Ann Arbor Family Press - July 2018

FREE JULY 2018

Family Favorites Family Favorites Winners 2018 p9 The winners are out of this world

What Makes Ann Arbor p8 Such a Great Hockey Town?

The Best Pools and Splash Pads

P.14 in Washtenaw County

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Volume 24 • Issue 7 July 2018

What Makes Ann Arbor Such a Great

Famil y

Hockey Town?

Fa vori te

What’s Cool

Family Favorites 2018 The best spots to party, food to eat, places to learn, and so much more

P.8

departments ann arbor favorites

4

community snapshots

5

what’s briefly happening

6

new kids

7

exceptional families

8

tween the lines

8

ask the expert 17 healthy kids 18

P.9

at the Pool?

The area’s best pools and splash pads

P.14

Online JULY

What is Fortnite?

Everything parents need To know

By Katy M. Clark

ENTER OUR SUMMER GIVEAWAY!

calendar 21 marketplace 23

commentary

parent profile 16

Recipe for Success

Local Mom, Matty J’s Bakery and Cafe Owner, shares her story

—

by Mary Rose Kulczak

food fight 20

Hidden Family Fun

Kid Stations

The One Tool You Need to Survive Summer Days at Home

By Sandi Haustein

[Always online]

Rappourt Brew & Chew means good eats and good times for all ages

—

by Julie and David Sturza

annarborfamily.com most read 1. Fun at the Top of the Park: 2018 KidZone Guide 2. 2018 Washtenaw County Fireworks Guide 3. Lemonade for a Purpose

Take a dive on the wild side and discover the underwater world in a whole new way with Aqua Creatures Swim Masks from Amloid! The winner can explore their animal alter-ego and keep their eyes protected.

This shark version features a fin on top, realistic eyes and jagged teeth over the lens. The one-size-fits-all mask features an adjustable strap to fit kids ages 5 and up along with a durable, high-quality kid-safe lens.

Local resources for new moms and babies

annarborfamily.com Join us and our 1,500+ followers for laughs, updates & parenting discussions.

To enter visit annarborfamily.com

recycle this paper For our children's future ...

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

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Adams Street Publishing Co. What’s on your summer bucket list?

An inside look at what we’re loving for parents this month

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) VISIT A COTTAGE ON A LAKE.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer

KIDS HOROSCOPE June 21July 22

By Kimmie Rose

Building in miniature Traveling this summer? This 70 piece Plus-Plus Tube contains a mixture of pieces in a variety of colors, perfect for building all sorts of figures! Using Plus-Plus bricks, children ages five and up can construct both flat and 3D projects. After the fun is done the mini bricks all store easily in a packable tube. $7.99 learningexpress.com/plus-plus-tube-basic

Out of the sea This Mermaid Playhouse Plush Set comes complete with a little mermaid and eight sea animals, so the fun never ends!

Have you heard of the Magical Coral? It lives in the heart of the Norwegian Sea. Late at night, when the moon is full, the coral opens up, and a beautiful mermaid and her little friends come out to play! Each set is 100% cotton, handmade in Sri Lanka, safe to chew, and easy to hand wash. $44 16handsannarbor.com

Your Cancer is smart, independent and loves being home. They have an amazing imagination and can also be a pack rat. This month will bring a curious nature to your Cancer child and this might be a little frustrating for a parent; when it comes to the house being turned upside down, opening cupboards, drawers and looking for hidden treasures to save, in case they need them in the future. Have a treasure hunt with them to satisfy their adventurous minds! Draw a treasure map on a piece of paper and make a list of important treasures to find in the house! Be sure to participate in the treasure hunt and find things that will be useful to them. Hide a flashlight, a book, crayons and other items for your little explorer. Then, get a shoebox or some type of container and let your child decorate it and put it in a special place of their own.

Assignment Editor Laura Eliason

(laura@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BBQS AT SILVER LAKE. Calendar Estar Cohen (calendar@annarborfamily.com) KAYAKING ON THE HURON RIVER. Associate Editor Athena Cocoves (athena@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CAMPING IN THE U.P. Contributing Writers Kimmie Rose, Mary Rose Kulczak, Julie Sturza, David Sturza, Audrey Fairbrother, Heidi Harris, and Dawn Nelson.

Advertising

Sales Coordinator Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TOES IN THE SAND...AT A BEAUTIFUL LAKE! Sales Assistant Tris Jeffries (salesintern@adamsstreetpublishing.com) HOME RENOVATIONS. Sales/ Classifieds Trilby Becker (tbecker@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GET A CANOE. GET THE CANOE ON THE WATER. GET IN THE CANOE. Ron Katz (rkatz@adamsstreetpublishing.com) RELAXING.

Art/Production Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SUMMER READING. Senior Designer Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BASEBALL, ROLLERCOASTERS AND WATER! Graphic Design Anita Tipton (atipton@adamsstreetpublishing.com) TRAVEL TO AS MANY BEACHES AS I CAN AND PUT MY FEET IN THE SAND! Kelli Miller (kmiller@adamsstreetpublishing.com) NOT GET POISON IVY.

Chelsie Parton (prodintern@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CEDAR POINT.

Administration

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CONCERTS - ED SHEERAN AND IMAGINE DRAGONS. Distribution Tracy Kimble (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DIY MOVIE SCREEN, BENCH AND BOX CAR!.

We’re celebrating kids and family

#a2kids

Design and paint your own six dollshaped trinket boxes with the included paints and brush in this Paint Your Own Trinket Box Russian Doll Kit. These cute dolls can be nested together or used individually as trinket boxes for small treasures. The dolls in the kit are made with safe and highquality materials which are designed to last. $12.99 shoptherocket.com

Editorial

Norwin Lopez (nlopez@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DO SOME INTERNATIONAL TRAVELING, A NATURE HIKE AND SIT OUTSIDE AND PAINT.

on Instagram!

From Russia with love

Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CAMP MENOMINEE, EAGLE RIVER, WISCONSIN.

Want to be featured on our IG? Use the hashtag #a2kids and your pictures could end up on our page.

FIND LIKE AND FOL LOW US

Digital

Web Guru Deanna Woods (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BICYCLE TO DETROIT. AND THEN GET PICKED UP. I’M NOT RIDING ALL THE WAY BACK.

Advertising/General Info: For advertising

and general information, call (734) 668-4044 or fax (734) 668-0555. E-mail ads to adsin@annarborfamily.com Ann Arbor Family subscriptions are available by mail for $28/quarterly or $75 per year at Ann Arbor Family, 3003 Washtenaw, Suite 3, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.

Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing and should include the writer’s full name and phone number. Entire contents ©2018

by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher.

Also publishers of:

Audited by

Member

recycle this paper for our children's future ...

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

We’re always looking for great photos to fill our community snaps page! Send your favorite moments to digital@adamsstreetpublishing.com.

Congratulations to the Dexter High School Dreadbots Robotics Team on their amazing performance in the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition Season!

facebook feedback

...

We asked ered... w s n a u o y

Brendan, 10, Nolan, 7, and Ryan, 2, Dexter Luke, 2, D

exter

Share your input at facebook.com/annarborfamily

Christopher (Dad), Parker (left)

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

Oliver (right), Ann Arbor 5

compiled by Laura Eliason

This Girl Scout is going for gold

A farm show for everyone

Katie Sesi of Ann Arbor was honored in June at the Governor’s Service Awards for Youth Volunteer of the Year due to her commitment to volunteerism. The teen was also the proud recipient of Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) 2016 Young Woman of Distinction Award and has earned the Gold Award- the highest award that can be achieved in Girl Scouts.

The Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show, July 22-28, is a youthled event similar to a traditional county fair. On each day, along with various livestock and horse shows and lots of craft and hobby exhibits, there is something for everyone, especially for animallovers! Some highlights to check out: llama leaping contest, the Ag Olympics, and rabbit agility. View the entire schedule of events on their website. All animal exhibits will be on display by Tuesday afternoon.

Wear closed shoes, like sneakers, to keep your feet clean. Come hungry because the show also features delicious fair food.

Sesi has always demonstrated a strong dedication to helping youth.

In 3rd grade, she began her first volunteer initiative- Kanz for Kids, by collecting refundable cans to raise money to donate to children with cancer who have to spend their holidays in the hospital. She raised and donated $40,000 to The University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital and the Chad Tough Foundation for cancer research. $10,000 of her donation helped build a playground in the children’s hospital, call “The Treehouse”. Way to go Katie!

July 22-28. 8am-9pm.

Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. 734-997-1678. washtenawfarmcouncil.com/4h.html Free

Bringing Saline history to the app store Saline second-graders at Woodland Meadows Elementary School have developed the Saline History app to preserve and share Saline’s unique history. Teacher Mary Ledford and her students have created a series of videos about historic locations around Saline including the Union School, Mill Pond, and Saline Train Depot.

During the school year the second graders interviewed local residents and learned hands-on about local history. The app contains a map of the city with the historical sites marked. Users can select each location for more information. For example, did you know Henry Ford was a pioneer in biobased products by turning soybeans into plastic car parts such as steering wheels?

Find the Saline History app in the iPhone app store or visit salinehistory.org/historyvideos-by-second to view the videos.

