Tag Archives: Spring activities

Gonzo’s Top 5: Get tempted this weekend with sports, spring fun and Broadway

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By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

Spring Break doesn’t seem like it if you’re stuck in Grand Rapids.

If you’re like me, you’ll make the best of it, despite a few snowflakes.

In my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal, I include activities for kids, sports fans, craft beer aficionados and theater lovers. Who needs palm trees, the beach and fancy drinks by the pool?

Have a great weekend, friends.

Gonzo’s Top 5

Grand Rapids Gold wraps up its season this weekend. (Supplied)

5. Grand Rapids Sports

The Grand Rapids Griffins and the Grand Rapids Gold both have home games this weekend. The hockey team has games Friday and Saturday (April 1-2) at Van Andel Arena. Special activities include Jeff Hoggan jersey retirement, Margaritaville Night, and beach hat giveaway on Saturday. Also, the team has a home game on April 6. More info at vanandelarena.com. Also, pro basketball team the Grand Rapids Gold wraps up its season with games Friday and Saturday (April 1-2) at the DetlaPlex Arena. On Friday, fans get $2 beer, $2 hot dogs and $5 Founders Solid Gold. And it’s Real Superheroes on Saturday. One lucky fan at the game will receive a limited edition superhero jersey and an official Wilson game ball. The Children’s Foundation also presents a post-game autograph session with coaches and team members. Team posters to the first 500 fans as well. Ticket info at https://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/


4. Grand Armory Tap Takeover at Horrocks

Whether it’s a tap takeover or not, it’s always fun to hang out at Horrocks Farm Market to do some shopping, as well as dine on soup, salad, pizza and other great food. In fact, it’s a great destination any day of the week. If you stop by Friday (April 1), craft beer fans can check out Grand Armory from 4-7 p.m. at Horrocks Market Tavern in Kentwood. Some of the beers on tap include Nerd (New England IPA), Lightly Dusted (Crop Duster Light), Blueberry Watermelon (Fruited Blonde), Grapefruit Grindage (Grapefruit IPA) and their famous Fluffer Nutter (Peanut Butter Marshmallow Stout). It’s super tasty and fun. Learn more on the Facebook Event Page.

3. Craig’s Cruisers Spring Break Wristbands

It’s back! The popular unlimited action at Craig’s Cruisers is from April 1-10 with morning (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) or afternoon (4-8 p.m.) sessions at Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center in Wyoming. The unlimited attractions include: Indoor & Outdoor Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Mini-Golf, Bumper Boats, Frog Hopper, Cruiser Coaster and Ninja Course. (Weather permitting on outdoor attractions.) Fans can also experience the Trampoline Park, as well as a pizza buffet. Tickets are $35 per person, plus tax. Waivers are also required. You can order tickets online as well as get more details craigscruisers.com/specials_promotions/spring-break-wristbands/.

“Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

2. Kids activities at museums and zoo

Several of our local cultural institutions offer great activities for families.

  • Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Spring Break Bonanza includes special performances and presentations, April 1-10. Details at www.grcm.org/events.
  • The Washed Ashore Exhibit opens April 1 at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. The traveling exhibit features 16 large and colorful sculptures throughout the Zoo, all beautifully designed, giant sea life sculptures made entirely of marine debris collected from beaches. More details at jbzoo.org/washedashore.
  • Spring Break at the Public Museum, April 1-10; includes its newest exhibition, Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. These are life-size models, casts of rare fossils while interactives bring these ancient animals to life. Also, relax and recline in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium with shows about the incredible forces of our universe. It’s fun for the whole family. Learn more at www.grpm.org, including how Kent County residents receive reduced admission, including free general admission for Kent County children 17 and under.

“Ain’t Too Proud: The Story of the Temptations” is at the DeVos Performance Hall. (Photo by Mike Murphy)
  1. Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the national Broadway tour of “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations,” which has performances through Sunday at DeVos Performance Hall. I knew the songs would be great – because who doesn’t love those classic songs like “My Girl,” “I Can’t Next to You,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”? But the storyline has to pull it all together, and that’s exactly what it did. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. Asked after the show for my review, I said “Ain’t Too Proud” is “a riveting and compelling behind the scenes story about one of music’s most successful acts, told through the classic songs we know and love. It’s a must-show that features stellar voices and those signature dance moves.” I think that says it all.

In my theater podcast “By All Means, Lead the Way,” I interviewed James T. Lane, who plays Paul Williams, one of the original members of the Temptations. The Philadelphia native tells his own story of how he fell in love with dance and the theater. And why he loves this show so much.

You will, too, he added.

“For 2 ½ hours you will be entertained by some of the most extraordinary artists I have ever had the pleasure to work with in all of my 20-plus years of experience,” Lane said in the interview.

“So come, be dazzled, be delighted; feel all of the emotions of the classic 5, and all of the Temptations. Come and see ‘Ain’t too Proud – Life of the Temptations.’ You will not want to miss this.”

If you want to hear the interview in its entirety, check out my podcast here:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49281119

Presented by Broadway Grand Rapids, performances of “Ain’t Too Proud” continue through Sunday (April 3). Ticket information at broadwaygrandrapids.com.

MORE: Ain’t too proud: the story of The Temptations comes to DeVos Hall

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe Spring Break.



John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

12 tips to prep you for spring activity

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Warm up your body for better weather activities. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat


Warmer weather has a way of getting us off the couch and into more active pastimes—biking, yard work, tennis and spring cleaning.


If you’re feeling the urge to get up and get active, take a minute to prepare yourself with these tips from Jason Lazor, DO, a specialist in sports medicine and musculoskeletal injuries with the Spectrum Health Medical Group Sports Medicine.


What you learn here may help you steer clear of tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, shoulder injuries and other forms of tendonitis, which can all result from overuse.


“In the springtime, I see a lot of overuse injuries,” Dr. Lazor said. “People have deconditioned a little bit over the winter, and they jump out expecting to go and perform their sport or activity at the level they were pre-winter.”


So before you get up and go, hit pause and read an orthopedic pro’s suggestions for easing your body into spring and summer.

Dr. Lazor’s Top 12 Tips:

1. Set realistic expectations.

“If you have been more sedentary over the winter, then slowly evolve back into your sport,” Dr. Lazor said. Pushing your muscles too hard too fast isn’t worth the risk of injury.

2. Stretch and warm up.

Do this before any physical activity, whether it’s golfing or working around the house. Stretching your joints for five minutes can do a lot to prevent acute muscle or tendon injuries.


For athletes, Dr. Lazor recommends warming up with sport-specific exercises and drills rather than just, say, jogging to get the blood flowing. But he cautions against “bouncy stretching.” Keep movements slow and controlled.

3. Take a break.

Yes, take a breather when you feel muscle tightness setting in. Then do some more light stretching to loosen up before resuming the activity.

4. Stay hydrated.

This is good advice anytime, but especially when you’re engaged in sports. Dehydrated muscles and tendons are less flexible and less resilient, Dr. Lazor said.


So if you’re a coffee drinker, reduce your risk of muscle strain by drinking more water than coffee. And avoid excessive alcohol, another cause of dehydration.

5. Avoid smoking.

In addition to its other downsides, nicotine impairs the healing process for tendons and muscles.

6. Vary your activities.

To prevent muscle imbalance, you should mix it up. The shoulder, for example, has more than 20 muscles attached to it.


If you keep repeating the same overhead motion, “certain muscles will get overworked and others will decondition,” Dr. Lazor said. That throws off the shoulder’s balance, resulting in tendon damage.


Resistance training is a good way to prevent overuse injuries because it makes the muscles and tendons more resilient. Dr. Lazor emphasizes the essential part of resistance training—the slow, controlled downward motion of a biceps curl, for example, which lengthens the muscle and protects it from injury.

7. Use proper form.

When lifting and carrying heavy items, make sure your body mechanics are correct. Keep an upright position to help protect your back. And if you’re doing overhead work, use a ladder or step stool to put the work at eye level and reduce stress on the shoulders.

8. Eat well.

If you play endurance sports such as tennis, eat well so your muscles have the nutrients needed to stay healthy and heal if they become strained.


Plus, eating well makes you feel better. “If you eat junk, you are going to feel like junk,” Dr. Lazor said.

9. Use proper sports equipment and footwear.

Avoid injury by wearing shoes meant to support your particular foot anatomy.


Also, make sure to have the equipment that fits your body and experience level. For example, tennis players should use a racquet that matches your size and skill level.

10. Practice cross-training.

Keep your muscles in balance with variety. Don’t spend all of your time on one sport, Dr. Lazor said.


“You want to incorporate other sports—swimming, biking, running—because that works the muscles differently. It gives some of those muscles that are getting overused a break and works them in different ways.”

11. Build your core.

This means focusing on your abdomen, back, glutes and pelvis—because many sports injuries are related to deficits in core strength.

“I like planks for core work,” said Dr. Lazor. “When you do planks, whether it’s prone planks or side planks, you have to focus on utilizing your core—squeezing your butt cheeks together and, for both males and females, using the Kegel muscles.”

12. Stretch again at the end.

“I’m a big fan of doing your deep stretching after your activity,” Dr. Lazor said.


Again, using tennis as an example, this means stretching the shoulder, pectoral and back muscles, as well as the hamstrings and quads. Stretching after a workout, whether around the house or on the courts, will help your muscles rebound faster.


Preventing spring and summertime strains and muscle pains isn’t hard. It just takes a little patience, insight and common sense.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Celebrating spring in Michigan: 9 ways to enjoy the outdoors

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Spring has finally arrived and warm weather is soon to follow. Now that the change in seasons has made its way to Michigan, many of us are ready to go outside and enjoy the sun. If you are a senior, you may think that your days of outdoor adventures are over, but that is far from true. From heading out on the water to birdwatching to parties, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors during a Michigan spring.

1. Go fish

Fishing is a great way to get outdoors and into nature, and it’s a great activity to do with family, especially grandkids. You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment or experience to go fishing, just a few rods and some worms.


With so many lakes and rivers in Michigan, finding a nice spot should be no trouble at all. But if you are struggling to get the fish biting, local guidebooks and websites can help lead you to the best places.

2. Test out the waters

You don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the water all around Michigan. Head out with friends and charter a boat to explore the open waters. You can also go on ferry rides to get out on the water and see all the beautiful scenery of spring.


If boating isn’t your thing, a day at the beach might be in order. It’s still too cold in spring to do much swimming, but walking the shoreline or just sitting back and watching the waves can be a peaceful way to enjoy the water without having to get out on it.

3. Start a spring garden

What better way to welcome spring than with flowers! Gardening is a wonderful activity that was made for springtime. You can start a small outdoor garden, or revitalize your flower beds. If you struggle with bending down and getting up, then tall planters can bring the flowers to your level.


Even if gardening isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy some of the floral benefits of spring. You can go flower picking and enjoy some of the wildflowers that are beginning to bloom, or browse around local flower shops to see the spring selections.

4. Explore local walking trails

One of the best ways to get into nature is to go for a trail walk, and there are plenty of options for that in Michigan. There are paved paths so you don’t need to worry as much about falling, or there are more natural paths if you feel daring. Even walking on the sidewalks near you can be a great way to breathe in the fresh air of spring.

5. Take a day trip

Getting out doesn’t just have to mean going out in nature. Sometimes taking a day trip to a different town can be a great way to spend a spring day. Carpool with friends or family and find local amusements, outdoor shopping centers, festivals, crafts and art shows, or other local Michigan attractions and spend the day exploring a new area.

6. Head out for a picnic

A classic warm weather activity for a reason, picnics are a great way to spend a day enjoying the outdoors and having a delicious meal as well. Sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, salads, cheeses, and pastries are all great picnic foods. And all that food is best enjoyed with your family and friends, so invite them along as you find a nice park or meadow to picnic in.

7. Grab binoculars and go birdwatching

As the warm weather returns, so do the birds that had flown away from Michigan for the winter. Birdwatching allows you to get outside, but you don’t need to do a lot of physical activity, which is great for seniors who struggle with mobility. Many areas have local birdwatching groups or clubs for you to join and make new friends.

8. Try your hand at photography

If you want an outdoor activity that doesn’t require a lot of physical movement, but have decided that birdwatching isn’t your thing, then maybe photography is for you. You don’t need the newest camera on the market to start this hobby— even your phone camera is a good start for beginners. Spring is a perfect time to try and capture all the small changes happening outside as the days get warmer.

9. Host a get-together

Is there a better way to spend spring than with your family and friends? Hosting a get-together doesn’t have to be a huge event, but a small party where you and your loved ones spend time together and enjoy the spring weather can help everyone embrace the change in seasons. A garden party theme can get everyone in the mood for spring.


There are so many fun activities to welcome spring back to Michigan, and being elderly doesn’t have to slow you down. With all of these activities and more, there is no stop to the amazing ways you can get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather for a Michigan spring.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.