Grand Rapids Magazine - June 2018

CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

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Contents JUNE 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 06

FEATURES 28 / Going coastal The West Michigan lakeshore offers countless mustsee destinations, adventures and entertainment for anyone to enjoy this summer.

BY MARLA R. MILLER

34 / ‘Stories of Summer’ Collaborative project aims to bring untold stories of summer in the Saugatuck-Douglas area to light.

BY PASHA SHIPP

34

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T

contents JUNE 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 06

departments BACK & FORTH 8 / From the Editor, contributors and letters

58 / Nosh & sip: Littlebird

74

60 / Chef profile: Chef Anthony Craig at Georgina’s

10 / Social media, GRMag.com sneak peeks, previews and more

70 / Cocktail hour: Picnic cocktails

54

LIFE & STYLE 12 / Noteworthy items include Festival of the Arts, Scout & Molly’s and Father’s Day fun.

“We’re getting people to see there are differences, why there needs to be specific money allocated to help homeless LGBTQ youth.”

— Thomas Pierce 22

CAUSE & EFFECT 74 / Grand Rapids Pride Center OUT & ABOUT 78 / June highlights

13 / Kent Garden Club

79 / Calendar

14 / Reading room: “Fiction”

by Ryan Lieske

80 / Comedy & nightclub venue listings and highlights

16 / GR’s Top 5 frozen yogurt shops

84 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights

17 / Health & wellness: Finding self-reflection with the jo

86 / Snap shots 88 / After thoughts: David Abbott of Festival of the Arts

ART & DESIGN 18 / Art gallery profile: “Color of the Year” at UICA

20

20 / Art gallery listings and highlights 22 / Frame works: Compact living ON THE COVER: Blessed with miles of public coastline, Lake Michigan’s shore is the perfect place to escape from the daily grind. Lying on the beach not your thing?

No worries, we’ve got a great collection of scenic activities in store for you. Your adventure begins on page 28.

24 / Seamless home design from the outside in FOOD & DRINK 54 / Dining review: Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen 56 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan

58

17

Photography by Johnny Quirin

6 GRMAG.COM \ JUNE 2018

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Thank you FOR VOTING US GRAND

Best of

Best of

Best of

Best of

Best of

Best of

2017-18 Readers Poll

2016-17 Readers Poll

2015-16 Readers Poll

2014-15 Readers Poll

2013-14 Readers Poll

2012-13 Readers Poll

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

The sounds of summer

T

THE SIREN IS THE SIGNAL. Grand Rapids’ monthly first Friday emergency siren tests are so usual they are taken for granted — but in June, it becomes a siren song, a blast awaited for the annual proclamation opening Festival of the Arts.

Festival is a remarkable feat, one shouldered by a community of hundreds of volunteers for 49 consecutive years. The first Festival of the Arts marked the first anniversary of the installation of La Grande Vitesse, Alexander Calder’s installation at the heart of the city, and the first sculpture in the country in a public space, rather than the customary museum or

private owner’s home. It was the first public sculpture ever funded by the National Endowment of the Arts, which remains one of its sponsors.

The three-day event is a legacy recognized across the country as the largest all-volunteer arts festival. And it’s free.

Calder Plaza also is center stage for the Grand Rapids Pride Festival on June 16, marking its 30th year. The small and courageous founders were denied any official proclamation of recognition, but the mission to provide a vibrant and inclusive community has undoubtedly been embraced, as has its success.

Grand Rapids Magazine celebrates another legacy this month, that afforded by proximity to hundreds of miles of public coastline along Lake Michigan. Contributing writer Marla Miller didn’t leave much out (if anything) when she penned an enthusiastic overview of summer events and venues in the feature “Going coastal.” Her all-inclusive story supports her assertion that “one of the best reasons to live in West Michigan is that summer is essentially a three-month staycation.”

This issue also sheds light on a lakeshore favorite, Saugatuck. History hunters from the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center and from Grand Valley State University’s Kutsche Office of Local History have teamed up to trace the oral history of summers in Saugatuck.

Listen for the siren; 90 days of summer fun have begun.

A

Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

This month we asked some of our contributors, “What do you do to unwind?”

Marla R. Miller,

Elizabeth Morey,

WRITER

WRITER

“GOING COASTAL,” PAGE 28

“A TWIST ON HORROR,” PAGE 14

“Going to the beach, taking walks/hikes and (during warmer months) birdwatching and chilling in the backyard.”

“A hot shower usually does the trick, but it’s even better if I can read a book in bed or curl up in a blanket on the couch and watch a good sitcom.”

Torrence R. O’Haire, WRITER “SUMMER SIPPIN’ IN THE SUN,” PAGE 70

“Throw dinner parties — even doing the dishes with good music blasting is surprisingly meditative.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Q&A:

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

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

Coming up next issue …

City Guide The ultimate guide to all things Grand Rapids for natives and visitors alike.

Have you visited the new Betty Ford exhibit at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum yet? Visit grmag.com

On the radio

Brengman Brothers winemaker Maggie Thompson talks putting Michigan wines on the map at grmag.com

When you hit the Michigan roads in summer in search of fun, which direction do you head?

Our social media followers respond: 4% South

At grmag.com Festival of the Arts returns to downtown Grand Rapids June 1-3.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre closes its season with “Shrek.”

NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION: 20% East 38% North

38% West

When you’re talking up Grand Rapids, what’s the first thing you brag about?

We want to hear from you There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (FAR LEFT); JOHNNY QUIRIN (FAR RIGHT); COURTESY MEGAN SARNACKI (TOP CENTER); BRENGMAN BROTHERS (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

WHAT BETTER WAY TO COOL OFF on a hot day than with a bite — or bowl — of frozen yogurt? Visit page 16 and grmag.com for a list of this summer’s “coolest” froyo spots.

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

10 GRMAG.COM \ JUNE 2018

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TM

Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com

info@grmag.com

PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Sarah Tincher COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joseph A. Becherer,

Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Elissa Hillary, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Marla R. Miller, Elizabeth Morey, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Pasha Shipp, Julie Bonner Williams, Megan Westers, Tricia van Zelst

DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry,

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

DESIGN & PRODUCTION NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:

Scott Sommerfeld

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

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

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FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER:

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (FAR LEFT); JOHNNY QUIRIN (FAR RIGHT); COURTESY MEGAN SARNACKI (TOP CENTER); BRENGMAN BROTHERS (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)

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Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com.

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by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444.

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

noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Scout & Molly’s manager Renise Warners

Father’s Day fun

GR-inspired style Scout & Molly’s may have gotten its start in the South, but the upscale women’s fashion boutique fit in seamlessly with Grand Rapids’ growing boutique fashion scene when it opened its doors at Breton Village this spring.

The company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is known to offer a high-end experience with stylists on-staff to help shoppers complete their look, but each Scout & Molly’s franchise is unique to the community it serves.

“Scout & Molly’s was founded on the idea that shopping should be as fun as hanging out and browsing in your best friend’s closet. What could be better than that?” said store owner and West Michigander Sue Yocum. “I’ve carefully selected a beautiful array of clothing, jewelry and accessories that I know will appeal specifically to the one-of-a-kind style scene here in Grand Rapids.”

Astars, Maven West, Paige, Black Orchid, Elan and Sen are among the brands Yocum personally selected to include in the store.

To learn more about Scout & Molly’s, visit scoutandmollys.com.

A communitywide celebration Grand Rapids will kick off the month of June right, as the annual Festival of the Arts returns to the city for the 49th year June 1-3.

Inspired by the 1969 installation of Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse in downtown GR, the free, threeday festival is a celebration of West Michigan art and artists, featuring several performance stages, a juried regional arts exhibition, creative activities for children and adults, as well as artwork available for purchase (plus, dozens of food booths run by nonprofit organizations).

For more details about the event, visit festivalgr.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (CENTER AND TOP RIGHT); COURTESY CHRIS LAPORTE/FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (BOTTOM); THINKSTOCK (TOP LEFT)

Struggling to find a way to make this Father’s Day special?

Don’t fret — there’s plenty of fun to go around in GR this Father’s Day weekend.

• Plan an afternoon on the Grand Lady Riverboat Father’s Day Picnic Cruise, a two-hour scenic cruise along the Grand River in an old-fashioned steamboat. (1-3 p.m. June 17; boat boards at Boynton’s Landing in Jenison. Reservations required. grandlady.info) • Take him on a tour of one (or more) of the city’s many breweries and distilleries, or spend your Saturday together at Founders Fest 2018! (3-11 p.m. June 16; Founders Brewing Co. foundersbrewing.com) • Book a guided fishing trip on the Grand River, White River or Muskegon River with Werkman Outfitters. (werkman outfitters.com) • Get tickets for the Grand Taste or the Grand Taste Garden at the LPGA Meijer Classic at Blythefield Country Club.

(Grand Taste, June 15-17; Grand Taste Garden, June 16-17; Blythefield Country Club. meijerlp gaclassic.com) Check out our full June calendar of events on page 78 for more Father’s Day inspiration!

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Tips & tricks

Slugs love beer. Place a small, flat container of beer beside your hosta plants to keep the slugs away.

Slugs do not like crushed eggshells. Scatter crushed eggshells around your plants to keep slugs away; plus, eggshells are biodegradable.

Scatter Milorganite, an eco-friendly fertilizer, over freshly planted bulbs to discourage squirrels from digging them up.

To help promote fall root growth, mix bone meal into the soil before placing the bulb in the hole — pointed side up!

Don’t plant anything in the heat of day. Plant in the morning or evening.

If you have deer in the area, plant daffodils.

Deer don’t like them.

Making Grand Rapids beautiful

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (CENTER AND TOP RIGHT); COURTESY CHRIS LAPORTE/FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (BOTTOM); THINKSTOCK (TOP LEFT)

M

embers of the Kent Garden Club are no shrinking violets. These ladies plant Kwanzan cherry trees along the Grand River, care for the grounds at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, teach children about gardening and plant life at Ken-O-Sha Elementary and Southwood Elementary schools, and are helping recreate the historical gardens at the Brookby Estate, now owned by Aquinas College.

Plus, there’s the ongoing programming the club offers its members, the annual Christmas wreath sale and Garden Walk, and backing of eco-friendly legislation. The group’s combination of getting their hands dirty (literally), educating others and taking part in civic activity dates back to the origins of the club.

“When you’re part of a group, you learn from each other. And we carry that one step further to the next generation,” said Anne Todd, past president of the Kent Garden Club and still an active member. “I’m overwhelmed with the camaraderie of these women with a common bond. We carry on

“We want to see the Grand River lined with cherry trees that will attract people like cherry trees do in Washington, D.C.” — Karin Maupin the camaraderie of the founding women.”

The Kent Garden Club started in 1913.

Legend has it what began as an argument about how to pronounce “Anchusa” (a forget-me-not-like perennial) ended with a call to start a garden club. The 51 charter members — whose gardens had to be approved before acceptance — include such names as Bissell, Bundy, Kendall, Lowe, Widdicomb and Wurzburg.

By the 1930s, the Kent Garden Club was a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan (now Michigan Garden Clubs) and the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Meetings for the state and national organizations were held periodically in

Grand Rapids, with our city’s elite hosting events in their homes and gardens.

Now, the club’s 111 members are scattered across the Grand Rapids metro area, and there’s no garden approval requirement. Members participate in a variety of projects, but mostly, it’s about digging in the dirt and beautifying Grand Rapids.

“We always think we’re inventing ideas, but really we’re reinventing what’s already been done by the club in the past,” said Karin Maupin, Kent Garden Club president.

Plans include continuing to donate time and money to local projects, helping restore more historic gardens and planting more cherry trees along the Grand River.

“We want to see the Grand River lined with cherry trees that will attract people like cherry trees do in Washington, D.C.,” Maupin said.

For more information on upcoming events, visit kentgardenclub.org.

— ANN BYLE

JUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 13

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

READING ROOM

“Give a horror novel a chance; you may be pleasantly surprised.”

— Ryan Lieske

Ryan Lieske has loved the horror genre since he was a child, sneaking Stephen King novels into his room at night.

The Caledonia native dreamed of becoming a writer, but the career wasn’t an easy one to break into at first. After a stint with a news station and a job as a radio DJ, he turned to filmmaking, which had a bit of “rock star appeal” that fed his extroverted side.

Still, Lieske said he longed to get back to the freedom of writing fiction. “My introverted side loves sitting at a laptop and writing and not having to talk to people about money or line up a sound person or caterer,” he said.

So, when his screenplay, “Fiction,” didn’t work out as planned, he converted it into a “philosophical horror novel,” a book that breaks the horror mold in some unexpected ways.

The story follows an up-and-coming writer named Caitlin Frost as her discarded characters come back to haunt her.

“She begins to realize some of her unfinished stories are trying to finish themselves,” Lieske explained.

One discarded character, in particular, is confused about his two-dimensional life and terrified of death. A murderer, he photographs his victims in hopes of capturing their ghosts on film and getting answers to his burning questions about death. His victims, trapped between worlds, blame Caitlin and seek revenge.

Lieske said the idea was inspired by two separate events — the first, a ghostthemed episode of the late-night talk show “Coast to Coast”; and the second, a British horror film called “Peeping Tom,” in which a serial killer photographs the look of fear on his victims’ faces as they die.

So far, this “cerebral thriller,” published by Burning Willow Press of South Carolina, has received positive reaction.

But getting to that point, he noted, has been a challenge.

“Nine out of 10 times, you have to check your ego at the door and kill your baby,” Lieske said of the difficulties of writing well. “Figuratively speaking, of course. I don’t encourage killing babies.”

Between working full time as a closed captioning writer, Lieske is finishing up his next book, a vampire story he classifies as a “young adult horror novella,” which will be illustrated by Lieske’s brother and launched by a local publisher later this year.

“Give a horror novel a chance,” Lieske suggested.

“You may be pleasantly surprised.”

— ELIZABETH MOREY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); COURTESY BURNING WILLOW PRESS (TOP)

A twist on horror

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); COURTESY BURNING WILLOW PRESS (TOP)

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

GRAND RAPIDS’

TOP 5

Froyo Shops

Peachwave Frozen Yogurt & Gelato

WHAT BETTER WAY to cool off on a hot summer day than with a bite — or bowl — of frozen yogurt?

These are a few of our favorite places to find this tasty frozen treat in (and around) Grand Rapids.

Bloop Frozen Yogurt Rotating menu of 10-16 flavorful selections made with “the freshest” ingredients.

Peachwave Frozen Yogurt & Gelato Two West Michigan locations, dozens of creamy (and nondairy) frozen yogurt flavors (including many gluten-free options).

The Pump House Three locations, more than a dozen flavors and “a boatload of toppings” to choose from, and all sorts of character.

Sweet Yo’s Frozen Yogurt Two locations, each with its own diverse selection of flavors (including plenty of dairy-, fat-, gluten-free and vegan-friendly choices).

Spoonlickers Four locations, dozens of flavors of allnatural frozen yogurt made with fresh, locally produced fruits and dairy — “No artificial flavorings or colors, ever.”

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

Bloop Frozen Yogurt

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health & wellness

BY KARA MCNABB

A physical approach to self-reflection

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

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

THE JO IS A WEAPON used to teach the principles of aikido, a peaceful martial arts practice. Using six steps — a small portion of a greater flow — this practice, in all its simplicity, helps reveal patterns that often keep people stuck.

How you do one thing is how you do everything; how you react to simplified questions or learning a simple practice, like the jo, holds stories that reveal how you live your life.

As I’ve invited friends to jo with me, the movement practice has brought to light places to explore within our relationships.

As I’ve worked with clients, practicing the jo together invites self-examination.

I might ask what they’re noticing; I might share what I notice. And in these observations, we explore the belief systems that shape these patterns.

In learning the six steps, the body might move rigidly, prompting the participant to consider, “Where else does rigidity show up in my life?”

One client might be critical of herself for not learning quickly enough, anoth-

Kara McNabb and Anya and Billy Lanford using the jo.

When we get out of our heads and into our bodies, we find freedom much more quickly. er might think about whether I’m judging him, whereas another might delight in muddling through the steps imperfectly.

There’s no right or wrong way, yet the way they each approach the work likely reveals the way they approach life.

In this awareness, there’s a choice: continue to step into this pattern because it’s life-giving or choose to not step into this pattern because it’s depleting.

In noticing a tendency to dominate in our partnered jo practice, one client recognized domination showed up in her relationships, too. We explored where this came from; and in this new awareness, she had the choice of reacting in a dominant way, which fed her fears, or practicing surrender.

In this practice of self-reflection paired with movement, we feel the patterns in our body, rather than relying solely on the mind, to tell a story. When we get out of our heads and into our bodies, we find freedom much more quickly.

Try it. Begin with something that’s new for you, like doing a pull-up, dancing or practicing yoga. What do you notice as you move your body in a new way? Does it move with ease or difficulty, stiffly, gracefully, timidly, confidently or somewhere in-between? How do you talk to yourself as you engage in this new activity? Is the inner voice critical, nurturing, demanding, belittling, accepting? Ask yourself where else you may approach life in this way.

— Kara McNabb is a naturopath at Continuum Healing and a member of the Wellness Collective Grand Rapids.

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Pops of purple Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts exhibition celebrates Pantone’s Color of the Year, Ultra Violet.

T

he senses are powerful motivators that can influence moods, productivity, abilities and even bodily functions. Sight is no exception, and color plays a vital role.

Each year, Pantone, owned by X-Rite, celebrates the impact of color with a new Color of the Year, influencing choices and trends in the design world, while also being emblematic of the times in which we live.

Through July 29, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ “Color of the Year” exhibition invites visitors to explore a collection of works inspired by Pantone’s 2018 selection — Ultra Violet.

“Ultra Bouquet”

The exhibition features 15 artists, both local and national, as well as multiple design companies, using Ultra Violet as their muse. It’s fitting that design was incorporated into the show, as well, considering Pantone is globally recognized as the authority in color design and matching within the broader design world.

“Pantone is such an embedded part of art and design,” said UICA Executive Director Miranda Krajniak, who curated the exhibit. “It’s considered the epicenter of color.”

PAINTINGS COURTESY MICHAEL PFLEGHAAR

“Ultra Tropical”

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Michigan charm necklace

by Scott Carey

“The show is pretty diverse. But for me, color is one of the ways that I communicate; most of my work is very colorful.”

— Michael Pfleghaar

PAINTINGS COURTESY MICHAEL PFLEGHAAR

PAINTINGS COURTESY MICHAEL PFLEGHAAR

“Purple Play”

While the theme seems simple, the ideas that come with the color are diverse.

“The show isn’t about, ‘Hey y’all, it’s purple,’” said Krajniak, who curated the exhibition. “It’s more of, here is the color base we are working with and here are some things that we’re exploring.”

The Pantone Color of the Year, according to Pantone and Krajniak, is more than just a prediction of what color trends we will see in the year to come; it’s emblematic of the times that we live in. Chosen based on color trends in the world of art and design, as well as the socioeconomic, political and social standings of the world, the color also includes themes and ideas that are attached to the color. Artists and artwork for the show were chosen with all of these elements in mind.

With an emphasis on nature and meditation, viewers will see many two- and three-dimensional works ranging from paintings, drawings and installations to fashion, industrial and furniture design.

“At UICA, we are presenting works that are very challenging (politically and

socially),” Krajniak said. “We are presenting works on politics and social justice and racism.

“But every once in a while, it’s nice to have a show that is about meditation.

We really need to have that balance as an institution.”

Grand Rapids-based artist Michael Pfleghaar is one of the participating artists in the show; and as a painter, most of his work is quite literal, depicting objects such as furniture and botanicals.

“The show is pretty diverse,” Pfleghaar said. “But for me, color is one of the ways that I communicate; most of my work is very colorful.”

More information about the exhibition is available online at uica.org/exhibitions.

— MEGAN WESTERS

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Local art galleries COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

1/ TERRYBERRY GALLERY: Local and international art. “Taking Pause,” which is on exhibit June 1-30, features graphite drawings by Sue Ellison and abstract oil paintings by Kathy K. Jones. An artist reception is 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 1. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org/visit-terryberry-gallery.

2/ FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER: Exhibits by Forest Hills Public Schools students and staff. Thru June 22, “Beneath My Skin” by Jillian Dickson includes drawings that fuse images of human organs and budding flowers. An artist reception is 6-7 p.m. June 6. Also, June 29July 27, featured artist Kate Meyer. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com.

3/ URBAN INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS: From June 1-Aug. 26, a traveling exhibition, “Transitions: New Photography from Bangladesh,” will showcase the work of nine photographers. A reception is 5:30-9 p.m. June 1. Thru July 29, “Color of the Year: Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet.” 2 W. Fulton St., 454-7000, uica.org.

Aquinas College Gallery: Work by students, faculty and visiting artists.

Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 632-8900, aquinas.edu/art/ gallery.

Calvin College Center Art Gallery: Student, faculty and alumni work, plus exhibits by visiting artists.

Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 526-6271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery.

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

Leep Art Gallery: Work by a variety of visiting artists. Thru June 29, “A View of My Artistic Journey From the Past to the Present” by Larry Blovits.

Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org.

Flat River Cottage: Fine art, jewelry, antiques and home décor; also, paintings by Kathleen Mooney.

317 E. Main St., Lowell, 897-8601, flatrivercottage.com.

Flat River Gallery & Framing: Artist cooperative shows work in a variety of mediums; plus gifts, framing and workshops. June 1-July 31, visiting artist Tatsuki Hakoyama; reception 6-8 p.m. June 21. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatrivergallery andframing.com.

Gallery 154: Eastown gallery shows local and national multimedia art, gifts and jewelry. 1456 Lake Drive SE, 454-2154, gallery154.com.

GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students. 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 2343544, grcc.edu/artgallery.

photography exhibit at UICA.

LaFontsee Galleries: 2-D and 3-D works by gallery artists, plus framing and restoration services. Grand Rapids location (includes Urban Craft Boutique with gifts, accessories and home décor): 833 Lake Drive SE, 451-9820. Douglas location: Thru July 8, “Let’s Jump In.” 410 W. Center St., 451-3850. lafontsee.us.

Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. Thru June 23, “Festival of the Arts Regional Exhibition;” reception 2-5 p.m. June 23. Also thru June 23, “Ignite.”

17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries.

Franciscan Life Process Center: Changing exhibits by local artists.

Downtown GR campus: Thru June 30, featured artist William Alexander. 654 Davis St. NW. Lowell campus: Thru June 30, “Acrylics and Abstracts” by Kathleen Mooney. 11650 Downes St. lifeprocesscenter.org.

3/ Bangladesh is the focus of a

Ave., Holland, 395-6400, hope.edu/ kam.

Design Quest Gallery: Furniture store exhibits art in a gallery setting.

4181 28th St. SE, 940-9911, design quest.biz.

GVSU Art Gallery: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists. 1121 Performing Arts Center, North Campus Drive, Allendale, 331-

2/ “Beneath My Skin” by Jillian Dickson is at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.

2563, gvsu.edu/artgallery.

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

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

ICCF: Inner City Christian Federation headquarters displays art in various media. 920 Cherry St. SE, 3369333, iccf.org.

LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. June 2-July 14, “Location Location Location.” 223 W. Main St., Lowell, 8978545, lowellartsmi.org.

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

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

June 9-July 14, “About Face” by Judith Tummino; reception 4-7 p.m. June 9.

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

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University: Work by students in graduate-level programs and special community projects. 17 Fountain St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/ galleries.

Van Singel Fine Arts Center: Changing exhibits by local artists.

Thru June 10, “On the Edge” by Southwest Michigan Printmakers; reception 2-3:30 p.m. June 10. 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsf ac.com/programming/art-gallery.

Kruizenga Art Museum: Art from Hope College’s permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. 271 Columbia

Check websites for hours of operation.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SUE ELLISON (TOP); JILLIAN DICKSON (CENTER); BANGLADESHI AMERICAN CREATIVE COLLECTIVE (BOTTOM)

The Artist’s Studio: Studio and gallery with work by Jim Starkey and Rose Ellis; also custom framing. 40 Monroe Center NW, 454-6650, face book.com/theartistsstudio1.

1/ Terryberry Gallery’s June exhibit is “Taking Pause.”

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BY MARK F. MILLER

Lott3Metz Architecture was hired as the architect for the Thompson residence, while Rockford Construction served as the general contractor. Both Bruce and Brenda Thompson had significant contributions to the home’s design.

Bruce Thompson and Rockford Construction CEO Mike VanGessel founded Urbaneer in 2012, intending to design and build homes around the way people live in the 21st century, using 21st-century technology.

In addition to the bungalow, Urbaneer has furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments at The Morton, utilized its space optimization products to create micro-units in Venue Tower and built infill housing at 600 Douglas St. NW. In late March of this year, Urbaneer was spun out of Rockford Construction. It was announced the company had raised seed capital from local and national investors, including Start Garden, that will allow it to expand operations to New York City and Washington, D.C.

IMAGINE AN ALTERNATIVE American Dream where “more” and “bigger” are not synonymous with “success” and “happiness.”

Imagine a realization that happiness is about owning less, living smaller, pursuing dreams and reclaiming personal time.

Nationally, this mantra has been championed by a growing number of designers, homebuilders and thought leaders who have promoted the “less is better” concept through smaller homes, fewer material possessions and purpose-driven lifestyles.

Locally, Grand Rapids-based Urbaneer is focused on supporting the “less is better” choice through the creation of small, high-quality spaces rooted in the local heritage of design innovation. These compact living arrangements are built on a standard program that can be replicated in different formats, including micro-units, loft apartments, rowhouses and detached single-family homes. Importantly, Urbaneer also has created a series of products and furnishings that allow these small spaces

The main floor is a free-flowing Swiss Army knife of orchestrated parts that has optimized every nook and cranny of the space into a useful, compelling, fun and livable home. to perform at maximum capacity, effectively making them feel larger than they are.

The unassuming bungalow at 338 Pleasant St. SE, the residence of Urbaneer co-founder Bruce Thompson and his wife Brenda, an interior designer, is one example of Urbaneer’s solution for the small house. Situated on a small lot in the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood, the home’s exterior design, massing, scale and site placement effectively blend in with the surrounding historic context, while the interior provides a compelling argument for how well-designed, compact spaces can live large while also adjusting to evolving dayto-day needs of diverse homeowners.

The Thompson residence features an 800-square-foot main floor that combines Urbaneer’s patented movable walls, folding and adjustable-height tables, and customized built-ins with well-thought-through, light-

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY URBANEER (TOP); BRUCE THOMPSON (BOTTOM)

Urbaneer fact box

Compact luxury

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READY TO MAKE MEMORIES?

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY URBANEER

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY URBANEER (TOP); BRUCE THOMPSON (BOTTOM)

filled design and space-saving European appliances. The main floor is a free-flowing Swiss Army knife of orchestrated parts that has optimized every nook and cranny of the space into a useful, compelling, fun and livable home.

This main floor has a space that converts from a dining room to a bedroom with a table that folds into a movable wall; the wall then slides on tracks out into the main living area, revealing a Murphy bed. The kitchen is nestled along a single rear wall, allowing these transformations to occur without being in the way.

This floor also includes a bathroom and bedroom in its frugal envelope, while the 300-square-foot, upper-level loft houses another bedroom and bath. The home also includes a 500-square-foot basement, providing the opportunity for even more living space.

While the home is small relative to both its historic neighbors and to new construction in suburban America, it lives large and has luxurious finishes that lend themselves to little maintenance and high livability — livability that allows freedom to pursue that purpose-driven lifestyle. — 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.

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Seamless style from the outside in

w

Local landscape and interior designers combine forces to create an ‘ideal blend of nature and home.’

WHILE OTHERS DESIGNING their dream home envision open floor plans, vaulted ceilings and that longed-for room designated solely for their hobby, landscape design-

Top: Rendering depicts a view of the patio from the kitchen, which will feature access to the patio as well as vegetable and flower gardens. Bottom left: Design plans include abundant windows throughout the home, though particularly in the kitchen, to maximize natural light and airflow, and optimize views of the landscape. Bottom right: The coveted kitchen island will offer 10 feet of counter space.

er Amy Squires did her dreaming a little differently: her perfect home began with planning landscapes and gardens, with the home built around them.

Windows will abound in Squires’ new home once construction is complete, optimizing views from all rooms to showcase the decorative grasses, Himalayan birch trees and native Michigan plants of which Squires is especially fond. Noting she loves to watch the movement of tall grasses like the ones she’s planted around her home, Squires said she and her husband are planning a prairie area within the rolling hills that frame their property.

“Our homestead is going to be allencompassing,” Squires said. “We’re having a vegetable garden, a chicken coop, and my husband wants to (raise) bees. We want

RENDERINGS COURTESY AMY SQUIRES LANDSCAPE DESIGN (TOP); DEIDRE INTERIORS (BOTTOM)

By Julie Bonner Williams

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Alternate view of the kitchen patio.

RENDERING COURTESY AMY SQUIRES LANDSCAPE DESIGN

RENDERINGS COURTESY AMY SQUIRES LANDSCAPE DESIGN (TOP); DEIDRE INTERIORS (BOTTOM)

“We’re outdoor people so that just feels more at-home to us. Earth tones, softer tiles, nothing highly polished; borrowing blues from the sky and greens from the grass.”

— Amy Squires to have a prairie and flowers and wildlife, to preserve what was once there while still maintaining a contemporary lifestyle.”

For the ideal blend of nature and home, the Squireses chose Deidre Remtema, owner of Deidre Interiors, for their home’s interior design. Describing the fresh perspective of merging abode and nature, Remtema’s enthusiasm about Squires’ unique approach to designing a home from the outside in is crystal clear.

“I haven’t worked with a landscape (designer) before,” Remtema said. “Amy is so in tune with how the inside and the outside are working together. She’s very attracted to materials that reflect the outside — like large-scale flower motifs, branches, birds — and she’s incorporated that in a modern way I haven’t experienced with another client before. It’s been really fun.”

In keeping with the feel of nature inside the home, Remtema and Squires have worked together to choose colors, patterns, and décor reminiscent of the outdoors. The walls of the master bedroom will be covered in a lotus-leaf patterned wallpaper with a light fixture resembling a white puff of dandelion flower. The children’s bedroom walls will give the feel of being in a rose garden

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AzpiraPlaceBreton.com | 4352 Breton Road SE | Kentwood, MI 49512 JUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 25

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Left: The home will incorporate natureinspired colors, patterns and décor, including these wallpaper choices. Right: Currey & Co. lighting fixture.

with a bold, floral pattern, and the library will enhance the natural ambiance with soft blues on walls, as well as the ceiling, creating a sky-like effect.

Having first selected limestone for the fireplace, Squires later opted for a warmer feel. Retaining her vision of using stone, she began looking at natural stone that also will be used outdoors.

“We really believe in natural materials,” Squires said. “When you have natural materials, you feel more in tune with your surroundings.

“We’re outdoor people so that just feels more at-home to us. Earth tones, softer tiles, nothing highly polished; borrowing blues from the sky and greens from the grass.”

The desire to blend indoors and outdoors resulted in a home design emphasizing the use of windows to maximize views — and, Squires admitted, to be able to keep an eye on her children when they’re playing

MACKINAW CITY

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DEIDRE INTERIORS (TOP); RENDERING COURTESY AMY SQUIRES LANDSCAPE DESIGN (BOTTOM)

“Amy is so in tune with how the inside and the outside are working together. She’s very attracted to materials that reflect the outside — like large-scale flower motifs, branches, birds — and she’s incorporated that in a modern way I haven’t experienced with another client before. It’s been really fun.”

— Deidre Remtema

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mackinawcity.com View of the home and patio from the vegetable garden.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DEIDRE INTERIORS (TOP); RENDERING COURTESY AMY SQUIRES LANDSCAPE DESIGN (BOTTOM)

Timeless Beauty ... outside, “so they don’t get into any trouble!”

Window placement was chosen to enhance the feeling of connectedness to nature, yet to also maximize the natural airflow through the house with the windows open. Use of natural light also was a consideration, especially in the kitchen and family room, where Squires said the family spends much of their time together.

“The whole back of the house is windows, especially on the main floor,” Remtema said. “The window frames are black.

What I love about that choice is it helps to create a picture frame (around the view outside), like a piece of art with a picture frame.”

Because Squires wanted a contemporary yet European feel to the home, the black framing of the windows was eased into some exterior fencing as well as light fixtures Remtema chose for the interior, saying they worked to be conscious of working details in the architecture in the interior space.

Squires’ love for baking was cause for special care in designing a kitchen with outdoor access. Noting her excitement about a coveted 10 feet of counter space on the kitchen island, a “quick walk-out” was a requisite, making it possible to pick vegetables or cut herbs for her culinary creations.

She also has a flower garden with flowers to cut and bring in the house planned for the area outside the kitchen — after all, one can never have too much of outdoors, indoors.

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BY MARLA R. MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

The West Michigan lakeshore offers countless must-see destinations, adventures and entertainment for anyone to enjoy this summer.

HIGH ATOP A SAND DUNE AT P.J. HOFFMASTER STATE PARK, looking out over Lake Michigan and the park’s campground beach, a memorial bench beckons campers, hikers and beachgoers to sit and take it all in.

Blessed with miles of public coastline, West Michigan is home to countless secluded and scenic spots that dot the Lake Michigan shoreline — each offering something unique in the way of fun.

Whether you want to escape to the woods, long for that carefree vacation feeling or haven’t visited the lakeshore recently, make this the summer you mark off your close-tohome bucket list. After all, one of the best reasons to live in West Michigan is that summer is essentially a three-month staycation.

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Relax on the beach (or explore a dune) With more than 100 miles of white sandy shoreline from South Haven to Ludington, the region is an oasis for sun worshippers and low-cost family outings.

A Michigan State Parks Recreation Passport easily pays for itself, as it allows users to enjoy any state park beach for free, and there are plenty to choose from, depending on whether you are going with toddlers, teens, friends or want to pair a beach day with other activities or a weekend of camping.

Holland, Van Buren, Grand Haven, Hoffmaster, Muskegon and Ludington state parks each have their own amenities, features and campgrounds: Grand Haven draws the teen and college crowd with a 3-mile boardwalk, pier and other attractions; Hoffmaster is popular with families and nature lovers; and Ludington is one of the state’s busiest state parks, with added attractions like Big Sable Point Lighthouse and fishing and kayaking on Hamlin Lake.

Duck Lake State Park doesn’t offer camping, but it makes for a nice daytrip and has a shallow wading area for younger children.

For those who don’t want to deal with traffic and crowds in Grand Haven’s busier districts, nearby Rosy Mound Natural Area and Ferrysburg’s North Beach Park make for good alternatives, with amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, parking, hiking trails

and scenic views.

Saugatuck’s Oval Beach, with a $10 daily vehicle fee, welcomes singles or families and has been rated among the 25 best shorelines in the world by “Condé Nast Traveler.” Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Beach has free parking and admission, nearby eateries and picnic areas, and places to have bonfires on the beach. Kruse Park welcomes four-legged friends, and beachgoers can walk along a boardwalk connecting back to Pere Marquette Park.

If sunbathing isn’t your thing, Ludington hosts sunset beach bonfires from 8-10 p.m.

June 28, July 26 and Aug. 23 at Stearns Park Beach, the city’s beach with picnic areas, a playground and free parking.

And for those who enjoy a good thrill, the region’s natural sand dunes make for unique and adventurous land-based excursions.

Arguably one of the area’s most unique attractions is Silver Lake State Park, where visitors come from all over to ride the only sand dunes open to ORVs east of the Mississippi. Book a Mac Wood’s Dune Ride, a family tradition since 1930 that includes an open-air, 7-mile dune ride; or rent your own UTV through Silver Lake Buggy Rentals and explore the Silver Lake Sand Dunes at your own leisure.

Jeep owners and off-roaders can take their own vehicles and ORVs (with a trail

pass) out on the dunes, zooming over sand moguls and exploring 600 acres of dunes overlooking Lake Michigan.

Take a hike (or ride a bike) along a nature trail An ever-expanding nonmotorized trail system continues to connect walkers and riders to communities along the lakeshore.

In the Grand Haven area alone, bicyclists have access to 100 miles of trails, including the 20-mile Lakeshore Trail from Grand Haven to Holland and the 15-mile Lakeside Trail around Spring Lake with connections to the North Bank Trail and Spoonville Trail.

Ferrysburg’s bicycle path runs along North Shore Drive to North Beach Park and Kitchel Lindquist Dunes Preserve, a 114-acre nature preserve with nature trails through protected dune land on the north side of the Grand Haven channel.

Muskegon’s 12-mile Lakeshore Trail offers scenic views of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, looping around Pere Marquette Park and other attractions. Riders can stop off at downtown restaurants and attractions or head north to Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve and the North Muskegon trailhead.

Farther north, the 22-mile Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail passes through farms, orchards and forests, has scenic overlooks and picnic areas along the route, and pro-

Holland State Park

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“Big Red” Lighthouse at Holland State Park

Saugatuck

Rosy Mound Natural Area

vides access to towns from Whitehall to Hart.