In the leafy treetops Dream of climbing trees this summer? Tuck’s Treetop Adventures is ready to make that dream come true, and safely too.

Michael Tucker, Certified Climbing Facilitator, grew up climbing trees and his goal is to bring his love of nature to others in a way that safely gets people of diverse ages and fitness levels into the trees.

Recreational climbs are offered through local park & recreation departments, and are open to the public. Climbs are scheduled at various local parks on July 7, 14, 21.

Climbers register as individuals, and each event has a maximum capacity.

Participants are given instructions as a group, then fitted into gear and put on a rope individually. Tuck’s can come to your backyard to make tree-climbing the main event at a birthday party!

Tuck’s Treetop Adventures. 734-221-0063. tuckstreetopadventures.com/calendar

New U-M initiative honoring Chad Carr to advance research and treatment for pediatric brain cancers Thousands of donors and supporters have committed $30 million to establish the Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center at the University of Michigan. Carr, a grandson of former U-M football coach Lloyd Carr, died in 2015, 14 months after being diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), among the most aggressive and lethal types of brain tumors. “We are grateful for the generous gifts allowing us to honor Chad through transformational research that will help other children defeat this terrible disease. This is a monumental milestone in our mission to conquer pediatric brain cancer,” says Valerie Opipari, M.D., a pediatric oncologist and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases at U-M’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The joint announcement by Michigan Medicine and The ChadTough Foundation was made at the foundation’s annual Champions for Change Gala in May. “We want to see a day when no family will ever have to suffer this kind of heartbreak,” says Chad’s mom Tammi Carr. U-M’s Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center unites experts from multiple specialties, including pediatrics, radiology and neurosurgery, radiation oncology, genetics and pathology as well as engineering and public health to accelerate research on DIPG and other pediatric brain tumors.

To learn more visit medicine.umich.edu/dept/pediatric-brain-tumor-research-initiative.

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Dancing into Ypsi There is a new dance supply store in Washtenaw County. VEdance has opened its first brick and mortar store location in Ypsilanti, offering a variety of clothing and shoes for jazz, ballet, tap, and ballroom dance for both adults and children, the new store will feature something for every dancer and even includes a tiny tot room complete with children’s dancewares and toys to keep children entertained while parents shop.

VEdance has deep Ann Arbor roots: it was founded here in 2007 by members of the University of Michigan’s Ballroom Dance team.

VEdance, 741 Emerick St., Ypsilanti. Weekdays 1pm-7pm, Weekends 11am-6pm.

877-483-3262. vedance.com

LET US CLEAN. Store owners, Daisy Howlind and Vincent Zhang, celebrate their store opening with Ypsilanti Township Supervisor, Brenda Stumbo.

304 S. Main St. warbyparker.com

• No Contracts • 24-hour Clean Guarantee • Bonded and Insured • Call for a FREE Estimate

WE’RE MAID FOR THIS.

SAvE $10 oN your fIrSt 10 rEGulArly SChEdulEd ClEANINGS

Lookin good Warby Parker, the famed online purveyor of stylish glasses frames and lenses, plans to open its third Michigan location in downtown Ann Arbor this summer. The industry disrupter offers low-cost and trendy frames for men and women starting at just $95. The new location will take over the space on Main Street formerly occupied by the Life is Good store.

• Professional Quality, Affordable Price

Offer valid one-time per household. New customers only.

Pulling up the drawbridge Housed in a castle-like building near Michigan Medicine’s hospital complex on Maiden Lane and Broadway Street, Once Upon a Childhood Child Development Center and Preschool has closed suddenly. Attempts to reach the owner for comment have been unsuccessful.

pLEASE CALL MOLLY MAID® OF ANN ARBOR & LIvINgSTON COUNTY

734-665-7575

www.MollyMaid.com ©2018 Molly Maid, LLC. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

Family Famil y

vorite avorite FFa

WINNER

Favorite Place To Volunteer

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

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EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES

tween the lines

advice for parents with children 10-16

PHOTO CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

for parents of children with special needs

Zander Bowles, pictured on the horse, enjoys hippotherapy at the Michigan Abilities Center in Ann Arbor.

A Different Kind of Horsepower Equestrian Therapy at Michigan Abilities Center

By Heidi Alene Harris

Equestrian therapy can provide unique healing and empowering benefits for children and adults through the horse’s rhythmic movements, and engaging personalities that encourage horse-human interactions. Founded in 2006, the Michigan Abilities Center (MAC) in Ann Arbor has provided equine assisted therapy and healing to a countless number of clients at their 60-acre scenic 19th century farm, Heritage Hill Haven. Husband and wife team, Drs. Kathy and Steven Hinderer, run the Center and are both rehabilitation professionals who have devoted over 35 years to serving those with special needs of all ages and abilities.

Marching to a different beat

The Hinderer’s son, Ben, was diagnosed at a young age with a nonverbal learning disability and high functioning autism spectrum disorder with significant attention, coordination, fine motor, and sensory impairments. So it was to benefit their son and also help others that the Hinderer’s formed the MAC on Ben’s 14th birthday.

Under the guidance of his parents, the farm has helped Ben overcome many challenges and learn valuable life skills, including developing an outstanding work ethic and financial responsibility.

Despite the outcomes many doctors and teachers predicted for Ben, now 24 years old, he has completed his mechanics certifications. He is employed as a full time skilled mechanic and recently became engaged. Heritage Hill Haven allows others like Ben who “march to the beat of a different drum” to thrive and maximize their potential.

Empowering benefits

Heritage Hill Haven’s farm provides therapy, life skills learning, and wellness programs that focus on strengths and 8

abilities, not disabilities. Serving all ages, with an over 90-year difference among clients, therapy and learning programs are customized to achieve meaningful goals for each client. At the MAC, farm life is combined with therapy and learning through equine assisted therapy and activities (hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, equine assisted learning and mental health, and recreational riding), experiential learning, life skills, as well as traditional and alternative rehabilitation services.

Zander’s Story

15 year old, Zander Bowles, donated all of his birthday money to the MAC to help build a fence for the farm. Ann Arbor resident, Zander, has been receiving hippotherapy at the MAC for 11 years, since he was in preschool, for his quadriplegia cerebral palsy that affects his limbs, legs, and ability to control his trunk.

Zander’s parents, Lori Skibbe and Ryan Bowles described the positive impact the equine services have had on their son, “The only activity we’ve found that really helps build his core strength is horseback riding. The movement of the horse makes the muscles in Zander’s core engage in a way that no static activity does. A few years ago, we took a break from horse therapy and people started asking what was wrong with Zander. He had lost so much function in his core that others could tell just by seeing the way he could no longer hold himself up.” This benefit and so many others is why many like Zander and Ben have found a safe haven with the horses at Heritage Hill Haven.

Visit heritagehillhaven.org To find out more about the unique services the MAC provides.

Hockey Town USA

Study ranks Ann Arbor as a hockey town

By Dawn Nelson

You don’t have to look far to find opportunities in our area to play ice hockey.

Teens have many ways to learn the game: at school or on amateur teams. or just for fun at severeal local ice rinks in public parks.

In fact, according to a study conducted by SmartAsset, Ann Arbor ranks sixth in the nation for best place to live for ice hockey enthusiasts. To determine the rankings for best hockey towns, the study included factors such as quality of life, affordable housing and recreational opportunities. When the Michigan Wolverines play, fans often fill the college hockey arena almost to capacity (97%).

This translates to a town that supports the sport.

Opportunities for youth hockey Assistant Coach Brian Wiseman is one of the instructors at the youth hockey camps at the University of Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena. Throughout the summer, kids aged 10-18 can participate in one of the week-long camps to improve their skills. Grouped by ages, instruction is provided by several UM coaches, offering a great local resource for Ann Arbor area tweens and teens.

While Wiseman oversees the summer camps for all skill levels, he also seeks out skilled players from across the nation for the University of Michigan’s college hockey team. One recruit from Ann Arbor’s own Skyline High School, Andrew Copp, now plays professional hockey for the Winnipeg Jets.

• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Wiseman found Copp when he was playing football at Skyline, where he recognized his strong leadership and athleticism. Wiseman notes that when recruiting skilled athletes he looks for strong performance both athletically and academically; individuals with strong character, leadership qualities and team ethic.

Training for the big leagues Ann Arbor cultivates athletes with its history of youth hockey programs. The Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association encourages players of all skill levels to participate in the game, and kids of all ages can improve their skills at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Historically, the Ann Arbor Ice Cube that hosted national youth hockey tournaments for more than fifteen years. This role has since shifted to the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth; formerly known as the Compuware Arena, where you will now find advanced skills training programs, national tournaments and young athletes who have decided to pursue hockey as a professional sport. There are players who train for the Olympics and others who plan to try out for the National Hockey League. Teens, ages 14-17, can register for training camps that focus on developing hockey skills and fundamentals.

With all these local pathways to become a skilled hockey player and maybe even join the pros, it is no wonder Ann Arbor is ranked as a hockey town of choice!

Family Favorites 2018

The best spots to party, food to eat, places to learn, and so much more

By Laura Eliason

You voted for your Family Favorites and the results are in! From the best place for after school activities to the best family friendly restaurant to the best health care in town, see the results of our readers’ votes in this go-to guide for places to be, things to see, and where to shop in the Ann Arbor area all year long.

Place to worship

St. Francis of Assisi stfrancisa2.com

Place to volunteer

Runner Up: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor

Place to buy a gift

Part y Time

The Little Seedling thelittleseedling.com

Runner Up: Learning Express Toys

Place for an indoor birthday bash

Place to buy a birthday cake

Zingerman’s Bakehouse

zingermansbakehouse.com Runner Up: Tasty Bakery

Out & About

Kid friendly museum

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum aahom.org

Runner Up: University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Humane Society of Huron Valley

Sporting event for families

University of Michigan Basketball

hshv.org

mgoblue.com

Runner Up: University of Michigan Football

Animal encounters

The Chelsea TreeHouse

Family activity

The Chelsea Treehouse is an awesome adventure destination featuring 9,000 square feet of play and hang out space. The location boasts a huge climbing and playing structure, five slides, a baby and toddler area, swinging bridges, basketball hoops and, of course, a huge tree house to climb and explore. As a bonus, their climbing structure is big enough for kids of all ages and adults too! The cafe also features treats for adults and kids like Washtenaw Dairy donuts and Zingerman’s gourmet coffee. The Treehouse is easy to find in Chelsea’s Village Plaza Shopping Center.

aahom.org

thechelseatreehouse.com

Runner Up: Kidopolis

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music

County Farm Park

Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center

The Henry Ford Museum

Pinckney Recreation Area michigandnr.com

Runner Up: Waterloo Recreation Area

2|42 Church Community Center

Runner Up: The Chelsea TreeHouse

Party entertainment

Place to read

Sonic Boom Enterprises

mbgna.umich.edu

Runner Up: Food Gatherers

Place to camp

Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center

Runner Up: Dave Melcher,

Garden and nature center

Runner Up: Greenfield Village at

toledozoo.org

242communitycenter.com

robinsongsforkids.com

Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center

Toledo Zoo

washtenaw.org/421/County-Farm-Park

Robinsongs For Kids

thecreatureconservancy.org

Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Family day trip

Indoor playspace Place for an outdoor birthday bash

The Creature Conservancy

Volunteering at HSHV is a very rewarding experience and there are so many ways for your family to help out. Volunteers assist with cleaning the shelter, animal enrichment activities such as dog walking and cat comforting, and even can become adoption counselors. There is a job for everyone in your family (over age 12). Family members ages 12-17 years old can participate in the HSHV’s Youth Junior Volunteer (J.V.) Program. Youth in the J.V. program attend volunteer training sessions to learn different procedures, policies and safety precautions for working with and caring for animals. Upon completion of all six sessions, certified Junior Volunteers have opportunities to volunteer at HSHV!

Ann Arbor District Library aadl.org

Affordable Vet Services

Family Famil y

orite avorite FFav

Celebrating 12 years

WINNER

Full Medical and Wellness Services Teeth Cleaning ◆ Radiology ◆ Surgery Vaccines ◆ Heartworm and Flea Preventative Ultrasound ◆ Comprehensive Laboratory Fully Stocked Pharmacy Prescription Diets

Affordable Vet Services

Dr. Maja Fontichiaro Dr. Courtney Cutright Dr. Paul Glineburg Dr. Tara Hansen

2117 West Stadium St., Ann Arbor • 734.926.0114 • affordablevetser vices.com

Continued on Pg 10

Runner Up: Saline District Library

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

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Continued from Pg 9

Social Media Fa ves

Family Friendly Eats

Elementary school

Pleasant Ridge Elementary School Saline Area Schools salineschools.org Runner Up: Harvest Elementary School, Saline

Shop Local

Local parent blogger

The Cupcake Station

Anna Trievel, Ann Arbor With Kids

Runner Up: Zingerman’s Bakehouse

Runner Up: Sarah Noda, Good Idea Mom

Cupcakes/bakery

annarborwithkids.com

cupcakestation.com

Place to buy kids’ clothing

Candy shop

The Little Seedling

Kilwins

thelittleseedling.com

kilwins.com

Runner Up: The Rocket

Runner Up: Once Upon a Child

Ice cream shop

Kids’ consignment/resale shop

washtenawdairy.com

growwithme123.com

Washtenaw Dairy Runner Up: Blank Slate Creamery

Runner Up: Once Upon a Child

Frozen yogurt shop

Place to buy school uniforms

Menchie’s

Once Upon a Child

menchies.com

onceuponachildannarbor.com

Runner Up: TCBY

Runner Up: Meijer

Healthy family restaurant

Runner Up: My Urban Toddler

Family-friendly restaurant

Mom-owned business

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

The Little Seedling thelittleseedling.com

zingermansroadhouse.com

Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music

Runner Up: Jerusalem Garden

Bike shop

Kid-friendly coffee shop

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea sweetwaterscafe.com

Runner Up: 2|42 Church Community Center

wheelsinmotion.us

Runner Up: Great Lakes Cycling

Family photographer

Saline

Buddy’s Pizza

katfoleyphoto.com

buddyspizza.com

Runner Up: Vera Davis Photography

Runner Up: Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill

Place to buy children’s books

MAIZ Mexican Cantina Runner Up: The Pretzel Bell

Wheels in Motion

Kat Foley

Local pizza place

maizmexican.com

facebook.com/groups/annarbormamas Runner Up: Hike it Baby Ann Arbor

Local Instagram account

@thelittleseedling Runner Up: @WhiteLotusFarms

Education & Childcare

thelittleseedling.com

Runner Up: The Lunch Room

Ypsilanti

Ann Arbor Area Mamas Network

The Little Seedling

sevarestaurant.com

Nicola’s Books nicolasbooks.com

Runner Up: Literati

Preschool

Early Learning Center elcpreschool.com

Runner Up: Saline Cooperative Preschool

Daycare

Gretchen’s House Child Development Centers gretchenshouse.com

Runner Up: Teddy Bear Day Care and

Saline Middle School, Saline Area Schools, Saline salineschools.org

Saline Middle School believes that middle level education must respect the unique developmental issues facing early adolescents. Middle School students are experiencing rapid, life changing challenges. As educators, they feel a responsibility to educate the whole child, not just teaching information, but teaching life lessons that will assist them in becoming successful adults.

This innovative approach carries into their announcement that they will bring the Summit Learning Platform to their school for the 2018-2019 school year.

The program will launch with one 6th grade and one 7th grade team and focuses on project-based learning to connect classroom learning with real world application. This excitement and innovative approach to learning is why our readers selected them as a Family Favorite.

Runner Up: Summers-Knoll School

Learning Center

Teacher

Ms. Bonnie Jacques, Saline Cooperative Preschool salinecoop.org

Runner Up: Marciah Boerema,

Private/parochial school

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School stfrancisa2.com

Runner Up: Emerson School

Early Learning Center Preschool

School principal

Al Waters, Director, Honey Creek Community School honeycreekschool.org

Runner Up: Tracey Smith, Early Learning Center Preshool

10

Middle school

Local parent Facebook group

Baby boutique shop

Seva

Place where kids eat free

Grow With Me

Area Schools

• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Charter school

Honey Creek Community School honeycreekschool.org

Runner Up: South Arbor Charter Academy

Music class

Tutoring center

Great Lakes Educational Group Saline greatlakeseducationalgroup.com

Robinsongs For Kids robinsongsforkids.com

Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music

Swim lessons

Runner Up: Kumon

After-school program

Goldfish Swim School

annarborymca.org

Runner Up: Saline Parks & Recreation

goldfishswimschool.com

Ann Arbor YMCA Runner Up: Ann Arbor Art Center

Horseback riding lessons

Down Syndrome Support Team

Double H Equestrian Center, Whitmore Lake

Runner Up: High Point School

Runner Up: Misty Meadows, LLC

Special needs services

doubleheq.com

downsyndromesupportteam.com

After School Acti vities

Martial arts program

Acting and theatre classes

Spinning Dot Theatre spinningdot.org

Quest Martial Arts

Runner Up: Young People’s Theater

quest-martialarts.com

Dance studio

gymamericagymnastics.com

Quest takes a family approach to teaching the Martial Arts. As a Black Belt school, they focus on their ability to take students of all experience levels from the very beginning of their training through belt progressions to the achievement of a Black Belt. Their facility is open to athletes of all ages and experience levels and skilled instructors work hard to meet the needs of each student on an individual level. In their Kids Martial Arts classes they work with parents to help you find the right class, instead of grouping children based on their age or experience level. Quest Martial Arts truly offers comprehensive martial arts training for the whole family.

Runner Up: Champion Gymnastics

Runner Up: PKSA Karate Ann Arbor

Arts In Motion Dance Studio artsinmotion.net

Runner Up: Dance Steps Studio

Kids art class

Ann Arbor Art Center annarborartcenter.org

Runner Up: Flipside Art Studio

Gymnastics class

Gym America

Family Famil y

orite avorite Fav

WINNER

Dipping 34 Flavors of Ice Cream Every Day! Donuts Made Fresh Daily

Continued on Pg 12 Bring this ad in for a FREE Open Gym or Toddler Time pass!

Serving Ann Arbor & the University of Michigan Community Since 1934

HOURS Mon. – Thur. 5am to 10pm Fri. 5am to 11pm Sat. 6am to 11pm Sun. 6am to 10pm

Camp Weeks Week 1 • June 25-29 • Gymnastics Theme Week 2 • July 9-13 • Safari Theme Week 3 • July 16-20 • Ninja Zone Theme orite avorite FFav Week 4 • June 23-27 • Superhero Theme Runn ER- UP Best Week 5 • August 6-10 • Gymnastics Theme Gynmastics Week 6 • August 13-17 • Beach Theme Class!

Week 7 • August 20-24 • Summer Sports Theme

Family Famil y

Games, Rel ay & Water Fu s *Customize your camp schedule to fit your family needs* n!

For more information check out our website

602 S. Ashley St. Ann Arbor, MI (734) 662-3244

& Foam Pits ! g in d il u B Fort

washtenawdairy.com

www.champgymaa.com • 734.222.1810 www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

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Continued from Pg 11

OB/GYN

Dr. Caren Stalburg, Michigan Medicine OB/Gyn Clinic

Health & Wellness

uofmhealth.org

Runner Up: Dr. Natalie Saunders, Michigan Medicine OB/Gyn Clinic

Midwife

Anne Rosa, CNM, Michigan Medicine medicine.umich.edu

Pediatric practice

Liberty Pediatrics

Runner Up: Sarah Hakala,

Runner Up: Dr. Sara Sandvig,

ENT doctor

IHA Nurse Midwives

libertypediatrics.com

Dr. David Brown, Michigan Medicine Ped Otolaryngology Clinic

Michigan Medicine Pediatric Clinic

Urgent care

IHA Urgent Care WestArbor

mottchildren.org

ihacares.com

Runner Up: Dr. Paul Hoff, Michigan

Runner Up: IHA Internal Medicine -

Otolaryngology Surgery Associates

Domino’s Farms

Family doctor

Place to give birth

Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital umwomenshealth.org

Runner Up: St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor

Dr. Amanda Kaufman, Integrative Healthcare Providers ihcpaa.com

Runner Up: Dr. Noble, Saline health care center

Chiropractor

Holistic Healing and Chiropractic Center holistichealingannarbor.com

Runner Up: Borer Family Chiropractic

Optometrist / Ophthalmologist

Erica Johnson Carder, Bennett Optometry bennettoptometry.com

Runner Up: Cunningham Vision Centers 2st

Natural & homeopathic health

Integrative Healthcare Providers ihcpaa.com

Runner Up: Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center

Family mental health & counseling services

Robin Kahler robinkahler.com

Pediatric dentist

Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry

Runner Up: University Center for the Child and

Runner Up: Ann Arbor Smiles Dental Group

Affordable Vet Services

annarborpediatricdentistry.com

Allergist

Family (UCCF)

Veterinarian

Dr. Harvey Leo, Allergy and Immunology Associates of Michigan

affordablevetservices.com

Runner Up: Dr. Marc McMorris,

Place to go ice skating

Runner Up: Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hosp.

Get Acti ve

annarborallergy.com

Michigan Medicine Allergy Clinic

Ann Arbor Ice Cube a2ice3.com

Orthodontist

Dr. Katherine Kelly Orthodontics, Saline

Runner Up: Buhr Park

Runner Up: Edwards & Schaefer Orthodontics

Ypsilanti

drkatherinekelly.com

Speech/language therapy

Rachel Schilling, Children’s Center for Growth and Development childrenscenterforgrowth.com

Place to play mini-golf

Putterz putterz.com

Runner Up: Stone Mountain Family Fun Center

Park or playground

Gallup Park a2gov.org

Runner Up: County Farm Park

Runner Up: Spectrum Therapy

Thank you for voting Dr. Katherine Kelly

il y Family

te oriite Favor ER

WINN ER

and Team as your Favorite Orthodontist!

Our patients and families make our team smile every day!

734-429-7676

1020 E. Michigan Ave., Suite E Saline, MI 48176 drkatherinekelly.com

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Waterpark

Rolling Hills Water Park

Me Time

Ypsilanti

washtenaw. org Runner Up: Blue Heron Bay

Family-friendly gym

Ann Arbor YMCA

Girls Night Out

annarborymca.org

Runner Up: Liberty Athletic Club

Soccer program

Saline Area Soccer Association, Saline salinesoccer.org

Runner Up: WideWorld Sports Center

Youth sports league

Ann Arbor Rec & Ed a2schools.org/reced

Runner Up: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation

Traveling sports club league

Ann Arbor A’s Travel Baseball Club annarboras.com

Runner Up: One on One Basketball

Summer day camp

Saline Parks & Recreation, Saline

The Session Room sessionrooma2.com

Need a location for your next girls night out? The Session Room offers the perfect place to set down the sippy cup and pick up a glass of your favorite beverage from their expansive menu of wines, beers, and cocktails. Relax on the patio and enjoy a delicious meal of their elevated brew fare such as their best-selling Session nachos, a delicious pizza, or their salmon BLT sandwich. They also offer an incredible selection of craft cocktails and make all their own juices and syrups.

Consider this reader favorite for your next night on the town.

Runner Up: Isalita

Date night restaurant

cityofsaline.org

Aventura

Runner Up: Spinning Dot Theatre

Runner Up: Real Seafood Company,

Sports camp

University of Michigan camps.mgoblue.com

Runner Up: Kids K.A.M.P., WideWorld Sports Center

Faith based summer camp/ vacation bible school

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School stfrancisa2.com/school

Family Famil y

orite avorite Fav

WINNER

Providing the highest quality dental care for infants, children & adolescents and those with special needs.

Now seeing patients in two locations

Ann Arbor

&

Chelsea

734-663-2490 AnnArborPediatricDentistry.com

aventuraannarbor.com Ann Arbor

Workout for mom

Ringstar Studio a2ringstar.com

Runner Up: Jazzercise Center of Ann Arbor

Spa day for mom

Fran Coys Salon and Spa francoysalon.com

Runner Up: Renew Salon & Spa, Saline

Runner Up: SpringHill Day Camp

Kids fitness class

Peachy Fitness peachyfitness.com

Runner Up: Final Round Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

13

C l o o s ’ t a h W at thePool?

The area’s best pools and splash pads

By Audrey Fairbrother

Veterans Memorial Park Pool

area, an interactive water play feature, and the 125-foot water slide (42 inch height requirement). The pool also offers rentals of the main pool, tot splash, waterslide or a combination of the three.

What’s cool:

Guest amenities:

2150 Jackson Ave. a2gov.org 734-794-6235

Family restrooms have changing tables.

A recent extensive renovation has provided a brand-new, smooth pool liner. A few favorites include the fan-shaped, zero-depth

Cost:

$5, adults. $5, kids 4-17 and seniors 55+.

Free for children 3 and under. 10-day punch passes are available for $40. Summer season passes are $265 and are valid from May 26-Sept. 3, 2018 at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial park pools for all public swim times and tot splashes.

Rutherford Pool 975 Congress St, Ypsilanti Forpool.org 734-482-4401

What’s cool:

Buhr Park Pool

Thanks to by generous sponsors and donors, this pool was completely renovated and rebuilt in 2014. Find water exercise classes, and even a kids triathlon for ages 4-12. The pool is available for rent.

Photo Credit: Neil Strong

2751 Packard St. a2gov.org 734-794-6234

Guest amenities:

Restrooms have changing tables.

Cost:

$4, adults. $3, youth from 1-4:50pm. $2.25, youth from 6-8pm. $3, seniors age 55+. $2, ages 4 and younger.

Purchase a punch card and get your fifth visit free: $16/adults, $12/youth and seniors. Season passes are also available.

Rolling Hills Water Park 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti ewashtenaw.org 734-484-9676

What’s cool:

Open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, Rolling Hills Water Park has everything you need— a lazy river for lounging, a wave pool, water slides, and an activity pool with zero-depth entry. The large sun deck, which offers plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Spraygrounds inside the water park are under construction until

Blue Heron Bay 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake ewashtenaw.org 734-449-4437

What’s cool:

Part of the Independence Lake General Park, this “spray play facility” has a dedicated family section and includes a slide with no height restriction. The water play structure, a fun cross between a splash pad and a jungle gym, has colorful interactive jets everywhere you look.

Guest amenities:

First aid services, family changing rooms, showers, diaper changing stations and coin lockers.

Cost:

$4, county residents. $5, non-residents (but $1 off after 5pm). Free for children 2 and under. Note: admission to Independence Lake Park is required.

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

early August.

Guest amenities:

First aid services, bathhouses with restrooms, showers, diaper changing stations, and coin lockers.

Cost:

$8 for county residents and $10 for non-residents (with $2 off after 5pm).

Weekend and holiday rates bump up to $10 and $13. Kids under 36 inches tall are free. Note: $1 off all admission prices

during construction!

What’s cool:

Young kids enjoy the tot pool, offering a zero to two foot depth incline, and ages 1-8 love the fan-shaped splash pad, complete with interactive sprayers and toys available to borrow. Parents and older kids will find a 25-yard lap pool with a 12-foot diving well. Lounge chairs, a nice picnic area, tennis courts and a shaded deck area provide poolside fun.

Guest amenities:

Changing tables in family restrooms and locker rooms for changing.

Cost:

Please see Veterans Memorial Park cost description above.

Plymouth Sprayscape 46640 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth plymouthtwp.org 734-453-3567

What’s cool:

Aapproximately 2600 square feet of fun for kids of all ages. The sprayscape, open from 10-am-7:30pm daily, features 12 ground sprayers and 24 spray features, like the Water Cannons, Horse Charger, Froggy-O, Daisy Mae, and Water O’s.

Guest amenities:

Township Park restrooms are available.

Cost: Free!

DIFFERENT BY DESIGN

Heritage Park Splash Pad

46000 Summit Pkwy., Canton canton-mi.org/148/ Splash-Playgrounds 734-394-5323

What’s cool:

This park has all the spray feature fun you can handle, including several fountains, buckets, water guns, and mini

soak arches to run through. Benches and picnic tables surround the perimeter.

Birthday party packages are available.

Guest amenities:

Family restrooms with changing tables are available as part of Heritage Park.

Offering camel rides, up-close viewing of Zebras, Emus, Wallabies, Donkeys, Alligators, Peacocks, Giraffe, wolf puppies, sloth encounters and more!

Perfect for birthday parties, preschool outings, field trips and a nice day activity!

indiancreekzoo.com Just 3 miles North of Toledo!

2744 CONSEAR ROAD LAMBERTVILLE, MI 48144

Like Us on Facebook!

Bring this coupon in and receive $1 OFF

Petting Zoo Food to Feed the Animals!

Cost: Free!

Professional Grooming for Dogs & Cats

$5 OFF

We’re celebrating kids and family

A FULL GROOM

#a2kids

on Instagram!

Want to be featured on our IG? Use the hashtag #a2kids and your pictures could end up on our page.

Fuller Park Pool 1519 Fuller Rd. a2gov.org 734-794-6236

What's cool:

A favorite landmark for the kids is Fuller’s quintessential waterslide, but Fuller Park also boasts a seven-lane, 50-meter lap pool for adults and a shallow area with ramp access to splash around with your littles. For picnics and relaxing, find plenty of open space, lounge chairs, and grills. Events are also held throughout the summer, including “Dive-In Movies,” where you can float and catch a flick on an inflatable big screen.

Guest amenities:

Family restrooms with changing tables.

Cost:

Please see Veterans Memorial Park cost description.

Jump Island Water Park

Walk-In Nail Trim

7050 Dexter/Ann Arbor Rd. Dexter, MI 734-580-2086 • club-canine.net

Make a

Family Famil y

orite avorite Fav

6122 Bishop Lake Rd., Brighton gojumpisland.com/ brighton--mi.html 810-882-7568

WINNER

What’s cool:

Inflatable water park featuring a maze of trampolines and obstacles. Need we say more?

42 inch height requirement.

Call to make reservations, or schedule on a time online.

Guest amenities: Bathrooms and rentable lockers.

Cost:

$15 per person for a 45 minute pass, or $25 for three consecutive 45 minute sessions.

Rolling Hills Water Park Ypsilanti Twp. (734) 484-9676

Water Slides • Wave pool Lazy River • Playground Zero Depth Entry Pool

washtenaw.org/parks Blue Heron Bay Spray Park At Independence Lake County Park Webster Twp. (734) 449-4437 Tot, Family & ‘Tween zones Water Slides • Spray Play

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

Like Us!

15

Get to know Shaw na If yo u ha d to pic k on e fav or ite cookie, what would it be?

Chocolate Chunk. My son would choose the brownie.

What is your mom superpower?

Staying calm.

Favorite local restauran t?

Salt Springs Brewery in Sal ine.

Any advice for other mompreneurs or would -be entrepreneurs?

You can absolutely do it. It’s hard, but you can do hard things.

It’s absolutely worth it. Mainta in a good support system of frie nds and family and whoever you can tap into for help.

Recipe for Success

Local Mom, Matty J’s Bakery and Café owner, shares her story

By Mary Rose Kulczak

Shawna Sloan knows the key ingredients for making a restaurant a success.

Add equal measures of experience, hard work, and a love of baking, and you have the secret recipe for Matty J’s Bakery and Cafe in Saline.

Sloan, who has over twenty years of experience in the food industry, built her baking resume by working at Zingerman’s Bakehouse for ten years. What began as a college job soon became a career. “I attended college at U of M and fell in love with the area and ended up never leaving,” she said.

During that time, she added another title to her resume: mother to son, Jacob, a second grader in Saline Schools. Jacob, whose nickname is Matty J, was one of the reasons why Sloan decided to take a break from the baking business in 2015.

“I left Zingerman’s in the Spring of 2015 and decided to take some time off to figure out what I really wanted to do next with my life. Zingerman’s was an absolutely wonderful place to work, but I was feeling a little burned out working with food at that time in my career.”

Taking a break to focus Sloan took a break from baking to focus and refresh. “I spent my time as a full time parent, which was lovely! I’m grateful that I was able to take the time to do so, as my son entered kindergarten and I was able to volunteer in class and learn

how the school system worked. However, I’m not one for sitting idle for too long, and during my hiatus I really, truly missed baking.”

Opening her own bakery and cafe seemed like the perfect solution. “It was the idea of being able to have some degree of control over coming and going when I need to, “ she said. “As a single parent, it is very challenging to be in a job with fixed hours that doesn’t understand that when you have to be home with a sick child, that’s just how it is.”

Opening in Saline Matty J’s Café and Bakery opened in 2017. The menu features breakfast and lunch items, along with baked goods made fresh daily. Healthy alternatives include vegetarian and vegan options.

“Our menu is focused on flavor and quality. I keep it small, on purpose, for a few reasons. One, we are primarily a wholesale bakery. Two, we aren’t set up with a full service kitchen, hence the reason we only offer sandwiches, soup in the fall, and salads in the winter. Three, I love all food but baking is my true passion. We also source locally as much as we can, with the main focus being on high quality ingredients.”

Sloan has been surprised by the positive response and support from the community. “Saline is a wonderful town, and I am so happy that I decided to open my

business here.” She admits that being a single mom and café owner has its challenges. “It’s really hard sometimes. I have a good support network of family and friends, but sometimes it takes a fair amount of juggling to make it all work. It has been wonderful and awful and scary and rewarding, all at the same time!

Lots of learning, but so far, no regrets.”

Matty J’s Bakery and Café 972 E. Michigan Ave., Saline.

Open Monday through Saturday from 7am to 4pm.

Playground Round-up The coolest places to play in Washtenaw County

exclusively @ annarborfamily.com

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Ask the Expert

Attention Shoppers!

Local shopper Jenny Darling’s grocery shopping tips

By Mary Rose Kulczak

SAVE THE DATE

which lets me know when there are manufacturer coupons.

When/where can you find the best savings?

When in season, I’m a huge fan of local farmers markets. They have great quality and prices. I have found that for my household, it works best if I hit up Kroger first, then fill in the gaps with Whole Foods and Costco. I’m also really excited about the new Better Health Market opening this spring, because the store in Plymouth has great local foods and lovely coupons.

Jenny Darling, owner and operator of Darling Deliveries.

Who ate the last clementine? What?

We’re out of salad greens? Ugh. Time to go to the grocery store. Or not.

Jenny Darling, owner and operator of Darling Deliveries, is a personal shopper servicing the Ann Arbor area. From her background in health and wellness— she is a chiropractor and a professional health coach— paired with her experience as a personal shopper for national companies, she created her own custom grocery delivery service.

Darling shared some of her best tips and tricks for making the grocery shopping experience a little more fruitful.

Join us for Ann Arbor’s oldest and largest chefs event featuring enticing menus from the area’s culinary masters as well as wines, beers and spirits and dazzling entertainment.

WHEN Wednesday, October 17, 2018 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

How important is meal planning when it comes to shopping?

Meal planning eliminates impulse buys, while saving both money and time. One feature of my professional health coaching services includes help with meal-planning.

Any other tips and tricks to share?

Download the app “Shopping List.”

It is a lifesaver for me! In this day and age, we usually have our phones with us.

When I realize I’m low on something, I add it right away. Then, if you’re placing an order with me, you can skip going through the kitchen because you’ll already know what you need.

With these tips in your basket, Darling hopes she can make grocery shopping less of a bore, and a more enjoyable and affordable chore.

For more information, visit darlingdeliveriesa2.com.

What days of the week and times are best for grocery shopping?

The best days are Tuesday through Friday because the shelves are well-stocked due to restocking schedules. Stores are usually crowded between 4pm to 6pm, so avoiding those hours can get you quicker service.

Coupons or no coupons?

I use in store and in-app coupons for Kroger and Whole Foods. There is also a Facebook page called All Natural Savings

What are the biggest frustrations for shoppers? n Holidays: The stores are crowded, and if you wait until the last minute, stock can be less than ideal. I always shop at least three days ahead of the holiday. n Bad weather: Produce in the winter can be a major source of frustration.

Snow storms mess with truck deliveries and the next thing you know the produce department is empty! I have strong relationships with the produce workers, so once I get wind that there is trouble in paradise, I let my customers know so we can come up with a game plan. n Out-of-stock items: With Darling Deliveries, you get to pick your shopper (me, not some random person each time). Your personal profile allows me to make easy substitutions for you on out-of-stock items.

WHERE Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest 1275 S. Huron St. Ypsilanti, MI RSVP signaturechefs.org/annarbor

Your Comprehensive Solution to Pain Clinical Services

Types Of Pain Degenerative Disc Disease Acute and Chronic Pain Herniated Disc Spinal Stenosis Radiculopathy Nerve Injuries Neuropathies/Neuralgia Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Cancer Pain Headache Joint & Ligament Injury

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TEL: 419-843-1370 FAx: 419-754-5870

www.cc4pm.com

Toledo

TOLL FREE 877-446-6724 Now Open in Perrysburg

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

Oregon 17

healthy kids

Battle of Print Versus the Screen Studies show that traditional books are still the best option for children

By Mary Rose Kulczak

Dr. Tiffany Munzer, developmental behavioral pediatrician at University of Michigan C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital, is researching the impact of tablets and traditional books on young children.

Summer reading programs are in full swing at local bookstores and libraries. While your kids decide on their favorite authors, parents will need to decide between traditional books e-book options for their children.

Pete the Cat in print or in app?

Dr. Tiffany Munzer, developmental behavioral pediatrician at University of Michigan C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital, is researching the impact of tablets and traditional books on young children.

The traditional book advantage “There are so many advantages of traditional book reading and shared reading for children!” Dr. Munzer stated. “Studies have consistently shown that shared book reading over traditional print books builds social-emotional attachment with parents, teaches children print concepts (books turn left to right) and literacy skills, exposes children to rich vocabulary, and cultivates executive functioning skills (e.g. how children learn to pay attention, delay gratification, and control impulses). These are the building blocks of academic success.”

“Toddlers are in an amazing stage of development where they are developing executive functioning skills but their attentional capacity is still limited. They may therefore be more susceptible to and distracted by the “bells and whistles” of e-books,” Munzer warned. “They are also gaining independence in incredible ways, while developing pre-literacy skills, but are not quite able to read yet, which makes the shared reading experience with parents that much more important for them. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their language development.”

months of age, the recommendation is to choose high–quality programming, and most importantly, co-viewing and engaging with children while the device is in use.”

“The recommendations from the 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines advise parents to interact with children as they would a print book, as certain features of electronic/digital books (distracting visual effects) may decrease the richness of parent language used to converse with a child during book reading and may decrease a child’s reading comprehension.”

Controlled screen time Limiting screen time for children is also important when choosing books over tablets, especially with very young children.

“Regarding screen media and children, recommendations are age-specific,” Dr. Munzer said. “The American Academy of Pediatrics media guidelines recommends avoiding screen media in children under eighteen months because young infants and toddlers are unable to transfer two-dimensional images to the three-dimensional world. After eighteen

HEALTH NOTE Text and Chat Support in Crisis Ozone House expanded its 24/7 crisis line with the launch of its new TEXT and CHAT services. The new crisis lines allow young people to get the emergency support they need if they find themselves in a situation where a phone call is unsafe.

The CALL.TEXT.CHAT crisis line is staffed by highly trained volunteers to communicate with young people in crisis and provide critical information, referrals and crisis intervention to youth and families struggling with issues like family conflict, mental health, runaway episodes, homelessness, suicide, abuse, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.

Ozone House's crisis line can be reached via phone call or text at 734-662-2222.

To chat with a crisis counselor, visit ozonehouse.org.

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• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

The benefits of tablets In certain situations, a tablet may be beneficial for some children. “Electronic books can be very helpful for children with a dyslexia diagnosis,” Munzer offered. “There are apps such as Learning Ally, which read audio books and highlight individual words as the audiobook is playing. This helps build vocabulary in a way that is more intuitive in a child with dyslexia.”

“Previous studies among preschoolers and kindergarteners have shown that certain features of electronic books, such as a dictionary, may be helpful for reading comprehension,” Munzer said. And for reluctant readers, electronic books may be more engaging. Other studies have shown that the “bells and whistles” of electronic books such as sound effects or animations may actually be too distracting from the story content (and impede a child’s reading comprehension).

Dr. Munzer feels that interaction during parent-child story time is still of crucial importance for young children.“Reach Out and Read, a national organization on literacy, has a great quote: ‘A love of reading starts in the arms of parents’,” Munzer added.

“Starting early (even with newborns), and reading often with children builds life-long habits and skills, even if it is only for five minutes per day.”

Tips for Encouraging Readers

Dr. Munzer has five suggestions to make story time the best time of the day.

Start early Even if children are not yet talking, do not appear to be listening, or prefer chewing on the book cover, it is never too early to start!

Have fun Try silly voices to make them (children) laugh.

Sing it!

Sing the words on the page, or act out the parts of the books together.

Add dialogue Parents shouldn’t feel pressured to just stick to the words in the book. They can add dialogue, read only a couple of pages at a time, or even just look at pictures together and talk about them. It should be fun for both parents and children.

Parents know best Parents know their children best, so they should feel empowered to adjust the reading experience to cater to their children’s interests and personalities. For instance, they could choose topics their children enjoy reading about (even if it is Sports Illustrated Kids).

Hidden Family Fun

Rappourt Brew & Chew— good eats and good times for all ages

RAPPOURT BREW & CHEW 2721 Plymouth Rd rappourt.com 734-929-2430

Monday-Thursday 11:30am-11:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:30am-12:00am Sunday 12:00am – 9:00pm

You know that feeling you have when you are not sure what to expect. Perhaps you’re nervously thinking “what are we doing here?” And then you suddenly realize that everything is okay and you are among your people? That described our family walking into Rappourt Brew & Chew on a Saturday afternoon and realizing that there were about seven other families with young kids eating at this hidden gem next to Carpenter Bros.

Hardware on Ann Arbor’s northside.

Totally transformed last year by the owners of the previous retail Wine Sellers business, Rapport Brew & Chew offers a modern and casual space, some serious culinary chops, and 42 rotating beer taps (plus juice boxes and milk) all ordered at the counter and served to your family at long picnic tables.

Next level pub food Rappourt’s menu has a wide variety of delicious and creative food that goes well beyond the standard burgers and fries you might expect at a brewpub. We started with an order of the fried tomatillos ($7) and were pleased with how the tartness of the tomatillos shined through the lightly breaded panko crust. With a pinch of spice and cooling homemade buttermilk ranch dressing our 5-year old was all about these. The spice caught up to him after a few but, hey, they’re made to share! His taste buds recovered for his bacon cheddar burger ($14). Juicy and well-seasoned, it was a hit. Next visit we may try the namesake rappourt burger ($12), which boasts gruyere cheese, mixed

By Julie and David Sturza

greens, roasted tomato onion jam, and minted berry relish! Our 2-year old was a serious fan of the kids’ spaghetti ($6). She ate almost the entire serving of this angel hair pasta creation, highlighted by its fresh tomato flavor.

The chef salad ($12) was served with roasted chicken, ham, and sliced veggies, which were great for the kids to pick at.

The salad was taken up a notch by the accompanying gruyere cheese.

The fall-apart-tender, beer-braised short ribs ($15) were served with well-cooked risotto and an onionbourbon gravy that made for a savory entree. The portobello pita ($10.50) provided a perfect mix of portabella, red peppers, greens, and homemade horseradish sauce making this vegan sandwich on toasted pita a standout for the adults.

For our next visit we will be sure to try one of the four kinds of chicken wings ($11) or five specialty street tacos ($9-$11 for two). And we did not even have room for a Sprecher root beer float ($7) with Guernsey’s vanilla ice cream, but that will provide incentive to visit again soon.

Games for kids, peace for parents After a chat with one of the restaurant managers, we were treated to the pièce de résistance for any family of young children dining out: a simply stated, “let the kids grab some games while you two finish up.” That’s right; Connect4, Jenga, Battleship, and more are provided on-site and ready to be played. We enjoyed uninterrupted conversation and continued our meal for a full 30 minutes after the kids finished eating, while they happily entertained themselves with the game selection! We’re told Saturdays have a

(Clockwise, from top) Chef Salad w ith gruyere, fried tomatillos, an d kids angel hair pasta.

The Short Course

heavy family vibe all day until about 6 pm and on Sundays Rappourt’s happy hour runs all day with $5 wine and $3.50 rotating drafts. If you’re a beer-loving parent, your family has got to check this place out!

1. Kid-friendly: Totally!

2. To avoid wait: Come before 6pm.

3. Noise level: Low to Medium.

4. Bathroom amenities: Changing table.

5. High chairs? Yes. 6. Got milk? Yes, and juice.

7. Kids’ menu? Yes. 8. Anything healthy for kids? Yes. 9. Food allergy concerns?

No peanut products in the restaurant.

ANNARBORFAMILY.COM www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

19

{ July

2018 }

All calendar events are subject to change, cancellation and limited size. Calling ahead for confirmation is recommended.

1 SUNDAY 31-Day Challenge All Day. Washtenaw County. washtenaw.org. Free Washtenaw County Parks challenges residents to get outside for 31 minutes every day, for 31 days, during July! Join in on this interactive experience by uploading photos to the County Parks & Recreation Commission Facebook event page and be entered to win prizes! Participate in all 31 days to be entered to win a grand prize!

Jungle Adventure Camp 3pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Kids in grades K-5 will have a blast going on a jungle adventure! Put on your safari hat to meet real wild animals, learn how to navigate through quicksand, and more!

KidZone: Stories on the Move 5pm. Top of the Park. a2sf.org. Free Kids are invited to build their own puppets from recycled materials and use them to tell their own stories!

Mary Poppins 10pm. Ingalls Mall. a2sf.org. Free It’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Enjoy this classic tale as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival series, Movies After Dark.

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2 MONDAY Stone School Summer Camp Community Helpers 9:30am. $150. Stone School Cooperative Preschool. stoneschool.org Learn what being part of the community can mean to you! Children will enjoy visits from community helpers such as a bus driver, police officer, and firemen.

Popsicle Stick Flashlight 1pm. Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library. aadl.org. Free Make your own flashlight using a battery, LED light, and simple circuits! This handson activity is best suited for kids in grades K-5.

3 TUESDAY Zingerman’s Summer Game Food Tasting 2pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Drop in for a memorable food tasting event designed for the whole family!

Receive your own “Tasting Passport” and travel to stations to try a variety of foods and participate in fun activities. Leave with special game codes for the AADL Summer Games!

• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

Independence Parade What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a fun-filled festival? The Ann Arbor Jaycees are hosting their 2018 Fourth of July Parade in downtown Ann Arbor on Wednesday, July 4.

Families are welcome to watch or to participate in the parade, which will feature a friendly spirit contest. The route will begin at the intersection of State St. and William St. and is approximately one mile long. Other activities will include the Firecracker 5k, Mile Fun Run and Kids’ Dash, live music, and a hot dog eating challenge. In the event of inclement weather, visit the Ann Arbor Jaycees official Facebook page for updates.

Wednesday, July 4. 10am. Downtown Ann Arbor. 734-531-9626. a2jaycees.org. Free

Movie Camp-Out Enjoy an evening in the great outdoors for Saline’s Movie in the Park series on Friday, July 20. Coco, the 2017 Pixar animated film, will begin at dusk, but arrive early to join in on pre-movie activities at 6:30pm! There will be an inflatable obstacle course, bouncy house, music, concessions, and games to play. In addition to the movie, families are welcome to set up a tent and stay until 10am on Saturday for a campout.

Admission to the film is free, while registration for the campout is $10/tent in advance and $20/ tent day of, covering a tent permit and continental breakfast.

Friday, July 20. 5pm-9pm. Mill Pond Park, Saline. 734-429-3502. cityofsaline.org. Free

Rhyme Zone 6pm. Ypsilanti District Library - Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free YDL is seeking musical and artistic teens to join in planning Noise Permit, an end of summer celebration of the arts for teens!

To perform, help manage the event, have a booth, or be involved in any way, this meeting is for you!

4 WEDNESDAY Bikes & Bookmobile on Parade 10:30am. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Decorate your bike or wagon and participate in the annual Ypsilanti Independence Day Parade alongside the YDL Bookmobile! This year’s parade departs at 11am on W. Cross St. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Saline Fireworks 10pm. Crabtree Field. cityofsaline.org.

Free Celebrate Independence Day with a stunning fireworks display at Crabtree Field!

Rain date is July 5.

5 THURSDAY Make Your Own Ice Cream 2pm. Chelsea District Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org. Free What better way to enjoy the summer than with ice cream? Kids in middle school and high school are invited to learn how to make this tasty frozen treat from scratch with traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate, or unique flavors like mint ice cream with gummi bears.

6 FRIDAY First Friday Off Center 5pm. Riverside Arts Center. riversidearts.org. Free Hosted by EMU Bright Futures, this art exhibit features the creativity of students from elementary through college with fun activities to explore along the way.

Crazy Craig’s Juggling Variety 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Be amazed and amused during this variety hour with Crazy Craig who will demonstrate spectacular balance, juggling skills, and more for an evening of all ages entertainment.

7 SATURDAY World Language Storytime 10:30am. Ypsilanti District Library Whittaker. ypsilibrary.org. Free Join in on this bilingual story time! A native French speaker will read a story that will be translated into English. After the story, make art inspired by French culture!

Summer Picture Day! 1pm. Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library. aadl.org. Free Kids in grades K-5 are invited to stop by to have their picture taken at this fun summer photo shoot! Provide an e-mail address and be sent your best photo.

8 SUNDAY Children’s Garden Pop-Up 3pm. Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Mbgna.umich.edu. Free Join in the Gaffield Children’s Garden for a guided activity that can be easily replicated at home. This pop-up activity’s theme is Nature Painting!

9 MONDAY Feelings Through Fiction: A Book Club for Middle Schoolers 1:30pm. University Center for Child and Family Office. mari.umich.edu. Free Kids ages 9-13 are invited to join this summer book club that focuses on skills to cope with middle school changes. With the guidance of a licensed psychologist, this club will provide a safe environment to discuss the difficult parts of growing up.

Call 734-764-9466 to learn more.

Spinning Dot’s Global Spark! Camp 9am-12pm. $270-$290. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. a2ct.org Kids in grades 2-6 will have a blast at this interdisciplinary and interactive camp!

Global Spark! combines theater arts, movement, music, and visual arts as well as language skills in multiple foreign languages. End camp with a performance crafted from top to bottom by the students!

July 9-20, Mon-Fri. Spinning Dot’s Global Theatre Teens Camp 12:30pm-3:30pm. $270-$290. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. a2ct.org Teens (grades 7-12) interested in theatre will have the opportunity to dive into playwriting, acting, directing, producing, choreography, lighting, set, and costume design. With the guidance of talented instructors, students create an original piece of theatre inspired by global issues, stories, and art forms. July 9-20, Mon-Fri.

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Stone School Summer Camp Plants & Gardening 9:30am. $150. Stone School Cooperative Preschool. stoneschool.org During this week, children will learn the basics of planting flowers and taking care of a garden.

Wool Gathering 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Bring your knit and crochet projects for a relaxing evening working alongside others who love all things wool! Light refreshments will be served and AADL staff will be available to help with projects. Best suited for grades 6 and up.

10 TUESDAY Teen Cooking Class 2:45pm. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.og. Free Teens will learn how to cook fun and healthy recipes from a skilled culinary professional! Meet at the library in the Teen Zone, and walk over to Corner Health Center with the group.

Family Tinker Night 6:30pm. Chelsea District Library. chelseadistrictlibrary.org. Free Families are invited to play and learn with hands-on activities with mini robots, finger knitting, snap circuits, and more!

11 WEDNESDAY Nature Storytime - Water, Water, Everywhere 10am. $4-$5. Leslie Science and Nature Center. lesliesnc.org Spend a morning with your little one at a unique nature storytime. Explore how all living things need water with hands on activities in addition to the story! Come dressed for both indoor and outdoor activities.

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Cont’d on p22

www.annarborfamily.com • July 2018 •

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Felt Fortune Cookie Garland 7pm. Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library. aadl.org. Free Come to create an adorable, reusable felt fortune cookie garland! This activity is best suited for grades 6 and up.

Stranger Veggies 7pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Learn new ways to cook and prepare unique veggies like kohlrabi, garlic scapes, okra, root veggies, and unusual herbs with Keegan Rodgers of the People’s Food Co-Op!

12 THURSDAY

17 TUESDAY Annual Celtic Festival

Kite Flying Day 3pm. Lillie Park South. pittsfield-mi.gov.

Free Join for a day of kite flying! Kids under 10 will receive a free kite, while supplies last.

There will be activities throughout the day including crafts, scavenger hunts, and live music.

13 FRIDAY

Spend a weekend enjoying food, music, dancing, and culture at the annual Saline Celtic Festival on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. There will be something for everyone to enjoy at this exciting two-day celebration. Kids will love Wee Folks Island where they can participate in a wide variety of fun activities including a mini-golf course, Notting Hill Carnival Games, making your own jeweled crown, decorating a fairy door, and much more. There will also be storytelling by Princess Merida, a ducky race, balloon swords, and photos with a magical mermaid by the river! Visit the website for a full schedule of events.

Friday, July 13. 5:30pm. Saturday, July 14. 11am. $5-$15. Mill Pond Park, Saline. salineceltic.org

Art in the Park 8am. Kellogg Park, Plymouth. artinthepark.com. Free Spend an afternoon exploring the artwork of 400 artists from around the United States. There will be paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, folk art, and much more. Join in on activities like making your own pinwheel, meeting Princess Caroline, or contributing to the Children’s Mural! There will also be entertainment with My Adventure Theater (family friendly interactive experience) The Funny Water Show! (plate spinning), and live music.

Sensation Stations 10:30am. Malletts Creek Branch. aadl.org. Free Young children (ages 8 months-2years) are welcome to drop in for sensory fun!

Engage senses by scooping, pouring, shaking, and sorting a variety of materials.

Learn about colors, shapes, textures, and sounds!

Rolling Sculpture Car Show 2pm. Downtown Ann Arbor. mainstreetannarbor.org. Free Discover over 300 exotic, antique, classic, and one of a kind cars during this annual public display taking place on Main, Washington, and Liberty Streets. Hot Rod DJ, Surfer Joe will be spinning classics.

There will also be family activities at the Ann Arbor District Library booth on Liberty St between Fourth and Fifth Ave.

14 SATURDAY

Townie Street Party Gather for a street party for locals to enjoy! There will be live music, food, a youth art fair, and plenty of activities for all ages. Kids can visit the Art Activity Zone where they can make crafts to take home. There will also be an Instrument Petting Zoo, a Wacky Hats station, and much more. Watch for the Ann Arbor Family booth!

18 WEDNESDAY Wonderful Wetlands 10am. Matthaei Botanical Gardens. mbgna.umich.edu. Free Explore the amazing world of wetlands and learn how you can protect the wetlands near you. Wetlands are an important natural resource that filter water, provide homes for many different animals and host beautiful plants This nature youth educational program is best suited for ages 4-11.

Reading Heroes 1:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Community members from all walks of life will read stories and talk about what they do while youth get to enjoy lunch! Meet first responders, medical personnel, farmers, politicians, and other people from the community.

Monday, July 16. 5pm. North University and Ingalls Mall. towniestreetparty.com. Free

Solar-Powered Pizza All ages are invited to learn a new, unique way of making their own tasty pizza! This is not your average cooking class. Build your own DIY Solar Pizza Oven at the Ypsilanti District Library on Saturday, July 21. No registration is required for this free, kid-friendly workshop.

Simply drop in to learn how to use heat from sunlight to create simple, yummy treats. Not only will you make something delicious, you’ll also learn about the sun’s energy!

Saturday, July 21. 2:30pm-3:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library Michigan Ave. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org. Free

15 SUNDAY

Pedal Pittsfield 10am. Lillie Park South. pittsfield-mi.gov.

Free Spend the morning learning about the benefits of being “bike healthy.” Enjoy a beautiful bike ride through Lillie Park! There will be safety demonstrations, a bike rodeo, and local bike vendors providing bike safety checks and giveaways for cyclists of all ages!

Stomp Out Sarcoma Fun Run/Walk 8am. Hudson Mills Metropark. friends.umich.edu. Free Join for fun and exercise to support the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center where community members come together with doctors, patients, nurses, physician assistants, patients’ family members, nurse practitioners, and researchers.

Summer Game Spectacular 1pm. Veterans Park. aadl.org. Free Enjoy this all ages outdoor spectacular!

Ann Arbor Aviary will showcase their amazing high-flying circus, alongside an outdoor game collection, a face painting station, food trucks, and more!

Fireside Fun 6:30pm. Leslie Science and Nature Center. lesliesnc.org. Free Gather around the campfire!

Marshmallows will be provided. Bring your family, camp chairs, and the other fixings for s’mores.

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Tween Advisory Board 5:30pm. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Tween Advisory Board is a group for ages 9-13, or kids in grades 4-8. Join for snacks, activities, games, messy maker projects, and planning new fun events for your age group at the library.

16 MONDAY Safety Town 8:45am. $109. Dicken Elementary. a2schools.org Kids are invited to learn safety in a fun, unique way! Explore a mock Ann Arbor town on bikes and learn how to evaluate safe from unsafe when confronted with dangerous situations. Guest speakers will include police officers, firefighters, and more. Songs, games, stories, and art projects will reinforce the lessons. The session runs Mon, July 16-Fri, July 20.

• July 2018 • www.annarborfamily.com

19 THURSDAY Ann Arbor Art Fair 10am. Downtown. theannarborartfair.com.

Free Join for this annual four-day fair showcasing artists from all over alongside food trucks, live music, street performers, and activities for kids! Children are invited to visit the Art Activity Zone located on Ingalls Mall to make their own fantastic creations.

Runs through Sunday, July 22.

Beat Lab Music Tools Workshop 6pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free Make beats with drum machines from the music tools collection! Beginners are welcome, as staff will be present to explain the basics and answer questions. Designed for grades 6 and up.

20 FRIDAY Korean Games 10am. Malletts Creek Branch. aadl.org.

Free Spend a morning learning how to play fun traditional Korean games with exchange students from the Nam Korean Center of University of Michigan!

Camp Creativity 10am. Michaels. michaels.com. Free Join for Slime Friday! Camp Creativity will be split by age, with activities for everyone.

St. Joseph Catholic Church 40th Annual Summer Fun Festival Various times July 20-22. St. Joseph Catholic Church. stjos.com Free The festival kicks off 7pm Friday with a concert celebrating the music of Julie Andrews. The rest of the weekend will be full of other great entertainment, food, kids games, inflatables and so much more.

21 SATURDAY Healthy Kids Fair 1pm. Packard Health, Ypsilanti. packardhealth.org. Free Participate in this health-centered fair to receive free back to school physicals, dental checks, and visits to health & wellness stations. There will also be free backpacks and bike helmets alongside fun activities including a bounce house, hula hoops, face painting, and more!

22 SUNDAY Story Time & Craft Hour 2pm. Nicola’s Books. nicolasbooks.com.

Free Join for an hour of fun stories and making sock puppets!

23 MONDAY Great Gardeners 2pm. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Families are invited to grow, care, harvest, and eat from the community garden at the library! Meet outside in the library plaza.

24 TUESDAY Cardboard Cat Castles 6:30pm. Ann Arbor District Library Downtown. aadl.org. Free High school students are welcome to transform a cardboard box into a cat palace! All supplies provided. This program involves sharp knives and hot glue and is not suitable for children.

25 WEDNESDAY Movement Meditation 10:30am. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Practice a gently-moving, spiritually-based approach to meditation, stretching your limbs and relaxing your mind. All fitness levels are welcome. This class is best suited for teens and adults.

28 SATURDAY German Park Picnic 4pm. $5. German Park. germanpark.org Get together for authentic German dinners, traditional fare, a dance band and live entertainment by German dancers.

Admission for children 12 and under is free.

29 SUNDAY Concert in the Park: Gemily 3pm. Parks and Recreation Facilities.

1300 Baldwin Ave, Ann Arbor.

A2gov.org. Free Join Gemily for a concert of acoustic folk and world music for children and family that celebrates the fun, warmth and humor of family life.

30 MONDAY Chess Club 4pm. Ypsilanti District Library Downtown. ypsilibrary.org. Free Learn how to play and enjoy this fascinating game in a friendly setting! Discover the ins and outs of chess, from the basic rules to strategic thinking, with Phil Volk, a member of the US Chess Federation.

27 FRIDAY

Mobile Repair Stand 11am. Ann Arbor Farmers Market. commoncycle.org. Free Come to the Kerrytown Farmers Market to receive help fixing up and maintaining your bicycle. Get hands-on experience in repairing your bike alongside Common Cycle’s volunteers. repair stand is run by volunteers. Donations are welcome.

Creature Encounters - Reindeer!

1pm. The Creature Conservancy. thecreatureconservancy.org. Free Meet Sven, the resident reindeer at Creature Conservancy during the month of July! See him for a special presentation on the Stone Stage each Sat and Sun at 2pm and 4pm.

Mondays

Knitting Night 6pm. Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse, Ypsilanti. cultivateypsi.com. Free All ages and levels welcome at this weekly craft gathering.

Little Scientists Club 9:30am-10:30am. $12.50. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. aahom.org The museum’s youngest visitors are welcome to explore their sense of wonder about the world through observation, hands-on activities, science-themed stories, and much more. Each week features a different theme. Older siblings welcome.

Fridays

Breastfeeding Cafe: Group for Mothers and Babies 10am. Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor. bfcaa.com. Free This is a space for mothers and their babies to meet other breastfeeding mothers. Have a cup of tea, relax, and chat with others about what’s on your mind.

Saturdays Story Time with Linda Zimmer 11am. Bookbound Bookstore. bookboundbookstore.com. Free Story Time is for kids ages 6 and under, and features Linda Zimmer reading fun and seasonal books in Bookbound’s comfortable children’s section.

Captain Underpants 10am. $1. Rave Motion Pictures. cinemark.com Enjoy a morning movie for kids with Captain Underpants! The Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse offers kids movies all summer long. Purchase an individual ticket or buy a season pass for $5!

marketplace

Tai Chi for Kids 1pm. Ann Arbor District Library - West Branch. aadl.org. Free Kids in grades K-5 can learn mindfulness and kindness through Tai Chi. Beginners welcome!

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Planet Rock: Climbing 101 for Teens 2pm. Planet Rock. aadl.org. Free Teens in grades 6-12 can join for an afternoon of adventure with indoor rockclimbing! To register, send the attendee’s first and last name, phone number, and grade they will enter in the fall to registrations@aadl.org.

Bike-in at the Farmers Market 7pm. Ann Arbor Farmers Market. facebook.com/bikeinannarbor. Free Enjoy a community slow bike ride throughout Ann Arbor for all ages! Begin at the Kerrytown Farmers Market wrap up by “biking-in” to a local establishment, green space, or other friendly host setting. Ride safe, be friendly, have fun!

Sundays

31 TUESDAY

26 THURSDAY Sign Language Storytelling Craft 6pm. Malletts Creek Branch. aadl.org.

Free Join to learn the signs to tell the story “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” and make accompanying paper plate animal masks! For grades k-5.

Tuesdays

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