The Big Update Activity Ideas, Events and News for Bigs   May/June 2009 IN THIS ISSUE Double Your Impact May Mix@Six Shop and Support Focus on Reading Activity Ideas May Events June Events BECOME A FAN Get connected to the BBBS network. Become our Fan on Facebook and receive updates on events and news. BIG LINKS Upcoming Match Activities Deals & Discounts More Activity Ideas Big Update Archive Match Support Tips BBBS Calendar Make a Donation SPECIAL THANKS! A Big thank you to Graphicolor Printing for nominating us to receive a free Constant Contact email account. Their kind sponsorship will help us continue to communicate with you and also cut costs! Greetings!  Summer is right around the corner. That means it's time to get outside. In this Big Update, we offer lots of suggestions for how you and can enjoy the warmer weather together. Thank you to all the Bigs and Littles who have been filling our volunteer events (like the Earth Day park clean-up, pictured below). Visit our online list of Match Activities regularly for newly posted volunteer opportunities and other fun events. Thanks for being a Big! Look for the next Big Update at the end of June. Double Your Impact Refer a Guy! You can double the difference you're making when you help us match a waiting boy with a man you know. If you're enjoying your time as a Big, tell your male co-workers, family and friends about it. There are hundreds of boys waiting to spend some time with them! Invite-a-Friend Packers Charity Basketball Game Thursday, May 14, 5 p.m. Waukesha West High School, 3301 Saylesville Rd., Waukesha Cost: Free Bring a friend and your Little to see the Green Bay Packers take on the Waukesha Sheriffs. RSVP by May 11 to Tracie at 414-258-4778, ext. 251 or tthacker@bbbsmilwaukee.org.   May Social Event Network and socialize with BBBS at some the area's coolest spots during our monthly social events, called "Mix@Six." Bring a friend or come alone and meet other Bigs. Adults 21 and older only! Register with Tracie at 414-258-4778, ext. 251 or tthacker@bbbsmilwaukee.org. Mix@Six Social at Friday's Front Row Tuesday, May 19, 6-8 p.m. - RSVP by May 18 One Brewers Way, Miller Park, Milwaukee Cost: Free   Support Us When You Shop Pick 'n Save We Care Program Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee when you shop at any Pick 'n Save store. Go to a store customer service desk, and update your Advantage Plus Savers Club card with our We Care charity code: 60530. Every time you use your Savers Club card, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to BBBS!   Get Your Little Reading Free Books from the Next Door Foundation The Next Door Foundation (2545 N. 29th St., Milwaukee) provides free books for children who attend school or live in Milwaukee. Please contact Debi Schwid at dschwid@nextdoormil.org or at 414-562-2929, ext. 109 to schedule a time to pick up books with your Little. Summer Reading Programs Milwaukee Public Library's summer reading programs, "Be a Super Reader" (ages 0-12) and "Get Graphic@Your Library" (teens), and the Waukesha Public Library's Summer Reading Club encourage kids to read for fun and prizes. Libraries also offer weekly summer reading events. Visit their Web sites for more information. Activity Ideas Take a Walk Pick an interesting trail or neighborhood and enjoy the spring weather. Some suggestions: Hank Aaron State Trail, Bugline Recreational Trail, Fox River Park, Brady Street, Seven Bridges Trail and the Milwaukee RiverWalk. Get Crafty Michael's craft stores offer free/inexpensive arts and crafts activities. Find activities in a store near you >> Go Back in Time Visit a nearby historic property or landmark, and experience our area's history. A few to try: Trimborn Farm (free), Pabst Mansion, Forest Home Cemetery (free) and the North Point Lighthouse.   May Events It's always a good idea to check for last-minute changes or cancellations! Bird and Wildflower Hike Saturday, May 9, 1-3 p.m. - REGISTER BY Monday, May 4: 262-548-7801. Menomonee Park, W220 N7884 Townline Rd., Menomonee Falls (Meet at the beach house parking lot.) Cost: $4/person, plus park entrance fee Join naturalist Larry Kascht for a walk and identify, learn about and appreciate flowers and birds. Bring your field guide, camera and binoculars! Spring Pajama Jamboree Concert Wednesday, May 13, 7-8 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State St. entrance, Milwaukee Cost: Free Milwaukee's Festival City Symphony presents "A Spring Pajama Jamboree," a free concert featuring well-known music. Children are invited to wear pajamas and sit on the floor, up close where they can "meet" the orchestra. Conventional seating is also available. No reservations are required. Fishing in Washington Park Wednesdays, May 13, 20 and 27, 5-6:30 p.m. Washington Park, Milwaukee Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Join the Urban Ecology Center for an evening of fishing. Learn techniques and play fishing games. Dependent on the weather. Poles provided. Road America Family Tailgate Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Road America, N7390 Highway 67, Elkhart Lake Cost: Free Classic car and bike show, plus music, rides, entertainment and trackside viewing of the vintage car race. Motor Madness Sunday, May 17, 1-4 p.m. Village Park, 325 Capitol Dr., Pewaukee Cost: Free Amazing display of classic cars, trucks, engines and construction equipment. Family Kite Festival Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Veterans Park, Milwaukee Cost: Free Watch precision kite flying teams perform stunt kite routines. Free kite flying lessons will also be offered. Celebrate Waukesha Youth Movie Night Friday, May 29, 7:30-10 p.m. Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha (Rain location: Schuetze Rec Center, 1120 Baxter St.) Cost: Free Enjoy children's activities, and bring your lawn chairs or blankets for a free outdoor movie, "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa." Reclaiming Our Heritage Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 (click here for schedule >>) Zablocki VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave., Milwaukee Cost: Free This living history event includes encampments from all major U.S. military eras, battlefield demonstrations, children's activities and music. June Events It's always a good idea to check for last-minute changes and cancellations!   Summer Festival Season Begins! - June is the beginning of the summer festival season with RiverSplash, Milwaukee Highland Games, PrideFest, Polish Fest and, of course, Summerfest. Most festivals have admission specials; check out their Web sites to get a good deal >> Island Fire and a Story Fridays, June 5 and 19, 5-6 p.m. - Call to register: 414-964-8505. Urban Ecology Center, Washington Park, Milwaukee Cost: $7 Bigs, $5 Littles (UEC members get a discount.) Canoe to the big island in the Washington Park lagoon for an evening camp fire, a story and s'mores. Hike for Your Health Fair Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Gordon Park Pavilion, 2828 N. Humboldt Blvd., Milwaukee Cost: Free The River Revitalization Foundation hosts a fair highlighting the health benefits of outdoor recreation and all the Milwaukee area opportunities. Wear hiking boots for guided hiking tours along the Milwaukee River. RiverSplash Kids Day Sunday, June 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pere Marquette Park, Old World Third St. between State and Kilbourn, Milwaukee Cost: Free admission Music, face painting and entertainment for kids along Milwaukee's riverfront. Canoeing Basics Tuesday, June 9, 6-7 p.m. Urban Ecology Center, Washington Park, Milwaukee Cost: $5 Bigs, $3 Littles (UEC members get a discount.) Learn how to canoe on the Washington Park lagoon. River Rhythms Wednesdays, June 10-August 26, 6:30-9 p.m. Pere Marquette Park, Old World Third St. between State and Kilbourn, Milwaukee Cost: Free Free music summer music series. Bring your chairs, blanket and picnic! Cinema in the Sand Friday, June 12, 7:45 p.m. Pewaukee Lakefront Park Cost: Free Watch "E.T.: The Extraterrestrial" on Pewaukee Beach! Gathering Waters Festival Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Lakeshore State Park, off the coast of Summerfest, Milwaukee Cost: Free (may have to pay for parking) A free urban outdoor experience on Milwaukee's lakefront with more than 40 groups to entertain and demonstrate outdoor activities. Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, June 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Cedarburg Cost: Free admission Enjoy all things strawberry, arts, music and entertainment. Please Note: Inclusion in The Big Update does not constitute an endorsement by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee or its staff. Big Brothers Big Sisters is not responsible for cancellations, changes or errors in dates, times or any other information regarding the events listed in The Big Update. The information presented here was accurate as of 2/24/09.