Ada Michigan Historical Society Hosts Free Music on the Lawn Series ~ Summer 2009

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

It seems there are free summer concerts everywhere this summer.

I have seen banners flying in small towns and villages all over Michigan.

What a great way to get out and enjoy the local parks, people

and scenery. Not to be outdone, Ada Michigan is joining the free

music array this summer.

Ada Historical Society is jumping on the proverbial “bandwagon”

with their Music on the Lawn Series.

Last Friday, they featured the Nowhere Band, which bills itself as a

Beatles tribute band. Darn, we missed that but I plan on attending

some of the remaining concerts this summer.

All concerts are located at the Ada Historical Society

7144 Headley St Ada Michigan 49301 616-676-9346

Tuesday, August 18 – Java Jive – dance standards from ‘30s & ‘40s

Tuesday, August 25 –Ransom Street Band from Saint Cecelia’s Society playing swing music

Tuesday, Sept 1 – Crossroads Country Band plays country & bluegrass

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Photo of Ada Historical Society Barns by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Schools Get A Face-Lift This Summer

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Six different schools in the Forest Hills Public School District are under

some kind of construction this summer.

Every school site will receive different combinations of security cameras,

roof repair/ replacement, parking lot resurfacing, and energy

conservation/sustainability improvements (window replacement,

lighting and mechanical system upgrades).

See details at Forest Hills District News Site

Some photos of the Construction Sites:

Warning - if you like hard hats, you will be in 7th heaven!

Ada Elementary School

Central Middle School

Forest Hills Central High School

School districts reflect the interest people have in their

community public education systems. Forest Hills Schools are

one of the best in our state in almost every category. New

school updates are one of the ways we try to keep you informed

on what is happening in the Forest Hills District.

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Ada Michigan Farm Market Debuts ~ Fresh Produce from Local West Michigan Farms

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Tuesday was the first day of the Ada Farm Market at a new place,

Thornapple Community Church on Thornapple River Drive in downtown Ada.

The Farm Market will run Tuesdays, 2-7 pm from now until the end of

September. We took a video so you could see the market for yourself.

We found all kinds of goodies, freshly roasted coffee, chickens and other

meat available from local farmers. Fresh strawberries, sweet cherries,

lettuce, Walla-Walla onions, radishes, and other great looking items.

Some of the farmers will sell you a share in their crops. You contribute

a set amount and they will deliver fresh produce to you every week all

summer!! We might look into that if our gardening days are getting too

difficult.

We came home with some freshly picked black raspberries and a

King Kong Coleus.

I will definitely be back next week for some of those Walla-Walla

onions and fresh eggs from free range chickens.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRM40Lkuq-o&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

July 4th 2009 Celebrations ~ Forest Hills Michigan

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Ada July 4th Celebration

Friday July 3rd:

Fireworks Dusk 7590 E Fulton @ Ada Drive ( Downtown Ada across from Amway) ***Note new place this year!!***

Saturday July 4th:

Pancake Breakfast 8:00AM Ada Fire Station

4th of July Parade 10:00 AM Ada Village Green

Entertainment/Activities 1:00- 3:00 Ada Village Green

Cascade Township July 4th Celebration

Friday July 3rd:

Fireworks Dusk 7590 East Fulton @ Ada Drive ( Downtown Ada across

from Amway) ***Note new place this year!!***

Saturday July 4th:

Friends of the Library Book Sale 8:30 AM – 3:30PM Cascade Public Library

Bicycle Parade 10 AM Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church

**Parade Participants must wear a bike helmet – forms available 8:30-9:45 AM at Back Parking Lot of of Forest Hills Admin Building – lineup begins at 9:45AM at church parking lot.

Main Parade 10:30 AM Cascade Rd SE to 28th St, west up 28th St to Jacksmith

Street Fair Begins 11:30 AM Free Games , Rides for kids & adults, elephant rides, train rides, animal petting zoo, Food Booths, Clowns & more.. Cascade Library Grounds

Live Music by Pirate Pete & The Barnacles 12:-12:45 PM Stage at Library Grounds

Canoe Race 1:00PM Tassell Park to Camelback Bridge ( register at Tassell Park 12:30 PM )

Cascade Chorale 12:55 – 1:15 PM Stage at Library Grounds

Live Music by Pirate Pete & The Barnacles 1:15PM-2:00PM Stage at Library Grounds

Big Dog Taekwon-Do Demonstrations 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM Stage at Library

Live Music Pirate Pete & The Barnacles 2:30 –3:15 PM Stage at Library

Closing of the Celebration 3:30 PM

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ May 2009 ~ Adacroft Commons

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

The Ada area growth trends remain strong. Ada Township planner,

Jim Ferro states that the Ada population has grown by 20% since

2000. There is a new proposed 80 unit condo site – Villas of Ada

and Stone Falls of Ada – a 210 unit apartment complex, currently

under construction here. Both of these new developments are quite

close to Adacroft Commons.

Adacroft Commons Real Estate

May 2009 Market Report

2 Sold, 1 For Sale, 0 Expired

Adacroft Commons Active Listings: 1

Adacroft Commons Active Price – $189,900

Adacroft Commons Active Price/SqFt – $94.38

Adacroft Commons Active Days on Market -12

Adacroft Commons SOLD Listings: 2

Adacroft Commons average sold price – $ 187,00

Adacroft Commons average sold price/SqFt – $95.99

Adacroft Commons average sold days on market -13

Adacroft Commons Expired Listings: 0

There is only one current home for sale in Adacroft Commons

listed on the local MLS board. This is an extremely desirable area

to live, with its close proximity to Forest Hills Central Middle &

High Schools. In the above stats you can see that homes are

selling for close to the list price, although average $/SqFt has

decreased slightly since 2008.

If you have detailed questions or just need general information

about Grand Rapids or Ada Homes, please contact me directly.

terry@terrywestbrook.com

or call 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Adacroft Commons Entrance Photo by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ Forest Hills Gardens ~ May 2009

Posted on May 31, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

The Ada area growth trends remain strong. Ada Township planner,

Jim Ferro states that the Ada population has grown by 20% since 2000.

There is a new proposed 80 condo units – Villas of Ada going in next

door and Stone Falls of Ada – a 210 unit apartment complex, currently

under construction a short distance away on Spaulding Ave.

Both of these new developments are quite close to Adacroft Commons

and Forest Hills Gardens. Forest Hills Gardens subdivision is between

Hall Street and Ada Drive just west of the Forest Hills Central High

School complex.

Forest Hills Gardens Market Report May 2009

1 Sold, 3 For Sale, 1 Expired

The absorption rate for Forest Hills Gardens is 15 months, which

means if no new listings come on the market it will take 15 months

for the existing inventory of homes to sell at the current rate of sale.

Active Forest Hills Gardens Listings: 3

Average list price is $ 182,300

Average time on market is 77 days.

Average list cost/SqFt is $88.23

Forest Hills Gardens Sold Homes :1

Average Sold Price: $160,000

Average price/Sq Ft: $87.82

Average days on the market: 159 days.

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public School Update May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ April 2009

If you have questions about Forest Hills or Ada homes,

please contact me directly: 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or

terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Japanese Maple photo by Bonnie Westbrook

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report ~ Catamount ~ May 2009

Posted on May 31, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Catamount properties are in the rolling hills adjacent to the

Grand River in the northern section of Ada Township in a gated

community with privacy and wooded acreage. Executive style

homes with lots of room for entertaining and all the custom extras

that make a home luxurious are the norm here. If you are

searching for a prestigious address, this could be what you are

looking for, as it is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the

Grand Rapids area.

Grand River Ada Michigan

Catamount Market Report May 2009

4 For Sale, 2 Sold, 4 Expired, 2 Pending

Catamount Active Listings: 4

Catamount average active price – $800,725

Catamount average active price /SqFt – $ 227.03

Catamount average days on market – 290

Catamount SOLD Listings: 2

Catamount average sold price – $ 466,000

Catamount average sold price/SqFt – $ 160.03

Catamount average sold days on market – 32

Catamount Pending Listings: 2

The Absorption Rate for Catamount Homes is 5 months, which means if

no new listings come on the market it will take 5 months for the existing

homes to sell at the current rate of sales. The average sold price dropped

in 2008 and into 2009. The average list price is $300,000 over current

selling price. Only 4 homes sold in the last 5 months, which means buyers

are scarce in this segment of the market. The foreclosure nightmare has

found this neighborhood, as well as more modest homes. These sales

reflect the bank repossessed home sales, which are distressed, even in

this market price range. No area of the real estate market has been

spared this price degradation and it affects the average selling price.

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public School Update May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ April 2009

If you would like further information about the value of an Ada or

Grand Rapids Home, please contact me directly at:

1-888-240-1988 ext 0 or email: terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

photo of the Grand River in Ada by Bonnie Westbrook

Discover West Michigan ~ A Small Museum Tour

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Tri-River Small Museum Tour Runs from May 2 to Sept 14, 2009

This venue would be perfect for a touring car club or just curious people

getting to know their area. We have lived in West Michigan for over

35 years and we have not visited any of these small museums. I’ll bet

they hold a lot of local history, which is often fascinating.

The Tri-River Small Museum Tour starts on May 2nd, 2009 and runs until

September 14, 2009.

This tour is a network of small museums, connected by their proximity

to the Grand, Thornapple, and Flat Rivers. There are 18 stops on

this tour and it includes a chance to win a cash prize on Sept 15, 2009.

Punch cards can be obtained from the first museum visited. Cash prizes of

$200, $100, and $50 will be given out for the most museums visited. In

case of a tie, there will be a drawing to determine the winners.

Averill Historic Museum Barns in Ada, Michigan

A partial list of the Tri-Rivers Historical Museums:

Ada Averill Museum – Ada Michigan

Alton Historic Church Museum – 2780 Lincoln Lake Lowell, Michigan

Belding Historic Museum – Belding, Michigan

Bowne Township Museum – 84th & Alden Nash Alto, Michigan

Freeport Museum – Masonic Temple 127 Warren St Freeport, MI

Oakfield Pioneer Heritage Museum – 11009 Podunk Ave Greenville, MI

Pine Forest Museum – 402 East Home St Edmore, Michigan

A complete list can be picked up at any of these museums, local

government offices, and many local area businesses.

Many museums will be offering special events during the tour dates.

Take an interest in our local history, most of these museums operate on

donations and volunteer efforts to stay open.

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

photo of Averill Museum Barns by Bonnie Westbrook

Free Forest Hills MI Activities ~ National Senior Health & Fitness Day ~ Wed May 27th 2009

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

National Senior Health & Fitness Day May 27th, 2009

Is it true that the words free and seniors just go together? As I edge ever

closer to this category, it certainly seems so to me. At the very least,

a free event should be well attended in this economy. If you find yourself

available next Wednesday, here’s a couple of free options for education

and entertainment:

National Senior Health & Fitness Day Wednesday, May 27

Special Activities at Ada Park 9:00 – 3:00 Free

Forest Hills Fine Arts Center 9:00 – 3:00 Free

Healthy Living Lecture Series – by St Mary’s Health Center

Alternatives to Medication 10-10:45 am

Feeling Over-medicated? 11:00-11:45 am

Healthy Living 101 12:00-12:45 pm

Staying Sharp 1:00-1:45 pm

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep 2:00-2:45 pm

Also: Vital Health Screenings and Neck Massages, Door Prizes

Kick off Fitness Walk begins at 8:30 am

100,000 adults will participate in activities at more than 1,000 locations

throughout the U.S. as we celebrate the 16th annual

National Senior Health & Fitness Day.

The common goal for this day: to help keep older Americans healthy and fit.

Come on out to Ada Park or Forest Hills Fine Arts Center to take part in a

series of guided activities and presentations to promote your health.

Or just come out to any of our local parks for some fresh air and exercise.

Contact the Park office for details; 616-676-0520, adaparks@ada.mi.us

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Arts in Ada Festival ~ May 16th 2009

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Arts in Ada Michigan Festival ~ May 16th 9 am to 4 pm

Event will be held on Bronson Street from the Covered Bridge

to Ada Drive Directly in front of historic Ada Town Hall

Hosted by the Ada Council for the Arts

Music, Dance, and activities are planned all day

Artists will sell their creations, including stained glass, jewelry,

photography, paintings, and pottery.

Live entertainment will be provided
Food will be available

While you are in Ada, it would be a great time to check out the

boutiques and specialty shops here. We have unique stores with

unusual items.

These photos are from Art in Ada 2008 – last year’s event.

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Ada Michigan

Ada Michigan Historical Society Hosts Free Music on the Lawn Series ~ Summer 2009

Forest Hills Schools Get A Face-Lift This Summer

Ada Michigan Farm Market Debuts ~ Fresh Produce from Local West Michigan Farms

Tuesday was the first day of the Ada Farm Market at a new place,

July 4th 2009 Celebrations ~ Forest Hills Michigan

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ May 2009 ~ Adacroft Commons

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ Forest Hills Gardens ~ May 2009

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report ~ Catamount ~ May 2009

Discover West Michigan ~ A Small Museum Tour

Tri-River Small Museum Tour Runs from May 2 to Sept 14, 2009

Free Forest Hills MI Activities ~ National Senior Health & Fitness Day ~ Wed May 27th 2009

Arts in Ada Festival ~ May 16th 2009