“Staycation” Savings in West Michigan

With the price of gas on the rise, more West Michigan travelers are going to be looking for deals, discounts and special savings this summer.  If you’re planning a “staycation” in West Michigan….check out gas travel incentives at www.wmta.org.

Catch the Reading Bug!

The 2008 Summer Reading Club is in full swing at your local library!  Sign your kids up for the amazing, FREE program and keep them reading all summer long!  Ask your librarian how your children can be registered to win passes to Berlin Raceway, Meijer Gift Cards, overnight stays at Avalanche Bay and the Grand Prize, a trip for FOUR to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! 

For tips on ways to get your kids reading this summer, check out the website below.

http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer

‘Where You Live’ - June 7, 2008

Maranda takes a walk on the wild side, when she visits John Ball Zoo!

John Ball Zoo Lion’s Exhibit

On June 14 The Lions of Lake Manyara exhibit opens at the John Ball Zoo.  Here are some fun facts about the one-of-a-kind exhibit.

  • The exhibit features three lions, one male and two females, that came from California zoos.
  • The females eat up to 7 pounds of meat a day and the male up to 11 pounds.
  • The females each weigh around 240 pounds and the male currently weighs 420 pounds.
  • The exhibit sits on one-third acres that were modeled after the African area of Tanzania.

Read all »

Teaching Your Kids Pet Responsibility

Pets are great companions, but many families don’t realize how much work they can be.  Here are some programs at area humane societies that offer programs teaching animal care and responsible pet ownership.

Humane Society of Kent County – Grand Rapids
www.hskc.org
616-453-8900
The Humane Society of Kent County offers summer camps for various ages that teach kids about various animals and their needs.  They also have a career camp for older kids that focuses on animal related careers.

Harbor Humane Society – West Olive
www.harborhumane.org
616-399-2119
Offers several programs that connect kids with animals including a Kritter Kamp.

Kalamazoo County Humane Society
www.kazoohumane.org
269-345-1181
They have educational presentations on pet responsibility, safety, bite prevention and more.

Making the Zoo Fun and Educational

A trip to the John Ball Zoo can be both a fun and educational experience for your children.  The John Ball Zoo’s website features great educational tips as well as games that you can play with your kids while visiting the zoo.  Click on the link below to connect with some great resources for your next zoo visit.

http://www.johnballzoosociety.org/education-resources.php 

Jake the Fire Dog

This week’s show featured “Jake the Fire Dog,” a black lab that works with ESCAPE to teach kids fire safety.  Jake visits classrooms around the country teaching kids the steps to take in case a fire breaks out in their home.

You can catch Jake in action this summer at Maranda’s Park Parties.  ESCAPE will have their smoke trailer at all six of the parties and will be doing demonstrations with Jake.  For more information visit their website at www.escapeinc.org.

 

‘Where You Live’ - May 31, 2008

Maranda talks about safe teen driving on this week’s Where You Live.

10 Common Behaviors of Teen Drivers

1.  Bad Habits.  Does mom or dad have a driving habit that drives you nuts?  Well, check yourself.  New drivers often pick up good and bad habits from their parents.

2.  Following too closely.  Is that guy tailgating you?  Chances are it’s another teen driver.

3.  Speeding.  You may have keener hand-eye coordination and better reflexes than your parents, but inexperiences on the road makes speeding your quickest route to a crash.

4.  Safety belts.  If you think wearing a safety belt makes you look uncool, think again.  Wouldn’t you rather be wearing a seat belt than a body cast?

5.  Driving while impaired.  Drinking and driving don’t ever mix.  Impaired performance and inexperience makes for a deadly combination.

Read all »

Choosing a Safe Car for Your Teen

When teens are ready to purchase their first car, it can be easy to get caught up in image vs. safety.  Often times teens want something fast, powerful and shiny, but the number one feature to look for is safety.  Here are some things to remember when shopping for that first car.

  • Consider purchasing a late-model car.  While an older car may seem bigger and safer, a newer sedan is going to have better and up-to-date safety features.
  • Don’t think too small or too big.  While small cars are cute and save on gas, they can also be harder to see on the road and offer less crash protection.  While large SUVs or trucks may be attractive, they are often less stable and more likely to roll over due to a high center of gravity. 
  • Sports cars may be fast, but they can raise your insurance premiums.
  • Check the reliability and cost of ownership on any vehicle you’re considering.
  • Make sure to look into crash test data.
  • If you are buying a used car, check out the car’s history and also schedule an inspection on the car to make sure everything is in good condition.
  • Look for a vehicle with a warranty or purchase an extended warranty if possible.