opening day

Definitely a sign summer is on the way: Grand Rapids' John Ball Zoo opens this weekend! And there are new animals to see!

The first official day of spring is Monday - another sure sign spring is on the way, Michigan's Soo Locks are opening up soon!

The oldest farmers market in West Michigan is celebrating a big birthday this year!

Looking for something to do this weekend? A new exhibit featuring huge sculptures made from marine debris opens this Friday, April 1 at John Ball Zoo!

It's time to strap them on and hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding! Cannonsburg Ski Area is opening to the public this today at 10 a.m.

All of you skiing and snowboarding fans will be happy to hear this! It's almost time to strap them on and hit the slopes! In fact, Cannonsburg Ski Area is opening to the public this Saturday, at 10 a.m. This will be the earliest date that Cannonsburg has ever opened for a season.

The West Michigan Whitecaps open up their 20th season Tuesday, and I'm totally stealing this from Matt Milhouse at our sister station 100.5 The River. It's a time-lapse view of the rebuilding at Fifth Third ballpark.

The grass is just a little bit greener, the hot dogs and pretzels smell just a little bit tastier and, despite what the thermometer outside may say, it always feels just a bit warmer. Welcome to Major League Baseball, which has started its 2014 season!

Not much else is like baseball opening day here in Michigan. I have a couple personal Opening Day stories, but first, I start with the late Ernie Harwell's Ode to Spring. He would always read the Song of Solomon 2:11-12 before the first Spring Training game every year. Even though it's Opening Day, it still is fitting and is part of the lore of Baseball in America.

Ernie would always read this small passage before the first spring training game, but it is just as fitting on opening day!

MLB Opening day was yesterday...Tigs lost...WhiteCaps Open next weekend...