fyi family magazine june/july 2016
DESCRIPTION
SW Michigan's Family Magazine: Destination Summer! Our favorite family adventures near and far, hacks for easier travel, why some folks just don't like kids and more!TRANSCRIPT
Published by
Destination: Summer!
June / July 2016
Plus:Hacks for easier travel
Dealing with mean siblingsGo wild making masksFamily-friendly events,
recipes and more!
Great family adventuresnear and far
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Hope Starts Here
from the Editor
Is there any better season to be child than summer? But as much as
we love its warmth, its promises of carefree days and fun in the sun,
we have to recognize that summer sets our kids up for some serious
future disappointment.
Most kids get the summer off — they are free from school, free from
homework, free from getting up on a rigid schedule to catch the bus.
Even if they go to day care or day camps, their days are still about
play, play, play. And when they occasionally squawk at us about being
bored, “summer bored” is way better than the bored of the everyday
routine of the school year.
But then, kids grow up. They get summer jobs, they get full-time
jobs, they become parents and they become like me now, looking at
the kids as they splash in the lake, ride their bikes, sleep late, and won-
der, do they have any idea how good they’ve got it?
Probably not. That realization comes years later when, as adults, they
experience that ingrained, tingling sense of excitement the day school
is out, only to realize that it is not out for them — adults still have to get
up in the morning and go about their routines at work and home with
the added bonus of figuring out how to entertain their kids. Realizing
there is no summer break for adults is an unfortunate, and sad, rite of
passage.
As parents, its our job to ensure that rite of passage will occur in our
children’s later lives. So every day this summer we must remind them
how great summer is so that one future day, when they are at work,
gazing longingly out a window at a gorgeous July day and all they are
missing, they will remember just how good they had it.
Marie LeeEditor
fyiswmichigan.com • 3 •
• 4 • June / July 2016
Ren wants to help us all feel a little more tropi-cal this month with her Make This! luau recipe on page 8. When not doing the hula, Ren is an Allegan mom, graduate of Grand Rapids Com-munity College’s Secchia School of Culinary Arts and a former baker for Alpen Rose, Via Ma-ria and deBoer Bakery.
This summer, Anne is taking a trip to a magi-cal place called Vacation Lane where she says she will take boat rides, eat ice cream, partake in communal dinners and a talent show, and engage in a whole lot of porch sitting. And with all the room left over in her suitcase thanks to the handy travel hacks she shares with us on page 10, we expect her to bring us all back souvenirs.
A Michigan native, Brian says he has learned not to let a single moment of our state’s short, but sweet, summers go unappreciated and shares some of his must-do summer activities this month. He hopes that this summer, when he isn’t working at his company, Lam Creative Solutions, he will get to partake in some of his own suggestions.
Our Family Man columnist is quite talented: Jef’s writing has appeared in all sorts of unlike-ly places, such as SPIN Magazine, the Village Voice and even your home refrigerator. Seri-ously, go look. Jef is currently raising three kids with his wife, who is very nice and has never tried to kill a single Dalmatian.
Melissa has spent her professional career working in early childhood education, with a focus on arts, crafts and creativity. In this month’s FYI, she shares a great project using something we’ll have around this summer: pa-per plates. Melissa lives in Kalamazoo with her husband and 6-year-old daughter.
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Publisherencore publications, inc.
Editor marie lee
Graphic Designeralexis stubelt
Contributorsren briggs, brian lam, melissa lam, anne lape, jef otte, brian powers, emily townsend
Advertising Salessophia jacobs, celeste statler, krieg lee
Office Managerhope smith
Distributionkama mitchell
FYI is published 6 times a year by Encore Publi-cations, Inc. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation and advertising correspon-dence should be sent to Encore Publications, 117 W. Cedar St. Suite A, Kalamazoo MI, 49007. Phone: 269 383-4433. General email correspondence to [email protected]
FYI is distributed free of charge at locations throughout Southwest Michigan; home deliv-ery subscription rate is $18 per year. Advertising rates and specifications at fyiswmichigan.com or by request.
FYI does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors; arti-cles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect FYI’s opinions or those of the FYI staff.
To learn more about us visit fyiswmichigan.com
Published by
Destination: Summer!
June / July 2016
Plus:Hacks for easier travel
Dealing with mean siblingsGo wild making masksFamily-friendly events,
recipes and more!
Great family adventuresnear and far
About the cover: Dan Kastner helps his 6-year-old son Jack with his bike-riding skills. Dan, the owner of 1977 Mopeds in Kalamazoo, knows learning to ride a bike is just a step away from becoming a vintage moped enthusiast.
Photo by Brian Powers
Who are these lovely people? See below.
fyiswmichigan.com • 5 •
J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 6
Destination: Summer!So much to do in so little time! FYI’s family fun experts share our favorite close, near and far adventures for your family to go on this summer
FEATURE
In Every Issue
Ac tivities
PARENT TO PARENT16
3 From the Editor
4 Our Contributors
6 Fun for Free Family-friendly fun at no charge!
8 Make This! Go on a backyard luau
10 Everyday Hacks Great tips for easier travels
12 Is This Normal? How do you deal with a mean sibling?
You ask, experts answer
14 Creation Station Go wild with paper plate masks
22 Family Man It’s not the kids: What people
who dislike children are really afraid of
30 Last Laugh Your Michigan summer
“must-dos”24 Family Events The area’s most comprehensive calendar of
family events
Skateboard with Six Starz If your kids skateboard, they are going to want to
roll on over to the Six Starz Skate Jam hosted by City of Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation and sponsored by local skateboard manufacturer Six Starz Skateboard-ing and Surfing Co.
Not only can skaters hang together, compete in a skill competition, and listen to a DJ spin their fa-vorite music, but professional skateboarders Ruben Najera and Mike Francis will be on hand to give out some pointers, deliver a show and judge the trick competition. The event is open to all skill levels.
When: 11 am–3 pm June 4
Place: Upjohn Park, 1000 Walter St., Kalamazoo
Ages: 8 and older
More Info: 337.8295, kzooparks.org
• 6 • June / July 2016
Fun For Free FYI
Meet the Milk Makers Learn how milk goes from a cow to a cup
at the Dairy Open House at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station’s Pasture Dairy Center June 14. This event lets your family get up-close with the producers, including farmers and their cows, of this ubiquitous drink.
Take a wagon tour of the pastures, learn about agriculture and robotic milking tech-nologies, and enjoy MSU Dairy Store ice cream. Wagon tours depart hourly at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
When: 4–8 pm June 14
Place: Pasture Dairy Center, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, 10641 N. 40th St., Hickory Corners. (The Pasture Dairy Center entrance is on N. 39th St., one block west of the intersection of N. 40th St. and East B Ave.)
Ages: All ages
More Info: 671.2402, pasturedairy.kbs.msu.edu
Party in the Park with Maranda WOTV4’s Maranda brings an afternoon of free family
fun to Upjohn Park in July. This is the first time in several years that Maranda,
who has hosted her famous Park Parties for 22 years, has brought her party to Kalamazoo. In addition to inflatables, rides, games, music and general fun, the Grand Rapids breakdancing troupe, Aerial Tactic, will perform.
And if your kids are hungry, Kalamazoo Public Schools will be on hand to provide fresh, grilled hot-dogs free to anyone 18 and under.
When: Noon–2 pm July 7
Place: Upjohn Park, Lake & Walter Streets, Kalamazoo
Ages: All ages
More Info: wotv4women.com/category/maranda/park-parties/
Discover Nature by BikePortage’s Bicentennial Trail meanders
though a variety of natural landscapes from marshes to meadows and the Na-ture Discovery Bike Ride will teach your family about the plants and habitats of those landscapes.
A naturalist from the Kalamazoo Nature Center will lead the ride with stops along the way to point out and discuss the flora and fauna.
When: 10 am–noon June 25
Place: Bicentennial Trail, 910 E. Milham Ave., Portage
Ages: All ages
More Info: 329.4522
fyiswmichigan.com • 7 •
A Little Summer Luau Family DinnerMake this! FYI
• 8 • June / July 2016
Not all of us can jet off to a vacation on the Big Island (or even a little island), but this meal cap-tures a little of the tropical taste of a luau. Throw in some plastic leis and a grass skirt, and you can almost feel those tropical breezes blowing.
IngredientsChicken Skewers 4–6 chicken breast tenderloins (more or less depending on the size of your family, plan on 1–2 tenderloins per person)
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 16-oz. package fresh, whole Portabello mushrooms
1 Vidalia onion
1 fresh, cored pineapple
1 12-16 oz. bottle of your favorite marinade
1 package wooden skewers
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Orange Citrus RiceUncooked rice
1 orange citrus teabag
How ToSkewers1. Cut peppers, onion and pineapple into 1” pieces
and place into large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
2. Cut chicken into 1” chunks (each tenderloin makes about 4 pieces) and set aside in separate bowl.
3. Add enough marinade to cover the chicken and let marinate at least 30 minutes.
by REN BRIGGS
4. Wash mushrooms.
5. While chicken is marinating, cook rice using the recipe and instructions for Orange Citrus Rice.
6. Thread pieces of chicken, peppers, onions, mush-rooms and pineapple on the skewers.
7. Cook on heated grill until chicken is done.
fyiswmichigan.com • 9 •
Family Dinner
Rice1. Prepare to cook rice, according to directions for
needed servings.
