The Calendar - Recreational Activities

This Week's Events

Recreational Activities
Despite Ann Arbor's "four seasons a day" weather, its numerous parks and sports venues provide ample opportunity to work up a sweat, or just get out and about. The Calendar covers them all.

Highlights this week:

"6th Annual Rutka 5K": Ann Arbor Track Club.

Chime Concert: Kerrytown Shops.

Lyn Yarows Memorial Run/Walk 5K: Dexter Cross Country Teams.

Monday
July, 2008

8 a.m.
"Back Roads Ramble": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Slow-paced ride, 12-35 miles, along dirt and gravel roads to Independence Lake and other low-traffic destinations. meet at 960 Forest Rd. (off Country Club Dr.), Barton Hills. Free. 761-2885, 663-5060.

9 a.m.
"Monday Chelsea Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 35-45 or 55-65 miles, to either the Munith or Stockbridge area. meet at Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1175 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. (517) 285-6830.

6 p.m.
"Paved Roads Country Roads Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Fast-, moderate-, and slow-paced training ride, 18-24 miles, along country roads west of town. meet at Royster Clark, 885 Parker Rd. at Pine Cross Lane (just south of Jackson Rd.), Scio Twp. Free. 426-5116.

6:30 p.m.-dark.
Volleyball: Parents Without Partners. Every Monday. All single parents invited for casual games of volleyball. Buhr Park, 2751 Packard Rd. Free. 973-1933.

7 p.m.-dark.
"Volleyball in the Park": Ann Arbor Ski Club. Every Monday. All adults age 21 & older invited to join a volleyball game. All skill levels welcome. Postgame socializing at CUBS' AC. Burns Park (just east of the picnic pavilion), corner of Wells & Baldwin. Free. 973-2136.

7 p.m.
"The Civilized Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Monday. Slow-paced ride, 12-18 miles, to Dexter, with a possible stop for ice cream. sharp, Wellington Park, Alice at Bruce St. (off Arborview from Miller). Free. 213-2908.

Tuesday
July, 2008

11 a.m.-4 p.m.
"Claymation Puppets": Ann Arbor District Library. Clay animator Brad Pattullo, who has worked on The PJs, Celebrity Deathmatch, and other TV series, helps teens in grades 6-12 make a fully realized stop-motion puppet suitable for animation or display. On July 23 Pattullo helps participants take their puppets through the painstaking process of stop-motion animation. AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. at Williams. Free. Preregistration required. 327-8301.

4-7 p.m.
"Oak Openings Stewardship Day": Wild Ones. All invited to help plant native species and weed out invasive plants from this savanna in the Arb. Preceded by a talk on the history of Oak Openings by a naturalist TBA. Bring a cushion or stool to sit on, gloves, and tools if you have them. Refreshments. U-M Nichols Arboretum, meet at the Reader Center. Free. 662-9997.

6 p.m.
"Big Sky Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Tuesday. Moderate-paced ride, 20-35 miles, along flat, relatively quiet picturesque roads south of Ann Arbor. meet at York Baptist Church, 1220 Stony Creek Rd. at Platt. Free. 971-5763.

6 p.m.
"Huron River Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Tuesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 18-40 miles, to Dexter and back. meet at Forsythe Middle School, 1655 Newport Rd. Free. 662-0205.

6:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor Front Runners.:Every Tuesday & Thursday. Gay, lesbian, and straight runners invited to choose a distance of 3-5 miles to run with Front Runners members. meet at Furstenberg Park, off Fuller Rd. across from Huron High School. Free. 741-1763.

7-9:30 p.m.
English Country Dancing: Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance. Every Tuesday . Historical and traditional English dancing. Today: caller Arlene Kindel and others with music by Childgrove. Also this month: callers Bronwen Gates and Meisner with music by the Scalar Scalawags (July 29). All dances taught. No partner or experience needed. Dress comfortably and bring flat, nonslip shoes (running shoes OK). Chapel Hill Condominium clubhouse, 3350 Green Rd. $7 (students, $4; children age 13 & under, free). 665-7704.

Wednesday
July, 2008

Noon-12:30 p.m.
Chime Concert: Kerrytown Shops. Every Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday. All invited to play one of 100 songs, with melodies transcribed in numbers, on the 17-bell tower's numbered keys. Ambitious players can add chords. Local chimemaster Heather O'Neal demonstrates. Kerrytown. Free. 369-3107.

6 p.m.
"Saline Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Wednesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 30 miles or more, south to Milan and then west to the area around Britton-Macon. meet at municipal parking lot on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. south of Michigan Ave., Saline. Free. 645-5840.

6 p.m.
"West Side Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Wednesday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 22-25 miles, and a slow-paced ride, 13-18 miles, to the Dexter Dairy Queen and back. Now in its 31st year, this ride is a favorite with newcomers and casual riders. sharp, meet at Sweepster parking lot, 2800 N. Zeeb Rd. Free. 426-5116 (longer ride), 665-4552 & 761-2659 (shorter ride).

9:30-11 p.m.
Wednesdays @ Michigan Union: Swing Ann Arbor. Every Wednesday. Swing dancing to prerecorded music. No partner needed. Bring casual or nicer shoes that stay on your feet when you're active. Preceded by beginning Lindy (6:30 p.m.), intermediate swing (7 p.m.), progressive Lindy hop (8 p.m.), and beginner East Coast (9 p.m.) lessons. Michigan Union Pendleton Room (occasionally Ballroom or U-Club). $5 (includes lessons). 945-8428.

Thursday
July, 2008

9 a.m.
"Jackson County Brunch Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Moderate-paced ride, 25-50 miles, along the less traveled roads of scenic Jackson County. meet at Cavanaugh Lake Park, Cavanaugh Lake Rd., Waterloo Recreation Area, 3.2 miles west of Chelsea. Free. 994-5908.

10:30-11:30 a.m.
"Nature Fun Thursdays: Wading the Creek": Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalist Faye Stoner leads a walk along and in Fleming Creek to learn about the plants and animals that live there. Some nets available, or bring your own. Closed-toe shoes or boots required. Parker Mill County Park, Geddes Rd. (just east of US-23). Free. Preregistration required. 971-6337.

6 p.m.
"Chelsea Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Slow/moderate-paced ride, 20-30 miles, to either Dexter, Grass Lake, Munith, Stockbridge, or the Waterloo Recreation Area. meet at the north side of Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1178 S. Main, Chelsea. Free. (517) 285-6830.

6:45 p.m.
"Thursday Evening Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Thursday. Fast/moderate-paced 25-mile ride around northeast Ann Arbor that includes some good chances to improve your climbing skills. meet at the Fuller Pool parking lot, Fuller Rd. Free. 996-9122.

7 p.m.
"Frank Lloyd Wright Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society . Every Thursday . Slow-paced 15-mile ride on mountain or wide-tired road bikes over the lightly traveled, hard dirt roads behind Domino's Farms. meet at 2722 Georgetown Blvd. (north off Plymouth Rd.). Free. 995-5017, 663-5060.

7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tartan & Thistle Scottish Country Dancers.:Every Thursday. Instruction for intermediate-level dancers in a wide range of traditional and contemporary Scottish dances, followed by social dancing. Soft-soled shoes recommended. Refreshments. location TBA. $5. 769-4324, 426-0241.

Friday
July, 2008

9 a.m.
"Huron River Bike Trail Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Friday. Slow-paced ride, 13 miles or more, along the Huron River from Bandemer Park to Parker Mill, along with some alternate routes. meet at Gallup Park Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Free. 663-4498.

5:30 p.m.
Last Friday Ride: Ann Arbor Critical Mass. Join members of this local group that promotes bikes for urban commuting for a leisurely round-trip downtown ride sprinkled with a few fervent probike chants. corner of North University & State. Free. 769-9136.

7:30 p.m.
"Kirtan": Ann Arbor Kirtan. All invited to join a group performance of this traditional devotional call-and-response music based on Hindu Vaishnava texts such as the Srimad Bhagavatam, on Shavite, Tantric, and Bhakti traditions, and on the writings of poet/saints such as Kabir, Tulsidas, and Mirabai. Accompanied by live music based on rhythmic Indian ragas on bass guitar, tabla, and drums. Friends Meetinghouse, 1420 Hill St. Free, but donations accepted. 761-7435.

8:45-11:45 p.m.
Friday Night Swing: Ann Arbor Swing Dance Association. July 11 & 25. Swing dancing to prerecorded music. No partner needed. Bring hard-soled shoes. Preceded at 8 p.m. by beginning lessons. Dakota Building, 1785 W. Stadium. $5 (includes lessons; students, $3). 972-9141.

Saturday
July, 2008

6:21 a.m.
"Sunrise Saturday Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday. Very slow-paced 22-mile ride to Dexter for breakfast. Begins at sunrise. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 665-6327, 913-9851.

8 a.m.
"Dexter Breakfast Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Every Saturday except July 12. Beginner-friendly slow-paced (22 miles) and moderate/fast-paced (30 to 80 miles) round-trip rides to the Dexter Bakery. A very popular ride. Also, after the bakery stop, a fast/moderate-paced swim extension ride (40 to 60 miles) continues to Silver Lake for a swim. Note: Riders should be prepared to take care of themselves on all AABTS rides. Carry a water bottle, a spare tire or tube, a pump, a cell phone or change for a phone call, and snacks. Note: July 12 is the popular annual AABTS "One Helluva Ride" (see listing). meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St., or at Barton Park, Huron River Dr. Free. For information, call 996-9461 (July 5), 646-4978 (July 19), 971-3610 (July 26).

9 a.m. (registration begins at 7:30 a.m.).
Lyn Yarows Memorial Run/Walk 5K: Dexter Cross Country Teams. Athletes of all abilities invited to join a 5-km trail run/walk. Also, 1-mile kids trail run (8:30 a.m.) and a free 200-meter dash (10 a.m.) for kids age 6 & under. Awards to male and female overall and master's winners and awards 5 deep to age 14 & under, ages 15-19, and 10-year age groups age 20 & older. Kids 1-mile run awards to top male and female by grade. Refreshments, entertainment TBA, and giveaways. T-shirt to all preregistered runners. Proceeds go toward a memorial at Hudson Mills and a charity chosen by the Yarows family. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. Registration $25 ($20 by July 19). Vehicle entrance fees: $4/day, $20/year ($12 for seniors age 62 & over). 474-0584.

9 a.m.
"T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the Cube.":Every Saturday & Sunday. Local t'ai chi instructor Chad Eisner leads a session of these slow meditative movements for beginning and advanced practitioners. U-M Cube, between the Union and the SAB. Free. 761-5204.

Noon.
Draw Doubles: Local 101 Disc Golf Club. Every Saturday. All invited to play disc golf at one of Hudson Mills Metropark's 24-hole disc golf courses. Disc golf is a popular sport played with a Frisbee-like disc; the goal is to land the disc in a "pole hole" in the fewest shots. In draw doubles play, beginners are paired with advanced players to create parity. Prizes. Golf discs available free from the Hudson Mills Metropark office. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Rd. (between Dexter-Pinckney Rd. & Huron River Dr.), Dexter. $5 per player; free for spectators. Vehicle entrance fees: $4/day, $20/year ($12 for seniors age 62 & over). 449-4300.

4th Saturday Contra Dance: Ann Arbor Council for Traditional Music and Dance. John Freeman and Ed Vincent call contras to music by Picks & Sticks. No partner needed. All dances taught. Beginner lessons at 7:40 p.m. Wear cool, casual clothes and bring flat, smooth-soled shoes for dancing. 8 p.m., Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. (1'da2 mile south of I-94). $9 (AACTMAD members, $8; students, $5). 730-6919.

Ultimate Frisbee: Ann Arbor Ultimate. Every Saturday (tentatively). All invited to join a pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly aggressive players are politely asked to leave. 2:30 p.m., Fuller Field. Free. info@a2ultimate.org">info@a2ultimate.org info@a2ultimate.org">info@a2ultimate.org

Volunteer Stewardship Workday: Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation. July 12, 19, & 26 (different locations). All invited to help city Natural Area Preservation staff maintain the natural areas in various city parks. Wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Followed by short nature walks. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian or obtain a release form in advance. Today: trips to the Bluffs Nature Area to help remove invasive herbaceous plants and to the Furstenberg Native Plant Garden to help spruce it up. 9 a.m.-noon, meet in front of the Bluffs Nature Area park steward's house on 236 Sunset or meet in the Furstenberg parking lot off Fuller Rd. across from Huron High School. Free. 996-3266.

8:30-10 p.m.
"Firefly Celebration!": Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalist Faye Stoner leads a hike to look for these twinkling green insects. Rolling Hills County Park pond, 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti Twp. (Take US-23 south to the Willis Rd. exit, go east, then north on Stony Creek.) Free. $5 vehicle entry fee. Preregistration required. 971-6337.

Sunday
July, 2008

8:30 a.m.
"A2Sunday Runners": Two Dogs Running. Every Sunday. All invited to join informal runs of 5-7 miles along various scenic routes. meet at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Kerrytown. Free. 657-0214.

9 a.m. (registration begins at 7:45 a.m.).
"6th Annual Rutka 5K": Ann Arbor Track Club. 5-km run and 3-mile walk in Gallup Park. Also, a 100-yard kids dash and a free 50-yard "Jason's run/walk" for people with cerebral palsy. Awards to top 3 male and female overall winners and to winners in various 5-year age divisions. Participants in the Jason's run/walk receive ceramic plaques. Postrace refreshments. Proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Detroit. Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Rd. (west side of Huron Pkwy.). Parking in the Huron High School parking lot. Run & walk: $20 (run) & $18 (walk) in advance at runlikemike.org, $30 (run) & $25 (walk) day of race. Kids run: $5 day of run only. 369-2492.

9 a.m.
"Adrian Mural Ride": Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Fast-paced 90-mile ride to Adrian for brunch, along with a chance to view 4 Mexican-flavored murals on the route home. Also, moderate-paced 60-mile and slow-paced 35-mile rides to the same destination leave at 9 a.m. from the municipal parking lot in Saline on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., just south of US-12, and at 10 a.m. from the city lot in Clinton on US-12 1 block off Clinton Road. meet at Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 971-3610 (90-mile ride), 663-5060 (60-mile ride), 434-3097 (35-mile ride).

10 a.m.-noon.
"Around the Buttonbush Pond": Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. WCPARC naturalist Faye Stoner leads a hike to look at plants and animals in and around the water. Independence Lake County Park, 3200 Jennings (north off North Territorial), Webster Twp. Free. $5 vehicle entry fee. 971-6337.

10:15 a.m.
Ultimate Frisbee: H.A.C. Ultimate. Every Sunday. All invited to a very relaxed pickup game of this spirited team sport played with a flying disc. Note: Overly competitive players are politely asked to leave. Mitchell Field. Free. 846-9418.

2-5 p.m.
"Read a River by Measuring and Mapping Critical Features": Huron River Watershed Council. All invited to learn about professional river reading and help assess and record the physical conditions of a stream. meet at the NEW Center, 1100 N. Main. Free. Preregistration required by July 22. 769-5123, ext. 11.

3 p.m.
Ann Arbor-Motown Hash House Harriers.:Every Sunday & occasional Saturdays. The local chapter of an unorthodox running club for people who like to make a game of running. Each runner's task is to follow a trail designed to be confusing. The usual result is that the lead (i.e., fastest) runners run the longest distance, so that runners of varying abilities complete the course in nearly the same time. Each run includes at least one pit stop (with beer & pop hidden along the way) and is followed by a trip to a nearby restaurant. location TBA. Free. Weekly locations available at a2h3.org.

6-8 p.m.
Ann Arbor Morris Dancers.:Every Sunday . All invited to try this boisterous, jingly English ceremonial dance said to have originated a millennium ago as a pantomime of war between Moors and Crusaders. Wear athletic shoes. location TBA. In case of rain, under the Dental School overhang, 1011 North University. Free. 747-8138.

8-10 p.m.
U-M Ballroom Dancers.:Every Sunday. Ballroom dancing to recorded music, including fox-trots, waltzes, cha-chas, rumbas, tangos, swing, and more. No partner necessary. Preceded at 7 p.m. by beginning lessons and practice. Michigan League Ballroom. $3. 763-6984.

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