Join the annual Earth Day cleanup at 10 a.m. tomorrow at The Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark near Flat Rock. Lunch will be provided.
A "Butterfly Workshop" is set for 1 p.m. tomorrow for a fee of $25 a person.
Learn how to identify, capture and handle butterflies, along with gardening and planting tips to attract the creatures.
Each person will receive a copy of "Peterson's Guide to Eastern Butterflies" and also may sign up to participate in a butterfly census. The fee is $25 a person.
Preregistration and vehicle entry permits are required for all the programs. To sign up, call 1-734-782-3956.
Children in kindergarten through third grade can explore nature in the Muskrat Club at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Marshlands Museum and Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown Township.
Club members will learn about archaeology and discover secrets of the pioneers and Native Americans. The fee is $2 a child.
Explore spring wildflowers, woodland birds and calling frogs during "Woodlot Wander" at 2 p.m. Sunday during a walk with a metropark interpreter. There is a $2 a person 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.
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 a variety of teas and cucumber sandwiches. 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.
"Culinary Concerto: A Musical Feast" will take participants on a journey to Russia from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Flat Rock Community Center, One McGuire St.
The program showcases classical music and meals from the featured destination. The Russian-inspired meal will consist of borsht soup, Beef Stroganoff, egg noodles, a medley of sautÈed cabbage, potatoes and green beans, and Strawberries Romanoff.
Dinner includes one glass of wine with additional glasses available for $2 each.
Admission is $30. Order tickets online at www.sgls.org. The event is presented in partnership with the Flat Rock Community Center and Southern Great Lakes Symphony Director Charles Greenwell.
The Southgate Community Players' production of "Beauty and the Beast" takes the stage in May, but tiny tots and their parents can experience a real-life fairy tale during "Brunch with the Characters of Beauty and the Beast" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St., Southgate.
The cost is $8.95 for children age 12 and younger and $10.95 for adults. Call 1-734-285-2210 for more information.
Taylor-based bands will compete during Battle of the Bands from 6 to 11 p.m. next Friday at the Heritage Park activity building, 12115 Pardee Road, Taylor.
Bands will be divided into categories and judged on performance, style and content.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $7 general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. Refreshments will be sold.
Battle of the Bands is sponsored by the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. For more details, call 1-734-374-4033.
Put your brainpower to the test during the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center's Trivia Night from 6 to 9 p.m. May 8 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 Datolytes.
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.
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.
Indulge in elegance during "Clara's Spring Tea" from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Henry Ford Estate, 4901 Evergreen, Dearborn.
Enjoy gourmet tea, petite sandwiches and pastries while taking in the sights of the national historic landmark estate.
The cost is $29.95 a person and reservations are required. Call 1-313-593-5590 to reserve a spot.
Thomas the Tank Engine chugs into Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn with "Day Out with Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour" next Friday to April 27, May 2 to 4 and May 9 to 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.
"Quilting Genius 2: The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Hunter" is on display through April 27 at the Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn.
The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for senior citizens, and $10 for children. Members and children 4 and younger can attend free. Visit www.thehenryford.org or call 1-313-982-6001 for more information.
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.
The first-ever Earth Fest will feature live bands, artists, food and fun at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Crofoot Ballroom, 1 South Saginaw, Pontiac.
Musicians including John Sinclair, Glowb, Muruga, Macpodz and Free Funk will provide the jams as visitors peruse art and craft displays and learn about Earth-friendly practices at vendor booths.
Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.thecrofoot.com or call 1-248-858-9333.
The 39th annual Plymouth Stamp Show, sponsored by the West Suburban Stamp Club, will leave its mark April 26 and 27 at Central Middle School, 650 Church St.
Show times are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 26 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27. Admission and parking are free.
More than 2,800 exhibit pages will be on display, along with stamps, covers and supplies for both new and experienced collectors.
The show's junior program will offer stamp-related games and free stamps for youth collectors.
Experienced collectors and dealers will appraise collections during "Stamps in Your Closet" both days.
Several stamp-collecting societies will take part, along with the United States, United Nations and Nordica Postal Administrations.
For more information, visit www.plymouthshow.com.
The Detroit Derby Girls hit the rink at 7 p.m April 26, 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.
The Detroit Science Center's newest exhibition, "SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure" is docked through Sept. 1.
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.
"2 Countries, 1 Cage," a mixed martial arts and extreme cage fighting extravaganza, visits The Palace of Auburn Hills at 7:30 p.m. April 26.
Tickets are $30 reserved and $20 general admission. Purchase online at palacenet.com, the Palace box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Charge tickets by phone at 1-248-645-6666.
Special front row, ringside and VIP seating also is available.
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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