Forest Hills Schools Named Top High Schools in Nation

Forest Hills Schools Named Top High Schools in Nation

Forest Hills Eastern, Northern and Central High Schools have been

named top high schools in the nation by Newsweek in a report on

public schools in America. Located east of the city of Grand Rapids,

Forest Hills Public School District is one of the top rated schools in

the state and the nation.

fheasternhs_thumb.jpg

The high schools in the study were judged on college preparedness,

participation in college level classes,  advanced placement classes,

international baccalaureate programs, and acceptance into two

and four year college programs.

 

Although only the high schools were rated in this article, all of 

Forest Hills Public Schools strive for academic excellence for

all their students.

 

If you are considering locating in the Forest Hills District,

give Terry a call.  He knows the area well and has sold and closed

countless Forest Hills homes, from starter homes to executive enclaves.

 

SEARCH FOREST HILLS HOMES

 

Additional Forest Hills Articles:

Forest Hills Real Estate Market Reports

Forest Hills District Ranks Top in State

Forest Hills District Posts MEAP Scores

 

If you would like specific information about an Ada, Cascade or

Forest Hills MI Home, please contact me directly.

 

Copyright 2013  All rights reserved

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

ar125812212017642 Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Mar 2013 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Mar 2013 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Mar 2013

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Forest Hills Community Expo Saturday March 17th

Forest Hills Community Expo Saturday March 17th

Free Admission to the Forest Hills Community Expo

this coming Saturday March 17th.  This year the Expo is

being held at:

Ada Christian School 6206 Ada Drive 10am–3:00 pm

Ada Christian school

There will be a Kid’s Zone, displays from area businesses,

Ada & Cascade Historical Societies, area restaurants,

entertainment and door prizes.  Stop by and find out what

is happening in Forest Hills!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

ar125812212017642 Ada & Cascade Townships Clean Up Day May 5 2012 ar125812218972939 Ada & Cascade Townships Clean Up Day May 5 2012 ar125812225271331 Ada & Cascade Townships Clean Up Day May 5 2012

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Ada Michigan Trail Closed near Paradise Lake

Ada Michigan Trail Closed near Paradise Lake

Ada Trail will be closed for construction starting 6-21-2011

fronting the Villas of Ada’s expansion on Ada Drive.  Sewer

line and utility hook ups are being done.  The Trail should be

closed for traffic for about 6 weeks.

 

ada bike path Ada Dr to Paradise Lake

Then sewer upgrades will be done to Ada Drive east of

Paradise Lake starting August 1st.  The Ada Trail will be affected

and will be closed for 6-8 weeks.  A new trail surface will be

put down on completion of sewer line upgrades.  Time flies….

the current trail is 15 years old.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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

ar125812212017642 West Michigan Home Improvements that Could be a Mistake ar125812218972939 West Michigan Home Improvements that Could be a Mistake ar125812225271331 West Michigan Home Improvements that Could be a Mistake

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Forest Hills Public Schools Top State of Michigan Rankings

Forest Hills Public Schools Top State of Michigan Rankings

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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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Forest Hills Foods ~ Community Hub

Forest Hills Foods ~ Community Hub

Forest Hills Foods is THE Local Gathering place for snacks, coffee, lunch,

and your weekly groceries. Located at 4668 Cascade Road, at the

intersection of Forest Hills Drive and Cascade Road in Grand Rapids,MI

Forest Hills Foods is more than a grocery store.  It has become a fixture

in the community. We have been frequenting this store for over 30 years

and have seen its grow from a small local grocery to its transformation into

a community center place.

forest hills foods grand rapids mi

It is a friendly store with just about everything you could need.

The grocery  store is small enough that you can get your groceries in about

20-30  minutes, if you don’t run into any friends, which is just about impossible.

On a recent visit for a quick pick up of some fruit, we saw our daughter’s

former teacher, a fellow golfer, one of my clients (and a fellow golfer), and a

former neighbor.  So much for the quick trip to the store!

The groceries are always excellent. They have organic & local produce,

a fresh meat & fish department, a great wine & beer selection, fresh, locally

roasted coffee available, fresh flowers and many specialty items.

forest hills foods produce aisle grand rapids mi

forest hills foods deli cafe grand rapids mi

Besides the groceries, they have a bakery, a pharmacy, a local bank

ATM Machine, a Deli, a Soup & Salad Bar and Cafe with WIFI, of course.

The soup  & salad bar and deli are always busy at lunch. They also have

a US Post Office branch at the customer service desk which is very handy.

It seems we are there about  every other day buying stamps or mailing a

package.  The Foods will also cart your groceries out of the store and put

them in your car for you.  This alone brings many customers back.  In fact,

about the only time the parking lot is empty is when they are closed.

forest hills foods check out aisle grand rapids mi 49546

forest hills foods us post office grand rapids mi

Let me tell you a little story about “THE FOODS” that gives you a glimpse

into its popularity.  When we first moved to this community back in the

late 70’s, my wife went to get groceries. We had 2 small children and had

just moved – you can imagine the chaos in our life. Well, she had a whole

cartload of food to restock our larder and when she got to the checkout,

she realized she had run out of checks. For you young uns’, this was before

credit cards and cell phones, she was near tears as she told the check-out

lady she had no checks and would they hold her groceries till she went home

and got one?

The kind lady at the check out said, “OH, that’s OK. You can bring it in

when you have time.” and continued to check her out. Handed her the

receipt, asked her to check in at the service desk, and that was that.

She was flabbergasted! 

Well, let me tell you, they won a loyal customer that day.

(And yes, she took a check to them right away.)

If you move to our area, I can promise  ~ we’ll see you at The Foods!

Forest Hills Foods Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

I have not received value or consideration for advertising Forest Hills Foods

on my blog or stating my testimonial.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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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Foto Friday ~ It’s a Squirrelly World in Grand Rapids Michigan

Foto Friday – It’s a Squirrelly World in Grand Rapids Michigan

Squirrel at our feeder

Caught me

Posing for his close-up

Sideways Warrior Position is best for eating

What? Like you will miss a few seeds here or there.

Lunch is Over - See ya Soon!

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

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Earth-Arbor Day Celebrated at Ada Park Sat April 24th 2010

Earth-Arbor Day Celebrated at Ada Park  Sat April 24th 2010

Ada Park in Ada Michigan is going all out for Earth Day/ Arbor Day

this year with a Festival.  The celebration will start at  10 AM and

continue until 2 PM at Ada Park & Arboretum on Saturday,

April 24th, 2010.  Ada Park is located at 1180 Buttrick Ave.

Festival admission is free, although donations are accepted.

The Festival will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with exhibits

on trees, landscaping, native plants, invasive plants and insects.

Ada park entrance sign

Activities for all ages include:

  • Games
  • Crafts
  • Fishing in the pond

Activities are also free, except for one craft and ‘tree themed ‘ snacks.

Each group will receive a free white pine sapling as long as supplies last.

The white pine is Michigan’s state tree.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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



Forest Hills Michigan Fine Arts Center Winter-Spring 2010

Forest Hills Michigan Fine Arts Center Winter-Spring 2010

We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful entertainment venue

in our Forest Hills Area.  The fabulous Fine Arts Centers Shows this

winter-spring season have something for everyone.  Not only the

headlining events like Amy Grant, and  Whose Live Anyway, the local

high school productions are not exactly the amateur events I remember

from my school days.  The musicals we have seen have had seriously

talented young performers from our local high schools.

There are still quite a few shows to catch this season. If you haven’t

been to our fabulous gold star LEED performance center, you should

stop by and take a look.

It is open every day from 8am to 5 pm with a featured artist-in-residence

work displayed in the lobby.  This month, fiber artist Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk

displays vessels that explore the concept of containment.

Fine Arts Center Forest Hills MI

February 22 – Forest Hills Central -Evening of Percussion 7 pm

February 23 – Jazz Night 7 pm

March 11 – Cynthia Hagedorn Artist Reception – 6-7:30 pm

March 12-13 – Grand Rapids Balley Company Interactive 7:30 pm

March 25,26,27 – Forest Hill Central MusicalThe Wizard of Oz – 7:30 pm;

+  3:00 pm matinee Mar 27th

April 17 – An Evening with Amy Grant – 7:30 pm

April 18 – Grand Rapids Symphony – Percussion Explosion – 3:00 pm

April 20 – Forest Hill Public Schools K-12 Student Artists Reception, 6 – 7:30 p.m

Thursday, April 29, 2010 – Whose Live Anyway

May 26 – National Senior Health and Fitness Day , 9 a.m. – 3 p.m

June 3  – International Society of Experimental Artists’ Reception, 6 – 7:30 p.m

Fine Arts Center

We volunteer at the Fine Arts Center and find it a very entertaining and

rewarding way to give back to our community.  We have ushered shows,

taken tickets, handed out programs, placed posters and guided people to

their seats.  The Fine Arts Center is a part of the Forest Hills School

System but must survive financially on its own, which means volunteers

are vital to the program. Without volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible to

fund the shows and events that take place to enrich the community.

Fine Arts Center GR MI 49546
Fine Arts Center GR MI 49546

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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


Mandarin Chinese Spoken in Forest Hills School

Mandarin Chinese Spoken in Forest Hills School

Would your kindergartener come home and ask for a bowl of cereal

in Mandarin Chinese?  If you live in the Forest Hills School System

in Grand Rapids Michigan, this isn’t as far fetched as it sounds.

The Meadowbrook Elementary School is home to the Forest Hills

Chinese Immersion Program.  This program is the first of its kind in

West Michigan.  The program just received a Federal Grant of $238,000

for the first year.  If all program objectives are met, it will receive

additional funds for the next 2 years.

fhps meadowbrook school entrance

Leaders in Forest Hills educational community decided to add Mandarin

Chinese Immersion to their bilingual offerings with the assistance

of Michigan State University’s Confucius Institute.  Currently 2

Chinese teachers are  on the school faculty to give students in

the program an early start in bilingual education.

The Forest Hills District is continuing to expand Mandarin language

courses at middle and high school levels.  With 55 percent of the

world’s population speculated to be from Asia in the year 2025 and

5 percent from North America, being fluent in Chinese will be a real

asset in the future business world.

Forest Hills also has a Spanish Immersion Program running at the

Ada Vista Elementary School.

Additional Forest Hills Schools Articles:

Forest Hills Schools Post Outstanding MEAP Scores

West Michigan Schools  in Top US Ranking

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010 ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010 ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Christmas Railway Garden Meijer Gardens 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM