The Latest Buzz

Jumpin' Jax BLAST!

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:00 GMT

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 driving you nuts because they're bouncing off the walls? The answer - go let them bounce off someone else's walls! The perfect place? Jumpin' Jax! Jumpin' Jax is a 10,000 square foot facility (its the old Lansing Ice and Gymnastics on Lake Lansing Road) with 7 full size inflatables that serve as obstacle courses, jumping areas and basically huge soft play areas where kids can jump, flop and flip to their hearts content. Of course parents are welcome to bounce too, but most tend to sit in the comfy chairs and talk with their spouse, read the paper, borrow from a huge bin of magazines or even sit in a massage chair while the kids play. It was a great time and the kids had a lot of fun. My wife and I were impressed with how clean it was considering all the kids running around with snacks and the staff did a great job of keeping things safe, but fun. After a few hours of bouncing around and acting crazy at Jumpin' Jax the kids came home and were more than content to rest a bit and watch the Saints beat the Colts - without running around and beating on each other. So if you are a Greater Lansing resident, or a lucky guest to the area, I highly recommend Jumpin' Jax for those days when the kids are nuts and Spring weather just can't come soon enough. Click here for their website to get hours, costs and more!

2010 Visitor Guide a "Must Have"

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:44:00 GMT

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 Must-Sees, MSU Tailgating 101, lots of interesting Did You Knows, info on over 75 area festivals and events and much more. Stop by the Lansing or Meridian Mall, the Lansing Center, the Capitol Region International Airport or the Lansing Visitor Center in the Stadium District across from Olds Park or order yours today! This is your guide to an amazing 2010 in Greater Lansing and its FREE - Grab it today!

Operation: STAYCATION

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:08:00 GMT

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 Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing. After we were greeted by the friendly staff and went up to check out our suite, the kids were in their baithing suits and in the swimming pool in no time flat. With them in their glory jumping around in the pool my wife took some time to do a little shopping at the nearby Eastwood Towne Center and to check out fabric at Country Stitches, also close by. I was more than happy to stay with the kids to supervise and read a book I've been meaning to get to since Christmas. Ahhh... I thought to myself, "I honestly have to check into a hotel to feel relaxed enough to sit down and read a book when it isn't like bedtime? Ouch!" Anyway the kids swam for hours and, as tends to happen, built up quite an appetite - so my wife and I loaded them up in the car for the long journey (across the street) to the Spartan Hall of Fame Cafe, a local family favorite. We had a great meal and instead of immediately cleaning up, like we'd have to do at home, we looked around at the cool old Spartan memorabilia and browsed the little gift shop. So we get back to the room and the kids are pleasantly full from dinner and tired from all the swimming. We were happy to see though, the room had a fridge and microwave so we popped some popcorn and watched a movie for a while. We all slept great and in fact I only have one complaint about the night's rest. It was so good that now my wife thinks we should get a new bed at home. New bedding, mattress, pillows, the works. Truthfully she's probably right. The bed was so comfy I was tempted to take the pillow I used home with me. Well the kids woke up early and wanted to do more swimming, but before we did the family took advantage of the free Express Start Breakfast which was super nice. Eggs, sausage, juice, yogurt, bagels, toast, cinnamon rolls, coffee - I mean the works. My wife and I finished up eating and the kids went to get ready to swim some more. Again with no cooking or clean up required, my wife and I chatted, read the paper and then spent some time in the fitness room while the kids had fun in the pool. On the drive home (it didn't take long as we were 15 minutes from home, after all) I honestly felt like I was coming home from a small vacation. We got a break from the day to day stuff that gets in the way of relaxing and truly enjoyed the weekend. So you don't need to travel far to shake the winter blahs - take it from me after a successful operation - staycation. Try it yourself, you won't regret it.

Give a Hand for Good Feet

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:50:00 GMT

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 my health history and any problem areas I'd like addressed during the massage, I was led back to a room that was even more calm and relaxing than the waiting room. There I talked to the Massage Therapist and she told me that she felt an Ashiatsu Massage would work best for me. I think she read from my expression that I had no idea what that was (although I thought it might be a late 90's Honda model...) so she went on to tell me that its a massage performed with the feet instead of the hands. This gives the therapist added strength and leverage with which to work out those deep knots and stiffness you get sitting at your computer writing blogs. Anyway, as I am with most things, I said I was game for that so she got started. I have to say the experience was just awesome. While she did my back with her feet she also took the time for traditional massage as well and the overall experience left me feeling as loose and relaxed as a cooked pasta noodle listening to Enya. This is just another example of me trying something I'd never heard of and being glad I did. So bravo Creative Wellness and here is a big hand to some great feet! Think you'd like to try this type of massage or really any wellness treatment at all? Visit www.creativewellness.net.

Best Sledding Ever

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:05:00 GMT

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, Mom and Dad, don't be a chicken, bundle up and brave the ice right along with your kids, it's just a ton of fun. Lights at night allows for some fun night-sledding too. Oh yeah - you know how as soon as you get your kid bundled up in 100 layers they have to go to the bathroom? Fear not! Granger Meadows Park offers nice clean public restrooms right by the parking area. So, looking for the best sledding in Lansing? Check out Granger Meadows Park!

Uh Oh - We've got SNOW!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:18:00 GMT

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 Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge. Burchfield Park in Holt has trails, sledding and a fantastic toboggan run that you have to try. The snow is falling in Greater Lansing and there is so much fun free stuff to do outside! So get off your computer, don't be a mouse-potato, and go play in the snow!

Lansing Really Shines at Silver Bells in the City

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:58:00 GMT

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 the tree and the fireworks show that follows. Clearly this is an awesome holiday themed family event but its truly a great night for everyone. So much of the event is free that you can have a great night full of entertainment and not spend a dime. From horse-drawn wagon rides, to dancing and music to dozens of other cool things at over 20 different downtown sites - all free. So come down and have a great time at the 25th Annual Silver Bells in the City and bring your family, friends and a good measure of holiday cheer. For the full list of information and entertainment schedule visit www.silverbellsinthecity.org

Celtic Women's Night Out in East Lansing

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:37:00 GMT

My daughter has been taking Irish Dancing (You know, like you saw in Riverdance) for a long time and through that got turned onto this popular song and dance show called Celtic Woman. When my wife and I saw that it was coming to Wharton Center it was a no-brainer to get tickets as an early Christmas gift. As it turned out her Grandpa beat us to it, and got tickets for them to see this great show, tomorrow, Wednesday November 4th at the Wharton Center. I guess there is no better performance to serve as a backdrop for a mother and daughter to see together and have a little time away from the guys. Now that I think of it they did the same thing when Annie came to town a year ago or so. Honestly, one of the best things about the Greater Lansing community is the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. They are always, I mean year after year, bringing in the very best shows in the world to our community and now with the renovations complete (see included awesome picture) the stage is set...

A Tale of Madness

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:50:00 GMT

This tale of Madness I now share with thee
Started last Friday at quarter to three
I looked in the paper to check on the scoop
And I saw an event, all about hoop
Not just basketball though, THIS was to be great
Midnight Madness it was - at Michigan State
It's the start of the season, for women and men
Six months of Spartan Hoop - set to begin
I've wanted to see this event my whole life
What a perfect outing for my sons and my wife!
They'll introduce this year's team
and the coaches will talk
I'm not worried about parking, we don't mind the walk
They'll play a great video of last years fun season
I love MSU and this is the reason
It's more than my school and community glue
They provide so much fun stuff for families to do
Then they'll play a great scrimmage to cap off the night
Top-grade college basketball - GREEN versus WHITE
So at 7:30 we walk up to Breslin - all feeling fine
Then we see that the doors don't open 'til 9!
Of course right now we're all feeling great
but I've got a wife who gets cold and two boys nine and eight!
Can they handle the wait - will they all stick it out?
I say - "C'mon guys this is what being a Spartan is all about?!"
So we stood in the cold my family and I
Chit chatting with other Spartans made the time really fly by
When they opened the doors we rushed for some seats
As the spartan drumline set the tone with some rockin good beats
As I grabbed some free posters my boys simply pined
So we stood in huge lines to get them all signed
The players were great, Coach Izzo was too
He even talked with my son, for a moment or two
We went back to our seats, right close by the floor
Ready for music, hoops and Spartans galore
They started with the women, and that was so neat
We saw Allyssa DeHaan, all 9 inches and 6 feet!
When the men's team came out we all felt alive
Delvon Roe walked right by me and slapped a high five
My boys just went crazy, forgetting their manners
but went respectfully silent when they hung final four banners
The event was a blast, truly quite great
But I was forgetting the time, it had gotten quite late
As the scrimmage heated up and started to roast
I looked at my boys and saw they were toast
So we gathered our things and went for the door
Though the boys quickly said they could stay for some more
Twas so cold when we left we just about died
But as a gentleman will, I gave my coat to my bride
On the way to the car the boys had tired feet
So I grabbed them up in my arms like two slabs of meat
On the drive home I thought of the night's fun
And how another season of Spartan Hoop has finally begun
What a community - Greater Lansing IS truly great
Another great night - Thank you Michigan State

You're surfing a winner!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:52:00 GMT

As you cruise through the different pages and sections of lansing.org, there is something you should know - you're browsing through greatness! Now, that would seem self-serving and miles from humble if I was saying that myself, but I'm not. This positive recognition has come from our peers - the highest form of praise. The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau was honored with a Diamond Award for BEST WEBSITE by the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) at their Eighth Annual Awards Banquet held earlier this month. Because of the respect that the GLCVB holds for the MSAE and its members, this award truly means a lot. The real good news here is that while the Diamond Award is ours, www.lansing.org is YOURS. That's right, this award-winning site that shows all there is to do and see in Michigan's Capital City is at your finger tips 24/7. Looking for some cool dining? It's here. How about theater, plays and concerts? It's here. Need someplace to stay the night? Take your pick, it's all here. So I encourage you to take full advantage of all the free information available on lansing.org and have the best time possible while in Greater Lansing, and if you like the site - awesome! - you're in good company!