Off The Water - December 25-31, 2014

New season

Top prize

COA wins best gingerbread house..... p.4

Week of December 25-31, 2014

FREE

Shakespeare Fest offers exciting slate... p.5

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

Volume 6, Number 52

Get out!

Lots to do at St. Joseph County Parks

www.offthewater.com

Page 2 • Week of December 25-31, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

FOCUS

Ski, shoe and tube at county parks

By NICK SHELTON

S

T. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — Thousands of Michiana residents will resolve to shed a few pounds in 2015. Luckily, St. Joseph County Parks is helping to make it a ‘walk’ in the park.

Starting on Dec. 26 (snow conditions permitting), Michiana residents will be able to participate in several winter activities at St. Joseph County Parks, including cross-country skiing, innertubing and snowshoeing.

Evie Kirkwood, St. Joseph County Parks Director, emphasized the benefits of participation.

“Outdoor activity is a great way to beat the winter blues and get some exercise and laughter with friends and family,” Kirkwood said. “St. Joseph County Parks offers many opportunities to explore the outdoors in the snow.”

In addition to getting a solid workout, people who ski, tube and shoe at the parks will also experience the natural beauty the snow-covered beech-maple forests have to offer.

“Exploring these special

places in winter is a unique experience,” Kirkwood said.

“On a quiet snowshoe hike, for example, you are likely to spot rabbit and squirrel tracks, or bird nests tucked in the trees/” Activities will be offered at both St. Patrick’s County Park (South Bend) and Ferrettie/

Baugo Creek County Park (Osceola). For a small fee ($3 to $5 per person), park guests will be able to participate in the various outdoor activities.

Kirkwood said the parks will offer activities for various ages and skill levels.

“We strive to offer a mix of

active and passive recreation opportunities for a variety of ages. Most of those activities you can experience at different levels. For example, you can enjoy a slow-paced classic cross-country ski trek or really push it on our ‘skate-ski’ trails to get a terrific

DON’T MISS OUT ON ALL THE WINTER FUN IN DOWNTOWN ST. JOSEPH! StJoeToday.com downtown chili tour

and it’s finally friday jan. 30 • 5-8 pm

aerobic workout.”

The parks will also offer a few special events throughout the season including the “Valentine’s Day Soup and Ski” and “Passport to Play: Innertubing.”

Additionally, there will be a “Skiing Under the Stars” series which will include a Rainbow Glow Ski, a Wine and Cheese Ski, and a Cocoa and Campfire Ski. While there are other places in Michiana to enjoy similar outdoor activities, Kirkwood said there is something special about St. Joseph County Parks.

“How many places can you ski by a barn that is on the National Register of Historic Places, like the big Red Barn at St. Patrick’s County Park, or whoosh on a tube down a fantastic hill created from what decades ago was a town dump and is now Ferrettie-Baugo Creek County Park?”

So in 2015, skip the treadmill, strap on your skis or snowshoes, and experience the beauty of St. Joseph County Parks.

For park hours, specific event details, prices, and directions, please visit http://www.sjcparks. org/.

light up the bluff

lights remain on through Feb. 15

open ice skating

magical ice fest

bring your valentine to the sweetheart skate feb. 14 • 7-10 pm

frosty fun all weekend long! feb. 6-8

john and dede howard ice rink open through mid march

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of December 25-31, 2014 • Page 3

CUISINE SCENE

All are welcome to worship with us.

Cass Fellowship Bible Church

Pastor Richard Doran (269) 274-5726 64016 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 (269) 445-2195 Sunday School: Sunday 9:30 am Church Service: Sunday 10:30 am and Wednesday 7 pm

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wine lovers Gifts for

T

is the season and holiday shoppers often find themselves grabbing last-minute gifts. If there is a wine drinker on your list pay attention. Don’t buy them wine.

That’s right, for the serious red wine drinkers on your Santa sheet wine is probably not a good idea.

Now, if you know wine and know the wine drinker well enough to understand what they really enjoy go ahead.

But every holiday season retail shops get bombarded with well-meaning customers wanting recommendations on wine as a gift. If you insist, there will be a few recommendations at the bottom of this column.

Instead of the fermented grape juice buy your friend or family member a great wine-related gift. There is one choice any wine drinker will appreciate and could use whether they know it or not.

Almost any wine at any price point will benefit from decanting.

Decanters come at every imaginable price point. You can find a decanter at your local home store for around $20 or even less. You can shop the traditional wine glassware companies and pay more. You can buy a Riedel decanter at all price

COLUMNIST

Howard Hewitt Grape Sense points all the way up to more than $1,000. The top end are hand blown in the original Austrian factory.

Wine is decanted to add oxygen and allow the wine to ‘open up’ after all of that time in the bottle. This is particularly true for young wines — inexpensive or pricey.

Purchase a decanter with a large bowl. Those work best. Decanting wine can also lead to lots of questions about sediment. Some sort of strainer is often necessary when decanting or serving the wine from the decanter, especially for older wines.

That stuff won’t harm you but it’s going to be bitter.

Many aerators come with

some sort of filter to take care of that problem.

A young, lighter-style wine will really benefit from 30 minutes to an hourlong decant. A big red wine, like Cabernet, up to two hours. Some wine, like an Italian Sangrantino, may require several hours.

A great lesson in learning more about wine can coincide with the decanting process. First, open a bottle of wine and pour a taste.

Make mental notes of what the wine was like. Then pour a small taste again an hour later. The wine will be different and probably better tasting, less astringency and more pronounced fruit.

Older wines often require less of a decant and more attention to sediment.

The taste test is important to learn what works best for your palate.

Now, if you insist a bottle of wine is a nicer gift than glassware go ahead and buy a bottle or two. If you know your friend or family member really likes wine but you have no idea what to buy, play it safe.

Pinot Noir at the $20 and up price point makes an excellent gift. If they drink white wine try finding an unoaked Chardonnay.

There are many good labels

of unoaked Chard around $15.

If you’re willing to splurge buy Pinot at the $40$50 range for great wine. But French Chablis for the white drinkers at about the same cost.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holiday toast!

Howard W. Hewitt, Crawfordsville, Indiana, writes about wine every other week for more than 20 Midwestern newspaper.

Reach him at: hewitthoward@gmail.com

Lemon Creek Fabrics 119 W. Ferry St.

Downtown Berrien Springs, MI 49103 269-473-2201 Open Sunday thru Thursday Closed Friday & Saturday

Closed the Month of December Reopen in January 2015

Page 4 • Week of December 25-31, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

ON DISPLAY

COA wins grand prize in gingerbread contest

C

ASSOPOLIS — The Cass County COA entered the “Gingerbread Village” competition held annually in South Bend. For the second year in a row, the COA won the Grand Prize. The event is sponsored by Downtown South Bend Inc. The wonderful creation was conceived by COA Chef Kevin Stantz who drew the concept and created a template. He was assisted by creative co-workers Laura Canfield, of the IT department, and Terina Miller, a graphic designer. The trio put in more than 80 hours making Chef Kevin’s concept come to life. More than 30 different candies and confections were used for “Santa’s Wonderland Toy Factory.”

“We were in it to win,” Stantz said. “Our goal was to give every edible item a creative use and ‘repurpose’ it as something for Santa’s factory. This was not a one person job and my helpers, Laura Canfield and Terina Miller, added so much to making our entry truly amazing.”

The entry featured M&Ms used as Christmas lights, melted peppermint candy as a roof, pretzels stacked to look like a log cabin and shredded wheat to form one of the buildings. The result is a colorful and beautiful display of culinary creativity and teamwork.

Chef Kevin is always very busy in the kitchen preparing all the wonderful meals at the COA, so most of the work on the gingerbread village was done in his spare time. The team of creators received the ultimate prize — ribbons reading “1st Place” and “Grand Prize.”

The Cass County COA Lowe Center is located at 60525 Decatur Road and Highway 60 in Cassopolis and Front Street Crossing is at 227 S. Front St. in Submitted photo Dowagiac.

The Cass County COA competed with several other organizations in South Bend's annual gingerbread contest.

The Cass County COA is a community organizaThe COA was awarded first place for its design featuring M&Ms for Christmas lights, a pretzel roof and shredtion offering programs and services for adults in all ded wheat siding for a building. life stages.

S n

S

W a p

p a a t

f r r o t t

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of December 25-31, 2014 • Page 5

SPOTLIGHT

Love, loss & laughter 16th year of Shakespeare Festival at Notre Dame kicks of Feb. 11

N

OTRE DAME, Ind. — Shakespeare at Notre Dame announced its 2015 season recently. Offering a subscription of plays for the first time in the organization’s history, the 16th season will include one tragedy, two comedies and one romantic fairy tale, all following the theme: “Love, Loss, and Laughter.”

The year kicks off Feb. 11 with “Macbeth” performed by Actors From The London Stage (AFTLS) at Notre Dame’s historic Washington Hall. AFTLS, which is made up of a rotating cast of five professional British actors from London’s most-prestigious stages, celebrates its 40th year of continuous touring in 2015.

Previous AFTLS actors have included Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ben Kingsley. Notre Dame is the group’s American home.

It’s a year of growth for the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, which adds a second professional production for the first time in its history.

“I’ve wanted to commission new work because

someone gave Will Shakespeare a go,” said Ryan Producing Artistic Director Grant Mudge.

Mudge has enlisted writers Austin Tichenor and Reed Martin, stars of the PBS film The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and authors of “The Complete History of America” (abridged), to return to their Shakespearean roots and create a brand new madcap comedy inspired by the Bard. Performances of William Shakespeare’s “Long Lost Play” (abridged) will begin Aug. 4 in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Regis Philbin Studio Theatre.

To explain the thematic connection, Mudge said, “Shakespeare’s characters love too much, drink too much, crave too much, and are sometimes cruel to those closest to them. Shakespeare shows us our choices charting not only our own lives, but even the path of history itself. And, in the wake of those decisions, sometimes the only thing left us is to laugh.”

The second NDSF

Professional Company production will be The Winter’s Tale, beginning Aug. 18 in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Patricia George Decio Theatre, directed by Drew Fracher.

According to Mudge, “Shakespeare put everything into this play: bears, shipwrecks, musical numbers, comedy, tragedy, magic, great love stories, bitter betrayals, and one miraculous chance for redemption.”

During the summer months, the NDSF also stages two free productions: ShakeScenes performed by community actors of all ages, and the annual Young Company production, featuring college and university students from Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, Holy Cross, and schools across the nation.

This year, the Young Company will produce the comedy Love’s Labor’s Lost, directed by West Hyler, in his second summer leading these early-career artists.

Hyler is best known for his work on Broadway, including “Jersey Boys” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Learn more about all of

St. Joseph author releases new adventure novel

S

T. JOSEPH, Mich. — Author Tess Story announces the nationwide release of her new book, “A Wanderer’s Soul,” where she shares an adventure filled with mystery and purpose.

“A Wanderer’s Soul” chronicles the perilous journey of two young adventurers as they become embroiled in a quest for answers to a mysterious relic entrusted to the lone survivor of the fall of St. Stephens.

Friar Benito, the keeper of the rare artifacts and sacred texts of the monastery’s reliquary, must seek out the help of a renowned scholar to unlock the mysteries of the relic they carry. To find this scholar, the three will travel to the far reaches of the crumbling Eastern Byzantine empire.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Story is an arts educator and author residing in Southwestern Michigan. She is currently an adjunct instructor in the art department at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

She maintains a professional affiliation with Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, as an arts facilitator, providing artistic experiences to patients within medical environments. Writing is an outlet for her creative curiosity and is a mental escape from long, gray Michigan winters.

Shakespeare at Notre Dame’s 2015 productions at shakespeare.nd.edu.

Audiences can save 30 percent off full-price adult ticket prices when buying a season subscription to Shakespeare at Notre Dame’s three ticketed productions through Jan. 30, 2015. Visit shakespeare. nd.edu or call the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Ticket Office at (574) 6312800. (Note: online orders only during Notre Dame’s holiday break, Dec. 20 through Jan. 4.)

Cash in your Coins, Jewelry, Gold & Silver Free In-Store Appraisals!

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Open: Mon-Sat.

574-288-7464

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Page 6 • Week of December 25-31, 2014 igian Mich n I e Mad

Off The Water, Michiana

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healthy lifestyle I was in Michigan last week and, for the first time in ages, I had time to drive to the natural food wholesaler Country Life Natural Foods. I called in the morning and placed a large order. I spent about $200 on bulk quinoa, nutritional yeast, nuts, dried fruit, herbs, oils, and gluten free baking flour.

This upfront investment of bulk ingredients will last me months. The 5 pound bag of organic quinoa I purchase, for example, was only $30 compared to at least $8 for a 16 ounce bag at traditional grocery stores.

Organic raw cashews were $15 for three pounds, another huge savings.

Sure, it’s an investment of time and money to order bulk ingredients, but it’s been over a year since I made my last purchase of this size, so the time and money savings in the long run is well worth it. It’s such a relief to have my pantry stocked with tahini, nuts, and other staples. It makes it a lot easier to just have to run to the store and spend a few dollars on fresh produce without having to tread too deeply into the grocery aisles.

