Deb's Monthly Review

January 2006

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Archives, Selected Links and more.

Special Quotation "We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears." --Francois duc de la Rochefoucauld

To parents, teachers, and other guardians of children: The Review is a place where adults or kids should be able to stop by and browse comfortably. But, remember - I have no control over outside links. For happiest results, please surf the Web with your kids!

Important Message Just For Kids: If someone (even someone you love) has touched you in a way that didn't seem right or made you feel bad, you can talk about it with someone. There are really nice people at this number who will listen and let you talk about what you might want to do next to stay safe.

Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and push 1 to talk to someone. Nobody has the right to hurt you and then tell you not to tell. It's important to talk about it. Tell someone!

	The Artsy Site Of The Month: Devices of Wonder Paper theatre and multiplying mirrors. (Temporarily disable your pop-up stopping software.)		Handy Site Of The Month: Occupational Outlook Handbook Thinking of a new career? Check out salaries and employment prospects.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Devil's Digital Dictionary The new media explained with sarcasm and jibes.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: Great Amateurs in Science Mendel, Levy, Hendrickson and others

January 2006 Festivals and Events

Need a place to stay? Days Inn - Great San Francisco rates! Wingate Inns - Great Columbia, SC rates! Ramada - Great Washington D.C. rates! Howard Johnson - Great Anaheim rates! Travelodge - Great Las Vegas rates! Super 8 - Great NYC rates! Knights Inn - Great value on the road.

Scroll down for January Festivals and other events for travelers in the U.S.

Please Note: Because of recent hurricanes affecting our coastal areas, it is especially important right now that you verify all festival or event information. Even areas that were not in the direct path of major storms may have strained local resources in their attempts to assist displaced people. Some typically available festival or event venues may have become temporary evacuation centers. Travel in some areas may still be difficult or restricted. Once there has been more restoration to affected areas your attendance and support at local events and festivals will be a great way to help the local economy and our national economy in general.

January 1-February 26, 2006 Lake George Winter Carnival various venues, St. George, New York	Events are on weekends and the first official day is January 1, when brave swimmers take a cold swim at Shepherd Park. Other activities include snow sculpting, snowmobile sleigh rides, a parade, activities for kids and boat cruises. Subsequent weekends will offer kite flying, dog pulls, cooking contests, a Moonlight ATV Ride, 4x4 races, car races on ice, raffles and more. Further Details: Call 518-240-0809
January 6-8, 2006 Old Town Jubilee Old Main Street area, Yuma, Arizona	Arts and crafts, music, strolling entertainment, activities for kids and there will also be plenty of festival foods. Note: While you're in town try to visit Roxaboxen Park. Additional Info: Call 928-782-5712
January 8, 2006 Golf Cart Parade El Paseo area, Palm Desert, California	Since the early 1960s the parade has entertained locals and visitors to the point where a crowd of 25,000 now gathers each year. Proceeds go to charity so it's a great way to have fun and help others at the same time. Start the day with a pancake breakfast at the Bank of America parking lot. In addition to the actual parade at 1pm you can enjoy vendors, music and extra activities for the kids. In the past there have been golf cart parade entries from cheerleading squads, cycling clubs and others. This year's theme is "The Future's So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades". Learn More: Call 760-346-6111
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
January 12-15, 2006 Sandpoint Winter Carnival various venues, Sandpoint, Idaho	More than 40 restaurants present "The Taste of Sandpoint" with food, art, music and drama. Other events include a Parade of Lights, bonfire on the beach, chili cooking contest, snowboard and ski events, fudge making contest, teddy bear contest, dog pull, cow chip throwing contest and a hole-in-one contest. Questions? Call 208-255-1876
January 12-15, 2006 Riverwalk Mud Festival various venues on River Walk, San Antonio, Texas	Each year the San Antonio River is drained by the Parks Department for routine cleaning and maintenance, so rather than make it an unslightly affair, San Antonio celebrates the river's renewal with a Mud Pie Ball, pub crawl, Mud Queen and Mud King pageantry, arts and crafts and a parade. Find Out Details: Call 210-227-4262
January 12-16, 2006 Winterfest various venues, Tonawanda, New York	Knee hockey tournament, senior dance, figure skating exhibition, concert, bonfire, fireworks, one-pitch softball tournament, miniature golf, hayrides, snowmobile rides, ice sculpting exhibition, wine tasting, recreational skating. On Floating Flicks Night at the Aquatic Fitness Center you can enjoy the movies while floating on an air mattress, rubber raft or inner tube. Learn More: Call 716-831-1001
January 13-15, 2006 Fire & Ice Festival Uptown, Somerset, Pennsylvania	Bell choir concert, teen events, fireworks, ice carving, chili cooking contest and chili feed, entertainment, photography contest, activities for kids, gingerbread house contest, 5K walk/run, merchant specials, keg toss, sundae eating contest, snow baby contest, bonfire, Polar Bear Splash. Get Information: Call 814-443-1748
Thanks for using these merchants' products and services Your purchases help make the next issue free to read
January 13-17, 2006 Benjamin Franklin's 300th Birthday various venues, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	More than 300 events will celebrate the life of Benjamin Franklin. Enjoy concerts, displays, birthday cake, music, lectures and exhibitions, art, a pajama party and much more. Additional Details: Call 215-790-7825
January 14, 2006 Oatmeal Festival Downtown, Lafayette, Colorado	Oatmeal baking contest, vendors, bake shop, 5K Quicker Quaker Walk/Run, Oatmeal breakfast (including hot cereal, pancakes and muffins) with World's Largest Toppings Bar, health fair and blood drive, activities for kids, youth art show. More Information: Call 303-926-4352
January 14-15, 2006 Cape Coral Festival of the Arts Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida	Enjoy the work of 280 juried artists. There will also be sidewalk sales, activities for the kids, music and food. Questions? Call 239-945-1988
January 14-15, 2006 Ice Fest Front Street Park, Leavenworth, Washington	Join in a snowy, slippery tug of war—or just watch. There are dogsled competitions and snowshoe races. There will also be snow sculptures, entertainment and an ice cube hunt for the kids. Lucky cube hunters can melt their cubes to gain access to the cash inside. And there's the Great Smooshing Race, in which 4-person teams strap themselves onto one pair of "skis" and race against other teams in the snow. Note: If you go to the festival, try to arrange a visit to the Nutcracker Museum. Further Details: Call 509-548-5807
January 18, 2006 Stowe Winter Carnival Main Street, Stowe, Vermont	Snowshoe races, ice carving, snow volleyball, snow golf, block party, kids' carnival, church supper, ski races and more. Learn More: Call 802-253-7321 or 800-247-8693
January 19-22, 2006 Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival City Complex, Fellsmere, Florida	Carnival rides and games, karaoke, helicopter rides, bike show, entertainment and unique foods. Get Details: Email.
	If you enjoy this issue, please tell a friend about it!
January 20-21, 2006 Chill Out Arbor Vitae Community Bldg., Miocqua, Wisconsin	Ice fishing tournament, dog sled races, fish fry, candlelight skiing, turkey bowling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, pony rides and other activities for kids, bonfire with s'mores, ice golf and more. Questions? Call 800-446-6784
January 20-22, 2006 Waukesha Janboree various venues, Waukesha, Wisconsin	Snow Ball dance, ice sculpting, snow angel contest, fireworks, polka jam, entertainment and more. This year's theme is "Snow Wonder". Further Information: Call 262-548-7801
January 20-22, 2006 Yuma Lettuce Days Historic downtown, Yuma, Arizona	Produce displays, making of the World's Biggest Salad, cabbage bowling, Sink or Swim Contest, farm equipment display, food court, vendors, activities for kids, entertainment, Lettuce Box Car Derby, lettuce seed giveaway, cooking contest, arts and crafts and more. Additional Details: Call 928-783-3061
January 20-22, 27-29, 2006 Tip-Up Town USA Lake & shoreline area, Houghton Lake, Michigan	Dog sled races, ice fishing contest, scavenger hunt, vintage snowmobile racing, turkey bowling, vendors, Polar Bear Dip, arts and crafts, quilt raffle, ice slide, games and rides for kids, chili, ice sculpting contest, pony rides, helicopter rides, fireworks, pie eating contest, entertainment, tug of war, bingo. Questions? Call 989-366-5644
January 20-29, 2006 Crab & Wine Days various venues, Mendocino, California	In its 7th year this festival presents food and wine pairings at area restaurants. You can also enjoy sunset cruises, cooking demonstrations, culinary book signings, exhibits and entertainment. Some events may be ticketed separately and have an extra charge and/or require reservations. Further Details: Call 866-466-3636
January 21-22, 2006 Delray Festival of the Arts Pineapple Grove Way, Delray Beach, Florida	More than 300 juried artists show and sell their work, plus you can enjoy music and plenty of festival foods. Learn More: Call 561-279-1380
	Help me to help you! If you sign up for the Notify List and you have spam filters, remember to put deb@lightpatch.com on your list of approved email addresses.
January 21-22, 2006 Street Fair Historic downtown, Casa Grande, Arizona	Music, car show, arts and crafts, food. Additional Details: Call 520-836-8744
January 21-22, 2006 Flake Out Festival Downtown, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin	Turkey bowling, Mitten Football, snowman making contest, fireworks, Eskimo Pie eating contest, State Snow Sculpting Contest, ice carving, kite flying and more. Questions? Call 800-223-3557
January 21-22, 28-29 & February 4-5, 2006 Winter Fest various venues, Spicer, Minnesota	Ice fishing tournaments, snowmobile runs, ice sculptures, arts and crafts, fireworks, Polar Plunge and more. This is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Further Details: Call 320-796-8066
January 21-February 12, 2006 Chinese New Year Festival various venues, San Francisco, California	Bring in The Year of the Dog with the Miss Chinatown U.S.A. pageant, 10k/5k run/walk, street fair, parade (on February 11), food, flower market and more. Some events may be ticketed separately and may require reservations. Learn More: Call 415-391-9680
January 21-February 18, 2006 Pittsfield Winter Carnival various venues, Pittsfield, Massachusetts	Most events are in area parks and include toboggan races, family day (when you should bring anything to slide on down the hill—cardboard, sleds, inner tubes...), cross country skiing, ice golf, kite flying, queen pageant and more. Call for the best updates. Questions? Call 413-499-9343
January 22-29, 2006 Winter Rec Fest unknown venue(s), LaCrosse, Wisconsin	Skiing, hiking, skate party, medallion hunt, broomball, softball, snow sculpture, dance party and more. Find Out Details: Call 608-789-7533
January 25-27, 2006 Winter Fest various venues, Newaygo, Michigan	Snowmobile Fun Run, ice fishing contest, euchre tournament, pool tournament, dart tournament, winter golf, chili cooking contest, games for the kids, chicken bowling, dinner dance, Extreme Plunge into Hess Lake and more. Further Info: Call 231-652-9489
January 26-29, 2006 Winterfest In & around downtown, Blowing Rock, North Carolina	Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, hayrides, hot chocolate, ice carving competition, chili cooking contest, music, wine tasting, wine auction, dusk bonfire in Memorial Park (weather permitting), pancake breakfast, merchant specials, activities for kids, Winterfeast (requires advance reservations and extra fee—call 828-295-9627). It's the festival's 8th year. Questions? Call 877-295-7801 or 828-295-7851
January 26-February 5, 2006 Florida Citrus Festival Orange Dome, Winter Haven, Florida	Citrus tasting, cooking competitions and demonstrations, Police/Firefighter/EMS Chili Cooking Contest, antique crate label display, 4-H and FFA information and demonstrations, vendors, photo contests, entertainment, Miss Florida Citrus pageant, parade, grapefruit packing contest, hay bale decorating and more. Find Out Details: Call 863-292-9810
January 26-February 19, 2006 Washington's Birthday Celebration various venues, Laredo, Texas	Events take place in Laredo and nearby communities and include a carnival, comedy shows, Taste of Laredo, parade, tea party, air show, barbecue, fireworks and more. The celebration is an eclectic mix of Early American pageantry, festive Mexican music and costume plus good Texan hospitality. Some events may be ticketed separately. Further Info: Call 956-722-0589
Sorry, festival-goers. I am unable to fulfill requests for personalized festival lists free of charge. You may hire me by the hour for personal research.
January 27-February 5, 2006 Winter Carnival various venues, McCall, Idaho	It's the 41st year for this festival. Enjoy a snowmobile fun run, senior bingo, masquerade ball, food court, vendors, art auction, music, men's beauty contests with hairy legs and other events, beer garden, teen dance, snow sculpture, ice show, theatre, parade. Questions? Call 208-634-7631 or 800-260-5130
January 27-February 5, 2006 St. Paul Winter Carnival various venues, St. Paul, Minnesota	The main theme centers around King Boreas, who must defeat Vulcanus Rex so that the winter celebration can go on. It's all done with a bit of pomp and costume, plus events such as ice carving, softball on ice, outdoor broomball, ice skating, a cat show, fashion show, car races on ice, an orchid show, royal ball, kite flying and the King Boreas Grande Day Parade. Get Details: Call 651-223-4700
January 28, 2006 Kumquat Festival Pasco Fairgrounds, Dade City, Florida	In its 9th year the festival offers fun in the form of a recipe contest, hat contest, arts and crafts, entertainment, antique appraisals, a pageant, community displays, farmer's market, 5K run for kids, grower info and more. Learn More: Call 352-567-3769
January 28, 2006 Fire & Ice Festival Lakefront Park, Pewaukee, Wisconsin	Snowman building contest (bring your own props), ice skating, hot air balloon demonstration, snowmobile rides, refreshments, horse draw wagon rides, fireworks and more. Get Information: Call 262-695-9735
January 28-February 5, 2006 Ole & Lena Days various venues, Granite Falls, Minnesota	Everyone has heard Ole & Lena jokes, but this festival takes it all to a new level with open enjoyment of Scandinavian foods such as lutefisk and lefse. Enjoy snow sculpting, a medallion hunt, arts and crafts and a frozen lefse flinging contest. Further Details: Call 320-564-4039
Sign up here to be notified when the next Review is uploaded. You'll receive more news and festivals not listed online!
January Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Jan. 13-16 Morro Bay Bird Festival, Morro Bay, California, 805-772-4467 Jan. 14-15, 21-22 Medieval Faire, Veteran's Park, Lehigh Acres, Florida, 239-693-8036 Jan. 14-15 Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival, Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland Jan. 18-29 Taos Winter Wine Festival, Taos, New Mexico, 866-968-7386 Jan. 19-29 Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah, 801-328-3456 Jan. 20-23 JanBoree, Waukesha, Wisconsin, 800-366-8674 Jan. 21-22 Winter Fest, various venues, Deer Park, Washington, 509-276-2006 or 866-743-5247 Jan. 26-29 Greek Festival, St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, Boca Raton, Florida, 561-994-4822 Jan. 27 Chill Fest, Chatfield, Minnesota Jan. 27 International Chocolate Festival,                    noon-8pm, Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri, 816-374-5476 Jan. 27-29 Ice Sculpture Festival, Downers Grove, Illinois, 800-934-0615 Jan. 27-Feb. 5 Flurry Fest, Bismarck, North Dakota, 701-222-6455
Other January 2006 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Jan. 6-8 Del Mar Antique Show & Sale, Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, 800-943-7501 Jan. 6-31 The Main Event, Quartzite, Arizona, 928-927-5213 Jan. 7 Fruitcake Toss,                    10am-2pm, High School track, Manitou Springs, Colorado, 719-685-5089 or 800-642-2567 Jan. 7 Gumbo Cook-Off, Rice Arena, Crowley, Louisiana, 337-788-0177 Jan. 7 Model Railroad Swap Meet, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, 619-696-0199 Jan. 7-8 Cable Air Show, Cable Airport, Upland, California Jan. 7-8 Northeast Motorcycle Expo, Expo Center, Hartford, Connecticut, 877-245-3976 Jan. 7-8 Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival, Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, 541-574-8000 Jan. 7-8 Antique & Collectors' Revival, Expo Center, San Mateo, California, 707-942-5079 Jan. 7-8 Antique Show & Sale, Convention Center, Yuma, Arizona, 928-726-4420 Jan. 7-14 Used Boat Show, Kearney, Nebraska Jan. 7-15 RV Show, Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Jan. 9 Macworld Conference & Expo , Moscone Center, San Francisco, California Jan. 13-15 Gem-Jewelry-Bead Show, Municipal Auditorium, Sarasota, Florida, 941-954-0202 Jan. 13-15 Fungus Fair, Louden Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz, California, 831-420-6115 Jan. 13-15 Quilt Festival, Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona Jan. 14-15 Gathering of the Gunfighters, Territorial Prison State Park, Yuma, Arizona, 928-783-4771 Jan. 14-15 Boca Fest 10-5, Boca Center, Boca Raton, Florida, 954-472-3755 Jan. 14-15 Gun Show, Fairgrounds, Jackson, Tennessee, 563-927-8176 Jan. 14-15 North State Toy & Hobby Show,                    State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, 919-553-4285 , 800-648-3353 Jan. 14-22 Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, Westworld, Scottsdale, Arizona, 480-421-6694 Jan. 21 Woodcarving Show, 10-4, Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, 956-519-8209 Jan. 21 Central Florida Highland Games, Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida, 407-426-7268 Jan. 22 Teddy Bear & Doll Show , Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, Ohio, 740-374-1778 Jan. 26-29 Indoor/Outdoor Home Show, Expomart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 800-997-4438 Jan. 27 Chocolate Buffet, 5:30-9pm, Mammoth Hotel, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 307-344-7311 Jan. 27-29 Chiller Theatre Expo, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Secaucus, New Jersey, FAQ Jan. 27-29 Gun Show, fairgrounds, Casper, Wyoming Jan. 27-29 Florida Extravaganza Comic-Con, Central Florida Fair Grounds, Orlando, Florida, 407-788-7469 Jan. 28-29 Heard Museum Guild Library Book & Art Sale, Phoenix, Arizona, 602-251-0209 Jan. 28-29 Western Americana Show & Auction, Phoenix, Arizona, 310-202-9010
Subscribers to the Notify List receive extra information, including a heads-up on other events. If you'd like to get the extras via email each month, sign up here.
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the listing in Deb's Monthly Review.

Look at this guy!

This is Scott L. Schwartz. If you ever get into trouble, you'll want him on your side. This guy means business. And his business is playing big and bad. Big may come easy, because he's 6'10" and weighs about 300 pounds. I'm not sure how he pulls off the bad part though, because he actually seems to be very... Well, never mind. Just click on the banner and get ready for some action. www.ultimatebadguy.com

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is singing, and he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy, including: I'll Never Be Free Basin Street Blues Don't Go To Strangers Easy Street This CD was a long time coming, but it was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

Above: Metallic Choker Necklace Left: Dreamcatcher Earrings

Joan Garnand creates from her home in Tennessee. Her design styles range from simple elegance to whimsical fun. Joan does hand-painted stationery, uses spare moments at festivals to paint faces, and entertains children at private parties. A sample of her work is illustrated online. Talk to her about what you're looking for!

Not long ago I enjoyed a talk with someone who works with students who have been unable to fit into a traditional classroom situation because of attachment problems. Psychologists have been exploring for some time the ways in which early human attachments to caregivers might affect our relationships later in life. One online personality questionnaire might give a bit of insight into your own attachment style. Several other quizzes include one involving attractiveness and one involving clues to your personality from the choices you make in choosing your own adventure. Have fun with these at Your Personality. Maybe this will help us all figure out what to do about those New Year's Resolutions.
If you to Central and Southern U.S. in the 1960s you probably stopped at a Stuckey's along some highway at one time or another. Stuckey's is still going and has a presence on the internet. You can still buy that sweet Stuckey's Pecan Divinity.		U.S. Customs and Border Protection has helpful travel information online, including a list of document requirements for U.S. citizens entering from Canada and Mexico.
Enjoy a bit of armchair travel with images from the National Geographic Photo of the Day

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated December 26, 2005

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson