Things to Do in Westland

With the help of her husband, Chris, Crissi Ballas put her heart and soul into opening Wicks & Stones nearly a decade ago. Blossoming from a simple idea, the business grew into a gallery, jewelry and supply store, workshop, and candle emporium. Today, Wicks & Stones offers a wide variety of classes, from basic beading to stitching bracelets out of high-grade tennis balls. For gift-givers, the shop stocks 100% soy candles, a smattering of Swarovski crystals and other semi-precious stones, and displays packed with already-assembled jewelry.

Designed in 1989 by architect Harley Hodges, Pine View Golf Course sends golfers weaving through forests of towering Michigan pines, attempting a variety of shots using most of the clubs in their bags. Players choose from five sets of tees, varying the Championship course from as short as 4,101 yards from the green tees up to 6,490 from the blues. Golfers first traverse wide fairways that forgive slight errors in the front nine, then take on the back nine—known as "Rolling Pines" because of the large tree trunks that regularly roll across the course at incredible speed. Difficulty intensifies noticeably after the turn, as players must flex their par 5 prowess on the 10th and 18th holes.

Though only one body of water rests on the front nine of the Championship course, Pine View's third nine, known as "Little Pines," features water much more prominently. This relatively short par 30 test makes for a great introduction to the game, as players lob shots over ponds and streams or fit golf balls with goggles and send them to explore the depths.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 6,490 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 71.6 from the back tees
• Course slope of 126 from the back tees
• Five sets of tees per hole
• Scorecard

The baseball and softball instructors at Great Lakes Baseball Academy share their passion for America's pastime with students as they draw upon accolades that include two national minor-league titles and a high-school state softball record for strikeouts in one year. Inside the year-round, 5,000-square-foot facility, coaches with experience at the major, minor, and high-school levels enrich players' skills during private lessons and team-training sessions. Line drives echo through three climate-controlled, 80-foot batting and pitching tunnels, which include Iron Mike pitching machines that hurtle balls from 40 to 90 mph and occasionally charge the plate. Along with their training grounds, the academy's shop stays stocked with such gear as the latest bats and gloves.

A green turf floor, inflated obstacles, and industrial-sized plastic barrels populate Killer Paintball's two indoor fields. Within this paint-splattered environment, opposing teams don goggles, develop strategy, foster teamwork, and turn each other into sprinting, diving rainbows. Attentive referees supervise three-hour bouts to assure fair play. Open play occurs Friday through Sunday and on Wednesdays. The staff also facilitates paintball parties for birthdays, graduations, and reenactments of Jackson Pollock's last stand.

The sounds of tapping heels and swiveling soles ricochets off The Dance Pavilion's lush red draperies and twinkling chandeliers as social dancers, aspiring ballroom instructors, and professional dancers alike show off moves from more than 18 styles. With help from a team of 10 teachers, founder Ron Brown, whose dance career spans more than four decades, leads private and group lessons in the hustle, waltz, and cha-cha, prepping feet for weekly parties on the 2,800-square-foot hardwood dance floor.

An array of specialty sessions, such as wedding-dance classes, and workshops with visiting teachers, rounds out the studio's vast curriculum. Brown and his instructors also helm the Teachers Ballroom Dance College, which transforms dabblers into expert instructors through a ballroom-dance training-program syllabus developed by renowned dancer Diane Jarmolow. An onsite store stocks men's and women's shoes, beaded clutches, Gene Kelly masks, and other dance essentials.

Wood-paneled walls and traditional pub décor surround diners and dart tossers in the dining areas of both Ford Lanes and Bel-Mark Lanes. The classic facilities host an array of gleaming, professional lanes that boast automatic scoring and are perfect for a night of cosmic bowling or chucking an ex-girlfriend’s snow-globe collection. Both alleys maintain open hours for groups and practicing individuals, and they also offer leagues for adults, seniors, and children. Each weekend, the pin-crushing arenas host karaoke contests, welcoming the musical talent of community members.

Bel-Mark Lanes Wood-paneled walls and traditional pub décor surround diners and dart tossers in the dining areas of Bel-Mark Lanes. The classic facility hosts an array of gleaming, professional lanes that boast automatic scoring and are perfect for a night of cosmic bowling or chucking an ex-girlfriend’s snow-globe collection. Offering open hours for groups and practicing individuals, they also offer leagues for adults, seniors, and children. Each weekend, the pin-crushing arena hosts karaoke contests, welcoming the musical talent of community members.