Foto Friday ~ It’s a Squirrelly World in Grand Rapids Michigan

Foto Friday – It’s a Squirrelly World in Grand Rapids Michigan

Squirrel at our feeder

Caught me

Posing for his close-up

Sideways Warrior Position is best for eating

What? Like you will miss a few seeds here or there.

Lunch is Over - See ya Soon!

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids

Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community,

great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan 2010 Local Farmer’s Markets

Grand Rapids Michigan 2010 Local Farmer’s Markets

Michigan is an agricultural state. In fact, in agricultural products,

Michigan is second only to California among the diversity of its

products.  Agriculture and farming is a large segment of our local

West Michigan economy.

West Michigan is nationally known for its fruit production, including

blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes and peaches.  Add to this local

organic farmers that sell to local restaurants and grocery stores and

you can see how important growing food is to our local economy.

We like to support local businesses and farmers. Local produce is

the best!  So visit your local farmers’ Market in Kent County and

see what you have been missing.  Fresh produce is here in Michigan

and available in most areas near you.

fresh west michigan produce

Ada MI Farmers’ Market – Community Church Parking Lot

Tuesdays June 22 – Sept. 28, 2010  2:00 – 7 pm

Project FRESH accepted

“Chef in the Market” cooking demonstration program, also accepting

food basket donations for delivery to food pantry

Allendale Famers’ Market6101 Lake Michigan Dr – Heritage Town

Square Parking Lot ( North side of Lake Michigan Dr)  June – October

Tuesdays and Fridays  11:00 am – 4 pm  Project FRESH accepted

Byron Center Farmers’ Market – Pathway Church Parking Lot or

grassy area north of the Post Office – 8350 Byron Center Av.

May – October Saturday 8am-1 pm Project FRESH accepted.

Caledonia Michigan Farmers’ Market – M 37 & 100th St Intersection

Saturday  8am –  12 pm until Oct 30th 2010

Coopersville Farmers’ Market – North Main St parking lot pavilion

May 7- Oct 29  Wednesday 8 am – 1 pm  Project FRESH accepted

Fulton Street Farmer’s Market – 1147 E. Fulton St Grand Rapids MI

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday  8:00 am – 3:00 pm

May to Christmas

Grand Rapids South East Area Farmers’ Market

Corner of Franklin & Fuller   Grand Rapids Michigan

June – October Thursday  10am – 4 pm

Project FRESH & Food Stamps accepted

Grand Rapids West Side Farmer’ Market

Alpine at 11th St ( City View Church) Grand Rapids Michigan

Thursday May 6 – October 7  Thursday  10am – 6:30 pm

Project FRESH accepted

Ada MI farmers market

Grandville Farmers’ Market – 4055 Maple St SW Grandville, MI

North of the Grandville Library

May 4 – Oct 19 Tuesday  8 am – 1 pm

Howard City Famers’ Market – 120 W. Edgerton at the White Pine Trail

staging area near the depot at Ensley and Edgerton St. Intersection

May 8 – October  Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

Hudsonville Farmers’ Market & Crafts – 3302 Prospect St  corner of

Prospect and School just off Chicago Dr.

June 2 – October 6, 2010   Wednesdays 8 am – 2 pm

Project FRESH accepted

Lowell MI Farmers’ Market – 225 S Hudson Lowell Fairgrounds

Thursdays May 13- Oct 7 2010   2 pm – 7 pm  Handicap Parking Avail.

Metro Health Hospital Farmers’ Market– Metro Health Village

5900 Byron Center Ave Wyoming MI – easy access off M-6

May 6 – late Sept. 2010  Thursday 9am – 1 pm

Project FRESH accepted; free health screenings; live entertainment

Plainfield Township Farmers’ Market – 4411 Plainfield Ave NE

(corner of 5 Mile Rd and Plainfield Ave) adjacent to Fire Station # 3.

