October Family Calendar

w Denotes events requiring pre-registration.

If you would like to submit an item for the calendar, please contact Terri Nighswonger, editor, at editor@tntpublications.com or you can reach her at 440-510-2000. The deadline for the November calendar submissions is October 1.

Click below to skip to a October calendar date or calendar section.

October 2008

One Day at a Time

October Pick Your Date
October One Day At A Time
October Go Any Time

Spread the News!!!!!
Have an event of interest to the families of Northeast Ohio? Send November calendar submissions by October 1 to amcgovern@tntpublications.com. Late getting the word out? E-mail October events after deadline to editor@tntpublications.com for inclusion on our Web site, www.NEOhioFamily.com.

September

Pick Your Date

Healthier Ever After. Through Oct. 5. Once upon a time, children traveled through the Fitness Forest learning all about exercise and nutrition. Children must maneuver through the make-believe forest overcoming obstacles as they exercise their bodies and learn health facts in a fun, playful manner. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. $6 adults, $7 younger than 12. 216-791-KIDS.

Corn Maze. Through Oct. 12. Wind your way through a three-acremaze at Lake Metroparks Farmpark.Encounter the multitude of twists and turns throughout the maze as you try to make your way through to the end, encountering fun farm trivia questions and character cutouts as you go. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Chardon Road , Kirtland. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children, free younger than 2. 440-358-7275.

Strongsville Historic Village. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays through November. Located on two acres, the village consists of four historic homes, a general store, an academy, a hat museum, a doll museum, a log cabin and a barn that span an era. Exhibits of local and Ohio history featuring artifacts from Strongsville’s original founders, furnished period rooms and more. 1-4 p.m. 13305 Pearl Road, Strongsville.

Family Weekend Wonders. Weekends. Make the Lakewood Public Library a part of your family weekend time with programs featuring stories, activities, music and crafts. The staff will provide materials and ideas for families wishing to continue reading and storytelling at home. 10:30 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Madison Branch, Lakewood Public Library, 13229 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Free. 216-228-7428.

Fall Harvest Apple Festival. Oct. 3-5. Visit Johnny Appleseed, enjoy harvest activities, view art on the bridge or enjoy a day in the park. Grand Pacific Junction, Columbia (Route 252) and Mill Roads, Olmsted Falls. Free. 440-235-9277.

60th Apple Butter Festival. Oct. 11-12. Sixty years of tradition simmers in copper kettles right before your eyes. Enjoy arts and crafts, music and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Century Village Museum, 14653 E. Park St., Burton. $6 adults, $3 ages 6-12, free younger than 6. 440-834-1492.

Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival. Oct. 11-12. Two-hour van tours showcasing four of Ashtabula County’s covered bridges throughout the festival. In addition, festival will include crafts, demonstrations, antique cars, a quilt show and more. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, 25 W. Jefferson St., Jefferson. $4 admission, $10 tours. 440-576-3769.

One Day At A Time

Saturday 4
Baby Bargain Bonanza. Sale features clothing and accessories for babies and children up to size 14/16, toys, baby/youth furniture, maternity clothing and more. Don’t miss the bake sale including items from Panera Bread, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Caribou Coffee. Sponsored by the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Harding Middle School, 16601 Madison Ave., Lakewood. $5 before 10 a.m., $1 after 10 a.m. 216-227-8987.

Thursday 9
Families with Food Allergies. Every second Thursday of the month, The Olive and the Grape hosts an informative meeting. Gain insight and information about all aspects of allergies from various speakers. This is a great opportunity to gain support and share ideas. 7-8:30 p.m. The Olive and the Grape, 7355 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor. 330-405-8708.

Pumpkins and Scarecrows. Ages 4-10. Bring some old kid’s clothes and make a scarecrow and pumpkin craft to decorate your home. Event also features a story and game time. Parent participation required. 9:30-11 a.m. Medina Community Recreation Center, 855 Weymouth Road, Medina. 330-721-6900.

Saturday 11
Wolf Awareness Day. Make tracks to the zoo, where kids will have a howling good time with wolf-themed special activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Zoo hours are 10-5. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. $10 adults, $6 ages 2-11, free younger than 2 and zoo members. 216-661-6500 or clemetzoo.com.

Healthy Baby Fair. Northeast Ohio’s premier baby fair returns with a day full of family-oriented fun. Enjoy baby Olympic races, dads’ diaper races, how-to speakers, a maternity fashion show with a free gift tote for the first 250 pregnant women. Stop by for a free photo in a Soap Box Derby car. Bring the whole family for health screenings, physician consultations and referral to health care sources. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. John S. Knight Convention Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron. Free.

Youth Outdoor Odyssey. Children and their families are invited to explore the world of outdoor recreation by trying their hand at fishing, golf, outdoor adventure activities, interactive games, plant and animal discovery, nature crafts, bicycle repair and more. Noon-4 p.m. Canalway Center, Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation, Cuyahoga Heights. Free. 216-206-1000.

Wednesday 15
w Mother’s and More Open House. Come and meet the down-to-earth moms who belong to the Cleveland West Chapter of Mother’s and More, and see what the organization has to offer. Snacks, beverages and prizes will be provided. 7-9 p.m. Panera Bread VIP Room, 19705 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River. w www.mothersandmore292.org or 800-937-1849.

Saturday 18
Independence Kids Resale. Find a great selection from individual buyers of all supplies that might be needed for your growing child, including clothing sizes 0-16 and maternity, supplies, equipment, toys, bedding and more. Early-bird sale 8-9 a.m., general sale 9-noon. Independence Civic Center, Selig Drive, Independence. $5 early bird, $1 general admission. 216-901-1423.

Sunday 19
SimchaPalooza and 14th Annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Take part in an opportunity to plan any type of celebration. Meet vendors from the entertainment, invitation and hospitality industries as well as photographers, event planners and more. Event also showcases a Mitzvah Market Place, tabletop showcase and silent auction. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sammy’s at Legacy Village, 24723 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst. Free. 216-468-0195.

Kids Mask-Making Workshop. Learn how to combine found objects to create spectacular works of wearable art. All participants will design extravagant masks using feathers, jewels, paint and more. Masks will be ready to take home that day and can be added to any outfit for a special Halloween costume. 12:30-1:30 p.m. The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. $15 plus admission. 216-791-KIDS.

Thursday 23
Solon Early Childhood PTA (SECPTA) Membership Meeting. Topic: youth in sports. 7 p.m. Stratford Commons: 7000 Cochran Road, Solon. www.solonearlychildhoodpta.com.

Saturday 25
Chili Con Comedy Improv Troupe. Everyone who loves improv will enjoy the wit and humor of this show. 8 p.m. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby. $15. 440-951-7500.

w Ohio State Pre-Game Wing-Ding Fundraiser. Cheer on Ohio State as it takes on Penn State. Enjoy all-you-can-eat wings, pasta, green beans, red-skin potatoes and Italian sausage, as well as domestic draft beer, wine and well liquor beverages. Participate in a raffles and side-board drawings. Proceeds to benefit Parma Early Childhood PTA. 6-9 p.m. Bleachers Sports Grill, 6855 Ridge Road, Parma. 440-823-5879.

Tuesday 28
w Where the Wild Things Are Wild Rumpus. Grades K-5. Join Max on his journey to the place where the wild things are. Crafts, activities and a wild rumpus will delight children and their parents on this magical night. North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville. 440-327-8326.

Thursday 30
Building Literacy Skills in Children. Participate in an informative seminar that focuses on the unique literacy needs of children and provides tutors with strategic approaches to promote success. Program includes contact information for agencies that need volunteer tutors and placement assistance as needed. 5:30-8:30 p.m. The American Red Cross Building, 3747 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 216-436-2116.

Go Any Time

Museums

Hallefarm at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. This professionally designed and installed, educational, interactive exhibit highlights the “hey-days” of Hallefarm and demonstrates land-use changes over time. The exhibit explores the Halle family summer estate, from historic local agricultural trends to the present-day, 400-acre natural area preserved by Lake Metroparks. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road , Kirtland. Free. lakemetroparks.com.

Australian Adventure. See all your favorite Aussie animal friends, including kangaroos, wallabies, cockatoos, kookaburras and koalas. Hop aboard the Boomerang Express to tour Australian Adventure’s eight acres of animals and fun. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. $10 adults, $6 children age 2-11. 216-661-6500.

Short & Sweet: Two Centuries of American Childhood. This exhibit draws from the Society’s extensive collections of costumes, toys, fine art, furniture and photographs to address America’s evolving attitude toward youth from 1740 to 1960, and will focus on children’s dress, playtime, organized recreation, education and spiritual upbringing. Western Reserve Historical Society, 10825 East Blvd. Cleveland. Admission. www.wrhs.org/index.php/homepage or call 216-721-5722.