2. Before adding rice to water, bring water to boil and add tea bag.
3. Let brew for 10 minutes.
4. Remove tea bag and add rice.
5. Cook rice according to directions on package.
Hints
• Involve your kids by letting them thread their own skewers using their favorite items or making patterns.
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• Cut the chicken, veggies and pineapple as close to the same size as possible to allow for even cooking times.
• Marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
• Teriyaki marinade pairs well with the chicken and pineapple; Italian dressing is also a good marinade for this recipe.
• For something different, try grilling the pineapple separately. Cutting it lengthwise makes it easier to grill. Serve grilled pineapple on a bed of spinach with a mix of diced tri-color bell peppers and drizzled with Raspberry Vinaigrette.
• 10 • June / July 2016
When I was a kid, my father’s parents trav-eled from Benton Harbor to Cadillac every few months. My paternal grandmother was a woman with a great sense of occasion and was prepared for every single one of them. This was never more obvious than when we helped them unpack their car for their two-day visits: two full-sized hard suitcases, two traincases, a garment bag, sev-eral coats for each of them, a cloth book bag of reading material, bags of food and surprises, and — my favorite thing — one paper grocery bag full of my grandmother’s shoes. All this for a 36-hour visit because one never knew what the occasion or weather would require.
Unfortunately, I absorbed my grandmother’s “be pre-pared for all things” travel mindset, and it made me, and my own family, crazy. So I have found ways to tame my inner vacation worrywart.
What to pack?
For yourself: Discover the wonder of the Capsule Ward-robe — a wardrobe that consists of a set number of pieces that all coordinate well together (a quick Internet search will prove enlightening). For traveling, create a mini-cap-sule wardrobe by picking clothing pieces that can be lay-ered all in the same color palette (I go with black, white and red year-round). From your capsule, pick two pairs of pants, a skirt, three tops, a layering piece (think jacket or blazer), and two pairs of shoes — this gives you multiple options for a week’s worth of outfits, no matter the occa-sion or weather.
For younger kids: Say hello to our old friend, the gallon-size zip-top plastic bag. One outfit (un-derwear, socks, shirts, shorts) gets packed in a single bag, with enough bags to cover each day of your trip plus one extra. Bigger items, like jeans and sweatshirts go in the suitcase and get handed out daily. There’s also a bag for swimsuits and
Everyday Hacks FYI
Travel Hacks
by ANNE LAPE
goggles. Make sure to press out the extra air in the bags before sealing to reduce the space they take up.
At the end of each day of the trip the dirty clothes go back into the bag from whence they came and that bag goes in a separate part of the suitcase with other dirty clothes.
That’s entertainment
Use this simple rule when determining how much to bring along to entertain your kids on a car or plane trip: If it doesn’t fit in a backpack they can carry on their back, it stays home.
Your children have to be able to carry and keep track of their own entertainment items. To make sure they — or you — haven’t over-packed, have your kids take a
trial walk around the house wearing their backpack of stuff. If they’re tipping over after a few minutes, something should come out.
If they lose something they bring, will it be the end of the world? This may not be the time to bring ALL of the most treasured stuffed friends; stick to one per kid.
Novelty is good and this is a great time to dig out toys or coloring books your kids haven’t seen in a while to add to the backpack. Everything old can be new again. And never underestimate the power of a new box of crayons or markers.
fyiswmichigan.com • 11 •
Choose multipurpose items like toy cars, packs of playing cards, blank pads of paper: the more flexible the item, the longer it will hold their interest. Brush up your skills on card games from your childhood and teach them to the next generation.
Go heavy
We live in Michigan, so no matter where we travel to, we never know what glorious weather we’ll find upon our return (can you say “late spring blizzard”?). Whether driving or flying, wear your heaviest shoes and coats. This saves space in your suitcases and coats can double as pillows or blankets in the car or on the plane. Coat pockets can come in handy for carrying extras that you need to have close at hand.
Suitcase smarts
1. Your clothes will arrive at your destination with fewer wrinkles — and you’ll be able to fit more into your suitcase — if you fold each piece in half and roll it tightly before placing it in the suitcase. For
blazers, turn them inside out first, then roll.
2. If you travel with a curling iron or flat iron, store it in an oven mitt in your suitcase; this will keep your clothes safe if you have to pack the iron before it has cooled.
3. Have items pull double duty. A pill organizer can hold medications as well as small jewelry items. A case for sunglasses is the perfect size for a phone charger.
4. Tuck some dryer sheets in your suitcase among your clothes. Clothes will smell fresher and you can run the drier sheets over clothes to reduce static electricity.
These hacks won’t solve all your travel woes; there will still be delays, missed turns, and cases of sunburns, but those are the things that turn into stories in years to come. Kalamazoo • Otsego • Portage
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• 12 • June / July 2016
Is this normal? FYIYou Ask,
Experts Answer
Q: My 8-year-old son has the hardest time making and keeping friends. I’ve noticed when we have play dates, he talks a lot about himself to the other kids and he only wants to engage in activities he likes. What can I do to help him learn to “play nice” with other kids?
— Kalamazoo Mom
A:It sounds like you have a confident young man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to share how great he is. It may be beneficial to guide him in identify-ing important qualities he would like in a friend. Helping him identify these qualities can lead to a discus-sion about how to demonstrate these characteristics himself to become that ideal friend.
Building his social awareness may help him in the moment think about his actions before getting wrapped up in his usual social habits. Prior to play dates, have him think about the friend he is going to play with and what their interests may be. If he is not sure, assign him a fun project to research his friend and his or her interests. Then have him put his findings into choosing things to play that in-corporate his friend’s likes. Role playing with conversa-tions that are mutual can be a helpful tool to being more open to hearing what others have to say.
You can demonstrate how positive social interactions occur by modeling these with people in your family or your own friends. Helping him practice with you as a par-ent and reminding him of his newly learned social skills before play dates will allow him to have an increased abil-ity to share the spotlight and play nice. There may also be natural positive feedback for him when more friends want to play and they have a better time together.
If you continue to be concerned about your son’s in-teractions with others, it may be beneficial to work with a mental health professional to enhance positive social skills.
Q: My 10-year-old son, N., is so mean to his younger brother D., who is 8. He is always putting D. down, saying he’s not smart and nitpicks everything his younger broth-er does. D. idolizes N. so everything his older brother says hurts D. greatly. I have talked to N. about bullying and be-ing mean, and he’ll be okay for a couple of days, but then reverts back to the mean behavior. I’ve even resorted to punishment — taking away N.’s electronics, but that seems to make him even more covert about his mean behavior toward his brother. How do I find a constructive way to put an end to this?
— Richland Dad
fyiswmichigan.com • 13 •
A: It sounds like you have a situa-tion that is more than typical sibling ri-valry. And as you said, it can be difficult to address the situation without creat-ing additional resentment. Being an older sibling can be difficult, as can sharing attention. It can be helpful to turn being a big brother into a posi-tive role. Providing opportunities for him to take on a teaching or mentor-ing role and helping him take pride in being the older brother may re-direct the current interactions.
This could also be an opportu-nity for your younger son to prac-tice some conflict resolution skills. Helping the younger brother learn the skills to tell his brother
how he is making him feel and help-ing them talk through it together can teach valuable life skills.
It might also be beneficial for you to consider when the older sibling started making statements about his younger brother being “stupid” to see if the timing of that coincides with any difficulty N. may be having in an area that is making him feel as though he is not smart enough.
Lastly, try to find opportunities that are fun in which your sons have to work together to succeed to help foster their relationship. If their relationship becomes more conflictual or escalates to physical aggression, it may be time to seek a professional consultation through family therapy.
Questions answered by Nichole Holliday, MA, LLPC, LLMFT, Private Practice at Child & Fam-ily Psychological Services Portage, and Alyssa Noonan, LLMSW, Private Practice at Child & Fam-ily Psychological Services Kalamazoo
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Creation station FYI
• 14 • June / July 2016
by MELISSA LAM
With some paint, glue and embellishments, you can
create a zoo of animal masks.
Some arts and crafts proj-ects are meant to be hung and admired, some to be played with and some to be worn. This month’s project — Paper Plate Ani-mal Masks — is all three!
This project is great for toddlers to teens and the masks can be as simple or as intricate as they feel like making them. When they are done, your kids and their friends are ready to play, or even put on a theatrical show! What creatures will you create?
Here’s how you do it:
Materials needed
• Large paper plates (the more rigid the better)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Tempera paint
• Paint brush
• Elastic band (we used elastic hair bands)
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Embellishments — have fun with this!
Paper Plate Animal Masks
Thread the loose end of the band through the other hole and tie off on the back.
7. Use glue to add embellish-ments such as ears, whiskers and other decorations. Make ears with the cut pieces of paper plate. Add cotton balls for a nose. Use pipe cleaners or string for whiskers or feathers for bird masks. Other ideas are glitter, silk flowers, stickers and beads. Use your imagination!
Hints
• The sturdier the paper plate, the better. The ones we used were Chinet fabric plates.
• Adjust your child’s involvement by age. Toddlers may need to stick to the painting and wearing of their mask. Young children can do some cutting with child safety scissors, but may need a grownup to cut the eyes out for them. Older kids can likely do most of it on their own.
• For some embellishments, glue sticks work better than liquid glue.
fyiswmichigan.com • 15 •
Directions
1. Make a template, using the instructions below. Proper measurements are important when determining the correct spacing for the eyeholes.
2. Make a small mark 1.5 cm to the edge of each eye — this will mark where you will make a hole for the elastic band.
3. Using the edge of a pair a scissors, punch a hole on those marks.
4. Plan your animal design. Lightly sketch on the mask where any stripes, whiskers or markings will be.
5. Paint your mask and then allow it to dry.
6. Thread one end of the elastic band through one hole and tie it off to the band on the backside of the mask.
• 16 • June / July 2016
CloseBinder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, *27 miles
One of the largest zoos in Michi-gan with 433 acres of 32 exotic and 19 domestic animals, Binder Park Zoo has a variety of fauna and flora, a WildAfrica exhibit, a train, a tram, a carou-sel, a Wildlife Discovery Theatre and a children’s zoo where kids can feed goats, llamas, sheep and other do-mestic animals. Hours: 9 am–5 pm Mon–Fri, 9 am–6 pm Sat, 11 am–6 pm SunCost: $11.50 ages 2–10, $13.50 ages 11+, $12.50 ages 65+Contact: 269.979.1351, binderparkzoo.org
NearBoulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, 8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, *66 miles
Located on 80 acres of land, Boul-der Ridge boasts a collection of 1,500 exotic animals and reptiles represent-ing 180 species including kangaroos, ostrich, lemurs and an 11-foot alliga-tor. There’s also a petting zoo where visitors might get the rare chance to pet a baby zebra, wildebeest or water buffalo. Hours: 10 am–6 pm Mon, Wed–Sat; 10 am–8 pm Tues, 12 pm–6 pm SunCost: $12 ages 12+, $9 ages 3–11 & 62+, free for ages 2 and under Contact: 616.868.6711, boulderridgewap.com
Day TripSea Life Michigan Aquarium, 4316 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, *160 miles
With more than 5,000 sea creatures including sharks, turtles and octopi, this aquarium offers talks and animal feedings to observe, an underwater ocean tunnel and a touch pool to allow you to feel a crab, sea star, sea urchin and more. Hours: 10 am–8 pm Mon–Sat, 10 am–5 pm SunCost: $18 ages 13+, $13 ages 3–12, free for children 2 and under Contact: 866.622.0605, visitsealife.com/michigan
DESTINATION: Animal Attractions
Summer is about taking trips with your kids:
Whether it’s a short trip to a local park to hike or
bike, longer trips to museums or water parks, or
day trips to a special location or festival, there
are a million places to go.
To help narrow down that list, the family fun
experts here at FYI have some great suggestions
for close, near and far adventures
to find this summer.
LEGEND
DESTINATION:
SUMMER!
Close: Less than an hour awayNear: 1 to 2 hours awayDay Trip: 2 hours or more away* Distance from Bronson Park, downtown Kalamazoo
Binder Park Zoo
fyiswmichigan.com • 17 •
Close
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Kalamazoo, *1 mile
Newly constructed bike lanes through downtown Kalamazoo have connected the KRVT’s 22 miles of paved paths. Trails are perfect for a short ride after dinner or a daylong family pedal to Lake Michigan by way of the KRVT to the Kal-Haven trail. Hours: 7 am–sunset Cost: FreeContact: 269.383.8724, kalcounty.com/PARKS/krvt/index.html
Near
Fort Custer Recreation Area, 5163 Fort Custer Dr, Augusta, *15 miles
With more than 25 miles of moun-tain biking trails, Fort Custer has paths for all skill levels that run through second-generation forests and along the Kalamazoo River. Park includes campsites, a swimming lake and hiking trails. Hours: 8 am–10 pm Cost: $11 annual Michigan recreation passport Contact: 269.731.4200
Day TripSleeping Bear Heritage Trail, S. Dune Hwy, Empire, *190 miles
Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage trail is a 27-mile path through quaint towns, farms and forests along the Lower Peninsula’s northwest coast-line. Look forward to pit stops at Glen Haven Historic Village and the fa-mous Sleeping Bear Dune Climb. Hours: Dawn–dusk Cost: FreeContact: 231.941.4300
DESTINATION: Bike
CloseMarkin Glen County Park, 5300 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, *3.5 miles
Explorers of all ages will enjoy Mar-kin Glen’s 160 acres of paved trails through mature beech forests and native wildflower meadows. Aside from 38 modern campsites, a well-maintained playground overlooking a swimming lake and shady picnic nooks, hikers can experience a scenic view of downtown from one of the highest points in Kalamazoo. Hours: 7 am–sunset, beach hours 7 am–8:30 pm Cost: $5 daily vehicle pass, $2 pedestrian/bicyclist daily pass, $25 annual vehicle pass (good for all five Kalamazoo County parks)Contact: 269.383.8778
DESTINATION: Camp
Near
Warren Dunes State Park, 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, *74 miles
Warren Dunes has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and a dune formation that rises 260 feet above Lake Michigan. Rustic, semi-modern, modern and group camp-sites available. Hours: Open year-round Cost: $11 annual Michigan recreation passportContact: 269.426.4013
Weekend tripBeaver Island Campground, Donegal Bay Road, Beaver Island, *227 miles
Beaver Island is surely one of the more unique and rustic destinations in Michigan. Hop a ferry, stop by the bakery, set up the family tent at one of two campgrounds, kayak through inland rivers, learn about the island’s gripping history and play on Lake Michigan white sand beaches all af-ternoon. Hours: April 1–Nov. 30 Cost: $5–$10 per night per campsiteContact: 231.448.2505, beaverisland.org/camping
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
• 18 • June / July 2016
CloseGrand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, *51 miles
Hands-on, interactive museum for children ages 2-10, including bub-bles, vet clinic, kidstruction zone and a real beehive.Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm Tues, Wed & Fri; 9:30 am–8 pm Thurs; noon–5 pm Sun; closed MonCost: $8.50 ages 1-64, $7.50 ages 65+, $6.50 military family and school faculty, free for members & children under 1Contact: 616.235.4726, grcm.org
NearCurious Kids’ Museum, 415 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, *51 milesCurious Kids’ Discovery Zone, 333 Broad St, St. Joseph, *51 miles
Just steps from one another, Curious Kids’ Museum and Curious Kids Dis-covery Zone offer interactive fun. The museum has more than 100 interac-tive exhibits for ages 1-10, including a vet clinic, a Great Lakes ship and bub-bles. The Discovery Zone is geared to kids ages 3-14 and has water exhibits, a climbing wall and tower, and an out-door science gallery. Hours: Curious Kids’ Museum: 10am–5 pm Mon–Sat, 10 am–4 pm Sun Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone: 10 am– 5 pm Mon–Sat, noon–5 pm SunBoth facilities are closed Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day Cost: $6 admission to each facility, $10 joint admission to both, free for members and children under 1 year Contact: Curious Kids’ Museum, 269.983.2543; Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone, 269.982-8500; curiouskidsmuseum.org
Day Trip Science Central Museum, 1950 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN, *120 miles
This science-focused museum in the renovated former City Light and Power Plant built in 1929, offers more than 130 hands-on exhibits including a NOAA Science on a Sphere, a high-rail bike and tidal pool. Kids ages 2–7 have a special area with a giant piano keyboard, water play activities, bub-ble windows, and play area.Hours: Until June 30: 10 am–4 pm Wed–Fri, 10 am–5pm Sat, noon–5 pm Sun, closed Mon & Tues Summer hours begin July 1: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat, noon-5pm SunCost: $8, free for members and children under 2Contact: 260.424.2400, sciencecentral.org
CloseKindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts, Kindleberger Park, Park & Maple Streets, Parchment, *3.2 miles
Five days of family fun including two stage performances, Brigadoon and Pirates of the Amazon, a car show, arts and crafts, 5K & Kids Fun runs, parade, children’s area and food vendors. Hours: July 6–10, hours vary by day and activity, check website for scheduleCost: FreeContact: kindleberger.org/ festival.php
NearThree Rivers Water Festival, Rail-road Street, Three Rivers, *27 miles
A real small-town festival offering three days of family-friendly fun in-cluding a pig roast, parade, pet show, carnival rides, food, live bands and fireworks.Hours: June 16-18; events begin at 9 am June 16 & 17 and at 7 am June 18, check website for schedule Cost: Admission and many activities are free; cost varies for othersContact: trchamber.com
Day TripDelta Rocks! Family Festival, Sharp Park, 1401 Elmwood Road, Lansing, *74 miles
A free family festival with more than 30 activities including clowns, live animals, children’s make-it take-it craft booths, inflatables, games, face paint-ing, super sling shot, trackless train rides and petting zoo. Park your car at Lansing Mall and take advantage of the free shuttle that runs to the festival.Hours: Noon–6 pm June 25Cost: FreeContact: 517.323.8555, deltami.gov/index.php/parks-recreation/delta-events/delta-rocks
DESTINATION: Festivals
DESTINATION: Children’s Museums
Kindleberger Performing Arts Festival
Science Central Museum
fyiswmichigan.com • 19 •
Explore Indiana’s second-largest city this summer, and discover a heart-warming family escape!
You'll love family getaways in Fort Wayne, Indiana!
Big City. Bigger Heart.
Find getaway ideas, overnight packages, and deals at:
VisitFortWayne.com • 1-800-767-7752
VFW_KalamazooSummer16_7.25x4.875.indd 1 4/14/16 11:47 AM
CloseLillian Anderson Arboretum, W Main Street, Kalamazoo, *6 miles
Kalamazoo College’s biology re-search grounds are the perfect place to escape into nature without driv-ing far. Tucked behind Kalamazoo Public Library’s Oshtemo branch, the arboretum has miles of trails through meadows and forest, over footbridg-es and past lakes and marshes. Look for a new educational pavilion this summer.Hours: Dawn–dusk Cost: FreeContact: 269.337.7357, [email protected]
Near
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, 701 W Cloverdale Road, Hastings, *27 miles
Your family will fall in love with this remote piece of wilderness in Ka-lamazoo’s backyard. The institute’s researchers have put together a packed summer schedule of educa-tional nature hikes amongst grand oak stands and converted meadows.Hours: Trails open dawn-dusk; Visitors’ Center 9 am–5 pm Mon-Fri, guided nature hikes listed online Cost: Free trails, event pricing variesContact: 269.721.4190, cedarcreekinstitute.org
Day TripVan Buren State Park, 23960 Rug-gles Road, South Haven, *39 miles
Located three miles south of South Haven, Van Buren State Park offers woodland trails and awe-inspiring vistas of Lake Michigan. It’s the per-fect place for parents to lounge with a book by the Big Lake while kids dune-jump down sugar bowls and sandy blowouts.Hours: 8 am–10 pm Cost: $11 annual Michigan recreation passport Contact: 269.637.2788
DESTINATION: Hike
Van Buren State Park
• 20 • June / July 2016
CloseGilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hick-ory Road, Hickory Corners, *15 miles
Journey back to yesteryear and see one of the largest collections of his-toric automobiles in North America. Kids can explore an old-fashioned gas station, vintage dealership and eat lunch at a 1950s-style diner. Hours: 9 am-5 pm Mon–Fri Cost: $5 day pass, $15 week passContact: 269.671.5089
NearCoopersville & Marne Railway Train, 311 E Danforth St, Coopersville, *68 miles
Passengers can travel through time on a 7-mile route in 1920s-era train cars while learning
about the history of trains in west-ern Michigan. Check the schedule for popular-theme rides like “The Great Train Robbery”. Charter rides are avail-able by appointment.Hours: 9:30 am–1:30 pm Wed, 9:30 am–last train Sat, theme trains 11:30 am–3:30 pm Sun Cost: Ticket prices varyContact: 616.997.7000, coopersvilleandmarne.org
Day TripGreenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, *131 miles
This not-so-secret family venue is a classic for a reason. With 83 authentic historic structures including the lab where Thomas Edison gave the world light, workshop where the Wright Brothers gave us wings and the build-ing where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, this expansive museum brings 300 years of American history to life.Hours: 9:30 am–5pm Cost: $23.50 adult, $17.50 child, free for 4 and under, $6 parkingContact: 313.982.6001
CloseCelery Flats Music Festival, 7328 Garden Lane, Portage, *6 miles
Enjoy an afternoon of bluegrass and Americana music in the Celery Flats Historical Area.Hours: Noon–6 pm July 10 Cost: FreeContact: 269.329.4452
NearGrand Rapids Symphony’s Picnic Pops, 6800 Cannonsburg Road NE, Belmont, *66 miles
Pack a picnic dinner and sit outside on a blanket and enjoy orchestral covers of artists such as Queen, The Beach Boys, Boys II Men and David Bowie. Hours: 7:30 pm July 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29, Aug 2 & 4 Cost: Lawn seating $18 adult, $5 child, call GRS for table and chair seating pricesContact: 616.454.9451
Day TripMusic in the Park, Dewey Canon Park, Three Oaks, *74 miles
A quaint gazebo at the center of downtown Three Oaks has been hosting performers from around the world since 1899. This summer’s line-up includes world music from Domi-nica, The Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival and Columbia College’s soul collective. Hours: 6:30 pm Sat, June 11- Sept 3 Cost: FreeContact: harborarts.com/music_in_the_park.html
DESTINATION: History
DESTINATION: MusicCelery Flats Music Festival
fyiswmichigan.com • 21 •
1116 W Centre Avenue ☎ 323-9333PortagePrinting.com
Finishing Gives It the FeelPeople tend to function on autopilot. This is especially true when it comes to those routine tasks around the house like getting ready for work, doing the dishes, or sorting through the mail.
A person on autopilot might not give your flyer, coupon, booklet, or brochure enough time to really think about your message. That’s not fair, but there is a way to get their attention.
Finishing can be felt as well as seen. Even before reading your message, your potential customer can feel something is different. The finishing or coating of your marketing piece tells them it’s something worth dropping out of autopilot for.
Think about the finishing in your next print order. People experience the beautiful gloss, shining aqueous coating, or unique texture as much as read what’s on the paper. That intriguing experience might be enough to focus them on giving you a call.
CloseRiver Oaks County Park Splash Pad, 9202 E Michigan Ave, Galesburg, *7.6 miles
With in-ground and above-ground water spray play, this zero-entry wa-ter park is great for kids ages 2–12. The 330 acres surrounding the splash pad area include Morrow Lake, a playground, picnic shelters and hik-ing trails.Hours: 10 am–8 pm Memorial Day–Labor DayCost: Included in park admission ($5 per vehicle)Contact: 269.383.8778, kalcounty.com/parks/riveroaks/index.html
DESTINATION: Splash!
Near Flash Flood Water Park, 35 Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek, *26 miles
This water park combines in-side and outside fun, including two 200-foot outdoor waterslides, two 200-foot indoor water slides, zero depth entry pools, a water play-ground and Water Wars. Inside you’ll find inflatables and other attractions. Hours: 10 am–7 pm most days Me-morial Day–Labor Day, check web-site as hours vary Cost: $9; $12 Superblast admission (both water parks and inside attrac-tions), free for children under 2Contact: 269.966.3667, bcparks.org/182/Flash-Flood-Water-Park
Day TripStearns Park Beach, Stearns Outer Drive, Ludington, *147 miles
Located within walking distance to downtown, this beach on Lake Michi-gan offers not only sand and swim-ming, but volleyball courts, a play-ground, the North Breakwater Light, shaded grassy picnic area with grills, concession stands and a skateboard park.Hours: Sunrise to sunset Cost: FreeContact: 231.845.6237, visitludington.com/stories/beach_it
River Oaks County Park Splash Pad
• 22 • June / July 2016
The Life Cycle or Why People Dislike Kids
Family Man FYI
by JEF OTTE
Despite that the life cycle of every living thing involves some form of developmental immatu-rity, some people don’t like kids.
You’re ordering your coffee, for example, and the heavily tat-tooed barista with an ironic mus-tache and no sense of humor (ironically?) sighs loudly because your 4-year-old wants to sing him a 15-minute song about oatmeal. Or you’re in line at the bank, and your adorable, toothless, apple-cheeked 7-month-old keeps smiling at the woman in line be-hind you, who is pretending not to notice and making exactly the face she would make if a simi-larly toothless, apple-cheeked hobo were smiling at her while slowly slicing off his toenails with a soiled knife.
An ex-girlfriend of mine was one of those people. She just didn’t care much for kids. She also spent her spare time hatching a dastardly plot to kidnap several dozen pup-pies in order to make an extravagant coat of their pelts — which I personally thought was a weird hobby — only to have her plans foiled by canine shrewdness and the random hand of chance. Last I heard, she was working as a tort lawyer in Houston, which is basically the same thing.
The problem was that I had one — a kid. My oldest was 3 when she met him and 5 when we were living together, and he was pretty much the most well-behaved little kid I’ve ever known, then or since. I was young and an idi-ot, but even then I knew I was lucky. He could entertain himself for hours. My girlfriend would occasionally take him out for ice cream and buy him things like fur-lined robes and Turkish delight, but mostly she preferred he not speak to her.
Because I was young and she was pretty in a talon-like, glacial sort of way, and I loved her and didn’t know any
better, I tried to sympathize. Sure, he was a good kid, but kids could be annoying. On the weekends when I had him, I just tried to keep him occupied and the task of keeping him out of her way could be stressful.
I expressed these woes to my friend Paulie, a compact New Jersey Jew with a David Crosby mustache and a bald-dude ponytail (random side note: Paulie is now an elected member of the City Council of Denver) known to issue sage and acerbic advice. I don’t know what I was expecting him to say, but it was something like, “Well, dif-ferent strokes, buddy. Suck it up.”
Instead, he made a face of sheer bafflement. “She doesn’t like kids,” he said, as if trying on the texture of the words as they exited his mouth. “What kind of person doesn’t like kids?”
What kind, indeed? In retrospect, I won’t say they’re shriveled, bitter husks of human beings — except for my ex, who was last seen reading Atlas Shrugged to a group
fyiswmichigan.com • 23 •
of preschoolers while defrauding single mothers with a pyramid scheme hinged on the promise of discount baby food. Usually they’re just people who mistakenly view children as small adults, which of course children are not. And so they react to children the same way they would react to, say, clowns, or the mentally ill: with dis-comfort and revulsion. Which is not a nice way to treat the mentally ill.
And I don’t think I’m alone as a parent in saying I’m not immune from occasionally taking this same view of kids, especially my own. For example, the other night, my apple-cheeked daughter woke up at 3 a.m., screaming fiendish, otherworldly screams. It was 5 a.m., and a half hour before I had to get up and go to work, when I laid her back in the crib. When her eyes flew open at the mer-est touch of the sheet, and she opened her mouth to cry, and I lifted her back out of the crib, emotionally prepar-
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ing to incinerate her utterly in the white-hot furnace of my rage, but instead of crying, she cooed and touched my face. And I realized with a pang of sadness those nights would soon be gone. My oldest is 13 now, and if he ever wakes up crying in the middle of the night anymore, he’s certainly not telling me about it. My daughter will grow out of it. She’ll grow out of it all.
And eventually I and she — even she — will grow old, un-willing passengers of time’s inexorable, relentless missile, and we’ll die, replaced by heirs whose names we’ll never know. That’s the life cycle. And like everything else in life, it is, if you think about it, both beautiful and devastating.
So really, maybe it’s the pitiless specter of their own mortality these people who dislike kids are so afraid of. It’s understandable. Raising kids is not for the faint of heart.
• 24 • June / July 2016
WEEKLY
Thru June 5, Young Artists of Ka-lamazoo County, art exhibition, museum hours, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, all ages, regular admissionThru June 12, The Artists’ Sky, ex-perience the stars thru story, song, painting & music, 3 pm Tues & Thurs, 2 pm Sat, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3Thru June 12, Bear Tales, identify constellations thru stories & natural history, 1 pm Sat, 2 pm Sun, Kalama-
ONGOING
MondaysOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23Storytime, story, coloring & treat, 10:30 am, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnes- andnoble.com, all ages, FREETuesdaysKalamazoo Farmers’ Market, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank St, farmers-marketkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREEOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moToddler Time, indoor trampoline park, 10 am–noon, Sky Zone, ages 1–5, $7/hourToddler Time, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & underOpen Jump, 10 am–7 pm, Bounce-land, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults varyOpen Jump, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 minWednesdaysOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moFarmyard Wednesdays, a differ-ent farm-related theme each week, 10–11:30 am, DeLano Homestead, 555 West E Ave, 381-1574, nature-center.org, all ages, regular admis-sion plus $2 feeToddler Time, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & underOpen Jump, 10 am–7 pm, Bounce-land, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults varyToddler Talk, (June 8–22), toddlers play & adults share with a parent educator, 10:15 am–noon, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 1–3, FREEBaby Talk, (June 1–22), talk infant care with Carolyn Call, RN, 1:30–3:30 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–12 mo, FREEOpen Jump, indoor trampoline park, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min
Drop-In Gymnastics, supervised, structured gymnastics class, 6–8 pm, Greater Kalamazoo World of Gymnastics, 2723 Kersten Ct, 381-5749, gkwg.net, ages 6 & up, $10 membership feeThursdaysKalamazoo Farmers’ Market, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank St, farmers-marketkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREEOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moFamily Storytime, story, songs, fin-gerplay & crafts, 10 am, Bookbug, 3019 Oakland Dr, 385-2847, book-bugkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREEToddler Time, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & underOpen Jump, 10 am–7 pm, Bounce-land, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults varyFamily Storytime, stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Eastwood & KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–5, FREEStorytime, story, coloring & treat, 10:30 am, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnes- andnoble.com, all ages, FREEReading with Tucker, read to a friendly Golden Retriever (registra-tion required), 4–5:30 pm, KPL-Cen-tral (June only) & KPL-Washington Square (July only), all ages, FREEOpen Jump, indoor trampoline park, 4–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 minZumba, (July only), dance & kick-boxing, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 13 & up, FREE FridaysOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–9 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moToddler Time, indoor trampoline park, 10 am–noon, Sky Zone, ages 1–5, $7/hourToddler Time, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–1 pm, Bounceland, ages 0–5, $5 ages 3–5, $4 ages 2 & underOpen Jump, 10 am–9 pm, Bounce-land, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults vary
zoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3Thru June 17, Invaders of Mars, or-bit in a spacecraft & explore Mars, 3 pm Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat, Kalam-azoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, $3Thru Aug 21, Fares & Squares: The History of Checker Motors, learn the company’s history & view a 1923 taxi, museum hours, Kalama-zoo Valley Museum Planetarium, all ages, FREEThru Sept 11, LEGO® Travel Ad-venture, build vehicles & plan a
travel adventure, museum hours, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREEJuly 6–10, Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts, theater, car show, arts & crafts, 5K & kids fun run, & parade, Kindleberger Park, 650 S Riverview Dr, 504-615-5474, kindleberger.org, all ages, outdoors, FREE, see website for scheduleJuly 11–17, Black Arts Festival, 349-1035, blackartskalamazoo.org, all ages, see website for schedule
Family Storytime, stories, songs & activities, 10:30 am, KPL-Central (June only) & KPL-Alma Powell (June & July), ages 0–5, FREELunchtime Live, (begins June 10), local musicians, food trucks & pop-up vendors, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, Bronson Park, 200 W South St, 337-8295, kzooparks.org, all ages, out-doors, FREEOpen Jump, 3–8 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 minJumpapalooza, 2 hours of jump-ing, 8–10 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $15/jumperSaturdaysKalamazoo Farmers’ Market, 7 am–2 pm, 1204 Bank St, farmers-marketkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREEFitness in the Parks, (begins June 18, excluding July 2), free exercise program, 9–10 am, Upjohn Park, 1000 Walter St, 337-8295, kzoo-parks.org, all ages, outdoors, FREEOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, 9 am–8 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moOpen Jump, indoor inflatable park, 10 am–6 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults varyOpen Jump, indoor trampoline park, 10 am–8:30 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 minCreature Feature, (June only), see a different animal up-close each week, 11 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, regular admission plus $2 feeSky Jam, jump time for teens, 8:30–10 pm, Sky Zone, ages 14 & up, $18/jumperSundaysOpen Jump, indoor inflatable park, 11 am–6 pm, Bounceland, all ages, $8 ages 2 & older, $4 under 2, adults varyOpen Bounce, indoor inflatable park, noon–6 pm, Jungle Joe’s Fam-ily Fun Center, all ages, $10 unlim-ited play, $3 adults with child, $2 ages 0–23 moOpen Jump, indoor trampoline park, noon–6 pm, Sky Zone, all ages, $10/30 min; $14/60 min
WHERE IS?Addresses, phone numbers & websites of venues frequently appearing in the calendar:
Air Zoo — 6151 Portage Rd, 382-6555, airzoo.org
Binder Park Zoo — 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org
Bounceland — 6255 Technology Ave, 353-0940, bounceland.com
Comstock Township Library — 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org
Jungle Joe’s Family Fun Center — 7255 S Sprinkle Rd, 324-1992, junglejoesffc.com
Kalamazoo County Expo Center — 2900 Lake St, 383-8778, kalcounty.com/parks/expo
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — 314 S Park St, 349-7775, kiarts.com
Kalamazoo Nature Center — 7000 N Westnedge Ave, 381-1574, naturecenter.org
Kalamazoo Valley Museum — 230 N Rose St, 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org
KPL-Alma Powell — Kalamazoo Public Library-Alma Powell, 1000 W Paterson Ave, 553-7960, kpl.gov
KPL-Central — Kalamazoo Public Library-Central, 315 S Rose St, 342-9837, kpl.gov
KPL-Eastwood — Kalamazoo Public Library-Eastwood, 1112 Gayle Ave, 553-7810, kpl.gov
KPL-Oshtemo — Kalamazoo Public Library-Oshtemo, 7265 W Main St, 553-7980, kpl.gov
KPL-Washington Square — Kalamazoo Public Library-Wash-ington Square, 1244 Portage St, 553-7970, kpl.gov
Olde World Village — 13215 M-96, Augusta, 580-1290, oldeworldvillage.com
Parchment Library — Parchment Community Library, 401 S River-view Dr, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org
Portage Library — Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info
Richland Library — 8951 Park St, 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org
Sky Zone — 5103 Portage Rd, 459-9243, skyzone.com/kalamazoo
fyiswmichigan.com • 25 •
JUNEWednesday, June 1Party in the Park, book & healthy snack (registration required), 10 am, Bronson Park, 200 W South St, kpl.gov, preschool, outdoors, FREEThursday, June 2Dionysos Greek Festival, Greek food, music, dance & children’s ac-tivities, 11 am–10 pm, Arcadia Creek Festival Place, 125 E Water St, 345-1830, kalamazoogreekfest.com, all ages, outdoors, $10Friday, June 3Dionysos Greek Festival, 11 am–12:30 am, see description under Thursday, June 2Art on the Mall, artisans display & sell work, noon–9 pm, Kalamazoo Mall, Michigan Ave to Lovell St, 342-5059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, outdoors, FREE KIA Arts Fair, artwork for sale & chil-dren’s activities, 3–8 pm, Bronson Park, 200 W South St, 349-7775, ki-arts.org, all ages, outdoors, FREE Art Hop, art at locations around Ka-lamazoo, 5–8 pm, 342-5059, kalama-zooarts.org, all ages, FREESaturday, June 4Art on the Mall, artisans display & sell work, 9 am–5 pm, Kalamazoo Mall, Michigan Ave to Lovell St, 342-5059, kalamazooarts.org, all ages, outdoors, FREEKIA Fair, artwork for sale & children’s activities, 9 am–5 pm, Bronson Park, 200 W South St, 349-7775, kiarts.org, all ages, outdoors, FREELEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, FREEDo-Dah Parade, fun floats & whim-sical costumes, 11 am, downtown Kalamazoo, 388-2830, experiential-learningcenter.org, all ages, out-doors, FREEDionysos Greek Festival, 11 am–1:30 am, see description under Thursday, June 2Six Starz Skate Jam, meet a profes-sional skateboarder & compete, 11 am–3 pm, Upjohn Park Skate Park, 1000 Walter St, 337-8191, kzooparks.org, teens & families, outdoors, FREEArt Detectives: Find Arty @ the Arts Fair, 12:15–5 pm, Bronson Park, 349-7775, kiarts.org, all ages, outdoors, FREEAniMotion Festival, create LEGO-themed animation, 1–4 pm, Kalama-zoo Valley Museum, all ages, FREEMonday, June 6Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREEAnimanga Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parch-ment Library, teens & tweens, FREETuesday, June 7Teen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4 pm, Portage Li-brary, grades 6–12, FREE Nashon Holloway Concert, rock, jazz & soul, 6:30–8 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE
Friday, June 10Vicksburg Old Car Festival, old car cruise-in, 6–10 pm, downtown Vicks-burg, vicksburgoldcarfestival.com, all ages, outdoors, FREE Saturday, June 11Kalamazoo Mud Run, get muddy or stay clean on a 5K trail run, Ka-lamazoo Community Church, 2435 N 26th St, kalamazoocountry.com/kalamazoo-mud-run-registration-is-open, all ages, outdoors, see website for detailsVicksburg Old Car Festival, old car show, arts, crafts & “Tin Can Tourists,” downtown Vicksburg, vicksburgold-carfestival.com, all ages, outdoors, FREEFamily Fishing Clinic, learn basics of casting & catching, 9–11 am, Spring Valley Park, 2600 Mt Olivet Rd, 337-8295, kzooparks.org, all ages, out-doors, FREESummer Expo Craft & Vendor Show, 9 am–4 pm, Kalamazoo Coun-ty Expo Center South, 903-1604, kal-county.com/parks/expo, all ages, $5 per vehicleSummer Kickoff, sign up for sum-mer reading & fun activities, 10 am–1 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREESunday, June 12Author Event: The Marked Girl, young adult fantasy novel, by Lind-sey Klingele, 2 pm, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnesandnoble.com, teens, FREEWelcome to Geocaching, join an outdoor treasure hunt, 2 pm, Ka-lamazoo Nature Center, all ages, out-doors, regular admissionTuesday, June 14Baby & Toddler Storytime, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Por-tage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREEKBS Dairy Open House, dairy tours & ice cream, 4–8 pm; tours depart @ 5, 6 & 7 pm, Pasture Dairy Center, WK Kellogg Biological Station, 10461 N 40th St, Hickory Corners, 671-2508, pasturedairy.kbs.msu.edu, all ages, outdoors, FREEBookworms, discuss BFG, by Roald Dahl, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11 & adults, FREEWednesday, June 15Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREEWild Wednesdays: Bird Babies, learn about nesting & visit baby birds, 7 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, 671-2510, bird-sanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, ages 3–7, regular admissionThursday, June 16Fantasy Forest Art Carve 2016, watch artists carve tree trunks, 8 am–8 pm, Leila Arboretum, 928 W Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, 269-969-0270, lasgarden.org, all ages, out-doors, FREEDo-Nut Go to School Anymore Storytime, join Arnie the Donut for costumed storytime, 10–11 am, Bookbug, 3019 Oakland Dr, 385-2847, bookbugkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREE
Wildlife Neighbors Lunch & Learn, meet animals & learn about wildlife, 11 am, Oakland Drive Park, 7650 Oakland Dr, 329-4522, all ages, out-doors, FREEKalamazoo Island Festival, live reg-gae music & crafts, 11 am–midnight, Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills St, 217-0022, islandfestkzoo.com, all ages, outdoors, free before 6 pm, $5 from 6 pm–closeMinecraft Launch, join the world-building game, 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREE Family Fit Festival, explore new ac-tivities & wellness opportunities, 4–7 pm, Upjohn Park, 1018 Walter St, 329-4522, healthykalamazoo.com, all ages, outdoors, FREEHarborfest, celebrate Southwest Michigan’s maritime history, music, crafts & food, 5–11 pm, downtown South Haven, southhavenharborfest.com, all ages, outdoors, FREEMovies Under the Stars, The Long, Long Trailer, 9–10:30 pm, Oshtemo Township Park, 7275 W Main St, 553-7980, kpl.gov, all ages, outdoors, FREEFriday, June 17Fantasy Forest Art Carve 2016, see description under Thursday, June 16Harborfest, 11 am–11 pm, see de-scription under Thursday, June 16 Kalamazoo Island Festival, see de-scription under Thursday, June 16, free before 4 pm, $5 from 4–7 pm, $10 from 7 pm–closeMovie, watch Finding Nemo, 3–5 pm Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREESteam Dream Expo, steampunk convention, 6–10 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & under freeSaturday, June 18Fantasy Forest Art Carve 2016, see description under Thursday, June 16 Harborfest, 8 am–11 pm, see de-scription under Thursday, June 16 Lemur Lap & FUNfari Kids’ Day, activities focused on healthy life-styles, 8:15 am run, 9 am–2 pm kids’ activities, Binder Park Zoo, all ages, outdoors, regular admission; $10–12 per child age 10 & under for runPaddle Lessons, 10 am–noon, Ra-mona Park, 8600 S Sprinkle Rd, Por-tage, all ages, outdoors, to sign up contact Lee’s Adventure Sports, 311 W Kilgore Rd, 381-7700Steam Dream Expo, 10 am–10 pm, see description under Friday, June 17 LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, all ages, FREEKalamazoo Island Festival, see de-scription under Thursday, June 16, free before 4 pm, $5 from 4–7 pm, $10 from 7 pm–close, Father’s Day Read-In, listen to sto-ries & create a card, 2–4 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREE Pups & a Picnic, bring a picnic & watch America’s Best Frisbee Dogs perform, 5–7 pm, Portage Library, all ages, outdoors, FREE
Family Overnight Safari, learn about Africa’s animals & sleep in a tent, 6 pm–11 am, Binder Park Zoo, ages 6 & up with adult, outdoors, $60 per personSunday, June 19Steam Dream Expo, 10 am–6 pm, see description under Friday, June 17Michigan Reptiles & Amphibians, meet captive cold-blooded friends, 2 pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center, all ages, outdoors, regular admissionHarborfest, 8 am–5 pm, see descrip-tion under Thursday, June 16Monday, June 20Summer LEGO My Library, create & build with LEGOs, 10 am–1 pm, Por-tage Library, all ages, FREEFlying Aces, Frisbee history, tech-nique & audience participation, 1–2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, out-doors, FREE J-Pop Club, latest media & food from Japan, 4 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREETuesday, June 21Baby & Toddler Program, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Por-tage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREEStroller Stroll, walk on stroller-friend-ly paths, 10 am, Kalamazoo Nature Center, ages 0–5 with adult, outdoors, regular admissionAuthor Event: The Marked Girl, young adult fantasy novel, by Lindsey Klingele, 5 pm, Barnes & Noble, 6134 S Westnedge Ave, 324-1433, barnes-andnoble.com, teens, FREETeen Dessert Olympics, dessert decorating contest (registration re-quired), 6:30–8 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREEWednesday, June 22Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREEMinecraft Launch, join the world-building game, 2 pm, KPL-Alma Pow-ell, grades 5–12, FREE Cinema Shorts, watch the film Sesa-me Street presents Abby in Wonder-land (registration required), 2–3 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREEThursday, June 23Drum Core Fitness Class for Kids, Just Move Fitness helps you workout your body & brain (registration re-quired), 10 & 11 am, Portage Library, ages 7–9, FREEGrowlers Skills Clinic, baseball skills clinic with Kalamazoo Growlers, 1–2 pm, KPL-Washington Square, ages 8 & up, outdoors, FREE Bookworms, discuss BFG, by Roald Dahl, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11 & adults, FREEFriday, June 24Antique Tractor, Engine & Machin-ery Show, tractor parade, sawmill demonstrations, tractor pulls, an-tiques & crafts, 9 am–5 pm, Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, 671-5089, gilmore-carmuseum.org, all ages, outdoors, $12, 11 & under free
• 26 • June / July 2016
10 am–noon, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W Kalamazoo Ave, 373-4938, kalbookarts.org, ages 6+, $15 Air Zoo Ocean Odyssey, hands-on exploration of marine life (registra-tion required), 10:30 am, KPL-East-wood, ages 6–11, FREEPaddle Lessons, 5–7 pm, Ramona Park, 8600 S Sprinkle Rd, Portage, all ages, outdoors, to sign up contact Lee’s Adventure Sports, 311 W Kilgo-re Rd, 381-7700
