My eight-year-old son wants a remote controlled car for his birthday, but I am not very familiar with them. Do you think they are safe? Did you ever deal with these kinds of toys?

Sincerely,  Nancy Nervous

Dear Ms. Nervous,

Yes, I do remember the days when my kids were into these remote controlled items. They had the cars and the boats and the airplanes. I can’t remember any safety issues with the kids, per say, but I certainly remember concerns for other things.  When my son was still young, about 9 or 10 years old, I remember him getting this little remote controlled truck for Christmas at my mother-in-law’s house. He began driving it all over and ended up smashing it into her newly painted walls. That was not as well received as you might think! But, to make matters worse, (or from my point of view, better), when she got up to go talk to him about it, he ran it full-speed into her shin. That was received even less favorably.  Needless to say, she never did buy him another remote controlled vehicle.  As he got older, I remember getting him his first airplane. We spent several hours a day for weeks on end glueing all the wooden parts together, applying the plastic to its wings, and then decorating this little flying wonder. It was a unique design where you started the little gasoline engine and then switched on the electronic controls before launching the plane.  Well the first time we flew it, we forgot to turn on the controls inside the plane. I launched her as high as I could and then told him to start turning it around, back towards us. He moved the controls back and forth to no avail.  We sat there in silence for about 5 minutes while this thing flew straight as an arrow right towards China! I’m sure somebody got a pleasant surprise in their backyard when that thing finally ran out of gas!  After I recovered from that catastrophe, I purchased our last remote controlled toy – a glider with a six foot wingspan. I figured at least this way we had no motor to worry about.  I remember pulling this long rubberband back that I would hook onto the glider. I would walk about 50 yards away before releasing it.  The glider would go way up in the air and soar with the eagles.  One time I was so excited I grabbed my Super 8 movie camera and started filming this thing in all its glory. My son was a great pilot; he made it do flips and steep banks left and right. Then as it came in for a landing he brought it right over my head for the shear effect on the movie. As I was filming this whole show, I watched this humongous glider slam right into the side of my van! Man, did that hurt. So as I said before, I’m not sure if any of these toys are a safety hazard to your kid, but the rest of the family had better watch out!  Good luck and let me know how it turns out.

Sincerely, Dear Crabby

Stuck in a rut? Need some crabby advice from a cranky old baby-boomer? Ask DearCrabby@RochesterMedia.com

With the mild winter thus far, it’s easy to imagine getting outdoors earlier and more often in the coming months. For 39 years Outdoorama has examined many of the time tested and family friendly activities that Michiganians love to do. 

Hunting, fishing and boating are all well represented at this year’s event held at the Suburban Collection Showroom (formally Rock Financial Showplace) in Novi. All the latest rods and reels, fishing boats and marine accessories will be on display to give the modern day fisherman an edge. “If you support conservation and appreciate our state’s bounty of natural resources, then Outdoorama is for you,” said Adam Starr, show manager. 

For the non-hunter, non-fisherman

“Outdoorama is a celebration of all outdoor activities that rely on Michigan’s great natural resources,” states Tom Huggler, show publicist, “Although hunting and fishing are at the show’s roots, since 1974 when Outdoorama began, the show has enjoyed broad appeal to conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts such as photographers and bird watchers, and silent-sport participants such as campers, hikers and backpackers. Many special features make the show family friendly. These include the Trout Pond full of live rainbows for kids to catch, the Rock Climb, the Pellet Shooting Range (where kids get safety lessons and shooting tips from certified instructors), and the Virtual Fishing Simulator (where kids do battle with a sailfish, bass or salmon).” 

Huggler also mentioned that there will be naturalists on hand with a variety of native Michigan animals, including hawks, owls and reptiles. He explains how they “were injured in the wild, and are being restored to health before release back into the wild.” 

The Family Fun Zone is where kids may enjoy many hands-on activities. And watch the dock jumping dogs with Milt Wilcox as he hosts the Ultimate Air Dogs.

Morel Mushrooms Hunting 

Did you know that Michigan provides us with a bounty of Morel mushrooms? Morel spokeswoman, Theresa Maybrier, will present seminars on how to find and collect the Morel, and then how to preserve and prepare the mushroom.

Morel Mushrooms can be found throughout the state, including wooded areas of southeast Michigan. Regions near Boyne City and Cadillac are some of the more well-known hunting grounds for both the black and white varieties. 

Don’t Miss … 

“The single-most biggest attraction is Big Buck Night on Thursday from 7-9 pm” explains Tom Huggler. “Michigan Out-of-Doors TV hosts Jimmy Gretzinger and Jenny Olson will interview successful Michigan deer hunters, who will bring their trophies and relate the stories to an appreciative audience.” 

“For the non-hunting crowd, don’t miss Jim Miller of Willow Winds, who will be building a birch bark canoe in the same way Native Americans did for centuries,” Huggler continues, “Miller’s authentic props have been used in popular movies like Thunderheart and The Indian in my Cupboard.” 

Dates and Times 

Outdoorama runs February 23-26, 2012 and is open Thursday & Friday 2:00–9:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Adult prices are $10.00, children (6-14) are only $4.00, and children under 6 are free. Please note: some attractions within the event have a nominal fee. Discount coupons are available at the show’s website:

http://www.showspan.com/OUT 

Also visit the website to see a complete listing of all the events, special guests, and seminars going on throughout the weekend.

Photos are courtesy of Outdoorama and ShowSpan.

Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at Michael@RochesterMedia.com

I was fortunate to have caring and dedicated parents growing up. In addition to them, I was blessed with other great influences. One in a friend who had a very special mother. Her name was Beth, and she had this wonderful gift of making everyone feel like they were the most special person in the world. I decided then that she was exactly the kind of person I wanted to be. She listened enthusiastically, gave generously, and was pulled together, but not so much that she seemed perfect. I was heartbroken when she passed away in my late teens, but it spurred me on even more to pursue loving others in the way she did.

As I cried yesterday, I realized that in the years that have passed, life has slowly shaped me towards becoming just as I hoped I would. Some challenges that I have faced aren’t ones that I would have chosen, but they are the perfect things that needed to happen to me to create that heart like Beth outwardly expressed. Things that have helped me discern what is worthy of my time, and what things are superficial and will fade.

Though I only knew her from an outside view, I’m sure she was aware of her shortcomings (as I am keenly aware of mine) she made quite the impression on me. She apparently impacted me down to some strange details. I noticed in that moment, that I too ironically have a saddle as decoration in my living room, which I recalled was the case in her home 20 years ago. That surprised me as I laughed at the unconsciously similar design choice that I had made.

I’m thankful that people in my life displayed how to love well, serve humbly, and compassionately accept others. Whether you had those kind of examples in your life or not, it’s never too late to grow into who you hope to be. I still have so much changing to do, as those who know me best would honestly confirm. Nevertheless, I will keep striving in hope that my life will be worthy enough to inspire another little heart somewhere. You may never know whose heart wants to follow after yours, so cherish each one that you meet.

Main Street between Second and University will be totally closed for an estimated 90 days. But other than a detour around that stretch, downtown will be open for business as usual.

“We’ve been communicating this solid for a year,” said Nik Banda, the city of Rochester’s Economic Development Director and Deputy City Manager. At a standing-room-only meeting for downtown property owners Tuesday, he said there was little angst. “I think we’ve communicated enough, they got it,” he said. “We’re ready to roll.”

Still, as the day draws near, merchants no doubt are wondering what the summer will be like. Greg Nowak, co-owner of Twinsite Optical, said he doesn’t know what to expect.

“It could be disastrous; it may not be so bad,” he said. “I just worry people will avoid the area because of the hassle.” He’s also worried that a known Indian burial ground under Home Bakery could cause delay.

“Business has been kind of slow, but I think it’s been picking up lately,” Nowak said. “I’m more of a destination. If people want to get glasses from me, the road’s not going to stop them.” He doesn’t plan to increase his advertising budget and says the DDA does “a good job of promoting downtown Rochester.”

The roadwork and streetscaping improvements are largely federally funded via the Michigan Department of Transportation, with additional funding from the city of Rochester and the Downtown Development Authority. The project includes road reconstruction from the Clinton River Bridge to the Paint Creek Bridge, a new water main and water lines, lighting upgrades, rebuilt planting areas, aggregate sidewalks, improved crosswalks and new benches, trash receptacles and bollards.

By closing the road from University to Second, construction will to be completed six to eight weeks quicker than partial closure, Banda said. The city has also given permission for work to go on around the clock, seven days a week, and there are big financial incentives to get it done on time.

Digging up history

In the lead up to construction, the historical community has met with MDOT to discuss what relics of Rochester’s past might be unearthed.

“They asked us to identify any historical things they might run into when digging,” said Rod Wilson, President of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society. Research indicates coal bins and cisterns still exist, so engineers checked basements along Main to see what might be under the road. Wilson said one cistern will be preserved, covered with Plexiglas and explained with a sign. He hopes a coal bin will be found and preserved as well.

Wilson said a 1940 photo shows gas pumps on the sidewalk in four spots. He hasn’t been able to find anyone who knows whether the underground tanks were ever removed. He said MDOT will do some test digging around Home Bakery to try to locate the burial mound. He knows it’s there, “but how big is it?” he said. “They also have alerted the federal government, an Indian chief and the state people so when they do start digging, they’re all on call.”

Though the original 1916 brick road is expected to be found, there seems to be disagreement as to whether streetcar tracks are still in place. “We were told many years ago those were all pulled out for the war effort,” Wilson said. “But who knows?” Any small items that turn up will be displayed in a storefront downtown.

Detours, access, events

To assist traffic circulation, the city has resurfaced Olde Towne Road, reopened the northern extension of Mill Street off Second, added new access driveways in some alleys and made all alleys one way. Enhancement work on the Riverwalk at Main Street is expected to be wrapped up as soon as the weather breaks. Walnut and Water streets will be available as alternatives to Main.

Banda said while traffic may be difficult for the first few days, the recent closure of the Avon Road bridge at Livernois in Rochester Hills shows drivers quickly find their own best route. “People found their way around it and I think the same thing’s going to happen,” he said.

Parking for 94 cars along Main Street will be temporarily off limits. “The conventional parking is gone (but) 95 percent of our businesses have rear entrances,” Banda said. A six-foot-wide sidewalk will be open along Main Street during the entire project and front entrances will be open. “Park in back; shop like you normally do,” he said.

With up to 200 construction workers on the project, Banda said some businesses may do very well during the project. In addition, the DDA is ramping up its schedule of summer activities downtown.

Ewe Revue 2 will bring back a very popular public art event that debuted in 2001. Decorated fiberglass sheep on a Hollywood theme will be on display around town from May 11 through September. The DDA is also looking for sheep from the original event.

DDA Executive Director Kristi Trevarrow said this year’s Ewe Revue will offer two options: Sponsors can choose the same size sheep as was used in the 2001 event, or a flock of four “mini” sheep. Sponsorships are still available.

“We’re doing well on our sponsorships,” Trevarrow said, though she acknowledged that this year is a “different economy, different time.”

Other popular downtown summer events will continue. Sidewalk Sales will move off Main and Movies in the Moonlight has been expanded. A new event, Junk in the Trunk, is scheduled for Aug. 11. Vendors will be able to buy a parking space in the lot at Third and Walnut and sell wares.

When it’s all over, it’ll be just about time for the Big Bright Light Show. “That is going to help us absolutely with that learning curve pretty quickly,” Trevarrow said. “If that’s going on, downtown must be open.”

Kerri Vizena, who grew up in Rochester and is has been co-ownership of the Silk Worm since April, said she’s not worried about how the summer will go. Weddings are a big part of her business, and she’ll do as much offsite business as she can. She has her eye firmly on the prize.

“I’m just really excited about the downtown and its renovation,” she said. “So I look more toward the end result. … I’m just very pleased with the idea to move forward and revitalize downtown.”

Rochester business owners are invited to a forum about the Main Street makeover on February 29 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Park Hotel. There will also be a community open house Thursday, March 8 at 6 p.m. at Rochester Community House. MDOT and the city will have an office on Main during construction.

The festival was rescheduled from its original January dates due to the unusually warm and snow-free winter. It will happen this weekend, Friday, February 24, from 6- 9 p.m. and Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Some winter sports activities have been eliminated from the schedule.

Fireworks are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday. Downtown’s annual ice-sculpture show will return with live carving demonstrations, and there will be marshmallow roasting and more.  The Rochester Lions Club will host a warming tent with coffee, hot cocoa, marshmallows and S’mores kits at Third and Main during the festival.

On Friday from 5- 8 p.m., the Rochester Fire Department will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit Rochester Area Youth Assistance at the main fire station, 277 East Second Street. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 for kids.

The event is sponsored by Oakland County, Oakland County Parks, the City of Rochester and the Downtown Development Authority.

“Today’s ruling by the liberal Ingham County Circuit Court is a Phyrric victory for the Democrats.  Ingham County Circuit Court has a long record of ruling in favor of Democrats, only to be overturned by higher courts. This matter will be settled in the Michigan Supreme Court.

“In addition, if this ruling stands on appeal, it could create a fiscal disaster for the City of Detroit. The financially struggling city is the beneficiary of numerous funding statutes that use population as a trigger. Many of these statutes had to be changed after the city’s population dropped below 750,000. The statute changes which were unique to Detroit passed with less than a two-thirds vote of the Michigan Legislature. How can the law be one thing for Democratic areas and something else for the rest of the state?”

Now in its third year, the Rochester Community House is continuing to support those in need with its Community Kitchen Dinners and is planning to make them better than ever, with the help of entertainment. The Community House is seeking live entertainment to perform at the events, which are on the third Sunday of each month.

The dinners are made possible with the help of local churches, nonprofits and other organizations. On January 15, dinner was hosted by the employees of the city of Rochester. Fire Chief John Cieslek and his family cooked a chicken dinner. Police Chief Steve Schettenhelm and his wife worked the serving line, and Lee Ann O’Connor and her daughter served and set all of the tables. DPW Director Bill Bohlen and his family assisted in the food distribution.

On February 19, the dinner will be served by The Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the less fortunate.

With the help of the local organizations, Sunday dinner is provided to many low-income families and seniors each month. To date, the Community Kitchen has served more than 2,000 diners. The kitchen also distributes bags of groceries each week to those in need through its kitchen pantry. In 2011, more than 500 bags of emergency food were distributed.

At the Community Kitchen, home cooked meals are served to diners with linen tablecloths and floral centerpieces in a banquet room at Rochester Community House. It is an enjoyable community gathering for both diners and volunteers.

To assist with the Community House efforts to support the community, the Community Kitchen is in need of nonperishable canned food items including canned meats, pastas, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, and pancake mixes. It also accepts personal hygiene items and paper products such as soaps, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet tissue.

For more information about providing entertainment at the dinners, making a reservation or having food delivered, call Rochester Community House at 248-651-0622. Visit www.rochestercommhouse.org or become a fan on Facebook. <http://www.rochestercommhouse.org>

Registration is required and open to those with a Rochester Hills Public library card. To register go to the Events Calendar at www.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900. The Rochester Hills Public Library is located in downtown Rochester two blocks east of Main Street off of University Drive on Olde Towne Road. For more information, please call 248-650-7124.

Registration is required and open to those with a Rochester Hills Public library card. To register go to the Events Calendar at www.rhpl.org or call 248-656-2900. The Rochester Hills Public Library is located in downtown Rochester two blocks east of Main Street off of University Drive on Olde Towne Road. For more information, please call 248-650-7124.