How to Treat Spring Fever

Whether you're a snowbird who is just returning or someone who toughed it out all winter, rest assured Spring weather is . . . not quite around the corner. But there's lots to do. Try these:

Take part in Grape Expectations on March 21 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. The evening will consist of wine-tasting, amazing food and live jazz. The wine list will feature delicate whites, full-bodied reds, Sherries and the Sparkling White Cava from Spain. To complement the wine, food will be prepared by over a dozen of the area’s finest chefs. The cost is $45 per person. To learn more or to order tickets, call 269.382.8350.

The Annex at Wings Stadium will hold a Curling Open House on March 21 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and on March 22 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Some of the best curlers in the world, including Canada’s Shorty Jenkins, will be available to teach and introduce the sport of curling. Well known for his trademark pink cowboy hat, pink jacket and pink cowboy boots, ice technician Jenkins is one of the best-known figures in the sport of curling. The cost is $10 per person per session. For more information or to sign up, call 269.345.2277 or visit Wings Stadium.

Head to Raddisson Plaza Hotel on March 25 for the Baker’s Dozen. This Annual Girl Scout Benefit is from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Thirteen areas chefs from the area’s finest restaurants will compete to create the best dessert made from Girl Scout cookies. Guests are invited to sample desserts, vote for the favorites and participate in a live and silent auction. The cost of the benefit is $35 per person or $60 for two people. For more information, call 269.343.1516.

On March 26 the Epic Bistro will host the Second Annual Millennium Showcase. The showcase highlights a meal prepared every Millennium Chef. Chef Armand of Fieldstone Grill will prepare the first appetizer. Chef Ed of Black Swan will prepare the second appetizer. Chef Encarnacion of Epic Bistro will present the salad course. Chef Eric of the Union will prepare the Entrée and Chef Trent of Martell’s will serve dessert. Each Chef will be available to visit and answer questions. To reserve your spot at Epic Bistro, call 269.342.1300.

Celebrate spring at the Spring Blast on March 29 from 1p.m – 7 p.m. at Lawson Ice Arena and Gabel Natatorium. Lawson Ice Arena will host a skating exhibition, broomball tournament and open skate session. Gabel Natatorium will host an inner tube water polo tournament, a showing of “Dive In,” the Spongebob Squarepants movie and an open swim. The cost is $5 per person for a full day of fun. Participants must pre-register for the broomball tournament by calling 269.387.3076 and for the inner tube water polo tournament by calling 269.387.2550. Lawson Ice Arena and Gabel Natatorium are located on Western Michigan University’s main campus.

The Third Annual Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival will be held on March 29 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and March 30 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The festival celebrates Kalamazoo’s legacy of stringed instrument design, manufacture and performance. The event will highlight presentations and displays from local guitar makers and craftspeople. Stringed-instrument enthusiasts and musicians of all skill levels will enjoy performances by area musicians and various instruments. This event is free to the public. For more information, call 269.373.7965 or visit the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center will host the Signs of Spring Hike on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. Guided by naturalist Kara Haas, hikers will learn to spot the first signs of spring in nature. This event is free and open to families and participants of all ages. For more information, visit the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

Attend the Flying Hunters of the Night presentation at the WK Kellogg Bird Sanctuary to learn about Michigan’s owls and what makes them successful hunters at night. The presentation is March 28 at 7 p.m. An optional nighttime hike will follow the presentation at 8:30 p.m. The program is $3 for members, $5 for non-members and $2 for children. To learn more call 269.671.2510 or visit the WK Kellogg Bird Sanctuary.

The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center will host the Spring Gardening Spectacular on March 29. The two-part program will help participants identify the plants growing on their property and will cover many aspects of gardening and landscaping. The first part of the workshop begins at 10 a.m. and will feature a presentation on trees and shrubs given by Mary Ann Menck of Mary Ann’s Michigan Trees and Shrubs. The second half of the workshop will start at 12 p.m. as Victoria Larke of Glorious Gardens discusses flowers and herbs. Both programs are free to public and are open to participants of all ages. For more information, call 269.668.2876 or visit the Wolf Lake Sate Fish Hatchery Visitor Center.