Friends, Food & Fun - July 2009 by Moxie Magazine

July 2009

GREATER KALAMAZOO

Free! Delightful Summer Drinks

Vacation Inspired Decor

Day Tripping Take this Job and ‘Love’ It

Essential • Enlightening • Entertaining

Dress-up Your Own ‘Haute’ Dogs

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Your true self is reflected in your

Friendships By Janice Lynne Lundy Women’s relationships are rich and life-sustaining, yet complex and complicated, and ripe with opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. In fact, I think we best discover ourselves through being in relationship with other women. Friendship offers us a mirror to look at who we are and who we can be. The quality of our friendships is a direct reflection of what kind of person we are, as well as a predictable indicator of where we may yet need to grow. Are you a good listener? Friendship demands deep listening. Not just surface listening, but listening characterized by openhearted silence. A true friend listens with the depth of her soul and offers little until she intuitively knows the appropriate time to chime in. Friendship requires good listening and good listening takes practice. Are you trustworthy? Friends honor the sharing that occurs between them. A true friend would not dream of betraying confidence. Loyalty is paramount. Betrayal of trust is the greatest destroyer of friendship. We must know that our self-revelations are considered sacred – a holy bond between us. Are you openhearted and willing to risk? Friendship involves risk taking, and one we must take if we are to reap its rewards. Friendship asks that we give freely of our truest self; not a phony, disguised version of who we think we should be. The masks we often wear to cover up childhood pain or adult wounds, or to meet societal standards, must be removed for friendship to bloom. Are you honest? Honesty in friendship is tricky. It can be difficult to speak openly without risk of hurting someone we love. In truth, we would certainly prefer an honest friend over an insincere one. One who will tell us when we are being stubborn or unforgiving, fearful or weak. One who will help us face those parts of ourselves from which we would like to hide. Friendship without honesty is mere companionship. Friends help us give birth to our truest selves if we are receptive to their compassionate observations. Friends serve as midwives to our souls. Are you unconditional? A true friend is a “no matter what, I’ll always be there” friend. It’s not easy for a friendship to remain steady and stable through all the seasons of our lives. Yet, the ultimate, most sacred purpose of friendship is to offer unconditional love and support to our friend, whether we agree with her life choices or not; to offer constancy when her life becomes a rollercoaster of despair and victory; to overlook faults and mistakes; to accept her as her truest self. My hope in posing these questions is to open a doorway to greater growth within ourselves. Our friendships can provide that grand opening. To be a friend, as the adage goes, we must be a friend. Are we willing to do the “work of self” to cultivate the qualities aforementioned here? If we are, the landscape of our friendships will broaden, inspire us, and carry us through the years, providing sustenance for this vast journey we call life. Enjoy a very special day away with a friend or family member to better understand the sacrament of friendship, what its challenges can be, and how you can help yours blossom and grow. Janice Lynne Lundy is an inspirational speaker and retreat leader, spiritual director, and the author of “Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You are Meant to Be,” available in bookstores nationwide or at www.amazon.com. Visit www.awakenedliving.com to learn more about Jan, her writing and her events.

“Friendship without honesty is mere companionship. Friends help us give birth to our truest selves if we are receptive to their compassionate observations. Friends serve as midwives to our souls.”

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

I am fortunate to have family in some of the greatest cities in the country. San Francisco, for instance, is without a doubt one of the most inspiring places I’ve vacationed. What I’m able to take home from my visits to my favorite coast city are ideas that include a particular California confidence that I never seem to find in the Midwest. I’d describe San Francisco as an artistic, sophisticated yet casual style that embodies other cultures while in a class of its own. The eclectic array of architecture is wonderful and curious at the same time. When I return to my own space, I open myself up to a less restrained way of design and bring a bit of that sophisticated cool into my own home. I don’t worry about everything matching. I hang art that I love next to more art that I love. I stack my books on my table and place my favorite shell on top. A vase of fresh flowers on the

dinner table next to a lovely bottle of wine takes me back to the West Coast. Spending time in San Francisco is one thing, but the beach can be just as inspiring. Look beyond your book and notice the contrast of the trees where they meet the sky. Take a walk on the beach and if you look closely, you may uncover a treasured piece of beach glass or Petoskey stone, or maybe just an intricate rock or smooth piece of driftwood. Collecting those things and bringing them back to your home can inspire some of the most beautiful rooms. Remember the tranquil lapping of the water as you walked along the lake? Recreate those memories through paint colors (think blues or greens), carpet colors (like the sand underfoot) and accessory pieces (your beachcombing treasures).

Vacation Design Inspiration By Julie Hogan

Whatever your vacation destination is this summer – beach bound or cross country – instead of buying a t-shirt, bring home some inspiration instead.

ome of my favorite souvenirs are not things I’ve picked up in tourist shops, but are instead ideas and inspiration drawn from the places I’ve visited. Granted, I’ve spent my share of the vacation budget buying trinkets for my kids or my parents or just because. Here’s the thing: All that stuff, even though it seemed like a good way to remember the trip at the time, ends up in the junk drawer, on the fridge or in the gym bag, and the memory has faded just like the t-shirt. What I’ve learned is that the places that had the biggest impact on me are places I want to enjoy beyond my magnet collection. I become inspired by their personalities including the views they offer, the cuisine they serve and the memories they provide long after I’m home. In fact, my most treasured souvenir is the inspiration I’m given to enhance my own home.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Even if you’re staying close to home this summer, inspiration is all around you. It could be as simple as taking a walk or looking closely at the places you frequent. Maybe it’s your local coffee shop or favorite store. What do you like about them? Is it the color on the walls? Or is it just the way you feel when you’re there? Don’t be timid about it, go ahead and ask what colors they used or where they get their artwork. They’ll be flattered, trust me. Whether you travel afar or stay close to home, opening your eyes to what gives you pleasure and happiness while you’re there is the greatest design resource I can imagine. Indeed, inspiration does make a great souvenir. Julie Hogan is an artist and designer with over 20 years experience in retail and residential design. For more information about her work contact Jhogan125@yahoo.com.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

Day Trips can be fun and spontaneous, especially if you prepare some day trip essentials ahead of time. EAT

DAY TRIPS

If your family vacation fun has stalled mid-summer, there’s still plenty of time for a jumpstart. Gather the kids and head out for lunch together. Bring along something for recording your list, such as a simple spiral notebook or a laptop. Now, let everyone suggest ideas for “ways to spend the rest of the summer.” Imagine any day trips you’d like to take. Summer fun does not have to mean distance and dollars. Are there local museums, zoos, movies, parks, beaches or sporting events to attend? Is there a book you want to read together as a family? Are ice cream cones somewhere on your summer list? Let your imaginations soar, uncensored. For a moment, anything is possible. In reality, a trip to the ocean might translate to an afternoon at a local lake, Disneyworld to a nearby amusement park or Paris to the new French restaurant downtown, but for now dream wildly.

PACK

AND

PLAY

The next step is to put all your gear in place. You can take the hassle out of getting ready to go anywhere with a pre-stocked trunk and quick pack lists. There are all kinds of wonderful compartmentalized bins available in your local retailer’s container aisle. Arrange the trunk or back of the car with bins and baskets and create a place for everything (and put everything in its place). Stock your trunk with day trip essentials: tote bags, sunscreen, bug spray, first aid kit, notebook and pen, magazines, picnic blanket or tablecloth, beach towels, swim diapers, kids’ outdoor toys and wet wipes. And keep a list for each kind of outing you take regularly. For example, on trips to the local farmer’s market, you’re likely to need a market bag and small bills and change in a change purse. When you go to the park, you might need sunscreen, bug spray, a book, beverage and snack. A day trip to the beach has its own list of items to take along. When the outing is over, evaluate the list and update if needed.

Boat Safety According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Boating Statistics 2006,” the most recent year available, nearly 5,000 boating accidents were reported, and nearly 3,500 people required medical treatment beyond first aid. There were 710 recreational boating fatalities reported that same year.

FAMILY ACTIVITY FILE Throughout the year, gather a file of ideas for day trips and easy local outings. Save clipped magazine articles, newspaper ads, brochures, coupons and websites. Bookmark websites on your computer for easy reference as well. There might be information in your new “Family Activity” file that will perfectly match one of your brainstormed, summer things-to-do. For more ideas, check out Matt Wixon’s “The Great American Staycation: How to Make a Vacation at Home Fun for the Whole Family (and your wallet!)” (Adams Media, 2009, $9.95). This book is packed with ideas for exploring family outings within a 100-mile radius of home. Wixon includes a set of clever “rules” that define how a staycation can become a real vacation.

By Alexandra Fix

■

Have your vessel checked for safety—for free. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers Vessel Safety Checks at no cost. Coast Guard staffers will check your boat’s equipment and provide information about its use, safety procedures and applicable regulations. Unsafe boats are a threat to all recreational boaters. Make sure your vessel is as safe as possible. Visit www.safetyseal.net for more information.

■

Use a carbon monoxide detector. All internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can kill in minutes.

■

File a float plan. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you always tell a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you’ll be back. Make it a habit before leaving on any boat trip.

This summer, keep you and your crew safe with these tips.

■

Wear life jackets. Approximately 70 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned in 2006, according to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard. Ninety percent of those who drowned were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket. In fact, 423 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their lifejackets.

■

Store fire extinguishers. Boat Owners Association of The United States suggests that fire extinguishers should be easily visible near engine and galley areas. Take a moment to explain how they are meant to be used.

■

Never drink alcohol while boating. In 2006,

EASE

Dream up one easy, surefire, repeatable picnic menu and make sure your picnic basket is well-packed with the essentials. Divide up the sandwich-making and cooler-filling among those who are going on the day trip. If there’s a list of the specifics tucked right in the picnic basket or in the cooler, anyone can fill them with minimal prompting.

conquer your clutter

DREAMING

WITH

alcohol was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in 30 percent of all boating fatalities.

■

Take a safety course. Contact your state’s DNR office for information on courses in your area.

■

Check the weather. A calm day can quickly turn ugly on the water. Stay on top of the forecast while boating and heed all weather and storm advisories. Check the condition of your life raft annually and before long distance off-shore cruising. Carry flares at all times and show your passengers how to use them.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

German Potato Salad Cooking this roast long and slow makes for a tasty, tender sandwich. Top the sandwich with the Black and Blue Coleslaw for a crunchy, cool contrast. Try the German Potato Salad recipe along with a plate of sliced fresh tomatoes. Serve the Watermelon Star Cake for dessert.

Serves 6 Don’t forget to put the mustard pot and some crusty bread on the table. And a plate of sliced tomatoes. 3 1/2 1/4 4 1/2 2/3 1 1/4 2 1/2 1/4 2

cups diced cooked red potatoes cup chopped celery cup chopped parsley slices bacon, diced cup chopped onion cup water tablespoon flour cup cider vinegar tablespoons sugar teaspoon salt teaspoon dry mustard teaspoons poppy seed

In medium bowl combine potatoes, celery and parsley. In large nonstick skillet cook bacon over medium heat, removing and discarding most fat as it accumulates in pan. Add onion and sauté until onion is tender but not browned, about 3-4 minutes. In small bowl combine water, flour, vinegar, sugar and seasonings; stir into skillet. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Pour sauce mixture over potatoes. Toss gently to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Red and Blue Cole Slaw North Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches Serves 10 to 12 5-1/2 2 1/4 1 1 1

pound boneless pork shoulder roast cups cider vinegar cup packed brown sugar tablespoon red pepper flakes tablespoon Worcestershire sauce teaspoon salt Hot pepper sauce, to taste 10 to 12 hamburger buns, split and toasted Coleslaw (optional) 4 cups wood chips (use hickory or oak chips for the best flavor)

BBQ Sauce: In medium bowl, combine vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, salt and hot pepper sauce. Divide sauce into two portions; set aside.

Pulled Pork: At least 1 hour before grilling, soak wood chips in enough water to cover; drain before using. Rub meat with salt and black pepper. In a charcoal grill with a cover, place preheated coals around a drip pan for medium indirect heat. Add 1/2 inch hot water to drip pan. Sprinkle half of the drained wood chips over the coals. Place meat on grill rack over drip pan. Cover and grill about 4 hours or until meat is very tender. Add more preheated coals (use a hibachi or a metal chimney starter to preheat coals), wood chips and hot water every 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove meat from grill; cover with foil and let stand for 20-30 minutes. Using a fork, shred meat into long, thin strands. Pour sauce over shredded meat; toss to coat. Serve on toasted buns. If desired, top meat with coleslaw. Serve remaining sauce on the side. * Note: For gas grills, preheat and then turn off any burners directly below where the food will go. The heat circulates inside the grill, so turning the food is not necessary.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Serves 12-16 A sweet, savory salad when sprinkled with crumbled blue cheese and garnished with red grapes. 1 medium head red cabbage, shredded (6 cups) 1/2 pound red seedless grapes, halved 1 cup chopped parsley 3/4 cup mayonnaise (reduced-calorie, if desired) 4 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese 4 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cider vinegar In large bowl, toss together cabbage, grapes and parsley. Stir together remaining ingredients in a small bowl, add to the slaw and toss well. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. If desired, sprinkle with additional crumbled blue cheese and garnish with red grapes.

Watermelon

Star Cake Cut a three-inch thick slice from the center of an oblong, seedless watermelon. Place flat on a cutting board and use an oversized star-shaped cookie cutter (or sharp kitchen knife) to cut a star shape. Set on paper towel to drain excess water. Wash the watermelon and pat dry. Place on a serving dish or cake stand. Pipe whipped cream or a light frosting between the bottom edge of the star and the plate. Dot with blueberries. Frost the cake with whipped topping and arrange blueberries and cut strawberries on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

What do you do when talking turns tough? (Learn to Look) In the middle of a tough conversation, I occasionally get so caught up in arguments that I miss how I’m coming across to others and fail to step back and adjust my verbal strategy.

we need to talk . . .

T F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (Explore) When others appear hesitant to speak their honest view about a difficult or controversial topic, I don’t try to get them to open up, instead I either continue with my views or change the subject. T F ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

When conversations become crucial – when the stakes grow high, opinions differ, and emotions run strong – what tactics do you typically revert to in order to navigate the discussion effectively? Are you a masterful communicator or a danger to dialogue?

(Make It Safe) When I find that I’m at cross purposes with someone, I often push ahead and keep trying to win my argument rather than looking for common ground or maybe even apologizing for being too forceful. F T ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Take the following quiz to find out your style under stress and learn what skills and tactics you need to master in order to improve the way you communicate in even the most crucial conversations.

(Master My Stories) When a conversation goes poorly, I’m more inclined to see the mistakes others made than notice my own role. T F ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In “Crucial Conversations: Tools For Talking When Stakes Are High” (McGraw-Hill), the authors present a step-by-step process for navigating these important discussions. Take their quiz and find out how you rate in crucial conversations.

(Move to Action) When finishing up a high-stakes and emotional conversation, there have been times when I don’t complete the discussion by clarifying who will do what by when or identifying who has what decision authority.

Style Under Stress Test Instructions Before you start, read through the following points:

■

Relationship – Think about the relationship you want to improve – with your boss, coworker, direct report, friend, or family member – and keep this relationship in mind. Circumstance – Next, think of a tough situation – one that you might have handled poorly or avoided altogether. Apply – Now, with that situation in mind, respond to the following statements as either true or false.

Circle T for true and F for false.

(Silence) At times rather than share my honest view, I use sarcasm to make my point, hold back my opinion altogether, or I might even avoid people rather than get into an argument. T F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (Start with Heart) When I really get into an argument, sometimes I get so caught up in the heat of the moment that I move from trying to respectfully make my point to trying to win or maybe even discredit the other person. T F ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

(Violence) When arguments get really heated there are times when I exaggerate my view, use harsh expression such as, “That’s ridiculous!” or I might even say things that hurt the other person.

(STATE) When I really want to make sure my point is heard, I start with my conclusions such as “you can’t be trusted” – and then I follow with a strong statement of the facts – taking care to avoid weak words such as “perhaps,” or “I was wondering if…”

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

T F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (Overall) When stakes are high, emotions run strong, and I really want to make sure my opinion is heard, I tend to get caught up in the moment and end up being more on my worst behavior than I am on my best behavior. T F –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Scoring Score a 1 for each false answer and tally up the number of points you received. If you scored: 9 – 10

Dialogue wonder. Keep it up.

7–9 Good job, but you can still use some work. Brush up on your crucial conversations skills. 4–7 In need of skills. You’re about average, so improving you crucial conversations could help you get unstuck. 0–3 Don’t leave the house. Before you do anything else, learn how to hold crucial conversations. © 2009 VitalSmarts. All Rights Reserved. VitalSmarts, Crucial, Crucial Skills, and Style Under Stress are trademarks and Crucial Conversations is a registered trademark of VitalSmarts, L.C.

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Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

How to Live the Glamorous Life in the Great Outdoors

Do you love not camping?

There’s something about camping that seems like a lot of work. First, there’s the packing – musty sleeping bags, everything but the kitchen sink plus the garage, a portable first aid station and the bikes. Then there’s the menu planning, the marshmallow sticks and the camping chairs. Don’t forget extra toilet paper, bug spray and flash lights.

If you’d rather swat tennis balls than mosquitoes or sip champagne by the fire than roast hotdogs, there’s a whole different kind of camping just for you. Camping that doesn’t involve sore backs and buggy campsites. This summer, trade in your tent for a suite (or an RV) and enjoy the great outdoors.

Camping is hardly restful, at least for those of us who need a vacation after the camping trip. But lately there’s a new term – glam camping – whirring around like a Winnebego on a carefree highway, and I’m all ears. Glam camping (or glamping) – think luxury tent suites with high-end furniture, electric fans and front row views of a majestic river – is relatively unheard of by many RVers in Michigan I’ve met, but I’ll bet it’s only a matter of time before this kind of vacationing catches on. Glamping takes out all the work of camping – cooking, cleaning and packing every kitchen utensil you own – but leaves in all the comforts of home, such as furniture, a full bath and planned activities, not to mention every amenity you’d expect from a five-star hotel. A resort in Western Montana is setting the standard in glamping. Paws Up Resort (www.pawsup.com) describes their glamping sites this way:

River Camp at Paws Up

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

By Angela Klinske

“… your own 270-square-foot, well-appointed tent complete with king-sized bed, electricity, spacious deck, nearby private master bathroom, twice-daily housekeeping service, gourmet meals and even your own personal butler. That’s River Camp at Paws Up - where nature is served on a silver platter.” A silver platter, indeed. At Paws Up, a four-day/three-night family of four glamping package includes accommodations in a luxurious tent suite, three meals per day, a chuckwagon dinner experience, a fly fishing lesson, and other extras for $3,835. A bit more pricey than your typical camping trip, but consider this: meals are prepared by the resort’s master chefs, and there’s a complete spa (set up in tents, of course) where a menu of relaxing experiences await the discriminating guest. (Perhaps a little more inviting than swatting at bugs while walking a quarter-mile – at 4 a.m. – to the nearest Porta John!) If your taste is more attuned to the retro-funk of the ‘60s, you’ll want to check out Kate Pierson’s (of rock band B-52’s fame) Lazy Meadow Motel (www.lazymeadow.com) in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

Pierson’s funky style is captured in her own motel/campground with decked out cabins and airstreams – decorated by the guys who own the original Love Shack (from B-52s’ music video). All are available for rent (two-night minimum stay) and located on the Esopus Creek, near the site of the famed 1960’s Woodstock music festival. Rates are as varied as their rooms, cabins and trailers.

Michigan’s Great Adventure OK, so I checked around and haven’t found any Michigan resorts that offer glamping to this extreme. However, while glamping may be a new way to package the camping adventure, there’s really nothing new under the sun (or the stars). Plenty of Michigan parks offer all the creature comforts of home, while offering pristine views and activities for every age. Resorts around the state offer everything from tennis lessons to horseback riding, making sure your vacation is filled with outdoor activity without having to rough it on a dirt floor in a flimsy sleeping bag. The family camps of yesteryear (remember “Dirty Dancing”?) are being revitalized as grand-scale campgrounds – RV parks complete with shuffleboard, miniature golf and swimming pools – even catered meals and free WiFi. In some cases, you don’t even have to bring your own camper, and many resorts have furnished cabins you can rent. Families are finding the outdoor experience to be the perfect way to spend summers together, be it for an entire season or for just a few days. In fact, weekend trips by Americans have increased by 70 percent in the past decade, according to a report by the Travel Industry Association of America. “People are down-scaling their lives,” said Beth Horan, park manager at Sunny Brook RV Resort in South Haven, Mich. “People are getting back to basics… sitting around a campfire and hanging out with each other.” Sunny Brook (www.sunnybrookrvresort.com) is a former family camp located in South Haven, on Michigan’s West Coast. It’s a 65-acre park with a private lake, swimming pool, library, fitness center and WiFi Internet Access. Up north, you can experience the ultimate hunting adventure at Deer Tracks Ranch (www.deertracksranch.com) in Fife Lake (45 minutes outside of Traverse City). This whitetail hunting enclosure offers deluxe accommodations in the property’s log lodge, meals prepared by a professional chef, hunting license, in-field transportation and expert trophy capping, antler packaging and rough-cut packaging of your venison. So whether your dream camping adventure includes mud masks or mud pies, fly fishing or gourmet salmon dinners, hunting or dining out, find a spot under the stars just for you and start making lasting memories. To find the Michigan camping adventure that’s perfect for you, visit the Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds website at www.marvac.org. Angela Klinske is currently packing her pop-up camper for a long weekend excursion to a Michigan campground. Hopefully, her bug bites and sore back will heal before this article goes to print. My Camping Check List

■ Corkscrew ■ Chardonnay ■ Electric Blanket ■ Toothbrush ■ Bug Spray ■ Fly Swatter ■ Marshmallows ■ Sunscreen ■ Brochure for planning my vacation to The Bahamas

■ Did I mention the chardonnay?

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Put on the ritz in your own backyard by dressing up your hot dog with these swanky regional favorites.

Haute Dogs Chicago:

Regional Favorites

Chicago dogs are layered with yellow mustard, bright green relish, sport peppers, chopped raw onion, tomato slices and topped with a dash of celery salt, and served in a poppy seed bun.

courtesy www.hot-dog.org

Here’s a short guide on some popular regional favorites.

New York City New Yorkers eat more hot dogs than any other group in the country. From downtown Manhattan to Coney Island, when you buy your hot dog in the Big Apple, it will come served with steamed onions and a pale, deli-style yellow mustard.

History of the Chicago Hot Dog

Kansas City Get the mints out – you’ll need them when you order up a hot dog in KC as it is served with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese on a sesame seed bun.

Atlanta and the South Buying a hot dog at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves, or else where in Atlanta and the south, you’ll end up with your hot dog topped with coleslaw.

The “Chicago Style” hot dog got its start from street cart hot dog vendors during the hard times of the Great Depression. Money was scarce, but business was booming for these entrepreneurs who offered a delicious hot meal on a bun for only a nickel. The famous Chicago Style Hot Dog was born! They’d start with a Vienna Beef hot dog, nestle it in a steamed poppyseed bun and cover it with a wonderful combination of toppings: yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped onions, juicy red tomato wedges, a kosher-style pickle spear, a couple of spicy sport peppers and finally, a dash of celery salt. This unique hot dog creation with a “salad on top” and its memorable interplay of hot and cold, crisp and soft, sharp and smooth, became America’s original fast food and a true Chicago institution.

Traditional Chicago-Style Hot Dog Heat an authentic Vienna Beef Hot Dog in water, steam, grill or microwave to 170ºF. Nestle it in a steamed poppyseed bun. Pile on the following toppings in this order: 1. Yellow mustard 2. Bright green relish 3. Fresh chopped onion 4. Two tomato wedges 5. Kosher pickle spear 6. Two sport peppers 7. A dash of celery salt courtesy of Vienna Beef

Detroit In lower Michigan, a chili dog is called a Coney Island and is classicly a pork hot dog with natural casing served on a steamed bun, topped with all-meat, beanless chili, diced yellow onion, and yellow mustard. The Detroit style is made with a sloppier, wet chili and may be finished off with a fork.

Baseball Stadiums Turner Field isn’t the only place to get a hot dog styled to local preferences, here are some others to try out: The Rockie Dog - served at Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies - is a footlong dog with grilled peppers, kraut and onions.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

The Fenway Frank - served at none other than Fenway Park - is the only dog to eat while watching the Red Sox. Its boiled and grilled and served in a New England style bun with mustard and relish. The Texas Dog - chili, cheese and jalapenos make this the favored item at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Kansas City, Here I Come

Serves 4

Transporting your guests to the Heart of America is a breeze when you bring the flavor of Kansas City to your next BBQ. Be sure to have plenty of napkins. Serve with baked beans, potato salad, and bread.

4 pounds ribs 1 cup ketchup 1/3 cup finely chopped onion 1/3 cup cider vinegar 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 3 cups wood chips (use hickory or oak chips for the best flavor)

BBQ Sauce: In small saucepan, combine ketchup, onion, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, mustard, allspice and red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring frequently. Divide sauce into two portions; set aside.

Ribs: At least 1 hour before grilling, soak wood chips in enough water to cover; drain. Cut ribs into 4 portions. In charcoal grill with cover, place preheated coals around drip pan for medium indirect heat. Add 1/2-inch hot water to drip pan. Sprinkle half of the wood chips over the coals. Place ribs, bone side down, on the grill

rack over drip pan. Cover and grill for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until ribs are tender, basting with one portion of reserved sauce the last 15 minutes. Add more preheated coals (use a hibachi or a metal chimney starter to preheat coals) and wood chips; turn ribs halfway through grilling. Serve second portion of reserved sauce with ribs.

* Note: For gas grills, preheat and then turn off any burners directly below where the food will go. The heat circulates inside the grill, so turning the food is not necessary.

CURRICULUM:

Friday Night Reception, BBQ Breakfast, BBQ 101, Meat & Seasoning Class, Radisson Chef Demos, Beer / Wine Tasting, BBQ Dinner by Radisson Chefs, Sunday Brunch, and more.

COST PER CREDIT: $129 per person

EXTRA CREDIT:

UPGRADE TO A PACKAGE! Add a room night and make it a weekend or add an Idun spa package to pamper your other.

CONTACT:

269-599-8627

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

Fit at 57 Nationally certified Master Trainer, Wendy Ida inspires women over age 40 to achieve fitness results.

Four Outstanding Outdoor Activities Your Family Will Love (ARA) - This summer, with more people spending vacation time close to home, there’s renewed interest in family activities in the great outdoors. Here are some ideas that are sure to get your family pumped up:

1. Hike or climb with a guide. Hiking guides can be a great way to get to those little-known places that can be hidden gems. You’ll hit some trails you might not normally attempt and guides can provide you with plenty of information about the local fauna and flora.

2. Have a cruising adventure. Side-by-sides, like the RANGER RZR, are perfect for family fun because of their ability to hold multiple passengers. Unlike ATVs where each person must straddle the seat, side-by-sides have the driver and passenger sit next to each other so it feels more like a car.

Introducing Wendy Ida

endy’s fitness career began after she gained 50 pounds with the birth of her second child and a friend convinced her to try weight training. She was a size 12 most of her life before starting her own exercise regimen at age 40.

Enamored by the changes in her body, she pursued her credentials in fitness and nutrition and became certified by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and NCEP (National College for Exercise Professionals).

Two months before her 57th birthday, on March 21, 2009, Wendy Ida was the winner of three top trophies in the 2009 NPC San Diego Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championship. She won a First Place Gold Medal in the Women 45-plus category,

Second Place in the Women, 35-plus category, and Second Place in the Women, Unlimited category. This was the first time she ever competed. With a degree in accounting, Wendy’s first career was in finance. She also holds a real estate license and is a certified mortgage broker. Her passion to empower others to practice body work as the road to enhanced self-esteem and quality of life lead to her fitness career. She volunteers her time and advocacy at abuse centers for women. She was the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the LA Avengers football team for two seasons. Wendy is currently a personal trainer, guest speaker and is working on her book, Take Back Your Life: Wendy Ida’s ‘No Nonsense’ Approach to Health, Fitness and Looking Good Naked!

Wendy’s Power Fit Tips: Wendy Ida’s “No Nonsense” Fitness Tips that can change your life! ■ Reset your lifestyle priorities ■ Make the decision to put fitness first ■ List ten reasons why you need to make a change ■ Commit to that decision heart and soul – start with a written contract ■ Make one small change at a time ■ Remind yourself daily of why you needed to make the change ■ Educate yourself to minimize injury ■ If you stray a bit, don’t beat yourself up & don’t let it snowball – re-route instead! ■ Change your outlook to help change your outcome ■ When things get tough (Oh, they will get tough!), PRAY! For more information and additional tips visit www.wendyida.com.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

3. Camp the day away. Increased interest at state and national parks could be due to the affordability of campsites for families who want a quick vacation without the expense.

4. Rent a canoe for a day trip. Whether you’re floating along a beautiful river or exploring the different inlets of your favorite local lake, canoeing can show you nature in a new and fun way.

on the other hand

I really don’t think I need buns of steel. I’d be happy with buns of cinnamon. – Ellen DeGeneres

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

Incredible Concoctions Celebrate summer with an energy-boosting mocktail that promises to make you feel younger.

Apple Glow

courtesy www.fineliving.com

4 ounces chilled organic apple juice 4 ounces white organic grape juice 1/2 honeydew melon, remove seeds and rind Apple slice for garnish In a blender combine apple juice, grape juice and honey dew. Blend 1 minute or until honeydew and juices are smooth. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an apple slice. Eat the rest of the apple.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

A Handbag for Every Occasion

ong before Hermès and Chanel handbags became fixtures for celebrities and socialites, men and women carried purse-like pouches around their waists. That was during the 1400s, when handbags were adorned with jewels and elaborate embroidery. The word “handbag” didn’t emerge until the early 1900s, and the major fashion houses that made them the indispensable accessories they are today became renown by the late 1950s. Not surprisingly, the consistently best-selling color was black.

By Sara Cosgrove

2009 is all about color, so perhaps it’s time to retire the basic black handbag. The classic “it goes-with-everything,” nine-to-five accessory needs a break. Now is the perfect time for magenta, azure and silver, and woven fabrics, fringe and straw. These fashion finds may be found where practicality meets haute couture, where recessionista meets fashionista. They will make you feel special no matter where you are going . . . handbags for every occasion.

Ecoist Newspaper wristlet, $38 – Best bag for the café What better way to start a conversation at a café table à deux than with this informative wristlet. This eco-chic find is made from recycled newspaper coated with cellophane. Dainty and durable, it will surely keep your friends buzzing. 8” L x 3.5” H x 1.5” W. Find at eco-friendly boutiques

Betsey Johnson Cross Body Rose Evening Bag in Magenta, $150

– Best bag for adding flair to your Little Black Dress Organza and satin add a feminine touch to this rose-shaped bag. It has a zip around closure and a satin weave chain handle. Also available in Champagne and Black. Find at major department stores and boutiques

Ecoist Silver Diva Clutch, $92

– Best bag for an evening at the opera, the gala or the concert This Fair Trade evening bag was handmade in Mexico and Peru of repurposed candy wrappers. 12” L x 4.5” H x 1.5” W. Find at eco-friendly boutiques

baggallini Uptown Bag, $79 – Best all purpose bag

KOKO Lunch Bag, $20-$35 – Best Lunch Bag

This insulated tote keeps food and drinks warm or cool, and the colorful accents, solid and patterned designs add a modern twist to the traditional lunch bag. An eco-friendly option for carrying any meal or snack. Available at select specialty and department stores

This sleek messenger style bag has a convenient outside pocket for your cell phone, easy access to contents, adjustable strap, key fob and detachable ID/coin pouch and compartments to organize everything you need. Made of lightweight, water-resistant fabric, available in a variety of colors. 11.5” H X 9” W. Available at boutiques and gift shops

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Greater Kalamazoo Edition â&#x20AC;˘ July 2009

It’s easy to get listed in our Events Calendar. Our deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication. Email us at: calendar@womenslifestylekazoo.com

Please type Calendar in the subject line. Or you may mail your info to P. O. Box 2284, Portage MI 49081-2284 July 1 - 31 Ongoing Kalamazoo Institute of Arts "Georgia O'Keeffe and Her Times: American Modernism from the Lane Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts.” Features works by O'Keeffe, Charles Sheeler, Arthur Dove, Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley and others. $8, $6 Students & Seniors, $4 KIA members. 269-349-7775. www.kiarts.org July 1 - 31 Ongoing Kalamazoo Valley Museum "Jump to Japan". Discover aspects of Japanese culture through hands-on activities and environments based on the art forms of animation, manga, woodblock prints and traditional scrolls. Free. 269-373-7990. www.kalamazoomuseum.org July 1 - 31 Ongoing Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Girl Scouts Summer Camp. Exciting summer camp nopportunities available to all girls entering grades K-12. It is a great value and you don’t even have to be a Girl Scout to attend. Camp scholarships are also navail able. Check out www.GSHOM.org or call 1-800-49-SCOUT for more information. July 1 - 12 Barn Theatre, Augusta THE FULL MONTY This raucous and heartfelt musical is centered on six unemployed steelworkers who go to great lengths to make some cash and help out a friend in trouble. The cash-strapped factory workers figure they can cash in big time if they perform their own strip show and go the ‘full monty!’ Tues-Fri 8:30 pm Sat. 6 & 9 pm Sun. 5 pm Tickets $29; 269-731-4121 www.barntheatre.com July 1, 8. 15, 22 & 29 North Kalamazoo Mall Mixer on the Mall. It's an after-work party that features, unique, and up-and-coming musicians along with great beverages; and the opportunity to network and meet new people. The schedule includes Afro-Latin jazz, alternative, rhythm and blues, blues, rockabilly, and great Motown covers. Wednesdays, 5 - 7:30 pm. Free. 269-388-2830. www.central-city.net

July 1 - July 24 Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Summer Day Camp Science Adventure at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. Sanctuary staff, working in collaboration with MSU faculty, staff and graduate students, will lead four one-week Summer Day Camp Adventures. Campers will participate in engaging, hands-on activities and explore the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Kellogg Biological Station and Kellogg Forest. Camp is open for children ages 6 to 12 years (6 year old campers must have completed kindergarten). Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 3 pm. $120 per session. 269-671-2510. www.kbs.msu.edu/birdsanctuary July 1, 8, 15 & 18 Home Center, Caledonia Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School offers Learn to Faux 10a or 6p, $49; in Caledonia at 9818 Cherry Valley Ave. 269-967-7773 or www.trendzdecor.com

July 2 Home Center, Caledonia Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School offers Painting Healthy & Choosing Wall Color, in Caledonia at 9818 Cherry Valley Ave. Free; 2:00 pm 269-967-7773 or www.trendzdecor.com July 5 Bronson Park Sunday Concerts in the Park. Local Motive, New country sound with soulful harmonies. Rain location - First Baptist Church. 4 pm. Free. 269-342-5059. www.KalamazooArts.com July 7 Home Center, Caledonia Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School offers Faux Finishing as a Career 6pm, Free; in Caledonia at 9818 Cherry Valley Ave. 269-967-7773 or www.trendzdecor.com July 7, 14, 21 & 28 Home Center, Caledonia Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School offers Open Studio each Tuesday 10a-3p, bring your project, use our paint, supplies & expertise! $10/hr. in Caledonia at 9818 Cherry Valley Ave. 269-967-7773 or www.trendzdecor.com July 8 - 13 The Stage at Kindleberger The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts, Features outdoor theatre, family musical "State Fair" and youth production "The Secret Garden". The plays kick off the Festival on Wed, with performance times for youth production 5:30pm Wed Thurs, Fri, and 4:30pm Sat, Sun. The performance times for the family musical are 7pm Wed, Thurs, Fri, and 6pm Sat, Sun. Rain site for theatre: Parchment Middle School, 307 N. Riverview Drive; Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule July 10-12 Girl Scouts Heart of American For girls entering grades 6-10, you have the chance to eat at a four diamond award winner restaurant and ride in a limo! Call the Kalamazoo Program and Training Center at 269-343-1516 to learn more.

Have a Great 4th of July

July 10-12 Kalamazoo County Fairground Kalamazoo County 4-H Open Horse Show. Presented by the Kalamazoo County 4-H Club and featuring a family-oriented open horse show. Friday: 12 pm; Saturday & Sunday 9 am. Free. 269-383-8648.

July 13 The Stage at Kindleberger The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra performance concludes the Festival activities at 8pm. Rain site: Haven Church, 5350 N. Sprinkle Rd. All events are FREE! Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule of events!

July 10 The Stage at Kindleberger The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts New event for the 2009 Festival is the Youth Concert, Friday, immediately following the family musical production. Playing at The Stage, Lost Cause and We Know Jackson! Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule

July 13 Home Center, Caledonia Trendz Architectural Surfaces Studio & School offers Painting Healthy & Choosing Wall Color, in Caledonia at 9818 Cherry Valley Ave. Free; 10:00 am 269-967-7773 or www.trendzdecor.com

July 11 BTR Park on WMU's Parkview Campus 4th Annual BTR Park Criterium. Bike race, kid's race, food and beverage vendors. 8 am - 4:30 pm. Free. 269-387-2072. www.kalamazoobicycleclub.org July 11 Kindleberger Park The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts Festival Day activities include a pancake breakfast, 5K Race/Walk, Festival parade, Friends of the Library book sale, Arts and Crafts Show, Children's Area Activities, many food vendors. Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule July 12 Kindleberger Park The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts Car Show, 12:30pm- 4:30pm. Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule July 12 Gilmore Car Museum 19th Annual "Mad Dogs & Englishmen British Car Faire". All day family fun car show open to all British made vehicles. Features cars for sale, swap area and car games. Over 350 vehicles on the show field. Enjoy people's choice judging, car games, and rides in the Museum's Austin London Taxi or the Double Decker bus, Bagpipers and Tea Time, too! 9 am - 4 pm. $8, children under 11 are free. 269-671-5089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org July 12 Bronson Park Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra – 8:00 pm. The KSO presents light classical and popular music, perfect for a picnic or a relaxing evening with friends. Jennifer Lindsay, KSO Broadway Challenge Winner Barry Ross, Conductor Rainsite: Miller Auditorium www.kalamazoosymphony.com July 12 Kellogg Manor House W.K. Kellogg Manor Tours. Step back in time during a tour of the W.K. Kellogg Manor House located on picturesque Gull Lake near Hickory Corners. Built in 192526, the Kellogg Manor House is a classic example of Tudor Revival architecture with leaded glass bay windows, quarter-sawn oak coffered ceiling, a hand carved stairway, and beautiful Rookwood tile fireplaces and bathrooms. Sited 110 feet above Gull lake, this 32 acre estate includes a carriage house, with chauffeur's cottage, a boathouse, an authentic Dutch windmill, a lakeside pagoda and several beautiful gardens. 1-5 pm. $5 Adult, $4 Senior & Students (6-18 years old), Free - 5 and younger. 269-671-2416. www.kbs.msu.edu

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

July 14 The Kalamazoo Network Summer Outiing At the Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers – Enjoy dinner, drinks, good times and great deals all while helping the Women’s Education Coalition. Live & Silent Auction; Reverse Auction; Promote your business. Everyone welcomed and please bring a friend. Socializing & Silent Bidding: 4 :00– 5:45 pm; Dinner, Program & Live Auction 5:45 – 7:45 Cost: $30.00 per person RSVP by 7/1/09 to: www.kalamazoonetwork.org July 14 - 26 Barn Theatre, Augusta DON’T DRINK THE WATER Woody Allen’s play is filled with hilarious dialogue, this affair takes place inside an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain. An American tourist, his wife and daughter rush into the embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying. Hilarity ensues as they carefully and frantically plot their escape with the ambassador's not-sobright son aiding. N.Y. Daily News said this comic gem "Moved the audience to great laughter.... Allen's imagination is daffy; his sense of the ridiculous is keen and gags snap, crackle and pop." Tues-Fri 8:30 pm Sat. 6 & 9 pm Sun. 5 pm Tickets $29; 269-731-4121 www.barntheatre.com July 17 Art Bayou Diva Night Ladies Only. Adults Only. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks and beverages. Door prizes. Space is limited, please reserve your seat. We have the added bonus of having Jill Neese from Energy Within doing one-on-one complimentary ten minute stress relief sessions. For more info on what Jill does, please visit www.energywithin.biz. Cheaper than therapy and way more FUN! 6-9 p.m. 269-375-2600 www.artbayoustudio.com July 17 - 19 Girl Scouts Heart of American For girls entering grades 4-8, see the 6th Harry Potter movie AND get a tour of the movie theatre! Call the Kalamazoo Program and Training Center at 269-343-1516 to learn more. July 17 Overlander Bandshell Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra 8:00 pm The KSO presents light classical and popular music, perfect for a picnic or a relaxing evening with friends. Jennifer Lindsay, KSO Broadway Challenge Winner Barry Ross, Conductor Rainsite: TBA www.kalamazoosymphony.com July 18 Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground, Rm A Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. Vendors will have many interesting reptiles, amphibians and other exotic animals. 10 am - 3 pm. Adults $4, Children 6-10 $2, Under 5 are free. 269-779-9851. www.KalamazooReptileShow.com.

July 18 Sol's World Cafe - Radisson The Women's Breakfast Club - Breakfast and networking. 7:30. Get inspired to take your personal and professional life to the next level. RSVP: info@womensbreakfastclub.com or call (269) 352-0247 July 18 & 19 Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Fish Fest. An event for families to explore the outdoors. A variety of activities will be offered; catch and release fishing for youth ages 5-16, hatchery tours, nature walks, face painting, minnow races, fish printing, fly casting demonstrations, raffle, poster contest, photo contest, free snacks, fishing simulator, special programs and more. 11 am - 4 pm. Free. 269-668-2876. July 18 Arcadia Creek Festival Place Woofstock Fest. Woofstock Fest is a quirky, fun event for dogs and the people that love them. Demonstrations of agility & Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Jumping. Arts & crafts show to shop, browse & sample. Entertainment featuring live music, stupid pet tricks contest, raffles, food, drink & more. 10 am - 12 am. Free 10 am-4 pm, 5 pm - Midnight $6. 269-217-3708. www.woofstockfest.org. July 19 The Stage at Kindleberger Special night time performance by Blue Dahlia. Playing an original score set to the silent film, Buster Keaton's "The General". World fusion and adult alternative. Lawn seating, concessions provided by the Parchment Band Boosters. 8:30pm All events at The Stage are FREE. Rain site: Parchment Middle School, 307 N. Riverview Drive. Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule. July 21 TGI Friday's The Kalamazoo MI After Five Women's Connection Please join us for an evening of fun & inspiration. 6:308 p.m. Cost: $14.00 Please RSVP by July 16 to: Christa at 269-323-7311 July 23 - 25 Arcadia Creek Festival Place A Taste of Kalamazoo - Food, drinks, beer & wine; Food from Africa, China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean, and all points in between."Beer garden micro brews" Wine bars from local wineries Live music all day. Admission: FREE before 4pm, $5.00 from 4pm-7pm, and $8.00 after 7pm. Purchase food tickets. Thur 11 am - 12:30 am Fri & Sat 11 am - 1:30 am July 24 Unwindings Integrative Breathwork, a musical journey for insight, emotional healing & creativity. 7 pm - 9 pm. 5464 Holiday Terrace $30. Pre-registration (269) 388-2988 or adamczassociates.com. July 24-26 Girl Scouts Heart of American For girls entering grades 4-10, visit the West Michigan Glass Society and take home your awesome glass creations! Call the Kalamazoo Program and Training Center at 269-343-1516 to learn more. July 25 Gilmore Car Museum 21st Annual "Mopars at the Red Barns". All Chrysler Product car show and swap meet featuring hundreds muscle cars, antiques and special interest vehicles. Open to All Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto, Chrysler and Imperial powered vehicles. 8 am - 4 pm. $8, children under 11 are free. 269-671-5089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org

July 25 Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Sanctuary Tour. The Sanctuary's expert volunteer interpreters will lead a walking tour of the sanctuary grounds, talking about the history and birds and answering all of your questions. The distance of the walking tour is approximately 1 mile and the path is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Dress appropriately for the weather. 10 - 11:30 am. Members Free; nonmembers general admission. 269-671-2510. www.kbs.msu.edu/birdsanctuary July 26 The Stage at Kindleberger "Shout!", a Beatles Tribute! Making their third appearance at The Stage, the Fab Four rock on in "Shout's!" stimulating reproduction of the famed British band. 6:30pm Lawn seating, concessions provided by Parchment Band Boosters. All events at The Stage are FREE. Rain site: Parchment Middle School, 307 N. Riverview Dr. Visit www.kindleberger.org for full schedule. July 28 - Aug. 9 Barn Theatre, Augusta TOMMY Broadway meets MTV as the classic rock opera by The Who is transformed into one of the most thrilling and electrifying theatrical experiences of the ’90s! After witnessing an accidental murder, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, but soon he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and he becomes an international pinball superstar. Boasting a mesmerizing classic rock score including “Pinball Wizard”, “See Me, Feel Me”, “I’m Free”, and “Acid Queen”, this extraordinary journey of The Who’s masterpiece is a must-see!Tues-Fri 8:30 pm Sat. 6 & 9 pm Sun. 5 pm Tickets $29 www.barntheatre.com 269-731-4121 August 1 Gilmore Car Museum "Red Barns Spectacular" 29th Annual Car Show and Swap Meet. West Michigan's "Grand Daddy" of antique, classic and special interest car shows, swap meets and car corral. Hundreds of cars displayed and for sale. Great family fun with food, vendors, antiques, swap meet, antique car rides and more. Again this year is the special display of Antique Boats and Campers. People's Choice car show open to all vehicles through the 1980s. Open to cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, vintage campers, military vehicles, fire trucks and boats! 8 am 5 pm. $8, children under 11 are free. 269-671-5089. www.gilmorecarmuseum.org August 1 Art Bayou Date Night: Enjoy your uninterrupted adult time together. Take this opportunity to catch up and relax. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks and beverages. Space is limited, so please call and reserve your seat. We will do door prizes. 6-9 p.m 269-375-2600 www.artbayoustudio.com August 2 Kellogg Manor House W.K. Kellogg Manor Tours. Step back in time during a tour of the W.K. Kellogg Manor House located on picturesque Gull Lake near Hickory Corners. Built in 1925-26, the Kellogg Manor House is a classic example of Tudor Revival architecture with leaded glass bay windows, quarter-sawn oak coffered ceiling, a hand carved stairway, and beautiful Rookwood tile fireplaces and bathrooms. Sited 110 feet above Gull lake, this 32 acre estate includes a carriage house, with chauffeur's cottage, a boathouse, an authentic Dutch windmill, a lakeside pagoda and several beautiful gardens. 1 - 5 pm. $5 Adult, $4 Senior & Students (6-18 years old), Free - 5 and younger. 269-671-2416. www.kbs.msu.edu

July 25 Air Zoo Super Science Saturday: Alien Environments. 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. 269-382-6555. www.airzoo.org

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

Conversation Starter By Alexandra Fix

Very Washington DC: A Celebration of the History and Culture of America’s Capital City Written and illustrated by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler Algonquin Books, 2009, $15.95

The 10 Best of Everything Families: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers By Susan H. Magsamen National Geographic, 2009, $21.95 “Family travel offers invaluable life experience to inform and inspire us all. Because we experience everything through our senses, we literally absorb something of every place we go.” Beginning with this premise, this inviting guide takes us back and forth across the county in search of the best of the best places to go. Among the 10 best tours are the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, California, the Potato Chip Trip at the Utz Factory in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory in Kentucky. For summertime celebrations, see if you happen to live anywhere near the 10 best places to view fireworks. From the Adirondack Mountains to the Oregon Pacific coast, from Michigan’s Mackinac Island to Sanibel Island in Florida, there are trips and treks and sights to see. There are regional specialties that will encourage you to explore “your own backyard” this summer. Find the 10 best places to be for sandcastle competitions or summer fun. Sidebars throughout offer family travel tips and packing list suggestions. Special to this volume are the pages on how to capture the memories of family travel with ease and accuracy and a sense of the future.

There are amazing treasures scattered throughout our national capital and Very Washington DC can be your inspiration to seek them out, whether you step foot in the District of Columbia or simply enjoy armchair travel. Illustrated with watercolor sketches, this book is packed with fascinating facts that will lead you to intriguing discoveries. This is a book of inspiration, not a guide book of addresses and hours so you’ll love it even if you stay home. Now I know that there are things I must see and places I must go when I make the trip someday. Did you know that the Washington National Cathedral has 1,130 gargoyles or stone carvings? The Library of Congress, largest in the world, has 530 miles of shelves holding 135 million items. The Smithsonian Institution was established as the direct result of a donation by a man who never even set foot in America. Judy Garland’s size 5 ruby slippers, Thomas Jefferson’s eyeglasses and an autographed Babe Ruth baseball each hold a space among the 3 million objects of memorabilia in the National Museum of American History. These are just a few of the many captivating facts that color this book’s pages. This guide includes website links to all of the major points of interest in Washington DC and surrounding neighborhoods.

Home Safe By Elizabeth Berg Random House, 2009, $25 Life changed suddenly for Helen Ames with the death of her husband one fateful morning over coffee. Jolted from the happy days of her marriage to Dan, Helen’s first impulse is to fill the void by getting more involved in the life and loves of her grown daughter, Tessa. At 27, Tessa is happily independent. She’s enjoying her work and friends in Chicago and her mom’s new pressure is just too much. The two clash. A successful novelist, Helen’s writing work has always brought her great satisfaction, but bogged down by her grief, she can no longer find her words. In a desperate attempt to create some balance in her now unsteady life, Helen reluctantly accepts an unusual job assignment, and life takes on a new ordinary. Then suddenly, in one startling moment, Helen finds out that nothing in her life with Dan is as she thought it was. The money they counted on for a comfortable retirement life is missing. Helen and Tessa are both looking at big changes ahead. Cautiously, the two women approach this new knowledge together and Elizabeth Berg skillfully weaves a thought-provoking mother-daughter tale, as well. As always, Berg’s books are about girlfriends, spouses and daughters. This is a book about love and friendship found in unexpected places. And, on top of everything else, this is a wonderful book about patiently finding, or re-finding, your creative voice in writing. There were moments in this novel when I mixed up the writer of the novel with the writer in the novel and felt that Berg gave us all a little glimpse into her own life as a novelist. There is always something in Berg’s novels to spark conversation among women. She understands so well our ways and our words and our loves in life.

Alexandra Fix is the author of ten non-fiction children’s book, including the series Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Heinemann Library). She is a former children’s librarian, registered nurse, freelance writer and avid reader. Enjoying college, one class at a time while her children were growing up, fed her love of literature and creative writing. She and her husband have five grown children and multiple grandchildren living all over the country.

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009

What happens when you cough or sneeze?

restore your bladder

CONTROL

If you suffer from sudden, unplanned urine leakage, a condition known as URINARY INCONTINENCE, we have good news. There are new outpatient procedures that can help restore your body and your confidence.

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If you are experiencing unusual menstrual bleeding, urinary incontinence, or are considering a hysterectomy, there are new treatments that may help you! Come learn more about your options and have your questions answered by Dr. Roger Beyer at these FREE HEALTH TALKS: July 9th – Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Gilmore Center at Bronson Hospital Alternative to Hysterectomy Dr. Roger Beyer will discuss this in-office alternative procedure to hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments served. Call (269)-657-6058 to reserve a seat.

July 20th – Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Borgess Hospital – Lawrence Education Center Urinary Incontinence in Women Dr. Roger Beyer will give a FREE informal talk on Urinary Incontinence. Come ask the doctor your questions. Refreshments will be served. Call (269) 657-6058 to reserve a seat.

Dr. Roger D. Beyer Beyer, M.D., M.A., F.A.C.O.G.

Let’s talk about whether Essure is right for you. Call our office today 269-349-5522 or 269-657-6058.

Specializing in incontinence and pelvic floor disorders Women’s Health Care Specialists, PC 269-657-6058 505 Hazen St. Suite 204 Paw Paw, MI 49079 5555 Gull Road Kalamazoo MI 49001

Greater Kalamazoo Edition • July 2009