East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ America’s Hometown

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

East Grand Rapids Michigan is America’s hometown, at least for quite a few famous people and lots of not-so-famous people. Gerald R Ford, our 38th President and our 40th Vice President grew up in Grand Rapids and lived in East Grand Rapids when he served 25 years as a Michigan Congressman. The movie American Pie was written by Adam Herz, who grew up in East Grand Rapids and based the movie on his teen years.

But East Grand Rapids Michigan is more than a famous hometown, it is a quintessential American hometown. The population is about 11,000 people, and it has fewer than 4000 housing units. East Grand Rapids has 4 seasons, so you can enjoy all seasonal sports and outdoor events.

You can walk or bike to almost anywhere in East in a short time, it has about 3 square miles of total area. You can frolic in Collins Park on Reeds Lake almost year round. If you jet ski, sail, wind surf, fish, or just like to gaze at the water, Reeds Lake is a prominent part of the local community activities.

East GR has great neighborhoods, some include stately mansions, others are average homes, tree lined streets, above average city services, such as leaf & yard waste removal, award winning public schools, a vibrant downtown shopping district- Gaslight Village, and all within 10 minutes of downtown Grand Rapids cultural events.

Take our photo tour of East Grand Rapids MI and get acquainted with it’s charm.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsO3476vU4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

There are currently 170 homes for sale in East Grand Rapids, ranging

in price from $ 99,980 to $ 2,039,000. If you would like to live in

East Grand Rapids, give me a call at 888-240-1968 ext 0 or email me

at Terry@Terrywestbrook.com

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Video & Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Free Friday Summer Concerts ~GRAM on the Green ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids has musical action on Friday nights this summer. From

June 19th through August 28th, The Grand Rapids Art Museum is

offering live music on the Rosa Parks Circle Stage. An indoor/outdoor

event that will flow from the Art Museum galleries to the Peter

Wege Plaza and Maya Lin’s Ecliptic Park.

The GRAM will be offering special viewings, art-related talks, food

at the Cafe Terrace and demonstrations during the summer nights

in Grand Rapids. Free to GRAM members, $5.00 for non-members, and

all park and plaza activities are FREE.

So come to downtown GR for a Friday night music and art infusion,

beginning at 5pm.

Live Music Line-up for Summer 2009

June 19…….The Concussions (high energy surf music)

June 26…….Grupo Aye (salsa music)

July 03………DJ SuperDre (minimal techno/hip hop)<?li>

July 10………Organissimo (organ trio)

July 17………La Famiglia (hip hop fusion)

July 24………Side Pocket (fusion and sophisticated R&B)

July 31………Nobody’s Darlin’ (bluegrass music)

August 07…The Groove Merchant (original cutting edge urban beats)

August 14…Pangea (steel drum band)

August 21…Power Play (classic funk and rock)

August 28…Ensemble Al-Asdeka (middle eastern fusion)

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

Live Music June 26th, 2009 Schuler Books ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

The Fainting Generals will be featured at Schuler Books & Music

on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 7:30 pm. They will perform at the

28th Street Store.

The Fainting Generals is a Grand Rapids based band, that bills itself as:

Garage / Surf / Glam & The World’s Best Franklin Pierce Tribute Band.

For a little background, taken from their MySpace page, linked to above,

Franklin Pierce was a US commander of troops in the Mexican-American

‘War. The Irish troops under his command were treated so badly by

Pierce, they defected to the Mexican Army and fought against the

US forces.

If you haven’t got a anything special planned for Friday night, this

might be a great band to check out. They could be your new favorite,

at the very least, you would have an air-conditioned place to get out

of the heat, get an iced latte at the cafe and read a good book.

DOWNTOWN’S SCHULER BOOKS & MUSIC:

Live Music with Une Voix – An elegant piano duo

6:30 pm to ??

Westbrook Realty – Grand Rapids Real Estate

Monday Nights ~ GR Jazz at the Zoo ~

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Begins Monday June 15, 2009 – John Ball Park Band Shell

From 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the The John Ball Park Band Shell,

The West Michigan Jazz Society will be featuring local bands

and talent Monday nights. Free admission, although the hat

is passed for donations. This year, the park is requiring liability

insurance for the group to perform. So, grab a blanket, food,

or purchase food at the event, and enjoy local jazz at its best.

The line-up for Summer 2009:

June 15 – The Beltline Big Band 20 piece with vocalists

June 22 – Michael Holmes Trio

June 29 – Mary Rademacher & The Rad Pack

July 6 – Rand Marsh Quartet

July 13 – River Rogues Jazz Band

July 20 – Evan Hyde Quintet with Edye Evans Hyde

July 27 – The Fred Knapp Trio

August 3 – Grupo Aye – Afro-Cuban Jazz

August 10- Wonderland Jazz Ensemble

August 17 – Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra

Grand Rapids – Ada Real Estate Westbrook Realty

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ 2009 Summer Kid’s Activities

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

If you are wishing for a few hours to read a book, contemplate

your thoughts, or just daydream this summer, but not sure

how you will entertain your children? If you live in East Grand

Rapids, the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Public Library

will give you a few afternoons off. Or better yet, come with

your children and have some fun yourself.

Part of the Summer Reading Club, but not a prerequisite,

these events will be held at the EGR library or in John Collins

Park on Thursday afternoons from 2-4 pm. Everyone is

You don’t have to be signed up to the Summer Reading Club

to join in the fun.

Thursday June 16 – 2-4pm at the library: show off all of your fabulous

talent at the EGR library. Register at the library to perform a

short act, Prizes given for audience favorites. For kids of all ages.

Thursday June 25 – starts at 2 pm: At the library, Cool off at the

library while you watch a movie and enjoy popcorn. Contact the

library to find out what’s playing. For all ages.

Thursday July 2 –**2-3 pm – Make a memory with your best

friend- your pet! Come show him/her off with a parade, awards,

photos and crafts. Register your pet by June 23, 2009.

For all Ages.

Thursday July 9 2-4 pm – Join us for our annual Kid and Teen

Craft Sale. Kids of all ages will be selling thier wares at John

Collins Park. Find amazing pieces of art, wonderful crafts and

the most creative kids in town. Kids and Teens: If you are

interested in having a booth in the sale, pleas stop by the

KDL EGR Branch for an application. Registration is required

to host a booth.

Thursday July 16 2-4 pm – Create sculptures, prints,

drawings, collages and art jewelry to take home with you,

and decorate banners to hang in the library.

For kids of all ages.

Thursday July 23 2-4 pm – Bring your Pioneer pride.

Wear blue and/or gold. Come create pennants and

other crafts. Play games and visit with the animals

from Animal Crackers. For kids of all ages.

Thursday July 30 2-4pm – Join us at John Collins Park for

some oversized fun, games and craft activities! Don’t forget

your sunscreen. For kids of all ages.

Thursday August 6 2-4 pm – Splish! Splash! Join us for a

whole lot of wet and wild fun! Wear your bathing suit or

water safe clothes for this outdoor party that sure to

F-U-N! Bring sunscreen. For kids of all ages.

Thursday August 13 2-4pm – Join us for a very special

concert full of nature-inspired children’s mucic. Get ready

for silly props, wacky tunes and invitations to purr like

a bobcat as Kagan sings about being green. For all ages.

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate Westbrook Realty

Blues on The Mall ~ Downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Michigan Blues Wednesday – Rosa Parks Circle

Presented by WLAV FREE Summer Outdoor Blues Concerts on the Mall

in downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Parks Circle. Some of the best

blues bands performing today will be getting on the stage here

in Grand Rapids.

Get yourself over hump day by listening to the Blues on Wednesdays

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Food & Merchandise Available

June 10, 2009 – Mike Zito

June 17, 2009 – Big James & The Chicago Playboys

June 24, 2009 – Sugar Blue

July 1, 2009 – Harper

July 8, 2009 – Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

July 15, 2009 – Larry McCray

July 22, 2009 – Gina Sicilia

July 29, 2009 – Ronnie Baker Brooks

August 5, 2009 – John Nemeth

August 12, 2009 – Tommy Castro

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

Kent County Bike Rodeo Held at Ada Park

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

June 13th 2009 ~ Kid’s Bike & Safety Rodeo

Located at Ada Park 1180 Buttrick Avenue in Ada Township,

Michigan, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department is hosting

a Bike & Safety Rodeo from 10 am to 1:30 pm Saturday,

6-13-2009.

The event is open to children 12 and under, able to ride a

2 wheeled bicycle. Bring your own bike and helmet.

10 am to noon – Bike inspections, an obstacle course, helmet

checks, and bus and fire safety will be covered.

Awards, raffles, and a free cookout lunch will begin at noon.

Bike parade will be at 1 pm led by Sheriff’s Dept motorcycles.

Kent County Sheriff Dept. Community Policing Unit,

701 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids Michigan, 49503.

Donations of $5 per child will be given to the Kent County

DARE program and the Community Policing Units.

Call 632-6220 for information

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

Save the Planet ~ Drink Local Beer ~ June 20th ~ Founder’s Fest ‘09

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Okay, so it is a small thing. The average six pack is rumored to put

7 pounds of carbon in the atmosphere in production & shipping. An

excellent reason to drink your local brew. Grand Rapidians are

especially fortunate because we are home to Founders Brewing,

located at 235 Grandville Avenue.

On June 20th , the 2nd Annual Founders Fest will take place there.

The street will be cordoned off (between Williams and Bartlett)and

all the happy beer drinkers can help save the planet by drinking

Founders locally craft brewed beer and enjoying the outdoor beer &

music festival.

The Big Event will be from 3-11pm and cost is $15 for a ticket.

Regional entertainment will be provided by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe,

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Four Finger Five, Chance Jones,

Total Blam Blams, Oracle, Back Forty, Red Frog and Mucca Pazza.

In case you have been hiding under a beer keg for the past 12 years,

Founders Brewing is rated the 7th Best Brewery IN THE WORLD.

Yeah, pretty great, huh? Serious beer aficionados from around the

world would love to be here for this festival.

Some of them will come. Will you ?

Founders Brewing

Michigan Brewers Guild

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

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

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Grand Rapids Michigan information

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ America’s Hometown

Free Friday Summer Concerts ~GRAM on the Green ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Cascade Michigan ~ Free Summer 2009 River Beat Concerts

Live Music June 26th, 2009 Schuler Books ~ Grand Rapids Michigan

Monday Nights ~ GR Jazz at the Zoo ~

Begins Monday June 15, 2009 – John Ball Park Band Shell

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ 2009 Summer Kid’s Activities

Blues on The Mall ~ Downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Michigan Blues Wednesday – Rosa Parks Circle

Kent County Bike Rodeo Held at Ada Park

June 13th 2009 ~ Kid’s Bike & Safety Rodeo

Save the Planet ~ Drink Local Beer ~ June 20th ~ Founder’s Fest ‘09

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