LIFE

Four Weeks Out for Aug. 30

Wisconsin

Aug. 30

» Fox Jazz Festival, noon to 8 p.m. at Jefferson Park, Menasha, continuing Aug. 31. Headliners include the Matt Wilson Quartet, which will perform Aug. 30, and Denise Donatelli, performing Aug. 31. Other artists include local middle and high school jazz bands, Jack and Jill Jazz, Marty Robinson Ensemble, Randy Sabien and Dan Trudell. Free admission, with food and refreshments for sale. www.foxjazzfest.com

Sept. 1

» Fox Valley Area Labor Council AFL-CIO hosts its 32nd annual Laborfest Celebration. The event includes a 10 a.m. parade through Neenah and Menasha and a picnic from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Neenah Labor Temple, 157 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah. The event features live music, children’s entertainment, food, refreshments and raffles.

Sept. 2

» Menasha Public Library is hosting a Back to School Fling 10-10:30 a.m. Big brothers and sisters are going back to school so the library is having a back-to-school story time for preschoolers. Come and practice letters and numbers, have a snack and do some “homework.”

» Grand opening of the Riverview Gardens retail store, 3-6 p.m. at 1101 S. Oneida St., Appleton. The store at the community center showcases the gardens’ produce, artisan bread, lemon bars, dog treats, specialty items and logo products. After the grand opening, regular store hours will be 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Sept. 4

» Thursday at the Movies, 4-6:15 p.m. in Meeting Room C at the Appleton Public Library. The program features a film screening of “Very Young Girls.” Co-sponsored and funded by the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region Inc., an optional discussion facilitated by Nicole Tynan and Elizabeth Hoffman of Reach Counseling Services will follow.

Sept. 5

» The University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley’s Barlow Planetarium will host “Will There Ever Be Another Earth?” at 7 p.m. at 1478 Midway Road, Menasha. The free presentation will be given by Dr. Maggie Turnbull, an astrobiologist whose expertise is identifying star and planetary systems that are capable of supporting life. Reservations are necessary due to limited seating and can be made by contacting Alan Peche at alan.peche@uwc.edu or 920-832-2852.

» Minecraft Interest Group, 4-4:45 p.m. in Meeting Room D at the Appleton Public Library. Teens, do you love to play Minecraft? Meet others who enjoy playing it as well. Registration is required at www.apl.org.

» Seafood Fest, 4-10:30 p.m. at Jefferson Park in Menasha, continuing Sept. 6. The event features fireworks on Saturday, food and entertainment. For a menu and entertainment schedule, see www.seafoodfest.us.

Sept. 6

» Monarch Migration Days, 1-3 p.m. continuing Sept. 7 at the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin, N2550 State 47, Town of Center. The public is invited to help release monarchs, which will be tested, tagged and released as part of the annual national Monarch Watch release project. $10. www.Butterflygardensofwisconsin.com

» The Fox River Valley Cat Club hosts its 44th annual Internationally Sanctioned Pedigree and Household Pet Cat Show at the Winnegamie Dog Club, 2043 Manitowoc Road, Menasha, continuing Sept. 7. Show hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. $3.50/adult, $2.50 for seniors and children under 12, $12 a family.

» The Fox Valley Brain Tumor Coalition is holding the Journey of Hope at the NeuroSpine Center of WI, 5320 Michaels Drive, Appleton. The day is a celebration of those fighting brain tumors and a remembrance of those who have died. Same-day registration begins at 9 a.m. The $10 fee includes a T-shirt and lunch. A noncompetitive walk starts at 10 a.m. Also included are children’s games, inflatables, prizes and auctions.

» The Town of Menasha Fire Department is sponsoring Safety Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fire Station 40, 1326 Cold Spring Road. The free event includes safety stations, displays, demonstrations and activities. Food and refreshments will be available.

Sept. 9

» The Menasha Public Library’s children’s department is hosting a Babymouse Party based on the books by Jennifer Hill from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The free program includes a reading, activities and a treat and is for kids in preschool through fifth grade.

» Seuss Stories from 11 a.m. to noon at the Trout Museum of Art, 111 W. College Ave., Appleton. Hear one of your favorite Seuss stories alongside his artwork and then head up to the studio for an art activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free with museum admission.

Sept. 10

» The Appleton Noon Lions will hold their 17th annual Senior Living Expo, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Players Choice, W3035 County JJ, Appleton. $2 admission. There will be about 60 exhibitors and prizes. www.appletonnoonlions.com/seniorexpo.htm

Sept. 11

» The Elisha D. Smith Public Library in Menasha is holding a used book sale. Friends of the library will sell books, paperbacks, music CDs and DVDs in the downstairs Activity Room until Sept. 16. The sale begins with an early-bird sale 4-8 p.m. Sept. 11 when the entrance fee is $3 per adult. Admission is free on remaining days. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 13, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 15 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept 16.

Sept. 13

» Quarry Quest 2014, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Michels Materials Quarry, Tullar Road, Neenah. Children have the opportunity to participate in numerous hands-on activities including a sand-sculpting contest, operating a crane, brick laying, digging for treasure and more. www.quarryquest.com

» Fifth annual Walk for Suicide Awareness at Central Park, Kaukauna. Check-in at 8 a.m., with the walk starting at 10 a.m. walkforsuicideawareness.org

» Catalpa Health Race for a Reason presented by J. J. Keller Foundation Inc. takes place at Fox Cities Stadium. Gates open at 10 a.m. with mini-Grand Prix kart races beginning at noon. Pit row will be open 11-11:30 a.m., and the children’s tent will be open 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with games, face painting, inflatables, radio-controlled cars and demonstrations. Boxkar performs after races finish at 2:30 p.m. There is a $5 parking fee.

Sept. 14

» Honey Sunday, 1-4 p.m. at Mosquito Hill Nature Center, N3880 Rogers Road, New London. The annual event celebrates pollinators, with great samples, tours, demonstrations and a honey sundae. www.mosquitohill.org

Sept. 16

» Fall Bird Hike, 8-10 a.m. at Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, 4815 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton. Fall is a great time to see many species migrating back through to warmer climates. Come see what species are still around and what ones are moving through. Free. www.bubolzpreserve.org

» Teen Game Break, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A/B/C at the Appleton Public Library. Open drop-in gaming night features board, card and electronic games.

» The Art of Conversation: Dr. Seuss, 11 a.m.-noon at the Trout Museum of Art, 111 W. College Ave., Appleton. Join Post-Crescent Media and the museum for a discussion about the art, life and cultural influence of Theodor Seuss Geisel with art collector Daryl Price. Included in cost of admission.

Sept. 19

» Art on the Town, 6-9 p.m. in downtown Appleton. Twenty-two venues will be offering arts-related activities, music and food. The free Downtown Trolley will be in operation 5-11 p.m.

Sept. 20

» Bat Hike, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, 4815 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton. Learn about the ecology of bats, go on a small hike. $3 per person or $10/family. www.bubolzpreserve.org

» Gospel singer Robert Robinson and his ensemble will perform at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River St., Appleton, at 7 p.m. A freewill offering will be received. www.robertrobinsonmusic.com

Sept. 22

» Gardens in the Sahara Desert, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room C at the Appleton Public Library. Presented by Janet Lenz, founder and executive director of Not Forgotten, a nonprofit international organization that assists refugees.

Sept. 23

» The Menasha Public Library is hosting a Boxcar Children book party based on the popular series by Gertrude Warner. It will be held 6:30-7:15 p.m. and is free for all ages.

» 1,2,3 Magic Parent Workshop, 6-7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A/B at the Appleton Public Library. This two-part workshop, which continues Sept. 30, addresses the task of child discipline with humor, insight and experience. The technique offers a method of disciplining children ages 2 through 12 without arguing, yelling or spanking. Registration is required at www.familyservicesnew.org/parent-connection.

Sept. 24

» The Friends of the Neenah Public Library will be conducting its annual used book sale Sept. 24-29. The sale will be held in the Shattuck Community Roomat the following times: 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 ($4 entry, children under 11 free with paid adult), 6-8:30 p.m. Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27, 1:30-4 p.m. Sept. 28 and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 29.

Sept. 26

» One of the biggest summer sendoff parties is Appleton’s Octoberfest. Come Sept. 27, College Avenue again will transform into a block party full of food, refreshments, live music and thousands of Octoberfest patrons. Weekend activities kick off from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 26 when more than 300 classic cars will be on display for the annual License to Cruise event. Admission is free. Details at www.octoberfestonline.org.

» The Menasha Public Library children’s department is heading to the neighboring Neenah Menasha Fire Station for Fire Truck Daze. Meet at the library at 10 a.m. The event will start with a story and a practice of stop, drop and roll. A tour of the fire station will follow.

» Appleton Walk Like MADD 2014, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. Register for the 5K walk at http://support.madd.org/site/PageServer. Walkers receive a T-shirt the day of the walk. $25/adult, $20/youth

» Pete the Cat, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m., continuing 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Meeting Room A/B at the Appleton Public Library. Celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month with stories, crafts and a chance to meet Pete the Cat.

» The a capella group reVoiced is performing at 7 p.m. at the Engler Center for the Performing Arts in Chilton. Tickets are $10 and are available by visiting www.englercenter.com, calling 866-967-8167 or at the door subject to availability.

Sept. 27

» Darting Needles Quilt Guild’s 16th Biennial Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fox Valley Lutheran High School, 5300 N. Meade St., Appleton, continuing 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 28. The show will feature more than 200 quilts, demonstrations, raffle, bake sale, boutique, vendor’s mall, lunch and concessions. $5, 12 and under free. www.dartingneedles.com

» Apple Creek YMCA’s 5K Trail Run at Bruce Purdy Nature Preserve, 2851 E. Apple Creek Road, Appleton. The event also includes a 1-mile walk and children’s run. The 5K run begins at 8 a.m., with the walk at 8:30 and the children’s run at 8 or 8:45 a.m. Cost for the public: $25 for the 5K or walk, $15 for the children’s run. Register at www.ymcafoxcities.org or any YMCA of the Fox Cities location.

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