West Shore Art League's
Gallery Tour
August 25

Nanci Knoper's paintings, including "Here's Looking at You Kid," is just one of the many original works by local and regional artists you can find at galleries in downtown Ludington.

On August 25, the Artists' Market, Maude's Garage, The Red Door, and Todd and Brad Reed Photography will be open from 7-9 pm for an annual gallery stroll sponsored by the West Shore Art League. At each of these galleries you'll get a taste of the rich local art scene from ceramics to fiber to furniture to photography to painting and more. Passports will be available at the participating galleries for a chance to win a gift certificate.

Return of the Windows' Project
The facade of the Bowling Alley block of Ludington Avenue will soon be adorned with painted "windows," in a new installation of the Windows' project.

As the congregation of the United Methodist Church of Ludington finalizes plans to move into its new facility on Bryant Road, the Ludington Area Arts Council (LAAC) is looking forward to transforming the historic downtown church into the area's first Center for the Arts.

LAAC board members thought now would be a great time to acknowledge all the people and businesses which have made in-kind and financial commitments to creating the center. And, what better place than the site of the Windows' project, which the arts council mounted for the past two summers.

This new installation of the Windows' project will look quite different from the last two iterations. This one will celebrate the artistic expression of nearly one hundred children who have painting tiles and the project will celebrate the community's commitment to the Center for the Arts through large panels with the names of everyone who has contributed to the project.

Look for the new Windows' project to be up in just a few weeks.

The Mason County District Library, in Ludington's Catch the Reading Bug program, continues with a special interactive music show from Harpbeat on August 11 at 1:00 pm. Donna Novack, a University of Michigan School of Music graduate, is the force behind Harpbeat. Celebrate world music past and present with plenty of singing, dancing, and music-making for children and families of all ages.

And, this month, kids have multiple opportunities to learn more about Native American Culture.

Native American storyteller, Teursi, (in historic costume) shares Native American tales and traditions at the Mason County District Library in Ludington. See him on August 6 at 7:00 pm and August 13 at 1:00 pm.

And on August 21, Sandcastles' Childrens Museum features Native American dancing, storytelling, and artifacts as part of their "Thrilling Thursdays' program. On August 28, kids can learn about Bats of the World with different species of live bats.

On Wednesdays, the museum is open late until 7:30 p.m. so that parents can do special activities with their kids after work.

Sandcastles closes for the season at the end of August. The library offers activities for children year-round. Go to their website for specific programs and registration requirements.

Smiling Lotus Yoga offers all levels of Anasara-inspired yoga. Call 852-0849 for information and to register.

August 12 - new classes starting in Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement. Energetic Bodywork Studio, 121 E. Ludington Ave., 510-5800.

Bikini Bootcamp (yes really!) is underway along with other Pilates' classes at Cynthia Lang Pilates. 233-7704.

Ludington Fitness offers classes seven days a week in step aerobics, zumba, cardio kickboxing. Ask about their swing dance classes & personal training. 845-7194 or 690-3188.

Answer: the number of plastic bags saved over our lifetime if one in five people used cloth bags instead of plastic. Okay this is a huge savings but so what? Well, recycling the 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags consumed worldwide each year costs far more than just making new ones. That means that most of the bags get dumped in landfills and the ocean. And, plastic bags are made from petroleum-based products, so that means more oil consumption. So, remember to take a cloth bag or two with you for your next trip to the grocery store.

This monthly green tip is broght to you by our local environmental group AFFEW -- A Few Friends of the Earth and the World.

Ludington is a Designated
Preserve America City

One more left!
August 8 from 6:30-9:00

If you want a reason to wear a non-stop smile and find fun for all ages, Friday Night Live delivers.

With food, live music on three stages, inflatables, other activities and crafts for kids, and more, Ludington Avenue from Harrison to Robert becomes one big block party.

Now in its fourth year, Friday Night Live just keeps getting bigger and better. New this year is the Baby Badger flotilla of miniature "boats" which has kids lining up to ride. And, who's driving the "boat?" Well, it might be our mayor, John Henderson; city manager, John Shay; or fire chief Jerry Funk. Hey these guys love Friday Night Live -- what can we tell you!

If your kids miss the Baby Badger at Friday Night Live, it will be taking kids for a ride at Movies in the Park on August 14 (see "Notable and Not to Miss" below).

Yes, there really is a Gordy behind the local skateboard mecca of the same name. Gordy Gesswein and his wife, Robin, started the business way back in 1992 as a way to work from home and spend more time with their kids.

Gordy was a hockey coach, so he and Robin started selling ice hockey equipment, as well as operating a t-shirt printing business. They soon moved into a retail location and into selling skateboarding equipment and clothing.

Today, you'll find skateboards, in-line skates, wheels, apparel, and just about everything else a skateboarder, skater or someone young or hip enough to wear board shorts might want. And, they still do lots of printing, with their own Gordy's logo a big seller on t-shirts and sweatshirts.

While you'll only find Gordy's in Ludington, their internet presence is worldwide with their busy online store,

Spend a little time in Gordy's and you'll soon be familiar with the relative merits of brands like DC, Etnies, Roxy, and Hurley.

109 W. Ludington Ave. 845-9100

August 7
FREE Movies in the Park: Barnyard
Dusk at Ludington City Park; plus pony rides for the kids -- get there early (about 8:00 pm) to make sure they get a ride. Gail (843-9460)

August 9
Outdoor Antiques Market
at Cole's Antiques Villa on Ludington Avenue, from 9 am until the evening
Lots of good stuff at blow-out prices. Sally (845-7414)

August 9 & 10
Gold Coast Arts & Crafts Fair
Ludington City Park, 10-6

NOTE - New Date - August 13
The 5th annual C. Howard Hornung Memorial Concert, has been rescheduled from August 6 due to bad weather. 7:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Band Shell in Ludington City Park. Free-will donations benefit scholarships for area students.

August 14
FREE Movies in the Park: Bee Movie
Dusk at Ludington City Park; plus Baby Badger ride for the kids starting about 8:00 pm. Gail (843-9460)

August 15
Scratch & Dent Sale
At the Carrom Company from 9-3, 218 E. Dowland St. 800-223-6047

August 21
FREE Movies in the Park: Ratatouille
Dusk at Ludington City Park; plus contest for the best decorated apron. Sponsored by the West Michigan Regional Cancer and Blood Center. Gail (843-9460)

August 28
FREE Movies in the Park: Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End
Dusk at Ludington City Park; plus Pirate Ship and best-dressed pirate contest. Gail (843-9460)

And, the rest of the story
of downtown Ludington
and beyond...

---

My Town - Joe asks King of Clippers whether there is really a river running underneath downtown Ludington.

Love, Marie - Marfia Big Book of Baked Bean Recipes and other tales from family reunions gone by.

Long-Story-Short - An interview with Ryan Spencer Reed about his photographs of the Sudan.

September 1
Last day of double sailings for the S.S. Badger. 800-841-4243.

September 6
Just Imagine Shore Cruise
Evening cruise on the Badger with food, entertainment and more to benefit the
the new Children's Library and Activity Center at the Ludington Library.

September 13
Annual Bike Night
Time for another block party -- this one for anyone who owns a motorcycle or just likes to look at them. South James will be a giant parking lot of beautiful bikes from all over. And, there'll be music, food, vendors, and plenty of time to gawk, walk, and talk.

September 14
Mason County Garden Club's Perennial Plant Sale - 12:30 PM
Leveaux Park, Ludington
Open to the community. (231) 757-2565 (Suzanne)