Family Focus The Artist's Life 'Working' Kids At 84, Adelman's work joins the Potters Market lineup. There should be expectations for responsibilities, allowance and grades. uestion: I am the parent of two children, grades 3 and 5. I feel they are now at an age where they should be doing household chores. What is realistic, and should they get an allowance for this? Jack Adelman with his work at the OCC Pottery Lab in Royal Oak. ack Adelman of Farmington Hills becomes one of the new artists at the annual OCC Potters Market next weekend in Madison Heights. Now 84, Adelman took up pottery for the first time at the ripe young age of 72. A dozen years ago, this owner of Adelman's Department Store in Windsor developed an interest in sculpture and checked the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center for a class. None were open, so he decided to give pottery a try. He learned to throw pots on the wheel, and soon enough he was hooked. Once a week he left work early to practice his pottery at the BBAC in Birmingham, and he's been at the pot- tery wheel ever since. About five years ago, he came over to the Oakland Community College Pottery Lab in Royal Oak when he heard about their excellent program and facilities. OCC sponsors the annual Potters Market. Adelman's work has progressed signifi- cantly with all the time he's in at the lab. He's earned the respect of his fellow pot- ters for his unusual glazes and forms. "I individually formulate the glazes so that they blend into each other:' he explains, "and then I keep experiment- ing with forms. Sometime I just use a pencil to create a series of indentations that look like fluting or scallops." He also works in the high-fired raku and newer horsehair techniques. Adelman's daughter-in-law, Annette Adelman in West Bloomfield, serves as his critic. "I like to bring new pieces home and get her opinion," he says. j B24 November 27 • 2008 "That feedback really helps me gauge the work and what people might respond to. She likes to help and, of course, quite often when she likes it, she just takes it home for her collection:' he says with obvious delight. "Who would think I'd become an art- ist at my age he wonders aloud. He starts everyday with a walk — rain, snow or shine — and then it's off to the potters' lab. "I guess I'm living the artist's life this retiree says. Adelman's works will be on sale Dec. 5-7 at the 33rd Annual Potters Market, the largest pottery sale of its kind in the country. Look for work by 135 potters — advanced students from OCC's Royal Oak lab — offering nearly 40,000 pieces of pottery, all made in Michigan, ranging from pots, vases, platters, tiles and mugs, to bird baths, jewelry, ceramic-framed mirrors, sculpture, lamps, tile-topped tables and just about every product pos- sible in clay. Known as the source for high-quality, handmade pottery at reasonable prices ($5-$400), the Potters Market attracts more than 9,000 customers. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the OF & CW Union Hall at 876 Horace Brown Drive, 1 block south of Thirteen Mile, between 1-75 and John R. Admission and parking are free. No strollers per- mitted because of the crowds. A special preview sale, with $10 admission, is from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. For information, call (248) 246-2686 or visit thepottersmarket.com . ❑ A: First, let's change the words, and therefore the premise of the question, using the word "responsibili- ties" instead of "chores!' It is definitely appropriate for your children to assume some household responsibilities. Talk to your children, explaining that we are a family unit that works together for the good of the whole. Therefore, we each do our part to make our family the best it can be. That may include having the children be responsible for their rooms, their toys and their personal belongings. Each family should decide what these responsibilities might be, accord- ing to the family needs. Payment does not necessarily need to be associated with family responsibilities. Allowance is a separate issue. Allowance works best with children who are able to understand the concept and value of money, and the mean- ing of spending vs. saving. Third- and fifth-grade children are usually able to make that connection. In that case, the parent can determine a fair allowance. It is a good idea to set parameters for a spending/saving plan. Sit down with your children and discuss the idea of allowance, deciding how it will work best for your family. Remember, these are merely sugges- Academy Open House The Frankel Jewish Academy will wel- come prospective high school students and parents at an open house for the 2009-2010 academic year on Wednesday, Dec. 10; registration is at 6:45 p.m. and the presentation at 7 p.m. Tour the school, meet the teachers, learn about the college preparatory academic and extracurricular programs, meet current students and learn how FJA students are prepared to succeed tions and guidelines. As a parent, you should deter- mine what is right for your own family. Q: I am receiving let- ter grades in school this year, and I am very wor- ried that if I don't get an "A," my parents will be disappointed, even if I've tried my best. What should I do if I can't always get an "A"? A: It is very important to realize that nobody is perfect, and that's really a good thing ... otherwise, we'd never have an opportunity to grow or learn to do things differently. Giving your best effort is what matters most. For each student, that might mean something different. Depending on your teacher, the subject or your assignment, your best work may earn you different letter grades. Taking pride in doing your personal best is what is important. Talk to your parents about your feelings and concerns. Let them know that you will always do your best, but that may not always earn an A. If you are doing your best and still strug- gling with your grades, it is a good idea for you or your parents to talk to the teacher or counselor about getting some additional help. Suzi Epstein of West Bloomfield is a longtime elementary counselor in the Birmingham Public Schools. She earned a master's in guidance and counseling and also has a private practice. Direct questions to SuziEpstein@igmail.com in the 21st century. The Frankel Jewish Academy is located on the upper level of the Jewish Community Center, at 6600 W. Maple in West Bloomfield. Tuition assistance is available. If unable to attend the open house, those interested are invited to take a tour of the school and meet the admissions staff at a more convenient time. Contact Anne Van Prooyen or Silvia Marcus, (248) 592-5263, ext. 222 or ext. 221, or visit Web site at www.frankelja.org .