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The Apartment Association of Fort Wayne-NE Indiana (AAFW) proudly announces the one-hundredth issue of the Apartment Guide, the premier apartment search publication in Northeast Indiana.

Pick up your copy at the Visitors Center!

The first issue debuted in 1984 and was originally only published twice a year. Today, the Apartment Guide is published four times a year and can be found at over 350 locations throughout Northeast Indiana, including the Fort Wayne Visitors Center.

The Apartment Guide was originally developed to allow all apartment communities and independent rental owners to collectively market rental home opportunities to consumers. The Winter 2013 Issue marks the 100th edition and is currently available on shelves everywhere.

In celebration of the 100th issue, the Association is conducting a special contest. Complete details and entry card are available in the new Apartment Guide. To be eligible, one must visit 7 of the 15 participating apartment communities and return the entry card to the AAFW office at 3106 Lake Avenue by April 8 to be entered to win a random drawing for a $500 Visa card to outfit your new apartment. No purchase necessary to win.

Learn more about the Apartment Association online.
Fort Wayne, Indiana: Home of the Most Satisfied Renters in the U.S.!*

The Apartment Association of Fort Wayne-NE Indiana is a non-profit organization covering the nine-county area of northeastern Indiana. With more than 20,500 rental units, the Association represents apartment owners, managers, maintenance technicians and those who supply goods and services to the multi-family rental industry. The Association sponsors a variety of educational programs and networking events for its members and publishes the popular Apartment Guide, which can be viewed online at www.apartmentsfortwayne.com. For more information on the Apartment Association, visit www.aafw.org, or call 260-482-2916.

*ApartmentRatings.com put Fort Wayne, Indiana at the top of its renter satisfaction list in 2009 among the 100 most populous U.S. cities. Renter satisfaction ratings were based on reviews completed by apartment residents in those cities.

We are fortunate here in Fort Wayne, Indiana to benefit from the best of all seasons. I cherish a good snowfall and embrace these cold Indiana days. Why am I so keen on winter? Perhaps it’s because I always feel like a kid when I play in the snow. Catching a snowflake on my tongue, speeding down a hill in a laundry basket sled, feeling the crunch of snow beneath my boots – these all have a magical way of bringing out that carefree, childlike spirit.

Luckily, winter is no exception when it comes to finding fun and thrills in Fort Wayne. Below are a few ideas for outdoor fun in the snow. It’s not a comprehensive list; just a few suggestions to help you begin your adventure.

What is your favorite winter outdoor activity? Did I overlook something amazing in this winter wonderland? Share your ideas in the comments below.

By the way, did you pledge to become healthier in 2012? Playing outside in the snow is a great way to achieve that goal and you’ll be too busy having fun to notice.

Take to the snow for some healthy outdoor fun.

Winter Sports at Allen County Parks
Our amazing County park system has an abundance of winter sports to enjoy. Bundle up and have fun cross-country skiing, sledding, ice-skating (pond and rink), snowmobiling and taking winter hikes. Check here for the latest ski conditions at Allen County Parks.

If there is more than four inches of snow accumulation, visit Fox Island and Metea County Parks for cross-country skiing. They even offer a limited number of skis available for rent. Rental prices for both parks are $6.00 per hour for adults and $5.00 per hour for children 12 and under. Please note the parks stop renting around 4:00 pm each day so that all skiers are accounted for before the park closes.

Owl Prowl
January 7, 2012 (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
Fox Island County Park, 7324 Yohne Road, 46809
Cost: $2.00

“We will gather indoors to discover whooo our resident owls are, and then head outdoors to try to call some in. Dress for the weather and for trails.”
Registration for this event is required. Please contact Ron Zartman at rzartman@allencountyparks.org or (260) 449-3186.

Cross Country Ski Clinic
January 7, 2012 (10:00 am -12:00 pm)
Fox Island County Park, 7324 Yohne Road, 46809
Cost: $7.00 includes one-hour rental or voucher for future ski rental. $3.00 if bringing own equipment.

“Learn how equipment works, waxing vs. no-wax, purchasing, ski prep and maintenance, how to dress and receive basic instruction and practice on technique, weather permitting. Leave phone number, shoe size, height and weight when registering in order to reserve equipment.” Registration for this event is required. Please contact Ron Zartman at rzartman@allencountyparks.org or (260) 449-3186.

Cross Country Ski Clinic
January 14, 2012 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Metea County Park Nature Center, 8401 Union Chapel Road, 46845
Cost: $ 7.00

“Learn how ski equipment works, waxing vs. no-wax, what purchase is, ski prep and maintenance, and how to dress for the sport. After a basic instruction session, we will ski the trails of Metea and practice our technique, weather permitting.” Please pre-register for this event by January 11, 2012. For more information or to register please contact Michael Gobert at mgobert@allencountyparks.org or (260) 449-3777.

Headwaters Ice Skating Rink
Enjoy gliding around this iconic winter scene. Set in the heart of downtown (at Clinton & Superior streets), you’ll feel like you’re in a snow globe at Headwaters Park Ice Skating Rink. The rink offers concessions, skate sharpening services, and private ice rentals. Skate rental: $2

Enjoy our scenic outdoor rink - downtown.

Regular Hours
Monday-Thursday: 1-8 pm
Friday: 12-10 pm
Saturday: 11 am-10 pm
Sunday: 12-8 pm

Extended Holiday Hours (Through January 5)
Monday-Friday: 12-10 pm

Admission
Age 13 and under: $3
Age 14 and over: $5
Kids age 13 and under skate FREE every Wednesday.

Don't miss this great Downtown Fort Wayne winter festival!

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Winterval
Saturday, January 28
Sponsored by Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation, this new downtown festival is sure to be the highlight of the season. Parks & Rec are pros at providing fun-filled activities and now they’re bringing fun to the midst of winter! “Winterval” is an all day (and night) family-friendly bash in downtown Fort Wayne. As an added bonus, all of the events are FREE or offered at a steep discount. Stop by one or two events or be a trooper and party from sun up to sun down.
Click here or contact Parks & Rec at (260) 427-6000 for more information.

Winterval Schedule of Events:
9:30 am – 5 pm Historic Fort Wayne, Nouvelle Annee 1752 (Free Will Donation)
10 am – 5 pm Science Central (Half Price Admission)
10 am – 5 pm History Center (Half Price Admission)
11 am – 10 pm Headwaters Park Ice Skating, Figure Skating Exhibitions
1 – 2 pm Auer Center for Arts & Culture, Coffee Shop Talk about costume design for ballet performances
1 – 3 pm Lawton Park, Polar Bear Rugby Game (Free Admission)
1 – 5 pm Botanical Conservatory – Down on the Farm ($1 Off Admission)
2 – 5 pm Community Center – Winter Carnival (Free Admission)
5:30 – 6 pm Arts United Plaza, Northern Lights Exhibition, Public Art Display with an Emphasis on Lights (Free Admission)

Sledding Hills Whooosh!
Here is the insider information on where to catch the best slopes in Fort Wayne. Have fun and be careful out there!
Shoaff Park (6401 St. Joe Rd.)
Franke Park (3411 Sherman Blvd.)
Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park (2300 Clinton)
Metea County Park (8401 Union Chapel Rd.) *When we have enough snow accumulation, the sled hill at Metea County Park will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.

Winter Running – Three Rivers Running Company Enjoy the great outdoors and stay motivated in the company of this friendly group. A local favorite, Three Rivers Running Company, hosts a running group each Wednesday. This group meets all year (yes, even in the winter) and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Try it – this will instantly boost your cool factor.

Three Rivers Running Company 4039 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Wednesday Night Running Group at 5:30 pm (260) 496-8000

Winter Walks
Lindenwood Nature Preserve will host two nature walks this winter. Enjoy a guided walk through the woodlands while you stay on the lookout for signs of various critters.

Saturday, January 21 and Saturday, February 28
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Cost: $3.00
Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Avenue
Please contact the Parks & Recreation office at (260) 427-6000 or simply click here to register.

Pond Skating
If you’re in the mood for nostalgic pond skating or some friendly pond hockey, then keep reading. Ice skating is available when the ponds have frozen to a safe level. How will you know when it’s safe to skate? Signs are posted around the pond, announcements will be made in the newspaper, contact the Visitors Center or call Parks & Rec at (260) 427-6000. Pond skating is available at both Reservoir and Lakeside parks. Lace up and enjoy!

Ivan Lebamoff Reservoir Park, 2300 Clinton St., 46803

Lakeside Park, 1401 Lake Avenue, 46805

Jair, of George's La Baguette Bakery, displays a traditional sugar skull

Dia de los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays and one, which I think, should be more universally adopted. I remember learning about it in elementary school (yes, my school was that awesome – go Koala’s!) and it just struck a chord in my soul. Since then, I’ve always been aware of this holiday and eventually started celebrating it myself. Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful way to honor family and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us.

Dia de los Muertos takes place annually on November 1-2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The true meaning of this holiday is to gather with friends and family to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed away. It originated and is celebrated most strongly in Mexico but also recognized in Europe and other countries around the globe.

Dia de los Muertos dates back thousands of years to Aztec cultures. Pre-Hispanic people even celebrated their ancestors by keeping their actual skulls around as trophies to display during rituals symbolizing death and rebirth. Personally, I’m okay with that tradition staying in the history books.

Fast-forward to the twenty first century and you’ll find the holiday is thriving, having evolved with modern culture. Families go to cemeteries to be with departed souls. There they build private altars consisting of favorite foods and beverages (of the deceased) as well as photos and memorabilia. In modern day society, many celebrants also build these altars in their homes. This is especially true here in Fort Wayne where early November weather isn’t exactly picnic worthy. Darn that pesky equator.

The thing I love about this holiday is the joyous tone. It’s all very colorful and positive; remembering the life and celebrating the good things of our deceased friends and family.

Delicious pan de muerto (bread of the dead) at George's La Baguette Bakery

Festive Traditions

• Flowers: Orange marigolds are used as they’re thought to attract souls of the dead
• Sugar skulls – gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead
• Pan de muerto – a sweet bread made in a variety of shapes
• Lighted candles
• Dance to honor deceased relatives
• Picnic blankets at cemeteries and eat favorite foods of loved ones
• Build altars at homes

Regardless of your background, Dia de los Muertos can be a wonderful holiday to adopt. Celebrate with us right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana!

• Come downtown to our newly renovated Fort Wayne Museum of Art and join the artistic celebrations.
  • Day of the Dead Celebration / Dia de los Muertos Celebracion
    October 29, 2011 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
    FWMoA, 311 East Main Street, 46802
    Features live music, poetry, traditional Mexican dance and costume. Of course, Mexican food, tequila and cerveza will be on hand too.
  • Check out the popular Day of the Dead Exhibition currently on display through Nov 5.

• Enter your own artwork and/or enjoy others’ at the Continuum Art Gallery downtown Fort Wayne for their Day of the Dead Installation. The exhibit will be on display from November 18 – December 3.
• Create your own altar at home using pictures, candles, flowers and other meaningful objects.
• Get supplies – including delicious baked goods – at the mouth-watering George’s La Baguette Bakery (2021 Broadway, Fort Wayne, Indiana)

The circus is coming to town! Cirque du Soleil to be precise. Quidam (pronounced key-dahm) is on the road for the first time ever and Fort Wayne is their only stop in Indiana!

Cirque's amazing visuals are breathtaking.

They will roll into the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum with 15 trucks of equipment and work diligently to build the stage with the utmost care. As part of the Quidam stage construction, they will hang approximately 350,000 pounds of equipment from the rafters! You may notice the stage is built to resemble a train station or airport where people constantly come and go. The revolving stage reflects an ever-changing, unpredictable world.

Check out this time-lapse video to see how the arena will be transformed. Once you find your seat and the magic begins, you will easily forget where you are.

httpv://youtu.be/tt191Fpr6EE

Click here to learn more about the adventure that is Quidam and let yourself be mesmerized September 21-25, 2011. While Quidam explores the everyday (wo)man and the nameless passer-by, the show is anything but ordinary. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I’m particularly excited to sit back and be taken on this journey.

The physical wonders and astonishing displays of beauty should not be missed.

DISCOUNT ALERT!

RECEIVE A SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT USING THE CODE “BALANCE” AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS.

The savings is approximately 10% off for these shows.

September 21 at 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0500468BFCD4C1C0?did=balance

September 22 at 7:30 p.m.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0500468CE514BA0A?did=balance

September 25 at 1:00 p.m.
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September 25 at 5:00 p.m.
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Once you’ve experienced The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, you will surely come to know why Auburn, Indiana is famous for its automobile heritage. This is truly a celebratory time to visit DeKalb County, located just a few miles north of Fort Wayne. You can feel the excitement in the air as people from around the country gather in this picturesque American city to celebrate “The World’s Greatest Classic Car Show & Festival.”

You don’t even have to know how to change a tire to appreciate all the fun that this festival has to offer. Check out the festival website for a detailed schedule of events. After scoping it out myself, here are a few things I’m looking forward to at the “ACD Fest,” as the locals say.

The Auburn Cord Duesenburg Festival is a truly one-of-a-kind event with much to offer the whole family.

Downtown Cruise-In (Friday, 9/2 at 5:00 p.m.) This is a NEW event and it’s also FREE!

Parade of Classics Saturday, 9/3 at 1:00 p.m.) FREE admission!

Auburn Art Fair & Music Festival (Saturday 9/3 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater) Also FREE admission!

Kids Art Tent (Saturday 9/3 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at 8^th Street near Main Street) FREE!

Gala Ball at the ACD Automobile Museum (Saturday 9/3 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.) Semi-formal event for museum members. Memberships will be sold at the door. What a fun reason to get gussied up!

Auburn Historic Tours (Sunday 9/4 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tours depart from DeKalb County Fairgrounds and last approximately 45 minutes.) Admission is $5 per person

In addition to traditional festival activities, car auctions galore will be taking place simultaneously here in DeKalb County. These vintage cars are truly works of art! And keep a sharp eye, because it’s quite likely that you’ll see a celebrity (or two, or three) wandering around during these events.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival
September 1-5, 2011
www.acdfestival.org