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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Wordless Wednesday – Sno-tastic Michigan

Front_walk_and_driveway

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Lowell Michigan Top Best Homes Jan 2011 ar125812218972939 Lowell Michigan Top Best Homes Jan 2011 ar125812225271331 Lowell Michigan Top Best Homes Jan 2011

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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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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

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

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Foto Friday – January Series Beats Winter Blahs

Foto Friday – January Series Beats Winter Blahs

Covenant-FineArts_Center

The January Series hosted by Calvin College is one of January’s

bright spots on the winter scene in Grand Rapids Michigan.  Famous

authors, public figures, sports celebrities, and many, many other speakers

are brought in every year for the public’s  education and entertainment.

The above photo was taken last Friday at the Calvin College Covenant

Fine Arts Center waiting for Ensemble Galilei to perform.  What a treat!

 

The January Series runs until the 25th of this month, so check out the

remaining speakers for yourself.

 

An added bonus to this local feature is the archives, where many

 speakers from the past have been recorded, so you can browse the

list and listen anytime it is convenient.

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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking?

Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking?

Weird_Van

Driving down the East Beltline today, we came across this van.

Uhhh, I don’t get it……what were they thinking?  It must be a new definition

of “GREEN”.  Isn’t it wonderful that individualists can express themselves in

any way they want?  And you thought Grand Rapids was boring.

 

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!

ar125812212017642 Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2010 ar125812218972939 Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2010 ar125812225271331 Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010

Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden  Meijer Gardens 2010

Did you ever have the thrill of constructing a train set with a model village

to run your track through?  I have visited a few but never had the fun of

constructing my own.  Elves have made an awesome model railway village

in the Meijer Garden Conservatory that runs past quite a few West Michigan

landmark buildings.   The model train runs through the Victorian

Conservatory and the “Special Exhibit” Rooms.  The model Railway Garden

village is constructed of only natural materials.  It is decked out in African

Violets, orchids from the Gardens large collection, numerous ground covers,

small fir trees, tree bark, rocks and moss to give a green and magical feel

to the model railway village.

See if you can recognize the buildings before you scroll down to read

the description.

FountainStChurch

This is the iconic Fountain Street Church famous for liberal speakers and

bringing the outside world to West Michigan since 1924.

Ada  covered bridge

The Covered Wooden Bridge in Ada Michigan is represented here.

Fulton_St _power_plant

This odd looking building is the Steam Power Plant on Fulton Street in

downtown Grand Rapids.  This still functions, supplying steam power to many

downtown buildings.

BigRedLighthouseHolland

The Big Red Lighthouse in Holland Michigan.

GothicChurch

Gothic style Church – my guess is Immanuel Lutheran on Michigan Avenue hill?

[There are over 1200 churches in Grand Rapids, so help me out if you know]

FallasburgCoveredBridge

The Fallasburg Covered Bridge over the Flat River in Lowell Michigan.

GrandRapidsHome

An arts & Crafts Style Grand Rapids Michigan home, typical of many homes

built here in Grand Rapids in the early 20th century.

We hope you enjoyed the brief tour through the Christmas Railway Garden

Village at Meijer Gardens this year.  It will be on display until Jan. 9th, 2011.

In addition, horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, 40 theme Christmas trees,

and other holiday specials will be happening till the end of this year.

There will also be extended holiday hours on December 21, 22, 23,

27, 28, 29 and 30. The entire facility will be open until 9 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!

ar125812212017642 Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Nov 2010 ar125812218972939 Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Nov 2010 ar125812225271331 Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Nov 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

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!

Foto Friday – Oh, Deer Oh, Deer

Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer

 Mom_and_ Bamb_Tulleymore_GC

This mom and baby deer were grazing out in the open at Tulleymore Golf

Course when I played there this spring.  We were also met by a herd on

the driveway into the course early that morning in Stanton, Michigan.  If you

live in Michigan, the white tail deer is a common sight, either in your yard

eating your shrubbery or along the road in open fields.

 

 In case  you have been living in a bubble, this Monday was opening day

for Firearm Deer Season in Michigan.  The Department of Natural Resources

estimates that this is a $1 Billion industry for Michigan, with hunters buying

gas, food, licenses, and hunting gear.  In the recent past, about one and half

million licenses were bought each year.  This year, with the down turn in the

economy, just over a million licenses are expected to be sold.

 

Kent County had the first reported case of Chronic Deer Wasting Disease

in 2008.  All Kent County deer killed must be taken to a check station where

the DNR checks for CDW by removing the deer head and sending it in for

testing.

 

If you are interested in Deer Hunting in Michigan, the DNR and Michigan

State University have a website with lots of information including: updates,

weather, news, field data, and more.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

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Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Downtown GR on Grand River

Grand Rapids Michigan is a city of bridges. With the mighty Grand River

running right through the middle, bridges are extremely important to everyday

transportation and mobility in our city and to the suburban areas surrounding

Grand Rapids proper.

Blue Bridge over Grand River

The Blue Bridge is a pedestrian walkway between the Amway Grand Hotel

and Grand Valley State University campus on the west side of the river.

P1030592

The Fulton Street Bridge is one of the major thoroughfares in Grand Rapids

and bisects the center of the heart of downtown.

 

SM Gr River 6th st bridge cropped

The 6th Street Bridge is an older bridge on the northern section of the

city near Monroe Avenue seen from the Fish Ladder.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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