Deb's Monthly Review

January 2008

Editor: Deb Thompson deb@lightpatch.com

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

Happy New Year!

Special Quotation "Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." --Victor Hugo

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: Storyteller.net Articles, event listings, text and audio stories		Handy Site Of The Month: International Home Remedies Project Get advice on everything from blisters to onion tears. Try at your own risk.
	Just Fun Site Of The Month: Kiddie Records Weekly From the 1940s and 1950s		Scientific/Technical Site Of The Month: geo.worldbank.org A mashup with Google Maps to show various World Bank projects

 January 2008 Festivals and Events

Books to help you make more money for travel fun or make the most of the money you already have! Making Your Money Count Buy It, Sell It, Make Money The Naked Truth About Your Money Gold: The Once and Future Money Your Money After the Big 5-0 Show Me the Money Make Your Money Make Money For You

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

January 5, 2008 Winter Festival Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, 2 miles north of town on Hwy. 131 LaFarge, Wisconsin	Archery, warming fires, snow sculpting demonstrations, ice carving demonstrations, skating and skiing, chain saw sculpture demonstrations, sledding, horse-drawn wagon history tour, snowmobile fun run, dog pull, kite flying demo, chili cooking competition, home-made bread contest, candlelight hike/ski in the evening, winter astronomy, dance. Further Information: Call 608-625-2960
January 4-6, 2008 Old Town Jubilee Old Main Street area, Yuma, Arizona	The historic area of downtown is filled with more than 3 blocks of arts and crafts, plus festival foods are on hand and there is plenty of musical entertainment and activities for the kids. Hours are 10am-4pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sunday Get Details: Call 928-782-5712
January 10-13, 2008 Riverwalk Mud Festival various venues along River Walk, San Antonio, Texas	The city's Parks Department drains and then refills the river each year. Once the water is back, the festival begins. Enjoy the Mud Pie Ball, a pub crawl, Mud King pageantry fun, parade, arts and crafts, food and much more. Find Out More: Call 210-227-4262
January 11-12, 2008 Mohican Winter Fest Downtown, Loudonville, Ohio	Many events take place at Central Park. Have fun with horse drawn carriage rides, the Snow Ball Dance on Saturday night, winter hikes through Mohican State Park, ice skating and ice skating lessons, ice carving displays and competitions, skiing, food. Questions? Call 419-994-4789
January 12, 2008 Oatmeal Festival Downtown, Lafayette, Colorado	Plans for this 12th year include the oatmeal bake shop, health fair, activities for kids, blood drive, Quicker Quaker 5K Walk/Run, youth art show, oatmeal baking contest and the big oatmeal breakfast where you can get pancakes, muffins, hot cereal and can add toppoings from more than 140 choices. Breakfast runs from 7:30am-noon at the Pioneer Elementary School on Baseline Road. Further Information: Call 303-926-4352
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January 12-13, 2008 Cape Coral Festival of the Arts Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida	300 juried artists, food, music, activities for kids, sidewalk sales. Hours are 10am-5pm. It's the event's 23rd year. Additional Details: Call 239-945-1988
January 17-20, 2008 Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival City Complex on S. Cypress St., Fellsmere, Florida	Pony rides for the kids, carnival rides and games, Redneck Olympics, arts and crafts, music, unique foods. Learn More: Call 772-571-0150
January 17-20, 2008 Sandpoint Winter Carnival various venues, Sandpoint, Idaho	This 35th year you can enjoy music, fudge making and candy making contests, a spelling contest for grown-ups, Taste of Sandpoint at Cedar St. Bridge Marketplace, K-9 Keg Pull, pizza eating contest, teddy bear contest, fireworks, chili cooking contest. Information: Call 208-255-1876
January 17-21, 2008 Winterfest various venues, Tonawanda, New York	Ice hockey, wine tasting, 3-on-3 hockey tournament, one-pitch softball tournament, senior dance, miniature golf tournament, figure skating exhibition, fireworks, outdoor concert and bonfire, Floating Flicks Night at the Aquatic Fitness Center where you can watch movies while floating on an air mattress or rubber raft (or inner tube). There will also be recreational skating, snowmobile rides, hayrides and an ice sculpting competition. Further Details: Call 716-831-1001
January 18-20, 2008 Fire & Ice Festival Uptown, Somerset, Pennsylvania	Have fun at this 13th year with arts and crafts, ice carving and ice sculptures, food, contests, activities for kids and more. Learn More: Call 814-443-1748
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January 18-20, 2008 Waukesha Jamboree various venues, Waukesha, Wisconsin	Pancake breakfast from 7:30-10:30am at the Schuetze Rec Center, geocaching treasure hunt, stories, horse drawn wagon rides, chili feed, kickball, volleyball, Arctic Golf, senior talent show, 5k run/walk, ice fishing clinic, fireworks, pizza, cross-country ski race, dog pull and more. Questions? Call 282-524-3737
January 18-20, 2008 Flake Out Festival Downtown, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin	It's the festival's 18th year. Celebrate with craft activities for kids, pony rides, food concessions, face painting, turkey bowling, horse drawn wagon rides, State Snow Sculpture Contest, ice carving, kite flying, snowman making, blacksmithing demonstrations, fireworks, arts and crafts. Get The Facts: Call 800-223-3557
January 18-20, 25-26, 2008 Tip-Up Town USA Lake & Shoreline area, Houghton Lake, Michigan	Parade, helicopter rides, ice sculpting contest, fireworks, carnival rides and games, kid's medallion hunt, softball on ice, chainsaw wood carving, tethered balloon rides (weather permitting), winter fashion show, petting zoo, pie eating contest, bubble gum blowing contest, Red Neck Horseshoes, teen dance, poker run, tennis ball throw, tire roll, bed races, ice slide, turkey bowling, Polar Bear Dip, arts and crafts, sack races, beverage tent, entertainment and more. Find Out More: Call 989-366-5544 or 800-248-5253
January 18-26, 2008 Stowe Winter Carnival Main Street, Stowe, Vermont	Youth hockey tournament, Snowgolf Calcutta, Block Party on Main, kids' carnival, snow volleyball tournament, ice carving, movies, chicken pie church supper on Saturday at the Community Church with seatings at 5:30 and 6:30pm, ski races. This is the event's 34th year. Questions? Call 802-253-7321 or 800-247-8693
January 19, 2008 Winter Carnival Perrins Field, Civic Center, City Hall lawn, Deer Park, Washington	Frostbite 5K Fun Run, chili cook-off, activities for kids, outhouse race, vendors, broomball, fireworks, karaoke contest, community dance, metal detector treasure hunt, snowmobile show, snow softball tournament. Learn More: Call 866-898-2768
January 19-20, 2008 Street Fair 2nd Street & Florence, downtown, Casa Grande, Arizona	Car & bike show on Saturday, more than 150 arts and crafts booths, display of the Paint-A-Brella contest entries, historic bike tour, food court, music. Hours are 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. The festival is celebrating its 8th year of fun. Get The Facts: Call 520-836-8744 or 800-916-1515
January 19-20, 2008 Ice Fest Front Street Park, Leavenworth, Washington	Snowy tug of war, ice cube hunt for kids (with cash inside cubes), music, Great Smooching Race (4-person teams strap onto one pair of skis and race against other teams), snow sculptures and more. Additional Details: Call 509-548-5807
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Janaury 20-27, 2008 Winter Rec Festival Various area parks, LaCrosse, Wisconsin	Medallion hunt, scrabble tournament, rock n' roll party, figure skating events, ice fishing derby, torchlight ski hike, euchre tournament, hockey, skate party, softball, volleyball, fireworks, kids' carnival, kids' snow sculpture contest. Details: Call 608-784-4880 or 608-789-7533
January 20-March 3, 2008 Pittsfield Winter Carnival various venues, Pittsfield, Massachusetts	Events are on weekends and include a queen pageant and queen's ball, toboggan races, speed skating, snow sculpting, Anything Goes slide (cardboard, sleds, inner tubs) to slide down the hill and more. Learn More: Call 413-499-9378
January 22-26, 2008 Winter Fest various venues, Newaygo, Michigan	Ice fishing contest, wine tasting, snowmobile run, chicken bowling, dinner dance, euchre tournament, games for the kids, chili making contest, dart tournament, Extreme Plunge into Hess Lake, raffle, karaoke. Questions? Call 231-652-9489 or 231-652-3068
January 23-24, 2008 Washington's Birthday Celebration various venues, Laredo, Texas	Taste of Laredo, Jalapeno Festival, Family Fun Fest, carnival, comedy shows, parade, wine tasting, Jamboozie, health fair, Air Force Band of the West concert, theatre, air show, 5K run, fireworks. Some events may require separate reservations and/or fees. Get The Facts: Call 956-722-0589
January 23- February 3, 2008 St. Paul Winter Carnival various venues, St. Paul, Minnesota	King Boreas must defeat Vulcanus Rex so that the whole winter celebration can go on. Expect pageantry, including the King Boreas Grande Day Parade and a royal ball. But there are plenty of other activities too, such as snow and ice sculptures, fireworks, cultural dance and storytelling, torchlight parades, Securian Frozen 4K & Half-Marathon, Disc Sports Festival, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, weather education exhibit and lots of yummy casseroles in the Hot Dish Tent. Further Details: Call 651-223-4700
January 24-27 2008 Winterfest In & around Downtown, Blowing Rock, North Carolina	Chili cooking contest, ice carving competition, hot chocolate, hayrides, pancake breakfast (Sunday 8:30am-1:30pm at Blowing Rock School Cafeteria on Morris Street), Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, merchant specials, activities for kids, dusk bonfire in Memorial Park (weather permitting) with S'Mores and toasted marshmallows, wine tasting and wine auction, bluegrass music, blues concert, raffles, silent auction. Come and get in on this 10th year of fun. Info: Call 826-295-7851
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 25-27, 2008 Yuma Lettuce Days Historic downtown, Yuma, Arizona	Flag raising ceremony, agriculture fields bus tours, Lettuce Box Derby, arts and crafts, activities for kids, lots of salad and other festival foods. It's the festival's 10th year. General hours are 10am-4pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sunday. Find Out More: Call 928-783-3061
January 25-February 3, 2008 Winter Carnival various veneus, McCall, Idaho	In its 43rd year the festival offers a casino night, monster dog pulls, ski events, teen dance, snow sculptures, food court, pancake breakfast (Jan. 26 from 8-10am and Feb. 1 from 8-11am), Children's Neon Lights Parade, masquerade ball, Little Ski Hill Torch Parade, Mardi Gras Parade Jan. 26 at noon, snowmobile fun run, Eastern Star pancake breakfast (Jan. 27 from 8am-noon and Feb. 3 from 8am-noon), snowman building contest, cartoons for the kids, chili feed, theatre. And we can't leave out the popular men's beauty contest with competitions for hairy legs and other categories. Polish off all this with fireworks and you have a festival with something for everyone. Additional Details: Call 208-834-7631 or 800-260-5130
January 26, 2008 Kumquat Festival Pasco Fairgrounds & downtown, Dade City, Florida	Arts and crafts, kumquat dishes, entertainment on several stages, merchant specials, Citrus Quilt Challenge, car show, pageant, recipe contest, grower info, festival foods. Questions? Call 352-567-3769
January 26, 2008 Chillfest Mill Creek Park, Chatfield, Minnesota	Dessert bar competition, salsa contest, chili feed, 1850s historical encampment, dog sleds (weather permitting), turkey bowling, Hostess Snowball eating contest, games and more. Further Details: Call 507-259-6902 or 507-867-4080
January 26, 2008 Texas Citrus Festival Downtown, Mission, Texas	Golf tournament, Vaquero Cook Off, fun fair with food vendors and entertainment from 10am-10pm, a lighted parade at 6:45pm (in place of the former noon parade), activities for kids, Fiesta Fun Run, costume style show with citrus ingredients and elements as wearable art, royal court pageantry. Info: Call 956-585-9724
January 26, 2008 Winterfest on Broadway Broadway District, Green Bay, Wisconsin	Beer barrel racing, Eskimo games, cookie decorating, ice sculpting, dunk tank with local celebrities, chili cook-off with chili available for festival-goers. More: Call 920-437-2531
January 26, 2008 Winter Carnival Opera House on High Street, Mineral Point, Wisconsin	Bonfire, fireworks, snow sculpting, ice carving, tubing, Cornish hen curling, cross-country skiing, sled races, kite flying, ice golf, frozen pastry toss and more. Get Details: Call 888-764-6894
January 26, 2008 Chill Out Arbor Vitae Community Bldg., Minocqua, Wisconsin	Cook out, Kitty Cat snowmobile races, bonfire on the ice with S'Mores, ice fishing tournament, activities for kids, raffles and more. Further Information: Call 715-356-5266 or 800-446-6784
January 26, 2008 Jack Frost Fest 122 River Street, Spooner, Wisconsin	Ice fishing contest, rib cooking contest, cartoons for the kids, chili cooking contest, games, antique snowmobiles, winter golf tournament, carriage rides. General hours are 9am-4pm. Get The Facts: Call 800-367-3306
January 26-February 3, 2008 Ole & Lena Days various venues, Granite Falls, Minnesota	Frozen lefse flinging contest, medallion hunt, snow games and activities, arts and crafts, plenty of Scandinavian foods. Find Out More: Call 320-564-4039
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January 30-February 3, 2008 Snowdown Winter Festival various venues, Durango, Colorado	Snowdown Follies, balloon rally, Cat-apult Contest, Jokedown, Outlaw Josie Pete's Golf Tournament, broomball, 3-on-3 basketball, more. Questions? Call 970-247-3435
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.
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January Somethings! Brief, bare-boned last-minute festival listings:
Jan. 12-13, 19-20 Medieval Faire, Veterans Park, Lehigh Acres, Florida, 239-693-8036 Jan. 17-27 Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah, 877-733-7829 Jan. 18-20 International Balloon Festival, Bluff, Utah, 435-672-2341 Jan. 18-21 Morro Bay Bird Festival, Morro Bay, California, 805-772-4467 Jan. 19-20 Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival,                    Convention Center at 40th & Bay, Ocean City, Maryland, 410-524-9177 Jan. 23-February 2 Taos Winter Wine Festival, Taos, New Mexico, 866-968-7386 Jan. 25-27 Winter Fest, Community Park area, Delavan, Wisconsin, 800-624-0052 Jan. 26-February 5 Flurry Fest, Bismarck, North Dakota, 701-222-0615
Other January 2008 Events You Might Enjoy Events in this section may also be called festivals but are generally less multi-dimensional than events in the above category
Jan. 1-3 Antique Sporting and Collectible Show, Sunnyview Expo Center, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 920-337-0113 Jan. 4-13 Houston Boat Show, The Reliant Center, Houston, Texas, 713-526-6361 Jan. 5 Fruitcake Toss, 9:30am-2pm, Memorial Park, Manitou Springs, Colorado, 719-685-5089 or 800-642-2567 Jan. 5-6 Northeast Motorcycle Expo, Expo Center, Hartford, Connecticut, 978-688-8888 Jan. 5-13 RV Show, Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 724-446-1046 Jan. 7-10 The Home Entertainment Show, St. Tropez Hotel & Alexis Park Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, 702-242-4545 Jan. 5 Swapfest (Ham Radio/Computer & Electronics, County Expo Center on Northview Rd., Waukesha, Wisconsin, 414-425-3644 Jan. 7-16 World Championship Snowmobile Derby, Eagle River, Wisconsin, 715-479-4424 Jan. 11-13 Quilt Festival, Convention Center, Tuscon, Arizona, 520-498-4698 Jan. 11-13 Gem-Jewelry-Bead Show, Municipal Auditorium on Tamiami Tr. (Hwy. 41), Sarasota, Florida, 941-954-0202 Jan. 11-31 The Main Event, Quartzite, Arizona, 928-927-5213 Jan. 12-13 Gathering of the Gunfighters, Territorial State Prison State Park, Yuma, Arizona, 928-783-4771 Jan. 12-13 Fungus Fair, 10am-5pm, Louden Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz, California, 831-420-6115 Jan. 12-13 Cable Air Show, 8am-4pm, Cable Airport, Upland, California, 909-982-6021 Jan. 12-13 Boca Fest, 10am-5pm, Boca Center on Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida, 954-472-3755 Jan. 12-13 Toy & Hobby Show, State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, 919-553-4285 Jan. 12-13 Gun Show, Fairgrounds, Jackson, Tennessee, 563-927-8176 Jan. 12-13 Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival, Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, 541-574-8000 Jan. 12-13 Dallas Comic-Con, Civic Center, Richardson, Texas Jan. 15-18 California International Antiquarian Book Fair, Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, 415-962-2500 or 800-454-6041 Jan. 15-18 Macworld Expo, Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, 800-645-3976 Jan. 16-20 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois Jan. 18-20 Del Mar Antique Show & Sale, Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, 800-943-7501 Jan. 18-20 Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show, State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 512-259-1999 Jan. 18-27 Milwaukee Boat Show, Wisconsin Expo Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 616-447-2860 Jan. 19-20 Delray Beach Art Festival, Atlantic Avenue, Delray, Florida, 954-472-3755 Jan. 19-20 Central Florida Highland Games, Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida, 407-428-7268 Jan. 19-20 Gun Show, State Fairgrounds (Fine Arts Bldg.), Rapid City, South Dakota, 605-341-4720 (eve.) Jan. 19-20 Bear & Doll Show, Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, Ohio, 743-374-1778 Jan. 19-20 StampScrapArtTour, Convention Center, Mesquite, Texas, 727-644-0590 Jan. 20 Weatherfest (7th), noon-4pm, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 617-227-2425 Jan. 24-27 Indoor/Outdoor Home Show, Expomart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, 800-997-4438 Jan. 25-26 Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival, Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, California, 541-574-8000 Jan. 25-27 Florida Extravaganza Comic-Con (FX),                    Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, 407-401-9203 or 877-470-2626 Jan. 25-27 Chattacon 33, Chattanooga Choo-Choo, Chattanooga, Tennessee Jan. 26-27 Western Americana Show & Auction, Convention Center (Halls F & G), Phoenix, Arizona, 310-202-9010 Jan. 26-27 Heard Museum Guild Library Book Sale & Treasure Hunt, 9am-5pm & 10am-4pm, Phoenix, Arizona, 602-251-0209 Jan. 26-27 Tiddlywinks Tournament, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 607-342-3402 Jan. 26-February 3 Louisville Sport, Boat, RV & Vacation Show, Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 502-935-4141
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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: Feather Choker Necklace

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.

If you have hair that's long, coarse, thick or just plain hard to manage, you may find some relief with Mane 'n Tail Products. The conditioner is particular great for helping to get a comb through wet hair. If you can't find Mane 'n Tail items locally you can purchase the products such as Mane 'n Tail Conditioner through Amazon.com.
Save your eggshells and start your flower seeds early this spring. You can plant them in the ground later, shell and all.		From Dear Abby columns to comics to business news, you can get free Email newsletters on a daily basis.
What were those folks thinking who let themselves get caught up in the subprime mortgage madness? There are some simple steps you can take to calculate your ability to pay a mortgage. Check out CNNMoney.com's Affordable Home Calculator.

Send Deb email: deb@lightpatch.com

Last Updated December 26, 2007

Deb's Monthly Review © copyright Deb Thompson