Off The Water - March 21-27, 2014

Youth artists take spotlight ............ p.2Inspired Work

Look out, disc golf is growing sport ..p.5Fore!

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Week of March 21-27, 2014 Volume 6, Number 12Off The Water | The place to be entertained.

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Page 2 • Week of March 21-27, 2014 Off The Water, Michiana

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ON DISPLAY

By JILL McCAUGHANjill.mccaughan

@leaderpub.com

ST. JOSEPH—From March 27 through April 16, some of the

most promising high-school and middle-school artists in the area will be displaying their work as a part of the “Inspiring Future Artists” show at the Box Factory for the Arts.

Formerly known as the Middle and High School Show, the exhibit will include the work of stu-dents from approximately 17 middle schools and 19 high schools in Berrien County and beyond. Home-schooled students will exhibit their art as well.

“It’s a great location for student art,” said Jeff Heaton, home-school art instructor at the Box Factory and liaison for the redesign of the show. “It’s a beautiful, industrial place to display the work, and every year, we want to try to make it a little bit better.”

In an effort to improve the show, a committee of art and education special-ists from Berrien RESA, the Krasl Art Center and the Box Factory have been meeting since August.

“Elizabeth Andrews, Keith Stevens, Tami Miller, Ali Hansen and I have been meeting monthly since August to redesign and improve the show,” Heaton

said.The first challenge was

to develop an easy means for teachers to display their students’ art without damag-ing the walls of the galleries.

“We’re trying to change the display space. We’ve created new panels with frames and covered them with burlap to cover our brick walls,” Heaton said. “It’s easier to install the show because it’s a softer display surface.”

Another challenge was to create displays that showcased each student’s work. This required limit-ing the number of entries from each school.

“The number of entries was unlimited in the past, but we’ve limited it to 25 per school this year. By reducing the number, we’re hoping to get a better view of the art-work,” Heaton said. “It was crammed in last year. By doing this, we hope to have a better-looking show.”

This year, visitors can expect to see a show that looks similar to others that they have seen at the Box Factory.

“We’re trying to raise the bar as far as how the work has been presented,” Heaton explained. “We’re doing it the same way that we do the adult and professional shows at the Box Factory.”

That includes hanging all of the work composed in one medium together.

“We will be hanging the

show by type of artwork rather than by school,” Heaton said. “That way, students will be seeing how their work looks against the work of students from other schools.”

Limiting the number of entries will also help orga-nizers achieve a third goal: to emphasize the prestige

associated with being included in the show.

“The quality of the art show has always been really good, but we’re trying to make it a special honor for students to be included in this show,” Heaton said. “We hope this will be a show that they can put into their portfolios and resumes.”

On March 27, an open-ing reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., including a presentation of awards at 6:30 p.m.

“We will be having sev-eral awards, and we have a couple of scholarships avail-able for some of the seniors as well,” Heaton said.

Heaton and fellow orga-

nizers are looking forward to the upcoming show.

“It’s very important to display student art,” Heaton said. “I taught art for 31 years in public schools in Ohio, so I totally respect all of the work that the art teachers have done, espe-cially with the budget con-straints they have.”

Getting Inspired

Submitted photo/JEFF HEATON

Elementary school art, now on display at the Box Factory for the Arts, will soon be replaced by that of middle and high school students.

Young artists grab spotlight at Box Factory

Off The Water, Michiana WeekofMarch21-27,2014•Page 3

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ELKHART—While the band Styx was formed in the early

1970s and saw its popular-ity quickly rise soon there-after, the band has actually performed more live shows since 1999 than it did in all of the previous years combined.

Styx schedules roughly 100 shows per year, and their frenetic touring sched-ule shows no signs of abat-ing. In fact, they are cur-rently in the midst of their 2013-2014 North American Tour, with a stop scheduled for Elkhart’s Lerner Theater on April 3. Head East will be the opening act.

Later this summer, Styx will continue their travels, sharing the bill with Foreigner on their “Soundtrack of Summer” tour. The nearest stop on that tour will be an appear-ance in their hometown of Chicago on June 6.

“That’s actually really fun! It’s our big, summer blockbuster tour. We’ve gone out with Def Leppard, Yes and REO Speedwagon in the past,” explained singer and keyboardist Lawrence Gowan. “This year, we’ll also be joined by Don Felder, and he’ll be playing some of the Eagles’

big hits.”When asked why Styx

tours so much, Gowan explained that, in 1999 when he joined the band, “Styx had reached a level of cultural reference, but many people hadn’t had a chance to see them. There was a lot more of the world that wanted to see Styx play live.”

The band chose Gowan to fill the shoes of Dennis DeYoung, who had left the band a few years earlier, in part because he enjoyed touring so much.

“They were looking for someone who likes to tour, and I was doing about 140 shows a year,” Gowan explained.

In fact, Gowan loves performing live so much that, when Styx isn’t on tour, he spends his free time playing his solo material at gigs around Canada. Based in Toronto, he had enjoyed a successful solo career there for years before join-ing forces with Styx.

“I play solo shows in Canada during my tiny bit of time off from touring with Styx,” Gowan said.

With all that time devot-ed to the road, Styx has not had much of an opportuni-ty to record new albums in the studio.

“We can’t record all of the new material that we have,” Gowan said. “We

just don’t have time between tours. We just haven’t wanted to commit the time to recording new material.”

Instead, Styx has record-ed a number of live albums, and they released a two-volume set, “Regeneration I and II,” that includes all of the songs that they are known for.

“We put out the two ‘Regeneration’ albums in 2010 and 2011, as well as a live DVD. There are a cou-ple of new things on that as well,” Gowan said. “We’ve only done one album of brand new material since I’ve been with the band.”

That means that con-cert-goers are sure to hear most of the songs that have made Styx so popular over the years.

“We can’t play all of the favorites as well as a lot of new songs, but it makes us feel good to have such a body of work,” Gowan said. “We’re able to wedge snip-pets of new material into the shows, and we have to sat-isfy ourselves with that.”

As with any band, Styx has some songs that the hardcore fans love, even though they never received much airtime.

“We’re also doing some of the songs that weren’t as popular when they first came out,” Gowan said. “They’re basically B-sides

that weren’t necessarily big radio hits, but they are very popular with the younger crowd. People are redis-covering them.”