Now that Christmas is over and you’re looking to the new year, I highly recommend taking this step towards better meal plan-

ning and finding natural foods wholesaler near you.

If you live in Southwestern Michigan, Country Life Natural Foods is well worth the trip. Just be sure you either order online or call ahead because it takes them a while to collect the bulk goods from the warehouse.

If you’re like me and live in an urban setting where space is limited, then organizing your bulk purchases is key to making this type of meal planning work to it’s fullest potential. Buy bins from Target or Meijer, and store your pantry items in stack-able, easy to organize bins.

Raw nuts and seeds should be kept in the freezer until you’re ready to use them. I usually portion out a few cups of these foods at a time and store them at room temperature in Mason Ball jar for quick access.

Taking the time to buy these foods and organize them has made healthy eating on a budget so much more accessible. As you head into the new year, trying to think of ways to simplify your life and make meal planning and healthier eating easier is crucial to making positive changes.

Having the healthy staples you need to throw together quick, satisfying home cooked meals will help you immensely.

COLUMNIST

Kat Barry Kat's Hot Talk

Kat Barry, a St. Joseph, Michigan native, is owner of Kat’s Hot Cakes vegan catering, and co author of “The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat Free Recipes from America’s Veggie Diner.” She also develops recipes for eHow. com, where you can find over 30 of her vegan instructional cooking videos. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Kat currently resides in Chicago, and in her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, sampling local spirits, listening to live music, and getting outdoors. Follow @katshotcakes on twitter.

Kat can be reached via email at: kat@katshotcakes.com.

RECYCLE

YOUR PAPER

Off The Water, Michiana

Week of December 25-31, 2014 • Page 7

Tickets on sale now for Jim Belushi show

B

ENTON TWP., Mich. — Get ready to participate in some mid-winter laughs when Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy come to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.

With more than 30 years of experience and a stint on Saturday Night Live and Chicago’s famed Second City, Jim Belushi is now bringing to the stage an improvised comedy sketch show featuring members of the Board of Comedy.

Accompanying Belushi are Megan Grano, Larry Joe Campbell, Brad Morris, and Joshua Funk, all of whom are classically trained professional improvisers who tour regularly nationwide.

“We are not stand-up comedians. Our show is not a passive, sit-backand-watch experience.

Most of the fun we have on stage comes from our inclusion of the audience,” Belushi said. “We get suggestions from them to begin each scene we perform, and in certain instances, bring them onstage with us to add to our performance. It's less a ‘show’ and more a party.

At least it feels like one to me. This group of actors brings me right back to how I started out in comedy — maybe that's why we have so much fun doing it."

Belushi starred on the ABC hit comedy According to Jim, on which he also served as executive producer, music composer and director. After wrapping 182 episodes for its eighth and final season, the family favorite series also hit a milestone when it launched into off-net syndication in 2007. A favorite of film, television, and stage audiences, Belushi is one of the great leading character

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Tickets for Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy start at $36 and are available by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-1221 or visiting www.lmcmainstage.org. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For information about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special arrangements, contact Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mnadolski@ lakemichigancollege.edu.

Patrons may upgrade their experience by adding a VIP package to their Stage Side and Platinum seats for just $20. The VIP package includes private pre-show party area with bar, two complimentary drinks and snacks, as well as prize drawings. Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy are scheduled to visit the party for a brief meet and greet with VIP guests.

A cash bar will be Suet & No-Melt Dough open for all patrons one hour before show time and during intermission.

Bird Food Cylinders Special Mendel Center drink cups are available for purchase, which

allow patrons to enjoy their beverages inside the theater.

Chemical Bank, Boulevard Inn and Bistro, and WNDU Channel are sponsoring Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy’s performance at the LMC Mendel Center.

The full line-up of LMC Mendel Center Mainstage entertainment can be found at www. lmcmainstage.org.

The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center is located just 40 minutes from Kalamazoo and South Bend on the Lake Michigan College Napier Avenue Campus in Benton Township, Michigan, one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24).

The LMC Mendel Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., and one hour before show time. Tickets may be purchased in person, by phone at (269) 9271221, or online at www. lmcmainstage.org.

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actors equally at home in drama and comedy, and a gifted performer who can also hold a room as front man of a rhythm and blues band.

Supporting cast may be subject to availability.

Language may be offensive. Show recommended for audiences 18 and older.

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Page 8 • Week of December 25-31, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

GET OUT!

19th annual bird count Jan. 3

E

LKHART — The Elkhart County Parks and the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society are calling upon volunteers for the annual Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Volunteer bird counters can participate several ways:

Field Observers will be assigned an area and given maps to count birds within a designated part of Elkhart County. Teams will birdwatch by car and foot from dawn to dusk.

Participants should dress for the weather, and bring binoculars and field guides. Field observers will meet at Ox Bow

House Shelter in Ox Bow County Park on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 a.m. Ox Bow County Park is located at 23033 County Road 45 in Dunlap.

Feeder Counters can count birds in their yards.

Participants must live within the count circle and can count the highest number of species seen at

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once in their yard on Saturday, Jan. 3. Feeder counts can take place anytime throughout the day.

The Elkhart County count circle extends from the state line on the north to Waterford Mills on the south end, and includes the towns of Bristol, Middlebury, Goshen, and eastern portion of Elkhart.

The center of the 7.5 mile radius for the count circle is the intersection of County Roads 18 and 23.

Bird watchers can preregister by contacting the Elkhart County Parks at (574) 535-6458 or e-mail rdecaire@elkhartcounty. com to register their name, address, and phone number and e-mail to receive further directions for the bird count.

After the count, data is compiled and submitted to the National Audubon Society along with over 2,300 bird counts that take place over a two-week period around the holidays throughout North America.

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running citi-

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For more information about the history of the count or to find results for past Elkhart County counts, visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.

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General Notices 106 BANQUET HALL AND CHAIR & TABLE RENTAL up to 200 people American Legion Post 26 104 N. 3rd. St. Niles, MI (269)357-1411

WRONGLY DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?

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Kenneth Smith, Inc. Truck Drivers Pulling Dump Trailers Wanted

DRIVERS NEEDED:

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Apply in person 2596 Detroit Road (M-60) in Niles, MI or call 269-684-5960 to request application www.kennethsmithinc.com

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Please call Toni at 269-4453333 or stop by today at 145 Stone Lake St. for more information. Equal Housing Opportunity. TDD 1-800649-3777 American Preferred 1-800-968-1792

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NOW HIRING FULL-TIME HOUSEKEEPER

This is a 37.5 hours/week position.

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6423 Long Lake Berrien Springs, 4 room, 2 1/2 bath, acres, 2 fireplaces, barn $269,900 Call Mike at (269)470-2995

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P.D.K. Firearm Instruction Concealed Pistol License Contact Paul: 269-462-2584 or Kelly: 269-783-6570 pdkfirearms.com

autograph baseball by Mickey Mantle, PSA authentication with papers, totally mint, $600 firm.

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NILES FLEA MARKET

111 E. Main St, Niles MI New vendors bringing many new items weekly. Open House Nov 28th-30th! Come Christmas shopping with us!

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Auctions

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NILES COMMUNITY AUCTION HOUSE Antiques, collectables, furniture, & tons of new items! Antique Auction December 20th, 4pm.

802 Fort St, Niles MI (269) 635-0271

Cemetery Lots 617 2 PLOTS & 2 VAULTS in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles, valued at $4,600, asking $1,600 negotiable, will pay transfer fees! (219) 393-1977

Good Things to 636 Eat Sweet Texas Oranges 5 lbs/$3.50 18lb/$12.00 HONEY CRISP .50/lb, $8/half bushel $20/half bushel •#2 Honey Crisp $10/half bushel •Other Varieties $7/half bushel & up •Potatoes $5/half bushel •Sweet Potatoes $10/half bushel .40/lb.

•Walla Walla Sweet Onions .35/lb., $15/50lbs.

•Texas Ruby red grapefruit 5 lbs/$2.50 18 lbs/$9.00

•Honey 1 1/2 lbs. $7

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Household Merchandise FOR SALE

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(269)240-8800

Rent-Lease, Misc. 442 Elderly Care OFFICE SPACE 307 For rent, approx. 750 sq ft, KARE SERVICES

3 bed, 2 bath homes ready to be moved into. Lease options starting at $599 per month (includes lot rent, insurance, water, trash) Call (269)423-7024 or visit www.phelpscommunity.com to view pictures

Collectibles 602 FOR SALE

• PLAYGROUND

Compassionate Home Care Services (269)684-1984 (574)292-2900 email:KKaidanRay@aol.com www.KAREService.com

HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

Apartments Available $565/month (269)684-4500 tanglewood-niles.com

Arbor Trails

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!

