Smart Living Fort Wayne - February 23, 2023

Lent is Upon Us

The season of Lent is here, for those who participate.

I understand when people don’t really know what Lent is about. To be honest, I used to think Lent was about dieting. Everyone was giving up sweets, junk food or something similar. I definitely missed the point that this fasting was to prepare for Easter, and it was supposed to accompany prayer and almsgiving.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve participated in Lent by giving up snacks and soda. But for me, it was always more of a “40 Day Challenge.”

Then, at some point in college, I learned that Sundays “don’t count” during Lent, so technically, you can have whatever it is you gave up. When I learned that, Sundays quickly became an epic binge-fest of chips and Diet Coke. I would really make up for those six days I had “fasted.” I’m sure part of the reason is because my motives were askew, and I was completely unfocused on the purpose of Lent.

Now that I’m older, I try to focus on what Lent is actually about. l have no spiritual authority and limited religious knowledge, but, I really think Christians should focus a bit less on “giving something up” during Lent and more on almsgiving. Caring for people by donating money, food, clothes, toys or even just your time can probably go a lot further than a sad 40-day personal improvement plan (which is admittedly what I was doing for years).

A couple ideas of organizations to volunteer your time or treasure: Fort Wayne Children’s Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana, United Way of Allen County, and Hope’s Harbor. There are plenty more, of course.

Or, for almsgiving, you could make dinner for a friend who’s going through a tough time, or check in on the people in your life who might be lonely.

Regardless of what you plan to do for Lent, or if you even participate, I wish you well in the next 40-ish days ahead.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Shop Three Floors of Furniture & Flooring

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

When purchasing new furniture or flooring, you obviously want to love what you buy. And as you go through the process of shopping, making a selection, waiting for delivery, and overseeing installation, you’d hope for quality, dependable customer service at every step.

That’s what the staff aims to provide at Ruhl Furniture & Flooring, 511 Broadway St., New Haven.

“We are proud to be a locally owned family business offering quality value and service,” says John Pape, owner and president.

The store offers a one-stop shop for furniture and flooring. Top furniture brands in stock include La-Z-Boy, made-in-America England furniture, Superior Furniture and BarcaLounger. Shoppers can also find Restonic mattresses, as well as flooring options by Engineered Floors, Shaw, Mannington, Congoleum and Tarkett USA.

“You’re sure to get your exercise while shopping our three floors of new furniture and flooring, and collectibles and antiques, too,” Pape says. “We’ve been servicing the New Haven, Fort Wayne and Allen County area since 1956.”

Pape’s goal is to provide quality products that are customized

to the homeowner’s specifications. “You can select furniture from hundreds of styles and fabrics, and we will have it made especially for you,” he says.

Even better, the customized furniture can be delivered in as few as six weeks. There’s also free in-home measuring and estimates, as well as complimentary in-home design consultations.

“Our sales staff will guide you every step of the way,” Pape says. “Selecting the right furniture and flooring for your home is our No. 1 goal. When you step into our showroom, you will be delighted by our wide selection.”

Ruhl Furniture & Flooring also provides one of the most extensive floor covering showrooms in the Allen County area.

“Once you choose the perfect flooring for your home, professional installation will be arranged to coordinate with your schedule so you can begin to enjoy the home of your dreams,” Pape says.

“We are reputable, knowledgeable and family owned. It’s our job to help make your experience a positive one.” ❚

Contact Ruhl Furniture & Flooring by calling (260) 7494717, faxing (260) 749-9435, or by emailing ruhlfurniture@ gmail.com.

Beautiful Jewelry From a Dependable Source

By Peggy Werner

Carbaugh Jewelers, 108 E. Seventh St., is the oldest business in historic downtown Auburn and has survived two world wars, the Great Depression, many other economic downturns, changes in fashion trends and fads, and a pandemic.

Mike Littlejohn, the store’s fourth owner, says the business has endured 121 years because it offers customers a unique experience shopping for fine jewelry in the same place where their great-grandparents shopped.

“The life of this store has endured a lot over the years, and we have greatly struggled at times, but we have stayed in business because of the repairs and custom work we do,” he says. “If we just relied on retail sales, we would have closed our doors a long time ago.”

Even during a six-week shutdown because of the pandemic, he continued working, catching up on repairs and custom orders, and allowing curbside pickups.

He says his customer base from a three-state area is loyal because of the quality work they expect and get from him. Littlejohn is known as the one who can best repurpose jewelry.

A customer will often bring in a piece of heirloom jewelry, which has a lot of meaning and beautiful stones, but isn’t worn because it’s not their style. Littlejohn can take the stones and make something new, even if the customer doesn’t want the piece totally melted down and changed.

He recalls one woman whose husband had died. She wanted to make a special piece of jewelry out of their wedding rings, without destroying them.

Littlejohn put one ring inside of the other, on an angle, welded it together to form a circular design within a circle and the woman now wears the rings as a pendant.

“She says she wears it all the time and it is a perfect piece to help her grieve because the rings are intact, but put together in a unique design that has a completely new look.”

For those who appreciate the history of Carbaugh’s, they also understand the meaning of giving the jeweler the time he needs to create. Repairs and custom orders brought in today won’t be finished until early spring, Littlejohn says, and most people are patient and willing to wait.

The full-service store specializes in retail sales, custom work and repairs on all types of jewelry. Services include ring sizing, stone setting, fabrication and restyling, engraving and watch repair. The store offers the newest styles and designs, specializing in dia-

monds and colored stones from makers like Rego, Bentelli, Aiden, Color Merchants and Bertke Brothers, as well as having a large selection of watches and clocks made by Seiko.

Edward O. Little was the first owner of Little’s Jewelers in 1901. In 1915, Charles Carbaugh, a high school student, started working for him. The two men eventually formed a partnership and ran the business together, until Little passed away in 1955. Charles became the sole owner and changed the name of the store to Carbaugh Jewelers in 1960. Charles’s son and daughterin-law, Robert and Betty, took over the business when he died in 1962. The couple retired in 1997, at which time they sold the business to Littlejohn.

Littlejohn started working part time for Robert and Betty in 1980 while in high school. He was taking a metals class and needed to do a report on someone in the business. Because he was dating the couple’s daughter, Littlejohn interviewed Robert.

“In the course of the interview, he offered me a job and I jumped at the chance. They taught me a lot and I eventually went to school in Memphis to become a certified jeweler,” he says.

While he and the owner’s daughter went their separate ways, her sister has worked at the store for 42 years and oversees inventory, records and office work.

“When I am able to make something that makes people that happy, it’s not a job. The reward is what people feel and say about their experience with me. It tells me I made the right career choice,” Littlejohn says.

Business hours are 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. ❚

Left: Charles Carbaugh, a former owner. Right: Edward Little, the original owner.

Mike Littlejohn, owner of Carbaugh Jewelers, in Auburn, is known for his excellence in repurposing jewelry. He can also create custom items or repair heirloom pieces.

Eyewitness to Majesty

It’s sad but inevitable that eyewitnesses to history fade away from the earth. Only about 160,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive to share their memories with us, for example. Thankfully, many have recorded their memories for posterity. This enables us to compare truth against falsehoods that arise.

Likewise, Christians can evaluate theories about God by comparing them to the only eyewitness testimony available – scripture – just as Jesus did. Jesus quoted scripture to his followers, detractors, and even Satan. “It is written that man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” Jesus told Satan, after 40 days of fasting in a Judean desert.

(Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Simon Peter personally knew Jesus, both before and after Jesus’ resurrection, making him “an eyewitness to majesty.” As he neared death, Peter wrote his second and final letter to faithful believers in Asia, knowing that all eyewitnesses to Jesus would soon be gone from earth and disinformation would flourish. Imagine the bittersweet emotions he experienced as he shared his final advice – advice still perfectly relevant to us today.

Peter warns us not to be deceived or discouraged by false teachers – God will deal with them. He says to mimic the goodness of Jesus Christ; to root ourselves in scripture and to trust its power and integrity; to build up our self-control and perseverance; and to anticipate our glorious future with God, counting any suffering on His behalf as an honor.

“…For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty …. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the holy spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:12-16, 20 (NIV)

Peter’s letters are brief, practical, encouraging and relevant. It’s hard to imagine a better use of our time than to internalize the wisdom of this “eyewitness to majesty.” ❚

-- Janine Pumilia

Fort Wayne’s Biggest Home & Garden Show

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

he 50th Fort Wayne Home & Garden

Show

Tgathers more than 650 exhibitors March 2-5 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.

“With our 50th anniversary show, we are celebrating big,” says owner Becky Williamson. “It will be our biggest and most entertainment-filled show ever. It is the place to go for all your home projects where you can compare hundreds of companies and find one that will be your perfect fit for what you need. We have many vendors here, too, that do not have store fronts. So, you will only find their products here.”

The event takes place Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you aren’t in need of home remodeling, you can still enjoy dozens of food options, browse furniture and decor, try out a new mattress, or visit the “Garden Gallery” dedicated to everything outdoors, Williamson adds. The Gallery has unique garden accessories, gifts, fairy gardens, patio and landscape displays, plants, and hundreds of spring flowers.

“You don’t have to own your home to enjoy the show – we have something for everyone to enjoy,” Williamson adds. “Bring your family for ‘Kids Day’ on Sunday, learn about ev-

The Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show gathers more than 650 exhibitors March 2-5 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

erything from composting to getting started with chickens, see Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, and so much more. We have something happening almost every hour.”

Williamson suggests shoppers visit home-gardenshow.com ahead of time to browse through the exhibitor list. That way, if there’s something specific you’re looking for, you can identify where those vendors are located, she says.

You can also use the website to find information about the keynote speakers and entertainment happening throughout the weekend, including seminars from knowledgeable home and garden experts, piglet races, chainsaw carving demos, a petting zoo, a gnome scavenger hunt and more.

“It will help to plan ahead so you don’t miss anything,” Williamson says.

Throughout the weekend, many vendors will offer “show only” prices and giveaways. A big giveaway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event is a $50,000 giveaway contest sponsored

by Windows, Doors and More. Up to 20 showgoers will roll the dice for a chance to win prizes valued at $50, $500, $5,000 or $50,000. Potential contestants can enter by going to home-gardenshow.com.

“Everyone will walk away with something,” Williamson says.

“A lot of people think we are a big corporation, but believe it or not, we are a small, family-owned company,” she adds. “I am the third-generation owner – my grandfather started the show in 1973 and ran it until my mom took over in 2003. In 2019, she retired, and I have taken the lead. I love what I do, and I wouldn’t be able to make it possible without my wonderful partnerships with Windows, Doors & More, our media partners, and of course, our vendors.”

Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for seniors ages 62 and older. Children ages 15 and under can enter free.

In addition, the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show has a charitable partnership with Community Harvest Food Bank. Visitors can bring a non-perishable food donation to the event for $2 off the regular admission cost.

“People tell me when they think of the show, it makes them think of spring,” Williamson says. “I am proud to be able to continue the tradition and bring a little bit of spring to Fort Wayne every year. I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community and proud to give back as well.” ❚

Shoppers can compare vendors to find the perfect fit for their home remodeling projects. There’s also furniture, mattresses and outdoor items to browse.

Entertainment at the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show includes piglet races, Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, chainsaw carving demos, a petting zoo, a gnome scavenger hunt and more.

Your Dream Shower or Tub is 1 Day Away

By Lindsey Lukas, senior editor

Renovating your bathroom doesn’t need to be a massive undertaking. The team at Bath Experts, who are the exclusive Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer in Fort Wayne, can install a new shower or bathtub in as little as one day.

“Our specialty is speed and customer satisfaction,” says Steve Woodward, owner and president.

Bath Experts specializes in top-ofthe-line tub replacements, shower replacements and conversions from one to the other. The business is exclusively focused on the “wet space” in your bathroom, meaning just the tub and shower area.

“We don’t offer a full remodel service like flooring, vanities or toilets,” Woodward says. “We come in and in as little as one day you get a brand-new shower or bathtub. We use our own installers – there are no subcontractors – and all of them are factory certified.”

The majority of customers want to remove an outdated bathtub and replace it with a sleek, easily accessible walk-in shower, Woodward adds. Current trends include installing low-threshold shower pans so that the shower is easier and safer to enter, as well as other safety features such as seats and grab bars.

As far as colors go, Woodward is seeing most customers choose white, matte black, or a blend of both. “We do all sorts of fixtures, of course, but right now, there’s a pretty good demand for that white/black look, or something similar,” he says.

But homeowners have plenty of options to customize the space to their liking, adds Jeff Worzala, director of marketing.

“Everything can be customized based on what a client’s needs are, and that’s really how we design a project,” he says. “We have more than 200 options as far as color choices and the design and texture options within them, as well as all our options for shower fixtures, shower doors, grab bars and other features. We build a system specific to a particular homeowner.”

While bath-to-shower conversions are most common, some customers are looking for a luxurious soaker tub to complete their dream bathroom environment, Worzala adds. Bath Experts is the exclusive Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer for the Fort Wayne area, and offers a limited lifetime warranty.

“It’s nice to know that the company you’re working with is going to stand behind their product, and that’s what the warranty is there for,” Worzala says. “Obviously, our goal is to do a good job the first time, have the customer feel completely satisfied, and never hear from them again until they’re ready to do their second bathroom. But, if they have issues or concerns, having that warranty is peace of mind.”

