The Big Update Activities, Events and News for Bigs   November/December 2009 IN THIS ISSUE BBBS Holiday Party MU Basketball Clinic The Cholive Company Holiday Activities Recreation Activities Education Activities Arts & Culture Activities Civic Activities 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! SHOP AND SUPPORT 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!  It's the time of year when we think about all the things for which we're thankful. Here at Big Brothers Big Sisters, we're especially thankful for our Bigs and all you do to help children in our community. Thank you for the time and friendship you give to , and thank you for being part of the BBBS family! We're also thankful for all the generous donors who make it possible for us to match and support Bigs like you. If you're looking for another way to get involved, consider making a gift to BBBS of Metro Milwaukee or encourage family, friends and co-workers to donate in your honor--a perfect holiday gift! Donations can be made by check or through our secure online donation form. Enjoy all the activity ideas in this issue of The Big Update and have a safe, happy, peaceful holiday season! Save the Date! Annual BBBS Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-3:30 p.m. Mother Kathryn Daniels Conference Center, 35th and Hampton, Milwaukee Cost: Free The BBBS Holiday Party will be only for matched Bigs and Littles this year (sorry, no siblings or family members). Festivities will include holiday crafts, games and lunch. Look for an email invitation with more details. Partner Event Marquette Women's Basketball Parent-Kid Clinic Friday, Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m. Al McGuire Center, 770 N. 12th St., Milwaukee Ages: Grades K-8 Cost: $15/match includes clinic, pizza and game tickets Sharpen your basketball skills and enjoy a pizza party following the clinic. Each participant receives a free ticket to the Wisconsin game on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m! Email Elisha for a registration form at ewolfe@bbbsmilwaukee.org. What's a Cholive? A Unique Gift that Gives Back to BBBS Looking for a fun holiday gift or a little decadence for yourself? Cholives, a chic drink accessory, are 55% dark chocolate truffles filled with ganache and shaped like olives. Chruffles are dark chocolate truffles that pair well with wine, champagne or port. From Nov. 22-28, The Cholive Company will donate 10% of Internet sales proceeds to BBBS of Metro Milwaukee and offer free shipping on orders over $75. Visit www.thecholive.com for a great gift that supports BBBS. 'Tis the Season Holiday Activities to Help You Celebrate Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Thursday, Nov. 19-Sunday, Jan. 3 Downtown Milwaukee Cost: Free Enjoy the holiday lights in Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette and Zeidler Union Square parks. Drop your wish list in Santa's Mailbox (Nov. 20-Dec. 13), or ride the Jingle Bus ($1/person).   Milwaukee Holiday Parade Saturday, Nov. 21, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Downtown Milwaukee Cost: Free The 83rd Annual Milwaukee Holiday Parade will feature 100 units and Santa, natch.   Holiday Fair at the Waukesha County Museum Sunday, Nov. 22, 12-4 p.m. 101 W. Main St., Waukesha Cost: Free admission; $1/craft Warm up with hot chocolate, play games and do quick, take-home holiday crafts ($1 each).   Waukesha Christmas Parade Sunday, Nov. 22, 4-5 p.m. Downtown Waukesha Cost: Free A 47-year holiday tradition chock full of marching bands and floats.   Holiday Pajama Jamboree Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m. Bradley Pavilion at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State St., Milwaukee Cost: Free Enjoy holiday music favorites and sing along, if you like. Young children are welcome to come in pajamas with blankets and teddy bears. No reservations required.   Origami Ornament Studio Tuesday, Dec. 15, 5:30-7 p.m. Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee Ages: Teens Cost: Free Learn how to make beautiful origami holiday ornaments for gift-giving or decorating.   Candlelight Walk in Riverside Park Saturday, Dec. 19, 7-9 p.m. Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a guided, candlelit walk through the park. Return to the Center and warm yourself by the fire with cider and snacks. Recreation Activities Get Active, Explore the Community Free Days at the Zoo Saturday, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Milwaukee County Zoo, 1001 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee Cost: Free admission; $10 parking Trainfest Saturday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wisconsin Expo Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee Cost: $2 Littles 6-14 (Free with online coupon >>), $12 Bigs and Littles 15+ Prepare to be astonished by more than 50 super detailed model train layouts.   Ice Skating at Red Arrow Park Open daily Dec.-Feb., hours TBA 920 N. Water St., Milwaukee Cost: Free with own skates; $6 skate rental   Ice Skating at the Pettit Center Weekdays 7-9 p.m., Saturdays 1-9 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. 500 S. 84th St., West Allis Cost: $5 Littles (12 and under), $7 Bigs; $3 skate rental   Indoor Swimming Pools Weekends 1-5 p.m. Noyes Pool, 8235 W. Good Hope Rd., Milwaukee Pulaski Pool, 2701 S. 16th St., Milwaukee Cost: $2 Littles 6-11, $3 Bigs and Littles 12+   Outdoor Play at the Urban Ecology Center Every Friday except Nov. 27 and Dec. 25, 4-7 p.m. Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee Cost: Free Play outside with the UEC in Washington Park! Sleds, snowshoes and hot cocoa provided. Call to register, 964-8505. Education & Career Activities Encourage Learning, Introduce Possibilities BBBS Chess Club Monthly starting in Nov., details TBA Sherman Perk Coffee Shop, 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., Milwaukee Cost: Free Big Brothers Big Sisters is partnering with the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation (WSCF) and the Sherman Perk Coffee Shop to hold a monthly chess club. Learn the game with your Little or improve your skills. More details to come. Contact Elisha if you're interested: (414) 258-4778, ext. 246 or ewolfe@bbbsmilwaukee.org.   KnowHow2GO College Prep Workshop Saturday, Nov. 21, 2-3 p.m. Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76th St., Milwaukee Ages: Teens Cost: Free Help your teen Little learn the four steps to prepare for college. One Wild Saturday Morning-Hawks Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (drop in) Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee Ages: 6-10 Cost: Free Learn about amazing hawk adaptations, find out what hawks live in Wisconsin and make a hawk mobile.   MSOE Open House Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1025 N. Broadway St., Milwaukee Ages: Teens Cost: Free Tour campus, see its state-of-the-art labs, talk with faculty and learn more about MSOE. Register online >>   Friday Night Planetarium Show Every Friday, 7-7:55 p.m. (arrive 20 minutes early to ensure seating) Manfred Olson Planetarium in the UWM Physics Building, 1900 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee Cost: $2/person Explore the stars and learn how scientists are discovering distant planets. Arts & Culture Activities Foster Appreciation and Enjoyment, Increase Understanding Dolls of the World Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 17-Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha Cost: $3 Littles, $5 Bigs (Seniors $4) Explore world culture through a unique collection of ethnic dolls from around the globe.   Holiday Folk Fair International Friday, Nov. 20 - Sunday, Nov. 22 Wisconsin Expo Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee Cost: $8 Littles 6-12, $10 Bigs and Littles 13+ Enjoy different cultures and customs with music, international bazaar, coffee house, Revolutionary War encampment and more.   Waukesha Art Crawl Saturday, Dec. 5, 4-10 p.m. Downtown Waukesha Cost: Free Visit the many art galleries of Waukesha and enjoy live music and other festivities.   AWE-some Art Activities Monday, Dec. 7, 5:30-7 p.m. East Library, 1910 E. North Ave., Milwaukee Ages: 6-14 Cost: Free Experience a variety of art media with Artists Working in Education (AWE). This is messy fun-dress appropriately. Civic Engagement Activities Encourage Volunteerism and Good Citizenship Park People Weed Out! Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Estabrook Park (meet in picnic area 5 parking lot) or Grant Park (meet picnic area 1 parking lot), Milwaukee Cost: Free Help preserve and restore our parks by helping the Park People remove woody invasives. Tools provided. Wear work clothes.   Bake Holiday Cookies for a Senior Drop off cookies on Monday, Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Bay View Community Center, 1320 E. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee Bake two dozen (or more) of your favorite Christmas cookies to share with a senior. Drop them off at the Bay View Community Center on the date above. Toy Shop Helper Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Williams Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha Cost: Free Help the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County sort and arrange donated toys for their annual Toy Shop for disadvantaged families. To register, call 262-549-NOEL or visit the Volunteer Center of Waukesha County Web site. Health Activities Develop Healthy Habits Jefferson Elementary Health Fair Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. Jefferson Elementary School, 7229 W. Becher St., West Allis Cost: Free Flu vaccination clinics, YMCA super circuit and family Zumba, DJ, karaoke and health booths. Lunch available to purchase.   Milwaukee County Winter Farmers' Market Saturdays, Nov. 7-Apr. 24, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Tommy Thompson Youth Center, 640 S. 84th St., Milwaukee (State Fair Park, Gate 5) Cost: Free Meet some farmers and get fresh, local produce, artisan cheese and baked goods.   Afternoon Run at the Urban Ecology Center Every other Sunday (starting Nov. 1), 4-5 p.m. Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee Ages: Teens Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Join the UEC for a leisurely run along the river, Oak Leaf Trail or beyond. Call to register, 964-8505.   Ice Safety 101 at the Urban Ecology Center Saturdays, Dec. 5-19, 12-1 p.m. Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., Milwaukee Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Learn the essentials of ice safety and winter survival skills with interactive demonstrations on the lagoon. Dress for the weather. Call to register, 964-8505. 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 11/2/09.