June 30, 2009

Ann Arbor Area Fireworks Displays

For families staying local in the Ann Arbor area over this Independence Day weekend, here is a list of local fireworks displays:

July 1, 2009:


The Lake Shore Family Festival - Ypsilanti
July 1, 2009 at dusk - over Ford Lake
Admission: $5.00 per vehicle

July 3, 2009:
Have fun and be safe!

June 29, 2009

Ypsilanti Lakeshore Family Festival

Join in this years, 1st annual, Lake Shore Family Festival - Join in on the fun and frivolity July 1-5 at Ypsilanti Township's beautiful Ford Lake.

There will be a one-of-a-kind fireworks display over the lake, together with five days of carnival rides, a petting zoo, circus, musical entertainment, a craft show and much more for family fun! The Festival, sponsored by the Lake Shore Apartments, is an event for the entire family with FREE activities (except the rides, but there is a discount ride coupon on their website!).

FIREWORKS:
The Lake Shore Family Festival
July 1, 2009 at dusk - over Ford Lake
Admission: $5.00 per vehicle

June 17, 2009

Homemade Father's Day Projects

Growing up, one of the things that SO reminded me of my dad was "Old Spice" cologne. (Yes I'm a child that grew up in the 70's, How'd you guess) Some of the things we bought him for Father's Day or his birthday was fishing lures, golf balls and soap-on-a-rope. He never complained, he simply smiled and thanked us (if we got THAT much of a response).

I often wondered why as children we were drawn to these types of gifts. Then it dawned on me that, yes they were all hobbies HE enjoyed but they were also inexpensive trinkets we could afford. With the current economy, and the fatc that my husband really doesn't NEED anything

Here are three EASY projects for children to do for dad this Father's Day.

Make Your Own Soap-on-a-Rope

- several bars of ivory soap
- a cheese grater
- twine (or rope)
- warm water
- wax paper
- essential oils of choice

This is a simple project for the kids to make - Mom should grate the soap. Next add warm water to the grated soap slowly until it becomes the consistency of oatmeal. Have the kids dig in and mush the soap and water together. (After all they're PLAYING with soap, how dirty can it be?) Next add a few drops of essential oil (We actually added grated orange peel too since Daddy likes citrus scents and the peel will help exfoliate!) and mix a bit more.

Next mom should cut the rope to an appropriate length and tie a knot at the end. Then, grab a good amount of the soap/water mix and create a ball "around" the rope. Let your soap-on-a-rope dry for approximately 24-hours on wax paper before moving.

Another great idea is to build something WITH DAD in the Skil Building Memories contest sponsored by Skil, Lowes and World's of Discovery. SKIL, Lowes' and Worlds of Discovery came up with a great contest to encourage families to work together on a special Father's Day project. There are (4) possible projects in all with simple, age-appropriate plans for many levels of children - PLUS there are some wonderful prizes to be earned including a 4-day all expense paid family vacation! All you need to do is capture in film, the creating of your materpiece!!!
If you are a parent who prefers NOT to lead your own DYI Father's Day projects, there is a great alternative for you at Treetown Toys in Ann Arbor ~ Keep the kids busy AND make dad his special present!!!

There are several times/days available to make dad his gift from Thursday June 17-21. Kid's can choose to decorate a "dad themed" wooden frame or pencil holder sure to elicite a joyful smile from ANY dad! Check for available days/time and make sure to register in advance at 734-929-6545 or on the Treetown Toys website. The cost for the project is $6.

June 16, 2009

Kick Off to the AADL Summer Reading Program

Tonight at the Ark! the Ann Arbor District Library will be kicking off their summer reading program. Local act Gemini, will get kids moving and grooving with music from around the world. How better to highlight this summers theme of "Local Motion"???

Families will have the opportunity to register for the AADL summer reading program at the concert. wile enjoying the music.



The Ark!
Concert by Gemini
Tuesday June 16, 6:30-8:30 PM

June 14, 2009

It's a Bird - It's a Plane...

Have you been dying to don your tights and cape and meander around the streets of Ann Arbor? While I haven't, my son often likes to dress me up into either a hero or a villain and beat me with some type of weapon... It's cute, REALLY, and why should I hinder his healthy sense of imagination right?

Well tonight at Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park is "Super Hero Night" - From 5-11:30 pm at the Ingall's Mall, you and your family can relive favorite memories of fun and fantasy. Get transformed into Spiderman, Cat Woman, or your own special secret identity withe talents of Body Masterpiece extreme face painters ~ and don't forget to dress the part for special prizes.

There will be plenty to enjoy for the entire family!!!

Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Screening of Iron Man
June 14, 2009 - 5-11:30 PM
Ingall's Mall - Ann Arbor

*FREE*

June 12, 2009

Maybe I'll Head To Maybee This Weekend...

This weekend in downtown Maybee Michigan is the 33rd Annual Maybee Day Festival featuring entertainment, a classic car show, kids events and petting zoo, (Cake, pie and cookie and chili) cook off contests, and MUCH more. So take a little drive to Maybee and check out the events, it's a short scenic drive south of the Belleville/Ypsilanti area.

Maybee Day Festival
June 13, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parade at 10:00 a.m.

Entertainment includes:
Silver String Dulcimer Society 11:00 - 1:00 P.M
Cottonwood Cloggers 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Raisin River Blue Grass 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Floral City Harmonizers special appearance throughout the day

Other activities and contests:
Lawn Mower Pull Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Carriage Rides
Library Book Sale
Exeter Historical Society Bake Sale
Cake Walk
Crafter booths throughout the downtown streets
Basketball tournament (ages 12 - 15)

June 6, 2009

Now before you get too far here, don't crucify the writer. I do however, feel that the color GREEN best represents Ann Arbor - That is unlike most Ann Arbor's UofM students, faculty and supporters who would argue that Ann Arbor is synonymous with Blue and Gold...

On Friday June 12 from 6-9 PM, the Ann Arbor Mayor's Office is hosting the ninth annual Green Fair on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. The event celebrates Ann Arbor's environmental leadership as exhibited by citizens, nonprofit groups, government and businesses. Downtown streets will be closed to traffic for displays of environmental information, "green'' products, bike fest and general enjoyment of a beautiful Friday evening in downtown Ann Arbor. Information, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages will be provided.

This year's Musical Highlights for Green Fair include:

Stage 1 - E. side of Washington/Main:

  • 6:30 – 7:30 - Corndaddy - Country Rock
  • 8:00 – 9:00 - Muruga and The Rainforest Band - Funky World Beat
Stage 2 - N. side of William/Main:
  • 6:00 – 7:00 - Joe Reilly - Earth Friendly Kids Songs
  • 7:30 – 8:30 - My Biography - Alternative Pop/Punk

For more information on The Green Fair, the displays or entertainment, visit the City of Ann Arbor's Green Fair webpage. So bring the kids and the entire family - Attending Green Fair 2009 is the surest way to prove that Kermit was incorrect, it IS easy being Green!

NOTE to avoid egging of my property: This writer did not attend MSU nor am I endorsing it or any other school in Michigan.

June 5, 2009

Check Out The Ypsilanti Twp Firehouse!

Boys and firetrucks seem to go hand in hand, so when we moved to the township a few years ago and read about their open house we endulged our son with the event. It was a great expereicne, and the fire department even enlightened us by going on a real call, with lights and sirens blazing. While my son isn't as into firetrucks as he used to be, our little girl does get a kick out of the lights and sirens, so we'll likley take her to this weekend's fire department open house!

The open house includes fire truck displays and demonstrations, stove fire demonstrations, Jaws of Life demonstration, general fire safety, and more. Representatives from Med Flight, HVA, DTE, WCSD and otehr local agencies will also be on hand to answer any questions.

Ypsilanti Township Fire Department Open House
Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 2-6 PM
222 S. Ford Boulevard, Ypsilanti
Details (734) 544-4225


June 2, 2009

Lincoln Schools Carnival

While it's not a FREE event in the area, it's one worth mentioning... Who doesn't love hot dogs, cotton candy, games and rides? June 5-7 at Lincoln High School you can have all this and more.

Stop by as the carnival gets underway!

Friday the 5th from Noon to 11pm
Saturday the 6th From Noon to 11pm
Sunday the 7th from 11am to 8pm

The carnival is a fund raiser for L.E.A.F an non profit education group helping teachers and students in teh district.