Deb's Monthly Review

January 2007

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

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

Happy New Year!

Special Quotation "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new beginning." --Carl Bard

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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: Turtle Kiss Koopa's paintings have assisted fellow turtles.		Handy Site Of The Month: Inflation Calculator How much that loaf of bread might cost when inflation kicks in.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Monopoly Home Rules 6 railroads? Double hotels? Double salaray? These could be yours in alternate Monopoly rules.		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: World Food Habits Who eats what, where, why and when.

 January 2007 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.

January 1-25, 2007 Lake George Winter Carnival Various venues, St. George, New York	The official starting day is January 1, when swimmers brave a cold dip at Shepherd Park. Most events take place on weekends and include: ATV ice drags, ATV Polar Run, outhouse races, polar golf tournament, an ice slide, broomball, fireworks, chili cook-off, ice sculpting with chain saws, snowmobile sleigh rides, flag football, snow sculpting activities for kids, chowder cook-off, hole-in-one contest, beach volleyball and snow volleyball, poker walk, chicken wing cook-off, fireworks and a Moonlight ATV ride. Additional Details: Call 518-240-0809
January 5-7, 2007 Old Town Jubilee Old Main Street area, Yuma, Arizona	More than 3 downtown city blocks are filled with arts and crafts, plus activities for kids, musical entertainment and festival foods. Find Out More: Call 928-782-5712
January 11-14, 2007 Sandpoint Winter Carnival various venues, Sandpoint, Idaho	Food from area restaurants, art, music, drama plus a torchlight parade, spelling contest for grown-ups, pizza eating contest, fireworks, a dog pull, teddy bear contest, fudge making contest, chili cooking contest and more. Enjoy this 34th year of carnival fun. Details: Call 208-255-1876
January 11-14, 2007 Winterfest various venues, Tonawanda, New York	Ice hockey, family carnival, knee hockey, senior dance, sled hockey, miniature golf, one-pitch softball tournament, fireworks, figure skating exhibition, hayrides, snowmobile rides, ice sculpting competition, recreational skating, Floating Flicks Night at the Aquatic Fitness Center where you can watch movies while floating on an air mattress, rubber raft or inner tube. Questions? Call 716-831-1001
January 11-14, 2007 Riverwalk Mud Festival various venues on River Walk, San Antonio, Texas	The city's Parks Department drains the river Just before the festival each year. Locals celebrate the messy occasion by having some mud-ish fun. There's a Mud Pie Ball plus a pub crawl, Mud King pageantry, arts and crafts, a parade and more. Get the Facts: Call 210-227-4262
January 12-14, 2007 Mohican Winter Fest Downtown, Loudonville, Ohio	Ice carving competitions and displays, ice skating and ice skating lessons, winter hikes through Mohican State Park, horse drawn carriage rides, Snow Ball Dance Sat. night (extra fee), skiing workshops, plenty of food. Many events take place in Central Park. Additional Details: Call 419-994-4789
January 12-14, 2007 Fire & Ice Festival Uptown, Somerset, Pennsylvania	Ice carving and ice sculptures on view, activities for kids, chili cooking contest, arts and crafts, food vendors, silent auction, scavenger hunt, model trains on display, more contests. It's the festival's 12th year. Further Information: Call 814-443-1748
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January 13, 2007 Oatmeal Festival Downtown, Lafayette, Colorado	The big oatmeal breakfast includes hot cereal, pancakes and muffins and has a topping bar with more than 140 items. There will also be an oatmeal baking contest, health fair, blood drive, activities for kids, youth art show, Quicker Quaker 5K Walk/Run, oatmeal mini spa. The big breakfast runs from 7:30am-noon at the Pioneer Elementary School on Baseline Road. You can take the shuttle from the Wal-Mart parking lot. Details: Call 303-9226-4352
January 13-14, 2007 Cape Coral Festival of the Arts Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida	This is the festival's 22nd year and the fun includes 280 juried artists, sidewalk sides, activities, food and music. Festival hours are 10am-5pm. Learn More: Call 239-945-1988
January 13-14, 2006 Polar Jam Downtown, Madison, Wisconsin	This celebration replaces Kites on Ice (which suffered a questionable future anyway, due to unpredictable ice safety in the area). Capitol Square Sprints and Polar Jam have joined forces to bring the most fun for everyone, including cross county ski events, snowshoeing, music in a heated tent, winter food court, outdoor sports expo, Special Olympics events, Fit City Kids, ice sculptures, fireworks. Get The Facts: Call 608-276-9797 ext. 23
January 13-14, 2007 Ice Fest Front Street Park, Leavenworth, Washington	Watch or join in on a snowy tug of war. Enjoy snow sculptures, an ice cube hunt for the kids (with real cash inside the cubes), dogsled competitions, the Great Smooshing Race (4-person teams strap onto one pair of skis and race against other teams), music, fireworks, an un-waiter competition and more. Info: Call 509-548-5807
January 14, 2007 Golf Cart Parade El Paseo area, Palm Desert, California	Start the day with a pancake breakfast in the Bank of America parking lot at 7:30am. This year's theme is "Take a Walk on the Wild Side", so enjoy the parade at 1pm, music beginning at 2pm, vendors, activities for the kids and more. Funds from the festival go to local charities. Get The Facts: 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 18-21, 2007 Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival City Complex on S. Cypress St., Fellsmere, Florida	Carnival rides and games, pony rides for the kids, helicopter rides, more than 100 arts and crafts booths, unique foods and plenty of musical entertainment. Find Out More: Call 772-571-0250
January 18-February 3, 2007 Washington's Birthday Celebration various venues, Laredo, Texas	Parade, wine tasting, Popeye's Jamboozie, health fair, youth dance, carnival, comedy shows, air show, run run. Expect a mix of cultures and costumes. Questions? Call 956-722-0589
January 19-21, 2007 Yuma Lettuce Days Historic downtown, Yuma, Arizona	In its 9th year the festival offers produce displays, a Cotton Bale contest, Lettuce Box Derby, activities for kids, entertainment, arts and crafts, plenty of salad and other festivals foods. Get Details: Call 928-783-3061
January 19-21, 2007 Stowe Winter Carnival Main Street, Stowe, Vermont	Block Party on Main, chicken pie church supper on Saturday at 5:30pm, ski races, dancing, kids' carnival, snow volleyball, ice carving, movies. Further Information: Call 802-253-7321 or 800-247-8693
January 19-21, 2007 Flake Out Festival Downtown, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin	Now in its 17th year, the festival includes fun such as horse drawn wagon rides, turkey bowling, mitten bowling, snowman making, blacksmithing demonstrations, fireworks, Eskimo Pie eating contest, activities, for kids, State Snow Sculpture Contest, ice carving, kite flying, arts and crafts. Find Out More: Call 800-223-3557
January 19-21, 2007 Waukesha Janboree various venues, Waukesha, Wisconsin	Pancake breakfast, volleyball, kickball, 5K run/walk, chili feed, dog pull, horse drawn wagon rides, ice fishing clinic, fireworks, Comedy Sportz, talent show Questions? Call 262-524-3737
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January 19-21 & 27-28, 2007 Tip-Up Town USA Lake & shoreline area, Houghton Lake, Michigan	Bubble gum blowing contest, teen dance, poker run, tire roll, bed races, ice fishing contest, ice sculpting contest, fireworks, pie eating contest, petting zoo, Red Neck horseshoes, winter fashion show, motorcycle ice racing, pony rides for the kids, and ice slide, turkey bowling, Polar Bear Dip, arts and crafts, entertainment. Details: Call 989-366-5644
January 20-21, 2007 Street Fair 2nd Street & Florence Street Casa Grande, Arizona	Car & bike show, music, display of the Paint-A-Brella contest entries, historic bike tour, food court, more than 125 arts and crafts booths. The festival is celebrating its 7th. Update (Jan. 8, 2007): I'm told that no Paint-A-Brella contest entries will be on view, nor will their be a bike tour. Additional Information: Call 520-836-8744
January 20-21, 27-28 & Feb. 3-4, 2007 Winter Fest various venues Spicer, Minnesota	Hot tub party, ice slide, ice fishing tournaments, ice sculptures, snowmobile runs, arts and crafts, Polar Plunge, fireworks. The event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Learn More: Call 320-796-8066
January 20-Feb. 10, 2007 Pittsfield Winter Carnival various venues, Pittsfield, Massachusetts	Snow sculpting contest, haywagon rides, speed skating, queen pageant and queen's ball, kite flying, cross country skiing, ice golf, toboggan races and the popular family day when anything goes as you bring your favorite item to use for sliding down the hill—cardboard, sleds, inner tubes... Get The Facts: Call 413-499-9343
January 21-28, 2007 Winter Rec Fest various venues, LaCrosse, Wisconsin	Youth carnival, torchlight hike, state euchre tournament, hockey, figure skating events, skiing, broomball, ice fishing and more. Info: Call 608-784-4880
January 23-26, 2007 Winter Fest various venues, Newaygo, Michigan	Snowmobile run, karaoke, ice fishing contest, chicken bowling, euchre tournament, dinner dance, winter golf, games for the kids, dart tournament, Extreme Plunge into Hess Lake, raffle, chili cooking contest. Questions? Call 231-652-9489
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January 25-28, 2007 Winterfest In & around downtown, Blowing Rock, North Carolina	Ice carving competition, Frosty 5K Run, Winter Tale, dog sledding, hayrides, hot chocolate, Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, pancake breakfast, bluegrass music, wine tasting, wine auction, dusk bonfire in Memorial Park (weather permitting), merchant specials, activities for kids. The Winterfeast requires advance reservations and has an extra fee—to make reservations call 828-295-9527.) The festival is celebrating its 9th year. Additional Details: Call 828-295-7851
January 26-27, 2007 Chill Out Arbor Vitae Community Bldg., Minocqua, Wisconsin	Ice golf, ice fishing tournament, sleigh rides, dog sled rides, fish fry, turkey bowling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bonfire with s'mores, activities for kids. Further Information: Call 715-356-5266 or 800-446-6784
January 26-February 4, 2007 Winter Carnival various venues, McCall, Idaho	In its 42nd year the carnival offers the fun of ice hockey, monster dog pulls, a pancake breakfast, ski events, a teen dance, snow sculptures, food court, vendors, masquerade ball, tubing races, Children's Neon Lights Parade, senior bingo, snowshoe golf, sleigh rides, Little Ski Hill Torch Parade, Mardi Gras Parade Jan. 27 at noon, plus the ever popular men's beauty contest with competitions for hairy legs and other events. Find Out More: Call 208-634-7631 or 800-260-5130
January 26-February 4, 2007 St. Paul Winter Carnival various venues, St. Paul, Minnesota	The idea of this event comes from the tale of King Boreas, who defeats Vulcanus Rex so that the winter celebration can go off without a hitch. Pageantry and pomp make it all more fun. Enjoy events such as the Securian Frozen 5K & Half Marathon, pond hockey, skiing, snow & ice sculptures, a snow slide, Latino Fest, torchlight parades, the King Boreas Grande Day Parade, the royal ball, car races on ice, teen band showcase, an ice maze, gymnastics, Como Zoo exhibit, collector & memorabilia show, Polar Bear Journey puppet show, cat show, weather education exhibit, Circus Juventis performances, theatre, Disc Sports Festival. Many events take place at Harriet Island Regional Park. Questions? Call 651-223-4700
January 27, 2007 Kumquat Festival Pasco Fairgrounds & downtown, Dade City, Florida	Recipe contest, 5K run for kids, arts and crafts, car show pageant, grower info, farmer's market, food. Get The Facts: Call 352-567-3768
January 27, 2007 Texas Citrus Fiesta Downtown, Mission, Texas	This colorful event features a Parade of Oranges at 12:30pm, royal court pageantry, Vaquero Cook Off, youth show, fun fair with food vendors and entertainment, activities for kids, Fiesta Fun Run, a unique costume style show with citrus ingredients as wearable art and more. Get the Facts: Call 956-585-9724
January 27, 2006 Winter Carnival Weekend Opera House on High Street, Mineral Piont, Wisconsin	Tug of war, snow games, music, pie eating contests, theatre, food festival and more. Get The Facts: Call 888-764-6894
January 27, 2007 Fire & Ice Festival Lakefront Park, Pewaukee, Wisconsin	Snowshoe clinic, snowman building contest (bring your own props), ice skating, merchants' scavenger hunt, hot air balloon demonstration, carnival rides, snowmobile rides, DJ music, horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments, heated tent with food, fireworks. To Learn More: Call 262-695-9735 or 262-691-7275
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January Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Jan. 6 Gumbo Cook-Off, 8am-3pm, Rice Arena, Crowley, Louisiana, 337-788-0177 Jan. 11-4 International Balloon Festival, Bluff, Utah, 435-672-2341 Jan. 12-15 Morro Bay Bird Festival, Morro Bay, California, 805-772-4467 Jan. 13-14 Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival,                    Convention Center at 40th & Bay, Ocean City, Maryland, 410-524-9177 Jan. 13-14, 20-21 Medieval Faire, Veterans Park, Lehigh Acres, Florida, 239-693-8036 Jan. 17-28 Taos Winter Wine Festival, Taos, New Mexico, 866-968-7386 Jan. 18-28 Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah, 877-733-7829 Jan. 20 Chillfest, Mill Creek Park, Chatfield, Minnesota, 507-259-6902 Jan. 26-28 Ice Sculpture Festival, Downers Grove, Illinois, 630-434-5555 or 800-934-0615 Jan. 26-Feb. 4 Flurry Fest, Bismarck, North Dakota, 701-222-6455
Other January 2007 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Jam 5-14 Houston Boat Show, Watergate Yachting Center, Houston, Texas Jan. 5-31 The Main Event, Quartzite, Arizona, 928-927-5213 Jan. 6 Fruitcake Toss, 9:30am-2pm, High School, Manitou Springs, Colorado, 719-685-5089 or 800-642-2567 Jan. 6-7 Cable Air Show, Cable Airport, Upland, California, 909-982-6021 Jan. 6-7 Northeast Motorcycle Expo, Expo Center, Hartford, Connecticut, 978-688-8888 Jan. 6-7 Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival, Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, 541-574-8000 Jan. 6-14 Used Boat Show, on Central Ave., Kearney, Nebraska, 308-234-4576 Jan. 6-14 RV Show, Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 724-446-1046 Jan. 8-11 The Home Entertainment Show, St. Tropex Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 702-242-4545 Jan. 9-12 Macworld, Moscone Center, San Francisco, California Jan. 12-14 Quilt Festival, Convention Center, Tuscon, Arizona, 520-498-4698 Jan. 12-14 Gem-Jewelry-Bead Show,                    10am-5pm, Municipal Auditorium on Tamiami Tr. (Hwy. 41), Sarasota, Florida, 941-954-0202 Jan. 13-14 Gathering of the Gunfighters, Territorial State Prison State Park, Yuma, Arizona, 928-783-4771 Jan. 13-14 Fungus Fair, 10am-5pm, Louden Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz, California, 831-420-6115 Jan. 13-14 Antique Show & Sale, Town Hall, Genoa, California, 775-782-4951 Jan. 13-14 Boca Fest, 10-5, Boca Center, Boca Raton, Florida, 954-472-3755 Jan. 13-14 Tiddlywinks Tournament, MIT, Cambridge, Masachusetts Jan. 13-14 Toy & Hobby Show, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, 919-553-4285 Jan. 13-14 Gun Show, Fairgrounds, Jackson, Tennessee, 563-927-8176 Jan. 14-18 Comedy Festival, Gold Coast, Las Vegas, Nevada, 212-594-5515 Jan. 17-21 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois Jan. 19-21 Del Mar Antique Show & Sale, Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, 800-943-7501 Jan. 19-21 Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show, State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 512-259-1999 Jan. 20 Central Florida Highland Games, Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida, 407-428-7268 Jan. 20-21 Western Americana Show & Auction, Civic Plaza Exhibit Hall D& E, Phoenix, Arizona, 310-202-9010 Jan. 20-21 Delray Festival of the Arts, Pineapple Grove Way, Delray, Florida, 561-279-1380 Jan. 21 Teddy Bear & Doll Show, Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, Ohio, 740-374-1778 Jan. 25-28 Indoor/Outdoor Home Show, Expomart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 800-997-4438 Jan. 26-28 Florida Extravaganza Comic-Con (FX),                    Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, 407-401-9203 or 877-470-2826 Jan. 26-28 Chiller Theatre Expo, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Secaucus, New Jersey Jan. 26-28 Chattacon 32, Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Email Jan. 26-28 Gun Show, Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, Casper, Wyoming Jan. 27-28 Heard Museum Guild Library Book & Art Sale, Phoenix, Arizona, 602-251-0209 Jan. 27-Feb. 4 Louisville Sport, Boat, RV & Vacation Show, Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, Kentucky Jan. 31-Feb. 4 International Power Boat Show, Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
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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!

