Foto Friday – Grand Rapids Michigan is a Winter Wonderland

Foto Friday – Grand Rapids Michigan is a Winter Wonderland

Yes, we have snow in Grand Rapids Michigan already. It came right after

Thanksgiving this year and looks like it is here to stay.

Snow frosted fir trees

Lots of people smitten with the mitten (people who love our winter weather)

have  been waiting for snowfall to start their winter activities, such as snow-

mobiling, snow skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing, sledding, and

even just making snow men and snow angels!

Come on over, the snow is here and the hot chocolate is ready!

Where Does My Kent County Recycling Go?

Where Does My Kent County Recycling Go?

Grand Rapids has invested in a greener future if we all play the

recycling game. The new $10 million facility has been built on an

old brown field site (former west side Stamping Plant).  The profits

of selling recyclables will payback borrowed bonds ahead of the

projected time frame.

Kent County Recycling Center

Located at 977 Wealthy Street SW in Grand Rapids, MI

Let’s look at some statistics and see if recycling is worthwhile:

  • 9130 tons of glass
  • 7749 tons of ferrous metal cans
  • 225 tons of aluminum
  • 12,334 tons of corrugated cardboard
  • 3,851 tons of magazines
  • 140,182 tons of newspaper
  • 10,836 tons of mixed plastics

Since 1993, Kent County has recycled the above totals.

This is equivalent to conserving:

31,595 household’s annual energy consumption

584,281 barrels of oil

27,266,461 gallons of gasoline

Kent County Recycling initial sorting

One of the best things about Kent County Recycling is no more sorting!

The new facility  does all sorting on site, so One Container at the curb

holds all recyclables.  The new facility has the capacity to run 3 shifts

a day and has a waiting list for their recyclables.  If they had more

products to recycle, they have a robust resale market that wants them.

This is just good stewardship and makes sense to keep all those reusable

items out of our landfills.

tube sucks plastic bags off the line

Most work at the Kent County Recycling is done by community service,

so there is minimal labor costs.

production sorting line

The New Kent County Recycling Plant:

Processes 18 tons per hour (4-6 tons per hour at the old facility)

Process recyclables 6 hours per day (13 hours per day at the old facility)

Process 108 tons of recyclables per day (40 tons per day at the old facility)

Kent County Recycling sorting lines

Kent County Recycling sorting batteries

The new facility features a 5,000 square foot education area that

offers two public meeting and classroom areas and a 125-foot long

viewing platform to allow safe overhead viewing of the machinery

processing recyclables.

Kent County Recycling Baled product ready to be picked up

Kent County Recycling & Education Center in Grand Rapids

is a very successful enterprise. But it could be much more successful

if we all contributed. Do you recycle?

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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

Foto Friday – Chihuly Saffron Tower

Foto Friday – Chihuly Saffron Tower

The Chihuly exhibit at Frederick Meijer Gardens will be leaving on

October 30th.  If you haven’t had a chance to go see this fantastic

art exhibit in one of the most popular gardens in the world, you are

missing a fantastic experience.

Chihuly Saffron Tower Meijer Gardens

This photo of the Saffron Tower was taken on a rainy day this summer.

Even in these conditions, the tower lights up the meadow with its color

and form, especially framed by this modern sculpture.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Eight Top Rated Michigan Golf Courses

Eight Top Rated Michigan Golf Courses

If you are planning a trip to Michigan, don’t forget to bring your clubs and book a tee

time at one of the famous, award-winning, and challenging courses we have to offer.

We have lots to choose from.   Not all are public courses  but a good proportion are.

There are plenty of great tracks for the low handicappers, medium tracks for the mid-ranks,

and a few cow pastures, if you just want to hack it around.  Pick your challenge.

 Picture Perfect Golf Day Tulleymore Golf Course

The Bear

Designed by golf great Jack Nicklaus, The Bear is our best-known course and described

as one of the toughest in the Midwest. You’ll quickly appreciate this beautiful par 72,

links-style course featuring Scottish terraced fairways, tiered greens, deep grassy

roughs, moguls, mounds, and deep pot bunkers. Lakes, ponds, hardwood forests,

streams, and fruit orchards are home to a variety of wildlife.

Stonebridge Golf Club in Ann Arbor

Stonebridge is a public 18 hole championship golf course designed in 1991 by

world famous golf course architect Arthur Hills.

Donald Ross Memorial, Boyne Highlands

Golf Digest named this course one of “Michigan’s Finest Courses.”

The Ross features the likeness of 18 of Donald Ross’ most famous holes

from around the world.

Hawk’s Eye Golf Resort, Bellaire

Hawk’s Eye is an example of Northern Michigan golf at its finest.  Hawk’s Eye

was voted the fourth best course in Michigan by the readers of Michigan

Golf magazine.

 Mom and Bambi Tulleymore GC

Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club, Clarkston

With 27 tour-caliber holes to challenge you, 350 acres of rolling wooded

land to inspire you,  Shepherd’s Hollow golf course is truly a thing of beauty.

Located 30 miles north of Detroit in Northern Oakland County and designed

by Arthur Hills, this course has full practice bunkers, full service locker room

w/showers, and dining facility.  No two holes are alike, each occupies a

roomy corridor, all are faithful to the rise and fall of the terrain.

Treetops Resort, Gaylord

Treetops has been named one of the nation’s finest golf facilities.  Dramatic

views, undulating contours and rolling terrain provide a beautiful setting

for world-class golfing.  Named one of the Top 50 golf courses for women.

Marquette Golf Club, Greywalls Course, Marquette

One of Michigan’s newest courses, Greywalls has received national awards

from Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, Travel + Leisure Golf and Golf Week, as

one of the best in Michigan.

St. Ives & Tulleymore Golf Resort, Stanwood

Tullymore & St. Ives Golf Courses feature elaborate, artistic bunkering,

wandering over and around 800 acres of rolling land and lakes just a short

ride from Grand Rapids.  Wildlife abounds here, so bring your camera!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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: Grand Rapids Michigan’s Mirror

Foto Friday: Grand Rapids Michigan’s Mirror

Grand Rapids MI Buildings

Looking west from Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, this is

what you see sometimes, when the light is just right.  There is nothing

between the large mirrored building and the street.  The large old gray

building is a reflection.  It is actually just behind the camera on the right.

From this angle the mirrored building almost appears as a large film screen

showing a building against a cloudy sky.  Kewl, huh?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 – Grand Rapids Fish Ladder

Foto Friday – Grand Rapids Fish Ladder

View of GR from ladder

The Fish Ladder in Grand Rapids is a fascinating place to visit

in the fall when the salmon are returning upstream to spawn.  When we

have visited this small park on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, the

fish have been so crammed into the fish ladder that ducks were walking

on their backs to get bread crumbs thrown by visitors.

The Fish Ladder is located in a small park named for it near the 4th Street

bridge. From the banks of the Grand River here, you can see the

skyline of downtown Grand Rapids and the Medical Mile.   The view above

is a view of the Riverside area framed by the Fish Ladder structure.

If you  haven’t visited the Fish Ladder Park, fall is the best time to see

the salmon making their way back upstream to their birthplaces to spawn.

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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

Foto Friday – Marina Wharf Saugatuck Michigan

Foto Friday – Marina Wharf Saugatuck Michigan

Saugatuck MI marina wharf

The thousands of marinas in Michigan are getting ready for the last hurrah –

one of the last weekends on the water.  The boats, jet skis, and other water

toys must soon be put away for the winter.  This wharf in Saugatuck is just

one of the busy harbors for boating in Michigan.  West Michigan is one of the

hottest tourist destinations in 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!

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 – Grand Rapids Garden of Glass

Foto Friday – Grand Rapids Garden of Glass

Glass trumpets

Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has the awesome exhibit

of Chihuly sculptured glass and poly towers all over the garden grounds this

summer.

If you haven’t been out to see it yet, you are missing a real treat.

This will be gone before winter, so take advantage of the summer weather

and the summer blooms at the gardens.  When a world renowned glass artist

and a world renowned garden get together – it is a garden of glass.

More Meijer Garden photos on our Flickr photostream.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Foto Friday – Summertime Scene in a Parking Lot

Foto Friday – Summertime Scene in a Parking Lot

Giving Mom the Update

Do you ever try to guess what is happening in a scene that you are seeing but

have no idea of the conversation taking place?  Loved the image of this little

car with the 2 kids parked along side talking with the driver.

Are they discussing:

world peace?

can we go to our friends’ house?

can we have $ for ___________________?[fill in the blank]

With parenting experience, I go with the last option, but that is just me.

What do you think they are discussing?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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



Foto Friday – Just My Size!

 mini boat Suttons Bay

When we spotted this adorable boat in Suttons Bay harbor, we had to take

a photo.  This boat is just my size!

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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!

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