Escape from the cold and surround yourself with hundreds of tropical orchids in the Grand Room. Members from Grand Valley Orchid Society will answer your questions and point out some of the most unique orchids. Attend free talks on growing orchids presented by Orchid Society members.

www.meijergardens.org

Start with an 8 am run, winding down with 9 am yoga.

The running course can go anywhere from 1 to 7 miles, giving you the freedom to shorten or lengthen the course based on your training routine. Post run, you are invited to meet up with participants to stretch and cool down (or warm down, it’s winter!) with yoga.

Suggested $5 donation for the yoga class (cash only please)

For more information and to sign up, www.gazellegirlhalfmarathon.com

Real Pirates tells the story of the first authenticated pirate shipwreck in U.S. waters, Whydah. Through the diverse stories of the people who lives converged on board, you will be transformed back into time learning about the fierce storm that sank the vessel in 1717. The ship was located in 1984 off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts where it is still be excavated today. This exhibit will feature over 150 authentic artifacts including treasure, weaponry, everyday objects, and personal items.

The exhibit will go until April 2015.  For more details, visit www.grpm.org

January 23-24 Michigan’s largest hunting show returns to Grand Rapids when the Weller Auto Huntin’ Time Expo fills the DeltaPlex with everything from South Africa guided hunts and safaris to Live Birds of Prey exhibits and everything in between! Featuring over 350 booths this annual event has become one of the most popular shows in the country! Visit with guides and outfitters from around the world, enjoy wild game food demonstrations, MDNR shooting simulator and firearm training for kids, and special show pricing on a wide array of hunting gear.

The show will also feature free trophy scoring by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, a huge used hunting gun auction by Randy’s Hunting Center, awesome taxidermy displays, a huge locked antler display, QDMA Information Center and a non-stop slate of free educational seminars all weekend long!

More information and a full schedule of seminars is available online at www.huntingshows.net or by calling 616-887-7210.

Families are invited to come play, celebrate, get active, explore, build, learn, and discover.
Families Matter and this Expo will encourage family bonding time along with some moving and creative mind activities.
Moving Matters and this Expo will encourage physical activity, empowering children and families to lead better lives.
Minds Matter and Creative Play Matters, bringing basic family bonding activities full circle.

Show Hours: Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. Public Invited.

Tickets at the door: $7 for adults and $3 (children 3-15). For additional information, go to www.kidsandfamilyexpo.com.

Don’t miss family bonding activities, education and fun, not to mention a zip-line that will run through DeVos Place.

Fan of mysteries? Throw in murder and you have yourself a thrilling and suspensful night at the theatre. A group of strangers is stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm (we can relate), one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house, and the suspicions in their minds nearly wreck their perfect marriage. Others are a spinster with a curious background, an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman, traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives, when the jurist is killed (so we can rule out the jurist). Two down, and one to go. To get to the rationale of the murderer’s pattern, the policeman probes the background of everyone present, and rattles a lot of skeletons. Another famous Agatha Christie switch finish! Chalk up another superb intrigue for the foremost mystery writer of her time.

CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY? Purchase tickets and find out at www.grctmousetrap2015.blogspot.com