June 15 – Oct 14, 2010 Tuesday & Thursday   2 pm – 7 pm

Rockford MI Farmers’ Market – South Squires St Parking Lot off Main St

June 5 – Oct 30, 2010  Saturday 8 am – 1 pm

Walker Farmers’ Market – 4300 Remembrance Rd at Rylee’s Ace Hardware

Saturday June – Sept    8am – 2 pm

Link to Michigan Farmer’s Markets

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids

Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community,

great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Ada Michigan celebrates Arts in Ada May 15 2010

Ada Michigan celebrates Arts in Ada May 15 2010

Arts in Ada Festival ~  May 15th 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 Arts Council

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.  Ada has unique stores with

unusual items and fantastic restaurants.

Art in Ada on Bronson

Art in  Ada festival

Copyright 2010 all rights reserved

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

West Michigan Tri-River Museum Tour Spring Into the Past

West Michigan Tri-River Museum Tour  Spring Into the Past

The eighth Annual Tri River Museum Network will open their tour

of small museums in West Michigan on Saturday, Sunday May 1 & 2,

2010 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Admission to all 18 museums is free during the promotional event,

designed to generate interest in the local historical societies and

their offerings. Local museums on the tour include Averill Historical

Museum and restored barn in Ada; Cascade Museum, located in a

town hall built in 1898, Fallasburg Historical Village with a a one

room schoolhouse and Lowell Historical Museum featuring a virtual

tour and Victorian rooms.

Ada hist museum sign

Ada Historical Museum

town hall front

Cascade Township Historical Museum

Lowell HistoricalMuseum & Society

Lowell Historical Museum

Other Highlights along the tour are historical churches, a Masonic Temple,

a Gleaners Hall, restored train depots, restored Victorian Home, military

museum, a dormitory that house girls who worked in silk factories, a

restored storefront, and a historic village encompassing 300 acres.

Each museum has a little different local historical memorabilia and local

records on display. Maps and additional information can obtained at any

of the  museums taking part in the “Spring Into the Past” Tour.

Google Map & List of Tri River Museums

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Earth-Arbor Day Celebrated at Ada Park Sat April 24th 2010

Earth-Arbor Day Celebrated at Ada Park  Sat April 24th 2010

Ada Park in Ada Michigan is going all out for Earth Day/ Arbor Day

this year with a Festival.  The celebration will start at  10 AM and

continue until 2 PM at Ada Park & Arboretum on Saturday,

April 24th, 2010.  Ada Park is located at 1180 Buttrick Ave.

Festival admission is free, although donations are accepted.

The Festival will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with exhibits

on trees, landscaping, native plants, invasive plants and insects.

Ada park entrance sign

Activities for all ages include:

  • Games
  • Crafts
  • Fishing in the pond

Activities are also free, except for one craft and ‘tree themed ‘ snacks.

Each group will receive a free white pine sapling as long as supplies last.

The white pine is Michigan’s state tree.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM



Ada Michigan Park Programs ~ Spring 2010

Ada Michigan Park Programs ~ Spring 2010

Spring is here and Ada Parks Programs are underway.

Take a look at what fun programs the Ada Parks are offering this spring.

Pre-register by calling 616-676-0520

or email: mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com

Ada park entrance sign Ada MI 49301

”Senior Specials at Ada Park”

Pre-register at the park office 676-0584 before the day of the event

$2/per event payable on site the day of the event.

Bird Break – Thursday April 15th  9-10 AM

Ada Park Les Craig Learning Center

A morning gathering in the learning center for coffee and donuts,

followed by a guided leisure walk ( 25 minutes) to look for and

listen to local birds.

Nature Walk – Thursday May 6th – 9-10 AM

Ada Park Shelter and Trails

A guided walk ( 40 minutes) along the paved paths through the

Arboretum and Nature Area in search of spring wildflowers

and other natural beauties. Refreshments at the end in the

shelter.

