Fernwood hosts workshops ........... p.2

Handmade holiday funRussian ballet at LMC ...................p.8Art on stage

www.offthewater.com

FREE

Week of December 4-10, 2014 Volume 6, Number 49Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

1

Santa SightingsPlenty of

chances to meet St. Nick this

holiday season

Page 2 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

2

Give Your Loved Ones The Freedom To Safely

Live At HomeAt Home Care Assistance, we strive to provide the best service and our efforts don’t go unnoticed. We are proud to be recognized by Home Care Pulse as a Best of Home Care - Endorsed National Provider.

Kalamazoo269-384-6000

St. Joseph269-983-0005

South Bend574-289-4444

www.homecareassistance.com

East Main Gardens Florist1521 E. Main St. • Niles, MI

(269) 683-8000 • (800) 924-7525

www.EastMainGardensFlorist.comShop Locally. Live Colorfully.

When you say it with

f lowers, say it with ours.

GET OUT!

Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit

Looking for a fun activity that involves the whole family? Enter Fernwood’s gin-gerbread house contest! Categories include children, adult amateur, and pro-fessional. Visit http://tinyurl.com/mu5wugj or call for guidelines and bring your completed house to Fernwood by Wednesday, Dec. 3. Come see the houses on exhibit through Dec. 21. Free with paid Fernwood admission. There is no contest entry fee.

“Grown Up” GreensFriday, Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.

A new Fernwood offering—create your holiday greens with friends while enjoy-ing seasonal cocktails, music, and a “fes-tive” sweater contest. Make one large or two small wreaths as time permits. $50 (Members $40).

Mini-Greens Wreath WorkshopSaturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to noon

Fernwood’s experienced instructors will help visitors make a holiday wreath in this mini-session. $20 (Members $16).

Traditional Holiday Greens Session Sunday, Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This workshop is so popular that an-other session has been added. Make up to three greens projects with Fernwood’s ex-perienced instructors in this all-day ses-sion. $60 (Members $48).

Holiday Wine and WreathsBring your holiday party to Fernwood!

New this year, Fernwood is offering an exclusive holiday experience people won’t soon forget, perfect for family, friends and coworkers. Guests will create a custom wreath with the help of professional Fernwood instructors.

Seasonal refreshments and beverages are included. Gatherings may be scheduled between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., through Dec. 19. Choose either the Holly Package or the Jolly Package.

The Holly Package includes one bever-age and food item, and each person makes one wreath or holiday piece for $20 per person (up to six people), or $15 per person (six people or more). Couples can make one wreath or holiday piece for $30 per couple (up to six people) or $22 per couple (six people or more).

The Jolly Package is the ultimate fes-tive experience with a variety of beverag-es and food items included for $35 per person (up to six people), or $26 per per-son (six people or more). Couples can make a wreath or holiday piece for $60 per couple (up to six people), or $45 per couple (six people or more). Contact Fernwood at (269) 695-6491 to make your reservation today!

Living OrnamentsSunday, December 7, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

Create unique living decorations for the holidays that will be the talk of the town in this fun workshop. Class fee includes mate-rials to create three ornaments. $30

(Members $24) Register by Dec. 5.

Fernwood Photography ClubSunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.

The photography club is open to all ages and levels of experience. The club is non-competitive and low-key, with a focus on fun! These gatherings combine a one-hour indoor meeting followed by an out-door photo shoot. There is no fee for the club, but Fernwood membership or admis-sion fees apply.

Owen Deutsch: Birds of the Americas Exhibit Concluding

Exhibit Ends on Sunday Dec. 7Photographer Owen Deutsch is exhib-

iting some of his favorite prints of birds from the Americas in Fernwood’s Gallery through Dec. 7. In addition, 25 of his prints are on exhibit at Tabula Rasa Gallery, 8918 First Street, Baroda, Michigan, during the same time period.

Get out of the house with these holiday activities

Winter fun at Fernwood

Fernwood offers many opportunities to create holiday wreaths.Submitted photo

See FERNWOOD page 3

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember4-10,2014•Page 3

3

95% of Our Decorator & Upholstery Fabrics are 50% to 90% Off Retail

Lemon Creek Fabrics

Downtown Berrien Springs, MI 49103 269-473-2201

Open Sunday thru Thursday Closed Friday & Saturday

Closed the Month of DecemberReopen in January 2015

FabricsCurrent Designer

Closeouts & Excess GoodsHome Dec Fabrics • Trims Woollens • Linens • Silks • Bridal Laces • Veils

119 W. Ferry St.

All are welcome to worship with us.Cass Fellowship

Bible ChurchPastor Richard Doran

(269) 274-572664016 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031

(269) 445-2195Sunday School: Sunday 9:30 amChurch Service: Sunday 10:30 am and Wednesday 7 pm

Chapin Mansion opens holiday open houseNILES, Mich. —

The Chapin Mansion and Fort

St. Joseph Museum will host annual Christmas Open House events from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6.

There is no admission fee for either open house.

The Chapin Mansion, located at the corner of Fifth and Main Streets, is beautifully decorated in a Victorian Christmas holi-day theme. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the decorations and learn the history of each room as described by the Chapin Mansion docents. Jill and Lyle Van Lew will be dressed in Victorian period attire and talk to visitors about Christmas customs from the Victorian era.

The butler’s pantry and

kitchen will be filled with items created by local artists available for purchase. The gift shop will also include several signed Tommy James records, books and CDs. Proceeds from gift shop sales will benefit the Chapin Mansion R e s t o r a t i o n Project.

Many area businesses and organizations have part-nered with Chapin Mansion to create the beautiful dec-orations seen throughout the house. Sponsors include: Niles Art Association, A. Casperson Books, Andrews Tax and

Accounting, Brown Funeral Home, Forever Young Publishers, Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union, Niles Downtown Development Authority, Niles Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild,

Niles Styles, Pizza Transit, PSI IOTA XI, Sentiments, Target, Veni’s Sweet Shop and 1st Source Bank.

A Victorian Christmas is also the theme for the Fort St. Joseph Museum Christmas open house. There will be activities for children of all ages includ-ing crafts and a booklet filled with fun things to do and information about Christmas customs in the Victorian era. Each child will also receive a bag of treats to take home.

Local Girl Scouts will be singing Christmas car-ols and members of the Brandywine High School History Club will be help-ing at the craft tables.

For further information, email cbainbridge@niles-mi.org or view our website: www.nileshistorycenter.org.

Owen’s photos are fre-quently found on the National Geographic web-site celebrating top bird photos, and his image of a bald eagle chasing a great blue heron was named a North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) 2011 Top 10 Showcase Winner.

The photo also was cited in a USA Today March 2014 article for the excite-ment it caused in birding circles. A prolific bird pho-tographer who has photo-graphed hundreds of rare species, Deutsch is dedicat-ed to their preservation. Deutsch is donating his commissions to the American Bird Conservancy to support bird conserva-tion. See the exhibit through

December 7. Free with paid Fernwood admission.

About Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve

Fernwood is a special place where nature blends with gardens and art to cre-ate an experience of wonder for all ages. Fernwood com-prises 105 acres on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan, Michigan, at 13988 Range

Line Road, Niles. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.. The Fernwood Café is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. Fernwood is closed on Mondays. Call (269) 695-6491 or visit www.fernwood-botanical.org for more infor-mation and to confirm status of classes.

FERNWOODcontinued from page 2

Name: ____________________Grade: _____

School: ____________________________

Use the space provided to the left to send us your Letter to Santa

We will publish the letters in a special edition on December 18th in Off The Water.

Letters can be mailed to:

Letters to Santa217 North 4th StreetNiles, MI 49120

Letters must be received no later than Monday, Dec. 8th

217 North 4th Street, Niles, MI 49120 • 269-683-2100

For advertisements or holiday greetings in this special section, please contact Sherina Gonzalez at 269-687-7728

LeaderPublicationsLeaderpub.com

Send us yourLetters To Santa

Send us yourLetters To Santa

Page 4 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

4

Robert Swan and Harbor Country Opera present Christmas at the Acorn

THREE OAKS, Mich. — Harbor Country Opera returns to the Acorn Theater for the 10th anniversary of its beloved Christmas show Saturday, Dec. 20.

Each Christmas we try to find fresh new songs people haven’t heard before, or favorites that we have somehow missed,” Robert Swan said. “You won’t have to look far to find the eclectic concoction of humor and beauty to be found Saturday evening the 20th at the Acorn.”

As usual, there are plenty of opportunities for the audience to join in song, with selections like We Three Kings, Silent Night, and White Christmas. And a touch of Santa and Rudolph, not to mention plenty of free hot roasted chestnuts.

Music is good for the soul, and so is laughter. Visitors will be treated to great Christmas music, beautifully sung and generous helpings of laughter, with per-haps a touch of mulled wine or hot buttered rum, and a special sense of com-munity that never fails to brighten the season. Organizers say this is what HCO’s Christmas at the Acorn is all about.

The show begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Saturday, Dec. 20th. Tickets at $25 are available at harborcountryopera.org, or by calling (269) 231-0027. Tickets are also available at acorntheater.com or 269-756-3879.

Comedian Frank Caliendo performing at Four WindsNEW BUFFALO, Mich. — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four

Winds casinos announced recently an upcoming performance by comedian Frank Caliendo at Four Winds New Buffalo’s Silver Creek Event Center on

Friday, March 27, 2015, at 9 p.m. Eastern.Tickets for the event can be purchased beginning on Friday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.

Eastern exclusively through the Ticketmaster website, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800)745-3000. Ticket prices start at $40 plus applicable fees.

Frank Caliendo is known across the world for his humorous impressions of celebri-ties, athletes and politicians.

His high energy act is filled with an assortment of impersonations, characters and anecdotal stories that start at a frenetic pace and never let up. For 10 years, he appeared on “FOX NFL Sunday” and can now be seen on various ESPN programs including “Sportscenter” and “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Frank has also made numerous appear-ances on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Conan O’Brien,” “The View,” and “Comedy Central Presents.” More information on Frank Caliendo is avail-able at www.frankcaliendo.com.

Four Winds New Buffalo’s Silver Creek Event Center is a 1,500 seat, multi-use facility that is located next to the casino floor. In addition to hosting concerts, the 17,000 sq. ft. event center can be reconfigured to host a variety of meetings, special events, conferences, and banquets. Details on concerts at Silver Creek Event Center are available at www.fourwindscasino.com/events.

Reservations and Information To make a hotel reservation at Four Winds New Buffalo or for more information on

Four Winds New Buffalo, Four Winds Hartford., or Four Winds Dowagiac., please call 1 (866)-4WINDS1, (866)494-6371 or visit www.fourwindscasino.com. Additionally, be sure to like Four Winds on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fourwindscasino and follow on Twitter Twitter.com/fourwindscasino for information on the latest offers and promotions.

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember4-10,2014•Page 5

5

SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOWKATHY MATTEA: SONGS AND THE SEASONSunday, December 14, 2014, 4 p.m.

$32 $35 $39 $48Kathy Mattea, known for her Top 20 country radio hits “Where’ve You Been?” and “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” will add a new layer of artistic and spiritual growth to the long tradition of holiday music with her Songs and the Season program: a thoughtful blend of old favorites and music from her celebrated holiday albums, Joy For Christmas Day, and the Grammy winning Good News. Kathy says Songs and the Season is “more about the spiritual side of Christmas, and not so much about the holiday” – and the result is a performance that will bring both joy and reverence to this season of celebration. Kathy is long known as an impeccable song catcher. Her 17 albums have garnered multiple CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards.

www.lmcmainstage.org/matteaCash bar available at 3 p.m. Country

FOCUS

Candle-light Christmas Parade this FridayDOWAGIAC, Mich. — “Oyez,

Oyez, Oyez!” Or, more common-ly spoken, “Hear ye, Hear ye!”

These or similar words are apt to be heard, echoing through the streets of downtown Dowagiac, as families gather Friday evening for Dowagiac’s Candle-light Christmas Parade, presented by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

Inspired by the Victorian-era, Dowagiac resident Jim Torbet will roam the side-walks spreading holiday cheer and free candy canes to passersby from 6 to 6:45 p.m. The Victorian-era inspired gentle-man returns at 7 p.m., sounding his hand-bell, as he rounds the corner of Main and Front streets to lead the 111-unit holiday procession that encircles the central busi-ness district.

Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, who co-chaired the parade with Chamber president Kim MacGregor, said Torbet has announced the start of the parade with his hand-bell for the past several years.

MacGregor, who is a financial adviser with Edward Jones, will be sharing the master of ceremonies seat with Chamber member Mike Caldwell of Leader Publications.

Though Dowagiac’s town crier is not apt to wear the white breeches, black

boots and a tricorne hat, which his prede-cessors of the 18th Century wore, his tall black hat, trimmed with a sprig of holly, his matching dress coat and his tolling hand-bell, will likely make him easy to spot among Friday evening’s crowd.

Phillipson said town criers typically carried a hand-bell with them to attract the public’s attention, as they shouted the words “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” before mak-ing their public announcement. Prior to newspapers, radio and, of course, today’s social media, in Medieval England, town criers relayed the important news of the day to people throughout town, many of whom could not read or write. Royal proclamations and market day advertise-ments were often presented by a town crier.

Dowagiac’s 33rd-annual Christmas parade has been underwritten by Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and these corpo-rate sponsors: Burling & Gillesby DDS, Chemical Bank, Clark Chapel, Family Fare, Front Street Crossing, Mahar Insurance, The Timbers of Cass County and Vylonis Contracting.

McGregor said pre-parade entertain-ment and the annual tree-lighting begins at 6:15 p.m. at Beckwith Park at the corner of Front and Beeson streets, where mem-bers of ACTION Chorale will present Christmas classics, followed by the holi-day performance of Positively Dance.

Made In MichigianExceptional Holiday Gifts

Numerous Gourmet Items

OliveCart.com

FREE GIFT BASKET &

WRAPPING!* WITh comPARABlE PRoducT PuRchASE

424 Phoenix Rd. South Haven421 State Street St. Joseph

Page 6 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

7

Winter

134-136 S. Front Street • Dowagiac, MI (269) 782-0007 • www.woodfiredining.com

WOOD FIRE

$12 Special

Sunday – Thursday: 4pm-9pm

Choose fromChicken Florentine • Italian Pot Roast

Pork Tenderloin • Cedar Planked SalmonCrab Encrusted Barramundi

ON DISPLAY

Benton Harbor to be treated with ‘Sights and Sounds of Chrismas’BENTON HARBOR — ArtsBridge, a celebration of

the arts right in your neighborhood, presents “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” on Sunday, Dec.

7, 2014, 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 475 Green Avenue on Morton Hill in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

The first half of the program will feature Christmas music by Lake Effect Winds, a woodwind quintet. The quintet will perform Christmas Greetings, Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, He Shall Feed His Flock, French Carols, In the Bleak Midwinter, American Christmas Folk Music Suite, “March” from The Nutcracker Suite, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The second half of the program will feature special music by pianist/vocalist David Brock and vocalists Jolita Burton and Stephen Jones. There will also be an exhibit by the Morton Montessori Elementary art stu-dents.

Admission is free, but there will be a freewill offering. “In a community that is often known for its racial and

socio-economic divisions, ArtsBridge provides a safe space where people can come together through the cre-ative and performing arts. There is incredible talent throughout our community. What a joy to share in it together,” said Pastor Laurie Hartzell about ArtsBridge.

After the program, attendees are invited to stay for a meal prepared by Jennifer Van Beek’s “Eclectic” cater-ing consisting of hearty soup, homemade bread, plenty of salad and dessert. There is a $10 suggested donation for this meal and all money raised will go to the church building’s renovation fund.

Children 5 and under are free. For details call (269) 925-7075 or visit on Facebook: First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor.

Members of Lake Effect Winds all reside in the Southwest Michigan area.

Jan Street of Berrien Springs plays flute. She is a reading intervention teacher at the Arts and Communication Academy in Benton Harbor. Jan plays with the St. Joseph Municipal Band and the Southshore Concert Band.

Ruthann Adams of Edwardsburg plays oboe. She is a massage therapist and owner of Adams Therapeutic Massage in Edwardsburg. Ruthann also works part time as a medical technologist at Elkhart General Hospital. She does freelance oboe performances in Michiana and has played with the St. Joseph Municipal Band.

Melody Prather of St. Joseph plays clarinet. She is the piano accompanist for the St. Joseph High School Choirs, the clarinet Artist in Residence for the St. Joseph Bands and a substitute teacher in the St. Joseph Public Schools. Melody plays in the St. Joseph Municipal Band and has performed with the Andrews University Orchestra.

DeLain Bomer of Sister Lakes plays French horn.

DeLain currently has his own appliance repair business, teaches at Lake Michigan College and gives private horn lessons. He is a member of the St. Joseph Municipal Band, the Southshore Concert Band and Pernassis Chamber Orchestra.

Lisa Bubar of St. Joseph plays bassoon. Lisa teaches private bassoon lessons to students throughout southwest Michigan. She performs with the St. Joseph Municipal Band and the Andrews University Orchestra where she is adjunct faculty. Lisa has also performed with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the Whiting Festival Orchestra in Whiting, IN and Vesper Chamber Orchestra in South Bend, Indiana.

David Brock grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan. At the age of six David’s mother, Doris Mary Brock, taught him and his siblings how to sing. The family attended the Church of Christ in Benton Harbor where David first heard gospel music. He also learned to play “Silent Night” on a toy chord organ and quickly learned other styles of music such as Motown music by listening to the radio and records. David also attended the Second Baptist Church led by the late Reverend Donald B. Atkins where he performed on the piano and organ for the first time in 1972. People immediately recognized David’s musical talent and he has been performing ever since. In fact, David has been playing the piano and sing-ing at weddings and receptions since age 16.

For three years, David accompanied the IUSB Gospel Choir. From 2012 through 2013 he was director of the IUSB Gospel Choir and composed gospel music for the

choir to perform. He also served as pianist and assistant music teacher at Benton Harbor High School for many years. For the past 13 years, David has served as Associate Minister and organist for the Bread of Life Missionary Baptist Church in Benton Harbor. On Saturday mornings, he performs on the organ and piano at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Highland Avenue in Benton Harbor. David is also the piano accompanist for Lake Michigan College’s gospel choir. He continues to offer private lessons in voice and key-board theory. David is an amazing performer and a dedi-cated music teacher for 46 years.

Jolita Burton and David Brock have been lifelong friends and have performed together through the years. She is a member of and sings in the choir at Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministry Church of God and Christ (COGIC) in Benton Harbor where Melvin Burton, her brother-in-law is the minister and her husband Maurice Burton is the assistant minister. Jolita is also a member of Lake Michigan College’s Gospel Choir. Jolita is also a successful entrepreneur with her soul purpose lifestyle business called “Elect Image,” which focuses on health, wellness, and fitness.

Stephen Jones and David Brock are also longtime friends and have performed together. Steve has been a member and Assistant Minister of Music at Destiny Worship Center in Chicago for the past seven years (2007-present) where he collaborates with the Minister of Music Donald Woods and Pastor DeAndre Patterson.

MathHelp

K-12 Math Enrichment

TestPrep

HomeworkHelp

Get ready. Get set. Get ahead.

888-850-MATHMathnasium.com/GrangerHeritage Square

Now enrolling for winter.

MathHelp

K-12 Math Enrichment

TestPrep

HomeworkHelp

Get ready. Get set. Get ahead.

888-850-MATHMathnasium.com/GrangerHeritage Square

Now enrolling for winter.

Get ready.Get set. Get ahead.

Submitted photo

ArtsBridge is made up of musicians from all over Michiana.

Well, round one of the holidays is over. Thanksgiving

binge: check! While I actu-ally worked out everyday I was home in Michigan for the holiday, I still managed to eat and drink my way from couch to couch to such a degree that I feel pretty gross today.

I got up early this morn-ing and headed to the store to stock up on greens and veggies for smoothies, sal-ads and healthy clean din-ners at home.

I realized I have 23 days until I leave for my family Christmas in Key West, and I want to feel great on the beach. I may be the whitest person there, but I’m still going to look my best in a bikini! I’m mak-ing a vow not to give in to the holiday gluttony.

Since I’ve committed to amping up my healthy eat-ing and exercise regime this holiday season, I thought it might help to keep others motivated if I share what I’m doing to stay fit and healthy. Throughout the month of December I will be keeping an online health and fitness journal on my web site: www.katshotcakes.com. I’ve already posted my workout plans and meals since Monday, Dec. 1. I will share tips, stories, and photos of my commitment to staying fit this month.

There’s no rule that says you have to gain weight during the holidays. Sure, it’s a very busy time of year. There are treats and temptations everywhere you turn, but if you commit to keeping yourself healthy, allow a bonbon here and there rather than stuffing yourself consistently, and schedule exercise time, you can do it! You don’t have to start the new year feeling beat up and bloated. Coming up with a consis-tent, year-round plan will keep the yo-yo at bay.

So how do you do it? How do you navigate through Christmas cookies, crusty quiches, and cock-tails? First and foremost:

See CHRISTMAS page 7

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember4-10,2014•Page 7

Benton Harbor to be treated with ‘Sights and Sounds of Chrismas’

6

Sponsored by

THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS

DON QUIXOTESaturday, January 10, 2015, 4 p.m.

$34 $39 $45 Based on an episode from Miguel de Cervantes’ famous novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha, the story follows its title hero, a middle-aged country gentleman absorbed with tales of chivalry, who sets out to defend virtue and punish those who violate the code of honor. A dance-packed feast of comedy, drama, romance, intrigue, betrayal, and fantasy, Minkus’ rousing score endows each scene with rich atmosphere. With a company boasting more than 50 dancers of singular instruction and vast experience, the Russian National Ballet Theatre delivers exquisite storytelling through the time-honored art of dance, demonstrating the best in ballet artistry.

www.lmcmainstage.org/balletCash bar available at 3 p.m.

COLUMNIST

Kat BarryKat's Hot Talk

A healthy holidayWell, round one of

the holidays is over. Thanksgiving

binge: check! While I actu-ally worked out everyday I was home in Michigan for the holiday, I still managed to eat and drink my way from couch to couch to such a degree that I feel pretty gross today.

I got up early this morn-ing and headed to the store to stock up on greens and veggies for smoothies, sal-ads and healthy clean din-ners at home.

I realized I have 23 days until I leave for my family Christmas in Key West, and I want to feel great on the beach. I may be the whitest person there, but I’m still going to look my best in a bikini! I’m mak-ing a vow not to give in to the holiday gluttony.

Since I’ve committed to amping up my healthy eat-ing and exercise regime this holiday season, I thought it might help to keep others motivated if I share what I’m doing to stay fit and healthy. Throughout the month of December I will be keeping an online health and fitness journal on my web site: www.katshotcakes.com. I’ve already posted my workout plans and meals since Monday, Dec. 1. I will share tips, stories, and photos of my commitment to staying fit this month.

There’s no rule that says you have to gain weight during the holidays. Sure, it’s a very busy time of year. There are treats and temptations everywhere you turn, but if you commit to keeping yourself healthy, allow a bonbon here and there rather than stuffing yourself consistently, and schedule exercise time, you can do it! You don’t have to start the new year feeling beat up and bloated. Coming up with a consis-tent, year-round plan will keep the yo-yo at bay.

So how do you do it? How do you navigate through Christmas cookies, crusty quiches, and cock-tails? First and foremost:

plan ahead! Today I did two key things that will help me maintain/ achieve beach body bliss:

1. I went to the store.I spent about $40 on

organic produce and wine from a local market and now I have supplies to make smoothies and cook at home as much as possi-ble this week. With a pleth-ora of social engagements around the corner, you just have to eat at home or at your desk whenever you don’t have plans to go out. This will not only keep you healthier, but will save you lots of money this spend-thrift season.

Taking the planning to the next level, when I got home from the store I made enough green smoothie to have my breakfast for three days. I also bought some mixed nuts and avocados for healthy, filling snacks between meals. Never get-ting too hungry is really important! You don’t want to starve yourself all day because you’re busy then pig out on potato chips or rolls because you’re losing your mind with hunger. Have healthy snacks with you at all times, especially during the holidays!

After I made my smoothies, I made a Clean Green Saute. You can find the recipe on my site or on Off the Water’s website. This is a super healthy, clean dish that can be reheated later in the week for lunch at my desk or a dinner on the fly. I have loads of recipes like this one, so please search my article archive on the paper’s web site or on mine.

Think about what you have going on the coming week and really try to plan your meals in vs out around it. Your waistline and wal-let will thank me.

2. I spent about five minutes looking over yoga, dance, and swim schedules alongside my work and social obligations to come up with a fitness plan for the week. Then, I put each class or workout I want to

make in my calendar just as I would an important pro-fessional meeting or dead-line.

On average, I exercise about 4-5 times per week. When I made the schedule, I put in six workouts. That way if work or personal life gets hectic, I can miss one or two planned workouts and still be on track. When life is crazy busy, I highly advise getting your work-out in early in the morning before work. That way when all your colleagues are headed off to a can’t-miss happy hour, you don’t have to miss out and you can still feel good about yourself.

If you’re having a hard time making working out a priority, then find a buddy or do what I did this morn-ing and put on an extra layer then walk to the store instead of drive. Sure, it added about 30 minutes on to my shopping time, but I got in a nearly three mile walk and in the cold, that’s good enough for me.

Most importantly, have faith in yourself that you are strong enough to keep yourself up this month. Yes, it is pleasurable to eat something insanely deca-dent and then sit on your butt drinking wine by the fire. Those are some of life’s true pleasures that I too enjoy. However, the holidays aren’t, at their core, about how much we can consume, they are about love and gratitude.

Honor yourself and your body this holiday season and I will be working hard to do the same. Please fol-low my progress @katshot-cakes on Instagram and twitter and www.katshot-cakes.com.

Kat Barry, a St. Joseph, Michigan native, is owner of Kat’s Hot Cakes vegan catering, and co author of “The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat Free Recipes from America’s Veggie Diner.” She also develops recipes for eHow.com, where you can find over 30 of her vegan

instructional cooking vid-eos. She is also a certified yoga instructor. Kat cur-rently resides in Chicago, and in her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, sampling local spirits, lis-tening to live music, and getting outdoors. Follow @katshotcakes on twitter. Kat can be reached via email at: kat@katshot-cakes.com.

2516 Lincolnway West • Mishawaka

574-288-7464 www.nunemakers.com

Nunemaker’s Coin Shop

Cash in your Coins, Jewelry, Gold & Silver

Open: Mon-Sat.

For Christmas Shopping!

FreeIn-Store

Appraisals!

Previously he was Director of Music at Wesley United Methodist Church, Chicago for three years (2004-2007), Minister of Music at St. Bethel Baptist Church, Chicago Heights for two years (2002-2004), and

Music Coordinator at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church for 10 years (1992-2002).

Stephen has also per-formed with numerous local and national record-ing artists. He served as past representative for Pastor Clay Evans with the City of Chicago

Gospel Fest Music Board under administration of Pam Morris/Office of Special Events. He is also a member of the James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America, The Chicago Gospel Announcers Guild, and GMAC (Gospel Music According to Chicago).

CHRISTMAScontinued from page 6

Page 8 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

8

SPOTLIGHT

BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The artistry and time-honored

tradition of epic storytell-ing through dance will delight audiences at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Mainstage when the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 4 p.m.

Based on an episode from Miguel de Cervantes’ famous novel, “Don Quixote de la Mancha,” the story follows its title hero, a middle-aged country gen-tleman absorbed with tales of chivalry, who sets out to defend virtue and punish those who violate the code

of honor. This dance packed feast of comedy, drama, romance, intrigue, betrayal and fantasy is set to Minkus’ rousing score that endows each scene with rich atmosphere.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the tran-sitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, when many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union’s ballet insti-tutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new, vibrant companies dedicat-ed not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet but to invig-

orate this tradition as the Russians began to accept new developments in dance from around the world.

The company, then titled the Soviet National Ballet, was founded by and incor-porated graduates from the great Russian choreograph-ic schools of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Perm. The principal dancers of the company came from the upper ranks of the great bal-let companies and acade-mies of Russia, and the companies of Riga, Kiev, and even Warsaw.

Today, the Russian National Ballet Theatre is its own institution, with over 50 dancers of singu-

lar instruction and vast experience.

In 1994, the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Elena Radchenko was selected by presidential decree to assume the first permanent artistic director-ship of the company.

Radchenko is the found-er of the Russian National Ballet Theatre, and she has focused the company on upholding the grand national tradition of the major Russian ballet works and developing new talents throughout Russia, with a repertory of virtually all of the great full works of Petipa including Don Quixote, La Bayadere, The

Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda, Paquita, Coppelia, and La Sylphide, as well as productions of, among others, The Nutcracker, Sylvia, and La Fille Mal Gardee.

Tickets for the Russian National Ballet Theatre presents Don Quixote start at $34 and are available by calling the LMC Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-1221 or visiting www.lmcmainstage.org. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For information about group rates, pre-show party options and other special arrangements, contact Mike Nadolski at (269)

927-8109 or mnadolski@lakemichigancollege.edu.

A cash bar will be open for all patrons one hour before show time and dur-ing intermission. Special Mendel Center souvenir cups are available for pur-chase, which allow patrons to enjoy their beverages inside the theater.

Holiday Inn Express – St. Joseph and 22 WSBT are sponsoring the LMC Mendel Center perfor-mance of Don Quixote by the Russian National Ballet Theatre.

The full line-up of LMC Mendel Center Mainstage entertainment can be found at www.lmcmainstage.org.

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME

DIRECTOR’S NAME

AGE (18 OR UNDER)ADDRESS

CITY

STATEZIP

TELEPHONEEMAIL

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FESTIVAL?

FILM TITLE

CATEGORY ¢ LIVE ACTION/NARRATIVE ¢ DOCUMENTARY ¢ ANIMATION FILM YEARRUN TIME (MUST BE UNDER 12 MINUTES)

MINUTESSECONDS

SCHOOL PROJECT? ¢ YES ¢ NO SCHOOL NAME (OPTIONAL)HAVE YOU MADE FILMS BEFORE? ¢ YES ¢ NO IF YES, HOW MANY?DID YOU COLLABORATE WITH FRIENDS? ¢ YES ¢ NO (IF YES, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES OF ALL COLLABORATORS) :

PLEASE WRITE A PARAGRAPH TELLING US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FILM (IF YOU NEED MORE SPACE, FEEL FREE TO USE A SEPARATE SHEET):

The 5th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival invites you to submit your best short film(s) to the Young Filmmakers Competition. Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under. Categories include Narrative/Live Action, Documentary and Animation. Films will be judged on creativity, originality and artistic/technical mastery. A number of films will be selected for screening–with awards going to the top three. All juror decisions are final. Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan | atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com.

participantinformation

j a n u a r y 2 0

d e a d l i n e :

2015

∙ Films created between 2012 and 2015 are eligible.∙ Total running time (including credits: 12 minutes or less.∙ Work alone or with friends/classmates. ∙ Little-to-no help from an adult is great. If they want to do more, tell them to make their own film!∙ Render and burn your full-frame project to a DVD for

standard playback or upload your full-resolution video file (.mp4, .mov, .wmv, .mkv, etc.) to Dropbox and send a link to thomasallenonline@gmail.com.∙ Having difficulty? Need technical assistance? Do not

panic. Send an email to thomasallenonline@gmail.com. He’s nice and will help you (even if he is an adult)!∙ Complete & mail this fancy entry form and send it to YFC 2015 ∙ c/o 4151 Bundy Rd ∙ Coloma, MI 49038 ∙ One film per entry form.

filminformation

This stylized image comes from the Ishihara Color Blindness Test that is used to detect visual color deficiency. On this particular plate, developed by Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara in 1917, the number 5 can be detected by all viewers.

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME

DIRECTOR’S NAME AGE (18 OR UNDER)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

TELEPHONE EMAIL

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FESTIVAL?

FILM TITLE

CATEGORY ¢ LIVE ACTION/NARRATIVE ¢ DOCUMENTARY ¢ ANIMATION FILM YEAR

RUN TIME (MUST BE UNDER 12 MINUTES) MINUTES SECONDS

SCHOOL PROJECT? ¢ YES ¢ NO SCHOOL NAME (OPTIONAL)

HAVE YOU MADE FILMS BEFORE? ¢ YES ¢ NO IF YES, HOW MANY?

DID YOU COLLABORATE WITH FRIENDS? ¢ YES ¢ NO (IF YES, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES OF ALL COLLABORATORS) :

PLEASE WRITE A PARAGRAPH TELLING US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FILM (IF YOU NEED MORE SPACE, FEEL FREE TO USE A SEPARATE SHEET):

The 5th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival invites you to submit your best short film(s) to the Young Filmmakers Competition. Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under. Categories include Narrative/Live Action, Documentary and Animation. Films will be judged on creativity, originality and artistic/technical mastery. A number of films will be selected for screening–with awards going to the top three. All juror decisions are final. Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan | atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com.

participantinformation

j a n u a r y 2 0d e a d l i n e :

2015

∙ Films created between 2012 and 2015 are eligible.∙ Total running time (including credits: 12 minutes or less.

∙ Work alone or with friends/classmates. ∙ Little-to-no help from an adult is great. If they want to do more, tell them to make their own film!∙ Render and burn your full-frame project to a DVD for standard playback or upload your full-resolution video file (.mp4, .mov, .wmv, .mkv, etc.) to Dropbox and send a link to thomasallenonline@gmail.com.∙ Having difficulty? Need technical assistance? Do not panic. Send an email to thomasallenonline@gmail.com. He’s nice and will help you (even if he is an adult)!∙ Complete & mail this fancy entry form and send it to YFC 2015 ∙ c/o 4151 Bundy Rd ∙ Coloma, MI 49038 ∙ One film per entry form.

filminformation

This stylized image comes from the Ishihara Color Blindness Test that is used to detect visual color deficiency. On this particular plate, developed by Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara in 1917, the number 5 can be detected by all viewers.

Questions? Contact Leslie Sullivan

atouchofgreatness@hotmail.com

for more information, or to download guidelines & application

We invite you to submit your best short film(s). Entry is free and open to anyone 18 and under.

Call (574) 243-5557 to RSVP6330 North Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530

www.thehearth.netIndependent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care

Join Us for Holiday Fun!

Pictures with Santa & Mrs.Claus,

Holiday Food Buffet,

Entertainment by The Spaniels

- 1950’s Doo-wop Show

And Wreath Silent Auction

benefitting benefitting

River Bend Cancer Services

Join Us For Our Annual

Deck the Hearth Wreath Event

Tuesday, December 9th

5pm to 8 pm

Russian National Ballet visiting Mendel Center

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember4-10,2014•Page 9

9 CLASS

Russian National Ballet visiting Mendel Center

9 CLASS

Adoption 096ADOPT:

A secure, energetic marriedcouple seeks to adopt ababy to love unconditionallyand cherish forever. Ex-penses paid. Please callMike and Jenny 1-888-666-4030

General Notices 106BANQUET HALL

ANDCHAIR & TABLE

RENTALup to 200 people

American Legion Post 26104 N. 3rd. St.

Niles, MI(269)357-1411

WRONGLY DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY

DISABILITY BENEFITS?I can help. (269)473-2370

Business Oppor-tunities

200

Earn Extra Cash onthe Weekends

delivering the LeaderAREA ROUTES AVAILABLE

As an independent con-tractor you determine thehours you work on Sat-urday and/or Sunday. Youmust have a valid drivers li-cense and your owntransportation.Contact Cindy at 269-687-7727 orcindy.kl ingerman@lead-erpub.com to learn moreabout this profitable op-portunity

Help Wanted 300DRIVER TRAINEES!

GET PAID CDLTRAINING NOW!Learn to drive for

Stevens TransportNO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!

New Drivers can earn$900/wk + Benefits!Carrier covers cost!

Be trained & based locally!Now offering New

Regional Routes in IN!1-800-882-7364

HOME HEALTH AIDESneeded immediately forwork in your area

Call A+ Nursing Inc800-531-0272IMMEDIATEOPENINGS!

20 Part-Time Positions Flexible Schedule –

1st or 2nd Shift $9.00 per hour Buchanan, MI

(269) 408-1980 StJosephMI.ExpressPros.com

Kenneth Smith, Inc.Truck Drivers Pulling

Dump Trailers WantedDRIVERS NEEDED:

Class A CDL and Dumptrailer exp. preferred. Tri-state area, Home nightsand weekends, Fuel Sav-ings Sharing Program,Safety Bonus, Health Be-nefits.

Apply in person2596 Detroit Road (M-60)

in Niles, MIor call 269-684-5960to request application

www.kennethsmithinc.com

LEADERPUBLICATIONS

ROUTESAVAILABLE

See our ad under businessopportunities

NOW HIRINGFULL-TIME

HOUSEKEEPERThis is a 37.5 hours/weekposition. Full Benefitspackage. Will work everyother weekend.

Send resumes toenvironment@nwvmemory.c

om or call 574-247-1866and talk to Henry Borr

NOW HIRINGLicensed Practical Nursesand Certified Nurse Aides

The LPN is for part-timework on the afternoon shift(3:00pm-11:00pm) or part-time on the evening shift(11:00pm-7:00am) "and"the Certified Nurse Aide isfor part-time on the eveningshift (11:00pm-7:00am)

Send resumes towellness@nwvmemory.comor call 574-247-1866 and

talk to Jenifer Coffman

NOW HIRINGSilverbrook Manor is hiringCNA's, RN's and LPN's. Seethe larger ad in today's pa-per.

PERSONAL CAREASSISTANTS

and CNAsCare for the elderly in theirhomes. Experience pre-ferred. (269)428-9100www.rahswmi.com

Elderly Care 307KARE SERVICESCompassionate Home

Care Services(269)684-1984(574)292-2900

email:KKaidanRay@aol.comwww.KAREService.com

Instruction & Training

309

P.D.K.Firearm Instruction

Concealed Pistol LicenseContact Paul:

269-462-2584 orKelly: 269-783-6570

pdkfirearms.com

Apartments 4122 BEDROOM

Apartments Available$565/month

(269)684-4500tanglewood-niles.com

CassopolisSTONE LAKE MANORSenior Apartments. 2months free on select units.Spacious, two bedroomlocated on beautiful StoneLake, Intercom entrybuilding, elevator, emer-gency pull cords. Seniors 62years or older. Rent starts at$631.00 (based on income).Please call Toni at 269-445-3333 or stop by today at145 Stone Lake St. for moreinformation. EHO. TDD 1-800-649-3777 AmericanPreferred 1-800-968-1792

• SWIMMING POOL

• AIR CONDITIONING

• 24 HR. MAINTENANCE

• COMMUNITY ROOM

• SECURITY ACCESS INTERCOM SYSTEM

• PLAYGROUND

Stop in for a tour!M-F 8am-5pm

1615 N. 5TH St.• Niles, Mi 49120

(269) 683-1850

Arbor TrailsWe Have Spacious 3 Bedroom

Townhomes with Full BasementsStarting at $635/mo.

1&2 Bedroom Apartments and 2&3 Bedroom Townhomes

Available!

FREEWiFi

For Rent 418Dowagiac - 407 1/2 Front2 BEDROOM HOUSE

no pets, $525/month, wa-ter & sewer included.(574)323-1102

Office Space for Rent

427

COMMERCIALBUILDING

1106 Fulkerson, Niles,currently a beauty shop, canbe made into an office, at-tached 24x24 storage,$1,100 month. Contact DonWebber (574)274-7007

Rent-Lease, Misc. 442OFFICE SPACE

For rent, approx. 750 sq ft,corner office, securebuilding, indoor parking,reasonable rent. Call RogerTracey (269)683-2211

Houses for Sale 500

6423 Long Lake Rd.,Berrien Springs, 4 bed-room, 2 1/2 bath, 4.4acres, 2 fireplaces, polebarn $269,900

Call Mike at(269)470-2995

FOR SALE

Affordable WaterfrontEdwardsburg Ranch

50' Channel to Juno Lake Move In Ready

$220,000Call or Text Chris Moore

Freedom Realty(269)362-5665(269)687-8484

NEW PRICE!

1420 Oak St., Niles 3 Bed/2 Bath, 1690 sqft

Lots of new updatesCarolee Dalrymple

Pier Realty616-634-2358

WHETHER BUYINGOR SELLING

Integrity Real EstateProfessionals

would love the opportunity toserve you. Call any of ouragents for professionalservice you expect and de-serve.

269-684-5030Integrity Real Estate

Professionals

Manufactured Homes

502

GREAT HOME!GREAT PRICE!

2 Bd/2 Bth, air cond.,Vaulted ceilings, $488/MO*Buchanan, 269-695-3119

HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

3 bed, 2 bath homes readyto be moved into. Leaseoptions starting at $599 permonth (includes lot rent, in-surance, water, trash) Call(269)423-7024 or visitwww.phelpscommunity.comto view pictures

STUNNING HOME!GREAT PRICE!

3 bd/2 bth, A/C, garden tub,Thermopane Windows,

New flooring throughoutCall 269-695-3119Riverside Estates

Antiques 600FOR SALE

Antique Ash Dresser, rosemarble top, $350. WickerSettee with chair $120. CornSilage Chopper $190.Alladin Brass Lamp $120(574)273-6954

Collectibles 602NILES FLEA MARKET

111 E. Main St, Niles MINew vendors bringing manynew items weekly. OpenHouse Nov 28th-30th! ComeChristmas shopping with us!(269) 262-4333

Auctions 603NILES COMMUNITYAUCTION'S HUGECHRISTMAS SALE

December 6th, Doors open@ 3:30 pm, auction startsat 4 pm. Antiques, col-lectables, furniture, & tonsof new items!

802 Fort St, Niles MI(269) 635-0271

Cemetery Lots 6172 PLOTS & 2 VAULTSin Mission Hills MemorialGardens in Niles, valued at$4,600, asking $1,600negotiable, will pay transferfees! (219) 393-1977

Call Classifieds683-4804 or

888-725-0108

Page 10 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

10 HALF CLASS10 HALF CLASS

Have You Heard

The News?

Check Out

leaderpub.com

Good Things to Eat

636

Sweet TexasOranges

5 lbs/$3.5018lb/$12.00

#1 HONEY CRISP.99/lb

$20/half bushel•#2 Honey Crisp $10/half bushel •Other Varieties

$7/half bushel & up•Red, White &

Russet Potatoes10lbs. $1, $20cents/lb.,

•Sweet Potatoes $12/half bushel .49/lb.

•Jumbo Walla WallaSweet Onions

.35/lb., $16.50/50lbs.•Texas Ruby red grapefruit

5 lbs/$2.5018 lbs/$9.00

•Honey1 1/2 lbs. $7

HOURS:Mon. - Sat. 10-5,

Sun. noon-5Hunky Fruit Stand

2054 M140Benton Harbor, MI 49022

(269) 944-3025

Household Mer-chandise

642

BILL'S USED APPLIANCESHOLIDAY SPECIAL!!

Starting Black Friday, thruthe month of December,

10-20% off!Hours: Mon-Fri. 10a-5pm

Sat. 10a-3pmClosed Sunday

2324 S. 11th St. Niles(269) 340-5952

FOR SALE•Used and Reconditioned

Appliances•Washers & Dryers

•Ranges•Air Conditioners

•Refrigerators841 Carberry Rd. Niles

(269)687-8639

Tools & Machin-ery

663

BULK BOX DUMPER2HP, 1725 RPM-115/230volts general electric motorw/Vickervane hydraulicpump, willing todemonstrate. (269)471-7177

Wanted to Buy 672ADAMS JUNKERS

Adam buysJUNK CARS

Adam BuysRepairable CarsFixable Cars Wanted

adamsjunkers.comAdam Pays the most!!

FREE PICKUP7 days a week

(574) 300-6556

ALWAYS PAYINGtop dollar for junk cars,trucks & farm equipment.Also buying repairables. Paulbuys junk cars & trucks.(574)993-1131

BUYINGrepairable scrap and un-wanted vehicles, top dollarpaid. Call or text for a freequote today. Free towing.Kevin (817)437-0450

WANTED TO BUYCash paid for mediumsize refrigerators, workingor repairable. Also gas &electric ranges. Call(269)687-8639

WE WILL BUYyour junk car. We haul forfree. Paying up to $1500cash. Please call anytime269-687-8098

Home Improve-ment

700

FRYMAN'S SEAMLESSGUTTERS & SIDINGFRYMAN’S ROOFING

Your home exterior experts.Quality guaranteed! LocallyOwned for 50 years. (269)782-5008 (David & Terri Fryman)

HOME REPAIRS &REMODELING

Over 30 years of experience,tile work, kitchens, bath-rooms, decks & porches,windows & doors, windowwrapping, siding, fascia &soffit. Call Randy (269)782-3139 (269)208-9838

MK CONSTRUCTION

Pole barn & other garagesspecialist. Roofing Siding,Framing and more. Over 25years experience. Licensed.Contact Michael N. Knepple(269)476-9777

MR. MAINTENANCEFREE ESTIMATES

Roofing, Siding & Windows,Light Hauling & SpringClean-Ups, No Inside orOutside job too big or small.Low affordable rates.(269)591-1403

WILLIAMS HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Repairs, Remodel, Windows,Siding, Additions, Painting,Plumbing & More. SeniorDiscounts. Free Estimates(269)414-0826

Heating 703

OUTDOOR WOODFURNACE

Robert Flory, Sr.Phone: (269)423-8458

Cell: (269)655-5291

Tree Service 725PAYNE'S TREE

SERVICETree Trimming & Removal.Stump Grinding & Firewood.Bobcat & Concrete Work.Insured. (269)663-8091THE CUTTING EDGE

PRO TREE CAREComplete Tree ServiceSAME DAY ESTIMATES

Insured, Competitive Rates.269-687-4972

Antenna Service 737

WHY PAY TO WATCH TV?

Dozens of Free HD & Digitalchannels, use your ownwiring, complete installation& repair, tower removal,packages with antenna, ro-tor & amp starting at $340.Free estimates.

(269)357-6352antennasplus1.com

Concrete Service 739DEPROW CONCRETE

Concrete, bricks, blocks &stonework. Any type of tearout & replace. Basementrepairs, landscaping, bobcatwork. No job too small. 35years experience. Concrete$2.20 a sq. foot. Insured.Jerry (269) 352-4010

Recycling Service 743CA$H 4 JUNKERS

Turn that Junker in your yardto cash in your hand

801 Carberry Rd, Niles269-687-5865

Snow Removal 745SNOW PLOWING

Residential & Com-mercial. Free Estimates.Reasonable Rates. CallLarry at (269)228-1163

Misc. Services 747KLIMEK

ENTERPRISESElectrical Contracting, No JobToo Big or Small. Free Quotes.Affordable Pricing, Licensed &Insured. (269)684-6290 or(269)470-4097.

Painting Service 754PAINTING

Int. & Ext., Drywall & WallRepair & Power washing.Insured. Call Glen Hoese at(269)684-4055

Trucks, Vans, 4-Wh Drives

942

1993 FORD F250Ext. cab, Diesel, 4x4, 8 ft.box with contractors cap,198,000 miles, everythingworks, $4,995 OBO. Also redfiberglass Tonneau cover,fits 2007 -2013 GMC-Chevy2500 long box, $500 OBO.(269)782-3139

FOR SALE2 1/2 ton job rated 1952Dodge Stake truck, 14 ft.steel bed with woodenheadache rack & matchingside boards with tailgate,has single cylinder hydraulicdump, 5 speed trans-mission, model B-3KA-128GVW, 18,000 plus 2 speedrear end (269)471-7177

Autos for Sale 945

10 Kia Rio, 4 door $9,87511 Ford Fusion $13,67012 Jeep Patriot $14,931

12 Dodge Ram SLT $28,697Call (574) 264-1174 today!2006 Dodge Dakota Quad

Cab (Red)Engine: V8, 4.7 Liter

City 14/Hwy 19/Comb 16MPG

116k milesComfortably Seats 5 people

$7,500.00Call Scarlett Auto Sales

(269) 461-41972010 Hyundai Elantra GLS

46k grey in ColorGuaranteed 30 MPG/hwyFront Wheel Drive 4 Door

SedanNo Credit Checks

No InterestLow down Payment

Low monthly payments!!Free 6 month Warranty!

Call Scarlett Auto for moreinformation!

(269)461-4197

WHAT'S HAPPENING?i

CLASSIFIEDS

Dec. 4

Kindle Your Christmas Spirit in Downtown Ber-rien Springs will be Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The downtown streets will be closed so visitors can enjoy strolling from store to store, listening to the outside musicians, watching ice carving, take a ride on the horse drawn carriages or take a tram ride down to Grove Park and back to the fes-tival another tram will be available from the public library to downtown.

Joshua Scheid and Ja-son Gresl will give vocal

and clarinet performanc-es of works by compos-ers represented in the current exhibition while patrons are surrounded images of these luminar-ies at the George Krasl Memorial Concert. The concert will be held at 7 pm Dec. 4 in the galler-ies of the Krasl Art Cen-ter.

Dec. 5

Everyone is invited to join staff at the South Bend Museum of Art for its an-nual tradition of art, mu-sic, food and festivities as they celebrate the sea-son. The event will fea-ture a reception for the SBMA Student/Faculty Exhibition, with awards

announced at 5:45 p.m. Musical entertainment by the John Adams High School Show Choir will run from 6 to 7 p.m.

Bring the whole family for a fun and entertaining time at the Elkhart Coun-ty Parks’ Christmas Mag-ic Show on Friday, Dec. 5. The program will take place at 6 p.m. at the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow County Park. Par-ticipants are encouraged to bring their own magic tricks to share. Space for this program is limited to 25 persons.Cost for the program is $2 per person or $1 per child under 12 years of age. Registration and

payment must be made in advance. To register call the Elkhart County Parks Administration Of-fice at (574) 535-6458.Information on this and other programs offered by the Elkhart County Parks can be found on-line at www.elkhartcoun-typarks.org.

Blue Chip Casino’s an-nual Mix, Mingle & Jin-gle Party will be hosted on Friday, Dec. 5 in the Stardust Event Center. Perfect for networking with friends and cowork-ers in a party setting, the event features dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and live entertain-ment from 7:30 to 10:30

p.m. by Killer Flamingos. Cost is $50 per person with food stations, in-cluding a carving station, seafood bar, mashed po-tato bar and holiday des-serts and $90 per per-son for food stations and open bar. To reserve a table, call 888-879-7711, ext. 2429.

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds casinoswill host an upcoming per-formance by comedian Frank Caliendo at Four Winds New Buffalo’s Silver Creek Event Cen-ter on Friday, March 27, 2015, at 9 p.m. Eastern. Tickets for the event can be purchased beginning

on Friday, December 5 at 10 a.m. Eastern exclu-sively through the Ticket-master Web site, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800)745-3000. Ticket prices start at $40 plus applicable fees.

Buchanan’s annual holi-day lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Buchanan Commons.

Dec. 5-6

Experience “Camelot” as Lerner and Loewe envisioned it in one of theatre’s most legendary musicals. Recount the time-honored legend of King Arthur, Guenevere,

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofDecember4-10,2014•Page 11

11

WHAT'S HAPPENING? WHAT'S HAPPENING?i

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

LEGEND

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Nature

Community

Crafts

Food

iInformation

Family

Theatre

Tourist

Parting Shots

Art

Business

Religious

Music

Alcohol

LEGEND

Sports

$

$

Shopping

Movies

Holiday

SummerCamping

Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table in an enchanting fable of chivalry, majesty and brotherhood in this four-time Tony Award winning show. See the event page for pricing information.

Light Up the Bluff on Dec. 5 will transform Lake Bluff Park when the mayor flips the switch at 6:30 p.m. and a million lights twinkle on the community tree and holiday-themed dis-plays. The light display and music will continue each evening until the end of December. The lights will then remain on through Feb. 15 for Valentine’s Day plan-ning in Michigan’s Most Romantic City. This dis-play is sponsored by the St. Joseph Improvement Association.

Dec. 5-8

The third annual Christ-mas at the Bonine House will take place Friday, Dec. 5 from 2-8 p.m, Sat-urday, Dec. 6 from 2-8 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 7 from noon to 6 p.m. The historic James E. Bonine home, located at the corner of Penn Rd and M-60 in Vandalia Michi-gan, is all dressed up for Christmas. Everyone is invited to enjoy the Vic-torian home, each room uniquely decorated by members of the Under-ground Railroad Society of Cass County (UR-SCC). Christmas at the Bonine House has be-come a family tradition, and for many is a lovely introduction to the holi-day season.

Dec. 6

Tea With Ruth and Friends does a Victo-rian benefit Tea every December for Soup Of Success, an intensive 5 month job and life skills training program, in Elkhart. This year’s tea will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at Living Faith Fellowship, 2601 Ben-ham Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana 46516 from 1 to 4 p.m. Suggested dona-

tion is $5 and a nonper-ishable food pantry item or personal care items. Background music will be furnished by Adrienne Frailey. Tea sandwiches, salads, and desserts will accompany Downton Abbey Lord Grantham tea, coffee, and Christ-mas punch.

Round Barn Winery, Distillery and Brewery, located in Baroda, Michi-gan, is gearing up for the holidays with its annual “Giggle & Mingle Toy Drive with Santa.” The family centered festivi-ties will take place Satur-day, Dec. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. eastern time at the Round Barn Winery, Dis-tillery & Brewery (10983 Hills Road).

The 2014 Victorian Christmas Tea will be held Dec. 6 from 1 un-til 4 p.m. at Living Faith Fellowship pn Benham Avenue in Elkhart. We will be serving the Down-town Abbey tea as well as Good Earth Tea, Re-finery Coffee, Christmas Punch, sandwiches, cookies, cakes, and fruits. Several new ven-dors are joining us this season. All proceeds to benefit Soup Of Success. Admission $5 and a non-perishable food product or personal care item.

The Four Flags Garden Club presents its 23rd An-nual Hometown Christmas Celebration, on Saturday, December 6th, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Niles Amtrak Depot, 600 Dey Street (off North Fifth Street). Holi-day decorations, Santa visit, homemade goodies, official lighting of the de-pot roofline at 6 p.m. This event is free.

Construct a 4-foot poplar wood bench with Sarett Nature Center’s Wood-shop on December 6 at 10 a.m. The cost is $70. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

iSarett Nature Center will host its annual Greens Workshop on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. Bring your supplies and tools, we’ll provide the greens. Cost is $10. Pre-registration is re-quired. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

Dec. 7

ArtsBridge presents Sights and Sounds of Christmas featuring Lake Effect Winds wood-wind quintet, pianist/vocalist David Brock, vocalists Jolita Burton and Stephen Jones, and an art show by Morton Montessori Elementary students Sunday, Dec. at 5 p.m. at First Pres-byterian Church, 475 Green Avenue on Mor-ton Hill in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Dinner will be served after the program with $10 suggested do-nations going toward the church building’s reno-vation fund. For details call (269) 925-7075 or visit on Facebook: First Presbyterian in Benton Harbor.

Kids on Stage will host a Christmas open house and Shrek sign-up party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Orchards Mall. Door prizes, refreshments and theater tours will be offered. Former par-ticipants are invited to bring friends who have never participated in Kids on Stage to sign up for Shrek. Both past par-ticipants and new mem-bers will be entered for a chance to win an Ama-zon Fire HD.

Saint Michael and All An-gels Episcopal Church presents “O Holy Night” on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Come enjoy the joy-ful sounds of Christmas as our musicians com-bine their talents to bring you this night of extraordi-nary harmony. Admission is by donation and all pro-ceeds from the concert go toward the purchase

of a new piano for Saint Michael and All Angels. The church is located at 53720 North Ironwood in South Bend, just north of Douglas Road.

Dec. 11

Lambrecht’s Liquours of St. Joseph, in partnership with Ray’s on the Green, presents a showcase of wine and food Thursday, Dec. 11th at the Berrien Hills Golf Club, 690 Na-pier Ave., Benton Harbor, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 by ad-vance purchase and $40 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Lam-brecht’s, 2926 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, or at Berrien Hills Golf Club- 690 Na-pier Ave., Benton Harbor. For more information, phone Lambrecht’s at (269) 983-5353 or lam-brechtsliquors.com

The Lakeshore Middle School Choirs, directed by Mrs. Carole Conrad, will hold their Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11 in the Howard Perform-ing Arts Center at An-drews University, 4160 East Campus Circle Dr., in Berrien Springs. A do-nation of $1 per person is requested. The pro-ceeds will be used for the general support of the choir program. For information, call at 428-1408, Ext. 3099.The Lakeshore Middle School Choirs, directed by Mrs. Carole Conrad, will hold their Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews Uni-versity, 4160 East Cam-pus Circle Dr., in Berrien Springs. A donation of $1 per person is requested. The proceeds will be used for the general sup-port of the choir program. For information, call at 428-1408, Ext. 3099.

Dec. 12

The Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra (LMYO) showcases Southwest Michigan’s talented young musicians. LMYO

will perform on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the South Haven High School Auditorium. Tick-ets are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens.

Dec. 12-14

Lakeshore High School will present Irvin Berlin’s “White Christmas the Musical” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. All per-formances will be in the Lakeshore Community Auditorium, 5771 Cleve-land Ave., in Stevens-ville, Michigan. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors, veterans and students (grades Kdg-12). All seats are general admission. Tick-ets are currently on sale in the high school office, and will also be avail-able at the box office one hour prior to each performance. For more information, call (269) 428-1402.

Dec. 13

Barn Swallow closes out its season with “Christ-mas at Barn Swallow,”

showcasing choirs and music ensembles from local schools, churches and performance groups.

Celebrate the season with The Southwest Michigan Symphony Or-chestra guest conduc-tor, Harvey Felder and Soprano, Denise Ritter in this sparkling holiday celebration. Organizers say this timeless music is guaranteed to warm hearts of all who come. Come hear seasonal favorites such as White Christmas and Let It Snow performed on Sat-urday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lake Michi-gan College Mendel Mainstage.

The Elkhart County Parks will offer a Cross Country Ski Workshop on Satur-day, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Baldwin School-house in Bonneyville Mill County Park. More infor-mation about the Elkhart County Parks, their pro-gramming and services can be found online at elkhartcountyparks.org.

Morris Bingo Hall1010 S. Merrifield , Mishawaka, IN - (574) 258-5884

$10,000.00

BINGO BASHTV

Raffle

Come join the

fun!

Wagon full of toysRaffle

Lots of Pull Tabs Winners!

Dec. 7th Doors open at 25 - $1,000 Games

2 - $500.00 GamesDoor Prizes $1,500.00

Lic. # 134266

Page 12 • Week of December 4-10, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

12

TOURIST FOR A DAY Discover the local destinations right in your own backyard

BarodaBuchananNilesSouth BendThree OaksVandaliaKalamazooBattle Creek

It’s getting to be that time of year when good ol’ St. Nick starts getting his list out, and checking it twice. Find out where in West Michigan you can catch Santa Claus this holiday season, along with some other special events that will let you get in the Christmas mood.

Giggle & Mingle with Santa at Round Barn Winery, Distillery, and Brewery

Meet and greet the Man in Red at Round Barn’s Holiday Open House. Pick up holiday gifts for the whole gang while the kids take glamour shots with good ol’ Santa. Activities for the kids include cookie decorating, making paper snowflakes, and ornament decorating. Holiday music will add to the festive atmosphere. Giggle & Mingle with Santa takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

Buchanan Holiday LightingBuchanan’s annual holiday lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Buchanan Commons. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus afterward at the Commons.

Hometown Christmas CelebrationThe Four Flags Garden Club will host its 23rd Annual Hometown Christmas celebration at the Historic Amtrak Depot, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The depot is located at 600 Dey St., Niles. It is free to attend.

Santa arrives in Downtown South BendFamily-friendly holiday festivities begin Friday at 5:30 p.m. when the real Santa arrives via fire truck at the Jon Hunt Plaza in downtown South Bend. Santa will light the city’s Christmas tree before traveling in a mini holiday parade via the holiday F-150 sponsored by Jordan Automotive. The parade will begin at the Jon Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris Civic Performing Arts Center, and travel down Michigan Street, pausing briefly for a daz-zling fireworks show.

Three Oaks Peppermint Parade and FOTOfestBe creative or come as you are, but plan to participate in this community favorite parade. Line up in Dewey Cannon Park parking lot at 10:30 am, parade begins at 11:00 am. Bells, musical instruments and costumes are encouraged. Santa Claus will be at the Three Oaks Library immediately after the Peppermint Parade.

Christmas at the Bonine HouseThe third annual Christmas at the Bonine House will take place Friday, Dec. 5 from 2-8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2-8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 6 p.m. The his-toric James E. Bonine home, located at the corner of Penn Rd. and M-60 in Vandalia, Michigan, is all dressed up for Christmas. Everyone is invited to enjoy the Victorian home, each room uniquely decorated by members of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC).

Holiday Arts, Crafts, & Gifts at the Kalamazoo Expo Center Visit the Kalamazoo Expo Center this season to deck your house for the holidays, as well as pick up some unique Christmas gifts! Head to the Holiday Greens and Gifts Sale on Dec. 5 and 6 for the area’s finest holiday sale for beautiful fresh green centerpieces, live wreaths, mixed roping, and a wide selection of unique hand-crafted gifts.

Zoolights Light Up Binder Park Zoo Binder Park Zoo is the place to be this holiday sea-son for Zoolights. Visitors who attend this annual fundraiser and winter festival will stroll along light-ed paths with nightly entertainment and view some of the zoo’s weather-hardy animals on exhibit enjoying the winter season. These special evenings will include unlimited FREE carousel rides, up-close animal meet and greets, seasonal holiday refreshments, special activities, and holi-day stories. (Wild Africa will be closed.) Zoolights dates: Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 18-23 & 26-30, 5 to 9 p.m.

SantaSightings