofit, faith-based school has an emphasis on serving in the community and is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.

Exceptional Student Achievement

Outstanding Teaching Staff

Portage Athletic Foundation

Technology Enhanced Classrooms

More than 50 State Championships

Curious Kids Childcare

City-LibrarySchools Collaboration

Portage Education Foundation

EFA/EFE Program Provider

DigitalEd technology education for parents

Portage Public Schools: an exceptional, continuously improving learning culture, committed to all!

Call 323.5000 to learn more about enrollment at a Portage Public School

fyiswmichigan.com •

23 •

Kalamazoo Christian School Association 2121 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, 381-2044, www.kcsa.org This nonprofit school system offers Christian faith-based education at its three schools: • Kalamazoo Christian Elementary School, 3800 S. 12th St., Kalamazoo, 544-2332, www.kcsa.org Grades: PreK–4 Enrollment: 449 • Kalamazoo Christian Middle School, 3800 S. 12th St., Kalamazoo, 544-2332, www.kcsa.org Grades: 5–8 Enrollment: 227 • Kalamazoo Christian High School, 2121 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, 381-2250, www.kcsa.org Grades: 9–12 Enrollment: 240 Kalamazoo Country Day School 4221 E. Milham Rd., Portage, 329-0116, kalamazoocountryday.org Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 153 This nonprofit, independent school has an emphasis on technology, math and science with a strong underpinning of liberal arts and is accredited by ISACS.

Kalamazoo Junior Academy 1601 Nichols Rd., Kalamazoo, 342-8943, kalamazoojunioracademy.com Grades: K–10 Enrollment: DNP* This nonprofit school is affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The Montessori School 750 Howard St., Kalamazoo, & 6274 N. 32nd St., Richland, 349-3248, themontessorischool.org Grades: PreK–6 Enrollment: 126 With an emphasis on the education philosophies of Maria Montessori, this nonprofit school offers PreK–6 at its Kalamazoo location and preschool and kindergarten at its Richland facility.

Prairie Baptist School 11210 East PQ Ave., Scotts, 626-8101, prairiebaptistchurch.org Grades: PreK–12 Enrollment: 26 This nonprofit Baptist school is a member of the Michigan Association of Christian Schools.

AppleTree & Gilden Woods

EARLY CARE AND PRESCHOOL

100%

Graduation Rate

12:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

K

-Prep

Average ACT Score

19.98 21.01 24.08 State

National

Inspiring Lifelong Learners

Inspiring Lifelong Learners

Now Enrolling Preschool Kalamazoo • Otsego • Portage www.gildenwoods.com

•

24 • Feb / Mar 2016

269-381-2646 www.hackettcatholicprep.org

HACKETT

Providence Christian School 100 Pratt Rd., Kalamazoo, 385-4889, michiganchristianschools.com Grades: K–9 Enrollment: 63 This is a nonprofit, faith-based school.

Reformed Heritage Christian School 700 N. Fletcher, Kalamazoo, 383-0505, refhcs.org Grades: K–12 Enrollment: 30 This is a nonprofit, faith-based Christian school.

St. Michael Lutheran School 7211 Oakland Dr., Portage, 327-0512, stmikeschool.org Grades: PreK–8 Enrollment: 166 This nonprofit school is affiliated with the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church but open to all.

Vineyard Academy 8510 M-89, Richland, 629-7253, vineyardacademy.org Grades: PreK–10 Enrollment: 14 This is a nonprofit, faith-based school operated by lay Catholics.

VICKSBURG

A place where students can thrive and grow into successful, contributing adults.

Home School The Kalamazoo area has a strong homeschooling community. In addition to the Home School Partnership at Gull Lake Community Schools, there are organizations that provide information, networking and support for homeschool families.

Kalamazoo Area Home School Association kahsaconnection.com This secular organization provides information and contacts for homeschooling families.

Homeschool Kalamazoo facebook.com/homeschoolkalamazoo A network providing information and resources for homeschoolers in the Kalamazoo area.

* Did Not Provide Public and Charter school enrollment as of Dec. 1, 2015. Source: Individual School Districts Private school enrollment as of Dec. 1, 2015. Source: Schools

We Make Reading Possible Specializing in literacy development since 1974

Succeed vicksburgcommunityschools.org

Specialized support for literacy success in and out of the classroom. * Tutoring * Professional Development * Parent Workshops

www.sldRead.org 269.345.2661 fyiswmichigan.com •

25 •

Air Zoo An aviation museum and indoor amusement park, the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Center offers out-of-this-world experiences with missions and exhibits.

• Location: 6151 Portage Rd., Portage • Cost: $12.50 for ages 5–18; $10.50 for seniors ages 60+, free for Air Zoo members and children up to age 4 • Hours: 9 a.m–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; noon–5 p.m.

Sun. • Contact: 382-6555; AirZoo.org

Airway Fun Center Airway Fun Center offers a wide selection of games and activities from cosmic bowling, laser tag and laser maze to bumper cars, a full arcade and, of course, bowling.

• Location: 5626 Portage Rd., Portage

Where to Find Indoor Winter Fun Although we like a winter wonderland, sometimes we just want to be indoors.

Lucky for us, the greater Kalamazoo area has many great indoor facilities filled with family-friendly fun.

Here are some of our favorite local options for some indoor fun this winter: •

26 • Feb / Mar 2016

• Cost: Unlimited Laser Maze, Beam Buster, Bumper Cars, Balladium, Time Freak & Video Games: 1 hour, $14.95; 2 hours (includes bowling) $24.95; each activity can also be purchased individually; visit website for prices • Hours: 9 a.m.–midnight Sun.–Thurs.; 9 a.m.–1 a.m. Fri. & Sat.; Indoor attractions: 4–10 p.m.

Mon.–Fri.; 10 a.m.–midnight Sat.; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun. • Contact: 327-7061; AirwayFunCenter.com

Bounce Houses and Inflatables

Climb Kalamazoo

Bounce houses and inflatable structures are a great way for kids to jump, climb and burn off built-up energy, and the greater Kalamazoo area has three facilities to do just that:

Help your little monkeys express their need to climb at this indoor climbing gym complete with a lead cave, two bouldering areas and 32 rope stations.

Bounceland — An arena filled with bounce castles

• Cost: $30 for 14 years and older; $15 for children (13 years and under)

and inflatables; admission includes access to all bounce structures.

• Location: 6255 Technology Ave., Kalamazoo • Cost: $8 for children age 2 & up; $4 for children under age 2; $5 for playing adults; free admission for 1 adult to supervise; $2 for each additional non-playing adult; socks are required for everyone • Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Tues.–Thurs.; 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Fri.; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.; closed Mondays during the school year. Check website for discounted toddler times and events.

• Location: 136 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo

• Hours: 4–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs.; noon–10 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sat.; noon–8 p.m. Sun. • Contact: 385-9891; ClimbKalamazoo.org

Ice Skating @ Wings Event Center When it’s too frigid to skate outside, Wings Event Center offers an indoor alternative. Wings West has open skate hours almost daily through the winter months.

• Location: 3600 Vanrick Dr., Kalamazoo

• Contact: 353-0940; Bounceland.com

• Cost: Age 4 & under, free; $6 over age 4; $3 skate rentals

Jungle Joe’s — Offers a range of inflatable slides and structures, bounce castles and arcade games.

• Hours: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Tues.–Fri.; 6–8 p.m. Sat.; 2:15–4 p.m. Sun.

• Location: 7255 S. Sprinkle Rd., Portage • Cost: $10 for children; $3 for playing parents; $2 for toddlers under 2 years; non-playing parents are free; socks are required for everyone • Hours: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.– Thurs.; 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.– 8 p.m. Sat.; noon–6 p.m. Sun. • Contact: 324-1992; JungleJoesFFC.com

Tye Zone — Located on the upper level of the Cross-

roads Mall near Sears, Tye Zone is especially good for smaller kids.

• Location: 6650 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage • Cost: $6 for 30 minutes; $8 for 60 minutes; $12 for 120 minutes

• Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.

• Contact: 345-1125; WingsStadium.com

K-Zoo Skate Zoo If boards and bikes get your kids moving, then K-Zoo Skate Zoo is the answer. This indoor skateboard park has more than 14,000 square feet of space including an indoor street course and spine ramp for riding and doing tricks.

• Location: 1502 Ravine Rd., Kalamazoo • Cost: $6 for members; $11 for non-members • Hours: 3–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri.; noon–6 p.m. Sat. & Sun. • Contact: 345-9550; SkateZoo.com

• Contact: 209-1610; Facebook.com/TyeZone

fyiswmichigan.com •

27 •

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts With a newly remodeled interactive art gallery, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts offers kids games, puzzles and art-oriented activities that are fun and fascinating. Check the KIA website for a calendar of family-friendly activities, including Family Funday and workshops for children.

Public Libraries

• Location: 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo

There are great events at all the local public libraries, from storytimes and LEGO building sessions to meet-theauthor events. Some libraries even offer computers for gaming or other activities.

•C ost: $5 adults; $2 students with ID; free for KIA members and children under 12 years

For a calendar of events and library hours, check out:

•H ours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues. & Wed.; 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Thurs. & Fri.; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.; noon–5 p.m. Sun.

Comstock Township Library — 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org

• Contact: 349-7775; KIArts.org

Kalamazoo Public Library — kpl.gov • Alma Powell Branch, 1000 W. Paterson, 553-7960 • Central Branch, 315 S. Rose St., 342-9837 • Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave., 553-7810 • Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St., 553-7980 • Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage Rd., 553-7970 Parchment Community Library — 401 S. Riverview Dr., 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org Portage District Library — 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info Richland Library — 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org

Kids Gym

Sky Zone Kalamazoo

Filled with trampolines, rope climbing, foam pits and tumble tracks, Kids Gym provides a fun workout for children of all ages. Instructors are on hand to ensure a safe environment for kids to improve their skills.

An indoor trampoline park, Sky Zone Kalamazoo offers a place to blow off some steam, get a workout and have tons of fun, all in one. Activities include open jump, dodgeball, a foam zone and a basketball trampoline launch pad designed for slam dunking action. Check website for schedule.

• Location: 9027 Portage Industrial Dr., Portage • Cost: $9 for children • Hours: Open gym, 12:30–2 p.m. Sat. • Contact: 323-7657; KidsGymInc.com

• Location: 5103 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo • Cost: $10 for 30 minutes, $14 for 60 minutes, $18 for 90 minutes, $21 for 120 minutes (all jumpers must purchase $1 pair of Sky Socks) • Hours: 4–8 p.m. Tues.–Thurs.; 3–8 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Sat.; noon–6 p.m. Sun.; Toddler Time 10 a.m.–noon Fri. • Contact: 459-9243; SkyZone.com/Kalamazoo — Compiled by Krystal Belcastro

•

28 • Feb / Mar 2016

Free Upcoming Shows

The Y. So Much More.

FEB 6 - Faith’s Nuggets FEB 20 - Sorry Wrong Number MAR 5 - Sherlock Holmes and A Case of Identity MAR 19 - Ozma of Oz (2 part presentation)

All Ears Theatre performs newly scripted radio programs for live audiences, complete with old school sound effects, from January through May. Shows are later broadcast on 102.1 WMUK-FM. Performances are at 6:00 pm at the First Baptist Church and are FREE to the public.

“From exercise to education, volleyball to volunteerism, from preschool to preventive health, the Y doesn’t just strengthen our bodies, it strengthens our community.”

DeDicaTeD To builDing healThY anD connecTeD faMilieS Learn more about the Y’s 5-Star Early Learning

For a complete schedule of shows, visit Kalamazooarts.org

Center on our website or call 269.345.9622 x161.

Funding provided by

Classes for your youngest artists: MY FIRST ART CLASS ages 3-4 w/parent 4-week class starts Friday, Feb 26 @10 am ARTISTIC EXPRESSION ages 4-5 6-week class starts Saturday, Feb 13 @10 am

Spring Break Art Camp: April 4-8

Full and half days available for grades K-5

Spring art classes begin April 16 Summer art camps & classes start in June Ask about scholarships.

Members enjoy discounts. Join/register @kiarts.org

314 South Park Street - Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 349-7775 www.kiarts.org

fyiswmichigan.com •

29 •

Family Man FYI This Is How Your Parents Became Annoying by

Jef Otte

Recently my wife and I had a

date. My wife’s (generous, intelligent and, might I add, incredibly attractive) parents usually take our 4-year-old overnight about once a week, but this night was special.