Lunch with Punch  Wednesday, June 9  12-1 PM

Ada Park Les Craig Learning Center

A time to gather with friends for a nice meal and fellowship

in a pleasant setting. Lunch provided by the Ada Park staff

and volunteers. Optional walk in the park after lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FREE SPECIAL EVENT

Earth Day/Arbor Day Festival  Saturday April 24th 10 AM –2 PM

Come celebrate Earth day and Arbor Day together in this special

event in Ada Parks’ Locke Arboretum. There will be activities

for all ages including workshops, guided walks, displays, exhibits,

handouts, make & take crafts, plus games & fishing for kids.

One free tree sapling to each family as supplies last.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Youth Discovery Days  Age 3-5  10 AM – 12 noon

Ada Park Learning Center    $4/youth

Especially for Pre-Schoolers along with a parent or guardian to have

a fun, educational adventure out in Ada Park,  Each session with

an indoor hands-on activity, nature craft and a guided discover

experience outdoors.

Cool Critters – Wednesday April 21

Does it have fur, scales or feathers? Does it run, swim or fly?

Look for the many different critters that live just outside

our back door.

Beautiful Bugs  Wednesday May 12

What beautiful bugs live in our neighborhood? Go on an insect

hunt and pretend to be a firefly looking for some friends.

Jump, Frog, Jump!  Wednesday June 2

Frogs are singing, croaking, and jumping everywhere. Look and

listen for frogs around the pond, try to hop like a frog, and

make a fun “frog” craft to take home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kids Bike & Safety Rodeo  Ada Park ( Free- Donations accepted)

Saturday June 12 10 AM – 1:30 PM  4-12 yr olds

Kent Country Sheriff Department will host fun activities and food

for all who attend with bike inspections, helmet inspections, bus

safety, fire safety plus a bike obstacle course form 10- 12 AM

At noon awards, raffles, and a free cookout lunch followed by

the ‘Bike Parade” at 1:00pm  Bring your own bike and helmet.

Donations up to $ 5.00 per child will go towards the Community

Policing Unit. Make checks payable to: K.C.T. S Action Fund.

Call 616-632-6220 for more information or the Ada Parks Office.

Free Evening Fishing  Ada Park  Thursday June 17 from 6-8 PM

Open fishing for youth with their families at the Ada Park pond.

Poles, bait, assistance and snacks provided. Pre-registration

requested by calling the park office 676-0584

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities,plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

Forest Hills Michigan Fine Arts Center Winter-Spring 2010

Forest Hills Michigan Fine Arts Center Winter-Spring 2010

We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful entertainment venue

in our Forest Hills Area.  The fabulous Fine Arts Centers Shows this

winter-spring season have something for everyone.  Not only the

headlining events like Amy Grant, and  Whose Live Anyway, the local

high school productions are not exactly the amateur events I remember

from my school days.  The musicals we have seen have had seriously

talented young performers from our local high schools.

There are still quite a few shows to catch this season. If you haven’t

been to our fabulous gold star LEED performance center, you should

stop by and take a look.

It is open every day from 8am to 5 pm with a featured artist-in-residence

work displayed in the lobby.  This month, fiber artist Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk

displays vessels that explore the concept of containment.

Fine Arts Center Forest Hills MI

February 22 – Forest Hills Central -Evening of Percussion 7 pm

February 23 – Jazz Night 7 pm

March 11 – Cynthia Hagedorn Artist Reception – 6-7:30 pm

March 12-13 – Grand Rapids Balley Company Interactive 7:30 pm

March 25,26,27 – Forest Hill Central MusicalThe Wizard of Oz – 7:30 pm;

+  3:00 pm matinee Mar 27th

April 17 – An Evening with Amy Grant – 7:30 pm

April 18 – Grand Rapids Symphony – Percussion Explosion – 3:00 pm

April 20 – Forest Hill Public Schools K-12 Student Artists Reception, 6 – 7:30 p.m

Thursday, April 29, 2010 – Whose Live Anyway

May 26 – National Senior Health and Fitness Day , 9 a.m. – 3 p.m

June 3  – International Society of Experimental Artists’ Reception, 6 – 7:30 p.m

Fine Arts Center

We volunteer at the Fine Arts Center and find it a very entertaining and

rewarding way to give back to our community.  We have ushered shows,

taken tickets, handed out programs, placed posters and guided people to

their seats.  The Fine Arts Center is a part of the Forest Hills School

System but must survive financially on its own, which means volunteers

are vital to the program. Without volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible to

fund the shows and events that take place to enrich the community.

