Grand Rapids Mi Fall Rose Show at Frederick Meijer Gardens

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Want to smell the Roses? The public is invited to the Grand Valley

Rose Society’s Fall Show & Judging at the Frederick Meijer Gardens

& Sculpture Park – August 30-31, 2008.

The Show will be open from 1-5 pm both Saturday and Sunday on

the lower level of the Fredercik Meijer Gardens building. There is no

charge for admission to the Rose Show but admission to

Frederick Meijers Gardens & Sculpture Park is still required.

Greetings Rose in Blossom

A class in Fragrance will be offered at 11 am – 5 pm on Saturday.

Visitors may take part by voting for “Most Fragrant Rose” during

that time period.

If you have a prize rose that you would like others to see, entries

are accepted 7-10 am Saturday. August 30th. There are 56 categories,

including 5 just for novice exhibitors.

This is the opportunity you have been waiting for – ” to smell the roses ”

photo of Greetings Rose by Bonnie Westbrook

Playing in the Tree Tops ~ Thousand Oaks Golf Club ~ Grand Rapids MI

Posted on August 12, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Once you have played this course, you understand why they named it

“Thousand Oaks Golf Club”. I had the chance to play this course the

other day and leaped at the opportunity.

What a treat! Located north of Grand Rapids at Five Mile near the

Grand River, this course wraps around literally thousands of

oak trees. Which makes for a gorgeous nature outing this time of year.

Golf Digest rated this Rees Jones designed course one of the 25 best

courses to play in Michigan.

This course is quite deceptive. Because it fluctuates in elevation, you

might need a few more strokes to get up to the hole, or a little less

club if the green is down hill. All I can say is: don’t go in the woods,

or you will be reaching in your bag for a new ball.

What I didn’t know is that they have a Golf Academy, where PGA Golf

Master Instructor, Charles Vandenberg with the aid of state of the

art facilities can analyze your swing or putting stroke. Then they give

you a Dvd to take home with lesson plans to improve your game.

I took a few pictures so you could get an idea of what the course looks like:

First Hole

The first hole with the Clubhouse in the background.

View of a fairway

An elevated tee with the green nestled in the trees.

Green with oak trees surrounding

A fairly tight green with trees and bunkers waiting for your ball.

Golf Academy

The front entrance to the Golf Academy.

Practice Range

The practice range behind the Golf Academy.

Thousand Oaks Clubhouse

The Thousand Oaks Clubhouse and Restaurant

Statues of Children Golfing near the entrance

Bronze statues of children golfing near the entrance.

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Photos by Terry Westbrook

Free Summer Concerts ~ John Collins Park ~ East Grand rapids MI

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Summer and outdoor concerts just seem to go together. If you haven’t

attended one yet this summer, time to remedy that. Tuesday Night Free

Summer Concerts at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids might

be just what you were looking for.

Pack a light supper or buy one there, just dig out the lawn chairs and

spend an evening listening to music.

Ahhh, summertime and the livin’ is easy…

Summer Daisies

Tuesday August 5 – Jeff Large

Local artist who has a far ranging style that is

not specific to any one genre but plays from

the heart. www.jefflarge.com

Tuesday August 19 – Wonderland Jazz Ensemble

Five experienced musicians that are drawn together to

pursue a traditional jazz blended with original compositions

and innovative arrangements.

http://cdbaby/cd/wonderland jazz

Place: John Collins Park on Reeds Lake, East Grand Rapids

Time: 7 pm

Concerts will be canceled if weather is inclement.

Sponsored by City of East Grand Rapids & United Bank of Michigan

Free Movie Nights ~ John Collins Park, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Friday Night !! – Free Movies!! – John Collins Park- East Grand Rapids MI

Friday night is free movie night at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids

this summer. The city of East Grand Rapids will be showing family rated

movies on a huge drive in movie screen at sundown. The 2008 Movies

in the Park is sponsored by Macatawa Bank. Bring your lawn chairs or a

blanket for the show. There will be a popcorn machine and an ice cream

wagon available if you get the munchies.

Jed's SMALL serving of popcorn by psd.

The movies scheduled:

Friday August 1 – The Game Plan

Friday August 15 – Cars

Friday August 29 – National Treasure

*List of movies may change due to availability

http://www.flickr.com/photos/psd/53316358/

Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Silver Maple Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ball Park Aug 2, 2008

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny.

BORED?????

What ya Gonna Do??

Get yourself a ticket for the Silver Maple Music Festival!

One day, Seven Bands

at Fifth Third Ball Park, Comstock Park, Michigan

Kids under 12 are free and the gates open at 11 am.

Festivities start at Noon. Tickets are $40 and available

through the West Michigan Whitecaps website

Bands Featured are:

Aphrodesia
Big Leg Mama
Greensky Bluegrass
The Milroys
Donna the Buffalo
The Ragbirds
Railroad Earth
For details, see Silver Maple Music Festival

Cascade MI Concert Series ~ RiverBeat

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

As twilight falls late at the riverside, music is filling the air, and the

weather is balmy. This is the fabulous setting for the outdoor

River Beat Concert Series at Leslie E.Tassell Park on the

Thornapple River in downtown Cascade this summer,

called RiverBeat.

These are the 4 dates to put on your calendar:

June 26th, July 10, July 24, and Aug 14.

June 26th – The Icicles – As heard in Target Commercials

July 10th – New Reformation Band – Classic Dixieland Swing

July 24th – Mustard’s Retreat – David Tamulevich & Micheal Hough

August 14th – Old time Country by 3 Contemporary Gals – Winner of Ed McMahons Star Search

The Cascade Community Foundation is the sponsor, along with other

local contributors that help defray the cost.

So if you are thinking about what to do on a Thursday night

in Cascade, what could be better than a FREE concert at the park ?

Look for us…. We’ll be the pair on the blanket with liquid refreshment & munchies!

If you would like information about Cascade Homes,

please contact your neighborhood specialist,

Terry@TerryWestbrook.com,

toll free at 1-888-240-1968 ext 1 Terry Westbrook.com

Terry Westbrook – Five Star Real Estate –

Monday Blues? Remedy = Free Concerts at John Ball Park

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Are you having those Monday Blues? One of the best ways to cure them

would be to take your lawn chairs, picnic goodies, and get yourself

down to the John Ball Zoo on Monday nights from June 16th to

August 11 2008 in Grand Rapids, MI.

The West Michigan Jazz Society is spreading the love with free concerts

on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

The lineup for this summer is:

June 16 – The Truth in Jazz Orchestra

June 23 – Noel Webley and the Jazz People

June 30 – New Orleans Nouveau – Mark Kahnny Sextet ~

New flavored Dixie

July 7 – Chicago vocalist Petra Van Nuys with her Trio

July 14 – The Mellow Marshes – Randy on drums, Arno on tenor sax

July 21 – The Fred Knapp Trio with Dave Proulx at piano & vocals

July 28 – Evidence – Michael Doyle Quintet – Latin Swing

Aug 4 – Mary Rademacher & Rick Reuther with The Hagens

– vocalists

Aug 11 – Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra led by Tim Froncek,

Steve Talaga on keys

**Concerts are free ~ the hat is passed for a good will offering

to help defray costs.

If you would like further information about Grand Rapids

Homes, please contact your neighborhood specialist,

Terry@TerryWestbrook.com,

toll free at 1-888-240-1968 ext 1 Terry Westbrook.com

Terry Westbrook – Westbrook Realty

Free Summer Concerts 2008 ~ Lowell Showboat ~ Lowell, MI

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Lowell is a pretty little city on the Flat River just east of Ada and

Grand Rapids.

In fact, it takes us about twenty minutes to drive there, which we do quite

often. There are several little places to get a bite to eat and they have the

lowest prices for movie tickets in the area, but that is another blog.

Lowell ShowBoat Sizzling Summer Concert Series.

Every Thursday night this summer, there is a free concert

from 7 to 9pm ~ Riverwalk in Lowell on the Showboat stage.

The concerts are wheelchair accessible, free parking, there is bleacher

seating or bring your own chair. The Flat River Grill is offering food

and a cash bar, as well as other vendors along the Riverwalk plaza.

This is the entertainment calendar for this summer:

JUNE 26th – Blue Moon –

A Swing Style Blues Band from Kalamazoo

www.bluemoonbluesband.com

July 3rd – Voices of Freedom (Patriotic Americana)

& Rapid City Swing Band (Big Band)

Voices of Freedom is an 8 part accapella vocal group

www.voicesoffreedom.org

Rapid City Swing Band is a local group of musicians

who play an eclectic mix of big band to patriotic favorites

www.harkup.com

July 10th – Bronk Bros. Band – Billed as a “Rockin’ Hillbilly Extravaganza” –

A blend of classic country, new country, classic rock, and modern rock -not

your Grandpa’s country music. www.thebronkbros.com

July 17th – blue number nine – A Mix of Funk, Rock, Soul, & Jazz –

Jersey City group led by Stephanie Seskin, award-winning songwriter and

granddaughter of Fred Skerrit. www.bluenumbernine.com

July 24th – Ginny Dusseau with Truth in Jazz Orchestra ( Jazz,Swing)

A local group of premier veteran jazz musicians who accompany well known

big band vocalist, Ginny Dusseau. www.ginnydusseauau.com

July 31st – Argentucky Blues – a local trio that have joined forces to play

the blues, their way. www.argentuckyblues.com

Aug 7th-No Concert At Riverwalk because of Kent County 4-H Fair

Free concert by Black Canyon Bluegrass & The Patchwork Band

Kent County Fairgrounds – The Stage Tent – 6:30 – 8:30 pm

225 S Hudson Lowell, MI www.wmbma.org

Aug 14th – Natchez Trace – (Classic Rock) Natchez Trace is the

Acoustic Classic Rock Band that was known and loved back in the 1970’s.

After a 10 year hiatus, original member, Ronn Burke has teamed back up

with veteran member, Steve Damstra, and new member Robin Spring.

www.natcheztrace.us

Aug 21st – Branded – (Country) This local Cedar Springs band plays

90% current country with a little classic rock thrown in. Their local

popularity guaranteed them the final stage show for the season.

www.brandedband.com

With this inspiring lineup of local and national talent, we hope to catch

a few concerts in Lowell this summer. Hope to see you there!!

If you would like further information about Grand Rapids,

Ada or Lowell Homes, please contact your neighborhood

specialist, Terry@TerryWestbrook.com,

toll free at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 Terry Westbrook.com

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

Roller Derby is Rockin' the House in Grand Rapids

Posted on May 6, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

If you are wondering what to do on a Saturday night in Grand Rapids,

I’d suggest attending the Roller Derby ! I just got this update from the Roller

Derby Gals and thought I would pass it on. I have mentioned the

Grand Raggidy Roller Girls before ( see links at bottom of article) for an evening

of unparalleled fun and flat track skating prowess, it doesn’t get any better!

Hope to see you there!

grand raggidy roller derby team photo

Copy of the email I received from Grand Raggidy Roller Girl,

Bette Mangler:

Roller derby girls are known for being tough as nails and fearless

to a fault. The Grand Raggidy Roller Girls are a prime example of that

tenaciousness. The hometown league’s Travel Team has never backed down

from a challenge, and that’s just what they’ll face when they kick off their

season April 26th against the phenomenal derby powerhouse known as

the Windy City Rollers. The Windy City Rollers of Chicago have jumped the

ranks in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association(WFTDA)in the past year.

In August ’07, they took second place at WFTDA’s Eastern Regionals,

earning a coveted spot at Nationals that fall in Austin, Texas, where they made

a strong showing. They currentlyare WFTDA ranked 7th in the nation, sharing

the top ten with such big names as Carolina, Texas and New York. Simply put,

these ladies kick all kinds of derby butt.
They’re also a close sister league and longtime friends to the GRRG, and the

two leagues are excited to finally meet on the flat track for the first time.

The Grand Raggidy Roller Girls Travel Team is ready for the challenge and

the elevated level of competition that the April 26th game promises to bring.

The GRRG were able to place 11th at WFTDA’s Eastern Regionals this

past August. The recent restructure of the league leaves the newly formed

Travel Team with most of the league’s strongest, fastest and seasoned players.

And since the GRRG skaters no longer compete against one another, they’re

sharing all their secrets, teaching one another new tricks, training harder

and getting way better, way faster. Not to mention, they’ll be unveiling

some great, new Travel Team skaters this season.
The GRRG’s new venue has a smaller capacity, and tickets are sure to be in

high demand for the season’s events. Buy early to ensure a seat. Stay tuned

for more updates, or check out gr-rollergirls.com.

Event details:
Saturday, May 17
Doors at 5 p.m.; action at 6 p.m.
Rivertown Sports, 2605 Sanford Ave SW
Tickets are $10 presale, $15 at the door

Limited pre-sale tickets available through brownpapertickets.com.

More Derby Articles:

Championship Bout – Final FaceOff

Warning: Roller Derby is Addictive

Biff! Bam! Oomph! Roller Derby & Real Estate

Search Grand Rapids Homes for Sale

Featured Grand Rapids Homes

Greater Grand Rapids Area Information

Contact me: 1-888-240-1968 x 0 toll free

Website: Terry Westbrook.com

Email: terry@TerryWestbrook.com

Five Star Real Estate, LLC

photo of the Grand Raggidy Roller Teams courtesy of their website

March is Sugar Bush Time in Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on March 12, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

March is SugarBush Time in Grand Rapids Michigan.

We are fortunate to have Blandford Nature Center, a 143 acre natural site

in the second largest city in the state. And all this month on Saturday and Sunday

(*except Easter weekend) there will be a SugarBush Festival with the smell of maple

syrup cooking in the air. This fresh maple syrup is available to eat at the annual

pancake breakfast. So, you can have some real maple syrup on those pancakes!

If you have never had one of nature’s sweetest treats – make it a point to sample:

The Annual 2008 Pancake Breakfast

March 15th from 8 AM to 12 PM

1715 Hillburn Ave. Grand Rapids Michigan

Admission: $3 Adults $1 children

blandford sugar shack gr mi

If you are interested in Maple Sugaring Facts, here are a few to consider:

Tapping does no permanent damage and only 10 percent of the sap is collected each year.
Many maple trees have been tapped for 150 or more years.
Usually a maple tree is at least 30 years old and 12 inches in diameter before it is tapped
It takes 30-50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup

Much more information is available at the Michigan Maple Sugar Association

Volunteers are needed to run the sugar bush and help with all the facilities. A perfect way

to learn all about this process, a hands on education for yourself and your children/grand children.

Blandford Nature Center 616-735-6240

* Easter Weekend, Blandford Nature Center’s 5 miles of Nature Trails will be open for self-guided tours.

Mixed Greens has more information on volunteering, Blandford Nature Center, and Sugar Bush Fun.

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

sugar shack photo courtesy of mixed greens.com

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Grand Rapids Michigan Attractions

Grand Rapids Mi Fall Rose Show at Frederick Meijer Gardens

Playing in the Tree Tops ~ Thousand Oaks Golf Club ~ Grand Rapids MI

Free Summer Concerts ~ John Collins Park ~ East Grand rapids MI

Free Movie Nights ~ John Collins Park, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Silver Maple Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ball Park Aug 2, 2008

Cascade MI Concert Series ~ RiverBeat

Monday Blues? Remedy = Free Concerts at John Ball Park

Free Summer Concerts 2008 ~ Lowell Showboat ~ Lowell, MI

Roller Derby is Rockin' the House in Grand Rapids

March is Sugar Bush Time in Grand Rapids Michigan