JULYSaturday, July 2 LEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, FREEFamily Overnight Safari, learn about Africa’s animals & sleep in a tent, 6 pm–11 am, Binder Park Zoo, ages 6 & up with adult, outdoors, $60 per personSunday, July 3Light Up the Lake Fireworks, 10:35 pm, North & South Beach, South Ha-ven, 269-637-5171, southhaven.org, all ages, outdoors, FREETuesday, July 5LEGO City Returns, see a city made of LEGOs, library hours, Portage Li-brary, all ages, FREEWildlife Safari, see live, wild animals, 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, ages 0–6, FREE but ticket requiredTeen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4 pm, Portage Li-brary, grades 6–12, FREEThe Glenn Miller Band, popular big band with a jazz sound, 6:30 pm, Overlander Bandshell, 7800 Shaver Rd, Portage, 329-4522, all ages, out-doors, FREEWednesday, July 6LEGO City Returns, see description under Tuesday, July 5 The Leopard’s Drum, an Asante tale by Rootead Studio performers, 2 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, ages 0–6, FREE Pirates of the Amazon: The Trea-sure of Mystery Island, Kindle-berger Summer Festival youth pro-duction, 5:30 pm, Kindleberger Park, 650 S Riverview Dr, 330-3210, kindle-berger.org, all ages, outdoors, FREEBrigadoon, Kindleberger Summer Festival family musical, 7 pm, Kindle-berger Park, all ages, outdoors, FREEThursday, July 7LEGO City Returns, see description under Tuesday, July 5Fresh Food Fairy, Hether Frayer cel-ebrates healthy eating with her bike blender (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Eastwood, ages 3–7, FREEMaranda’s Park Party, rides, games, inflatables & food, noon–2 pm, Up-john Park, 1000 Walter St, 337-8191, kzooparks.org, teens & families, out-doors, FREEZentangle, create beautiful patterns, 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREEKalamazoo Blues Festival, local, re-gional & national touring acts, 5–11
pm, Arcadia Creek Festival Place, 125 E Water St, kalamazoobluesfes-tival.com, all ages, outdoors, $5Pirates of the Amazon: The Trea-sure of Mystery Island, see descrip-tion under Wednesday, July 6Brigadoon, see description under Wednesday, July 6Friday, July 8LEGO City Returns, see description under Tuesday, July 5 Art Hop, art at locations around Ka-lamazoo, 5–8 pm, 342-5059, kalama-zooarts.org, all ages, FREEKalamazoo Blues Festival, 5 pm–midnight, see description under Thursday, July 7Pirates of the Amazon: The Trea-sure of Mystery Island, see descrip-tion under Wednesday, July 6Brigadoon, see description under Wednesday, July 6Saturday, July 9LEGO City Returns, see description under Tuesday, July 5Kalamazoo 4-H Open Horse Show, classes for every riding dis-cipline, 8:30 am, Kalamazoo County Expo Center Horse Arenas, msue.msu.edu/kalamazoo, all ages, out-doors, FREE for spectatorsInsane Inflatables 5K, 5K run filled with inflatable obstacles, 8:30 & 11:30 am, Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Coners, 978-2167, insaneinflatable5k.com/kalamazoo-mi, 42” height required, outdoors, $57–$100Fancy Pants Theater, songs, stories, games & pretend play (registration required), 10 am, ages 3–6; 11 am, ages 6–11, KPL-Central, FREEBlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & under freeArt Detectives, a story, tour of the galleries & art activity, 11 am, Kalam-azoo Institute of Arts, all ages, FREEKalamazoo Blues Festival, noon–midnight, see description under Thursday, July 7The Leopard’s Drum, an Asante tale by Rootead Studio performers, 2 pm, KPL-Central, ages 0–6, FREE Pirates of the Amazon: The Trea-sure of Mystery Island, see descrip-tion under Wednesday, July 6Brigadoon, see description under Wednesday, July 6Sunday, July 10Kalamazoo 4-H Open Horse Show, classes for every riding disci-pline, 9 am, Kalamazoo County Expo Center Horse Arenas, msue.msu.edu/kalamazoo, all ages, outdoors, FREE for spectatorsBlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & under freeCelery Flats Music Festival, blue-grass & Americana music, noon–4:30 pm, Celery Flats Historical Area,
7366 Garden Ln, Portage, 329-4522, friendsoftheparksportage.com, all ages, outdoors, donationPirates of the Amazon: The Treasure of Mystery Island, see description under Wednesday, July 6Brigadoon, see description under Wednesday, July 6Monday, July 11Little Scientists, stories & science (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREEMaker Mondays, tinker, create & explore, 1 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Zak Morgan in Concert, songs & poems with wit, 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, ages 0–11, FREE but ticket required Animanga Club, watch anime & check out manga, 4:30–6 pm, Parch-ment Library, teens & tweens, FREEMeet the Author: Kate DiCamillo, author of Ramie Nightingale, 6:30 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREETuesday, July 12Baby & Toddler Program, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Por-tage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREEJapanese Books with Haiku, kids’ workshop making books (registration required), 10 am–noon, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W Kalamazoo Ave, 373-4938, kalbookarts.org, ages 6+, $15Critchlow Alligators, meet crocodil-ians, lizards & amphibians, 2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo; 4 pm, KPL-Washington, ages 0–6, FREE but ticket required Bookworms, discuss Raymie Night-ingale, by Kate DiCamillo, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11 & adults, FREE Pokemon Party, battle with cards, DS games & Pokken Tournament, 5:30 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Wednesday, July 13Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREEGame Central, board, card & video games, 1 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Wild Wednesdays: Predator Party, learn about those at the top of the food web, 7 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanc-tuary, 12685 East C Ave, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, ages 3–7, regular admissionThursday, July 14BIG Games, play big checkers, cards & more, 10 am–noon, Portage Library, all ages, FREEOnce Upon a Raptor Lunch & Learn, a story of a raptor featuring Birds of Prey, 11 am, Central Park, 7800 Shaver Rd, Portage, 329-4522, all ages, outdoors, FREEAustralian Didgeridoo, learn about Australian art & music, create a Didgeridoo instrument (registration required), 2 pm, KPL-Washington Square, ages 6–11, FREECooking Camp with Chef K, pre-pare, cook & consume with Kenei-sha Morgan-Darden (registration re-quired), 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREE
Movie in the Park, family activi-ties & a movie under the stars, 7–11 pm, South Westnedge Park, 1101 S Westnedge Ave, 337-8295, kzoo-parks.org, all ages, outdoors, FREESaturday, June 25Cheetah Chase, 5K run thru the zoo (registration required), 7:30 am, Binder Park Zoo, all ages, outdoors, $30–40Art in the Park, art in various media for sale, 9 am–4 pm, Milham Park, 699 E Kilgore Rd, 349-1185, eagletake-flight.com, all ages, outdoors, FREEAntique Tractor, Engine & Machin-ery Show, 9 am–6 pm, see descrip-tion under Friday, June 24Nature Discovery Bike Ride, a Ka-lamazoo Nature Center naturalist leads the ride, 10 am–noon, Portage Creek Bicentennial Park, 1098 E Mil-ham Ave, Portage 329-4522, all ages, outdoors, FREEKalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Cen-ter Room A, 779-9851, all ages, $5 adults, $2 children, under 6 freeAustralian Didgeridoo, learn about Australian art & music, create a Didgeridoo instrument (registration required), 2 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREESunday, June 26Antique Tractor, Engine & Machin-ery Show, 9 am–1 pm, see descrip-tion under Friday, June 24Monday, June 27Summer Crafternoons, create vari-ous projects (registration required), 2–3 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREETuesday, June 28Baby & Toddler Program, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Por-tage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREEChemical Kim Science Show, hands-on science fun, 2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, grades 5–12, FREEJewelry Making, craft a unique piece with Meg Tang, 2 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREEFerret Fun, learn about ferrets as pets, 2 & 4 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, all ages, FREE but ticket requiredTeen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4 pm, Portage Li-brary, grades 6–12, FREEWednesday, June 29Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREESusan Harrison & Her Palamazoo Puppets, interactive concert, 11 am, KPL-Central, ages 0–6, FREE Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREEWild Wednesdays: Butterfly Bo-nanza, learn about caterpillars & butterflies, 7 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanc-tuary, 12685 East C Ave, 671-2510, birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, ages 3–7, regular admissionThursday, June 30Papermaking Play, kids’ workshop making paper (registration required),
fyiswmichigan.com • 27 •
Thursday, July 28Big Truck Petting Zoo, meet big truck driver Mike & climb on real trucks, 10 am–noon, Portage Library, all ages, outdoors, FREEBookworms, discuss Raymie Night-ingale, by Kate DiCamillo, 4:30 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11 & adults, FREE Saturday, July 30BlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & un-der freeHarry Potter Party, celebrate the release of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, 2–4 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Sunday, July 31BlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & un-der freeHarry Potter Midnight Release Par-ty, read & watch scenes from Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, midnight, Bookbug, 3019 Oakland Dr, 385-2847, bookbugkalamazoo.com, all ages, FREE
Canvases with Kara, a step-by-step process to paint a masterpiece (reg-istration required), 6:30–8 pm, Por-tage Library, grades 6–12, FREEFriday, July 15Movie in the Park, family activi-ties & a movie under the stars, 7–11 pm, South Westnedge Park, 1101 S Westnedge Ave, 337-8295, kzoo-parks.org, all ages, outdoors, FREESaturday, July 16Fancy Pants Theater, songs, stories, games & pretend play (registration required), 10 am, ages 3–6; 11 am, ages 6–11, KPL-Central, FREEPaddle Lessons, 10 am–noon, Ra-mona Park, 8600 S Sprinkle Rd, Por-tage, all ages, outdoors, to sign up contact Lee’s Adventure Sports, 311 W Kilgore Rd, 381-7700Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, buy, sell or trade, 10 am–3 pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Cen-ter Room A, 779-9851, all ages, $5 adults, $2 children, under 6 freeBlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & under freeBenJammin & Analisa in Concert, play & sing educational music, 2 pm, KPL-Central, ages 0–11, FREE but ticket required Kalamazoo Farmers’ Night Mar-ket, produce & other goods, 6–10 pm, 1204 Bank St, farmersmarket-kalamazoo.com, all ages, outdoors, FREEFamily Overnight Safari, learn about Africa’s animals & sleep in a tent, 6 pm–11 am, Binder Park Zoo, ages 6 & up with adult, outdoors, $60 per personSunday, July 17BlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & under freeNew Edition, reunion tour of the R&B vocal boy band, 7 pm, Miller Auditorium, WMU, 387-2300, miller-auditorium.com, all ages, $45–75Monday, July 18Gelatin Printing, kids’ workshop printing on Jello (registration re-quired), 10 am–noon, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W Kalama-zoo Ave, 373-4938, kalbookarts.org, ages 6+, $15Summer LEGO My Library, create & build with LEGOs, 10 am–1 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREEAir Zoo Astronauts, learn about as-tronauts on the International Space Station (registration required), 10:30 am, KPL-Central, ages 5–8, FREEMaker Mondays, tinker, create & explore, 1 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREEJ-Pop Club, latest media & food from Japan, 4 pm, KPL-Central, grades 6–12, FREETuesday, July 19Baby & Toddler Program, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREE
Kevin S. Devine Concert, with sing-alongs & dancing, 2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 0–6, FREE but ticket required Martial Arts, learn self-defense tech-niques (registration required), 2 pm, ages 7–10; 3 pm, ages 11–18, KPL-Alma Powell, FREE Teen Game Club, video games, comics & snacks, 4 pm, Portage Li-brary, grades 6–12, FREEWednesday, July 20Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREESmall Sounds, hands-on, interactive music, 11 am, KPL-Central, ages 3–6, FREE Zoo City Hoop Dance, movement & tricks with hula hoops, 2 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, grades 5–12, FREE Teen LEGO Club, build with LEGOs, 4 pm, Portage Library, grades 6–12, FREEStuffed Animal Sleepover, pajama storytime & a sleepover for your stuffed animal, 6–6:30 pm; donuts & juice @ 10 am July 21 to pick up your animal, Portage Library, ages 3–11, FREEThursday, July 21Zoo City Hoop Dance, movement & tricks with hula hoops, 2 pm, KPL-Eastwood, grades 5–12, FREE Build a Fairy House with Your Fam-ily, create a fairy house to decorate the Celery Flats trail (registration re-quired), 6–8 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREEMovies Under the Stars, Big Hero 6, 8:30–10:30 pm, Oshtemo Township Park, 7275 W Main St, 553-7980, kpl.gov, all ages, outdoors, FREEFriday, July 22Cinema Shorts, watch the film Hap-piness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown (registration required), 2–3 pm, KPL-Central, all ages, FREESaturday, July 23BlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & un-der freeLEGO @ the Library, build, race & imagine, 10:30 am, KPL-Central, 315 S Rose St, 342-9837, kpl.gov, all ages, FREESunday, July 24BlackRock Medieval Fest, enter-tainment, jousting, vendors & food, 10 am–6 pm, Olde World Village, all ages, outdoors, $10 adults, 12 & un-der freeMonday, July 25Maker Mondays, tinker, create & explore, 1 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Improv, learn the basics of improv, 2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, grades 5–12, FREE Summer Crafternoons, create vari-ous projects (registration required), 2–3 pm, KPL-Central, ages 6–11, FREE
Tuesday, July 26Baby & Toddler Program, stories, fingerplays & movement, 10 am, Portage Library, ages 0–23 mo, FREEFoam Printing, kids’ workshop making block prints (registration required), 10 am–noon, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W Kalama-zoo Ave, 373-4938, kalbookarts.org, ages 6+, $15.Growlers Skills Clinic, baseball skills clinic with Kalamazoo Growlers, 1–2 pm, KPL-Oshtemo, ages 8 & up, outdoors, FREE Zumba, dance & kickboxing, 2 pm, KPL-Alma Powell, ages 13 & up, FREE PDL Family Challenge, ninja maze, costume relay & more, 6–7:30 pm, Portage Library, all ages, FREEWednesday, July 27Family Fun, interactive art, dance & stories, 10 am, Portage Library, all ages, FREEGame Central, board, card & video games, 1 pm, KPL-Central, grades 5–12, FREE Wild Wednesdays: Water Won-ders, learn about water & animals, 7 pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave, Augusta, 671-2510, bird-sanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, ages 3–7, regular admission
2016·2017 SEASON · Brad Mehldau ·
Joshua Redman · Stephanie Blythe · Inon
Barnatan · Anthony McGill · Alisa Weilerstein
· Danish String Quartet · The Hot Sardines ·
Ebène Quartet · Calmus · Crybaby Concerts
fontanamusic.org | 269.382.7774
Events may change without notice. FYI Family Magazine makes all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the events listed here, but makes no warranty for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the events information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of the information.
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tance. Take an evening stroll around the neighborhood. Summer is here. Sink into it.
• Pick your kids up from camp. Do not forget this year like you did last summer. Camp counselors tend to like to leave at the end of their work-day, too, but have a real aversion to doing so if your little ones are sitting on a curb, crying piteously, waiting for you to come get them. And you don’t want to be labeled ”that par-ent” of camp again this year, do you?
They are simply easy and few, but these must-dos will ensure your sum-mer isn’t all work and no fun. Because it’ll be gone before you know it, amIright?
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Last Laugh (continued from page 30)
• Brush your teeth. A summer with-out brushing could cause gingivitis, which is a leading cause of tooth decay. On the bright side, your un-brushed breath would keep the neighbors who want you to mow your unsightly lawn from actually talk-ing to you about it.
• Tour Michigan wine country. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is a true taste of Michigan. Step right up to the tasting desks of these home-grown wineries and sample the fruits of Michigan’s soil. From traditional European varietals, like Merlot and Chardonnay, to U.S. hybrid varietals, like Traminette and Vidal Blanc, Michigan wines gain more and more national and international attention every year. Sipping them at the vine-
yards from whence they were pro-duced just adds to the sumptuous experience.
• Pay your mortgage or rent. And the electric bill. It’s easy to forget about these pesky monthly necessi-ties if you are spending your free mo-ments barbecuing, basking in the sun and climbing dunes. But come Oc-tober, when it gets cold and you still have a home and heat, you’ll thank me.
• Take time for you. Summer goes by fast. Schedule a day or two this summer with no agenda and no re-sponsibilities. Savor a few lazy days where you crack a beer on the back patio or watch a little golf as some-one else’s mower hums off in the dis-
• 30 • June / July 2016
LAST LAUGH FYI 10 “Must Do’s” for a Michigan Summer
Woo-hoo! Michigan summer is here. It’s what we live for, amIright?
As summers go, Michigan’s are particularly unique. From its great water resources to amazing agriculture, a summer in the Mitten State is more than just three calen-dar months; it’s an experience. So before Labor Day bites you in the butt, here are 10 things you simply must do this summer:
• Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes. The purest Michigan. Soak up the sun on warm, soft sand while gentle breezes off the Big Lake brush just enough of the heat away. Refresh yourself in the sun-warmed water of Lake Michigan (best to do this in mid-summer). Nearby, the dunes are great for hiking and breathtaking scenic views and running up and down them will wear out your kids, making for a qui-et ride home.
• Mow your lawn. If you don’t, it will grow long
and your yard will be-come unsightly. Garlic mustard will take over, the skunks and wood-chucks will become squatters and your neighbors will give you
the stink eye. Just mow it already.
• Have a backyard bar-becue. Ah, can you smell the delicious aromas of grilled steak and chick-en wafting through your neighborhood? That’s sum-
mer. As you grill, your adult guests toss bags, Frisbees and horseshoes
while the kids happily splash and cool off in a plastic turtle pool. Michigan’s humidity allows for warm summer nights, so light the tiki torches (and citronella candles) and keep the music tuned to summer rock. The neigh-bors won’t mind; they’re at your house!
• Go to work. You are not an elementary school student.
• Visit Mackinac Island. Splurge a little because this his-toric island has something for the whole family. Enjoy a scenic bike ride around the island or climb the steps of Fort Mackinac and learn the rich heritage of the island. From trinkets to taffy, fun shopping abounds for kids and adults alike. No cars needed — or allowed — on this tiny island, so be sure to catch a romantic horse and carriage ride.
(continued on page 29)
By BRIAN LAM
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• 32 • June / July 2016
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