Plus, there are many popular parks to explore on foot. Rosy Mound Natural Area south of Grand Haven, Hemlock Crossing in West Olive, Van Buren State Park in South Haven, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park and Lake Harbor Park in Norton Shores, Muskegon State Park, Mears State Park in Pentwater, and Ludington State Park all feature diverse trails and terrain, as well as picnic areas; and many have Lake Michigan access and scenic overlooks.

Take a trip back in time The region’s logging and maritime history run deep, and, no matter if you’re a native or a newcomer, perusing old-time photos, artifacts and historical sites makes for an interesting and educational day.

Nearly every community has a historical museum, but if maritime history piques

Grand Haven State Park

your interest, there is plenty of it to go around.

The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum opened last year in the former U.S. Coast Guard Station, bringing the area’s maritime history to life through interactive exhibits, authentic artifacts and digital storytelling. In Muskegon, must-sees include the USS Silversides Submarine Museum, which offers tours and overnight stays on the USS Silversides, a Gato-class submarine that served during World War II; and the LST-393 Museum, featuring tours of one of the last two Landing Ship Tanks built during World War II. For those of you headed south, the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, too, is well worthy of a visit.

But if the seafaring ways aren’t quite your speed, combine outdoor exploration and living history at Michigan’s Heritage Park in Whitehall, an open-air museum with costumed interpreters and a half-mile trail loop that covers 10,000 years of his-

Blessed with miles of public coastline, West Michigan is home to countless secluded and scenic spots that dot the Lake Michigan shoreline. tory. A special Civil War Weekend June 9-10 gives visitors the chance to see the soldiers in their camp and watch a battle unfold on the activity field.

In Ludington, the Historic White Pine Village features 30 buildings, including a trapper’s cabin, the original 1857 Caswell Court House for Mason County, general store, farmstead, town hall, schoolhouse and exhibits that capture what life was like more than a century ago. On June 22, the village hosts a Civil War Muster, where Civil War re-enactors recreate soldier and civilian camp life.

In Holland, spend a day exploring the city’s Dutch heritage at Nelis’ Dutch Village, a family fun park with rides, shopping and dancers; Windmill Island, a municipal park featuring De Zwaan, the only working Dutch windmill in America; Veldheer Tulip Gardens, Michigan’s only tulip farm perennial garden; and the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory.

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Windmill Island Gardens in Holland

Grand Haven Art Festival

Muskegon’s Heritage Museum and Lakeshore Museum Center, along with other nearby historical sites, such as the 19th-century Hackley & Hume Historic Site homes, too, offer a host of family-friendly activities and educational experiences for everyone to enjoy.

Plus, Muskegon’s four-screen Getty Drive-In Theatre can make movie night a nostalgic experience for those who grew up in the era of drive-in movies, or it could be a new and exciting adventure for the younger crowd.

of downtown Muskegon with nearly 300 exhibitors July 6-7. Shop the juried fine arts show in Hackley Park or walk the streets for the specialty craft and yard items, and much more.

Split up the weekend and head north for the 50th annual West Shore Art Fair, held July 7-8 in Ludington. Rotary Park features more than 100 jury-selected fine artists across a variety of mediums, including clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, photography and sculpture, among others.

Peruse an art fair

Relatives coming to visit? Kids complaining they’re bored? There’s no shortage of ways to keep both young and old entertained at one of the lakeshore’s many festivals.

South Haven kicks off the fun June 15-16 with Harborfest, an annual event celebrating maritime history. This event features concerts, dragon boat races, children’s activities, craft fair, a beer tent and more.

Next month, Grand Haven — also known as Coast Guard City, USA — will host its annual, nationally recognized Coast Guard Festival to honor the men and women serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. The event, held July 27-Aug. 5, features a little bit of everything: live music, kids activities, car shows, ship tours, competitions, a carnival — you name it. (Bonus!: While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, which draws “oohs” and “aahs” as a synchronized display of lights and water, set to music, shoots into the air from Dewey Hill.)

Coming up a little later this summer, the 55th annual National Blueberry Festival returns Aug. 9-12, with a weekend of

Get festive!

Need a unique sign for the Tiki bar, looking for the perfect Petoskey stone necklace — or maybe a cool sculpture or framed photograph of a Lake Michigan sunset to hang above the couch? Look no further than one of the area’s art and craft shows.

Each year, over 75 artists participate in Whitehall’s White Lake Arts & Crafts Festival, now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The popular juried arts and crafts show, this year scheduled for June 16-17 at Goodrich Park Annex, also includes music, food concessions and inflatables for the kids.

The Grand Haven Art Festival, June 23-24, transforms Washington Avenue into a walkable outdoor art gallery. This free event includes live music, family fun and the chance to purchase original art directly from the artist.

Celebrating its 60th year, the South Haven Center for the Arts’ South Haven Art Fair, June 30-July 1, attracts massive Fourth of July crowds to a beautiful wooded park within a block of Lake Michigan.

Another well-attended show, Lakeshore Art Festival, takes over several blocks

family fun centered on the region’s plentiful blueberry crop, plus community events, concerts, a parade, craft fair, kid zone, sand sculpture contest, 5K/10K run and plenty of pie eating.

And making its debut at Pere Marquette Beach this year, the Great Lakes Surf Festival on Aug. 18 is the first of its kind on the Great Lakes, showcasing stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and other watersports.

Communities all along the lakeshore host similar homespun festivals, such as Fremont’s National Asparagus Festival, June 8-10; the Spring Lake Heritage Festival, June 11-16; Ludington’s Freedom Festival, July 4; and Rhythm on the River at South Haven’s Riverfront Park, July 20-21.

Climb a lighthouse Peek into the past and peer down 100 feet — or look out over the lake as far as the eye can see — standing atop the watchtower deck at Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Wear your tennis shoes and get your phone ready — it’s definitely a selfie-worthy experience.

One of the state’s tallest and oldest continuously operating lighthouses, Big Sable’s tower invites visitors to climb 130 steps to the top for 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. Part of the fun is making the 2-mile trek along a desolate stretch of jack pines and back dunes to see the lighthouse towering in the distance at Ludington State Park.

Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association also operates three others in the area: Ludington North Breakwater Light, Little Sable Point Lighthouse near Mears, and White River Light Station south of Whitehall. All of the towers are open to climb,

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with varying hours and closing dates, and host special events, including live music, throughout the summer. Little Sable, built of brick and the busiest of the three, stands over 100 feet tall near the Lake Michigan shore and contains its original third order Fresnel lens.

In Muskegon, the Muskegon South Pierhead Light is open for tours on select days and will celebrate its 115th anniversary Aug. 18 during the Bright Lights Festival. The 48-foot tower is much shorter than others, but a climb up two spiral staircases and a shipman’s ladder to the lantern room provides a nice vantage point to view Muskegon Lake channel and the broader Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes and beaches.

The region’s other area lighthouses aren’t open for tours but make great photo ops, including Grand Haven south pier’s inner and outer structures, the 1907 Holland Harbor South Pierhead Lighthouse — better known as “Big Red” — in Holland, and the 35-foot cast-iron South Haven South Pierhead with an elevated catwalk.

a separate brewery and public house in downtown Baroda.

On June 16, the 13th annual Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival moves to Warren Dunes State Park with more wineries from Lake Michigan Shore Wine Country. Enjoy regional bands, food and wine under a big top tent, access the beach and dunes, and watch the sunset on Lake Michigan.

Vino not your flavor? Raise a glass of craft beer at one of the lakeshore’s many breweries, or sample the best beers in Michigan and celebrate the best of summer at Burning Foot Beer Festival on Aug. 25, which brings together beer, beach, art and music, capped off with a sunset, bonfire and beach camping at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon.

Or, gather the clan — toddlers and grandparents will love this one — for a chocolate factory tour at Chocolates by Grimaldi in Grand Haven, where visitors can learn about chocolate from pod to bean and taste fresh samples; or visit a working dairy farm and milk processing facility, finished off with ice cream, at Country Dairy in New Era.

Sample the lakeshore’s many flavors Who says you have to head up north to sip and sample Michigan wine and beer?

Hit the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, featuring 20 wineries from New Buffalo to Holland, and experience vineyards, views and wine varieties with their unique histories and flavors.

Housed in a 1912 round barn, Baroda’s Round Barn Winery has been rated one of the top destinations in southwest Michigan. The winery has a large outdoor seating area (which also is pet-friendly), offers live music every weekend, and is the only local winery that serves beer and spirits, with

Set sail Pick your port, pack a cooler and get ready for a pure Michigan adventure. There is nothing quite like sailing on open waters or the thrill of reeling in a heavyweight salmon.

Anglers, boaters, families or a group of girlfriends can enjoy a day of fishing on Lake Michigan. In Grand Haven, a variety of fishing charters leave from Chinook Pier or Grand Isle Marina, but charter boats also head out from St. Joseph, Holland, Saugatuck, Muskegon, White Lake and Ludington. (Just visit the Michigan Charter Boat

Association website, michigancharterboats. com, select a port city, and book an outing on your boat of choice. The website includes options for sailing and other boating excursions, so you can enjoy a private sunset sail or sunbathe while the captain does all the work.)

If party boats and group outings are more your speed, Wind Dancer, a double gaff-rigged schooner, departs from Chinook Pier and offers daily sails. The 150-passenger Port City Princess, a former Mackinac Island ferryboat, leaves from Muskegon and schedules a variety of fun themed and dinner cruises.

Ludington’s historic SS Badger car ferry hosts a few special cruises each summer: June 3, come aboard for the Vintage Badger 1953 Anniversary Cruise; July 25, don your best pirate costume and experience a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed cruise; or send off summer on the Aug. 15 Bon Voyage to Summer cruise.

In South Haven, bring the kids, grandkids or the young-at-heart to the Michigan Maritime Museum for a Pirate Chaser sail beginning June 14. It’s one of the most popular experiences for vacationers and families, as young and old help hunt for pirates aboard tall ship Friends Good Will.

Whether you want to wow a new date or entertain your kids, The Harbor Duck is an experience you won’t soon forget. See Saugatuck and Douglas via the area’s only amphibious World War II war machineGR turned touring water taxi.

Big Sable Lighthouse in Ludington

Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (MAIN); COURTESY SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORY CENTER COLLECTION (TOP RIGHT)

‘Stories of Summer’ COLLABORATIVE PROJECT AIMS TO BRING UNTOLD STORIES OF SUMMER IN THE SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS AREA TO LIGHT.

BY PASHA SHIPP

otorcycle gangs, art students, vacationers, concertgoers and locals — each contributed to the rich culture of the Saugatuck-Douglas area in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, but many of their experiences are undocumented. The SaugatuckDouglas History Center and Grand Valley State University’s Kutsche Office of Local History are working together to bring those lost stories to light.

The “Stories of Summer” project was born of a previous exhibition at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center that featured the Cold War-era radar station on Mount Baldhead. While studying the old station, Nathaniel NieterJUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 35

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Oval Beach

Want to learn more?

For more information, contact the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center at info@sdhistoricalsociety.org or the Kutsche Office of Local History at kutsche@gvsu.edu.

ing, executive director of the history center, discovered the colorful heritage of the city — a heritage he wasn’t expecting.

“Though there was this sort of Cold Warera of fear in Saugatuck, it was like party central,” he said. “It was full of college kids and motorcycle gangs and a lot of outsiders. And Saugatuck, even though there was a really small community, was kind of this welcoming melting pot of people coming from all different places, of very diverse backgrounds, who were comfortable in one way or another in the Saugatuck area.”

It was in a conversation with Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, where the idea of a partnership began to form. The Kutsche Office had worked on a similar project in the past, and McKee said she was enthusiastic to work with Nietering on a project specific to summers in the “twin” lakeshore communities.

“I approached Nathan about applying for a Common Heritage Grant in the hopes of not only collecting oral histories but also digitizing ephemera,” she said. “So, thinking about letters, postcards, flyers and that kind of thing with a particular invest-

ment in really capturing the voices of those individuals who either lived in SaugatuckDouglas year-round or who came for the summer throughout the 1950s to 1970s to really understand what that moment in the area was like.”

One of the main goals of the project, which is funded by a Common Heritage Grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities, is to explore the area’s rise to fame as a haven for the LGBTQ community.

“I’m not an expert, but as far as the research that I’ve been able to find, we know that there has been some sort of gay cultural component since about the turn of the 20th century,” Nietering said. “And it seems that Saugatuck’s close connection with the artist and the arts community primarily coming out of Chicago really was a sort of cultural driver behind it.”

As part of the project, the team will be collecting oral histories at their “history harvest” events, where members of the community are invited to share their stories and experiences about the Saugatuck-Douglas area during the mid-20th century.

“For the Kutsche Office of Local His-

tory, our mission is to give voice to diverse communities through history, and we’re really committed to centering those histories of people who traditionally are left out of the history books,” McKee said. “Whether we’re talking about communities of color or indigenous communities or members of the LGBT community or even women, broadly speaking, we know that, historically, their voices have not been written into the narrative. Oral history is one way where we can write ourselves in, which is what I’m really excited about in terms of this project.”

In addition to collecting oral histories, the Kutsche Office and Saugatuck-Douglas History Center will be digitizing photographs, postcards, letters — you name it. But there is one thing in particular that Nietering said he hopes to get his hands on.

“I would love to get a copy of the 1969 Saugatuck music festival poster because they’re very hard to come by,” he said.

“There was a crazy rock concert that year with some really big names in Saugatuck, and I’ve seen pictures of that poster, but I’ve never actually seen a copy. If one of those just happened to show up for the collection, that would be cool.”

Both Nietering and McKee said they are eager to celebrate the history of SaugatuckDouglas with the community and share in an opportunity to bring memories to life.

“We want to create history with them,” McKee said. “We want to honor their experiences and recognize them as being knowledge producers and being an integral part of this process.

“History is not being written about them.

Rather, they are helping to write the history of the past by sharing their stories.”

GR

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP RIGHT); COURTESY SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORY CENTER COLLECTION (FAR LEFT AND CENTER)

“For the Kutsche Office of Local History, our mission is to give voice to diverse communities through history, and we’re really committed to centering those histories of people who traditionally are left out of the history books.”

— Kimberly McKee

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Creating Spaces that Enrich Lives.

Q U A R T E R LY H O M E A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

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BY THE GRACE OF DESIGN

BY ALEXAN DR A FLU EG EL • P HOTO GRA PH Y CO URTESY V IA D ESIGN

Every home or work space is defined by design

Custom home design featuring architecture by Via Design.

W

hen you see a well-designed home, you just know. Something hits you. A staple piece, the way a room flows gracefully into the next, the tiny details that make all the difference.

A well-designed home looks effortless, as if there were no other possible way for it to appear. But in fact, quite a bit goes into a well-designed space.

For many, the details of an excellently crafted home can be dizzying and take away from the joy of creating spaces where life happens. Let’s face it, we can’t all be Chip and Joanna, but with your own team of experts by

your side, you can be even better.

Via Design has made their mark on the Michigan landscape through its well-crafted and practical designs for work and home. From quiet lake retreats to modern downtown lofts, the company’s custom home design work is second to none.

Put simply: they design for life. Their team of professional designers and award-winning craftsmen put their heart and soul into every project they do because they respect the challenge of turning a vision into a reality and honor their role in bringing it to life.

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Display case designed by Via Design. There was very little room for the display case, so it is actually built into the stairwell.

“At Via, we take a holistic approach to architecture teaming interior designers with architects from start to finish to provide our clients with the best design and construction services available.”

— BRIAN BARKWELL

From the Inside Out “We want to create beautiful and functional spaces that enhance people’s lives,” Valerie Schmieder, founder and principal interior designer, said. As an interior and architectural design firm, both architects and interior designers work alongside one another on each project, as well as products designers and the artisans from the firm’s bespoke workshop, Tuck Studio.

“At Via, we take a holistic approach to architecture teaming interior designers with architects from start to finish to provide our

clients with the best design and construction services available,” principal architect Brian Barkwell, AIA said.

And Schmieder adds, “The advantage of having in-house product designers and Tuck Studio is that everyone is engaged on the same projects and can work together as a cohesive unit that honors each clients’ needs and wants.”

From the beginning drawings of a home to the fabrics, textures, and pieces that will create the world within it, each element is carefully coordinated by professionals who listen and find ways to exceed expectations at every turn.

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Process: Where to Begin Bringing an idea into being is rarely a solitary act. Via Design’s team understands this and begins all projects with a desire to understand and articulate the ‘big picture.’ “We start with each client’s own vision,” explains Schmieder. “But we also go a step beyond what our client asks for, introducing them to ideas and concepts that perhaps they did not dream of, but we believe they’ll embrace.”

Following a stock checklist isn’t something you’ll experience, but rather a collaborative approach that reveals the true potential of every project. Short on time or not quite sure where to start? Schmieder says not to worry.

The firm’s teams of experts and professionals is well-versed in all elements of architectural and interior design services. “We cater our specific services to meet the individual needs for each of our clients,” she said.

With a firm filled with award-winning designers and experts, there’s no shortage of places to start when it comes to the vision for a space. “I like to begin with the architectural style of the home and the setting,” interior designer Melissa Marklevitz said. “A client’s favorite color or a beloved piece of furniture can often spark inspiration.”

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A custom stainless base table designed by Via Design, and metal work done by Dan Carlson Design.

Walnut butcher block table bar height to compliment the cabinetry.

The Art of the Details The difference in a custom-designed home interior lies in the details. From color palettes that draw the eye towards architectural adornments, to fixtures and furnishings you simply won’t find on store shelves, the hallmarks of good interior design start small.

“We help tie every little detail together in a cohesive way,” Marklevitz said. Like art, interior spaces speak to each person in different ways, which is why having access to a wide variety of fabrics, textures, and pieces is key in creating a space that speaks your language.

At Via Design, the team can fully-customize all elements of a home or room — from a fireplace to shelving units and light fixtures.

Its designers can create pieces by working with in-house fabricators, or with the talented artisans at Tuck Studio. The firm also offers a Resource Studio, an expansive architecture and design library featuring fine samples and resources from around the world, and Via Gallery, a curated collection of artwork from talented local artists.

“Designers take care of all the details that often get missed when you do it yourself,” Marklevitz says.

Island designed by Via Design. Onyx counter top.

Louis Campbell collage pendant light.

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The entertainment center features a thin stone mosaic panel and custom wood with custom stain finish to coordinate with the Cambria quartz cabinetry.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff In every custom home interior project, Via Design’s goal is to keep the process enjoyable for their clients, which means connecting clients to resources with intuitive guidance and support. “We have access to the latest products and suppliers, which can also be overwhelming,” Schmieder said. “The infinite number of options can be confusing and frustrating.”

“As designers, our goal is to make that journey easier. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or to dwell on a small detail, and it’s our job to keep the focus on the big picture,” she said.

Along each journey, clients’ needs and vision remain number one and key in setting a home or room apart in a world where customization is all the rage.

The skilled team at Via Design can be the intermediary, allowing each client to determine their level of involvement and the direction of a

space. “A home is deeply personal,” Schmieder said. “Everything about it should reflect the individuality and personality of those who call it their own.”

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Custom two-sided fireplace made of metal and two different types of stone was added to the building.

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"The design process is about getting to know your client and their needs. It comes down to how well you know the client and their needs and how much they trust you."

— SARA DUPIN Modern island custom made of walnut with matching dining table.

Form, Function, and Style It isn’t just beauty that guides the firm’s designs. “We want our designs to showcase comfort, functionality, and beauty, which bring out the best in the people occupying the space,” Marklevitz said. “Form follows function. If it isn’t practical for a client’s life, then it isn’t the best option.”

Home is where life happens, after all, which in most cases means there’s a lot of “stuff” that comes along with is. Via Design’s custom cabinetry and storage options can be designed with the particular needs of each client, whether it’s to showcase (or camouflage) the latest in home entertainment or a kitchen that lets you cook smarter, not harder.

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The continued integration of technology into homes means finding new ways of balancing practicality with beauty, mirroring the innovation and exciting spirits in the execution.

“Utility is stylish,” Schmieder said, and the Via Design team employs myriad ways of marrying form and function in spectacular ways.

Having on-staff product designers means pieces will not only look unique, but they’ll be created solely for the specific needs of the individual in complete coordination with the

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“I love discovering different ways to use material and finishes to create vibrant interior spaces. I enjoy the challenge of creating something that is both beautiful and functional.” — MATT MAHER overall design, its timeline, and budget. Finding this balance of practicality and aesthetics is something that drives the designers at Via Design. “I love discovering different ways to use material and finishes to create vibrant interior spaces. I enjoy the challenge of creating something that is both beautiful and functional,” Matt Maher, one of Via Design’s product designers, said.

It is this union of dedicated and knowledgeable designers, architects, and professionals that allows design decisions to be guided by the client and executed seamlessly.

“There are so many decisions that need to be coherent, and often it is easy for a homeowner to get overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all,” Schmieder said.

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More Than Just Design

From idea to completion...

And that’s when it becomes about more than ‘just design.’ It becomes a relationship where homeowners trust their team to create spaces that will enrich their lives. Schmieder draws from writer T.S. Eliot for inspiration, saying “Home is where one begins,” and when that space is cohesive and well-designed, the impact can be life-changing. Instead of a space to house things and rest heads, a home can become a living, breathing facet of who we are and who we hope to be.

Grand Rapids HOME is a quarterly advertising section showcasing area home products and services and home design and building professionals.

Alexandra Fluegel is a freelance writer spending time in both Grand Rapids and metro Detroit.

Find more Grand Rapids HOME at grmag.com/ home.

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TUCKED AMONG THE SHOPS and eateries lining Wealthy Street in East Grand Rapids, Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen stands out in the region’s culinary scene.

The Southern-inspired eatery, situated on a corner lot that formerly housed Olga’s Kitchen, offers a comforting, laidback vibe with a classy twist. Exposed brick walls stand behind the bar and along one side of the dining area,

Shrimp and grits

while floor-to-ceiling windows line both adjacent walls, bringing in ample natural light and a view of the bustling Gaslight Village. Lanternstyle lighting fixtures and rich woods throughout, from the exposed rafters to the tabletops and bar area, offer a rustic atmosphere and pops of a bold, vibrant shade of turquoise nicely complement the theme.

The menu features a variety of flavors from the Southern coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia, with some inspiration pulled in from other areas like New Orleans — plus, a little bit of Michigan flair. The restaurant features Southern staples like buttermilk biscuits and fried chicken; and boasts a host of seafood choices, including raw and grilled oysters, shrimp and fish platters, and a variety of entrées, from crab mac ‘n’ cheese to gumbo to bourbon-glazed salmon.

The drink menu is equally as diverse, with a decent wine selection, more than a dozen Southern-inspired signature cocktails and a few punches, which can be enjoyed individually or with others, with two sharable-sized options available: “Y’all,” for 2-3 people, and “All Y’all,” for 4-5.

During a recent Monday evening visit with a friend, we were both enticed by the Low Country Sangria, so we ordered a Y’all-sized

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Southern flavors with GR ties

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Chicken po’boy (front) with a Low Country cobb salad

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

The Southern-inspired eatery … offers a comforting, laidback vibe with a classy twist. version ($15) made with rosé to sip and share throughout the meal. Served in a large Mason jar-style carafe, the pretty, pink drink was filled with blueberries and strawberries, giving it a fresh, light look and taste that reminded us of summer.

To start out the meal, we went for the Southern poutine ($10). A unique, yet simple, fusion of Northern and Southern flavors, the dish featured Cajun parmesan-seasoned French fries topped with fresh white cheese curds and tender smoked pulled pork in a savory brown gravy, which had a nice, black peppery kick to it. The combination of flavors worked together perfectly.

Moving on to our entrées, we ordered the BLTC sandwich ($14) and the fried Carolina shrimp platter ($21). The BLTC (the C stands for crab) was piled high with Southern flavors: smoked bacon, lump crabmeat, a fried green tomato, iceberg lettuce and South Carolinamade Duke’s Mayonnaise on French bread.

The rich flavor of the chewy, thick-cut bacon nicely counterbalanced the crunchy, tart fried green tomato, though the mild crab got a little lost among the other flavors. The buttermilkbattered shrimp tasted very fresh, and the buttermilk batter was light and airy — and a welcomed fit for the flavorful shrimp.

On another visit, we started with two cocktails, the Boat House punch ($11 during happy hour) and the Absinthe Fizz ($10). The punch, featuring New Holland Knickerbocker gin, Aperol, St. Germain liqueur, citrus juice, Champagne and Peychaud’s bitters, had a pleasant fruity taste — a perfect cocktail to sip while enjoying a sunny day on the restaurant’s patio.

The Absinthe Fizz was a bit too strong for our taste. However, fans of black licorice will absolutely love it.

For an appetizer, we tried the fried green tomatoes ($3.50 during happy hour), which were topped with a tangy roasted corn salsa and drizzled with a delicious “comeback sauce.” The sauce was a delectable blend of aioli, ketchup and horseradish mixed with Cajun seasoning to give it a soft heat.

Before our entrées, the she-crab soup ($8) piqued my friend’s interest, and she was not disappointed. The dish featured a perfect balance of sherry with lump crab and crab roe — a must-try for all crab fans.

For dinner, we opted for the Delta catfish ($18) and the barbecue pork sandwich ($12). We chose the buttermilk-fried version of the catfish, which also comes blackened, and received a generous portion that had an Earthy flavor topped with southern slaw and paired with hushpuppies. The barbecue pork sandwich, with Carolina barbecue, coleslaw, a pickled green tomato and red onion on a brioche bun, was an explosion of flavors, from the tangy barbecue to the spicy slaw.

For dessert, we tried the monkey bread ($8), a cinnamon and brown sugar pastry with caramel drizzle served with French vanilla ice cream and topped with the sweetened caramel brown sugar and cinnamon drizzle. The hot bread and the cold ice cream melded together perfectly — a delightful finish to the meal. GR

dining review

BY IRA CRAAVEN

Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen Address: 2213 Wealthy St. SE, Suite 120, East Grand Rapids Phone: (616) 805-5231 Website: carolinalck.com

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

Must try: She-crab soup Not so much: Absinthe Fizz

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

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

(Prices based on average entrée.)

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

dining listings

A GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEYOND

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

Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 69).

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS 1 Bun Restaurant — Build-your-own hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and sloppy Joe’s — all served on hot dog buns. Closed Sun. 2140 S Division Ave, 279-2943. Facebook. L, D ¢ Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive Thai fare.

Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option.

Vegetarian friendly. No alcohol. Open daily.

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

Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. L, D ¢-$ Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. L (not Sat), D ¢-$ Bistro Bella Vita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. Open daily.

44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobella vita.com. L, D $-$$ Bobarino’s at The B.O.B. — Grill on second floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from wood-fired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers.

Full-service bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ bobarinospizza. L, D ¢-$ Brick & Porter — Appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches and a nice selection of entrées; 20 beers on tap (“the darker, the better”). Open daily. 47 Monroe Center NW, 226-6928. brickandportergr.com. Brunch (Sat, Sun), L, D ¢-$ Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed

Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. the bullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$

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

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

Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 4516131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. D $$

774-9463. divanigr.com. D

$-$$

Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence.

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

Outdoor beer garden. Open daily. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing. com. L, D ¢ Gilly’s at The B.O.B. — Handcrafted microbrews paired with seasonal fare. Tavern, small plates, seafood and more. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ $-$$ gillysrestaurant. D GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

L, D ¢

Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927.

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

L, D ¢ Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Full bar.

Sun brunch 10:30-2. Closed Mon. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand.com/din ing/cygnus-27. D (Tue-Sat) $$ Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW,

Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods lounge.com. L, D ¢-$ G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas.

No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand rapidspizza.net. L, D ¢-$ The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and

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beer. Open Tue-Fri during school year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, $-$$ 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D

Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888.

L, D ¢-$ HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature crack fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Jamaican Dave’s — Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. L, D ¢ J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D ¢-$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 4598824. jgardellastavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Judson’s at The B.O.B. — Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops.

Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsons $$ steakhouse. D

Luna Taqueria y Cocina — Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. 64 Io¢-$ nia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. L, D

can steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza.

Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ $$ ruths-chris-steak-house. L, D

Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar. com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$

FSan Chez Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. B, L, D $-$$

New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens. Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Brunch served Sat-Sun. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 5511713. newhotelmertens.com. B (Mon-Fri), L $-$$ (Mon-Fri), D One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Full bar. Closed Mon. 136 E Fulton St, ¢-$ 235-7669. onetrick.biz. L, D Osteria Rossa – Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from executive chef/owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Closed Sun. 16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350. osteriaro ssa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Palace of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestau rant.com. L, D ¢-$

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-by$-$$ wolfgang-puck. L, D

Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D ¢-$

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

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 $-$$

Littlebird — Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and the same array of pastries available at That Early Bird Café.

Full bar. Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L, D (TueSat) ¢

Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating.

Full bar. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 5513563. rockwellsrepublic.com. D $-$$

Lucky Luciano’s — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. Takeout, delivery available. Serves beer and wine. Open daily.

15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600. lucky lucianos.com. L, D ¢-$

➧ Roam by San Chez Bistro — The San Chez Bistro team introduces a new concept, global street food, includes cuisine from China, Morocco, Spain, France, Poland, U.K., Indonesia and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 288-9129. roambysanchez.com. B, L, D $

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic Ameri-

Six.One.Six — Features new French cuisine in a cosmopolitan setting. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/din ing/six.one.six. B, L, D $-$$ Slows Bar-B-Q — Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slows barbq.com. L, D ¢-$ Social Kitchen & Bar — Refined comfort food, sandwiches, pizzas, extensive cocktail menu.

Vintage décor, patio. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 724-4464. social kitchenandbar.com/grand-rapids.html.

B $-$$ (Sat-Sun brunch), L, D SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées (after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. L, D $ Stella’s Lounge — Award-winning stuffed burgers, plus vegan and vegetarian items.

Full bar, known for its whiskey selection.

Open daily. 53 Commerce Ave SW, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ Tavern On The Square — Tapas-style fare, plus house specialties. Patio seating. Full bar, happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Wheelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails — Eclectic American bistro fare with seasonal recipes using Michigan ingredients. Large bar and porch. Open daily. Arena Place, 67 Ottawa Ave SW, 226-3319. wheelhousegrand rapids.com. L, D $-$$ Zoko 822 — Basque-inspired cuisine featuring northern Spanish and southern French small plates; plus an extensive gin collection, craft beer and cocktails. Brunch served Sun. Open daily. 822 Ottawa Ave NW, 5415410. zoko822.com. L, D ¢-$ Z’s Bar & Restaurant — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available.

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nosh & sip

BY AMY RUIS

Little bird, big game

I’m sure Littlebird will continue to grow and diversify its selections, but it has a great start in approachable food … and lighthearted and delicious beverage options.

— 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

I

n January, grmag.com featured Littlebird restaurant, which opened downtown late last year, in an article that glowed, “Littlebird seems to check all the boxes of what Grand Rapidians expect in new restaurants: good coffee, delicious breakfast, locally sourced ingredients, and a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere.”

This is all true and greatly appreciated.

And yes, Littlebird has coffee and freshly squeezed juices, house-made celery sodas and egg cremes; but with the addition of wine, beer and cocktails — and dinner hours — it’s got a solid game.

What’s more, co-owners Joel Wabeke and Sarah Wepman brought in Mae Governale, a recent Grand Rapids transplant from the Chicago bar scene, and worked hard to craft a narrow, but solid, list of wine and wine-based cocktail options.

Ranging from $7 to $14 a glass, there are three red options, as well as a varied selection of bubbles, whites and rosés. From cava to riesling to chardonnay, and even a French rosé, there was something available to beautifully pair with any dish on the menu.

I chose the mushroom and sweet potato bowl ($19) with the Marquis de Goulaine rosé ($9/glass); and my husband chose the market catch, which was a wild trout, jasmine rice and vegetables in a green curry sauce. It was not only artfully presented, but it was delicious alongside the Hexamer riesling ($11/glass). Our wines also paired really well with what was the most inventive chicken liver pâté ($8) I’ve ever had.

After dinner, we chatted at length with chef Joel while sipping on a few of their creative concoctions, featuring several different vermouths and a handful of bitters options.

Mae’s background in bartending gave her ample experience with the best vermouths on the market. She uses them in drinks as simple as The Littlebird Spritz, which is basically a low-octane Negroni; as well as the Amazing Larry, which includes not only vodka but Cappelletti, falernum and lime.

The most fun drink on the menu that includes wine is called Gene Gene the Dancing Machine — a mix of Amaro Abano, falernum, celery, cinnamon and cava.

I’m sure Littlebird will continue to grow and diversify its selections, but it has a great start in approachable food (I’ve heard its burger is THE best in town), and lighthearted and delicious beverage options, which I’m sure will continue to evolve and grow — as a little bird always will.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

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

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

740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook. ¢ L, D FButcher’s Union — Meat-and-whiskeycentric gastro-pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating available. Brunch served on Sundays. 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. Facebook. L, D $ El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp to menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ El Sombrero — Offers “the original” wet burrito, dry ones, too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. ¢ elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. L, D Harmony Hall — West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves pizza, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Open daily. 401 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9186. har ¢-$ monybeer.com/harmony-hall. L, D

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

The Holiday Bar — Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and sandwiches.

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

Open daily. 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. the holidaybargr.com. L, D ¢ ➧ Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery — Dexter-based brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available. Open daily. 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. $ jollypumpkin.com. L, D

The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing — Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. 417 Bridge St NW, 345-5642. newholland brew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$

Long Road Distillers — Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of house-made snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroad ¢-$ distillers.com. B (Sat-Sun brunch), D Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol.

Closed Sun and Mon. 636 Bridge St NW, 4588583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing. com. L, D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 2339799. tappyhourgr.com/monarchs-club. L, D ¢ One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies, plus other spirits, beer and wine. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. onebourbongr. ¢-$ com. D O’Toole’s Public House — Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily.

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

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

654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvatores gr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ FThe Sovengard — Midwest meets Scandinavian spirit, with a focus on seasonal and local sourcing. Restaurant and outdoor beer garden in a historic West Side building. Open daily. 443 Bridge St NW, 214-7207. sovengard.com. D $ Two Scotts Barbecue — Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Open 11 am-3 pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. L ¢-$ Westside Social — “Reimagined” Ameri-

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

UPTOWN Big Willy’s Italian Beef — Authentic Chicago cuisine, featuring Italian sausage, Polish dogs and Chicago dogs, as well as Italian ice drinks. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 2885824. bigwillysitalianbeef.com. L, D ¢ Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from northern India.

Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. eastownbombaycui sine.com. L, D $ FBrewery Vivant — Beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes. Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. brewery vivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$

Brick Road Pizza — Traditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (gluten-free crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroadpiz za.com. L, D ¢-$ Brown Butter Creperie & Café — Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. 1436 Wealthy St SE, 288-5038. brownbuttercrepes.com. B, L, D (Wed-Sat) ¢ Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare.

Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 2334141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢-$ Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine.

Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout.

Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $ Donkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920s service station.

Full bar. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. don keygr.com. B (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$ East West Brewing Co. — Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwest brewingcompany.com. L (Fri-Sat), D ¢-$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative Continued on page 62 JUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 59

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Chef Anthony Craig pulls inspiration from regions across the globe at Georgina’s.

Redefining ‘fusion’ ANTHONY CRAIG Title: Owner-chef Location: 724 Wealthy St. SE

E

verything about Georgina’s — the gorgeous bank of picturesque windows steamed over from the freshest spices tempered and sizzled in the semiopen kitchen, the vivid flavors of Latin and Asian cuisines pumped up by owner-chef Anthony Craig thundering through the kitchen like a culinary umami — overwhelmingly speaks to the wonderment to be found here.

For Craig, the melding of Latin and Asian food tells the story of his boyhood in Bluefields, Nicaragua, where his Cuban lobsterman father and Chinese restaurateur mother understood food was a living blessing. There, along Nicaragua’s southern Caribbean coast, Craig learned to craft food that was not constrained to singularity, but rather, welcomed the delicious bits from the area’s culturally rich history.

Growing up, Craig’s mother didn’t so much as parcel out food into individual courses or prepare something as simple as chicken with rosemary; she approached cooking as a celebration of her world, using the freshest ingredients for her scratchmade meals — and teaching her son along the way. “I was born into this,” Craig said.

Craig vibes on street food, incorporating its big flavors into little, irresistible bites: fried pork belly (or chicharrón) served with Nicaraguan slaw and sour cream; marinated and grilled Asian beef tender skewers, sweet potato fries and balsamic hoisin sauce; Korean chicken wings with Korean hot sauce.

His kind of cooking is vibrant, worldly and greedy in its unstrained expansiveness.

His Puerto Rican lasagna is layered with plantains in place of noodles; he fancies

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

“This is the blessing of food.

Let’s sit down and eat. My food is meant to be shared, to get the true balance of flavors. So, think of this restaurant as a place to share everything. That’s the Chinese way to eat.”

— Anthony Craig

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

black bean avocado cakes that are handsomely panko-crusted with creamy centers; for his curry pineapple chancho (“pig” in Spanish), he simmers a fragrant homemade curry with chilis, pineapple and Nicaraguan pork.

“This is the blessing of food,” Craig said.

“Let’s sit down and eat. My food is meant to be shared, to get the true balance of flavors.

So, think of this restaurant as a place to share everything. That’s the Chinese way to eat.”

After his family relocated to Tampa, Florida, where he graduated from high school in 1989, Craig bounced around from Miami to Tampa, cooking and working in the gig economy, until he got a call from a former coworker, summoning him — and his talent — to Michigan.

“I had never seen snow or anything like that,” said Craig, who hit town on a snowy Sunday afternoon in 2003. “I drove through tunnels of snow about 20 feet high and I thought, ‘Where am I that the snow falls in mountains?’ I had no idea the snow was plowed and pushed into these little mountains.”

He had just $286 in his pocket — ginned up by his beloved cousin Georgina.

“I immersed myself in what I loved,” Craig said. “I stayed in the kitchen and worked from 6 in the morning to 11 at night, and it was just awesome.”

Like many of young, ambitious chefs, Craig worked his way across the bay, but he always wanted to own a little joint where he could ratchet up his favorites. His lucky break came when he opened an 18-seat, 400-square-foot spot, giving new meaning to “chief cook and bottle washer.”

At the start of the year, Craig opened Georgina’s Grand Rapids, marking Craig’s second location named after its namesake restaurant in Traverse City, which opened in 2013. The Uptown eatery is housed in a century-old building that beautifully reflects its history from the pressed-tin ceiling, gorgeous aged-brick façade and architectural detailing.

“This is my dream,” Craig said. “This is an emotional decision. I feel good here.

I wish that I could visit all the tables and talk to everyone because then I would know — JAYE BEELER what they need.”

Cuban vaca frita (serves 6)

Flank steak 3 pounds beef flank 2 bay leaves 1 yellow onion, peeled and wedged 1 bell pepper, seeded and wedged 1 tablespoon beef base ¼ cup red wine ¼ cup white vinegar ½ cup tomato sauce 2 tablespoons tomato paste Enough cold water to cover

Vaca frita (per 1 serving) 6-ounce piece of cooked beef flank Olive oil for cooking 1¼ cups thickly sliced yellow onions ½ teaspoon minced garlic 1 lemon, halved Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper For serving: your favorite red beans and rice recipe Place flank steak into slow cooker. Cover with bay leaves, onions and bell peppers. In a small bowl, combine beef base, red wine, white vinegar, tomato sauce and tomato paste, and pour over flank steak. Add enough water to cover the beef and cook it low and slow, as you would a pot roast. Simmer on low 4 to 6 hours until cooked through and tender.

Allow meat to cool in liquid for 1 hour; remove from liquid and finish cooling in the refrigerator.

When ready, portion the meat into 6-ounce pieces. (Remember, raw meat shrinks about 25 percent, so, 3 pounds of cooked beef flank will yield about six 6-ounce portions.)

For the vaca frita, cook each 6-ounce piece of beef flank as a single serving batch to ensure all the flavors in the dish work in harmony.

Note: Be prepared to work quickly, as this recipe takes just mere minutes to complete.

On a super-high flame that scares you a bit, heat ¾-cup oil in medium skillet until it’s searing in temperature. Place one 6-ounce piece of meat in the hot oil and do not stir, move or flip until a crisp brown crust forms. (It should take about a good minute if your flame is hot enough.) Once the meat develops a crunchy crust and is soft enough to fall apart, push the meat to one side and add 6 ounces (1¼ cups) sliced onions. With tongs, place the beef on top of the onions entirely (the meat should be protected from the heat of the pan). Move the onions about as they blister and cook — another minute. With tongs, lift the meat and give the onions a good toss.

Remove pan from the flame and add ½ teaspoon minced garlic to the oil. Return pan to the flame and squeeze one lemon directly on the beef only. If the lemon has lots of seeds, place a small colander above the beef and squeeze the lemon on the meat in that way. Season the beef only with a heavy pinch of salt and ground pepper. Then, toss the beef into the pan’s oil, moving it around until it falls apart. Toss the beef with the onions, garlic and oil, continuously stirring and tossing until everything is nicely entangled.

Serve with red beans and rice immediately, and repeat, cooking each 6-ounce portion of meat in the same manner until you’ve cooked the whole lot.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Continued from page 59 combinations. Beer and wine available. Sun brunch. Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 4514779. electriccheetah.com. L, D ¢-$ Elk Brewing Co. — Brewery with rustic industrial interior. Menu includes innovative sandwiches and snacks. Open daily. 700 Wealthy St SE, 238-5227. elkbrewing.com. L ¢ (Fri-Sun), D Erb Thai — Thai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol.

Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. L, D ¢ Georgina’s — Authentic Asian and Latin taqueria with appetizers, tacos, tamales, noodle bowls and more. No alcohol. Open daily. 724 Wealthy St SE, 454-1860. face book.com/georginasgr. L, D $-$$ Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injera flatbread.

Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojo $ ethiopiancuisine.com. L, D The Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flair, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$ OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Full bar. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant. com. D $$ Harmony Brewing Co. — Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. L, D $ Jonny B’z — Beef, turkey and veggie hot dogs available, as well as burgers, sandwiches, wings, ribs and kids menu. Full bar. Closed Sun. 701 Wealthy St SE, 551-1108. jonnybz. com. L, D $

Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Closed Sun and Mon. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D ¢ Marie Catrib’s — Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, Turkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ¢-$ ribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (Mon-Fri) Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hi-

bachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$

Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com.

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

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

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

B (Sat and Sun), L, D ¢-$ Yesterdog — Specializes in the “good oldfashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. 1505 Wealthy St SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com. L, D ¢

EAST GRAND RAPIDS Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar.

Open daily. 661 Croswell Ave SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ - Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen — Coastal South Carolina-inspired fare, including seafood, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar.

Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St SE, 805-5231. carolinalck.com. D $

Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. Open daily. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 3013236. derbystation.com. L, D $ José Babushka’s — Old local favorite is back after 20 years. Menu includes starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily.

2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabush kas.com. L, D $

Olive’s — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. ¢-$ eatatolives.com. L, D Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selection of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.

Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed Sun-Mon. 2228 Wealthy St SE, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L (TueFri), D ¢-$ Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch.

Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection. $ com/roses. L, D

SOUTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS/ KENTWOOD 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Al-Bos Eurocafe-Bakery — Authentic south­ eastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials.

Open daily. 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. ¢-$ al-bos.com. L, D Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 141 28th St SE, 534-7770.

Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Big E’s Sports Grill — Sports lounge serving pizza, classic American appetizers and other entrées. Full bar includes a variety of Michigan-made beer and cider. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. bigessports grill.com. L, D ¢-$ El Arriero Mexican Grill — Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, à la carte selections.

Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas.

Open daily. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarri eromexicangrill.com. L, D ¢-$ Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 2450494. beltlinebar.com. L, D $ Brass Ring Brewing — Small-batch, stylespecific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. 1409

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60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com.

L, D ¢-$

Cantina Mexican Grill — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drivethru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily.

2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantina mexicangrill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D $ China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including spicy Hunan. No alcohol. Open daily. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Daddy Pete’s BBQ — Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddy petesbbq.com. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol.

Open daily. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. L, D ¢-$ Florentine Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Full bar. Open daily. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Ganders — Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-0100. doubletreegrandrapids. ¢-$$ com/ganders-restaurant. B, L, D Golden Gate — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢ Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant — Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Buffet lunch and dinner on Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 4301 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 350-0009. Facebook. L, D $

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Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu.

Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hall streetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 3760 S Division Ave, 2431219. indiatowngrr.com. L, D ¢-$ Jade Garden — Chinese cuisine with some American dishes. Children’s menu, large selection of tropical cocktails. Open daily. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Last Chance Tavern and Grill — Appetizers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a huge selection of Michigan craft beers. Open daily. 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelast chancetavern.com. L, D ¢

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Le Kabob — Soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrées and combos. Kids menu. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open ¢-$ daily. 3122 28th St SE, 272-4135. L, D

La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297. ¢ Facebook. L, D

Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. Cocktails. Lunch menu. Open daily.

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

Thai Express — Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiex pressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢

Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol.

Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mik adogr.com/main. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 4520065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine in Alger Heights from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads, kids menu, full bar.

Open daily. 2434 Eastern Ave SE, 288-6976. baaaaaaaa.com. B (Mon-Fri), L, D ¢-$ Pal’s Indian Cuisine — Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol.

Open daily. 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsin diancuisine.com. L, D $ Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 2469966. L, D ¢-$ Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily.

4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Restaurant — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. Open daily. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 452-3228. pietrosgr.com. L, D $ Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$ Shiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$ Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net. L, D ¢-$$

Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE, 301-8883. L, D ¢-$ Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Tatami rooms, sushi bars. Hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyo grillsushi.com. L, D ¢-$ Village Inn Pizza & Sports Grille — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Full bar. Open daily. 2215 44th ¢-$ St SE, 281-1444. vipizza.net. L, D Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. $ L, D Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily.

4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176.

Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs. com. L, D ¢-$ Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily.

627 28th St SW, 531-2800. L, D $ Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Full bar. Closed Sun$ Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. B, L, D Kitzingen Brewery — German-style appetizers and entrées, plus kids menu and some American classics. Selection of wine and locally made German craft beer. Closed SunMon. 1760 44th St SW, 805-5077. kitzingenbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$ Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1742 28th St SW, 261-2280. lindomexicogr.com. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 2359 Health Dr SW, Suite 140, 929-2306. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$

SOUTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS

Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Kids eat free Sun-Wed. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$

84th Street Pub & Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Open daily. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. ¢-$ L, D

Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace.

Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 530¢-$ 9700. monellis.com. L, D

Bangkok View — Authentic Thai cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1233 28th St SW, 5318070. bangkokviewthairestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Tacos El Caporal — Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢

Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$

Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spec trumlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D $

ChinaTown — Asian restaurant and Japanese steakhouse with tabletop-style meals available. Full bar. Open daily. 69 28th St SW, 452-3025. L, D ¢-$ Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. Open

NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS 7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads, pesto pasta and Korean nachos. Open daily. 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/grand-rapids.

L, D ¢-$

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Birch Lodge — Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily. 732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook. L, D ¢ Blue Water Grill — Entrées include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Beer, wine and cocktails. Open daily. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection. com/bluewater. L, D $-$$ Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available.

Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1701 Four Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. budandstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$ Charlie’s Bar & Grille — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charlies barandgrille.com. L, D ¢-$ Cheer’s Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open daily. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. ¢ cheersgrandrapids.com. B, L, D Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, creative burgers. Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. No alcohol. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill. ¢-$ com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) Creston Brewery — More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai Xpress — Thai fare for takeout only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 820 Michigan St NE, 454-0444. erbthaigr.com/erbthai_ xpress.html. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrées, full bar. Big screen TVs; takeout available. Open daily. 1259 Post Dr NE, Belmont, 785-1001. flossportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Fred’s Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. freds italian.net. L, D ¢-$ Fuji Yama Asian Bistro — Hibachi grill tables or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 719-1859. fujiyamabis ¢-$ tro.com. L, D

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

offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektavern gr.com. L, D ¢-$

Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse. com. L, D ¢-$

Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily.

2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), 3653989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Graydon’s Crossing — Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross $ ing.com. L, D

Nick Fink’s — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollec tion.com/nickfinks. D $

Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers, seafood and much more. Serves beer, wine and cocktails. Closed Mon. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-8294. greenrestau $ rantgrandrapids.com. L, D (Tue-Sat) Gus’s Original — Appetizers, salads and soups, stone-oven pizzas, gourmet sandwiches; coffees and ice cream bar. Outdoor seating. No alcohol. Open daily. 3123 Leonard St NE, 805-5599. gussoriginal.com. B, L, D ¢ Jaku Sushi — Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more.

Open daily. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 6490407. jakusushi.com. L, D $

Kitchen 67 — Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes Brann’s sizzling steaks, sandwiches, salads, small plates, pasta and more. Full bar with craft beers.

Open daily. 1977 East Beltline Ave NE, 2723778. kitchen67.com. L, D ¢-$ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes, vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook. L, D ¢ Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net.

L, D ¢-$ Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrées, calzones and desserts. Full bar.

Open daily. 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. L, D $ Lucy’s Café — Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. B, L $-$$ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery

Noodle Monkey — Ramen-based eatery in renovated Rak Thai Bistro space includes some Rak Thai favorites, also noodle dishes and pho. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. Facebook. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Palio — Ann Arbor-based eatery with an expansive menu of Italian fare. Full bar and happy hour. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 719-0660. paliograndrapids.com. L, D $-$$ Reds At Thousand Oaks — Large menu features sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza and entrées. Extensive wine list, craft beers, full bar. Patio with fire pits and covered deck.

Open daily. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, 4477750. eatatreds.com. L, D $-$$ Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrées, some with Cajun flavor. Serves alcohol. Open daily.

1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge. com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 3646266. riograndsteakhouse.com. L, D $-$$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. the score-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill. net. L, D $ Thai Chef — Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. L, D $ Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline

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Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$

Vander Mill — Seasonal menu with many locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style.

Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. 505 Ball Ave NE, 259-8828. vandermill.com. L, D (MonSat) $-$$

NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrat toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) $ Balinski’s — Polish-American soups, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrées, including pierogis, golabki and kielbasa; plus, traditional American options and Polish desserts. Closed Mon. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 288-5440. balinskis.com. L, D ¢-$ China Chef — Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices.

No alcohol. Open daily. 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com. L, D ¢-$ China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$ Empire Chinese Buffet II — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol.

Open daily. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai Café — Thai fare for dining in/taking out. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4160 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 724-4102. erbthaigr.com. ¢ L, D Franco’s Pizza — Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. D ¢-$ Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Full bar. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 7855800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$ Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsu premebuffet.letseat.at. L, D ¢ Home Team Grill — Sports-themed eatery with a selection of local, domestic and international beers. Open daily. 4322 Remembrance Rd, 551-3457. hometeamgrill.word press.com. L, D ¢-$

Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D ¢-$

Plus, new American cuisine, including burgers, fish, sandwiches and kids menu. Open daily. 318 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3155. bigboil erbrewing.com. D $

The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/ dining/the-landing-restaurant. B, L, D $

The Blue Moose Sports Pub — Farm-totable sports bar features a food menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 6240 28th St SE, 734-6333. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyros drivethru.com. L, D ¢-$

Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 259-7439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$

Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park Dr, 551-1957. perrinbrewing.com. L, D ¢

Cork Wine & Grille — Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. cork wineandgrille.com. L, D $-$$

Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel. com. B, L, D ¢-$

The Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, woodfired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar.

Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. euro $-$$ bistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D

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

Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turn-of-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 8978523. thegilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$

Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. threehappinessgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar.

Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 7919922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $

ADA/CASCADE/LOWELL Ada Pour House — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrées, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine. Open daily.

6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941, adapour house.com. B (Sun brunch only), L, D $-$$ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana. com. B, L, D $-$$ Big Boiler Brewing — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider.

Holland & Fitz Delicatessen — Deli sandwiches with in-house baked bread featuring corned beef hash and pork shoulder. Breakfast and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr SE, Suite B, 9207090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $

FJu Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$$ La Laguna — Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu.

No alcohol. Open daily. 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Main Street BBQ — Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork.

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Rubs and sauces are gluten-free. Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. Takeout/delivery at 1539 Plainfield Ave NE. Full bar. Open daily. 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell.com. L, D ¢-$

Marco New American Bistro — French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches and mains for lunch. Full bar. Takeout menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave $-$$ SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D Mynt Fusion Bistro — Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D $ Noco Provisions — Laid-back, regionally inspired comfort cuisine. Outdoor seating on the patio. Full bar. Open daily. 4609 Cascade $ Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. L, D FNonna’s: The Trattoria — Fresh, Europeanstyle pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served seven days a week. Pizza available during lunch Tues-Sat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna. com. B, L, D (Tues-Sat) ¢-$

brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. L (Sat), D $

Trailhead Café — Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 284-3664. trailheadcafegr.com. B, L ¢ Vintage Prime & Seafood — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintageatcork.com. D $$ Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.

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

GRANDVILLE/HUDSONVILLE/ GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP Bangkok Taste — Thai fare. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 674 Baldwin St, 667-8901. bang koktaste.com. L, D ¢-$ The Dungeon — Mexican food and American favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily.

3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadungeon.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$

FNoto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D $-$$

El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections, plus a few American options. Daily food and drink specials. Full bar. Open daily.

4499 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, 530-9470. elburritoloco4.com. L, D ¢-$

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

GrandVilla — Steaks, all-you-can-eat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar.

Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadun geon.com. L, D ¢-$

Sapporo Ramen & Noodle Bar — Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororam enbar.com. L, D ¢-$

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 ¢-$

Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$ Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Thornapple Brewing Co. — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel

Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily.

4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$

wiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow ¢-$ grillmichigan.com. B, L, D

Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily.

Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro. com. L, D $ White Flame Brewing Co. — Small production brewery with taproom. Sandwiches, wraps, appetizers and a couple twists on the classic macaroni and cheese. Open daily. 5234 36th Ave, Hudsonville, 209-5098. whiteflamebrewing.com. L, D ¢-$

ROCKFORD AREA Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck.

Full bar. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. L (weekends), D $-$$ Boulder Creek Restaurant — Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolf club.com/restaurant. L, D ¢-$ Cedar Springs Brewing Co. — German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. L, D $ Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven. com. L, D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. L, D ¢-$ Marinades Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro. ¢ com. L, D

Pike 51 Brewing Co./Hudsonville Winery — Craft brewery and winery under one roof.

Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées.

Open daily. 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. L, D ¢-$

Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials.

Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily.

17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonas table.com. L, D ¢-$

Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sand-

Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside

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Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Brunch served 11 am-4 pm Sunday. Hand-crafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ¢-$ ing.com. L, D ➧Rockford Riverside Grille — Formerly The Green Well Gastro Pub. Menu features American-inspired comfort foods and traditional classics with a creative flair, as well as kids options, served in fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Live entertainment on the patio (seasonal). Full bar. Open daily.

8 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, 884-4100. rock $ fordriversidegrille.com. L, D

Timbers Inn — Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar.

Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), D ¢-$

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Anna’s House — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and exceptional desserts; dinner menu, too. No alcohol. Open daily. 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. B, L $ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and sandwiches.

Menu includes extensive gluten-free, dairyfree and vegetarian options. No alcohol.

Open daily. 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arni $ esrestaurant.com. B, L, D Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. Full bar. 401 Leonard St NW, 454-9368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. L, D $ First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstwokgr. com. L, D $ Herb & Fire Pizzeria — Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 773-1895. herbandfirepizzeria. com. L, D $ Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily.

130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza. ¢-$$ com. L, D

Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1510 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029. ¢ thepitahouse.net. L, D Real Food Café — Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and madefrom-scratch baked goods; plus, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Cash only.

Closed Mon. 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 241-4080; 3514 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-1808. Facebook.

B, L ¢ Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616; 5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sun $ dancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties, including pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar.

Open daily. 122 Monroe Center NW; 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520. ¢-$ uccellos.com. L, D Vitale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza, pasta and more from family recipes.

Full bar. 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitales ada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 6622244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7845011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$

To nominate someone, visit grbj.com or bit.ly/4040_18nom DEADLINE JULY 13, 2018.

If you’ve been nominated or would like to apply, visit grbj.com or bit.ly/4040_18app DEADLINE JULY 19, 2018.

SPONSORED BY

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 2017 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2017 Dining Award Winner

Contact sponsor@grbj.com or call 616.459.4545 for sponsorship opportunities

Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email stincher@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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cocktail hour

BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE

Summer sippin’ in the sun

Water is a critical ingredient in every cocktail and overlooking the water contributed by melting ice will result in a cocktail that’s much too strong and sweet. much ice, you’ll need to plan for water balance in your cocktail. Water is a critical ingredient in every cocktail and overlooking the water contributed by melting ice will result in a cocktail that’s much too strong and sweet. When I batch a cocktail for travel, I just add chilled water, little by little, until the mix comes into appropriate balance. > Batch mixing is a great opportunity for a quick infusion as a flavor component. The concept of “infused” spirits tends to make people think of a bottle of liquor stewing with fruit and herbs for weeks, but really, just a few hours is enough for a fresh ingredient to flavor a batched cocktail smashingly. Mix your cocktail, then add some sliced fruit, fresh herbs, etc., and give it at least an hour in the refrigerator. > Skip carbonated drinks. Bubbles

added in ahead of time will flatten out by the time you’re ready to drink; plus, having to bring along an extra load of soda will weigh you down. Fresh, clean flavors with plenty of balancing acid will be just as refreshing without fussing over fizz. > Don’t forget snacks and water! Lounging in the sun and exercise can exacerbate your cocktail’s effects, so make sure to keep your guests balanced with hydration and some nibbles, such as cheese, nuts, dried apricots and a baguette.

— Torrence R. O’Haire, of The Starving Artist, is a chef, entrepreneur and restaurant consultant specializing in wine, spirits and cocktails. He also founded the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

JUNE IS OUR REWARD for enduring a seemingly endless winter (followed by rain and mud), but we’ve finally made it! And, after all that waiting for beautiful weather, it would be a shame not to spend as much time as possible outdoors — so, why not plan your next cocktail party alfresco?

As much fun as the image of the fastshaking bartender is, not all cocktails need to be made at the moment of service, nor individually. A cocktail picnic is a great opportunity to entertain with a big batch cocktail that can be simply chilled and poured wherever you decide to be.

Here are just a few tips for smooth sailing this summer: > Let inspiration come from anywhere!

Just about any classic cocktail can be translated into a large batch, as long as it’s something that has a “long” ingredient — one with low or no alcohol that can be increased to stretch the cocktail without making something obnoxiously strong. Make sure to reserve a bit of all of your ingredients while blending, though, as a measured recipe on a small scale sometimes requires some tweaking when it’s scaled up significantly.

So, if you use up all the ingredients before making the final adjustments, the recipe might be a little off. > Mix in a convenient travel container — nothing breakable, and something that will be easy to pour from and easy to pack back up when it’s empty. My favorite easy grab is a simple gallon Mason jar. > Don’t forget glasses! Sure, the whole red Solo cup thing is easy, but I prefer the set of cheap unbreakable glass tumblers I found online for under $10. (Drinking out of a proper glass makes the cocktail taste better, psychologically...) > Plan ahead so there’s time to fully chill your mix in the icebox before leaving the house. This prevents the need for much (if any) ice, making your picnic basket much lighter. > Since you’re avoiding having to use 70 GRMAG.COM \ JUNE 2018

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süß und würzig

(SWEET AND SPICY) AN IDEAL BALANCE OF FRESH.

Recipes to inspire your next sunny day:

The Liz Taylor Based on a lesser-known classic called a Dizzy Lizzy, this recipe skips the inclusion of the esoteric liqueur Swedish punsch for the equivalent flavors of citrus and black tea.

16 ounces strong black tea 2 lemons, sliced 1 orange, sliced 3 cloves 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup white sugar 16 ounces pineapple juice (the best, freshest you can find) 16 ounces rye whiskey 8 ounces amontillado sherry Ice-cold water, to taste

The Alpenrose Sesame Chicken Salad brings farm-grown fruit and vegetables together in a flavorful blend sure to delight your senses.

Chef Helmut serves this dish with a sautéed chicken dressed in his homemade soy and maple glaze.

Complete with a peanut sesame dressing, this salad is sure to brighten your day. Join us to experience this and a few more of our favorite things.

alpenroserestaurant.com

The corner of 8th and Central Holland, MI | 616-393-2111

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, jar or other travel container. Let chill for at least an hour. Serve in small glasses on a freshly swept tennis court.

The Picnic Martini An antique build of a classic martini that’s fit for an afternoon in the park. Keep it as cold as you’re able.

16 ounces gin 16 ounces blanc vermouth (sweet white vermouth - Dolin Blanc is inexpensive and nice) 16 ounces dry vermouth (Cinzano is ideal for this) 4 ounces ice-cold water (plus more to taste) 1 teaspoon orange bitters ½ of a cucumber, sliced thinly A few strawberries, sliced thinly A pinch of salt Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, jar or other travel container. Let chill for at least an hour, preferably in the freezer. Serve in small glasses on a boat, if available.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

Corpse Reviver, summer version Think of this as a classic cocktail-meets-sangria; just enough bitter, sour and strong to make it seem both charmingly austere and ultra delicious.

1 750-milliliter bottle Lillet Blanc 8 ounces fresh lemon juice 16 ounces cognac 2 ounces absinthe 8 ounces ice-cold water (plus more to taste) Several large mint sprigs 1 fresh peach, sliced Combine all ingredients in a pitcher, jar or other travel container. Let chill for at least an hour.

Serve in small glasses in a field of wildflowers.

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FOOD. DRINK. ENTERTAINMENT.

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EXPERIENCES. SHOPPING. SERVICES.

Best of 2018-19 Readers Poll

VOTE NOW

Go to grmag.com/bestofgr, it’s free!

Over 100 categories to vote on!

VOTING ENDS SEPTEMBER 21ST Winners will be announced in our January issue!

#bestofgr

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

The Grand Rapids Pride Center offers a safe haven, provides essential resources to members of the LGBTQ community.

‘Like being home’ “I like coming here; I’m one of the oldest in the youth group, and I love to talk with younger gay kids and offer to help them.”

— Ruby Baker

BY ANN BYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

L

Genevieve LaBelle and Ruby Baker

arry DeShane Jr. found the Grand Rapids Pride Center when he was 17 — back when the center was a oneroom office on Division Avenue. He’d been outed as a student at Jenison High School and outed again when his family moved, and he began attending East Kentwood High School.

“I was beaten a few times. I was that kid shoved up against the lockers,” DeShane said. “I was holding out until my 18th birthday when I could go to bars to meet people like me.”

A gay friend told him about the youth group at the Pride Center. He decided to attend, but drove around and around, unsure whether he should go in.

“But I went, and I never stopped going.

People were happy I was there, were nice to me and I learned quickly I didn’t have to hide any part of who I am,” DeShane said.

“When you spend years knowing you’re different, lying about who you are, a literal weight is lifted off. The Pride Center was like being home.”

DeShane moved away from Grand Rapids for 20 years, moved back and began volunteering immediately in January 2014.

He was hired in November 2014 and now is center administrator for the Pride Center.

The Pride Center, 343 Atlas Ave. SE, has become a hub for services, events and support groups within the LGBTQ community. It offers nine social and support groups, including a youth group for ages 13-17, a young adult group for ages 18-24, a parent support group and family groups, among others. There also is a group for cross-dressers.

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Larry DeShane Jr.

Jason Skalandis

“When you spend years knowing you’re different, lying about who you are, a literal weight is lifted off.

The Pride Center was like being home.”

— Larry DeShane Jr. The center’s website, grpride.org, provides a directory of resources for everything from dental care to financial help, mental health care to dining out — all of which have proven helpful and support the LGBTQ community.

One area GRPC Executive Director Thomas Pierce wants to develop is more consistent access to health services for the clients they serve.

“There are many in this community who don’t get appropriate or adequate health care,” said Pierce, who became executive director in January after serving on the board for more than a year. “We’ve found that, particularly in the trans community, they don’t get the health care they need.

There’s a stigma, fear and discrimination.”

The transgender community, Pierce said, has many barriers related to health care. For example, a trans man may need a pelvic exam or a mammogram. A trans

woman may still need a prostate exam.

“LGBTQ health care is becoming one of the hot issues right now, specifically for transgender people, and we want to be on the forefront,” Pierce said.

The Pride Center is developing more screening times for HIV and STIs, tobacco treatment and other basic health care needs. In fact, local health care providers are coming to them, asking for education on how to treat the LGBTQ community.

The Kent County Health Department, Arbor Circle and the Red Project have received training on how to address the needs of the trans population in particular, as well as the gay population.

Another area of need is that of homeless LGBTQ youth. The Pride Center is working on a plan with other organizations such as Arbor Circle, which provides mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and family development programs; JUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 75

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

and HQ, a runaway and homeless youth drop-in center.

“We’re getting people to see there are differences, why there needs to be specific money allocated to help homeless LGBTQ youth,” Pierce said. “It’s scary out there for kids. We get calls once or twice a month from kids who are kicked out at age 18. Who is going to find these vulnerable kids if it’s not a group that cares? Bad people are out there looking for them.”

Nathan Bentley, 23, helps facilitate the youth group that meets every Wednesday at the Pride Center. He also works at the Red Project, an HIV/AIDS nonprofit and sister organization to the Pride Center. He works with people diagnosed with HIV for the first six months after diagnosis, helping them connect with doctors, get their medicine regimen set and cope with a new way of life.

Thomas Pierce

Grand Rapids Pride Center Wish List: > A bigger space to host more events.

“We’re comfortably maxed out,” said Thomas Pierce, GRPC executive director. > Awareness. “We’re the primary LGBTQ resource focused solely on this community,” Pierce said. “We do so much with so little budget and only two people on staff.”

A wall at the Pride Center is decorated with colorful Post-it notes, each containing a “reason to live.”

Nathan Bentley speaks to a youth group.

> Training opportunities. “We want to help empower and educate the community,” Pierce said. “We want to increase our footprint; we’re here to be a liaison.”

“I wish I had known about the Pride Center as a kid. Perhaps, I would have found a role model and probably would have come out sooner,” Bentley said. “It gives me hope when I see these young kids who are really involved. It’s encouraging to hear them speak their minds.”

Bentley speaks of the tumultuous times in which we live, rules and regulations set or not set, legislation passed or not passed.

“All this fuels our community to persevere in living our authentic lives free from persecution and judgment from others,” he said.

Ruby Baker and Genevieve LaBelle, both 17-year-old students at East Grand Rapids High School, come to the Pride

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Makarska Riviera in Brela, Croatia

Center together. LaBelle’s parents are older — “My mom grew up in a different era,” she noted. “When Ruby and I started dating, she had some things to work through.”

Baker, on the other hand, heard about the Pride Center from her mother.

“I was really happy there were a lot more people like me in this area,” Baker said. “I like coming here; I’m one of the oldest in the youth group, and I love to talk with younger gay kids and offer to help them. It helps me reflect on my past and help kids where they are.”

For LaBelle, “The Pride Center has been a place I can be as comfortably and expressively out as I want to be. It’s a place for a lot of support.”

While Baker and LaBelle are gay teens in an era of more openness and acceptance, Yogi Whitt is 57 and moved to Grand Rapids with her partner in 1981. They wanted to be involved in a group with other lesbian couples raising children. A few years later, Whitt became involved with the Pride Center and Pride Committee, which plans the annual Grand Rapids Pride Festival that takes place each June at Calder Plaza.

This year’s event celebrates the festival’s 30th anniversary and takes place noon-10 p.m. Saturday, June 16.

“The Pride Center was needed a long time ago; now they are doing wonderful things here,” said Whitt, who owns West Side Screen Printing. “They’ve done amazing things for our youth. Seeing all the different groups come together and seeing people getting help is so important to me.

My heart feels good to finally have a place for people to be.”

For Jason Skalandis, a trans man, the Pride Center is “where I’m safe.” He’s a volunteer office assistant and the volunteer coordinator, and he started in the women’s group, which “gave me a feeling of safety so I could start to present more masculinity,” he said. “I was getting off the bus one day and a guy said, ‘Have a good day, young man.’ I came in and looked in the mirror and thought that it felt so good to hear that.”

Skalandis came out as a trans man in December 2015.

“It was a relief,” he said. “Now, I feel like a whole person. I want to be visible. I’m very safe here, surrounded by other queer people. The Pride Center is a wonderful GR place to be.”

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

june events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH! SPECIAL EVENTS JUNE 16 PRIDE FESTIVAL: Greater Grand Rapids LGBT hosts 30th annual familyfriendly festival. Noon-10 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. grpride.org/ festival.

MUSIC JUNE 29-30 JUNEGRASS: West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association presents 23rd annual event with local and regional bluegrass groups, workshops, band scramble, open mic. 6-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat. Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. $35 both days, $15 Fri., $20 Sat. wmbma.org.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

JUNE 11 - MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES GOLF EVENT: Mel Trotter Ministries’ 22nd annual fundraiser benefits women’s and children’s programs. Railside Golf Club. $250. meltrotter.org/ golf. See Sports

JUNE 15-23 - “GOING GOING GONE”: LowellArts presents a comedy about four sports journalists at a Los Angeles baseball game. 7:30 p.m.

Fri.-Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. $12. lowellartsmi.org.

See Stage & Film

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JUNE 16 - K9K RACE: Fifth annual 3K and 9K races to honor fallen GRPD Officer Andrew Elliott Rusticus. Dogs welcome.

9 a.m. Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NW. $25-$45. k9krace.com.

See Sports

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TERRY JOHNSTON (TOP LEFT); THINKSTOCK (RIGHT & BOTTOM)

June 23 BURGER BATTLE GRAND RAPIDS: Inaugural competition of 25 restaurants, plus music, cornhole, kids activities. 1-5 p.m. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $15-$25. theburgerbattle.com.

JUNE 16 - REEDS LAKE ART FESTIVAL: Grand Valley Artists’ 53rd annual juried show with more than 100 booths of fine arts and crafts. East Grand Rapids. grandvalley artists.com/reedslake.

See Special Events

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To list your event send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o

Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, email caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the 10th of the month.

SPECIAL EVENTS June - Relay for Life: Fundraiser for American Cancer Society research and programs lasts 24 hours. June 1, Muskegon. June 8, Sparta.

June 9, Holland/Zeeland. relayforlife.org.

magic show, scavenger hunt, food, prizes.

4-7 p.m. Franklin Street corridor and library amphitheater. $2 punch cards. cityofgrand ville.com.

Thru June 9 - 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., 5-9 p.m. Wed. mygrhome.com.

June 1-3 - Festival of the Arts: Downtown Grand Rapids’ 49th annual arts celebration with music and dance performances, art exhibits, entertainment, food, kids activities.

Everything is free except food. festivalgr.org.

Thru Sept. 13 - Relax at Rosa: Outdoor lunchbreaks with live bands and food trucks. June 7, Kevin Michael Jones. June 14, May Erlewine with Max Lockwood. June 21, Conrad Shock & the Noise. June 28, The Crane Wives. Noon1:30 p.m. every Thu. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. downtowngr.org.

June 8 - RendeZoo: John Ball Zoo fundraiser includes strolling dinner, cocktails, live music and auction. 7-10 p.m. 1300 W. Fulton St. $75, $175 VIP. jbzoo.org/rendezoo.

June 1 - Around the World: Van Andel Institute’s eighth annual fundraiser with global wines, craft beers and hors d’oeuvres.

6-10 p.m. Crescent Park, Bostwick Ave. NE. $75. vai.org/event/atw-18.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KRIS SILLS

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TERRY JOHNSTON (TOP LEFT); THINKSTOCK (RIGHT & BOTTOM)

Thru Sept. 30 - Fulton Street Artisans Market: Weekly market with local handmade art. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sun. 1145 E. Fulton St. grartmarket.com.

June 1 - First Friday Gallery Hop: Participating galleries, shops and eateries stay open 6-9 p.m., presented by Avenue for the Arts.

South Division between Fulton and Cherry streets. avenueforthearts.com/first-fridaygallery-hops.

June 1 - Remember When Car Show: Vintage Car Club of Holland features antiques, classics, customs, muscle, street rods, motorcycles/scooters and tractors. 5 p.m. show, 8 p.m. cruise. 124 E. Eighth St., Holland. downtown holland.com.

June 1 - Summer Kick Off Carnival: Grandville hosts bounce houses, carnival games,

June 8 - Trash the Bash: Saugatuck Center for the Arts hosts street party with live music from a band that uses musical instruments made from recycled and reused materials, food trucks, beer and kids activities. 7 p.m.

Free. 400 Culver St. sc4a.org.

June 8-10 - Rockford Start of Summer Celebration: Free activities and entertainment including parade (11 a.m. Sat.), carnival, arts and crafts, and fireworks (dusk Sat.) in downtown Rockford. rockfordmichamber. com.

June 9 - Art on Center: Participating galleries host artist receptions and live music. 6-8 p.m.

Downtown Douglas. saugatuck.com/event/ art-on-center-2.

June 9 - Asian-Pacific Festival: Second annual showcase of culture, food, art and music. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. Free. experiencegr. com.

June 9 - MMA 106th Anniversary Gala: Muskegon Museum of Art’s fundraiser “Grand Tour Americana” includes auctions, cocktails, dinner, dancing. 5:30 p.m. 296 W. Webster Ave. muskegonartmuseum.org.

JUNE 16 - SATURDAY SLIP-N-SLIDE: Eighth annual event with water slides, bounce houses, toddler waterpark, dunk tanks, foam pit, plus 5K run/ walk benefiting Kids Hope USA. Rosewood Park, Jenison. $1. saturdayslipnslide.com.

See Special Events

June 9 - Rock the Block: Street fair sponsored by LINC UP includes entertainment, food, vendors. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Madison Avenue from Hall Street to Adams Street. lincup.org/ rock-the-block.

June 9-10 - Feast of the Strawberry Moon: Eighteenth annual historical reenactment of 18th-century life, with period costumes, military skirmishes, games, entertainment, food.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Harbor Island, Grand Haven. $5, $15 family. visitgrandhaven.com.

June 10 - Vintage Street Market: Opening day of 60-vendor monthly market at Downtown Market, featuring furniture, clothes, accessories, kitchen goods, home décor and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. vintagestreet marketgr.com.

June 10-Aug. 19 - Summer of Brunch Food Truck Rally: Food trucks at the Fulton Street Artisans Market every Sunday. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

1145 E. Fulton St. facebook.com/grlovesfood trucks.

June 11-16 - Spring Lake Heritage Fest: Entertainment, craft fair, dog walk, family fun night, 5K run/walk, car show, cornhole tournament. slheritagefestival.com.

June 12 - Bissell Blocktail Party: Thirteenth annual benefit for West Michigan animal welfare organizations includes music, appetizers, cocktails, silent auction. Dogs welcome. 6-9 p.m. Paddock Place, 1033 Lake Drive SE. $120. bissellblocktailparty.com.

June 13-Aug. 29 - Dancing on the Grand: Live music and dancing every Wed. 7-9 p.m.

Waterfront Stadium, 101 N. Harbor Drive, Grand Haven. $3. facebook.com/dancing. on.the.grand.

June 14-Aug. 30 - Holland Street Performers: Musicians, acrobats, face painters, balloon artists, jugglers, magicians perform along Eighth Street. 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Thu. Free. downtownholland.com.

June 15-16 - Taste of Muskegon: Annual celebration of local food, plus family activities.

4-10 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. Hackley Park, 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon. tasteofmus kegon.org.

June 16 - Founders Fest: Founders Brew-

JUNE 23 - HARRY POTTER IN THE PARK FESTIVAL: Stage performances,

JUNE 25-29 - BALLETMORE SUMMER INTENSIVE: Includes strength/stretch,

snakes and owls, arts and crafts, demonstrations, house points competition, Wizards and Wands Emporium, Horcrux Hunt, gnome tossing and more. potterinthepark. com. See Special Events

ballet technique, pre-pointe/pointe technique and contemporary ballet; with Connie Flachs of GR Ballet. balletmore.com.

See Lectures & Workshops

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

1/ Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne will perform at 20 Monroe Live.

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

The B.O.B.: The Big Old Building houses multiple entertainment options: live music Fri. and Sat. at Bobarino’s; DJs and dance floor at Eve on Fri. and Sat.; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (H.O.M.E.); stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 3562000, thebob.com.

Flanagan’s: Irish pub with live music from local bands on Fri. and Sat.; also live Irish music on Thu. and Sun. 139 Pearl St. NW, 980-0705, flanaga nsgr.com.

Founders Brewing Co.: Large taproom features live music Thu. and Sat., plus Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra on the first Sunday of each month. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 7762182, foundersbrewing.com.

Comedy & nightclub venues

3/ Electric Six

The Orbit Room: Regional and national music acts, occasional standup comedy. Open floor, seated balcony. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com.

Pop Scholars: Four-person comedy team performs monthly improv show. $12. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, 549-4788 ext. 130, popscholars.com.

The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, pyramidschemebar. com.

River City Improv: Comedy improv team performs at 7:33 p.m.

June 17. $12 adults, $5 students and kids. Calvin College Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE, rivercity improv.com.

Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri., featuring DJs and live acts.

633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, facebook.com/rockysbarandgrill.

1/ 20 MONROE LIVE: 2,500-seat venue hosts live music, entertainment and special events. On June 8, Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne performs. Also performing: Krizz Kaliko, Just Juice, Joey Cool and King ISO. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45-$92.

11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive.com.

3/ THE INTERSECTION: Four-bar concert venue hosts nationally known bands. On June 23, rock band Electric Six performs with Mark Mallman and Easy Fruit. Doors open at 7 p.m. All ages welcome. Tickets are $15. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

One Trick Pony: Grill and taproom hosts live music 8-11 p.m. Thu. and Sat. Reservations accepted. 136 E. Fulton St., 235-7669, onetrick.biz.

River Rock at The Grand River Hotel: Live music Fri. and Sat. and jazz brunch Sun. 270 Ann St. NW, 363-9001, thegrandriverhotel.com.

COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

2/ DR. GRINS COMEDY CLUB: Nationally acclaimed comedians perform Thu.-Sat. Pete Lee performs June 7-9. The comedian was a semifinalist on “Last Comic Standing” and performed on Comedy Central, FUSE TV’s “Video on Trial” and TruTV’s “Best Ever.” Shows start at 8 p.m. Thu.; 8 and 10:30 p.m.

Fri.; and 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Sat. Tickets for the show are $5 Thu. and $10 Fri. and Sat. Also, June 1-2, Shane Mauss. June 14-16, Brad Wenzel.

June 21-23, Ian Bagg. June 28-30, Mike Lebovitz. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 2/ Pete Lee 356-2000, thebob.com/drgrinscomedy.

Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, facebook.com/mulli ganspubgr.

Rumors Nightclub: Gay bar and dance club. 69 S. Division Ave., 4548720, rumorsnightclub.net.

Stella’s Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 742-4444, stellas gr.com.

Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Restaurant/taproom features live music Fri.-Sun. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewingcompany.com.

Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor hosts DJs and live music Fri. and Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoods lounge.com.

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

Mixology: Lobby lounge overlooking downtown GR and Grand River has live music Fri. and Sat. nights and live jazz brunch on Sun. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW, 242-1500, ilovethejw.com/dining/mixology.

Mojo’s: DJs and dance floor on second level Wed., Fri. and Sat., with dueling pianos show on main floor

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

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DENNYS ILIC (TOP); ARMITAGE (CENTER); THE COLLEGE AGENCY (BOTTOM)

June 8

Wed.-Sat. nights. 180 Monroe Ave. NW, 776-9000, mojospianobar.com.

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ing Co.’s 11th annual event features celebration of live music and beer. 3 p.m.-11 p.m.

235 Grandville Ave. SW. $25-50. 21 and over. foundersbrewing.com.

competition, Wizards and Wands Emporium, Horcrux Hunt, gnome tossing and more. 3-9 p.m. Rogers Park, 152 N. State St., Sparta. pot terinthepark.com.

June 16 - Pride Festival: Greater Grand Rapids LGBT hosts 30th annual familyfriendly festival. Noon-10 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. grpride.org/festival.

June 23 - Made in MI Pop-up Marketplace: Downtown Market hosts monthly outdoor market with artisan gifts, local treats and goodies. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. madeinmipopup.com.

June 16 - Reeds Lake Art Festival: Grand Valley Artists’ 53rd annual juried show with more than 100 booths of fine arts and crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wealthy Street between Lakeside Drive and Croswell Avenue, East Grand Rapids. grandvalleyartists.com/reedslake.

June 16 - Saturday Slip-n-Slide: Eighth annual event with water slides, bounce houses, toddler waterpark, dunk tanks, foam pit, entertainment, plus 5K run/walk benefiting Kids Hope USA. Noon-5 p.m. Rosewood Park, 1899 Rosewood St., Jenison. $1. saturdayslipn slide.com.

June 16-17 - White Lake Arts and Crafts Fair: Juried event includes music, food, kids activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Goodrich Park, 100 N. Lake St., Whitehall. whitelake.org.

June 18-23 - Berlin Fair: Agriculture, crafts, carnival, live entertainment, amateur truck and tractor pulls. Berlin Fairgrounds, 2008 Berlin Fair Drive, Marne. berlinfair.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DENNYS ILIC (TOP); ARMITAGE (CENTER); THE COLLEGE AGENCY (BOTTOM)

June 21 - Let’s Go To Bat For Kids!: Catholic Charities West Michigan hosts baseball game between CCWM Padres and Media Giants to benefit family programs, plus kids games and local mascots. 5:30 p.m. gates open, 6:30 p.m. game. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. Free; $7 parking. ccwestmi.org.

June 21, 28 - Maranda’s Park Parties: WOTV4’s Maranda hosts free family parties with activities, games, entertainment, food, prizes. June 21, Lamar Park, Wyoming. June 28, Smith Ryerson Park, Muskegon. Noon-2 p.m.; free lunch for kids 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m. wotv4women.com.

June 23 - Burger Battle Grand Rapids: Inaugural competition of 25 restaurants, plus music, cornhole, kids activities. 1-5 p.m. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $15-$25. theburgerbattle. com.

June 23 - Eastown Bizarre Bazaar: Annual event features arts and crafts, music, food. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wealthy Street/Lake Drive, East Grand Rapids. eastowngr.com.

June 23 - Harry Potter in the Park Festival: Stage performances, snakes and owls, arts and crafts, demonstrations, house points

June 23-24 - Grand Haven Art Festival/ Family Fun Day: Juried show with more than 150 artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Free craft activities for kids Family Fun Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Washington Avenue, downtown Grand Haven. grandhavenchamber.org/ grand-haven-art-festival.

SPORTS June - Grand Rapids Football Club, men’s team: Minor league soccer team is part of the National Premier Soccer League. Home games: June 3 vs. Kalamazoo FC. June 8 vs.

FC Indiana. June. 15 vs. FC Columbus. June 22 vs. AFC Ann Arbor. June 29 vs. Detroit City FC. Houseman Field, 901 Fountain St. NE. $10 adults, $5 kids 4-14. grandrapidsfc.com.

June - Grand Rapids Football Club, women’s team: Minor league soccer team is part of the United Women’s Soccer League. Home games: June 2 vs. MI Legends. June 30 vs.

Indy Premier. Grandville High School, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. $8 adults, $5 kids 4-14. grand rapidsfc.com.

June - 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: June 5-7 vs. Great Lakes Loons. June 8-11 vs. South Bend Cubs. June 15-17 vs. Dayton Dragons. June 28-July 1 vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $8-$16. whitecaps baseball.com.

June 1-3 - Yankee Springs Trail Run: Weekend of endurance races: 10K Fri.; halfmarathon, marathon, double-marathon and quad-marathon Sat.; half-marathon Sun. Long Lake Outdoor Center, 10370 Gun Lake Road, Middleville. $35-$190. switchbackend urance.com/yankee-springs-trail-runs.

June 2 - 100 Grand Bicycle Tour: Rapid Wheelmen’s 45th annual ride with 17-, 35-, 65- and 105-mile options throughout Kent County and neighboring counties. 6:45 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. ride. West Side Christian School, 955 Westend Ave. NW. $25-$30; $45$55 family. rapidwheelmen.com.

June 2 - Hard Cider Run: Fifth annual 5K

through Sietsema Orchards. 9 a.m. 8540 2 Mile Road, Ada. $40. thehardciderrun.com.

June 3 - Milan’s Miracle Run/Walk: 5K run, 3K walk, kids 1K run and mutt strut benefit pediatric cancer. 10 a.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. $10-$35. milansmiraclefund.org.

June 4 - American Red Cross Golf Invitational: Four-person, best-ball outing; includes lunch. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Meadows Golf Club, GVSU, 4656 W. Campus Drive, Allendale. red cross.org/news/event/local/michigan/redcross-invitational.

June 4 - Kids First Golf Open: Fundraiser for D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s. Shotgun starts at 7:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Blythefield Country Club, 5801 Northland Drive, Belmont. $250. dabsj. org/event/kids-first-open-2018.

June 4 - Wedgwood Golf Classic: Wedgwood Christian Services’ 33rd annual golf event raises funds for youth. Shotgun starts at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Egypt Valley Country Club, 7333 Knapp St. SE. $200-$250. wedgwood. org.

June 8 - One in Five Marathon Relay: Hope Network presents five-person team relay marathon, 1.5-mile community walk, 5K virtual walk, 6.2-mile race and 6.2-mile handcycle or wheelchair race. 5:30 p.m. walk, 8 p.m. marathon. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. $25. 1in5marathonrelay. com.

June 9 - Brian Diemer Family of Races: Annual 5K run/walk, Junior Jog, 5K handcycle and 1K steeplechase; various bands play along race course. 9 a.m. Legacy Christian Middle School, 67 68th St. SW, Cutlerville. $8-$30. diemerrun.com.

June 10 - Grand Rapids Triathlon: Eighth annual event includes sprint, Olympic and half distances; relays; aquabike events; and kids triathlon. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Ada Boat Launch, 843 Thornapple River Drive SE, Ada. $35$315. grandrapidstriathlon.com.

June 11 - Mel Trotter Ministries Golf Event: Mel Trotter Ministries’ 22nd annual fundraiser benefits women’s and children’s programs.

8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Railside Golf Club, 2500 76th St. SW, Byron Center. $250. meltrotter. org/golf.

June 12-17 - Meijer LPGA Classic: Ladies Professional Golf Association event with 144 top female golfers. Blythefield Country Club, 5801 Northland Drive, Belmont. $10 daily, $25 weekly. meijerlpgaclassic.com.

June 14 - Stars & Stripes Dash: 5K run/ walk benefits Operation Injured Soldiers; JUNE 2018 / GRMAG.COM 81

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

also, live music and patriotic outfit contest. 7 p.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. starsandstripesdash.com.

June 14-17 - Strides for Life Run: American Cancer Society’s annual noncompetitive 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile runs. Hope College, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. $25. stridesforlife.com.

June 16 - K9K Race: Fifth annual 3K and 9K races to honor fallen GRPD Officer Andrew Elliott Rusticus; benefits Thin Blue Line of Michigan and GRPD K9 Foundation. Dogs welcome. 9 a.m. Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NW. $25-$45. k9krace.com.

June 22-23 - Queen’s Cup: Overnight yacht race from Milwaukee to Grand Haven, with 200 boats and 1,200 sailors. ssyc.org/queenscup.

June 22-23 - State Games of Michigan: Multisport, Olympic-style event at multiple locations. Opening ceremony June 22 at East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. $10 adults, $5 students. stategames ofmichigan.com.

June 23 - Mercy Health Seaway Run: 5K, 10K and half marathon, plus community fun walk along Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake. 7 a.m. All races begin at West Western Avenue/Fourth Street, Muskegon. $15-$70. seawayrun.com.

June 23 - MSU Gran Fondo: Sixth annual noncompetitive cycling event with 12-, 25-, 40- or 80-mile routes from downtown GR to Lake Michigan. Postride Finish Line Festival includes music, craft beer, food. Benefits MSU skin cancer research. 8 a.m. 20 Monroe Ave. NW. $70-$80. msugranfondo.com.

June 23 - Reeds Lake Run: 5K run/walk, 10K run, 5K dog/owner run/walk, 10K run, 10K wheelchair/handcycle races, kids races.

8 a.m. East Grand Rapids Middle School, 2425 Lake Drive, East Grand Rapids. $10-$40. eastgr.org/reedslakerun.

June 23 - Take Steps Walk for Crohn’s and Colitis: Fundraiser for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. 10 a.m. John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

STAGE & FILM Thru June 16 - “A Few Good Men”: Circle Theatre presents a story about the trial of two Marines accused of killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. 7:30 p.m.; 5 p.m. June 10.

Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26-$30. circletheatre.org.

June 1-17 - “Shrek the Musical”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents a fairytale about an ogre and a donkey on a quest to save

their swamp. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $18-$37. grct.org.

June 5-10 - “The King and I”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents the story in 1860s Bangkok of an unconventional and tempestuous relationship between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher. 7:30 p.m. Tue.Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $38-$83. broadwaygrand rapids.com.

June 7 - GRAM Movie: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts screening of documentary “Monir” about Iranian artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. 7 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. Free. artmuseumgr.org June 7-23 - “Copenhagen”: Master Arts Theatre presents a historical drama about two physicists at a meeting in 1941. 7:30 p.m.

Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $17 adults, $15 seniors and students. master arts.org.

June 14-24 - “Olive and the Bitter Herbs”: Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids presents a comedy about a curmudgeonly New York actress who learns it’s never too late to change. 8 p.m.

Thu. and Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $25 adults, $23 seniors, $8 students. jtgr.org.

June 15 - Movies in the Park (East Grand Rapids): Free family-friendly movie, “Top Gun,” starts at dusk. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids. eastgr. org.

June 16 - “C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert”: Fellowship for Performing Arts presents C.S. Lewis’ journey from atheism to faith. 4 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $30 and up. devosperformancehall.com.

June 22-Aug. 10 - “The Wiz”: Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presents a musical about Dorothy in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St., Holland. $35-$40 adults, $28-$32 seniors, $15 kids. hope.edu/hsrt.

June 27-30 - “Snow White: The Queen’s Fair Daughter”: Magic Circle presents a family show about the fairytale. 7 p.m. Wed., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thu. and Fri., noon Sat. Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. circletheatre.org.

June 29-July 18 - “The Odd Couple”: Hope Summer Repertory Theatre presents the classic comedy about two men – one a cleanfreak and the other a slob – living together. 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Theatre, 141 E. 12th St.,

Holland. $26-$30 adults, $22-$27 seniors, $15 kids. hope.edu/hsrt.

MUSIC June - Jazz in the Park: West Michigan Jazz Society hosts free jazz concerts 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Mon. June 11, Byron Center High School Jazz Band. June 18, Kathy Lamar. June 25, Behn Gillece. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. wmichjazz.org.

June - Meijer Gardens Summer Concerts: National acts perform in outdoor amphitheater. June 3, Gladys Knight. June 4, The Decemberists. June 6, Jackson Browne. June 8, The B-52s. June 10, Fitz and the Tantrums.

June 13, Brandi Carlile. June 17, Alison Krauss.

June 20, Seal. June 25, Old Crow Medicine Show. June 27, Herbie Hancock. June 29, Blondie. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. meijer gardens.org.

June - Wyoming Concerts in the Park: Free concerts, kids activities and food in Lamar Park 7-8:30 p.m. every Tue. June 5, Kid’s Night with The Porters. June 12, Delilah DeWylde.

June 19, The Adams Family. June 26, Wy-Fi Night with Kari Lynch. 2561 Porter St. SW. facebook.com/wyomingcec.

June 2 - TV Land: An Adventure in TV Music: America’s Music Company presents show themes and commercial jingles. 8 p.m.

Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $16$18. grcmc.org/theatre.

June 4, 11 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: June 4, Broadway Babes: Dames of the Stage. June 11, We’ll Take You There: Classic R&B. 7 p.m. Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $18. circletheatre.org.

June 7 - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: Country musicians perform Soul2Soul World Tour.

7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $79.50-$109.50. vanandelarena.com.

June 7-28 - Hudsonville Concerts on the Green: Live music, kids activities and food 7-8:30 p.m. every Thu. June 7, Kari Holmes.

June 14, Dale Hicks Band. June 21, Union Guns. June 28, Broom Closet Boys. Veteran’s Park, 3275 Central Blvd., Hudsonville. Free. hudsonvilleevents.com.

June 12-Aug. 14 - Rogue River Blues: Rockford’s Tue. evening concerts showcase jazz, blues and folk. 7-9 p.m. Garden Club Park along Rogue River. Free. rockfordmicha mber.com.

June 13-Aug. 15 - Concerts in Rogers Park: Free family-friendly music concerts 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday. June 20 is Superhero & Princess Night. Rogers Park, 152 N. State St.,

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Sparta. spartachamber.com/concerts-in-thepark-sparta-michigan.

Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive. Free. downtownholland.com.

June 14-Aug. 2 - Kentwood Summer Concert Series: Free Thu. night concerts; also food trucks. June 14, The Adams Family. June 21, May Erlewine. 7-8:30 p.m. On the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Road SE. kentwood.us/calendar.php.

June 25 - James Taylor and His All-Star Band with Bonnie Raitt: Singer/songwriter concert. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $68.50-$102.50. vanandelarena. com.

June 14-Aug. 23 - Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts: Free concerts 7 p.m. every Thu. June 14, Serita’s Black Rose. June 21, The Mainstays. June 28, The Bootstrap Boys. Riverwalk Plaza along Flat River, downtown Lowell. lowellartsmi.org.

June 14, 28 - Standale Summer Concert Series: Free family-friendly entertainment.

June 14, Brena Band. June 28, Paradise Outlaws. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave. NW. ci.walker.mi. us/business/dda.

June 18, 25 - East Grand Rapids Summer Concerts: Free family-friendly music 7 p.m. every Mon. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE. eastgr.org.

June 19-Aug. 21 - Tuesdays in the Park: Free concerts by local musicians. June 19, Chris Wiser and Andy Frisinger. June 26, Channing and Quinn. 7-8:30 p.m. Central Park, 421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven. wghn.com.

June 20-Aug. 29 - Music in the Park: Free family-friendly music in Saugatuck 7-9 p.m. every Wed. Wicks Park Gazebo, Water Street. saugatuck.com.

June 21-July 26 - Thursdays at the Felt: Free concerts 7 p.m. every Thu. June 21, Delilah DeWylde. June 28, May Erlewine.

Carriage House Stage, Felt Estate, 6597 138th St., Holland. feltmansion.org.

June 21-Aug. 3 - Music at the Point: Spring Lake Heritage Festival hosts free concerts every Thu. 7-8:30 p.m. Mill Point Park, 612 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake. slheritagefestival. com/front-page/events/community-events/ slhf-music-at-the-point.

June 22 - Beers at the Bridge: Fourth annual free summer concert series with MidLife Crisis. 6-9 p.m. Ada Covered Bridge/ Leonard Field, 7490 Thornapple River Drive SE. adamichigan.org/events/beers-at-thebridge.

June 22 - Third Day: Rock band performs Farewell Tour. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $20-$175. devos performancehall.com.

June 22-Aug. 31 - Holland Summer Concerts: Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Fri.

June 29-30 - JuneGrass: West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association presents 23rd annual event with local and regional bluegrass groups, workshops, band scramble, open mic. 6-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat. Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. $35 both days, $15 Fri., $20 Sat. wmbma.org.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS June - Ada Township Parks Programs: June 19, Jump, Frog, Jump! June 20, Bonkers for Bikes; also Bike-a-thon. June 21, Adventure Challenge. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive. June 26-28, Arts in the Park. Ada Park, 1180 Buttrick Ave. SE. adatownshipmi.com.

June - Downtown Market Cooking Classes: June 7, Asian-inspired Apps. June 16, Cooking with Beer. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. downtownmar ketgr.com.

June - FLPC Art Workshops: June 7-9, “Light and Its Relationship in the Landscape” by Jon Redmond and “Figure in Oil or GouacheAcrylic and Watercolor Welcome” by Peggi Kroll Roberts. June 21-23 “Creating Colorful Plein Air Paintings” by Jim McVicker and “Watercolors A to Z” by Sterling Edwards.”

June 28-30, “Probing Pleinair” by Stephen Duren. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifeprocesscenter.org.

June - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: Gone Before Spring: A Retro Look at Alger Heights, Finding Non-Traditional Records, Whence and Whither: The Literary and Mortuary Arts, An Evening with Stephen Mack Jones, book clubs, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Rhythm and Books: A Library Music Festival for Kids, Bug’s Eye View, Animal Magic, Kevin Kammeraad & Friends, Summer Reading Challenge. grpl. org.

June - Kent District Libraries: Adults: Adult Super Smash Bros. Tournament, book sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Summer Fun Kick-Off Carnivals, Bubble Wonders, KDLville Play Outdoors, Ruff Readers, Rockin’ with Pete the Cat, The Village Puppeteers, Touch a Truck, story times. kdl.org.

every Tue. in downtown Grand Rapids. First half-hour is instruction. June 5 and 19, Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. June 12 and 26, Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grandrapidsoriginalswingsociety.com.

June 9 - Alla Prima Painting: Kendall College of Art and Design painting workshop.

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 17 Fountain St. NW. $99, includes supplies. kcad.edu/cs.

June 9 - Italian Cooking Class: Chef Jenna hosts monthly class. 2-3 p.m. Amore Trattoria Italiana, 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park. Free. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com.

June 11-25 - LowellArts! Workshop: “Color and Light: Application to Landscape” by Larry Blovits. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. $240. lowellartsmi.org.

June 12 - FLPC Cooking Class: “Gluten Free Pizza Dough.” 6:30-8:30 p.m. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $25. lifeprocesscenter.org.

June 16 - Eastern Floral Design Class: “Succulent Spotlight.” 10 a.m. 2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE. $40. easternfloral.com/designclass/ 2018.

June 20 - The Art of Tibetan Hand-Knotted Rug Making: Jennifer Kirchgessner, creative director for Scott Group Studio, shares details about her journey through Nepal and explores hand-knotted rug making. 5:30-6:30 p.m. UICA, 2 W. Fulton St. $5, members free. uica.org.

June 20 - Balletmore “Nutcracker” Auditions: Auditions for annual Christmas ballet performed in December; ages 5 and up.

Registration required. 5-7 p.m. 2335 Burton St. SE. balletmore.com.

June 20 - Local First Workshop: “Putting the ‘Eco’ in Economy.” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Catalyst Partners, 502 Second St. NW. $25, $20 members. localfirst.com.

June 23 - GRAM Workshop: Hexagon Mobiles. 10 a.m.-noon. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW. $25. artmus eumgr.org.

June 25-29 - Balletmore Summer Intensive: Includes strength/stretch, ballet technique, pre-pointe/pointe technique and contemporary ballet; with Connie Flachs of Grand Rapids Ballet. For ages 10 and up. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 2335 Burton St. SE. balletmore. com.

June - Summer Swing Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m.

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Museums & attractions COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

are on display at Meijer Gardens.

2/ DEER TRACKS JUNCTION: One-hundred-acre farm with elk, whitetail deer, Tibetan yaks and reindeer; evening wildlife safari tours; hands-on farm with goats, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, yaks, parakeets; bottle-feeding stations; play area; and ice-cream shop.

Open daily. General admission: $7 adults, kids 2 and under free. Safari tours: $11 adults, kids 2 and under free. Bottle feeding: $4.50 per bottle plus admission. Many combo packages are available. 7850 14 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, 863-3337, deertracksjunction. com.

3/ GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM: Special exhibitions: A new exhibit, “Zoo in You: Microbes” explores the human microbiome with interactive displays that highlight the trillions of microbes that exist in human bodies. The exhibit, which is free with admission, will be open thru Sept. 2. Also, June 16-Sept. 16, “Be the Astronaut.” Special events: June 18-Aug. 17, Camp Curious. June 21, Beer Explorers: The Science of Fermentation.

Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 kids 3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.

Blandford Nature Center: Special events: June 1, Free First Friday. June 9, Farm Open House.

June 26, Nature Play. Permanent attractions: 143 acres of trails, heritage buildings, farm. Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center open Mon.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 7356240, blandfordnaturecenter.org.

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park: Eighty-acre park with reptile house, primate facility, bird aviary, prairie dog exhibit, kangaroos, giraffes, zebras, antelope, wildebeest, bison, cattle, ostrich and emus.

Plus, safari rides and opportunities to feed giraffes, deer, rabbits and budgies. Special events: June 3, Reptile Day. Open daily. $14 ages 12 and up, $12 seniors, $10 kids 3-11, kids under 2 free. 8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto, 868-6711, boulderridgewap. com.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920s-era railway with EnterTRAINment Excursions at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wed. and Sat. $13.75 adults, $12.75 seniors, $11.75 kids 2-12. 311 Danforth St., Coopersville, 997-7000, coopersville andmarne.org.

Coopersville Farm Museum: Special events: June 5 and 19, Acoustic Jam Night. June 16, Craft & Vendor Show. June 30, Kids, Crafts & Critters.

June 30, Happy Goat Watermelon Soap Making for Kids. Permanent attractions: Tractors and other farming equipment; also Eclipse windmill. Open Tue., Thu., Sat. $4 adults, $2 kids 4-12, kids 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarmmuseum.org.

DeGraaf Nature Center: Special events: See Summertime Jamboree in Special Events. Eighteenacre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. Knee-High Naturalist classes for kids 3-5. Center open Tue.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. Free. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, 355-1057, cityofholland.com/degraaf naturecenter.

Downtown Market: Market hall, open daily year-round, features culinary-related products at more than 20 local businesses, plus several restaurants, cooking classes (see Lectures & Workshops) and private rentals. Special events: June 6, Food Trucks with a Twist. See Vintage Street Market and Made in MI Pop-Up Marketplace in Special Events.

435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr. com.

Felt Mansion & Gardens: Summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt features 1920s architecture. Self-guided tours 1-5 p.m. Sun.-Wed. $15 adults, $12 seniors (free on Mon.) and students, kids 12 and under free. Special events: See Thursdays at the Felt in Special Events. 6597 138th St., Holland, 335-3050, feltmansion.org.

3/ The human

microbiome is the focus of “Zoo in You” at the Public Museum.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Jan. 6, “In Step with Betty Ford: A Celebration of Her Centennial.”

Permanent exhibitions: Highlights from Mr. and Mrs. Ford’s lives, plus featured online exhibits. Also, DeVos Learning Center. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 college students, $4 ages 6-18, kids 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlib rarymuseum.gov.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MASAYUKI KOORIDA (TOP); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (BOTTOM)

1/ FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK: Special exhibitions: “Masayuki Koorida: Beyond Existence” showcases contemporary sculpture by the artist known for geometric pieces in a variety of materials. The exhibit is open thru Aug. 19. Special events: June 16-17, Rose Show. June 16, Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Teahouse. See Meijer Gardens Summer Concerts in Music. Permanent attractions: Modern and contemporary sculpture collection, Japanese garden, tropical conservatory, children’s garden, nature trails and boardwalk, café, gift shop. Open daily. $14.50 adults, $11 seniors and students, $7 kids 5-13, $4 kids 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org.

1/ Sculptures by Masayuki Koorida

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the KIA Collection.” Thru Aug. 12, “Vibrant Bounty: Chinese Folk Art from the Shaanxi Region.” Thru Sept. 2, West Michigan Area Show. June 23-Oct. 14, “Global Glass: A Survey of Form and Function.”

Special events: See KIA Art Fair in Special Events.

Closed Mon. $5 adults, $2 students with ID; members and kids 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org.

Meyer May House: Restored Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house includes original furnishings. Open for guided tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour before close).

Free. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermay house.steelcase.com.

2/ Hands-on fun at Deer Tracks Junction in Cedar Springs.

Grand Rapids Art Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru June 10, “Tony Mendoza: Cats and Dogs.”

Thru Aug. 26, “Anila Quayyum Agha: Intersections,” “Mirror Variations: The Art of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian” and “Show and Tell: GRAM Staff Selections from the Permanent Collection.” Thru Sept. 2, “Oswaldo Vigas: Transformations.” June 8-Aug. 5, “American Spectacle: Paintings from the Manoogian Collection.” Special events: See GRAM Movie in Stage & Film; Creativity Uncorked and GRAM Workshop in Lectures & Workshops. Dropin Family Saturdays: Art activities, kid-friendly tours, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $8 adults, $7 seniors/ students, $5 kids 6-17, kids 5 and under free; free admission Tue. and 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center NW, 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DEER TRACKS JUNCTION/DAWN RASOR

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MASAYUKI KOORIDA (TOP); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (BOTTOM)

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Permanent activities: Diagnosis: FUN!, Little GR, Bubbles!, Wee Discover, musical instruments and more. Toddler Time 10 a.m.-noon Tues. Family Night 5-8 p.m. Thu. ($1.75). Closed Mon. $8.50, $7.50 seniors, kids under 1 free. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org.

Holland Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 1, “Atmosphere of Distinction.” Special events: June 5, Museum on the Move: Local Ladies.

Permanent exhibitions: Local history and Dutch galleries, featuring artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s-1900s. Open Wed.-Sun. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. 31 W. 10th St., 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org. Also, Cappon House: 228 W. Ninth St. Settlers House: 190 W. Ninth St. John Ball Zoo: More than 2,000 animals, including tigers, grizzly bears, chimps and monkeys, antelope, warthogs and otters. Other features include an aquarium, petting zoo and gift shop. Summer activities include camel rides, ropes course and zipline. Special events: June 9, Kids Night Out: Night Hikers. See Rendezoo in Special Events. Open daily. $12.50 adults, $10 seniors and kids 2-12. 1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Thru June 10, High School Area Show. Thru July 15, “Passion on Paper: Masterly Prints from

Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru June 10, “The Poetry of Metal: David Barnhill and David Huang.” Thru Aug. 12, “Up Close and Personal: The Ultra-Realistic Sculpture of Marc Sijan,” “American Icon: The Art of the Motorcycle” and “Whiskey Ridge: The Summer of ’51.” Thru Aug. 31, “Pictures of the Best Kind: Treasures from the Permanent Collection.” Thru Sept. 9, “Picasso in Print: 20th Century European Masters” and “The 150th Anniversary of Edward Curtis: 150 Masterpieces from ‘The North American Indian.’” June 21-Sept. 23, “Perchance to Dream: The Sculpture of Michael Peoples.” Special events: See MMA 106th Anniversary Gala in Special Events. Thru July 6, 90th Michigan Regional Exhibition Call for Entries (exhibit dates: Aug. 30-Nov. 7). Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 college students, kids 16 and under free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmuseum.org.

Nelis’ Dutch Village: Dutch theme park with rides, petting zoo, wooden shoe carving, Delftware-making demonstrations, costumed employees, shops and restaurants. Special events: June 23, 20th annual kids day. Open daily. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 kids 3-15. 12350 James St., Holland, 396-1475, dutchvillage.com.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Shows, which use Digistar production and surround sound, include “SpacePark 360,” “Space School,” “Subatomic,” “Under Scorching Skies,” “Violent Universe” and “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.” $5/ show, $4 with admission to the museum. Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/planetarium.

TreeRunner Adventure Park: Self-guided highwire forest adventure with ziplines, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and swinging logs; training included with admission. Special events: June 17, Father’s Day BOGO. Thru June 10, open Fri.-Sun; June 11Sept. 3, open daily. $39 adults, $35 kids 13 and under. 2121 Celebration Drive NE, 226-3993, tree runnergrandrapids.com.

Veen Observatory: Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association hosts public viewing nights 9:30 p.m.-midnight June 2 and 23 (weather permitting). Call 897-7065 for updates. $3 adults, $2 kids 6-17, under 5 free. Special events: June 16, Summer Solstice Star-B-Que. June 23, Telescope Clinic.

3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell. graaa.org.

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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES

Ant Riskey and Carley Fouch

Christian and Heather Huttema, Jon Riley and Lisa Verhil

Sandy Segard and Lea and Tom Picardy

Amy Carlson and Naomi Wolfe

Sydney Spellis and Tuan Tran Scott Miedema and Tammy SquireHagedorn

snap shots

CAPTURING THE ACTION

AROUND TOWN:

THE HUMANE SOCIETY of West Michigan hosted its sixth annual Paws, Claws & Corks fundraiser at DeVos Place on March 12, featuring food, beer and wine samples, and a silent auction.

Guests gathered to sample small plates from a variety of West Side restaurants at Steepletown Neighborhood Services’ annual Taste the West Side event, held March 21 at the Goei Center.

WMCAT’s annual iBall gala, held March 22 at New Vintage Place, allowed guests to experience various WMCAT programs, including screen printing, original music, illustration and fashion design.

Jamon Alexander and Pete and Tonia Richardson PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (TOP); JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM)

Punky Edison, Anthony Chang, Daniel Williams and Lisa Gustafson

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Ariel Christy and Helen and James Williams

Anna Anderson and David Hood

Carol and Roger VanderLaan

Annabel and Elizabeth Espino

People at Taste the West Side event

Khambo and Joe Croft Haley and Bryce Gore

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

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

Jamie Darrah and Chanae Gilbert

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after thoughts

Q:a

David Abbott steps into the spotlight as Festival of the Arts’ first interim executive director.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

F

or the first time since its inception nearly 50 years ago, Festival of the Arts made a pivotal leap this year in hiring its first interim executive director, David Abbott.

Abbott, who holds a BFA from Central Michigan University, began his new role just two months prior to the 2018 Festival of the Arts and will continue to lead the event into its 50th anniversary in 2019.

The Grand Rapids native previously served as development director with ArtPrize, LaughFest and Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, as well as the owner of A.K. Rikk’s.

Abbott currently is an adjunct professor of collaborative studies at the Kendall College of Art and Design and works with numerous organizations throughout Grand Rapids.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT? Everyone getting the chance to sit at the same table!

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY? Taking a photography class with Dianne Carroll Burdick.

LAST BOOK YOU READ? “Braving the Wilderness” by Brené Brown.

FIRST JOB? Mary Ann’s Chocolates in Breton Village.

WHAT DO YOU (LIKE TO) DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Cook dinner with the best of friends.

BEST WAY TO SPEND A RAINY DAY? Listening to music while working in my favorite coffee spots — Rowster on Wealthy Street, Lyon Street Café and Madcap on Fulton.

YOUR MOST-TREASURED POSSESSION? The art I’ve purchased at any Live Coverage auction at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.

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