J.J. Cardinal's Wild Bird & Nature Store
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decorating a gingerbread cookie...the next Van Gough? calendar

J.J. Cardinal's programs are fun and foster appreciation for the natural world around us. We have lots of fun learning more each day, too! Why not join us? The monthly nature walks are legendary (first Saturday each month). But don't take our word for it; former Flint Journal columnist Jack Blosser provided an unbiased review not long ago... »

Story Hour continues under the guidance of those cool J.J. Cardinal Naturalists: Louise, Avis, Bob & Joe. Programs are hosted at J.J.'s year-around; isn't it time you signed-up? Our list of upcoming events is shown below.

Left: "decorating gingerbread cookie" was a fun holiday program - one we'll be sure to schedule again in 2010! Participants decorated 2 gingerbread characters....1) a wooden holiday ornament, and 2) a yummy cookie baked by the Great Harvest Bread Company right here in Grand Blanc on Perry Road.
See more images from other JJ Cardinal Events in our Photo-Album  » »

All J.J. Cardinal programs listed below are open to the general public; many activities are free while some require a nominal fee for materials or kits. Also, J.J. Cardinal programs are available to schools, clubs, scouts and individuals. Call Louise Dawson today for more info or to schedule your special program: 810-695-8733.

date event / name program description
We have many activities planned this spring! (How cool is that?)

click here for .pdf file

Downloadable .pdf file March thru June 2010 activities & events calendar  » »
Saturday, 03/20/10 Bird Bingo! 3:30 pm A fun afternoon activity designed to teach a little bit about bird identification. For 2 to 6 players, age 6 through adult, free, and at J.J. Cardinal’s, Grand Blanc. First person to cover their whole bingo card wins a prize.
Tuesday, 03/23/10 3-D Praying Mantis baby mantis4:30 pm Assemble and learn about the body parts of a praying mantis. When participants are finished they’ll have a 10” x 10” mantids model to take home, and a free live praying mantis egg pod! This program is for children age 5 to 12, $8.95, and at J.J. Cardinal’s, Grand Blanc. 
Monday, 03/29/10 Make a Hummingbird Feeder Neeshas hummer feeder4:30 pm After a discussion about amazing hummingbird facts, we will decorate and assemble a glass, copper, and beaded window-mounted hummingbird feeder. This program is for age 5 through adult, $8.00, and at J.J. Cardinal’s, Grand Blanc.
Wednesday, 03/31/10 Design a Michigan Turtle turtle4:30 pm We will view photos and discuss Michigan’s various turtles, and then participants will paint a 3-D plaster-cast image of a turtle of their choice. This program is for age 6 through adult, $12.00, and at J.J. Cardinal’s, Grand Blanc. It is recommended that children wear a paint shirt. To make a reservation call 810-695-8733.
Saturday, 04/03/10 Earth Day Celebration at J.J. Cardinal’s Earth Day drawingAll day celebration: 10 am - 5 pm. See the canvas shopping bags decorated by the 36 students of Vickie Weiss, who submitted winning designs, Grand Blanc City School. Shopping bags will be available for only $4.97 each beginning April 5.
Monday, 04/05/10 Paint a Ceramic Bird House show off your artistic talents3:30 pm - Learn about the birds who may make this work of art a rea; "home". $9.95 
Tuesday, 04/06/10 Are You a Snail? snail4:30 pm - Listen to a charming story, and then make a snail out of a real snail’s shell to take home. $5.00.
Wednesday, 04/07/10 Make a Glass and Copper Hummingbird Feeder hummingbird4:30 pm - See a real hummingbird's nest, and simulated egg, learn interesting hummer facts, too!  $8.00.
Friday, 04/09/10 Plant an Apple Orchard grow a tree!3:30 pm - Learn all about the apple tree and then plant an orchard (four or more trees). $6.00
Saturday, 04/10/10 Free Color Day at J.J. Cardinal’s noon – 3:30 pm. We will have free coloring sheets, markers, and crayons for the kids to use, refreshments, too.
Tuesday, 04/13/10 Assemble and Decorate a Bluebird House pine bird house kit11:00 am - Build a bird house house from a kit - all pieces have been pre-cut, drilled and ready to assemble. Tools provided (screw drivers: electric and traditional). You will also learn proper house placement to ensure bluebird nesting. $19.95
Friday, 04/16/10 Make a Mantis Lodge newborn baby mantis3:30 pm - Learn all about the praying mantis, and kit includes a live mantis egg, too! (Mantis eggs contain 50 to 300 mantids. More info ») $8.00
Tuesday, 04/20/10 Design a Hiking Stick and Learn the History of Hiking make a hiking stick!4:30 pm - Craft your own hiking stick and learn more about hiking basics. $8.00
Friday, 04/23/10, Assemble and Decorate a Wood Fruit Feeder for Birds pride in workmanship3:45 pm - Learn about the birds who will be attracted to the feeder. $8.95
Monday, 04/26/10 Assemble and Decorate a Wooden Fly-through Bird Feeder it's a fun kit to assemble!4:45 pm, . Learn all about the species of birds that will visit the new feeder. Price includes a bag of J.J.'s Best Mix bird seed blend. $14.00
Wednesday, 04/28/10 The Life and Times of Corn and Make a Corn Cob Critter Feeder holds a cob of corn4:45 pm - Participants will be introduced to the many species of ground and tree squirrels that call Michigan home. $3.00
Monday, 05/03/10 Make a Hummingbird Feeder 4:30 pm Create a beautiful window-mounted hummingbird feeder out of copper, glass and a variety of materials. See a real hummingbird’s nest, and learn neat hummingbird facts. Age 6 through adult, $8.00
Wednesday, 05/05/10 The Baltimore Oriole 4:30 pm A special program completely devoted to the Baltimore oriole. Learn how to attract this colorful summer visitor, and how to provide nesting opportunities for them. All ages, and free.
Friday, 05/07/10 Make an Oriole Feeder oriole4:30 pm Decorate and assemble a solid cedar feeder that will hold fruit for fruit-eating birds including the Baltimore oriole. Age five through adult, and $8.95.
Tuesday, 05/11/10 The Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4:30 pm A special program completely devoted to the ruby-throated hummingbird. Learn how to attract this colorful summer visitor, and how to provide nesting opportunities for them. All ages, and free.
Friday, 05/14/10 Make a Hummingbird Feeder hummingbird sketch by Louise4:30 pm Create a beautiful window-mounted hummingbird feeder out of copper, glass and a variety of materials. See a real hummingbird’s nest, and learn neat hummingbird facts. Age 6 through adult, and $8.00.
Monday, 05/17/10 Intro to Summer Songbirds 4:30 pm Discussion and introduction to the birds that migrate into our area or nest in our area in summer. All ages, and free.
Wednesday, 05/19/10 That Opossum Has a Pouch! 2:00 pm Hear a charming story featuring an opossum, and then make a pouch to carry little things in. Age 5 and up, and $4.00.
Monday, 05/24/10 Make a Nature Journal it's MY Journal4:30 pm We will discuss nature journaling, and how to record sighting, and other observations. Learn how to bind a book, and sew a “signature.” Age 8 through adult, and $10.00.
Wednesday, 05/26/10 Young Children’s Story Hour 2:00 pm - Featured book: See How they Grow Fox  - We will share a sweet story about baby fox, and then the children will make a fox craft. Age three and up, and $3.00.
Monday, 05/31/10 Make a Copper Wind Chime 3:30 pm J.J. Cardinal Naturalist, Avis Bowen, will lead participants through the steps to create a beautiful four-pipe wind chime. Class fee includes all materials to complete the project. Please bring a pair of wire-cutting needle-nosed pliers. Age 8 through adult, and $25.00.
Friday, June 4, Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly monarch4:00 pm Learn all about the monarch butterfly during this one hour presentation. All ages, and free.
Friday, 06/04/10 Story Hour (it's a book)4:30 pm - Featuring the Monarch Butterfly - Learn neat monarch butterfly facts, and then make a monarch butterfly finger puppet. Age 4 and up, and $2.00.
Monday, 06/07/10 Bird Seed Symposium 6:30 – 8:00 pm Have you ever wondered why some birds favor certain grains, or which bird feeder would be better for a particular species? Have you ever wondered which birds eat seed or how seed is processed for bird feeding? Find out the answers to these questions and a whole gaggle of other interesting information during this multi-format program. All ages, and free.
Friday, 06/11/10 Make a Natural Twig Photo Frame bundle of twiggs - just imagine what we can do with 'em!3:00 pm - If you like a natural look in furnishings, this project is for you. We will use a variety of materials including pine needles, twigs, sticks, pine cones, and more to create a beautiful photo frame. Age 8 through adult, and $6.00.
Monday, 06/14/10 Butterfly Mobile 2:30 pm Participants will be introduced to five butterflies found in our area, and then after cutting out and decorating images of these butterflies, we will assemble them into a decorative mobile. Age 8 through adult, and $6.00.
Wednesday, 06/16/10 Fly-through Bird Feeder U-Build.......Birds Loves4:00 pm Decorate and assemble a solid wood bird feeder and learn about the species of birds that will visit the feeder. Age 5 through adult, includes bird seed, and is $14.00.
Saturday, 06/19/10 Rock Painting 101 paint the rock!2:30 pm Learn how to paint permanent images on rocks. Make a memorial marker, memory stone, or an animal of your choice. Age 5 through adult, and $5.00. Please bring a paint shirt.
Tuesday, 06/22/10 Build a Multi-species Nest Box 4:00 pm Decorate and assemble a solid pine nesting box suitable for seven different species of birds while learning facts about nesting birds. Age 8 through adult, and $19.95.
Thursday, 06/24/10 Michigan’s Snakes 3:30 pm J.J. Cardinal Naturalist, Bob Worley, will discuss the many different species of Michigan’s snakes, show his own pet snake, and then lead the group as they make their own 3-D snake out of clay to take home. Age 5 through adult, and $5.00. Please bring a paint shirt.
Friday, 06/25/10 Hand Polishing Petoskey Stones many moons ago Jack Clark used to help out with our petoskey stone polishing "classes"4:30 pm Hear interesting information about Michigan’s state stone, the Petoskey stone, and then hand-polish a Petoskey stone slab to take home. Age 5 through adult, and $6.00.
Monday, 06/28/10 Spiders of the North Woods 2:30 pm Learn how spiders are an important part of our ecosystem, just what a spider is, their anatomy, about spider silk and other interesting facts. Make a 3-D spider to take home and see a live desert spider owned by J.J. Cardinal Naturalist, Joseph Volker. For age 5 through adult, and $5.00.
Wednesday, 06/30/10 Make a Flower Press flowers: already pressed4:30 pm Decorate and assemble a flower press to be used for future pressing projects. Make a craft out of pressed dried flowers. For age 8 through adult and $10.00.
Friday, 07/02/10 Cute Little Squirrel Feeder yep, you can make one of these feeders!4:30 pm Decorate and assemble a wooden feeder for offering cob corn to squirrels and other wildlife. Age 5 and up, and $6.95.
great customer quote: "the information and products your store has to offer, over the years, has made it easier for me to raise my three children."
call us to schedule You too can build one: Bird houses, bird feeders, bird calls, bug domes, squirrel feeders, nature journals, and more... you can make a handsome & functional birdhouse like this! call for a reservation today.We conduct building programs for groups of six or more, clubs, even birthday parties. Had your fill of the Chuck-e-Cheeze madness? Is the rent-a-clown already booked for the summer? Perhaps it's time for something unique, memorable & different. Our "U-Build" programs can be customized for your needs, budget, time, age of participants, and skill level ("works well with hands").

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Contact Info: we're pleased that our programs are so popular! It's wise to make reservations early - 810-695-8733.

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J.J. Cardinal's Wild Bird & Nature Store ®
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12830 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, MI  48439   810-695-8733
updated 03/19/10 illustrations, text & fun © J.J. Cardinal's 1992-2010
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