Kids take the Michigan Green Schools program seriously.
"At Crescentwood going green is not just a catch phrase or something we do for Earth Day," said Fran Hobbs, principal of Crescentwood Elementary School in Eastpointe.
"Every week, we go around the school and collect the boxes and bring them back to the classroom," said Cory McCain, 9, and member of Jodi Pirog's fourth-grade class. While fourth-graders shoulder the brunt of the activities involved in becoming a green school, all of the students and teachers contribute in some way.
"Throughout the day, students are recycling paper in classrooms, reusing materials in art class, recycling juice pouches at lunch, saving water and paper when washing hands, and turning off lights that are not in use," Hobbs said.
It's this commitment that earned Crescentwood the right to hoist the Michigan Green School flag.
The official designation is awarded annually to schools that apply for status and earn at least 10 of the required points. Participants are required to do at least two activities in each of the four categories including recycling, energy, environment and miscellaneous projects. Students from Wayne and Crawford counties, for example, joined forces to plant red maple trees at Hartwick Pines State Park in Crawford County. The faculty and staff at Oak Ridge Elementary School in Royal Oak rallied students and members of the community to volunteer for the city's spring adopt a park for a day campaign. Students at Joseph M. Carkenord Elementary School in the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools district, as part of its commitment to going green and a School Energy Efficiency Challenge sponsored by DTE Energy, will be monitoring its electricity use for a year. Carkenord is one of 11 schools in the district named a Michigan Green School with Evergreen status, the highest honor awarded by the initiative. Schools such as Crescentwood that have earned the green school status for three consecutive years are awarded a pennant to attach to the edge of their flag, as with a winning team showing the years it has been champion. Schools earning 15 points are honored as Emerald Schools, while those such as Carkenord of Chesterfield Township that earn all 20 points receive Evergreen status.
Cory Foley, 10, said one of the class projects enabled his class to adopt an animal.
"We sold 400 candy grams," Foley said. "It's like a heart-shaped sucker. We put them in bags and sold them to people. We had some leftover money, so we decided to adopt an animal, a chimpanzee."
"We have a stuffed animal up there that looks just like it," said Ashlyn Chene, 10. "There's a picture and a certificate out in the hall. They could be an endangered species."
One of the activities that many of Michigan Green Schools participate in is the recycling of used packaging and products such as chip bags, candy wrappers and juice pouches. The waste is collected through TerraCycle's Brigade program (www.terracycle.net), which pays the schools and nonprofits for their efforts and then recycles the material into cool products.
Earth Day is an initiative designed to promote action. For Michigan Green Schools like Crescentwood Elementary, where students practice being green every day, it's a celebration of their efforts to protect the world they live in.
"I'm very proud of our students," said Pirog, who has been with the East Detroit Public Schools district since 1998. "The value in it is that the kids are learning the importance of protecting our environment because in the future it's going to be their job."
"It's up to us to keep the Earth healthy because we don't know how long it can survive," said Moire Huff, 10.
DAYTRIPPING
This week’s listing of events and exhibits happening throughout the Metro Detroit area:
Easter Celebrations
Archbishop Allen Vigneron, archbishop of Detroit, will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter at Detroit’s Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. The public is invited to participate. Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is situated at 9844 Woodward Avenue, between Chicago Boulevard and the Davison.
The schedule includes:
Good Friday, April 22, at 1 p.m. celebration of the Lord’s Passion. Service will include prayers, the Scriptural proclamation of Christ’s Passion, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.
Holy Saturday, April 23, 9 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass including the Blessing of the Fire, a ceremony in which the paschal candle is lit from a small fire outside the church.
Easter Sunday, April 24, at 11 a.m., Archbishop Vigneron will be the celebrant and homilist at Mass. This liturgy celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. In addition to liturgies at the cathedral, numerous events are planned at parishes throughout the area. For a full listing check out the Holiday Worship supplement or visit Archdiocese of Detroit
Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt and Candy Drop, 1-3 p.m. April 23, at Gratiot Auto Center, 29187 Gratiot, north of 12 Mile Road, Roseville. Indoor hunts for younger than 5, outdoor for up to age 13 years. Event includes photos with Easter Bunny (bring own camera), coloring raffle contest, wrapped candy drop. Call (586) 863-4011.
Starkweather Arts
Starkweather Arts Center and GREEN EARTH KIDS CLUB present “EARTH The Ultimate Work of Art,” exhibit of children’s art work created using recycled materials and inspired by the earth, through May 1, at the Center, 219 N. Main, Romeo. Center open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Spring for the Homeless
The Macomb County Warming Center and Ray of Hope Day Center present “Spring for the Homeless” dinner and entertainment fundraiser, 6-10 p.m., April 28 at DeCarlo’s Banquet & Conference Center, 6015 E 10 Mile Road, Warren. Tickets: $30 per person or $270 per table (10 seats). Live entertainment will feature Irish tenor Charlie Taylor along with singer/musician Larry Larson and Fiddlin’ George Chirota. To purchase tickets call (586) 321-0998 or email kmac0212@wowway.com
Progressive Dinner
Anton Art Center presents “The Sneak Peek Progressive Dinner Party,” 6:30 p.m. April 28, in downtown Mount Clemens, to preview the Center’s new “Cabinets” exhibit. Dinner starts 6:30 p.m. at Bath City Bistro, moves to Luigi’s Downtown and ends at the Art Center. Tickets $55 per person; cash bar. Call (586) 469-8666 or visit The Anton Art Center Also, “Cabinet” exhibition at Anton Art Center April 29-June 10; opening reception 6-9 p.m. April 29.
Matrix Theatre
“April Foolery” Friday-Sunday through May 1, by Matrix Theatre Company, 2730 Bagley. Dinner and show pacakages also available. For tickets, (313) 967-0599.
ACS fundraiser
Shelby Township Relay for Life fundraiser for American Cancer Society, 1-4 p.m. April 30, at Cold Stone Creamery, 23 Mile and Schoenherr roads. Stories, songs, photos with Singing Princess 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., entertainment by Four Stories, coloring contest, balloon artist.
Go Comedy!
“Ferndale 2-4-8” production at Go Comedy, 261 Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through May 26. Tickets $10 Thursdays, $15 Fridays. Call (248) 327-0575 or visit www.gocomedy.net.
Free Day
Free admission and parking to Detroit Zoo, April 27, for those 62 and older and their caregivers. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Day includes music, tractor train tours, bingo and a senior resource area. Visit The Detroit Zooor call (248) 541-5717.
Historical society
Detroit Historical Society’s “Behind the Scenes” series continues with Historical Detroit motorcoach tour, April 30. For schedule and fee information, call (313) 833-1801 or visit www.detroithistorical.org.
Greenfield Village
“Day Out With Thomas: Leader of the Track Tour 2011,” April 29-May 1 and May 7-8, 14-15, at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Non-member tickets include Village admission and train ride: $11.75 ages 1-4 years, $27.75 ages 5-12, $33.75 ages 13-61, and $32.75 ages 62 and older. For tickets, (313) 982-6001 or The Henry Ford
Detroit Tap
Benefit performance by Detroit Tap Repertory 7:30 p.m. April 29, for and at St. Patrick Senior Center, 58 Parsons, behind Orchestra Hall, Detroit. Tickets $10; call (313) 833-7080.
Ringwald Theatre
Michigan premiere of “Mercury Fur,” select dates through April 25, at Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodard, Ferndale. For reservations, (248) 545-5545 or Who Wants Cake Theatre
Historical Guild
Detroit Historical Guild seeking volunteers interested in participating in historical activities, including flea markets at Old Ft. Wayne, tea parties, excursions to historic sites, etc. Call (586) 777-5898.
Puppet Theater
“The Crane Maiden” presented by Detroit Puppet Theater, 2 p.m. Saturdays, through April 30, at the theater, 25 E. Grand River, Detroit. Day of Puppetry on April 30 includes performance and rod puppet workshop. For tickets and information, (313) 961-7777 or The Puppet Theatre
DCWS concert
Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings “Quattro Clarinetti” concert, reception 8 p.m., performance 8:30 p.m. April 22, at Hagopian World of Rugs, Birmingham. Tickets $22 adults, $10 students; The Detroit Chamber Winds and Stringsor (248) 559-2095.
Abreact Performance
The Abreact Performance Space with Aardvark Tim Productions presents Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through May 7, and 4 p.m. May 1, at 1301 W. Lafayette Ave., No. 113, Detroit. For reservations, (313) 485-0217 or reservations@theabreact.com.
Cultural Center
“The 1950s: Affluence and Anxiety in the Atomic Age” series continues at Lorenzo Cultural Center in Clinton Township with “Gidgets and Warrior Women: How Popular Culture Portrayed Women in the 1950s,” 11 a.m. April 28; and “Rust and Race: Detroit and the Myths of the 1950s,” 11 a.m. April 29. Seminars take place at the center at Garfield and Hall roads on the Macomb Community College Center Campus. Also planned is a ‘50s sock hop at 7:30 p.m. April 30; to purchase the $10 tickets, call (586) 286-2222 or go to www.macombcenter.com
Card party
Annual luncheon card party at noon April 28 at American House East I, 17255 Common Road, Roseville; admission $6. For table reservations, (586) 776-8500.
Rosedale Players
“The Dixie Swim Club” play by Rosedale Community Players, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays April 29-May 21, 2 p.m. May 1 and 15, at Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road, Southfield. Tickets $14; for reservations, (313) 532-4010 or Rosedale Players
AUD auditions
Southeast Michigan Youth Theatre auditions for “Romeo and Juliet,” 6 p.m. April 25-26, at the Aud Regional Youth Complex on Main Street in Richmond. For details, (586) 430-1039 or audtheater@gmail.com.
Oakland Youth Orchestras
Auditions for Oakland Youth Orchestras, April 29-30, May 1, 6-7, 13-15, at Varner Hall on Oakland University campus; 3- to 4-minute solo showing technique and tone quality required. Call (248) 709-2877, or admin@oyomi.org.
Rochester museum
Exhibit of hand-hooked rugs through June 18 at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, a mile north of downtown Rochester. Romeo-based Great Lakes Rug Hooking Guild demonstrations 1-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, during museum hours. Call (248) 656-4663 or visit www.rochesterhills.org.
Starkweather Arts Center
“Snacks and Refreshments for the Woodland Creatures,” an exhibit of collages and assemblages by artist Teresa Petersen, through April 24, at Starkweather Arts Center, 219 N. Main, Romeo. Center open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays.
Dance lessons
Line dance classes offered by Royal Oak Parks & Recreation Department, 7-8 p.m. Mondays through June 6, at Addams Elementary School, 222 W. Webster between Woodward and Crooks. $40 per person resident for each series, $45 non-resident. Call (586) 777-7242.
Chrysler Museum
Unique Vehicle Pairs Spotlight Series and Collector’s Curb specialty exhibits throughout the year at Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills. Series begins today with “The Art of the Auction,” continues May 21 with non-destructive paint repair techniques. For a complete schedule, visit wpchryslermuseum.org. Admission $8 adults, $7 ages 62 and older, $4 ages 6-12.
Holocaust Center
New traveling exhibit “Barsamian: 20 Years-Searing for the Answer,” through July 10, explores questions about Armenian genocide through art, at Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills. Hours 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday; (248) 553-2400 or Holocuast Memorial Center
Features editor Debbie Komar contributed to this listing
TODAY'S MUSE
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed -- Mohandas K. Gandhi
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