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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • April 2022 • No. I
Ready, Set, Plant! Children’s Zoo Opens April 30 Treating Sore Knees Without Surgery What Makes a Landscape Plan Great? Tips for Choosing the Right Flooring Plan Ahead for Kitchen & Bath Remodels
Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health & Entertainment!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16 Ready, Set, Plant! Your Health & Fitness .......................................11 Treating Knee Pain Your Outdoor Living ..........................................13 A Great Landscape Plan Inspiration & Worship .......................................14 When Love Came Your Home .............................................................19 All About Flooring Your Kitchen ........................................................25 Plan Ahead for Kitchen & Bath Remodels Your Community .................................................27 Zoo Opens for Season on April 30! Your Family Fun .................................................28
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Jim Taylor Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes Website www.SmartLivingFortWayne.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com
Smart Living. Copyright 2022 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
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Hello, Baseball!
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he world offers no shortage of anxiety-inducing news these days. Lucky for us, springtime is here and it’s nearly time for …. baseball! We were all relieved to learn that minor leagues won’t be affected by the status of the Major League Baseball lockout! Fort Wayne’s own TinCaps will open its 66-game season on April 12, playing the South Bend Cubs at Parkview Field. The TinCaps season will again be loaded with special promotions, including 25 nights with fireworks and some brand new promos. Beginning May 20, every Friday and Saturday night game will be capped by fireworks and there will be fireworks after games on Monday, July 4; Tuesday, June 21; and four Thursday games. April 12 will see the first of 10 Tuesday Family Feast Nights, with $2 concessions. The team will continue another tradition with 11 Thirsty Thursdays, presented by Rudy’s Shop with $2 domestic draft beers and other drink specials. All nine Wednesday night games are Paws & Claws Nights, presented by Law's Country Kennel, allowing fans to purchase a “Paw Pass” for their pet, plus discounted White Claw Hard Seltzers. Thursday, April 28 will see a brandnew Tribute to the Indianapolis 500. Saturday, May 21 will be marked by a Fort Wayne Daisies Throwback, celebrating the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Friday, May 27 is Marvel Super Hero Night, as well as the first of two Scout Nights. Then on Friday, July 15, the TinCaps will host Marvel Defenders of the Diamond Night with character appearances. Find the full lineup of games and promotions and get ticket information at milb. com/fort-wayne. Hello, baseball! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor Tell them you saw it in ...
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Your Health
Regenerative Therapies for Knee Pain
Regenerative therapies, like those offer by Health N.O.W., can reduce knee pain and induce healing.
By Toni Rocha nee injuries and long-term damage need not result in surgery. For alternative treatment methods, patients are looking to Dr. David M. Gafken, D.C., D.A.C.N.B., of Health N.O.W., 2146 State Road, Auburn, Ind., for help in relieving pain. Dr. Gafken says patients come to him either with undiagnosed knee pain, or because they have seen other medical professionals and are seeking nonsurgical alternatives to bone-on-bone and other knee issues. “These patients have had X-rays, MRIs and/or have been receiving cortisone shots without achieving any lasting relief,” Dr, Gafken adds. “We conduct a thorough exam which may include additional orthopedic testing, X-rays and MRIs if significant time has passed since their last tests.” Knee injuries or age-related damage rarely heal by themselves, he continues. It’s better to seek alternative methods of treating knee issues than to tough it out alone. Once the examination is complete and the patient is approved as a candidate for treatment, Dr. Gafken says he decides on a course of treatment using several highly effective methods to promote pain relief and joint regeneration, such as knee decompression, high intensity laser, acoustic wave therapy and Hakomed Horizontal therapy. Dr. Gafken says decompression on the knees is achieved by hooking the knee up to a specialized machine which gently pulls the joint open and closed using less than 20 pounds of force. By gently separating the joint space between the bottom of the femur (thigh bone) and the top of the tibia (shin bone), Dr. Gafken adds this creates a vacuum effect inside the knee joint which brings in
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nutrient rich fluid to the area. The method also gently mobilizes the tendons, ligaments and other soft tissue around the joint. Together, this helps re-establish some of the natural joint space and cushioning in the knee. “We gently work the knee for about seven to eight minutes,” Dr. Gafken adds. “The course of treatment is given multiple times per week initially.” High intensity laser therapy consists of using four different wave lengths of laser light to stimulate the appropriate tissues in the knee joint, Dr. Gafken comments. The laser has a healing effect, it increases the production of stem cells and ATP and it generates venous nitric oxide to increase peripheral blood flow to the afflicted areas in and around the knee. “This is called photobiomodulation,” Dr. Gafken adds. “It also aids in the growth of new blood vessels called Angiogenisis all this leads to Regeneration of the knee.” Acoustic Wave Therapy has been in use for more than 10 years, Dr. Gafken explains. The procedure sends acoustic sound waves through the joint to promote stem cell growth, encourages the development of new blood vessels to increased blood flow, all of which induces quicker healing. Post examination the patient is given a course of treatment which employs the above methods. As a rule, the patient is treated up to three times each week during which the highly effective regenerative methods are applied. “We have a very high success rate with this course of treatment,” Dr. Gafken concludes. For more information visit our website seekhealthnow.com. To schedule an appointment call Health N.O.W. at (260) 920-8811. ❚ 11 Smart Living Fort Wayne April 2022 • I Tell them you saw it in ...
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Outdoor Living
What Makes a Landscape Design Great? By Janine Pumilia
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great landscape design is all about increasing the enjoyment of the people who live with it, says Jim Brubaker, owner of Jim Brubaker Designs, Inc., Fort Wayne. “It’s not about what I like. It’s about listening to people and getting a sense of their tastes and lifestyles,” he says. “Do they have kids and pets we need to take into consideration? Do they live here seasonally or year-round? Do they want to do some handson gardening or do they prefer as little maintenance as possible?” Sometimes people don’t know what they want from a landscape – they just know A great landscape design fits the tastes and lifestyle of the people who enjoy it daily. something needs to be done. “I try to introduce color to the landscape as early as possible That’s OK. in spring and extend it as late as possible into the fall,” he says. “In that case, I’ll take them to other job sites, or in some way “That doesn’t only mean blooming plants. It may include berries show them what’s possible for their property, and I watch what and foliage with interesting colors and textures. There should they’re drawn toward,” he says. also be interesting things to see in winter – not just limited to Once he has a good sense of his customer’s needs and tastes, evergreens – for four seasons of enjoyment.” Brubaker draws up a landscape design plan that can be installed Along with proper soil amendment and planting, Brubaker all at once or in stages. He sources plants from local wholesaloversees installation of hardscape elements like stone, pavers or ers and greenhouses, works with two subcontracted installation brick; water and fire features such as fountains, ponds, firepits companies and oversees the work on site. and outdoor fireplaces; trellises, arbors, pergolas, patios and more. “I love working with people. I love plants. And I love being outdoors,” Brubaker says. “And I enjoy seeing how a vision comes to life, surrounding people with beauty.” Brubaker has worked with plants and people all of his adult life, first as a florist and later as the co-owner/president of a local landscape design company. He opened Jim Brubaker Designs with his late wife, Vicki, in 2008. It includes a gift shop, JBD Home, specializing in unique indoor and outdoor home décor, from furniture and lamps to fountains, planters and more, open Wed. to Fri. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, stop in at 909 Lawrence Dr., Fort Wayne, or call (260) 436-3639. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...
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Inspiration & Worship
When Love Came
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hat we call Easter is a celebration of the ministry, arrest, execution and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But the story really begins much earlier. Throughout the many centuries encompassed by the Old Testament, the birth, death and resurrection of a savior, or Messiah, is foreshadowed in detail. Isaiah is among Old Testament prophets who told fellow Jews that God would someday send a Messiah to save them from the power of sin. About 1,000 years before Christ’s birth, Isaiah said a Messiah would be born in Bethlehem to a virginal descendant of King David. This Messiah would begin his ministry in Galilee after someone else paved the way (Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist); he would heal the brokenhearted; be both exalted and beaten; would largely be rejected; would take the blame for the sins of all mankind; would be silent before his accusers; would be executed with criminals; would die with no bones broken, his body pierced; and would rise from the dead after three days and three nights spent in a rich man’s tomb. All of these prophecies, and many more, were fulfilled. What Old Testament prophets could not predict was the magnitude of impact this Messiah would have on the world. They didn’t know that by his death and resurrection, all people of the earth who believe on him – not just Jews – would receive holy spirit and eternal life. Neither did they know that Christ would preach the law of love, saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40) Several women in Christ’s life were the first to discover he had been resurrected. For the next 40 days, Jesus appeared and spoke to many people. On his final day on earth, he told his apostles to wait in Jerusalem to receive holy spirit and to “be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Easter is not a story of death but of death conquored. He is risen! ❚ 14
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Right in Our Region
(Proven Winners photos)
Ready, Set, Plant! What’s New at the Greenhouse
New in greenhouses this year is ‘Wee Bit Giddy’ dwarf perennial hydrangea and its blue-purple cousin, ‘Wee Bit Grumpy.’
By Janine Pumilia
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hether you’re a green-thumb gardener or you just want a pop of color on your front porch, it’s fun to discover the “latest and greatest” cultivars in the world of plants. It’s also good to know which plants you can count on to thrive reliably in the Fort Wayne region. Plenty of good gardening information exists online, including at the Allen County Purdue Extension Service, extension. purdue.edu/county/allen/. To get specific questions answered in person, however, it’s hard to beat the experts at locally owned garden centers. They offer information you won’t find at big-box chain competitors. It’s a good idea to bring along photos of your yard and to note the sunlight and moisture patterns of the spaces you intend to plant. “We see our role as educating people about plants as well as selling them plants,” says Calvin Golden, assistant manager at The Plant Center, 9431 US-24, Fort Wayne. Golden has some ‘Double Play Candy Corn’ spirea shrubs offer favorite annuals, peboth summer blooms and colorful foliage. 16
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rennials and shrubs that he’s eager to tell customers about this year. “Every year, the plant developers introduce new varieties with features people want, whether that means new colors, new sizes, or fixing problems that a plant might have, such as making stems sturdier so blooms won’t flop over,” he explains. He likes some newer cultivars of an old favorite – hydrangea shrubs. “Little Lime Punch is bred to thrive in part-sun to full sun and won’t get larger than 4 by 4 cubic square feet,” says Golden. “Its cone-shaped blooms change color from the bottom up in an array of white, light pink and Hawaiian Punch red. “We also like Wee Bit Giddy and Wee Bit Grumpy dwarf hydrangeas, which won’t take up more than 3 by 3 cubic square feet of space at maturity and thrive in part-shade,” he says. “Giddy is bright fuschia red and Grumpy is deep blue-purple. Both have nice, compact shapes and are less leggy than some older varieties.” Among his other favorite shrubs are boxwoods, spirea and viburnum, all reliable growers in our region. “Boxwoods can be trimmed into hedges, globes or other shapes and have glossy leaves that go from yellow-green to dark green over the course of the season,” says Golden. Spirea is an attractive, no-fuss shrub that boasts pink, red or white blooms and comes in a variety of foliage colors, from redgolds to blue-greens. It keeps a neat shape without pruning and
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Right in Our Region attracts pollinators like butterflies. Likewise, viburnum attracts pollinators and offers three seasons of interest with its attractive blooms and berries. “The Korean Spice viburnum has pretty blooms that smell nice and it also produces berries. In autumn, the foliage turns shades of red or orange,” says Golden. While many shrubs are easy to grow, care should be taken to get them off to a healthy start. “It’s important to keep new shrubs and trees well-watered the first few years until they grow strong enough root systems to pull water from the ground,” advises Golden. Other dependable perennial plants Golden favors – perennial means they come back each year – are hostas, coral bells, catmint, coneflowers and black-eyed-Susans. The latter two are cousins in the aster family and native to our region. Newer varieties offer more colors, bigger blooms, sturdier stems and mildew resistance. “Coneflowers are good for our ecosystem since pollinators love them,” says Golden. “Today they come in a crazy amount of colors.” Catmint, a cousin of salvia, is an attractive and tough perennial plant with gray-green leaves and pretty purple spikes of blooms. It tolerates the clayish soil of our region well and can fill in spaces nicely to choke out weeds. “Pollinators love it,” says Golden. “Our customers have had a lot of success with it.” A longtime staple of shady Midwest backyards is the hosta, which boasts 70 species and more than 3,000 registered varieties, from dainty fairy garden cultivars to plants with a six-foot wingspan. “One of the first to sell out here each spring is the Empress Wu hosta, which is massive and really looks spectacular, almost like a banana tree,” says Golden. Another favorite is the midsized Patriot hosta, which has white stripes that brighten up shady corners of the garden. “Hostas are also easy to divide and replant, so they give you a lot of bang for your buck,” notes Golden. Another shade-friendly perennial is the coral bell (heuchera). Each year, plant gurus introduce new foliage colors, from bronze, caramel, lime and gold to berry pinks and purples. Like hostas, CCandy coral bells prefer part-shade and are prized for their foliage as much as the pretty flower spikes they produce. “These are great additions all season long and the caramel and bronze-toned coral bells look amazing in fall planters,” says Golden. “They’re a nice way to bring color into any area that’s too shady for bright annual plants to thrive.” For pops of bright color that last all season long, gardeners turn to annuals, especially when filling pots and hanging baskets. They won’t survive winter cold, but they’ll bloom their hearts out spring to fall. Among Golden’s favorites are geraniums, xenias, petunias, impatiens and marigolds, all of which come in many varieties. Most annuals need full sun, although impatiens do best in just two to four hours of filtered sunlight daily.
