Happen, Inc.

03/18/2026

Sports with Jude is back on KMNH!

Jude is breaking down the latest Bengals moves and what they mean for the upcoming season.

From new additions to the offense to concerns on the defensive line, he’s asking the big question:

Are the Bengals ready to make a run this year?
Catch Jude’s take as he reports on who’s in, what’s changed, and where the team still needs to improve.

Watch now and get ready for football season with KMNH – Kids Making the News Happen!

03/17/2026

Thanks for the Memories!
We had a great time celebrating Happen’s 27th birthday, and we want to thank everyone who braved the weather to join us! Over 70 people attended and shared their favorite memories of Happen on our Memory Board, and we thought you’d enjoy reading some of them:
• “3 years ago, my family won the best family dance at the New
Year Dance.” – Nora C
• “Happy Birthday :) Reading together in the reading nook!”
– Jon and Bruce
• “The Easter and Halloween Parties, making ice cream sculptures
and paper fashion, the carnival celebration and the 4th of July
kids party. We love you guys!”
• “Every little party I went to with my mother holds a special place
in my heart. I practically grew up here, and the love of art that
Happen instilled in me still remains. Happen is one of my
favorite places in Northside, and it makes me so happy to see
this place thriving.” – M.K.
• “The first day of Car Club, I think it was in 2023 or 2024.” – Oliver
• “Happy Valentines!”
• “In 2001-2002, my son was tiny and we used to spend a lot of
time with Happen. He loved the characters – the cowboys, point
perspective guy, the bear! Happen was and is such an
impactful place. Tommy’s vision and energy are cathartic and
Earth-moving. Love and peace.” – Amy
• “The Valentine’s dance and Christmas Day.”
• “The first time we went to Happen and made a pinch pot.”
• “My best memory is from the 2025 Halloween party, dancing and
staying up late with glow sticks.” – Ruby
• “The watermelon party… can we please do that again?” – Elliot D
• “I really loved the food at the Valentine’s dance.” – Griffin
• “I love going to the Toy Lab.” – Julian
• “I loved wearing Halloween costumes, Halloween was my favorite
party. Happy Birthday!” – Serenity
• “I loved my first ever Happen event!” – Paxon
• “We loved decorating Easter eggs with glitter and feathers!”
– Ellie
• “My favorite memory is getting water dumped on me at the
splash dance!” – Clark
• “My favorite memory is all the events. Happy Birthday!” –
Kaniyah
• “My favorite memory is Mrs. Claus and Santa, of course! Warm
memories, good times and happy people!”
• “I came with my mom and brother to the Valentine’s dance.
We had a great time!” – Estelle
• “My favorite event is the talent show. Happy Birthday!” – Skylar
• “My favorite memory is carving a pumpkin at Halloween,
eating hotdogs, and wearing my costume.” – Rory
• “The talent show was my favorite! Happy Birthday!”
– Kenzie
• “I like the activities we do at Happen, especially the clay stuff!”
– Edie
• “My favorite memories are the dances and art! Thank you!
Love, Bella”
• “Window Santa terrifying us as brand new Northsiders in
December 2020.” – Katrina and Corry
• “I enjoyed making clay pots in the studio and deciding what color
to paint them.
• “My favorite memory was making a piggy bank.”
• “My favorite memory was the New Year’s Eve dance where I won
the best dance trophy!”

Every memory reminds us why Happen has been such a special part of so many families and our community. Thank you to everyone who has helped make these moments Happen!
What’s your favorite memory of Happen?
Share it in the comments below!

03/16/2026

Sometimes You Just Need the Imagination of a Kid.

Last fall, Ollie, the kid founder of Happen’s Car Club, told me I should make a miniature diorama of Hamilton Avenue. I loved the idea and tried to make it work for the holidays, but the project came with challenges and was shelved. Looking toward this summer, I remembered Ollie’s vision and decided to bring it to life as Happen’s Tiny Northside Fourth of July Parade, family-friendly fundraiser event on Thursday, July 2nd. Kids, families and businesses will decorate miniature floats using hoagie boxes from N.Y.P.D. Pizza Northside and send them along a small-scale Hamilton Avenue inside Happen’s studio, complete with tiny building facades. After the parade, all floats will be displayed in Happen’s windows for a week-long interactive art installation so everyone can see and vote for their favorites.

We announced the event last week at Happen’s 27th birthday celebration and presented Ollie as the first Grand Marshal of the parade because without his imagination, this Tiny Parade would not have happened.

Thanks to OMS Photography, N.Y.P.D. Pizza Northside, the Northside Community Fund, and Chameleon Pizza for being the first sponsors to jump on board. This month we will be reaching out to businesses, individuals, and families as we raise funds to support the parade and the free programs Happen provides to the community. Float registration starts Saturday, May 2.

03/12/2026

Did you know a sneeze can blast out of your nose at nearly 100 miles per hour?
This week on KMNH – Kids Making the News Happen, we explore the surprising science of sneezing, explain what happened with the cloudy lunar eclipse, and introduce our newest reporter.
Meet Rowan, who will help bring the news using voice and American Sign Language.
We also talk with college students from Dordt University who traveled nearly 12 hours to spend their spring break volunteering at Happen, Inc..
Watch the full episode and see what kids are reporting this week.

Did you know a sneeze can travel up to 100 miles per hour? In this special episode of KMNH – Kids Making the News Happen, our reporters explore the surprisin...

03/10/2026

Reminder: Happen’s 27th Birthday Party is Tomorrow!

Join us Wednesday, March 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Happen, Inc. as we celebrate 27 years of free family programming, creativity, and community. At 6 p.m, we will make two very special announcements and share what exciting things are coming up next at Happen.
Enjoy a special art activity for kids, cupcakes and ice cream for everyone, and an opportunity to write down your favorite Happen memory as we create a Happen community memory board.
Come celebrate with us and help kick off another year of family, creativity, and community!

03/08/2026

You Know When You Experience Something Amazing

We started KMNH, Kids Making the News Happen, at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Over the past six years we have had anchors, reporters, and kids behind the scenes producing our weekly news shows.

Over the years a few of our teen camera operators have decided they wanted to try something new and step in front of the camera to report the news. It is not easy. The first few weeks, or even months, with a camera and teleprompter can be a real challenge for a new teen reporter.

Two weeks ago, after a KMNH session, Rowan, who has been helping behind the camera, asked if he could have a chance to be a KMNH reporter.

This past Thursday night the KMNH crew was filming our weekly broadcast. The media center was packed with our teen crew and special guests who had come in for a KMNH interview.

Rowan sat quietly in the back corner near our stop motion animation table, waiting for his first time in front of the camera. I placed his segment last on the taping list so he would have more time to think through his story.

Jasper and Joey, our KMNH anchors, finished their segments and interview. Then it was Rowan's turn.

The teens found him a suit jacket in the wardrobe area that fit him with a little room to grow. It has become a tradition that when KMNH reporters outgrow their jackets or age out of the program, they leave them behind for the next younger reporter.

The teen crew helped Rowan get his microphone on and set him in the right camera position while they checked lighting and sound and offered a few first time tips. I have to admit I was getting nervous. I really wanted the experience to be a good one. Rowan also planned to use his sign language skills during his report, which is a first for KMNH.

Then we all heard, "quiet on the set."

Gray, our teen camera operator, counted down three, two, one and gave the signal.

What happened next was amazing.

About halfway through Rowan's segment my eyes started to tear up. Thirty seconds later he finished and Gray stopped the camera. The media center went silent for about ten seconds. Everyone looked at each other. We all knew we had just witnessed something amazing.

Then the room filled with applause and cheers for Rowan.

Rowan completed his first KMNH segment in one take. He used both his voice and his hands to tell his story. Rowan is fairly new to Happen, and the smile on his face was one I had not seen from him before.

Rowan will now have his own weekly segment on KMNH. He will report on pop culture and what is happening in the world around us in Northside and beyond.

His segment is called "Sign of the Times."

We cannot wait to see Rowan share his sign language skills and his passion to communicate with everyone each week.

Truly amazing.

03/04/2026

This Saturday from 11am to 1pm, kids can stop by Happen and join our Write On program. Happen Volunteer Bailey will help you write your very own letters, and we’ll take care of mailing them for you!
This month, we’re writing to the United States Women’s National Ice Hockey Team to celebrate their gold medal win .
Step away from the Happen art and ceramic tables for a while, meet Bailey, and share your congratulations and questions with these amazing athletes.
No sign-up needed.

03/03/2026

Animals vs Humans at the Olympics… who wins?
This week on KMNH, Jasper and Joey imagine a world where cheetahs race sprinters, dolphins face Olympians, and gorillas hit the weight room. Let’s just say… humans better bring strategy.
We also explore:
Life and food aboard the International Space Station
Happen’s Eggstravaganza on April 4
Edible water bottles
Glow-in-the-dark chocolate
Self-cleaning sneakers
Science, community, and creativity all in one episode.

In this episode of KMNH, Jasper and Joey break down the ultimate showdown: cheetahs vs sprinters, dolphins vs swimmers, and gorillas vs weightlifters. The re...

02/26/2026

Happen’s Easter Eggstravaganza – Saturday, April 4!
Northside and beyond, get ready for a full day of free family fun!

Egg Decorating – 9 to 12 p.m.m at Happen, Inc., 4201 Hamilton Avenue. Kids can decorate six biodegradable decorative eggs at stations loaded with dyes, glitter, feathers, and more. Leave the mess and stress to us! First come, first served.

Photos with the Easter Bunny – 1 PM at The Happen Outside Space, 1617 Hoffner Street
Bring your camera and snap a free memory with the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg Hunts – 2 PM at the same Happen Outside space
Four age-appropriate hunts with over 4,000 candy-filled eggs. Kids 12 and under only, and must be accompanied by an adult.

From decorating to photos to egg hunting, there is something for everyone at Happen’s Easter Eggstravaganza. Come celebrate, create, and make memories with your family. No reservations are needed and all activities are free!

02/25/2026

The Chickens Are Out!
Our Northside Chicken shirts are officially on sale starting today at Happen, Inc.
Grab yours during Happen's Open Studio:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4 to 7 pm
Saturday 11 am to 4 pm
Limited run. When they fly the coop, they are gone.

02/24/2026

Aliens? $8 Billion Football Teams? 12,000-Year-Old DNA?
This week on KMNH – Kids Making the News Happen, Joey brings you stories you won’t want to miss.
We’re celebrating Happen’s Birthday Party on March 11, exploring Happen’s Open Studio, and checking out the Toy Lab Toy of the Week.
Plus, big questions are answered: Is 2026 the new 2016? Which past president just said there are aliens? What 12,000-year-old DNA discovery has scientists buzzing? And what football team could sell for 8 billion dollars?
Jude has that answer, and Joey covers the rest. You won't want to miss it!
All this and more on KMNH – Kids Making the News Happen.

02/22/2026

Jude is bringing the heat from the rink in this special sports broadcast. The United States men's national ice hockey team captured gold this morning in an unforgettable championship performance, adding another proud chapter to USA hockey history.
And the celebration is still going strong after the United States women's national ice hockey team claimed their own gold medal last week with skill, speed, and unstoppable teamwork.
Two teams. Two gold medals. One nation celebrating victory on the ice. hockey.