Gowan is thrilled that the band has found a new audience in the younger generation.

“There are so many younger people who have come to appreciate Styx, and they want to see us perform live,” Gowan said. “The music industry has changed a lot in the last decade, but the one thing you can’t download is the live experience.”

Even though the band plays so many shows every year, they still keep each performance fresh.

“We always play a dif-ferent set from the one we did the night before. Of course, we play all of those great standards, like ‘Come Sail Away,’ and some of the others,” Gowan said. “But, what happens in the moment arises from what the audi-ence brings. Every night, something unique happens.”

Tickets to see Styx on April 3 at the Lerner Theater are on sale now, and they can be purchased through www.thelerner.com or by calling their box office at (574) 293-4469 or (800) 294-8223. Doors to the venue will open at 6:30 p.m., and Head East will open the show an hour later.

Styx reaching new listeners

Submitted photo/ASH NEWELL

Styx will be making a stop in Elkhart on their North American Tour this April.


helping to,lower choles-terol and maintain healthy

blood sugar levels. They are also high in, potassium and antioxidants!

Parsnips are delicious roasted, fried, made into savory cakes, whipped, mashed, and any manor of preparation really. I would say that I most often roast them in a mix of root veg-

gies and an herb marinade. I’ve also shredded them and mixed them with cel-ery root for a contempo-rary take on a potato pan-cake. I believe I shared the recipe here a few weeks back.

Anyway, this time I decided to make them the star of their own dish, par-ing them with only fresh herbs, onion, and garlic. Something about the com-bination made the parsnip taste really decadent, and I couldn’t stop eating it.

In my book, and my kitchen, that alone makes it worthy enough to share, but add to the equation that it’s incredibly easy to prepare, and you get a total win.

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

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Roasted Parsnips with Fresh Herbs

Roasted Parsnips with Fresh Herbs Yield: 4 side servings

2 parsnip, peeled and thinly sliced2/3 cup yellow onion, cut into 1 inch pieces6 coves garlic, sliced1/2 cup fresh dill, clipped from stem with kitchen sheers1/2 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped1 teaspoon Bati Becco seasoning salt1/2 tablespoon grapeseed or vegetable oil

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MICHIANA—Back in the early 1980s, my oldest brother

gave me a special “Frisbee” made especially for playing what he called “Frisbee golf.” He had bought it so we could play together at a nearby park. Our city had constructed a Frisbee golf course there, consisting of strategically-placed baskets with signs that indicated the par for that “hole.”

It was a fun activity that got us outside, walking through the woods and meadows and exercising our competitive spirits at the same time.

Over the past 30 years, the sport has become a great deal more popular. Sporting a new name, “disc golf,” courses for the sport have been sprouting up in parks all over the nation.

“Back in the 1980s, it started getting popular, and it was called ‘Frisbee golf,’ but Wham-O invoked trademark law, and so people had to start calling it some-thing else,” e x p l a i n e d L a r r y Leonardi, opera-tions and new ven-tures manager with Essential Discs. “The confusion over its name caused it to fade. But, it started regaining popularity in the mid-1990s, and they put in a lot more courses.”

L e o n a r d i , who runs Essential Discs with his wife Kathy, hopes that the disc golf trend continues to build. Their Watervliet-based com-pany designs and builds courses, as well as organiz-ing and promoting tourna-ments to help grow the sport.

“Disc golf has been expe-riencing 10 to 15 percent growth annually,” Leonardi said. “By about 2009, 3,000 courses had been put in all around the country.”

Leonardi credits the rel-atively low cost of con-structing disc golf courses for their popularity among parks departments.

“Parks departments love it because it doesn’t cost a lot to put in a course,” Leonardi said. “Baskets cost between $400 and $500 each. Then, you need a cou-ple signs for about $20 each, and you have a disc golf course.”

It’s also an inexpensive

game for the players. The amount of necessary equip-ment is minimal, and the cost of that equipment is surprisingly low.

“On the players’ side, discs aren’t nearly as costly as all the equipment you need for regular ‘ball golf,’” Leonardi said. “You can get three discs for about $20 total, and you’ll be set up to play with a driver, a mid-range disc, and a putter.”

Over the years, the sport has become especially pop-ular in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana, thanks in part to enthusias-tic disc golfers who want to share the sport with others.

“There’s just a plethora of courses here. I’ve never seen so many courses in one area,” said Joe Rutkowski, who moved to South Bend three years ago. “It’s crazy how many amazing players we have in the area.”

Together with fellow disc golfer Nick Radecki, Rutkowski started the Southside Disc Golf Club in order to promote the sport.

“We have so much tal-ent, but not much organiza-tion here,” said Rutkowski. “I felt like it was my call-ing. This is me. I want to help grow the sport. I want Michiana to experience disc golf. It’s our tool to

bring people together.”From humble begin-

nings, Rutkowski’s club now has between 30 and 40 people involved. They can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There, people can learn about tournaments and other activities that the club has planned, including proj-ects to beautify and enhance certain parks, like Rum Village in South Bend. Madeline Bertrand County Park also has a course.

“We feel like we can do something big. We’re excited to be spreading the word,” Rutkowski said. “We are completely non-profit. We’re just trying to grow the sport from the grassroots.”

Rutkowski and Radecki are willing to do whatever they can to help get more people involved in playing disc golf, including giving away discs and matching beginners up with experi-enced players who can coach them on the basics.

“People can call me at (574) 309-6139. No matter where they are in the area, I can hook them up with somebody from the club,” Rutkowski said. “We’re

giving away free discs. We’ll show you what you need to do

to get started, and we’ll even give you the discs to do it.”

Some coaching in the sport is help-ful because discs for playing golf

are slightly different than the typical “Frisbee” style of disc. They are both smaller and heavier,

which causes them to react differently than the larger discs do when they are thrown. For that reason, disc golfers use a different throwing motion when playing the game.

“Throwing a disc is a lot different than throwing a ‘Frisbee.’ With a ‘Frisbee,’ most people use a swoop-ing arm motion, a sort of windmill pattern,” Leonardi explained. “With a disc, it’s a motion that’s more like pulling a lawn mower chain—across your body.”

Rutkowski points out that the sport appeals to a wide variety of people, especially those who enjoy getting out in nature.

“Disc golf is really for anybody who enjoys walk-ing in the woods and getting outside,” Rutkowski said. “Unlike other sports, disc golf is one of those sports that unites everybody.”

F

Submitted photo/KATHY LEONARDI

Playing disc golf can be a great way to get out and enjoy nature.

Look out, disc golf is growing sport

or !e


6

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Friday, May 9Author Elizabeth Strout

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@leaderpub.com

BENTON HARBOR—When patrons enter Frankie’s Breakfast

Club, they can’t help but notice a striking, somewhat abstract, and yet very real-istic, portrait of Frankie Rios, the restaurant’s namesake. Upon closer examination, viewers will see that the piece is actual-ly a relief, composed of various layers of painted wood.

Soon, the restaurant will be filled with more por-traits done in this same, unique style. The artist, Brad Bigford, will be showing a collection of his recent work, “Icons,” with the opening reception scheduled for March 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to talk with Brad over breakfast at Frankie’s. Here are some excerpts from our conver-sation.

BB: The show includes portraits of famous people. We’ve got Madonna, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Jack Nicolson, Tiger Woods to name a few.

OTW: You’ve brought along reproductions of a piece by Botticelli and by Duchamp. Is this some-thing new you’re doing now? Or are these pieces that will also be in the show?

BB: These are some-thing new—reproductions of famous pieces of art. I’ll be doing a show with them later.

My crossover piece was Frieda Kahlo. I did her in my old style, which is not even brushed. It’s like pan-els with crackle paint, sten-ciled and maybe a little bit of hand brushing. When I did Frieda Kahlo, I chose her famous painting of her-self instead of a picture of her, and that was kind of my cross-over piece to doing other people’s paint-ings. And it worked in that same style, but I hadn’t done a painting before.

So, the next painting I chose was a Salvador Dali, and I did all the sections, and I put it together, and it didn’t look like anything. So, I thought, “Well, if I just paint this section out

here to delineate it, it might work.” And it looked bet-ter, but then I painted the next section, and I ended

up painting the whole thing. So, I just kind of switched gears and decid-ed, “Well, for these, I’m just going to have to actu-ally paint, not just screw around.”

OTW: Would you say that portraiture is easier to do in this medium that you’re using?

BB: Yes, in a certain size. When you’re starting to get to a smaller size, you’re starting to lose some of the quality that I like about it.

OTW: In the past, you were working in a style that was more sculptural, creating three-dimensional pieces. Would you call these newer pieces 3D still or is this 2D, or what would you call it?

BB: It’s almost like a relief. It is a relief of sorts. It’s just a more linear relief. It’s not carved in between the layers, so it’s more of a stacked relief.

OTW: How did you first go from your former

style of work to this new form you’re using?

BB: I was watching an old black and white horror movie on TV, and there was this woman scream-ing, and the lighting was real under-lit, so you just saw a real vivid black and white image. So, I took a picture of the TV screen, and I went out in the shop, and I just cut that white part out in ¾-inch thick wood and rounded it over and stained it white and put it on a black background, and it looked really cool.

That was the first one. Then I got thinking, let’s make this work with color, so I started experimenting with more panels, raising up the pieces to create depth.

Then, like with the eyes, those pieces are missing because that’s the black, that’s the darkest part of every picture, that’s just gone, so I’ll put the pin-

Artist serving up 'icons' at Frankie's Breakfast Club

Leader photos/JILL McCAUGHAN

Sculptor Brad Bigford’s series of relief-style portraits, similar to this one of Frankie Rios, will be on display at Frankie’s Breakfast Club for several weeks this spring.

See FRANKIE'S page 11


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style of work to this new form you’re using?

BB: I was watching an old black and white horror movie on TV, and there was this woman scream-ing, and the lighting was real under-lit, so you just saw a real vivid black and white image. So, I took a picture of the TV screen, and I went out in the shop, and I just cut that white part out in ¾-inch thick wood and rounded it over and stained it white and put it on a black background, and it looked really cool.

That was the first one. Then I got thinking, let’s make this work with color, so I started experimenting with more panels, raising up the pieces to create depth.

Then, like with the eyes, those pieces are missing because that’s the black, that’s the darkest part of every picture, that’s just gone, so I’ll put the pin-

SPOTLIGHT


@leaderpub.com

SOUTH BEND—Despite juggling a blossoming career

that keeps him travelling constantly between the East and West coasts, Chicago-based Chris Carter has enjoyed spend-ing the last several months working with actors and crew at the South Bend Civic Theater.

Although his credits include a variety of roles including dancer, puppe-teer and choreographer, SBCT’s production of “The Wiz,” which opens on March 28, has provided Carter with the opportunity to direct a show that he has loved since he was a youth.

“I have always loved ‘The Wiz,’” Carter said. “I fell in love with the movie first. Then, when I was in high school, they brought in a new teacher, and she wanted to do a production of ‘The Wiz.’ I told her, I will go out and find every character in the ensemble,

and my cousin Michael and I went out and did just that. I choreographed it, and I got to be the Wiz, too.”

Although Chris had already been studying dance for many years, his experi-ence with “The Wiz” opened up a whole new window on the theater for him.

“That was really my first experience with musi-cal theater,” Carter said. “I thought, ‘This is awesome! I can tell a story when I dance. I can be goofy. I can do all the things you can’t do in ballet and hip hop.’ When I choreographed the tornado, I realized this was my calling.”

Chris’ deeply-felt con-nection to “The Wiz,” an adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” that draws upon unique-ly African-American cultural experiences, stems from his own experience growing up in Muskegon, Mich.

“I come from an urban community,” Carter said. “‘The Wiz’ gives us a chance to connect with what we know as members of an urban community.”

As the director of

SBCT’s production, Carter is in a position to empha-size the aspects of the show that he feels are most important.

“The story sometimes loses its magic in some other productions,” Carter said. “I want to keep the magic, the love and the fun in the show. I keep that by adding trapdoors and laser light shows. I want to

remind people of what they fell in love with when they were kids.”

Carter also wants to make sure that audience members are drawn into the story of “The Wiz” while emphasizing that, although there are similarities, “The Wiz” is not just a retelling of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I want to bring the audience into it more, not

let it be so distant to them. I want everybody to leave the theater happy, calm and relaxed,” Carter said. “It’s important to keep the feel-ing of ‘The Wiz’ separate from ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ It’s a feeling of jubilation, of rejoicing. That’s what’s important to me with this story in particular.”

His enthusiasm for the show has also affected the cast, which should translate into a very memorable experience for those in attendance.

“As a director, if you put enough into it, you can bring your passion into it. The cast can feel it,” Carter said. “I could not have asked for a better cast. I want to thank them for being there because I can’t do it alone.”

Once SBCT’s produc-tion of “The Wiz” wraps up, Carter will return to his busy schedule.

“I’m actually in a show in San Francisco, ‘Queenie Pie,’ Duke Ellington’s unfinished opera. I’m also going to San Francisco to do ‘Showboat’ at the San

Francisco Opera in May,” Carter said. “I just recently did ‘Oklahoma’ at the Chicago Lyric Opera, and I was a dancer and singer. I’ll also be performing in some regional theater pro-ductions this fall.”

“The Wiz” performs in the Wilson Theatre at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main St., from March 28 to April 13, 2014. Performance times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $21 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows and $18 for Wednesday and Thursday shows. To purchase tickets, call the SBCT Box Office at (574) 234-1112 or visit to www.sbct.org.

If the director’s excite-ment about the production is any indicator of how enter-taining the show will be, then audience members will surely have a great time.

“I’m excited about it because everybody else is excited about it, too. I think it’ll be fun,” Carter said. “I love this show, and I want you to feel that!”

'The Wiz' brings magic to South Bend theater


looking for, with all the leaves gone, you can get a clearer picture of what’s out there. It’s easier to see what you’re looking for.”

The DNR will provide volunteers with the neces-

sary tools, and they will educate volunteers so that they know what to look for.

“A lot of people catch on right away. We provide assistance, instruction and tools,” Frei said. “We’ll

have some work gloves for people to borrow if they don’t have a favorite pair of their own.”

Of course, if volunteers have their own gloves, they are welcome to bring them, too, but they should be clean and free of mud and “hitchhiking seeds” that could actually contribute to the problem of invasive species in the dunes.

Frei also recommends dressing for the weather and wearing warmer clothes. Even on warmer days, long sleeves and pants should be worn to prevent scrapes from branches. More informa-tion about what to wear and what to expect can be found on the DNR’s website.

Helping the DNR with habitat restoration is an activity that almost anyone can do, including children.

“I always encourage bringing kids, but parents are the best gauge for what their kids can handle,” Frei said. “I think it’s a great learning opportunity. Anything we can do to get kids away from the TV and the cell phone is a good thing. I’ve had kids as young as four years old helping. They handle it pretty well. I’m always amazed by the kids.”

Groups are also wel-come to participate.

“We have everything from scouting groups to retirees to service clubs that come out and help,” Frei said. “We encourage large groups to give us a call beforehand so we can plan for the right amount of equipment and so on.”

People who want to help out while witnessing spring’s first bloom can contact Frei at (269) 685-6851, ext. 147 or at [email protected] with their questions about vol-unteering in southwest Michigan parks.

8

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


@leaderpub.com

SAWYER—Signs of spring’s approach are finally appearing, and

with them come more opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural resources that draw so many visitors to this area. Forests, lakes, streams and dunes offer a wide variety of nature-based experiences for both adults and children.

Residents can enjoy those resources while help-ing to preserve them by participating in volunteer stewardships days at state parks with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“It’s a good way for people to get out and help out,” said Heidi Frei, resource steward for the stewardship unit of the DNR. “It’s beautiful out there right now. The land-scape is just fantastic.”

Frei oversees volunteer stewardship work projects almost every weekend throughout the southwest Michigan area. One of those activities will take place at Warren Dunes from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 30.

Warren Woods and Grand Mere are also near-by state parks where folks can get out in the fresh air and help the DNR with habitat preservation activi-ties. The calendar of volun-teer workdays on the Michigan DNR’s website, www.michigan.gov/dnr, provides a listing of cur-rently scheduled activities.

“We actually work pret-ty regularly at Warren Dunes, Warren Woods and Grand Mere,” Frei said. “We’re out there at least once a month.”

While many of the

scheduled activities take place on weekends, Frei said that the DNR has many opportunities that volun-teers can do at other times, and they always welcome assistance from the public.

“We have a number of different opportunities for volunteers. We have proj-ects where volunteers are doing surveys for us or mapping invasive species,” Frei said. “We can always work with volunteers that are willing and ready to learn.”

The March 30 project at Warren Dunes is designed to remove invasive plant species from the dunes in order to preserve the natu-ral habitat there.

“If these invasive spe-cies get too thick, that can limit the native plants and reduce cover from things like bloodroot or trillium, the wildflowers that people like to see here” Frei said. “We also have some very unique Beech-Maple for-ests there that need to be protected.”

Among the species that need to be eradicated are Japanese barberry, non-native honeysuckle, autumn olive, multiflora rose and garlic mustard.

“One plant that we’ll be targeting is the Japanese barberry. It’s thorny, and its form is very distinct. It really has the ability to take over the dunes,” Frei said. “We’re trying to get control over it so we don’t lose our trillium and the forest understory.”

Although one might assume that it’s too early to be finding non-native plants, Frei said that the task can actually be easier when there are not a lot of leaves to block the view.

“Even though there was snow cover on the ground,

we were out a few week-ends ago, and we were able to get a lot done,” Frei said. “If you know what you’re

Get out, help out

Submitted photo/MICHIGAN DNR

Volunteering at state parks is one way to enjoy our natural resources and help care for them at the same time.

Volunteers can make difference at state parks


9 MARKETPLACE

MarketplaceGOT SOMETHING TO SELL? LIST IT HERE FOR ONLY $10. CALL (888) 725-0108

General Notices 106VENDORS WANTED!

Farmers, Cottage, & Craft2nd Saturday EACH MonthSmall Business Saturdays4th Saturday EACH Month

Register @www.theorchardsmall.com

or call 269-927-4467

WRONGLY DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY

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

Help Wanted 300DRIVER/SERVICE

TECHJoy's Johns Hiring

Duties include delivery,pickup and cleaning ofportable restrooms. Musthave 1 year straight truckexperience, chauffeur li-cense, current D.O.T.physical, clean driving re-cord. Able to read a mapwith knowledge of Michianaarea. Reliable trans-portation and able to workflexible hours a must. Applyat 1325 Airport Rd. Niles,MI

Kenneth Smith, Inc.Truck Drivers Pulling

Dump Trailers WantedDRIVERS NEEDED:

Class A CDL and Dumptrailer exp. preferred. Tri-state area, Home nights andweekends, Fuel SavingsSharing Program, SafetyBonus, Health Benefits.

Apply in person2596 Detroit Road (M-60) in

Niles, MI or call 269-684-5960 to request applicationwww.kennethsmithinc.com

Local Niles Facility Hiring forCNA's, LPN's, RN's andTherapy Staff. See our lar-ger ad in today's paper.

Norco Industries is Hiring fora Mechanical Engineer. Seeour larger ad in today's pa-per.

NOW HIRINGREALTORS

Call today 269-683-4507Coldwell Banker R. E.

Specialists1400 Chicago RdNiles, MI 49120

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businesses acrossSouthwest Michigan

•Skilled Trades•Industrial Sales•Packing/Sorting

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Elderly Care 307KARE SERVICESCompassionate Home

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

email:[email protected]

Instruction & Training

309

P.D.K.Firearm Instruction

Concealed Pistol LicenseClasses. Next class March22nd, 8a-5p Contact Paul:269-462-2584 or Kelly:2 6 9 - 7 8 3 - 6 5 7 0p d k f i r e a r m s . c o m

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

Dowagiac2 BEDROOM APT.

$525, heat included(269)930-4232

Edwardsburg2 BEDROOM APT.

$140 per week includeswater & trash, no cats ordogs, $100 deposit. Call 1-269-414-4139 ONLYBetween Mon.- Sat. 11am - 6pm

RIVER OAK APTS1729 Oak St., Niles

(269)687-83401-2 Bedrooms

Heat, Water, Hot Water &Trash All PaidAsk About Our

Move-In Specialswww.coreleases.com

For Rent 4183 BEDROOM

Fulkerson Park, Niles, nopets, $725 (574)323-1102

Niles2 BEDROOM

side by side duplex, woodfireplace, washer/dryer hookup, patio, no pets orsmoking, $600/month,$600 deposit, 1 yr. lease,(269)470-4448 or(269)470-9836

ONLY 3 HOMES LEFT

Come in and see how wecan help. Break the rentcycle in 2014. Use your taxreturn -- We match downpayments from $1000 to$2500.

Call now (269)695-5148Hills Haven Mobile Home

Community, where cominghome is always a pleasure

ROUND LAKECHALETS

SISTER LAKES, MI

“Summer Rental Specials”

May 31st –June 7th$495+tax

Aug.9th –16th $795+taxAug. 23-29(6 day)

$495+tax(Reg.$1125)+tax

“Fishing, boating, swim-ming, or just relaxing.”

* Only a 20-minute drivefrom Niles!

Ask for Brad Light(269) 687-9227

Or cell (574) 850-6940

Office Space for Rent

427

OFFICE SPACESFOR RENT

1st office space has dualentrances off 4th & Sy-camore in Niles and has 1large office or can be di-vided into 2 smaller of-fices. Lease includes heat,gas, water, sewer,$800/month for both of-fices or $450/month forone. 2nd office space has1 entrance off 4th St. inNiles and has a receptionarea plus 2 offices,$350/month. Call or [email protected]. (269)687-7700

Houses for Sale 500NILES HOME

Over 7 AcresBarn & Out Building

Large HomeCall or Text Chris Moore

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

FORECLOSURE LISTemailed directly to you!Contact Tarah Sheteron @Gold Star Realty. We list andsell FREDDIE MAC fore-closures all across South-west Michigan! Be the firstto hear about these deals!Call, text or email me to geton the list! [email protected] 876-9276

Niles- N. 5th St.3 BED

1.5 bath, single family, 1995sq. ft., detached garage,lease or cash, call for de-tails. (877)553-5348

RANCH BRICKin Brandywine School area,2,100 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4bedroom, 1/2 acre lot,fenced back yard, 2 car at-tached garage with extraside access, completely re-modeled, tiled kitchen,bathroom & utility room,carpeted bedrooms withwalk-in closets, large diningroom, wood flooring in din-ing room, family room andhall, cathedral ceilings infamily room, wood burningfireplace, all new stainlesssteel appliances, largeFlorida room, additional 3car garage great forworkshop. $139,900(269)845-1830

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

THIS CHARMING

3 bedroom home has 1 onthe main floor and 2 up-stairs, 2 full baths, someoriginal woodwork andhardwood floors. Open livingroom and formal diningroom area. Detached gar-age is brand new with easyaccess from the alley. Backyard is fenced with acovered patio.

Visitwww.SoGoodToBeHome.com

for more photos and info$63,000

Coldwell Banker, RWGPatty Lauten

(574)340-4271(269)663-8800

Manufactured Homes

502

A GREAT HOMEFOR LESS

2 bd/1 bth,Newer appliances,

New flooring throughout,Qualifies for $199

base lot rentFor 24 months!

Riverside EstatesCall 269-695-3119

HOMES FOR SALE IN DECATUR

3 Bed, 2 bath homes readyto be moved into. LeaseOptions at starting at $587per month (includes lot rent,insurance, water, trash) Call269-423-7024 or visitwww.phelpscommunity.comto view pictures

Mobile Homes 506SPRING SAVINGS ONAFFORDABLE HOMES•Preowned 2&3 bed homes•New 3 bed, 2 bath homes

for $34,500•Many standard features

•Modular homes availableColonial Acres

(269)663-2424

General Mer-chandise

595

NOW OPENNILES FLEA MARKET

Wed.-Sat. 10a-5pSun. 12p-5p

111 E. Main StA few Vendor spots stillavailable. For more info

call 574-323-4187

Cemetery Lots 6171 LOT & VAULT

in Mission Hills MemorialChapel Old Rugged CrossGarden, worth $3,000,asking $1,000, will includetransfer fee. (269)683-8047

2 PLOTS & 2 VAULTSin Mission Hills MemorialGardens in Niles, $2,100negotiable, will pay transferfees! (219)393-1977

9 MARKETPLACE

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Flo-Dynamics, a leading manufacturer in automotive fluid maintenance equipment, is looking for a Mechanical Engineer who is a self-starter, has innovative ideas & the ability to solve problems, works well with others and is not afraid to get their hands dirty. Candidates must be competent in Solid Edge, Solid Works and MS Office programs. Responsibilities will include; product design, maintaining & creating BOMs, developing test procedures, troubleshooting problems and testing components & finished goods. Experience with fluid exchange systems is preferred. EOE.

Please send your resume with cover letter and salary history to:

Norco Industries c/o HR2800 Northland Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514

or Fax: 574-262-0368 or Email: [email protected]

CNA’s / LPN’s / RN’s / Therapy Staff Local Niles facility is accepting applications for

full-time & part-time CNA’s. Offering a new wage scale and sign on bonus for CNA positions.

Must be certified by the State of MI.

Also accepting applications for LPN’s/RN’s and PRN Therapy Staff.

Must be licensed by the State of MI.

Please send resumes to: [email protected]


10 HALF CLASS

Consignment 625Turn your Closet into

CASHKids' clothing:

newborn to teen,Baby gear & furniture,

MaternitywearAccepting Spring &

Summer wear Feb. 1stCall for appointment.

Who kNew Consignment269-782-9800

We are open Mon. - Sat.10am-5pm,

so you can replace thewinter clothes your kids

are outgrowing

Things to Do 637CASS DISTRICT

LIBRARYhttp://cass.lib.mi.us

(269)445-3400Check out our

online services:Freegal, Learn4Life, andmore! Call for more info.

Household Mer-chandise

642

FOR SALEUsed & reconditionedwashers, ranges, dryers, re-frigerators & freezers.Geiger Refrigeration Service

841 Carberry Rd. Niles(269)687-8639

TAX SEASON IS HEREBILL'S USED APPLIANCES

Washers, Dryers, Stoves,Fridges for all budgets, startat $100. Inventory alwayschanging. 2559 S. 11th St.Niles (269) 591-7922

Merchandise for Sale

643

YOUR E-CIG EXPERTSVaporizers & e-hookahOver 50 liquid flavors.

US 31 Tobacco50552 US 31 N, South Bend

(574) 271-0333

Wanted to Buy 672

ALWAYSBUYING

★★★★★★★★

•Junk Cars•

•Free Pick Up•

Cash Paid OnThe Spot

Up to $1,500

(574)850-1222

24 hours,7 days a week

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

CASH PAID FOROlder watches, pock-etknives, postcards, musicalinstruments etc. Entire Es-tates. Call Chris 269-591-5168

WANTED TO BUYCash paid for small &medium size refri-gerators working or not,washers, gas & electricranges. 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 25 years of experience,tile work, kitchens, bath-rooms, additions, decks &porches, windows & doors,window wrapping, siding,fascia & soffit. Insured! CallRandy (269)782-3139(269)208-9838

JDS HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Repairs, Replacement, NewSmall Jobs welcome.Licensed/Insured. Call John(269)445-7005

MICHIANAHANDYMAN

Home repairs, siding, drywall, bathrooms,

painting, plumbing andmuch more!

One call does it all!NOW OFFERING

"SPECIAL PRICING"on all bathroom remodeling

and painting.Call today to take

advantage of this offer!(269)405-2643

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

Tree Service 725THE CUTTING EDGE

PRO TREE CAREComplete Tree ServiceSAME DAY ESTIMATES

Insured, Competitive Rates.269-687-4972

Recycling Service 743CA$H 4 JUNKERS

Turn that Junker in your yardto cash in your hand

801 Carberry Rd, Niles269-687-5865

Misc. Services 747BRADY CONCRETE

Specializing in Flat work of alltype, seawalls, stamped con-crete & Bobcat Service. Freeestimates. Insured. Fast, de-pendable service. (269)445-3349 or (269)591-0100

COMPLETECONCRETE

From start to finish.Stamped, flat & dirt work.Insured (269)663-8091

CONCRETE OUTFITTERS

Concrete countertops,vases, and more.

Please visit our websitefor more information.

www.concreteoutfitters.com(269) 228-8131

KLIMEKENTERPRISES

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

MIDWEST ROOFINGFamily owned since 1984.Lifetime Warranty ShinglesFlat Roofs & Gutter Covers.Call (269)684-7199

NIEBOER CONCRETESidewalks, floors & driveways.Free Estimates. Licensed & In-sured. (269)684-6673

POLE BARNS &GARAGESBY NIEBOER

Quality Built (269)684-6673

WEAVER CONCRETEAnd masonry, driveways,porches, patios, tearout/replace, all repairs,brick, block, stone, fire-places. Will fix wet base-ments big or small, insideand out. All remodelingwindows, siding anddoors.Aaron (269)655-4158

Painting Service 754

J.M. HUNTENTERPRISES, LLC

Painting & Drywall. Insured.Free Estimates. FamilyOwned & Operated for Over50 years. 269-683-4442.

Insurance 758LOWER YOUR

INSURANCE RATES!Home - Auto - Health - Life

We do the shopping for you!TCU Insurance AgencyCall Deb Asmus today

(269) 683-6700 x5901

Motorcycles & ATV’’s

915

McDaniel'sHarley-Davidson

Stop in to check out the Dyna Low Rider & Sportster

SuperLow 1200T. 1910 Lincolnway East,

South Bend (574) 289-6650 or shop www.mchadanielsharley-

davidson.com

MOTORCYCLE2007 Honda Shadow, 1100Saber, Has 9,000 miles,Burgundy in color,Asking$3500 OBO, Can be phonedor text 269-635-3134

Autos for Sale 9452001 GRAND PRIX

SE 4 door, runs good, newtires, reliable, for sale orpartial trade etc. $1,700OBO (574)350-5120 or(269)357-5173 evenings

FOR SALE'93 Ford Ranger, 4 Cyl. 5Spd., good mpg and runsgood, very clean, no rust,$1,995.00, '02 Pontiac,Gran Prix, 4 Door, loaded, p.windows, p. locks, p. seat,leather, AM/FM CD,$4,995.00, '02 DodgeCaravan Ext, quad captainschairs, loaded, very clean,$4,995. All privately owned,clean, good runners, andpriced to sell. Please callGreg at 269-462-9260 or269-262-6448.

10 HALF CLASSWHAT'S HAPPENING?i

Submit calendar events to Jill McCaughan, feature writer, by email at [email protected] or [email protected] or visit the Leader Publications office at 217 N. Fourth Street, Niles.

Ongoing

i Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held 8- 9:30 p.m. each Tuesday, Thurs-day and Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 306 Courtland St., Dowa-giac. Narcotics Anonymous is a self-help group for ad-dicts seeking recovery and for people who think they may have a drug problem. Dowagiac meetings are held in a closed format.

Now - 23

Celebrating Creative Kids (formerly known as the Elementary School Show)

in all galleries. Reception will be March 15 from 12-2 p.m., awards presented at 12:30 p.m. Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. For more info, visit www.boxfacto-ryforthearts.org.

March 20

Buchanan’s 8th Annual Chili Walk. Local business-es and organizations will stand off to see who has the best chili in Buchanan. The public is encouraged to participate in the sampling, and each attendee may cast a vote for their favorite chili and best named chili. There will be a $2.00/spoon charge.If you are in-terested in registering for the contest, please contact the Buchanan Area Cham-ber (269) 695-3291 or [email protected] for an application. There is an entry fee of $20. Entrants may sign up through March 13th. 4:30-7 p.m.

iBistro on the Boulevard, in conjuction with Lambrecht’s Liquors, presents “A Spirited Night,” a tasting seminar of whiskies around the world. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bistro 521 Lake Bou-levard, St. Joseph, Michigan.

March 21

Knights of Columbus: Fa-mous Lenten Fish Fry. All you can eat. Carry-out available. St. Pius X Parish, Fir Rd., South of SR 23, Granger, IN. Adults: $8, Kids (6-10): $4, under 6: free. Call (574) 271-7853 for more info. 4-7 p.m.

The Lake Michigan Col-lege Performing Arts De-partment will present a Cabaret Night, Friday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage South Lobby of the Mendel Center for

Arts and Technology.

The State Theater in South Bend will host “Rocky Hor-ror Picture Show.” Tickets are $8 and survival kits are $2. Doors open at 11 p.m. and the fun begins at 11:30 pm.

March 21-22

Hope United Methodist Church Dinner Theater pres-ents “The Mystery of Mont-ley Manor.” Tickets: March 21: $8; March 22: $15. Din-ner Theater: 6 p.m. Dessert Theater 7 p.m. Tickets sales from February 23 to March 14. (All tickets are presold so food can be purchased.) Contact Hope UMC Church Office at(269) 663-5321 or [email protected].

March 22

i Birding Local Wetlands. Join

naturalist Wendy Jones for a trip to local wetlands to learn about duck identification. Spotting scopes are provid-ed, but bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Travel is by carpool; meet in the Fernwood parking lot. Regis-ter by March 21. $15 (Mem-bers $12). Fernwood Bo-tanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491. 9-11:30 a.m.

i Michiana Area Geneal-ogy Fair 2014: South Bend Area Genealogical Society (SBAGS). At the Downtown Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library, 209 Lincoln Way E., Mishawaka, IN. $5 admission. Workshops will be presented by Dr. Mi-chael Lacopo at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more info, call Bill Minish of SBAGS: (574) 277-1183 or email [email protected]. Doors open at 9 a.m.

i“Seeing the Bias in Your Re-search.” Staff will help you strengthen how you look at history when you’re re-searching a topic. Have you missed a vital piece of in-formation? Can you read an article and see what’s being left out or how it’s slanted towards an opinion? Come learn how historians look at their research to present history. Elkhart County His-torical Museum. 11 a.m.

Chonda Pierce presents Girl Talk. Tickets: $20.50 to $27.50. The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN. For tickets, call (800) 294-8223 or visit chonda.org or thelerner.com. Call (574) 293-4469 for more info. 7:00-9:30 p.m.

First “Annual” Box Factory Follies presented by impre-

CLASSIFIEDS


sario Greg Ladewski and a program of varied local tal-ent. Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and un-der admitted free). Box Fac-tory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. For more info, visit www.boxfactory-forthearts.org. 7:30 p.m.

Spring Garden Sympo-sium: “Gardening for the Future.” Speakers include Amanda Thomsen, Kelly Norris, Thomas Smarr, and Ken Druse. Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwoodbotanical.org or call (269) 695-6491. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Art of Beer Festival. Craft brews, local food, and live music. Lake Michigan Col-lege Mendel Center, Ben-ton Harbor, MI. Tickets are $35 in advance, and $40 at the door; on sale now at www.artofbeerfest.com and (269) 927-1221, Ad-mission includes 15 beer tokens, festival pint glass, and $10 in food tickets. All attendees must be 21 or older. 5- 9 p.m.

Build a rubber band drag race car with Sarett Na-ture Center’s Woodshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Children 6 to 12 years old need an adult to help. Fee is $20 per car. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

New Troy Indoor Flea Mar-ket, New Troy Community Center. Local food prod-ucts, plants, tools, antiques, books, jewelry, photogra-phy, crafts, furniture and other housewares, and more. Community Book Store and Furniture Store will also be open. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

iJoel Greenberg, author and research associate of the Notebaert Nature Mu-seum and Chicago Field Museum, will present The Echoes of their Wings: The Life and Legacy of the Pas-senger Pigeon on March 22 at 3 p.m. Admission is $3.

Music, comedy, dance, short skits, poetry and much more will be on stage at the first Box Factory Fol-lies on March 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at the Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, Mich. General admission is $10 and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available on-line with PayPal at www.boxfactoryforthearts.org/calendar/#follies or at the door. A portion of the eve-ning’s proceeds will ben-efit the Citadel Dance and Music Center in Benton Harbor.

iLearn how to be more ef-ficient with your mobile devices with Cloud Com-puting for Small Business, a workshop offered by Cor-nerstone Alliance Small Business Services and Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance on from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at 38 W. Wall Street, Ben-ton Harbor, Mich.

