Kids Bowl Free!

WOW!

Thanks to my cousin Tammy, I just found out this wonderful news - Kids Bowl Free really is a great opportunity for kids every day this summer!  It looks like many of the bowling alleys allow for two games for kids who are accompanied by an adult.  Each alley can set the times, age restrictions, and whether or not shoes are included. Check the main page then click on the map to find a bowling area near you. 




Arizona Bowling Alleys participating in Kids Bowl Free (not too many yet)


Michigan Bowling Alleys 


Washington State Bowling Alleys participating in Kids Bowl Free


Canadian locations for Kids Bowl Free


For example, Hartfield Lanes in Berkley, MI offers 2 games for children ages 15 and under, you pay for shoe rental and the hours are 4-8pm seven days a week.  


You must sign up for the bowling alley you and your family will visit to get the email coupon for the week.  You can sign up for up to six kids with your email account.  If you want to sign up for more than one bowling alley, you will need to sign up with each bowling alley link separately with a different email account.   FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) PAGE.

You can also find information about Kids Bowl Free on Facebook (even if you are not a member of facebook).  Sometimes they have contests on fb.  

Have a wonderful summer and stay cool!

  

paintings by D.M. Sketch 2011

"We're gonna Rock
We're gonna Roll
We're gonna Bop
We're gonna BOWL!"
 ~Grease 2

Forgotten Harvest Fights Hunger

I'm a huge fan of free stuff, and I'm really excited to help programs that provide free stuff.  So, it was a shock to me that I haven't yet blogged about Forgotten Harvest!  So, here it goes.


The mission of Forgotten Harvest is to relieve hunger in the Detroit metropolitan community by rescuing surplus, prepared, and perishable food and donating it to emergency food providers.  The non-profit was formed in 1990 and currently is based in Oak Park, MI.


Food that is donated by the public as well as (literally) tons of food that is rescued from local grocery stores daily are then transported to local shelters, churches, and organizations that then sort and distribute the food to local hungry families.  


A couple of weeks ago, I did a ride along with Curtis, one of the fantastic drivers for Forgotten Harvest.  Starting at 7:30 am, we stopped at probably 10 different stores including Kroger, Plumb Market, Costco, and Edible Arrangements to pick up surplus food.  This is not rotten food, mind you, damaged cans, ripped labels, slightly bruised or imperfect fruits or veggies.  They even donate meat that is nearing the expiration.  Everyone loves Curtis and his friendly demeanor made it easy to spend eight hours with him.  


In the afternoon, we had three stops in Detroit to drop off the food.  He sorted it out and volunteers from the organizations helped us unload the boxes.  Bags of potatoes, rolls, one jug of fresh milk, boxes of fruit, cases of pop, some meat and lots of cans of food went to each of the three recipient locations.  One of the churches had the neighbors walking up for boxes of food even before we pulled out of their parking lot.  


It's an amazing organization and everyone there is friendly, helpful, and respectful beyond all else.  So, if you have time to donate a few hours, they box food at their location M-F (and perhaps Saturday).  Ron and I have helped out sorting donated food from various places around the country that drops off donations directly at the warehouse.  Donating time at events is also another way you can help.  Monetary donations or dropping off food are other ways you can help end hunger in metro-Detroit. 


If you want more information, check out their website or LIKE them on Facebook (you don't even need a facebook account to read their entries).  This past week, they've been sharing lots of national stories about fighting hunger throughout the nation.


Happy Father's Day!
  

Tattoo Art and Art Links for Shows and Deadlines

Friday night is hopping in Ferndale!  Ron and I went to Amy Claeys' photography exhibit at the Avatar (Tatoo) Studio.  Amy is in charge of the Royal Oak Photographer Meetup Group and has a solo show of her fantastic portraits now until August 19th. Go see it!

Then we meandered over to the Lawrence Street Gallery (where we were in the April exhibition Exposures: Photography '11) to listen to some local poets read/recite their poetry in a wonderful space surrounded by beautiful art. 

      

So, I hopped on over to the Lawrence Street Gallery website and found a fantastic list of links for the art lover.  Some are for Michigan museums and galleries, but two really caught my eye.  ArtDeadline lists some upcoming call to entry art shows that are national and international.  Artshow also lists calls for entry.  

Interactive Art comes to Detroit with FIGMENT

Oh, How I love finding cool stuff in the internet.  Today, I found a job opportunity on indeed.com that was needing volunteers for FIGMENT Detroit 2011 August 6 on Belle Isle.  Check this out!  And, if you are not interested in volunteering, try and make it out to Belle Isle for the experience.  You won't forget it!

Recycle THAT!

www.terracycle.net

Thanks to Cool People Care, today I found out about Terracycle Brigades.  We can recycle so many different things that normally we would throw away.  
Chip bags
Laptops
Neosporin tubes
flip flops
Corks
Elmer's Glue
Scotch Tape

www.CoolPeopleCare.org

WOW! Just think how much we could save from the landfills!  Also, you can get paid for recycling some of these things.  It may only be a few cents, but it adds up.  It makes cents! ha

Free Glass Blowing Demo

I have a friend who works with glass, so when I saw a this tonight, I thought I would share it here.  Enjoy!

Events, Coffee Nights, and Drop In Workshop

Coffee Nights

The 2nd Wednesday of every month stop in and warm up with us during Coffee Nights from 6-9 p.m. This a FREE monthly event where you can meet with friends, watch live glassblowing demonstrations, and hang out with the family. Each month we will feature a fellow artist who will be working on their own personal work and demonstrating new techniques as they practice their craft. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the warm glow of the furnace as you unwind from your day.

Drop-in Workshop

While you are enjoying Coffee Nights, you can also participate in our drop-in workshop where you can try your hand at glassblowing your own paperweight or flower for $45, or stamp a glass coin for $10. These make great treasures you can take home and cherish forever. Pre-registration is required.  You can register on-line or by calling the studio.

To register for the drop-in workshop call the studio at 313-561-4527.

Mark Your Calendar

• May 11
• June 8
• July 13
• August 10
• September 14
• October 12
• November 9
• December 14

The Glass Academy is located at 25331 Trowbridge, Dearborn, MI  near Telegraph and Michigan Ave. (MAP)

Build a Sculpture Garden in Detroit for $1

Lincoln Street Art Park and Sculpture Garden is raising funds through Kickstarter.  You can be part of history by donating a dollar (or more) to help get this project rolling.  

Public Art in Detroit - story by Channel 4

There is so much public art - statues and large sculptures throughout Detroit. 


I just watched this news segment from WDIV - Channel 4 in Detroit via their website:  www.clickondetroit.com Take 3 minutes to learn a little bit about our city's art.


News story: Detroit Statues Tell Us About Our History


Enjoy!


And if you want to get me a gift...I would love the book Art in Detroit Public Places!