To learn more about Bath Experts or to schedule a consultation, visit onedaybathexperts.com.

Can You Count on Social Security?

If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part of the income you’ll need as a retiree?

There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding the solvency of Social Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as you might have heard.

Here’s the story: Under current law, Social Security is estimated to exhaust its trust funds by 2035, after which benefits could be cut by 20%, according to the 2022 Social Security Trustees report. However, the large cost of living adjustment (COLA) (8.7%) for 2023 could cause the trust funds to use up their resources sooner.

But this outlook may represent a worst-case scenario. For one thing, the cost of the 2023 COLA will be somewhat offset by higher taxes on workers contributing to Social Security. The maximum amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax jumped from $147,000 in 2022 to $160,200 in 2023. And in looking down the road, further increases in this earnings cap may also help reduce the gap in the trust funds. Increasing the payroll tax is another possibility for boosting funding to Social Security.

And here’s a political reality: Social Security is a popular program and it’s unlikely that any future Congress wants to be blamed for reducing benefits. Of course, there are no guarantees, but it seems fair to say that you can reasonably expect some benefits from Social Security when you retire.

But perhaps the bigger issue is just how much you should depend on Social Security for your retirement income. On average, Social Security benefits will provide about 30% of a beneficiary’s preretirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration. But the higher your earnings before you retire, the lower the percentage that will be replaced by Social Security.

Still, you’ll want to maximize the benefits that are available to you — and that means deciding when to start taking Social Security. You can begin as early as 62, but your monthly payments could be as much as 30% lower than your normal (or “full”) retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67.

Even if you were to wait until your full retirement age before collecting Social Security, you’ll also need to draw on other sources of funding. So, while you are still working, it’s a good idea to keep contributing to your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.

The amount you contribute should depend on your overall

financial strategy and your financial needs, so, for example, you probably shouldn’t put in so much into your retirement accounts that you feel significant stress in your monthly cash flow. But when you do get a chance to invest more in these accounts, such as when your salary goes up, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity.

Ultimately, you should be able to count on Social Security as part of your retirement income. You may want to consult with a financial professional to determine when taking Social Security makes the most sense for you and how you can also get the most from your other retirement accounts. You’ll want a retirement income strategy that’s built for the long run. ❚

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington D.C. through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309.

Pamela S. Covington, CFP® RICP® AAMS® Financial Advisor

6525 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804 (260) 478-8038

edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ pam-covington

Kick Winter’s Chill with Hearty Chowder

Colder, shorter days call for a little comfort. Cozying up with a hearty meal on brisk winter evenings can help fight off the chill while savoring favorite flavors.

Avoid venturing into the cold for a trip to the store by turning to a pantry staple like sweet potatoes. As one of the most versatile veggies, they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing both flavor and nutrition. Perfectly suitable for both simple and elevated dishes, they can be baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or prepared on the stove so their sweet taste never goes out of style.

Their long shelf life – up to four weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources –means you can rely on sweet potatoes throughout the winter as an on-hand ingredient. Additionally, as a “diabetes superfood” according to the American Diabetes Association, they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease, making them a key source of nutrients during wintertime.

When your family needs a warm-up on those frosty days, put sweet potatoes at the center of mealtime (with an added kick) in this Jalapeno Sweet Potato Chowder. Loaded with the flavors of winter comfort, it’s a filling meal that makes enough for a crowd so no one goes hungry.

Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to find more comforting meal ideas.

Jalapeno Sweet Potato Chowder

Recipe from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission

Servings: 6

2 large sweet potatoes, baked

1 small onion, 1/4-inch diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 quart chicken or vegetable stock

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

1 ½ cups whole corn kernels

2 teaspoons minced jalapenos

½ cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon salt

chopped scallions, for garnish

Peel baked sweet potatoes; discard skin and puree. In soup pot, saute onion in butter until softened. Add pureed sweet potato and stock, as desired. Bring to boil, reducing liquid slightly. Add chicken, corn, jalapenos, heavy cream and salt. Simmer 10 minutes. To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions. ❚

Source: Family Features

Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer

By Peggy Werner

Most people know what they like when it comes to home furnishings, but picking out suitable items for a certain room and making it look right may not be so easy.

That’s where sales manager and designer Arianna Brock of Fairfield Galleries, US 33 North, Fort Wayne, can lend a helping hand.

“You want a particular space to work for your own life, and that’s different for everyone,” she says. “You may love a certain look, but the space you have won’t allow it to happen.

“Many people don’t understand the value of an interior designer unless they hire one, or do it themselves and find their plans didn’t work out. We are another set of eyes and don’t have the emotional attachment to the house, so we can look at it like a blank canvas and visualize changes.”

Brock recalls one client who had a long, narrow living room with dark colors of red, orange and brown with a sofa and loveseat facing a fireplace.

“We got rid of the loveseat, put in a recliner, added two swivel chairs and put the sofa against the wall,” she says. “We went to more updated neutral colors, and as a result, the room was more open and easier to move around in, and yet there were more places to sit. The clients were thrilled.”

The biggest mistake people often make when trying to be their own designer is not knowing when to stop, Brock adds. An

overcrowded room is one of the most common problems she has to solve.

“Someone may love a certain sofa, but it doesn’t work in the space you want to put it in, and the color might not be right for the room.”

Store lighting and home lighting can be very different, Brock adds.

“Plus, you have to work around doors, windows, fireplaces and more, and people don’t always take that into consideration.”

It’s not only about how the room will look, but also how the room will be used by the family, Brock says. Oftentimes, a homeowner needs professional advice when transitioning to a new stage in life. Some of those scenarios include parents who become empty nesters and want to repurpose a space, or parents who become grandparents and want to have a fun space for grandchildren when they visit. Two single parents meet and get married, and suddenly have twice as many children all living together. A person living in a large family goes off on their own and needs to adapt to a single lifestyle for the first time ever and feels at a loss on what to do.

“You want a certain look, but it has to be functional,” Brock says. “We can give suggestions on fabric selections, furniture and design so families can get the most use out of any room.”

For more information or to make an appointment for a home analysis, call (260) 489-5526. ❚

Entertainment & Events

Nashville Thursdays

Weekly country, bluegrass and other free live music 7-10 p.m. in the Clyde Theater Club Room. Food and drink specials. 1808 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, clydeclubroom.com.

Fort Wayne Komets

Join the Jungle and cheer on the Fort Wayne Komets as they make another run for a championship. Games are at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne. Visit komets.com to see the complete 2023 schedule.

Headwaters Park Ice Skating

Thru Feb. 26, Tues.-Thurs. 3-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m., closed Mondays. The skating rink is open for the winter season at Headwaters Park, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, fortwayneparks.org.

YLNI Winter Farmers Market

Thru April 29, Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for fresh produce, organic fruits and vegetables, hand-made jewelry and crafts, local artwork and more at the former Wayne Candy Factory building, 1501 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, facebook.com/YLNIFarmersMarket/.

Wiz Kidz Pinball Tournament

Thru Dec. 30, Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon. A 4-strike pinball tournament for kids presented by Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, 14613 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, (260) 760-6314, fortwaynepinball.com.

“Hello, Dolly!”

Feb. 24-26, times vary. This musical adapta-

tion of Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker” bursts with humor, romance, energetic dance, and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. Presented by Fort Wayne Civic Theatre at the Arts United Center, 303 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, fwcivic.org.

Buddy Guy Farewell Tour

Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. At age 86, Buddy Guy is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and a living link to the city’s halcyon days of electric blues. Embassy Theatre, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, fwembassytheatre.org.

Disney on Ice: ‘Into the Magic’

Feb. 23-26, Thurs. & Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. This action-packed extravaganza features Disney’s “Moana,” “Frozen,” “Coco,” “Beauty and the Beast” and other beloved Disney characters. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, memorialcoliseum.com.

Jazz Ensemble Concert I

Feb. 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m. The School of Music Jazz Ensemble performs festival favorites from the libraries of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and more. Presented by Purdue University Fort Wayne College of Visual and Performing Arts at Auer Performance Hall, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, pfw.edu.

Fort Wayne Ballet Presents: “Peter Pan” Feb. 25, 10 a.m. & noon. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys dance their way across Neverland with Wendy, Michael and John in tow. Featuring Fort Wayne Ballet’s Auer Academy Youth Company. Auer Center, 300 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, fortwayneballet.org.

Cody Johnson with Randy Houser

March 3, 7:30 p.m. The country music powerhouses perform at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, memorialcoliseum.com.

Little Rock Stars

March 4, 11, 18 & 25. Help spark a love of music for your little one with four once-weekly learning sessions. Presented by Sweetwater Academy of Music & Technology, 5501 US 30, Fort Wayne, academy.sweetwater.com.

Wizard’s World Pinball Arcade, in Fort Wayne, offers a Wiz Kidz Pinball Tournament every Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon. Tournaments for all ages are offered at additional times.

Help your child spark a love of music by attending four learning sessions in the month of March, presented by Sweetwater Academy of Music & Technology, in Fort Wayne.