Michigan Days offered at Cedar Point

When it comes to football Michigan and Ohio don’t see buck-eye to eye. However, everyone is a fan of Cedar Point, and to celebrate the last days of summer Sandusky’s amusement park and resort will be offering residents of Michigan a special rate on tickets.

Listen up thrill-seekers.

From now through Sept. 2, one-day tickets to Cedar Point will be $34.99 as oppose to $50.

One of the reasons for the deal is the fact that students in Ohio are called back a week earlier than those in Michigan, leaving the park pretty quiet for most of the week. That means guests from the Great Lake state will seemingly have the park to themselves. During Michigan Days, as the promotion has been dubbed, special end-of-summer tickets will be available online at Cedar Point Michigan Days only. Proof of Michigan residency is required.

Also tickets for little ones (3-up and under 48 inches tall) and seniors (age 62-plus) will be discounted to $24.99. Children 2 and under are free.

One of the new rides at the park this year, which I have yet to try, is the Wind Seeker as shown in the simulated picture above. The two-passenger swing will have you kicking your heels 30 stories up. Riders are treated to breathtaking views of the park, Lake Erie and the shoreline, not to mention friends below. 

If that’s too far of a drive, here are a few other events and destination ideas, to consider:

DAYTRIPPING

Laugh for a good cause

Mike Green.

The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan will present, “Comedy Night 2011,” from 6 to 9 p.m., Oct. 19 at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle. The event, showcasing Michigan comedian and 2007 New York Comedy Expo winner Mike Green, includes a reception, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, live auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $40, with proceeds to benefit the Furniture Bank, a marvelous group that provides beds and essential home furnishings to children and families in need. Ridley’s is at 310 South Troy Street, Royal Oak. For more information, call (248) 332-1300 ext. 200 or e-mail info@furniture-bank.org

Benefit ride

Macomb Bike and Fitness of Warren hosts “Pedal for Paws” bicycle ride to benefit Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, 10 a.m. Aug. 27, at 28411 Schoenherr, Warren. Entry fee: $20; 10-, 25- or 35-mile loops, ending at bike shop. To register visit Macomb Bike

Box Theater

What’s That Smell? Productions presents the pop opera “Bare” at 8 p.m.  Aug. 27, at The Box Theater, 51 N. Walnut St. in Mount Clemens. For tickets, $20 or $18 for students and seniors, call (586) 954-2311 or visit Box Theatre. “Bare” tells the story of high school seniors at a Catholic boarding school facing issues of sexuality and personal identity.

Vintage Baseball

Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball Club plays at 1 p.m. Aug. 28, at Halbach Field in Rochester. Free admission, Click here or call (248) 656-4663.

Weekend Voyageurs Encampment

Lac Ste Claire Voyageurs Encampment program, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 27-28, at Metro Beach Metropark in Harrison Township. 

Learn about the history, lifestyles and skills of the people who lived during the Great Lakes fur trade era. Activities will include music, dance, stories and lectures. Metropark admission required.

Historic Village

Historic Village at Richmond Art Historical and Genealogical Society open 1-4 p.m. Aug. 28, in Bailey Memorial Park at Beebe and Park streets in Richmond. Visit log cabin, train depot, one-room schoolhouse and museum display “Richmond in the Late 1800s.” Call (586) 727-7773.

Coin show

Polish American Numismatic Society and Windsor Coin Club Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 28, at American Polish Cultural Center, Maple and Dequindre roads, Troy. Free; show includes 80 dealers, Polish cuisine available. The Society meets 1:30 p.m. first Saturday monthly at the American Polish Cultural Center. Call (248) 909-2670.

Palette Club

Lakeside Palette Club meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 1, in Gilstorf Room of St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road at Jefferson. Program by Joel Wise on drip-and-press painting. Refreshments served. Set-up starts 5:30 p.m. Club also has studio space 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday in Room 111 of Adult Education Center on Masonic near Jefferson. Call (586) 350-4518 or visit Lakeside Palette Club

Square dancing

Patches Squares dance club hosts beginning square dance lessons, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Sept. 7, at First United Methodist Church of Warren, 5005 Chicago Road. First class (no matter when dancers start) is free, $3 for following sessions. Call (248) 613-3169.

Blind bowlers

Macomb Blind Bowlers for visually impaired and/or blind individuals 18 and older, league bowling 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Sept. 7, at Fraser Star Lanes, northeast corner of 14 Mile and Garfield roads. Fee $10 per week. Call (586) 360-9543.

Free popcorn

MJR Digital Cinemas offer free popcorn and one refill Tuesdays through Sept. 6 at its theaters, including Chesterfield Crossing Digital Cinema 16, Marketplace Digital Cinema 20 and Partridge Creek Digital Cinema 14.

Auditions

General Motors Employees Chorus first rehearsal for new season, 6:45 p.m. Sept. 12, at Lincoln High School, 22900 Federal, near Nine Mile Road and Van Dyke, Warren. Chorus open to those 18 and older, GM employment not required; new members accepted at first three rehearsals. For details, call (586) 412-3871 or information@gmchorus.com.

Warren Civic Theatre adult and youth auditions for “The Little Shop of Horrors,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 27, at Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden. Show dates Oct. 21-30. To schedule an audition, (586) 268-8400.

Oakland Youth Orchestras for students ages 8-18 years, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 30, at Varner Hall on the Oakland University campus in Rochester Hills. To register click here www.oyomi.org.

Cantata Academy Chorale singer auditions, Aug. 28, at First United Methodist Church, 5005 Chicago Road, Warren. Pianist provided. To schedule audition time, (313) 242-7282.

Madison Chorale auditions the evening of Sept. 6, at Wilkinson Middle School, 26524 John R, south of 11 Mile Road, Madison Heights, for the September-December season. To schedule an appointment, (248) 229-4055. Also, open rehearsal for all interested singers 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, at the same location.

‘A Bug’s Life’

Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm hosts “A Bug’s Life” program, 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 27, includes bug hunt, nets and jars provided. Fee $5 adults, $3 children and ages 60 and older. To register, (248) 656-4663 or rhmuseum@rochesterhills.org.

Discovery Cruises

Summer Discovery Cruises explore Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair Flats, departing from Metro Beach Metropark; 13 different educational cruises around such themes as fisheries, wildlife, wetlands, shipwrecks, lighthouses, weather and shipping. Selected times and dates through Sept. 10; fees for 2-1/2 cruises $20 adults, $10 ages 6-17, for longer cruises, $25 adults, $15 ages 6-17. Vehicle entry permit, daily or annual, required for Metropark entry. Visit www.metroparks.com or call (800) 47-PARKS.

Block Party

Grosse Pointe’s Greatest Block Party, presented by Henry Ford Medical Center Cottage, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 10, noon-5 p.m. Sept. 11, on Kercheval Avenue between Neff and Cadieux roads in the Village area of downtown Grosse Pointe. Includes entertainment, car show, sidewalk sales, art fair and “Pooch Parade.” Call (313) 886-7474.

Fishing clubs

Vanguard Trout Unlimited for fishing enthusiasts meets 7:30 p.m. second Thursday monthly at Rochester’s Dinosaur Hill. Also, Fishing Buddies Fishing Club gathers 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Rochester Hills OPC, 650 Leticia Drive. Call (248) 375-1931.

Park*it for fun

Annual free Park*it family fun nights continues at tri-county locations through August, and also Oct. 22 at Warren City Square. Fun starts at 6 p.m. and includes outdoor concerts, kids’ activities, sponsor giveaways and a family movie. For complete schedule information, visit parkitforfun.com.

Family Fun Day

Angels’ Place Family Fun Day, noon-4 p.m. Aug. 27, at Detroit Country Day Lower School on Maple Road between Lahser and Cranbook roads. Tickets $20 per person ($85 family of 2 adults, 3 children), includes food and entertainment; proceeds benefit homes and services for those with developmental disabilities. Call (248) 350-2203.

Free concerts

Concerts by live band and dancing at Thomas S. Welsh Activity Center at Metro Beach Metropark, 6:30-10 p.m. Aug. 28, at the Harrison Township park. Music, dancing free, vehicle entry permit required. Information, (800) 477-3172 or www.metroparks.com.

Film series

Detroit Historical Society weekend film series Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. in Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave. at Kirby. Free with admission $6 adults, $4 ages 60 and older, college students and ages 5-18. Parking $4. Call (313) 833-1801 or visit Detroit Historical Society

‘We Remember’

Shelby Senior Choir presents “Salute to America: We Remember” program in recognition of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, 1 p.m. Sept. 9, at the Shelby Senior Center. Free. For information, (586) 739-7540.

Bach Festival

Lexington Arts Council hosts 12th Annual Bach Festival, starts Sept. 11, with patriotic classics at First Congregational Church of Port Huron, continues at noon Sept. 15, with free concert at St. Clair Community College, with programs concluding Sept. 18. For ticket and schedule information, www.lexarts.com or (810) 359-5120.

Dance gala

“Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of First” gala, 7 p.m. Sept. 9, at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit. For tickets, (313) 494-5800 or Charles Wright

Warren art

Warren Tri-County Fine Art Association works by member artist Victoria Repen featured 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday during August at Warren City Hall.

Farmers Market

Mount Clemens Farmers Market open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 19, at 141 North River Road. Locally grown products, including flowers. Visit Mount Clemens Farmers Market

Unique exhibit 

Anton Art Center presents the “Magic & Mysticism” exhibit, through Sept. 9, at 125 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens. The Center open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. For details, (586) 469-8666 or The Anton Art Center

Features editor Debbie Komar contributed to this list.

TODAY'S MUSE

Certainly travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living -- Miriam Beard