My wife gave birth a few months ago to our first daughter, the sassiest addition to our family yet. Since my wife is breastfeeding, it’s now enormously inconvenient to do basically anything besides breastfeed, let alone assume the hassle of pumping enough in advance at the lactation station — that wacky contraption that transforms your once-sexy nipples into the demoralized victims of forced oompah-dancing — and then following up with the hand pump, its twice-as-inconvenient cousin, to avoid becoming “engorged,” a word I’m sure every little girl dreams of one day applying to her body.

So we’d just been taking the baby with us, which wasn’t such a big deal. She mostly just sleeps and eats, and while she also occasionally shrieks hideous shrieks that cause your skin to turn into thousands of knives and stab your internal organs, it’s still easier than eating out with our 4-year-old, who is to a fancy restaurant what a Frisbee is to a pyramid of champagne flutes.

This night was our first night alone.

•

30 • Feb / Mar 2016

We only had three hours and my wife’s breasts hurt the whole time, but it was nice. We had dinner. My hair seemed to lay more comfortably on my head than usual, and both of us

were wearing clothing with no stains.

We couldn’t think of anything to do after we ate, so we just drove around for a while with the radio off, ignoring our car’s weird, unaccountable scent

of chewed gum and listening to the engine’s hum. We drove past a construction site. The heavy machines hulked silently, idle for the night.

“You know,” my wife said, absentmindedly massaging her breasts, “every time I see some construction equipment, the first thing I think is to be like, ‘Look, buddy, a digger.’

When do you think that’ll stop?”

I’d had, I realized, not only the same impulse, but also, in the absence of having a kid to point out a digger to, been batting around a vague urge to point it out to my wife.

The hardest thing about kids is that they’re boring. They want to eat the same foods, to play the same games and to regurgitate crap they culled from TV and ran through the filter of their weird little minds until it makes no sense and then tell you all about it. It is not possible, as an adult human being, to keep your kids constantly entertained. It’s not even good for them. Constantly entertained kids are how you get the type of people who talk on their cell phones in checkout lines saying things like, “Hold on, Doug, yeah, no, I know, hold on a sec, I have to pay for this Yoohoo. No, totally, yeah, hold on, no, yeah.”

Nobody wants to raise that person.

As a coping skill, my wife developed a kid-occupation tactic wherein she points at things and says what they are. “You see that? That’s a lamp.“ “Those are fingernail clippers.” “That’s a pineapple.” It’s effective for every age: the baby is soothed by the sound of talking, the 4-year-old asks a bunch of questions, and

the 13-year-old doesn’t really like it that much, but it distracts me from his sullen silence. It’s completely mindless, and it keeps kids from tearing off on benders of destruction while allowing parents to idly think about whatever. I call this technique “yammering.”

And there, in the dark of the car, my wife aglow in the dashboard lights, I understood that it had become second nature — that the boring routines of our kids were in fact our routines, and even more ours than theirs, for they would outgrow them.

This, then, is the reason your parents still call you Badee-Baboodle or whatever annoying pet name they had for you when you were 5. Why they buy Lunchables when they know you’re coming over, clinging to the feeble hope you still like them. Because you occupied every second of their time for so long they forgot what else to do.

Forsooth: this is how your parents became annoying.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

PICTURE YOURSELF

HERE

REGI FOR BSTER EAR CAMP EST RATELSY !

VIS

IT DA Marc YS A h 20 ( May pril 17 (12-4) 15 (K -4) ids R OAR)

2016 SUMMER SHERMAN LAKE YMCA

SUMMER CAMP

ShermanLakeYMCA.org 269-731-3000

fyiswmichigan.com •

31 •

WEEKLY WHERE IS?

Addresses, phone numbers & websites of venues frequently appearing in the calendar: Bounceland — 6255 Technology Ave, 353-0940, bounceland.com Comstock Township Library — 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center — 7255 S Sprinkle Rd, 324-1992, junglejoesffc.com Kalamazoo County Expo Center — 2900 Lake St, 383-8778, kalcounty.com/parks/expo Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — 314 S Park St, 349-7775, kiarts.com Kalamazoo Nature Center — 7000 N Westnedge Ave, 381-1574, naturecenter.org 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 Library-Washington Square, 1244 Portage Rd, 553-7970, kpl.gov Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N Rose St, 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org Parchment Library — Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org Portage Library — Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, 3294544, portagelibrary.info Richland Library — 8951 Park St, 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org Sky Zone — 5103 Portage Rd, 459-9243, skyzone.com/kalamazoo

•

32 • Feb / Mar 2016

Mondays Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 Toddler Playtime, for toddlers & their caregivers, 9:15–11:30 am, The Point, 2595 N 10th St, 350-5496,thepointkalamazoo. org, ages 0–5, FREE Baby & Toddler Storytime, (Feb only), stories, fingerplays & movement, 9:30 & 10:30 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE Family Storytime, (March only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE 2–3-Year-Old Storytime, stories, songs & craft (registration requested), 10:30 am, Comstock Township Library, ages 2–3, FREE Storytime @ Barnes & Noble, story, coloring & treat, 10:30 am, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnesandnoble.com, all ages, FREE Tuesdays Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers Market, (except Feb 9 & Mar 8), 8 am–2 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center North, all ages, FREE Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo

Baby Lapsit, songs, bounces & rhymes, 9:30 am, KPL-Central, ages birth to walking, FREE Baby & Toddler Storytime, (March only), stories, fingerplays & movement, 9:30 am & 10:30 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE Two & Three-Year-Old Storytime, (Feb only), stories, songs & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–3, FREE Toddler Time @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 10 am–noon, Sky Zone, ages 1–5, $7/hour Toddler Time @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & under Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–7 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary Toddler Tales Storytime, (Feb only), story, songs, fingerplays & movement, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 2–3, FREE 1–2-Year-Old Storytime, stories, songs & craft (registration requested), 10:30 am, Comstock Township Library, ages 1–2, FREE Baby Steps, rhymes, songs & books, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages walking to 24 mo, FREE Gentle Water Exercise, class for prenatal & postpartum women, 11 am, YMCA, 1001 W Maple St, 345-9622, kzooymca.org, adults, FREE

Baby & Me Time, (Feb only), stories, rhymes & songs, 11:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE Preschool Storytime, (Feb only), book & a craft, 1 pm, Richland Library, ages 3–5, FREE Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min Wednesdays Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers Market, (except Feb 10 & Mar 9), 8 am–2 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center North, all ages, FREE Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo Toddler Playtime, for toddlers & their caregivers, 9:15–11:30 am, The Point, 2595 N 10th St, 3505496, thepointkalamazoo.org, ages 0–5, FREE Knee High Naturalists, Binder Park Zoo’s nature program for children (registration required), 9:30–11:30 am, Binder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org, ages 2–5, $10 I’m a Big Kid Now Storytime, (Feb only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Animal Encounters, story, coloring & a live animal, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission plus $2 fee

Planetarium, all ages, $3 Thru April 10, Kalamazoo Gals, story of the women who built WWII-era Gibson guitars, museum hours, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Thru May 8, Goose Bumps: The Science of Fear, explores the physiological, neurobiological & sociological aspects of fear, museum hours, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Feb 11–14, Disney On Ice: Let’s Celebrate, Disney characters ice skating show, 7 pm Feb 11 & 12; 11 am, 3 & 7 pm Feb 13; 1 & 5 pm Feb 14, Van Andel Arena, 130 W Fulton, Grand Rapids, 616-7426600, vanandelarena.com, all ages, $12–60 Feb 19–March 5, Steel Magnolias, friendship carries Southern women through personal triumphs & tragedies, 7:30 pm Feb 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27, March 4 & 5; 2 pm Feb 28, Civic Theatre, 329 S Park St, 343-1313, kazoocivic.com, teen & adults, call for ticket prices Feb 23–27, U.S. 2016 Synchronized Skating Championship, U.S. athletes compete for spot in World Championships, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Drive, 345-1125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages,

$25 March 18–24, The Gilmore Family Concerts, 50-minute concerts of world-class piano music with visuals, times & venues vary, 359-7311, thegilmore.org, all ages, FREE March 18–25, Stuart Little, an unusual mouse struggles to survive among humans, 7:30 pm March 18 & 25, 1 pm March 19, 4 pm March 19, 2 pm March 20, 9:30 am March 23 & 24, noon March 23 & 24, Civic Theatre 329 S Park St, 343-1313, kazoocivic.com, all ages, call for ticket prices March 19–June 12, The Artists’ Sky, experience the stars thru story, song, painting & music, 3 pm Tues & Thurs, 2 pm Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 March 19–June 12, Bear Tales, identify constellations thru stories & natural history, 1 pm Sat, 2 pm Sun, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 March 19–June 17, Invaders of Mars, orbit in a spacecraft & explore Mars, 3 pm Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3

ONGOING Weekend Open Skate, 2–3 pm Sat & Sun, Lawson Ice Arena, WMU, 387-3046, wmich.edu/lawson/ open-skate, all ages, $3 admission, $1 skate rental Thru March 6, Open Skating, 3–9 pm Thurs, 3–10 pm Fri, 11 am–10 pm Sat, noon–9 pm Sun, Millennium Park, 280 Romence Rd, Portage, 324-9200, portagemi.gov, all ages, $4 skate, $3 rental Thru March 12, Tubing & Sledding @ Echo Valley, 11:30 am–8 pm Mon–Fri, 10 am–8 pm Sat, noon–6 pm Sun, weather permitting, Echo Valley, 8495 East H Ave, 349-3017, echovalleyfun.com, all ages, $7–18 Thru March 17, Orion Nights, find the stars within the constellations, 3 pm Tues & Thurs, 2 pm Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 Thru March 18, Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity, computing technology takes the audience to the center of a black hole, 3 pm Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3 Thru March 18, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, two children build a rocket & voyage thru the solar system, 11 am Mon–Fri, 1 pm Sat, 2 pm Sun, Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Toddler Time @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & under Two & Three-Year-Old Storytime, (March only), stories, songs & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–3, FREE Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–7 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary Toddler Talk, toddlers play & adults share with a parent educator, 10:15 am–12:15 pm, KPLOshtemo, ages 1–3, FREE 3–5-Year-Old Storytime, stories, songs & craft (registration requested), 10:30 am, Comstock Township Library, ages 3–5, FREE Baby Talk, talk infant care with Connie Koning, RN, 1:30–3:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–12 mo, FREE Fandom February, (Feb only), crafts, movies & fan fun, 3:30–5:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min Thursdays Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo

Knee High Naturalists, Binder Park Zoo’s nature program for children (registration required), 9:30–11:30 am, Binder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org, ages 2–5, $10 Family Storytime, (Feb only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE I’m a Big Kid Now Storytime, (March only), stories, rhymes, music & a mystery letter, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Toddler Time @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & under Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–7 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary 3–5-Year-Old Storytime, stories, songs & craft (registration requested), 10:30 am, Comstock Township Library, ages 3–5, FREE Family Storytime, stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Eastwood & KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–5, FREE Storytime @ Barnes & Noble, story, coloring & treat, 10:30 am, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnesandnoble.com, all ages, FREE

Gentle Water Exercise, class for prenatal & postpartum women, 11 am, YMCA, 1001 W Maple St, 345-9622, kzooymca.org, adults, FREE Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min Fridays Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–9 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo Toddler Time @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 10 am–noon, Sky Zone, ages 1–5, $7/hour Toddler Time @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & under Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–9 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary Preschool Storytime, (Feb only), book & a craft, 10:15 am, Richland Library, ages 3–5, FREE Family Storytime, stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Alma Powell & KPL-Central, ages 0–5, FREE Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 3–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min Drop-In Gymnastics, supervised, structured gymnastics class, 6–8

pm, Greater Kalamazoo World of Gymnastics, 2723 Kersten Ct, 3815749, gkwg.net, ages 6 & up, $10 membership fee Jumpapalooza, 2 hours of jumping, 8–10 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $15/jumper Saturdays Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–6 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, 10 am–8:30 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min Sky Jam, jump time for teens, 8:30–10 pm, Sky Zone, ages 14 & up, $18/jumper Sundays Open Jump @ Bounceland, indoor inflatable park, 11 am–6 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary Open Bounce @ Jungle Joe’s, indoor inflatable park, noon–6 pm, Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlimited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 mo Open Jump @ Sky Zone, trampoline park, noon–6 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min

February

Thursday, February 4 Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE Harry Potter Book Night, crafts, snacks & fun, 6 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Friday, February 5 Storytelling Festival, “Stories Gone Wild” with national storytellers, 10 am—5 pm, performances at 5:30 & 7 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Teen Advisory Board, help plan teen events (registration required), 4 pm, Comstock Township Library, grades 6–12, FREE Stories with Mrs. Uggabumper, 4–5 pm, Treat Street, 3023 Oakland Dr, 388-5505, all ages, FREE Art Hop, art at locations around Kalamazoo, 5–8 pm, kalamazooarts. org, all ages, FREE Saturday, February 6 Friends of the Library Book Sale, 9 am–3 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Storytelling Festival, “Stories Gone Wild” with national storytellers, 10 am—5 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE

LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, FREE Creature Feature: Owl, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Winter Jamboree, showshoeing, kayak sledding, sled dog rides, ice bowling & more, 11 am–1 pm, Milham Park Golf Club, 4200 Lovers Lane, 329-4522, all ages, FREE First Saturday @ KPL, stories, activities & door prizes, 2–3:30 pm, KPLCentral, all ages, FREE Faith’s Nuggets, All Ears Theatre presentation, 6 pm, First Baptist Church, 315 W Michigan Ave, 3425059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE Sunday, February 7 Baby & Family Expo, family-focused exhibits, music and activities, 11 am–4 pm, Radisson Plaza Hotel, 100 W Michigan Ave, kzoofamilyexpo.com, all ages, FREE Winter Sports Demo Day, learn new ways to enjoy the outdoors, 2–4 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Monday, February 8 Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE

Chinese New Year Celebration, story, craft & fortune cookies, 4:30 pm, KPL-Washington Square, ages 6–11, FREE #TAB: Teen Advisory Board, help with library events, 6 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Tuesday, February 9 From the Heart, make a Valentine for nursing home residents & a special someone, regular library hours, KPL-all locations, all ages, FREE Small Wonders: Groundhogs, interactive nature stations, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission plus $4 fee Bookworms, book club discussing Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack, 4:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 6–11, FREE Journeys, grief support for children, teens & families (registration required), 5:45-7:30 pm, Oakland Centre, 2255 W Centre Ave, Portage, 345-0273, children & teens, FREE Meet the Author: Sonya Hollins & Friends, Hollins reads from her book Benjamin Losford & His Handy Dandy Clippers, 6 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, all ages, FREE TAG: Teen Advisory Group Meeting, talk books & plan activities, 6:30 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE

Monday, February 1 Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE Maker Mondays, create with different materials & tools, 4–6 pm, KPLCentral, ages 6–11, FREE Animanga Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parchment Library, teens & tweens, FREE Tuesday, February 2 Story Corner, story about the natural world, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE Forecaster Phil: A Groundhog Program, stories, fun facts & a craft, 4:30 pm, KPL-Eastwood, ages 6–11, FREE Wednesday, February 3 Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½ –5, FREE Wednesday Wigglers, books, singing & swinging, 10:15 & 11 am, Richland Library, ages 0–3, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 4:30 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, all ages, FREE

fyiswmichigan.com •

33 •

Wednesday, February 10 From the Heart, make a Valentine for nursing home residents & a special someone, regular library hours, KPL-all locations, all ages, FREE Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE Wednesday Wigglers, books, singing & swinging, 10:15 & 11 am, Richland Library, ages 0–3, FREE Thursday, February 11 From the Heart, make a Valentine for nursing home residents & a special someone, regular library hours, KPL-all locations, all ages, FREE Preschool Explorers: Owls, learn about the natural world & take a hike, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 3–5, regular admission Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE Anti-Valentines Day: Spa Edition, make bath & body products (registration required), 6–8 pm, Parchment Library, teens, $5 Friday, February 12 Preschool Play & Learn, play-centered learning, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–5, FREE Museum Explorers: Kalamazoo’s Talent, America’s Got Talent semifinalist Benjamin Yonattan, 5–8 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE Friday Teen Night, view the galleries & have pizza & pop, 6–8 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, teens, $2 non-members Saturday, February 13 Fancy Pants Theater, pretend play with songs, stories & games, 10 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE Small Wonders: Groundhogs, interactive nature stations, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission plus $4 fee Drop-in Storytime, stories, music & parachute play, 10:30 am, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Art Detectives: Splashes of Color, story & activity with art focus, 11 am, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 5859291, ages 4–8, FREE Crybaby Concert, concert for little ones in an open environment, 11 am, Bronson Gilmore Center for Health Education, 7 Healthcare Plaza, 382-7774, fontanachamberarts. org, ages 0–5, FREE Fancy Pants Theater, songs, stories & games with a short performance, 11 am, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREE Livia the Library Dog, read to a certified therapy dog (registration required), 11 am, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Gold Company: Anything You Can Sing, We Can Swing Better, WMU vocal jazz group, 2 & 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $25–28

•

34 • Feb / Mar 2016

Sunday, February 14 Discover the Trout Run Trail, explore a 0.4-mile trail, 2 pm, Delano Homestead, 555 West E Ave, 3811574, naturecenter.org, all ages, regular admission Valentine’s Snowshoe Nature Hike, snowshoe the trails of Schrier Park, 2–5 pm, Schrier Park, 850 Osterhout Rd, Portage, 329-4522, all ages Valentine’s Skate Date, skate, live music & dinner on the ice (registration required), 4:30–6 pm, Millennium Park, 280 Romence Rd, Portage, 324-9200, portagemi.gov, all ages, $16 Monday, February 15 Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE J-Pop Club, latest media & food from Japan, 4 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Teen Advisory Board, discuss ideas for new programs, 6 pm, Parchment Library, grades 8–12, FREE Tuesday, February 16 Story Corner, story about the natural world, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5, regular admission LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 6:30 pm, KPL-Washington Square, all ages, FREE Teen Cupcake Wars, decorate cupcakes (registration required), 6:30 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE Wednesday, February 17 Lisa Ballerina, Lisa Bredahl puts stories to music, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3–7, FREE Wednesday Wigglers, books, singing & swinging, 10:15 & 11 am, Richland Library, ages 0–3, FREE Thursday, February 18 Quiltfest, showcase for local quilters, 9:30 am, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Owl Prowl: Great Horned Owls, nighttime hike to listen for owls, 7 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, evening admission Friday, February 19 Quiltfest, showcase for local quilters, 10 am, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE LEGO Club, imagine, build & display (registration required), 3:30–5 pm, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Family Late Night Party, build a book fort & play games, 5:30–7 pm, Portage Library, grades preK–5, FREE Beethoven & Nielsen, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra with Yukie Ota, flute, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 349-7759, kalamazoosymphony.com, all ages, $12–60 Saturday, February 20 Shipshewana on the Road, indoor market for the family, 9 am–6 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center,

979-8888, shipshewanaontheroad. com, all ages, $4 adults, 12 & under free Quiltfest, showcase for local quilters, 10 am, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center North, 779-9851, southwestmichiganreptileandexoticanimalexpo.com, all ages, $5 adults, $2 children, under 6 free LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Creature Feature: Screech Owl, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Code-a-Thon, use Chromebooks to complete hours of code, 11 am– 12:30 pm, grades 1–5; 1–2:30 pm, grades 6–12, KPL-Oshtemo, FREE Teen Filmmaker Festival, screening of films by Michigan teens, 2:30–5 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 342-9827, kpl.gov, all ages, FREE Sorry Wrong Number, All Ears Theatre presentation, 6 pm, First Baptist Church, 315 W Michigan Ave, 342-5059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE Golden Dragon Acrobats Present Cirque Ziva, centuries-old Chinese art with today’s technology, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $25–39 Sunday, February 21 Shipshewana on the Road, indoor market for the family, 10 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 979-8888, shipshewanaontheroad. com, all ages, $4 adults, 12 & under free Kalamazoo Record & CD Show, new & used records & CDs, 11 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center Room A, 734-604-2540, rerunrecords.com all ages, FREE Winter Pollinators, hike & learn about over-wintering pollinators, 2 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Precosity, Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra with violist Hae Sue Lee, 4 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 3370440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, $15 adults, $5 students Monday, February 22 Maker Mondays, create with different materials & tools, 6 pm, KPLCentral, grades 5–12, FREE Musical Storytime, songs, stories & special guests, 6:30 pm, KPLCentral, all ages, FREE Tuesday, February 23 Teen Game Club, video, board & card games, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Journeys, grief support for children, teens & families (registration

required), 5:45-7:30 pm, Oakland Centre, 2255 W Centre Ave, Portage, 345-0273, children & teens, FREE Play with Your Food, explore science with kitchen items, 6:30–8 pm, Portage Library, grades K–5, FREE Wednesday, February 24 Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE Thursday, February 25 Preschool Pals Storytime, story, songs, fingerplays & a craft, 10:15 am, Parchment Library, ages 3½–5, FREE Bookworms, book club discusses Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREE Owl Prowl: Barred Owls, nighttime hike to listen for owls, 7 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, evening admission Twilight Skate, skate under the stars, 8–11 pm, Millennium Park, 280 Romence Rd, Portage, 324-9200, portagemi.gov, all ages, $3 skate, $5 skate & rental Friday, February 26 Jump, Turn, Dance & Learn, creative dance, props & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE LEGO My Library, create with LEGOs, 10 am–2 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 10:30 am, Parchment Library, ages 5–12, FREE Saturday, February 27 Garage Sale Art Fair, art at bargain prices, 9:30 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, garagesaleartfair.com, $5 adults, children free Fancy Pants Theater, pretend play with songs, stories & games, 10 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE Frozen Party, dress as a favorite Frozen character (registration required), 10:30 am–noon & 11:30 am–3 pm, Comstock Township Library, all ages, FREE Creature Feature: American Kestrel, see animals up close & ask questions, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Fancy Pants Theater, songs, stories & games with a short performance, 11 am, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREE Kalamazoo Concert Band, “A Renaissance Faire,” 7:30 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, FREE Al Jarreau in Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra with Grammy-winner Al Jarreau, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 349-7759, kalamazoosymphony.com, all ages, $17.50–65 Sunday, February 28 Owls of Michigan, meet some captive owls, 2 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission

Winter Blast Half Marathon, 10k & 5k, 8 am, Portage Central High School, 8135 S Westnedge Ave, 329-4522, portagewinterblast. wordpress.com, all ages, see website for cost Monday, February 29 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, celebrate Dr. Seuss’s books, 10 am– noon, Portage Library, grades preK– 5, FREE Leap Day Hike, celebrate Leap Day with a guided hike, 4 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission

MARCH Tuesday, March 1 Project Snowstorm: Snowy Owls in Michigan, learn about the Snowy Owl monitoring project, W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta, 671-2510, kbs. msu.edu, all ages, visit website for times and cost Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE Friday, March 4 LEGO My Library, create with LEGOs, 10 am–2 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Stories with Mrs. Uggabumper, 4–5 pm, Treat Street, 3023 Oakland Dr, 388-5505, all ages, FREE Art Hop, art at locations around Kalamazoo, 5–8 pm, kalamazooarts. org, all ages, FREE The Booth Brothers, Chenery Gospel Series, 7 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 3370440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, $15–25 Denene & Brian Mulay: Singing Siblings, Farmers Alley Theatre Spotlight Series, 8 pm, Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 3432727, farmersalleytheatre.com, all ages, $25 Saturday, March 5 LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, FREE Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival, workshops on stringed instruments & performances by area musicians, 11 am–7 pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREE First Saturday @ KPL, stories, activities & door prizes, 2–3:30 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Sherlock Holmes & A Case of Identity, All Ears Theatre presentation, 6 pm, First Baptist Church, 315 W Michigan Ave, 342-5059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE Monday, March 7 Animanga Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parchment Library, FREE Tuesday, March 8 Journeys, grief support for children, teens & families (registration required), 5:45-7:30 pm, Oakland

Centre, 2255 W Centre Ave, Portage, 345-0273, children & teens, FREE TAG: Teen Advisory Group Meeting, talk books & plan activities, 6:30 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE Thursday, March 10 Kalamazoo Home Expo & Garden Show, new building trends & products, 3–8 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 375-4225, all ages, $10 adults, 12 & under free Ailey II, the country’s young dance talent & emerging choreographers, 7:30 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $25–50 Friday, March 11 Preschool Play & Learn, playcentered learning, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 2–5, FREE Kalamazoo Home Expo & Garden Show, new building trends & products, noon–9 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 375-4225, kalamazoohomeexpo.com, all ages, $10 adults, 12 & under free Friday Teen Night, view the galleries & have pizza & pop, 6–8 pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, teens, $2 non-members Lamb of God, Easter celebration, 8 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, call for ticket prices Saturday, March 12 Kalamazoo Home Expo & Garden Show, new building trends & products, 10 am–7 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 375-4225, kalamazoohomeexpo.com, all ages, $10 adults, 12 & under free Art Detectives: The Three Ds, story & activity with art focus, 11 am, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 585-9291, ages 4–8, FREE Crybaby Concert, a concert for little ones in an open environment, 11 am, KPL-Oshtemo, 382-7774, fontanachamberarts.org, ages 0–5, FREE Drummunity, drumming for the whole family, 11 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREE Lamb of God, Easter celebration, 8 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 337-0440, cheneryaud.com, all ages, call for ticket prices Sunday, March 13 Maple Sugar Festival, maple sugaring & life in the 1800s, 9 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission Kalamazoo Home Expo & Garden Show, new building trends & products, 11 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 375-4225, kalamazoohomeexpo.com, all ages, $10 adults, 12 & under free Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live, an interactive musical adventure, 3 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU,

387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $20–39 Monday, March 14 #TAB: Teen Advisory Board, help with library events, 6 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Wednesday, March 16 Pajama Story Time, wear your jammies & listen to stories & songs, 7 pm, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Thursday, March 17 Canvases with Kara—Tween, stepby-step painting (registration required), 6:30 pm, Portage Library, grades 3–5, FREE Friday, March 18 Jump, Turn, Dance & Learn, creative dance, props & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 3–5, FREE Saturday, March 19 Kalamazoo Living History Show, re-enactments, craftspeople, dealers & history buffs, 9 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 765563-6792, kalamazooshow.com, all ages, $7 adults, $10 weekend pass, under 12 free Easter Egg Hunt, 10 am-noon, Centerpoint Church, 2345 N 10th St, 375-4815, centerpointkzoo.org, ages 3–5th grade with adult, FREE LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Maple Syrup Day Open House, explore maple syrup production, noon–5 pm, W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest, 7060 N 42nd St, Augusta, 731-4597, kbs.msu.edu, all ages, $1, 2 & under free Ozma of Oz, All Ears Theatre presentation, 6 pm, First Baptist Church, 315 W Michigan Ave, 3425059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, FREE Brahms & Fauré, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra with baritone Leon Williams, 8 pm, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave, 3497759, kalamazoosymphony.com, all ages, $12–60 Dancing in the Streets Motown Revue, Motown’s greatest hits, 8 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 3872300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $25–61 Sunday, March 20 Kalamazoo Living History Show, re-enactments, craftspeople, dealers & history buffs, 9 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 765563-6792, kalamazooshow.com, all ages, $7 adults, $10 weekend pass, under 12 free Monday, March 21 J-Pop Club, latest media & food from Japan, 4 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREE Kalamazoo County 4-H Horse Leaders Tack Sale, for horse & farm, 5–9 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, all ages, $1 per person donation, 5 & under free

Teen Advisory Board, discuss ideas for new programs, 6 pm, Parchment Library, grades 8–12, FREE Tuesday, March 22 Teen Game Club, video, board & card games, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREE Journeys, grief support for children, teens & families (registration required), 5:45-7:30 pm, Oakland Centre, 2255 W Centre Ave, Portage, 345-0273, children & teens, FREE An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist & host of TV’s Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, 7:30 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $67–106 Saturday, March 26 Weekend Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Farmers Market, 8 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 3838761, all ages, FREE Easter Craft & Vendor Show, 9 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 217-8704, all ages, $5 adults, $2 children, under 6 free Olde World Village Easter Egg Hunt, 10 am, Olde World Village, 13215 M-96, Augusta, oldeworldvillage.com, all ages, FREE Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center North, 779-9851, southwestmichiganreptileandexoticanimalexpo. com, all ages, FREE Annual Egg Hunt, family Easter activities, 4–6 pm, Homer Stryker Field, 215 Mills St, 337-8191, all ages, FREE Tuesday, March 29 Bethany Hamilton, professional surfer tells her story of determination, 6 pm, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Drive, 345-1125, wingseventcenter.com, all ages, $35–45 Teen Cosplay Party, dress as a favorite anime, manga, movie, TV or book character, 6:30 pm, Portage Library, teens, FREE Riverdance: The 20th Anniversary World Tour, international Irish dance phenomenon, 7:30 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, millerauditorium.com, all ages, $35–71 Thursday, March 31 Teen & Tween Lightscape Craft, 6–7:30 pm, Parchment Library, FREE

fyiswmichigan.com •

35 •

Kids’ Corner FYI

Activity Page

UNSCRAMBLE THE WORDS TO DECODE THE SECRET MESSAGE RUAYBEFR 1 TAHRE 4

3

2 EOLV

6

5 CDYAN

8

7 AEMCRNO 9 SIKS 10

SECRET MESSAGE

•

3

2

5

2

36 • Feb / Mar 2016

8

7

4

7

10

7

2

Answers: February, Heart, Love, Candy, Romance, Kiss Secret Message: Be My Valentine

6

1

Last Laugh (continued from page 38) nally go out to dinner. Suddenly businesses started popping up around town, like Debbie Gibson Guitars, Checkers Drive-Ins and MLive. When the newly employed residents finally went out to dinner, they were horrified to learn the restaurants had strictly celery menus.

“How did we not see that coming?” the residents reportedly decried, slapping their foreheads. “What we need is an injection of some smarts into this town.”

They decided it was time to bring in some educational institutions. In 1833, the governor authorized the charter for the Michigan and Huron Institute, which would eventually go on to become Bronson College (or BCollege) until a few days later when everyone remembered that the city was now called Kalamazoo. It was immediately renamed K-College and the name Bronson was transferred over to the nearby hospital, which at

the time was just called Leeches and Prayers Medical Center.

It was at this very hospital, somewhere between 1850 and 1950, that a young doctor named Homer Stryker — a key figure in the rebirth of the MWFNTWNGOoS Club — developed the yellow stretchers that are used to cart injured football players off the field. The NFL quickly cut Dr. Stryker a check for $100 billion, which allowed him to start Stryker Winery in Sonoma, California.

It was smooth sailing in Kalamazoo for a long time until one especially frigid day when the Upjohn Company, one of the city’s largest employers, decided it was just too darn cold here and sold itself to a company from Sweden, whose employees were used to cold weather (I’m guessing).

The sale of Upjohn meant some major layoffs, but the community stayed strong because of a very special and very powerful promise: that

one day all families who lived within the limits of the City of Kalamazoo would never be more than half a mile from a brewery.

That promise was upheld and in short time more than 75% of Kalamazoo’s commercial businesses consisted of breweries. Kalamazoo came to be famously known as the runner-up for the title of Beer City, USA, just as was foretold by Abraham Lincoln in his famous speech in Bronson Park somewhere between 100 and 400 years ago.

Those are the facts as I recall them for the history of this great city. And, that brings us to today, when Kalamazoo is a growing community with some of the top businesses, schools, hospitals and cultural events in the state. I just wish the winters were a little bit warmer.

Disclaimer: Folks, this is satire. Do not take this article or anything in this article for an accurate history of Kalamazoo.

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR? JOIN WMUK BECOME A MEMBER WMUK.ORG WMUK

102.1

fyiswmichigan.com •

37 •

LAST LAUGH FYI

A Short History of Kalamazoo … Sort of

By Brian Lam

H

ere’s an interesting phenomenon: on any one day, ask 10 Kalamazoo residents what they think of our winters and you will get 10 similar responses, but ask one Kalamazoo resident what he or she thinks of our winters on 10 separate days and you will get 10 very different responses.

Take me. Ask me what I think of a Kalamazoo winter when I am at the top of a snow-packed sledding hill on a bright, sunny day and I’ll tell you it’s glorious. Ask me when I’m digging my car out of an icy snowbank on a subzero morning and I’ll wrap the wooden shovel around you and roll you down the street. I need your help, man, not your questions.

On days like that, I think, “What on earth possessed people to move — and settle — in a place where these conditions exist for almost half a year? And how did they survive?”

Well, I did some digging, thumbing through the research and crunching the numbers and I found an incredibly accurate history of this stretch of rolling hills we call Kalamazoo. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any notes and with this article long past deadline, tried to recall it from memory and flesh out the details with stuff that sounds probable . . . ish.

The beginning

The first known people in this region were a Native American race referred to as Moundbuilders. This name comes from the constant shoveling the inhabitants had to do to get out of their homes in the winter, which created enormous snow mounds around the region. Eventually, so much snow fell that it covered the whole region and that is why Kalamazoo has so many hills.

Two of the first white settlers in the area were men named Bazel Harrison and Titus Bronson. Together, they formed a club called Men With First Names That Will Never Go Out of Style. “One day, nearly every man in the land will be named Bazel,” Harrison is recorded as saying. “Or Titus,” Bronson reportedly chimed in, adding, “Did you hear a new fur trader moved to the area named Jim? What kind of name is that? Thank goodness for last names!”

Speaking of last names, Titus Bronson soon learned of a nearby green space called Bronson Park and, intrigued by the coincidence, decided to build a cabin there. In 1830, Bronson appealed to the state’s governor to have the whole town designated with the name Bronson.

Nearby neighbors were miffed at his audacity. “Guys, •

38 • Feb / Mar 2016

I’m not naming it after myself. I’m naming it after the park,” he’s recorded as insisting, but neighbors remained unnerved.

Upset, community residents arrested and convicted Bronson for cutting down a cherry tree. (Apparently this is just something people did in historical times, but if we learned anything from George Washington or other historical cherry-tree fellers, it’s that this behavior was pretty much frowned upon.) Subsequently, the town of Bronson was stripped of its name.

By this point, the town was getting pretty big, so the consensus was that a new name was needed forthwith!

One of the area’s key influentials, Justus Burdick — later a member of the Men With First Names That Will Never Go Out of Style Club — was a big fan of Glenn Miller, who had the hit song, “Yes, There Really Is a Kalamazoo” and suggested Kalamazoo as a possibility.

The townsfolk were leery. Was there really a Kalamazoo? they wondered. “There is now, everybody,” Burdick reportedly announced to the cheers of the community, as he pulled a bright red logoed T-shirt proclaiming such over his head.

Burdick insisted to the people of the newly named City of Kalamazoo that, unlike Titus Bronson, he would not go running around naming everything after himself, although he did ask — if it was cool — if he could have a teeny weeny little street as his namesake and — he didn’t want to push it — maybe a sports bar, too? After some murmurs, the community consented.

Growing faster than celery

At this time, the local economy was largely agricultural. The Farmers Market was busy every Saturday, but its produce selection consisted exclusively of celery, so residents started to call for some businesses to move into the area, thereby creating jobs that paid people enough to fi(continued on page 39)

THE AIR

ZOO IS A WORLD-CLA

SS SMITHSONIANAFFILIATED AEROSPACE AND SCIENCE MUSEUM WITH OVER 60 RARE AND U NIQUE AIRCRAFT & SPACECRAFT, 3D FULL-MOTION FLIGH T SIMULATORS, INSPIRING INTERACT IVE EXHIBITS, INDOO R AMUSEMENT PARK-ST YLE RIDES, A 4-D MOVIE THEATER, AND HANDSON STEM CAMPS AND CLASSES.

SPRING BREAK CAMPS REGISTERING NOW!

LEARN MORE TODAY:

AIRZOO.ORG

6151 PORTAGE RD. PORTAGE, MI 49002 fyiswmichigan.com • 39 • (866)524-7 966

Kalamazoo Public Schools

are reaching higher! ion for it tu e g e ll o c e e fr : e romis é The Kalamazoo P idency & attendance requirements apply) KPS graduates (res have been or ts n e d u st S P K 0 0 é More than 4,0 of The Kalamazoo Promise are beneficiaries 00 students in ,0 2 n a th re o m f o é Growth the last 10 years school and le d id m , ry ta n e m le é Rising e ment high school achieve udents taking st f o r e b m u n e th le é More than doub ment courses in the last 7 years Advanced Place

For enrollment or more information please contact Kalamazoo Public Schools at

40 269.337.0161 •

• Feb / Mar 2016