Five Things You Need to Know Oct. 18, 2011

1. Starfish Hosts Parenting

Early Learning Foundation creator Bob Sornson will be the featured speaker for a Starfish Family Services session on parenting, set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Ericksson Elementary School, 1275 N. Haggerty Rd. Starfish is an Inkster-based nonprofit which provides support to at-risk children in metro Detroit, including more than 100 Headstart participants in Canton.

This program is funded by the 's . Register for the free session — which includes free childcare —  by calling 734-727-3114.

2. Home Improvement Expo

The next Canton Home Improvement Expo is set for March 3 and 4, 2012. You can apply for a booth and buy an ad for the program from now through Dec. 18. Visit the township's website for the application and details.

3. Halloween Parade at The Summit

Canton Leisure Services' annual Halloween Trick or Treat parade is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at , 46000 Summit Parkway. Children will troop from room to room for treats, getting a choice between taking a friendly path or a scary one. Organizers are asking for donations of $5 per family but requiring $10 for non-residents to offset the cost of the event.

4. Plymouth Whalers Honored

Congratulations to the Hockey Team, honored as 2011 Heroes of Breast Cancer Philanthropy Award for their Pink Out! For Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute on Oct. 11. Since 2008 the players and their coaches have worn pink uniforms and had their hair dyed pink in October as part of the  “Coaches Campaign” during the Pink Out!, raising more than $30,000 since 2008. (This year's totals are incomplete, of course).

5. Plan: DDA Board Meets

Canton's Downtown Development Authority board of directors is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Township Supervisor Phil LaJoy's office, on the third floor of the , 1150 S. Canton Center Rd.For details, call 734-394-5184.