March 22 - June 8

The South Bend Museum of Art will present Michiko Itatani and Jake Webster: Passages, the first in a new exhibition series titled Conversations, which will pair a regional established artist with an established artist from outside of the South Bend community. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Solas, “Irish-America’s most influential band”

(NPR’s The Thistle & Shamrock), will perform at Notre Dame’s Debartolo Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission. The band will be presenting their full Shamrock City show, also the name of their latest album.

March 23

March for the Tower. Join the final phase of the Re-build the OxBow Park Tower. Walkers are needed to gather pledges and then march along our trails at OxBow County Park. The Two Rivers Running Club will host a Kid’s 1 Mile Fun Run for grades K-6. Mini-mum pledge is $10/person. More info is available at www.elkhartcountyparks.org or (574) 535-6458. Ox Bow County Park, Fisher-man’s Shelter. 2 p.m.

Enjoy a raptor experience at Sarett Nature Center on March 23 at 3 p.m. Aimee Pico will bring several live birds from the Lake Milton Raptor Education Center. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

iThe Michiana Gem and Mineral Society will meet at 2 p.m. in the basement of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 805 S. 29th St. (29th and Wall St.) South Bend, Ind.. Families and visitors are welcome. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

iBlossomland Gem and Min-eral Society will host a lec-ture and display on gypsum from 1 to 4 p.m., Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, Mich.

A penance and prayer ser-vice based upon the last seven words of Christ will

be held at 3 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3 N. 19th St. in Niles with Bishop Paul J. Bradley, presiding. Call (269) 683-8650 for details.

i WNIT Public Television proudly presents “A Con-versation with Father Jen-kins” on politically speak-ing. Hosted by IU South Bend professor Elizabeth Bennion, Ph.D., the pro-gram is broadcast live on channel 34.1 each Sunday at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Monday at 3 p.m. on 34.2.

March 24

i Class on Local Geology, LMC Bertrand Crossing Campus, Room 109. Free. For more info, call (269) 695-1391 or visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce. 6-8 p.m.

March 26

Newport Jazz Festival: Now 60 at LMC Mendel Center. Tickets are $25, $30, $35 & $39. Mendel Center Box Office, (269) 927-1221 or www.lmc-mainstage.org. 7:30 p.m.

Explore Michigan with Sarett Nature Center on March 26 at 10 a.m. Ad-venturers will visit Sarett sanctuaries (Black Woods and Brown Sanctuary) searching for the earliest signs of spring. The fee is $15. Bring a lunch and be prepared for gentle walks. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.

iA rising star in the South Bend community brings his success story to Holy Cross College at 7 p.m. Andrew T. Berlin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Packaging and own-er of the South Bend Silver

Hawks, shares his path to success with students and community visitors during his visit to campus. Mr. Berlin will be speaking as part of the College’s Practi-cal Lessons in Success lec-ture series.

iVeterans Helping Veterans in the Formation and Ex-pansion of Veteran Owned Business, a free workshop will be offered at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library, 500 Market Street, St. Joseph, MI, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 27- April 16

Inspiring Future Artists (Middle and High School Show) in all galleries. Re-ception is March 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with awards presented at 6:30 p.m. Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. For more info, visit www.boxfactoryforthearts.org.

March 28

The internationally acclaimed Bruce Katz Band will play at The Livery, 190 5th St., Ben-ton Harbor, Mich., at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

March 29

i Learn to Make a Solar Heat Collector. New Buffalo High School’s leading Envirothon team, The Psionic Mush-rooms, will share its knowl-edge for building operational solar heat collectors using aluminum cans in this spe-cial workshop. Visit www.psionicmushrooms.wix.com/psionicmushrooms to learn more about this team. Register by Friday, March 28. $5 (Members Free). Fernwood Botanical Gar-den, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, MI 49120. For more info, visit www.fernwood-botanical.org or call (269) 695-6491. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Eryca Nelson returns to the Box Factory stage. Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 students and seniors; children 12 and under ad-mitted free). Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI. For more info, visit www.boxfactory-forthearts.org. 7:30 p.m.

i Class on Photoshop Basics, LMC Bertrand Crossing Campus, Room 111. Free. For more info, call (269) 695-1391 or visit www.lakemich-igancollege.edu/ce. 9-11 a.m.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING?i

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prick of light in with a little tiny dowel, and I’ll set it in past the hole, so you have the ‘follow eyes.’ So, almost all of the eyes on the paintings, when you come down to the show, the eyes will follow you when you walk across the room.

OTW: How interesting. Creepy!

BB: Yeah, creepy!OTW: What I’m hear-

ing is that you sort of devised this medium that you’re working in.

BB: Yes, this is my own thing, as far as I know. Of course, it’s a big world.

OTW: And, it’s still evolving, it sounds like.

BB: Yes. It reminds me of something that I saw in Mexico a few years ago. There were all these guys running around doing these quick pictures with spray

paint and stencils to create art for people on the spot.

And that’s sort of what I’m doing. I’m just kind of stenciling on plywood and cutting it out. I’ve taken it to a little bit higher level, but it’s similar.

OTW: So, you take a picture of the piece of are that you’re going to repro-duce, and then…

BB: Or, I acquire a pic-ture. I’ve probably done about 15 commissions for people, their kids, them

and their dog, or whatever. I always require at least three photos because some won’t work. You need the right kind of light, the right kind of contrast. If it’s a really low-contrast picture, I just won’t have a lot to work with. Or, I’ll just take the photo myself because I know what I need.

OTW: How did you get involved with the folks at Frankie’s Breakfast Club?

BB: I just came in here,

and I liked the food. And, I took a picture of Frankie and made that portrait for them. I like to help small businesses and the move-ment in Benton Harbor. I’ve lived here for years, and it was strugglesome to live here, and a lot of things have changed. Things are very slowly getting better.

While Bigford’s pieces will be on display at Frankie’s through April 23, permanent pieces of his sculptural work can also be

viewed at the Lake Michigan College Campus of Western Michigan University, Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph and Fernwood Botanical Garden.

He also has plans for an upcoming show that will include versions of famous artwork composed in the same unique relief style as his portraits. Those who are interested in commis-sion pieces can reach Brad at (269) 369-9346.

FRANKIE'S continued from page 6


12

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Off The Water - March 21-27, 2014