You know the stories: the one where the red-caped girl goes to grandmothers house to find a surprise and the one where three innocent little pigs had a house blown down and many, many more tales; all focused on the wolf.

Binder Park Zoo kicks off Wolf Awareness Week beginning Saturday with Howl-a-Palooza. We took the family last year and the kids absolutely loved it! Visitors travel through the Zoo to the Mexican Wolf exhibit and listen to the Keepers as they educate the public on the most endangered wolf-species. They also give a free wolf poster to attendees (while supplies last).

Its the perfect time of the year to take the family to Binder Park Zoo. I love walking through the forest as the leaves begin to change and re-discovering all the zoo has to offer. To save you trouble,I looked up the phone number 269 979 1351.

Get those motors running… for this weekend in Battle Creek! With so much to do, the calendar is already full! Saturday morning, the Farmers Market will be Downtown… and I am hoping to pick up some deliciously red tomatoes and spicy ingredients for salsa; the perfect summer treat!

Speaking of salsa and spices, the International Summerfest takes place Downtown at Mill Race Park. This festival celebrates Battle Creeks diversity with tasty ethnic food and entertainment. Food is served until 5pm, with children’s activities until 4pm.

But don’t be ready to pack up just yet, be sure to stay downtown for Cruise the Gut; an old fashioned cruise in for vehicles vintage 1972 or earlier. The cruise route runs along Michigan Avenue between Division and Carlyle Streets with vehicle entry points for qualifying cars along the route. The Cruise goes from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

And don't forget, GREASE, will be playing in the Semco parking lot (next to Mill Race Park) at 930 pm; bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show!

To complete the perfect day, be sure to stay Downtown and socialize with everyone at one of the many establishments. My husband and I will probably stop by the new Cricket Club or walk from place to place catching up with neighbors and friends!

Open for Business

“Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?” Then head out to FireKeepers Casino, now open in Emmett Township.

I received an invitation for one of the private opening sessions. Thrilled at the opportunity, my husband and I ventured to the casino for the evening.

FireKeepers is completely astonishing and masterfully designed. We couldn’t help but stare around at the intricate designs straight out of a Las Vegas or Atlantic City style casino. Designed with one theme in mind, the casino displays earth, wind, water and fire throughout the entire complex.

Being the food lover that I am, we first embarked on one of the many dining establishments; Café 24/7. I was quite impressed! The service was great and the food was far better than we expected! The menu, catered to tastes of all kind, had something for everyone with an extra… flair… to each item.

So, on to the gambling portion of the evening… we aren’t big gamblers but definitely tested our hand at the machines! We played a few dollars and walked away a few dollars more than what we had started with. However, it was so excited walking around to see all the people playing live table games and the impressive variety of additional games.

My final conclusion: I’ll be back. Whether a gambler or not, it is quite the establishment offering entertainment and dining for all. Just to see the architecture and design is a reason to stop by!

I am spending the next few days on a Circle Michigan FAM tour on behalf of Battle Creek. The FAM tour, also known as a familiarization tour, is throughout Southern Michigan, and today is day one.

This has been a phenomenal trip so far! And I can't wait to tell you! First, we started at McCamly Plaza Hotel in Battle Creek. The staff was so friendly and they had a great reception room for us waiting until we could board our bus.

Once boarded, we met our driver, Dezzi - amazing guy! And, we headed out to the Kellogg Manor House. Kellogg Manor House, sits on Gull Lake and has such an amazing history. W.K. Kellogg used that as his summer home and it is absolutely incredible! The inctricate details, all the rook tile and the 400 year old tapestries that lined the wall would have anyone stunned! The House prepared lunch for us, and we sat overlooking Gull Lake; could not have asked for a better day with the temperatures in the 80's and the sun shining!

From there, we headed to Gilmore Car Museum. It doesn't matter if you know cars or not to be fascinated by this place. Set on a large piece of land, different barns house different period cars; there is everything from 1930's luxury cars, to race cars to miniature cars! It is outside, and with the sun beating down on us, it was getting roasty. So... we headed over to the diner and enjoyed some soft serve custard! It was definitly the perfect treat!

As the afternoon progressed, we went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Now, this was my first experience and I can say I was highly impressed. When you walk in, you walk through this hallway of clouds and it gives the illusion of walking into space, then, you enter a large room with a hand painted mural covering the wall! The planes placed throughout the room are so unique and have their own stories, but we didn't have much time to hear everything. My kids would love it! And, they are doing free general admission all summer. However, my favorite part, was when we sat in a movie-theatre like room, and had a 4-D experience... the story of the 'Kalamazoo Gal'; an aircraft in World War II. You felt your chair move, the screen jump out at you and even air blew at you! Quite the experience!

Then, to finish the evening we headed out to Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo MI. It is beautiful! The rooms are very welcoming and, to my great pleasure, they had chocolate waiting to greet me... definitly a great start to the evening.

Come to find out, they rent out bikes for free as a compimentary service. So, of course, I had to test it out. They have the old-school bikes that don't have handle breaks (only back pedal breaks) and I rode out to Lake Michigan. The sky was the clearest of blues, the temperature was perfect and the sun was setting over the waters. Now, if you have never experienced a Lake Michigan sunset, it is definitly something you need to do. To finish off the evening, I enjoyed a glass of wine at the hotel's restaurant overlooking the harbor. I miss my kids, but today was quite the experience. I look forward to part 2 tomorrow!

As the engines roared, the smell of gasoline wafted through the air, and my kids stared in awe at the trucks, I had to smile.

Ever since I was a kid, I loved going to drag races and going to everything my dad would let me tag along on. So, when I heard that Monster Trucks were coming to the Kellogg Arena, my husband and I decided it would be the perfect family event; and it was. We bought Pit Passes to go and check out the trucks before the event and my kids had a blast. They were amazed that the tires were bigger than Daddy! My son seemed to be nervous before everything got started, and I was worried we wouldn’t be making it through the entire event. However, the drivers put on an excellent program and by the time the event was over, my husband and I were pretty much dragging our kids away!

In anticipation of another family event, I discovered that the American Strongman “Live” is coming to the Arena on May 16 at 7:00 p.m. I have seen them on T.V., but to watch the athletes show their strength in person (as they rep 300 pound car axles, battle 360 pound Atlas Stones) I can’t wait for it! If you are looking for something new and fun for everyone, and something that fits in your budget, be sure to get tickets! (Contact Kellogg Arena for those). After the Monster Trucks, I anxiously await this event and the opportunity for my kids to see something different! (And for my own entertainment as well, but we won’t let them know that…)

So, my younger sister was complaining to me the other day that she didn't have anything new to do on a date with her boyfriend. And, it got me to thinking, that I am sure there are other people looking for new and different ideas. So, I compiled a couple of my ideas and think that people can mix and match for themselves what to do... whether single and trying out the whole dating scene, or married and just needing a night out, I think these are a great stepping stone.

Gary Fields Comedy Club and dinner downtown
Picnic at one of the beatiful local parks
"Picture the Moment" - walk together around town/parks taking favorite pictures and put in an album
Sports events - no matter the season - Battle Creek Knights, Revlolution/ Bombers
Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall - walk around town, get some icecream, sit and watch the beautiful fountain
Go bowling! Or minature golf! Or the Arcade! Be a kid again for a night
Enjoy dinner at Schuler's in Marshall then attend a performance at the Franke Center for the Arts.
Or, why not try dinner and an evening at teh Waterfront Seaside Sports Bar, especially once the weather stays warm, it would be great to sit on the lake and enjoy the winter FINALLY being over.
Stay a night at local hotel; perhaps one with a pool or hot tub, and enjoy dinner and a little relaxation away from the normal stresses of life.

There is so much to do in Calhoun County! This is just the start of my list! I will have to post another one soon on this same topic and share my favorite date my husband took me on! I'd love to hear any of your favorite local dates!

Welcome to 2009! After the difficulities of 2008, everyone is surely anticipating, and hoping, for an upswing in the coming year! This New Year's Eve, my family and I went to some friends of ours. We enjoyed appetizers and games as the children played together. Staying up to midnight was quite the challenge for me, but I was glad to welcome 2009. Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, it's time to look ahead of what to do to avoid the 'winter blues.' With money tight, and the temperatures bitter cold, there are still things to do in the area! Try glow bowling at Nottke's, or head over to Kingman Museum to see the all new planetarium. I would also suggest going to a Battle Creek Knight's game at the Kellogg Arena, or the Revolution Ice hockey team at the Rink! No need to stay in and suffer the blues, get out and about and enjoy these great ideas perfect for any budget!

It looks like winter is here! The official first day of winter is December 21 but if you were to look outside, you would know it's winter! The cold temperatures and all the snow predicted ensures us a Bing Crosby style Christmas. I know my kids are thoroughly excited to play in the snow and I, for one, will enjoy this winter blast...for now. Our tree is fully decorated, I am continually trying to sneak moments to wrap presents and baking between it all! I love Christmas and am looking forward to spending time with the family. With all of the excitement for the day, my very favorite time is at the end of the night; the kids are laying on the floor watching a Christmas movie, my husband and I relaxed on the couch and all just seems right with the world. So, a week from today I will be doing just this. I am curious as to everyone else's favorite holiday moment... No matter the holiday that you celebrate, I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

My, oh my, 2008 has flown by! The holiday season is here and I find myself trying to cram everything on my calendar into a few short weeks. Shopping, wrapping, baking and decorating added to my already busy life.

However, one thing I make time to do is spend time with my family. My kids, as much as they may be a pain, are the loves of my life. So, when all the fun and festive events come around during the holidays, I make it a point to make a family outing.

This weekend is the Holiday Balloon Fest and I know my kids are anxiously awaiting the celebration…as am I! This is the 10th year of the festival that will take place at Kellogg Community College. To celebrate, there will be a great fireworks display on Saturday!

I’ll be bundling up the kids and taking them to experience one of my favorite holiday events and hope to see you there! Please be sure to take pictures and upload them to the CVB site! You will remain as anonymous as you want so don’t be afraid to share! www.battlecreekvisitors.org/photo_submit.cfm

It's been all over the news the past couple of days and it has people talking... the $85 million dollar downtown revitalization. This is so exciting! Because it is all over the news, no need for me to go into details on it. Just that, I can't wait to see what Downtown looks like ten years from now! Hopefully it will be live and vibrant with businesses and people!

Especially in this economy and to have a project of this magnitude in the plans for the near future, it is very promising. I would love to hear your opinions on this one...

I love the holidays; any holiday! So, it is no surprise that I love Thanksgiving, Christmas and this whole time of year. Next week I will take a break from writing this blog because I will be in the kitchen cooking up a storm! And as much as I will want to, I’ll have to refrain because my computer will most likely get something spilled on it!

This weekend I will probably see all of you in the grocery store, stocking up! It’s going to be quite the adventure at Meijer’s and I’m certain I’ll be leaving my little ones at home. However, Saturday night is the Holiday Parade Downtown. The parade begins at 5:40 along Michigan Avenue. I look forward to it every year and can’t wait to see it this time around. The season is just beginning and I can’t wait to experience it with my family.

What’s your favorite holiday pastime?

Ever lived your most dreaded horror story? I have…and just about everyone else’s out there as well.

So, the story goes…I love my kids more than anything in this world, but I do need to go out and have adult (or young adult) fun from time to time. So, last weekend, with the children at their grandparents, my husband and I met up with some friends. We decided to feel a little younger for the night and enjoy the haunting season… so we drove out to the Homer Mill; the very Mill where Alice Cooper went last year.

Along with the Haunted Mill, they have a haunted-themed-restaurant and bar where we began the evening. The menu creatively reflected the theme and the food was to-die-for (thought you’d enjoy that one).

As the evening became lively (or deadly) we decided to stand in line with the other scare-seekers. From an outside perspective, the Mill is covered in commercialism for the season. However, looking at the establishment, without all the lights and smoke, a real shiver ran down my spine; the place just looks haunted.

My heart began to race as we walked in the Mill. Now, I will not give you the horrific details of the evening, that you will have to discover for yourself, but my husband will say that I left permanent marks in his arm and his ear-drums ringing.

As we left we walked past the ticket counter. Now, being who I am, I had to stop and talk with the employees. They shared horror stories of other guests and I realized what a fantastic job they do; one guest suggested using the restroom before entering, but that she will, of course, be back.

As will I. What’s been your experience?

Some things in my life are so unconsistent that I don't know which way is up; especially with kids. One thing though, that is a staple in our household is Kellogg's Fruitloops. The cereal is always on the shopping list and it is always a great snack with, or without, milk.

The other morning, taking the kids to school, I smiled as I smelled the familiar scent in the Battle Creek air. Something that I've grown accustomed to from living here for all these years. Sometimes I think we ignore it, but you have to stop and smell the Fruit Loops sometimes... or the Cocoa Crispies, or whatever the cereal companies have baking.

Interesting fact - did you know that Fruit Loops are part of the diet for a variety of animals at the zoo? Yup. Sure is.

So, when you get up tomorrow morning, or drive home this evening, remember to stop and smell the Fruit Loops.... or whatever delicious goodies are being baked.

So we survived the floods of 2008! After raining for days upon days, my family and I are ready to spend every minute we can outdoors. Thankfully this coming weekend poses the perfect opportunity to be out and about and even enjoy a piece of Michigan heritage.

Albion's Festival of the Forks will take place in Downtown Albion Friday thru Saturday (September 19-20th).

There's SO much to and so much going on that I won't have to worry about finding something else for the kids this weekend. The festival kicks off with a spaghetti supper (and I don't have to cook!) a 5k run/walk and a Lobster Bash among other scheduled events. Then, on Saturday, the parade will entertain, the food will stuff, and the ballets and concerts will excite. Summer may officially be over, but the variety of things to do in the area are still going strong. Hope to see you in Albion this weekend! Post for more information!

As Cassie is on one last vacation before school starts, Karen Hagerty from the Marshall Chamber of Commerce remarks on one exciting upcoming event!

The 45^th Annual Historic Marshall Home Tour will be Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7 in 2008. This Grand-daddy of home tours is sure to delight visitors with some never before seen homes. Ticketholders can enter seven private residences, seven museums, a church and the Madison Green Art Faire. New evening activities are sure to prove fun with the Kalamazoo Big Band playing Saturday evening from 6-8 PM and from 9-11 PM a Dueling Pianos concert right out front of the Honolulu House Museum by the Brooks Memorial Fountain. Other activities that weekend include the 7^th Annual Civil War Ball held downtown next to the GAR Hall Museum and Carver Park, the Calhoun County Quilters Show held at the Marshall Activities Center, KRMY Brook's Field Airport’s 77^th Anniversary Fly and Drive-In, Zion Lutheran Church's 23^rd Annual Taste of Germany Dinner, Trinity Episcopal Church's Salad Smorgasbord, a Needlework Show at the Marshall Distric Library, and a wonderful Evening Gallery Tour with the Blue Hour Gallery, Gallery 105, EastEnd Sudio & Gallery, and the Eclectic Gallery. All these events have a website on the Marshall Area Chamber's www.marshallmi.org so if you need times, places, cost, details, etc., you can find it all there under our "events" tab. Or, you can call the Marshall Area Chamber at 800.877.5163 and we'll be glad to answer your questions on these events or others happening in the Marshall area.

We took the family to Binder Park Zoo over the long holiday weekend. I was very impressed - as were my children! We have been to the zoo on a variety of occasions and my children never get sick of it (and neither do I!) They keep adding different exhibits and attractions. My daughter loves the carousel ride and I love the picture opportunities it gives me.

My neices and nephews, who are a few years older than my children, still love the zoo. I think their favorite part is feeding the giraffes. I'll have to admit that's probably my favorite too.

After we left the zoo we went home and had a BBQ feast of kings! It was great to have the whole family together and enjoy the beautiful weather! Quite the change from the storms we had last Wednesday. Hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July!

This community has many hidden treasures and today, I was able to discover one of them. One of the organizations I work with rented a motor coach and we went on a historical city tour of Battle Creek.

I had no idea the extent of the history in this town. We learned everything from the Seventh Day Adventists, how it affected the creation of cereal and cereal moguls Kellogg and Post, as well as Battle Creek being a stop on the Underground Railroad.

For example, did you know that that there’s an old building by the Federal Center (which was formally the Percy Jones Army Hospital and before that the Battle Creek Sanitarium) where guests of the Sanitarium used to sneak out to? The Sanitarium was basically a health spa so any unhealthy acts were prohibited. This building was an escape for these patients where they would smoke their cigars, play poker and indulge in adult beverages. Dr. Kellogg quickly caught on to them and referred to them and the building as the ‘Sinners Club.’

There is so much unique history in this community that I urge you to take yourself, or your friends and family, to discover how this town came to be. The CVB has a variety of brochures on this history and even a walking tour that provides some information.