Grand Rapids Magazine - May 2019

INSIDE: MENTAL HEALTH CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

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Contents MAY 2019 / VOL. 56 / NO. 05

FEATURES

26/ Putting a face on mental health Organizations work to improve access to mental health care.

BY ANN BYLE

33/ Reframing the conversation Local efforts bring suicide conversation into the light.

BY SAM EASTER

37/ Top Docs

26 4 GRAND RAPIDS \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO

Grand Rapids Magazine’s exclusive list of the area’s top medical professionals

contents MAY 2019 / VOL. 56 / NO. 05

departments BACK & FORTH 8 / From the Managing Editor, contributors and letters 10 / Social media, GRMag.com sneak peeks, previews and more LIFE & STYLE 12 / Noteworthy items include Underground Cookie Club, Blue Bridge Games and Cider Week 13 / GR’s Top 5 places for juices and smoothies 14 / Reading room: “Keep on the Grass” by Grand Rapids Historical Commission 15 / Health & wellness: Phl t away 16 / Mod Bettie & Naughty Bettie 18 / Perk City ART & DESIGN 20 / Art gallery listings and highlights

70

Zoko 822 features items influenced by the flavors of northern Spain and southern France.

CAUSE & EFFECT 90 / Dirt Dawgs

16

93 / Calendar

82

21 / Art gallery profile: “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” at Meijer Gardens

98 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights 100 / Comedy & nightclub venue listings and highlights

24 / Frame works: Gemini Handmade

102 / Snap shots

FOOD & DRINK 70 / Dining review: Zoko 822

104 / After thoughts: Femé Naigow of Apsara Spa

72 / Restaurant listings 78 / Chef profile: Matt Overdevest at Marcona on Lyon 82 / Cocktail hour: Tea party brings cocktails to life 88 / Nosh & Sip: Fun white wines spring forth!

OUT & ABOUT 92 / May highlights

78 24

ON THE COVER: As the stigma around mental health care begins to wane, more people are seeking professional help. But often they don’t know where to turn or the wait list to see a professional is months long.

Find out why West Michigan organizations are working to improve access to mental health care on page 26.

Photography by Martin Vecchio Styling by Jennifer Pickering Hair/makeup by Brittney Ouarian.

6 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

back & forth CONNECT WITH US

Don’t forget ‘me time’

S

STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, we’ve all experienced these things to different degrees. In this month’s issue, we take a look at the ways in which mental health practitioners in West Michigan are working to improve care and meet people where they are, using technology and increased local resources.

Find out how Pine Rest has become a leader in mental health care on page 26. The organization added a psychiatric residency program five years ago to increase care in the area, along with the hope of keeping psychiatrists in West Michigan after they complete the program. Pine Rest also opened its

Psychiatric Urgent Care Center in April, which offers walk-in and same-day appointments.

A popular phrase right now is “self-care.”

For me, that means taking time for myself by doing things that I enjoy — indulging in an hour of reading on a Saturday afternoon, getting a pedicure or massage, taking time to connect with friends IRL and getting into the restorative outdoors.

There are a lot of businesses in Grand Rapids focused on helping people manage the pressure of a high-tech, fast-paced world. Mod Bettie is one of those businesses.

Elise Kutt opened the portrait studio to help women see their individual beauty through inspiring photo shoots and stunning photographs. She added a lingerie shop, Naughty Bettie, last year, also focused on helping women feel good about themselves and their different shapes and sizes. You can read all about her mission in “Empowering women” on page 16.

Femé Naigow also wants to help her clients feel good and express themselves. At Apsara Spa, guests are met with a calming atmosphere and practitioners who want to help them along their individual journey. Naigow even created her own vegan skin care line, Mé by Femé, so people can feel good about what they’re putting on their skin.

However you prefer to practice self-care, take some “me time” this month and focus on your mental health.

Charlsie Dewey Managing Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

This month, we asked some of our contributors, “How do you practice self-care?”

8 GRAND RAPIDS \ MAY 2019

Megan Sarnacki

Jerry Soverinsky

Kara McNabb

WRITER

WRITER

COLUMNIST

“EMPOWERING WOMEN” PAGE 16

“PERK CITY” PAGE 18

“PHLOT AWAY” PAGE 15

“I enjoy doing something active each day. It helps me de-stress and recharge.”

“I exercise regularly, stay away from social media and spend time with my family.”

“Dance and stretch to move my body. Explore the roots of my emotional and mental patterns with an unbiased practitioner.”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ISTOCK

Q&A:

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

Inside Grand Rapids Magazine Stay connected with Grand Rapids Magazine in print, at grmag.com and on social media.

Coming up next issue …

SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Check out our top 5 places for smoothies and juices on page 13.

Festival of the Arts Festival of the Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

In honor of this milestone, we take a look at the festival’s origins, evolution and what’s in store for the festival in 2019.

City Built Brewing and Soldadera Coffee partner on a new porter.

Visit grmag.com.

New events venue, Port 393, is coming to Holland. It will include a rooftop bar.

Visit grmag.com.

When you get an Uber, where do you prefer to sit?

Our social media followers respond: 6% Front seat

Join Managing Editor Charlsie Dewey at 9:45 a.m. Thursdays, as she presents the Weekend City Guide with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio FM 88.5 and 95.3.

On TV Managing Editor Charlsie Dewey joins Shelley Irwin each month on WGVU’s Community Connection program to discuss what’s inside Grand Rapids Magazine.

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We want to hear from you There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Email: letters@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Or follow us online at grmag.com or Facebook: @grmag Twitter: @grmagazine Instagram: @grmagazine on social media: 10 GRAND RAPIDS \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MALAMIAH JUICE BAR (FAR LEFT); CITY BUILT BREWING (TOP CENTER); FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (LOWER CENTER); RENDERING COURTESY PORT 393; ISTOCK (BOTTOM RIGHT)

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EDITORIAL

EDITOR: Tim Gortsema MANAGING EDITOR: Charlsie Dewey COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos EDITORIAL INTERN: Allison Arnold CONTRIBUTORS: Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Ira Craaven, Sam Easter, Pat Evans, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Megan Sarnacki, Jerry Soverinsky, Lauren Spangler, Julie Bonner Williams, Tricia van Zelst

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Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Media. Publishing offices: 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 459-4545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo @grmag.com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com.

Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI and at additional mailing offices. Copyright ©2019 by Gemini Media. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St., SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 495031444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag. com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.

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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

‘Amazing cookies, creative art’

Game on!

Blue Bridge Games, a local game store, has joined the Uptown neighborhood at 954 E. Fulton St. From board games to puzzles, new titles and old, Blue Bridge Games has a large variety from which to choose. Browse the store’s library of over 100 games, sit down and play!

Blue Bridge Games also offers a membership program that allows for unlimited use of the store’s library, discounts and perks. bluebridgegames.com — Allison Arnold

Experience Cider Week Celebrate the local cider scene during Cider Week GR, taking place May 12-18. As one of the largest producers of apples in America, Michigan has become home to a growing number of local cideries. Events are planned throughout the week, culminating in the Cider Week Festival on May 18 on the Gillett Bridge and at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. In addition to Cider Week GR, Grand Rapids hosts the annual Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP), the world’s largest cider judging, May 15-17. Visit experiencegr.com/cider-week for a list of events and activities.

— Allison Arnold

12 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Underground Cookie Club’s “Chubby Unicorn.”

“Our goal is to be able to create a space in which we can help local artists thrive in the community by featuring their work and showing them other ways to use their talents.”

- Alan Stone

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY VANDER MILL (BOTTOM); JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP LEFT); COURTESY UNDERGROUND COOKIE CLUB (TOP RIGHT)

Jeremy DeRuiter, Megan DeRuiter and Katie Kolle-McCurdy play a game at Blue Bridge Games.

UNDERGROUND COOKIE CLUB started out similar to the way it sounds. Alan Stone began baking cookies while working in the restaurant industry, bringing them in for his coworkers to enjoy.

After starting a dessert company and adding milk and cookies to the menu, his cookies gained immediate popularity, selling out at almost every event. Stone rebranded his company to Underground Cookie Club, focusing solely on his famous cookies and naming his flavor combinations after elements found in pop culture.

When Stone relocated to Michigan, he brought along Underground Cookie Club as a dessert trailer, selling unique cookies and ice cream sandwiches. In January, Stone expanded the business by opening a retail location at 5422 S. Division Ave. in Kentwood. “Amazing cookies, creative art,” is its mission. The store showcases pop culture artwork created by Stone’s business partner. “Our goal is to be able to create a space in which we can help local artists thrive in the community by featuring their work and showing them other ways to use their talents,” Stone said.

Underground Cookie Club has become famous for its ice cream sandwiches. Unlike most ice cream sandwiches, Stone set out to create the perfect treat that doesn’t stick to your fingers, keeps ice cream from falling out the sides and is soft enough to bite into without waiting for the ice cream to melt. You can find flavor combinations like peanut butter and chocolate or mint and brownie along with unique limited-edition flavors centered around holidays or pop culture happenings. The shop also has a small selection of ice cream and is working on adding additional sweet treats.

— Allison Arnold

life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

Clean Juice offers juices, smoothies and healthy snacks.

GRAND RAPIDS’ TOP 5

juices and smoothies As the weather warms up, the change in seasons often motivates healthy habits. Whether it’s spring cleaning, enjoying the outdoors or healthy eating, springtime is a perfect opportunity to focus on self-care. Take advantage of fresh produce by visiting a local smoothie or juice shop. Here are our top five picks:

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Jermale Eddie is owner and co-founder of the Grand Rapidsbased Malamiah Juice Bar.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 13

life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

This look at local history isn’t of the dry, textbook ilk. Instead, the vintage photographs, I-never-knewthat anecdotes and yes, history, are smile-worthy as well as informative.

Wolverine Bicycle Club visits John Ball Park, ca. 1895

READING ROOM

AS A CHILD climbing tree limbs over the Grand River at Riverside Park or swimming in the neighborhood pool at Briggs Park, M. Christine Byron didn’t know she’d one day write a book about those very venues.

Today, the retired Grand Rapids local history librarian spends her days with husband and co-author Thomas R. Wilson researching Michigan history, collecting vintage Michigan postcards and writing books about the Great Lakes State.

Their most recent book, a compilation with fellow members of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, is “Keep on the Grass: A Brief History of Grand Rapids Parks.” The book, a deliberately concise collection of vintage images and histories of area parks such as Huff Park, Ah-NabAwen Park and Garfield Park, was chosen as the 2019 Mayor’s Book of the Year by Mayor Rosalynn Bliss.

The fifth of six books the couple has written together — their sixth book, a historic look at Leelanau County, will be released 14 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

in May — “Keep on the Grass” stands apart not only for its unique glimpses of Grand Rapids parks but also because Byron and Wilson joined with 11 other members of the historical commission, of which Wilson is president, to publish the book as a fundraiser for the commission. Its release was timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.

“We wanted the book to be done to tie-in with the annual event for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks 10th anniversary. They have done a tremendous amount of (work) for the parks,” Wilson said.

Among the book’s accomplishments are its concept, design and style. This look at local history isn’t of the dry, textbook ilk.

Instead, the vintage photographs, I-neverknew-that anecdotes and yes, history, are smile-worthy as well as informative.

Byron is quick to note this collection on area parks was meant to be a series of brief glimpses, which adds to its charm. Yet, in this slim selection lie stories of “lost parks”

that no longer exist and factoids about parks even the most ardent local history buffs aren’t likely to realize.

One standout is the story of Garfield Park, the land for which was donated by Charles W. Garfield, to whom the book is dedicated.

“Charles Garfield’s house was at the end of Jefferson; he donated the land for Garfield Park. He donated more property back there called Burton Woods. He did that because he didn’t want the city to extend Jefferson through his property where his house was as the city was expanding,” Wilson said.

With its photographs of children playing in the parks in the 1950s, pictures of 1940s baseball teams playing at Sullivan Field or the image of Opening Day of the swimming pool at Richmond Park in 1932, “Keep on the Grass” is a treasure chest of Grand Rapids history and memories.

— JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

‘Keep on the grass’

health & wellness

BY KARA MCNABB

–

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB SACKYTA

Phlot away A NOTEBOOK ENTITLED “Thoughts From the Void” sits in a cozy, dimly lit room; it’s a setting designed to ease the transition from a sensory-reduction experience back to the everyday environment of sensory stimulation.

Descriptive experiences fill the notebook’s pages. “Cured the knots in my neck I didn’t realize I had,” said one entry.

Another noted, “I can still feel my body relaxing.”

The experience: Floating, or restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). In a giant tank filled with 1,100 pounds of Epsom salt and 10.5 inches of water heated to the same temperature as your skin, no lights, no sound, your body floats weightless for an hour, giving your muscles and mind a break.

Invented by neuroscientist John C. Lilly in 1954, he wanted to see if the brain would shut off and cause death if external stimuli were shut off. Instead, he found it led to higher brain functioning.

Float therapy supports myriad conditions, from stress and PTSD to physical recovery for athletes, muscular tension, chronic pain and more. Studies even have shown the effects of sensory-reduction tanks affect the same areas of the brain as anti-anxiety meds, and the results last at least 20 hours post-float versus four hours with a medication like Xanax.

Tyler Phaneuf, owner of Phl t, Grand Rapids’ only float center at 1555 Wealthy St. SE, said floating allows for interoception, an awareness of body function, like breath, heartbeat and sensation, that brings benefits similar to mindfulness meditation.

The experience is different for everyone, he said.

One person reported being able to move his arm again after having no range of motion since a car accident. Another floated to recover from 12 chemotherapy treatments, while another heard the voice of her sister who had passed away years ago. And by way of the notebook, others reported deeply meditative experiences.

My first time had me wondering whether I’d feel claustrophobic upon closing the tank door. I didn’t. I wondered if I’d get bored lying there for an hour. Time flew.

I wondered if I’d also have a mystical or deeply meditative experience. While that didn’t happen my first time, I was extremely tuned into my physical sensations.

“Floating is a practice,” Phaneuf said.

Research indicates floatation tanks trigger a relaxation response deeper than sleep.

Phaneuf’s goal is to provide the best experience. From the floors and furniture to the sounds and lighting, the ambiance is relaxing. Everything you need is provided, from showers and shampoo to earplugs and blow dryers. What’s more, Phaneuf exuded a calm, reassuring presence as he provided detailed instruction and offered helpful tips for my first float.

A final insight from the Phl t journal: “With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we forget — or don’t realize — we’re too busy until we feel overwhelmed.” Floating is a way to help cultivate a mindful attention to ourselves on the daily.

Phl t sessions are $85 with introductory and package deals also available.

Research indicates floatation tanks trigger a relaxation response deeper than sleep.

Phlot chambers create a sensory reduction experience that promotes relaxation.

— Kara McNabb is a traditional naturopath at Continuum Healing and member of the Wellness Collective. Follow her on Instagram at @grandrapidsnaturopath.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 15

life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

Empowering women

“When people come in for a photo shoot, the first thing they say is, ‘I’m not photogenic.’ My answer is always, ‘That’s a lie.

Every woman is photogenic.’”

— ELISE KUTT

16 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELISE KUTT

Elise Kutt is on a mission to help women feel beautiful.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELISE KUTT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELISE KUTT

AS THE OWNER of both Mod Bettie Portraits and Naughty Bettie lingerie boutique, Elise Kutt wants to remind every woman to always trust in her beauty. “When people come in for a photo shoot, the first thing they say is, ‘I’m not photogenic.’ My answer is always, ‘That’s a lie. Every woman is photogenic. You just have to find the right person to bring it out of you and teach you the way,’” Kutt said. Since 2014, Kutt has made it her mission to “build an empire” that shines a light on body positivity and female selfexpression in West Michigan.

After witnessing body insecurities rise and confidence levels decrease in the digital age, Kutt started specializing in femalecentric photography to help other women own and love their bodies. “There’s so much opportunity and so many ways to embrace the female form,” Kutt said. Whether it is boudoir, glamour, pinup or personal branding, Mod Bettie offers women an all-inclusive portrait session with full access to wardrobe, props, and professional hair and makeup. “I pride myself on the fact that you can come in with nothing, and we’ll have you covered — all sizes,” Kutt said.

Carrying a wide range of sizes and styles always was important to Kutt when opening her second business, Naughty Bettie. After speaking with clients during their Mod Bettie wardrobe consultations, Kutt realized how difficult finding the perfect lingerie pieces can be for women. “I was shocked at how hard it was to find plus lingerie that was equally as detailed or as pretty. Everything I was finding was everyday bras. I said, ‘I’m not going to do that. I’m only going to do it if I can find sizes for everyone,’” Kutt said.

Naughty Bettie is located inside of the Mod Bettie studio, and store appointments can be scheduled for private shopping experiences and special events. “Women seem to like the fact that we’re not a storefront,” Kutt said. “There’s no shame walking from the car to the store. No one knows you’re coming here for this, so it’s kind of a really nice hidden gem that you’re going to tell your girlfriends about.”

Since Kutt’s inspiration stems from the female relationships made through her work, she wanted to give other women in West Michigan the same opportunity.

“There’s something inherent in humans, and especially women, to make connections with others. We want friendships, but

Naughty Bettie offers lingerie for women of every shape and size.

the older we get, the harder it is to make new friends,” Kutt said.

Through this desire, Kutt formed #SquadBettie, an online community made for women to empower and inspire one another. “I wanted to create a space where women could come together, share their stories, create a sense of camaraderie and friendship, support each other, and just be each other’s biggest cheerleaders and celebrate the wins,” Kutt said. Each month, #SquadBettie hosts meetup events where women can continue their conversations made online, engage in a variety of themed activities and connect with other femaleowned businesses.

After working with women across West Michigan, Kutt hopes they not only walk away feeling beautiful but also realize how vital it is to engage in self-care activities.

“We are always the last to take care of ourselves. That’s human nature for women.

We are always doing for everyone else, and at the end of the day, we forget to wash our face or do our nails — it’s just the absolute last on our list,” Kutt said.

— MEGAN SARNACKI

UPCOMING EVENTS  On May 4 and 5, Mod Bettie will host Mother’s Day mini-sessions, where all the women in your life are invited to get a makeover and participate in a photo shoot.

 On May 17, Mod Bettie will hold the Women Who Ignite event from 6-9 p.m.

Guest speaker Veronica Kirin will lead the seminar on embracing and exploring women’s sexuality.

 Mod Bettie and Naughty Bettie also are available for booking private parties.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 17

life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

Rowster Coffee

turned me down, saying they weren’t excited about it.” Madcap would be one of more than 10 places within a few blocks selling coffee, hardly an alluring prospect for a landlord in search of a long-term tenant.

More than a decade later and despite the ominous financial forecast, Madcap has not just survived but thrived, establishing itself as not just a local coffee powerhouse but one garnering national attention for delivering best-in-class performance. In the process, it has helped transform Grand Rapids; aka Furniture City, aka Beer City, USA; into Perk City, USA, a rich collection of independent shops roasting, brewing and crafting artisanal espressos, coffees and other specialty drinks.

“We try to be like the craft brewers.”

- KURT STAUFFER

Grand Rapids is developing a national reputation for coffee excellence.

HEADING EAST from the Amway Grand Hotel, a small line of people snakes around Ottawa Avenue at Monroe. I take my place at the end of the line, a solemn gathering of men and women, young and old, most checking their smartphones, intermittently peering inside to gauge the wait time.

A few minutes later, I’m inside the store, embraced by the fragrant aroma of fresh pastries and ground coffee.

It’s a typical Monday at Madcap Cof18 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

fee, the company’s flagship location that opened in fall 2008. Teasing the company’s arrival to Grand Rapids earlier that summer, a local media outlet cynically asked its followers whether Grand Rapids needs another coffee shop.

“Most of the storefronts at that time were empty and the economy was bad,” said Trevor Corlett, co-founder of Madcap. “The space had been empty just over a year, and when I reached out to the owner, they

Rowster Coffee “We try to be like the craft brewers,” said Kurt Stauffer, owner of Rowster Coffee, Michigan’s Best Coffee Shop, according to Business Insider, and “Espresso Shop of the Year” winner, as chosen by Food Network’s ubiquitous star Alton Brown. In its Uptown and West Side locations, Rowster eschews the haughty indie coffee shop vibe, instead creating a refreshingly humble atmosphere for coffee lovers of all stripes, wherever they fall

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

Perk City, USA

No fewer than 50 independent shops and cafés blanket the Grand Rapids region, highly personal, customized foodie destinations that reflect the individual tastes and sensitivities of their owners. And with a steady stream of regulars, they present a collective testament that while Grand Rapids may not need additional coffee shops, it certainly wants them.

Let’s take a closer look at a few.

on the java knowledge spectrum. “We want to be approachable and meet people where they are while overdelivering on quality and excellence.” Mission accomplished.

Schuil and Ferris As two of the city’s oldest roasters, Ferris Coffee and Nut Co. (1924, when it evolved from a hotel to a food manufacturer) and Schuil Coffee Co. (1981) have undergone radical transformations over the past several years.

Having carved out reputations in the retail and corporate spaces with commodity-grade coffees, both have transitioned to roasting specialty coffees, a commitment to quality accompanied by dual brand refreshes.

While Schuil hasn’t abandoned its flavored bean blends, it has incorporated more nuanced roasts that cater to the enthusiastic, at-home brewer. Meanwhile, Ferris has expanded its retail presence, first with a redesigned café on Winter Street and then with additional locations in the Michigan Trust Building and in downtown Holland.

Additionally, it offers hands-on training classes for new hires that explain the beanto-cup process, educational opportunities that it extends to its wholesale customers.

ALIGN YOUR INVESTMENTS WITH YOUR VALUES

Outside Coffee Company “Taking time to enjoy the outdoors is essential to one’s happiness,” said Erica Lang, coowner of Eastown’s Outside Coffee Co., a yearround, open-air, garden café operating out of a converted 1956 Dalton Travel Trailer. And whether it’s working from a communal table or lounging in hammocks spring through fall or cozying up inside a heated, translucent igloo-like dome in winter, OCC customers draw inspiration from the neighboring Woosah Outfitters, Lang’s shop that offers handcrafted woodcut prints and apparel.

Call Ted Vogt and Carol Dehen about the potential benefits of a socially responsible portfolio.

616-949-0900 866-949-0907

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

Squibb With its revolving menu of craft roasts from indie coffee shops around the country, Squibb Coffee & Wine Bar is casting an ever-expanding community net for Wealthy Street young professionals and college students. But it’s not just caffeinated fixes that are on tap here. A liquor license allows it to serve craft beers and wines that pair expertly with its hand-selected assortment of artisanal cheeses and pastries, ensuring an appropriate buzz for any time of day or evening. And a partnership with Rise Bakery helped launch Rise and Squibb Bakehouse and Coffee Bar this winter, an intimate West Side space that highlights both companies’ food and drink strengths.

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No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

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— JERRY SOVERINSKY MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 19

art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Local art galleries COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

Through Apr. 27

1/ “Brave” by Donna Lutz

Vanderplas is at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.

1/ FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS

2/ AQUINAS COLLEGE

3/ FLAT RIVER GALLERY &

CENTER: Artist-in-residence

GALLERY: Work by students,

FRAMING: Artist cooperative

program offers exhibits by local

faculty and visiting artists.

shows work in a variety of

and regional artists during the

Through May 11, the 2019 B.F.A.

mediums, plus gifts, framing and

school year, also exhibits by

Exhibition includes work by Anna

workshops. Through May 31, two

Forest Hills Public Schools

Cecchini, Carolyn Cook, Olivia

visiting artists showcase their

students and staff. Opening on

Hoffman and Alyssa Khalifa. Art

work. Claudia Farrell’s love of

May 28 is an exhibit by artist

& Music building, 1607 Robinson

nature inspires her paintings that

Donna Lutz Vanderplas, featuring

Road SE, 632-8900, aquinas.edu/

reflect her travels and cherished

watercolor paintings and graphite

art/gallery.

memories, while Rita Shields

drawings. It runs through June 21.

showcases her ceramics. 219

Also, through May 17, Forest Hills

W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737,

Public Schools Student Exhibit.

flatrivergalleryandframing.com.

600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com.

2/ Aquinas College hosts its annual B.F.A. Exhibit.

The Artist’s Studio: Studio and gallery with work by Jim Starkey and Rose Ellis; also, custom framing.

40 Monroe Center NW, 454-6650, facebook.com/theartistsstudio1.

Calvin College Center Art Gallery: Student, faculty and alumni work, plus exhibits by visiting artists. May 3-18, Senior BA and BFA Exhibition; reception 5-9 p.m. May 16. Through July 31, “Hague School Paintings.” Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 526-6271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery.

Cascade Art Gallery: Work by regional, national and international artists, plus multimedia art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing and gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 949-4056, facebook.com/cascadeartgallery.

Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. May 7-11, 2019 Annual Student Exhibition. 17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries.

Flat River Cottage: Fine art, jewelry, antiques and home décor; also, paintings by Kathleen Mooney. 317 E. Main St., Lowell, 897-8601, flatriver cottage.com.

20 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Franciscan Life Process Center: Changing exhibits by local artists.

Guardian Gallery - Grand Rapids: Through June 28, featured artist Richard Schaf. 654 Davis St. NW. Guardian Gallery - Lowell: Through June 28, pastel and oil paintings by Dennis O’Mara. 11650 Downes St., 897-7842, lifeprocesscenter.org.

GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students.

143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 234-3544, grcc. edu/artgallery.

GVSU Art Galleries: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists.

Allendale campus: Through June 21, “2019 Selections from ‘fishladder’” at Kirkhof Center Gallery. Through June 21, “Plastination: The Art of Preservation” at Red Wall Gallery.

1 Campus Drive, Allendale, 331-2563.

Pew Grand Rapids campus: Through June 21, “Water: Human Right or Commodity?” at Blue Wall Gallery.

Through June 21, “Selections from Mars: Astronomy and Culture” at West Wall Gallery. Permanent exhibit: “Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy” at George and Barbara Gordon Gallery. DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., 331-3638, gvsu.edu/artgallery.

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University: Work by students in graduate-level programs and special community projects. May 7-11, 2019 Annual Excellence Awards Exhibition. 17 Fountain St. NW, 4512787, kcad.edu/galleries.

Kruizenga Art Museum: Art from Hope College’s permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. Through May 4, “Art and Fashion: Spring Collections Reveal.” Through May 11, “Once Were Nomads: Textiles and Culture in Baluchistan.” 271 Columbia Ave., Holland, 395-6400, hope.edu/kam.

LaFontsee Galleries: 2D and 3D works by gallery artists, plus framing and restoration services. Also, Urban Craft Boutique with gifts, accessories and home décor. Through May 24, “Revive” group exhibition; also “Solo Installation” by Myles Bennett. 833 Lake Drive SE, 451-9820. lafontsee.us.

Leep Art Gallery: Work by a variety of visiting artists. Pine Rest Postma

LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. Through May 18, “Artemis, Eve, Frigg and Beyond: A Contemporary Eye” and “See Us, Hear Us: Women’s Voices in Image and Word.” 223 W. Main St., Lowell, 897-8545, lowellartsmi.org.

MercuryHead Gallery: A variety of work by local artists. Also, gifts, photo restoration, digital printing on canvas and framing. 962 E. Fulton St., 456-6022, facebook.com/mercury headgallery.

Merizon Studio: Art, mirror and glass design, custom framing and limitededition prints by Armand Merizon.

9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstudio.com.

Terryberry Gallery: Local and international art. May 1-25, “The Things We Paint” by Ruth Vandermeulen and Todd Darling; reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 3. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org/visit terryberry-gallery.

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Innovative, contemporary exhibits and installations. Through June 16, “Or Does It Explode?” by Manar Bilal, César Dezfuli, Brian Sokol and Maranie R. Staab. May 10-Aug. 18, “Breaching the Margins”; reception 5:30-9 p.m. May 10. 2 W. Fulton St., 454-7000, uica.org.

Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 2357211 ext. 103, heartside.org.

Van Singel Fine Arts Center: Changing exhibits by local artists. Through June 2, “Walk on the Wild Side”

by Hana Girdvainis Sawyer. 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com/programming/ art-gallery.

Holland Area Arts Council: Changing exhibits of art. 150 E. Eighth St., Holland, 396-3278, hollandarts.org.

ICCF: Inner City Christian Federation headquarters displays art in various media. 920 Cherry St. SE, 336-9333, iccf.org.

Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org/ leep-art-gallery.

3/ Paintings by Claudia Farrell are

at Flat River Gallery & Framing.

Check websites for hours of operation.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DONNA LUTZ VANDERPLAS (TOP); ANNA CECCHINI (LEFT); CLAUDIA FARRELL (BOTTOM)

Fountain Street Church Keeler Gallery: Art exhibits in a variety of mediums by visiting artists. 24 Fountain St. NE, 459-8386, fountainstreet.org/art.

art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPARKS

From a “National Treasure” exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Left: Signal III by Antony Gormley. Right: New World Map by El Anatsul

A legacy of love Exhibit takes a closer look at Fred Meijer’s inspiration for Meijer Gardens.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 21

art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

THIS SPRING AND SUMMER, visitors to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will enjoy a treat beyond a walking tour of the stunning grounds. Through Aug. 25, “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” will be on display.

Fred Meijer, who launched what is known as the present-day Meijer store chain in 1962 with his father, would have turned 100 this year. While he never received any formal training in visual arts or art history, his mother prioritized the subjects as he was growing up. Meijer would grow to foster a lifelong love of art and, in particular, sculpture.

“The quote from his mom was, ‘The eye needs something, too.’ She was a very strong proponent of having the visual arts as part of a well-rounded life experience,” said Laurene Grunwald, Meijer Gardens’ director of sculpture, art collections, exhibitions and installations.

As Meijer continued to explore his interest in the arts as an adult with his horticultureloving wife Lena, he began a collection of sculptures in earnest. Meijer first started gathering pieces in the 1980s according to his own preferences. As the years went on, his collection grew as his tastes expanded.

From the beginning, he and Lena knew the collection was destined for more than their own pleasure.

“Fred acquired these pieces knowing that he didn’t want them just for himself but to be able to show it to a wider audience and to the public and have many, many people 22 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPARKS (LEFT); COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK (INSET)

Far left: Untilted

by Mark di Suvero.

Right: Fred Meijer with artist Mark di Suvero.

“Fleury” pearl earrings by Bernd Wolf

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPARKS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPARKS (LEFT); COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK (INSET)

Top: “A National Treasure” explores the 11 chapters of Fred Meijer’s early life and the creation of Meijer Gardens. Bottom left: Sfera con perforazione by Arnoldo Pomodoro. Inset: Lena and Fred Meijer at Pomodoro Gallery in Milan, Italy.

enjoy it,” Grunwald said.

The exhibition, which serves as a testament to Meijer’s life and legacy, features a collection of sculptures divided into 11 chapters. Each chapter is based around a piece of art that explores the chapters of Fred’s life and the early creation of Meijer Gardens, one of the world’s greatest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures. The pieces are from either Meijer Gardens’ permanent collection or on loan from various artists Meijer knew and admired.

“The whole exhibition is a mini chronological display of how things got started,” Grunwald said. “There’s quite a lot of text written about Fred and his vision, his early collection and how he got excited about sculpture.”

Just as Meijer learned to love sculpture and the visual arts without a formal background in them, the “National Treasure”

exhibit endeavors to connect works of art with all members of the community, regardless of background or training.

“There’s definitely a lot of variety of work so people who are familiar with art can see more of those historical moments,” Grunwald said. “But for people who are novices and are coming for other reasons, there’s still a good entry point to see objects that they can relate to, then explore and look beyond what they feel comfortable with.”

As a lifelong philanthropist and patron of the arts, it is safe to assume his community taking the time to explore, appreciate and reflect on his collection and the impact it has had would overjoy Meijer.

Grunwald summed the idea up succinctly: “He really didn’t collect just for his own personal desire but something to share with everybody.”

— LAUREN SPANGLER

Spring has sprung and we have the prettiest flowers to celebrate the season.

Remember Mother’s Day is May 12!

978 Cherry St SE, GR MI 616-459-5075 shop@metalartstudioinc.com Tu-Fr 10-5, Sat 12-4 or by appointment MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 23

frame works

BY MARK F. MILLER

Twin frontage New storefront unearths unique history

station took advantage of the dual frontage by having gas pumps on both Cherry Street and Lake Drive. The building eventually became home to Superior Fisheries, and while retaining some of its moderne character, it went through a variety of transformations.

One of these transformations was a 1950sera rebrand when Superior Fisheries hired a local sign and graphics company to adorn the front of the building with fish murals. During the building’s most recent remodel, it was discovered that Paul Collins, the well-known artist who owned the sign and graphics company in the 1950s, did these murals.

The new Gemini Handmade location offers a glimpse of the building’s past as a former gas station and home to Superior Fisheries.

THE CONVERGENCE OF Lake Drive and Cherry Street in the East Hills neighborhood creates a unique triangular block that is home to a diverse array of businesses. Many of these businesses, particularly those near the eastern tip of the triangle, have double frontages on both Lake and Cherry that provide them with exposure on two main streets.

One of the newest businesses in this ensemble, just west of the venerable Cherie Inn, is Gemini Handmade, a local shop and studio that moved from South Division Avenue to 963 Cherry St. SE in November 24 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

2018. Its double frontage provides a unique configuration for a dual-sided store, with retail space on the Cherry side and a large workspace, office, kitchen and sewing gallery on the Lake side. In addition to this dual frontage, the building’s spatial layout and flexible floorplan provide a functional maker space for Gemini Handmade’s crafters.

This functional space began as a fullservice gas station in 1936. The art moderne structure had the quintessential streamlined design, sleek detailing and machined aesthetic that were emblematic of the style. The gas

The fish murals and various remnants of the gas station (including the glazed white masonry exterior walls and large window openings) were uncovered during the remodel for Gemini Handmade. These have become central elements in the store’s retail showroom and provide juxtapositions between old and new, and also machine-made and handcrafted.

The building’s historic uses, its layers of use patterns and its residual incremental changes provide a quirky and functional studio and shop that offers customers an upclose personal experience with the process and crafters. At Gemini Handmade, like at many of Grand Rapids’ local artisanal shops, customers can come in, shop, watch items being crafted, sit down and chat, pick materials for custom designs and even consult about small craft businesses. Increasingly, in the world of virtual retailing, this kind of experiential connection sets the local retailers apart from online shopping sterility.

— Architect and planner Mark F. Miller is managing director of planning and design at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. He has led the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GEMINI HANDMADE

The art moderne structure had the quintessential streamlined design, sleek detailing and machined aesthetic that were emblematic of the style.

HISTORY LESSON Gemini Handmade, located at 963 Cherry St. SE, was formerly known as Parliament the Boutique. The rebrand occurred in June 2018.

Elyse Marie Welcher started Parliament the Boutique in 2013 as a shop and studio for her Littlewings Designs brand. The studio quickly evolved to include the work of her PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GEMINI HANDMADE

husband Jake Vroon (Harbinger Leather Design).

After launching their own businesses and meeting as friendly competitors, Welcher and Vroon created Gemini Handmade, which is inspired by their birth story — they were born two days apart, in the same hospital, in the month of June and under the Gemini sign.

Gemini Handmade’s expanded retail space.

The 2019 Cadillac XT5

Versatility that Makes a Statement.

Style that Takes a Stance.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GEMINI HANDMADE

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MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 25

a face on

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN XXXXXXXXXXX VECCHIO

Putting

26 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

mental health

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

West Michigan organizations work to improve access to mental health care.

By Ann Byle Photography by Rob Sackyta and Martin Vecchio

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 27

mental

has many faces in West Michigan. The spectrum ranges from postpartum depression to severe schizophrenia, from anxiety to bipolar disorder, from being able to function fairly well to horrific tragedy as seen in the news recently.

Picture a sandwich-generation woman caught between elder care and child care; a father with a mental breakdown with no apparent cause; a woman suffering from severe depression; an elderly couple facing huge life changes as they age; a college student having anxiety attacks; a bipolar man having a run-in with police.

For college students, mental health needs center on anxiety, depression and relationship concerns, according to Irene Kraegel, Psy.D., director of the Center for Counseling and Wellness at Calvin College. She said the center has seen visits rise over the last decade and added it sees about 20 percent of the student body from year to year.

“The theory is that the stigma about mental health is coming down with students much more willing to talk about their struggles and reach out for help,” Kraegel said. “There also may be an actual increase in anxiety and depression connected to a decrease in face-to-face contact among adolescents. There are higher rates of loneliness and isolation with some connection to heavy reliance on social media.”

Anxiety and depression also are significant mental health problems facing older adults, according to Dr. Suzann OglandHand, who specializes in geropsychology at her private practice. She points to biological risk factors, which contribute to the reality of bodies wearing out.

“Physical issues can contribute to depression and anxiety. Polypharmacy and drug side effects also contribute,” she said. “Additionally, older adults, who were raised with 28 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

health care

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB SACKYTA XXXXXXXXXXX

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

Sgt. John Wittkowski

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 29

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB XXXXXXXXXXX SACKYTA

Dr. William Sanders, Pine Rest residency program director

30 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

“The theory is that the stigma about mental health is coming down with students much more willing to talk about their struggles and reach out for help.”

- Irene Kraegel

a tremendous respect for authority, may not feel they have the right or the time to ask questions to better understand how to manage their health conditions.”

Ogland-Hand also has seen, locally and nationally, a broader understanding of how adverse childhood experiences affect mental health in the general and older populations.

“We’re helping people understand what happened to them and how that impacted their emotions across a lifespan. We’re asking how we recover from what happened to us in our first 18 years,” she said.

Sgt. John Wittkowski, mental health liaison for the community for the Grand Rapids Police Department, estimated that 30-35 percent of all police calls have some sort of mental health dynamic, from acute issues like a person not coping well with a bad day to the 16 calls from the same person in just two months.

“A call might start out as a domestic call, but there is an underlying mental health component. We have to wade through and figure out the problem,” said Wittkowski, who also is a patrol supervisor. He initiates mental health training for officers, interacts with area mental health and social services agencies, coordinates collaborative interventions and trains those agencies on police roles in the community.

“Our biggest problem is lack of crisis care; we have a hard time getting someone with immediate crisis intervention needs to appropriate care,” said Wittkowski, who points to StreetReach on Commerce Avenue SW as a resource in this space. StreetReach helps individuals who are homeless and have mental health disorders.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PINE REST

Gaps in care The GRPD and other agencies such as Network180, Kent County’s mental health authority that serves more than 50,000 individuals annually through its network, are in the planning stages of creating a place for those who need crisis intervention in Grand Rapids, particularly the uninsured or those on Medicaid. Often, these folks need inpatient care and intensive outpatient care, as well.

“The model years ago was that these individuals would go to jail; then we realized jail isn’t the place to go so we began taking them to emergency rooms. But they aren’t getting mental health services in ERs either,” Witt-

kowski said. “We need more crisis centers that provide crisis care and stabilization and then get them to appropriate outpatient care.”

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services sees the need, as well. Its Psychiatric Urgent Care Center opened in April on the Pine Rest campus, with walk-in and sameday appointments.

“We provide a psychiatric and social work assessment, give a diagnosis, start a patient on treatment and provide referrals for outpatient follow-up, inpatient stays, detox or hospitalization,” said Megan Zambiasi, director of the Psychiatric Urgent Care Center.

Zambiasi also pointed to the need for care at a level between outpatient care and the hospital emergency department.

“We hope we can fill the gap. We hope to connect people to something that helps them quickly, helps them follow up with other professionals and gets them on the road to wellness,” she said.

Pine Rest said it is hoping to help fill another gap. It can take months to see a psychiatrist (psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication, which therapists cannot) despite many patients having pressing needs. The Pine Rest Psychiatry Residency Program, in its fifth year, offers a four-year program for up to 54 students (currently there are 40) and four fellowships for sub-specialty training.

Students receive training in general, addiction, geriatric, child and adolescent, forensic and the emerging field of consult liaison psychiatry, and do rotations at many health care organizations in West Michigan.

“Because we have residents training in the

42

counties across Michigan have participated in Pine Rest’s teletherapy program.

80%

of the 25,000 telehealth visits are being provided to patients in various care settings outside of Pine Rest.

295,000 outpatient visits at Pine Rest this fiscal year.

5,000

of the 295,000 outpatient visits will be provided via telepsychiatry or teletherapy this fiscal year.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 31

hospitals, we are getting more patients into Pine Rest and other care more quickly,” said Dr. William Sanders, Pine Rest residency program director.

The residents help provide mental health care, but they also may decide to live and work here in West Michigan. “It’s so nice recruiting people to a place like West Michigan,” Sanders said.

The future of mental health care There are a variety of models for mental health care, including countywide programs such as Network180, large nonprofits such as Pine Rest, private practices and broad-spectrum organizations such as Amplified Life Network.

Amplified Life’s mission is to “amplify well-being everywhere by delivering a spectrum of well-being resources and services to individuals and organizations.” It does this through what Tyler Higley, vice president of Amplified Life, calls a “nonclinical mental health setting” on 4 acres in Byron Center, which includes pamphlets and newsletters on a variety of topics, an app, and working directly with organizations and their employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Print materials, which can be imprinted with an organization’s contact information, are used across the country to educate on topics such as balancing work and family, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and substance abuse/addiction recovery, as well as point people to local mental health care agencies. The app is a self-guided cognitive behavior therapy tool for individuals or practitioners.

“We are using technology and best practices to make mental health care more efficient,” Higley said.

For Dr. Mark Eastburg, president and CEO of Pine Rest, the local and national 32 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

conversation has focused on access to care.

Pine Rest’s urgent care center and residency program help address that need, but telemedicine across the medical field “has great promise” to solve the access problem.

“Mental health is perfect for telemedicine. It doesn’t require hands-on care and is primarily a verbal intervention,” Eastburg said. “We’re piloting a virtual clinic, through which some may do all of their psychotherapy. Some people don’t see themselves going to an outpatient clinic; this could help the person who, say, works downtown and can go into a private room during lunch and have a therapy session.”

Pine Rest provides telepsychiatry to over a dozen organizations and is pursuing teletherapy for those who can’t easily access therapists, such as new moms, those living in rural areas, the homebound, etc. He cites the weather challenges this past winter as an example.

“We offered teletherapy on a limited basis during the polar vortex, something that wouldn’t have happened 10 years ago. We hope there will never be a mental health snow day,” Eastburg said.

By June 30, the organization will have provided over 25,000 telepsychiatry and teletherapy visits this past year and expects that number to double in the year ahead.

Access isn’t just about location, however.

Access can be denied because of finances, lack of transportation, wait time, cultural fit and language barriers. Area organizations are looking at all of these issues.

“Ten years from now, I hope our community can say we’ve figured out the mental health access problem,” Eastburg said. “If we are willing to partner and continue that collaborative spirit, West Michigan could be a model for the rest of the nation on how we solve the access problem. I really think we can do it.”

GR

- Dr. Mark Eastburg

Learn more about these organizations dedicated to mental health care.

StreetReach: pinerest.org/services/ community-servicesoutreach/street-reach Call (616) 258-7543 Network180: network180.org Access Center open 24 hours.

Call (616) 336-3909 Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services: pinerest.org Call (800) 678-5500 Pine Rest’s Psychiatric Urgent Care Center hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Located on the Pine Rest campus at 300 68th St., Grand Rapids.

Amplified Life Network: amplife.us Call (800) 453-7733

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PINE REST (TOP); PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN VECCHIO (OPPOSITIE PAGE); HANDLETTERING BY KYLEI SZABO

Pine Rest’s virtual clinic allows for teletherapy to over a dozen organziations.

“If we are willing to partner and continue that collaborative spirit, West Michigan could be a model for the rest of the nation on how we solve the access problem.

I really think we can do it.”

Reframing the conversation Local efforts bring suicide conversation into the light.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

By Sam Easter Photography by Rob Sackyta and Martin Vecchio

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 33

lost her husband Rob in 2003. After a battle with depression, he died by suicide, leaving behind a wife and three children — ages 5, 12 and 15 — living in Grand Rapids.

They’ve had to process the loss in different ways. The youngest, she said, has been left without memories of her father; her oldest had been extremely close with him.

For Woodrick herself, the loneliness has at times become consuming.

“He was such a passionate person. He loved his family so much,” Woodrick said. “I know that my husband was thinking that he was doing us a favor, that we would be better off without him and his struggles.”

Woodrick recalled facing the prospect of friends’ wedding anniversaries and doing the quick addition for how long she would have been married — were he still alive. It was hard to find someone to care, she said. Many people didn’t want to confront it. Woodrick said business connections were different; relationships with other couples evaporated.

“I had no other — anyone — that could understand what I went through. In fact, people were saying, ‘When are you going to get over it?’” Woodrick recalled. “It’s because they haven’t been through it.”

Woodrick’s tragedy is far from unique.

Barb Hawkins Palmer is the director of Healthy Kent, a Kent County Health Department program that helps measure and address local issues like substance abuse, infant health and mental health. She said there were 87 deaths by suicide in Kent County in 2017, a figure that rose to 97 deaths last year.

Causes can vary widely — from financial hardship to relationship changes to bullying and more. Hawkins said although there are some people genetically predisposed to anxiety or depression, suicidal thoughts

34 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

can happen to anyone, making it that much more important to speak openly about it.

“The prevention piece is just very, very critical,” she said. “We believe that everyone has the ability to realize that someone is having troubles that may lead to suicide.”

“He was such a passionate person.

He loved his family so much. I know that my husband was thinking that he was doing us a favor, that we would be better off without him and his struggles.”

—Vonnie Woodrick There’s a deep toolkit for friends and family who want to look out for a loved one. There’s the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — a 24-hour hotline at 1-800273-8255 — and there’s a litany of warning signs, like expressions of hopelessness, apathy for living or withdrawal from the people around them. Christy Buck, CEO of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, offered an acronym to help guide concerned friends and relatives through a mental health checkup: be “nice.”

That’s “notice” someone is acting differently, whether they’re withdrawn, expressing feelings of worthlessness or even talking directly about wanting to die; then, “invite yourself” to have a conversation with them about it; “challenge” them to seek help if they need it; and “empower” and encourage them to take positive steps for themselves. It’s billed on the foundation’s

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

Vonnie Woodrick

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB XXXXXXXXXXX SACKYTA

Vonnie Woodrick

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 35

website as a kind of “stop, drop and roll” for mental health.

“The bottom line is that suicide is preventable,” Buck said.

Woodrick, meanwhile, has taken her own painful experiences and used them to help comfort others who have lost friends and family. In 2014, she founded i understand, a Grand Rapids group that offers resources like support groups, local dinners and more for those who have lost a loved one.

She said the group has monthly support groups, winter walks and other events like the “Amore Heals” Valentine’s Day meals, held in February at local restaurants for widows and widowers.

“The bottom line is that suicide is preventable.”

One other widely shared mission for suicide prevention advocates is subtler but just as important: changing the way we think about deaths by suicide. Saying someone “committed” suicide evokes the kinds of stigmas as “committing” a sin or a felony, Woodrick said. And chipping away at the hesitation many people have to talk bluntly about mental health is a big part of the battle.

According to 2017 survey data from the Kent County Health Department, cost was the most commonly reported barrier to mental health care. But it was followed by other factors that figure heavily in the stigmatized view of suicide that frustrate 36 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

mental health advocates — things like embarrassment or shame and not knowing who to call. Hawkins said both of those are “extremely related” to the stigma mental health carries.

“For example, men and their image of masculinity may believe a mental health issue is a defect they have and don’t want others to know about,” she said. “They may feel shame and embarrassment of their mental health condition and in order to feel strong or in control, they believe they can handle the situation on their own. Then when they still aren’t better and may be more open to getting help, they don’t know

where to start.”

For Woodrick, this is an essential part of the mission. Her husband didn’t die by suicide — he “died from depression,” she insisted. For her and many other advocates, the shift in language is more than mere semantics.

“What do we do when somebody has cancer? We tell our family first. We go to the doctor, we get treatment, we do follow-up.

And we’re monitored for at least five years,” Woodrick said. “What do we do when someone has a mental health illness? We don’t talk about it; we hide it under the rug. Many don’t seek treatment. But like cancer, some people live, some people die.”

GR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX

— Christy Buck

Grand Rapids Magazine’s exclusive list of top doctors

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ISTOCK

The following pages contain the doctors in adult and pediatric specialties, as voted by their peers.

Disclaimer Top Doctors are nominated exclusively by M.D.s and D.O.s in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan and Muskegon counties. Winning physicians are not selected by any member of the Grand Rapids Magazine staff. Doctors’ names and specialties are taken from an online survey submitted by physicians. Professional Research Services (PRS), located in Troy, MI, tabulates the votes and fact-checks names and affiliations of winners.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 37

ADDICTION MEDICINE

Springer, Bruce C., M.D. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Poland, Cara, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

ADOLESCENT MEDICINE

Kowal, Elizabeth, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Lowery, Lisa M., M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY

Miller, Thomas, M.D. Allergy Associates of Western Michigan Townley, Richard, M.D. Allergy Associates of Western Michigan Dubravec, Vince, M.D. Allergy/Asthma Specialists W. MI Millar, Mark M., M.D. Asthma & Allergy of Western Michigan Gell, Karyn, M.D. Grand Rapids Allergy PLC Schafer, Christine, M.D. Grand Rapids Allergy PLC Uekert, Sara, M.D. Grand Rapids Allergy PLC Kelbel, Theodore, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Gonzalez, Raymond, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Hartog, Nicholas, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Hendrick, Scot W., D.O. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Fritz, Timothy, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Jaklitsch, Paul, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Gauri, Andre, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Larson, Eric L., M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

McNamara, Richard, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Reynolds, Matthew, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Wohns, David H. W., M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

VanTimmeren, J, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Merhi, William, D.O. Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center

BREAST SURGERY

COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY

Paulson, Jayne, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Figg, Ryan, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

App, Colleen A.C., M.D. The Breast Health & Wellness Center, PC

Hoedema, Rebecca, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Keto, Jessica, M.D. Mercy Health Comprehensive Breast Center

CARDIAC SURGERY

Kim, Donald, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Timek, Tomasz A., M.D. Spectrum Health

Luchtefeld, Martin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Boeve, Theodore, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Asgeirsson, Theodor, M.D. West Michigan Surgical Specialists PLC

Heiser, John, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Murphy, Edward, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Willekes, Charles, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

CARDIOLOGY

Vander Laan, Ronald Lee, M.D. Grand Rapids Cardiology Sevensma, Matthew W., D.O. Heart & Vascular at Metro Health Village

Armstrong, Matthew, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Chalfoun, Nagib, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Baudo, Andrew, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Dickinson, Michael, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Chalifoux, Laurie, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Elmouchi, Darryl, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Getz, Keith, M.D. West Michigan Anesthesia PC

Fermin, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

38 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Dujovny, Nadav, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE AND PULMONARY DISEASE Barnes, Terrance W., M.D. Metro Health Pulmonology

Daum, Timothy E., M.D. Metro Health Sleep Disorders Center Fitch, Stephen, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group McClelland, Marc, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Schmidt, Shelley, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group VanOtteren, Glenn, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

DERMATOLOGY

Ashack, Richard J., M.D. Dermatology Associates of West Michigan Gerondale, Brian J., M.D. Dermatology Associates of West Michigan

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

P

EDIATRIC SURGEONS of West Michigan (PSWM) specializes in the surgical care of children, utilizing a team of highly trained and experienced professionals located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As experts in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of elective and urgent surgical problems, this team of seven surgeons sees patients from birth into young adulthood.

“The ability to receive state of the art surgical care for your child in your home community is a huge advantage for many reasons,” says Dr. Emily Durkin, FAAP, FACS, one of the surgeons on staff at WM. “ elen eos Children’s ospital, pectrum ealth ystem, and the field of pediatric surgery, have evolved tremendously since our practice was started almost 30 years ago. “The surgeons in our practice trained at children’s hospitals all over the country, but made the choice to practice pediatric surgery in Grand Rapids because of the outstanding community and the excellent health care resources we have for patients and their families.” PSWM is dedicated to providing children with the best possible surgical care. They follow a very

ediatric urgeons of West MI simple rule: Treat each child as you would treat your own child or family member.

When undergoing surgery, children greatly benefit from having their parents and family members close by as part of their treatment and support system. “Parents need to feel comfortable and confident that their child is getting the best care possible, so that they can focus on being there for their child during the recovery process.”

Many times, children are referred to a surgeon by their primary care physician. Parents may not think to ask about the surgeon’s background, qualifications, or e perience in treating children. “The advantage of seeing a pediatric surgeon is that we are truly experts in caring for pediatric surgical conditions, especially those that may rarely be seen in the primary care setting. We also specialize in the long-term follow up of our patients after surgery to ensure that any subtle issues are identified and treated early. I often tell families that we are going to be good friends over the years,” says Dr. Durkin. he group of board-certified pediatric surgeons at PSWM takes care of a wide range of patients, from premature infants,

born weeks before of their due dates, up to and including young adults. They perform both general and thoracic surgery, covering all pediatric surgical problems, from simple procedures like hernia repair and appendectomy, to more complex operations like as cancer surgery and extensive reconstructive procedures. The PSWM surgeons work hand-in-hand with other medical and surgical specialists at elen e os Children’s ospital to provide the best possible care for patients, allowing them to receive state of the art surgical care in the west Michigan community.

PRACTICE PHYSICIANS: Marc G. Schlatter, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon Neal D. Uitvlugt, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon James M. DeCou, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon Emily T. Durkin, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon John (Jack) G. Schneider, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon Daniel J. Watkins, MD Board Certified Pediatric Surgeon Elliot C. Pennington, MD Board Eligible Pediatric Surgeon

Pediatric Surgeons of West MI, P.C. 330 Barclay Ave NE, #202 Grand Rapids, MI 49503

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Ronald Grifka, M.D., F.A.C.C. PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

D

R. RONALD GRIFKA has lectured around the world and has collected many awards, but some of his most treasured recognitions are handwritten letters and crayon drawings — reminders of the young lives he has saved, and the hope he has given families.

“I develop a bond with my patients,” Dr. Grifka says. “You need to understand them and not look at them as just another num-

ber or a procedure. Their parents are trusting me with their most precious possession: their children.”

After decades of repairing young hearts and establishing pediatric cardiology programs, in 2019 Dr. Grifka is bringing his expertise, precision, and patient-focused approach to his role as chief medical officer at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.

He will oversee 17 departments and more than 500 physicians, and will serve as the organi ation’s chief clinical quality officer. nd, Dr. Grifka says, he isn’t about to stop practicing medicine.

“It will make things a little challenging, but I’ll come in a little earlier and stay a little later,” he says. “I need to continue to be able to relate to the patients and understand what they’re going through.”

A Michigan native and Wayne State University graduate, Dr. Grifka completed a pediatric fellowship, followed by an interventional catheterization fellowship, at Texas Children’s Hospital – Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He remained there another 14 years, as director of the Cardiac Catheterization Labs and associate chief of cardiology. He earned renown as one of the very few doctors able to close a hole in a child’s heart, in some cases even before the child was born.

Dr. Grifka returned to Michigan in 2006 to become chief of cardiology at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. He joined the University of Michigan in 2012 and helped establish C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital clinics, including in Grand Rapids.

He looks forward to helping Metro Health expand its role in the region and build on its affiliation with Michigan Medicine.

“Our goal with Metro Health isn’t necessarily to be the biggest, but to be the best,” he says.

“We’re poised to really advance the care and provide more choices for patients.”

Metro Health - University of Michigan Health 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW Wyoming, MI 49519 metrohealth.net

2019 TOP DOCTORS Terrance W. Barnes, MD Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Disease James D. Birmingham, MD Rheumatology Timothy E. Daum, MD Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Disease Stephanie A. Dublis, DO Hematology & Oncology Mohamad E. El Mortada, MD Infectious Disease Renee J. Elderkin, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Julie M. Forstner, MD Radiation Oncology Ronald G. Grifka, MD Pediatric Cardiology & Chief Medical Officer

GAME CHANGERS Expertise, everywhere you need it.

We’re grateful to 20 Metro Health doctors who where recognized for their outstanding care delivery. They represent hundreds of providers who are committed to providing clinical expertise, quality patient care and exceptional service. Our focus is to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time for our patients.

Ryan D. Hamby, DO Gastroenterology Gregory L. Hazle, MD Family Medicine Brian J. Hinkley, DO Family Medicine Harold N. Hollander, DO, FAAO-HNS Ear, Nose & Throat Edwin T. Kornoelje, DO Family Medicine & Sports Medicine Edward J. Kryshak, MD Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Donald D. Malcolm, MD Pediatric Cardiology Guillermo R. Sanchez, MD Vascular/Interventional Radiology Matthew W. Sevensma, DO Heart & Vascular Michael R. Wiltrakis, DO Internal Medicine Adam T. Wolfe, DO Internal Medicine

metrohealth.net

Michael H. Zakem, DO Hematology & Oncology

Jansen, Rebecca M., M.D. Dermatology Associates of West Michigan

Hart, Francis, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Baker, Bruce, D.O. Kentwood Family Physicians, P.C.

Lamberts, Robert J., M.D. Dermatology Associates of West Michigan

Heaford, Andrew, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Ayashi, Maha, M.D. Mercy Health - Family Medicine Residency Center

Miner, John E., M.D. Dermatology Associates of West Michigan

Postma, Keith, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Stanford, Barbara, M.D. Mercy Health Family Medicine Residency Center

Emery, Michelle M., M.D. Dermatology at MidTowne PC

Weinman, Eric, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Bouwens, Eric Charles, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners

Patel, Dipa S., M.D. Dermatology at MidTowne PC

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Daum, Laurie, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners

Johnson, Kenneth S., M.D., FACEP Spectrum Health

Durfee, Gerald, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners

Green, Bridget A., M.D. Dermatology Center of Grand Rapids

Suidinski, Heidi E., D.O. Lake Michigan Emergency Specialists

Banka, Michael, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners

Hammond, David E., M.D. Forefront Dermatology

Offman, Ryan, D.O. Mercy Health Muskegon

Charnley, Iain, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners

Stawiski, Marek A., M.D. Marek A. Stawiski Dermatology

Hoffelder, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital

Hazle, Gregory L., M.D. Metro Health

Yurko, Mary A., M.D. Mary A. Yurko, MD, Dermatology PLC

Johns, Jeremiah, M.D. Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital

Kornoelje, Edwin T., D.O. Metro Health

Ang, Gina C., M.D. West Michigan Dermatology

Taylor, Melissa, M.D. Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital

Hinkley, Brian J., D.O. Metro Health Cascade

Dekkinga, Jack A., M.D. West Michigan Dermatology

Afman, Marc A., D.O. West Michigan Heart PC

Armstrong, Erica, M.D. Root Functional Medicine

Strikwerda, Amy, M.D. Dermatology at MidTowne PC

Winstanley, Douglas A., D.O. West Michigan Dermatology Freeland, Ryan, M.D. Wolverine Dermatology

EAR, NOSE AND THROAT Kosta, John M., M.D. Ear Nose & Throat Center PC

Sprik, Sherman A., M.D. Ear, Nose and Throat Center PC Artz, Gregory, M.D. Grand Rapids Ear Nose & Throat Meleca, Robert J., M.D. Grand Rapids Ear Nose & Throat Taylor, Joseph, M.D. Grand Rapids Ear Nose & Throat Hollander, Harold N., D.O. Metro Health Afman, Chad, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

42 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES AND METABOLISM

Battan, Ruggero, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners Diabetes and Endocrine Center Kryshak, Edward J., M.D. Metro Health Deines, Gregory, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Pomeroy, Nathan, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Notman, Douglas, M.D. Thyroid Center of West Michigan PC

FAMILY MEDICINE

Agerson, Kirk, M.D. AF Associates Family Medicine Tobolic, Timothy, M.D. Byron Center Family Medicine Wright, Terrence, M.D. Family Medicine Specialists PC

Holman, Harland, M.D. Spectrum Health Family Medicine Residency Center Barnes, Christopher, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Begrow, Lee, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Fabian, Allison, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Lundeen, Peter, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Weirich, Angela, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Azeem, Asif, M.D. Digestive Diseases Specialists PC Serini, John D., D.O. Gastroenterology Consultants PLC Papp, John, M.D. Gastroenterology Specialists PC

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

D

R. MARK MILLAR began his medical journey in Chicago. “I completed all of my medical training at Northwestern University,” he says.

“They have a nationally renowned Allergy-Immunology program, and I appreciated the comprehensive e perience they offer.

During his training, Dr. Millar was awarded the Alan Feinberg Award from the Illinois So-

Mark Millar, M.D. ciety of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology for his research on severe asthma.

Dr. Millar has practiced Allergy-Immunology in Grand Rapids for more than 20 years. “I have enjoyed the variety of opportunities that West Michigan has to offer. I have been able to participate in teaching, mentoring, and volunteer work.” s part of his teaching efforts, r. Millar

has hosted medical students for allergy training. These students are enrolled in Michigan State University’s medical school, where Dr. Millar is a Clinical Assistant Professor.

When it comes to volunteer work, Dr. Millar has served as the president of the Asthma Network of West Michigan. This organization was the asthma coalition serving West Michigan, dedicated to asthma awareness and education. “I served as the president of the Asthma Network for 15 years. Our group was involved in a number of asthma initiatives, but our specialty was case management by home visits. We hosted a staff of certified asthma educators who would teach patients how to manage their disease proactively,” Dr. Millar explains. The organization was awarded the Hometown Health Hero Award from the State of Michigan for their community service. It also received national recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency and was awarded an Exemplary Asthma Management Program Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. “It was exciting to be at the forefront as asthma education became a developing field, r. Millar says. sthma etwork staff were also able to meet with the Governor and Surgeon General of Michigan to discuss asthma initiatives.

In addition to delivering expert asthma care, r. Millar and his staff address a variety of allergic conditions. “We evaluate and treat rhinitis, sinusitis, hives, food allergies, drug allergies, and insect sting allergies,” he says.

“We see patients of all ages and strive for personalized care.”

Allergy & Asthma Care of Western Michigan, P.C. 1179 E. Paris Avenue, SE, Suite 150 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 957-1912

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Douglas Vander Woude; Dr. John Renucci

E

VERY PATIENT who walks through the door at lastic urgery ssociates in the mway rand la a downtown rand apids is treated as an individual with their own personal goals and obectives. ed by four nationally celebrated and

respected plastic surgeons, lastic urgery ssociates has been delivering life-changing results to countless delighted patients since 1987. is not only West Michigan’s remiere reast and ody Contouring practice but also offers rand earl a kinCeuticals d-

vanced Clinical Spa. SkinCeuticals Advanced Clinical pa at rand earl is the perfect integration of skincare technology and procedures. lastic urgery ssociates offers e ceptional care and comfort to ensure the patients receive only the absolute best when it comes

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

to both skill and satisfaction.Certified by the merican oard of lastic urgery and fellowship-trained, PSA’s four plastic surgeons — Dr. Douglas Vander Woude, Dr. John Renucci, Dr. Marguerite Aitken, and Dr. Johanna Krebiehl — are also national contributors to

research publications. Their articles address leading-edge techniques and the latest procedural advancements.

With more than 0,000 safely performed procedures to their credit, the doctors optimize patient results through the use of surgical

and nonsurgical procedures.

Dr. Vander Woude, with more than 20 years of e perience, believes patients must be evaluated and treated individually utili ing proven, safe, and reliable treatment methods.

“We’ve been here for 3 years, so we’re one of the originals in this area,” Dr. Vander Woude says. “We provide full service beyond what most places can provide especially with the hotel that’s attached to our practice, which adds to the convenience and comfort we can offer our patients. We have three operating surgical suites that are all fully certified and hospital-quality, so patients receive hospital-level care in a private setting.”

PSA is committed to delivering the highest level of patient care, safety, and satisfaction.

“We’re not ust a surgical practice, says r. enucci, who has more than 8 years of e perience. “We provide many services for people who want to have a refreshed look, such as rejuvenated skin, and we take nonsurgical approaches to body contouring. In those cases where surgery is the best option, we provide top-level surgical services.” he staff at cares for their patients in a professional and confidential manner, offering the highest level of confidence and trust. “ he staff here is a ma or part of the whole e perience, r. ander Woude says.

“We provide top-level service from the first time a patient calls until they come in for their final post-op appointment.

Plastic Surgery Associates Amway Grand Plaza 220 Lyon St., Ste. 700 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 451-4500 psa-gr.com Grand Pearl Spa A division of Plastic Surgery Associates grandpearlspa.com

Janardan, Srinivas K., M.D. Grand River Gastroenterology

Riekse, Robert, M.D. Mercy Health St. Mary’s

Hamby, Ryan D., D.O. Metro Health Gastroenterology

Foley, Kevin, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Kaufman, Lia, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Boettcher, Iris, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Meisner, Randall, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Bates, Mark, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group - HomeBased Primary Care

Puff, Michael, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY GENERAL SURGERY

Sevensma, Karlin E., D.O. Karlin E Sevensma DO, PC Chapman, Alistair, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Chung, Mathew, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Gawel, Jeffrey, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Rodriguez, Carlos, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Scheeres, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Schram, Jon, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Wolf, Andrea, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Yang, Amanda, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Beane, Jaret, D.O. West Michigan Surgical Specialists PLC Borreson, Daniel, M.D. West Michigan Surgical Specialists PLC Sherman, Stanley R., M.D. West Michigan Surgical Specialists PLC

GENETICS

Hiemenga, Judith, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

Duemler, Ronald, M.D. Mercy Health St. Mary’s

46 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Campbell, Alan D., M.D. Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C. Chen, Yuanbin, M.D. Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C. Lakhani, Nehal, M.D. Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C. Vander Woude, Amy C., M.D. Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C.

Brader, Kevin R., M.D. Metro Health OB/GYN

Santos, Eric, M.D. Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center

Harrison, Charles, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals

Williams, Stephanie, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Seamon, Leigh, D.O. Spectrum Health Hospitals

Dublis, Stephanie A., D.O. The Cancer Center at Metro Health Village

Zakhour, Mae, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals

Zakem, Michael H., D.O. The Cancer Center at Metro Health Village

HAND SURGERY

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

Ford, Ronald D., M.D. Elite Plastic Surgery

Hemker, Bradd, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Burgess, Scott, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Roe, Gretchen, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Condit, Donald P., M.D. Condit Hand Clinic

Do, Viet, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Kuz, Julian, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Mulder, John A., M.D. Faith Hospice/Holland Home

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Egwuatu, Nnaemeka, M.D. Mercy Health St. Mary’s

Maupin, B. Kent, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Olson, Bruce, M.D. Mercy Health Muskegon

Naum, Steven, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

El Mortada, Mohamad E., M.D. Metro Health Infectious Disease

Hinkelman, Levi, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

de Sanctis, Jorgelina, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Jebson, Peter, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Lampen, Russell, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Lovell, Randy, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Petroelje, Brian, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY

Brinker, Brett T., M.D. Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, P.C.

Sullivan, Liam, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

r. eith avery, . . r. i ia Chu, M. . r. oshua uderman, M. .

W

HEN SANDRA WALKED into the Javery Pain Institute office in rand apids 3 years ago, she thought her life was over and the visit was going to be another failed attempt at ending her nightmare. he doctors at the avery ain Institute didn’t save her life, but they did the ne t best thing they made it possible for andra to live her life the way she wants to, without chronic pain preventing her from doing the things she loves to do. andra’s story is commonplace for r. eith avery, r. i ia Chu, r. oshua uderman, and the team at avery ain Institute. he doctors agree it all starts with “seeing and hearing from their patients. hey say information and communication are the first steps to a pain-free life, and the staff at I takes the time to listen and e plore before developing an effective and individuali ed solution. uring this process, not only do the doctors and their team begin understanding

and treating their patients, but they build a relationship with them. ain is something most people deal with at some point in their lives, and chronic pain which lasts more than 30 days is a disease that needs to be e amined and treated right away. he mission at avery ain Institute is to eliminate or reduce the pain, in order to greatly improve the quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain. he team at avery ain Institute treats a wide range of pain, from acute pain to chronic pain stemming from a variety of sources including disease, surgery, or unknown causes. hey also provide advanced pain management in a practice that places a premium on compassionate care and respect for the individual. he process includes eliminating their patients’ discomfort, decreasing the frequency and intensity of intractable pain, increasing a patient’s ability to function, and em-

powering them with a good understanding of their diagnosis and treatment. he team takes a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, crafting solutions that often combine advanced medical intervention with other promising therapies physical, occupational, behavioral, and more to create lasting, effective relief.

Javery Pain Institute 710 Kenmoor Ave., Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 588-7246 javerypain.com

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onald ander aan, M. .

SPECIALTY: CARDIOLOGY

D

R. RONALD L. VANDERLAAN has long believed that personalized cardiovascular care of the highest quality is best administered by a well-trained staff in an intimate environment. r. anderLaan put his beliefs to the ultimate test when he established Grand Rapids Cardiology, an independent practice that was founded on experience and a dedication to personalized care.

“The opportunity to serve patients as individuals has been my dream for many years, r. ander aan says. “ rand apids Cardiology is my vision brought to life. atients are people with their own challenges and needs. It’s important they receive the best medical treatment that addresses each individual’s illness and lifestyle.

Grand Rapids Cardiology is

committed to providing each patient with personalized clinical cardiovascular care of the highest caliber, utilizing the expertise and empathy of a dedicated professional staff and state-of-the-art technology and tools for private, in-office tests and procedures.

avid arrett, M. . osef ind in, M. .

G

RAND RAPIDS Ophthalmology is the largest fully-integrated eye care medical group in the region. hey offer a full suite of eye care services from routine eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, to the most advanced medical and surgical treatments such as LASIK, cataract, cornea,

“We understand it’s not ust about heart health it’s about you, your family, and your lifestyle, r. ander aan says. “ hat’s why we provide high-quality cardiovascular care with an empathetic, personalized approach.

Grand Rapids Cardiology 1310 East Beltline Ave. SE, Ste. 130 Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (616) 717-5141 grcardiology.com

aura iippo, M. .

retina, glaucoma, pediatric, oculoplastics, including both cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery.

GRO’s doctors and team are committed and caring, representing a remarkable blend of talent and e perience. avid arrett, M. ., speciali es in laser-vision correction, and as a LASIK leader, he has performed thousands of blade-free procedures. He also does cataract surgery using advanced technology implants. Yosef Gindzin, M.D., is a fellowship-trained retinal specialist, treating retinal problems such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, and retinal detachment. Laura Piippo, M.D., specializes in pediatric ophPictured left to right: David Barrett M.D., Yosef Ginszin M.D., Laura Piippo M.D.

thalmology. She treats children with crossed and la y eyes, and provides comprehensive eye e ams for children. provides patients with the most expert, compassionate, and comprehensive medical eye care services in the region. With multiple locations across west Michigan, delivers eye care you trust, for the ones you love.

Grand Rapids Ophthalmology East Beltline. Walker. Grandville.

68th St. 7 Mile. Caledonia.

Holland. Ionia. Greenville Seeitclear.com MAIN (616)949-2600 LASIK (616) 774-3937

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY FREE BED TOP DOCS… who heal with their hands and treat with their hearts

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5 3

4 7

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1 W. Christian Vandenberg, MD 2 Kelly Armstrong, MD 3 James Hudson, MD 4 Carolyn Vollmer, MD 5 Benjamin Bruinsma, MD 6 Christopher Morelli, DO 7 Michael Wheaton, MD

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Green, Randall, M.D. Christian Healthcare Centers Woo, Jeffery, M.D. Christian Healthcare Centers Drumm, Daniel R., M.D. Grand Valley Medical Specialists, P.L.C. Humphries, Gary N., M.D. Grand Valley Medical Specialists, P.L.C. Ice, Melonie S., M.D. Grand Valley Medical Specialists, P.L.C. Lang, Robert, M.D. Grand Valley Medical Specialists, P.L.C. Pelkey, Leslie, M.D. Heart of the City Health Center Gadekar, Aparna V., M.D. Holland Hospital App, Michael, M.D. Internal Medicine and Pediatrics West Michigan Nwankwo, Uchebike, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners Saier, Rick, M.D. Mercy Health Physicians Partners Baer, William, M.D. Mercy Health Physicians Partners Concierge Medicine McCully, Mike, D.O. Mercy Health St. Mary’s Rasikas, Kyle, M.D. Mercy Health St. Mary’s Banister, Jody, M.D. Mercy Health Internal Medicine and Residency Center Gonzalez, Therese, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners Triesenberg, Steven, M.D. Mercy Health Physicians Partners Concierge Medicine Wolfe, Adam T., D.O. Metro Health Cascade Wiltrakis, Michael R., D.O. Metro Health Hospital Qadir, Sohail, M.D. Spectrum Health Internal Medicine Residency Academic Medicine Associates Practice Divic, Josip, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group 50 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Gale, Matthew, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Mohamed, Bonita A., M.D. Renal Associates of West Michigan, P.C.

Garibaldi, Karen, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Visser, James, M.D. Renal Associates of West Michigan, P.C.

Giovannucci, Sam, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

McKenna, Joseph P., M.D. West Michigan Nephrology

Horn, Benjamin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Kassis, Rami, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

NEUROLOGY

Farooq, Muhammad, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Koepnick, Kurt, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Hedeman, Jessica, D.O. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Riley, Robert, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Neuman, Leslie, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Sall, Jordan, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Sullivan, Herman, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

Taylor, Melanie, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

Madder, Ryan, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Abbas, Shan, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Wohns, David H. W., M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Burdette, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

MATERNAL AND FETAL MEDICINE

Coleman, R. Ross, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Colombo, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Haykal, Mohamad, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Fricke, Erin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Sriram, Ashok, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Romero, Vivian, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Thoits, Timothy, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

NEONATAL AND PERINATAL MEDICINE

Doctor, Benedict, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Prentice, Jeannette, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

NEPHROLOGY

Visser, John, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

NEUROSURGERY

Clark, Justin C., M.D. Great Lakes Neurosurgical Associates, P.C. Figueroa, Bryan E., M.D. Great Lakes Neurosurgical Associates, P.C.

Ahmed, Imad M., M.D. Renal Associates of West Michigan, P.C.

Keller, John F., M.D. Great Lakes Neurosurgical Associates, P.C.

Filippova, Kseniya, M.D. Renal Associates of West Michigan, P.C.

Vogel, Todd D., M.D. Great Lakes Neurosurgical Associates, P.C.

Legault, Daniel J., M.D. Renal Associates of West Michigan, P.C.

Klafeta, Steve, M.D. Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Heidi Suidinski

L

AKE MICHIGAN EMERGENCY SPECIALISTS (LMES) is a physician owned and operated, fully democratic group providing emergency services in West Michigan.

The LMES team of physicians and advance practice professionals staff three emergency departments, ranging from a small critical access hospital to an urban verified level II trauma center.

One of LMES’ physicians is Dr. Heidi uidinski, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, who serves as assistant medical director of the Mercy Health–Muskegon Emergency Department and core faculty for the emergency medicine residency. Dr. Suidinski, who played an integral role in the formation of LMES, says her individual accomplishments are the result of the organization’s team approach.

“My success is a direct result of having the ability to work with an incredible team of talented physicians and providers within our network who continually push me and oth-

ers to be better,” she says. “Our culture and passion for delivering phenomenal medical services to our patients is our single biggest differentiator.

LMES had a vision for creating a company with transparency and accountability that would challenge each and every member to become a better and higher-producing version of their professional selves. The entire staff but especially the patients have benefited from the team approach. “(Our team approach), coupled with a group of doctors who have dedicated decades of their professional careers to service the needs of those living in and around the Muskegon area, has provided LMES with insights that make us a relevant caregiver,” Dr. Suidinski says.

“From a company perspective, we spent an incredible amount of time listening to the needs of all of the physician members, and we’ve benefited from the support of the hospital administration as we went through the process.”

Dr. Suidinski adds: “Everyone has a say in what takes place in the organization, which provides a level of ownership and pride for all members. From a patient care perspective, we want to earn the trust of each and every individual we have in our care.” r. uidinski and r. yan ffman, both members of LMES, were recently selected by a vote of their peers to be included in Grand Rapids Magazine’s 2019 list of Top Doctors.

Lake Michigan Emergency Specialists 1700 Clinton St. Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 728-4601 LMES-mi.com

Thank you Spectrum Health physicians.

You make Michigan healthier every day.

Extraordinary care comes from our extraordinary physicians. We appreciate and value your dedication, expertise and willingness to go above and beyond for all patients in our community. Your remarkable care and commitment have a tremendous impact and help people live their best lives.

To find your Spectrum Health provider visit: spectrumhealth.org/finddocs

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ndrew .

W

ichard W. Martin, M. ., M. . ead, M. . aron . ggebeen, M. . and Eric T. Slavin, M.D.

EST MICHIGAN RHEUMATOLOGY (WMR) is an academically oriented rheumatology specialty group that has provided nationally recognized consultative, diagnostic and therapeutic service since 1991. Its doctors strive to coordinate with their patient’s primary care team and seek out the highest quality resources to advance their care. It offers speciali ed services related to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Raynaud’s phenomenon, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, gout, and pseudogout.

WMR’s four rheumatologists trained at different national centers of e cellence Mayo

Clinic, University of Tennessee — Memphis, University of Pittsburg and University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill. Each brings unique e perience and perspective and patients benefit from their collective knowledge and collaboration. All of our rheumatologists are board certified in rheumatology and are faculty of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Their model of care provides that the patient’s rheumatologist will see them at every visit.

“We feel that it is an honor to be trusted to participate in our patient’s care,” said Richard W. Martin, M.D., M.A., one of four rheumatologists on staff. “We take this confidence seriously, and promise to place their interests first.

In addition to providing patient care, WMR also teaches medical students and residents, as well as conducting research — all seamlessly integrated. The physicians at WMR are among the few rheumatologists who provide in-patient hospital consultations for critically ill patients in Grand Rapids. As a part of our comprehensive services the office also offers convenient, low-cost digital -rays, bone density testing, and biologic therapy infusions.

Increasing knowledge and providing access to innovative therapies are core values at WMR. The clinical investigators at WMR have more than 0 years of e perience. It has been a member of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium since 1993. Our physicians have conducted over 65 clinical trials including pioneering research related to emerging treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Raynaud’s phenomenon, lupus, myositis, psoriatic arthritis, and shared decision making.

The partners at West Michigan Rheumatology are ichard W. Martin, M. ., M. . ndrew . ead, M. . aron . ggebeen, M. . and ric . lavin, M. .

West Michigan Rheumatology is located in the East Paris medical corridor in Grand Rapids Township.

West Michigan Rheumatology, PLLC 1155 East Paris Avenue SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 www.mi-arthritis.com/

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Scott R. Brundage, M.D.; Douglas M. Leppink, M.D.; Benjamin P. Rechner, M.D.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Rechner, Dr. Leppink, and Dr. Brundage Photography by: Tiffany Ann Photography

T

HE REVIEWS ARE IN for the Centre for Plastic Surgery, and nothing means more to the staff at C than hearing patients say things like, “I felt comfortable and supported” and “You have no idea what you’ve done for my self-esteem!” It’s truly the goal of everyone at CPS to make patients feel comfortable, knowing their unique desires will be met.

When asked about CPS, one patient reports: “The surgeon took an incredible amount of time with me during my consultation. He spent time listening, explaining options, reviewing before/after photos, and then specifically showing me what results could be achieved given my body type. His time, passion, and expertise made it easy to pick him to perform my surgery.”

At CPS, the experience begins with a consultation between the patient, patient care coordinator, and surgeon. Throughout the appointment, the doctor takes ample time to

discuss available options and to thoroughly explain procedure details, ensuring that the patient feels confident and comfortable with the anticipated results. ach of the three board-certified surgeons on staff brings unique perspectives and talents to the Centre for Plastic Surgery. Dr. Benjamin Rechner, known for his attention to detail, says, “I want my patients to feel respected and that they made a good decision they’re really happy with.”

The most senior partner, Dr. Scott R. Brundage, has over 32 years of experience and brings a true artist’s perspective to the practice of cosmetic surgery. “We pride ourselves on over-the-top patient care, and our reviews communicate that,” he says.

Dr. Douglas Leppink is a trusted surgeon with an amazing bedside manner and a passion for helping his patients achieve their desired results. “In addition to fantastic results, the goal as a practice is to make every single

one of our patients feel welcome, comfortable, and valued,” Dr. Leppink says. his all adds up not only to satisfied patients, but to patients who feel like they’re part of the family. “Everyone in the practice, including the surgeon, went above and beyond to make sure that I was comfortable with every aspect of the procedure. I felt like family,” yet another patient shares.

Centre for Plastic Surgery 2060 East Paris Ave. SE, Ste. 150 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 454-1256 gr-cps.com/

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Carl Wierks; Dr. Karl Roberts

A

T WEST MICHIGAN Orthopaedics, it’s not about how many patients they treat — it’s about how they treat each patient. The top priority at WMO is making sure patients are comfortable and feel empowered with information.

WMO, which has been providing personalized orthopedic care to west Michigan for nearly 40 years, specializes in sports medicine, hip arthroscopy, joint replacement surgery,

fractures, and many other common orthopedic procedures.

“We focus on patient quality and individualized treatment,” says Dr. Carl Wierks, a leader in the field of hip arthroscopy and direct anterior hip replacements who also is a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team. “My practice is unique in that I offer arthroscopic or minimally invasive repair of cartilage injuries of the hip, as well as

total hip replacement for arthritis,” he says.

Dr. Karl Roberts is an expert in total hip and knee replacement, including complex revision cases. “It’s truly a privilege to care for patients and help treat the injuries or orthopaedic conditions that are causing them pain and disability, with a goal of improving their symptoms and quality of life,” says Dr. Roberts, who also is involved nationally in guideline development and serves on the evidence-based Quality and Value Committee as the clinical practice guideline chair for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

In addition to his work at WMO, Dr. Roberts serves as program director with the Spectrum Health/Michigan State University Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program.

Dr. Patrick Zietz is a sports medicine specialist with expertise in the knee and shoulder.

“The best way to provide personal care is to take time with your patients so you can get to know them and understand their goals and why they’re in the office, he says. “ he most rewarding part of our job is improving our patients’ pain and function. I focus on patient-centered care. If I can educate my patients, it allows them to make the best decisions about their care.”

WMO is actively involved in clinical research and participates in the Michigan statewide joint replacement registry MARCQI, with the goal of making Michigan the safest place in the world to have a joint replacement.

West Michigan Orthopaedics GRAND RAPIDS 1000 East Paris Ave. SE, Ste. 215 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 LAKEVIEW 420 Lincoln Ave. Lakeview, MI 48850 (616) 949-8945 wmortho.net

Marquart, Christopher Louis, M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners Neuroscience Specialists Elisevich, Konstantin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Googe, Moises, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Mazaris, Paul, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Patra, Sanjay, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Singer, Justin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Vitaz, Todd, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY Gary, Monica, M.D. Grand Rapids Women’s Health Hubbard, Robyn, M.D. Grand Rapids Women’s Health Klyn, Michelle, M.D. Grand Rapids Women’s Health Mattson, Sarah, M.D. Grand Rapids Women’s Health Elderkin, Renee J., M.D. Metro Health OB/GYN at Metro Health Village Caldwell, Rebecca, M.D. Spectrum Health Johnson, Melinda, M.D. Spectrum Health Bitner, Diana, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Colombo, David, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Dood, Jeffrey, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Fricke, Erin, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Lalley, Jessica, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Leary, Elizabeth, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Romero, Vivian, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

56 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

West, Suzanne, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Henne, Timothy D., M.D. River Valley Orthopedics PC Jebson, Peter, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Moleski, Mark O., M.D. Cascade Ophthalmology, P.C.

Karek, Matthew, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Meldrum-Aaberg, Melissa, M.D. Eye Plastic & Facial Cosmetic Surgery

Squires, Jason, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Barrett, David, M.D. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology

Steensma, Matthew, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Gindzin, Yosef, M.D. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology

Thiel, James, D.O. Spectrum Health United Hospital

Piippo, Laura, M.D. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology

Roberts, Karl, M.D. West Michigan Orthopaedics

Habekovic, Marko, M.D. Marko Habekovic MD PLLC

Wierks, Carl, M.D. West Michigan Orthopaedics

Benninger, Richard H., M.D. Michigan Street Optical Droste, Patrick J., M.D. Pediatric Ophthalmology P.C.

PAIN MEDICINE

Chu, YiJia, M.D. Javery Pain Institute

Westhouse, Scott, D.O. Retina Specialists of Michigan

Javery, Keith, D.O. Javery Pain Institute

Renucci, Ann M., M.D. Verdier Eye Center

Suderman, Joshua, M.D. Javery Pain Institute

Siebert, Karl J., M.D. Verdier Eye Center

Hudson, James D., M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Verdier, David D., M.D. Verdier Eye Center

Juska, Mark, M.D. Michigan Pain Consultants, PC

Zheutlin, Jeffrey D., M.D. Vitreo-Retinal Associates

Winston, Stephen, M.D. Michigan Pain Consultants, PC

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

Czuk-Smith, Diane, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Anderson, John, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Hinshaw, Carl, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Bielema, David, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Singh, Harpreet, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Endres, Terrence, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Malvitz, Thomas, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

PATHOLOGY

Hegstrand, Linda, M.D. Complete Wellness Center

Russo, Scott S., M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Booth, Alyson M., M.D. Spectrum Health

Ringler, James R., M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon

Kubat, Anthony J., M.D. Spectrum Health

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

r. rica rmstrong

D

R. ERICA ARMSTRONG, a board-certified family medicine physician, discovered how adopting a holistic approach to a patient’s care showed incredible benefits in both short-term and long-term overall health.

“I’m an M. ., and I know that medication can help people, but I’ve found that we can often treat health issues without medication, she says. r. rmstrong opened oot unctional Medicine in ctober, with the goal of helping people feel better as well as changing lifestyles and transforming health.

“We take a holistic approach and prescribe food as medicine, r. rmstrong says. “We use advanced testing to see how the body is functioning. We find that people, even those who eat healthy diets, have unique nutritional needs that are often a combination of their genetics, health, and overall lifestyle. r. rmstrong completed her certification training through the Institute of unc-

tional Medicine, and then began treating patients through a functional medicine model of care. he results were life-changing not only for the patients, but for the doctor who saw this approach as the root of better health. r. rmstrong saw the difference between the absence of disease and overall wellness, and decided she needed a practice where she could focus entirely on helping people through functional medicine. “ eople’s health scores were improving, but beyond that, they really felt well, she says.

What oot unctional Medicine is all about can be found right in the name oot stands for natural living, eating foods grown from the earth, feeling grounded and mindful, and getting to the root cause of a patient’s problem. he staff uses functional medicine and nutrition to create a wellness plan that’s unique to each person. elsey tricklen, a registered dietitian, is a key member of M’s staff. he helps people get to the root of their health issues by

translating nutrition science into actionable advice for her patients.

“We collaborate, and elsey definitely brings such an important skill set to our practice, r. rmstrong says. ogether, they form a unique duo in west Michigan that uses food as medicine, optimi es health, and makes people feel better today and tomorrow.

Root Functional Medicine 50 Louis NW, Ste. 614 Grand Rapids, MI (616) 201-4857 rootfunctionalmedicine.com

Walsh, Meggen, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

Cornelius, Albert, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Dickens, David, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Sowinski, Heather, D.O. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Foley, Jessica, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Grifka, Ronald G., M.D. Metro Heart & Vascular - Women’s Health Center of West Michigan

Kurt, Beth, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Malcolm, Donald D., M.D. Metro Heart and Vascular

Mitchell, Deanna, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Smith, Sharon, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE

DeMarco, Alicia, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Fitzgerald, Robert, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Hackbarth, Richard, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Sanfilippo, Dominic, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Yurko, Mary A., M.D. Mary A. Yurko, MD, Dermatology PLC Laarman, Rachel, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY

Appiagyei-Dankah, Yaw, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY

Cloney, Deborah, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Conrad, Harold, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Cox, Ryan, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Freswick, Peter, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY

Axtell, Richard, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital 58 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

PEDIATRIC SURGERY

DeCou, James M., M.D. Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan, P.C. Durkin, Emily, M.D. Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan, P.C. Schlatter, Marc G., M.D. Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan, P.C. Schneider, John G., M.D. Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan, P.C. Uitvlugt, Neal D., M.D. Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan, P.C.

PEDIATRIC UROLOGY PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Fogg, George, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Olivero, Rosemary, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY

Quiroga, Alejandro, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Steinke, Julia, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY

DeRoos, Steven, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital DeVries, Seth, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Fain, Daniel, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Hernandez, Angel, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Umfleet, Jason, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERY

Madura, Casey, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Szymczak, Artur, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Barber, Theodore D., M.D. Urologic Consultants, PC

PEDIATRICS (GENERAL)

Haskin, Brian, M.D. Brookville Pediatric & Internal Medicine Jereb, Greg, M.D. Cascade Pediatrics Downs, Joan, M.D. Forest Hills Pediatric Associates Meindertsma, Michael, M.D. Forest Hills Pediatric Associates Stratbucker, William, M.D. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Vander Laan, Karen, M.D. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Peterson, Joanne, M.D. Kent Pediatrics PC Baker, Shauna, M.D. Pediatrics Partners PLC Gagin, Lana, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Haw, Marcus, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Kessenich, Jeri, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Veenema, Robert, D.O. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Chakrabarty, Anjan, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group Veenema, Jeremy, D.O. Western Michigan Pediatrics PC

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

I

N APRIL, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services opened its new Psychiatric rgent Care Center, the first ever in West Michigan. The new center provides same-day access to psychiatric assessment and treatment for adults experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms.

“Many people wait months for their first outpatient psychiatric appointment due to a nationwide shortage of psychiatrists,” says Megan Zambiasi, director of the center.

“Others turn to an emergency room, which often isn’t the ideal setting for people experiencing a behavioral health crisis who don’t also have a medical issue. The Psychiatric Urgent Care Center addresses this critical need for psychiatry in our community.” he staff at the sychiatric rgent Care Center evaluates, treats, and educates individuals in immediate crisis, and connects them with ongoing care. Depending on an

individual’s need, patients can be referred to other services such as outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient treatment, hospitalization, or a residential deto ification program.

In addition to dramatically reducing wait times for care, the ability to divert individuals who come to emergency rooms seeking psychiatric treatment to the center should provide a number of other benefits, including lowering costs for individuals and insurance companies, as well as reducing the burden on local emergency departments. In 2016 alone, more than 14,000 individuals sought treatment in Kent County emergency departments for a psychiatric issue.

Currently in its initial pilot stage, the center is serving adults ages 18 to 65. Plans include expanding services to children, teenagers, and older adults in future phases.

The Psychiatric Urgent Care Center is located on the Pine Rest campus at 300 68th

Street SE, in the Van Andel Center building.

Services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, although Pine Rest encourages patients to call ahead (616-455-9200) for a same-day appointment. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services (616) 455-5000 www.pinerest.org

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Laura Champion

F

OR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, Calvin College’s health services department has been ranked among the top 25 college clinics in the nation by The Princeton Review. According to Dr. Laura Champion, Calvin’s medical director, the reason for its success goes beyond the friendly staff its beautiful, state-of-theart facility and the availability of same-day appointments.

“It’s about being the 2.0 version of patient-centered care. Our care team is composed of top-notch professionals from multiple specialties who are constantly breaking down barriers to bring affordable care to our targeted population of emerging adults,” says Dr. Champion, who oversees the coordination of these comprehensive services.

Calvin College’s new model of care incorporates the latest medical research and focuses on engaging its young patients to

be active participants in determining their long-term mental and physical health. Dr. Champion says the most rewarding aspect of her role is her work in each exam room, where she helps students move from surviving to thriving.

“The greatest joy is believing in these young students, in some cases before they’ve started believing in themselves,” she says.

Calvin College Health Services 160 Hoogenboom Center 3195 Knight Way Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4406 (616) 526-6187 calvin.edu/offices-services/health-services

After 16 years of devoted service in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Operations Flight Surgeon, Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University, and dermatology faculty member at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Dr. Ryan Freeland has returned home to West Michigan to care for you and your family!

As a decorated Air Force officer and combat veteran, he brings to Grand Rapids years of highestquality medical training and experience from our nation’s elite military hospitals. Dr. Freeland’s patriotism and motivation to care for others has been galvanized in the leadership, humanitarian, and battlefield experiences he gathered during five assignments and 10 deployments in the service of our great nation.

Following his homecoming, Dr. Freeland now focuses all of his passionate, professional energies into caring for and educating patients in West Michigan—the place he has always considered his home.

Dr. Ryan Freeland, FAAD 616-243-DERM (616-243-3376) 1673 Gezon Parkway, Wyoming, MI 49519

Dr. Freeland envisions to build a regional center of excellence in dermatologic care. His practice, Wolverine Dermatology, seeks to joyfully deliver efficient, respectful, compassionate healthcare of the highest quality to all patients. They seek to serve the community with honesty and integrity, by respecting patients, valuing employees, and collaborating closely with fellow health care providers.

At his conveniently-located practice, you will find a state-of-the-art facility that celebrates our Michigan heritage as both the Great Lakes and Wolverine State. Wolverine Dermatology is in network with each of the three hospital networks—U of M Metro Health, Mercy Health, and Spectrum Health.

We look forward to the opportunity to care for you as a patient or work with you as a valued health care teammate!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Colleen C pp, M. ., . .C. .

SPECIALTY: BREAST SURGEON

C

OLLEEN AC APP, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified breast surgeon and medical director of he reast ealth Wellness Center, is a lifelong resident of Michigan. fter graduating as the valedictorian at ford igh chool, r. pp matriculated at illsdale College summa cum laude. In addition to her academic achievements, she was the captain of illsdale’s basketball team and was named an cademic ll merican. r. pp attended the Wayne tate niversity chool of Medicine and, after graduating from medical school in 3, she was accepted into the general surgery residency program at t. ohn Medical Center in etroit, under the direction of program chairman arry loyd, M. ., . .C. . uring this training period, she was in uenced by a persistent commitment to e cellence that continues to stimulate her to this day.

In 00 r. pp moved to rand apids,

where she oined her husband, r. Michael . pp, and father-in-law, r. eter . pp, in providing unprecedented health care to the community. he was mentored by one of rand apids’ finest breast surgeons, ohn C. ienstra, M. ., . .C. ., and made the decision to devote 00 percent of her surgical practice to breast care. r. pp recently opened her second breast center, he reast ealth Wellness Center. lthough much of her career is focused on the surgical management of breast cancer, r. pp’s deepest passion is the prevention of breast cancer. he has dedicated her career to identifying women who are at an increased risk for the development of breast disease, and providing these individuals with a tailored screening and surveillance program. r. pp speciali es in the identification and treatment of women with a predisposition to hereditary cancer/genetics, and in the

management of patients with dense breast tissue. r. pp is an active member of countless national programs dedicated to providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art breast care. he is an assistant clinical professor in the epartment of urgery at Michigan tate niversity’s College of uman Medicine, and is interested in training medical students who will become the doctors of the future.

The Breast Health & Wellness Center 630 Kenmoor Ave. SE, Ste. 102 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 920-0825 thebreasthealthandwellnesscenter.com/

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Armstrong, Kelly, M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Bruinsma, Benjamin J., M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Morelli, Christopher, D.O. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital VandenBerg, Christian, M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Vollmer, Carolyn, M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, Michael W., M.D. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Ellis, James, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Palmitier, Randal, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Russo, Randolph, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Deshpande, Aashish, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Distler, Michael, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Mullan, Patrick, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Do, Viet, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Naum, Steven, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Hammond, Dennis, M.D. Partners in Plastic Surgery of West Michigan Renucci, John D., M.D. Plastic Surgery Associates Vander Woude, Douglas L., M.D. Plastic Surgery Associates Sackeyfio, Robyn, M.D. R. Sackeyfio Plastic Surgery Mann, Robert, M.D. Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Mishra, Mithilesh, M.D. West Michigan Plastic Surgery Clinic

Bengtson, Brad, M.D. Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery Ringler, Steven L., M.D. Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery

PODIATRY

Decker, Joshua R., D.P.M Foot & Ankle Specialists Hulst, Timothy J., D.P.M Foot & Ankle Specialists Meyer, Patrick J., D.P.M Foot & Ankle Specialists

Champion, Laura, M.D. Calvin College Health Services

PSYCHIATRY

Van Haren, James, M.D. Forest View Hospital

Leppink, Douglas, M.D. Centre for Plastic Surgery

Cunningham, Curt, D.O. Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation

Rechner, Benjamin, M.D. Centre for Plastic Surgery

Krause, Carey, D.O. Mercy Health Saint Mary’s

Armstrong, Shannon, M.D. Elite Plastic Surgery

Achtyes, Eric D., M.D. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Cullen, William T., M.D. Elite Plastic Surgery Ford, Ronald D., M.D. Elite Plastic Surgery Zonca, Stephen N., M.D. Muskegon Surgical Associates, PC

62 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Packard, Matthew, M.D. Lakeshore Area Radiation Oncology Center Johnson, Nina F., M.D. Mercy Health Johnson Family Cancer Center Buth, Eric, M.D. Spectrum Health Fabrizio, Patrick, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals Kastner, Brian, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals Mahacek, Michael, M.D. Spectrum Health Hospitals Forstner, Julie M., M.D. The Cancer Center at Metro Health Village

RADIOLOGY

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Plattner, Aaron, M.D. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Sanders, William, D.O. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Taylor, Kiran, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Frost, Jamie, D.O. Advanced Radiology Services PC Luttenton, Charles, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Moriarity, Andrew, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Mulderink, Todd, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Therasse, Christopher, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Vollmer, Stuart, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY Dodds, William G., M.D. The Fertility Center Shavell, Valerie I., M.D. The Fertility Center Young, James E., M.D. The Fertility Center

RHEUMATOLOGY

Birmingham, James, M.D. Metro Health Rheumatology Hylland, Robert, M.D. Robert Hylland, MD, FACR Eggebeen, Aaron, M.D. West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

r. tephen onca

M

USKEGON SURGICAL Associates has provided the finest surgical care along the lakeshore for the past years, with an e tensive range of services featuring unsurpassed e pertise and state-of-the art technology. r. tephen onca, a board-certified plastic surgeon with a background in general surgery, is one of the M doctors who believes not ust in treating the problem, but in treating the person. “ ur goal is to provide a warm and supportive environment, helping patients look and feel their best, r. onca says. “ his includes changes after pregnancy, weight loss, or breast cancer treatment. We also treat skin cancers and conditions of the hands such as carpal-tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, and dupuytrens contracture. We offer treatments with the citon laser, including fractional resurfacing, laser liposuction, and I treatments, and we also perform laser tattoo removal.

M ’s plastic surgery team speciali es in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, as well as hand surgery. r. onca, part of M ’s award-winning plastic surgery department, utili es his broad surgical knowledge to help his patients in as

many ways as possible. e combines his e perience and vast educational background with his dedication to looking forward and learning about the field he has dedicated his life to. fter attending Wayne tate niversity Medical chool, r. onca completed seven years of surgical training in general surgery, then completed his plastic surgery training at Wake orest niversity. uring that time, he won multiple awards for his work with medical research pro ects. r. onca says he’s passionate about finding better ways to help patients, and that’s why he continues to participate in research efforts. In addition, he’s the co-director of wound care at reat akes pecialty ospital and the Mercy Wound Care Center, as well as a diplomate of the merican oard of lastic urgery. t M , r. onca performs a full spectrum of surgical procedures, with special interest in breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and comprehensive facial re uvenation, including minimally invasive office procedures. he team of plastic surgeons at M all speciali e in cosmetic and reconstructive

procedures, and the dedicated staff works to create an environment where patients feel comfortable from their first phone call to their final e am. ighly trained, specially skilled, and board-certified, Muskegon urgical ssociates’ acclaimed surgeons offer a wide range of e pertise in a multitude of surgical procedures and techniques. In addition to plastic surgery and cosmetic services, Muskegon urgical offers general and vascular surgery as well. atients receive e pert care, industry-leading treatment using state-of-the-art technology, and, of course, the personal attention they’ve come to e pect.

Muskegon Surgical Associates 1675 Patriot Drive Muskegon, MI 49444 (231) 739-1933 msapc.com

Maha Ayashi

Family Medicine with OB

Iain Charnley

William Baer

Jody Banister

Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

Michael Banka Family Medicine

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Ruggero Battan

Eric Charles Bouwens

Gerald Durfee

Nnaemeka Egwuatu

Muhammad Farooq

Family Medicine with OB

Family Medicine

Laurie Daum

Ronald Duemler Geriatric Medicine

Family Medicine

Kevin Foley

Therese Gonzalez

Joshua I. Greenberg

Jessica Hedeman

Steve Klafeta

Carey Krause

Christopher Louis Marquart

Geriatric Medicine

Neurosurgery

Uchebike Nwankwo

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

Eric Santos

Hematology and Oncology

Internal Medicine

Psychiatry

Ryan Offman

Vascular Surgery

Neurosurgery

Bruce Olson

Neurology

Mike McCully

Internal Medicine

Kyle Rasikas

Infectious Disease

Nina F. Johnson

John Morris

Leslie Neuman

Vascular Surgery

Robert Riekse

Internal Medicine

Geriatric Medicine

Barbara Stanford

Herman Sullivan

Melanie Taylor

Steven Triesenberg

Neurology

Jessica Keto

Breast Surgery

Infectious Disease

Neurology

Neurology

Radiation Oncology

Emergency Medicine

Family Medicine with OB

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Neurology

Rick Saier

Internal Medicine

Head, Andrew, M.D. West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC

Lebolt, James, D.O. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Casamento, Jeffrey B., M.D. Urology Associates of Grand Rapids, P.C.

Martin, Richard, M.D. West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC

Wierks, Carl, M.D. West Michigan Orthopaedics

Ratchford, Erik M., D.O. Urology Associates of Grand Rapids, P.C.

SLEEP MEDICINE

THORACIC SURGERY

Marmion, Lee, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Murphy, Edward, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

VanOtteren, Glenn, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Willekes, Charles, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Coles, Jason, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Waters, Kelly, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

SPORTS MEDICINE

Heiser, John, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

TRAUMA SURGERY

Chapman, Alistair, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Kornoelje, Edwin T., D.O. Metro Health

Gibson, Charles, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Hedlund, Erik, D.O. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Iskander, Gaby, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Jabara, Michael, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan Matelic, Thomas, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

UROLOGY

Brede, Christopher, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Stone, Kevin T., M.D. West Shore Urology PLC

VASCULAR / INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Doherty, Michael, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Knox, Michael, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC MacFarlane, Jarrod, D.O. Advanced Radiology Services PC Mustert, Bryan, M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Varma, Manish K., M.D. Advanced Radiology Services PC Sanchez, Guillermo R., M.D. Metro Health Hospital- Radiology

VASCULAR SURGERY

Greenberg, Joshua I., M.D. Mercy Health Physician Partners Vascular and Vein Specialists

Theut, Peter, M.D. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan

Lane, Brian, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Healey, Jack H., M.D. River Valley Orthopedics PC

Pimentel, Hector, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Morris, John, D.O. Mercy Health Physician Partners Vascular and Vein Specialists

Henne, Timothy D., M.D. River Valley Orthopedics PC

Anema, John G., M.D. Urologic Consultants PC

Cuff, Robert, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

Hamilton, Kendall, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

DeHaan, Alexander P., D.O. Urologic Consultants, PC

Mansour, M. Ashraf, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group Slaikeu, Jason D., M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

DR. JOE BOSS will be joining our practice this summer to add to our world class care.

5030 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 616-954-2020

66 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Wong, Peter, M.D. Spectrum Health Medical Group

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

R

ETINA SPECIALISTS of Michigan offers the most complete retina care in West Michigan. he practice features vitreoretinal surgeons who speciali e in age-related macular degeneration, diabet-

r. cott Westhouse ic retinopathy, and retinal detachments they also bring unique e pertise to the areas of ocular oncology, inherited retinal diseases, uveitis, and pediatric retinal diseases. he practice was founded to provide comprehensive retinal service, and it is guided by the belief that patient care should be of the highest quality, efficient, and personable.

“We make sure we spend appropriate time with each patient and that we listen, says r. cott Westhouse, a board-certified ophthalmologist who grew up in West Michigan. “Medicine today is ever-changing and fastpaced, but we want to keep the patient at the center of everything we’re trying to accomplish. very case is different, so if you aren’t listening, you can miss the details.

r. Westhouse, along with his physician partners, is also part of the nonprofit oundation for ision esearch, which seeks to find new and better ways to treat vision-threatening eye conditions.

“We have more than clinical research studies, and we want to focus on educating both patients and local physicians, r. Westhouse says.

Retina Specialists of Michigan 5030 Cascade Rd. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 954-2020 rsomi.com

Congratulations Congratulations to Leslie Pelkey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Cherry Health, for being recognized as a 2019 West Michigan Top Doctor. Thanks to her dedication to high-value, patient-centered care, Cherry Health is a leader for delivering quality, comprehensive healthcare.

We applaud Dr. Pelkey for receiving this top honor for her work to improve the health and wellbeing of patients across West Michigan.

Pictured: Dr. Leslie Pelkey (center) and two of her patients.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Leslie Pelkey

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

H

EART OF THE CITY HEALTH CENTER has always had a big heart. Over the past few decades, the Grand Rapids facility has quickly become one of the elite health care providers not only in west Michigan, but in the entire country, as it has expanded its services and improved quality for all patients.

Heart of the City Health Center is part of Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest independent, nonprofit federally qualified health center. Since 1988, its primary focus has been on providing high-quality health services to those who have little or no access to care, regardless of income or insurance status.

“My mission is to help patients achieve their best possible health status by addressing all of their needs, including important social determinants of health. These include lack of transportation, food insecurity, homelessness, and language barriers, among others. Working with a specialized care team, we strive to treat the whole individual,” says Dr. Leslie Pelkey, chief medical officer/internal medicine physician at Cherry Health.

Dr. Pelkey says 28 percent of the patients who come through the door at Heart of the City Health Center have no insurance — but it’s a door those patients will always find open at Cherry Health.

“That’s important to me because I went into this career to make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “Caring for people who are facing health inequities creates opportunity for profound improvements. It’s very rewarding.”

Dr. Pelkey says the organization has grown significantly over the past 30 years, as it has confronted the challenges of providing health care to the underserved in west Michigan. It currently reaches 80 percent of this population in the Grand Rapids area.

“We’re starting to finally meet the need that’s out there,” she says, “but we’ll contin-

ue to grow until every person in our community is served.”

The adult internal medicine clinic at Heart of the City Health Center has an embedded social worker to meet behavioral health needs, a nurse care manager who can talk with patients about their chronic medical conditions, a diabetic educator to address dietary concerns, and a community health worker who connects patients with community resources. The health center also has its own pharmacy on-site, and offers dental and vision services. It’s truly a onestop health center.

This past year Cherry Health received the Health Resources Services Administration Quality Leadership award, which places the organization among the top third in the country in terms of quality metrics.

“Every day, people are grateful for our services and will say things like ‘Cherry Health saved my life,’” Dr. Pelkey says.

“That’s a pretty satisfying thing to hear.”

Cherry Health Heart of the City Health Center 100 Cherry Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 965-8200 cherryhealth.org

dining review

BY IRA CRAAVEN

Basking in Basque Country 822 Ottawa Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: (616) 288-9129 zoko822.com Dining ratings: Food: *** Service: **** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: *** Price: $$

Must try: Grilled chicken bocadillo

Not so much: Ensalada

A BASQUE-INSPIRED, small-plates restaurant, Zoko 822 features items influenced by the flavors of northern Spain and southern France. CDKI Dining opened the restaurant in December 2017 just south of Belknap Park.

Upon arrival through the automatic sliding doors, guests are greeted with a “Bodega Bar,” featuring grab-and-go lunch foods such as sandwiches, empanadas, salads, as well as milk, eggs, cheese, canned meats, herbs and spices — and takeout dinner dishes in the evening.

Zoko’s dining area features a bar with more than 30 varieties of gin, as well as beer, wine and liquor. The restaurant has a large, clear garage door that can be opened during warmer days with outside seating.

Zoko 822 features items influenced by the flavors of northern Spain and southern France.

Guide to ratings: **** *** ** *

Exceptional Above Average Satisfactory Poor

¢ $ $$

Inexpensive (under $10) Moderate ($10-$20) Expensive (Over $20)

(Prices based on average entrée.)

70 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

On my first visit with a friend, we tried the brunch menu on Sunday. And what’s brunch without a mimosa ($3) and a coffee ($3)? The mimosa featured a Cava sparkling wine, from Spain, and orange juice — a pretty standard mimosa but delicious nonetheless. The coffee, on the other hand, was disappointing. For a city that prides itself on a well-made cup of joe (see our Perk City, USA, story on page 18), Zoko’s fell way short — very bland.

Since there are no standard brunch entrées, we were able to try a little bit of everything. We started off with a Torrijas tapa ($8), which is Spanish French toast with cider caramel. The doughy bread was coated in sugar and the caramel dipping sauce was an added bonus. These nuggetsized morsels were gone in a flash.

Next, we tried the jamon del diablo pintxo ($2), featuring deviled ham and smoked paprika on a slightly toasted baguette — a tasty treat.

Assorted pintxo

We also ordered three empanadas: jamon and cheese, chorizo and egg, and rioja beef ($3 each). Coming with a side of salsa brava — a hearty marinara-style sauce — and sour cream, each one offered a distinct taste. The beef was well-seasoned and tender, the chorizo and egg reminded us of comfort food, and the jamon and cheese was melt-in-yourmouth good. The salsa brava added a nice smoky flavor.

Lastly, we tried a grilled chicken bocadillo ($8), basically a small sandwich on a baguette served with salsa brava and alioli with a side of Basque fries. It’s too bad this sandwich is gone in about four bites because this was our favorite item. All the ingredients meshed well together to create an impressive dish exploding with flavor.

I made a second visit to the restaurant on a Wednesday evening with two friends.

Arriving in time to take advantage of the happy hour food menu, we began the evening with the patatas brava ($5) and fried olives ($5), and a round of drinks (not part of happy hour, by the way), ordering the Zoko G&T ($12), Dr. Gray ($13) and the MeXo Margarita ($9). The drinks were a bit too heavy on the ice, particularly the gin and tonic, but the crisp, refreshing flavor was on

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

Zoko 822

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

Top: Dining room at Zoko 822.

Insets top to bottom: Bunuelos, croquetas de jamon, chicken bocadillo. Middle: fried olives, cuajada setas a la lancha. Bottom left: Zoko G&T. Bottom right: Tortilla Espanola

point. The patatas and fried olives turned out to be a complementary pairing and a salt-lover’s dream.

Next up, we shared the tortilla Española ($7), pan con tomate ($5) and the huevos en escabeche ($1 each). The huevos en escabeche, which includes pickled egg, roasted beet and dill on a slice of baguette, was a great selection with a light, crisp flavor. The tortilla Española is a Spanish potato and onion omelette topped with jamon serrano and crema; another tasty flavor combination. The pan con tomate is a slice of grilled sourdough bread topped with garlic, tomato pulp, Arbequina olive oil and sea salt, which had a nice flavor — and after initially only taking half of a slice, I went back for the rest.

For our final round, we had the empanada vegetal ($7), croquetas de jamon ($8) and the ensalada ($10). The vegetable empanada is a baked pastry stuffed with butternut squash and goat cheese, with roasted root vegetables and veloute on top. The first of the two pastries was filled with butternut squash and was a delicious treat, while the second seemed a bit sparse, leaving us commenting that it was mostly just pastry. The ensalada’s interesting mix of ingredients intrigued us — seasonal market greens, manzanilla olives, shaved fennel, orange segments and artichokes with a preserved citrus vinagreta — but ultimately, we found the flavor combination less pleasing to the palate.

We completed our dining experience with two of the three desserts available, the cuajada ($8) and the bunuelos ($8). In my opinion, the cuajada was the clear winner of the two desserts. Made with ricotta cheese and topped with walnuts, I would go back to Zoko 822 just to get this dessert again.

The dark chocolate sauce accompanying the bunuelos, essentially a fried dough ball similar to a doughnut but with goat cheese mixed in, was the highlight of this dessert.

Overall, we had better-than-average service, with a waiter who was very knowledgeable about the food and drinks. Zoko 822’s menu of bite-sized and small plates means you really do need to plan on ordering a lot of items to make a meal. However, there are a handful of entrées available, too, including a half of a roasted chicken ($25), pork chop ($29), boneless ribeye ($40) and a couple of other items.

GR MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 71

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

dining listings

A GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEYOND

The recommendations and reviews in the listings are the opinions of the editors.

Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 89).

1 Bun Restaurant — Build-your-own hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and sloppy Joes — all served on hot dog buns.

Closed Sun. 2140 S Division Ave, 279-2943.

Facebook. L, D ¢ Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive Thai fare.

Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option.

Vegetarian friendly. No alcohol. Open daily.

136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$ Bangkok Taste Cuisine — Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. L, D ¢-$ Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. L (SunFri), D ¢-$

pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. the bullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood in a fine dining atmosphere with views of the Grand River.

Gluten-free menu. Beer and extensive wine list. Sun brunch 10-2:30. Open daily. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com/charleyscrab. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ The Chop House — Aged prime beef, seafood, pork and lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6131. thechophousegrandrapids. com. D $$ City Built Brewing Co. – Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Ricaninspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon. 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrewing.com.

L, D $

Bistro Bella Vita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. Open daily.

44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobella vita.com. L, D $-$$

FDivani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. divanigr.com. D $-$$ Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence.

Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. L, D ¢ Founders Brewing Co. — Spacious taproom, serpentine bar and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches.

Outdoor beer garden. Open daily. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing. com. L, D ¢

Ginza Sushi & Ramen Bar — Wide selection of authentic Japanese cuisine, sushi, ramen, poke bowls, hibachi dinners, appetizers, soups and salad. Open daily. Catering available. 1015 Michigan St NE, 272-4116. ginzasushiramen.com. L, D $

Brick & Porter — Appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches and a nice selection of entrées; 20 beers on tap (“the darker, the better”).

Open daily. 47 Monroe Center NW, 226-6928. brickandportergr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$

72 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927.

Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chilis and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz.

L, D ¢

Gilly’s Smokehouse — Twelve rotating craft beers from The B.O.B’s Brewery paired with smokehouse fare, including smoked beef brisket, Amish chicken, pork butt and more.

Closed Sun-Mon. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 3562000. thebob.com/gillysrestaurant. D ¢-$

Bobarino’s at The B.O.B. — Grill on second floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from wood-fired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers.

Full bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bob arinospizza. L, D ¢-$

Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include

– Lounge — Soups, salads, sandwichCitysen es, burgers and small-plate creations. Beer and wine; happy hour 4-7 pm. Open daily.

CityFlatsHotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, 6081725. cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rap ids. B, L, D ¢-$

Bistro Bella Vita

GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant.

Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, salads and sandwiches. Open daily.

Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com/dining/gp-spo rts. L, D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS

Cinco De Mayo — Offers the usual Mexican fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar.

Open daily. 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2401. cincodemayo1.com. L, D $

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$

sphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-bywolfgang-puck. L, D $-$$

Grand Rapids Garage Bar and Grill — “AllAmerican grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com.

L, D ¢

FLeo’s — Fresh seafood, soups, salads and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 pm Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700. leosrest aurant.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods lounge.com. L, D ¢-$ Heritage Hill Pizza — Offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol.

Open daily with a few tables for dining in.

340 State St SE, 742-4773. grandrapidspizza. net. L, D ¢-$

The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer.

Open Tue-Fri during school year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D $-$$ Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol.

Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. L, D ¢-$ Jamaican Dave’s — Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. L, D ¢ J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D ¢-$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 4598824. jgardellastavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Judson’s at The B.O.B. — Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops.

Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsons steakhouse. D $$ Juju Bird — Chicken-centered restaurant featuring comfort foods like buttermilk fried chicken, as well as sandwiches and “birdie cones.” Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 258-8115. downtownmarketgr. com. L, D $

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmo74 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Linear — Riverfront eatery featuring seasonal menu with fresh modern American fare and outdoor-seating options; plus, a display of rotating works by local artists. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1001 Monroe Ave NW, 2004343. linearrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Littlebird — Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar.

Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢ Lucky Luciano’s — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. Takeout, delivery available. Serves beer and wine. Open daily.

15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600. lucky lucianos.com. L, D ¢-$ Luna Taqueria y Cocina — Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. 64 Ionia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. L, D ¢-$ Marcona on Lyon — “Modern” Mediterranean cuisine, including appetizers, grilled skewers, falafel and more, as well as vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 623 Lyon St NE, 828-1228. marconaonlyon.com. L, D $-$$

MeXo — Features tequila/mezcal bar and a modern touch on classic pre-Hispanic foods of Mexico. Full bar. Open daily. 118 E Fulton St, 828-4123. mexogr.com. B (Sun), L, D $ Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar. com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$ MudPenny — Coffee bar with all-day breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and salads. Catering available. Closed Sun. 570 Grandville Ave SW, 259-5353. mudpenny.com. B, L, D ¢ New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens.

Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. newhotelmertens.com. Brunch (SatSun), B (Mon-Fri), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Full bar. Closed Mon. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. onetrick.biz. L, D ¢-$ Osteria Rossa – Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from executive chef/owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Closed Sun. 16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350. osteriaro ssa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Palace of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestau rant.com. L, D ¢-$ Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D ¢-$ FReserve — Wine bar offers extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Roam by San Chez Bistro — The San Chez Bistro team introduces global street food, including cuisine from China, Morocco, Spain, France, Poland, U.K., Indonesia and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 288-9129. roambysanchez.com.

B, L, D $ Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating.

Full bar. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 5513563. rockwellsrepublic.com. D $-$$ Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza.

Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ru ths-chris-steak-house. L, D $$ San Chez Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées.

Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 7748272. sanchezbistro.com. B, L, D $-$$ FSix.One.Six — Features new French cuisine in a cosmopolitan setting. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/din ing/six.one.six. B, L, D $-$$ Slows Bar-B-Q — Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slows barbq.com. L, D ¢-$

Social Kitchen & Bar — Refined comfort food, sandwiches, pizzas, extensive cocktail menu. Vintage décor, patio. Open daily.

Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 7244464. socialkitchenandbar.com/grand-rapi ds.html. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L, D $-$$ SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées (after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com.

L, D $ Stella’s Lounge — Award-winning stuffed burgers, plus vegan and vegetarian items.

Full bar, known for its whiskey selection.

Open daily. 53 Commerce Ave SW, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ Tavern On The Square — Tapas-style fare, plus house specialties. Patio seating. Full bar, happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Wheelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails — Eclectic American bistro fare with seasonal recipes using Michigan ingredients. Large bar and porch. Open daily. Arena Place, 67 Ottawa Ave SW, 226-3319. wheelhousegrand rapids.com. L, D $-$$ Z’s Bar & Restaurant — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available.

Open daily. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ - Zoko 822 — Basque-inspired cuisine, featuring Northern Spanish and Southern French small plates, served family style; plus, “grab-and-go” lunch serviced through the Bodega 822. Full bar boasting over 45 selections of gin. Open daily. 822 Ottawa Ave NW, 8281118. zoko822.com. Brunch (Sun), L (MonSat), D $-$$

www.wittetravel.com

Create ...

3250 28th St SE, Grand Rapids | 616.942.5112

WEST SIDE Ando Asian Kitchen & Bar — Asian fusion eatery featuring small plates, bentos, rice bowls, raw bar, noodles, soup, salad and more. Wide selection of wine, plus local, domestic and international beer. Full bar. 415 Bridge St NW, 608-0789. andoasiankitchen. com. L, D $ Blue Dog Tavern — West Michigan craft brews on tap. Good selection of tots, dogs and burgers. Open daily. 638 Stocking Ave NW, 608-6050. bluedogtaverngr.com. L, D ¢ Broadway Bar & Grill — Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations, especially at Christmas. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally.

740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook.

L, D ¢

An Impression

SINCE 1968 . . .

Registered Landscape Architects 4353 Three Mile Road N.E. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 616-363-6400 www.kappeslandscapes.com

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 75

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp to menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ El Sombrero — Offers “the original” wet burrito. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. elsombrerorest aurantmi.com. L, D ¢ ➧ Fratelli’s Kitchen & Bar — Italian cuisine based on family recipes from Sicily with a “modern twist.” Full service bar. Open daily. 443 Bridge St NW, Suite 2. 389-4963. fratellisgr.com. L, D $

Harmony Hall — West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves pizza, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Open daily. 401 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9186. har monybeer.com/harmony-hall. L, D ¢-$ The Holiday Bar — Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and sandwiches.

Seating includes 40-foot horseshoe bar, tables and a beer garden in warm months.

Open daily. 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. the holidaybargr.com. L, D ¢ Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery — Dexterbased brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available.

Open daily. 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jolly pumpkin.com. L, D $ The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing — Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. 417 Bridge St NW, 345-5642. newholland brew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Long Road Distillers — Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of house-made snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroad distillers.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$ Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol.

Closed Sun and Mon. 636 Bridge St NW, 4588583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing. com. L, D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft.

Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclubcornerbar.com. L, D ¢

76 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. one bourbongr.com. D ¢-$ O’Toole’s Public House — Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily.

448 Bridge St NW, 742-6095. otoolesgr.com.

L, D ¢-$ Pearl Street Grill — Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Full bar. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 235-1342. higrdt.com/dining/ pearl-street-grill. B, L, D $ Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant — Sicilian and southern Italian fare. Separate sports bar; patio seating. Food, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Open daily.

654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvatores gr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ FThe Sovengard — Midwest meets Scandinavian spirit, with a focus on seasonal and local sourcing. Restaurant and outdoor beer garden in a historic West Side building. Open daily. 443 Bridge St NW, 214-7207. sovengard.com. D $ Two Scotts Barbecue — Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. L ¢-$

Brown Butter Creperie & Café — Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. 1436 Wealthy St SE, 288-5038. brownbuttercrepes.com. B, L, D (Wed-Sat) ¢ Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare.

Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available.

No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 233-4141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢-$ The Commons — 1970s-themed restaurant with “retro comfort food.” Full bar, including craft beer and ’70s-inspired cocktails. Takeout available.

Closed Mon. 547 Cherry St SE, 458-2704. L, D $ Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine.

Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout.

Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $ Danzón Cubano — Authentic Cuban fare, including vegetarian and vegan options, as well as locally made and Cuban sodas. Full bar; happy hour specials Mon-Thu. Open daily. 1 Carlton Ave SE, 988-9788. danzon cubano.com. L, D $

FDonkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920s service station.

Full bar. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. don keygr.com. B (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$ East West Brewing Co. — Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwest brewingcompany.com. L (Fri-Sat), D ¢-$

Westside Social — “Reimagined” American-style tavern with locally sourced, housemade appetizers, burgers, seafood and other entrées. Full bar. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2802 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-5877. westside.social. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$

Eklectico Greek Kouzina — Scratch-made traditional Greek entrées, gyros, desserts and more. Catering and take-out available.

Closed Sun. 2401 Eastern Ave SE, 591-2132. eklecticogreekkouzina.com. D ¢

UPTOWN

Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available.

Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$

Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from northern India.

Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. eastownbombaycui sine.com. L, D $ Brewery Vivant — Beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes.

Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. breweryvivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$

Brick Road Pizza — Traditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (gluten-free crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroadpiz za.com. L, D ¢-$

Elk Brewing Co. — Brewery with rustic industrial interior. Menu includes innovative sandwiches and snacks. Open daily. 700 Wealthy St SE, 238-5227. elkbrewing.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢ Erb Thai — Thai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol.

Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. L, D ¢ FForty Acres Soul Kitchen — “Authentically American” southern comfort food, featuring po’boys, grits, gumbo and more. To-go catering available. Closed Mon. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 481-6971. fortyacresgr.com. L, D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

OButcher’s Union — Meat-and-whiskeycentric gastro-pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating available. 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. butchersuniongr.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D $

Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injera flatbread.

Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojo ethiopiancuisine.com. L, D $ The Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flair, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$ FGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Full bar. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant. com. L, D $$ ➧Hancock — Nashville hot chicken restaurant with sandwiches, fried chicken, an assortment of Southern picnic sides, salads and desserts. Also serves breakfast. Open daily. 1157 Wealthy St. SE, 805-4232. hancockgr.com. B, L, D ¢-$

Harmony Brewing Co. — Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. L, D $

Jonny B’z — Beef, turkey and veggie hot dogs available, as well as burgers, sandwiches, wings, ribs and kids menu. Full bar. Closed Sun. 701 Wealthy St SE, 551-1108. jonnybz. com. L, D $

Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Closed Sun and Mon. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D ¢ Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com.

B, L, D ➧ The Pub at Paddock — “Happy hour all the time” with elevated pub fare. Full bar.

Closed Mondays. 1033 Lake Dr SE, 356-2627. thegilmorecollection.com/pubatpaddock.

D ¢-$

FTerra — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Wealthy Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup; pizza available after 4 pm. Beer and wine. Kids menu.

Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Wikiwiki Poke Shop — Fast-casual seafood restaurant featuring customizable poke bowls, plus oyster bar and rotating specials. Carry-out available. Closed Sun. 1146 Wealthy St SE, 288-5646. wikiwikipoke shop.com. L, D ¢-$ The Winchester — Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in century-old space.

Craft brews on draft. Full bar. Open daily. 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com.

B (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$ Yesterdog — Specializes in the “good oldfashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. 1505 Wealthy St SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com. L, D ¢

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Continued on page 80

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 77

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Roasted feta in grape leaves

Octopus

“We’re offering wonderful wines from Turkey, Lebanon, Slovenia, Sardinia, Greece — and more. If you want to come in and just have drinks, I love that. We’re about curating experiences that are just good.”

MATT OVERDEVEST

78 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

EVERY NIGHT, Matt Overdevest, owner and chef of Marcona on Lyon, is cooking the food of his Mediterranean dreams — and it’s like nothing you’ll eat anywhere else in West Michigan or even in the Mediterranean basin, where he takes his inspiration from.

His modern Mediterranean cuisine is a swoon-worthy journey of his very own, combining the very best from Europe’s southern coast and north African countries. You’ll find the Egyptian condiment dukkah, made with toasted pistachios and sesame seeds; Tunisian green harissa made with herbs, cumin, coriander, chili and garlic; muhammara sauce combining roasted red peppers and walnuts from Aleppo, Syria; and chermoula, a tangy Moroccan herb sauce.

He turns his vegetables into sexy staples. He chars his beets (courtesy of Visser Farms) until they fall apart into velvet smoke and then adorns them with yogurt, hemp seeds and pomegranate molasses, creating “a wonderful flavor, sweet and tart, that gets you right in the jaw bone,” said Overdevest, who grew up in Bakersfield, California, an agricultural mecca.

He drapes his crispy eggplant with Croatian Basa-style cheese and spinach in a robust red pepper relish called ajvar, familiar in Balkans cuisine. He fills grape leaf bundles with French feta (made of sheep’s milk), Aleppo chile, dates and fresh thyme — yielding a savory, herbal brininess.

“It introduces a nice loveliness to the mouth,” said Overdevest, who’s on a firstname basis with Visser Farms, McBain’s S & S Lamb and Louise Earl Butcher.

Overdevest embraces the Japanese yakitori food style for his many grilled

skewers — including Greek loukanika pork sausage coil with orange and fennel; merguez lamb sausage coil with yogurt, parsley and rose; octopus with Aleppo beet purée and yogurt; and Roman artichokes with ricotta salata — to name just a few.

“Each skewer is composed and very specific to that place,” he said.

His tagine of braised S & S Lamb with sultana couscous, spinach, charred onion petals, cousa squash and chermoula is so seductively intoxicating that it’ll turn you into a regular on the spot.

Overdevest has a delectable touch with the sweeter side of the menu, too; his orange pistachio cake is a must. It’s a gluten-free cake made of almond and pistachio meals that is squidgy with poached, brined and pureed oranges — peel and all.

“Once baked, we cover the cake with a chocolate ganache,” Overdevest said. “It’s really a sexy cake.”

For Overdevest, all this kitchen innovating really started in 1995 when he attended the College of the Redwoods, in Eureka, California, and found a job cooking at the commissary. He noted, “That was unusual for a commissary to have a scratch kitchen.”

In 1998, he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. A year later, he landed an externship in Kansas City at The American Restaurant — at the time boasting the James Beard Best Chef in the Midwest. Upon graduation in 2000, Overdevest relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, working at L’Etoile, founded by another James Beard Award darling, Odessa Piper. He said of his time in Madison, “I was her forager and what that means is I procured all of our food from within 200 miles of the restaurant. The only thing that

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

A Mediterranean all his own

— JAYE BEELER

MATT OVERDEVEST Title: Chef

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN ESLER

Location: 623 Lyon St. NE

we bought off a truck was paper products.”

After 21/2 years, Overdevest became the chef for Harmony Valley, one of the Wisconsin farms that he had purchased ingredients from, and an early enthusiastic advocate of community-supported agriculture farming. He followed his wife Kimberly — his then-girlfriend — to New York City where he worked at Bill Telepan’s Judson Grill and later David Bouley’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Danube. Next, he became a corporate chef for Sub-Zero and Wolf in NYC. In 2006, the Overdevests relocated to West Michigan, where he served as the chef at Food Dance in Kalamazoo and as a private chef for 10 years.

Ten months ago, Overdevest, along with Martha’s Vineyard owner Kameel Chamelly, opened Marcona on Lyon, located on the same block as Martha’s Vineyard in a fetching new build that is seamlessly woven into the century-old neighborhood.

Anchored by its sizeable open kitchen, Macrona feels so enchantingly different from other establishments with its widewindowed dining room, blue-gray-alabaster tiles, mirrored walls, towering ceilings and banquet seating.

It also has a striking marble bar top.

Just as thrilling are his wines, all hailing from the Mediterranean region. “Our wines are just phenomenal with varietals that you haven’t heard of,” he said. “We don’t have a chardonnay on the menu, but we will have a varietal that drinks like a chardonnay. We’re offering wonderful wines from Turkey, Lebanon, Slovenia, Sardinia, Greece — and more. If you want to come in and just have drinks, I love that.

We’re about curating experiences that are just good.”

Charred Beet Mezze (serves 6)

3 gold beets, baseball-sized 3 red beets, baseball-sized 1 cup Greek Yogurt, plain and full fat 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon chives or mint, freshly chopped

Preparation: In two pots, boil the two colors of beets separately in salted water until a small knife easily goes through to the center of the beet, about an hour. Drain the beets and when they have cooled to a manageable level, use an old kitchen towel or your hands to rub the peels off. Break the beets apart into rough chunks by hand, drizzle with a little olive oil and put them into a 450-degree oven or grill them to char or get some burnt black edges.

Cool beets completely before assembly.

This can be done one to two days prior to assembly.

Assembly: To assemble the dish, spread out the yogurt on the bottom of the dish with a spoon and place the beets on top, drizzle the pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle the sesame and herb over all and serve.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 79

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Continued from page 77

Zivio — Modern European tavern and grill serving Bosnian cuisine melded with Turkish, Greek and other Central European countries cooking traditions. Salads, wraps, gyros, dinner entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Catering available. 724 Wealthy St SE, 608-3534. ziviogr.com. L, D $$

EAST GRAND RAPIDS Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar.

Open daily. 661 Croswell Ave SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen — Coastal South Carolina-inspired fare, including seafood, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar.

Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St SE, 805-5231. carolinalck.com. D $ Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. Open daily. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 3013236. derbystation.com. L, D $ José Babushka’s — Starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabushkas. com. L, D $ Olive’s — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. eatatolives.com. L, D ¢-$ Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selec-

tion of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.

Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed Sun-Mon. 2228 Wealthy St SE, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L (TueFri), D ¢-$

Rose’s — Dockside dining on Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch.

Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection. com/roses. L, D $

SOUTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS/ KENTWOOD 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook.

B, L, D ¢-$$ Al-Bos Eurocafe-Bakery — Authentic southeastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials.

Open daily. 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. al-bos.com. L, D ¢-$ Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 141 28th St SE, 534-7770.

Facebook. L, D ¢-$

specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. bigessports grill.com. L, D ¢-$

Brass Ring Brewing — Small-batch, stylespecific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos. com. L, D ¢-$ Cantina Mexican Grill — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drivethru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily.

2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantina mexicangrill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D $ Daddy Pete’s BBQ — Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddy petesbbq.com. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol.

Open daily. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. L, D ¢-$

Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 2450494. beltlinebar.com. L, D $

El Arriero Mexican Grill — Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, à la carte selections.

Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas.

Open daily. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarri eromexicangrill.com. L, D ¢-$

Big E’s Sports Grill — Sports lounge serving pizza, classic American appetizers and other entrées. Full bar includes a variety of Michigan-made beer and cider. Happy hour

El Globo Restaurant — Authentic Mexican fare; weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2019 S Division Ave, 734-6869. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ ➧FireRock Grille — Guests can cook signa-

ture dishes on 500-degree lava stone. Offers soups, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Brunch on Sundays. Open daily. 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. firerockgrille. com. L D $

Ganders — Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (inside DoubleTree Hotel), 957-1111. facebook.com/ gandersgr. B, L, D ¢-$$ Golden Gate — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢ Shiraz Grille

80 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant — Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian cof-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Florentine Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Full bar. Open daily. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$

fee ceremony. Buffet lunch and dinner on Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 4301 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 350-0009. Facebook. L, D $

Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu.

Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hall streetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 3760 S Division Ave, 2431219. indiatowngrr.com. L, D ¢-$

SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$

Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$

Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carry-out and catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176.

Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Shiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$

Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs. com. L, D ¢-$

La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297.

Facebook. L, D ¢

Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net. L, D ¢-$$

Last Chance Tavern and Grill — Appetizers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a huge selection of Michigan craft beers. Open daily. 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelast chancetavern.com. L, D ¢

Taquería El Rincón Mexicano — Wide variety of Mexican breakfast, small plates, dinner dishes and soups, including several vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2055 28th St, 246-7000. Facebook. B, L, D ¢

Kitzingen Brewery — German-style appetizers and entrées, plus kids menu and some American classics. Selection of wine and locally made German craft beer. Closed SunMon. 1760 44th St SW, 805-5077. kitzingenbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$

Le Kabob — Soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrées and combos. Kids menu. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3122 28th St SE, 272-4135. L, D ¢-$

Thai Express — Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiex pressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢

Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1742 28th St SW, 261-2280. lindomexicogr.com.

L, D ¢-$

Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol.

Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mik adogr.com/main. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 4520065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads.

Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 2434 Eastern Ave SE, 288-6976. baaaaaaaa.com. B (Mon-Fri), L, D ¢-$ Pal’s Indian Cuisine — Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol.

Open daily. 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsin diancuisine.com. L, D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

out available. Open daily. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 452-3228. pietrosgr.com. L, D $

Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 2469966. L, D ¢-$ Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily.

4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Restaurant — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Take-

Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily.

627 28th St SW, 531-2800. L, D $

Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE, 301-8883. L, D ¢-$ Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Tatami rooms, sushi bars. Hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyo grillsushi.com. L, D ¢-$ Village Inn Pizza & Sports Grille — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Full bar. Open daily. 2215 44th St SE, 281-1444. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. L, D $ Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

SOUTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS 84th Street Pub & Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Open daily. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com.

L, D ¢-$ Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 81

cocktail hour

BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE

Le 75 Vert A spring-green French 75 variation with snappy herbal notes 1½ ounces Japanese Sencha-infused gin (1 bottle of gin, 1 ounce Japanese Sencha green tea, infused overnight) ½ ounce honey ½ ounce lemon 3 ounces prosecco Mint, to garnish Combine the gin, honey and lemon in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh cubes in a tall glass. Top with prosecco and garnish with fresh mint and a lemon twist.

IT SEEMS ALMOST TOO SIMPLE, considering even the least well-stocked kitchen usually has a dusty box of Lipton in the back of a tall cupboard (or, let’s be honest, a few loose, crumpled packets from the last hotel you stayed in), but I often find that tea is exactly the ingredient to bring a cocktail together in ways that other fussier or more expensive ingredients could never do as efficiently.

Tea (both traditional and herbal) is immensely useful both as a flavorful and textured agent of dilution and as an aromatic ingredient in your drinks.

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know how often I remind cocktail makers that proper dilution of a mix is critical for balance and smoothness — “strength” isn’t a virtue when it’s used wantonly. However, if

Il Bianco 2.0 A blanc variation on a traditional Italian bitter aperitif 1 ounce reposado tequila 1 ounce chamomile tea-infused Cocchi Americano (1 bottle of Cocchi, 1 ounce chamomile tea, infused overnight) 1 ounce Luxardo Bitter Bianco A grapefruit twist, to garnish Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a tumbler, garnish with a twist and enjoy with salty snacks.

you want to bring a cocktail to perfection without additional sugar or intense flavor but want to use something more dynamic than just water, brew up a cuppa and start playing.

Tea has an interesting additional virtue beyond flavor. Because of the tannins naturally present in tea, it gives a feeling of weight or texture on the palate.

Think of the richness of a mug of strong black Assam, and you’ll realize that the drink feels like more than just “wet leaf extract”; the tannins adding body to your tea are the same that add body and density to that glass of cabernet you enjoyed the night before.

As a flavoring ingredient, tea is a fun experiment and very easy to use thanks to its format. Sure, tea can be steeped into water, cooled and stirred into a drink, but if it’s the flavor you’re after, not the dilution, then you’re better off steeping the tea in a bottle of spirits you’re intent on using in the drink. Simply combine a few teabags in a jar, top with any other ingredient for your drink — green tea tequila, chamomile dry vermouth, lapsang souchong rum — and let it sit for a few hours in the fridge.

Chilling isn’t necessary, but I find a cold infusion tends to be a little gentler and more aromatic, plus it’s slower. If you’d like the infusion stronger, you can always add a little more or steep a little longer, but if you’ve oversteeped, there’s no fixing it. Keeping your infusion cold gives you a wider window of “perfection.” When it tastes just right, strain it, bottle it, label it and mix away.

Tea is a critical (and very traditional) ingredient in punch, blessed for its ability to stretch the contents of the bowl without adding loads of sugar, and the subtle bitterness it adds helps to balance the sweet and tart notes of most punches. Next time you’re filling a bowl for a crowd, skip that extra 2-liter of ginger ale and brew up a pot of China Black — your mix will taste much more professional.

With the ease and usefulness of tea, there’s no reason to stop your spring cocktails from coming from your teapot. Get brewing with these recipes!

— Torrence R. O’Haire, of The Starving Artist, is a chef, entrepreneur and restaurant consultant specializing in wine, spirits and cocktails. He also founded the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild.

82 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ISTOCK

Tea party brings cocktails to life

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 2359 Health Dr SW, Suite 140, 929-2306. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$

Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available.

Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1701 Four Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. budandstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$

Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$

Charlie’s Bar & Grille — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charlies barandgrille.com. L, D ¢-$

Mi Casa Restaurante — Fresh, authentic Dominican appetizers, dishes and seafood, plus weekly specials, in Dominicanthemed, family-friendly atmosphere. No alcohol. Closed Mon-Tues. 334 Burton St SW, 350-9123. micasagr.com. L, D ¢-$ Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace.

Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$ Noble — Breakfast favorites along with vegan and gluten-free options, handhelds, burgers and small bites. Open daily. 1851 44th St SW, Wyoming, 530-8750. eatnoble.com.

B, L $ Pete’s Grill & Tavern — Casual bar and grill with tavern burgers, Detroit style pizza, sandwiches and entrees. Open daily. 2588 84th St SW, Byron Center, 878-9582. petesgrilland tavern.com. L, D $

Cheer’s Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open daily. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheersgrandrapids.com. B, L, D ¢ Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, creative burgers. Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. No alcohol. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill. com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢-$ Creston Brewery — More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai Xpress — Thai fare for takeout only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 820 Michigan St NE, 454-0444. erbthaigr.com/erbthai_xpress. html. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢

Tamales Mary — Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 15 types of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 1253 Burton St SW, 288-5007. tamalesmarygr.com.

L, D ¢

Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrées, full bar. Big screen TVs; takeout available. Open daily. 1259 Post Dr NE, Belmont, 785-1001. flossportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$

Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spec trumlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D $

Fred’s Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. freds italian.net. L, D ¢-$

NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS

Fuji Yama Asian Bistro — Hibachi grill tables or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 719-1859. fujiyamabis tro.com. L, D ¢-$

7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads. Open daily. 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/ grand-rapids. L, D ¢-$ Birch Lodge — Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily.

732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook.

L, D ¢ Blue Water Grill — Entrées include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Beer, wine and cocktails. Open daily. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection. com/bluewater. L, D $-$$

Golden Wok — Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwok grandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse. com. L, D ¢-$ Graydon’s Crossing — Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of micro-

brews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross ing.com. L, D $

Gus’s Original — Appetizers, salads and soups, stone-oven pizzas, gourmet sandwiches; coffees and ice cream bar. Outdoor seating. No alcohol. Open daily. 3123 Leonard St NE, 805-5599. gussoriginal.com.

B, L, D ¢ Jaku Sushi — Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more. Open daily. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 649-0407. jakusushi.com. L, D $

Kitchen 67 — Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes Brann’s sizzling steaks, sandwiches, salads, small plates, pasta and more. Full bar with craft beers.

Open daily. 1977 East Beltline Ave NE, 2723778. kitchen67.com. L, D ¢-$ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes, vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook.

L, D ¢ Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net. L, D ¢-$ Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrées, calzones and desserts. Full bar.

Open daily. 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. L, D $ Lucy’s Café — Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. B, L $-$$ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektavern gr.com. L, D ¢-$ Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily.

2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), 3653989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Nick Fink’s — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollec tion.com/nickfinks. D $ Poke Toki — Build-your-own bowls featuring a fusion of Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean cuisine. Catering available. Closed Sun. 5150 Northland Dr NE, 729-4414. poketoki. com. L, D $ MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 83

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. L, D $

Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com.

L, D ¢-$$ Vander Mill — Seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style. Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. 505 Ball Ave NE, 2598828. vandermill.com. L, D (Mon-Sat) $-$$

NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS FAmore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrat toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) $ China Chef — Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices.

No alcohol. Open daily. 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com.

L, D ¢-$

Palio — Ann Arbor-based eatery with an expansive menu of Italian fare. Full bar and happy hour. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 719-0660. paliograndrapids.com.

L, D $-$$ Reds At Thousand Oaks — Large menu features sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza and entrées. Extensive wine list, craft beers, full bar. Patio with fire pits and covered deck.

Open daily. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, 4477750. eatatreds.com. L, D $-$$ Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrées, some with Cajun flavor. Serves alcohol. Open daily.

1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge. com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 3646266. riograndsteakhouse.com. L, D $-$$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. the score-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill. net. L, D $ Thai Chef — Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and 84 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$ DeHop’s Brewing Co. and Café — Specialty and build-your-own burgers, “authentic Mexican” tacos, salads and sharable appetizers. Closed Sun-Mon. 363 Cummings Ave NW, Walker, 805-3363. dehops.com. D $ Empire Chinese Buffet II — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol.

Open daily. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$ Franco’s Pizza — Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. D ¢-$

Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com.

L, D ¢-$ The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/ dining/the-landing-restaurant. B, L, D $ Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyros drivethru.com. L, D ¢-$ Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park Dr, 551-1957. perrinbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Stan Diego Baja Taco Kitchen — Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-la-carte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, 591-9806. standi egogr.com. L, D ¢-$ Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel. com. B, L, D ¢-$ Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. threehappinessgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 791-9922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $

ADA/CASCADE/LOWELL

Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market.

Full bar. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$

Ada Pour House — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrées, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine. Closed Sun. 6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941. pourhouse usa.com. L, D $-$$

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsu premebuffet.letseat.at. L, D ¢

Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana. com. B, L, D $-$$

Home Team Grill — Sports-themed eatery with a selection of local, domestic and international beers. Open daily. 4322 Remembrance Rd, 551-3457. hometeamgrill.word press.com. L, D ¢-$

Big Boiler Brewing — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider.

Plus, new American cuisine, including burgers, fish, sandwiches and kids menu. Open daily. 318 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3155. bigboil erbrewing.com. D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Ju Sushi & Lounge

The Blue Moose Sports Pub — Farm-totable sports bar features a food menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 6240 28th St SE, 734-6333. Facebook.

L, D ¢-$ Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 2597439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$ Cork Wine & Grille — Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. cork wineandgrille.com. L, D $-$$ Dan’s Diner — Formerly Pal’s Diner. Retrostyle diner with both classic and upscale breakfast and lunch options; breakfast served all day. Beer, wine and vodka. Closed Mon. 6503 28th St SE, 719-0304. dansdinergr.com.

B, L, D ¢-$ Emonae Korean BBQ — Korean delicacies and tabletop grills allow patrons to grill meats and veggies to their liking. Soups, chicken, beef, pork, vegetarian, seafood. No alcohol.

Delivery available. Closed Mon. 6246 28th St SE, 649-3984. emonaekoreanbbq.com.

L, D $-$$ The Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, woodfired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar.

Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. euro bistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turnof-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. the gilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$

Main Street BBQ — Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork. Rubs and sauces are gluten-free.

Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. Takeout/delivery at 1539 Plainfield Ave NE. Full bar. Open daily. 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell. com. L, D ¢-$

Nonna’s: The Trattoria — Fresh, Europeanstyle pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served seven days a week. Pizza available during lunch Tues-Sat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna.com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢-$

Marco New American Bistro — French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches and mains for lunch. Full bar. Takeout menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$

Noto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D $-$$

Mynt Fusion Bistro — Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D $ Noco Provisions — Laid-back, regionally inspired comfort cuisine. Outdoor seating on the patio. Full bar. Open daily. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. L, D $

Osaka Steakhouse & Japanese Restaurant — Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabushabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, 419-4628. Facebook. L, D $ Sapporo Ramen & Noodle Bar — Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororam enbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 6824660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$

THE CELEBRATION

Holland & Fitz Delicatessen — Deli sandwiches with in-house baked bread featuring corned beef hash and pork shoulder. Breakfast and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr SE, Suite B, 920-7090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Ju Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$$ La Laguna — Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu.

No alcohol. Open daily. 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

EVENT PLANNING • CATERING • DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$

applause-catering.net | 616.940.0001 Join our following on Facebook!

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 85

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

®

NOW IN 8 LOCATIONS ACROSS MICHIGAN!

Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook.

L, D ¢-$ Thornapple Brewing Co. — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. L (Sat), D $ Trailhead Café — Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 2843664. trailheadcafegr.com. B, L ¢ Vintage Prime & Seafood — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintage atcork.com. D $$ Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.

Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. 7437 River St, Ada, 682-2222. zeytin turkishrestaurant.com. L, D $

GRANDVILLE/HUDSONVILLE/ GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP Bangkok Taste — Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 674 Baldwin St, 667-8901. bangkoktaste. com. L, D ¢-$ The Dungeon — Mexican food and American favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily.

3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadungeon.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections, plus a few American options. Daily food and drink specials. Full bar. Open daily.

4499 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, 530-9470. elburritoloco4.com. L, D ¢-$ GrandVilla — Steaks, all-you-can-eat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar.

Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadun geon.com. L, D ¢-$ Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hud sonvillegrille.com. B, L, D ¢-$

Everything you need in the heart of downtown.

866 609 CITY

C I T Y F L AT S H O T E L . C O M

86 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily.

4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$

Pike 51 Brewing Co./Hudsonville Winery — Craft brewery and winery under one roof.

Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées.

Open daily. 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. L, D ¢-$ Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow grillmichigan.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro.com.

L, D $ White Flame Brewing Co. — Small production brewery with taproom. Sandwiches, wraps, appetizers and a couple twists on the classic macaroni and cheese. Open daily. 5234 36th Ave, Hudsonville, 209-5098. whiteflamebrewing.com. L, D ¢-$

ROCKFORD AREA Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck. Full bar. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, 874-7290. thegilmorecollection.com/bost wick. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$ Boulder Creek Restaurant — Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolf club.com/restaurant. L, D ¢-$ Cedar Springs Brewing Co. — German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. L, D $ Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven. com. L, D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. L, D ¢-$ Hot Box BBQ — Smoked brisket, pork, ribs, chicken, brisket and more. Closed Sun. 110 Courtland St, Rockford, 951-7160. Facebook.

L, D $

Marinades Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro. com. L, D ¢ MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 87

nosh & sip

BY AMY RUIS

Fun white wines spring forth!

OTHER GRAPES EXCITING ME THIS SUMMER:

 Assyrtiko (Greece)  Mtsvane (Georgia – the country)

 Aligoté (France and Washington)

 Furmint (Hungary)

OVER THE LONG winter months, one of my spectacularly fun jobs is trying wines before they hit the market or are very well known to most consumers.

(Some people aren’t sure what to think when I say my job is to taste sometimes upward of 50 wines in a day — and no, I don’t drink them, I literally spit them out — I have a profession to uphold!) Since we’re hoping that the month of May brings us great weather to sit on a porch, deck or backyard, it’s time to try something new that complements the season. Whether you want to impress friends that seem to know it all or just because you — like me — enjoy trying new flavors, as always, I encourage you to find some new summer must-haves:

Ribolla Gialla — This grape has been around in northern Italy (Friuli region) and Slovenia for a really long time, but it hasn’t been widely imported. Recently, I’m starting to see more of it and, while it’s got a slightly weird name, every example I’ve had is stunning. (You could even try it sparkling!) Rewardingly bright with subdued citrus notes and an undertone of barely baked apples and beeswax, this will “up” a pinot grigio drinker’s game. The Slovenian examples of this grape are an especially fantastic value — often in the $9-$14 range.

These really overdeliver in the unctuous department.

Versatile with foods, I can recommend pairing it with creamy Italian cheeses like Robiola or some grilled chicken and rosemary potatoes.

Txakoli — Pronounced cha-ko-lee, this fun juice is frizzante, sometimes referred to as prickly. Lighter in alcohol than many white wines, this is a party-starter.

From the Basque region of Spain, its crisp, friendly nature means it’s poured at all the cool patio bars in Spain — and some in the United States, too. Less easy to find, Vinho Verde, which was birthed in Portugal, is Txakoli’s similar wine companion. This wine, too, has made its way to our shores. We’ll call it budget Txakoli — definitely a hot commodity lately, as well. Think of Txacoli as the elegant sibling. Perfect for parties with a wide array of food.

Picpoul — Grown in both France and Spain, this is a dry, tart wine found in a slim, shapely green glass 88 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

bottle with its region’s emblem proudly branded on it.

I love Picpoul because it has high acidity, much like a sauvignon blanc but greener and refined. Green leaf aromas combined with restrained lemon, pear and apple tones give it restraint and elegance. Pair it with whitefish smothered in lemon butter sauce from the charcoal grill this summer.

— Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, is a wine enthusiast who is working on her Level II Sommelier certification.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ISTOCK

I love Picpoul because it has high acidity, much like a sauvignon blanc but greener and refined.

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials.

Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily.

17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonas table.com. L, D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Handcrafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 9514677. rockfordbrewing.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Timbers Inn — Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar.

Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), D ¢-$

Clyde Park Ave SW, 249-9500. bagelbean ery.com. B, L, D ¢

5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sun dancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) $

Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. Full bar. 401 Leonard St NW, 454-9368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. L, D $

Tacos El Caporal — Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢

First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstwokgr. com. L, D $ Grand Coney — Classic diner offering custom hot dogs, traditional breakfast items and comfort foods. No alcohol. Open daily.

Downtown location open 24 hours. 809 Michigan St NE, 776-5580; 5121 28th St, 930-3596; 6101 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, 895-9999. thegrandconey.com. B, L, D ¢ Herb & Fire Pizzeria — Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 773-1895. herbandfirepizzeria. com. L, D $ HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature crack fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677; 2183 East Beltline Ave NE. hopcatgr.com. L, D ¢-$

Noto’s Old World Italian Dining

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Anna’s House — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and exceptional desserts; dinner menu, too. No alcohol. Open daily. 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. B, L $ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, burgers and sandwiches. Menu includes extensive gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesres taurant.com. B, L, D $ Bagel Beanery — Bagel and coffee cafè offering healthy whole grain and sugary sweet bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

Magnum coffee. No alcohol. Open daily. Catering available. 455 Michigan St NE, 2357500; 2845 Breton Rd SE, 245-4220; 5316

Tacos El Cuñado — Fajitas, tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 1342 Grandville Ave SW, 452-1266; 455 Burton St SW, 248-9099; 1024 Bridge St NW, 475-8000; Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW. tacosgr.com. L, D ¢-$ The Omelette Shoppe — Fourteen signature omelettes, selection of quiches and baked goods. No alcohol. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 726-5800; 1880 Breton Rd SE, 7267300. omeletteshoppe.com. B, L ¢ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties, including pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar. Open daily. 122 Monroe Center NW, 773-1687; 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 8911100; 19 N Main St, Rockford, 866-0666. uccellos.com. L, D ¢-$ Vitale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza, pasta and more from family recipes.

Full bar. 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitales ada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 6622244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7845011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$

Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily.

130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza. com. L, D ¢-$$ Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1510 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029. thepitahouse.net. L, D ¢ Real Food Café — Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and madefrom-scratch baked goods; plus, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Cash only.

Closed Mon. 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 241-4080; 3514 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-1808. Facebook.

B, L ¢ Red Geranium — Breakfast and lunch favorites, omelettes, pancakes and burgers. No alcohol. Open daily. 6670 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9800; 5751 Byron Center Ave SW, 532-8888. redgeraniumcafe.com. B, L ¢ Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616;

Dining Guide Legend Grand Rapids Magazine has created these symbols to area restaurant amenities as a service to our readers.

B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée.

- — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2018 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email cdewey@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 89

cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

Dirt Dawgs, a nonprofit geared toward teaching mountain biking, expects 300 participants this summer.

90 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

SELF-CONFIDENCE. Healthy living. Trail stewardship. Riding skills. Crazy fun whipping through the woods on mountain bikes.

That’s pretty much the blueprint for Dirt Dawgs, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching kids ages 2-15 how to ride mountain bikes.

Started by Danielle Musto and Chris Davison in 2014, Dirt Dawgs is drawing more and more kids each summer for the eight weekly sessions of mountain biking along trails at Luton Park in Rockford (near the ballfields) and Cannonsburg Ski Area on Cannonsburg Road.

“Kids gain a sense of adventure,” said Musto, who also is marketing director for the Cannonsburg Ski Area. “So many kids are plugged into phones and technology for hours; getting out in nature is a huge release of energy.”

A release of energy, for sure, as even the smallest riders — those who don’t ride pedal bikes yet and are called Striders — push their way along the wooded trails. Older children, divided into groups of 10 to 15, learn the skills needed to ride the trails without falling. But the inevitable scrape or two is a sign of success and treated with a certain casualness.

Co-founder Davison’s two daughters, now ages 9 and 11, have been Dirt Dawgs since the beginning, and Davison has been one of the many volunteer coaches who help riders learn to shift gears, brake with two hands, ride over roots, fly down hills and take sharp corners.

“There’s a hill on the blue trail at Luton Park that the younger kids are afraid to go down, but by the end of the summer, they are flying down it,” Davison said. “The progress they make in eight sessions is really amazing.”

Dirt Dawgs groups meet on Monday nights at Luton Park and Wednesday nights at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Girls and boys comprise each group, along with a coach trained in first aid who carries a walkie-talkie and parent volunteers who ride behind the group as sweepers looking for lost gear and kids lagging behind. Everyone wears a helmet, and riding gloves are encouraged.

Striders ride for a half-hour and older kids for an hour and 15 minutes. The $115 yearly fee covers insurance, other costs and jerseys for each child.

“We suggest parents don’t ride with their kids, so kids don’t pay attention to

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Racing to the heart of kids

Mountain bike students on a trail course at Cannonsburg.

their parents’ reactions,” Davison said.

“Kids get caught up worrying what their parents are saying, but put them in a different environment, and they can do some pretty amazing things.”

Musto doesn’t separate girls and boys, either. “I don’t think of one gender being weaker. The girls get just as muddy and scraped up as the boys,” she said. “They don’t look at each other as different but see each other as Dirt Dawgs.”

Carter Postma, 6, joined Dirt Dawgs when he was 3 and riding a strider bike. Now, he’s ready to move past his pedal bike to a bike with gears.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

“So many kids are plugged into phones and technology for hours; getting out in nature is a huge release of energy.” — DANIELLE MUSTO “Carter learned how to communicate with other children, learned a lot about cheering for others, helping others when they fall,” said dad Alex Nunez, who is planning to volunteer this summer at Dirt Dawgs.

“Carter sees kids now where he was before, and he shows them things and helps them. Dirt Dawgs has helped his confidence level in cycling and social aspects.”

Musto started Dirt Dawgs because she wished she’d started mountain bike racing at a much younger age. She started at age 23, and a month later began racing in events for beginners. It wasn’t long before she decided to go pro. She became an endurance race professional, winning a national championship in a 24-hour endurance race in 2011. Her biggest finish was fourth place in the world championship in Scotland in 2014. She’s planning to do a Lumberjack 100 race in June in Manistee.

“Throughout my career, I met great people and always wished I had started biking at a younger age,” Musto said. “I did sports like swimming and karate but never felt in my own skin. But bike racing opened up an entirely new world for me.”

Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. was one of her career sponsors, so when she wanted to start a kids biking team, the company sponsored that, as well. Owner Tom Smith backed Dirt Dawgs, helping the organization purchase a trailer and wooden obstacles for the trails.

Davison, who is general manager at

Noah Scripps rides through a trail course.

Parent volunteer Wade Slaghuis helps Melvin Whitmer through a field course.

Grand Rapids Bicycle Co., was part of Dirt Dawgs’ effort to plan the bike trails at Luton Park and the kids loop at Cannonsburg. He has been part of Dirt Dawgs’ past and is looking, with Musto, at the future. They’d like to have a Dirt Dawgs group for inner-city kids, which he said is getting close.

The biggest challenge for Dirt Dawgs is numbers. In its second year, 75 kids participated with a waiting list of 85. The next

year saw 150 kids participating with a waiting list of 60 to 70. 2018 had 250 kids participate and still had a waiting list. They’re planning on 300 kids for this year.

“It’s been a challenge,” Davison said. “It’s disappointing when we can’t have more kids getting involved, but every year we keep expanding the number and every year we have the same size waiting list. That shows us there is clearly a need.”

The end of the season is marked with the Dawg Days of Summer bike race held at Cannonsburg Ski Area, planned for Aug. 4 this year. There will be bike races and trail running races for those who don’t have bikes.

Nunez will be out there every week, one of the 20 or 30 official volunteers needed for each riding time and one of the many parents who stay each week to help and watch their child come flying off the trail happy and hot. Bikes go down and the kids head to, in their eyes, the big reward: a popsicle.

Yes, popsicles. Coolers and coolers and coolers of popsicles. “The kids love those popsicles. For the kids, forget the racing and get the popsicles,” Nunez said.

“For us, it’s never been about racing,” Davison said. “Dirt Dawgs has been more about community, about families riding bikes and eating popsicles.”

Find Dirt Dawgs at grdirtdawgs.com. GR MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 91

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

may events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!

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SPECIAL EVENTS MAY 2-SEPT. 19 RELAX AT ROSA: Outdoor lunch breaks with live bands and food trucks. Noon-1:30 p.m. every Thu. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. downtowngr.org.

STAGE & FILM MAY 2-18 “FREAKY FRIDAY”: Circle Theatre presents a comedy about a mother and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Aquinas College PAC, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26-$30. circletheatre.org.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

92 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

THROUGH MAY 5 “WAITRESS”: Broadway Grand

Rapids presents the story of a smalltown waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of leaving her loveless marriage. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $43-$153. broadway grandrapids.com. See Stage & Film

MAY 4 - DONUT AND BEER FEST: Doughnut, beer and cider

samples, plus live music, games and activities. 4-8 p.m. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $40, $25 nonalcohol. donutandbeerfest.com.

See Special Events

MAY 10 - A NIGHT WITH THE OPERA: Opera Grand Rapids

celebration, Springtime in Paris, with dinner and entertainment. 6 p.m. Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. NE. $250. operagr.org/night-with-theopera. See Special Events

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS, INC. (LEFT); COMMUNITY CIRCLE THEATRE (TOP); JESS JONES (BOTTOM)

MAY 18 STOMP OUT STIGMA 5K WALK: Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s 17th annual walk. 8:30 a.m. GVSU Seward Parking Lot, 520 Lake Michigan Drive NW. benice.org/ stomp-out-stigma.

To list your event send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o

Calendar Editor, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, email caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the first of the month.

SPECIAL EVENTS May 1 - Red Alert: American Red Cross of West Michigan fundraiser to support disaster relief. 5:30-9:30 p.m. 20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW. $250. redcross.org.

May 2-Sept. 19 - Relax at Rosa: Outdoor lunch breaks with live bands and food trucks.

Noon-1:30 p.m. every Thu. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. downtowngr.org.

May 3 - First Friday Gallery Hop: Participating galleries, shops and eateries stay open 6-9 p.m., presented by Avenue for the Arts. South Division Avenue between Fulton and Cherry streets. avenueforthearts.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS, INC. (LEFT); COMMUNITY CIRCLE THEATRE (TOP); JESS JONES (BOTTOM)

May 3-4 - LAUP Fiesta!: Latin Americans United for Progress celebration includes entertainment, carnival, car show, exhibitors and food. The Shops at Westshore, 12331 James St., Holland. laupholland.org.

May 4 - Art on Center: Galleries along Center Street in downtown Douglas feature artist receptions and live music. 6-8 p.m. Free. saugatuck.com/event/art-on-center.

May 4 - Donut and Beer Fest: Doughnut, beer and cider samples, plus live music, games and activities. 4-8 p.m. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $40, $25 nonalcohol. donutandbeerfest.com.

May 4 - Horsin’ Around at the Derby: Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding fundraiser with live viewing of the Kentucky Derby, plus auctions, food. 4-9 p.m. 3777 Rector Ave., Rockford. $100. equestderby.com.

May 4 - West Michigan Mom’s Sale: More than 200 booths with clothing, toys, furniture, car seats, strollers, accessories and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Free; $3-$5 donations at door. westmichiganmomssale.com.

May 4 - Women’s Expo & Craft Show: Byron Center’s seventh annual show has more than 70 vendors, plus concessions, raffles and prizes. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 2120 76th St. SW. Free. byronrec.org.

May 4-12 - Tulip Time Festival: Holland’s 90th annual heritage celebration with thousands of tulips, fireworks, parades, Klompen dancers, outdoor concerts, music and variety shows, arts and crafts fair, children’s events.

Also see Sports, Stage & Film and Music. tuliptime.com.

May 4-Oct. 26 - Fulton Street Farmers Market: Summer season opens with vendors selling locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, plants, homemade arts and crafts. Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat. 1147 E. Fulton St. fultonstreet market.org.

May 4 - Gala: Beyond the Frame: GR Art Museum hosts annual black-tie fundraiser with cocktails, dinner and entertainment. 6 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. $250. artmuseumgr.org/calendar/gala.

May 4, 25 - Native Michigan Plant Sales: Kent Conservation District’s annual sales for gardeners and landscapers. May 4, Spring Tree and Shrub Sale. May 25, Native Wildflower Sale. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. kentconservation.org.

May 4 - Hats and Horses: Pioneer Resources fundraiser with Kentucky Derby-themed party and music. 5-8 p.m. Frauenthal Ballroom, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $55. pioneer resources.org/event/hats-and-horses.

May 8 - Collections & Cocktails: Grand Rapids Public Museum fundraiser to support its Magnificent Machines & Amusement Collection. 6-10 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. $125. grpm.org/2019collections-cocktails.

MAY 11 - FIFTH THIRD RIVER BANK RUN: 5K/10K/25K

road race in downtown GR; also 25K handcycle and wheelchair racing divisions, 5K walk. 7 a.m. Corner of Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street.

53riverbankrun.com. See Sports

MAY 18-19 - HERITAGE HILL HOME TOUR: 50th annual

tour of eight private homes and two historic buildings in Grand Rapids’ historic district. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun. $18-$25. heritage hillweb.org. See Special Events

May 8 - Feast for Kids: Kids’ Food Basket fundraiser where chefs and high school culinary arts students prepare four-course meal.

Also, silent auction. 5-9 p.m. Noto’s, 6600 28th St. SE. kidsfoodbasket.org/events/17thannual-feast-for-kids.

May 8 - Great Gardens Party: Meijer Gardens’ annual fundraiser includes raffle, wine garden, live and silent auctions. 6-9 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. $100. meijergardens.org.

May 10 - A Night with the Opera: Opera Grand Rapids celebration, Springtime in Paris, with dinner and entertainment. 6 p.m.

Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. NE. $250. operagr.org/night-with-the-opera.

May 10 - Wish Ball West Michigan: Makea-Wish signature black-tie fundraiser. 6 p.m.

DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $150. michigan.wish.org.

May 10-Oct. 4 - Food Truck Fridays at Riverside Park: Grand Rapids Food Truck Association hosts food trucks every Fri. 5-9 p.m. 2001 Monroe Ave. NE. facebook.com/grfoodtrucks.

May 11 - Barley, BBQ & Beats: Hospice of Michigan presents fourth annual celebration of whiskey, BBQ and live entertainment. 21 and older. 5-9 p.m. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $45. hom.org.

May 11 - Holy Smokes BBQ Competition: Catholic Charities West Michigan hosts inaugural fundraiser with participants voting for BBQ entries from local restaurants. 1-4 p.m.

Pigeon Hill Brewing Facility, 895 Fourth St., Muskegon. $20. ccwestmi.org/holysmokes.

May 11-12 - Artz and Gardenz: Third annual tour of seven artist studios and gardens. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saugatuck/Douglas, Hamilton and Fennville. artzandgardenz.com.

May 12 - Antiques on Ionia: More than 80 outdoor vendors sell furniture, clothing, collectibles, décor and kitchen items. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmarketgr.com May 12-18 - Cider Week GR: Events and activities celebrating local cider makers, with hard cider festival 1-5 p.m. May 18 at Gillett Bridge. experiencegr.com/cider-week.

MAY 23 - AN EVENING WITH NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Astrophysicist, author

and TV host. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $42-$92. devosperformance hall.com. See Stage & Film

MAY - SUMMER SWING DANCING: 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue.

in downtown Grand Rapids. May 7 and 21, Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. May 14 and 28, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grandrapidsoriginalswing society.com. See Lectures & Workshops

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 93

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

May 13 - Drag Take Over: Charity show for The Kostume Room Wig Box Donation Program.

7-9 p.m. GR Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. $30-$50. bit.ly/dragtakeover.

May 14 - West Michigan Jazz Society Musician of the Year Banquet: Includes music, dancing, dinner and silent auction.

Reservations required. 6-9:30 p.m. Noto’s, 6600 28th St. SE. wmichjazz.org.

May 15 - Red Shoe Brew: Third annual outdoor beer festival with tastings from local breweries, live music, yard games and food; benefits Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. 21 and older. 5-8 p.m. 1323 Cedar St. NE. $35. rmhwesternmichigan.org.

May 16 - Mayfest: Charity benefit for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services with appetizers, drinks and live auction. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Vander Mill, 505 Ball Ave. NE. deafhhs.org.

May 16 - Reds, Whites & Brews: Indian Trails Camp fundraiser with music, wine and microbrew tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live auction. 6-10 p.m. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW. $50. ikuslife.org.

May 17 - Excellence in Business Gala: Davenport University presents the 2019 Peter Cook award to Mike VanGessel, CEO of Rockford Construction, at black-tie gala.

Keynote speaker: University of Michigan’s men’s basketball head coach John Beilein. 6 p.m. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $250. davenport.edu/eib.

May 17 - The Vibe: Fourth annual Kentwood Parks and Rec gala includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment, dancing, silent/live auctions. 6-10 p.m. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia. $100. kentwoodvibe.com.

May 17-18 - Farmgirl Flea Market: More than 150 vendors offer handmade, vintage, retro, antique and farm finds. 4-8 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Ave. $15 two-day pass, $5 Sat., kids 12 and under free. farmgirlflea.com.

May 17-18 - Tight Lines for Troops: Charity fishing tournament for Michigan veterans helps disabled vets. Lake Michigan, Manistee. tightlinesfortroops.com.

May 18 - Pints for Pits: Pet Tales Rescue fundraiser and community awareness event with games, music, door prizes, raffle, food, craft beer; dogs welcome. Noon-4 p.m. Grand Rapids Harley Davidson, 2977 Corporate Drive, Hudsonville. $15 adults, $5 under 21. bit. ly/pintsforpits.

May 18 - Roll’n Out Food Truck Fest: Grand Rapids Food Truck Association hosts about 94 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

30 food trucks. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Heartside Park, 301 Ionia Ave. SW. facebook.com/grfood trucks.

May 18-19 - Heritage Hill Home Tour: 50th annual tour of eight private homes and two historic buildings in Grand Rapids’ historic district. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-6 p.m. Sun. $18-$25. heritagehillweb.org.

May 22-27 - Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days: Carnival, fireworks, 5K run, community marketplace, entertainment, parade and Ox Roast. visitmuskegon.org.

May 23 - Off the Wall: UICA spring fundraiser includes contemporary performances by musicians, artists, singers and dancers; original artwork; appetizers and cash bar. 7-9 p.m. $50, $35 members. 2 W. Fulton St. uica. org/events/offthewall.

May 25 - Grand Haven Ribfest: Ribs, live entertainment, craft beers. 6-9 p.m. Grand Haven VFW, 20 N. First St., Grand Haven.

Free admission; ribs available for purchase. facebook.com/grandhavenvfw.

May 25 - Made in MI Pop-Up Marketplace: Downtown Market hosts monthly outdoor market with artisan gifts, local treats and goodies. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. madeinmipopup.com.

May 25 - Zeeland Spring Peddlers’ Market: Vintage furniture, flowers, gifts, apparel, accessories, homemade treats, live music.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Church Street between Main and Central avenues, downtown Zeeland. feelthezeel.com.

May 26 - Allegan Antiques Market: Monthly market features 400 exhibitors inside and outside, rain or shine. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive. $4. alleganantiques.com.

May 27 - Holland Memorial Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. Travels from Eighth Street and River Avenue to Columbia Avenue, south to 16th Street and east to Pilgrim Home Cemetery for ceremony. holland.org/events/memorial-day-parade.

May 27 - Walker Memorial Day Parade: Noon.

Lake Michigan Drive NW between Lincoln Lawns and St. Clair. walker.city.

May 27 - Zeeland Memorial Day Parade: 9 a.m. Begins at Main and Centennial streets, heading west to State Street, south to Central Street and east to Maple Street. zeeland festivals.com/memorial-day-parade.

May 29 - Healing Hearts Breakfast: Fundraiser for Ele’s Place, a grieving center for children and teens. 7:30-9 a.m. Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. elesplace.org.

May 31-June 15 - Spring Parade of Homes: Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids presents its showcase of home construction, design and interiors. 1-8 p.m. Fri.Sat., 5-8 p.m. Wed. $12. paradeofhomes. mygrhome.com.

SPORTS May - Grand Rapids Football Club, Men’s Team: Minor league soccer team is part of National Premier Soccer League. Home games: May 4 vs. Livonia City FC. May 18 vs. Toledo Villa FC. May 31 vs. FC Indiana.

Houseman Field, 901 Fountain St. NE. $10 adults, $5 kids 4-14. grandrapidsfc.com.

May - Grand Rapids Football Club, Women’s Team: United Women’s Soccer League. Home games: May 24 vs. Indiana Union. Grandville High School, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. $8 adults, $5 kids 4-14. grand rapidsfc.com.

May - West Michigan Whitecaps: Professional minor league baseball team is a member of the Midwest League and Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Home games: May 6-8 vs. Peoria Chiefs. May 9-11 vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels. May 16-19 vs. Great Lakes Loons. May 20-23 vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods. May 28-30 vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $9-$17. whitecaps baseball.com.

May 3 - Nerd Herd 5K: Inaugural fun run supporting GRCC’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and The Ulman Foundation. 6 p.m.

Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse, 111 Lyon St. NE. $25. runsignup.com/race/mi/grandrapids/ nerdherd5k.

May 4 - Nana’s Run: 5K walk/run supports ALS Association Michigan Chapter and ALS Clinic at Mercy Health. 10 a.m. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. $30-$35. nanasrun.com.

May 4 - Tulip Time Run: 5K, 10K, 15K, virtual run and Kids 1K Fun Run. 8 a.m. Kollen Park, 10th Street and VanRaalte Avenue, Holland. $15-$60. tuliptime.com/events/run.

May 5 - Access Walk for Good Food: Access of West Michigan annual fundraiser.

2 p.m. Park Church, 10 East Park Place NE. accessofwestmichigan.org.

May 5 - ASK Walk and Resource Fair: Autism Support of Kent County hosts third annual walk, kids activities, food and resource fair.

Noon-3 p.m. John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. autismsupportofkentcounty.org.

ADVERTISEMENT

Barbecue, whiskey and music fans rejoice! Join Hospice

of Michigan from 5-9 p.m. May 11 at DeVos Place for Barley, BBQ & Beats, a unique celebration showcasing barbecue from leading pit masters and restaurants, handcrafted whiskey cocktails from select Michigan distilleries and live music from hometown favorites. The evening’s program will be emceed by eightWest’s Jordan Carson and Hospice of Michigan’s Andy Holtgreive.

Admission includes your choice of three barbecue servings and three whiskey cocktail tastings. Additional tokens are available for purchase. Guests can pay tribute to their loved one by sharing a photo or memory in a specially designated area. Proceeds will support Hospice of Michigan’s Open Access Fund, which provides end-of-life care to patients regardless of age, diagnosis or ability to pay. Advance tickets are $40 or $45 at the door. For information or tickets, visit hom.org/BBB2019.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) announced the return of its annual fundraising event, Off The Wall. This event,

occurring at 7 p.m. May 23, reframes the four floors of UICA galleries into immersive stages presenting a night of contemporary performances by visionary artists, musicians, dancers and singers. The public is invited to meet and mingle with West Michigan’s boundary-breaking creative community, see the current works on view, enjoy small bites from San Chez Bistro and experience the sights and sounds as artists disregard the conventions of performing arts, reveal original works, and experiment with new performance material. Off The Wall transforms The Galleries at UICA into an energetic platform for artists to draw inspiration from one another and from the response and reaction of guests. Event attendees will enjoy multiple short-format performances in rapid succession by select local and regional performers. With careers that range from emerging to established, each performer will present a unique and engaging performance on a nontraditional stage that will travel from floor to floor, throughout the expansive space at UICA. For more information and tickets, visit uica.org/ otwtickets.

Be Their Champion. Now more

than ever, moms and babies need a champion. You can make a difference for thousands of families in your community and across the country.

March of Dimes helps 4 million babies born each year. March with us to help raise awareness and funds to tackle the issues that threaten their health the most. With you by our side, we fight to ensure a brighter future for all families. Join us at March for Babies on May 4 for the West Michigan walk. You'll be walking 3.2 miles alongside 800 others throughout the scenic trails at Millennium Park. Here you can have hope, you can remember and you can celebrate all babies. At the event you can connect with families, learn about March of Dimes local programs, have your child run in the Superhero Sprint with costumed superheroes, meet vendors, have a snack and walk the beautiful trails of the park. Sign up today at marchforbabies.org or call (616) 247-6861. For the latest resources and health information, visit marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org.

Derby Day Charity Euchre Tournament

is an annual event hosted

by D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s Emerging Leaders Council.

The event raises awareness for the programs at DABSJ while offering a fun, social atmosphere. This year’s event, on May 4, will be at Golden Age, above Creston Brewery, and will be highlighting our Foster Care program. Tickets are available online for $50 through April 29. Tickets at the door are $60. All tickets include food, two drink vouchers, the option to play euchre, photo booth and viewing of the Kentucky Derby. For more details, visit dabsj.org/event/derby-day-charity-euchretournament-2019.

WANT TO SEE YOUR CHARITY/NON-PROFIT EVENT HERE? SEND YOUR EVENT DETAILS TO COMMUNITY@GRMAG.COM FOR CONSIDERATION!

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

May 5 - Walk to Cure Arthritis: 5K and onemile courses. 1 p.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW., Walker. arthritiswalk.org.

May 11 - Fifth Third River Bank Run: 5K/10K/25K road race in downtown GR; also 25K handcycle and wheelchair racing divisions, 5K walk. 7 a.m. Corner of Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street. 53riverbankrun.com.

May 11 - Ring of Honor: War of the Worlds: Professional wrestling show. 7 p.m.

DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW. $30-$80. deltaplex.com.

May 17-18 - Relay for Life: 12- and 24-hour endurance walking fundraiser for American Cancer Society research and programs.

Noon. North Rockford Middle School, 397 E. Division St. NE. relayforlife.org.

May 18 - ForeShore Adventure Race: Muskegon Rescue Mission’s fifth annual 5K race with 20 obstacles, plus kids zone with activities. 8:30 a.m. Pere Marquette Beach, 3510 Channel Drive, Muskegon. $45. foreshore.org.

May 18 - Kent County Girls on the Run 5K: Run supports girls in grades 3-5. 9 a.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. kcgotr.org.

May 18 - Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk: Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s 17th annual walk. 8:30 a.m. GVSU Seward Parking Lot, 520 Lake Michigan Drive NW. benice. org/stomp-out-stigma.

May 18 - Walk MS: One-mile and three-mile fundraising walks benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter. 10 a.m.

Aquinas College Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center, 1580 E. Fulton St. Free. nationalms society.org.

May 25 - Kick Off to Summer Run: TriCities Family YMCA holds 5K run/walk, 1-mile family fun run/walk, and Tot Trot obstacle course for kids 3-6. 8:30 a.m. 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven. runsignup.com.

STAGE & FILM Through May 2 - Jewish Film Festival: Twenty-first annual fest with Jewishthemed movies, plus reception, speakers, entertainment. 7:30 p.m. Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Drive NE. $6. jewish grandrapids.org.

Through May 4 - “Breaking Legs”: LowellArts Players present a dinner theater comedy about Italian mobsters producing a play. 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show.

Larkin’s Other Place, 315 W. Main St., Lowell. $16-$20 show, $13 dinner. lowellartsmi.org.

96 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Through May 4 - “The Singer”: Master Arts Theatre presents Calvin Miller’s story of Christ through an allegorical and poetic narrative of a singer who would not be silenced. 7:30 p.m.

Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $17 adults, $15 seniors and students, $8.50 kids 12 and under. masterarts.org.

Through May 5 - “James and the Giant Peach”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents a musical based on Roald Dahl’s book about a young boy’s adventures. 7:30 p.m.

Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $16-$20 adults, $12 students and children. grct.org.

Through May 5 - “Waitress”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents the story of a small-town waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of leaving her loveless marriage. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $43-$153. broadwaygrandrapids.com.

Through May 16 - “The Sunshine Boys”: Holland Civic Theatre presents a comedy about two men who perform together for more than 40 years as vaudeville comedians. 7 or 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 50 W. Ninth St., Holland. $10-$18. hollandcivic theatre.org.

May 2-5 - “Shrek”: Muskegon Civic Theatre presents the story of an ogre on a quest to save his swamp with the help of a donkey and a princess. 7 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $24 adults, $22 seniors and students. muskegoncivictheatre.org.

May 2-12 - “The Orphan Train”: Village Players of Middleville present the story of orphans in 1914 who travel from New York to the Midwest in search of homes. 7:30 p.m.

Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Algonquin Lake Lodge, 2403 Old Iroquois Trail, Hastings. facebook. com/villageplayersofmiddleville.

May 2-18 - “Freaky Friday”: Circle Theatre presents a comedy about a mother and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Aquinas College PAC, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26$30. circletheatre.org.

May 3 - Jack Hanna’s “Into the Wild Live!”: Animal expert tells stories, shows videos and presents 15 live animals such as cheetahs, penguins and kangaroos. 7:30 p.m. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE. $32-$46. fhfineartscenter.com.

May 3-11 - “Alice in Wonderland”: Grand Rapids Ballet presents the adventures of a young girl who follows a rabbit down his rabbit hole. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.

Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. $48. grballet.com.

May 6 - Wild Kratts - Live! 2.0 Creature Power: Theatrical stage show based on children’s TV series. 6:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $20-$53. devosperformancehall.com.

May 7 - Derek Hough: Dancer and choreographer performs ballroom, tap, salsa and hip-hop. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $47-$82. devosperfor mancehall.com.

May 10 - Jay Leno: Comedian, actor and former late-night TV show host headlines Tulip Time Festival. 7 p.m. Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. $70-$87. tuliptime.com/events/jay-leno.

May 11 - Balletmore Spring Showcase: “Under the Big Top” includes ballet dancers, animals and acrobats. 2-4 p.m. Northview Performing Arts Center, 4451 Hunsberger Ave. NE. $12, $10 seniors, kids under 3 free. balletmore.com.

May 11 - HIS All School Showcase: Presented

by Hearts in Step Dance Ensemble. 1 and 4:30 p.m. DeVos Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth SE. heartsinstepdance.org.

May 15-19 - “Crystal”: Cirque du Soleil acrobatic performance on ice. 7:30 p.m. Wed.Fri., 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 1:30 and 5 p.m. Sun. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $41 and up. vanandelarena.com.

May 16-19 - “H.M.S. Pinafore”: Presented by West Michigan Savoyards. 7:30 p.m. Thu., 1 and 8 p.m. Fri., 8 p.m. Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. westmichigan savoyards.org.

May 16-25 - “Sweat”: Actors’ Theatre presents the story of a group of friends torn apart by layoffs at a factory. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m.

May 19. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $28 adults, $24 seniors and students. actorstheatregrandrapids.org.

May 18 - Spring Showcase: Dance performances by Hearts in Motion students. Noon and 3:30 p.m. DeVos Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth Ave. SE. Free. hearts inmotiondance.com.

May 22 - Open Projector Night: UICA hosts short film screenings followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Audience can vote for favorite. 8 p.m. 2 W. Fulton St. $10, $5 members. uica.org.

May 23 - An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astrophysicist, author and TV

host. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $42-$92. devosper formancehall.com.

May 30-June 15 - “Unnecessary Farce”: Circle Theatre presents a comedy about two cops, three crooks and eight doors. 7:30 p.m. Wed.Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Aquinas College PAC, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26-$30. circletheatre.org.

May 31-June 23 - “Newsies”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents the story of a newspaper strike in the late 1800s that affects newsboys. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $22-$39 adults, $20 students and children. grct.org.

MUSIC May 3 - “The 20th/21st Century Concert: Celebrating Women” Coffee Classics: GR Symphony performs a mini concert at 10 a.m. with coffee and pastries at 9 a.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $16, $5 students. grsymphony.org.

May 3 - “The 20th/21st Century Concert: Celebrating Women” Great Eras Concert: GR Symphony presents a concert of music by women featuring trombonist Ava Ordman. 8 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $26, $5 students. grsymphony.org.

May 4 - Sacred Dimensions: GR Symphony free community concert. 7:30 p.m. First Park Congregational Church, 10 E. Park Pl. NE. grsymphony.org.

May 3 - Lucius: Indie pop band with special guest Pure Bathing Culture. 8 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $25 adults, $10 students. calvin.edu.

May 4 - Schubert Male Chorus: “Turn Your Radio On.” 7:30 p.m. EGR High School PAC, 2211 Lake Drive SE. $20. schubertmale chorus.org.

May 4 - Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Concert: A Bite of the Big Apple. 7 p.m.

Grandville High School PAC, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students, $25 family. grsymphonicband.org.

May 5 - Jazz in the Sanctuary: Saxophonist Alain Sullivan and bassist Elgin Vines. 3 p.m.

Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. $15, $5 students. fountainstreet.org/jazz.

May 4 - Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses Concert: Three choirs perform together. 2 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. grsymphony.org.

May 4 - Kent Philharmonic Orchestra: Concert with Megan Crawford (violin), Libor Ondras (viola) and KPO Concerto Competition winners.

7:30 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom

Ave. NE. $12 adults, $6 seniors and students. kentphilgr.org.

May 6 - “The Gifts of Nature”: Holland Chorale’s Tulip Time concert. 7 p.m.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $23. tuliptime.com/events/holland-chorale.

May 6, 13 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: May 6, Run the World: 80 Years of Girl Groups. May 13, 21st Century Broadway: Modern Musicals. 7 p.m. 1607 Robinson Road SE. $18. circletheatre.org.

Fred and Lena Meijer in the Milan, Italy studio of Arnaldo Pomodoro in 1999. Photo by Chuck Heiney.

Continued on page 101

FEBRUARY 1—AUGUST 25, 2019

A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy

This landmark exhibition explores the transformative impact of Frederik G.H. Meijer on regional, national, and international audiences.

MEIJERGARDENS.ORG | 1-888-957-1580 | #MEIJERGARDENS MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 97

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Open May 18

Museums & attractions

1/ GRAM opens a new

exhibit by Maya Lin.

COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

2/ GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM:

EXHIBITIONS: Opening on May 18, “Maya

Kids from pre-K to ninth grade enjoy summer

Lin: Flow” focuses on large-scale, gallery-

camps at the museum’s Camp Curious. Single

based sculpture that highlights the artist’s

day and multiday camps, running from June

fascination with the environment and water.

to August. Registration is open at grpm.org/

The exhibit runs until Sept. 1. Through Aug. 11,

campcurious. Special exhibitions: Through

“Self, Symbol, Surrogate: Artist Portraits from

Sept. 8, “TOYS!” Special events: Curiosity

GRAM’s Collection.” Special events: See Gala:

Labs every Sat. See Collections & Cocktails

Beyond the Frame in Special Events, and

in Special Events. Permanent exhibitions:

GRAM Workshop and Creativity Uncorked in

Streets of Old Grand Rapids; Newcomers: The

3/ DOWNTOWN MARKET: Special events:

Lectures & Workshops. Drop-in Studio: 1-4

People of This Place; West Michigan Habitats;

On May 12, more than 80 vendors host the

p.m. every Sat. This month: Portraits from

Grand Fish, Grand River; and Be Curious. Also,

outdoor market Antiques on Ionia, selling

Pieces. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors/

restored 1928 Spillman carousel. Open daily

furniture, clothing, collectibles, décor and

students, $6 kids 6-17, kids 5 and under free;

except May 27. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 kids

kitchen items. The market is open 8 a.m.-4

free admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue. and 5-9

3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.

p.m. Also see Made in MI Pop-Up Marketplace

p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center NW, 831-1000,

in Special Events. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-

artmuseumgr.org.

5308, downtownmarketgr.com.

Coopersville Farm Museum: Museum honoring farming and rural life. Special events: May 3-5, Pete Warnick Jam Camp. May 4, Family Day. May 7 and 21, Acoustic Jam Night. May 8, Crafts and Laughs. May 18, Craft and Vendor Show. May 25, Kids, Crafts & Critters. Permanent attractions: Tractors and other farming equipment; also Eclipse windmill. Open Tue., Thu., Sat. $4 adults, $2 kids 4-12, kids 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarmmuseum.org.

2/ Themed summer camps at the Grand Rapids Public Museum include Wizards Academy.

Blandford Nature Center: Special events: May 4, Wildlife Photography. May 9, Medicine Pouch Workshop. May 11, Nature Spy: An Afternoon with Mary Jane Dockeray and Meet the Blandford Animals. May 16, Forest Meditation. Permanent attractions: 143 acres of trails, heritage buildings, farm.

Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center open Mon.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 735-6240, blandfordnaturecenter.org.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park: Eighty-acre park with giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, alligators, kangaroos, lemurs, prairie dogs, ostriches and antelopes.

Plus, safari rides and opportunities to feed animals.

Open daily. $14 age 12 and up, $12 seniors, $10 kids 3-11, kids under 2 free. 8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto, 868-6711, boulderridgewap.com.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920sera railway with EnterTRAINment Excursions. $14 adults, $13 seniors, $12 kids 2-12. Special event: May 27, Veterans Memorial Troop Train at 11 a.m. $12, vets free. 311 Danforth St., Coopersville, 9977000, coopersvilleandmarne.org.

98 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Deer Tracks Junction: Opens May 25 for season.

One hundred-acre farm with elk, whitetail deer, Tibetan yaks and reindeer; evening wildlife safari tours; hands-on farm with goats, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, yaks, parakeets; bottle-feeding stations; play area; and ice-cream shop. Open daily. General admission: $10, kids 2 and under free; safari tours and bottle feedings extra. 7850 14 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, 863-3337, deertracksjunction.com.

DeGraaf Nature Center: Special events: May 4, Amazing Amphibians. May 6, Hungry, Hungry Serpents. May 7 and 16, Morning Bird Walk. May 16, Birding Bonanza. May 18, Native Wildflower Sale.

May 25, All About Owls. Permanent attractions: Eighteen-acre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. Knee-High Naturalist classes for kids 3-5. Center open Tue.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. Free. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, 355-1057, cityofholland.com/degraafnaturecenter.

Felt Mansion & Gardens: Summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt features 1920s architecture. Check website for tour schedule. 6597 138th St., Holland, 335-3050, feltmansion.org.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Special exhibitions: Through Aug. 25, “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy.”

Special events: May 11-12, Michigan All-State Bonsai Show. May 18, Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Teahouse. May 19, Inside the Japanese Teahouse.

See Great Gardens Party in Special Events. Permanent attractions: Modern and contemporary 30-acre sculpture collection, Japanese garden,

tropical conservatory, children’s garden, nature trails and boardwalk, café, gift shop. Open daily. $14.50 adults, $11 seniors and students, $7 kids 5-13, $4 kids 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 9571580, meijergardens.org.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Special exhibitions: Through Sept. 2, “Extraordinary Circumstances: The Presidency of Gerald R. Ford.” Permanent exhibitions: Highlights from Mr. and Mrs. Ford’s lives, plus featured online exhibits. Also, DeVos Learning Center. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 college students, $4 ages 6-18, kids 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 2540400, fordlibrarymuseum.gov.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Hands-on permanent and traveling exhibits for kids 2-10.

Permanent activities: Think Tank, Kidstruction Zone, Little GR, Bubbles!, Wee Discover, musical instruments and more. Toddler Time 10 a.m.-noon Tue. Family Night 5-8 p.m. Thu. ($1.75). Closed Mon. $9, $8 seniors, kids under 1 free. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org.

Holland Museum: Special exhibitions: Through June 30, “Michigan’s Heritage Barns: An Artist’s Perspective” by Mary Keithan. Permanent exhibitions: Local history and Dutch galleries with artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s-1900s.

Also, Spark!Lab. Open Wed.-Sun. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. 31 W. 10th St., 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org. Also, Cappon House: 228 W. Ninth St. Settlers House: 190 W. Ninth St. The Armory: 16 W. Ninth St. John Ball Zoo: More than 2,000 animals representing 230 species, plus aquarium, petting zoo and gift shop. Special events: May 17, Endangered Species Day. May 25, World Turtle Day. Open daily. $13 adults, $10 seniors and kids 2-12, kids under 2 free.

1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Through May 5, “The Expressionist Figure.”

Through May 31, “The Feeling is Mutual: New Work

by Maya Freelon.” Through May 26, High School

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (LEFT); G.R. CHRISTMAS, © MAYA LIN STUDIO, COURTESY PACE GALLERY (RIGHT)

1/ GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM: SPECIAL

GR MAG APRIL 2019_Layout 1 2/27/19 9:32 AM Page 1

Area Show. Through June 16, “Rewards of Wisdom: Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting.” May 18-Aug. 25, West Michigan Area Show. Closed Mon. $5 adults, $2 students with ID; members and kids 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org.

Meyer May House: Restored Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house includes original furnishings. Open for guided tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour before close).

Free. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermay house.steelcase.com.

Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Through May 12, “A+ for Educators: Illustrations by Patricia Polacco.” May 2-Sept. 8, “Rising Voices: The Bennett Prize for Women Figurative Realists”; reception 5:30-8 p.m. May 2. May 9-Aug. 18, “REPLAY: The Exhibition”; reception 5:30-8 p.m. May 9. May 23-Sept. 1, “Lights, Camera, Rock ‘n Roll: The Music Photography of Paul Jendrasiak.” Special events: May 11, Flowers Super Saturday. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 college students, kids 16 and under free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmuseum.org.

Nelis’ Dutch Village: Dutch theme park with rides, petting zoo, wooden shoe carving, Delftware-making demonstrations, costumed employees, shops and restaurants. Special events: May 4-12, Tulip Time. Open daily. $13 adults, $12 seniors, $11 kids 3-15. 12350 James St., Holland, 396-1475, dutchvillage.com.

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Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Shows use Digistar production and surround sound. This month: “Ice Worlds,” “Under Starlit Skies,” “The Little Star that Could,” “From Earth to the Universe,” “Space School” and “The Queen Light Show: From Mercury with Love.” $5, $4 with admission to the museum, members free. Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/planetarium.

TreeRunner Adventure Park: Self-guided highwire forest adventure includes ziplines, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and swinging logs, plus Junior Park for kids 4-7. Training included with admission.

Special events: May 10, 80s Glow Night. Open Fri.Sun. $39 adults, $35 kids 7-13, $20 kids 4-7. 2121 Celebration Drive NE, 226-3993, treerunnergrand rapids.com.

Veen Observatory: Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association hosts various events. Special events: May 1, “InSight Into Mars” by Dr. James Ashley. May 11 and 25, Public Night from 9:30 p.m.midnight ($3 adults, $2 kids 5-17 and under, kids under 5 free). All events subject to weather; call 897-7065 for updates. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell. graaa.org.

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MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 99

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Comedy & nightclub venues

1/ Deep Purple

COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

1/ 20 MONROE LIVE: 2,500-seat venue hosts live music, entertainment and special events. On May 5, Glenn Hughes, former bassist and singer of Deep Purple, performs Classic Deep Purple Live concert. The show starts at 8 p.m. All ages welcome. Tickets are $20$82. 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive.com.

2/ TIP TOP DELUXE BAR & GRILL: Live music acts and DJs, plus Comedy Tuesdays. Country singer and storyteller Ray Scott performs at 9 p.m. May 10. 21+ only. Tickets are $20. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910, Facebook.

3/ DR. GRINS COMEDY CLUB: Nationally acclaimed comedians perform Thu.-Sat. May 2-4, Shane Torres. May 9-11, Steve Iott.

May 16-18, Ian Bagg. May 23-25, Dwayne Kennedy. May 30-June 1, Carmen Lynch. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thu.; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Tickets are $5-$20. B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com/drgrinscomedy.

sic Fri. and Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoodslounge.com.

The Intersection: Four-bar concert venue hosts nationally known bands.

Tickets are $15-$20. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

River City Improv: Comedy improv team performs at 7:33 p.m.

May 4. $12 adults, $6 students.

Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. rivercityimprov.com.

J. Gardella’s Tavern: Dance club Fri. and Sat. nights on third floor with DJs. 11 Ionia Ave. NW, 459-8824, jgardellastavern.com.

Back Forty Saloon: Line dancing and live country bands Fri. and Sat., DJs Thu. 48 W. Fulton St., 742-4040, thebackfortysaloon.com

Flanagan’s: Irish pub with live music from local bands on Fri. and Sat.; also live Irish music on Thu. and Sun. 139 Pearl St. NW, 980-0705, flanagansgr.com.

Billy’s Lounge: Eastown bar and music venue hosts live music with emphasis on blues. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757, billyslounge.com.

Founders Brewing Co.: Large taproom features live music Thu. and Sat., plus Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra on the first Sunday of each month. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-2182, foundersbrewing.com.

The B.O.B.: The Big Old Building houses multiple entertainment options: live music Fri. and Sat. at Bobarino’s; DJs and dance floor at Eve on Fri. and Sat.; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (H.O.M.E.); stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com.

100 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Restaurant/taproom with live music Fri.-Sun. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewingcompany.com.

Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor hosts DJs and live mu-

Mojo’s: DJs and dance floor on second level Wed., Fri. and Sat., with dueling pianos show on main floor Wed.-Sat. nights. 180 Monroe Ave. NW, 776-9000, mojospianobar.com.

3/ Shane Torres

Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, facebook.com/ mulliganspubgr.

River Rock at The Grand River Hotel: Live music Fri. and Sat. and jazz brunch Sun. 270 Ann St. NW, 363-9001, thegrandriverhotel.com.

One Trick Pony: Grill and taproom hosts live music 8-11 p.m. Thu. and Sat. Reservations accepted. 136 E. Fulton St., 235-7669, onetrick.biz.

Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri., featuring DJs and live acts.

633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, facebook.com/rockysbarandgrill.

Pop Scholars: Four-person comedy team performs improv show at 8 p.m.

May 10. $12. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, popscholars.com.

Rumors Nightclub: Gay bar and dance club. 69 S. Division Ave., 454-8720, rumorsnightclub.net.

The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, pyramidschemebar.com.

Stella’s Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 742-4444, stellasgr.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ERIC DUVET (TOP); RAY SCOTT (LEFT); GERSCH TALENT AGENCY (RIGHT)

2/ Ray Scott

Mixology: Lobby lounge overlooking downtown GR and Grand River has live music Fri. and Sat. nights and live jazz brunch on Sun. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW, 242-1500, ilovethejw.com/dining/mixology.

out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Continued from page 97 May 7 - The Who: Rock band performs Moving On! tour. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $65 and up. vanandelarena.com.

May 8 - Cher: Pop singer performs Here We Go Again tour. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $47 and up. vanandelarena.com.

May 8 - Texas Tenors: Musical group performs a wide array of music from Bruno Mars to Puccini, including country, classical, Broadway and pop; part of Tulip Time Festival. 7 p.m. Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. $34. tuliptime.com/ events/texas-tenors.

May 9 - Walt Matzke’s Four Pianos: Four pianists perform classical favorites, Broadway hits, pop classics and movie themes; part of Tulip Time Festival. 7 p.m. Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. $32. tulip time.com/events/four-pianos.

May 10 - Jason Aldean: Country singer performs Ride All Night tour. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $69 and up. vanandelarena.com.

May 10 - Sharon Isbin & Beethoven’s 7th: West Michigan Symphony performs with classical guitarist. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $28-$64, $10 students. westmichigan symphony.com.

May 10-12 - “Sci-fi and Superheroes”: GR Symphony performs music from “Star Trek,” “Superman,” “Quantum of Solace” and “Ghostbusters.” 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 3 p.m.

Sun. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymphony.org.

May 11 - The Block Concerts: Sharon Isbin, classical guitar. 7:30 p.m. The Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $25 and up, $10 students. theblockwestmichigan.org.

May 11 - GRWC Spring Concert: Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus. 8 p.m. EGR High School PAC, 2211 Lake Drive SE. Free; donations accepted. grwc.org.

May 17 - Park Theatre Tribute Concert: People Movers Band plays music by The Grateful Dead. 7:30 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $5-$10. parktheatre holland.org.

May 17-18 - Chopin and Brahms: Mother’s Day with Maestro: GR Symphony performs with pianist Sonia Goulart. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymphony.org.

May 19 - FHACB Spring Concert: Free music concert by Forest Hills Adult Community

Band. 2:30 p.m. Eastern High School, 2200 Pettis Ave. NE, Ada. fhacb.org.

May 30 - Glenn Miller Orchestra: Musicians and singers perform classics including “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “String of Pearls” and “Tuxedo Junction.” 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $40-$66. devos performancehall.com.

May 31 - Twenty One Pilots: Pop rock duo perform Bandito Tour. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. vanandelarena.com.

May 31-June 2 - GRCMB Spring Concert: Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys concert.

7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Basilica of St. Adalbert, 654 Davis Ave. NW. grcmb.org.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS May - Downtown Market Cooking Classes: May 3, Slow Your Roll Beginner Sushi. May 5, Cinco de Mayo Cocktails. May 18, French Tart Workshop. May 24, DIY Thai. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmarketgr.com.

M ay - FLPC Art Workshops: May 2-4, “Painting Stronger Watercolors” by Andy Evansen. May 16-18, “Contemporary Watercolor” by Kathleen Mooney and “Painting the Clothed Figure/Portrait”

by Kevin Beilfuss. May 23-25, “Plants to Journals” by Sandra Hansen and “Landscape Workshop” by Qiang Huang.

May 29-June 1, “Studio Landscape Painting From Photos: Choosing and Editing Images for Success” by Greg LaRock. May 30-June 1, “Watercolor Batik Workshop” by Carole Nielsen. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifeprocess center.org.

May - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: Music in the Stacks, Whoa Baby!, Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice, Flipped Spanish Class, ArTalks, Senior Savvy Learning Series: Selling Your Home in Today’s Market, book clubs, computer/ technology instruction. Kids: Youth Poetry Showcase, After the Bell on Thursdays, LEGO Block Party, Mindstorm Saturdays, story times. grpl.org.

May - Kent District Libraries: Adults: Sunday Afternoon Live, Flourish from the Ground Up, Early Childhood Essentials, The Road to What’s Next, Basic Home Maintenance, KDL Caffeinated, Apple Users Group, book sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Spring Craft Extravaganza, KDL Lab Experience, Pokemon Club, story times. kdl.org.

May - Summer Swing Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue. in downtown Grand Rapids.

First 30 minutes is instruction. May 7 and 21, Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. May 14 and 28, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grandrapidsoriginals wingsociety.com.

May 4 - First Friday Contra Dance: Grand River Folk Arts Society hosts instruction and dancing. 7 p.m. Park TBD. $10 adults, $8 members, $5 students and seniors. sites. google.com/site/grfolkarts.

May 8 - West Michigan Symphony Lunch N’ Learn: Lunch and conversation with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin & Beethoven’s 7th. Noon. The Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. Free. theblock westmichigan.org.

May 10 - Leadercast 2019: One-day leadership event broadcast live to host sites with theme “Leading Healthy Teams.” 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $85-$105. calvin.edu.

May 14 - TEDx Grand Rapids: Speakers and community discussions based on theme “Grow with Purpose.” 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. $100. tedxgrandrapids.org.

May 15 - Kent Conservation District Workshop: “Controlling the Invasive Species on Your Property.” 6:30-8:30 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. $5 donation, optional $75 treatment kit. kentconservation.org.

May 16 - Dyslexia Seminar: Information from New Chapter Learning. 6:30 p.m. 4120 Chicago Drive SW, Suite 4, Grandville. Free; register at 534-1385. newchapterlearning.net.

May 19 - GRAM Workshop: Decorative Caning. Registration required. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. $35. artmuseumgr.org/learn/ gramstudio.

May 30-31 - Midwestern History Conference: Midwestern History Association and GVSU present “Finding the Lost Region V.” DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium, 401 W. Fulton St. gvsu.edu.

May 31 - Creativity Uncorked: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts social evening and art workshop “Painting Future Landscapes.” Ages 21+. Registration required. 6:45-9 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. $40. artmuseumgr.org/learn/creativity uncorked.

MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 101

out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES

Ken Clark and Dan Bogo

Mary Schaff, Linda Edgar and Gwen Cieslak

CAPTURING THE ACTION AROUND TOWN:

snap shots The fourth annual John H. Schaff Platform Tennis Classic took place at Kent Country Club on Feb. 22. The event raises awareness about sleep apnea and donations benefit the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center.

The Little Black Dress Party celebrated the “classic wardrobe staple” on Feb. 23 at the JW Marriott, with a portion of the proceeds going to Susan G. Komen.

Grand Rapids Community College held its annual Giants Awards and Banquet on Feb. 23 at DeVos Place.

The event salutes African American individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community and benefits the Milo Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Dan Rentschler Kevin McMahon, Will Payne and Patrick McMahon

Bo Stover, Jake Pimm, Bill Smith and Lincoln Wiragau

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK AND JOHNNY QUIRIN

Xavier Cabanne, Isabel Cabanne, Matme Patthoff, Amanda Steyer and Linda Ball

102 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

Renee Pracey and Cheri LaForest

Reahan and Jason Slaikeu

Portia Yarbrough, MacKenna Yarbrough and Loran Oisten Kim Williams, Vanesha Blackburn and Victoria Williams Stephanie Tristine Van Rhee and T.J. Van Rhee George and Elaina Aquino

Patricia Russell, Leonard Donston and Melva Fletcher

Christian Morell, Cassidy Ingraham, Mackenzie Foss and Mitch Wilkins

Emily Aleman-McAlpeni and Leslie Young

Johanna Jelks and Mari Beth Jelks

Cameron Upton, Charice Upton-Brown, Carrie Jackson and Elyse Wild

Rachel Rusceak, Jesse Gish and Kasey VanderTol MAY 2019 / GRMAG.COM 103

after thoughts

Q:a

Femé Naigow wants to help you practice self-care.

WALKING INTO APSARA SPA, you’ll immediately feel welcomed and relaxed. With over 17 years of experience in esthetics, owner Femé Naigow knows how to make a truly unique experience for her clients.

Naigow was born in the United States but grew up in Monrovia, Liberia, the daughter of an official in the Liberian government. At the age of 13,

how to get started, and that’s where I believe that I can be of value.”

What motivated you to open your own spa? I wanted to help people find and express their distinctiveness through healthy skin, general wellness and, yes, great makeup! Also, my father was a skin-care product junkie!

I got my love of anything in a jar or tube from him. He was very interested in products derived from natural elements, and this extended to the foods that he cooked. I am named after his mother and in large part, my skin care line honors him.

What is the philosophy behind Apsara? At Apsara, we want to walk alongside every client on their journey. Whether you come in every three weeks for a brow wax or you choose to experience the broad range of our services, we are with you. Our approach is consultative: we want to know what your goals are, work with you to create the roadmap and then ride with you!

What are some things you do for your own self-care? I make sure to get my massages and manicures. That may seem easy — I own a spa, after all!

But again, the business can monopolize your time and it can become a case of the cobbler’s children not having any shoes.

How have your experiences growing up in Liberia and moving to the U.S. shaped your thinking and approach to your work? I think that these experiences helped me to learn how to adapt to new things and connect with a diverse range of people.

They also taught me the value and reward of authenticity and individuality. Being a bicultural citizen of the world, I understand that everyone has a story and their desire to express that story is unique.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPARKS

“You have an intimate relationship with the products you put on your skin — it’s your face, after all!” — FEMÉ NAIGOW

she found herself back in the U.S. after the civil war forced her family to leave unexpectedly. As a bicultural citizen, she believes these experiences have helped shape her values and the way she connects with people.

With her clients in mind, she created her own skin care line, Mé by Femé, an all vegan, cruelty-free line. “You have an intimate relationship with the products you put on your skin — it’s your face, after all!” Naigow said.

Naigow’s work doesn’t stop at Apsara.

She’s been involved with HQ and the Women’s Resource Center, two organizations that are important to her. This year, she made a personal commitment to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. “It is something that I have always done, as I love helping other people realize that dream, but I am making efforts to do it more formally. Often, people don’t know

104 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2019

GO HIGH Cozy SPEED Up and OR SLOWLY SAVOR When you’re in a pre y great place, the pace is what you make it.

It’s where you can pour out your energy, or sit back for a second pour. And where every speed---or lack thereof--- is another reminder you’re in a pre y great place.

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