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July 04, 2009

Calendar of Events

Family and Kids' Stuff

Monday December 2008

10:30-11:30 a.m.

"Playgroups for Babies": Ann Arbor District Library.

Every Mon. through Dec. 8. Playgroup for kids up to 24 months, accompanied by an adult. No older siblings. Note: Playgroups are also offered (through the week of Dec. 8) at the Malletts Creek (Tues., 10-11 a.m., & Thurs., 6:30-7:30 p.m.), Pittsfield (Tues., 6:30-7:30 p.m.), and Traverwood (Fri., 10:30-11:30 a.m.) branches. AADL, 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301 (main library), 327-4200 (branches).

7-8:30 p.m.

"Tile-Making": Ann Arbor District Library.

Motawi Tileworks co-owners Karim and Nawal Motawi show teens in grades 6 & up and adults how to make their own impressed clay tiles. Tiles provided. AADL Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Dr. between Scio Church Rd. and Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Free. 327-4200.

Tuesday December 2008

10-10:30 a.m.

Preschool Storytimes: Ann Arbor District Library.

Every Tues. through Dec. 9. Stories and songs for kids age 2 & up (accompanied by an adult). Note: These storytimes are also offered (through the week of Dec. 8) at the Malletts Creek (Wed., 10-10:30 a.m.), Traverwood (Wed., 6-6:30 p.m., and Thurs., 10-10:30 & 11-11:30 a.m.), and Pittsfield (Thurs., 7-7:30 p.m., and Fri., 10-10:30 a.m.) branches. AADL youth department story room, 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301 (main library), 327-4200 (branches).

11 a.m.

Children's Hour: Shaman Drum Bookshop.

Every Tues. except Dec. 23 & 30. Shaman Drum staff read picture books for kids ages 2-6. Shaman Drum, 315 S. State. Free. 662-7407.

6-9 p.m.

"Holiday Party for Kids": Borders Express.

All kids invited for games, coloring, and other activities. Borders, Briarwood. Free. 669-0785.

Wednesday December 2008

11 a.m.

"Storytime with Miss Annette": Arborland Borders.

Every Wed. & Fri. except Dec. 26. Borders staffer "Miss Annette" reads stories and leads a craft project for toddlers. Also, raffle. Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 449-9394.

Thursday December 2008

6 p.m.

"Meet the Breges": Barnes & Noble.

A chance to meet the husband-and-wife team of children's book writer Karen Bell-Brege and illustrator Darrin Brege, who shows kids how to draw gremlins and other creepy critters. Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.

Friday December 2008

11 a.m.

Storytime: Nicola's Books.

Every Sat. Storytelling program for kids under age 7. 11 a.m., Nicola's, Westgate shopping center. Free. 662-0600. 8|fk FREE STAR! Children's Storytime: Barnes & Noble. Every Sat. Storytelling programs and occasional craft activities for kids. On Dec. 20, local children's writer Sheila Pursglove (see Cranbrook Whole Foods listing below) reads her new children's book The Mouse Ate the House. Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw. Free. 973-1618.

11 a.m.

"Storytime with Miss Annette": Arborland Borders.

Every Wed. & Fri. except Dec. 26. Borders staffer "Miss Annette" reads stories and leads a craft project for toddlers. Also, raffle. Borders, 3527 Washtenaw. Free. 449-9394.

1 & 3 p.m.

"Super Science Shows": Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Family Day.

Every Sat. & Sun. Museum staff give family-friendly science demos. Hands-On Museum, 220 E. Ann. $8 (members & infants, free) regular museum admission. 995-5439.

6-8:30 p.m.

Scandinavian Christmas Celebration: Ann Arbor Scandinavian Club.

This family-oriented party features folk singing, a Lucia train (a Swedish children's pageant), and other activities. Santa Claus is on hand. Bring a dish to share for a potluck. Smorgasbord with glogg (a spiced seasonal fruit-and-wine beverage). Open to anyone interested in Scandinavian culture. Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty. $5 (children, $3). Johannae@umich.edu.

Saturday December 2008

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

"Saturday Fling": Leslie Science and Nature Center.

A day of winter fun for kids in grades K-5, including (depending on the weather) sledding, building shelters, cooking marshmallows on the fire, and games. Pizza lunch. Dress for the weather. Leslie Science Center, 1831 Traver Rd. $27. 997-1553.

11 a.m.-6 p.m.

"Home for the Holidays": Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce.

Roaming ice sculptors around town. Today's activities begin with breakfast with Santa (8:30-10:30 a.m.). Santa is also at the downtown gazebo (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), and his double hosts lunch at The Original Alpha Coney Island (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.). At 5:30 p.m., the Fred Schmid Memorial Holiday Light Parade, with all floats in lights. The parade is preceded at 4 p.m. by the 5K Holiday Hustle ($20), a competitive 5-km run with awards for the top 3 finishers in various age categories, with registration available at dexterholiday.com. Note: The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. on December 5 with a tree lighting ceremony and carol singing by choirs from Peace Lutheran and Dexter United Methodist churches. gazebo downtown, near Monument Park, Dexter. Free admission. 426-0887.

Noon-4 p.m.

"Trains in Toyland": Washtenaw County Historical Society.

Every Sat. & Sun. through Jan. 25. Ann Arbor Model Train Club members answer questions and demonstrate running and building model trains. Also, a clown does magic tricks (Dec. 14). Museum on Main, 500 N. Main. Free. 662-9092.

Noon-5 p.m.

"Christmas at the Rentschler Farm": Rentschler Farm Museum (Saline Area Historical Society).

Dec. 13 & 14. A re-creation of a Depression-era Christmas at this century-old sheep farm, now a farm museum currently festooned in period holiday decorations. Docents in each farmhouse room discuss period furnishings and holiday preparations. Nibbles, and a gift shop. Rentschler Farm, 1265 E. Michigan, Saline. Donation. 769-2219.

1:30 p.m.

"Beatrix Potter's 'The Tailor of Gloucester'": Theatre IV (Michigan Theater Foundation Not Just for Kids Series).

This renowned touring children's theater company performs its adaptation of Beatrix Potter's holiday classic, the story of a poor tailor whose cat and the mice it has trapped are all blessed with the gift of speech for Christmas Eve and decide to work together to help the tailor complete a cherry-colored coat the mayor has ordered for his Christmas wedding. Michigan Theater. Tickets $14 (MTF members, $12) in advance at the Michigan Union Ticket Office & all other Ticketmaster outlets, and at the door. To charge by phone, call 763-TKTS.

2-4 p.m.

"Go!": Ann Arbor District Library.

All kids and adults join members of the Ann Arbor Go Club to play this ancient strategy board game that originated in China. AADL Traverwood branch, 3333 Traverwood at Huron Pkwy. Free. 327-4200.

6:30-10 p.m.

"Kids Night Out!": Jewish Community Center.

All kids ages 5-10 invited for dinner, games, craft activities, and a showing of Kung Fu Panda, Mark Osborne and John Stevenson's 2008 animated martial arts action comedy. JCC gym, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $25 (members, $20), $23 (members, $18) for each additional sibling. Reservations required. 971-0990.

Sunday December 2008

6:30.

Living Nativity: First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti.

Dec. 14-16. Nativity tableau featuring live animals, people in period costume, and recorded music. Also, carol singing and animal petting. The 6:30 program is especially aimed at children. 7, & 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, 1110 W. Cross, Ypsilanti. Free. 482-7380.

10 a.m. and 12:30 & 2 p.m.

"Santa Central": Hudson Mills Metropark Interpretive Nature Programs.

Kids invited to visit with Santa, play reindeer games, and enjoy a hayride. Snack. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $2. Preregistration required. $4 vehicle entrance fee. 426-8211.

Noon-4 p.m.

"Trains in Toyland": Washtenaw County Historical Society.

Every Sat. & Sun., Dec. 13- Jan. 25. Ann Arbor Model Train Club members answer questions and demonstrate running and building model trains. Also, a clown does magic tricks (Dec. 14). Museum on Main, 500 N. Main. Free. 662-9092.

Noon-5 p.m.

"Christmas at the Rentschler Farm": Rentschler Farm Museum (Saline Area Historical Society).

Dec. 13 & 14. A re-creation of a Depression-era Christmas at this century-old sheep farm, now a farm museum currently festooned in period holiday decorations. Docents in each farmhouse room discuss period furnishings and holiday preparations. Nibbles, and a gift shop. Rentschler Farm, 1265 E. Michigan, Saline. Donation. 769-2219.

1 p.m.

Children's Storytime: Liberty Borders.

Every Sun. Borders staff reads stories for kids. Borders, 612 E. Liberty. Free. 668-7652.

2-3:50 p.m.

"Skate with Santa": Yost Ice Arena.

All invited for a holiday skate. Yost Ice Arena, 1016 S. State at McKinley. $5 (students & seniors, $3; skate rental, $2). 647-7482.

3:30 p.m.

Children's Puppet Shows: Dreamland Theater.

Dec. 7, 14, & 21 . The Dreamland Puppet Troupe presents several marionette, rod, and shadow puppet shows for kids. Dreamland Theater, 26 N. Washington, Ypsilanti. $5 (kids age 3 & under, free). 657-2337.

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