Tadpoles, for ages 2 to 5, will gather at 10 a.m. tomorrow for stories and crafts during "Mother's Day Flowers" at The Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark near Flat Rock. There's a $4 fee per child.
Nature NUTS ages 6 to 10 can enjoy "Wild About Flowers" at 10 a.m. tomorrow for a $4 fee.
Take an exciting bird walk during "In Search of Wood Warblers" at 10 a.m. tomorrow for a $4 fee.
Find out what makes animals so unique during "Animal Adaptation" at 1 p.m. Sunday for a $3 fee.
Preregistration and vehicle entry permits are required for all the programs. To sign up, call 1-734-782-3956.
Join the Crack O' Dawn Coffee Club at 7 a.m. tomorrow for some java and a doughnut followed by a brisk nature walk at Marshlands Museum and Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown Township.
Learn about the croakers inhabiting the metropark during "Frog Focus Feature" at 2 p.m. Sunday. Join an interpreter to investigate frog life through specimens, live examples and an outside frog hunt for a $2 fee.
Children ages 7 to 17 can tee up with golf lessons from The First Tee of Detroit during a three-day golf camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 18 to 20 at the metropark.
Students will learn putting, chipping, pitching and full swing as well as rules, safety and etiquette of the game for a $110 fee.
Aspiring golfers also get a hat and T-shirt, daily snacks and an identification card. No previous golfing experience is required.
Preregistration and vehicle entry permits are required for all programs, which take place at the nature center. To register, call 1-734-379-5020 or 1-800-477-3189.
The Taylor Conservatory Foundation will hold a free "Plant a Row for the Hungry" kick-off event at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Heritage Park Petting Farm, 12111 Pardee Road.
Plant a Row is a national program based on the gardeners' tradition of sharing their harvests with others.
Free vegetable plants will be distributed to those who sign up for the program.
To reserve a seat, call Bruce Forrest at 1-313-295-1889.
The third annual Spring Fling Festival takes over the Yack Recreation Center, 3131 Third Street, in Wyandotte, next Friday and May 10. Admission is free.
The two-day event features food, music, a Vegas tent, rides, raffles, games, crafts and a used book/media sale.
A $7,000 prize highlights the grand raffle, along with 12 $500 prizes. A basket raffle features a variety of themed baskets.
"Prizes of Plenty" will offer packages of gift certificates to local restaurants, golf courses and a Wii video game system.
FiftyAmpFuse takes the stage from 7 to 11:30 p.m. next Friday followed by New Generation from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Legend the Band from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Make it a memorable Mother's Day with special events at the Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark and Marshlands Museum and Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown Township.
Treat mom to a program about the history of tea during "Mother's Day Teas" at 1 p.m. May 11 at Oakwoods Metropark.
Visitors can sample cucumber sandwiches and a variety of teas. The fee is $4 a person. Call 1-734-782-3956 for more details.
Take a "Mom's Way Nature Walk" at 2 p.m. May 11 at Lake Erie Metropark to search for animal mothers and learn how they care for their young. The fee is $2 a person.
Put your brainpower to the test during the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center's Trivia Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Westfield Activities Center, 2700 Westfield, Trenton.
The $20 a person cost includes a light dinner and pop.
Teams of up to eight people can compete, and the winning team takes home a prize. All proceeds benefit The Information Center in Southgate.
Call 1-734-282-7171 or visit www.theinfocenter.info to reserve tickets.
The 2008 Gem and Mineral Show presented by The Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society takes over the Southgate Civic Center annex, 14700 Reaume Parkway, from 4 to 8 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18.
This year's feature, "Michigan Rocks," focuses on rocks and minerals found in the state's parks, lakes and roads, including Petoskey stones, Lake Superior agates and datolites.
There will be 20 dealers and free mineral kits for children.
Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $1 for teen-agers.
Teachers are welcome to bring their third- through eighth-grade classes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 for no charge. For details on Kids' Day, call Dick DePodesta at 1-313-389-2674.
For more information about the show, e-mail ornwhanschu@prodigy.net, call Mike Bomba at 1-313-381-8456 or Norm Hanschu at 1-734-455-8596.
The 37th annual Polish Festival promises food, music and games over Memorial Day Weekend at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 266 Antoine, Wyandotte.
The festival runs from 5 to 11:30 p.m. May 23, 1 to 11 p.m. May 24 and 1 to 11 p.m. May 25.
Games, rides, music, bingo and a Vegas tent, along with stuffed cabbage and chicken dinners and oodles of Polish food favorites, will be part of the fun.
Live entertainment includes Duane Malinowski, Men in Black, the Kielbasa Kings, Trilogy, Misty Blues and Dyna Dukes.
Greenfield Village in Dearborn springs to life Tuesday as it reopens for the 2008 season.
The sprawling historic spot will offer a host of special programs and activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Model T.
Centennial activities include Model T rides, a Model T medley concert, an old car festival and presentations about Henry Ford's life and achievements.
Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $19 for senior citizens ages 62 and older and $14 for children ages 5 to 12. Children younger than age 5 are admitted free.
For more information, call 1-313-982-6001.
Submit your tastiest chocolate cake recipe in The Henry Ford's Bake-off Contest in honor of "Chocolate: The Exhibition" coming to the museum May 31.
E-mail recipes to publicrelations@thehenryford.org by May 15.
Four finalists will be chosen to participate in a live competition at the museum May 29. A panel of local celebrity judges will select the tastiest treat.
The winning recipe will be featured in the museum's Chocolate CafÈ during the show, which runs through Sept. 7.
"Chocolate: The Exhibition" blends interactive displays, artifacts and pop culture references in its examination of the culture and history of chocolate.
Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and $10 for children ages 5 and up. Children ages 4 and younger get in free.
Call 1-313-982-6001 for more information.
Thomas the Tank Engine chugs into Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn with "Day Out with Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour" today through Sunday and next Friday through May 11.
Preschoolers and their families can take a 25-minute ride on a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt, controller of the railway.
Other activities include arts and crafts, storytelling, videos and live music.
Ticket prices for members are $11.75 for adults and children age 2 and older. Non-member prices, which include admission to the village, are $31.75 for adults, $25.75 for children ages 5 to 12 and $11.75 for children ages 1 to 4.
Order tickets by calling 1-866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/thomas or www.thehenryford.org.
Henry Ford Community College is offering free planetarium shows Tuesdays in the science building on HFCC's campus, 5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn.
"Nothing Gold Can Stay - A Spring Star Talk" takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through June 17. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and close at show time.
Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and no latecomers will be admitted for safety reasons.
No reservations are required. Call 1-313-845-9628 for more information.
Families can have fun while learning how to be healthier during "Healthy Lifestyles Equals Healthy Families" from 1 to 3 p.m. May 10 at the Detroit Children's Museum, 6134 Second Ave.
An indoor walk-a-thon, interactive game stations, crafts, healthcare information stations and kid-friendly health exhibits will be part of the event.
Local author Sandra Epps will read and sign copies of her book, "Imani has the Most Exciting Dream," based on her experience living with lupus.
Kathleen Slonager, executive director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's Michigan Chapter, will present "Healthy Living Through Better Asthma Control."
"Fitness Fun" led by Mervette Broden, health club coordinator of the Northwest Activities Center, will provide an invigorating cardio workout.
"Spring Night Time Sky," a planetarium show with Carrie Zaitz, will be shown at 12:30 and 1:15 p.m.
General admission to the museum is free, but preregistration is required for the event by calling 1-313-873-8100.
The Detroit Derby Girls hit the rink at 7 p.m. May 10 and May 31 at the Masonic Drill Hall in Detroit.
Part of the roller derby rebirth that began in 2001, the Detroit Derby Girls is an all-female owned and operated flat track roller derby league.
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Championship double-header tickets are $20.
Order tickets online at www.olympiaentertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge tickets by phone at 1-248-433-1515.
"SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure" is docked through Sept. 1. at The Detroit Science Center.
Dive into the search, recovery and conservation process of deep-ocean treasure and artifacts.
Priceless historical artifacts from the SS Republic, the greatest shipwreck treasure of the Civil War era, are on display.
Visitors also can pilot a real robot submersible, learn pirate lore and battle the forces of nature in a 75-mile-per-hour hurricane tube.
Tickets are $15.95 for adults and $13.95 for senior citizens and children. General museum admission is included, and discounted group rates are available. For group reservations, call 1-313-577-8400.
Also showing is the IMAX feature, "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs," a journey back to the age of the great pharaohs detailing why mummification was so important to the ancient Egyptians.
Tickets are $11.95 for adults and $10.95 for children and senior citizens. Call 1-313-577-8400 for more information.
The Detroit Science Center is at 5020 John R.
Children are in for a heart-stopping adventure during "Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue" coming to the Fox Theatre for six performances May 10 and 11.
The live-action stage show, which features familiar songs and characters from the Nick Jr. television show, follows Diego, his sister Alicia and cousin Dora on a special mission to get Baby Jaguar's growl back from the Bobos.
Show times are 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. May 10 and 11. Tickets are $18.50, $29.50 and $40.50.
Purchase tickets online at www.olympiaentertainment.com, at the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices and all Ticketmaster locations. Call 1-248-433-1515 to charge tickets by phone.
WWE Presents Monday Night RAW slams into Joe Louis Arena at 8 p.m. May 12.
The show will be broadcast on live TV and features RAW superstars Randy Orton, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Triple H and more.
Tickets are on sale now at prices of $23, $33, $43, $53 and $73. Buy online at www.olympiaentertainment.com, the Joe Louis Arena and Fox Theatre box offices and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge tickets by phone at 1-248-645-6666.
Bacon Memorial District Library, 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte, hosts a drop-in chess game from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays.
Find new and challenging opponents and pick up a move or two.
Heritage Decorative Artists of Southeast Michigan, a chapter of the International Society of Decorative Painters, meets bimonthly at the Westfield Activities Center, 2700 Westfield Road, Trenton.
The group shares ideas and new painting techniques in addition to sponsoring painting seminars with well-known teachers. All levels of painters are welcome.
For more information, call Debi Keeling at 1-734-422-9382, or visit www.heritagedecorativeartists.com.
The Downriver Council for the Arts, 20904 North Line Road, Taylor, has a book club, which meets from 1 to 3 p.m. the first Thursday of every month.
Snacks are provided, and donations are accepted. To learn more, call 1-734-287-6103 or e-mail dc4arts@cs-net.net.
Take a tour of the Henry Ford Estate-Fair Lane on the campus of the University ofMichigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road.
Tours are at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
The price is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 62 and older and $6 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and younger get in free.
Call 1-313-593-5590 for details.
See the birthplace of the Model T with a tour of the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, 461 Piquette, Detroit.
Walk the same floors as Henry Ford, the Dodge brothers, James Couzens and other auto pioneers, where the first 10,000 Tin Lizzies were manufactured before the advent of the assembly line.
A National Historic Landmark, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10, with free admission for ages 16 and younger.
Tours for groups of 10 or more are available by appointment. Call 1-313-868-2377 for reservations. For directions, visit www.tplex.org.
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