Fine Arts Center GR MI 49546
Fine Arts Center GR MI 49546

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities,plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263


Kent County Michigan High Schools Rank Top in U.S.

Kent County Michigan High Schools Rank Top in U.S.

U.S.News & World Report has published it’s ranking of Top High Schools

in the United States  last month for 2010.  Of the 21,00 schools in the country

considered, Michigan was ranked overall in 26th place, with 864 schools

ranked.

Of these, 324 were considered eligible for ranking and 75 made Gold,

Silver, or Bronze status.  Twenty were awarded Silver or Gold Rank in

the state and of these, Kent County  had 7 Open Enrollment High Schools

awarded Silver.  Fifty Five high schools in Michigan were awarded Bronze,

3 in Kent County.

forest hills eastern hs campus

Silver Award Schools:

City High-Middle School – Grand Rapids MI

Forest Hills Eastern High School – Grand Rapids – Ada MI

Forest Hills Central High School – Grand Rapids – Ada MI

East Grand Rapids High School – East Grand Rapids MI

Bronze  Award Schools:

Kelloggsville High School – Grand Rapids MI

Lee High School – Wyoming MI

Lincoln School – Grand Rapids MI

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Schools Face Large Budget Cuts in 2010 -2011

East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Schools Face Large Budget Cuts in 2010-2011

We are on the front lines of property values and were well aware this day

would come. We have seen property values fall from 15-30% in the past

3 years for local communities. ( Read our Blog post about home values)

The effects of this devaluation still has shock value  for many  living in

our local areas.  We have watched poorer school districts struggle  to

allocate funding with the financial news from Lansing being dire and

changing constantly.  It has now started to hit our more affluent areas

and these parents are confused and angry.

See comments on this Mlive article about East Grand Rapids cutting their
budget with more cuts to come.

Ada Elem sign

We attended the Forest Hills Superintendant’s meeting last fall about

a $10 million dollar projected shortfall in their 2010-2011 school budget.

They are not getting any definite answers from the state on what cuts

will be until after they set their annual budget ( This is truly bizarre but

the state government runs its own show).

Both East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills have fixed costs because of

teacher and staff contracts. Our understanding is that these are about

70% of the budget in Forest Hills. [See FHPS Funding Facts }  Dan Behm,

the Forest Hills Superintendant told our group of concerned citizens

that if he eliminated transportation and sports, that there would

still be $3 million shortfall and he would have to look for another job

because of angry parents.

We don’t offer any solutions, but we do need to look at all items on

the budget. Nothing is sacrosanct, not  teacher salaries, retirement

or healthcare. The same belt-tightening and elimination of non-essential

items that has affected business and personal budgets for the last 3 years

and longer in the state of Michigan is reducing funds for public services

in our state.

FHPS Funding Facts

____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!

If life gives you lemons…make lemonade.  Well, the residents of Grand

Rapids Michigan don’t need lemonade lessons or snow fun lessons, either.

With the surprise snowfall of about 10 inches and a couple more inches added

yesterday, we have SNOW!!  When you put kids & a day off school together,

you get lots of Snow Fun!!

sledding hill are where you find them

The best sledding hills are where you find them…this one is on a nearby

church backyard.

Kids sledding

Lots of energy is being spent here, the low carbon emission type,

perfect for that hot cocoa remedy for cold hands, feet, and faces.

winter fun

When the uphill climb gets slower and slower, it is a sure signal that it is

time to pack up your gear and head home.

Bolt snowman

A neighbor made this impromptu snowman. I love the innovative

hat.


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010 ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010 ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM