SugarBush Time at Blandford Nature Center

SugarBush Time at Blandford Nature Center

March is sugarbush time in Michigan.  Blandford Nature Center 

is located at:   1715 Hillburn Ave NW  Grand Rapids MI 49504

616-735-6240

 

Saturday Program: Sugarbush Tours

March 5, 12, and 19, 12pm – 4pm, $3

Sugarbush programming all month long. Saturday tours from 12pm – 4pm.

Come see the history of syrup making and taste the results of

Blandford’s syrup production.

Beginning March 3, weekday group tours available on Tuesdays and

Thursdays from 2:30pm – 4pm. Reservations are required.

Please arrive early; programs begin promptly at 2:30pm.

For Saturday tours you will be placed within a group.

Large groups (10+) on Saturdays should RVSP.

Tours are $3 per person.

Syrup and maple candy are available in our General Store. 

Weekday store hours in March are 10am – 4pm, Saturdays are 12pm – 5pm.

 

Blandford Nature Center

The Interpretive Center is open free of charge, Monday – Friday

from 9am to 5pm and  Saturday from 12 to 5pm.

Trails are open every day from dawn until dusk.

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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!

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2011 Concert Series at White Caps Pepsi Stadium

2011 Concert Series at White Caps Pepsi Stadium

Spring music events are getting started in Grand Rapids

with the Pepsi Max Concert Series at Fifth Third Ball Park’s

Pepsi Stadium starting on March 5th with the Young Dubliners.

This Rock-Celtic-Irish Band has a loyal following. Venue seats 200,

doors open at 7 pm, Concert starts at 8 pm.

Tickets (under $25) available on Fifth Third Ball Park’s web site

or at the door, if available.

To purchase call (616) 784-4131 or click HERE.

 

We attended a few concerts last year and were really pleased

with the talent selected and the small venue.

 

Upcoming events:

March 19 – Flashback Concert

April 7    –  Cornmeal

April 15 – Paul Thorne Band

May 13  – Troll for Trout

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

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

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

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What Will $1 Million Buy in a West Michigan Home?

What Will $1 Million Buy in a West Michigan Home?

We all like to fantasize about what we would do if we won the lottery

and had millions to spend.  Or inherited mega bucks from a distant

relative that we didn’t know about.  I’ll bet one of the first things

most people would do is move into a home of their dreams.  This

could be a log cabin in the woods, a large home on a manicured golf

course or a palatial estate on the big lake.

 

Watermark home on pond

 

 

With a total of 66 homes over $ 1 million, you should be able to find

something that fits your dreams in a home in West Michigan.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Foto Friday – Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?

Foto Friday – Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?

Dog in driver's seat

In driving around the city, you just never know when a photo opportunity

will arrive.  This canine companion was happy to pose for me as I stopped

at a light.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Wordless Wednesday – Sno-tastic Michigan

Front_walk_and_driveway

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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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

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Michigan #1 in Rails to Trails Mileage

Michigan #1 in Rails to Trails Mileage

The state of Michigan leads the nation in transforming old

train rail lines to walking and biking trails.  To date we have

2478 miles of trails, with another 394 miles in progress.

This process started over 20 years ago, and many who

use the trails today, have no idea of their controversial

start. There were protests that vandals and criminals would

haunt the rural trails.  These claims seem laughable now.

 

bike

The Hart-Montague was Michigan’s first rail to trail conversion.

It alone draws around  50,000 to 60,000 users each year.  West

Michigan has:

  • 93-mile Fred Meijer White Pine Trail
  • Musketawa Trail from Marne to Muskegon
  • Kal-Haven Trail from Kalamazoo to South Haven
  • Kent Trails from Grand Rapids to Byron Center
  • Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail from Grand Rapids to Vermontville
  • 125-mile Fred Meijer trail complex that includes the Heartland,

       Flat River Valley, Grand River Valley and CIS trails

 

Original Article here

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Foto Friday – Michigan Winter – Bear it!

Foto Friday – Michigan Winter – Bear it!

Bear at the John Ball Zoo

This Brown Bear lives at the John Ball Zoological Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He should be hibernating in mid-winter, which is what many of us wish we

could do on these short, cold days.  There are lots of winter activities to

lure you out of your cave this winter in the West Michigan. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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February-March 2011 Programs at Ada Township Parks, Ada Michigan

February/March Programs at Ada Township Parks, Ada Michigan

Ada Township Parks has just posted their 2011 winter schedule

of  programs for families and youth.

Family Events: Inside the Ada Township Park Learning Center.

“Feed the Birds” – Make your own Bird Feeder              

Saturday February 5       10:00 a.m. – 12 noon  

               $5/adult $3/youth

Learn to identify local winter birds and how to attract and

support them. Then build a bird feeder to take home and

put in your yard. Also, find out how to participate in the

Great backyard Bird Count!

Courtesy of Rhys’s Piece is on Flickr

Rulers of the Sky – Birds of Prey”

Wednesday March 16    6:30 – 7:30 p.m. 

$5/adult $3/youth

Join us for a special Birds of Prey presentation by John Ball zoo

with live birds. Raptors are magnificent creatures admired for

their strength and beauty. Get an up-close view of some of

nature’s incredible feathered hunters and learn about their

amazing adaptations.

**Pre-Registration required as seating is limited.               

Youth Events: With inside and outdoor activities so come

dressed to be outside!

Discovery Days (pre-school & parent)

Build a Bird Feeder       

Wednesday February 16 & Thursday February 17   

         10:00 a.m. – 12 noon          $5/youth       

Parents and preschools come together to learn what birds

eat in the winter plus take a walk outside to look for birds

and make 2 different bird feeders to take home.

“Whooo are you?” Owls in Michigan

Wednesday March 9 & Thursday March 10       

  10:00 a.m. – 12 noon        $5/youth

Learn about owls and their amazing adaptations.

Pretend to be an owl or a mouse while you play “Hide & Squeak”.

Young Explorers (ages 5-7):

Similar to Discovery Days, but geared for older age group.

Parents may drop off youth or stay to assist.

“Build a Bird Feeder“

Wednesday February 16              4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.                                                      $5/youth

“Whooo are you?” Owls in Michigan

Wednesday March 9                      4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.                                                      $5/youth

Junior Naturalist (ages 7 – 11)

“Snowshoes Stomp”                    

Saturday February 12     10:00 a.m. – 12 noon   $5/youth

Learn about the history of snowshoes and how some animals

survive with their own “built-in” snowshoes. Then venture

outside for a fun snowshoe walk through the Park.

Snowshoes provided. Parents may drop off youth or stay to assist.

 

Ada Township Parks & Recreation Department is offering

a variety of half day programs for families and youth

in February and March at the Ada Township Park Learning

Center.   Pre-registration is requested for all programs

by callings the Parks office at 616-676-0520 or emailing mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com

Payment is due on the day of the event.

Mark Fitzpatrick, Director

616-676-0520 office, 616-862-0584 cell, 616-676-5870 fax

mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com

www.adatownshipmi.com

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Copyright 2011 All rights reserved

Byron Center Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan –Dec 2010

Byron Center Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan – Dec  2010

Byron Center Michigan is a suburb of Grand Rapids, located about

14 miles away to the southwest.  This report will cover waterfront homes

which are mostly newer construction in fast growing Byron Center.

home front entrance

 

        Byron Center  Waterfront Homes Real Estate Activity

                         January to December 2010

         

  • Current Active Listings  – 11
  • Average Active Price – $ 413,827
  • Pending Properties – 2
  • Sold Properties – 18
  • Average Sold Price – $350,006
  • Average Sold Square Feet – 2542
  • Average Price/Sq Ft – $ 149.98 

 

Additional Byron Center Articles:

Byron Center Photos

______________________________________________________________________

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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Copyright 2011  All rights reserved

Byron Center Michigan Photos

Byron Center Michigan Photos

Byron Center Michigan is located in Byron Township, which is

about 14 miles southwest of Grand Rapids and still within its

metropolitan suburban reach.  The population has grown

significantly in the last 5 years with the addition of a large

medical community, headed by Metropolitan and St Mary’s

Hospitals at the M-6 and Byron Center Rd. intersection.

 

VanSingel_fine_arts_center

The Van Singel Fine Arts Center is the hub of artistic & theatrical

activity in Byron Center and draws crowds from Grand Rapids, also.

 

ByronCenter_high_school

Byron Center High School is located at 8500 Burlingame SW.  BCHS

received the 1999-2000 National Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award from

the US Dept. of Education.

 

ByronCenter_community_pool

The Byron Center High School also houses the Community Pool.

The Byron Center Community Center just opened in April 2009, it houses

the Community Recreation Dept, a Fitness Center, and a multi-use facility

for the community.

 

DouglasWalker_park

Douglas Walker Park entrance is located on  84th Street.  This Kent

County Park has Kent Trails access, a rugby field, picnic area, children’s

playground, ball fields, soccer fields and an enclosed shelter.

 

Playground_Walker_Park

Children’s Playground  Area

 

ByronCenter_Park_Ballfields

Soccer Fields

Picnicarea_walkerPark

Wooded Picnic Area

 

Copyright 2011  All rights reserved 

_______________________________________________________________________

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

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