Kid's Stuff at Green Street Fair

I'm always on the lookout for family-friendly fun in Metro Detroit (especially if it's free), so I have to give a shout out to the 2nd annual Green Street Fair in Downtown Plymouth this weekend, May 1-3.

Never mind that one of the organizers, Mandi Buckland, was my Maid of Honor. I would recommend the Green Street Fair even if Mandi and I never sang along to Yaz records in her family camper, or lived together in the Bird's Nest on Fairbrook Ave. Or danced until 4 a.m. during Mardi Gras on St. Maarten.

Anyway, we're moms now and there's plenty for kids to do at Green Street Fair.

Fort Box, in Kellogg Park, encourages tykes to play in a city of recycled cardboard boxes, like this one Mandi made (pictured), as well as make their own fort box.

Kids will also love Carousel Acres Petting Farm and the Green Magician, as well as all the healthy snacks!

Meanwhile, moms can shop the fab green vendors, and learn from lectures in the Green Speakers Series, like "Green Crafting for the Whole Family," presented by Lish Dorset of Handmade Detroit.

So much to do! Just don't schedule anything at the Green Street Fair from 2-4 p.m. Saturday ... that's when you'll be seeing the Mydols at MamapaZOOza!

MamapaZOOza 2009

MamapaZOOza is HERE

Join mom rockers The Mydols, CelloBella, and Girls Night Out at the Detroit Zoo for an afternoon celebrating MOMs who love to have fun--lovehandles, soccer games, screaming kids and all!

You won't want to miss this pre-Mother's Day party in the Zoo's picnic area.

REDBOOK magazine will be there with TONS of giveaways for moms. The Mom Squad from Momslikeme.com will be there to pamper mamas with red carpet treatment. And look for ChefMama and The Bliss Network too!

MOMz Rock at the ZOO!

Night at Northville Downs

Last night Jeff and I double dated at the Northville Downs with Northville Record Photographer John Heider and his date, Dorie. The racetrack is ending its live harness racing season just as Kentucky Derby fever gets under way.

I love living by the track, and I've always been fascinated by the horse racing culture. On Friday night we got a behind-the-scenes tour from Publicity Manager Michael Carlo.

Mike took us to the stables, where horses, vets, state regulatory officials, crew and riders were in the midst of race night.

"We have 93 horses and 12 races tonight. It's controlled chaos," Carlo said.

We met the sparkled and fringed rodeo gal who wrangles runaway horses. We also met drivers, including Art Mc Illmurray, who recently celebrated his 3,000th win.

John and Dorie got to ride in the starting gate truck. Meanwhile, Jeff and I broke even on our bets thanks to Champagne Slammer and JL's Last Dance. We picked them simply because we liked their names (Jeff's initials are JL), and Carlo said there's no shame in that.

"There are a thousand ways to place a bet and a thousand ways to pick a horse," he said.

Northville Downs will simulcast the Kentucky Derby this Saturday, May 2. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the first race posts at 10:30 a.m.

Denim Day event for HAVEN

Fashion Group International is hosting a fabulous Denim Day event to benefit HAVEN tonight at 6 p.m. at the Detroit Historical Museum.
Karen Buscemi, editor of StyleLine Magazine, is giving a trend talk, and there's a DVD of Fall/Winter 2009/10 runways from Paris, Milan and New York.
I hope Karen talks about spring and summer fashion, because I just can't bear to think any longer about tweed coats and boots with the fur.
It's time for those flip flops and sarongs! Come on spring!

Soccer Mom 101

As of this morning, I've joined the ranks of soccer mom. My 3-year-old son had his first 'game' today at Millennium Park in Northville. I think I'm more into it than he is!

V. loved the stretching and exercises, but when it came time to play 3 on 3, he refused. Instead of chasing that silly ball he attempted to explain to Coach Hein, while the game was in full play, that he had a better idea.

His method was to stand on a fixed spot mid-field and use 'the force' to move the ball, simply by waving his hand. He even went so far as to teach the hand move to his teammate, so they could use the force together.

He has already earned the nickname Storm Trooper.

Meanwhile, I was getting schooled in the ways of the soccer moms. I quickly felt part of the team. Go Liverpool!

We need shin guards, our own ball, camp chairs, or at least a blanket that folds up and has a cool handle. Anyway, I'm excited to see my teammates again, whether Verick likes soccer or not!

For him, the day ended on a good note, with Rice Krispie treats and juice boxes.

As one mom told me, "It's all about the snacks!"

I can't wait until it's our turn to bring them!

New Song: 6 Questions

6 Questions (who, what, where, when, why and how)
Von B. / Miller

You're having a party and you want me there
but you gotta tell me who what why and where
I need to know the time, place and date
So I can hurry up now and not be late

Chorus:
Who what where when why and how
You've got to tell me please tell me now
Who what where when why and how
You've got to tell me please please tell me now

You're writing a story and it's gotta be good
Cause it's going in the paper in your neighborhood
You tell the chief please just the facts
There are six little questions you need to ask

Chorus

There's somebody special you want to greet
but you don't know what to say when you finally meet
Just talk to them and you can't go wrong
Remember six questions by singing this song

Chorus

Happy Easter!

Ernie Harwell on Opening Day

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ernie Harwell today. With tomorrow being Opening Day at Comerica Park, it was a great time to meet 'the voice of Tigers baseball.'
"It's a big thrill for me. It's always a great occasion. Always has been in Detroit," Harwell said of Opening Day. "There are only two cities in the U.S. that have a big civic celebration on Opening Day. Detroit is one of them." *
Harwell said the season opener is three holidays in one.
"It's like Easter because a lot of people come just once a year, like church. It's like Fourth of July because you have all the fireworks and excitement. And it's like Christmas because you open your new present. Fans see what they're going to get in their package for the year, and of course everyone starts equal."
So, how does Harwell think the Tigers will fare?
"Hope springs eternal," he said.
Harwell called Detroit Tigers games from "the corner of Michigan and Trumbull" 1960-2002.
I remember my gramps would listen to games on the car radio while I played in the park. Harwell truly was the voice of summer.
These days, he's a spokesperson for healthy living.
At 91, he jumps rope 300 times a day, and starts each morning with a 15-minute routine of stretching, lunges and deep squats. Then he works out in the gym at his retirement home in Novi.
"I think the only day I missed they were fixing something in the gym and it was closed," he said.
As a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Harwell promotes walking as an easy route to fitness.
"All you need is a pair of shoes," he said, recalling the days he and coach Sparky Anderson would walk together for exercise in cities across the nation as they toured with the great American pasttime.
Tomorrow at the ballpark, Harwell will lead a tribute to former Tigers third baseman George Kell, who died last month.
On my way to the interview with Harwell, I passed the old Tigers stadium. Judy Mydol really gave a good fight to save that place, and Harwell was a strong part of the effort for a long time.
Still, Harwell conceded he likes Comerica Park.
"There's lots to do for families, even if you don't watch the game," he said.

* The other city that celebrates Opening Day like The D is Cincinatti, according to Harwell.

Local author pens road trip tale

I just finished "The Leisure Seeker," (Feb., 2009, 288 p. Morrow, $24.95) a new book by Ferndale author Michael Zadoorian. It tells the story of John and Ella, an elderly Detroit couple who put rubber to the road and embark on one last cross-country road trip.
They drive old Route 66 and the crumbling highway, dotted with ghost towns and forlorn roadside attractions, becomes a metaphor for the sunset of their lives.
The fact that John has Alzheimer's and Ella is dying of breast cancer makes their adventure all the more daunting - and important.
The subject matter seems depressing, but the book isn't a buzzkill. It's deftly written and full of humor, though achingly sad.

On the lighter side, it's chock full of inside references to The D, including Vernor's, the Uniroyal tire on I-94, and the habit us residents have of pointing out our hometown on an upraised palm.

On the heavy side, it is a story about true love ... not the kind of Hollywood romance you dream of when you're young, but the reality of what it means to share your journey to the end of the line.

I am the only one awake in the house, and I indulged in this rare quiet time to finish the book. My husband is snoring and the kids are safely tucked in bed.

Zadoorian's writing haunts me with the sensation that my life is flying by faster than scenery across the Leisure Seeker's windshield. It's almost too much to bear.

I have to go peek at my little ones now and savor this precious time.