Grand Rapids Magazine - April 2018 by Grand Rapids Magazine

CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

www.grmag.com

Grand Rapidians and their

PETS More than just companions, they’re part of the family and can teach us about life and ourselves.

APRIL 2018

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Contents APRIL 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 04

FEATURES 28 / A furry friend for life Grand Rapids professionals share what makes their fur babies special, how pets have enriched their lives.

BY SARAH TINCHER

34 / Rescue, reclaim, re.dwell Local artisan crafts wooden masterpieces for clients far and wide, aims to give reclaimed wood ‘a second life.’ BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON

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contents APRIL 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 04

departments

BACK & FORTH 8 / From the Editor, contributors and letters 10 / Social media, GRMag.com sneak peaks, previews and more LIFE & STYLE 12 / Noteworthy items include Poetry Month, GR Latin American Film Festival, Collectors Show and E+L Salon.

14 / Health & wellness: A natural path to mental clarity

54 / Nosh & sip: Italian cheese and wine pairings

16 / Reading room: “Tea at Four” by Dr. Luis Tomatis

“We carry stuff we believe in. We believe in the people, we believe in the artists and their work and their commitment.” — Scott LaFontsee

62 / Cocktail hour: Creative ways to serve nonalcoholic cocktails CAUSE & EFFECT 64 / Creative Youth Center OUT & ABOUT 68 / April highlights 69 / Calendar 70 / Comedy & nightclub venue listings and highlights

76 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights

18 / GR’s Top 5 late-night bites 20 / Grand Valley Orchid Society

80 / After thoughts: Alana Fletcher

ART & DESIGN 22 / Art gallery profile: LaFontsee Galleries 24 / Art gallery listings and highlights

78 / Snap shots

26 / Frame works: Chester Street Fire Station ON THE COVER: Grand Rapids couple Anne Marie Carson and Kristofer Pachla adopted Avery, a 4-month-old mixed-breed puppy they affectionately dubbed an “All-American Rescue Mutt,” through the Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue. Read their touching story and several more on page 28.

FOOD & DRINK 40 / Dining review: One Bourbon 42 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan 50 / Chef profile: Executive chef Max Rieth at Long Road Distillers

Photography by Michael Buck

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

A fresh start for spring

WITH THE SUN SHINING overhead and signs of new life blossoming all over Grand Rapids, April is a time to enjoy, celebrate and reconnect with West Michigan’s abundant natural beauty. From the Lakeshore Earth Day Celebration to the Rivertown Races to Opening Day at Fifth Third Ballpark — I can already smell the hot dogs grilling and the popcorn popping — this month’s calendar of events contains myriad opportunities to shake off the winter blues. Avid gardeners and novices alike may find some inspiration this month, as contributing writer Julie Bonner Williams gives us an inside look at the Grand Valley Orchid Society and the

intriguing world of orchids. “So desirable,” she writes, “orchids are smuggled globally as devotees seek out incredibly rare varieties.” Finding time to get outside for some fresh air may be a challenge for some; but, for many West Michigan pet owners (and their fourlegged companions), the area’s abundant parks, lakes and other outdoor spaces make spring a particularly exciting time of year. In this month’s feature, “A furry friend for life,” a handful of pet-owning professionals in Grand Rapids share the ways their pets have enriched their lives, as well as the importance of finding a healthy work-life balance. Find their stories starting on page 28. It’s no secret Grand Rapids has a soft spot for vintage, reclaimed wood. Furniture, wall displays, décor — you name it — crafted from beautiful, old wood salvaged from old barns and homes can be found throughout GR and beyond. In the spirit of conservation, writer Terri Finch Hamilton interviewed local craftsman Dan Chase, who uses wood that would otherwise be scrapped to create masterpieces for clients across the nation — all for the love of wood: “Every piece of furniture we build gives this wood a second life,” Chase said. “That makes me happy.” So, break out the T-shirts and shorts, and enjoy the warm weather! (Your furry friends will thank you for it, too.) West Michigan has a lot to offer nature-lovers — just watch out for those potholes! Sarah Tincher Managing Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

This month, we asked some of our contributors, “What’s your favorite way to enjoy spring in GR?”

Terri Finch Hamilton,

Mark F. Miller,

Julie Bonner Williams,

WRITER

“RESCUE, RECLAIM, RE.DWELL,” PAGE 34

“A HISTORICAL, ARCHITECTURAL GEM,” PAGE 26

“ENTHUSIASTS EXPLORE WORLD OF ORCHIDS,” PAGE 20

“I love the first picnic of the season. My family heads to Riverside Park … all the great signs of spring are there!”

“Through sight: the emergence of color in the landscape — white trillium blooms at Aman Park.”

“Wandering around wonderful garden stores like Countryside Greenhouse, Romence Gardens and Fruitbasket Flowerland.”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

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 … Medical Mile Since the VAI opened in 1996, the Medical Mile has seen tremendous growth and expansion, serving as a catalyst for medical research and developments throughout GR. Michigan agriculture is at the heart of Gina Ferwerda’s new cookbook, “Meals from the Mitten.” Visit grmag.com

1% Fish

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Beloved Traverse City restaurant Georgina’s opened a Grand Rapids location. Visit grmag.com

What animal makes the best pet?

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Join Managing Editor Sarah Tincher 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.

At grmag.com Celebrate Earth Day in style with Earthfriendly boutiques. Meijer Gardens announces its Summer Concert Series lineup this month. NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION:

Which downtown tradition are you most looking forward to?

We want to hear from you There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, 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:

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (FAR LEFT); COURTESY GINA FERWERDA (TOP CENTER); GEORGINA’S (LOWER CENTER); VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE (FAR RIGHT); THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

HUNGRY FOR A MIDNIGHT SNACK? No matter what you’re craving — or when you’re craving it — Grand Rapids is home to plenty of places that have it all covered. Check out page 18 and visit grmag.com to find our favorite places to score a late-night bite.

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Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com

4 Things that set us apart:

info@grmag.com

PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Sarah Tincher COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Myrna Anderson,

Joseph A. Becherer, Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Terri Finch Hamilton, Elissa Hillary, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Pasha Shipp, Julie Bonner Williams, Tricia van Zelst

DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry,

Kevin Budelmann, Jim Caughman, Timothy Chester, Sam Cummings, Ray Kennedy, Henry Matthews, Wayne Norlin, Wayne Visbeen

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Creative Design Attentive Communication Superior Workmanship On Schedule & On Budget

If that doesn’t capture your attention, here are some pretty pictures of our work:

DESIGN & PRODUCTION NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:

Scott Sommerfeld

ART COORDINATOR: Kelly J. Nugent DESIGNERS/PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:

Melissa Brooks, Kristen Van Oostenbrugge, Robin Vargo CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Adam Bird, Michael Buck, Jim Gebben, Rex Larsen, Johnny Quirin SALES GENERAL SALES MANAGER:

Randy D. Prichard

ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTS:

General Inquiries: advertisingsales@grmag.com Kathie Manett, Susan Smalley ADVERTISING SALES ASSISTANT/COORDINATOR:

Karla Jeltema

CIRCULATION & MARKETING CIRCULATION & MARKETING MANAGER:

Scott T. Miller

MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR:

Andrea N. Straw

CIRCULATION & MARKETING ASSISTANT:

Katrina Peshka

TO ORDER SUBSCRIPTIONS: (616) 459-4545 TO CHANGE ADDRESS: subscribe@geminipub.com

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER:

Pamela Brocato, CPA

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Tina Gillman PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (FAR LEFT); COURTESY GINA FERWERDA (TOP CENTER); GEORGINA’S (LOWER CENTER); VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE (FAR RIGHT); THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

RECEPTIONIST/CLERICAL ASSISTANT:

General Inquiries: info@grmag.com Michael Kohlenberger

TO ORDER REPRINTS: Karla Jeltema

(616) 459-4545

Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 2018 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. 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

A celebration of Latin American heritage The Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival will return this month for its eighth season, featuring three days of film screenings, plus question-and-answer sessions with directors and panel discussions with special guests. The film festival, which will be held April 6-8 at the Wealthy Theatre, will feature nine recent films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Venezuela. On April 7, the festival also will offer a “GRLAFF for Kids” event in the Wealthy Theatre’s micro-cinema, with live puppet shows and a screening of “Anina,” an animated film from Uruguay. The entire festival is free to the public and all films will be shown with English subtitles. To find a full schedule of events, visit grlaff.org.

w to enjoy a r time than no

night of

no bette means there’s

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‘Simply enjoy the art’ Collectors Show, a biannual art collection event that brings together a curated selection of artwork by both local and worldrenowned artists, will host its sixth installment in downtown Grand Rapids on April 27. “Allowing people of all levels of art education and walks of life to follow their intuition and simply enjoy the art in front of them in that moment is magical and is exactly what Collectors Show seeks to accomplish,” said Collectors Show creator Tyler Loftis, a New York City artist and West Michigan native. Loftis also said integrating beginners and midcareer artists alongside well-known names helps foster growth and diversity in the art world. Collectors Show will be held at the ArtPrize HUB, 41 Sheldon Blvd. SE. Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit arts education programming at ArtPrize. Visit thecollectorsshow.com for more details.

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Creativity + community

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ALYNN GUERRA (OPPOSITE PAGE); WILLOW NOAVI PHOTOGRAPHY (RIGHT); THINKSTOCK (CENTER); COLLECTORS SHOW (BOTTOM)

rin Dressander and Lauren Glowacki are no ordinary salon owners. After spending years working in salons, crossing paths more than once along the way, the pair of Michigan natives joined forces to open E+L Salon, 1 Carlton Ave. SE, Suite D, in Eastown’s Fulton Square at the start of the year, offering haircuts and color to all genders, as well as facial waxing, and traditional and airbrushed makeup. The shop entices with its welcoming, personable staff; modern feel and “elevated + loving” environment. (And, of course, the coffee bar is a plus.) But, there’s even more to E+L than meets the eye. This dynamic duo is committed to finding creative ways to strengthen the neighborhood it serves; and with creativity, community and continued education at the heart of their endeavor, the salon’s impact on Grand Rapids is bound to be far more than cosmetic. “At E+L, we strive to constantly grow as stylists, people and members of our community,” Glowacki said, noting the pair has goals to partner with different local organizations, host community events, bring guest artists to E+L and invite stylists from salons all over Grand Rapids to take part in continued education classes. “We are proud to represent the many talented artists in our community, from our custom coffee bar to the locally made health and beauty products we carry.” Details about E+L Salon’s services, stylists and more are available online at eandlsalon.com.

APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 13

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health & wellness BY KARA MCNABB

A LONG WEEK WITH TOO LITTLE SLEEP left my body tired and my brain foggy. The to-do list for the rest of the night seemed overwhelming — making dinner was the only thing on it. After a cup of kava at Kava Kasa, however, I found myself moving through the rest of the evening with clarity in my mind and body. I was alert, focused and had enough energy to carry me through to bedtime. It’s an earthy tasting drink that has an acquired taste, but the powder can be mixed with other beverages (like hot cocoa) or taken in tincture form.

An herb won’t erase a stressful relationship, but it might provide energy and clarity to see what will fix a broken situation.

Whether you feel mentally, emotionally or physically stressed, herbs are wonderful aids for helping you move through seasons of stress. Some herbs help the body tap into energy reserves for short-term periods of stress when there’s no other solution. Rhodiola helps with mental clarity; eleuthero root is helpful for physical endurance and emotional stamina; tulsi helps soften reactions to stress. Herbs aren’t meant to replace adequate sleep and dropping nonessentials; so, for those who tend to go and go right up until bedtime, blue vervain is a helpful option. This plant helps you remember there’s always tomorrow, so you can slow down, take care of yourself and get some sleep. If you’re the blue vervain type, you’re probably thinking, “Don’t touch me and my productivity with that herb.” But, I assure you, everything that matters will get done. Calamus root can be highly effective for anxiousness when chewed throughout the day. We can’t talk about stress without talking adrenals. These glands fire stress hormones, and when in constant stress — such as in unsafe environments, toxic relationships or demanding jobs — your body can get stuck in fight, flight or freeze. Long-term adrenal stress leads to burnout, chronic exhaustion, digestive disturbance, infertility, insomnia and myriad physical and mental health problems. Many herbs, including licorice root and stinging nettle (particularly the seed), can support the adrenals; other herbs, like milky oats or skullcap, nourish and restore a frazzled nervous system. It should be noted herbs usually can’t heal deep-seated issues, like anxiety or depression, but can serve as an ally in your ability to address the underlying root. Also, herbs often work best in conjunction with other herbs and lifestyle adjustments that support physiological and emotional states. An herb won’t erase a stressful relationship, but it might provide energy and clarity to see what will fix a broken situation. — Kara McNabb is a traditional naturopath at Continuum Healing and member of the Wellness Collective.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN

A path to mental clarity

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Check out our new showroom.

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

READING ROOM

Listening, learning and leaving a legacy “If you live well and do well, you will leave something. Your passage in this world will be marked by what was left behind.” — Dr. Luis A. Tomatis

like him.” Tomatis shares his experiences as a surgeon-in-training — of treating the “King of the Gypsies” for hepatic colic and delivering a baby on a Buenos Aires street. He writes about living under the Peronist government and serving in the 6th Regiment of the Cavalry Concordia; about sitting by the beds of cardiac patients, praying, and traveling to Angkor Wat with his wife; about virtue and character formation and elegance and faith. And, about leaving a good legacy. “I am an incorrigible optimist,” Tomatis said. “If you live well and do well, you will leave something. Your passage in this world will be marked by what was left behind.” “Tea at Four” is available at Schuler Books & Music. — MYRNA ANDERSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY DR. LUIS A. TOMATIS (CENTER)

Sometime back in the mid-1990s, Dr. Luis A. Tomatis initiated a daily ritual of hosting tea at 4 p.m. in his downtown office. For the 20 years since then, Tomatis — a former chief of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Spectrum Health Butterworth, former professor of cardiac surgery at Michigan State University and the founding president of the Van Andel Institute — has welcomed colleagues, friends, college and hospital presidents, and students, many of them medical students, for conversation, tea and cookies. (“I love cookies,” he said.) In an age where connectivity is only a swipe away, Tomatis said he has found that people still crave good, old-fashioned gab. “Despite the communications that we have, (people) — especially the young people — don’t have anybody to talk to and to listen to them,” he said. “I confess, I am a good listener.” Tomatis and his guests talk about their careers, about relationships, about values and goals and dreams. With young people, he talks about choices. “Most of the younger people already know how to solve their problems,” Tomatis said, “but when they talk to someone, they learn they know what to do.” In February, Tomatis released “Tea at Four,” a book that encapsulates the everyday wisdom of his teatime conversations. Part memoir, the book includes the stories he has perennially told his guests: “It was the best way for me to communicate them to future generations,” he said. In the book, Tomatis tells of growing up in Argentina, the son of a civil engineer and a housewife, and of his early desire to be a doctor, “possibly because a very good friend of our family was a physician, a very elegant man who used to do the house calls, and when he left, everybody felt good,” he recalled. “And I wanted to be

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Menna’s Joint

Lucky Luciano’s Pizza

GRAND RAPIDS’ TOP 5

Late-Night Bites

HUNGRY FOR A MIDNIGHT SNACK? Whether you’re in the mood for a four-egg omelet, Coney Dog, slice of pizza pie or some crab dip, these Grand Rapids hotspots have it all covered.

Lucky Luciano’s Pizza Popular pizza joint serving more than 30 combinations of coal-fired pizza by the slice. Delivery, takeout and online ordering available. Open ’til 3 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday. (15 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 140)

Yesterdog GR’s go-to for a good, old-fashioned hot dog. Cash or check only. Open ’til 2:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 a.m. Sunday. (1505 Wealthy St. SE) The Winchester Uptown eatery and bar featuring locally sourced snacks and sandwiches. Open ’til 2 a.m. daily. (648 Wealthy St. SE)

Grand Coney

Grand Coney Classic diner serving traditional American breakfast fare, custom Coney Dogs, shareables and comfort foods. Open 24/7. (809 Michigan St. NE)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Menna’s Joint Home of the “dub” (a grilled, burrito-like sandwich wrap). Delivery, takeout and online ordering available. Open ’til 2 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 4 a.m. ThursdaySaturday. (44 Ionia Ave. SW)

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

Enthusiasts

“It’s fun to get to know each other. We become friends. It’s people who enjoy the science and beauty of taking care of something other than yourself.” — Gordon Griffin

ORCHIDS. Those delicate, multibloomed delicacies of the botanical world. So desirable, orchids are smuggled globally as devotees seek out incredibly rare varieties. They sell for as little as $20 in stores around West Michigan, yet the most extraordinary, unique specimens can sell for up to $2,000. Local orchid enthusiasts join together as the Grand Valley Orchid Society one evening each month to share their admiration of the plant’s blooms, roots and foliage, and to exchange growing tips and advice. When they do, Gordon Griffin, society vice president and program chair, is among them, giving — and taking — advice from fellow members and guest speakers. “It’s nice to have a society of people who say, ‘I’ve tried this, and it worked,’” Griffin said. “We’re trying to grow tropically in Michigan, and that can be a problem. “It’s fun to get to know each other,” he added. “We become friends. It’s people who enjoy the science and beauty of taking care of something other than yourself.” Griffin said about 20 members usually attend the regular meetings, though there are close to 60 members altogether. The annual orchid show held at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, typically in January, is when the most members turn

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

explore world of

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Kirsten Neilsen photographs an orchid at the 2018 Grand Valley Orchid Society Show, held in January at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

out, many to show off the glorious hybrids they’ve created. While species orchids also are on hand at the show, it’s the hybrids that garner the most “oohs” and “aahs.” “Species orchids aren’t as outstanding as the hybrids,” Griffin said. “The hybrids are showy. It’s just fascinating to see the different forms an orchid can take.” Creating ornate, colorful hybrids is just one aspect of being a devoted orchid grower. Others include finding ideal locations, lighting, humidity levels and watering for each plant. Griffin, who also serves as a judge for orchid shows throughout Michigan, currently grows about 120 orchid plants of his own in a lean-to greenhouse, as well as in an area of his basement where he provides the perfect lighting and temperature. However, he noted, his interest began with a gift from a friend about 15 years ago. “It was a phalaenopsis (orchid), like the ones you can buy at big box stores like Meijer,” he said. While orchid growing may present an occasional challenge, for Griffin, the work is well worth the reward. “This is my hobby,” he said. “It’s something that builds up your ego; it makes you more attentive to nature.”

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— JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 21

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Where art meets heart LaFontsee Galleries fosters growth, builds relationships in GR’s art community.

LaFontsee Galleries owner Scott LaFontsee (center) with gallery artists David Huang, a sculptor, and Kathy Mohl, a plein air painter.

“We don’t decide to carry someone because we think, ‘Oh we can sell that.’ We carry stuff we believe in,” LaFontsee said. “We believe in the people, we believe in the artists and their work and their commitment.”

Kathy Mohl, a plein air painter who’s been with the gallery four years, feels her connection with LaFontsee has transcended business to become a beautiful partnership. “I know they’re working in the best

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

t’s a space where artists and esthetes converge — a breeding ground for prolific insights that challenge the status quo and welcome innovation. LaFontsee Galleries may be an eclectic assemblage of artwork, but its reach extends far beyond its collection of contemporary sculptures and acrylic paintings — it’s a community. For gallery owner Scott LaFontsee, three principles are at the pinnacle of LaFontsee Galleries. “We had three goals when we started 30 years ago,” LaFontsee said. “One was to have a place where artists that we felt were committed and had a voice — a place for them to show their work that was professional and they felt taken care of. “The second goal was to have a place that the general public could go and view art where it was not intimidating, and they didn’t feel like it was not for them,” he continued. “The third goal was to employ people in the arts. “Our three goals are still the same.” Each artist is handpicked by LaFontsee and his wife Linda — and for good reason.

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Spring Cleaning Special April 7-21 Ring Refinishing*

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

“We believe in the people, we believe in the artists and their work and their commitment.” — Scott LaFontsee interests for me and I am for them, as well,” she said. “You just want to stay when it’s such a good thing. “It’s just been amazing,” she added. “They are like family to me.” Other resident creatives, too, echo Mohl’s enthusiasm for the gallery. David Huang, a sculptor who specializes in luminous vessels, said he believes LaFontsee does it right when it comes to setting the stage for art appreciation. “The galleries that aren’t so good are the ones who just think they’re like a street retail establishment,” Huang said. “They get their stock, they put it on the shelf and they think that’s all it takes to sell. It is more about building these relationships and helping people understand what the work is about and what’s involved in the processes.” Saul Gray-Hildenbrand, an artist who describes his work as a reaction to his environment, recalled being drawn to the gallery since he was an art student at Grand Valley State University. “The gallery shattered my preconception of what I thought a West Michigan art gallery was going to be when I went in there for the first time and I saw work that

really, really challenged me and moved me,” Gray-Hildenbrand said, “and I wasn’t necessarily expecting that.” — PASHA SHIPP

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Local art galleries COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

1/ CALVIN COLLEGE CENTER ART GALLERY: Student, faculty and alumni work, plus exhibits by visiting artists. Thru April 28, “Remembrances: Mixed Media Work by Jennifer Hand” explores the artist’s interest in the relationship between humans and nature. Also thru April 28, “Mere Objects: An Exhibition by Sarah Jane”; reception 7 p.m. April 9. Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 526-6271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery. 2/ FRANCISCAN LIFE PROCESS CENTER: Downtown GR campus: Thru June 30, featured artist William Alexander. Lowell campus: Thru June 30, “Acrylics and Abstracts” by Kathleen Mooney showcases the artist’s multilayered process that produces silk-like sheets of acrylic paint that are printed, cut, layered and ironed like textiles. 654 Davis St. NW, Grand Rapids; 11650 Downes St., Lowell, lifeprocesscenter.org.

1/ Mixed media artwork by Jennifer

3/ KRUIZENGA ART MUSEUM: Thru May 19, “Culture, Commerce & Criticism” includes 50 works of art that explore how Western culture has used prints over the past five centuries to transmit knowledge, generate income and critique current events. April 24-28, “Spring Collections Reveal”; reception 5 p.m. April 26. 271 Columbia Ave., Holland, 395-6400, hope.edu/kam.

Hand at Calvin’s Center Art Gallery.

Cascade Gallery: Multimedia art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing and gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 949-4056, cascadegallery.blogspot. com. Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. Thru April 7, “Focus on KCAD: Collections” and “Focus on Faculty: Sabbaticals.” 17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/ galleries. Flat River Cottage: Fine art, jewelry, antiques and home décor; also, paintings by Kathleen Mooney. 1-4 p.m. April 14, Art Trunk Show by Kathleen Mooney. 317 E. Main St.,

Lowell, 897-8601, flatrivercottage. com. Flat River Gallery & Framing: Artist cooperative shows work in a variety of mediums; plus, gifts, framing and workshops. April 1-May 31, “One Step Closer” by Gerri Treves; reception 6-8 p.m. April 19. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatriver galleryandframing.com. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center: Artist-in-residence program offers exhibits by local and regional artists during the school year. Also, exhibits by Forest Hills Public Schools students and staff. April 12-May 11, FHPS Student Exhibit; reception 6-7:30 p.m. April 17. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter. com. GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students. Thru April 7, “What Does Feminism Mean to You?” by WIN, Women’s Issues Now, a GRCC student organization. April 9-20, GRCC Art Student Exhibition. 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 234-3544, grcc.edu/artgallery. GVSU Art Gallery: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists. 1121 Performing Arts Center, North Campus Drive, Allendale, 3312563, gvsu.edu/artgallery. Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211 ext. 103, heartside.org.

3/ Kruizenga Art Museum exhibits “Girl with a Crown” by Francoise Gilot.

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University: Work by students in graduate-level programs and special community projects. 17 Fountain St. NW, 4512787, kcad.edu/galleries. LaFontsee Galleries: 2-D and 3-D

works by gallery artists, plus framing and restoration services. Grand Rapids location (includes Urban Craft Boutique with gifts, accessories and home décor): Thru April 6, “Collective: Working Together for 30 Years.” 833 Lake Drive SE, 451-9820. Douglas location: 410 W. Center St., 4513850. lafontsee.us. Leep Art Gallery: Work by a variety of visiting artists. Thru April 3, “Celebration” by George Peebles. April 4-June 29, “A View of My Artistic Journey From the Past to the Present” by Larry Blovits. Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org. LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. Thru April 14, “West Michigan Art Competition.” April 21-May 26, “Mayﬁeld and Mosaics.” 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. Merizon Studio: Art, mirror and glass design, custom framing and limited-edition prints by Armand Merizon. 9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstudio. com. Richard App Gallery: Art from local and national artists, plus restoration and custom framing. 910 Cherry St. SE, 458-4226, Facebook. Terryberry Gallery: Local and international art. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org/visitterryberry-gallery.

2/ Kathleen Mooney’s “Crow and Turquoise” is at Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Innovative contemporary exhibits and installations. Thru May 6, “CAMPUS: 2018 Annual Faculty and Staff Exhibition.” Thru May 13, “Fresh Pick: Bohan Li.” April 6-July 29, “Color of the Year: Pantone 183838 Ultra Violet”; reception 5:30-9 p.m. April 6. 2 W. Fulton St., 4547000, uica.org. Van Singel Fine Arts Center: Changing exhibits by local artists. Thru April 29, “Surface Sensations - Layered Expressions” by Diane Olsen; reception 2-3:30 p.m. April 29. April 3-June 10, “At the Edge Of” Group Show, Southwest Michigan Printmakers. Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com/ programming/art-gallery. Check websites for hours of operation.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JENNIFER HAND (TOP LEFT); KATHLEEN MOONEY (RIGHT); HOPE COLLEGE COLLECTION (BOTTOM LEFT)

Aquinas College Gallery: Work by students, faculty and visiting artists. April 8-May 5, B.F.A. Exhibit; reception 2-4 p.m. April 8. Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 632-8900, aquinas.edu/art/gallery.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JENNIFER HAND (TOP LEFT); KATHLEEN MOONEY (RIGHT); HOPE COLLEGE COLLECTION (BOTTOM LEFT)

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frame works BY MARK F. MILLER

A historical, architectural gem safe since it opened on Nov. 1, 1902. Crisp, white letters spell out “ENGINE CO 11” along a freshly painted black sign that hangs above the station’s bright red garage doors — a beautiful tribute to the

station’s original designation, which was Steam Engine and Hose Wagon No. 11 or simply, Engine House No. 11. Sitting prominently at the corner of Diamond Avenue and Chester Street, the building is the oldest operating fire station in the city and one of only three stations left that still has a fire pole. When it was first opened, the new fire station housed one steam fire engine, which was drawn by two horses, and one light hose wagon that held nearly a quarter-mile of hose. This hose wagon, constructed at the No. 3 Engine House on Front Street, was considered the model hose wagon of the time. A reserve steamer also was placed at the station, although this steamer did require the purchase of four additional horses. A key influencer during the original siting of the building was the location on the

Opened in 1902, the Chester Street Fire Station contains many Richardsonian Romanesque-style elements, including variegated brick patterns and a row of wide, arched windows.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN

NESTLED WITHIN THE tree-lined blocks of Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood, the Chester Street Fire Station is a dignified, well-designed public building that has been vigilantly keeping Grand Rapidians

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Sitting prominently at the corner of Diamond Avenue and Chester Street, the building is the oldest operating fire station in the city and one of only three stations left that still has a fire pole.

Facts & figures The building’s architect was Williamson & Crowe, and the general contractor was Hayden & Appleyard. The original owner was the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN

Most urban fire stations at the turn of the century were named for the primary fire companies and apparatus they housed. The Chester Street station followed this convention because it housed an engine and a hose wagon.

hill. This was because the heavy fire apparatus from Center City had slower response times to this growing neighborhood, due to the steep grades they had to climb from downtown. The fire station has an asymmetrical massing rendered with red brick walls that have a variegated texture and pattern on the ground floor and a smooth simple pattern on the second floor. These juxtaposed light and “rough” surfaces give the building an appearance of a rusticated building base and are hallmark design features of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Other features of the building that are emblematic of this style include the row of wide, arched windows and the large, double-hung windows with slightly detached transoms above them. A massive hip roof with deep overhangs punctuated with a style-appropriate dormer begins to pull Prairie-style influences into the composition. Extending above the roof is a slender tower adorned with decorative brick pat-

terns and banding (and a hip roof) that are stylistically compatible with the main building’s architecture. This tower likely was used as a hose tower, used for hanging and drying the hoses. This firehouse reminds us that even the most essential and necessary public buildings also can be beautiful and majestic. The original news articles from 1902 that describe the city’s then-newest fire station illustrate a tremendous amount of pride for this building. This pride clearly still exists today, which is exhibited by the exceptionally well-maintained 115-year-old building and even the newly painted sign. This enduring structure is a testament to good design, high-quality construction, and the men and women who have helped to maintain it for over a century. — Architect Mark F. Miller is an urban designer at Nederveld. He has led the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

One of the bays in the station is home to a 1937 American LaFrance “Tiller” truck, which served the Grand Rapids Fire Department from 1937 until it was retired in the mid1970s. This truck is owned by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The Richardsonian Romanesque style was named for its creator, architect Henry Hobson Richardson, and was popular from 18801900. One of Richardson’s most famous buildings in this style is Trinity Church in Boston. Rustication is a type of masonry treatment in which the blocks making up a wall are articulated by exaggerated joints rather than being flush with each other. The surface is the opposite of smooth and emphasizes massing. The main inspiration for use of rustication came from Italian Renaissance buildings where rustication was used to differentiate façade levels, generally using rustication on the ground floor and moving into smooth surfaces on the first floor. APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 27

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Grand Rapids professionals share what makes their fur babies special, how pets have enriched their lives. BY SARAH TINCHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

T’S NO SECRET that owning a pet can require a lot of time and energy. And when we’re all maintaining a busy lifestyle as it is — whether that means working, volunteering, going to school, taking care of a family or whatever it is that keeps you occupied — it can seem like a daunting task to take on the responsibility of caring for an animal. But, for most pet owners, no matter how challenging it can be, there’s nothing that could outweigh the joy of simply having them around. This idea is shared by many professionals working throughout Grand Rapids, who are taking the time and making the effort to open their homes, and their hearts, to a furry companion (or six). ANNE MARIE CARSON Anne Marie Carson has an obvious soft spot in her heart for animals in need. “I’m kind of drawn to the pathetic creatures,” she said. It all began a few years ago after Carson, an attorney at Miller Johnson, and her now husband, Kristofer Pachla, graduated from Grand Valley State University and moved to Washington, D.C., where she attended law school. “When we moved out to Washington, D.C., we got a cat because of the size of the apartment and amount of time we were home,” Carson said. “But, because I’m a little bit more of a dog person, the compromise

was I wanted the most pathetic cat we could find that was never going to get a home.” So, they adopted a senior cat named Teva — “she hated the shelter so much that she had to live in one of the offices, she had bald patches and she sounded like a smoker when she meowed,” Carson said, “she was perfect.” After returning to Grand Rapids in 2016, Carson and Pachla decided to adopt two black kittens, Cleopatra and Kira, from the Kent County animal shelter because black cats tend to get adopted less frequently than others. Just months later, Pachla found Avery, a 4-month-old mixed-breed rescue Carson affectionately dubbed an “AllAmerican Rescue Mutt,” waiting in foster care through the Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue to find a forever home. They scheduled an in-home visit, and it was love at first sight. “Her foster mom and dad brought her over, and this dog was so pathetically scared of humans she wouldn’t come anywhere near Kris and I, and you could just tell she was super broken and needed to be loved,” she said. “So, obviously, we were hooked.” Since then, with a little help from Carson and Pachla, Avery has made great strides in overcoming her fears, gaining back her confidence and leading a happy, healthy life. “She is now, basically, a completely different dog,” Carson said. “She loves running, we’ve run up to 10 miles, and she’s the happiest dog in the world; she knows where all the water bowls are around Reeds Lake.

What have your

pets taught you about life?

Anne Marie Carson: “So much. Starting with Avery, I think Avery has definitely taught me the importance of the timeout — you know, the 20-minute walk after work, or the walk in the morning before you go to work or playing with a tennis ball in the backyard, just the importance of those moments where you’re not a lawyer or a wife or when you just take a little bit of a timeout. “The amount you learn by having patience with a creature that’s been hurt or scared or broken can transfer to a tremendous amount of patience for life.”

Oppopsite page: Kristofer Pachla and Anne Marie Carson with Avery, their rescue dog.

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What have your

pets taught you about life?

Kim Bode:

“Life is short, and enjoy it and value those that are in it; take time for those people or those individuals or those animals because you never know how long you’re going to have with them. “If we could only approach life the way they do, with this positivity and love and happiness.”

Above: Kim Bode relaxes with her rescue dogs.

“It’s fun to see what things make the dog more confident in their own skin.” While Carson noted the challenges of taking care of pets with she and her husband both working full time, she said the benefits of having them in her life far outweigh the costs. “I do think having a dog makes me so much better at my job, and I think it’s just that forced outdoor time, forced outside time,” Carson said. “Your dog doesn’t care if you’ve had a stressful day or not, they’re so happy to see you when you come home and so happy to go for a walk or chase a tennis ball. I think everyone who has a stressful job should have a pet. “There is a lot of work; I’m not trying to say it’s all a walk in the park, there’s definitely a lot of responsibility,” she said, “but there are also huge benefits.” KIM BODE Kim Bode will be the first to admit her life essentially revolves around her dogs. What started with one — Bentley, a 12-year-old hound mix she adopted when he was only a few months old — has turned into many more over the years, as Bode has continued to take in rescues who had nowhere to go.

“I don’t think we could stop ever rescuing because there’s always someone who needs it,” she said. “I guess if there’s one thing I can do, and one thing that I can give back to these animals is a home where they feel truly loved and they are the center of our lives.” Now, Bode and her husband, Josh Byler, share their home with six dogs — Bentley, Bode’s first; Parker, a roughly 4-year-old fawn Doberman who was rescued from the streets of Flint; Sammy, a 2-year-old red Doberman, and the only female in the group; Jimmy, a senior black Labrador and “chief happiness officer” at Bode’s communications firm, 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications; as well as Sarge, a 4- to 5-year-old Yorkie/terrier mix, and an 8-year-old mutt named Buddy, who both just showed up on their front yard out of the blue. “We go from 7 pounds to 110, which is hilarious,” Bode said. “(But) they all get along really well.” Naturally, having this many dogs requires a lot of work, but it’s obvious Bode and Byler are more than willing to step up to the plate — from taking them to the office with her every day (just two or three at a time, not all at once), to renting a house in

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Florida for Christmas so all six dogs could come along, to purchasing a cabin and 20 acres of land to give them all a good place to romp around and play. “Running 8THIRTYFOUR has granted me the flexibility to have the six dogs — they’re either here or I go home and let them out during the day, or I’m home right after work to let them out,” Bode said. “So, you do have to make them a priority. “That’s a commitment we make to them,” she said, “that we’ll do whatever we can to make sure they’re comfortable and safe, and they’re taken care of. “It’s not easy but the rewards in the end

far outweigh any of the negatives.” While she joked that the best word to describe her fur children would be “chaotic,” Bode was quick to point to the incredible, loving bond she has with her pets. “They’re a blessing, you know? Honestly, they’re just such a huge blessing,” Bode said. “They don’t care if you have a bad day, they don’t care what you look like, they don’t care about anything, except you are their entire world. They just want to love you, they want attention; when I come home, it’s the best feeling. “Family,” she added, “they’re really family.”

DEIDRE REMTEMA Some might not think a dog would be an interior designer’s first choice as a pet. But for Deidre Remtema, owner and principal designer at Deidre Interiors, the decision to bring a canine companion into her home was about family. “Our youngest (son), Bram, had been asking for a dog for years and years, and (my husband) Jeff and I would kind of go back and forth about it — we both work, we’re both pretty busy,” Remtema said. “Then I think we realized that it would be very good for Bram to have a dog.” So, they sought out a breed that suited their needs, and eventually found Lizzy, a then-8-week-old English Labrador. Nearly two years later, Remtema said she still believes Lizzy was the perfect choice. “(Bram) has some sensory issues, so having a Lab he can hug, wrestle with, play with and get a lot of that sensory input has been really good for our family,” Remtema said. “She’s high-energy, which really helps match our kids (Bram and Marek). She can definitely keep up with them, and they can give it right back to her and she’s right there with them, as far as running around outside or in the house. “She’s very smart and she’s very affectionate,” Remtema added. “She loves her people. She wants to sit with us all the time, snuggle with us, and we let her on the furniture when we’re watching TV or a movie as a family; she just kind of snuggles right in, and it’s the best.” While Remtema noted having Lizzy in their lives has been a learning experience

What have your

pets taught you about life? Deidre Remtema: “(Lizzy) helps us slow down and kind of see our life more day to day. Dogs don’t really care about what’s happening tomorrow or next year, and they’re very much in the moment. And I think that’s a huge blessing for us, is to help us live more in the moment with her.”

Left: Deidre, Bram, Jeff and Marek Remtema with the family dog, Lizzy. APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 31

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for her and the entire family, she said bringing Lizzy into their lives has, undoubtedly, brought them all closer together. “When you have a dog and you’re taking care of the dog day to day and you’re planning activities around the dog, it creates more quality time as a family,” she said. “I do think it has helped us live in the moment more, day to day.” SHELLEY IRWIN Shelley Irwin always is on the go. When she isn’t hosting “The WGVU Morning Show,” Irwin often spends her spare time volunteering with a number of local organizations and events, or running (or training for) any one of the many marathons, triathlons and other races she participates in throughout the year. With such a busy schedule to manage, it’s almost hard to imagine she has energy left to spare at the end of the day. But, for Irwin, coming home to her three Jack Russell terriers, Petie, Ralphie and Leah — who, fittingly, seem to have as much energy as she does — is all part of the routine. “They do get me home — you know, after 5,” Irwin said. “They keep me in a routine.” Every morning and evening, Irwin walks all three of her four-legged companions at once; and every night, they all finally get to unwind — together. “When everybody starts to wind down, including myself, and we all kind of take our pre-bed positions, it’s kind of nice when they’re all settled down,” Irwin said. “But there’s also nothing like that walk around the block with three leashes. I’m not the one in control.

What have your

pets taught you about life? Shelley Irwin: “To take advantage of every day that you’re given, and to get the most out of every day — even if that includes a little walk around the neighborhood, be excited about that walk, be excited about the little things.”

Left: Shelley Irwin takes her Jack Russell terrier dogs for a walk. 32 GRMAG.COM \ APRIL 2018

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“They’re very spoiled,” she added with a laugh. “You would not have known I have a blue ribbon in obedience training.” While owning three dogs with such a busy lifestyle may seem hectic to some, the decision to adopt these three came from the heart. After losing her first Jack Russell, Sparkle, Irwin decided to get one more to be a companion for Ralphie. But, with very little notice, one companion quickly turned into two. “I adopted Petie and Leah from two different shelters because I had two different phone calls saying that these Jack Russells needed my home, needed me,” Irwin said. “So, I got ’em both. “Knowing I could very well have saved three lives makes me want to open my house to three more.” CHRISTOPHER BRUCE When Christopher Bruce first made the decision to bring a feline friend into his home, he likely had no idea what he was bargaining for. About two years ago, Bruce, the director of creativity and learning at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, was looking for a cat to adopt when he came across a steel-point Siamese kitten and just knew she was the one. When he made it to the Critter Cottage at Vicky’s Pet Connection to adopt her, he said he fell in love with her the moment they met. “She was adorable,” Bruce said. “It’s not easy to find a Siamese for adoption.” But before he could get out the door, he found one more who needed a home and just couldn’t say no. So, he went home with both: Bianca, the Siamese; and Bernard, an orange domestic shorthair. “Both of them are cute in really weird ways,” he laughed. “Bianca is beautiful; she is just this gorgeous, perfect, classic Siamese cat. And Bernard is just dopey and adorable and so cute and has the biggest eyes you’ve ever seen, and the pair of them together is just perfect. “They suit each other very, very well.” Referring to them as “brother and sister,” Bruce said Bianca and Bernard are like two peas in a pod. “They hang out all the time,” he said. “They snuggle up together and sleep together, they fight together — they’re always together.” They both have their own unique personalities, and certainly keep things interesting, he said. But these days, Bruce said he wouldn’t have it any other way. “They’re everything,” he said. “I love coming home to them.” GR

What have your pets taught you about life?

Christopher Bruce:

“To appreciate what and who you have — to enjoy the little moments and not get caught up in the big things. “I think we get caught up in sort of these big displays and big moments and we forget the day-to-day when the day-to-day matters a whole heck of a lot, and people forget that. But when you really think about it, your overall mood, your demeanor, how you look at things is really more defined by your day-to-day experiences than any of these big memory-makers or whatever you want to call them. And I think cats get that, I think they understand.”

Above: Christopher Bruce holding one of his cats, Bernard, he adopted from the Critter Cottage at Vicky’s Pet Connection.

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Rescue, reclaim, re. dwell Local artisan crafts wooden masterpieces for clients far and wide, aims to give reclaimed wood ‘a second life.’ BY T ERRI FI NCH HAMI LTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QU IRIN

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Dan Chase has a tattoo on his forearm of a slice of white oak, the swirling rings revealing the tree’s age. He really loves wood. That’s why it pained him so much when he worked with a carpenter tearing down old houses in blighted Muncie, Indiana, neighborhoods scheduled for demolition years ago. “These were gorgeous old homes framed in hardwood,” Chase recalled. “I loved those beautiful, old houses. It killed us to watch the bulldozer level them. “You wouldn’t believe the quality of wood they used to build them. Solid white oak, cherry, walnut. Beautiful, beautiful wood you can’t buy anymore. Those old growth forests no longer exist.” It makes sense that a guy who reveres old wood so much would figure out a way to use it. In 2011, Chase founded Re.dwell, a Grand Rapids company that salvages old wood that would otherwise be scrapped or burned and creates furniture from it designed to live on. Most of his pieces end up in commercial use: conference tables, reception desks, retail counters, coffee bars, workstations. At Woosah Outfitters on Wealthy Street, nearly the entire store is his creation — from counters and tables to changing rooms to walls. Other local customers include Mighty in the Midwest, Byrne Electrical and E.A. Brady’s butcher shop, where the counters and conference tables are part rustic antiques, part gleaming showpieces. This is true for spaces from coast to coast — Google in Denver, a

wellness center in Los Angeles, a real estate office in New Jersey, a hotel in Nashville. Standing in his 7,000-square-foot shop in Boston Square, Chase counts up customers in 25 states — make that 26, he noted, adding a pin to Nevada on the map on his shop wall. He’d soon add two more, bringing the total to 27 states, plus Washington, D.C. Chase delivers big projects himself, first shipping the furniture, then flying out to install it. “It’s like turning over a baby,” he said. “I have to make sure it’s all right.” With a little help from a network of salvagers who deconstruct old barns, much of the wood Chase uses is taken from century-old Michigan barns and kiln-dried to remove moisture and kill any bugs. It’s perfectly imperfect: “You can see the saw marks and ax marks that went into the construction,” Chase said. “You can see the history of the whole barn in this wood. You see old square nails from when the barn was first built and more modern nails from years later when somebody hung something on the wall.” “When I chop off the end of a board, I count the rings,” he noted. “Sometimes, there are 200 or more rings. That means the tree was 200 years old before the barn was even built.” If the barn was 100 years old, he said, that wood is 300 years old. “The pioneers were here then,” he said. “That’s the stuff I think about when I’m working.” He loves this rescue mission. “Old barns are coming down faster than people can save them,” Chase said. “Farmers will call me and say, ‘Come take it — or I’ll just

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“You wouldn’t believe the quality of wood they used to build them. Solid white oak, cherry, walnut. Beautiful, beautiful wood you can’t buy anymore. Those old growth forests no longer exist.” — Dan Chase Pages 34-35, 37: Woosah Outfitters on Wealthy Street features many Re.dwell creations, including display tables and wall displays, retail counters and dressing rooms. Opposite page: Dan Chase in his Boston Square shop.

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To learn more about Re.dwell’s unique, custom furniture pieces, visit redwelldesign.com

Top & bottom right: Dan Chase has crafted numerous pieces for his own home, including a dining room table, coffee table and fireplace mantle.

light it on fire.’ That’s what they do. They dig a hole next to the barn, pull it into the hole with their tractor and light it on fire.” You can almost feel Chase shuddering at the thought. His work also reduces the demand for new lumber that would otherwise come from newly harvested trees, he said. Chase started out small, crafting coffee tables and other small pieces to both use in his own 1917 home and to sell at artisan fairs. But demand grew, and now he employs two craftsmen to help create the pieces he designs, employing his degree in architecture from Ball State University. “Customers want a statement piece, so when people walk into their office or business, there’s a wow factor,” he said. The rustic industrial style of his furniture is popular right now, he said, but he believes it’s timeless. The pieces are built on steel frames, and the wood is finished with five coats of water-based polyurethane to stand up to years of coffee spills and notetaking. It’s a painstaking process. “It’s not like going to Lowe’s and picking a board off the shelf,” Chase said. “These boards have been sitting there for 100 years. They’re twisted, they’re warped. We have to remove every single nail before each board goes through the machinery. A lot of work goes into it before we even get to the wood we can work with. “Some people think that because we’re using ‘old, dirty wood,’ the furniture will be cheaper,” he said. “Not exactly.” If you ask him, it’s priceless. “You just can’t find this quality and character anywhere else,” Chase said. “Every piece of furniture we build gives this wood a second life. That makes me GR happy.”

“Every piece of furniture we build gives this wood a second life. That makes me happy.” — Dan Chase

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GRAND RAPIDS

GR|MAG offers original daily stories not found in print â&#x20AC;&#x201C; visit grmag.com today for the best of Grand Rapids arts, entertainment, food & drink, culture, lifestyle and news.

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dining review BY IRA CRAAVEN

Trendy, comforting vibe

Gumbo

SINCE OPENING ON THE West Side early last spring, One Bourbon’s mission has been to supply Beer City, USA, with something a little stronger. One Bourbon features a variety of “comfy classic dishes” that pair perfectly with the restaurant’s diverse, expansive selection of bourbons and whiskies. With more than 120 whiskies and bourbons available — as well as spirits, wine and beer — there’s no doubt everyone in the group can find something to enjoy. As participants of the “slow food” movement, the chefs at One Bourbon are on a mission to use fresh, local ingredients in their dishes to help sustain and preserve the flavors of the region. (And be sure to bring an appetite because the servings are quite generous.) Tucked between the historic buildings and new developments lining Bridge Street today, One Bourbon appears to reflect the neighborhood it serves, with rich woods, exposed brick walls, tin ceilings and Edison lights offering a trendy, yet comforting, vibe.

Bourbon Burger

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

One Bourbon features a variety of “comfy classic dishes” that pair perfectly with the restaurant’s diverse, expansive selection of bourbons and whiskies.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

On our first visit, we decided to take advantage of the happy hour menu, which runs every day from 3-6 p.m., and order a whiskey sour ($7 happy hour price) and a hot toddy ($6). The hot toddy was a perfect soothing drink for a cold, rainy day, but it lacked flavor, only featuring hints of the cinnamon, honey syrup and clove flavors. The whiskey sour is a must-try for fans of the drink. The house sour topped with frothed egg white did not overpower the bourbon. A perfectly balanced drink completed with a luxardo cherry. For appetizers, we tried the cheese curds ($9) and the Georgia egg rolls ($11). The cheese curds had a crispy breading on the outside, gooey cheese on the inside and the Cajun aioli dipping sauce was a perfect complement. The egg rolls featured chopped chicken, beans, dirty rice, andouille sausage and collard greens — a smorgasbord of comfort food rolled into one shareable plate. The garlic aioli was the preferred dipping sauce over the too tangy Creole mustard. Moving on to dinner, we tried the bourbon beef poutine ($16) and the loaded mac ’n’ cheese ($15). The BBQ glaze and cheese curds on top of the peppered gravy-covered fries added a nice touch, and the chipped sirloin took the poutine dish to the next level. The fries kept their crispiness despite being doused in gravy. The loaded mac ’n’ cheese was a bit mediocre for our taste. The noodles were bland; the fried chicken tenders were delicious but lacking in quantity. However, the BBQ bourbon glaze added a subtle sweetness to the dish. During a later visit, a friend decided to test out the Kentucky mule ($9). Served in a traditional copper Moscow Mule mug, the cocktail was perfectly balanced, with the rich taste of the Old Grand Dad bourbon serving as the perfect counterpart to the ginger beer and ginger syrup. To start off the meal, we shared a basket of salted caramel corn ($5) from the “shareables”

One Bourbon Address: 608 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 608-5766 Website: onebourbongr.com

Dining ratings: Food: *** Service: *** Beverages: **** Atmosphere: **** Price: $

Must try: Cheese curds Not so much: Loaded mac ’n’ cheese

menu as an appetizer. The buttery popcorn arrived coated in bourbon salted caramel and topped with candied bacon bits — a sweet/salty combination to die for. We then opted to try the shrimp and grits ($16) and Cajun-rubbed NY strip ($20) for the main course. The savory grits had a pleasantly mild, creamy flavor, and the seared shrimp tasted fresh and was cooked to perfection. However, we were disappointed to find the slices of andouille sausage mixed in with the grits were rather bland. The NY strip steak was juicy and tender, and tasted very fresh, but we agreed it could have done without the Cajun rub, which only added a little heat without adding any substantial flavor. With a good selection of fresh comfort foods to taste, a plethora of drinks to try and a friendly atmosphere to enjoy it all in, One Bourbon is a GR good choice for any occasion.

Guide to ratings: **** Exceptional *** Above Average ** Satisfactory * Poor ¢ $ $$

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

(Prices based on average entrée.)

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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 61).

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS

bullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D

1 Bun Restaurant — Build-your-own hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and sloppy Joe’s — all served on hot dog buns. Closed Sun. 2140 S Division Ave, 279-2943. Facebook. L, 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 $-$$

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 (not Sat), 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 $-$$ 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-service bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ bobarinospizza. 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 ¢-$ Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. the

$-$$

City Built Brewing Co. – Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Ricaninspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon-Tue. 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrew ing.com. L, 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, 4516131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. D $$ 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 $ – 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 ¢-$

Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chilis, burgers, full bar and more. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢ Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Full bar. Sun brunch 10:30-2. Closed Mon. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand.com/din ing/cygnus-27. D (Tue-Sat) $$ Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. divanigr.com. D $-$$

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 ¢ Gilly’s at The B.O.B. — Handcrafted microbrews paired with seasonal fare. Tavern, small plates, seafood and more. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ gillysrestaurant. D $-$$ 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 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 ¢-$ 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 ¢ 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 ¢-$ G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand rapidspizza.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,

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2017

THIS WEEK

VOL. 35, NO. 38

No heirs appare nt for Grand Action 2.0

EXECUTIVE SIDE OF HEALTH CARE

Michigan Blood Jim Wilson’s ﬁ CEO rst job was running a 100-b at the age of 25.ed hospital Page 8.

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Ruth , Joe Jonevid I ogyanresear edoncolestimates, the MSU’s most recent she waalso int, thhost readin r to re and coorchers ita LeKelly, Se s, innovation. sfrom fog an the eSpectr loggin nu um increase emplocenter is expected to dina d re- Health-MSU g r mbe O’Co near, JonAllian r of tingce and The Rapids area byyment in the Grand C search collaboratio reseresu foother n PAGE 6 omm Da nnor de ar re inabMercy ns sta with 2029 and have about 480 jobs by Health Saint ility ch Ad veloped commen ve Shaffer and u an Co n annua Mary’ an efda it nt by l vis s, econo . impact of $29 tio y lead Bed Rehabilitatioinued Mary Free d ex ory SIX-S million from mic THE Com the city’s ns were perTORY ontal, faciliter onward. 2029 “achildr Rest Christian n Hospi y housi pa mittee s ng neuro ts seand Hous lmosen’s Mental HealthgePine 48 , cancer resear tor ofscience, women and Paid for by vices and Grand and under Sert hhealth O’Co chaired ing ch finished budge is t. eCourt LI tax-exempt MSU’s general fund, levels versity’s health Valley State UniUP an of schedule Ward nnor, Fi by financing and c” esy MSU WStarart GardNCenahead of tori sciences progra million in privat d co-d $40 7.85-ac disp MSU said the ms. sione comm rst d co ; re e Da la site. donati ire center The area’s top ons, the mmiss vid Al of se ce isr. six-story, 162,80 will evenctor tually hold up ArtPrize Norman Beauc men of len, to 44 princi ioner M ramaint ter ve but venues. Page ter came in just0-square-foot cen-Ehrethe l comain t. velop hamp, Third satigator 100 ore id. “O s and their teams pal investiesan MSU 12 with d foVARI. under the initialGran n W th mun yndeCollege of Humadean of ing m ent orand “(MSU , or as many $88.1-million nce re unde with 260 d Rapid ity-b have r mem commun an n Medi- correl VARI) cine, ganiza The area’s top said r m as out themplo vityees, ased strong Co City ations s Buthe MSU principal aliza once the fifth cluded the costbudget, which in- tigator Visio in locally floor tions busin bers anity un de— ewith inves- mmuniti resida to-betio things n anthe ity, on s andsintheir owned restau ess Disc , inclu we re- ping happ ined former Grand of demolishing the ents ndeterm , es such use — rants. Page 14 urna previouslyNancsearch ers attess lea d ce sion d up the Joteams is built locate (nowas dcancer Ligh and y L. Ha Gran us l to rodege neu-by, up abou thou dsines of that coens hill in the , and buout. ing that previoRapids Press buildnerati ddel ynesve LI meetin ended thdNC UP Van W r of Rapi diseas se t ge ses ar or For Resea the Fa musly stood on es );like ththe , exec center zheim for now, ds isrch ntrifi te (VARI AnInstitu Themove ey’re Al-in thinto g, wh e es er’s,” is O’ e divide the wa an he ir t Emplo th Co ut said. four po d ga ca M ) d Gr Ho will efocus s brary ive dialso lookre at co no pnnor inin s to tion ich mem at diseas antheir be areas using “We’ll yin d studie througm recin centhe new to a the preluich sults that fit of tonowthe ber of igaes n (F option g a credit hm relate nedfirst fourthneoors. 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Pagerried mmun en’t 11 8est bodi s has be v. 28. the recr to ople of s create at comm trifica e panel, and th moves tion is wh en on es of that ity 12 sta d ar tal un the tion and Speak up for or at oppo into a ne en oppo said. is called commun en’t for thity, timff implem work I hae of the CONTENTS rtu ighbo rRapi concern Our City, GR: Ge Inside gentrifi ity, th e in e,” Sund ent in ve se largpopu in lineTrack ni ty is no Change ...........8 rh The ar ds of nVol. oo at ad en cit 35, wi lat Al No. catio g. d .........16 len strom 38 how dresse the cit comm a th th t dire -Ups ion Ross Comme n,” Ronet tal pe of nt pr e indiCalenda Page ea’s mor said long, lon y ctly d 10 ovided $2.00 saidThrowin th............. 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teache s Barﬂ y a les What they’ve accom son A plished ﬀorda ble

housin moves g plan forward

MSU opens $8 8.1M Grand Ra pids Research Center

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D

$-$$

Bistro Bella Vita

Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. ¢-$ 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. hopcatgr.com. L, D ¢-$ FIron — Cast-iron entrées, plus seafood, duck, lamb and steak. Hot and cold appetizers, sandwiches and salads round out the menu. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 25 Ottawa Ave SW, 228-4894. irongr.com. D $-$$ Jamaican Dave’s — Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. 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 $$ The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Private dining areas. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/din ing/the-kitchen-by-wolfgang-puck. L, D $-$$ 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 $-$$ Littlebird — Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and the same array of pastries available at That Early Bird Café. Full bar. Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L ¢ 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 Io¢-$ nia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. L, D Mazzo — From the owners of Uccello’s, housed in the former site of Tre Cugini. Modern Italian eatery featuring seafood, sandwiches, pasta and pizza; plus, full bar and happy hour Mon-Thu. Sun open for special events only. 122 Monroe Center NW, 773$-$$ 1687. mazzogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar. com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$ New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens. Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Brunch served Sat-Sun. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. newho telmertens.com. B (Mon-Fri), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

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 $-$$ Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 5513563. rockwellsrepublic.com. D $-$$ 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/ ruths-chris-steak-house. L, 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 ¢-$

FSan 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, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. B, L, D $-$$

Osteria Rossa – Casual Italian-inspired

Six.One.Six — Innovative cuisine sources

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

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 ¢-$

44 GRMAG.COM \ APRIL 2018

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local ingredients in a cosmopolitan setting. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilove thejw.com/dining/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, 724-4464. social kitchenandbar.com/grand-rapids.html. B (Sat-Sun brunch), 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 ¢

especially at Christmas. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally. 740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook. L, D ¢

Broadway Bar & Grill — Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations,

FButcher’s Union — Meat-and-whiskeycentric gastro-pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating

Best Decision Ever Made

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 $-$$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Zoko 822 — Basque-inspired cuisine featuring northern Spanish and southern French small plates; plus an extensive gin collection, craft beer and cocktails. Brunch served Sun. Open daily. 822 Ottawa Ave NW, 5415410. zoko822.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 ¢-$

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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 $

fenceconsultants.com GRAND RAPIDS: 616.454.1911 or 866.261.7685 615 Eleventh St. NW

HOLLAND: 616.392.3496 or 800.525.8772 1176 Lincoln Ave. APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 45

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

available. Brunch served on Sundays. 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. Facebook. L, D $ 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, dry ones, too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. ¢ elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. L, D Harmony Hall — West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves sausages, 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 ¢ 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. B (Sat-Sun brunch), 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, 2339799. tappyhourgr.com/monarchs-club. L, D ¢ - ➧ One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies, plus other spirits, beer and wine. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. onebourbongr. 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. Open 11 am-3 pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, 608-6756. ¢-$ twoscottsbbq.com. L ➧ 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 (Tues-Sun), D ¢-$

UPTOWN Big Willy’s Italian Beef — Authentic Chicago cuisine, featuring Italian sausage, Polish dogs and Chicago dogs, as well as Italian ice drinks. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 2885824, bigwillysitalianbeef.com. 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 $ FBrewery 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. brewery vivant.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 ¢-$

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 Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout. Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 242$ 1300. currykitchengr.com. L, D Donkey 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 and 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 ¢-$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Sun brunch. Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 4514779. electriccheetah.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 ¢ ➧ Georgina’s — Authentic Asian and Latin taqueria with appetizers, tacos, tamales, noodle bowls and more. No alcohol. Open daily. 724 Wealthy St SE, 454-1860. facebook.com/ georginasgr. 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 OGrove — 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. D $$ Harmony Brewing Co. — Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Open daily.

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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 $

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 sea-

food, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar. Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St, 805-5231. caroli nalck.com. D $

Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. Open daily. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 301-

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 ¢ Marie Catrib’s — Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, Turkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (Mon-Fri) ¢-$ 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 $-$$ Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com. B, L, D $ FTerra — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ 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 and 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 ¢

EAST GRAND RAPIDS

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Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 47

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

spicy Hunan. No alcohol. Open daily. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Daddy Pete’s BBQ — Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats, plus desserts and sides. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddypetesbbq.com. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. L, D ¢-$ 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 ¢-$

3236. derbystation.com. L, D

José Babushka’s — Old local favorite is back after 20 years. Menu includes starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabush kas.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 selection 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 EGR’s 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 $

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. Familyowned and -operated. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 141 28th St SE, 534-7770. Facebook. 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 specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. bigessports grill.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 ¢-$

Ganders — Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-0100. doubletree grandrapids.com/ganders-restaurant. 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 ¢ Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant — Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian coffee 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 ¢-$

Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 2450494. beltlinebar.com. 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 ¢-$

Brass Ring Brewing — Small-batch, stylespecific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. L, D $

Jade Garden — Chinese cuisine with some American dishes. Children’s menu, large selection of tropical cocktails. Open daily. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. Facebook. 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 ¢-$

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 ¢

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 $ China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including

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 ¢-$ Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuiContinued on page 53

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Shiraz Grille

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

A Cut Above...

steakhouse Reservations At or 616.356.2000

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Located inside The B.O.B. • 20 Monroe Ave NW Downtown Grand Rapids • thebob.com

#JudsonsSteakhouse

3/1/18 11:57 AM

food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Executive chef Max Rieth spikes his recipes with passion, innovation and (of course) craft spirits at Long Road Distillers.

‘Take no shortcuts’

Location: 537 Leonard St. NW

“We’re doing something so unique that it could only work here. Our motto is ‘take no shortcuts,’ and that translates to our food, as well.” — Max Rieth Earl Butcher pork bellies into bacon or brining and frying whole chickens from River Valley Farms & Meats. All in all, Rieth’s cooking philosophy really boils down to conviviality, the importance of cooking and eating together. Every once in a while, Rieth and his friends like to roast a freshly killed pig outdoors, Renaissance fair-style. “During the course of the day, we drink really good beer, tell stories and catch up with each other because slow roasting a whole pig can take up to nine hours,” Rieth said. “While the end result is reward in and of itself, the real takeaway is that it tastes better because you made it. So, yeah, there’s some immeasurable amount of love that goes into something that you made yourself, and I believe it’s something that you can taste.

“It sounds kind of cheesy when you say it out loud, but it is true,” he continued. “It’s really something that you can taste. (And I) like to think (our customers) can taste how much time and effort goes into making it taste great. We don’t just throw it out of the box and cook it.” From bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin to bread, “almost everything on the menu, we make start to finish in-house,” Rieth noted. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s really a chef’s dream kitchen here.” — JAYE BEELER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (PAGES 50-51)

ith executive chef Max Rieth calling the shots, there certainly is no shortage of fun, excitement or creativity flowing through the kitchen at Long Road Distillers. Inking his way to completing tattoo sleeves on both arms, Rieth is a thrill-seeker; a refreshing, rock ’n’ roll wunderkind intent on satiating his curiosity and appetite. Before he began his latest endeavor behind the scenes at Long Road Distillers, Rieth, a 2012 graduate of the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, spent many of his days working and learning in some of Grand Rapids’ most celebrated restaurants. By the time he arrived at Long Road late last spring, the 28-year-old was ready to unleash his passion for ingredients, old-school techniques and conscientious sourcing — all brightened by the distillery’s distinctive, innovative and award-winning small-batch craft spirits. “We’re doing something so unique that it could only work here,” said Rieth, spiking his menu with the small-batch gins, vodkas, aquavits and whiskies distilled on site. “Our motto is ‘take no shortcuts,’ and that translates to our food, as well.” In the back of the house at Long Road, Rieth fries up buttermilk biscuits; simmers apples together with aquavit until it’s thick like marmalade; composes charcuterie boards with house-made pickles, cured ham, handcrafted cheese and fruit jams; smokes his pulled pork coated with aquavit barbecue sauce and Scandinavian carrot slaw; whips up Wendy Peppercorn vodka cream sauce to accompany sawn cylinders of roasted beef bone marrow. Guided by an internal goal “to live slowly, to always know where your food has come from,” Rieth is thrilled to get a hold of the good stuff from local farmers and butchers. From there, like a Viking, he preserves, pickles, brines and cures his way to extraordinary radiance — whether he’s curing, smoking and slicing Louise

MAX RIETH Title: Executive chef

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Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with barbecued carrots, cheddar grits and apricot mostarda To serve, cut tenderloin into 10 to 12 slices on the diagonal. Serve pork on top of a generous helping of cheddar grits and spoon the apricot mostarda over the top, allowing the liquid to drip over the grits. Divide the barbequespiced carrots on top. (Generously serves 6)

Pork tenderloin 1 (3-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed ½ pound thinly sliced bacon Carefully shingle bacon vertically along the mid-section of the pork tenderloin. (To shingle bacon means to layer each bacon slice partly covering the next slice.) Roll the bacon, being careful not to disturb the shingling, around the pork tenderloin. (Imagine wrapping the tenderloin in a bacon blanket.) Carefully wrap the bacon-wrapped loin tightly in plastic wrap. Using a large vat of water and a sous vide precision cooker set to 145 degrees, submerge the tenderloin beneath the surface of the water. Leave submerged for 2 hours, then remove the loin from the water. Transfer to the refrigerator and allow the loin to cool completely. Once cooled, unwrap the tenderloin and divide it into four equal sections. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 420 degrees. Place the sections in a medium-size nonstick pan and roast for 8 minutes. The bacon should be very crispy, and the pork should reach 145 degrees in the middle with an instant-read thermometer.

Grits 1 gallon plus 2 cups (4,600 grams) milk 1 ¾ cups (420 grams) heavy cream 1 heaping tablespoon (25 grams) salt 2 tablespoons (20 grams) minced garlic 5 cups (750 grams) cornmeal PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (PAGES 50-51)

2 2/3 cups (300 grams) shredded cheddar In a medium-size pot, combine milk, cream, salt and garlic, and bring to a simmer on the stove. Be careful not to bring to a full boil. While constantly whisking, slowly rain in cornmeal in small increments. Don’t add the cornmeal all at once or it will create lumps. Once all cornmeal has been added, continue to cook over low heat an additional minute. Remove cooked grits from the heat. Transfer to a 4-inch hotel pan (similar to a large metal or enamel roasting pan) and fold in cheddar cheese. Be sure to check the seasoning is correct; adjust if necessary.

APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 51

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Sunset on Canyon Overlook, Zion National Park, Utah

Go There

America the Beautiful.

Venture out into extraordinary landscapes and experience the raw, rugged beauty of our national parks. From dramatic red-rock canyons and mighty sequoia forests, to gushing geysers and crystalline mountain lakes – these stunning vacation views will surely take your breath away. Wherever you go…Go Witte.

3250 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids | 616.942.5112 | www.wittetravel.com

Mostarda 5 1/3 cups (1,000 grams) dried apricots, roughly chopped 2 2/3 cups (200 grams) dried cranberries ¾ to 1 cup (100 grams) small shallots, diced 1 ¾ cups (420 grams) apple cider vinegar 1 ¼ cups (240 grams) brown sugar, packed /3 cup (90 grams) whole grain mustard

1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt In a small sauce pot, combine apricots, cranberries, shallots, cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard and salt. Over medium heat, slowly cook the mostarda, stirring often. Once the liquid in the mostarda has tightened up enough to coat the back of a spoon and has the consistency of honey, remove from the heat and transfer to a shallow pan to cool.

Barbecue-spiced carrots 3 1/3 cups (453 grams) carrot, peeled and large dice 8 cups water 1 tablespoon cooking oil (Barbecue spice mix) ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ½ cup kosher salt ¼ cup Spanish smoked paprika 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 ½ teaspoons celery salt 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon cumin

Whether it’s a game of hide-and-go-seek or monthly gatherings, family traditions continue at Clark. Not only do we offer a variety of living options for you or your loved one, but you’ll also find a lifestyle you love.

LEARN ABOUT OUR SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS

Call 616-432-2715 or visit ClarkLiving.org/Grandchild CLARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY – GRAND RAPIDS, MI RETIREMENT APARTMENTS | ASSISTED LIVING | DEMENTIA CARE

Combine barbecue spice mix ingredients (all except oil, water and carrots) in a large bowl and set aside. In a large pot, combine half of the barbeque spice mix, carrots and water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the carrots are cooked but still somewhat firm in the center. Remove from the heat and strain the water off the carrots. Transfer the carrots to a metal bowl and evenly coat them in the remaining barbeque spice. Return carrots to the stove, add cooking oil and cook for an addition 2 minutes over high heat, stirring occasionally. The goal is to get a bit of char from the spice as if the carrots were barbecued. Remove from the heat; set aside to cool.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Continued from page 48 sine. Cocktails. Lunch menu. Open daily. 2460 28th St SE, 530-3300. mandaringrand rapids.com. 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 ¢-$ Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries and noodle dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine in Alger Heights from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads, kids menu, full bar. Outdoor patio. 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 $ 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. Takeout available. Open daily. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 452-3228. pietrosgr.com. L, D $ Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine, including sushi. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$ Shiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$ 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 ¢-$$ 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 ¢

tizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs. com. 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 ¢

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 ¢-$

Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Full bar. Closed Sun$ Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. B, 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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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 $

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 ¢-$

Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Kids eat free Sun-Wed. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. 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 ¢-$ Bangkok View — Authentic Thai cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1233 28th St SW, 5318070. bangkokviewthairestaurant.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 SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$ ChinaTown — Asian restaurant and Japanese steakhouse with tabletop-style meals available. Full bar. Open daily. 69 28th St SW, 452-3025. L, D ¢-$ Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appe-

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 ¢-$ 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 ¢ 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 $

NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS 7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads, pesto pasta and Korean nachos. 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 ¢ Continued on page 56 APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 53

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nosh & sip BY AMY RUIS

“Let’s be honest, sparkling wine pairs well with everything! Throw some gooey cheese in that mix, and you’re on a one-way ticket to enlightenment.” — Adam Fortuna

ONE OF MY FIRST memorable food experiences was traveling to Italy as a college freshman to study art and culture. Little did I know “art” can so easily be construed into items not on the wall or in the shape of a statue. Who knew my “art” would be food and drink enjoyed all in the name of art and table? This month, I’ll be sharing some of this “art” with you all in the form of a few great Italian cheese and wine pairings. In addition to my own thoughts, I’ve enlisted the assistance of some other passionate palates from the area to share their opinions, as well. My cheese pick right now is taleggio —

which is fairly laughable. (Story time!) Upon opening my store, I knew virtually nothing about cheese (I thought I did, but I didn’t), so I relied on others to help me navigate the small selection available here at the time, and one of the cheeses we ordered was taleggio. It typically arrives from Italy in 8-inch squares, but I ordered it in small, heat-sealed wedges. If not kept properly, taleggio will “blow up” in its wrapper and get really stinky upon opening — so stinky, in fact, I thought I’d never eat this cheese again. Thankfully, in the years since, we’ve turned to cutting our own fresh wedges, and I’m in love, again, with this thick and pasty, salty, slatherable cheese that keeps on giving. My favorite wine pairing with this cheese is

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

Formaggi Italiani con vino

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

barbera. With its medium body, fresh red fruits and approachable amount of earth, barbera can be a little spicy but unassuming (low in tannins) with a cheese of this sort. The cheese gets to shine, and then a sip brings us back to full, luscious enjoyment. Meanwhile, my friend Adam Fortuna, assistant general manager at Reserve Wine & Food, took the bubbly route. “(My wine selection) directly revolves around my undying love for sparkling wine,” he said. “Right now, I’m really into a champagnemethod wine from Lombardia called Franciacorta. This is the closest you’ll get to real Champagne outside of France.” However, he, too, picked taleggio — “or other washed-rind, cow’s milk cheeses” — as his Italian cheese of choice. “The creamy and silky texture pairs wonderfully with the soft bubbles, and the bready notes in the wine complement the earthy funk of washed-rind cheeses,” he said. “Let’s be honest, sparkling wine pairs well with everything! Throw some gooey cheese in that mix, and you’re on a one-way ticket to enlightenment.” Heather Camp, one of the cheesemongers at Aperitivo, stepped up with her favorite La Tur cheese from the Alta Langa region of Piedmont, Italy, alongside — you guessed it — bubbles! She recommended pairing Contratto Millesimato Brut with the cupcake-shaped La Tur. Held together with a thin geotrichum rind, a shimmering cream line lies just below, leading to a fluffy, fudgy center paste. “The yeasty, warm, hazelnutty flavor makes me collapse back in my chair with a perma-grin,” she fondly recalled, “and a glass of the Contratto completes the experience with its complementary bready, toasty notes. Its beautiful bubbles act as a palate cleanser when enjoying a cheese so unctuous.” — Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, is a wine enthusiast who is working on her Level II Sommelier certification.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Continued from page 53 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 $-$$ 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 ¢-$ 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 ¢-$ 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 ¢ 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 ¢-$

NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwok ¢-$ grandrapids.com. L, D

Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. Pizzas, small and large plates. 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 microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross ing.com. L, D $ Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers, seafood and much more. Serves beer, wine and cocktails. Closed Mon. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-8294. greenrestau $ rantgrandrapids.com. L, D (Tue-Sat) 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 E 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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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. licarispizza kitchen.com. L, D $

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

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 $-$$

Golden Wok — Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave

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), 365¢-$ 3989. 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 $ Noodle Monkey — Ramen-based eatery in renovated Rak Thai Bistro space includes some Rak Thai favorites, also noodle dishes and pho. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. Facebook. L (Mon-Fri), 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 $-$$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. the score-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill. net. L, D $ Thai Chef — Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. L, D $ Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$

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Everyone deserves

a healthy smile. Vander Mill — Seasonal menu with many locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style. Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. 505 Ball Ave NE, 259-8828. vandermill.com. L, D (MonSat) $-$$

NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS Amore 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) $ Balinski’s — Polish-American soups, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrées, including pierogis, golabki and kielbasa; plus, traditional American options and Polish desserts. Closed Mon. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 288-5440. balinskis.com. L, D ¢-$ 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 ¢-$

A unique dental experience 3514 Rivertown Point Court SW | Grandville, MI 616-534-0135 | rivertowndental.com

Curtis E. Hahn, D.D.S Michael J. Crete, D.D.S

China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 1140 Monroe ¢-$ Ave NW, 451-3688. L, 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 ¢-$ Erb Thai Café — Thai fare for dining in/taking out. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4160 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 724-4102. erbthaigr.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 ¢-$ 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, 7855800. fricanospizza.com. 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 ¢ 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 ¢-$ Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. 1263

With the Ballroom @ CityFlatsHotel, CitySen Lounge, and the new Events @ CityFlatsHotel, there is a multitude of options for your special event. Weddings, birthdays, meetings, reunions, and wonderful memories all happen with CityFlatsHotel. Visit cityflatshotel.com to learn more.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D ¢-$

Nonna’s: The Trattoria

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 ¢

Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse in former warehouse district. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Full bar. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. tillmans $-$$ restaurant.com. 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, 7919922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $

ADA/CASCADE/LOWELL 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. Open daily. 6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941, adapour house.com. B (Sun brunch only), L, D $-$$ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana. com. B, L, D $-$$ 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 $

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, 259-7439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$ Cork — 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. corkwineand grille.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 turn-of-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, 8978523. thegilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$ 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, 9207090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $

FJu 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 ¢-$ 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 ¢-$ 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. Full bar. Open daily. 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell.com. L, D ¢-$ 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 $-$$ 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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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

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Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. L, D

FNonna’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 (Tues-Sat) ¢-$ FNoto’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 $-$$ Osaka Steakhouse & Japanese Restaurant — Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, 419-4628. Facebook. L, D $

Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-2222. zeytin turkishrestaurant.com. L, D $

Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

GRANDVILLE/HUDSONVILLE/ GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP

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. Closed 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 E 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. vintageatcork.com. D $$

Bangkok Taste — Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 674 Baldwin St, 667-8901. bang koktaste.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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

➧ 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, 682-4660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

San Chez Bistro

Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hudsonville grille.com. B, L, D ¢-$

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS 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) 6726627. annashouseus.com. B, L $

Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily. 4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgood brewing.com. L, D ¢-$

Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, 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. arni esrestaurant.com. B, 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 club-like surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rush creekbistro.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, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. L (weekends), 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 $

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

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 ¢-$ Marinades Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro. ¢ com. L, D 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. Brunch served 11 am-4 pm Sunday. Hand-crafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ¢-$ ing.com. L, D

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, 5345421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns. $ com. 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 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, Grand Rapids, 808-3566; 8 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, 884-4100. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$ Herb & Fire Pizzeria — Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 773-1895. herbandfirepizzeria. com. L, D $ Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily. 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza. com. L, D ¢-$$ Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East spe-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadun geon.com. L, D ¢-$

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cialties. 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 ¢ Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616; 5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sun dancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) $ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties, including pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar. Open daily. 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 9542002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520. 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 ¢-$

Dining Guide Legend

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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 2017 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2017 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email stincher@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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cocktail hour BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE

Bitter Mediterranean citrus cola syrup (chinotto) 1 grapefruit, sliced 2 lemons, sliced 3 oranges, sliced (and a tangerine, if you’ve got it) 2 cups white sugar 2 teaspoons whole coriander seed 3 cinnamon sticks (about 9 inches total), smashed up 1 teaspoon whole anise seed 1 teaspoon whole green cardamom pods 2 cups brown sugar 1 vanilla bean, split 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg ½ cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons dried bitter orange peel (if you can find it; omit if you can’t) 1 quart water

To use: Most easily, just mix with sparkling water for a deliciously bittersweet cola. It also combines deliciously with black tea — add a splash of cherry juice and you’ve got a knockoff Manhattan cocktail based on the flavor notes. And, if you’re not avoiding alcohol, it combines exceptionally well with aged rum or bourbon whiskey.

Fun with zero-proof cocktails IT’S A FRUSTRATING SCENARIO for anyone looking to skip a round — you walk up to the bar and overhear interesting wine selections, craft beers and several creative liquor specialties, and those of us who don’t feel like drinking at that moment are left with a sad selection of pop or water. No wonder it’s such a bummer to not join the party and order something stronger. Fortunately, cleverer, progressive bars are starting to come around and realize that not everyone wants to drink alcohol all the time and not everyone is satisfied with whatever soft drink comes out of that little gun behind the bar, even at some of the finest establishments in the city. More and more frequently, we’ve been able to find house-made sodas, interesting juices or other nonpotent options on the menu — and, hopefully, this trend will continue. For our home cocktail-making, I am a devout proponent of serving nonalcoholic drinks for a couple critical reasons: • It helps extend the evening. Starting too early or continuing too late is less of a concern

when you alternate high-proof and zero-proof options. • It helps control the intoxication of your guests. Things can still be delicious and interesting without worrying about a houseful of drunken satyrs. • It provides better hospitality to those guests who choose not to drink at all. Nobody wants to come to your fancy wine dinner and “just have water because I’m not drinking.” Save them the disappointment of skipping your invitation or drinking tap water and watching the wine tasting, and provide something special. Creating nonalcoholic options is as simple as cooking, in that you’re really just balancing flavors. Let your mind open to the possibilities of ingredients, and you really can devise some exceptional drinks. But, keep in mind a few criteria: Think about texture. Fat, carbonation, tannins (which cause that scratchy dryness in red wine), piquancy/spice — all of these contribute to the texture of the drink, in addition to the

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay the sliced citrus out on a baking sheet (use a Silpat or baking parchment if you’ve got it) and sprinkle with the white sugar and all the whole spices. Roast for 20-30 minutes, until fruit is beginning to caramelize/burn in spots. Remove from the oven and carefully dump the whole pan of roasted fruit and spices into a large pot. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer over low heat. Simmer for 15 minutes until fragrant and syrupy. Let cool completely, then strain, bottle and refrigerate for up to two weeks.

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flavor. Fat and sugar make a drink feel heavier, carbonation and acid make it feel lighter. Tannin/astringency gives the drink density and can be an interesting factor when well-combined — think the richness of black tea or the body of apple cider (as opposed to juice). Considering how you want the drink to feel will help you stir up a better pitcher. Replace sugar with acid and/or bitterness for better drinkability. There’s a terrible assumption that substitute sugary soft drinks are the only alternative option to drinking alcohol. If I were planning to have a glass of scotch on the rocks, why in the world would a root beer be an adequate substitute? Avoid sugar as a reflex, especially when you’re planning on drinking with food. Acid keeps the saliva flowing and, therefore, makes flavors more apparent and dynamic. Bitterness excites the palate and makes the foods you’re eating more interesting. Even a bit of salt perks up a drink with much more cleverness than an extra ounce of sugary syrup. Work with savory or sweet-savory concepts, and you’ll have a much more effective and enjoyable nonalcoholic cocktail. For entertaining a group, plan for both quantity and customization. Because nonalcoholic drinks are, well, nonalcoholic, they tend to get drained much faster. There’s rarely a practicality in making drinks like these one at a time; make a pitcher, a punch bowl or at least a base/concentrate that can be finished on the fly. Also, if you’re entertaining a crowd, you can assume you’ll have a mix of imbibers and nonimbibers, so I also always plan a bottle of appropriately paired liquor so that instead of

forcing the teetotalers to “find something they can drink,” you can ask those who want alcohol to top off their own glass with a shot. Just make sure you think about your offerings so they seem purposeful — a honey-lavender lemonade would be great with a bottle of scotch alongside it; a basil-celery-lime-cumin soda would work swimmingly with a bottle of English gin. — 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.

Creating nonalcoholic options is as simple as cooking, in that you’re really just balancing flavors. Let your mind open to the possibilities of ingredients, and you really can devise some exceptional drinks.

Savory green cocktail base

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

1 large handful fresh basil leaves 1 large handful leafy celery tops 1 large handful mint and/or cilantro (optional) ¾ cup sugar 1 cup fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cumin seed ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup water Small piece of hot green chili pepper (optional) Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and purée. Pour through a fine strainer (lined with damp cheesecloth if you’d like it extra finely strained), bottle and refrigerate. Use within 10 days. To use: I love this splashed into soda water for an intensely refreshing afternoon drink. Or, if you’re feasting on Indian/Middle Eastern/North African cuisine, stir some into plain yogurt with enough water to make it fluid, then pour over ice for a delicious riff on a savory lassi. APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 63

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

The Creative Youth Center offers Grand Rapids students an outlet for creative self-expression.

‘A safe place to share’

Kristin Brace, executive director of the CYC

he small storefront on Eastern Avenue just south of Wealthy xxx Street started its life as a shoe repair business in a community of big families building their lives in Grand Rapids’ Baxter neighborhood. The neighborhood has long been struggling, but new interest in business and housing may bring revived vitality. The Creative Youth Center inhabits the former shoe repair shop, breathing creativity into the souls of students in first through 12th grades. Students visit the center Mondays through Thursdays, with younger children in the Afterschool Adventure program, middleschoolers in Amplify and high-schoolers in Craft. Programs are free for all Grand Rapids Public Schools students; homeschool and out-of-district students are welcome, though there is a waiting list. Elementary students come primarily from Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy, and Campus and Congress elementaries. The Creative Youth Center serves just under 60 students per week. “It feels wonderful in here,” said 7-year-old Takaya. “Reading

BY ANN BYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Lys Blakeslee works with her student, Kaitlynn.

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Reading tutor Kait Polzin works with Jacob.

“We are providing a creative community for students to spend time with like-minded peers, learn writing skills and grow in confidence and creativity. The CYC is a safe place to share their voices.” — Kristin Brace

makes me learn my vocabulary. I’ve learned things that are awesome.” Kids gather after school to talk writing and books, practice their reading and writing skills, and find their voices in a world that often disregards them. “The kids have a lot of freedom here; it looks like bedlam, but there is a lot of structure,” said CYC volunteer and retired teacher Vera Tilmann, who directed The Word Project for 13 years. “This is a nice way for the kids to spend time; they don’t feel like they are working hard, but they’re learning.” Kristin Brace, executive director of the center, noted the importance of giving a voice to the students who attend the workshops at CYC. “We are providing a creative community for students to spend time with like-minded peers, learn writing skills and grow in confidence and creativity,” Brace said. “The CYC is a safe place to share their voices. “With the climate regarding race in our particular community and at large, it’s important for our kids to be part of that conversation and give them their space in it,” she added. Those voices are shared via written and spoken word poetry, short essays and film; some are even set to music. Collaborations between the Creative Youth Center and groups such as the Noir film production company, LaughFest and the Triumph Music Academy allow students to see their creations in new ways and new venues, such as the Wealthy Theatre. “These collaborations are another way to get students’ voices into the community,” Brace said. “It also opens their eyes and minds to ways they can maybe use writing in their lives. It’s expanding their vision to what writing can be in their futures.” APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 65

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

Top left: Takaya works with her tutor, Kirsten Fedorowicz. Right: Elle works with her tutor, Vera Tilmann.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Executive Director Kristin Brace invites readers into several opportunities at the Creative Youth Center: > Joining the CYC at one of its events throughout the year. Visit creativeyouthcenter.org for dates and times. > Funding opportunities through sponsorships and individual donations. She welcomes monthly gifts. > Helping increase awareness of the work the CYC is doing and the need it fulfills. “I hope readers see the value in what we do to increase students’ interest and confidence in reading and writing,” Brace said.

These days, students are selecting pieces for a book that is produced each year. The Book of Explosions — last year’s book was titled “Collecting Shadows & Lights” — is published by Schuler Books’ Chapbook Press and printed on the store’s Espresso Book Machine. The book is released at the year’s final event, this year set for May 30 at Wealthy Theatre. The community is welcome and encouraged to come. One of Brace’s goals is increased presence in the Baxter community, encouraging volunteers to come from the neighborhood and neighbors to attend events. The Creative Youth Center has nearly 30 regular volunteers who help out at the three levels of programming. Alantha Owen has volunteered with Amplify and Craft for three years. She’s in college studying library science, with her original plan to be buried in the archives for her career. Then she spent time at the CYC. “After the first week, I knew this was the only thing I wanted to do,” said Owen, who works part time at Kent District Library. “My time at the CYC has shaped me. It was a good opportunity to figure out who I am, and I’m grateful.” Annie Livingston is a senior English and writing major at Grand Valley State University and the social media and writing intern at the CYC. She’s also been volunteering with middle school girls for a year and a half. “I help them access whatever story they want to tell in whatever medium they want to choose,” she said. “The kids have to do it themselves, and I help them express their ideas in the clearest way possible.” She and other volunteers have seen the impact on students who participate in the CYC programs. “It’s cool to see how the kids have grown, and I can’t help but

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think writing is part of that,” Livingston said. “A lot of kids grew up thinking their voices don’t matter, that they’ll get to tell their stories when they grow up. The CYC totally dismantles that.” Funding for the Creative Youth Center, which opened in 2010 and became a nonprofit in 2011, comes from a variety of grants, individual donations and sponsorships for programs throughout the year. Its $185,000 budget includes in-kind volunteer time worth $50,000, as well as income from book sales and contract work, such as creating writing curriculum, as the CYC employees have the capacity. They recently held a college scholarship essay-writing workshop at Baxter Community Center. Brace said she dreams about the future of the Creative Youth Center. She sees more kids reached, more programs and more community involvement. She envisions conversations about writing and life. “As we become more visible and as we work with the volunteering community and our board, we want to be more intentional about including the community,” she said. “I think we can become a place of hope and growth and perhaps even reconciliation in some way.” Learn more about the Creative Youth Center and volunteering GR opportunities at creativeyouthcenter.org.

Bullying

By Ja’nesha & Willa

Bullying isn’t right. Bu llying isn’t cool. They always end up loo king like a Total fool! It’s never okay to say the Things they say. Whe n someone falls in The room don’t laugh because bullying IS RUDE! Do you th ink it’s Funny to make fun of someone’s Sexuality? Seriously, do you think That’s ok? Do you th ink it’s ok to Make fun of anyone? Who thinks That’s ok? “Collecting Shadow s & Lights,” The Book of Explosions Six, Cre ative Youth Center (Chapbook Press, 201 7, p. 161)

Tutor Kat Matisse works with students J’ariyah and Laniyah, using puppets as a teaching aid. APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 67

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

april events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH! SPECIAL EVENTS APRIL 21 LAKESHORE EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: Events include Green Parade (12:30 p.m.) starting in the courthouse parking lot, and Earth Day Fair (1-4 p.m.) at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave. visitgrandhaven.com. STAGE & FILM APRIL 13-15 GRAND RAPIDS FILM FESTIVAL: Film screenings, panel discussions and networking. 6:30 p.m. Fri.-11:30 p.m. Sun. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. and The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing, 417 Bridge St. NW. grfilmfestival.com.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS (BOTTOM RIGHT); THINKSTOCK

SPORTS APRIL 5-6, 9-12, 17-19, 27-29 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: April 5-6 vs. South Bend Cubs. April 9-12 vs. Great Lakes Loons. April 17-19 vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods. April 27-29 vs. Lansing Lugnuts. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $8-$16. whitecapsbaseball.com.

APRIL 7-8 - WEST MICHIGAN PET EXPO:

APRIL 12-14 - FLPC ART WORKSHOPS:

APRIL 14 - GRUB AND BREW FEST:

Vendors, adoption, entertainment and educational seminars. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. DeltaPlex. $10 adults, $5 kids. deltaplex.com. See Special Events

“Alla Prima Figure and Portrait Painting” by David Shevlino and “Encaustic Painting and Collage Workshop” by Sarah Rehmer. See Lectures & Workshops

Grand Haven celebrates local breweries and restaurants with live music and food competition. grandhavenchamber.org/ grub-brew-fest. See Special Events

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Who will you trust? To list your event send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o

Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, 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 10th of the month.

SPECIAL EVENTS April 1 - Easter Egg Hunt, Douglas: Egg hunt for kids and hat parade. 1-2 p.m. Downtown Douglas. saugatuck.com. April 6 - First Friday Gallery Hop: Participating galleries, shops and eateries stay open 6-9 p.m., presented by Avenue for the Arts. South Division between Fulton and Cherry streets. avenueforthearts.com/first-fridaygallery-hops. April 6 - Jake’s Music Festival: Fourteenth annual music concert with local performers and silent auction supports Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 7 p.m. Elevation at The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW. $10, $25 VIP. jakesmusicfestival.com. April 6 - “The Music of Dirty Dancing in Concert”: Circle Theatre’s season kickoff party includes hot-dog roast, costume contest, games, silent auction, cash bar and music from the 60s. 7 p.m. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $23. circletheatre.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS (BOTTOM RIGHT); THINKSTOCK

April 7 - I Love the ’90s Bar Crawl: Drink specials at participating downtown Grand Rapids bars, ’90s costumes and music. Ages 21 and up. 2-10 p.m. $12-$25. bit. ly/90sbarcrawl. April 7 - 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; donations benefit Salvation Army and Safe Haven Ministries. westmichi ganmomssale.com. April 7-8 - West Michigan Pet Expo: Vendors, adoption, entertainment and educational seminars. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.5 p.m. Sun. DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW. $10 adults, $5 kids. deltaplex.com.

April 10 - Hometown Heroes Encore: American Red Cross fundraiser includes program to honor community heroes, dinner, live auction and concert by The Accidentals. 5-11 p.m. 20 Monroe Live, 11 Ottawa Ave. NW. $200. redcross.org. April 13 - Heart Ball: American Heart Association - West Michigan hosts annual fundraiser with dinner, entertainment and recognition of Richard M. DeVos Award winners. 6-10 p.m. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. $300. facebook.com/ahawestmi. April 14 - Grub and Brew Fest: Grand Haven celebrates local breweries and restaurants with live music and food competition. 4-8 p.m. Old Boys’ Brewhouse lawn, 971 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake. grandhavencham ber.org/grub-brew-fest. April 14 - Hudsonville Showcase: Women’s expo, man cave, kids events, entertainment, food. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Hudsonville Freshman Building, 3370 Allen St. Free. hudsonville events.com. April 14 - Jump Jam: Spectrum Health jump rope competition promoting children’s health and wellness. 9 a.m. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Free. jumpjam.org. April 19 - Holland Museum Trivia Night: Fundraiser includes three rounds of trivia, food and drinks. 6-8 p.m. 31 W. 10th St., Holland. Free; donations accepted. holland museum.org.

Give yourself peace of mind by having Fence Consultants install a new fence to add security and safety to your family. Keep what is important safely in your yard and keep unwanted guests out with a full range of fencing products to meet your family’s needs. • Ornamental Aluminum Fencing • Wood Fencing • Vinyl Fencing

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April 19 - Lights, Courage, Action!: Michigan Women’s Foundation’s annual luncheon and awards. 11:30 a.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW. miwf.org. April 20 - Grandville Art & Chocolate Walk: Fourth annual showcase of student

APRIL 20 - NIGHT AT THE OPERA: Kent

APRIL 28 - KATTY SHACK RACE: Ninth annual

APRIL 28-29 “CINDERELLA”: Michigan

Philharmonic Orchestra presents famous opera overtures and arias from Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, Dvorak and Wagner. St. Cecilia Music Center. kentphilgr.org. See Music

5K and 1-mile runs; benefits The Crime Victim Foundation of Michigan. St. John’s Lutheran Church, Grand Haven. $20-$30. kattyshack race.com. See Sports

Ballet Academy performs the classic fairytale. $18 adults, $12 kids 2-12. Also, Cinderella Tea on Sun. Jenison Center for the Arts. michiganballet.org. See Stage & Film

Grand Rapids: 616.454.1911 or 866.261.7685 615 Eleventh St. NW Holland: 616.392.3496 or 800.525.8772 1176 Lincoln Ave.

fenceconsultants.com APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 69

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Back Forty Saloon: Line dancing and live country bands Fri. and Sat., DJs Thu. 48 W. Fulton St., 742-4040, thebackfortysaloon.com.

April 27

Billy’s Lounge: Eastown bar and music venue hosts live music with emphasis on blues. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757, billyslounge.com.

1/ Country singer Russell Dickerson will perfom at The Intersection.

The B.O.B.: The Big Old Building houses multiple entertainment options: dueling pianos at Bobarino’s Wed.-Sat.; DJs and dance floor at Eve on weekends; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (H.O.M.E.); stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, the bob.com. Dr. Grins Comedy Club: Nationally acclaimed comedians perform Thu.-Sat. April 5-7, Johnny Beehner. April 12-14, Derek Richards. April 1921, Patrick Garrity. April 26-28, Roy Wood Jr. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob. com/drgrinscomedy. 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, found ersbrewing.com. Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor hosts DJs and live music Fri. and Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoods lounge.com.

Comedy & nightclub venues

J. Gardellas Tavern: Dance club Fri. and Sat. nights on third floor with DJs. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 459-8824, jgardellastavern.com.

1/ THE INTERSECTION: Four-bar concert venue hosts nationally known bands. On April 27, country singer Russell Dickerson performs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$18. All ages welcome. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

2/ Brian Culbertson

2/ 20 MONROE LIVE: 2,500-seat venue hosts live music, entertainment and special events. Brian Culbertson performs his Colors of Love Tour at 8 p.m. April 15. The multi-instrumentalist’s music crosses many genres and fuses contemporary jazz, R&B and funk. All ages welcome. Tickets are $39.50-$135. 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive.com. 3/ MULLIGAN’S PUB: Bar and music venue in Eastown. Metal band The Outliers performs 10 p.m. April 14. Also, Death Abides, Hokori and Withhold the Blood. The show is free. Ages 21 and up. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, facebook.com/ mulliganspubgr.

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. 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. 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. Pop Scholars: Four-person comedy improv team performs 8 p.m. April 13. $12. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, 549-4788 ext. 130, popscholars.com. The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, pyramid schemebar.com. River City Improv: Comedy improv team performs at 7:33 p.m. April 7 and 21. $12 adults, $5 students and kids. Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE, rivercityimprov.com. River Rock at The Grand River Hotel: Live music Fri. and Sat. and jazz brunch Sun. 270 Ann St. NW, 363-9001, thegrandriverhotel.com. Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri., featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, facebook.com/rockysbarandgrill. Stella’s Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 7424444, stellasgr.com.

3/ The Outliers

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill: Live music acts and DJs, plus Comedy Tuesdays. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910, Facebook.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KAILEY DICKERSON (TOP); BRIAN CULBERTSON (CENTER); THE OUTLIERS (BOTTOM)

COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

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artwork in downtown business venues, plus chocolate and beverage stations ($3), kids art activities, music and entertainment. 5-9 p.m. Wilson Avenue and Chicago Drive, Grandville. cityofgrandville.com.

April 21 - Black Party: Founders Brewing Co.’s annual fundraiser celebrates with dark beers. 21+ only. Begins 11 a.m. 235 Grandville Ave. SW. $10. foundersbrewing. com. April 21 - Home School Building Garage Sale: Community indoor sale, plus food. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 5625 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming. Free. bit.ly/indoorgaragesale. April 21 - Lakeshore Earth Day Celebration: Events include Green Parade (12:30 p.m.) starting in the courthouse parking lot and Earth Day Fair (1-4 p.m.) at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave. visit grandhaven.com. April 21 - Spectrum Health Foundation Gala: Includes social hour and dinner; benefits epilepsy program at Neurosciences Center. 6 p.m. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $250. spectrumhealth.org/foundation/ events/2018-gala. April 26 - Blue Tie Ball: West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s fourth annual fundraiser with cocktails, dinner and auction. 6-10 p.m. Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW. $90, $75 members. wmeac.org/blue tieball.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KAILEY DICKERSON (TOP); BRIAN CULBERTSON (CENTER); THE OUTLIERS (BOTTOM)

April 26 - Brilliance Awards: West Michigan Woman presents awards to honor success of women in the community. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave. NW. westmichiganwoman.com/brillianceawards. April 27 - JDRF Promise Gala: Twentieth annual fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment and auctions. 6-11 p.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW. $200. jdrf.org. April 27-28 - White Elephant Sale: Grand Rapids YMCA Service Club’s annual sale of clothes, housewares, sports equipment, books, furniture, tools, appliances and office/ building supplies. Benefits Camp ManitouLin. Location TBD. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. Free, except 8-9:30 a.m. Fri. ($5). gryserviceclub.org. April 28 - Early Childhood Resource Fair: Third annual fair with info about family services and childcare providers/preschools, plus kids activities and hearing/vision screenings for toddlers. 9 a.m.-noon. Kent

Career Tech Center, 1655 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free. kentisd.org.

April 28 - Knapp Charter Academy Spring Craft Marketplace: About 70 crafters and vendors sell handmade items. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1759 Leffingwell Ave. NE. bit.ly/springcraft market. April 28 - Native Michigan Plant Sale: Kent Conservation District’s annual tree and shrub sale for gardeners and landscapers. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. kent conservation.org. April 29 - 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. alleganan tiques.com. April 29 - Tulip City Comics and Toy Fare: Third annual expo with vendors, activities, cosplay, panel discussions. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. DoubleTree Hilton, 650 E. 24th St., Holland. $5.50 adults, kids under 12 free. tulipcity comic.com.

SPORTS April - Grand Rapids Griffins: Grand Rapids’ American Hockey League team is the primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Home game: April 14 vs. Cleveland Monsters. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. griffins hockey.com. April - 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: April 5-6 vs. South Bend Cubs. April 9-12 vs. Great Lakes Loons. April 17-19 vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods. April 27-29 vs. Lansing Lugnuts. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $8-$16. whitecapsbase ball.com. April 13-15 - Lubbers Cup Regatta: Co-ed collegiate rowing races. Spring Lake Yacht Club, 17500 W. Spring Lake Road. lubbers cup.com. April 14 - Jaycee Jig for Heroes: 5K run celebrating heroes; clothing donations accepted for Veteran’s Home. 9 a.m. Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. $45. facebook.com/jig5k.

half-marathon benefiting Girls on the Run, YWCA, GROW, Gazelle Sports Foundation. 8 a.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. $45 5K, $55 10K, $95 half-marathon. gazellegirl halfmarathon.com.

April 24 - Backward Mile: Family fun run with runners dressing, running and getting timed backward. 6 p.m. Big E’s Sports Grill, 121 E. Eighth St., Holland. $25. facebook.com/ backwardmile. April 26 - Bridge Walk for Autism: Hope Network’s fourth annual walk for autism awareness. 4-6 p.m. Blue Bridge at Front Avenue entrance, downtown GR. hopenet work.org/hope-network-foundation/bluebridge-walk-autism. April 28 - Calvin 5K Spring Classic: Calvin Alumni Association hosts run/walk, handcycle race and family fun run. Entry fees go toward scholarships. 8:30 a.m. Hoogenboom Health and Recreation Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE. $25-$35 5K, $15 students, $8 family run. calvin.edu/classic. April 28 - Hurt the Dirt: Quarter-, half- and full marathon trail races. 8 a.m.; kids fun run 10:45 a.m. Luton Park, 10 Mile Road NE and Olde Meadow Drive NE, Rockford. $45-$70. hurtthedirt.com. April 28 - Limb Loss Awareness 5K: Fundraiser for Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation Programs. 10 a.m. Bowen Station Park, 4499 Bowen Blvd., Kentwood. $25-$30. bit.ly/limbloss5k. April 28 - Katty Shack Race: Ninth annual 5K and one-mile runs; benefits The Crime Victim Foundation of Michigan. 9 a.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 527 Taylor Ave., Grand Haven. $20-$30. kattyshackrace.com. April 28 - Purple Community 5K: Fourth annual run/walk and kids one-mile fun run benefiting Van Andel Institute. 8 a.m. Mary Free Bed YMCA, 5500 Burton St. SE. $20-$35 adults, $15-$30 kids 12 and under. vai.org. April 28 - Rivertown Races: 5K, 10K and half-marathon races. 8 a.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. $26 and up. rivertownraces.com.

STAGE & FILM

April 21 - Joe’s Big Race: Camp Roger hosts an “Amazing Race”-style day for teams of four, benefiting camp’s financial aid fund. 9 a.m. 8356 Belding Road, Rockford. camp roger.org.

April 2-6 - “Mother Goose’s Friends”: Grand Rapids Ballet presents 30-minute kidfriendly ballet centered on nursery rhymes. Activities in the lobby 10:30-11 a.m., ballet 11 a.m. Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. $7. grballet.com.

April 22 - Gazelle Girl: Women’s 5K, 10K and

April 5 - The Illusionists: Theatrical magic APRIL 2018 / GRMAG.COM 71

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show with tricks and stunts. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $35$75. devosperformancehall.com.

April 5-8 - “No Exit”: GVSU’s Performance Studio Series (directed, acted, produced and designed by upper-level theater students) tells the story of three damned souls in hell. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre, Haas Center, 1 N. Campus Drive, Allendale. $6. gvsu.edu/theatre. April 6-8 - Latin American Film Festival: Seventh annual movie festival. See website for films and times. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Free. grlaff.org. April 7 - Festival of Laughs: Featuring comedians Sommore, DeRay Davis, Arnez J and George Wallace. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $54.50-$77.50. devosperformancehall.com. April 9-14 - Knickerbocker Theatre Film Series: Showcasing independent and foreign films. This month: “Hotel Salvation.” 86 E. Eighth St., Holland. $7 adults, $6 seniors. hope.edu/arts/knickerbocker-film-series/ index.html. April 11 - Real to Reel: Saugatuck Center for the Arts presents the film “Little Stones” and post-film discussion with director Sophia Kruz. 7 p.m. 400 Culver St. $7, $5 members and students. sc4a.org. April 12 - Banff Mountain Film Festival: International film competition and screenings of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports and environment. 8 p.m. Covenant Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $13 adults, $10 students. calvin.edu. April 12-21 - “Sense and Sensibility”: Calvin College presents Jane Austen’s period drama about a family of sisters coming of age. 7:30 p.m. Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE. calvin.edu. April 12-21 - “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?”: Holland Civic Theatre tells the story of a middle-aged couple in a bitter and frustrated marriage. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. April 15. 50 W. Ninth St., Holland. $18 adults, $16 seniors, $10 students. hollandcivictheatre.org. April 12-May 5 - “The Orphan Train”: Master Arts Theatre presents the story of nine orphans on a train traveling to Midwestern towns in search of homes. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $17 adults, $15 seniors and students. masterarts.org. April 13-15 - Grand Rapids Film Festival: Film screenings, panel discussions and

networking. 6:30 p.m. Fri.-11:30 p.m. Sun. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. and The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing, 417 Bridge St. NW. grfilmfestival.com.

April 19-22 - “Equivocation”: Aquinas College Theatre presents a terrorist plot in 1605 England to assassinate King James I and blow up Parliament. 8 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $12. aquinas.edu/ theatre. April 19-22 - “The Gondoliers”: Presented by West Michigan Savoyards. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. westmichigansavo yards.org. April 19-28 - “The Whale”: Actors’ Theatre presents the story of a 600-pound recluse who wants to reconnect with his estranged daughter. 8 p.m. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $28 adults, $22 seniors and students. actorstheatregrandrapids.org. April 20-28 - “Shiloh”: Presented by Hope College Theatre. 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. hope.edu/academics/ theatre/productions/index.html.

April 22 - “Whose Live Anyway?”: Comedy improv with Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, Joel Murray and Bob Derkach, based on the TV show. 7 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $37.50-$57.50. devosperformancehall.com. April 26-28 - “The Blue Coat”: Turning Pointe School of Dance presents an original ballet. 7 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7 p.m. Sat. Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E. Eighth St., Holland. $22 adults, $18 students. turning pointedance.org. April 26-29 - “Les Miserables”: Sacred Heart Academy Theatre Arts Program presents the classic tale of the early French Revolution. 7 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $12 adults, $10 kids 2-12. grcmc.org/theatre. April 28-29 - “Cinderella”: Michigan Ballet Academy performs the classic fairytale. 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. $18 adults, $12 kids 2-12. Also, Cinderella Tea at 1 p.m. Sun. ($18). Jenison Center for the Arts, 8375 20th Ave., Jenison. michiganballet.org.

MUSIC

April 20-28 - “Steel Magnolias”: The University Wits presents the story of friendship between women in a small southern town. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Dog Story Theater, 7 Jefferson Ave SE. $12-$18. facebook.com/uni wits.

April 7 - Brad Paisley: Country musician performs Weekend Warrior World Tour; also, Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $29.99-$129.99. vanandelarena. com.

April 20-29 - “Akeelah and the Bee”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents a play about a young girl’s journey to a National Spelling Bee. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $10-$16. grct. org.

April 7 - “Choral Masterworks: Music of the Americas”: Four Calvin College choirs perform in concert. 8 p.m. Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $15 adults, $5 students and kids. calvin.edu.

April 20-May 5 - “Rumors”: LowellArts presents a spring dinner theater about a dinner party where one host has attempted to commit suicide and the other never shows up, while the guests deal with mistaken identities, cover-ups and deceptions. 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show; 2:30 p.m. show only April 28. Larkin’s Other Place, 315 W. Main St. $16-$20 show, $13 dinner. lowell artsmi.org. April 21 - Live at Night with “The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show”: WGRD (97.9 FM) DJs perform live. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $27.50-$62.50. devosperformancehall.com. April 21, 23 - Master Arts Theatre Auditions: Casting for “Copenhagen” (performed June 7-23). Auditions: 10 a.m. Sat., 6:30 p.m. Mon. 75 77th St. SW. masterarts.org.

April 8 - MercyMe and Tenth Avenue North Live: Christian music concert. 6 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $21.50-$77.50. vanandelarena.com. April 11 - Julien Baker: Singer and guitarist; also, Tancred. 8 p.m. Covenant Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $20. calvin.edu. April 12 - Acoustic Café Folk Series: With country music group Asleep at the Wheel. 7:30 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $35-$40. scmc-online.org. April 12 - GVSU Orchestra Spring Concert: With Concerto Competition winners. 7:30 p.m. Park Church, 10 E. Park Place NE. gvsu. edu/music. April 13 - Son Lux: Alt-rock band. 8 p.m. Covenant Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $15. calvin.edu.

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Step into Spring April 13 - The Wailin’ Jennys: Folk and bluegrass music concert. 8 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $46-$50. sc4a.org. April 13-14 - “Carnegie Hall Preview: Bolero Encore”: Grand Rapids Symphony presents Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18$90. grsymphony.org. April 13, 27 - Alley Door Club: Jazz, blues and folk concerts. April 13, Pop Fiction. April 27, Yard Sale Underwear. 7-10 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $10. frauenthal.org. April 14 - The Block Concerts: Jazz vocalist and pianist Robin Connell. 7:30 p.m. The Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $25 and up, $10 students. theblockwestmichi gan.org. April 14 - Celtic Woman: Female Irish musicians perform Homecoming Tour concert. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $33-$106. frauenthal.org.

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April 14, 15, 28 - LowellArts House Concerts: 7 p.m. April 14, Mackinac Harvest Studios Songwriters Showcase. 2 p.m. April 15, Family Concert with Drew Nelson and Mark Schrock. 7 p.m. April 28, B-Side Growlers. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. $12. lowell artsmi.org. April 15 - Opera Grand Rapids Season Collegiate Vocal Competition: Final round concert. 7 p.m. Betty Van Andel Opera Center, 1320 E. Fulton St. operagr.org. April 15 - “The Peaceable Kingdom”: Fountain Street Church Oratorio Choir and Aquinas College Chorus concert. 4 p.m. 24 Fountain St. NE. Free. fountainstreet.org.

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April 16 - Monday Night Jazz: West Michigan Jazz Society presents JMM Jazz. 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing, 417 Bridge St. NW. $10, $5 members. wmichjazz.org. April 17 - Phoebe Bridgers: Indie folk-rock singer-songwriter. 8 p.m. Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE. $15 adults, $5 students. calvin.edu. April 19 - 1964 The Tribute: Recreated Beatles concert from 1964. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $37.50-$47.50. devosperformancehall.com. April 19 - Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Concert Series: Featuring music by Mozart, Weber and Brahms. 7:30 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $38-$43. scmc-online.org.

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April 20 - Gasoline Gypsies: Rock concert; also, Native Howl CD release party. 8 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $1520. parktheatreholland.org. April 20 - Night at the Opera: Kent Philharmonic Orchestra presents famous opera overtures and arias from Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, Dvorak and Wagner. 7:30 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 28 Ransom Ave. NE. $12 adults, $6 students and seniors, kids under 10 free. kentphilgr.org. April 21 - GRFA Acoustic Saturday Night Concerts: Grand River Folk Arts presents Max and Ruth Bloomquist. 7 p.m. Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St. SE. $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, $10 members, $5 kids under 12. sites.google.com/site/ grfolkarts. April 22 - David Lindley: Country and rock multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. 8 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $25. parktheatreholland.org. April 26 - Hope College Concert Series: Indie rock singer and guitarist Kevin Morby with special guest Hand Habits. 8 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $15 adults, $5 students. hope.edu/arts/concertseries.html. April 27 - Cool Jazz: Featuring Alphonse Horne. 7:30 p.m. Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center. $11.50-$18.50. vsfac.com. April 27 - Fleetwood Mac Mania: Tribute band. 8 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $20-$40. parktheatreholland.org. April 27 - Tango Caliente!: West Michigan Symphony performs with soprano Camille Zamora. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $25-$57, $10 students. westmichigansymphony.org. April 27-28 - Chopin & Dvorak: Grand Rapids Symphony performs music by American composer Adam Schoenberg, performed by Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz; also, music by Chopin and Dvorak. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymphony.org. April 27-28 - “Classics III: A Star Returns”: Holland Symphony Orchestra presents Sarah Ashcroft VandenBrink. 7:30 p.m. Fri., 3:30 p.m. Sat. Jack Miller Center for Musical Arts, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave., Holland. $5-$20. hollandsymphony.org. April 29 - Michael Jackson Tribute Show: With impersonator Danny Dash Andrews. 8 p.m. Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave., Holland. $25-$50. parktheatreholland.org.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS April - American Sign Language Classes: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ eightweek classes meet weekly beginning the week of April 2 in seven locations. $90. deaf hhs.org. April - Downtown Market Cooking Classes: April 13, Empanada-rama. April 17, Slow Your Roll: Beginner Sushi. April 25, Gimmie Some Dim Sum: Gyozas. April 28, Thai Roll Workshop. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmarketgr.com. April - FLPC Art Workshops: April 12-14, “Alla Prima Figure and Portrait Painting” by David Shevlino and “Encaustic Painting and Collage Workshop” by Sarah Rehmer. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifeprocesscenter. org. April - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: Did I REALLY Read It?, Gateway to the Playground of a Nation: A Look Back at Promoting Grand Rapids and West Michigan, Music in the Stacks: How to Live Together, DIY Painted Wood Coasters, book clubs, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Unicorn Party, Harry Potter Escape Room, Mind Meets Music, Mindstorm Saturdays, Teen Council, Evening Explorers. grpl.org. April - Kent District Libraries: Adults: English Conversation Club, A Matter of Balance, Early Childhood Essentials, KDL Writers Conference, spring book sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: STEM Extravaganza, Ready to Read Michigan: I Got the Rhythm, Spring Break Craft Extravaganza, Coding for Kids, KDL Lab Experience, Teen Zone, Rhyme Time Music and Movement, author visits, story times. kdl.org. April - Keystone Pharmacy Lunch & Learn: Free information sessions, hosted by nutrition consultant Brandi Grimmer. April 3, Your Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet. April 10, Vitamin D and You. April 19, Sleepless Nights & Hormones. April 24, Staying Well and a Healthy Immune System. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 4021 Cascade Road SE, Suite 50. keystonerx.com. April 3, 10 - GVSU Workshops: 1:30-4:30 p.m. April 3, “Harnessing the Power of the Media.” 9 a.m.-noon April 10, “Event Management for Sustainability.” Johnson Center for Philanthropy, 201 Front Ave. SW, Suite 200. $60. johnsoncenter.org. April 6 - First Friday Contra Dance: Grand River Folk Arts Society hosts instruction and

dancing. 7 p.m. 701 Fifth St. NW. $10 adults, $8 members, $5 students and seniors. sites. google.com/site/grfolkarts.

April 10 - Mental Health Lunch and Learn Series: Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan hosts “Challenging the Stigma” by Eric Hipple, former Detroit Lions quarterback and author of “Real Men Do Cry.” Noon. 1323 Cedar St. NE. Free; lunch provided. bit.ly/ challengingstigma. April 11 - Kent Conservation District Plant Seminar: For gardeners and landscapers. Registration required. 6-8 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. $10. kentconservation.org. April 12 - GRCC Poetry Reading: With Poet Laureate Emeritus/Professor David Cope. 6 p.m. GRCC Library, 140 Ransom Ave. NE. Free. grcc.edu. April 12 - GVSU Writers Series: Poetry craft talk and reading with Maggie Smith. 10-11:15 a.m. craft talk, 1-2:15 p.m. reading and book signing. Kirkhof Center, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale. gvsu.edu/writing. April 12-13 - Institute for Healing Racism: Two-day workshop discusses thought-provoking topics. GRCC, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. $275-$375, GRCC students free. grcc.edu/ihr. April 14 - GRAM Adult Workshop: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts “Woven Wall Art.” Registration required. 10 a.m.-noon. 101 Monroe Center St. NW. $30. artmuseumgr. org/learn/gramstudio. April 16 - Calvin Passport to Adventure: Travel film series: “Guatemala: The Land of the Maya” by Brent Winebrenner. 7 p.m. Calvin College, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $6 adults, $3 students. calvin.edu/academic/ call/passtick.htm. April 17 - A Maker’s Perspective: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosts artistled gallery walk with Adam Wolpa. 6-7 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. April 17 - Nourishing Ways of West Michigan: “Finding and Vetting Farmers” by Luke Eising. 7 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division Ave. nourishingways. org. April 18 - Bread Baking for Couples: Cinnamon bread. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $25. lifeprocesscenter.org. April 18 - “Eggs Are Everywhere”: Ada Township Parks nature program for preschoolers and parents about birds, snakes, frogs and turtles that lay eggs. 10 a.m.-noon.

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Ada Park Learning Center, 1180 Buttrick Ave. SE. $5. adatownshipmi.org.

April 19 - “A Grand River Update”: Ada Township Parks program provides overview of Grand River Revitalization and Rapids Restoration Project and provides info on Ada and Grand River Water Trail initiative. 7-8:30 p.m. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive NE. $3. adatownshipmi.org. April 20-21 - Silent Retreat for Women: Time for reflection and integration with Sister Mary Margaret Delaski. 6:30 p.m. Fri.4:30 p.m. Sat. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $240. lifepro cesscenter.org. April 21 - Eastern Floral Design Class: “Spring Has Sprung.” 10 a.m. 2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE. $40. easternfloral.com/design class/2018.

EVENT PLANNING • CATERING • DESIGN + PRODUCTION

April 24 - Dyslexia Seminar: Information from New Chapter Learning. 6:30 p.m. 4120 Chicago Drive, Grandville. Free; register at 534-1385. newchapterlearning.net.

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April 24 - Secchia Garden Lecture: David Culp shows how to layer plants to achieve a nonstop season of color. 7 p.m. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meij ergardens.org. April 25 - “Managing Your Property for Invasive Species”: Ada Township Parks program to identify key plants of concern and create plans to mediate their damage.7-8 p.m. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive NE. $5. adatownshipmi.org. April 26 - Creativity Uncorked: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts social evening and “Future Fauna Lab.” Ages 21 and up. Registration required. 6:45-9:45 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. $35. artmuseumgr.org/ learn/creativityuncorked. April 26 - Gaining Your Edge: Business workshop and networking with keynote speaker Joshua Conran. 6-8 p.m. Start Garden, 40 Pearl St. NW, #200. $25. bit.ly/ gainingyouredge. April 30 - Grand Rapids Audubon Club: “Purple Martins: True Backyard Pets” by Penny Briscoe. 7:30 p.m. Aquinas College Donnelly Center, 1607 Robinson Road SE. Public welcome. Free. graud.org.

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Museums & attractions COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

2/ COOPERSVILLE FARM MUSEUM: Special events: Every Saturday in April, the museum hosts Kids, Crafts & Critters Spring Petting Zoo from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The zoo is held inside and admission is by donation. April 3 and 17, Acoustic Jam Night. 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. 3/ ROGER B. CHAFFEE PLANETARIUM: Special events: The planetarium concludes its season of Concerts Under the Stars on April 12 with the alternative rock sounds of Major Murphy. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. with a cash bar. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; $10 for members. Shows this month: “Under Starlit Skies,” “Dynamic Earth,” “Star Lore” and “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.” $5/show, $4 with admission to the museum. Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/planetarium.

Binder Park Zoo: Opens for the season April 12. Open daily. $14 adults, $13 seniors, $12 kids 2-10, kids under 2 free. 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek, (269) 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org. Blandford Nature Center: Special events: April 14, Foraging for Fire! and Mushroom Log Workshop. April 21, Earth Day Celebration. April 28, Birds & Bagels and Composting at Home. 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. DeGraaf Nature Center: 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/degraafnature center. Downtown Market: Special events: April 4, Lil’ Green Thumbs. April 25, Entrepreneur Open House. April 27, Flight Friday. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Special events: Thru April 30, “Butterflies are Blooming.” April 21, Earth Day. April 10, 17 and 24, Springtime Walks. See A Maker’s Perspective and Secchia Garden Lecture in Lectures & Workshops. Special exhibitions: Thru April 29, “Drawn Into Form: Sixty Years of Drawings and Prints by Beverly Pepper.” Open daily. $14.50 adults, $11 seniors and students, $7 kids 5-13, $4 kids 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Permanent exhibitions: Highlights from Mr. Ford 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 Art Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru April 29, “Alexis Rockman: The Great Lakes Cycle.” Special events: April 21, Story Time: Hooray for Earth Day. See GRAM Adult Workshop and Creativity Uncorked in Lectures & Workshops. Drop-in Family Saturdays: Art activities, kidfriendly tours, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $8 adults, $7 seniors/students, $5 kids 6-17, kids 5 and under free; free admission Tue. and 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center St. NW, 831-1000, artmuseumgr. org. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Permanent activities: Little GR, Bubbles!, Wee Discover, musical instruments and more. Toddler Time 10 a.m.-noon Tues. Family Night 5-8 p.m. Thu. ($1.75). Closed Mon. $8.50, $7.50 seniors, kids under 1 free. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org.

3/ The Public Museum’s planetarium hosts live Concerts Under the Stars.

Grand Rapids Public Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru April 29, “Water’s Extreme Journey.” Thru May 20, “Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids.” Special events: April 14, Curiosity Lab. Science Tuesdays feature themed activities and interactive displays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 kids 3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY E.G. SCHEMPF (TOP); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (BOTTOM)

1/ “Harvesting Sugar Cane in the North” at

1/ KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS: Special exhibitions: April 7-Aug. 12, “Vibrant Bounty: Chinese Folk Art from the Shaanxi Region” includes 25 paintings and more than a dozen artifacts that highlight the national spirit of festivals and parades and also daily life of work, household items and children’s clothing and toys. Thru April 11, “Dawoud Bey: Harlem, USA, and Harlem Redux.” Thru May 13, “My Hero: Contemporary Art & Superhero Action.” Thru July 15, “Passion on Paper: Masterly Prints from the KIA Collection.” April 21-May 6, “Young Artists of Kalamazoo County.” 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.

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premier seating dinner for two Served 4:00pm to 6:00pm Mon - Sat Select 2 salads, 2 entrees, 2 desserts and a bottle of wine.

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wine 2/ Spring petting zoo at Coopersville Farm Museum.

Holland Museum: Special events: See Holland Museum Trivia Night in Special Events. Open Wed.Sun. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. 31 W. 10th St., 796-3329, hollandmu seum.org. Also, Cappon House: 228 W. Ninth St. Settlers House: 190 W. Ninth St. John Ball Zoo: Special events: April 2-6, Zoobilee spring break camps. April 6 and 20, Twilight Tours. April 20, Kids Night Out: Hide and Seek. Open daily. Thru April 27: $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors and kids 2-12. April 28-Sept. 30: $12.50 adults, $10 seniors and kids 2-12. 1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LEE ANN PROIA

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY E.G. SCHEMPF (TOP); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (BOTTOM)

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, meyermayhouse.steelcase.com. Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru April 29, Expressions 2018: 36th annual Muskegon County Student Art Exhibition. Thru May 20, “Thunder Boy Jr.: Illustrations by Yuyi Morales.” Thru June 10, “The Poetry of Metal: David Barnhill and David Huang.” Special events: April 2-5, Super Spring Break Days. April 5, Pajama Party. April 12 and 26, Brown Bag Film Series. April 13, On Tap & Uncorked. April 14, Express Yourself Super Saturday. April 18, Friends of Art Program: The Prehistoric Artist. April 19, Art Talks Back Awards Ceremony and Readings from Winning Poets. April 21, Matting and Framing Workshop. April 26, Crash Course Demo with David Huang. April 2-July 6, 90th Michigan Regional Exhibition Call for Entries (exhibit dates: Aug. 30-Nov. 7). Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 college students, kids 16 and under free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmuseum.org. Veen Observatory: Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association hosts Statewide Astronomy Night on April 20 from 8:30-11:30 p.m. with programs, tours and observation (weather permitting). Call 897-7065 for updates. Free. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell. graaa.org.

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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES

Tres Ellinger and Lindsey Vandenboom Jaimie Powell and Taylor Noakes

Keri, Micah and Breslin Bianchi

Kari MacQueen and Emily Sexton

Olivia Zallar

Stella Logan and Jesse Weienkauf

CAPTURING THE ACTION AROUND TOWN:

snap shots

PERRIN BREWING CO. hosted its Ice Jam Winter Festival, which featured an afternoon of live music, winter activities and Perrin brews, on Jan. 27 to raise funds for the Kids’ Food Basket. Attendees gathered Jan. 23 for a Brushes with Benefits Paint Party fundraiser benefiting the Humane Society of West Michigan. The Grand Rapids Jaycees celebrated the organization’s successes at its 2017 Year End Gala, held Jan. 27 at the English Hills Country Club & Terrace.

Paul Bohez, Andrea Kerkstra and Rachael Eerdmans

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Cheryl Iveson, John Mousel, Terri Sernau and Gretchen Mousel

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Laura, Mariela and Olivia Rampersad

Ben Luban and Allie Huistra

Kelly and Dayle Brushaber

Leah Battle and Janet Madendorp

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); MICHAEL BUCK (TOP)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Brushes with Benefits Paint Party Jennifer Baker and Navdeep Singh

Andre and Danielle Pillow Rebekah Kennedy and Marybeth Schafer

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after thoughts

“Nephelae”

“Paean of the Cathedral”

Q:a

Award-winning illustrator and local design student Alana Fletcher is taking her artistic talents to new heights.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (BOTTOM LEFT); COURTESY ALANA FLETCHER (TOP)

lana Fletcher has been intrigued by art as long as she can remember. “While I was preschool, we would have little themed tea parties once a month, and one (theme) that always stuck with me was inspired by (Claude) Monet’s Water Lilies series,” Fletcher recalled. “I remember creating little paper lilies for the floor and loving the painting a lot.” As time went on, the Richland native began taking art more seriously, learning and growing as an artist along the way. And her dedication to the craft certainly hasn’t gone to waste. At the start of the year, Fletcher, who is now studying game design and digital animation at Ferris State University, was selected as a winner in the international Illustrators of the Future Contest, earning herself a cash prize and a trip to Hollywood for a weeklong intensive workshop, as well as a shot at winning the contest’s coveted Golden Brush Award, which will be announced April 8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE OUTLET? Digitally painting, as well as making low-poly models to texture. WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION? I find inspiration a lot in medieval history, as well as folklore for my designs. I also draw inspiration for my shape language from caricaturing nature. DREAM JOB? My dream job would be a senior concept artist or environment artist at an AA or AAA firm. FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY IN GR? I love going out to eat. My favorite places would be Maru, Sushi Yama, Fish Lads in the Downtown Market and Pho Soc Trang.

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