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

Cascade Michigan ~ Free Summer 2009 River Beat Concerts

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

The Cascade Community Foundation is again sponsoring FREE CONCERTS in Cascade Michigan at Leslie Tassell Park in July & August.

Location: Thornapple River Dr & Cascade Road on the Thornapple River

When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of July & August 2009 7 PM

The 2009 Events Scheduled:

July 9th – The Scottville Clown Band – Over 40 Clowns – A fun family event!

July 23rd – Come On Over! - From the popular Children’s TV show

August 13th – The Great Lakes Chorus – Barbershop Quartet

August 27th – Boogie Woogie Babies – A Revue of all the great girl groups!

Alternate Rain Location – Cascade Public Library – Wisner Center

Cascade Township Information

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 ~ 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

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

Roselle Park at Flood Stage Ada Michigan

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

We took a drive along the Grand River last week and took in some

local sites. The Grand River was a full flood stage and it changed the

scenery in a few places. This short video was taken at Roselle Park

in Ada Township Michigan. This park is a 274 acre natural preserve

right on the banks of the Grand River. It normally has some swampy

areas, but nothing like the scenes in the video. Usually you have to

walk about 100 yards to get close to the river.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK_Nw-cp5VI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6]

Since we didn’t bring our wading boots, we stayed near the entrance and

just shot our video. We will go back and photograph the park without

water soon.

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public Schools 2009 Update

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Forest Hills Michigan – Home to a Growing Public School District

We just received the Superintendant’s News Letter with all the Forest

Hills Public School news. Of course, there was talk of budget challenges

and difficult times. Even school districts that are well-funded, like Forest

Hills Public, are having budget issues because of state funding reductions.

Forest Hills is focused on student education, and is still reducing

administrative overhead. 76.7% of the school budget is spent on

classroom and instructional support.

2009 Forest Hills School News:

3 Teachers recognized on state & national levels for excellence
Conserved 1.9 million in reduced energy costs
ALL Forest Hills Schools receive Green Certificates
Received David D Smith Award for Environmental Stewardship
Growing enrollment while 80% of Michigan districts are declining
2007 Bond Issue allows investment in infrastructure
10,100+ students, 2nd in size in Kent County, 23rd largest in

Michigan, out of 552

2009 Student MEAP Scores Highest in Michigan

Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Forest Hills MI

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,

Cascade Michigan ~ Free Summer 2009 River Beat Concerts

July 4th 2009 Celebrations ~ Forest Hills Michigan

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

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

Arts in Ada Festival ~ May 16th 2009

Roselle Park at Flood Stage Ada Michigan

Forest Hills Michigan ~ Public Schools 2009 Update

Forest Hills Michigan – Home to a Growing Public School District

2009 Forest Hills School News: