By brendan on 2/8/2010 1:45 PM

Okay fellow mid-Michigan parents, tell me if you haven't had one of THESE moments. It's a Sunday in early February and the weather is cold enough out that it's no fun outside, but there is not enough snow to tough it out and bundle up for a decent winter outing. The kids, mine are boys 9 and 8, are bored and literally bouncing off the walls. Every two minutes they're breaking out into a wrestling match or running around the house like crazy people and despite the fact that you've yelled a hundred times to CALM DOWN - can you really blame them? Now a days kids get like 12 minutes for recess and the weather has been so crummy they haven't had a chance to burn off steam (and adults would be kind to remember kids, unlike a lot of us, actually still have steam...) or do any real playing at all. With the Superbowl hours away I knew I wanted to give them some fun and exercise before sitting in front of the TV for the big game for a few more hours. So what do you do in Greater Lansing when the kids are cooped up and ... Read More »

By Lori in Lansing on 2/4/2010 2:15 PM

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m pathetic in the kitchen. Don’t know much, and really don’t care. Cumin? Not a clue. Trans Fats? Um, they’re bad, right?  I’ve got a personal philosophy that if we humans could eat kibble like we feed our beloved pets, and that it’s nutritionally balanced, scientifically formulated and we dole it out in a measuring cup, that we all could be slim, trim and get the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. We just have a tendency to put way too much emphasis on food, socially and emotionally. I’m just saying.

With that said, take me to an eatery that I actually have to figure out the components to make it taste good and I panic. Take Mongolian Barbeque for example. It’s both of my kids’ absolutely favorite restaurant. They will concoct awesome meals and rave about it for the next week or two.  I, on the other hand, even though I follow the “recipe cards” they offer for challenged people such as myself, end up with a meal that is below my expectations ... Read More »

By brendan on 2/1/2010 11:44 AM

Whew! We did it! The 2010 Greater Lansing Visitor Guide is off the presses and available for everyone looking to have a good time in Greater Lansing. While this publication is directed at visitors to the region, it is a must-have piece for residents as well. When I was at the Meridian Mall this weekend (one of the many places in town you can pick up the new guide) I saw that despite the fact that the guides had just been delivered, the shelves were half empty. Wow, this is a clear sign that people are getting the message that this publication is full of things to see and do and is a critical reference piece for families, students, professionals, young and old who are looking to try that unique restaurant, attend that special festival or learn more about that unique boutique or gallery. This year's guide offers some recommendations too from insiders like the area's top 5 M ... Read More »

By Lori in Lansing on 1/28/2010 12:25 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a new year and I’ve taken the leap. I went to Sultan’s Express today. And, I went with someone who knew as little (or should I just say nothing at all) about Middle Eastern cuisine as me. We got great advice from our coworker Kristina who suggested the Swarmy Chicken (I know, it’s really called Chicken Shawarma-but I heard it wrong, I was so bunged up about this dining adventure.) I’ve discovered if you don’t know what you’re doing, sometimes it’s just best to plead ignorance and ask for some help. So I confessed to the wonderful young man behind the counter that I’d never been there before and don’t know a thing about what to order. He was very patient and kind and helped us both order our meals. I had the special (Aleppo Kabob with rice) and T. had the chicken kabob and Deboned Chicken. I ordered a Falafel on the side in honor of the little adventurous mouse in a movie I used to watch with my kids. (Well, I think it’s actually Farfel, of maybe even Fivel, but it’s close.) It was r ... Read More »

By brendan on 1/25/2010 1:08 PM

So we're in that ugly, dirty old snow, tired of the cold, feeling a little stir-crazy part of winter right? The holidays are over and you're pretty tired of sledding and the general charm of the winter wonderland outside your door has grown annoying and you're thinking, "Okay I wouldn't mind just a little global warming.." When you start going there, and you're not in a position to necessarily go on a vacation, consider the fun that's possible with a STAYcation. Here's an example. This past weekend my wife and I had seen the kids do enough video games and cartoons for a while (not to mention impromptu wrestling matches and the occasional argument we'd need to intervene on) and we were just ready for a little change of scenery. Well we got it, and we didn't need to travel far. We surprised the kids and jumped into the car and headed just a small jaunt down the road to the brand new Ho ... Read More »

By Lori in Lansing on 1/21/2010 4:44 PM

Ok, so I’ll admit it. I’m a mid-west girl by way of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and originally from Canada. I have not ever been to Europe and just flew to the west coast of the US last year. I’ve been in the Lansing area for almost 20 years now and have learned a boatload of Lansing area destination/attraction stuff since starting this job 10 years ago. But I have a confession. When I find something I like, I stick with it. Kinda like my 20 year marriage that died a lingering death. I’m a creature of habit. So my dining habits are hard to break. I’m on a tight budget, and having an office in Old Town, I pretty much stuck to my regular dining haunts. Golden Harvest-yum, Sir Pizza-yum, Olympic Broil-yum, Bonnie’s-ditto. Pretty much a five dollar lunch. And I loved it. And so now we’ve moved our offices downtown,  I think I need to branch out a bit. Step up to the diversity of the big city’s eateries. So what do I do the first few months? Stick to the safe ones. Kewpie’s-double yum, Clara’s buy and burger ... Read More »

By brendan on 1/18/2010 11:50 AM

So I think my wife got tired of me always complaining about a sore back or stiff neck because this year for my birthday she got me a gift certificate for an hour long massage at Creative Wellness in East Lansing. I have had chair massages and stuff, which have always felt great so I'm thinking this will be good like that, but better, as it is for an hour, not just the 15 minute stuff I've had in the past. Well as good as the massage felt, it wasn't the massage itself that was notable so much as the way the therapist performed the massage - almost completely with her feet! What?! Yes, feet, not hands. But more on that later. I was really impressed when I walked into Creative Wellness and found the environment already soothing and calm, with the air full of aromatherapy scents. I was glad it didn't feel like a dentist's office or something, I mean, I was here voluntarily, I wanted to enjoy it, not stress myself out, right? So after some short paperwork going over m ... Read More »

By brendan on 1/4/2010 4:05 PM

During the Christmas/New Year's break, my family and I decided to try out, for the first time, the award-winning sledding hill at Granger Meadows Park in North Lansing/DeWitt Township. I'm here to say it was absolutely awesome. This is an incredible sledding hill that is truly just this side of downhill ski worthy! While the trek up the hill after a run was no piece of cake, it was made a lot easier by steps on the sides of the hill and a thick rope handrail for support. I'm telling you this sled hill is just so cool. From the top of it you could see all kinds of rural forest land off to one side and then as far off as the Capitol Dome and the Boji Tower to the other side, so you know you're up there a ways. You have to see it and experience it to really understand what I mean, so check it out while we've still got plenty of the white stuff. Different sides of the hill offer varying levels of steepness so if your kids are still little, they'll have a place to sled in their comfort level. But that being said, ... Read More »

By brendan on 12/4/2009 11:18 AM

Uh-Oh - We've got Snow!
You're probably wondering where to go
Don't you worry - It's all right
Greater Lansing ROCKS when the ground is white
From hills to trails to a toboggan run
Get ready for sume WINTER FUN!

Check out the beautiful winter scenery on the trails at Woldumar or Fenner Nature Center! Ranney Park and Hawk Island Park in Lansing have awesome sledding as well as Granger Meadows Park in DeWitt and Read More »

By brendan on 11/18/2009 9:58 AM

This Friday, November 20th there is an event in downtown Lansing you just can't miss. Silver Bells in the City, A festival event which surrounds the lighting of the State Holiday Tree and the official kick-off of the Holiday season. Don't worry about the cold, as the warm and friendly atmosphere offsets the temperature and you get a real feeling of small town holiday cheer. Downtown shops and restaurants are open late and a fun electric light parade catches everyone in the spirit. Literally all over downtown, inside and out, there are special attractions, events, shows, treats and entertainment going on. My daughter always wants to see the Irish Dance Company of Greater Lansing perform at the Riverwalk Theater and then we usually stay for excerpts from the upcoming theater performance. My sons love slime making and the Capital Area Model Railway Exhibit at Impression 5. My wife, a huge animal lover, will want to see the Reindeer at the City Market. My favorite part is the actual lighting of ... Read More »