Ever since William Malmskog and I began a dialogue I've been impressed by his willingness to share openly the details of his life. Most of us hide a lot of our lives from others and present only the parts we can polish and make look acceptable. He isn't afraid to talk about how his difficulties, including physical challenges, have guided him to an increased sense of abilities and possibilities.

I have a special place in my heart for people who allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to show us their pain. But this isn't about being a victim. It's about using adversity as a stepping stone to new challenges and then helping the rest of us do the same. When he sends me welcome updates of what he's been doing I know he's going to bring me something I can bite into and use in my own daily challenges. Please take time to visit his web site and explore the man who calls himself the Crazy Viking.

We've all had our rough times in life, but if you know of a young person currently experiencing difficulties accepting responsibility for his or her actions a wilderness camp might be just the thing to give a new perspective. These are not "boot camps", which have taken some bad press lately. These programs encourage young people to develop skills in teamwork and outdoor activities, learn respect for others and build self-sufficiency and self-respect. The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps maintains a list of current, working camps..
One of the most popular New Year's Resolutions is to exercise more. But the follow-through is not always easy. There are plenty of motivational tips to help you stay on track.		Looking to spend some future travel time in a particular neighborhood or uniquely themed boutique hotel? Check out the reviews and information at Tablet Hotels.
If you've thought about growing your own garden this coming spring but you have little time and patience to devote to cultivation, how about planting something you can harvest and eat in less than three weeks? Spring radishes are ready just that fast. The folks at Hormel have more information on these crispy little speed demons. Don't like their nippy taste on your tongue? You can cook them briefly for milder flavor.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated December 26, 2006

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson