April Family Calendar

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April 2007

 One Day at a Time

April Pick Your Date

April One Day at a Time

April Go Any Time

Special-Needs Ice Hockey. Mondays through April. 7 p.m., Winterhurst Ice Rink, Warren Road, Lakewood. 216-529-4400, ext. 5172.

Adaptive Ice Skating Lessons. Saturdays through April. Individuals with disabilities of all ages welcome. Learn to skate, figure skate and speed skate. Times vary. Winterhurst Ice Rink, Warren Road, Lakewood. 216-529-4400, ext. 5172.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Through June. Relay for Life is the signature event of the ACS. Relay raises funds for the society, but more importantly gives cancer survivors the opportunity to show that overcoming cancer is possible. Friends, family and others also participate. There are 35 relays scheduled in nine counties around Northeast Ohio. Dates and times vary. Locations vary. 800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.

KidShow. March 31-April 1. For two days, a mall will be transformed into a huge marketplace of children’s products and services intertwined with free activities and fun. Every half hour entertainment changes on the Lake/Geauga Family Stage. Answer trivia questions to win prizes throughout the weekend. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Free. 440-974-1198, usepromark@oh.rr.com or www.usepromark.com.

w Easter Egg Extravaganza. March 31-April 1. Take the Easter Bunny Express from Independence to Peninsula, then take a bus to Happy Days Visitor Center to meet the Easter Bunny and have some fun, including a puppet show, crafts and an Easter egg hunt with prizes. Allow 4 1/2 hours for this excursion. Times vary. Rockside Station, Independence. $25 adults, $12 children, free younger than 3. 800-468-4070.

The Elegant Egg 5. March 31-April 1. Check out this show and sale of exquisite eggshell artistry presented by Ohio Egg Artists Guild. Take classes to learn art of pysanky at 2 p.m. each day (reservations required). Wear an Easter bonnet or cap to the show and your name will be placed in a special drawing. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Pancake breakfast 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. First Presbyterian Church of Akron, 647 E. Market St., Akron. $1 adults, free for children. Pancake breakfast $5 adults, $3 children, free under 4. 330-434-5183.

USEF Winter Series Hunter/Jumper Horse Show. March 31-April 1. 9 a.m., Lake Erie College, George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center, 8031 Morley Road, Concord Township. Free. 440-375-8000 or www.lec.edu/equine/events.php.

NCAA Hoop City. March 31-April 2. Love NCAA college hoops? Then Hoop City Refreshed by Coca-Cola is the place to be during the NCAA Women’s Final Four. The three-day fan festival celebrating the history and passion of NCAA sports is coming to Cleveland. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon-8 p.m. Monday, Cleveland Convention Center. $7 adults, $5 children, free under 2. www.Hoop-City.com.

Andrews School Horse Show. April 6-8 and 20-22. The Hunter Jumper Horse Show features horses and riders from Ohio and surrounding states. 8 a.m. until finish of show (generally 5 p.m.), The Andrews School Equestrian Center, 38588 Mentor Ave., Willoughby. Free. 440-942-3600, ext. 252, or www.andrews-school.org.

Father/Son Learn ’n’ League. April 14-May 12. Fathers and sons ages 10-14 can enjoy golf instruction and practice together, followed by playing nine holes. Not meant for raw beginners. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Washington Golf Learning Center, 3841 Washington Park Blvd., Newburgh Heights. $90 per person, includes greens fees. 216-641-1864.

Celebrate National Kite Month and Honor the Wright Brothers. April 18-21, 25-28. Make it and take it throughout our Inventor’s Workshop. Make a wooden airplane or a kite. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. National Inventors Hall of Fame, Akron. $8.75 adults, $6.75 children, free under 3. 330.849.6877.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation. April 27-28. The first Cleveland screenings of the acclaimed amateur film "Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation," a shot-for-shot remake of the classic 1981 Steven Spielberg film that was made by three teenagers in Mississippi during the 1980s. They were 12 years old when they started the project in 1982. They finished it seven years later. 9:45 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, 11141 East Blvd., Cleveland. $10 adults, $7 children. 216-421-7450.

Verizon Wireless Swim for Diabetes. April 20-22. Support your local community in the fight against diabetes by participating in or volunteering at more than 70 indoor pools throughout Northeast Ohio! Visit www.SwimForDiabetes.com to register and to create a personal fundraising webpage so you can start fundraising today. Times and locations vary. 216-591-0800.

Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Coloring Book. April 20-22. 7 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. Canton Memorial Civic Center, Canton. $12-$19. 330-945-9400.

Mohican Wildlife Weekend. April 20-22. Experience wildlife habitat, heritage and natural history up close. More than 30 workshops and demonstrations for beginner and experienced naturalists alike. Sponsored by Gander Mountain. Times and locations vary. 800-642-8282.

w Kinderealm: Turtles. April 21, 24, 25. Children 3 to 5 come out of their shells to discover why turtles carry their homes on their backs. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 330-865-8065.

Junior "Fun"damental Series. April 23-May 14. New golfers ages 12-17 will get a chance to learn the basics and have fun, too. Full swing, putting and chipping will be covered. 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays. Washington Golf Learning Center, 3841 Washington Park Blvd., Newburgh Heights. $80. 216-641-1864.

Cleveland Metroparks North Coast Nature Festival. April 27-29. Put a little "spring" in your step and head over to the Rocky River Reservation to celebrate birds, wildflowers and other animals native to Northeast Ohio with lectures, wildflower hikes, birding tours, nature presentations and more. See a show filled with wildlife art exhibits, nature-related organizations, hikes, guest speakers, children’s activities, bird walks, field trips, live animals, interactive videos and more, all celebrating the great nature of the North Coast. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation, North Olmsted. 440-734-6660.

Ohio Boychoir Concert Spring Concerts. April 28-May 12. Enjoy the spring concert performance of this 30-child choral group at seven locations around northeast Ohio. Times and locations vary. 216-780-6161.

Spring Egg Roll Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Join us for the annual egg hunt where children will enjoy looking for candy-filled eggs and hanging out with the Easter Bunny. Families with children up to 8 years old are encouraged to attend. 11 a.m. Tappan Square, downtown Oberlin. 440-774-6262.

w Geology for Kids. School-age kids learn about the fascinating world of geology. Wear good boots and bring your coat. 2 p.m. Cascade Valley Metro Park, Akron. 330-865-8065.

Hayes Easter Egg Roll. Children ages 3-10 are invited to relive a White House tradition started in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes: an Easter Egg roll reminiscent of the Victorian era. Bring your colored eggs (three per participant). 2-3:30 p.m. Hayes Presidential Center, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont. Free. 419-332-2081.

Welcome Back Spring. Birds sing in it. Flowers bathe in it. Even animals play in it. What is this great thing that is causing so much excitement? Spring. Come welcome spring with a short hike and crafts. 10-11:30 a.m. Happy Days Visitor Center, 500 W. Streetsboro Road. Peninsula. $3 children. 800-257-9477.

Zany Zoo Soundzzz. Enjoy a musical safari when the CIM Orchestra brings the sounds of wildlife to the Kulas Hall stage. Exciting and imaginative musical works include Hoedown, Flight of the Bumblebee and Aesop’s Fables. A dessert reception will follow. 7 p.m. Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland. $8 adults, $6 children, $5 schools and groups of 10 or more. 216-791-5000, ext. 411.

Bugs for Kids: Hidden Bugs. Discover where the many types of bugs that live in our area are hiding and learn about their fascinating lives. Age 6 and up. 2 p.m. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Free. 330-865-8065.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner. All are welcome to enjoy an evening filled with authentic Italian food and music. Proceeds benefit the Murray Ridge Support Group. 5-7 p.m., Murray Ridge School, Elyria. $6 adults, $5 children. 440-329-3734 or www.loraincountymrdd.org.

Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Family Series Concert. WKSU’s classical music guru Mark Pennell and the National Inventors Hall of Fame join the Akron Symphony Orchestra to shed light on the invention of the modern orchestra, visiting several other inventions along the way. Pennell also narrates Britten’s Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. The National Inventors Hall of Fame will conduct special pre-concert activities at 2 p.m., concert 3 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron. 330.972.7570, www.akronsymphony.org.

Bridges to Our Community. Two exciting components have been added to this exhibit: a two-story house and a two-story replica of Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, including a doctor’s office, nursery and much more. Splish Splash. Water exhibit teaches children about water transportation, weather and the Earth’s water systems. It features a two-story tall climbing structure designed to teach the basic principles of the water cycle. Egyptian Sands. Through April 14. Pinzone Pavilion is transformed with more than 70 tons of sand. Travel back in time to ancient Egypt and learn about everyday life, hieroglyphs and the customs and traditions of ancient Egypt that exist today. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave., University Circle. $6. 216-791-7114 or www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

John James Audubon: American Artist & Naturalist. Through April 29. Exhibition traces Audubon’s life and development as an artist and features 51 double-elephant, folio-sized, hand-colored engravings from his masterwork The Birds of America. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland. $9.50 adults, $7.50 senior/student, $6.50 child, free under 3. 800-317-9155.

Baseball as America. Through Sept. 3. The most significant exhibition of baseball artifacts and history ever assembled is coming to the Great Lakes Science Center, part of a national tour. Organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, the exhibit features than 500 artifacts which illuminate America’s fascination with the game and define its impact on today’s society. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Great Lakes Science Center, North Coast Harbor, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland. $14.50 adult; $11 child. 216-694-2000, www.GreatScience.com.

MISCELLANEOUS
w Night Tracks. Ages 6 and up with parent. Fridays and Saturdays through May. Overnight adventure in which campers explore the zoo at night and learn about North American wildlife. Campers learn how to identify various North American animals through their tracks, scat and other clues. Includes accommodations, evening snack and light breakfast, as well as admission to zoo and Rainforest after camp ends. 7 p.m.-11 a.m. next day. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. $35. Register: 216-635-3391.

Tremendous Treehouses. Through Oct. 31. This blockbuster exhibit features 11 custom-designed, site-specific treehouses, as well as two tree-art constructions, which stretch the definition of the classic treehouse and spark the imagination of young and old alike. $8 adult, $5 youth (under 12 free). 330-836-5533.

Australian Adventure opens for the season March 31. Wander through the Wallaby Walkabout and get close to some free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos, or hop aboard the Boomerang Express and see what life’s like Down Under. Feed nectar to colorful parrots at the Lorikeet Aviary and be sure to visit the koalas as they munch on eucalyptus at the GumLeaf Hideout. Summer admission rates are back in effect. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. www.clemetzoo.com.