Celebrate

C CONCEPT IN ITALIAN DININGne)

a guide to sinichatis

— Detroit Free Press

"

Right: Debbie Rones and
son Brandon, 51/2, of

West Bloomfield enjoy
Tal Rubin's party.

Below: Blowing out the
candles are Ilanit Rubin

and sons Tal, 8 (the
birthday boy), and Adar

of West Bloomfield.

with 10 air cannons that fire foam
balls, a ball fountain shooting 50
balls per minute, activity tables
where kids balance balls on jets of
air, and a ball drop that tips hun-
dreds of balls every five minutes.
Rental includes a party room and
an area where adults can sit outside
the play area. "If adults go into the
play structure, they become the No.
1 target," says Ladney.
For crafty kids, dad Adam
Weingarden of Farmington Hills
added, "Wonderworks in Birmingham
is pretty cool." Owner Nancy Weed
aims to "make sure every party is
different." She meets with the family
to select a theme and choose from
a variety of projects, such as pottery,
clay, stuffed animals, mosaics, jew-
elry making and wood projects. Wonderworks staff, including Weed's three daughters,
add interactive activities and games to support the theme.
"When they go to a penguin party, they know they've been to a penguin party," says
Weed.
For a small additional fee, Weed packages the whole party to bring to another
venue or creates projects that can be done at home without Wonderworks staff.
For the birthday kid with a serious glamour jones, Sweet n' Sassy in Novi replaces
the late lamented Libby Lu which, despite being closed, got two mentions in the poll.
Manager Christine Allen quickly pointed out "there is no comparison." She cites full
salon services, including haircuts, manicures and pedicures. They have eating rooms
and, if being a perfect princess, pop star or fashion diva isn't glamorous enough, party
add-ons include rental of a pink stretch limo.
The younger set favors Build-a-Bear in Troy and Novi where kids pick an animal, stuff
it, and kiss the shiny little red heart before tucking it inside and trundling off to pick
out the furry new friend's wardrobe. Wee ones also happily head for Chuck E. Cheese
in Novi and Rochester Hills to play arcade games, climb in the play structure, feast on
pizza and dance with the venue's eponymous mouse.
For a retro feel, skating parties are in at Bonaventure in Farmington Hills. And
Facebook pollee Nomi Joyrich says that her kids have enjoyed many bowling parties at
Langan's Nor-West Lanes in Farmington Hills.
Joyrich owns Beadworks in Franklin. Like Wonderworks, she can do an in-store party
or package up a project for a home party. "It's a great way for kids to have fun while
they're learning a skill and being creative."
Older kids go for smaller, quieter home parties. Cheryl Grove says that when son
Max turned 11 he "didn't want me to plan anything." Illanit Rubin, whose son Adar is
14, says teenagers are going to the movies or an arcade, or opting for a sleepover.
Freya Gothelf of Huntington Woods celebrated her Sweet 16 with a "huge" slumber
party, where she watched the movie "Sixteen Candles" with her friends. "It was like we
were 7 years old again." Minus the cake in the carpet. 1 1

Private party room available for showers,
anniversaries and birthdays up to 80 people
Call Tony or Gail

Hours:
Mon-Thur 4-10 • Friday 11-11 • Saturday 4-11 • Sunday 4-9

Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere

33210 W. 14 Mile Road
In Simsbury Plaza
Just East of Farmington Road
West Bloomfield

(218) 538-8954

esifot

r

Celebrate your
child's birthday in style

4

Franklin Athletic Club has
1 everything you need to
have the best birthday
_
—
—
—
—
—
party ever. From party
_ —
coaches to our giant obstacle course, we can tailor the perfect
celebration for your child.

•,)

I

-Swimming -Snorkeling -Dancing -Basketball All Sports

Kosher Catering available

\

29350 Northwestern Highway Southfield, Michigan 480341248.352.8000
WWW.FRANKLINCLUB.COM
1571030

celebrate! I

March

2010

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