“It’s hard to beat the geranium for bold color,” says Golden, who favors the Maverick, a vigorous grower with large blooms in red, orange, pink or white. Zinnias also produce spectacular, bold color and are a favorite cutting flower for making bouquets. “Marigolds are not only beautiful, but also release a scent that repels mosquitos and other pests,” says Golden. “I love their warm colors that are almost ombrelike.” Think through your locations before you buy, to make a good match between a plant and its sunlight needs. And don’t cram a plant into space it will outgrow, advises Golden. Water plants as directed. Plants in containers dry out fastest and may need to be watered twice daily during very hot weather. Don’t plant cold-sensitive plants too early and don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy. “One of the real advantages to buying from a locally owned garden center like ours is that we have a passion for plants,” says Golden. “We provide guidance and experience and love helping our customers. We also carry the highest quality of plants because we only buy from distributors with the best reputations.” Learn more at PlantCenterNursery.com. ❚
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‘Sensation Pink’ dwarf coneflower
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint is a tough but pretty perennial.
‘Sweet Tooth Bubble Gum’ zinnias
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If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect hearth for your home, Collier’s Fireplace Shoppe is here to help you turn your dream into a reality. We have 25 years experience transforming blank walls and generic builder’s grade fireplaces into showstoppers. Whether you’re looking for an elegant solution for your living room, a wood stove for a cozy family room, or an outdoor kitchen that will make your neighbors green with envy, make your first call to the experts at Collier’s.
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Celebrating 25 years!
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Your Home & Garden
How to Navigate Today’s Flooring Options
Beautiful, durable luxury vinyl planks or tiles that imitate hardwood or stone are wildly popular for good reason, but be sure to do your homework before buying any kind of flooring. An educated sales professional can make this much easier.
By Peggy Werner
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ecent advances in flooring technology allow consumers to find just the right look they want at the quality and price point they need. Having so many options can be confusing, however, and all flooring is not equal, no matter how good it looks. An educated salesperson can make all the difference between a frustrating or successful shopping experience as you navigate the many industry and marketing terms in the world of flooring. “The flooring industry has come a long way and there’s a lot to know,” says Brittany Brouer, marketing director at Van’s Home Center, 106 Peckhart Ct., Auburn, Ind. “At our store, each customer is greeted by an educated and helpful salesperson who is with you the whole time.” For example, although a manufacturer might state a type of flooring is waterproof, that may not mean it’s able to withstand a flooded basement. A consumer needs to understand its specific properties before buying. “If you go somewhere thinking you’re getting a good deal on flooring that’s 99 cents a square foot, it may not be engineered to do what you want it to do,” says Brouer. “It’s important to know if the warranty is for a lifetime or a few years and if there’s a pet protection warranty. The guarantees indicate the quality of the floor.”
Also, many warranties are not enforceable unless a product is professionally installed, something that should give pause to do-it-yourselfers who buy cheap flooring from chain stores. A leading trend today is the wide array of low-maintenance luxury vinyl products made to look like hardwood planks (LVP) or natural stone tile (LVT). Beveled edges, detailed grooves and excellent graining details make today’s hardwood look-alikes difficult to distinguish from more expensive engineered or solid hardwood. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) gives the appearance of stone or marble, but resists moisture, stains and scratches. It won’t crack or dent, either. Homes in all price points are making good use of these attractive new vinyl products. A locally owned, family business, Van’s Home Center opened in 1973 and has expanded from a 1,500 square-foot store to a 75,000 square-foot “one stop” showroom for the home. Along with flooring, it sells appliances, furniture, mattresses, cabinetry, countertops and more, says Brouer. “We’re large enough to compete with big-box stores and we price competitively.” Visit the store at 106 Peckhart Court, Auburn, Ind., call (260) 927-8267 to learn more. ❚
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Eastern Screech Owlet
Photography by David C. Olson
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Legal Tips
How a DUI Conviction Can Impact Your Life
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etting a DUI, known as operating while intoxicated (OWI) under Indiana law, can have many serious consequences. As such, it’s essential to do everything you can to fight the charges you’re facing, says Robert H. Bellinger, principal attorney at Bellinger Law Office, 116 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne. “While you may know that you can face serious criminal penalties for a drunk driving conviction, you may not realize that a DUI conviction can also impact your life in numerous other ways,” says Bellinger. “First, a DUI can impact your life by requiring you to pay a monetary fine and, in many cases, to serve a jail sentence.” A first offense can result in a misdemeanor conviction and up to 60 days in jail, or up to one year in jail if you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15% or higher, he says. Fines can range from up to $500 for a first offense with a BAC of .14% or less, or up to $5,000 with a BAC of .15% or higher. Subsequent offenses can result in jail time and additional fines. For a first offense, your driver’s license will usually be suspended for 180 days (or six months), and subsequent offenses will result in a driver’s license suspension of at least one year. “When you’re convicted of drunk driving in Indiana, your auto insurance costs can go up, and you’ll need to pay more in order to drive lawfully with valid auto insurance,” Bellinger explains.
You can also be required to drive with an ignition interlock device, even after a first offense conviction. Ignition interlock devices can be required for up to 60 days in some DUI cases, but a DUI involving a BAC of .15% or higher can result in an ignition interlock device being required for up to one year. “With an ignition interlock device, you will need to blow into the device in order to start your car,” explains Bellinger. Finally, many jobs require a person to have a valid driver’s license and to have a record free from drunk driving convictions, especially jobs that require driving. Accordingly, if you are in a profession that requires you to drive for your job, you could end up losing your livelihood as a result of a DUI conviction. If you’re facing DUI charges in Indiana, it’s critical to seek advice from an experienced Indiana defense attorney who can help you to fight the charges and to avoid a conviction, says Bellinger. Although you might assume that you can simply pay the fine and accept the other criminal penalties of a DUI or DWI in Indiana, it’s important to remember that there are other consequences of a drunk driving conviction beyond criminal penalties alone that can continue to have an impact on your life long after you’ve served your sentence. Learn more about The Bellinger Law Office by calling (260) 428-2214. ❚
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Your Kitchen
Think Ahead for Kitchen & Bath Updates By Janine Pumilia
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hen it comes to kitchen and bathroom updates, there are two big things to know right now: “Start early” and “think simple, clean lines,” says Dana Kneuve, designer at Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting, in New Haven, Ind. “Customers have been very understanding of the supply chain issues,” she says. If you want to do a remodel, expect cabinets to take at least twice as long as usual to arrive – that means eight weeks instead of four and possibly longer for some brands. Working with a kitchen designer to Clean lines bring a kitchen up to date, as in this remodel by Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting. choose materials and plan the details now will assure you have everything in place when the remodeling people still like the look of wall tile, but it can be expensive to begins. install and isn’t functionally necessary outside the shower.” For an updated look, “Think light and airy, with simple, clean Most bathroom cabinets stand up well to moisture but be lines for everything from cabinet door styles to backsplashes to sure to ask about the materials before you order them, Kneuve the finish of a countertop edge,” says Kneuve. “This is not only advises. the look people want today, it’s also easier to clean.” “We offer cabinets made from engineered wood or all-plyIt may be more economical, too. Simpler cabinet door styles wood construction. The biggest difference is the way the sides cost less, as do simpler stone or quartz countertop patterns. Save of the cabinet look, especially if the cabinet is stained, but both bold colors and patterns for details that easily can be changed out will hold up well to moisture and day-to-day life in bathrooms.” later, if you want your update to stand the test of time. Less tile is being used for bathroom floors these days, too, “In a bathroom, mirrors, lighting and hardware can all be due to the advent of luxury vinyl planks or tiles (LVT), which changed out relatively inexpensively in coming years to update imitate a hardwood or tile look without the labor-intensive instalthe look,” she says. “Sticking with more neutral styles for the lation. The LVT stands up well to moisture, is warmer than tile big-ticket items like cabinets and countertops is a good idea.” underfoot, and is easy to clean. Painted and wood-tone cabinetry are equally popular right Some customers are trading their big jacuzzi bathtubs for now and some people like a mix of both. smaller, sleeker stand-alone bathtubs, says Kneuve. “Maybe your cabinets are painted but the range hood and is“Picture the old clawfoot tubs without the claw feet,” she says. land are stained wood,” she says. Lighter-toned stains and finerLarger showers with more spa features, like duo showergrained wood species like maple and walnut are popular. They’re heads – one installed at a lower, adjustable level – are popular often paired with black hardware. And with painted cabinets, and practical. shades of white remain timeless favorites.” In the kitchen, microwaves placed inside drawers or built Customers are choosing quartz over natural stone more ofinto cabinets are trending and “adding a nice range hood above ten for countertops. Many choose a marble-look quartz for baththe stove instantly makes the kitchen look higher end,” she says. room countertops. There are more details than most people realize, in renovaFor those who crave color, painted cabinets in deep shades tion projects. Kneuve has seen plenty of do-it-yourselfers get into of blue or green are making a splash. trouble. “These look very nice with white sinks and hardware that’s “It’s a designer’s job to think of every little thing so you a matte-gold tone,” she says. don’t have to,” she says. “Going to a store with a good reputaWhile gray is still a popular wall color, it’s warming up. tion is the best way to find a qualified designer who will get you Taupes, tans and eggshell are on the rise, Kneuve says. And through a remodeling project with ease.” there’s no functional reason bathroom walls need to be tiled. Learn more about Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting by call“As long as you use a good semi-gloss waterproof paint and ing (260) 493-2574 or stop in at the showroom, 11034 Lincoln have a good exhaust fan in place, you’re fine,” she says. “Some Highway East. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...
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Your Community
Children’s Zoo Season Opens April 30 By Peggy Werner
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fter a short season in 2020 due to the pandemic, last year was a record-breaking year for attendance, membership and fundraising at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Now the zoo is gearing up for another busy season when it opens April 30. “People just wanted to get outside and enjoy being with friends and family, and the zoo is the perfect place to do that,” says Communications Director Bonnie Kemp. The zoo saw 670,000 guests last year through October, about 20,000 more than in any previous year. Kemp expects another good season, as the zoo works to make its exhibits even more exciting. Most construction and exhibit changes take place offseason, when the zoo is closed. An exception this year will be construction in one of the oldest areas of the zoo, near a ridge that was home to the South American Saki Monkey and Red Rumped Agouti. Those animals have been relocated to a larger space across from the River Otters, where they’ll have more room to show off their unique behaviors, Kemp says. Their relocation will make room for a new Red Panda Ridge exhibit that’s expected to be complete in mid-2023. The Saki Monkey is small, with a large bushy tail and a naked face surrounded by a hood of dark fur. In the wild, this species lives in the trees of the rainforest, mainly in northern and central South America. The Agouti also is a native of South American rainforests. It’s a member of the rodent family and somewhat resembles a large guinea pig. The zoo is home to one Red Panda, named Anne, but zoo leaders hope to have more pandas by the time the exhibit opens. The small mammal is native to the East Himalayas and Southwest China. It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle and a ringed tail. To those unfamiliar with the species, the Red Panda more closely resembles a raccoon than the better known black and white Giant Panda. Another change at the zoo in 2022 involves private events. For the first time, reservations can be made for young children to celebrate birthday parties in the Jungle Lab room of the Indonesian Rain Forest section of the zoo.
More red pandas will be coming to the zoo soon.
held outside in the covered picnic pavilion in the zoo’s African section. Guests can visit the zoo before or after brunch. A zoo fundraiser, Zoofari: Bites, Brews, and Beasts, will take place June 16 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests 21 and older can sample food and beverages from more than 50 regional businesses, while enjoying live music and the zoo animals. Proceeds support daily operations, educational programs and care for the more than 1,400 animals. Corks for Conservation will take place July 21 at 6 p.m. This is a strolling wine-tasting event where guests learn about work being done around the world to save wildlife and habitats. The local zoo is making a difference every day by breeding critically endangered species, embracing green practices and supporting global conservation projects, Kemps says. Part of every admission ticket and membership to the zoo goes to about 30 conservation projects in Indiana and around the world. Last year, more than $350,000 was raised, an increase of more than $60,000 over the previous best year. Conservation begins at home, Kemp says. “It’s important for children not only to see and learn about the zoo animals, but also to make a wider connection with their role of being good stewards of the earth and to know why it’s important to take care of the environment and the world we live in,” Kemp says. Interpreters and volunteers are located throughout the zoo to help children learn about the animals and answer questions. All interpreters wear a large yellow “Ask Me” button for easy identification and volunteers wear red shirts. Keeper Chats are scheduled every day of the week for people to learn more about what it takes to care for the zoo animals. A new schedule will be available on the website when the Events zoo opens April 30. Zookeepers from all areas of the zoo give Upcoming zoo events 20-minute talks on a particular animal and answer questions. include a Mother’s Day Registration is closed for Spring Break Camps in April, but brunch from 10 a.m. to has begun for Kids for Nature, an eight-week summer camp in 12:30 p.m. Saturday and June and July for ages 4 to 12. Sunday, May 7-8, to be Learn more about zoo visits and camps at kidszoo.org. ❚ 27 Smart Living Fort Wayne April 2022 • I Tell them you saw it in ...
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Entertainment & Events
Smooth Tuesdays Every Tuesday, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the best in soft rock and classic hits with rotating artists. Clyde Theater, 1806 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, (574) 344-0566, Clydetheatre.com. Under the Big Top Through April 17, daily. Attempt great feats of derring-do including acrobatics and tightrope walking at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St., (260) 4276440, botanicalconservatory.org. Bunny in the Garden April 15 & 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Easter Bunny hosts cute Easter animals, activities and spring blooms. Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun, Fort Wayne, ‘Jersey Boys’ April 21, 7:30 p.m. Get the inside story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Top Ten hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and more. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., FWEmbassyTheatre.org Sunday Heritage Concert Series April 24, May 8 & 22, 2-3 p.m. Local musi-
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cians perform free at the Park Foundation Pavilion at Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St. Find the season schedule at RiverfrontFW. org/Calendar. ‘Baby Shark Live’ May 7, 2 p.m. Young fans will be dancing in the aisles as Baby Shark, Pinkfong and others go on fun adventures to meet new friends. Songs include “Baby Shark,” “Five Little Monkeys,” “Wheels On The Bus.” Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org
Enjoy blooms and baby animals April 15 & 16 at the Botanical Conservatory.
Fiber Arts Free Community Festival May 13, 10 a.m-3 p.m. and May 14, 10 a.m.5 p.m. Sponsored by the Flax and Fleecers Spinning Guild of Fort Wayne. Animals, crafts, vendors, hands-on activities, demonstrations. Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road.
Tom Segura: I’m Coming Everywhere May 20, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Best known for his Netflix specials, this comedian, actor and writer has a natural talent for hilarious storytelling. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson St., Fort Wayne, FWEmbassyTheatre.org
FW Philharmonic & FW Ballet May 14, 7:30 p.m. The Philharmonic winds up its season with soloists performing sparkling baroque repertory. The second half is devoted to Prokofiev’s legendary ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ bringing together the Philharmonic with Fort Wayne Ballet. 125 W. Jefferson St., FWEmbassyTheatre.org.
Our Weakening Web: The Story of Extinction Through May 29, daily, Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton St. Developed by the Cincinnati Museum Center, “Our Weakening Web” explains extinction as a natural occurrence over millions of years and explains why environmental conservation is important. (260) 424-2400, sciencecentral.org. ❚
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