Photo by: aus_chick

Grand Rapids Halloween Events

The Grand Rapids area offers several events for children in all age groups from toddler to teen.

Zoo Goes Boo
October 16, 17, 23, 24
Grand Rapids Zoo
10:00am-3:00pm
$5/person
Have fun at the Zoo on Halloween with games, a hay maze, trick-or-treating, live entertainment and animal demonstrations.

Halloween Weekend
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin
October 23-25
$90-$100
Children ages 8 to 13 sign up for a weekend at camp for a trip into the “Haunted” Forest, games, costume contest, treats and a Halloween Party.

Haunted Trail and Costume Party
YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin
October 25
$15-$20
For children 10 to 14 head over to the camp for a Halloween Party, games, a haunted hayride and snacks.

Ann Arbor Halloween Events

Living in Ann Arbor, you have plenty of options for kid-friendly Halloween fun. Try one of the local events below:

Halloween Party
October 30
Ann Arbor Public Library
Free admission
Take the kids to the library for storytime, crafts and trick-or-treating.

Downtown Halloween Festival
October 30
Ypsilati, MI
Free admission
Head over to the Ypsilanti District Library Park with the kids and enjoy treats, games and prizes. Also stop in the library for a spooky storytime at 4:30.

Detroit Halloween Events

The Detroit metro area offers several options for family-friendly Halloween events. If you live in a Detroit apartment, check out one of the many events and festivals in the area:

Trick or Treat Trail at Mill Race Village
October 18
Northville, MI
5:00-7:00pm
Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Historical Society.
$7/child and parents admission is free
Kids (preschool to 3rd grade) can trick or treat in their favorite costume at the historic Mill Race Village.

Lunch with Goblins
October 24
Livonia Civic Park Senior Center, Livonia, MI
11:00am-12:30pm
$4/person
Enjoy a lunch of pizza, games and crafts with ghoulish guests. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Parks and Recreation.

Spooktacular
October 25
2:00-4:00pm
Royal Oak, MI
Free admission
Head to the downtown district in Royal Oak for some trick-or-treating, face painting and pumpkin bowling.

Halloween Hullaboo
October 31
Southfield Public Library, Southfield, MI
2:00-3:00pm
Free admission
For the kids (preschool to second grade), put on your halloween costume and head to the library for some spooky stories and crafts.

Halloween Spooktacular
October 31
6:00-8:00pm
Shepherd Park in Oak Park, MI
Parents bring your children, 13 and under, for trick-or-treating, a bon fire, pumpkin decorating and hayrides. Also check with the Park District for more Halloween/Fall events held at the parks during the month of October.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Thrills and Chills IV
October 31
Detroit, MI
11:00am
Dress up and enjoy a day with the family for some spooky music and treats with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Detroit Zoo Boo
October 16-18, 23-25, 29-31
Detroit, MI
6:00-8:00pm
$6/person ages 2 and up
$10/person at the gate if tickets are available
For not-too-spooky fun, take the family to the Zoo to enjoy trick-or-treating, games and live entertainment.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you would like to find more fall festivals and Halloween events near you, check your city’s website, the parks and recreation department or the library. And if you are looking to amp up the scare factor, the Detroit metro area and Grand Rapids are home to several haunted houses.

Your exercise, health, and beauty routines should change in the winter, just as the weather changes and you change the clothes you wear. By the time the first leaf falls, it seems like you have the “winter itch.” With indoor heating and cold dry weather outside there is less humidity in the air and you must take better care of your body to look and feel comfortable. Your skin needs 30% humidity to stay moisturized and when the heat is running, the humidity level is about 10%. Purchase a humidifier and you will notice a difference in the air you breathe, especially at night.

Winter Beauty Tips

Here are a few winter beauty tips for your body: exfoliate at least once a week, wash with warm not hot water, and lather up with lotion at least once a day. There are products specific to your face, hands, feet and body, so check them out at your local beauty store near your Grand Rapids apartment. Also, keep a lip moisturizer in your purse, your coat pocket and in your bathroom. You never seem to have one when you need it. Now let’s look at these winter beauty tips and how you can take care of your skin, hair, nutrition and exercise during this dry weather.

Photo by: David Wong

Face

• Wash your face with a creamy face cleanser that does not have alcohol in it.
• Use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen and a foundation that is SPF15.
• Use a night cream and eye cream, even if you do not use one in the summer.
• Don’t forget your lips; use Vaseline or products containing shea butter.
• Cover your face with a scarf for protection from the cold.

Hands

• Use moisturizer after washing your hands.
• Use moisturizer before putting on gloves to go outside.

Feet

• Make sure you use a scrub or pumice stone on your feet twice a week.
• Buy a foot cream and use it daily.
• If your feet are still dry, use a foot cream at night and wear cotton socks to bed.
• Keep your feet warm and dry when outside in the cold.

Body

• Skip the bubble bath and use bath oil or oatmeal baths.
• Use a moisturizing body wash.
• Apply moisturizer immediately after a bath or shower while your body is still damp.
• Don’t forget to wear leggings to keep your legs protected from the cold.

Hair

• Use a moisturizing, hydrating or replenishing shampoo.
• Use a conditioner even if you just put it on the ends of your hair.
• Dry your hair completely before going outside so you do not get a head cold or damage your hair.
• Wear a hat outside for protection from the cold weather.

Nutrition

• Take a vitamin D supplement since you will not be getting as much sun in the winter.
• Eat more fish, avocados, and olive oil or take an Omega 3 supplement.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated.
• Drink a glass of water and eat a piece of fruit before going to a holiday party to keep from overeating.
• Eat warm filling soups; they will satisfy the need to eat heavier foods.

Exercise

• Bundle up with a hat, scarf and gloves and take a walk every day. You need the fresh air!
• If you don’t want to go outside in the cold, or it is stormy, exercise inside – just exercise daily!
• If you are planning on going skiing or snowboarding, do some aerobic activity the week or two before to help avoid injury on the slopes.

As the cold wind blows, don’t put the sun block and conditioners away with the bathing suits and flip flops, and don’t feast and hibernate in your Grand Rapids apartment instead of going outside and exercising. The season has changed and your body needs a little more care to keep it radiant and healthy.

Photo by: Javier Sánchez

It should be said that it is nearly impossible to create a concrete list of what the bad dogs for kids to have are, but there are certain breeds that are naturally more aggressive or temperamental than others. After all, you never know when your child is going to whack the dog over the head or poke them in the wrong way.

Even a well-trained dog is likely to let off a growl to some of those actions. Based on their size, temperament and reputation, here are 5 of the worst dog breeds for households with children.

#1: Dalmatian: Their large size, need for exercise and protective nature can make these pets very aggressive when they feel threatened. Their need for exercise will also make them excitable when they’ve been hanging around the house for an extended period of time.

#2 Rat Terrier: Even though this dog is fairly small, like most terriers, it is known to be very territorial. Getting these types of dogs familiar to new baby smells may be a good idea before bringing a baby home from the hospital.

#3 Presa Canario: These large and strong dogs can become violent when they feel they need to defend themselves. If you have one in the house, make sure they know that guests and children are friendly visitors.

#4 Rottweilers: These dogs have a long tradition of being used as guard dogs. If you have adopted a Rottweiler make sure that it is trained and responsive before bringing it home to the family.

#5 Pit bulls: These strong and sometimes aggressive dogs are very dangerous when they are untrained. Pit bulls naturally have a reputation for intimidation and the wrong pit bulls can be dangerous to have around the yard when neighbors and kids are playing.

#6 Toy dogs: Small dogs like Yorkies and Maltese are fragile, and children may unintentionally hurt them if they do not know how to properly handle them. If irritated, these small dogs are known to nip or bite.

#7 Chow Chows: These dogs need a strong hand and lots of training before they are ready to be around children. Untrained Chows can be aggressive and unfriendly towards strangers.

In the end, large aggressive dogs most likely won’t fit into your Grand Rapids apartments space anyway, but you should never assume that a dog will interact well until you have been around the dog for awhile and had them trained.

The amount of training and the way the pet is treated is the most likely indicator of whether or not they will continue to act properly. If you have more questions about a particular dogs temperament, ask your veterinarian for their advice.

Well, what if you’re not hosting 10-12 people for the holiday, but having a smaller gathering in your Grand Rapids apartment for 3-4 people? You don’t have to serve a whole turkey. And you certainly don’t have to grill, roast, smoke, or deep fry it. If you want to buck the tradition, think outside the box when it comes to making your meal and try other turkey dishes and appetizers this year!

Photo By: Rexipe

• Turkey Breast in a Paprika & Tomato Sauce
• Turkey Brunswick Stew with Puff Pastry Crust
• Sesame Turkey Bites
• Turkey Stuffed Peppers
• Roasted Turkey Tenderloin with New Potatoes and Tarragon Broth
• Blue Cheese Turkey Rolls
• Grilled Turkey Shish Kabob
• Turkey and Sausage Paella
• Almond-Turkey Cheese Spread
• Turkey & Cashew Nut Curry

Photo by: Tim McFarlane

Many of us love a sweet flavor but some of us prefer a sour taste…a real sour taste. If you are a sour candy lover, you’ll appreciate this list of retro candy. It might even make you stop off at your local candy store…or better yet, order online for an endless selection.

Jolly Ranchers

These candies come in a whopping 24 fruit flavors but sour candy fanatics will likely enjoy the tart lemon, sour apple or raspberry. Jolly Rancher candy was originally produced by the Jolly Rancher Company, founded in 1949. The name ‘Jolly Rancher’ was meant to suggest western hospitality. Jolly Rancher began concentrating on hard candies as sales grew. The hard candies are perfect to put in a bowl on any home or office table top.

Fun Dip

Photo by: Tim Eschaton

With Fun Dip the name says it all! Just lick the dip stick and dip it into the flavored powder. The most common flavors are cherry, grape and raspberry/apple. Or for extra tartness, try the sour watermelon, sour apple and sour lemonade. This candy is manufactured by the Willy Wonka Candy Company. It’s been on the U.S. market since 1942 and was originally called Lik-M-Aid.

Lemonheads

You will surely pucker up when you put this round, lemon-flavored treat in your mouth. It’s got a sweet hard candy core surrounded by a super sour coating. Lemonheads were born out of the same cold panned process as the company’s Red Hots in 1962.

Pixy Stix

Fun Dip isn’t the only sour treat manufactured by Willy Wonka. The company also makes Pixy Stix, the powdered candy packaged in a wrapper that looks like a drinking straw. If you don’t know How to Properly Eat a Pixy Stick, the trick is to keep the tip of the straw dry so the sugar will pour freely into your mouth.

Nerds

Photo by: Dave Byrne

Nerds are little candy nuggets that come in a variety of abstract shapes. A Nerds box commonly will have two separate flavors, each with its own opening device. Regular Nerds can taste sweet or you can buy Sour Nerds if you’re up for some extreme sourness. Nerds were introduced in 1983 and are coated in carnuba wax, which makes them shiny and crunchy.

Spree

Spree is a sugar coated candy with tangy fruit flavors. They have a hard, yet chewable, texture. If you like them chewy, you can buy the Chewy Spree variety. Spree comes in orange, strawberry, sour apple, lemonade and grape. Spree Sunsations, in pastel colors, was briefly manufactured but did not catch on.

Skittles

Photo by: Amber

Originally made in England back in 1974, the candies made it to the United States in 1981. Skittles are bite-size candies in hard sugar shells. They are round and have the letter ’s’ printed on them. The ’s’ was purple but was changed to white in 1989. Skittles are not vegetarian because they contain gelatin. You can enjoy them in lemon, lime, orange, strawberry and grape.

SweeTarts

Don’t let the name fool you, SweeTarts are both sweet and sour. This 1963 recipe is very similar to Pixy Stix but it’s less messy to eat. You can enjoy cherry, grape, lemon, orange, worm apple and pickled punch(blue). The company previously offered lime flavor but switched it out for green apple in 2001. At that same time they made all of the flavors more sour.

Sour Patch Kids

Photo by: Mike Chaput

Sour Patch Kids were originally called Mars Men, and were shaped like little aliens. They were invented at a time when UFO sightings were a hot topic in the Western world. Nowadays Sour Patch candy is shaped like little frizzy haired kids. They have a soft jelly center and a sour coating. Flavors include raspberry, lime, orange and lemon.

WarHeads

Warheads candy was invented in Taiwan in 1975 and arrived in the United States in 1993. The name Warheads implies that a piece of this candy is so sour, it’s like a warhead going off in your mouth. Warheads even have a mascot: Wally Warhead. Warheads come in the following sour flavors: green apple, black cherry, blue raspberry, lemon and watermelon. At one point the company introduced hot flavors and fizz flavors but these products did not catch on.

Where to Buy your Favorite Mouth Puckering Candies

If you are ready to buy candy, check out these websites. Most products can be ordered in bulk.

Candy Warehouse
Candy Addict
Groovy Candies
Retro Candy Online

Photo by: Chris Dodson

Tires

If you’re new to the Grand Rapids area, you’ll soon learn how much you need a good set of tires. Traction is key. It’s the grip that’s going to keep your car safely on the road in icy and snowy conditions. You may find it necessary to replace your all season tires with a set of snow tires for better traction. Snow tires have deeper grooves and a more aggressive tread design to grab hold of ice covered roads. You can find different types of snow tires for different types of vehicles and driving conditions.

Windshield Washer Fluid

People carry jugs of this in the trunks of their car to refill when necessary. You should keep your window washer fluid tank full throughout the snow season to break up ice and snow that may freeze or stick to your windshield as you’re driving in snowy conditions.

Keep the Snow Out

If you want to keep the snow out of the car, you should invest in a small hand held broom. When the snow is still frozen, it’s easy to sweep out of the car, but if you allow it to stay in the car when you drag it in, it will melt and get your floorboards all wet. For long trips in the car, the wetness can become uncomfortable for passengers, and it will ruin your carpet. You can also buy products to protect the carpet in your car.

Photo by: DongWoo Lee

Pre-Snow Protection

To protect your car’s finish from the snow and salt on the roads, there are certain things you should do before the snow starts to fall. Caring for your car throughout the year will prepare you for winter weather.

Before the snow falls, wash your car thoroughly from the top to the undercarriage. After cleaning, put a heavy coat of wax on your car’s surface and wheels. This will help keep the salt and snow from sticking to your car. Waxing your car every 6 months is something you should regularly do to keep the paint shiny and new. After waxing your car, put a sealant on the surface. This will offer your paint an extra barrier against the snow and salt on the roads.

During the Snowy Season

Washing your car whenever the temperature is above freezing will help keep it clean through the season. Remember to thoroughly dry all locks and door handles after washing to keep them from freezing shut. Be sure to spray the undercarriage clean to avoid salt and snow from building up and causing rust. If you can, take it to a professional car wash so you don’t have to suffer through the cold to get your car clean. They’ll also make sure the car is thoroughly clean.

Pick bushels of apples. Apples are one of the easiest fruit to pick, so grab a bucket and get picking. Select firm, bruise-free apples from your local Grand Rapids apple orchard. Don’t shake the branches or just pull the apples off the tree, but give them a little twist and they should come right off. Be sure to ask the farmer which ones are the ripe ones.

Photo By: Jason DeRusha

Go on a hay ride. Jump on the back wagon and journey all over the farm. A great place to bite into one of those delicious apples you picked.

Get lost in a corn maze. How good is your sense of direction? See how fast you finish the labyrinth corn maze of dead ends, twist and turns, and tons of fun.

Check out the farm animals. Many apple orchards have petting zoos for you to enjoy. Jump right in and get up close and personal with the goats, pigs, and sheep. You might even get to feed them.

Great Grand Rapids Apple Orchards For You To Visit

1. Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market
2. Robinette’s Apple Haus And Gift Barn
3. Moelker Orchards and Farm Market

Little Known Facts About Michigan Apples

• There are over 7.5 million apple trees on 950 family-run farms in Michigan.
• Michigan is number 3 for the Top Apple-Producing States in the U.S.
• In honor of its apple-producing roots, Michigan’s state flower is the Apple Blossom
• We bob for apples because 25% of their volume is air and that’s the reason they float.

Tasty Michigan Apple Recipes

• Apples and Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches
• Michigan Apple Cake
• Hot Raspberry Cider
• Dutch Apple Salad
• Apple Fritters

Construction of CityCenter began in 2004, based on the creative visions of 8 of the world’s top architects. In order to make room for the construction, workers had to remove the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino, the Bellagio employee parking lot and several other stand-alone commercial structures.

Photo by: gTarded

Scheduled for completion in late 2009, CityCenter will consist of multiple high-rise buildings with contemporary designs. It will be so large it will be like a city within itself, with housing, gambling, entertainment, dining, nightlife, retail and art all wrapped up into one destination. The property will be connected to the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo by a people mover system.

Photo by: Xcelerator

Quick Facts About CityCenter

• This 8-billion-dollar project is the largest privately financed project in the United States
• CityCenter will boast a 61-story, 4,000-room hotel tower and two 400-room high-end, non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental
• Approximately 2,650 luxury condominium and hotel/condominium units will be included
• 40-million-dollars worth of modern sculptures and installations by world famous artists will adorn CityCenter
• The building of CityCenter has created 7,000 construction jobs
• 6 construction workers have died in construction-related accidents
• The opening of CityCenter will create 12,000 new permanent jobs, the single largest new employment opportunity in Las Vegas, ever.

The Crystals

The Crystals, will be a high-end retail area with luxury brands, gourmet restaurants, fasionable clubs, art galleries and entertainment. It will span 500,000 square feet and will be visually stunning. There will be a flagship 20,000 square foot Apple Store located within The Crystals.

So plan to leave your Grand Rapids apartment for a Vegas vacation in late 2009 or early 2010 to explore this astouding new addition to the Las Vegas landscape.

Photo By: r3v || cls

Park In Well-Lit Areas

The first tip is really dependent on the parking situation at your Grand Rapids apartments. If at all possible, always park in a well-lit area within sight of your apartment. This can be difficult though in some apartment lots as spots are often randomly assigned or located in a garage. When you are signing up for a space or renewing your space, ask about what additional spots they may have available in better-lit areas. Getting on the list for a garage is the ideal parking situation, but the additional cost can be substantial.

In an apartment parking lot or driveway where you have some control over the lighting and/or security situation, installing motion sensitive lights near your parking spot can dissuade any potential thieves by putting a spotlight on their crime.

Photo By: TJ Barker

Shove It Under Your Seat

Much of preventing car theft is reducing the enticement to steal in the first place. Do this by keeping your car empty of valuable or potentially valuable things. Don’t leave CDs, jewelry, cash or even papers in plain sight. Important banking documents in the back seat of a car make it just as appealing of a target as cash for perpetrators of identity theft.

Whenever possible, disconnect and store stereo faceplates, DVD players and GPS electronics. Take them down and lock them in the glove compartment or in the center compartment as to reduce the bounty a potential thief could expect from the car.

If for any reason you need to keep something of value in the car overnight, cover the items with a blanket or clothing so they are not as easily identifiable. Even just remembering to move the items from the back seat to the trunk can make all the difference.

It’s a combination of ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ and commonsense when it comes to avoiding car break-ins. Don’t entice thieves with property left overnight and always try to park in the safest area in the most well lit and frequented spot.

Photo by: Michael Verhoef

Fall Favorite Desserts To Try

Pumpkin Cheesecake

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
3/4 cup white sugar
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 prepared 8 inch pastry shells

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together the cream cheese and the sugar, add the pumpkin and the spices. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add salt and beat until creamy. Pour the batter evenly into the two pastry shells. Bake for 50 minutes or until the knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Top with whipped topping when cooled, if desired.

White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon brandy
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda, then stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Photo by: Amber N.

Keep It Simple With These One Dish Meals

Shepherd’s Pie

1-2 lb. ground beef
1 can sweet corn
1 can French style green beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Mashed potatoes, prepared (flakes or homemade)
Shredded cheese

Brown the ground beef, and drain. Add the soup. Keep on low heat for a few minutes, then add the corn and green beans in a large, skillet that can go in the oven. Cover the beef and veggies with potatoes, then top with cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven until cheese is melted.

Turkey Pot Pie

1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots, thawed under cold water
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 3/4 cups turkey or chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
2 1/2 to 3 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
Pastry for 9-inch two crust pie, prepared or purchased

Drain peas and carrots; set aside. Heat butter in saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour, onion, salt and pepper. Stir constantly until mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in broth and milk. Place back on heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add turkey and vegetables.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Ease pastry into ungreased 9-inch square pan. Pour mixture into the pastry-lined pan then place top crust over filling. Turn edges under and crimp. Bake at 425 for about 35 min or until golden brown.

Photo by: Sassy Radish

To Warm You Up, A Hot Drink and A Soup

Crockpot Yellow Pea Chowder With Chorizo Sausage

1 lb. pkg. dried yellow split peas, sorted and rinsed
4 cups water
10 oz. can condensed chicken broth
6 oz. smoked chorizo sausage, sliced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 cup chopped carrot
11 oz. can corn with red and green peppers, drained

Combine all ingredients except corn in a 4-6 quart slow cooker and stir to mix. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 7-9 hours. Stir in corn about 10 minutes before serving. Increase heat to high, cover and cook 10 minutes longer.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process works well)
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pinch cayenne pepper (more to taste)
Hot water

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water (or milk). Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir. You can seal the rest in an airtight container. It keeps indefinitely in the pantry