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April 2008: Local Events and Happenings

To have your event listed in the calendar, send information two months in advance to Vital Calendar,
Signature Media, 615 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 or e-mail cmnelson@SignatureMichigan.com.

By Claire Charlton

CHARITY

Cuisine for a Cause
When: Through Saturday, April 19; 4-9 p.m. Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays
Where: Opus One, 561 E. Larned St., Detroit
Details: Opus One will donate 25% of proceeds Monday-Thursday to Forgotten Harvest and other charities.
Cost: Varies
Contact: Opus One, 313.961.7766; Forgotten Harvest, 248.967.1500, www.forgottenharvest.org/event_cui sine.html

Wine-Tasting Reception and Strolling Supper
When: Friday, April 25, 5:30-9 p.m.
Where: Ford Motor Co. Conference & Event Center, 1151 Village Rd., Dearborn
Details: Try premium wines and a strolling supper prepared by Opus One. Bid on items in a live auction.
Cost: $100 per ticket
Contact: 248.967.1500, www.forgot tenharvest.org/event_cuisine.html; buy tickets through Forgotten Harvest to ensure the organization benefits.

GET MOVING

Bird Walk
When: Saturday, April 19, 8 a.m.
Where: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores
Details: Enjoy a guided bird exploration on the grounds, followed by beverages in the Tea Room.
Cost: $6
Contact: 313.884.4222, www.ford house.org/calendar.html; reservations recommended

Diamonds & Dirt Women’s Adventure Race
When: Saturday, April 19 – beginners’ navigation and bike clinics (call for times). Sunday, April 20 – race; register 8-9 a.m., race 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Island Lake Recreation Area, 12950 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton
Details: Trek, bike, canoe and orienteer through a 4,000-acre park in a women’s-only event for beginner to intermediate racers. Race alone or with a partner. A portion of proceeds benefit Warriors in Pink, Ford Motor Co.’s breast cancer-fighting charity.
Cost: $75 per person
Contact: 248.320.5705, doriortho@ hotmail.com; register by April 12

Golf Conditioning Program
When: April 1-May 6, Tuesdays at 6 p.m. or Fridays at 9 a.m.
Where: Botsford Center for Health Improvement, 39750 Grand River Ave., Novi
Details: Improve your golf game, and receive a customized strength and conditioning program that meets the biomechanical and physiological demands of the sport.
Cost: $125, members; $190, nonmembers
Contact: 248.473.3100; register first

Greenfield Village Hike Through History Fitness Paths
When: Village reopens Tuesday, April 15; daily hours through Nov. 2 are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Henry Ford, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
Details: Take a healthful walk through history as Greenfield Village reopens after its annual winter hiatus.
Cost: Nonmembers – $20, adults; $19, seniors 62 and older, and active military personnel; $14, children 5-12; free, children 4 and younger. See Web site for Henry Ford Museum fees and member rates.
Contact: 313.982.6001 or www.hfmgv.org

Indoor Mall-Walking at Eastland Center
When: 8 a.m. daily
Where: Eastland Center, 18000 Vernier Rd., Harper Woods
Details: Walk inside the mall for an easy, warm workout. Register at customer service and receive a badge. Walker receives a T-shirt after first 100 miles and another after 1,000 miles.
Cost: Free
I 313.371.1500, www.shopeastland.com

Kids Helping Kids – One Step at a Time
When: Sunday, April 27, 9 a.m.; registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Shain Park, bounded by Bates, Merrill, Martin and Henrietta streets, Birmingham
Details: The Children’s Charities Coalition hosts an inaugural fundraising walk for kids 10 years and older. One-, two- or three-mile route begins and ends at Shain Park. Sponsored by Signature (Vital’s sister publication) and other partners.
Cost: Free; participants raise funds
Contact: 248.644.5832, www.chil drenscharitiescoalition.org

National Start! Walking Day
When: Wednesday, April 16
Details: Vital is a sponsor of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) call to action for Americans to start getting healthy by dedicating at least 30 minutes a day to walking. According to the AHA, adults might gain as much as two hours of life expectancy for each hour of vigorous exercise they perform.
Contact: www.americanheart.org/start

Step Into Spring Walking/Running Clinic
When: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Botsford Center for Health Improvement, 39750 Grand River Ave., Novi
Details: Everyone from walkers to marathon runners can attend; includes gait analysis, seminars, a stretching class, and the expertise of orthotics vendors and Botsford podiatrist Charles Young.
Cost: Free
Contact: 248.473.3100; register first

NUTRITION

Eat From the Rainbow: The Benefits of a Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables
When: Wednesday, April 16, 7-8 p.m.
Where: St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Classroom 11, 4th floor, Marian Professional Building, 14555 Levan Rd., Livonia
Details: Registered dietitian Tamara Lark will address the roles of nutrition, health education and support in behavior changes to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Cost: $15 or two for $25
Contact: 734.655.8950; register first

Healthful Cooking: Greek Night
When: Thursday, April 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Aunt Olive’s Good Food 2 Go, 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham
Details: Cheryl Heppard of Michigan Health Coach and chef Matt Schellig of Aunt Olive’s Good Food 2 Go will show you how to prepare healthful Greek dishes. Includes dinner and wine.
Cost: $40 per person pre-registered, $50 at the door
Contact: 248.592.0869 or 248.593.0364

Making the Changes in 2008 for a Lifetime of Good Health
When: Tuesday, April 8, noon to 1 p.m.
Where: St. John Hospital & Medical Center – Van Elslander Cancer Center, 3rd floor conference room, 19229 Mack Ave., Detroit
Details: Physician assistant Angela Collinson will share steps you can take to improve your health.
Cost: Free; bring your own lunch
Contact: 313.647.3320

SUPPORT GROUPS

Downriver Tinnitus Support Group
When: Wednesday, April 9, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Oakwood Heritage Hospital (meeting room adjacent to cafeteria), 1000 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor
Details: A speaker will address the subject of noises in the ears, followed by group discussion.
Cost: Free-will donation requested
Contact: 313.383.1731

Heart to Art
When:Wednesday, April 16, 9-11 a.m., and the third Wednesday each month
Where: Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, 15855 19 Mile Rd., Clinton Township
Details: Anyone whose life has been touched by cancer is invited to take part in monthly creative art projects. Supplies are provided.
Cost: Free Contact: 586.263.2157; register first

Self-Help for Hard of Hearing
When: Wednesday, April 9, and second Wednesday each month, 7 p.m.
Where: Garden City Hospital, 6245 Inkster Rd., Garden City
Details: A support group for people who are hard of hearing.
Cost: Free
Contact: 734.458.3381

YOUR HEALTH

Biker’s Clinic
When: Thursday, April 24, noon to 1 p.m.
Where: DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Brasza Outpatient Center, 261 Mack Blvd., Detroit
Details: Learn how to warm up and cool down your muscles, and find the right bike for your body frame.
Cost: Free
Contact: 313.745.9748

Diabetes Basics
When: Tuesday, April 8, 9-11 a.m.
Where: Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital Regional Medical Center, 385 N. Lapeer Rd., Oxford
Details: A registered nurse will address signs of high and low blood sugars, medications, blood sugar monitoring and recommended tests.
Cost: Free
Contact: 248.338.5389; register first

The Impact of Arthritis
When: Wednesday, April 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Where: DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Westland Center, 36301 Warren Rd., Westland
Details: Discuss the types of arthritis and medication used to treat it, energy conservation, joint protection and the importance of exercise.
Cost: Free
Contact: 313.745.9748

Introduction to Feldenkrais
When: Thursday, April 10, 2-3 p.m.
Where: DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Novi Center, 42005 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi
Details: Learn how the Feldenkrais Method can help you develop greater body awareness and aid in relaxation. Practitioners learn to move with less effort by focusing on the relationship between movement and thought.
Cost: Free
Contact: 313.745.9748; register first