Ada Parks October 2010 Programs – Spooky & Batty

Ada Parks October 2010 Programs – Spooky & Batty

 

Bats of the World 

Thursday Oct. 21  6:30 – 7:30 pm

Ada Township Park Learning Center  Ada MI

$4 Adult   $3 Child

A special presentation by the Organization for Bat Conservation

with live bats and an exciting multimedia presentation about bats from

around the world. Learn about the benefits of these fascinating creatures,

their unique adaptations, sound waves, ecosystems, food webs,

conservation and world geography. Live bats to be shown including

a local  brown bat and large fruit bat – known as the “ Flying Fox”

with a 4 foot wingspan.

Reservations required – space is limited.  Ada Parks & Recreation Dept.

616-676-0520 or email mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com

 

Baby Bat, Vlermuis by Peet

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peetvs/2457201198/ 

 

Creatures of the Night Hike

Saturday October 23   Start times from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Ada Township Park – $3 per person

Sign up your family or a group for a start time between 6:30 and 8:00 pm,

one departs every 15 minutes. Arrive at the Shelter at Ada Park to be

guided through the trails where you will “ encounter” a series of spooky

( and some not so spooky” creatures who will tell you in a fun way about

their lives in the wild.  Snacks and a craft included after the hikes.

Pre-registering with the Park office for a designated start time

recommended. Ages 4 through adult suggested.  Costumes optional.

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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!

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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Grand Rapids Michigan Art Prize 2010 Opens

Grand Rapids Michigan Art Prize 2010 Opens

We went on an early preview on Sunday afternoon. We thought some of

the large installations would be up and available.  Many were and some

were still under construction.  We had a hike around the city and saw

lots of other people out and about looking at the awesome artwork.

Here’s a brief preview:

Claws sculpture ford library

Asian children painting

Metal flower basket

Our ArtPrize 2010 Flickrphotostream.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Kent District Library – First Stop for Resources

Kent District Library – First Stop for Resources

In hard economic times, the public library becomes a very important

reference tool and resource for the community.  The Kent District

Library system is no exception.  Anticipating its users needs, the

KDL has added new resources that are available to all online – IF you

have a library card.  September is Library Card Sign Up Month!

Boy-dog reading

The newest resources available from KDL:

Consumer Reports.org – Read reviews before you buy.

Heritage Quest – Research your family history with census

records, local history documents and more.

Mango Languages – A fast, easy, and effective way to  learn

to speak a foreign language.

CultureGrams – Learn about different cultures from around the world.

ReferenceUSA – Extensive corporate and residential contact information

Freegal – Download 3 free music files each week.

Cascade Library

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

train watch tower GR west side

Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids has seen substantial growth in our city in the past 100 years.

This photo of the old train watch tower on the West Side with the JW Marriott tower in the

background shows old and new construction in our city.  One hundred years ago, the train

watch tower was an essential part of the transportation grid in Grand Rapids, then a major

hub for train traffic and one of the major employers in the area.

Now, the JW Marriott luxury hotel tower tells a different transportation story.

Grand Rapids is host to many national and international travelers who are used to traveling

in style.  Our city employs many people in the hospitality business to cater to their needs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812218972939 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812225271331 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan July 4th 2010 Celebration

Grand Rapids Michigan July 4th 2010 Celebration

Grand Rapids July 4th Fireworks and Celebration will be held at

Ah Nab Awen Park along the Grand River in downtown Grand

Rapids.  The evenings entertainment will start at 6 pm and

conclude with the fireworks display at 10:30 pm.

Blue Bridge Artwork

Schedule of Free Events:

6:00 pm – Octaglee Vocal Octet sing patriotic selections

6:15-6:45 pm – Spittin’ Image – 8th & 9th grade students  play

contemporary and classic rock

7:00 –7:30 pm – Gabriel James – Alternative style

7:45 – 8:30 pm – Silversmith – Group plays original music from

blues to classic  rock

8:30 – 9:15 pm – Four Finger Five – Band plays a unique mix of rock and blues

9:15 – 9:30 pm – Ralston Bowles – Popular West Michigan entertainer

9:30 – 10:30 pm – Natchez Trace – One of Michigan’s favorite Vocal Bands

10:30 pm – FIREWORKS!!!!

fireworks

GRNOW Fireworks information

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812218972939 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812225271331 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids GRAM Free Music Concerts – Friday Nights Summer 2010

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is hosting free Music Concerts

on the Terrace Stage Friday nights this summer.

Starting on June 11th and running until August 27th, 2010 every

Friday night from 7-9 pm.  Access to the Terrace Stage is free,

downtown market kiosks, plus food and beverages will be available.

Outdoor sketching, games for all ages and wonderful West Michigan

summer evenings in an urban setting – with live music!

The line up for Friday Nights at GRAM

Outdoor Summer Music Series – Summer 2010

June 11            La Famiglia – Hip Hop

June 18            DJ Brandon Hill  – Techno

June 25           Groove Merchant   – Urban Beats

July 2              End of Times Orchestra  – Prog  Rock

July 9              Chosen  – R & B featuring Daniel Richardson

and Kathy LeMar

July 16            Pangea   – Steel Drum Band

July 30           Side Pocket  – Fusion

July 30           Big Organ      – Organ Trio featuring Randy Marsh

Aug 6            David Hardin   – Americana

Aug 13          Fainting Generals  – Pop Rock

Aug 20         Bill Sears   – Jazz Saxophone

Aug 27        An Dro     – Celtic

The fun begins at 5 pm, music starts at 7 pm.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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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!

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

Cheryl Wheeler Concert at Fifth Third Ballpark April 10, 2010

The inimitable Cheryl Wheeler is coming to Grand Rapids this week!

In concert at Fifth Third Ball Park on Saturday, April 10th, 2010.

Gates open at 6:30 pm, concert starts at 7:30 pm.

Special guest Nicholas James Thomasma

Part of the Pepsi Stadium Club Concert Series

Never heard of Cheryl Wheeler?

Cheryl is a prolific songwriter and talented performer. You have

probably heard her songs. She is very respected by her peers, as many

of them have recorded her songs.

Chery’s songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals,

Peter Paul and Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Boggus,

Melanie, Bette Midler, Maura O’Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and

Holly Near. If they think she is great, then maybe you should find

out why they are fans.

Tickets are $20.00   Parking is free.

Cheryl’s website Tickets online

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Free Whitecaps Exhibition Game Kicks Off 2010 Season

The West Michigan White Caps will kick off their 2010 season

with a FREE exhibition game with Grand Valley State University

on Wednesday , April 7th, at 6 pm at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Evanston fireworks close up3

The official Whitecaps baseball season begins on Thursday,

April 8 at Lake County, OH.  The first home game is scheduled

for Sunday April 11th against the 2009 Midwest League Champion

Fort Wayne TinCaps at 2 pm.  This is also Family Day

– Kids Eat Free – sponsored by Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

They are sponsoring 2 of these events in April.

You can go to the website www.whitecapsbaseball.com for ticket information.

Admission to this event is free.

There is always something happening in Grand Rapids!  We try to keep

you up to date with local happenings in our blog. Subscribe today!


____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Promoting Michigan ….Yes, We Can!

Promoting Michigan ….Yes, We Can!

We attended an inspiring event sponsored by Rapid Growth Media

and Michigan State Housing Development Authority last night at

the Wealthy Street Theatre.  This was the first in a year long series

of events. This premier event was called “Touting Michigan”.

Rapid Growth brought together 5 panelists that are each individually

promoting Michigan, our state economy and image, and doing

something positive about rebuilding our state.

The message was clear – We have to do it ourselves!

Rapid Growth Talk 1  2010-02-09

Panelists from left to right are:

Sean Mann from Let’s Save Michigan

John Bell from Michigan Awesome

Lisa Diggs from Buy Michigan Now

Kevin Buist from Michigan by Choice

Neil Yaremchuk from Made in Michigan

and Moderator Jennifer Pascua

From Neil Yaremchuk: If we buy just $10 worth of Michigan made

products every week, we would pump $37 million back into our

local economies.  This means JOBS!!

Think Michigan First, Buy Local, and support your local

businesses and farmers. It is actually cheaper and greener.

Why send our hard earned Michigan money elsewhere?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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