May 2015 - GRM

CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

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Sweet treats

A behind-the-scenes look at the city’s ice cream hot spots GR’s film scene: It’s alive!

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Wake up to crystal clear blue water and playful days of outdoor summer fun, like golf, paddle boarding, biking, boating and more. Or indoors with delicious cuisine, a day at the spa, or stroll through the charming streets of downtown Traverse City.

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Contents MAY 2015 / VOL. 52 / NO. 05

FEATURES 42 / GR’s film scene The big-budget, out-of-state projects have cleared out of town — and yet this may be the most exciting moment the local film scene has experienced to date.

BY MATTHEW BAKER

46 / What’s the scoop?

There’s a theory that ice cream cones signal the start of summer — something Midwesterners eagerly embrace. But that doesn’t explain the popularity of the year-round shops with their one-of-a-kind flavors. BY CHRISTOPHER KEMP 52 / Fresh from the farm May 2 marks the first day of the 93rd season at Fulton Street Farmers Market, plus a list of other local markets opening this month. BY JAYE BEELER

52

6 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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contents MAY 2015 / VOL. 52 / NO. 05

departments BACK & FORTH 12 / From the Editor

58 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan

12 / Letters, social media and more

60 / Foodie Profile: Foragers Andy and Michelle Davis

14 / Contributors

68 / Grabbin’ a Bite: Emma Lynn’s Chicken & Waffles

LIFE & STYLE 18 / Noteworthy items include Lou & Marie boutique, BarrieBeau Herb Farm, Goodwill’s re:blue, Bike to Work Day, Veronica Bosgraaf’s new cookbook and vegan nail polish

72 / Nosh & Sip: Wine & Mexican fare 76 / Pints of Interest: Muskegon breweries NEAR & FAR 80 / Norton Shores

32

“Quilting is something I want to share with people.”

— Eliza Fernand 36 94

20 / Reading Room: Young Adult authors 22 / Chocolates by Grimaldi

OUT & ABOUT 84 / May highlights

24 / Living Local: B Corps

85 / Calendar

26 / Big Girl Blog: Recipe

86 / David Lockington’s final symphony

28 / Pop Scholars

88 / Nightclub & comedy venue listings and highlights

30 / Local Laughs: Nursing home bingo

90 / Liner Notes: Vox Vidorra

ART & DESIGN 32 / Artist Profile: Eliza Fernand

22

94 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights 96 / Snapshots

34 / Art gallery listings and highlights

112 / After Thoughts: Kristin Revere of Mother Reverence

36 / Frame Works: Moderne entertainment 38 / Style Seekers: At the museum 39 / Art Talk: “Existence” at Meijer Gardens

ON THE COVER: Love’s Ice Cream offers over 80 flavors of ice cream and gelato.

40 / Windborne Studios FOOD & DRINK 56 / Dining Review: Charley’s Crab

76

90

Photography by Johnny Quirin

8 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

Stories show the power of city passions THE PAST OFFERS so many conservative perceptions of Grand Rapids and the west side of Michigan — perceptions that persist for what seems a lifetime until the world has a chance to come drink the beer. There are many references to that preponderance in the comments from various local sources in several stories that took place this month. TThe he difference is that while they say they “see the future,” they are, in fact, seeing the “now.”

In one month alone: Grand Rapids city commissioners voted to purchase and swap properties along the east bank of the Grand River to assure public access to the water as visible river improvements and restoration of the rapids begin to take shape. Had they not taken action, developers would not likely leave much space free and open to the public.

The grassroots effort of Grand Rapids Whitewater is now a fully involved project bringing together donors, citizens and local, state and federal grant funds, and plenty of notice from across the country.

At roughly the same time, the East Grand Rapids City Commission voted unanimously to amend its anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identification classifications. It is the 36th Michigan city to do so.

The Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, which has joined others in another grassroots

effort to build out bike lanes throughout the city, expanded its annual Bike to Work Week and Active Commute Week to include T he Rapid transit and “bicycle trains” for variety a of events May 11-15.

T he achievements of this metro area are not strictly related to brick-and-mortar transformations but ideas that give the city life and a lifestyle (and Grand Rapids Magazine is all about that).

A few quotes from the “Grand Rapids film scene” story beginning on page 42 reflect the character of the community as a whole. Several sources noted the willing collaboration of both the various local film companies and the local community to assist projects. T he passion of local filmmakers is well summed up by Kerri VanderHoff, Go-site director at Grand Rapids Art Museum and adjunct film professor at Grand Valley State University: “They didn’t come with the (film) incentives and they didn’t leave with the incentives.”

T he Michigan House of Representatives in mid-March approved a bill to eliminate all film incentives to patch a budget deficit, despite Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan to expand the program. It had not advanced at press time, and it should be noted that Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R- West Olive, is a chief defender.

What’s your passion for community? Share it with us on Facebook or Twitter or show us on Instagram and Pinterest!

Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

What You’re Saying

Need a laugh? Here’s a few knockknock jokes, courtesy of our alwaysentertaining Facebook fans:

Knock knock.

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Daisy.

Daisy who?

Daisy me rollin’ they hatin’ ...

Who’s there?

— Morgan Pierce

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Interrupting cow!

Interrupting cow ....

Moo! Sarah Adora

To. To who?

To whom!

Jess Ay Yo

We’re listening … see something you like or didn’t like? T here’s 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 find us online, we love reading your tweets!

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE’S FEED

12 GRAND RAPIDS \ MAY 2015

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

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contributors BEHIND THE SCENES

You

imagine it.

We

the spark

3/

THREE OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS...

1/

create it.

2/

1/ DIANNE CARROLL BURDICK,

Photographer

“FRESH FROM THE FARM,” page 52

GR AND RAPIDS ZEELAND CHICAGO

Custom Cabinetry & Furniture

616.956.3070 woodwayscustom.com

I’m obsessed with … Walking. I walk around my neighborhood for daily breaks in a zigzag pattern.

I walk around Reeds Lake.

I walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

I never leave home without … My camera. Even if I am not working with my camera, I bring it along. There is always one curious image that could come from a daily practice.

Favorite getaway? Anywhere along the lakeshore.

We like to go to the Leelanau Peninsula whenever we can.

RADIO

2/ CHRISTOPHER KEMP,

3/ JAYE BEELER,

“THE ICE CREAM BOOM,” page 46

“FRESH FROM THE FARM,” page 52

Writer

Favorite ice cream flavor? Van’s Pastry Shoppe Donut at Furniture City Creamery.

I write best when … I convince myself that every paragraph I manage to get onto the page or the screen can be exchanged later for one spoonful of ice cream.

I never leave home without … I have three kids, so anytime I go anywhere my pockets are filled with crayons, dinosaurs, nose flutes, marbles and whatever else it takes to keep my kids happy.

Writer

I’m obsessed with …

Wrangling together the perfect menu for the long season of outdoor dining.

Once I select the recipes, like a fruit-forward tart, I serve that over and over again, starting with blueberries and moving on to strawberries, raspberries, cherries and peaches when in season.

What I love about spring … Getting into nature, walking the Reeds Lake Trail, planting my kitchen garden with seedlings that are open-pollinated heirloom varieties — no GMOs or hybrids.

Join Managing Editor Marty Primeau at 9:45 a.m. T hursdays as she presents City Beat with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio FM 88.5 and 95.3.

Spoiler alert! Each month Frame Works writer Mark Miller will provide a glimpse of a local building of architectural note. Readers are challenged to identify the building by the details and photos offered. This month’s Frame Works answer is 4-Star Theater, 1950 S. Division Ave. 14 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com

info@grmag.com

PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Marty Primeau COPY EDITOR: Donna Ferraro CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joseph A. Becherer,

Julie Burch, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Alexandra Fluegel, DK Hamilton, Abby Heugel, Elissa Hillary, Mark F. Miller, Marla Miller, Amy Ruis, Grant Stoye, Kevin VanAntwerpen, Tricia van Zelst

EDITORIAL INTERNS: Moriah Gilbert, Megan Martin DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry,

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

DESIGN & PRODUCTION NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:

Scott Sommerfeld

ASSISTANT DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:

Chris Pastotnik

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

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

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

Randy D. Prichard

ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTS:

General Inquiries: advertisingsales@grmag.com Emily Esteban, Theresa Henk, Kathie Manett, John Olsa

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ADVERTISING SALES ASSISTANT/COORDINATOR:

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(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. T elephone (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 Š 2015

by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POST MAST ER: 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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MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 15

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

noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Celebrate National Bike to Work Day REFRESHMENTS AND FREEBIES will be given to bicycle riders between 7 and 9 a.m. May 15 at pit stops throughout Metro GR, set up by Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition.

As part of Active Commute Week, experienced cyclists will lead “bike trains” to common destinations throughout Grand Rapids.

Riders of all experience levels are encouraged to join a train at various rendezvous points — including pit stops, bus stops and well-known points of interest — on their way to work or school.

On May 18, Brewery Vivant, 925 Cherry St. SE, will host Handlebar Happy Hour

Visit bikegrandrapids.org for maps and more

Cassie Beel and Kirsten Warners started an online boutique and are looking for ways to expand their fashion business.

information.

Moms on a mission Longtime friends Cassie Beel and Kirsten Warners always joked about opening a store or coffee shop together.

In January, the stay-at-home moms launched Lou & Marie, a “fashion-forward online boutique with a vintage flair.”

It’s a collection of things they love, including statement jewelry, trendy clothing and more.

“We find a thrill in search-

ing for amazing deals,” Beel said. “And we try to stay ahead of the trends.”

T he young moms juggle social media marketing and filling orders out of their homes, while raising their children.

Beel’s 5-year-old twins are Liam and Ellery. Warners has a daughter, Addison, 8, and son, Parker, 6, with a baby due in September.

T he boutique is named in

honor of their mothers whose middle names are Lou and Marie.

“T hey have both been very influential role models in our lives,” Beel said.

Find Lou & Marie on Facebook and Instagram.

— MARTY PRIMEAU

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (RIGHT); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (LEFT)

from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

18 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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VEGAN NAILS Londontown nail lakur has a new line of vegan polishes blended with natural food extracts, vitamins and minerals in fun spring colors. They’re available at Apsara Spa, which offers manicures and pedicures with vegan and gluten-free options. 1514 Wealthy St. SE. Call 451-4505 or visit apsaraspa.com.

Looking for gift ideas? Think nail treatments or organic skincare products.

Spa stuff for mom’s day

(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT) PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRITT CLARK; QUENTIN BACON; MICHAEL BUCK; COURTESY LONDONTOWN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (RIGHT); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (LEFT)

HERBAL GOODNESS SUZANNAH BARRIE grows organic herbs, flowers and heirloom vegetables on her BarrieBeau Herb Farm in Alto. T he mother of two makes a variety of products, from an herbal spa line to homemade herb jellies.

She also sells fresh herbs and veggies at area farmers markets and at West Michigan Co-op at westmichigancoop.com.

“I love aromatherapy and blending essential oils,” she said. “I create my own recipes.”

Check out her products at barriebeau.com or call (616) 706-2933.

Three products in Suzannah Barrie’s Spa Detox Kit ($30) are a salt scrub in peppermint and rosemary, a spritz in peppermint and lavender and a tea tree mud. The kit also includes a sheet with simple home recipes to try.

Pure success Veronica Bosgraaf, the mother who created Pure Bars in her Holland kitchen a decade ago when her 6-year-old daughter announced she was becoming a vegetarian, will be signing copies of her new cookbook, “Pure Food,” and giving a cooking demo at 7 p.m. May 14 at Schuler Books, 2660 28th St. SE.

A BETTER BLUE Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids has opened re:blue in the Kingsley Building, 1423 Lake Drive SE, selling cherry-picked clothing and accessories for men and women, along with home goods, repurposed items and graphic limited edition T-shirts. Staff will put together outfits and select merchandise specifically for customers from donated goods. Visit goodwillgr.org and click on “shop” for info.

MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 19

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

“If You Find This”

by Matthew Baker

“Breaking Sky”

by Cori McCarthy

READING ROOM

Young adult novels such as “Divergent,” “T he Hunger Games” and the Harry Potter series have emerged as some of the most talked about books on the market.

T wo West Michigan authors recently released their Y.A. works.

“Breaking Sky,” the second novel by Big Rapids resident Cori McCarthy, is the futuristic story of two teens trying to save America. “If You Find This” by Grand Rapids native Matthew Baker tells what happens when a middle-school misfit has a mystery to solve.

Both authors say their writing has been influenced by life experiences.

“All of my sharpest memories are from being a teenager,” said McCarthy, who lives in Big Rapids with her husband and 3-yearold son. “I just really like coming-of-age stories.”

Her novel is set in 2048, and the United States is facing a cold war. Chase, a teenage fighter pilot who feels the pressure of competition, must learn to trust a rival to save her country. The idea for the plot was inspired by the 1986 action film “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise.

“I re-watched the movie and thought,

‘Wow, this would make a hilarious Y.A. novel.’”

While researching the book, McCarthy says she received research help from her brothers — one is serving in the U.S. Air Force — and from her husband, Christian Peterson, a history professor at Ferris State University.

“I had the perfect resources for this book,” she said.

McCarthy also is a writing coach and freelance editor. Currently, she is working on a third novel, “You Were Here.”

Baker, who studied English and creative writing at Hope College and Vanderbilt University, said his main character’s brain “is my brain.”

But the story he tells is intentionally not his own, he added.

In the novel, Nicolas, a math genius and music prodigy, doesn’t always fit in with other kids his age. When his grandfather re-enters his life with secrets only Nicolas can resolve, the 11-year-old sets out on an adventure where he finds friendship and confidence as he grapples with some big questions along the way.

“I first started writing this book after my

grandfather died. He worked as a police officer most of his life and that’s why I decided to make the grandfather a criminal. It’s like my grandfather playing a character that is exactly opposite of himself.”

What makes this book unique is Baker’s approach to language. He combines English with musical and mathematical text to create a hybrid language that is specific to the interests of the young narrator.

Baker’s writing career began in the fourth grade when he was entered in a When I Grow Up speech contest sponsored

by McDonald’s. He talked about English author Brian Jacques.

“He was my role model, and I had said I wanted to write children’s books.”

After graduating from Vanderbilt, he traveled around the world to write before returning to West Michigan last year.

“One thing that is nice about writing about children is that you have a narrator who can believe impossible things — things that have an element of magic that allows the story to go in places that it couldn’t if the narrator was a hardened, rational adult.

T hat in itself allows you to tell a different — MEGAN MARTIN type of a story.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (CENTER LEFT); COURTESY LITTLE, BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS (FAR LEFT); AMY ROSE CAPETTA (CENTER RIGHT); SOURCEBOOKS FIRE/SAMMY YUEN (RIGHT)

Inspired by youth, influenced by life

20 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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The difference is in the details.

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PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS

A family affair

— MARTY PRIMEAU

Mo

“Getting our caramel right took two and a half months of experimenting to get a product that was buttery, not sticky” (which, she points out, is bad for your teeth).

— Molli Laham

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Before opening a chocolate factory, Molli Laham operated a dental lab for 13 years.

“So, of course, making a healthy chocolate was a top priority,” says Laham, who launched Chocolates by Grimaldi three years ago with husband Steve and their two sons.

“Our chocolate has no artificial ingredients, no preservatives and no waxes — so the chocolate rinses off of your teeth.”

And without all those additives, she says, “our chocolates have the taste of real chocolate.”

Chocolates by Grimaldi is a family project. “We wanted to show our boys how to start and run a business.”

They set up shop in a former roller rink and concert hall at 219 N. 7th St. in Grand Haven.

“We knew nothing about making chocolate,” she says. “We contacted the Culinary Institute of Michigan in Muskegon and they came out and checked out the place.”

The Lahams purchased a 30-foot, 1950’s enrober (think “I Love Lucy” and the famous chocolate factory scene), a machine designed to coat each confection.

T here was much trial and error as the family experimented with recipes.

“Getting our caramel right took two and a half months of experimenting to get a product that was buttery, not sticky” (which, she points out, is bad for your teeth).

T he Lahams don’t use high fructose corn syrup.

“In fact, every chocolate recipe has five ingredients or less.”

T hey try to source only local ingredients. “During cherry season we pick our own to make cherry truffles, and we get blueberries from Holland.”

Only the toasted coconut is imported, and Laham searched high and low for the freshest product with no added sugar.

One of the shop’s specialties is a chocolate-covered potato chip using Michigan’s own Better Made Potato Chips.

“It’s crispy, with just enough salt.”

There are hand-rolled truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, handmade turtles, nut barks and more.

A glass window allows customers in the shop to Molli Laham, who owns Chocolates by Grimaldi with her family, adds a dark chocolate squiggle watch the making of the chocolates, and Grimaldi’s to Zebra Chips — Michigan-made potato chips offers $3 tours of the chocolate-making process from enrobed in milk chocolate. The Grand Haven cocoa pods to candies, complete with a lesson on the chocolate factory ships around the country, history of chocolate — and some samples. and Laham says she is getting lots of requests for Mother’s Day. Call (616) 935-7740 or visit Laham said the boys take an active role in the chocolatesbygrimaldi.com. company. Nicholas, 14, tinkers with the machinery, while 16-year-old Zachary is the salesman.

Grimaldi’s ships all over the country. T o order online, visit chocolatesbygrimaldi.com.

22 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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4/2/15 1:20 PM

living Local

BY ELISSA HILLARY

Responsible companies measure, share

WHO ARE THE FIVE WEST MICHIGAN B CORPS? > Bazzani Associates, a green building company.

> Better Way Imports, a fair-trade manufacturer creating jobs for women who’ve been trafficked. > Brewery Vivant, a LEED-certified, bikefriendly brewery with an emphasis on local engagement. > Cascade Engineering, a manufacturer that has created such innovative programs as “Welfare to Work.” > Gazelle Sports, athletic apparel stores working to improve community health through promoting an active lifestyle.

They are companies of varying size … and from various sectors, but they have one significant thing in common: They measure their success not just on profitability but on positive impact.

It’s brave to measure. And it can make you feel vulnerable. What if you’re not doing as well as you thought? At Local First, we agree with the Patagonia CEO’s statement: “Business can be the most powerful agent for change.”

We see it every day! We work with local businesses that are creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods and encouraging community engagement. In addition, we see a brave group of leaders who want to move forward faster.

Five of these companies have taken the next step and, like Patagonia, have become certified B Corporations — companies that measure and are certified for economic, environmental and social impact.

T hey are companies of varying size (from one full-time employee to thousands) and from various sectors, but they have one significant thing in common: T hey measure their success not just on profitability but on positive impact.

And they’ve made that impact transparent to shareholders, employees and consumers.

West Michigan is a community with many more than five companies that care. Imagine what could happen if we collaborated to make our region known for its responsible business practices — and we measured and documented those changes.

Companies can use Local First/ B Corporation’s Quick Impact Assessment to begin “measuring what matters,” and individuals can shift their spending to businesses that share their values.

— Elissa Hillary is executive director of Local First, a nonprofit organization supporting locally owned businesses in West Michigan.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PATAGONIA

Patagonia’s Vincent Stanley

I’M PROUD TO LIV E in West Michigan. Even though we have our challenges, I believe West Michigan is full of people who want to do the right thing and who want to make a meaningful difference.

I see this love of people and place reflected in the way we do business and in our culture of philanthropy.

I also see it in the plethora of responsible West Michigan companies that are striving to pay their employees a living wage, to contribute to nonprofits and to limit their impact on the environment.

I believe West Michigan is poised to be one of the most sustainable regions in our country.

T hat’s why I’m excited Local First will host Patagonia’s Vincent Stanley in May (watch localfirst.com for details).

Patagonia, a California-based outdoor clothing company with annual sales of $500 million, was founded in 1973 and is renowned for its sustainable innovations. Stanley serves as co-editor of Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles, a public, interactive report detailing the company’s economic, environmental and social impact.

He’s also Patagonia’s longest-term employee and the nephew of its founder, Yvon Chouinard. Stanley and Chouinard coauthored “T he Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years.”

Stanley will join us for several events to share the company’s journey toward sustainability and the highs and lows that have spurred it to innovate.

Some of my favorite possessions are from Patagonia: my laptop bag made of recycled materials, my shirt made of organic cotton. I appreciate that Patagonia provides on-site daycare for employees’ children, that it contributes 1 percent of its sales (or 10 percent of profits, whichever is greater) to environmental organizations, and that it has leveraged its buying power to create markets for post-consumer wastepaper and organic cotton.

But perhaps most of all, I appreciate that some years ago Patagonia started to measure its impact and share it, publicly.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PATAGONIA

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

I love a dish that has a lot of color in it, and Asian Peanut Coleslaw fits the bill.

Sweet and salty is also a favorite combo of mine and that’s why this recipe works for me.

Editor’s note: Chef Jenna Arcidiacono of Amore Trattoria Italiana in Comstock Park is embarking on a weight loss journey. We are following her progress each month. As of April 1, Jenna had lost 35 pounds.

BIG GIRL BLOG

Chef Jenna Arcidiacono, who loves all types of cuisine, shares an Asian recipe that helps burn calories.

It’s so important to find a few “go to” recipes that please you, are healthy and make you feel full.

Cabbage is a great vegetable for your diet whether it’s cooked or raw.

Spicy food and certain veggies — like cabbage and celery — help you burn calories!

For me, my food also has to look appetizing. I love a dish that has a lot of color in it, and Asian Peanut Coleslaw fits the bill. Sweet and salty is also a favorite combo of mine and that’s why this recipe works for me.

What you may not know about me is that I love all types of cuisine — not just Italian. I’ve worked in many different restaurants and picked up recipes from each one.

I love Korean, Thai and Vietnamese food and feel healthier when I eat it. You will often see me at a table at Pho Soc T rang at 4242 S. Division Ave. in Kentwood. I drive from Rockford to eat there a few times a week.

I will continue to share a few of my favorite “lifestyle change” recipes with you.

Next month I’ll talk about making healthy choices when you go out to eat.

— Follow Jenna at facebook.com/ jenna.arcidiacono.

Asian Peanut Coleslaw Dressing: 1 /4 cup natural peanut butter 1 /4 cup local honey 1 /4 cup Pantai sweetened chili sauce 1 /4 cup of rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 drops of toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon ginger paste 1 tablespoon red curry paste For the salad: 3 cups green cabbage, chopped 1 cup red cabbage, chopped 2 carrots, grated 1 large red pepper, diced 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped 1 cucumber, seeded and diced (Feel free to add any other raw veggies you like — celery, cauliflower, broccoli, green onions) 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional) Topping: /2 cup peanuts 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

1

Mix all dressing ingredients together in a bowl until smooth. In a large bowl mix all of the salad ingredients together. Add as much or as little dressing to your salad as you like. Top the salad with roasted peanuts and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Lifestyle-changing recipe

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Open Table “Diners Choice” and “Most Romantic” Award Winner PRIVATE DINING • SUNDAY BRUNCH • SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT VIEWS 63 Market Avenue, S.W. | 616.459.2500

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Reserve Online Muer.com

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

If you haven’t heard of Pop Scholars, good: You’re about to learn something new today.

Pop Scholars is kind of like being in a room with four of your uncles, if your uncles are millennials who know way too much about a lot of weird things because of the Internet and Netflix.

Stay with me.

Andy Allen, Dave Lyzenga, Mike Ryskamp and Matt Sterenberg are Pop Scholars, an improv team whose act has become synonymous with a wave of smart, culturally relevant humor that has sunk its teeth into the Grand Rapids comedy scene.

T hey met while attending Calvin College, where they each performed with the school’s improv troupe.

“T he team was great,” Allen said, “but we wanted to be smaller and try new things.”

After finishing at Calvin, the group decided to launch their own group. “After I graduated, I realized that if we didn’t start a team, then I wouldn’t be doing this,” Sterenberg said.

Dog Story T heatre became the place where they could try out new bits and hone their skills,

and six years later, they have created an act that is intelligent, relevant and funny as hell. Now the group performs monthly shows at Wealthy Theatre.

But they know comedy, and specifically improv, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

“I think when people hear the phrase ‘community improv,’ they think that sounds terrible, and I don’t blame them,” Allen joked. It’s a scene that just starting to gain traction, he explained, and a lot of people simply don’t know what to expect.

Sterenberg added, “We do a pretty good job of making fun of ourselves, enough to disarm the audience so they don’t feel threatened in any way. We want people to feel like they’re watching a few of their friends joke around with one another.”

When they perform, it’s easy to see there’s an art to what they do.

“It’s better to be interesting than funny,” Sterenberg said. “Each of us learn and invest in our own education, in the most informal ways sometimes, and we bring that to the table and talk to each other about it, and it creates

pretty good scenes.”

Sterenberg said he tries to listen to something stimulating on the radio or read news articles. “You have to be a sponge and really think critically about the things you hear. Like local radio commercials, those are the most hilarious things to me.”

Allen says he loves letting his natural curiosity lead him down the strange roads of the Internet.

“I could be online one day and think, ‘I don’t know enough about socialism.

I should read up on socialism because somebody’s going to talk about it and I’m not going to know enough,” Allen says. “Or like the Wright Brothers: You can never know enough.”

The guys say they try and create characters based on real life. “Our goal is to know what Napoleon was like to his friends,” Sterenberg said.

Sounds like something your funny uncle would say, right?

For more information, visit PopScholars.com and check out the group’s sixth anniversary show May 8 at Wealthy T he— ALEXANDRA FLUEGEL atre.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KELLY POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY

What’s so funny?

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Best of 2014-15 Readers Poll

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KELLY POWERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Thank you Dr. Thomas J. Lambert D.D.S. 3300 Grand Ridge Dr NE | Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 | Phone 616.364.6490

www.smilegrandrapids.com

We would like to thank West Michigan and our loyal patients for selecting Dr. Thomas Lambert as “Grand Rapids’ Best Dentist” for the third year in a row!

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local laughs

BY ABBY HEUGEL

Playing for keeps As more numbers are called, silence blankets the room as half the players concentrate on placing each chip. The other half has forgotten what they were doing.

Mary, who is sitting right next to the caller, always asks what she said each time she calls out a number, annoying Gram who passiveaggressively expresses this annoyance with a Morse code of exasperated sighs and Polish cursing.

I remind her that Mary is 100 years old, to which Gram replies that after 100 years, she should know her way around a darn bingo card.

After each triumphant “Bingo!” is called, my mom distributes candy by prancing around the room with a tray like an old-fashioned cigarette girl in a bar.

The winners either quickly grab their favorite chocolate-covered treat, or they ponder the decision as if a Twix is the last thing they will ever eat in their life.

Which, to be fair, just might be true.

— Abby Heugel is an author and blogger at abbyhasissues.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

If you’ve never spent the night playing bingo with 25 people over the age of 75 in an assisted living facility, I’ll let you in on what you’re missing.

My mom, my grandma and I are pretty close — three generations of Polish snark not lacking authenticity or attitude — for better or for worse.

Gram’s at a home half a mile from my house. Mom goes to see her every day, and I go a couple of times a week. If we time it correctly, we can be there for the daily activity held in the activity room.

I’ll set the scene: Four people to a table, two cards to a person, one bowl of bingo chips for each player.

Wheelchairs are locked and they’re ready to roll.

This T his all seems innocent enough, but this is the medical side of the facility and these people have been through wars, marriages, children, deaths, Depressions and depressions.

Now they no longer worry about recessions as much as they worry whether Gertrude next door stole the Nutter Butters from their snack tray.

They’ve got nothing to lose and they play for keeps. Or rather, they play for candy, which, along with popcorn, is the geriatric equivalent of crack.

The T he activity director is a petite, demure blonde who calls out the numbers like an NFL quarterback calling a play.

“B 14. That’s B one four.”

Someone always asks, “Before what?” and at least two others mistake “B14” for something in the “N” column.

As more numbers are called, silence blankets the room as half the players concentrate on placing each chip. The T he other half has forgotten what they were doing.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

Main Gate. Photo by Dean Van Dis.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS JUNE 13, 2015.

1000 East Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 Toll-Free Phone 888-957-1580 • MeijerGardens.org

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Functional art with a sentimental twist Eliza Fernand is accomplished at quilting, ceramics, sculpting, photography, painting and drawing — plus she writes song lyrics and teaches workshops.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

W

alk into Eliza Fernand’s home studio and you’ll find her creating works of art to the sounds of Whitney Houston or Dolly Parton, a water bottle nearby, with sunlight streaming into the room.

Fernand, 32, is accomplished at quilting, ceramics, sculpting, photography, painting and drawing. She also writes song lyrics and teaches workshops.

When she isn’t creating, she can be found marketing her work, applying for grants, or running an artist residency in Pentwater during the summer.

She currently has two art shows in Grand Rapids. Her quilts and photographs are being exhibited at Calvin College’s (106) Gallery at 106 S. Division Ave.; she also has works at Grand Rapids’ Madcap Coffee shop.

With the focus of her art being functional works she describes as “sentimental,” Fernand sells her art on her website, eliza fernand.com. The website offers the option of commissioning work, including the unique opportunity of having a quilt made from pieces of clothing or cloth articles that belong or belonged to a loved one.

“I had a friend who passed away, and I made a quilt out of his clothing for his girlfriend and another for his mother,” said Fernand.

She also made one for a woman who wanted a quilt made from dresses that had belonged to her mother, and says mothers often want a quilt made from baby clothes their child has outgrown.

Fernand’s ceramic art, including pendants and pinecone-shaped jars, are available at Have Company, 136 S. Division Ave. As a 2014 ArtPrize venue, Have Company exhibited a group show called “Quilt Mountain” that included Fernand’s work.

Owner Marlee Grace says she encouraged Fernand to move to Grand Rapids from California in May 2014.

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A ring for each child...

Happy Mother’s Day!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

“I just feel the most happy when I do that kind of work. Quilting is something I want to share with people.”

— Eliza Fernand

“I wanted more cool lady artists to live in Grand Rapids,” she explained.

Grace was drawn to Fernand’s original approach to quilting, known as improvisational quilting.

“I think she’s really at the forefront of interesting improvisational fiber art. She has an incredible, abundant level of work anyone can afford to own,” Grace said.

After living in Grand Rapids for the past year, Fernand plans to settle here long term, saying the area has great energy and a welcoming art community — quite a compliment from someone who’s lived somewhat of a gypsy lifestyle.

Born in Michigan, Fernand spent her childhood in Colorado before returning to Michigan for her last two years of high school. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Fernand earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Pacific Northwest College of Arts in Portland, Ore. She lived in New York, Oregon and California before coming home to the Mitten State.

Admitting she’s passionate about creating large-scale works, Fernand, who makes sculpture and has painted several public murals, once made a quilt measuring 20 by-20 feet, inspired simply by the enormity of the space the gallery was providing her.

“After the show I took the quilt apart

and made it into two quilts I showed (elsewhere),” said Fernand.

With her yearning to work big, it’s no wonder she lists lack of space as one of the obstacles that sometimes get in her way. T he only other obstacles she notes are lack of time and the occasional bout of being overly critical of her work.

Yet when those frustrations arise, she keeps going, motivated by her hard-driving passion and the reality of deadlines for shows or orders.

Even though art and business are intertwined for Fernand, there’s still an aspect of sentimentality from time to time, such as the quilt she says she’ll never part with. “It’s a quilt I made when I went to apprentice with a quilt maker who lives in New Mexico.

She has tons and tons of clothes she’s saved, and I made a quilt there in about a week. It’s on my bed right now,” said Fernand.

Moving forward, the multi-talented Fernand is thinking of buying a house, is taking a college course in psychology, which interests her, and says her goal is to make her living from making quilts.

“I just feel the most happy when I do that kind of work. Quilting is something I want to share with people,” said Fernand.

For more info, visit elizafernand.com.

— JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS

Find a beautiful gift she’ll cherish in East Hills at Cherry & Diamond.

Tu-Fr 10-5 Sat 12-4 616-459-5075 978 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids MI shop@metalartstudioinc.com MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 33

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Thru June 30

Local art galleries

1/ Chris LaPorte exhibits his pencil drawings at Pine Rest’s Leep Art Gallery.

COMPILED BY MORIAH GILBERT

1/ PINE REST LEEP ART GALLERY: Chris LaPorte, grand prize winner of ArtPrize 2010, exhibits his work until June 30. His latest work consists of pencil drawings, life-size in scale and inspired by old photographs. The gallery is open 4-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 300 68th St. SE, 222-4530, pinerest.org.

2/ FLAT RIVER GALLERY: Works by pastel painter Gene Sampson are on display this month. Sampson couples textures of old doilies and tablecloths with shiny surfaces of fruit, ceramic and glass pieces.

219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatrivergalleryandframing.com.

3/ 106 GALLERY AND STUDIO: Thru June 14, Calvin College-run gallery features Access Is a Civil Right: The Photography of Tom Olin, in conjunction with DisArt Festival. 106 S. Division Ave., calvin.edu/ centerartgallery/studio.

28th St. SE, 957-3242, akrikks.com.

Gallery 154: Multi-media art, gifts and jewelry. 1456 Lake Drive SE, 4542154, gallery154.com.

Glitter Milk Gallery: Bimonthly exhibits focus on pop realism. This month: “Bu° et,” a food-themed show.

Art classes o° ered. 901 Alpine Ave. NW, (248) 894-8403, glittermilkgall ery.com.

Grand Rapids Art Museum: See Museums & Attractions.

Cascade Art Gallery: Multi-media art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing, gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 949-4056, cascadegallery.blogspot.com.

Calvin College Center Art Gallery: On-campus gallery features Senior Art Exhibitions until May 23 (reception 5-9 p.m. May 22) . Covenant FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 526-6271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery.

Craft House: Collaborative art and discussion space. May 24-June 27, works by Matt Loeks and Ryan Weiss.

40 S. Division Ave., crafthousegr.com.

Design Quest Gallery: “Uncommon Beauty in Common Places” through May 17, works by nature photographer Dan Bauer. Opening May 22, Legends: Art Rugs by Kathleen Mooney (opening reception 2-4 p.m., May 31) . 4181 28th St. SE, 940-9911, designquest.biz.

Forest Hills Fine Art Center: May 21-June 15, multi-media work by Carol Klooster Herrendeen. Reception is 6-7 p.m. May 27. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com.

Gallery @ A.K. Rikk’s: Gallery inside fashion boutique features work by local and national artists. 6303

Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211, ext. 103, heartside.org.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: See Museums & Attractions.

Kendall College of Art and Design: Thru June 30, DisArt Festival & Art of the Lived Experiment. Also, 2015 MFA Thesis Exhibition and BFA Excellence Awards Exhibition. Galleries: Fountain Street Building, 17 Foun-

tain St. NW, and The Fed Galleries, 17 Pearl St. NW, kcad.edu/galleries.

LaFontsee Galleries: Gallery artists display 2D and 3D works. Framing, restoration. Grand Rapids: 833 Lake Drive SE, includes Urban Craft Boutique; Douglas: 401 W. Center St. 451-9820, lafontsee.us.

LowellArts! King Gallery: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. 149 S. Hudson, Lowell, 8978545, lowellartsmi.org.

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

Opening May 16 (reception 4-8 p.m.) , Light Impressions, latest works by Kathleen Kalinowski and Connie Kuhnle. 9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstudio.com.

MercuryHead Gallery: Work by

Michigan artists; gifts, photo restoration, digital printing on canvas, archival framing. Thru May 31, En Plein Air, works by Kristian Mathews. 962 E. Fulton St., 456-6022, Facebook.

Muskegon Museum of Art: See Museums & Attractions.

Perception Gallery: Fine art, home décor, art restoration and appraisal services. 210 E. Fulton St., 451-2393.

Richard App Gallery: Fine art from more than 20 local and U.S. artists. Custom framing, art restoration, classes. 910 Cherry St. SE, 458-4226, therichardappgallery.tumblr.com.

Sacred Roots Gallery and Salon: East GR hair salon features work by local artists. 2237 Wealthy St. SE, 776-6090, Facebook.

Sanctuary Folk Art: Salon-style gallery sells local folk art. 140 S. Division Ave., 454-0401, Facebook.

Terryberry Gallery: On exhibit May-June 2015, works by Roy Brown.

Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmconline.org/building/terryberry-gallery.

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Thru May 15, Power Objects: The Future Has a Primitive Heart. Thru July 31, Art of the Lived Experiment, international exhibition of contemporary Disability Art. 5:30 p.m. May 15, panel talk: “Universal Design: A Framework for Action.” 2 W. Fulton St., 459-7000, uica.org.

Check websites for hours of operation.

3/ Access Is a Civil Right: The Photography of Tom Olin at (106) Gallery and Studio.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CHRIS LAPORTE (TOP); GENE SAMPSON (MIDDLE); TOM OLIN (BOTTOM)

2/ Works by painter Gene Sampson are at Flat River Gallery.

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Summer

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CHRIS LAPORTE (TOP); GENE SAMPSON (MIDDLE); TOM OLIN (BOTTOM)

An unveiling of

Rafter Outdoor Furniture Collection:

a design collaboration by Celerie Kemble and Lane Venture.

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SCOTTSHUPTRINE.COM

Achieve your dream home.

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frame works

BY MARK F. MILLER

Guess the building:* Moderne entertainment BUILDINGS LIKE THIS month’s feature, located in the Garfield Park neighborhood, provided popular entertainment destinations to generations of Grand Rapidians.

With names like Empress, Alamo, Foto, Liberty, Idle Hour, Bijou and Hollywood, these structures anchored business districts, contributed to community and often provided unique architectural expressions along the city’s streets.

included Art Deco-inspired design rendered in ivory, turquoise and lavender.

> When constructed, the fully air-conditioned space had the latest innovations in sound reproduction and acoustics. It was touted as being able to “take care of the south-end community for many years to come.” > The floor plan of the 10,000-square-foot building was based on the same blueprint as a similar building on Lake Drive and was the fifth such building constructed by a firm led by Allen Johnson. Johnson’s company also owned and operated a similar building on Wealthy Street, which sat empty for many years until it was resurrected in the 1990s.

T his building is an example of Art Moderne or streamlined modernistic architecture.

Art Moderne was influenced by the industrial design of ships, airplanes and automobiles, which typically had smooth surfaces, curved corners and a horizontal emphasis to give a feeling of aerodynamic elegance.

The understated brick façade of this building incorporates many of these features, including strong horizontal bands of brick at the bottom half of the building, curved corners at the top half and a crisp cornice line at the flat roof.

This streamlined design is juxtaposed with elements of Art Moderne’s cousin, Art Deco, to create a dynamic tension within the façade — probably intended to draw attention (and customers) to the building.

Art Deco influences include the subtly stepping and vertically accentuated planes of the

— 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.

*Each month Frame Works writer Mark Miller is providing a glimpse of a local building without identifying it. Readers are challenged to note the details that make up the unique characteristics of these structures that provide the backdrop for Grand Rapids and identify them. Tweet your guess to @grmagazine using hash tag #frameworks. (Can’t wait? Answer is on page 14.)

I PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN

MORE TO KNOW:

> The building’s interior

upper façade that terminate in a stepped cornice line.

T he most emblematic feature of the building is the large red marquee sign that cantilevers over the sidewalk. Projecting from the smooth wall surface, the rusting marquee remains as a marker of the building’s previous life and still has remnants of the neon and flashing lights that were a beacon to patrons for decades.

Opened in 1938 in a neighborhood that was experiencing a lot of growth because of the emergence of a General Motors plant not far away, the building could seat nearly 900 people.

Designed by architect Frank Proctor, it continued operations until 1969, when it closed its doors in response to neighborhood decline ushered in by the 1967 riots. It re-opened as a dance club in the 1990s and became a youth center in the early part of the 21st century.

Today, it’s empty, waiting to be rediscovered and re-invented.

T his building was originally named T he Hollywood, but became known by a different name. Can you guess that name and where it is located?

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Invest in Timelessness PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN

Alpine Treasures

AMISH FURNITURE | antiques | collectibles

6661 Alpine Ave. NW | Comstock Park 49321 | (616) 258.8995 GRM_05.15_PG32.41.indd 37

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

1. Seen at the GRAM, the wonderfully sculptural “Bodie” lounge chair is produced by family-owned Grand Rapids Chair Co. and designed by West Michigan’s Joey Ruiter. Available in custom fabrics and finishes for your signature style.

2. From Meijer Gardens, this pair of framed tropical butterflies would be beautiful hanging alone, as part of an art wall, or resting on a bookshelf.

The vibrant colors offer an instant shot of visual adrenaline.

3. Ranging in size and price, this set of amethyst geodes is the perfect “wow” for your interior. Grand Rapids Public Museum collaborates with a local collector who finds and curates an incredible variety of semi-precious stones from around the world.

4. Make a statement. Handset letterpress “I’m Sorry” print by Michelle Terry and “Made in Michigan” linocut prints and cards, hand carved and produced by Jenn Schaub. The work of both Grand Rapids artists is available in the UICA shop — witty, smart and handsomely crafted.

STYLE SEEKER

Museum-quality finds Interior designer Kathryn Chaplow shops for great objects in GR’s cultural institutions.

Grand Rapids Art Museum 101 Monroe Center St. NW, (616) 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org Grand Rapids Public Museum 272 Pearl St. NW, (616) 456-3977, grpm.org Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, (616) 957-1580, meijergardens.org Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts 2 W. Fulton St., (616) 454-7000, uica.org

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

A beautiful room is beautiful, but a room with personality is simply divine.

Have you ever wondered where to find those truly special pieces that make a room shine with individual style? Those pieces that make you say, “Wow. THAT. Where can I get that?”

Here’s a tip. Check out the shopping at local cultural institutions.

Far beyond the usual gift shop fare, the items shown here are all available at one of four local boutiques found inside Grand Rapids Art Museum, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids Public Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

T he atmosphere is inspiring, the staff is well-informed and invested, you can find truly special pieces that no one else has — and you are supporting Grand Rapids community culture and arts.

— Kathryn Chaplow, who leads a Grand Rapids interior design firm, is passionate about supporting local creative culture.

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art talk

BY JOSEPH A. BECHERER

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Unleashing an inner spirit “EXISTENCE” IS A LARGE, multi-piece sculpture by Japanese sculptor Masayuki Koorida.

The group of partially carved granite boulders was commissioned specifically for inclusion in the Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Although Koorida is well known in his native Japan, Europe and China, this is his first major public project in the U.S., commissioned in 2013 and completed last year.

T he work is composed of five individual granite boulders ranging from 3 feet to more than 6 feet high. Koorida spent time in southern China selecting the granite boulders for both physical character and his sensation of an inner spirit that exists within each.

Each boulder in “Existence” is only partially carved. The lower portions remain naturally rough and earthen in tone.

The artist has sensitively carved the upper, bulbous portion of each boulder, gradually revealing a dense and rich inner black core of the granite. The color and high surface polish clearly distinguish the lower, untouched portions of the boulder from the laboriously crafted upper stretches.

So different are the zones in both surface texture and color that it’s hard to believe they are the same rock.

Most impressive is the intermediate zone where the artist has gradually carved away the natural area to reveal the polished area. Here the master carver releases the luxurious and lustrous inner character of the granite.

Works such as “Existence” represent about half of Koorida’s repertoire. His other works are sculptures that are highly geometric or measurably organic in shape and have been carved and polished on all sides.

T his second category of works represents those in which the inner form or spirit within the naturally occurring boulder was not detected or sensed by the artist. T his relationship with the natural world and sensitivity to revealing an inner form or inner life is harmonious with the design of a Japanese garden at large.

“Existence” is a site-specific work. T he

placement was given careful consideration by the artist on each of his two visits to Grand Rapids when he met and discussed the installation with Hoichi Kurisu, landscape designer of the Japanese Garden. T hey developed the site on the northern shore of the central pond.

The resulting effect is a work of eminence wherein the relationship of the forces of natural occurrence and human endeavor can be admired and contemplated — Joseph A. Becherer is curator of sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and a professor at Aquinas College.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: > As you experience the Japanese Garden, note how your awareness of the work increases and changes as you circumnavigate the northern stretches of the central pond.

> As you draw close to one of the five boulders, carefully consider the differences between those areas that have been left natural and those that are carved. Look especially hard at the areas where the carving is transitional. > Think about how each boulder is a work of art in its own right, and how each then relates to a larger whole.

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

A pop of color WHEN DECORATING A ROOM, finishing details can easily be overlooked. But often it’s the details that add the most character.

Tammy Newhof knows this well. As owner of Windborne Studios, she creates a variety of cabinet pulls and knobs made of fused glass.

“There isn’t a lot of color out there for cabinet pulls and knobs,” she said. “I wanted to offer hardware that gives a little pop of color, not just metal over and over again.”

Newhof explained that fused glass and blown glass, which people often confuse, are very different things. Fusing glass relies on the use of an oven-like kiln that heats the glass. When the heated glass softens, Newhof molds and manipulates it into the shapes she wants.

“Many people think of glass as being a fragile material,” she said. “T he consumer is a little leery about glass — I think because they don’t realize that it is actually very sturdy.”

Newhof’s interest in fused glass started in 2003 when she took a class taught by Susan Molnar of Glass House Designs in Lowell.

As a stay-at-home mom with a young son, she created glass wind chimes that she sold at art shows and at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s gift shop.

With trial and error, her technique and skill with the craft increased until she found just the right temperatures and glass combinations for her projects.

In 2005, when she and husband Paul were remodeling their kitchen, he suggested she make glass knobs for their cabinets.

“I played around with some designs,” said Newhof. “We showed the hardware I made to a friend of ours, and she encouraged me to show my hardware at the Kitchen Bath Industry Show in Chicago.”

As her business grew, she moved her studio from her house to a larger location. Moving out of her home studio changed things completely, she said.

“I had to pay rent. I didn’t know if I could do it — I just knew that I was doing something I absolutely loved to do.”

She eventually settled into 26 Ionia Ave. SW, a downtown Grand Rapids building owned by her mother-in-law. Paul’s shop, Richmond Stamp, is located one floor above her studio.

Newhof said family and friends assist in almost every aspect of her business. Her two children work part time, her sister-in-law does the bookkeeping, and her pool of six helpers is made up of close friends.

She named her business Windborne Studios after her late father-in-law’s sailboat.

“T here are a lot of artists in my family, and I didn’t think I had anything to offer in that field whatsoever,” said Newhof, who studied accounting in college. “I did a little stained glass, but that never really interested me until I was introduced to the kiln.”

Her current focus is on making the glass she needs for her projects.

“I don’t want to use sheet glass that everyone can get their hands on, so I’ve been working to make my own glass.”

Newhof’s knobs and pulls now are sold in 23 states and British Columbia.

“I love what I’m doing,” she said. “Knobs and pulls are an easy way to add a pop of color. It can change the look completely and for not a lot of money.”

Learn more on her website: GR windbornestudios.net.

By Megan Martin Photography by Michael Buck

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

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Grand Rapids’ film scene

The tight-knit community of local filmmakers agree: L.A. has nothing on West Michigan when it comes to making movies.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

BY MATTHEW BAKER

THE NEW TELEVISION SERIES “Battle Creek” is filmed entirely in California. The upcoming feature “Holland, Michigan” likely will not be shot in Tulip City.

Rick Hert, director of the West Michigan Film Office, once gave tours of Grand Rapids to the likes of Bruce Willis and George Clooney. But today, Hert says, “99 percent of the film incentives now get spent in Southeast Michigan.”

T he big-budget, out-of-state projects have cleared out of town — and yet this may be the most exciting moment the local film scene has experienced to date.

It turns out the filmmakers who left weren’t the only filmmakers here.

“We have filmmakers in Grand Rapids,” says Kerri VanderHoff, GoSite director at Grand Rapids Art Museum and an adjunct film professor at Grand Valley State University.

“They didn’t come with the incentives and they didn’t leave with the incentives.”

Grand Rapids has filmmakers galore.

T here’s Joseph Scott Anthony, who’s undoubtedly the busiest filmmaker in Grand Rapids and may be the busiest person in Grand Rapids, period.

Anthony is both an actor and a producer, has worked on everything from zombie flicks to action-thrillers to faithbased movies, and may be involved with upwards of seven feature films a year.

Multitasking comes naturally to him

— before turning to film, Anthony owned and operated a magazine publishing company. He got his start in film as an actor and was first asked to take on the responsibilities of a producer while working on a movie called “Zombie Apocalypse,” which he says went on to reign as the No. 1 most-viewed zombie film on Netflix. T he film has since cycled off Netflix, but his “Small T own Santa” and “Rumors of Wars” are currently queueable.

Working as both an actor and a producer on the same movie, Anthony admits, can be “unbelievably challenging.” He seems to thrive on challenges. He also serves as president of the Media Arts Coalition of West Michigan.

Anthony’s enthusiasm for the business is impossible to dampen.

“Film is one of the top three fastestgrowing industries in the country,” Anthony says. “It’s one of the few manufacturing industries that you can’t shift overseas.

These are educated, high-paying jobs.”

Then there’s local director Dan Falicki.

Anthony speaks of Falicki with a sense of awe.

“He’s never been to film school,” Anthony says. “He made his first film with a $300 camcorder and free software he found online.”

Falicki’s first film, “GR30K,” is set in Grand Rapids in the year 30,000. Without

giving too much away, the plot involves an evil corporation named Devoz. Falicki made the movie using rotoscope animation — meaning he filmed live actors and then animated each individual frame, lending the movie a surreal, almost dreamlike look. The film won him a distribution deal, and he now directs multiple features a year.

And then there’s local filmmaker Joel Potrykus, whose feature films have received national and international acclaim (see sidebar). Potrykus has been fielding offers to come to Los Angeles, but he isn’t interested. To him, Grand Rapids isn’t just home — it’s a better place to film.

“You can’t get away with the same things in L.A.,” he says. “You can’t just set up cameras on the sidewalk.”

And the community here is supportive. “If you need to shoot in a local business, there’s always somebody willing to help out. Everybody’s pretty relaxed — not too worried about legal things.”

T hat’s a common sentiment expressed among filmmakers here — that Los Angeles doesn’t have anything on GR. “T his is something that’s been growing in Grand Rapids for 15 years,” Anthony says. “It’s like going to a great party. It doesn’t really matter where the party is.

It’s the people there. Crazy things start happening when all of those people are in the same room.”

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T he party has a collaborative atmosphere: Potrykus acted in Falicki’s “GR30K”; Falicki acted in Potrykus’ “Ape”; Anthony set up Falicki’s distribution deal.

And these three are only part of a larger community of filmmakers, a tight-knit group that meets up for weekly get-togethers at a secret dive bar. (Like their Hollywood counterparts, our filmmakers value privacy.)

A film scene, of course, requires more than actors, directors and producers. T he scene in Grand Rapids involves everyone from publicists — such as Tamaryn Tobian, founder of Spectacle Creative Media, a firm that focuses primarily on public relations for local filmmakers — to gaffers like Dave Lowing, whose company, Lowing Light & Grip, supplies filmmakers with essential rental equipment: lights, backdrops, dollies, monitors, generators, custom shot bags and even trucks — not to mention special effects paraphernalia like flame bars and tornado fans.

For a film culture to thrive, there may be nothing as essential for filmmakers as having venues: Movies need screens.

T his year Grand Rapids Film Festival is planning a dramatic shift in programming.

Executive Director Jen Shaneberger is polite but blunt. In her experience, “Collaboration is a pipe dream in Grand Rapids.”

Rather than compete with other film festivals in the region, GRFF is narrowing its focus in an attempt to find a niche. Though its name will not change, it will become a Christian film festival showing exclusively “Christ-centered programming.”

While a boon for the Christian film industry, this will create an uncomfortable

“We’re getting international recognition. We do really weird, original stuff here. It’s going to be mindblowing what comes out of Grand Rapids over the next five to 10 years.” — Joseph Scott Anthony situation for local filmmakers whose films will no longer be welcome at their town’s namesake festival — to say nothing of the message this sends to local filmmakers whose work might explore, say, Buddhist or Jewish themes.

Yet other venues are working hard to support the local scene.

This spring, Erin Wilson, theater director at Wealthy T heatre, is unveiling a reboot of the venue’s facilities. Wilson is so thrilled about the upgrade, he can hardly sit still when he explains everything involved.

T he reboot was done in consultation with local engineer Michael Babb.

“He’s one of the best engineers in the world. He does Sundance. He’s worked at Steven Spielberg’s house,” Wilson says.

“And he lives in Grand Rapids.”

Babb did installations for the theater “basically for free,” Wilson marvels, “because he believes in what we’re doing.”

T he new facilities include high-definition, digital light processing projection, a parabolic HD DaLite screen, a digital cinema server, 7.1 Dolby surround sound, and a grand drape custom sewn by Rose Brand.

In layperson’s terms, the theater now offers the most visually jaw-dropping, aurally heart-stopping, state-of-the-art experience on the market. Wealthy recently screened a showing of the cult classic “The Crow,” and James O’Barr, creator of the character, was in attendance.

“He told us that our presentation of (the

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Members of West Michigan’s film scene meet regularly. Back row, from left: Dave Lowing of Lowing Light & Grip; Chris Randall of Fulvew Productions; Dan Falicki, actor and director; Charley VanPortfliet of West Michigan Film & Video Alliance; (front row) Jason Roth of Bargain Basement Productions; actress Elizabeth Merriman; screenwriter and film director Joel Potrykus; publicist Tamaryn Tobian; and Joseph Scott Anthony, actor and producer.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

film) was the best quality of any he’d ever seen at all the screenings he’d attended over the decades,” Wilson says, adding, “and he’s been to a lot.”

Wilson is a director himself — he shoots dance films with his wife, choreographer Amy Wilson — and he’s intent on providing for local filmmakers.

Along with the main theater, Wealthy T heatre also includes a micro-cinema, a 60-seat venue that features deluxe Irwin Seating chairs. Local producers, who sometimes need to see footage in “true calibrated color” when editing a film, now can rent the micro-cinema during off-hours. A new option will allow local filmmakers to screen movies in the micro-cinema for “a very affordable rate,” giving up-and-coming directors a chance to connect with local audiences on the big screen.

“Grand Rapids has one of the final ‘Wild West’ dynamics with respect to local filmmakers,” Wilson says. “We want to be a place where people can premiere their films, and other people can support them.”

T he Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ theater is also preparing for major changes.

Nick Hartman, film coordinator at UICA, is planning to rebrand the theater later this fall. Hartman is a friendly, earnest film buff whose passion for movies is catching. For him, going to a movie theater is “like going to church.”

Hartman’s vision for the rebranding draws inspiration from the acclaimed Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which recently opened a theater in Kalamazoo.

Alamo Drafthouse operates drive-in style, serving up fare from goat-cheese pizza to green chile macaroni during movies, along with wine, cocktails, spirits and a tap selection worthy of Beer City.

UICA’s theater is on the basement level, and Hartman hopes to cultivate the atmosphere of an “underground speakeasy.” He’d like a drink at the theater to become as common an impulse as a visit to T he Pyramid Scheme or Stella’s.

But while he waits for a liquor license, he’s begun experimenting with creative ways to draw in a crowd. In celebration of the Blu-ray release of David Lynch’s cult classic “T win Peaks,” Hartman hosted a themed screening of its prequel, “Fire Walk With Me,” which included a costume contest, giveaways and fresh coffee and cherry pie — an in-joke with the show’s fans.

T he event sold out. T hough Hartman says he felt bad turning people away, he lets a smile slip — happy the screening was such a huge success.

Hartman, like Wilson, takes pride in offering services to local filmmakers. UICA hosts an open projector night when filmmakers have a chance to screen “everything

from home videos to phone videos to serious films” at no charge.

Potrykus recalls, “Eight years ago, UICA was the only place that would let me show my films.” Out of respect for the theater, Potrykus chose to make an appearance at UICA on opening night for his latest feature, “Buzzard,” rather than be in New York City or L.A. There won’t be any shortage of film festivals this year. T hriller! Chiller! will return for its 10th season. Wealthy Theatre will host the Mosaic Film Experience, a student film festival with a special awards category for local filmmakers, as well as the Latin American Film Festival, partnering with area colleges.

Kent District Library is organizing the Kent County Teen Film Festival in conjunction with Celebration! Cinema. And the GRAM was recently selected to host the touring film festival Lunafest, which presents short films by women filmmakers with proceeds donated to Girls on the Run. Eventually, Grand Rapids may see a return of the big-budget features. T his fiscal year, the West Michigan Film Office was allocated $250,000 from the state budget, a significant boost for Director Rick Hert, who in the past has operated on an annual budget of about $2,000. Gov. Rick Snyder, who in previous years has capped the program at $25 million, recently proposed giving the program $50 million for 2016. T he Michigan House of Representatives, however, approved a bill to eliminate all film incentives, to patch a budget deficit. It had not advanced at press time.

Ultimately, the city may become known more for its homegrown films than for the films it attracts from out of state.

“It’s on the verge,” Anthony says. “We’re getting international recognition. We do really weird, original stuff here. It’s going to be mind-blowing what comes out of Grand Rapids over the next five to 10 years.”

T he GRAM’s VanderHoff calls it the Michigan voice. “We create something very different than the narrative that’s created in Hollywood.”

She thinks the situation is similar to the music scene in the ’80s. At the time, she remembers, the dominant sound was glam metal, which was centered in L.A. “It was all hair bands: Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses. When the ’90s hit, everyone was looking at L.A., wondering, ‘What’s the new sound going to be?’”

T hen, all of a sudden, the new sound exploded — out of Seattle. Nirvana and grunge would come to define rock music for the next decade. Everyone had been looking in the wrong direction.

“Up there in Seattle, they were just doing their own thing,” VanderHoff says. “And it got so good that it couldn’t be ignored.” GR

Joel Potrykus: freak-out movies Growing up in Northern Michigan, Joel Potrykus watched old films on VHS with his younger brother.

“It’s where my love of movies came from. At first it was “Star Wars” and then slasher flicks. When I turned 16, I could drive to the video store and track down the crazy stuff mom wasn’t cool with.”

Later he was influenced by stylistic writer/directors Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead”) and Jim Jarmusch (“Stranger Than Paradise”).

“It wasn’t until recently that I realized I am probably just blending those two influences into these weird, minimalist freak-out movies of mine.”

His movies — feature films “Ape” and “Buzzard,” plus several short films — were made in Grand Rapids.

“Ape” was awarded Best New Director at the Locarno International Film Festival and selected for the prestigious New Directors/New Films in New York.

“Buzzard” had a stint at UICA’s theater in March after receiving praise on the national and international film festival circuit.

Potrykus’ style falls in the punk/grunge genre; he has even been dubbed the “new poster child for American slacker cinema.”

A graduate of Grand Valley State University’s film program, he traveled extensively before settling in Grand Rapids.

“It’s my home base and the place with all of my friends and collaborators,” he says. Potrykus works with local actors, set designers and film crew personnel.

He also creates opportunities for locals who are interested in the filmmaking arts.

“We kind of figured out how to subvert the system and make our own industry here in Grand Rapids. It’s something that often goes unnoticed because we don’t bring in big cranes or fancy lights or block off streets. We prefer to stay incognito.”

For information, visit buzzardfilm.com.

— DANIEL ELISEVICH

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BY CHRISTOPHER KEMP

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

What’s the

ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY THINKSTOCK

scoop?

FROM ESTABLISHED PARLORS TO UPSTART ARTISANS, ICE CREAM IS A HOT COMMODITY IN WEST MICHIGAN

Mackenzie Moore, Isaiah Olivarez and Malaina Olivarez enjoy waffle cones at Jersey Junction in Gaslight Village.

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Hudsonville Ice Cream’s Ray Sierengowski, right, and Kyle Lorenz do a random taste of ice cream as it comes off the line before going into the deep freeze.

R

At Love’s Ice Cream in Downtown Market, Hillary Dawe watches daughter Ella dig into a cup of artisan ice cream.

ay Sierengowski is an ice cream guru. More specifically, Sierengowski is the ice cream guru for Hudsonville Ice Cream, based in Holland — purveyors of fine ice cream since 1926.

Sierengowski oversees many ice creamrelated things for Hudsonville. He is a sorbet guru, too. In fact, he knows more about things like fudge ripples and candy inclusions than I know about my own children.

When I first contacted Hudsonville Ice Cream and asked to speak with someone about the company and its line of ice creams, I was ushered toward the guru.

“I am the director of product development,” says Sierengowski, who signs off his e-mails with the word “Tastefully.”

He continues: “In my role here I develop new coming flavors. I work with the existing team to whittle down the best and the great-

est tasting and go to launch with them.”

I had called Sierengowski to ask him to explain the recent explosion in the popularity of ice cream across the West Michigan region.

In addition to established ice cream parlors — stalwarts like Kilwin’s, a nationwide chain with more than 20 outlets across Michigan, and the long-standing Jersey Junction in East Grand Rapids — the area has seen the arrival of many upstart parlors, like Pinkie’s Ice Cream and Desserts in East Hills, Love’s in Downtown Market and Furniture City Creamery in East Hills.

Frosty Boy, a once popular ice cream parlor serving traditional soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, has returned to 1775 Plainfield Ave. NE after nearly a decade.

Not to mention the many seasonal ice cream shops that open when the weather turns warm. Some favorites in Grand Rap-

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ids include Woody’s Cone Shop on 28th Street and the Cone Shoppe on Michigan Street NE — and a plethora along the lakeshore.

T here’s also a resurgence of frozen yogurt, with fix-it-yourself dessert bars like Sweet Yo’s, Spoonlickers and T he Pump House, all with multiple West Michigan locations.

At Hudsonville Ice Cream, says Sierengowski, business is booming. Sales grow each year.

“We sell millions of containers a year,” he says. “We are growing year over year, and have been for the last 10 years. We’re expanding outside of our Michigan footprint. We’re in Ohio and Chicago; we’ll be going into Wisconsin, as well, and into Indiana. We’re branching out.”

But why do Michiganders crave ice cream?

On midsummer days in Saugatuck, both Kilwin’s locations, one on each side of the street, are tightly packed with customers standing shoulder-to-shoulder, willing to wait in long lines for a cone or sundae.

There’s the theory that ice cream cones signal the start of summer, something

Midwesterners eagerly embrace. But that doesn’t explain the year-round shops with their unique flavors.

Sierengowski says ice cream popularity is being driven by the eating habits and discerning palates of the millennial generation — those born between the early 1980s and early 2000s.

“T hey are really part of what we call the locavore movement,” says Sierengowski.

“They really want to know where their ingredients are coming from. Are they the right kind of ingredients? Are they natural? Are they fresh?”

Sierengowski says the enthusiasm of locavores for fresh ingredients and artisanal food products has begun to affect the entire marketplace, rippling outward unpredictably like the fudge ripple in a scoop of Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge ice cream.

“We are Beer City USA,” he says. “Anywhere you see artisanal distilleries and brew houses, you’re going to find folks who want premium, unique ice cream. They look at spending a premium dollar for something they know is made in small batches by artisans who take their job seriously.”

And the artisans have arrived in Grand

The dessert bar at The Pump House in Grand Rapids offers a variety of sweet toppings for its frozen yogurt. Below, on summer nights, Dairy Treat in Grand Haven is often packed with people craving ice cream.

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“ Anywhere

you see

artisanal distilleries

and brew houses, you’re going to find folks who

want premium, unique

ice cream. They look at spending a premium

dollar for something they know is made in small

batches by artisans who

take their job seriously.”

— Ray Sierengowski

Using rye whiskey from Grand Traverse Distillery, Chris McKellar of Love’s Ice Cream cooks down figs for his Whiskey Fig ice cream, above. McKellar’s dairy and vegan ice creams and gelatos are made wih organic locally sourced ingredients.

Rapids, equipped with ice cream makers, blenders and strange ingredients.

In August 2013, Chris McKellar opened Love’s Ice Cream in the brand-new Downtown Market. McKellar makes organic, non-homogenized, grass-fed dairy ice cream and vegan gelato. He is constantly

experimenting with new ingredients and unusual flavor profiles.

“We have over 80 flavors at this point,” says McKellar. “Some only make brief appearances, while others are mainstays or make regular seasonal appearances.”

A sampling of his flavors, all of them made from scratch with organic locally sourced ingredients, include Cardamom Orange Blossom Vegan Gelato, Blueberry, Stolen, White Russian, Rosewater Pistachio Gelato and Soulful Ginger.

“One of our signature flavors is Field & Fire Almond Croissant,” he says. “We use wood-fired almond croissants from our neighbor, Field & Fire Bakery, and blend them into the ice cream with toasted almonds.”

On a recent visit, I tried a scoop of Black Licorice ice cream. It sat darkly in my cup, rejecting all light, defying physics. McKellar colors it black by adding squid ink to it. It is delicious. I had to fight my children for it. I did not win.

Last summer, Rachel Franko opened Furniture City Creamery in the East Hills neighborhood. Customers can watch Franko busily hand-making her smallbatch ice creams behind the counter as they enjoy a freshly made vegan ice cream cone.

Franko rotates her flavors frequently and posts them daily on the store’s Facebook page. On a recent day, the numerous flavors included Molasses Cookie, Banana Bread, Maple Syrup French T oast, Chocolate-Covered Potato Chip and Mojito.

But even if Franko only made her lifechanging Van’s Pastry Shoppe Donut flavor ice cream, I still would visit several times a

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week. Maybe even daily.

In addition to artisans making their own, some shops serve Michigan-made ice cream.

Pinkie’s Ice Cream and Desserts opened last July at 1127 Wealthy St. SE serving more than 30 flavors from Sherman’s Ice Cream in South Haven, which has been around since 1916. The shop offers scoops, sundaes, malts and more in a cozy space across from Wealthy Theatre.

“Ice cream is a treat,” says Pam Dolan, who co-owns Pinky’s with three partners.

“When life is stressful, ice cream is a relaxer. It calms people down and takes us back to childhood when things were less complicated.”

T hat’s certainly the mood at Jersey Junction in East Grand Rapids. In 2013, the popular parlor celebrated the 50th anniversary of its opening. Elias Olivarez, who has run the store with his wife, Mindy, since buying it in 2008, is its fifth owner.

“I think Jersey holds steady because of its longevity,” says Olivarez. “It’s got history behind it. We draw people from all over the city.”

Nothing is more powerful than tradition, he says. And Olivarez should know: Between 1969 and 1970, while his mother was a student at Aquinas College, she worked for Doris VanAllsburg, mother of author Chris VanAllsburg and the original owner of Jersey Junction.

Olivarez bought the store in 2008, leaving behind a career as an IT specialist for Spectrum Health. Before that, he worked in the criminal justice field.

“I worked for private security,” he says.

“After a while it takes a toll on you. All you’re looking for is the negative in people, and it gets old.”

So he left his high-pressure career behind, buying the ice cream store he’d visited a thousand times as a child. Now, between March and October each year, he sells 28 flavors of Hudsonville Ice Cream and curates a well-stocked Day-Glo-colored wall of candies.

From spring to fall, long lines form at Jersey Junction, and customers young and old spill out onto the stairway and sidewalk to relish their cones, shakes and sundaes.

“My wife and I took it over to make sure that it didn’t change,” he says matterof-factly. “We just want to continue that.

I’m pretty sure anyone would love to sell sweets. It’s good stuff.”

Meanwhile, back at Hudsonville Ice Cream headquarters in Holland, Sierengowski trains a judicious and unforgiving eye on a bowl of ice cream.

He is being a guru again. With his team

watching, he is about to subject another potential new ice cream flavor to the rigors of a taste test. In a bid to satisfy the locavores and millennials of West Michigan — and now Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, too — he is constantly seeking out new flavors. He will not rest.

Vanilla is no longer an option. Yes, it is a necessary flavor on the list — a classic, even — but here in Beer City USA, it only belongs in a beer float.

“We’re looking at things like avocado in the ice cream — which is wonderful, by the way,” says Sierengowski. “Avocado and honey. We’re looking at things like cardamom, banana curry — some things that are just out there that are different.”

He and his team are seeking to formulate new flavors that will appeal to customers who are drawn to modern flavor profiles, like those found in Thai food and sushi.

“T hey’re looking for these little odd subtleties where it’s not a huge difference,” he explains. “T hey still want to be able to identify with the ice cream, but they’re willing to have something a little bit different: candied carrot pieces, or chai, or chia seeds — kind of what I like to say is the ‘new normal.’”

He lifts a spoon to his mouth, places a melting football-shaped sample of banana curry ice cream on his waiting tongue and closes his eyes.

GR

Rachel Franko peels apples for her Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream at Furniture City Creamery, 958 Cherry St. SE in the East Hills neighborhood.

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E FR

SH FROM

H T

Farm

E

Area farmers markets open this month with a variety of seasonal products, including maple syrup, meats, eggs, veggies and more.

By Jaye Beeler Photography by Dianne Carroll Burdick

he center aisle at Fulton Street Farmers Market heaves with tempting signs of spring — the first chèvre, living lettuces, several varieties of basil, cultivated ramps, hydroponic tomatoes and growlers from People’s Cider Co. While it’s still early for summer’s sweetest stars — berries, cherries, melons, sweet corn —spring’s fresh

bounty, including Michigan asparagus, comes on strong this month.

Saturday, May 2, marks the opening of the 93rd season of the market at 1147 E. Fulton St., which is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

This is the time of year to buy plants, herbs, flowers and more for home gardens and landscaping at FSFM.

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Nathan Vannette, pictured with his sister, Jennifer Ostlund, and niece Caralynn, own and operate Growing Green Family Farm in Hudsonville with Jennifer’s husband, Chris Ostlund. At right, cheese from Dancing Goat Creamery, which makes cow’s milk and goat milk cheeses, and eggs from Crane Dance Farm.

Heirloom lettuce and exotic mushrooms picked minutes before arriving woo market shoppers, as do hand-kneaded breads, small-batch granolas and farmhouse cheeses.

Goose, duck and, on occasion, guinea fowl eggs join chicken eggs in spring pastels — green, blue, pink and speckled shells.

“At the market, we’re building food literacy and it’s ever-changing as the growers continuously harvest in season,” says Melissa Harrington, FSFM executive director. “Our farmers offer locally grown food that is harvested for taste and flavor rather than storage and travel.”

Food and agriculture contribute $96 billion to Michigan’s economy each year.

“We’re building not only economic capital but also social capital,” Harrington says. “Since 1922, we’ve been a gathering place to touch, talk and experience homegrown. All of that makes the Fulton Street market a destination place, and a necessity.”

For Crane Dance Farm’s Jill Johnson and Mary Wills, it’s direct selling from pasture to counter.

The pair run a good-to-the Earth outfit in Middleville where all the animals are bred, born and raised on the farm — one of only two farms in Michigan providing Animal Welfare Approved pastured pork, as well as 100 percent grass-fed beef and lamb certified by the American Grassfed Association. T hey also raise more than 40 varieties of heirloom chicken breeds.

“We’re producing humane, environmentally friendly and clean food that our customers deserve,” says Johnson, who also vends seasonally at the Ada Farmers Market.

Year-round in the market’s multi-purpose building, Ginny and Pat Rakowski sell free-range eggs, farm-reared chickens and grass-fed meats, as well as Mooville Creamery butter, milk and ice cream. Pat is the third-generation to work on the farm his grandfather started with dairy cows 50 years ago.

T he Rakowskis also sell maple syrup, the state’s first cash crop.

T his year, the USDA has revised maple syrup grading standards, Ginny says.

“We’re producing humane, environmentally friendly and clean food that our customers deserve.”

— Jill Johnson

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“The first time I went foraging, I fell in love with mushrooms.”

— Mary Ann Faulkner “The thinking was to create some uniformity with the maple producers from Vermont to Michigan. T he thing to keep in mind is that it’s all maple syrup.”

Mary Ann Faulkner of the Urban Mushroom arranges her mushrooms — king, gray and golden oysters, maitake and shiitake — on a trestle table.

“Some people tell me they look too pretty to eat,” says Faulkner, an avid forager, who began growing the exotic mushrooms indoors commercially in Comstock Park in November.

“T he first time I went foraging, I fell in love with mushrooms. But growing mushrooms indoors is tricky because they can be finicky.”

Faulkner suggests sautéing maitake or shiitake mushrooms with a pat of butter and soy sauce. “T hat can be your starting point, your finishing point and everything in between.”

Across the way, Nathan Vannette of Growing Green Family Farm sells hydroponic lettuce.

T he 22-year-old is an expert on micro-greens and salad greens, including red leaf Oscarde, Red Cross butter bibb, and Grand Rapids leaf lettuce (yes, it’s a real

thing). He’s willing to share details about his wheatgrass, bok choy, Swiss chard and three varieties of kale — Scarlet, Red Russian, and Blue Ridge.

“I love all of this. I grew up on five acres of woods that I could explore to my heart’s content,” says the Hudsonville entrepreneur. “I grow all of this with a vertical hydroponic lettuce system. We’re the only ones doing this on this side of the state. It helps me produce a consistent product year-round, regardless of the season.”

For apple grower John Platte, who has sold his products at the Fulton Street Farmers Market since 1967 when he accompanied his dad, apple blossom season is his favorite time of year.

“We’ll have apple blossoms around May 10,” says Platte, who grows 12 varieties of apples including rare beauties like Molly Delicious and Cameo.

“Around the first of May, I get a quad of bumblebees from Ann Arbor. I then rent four to six hives from a local beekeeper. Bees are pollinators and you have to have them. No pollination equals no apples. Nothing says GR springtime like apple blossoms.”

To market, to market...

Here’s a list of West Michigan farmers markets opening in May. For a complete list of community farmers markets and markets on farms throughout West Michigan, visit westmichiganfarmmarkets.org.

Byron Center Farmers Market 8350 Byron Center Ave. SW; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., May-October. facebook.com/byroncenterfarm ersmarket Caledonia Farmers Market 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., mid-May-October. Facebook Downtown Market Grand Rapids 435 Ionia Ave. SW; outdoor market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., MaySeptember. Indoor market open year-round. downtownmarketgr. com Fulton Street Farmers Market

1147 E. Fulton St.; 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tue., Wed., Fri., Sat. May-December; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. JanuaryApril. Artisans Market 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. June-September. fulton streetmarket.org Grand Haven Farmers Market Harbor Drive at 1st Street; 8 a.m.1 p.m. Sat. in May; Wed. and Sat. June-October. grandhavenchamb er.org/farmers-markets Holland Farmers Market 150 W. 8th St.; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed. and Sat. mid-May-November; 8 a.m.3 p.m. Sat. thru mid-December. hollandfarmersmarket.com

Metro Health Farmers Market 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thu. Mayearly October. metrohealth.net/ livehealthy Muskegon Farmers Market 242 W. Western Ave.; 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tue., Thu., Sat. May-November. muskegonfarmersmarket.com Muskegon, Sweetwater Local Foods 6401 Harvey St.; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. year-round. sweetwater localfoodsmarket.org or Facebook

off Main St.; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. in May; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. JuneOctober. rockford.mi.us Saugatuck Center for the Arts 400 Culver St.; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri. late May-September. sc4a.org West Grand Farmers Market 1053 Leonard St. NW; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu. late May-mid-October. westgrand.org — Compiled by Gordie Moeller, farm market consultant, gordiemoeller@ comcast.net

Rockford Farmers Market South Squires Street parking lot

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$

Award winning cuisine in a casual setting.

Right in your own backyard.

Savor the stunning views and award winning cuisine at The Acorn Grille at Thousand Oaks Golf Club.

Casual enough for a martini with friends yet elegant enough to celebrate an anniversary.

Whether enjoying our deck or the dining room, The Acorn Grille is sure to make your visit unforgettable.

$5 BURGER & BEER MONDAYS

Mon–Thu 11am – 10pm | Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm | Sun 11am – 8pm 4100 Thousand Oaks Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 616.447.7750

www.thousandoaksgolf.com

– Places to Play” “ “One of the 25 best golf courses in Michigan” ~Golf Digest~

Voted GR’s “BEST” 12 years running ~Grand Rapids Magazine~

A REES JONES SIGNATURE COURSE

LIMITED PUBLIC PLAY PERMITTED MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

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The dinner menu features all the fish and seafood dishes one would expect, from raw oysters to Maryland crab cakes, lobster tail and Great Lakes perch.

Crab & Avocado Timbake

FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, Charley’s Crab has been a destination in Grand Rapids, an upscale seafood restaurant situated on the banks of the Grand River.

While other fine dining establishments in downtown GR — such as the much acclaimed The 1913 Room — have closed their doors, Charley’s continues to be a spot for special occasions.

At least that’s the impression we got on a recent Friday night.

The place was packed at 7 p.m. with patrons of all ages, from multigenerational families celebrating birthdays to millennial couples enjoying a romantic evening.

T he website still lists Charley’s Crab as a Chuck Muer restaurant, but after Muer’s death in 1994, the restaurateur’s operations were purchased by Houston-based Landry’s Inc., a multibrand dining, hospitality, entertainment and gaming corporation.

T hat purchase was the initiative for Leo Beil, former high-ranking Muer management executive, to open his own downtown seafood restaurant: Leo’s.

Landry’s invested in renovations, new furniture and an expanded outdoor seating area as the weather allows.

Our first visit was an overall positive experience. T he server was pleasant and knowledgeable, courses arrived on time and the food was delicious.

T he bar offerings are plentiful, including an extensive list of wines by the bottle. T he featured wine was a Rioja ($43 bottle, $11 glass) recommended by our server as pairing well with most dinner items.

T he dinner menu features all the fish and seafood dishes one would expect, from raw oysters to Maryland crab cakes, lobster tail and Great Lakes perch. T here’s also Firecracker Shrimp on the appetizer list, plus such specialties as bouillabaisse and combo plates. And, of

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (PAGES 56-57)

Charley’s: Seafood on the river

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dining review

BY IRA CRAAVEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (PAGES 56-57)

course, there’s a smattering of landlubber fare.

A bread basket arrived with warm, perfect rolls and crackers to enjoy with butter and a yummy whitefish spread.

We ordered the Almond Encrusted Brie ($11.50) to start our meal, served with crostini and a warm fruit chutney. The cheese was soft and spreadable inside with a firm, seasoned crust. T he dish really didn’t need the garlicky crostini, which overpowered the brie.

T he Iceberg Wedge salad ($7) lived up to expectations. T he firm hunk of lettuce was topped with bacon, tomatoes, a bit of onion and a generous helping of blue cheese dressing.

T he Ultimate Mix Seafood T rio ($31) with grilled salmon, crab cake and coconut macadamia shrimp was a nice combination. All tasted fresh and well prepared — as was the pyramid of Portuguese rice and wedge of cauliflower.

My guest, a lobster connoisseur, decided on Surf & Turf ($48.50), adding King Crab Legs ($25) for good measure. He was not disappointed. T he seafood was fresh and succulent, the filet mignon cooked to the requested medium rare. T he Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and asparagus also were fresh and properly cooked.

Throughout the meal our server made sure water and wine glasses were filled and our needs were being met.

Despite the enormous amount of food, we found room to split a slice of Florida Key Lime Pie ($6.50) that was creamy and a perfect end to dinner. If we’d had more room, we might also have ordered the Shark Fin Pie, a generous slice of Mackinaw Island Fudge ice cream with Michigan-made Sander’s original hot fudge and fresh whipped cream.

A second visit on a busy Saturday evening had mixed reviews.

Things started off well with Dynamite Scallops ($14) — small scallops in a spicy sauce with green onion bits, served in shells. And we loved the colorful Crab and Avocado T imbale ($15): sliced avocado topped with mango, sweet onion and cilantro.

The salads were fresh and the Classic Caesar with anchovies ($7.50) was especially good.

But the entrees fell short of expectations.

After learning at the early hour of 6 p.m. that the restaurant had sold out of at least two preferred entrees, one dining companion settled on the small “coldwater” lobster tail ($37). It seemed less than fresh and lacking in flavor. The side of asparagus was perfect, however.

The Sea Bass ($33) was a featured item and also seemed less than fresh and definitely overcooked, lacking the juicy succulence and flavor we expected.

T he Chocolate T ruffle Cake ($8.50) was quite delicious. The warm cake featured a molten center and was topped with ice cream, all swimming in crème Anglaise.

Charley’s has happy hours 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday in the bar and lounge with drink specials and small bites. A “Sunset Dining” menu is offered 4:30-6 p.m. for early diners and includes several choices of starter, entrée and dessert at very reasonable prices. The restaurant also is known for its extensive Sunday — IRA CRAAVEN brunch.

Charley’s Crab Address: 63 Market Ave. SW, Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 459-2500 Website: muer.com/ charleys-crab/grand rapids.asp Dining ratings: Category: Classic American Food: *** Service: *** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: *** Price: $$

Must try: Ultimate Seafood Trio is an excellent sampling of Charley’s finest.

Not so much: On one trip, the Sea Bass was disappointing.

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

Exceptional Above Average Satisfactory Poor

¢ $ $$

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

(Prices based on average entrée.)

MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 57

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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 78).

nology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D $-$$

NEW AMERICAN Upscale, contemporary cooking including ethnic twists on familiar standbys.

combinations. Open 10-4 Sun. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. B (Sun ¢-$ only), 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. T ake-out menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$

Ada PourHouse Gastropub — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrees, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine.

Open daily. 6748 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941, Facebook. B (Sun brunch only), L, D $-$$

Gilly’s At The B.O.B. — Hand-crafted microbrews paired with seasonal fare. Tavern small plates, seafood and more. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com.

D $-$$

Olives — 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 ¢-$

Bar Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 7749463. bardivani.com. L, D $-$$

Ganders — Former Spinnaker has new look and new menu featuring Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-1111. hilton grandrapids.com, Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$

One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Closed Sun. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. onetrick.biz. L, D ¢-$

Bistro Bella V ita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobellavita.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. graydons crossing.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

Blue Water Grill — Entrees include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection.

Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Open daily.

5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmore collection.com/bluewater.php. L, D $-$$

Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flare, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draught beers, many from area microbreweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$

– Lounge — Soups, salads, sandwichCitysen es, burgers and small-plate creations. Happy Hour daily 4-7 pm. CityFlats Hotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, (866) 609-CIT Y. cityflatshotel. ¢-$ com/grandrapids. B, L, D Cork — Lively lounge, contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads.

Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, 949-0570. redwaterrestaurantgroup.com. $-$$ L, D Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences.

Sun brunch Labor Day to Mother’s Day. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand. $$ com. D (Tue-Sat) Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative

Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily at 11 am. 111 Courtland Dr, Rockford, 8633300. grilloneeleven.com and Facebook.

L, D $-$$ OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Open daily. 919 Cherry St $$ SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant.com. D Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner (pizza after 4 p.m.). Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hallstreetbakery.com. B, L, ¢-$ D The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan.

Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer. Open T ue-Fri during school year. Applied T ech-

Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 608-6465 or 551-3563. rockwellsrepublic.com. L, D $-$$ Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with varied menu including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch.

Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection.com/roses.php. L, D $ Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Happy hour 3-6.

Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzdeli.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$$ Six.One.Six — Innovative cuisine sources local ingredients in a cosmopolitan setting.

Al fresco dining on Jdek overlooking Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St $-$$ NW, 242-1500. ilove616.com. B, L, D SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrees (available after 4). Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com.

L, D $ Tavern On The Square — T apas-style fare

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plus house specialties. Patio seating. Happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. tavernonthesq.com. L, D ¢-$

steaks, seafood, pasta and more at The Elks at Highlands Golf Club. 2715 Leonard St NW, $-$$ 453-2454. highlandsgr.com. L, D

Terra GR — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. B (brunch Sat $-$$ and Sun), L, D

FireRock Grille — Country club dining or cook your own filet, shrimp or ahi tuna on a 500-degree stone. Open daily. Sun brunch 10-2. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. firerockgrille.com. $ L, D

Wealthy Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner (pizza available after 4). Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com.

B, L, D ¢-$

Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turnof-century building. Comfort food, woodfired pizzas. Full bar plus T he BOB’s House of Brews beers. Al fresco dining on patio.

Open daily at 11:30 am. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. thegilmorecollection.com/flat river.php. 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. winche stergr.com. L, D ¢-$

CLASSIC AMERICAN Restaurants and diners serving traditional dishes popular across the country.

Acorn Grille at Thousand Oaks — Blend of traditional and innovative cuisine, presented in handsome dining room with golf course views. Open daily in season. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr, 447-7750. thousandoaksgolf.com.

L, D $$ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and desserts; dinner menu too. No alcohol. Open daily. 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 710 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesrestaurants.com.

B, L, D $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1770. hiaryana.com. B, L, D $-$$ Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck.

Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, Rockford, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. php. L (weekends), D $-$$

Rose’s

breakfast menu, lunches with vegetarian choices, dinner entrees include Mexican.

Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641; 2844 East Beltline Ave NE, 363-1723. brandywine ¢-$ gr.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. See website for eight West Michigan locations. branns.com. L, D $ Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers. Entrees include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Closed Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 4543580. thebullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), $-$$ D -Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood in a fine dining atmosphere with views of the Grand River. Early menu 4:30-6 pm daily. Glutenfree menu. Sun brunch 10-2:30. Open daily.

63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com.

L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

Fleetwood Diner — Extensive diner menu with ribs a specialty, some Mediterranean and Mexican entrees. Open 6:30 for breakfast (8 am-4 pm Sun). Outdoor patio. 2222 44th St SE, 281-2300. fleetwoodbarandgrill. ¢-$ com. B, L, D Forest Hills Inn — Casual neighborhood favorite with a broad menu, excellent pizza.

Closed Sun. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 949-4771. $ foresthillsinn.com. B, L, D Fry Daddy’s Fresh Fish — Fried fish, wingdings, walleye, orange roughy, catfish, blue gill, perch, smelt and shrimp, by the pound or in baskets with fries. Also to go. Closed Mon. T rinity Plaza, 1720 44th St SE, Kentwood, ¢-$ 455-FISH. Facebook. L, D

GrandVilla — Prime rib, steaks, all-you-caneat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar. Kids menu. Full bar. Closed Sunday.

3594 Chicago Dr SW, 538-1360. villadunge on.com. L, D ¢-$ Great Lakes Shipping Co. — Beef, seafood and beyond in dockside motif. Patio open in summer. Lounge opens 3 pm. 2455 Burton St SE, 949-9440. greatlakesshippingcompany. com. D $-$$

Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers and seafood, ostrich and elk burgers.

Closed Mon. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 4478294. greenrestaurantgrandrapids.com. L, D Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, ( ue-Sat) $ creative burgers. T Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill.com, Facebook. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢-$

Boulder Creek Restaurant — Boulder Creek Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golfcourse views from inside or deck. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, (616) 363-1330, ext 2. boulder ¢-$ creekgolfclub.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, 451-6131. thechophousegrandrapids. com. D $$

Brandywine — Café atmosphere. Extensive

Dugan’s Pub & Grille — Casual dining with

Grill House & Rock Bottom Bar — Grill-yourown steak with grillmasters on call. Bottomless salad bowl and potato bar. 1071 32nd St (M-40), Allegan, (269) 686-9192. grillhouse. net. L (downstairs), D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com/honeycreek-inn.php. L, D ¢-$ Continued on page 62 MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 59

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The first summer they dated, Andy and Michelle Davis hunted mushrooms. They’ve been foraging together ever since.

Stalking the wild morel

A

book can change your life. Just ask Kalamazoo native Andy Davis.

In his youth, he read “My Side of the Mountain,” about a boy surviving in the forested wilds of New York State, and his destiny was set.

T oday, Andy and wife Michelle are renowned Michigan foragers.

For the last three years, their company, Wild Earth Foraging, has provided the region’s restaurants with such wild edibles as porcini and morel mushrooms, ramp, watercress, herbs and more, along with educational services on proper foraging and preparation techniques.

Davis is a geologist with a bachelor’s degree in natural history from Western Michigan University. He’s a builder and carpenter who coowns Old School Construction, headquartered in Kalamazoo’s former Gibson Guitar factory.

And he’s an experienced outdoorsman.

T hirty years ago he took a nine-month Michigan walkabout that stretched from Holland to Sault Sainte Marie and then went on to Maine and down into Appalachia.

“I continued to expand my experience with natural foods and to understand food as a cultural experience,” he said. “As I walked, I slowly learned to incorporate the different culinary expressions that originate from varied regions

from New England to Appalachia.”

Michelle, who is also a WMU science graduate, shares his love of the outdoors. She homeschools their three children, all of whom Davis reports are enthusiastic foragers.

“Michelle has a background in organic gardening and has always had an interest in the wild aspect of food. T hat’s part of our romance, really.”

He laughingly recalls: “We knew each other on a social level and we both liked to fish.

I started romancing her by giving her a book on all the trout streams in West Michigan.”

T he first summer they dated, they hunted mushrooms. “We decided, ‘T his is fun; let’s keep doing this.’ And that’s what we still do.”

In the past, dining on foraged edibles was often relegated to the fringes of the culinary world, but the treasured-yet-elusive morel was one of the few things from the forest that made it to the table on a routine basis.

“It was the entrée to our business,” Davis recalled. “With the shift in fine dining and the

“Michelle has a background in organic gardening and has always had an interest in the wild aspect of food. That’s part of our romance, really.”

— Andy Davis

Morel mushrooms, one of Michigan’s prized

to sample spring’s finest offerings from field

culinary treasures, will be featured at a for-

and forest.

aged dinner and fundraising event May 5-6 at The Southerner, a new Saugatuck restaurant

The event begins May 5, when Andy, Michelle

ing techniques from the Davis family and then discuss with the chefs how to cook what is found.

and the chefs will spend the day foraging for

The next day, the chefs will spend the day

morels, ramps, violets, watercress and all

preparing an unparalleled seven-course feast

Foragers Michelle and Andy Davis will team

manner of other wild foods in preparation for

showcasing the bounty of spring, including

up with restaurant owners Katie Fris and

the next day’s meal. Attendees are invited to

produce, meats, cheeses and breads from

Matthew Millar to offer a unique opportunity

join in the experience and learn proper forag-

the area’s best producers.

scheduled to open to the public in June.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

Morels — and much more at The Southerner in Saugatuck

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

culture of haute cuisine, we found ourselves poised to service those needs.”

Almost as a reflection of their foraged products, their business grew organically: One year they found they had gathered more morels than they could possibly consume, so they offered the excess to a friend who is associated with Food Dance in Kalamazoo.

“We started selling a few to them, along with porcinis, and developing a relationship with the Food Dance chef to provide guidance and education.”

Through word-of-mouth, they develop relationships with other notable chefs including those at Rustica in Kalamazoo and Salt of the Earth in Fennville, and with Matt Millar, former executive chef at Reserve who is opening a new Saugatuck restaurant called T he Southerner with partner Katie Fris.

As their client list grew, the couple made an early decision to pursue certification through the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Food and Dairy.

“No one asked us to do it, but we wanted to set ourselves apart from the pack and be the best possible source of the best possible stuff on the planet,” Davis explained. “We have one of the broadest certifications ever for the state.

We’re good for everything.”

A few years ago, following the forest fire at Duck Lake in the Upper Peninsula, Davis knew the aftermath would produce an abundance of morels. He and Michelle renegotiated to acquire the first-ever permit to commercially harvest morels on state land.

“We gradually built the business through integrity and reliability, safety and education.

We’re not just a source — we help educate the chefs about what’s available and provide both the material and the service.”

— JULIE BURCH

Chefs include: Matthew Pietsch of Salt Of

“Beervangelist” Fred Bueltmann will be on

The Earth; Matthew Green of Reserve Wine

hand to assist with beer and spirits pair-

and Food in Grand Rapids; Joel Wabeke of

ings, courtesy of New Holland Brewing Co.

Wright & Co. in Detroit; James Rigato, head chef of The Root in White Lake and Top Chef Boston contestant; Chris Pandel of The Bristol, Balena and Formento’s in Chicago; and Paul Virant, of Perennial Virant,

The Southerner, which will focus on southern comfort fare, plans to open in June for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 880 Holland St. in Saugatuck.

Vistro and Vie in Chicago.

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Continued from page 59 Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hud ¢-$ sonvillegrille.com. B, L, D

soups, baked goods and coffee. Catering.

Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr, Ada, 682-5290. saburba.com and Facebook. B, L, ¢-$ D Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. 5755 28th St SE (Esplanade Plaza), 956-5644; Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616. $ sundancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat)

Judson’s At The B.O.B. — Award-winning steak house offers steaks, seafood and chops. Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/jud sonssteakhouse. D $$

Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals include pot roast, Salisbury steak and meatloaf. Huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel.com. B, 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. kitchen ¢-$ 67.com and Facebook. L, D

FLeo’s — Fresh seafood, Certified Black Angus Beef, New Zealand rack of lamb and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700, leosrestaurant. $-$$ com. L (Mon-Fri), D LINC Up Soul Food Café — Serves up healthy fusion of country favorites and innovative choices. Open daily (Sun brunch noon-4).

1167 Madison Ave SE (LINC Development Center), 475-6650. facebook.com/lincupsoul ¢-$ foodcafe. B, L, D The Meadows Grille — Patio and dining room overlook GVSU golf course. Appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads.

Open daily during golf season. 1 W Campus Dr, Allendale. gvsu.edu/meadows. L (WedSun), D ¢ Pal’s Diner — Traditional diner offers breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Closed Sun. 6503 28th St SE, 942-7257. palsdiner.com. ¢ B, L, D Pearl Street Grill — Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, $ 235-1342. Facebook. B, L, D Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow ¢-$ grillmichigan.com. B, L, D Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials.

Leo’s

Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 17 Squires St Square, Rockford, 951¢-$ 7100. ramonastable.com. L, D Red Jet Café — In former Creston Heights library. Coffee bar. Menu ranges from omelets to specialty pizzas. Full bar. 1431 Plainfield Ave NE, 719-5500. thegilmorecollec tion.com/redjet.php. B (Sat-Sun), L, D (Mon¢-$ Sat) Reds On The River — On Rogue River. Large menu ranges from seafood to chops, plates to share. Extensive deck. Kids menu. 8 E Bridge St, Rockford, 863-8181. reds-live.com.

L, D $-$$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266. riograndsteak $-$$ house.com. L, D RiverHouse Ada — Casual vibe. Menu features regional cuisine from chicken and dumplings to filet. Also sandwiches, small plates. Closed Sun. 445 Ada Dr SE, 432-3345. ¢-$$ riverhouseada.com. L (Mon-Fri), D Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. $ rushcreekbistro.com. L, D Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza.

187 Monroe Ave NW, 774-2000. amway grand.com. L, D $$ Saburba — Specializes in take-out. Everchanging menu of entrees, sandwiches,

Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse in former warehouse district. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. tillmansrestaur $-$$ ant.com. L, D Timbers Inn — Menu ranges from appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), ¢-$ D Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/ wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$ Vintage — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, 949-0570. redwaterrestaurantgroup.com. D $$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 791-9922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $

VEGETARIAN Bartertown Diner — Vegetarian/vegan/raw offerings in worker-owned and -operated diner. Promotes use of fresh, local ingredients. Closed T ue (hours change seasonally, check website). 6 Jefferson Ave SE, 233-3219. bartertowngr.com. L, D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$

PUBS & TAVERNS 84th Street Pub and Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks, full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Closed Sun. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr, Byron Center, 583-1650.

84thstpub.com. L, D ¢-$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at US 131), 363-7748. ontherivergr.com. B, L, D $

Terrace Grille at Bay Pointe Inn — Lakefront setting. Seasonally changing menu known for steaks and seafood. Holiday brunches. 11456 Marsh Rd, Shelbyville, (269) 672-5202. bay $-$$ pointeinn.com. L, D

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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 ¢ Bobarino’s At The B.O.B. — Grill on 2nd floor of T he B.O.B. offers everything from woodfired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers. Fullservice bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bob ¢-$ arinospizza. L, D

Founders Brewing Co. — Spacious taproom, serpentine bar, and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches.

Outdoor beer garden. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs.com. L, D ¢-$

L (Sat-Sun), D

¢-$

J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, Southwest, T hai and more. Banquet facilities; outdoor seating. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D $-$$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrees. Three floors of seating. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 459-8824. jgardellas tavern.com. L, D ¢

Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available.

Open daily. 1701 4 Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. bud andstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$

Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 459-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$

➧Last Chance Tavern and Grill — Appetizers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a huge selection of Michigan microbrews.

Open daily. 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelastchancetavern.com, Facebook. L, D ¢

Cascade Sports Grill — Varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches, baskets, salads. Sizable bar with extensive martini menu. Cascade Centre, 6240 28th St SE, 974-3338.

Facebook. L, D $

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

Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Kids eat free Sun-Wed. 11240 University Parkway, Allendale, 895-1234; 1730 28th St SW, Wyoming, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$

Charlie’s Bar & Grill — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also Mexican fare, sandwiches. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. Facebook. L, 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, 774-2000. amwaygrand.com. L, D $

McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon — New York-style Irish menu includes “re-created” pub fare. T ransforms into nightclub late at night. Open daily. 58 Ionia Ave SW, 454$ 9105. mcfaddensgrandrapids.com. L, D

Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoodslounge.com. L, ¢-$ D

Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. 3874 West River Dr, 784-3806. ¢-$ millcreektaverngr.com. L, D

Cheers Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. T ake-out available. Open daily.

3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheers grandrapids.com, Facebook. B, L, D ¢ Corner Bar — Famous for brews and chili dogs, but with extensive menu. 31 N Main St, Rockford, 866-9866. rockfordcornerbar. com. L, D ¢ Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927.

Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chili and more. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢ Crooked Goose — Full menu of “old-school tavern favorites,” including munchies, pizzas, sandwiches and burgers, fresh greens, entrees. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walk¢-$ er, 791-2362. crookedgoose.com. L, D Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 301-3236. derby station.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. Facebook. L (FriSun), D ¢ Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrees with Irish influence.

Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. L, D ¢

Gravity Taphouse Grille — Industrial décor. Menu items paired with craft beer suggestions. Pizzas, small and large plates, 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4144. redwater restaurants.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Harmony Brewing Co. — Eastown’s addition to the craft-brewing scene offers custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Drive SE, 233-0063. harmony beer.com. 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 5th St NW, 456-9058. the holidaybargr.com. L, D ¢ Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Closed Sun & Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. hojogr.com. B, L, D $ HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare from meatloaf to mussels. Open daily.

25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com.

The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseballthemed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Mojo’s — Lively dueling piano bar and restaurant open for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat, plus late night “munchy menu.” RSVP for dinner early, show starts at 8 pm Wed-Thu, 7 pm Fri-Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar.com. D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters and snacks, sausages, specialty hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and GR Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclub.com. L, D ¢ Nick Finks — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Live music on Sat. Open T ue-Sat. 3965 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7849886. thegilmorecollection.com/nickfinks. php. 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 ¢-$

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu available. Open daily. 4051 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$ Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. 0-5065 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Allendale, 895-1615; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880; Downtown, 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444. peppinospizza.com.

L, D ¢-$$ Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park microbrewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, hot dogs, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park Drive, perrinbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrees, some with Cajun flavor. Open daily. 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge.com, Facebook.

L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Food ordered from Vitales.

Hand-crafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, Rockford, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ing.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. thescore-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flare, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily.

Cascade Center, 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604.

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

Known for its whiskey selection. Open daily.

53 Commerce Ave, 742-4444. stellasgr.com.

L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ Village Inn Pizza & Sports Grille — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Open daily. 2215 44th St SE, Kentwood, 281-1444. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ V itale’s Sports Lounge & Pizzeria — Pizza, pasta, panini and wraps in sports-centric surrounding. Outside deck, live entertainment. Open daily. 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-6044; takeout 784-5011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, 530-2400. spectru mlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D $ Z’s — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, en-

trees. Carry-out available. Open daily. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$

ITALIAN/ EUROPEAN Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Sun brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, 785-5344. amoretrat toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) $ Angela’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria — Italian dinners, pizza, stromboli, subs and desserts. Daily specials. Lunch buffet, full-service bar. Closed Sun. 240 E Division, Sparta, (616) 887-1913. angelaspizza andrestaurant.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar. Open daily. 661 Croswell SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L (not Mon), D ¢-$

Open daily. 1259 Post Drive, Belmont, 7851001. flossportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Franco’s Pizzeria — Italian entrees, Stromboli, pizza and subs. T akeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. francospizzagr.com. D ¢-$ Fred’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 3618994. fredspizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$ Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. T akeout, delivery available. Open daily. 15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600; 5570 28th St SE, 608-8000. georgiosgourmetpizza.com.

L, D ¢-$

Bella Pizzeria — Italian entrees, wings, sandwiches, specialty pizzas. Open daily. 3519 S Division Ave, 452-2810. bellapizzagr.com. L (not Sun), 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 ¢-$

FBrewery V ivant — Belgian beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes. Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. breweryvivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$

Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrees, calzones and desserts. Open daily.

2896 Knapp St NE. 608-6912. licarispizza kitchen.com. L, D $

Brick Road Pizza — T raditional, 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. brickroad pizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrees, small plates, salads, wood-fired pizzas. Take-out available. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. eurobistrogr.com.

L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Florentine Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Big-screen T Vs, pool tables, darts, foosball. 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Florentine of Grandville — Italian, American and Mexican cuisine including pizzas and hand-made pastas. 3245 28th St SW, 5345419. florentineingrandville.com. L, D $ Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrees. Big screen T Vs; take-out available.

Mangiamo — Historic mansion houses family-friendly eatery. Italian fare plus steaks and seafood. Extensive wine list. Full bar. Open daily. 1033 Lake Dr SE, 742-0600. thegilmore collection.com/mangiamo.php. D $-$$ Marinade’s Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, Rockford, 863-3300. marinadespizza bistro.com. L, D ¢ Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus familyfriendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$ Noto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D $-$$ FOsteria Rossa — Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from Executive Chef/Owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Open Sun for

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It’s It’sallallabout aboutthe the view! view!

views... ... views

Picture yourself on your deck looking at these Picture yourself on your deck looking at these

Lots available in Fremont Meadows Build and live on over 1 acre with sweeping open views, paved streets and private cul-de-sacs. Minutes from downtown Fremont.

MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 67

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grabbin’ a bite

BY GRANT STOYE

A breathtaking menu to behold

Two Beards’ menu is extensive and absolutely breathtaking to behold, with scores of sandwiches, salads and soups — all named for facial hair or famous bearded gentlemen.

Captain Nemo sandwich, front, and the Willie Nelson.

it, looked at that glorious roast beef covered in a seafood salad, and I took a bite.

The darn thing was stupendous.

Never in a million years did I expect the combination to work. The beef, delicious enough on its own, was married to the salad with white cheddar and a creamy lemon sundried tomato mayo. The onion bun that had seemed ill-suited for that mixture became the only bread with enough distinct flavor to work. I walked away a believer.

Two Beards is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and offers delivery. Call 719-3802; find the menu at twobeardsgr.com.

— Grant Stoye enjoys writing about baseball and comic books, eating well and frequently, and drawing pictures of dinosaurs in formal wear.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

TO PREFACE, I went into T wo Beards actually intending to order a sandwich I thought sounded weird, and that I wouldn’t like. On purpose. By design.

Two Beards is a nice-sized deli at 38 Commerce Ave. SW, owned

by Scott Schulz, who also owns Cherry Street Deli in East Hills.

The setting is pleasant, with circular tables filling in the open floor and smaller two-person tables lining the walls. Windows face the busy street and Stella’s Lounge.

T he counter, to the side and next to a large selection of drinks and chips, was run by pleasant employees who were prompt with answers and recommendations.

T wo Beards’ menu is extensive and absolutely breathtaking to behold, with scores of sandwiches, salads and soups — all named for facial hair or famous bearded gentlemen.

After waiting a surprisingly brief amount of time, the first sandwich I shoved into my face was the Hagrid, which consists of pork, chicken, smoked cheddar and barbecue mayo.

Instantly, I just fell in love with it. The chicken and pork are shredded and complement each other incredibly well. The smoked cheddar was perfect when combined with the barbecue mayo, so naturally, all put together?

C’mon, man — delicious!

Next up was the Willie Nelson. The Red Haired Stranger’s sandwich was a chicken salad with white cheddar, tomato and romaine on wheat, and it was more delightful than I anticipated.

T he chicken salad had chopped walnuts and dried cherries, whose tartness complemented the unexpected kick of the mustard seeds in the salad. T he wheat bread was a simple, inspired choice that put the spotlight on the salad.

T hen, the Captain Nemo — the sandwich I thought I wouldn’t like. It features roast beef layered with a crab salad served on an onion bun. Pretty out there, right? Well, I unwrapped 68 GRMAG.COM \ MAY 2015

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

brunch. 16 Monroe Center NW. 988-9350. osteriarossa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Ristorante — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 4523228. rcfc.com/pietros. 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 ¢-$ San Chez, A Tapas Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées too. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. L, D $-$$ Trattoria di’ Stagione — Small and large plates of Italian dishes from pasta to seafood using locally sourced ingredients. Outside patio. Open daily. 1420 Lake Drive SE, 458$ 5583. trattoriadistagione.com. D Tre Cugini — Innovative Italian menu, impressive wine list, fresh pasta and risotto specialties. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 122 Monroe Center, 235-9339. trecugini.com.

L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties including entrees, plus burgers, sandwiches. Open daily.

2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 8911100; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, 249-9344. uccellos.com. L, D ¢-$

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

It’s Y TIME T R !

PA Unique catering options that will make your party anything but ordinary.

Vitale’s — T raditional dishes from family recipes. Closed Sun. 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368. (Vitale’s Sports Lounge next door, 458-2090, open daily lunch and dinner). theoriginalvitales.com. L (sports bar), D ¢-$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

V itale’s Of Ada — Regional, upscale dishes made from scratch. Also pizza, subs and burgers. Family-friendly; microbrews to martinis in sports pub. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 676-5400. vitalesada.com. L, D ¢-$

gilmore-catering.com 616.356.2627 x49

WOOD-FIRED PIZZA CART BACKYARD BARBECUES BEACH PARTIES GRADUATIONS & MORE!

V itale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza and pasta from family recipes. 3868 West River Dr, Comstock Park, 784-6044; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 662-2244, (no alcohol); 5380 S Division Ave, Kentwood, 530-8500. vitales.us. L, D ¢-$

ASIAN Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive T hai fare.

Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option.

Vegetarian-friendly. No alcohol. Open daily.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$

ing out. No alcohol. Open daily. 4160 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 724-4102. Facebook. L, D ¢

eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. L, D ¢-$

Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. Family owned and operated. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 825 28th St SW, 534-7770. L, D ¢-$

Erb Thai Xpress — T hai fare for take-out only. Open daily. 820 Michigan St NE, 4540444 (fax 454-0485). Facebook. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢

Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. 1740 44th St SW, 530-3377. hunangr.com; 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D ¢-$

Bamboo — Vietnamese and Thai cuisine using fresh ingredients made to order. No alcohol. Opens at 11 for lunch. Closed Weds. 2907 S. Division Ave, Wyoming, 419-3976. bamboo gr.com. L, D ¢-$

Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

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

Bangkok Taste — Thai fare with lunch buffet. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550; 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 3565550. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. Three locations: 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 5759088. firstwokgr.com. L, D $

Bangkok V iew — Authentic T hai cuisine.

No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1233 28th St SW, 531-8070. bangkokviewthairestaurant.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchengr.com. L (not Sat), D ¢-$ Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrees, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. bluegingerkitchen. 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, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$ ChinaTown — Asian restaurant and Japanese steakhouse with tabletop-style meals available. Closed Mon. 69 28th St SW, 4523025. chinatowngrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including spicy Hunan. No alcohol. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol.

6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 698-8933. L, D ¢-$ Empire Chinese Buffet — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. Open daily.

4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empire chinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai — T hai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol.

Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. ¢ erbthaigr.com. Facebook. L, D Erb Thai Café — Thai fare for dining in/tak-

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. letseat.at/ fujiyama. L, D ¢-$ Fortune Chef — Chinese and American fare.

Breakfast served all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 9353 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1388. fortunechefcaledonia.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 627 28th St SW, Wyoming, 531-2800. L, $ D

Ju Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. T akeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris ¢-$ Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, T hai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. Facebook, laithai kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive T hai 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 ¢-$ Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. Cocktails. Lunch menu. Open daily.

2460 28th St SE, 530-3300. mandaringrand ¢-$ rapids.com. L, D

Golden Dragon — Chinese, Mandarin cuisines with Japanese steakhouse. Full bar.

Closed Sun. 3629 Plainfield Ave NE, 3631318. goldendragongr.com. L, D $

Marado Sushi — Large selection of rolls, tempura, udon and yakisoba noodles, teriyaki, hibachi, plus selection of Korean entrees.

Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner, Sun 2-9 ¢-$ pm. 6252 28th St SE, 977-0444. L, D

Golden Gate Restaurant — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol.

4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook.

L, D ¢

Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurest aurant.com. L, D $-$$

Golden Wok — Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials.

Full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwok grandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$

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. mikadogr.com.

L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$

Grand Lakes — Chinese dishes, lunch combination plates. No alcohol. Pick-up and take-out only. 1810 Breton Rd SE (Breton Village), 954-2500. grandlakesgrandrapids. 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), (616) 365-3989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Ridge Shopping Center), 785-8200. letseat.at/hibachi ¢ grillsupremebuffet. L, D

Mynt Fusion Bistro — Asian fare includes Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries: blue, peanut or yellow. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 987¢-$ 9307. myntfusion.com. L, D

Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese for dine-in or carry-out. All-you-can-

Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Closed Continued on page 74

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USDA Choice Porterhouse

It’s about the Food. It’s about You. 11 Michigan locations

branns.com

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nosh & sip

BY AMY RUIS

Beyond margaritas: At Donkey Taqueria, wines pair well with the eatery’s Mexican fare.

Wine + Mexican food Taco de Pastor: Shredded, marinated pork in a deep, rich sauce combined with a bright, sweet pineapple salsa, queso fresco crumbled over the top with sliced radishes, and a dollop of house-made, seriously heavenly sour cream.

Best pairing: Albariño from Spain. Fragrant and full of creamy lemon and lime acidity that dances on the tongue to disturb the heat a bit, it’s also full enough in the mouth to let you know it’s there.

Tostada de Pollo con Molé: A spicy brown sauce containing great spices and chocolate. After the chicken wallows in the molé bath, it’s time to simmer it down and create a flavor not often found in foods.

Best pairing: Pinot Gris or Tempranillo from Spain. A Pinot Gris is less racy but still spicy on the tongue, with full tropical flavors. T he spicy, earthy Tempranillo red will easily stand up to that molé!

Taco de Pescado: A fish taco at Donkey is beer battered but light — like floating on

a cloud — with delicious, perfectly toothy whitefish and cilantro lime flavors.

Best pairing: Riesling from Alsace or Germany. A Riesling has a good dryness with a little bit of an oily note. Donkey doesn’t have a Riesling on the menu, so when eating there, I’d pair it with a beer on tap. If you make your own fish tacos, definitely consider a Riesling — Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, is a wine enthusiast who is working on her Level II Sommelier certification.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

MAY 5 IS CINCO DE MAYO, a celebration that calls for backyard tacos with roasted veggies, slow-grilled chicken, juicy flank steak and spicy, fresh-made salsa.

I ventured over to Donkey T aqueria, 665 Wealthy St. SE, to taste a few of the menu items and sip wines to see what pairs well with the Mexican fare. For those of you not familiar with Donkey’s menu, it’s creatively authentic Mexican. And while Donkey specializes in mezcal and margaritas, the taqueria has some easygoing wines to cool your chops while grazing.

Pozole: With its base of spicy green chiles, this pozole plays on its broth with substantial hominy, pork and garlic, topped with radish, avocado and green onion. T his soup (sometimes the Donkey chefs make a red version) is always a feast.

Best Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc from Chile or Spain. T his bright, sunny wine has enough succulent fruit to cut through the heat.

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Sharing Your Passion For Pets

Pictured L to R: Dr. Ryan Carpenter Dr. Randy Carpenter Dr. Katie Yazvac Dr. Sharon Henn Dr. Sarah Shull Dr. Kathryn Sutphen

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Continued from page 70 Sun during winter. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D $ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, T hai salads, fried rice, curries and noodle dishes; seafood, duck. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro.com.

L, D ¢-$ Osaka Japanese Cuisine — Asian fare including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, $ 419-4628. osakagr.com. L, D P.F. Chang’s China Bistro — Upscale chain known for modern Chinese dishes from Mongolian beef to chicken lettuce wraps. Full bar. T he Village at Knapp’s Crossing, 2065 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-2060. pfchangs. $ com. L, D Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily.

No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave, Wyoming, 246-9966. phoanhtrang.com. L, D ¢-$ Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$ Rak Thai Bistro — Thai-fusion fare with Chinese and Japanese influences. No alcohol.

6719 S Division Ave, 551-1706; Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 805-5308; 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. rakthaibistro. ¢-$ com. L, D Red Sun Buffet — All-you-can-eat buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 4176 28th St SE, 940¢-$ 9999. redsungrandrapids.com. L, D Seoul Garden — Chinese and Korean cuisine with full bar. Banquet and catering facilities also available. Closed Sun. 3321 28th St SE, 956-1522. L, D $-$$ Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine including sushi. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area.

Serves alcohol. 3005 East Beltline SE, 942$-$$ 5120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D Sunny Kitchen — Authentic Chinese and dim sum. Catering available. No alcohol.

Closed Mon. 3338 Eastern Ave SE, 805-5964. sunnykitchengrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. ¢-$$ net, Facebook. L, D Thai Express — T hai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiexpressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion spe-

cials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu $5.99. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE (near 29th St), 301-8883. thaifusiongr.com. L, D ¢-$

MIDDLE EASTERN/ MEDITERRANEAN

Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials.

No alcohol. 3330 Alpine Ave NW, Target Plaza, 785-3888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Le Kabob — Huge appetizer selection, soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrees and combos. Kids menu. Carry out available.

No alcohol. Open daily. 2923 28th St SE, 2724135; 4022 Alpine Ave NW, 647-9722. leka bob.com. L, D ¢-$

Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Japanese tatami rooms, sushi bars. Menu includes hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, plus Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily.

4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyogrill ¢-$ sushi.com. L, D

Marie Catrib’s — Middle-Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, T urkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. Closed Sun. No alcohol. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecatribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (MonFri) ¢-$

Tokyo Roadhouse — Japanese (sushi) and Chinese menus, lunch specials. Order online for pickup, delivery (until 8 p.m.). No alcohol.

Open daily. 4095 Plainfield Ave. NE, 3653719. tokyoroadhouse.com. L, D ¢-$

Mediterranean Grills — Gyros, kabobs, falafel, shwarma, hummus, kafta. Closed Sun. No alcohol. Cascade Center, 6250 28th St SE, $ 949-9696. L, D

Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. Open daily. 4242 S Division $ Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. L, D Wonton Express — No-frills ambience serving authentic Chinese fare. No alcohol. 6719 S Division Ave, 281-8816. L, D ¢-$ FXO Asian Cuisine — T hai, Chinese and Vietnamese food. Full bar. Vegetarian options, lunch specials Mon-Sat. Open daily. 58 Monroe Center, 235-6969. xoasiancuisine. $-$$ com. L, D Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

INDIAN Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from Northern India. Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available.

1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. Facebook. L, D $ Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine.

Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. T akeout.

Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $ India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan in humble atmosphere. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Closed T ue.

3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. indiatowngrr. ¢-$ com. L, D Palace Of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11 am-3 pm. No alcohol.

138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindia restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Royal Palace of India — T raditional Indian cuisine. Open daily. 526 Stocking Ave NW, 913-9040. royalpalaceofindia.com. L, D $

Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-through, take-out, delivery and catering available.

Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. ¢-$ mrgyrosdrivethru.com. L, D Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selection of Lebanese cuisine. Serves beer and wine.

Takeout and catering available. Closed SunMon. 2228 Wealthy St SE in EGR, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L (Tue-Fri), D ¢-$ Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, lunch and dinner combos. Catering available. No alcohol. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. ¢-$ L, D Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029; 4533 Ivanrest Ave SW, 261-4302. thepitahouse.net. L, D ¢ Raad’s Mediterranean Grill — Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Lebanese favorites. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. 962 Cherry St SE, 454$ 7223. raadsgr.com, Facebook. L, D Red Olive Restaurant — Huge menu features Greek and Mediterranean entrees, gyros, pita wraps and other sandwiches, pastas, steaks, seafood, burgers and more. Kids menu, carry-out available. 3563 28th St SE, 954-0300. redoliverestaurant.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine including shish kabob, lamb shanks, quail and sautéed meats, plus vegetarian and seafood options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill.com. L, D $ FShiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full

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www.whiskersuniversity.com MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 75

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pints of interest

BY PAT EVANS

HERE ARE THREE BEERS TO TRY: > Pigeon Hill: Vanilla LMFAO on Nitro. This variation of the brewery’s oatmeal stout is velvety smooth and full of vanilla character. > Unruly: Revel Rouser IPA. The beer made for Muskegon marketing company Revel is loaded with juicy tropical fruit notes from the hop selection. > Fetch: Haystack Blonde. This is a light and refreshing blonde ale perfect for those looking for an easy summer drinker.

AFTER BREWERIES WERE shut down during Prohibition, Muskegon got back to brewing beer long before Grand Rapids did. For a time, Muskegon even was home to Grand Rapids Brewing Co. when owner Frank McKay moved production there.

T hen Muskegon’s beer industry dried up.

The lakeshore city missed out on the national craft beer boom of the 1990s and the Michigan beer boom of the 2000s.

Now beer is back in Muskegon. In 2013, three lakeshore breweries announced intentions of opening: Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., Unruly Brewing Co. and Fetch Brewing Co. in Whitehall, just north of Muskegon.

Pigeon Hill is making some of the finest beer in est Michigan, despite the fact that it celebrated its first anniversary just a few months ago.

Pigeon Hill is making some of the finest beer in West Michigan, despite the fact that it celebrated its first anniversary just a few months ago. Beers such as Shifting Sands IPA, Walter Blonde Ale, Renegade Black IPA and LMFAO Stout provide patrons with beers rivaling many of the world-class beers in the region.

T he walls are adorned with a variety of historical artifacts, including bottles, posters and labels from the private collection of co-owner Michael Brower. He and co-owners Chad Doane and Joel Kamp have made sure to pay tribute to the days when brewing was big business in Muskegon with one wall covered with a picture of mid-20th century downtown.

Pigeon Hill recently announced a new $1 million production facility just down the street from its taproom and will be cranking out plenty more beer shortly, including in cans.

Just down the street the older — just barely — Unruly Brewing Co. helped restore the 1890’s Russell Building on West Western Avenue, but has taken a more industrial, edgy approach than Pigeon Hill. Beers from Unruly co-owner and brewer Eric Hoffman include Shovelhead Cream Ale, Foundry Slag American Stout, Revel Rouser IPA and Orange Julius Belgian Wheat.

Fetch Brewing Co. is 20 minutes to the north in an old bank building in downtown Whitehall. Drinkers will discover classic styles like Distracted Pale Ale and Haystack Blonde Ale, but also innovative brews such as Muscles from Brussels, a Belgian oatmeal blonde, and Smolder, a smoked chipotle porter. The former bank vault was preserved and is on display in the beautifully lit taproom.

On the way home, head south to Spring Lake and Grand Haven where stops at wellestablished Vander Mill Cider, Odd Side Ales and Old Boys’ Brewhouse are well deserved.

Of course, those three could rate a whole trip’s worth, as well.

The trip to Muskegon is well worth it, especially for fans of the past — all three locations are rich in history are and helping to revitalize the area.

— Pat Evans is a writer and researcher for Gemini Publications who has studied and followed the local beer industry the past six years.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Muskegon beer makes a comeback

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$ Zeytin — T urkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout.

Open daily. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-2222. zeytinturkishrestaurant.com. L, D $

AFRICAN Little Africa Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. Sample other specialties. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Open daily. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D ¢ Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injerra flatbread.

Ethiopian coffee ceremony Sun-Mon. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily.

421 Norwood SE, 459-3383. gojoethiopian $ cuisine.com. L, D

FDonkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920’s service station. Full bar with large selection of tequila. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. donkeygr.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Downtown Trini’s — T raditional Mexican fare. Full bar. Closed Sun and Mon. 148 E Division Ave, Sparta, 887-2500. downtowntrin is.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, 538-1360. villadun ¢-$ geon.com. L (Fri-Sun), 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 $

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 ¢-$

MEXICAN/LATIN AMERICAN/ CARIBBEAN

El Barrio Mexican Grill — Creative twists on Mexican. Full bar. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 301-0010. elbarriomexicangrill.com.

L, D ¢-$

7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. Opens daily at 10. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Beltline Bar — Americanized T ex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Big Enchilada curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 245-0494. beltlinebar.com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare. Full bar, take-out, vegetarian selections.

1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresami gos.net. L, D ¢-$ Café San Juan — Puerto Rican and Mexican/ American cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3549 Burlingame Ave SW, 530-2293. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Cinco De Mayo — Mexican eatery offers the usual fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. 123 Courtland St, Rockford, 866-3438; 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2404.

L, D $

Cancun Mexican and Seafood Restaurant — Specializes in Mexican seafood dishes but offers a full range of items. Open daily. 1518 Grandville Ave SW, 248-2824. L, D ¢-$

Serving the finest Italian & American cuisine in our family dining & banquet rooms, or enjoy the fun in West Michigan’s favorite sports bar & patio!

Best of 2014-15 Readers Poll

Happy Hour

Banquets & Catering ROCKFORD

El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections and a few American. Full bar. Open daily. 4499 Ivanrest SW, 530-9470. elburrito locorestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

19 N. MAIN ST 616.866.0666 616.866.0065 TAKE OUT

El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp dishes to à la carte and menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 4585595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢

3940 RIVERTOWN PWY 616.249.9344 616.249.9370 TAKE OUT

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 ¢

8256 BROADMOOR SE 616.891.1100 .

616.891.5958 TAKE OUT

Fajita Republic — Upscale Mexican fare with fajitas flamed tableside, tacos a la carte. 100 tequillas in the full bar. Open daily. 2183 East Beltline Ave NE, 272-3047. fajitarepublic cantina.com. L, D $

Cantina — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drive-thru window.

Outdoor patio. Open daily. 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantinamexicangrill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D $

Jamaican Dave’s — Jerked, fricasseed or curried chicken; curried goat, oxtail, beef and chicken patties; jerked wings; salt fish and “escoveitched” fish. Closed Sun. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 458-7875. jamaicandaves. com. L, D ¢

Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. T ake-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 2334141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢-$

➧José Babuska’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.

GRANDVILLE CALEDONIA STANDALE

4787 LAKE MICHIGAN DR 616.735.5520 616.735.5522 TAKE OUT

GRAND RAPIDS 2630 EAST BELTLINE SE 616.954.2002 616.954.6702 TAKE OUT

FRANCHISING AVAILABLE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.UCCELLOS.COM MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 77

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

2232 Wealthy St SE (Gaslight Village), 2724472. josebabushkas.com, Facebook. L, D $ Las Cazuelas — Open for breakfast at 10 am.

Genuine Hispanic flavors. 411 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 726-6600. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes, vegetarian options. Small dining room. No alcohol.

Open daily. 1811 Plainfield Ave. NE, 447-7733.

Facebook. L, D ¢ La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare, including tacos stuffed with goat, chicken, pork and cactus in a casual, take-out setting. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297. L, D ¢ Lindo Mexico Restaurant — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Happy hour 2-6 pm.

Kids menu. Open daily. 1292 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2280. lindomexicorestaura nt.com. L, D ¢-$ Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. 636 Bridge St NW, 458-8583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ Michoacan — Mexican fare plus seafood, chicken and steak dishes. No alcohol. Open at 9 am. 334 Burton St SW, 452-0018. B, L, D ¢-$ Mi Tierra Restaurant — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive through. No alcohol. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Taco Bob’s — Fresh-Mex, taco salads and the “funny taco,” a hard-shell wrapped in a soft shell. No alcohol. Open Mon.-Fri. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 458-1533. tacobobs.com. L ¢ Tacos El Caporal — Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢

Dining Guide Legend Grand Rapids Magazine has created these symbols to area restaurant amenities as a service to our readers.

B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (Over $20)*

* Prices based on average entrée.

- — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2014 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email mprimeau@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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4/2/15 2:51 PM

near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN

Sue and José Infante

By Marla R. Miller Photography by Johnny Quirin

For residents of Norton Shores, ‘Most Boring City’ translates into a hidden gem with exceptional quality of life at an affordable price.

G

rand Rapids native José Infante has been sold on lakeshore living for the last 25 years.

T he banking executive choos­es to commute from his home in Norton Shores to his offices in Grand Rapids and Muskegon just so he can live close to Lake Michigan.

“We’re not even boaters,” he says. “It’s just the idea of having the lake. We can walk by the lake or watch the sunset.”

Despite exceptional lakefront living and affordable home prices, the city of Norton Shores often is overlooked by executives relocating to the region.

But residents don’t mind. They consider it a hidden gem and enjoy quality public schools and parks, less boat traffic on Mona Lake and easy access to Lake Michigan.

And they don’t put much stock in

the “Most Boring City in Michigan” title bestowed upon Norton Shores by the realty site movoto.com last August.

T he city in southwestern Muskegon County has about 25,000 residents and spans 23 miles south to the Ottawa County line. What it lacks in nightlife, Norton Shores makes up for it in natural resources and other amenities — six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, recreational boating, fishing and hiking opportunities, and easy access to interstates 31 and 96. Most neighborhoods are within 10 minutes of restaurants, retail areas and highways.

It’s a short drive to downtown Muskegon, 15 minutes to Grand Haven and an easy commute to Grand Rapids from most areas.

Infante and his wife Sue moved to Norton Shores in 1987 for his job at a Muskegon bank. He is now senior vice president for

Independent Bank’s West Michigan region.

“We picked Norton Shores mainly for the school system,” he says. “We thought that was important. It’s a really great place to bring up a family. My kids love coming back here.”

Infante prefers the lakeshore’s slower pace, friendly people and quality of life. He says he can get to Grand Rapids as quickly as many people who live in the suburbs.

He and his wife enjoy sitting outside and often see deer and other wildlife in their secluded backyard. They can walk past four houses and up a dune and be at the beach.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he says.

As someone who grew up in Norton Shores, Mayor Gary Nelund knows residents appreciate the area’s scenic beauty, attractive neighborhoods and high quality public schools.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JACOB HUSTON (TOP LEFT)

Lakeshore living at a slower pace

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Brew House owner Korina Young talks with regular customer Paul Betts.

Karen and Art Martin and daughter Georgia

“If having miles of unspoiled beach and parks and wildlife is boring, I guess we’re boring. It’s a great place to live, a great place to raise a family, and more and more people who are commuters are discovering it.” — Gary Nelund

Other highlights include Mona and Little Black lakes, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Ross Park, Lake Harbor Park, Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference, Oak Ridge Golf Club, Muskegon County Airport and retail and shopping districts along Seminole Road, Henry Street and the Harvey Street corridor near The Lakes Mall.

“I suppose that would apply if Norton Shores was an island in and of itself out in the middle of Lake Michigan,” Nelund says of the “Most Boring City” title. “We’re sandwiched right between Muskegon and Grand Haven. If having miles of unspoiled beach and parks and wildlife is boring, I guess we’re boring. It’s a great place to live, a great place to raise a family, and more and more people who are commuters are discovering it.”

There’s plenty to do in the way of water — swim, ski, fish and kayak — with numerous public access points on Mona Lake and Little Black Lake. T he city is considering putting in a public boat launch on Mona Lake and received a grant with Spring Lake T ownship to add ADA parking and trails, with additional plans for a kayak launch and fishing pier, on the eastern shore of Little Black Lake.

The city’s Lake Harbor Park borders the channel from Mona Lake to Lake Michigan and is a popular spot for picnics, fishing, enjoying the beach and sledding on the

dunes in winter.

“Boating is a big thing with Mona Lake and Lake Michigan,” Nelund says of the 700acre lake that runs for six or seven miles and can accommodate boats up to around 25 feet.

“We’re kind of undiscovered when it comes to that. When you know a good secret, you don’t want to let it out. One of the things that we like is that we don’t have a lot of traffic. It’s not downtown Grand Haven where it’s bumper to bumper. You can head to Lake Harbor Park and get to the beach.”

The city has a low crime rate and second lowest property tax rate in the state among cities of similar size.

“I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit and really been all over the world, and in the summertime, there’s no place I’d rather be,” says Nelund. “We have a family of owls, deer and turkey in our yard, all the natural amenities that people go on vacation for.”

Bob Scolnik, Muskegon County Commissioner who served on the Norton Shores City Council for a decade, can attest that life on Mona Lake has its perks. The philanthropist and community activist first had a cottage on Mona Lake before building a house 26 years ago.

“It’s about the quality of life,” he says.

“Living on the lake is a giant bonus.”

Scolnik is active with the Mona Lake Improvement Association, which tests the

water several times a year, and helped raise money to dredge the channel when lake levels were low in 2013. Last year, the association paid to remove tree stumps and debris from the channel.

“I have direct access from my house to Lake Michigan (via boat); it’s no more than five minutes away,” he says. “For some reason, it doesn’t seem to have the allure of Spring Lake and houses are much less expensive.”

Norton Shores is a relatively young city, established in 1968, and prior to that it was Norton T ownship. T he lake has long been a focal point of activities. T he first sawmill was built in 1847 at the head of Black Lake, now known as Mona Lake. By the late 1800s, residents started growing fruit, which became a very profitable industry. Boats entered Lake Harbor to pick up crops at the docks of the growers.

The sprawling Lake Harbor Hotel south of the channel became a popular resort for the Chicago crowd until it was destroyed by fire in 1918. T he site, now Maranatha, was revived in 1926 as a religious retreat center, attracting well-known evangelists and vacationers from across the country since then.

Brothers Darwin and Doug Brown say their great-grandfather, Swedish immigrant Gus Sand, came to the area in the early 1900s from Chicago and purchased a large MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 81

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near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN

Dog n Suds owner David Hosticka and waitress Sarah Jarchow chat with customers. Darwin and Doug Brown raise poultry and sell eggs to the community.

The brothers live on the property of their great-grandfather’s original homestead.

amount of land for an apple orchard. He became well-known in the area as a chef at the nearby Lake Harbor Hotel and then operated a bed and breakfast.

The Brown brothers live on the property of their great-grandfather’s original homestead, which burned down, and a newer home was built in 1948, on Lake Harbor Road between Hoffmaster State Park and the Mount Garfield Motorcycle Hill Climb.

Growing up, the area was pretty rural and Darwin says his parents, relatives and neighbors would get together to can food.

“Overall, the whole city has changed,” Darwin says. “T here used to be about 10 houses between here and Hoffmaster and now there are 40 or 50. We watched Hoffmaster, all the roads for the visitor center and campground, go in. It used to be all horse trails.”

T he brothers have a large garden and use solar panels to produce much of their own energy. They raise chickens — 50 live in the 100-year-old chicken coop they restored — and have ducks and a turkey. T hey sell fresh eggs, produce and wood to neighbors, passersby and a local restaurant.

Nelund considers Norton Shores a bedroom community, but there are pockets of industry, retail and even agriculture. A growing but controlled industrial park is attracting clean technological industries while adding employment opportunities for the community. And there are residents who own horses and still deer hunt with shotguns in city limits.

“We have 140 miles of road, and seven

or eight miles are still gravel,” Nelund says.

“T here’s quite a community of horse riders in the southern part of the city.”

T he housing stock ranges from multimillion dollar homes on Mona Lake and Lake Michigan, a couple owned by celebrities, to condos, apartment complexes, starter homes in newer subdivisions, and older farmhouses in rural settings. Norton Shores has led the county in residential construction permits for the past five years.

Shelley Taylor says she was hesitant to move to the area. She grew up in Holland and lived all over the state before settling in Norton Shores in the 1970s when her husband’s job was transferred.

“When we moved here, I thought ‘are you kidding me?’ But now I think it’s the best kept secret in the state,” she says. “There are many things that go totally unnoticed, like the golf courses. We were a golfing family for many years.”

Her four adult children live within two miles, including her daughter and son-inlaw, Jamie and Tom Smith, who also live in Norton Shores.

T aylor’s become a big proponent of Norton Shores and Muskegon as executive director of the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant. Community support has helped keep the state pageant in Muskegon for nearly 70 years, despite many who would like to see it move to the Detroit area.

“It’s amazing how they come from the east side of the state and they’re like ‘holy cow, I never realized what beautiful beaches and a great community,’” she says. “T hey

don’t have that luxury.”

While a growing number of empty nesters and retirees live in Norton Shores, an equal number of families with younger children are moving in. Art Martin, associate curator and collections manager at Muskegon Museum of Art, bought a house in Roodmont subdivision, one of the older neighborhoods on the southeast side of Mona Lake, in 2010.

Martin and his wife, Karen, have a young daughter and moved to Norton Shores from Muskegon for the schools. T hey settled on the neighborhood after seeing so many people out walking.

“It’s a very diverse neighborhood, which was kind of a relief for us,” Martin says. “It’s diverse in all sorts of ways, aesthetically and demographically, yet it’s quiet and close to everything without feeling like you’re right by the highway. It has an older, established neighborhood feel, but there are a surprising number of young families.”

Jen Cross, 34, is a Mona Shores graduate who returned to the area after attending Western Michigan University and teaching abroad for a year. She’s an avid community volunteer, advocate for economic and community development and recently joined the planning commission.

Now with a 5-year-old daughter, Cross and husband Bob live off Pontaluna near the state park in a newer subdivision close to shopping and dining.

“It’s mostly families where we live,” she says. “It’s nice just to be able to have kids play outside and bike ride and be around a

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lot of other kids.”

Since Norton Shores is spread out, city officials and the planning commission have started to examine ways to make it a more walkable, bikeable city. Another goal is to develop a formal city or community center or perhaps an aquatics center, Cross says.

“I’m not sure there is a desire to have a bustling nightlife; people are pretty happy with where that stands,” Cross says. “But they do want more business opportunities and that city-center feel.”

City officials are eyeing vacant retail space along the Seminole Road corridor, already home to the Muskegon Area District Library’s Norton Shores branch and AgeWell Services complex for seniors.

Near U.S. Business 31 and Seminole, a newer mixed-used development includes a yoga center, hair salon, restaurants, condos and other businesses.

Korina Young reopened a popular coffee shop in the retail plaza in fall 2013 after it closed and has since transformed it into Brew House. It’s a popular hangout, offering a casual, relaxed atmosphere for teens, business meetings or to meet friends over coffee — or beer.

“I was working upstairs in an office when it closed and saw all these people come to the door,” she says. “They wouldn’t leave. They would just hang out outside. It’s almost like a community center.”

Young says people come from Grand Rapids for the direct-trade coffee, fresh roasted from Uncommon Coffee Roasters in Saugatuck. Brew House’s niche is selling all Michigan products and making fancy espresso drinks, along with coffee liqueur specialty drinks. It features 24 rotating taps of Michigan craft beer, wine and spirits.

T he city had the liquor license and offered it to Young, who installed the bar in hopes of boosting business and increasing nightlife options. Brew House has live music most weekends, holds poetry nights for the teenage crowd and features local art.

T wenty and 30-something singles may find Norton Shores boring, but others maintain it’s a great place to raise a family and enjoy the best West Michigan has to offer.

“A lot of friends I went to high school with moved away for job prospects. At one point they couldn’t wait to leave, and now when they visit they’re like ‘Boy, when I’m ready to retire, I can’t wait to come back,’” Nelund says.

“It takes moving away and realizing what you’ve missed to realize how good you GR had it.”

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

may events

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!

SPECIAL EVENTS May 2-9 TULIP TIME FESTIVAL: Holland’s 86th annual heritage celebration offers a large variety of performances, parades, fireworks and tulips. This year’s poster art was created by artist and photographer Carolyn Stich, who will teach a Modern Delft art class during the festival: Participants will paint a design on a glass plate or wine glass. For info on the class and all Tulip Time events, visit tuliptime.com or call (800) 822-2770.

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Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

May 16-17 HERITAGE HILL HOME TOUR: The 46th annual tour this year includes eight restored private houses and three historic public buildings. The Heritage Hill neighborhood dates from 1843 and its 1,300 homes represent Michigan’s finest collection of 19th and 20th century American architecture ranging from Italianate to High Victorian Gothic. Visit heritagehillweb.org or call (616) 459-8950.

May 16 LIVE COVERAGE: Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts is inviting art lovers to watch artists at work and bid on their favorite artwork in the silent and live auctions.

Presented by Wolverine Worldwide, the 15th annual event will include live music and live performances. Artists donate 70 percent of art sales to UICA — 100 percent of all other proceeds will fund the organization’s programs and exhibitions. uica.org.

MAY 8 - UICA COLLECTOR’S TALK AND SIGNING: Discussion and book signing with Power Object’s collector Joshua Rogers and UICA Executive Director Miranda Krajniak. uica.org. See Lectures & Workshops

MAY 9 - FIFTH THIRD RIVER BANK RUN: More

MAY 10 - VINTAGE STREET MARKET: Opening

than 21,000 people will compete in the 38th annual 25K road race, the country’s largest.

Junior events are held May 6 at Wyoming High School. For all events, visit 53riverbankrun. com. See Sports

day at Downtown Market will feature furniture, clothes, kitchen goods and more. 10 a.m.4 p.m. second Sunday each month. Visit vintagestreetmark etgr.com for more info.

See Special Events

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT D. GUBANCSIK (TOP); PATRICK TISCHLER (BOTTOM RIGHT); COURTESY DOWNTOWN MARKET (BOTTOM LEFT); CAROLYN STICH (MIDDLE)

A FEW GREAT

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After the kids finish school and move away…

After the summer vacations and trips are over…

To list your event Send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o

WHAT’S LEFT?

Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, e-mail 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 15th of the month.

SPECIAL EVENTS May - Summer Swing Dancing: Swing dancing 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue. at various outdoor downtown locations. May 5, Rosa Parks Circle. May 12, Blue Bridge. May 19, Rosa Parks Circle. May 26, Gillette Bridge. grandrapids originalswingsociety.com.

Thru June 4 - ArtPrize Registration: Open art competition Sept. 23-Oct. 11 in downtown GR registers artists thru June 4. artprize.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT D. GUBANCSIK (TOP); PATRICK TISCHLER (BOTTOM RIGHT); COURTESY DOWNTOWN MARKET (BOTTOM LEFT); CAROLYN STICH (MIDDLE)

May 1-2 - Fiesta!: Latin Americans United for Progress celebration includes car show, entertainment, carnival, exhibitors and food.

6-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat. Holland Civic Center, 150 W. 8th St. laup.org.

May 2 - Carnaval: GR Art Museum hosts a tropical-inspired fundraiser with cocktails, dinner and entertainment. 6:30 p.m. 101 Monroe Center. $250. artmuseumgr.org/gala.

May 2 - Chocolate Stroll: Third annual downtown Rockford event with merchants offering sweet treats. rockfordmichamber.com or facebook.com/HeartofRockford.

May 2 - Fulton Street Farmers Market: Opening day of regular season. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tue., Wed., Fri. and Sat. 1147 E. Fulton St. fulton streetmarket.org.

May 2 - Party for the Planet: Celebrate Earth Day at John Ball Zoo and learn about saving the world’s resources and protecting wildlife. Demonstrations, kids crafts, clothing and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1300 W. Fulton St. $7 adults, $6 kids 2-13, kids under 2 free. jbzoo. org.

May 2 - Springfest: Second annual festival showcases more than 40 West Michigan breweries, plus food, games and live entertainment. 21 and older only. Benefits American Legion Post 179 and Friends of Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. 1-6 p.m. (noon-6 p.m. VIP). Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235

Park Ave. $35/12 samples, VIP $45/18 samples. beercityfestivals.com.

May 2 - Walk to Cure Arthritis: One- and 3-mile courses with info and activities for families; dogs welcome. 8:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk. John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. Free. arthritiswalk.org.

May 2 - West Michigan Mom’s Sale: Clothes, toys, nursery furniture and other gently used items. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. DeVos Place. $3-$5 donation benefits Alpha Women’s Center. west michiganmomssale.com.

May 2-9 - Tulip Time Festival: Holland’s 86th annual heritage celebration with tulips, fireworks, parades, Klompen dancers, outdoor concerts, music and variety shows, arts and crafts fair, children’s events. Also see Sports, Stage & Film and Music. tuliptime.com.

May 4 - Celebrate United!: Heart of West Michigan United Way celebration recognizes volunteers and partners. 5:30-8 p.m. Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW. hwmuw.org/ events/celebrateunited/125.

May 8 - Excellence in Business Gala: Davenport University presents the 2015 Peter Cook award to Ralph Hauenstein at black-tie gala.

Keynote speaker: author Mitch Albom. 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. DeVos Place. $250 (davenport.edu/eib).

May 8 - Rockford Community Golf Outing: 20th annual four-man scramble with shotgun start, benefits Rockford Chamber’s scholarship program. 11:30 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. golf. $75 includes 18 holes, cart, dinner and prizes. rockfordmichamber.com.

May 9 - Fashion and Tea: Tour the Public Museum’s Streets of Old Grand Rapids and then see fashion from the Civil War era through the early 20th century, plus sweets and tea.

2-4 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. $15, $13 members

MAY 14 - ALL MICHIGAN WINE EVENT:

MAY 16 - GRAND RIVER CLEAN UP: Volunteer to help

MAY 14-30 - “THINGS WE COULDN’T SAY”:

Sample wines from local wineries on Mangiamo’s beautiful lawn. 21 and older. 5-8 p.m.

1033 Lake Drive SE. $20. thegilmorecollection.com/ mangiamo. See Special Events

West Michigan Environmental Action Council celebrate Earth Week and clean up the river’s banks in Ottawa County. wmeac.org. See Special Events

Master Arts Theatre presents the true story of Grand Rapids’ resident Diet Eman’s work in the Dutch Resistance during WWII. masterarts.org. See Stage

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David Lockington will end his 16-year stint as director of Grand Rapids Symphony this month. His final performance, “Mahler’s Resurrection,” will be May 9 at DeVos Performance Hall.

During his tenure, Lockington has seen GRS evolve in many ways.

“I think we do more now,” he said. “It’s a very busy orchestra. I think it plays consistently at a higher level, and I think our recognition and advocacy within the community is greater. I would also say there’s a greater spirit of non-convention around the making of music.”

A particular highlight: T he symphony recorded an album and DVD titled “Invention & Alchemy” with harpist Deborah Henson-Conant that earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2007.

Lockington — the father of two African-American children — says he put an emphasis on multicultural diversity in the symphony’s offerings.

A recent collaboration with Native American composer Brent Michael Davids sold out.

“I wanted to reach out to different cultures within the community, and we’ve done wonderful work with that,” he said. “I think there’s great creativity in diversity. As we look at our board, our staff and the musicians we present, we’re all not only challenged but enriched by exploring other cultures. We’ve benefited as a symphonic culture.”

The symphony has expanded its educational programs, including ensemble orchestras that visit area schools, after-school programs and a fifth-grade program that reaches nearly 70,000 students a year.

“We’re more linked to the students’ needs and provide more exposure to schools that don’t have constant access to orchestral or chamber music.”

Lockington’s belief that music can drastically influence and enrich the lives of young people mirrors his youth. The son of an amateur musician who led a youth orchestra, he realized the power of instrumentation early on.

“As a teenager when I started listening to classical music, I couldn’t believe what it was doing to me,” he said. “I didn’t understand, but I felt transported. I still do to this day.

“Certainly, young people studying music and internalizing the kind of emotional messages can have a profound difference in society. I think that music as a tool to discover your own emotional life and hear it reflected is very powerful. Someone who doesn’t play an instrument but wants to engage in that journey can use it as a conduit of self-discovery.”

Lockington followed that journey as he began to play the cello and had his first experience conducting in high school. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge, he played with a professional symphony in New Haven, Connecticut, while earning a master’s degree in cello at Yale University.

He decided to step down from Grand Rapids Symphony in 2013, with an agreement to stay on for two more years.

“I thought 14 years is long — 16 years is long,” he said. “I think that’s long enough.

Everybody knows what I’m about, everybody knows the palette of my creativity. We’ve achieved a lot together, and it feels like it’s been a privilege to have done this. But it’s also — KEVIN VANANTWERPEN time to have a fresh vision for the orchestra.”

(front desk, 929-1700, grmuseum.org).

May 9 - Mom’s Expo: More than 40 vendors feature health and wellness, kitchenware, apparel, food, massages, kids entertainment.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Holland Event Center, 12330 James St. $1 kids 3 and older, moms and infants free.

May 10 - Vintage Street Market: Opening day of the monthly market at Downtown Market featuring furniture, clothes, accessories, kitchen goods. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. second Sunday each month. vintagestreetmarketgr.com.

May 11-15 - Active Commute Week Challenge: Commuting competition for individuals and teams using alternate methods of getting to work (walking, biking etc.); awards and prizes May 18. Info and registration: acw gr.org.

May 13 - Great Gardens Party: Meijer Gardens’ annual fundraiser includes hors d’oeuvres, sit-down dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions. 6-9 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. $100 (emccarthy@meijergardens.org, 975-3168). meijergardens.org.

May 14 - All Michigan Wine Event: Sample wines from more than 20 local wineries, plus appetizers. 21 and older only. 5-8 p.m. Mangiamo restaurant’s lawn, 1033 Lake Drive SE. $20. thegilmorecollection.com/mangiamo.

May 14 - Wish Ball West Michigan: Make a Wish signature black-tie event/fundraiser.

6:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $150. michigan. wish.org.

May 15 - A Night on the Nile: GR Public Museum’s black-tie opening celebration of T he Discovery of King T ut exhibition. 6 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. $75 (grpm.org).

May 15, 16, 30 - Relay for Life: 24-hour fundraisers for American Cancer Society research and programs. May 15, EGR, Rockford and Wyoming. May 16, Comstock Park. May 30, Caledonia. relayforlife.org.

May 16 - AFG Spring Fling: Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan’s annual picnic fundraiser. 11 a.m-5 p.m. 1637 T hree Mile Road. alliesforgreyhounds.org.

May 16 - Arts in Ada: More than 50 booths of jewelry, watercolors, stained glass, wood, etc., plus food, dance and music performances. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bronson Street between Ada Drive and Covered Bridge. Free. adaarts.org.

May 16 - Gluten-Free Food Fair: Anchor Baptist Church’s ninth annual fair with opportunities to taste products. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

DeltaPlex. Free. glutenfreegr.com/foodfair.

May 16 - Native Michigan Plant Sale: Kent

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

The end of an era

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Conservation District hosts a sale for gardeners and landscapers. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. kentconservation.org.

May 16 - Grand River Clean Up: West Michigan Environmental Action Council celebrates Earth Week with hundreds of volunteers cleaning up the river’s banks in Ottawa County. wmeac.org/grandrivercleanup.

May 16 - UICA’s Live Coverage 2015: Watch as visual artists create work, then bid in silent and live auctions while enjoying live music and performances. 7-11 p.m. UICA, 2 W. Fulton St. Tickets: $50/members, $65/nonmembers (uica.org/events).

May 16 - Walk MS: 5K fundraising walk benefits National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter. 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk. Aquinas College Donnelly Center, 157 Woodward Ave. SE. nationalmssociety.org.

May 16-17 - Great Lakes Kite Festival: 27th annual festival with stunt kite fliers, huge kites, vendors and family activities. Free (except for parking). Grand Haven State Park (beach). mackite.com.

May 16-17 - Heritage Hill Home Tour: Annual tour of private homes and historic buildings in Grand Rapids’ historic district. $17.50 (two-days). Information: heritagehillweb.org.

May 18 - Pine Rest Foundation Golf Classic: 9:45 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. shotgun start. Wuskowhan Players Club, 16111 Blair St., West Olive. $400. pinerest.org/foundation.

May 20 - There’s No Place Like Home: Fashion show with clothes from local boutiques benefits Dwelling Place properties, Liz’s House and Bridge Street Place. 5:30 p.m.

St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. T ickets T BD (855-0426 or dwellingplacegr. org).

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

May 20-24 - Fruitport Old-Fashioned Days: Midway, fireworks, 5K/10K runs, ice-cream social, entertainment, parade and Ox Roast.

Pomona Park, Fruitport. fruitportlions.com.

Award Winning Asian Dining

May 22-June 6 - Spring Parade of Homes: Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids presents its showcase of home construction, design and interiors. 1-9 p.m. Fri., Sat. and Memorial Day; 5-9 p.m. Wed. Tickets TBD. mygrhome.com.

May 23 - Downtown Market: Opening day of 52-stall outdoor market; also entertainment, cooking demos and kids activities. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmarketgr.com.

May 23-24 - Blue Coast Artists Open House: New works and meet-the-artists at galleries and studios along Blue Star HighMAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 87

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1/ E Minor will perform at One Trick Pony May 9.

Comedy & nightclub venues COMPILED BY MORIAH GILBERT

1/ ONE TRICK PONY: Live music every Thursday. May 9, a performance by E Minor at 8 p.m. E Minor has an unmistakable folk flavor with a hint of jazz and blues influence.

Reservations accepted. 136 E. Fulton St., 235-7669, onetrick.biz.

2/ FOUNDERS BREWING CO.: May 9 at 9:30 p.m.: Taproom performance by Grand Rapids’ ska punk band Mustard Plug, with special guests Unlikely Alibi and I Believe in Julio. Tickets are $5; for 21+ only. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-1195, foundersbrewing.com.

perform at Founders Brewing Co. May 9.

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

Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor, DJs Thu.Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoodslounge.com.

The B.O.B: The Big Old Building houses several entertainment options: dueling pianos at Bobarino’s Tue.-Sat.; DJs and dance floor at Eve on weekends; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (HOME); and stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins (see below). 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com.

The Intersection: Bar and concert venue with performances by regional and national artists. Tickets available at box office and online. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. No cover charge.

1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, mullig ans-pub.com.

Monte’s Lounge: Drink specials and dancing Fri. and Sat. 438 Bridge St. NW, 774-5969, monteslounge. com.

Pop Scholars: Comedy improv team incorporates skits with audience participation. Performs at Wealthy Theatre, see website. popscholars. com.

The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. Tickets: fusionshows.com, Vertigo Music and Pyramid Scheme front bar. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, 272-3758, pyramid schemebar.com.

River City Improv: Comedy team weaves skits, games and songs with audience suggestions. Performs every other Sat. Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE. Tickets: rivercity improv.com or Calvin box office, 5266282, or at door.

Diversions: Nightclub offers video bar, dance floor, karaoke, special events. 10 Fountain St. NW, 451-3800, diversionsnightclub.com.

Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri. featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, Facebook.

Dr. Grins Comedy Club: Nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians perform 9 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com/drgrins comedy

Stella’s Whisky Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 7424444, stellasgr.com.

Sunday Night Funnies: Midwest comics perform 8:30 p.m. Sun. Riverfront Hotel’s Landing Lounge, 270 Ann St. NW, Facebook.

J. Gardellas: Dance Club Fri. and Sat. nights on third floor features DJ. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 459-8824, jgardellas tavern.com.

Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Restaurant and taproom features live music Fri., Sat. and Sun. No cover. 1 Ionia Ave., 458-7000, grbrewingcompany. com.

3/ The Used will perform at The Orbit Room May 15.

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill: Bar and music venue. Regular performances by regional and national artists. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910. Check Facebook for more information.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AMANDA EGERER (TOP); BRIXTON AGENCY (MIDDLE); KANE HIBBERD (BOTTOM)

2/ Mustard Plug will

3/ THE ORBIT ROOM: 6 p.m. May 15, The Used with special guest Chevelle. All ages welcome. Tickets $33 in advance, $35.50 day of show. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the box office. Multiple bars with open floor and seated balcony. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com.

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way between South Haven and Saugatuck. bluecoastartists.com.

May 25 - Grand Rapids Memorial Day Parade: Parade in downtown GR. T ime and route: experiencegr.com.

May 25 - Holland Memorial Day Parade: Parade travels from Eighth St. and River Ave. to Columbia Ave., south to 16th St. and east to Pilgrim Home Cemetery for ceremony. 9:30 a.m.

May 25 - Rockford Memorial Day Parade: Parade thru downtown Rockford includes floats, music and more. 9 a.m.

May 25 - Saugatuck and Douglas Memorial Day Parades: 9 a.m. downtown Saugatuck; 10 a.m. downtown Douglas.

May 25 - Spring Lake Memorial Day Parade: Parade begins at Buchanan and Exchange, ending at Spring Lake T ownship Cemetery for memorial tribute. 10:30 a.m.

May 28 - Spellebration: Literacy Center of West Michigan celebration includes presentation of the Champion of Literacy Award to T he Keller Foundation. 5:30 p.m. Cheney Place, 1600 Monroe Ave. NW. $75. literacy centerwm.org/spellebration.

4353 Three Mile Road NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616.363.6400 | kappeslandscapes.com

CREATIVE IMAGINATIVE TIMELESS

May 31 - Allegan Antiques Market: 400 exhibitors (200 inside, 200 outside) rain or shine. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive. $4. alleganantiques.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AMANDA EGERER (TOP); BRIXTON AGENCY (MIDDLE); KANE HIBBERD (BOTTOM)

SPORTS May - West Michigan Whitecaps: Professional minor league baseball team is a member of the Midwest League and Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Home games: May 1-3 vs. Lake County Captains. May 11-14 vs.

Bowling Green Hot Rods. May 15-17 vs. Lansing Lugnuts. May 22-25 vs. Dayton Dragons.

Game times vary. Fifth Third Ballpark, Comstock Park. $7-$15 (ticket office, 800-CAPSWIN, whitecapsbaseball.com).

May 2 - Tulip Time Run: 5K and 10K runs; also 1K Kids Fun Run. 8 a.m. Kollen Park, 10th St. and VanRaalte Ave., Holland. $30-$35 adults, $10-$15 kids run (tuliptime.com/run).

May 9 - Fifth Third River Bank Run: 25K road race in downtown GR; also 25K handcycle and wheelchair racing divisions, 5K and 10K runs, 25K/10K/5K run team competitions, 5K walk and junior events (May 6). 7 a.m. 53riverbankrun.com.

May 16 - ForeShore Adventure Race: Muskegon Rescue Mission’s inaugural 5K race with 10 obstacles. Also, kids zone with acMAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 89

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liner notes

BY KEVIN VANANTWERPEN

INDIE-SOUL BAND Vox Vidorra ids Symphony. released its genre-spanning debut T he thematic elements of the album “Promise Land” at the end album come from Bouwsmaof April.

Schultz’s lyrics.

T he group is made up of four “We live in a land of promise, multi-instrumentalists: husbandwhich can be exciting for a lot of and-wife duo Scott Schultz and people,” she said. “But in the history of our country, we’ve also seen Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, Ryan K. a lot of tragedy, so we’re looking at Wilson and Theo Ndawillie. it from that perspective. It’s about “Promise Land” is a throwback growing up and seeing a bigger to a different era when audiences picture in life through experience and artists met via a record and and reflection.” needle instead of iT unes or Amazon.

As a lyricist, Bouwsma-Schultz integrates realism and idealism.

In old-school fashion, the album was recorded with Tommy “A lot of the songs are based on experiences I’ve had or things Schichtel at Goon Lagoon Studios, an all-analog recording outfit I’ve seen in the world, whether it stocked with vintage instruments be literal or from an abstract point and audio equipment. of view. T his particular album is “(Schichtel is) a major collecabout struggles that someone has tor of old instruments and equiphad, but also finding humor, joy ment,” Schultz said. “It’s like stepand irony in it, too. ping into a studio from the ’50s “‘Promise Land’ is about this or ’60s because that’s where all place we live in, whether it be the technology came from — all physical or in our own heads — a his guitars, basses and amps are place we want to be or a place from that era, too. We were able we don’t want to be, and striving towards that or driving away to give the album a unique sound from it.” because we recorded it just like we Vox Vidorra members, clockwise from left, Lyrics aside, no Vox Vidorra would have if it actually were the Scott Schultz, Molly Bouwsma-Schultz, member has a designated role ’50s or ’60s.”

Theo Ndawillie II and Ryan K. Wilson.

— as multi-instrumentalists, the T he decision to anchor Promise Land in analog audio originatformat can change on any given “We love listening to records. We love ed from the group’s mutual affectrack. collecting records. We find the sound of tion for records and record players.

“We switch instruments on old records more appealing. It’s warmer “We love listening to records,” various songs because we like to, and it sounds more authentic.”

Bouwsma-Schultz said. “We love but also because we each play — Molly Bouwsma-Schultz collecting records. We find the every instrument a whole lot differently,” Schultz said. “T here are sound of old records more appealing. It’s warmer and it sounds more authentic. so many different ways we can arrange our one band.”

“We live in a time with lots of autotune and stuff like that. That’s Vox Vidorra will appear at The Pyramid Scheme May 22 alongOK for other styles of music, but we really like to feel as if we’re in the side the Grand Rapids Soul Club. room when we listen to something. We wanted to create an album — Kevin VanAntwerpen has been a part of the Michigan music that conveyed that feeling.” scene since he was a teenager, from playing in bands to writing about them.

“Promise Land” also features a string quartet playing compositions by Ndawillie, who has been commissioned by the Grand Rap-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Step back into retro soul with Vox Vidorra

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

tivities. 8:30 a.m. Pere Marquette Beach, 3510 Channel Drive, Muskegon. $40. foreshore.org.

May 16 - Jenison Triathlon: Sprint distance triathlon/duathlon, individual and team relay. 8 a.m. 7050 8th Ave. $70 triathlon/duathlon, $90 team relay. jenisontriathlon.com.

May 16 - Kent County Girls on the Run 5K: Girls in grades 3-5 5K run. Time TBD. Calder Plaza, downtown GR. kcgotr.org.

May 23 - Kick-Off to Summer Run: Tri-Cities Family YMCA holds 5K run/walk, 1-mile family fun run/walk, and T ot T rot obstacle course for ages 3-6. 7:30-10:30 a.m. 1 Y Drive, Grand Haven. tcfymca.org. Free.

May 29 - Grand Haven Offshore Challenge: Annual fishing tournament with awards for categories including kids, women, amateur and professional. Chinook Pier, Grand Haven. visitgrandhaven.com.

May 30 - Nana’s Run: 5K run/walk supports ALS Association Michigan Chapter and ALS Clinic at Mercy Health. 10 a.m. 50 Monroe Ave. NW. $25-$30. nanasrun.com.

May 30-31 - MJVBA State Championships: Michigan Junior Volleyball Association state tournament. DeVos Place. mjvba.com.

STAGE & FILM May 1-2 - “Tosca”: Opera Grand Rapids presents a psychological love story. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $25-$89 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). operagr.org.

May 1-17 - “Tropical Pickle”: LowellArts!

Players present a dinner theater comedy about a dinner party that goes awry. 6:30 p.m.

Fri.-Sat.; 1:30 p.m. Sun. Larkin’s Other Place, 301 W. Main St., Lowell. $26 dinner and show, $15 show. lowellartsmi.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

May 2-9 - “January Thaw”: Holland Civic T heatre presents a comedy about two families living in one house. 7 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. 50 W. 9th St., Holland. $23 (616-396-2021 or holl andcivictheatre.org).

May 3-7 - Jewish Film Festival: 17th annual event includes seven films and a festival dinner May 7. See website for films and schedule.

Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Drive NE. jewishgrandrapids.org.

May 5 - Jay Mattioli: Tulip Time presents illusionist who appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” 7 p.m. Knickerbocker T heater, 86 E. 8th St., Holland. $25 (tuliptime.tix.com). tulip time.com.

May 6-7 - Second City: T ulip T ime pres-

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

ents Chicago’s sketch comedy theater. 7 p.m.

Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E. 8th St., Holland. $28 (tuliptime.tix.com). tuliptime.com.

May 7-23 - “Evita”: Circle T heatre opens its season with the rock musical about Argentina’s controversial First Lady. 7:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

May 17. Aquinas College PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $27. circletheatre.org.

May 8 - Bob Newhart: T ulip T ime presents stand-up comedian. 7 p.m. Central Wesleyan Auditorium, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. $58$72 (tuliptime.tix.com). tuliptime.com.

May 8-17 - “Beethoven”: Grand Rapids Ballet presents a world premiere by Mario Radacovsky about the composer’s emotional life journey. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth SW. $40 (box office or Ticketmaster). grballet.com.

May 13 - “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents a multimedia celebration of Beatles classics. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $30 and up (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). broadwaygrandrapids.com.

May 3 - Spring Concert: Forest Hills Adult Community Band performs. 2:30 p.m. Forest Hills Eastern H.S., 2200 Pettis Ave. NE, Ada. Free. fhacb.org.

May 3 - Grand Rapids Youth Symphony: Spring concert features winners of Skip Gates Concerto competition. 3 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $6 adults, $4 seniors and students (866-6883 or grys.org).

May 3 - Underground Concert Series: Live Jazz featuring Chicago bassist Harrison Bankhead’s quartet. 3 p.m. LaFontsee Galleries, 833 Lake Drive SE. Tickets: adventuremusic.org.

May 4 - Needtobreathe: Rock band performs Tour de Compadres concert; also Ben Rector, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors and Colony House. 6:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $36-$46 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

May 6 - Fiddlefire: Tulip Time performance fuses bluegrass, Irish, classical and French Canadian music by five-piece family band. 7 p.m. Beechwood Reformed Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland. $23 (tuliptime.tix. com). tuliptime.com.

May 14-23 - “Other Desert Cities”: Actors’ T heatre presents the story of a girl about to publish a memoir dredging up her family’s sordid history. 8 p.m. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $26-$28 adults, $20-$22 sen iors and students (234-3946). atgr.org.

May 7 - Jason Aldean: Country music singer performs Burn It Down tour; also Cole Swindell, Tyler Farr and Dee Jay Silver. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $32.75-$62.75 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

May 14-30 - “Things We Couldn’t Say”: Master Arts T heatre presents the true story of Diet Eman’s work in the Dutch Resistance during WWII. 7:30 p.m. T hu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $16 adults, $14 seniors/students (455-1001 or masterarts.org).

May 8 - Handbell Spring Concert: Embellish handbell ensemble with Campana. 7 p.m.

T rinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Drive SE. $10 adults, students free with adult (915-0134 or tickets@embellishhandbells. com); $12 at door. embellishhandbells.com.

May 29-June 14 - “Avenue Q”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents an adult-content musical comedy that’s part human and part puppet. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $18-$35 (222-6650 or grct.org).

May 8 - Kent Philharmonic Orchestra: GRCC group presents music of George Gershwin and jazz standards. 7:30 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $10 adults, $5 seniors and students. grcc.edu/music.

MUSIC May 1 - Cool Jazz with Terell Stafford: Trumpet player joins Byron Center Jazz Ensembles.

7:30 p.m. Van Singel FAC, 8500 Burlingame SW. $16.50 adults, $11.50 students (box office, 878-6800 or vsfac.com).

May 1 - The Big Jam: 94.9 WYGR presents T.I. with special guests Snootie Wild and Mila J. 6:30 p.m. DeltaPlex. $29-$59 (box office and Etix.com).

May 2 - Marc Cohn: Singer/songwriter performs. 8 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $41 (269-857-2399 or sc4a. org), $43 (at door).

May 8-9 - David’s Grand Finale: Mahler’s “Resurrection”: GR Symphony’s last concert directed by David Lockington. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $18-$90 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org.

May 9 - Daryl Hall & John Oates: Rock duo performs; also Mutlu. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $29.50-$99.50 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

May 9 - Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus: Annual spring concert. 8 p.m. EGR PAC, 2211 Lake Drive SE. Free-will offering. grwc.org.

May 11, 18 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: May 11, Shed a Little Light: Music of

James Taylor. May 18, Leather & Lace: Women of Rock (Carly Simon, Linda Rondstadt, Annie Lennox, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Joan Jett and Bonnie Raitt). 7 p.m. Aquinas PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $17 (box office or 4566656). circletheatre.org.

May 15 - “Following the Nordic Sun”: West Michigan Symphony presents works by Nielson and Sibelius. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal T heater, Muskegon. $16.75-$46.75 (231-726-3231 or westmichigansymphony.com).

May 15-17 - “Symphonic Silhouettes” with Le Ombre: GR Symphony accompanies an acrobatic troupe using their shadows to create live art. (See Family Concert below.) 8 p.m.

Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall. $18-$90 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org.

May 16 - Slipknot: Metal band performs Prepare for Hell tour; also Hatebreed. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $30-$59 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

May 16 - Spring Concert: Schubert Male Chorus presents “Signature Songs: Our ‘Hit Parade’ of Favorites.” 7:30 p.m. EGR PAC, 2211 Lake Drive SE. $18 in advance (616-752-7470 or schubertmalechorus.org), $20 at door.

May 16 - “Symphonic Silhouettes”: GR Symphony one-hour family concert featuring an acrobatic troupe using their shadows to create live art. 3 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $22.25 adults, $12.25 kids (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org.

May 16 - The Block Concerts: West Michigan Symphony presents pianist Charlie Albright. 7:30 p.m. T he Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $25 (231-726-3231 or west michigansymphony.com).

May 17 - Sacred Sounds of St. Mark’s: Concert by St. Mark’s choir. 5 p.m. 134 N. Division Ave. stmarksgr.org. Free.

May 21-22 - Mighty Wurlitzer Concerts: Public Museum’s theater organ concert, “An American T ribute” featuring Dave Wickerham. 7-9 p.m. Thu., 2-4 p.m. Fri. 272 Pearl St. NW. $10 adults, $5 children 3-17, $8/$4 members (ticket counter or 456-3977). grpm.org.

May 23 - Roger McGuinn: Rock and roll singer and co-founder of T he Byrds. 8 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $39 (269-857-2399 or sc4a.org), $42 (at door).

May 23 - Terry Lower Quartet: West Michigan Jazz Society presents singer Edye Evans Hyde. 7 p.m. Peter Martin Wege T heatre, 341 Ellsworth SW. $20, $15 members (wmichjazz. org).

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FOUR-DAY WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN

May 24 - Soul Sessions: A Night of Neo Soul: Featuring Marsha Ambrosius, Raheem DeVaughn and Dwele. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $65-$95 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

May 30 - New Kids on the Block: Pop singers perform T he Main Event tour; also T LC and Nelly. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $29.50-$97.50 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS May - GR Public Libraries: Programs include Reading the Great Lakes, Music in the Stacks: Saltbreaker, Immigration Information, Ask-aLawyer, author visits, computer classes, reading clubs, Cooking Matters, Early Childhood Essentials. Also, EatPlayGrow literacy classes for babies, toddlers and kids, and Let’s Play workshops. grpl.org.

May - Kent District Libraries: Programs include Backyard Birding, KDL Caffeinated series, Creative Canvas Painting, book discussions, Early Childhood Essentials and career transition workshops. Kids programs include Gaming Unplugged: Board Game Boredom Busters, Fantastic Flying Fun, author visits, story times. kdl.org.

May 2 - When a Body Meets a Body: T he Dance of Single Life: Franciscan Life Process Center hosts a one-day retreat about finding the joy of single life. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $45. lifeprocesscenter. org.

May 4 - Ada Township Parks Program: “Foraging 201: Spring Foraging and Wild Edibles Plant Walk” by herbalist, forager and author Lisa Rose. Pre-registration: 676-0520. 6-7 p.m. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive. NE. $8. adatownshipmi.com.

May 6 - Ford Museum Lecture: “Celebrity in Chief: A History of the Presidents and the Culture of Stardom” by Ken Walsh, White House correspondent and presidential historian.

7 p.m. 303 Pearl St. NW. Reservations: ford_ events@nara.gov. fordlibrarymuseum.gov.

May 6 - Gardening with Michigan Natives: Kent Conservation District workshop for gardeners and landscapers. 6:30-8 p.m. 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE. $5. kentconservation.org.

May 6 - Play Symposium: Children’s Museum presents second annual symposium, Bringing Play to Life: The Health Benefits of Play. Panel discussions and keynote speaker Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW. $25, $15 students (eventbrite.com).

May 8 - Leadercast 2015: The Brave Ones, includes speakers Malala Yousafzai, Seth Godin, Ed Catmull, Rudy Giuliani and Peyton Manning. 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Calvin College. $95, includes lunch and materials (5268425 or calvin.edu/innovation/leadercast).

May 8 - Perinatal Mood Disorders Conference: Pine Rest presents annual event focusing on perinatal substance use. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE. $100 includes lunch (222-4530 or piner est.org/pmd2015).

May 8 - UICA Collector’s Talk and Signing: Discussion and book signing with Power Object’s collector Joshua Rogers and UICA executive director Miranda Krajniak. 7-9 p.m. 2 W. Fulton St. Free. uica.org.

ONE & TWO WEEK ART INTENSIVES FOR STUDENTS OF ALL LEVELS FRIDAY NIGHT OPEN STUDIOS JUNE 19, JULY 3 & 31, AUGUST 14 & 21 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC STUDIO DEMOS LIVE AUCTION

A HAVEn for artists on a historic 115-acre campus in saugatuck, Michigan

May 8, 22 - Grand River Folk Arts Society: Second and Fourth Friday Contra Dance/Jam, dancing and instruction. 7 p.m. Fifth Street Hall, 701 5th St. NW. $9 adults, $7 members, $5 students and seniors. grfolkarts.org.

May 14 - Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County: “Legal Issues in Parenting.”

5:45-8 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 250 Commerce Ave. SW. Free dinner, child care. RSVP: 632-1007. greatstartkent.org.

May 15-17 - Art Workshop: Colored Pencil and Ink Wash on Canvas by Robert Kogge. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $300. lifeprocesscen ter.org.

May 19 - Meijer Gardens Lecture: “Japanese Fashion: From the Dynastic Kimono to the Contemporary Runway” by Suzanne Eberle.

7 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org.

May 19 - Nourishing Ways of West Michigan: “Navigating Food Labels” by Debra Roth.

7-8 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division Ave. Free. nourishingways.org.

May 21 - Dyslexia Seminar: Free info from Dyslexia Correction Foundation, an affiliate of New Chapter Learning. 6:30 p.m. Grandville M.S., 3535 Wilson Ave. SW. Registration: 534-1385. newchapterlearning.net.

May 21-22 - Institute for Healing Racism: Two-day workshop connects people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds to discuss thought-provoking topics. GRCC Diversity Learning Center. $200-$300 (234-3390, grcc.edu/ihr).

May 22 - Creativity Uncorked: GR Art Museum social evening incudes art class, gallery tour and wine. Theme: DIY Batik Dye. Age 21 and up. 7-9 p.m. $30 (artmuseumgr.org/pro gramevents/creativity-uncorked).

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Museums & Attractions COMPILED BY DONNA FERRARO AND TRICIA VAN ZELST

Binder Park Zoo: More than 140 species of animals. Includes 50-acre Wild Africa exhibit with giraffes, zebras, ostriches and impalas. Petting zoo and train. Open daily. 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek, (269) 979-1351, binderparkzoo.org.

Blandford Nature Center: 143 acres of trails, exhibits, heritage buildings, farm. Interpretive Center open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, noon-5 p.m. Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. $3. Special events: May 2, Spring Wild Edibles. May 9, Wildflower Walk with Dr. Dockeray. May 30, Archery Workshop.

Admission: $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 735-6240, blandfordnaturecenter.org.

1/ GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM: Special exhibitions: May 16-Sept. 1, The Discovery of King Tut includes recreation of his tomb and treasures. Thru July 5, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar, prints and digital images by local artist/printmaker. Special events: See A Night on the Nile and Fashion and Tea in Special Events. Permanent exhibitions: Streets of Old Grand Rapids, Anishinabek and Newcomers: People of This Place, Collecting A-Z, Furniture City, 1928 carousel ($1). Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 age 3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.

2/ GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM: Special exhibitions: May 17-Aug. 30, T.J. Wilcox: “In the Air,” a panoramic film installation of Lower Manhattan. Also, Surroundings: Yun-Fei Ji and Susanna Heller, and Henri Riviere’s Paris Lithographs. Thru May 17, Michigan Artist Series: David Greenwood. Thru July 31, Art of the Lived Experiment addresses change, adjustment and social perceptions in lives of the disabled. Thru Oct. 11, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2014: Encore! Permanent exhibitions: 19th and 20th century art; design and modern craft; prints, drawings, photographs. Special event: Free admission for mothers noon-5 p.m. May 10. Thursday Nights at GRAM: Music, gallery talks, cash bar, dinner options 5-9 p.m. Drop-in Family Saturdays: Art activities, kid-friendly tours 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $8 adults, $7 seniors/students, $5 ages 6-17, 5 and under free; free admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue., 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center, 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park: 80-acre park opens May 1. Rare and endangered animals.

Hands-on activities include feeding goats, rabbits, budgies and giraffes. Open daily. $10 adults, $8 seniors and kids 3-11, kids under 2 free. 8313 Pratt Lake SE, Alto, 868-6711, boulderridgewap.com.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920s-era railway with excursion rides Wed. and Sat. (see website for times) . May 25, Veterans Troop Train (free to vets) . $12.50 adults, $11.50 seniors, $10.50 kids 2-12 (997-7000 for advance tickets). 311 Danforth St., Coopersville. coopersville andmarne.org.

Coopersville Farm Museum: Tractors, quilts, eclipse windmill. Acoustic Jam Nights 6-9 p.m. first and third Tue. Special event: Kids, Crafts & Critters 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 30. Open Tue., Thu., Sat. $4 adults, $2 ages 4-18, 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarm museum.org.

DeGraaf Nature Center: Special events: 18-acre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. Special events: May 9, Birding the Allegan State Game Area. May 16, Southwest Michigan Birdathon. May 23-30, Native Wildflower Sale. Open Tue.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, (616) 355-1057, cityofholland.com/degraafnaturecenter.

Free.

Downtown Market: Year-round Market Hall (open daily) features assortment of products from local vendors and restaurants. Outdoor Farmers Market (opens May 23) , open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., offers locally grown produce, flowers, eggs, maple syrup, meats, etc. Vintage Street Market (beg. May 10) , open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2nd Sun. of month. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com.

Felt Mansion & Gardens: Summer home of millionaire Dorr E. Felt features 1920’s architecture, water garden. Self-guided tours 1-5 p.m. Sun.-Wed. $10, $8 age 65 and older (seniors free on Mon.), 12 and under free. 6597 138th St., Holland, (616) 3353050, feltmansion.org.

2/ T.J. Wilson’s “In the Air” is a 360-degree vista of one day in the Big Apple, compressed into a 30-minute film and shown on a circular screen.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Special exhibitions: Thru Aug. 16, Splendors of Shiga: Treasures from Japan. Thru Oct. 31, Bernar Venet’s large-scale sculptures. Special events: May 9-10, Michigan All-State Bonsai Show. May 30-31, Irish Show. See Great Gardens Party in Special Events; also Lectures & Workshops. Permanent attractions: World-class sculptures indoors and in 30-acre park, tropical conservatory, café, gift shop. Open daily. $12 adults, $9 seniors/students, $6 age 5-13, $4 age 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PREMIER EXHIBITIONS (TOP); BILL JACOBSON (BOTTOM)

1/ Using scientifically produced reproductions, the King Tut exhibit at GR Public Museum allows visitors to experience the discovery of the tomb and its treasures.

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Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Special exhibition: Thru July, Taking the Seas: The Rise of the American Aircraft Carrier. Permanent exhibitions: The 1970s, Watergate, Oval Office. Open daily. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 college students, $3 age 6-18, 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 2540400, fordlibrarymuseum.gov.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Special activities: Thru May 31, Open Wide, dental health. Thru Aug. 2, Happy Animal Clinic. Special events: 6-8 p.m. May 19, Friends Like Me, for kids with Down Syndrome and their families; free, reservations required (235-4726) . Also see Play Symposium in Lectures and Workshops. Permanent activities: Little GR, Bubbles!; Mom and Pop Store; Giant Lite Brite and more. Toddler Tuesdays 10 a.m.-noon. Family Night 5-8 p.m. Thu. ($1.75) .

Closed Mon. $8.25, $7.25 seniors, kids under 1 free.

11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org.

Holland Museum: Special exhibition: Thru June 15, A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington Photography from People’s Republic of China, 1956-1957. Special events: History Walking Tours: May 15, Fire Walk of 1871; May 29, Historic Holland.

Permanent exhibitions: 17th- to 20th-century paintings; attractions from the “old country”; local history. Open Thu.-Sat. (extended hours for Tulip Time May 2-9). $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, 5 and under free. Cappon House: 228 W. 9th St. Settlers House: 190 W. 9th St. Main building: 31 W. 10th St., (616) 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PREMIER EXHIBITIONS (TOP); BILL JACOBSON (BOTTOM)

John Ball Zoo: More than 2,000 animals, including Tigers of the Realm, Grizzly Bears, Lions of Lake Manyara, Mokomboso Valley Chimps, Spider Monkey Island, Living Shores Aquarium. Special Events: See Party for the Planet in Special Events.

Open daily. Thru May 8: $7 adults, $6.50 seniors, $6 kids 3-13, kids under 2 free. After May 8: $10/$9/$8.

1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Thru May 24, High School Area Show and Congressional Art Competition. Thru June 21, Chinese Folk Pottery: The Art of the Everyday. May 9-Aug. 9, West Michigan Area Show. May 16-Aug. 23, Nina Belle Ward. Closed Mon. $5 adults, $2 students with ID; members and 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org.

Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru June 21, Alex Gabriel Bernstein: Carved in Glass. Thru Aug. 9, Manierre Dawson: Engineering Abstraction. May 7-Aug. 30, Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Closed Mon. and Tue. $8 adults, $5 college students, free age 17 and younger. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskeg onartmuseum.org.

Meyer May House: Restored Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house includes original furnishings. Open for guided tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour before close). Free. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyer mayhouse.steelcase.com.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Digistar projection and surround sound. Shows: “Back to the Moon for Good,” “The Little Star That Could,” “Dynamic Earth” and “Under Starlit Skies.” New light show: “Dark Side.” See website for show times. $4 with admission to museum, $5 planetarium only; members free. Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/planetarium.

ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN 866.462.LIFT • SHORE-MATE.COM MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 95

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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES

Susan and Rich Lamos

Bob Johnson and Mary Muller Debra and Mike LaPonsie

Cindy Masterson, Shannon Growney and Jacqueline Gilmore Kristi Bredeweg and Nancy Fabel

Donna Martin and Ellen James

snap shots

CAPTURING THE ACTION

AROUND TOWN:

LAUGHFEST invited four past headliners to perform at the LaughFest Signature Event March 10, hosted by Michael Kosta. Proceeds benefited Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

Players from the Grand Rapids Griffins served wine and craft beer samples March 16 at the fourth annual Corks, Pucks & Brews hosted by Easter Seals Michigan and the Griffins.

The 2015 Winter Beer Festival Feb. 27 featured 1,000-plus craft beers and more than 100 Michigan breweries at Fifth Third Ball Park. Local bands entertained at the festival’s 10th anniversary.

Tom Greis, Norbert Froehlich and Tommy Mastro

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Adam and Kristin Vandusen and Kim and Fred Toman

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Denise Durkee, Jeff Blashill and Bob Kaser

Jill Rothwell, Bradford Hammerschmidt and Amy Ruis Kerry and Jodi Smith

Chris Burton and Kristin Saganski

Michael Tiesma, Mandy Enos, Andrew Cousino, Johanna Kahny, Tania Sanders and Aubrie Malkewitz

Sarah Zandstra and Janelle Proos

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Dustin Hughes and Eric Potvin

Collin Sikkema and Jamison Vanderee MAY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 97

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH

CULINARY ESCAPES

FOODIES WORTH THEIR SALT have no problem letting their taste buds guide them to a grand epicurean adventure. Whether that siren call comes from near or far, the true “Culinary Connoisseur” must answer. Fortunately, from the tip of the mitten to our southernmost reaches (is there a word that describes the hand-hole-opening when using the mitten metaphor?), West Michigan abounds with opportunities to explore and expand the palate. We offer the following ideas to get you started on your own culinary escape to delicious discoveries.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

One of Michigan’s Top Resorts

Whether you are seeking a single-meal culinary escape, a mini overnight holiday, a full-experience resort vacation or planning a wedding or other large celebration with family, friends or co-workers, Bay Pointe Inn has everything you desire to create the perfect escape. It has been ranked one of Michigan’s top resorts for eleven consecutive years, and TripAdvisor rates it 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s also designated a preferred vendor with Wedding Wire.

The historic Gun Lake and its surrounding Yankee Springs State Recreational Area have enjoyed a long history as a travel destination. Bay Pointe Inn makes the most of its pristine lakefront location that is centrally located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Lansing and the Lakeshore, Chicago and Detroit. It’s a uniquely Michigan venue that exudes an “Up North” vibe with just the right touch of friendly elegance. Designer-inspired guestrooms are simply but beautifully decorated, with lakeside suites boasting enviable amenities that include sunrisefacing private balconies, with daily deluxe

breakfasts served in their Terrace Grille Restaurant.

For foodies simply seeking a great dining experience, escape to The Terrace Grille, which opens at 4:00 for spectacular dinner service, complete with beautiful panoramic lake views. Their affordable, innovative, seasonally inspired menu utilizes the freshest, locally farmed ingredients that are elevated to divine fare by a pair of talented sous chefs passionate about farm-to-table freshness. The restaurant’s upbeat atmosphere is coastal casual, with a knowledgeable, friendly and approachable staff dedicated to providing guests with outstanding service. Their full-service bar includes a wine list featuring a wide variety of wines by the glass or bottle, and a vast and varied selection of top-shelf bourbon, scotch and whiskey. Their seasonal outdoor terrace provides extraordinary alfresco views of Gun Lake and is the perfect place for a small plate, handcrafted cocktail or full meal.

Bay Pointe Inn offers the full experience of great food and service in a casual comfortable setting for an appreciable value. It’s lakefront dining, done better!

Escape to the finest Tuscan restaurant in Northern Michigan

Lake Leelanau’s Bella Fortuna North provides the definitive example of destination dining. Recognized by Grand Traverse Insider as the “Best of the Best of Leelanau County,” it is the closest Michiganians can get to an authentic Florentine dining experience this side of Italy. Owners (and knowledgeable part-time Florence residents) Bob Hesse and Jane Fortune have poured their hearts and souls into

BAY POINTE INN

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

such as those offered by Oceania Cruises — renowned for catering to the palatepleasing pursuits of culinarians. At Breton Travel, they believe that travel is one of life’s great delights. Their mission is to make your travel dreams come true, whether you seek the ultimate gourmet adventure on the high seas or simply want to explore Michigan’s wineries for an impromptu weekend getaway.

The Chop House offers a pampered escape

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every detail of this beautiful venue, which includes an award-winning multi-level alfresco terrace — complete with a regulation bocce court. Their passion is equally reflected in the hospitable atmosphere that makes diners feel like part of the family, and continues with the authentic classic Tuscan menu, impeccably executed by talented native-Italian Executive Chef Mario Deruda. Their carefully chosen regional wine list includes several Tuscan wines rarely found in the United States. Add into that equation the spectacular beauty of Leelanau County, and you have the recipe for a legendary dining experience. www. bellafortunarestaurant.com.

Their highly knowledgeable, in-the-know travel consultants excel in helping clients select a destination or cruise tailored specifically to their interests and needs. They are particularly poised to ensure epicurean delights with a culinary-focused vacation

It’s a short trip to one of the city’s favorite culinary escapes. The Chop House is an award-winning Michigan-based PRIME American steakhouse in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. It radiates a comfortably sophisticated, cool urban vibe, and impresses even the most discriminating diners with its perfect combination of ambiance, exceptional service and unparalleled fare. The menu features only the best of the nation’s top two-percent USDA Primerated beef, wet-aged 28 days to flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Diners also delight in the finest and freshest top-catch and premium seafood selections, along with only the best-rated chicken, lamb, pork and veal chops. For after-dinner indulgences, the lower level’s La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar lounge offers a tempting selection of handcrafted cigars, signature martinis, top-shelf liquors, after-dinner drinks and sinfully spectacular house-made desserts.

The intimate space also includes privatefunction rooms. Both foodies and techies alike rave about the wealth of food and wine-pairing information available on their leading edge Menuvative menu tablets. Go ahead — indulge!

Make delicious memories with Breton Travel

If you are passionate about fine cuisine, the ultimate culinary escape begins with a visit to Breton Travel. This secondgeneration Greater Grand Rapids leader in vacation travel has been perfecting the vacation experience for over 40 years.

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INN AT HARBOR SHORES

Food Dance: Closer, Fresher, Better

Since 1994, Kalamazoo’s Food Dance has been connecting diners with the authentic people and local places from which their food is sourced. Committed to building a thriving, sustainable local food system, owner Julie Stanley is a farm-totable leader, earning honor as “Locavore of the Year.”

Supporting artisans who practice agesold craft food processes — growing, raising, preserving, curing, aging, pickling, butchering and more — they serve the freshest menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, backed by a full-service artisan bar with handcrafted cocktails, brews and wines. Their welcoming, casual environment includes private-function space, catering, and special cooking classes and dining events. Their market offers an incredible array of farm-fresh fare from their family of purveyors, including sustainable, humanely raised meats, sausages, artisan cheeses, fresh baked goods, pantry items and easy grab-and-go chilled meals.

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Spring into Michigan with a lakefront dining adventure

Situated waterside in St. Joseph on one of the most historic harbors in the Great Lakes, Plank’s restaurant — inside the Inn at Harbor Shores — offers an inspired chef-driven American menu with decidedly unique and flavorful twists.

Utilizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the surrounding agriculturally rich region, their executive chef elevates traditional favorites to extraordinary culinary heights. Their brunch is so popular, it’s offered both Saturday and Sunday until 2:00 p.m. The superlative seasonal farmfresh fare alone demands a visit to this celebrated resort and inn. However, for a really great culinary escape, plan to stay several days and take advantage of the Inn’s world-class amenities, including their luxurious spa, art gallery, outdoor and indoor pools and whirlpool, rooftop terrace, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature championship golf course. Through May 22, enjoy the multitude of Michigan

culinary-centric events taking place at the Inn at Harbor Shores as part of their first annual “Spring into Michigan” celebration. The schedule is packed with exciting events featuring renowned Michigan speakers, chefs, adventurers, authors and artists. Visit www.innatharborshores.com for details.

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SHRIMP ALFREDO WITH HOUSEMADE FOCACCIA BREAD

940 W. Savidge Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456 jackswaterfrontbistro.com • 800-311-6947

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GREATER LANSING

Your fresh escape is just minutes away

Jack’s Waterfront Bistro & Bar in the Spring Lake Holiday Inn has long been known for its truly tasteful dining, excellent value, relaxed surroundings and prime waterfront views. Now their exceptional culinary team has pulled out all the stops to bring diners the freshest tastes of West Michigan. Their fare is crafted daily from seasonally fresh, local ingredients. They not only scour area farmers’ markets for the best produce, but also pick USDAapproved garden-fresh herbs daily from their own rooftop garden. Their passion is focused into every detail of a dish, including making their popular focaccia bread, desserts, pasta and sauces onsite.

Their dedication is just as notable as their lively deck scene: Uniquely illuminated alongside the banks of the Grand River, it is the place to be in summertime.

Featuring live music five nights a week, guests enjoy the fun-filled Tiki Bar starring Jack’s signature drink, the Rum Bomber.

Every Thursday evening is Comedy Night, with no charge to enjoy the area’s finest funny people! For a dining experience unmatched along the lakeshore, it’s got to be Jack’s.

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JACK’S WATERFRONT BISTRO & BAR

Discover Makers and Shakers in Capital City

Michigan’s capital is a mere short cruise away, beckoning foodies and spirit lovers alike to discover all that Greater Lansing’s dynamic dining scene has to offer. The city has something to inspire every palate. Its diverse cuisine and wide array of dining establishments run the gamut from Ethiopian to Mediterranean; from gastropub wine bars to craft beerand-stellar-burger joints; from Sushi and

Korean to Southern Barbecue; from Vegan and Vegetarian to cuisine suitable for the most avid carnivore, and from legendary Coney dogs to distinguished locally owned classic American steakhouses like Capital Prime. Gastronomic hipsters love exploring Old Town with its myriad of boutiques and art galleries, along with signature craft cocktails at places like Zoobie’s and inspired food establishments such as The Cosmos, whose duck-fat fries and unique artisan pizzas are “out of this world.”

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CHEF MARIO DERUDA – MILAN TO GRAND RAPIDS TO BELLA FORTUNA! You loved his cooking at the finest Italian restaurants in Grand Rapids.

Now join Executive Chef Mario Deruda at Bella Fortuna in Lake Leelanau - the finest Tuscan restaurant in Northern Michigan.

104 W. Main Street, Lake Leelanau 231-994-2400 www.bellafortunarestaurant.com

The surrounding agriculturally rich region inspires local chefs to ever-newer heights in seasonal farm-to-fork fare like the local favorite Red Haven. In fact, Michigan State University was America’s first land-grant college dedicated to the teaching of scientific agricultural methodologies. It’s part of the equation that made Greater Lansing the original in the movement toward locally sourced, organically sustainable food systems. The city supports over 20 seasonal community farmers’ markets, while the Lansing City Market offers year-round opportunities to connect with craft food and specialty items created by local food artisans.

However, humankind does not live by bread alone. Greater Lansing also offers plenty of liquid reasons for an inimitable culinary escape. They have a thriving brewpub scene to explore. Oenophiles can enjoy tasting rooms such as Burgdorf’s boutique winery, while connoisseurs of stronger spirits can sample the fine vodka, brandy and gin produced by Red Cedar Spirits distillery. In fact, to showcase its many liquid assets, this month the city unveils its beer, wine and spirit trail — Makers & Shakers — with full details available at www.lansing.org/makers-shakers. Hit the trail for Greater Lansing!

Taste your way through beautiful Leelanau Peninsula

The tasting scene on Leelanau Peninsula is exploding with flavors. Cool-climate wines pair perfectly with local cuisine, garnering the region national attention as a top culinary destination. Twentyfive wineries dot the small peninsula that extends 33 miles into Lake Michigan,

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www.baypointeinn.com

Terrace Gril e

LIVE Music every Wednesday - No Cover - Memorial Day through Labor Day 11456 Marsh Road, Shelbyville, MI 49344 1-888-GUN-LAKE / 269-672-8111 Bay Pointe Inn & Terrace Grille - “One of Michigan’s Top Resorts” - GR Business Journal Bay Pointe Inn & Terrace Grille - Certificate of Excellence Award 2013, 2014 & 2015 - Trip Advisor 2015 Culinary Escapes_PG98.111.indd 105

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TABOR HILL WINERY

boasting diverse microclimates uniquely suited for a variety of wine grapes. Among the internationally acclaimed varietals are Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Though, it’s the not-so-common varietals, like Auxerrois and Blaufränkisch, and creative blends that make the region interesting.What’s more intriguing, however, are the hardworking winemakers who craftthem. There’s no room for wine-snobbiness, as Leelanau winemakers arelaid-back, down-to-earth and passionate about pouring wines in your glass,regardless of experience and knowledge. Along with tasty wines and cool

winemakers, the beauty of the peninsula was honored as “the most beautiful place in America” by ABC’s Morning Show.

Great wines, great people and a great place make Leelanau Peninsula a must-visit for wine enthusiasts.

Explore the Petoskey Area’s Culinary Trail

Those with gourmet palates and the more recreational foodie alike will be tempted by the culinary offerings in the Petoskey Area.

The Petoskey Area is home to Lavender

Hill Farm, the largest commercial lavender farm in Michigan. You will also find delightful full-service restaurants, two microbreweries and five wineries dotted throughout. Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen, Maple Moon Sugary, American Spoon Foods and Tom’s Mom’s Cookies are each so deliciously good that they ship around the country. For unique ingredients and specialty foods, Galley Gourmet in the Village at Bay Harbor takes care of the most persnickety culinary demands. And in Harbor Springs, Pond Hill Farm is a destination for family fun, as well as extraordinary farm-to-table dinners. Explore these foodie favorites and a host of others to find fabulous flavors! Visit www.PetoskeyArea. com/culinary-trail-131.

Where wine is made in the vineyard ... and food is crafted from the heart

The exceptional wines from Tabor Hill Winery have been winning national and international awards and “Best of Show” recognitions ever since the Upton family took the reins almost half a century ago.

The much-loved vintages of this turnkey Buchanan, Michigan, winery have graced the table of The White House, while its Classic Demi-Sec — the Midwest’s most

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TRAVERSE CITY

award-winning wine — was a favorite of the late great Bob Hope.

Managing and Operating both the vineyard and winery for the past several decades, Winemaker Mike Merchant provides consistent leadership in Tabor Hill’s wine production. Their vineyard and winery alone offers a distinctive culinary escape. However, you’ll definitely want to stay for dinner! Tabor Hill is the only winery in the state with a full-service, high-quality restaurant that, in addition to wine, offers beer and spirits from its full-service bar. Their longtime executive chef, JohnPaul VerHage, is a graduate of Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute of America and prides himself on offering a deliciously innovative menu that showcases local, farm-fresh products. Escape to Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant (www.taborhill.com).

Traverse City: A True North

For genuine True North culinary adventures, escape to Traverse City! A word of advice: plan to stay awhile, because this is not only foodie heaven, but also an oenophile oasis, a craft beer-lover’s paradise, and an emerging destination for those who love fine liquors — and it’s all only a few hours north of Grand Rapids.

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Traverse City is a Mitten State treasure.

TripAdvisor calls it one of the country’s “Top 10 Charming Small Towns,” and the accolades keep rolling in: Bon Appetit named it among the “Top 5 Foodie Towns in America,” and Midwest Magazine hon-

ored it among the “Top 5 Food Towns in the Midwest.” Although it comes as no surprise to Michiganians, who are well aware of the region’s lush harvest history, visitors are impressed to find this little town of 15,000 people possesses such a high-caliber

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dining scene. It offers a vast and varying selection of gastronomic experiences, crafted by chefs passionate about the region’s many farm-to-fork opportunities. Just as impressive are its renowned wineries and vibrant craft beer scene.

A great dining experience is especially amplified when quaffed with a tasteenhancing beverage, and Traverse City epitomizes Michigan’s award-winning wine country. USA Today ranks it “Top 10 Places to Enjoy Local Wine,” while TripAdvisor names it “One of America’s Top 10 Wine Destinations.” At the same time, brew aficionados agree with The Travel Channel’s description of TC as one of the “Top 7 Beer Destinations in North America,” while Draft Magazine declared it among the “Top 3 Emerging Beer Towns in the USA.” So many accolades, so little space! We haven’t even touched upon the area’s stunning four-season natural beauty, its multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities, shopping, festivals and celebrations, or the variety of cultural amenities of this surprisingly sophisticated, familiarly comfortable Northern Michigan destination nestled at the head of Grand Traverse Bay. Visit www.traversecity.com to plan your escape.

WINE EVENTS Spring Sip & Savor

Experience the wine, food and culture of Northern Michigan along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.

May 2&3

Traverse City Wine & Art Festival June 20

Small Plates August 13

Harvest Stompede September 12&13

Maps, Lodging & More at lpwines.com

The Hunt for the Reds of October October 23-25

A celebration of the wine, food and culture of Northern Michigan

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Live performance by:

www.traversecitywinefestival.com

Prepare to be Pampered.

SAVOR exceptional cuts of USDA

prime beef that are the perfect combination of flavor and tenderness.

DELIGHT in the finest and freshest top-catch fish and premium seafood.

EXPERIENCE our extraordinary service and our extensive premium wine selection.

Best of 2014-15 Readers Poll

Thank You For Voting Us Best Steak!

Reservations at (888) 456-3463 190 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids TheChopHouseGrandRapids.com CH_GR_Gemini_OCT14.indd 1

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WINERIES OF OLD MISSION PENINSULA

Discover, dine, delight.

A pure, northern Michigan environment makes our food taste even better and makes our culinary trail a Michigan treasure.

800.845.2828 Free Vacation Guide Petoskey u Harbor Springs Bay Harbor u Boyne City

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CElEbrAting 20 yEArs of LocaL food

Where memories are made

Wine lovers the world over sing their praises of the wines produced on Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula, and with good reason.

Old Mission Peninsula extends north from Traverse City into the twinkling turquoise waters of Grand Traverse Bay. Like Bordeaux, Oregon, and other premier wine-producing regions, it is situated at the 45th parallel. In addition, the bay provides just the right climate for growing vinifera wine grapes.

Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula’s (WOMP) wine trail features eight distinct wineries that produce award-winning Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir, as well as prestigious sparkling and ice wines. Together, they add up to a stunning wine tour. The breathtaking vistas the peninsula provides help make the tour unforgettable.

Ideal for family reunions, groups of friends, conference outings, and perfect for romantic getaways, a WOMP wine tour always brings people closer together. The experience is delicious. The memories are even better. wineriesofoldmission.com

closer. fresher. flavor.

Restaurant, Market & Catering featuring ingredients sourced locally, including in-house butchered, sustainably raised meats.

cELEBRaTING 20 YEaRS

401 E. Michigan Ave., Downtown kalamazoo • 269.382.1888 • fooddance.net

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The clock is ticking!

Book your culinary escape now at Lansing.org!

Michigan’s Capital City!

1.888.2.LANSING www.LANSING.org

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after thoughts

Q:a

Kristin Revere is a mother of two, stepmom to one, and a certified birth doula who supports women through pregnancy.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

A

s the owner of Mother Reverence, Kristin Revere is a birth doula and an instructor of Sacred Pregnancy classes that bring back the age-old tradition of women sitting with one another during pregnancy and birth. She also owns Revere Consulting, a fundraising consulting business, and is passionate about encouraging women to run for political office. She and her husband, Patrick, are supporters of the arts and love to take their kids on travel adventures.

WHEN I’M BORED … I allow my daughter Abbey to entertain me with her singing and dancing. She is a performer at heart.

MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? Can I pick more than one? All of the art in our home as it is made by local artist friends that are dear to me.

DAY OR NIGHT PERSON? Daytime. I get the most done first thing in the morning.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND? I like to take long walks with or without my family. My husband and I went for a walk as part of our first date.

PROUDEST MOMENT? Birthing both of my babies without medication. I felt the strongest that I ever have during both of those moments.

WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO POSSESS? I would love to be able to sing.

YOUR WORST HABIT? Grinding my teeth at night. I have to sleep with a mouth guard.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? My friends always help me see the humor during stressful times. My kids and husband are pretty funny, as well.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN? I always tell my doula clients to give themselves grace as mothers.

FAV ORITE GETAWAY? Anywhere warm and tropical. Michigan winters are rough.

WHAT TIME IS YOUR ALARM SET FOR? My son Seth is my alarm. He gets up about 6 every day.

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One of Michigan’s Best Beach Towns - Coastal Living

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