Weekend Update: September 9-11, 2011

Frankly, I can't believe it's almost the weekend already, as I'm still recovering from last weekend and our trip to Oahu. But I do have to say I am looking forward to this coming weekend, as it's the FARM FAIR!! I don't know exactly why I love the Farm Fair so much, it's always too hot and too crowded, the prices are outrageous, the food will give me heartburn and the games are nearly impossible to win, costing a near fortune for a toy you know cost 50¢ (at best) to manufacture  and probably by a child in Asia or Mexico.  Still, I do enjoy it, perhaps as a return to my youth and how much I exalted in winning a prize and riding the ferris wheel. Oh, the thrill of that 60-sec ride. I will make that financial sacrifice, even take out a small loan if I have to, to ensure my children can have their turn at experiencing the same joy I felt.

Here's the 411:  E. K. Fernandez presents the Big Island Farm Fair from Thursday, Sept 8 -11.  Thursday night special is a $1 admission fee and a 10-ride wristband for $20. Opening at 6pm and running until midnight (9pm on Sunday), you can find all the information you need here.

The Maltese Family Circus Troupe

There will also be local entertainment as well as the Maltese Family Circus troupe! Performing at 7:30pm and 10:00pm Thursday and Friday. Saturday performances are 5:00, 7:30 & 10:00pm.  Last chance to see them on Sunday at 2:00, 4:30 and 7:00pm.

Wondering if your child is tall enough for the ferris wheel? Be prepared and check the website's height requirement listing!

My son Xavier at the 2007 Farm Fair

With all the excitement, don't forget that this is a FARM fair. Check out the animal and growy things that will be showcased at the Agricultural Expo in the pavilion! If your child is too small to go on the rides at the carnival, there are still plenty of activities for your little one. The expo features a keiki corral to interact with various farm animals, farm animal colorings as well at murals and wall coloring, and a great opportunity for mess making in the Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Saturday & Sunday at 12, 2, 4 and 6pm - you don't want to miss that!

While the Farm Fair somewhat eclipses the weekend, there are some other events worth mentioning! Please be aware that Friday, September 9th is International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day.  The  Children's Research Triangle is holding a special event in conjunction with the Mayor's office at the West Hawaii Civic Center from 9am -12pm on Friday. Mayor Billy Kenoi will provide the introduction for the morning, followed by speakers and informational tables by local support agencies. Refreshments will also be served.

Friday evening is the ongoing "Movie Under the Stars" showing at Queens' Marketplace. This week's movie is "The Thief Lord". My family doesn't actually attend this event very often, but I do think it's a fabulous event. It's relaxing, you get to watch a movie, visit with friends (we inevitably run into people we know) and the kids can even run around if they want to. See the trailer for this week's showing.

Saturday, we have two regular Kailua Kona events that I look forward to. The first is the Kailua Kona Library monthly book sale, sponsored by F.O.L.K. The book sale starts as usual at 9am and runs until 1pm. If you have the time, consider being a volunteer for the sale - remember, all volunteers receive a 20% discount. Please support the library and take advantage of the ridiculously cheap prices. Read to your children, read for yourself.

The second regular event is the Lowe's Build 'n' Grow workshop.  Lowe's workshops are a great confidence builder for your children. My son loves these. And my daughter would as well if I let her participate.  No restrictions on the age, however there are real tools involved with the real potential of a real thumb getting hammered, so  use your best judgement. If your child is too young, you'll end up doing the work yourself (which is not necessarily bad in and of itself, but may be if you have 2 or 3 children to contend with).

Is Cinco de Mayo the 4th of July for Mexico? Wrong! Mexican Independence Day is right around the corner (September 16, thought the FOLK website says September 17).   Expose your children to the world and celebrate early with Mariachi Music! Performances by Olga Salvatore and Greg Shirley on guitar. Sponsored by Friends of the Library, Kona.   And while you're at the library, check out some books on Mexico and learn the facts (and then tell me!).

Lastly, but by no means the least, Sunday is Patriot Day. It was designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks. From Wikipedia, "On this day, the President directs that the American flag be flown at half-staff at individual American homes, at the White House, and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments, home and abroad. The President also asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001." 


As the majority of Americans will, I remember the circumstances under which I heard the news. Unaware at the time, I was actually just headed to bed when the attacks were occurring (about 3 am Hawaii time - working on a deadline, was I), and when I awoke later that morning, I heard the information on the news. I thought it was one of those radio pranks you often hear, but they kept on and on about it, that I had to turn on the television. I commuted to work in a daze, instantly plugging into CNN when I arrived at the office.  I couldn't believe our meeting actually took place, I mean, how could anyone focus on anything else other than what was changing our country at that moment?


Please take a moment to discuss with your children this weekend what it means to you to be an American, and how lucky we are.  Let's not take advantages of the opportunities afforded to us. However, let's also not be ignorant and disrespectful of other worlds and cultures. Thank you all.


Live strong, love fiercely!