20 Part-Time Positions Flexible Schedule – 1st or 2nd Shift $9.00 per hour Buchanan, MI (269) 408-1980

Apartments 2 BEDROOM

Week of December 25-31, 2014 • Page 9

Fixable Cars Wanted

2 Bd/2 Bth, air cond., Vaulted ceilings, $488/MO* Buchanan, 269-695-3119

adamsjunkers.com Adam Pays the most!!

FREE PICKUP 7 days a week Title or not!!

(574) 300-6556

ALWAYS PAYING

top dollar for junk cars, trucks & farm equipment.

Also buying repairables. Paul buys junk cars & trucks.

(574)993-1131

BUYING

repairable scrap and unwanted vehicles, top dollar paid. Call or text for a free quote today. Free towing.

Kevin (817)437-0450

Page 10 • Week of December 25-31, 2014

10 HALF CLASS

Off The Water, Michiana

There’s no time like Christmas to let you know how much we value your business and support.

WELCOME THE SEASON!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

217 North 4th Street Niles, Michigan 49120 phone 269.683.2100 fax 269.683.2175

Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

CLASSIFIEDs WANTED TO BUY

WILLIAMS HOME

Cash paid for medium IMPROVEMENT size refrigerators, working Repairs, Remodel, Windows, or repairable. Also gas & Siding, Additions, Painting, electric ranges.

Call Plumbing & More. Senior

WE WILL BUY

your junk car. We haul for free. Paying up to $1500 cash. Please call anytime 269-687-8098

700

FRYMAN'S SEAMLESS GUTTERS & SIDING FRYMAN’S ROOFING

CA$H 4 JUNKERS

HOME REPAIRS & REMODELING

Over 30 years of experience, tile work, kitchens, bathrooms, decks & porches, windows & doors, window wrapping, siding, fascia & soffit. Call Randy (269)7823139 (269)208-9838

MK CONSTRUCTION

Pole barn & other garages specialist. Roofing Siding, Framing and more. Over 40 years experience. Licensed.

Contact Michael N. Knepple (269)476-9777

MR. MAINTENANCE Roofing, Siding & Windows, Light Hauling & Spring Clean-Ups, No Inside or Outside job too big or small.

Low affordable rates.

(269)591-1403

Quality Clock Repair

Front Street Framery 801 E. Front St. Buchanan House Calls, Free Estimates (269)409-1031

Painting Service

754

Tree Service 725 PAYNE'S TREE SERVICE

Tree Trimming & Removal. Turn that Junker in your yard J.M. HUNT to cash in your hand Stump Grinding & Firewood.

ENTERPRISES, LLC 801 Carberry Rd, Niles Bobcat & Concrete Work.

Painting & Drywall. Insured.

269-687-5865 Insured. (269)663-8091 Free Estimates.

Family Owned & Operated for Over Antenna Service 737 Snow Removal 745 50 years. 269-683-4442.

SNOW PLOWING

Your home exterior experts.

Quality guaranteed! Locally Owned for 50 years. (269)7825008 (David & Terri Fryman)

FREE ESTIMATES

743

Discounts. Free Estimates (269)635-1527

(269)687-8639

Home Improvement

Recycling Service

WHY PAY TO WATCH TV?

Dozens of Free HD & Digital channels, use your own wiring, complete installation & repair, tower removal, packages with antenna, rotor & amp starting at $340.

Free estimates.

(269)357-6352 antennasplus1.com

Misc. Services 747 HANDYMAN JOE & WIFE

Retired electrician will do electrical repairs, replacements & other electrical needs, also painting, general house cleaning, & basement cleaning Concrete Service 739 garage & light carpentry.

DEPROW CONCRETE LET US DO IT FOR YOU! Concrete, bricks, blocks & Call between 9am-7pm stonework. Any type of tear (269)340-2064 or out & replace. Basement (269)340-2365 repairs, landscaping, bobcat work. No job too small. 35 years experience. Concrete KLIMEK $2.20 a sq. foot. Insured.

ENTERPRISES Jerry (269) 352-4010 Electrical Contracting, No Job

www.facebook.com/leaderpubcom

Trucks, Vans,

942 Residential & Com4-Wh Drives mercial. Free Estimates.

1993 FORD F250 Reasonable Rates. Call Larry at C & C Concrete Ext. cab, Diesel, 4x4, 8 ft. box with contractors cap, (269)228-1163

Too Big or Small. Free Quotes.

Affordable Pricing, Licensed & Insured. (269)684-6290 or (269)470-4097.

198,000 miles, everything works, $4,500 OBO. Also red fiberglass Tonneau cover, fits 2007-2013 GMC-Chevy 2500 long box, $400 OBO. (269)782-3139

Autos for Sale

945

04 Mini Cooper $8,888 06 Pontiac G6 $10,685 07 GMC Canyon $13,888 11 Jeep Cherokee $27,988 Call (574) 264-1174 today!

2006 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (Red) Engine: V8, 4.7 Liter City 14/Hwy 19/Comb 16 MPG 116k miles Comfortably Seats 5 people $7,500.00 Call Scarlett Auto Sales (269) 461-4197 2010 Hyundai Elantra GLS 46k grey in Color Guaranteed 30 MPG/hwy Front Wheel Drive 4 Door Sedan No Credit Checks No Interest Low down Payment Low monthly payments!!

Free 6 month Warranty!

Call Scarlett Auto for more information!

(269)461-4197

Celebrate Your birthday or anniversary

with us!

Call (888) 725-0108

Join Funk Harmony Park and Moveable Types for a #DAXmas or “Day After Christmas” benefit concert on Dec. 26, at 8:00 p.m. at The Brick in downtown South Bend to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph County.

Funk Harmony Park will also be playing a free acoustic show on Dec. 17 at Bare Hands Brewery in Granger to benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. In previous years they have raised a total of $15,000 in donations.

Whole Foods in Mishawaka will host a Community Support Day for Unity Gardens, where 5 percent of after-tax profits of one day’s sales at Whole Foods Market Mishawaka goes to this community organization. Whole Foods Market is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26.

Dec. 30

Weather permitting, kids (7 years and older) can sled on Pear Hill with Sarett Nature Center on December 30 at 1 p.m. Cost is

The artistry and timehonored tradition of epic storytelling through dance will delight audiences at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage when the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at 4 p.m. Tickets for the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote start at $34 and are available by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 9271221 or visiting www.lmcmainstage.org. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more.

For information about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special arrangements, contact Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mnadolski@lakemichigancollege.edu.

i

Lubeznik Center for the Arts is calling all poets, musicians, comedians, dramatists and storytellers! Start the New Year by sharing your talent at our open mic First Friday event hosted by Tim Rounds. Performers interested in participating must register online at lubeznikcenter.org by Dec. 30. Check-in is at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, performances run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Please note that we anticipate allowing 10 minute time slots per performance, however, this is subject to change depending on the number of registrants.

Questions? Call the center at 219-874-4900.

Jan. 3

The Elkhart County Parks and the South

Artist and Pokagon Potawatomi tribal citizen Jason Wesaw will conduct a workshop outlining his unique process of producing work with clay directly harvested from the Great Lakes.

Learn about historical native pottery while creating your own one-of-akind artworks alongside the artist. Participants will use clay harvested in and around South Bend. Early bird tuition is $80 before Dec. 10.

Food Food Nature LEGEND LEGEND

Crafts Holiday

Art Alcohol Tourist Art Shots Parting Tourist Information Information Music

Religious Family

Religious Religious Theatre

LEGEND

Jan. 11

South Bend Civic Theatre is creating new opportunities for bringing onstage and backstage talent to their productions in 2015. On Sunday January 11th and Tuesday January 13th, SBCT will hold auditions for four upcoming shows: Spamalot, A Behanding in Spokane, Venus in Fur, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Actors will have the opportunity to list their preference of shows to be considered for in this new format.

The auditions will begin promptly at 6 PM and will be held at the Scottish Rite building (across the parking lot from South Bend Civic Theatre on Main Street).

More information, including casting breakdowns for all shows and downloadable sides are available at sbct.org.

Jan. 23

The second of three performances in the 2014-2015 Hanson Theatre Living Room Series is on tap for Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. at the LMC Mendel Center with Wild Ponies.Tickets for Wild Ponies are $15 and $10 for Mendel Center Mainstage series ticket holders, students, and seniors. They are available by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-1221 or visiting www.lmcmainstage.org. For information about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special arrangements, contact Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mnadolski@lakemichigancollege.edu.

Jan. 24

South Bend’s fourth annual BrewFest will take

Alcohol Crafts

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$

Business Religious

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Movies Business Movies Food Shopping Nature Holiday Nature Holiday

Community Theatre Community Theatre Camping Family Parting Shots Family Tourist Information Parting Shots

Information Sports

Nature Summer

$$

Crafts Nature

Crafts Music Shopping Shopping Holiday

Music Sports Sports

Parting Shots $

$

Kids (6 years and older) can Celebrate Winter with Sarett Nature Center on Jan. 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The morning session ($3) will include learning about animals in winter, snow and winter survival. The afternoon session (additional $3) will be spent snowshoeing or crosscountry skiing. Children should dress appropriately and bring a lunch.

Please call (269) 9274832 to register.

Community

$

Jan. 2

Jan. 10

Dec. 31

After Dec. 10, tuition is $100.

Food Food Religious Religious Camping Summer Summer Family Parting Shots Camping

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$

Shopping

place at theTourist Century Friday theCamping 30th with Information Information on Tourist Shopping Sports Center on Saturday, Jan. a 5-9 p.m. run and then 24, 2015, and will show- an adult “midnight run” case specialty and craft from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. beers from local brewall day Saturday Nature HolidayNature Then Holiday Summer eriesCamping from South Bend from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the surrounding Unlimited runs for $3! areas. In concordance We provide your sledwith South Bend’s 150th ding tube! Contact City Family Parting Shots PartingatShotsHallFamily birthday celebration, at 269-695-3844 tendees will have $ the for more details. Or $ opportunity to sample click the picture above more than 150 beer va- for the Thrill’s Facebook Shopping SportsShopping Sports rieties and flavors.

The page. first 150 people through the door will also receive Feb. 5 a special, commemorativeCamping gift. In addition to the Summer Camping Summer beer tasting, BrewFest Get ready to particiwill also feature live mu- pate in some mid-winter sic, pretzel necklaces, laughs when Jim Belive home brew demon- lushi and the Board of strations and a charity Comedy come to the auction.

Lake Michigan College Mendel Center MainJan. 25 stage on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Jim BrewFest, an annual Belushi and the Board beer sampling event of Comedy start at $36 hosted by Century Cen- and are available by ter will be held on Sat- calling the LMC Menurday, Jan. 24, 2015, in del Center Box Office downtown South Bend. at (269) 927-1221 or The collaboration be- visiting www.lmcmaintween Century Center stage.org. Special rates and Transpo comes are available for groups as an effort to promote of 10 or more. For insafety and responsi- formation about group ble practices amongst rates, pre-show party BrewFest participants. options, and other special arrangements, conJan. 30-31 tact Mike Nadolski at (269) 927-8109 or mnadolski@lakemichiganThrill on the Hill will start college.edu. $

Dec. 26

Welcome in 2015 at The Acorn with the renowned and infamous Super Happy Funtime Burlesque troupe from Grand Rapids. Post show includes champagne toast and yummy nibbles. A bit outrageous, wonderfully entertaining and an altogether great night. Must be 21 or older.

Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society are calling upon volunteers for the annual Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3. Bird watchers can pre-register by contacting the Elkhart County Parks at (574) 535-6458 or email rdecaire@elkhartcounty.com to register their name, address, and phone number and e-mail to receive further directions for the bird count.

$$

The Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Harbert, Michigan will host its Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, Dec. 24 with a Family Service and Children’s Pageant at 5:00 p.m. The late service will begin at 10:30 p.m. with Christmas carols followed by the Midnight Candle Lit Holy Eucharist at 10:45 p.m. All times are (EST). There will be no service on Christmas Day. The public is welcome. The church is located at 14280 Red Arrow Highway, midway between Lakeside and Harbert

$1. Please call (269) 9274832 to register.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

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Week of December 2014 •Community Page Tourist 11 Information Crafts 25-31, Crafts Music Business Movies Music

$

Dec. 24

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Off The Water, Michiana

RECYCLE YOUR PAPER

Page 12 • Week of December 25-31, 2014

Off The Water, Michiana

SCI Alarm wishes you a safe and secure holiday season Rest assured: Our local team is here to provide peace of mind while you enjoy this season.

SCI Alarm, Inc (574) 277-3322 www.scialarm.com

www.facebook.com/scialarminc

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL Intrusion/ Fire Alarms Video Surveillance Access Control Local Monitoring

Come in from the cold this winter

This winter, for a limited time, we’re offering the opportunity to experience Hearth living with no long-term commitment. But hurry, call today because this is a limited time offer.

6330 North Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530 • (574) 243-5557 • www.thehearth.net INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE