The Big Update Activities, Events and News for Bigs   September/October 2009 IN THIS ISSUE Bigs Recruiting Bigs Shop and Support Match Anniversaries Live United Social Opportunities Featured Events Fall Fun Recreation Activities Education Activities Arts & Culture Activities Civic Engagement Health Activities 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! Thanks for Spreading the Word Our Bigs are Great Recruiters! Thank you to these Bigs for helping to recruit new volunteers: Big Sister Amanda H. spoke about her Little Sister at the Mix@Six social at The Bayou. Big Sister Cindy D. shared her experiences at the Network@Noon lunch at Mi-keys. Join these BBBS ambassadors and get your employer or organization involved. Contact Kathy at 414-258-4778, ext. 245 or kmiller@bbbsmilwaukee.org. 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! Greetings!  We have a lot to share in this issue! First, thank you to the 200+ Bigs who participated in our match activities survey. Based on your feedback and our agency's strategic direction, we're planning and seeking out activities that reflect our matches' interests and the developmental needs of our Littles. You'll now find the activity and event ideas organized under five focus areas: Recreation, Education & Career, Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement and Health. Look for more information about this initiative in the upcoming months!   Read on for information about our outreach efforts, United Way campaigns, fall outings, free/inexpensive community events and more! Thanks for being a Big! Check your email at the end of Oct. for the next Big Update. Happy Anniversary! Match anniversaries are a big deal at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Our quarterly anniversary parties celebrate matches who've been together for a year or more. The last party, at Bella's Fat Cat, brought together Bigs and Littles with a June, July or August match date. (A few are pictured above.) Is your match anniversary coming up? Join us for a fun party to honor you and your Little! Live United We're a proud partner of both United Way of Greater Milwaukee and United Way in Waukesha County. Please support the United Way during its 2009 campaign. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee receives funding and is a Donor Choice agency. If you would like BBBS to be part of your workplace campaign, contact Kathy at kmiller@bbbsmilwaukee.org or 414-258-4778, ext. 245.   Social Opportunities for Bigs Our social mixers and networking lunches are a great way to meet other Bigs or introduce a friend to BBBS. (These are opportunities for adults only--no Littles, please.) To register, contact Tracie at tthacker@bbbsmilwaukee.org or 414-258-4778, ext. 251.   Network@Noon Lunch Wednesday, Sept. 16, Noon-1 p.m. Mo's Irish Pub, 142 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee Cost: $10 for a three-course meal Perfect for a friend who wants to learn more about BBBS! Eat lunch, mingle with other professionals and share a little about your business.   Mix@Six Socials Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6-8 p.m. Cathedral Square Whiskey Bar, 788 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-8 p.m. Bar Louie, 1114 N. Water St., Milwaukee For Bigs and friends 21+. Enjoy drink specials and mix and mingle with BBBS volunteers and staff. Featured Events To register for these events, contact Kerry at kbloomquist@bbbsmilwaukee.org or 414-258-4778, ext. 228.   Day at the Farm Saturday, Oct. 10, 3-6:30 p.m. Godsell Farm, S105 W15585 Loomis Dr., Muskego Cost: TBD (We're negotiating for a low price.) Join BBBS for a farm tour, animal meet-and-greet, maze, bonfire and pumpkins.   Country Springs Water Park Thursday, Oct. 15, 4:30-9 p.m. (drop in) Country Springs Hotel and Water Park, 2810 Golf Rd., Pewaukee Cost: $7.50 Bigs, $5 Littles - this is a HUGE discount! Enjoy the water park at a discounted rate just for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fall Fun Halloween Activities, Pumpkin Patches and More Visit an area farm for pumpkin carving, corn maze or hayride, and enjoy the Halloween season with something spooky. Two good sources for activities are pumpkinpatchesandmore.org and hauntedwisconsin.com. (Remember to check for age-appropriateness!)   Apple Harvest Festival Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Retzer Nature Center, S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha Cost: $5/vehicle park entrance fee Events include arts and crafts, children's activities, prairie tours, horse-drawn wagon rides from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., orchard tours, folk concerts, planetarium shows and more!   Urban Ecology Center Fall Festival Saturday, Sept. 26, Noon-4 p.m. UEC-Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Enjoy music and meet a pony, pot bellied pigs, ducks and geese. Try hands-on science experiments, go rock climbing, enjoy nature walks in Riverside Park and more. Cider Sunday Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin Cost: $1/person, plus $3/vehicle parking Enjoy cider press demonstrations, free cider tasting, live music, delicious apple desserts for purchase and guided nature hikes.   Fall Color Hike Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. 2-4 p.m. Register by Oct. 12, 262-548-7801 Nashotah Park-Picnic Area 2, S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha Cost: $3 per person, plus $5/vehicle park entrance fee Hike the trails littered with multi-colored leaves and explore the ecology of Fall with a naturalist.   Halloween Fun Fest Saturday, Oct. 24, Noon-2 p.m. Downtown Pewaukee Cost: Free Kiddies' Parade, trick-or-treating at area merchants and pumpkin decorating. Recreation Activities Family Day at Bradford Beach Saturday, Sept. 12 Bradford Beach, Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee Cost: Free Enjoy lots of fun events on the beach. Past activities have included a treasure hunt, sand building contest, Frisbee golf and volleyball.   Frank Mots International Kite Festival Saturday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m-6 p.m. Veterans Park, 1500 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Milwaukee Cost: Free Watch teams of stunt kite flyers perform and see the grand launch of 500 kites at noon. Kites also available for sale.   Great Outdoors Weekend Saturday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin Cost: $3/vehicle parking; small fee for some activities Free and low-cost activities all weekend to encourage children to get outside. Events include tree climbing, naturalist-led walks and hikes.   Rock & Rollin' Skate Fest Saturday, Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, 6-10 p.m. Red Arrow Park, Kilbourn Ave. and Water St., Milwaukee Cost: Free with own skates, $2 skate rental Red Arrow Park will turn into an outdoor roller skating rink with DJ performances, break dancers, art exhibits and special appearances.   Education & Career Activities Bug Day Sunday, Sept. 20, 1-4 p.m. Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin Cost: $1/person, plus $3/vehicle parking Join in the grasshopper jump-off, watch beekeepers work with Wehr's resident honeybee hives and meet lots of live insects.   Bats! Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. 11 a.m.-Noon Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee Cost: Free See live bats and learn more about these misunderstood creatures.   Rainforest Night at the Domes Thursday, Oct. 8, 6-9:30 p.m. Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee Cost: $6 Bigs, $4 Littles (prices subject to change) Explore the "Tropical Rainforest" by the light of your flashlight. Fun and informative guided tours start at 6:30 p.m.   Snakes are Spectacular Festival Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee Cost: Free Meet several spectacular species of Wisconsin snakes. Go for a snake walk, do snake activities and crafts and more!   Career Exploration - COMPASS Guide Workshop Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6-7:30 p.m. Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee Cost: Free For teens who want to learn how to prepare for a career and college. For information about COMPASS Guide, visit epic.cuir.uwm.edu/compass/. Milwaukee Public Library also offers other workshops on preparing for college. Learn more in their fall activities guide: mpl.org/file/kids_calendar_fall.pdf   Arts & Culture Activities Indian Summer Festival Friday, Sept. 11-Sunday, Sept. 13 Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee Cost: $12/person at gate, $10/person in advance; Free for Littles 12 and under Experience Native American culture with dancing, music, food and more.   UMOS Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival Sunday, Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m. (parade), Noon-8 p.m. (festival) Mitchell Park, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee Cost: Free See the beauty of the Hispanic culture and join the festivities, including Mexican music, folkloric dancers, performers, rides, games and more.   Alverno's Global Union Saturday, Sept. 19- Sunday, Sept. 20, Noon-5p.m. Rain or shine! Humboldt Park, Howell and Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee Cost: Free Listen to musicians from around the world, including Mexico, France, the Solomon Islands, China and Ethiopia.   Let's Meet the Orchestra Pajama Jamboree Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State St. entrance, Milwaukee Cost: Free Learn about different parts of the orchestra and listen to familiar classical "pops" music performed by the Festival City Symphony. Pajamas welcome!   Outdoor Art Tuesday, Oct. 13 and 27, 4:30-6 p.m. Urban Ecology Center-Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Get inspired by the outdoors and create art projects such as sketch drawings and modern art. Wear old clothes--it could get messy. Call to register, 964-8505.   Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Art Museum Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (drop in) Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee Cost: Free admission for Bigs, Littles and their families! (Check in at the BBBS table.) Experience the comical folk art, lively music and treats of the colorful Mexican celebration. Hands-on workshops, prizes and fun!   Halloween Pajama Jamboree Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State Street entrance, Milwaukee Cost: Free Dressed in costume, Festival City Symphony will perform an evening of musical treats to get you in the spirit of All Hallows Eve   Civic Engagement Activities Write a Letter to the President Encourage your Little to write to President Obama about an issue that's important to him or her. (Hint: ask for a photo!) Find the address online: whitehouse.gov/contact/.   BBBS Volunteer Opportunities for Sept. and Oct. will be announced soon. Check your email or our online calendar. Health Activities The President's Challenge Re-visit this PE classic and challenge yourself and your Little to get active. Track your progress and even earn rewards. Eat Local Celebration Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fondy Farmers Market, 2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee Cost: Free Learn about the benefits of eating local food with chef demonstrations and tastings. Activities also include a watermelon seed spitting contest and food scavenger hunt. 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 8/27/09.