Yo-yo performer to help get Circle of Parents going here
Have you ever watched a live show of a professional yo-yo performer?
If not, you have an opportunity Saturday.
The Crow Wing County Child Abuse Prevention Council is sponsoring a free event where Dazzling Dave will perform two 35-minute shows at the Holiday Village in the Westgate Mall.
Dazzling Dave, also known as Dave Schulte of Brooklyn Park, has circled the globe for more than 10 years performing whirling yo-yo tricks. In 2001, Schulte was named to an elite group of only seven national yo-yo masters.
Dazzling Dave, a yo-yo professional from Brooklyn Park, will perform two shows Saturday at the Holiday Village in the Westgate Mall to benefit Circle of Parents, a parent support networking group.
So why is Dazzling Dave coming to Brainerd? To help raise awareness of a statewide parent networking group called Circle of Parents. There are about 40 chapters in Minnesota, including chapters in Aitkin, Brainerd, Crosby, Staples, Pequot Lakes and Little Falls.
If you go:
What: Dazzling Dave.
When: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Holiday Village at the Westgate Mall.
Cost: Free.
Area Circle of Parents meetings
Aitkin: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at St. James Catholic Church.
Brainerd: 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays in the Bridges of Hope office at First Lutheran Church.
Crosby: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Fridays at the Presbyterian Church.
Little Falls: 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesdays at TCC, 501 Lemieur St.
Pequot Lakes: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Trailside Center.
Todd County: 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at the library at Staples Elementary School.
(For more information on Circle of Parents and its meetings call Joan Johnson, Circle of Parents program coordinator for northern Minnesota, at (218) 821-6429 or (800) 970-6429.)
Brainerd Police Sgt. Joy Larson, who serves on the advisory board for Circle of Parents through her association on the county's Child Abuse Prevention Council, had a little something to do with getting Dazzling Dave to perform in Brainerd. He is her brother.
"We thought he'd be a nice draw for families," said Larson. "This is our Circle of Parents' first event and its purpose is to raise awareness of this free parenting group that is available to help people with their parenting needs."
Larson said the hope is to increase awareness of Circle of Parents, and ultimately increase attendance at local chapter meetings, which has been modest.
"I get a lot of police calls and the issue many times is the parents are having trouble with parenting issues," Larson said.
Joan Johnson, Circle of Parents program coordinator for northern Minnesota, said the mission of Circle of Parents is to empower parents to create healthy and loving families through positive parenting and mutual self help. Johnson said the group strives to develop parent leadership in its support groups and the issues that are discussed are brought by those in attendance. Johnson said common issues discussed include sibling rivalry, the best way to discipline and teaching children responsibility.
Johnson said child care is available at the support meetings and no registration is required to attend. Johnson said each group has a facilitator on site to moderate the parenting discussions.
At Saturday's event, Circle of Parents plans to offer information for parents who want to learn more about the organization. Also at the event, free yo-yos will be distributed as door prizes.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.