Grand Rapids Magazine - September 2018

SPECIAL INSIDE: 495GR – IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS | DINING COUPON: CHARLEY’S CRAB CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

www.grmag.com

INSIDE: 2018-19 ARTS PREVIEW

Margaritas!

OUR TOP 5:

GR’s millennial homebuyers

What really matters to them when choosing a house

*

LOCAL ARTISANS FOLLOWING THEIR DREAMS

MUSE GALLERY AIMS TO SPARK CREATIVITY

DINING REVIEW: DONKEY TAQUERIA THE EVOLUTION OF ARTPRIZE SPECIAL INSIDE: GRAND RAPIDS HOME

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Best of 2017-18 Readers Poll

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Contents SEPTEMBER 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 09

FEATURES 28 / Getting crafty From woodworkers to fiber artists, local artisans of all kinds encourage others to follow their creative dreams.

BY JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS

32 / Showtime!

Grand Rapids’ finest dancers, actors and musicians are preparing to take center stage with an entirely new collection of must-see performances as the 2018-19 season begins.

BY ANNE MARIE SMIT

37 / Bucking the trend Millennials are often pegged as followers, but GR’s millennials are forging their own paths when it comes to choosing a place to live.

BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON

28

app im tra

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contents SEPTEMBER 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 09

departments BACK & FORTH 10 / From the Editor, contributors and letters

FOOD & DRINK 58 / Dining review: Donkey Taqueria

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

60 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan 66 / Chef profile: Chef Ryan Martin at Zoko 822 74 / Cocktail hour: Purposeful garnishes 78 / Pints of interest: Standing out with special series CAUSE & EFFECT 80 / Room to Renew

80

26 LIFE & STYLE 14 / Noteworthy items include ArtPrize 10 tours, Downtown Market’s 5th Birthday Party & Boutiques of GR Fashion Show.

“As a caregiver, you don’t think about that for yourself, but to have 10 minutes of putting clothes away in the new closet become so peaceful and so effortless is wonderful.”

— Liz Collar-Baar

OUT & ABOUT 94 / September highlights 95 / Calendar 96 / Comedy & nightclub venue listings and highlights 100 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights

14

102 / Snap shots

24

104 / After thoughts: Julie Lankes of BOXBOOM.creative

58

16 / Health & wellness: Opening the mind with psychedelics 18 / GR’s Top 5 margaritas 20 / Reading room: “A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L’Engle”

by Sarah Arthur ART & DESIGN 22 / Art gallery profile: Muse Gallery

ON THE COVER: Many people think of Beer City, USA, when they think about Grand Rapids, but don’t overlook the classic margarita’s place in GR’s drinking culture. We’ve selected five of our favorites for you to try. See page 18 and enjoy!

24 / Art gallery listings and highlights 26 / Art talk: GR’s largerthan-life tribute to Robert B. Chaffee

100

Photography by Johnny Quirin

8 GRMAG.COM \ SEPTEMBER 2018

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BRING HOME A

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back & forth CONNECT WITH US

Broadway Grand Rapids performs “On Your Feet” Feb. 19-24

Fall arts and festivals: what’s not to like?

T

THERE CAN BE LITTLE DOUBT this designcentric community enthusiastically embraces art. The number of public art displays continued to grow this year through the beneficence of Grand Rapids foundations that separately sited sculptures near the children’s museum and at Louis Campau Promenade downtown. The September start of ArtPrize gives some measure of that enthusiasm as crowds turn local streets into

pedestrian walkways to view the installations scattered among 200 venues. A personal preference is to watch artists hanging, installing or practicing tunes as the month opens, providing unique insights into individual choices and the thrill of staging.

GRM this month offers more than 100 reasons to sustain that appreciation in the annual Arts Preview. GRM intern Anne Marie Smit put a lot of effort into the list of upcoming stage productions, including opera, ballet, symphony, musicals and theater acts, planned from September to close of season next August. Support and patronage of these organizations offer the best measure of the community’s embrace of the arts.

This is in addition to the fun of September before the fall season officially arrives. GRM’s calendar is a celebration of area attributes, from Native American powwows, kite surfing or county fairs, to the African American Art and Music Festival downtown.

Certainly, some of those supporters are the millennials living in the metro area. GRM contributing writer Terri Finch Hamilton set out to determine where this population, which this year becomes larger than the boomer generation, wants to live. (See page 37.)

Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

This month we asked some of our contributors, “What’s your favorite way to spend a fall day in GR?”

Ann Byle,

Kara De Boer,

Anne Marie Smit,

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

“CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER,” PAGE 80

“MAKING THE MOST OF ARTPRIZE,” PAGE 14

“SHOWTIME!,” PAGE 32

“Heading over to Robinette’s for fresh cider and a cinnamon donut, then buying Paula Red apples to bring home.”

“Going to Robinette’s to enjoy the weather, pick apples and enjoy fresh cider.”

“I really love taking fall walks in the woods and visiting a local orchard for cider and donuts.”

Correction: The July issue dining review incorrectly identified Jeff Lobdell, owner of Restaurant Partners Inc., as the owner of Noco Provisions, formerly Forest Hills Inn. Lobdell sold the restaurant to Steve Millman prior to the restaurant opening. The restaurant sells its walleye entrée for $24, its beet burger sells for $13 and the thickly frosted carrot cake is $5. Noco’s executive chef is Adam Watts, not Watt.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS

Q&A:

10 GRAND RAPIDS \ SEPTEMBER 2018

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Imagine yourself with a new smile..

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS

Call us today to learn how you can have the Healthiest and Most Beautiful Smile in All of West Michigan!

Thank you FOR VOTING

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US GRAND RAPID’S “BEST DENTIST” FOR 6 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!

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

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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 …

Fall in Grand Rapids Get in the spirit of fall in West Michigan with some apple cider, cinnamonsugar doughnuts and pumpkin picking.

GRAND RAPIDS IS KNOWN AS Beer City, USA, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it doesn’t offer tasty margaritas, too! Find our five favorite places to grab a margarita on page 18 and at grmag.com.

Learn all about MoKAYA’s expansion, including its new plated dessert menu and seating area. Visit grmag.com.

On the radio

How do you feel about ArtPrize becoming a biennial event?

Our social media followers respond: 1% Other

At grmag.com OddBall: Masked at the UICA puts a contemporary twist on the masquerade ball this month.

ArtPrize kicks off Sept.

19. Read about this year’s hottest spots to enjoy the spectacle.

46% LOVE it!

46% WHY WHY WHY?!

NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION:

What’s your favorite part about Halloween?

7% I’m indifferent

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

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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP LEFT); MICHAEL BUCK (FAR & BOTTOM RIGHT); COURTESY MOKAYA (TOP CENTER); EPILOGUE BOOKS (LOWER CENTER)

Have you stocked up on fall reading material from Epilogue Books in Rockford yet? Visit grmag.com.

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.

12 GRMAG.COM \ SEPTEMBER 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, Terri Finch Hamilton, Elissa Hillary, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Tylee Shay, Julie Bonner Williams, Tricia van Zelst

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

Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 2018

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

Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.

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Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow www.appletreekids.cc SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 13

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

noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Making the most of ArtPrize

GR BOUTIQUES TAKE ON THE RUNWAY

T

his month, the Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW, will host the first Boutiques of Grand Rapids Fashion Show, featuring about a dozen local boutiques throughout the night, such as Marie La Mode, Adored Boutique, Feather and Birch, Pink Lemonade, LA Miller and more. In addition to the show, there also will be VIP seating, a cash bar and open shopping, so attendees can buy the hottest pieces straight off the runway.

The Boutiques of GR Fashion Show is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Sept. 13.

For more details about the event, find the Boutiques of Grand Rapids Fashion Show on Facebook. — KARA DE BOER

Don’t miss out on all the great sights ArtPrize 10 has to offer! Instead, join one of GR’s many tour groups for a guided tour of this enormous event.

Art Dart – Meet at Rosa Parks Circle for a guided tour through central GR for a glimpse of the many ArtPrize entries! The Art Dart Walking Tour: ArtPrize 10 Edition will be held Sept. 20-Oct. 7 at various times and costs $20 per person. Registration required. grandrapidsrunningtours.com Art Adventure Day – Tiny World Tours and the GR Art Museum will host an intensive, carefully curated tour of ArtPrize 10, led by GRAM Director Dana Friis-Hansen, on Sept.

21. The daylong tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and includes tours of several ArtPrize venues, a trolley tour, a visit to the ArtPrize Clubhouse and more. Tickets are $175; registration required. tinyworldtours.com Beer Trolley – Grab your favorite brew and hop on the Beer Trolley for a two-hour tour through ArtPrize. The Beer Trolley ArtPrize Tour will run from Sept. 19-Oct. 6 and costs $40 per person. Registration required. grbeertrolley.com — KARA DE BOER

Party time!

Starting Sept. 3 and leading up to the birthday party on Sept. 8, the market will host daily specials, such as $5 menu items, a $5 happy hour and $5 gift card giveaways, to celebrate the occasion. The Saturday birthday celebration will include activities for people of all ages — crafts and inflatables for kids, adult yard games, an outdoor bar, a cake-eating contest and more.

For more details about the event, visit downtownmarketgr.com.

— KARA DE BOER

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

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is celebrating its fifth birthday this month with a weeklong celebration!

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

PRESENTS

CHAMBERJAZZFOLK

CHAMBER

JAZZ

FOLK

Extraordinary one-of-a-kind performances from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Experience some of the world’s most incredible musicians in this year’s Spectacular Jazz Series

The Acoustic Cafe series delivers a diverse mix of outstanding folk artists— stay tuned, more shows to be announced.

THE TROUT QUINTET

ARTURO SANDOVAL

POKEY LAFARGE SPECIAL SOLO APPEARANCE

RUSSIAN MASTERY

KENNY BARRON QUINTET

FROM MENDELSSOHN

JOEY DEFRANCESCO

NOVEMBER 15, 2018 MARCH 14, 2019 APRIL 25, 2019

OCTOBER 11, 2018 NOVEMBER 1, 2018 FEBRUARY 7, 2019

BENNY GREEN TRIO + VERONICA SWIFT MARCH 7, 2019

OCTOBER 4, 2018

THE LONE BELLOW ACOUSTIC TRIIIO TOUR NOVEMBER 29, 2018

BELA FLECK + ABIGAIL WASHBURN FEBRUARY 7, 2019

SCMC-ONLINE.ORG 616.459.2224

St.Cecilia Music Center

SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 15

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health & wellness

BY KARA MCNABB

“Psychedelics help to open you up to the fact you’re not alone in this world.”

— Paul Austin

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES WITH unconventional medicine led Paul Austin, a Grandville native and Hope College graduate, on an unconventional career path.

The medicine? Psychedelic plants, like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. The career?

World’s first online psychedelic microdosing coach.

Shown to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, post-traumatic stress and more, clinical trials using psychedelic-assisted therapy instead of pharmaceutical treatment by Johns Hopkins and New York University show incredible results. In some cases of depression, for example, patients no longer consider themselves depressed or are significantly less so after two sessions with psilocybin. Published research spans decades and many organizations continue studies.

From a neuroscience perspective, Austin noted the brain’s default mode network, which refers to levels of activity in the brain at rest. Higher levels of activity are linked to depression and anxiety; the network is essentially stuck in rumination and fixation.

Conventional medical treatment for depression acts as a BandAid, blocking emotional responses to this pain experience when the brain network is stuck in fixation. Research shows that antidepressant medication may be only slightly more effective than placebo. What’s more, they are highly addictive and carry side effects.

Psychedelics, however, are nonaddictive, and when used responsibly, nontoxic. They

activate the receptors in the brain network, forcing you to deal with the root cause of pain rather than block it, ultimately enabling integration and cure of depression. A core tenet in psychotherapy affirms that to come to terms with negative emotions, we must face them head-on, not turn away.

From a psychospiritual perspective, an existential crisis is at the root of depression — disconnection, isolation; feeling unloved, unsafe or unaccepted. “Psychedelics help to open you up to the fact you’re not alone in this world,” Austin said.

In an assisted psilocybin experience, a client of mine calls it the most profound experience of her life. Not only has it shifted mental, emotional and spiritual states, pain lingering from chronic irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis finally have disappeared.

Psychedelics can be consumed in amounts that create a mind-altering state or as a microdose, a tiny amount that doesn’t induce mindaltering effects.

Austin compares microdosing to a whisper. “A microdose is quieter and can have the same effects of a higher dose but over a long term,” he said.

While the use of psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD is rarely linked to human fatalities, it’s important to use these responsibly, whether it’s for health reasons, creativity, productivity or spiritual work.

Austin launched Third Wave, a media source committed to the advocacy of psychedelics through accurate and safe information, and hosts international retreats. For more information about working with these plant medicines, visit thethirdwave.co or connect with the Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society.

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

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

Opening the mind with psychedelics

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Margaritas GRAND RAPIDS’ TOP 5

Beltline Bar This classic Tex-Mex stop features tequila flights, a great variety of margarita choices and a selection of $5 margaritas during happy hour (3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.close on weekdays). This lively location will not disappoint. (16 28th St. SE)

ALTHOUGH GRAND RAPIDS IS known as Beer City, USA, don’t let that fool you into thinking it doesn’t offer tasty margaritas, too!

These five restaurants will not disappoint.

Cantina Mexican Grill Whether you’re looking for a margarita for one or a super margarita for two, Cantina has got you covered. There’s even a skinny option for those who are looking for something on the lighter side.

(2770 East Paris Ave. SE)

Lindo Mexico Classic or frozen, sweet or savory, this family-owned restaurant is known for its unique margarita flavors, such as the margarita de mango con chile.

(1742 28th St., Wyoming) Luna With nearly a dozen options to choose from, you should have no trouble finding one that suits your taste. Stop by from 5-7 p.m. on weekdays for happy hour specials!

(64 Ionia Ave. SW)

Donkey Taqueria’s prickly pear margarita

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Donkey Taqueria This trendy spot makes a mean margarita, from their house prickly pear margarita to their spicy marg, made with houseinfused jalapeño tequila.

Each cocktail is available in a single serving or in a pitcher for the entire table.

(665 Wealthy St. SE)

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

S PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHEAL BUCK

DEVRIES JEWELERS

DEVRIES JEWELERS: A LEONARD STREET LEGACY

I

mother’s ring here, and their family before that,’” Paul added. “How cool is that!”

Customer loyalty built on a relationship of trust and quality products makes for a sustainable business. That’s not to suggest DeVries doesn’t have competitors. “It’s never been more so,” said Dave, i.e., the Internet and Amazon. “There are plenty of options, but our customers chose to come here. Couples like to try things on. They want to hold the product and you can’t do that online.” Add to that, anyone who has purchased from DeVries Jewelry the past 100-plus years has done so with the confidence that a DeVries family member would look after their needs.

DeVries Jewelry has two goldsmiths with more custom work and repairs than they can seemingly keep up with.

“They’ll be pleased when we get a bigger place,” Paul said with a smile.

DeVries is a jewelry store not unlike any other, where you’ll find rings and watches and necklaces and earrings and custom pieces, but the essence of DeVries is that it’s a family business that has never deterred from what it does and where it does it. As with everything, people who care make all the difference.

It’s too early to tell whether a sixth generation of DeVries will continue this family jeweler legacy on Leonard Street, but the past 11 decades don’t suggest otherwise.

DEVRIES JEWELERS 411 Leonard St. NW devriesjewelers.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

IT’S HARD TELLING how many “I do’s” had their beginnings with an engagement ring from DeVries Jewelry. Surely the number is in the thousands, perhaps many times that. DeVries has been on Leonard Street since 1901, the year Siebern DeVries opened the west side landmark. There’s no reason to think Devries won’t be in the neighborhood for another century. But plans to build a new store where the old Lanning’s Restaurant stands, just up the street from their 411 address, are in the works.

“Neither my brother and I, nor our father, nor our grandfather, nor our great-grandfather ever had a desire to locate elsewhere,” shared co-owner Dave DeVries. He, his brother Dan and nephew Paul operate the business today.

“We have customers who come in and say, ‘My fiancé’s father bought her

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

From left, Kyle Vandepol, Dave DeVries, Peggy Ary, Steve Andree, Hope Scholten, Dan DeVries, Paul DeVries.

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

READING ROOM

Madeleine L’Engle: lighting the way

“The relentless compassion and truth-telling in a loving way were two gifts of Madeleine that I fear we might lose if we don’t remind each other how to do that.”

— Sarah Arthur

conservative evangelicals lambasted her more elastic theology (according to them) that moved outside the bounds of what was proper.

She bowed to neither, instead living what her spiritual biographer Sarah Arthur calls “inside paradox.”

“Madeleine could speak prophetically to her New York publishing world, her mainline peers and the more conservative folks by asking, ‘Why can’t God do that?’

Her bridge-building in all different communities helped those who were wandering a bit,” said Arthur, author of the new book “A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L’Engle,” released by Zondervan in August.

“A Light So Lovely” started more than a decade ago when Arthur proposed a book of essays in L’Engle’s honor written by friends and colleagues. That book didn’t happen; so, when Zondervan approached Arthur about a spiritual biography, she jumped.

It was a fortuitous time to release a book on this author who impacted millions of all ages: L’Engle’s granddaughters, Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Léna Roy, recently had come out with a middle-grade biography, “Becoming Madeleine: A Biography of the Author of A Wrinkle in Time by Her Granddaughters”; the movie had made a huge

splash with the DVD becoming available; and L’Engle’s 100th birthday is coming up Nov. 29.

“This is a time culturally with lots of polarizing forces amplified on social media,” Arthur said. “We need to learn how to react to people we disagree with in a way that honors their dignity as human beings.

That’s what Madeleine did. The relentless compassion and truth-telling in a loving way were two gifts of Madeleine that I fear we might lose if we don’t remind each other how to do that.”

Arthur said she was deeply impacted by the writings and person of L’Engle, whom she first encountered when L’Engle spoke at Wheaton College in the 1990s. Like L’Engle, Arthur had come out of mainline Protestantism into the conservative evangelical world.

“I started to learn how to code switch depending on the community I was in. Into all this came Madeleine, who didn’t grow up in evangelical circles but found herself with people who didn’t talk like she did,” Arthur said. “She gave me the grammar to say that being a writer isn’t secondary to, say, running a health clinic in Africa. She said that the reason I wanted to write is that God called me to write.”

— ANN BYLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Madeleine L’Engle inhabited two worlds in her writing career: the New York publishing houses and huge audiences she attracted with the Newbery Medal-winning book “A Wrinkle in Time,” and the Christian world — mainline Protestants and conservative evangelicals — in which she practiced her faith.

Both sides of that divide found flaws with the popular author whose readers adored her many novels and nonfiction works. The nonreligious types wanted her to tone down the Christ references, and

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

S WEST MICHIGAN’S LOCAL PREFERRED FENCE CONTRACTOR SINCE 1988

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of fence being installed. In addition to residential services, Fence Consultants has taken on such unique projects as the Tiger exhibit at the John Ball Zoo, the Japanese Gardens at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the New Holland Brewery Knickerbocker restaurant.

“A lot of people want the customdesign look of a wood fence, but we also have a wide selection of maintenancefree products that are popular,” noted owner and company founder Dan Hickey, CFP. “If you have a beautiful view, you might want to consider installing a glass railing to keep that view unobstructed,” Hickey suggested. Remote gate access is another consideration. “If you have a gate across your property, it can be motorized with various access options that

FENCE CONSULTANTS range from radio-controlled devices to more sophisticated systems that provide a view of visitors or lets you buzz someone through from your phone.”

Fence Consultants has developed solid relationships with area builders, contractors and landscapers. They’re members of the Home Builders Association, Better Business Bureau, and American Fence Association among others.

Hickey is also a staunch supporter of local communities in which they serve.

They sponsor a wide range of community events like the LPGA Meijer Classic, The Fifth Third Riverbank Run and the Coast Guard Festival. To see their extensive photo gallery or request a free consultation visit fenceconsultants.com.

FENCE CONSULTANTS Grand Rapids and Holland fenceconsultants.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

THERE’S A REASON FOR that old adage: “good fences make great neighbors.”

Fence Consultants of West Michigan has been proving this wisdom since 1988.

A distinctive fence not only frames a home beautifully, it adds character and enhances its value. A properly selected fence defines your property in a way that keeps your children and pets safe while keeping unwanted elements out. With locations in Grand Rapids and Holland, Fence Consultants is an award-winning business serving the entire metro area and lakeshore. They’re Michigan’s only Blue Ribbon Contractor as awarded by the American Fence Association.

Each of Fence Consultants various installation crews are dedicated to a specific area of expertise, from residential to commercial, and specific types or styles

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

Muse: what inspires you

Top: Paintings by Israeli artist Amit Shimoni, which were among the first to be displayed in Muse Gallery. Center: Co-owners Stephen and Taylor Smith stand outside of their fully renovated gallery after opening in the spring.

Opposite page: Stephen Smith points to old photos of his gallery space when it housed an adult bookstore.

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here’s a new muse in town. Earlier this year, husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Taylor Smith cofounded Muse Gallery, an interactive art gallery where members of the community can teach, learn and display anything creative.

The all-white gallery is meant to resemble a blank canvas, Stephen explained. It

will be constantly changing with interactive exhibits in the hopes that, like a muse, it will inspire visitors to explore their own creative side. “It’s called Muse because we want people to be inspired to create, experiment and learn,” Stephen said.

This continually evolving canvas, Taylor noted, resembles their personal muse.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of change and transitions, so we made that the overarching theme of this space,” she said. “We want people to feel inspired by the changing displays and learn not to be afraid of change.”

“That’s our muse,” Stephen added.

“A muse is something that inspires you.

We are inspired by change, transition and growth.”

Together, they’ve long had a vision for creating a space for artists and dreamers to collaborate. But to make this dream a reality, they overcame numerous obstacles along the way.

Muse Gallery’s storefront property at 727 Leonard St. NW was formerly an adult bookstore. The dark, dingy space had

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLEE SHAY

Muse Gallery founders hope to spark creativity throughout the community.

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You’re invited to a

Gemstone Roundtable September 27 & 28

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLEE SHAY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLEE SHAY

“A muse is something that inspires you. We are inspired by change, transition and growth.”

— Stephen Smith

blacked out windows and minimal life, but the Smiths saw beauty in the ashes. They knew they were taking on a large feat by purchasing the property in 2016. In fact, the building sat untouched for a year because they struggled to find a construction company willing to tackle the intense project.

Beyond the gallery walls, the couple also faced unanticipated personal constraints along their journey to being gallery owners, including Taylor’s battle with lymphoma. Stephen said creating this space for the community gave them the accountability and motivation to keep moving forward even when things were tough.

“It’s been a rough journey,” he said, “but it’s almost like we’re getting stronger as time goes on. It’s not like we’re getting weaker; this place gives us strength.”

Stephen and Taylor have been slowly filling Muse with art since it opened in May. Stephen harnessed the power of social media to connect with Israeli artist Amit Shimoni via Instagram to bring in one of Muse’s first displays. Shimoni sent pieces of his painting collection, featuring celebrities and political figures like Barack Obama and Mahatma Gandhi, to be displayed at Muse.

In addition to attracting exotic artworks such as his to Grand Rapids, many local and national artists are learning about the

space and asking to be a part of it, leaving the Smiths with no shortage of artwork to display in their formerly blank canvas.

In addition to its gallery space, Muse also is available to rent for events. The gallery is equipped with TVs, a sound system and equipment for scheduled photo shoots, and it is open for any classes and workshops pertaining to creative expression. From African drumming and breakdancing to graffiti and yoga, Stephen said the possibilities are limitless; they are open to any and every creative endeavor for all ages.

Muse Gallery is a registered ArtPrize venue and official education partner of ArtPrize, and the Smiths are planning to host a children’s educational program in the gallery during the event. These classes will allow kids to merge writing and photography through self-portraits and handwritten stories that will be on display throughout the gallery, covering the walls and ceilings.

“We want kids to see themselves as a part of the community and embrace their uniqueness,” Taylor said.

“We want this space to go beyond people just coming in to look at the art,” Stephen added. “We hope people feel a community here, so not only are they interacting with the art but with each other.”

— TYLEE SHAY

Do not miss this rare buying opportunity! Enjoy an evening immersing yourself in color as exotic gemstones are passed from person to person around the table.

This is a chance to focus entirely on gems, before they become jewelry. Reserve a seat now, space is limited to 12 people per evening.

RSVP only: call or email now for details and to reserve your spot!

Tu-Fr 10-5 Sat 12-4 616-459-5075 978 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids MI metalartstudioinc.com SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 23

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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

Local art galleries Thru Sept. 30

1/ Flat River Gallery highlights Amy Carroll’s photographs of animals.

1/ FLAT RIVER GALLERY & FRAMING: Artist cooperative shows work in a variety of mediums; plus gifts, framing and workshops. Thru Sept. 30, visiting artist Amy Carroll displays her photographs of animals.

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

2/ FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER: Artist-in-residence program offers exhibits by local and regional artists as well as Forest Hills Public Schools students and staff. Still-life and landscape paintings by Barbara Schilling will be on exhibit Sept. 4-26. Reception 6-7 p.m. Sept 13. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com.

3/ GVSU ART GALLERIES: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists. Allendale campus: Thru Oct. 31, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” includes photographs, drawings, movie posters, book covers and video projections that spotlight the Red Planet. A reception is 5-7 p.m. Sept. 13. Performing Arts Center, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, 331-2563. Pew Grand Rapids campus: Thru Dec. 14, “Plastination: The Art of Preservation” at Blue Wall Gallery. Permanent exhibit: “Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy” at George and Barbara Gordon Gallery. DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., 331-6624, gvsu.edu/artgallery.

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

3/ Mars is the focus of an art exhibit at the GVSU Art Gallery.

The Artist’s Studio: Studio and gallery with work by Jim Starkey and Rose Ellis; also custom framing. Sept. 6-Dec. 22, “New Works for Fall”; reception 5-8 p.m. Sept. 6. 40 Monroe Center NW, 454-6650, face book.com/theartistsstudio1.

Aquinas College Gallery: Work by students, faculty and visiting artists. Sept. 4-28, Aquinas Ireland Alumni Artists’ Exhibition; reception 2-4 p.m. Sept. 22. Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 6328900, aquinas.edu/art/gallery.

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

Sept. 4-Oct. 20, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture.” Sept. 4-Jan. 23, “Prints from the Permanent Collection.” Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 5266271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery.

Fountain Street Church Keeler Gallery: Art exhibits in a variety of mediums by visiting artists. Sept. 19Oct. 7, ArtPrize. 24 Fountain St. NE, 459-8386, fountainstreet.org/art.

Franciscan Life Process Center: Changing exhibits by local artists. Downtown GR campus: Thru Oct. 31, “A Brush With Color” by Carole Nielsen. 654 Davis St. NW. Lowell campus: Thru Oct. 31, “Communicating Through Art” by Irene Bakhuyzen Wordhouse. 11650 Downes St. lifepro cesscenter.org.

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

Holland Area Arts Council: Changing exhibits of art. Thru Sept.

6, “Bestiary: Fables from the UP” by Michael Letts and “Layers” by Kristine Granger. 150 E. Eighth St., Holland, 396-3278, hollandarts.org.

Kruizenga Art Museum: Art from Hope College’s permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. Thru Sept.

8, “In Memory: The Art of Billy Mayer”; reception 5-7 p.m. Sept. 8. 271 Columbia Ave., Holland, 395-6400, hope.edu/kam.

LaFontsee Galleries: 2D and 3D 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: Sept.

2-30, “Toast.” Also, artist demos noon-4 p.m. Sept. 2. 410 W. Center St., 451-3850, lafontsee.us.

Leep Art Gallery: Work by a variety of visiting artists. Thru Oct. 2, “Perceptions of Landscape: Reality and Remembrance” by Richard Muller. Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org.

LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. Thru Sept. 1, “Captured: A Photography Exhibition at LowellArts.” Sept. 15Oct. 20, “Give & Let Go,” which includes “Ron and Mirian Pederson: New Collaborative Works” and “Legacy: Aquinas College Art Professors Pass It On.” Reception 2-4 p.m. Sept.

30. 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

2/ “Lemons and Irises” by Barbara Schilling is at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. glass design, custom framing and limited-edition prints by Armand Merizon. 9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstudio. com.

Terryberry Gallery: Local and international art. Thru Sept. 16, “Paintings from Orkney, Scotland”

by Kathleen Mooney. Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Sept. 18-Oct. 12, Lynn Anderson and Bonnie Osborne. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmconline.org/visit-terryberry-gallery.

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Innovative contemporary exhibits and installations. Thru Dec. 2, “Michigan Emerging Graduate Artists (MEGA) 2018.” Sept. 8-Oct. 7, “ArtPrize Ten: UICA Outside.” Sept.

8-Jan. 25, “Coming Home.” 2 W. Fulton St., 454-7000, uica.org.

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

8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com/progr amming/art-gallery.

Check websites for hours of operation.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AMY CARROLL (TOP LEFT); BARBARA SCHILLING (TOP RIGHT); GVSU ART GALLERY (CENTER LEFT)

Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. 17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries.

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Fall Arts

GR A ND VA LLEY STATE U NI V ERSIT Y PR ESENTS THE 16TH A N NU A L

Celebration Enriching the Arts and Humanities in West Michigan

Grand Valley’s Fall Arts Celebration features distinguished artists, writers, poets, musicians, and dancers of our time.

Please join us this fall for inspiring entertainment that is the hallmark of our signature events.

ART

POETRY

Mars: Astronomy and Culture

An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limón and Carl Phillips

EXHIBITION RECEPTION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 5–7 P.M. ART GALLERY THOMAS J. AND MARCIA J. HAAS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 7:30 P.M. L.V. EBERHARD CENTER, SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

DANCE

EXHIBITION DATES: AUGUST 24–OCTOBER 31 This exhibition was curated by Pasadena Arts Council for the Williamson Gallery, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. It is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

MUSIC

An Italian Journey: Tesla Quartet Performs Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AMY CARROLL (TOP LEFT); BARBARA SCHILLING (TOP RIGHT); GVSU ART GALLERY (CENTER LEFT)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 7:30 P.M. COOK-DEWITT CENTER ALLENDALE CAMPUS

Celebrating Holiday Splendor: Craig Jessop Conducts The Many Moods of Christmas

William Deresiewicz, Ph.D.: What is Art in the 21st Century?

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 7:30 P.M. L.V. EBERHARD CENTER, SECOND FLOOR ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 7:30 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE THOMAS J. AND MARCIA J. HAAS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS ALLENDALE CAMPUS

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

LECTURE

For event details and to view a complete list of sponsors, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts or call (616) 331-2185.

Kariamu and Company: Traditions – A Celebration of African Dance

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 7:30 P.M. FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH 24 FOUNTAIN STREET NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI

MEDIA SPONSOR:

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art talk

BY JOSEPH A. BECHERER

The figure is shown in an assured, measured motion, as he takes a step forward. Far from theatrical, the simple motion of the step suggests the movement of a larger, admired, active life.

THE DEPTH AND BREADTH of public statuary in Grand Rapids nobly increased with the recent installation and unveiling of a major bronze sculpture of Roger B. Chaffee (1935-67).

Located on Fulton Street between Veteran’s Memorial Park and the Kent County Civil War Monument, the Chaffee sculpture enlivens and engages an important and impactful area of the urban fabric of Grand Rapids. Even from a distance, the purposeful stride of the subject can be discerned. The focused gaze is a beacon that calls visitors to be reminded of one of the city’s most respected figures.

Born in Grand Rapids, Chaffee was an Eagle Scout and graduate of Central High School.

After completing his undergraduate degree at Purdue University, he began his stellar naval commitment, becoming a pilot and lieutenant commander for the U.S. Navy and, in 1962, an astronaut for NASA. He was selected for the landmark test flight of Apollo 1; however, he and crewmates, Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Edward White II, lost their lives during a prelaunch test Jan. 27, 1967. In tribute to Chaffee’s life, the Michigan Military Preservation Soci-

ety and the Lowell American Legion Post No. 152 raised funds for the project, which was then spearheaded by retired Navy Commander David L. Thompson, along with MMPS board members Dan Pfeiffer and Bud Vierson. To give form to its vision, the group hired figurative sculptor J. Brett Grill.

A West Michigan native, Grill has risen to national prominence through a wide variety of public statuary installed across the United States. Working in a classical figurative tradition, he is most well-known for his work in bronze.

In his Chaffee sculpture, Grill summoned both sculptural tradition and visions of contemporary life and events. The figure is shown in an assured, measured motion, as he takes a step forward. Far from theatrical, the simple motion of the step suggests the movement of a larger, admired, active life. Fully engaging is the slight turn in the head and shoulders, which activate both the form of the sculpture and the space around it. In general terms, the active positioning of the figure calls to mind some of the very finest examples of classical statuary from the Greek, Roman and, later, Renaissance worlds. Closer in time, the treatment of the upper torso in contrast to the lower is reminiscent of iconic works by Auguste Rodin, specifically his famed Age of Bronze.

For all of Grill’s measured references to the history of art, this is not a sculpture of the distant past. The sculptor has featured Chaffee as an astronaut, a decidedly 20thcentury occupation, featuring highly specific and original attire. The texture, material and folds of the uniform are extraordinarily crafted.

Like the suggested movement of the figure itself, it is not dramatic, but subdued, and even somewhat classic in intent. While Grill chose to capture a specific moment in Chaffee’s life, the sculptor has rendered the figure timeless and noble.

— Joseph A. Becherer is curator of sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and a professor at Aquinas College.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

A larger-than-life tribute

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Create art.

Design a career.

Spark your world.

800.676.2787 kcad.edu

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Casey Newberg (‘18 BFA Metals and Jewelry Design)

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From woodworkers to fiber artists, local artisans of all kinds encourage others to follow their creative dreams.

Getting crafty

A

BY JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

ADMIT IT, YOU HAVE ONE: It’s that art or hobby you’ve said for years you’re going to start one day. You’ve probably admired someone else’s at least once. Maybe you’ve dreamed you could learn to paint with watercolors, learn martial arts, sail or weave.

Perhaps you want to learn woodworking, ballroom dancing or sewing. Maybe you sit in front of a computer monitor each day, wishing you could walk out the door and make a living making jewelry or furniture. Why not? Others have. Were they born with an innate ability? Or did they learn and perfect their craft? The answer varies, but many artisans making a living — or supplementing their living — with the hobby they love say they simply found a way, jumped in and did it.

Furniture maker Steve Uren left the Upper Peninsula and a 14-year career in the mental health field to move to Grand Rapids and work for himself, designing and making furniture. It was the birth of his daughter 18 years ago that led Uren and his wife to decide they weren’t going to continue working for others and pay someone else to watch over their child.

“It just took off,” said Uren, who began making furniture part time in his garage. “I’m very rich

Steve Uren

Top: The artwork of Shelly DeJong Mosurinjohn, Steve Uren and Sierra Cole. Opposite page: Mosaic by Margaret Farratell.

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Furniture and artwork crafted by Steve Uren.

Shelly DeJong Mosurinjohn

“… there’s a lot of fear, thinking you can’t do it or you don’t have the time or money or angle. I just started doing it and enjoying the curiousness of it, the playing.”

— Shelly DeJong Mosurinjohn because I do what I absolutely love to do.

We live a very comfortable life. I’m very happy.”

Uren, who’s self-taught, has won over 50 awards, including a Best in Show award in Chicago’s 2015 Old Town Art Fair. He uses only Michigan woods, including walnut, cherry and birch, and said some of his most popular pieces are tall, double-door cabinets, credenzas and small tables.

Is Uren “living the dream”? It seems so.

Being self-employed, working at home and being financially successful is the dream of many, and Uren is there. So, how can others get there, too?

“I get emails from people I don’t even know who want to get into woodworking and the arts show portion of it. What I tell them is you have to be unique. Don’t look at someone else’s designs and say, ‘I can do that.’ All the artists I know are doing their own thing,” Uren said.

But where to begin? Uren suggested starting as simply and easily as checking out the many free videos available on the internet and seeking out local woodworking courses.

For local artisan Shelly DeJong Mosurinjohn, her craft-turned-successful business was a gift — literally. It began when DeJong Mosurinjohn, who also is self-taught, was given what she describes as an “ancient” Singer sewing machine at a white elephant gift exchange in 2008.

She began playing with the machine to see what she could do.

“The person I got the sewing machine from had a collection of old sewing

machines. I remember asking her a lot of questions, like, ‘What’s a bobbin?’” DeJong Mosurinjohn said. “Sewing seemed like playing to me. I always figured, what’s the worst thing that can happen?”

Playing with that new-old sewing machine led to making gifts for friends having babies: onesies, blankets and small felt animals.

“I enjoyed making little creatures and bringing them to life. I haven’t stopped since,” DeJong Mosurinjohn said. “It’s an accessible form of creativity for me and figuring out a pattern is a fun thing to do.

I told myself if anyone asked me if I could make something, I would just say ‘yes,’ and

Sierra Cole

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I would go home and maybe panic a little bit, but make it.”

This was just the beginning of MadeByShellmo, her line of whimsical dolls and stuffed toys, among the most popular being the banana slug and a line of multicultural dolls. DeJong Mosurinjohn sells at art fairs and on Etsy, through which she has filled orders from as far away as Ireland. Yet even with the popularity of her line, she continues working full time at Calvin College, saying she likes the balance both jobs provide.

Margaret Farratell

move from jewelry to knit and felted goods.

“My boss at my job working for a daily newspaper knew I knew how to knit. I did two sweaters for her, and she said, ‘You should do felting.’ It took off from there,” Cole said. “I wasn’t doing the jewelry anymore. I did bags and hats. Then I was gifted a floor loom, and that’s how I got started on weaving — and I love weaving.”

After 10 years of supplementing her artist income with other jobs, including working at an art gallery, Cole is now selfemployed. “You can’t be scared to just take that chance, that’s what I learned at Michigan State, getting an art degree,” she said.

“Sometimes you gotta work for the man, and you start small and build up from there.”

Cole has begun adding scarves to her line of hats and is using her loom to make her first blanket, something she hopes to continue as she pursues developing a line of home goods. Her work is sold at Grand Rapids’ Light Gallery + Studio and Michigan Fibre Studio — the latter of which, Cole said, offers workshops for those who’d like to begin fiber art.

Like Cole, artist Margaret Farratell also

Mosaic by Margaret Farratell

pursued a BFA, studying interior design at Kendall College of Art and Design.

Although she began her post-college career designing kitchens, it was creating a mosaic design in her free time that would become her career.

“When I was a student at Kendall, I made my own mosaic table. I made the pieces and thought, ‘Oh, this is fun!’ After 2008, the economy went bad. I started playing with mosaics more, making mirrors. I was self-taught,” Farratell said.

Today, Farratell sells her work, including suncatchers, suns and mirrors, on Etsy, at art fairs in Chicago and Detroit, and the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.

While some of her pieces are impressively large, including a 4-by-5-foot mosaic woodland scene, her advice for others wanting to begin a creative pursuit is to keep it simple at first.

“Just like anything, you start small,” Farratell advised. “I started by just learning how to cut glass — that was many, many years ago. I took classes here and there until I felt more confident, and then I took the expensive classes. Just check it out and see if you like it.”

The lessons from area artisans seem to distill into this pure essence: it isn’t thinking about it, it’s starting. Find the joy in it.

Play. Make it your own. And watch the doors open before you.

GR

So how does a woman who’d never sewn launch a successful line of children’s toys and dolls? “Somebody said, ‘You have to start someplace, you just have to put something out there.’ That helped me not be afraid of it,” DeJong Mosurinjohn explained. “When you’re starting out or curious about it, there’s a lot of fear, thinking you can’t do it or you don’t have the time or money or angle.

“I just started doing it and enjoying the curiousness of it, the playing,” she said. john’s creativWhile DeJong Mosurin­ ity was born out of the gift of an old sewing machine, fiber artist Sierra Cole’s grew with the gift of a loom. A friend of a friend gave the loom to Cole, saying she wanted it to go to someone who would use it and love it.

Before she began weaving, Cole learned young that creativity pays. While in high school, she made hemp jewelry she sold at flea markets, using the money she made to pay for part of her tuition at Michigan State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and printmaking, and for two trips to Europe.

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Grand Rapids’ finest dancers, actors and musicians are preparing to take center stage with an entirely new collection of must-see performances as the 2018-19 season begins.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JOAN MARCUS

By Anne Marie Smit

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sk locals and visitors alike: Grand Rapids is vibrant with an appreciation and talent for the arts. Murals decorate the walls of city buildings, coffee shops and breweries come alive with the tunes of local musicians, and of course, Grand Rapids is the host city for ArtPrize, one of the largest art competitions in the world displaying the creative genius of people from around the globe.

The beginning of fall in Grand Rapids also comes with a plethora of musical and theatrical performances that will be sure to appeal to people of all ages and interests, as it marks the beginning of the 2018-19 performing arts season in the city.

Ticket information, prices and venue addresses are available online at the websites listed with each organization.

ACTORS’ THEATRE The Actors’ Theatre is kicking off this season in the fall with a performance based on the British novel “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” which cata-

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PETER MUELLER (TOP); MATTHEW MURPHY (BOTTOM)

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JOAN MARCUS

“School of Rock”

logs a boy’s investigation of a murdered dog and his experiences in the world as a child with Asperger’s syndrome. In the spring, the season will end with 2017 Pulitzer Prize winner “Sweat” and finalist “The Wolves.” actorstheatregrandrapids.org Sept. 13-15, 20-23 — “The Curious

Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” Nov. 8-11, 15-17 — “At the Table” Jan. 31, Feb. 1-3, 7-9 — “Burnt Part Boys” April 18-20, 25-27 — “The Wolves” May 16-19, 23-25 — “Sweat” BROADWAY GRAND RAPIDS Broadway Grand Rapids’ engaging selection of musicals this season strikes a balance with comedy and fantasy. Learn how Peter Pan came to be with “Finding Neverland” in October or enjoy their adaptation of the popular family film “School of Rock” at the start of the new year. broadwaygrand rapids.com Oct. 9-14 — “Finding Neverland” Nov. 30-Dec. 2 — “Jersey Boys” Jan. 8-13 — “School of Rock” Feb. 19-24 — “On Your Feet!”

Cincinnati Ballet Company’s performance of “Wild Sweet Love”

March 19-24 — “The Book of Mormon” April 30-May 5 — “Waitress” June 25-30 — “Anastasia”

CIRCLE THEATRE Wrapping up its season for the year, the Circle Theatre invites viewers to see “On the Town,” the energetic 1940s wartime comedic musical about three sailors seeking romance and adventure on a 24-hour leave in New York City. circletheatre.org Sept. 6-8, 12-16, 19-22 — “On the Town” GRAND RAPIDS BALLET The city’s ballet company, now under the direction of new artistic director James Sofranko, will present a range of performances this season. The season begins with “Wild Sweet Love” in October, which features an eclectic mix of music from Tchaikovsky, Queen and even a new piece created by Sofranko. Later in the season, fans can look forward to classics and fan favorites, such as “The Nutcracker” and “Alice in Wonderland.” grballet.com Oct. 18-21 — “Wild Sweet Love” Dec. 14-16, 21-23 — “The Nutcracker” Feb. 8-10 — “MoveMedia: Handmade” April 12-14 — “Extremely Close” May 3-5, 10-11 — “Alice in Wonderland” SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 33

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GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE The Civic Theatre has a show for everyone this season, from the kid-friendly “The Little Mermaid” and “James and the Giant Peach,” to classics like “And Then There Were None” and “Steel Magnolias.” Plus, for an element of mystery, in February and March there will be a “surprise musical” that will be revealed later in the season. grct.org Sept. 7-9, 12-16, 19-23 — “Steel Magnolias” Oct. 12-14, 18-21 — “Number the Stars” Nov. 16-18, 21-25, 28-30; Dec. 1-2, 5-9,

12-16 — “The Little Mermaid” Jan. 11-13, 16-20, 23-27 — “And Then

There Were None” Feb. 22-24, 27-28; March 1-3, 6-10, 13-17

— Surprise Musical (will be revealed

later this season) April 26-28; May 2-5 — “James and the

Giant Peach” May 31-June 2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-23 — “Newsies” July 26-27; Aug. 1, 3-4 — “All Shook Up” July 27-28, 31; Aug. 2-3 — “Alice’s

Adventures in Wonderland” GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY The symphony attracts thousands of people each year with its wide variety of performances that appeal to people of all interests and age groups. This season’s line-

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s performance of “Seussical the Musical”

up includes a variety of modern pops concerts, classical greats, holiday favorites and even a special event in February, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” grsymphony.org Classical Sept. 14-15 — “Beethoven’s Seventh” Oct. 5-6 — “Scheherazade”

Nov. 2-3 — “Bernstein’s 100th” Nov. 16-17 — “Mozart Mass in C Minor” Jan. 18-19 — “Rhythm of the Dance” Feb. 8-9 — “Tchaikovsky Festival” March 1-2 — “David Lockington Conducts Elgar” March 15-16 — “Rachmaninoff and

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY STUDIO 3 TWENTY (TOP); CAMI INC. ©DISNEY MUSIC GROUP (BOTTOM)

Grand Rapids Symphony performs “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 20

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

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY STUDIO 3 TWENTY (TOP); CAMI INC. ©DISNEY MUSIC GROUP (BOTTOM)

Shostakovich” April 12-13 — “Mahler’s Symphony

No. 3” May 17-18 — “Chopin and Brahms:

Mother’s Day with the Maestro” Pops Sept. 21-23 — “The Music of Sir

Paul McCartney” Nov. 9-11 — “Sinatra and Beyond” Dec. 6-9 — “Holiday Pops” Jan. 25-27 — “Ragtime, Blues and all

that Jazz with Byron Stripling” March 8-10 — “Pirates of the Caribbean:

Curse of the Black Pearl” May 10-12 — “Sci-Fi and Superheroes” Chamber: Great Eras and Coffee Classics Oct. 12 — “The Baroque Concert:

Bach and Beyond” Jan. 11 — “The Classical Concert:

Viennese Masters” Feb. 22 — “The Romantic Concert:

Bella Italia!”

May 3 — “The 20th/21st Century

Concert: Celebrating Women” Symphonic Boom Oct. 20 — “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Nov. 29 — “Home Alone” Dec. 19-20 — “Cirque de Noel” Kid-Friendly Nov. 17 — “The Snowman” Jan. 19 — “Hansel & Gretel” March 2 — “The Conductor’s Spellbook” March 30 — “Ferdinand the Bull” Special Events Feb. 1-2 — “Harry Potter and the

Goblet of Fire” Feb. 16 — “Black Violin in Concert”

JEWISH THEATRE GRAND RAPIDS The Jewish Theatre offers three faithbased productions each season that aim to enrich Jewish culture in West Michigan.

This season, the theater company presents three productions that address a variety of social and cultural issues. jtgr.org Oct. 10-21 — “Miracle on South

Division Street” Feb. 28-March 10 — “Bad Jews” June 13-23 — “Church & State” MASTER ARTS THEATRE The theatre this season offers several classics and other, lesser-known performances. Escape into fantasy with “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” or enjoy its adaptation of the television series “When Calls the Heart.” masterarts.org

2017 grand prizewinner Richard Schlatter’s twodimensional portrait of Abraham Lincoln

ArtPrize, the world-renowned art competition that gathers half a million people to Grand Rapids each year, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this fall.

Like previous years, ArtPrize 10 will run for nearly three weeks, with this year’s event scheduled to run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 7, and features works of art in all mediums at nearly 200 venues throughout downtown Grand Rapids. About $500,000 in prizes will be awarded to just a handful of artists through both a jury vote and a public vote.

New this year is the addition of the Visitor Pavilion, which will be located at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown. This pavilion will be the epicenter of ArtPrize 10, serving as a hub for live televised programming, public events, family education activities and visitor services, according to Alee’a Ulsh-Cherry, public relations specialist for ArtPrize.

The most drastic change to ArtPrize is the shift from an annual to biennial competition in 2019, with the citywide public art project dubbed Project 1 taking its place on off years.

Funded by ArtPrize donors and sponsors, Project 1 will be free and open to the public and will exist on a smaller scale than ArtPrize, with a single artist or small group of artists presenting an art project to the community. The organization hopes this change to the schedule will make ArtPrize a more anticipated event while still providing an opportunity for the community to gather to enjoy artistic talent. More details about Project 1 will be announced early next year.

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Sept. 13-Oct. 6 — “Man of La Mancha” Nov. 15-Dec. 8 — “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” Jan. 11-12 — “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” Feb. 14-March 2 — “When Calls the Heart” April 11-May 4 — “The Singer” June 6-22 — “Around the World in 80 Days” July 19-27 — “Stuart Little” OPERA GRAND RAPIDS The opera is ringing in its 51st year with

two performances by world-renowned composers, beginning in the fall with Mozart’s allegorical story “The Magic Flute” and ending in the summer with “La Traviata” by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. operagr.org Oct. 26-27 — “The Magic Flute” June 14-15 — “La Traviata” ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER Join St. Cecilia Music Center this season as it welcomes Grammy Award-winning musicians from across the country to St. Cecilia Music Center hosts Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn on Feb. 9

perform in its jazz and folk concert series. scmc-online.org Jazz Series Oct. 11 — Arturo Sandoval Nov. 1 — Kenny Barron Feb. 7 — Joey DeFrancesco March 7 —Benny Green and

Veronica Swift Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series Nov. 15 — The Trout Quintet March 14 — Russian Mastery April 25 — From Mendelssohn Folk Acoustic Café Series Oct. 4 — Pokey LaFarge Nov. 29 — The Lone Bellow Feb. 9 — Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn VAN SINGEL FINE ARTS CENTER Enjoy a swing night with Glenn Bulthuis and the Hark Up Big Band, who will be performing Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé and other favorites. This season will also honor musicians Elton John and Billy Joel in their event “Piano Men.” vsfac.com Sept. 27 — “Victors of Character” Oct. 6 — Swing Night with Glenn

Bulthuis and the Hark Up Horns Nov. 29 — “Piano Men” March 26 — “Church Basement Ladies:

Rise Up, O Men” GR April 26 — “Cool Jazz”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JOEL BISSELL (TOP); ST. CECILIA MUSIC CENTER (BOTTOM)

Opera Grand Rapids’ performance of “Romeo and Juliet”

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BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

BUCKING THE TREND

Millennials are often pegged as followers, but GR’s millennials are forging their own paths when it comes to choosing a place to live.

Emilee Ritz, center, with friends Elizabeth VanCompernolle and Nicki Smith

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“It’s in a perfect spot, It’s not far from U.S. 131, and it’s 10 minutes from downtown, which is great for going to restaurants.

And it’s close to a park.”

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“Millennials are a smart group. They know that rather than throw their money away on rent, buying a house is an investment. They know the value of it.”

— Ryan Ogle

S

piders? Giant house centipedes?

Dilapidated plumbing? Bring it on.

Seesha Miller, 28, has a residential building certificate and is transforming the old house she just bought in Grand Rapids’ Black Hills neighborhood, where kids play outside and a nice neighbor has mowed everybody’s terraces for 11 years.

Meanwhile, Emilee Ritz, 24, is happily hanging her artwork with nails, rather than sticky picture hanging strips, for the first time in her move-in ready condo in the Heritage Hill area of Grand Rapids.

Both women are millennials who were tired of renting and want to live near downtown. But that’s about where their homehunting similarities end.

“There are no trends,” said Ryan Ogle, president of the Greater Regional Alliance of Realtors, long known as the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. He’s sort of apologetic about that. He knows everybody loves millennial trends.

Ogle surveyed 20 of his real estate col-

leagues at Blu House Properties, where he’s a real estate broker and owner: “I asked them, ‘Where are your millennials?’”

The answers started flooding in — the West Side, Eastown, pocket neighborhoods, Kentwood.

“We like to peg millennials as having certain preferences,” Ogle said, “but millennials are just like other normal people.

They live wherever they want.”

Part of the problem in pigeonholing millennials is they include a diverse group, Ogle said. The Pew Research Center defines millennials as anyone born between 1981 and 1996.

“That’s a huge gap,” Ogle said. A millennial could be 22 and fresh out of college or 37 with a few kids.

Where this group wants to live often depends a lot on where they are in life, Ogle said. Younger, single millennials, for example, often look for urban “walkable” neighborhoods, he said. “They want to walk to the new brewery, walk to the yoga place,” he said.

Ryan Ogle

But if they’re starting a family, school districts play a big part.

“The locations where they want to live are across the board,” Ogle said, “but there are some similarities. Smaller houses are OK, smaller yards are OK, but they like fenced-in yards for their dog. Less square footage means less to take care of.”

Which leaves more time for yoga and breweries.

To rent or to buy?

Downtown Grand Rapids is bursting with new rental options, from a “microunit” with less than 300 square feet on Market Avenue SW, to a three-bedroom apartment at The Brix at Midtown with three courtyards, a dog park, clubhouse, swimming pool and fitness center.

Renting is a great way for millennials to try out different neighborhoods before they commit to buying, said Monica Steimle-App, vice president of property management at Rockford Construction, which manages seven properties in downtown Grand Rapids and on the West Side.

“You can really find your community,” she said. “It takes a minute to figure out where you’re comfortable.”

Some don’t intend to buy, she said, choosing low maintenance living so they can travel.

Meijer’s plan to open Bridge Street Market will make living on the West Side more convenient, but Steimle-App pointed out that with grocery delivery via Shipt and Amazon, “everything is available to us.

People can choose a space to live based more on the actual space.”

So, while much of the downtown rental housing boom is catering to millennials, “a ton of millennials are buying,” Ogle said.

Homebuying millennials are the reason the Grand Rapids area earned its place as the hottest housing market to watch among the 100 most populated metro areas in the country this year, according to a national study published in December by Trulia, a real estate research group.

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said. “They know that rather than throw their money away on rent, buying a house is an investment. They know the value of it.”

And if they don’t, their parents often do.

“I see a lot of millennials who get financial help from their parents,” he said. “They want to help their kids buy a piece of real estate. When they bought their house, interest rates might have been 18 or 19 percent. There’s value in locking in a 30-year mortgage now at 4 percent. They tell their kids, ‘Buy a house now before the interest rate goes up.’”

The problem is finding one that’s affordable.

In June, Ogle said there were only 35 houses for sale in Kent County for $100,000 or less.

“In the popular walkable neighborhoods, prices have shot up to $250,000,” he said, “but a few blocks away from the hot walkable neighborhoods, houses are more affordable. I see millennials buying houses in the city for cheaper and fixing them up.”

That’s where Miller and her tool belt come in.

Fixer-upper Miller used to rent an apartment in Holland. She longed to buy a house, but it was too hard to save while paying rent. So, she moved in with her parents for a year to save money.

Then, last spring, she bought a 108-year-old house in the Black Hills neighborhood on Grand Rapids’ southwest side.

“It’s in a perfect spot,” said Miller, a warehouse scheduler for a West Michigan company. “It’s not far from U.S. 131, and it’s 10 minutes from downtown, which is great for going to restaurants. And it’s close to a park.

“I picked a place where I knew families lived, where there were kids playing outside,” she said. Married in August, she and her husband hope to start a family.

Bonus: “I’m about a mile from my parents, which comes in handy because I’ve already locked myself out once,” she said with a laugh. “And my dad helps me with yard work.”

And because her house needs work, she could afford it. Her mortgage payments are less than she was paying for rent.

Miller earned a residential construction certificate at Grand Rapids Community College, so she could buy a fixer-upper and do the work herself, from new siding and drywall to plumbing and tile.

When she started ripping out the carpet, “There were spiders everywhere,” she said.

That would have sent many new home-

“I care more about where I live now that I own a place. I care about the neighborhood. I want to know more about what’s going on.”

— Emilee Ritz owners scurrying. Not Miller.

“I figured if there were spiders, that probably meant there weren’t other bugs,” she said.

Not exactly. Turns out she also had giant house centipedes, yellowish gray critters with 15 sets of legs. Counting their long antennae, they look three or four inches long. “They’re really creepy and they move fast,” Miller said.

A “bug bomb” pesticide fogger evicted the prehistoric-looking pests. Now, Miller’s back to remodeling.

“It feels really good after a long day at work to come home and see something that’s yours that you worked hard for,” she said.

Location, location, location Across town, Ritz followed a much different checklist than Miller to answer the question, “Where should I live?”

Ritz was renting an apartment on the northeast side, but her job in finance at Amway requires a lot of travel.

“I realized I was paying rent every month for a glorified storage unit,” she said. “I thought I might as well buy. Then I’d be gaining equity value, even when I’m not there.”

But where?

“I wanted to be able to easily walk to restaurants downtown,” she said. She also wanted a place that was move-in ready, as well as off-street parking, too.

She considered a house but wanted little maintenance; and she thought about

a condo downtown, but they were out of her price range, she said, at $250,000 or $300,000.

“The only people I know who can afford that are in their late 40s and 50s,” Ritz said.

Some friends her age bought houses in Fulton Heights near Aquinas College and off Fuller Avenue on the northeast side.

Others rent portions of old houses in the Cherry Hill neighborhood. But she finally found a condo she loves in the Heritage Hill district.

“I can walk downtown and to places on Wealthy and Cherry,” she said. “It didn’t need any updates. There’s easy access to the highway, so it’s not a long commute to work. It has a small lot, so I don’t have to park on the street.”

Her condo already feels like home, she said.

“I care more about where I live now that I own a place,” Ritz said. “I care about the neighborhood. I want to know more about what’s going on.

“I’ve always been from Grand Rapids, but I feel more pride about it now,” she GR said. “I own something here.”

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The Endearing Look of Natural Products 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

BY ALEXAN DRA FLU EG EL • P HOTO GRA PH Y CO URTESY BELD EN BRICK & SUPPLY COMPA NY

REIMAGINING INTERIOR SPACES

BY BRINGING THE NATURAL WORLD IN

S

tone and Brick — it’s one of the most enduring elements of home design. Known for its strength and timeless beauty, it’s no wonder that as years pass, brick remains an in-demand feature of many a dream home.

In Michigan, Belden Brick & Supply Company has been a leader in the brickwork and stone industry for over thirty years and spanning five generations.

Coupling a familial passion with a commitment to quality, the company has earned a reputation for representing the finest masonry products and delivering one-on-one customer care.

The team at Belden Brick & Supply Company treats construction like fine art and works with impeccable craftsmen and the finest suppliers in the country to get the job done. The company has built a ‘rock solid

GRAND RAPIDS HOME 3

“Designers are incorporating masonry on accent walls in bedrooms and home offices, in baths, entryways, and kitchens.”

— RHONDA BELDEN

reputation’ by taking a personal interest in each client’s project, offering innovative, highquality products, and by continuing to have valued relationships with craftsmen.

With three showrooms — Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Saginaw — Belden Brick & Supply Company offers homeowners the ability to see the artful possibilities of natural materials up close and in-person, which is why the showrooms at Belden are such a treasure.

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“We’ve been told countless times — by people who travel the nation — that our showrooms are one-of-a-kind,” said Rhonda Belden, the company’s President.

The showrooms allow the majestic qualities of the materials to come to life, giving visitors a tactile experience that enlivens the imagination and illustrates the endless possibilities that brick, stone, and rock present.

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Brick: Never Goes Out of Style Belden’s team of professionals are selfprofessed ‘brick enthusiasts,’ and they have good reason. Not only is it one of the most versatile building options available, but it’s enduring, stylish, and surprisingly affordable.

Because of its energy efficiency, low maintenance, and durability, it’s often a point of note for any homeowner looking for a return on their investment.

Not only is brick a solid investment, but

it also provides the perfect blend of flair and function, and translates easily across architectural styles and personal tastes.

This ease of style integration coupled with its lasting value is often what draws homeowners in. “Paint can peel, wood can warp, but brick endures,” Belden said. Not only do the materials stand the test of time, but they’re more easily adaptable to shifts in trends and styles.

Long heralded as one of the best materials to build a home with, brick is now used just as

GRAND RAPIDS HOME 7

often to reimagine interior spaces and bring part of the natural world in.

In modern and contemporary interior designs, brick and stone can add hints of nostalgia, industrial accents, or the perfect contrast to more dramatic interior textures and features. In more traditional home designs, they can provide new interpretations of spaces while adding a historical lens.

8 GRAND RAPIDS HOME

Indoor Spaces “Masonry truly is a lost art,” Belden said, especially when it comes to interiors. “When you walk into a space with a feature of brick or stone, it can make a room.”

With modern and contemporary styles continuing to reign supreme, masonry work is growing more creative and designers are finding new ways to integrate it into homes.

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The Master Lecture Series PHYSICIAN AS WRITER LECTURE Tuesday, October 2 at 7 pm Speaker: Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee We are delighted to present An Evening with Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee as Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s second biennial Physician as Writer lecture. An accomplished author, researcher, and physician, Dr. Mukherjee’s breakthrough book, The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. His most recent book, The Gene: An Intimate History, takes on the critical question: “What becomes of being human when we learn to ‘read’ and ‘write’ our own genetic information?”

Don’t miss out on what promises to be a thought-provoking evening as Dr. Mukherjee shares insights into his life and work. Following the lecture, he will engage in a question and answer session and sign copies of his books.

Free for members. General admission for non-members.

Space is limited; register today at bit.ly/FMGLecture

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. Photo by Deborah Feingold.

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Registration required at bit.ly/FMGLecture 7/31/18 8:50 AM

“Designers are incorporating masonry on accent walls in bedrooms and home offices, in baths, entryways, and kitchens,” she said.

Belden said neutral colors — mostly whites and grays — are still a popular choice for anyone looking to create a ‘blank slate’ backdrop for a room or wall; however, she notes that the more traditional brown and red tones are beginning to see a resurgence.

These warmer hues allow the texture of the bricks to be front and center, which can create a beautiful contrast to minimalist decor styles.

When other interior features are the focal

points, painted brick is a perfect option. It can open up a room, add an updated rustic feel, or create the perfect frame for a family fireplace.

Belden Brick & Supply Company’s inventory includes a variety of different colors as well as the ability to paint the brick the perfect color to suit any home’s needs.

Belden said thin brick is another popular option. As it is a much thinner version of full face brick, it can easily enhance an interior space by adding depth and texture. It’s often used as a kitchen backsplash, on fireplace surrounds, or as accent walls, and is a popular

“Masonry truly is a lost art. When you walk into a space with a feature of brick or stone, it can make a room.”

— RHONDA BELDEN

GRAND RAPIDS HOME 11

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option for those wanting to add the classic beauty of genuine brick without the added weight, mess, and cost of concrete footings.

As lovers of natural materials, Belden Brick & Supply Company’s inventory isn’t only limited to brick. One option growing more popular is reclaimed barn wood, Belden said. “Many mid-century modern homes are installing the barn wood vertically and it looks amazing,” she said.

Since the upkeep of reclaimed wood can often be a detractor for homeowners, Belden said they offer a manufactured option that looks just like “the real deal but with zero maintenance.” For busy homeowners, that’s music to the ears.

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The masonry industry has come a long way in the last few decades, and advances in technology and knowledge mean homeowners have more options than ever for incorporating nature’s art into their residences. Belden notes that large-scale brick, stone, and concrete panels are becoming popular for residential

GRAND RAPIDS HOME 13

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customers. Though more often seen in commercial spaces, these large pieces can create a foundational element for any room, no matter the size.

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14 GRAND RAPIDS HOME

Luxury vinyl tile adds elegance to this kitchen floor.

Is that tile?

DEB DEGRAAF, with DeGraaf Interiors in Hudsonville and Cascade, has been in the flooring and interior design business since her father started the company in the early 1990s. She and brother Dean acquired the business in 2007 when Daryll DeGraaf retired. Having worked with Belden Brick and Supply on numerous new home builds

ways and with more room for customization.

“We have a supplier who can provide the option to embed a graphic into the stone,” Belden described. The company also offers manufactured stone options, which present

and remodels, she said bringing the outside in is very much in the forefront of interior design.

Parroting Rhonda Belden on the use of natural products, DeGraaf said technology has popularized the use of vinyl tile as faux brick, stone and wood. “Technology has allowed homeowners, builders and designers to replicate an expensive custom product and look for considerably less cost than actual stone and masonry, even wood products. And in the area of luxury vinyl tile and planks, it’s highly durable,” DeGraaf said.

Technology is also at play with the Internet where thousands of photos on websites like Pinterest and Houzz stimulate creativity. Customers walk into showrooms with visual ideas. Buyers are somewhat old world aspirational. “Increasingly, customers want a transitional old look to create a timelessness to their homes,” DeGraaf said. That can even be done with today’s carpeting.

GRAND RAPIDS HOME 15

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homeowners with a wide array of colors, textures, and designs.

Homeowners can also create their own blend of stone, creating a truly one-of-a-kind design feature. “When you add masonry to a wall, it’s in essence, art,” she said.

Which is why walking through one of Belden Brick & Supply Company’s showrooms feels more like wandering through an art gallery. The sheer size of the showrooms lends itself to the boundless options when it comes to masonry for a home. From the parking lot to inside the showroom, there are samples of products displayed in functional ways to offer the best idea of how they can be artfully incorporated into a home.

Whether it’s a new stone entryway or a one-of-a-kind backsplash, the showrooms provide the best opportunity to imagine the possibilities and create a home that’s truly a work of art. Reimagining thoughts on interior spaces begins at BeldenBrickandSupply.com.

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.

kwGRAND kwGRAND RAPIDS RAPIDS KELLERWILLIAMS KELLERWILLIAMS EAST EAST

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Thank You Grand Rapids For Making Us #1.

Keller Williams Grand Rapids East has continued to deliver Real Estate Expertise and Result Driven Success to Grand Rapids year after year. Thank you to our Loyal Clients and Dedicated Agents for making Keller Williams the #1 Real Estate Franchise in Agent Count, Closed Units and Closed Sales volume in the United States!

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kwGRAND kwGRAND RAPIDS RAPIDS KELLERWILLIAMS KELLERWILLIAMS EAST EAST

dining review

BY IRA CRAAVEN

Address: 665 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids Website: donkeygr.com Dining ratings: Food: **** Service: **** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: **** Price: ¢-$

Must try: Torta de milanesa de pollo Not so much: Mayan Mula 2.0

Chef Shawn Polluch makes tacos de papas verdes

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

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

(Prices based on average entrée.)

Authentic Mexican fare, SITTING ON THE SITE of a former 1920s-era auto service station, Donkey Taqueria has been serving the Uptown neighborhood authentic Mexican cuisine with a full bar since 2013.

Winchester owner Paul Lee’s family partnership bought the property in 2010.

Between the small taqueria’s Spanish Mission-style façade, exposed brick pillars and Edison lights inside, geometrically patterned décor and a glass garage door leading to the patio, Donkey seems to channel both an authentic Mexican feel and a modern, trendy vibe all at once.

The eatery is known for its margaritas, and its tequila and mezcal selection is almost intimidating, with well over 100 types to choose from; but, the food menu is low maintenance, with tacos taking center stage.

During our first visit on a Wednesday night, the restaurant was packed, which left us with a 30-minute wait to be seated.

However, a shaded outside waiting area and water cooler kept us refreshed until our table was ready.

For drinks, we ordered a reposado margarita ($9) and a Mayan Mula 2.0 ($10), which was an interesting take on the traditional Moscow Mule. The margarita, featuring tequila reposado, Curaçao, lime and a chile salt rim, was refreshing, delicious and not too sweet — a perfect drink to enjoy on one of those lingering hot days. The Mayan Mula, which had mezcal, ginger, lime, cucumber and rosemary topped with topo chico mineral water, was a bit too strong and had too much ginger.

We started our meal with a side of chips and salsa de queso ($4), which featured a number of cheeses and, surprisingly enough, Velveeta. Our server informed us Velveeta is a traditional ingredient in Texas quesos. Despite the three sauces that accompany every meal at Donkey (mild

Server Jon Boonstra

chipotle, medium verde and hot habañero), the queso could have used a side of pico de gallo to enhance the flavor.

Donkey’s a la carte menu gives diners an opportunity to try a little bit of everything, and we happily obliged, ordering three tacos: taco de pescado ($4), taco de bruselas ($4) and taco al pastor ($4).

The taco de pescado, featuring beerbattered fried cod, cabbage, lime, cilantro and red onion drizzled with chipotle-caper mayo, was one of the best fish tacos we had ever had. The crispiness of the fish paired well with the crunch of the cabbage. The taco de Bruselas, with Brussels sprouts, jalapeño mayo, salsa verde, macha corn, queso cotija and bacon, was a bit on the spicy side but, nonetheless, a great option for veggie lovers. The taco al pastor’s marinated and roasted pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, white onion and queso fresco topped with cilantro featured a great balance of sweet and salty.

Lastly, we ordered the torta de milanesa de pollo ($9), a sandwich with fried chicken, queso chihuahua, guacamole, bacon, refried black beans, pickled jalapeño, tomatillo crema, romaine and red onion. This sandwich was an explosion of flavors — the fluffy bread, the thinly sliced

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Donkey Taqueria

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modern flair breaded chicken and toppings all worked together to create a filling and satisfying meal. This sandwich will have us coming back again.

During a later visit with friends, we started out with an order of chips and guacamole ($5), which turned out to be an even better choice than we anticipated.

Fresh and flavorful with only a subtle heat, the table agreed, this was possibly the best guacamole we had ever tried. Delicious!

Moving onto the entrées, we opted to share tacos de carnitas de puerco ($4), a fried green tomato tostada ($5) and the queso fundido de colifor ($9).

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

The eatery is known for its margaritas, and its tequila and mezcal selection is almost intimidating, with well over 100 types to choose from.

The taco de carnitas de puerco is simple but still offers an excellent combination of flavors, with savory pork carnitas, spicy salsa asada verde, mild queso fresco, onion and cilantro.

The fried green tomato tostada — an open-face crunchy tortilla shell topped with refried black beans, cornmeal fried green tomatoes, tomatilla crema and red onion, topped with a chopped kale salad and crumbled queso fresco — certainly did not disappoint. The green tomatoes were fried and breaded to perfection and the diverse flavors blended nicely; although, it was a little heavy on the kale for our taste.

The queso fundido de colifor, a mix of chili-roasted cauliflower and melty, ovenbaked queso chihuahua with poblanos rojas served with soft tortillas in a cast-iron skillet, too, had a diverse flavor profile, as the creamy queso balanced out the heat from the poblanos quite nicely.

Of course, we couldn’t resist the churros ($5) for dessert. Served warm with a perfect Mexican chocolate sauce, these delicious cinnamon-sugar churros were GR the perfect way to top off the meal!

Taco de panza with a Burro Azul

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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 77).

– 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

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

Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927.

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

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 ¢-$

Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Full bar. Closed Mon. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 7766425. amwaygrand.com/dining/cygnus-27.

Brunch (Sun), D (Tue-Sat) $$

Bangkok Taste Cuisine — Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol.

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

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

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

Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. divanigr.com. D $-$$

Angel’s Thai Café

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. 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrewing.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 $$

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

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

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

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

Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com/dining/gp-spo rts. L, D $ Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

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 $-$$

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

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

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menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$

Grand Rapids Garage Bar and Grill — “AllAmerican grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com. ¢ L, D Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods lounge.com. L, D ¢-$ G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas.

No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand rapidspizza.net. L, D ¢-$ The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer. Open Tue-Fri during school year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, $-$$ 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D

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

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

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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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D ¢-$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 4598824. jgardellastavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Judson’s at The B.O.B. — Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops.

Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsons steakhouse. D $$ The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck — Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmo-

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar.

Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢

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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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

Down-town Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 7244464. socialkitchenandbar.com/grand-rapi $-$$ ds.html. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L, D

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

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 $

MeXo — Features tequila/mezcal bar and a modern touch on classic pre-Hispanic foods of Mexico. Full bar. Open daily. 118 E Fulton St, $ 828-4123. mexogr.com. B (Sun), L, D

New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens. Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. newhotelmertens. com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), 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 ¢-$

New Hotel Mertens

201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr. $-$$ com. L (Mon-Fri), D

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

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

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 $-$$

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

Z’s Bar & Restaurant — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available.

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

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza.

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

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 $

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 ¢-$

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, 7748272. sanchezbistro.com. B, 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 ¢-$

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 $-$$

FReserve — Wine bar offers extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun.

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 ¢-$

Slows Bar-B-Q — Detroit-based restaurant

WEST SIDE

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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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) ¢-$

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 ¢-$

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brutzeln (SI ZZL E)

FLAVOR YOU CAN HEAR BEFORE YOU TASTE.

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

When it comes to grilling a New York Strip, perfection lies in the details. Details like a coarse salt rub before grilling and a charred wooden plank to infuse our steak with added subtlety. Dressed with a parmesan-herb butter and served with locally sourced vegetables, the Alpenrose New York Strip turns perfection into exquisite reality.

Join us to experience this and a few more of our favorite things.

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 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

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

Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery — Dexterbased brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available.

Open daily. 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jolly $ pumpkin.com. L, D The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing — Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. 417 Bridge St NW, 345-5642. newholland brew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Long Road Distillers — Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of house-made snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroad distillers.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol.

Closed Sun and Mon. 636 Bridge St NW, 4588583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing. com. L, D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclubcornerbar.com. L, D ¢ One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restauSEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 63

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

rant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. one bourbongr.com. D ¢-$

Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Sun brunch. Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451¢-$ 4779. electriccheetah.com. L, 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 ¢-$

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 ¢

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

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

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 ¢-$

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

vivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D

Two Scotts Barbecue — Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, ¢-$ 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. L

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 ¢-$

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

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) ¢

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

Grove

$-$$

Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare.

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

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

Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojo $ ethiopiancuisine.com. L, D The Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flair, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 808-3566. $-$$ thegreenwell.com. L, D OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Full bar. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant. com. D $$

Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine.

Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout.

Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $

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

- 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 ¢-$

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 $

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 ¢-$

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 ¢ Continued on page 68

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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 $

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THE MOST

Celebrated Seafood IN GRAND RAPIDS

SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT VIEWS PRIVATE DINING SUNDAY BRUNCH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

HAPPY HOUR

PAN ROASTED SALMON

63 MARKET AVENUE, S.W., GRAND RAPI DS, MI 49503 | (616) 459-2500 | MUER.COM GRM_09.18_PG58.79.indd 65

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

Executive chef Ryan Martin delivers a taste of Basque Country to Grand Rapids.

A glimpse of the good life

RYAN MARTIN Title: Executive chef

Z

oko 822 executive chef Ryan Martin’s flair for Spain’s Basque Country food and drink is blistery and alluring, pickled and earthy, suave and sloppy with juices escaping onto your chin, fingertips and smearing the black linen napkins that don’t show the lusty way you eat here.

Take the tortilla Española — Spain’s famed potato omelet delivers unreasonable deliciousness in Martin’s hands. He knows how to whisk eggs with caramelized onions, dry-cured Spanish jamón and crema into an airy bristling comfort. The albondigas de pollo — exquisite chicken meatballs sparkly with salsa verde — demands your full attention. And his blissful grilled prawns swim in his Basque vinaigrette.

Martin’s glossy, teetering one-bite tapas are called pintxos because they’re speared with a wooden toothpick, or pintxo, which translates to “spike” in Spanish.

These dazzling little lovelies preen proudly

“When we created this restaurant concept, we sought inspiration in the San Sebastian lifestyle, the culture, the pintxos and everything that we absorbed there.”

— Ryan Martin at Zoko 822: marinated manzanilla olives skewered with pickled sport pepper and squishy, marinated white anchovies (called boquerónes); pickled egg and roasted beets all purple and wobbly on a baguette sliced at a 45-degree angle; a cube of sheep’s milk Manchego cheese, thinly sliced jamón ibérico and an apple wedge on a toothpick.

To get a feel for what they were aiming

to accomplish, owners Peter and Susan Krupp whisked Martin and restaurant manager Megan McAllister off to Zurich, Switzerland, for a quick taste of alfresco living.

Then, they were onto San Sebastian, Spain, for a wander around its glittering plazas, grand streets and pintxo bars, swooning over the best bite-sized whims so colorfully and artfully displayed that they fully threw themselves into the country’s obsession with grazing.

In a word, Martin described the working holiday as “amazing.” “The Basque lifestyle — no one is in a hurry,” Martin said. “The Spanish siesta is a lifestyle that most definitely exists.”

Come suppertime, they’re prowling around the pintxo bars and taverns for a little nibble, he said. “Everything is ready and spread out on a counter, and you eat one or two of whatever the bar does best and move on,” Martin said. “Everyone was out, walk-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Location: 822 Ottawa Ave. NW

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

ing the streets, grazing here and there, living outside until midnight.”

There, Martin discovered Arbequina olive oil made from only the Arbequina olives, and Galician beef, which is considered a delicacy, as the cows are allowed to age and mellow like a fine wine.

“As a Spanish restaurant, we wanted to reach a little deeper,” said Martin, who helmed the kitchen at Osteria Rossa before joining CDKI Holdings, which also owns MeXo, a modern Mexican restaurant downtown, and West Olive’s Sandy Point Beach House. “When we created this restaurant concept, we sought inspiration in the San Sebastian lifestyle, the culture, the pintxos and everything that we absorbed there. I’m just trying to replicate the experience I had there with what’s available to me here.”

Martin’s rock ’n’ roll take on everything — wanting it all to be brighter, deeper and edgier — might just be down to his DNA. Right after high school, the Traverse City native enrolled in the Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College, but his heart was layered in punk-infused rock as the guitarist and lead vocalist of Victor! Fix the Sun. His post-punk rock band relocated to Grand Rapids to make some noise, releasing full-length albums and touring the country. After a good run with Victor! Fix the Sun, Martin returned to an old love: cooking. Before long, he was working his way up the ranks to sous chef at The Winchester, where he cheffed for five years.

“I just chipped away at it,” Martin said, “and The Winchester kind of became my culinary school.”

Now, at Zoko 822, Martin’s churning out perfectly roasted Amish chicken (pollo Basquaise), garlicky and herby with a chickpea and tomato stew. His pulpo confitado — a confit of octopus, wrinkly potatoes, a slightly spicy Spanish red pepper sauce called mojo picon and fresh coriander — is a wonder. His bright green gazpacho is a cold soup like no other, with almonds, potatoes, spring peas and a spoonful of fire-roasted salsa picada.

“I get to walk into work every day with some of my best friends, people I’ve worked with for years and people I’ve just met while opening this place,” Martin said. “I get to do what I love to do every day, and with a concept that has so much history. I’m con— JAYE BEELER stantly learning.”

Zoko822 Ryan Martin’s Croquetas de Jamón (Spanish ham croquettes) (Makes approximately 50)

5 ounces (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) butter 5 ounces (about 18 tablespoons) all-purpose flour 1 quart + 1 cup whole milk 5 ounces (about 1¾ cups) Idiazábal cheese, shredded 5 ounces (about 1¾ cups) Manchego cheese, shredded 8 ounces jamón serrano, finely diced Salt and pepper to taste

(For breading and frying) 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups finely ground breadcrumbs Sunflower oil for frying In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly with a whisk for approximately 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and slowly stir in the whole milk, whisking constantly. Do not add the milk too fast or lumps will form. When the milk is incorporated, turn heat to high and bring to a boil (stirring constantly as to not allow to scorch).

Once to a boil, lower heat to simmer and continue to stir with a spatula for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture is very thick (and your arm feels like it’s going to fall off). When thickened to desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in both shredded cheeses and finely diced jamón. Season with salt and pepper and incorporate evenly.

Next, spread mixture onto a sheet tray or rimmed baking sheet. Wrap with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until cool.

Once cooled, ready your workstation. Assemble three shallow dishes or bowls. Place flour in one, lightly whisked eggs in another and finely ground breadcrumbs in the third. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Use a 2-ounce portion scoop and form into football shapes. Dredge each croqueta in the flour, next in the egg wash and then finally in the finely ground breadcrumbs, making sure they are coated. Place each croqueta on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate overnight.

When ready to cook, line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat about 2 inches of sunflower oil over high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Fry the croquetas in batches for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown, moving them around with a slotted spoon for even cooking. With slotted spoon, transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve hot or warm.

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and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabushkas. $ com. L, D

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

Continued from page 64 Marie Catrib’s — Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, Turkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ¢-$ ribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (Mon-Fri) Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com.

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

Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Wikiwiki Poke Shop — Fast-casual seafood restaurant featuring customizable poke bowls, plus oyster bar and rotating

specials. Carry-out available. Closed Sun. 1146 Wealthy St SE, 288-5646. wikiwikipoke ¢-$ shop.com. L, D

The Winchester — Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in century-old space.

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

B (Sat-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 — Starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos

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 ¢-$ El Globo Restaurant — Authentic Mexican fare; weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2019 S Division Ave, 734-6869. Facebook. 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 $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Yesterdog

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

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

Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com. ¢-$ L, D

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 ¢-$

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

Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. 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 ¢-$$

Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 4520065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads.

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

Open daily. 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsin diancuisine.com. L, D $ 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 ¢-$

Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net. L, D ¢-$$ La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol.

Closed Sun. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297.

Facebook. L, D ¢ Taquería El Rincón Mexicano — Wide variety of Mexican breakfast, small plates, dinner dishes and soups, including several vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2055 28th St, 246-7000. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ 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 ¢

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 ¢-$

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 ¢-$ PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

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 $-$$

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 ¢-$

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 $

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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 $-$$

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 ¢-$

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 ¢

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 $

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 ¢-$ 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 ¢

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

Wei Wei Palace

Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily.

4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 69

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84th Street Pub & Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Open daily. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. ¢-$ L, D Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$

Tamales Mary — Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 15 types of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 1253 Burton St ¢ SW, 288-5007. tamalesmarygr.com. L, D Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spec trumlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D $

NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS

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

7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads. Open daily. 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/ ¢-$ grand-rapids. L, D

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

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 ¢

Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily.

627 28th St SW, 531-2800. 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 Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$ Mi Casa Restaurante — Fresh, authentic Dominican appetizers, dishes and seafood, plus weekly specials, in Dominicanthemed, family-friendly atmosphere. No alcohol. Closed Mon-Tues. 334 Burton St SW, ¢-$ 350-9123. micasagr.com. L, D Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace.

Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$

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) ¢-$ Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant — Menu highlights the Pacific Rim, blending Asian influences with local cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2115 Plainfield Ave NE, 288-7888. citiz $-$$ engr.com. Brunch (Fri-Sun), L, D Creston Brewery — More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and

Blue Water Grill

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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

SOUTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS

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Rustic Farm Tables and Furniture for Rent

Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials.

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

Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse. com. L, D ¢-$ Graydon’s Crossing — Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross ing.com. L, D $

G R A N D VA L L E Y R E N TA L CO .

Make your wedding or special event the memorable moment you have always dreamed of by seating your guests at a table they will talk about for weeks.

Grand Valley Rental specializes in renting beautiful, hand made, authentic farm tables, chairs and benches and they are located and made right here in West Michigan.

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 $

Visit: GrandValleyRentalCo.com or contact Steve at 616-915-0398 to reserve.

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 ¢-$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

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

Open daily. 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. L, D $ Lucy’s Café — Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. B, L $-$$ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektavern gr.com. L, D ¢-$ Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 71

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

ian 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 ¢-$

Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily.

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

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 $

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

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 $-$$

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 $

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 $-$$

Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$

Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market.

Full bar. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$ 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 ¢-$

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) $-$$

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 $

NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS

Linear — Riverfront eatery featuring seasonal menu with fresh modern American fare and outdoor-seating options; plus, a

Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Ital-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Vander Mill

Franco’s Pizza — Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. D ¢-$

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display of rotating works by local artists. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1001 Monroe Ave NW, 2004343. linearrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyros drivethru.com. L, D ¢-$ Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park Dr, 551-1957. perrinbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Stan Diego Baja Taco Kitchen — Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-la-carte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 5919806. standiegogr.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 ¢-$ 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. till mansrestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. threehappinessgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar.

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

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

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. Closed Sun. 6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941. pourhouse usa.com. L, D $-$$ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable

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Curtis E. Hahn, D.D.S

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cocktail hour

BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE

The three rules of garnishing

1

2

space in the glass and force me to dig my fingers around in my drink to fish it out so I can drink it like an adult. Garnishes that add the wrong flavor are senseless — sure, a drizzle of raspberry coulis on the plate looks pretty, but if you’re eating a burrito, you’d rather it look less pretty and just taste better. Garnishes should be thought of as an ingredient, not just a tassel. A great example is a daiquiri — a simple rum, lime juice and sugar drink, but frankly, lime juice doesn’t really taste that much like lime. A lime twist/ slice on the drink brings the lime oils to your nose and helps add flavor/aroma to the drink, really sending it home. In this case, the garnish is really an improvement.

A garnish must look clean. Huge, clumsy, ragged strips of citrus peel; fistfuls of wilted mint with long, bruised stems; browning or dried-out fruit slices that were pre-cut hours ago … what exactly are you hoping this improves? Take the same care with garnishing your drink that you’d take with garnishing a plate — keep it simple, keep it tidy and clean it up. You’d be amazed the visual difference a swath of citrus peel makes when you use that paring knife to quickly trim the ragged edges into a cleaner shape.

These rules should release a lot of you from frustration. Relax; know that drinks look nice when you use nice glasses, nice ice and nice techniques; and if a garnish is really needed, make it thoughtful, flavorful and tidy — your cocktail game will feel much more contemporary, and your guests will appreciate it.

3

— 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

Garnishes that don’t add flavor just waste space in the glass and force me to dig my fingers around in my drink to fish it out.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A BIT of a silly topic for the amount of controversy it causes in the spirits/bartending world, but I’m going to soapbox a bit this month on the topic of garnishes: how to use them, why to use them and why you shouldn’t use them as often as you think. Argue as you like in favor of a big wobbly chunk of orange dunked unceremoniously into your drink by a grubby pair of thumbs behind the bar, but frankly, garnishing a drink rarely follows the three cardinal rules: A garnish must have a purpose. Use clean glassware that’s of a slightly better quality than what you inherited from your burnout college roommate, and a well-made drink already looks good. If your issue is simply that you want your drink to look good, then just make a well-constructed drink in a nice glass.

Use nice ice. Shake/strain appropriately. But don’t start balancing handfuls of weeds all over the surface just to cover up the fact that you’re serving your gimlets in a plastic Spartans mug; everyone still can see the mug, and now there’s stuff in the way of my drink. That said, there are times when a garnish is necessary/useful/purposeful, but don’t just throw a lime wedge on a drink because it looks better.

Also, consider drinkability — having to pull chunks of stuff out of your drink or move vegetation out of your face isn’t a great user experience. I know it’s a scary concept, but, when in doubt, don’t garnish; a good drink can shine on its own.

A garnish must have necessary flavor. Speaking of adding things, garnishes that don’t add flavor just waste

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

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 $-$$

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 (Tue-Sat) ¢-$

Big Boiler Brewing — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider.

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

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 $-$$

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 ¢-$

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

Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 2597439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$ Cork Wine & Grille — Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. cork wineandgrille.com. L, D $-$$ Dan’s Diner — Formerly Pal’s Diner. Retrostyle diner with both classic and upscale breakfast and lunch options; breakfast served all day. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 6503 28th St SE, 719-0304. dansdinergr.com. B, L ¢-$ 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 $-$$

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turn-of-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 8978523. thegilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$ Holland & Fitz Delicatessen — Deli sandwiches with in-house baked bread featuring corned beef hash and pork shoulder. Breakfast and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr SE, Suite B, 9207090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $

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

Ju Sushi & Lounge

La Laguna — Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu.

No alcohol. Open daily. 6250 28th St SE, 8058821. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Main Street BBQ — Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork.

Rubs and sauces are gluten-free. Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. 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 $

Sapporo Ramen & Noodle Bar — Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororam enbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 6824660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$ Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily.

6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Thornapple Brewing Co. — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. 6262 28th St SE, 2886907. thornapplebrewing.com. L (Sat), D $ Trailhead Café — Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 2843664. trailheadcafegr.com. B, L ¢ Vintage Prime & Seafood — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintage atcork.com. D $$ Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine.

Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. 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 AmeriSEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 75

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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS

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

can favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily.

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

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

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

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

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

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

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

4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$ Pike 51 Brewing Co./Hudsonville Winery — Craft brewery and winery under one roof.

Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées.

Open daily. 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. L, D ¢-$ Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow ¢-$ grillmichigan.com. B, L, D Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily.

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

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

Full bar. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$ Boulder Creek Restaurant — Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See web-

Rockford Brewing Co.

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

Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily.

17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonas table.com. L, D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Handcrafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrewing.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$

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, dairy-free and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesres taurant.com. B, L, D $ 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 ¢

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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

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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) $ 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 ¢ Tacos El Cuñado — Fajitas, tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 455 Burton St SW, 248-9099; 1024 Bridge St NW, 475-8000; Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW. tacosgr.com. L, D ¢-$ 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 ¢-$

Margaritas!

Seasonally inspired CREATIVELY HEALTHY

Dining Guide Legend

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

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

B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée.

- — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2017 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2017 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email stincher@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

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pints of interest

BY PAT EVANS

Brewers stand out with special series IT SHOULDN’T TAKE MUCH to convince just about anyone we’re living in the Golden Age of beer.

There are so many breweries making excellent beer across the country — and the world — that it can be nearly impossible to pick a beer when at the store or bar. This is a blessing and a curse. When, a lot of times, it’s so easy to pick up an old standby or a new-to-you beer or brewery, how do breweries set themselves apart? Not to mention, the whole idea of freshness (note: important!) is hard when so many beers aren’t moving off the shelves.

The good news is more breweries are running series to give their brewers some room to innovate and experiment, remind customers they’re cool and the beer is fresh.

Each Mitten Brewing Co. brewer came up with his own beer for the brewery’s special series.

Perhaps the best example of a fantastic series with a national platform is Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his crew highlight different hops from across the globe in the same base beer to create awesome flavors, which are released every few months.

Revolution No. 006 (No. 012 should be out soon) of the series used Michigangrown varieties of hops normally grown in the Pacific Northwest and created vastly different beer than the same hops from Washington, Oregon and Idaho would have made.

Luckily, there are awesome series to keep people on their toes locally, too. In a town chock full of breweries, many of the series are kept taproom only, giving people a reason to go their physical locations.

First is Brewery Vivant’s Fresh Ale Project, which focuses on using Michigan ingredients and unique experimentations.

The IPAs are a way for the brewery to explore the trendy IPA styles of beer without changing up the flagships and straying too far from their baseline brewing ethos.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

When, a lot of times, it’s so easy to pick up an old standby or a newto-you beer or brewery, how do breweries set themselves apart?

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

Brewery Vivant’s Fresh Ale Project special limited release series

Whether it’s exotic hops, cool local hops or throwing in loads of fruits, the beers have been fun to taste, and a trip to pick up the newest four pack is well worth it. Also, note the series name has “fresh” in it. Drink beers, especially IPAs, fresh!

Across town, the brewing team at Mitten Brewing Co. releases the Art of Pitching series every spring. The naming doesn’t stop with the series, as the beers come with monikers like Fastball, Corkscrew and Circle Change — all types of pitches.

The series allows the team of brewers at the Mitten to explore beer styles outside of their comfort zones. Each brewer comes up with a recipe, whether it be India Pale Lager, Blackberry Black Gose, Imperial Roggenbier, Bohemian Pilsner or even the hip New England-style IPA. The brewery then releases them one week at a time at its taproom each spring before hosting a final shindig to showcase them all. Mitten co-owner Chris Andrus promises the series will provide an opportunity for “bigger and bolder experiments” every year.

And, like many of the things the Mitten does, a portion of the proceeds from the Art of Pitching Series head to a local nonprofit.

Life is fun and so is beer, so keep changing it up a little.

— Pat Evans wrote the book “Grand Rapids Beer.” He also writes nationally on beer and spirits.

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

Room to Renew brings ‘sense of calm and organization’ to the often-hectic lives of those who care for others.

Caring for the caregiver

BY ANN BYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Liz Collar-Baar and Deidre Remtema

L

iz Collar-Baar is a caregiver times two. She’s a nurse at Mercy Health, caring for those who are hospitalized and experiencing tough physical issues.

She also is mom to Trestin Baar, who, at age 11, already has had over a dozen surgeries to deal with multiple problems.

But who cares for Liz? Who cares for the caregiver as she and her husband John care for their son?

Enter Deidre Remtema, owner of Deidre Interiors. This interior designer, usually of high-end residential spaces, wanted to give something back to the community, so she decided to do what she does best: rethink living spaces to make them beautiful, functional and relaxing.

“Over the years, I’ve done a few pro bono projects, such as work at my kids’ school and at church, but I wanted to give back consistently,” she said. “I wanted an annual project I could look forward to.”

Remtema, a mother of two, remembers her parents taking care of her grandmother for five years. Her grandmother

needed help with everything and her parents stepped up to do it all. That got their daughter thinking about what a caregiver

goes through — what her mom did for her grandmother.

Remtema also watched a good friend care for her disabled daughter, who had experienced an aneurysm at age 2. She watched her friend as she cared for and advocated for her daughter to get the resources she needed.

“I started to realize that all a caregiver’s resources divert to the person they’re caring for and how seldom a caregiver does something for herself,” she said. “If they do anything for the home, it’s to make it more accessible to the person in need. I wanted to provide a space for someone who probably wouldn’t do anything for themselves.”

Remtema created the nonprofit Room to Renew in 2017 to put her dream in motion and then began looking for a caregiver who might need a little care for him or herself. She connected with the Saint Mary’s Foundation through its annual Up on the Roof fundraiser, for which Deidre Interiors donated a design package for the silent auction.

Folks at the Saint Mary’s Foundation

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After After

“I started to realize that all a caregiver’s resources divert to the person they’re caring for and how seldom a caregiver does something for herself. If they do anything for the home, it’s to make it more accessible to the person in need. I wanted to provide a space for someone who probably wouldn’t do anything for themselves.”

— Deidre Remtema connected Remtema to the head of nursing at Mercy Health, who began polling all the department heads looking for a nurse who might qualify for the inaugural Room to Renew makeover. Collar-Baar’s name came up immediately.

“One day, I was just tending to my patients when my boss called and asked me to come to her office,” Collar-Baar said.

“I thought, ‘uh-oh,’ but she told me about how I’d been chosen by the staff for Room to Renew. Of course, I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to have a room redone for my son.’

“She said, ‘No, it would be a room for you.’ I didn’t know what she meant,” CollarBaar continued, “and when she told me more, I still said it would be better to do the

Before

room for Trestin.”

She and Remtema met at a local Starbucks, where the full scope of the plan was laid out. CollarBaar, with a little prodding from her husband, finally agreed, and Remtema got to work rethinking the master bedroom. While the planning took months, the room itself took shape in just a month, as to disrupt the family for the least amount of time. The carpet was removed, replaced with wood flooring; tongue-in-groove ceiling with a fan was installed; an accent wall, custom headboard, new furniture, lighting and artwork were put in place; and, a closet was

redesigned to make the best use of space.

“I wanted to treat Liz’s space just like any other Deidre Interiors client. The experience of working with a designer is fun for a lot of people, and I wanted Liz to have that experience,” said Remtema, a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design.

“This was just like a regular custom project, not like a home makeover show where it looks good on TV but you don’t know what it looks like behind the scenes. This room

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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN

Room to Renew wish list:

John Baar plays basketball with his son, Trestin.

> Monetary donations.

Visit deidreinteriors.com/ room-to-renew to donate to the nonprofit. Deidre Remtema dreams of more annual projects and more rooms to renew for caregivers. > Donor partnerships within the design industry.

Many businesses donated to Room to Renew’s project for Liz Collar-Baar, including ORG West Michigan, Designtex, Maharam and Scott Christopher Homes. Remtema would love to see others get involved.

has to look good and function well for years to come.”

For Collar-Baar, it’s about relaxation and ease. It’s about putting away laundry in her closet without it being a chore. It’s about resting and recovering in her new bedroom — recovering because a routine knee scope ended with her in ICU for two weeks in June with blood clots in her leg and lungs.

“I didn’t expect to almost die, and I didn’t expect Deidre to be so kind,” CollarBaar said. “She has a very special place in our hearts. I will always treasure being the first recipient of Room to Renew.”

For Remtema, “It brings me closer to the impact good design has on our lives, how beauty isn’t arbitrary and isn’t something we can live without,” she said.

Both women cried when Collar-Baar first came into the room for the big reveal.

“The room means a sense of peace and relaxation,” Collar-Baar said. “It brings a sense of calm and organization to my life.

As a caregiver, you don’t think about that for yourself, but to have 10 minutes of putting clothes away in the new closet become so peaceful and so effortless is wonderful.”

It’s been a learning curve for CollarBaar, both as a caregiver and now a receiver of care. The weeks during her illness and recovery meant she had to depend on others for her care and care for her son.

“I have to remember that friends and

> Awareness of what caregivers go through and how a well-designed space can make a positive impact on their lives. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with Liz and to give her the gift of great design,” Remtema said. “I’m also grateful to those who donated. I so loved the enthusiasm of those who wanted to get involved.”

After

family are there for you, and they’re doing this because they want to, not because they are obligated to,” she said. “And you are deserving. Every caregiver deserves a few moments to take a few breaths and take a timeout. It’s OK to have that space, and it’s OK to have peace and quiet. It’s OK to feel GR that peace.”

Before

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MACKINAW CITY

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Walk to: Ferry Lines • Attractions • Restaurants • Shopping • Night Life

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Grand Travel

Fall getaways in Michigan

THE SKIES ARE WARMER, THE TEMPERATURES MORE COMFORTABLE, the hordes have thinned and the trees break out their flannel wardrobe. Aaah, September. There’s a bounty of riches to explore and enjoy in the great lakes state of Michigan, and for many, the best season to wander our shores has just begun. Travel with us to several destinations that have us loving Michigan all the more.

BY D I A N NA S TA M P F L E R

Traverse City Fall is a favorite time for visiting the Traverse City area, and with the Fab Fall special, it’s even more affordable. Running through mid-December, this seasonal special provides deals on lodging, as well as money-saving offers for dining, shopping, wineries, spas and more. Coupon books are available upon check-in for those who book using a Fab Fall package at participating properties (posted online at fabfall.com).

Go wine tasting around the Traverse Wine Coast. With two peninsulas and federallyrecognized viticultural regions, you’ll find more than 30 wineries in the area in the midst of the harvest season. Special events include the Harvest Stompede, September 8-9; Reds of October, weekdays throughout the month; and The Great Macaroni and Cheese Bake-Off, Nov. 24. The area is also home to countless breweries, cideries, meaderies and distilleries offering hand-crafted beverages and cocktails.

Enjoy a leisurely drive along the 7.4mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or, take a hike. Whether you have an hour or a whole day, you will find plenty of natural spaces to get moving on the trails such as Empire Bluff, Whaleback Natural Area or Glacial Hills Pathway.

Take part in an historic (and perhaps haunted) tour. It is the season of Halloween after all, and The Village at Grand Traverse Commons (formerly the

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at the Whitefish Point Light Station in Paradise is one of Michigan’s most visited attractions, welcoming over 75,000 visitors each season (May 1 to Oct. 31). Located in an area known as Lake Superior’s “Shipwreck Coast” or “The Graveyard of Lake Superior” this region is the final resting place for more than 200 shipwrecks as part of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. The museum features shipwreck artifacts (including the bell of the famous steamer Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank and took the lives of all 29 crewmembers on Nov. 10, 1975), artwork, shipwreck models and a series of maritime history programs during the season. Admission includes the restored 1861 Lightkeeper’s Quarters, the 1923 Lifeboat Station Surfboat House and the Whitefish Point Light Tower, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum also operates a seasonal bed-and-breakfast for those wishing to enhance their experience at this historic site. For more information, visit shipwreckmuseum.com.

Northern Michigan Asylum) offers regular guided tours (including some at twilight) through their grounds and tunnels.

The Village itself has found new life as a culinary and retail destination, with restaurants, wineries, breweries, coffee shops and a farmer’s market.

Additional fall activities can be found on the Traverse City Tourism website, at traversecity.com.

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F A

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St. Julian Winery

Holiday Inn, Grand Haven-Spring Lake Start your autumn day on the banks of the Grand River — the gateway to Lake Michigan. After a day of touring the colorful countryside, visiting farmers markets, local wineries, breweries or cider mills, check in and relax for a night (or two) at the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Waterfront Holiday Inn. Our resort-style hotel features 123 guest rooms, each complete with sliders to a small private balcony, mini refrigerators and Keurig coffee makers. Rooms with water views are available by request. Ame-

nities include an indoor and outdoor pool and hot tub, a video game room, and a fitness room overlooking the marina and boardwalk. Slip away for a quiet dinner at our award-winning restaurant, Jack’s Waterfront Bistro, and enjoy live weekend entertainment in Jack’s Bar. Overlooking the Grand River, the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Waterfront Holiday Inn is an experience unmatched along West Michigan’s lakeshore. For more information, visit higrandhaven.com.

Michigan’s largest, longest-operating and most award-winning winery is expanding once again. St. Julian Winery has just opened its sixth tasting room location just minutes off US-131 and M-57, at 4425 14 Mile Road NW in Rockford (just 14 miles north of Grand Rapids). With over 70 varieties of wine under the St. Julian brand, the 5,500-square-foot space features samplings of myriad wines, ciders and spirits. Earlier this year, St. Julian opened its fifth tasting room at 518 W. 14 Mile Road near the Oakland Mall in Troy and extensively remodeled its original Paw Paw location at 716 S. Kalamazoo Street. St. Julian also operates tasting rooms in Dundee, Frankenmuth and Union Pier. You’re invited to celebrate the harvest season during the Annual Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival, September 7-9, held adjacent to the St. Julian Winery. For more information, visit stjulian.com.

Petoskey area Fall is the most colorful time to visit the Petoskey area, which wraps around the deep blue waters of Little Traverse Bay encompassing the communities of Bay Harbor, Petoskey and Harbor Springs, as well as Boyne City and Walloon Lake to the south and Alanson to the northeast.

Vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow paint the tree line through charming towns and winding along country roads that lead to wineries — including a dozen along the Bay View Wine Trail — farm markets and other autumn treasures.

One of Michigan’s most noted scenic routes is the M-119 “Tunnel of Trees” which stretches from Harbor Springs along the Lake Michigan shoreline to Cross Village.

Designated as a Pure Michigan Byway, this “Scenic Heritage Route” meanders through oaks, maples, birch and cedar trees that flank the old Ottawa trail. Plan on some extra time when exploring this often-narrow route, as it winds back and forth with reduced speed limits along many turns.

Four other color tour routes include “Circle Lake Charlevoix” at 35 miles, “Jor-

dan River Valley Tour” at 50 miles, “Surf and Turf” at 35 miles and “Tri-County Tour” at 62 miles.

The Petoskey area also offers some unique ways to see all the splendors of the fall season. Both Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs offer chairlift rides which take guests up to the top of the ski slopes where unparalleled views of the area can be found.

You can also head out on one of many biking trails including the Little Traverse

Wheelway, the Bear River Valley Recreation trail, a Charlevoix to Boyne City trail or the North Western State Trail. The Little Traverse Conservancy manages several preserves in the area, ideal for hiking and nature viewing. Kayaking is another popular autumn activity, and the Bear River, Crooked River and Boyne River provide varying levels of paddling.

A fall brochure with maps, destinations, activities and lodging information is available at petoskeyarea.com.

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FALL ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU.

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Grand Travel˜

Ludington area

LUDINGTON AND THE SURROUNDING per Mason County area is rich with outdoor activities, especially during the fall season. The area is home to 40 inland lakes, 2,000 miles of rivers and streams and 28 miles of barefoot pleasing Lake Michigan shoreline, which are just as enjoyable this time of year than during the heat of summer.

Launch your kayak at the Hamlin Concession and Canoe Rental area and follow the left

shore under a footbridge and into Lost Lake, considered to be a hidden gem in this area.

Paddle on past the boardwalk, campground and small island but keep your eyes open as the area is alive with nature such as waterfowl, shore dwelling birds, assorted furbearers, eagles and deer.

With 5,300 acres and more than 18 miles of trails, Ludington State Park offers some of the best hiking, biking, paddling and fishing

around. The historic Big Sable Point Lighthouse, one of nearly 120 throughout Michigan, remains open for tours through early November.

Michigan is among the top states when it comes to golf, and with more than 20 unique and enjoyable courses within 45 minutes of the Ludington area, you’re sure to find a course that fits your swing. With cooler temps and vivid colors on the trees lining the fairways, autumn golf is one of the region’s top outdoor activities.

If sightseeing is your thing, explore the fall beauty by taking a drive along country roads lined with family farms. Souvenirs, in the form of freshly-harvested produce, can be found at one of the weekly farmers markets in downtown Ludington or Scottville. At purelud ington.com, you can find a mapped-out color tour route which takes you south to Melsenheimer Corners, east to Tallman and north to Free Soil where several “Agricultural Trail” and “Barn Quilt Trail” stops can be found. For more information, visit pureludington.com.

An Experience Unmatched Along West Michigan’s Lakeshore

Full Service Hotel | Live Entertainment | Seasonal Tiki & Deck Dining | Indoor Pool with Hot Tub | Outdoor Pool | Dog Friendly higrandhaven.com • 616-846-1000 • 940 W. Savidge Street, Spring Lake, MI facebook.com/holidayinnspringlake • facebook.com/jackswaterfrontbistro 88 GRMAG.COM \ SEPTEMBER 2018

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Grand Travel

The Boulevard Inn & Bistro There’s nothing quite like fall in southwest Michigan, where the tree-lined bluff adjacent to The Boulevard Inn & Bistro (TheBoulevardInn.com) in St. Joseph provides spectacular vistas looking out over Lake Michigan. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, you’ll enjoy the Inn’s closeness to a vibrant downtown with its quaint shops, championship golf courses and one of the state’s popular wine regions — Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. The Boulevard Inn is noted as the area’s only all-suite, full-service hotel and restaurant. Each spacious suite caters to your comfort and offers in-room BeyondTVTM which allows you to sign into your favorite apps, play games, watch TV and more.

Make your stay more enjoyable by choosing from special packages filled with romantic memories, sweet confections or nearby sightseeing. Bistro on the Boulevard is a culinary delight from sunrise to nightfall, where chefs blend traditional French-style fare with adventurous flavors to please every palate. Wine Spectator has even deemed the Bistro’s wine list as one of the best in the world.

NOW OPEN IN ROCKFORD

Mackinaw City Labor Day signals the unofficial start of the fall season in northern Michigan, and in the Mackinaw City area, that celebration kicks off with the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk. The bridge will be closed to public traffic from 6:30 am until Noon on Labor Day. The Mackinac Bridge Authority has also established three options for this year’s walkers: starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center and turning around; walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end; or walking the entire length of the bridge across and back.

The weekend following Labor Day, the Mackinaw City Beer & Wine Festival returns to Conkling Heritage Park along the Lake Huron shoreline.

Dozens of craft beer and wine will be served, along with local food and live music.

Throughout the autumn season, visitors to the Straits of Mackinac will find countless miles of hiking trails under a canopy of colorful trees, which meander through Wilderness State Park, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Historic Mill Creek or the North Country Trail where it stretches up from Harbor Springs.

More than a dozen waterfalls can be found within a day trip from Mackinaw City, including the state’s largest and most noted, Tahquamenon Falls in Paradise, just 80 miles away. Just 46 miles southeast of Mackinaw City is the only recognized waterfall in the lower peninsula: Ocqueoc Falls, along the Ocqueoc River.

For more information, visit mackin awcity.com

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Come to the Bistro for a delicious tour of autumn flavors made from the best of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harvest.

Then enjoy a restful night in one of our spacious suites.

FALL COLOR TOUR

521 LAKE BOULEVARD ST. JOSEPH, MI 49085 (269) 983-3882 THEBOULEVARDINN.COM

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

september events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!

SPECIAL EVENTS Sept. 21-23 KING OF THE GREAT LAKES KITESURF TEST FEST: Eighteenth annual festival of riders with clinics, demos, competitions and parties. $35 riders, free spectators. Grand Haven City Beach. mackiteboarding.com.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TENA VEIHL (TOP); WAR ON THE CATWALK (RIGHT); THINKSTOCK (LEFT)

SPORTS SEPT. 15 SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE: Twentieth annual 5K run/walk and 1-mile community walk. 9 a.m. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. komenwestmichigan.org.

STAGE & FILM SEPT. 19 WAR ON THE CATWALK: Drag show with live performances from contestants of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 10. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $20-$150. devosperformancehall.com.

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Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

SEPT. 6-22 - “ON THE TOWN”: Circle Theatre presents the 1940s wartime comedy about three sailors looking for romance on a 24-hour leave in New York City. circletheatre.org.

See Stage & Film

SEPT. 8 - MAYORS’ GRAND RIVER CLEANUP: WMEAC hosts 15th annual cleanup by volunteers. After party in park with Founders Brewing Co. wmeac.org/ mayorscleanup.

See Special Events

SEPT. 8-9 - GRAND VALLEY AMERICAN INDIAN LODGE POW WOW: Fifty-seventh annual event features American Indian dancing, drumming, crafts and food. Riverside Park. Free. See Special Events

SEPT. 15 - END OF SUMMER FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL: Kentwood hosts food trucks, live music, beer tent and cornhole tournament.

Outside Kentwood Library. kentwood.us/parks.

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 Thru Sept. 11 - Truckin’ Tuedays: Food trucks every Tue. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook.com/ grfoodtrucks.

Thru Sept. 12 - Wonderful Wednesdays: Food trucks every Wed. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook. com/grfoodtrucks.

Sept. 3 - Holland/Zeeland Labor Day Truck Parade: Big rigs carrying locally made products drive from Zeeland to Holland. Parade starts at 9:15 a.m. Ice cream social and giveaways at Holland Civic Center after parade. truckparade.org.

Thru Sept. 13 - Relax at Rosa: Outdoor lunchbreaks with live bands and food trucks noon-1:30 p.m. every Thu. Sept. 6, The Appleseed Collective. Sept. 13, Flexadecibel.

Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. downtowngr.org.

Sept. 3 - Muskegon Labor Day Parade: Begins 11 a.m. at Fourth Street and Western Avenue intersection, heading down Western Avenue to Jefferson Street to Clay Avenue, ending at Hackley Park for post-parade celebration. visitmuskegon.org.

Thru Sept. 14 - Food Court Fridays: Food trucks every Fri. 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. facebook.com/grfood trucks.

Sept. 7 - 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/firstfriday-gallery-hops.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK

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.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TENA VEIHL (TOP); WAR ON THE CATWALK (RIGHT); THINKSTOCK (LEFT)

downtownholland.com/events/2018/laborday-boardwalk.

Sept. 2-3 - Cars for Cancer: Fourteenth annual car show and cruise benefits Mercy Health Johnson Family Cancer Center. Kickoff party 5 p.m. Sun. with entertainment and car cruise. Pancake breakfast 7:30 a.m. Mon.; also, auction, poker walk, voting and awards.

Mercy Health Lakes Village, 6291 S. Harvey St., Muskegon. Facebook.

Sept. 3 - Grand Haven Community Bridge Walk: Annual 3.5-mile Labor Day walk begins 9 a.m. at north side of Third Street Bridge and ends at Chinook Pier. visitgrand haven.com.

Sept. 3 - Holland Labor Day BoardWALK: Four-mile walk begins 8 a.m. at Kollen Park/ Heinz Waterfront Walkway, continuing along boardwalk to Windmill Island Gardens.

SEPT. 21-22 AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL: Celebration includes art, music, dance, entertainment and food. Calder Plaza. Free. facebook.com/ graaamc. See Special Events

Sept. 7 - GR Fashion Show: Designers, stylists and boutiques from Grand Rapids and the Midwest region showcase their fall/winter-themed fashions. 7-9 p.m. CityFlats Hotel, 83 Monroe Center NW. $12, $25 VIP. bit.ly/ grfashion.

Sept. 8 - Art in the Park: Annual juried art sale along the Rogue River in downtown Rockford. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Garden Club Park, 7 E. Bridge St. rogueriverartists.org.

Sept. 8 - Art on Center: Participating galleries host artist receptions and live music. 6-8 p.m. Downtown Douglas. saugatuck.com/ event/art-on-center-2.

Sept. 8 - Clothesline Art Show: Arts and crafts fair. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wick’s Park, Saugatuck. saugatuckdouglasartclub.org.

Sept. 8 - Eastown Street Fair: Familyfriendly party with live music and entertain-

ment, arts and crafts, kids activities, food. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wealthy Street between Giddings Avenue and Lake Drive. Free. eastown.org.

Sept. 8 - Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup: WMEAC hosts 15th annual cleanup by volunteers. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sixth Street Bridge Park, 647 Monroe Ave. NW. After party in park with Founders Brewing Co. includes music, lunch and beer garden. wmeac.org/mayorscleanup.

Sept. 8-9 - Grand Valley American Indian Lodge Pow Wow: Fifty-seventh annual event features American Indian dancing, drumming, crafts and food. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NW. Free.

Sept. 9 - CityFest: Family-friendly evangelistic celebration with inflatables, sports zone, food and performances by Christian artists TobyMac, Lacrae and Danny Goekey. 4-10 p.m. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. Free. cityfestwestmichigan.org.

Sept. 9 - Vintage Street Market: Sixtyvendor 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. vintagestreetmar ketgr.com.

Sept. 13 - Rock, Roar and Pour: John Ball Zoo hosts live music with Great Scott, craft beer and animal demonstrations. 21+ only.

5:30-8:30 p.m. 1300 W. Fulton St. $25. jbzoo. org.

Sept. 13-16 - Michigan Irish Music Festival: Irish music (20 bands on seven stages), dance competition, food, market and store, kids activities, cultural center. Heritage Landing, Muskegon. $5 Thu., $20 Fri., $25 Sat., $15 Sun, $50 four-day pass, 12 and under free. michiganirish.org.

Sept. 14 - Live Mannequin Night: Merchants in downtown Holland compete for awards by displaying themed live mannequins; this year’s theme is cartoons and comic books.

7-8:30 p.m. downtownholland.com.

Sept. 14-15 - Grand Haven Salmon Fest: Waterfront festival features salmon fishing contest, 5K/10K runs, Michigan wine/beer tasting, grape stomping, gourmet salmon

SEPT. 27 “VICTORS OF CHARACTER”: Van

SEPT. 28 - FESTIVAL SEASON OPENING: West Michigan

SEPT. 28-30 ROCKFORD HARVEST FESTIVAL:

Singel presents the story of Gerald Ford and Willis Ward during their pivotal 1934 football game. Van Singel FAC. vsfac.com.

See Stage & Film

Symphony opens the season with music by Bernstein, Strauss, Berlioz and Respighi. westmichigansymphony. com. See Music

Entertainment, parade, scarecrow building, chili cook-off, kids activities, car show. Downtown Rockford. rockfordmichamber.com.

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Comedy & nightclub venues COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

Sept. 30 1/ Punk-infused metal band Bullet for My Valentine performs at 20 Monroe Live.

1/ 20 MONROE LIVE: 2,500-seat venue hosts live music, entertainment and special events. Punk-infused metal band Bullet for My Valentine performs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30. All ages welcome. Tickets are $24-$49. 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive.com.

2/ Alex Edelman

2/ DR. GRINS COMEDY CLUB: Nationally acclaimed comedians perform Thu.-Sat. Stand-up comedian Alex Edelman performs Sept. 6-8. Shows are 8 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri., and 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m Sat. Tickets are $5 Thu., $10 Fri. and $15 Sat. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com/drgrinscomedy.

3/ THE PYRAMID SCHEME: Heartside pub and live music venue.

On Sept. 22, London-based duo Still Corners performs a synth pop concert. 21+ only. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12-$15.

68 Commerce Ave. SW, pyramidschemebar.com.

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, 356-2000, 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, flanagansgr. com.

Founders Brewing Co.: Large taproom features live music Thu. and Sat., plus Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra on the first Sunday of each month.

235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-2182, foundersbrew ing.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, grandwoodslounge. com.

The Intersection: Four-bar concert venue hosts nationally known bands. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

J. Gardellas Tavern: Dance club Fri. and Sat.

nights on third floor with DJs. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 4598824, jgardellastavern.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.

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/mix ology.

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

Mojo’s: DJs and dance floor on second level Wed., Fri. and Sat., with dueling pianos show on main floor Wed.-Sat. nights. 180 Monroe Ave. NW, 776-9000, mojospianobar.com.

Pop Scholars: Four-person comedy team performs monthly improv show at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. $12.

Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, popscholars. com.

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

River City Improv: Comedy improv team performs at 7:33 p.m. Sept. 8. $12 adults, $6 students and kids. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, 7528570, rivercityimprov.com.

3/ London-based duo Still Corners

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

Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri., featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, facebook.com/rockysbarandgrill.

Rumors Nightclub: Gay bar and dance club. 69 S. Division Ave., 454-8720, rumorsnightclub.net.

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

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

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE (TOP); FUNNYBUSINESS.COM (LEFT); BERNARD BUR (BOTTOM)

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

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cook-off, art fair, KidZone, fish boil. Municipal Marina and downtown Grand Haven. ghsal monfest.com.

Sept. 15 - Brewery Vivant Wood Aged Beer Festival: Celebration with more than 20 rare barrel-aged beers. Noon-9 p.m. 925 Cherry St. $40. breweryvivant.com.

Sept. 15 - Caledonia Vintage Marketplace: Monthly outdoor summer flea market. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 9968 Cherry Valley Ave. SE. face book.com/caledoniajunk.

Sept. 15 - Eastern & Alger Pop-up Market: Alger Heights hosts monthly market with local artisans and vintage dealers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eastern Avenue and Alger Street SE. facebook.com/easternalgerpopupmarket.

Sept. 15 - End of Summer Food Truck Festival: Kentwood hosts food trucks, live music, beer tent and cornhole tournament. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Outside Kentwood Library, 4950 Breton Road SE. kentwood.us/parks.

Sept. 15-16 - Fallasburg Arts Festival: Fiftieth annual festival with more than 100 fine arts and crafts booths, craft demos, live music, food and kids crafts. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fallasburg Park, 1124 Fallasburg Park Drive NE, Lowell. Free. lowellartsmi.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE (TOP); FUNNYBUSINESS.COM (LEFT); BERNARD BUR (BOTTOM)

Sept. 19-Oct. 7 - ArtPrize: Tenth annual international art competition includes more than 1,600 artists displaying works at more than 180 venues indoors and outdoors throughout downtown GR. $200,000 first prize for artist with most public votes and $200,000 first prize awarded by jurors. Preregistered visitors vote online or by text. art prize.org.

shows. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. kohlerexpo.com.

Sept. 21-22 - Farmgirl Flea Pickers and Makers: Vendors with vintage goods and farmhouse-style décor. 4-8 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Ave. $15 Fri. and Sat., $5 Sat. only. farmgirl flea.com.

Sept. 21-23 - King of the Great Lakes Kitesurf Test Fest: Eighteenth annual festival of riders with clinics, demos, competitions and parties. $35 riders, free spectators. Grand Haven City Beach. mackiteboarding.com.

Sept. 22 - 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.

Sept. 22 - Michigan Apple Fest: Familyfriendly celebration includes Iron Chef food truck competition, craft market, mobile zoo, honeybee seminar. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Rogers Park, 152 N. State St., Sparta. michiganapple fest.com.

Sept. 22 - Over the Edge: Easter Seals Michigan hosts fundraiser where participants rappel down Plaza Towers, 201 W. Fulton St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $1,500; free to watch. overtheedgewestmi.com.

Sept. 22 - Step Up for Down Syndrome: Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan hosts annual walk and celebration.

8:30 a.m.-noon. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $12, kids 2 and under free. dsawm.ezeventsolutions. com/stepup.

Edelweiss Club presents live music, German food, wine and beer, kids activities. 5-11 p.m.

Fri., noon-11 p.m. Sat. John Ball Park, 1300 W. Fulton St. Free. edelweissclubgr.com.

Sept. 28-30 - Rockford Harvest Festival: Entertainment, parade, scarecrow building, chili cook-off, kids activities, car show.

Downtown Rockford. 5-11 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun. rockfordmicham ber.com.

Sept. 28-30 - Wurst Festival Ever: New Salem Corn Maze hosts live music, corn maze, inflatables, petting zoo, beer, food. 5:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 4516 24th St., Dorr. $10. new salemcornmaze.com.

SPORTS Sept. 8 - Gears & Cheers Hope Ride: 35- and 75-mile fundraising bike ride for American Cancer Society. 9 a.m. Hope Lodge, 129 Jefferson Ave. SE. $60-$75. main.acsevents. org.

Sept. 8 - JDRF One Walk: 1.5-mile walk benefits juvenile diabetes research. 9:30 a.m.

Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. jdrf. org.

Sept. 8 - Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon/Duathlon: Sprint distance triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and relay. 8 a.m. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE, East Grand Rapids. $60-$125. eastgr.org.

Sept. 20 - Lakeshore Fork Fest: Food samples and info about local food system; hosted

by LocalFirst. 6-8:30 p.m. Cento Anni, 136 E. Sixth St., Holland. localfirst.com.

Sept. 22 - West Side Walk for Gilda’s: Annual walk benefits Gilda’s Club. Noon walk, followed by block party. 1806 Bridge St. NW. gildasclubgr.org.

Sept. 9 - Holland Haven Marathon: Full and half-marathon, plus 8K races. Marathon begins at Rosy Mound Elementary School, 14016 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Haven, at 7:30 a.m. ($115). Half-marathon begins at Camp Geneva, 3995 Lakeshore Drive, Holland, at 8 a.m. ($90). 8K begins at CrossFit Soaring Ledge, 76 S. River Ave., Holland, at 8:30 a.m. ($49). hollandhavenmarathon.com.

Sept. 20-23 - Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival: Holland celebrates Latino art and culture through film, visual art, music, dance and poetry. laup.org/tulipanes.

Sept. 23 - Freedom Cruise: Car and bike cruise escorts the American Fallen Soldier Project. Noon check-in, 2 p.m. ride. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. freedomcruisegr.com.

Sept. 15 - Lord of the Springs Bike Race: Annual 36-mile single track and gravel race, plus beginner/youth races. 10 a.m. YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, 1095 N. Briggs Road, Middleville. $35-$95. lordofthesprings.com.

Sept. 27 - Be Great Tailgate: Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids fundraiser with games, prizes, auctions, entertainment and tailgate food. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Paul I. Phillips Club, 726 Madison Ave. SE. $100. bgcgrand rapids.org/specialevents.

Sept. 15 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Twentieth annual 5K run/walk and 1-mile community walk. 9 a.m. Ah-NabAwen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. komenwest michigan.org.

Sept. 21 - Downtown GR Bike Party: Second annual Downton Abbey-themed ride through downtown and the West Side. 7 p.m. Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. Free.

Sept. 21-22 - African American Arts & Music Festival: Celebration includes art, music, dance, entertainment and food. 5:3010 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. Calder Plaza, 250 Monroe Ave. NW. Free. facebook.com/gr aaamc.

Sept. 21-22 - Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan: Area wedding exhibitors, fashion

Sept. 28 - Live Artfully Dinner: Grand Rapids Art Museum honors Dirk and June Hoffius. 6 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. art museumgr.org.

Sept. 28-29 - West Michigan Oktoberfest:

Sept. 15 - Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Twomile walk. 10:30 a.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW. act.alz.org.

Sept. 16 - Bridge Run: Ten-mile run and 5K run/walk in downtown Grand Rapids. 8 a.m.

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$45 10-mile, $30 5K. thebridgerun.com.

Sept. 17 - Hope Network Golf Classic: Benefits the Michael P. Lettinga Pediatric Fund. Shotgun start 10 a.m. Egypt Valley Country Club, 7333 Knapp St. NE, Ada. $300. hopenetwork.org/golf.

Sept. 22 - Oktoberfest Marathon, HalfMarathon and 5K: Races through Spring Lake benefit Faith Marie Losee Foundation.

8 a.m. Central Park, 101 Rotary Drive, Spring Lake. $95-$115 marathon, $60-$80 halfmarathon, $30-$40 5K. oktoberfestmarathon. com.

Sept. 22 - Park2Park Half-Marathon and 5K: Holland Hospital’s race benefits Neighbors Plus. 8 a.m. half-marathon, 8:30 a.m. 5K. Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 1286 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland. $65 half-marathon, $30 5K. park2parkrace.com.

Sept. 29 - Heart Walk: American Heart Association 5K and 1-mile walk, plus kids activities. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. grandrapids heartwalk.org.

STAGE & FILM Thru Sept. 2 - “Once”: Mason Street Warehouse presents the story of a Dublin street musician about to give up on his dream when he meets a young woman interested in his love songs. 8 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sept. 2.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $34-$49. masonstreetwarehouse.org.

Sept. 6-22 - “On the Town”: Circle Theatre presents the 1940s wartime comedy about three sailors looking for romance on a 24-hour leave in New York City. 7:30 p.m., 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $26-$30. circletheatre.org.

Sept. 7-23 - “Steel Magnolias”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents the story of friendship between women set in a smalltown beauty shop in Louisiana. 7:30 p.m.

Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $17-$35. grct.org.

Sept. 13-Oct. 6 - “Man of La Mancha”: Master Arts Theatre presents a musical inspired by Don Quixote. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $19 adults, $17 seniors and students. masterarts.org.

Sept. 14-29 - “Disenchanted!”: Muskegon Civic Theatre presents a musical about disenchanted princesses showing what really happened “ever after.” 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Beardsley Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $22 adults, $20 seniors and students. muskegoncivictheatre.org.

Sept. 15 - Preacher Lawson: Comedian. 8 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $15. calvin.edu.

Sept. 16 - Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: Scared Scriptless: Improv show by comedians from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

7:30 p.m. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE. $34-$52. fhfineartscenter. com.

Sept. 18 - Local Director Series: UICA presents “Some Are Born” by director Brett Miller.

8 p.m. 2 W. Fulton St. $8, $4 members. uica. org.

Sept. 19 - War on the Catwalk: Drag show with live performances from contestants of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 10. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $20$150. devosperformancehall.com.

Sept. 14-15 - “Beethoven’s 7th”: GR Symphony performs music by Bernstein, Barber and Beethoven, with violinist Karen Gomyo.

8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymphony.org.

Sept. 14-15 - Fallfest: West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association’s annual camp and jam festival with workshops, band scramble and open mic/stage. Camping available.

Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. Free; donations appreciated. wmbma. org.

Sept. 21-23 - Pizzarelli Plays the Music of Sir Paul McCartney: GR Symphony performs with jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18$90. grsymphony.org.

Sept. 21 - Hope College’s Great Performance Series: Bryn Cohn & Artists contemporary dance company. 7:30 p.m. Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 E. Eighth St., Holland. $23 adults, $17 seniors, $6 kids 18 and under. hope.edu.

Sept. 28 - Festival Season Opening: West Michigan Symphony opens the season with music by Bernstein, Strauss, Berlioz and Respighi. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $24-$60. west michigansymphony.com.

Sept. 21 - “Mercury in Retrograde”: Michigan premiere of movie filmed in Saugatuck/ Fennville. 7 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $12 adults, $7 students. sc4a.org/mercury-in-retrograde.

Sept. 29 - Art Garfunkel in Close-Up: Singer best known as one half of Simon & Garfunkel.

7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. $39-$79. frauenthal.org.

Sept. 21-Oct. 5 - “Breaking Legs”: LowellArts Players presents a dinner theater comedy about Italian mobsters financing a playwright’s production. 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show; 2 p.m. Sept. 30 show only. Larkin’s Other Place, 315 W. Main St. $16-$20 show, $13 dinner. lowellartsmi.org.

Sept. 27 - “Victors of Character”: Van Singel presents the story of Gerald Ford and Willis Ward during their pivotal 1934 football game.

7 p.m. Van Singel FAC, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center. vsfac.com.

MUSIC Sept. 8 - Classics Up-Close: Holland Symphony Orchestra plays music by Bach, Mozart, Delius and Beethoven. 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 57 W. 10th St., Holland. $5-$20. hollandsymphony.org.

Sept. 10 - John Mark McMillan: Christian singer/songwriter. 8 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $18. calvin.edu.

Sept. 10, 17 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: Sept. 10, Bringing Sexy Back: Pop/Rock Male Icons. Sept. 17, Silver Screen: Academy Award-Winning Songs. 7 p.m.

Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Road SE. $18. circletheatre.org.

Sept. 29 - Classics I: Rach On!: Holland Symphony Orchestra plays music by Rachmaninoff and Smetana. 7:30 p.m. Jack H. Miller Center, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave, Holland. $22 adults, $5 students. holla ndsymphony.org.

Sept. 29 - LowellArts House Concert: Ruth and Max Bloomquist. 7 p.m. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. $12. lowellartsmi.org.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS Sept. - American Sign Language Classes: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ eightweek classes meet weekly beginning the week of Sept. 17 in seven locations. $90. deaf hhs.org.

Sept. - Balletmore Fall Season: Classes begin the week of Sept. 10 in ballet, lyrical jazz, leaps & turns and strength/stretch. Ages 3 to adult. 2335 Burton St. SE. balletmore. com.

Sept. - FLPC Art Workshops: Sept. 5-8, “Sustained in Nature: Multi-Session Plein Air Painting” by Jason Sacran. Sept. 6-8, “Freedom in Watermedia” by Stan Kurth.

Sept. 13-16, “Secrets of the Masters: Loosen Up! Techniques of Nikolai Fechin and Anders Zorn” by William Schneider. Sept.

14-15, “Watercolor Sketchbook Workshop” by

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Timeless Beauty ...

William Mancuso. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifepro cesscenter.org.

Sept. - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: book clubs, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Mindstorm Saturdays, Summer Reading Challenge, story times. grpl.org.

Sept. - Kent District Libraries: Adults: book sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: KDL Lab Experience, teen craft times, story times. kdl.org.

Sept. - Summer Swing Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue. in downtown Grand Rapids. First half-hour is instruction. Sept. 4, 18 and 25 at Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW. Sept. 11 at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. grandrapidsoriginalswingsociety.com.

Sept. 8 - Garden Salsa & Hot Sauce Making (and Tasting): Grand Rapids Public Museum and Urban Roots host cooking class.

11 a.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. $12, $4 GRPM members. grpm.org.

Since 1968 ...

4353 Three Mile Road N.E. | Grand Rapids | 616-363-6400 | kappeslandscapes.com

Sept. 8 - Italian Cooking Class: Chef Jenna hosts monthly class. 2-3 p.m. Amore Trattoria Italiana, 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park. Free. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com.

Sept. 13 - Ford Museum Program: Author Lisa McCubbin discusses her book “Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer.” 7 p.m. 303 Pearl St. NW. fordlibr arymuseum.gov.

Sept. 13 - Measure What Matters Mixer: Hosted by LocalFirst. 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Image Shoppe, 756 W. Fulton St., Suite 202.

Free. localfirst.com.

Sept. 13 - Passport to Adventure: Calvin College presents travel film series: “Germany and Switzerland” by Marlin Darrah. 7 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $6 adults, $3 students. calvin.edu/academic/call/passtick.htm.

Sept. 15 - Eastern Floral Design Class: “Brunch & Design.” 10 a.m. 2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE. $60. easternfloral.com/designclass/ 2018.

Sept. 19 - LocalFirst Workshop: “AntiGentrify: Moving Kindly Into a Neighborhood.”

4:30-6 p.m. Luna, 64 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 100. $25, $20 members. localfirst.com.

Sept. 27-29 - Shakespeare Festival Conference: Workshops, performances, presentations and discussions about teaching Shakespeare. GVSU Allendale Campus, 1 Campus Drive. $30-$110. gvsu.edu/shakes conference.

ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN • 866.462.LIFT • SHORE-MATE.COM SEPTEMBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 99

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

Museums & attractions COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST

2/ DOWNTOWN MARKET: Market hall, open daily year-round, features culinary-related products at more than 20 local businesses, plus several restaurants, cooking classes and private rentals. Special events: Sept. 15, Wedding Showcase. Special exhibitions: Sept.

19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com.

3/ FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK: Special exhibitions: Opening on Sept. 14, a jointly organized exhibit by DisArt and Meijer Gardens, “Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture,” emphasizes the participation of disabled people in the arts. Included are sculptures, ceramics, performance art, installation and video art. Also, Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Sept. 21-Oct. 28, Chrysanthemums and More! Special events: Sept. 8-9, Heirloom Tomatoes. Sept. 15, Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Teahouse.

Permanent attractions: Modern and contemporary 30-acre sculpture collection, Japanese garden, tropical conservatory, children’s garden, nature trails and boardwalk, café, gift shop. Open daily. $14.50 adults, $11 seniors and students, $7 kids 5-13, $4 kids 3-4.

1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org.

Blandford Nature Center: Special events: Sept. 15, Fall Wild Edibles I: Identification. Sept. 22, Fall Wild Edibles II: Preparation. Also see Bands at Blandford in Music. 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. 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, boulder ridgewap.com.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920s-era railway with EnterTRAINment Excursions at 1:30 p.m. every Sat. Sept. 1-22 ($13.75 adults, $12.75 seniors, $11.75 kids 2-12). Sept.

29-Oct. 28, Famous Pumpkin Train ($19.75 adults, $18.75 seniors, $17.75 kids 2-12). 311 Danforth St., Coopersville, 997-7000, coopersvilleandmarne.org.

Coopersville Farm Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 29, “Quilts and Their Stories.”

Special events: Sept. 4 and 18, Acoustic Jam Night.

Sept. 15, Quilts, Crafts and Vendor Show. Sept. 20, Quilters’ Marathon. Sept. 29, Kids, Crafts & Critters; also, Last Hoorah quilt auction. 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.

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 thru Sept. 2. 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. Combo packages available. 7850 14 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, 863-3337, deertracks junction.com.

DeGraaf Nature Center: Eighteen-acre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. Knee-High Naturalist classes for kids 3-5. Center open Tue.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. Free. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, 355-1057, cityofholland.com/degraafnaturecenter.

Sept. 14

3/ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and DisArt will jointly host “Process and Presence: Contemporary Disability Sculpture.”

Felt Mansion & Gardens: Summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt features 1920s architecture. Self-guided tours 1-5 p.m. Sun.-Wed. thru Sept. 3. $15 adults, $12 seniors (free on Mon.) and students, kids 12 and under free. 6597 138th St., Holland, 335-3050, feltmansion.org.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Jan. 6, “In Step with Betty Ford: A Celebration of Her Centennial.”

Sept. 12-18, ArtPrize Preview Week. Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Special events: See Ford Museum Program in Lectures & Workshops. 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

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (TOP); PETRA KUPPERS (BOTTOM)

1/ GRPM highlights the 1/ GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM: extraordinary life of Special exhibitions: A new exhibit, Ralph W. Hauenstein.

“Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership,” highlights the Grand Rapidian’s life as a journalist and military/intelligence officer.

The exhibit is included with admission. Thru Sept. 2, “Zoo in You: Microbes.” Thru Sept. 16, “Be the Astronaut.” Sept. 19-Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Permanent exhibitions: Streets of Old Grand Rapids; Newcomers: The People of This Place; West Michigan Habitats; Grand Fish, Grand River; and Be Curious. Also, restored 1928 Spillman carousel. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 kids 3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org

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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.

OCTOBER 5-20

Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 9, “The 150th Anniversary of Edward Curtis: 150 Masterpieces from ‘The North American Indian.’” Thru Sept. 16, “Perchance to Dream: The Art of Michael Peoples.” Thru Nov. 7, 90th Michigan Regional Exhibition. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 college students, kids 16 and under free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmuseum.org.

2/ Downtown Market’s Wedding Showcase is Sept. 15. students, $4 ages 6-18, kids 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlibrarymuseum.gov.

Grand Rapids Art Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 2, “Oswaldo Vigas: Transformations.” Sept. 12-Oct. 14, ArtPrize 10. Special events: Sept. 14, GRAM After Dark: Quiet Clubbing 3.0. See Live Artfully Dinner in Special Events. Drop-in Family Saturdays: Art activities, kid-friendly tours, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, $6 kids 6-17, kids 5 and under free; free admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue. and 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center NW, 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THE PEOPLE PICTURE COMPANY

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM (TOP); PETRA KUPPERS (BOTTOM)

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Handson permanent and traveling exhibits for kids 2-10.

Special events: Sept. 29, Block Party. 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.” Sept. 21-Dec. 29, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture.” Permanent exhibitions: Local history and Dutch galleries, with artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s1900s. Also, Spark!Lab. Open Wed.-Sun. and Sept.

10. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. 31 W. 10th St., 796-3329, hollandmus eum.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. Special events: Sept. 8, Monarch Day. Sept. 15, International Red Panda Day. See Rock Roar and Pour 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 Sept. 2, West Michigan Area Show.

Thru Oct. 14, “Global Glass: A Survey of Form and Function.” Sept. 15-Jan. 6, “Inka Essenhigh: A Fine Line”; reception 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27. 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.

Nelis’ Dutch Village: Dutch theme park with rides, petting zoo, wooden shoe carving, Delftware-making demonstrations, costumed employees, shops and restaurants. Special events: Sept.

1-3, Labor Day Celebration and fundraiser for Nestlings. Sept. 8-9, Grandparents Weekend. Sept. 1516, Pillage the Village: Arrrgh a Pirate Fest! Sept. 22, Hoe Down/Barn Dance. Sept. 29-30, West Michigan Petapalooza. Shops open daily, park open Sat.Sun. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 kids 3-15. 12350 James St., Holland, 396-1475, dutchvillage.com.

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Shows use Digistar production and surround sound. Thru Sept.

9: “Space School,” “SpacePark 360,” “Subatomic,” “Under Scorching Skies,” “Violent Universe” and “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.” Sept.

10-Nov. 21: “Little Star That Could,” “Subatomic,” “Dynamic Earth,” “Under Starlit Skies,” “Violent Universe” and “The Queen Light Show.” $5, $4 with admission to the museum, members free. Special events: Sept. 6, Night Sky Trivia ($12, $8 members).

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. Open daily thru Sept. 3; open Fri.Sun. Sept. 4-Nov. 20. $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 Sept. 1, 15 and 29 (weather permitting). Call 8977065 for updates. $3 adults, $2 kids 6-17, under 5 free. Special events: Sept. 7-8, Great Lakes Star Gaze. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell. graaa.org.

Built by Insignia Homes

To purchase tickets or for complete event information

myGRhome.com SPONSORED BY

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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES

Let’s Go To Bat For Kids

Epiphany Donat and Tamara Samuels Gloria Escobar and Scarlett Sanchez

Courtney and Nolan Slater

Mike Carpenter and Ignatius Cornia Marge Gessner and Marge Kersjes

snap shots

CAPTURING THE ACTION

AROUND TOWN:

CROWDS GATHERED AT Fifth Third Ballpark for Catholic Charities West Michigan’s annual Let’s Go To Bat For Kids event June 21. Proceeds from the event went toward CCWM’s foster care and adoption programs.

On July 7, the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Front Row for the Fireworks fundraiser offered a fun-filled evening for everyone, plus a great view of the Fourth of July fireworks.

John Ball Zoo played host to Family Promise of Grand Rapids’ first Family Frolic at the Zoo event June 24, which raised funds to help local families who are experiencing homelessness.

Alex Timmers, Liam Potter, Krystina Pham and Emma Potter

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Gabe, Eva and Christian Howard

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Rhonda Rogers and Katya Olexa

Taya and Townsend Moore

Lynn, Caden and Mike Zbojniewicz

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

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

Will Dawson, Alicia Dawson, Gabe Dawson, Sandy and Gary Cronkright and Ellanor Dawson Dawson Klinge, Leslie Bozek and Adelyn Wolf

Stephanie Downing and Madelyn and Aaron Brunscheen

Susan and Jacob Schoonmaker with their kids, Jacob, Jaidyn and Jessica

Nakaria and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yanna Williams

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after thoughts

Q:a

For Julie Lankes, principal and creative director at BOXBOOM.creative, creative passion is the key to success.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK

H

aving studied advertising at Michigan State University and art direction at Brainco Portfolio School in Minneapolis, Grand Rapids native Julie Lankes is well-acquainted with the world of advertising and the importance of branding for a business to succeed.

Understanding that capturing a company’s unique identity while strategically marketing its brand is necessary for them to thrive, Lankes saw the need for clever branding and began with the resources she had, building her business, BOXBOOM.creative, client by client. Innovative and passionate, Lankes strives to maximize a company’s potential through creativity and accessibility — not thinking inside or outside of the box but doing away with the box altogether.

Lankes also is an active member of numerous organizations in the area and was selected as a member of the 2019 class of Leadership Grand Rapids.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? Immersing myself in different industries, cultures and schools of thought in order to deeply understand my clients will never stop being exciting for me.

IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FIRST? Immediately get out of being president.

WHO INSPIRES YOU? My parents! I get my unquenchable curiosity from my mother and my endless capacity for hard work from my father.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? “Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? My undying love for all humans and my ability to see the good in everyone.

LAST BOOK YOU READ? “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami. I have about 50 pages left and don’t want it to end.

STYLE ICON? Iris Apfel BEST WAY TO SPEND A FALL DAY IN GR? Sitting on a patio with friends, a good cocktail and nowhere to be anytime soon.

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VOLUME 7 | IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS

NG

L CE

E B R AT I

★

★

YEARS OF S E RV IC E ★

★

★

Contents 495GR Volume 7 IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

A MESSAGE FROM THE WRITER; ELIZABETH SANDERS BUILDERS EXCHANGE CLARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

18-19

6-7

4

PINE REST CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

20-21

8-9

PROGRESSIVE AE

22-23

CLARK HILL PLC

10-11

616 MEDIA

24-25

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

12-13

THE RAPID

26-27

IMPACT OF GRAND RAPIDS

14-15

REVIVED HYDRATION

28-29

GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

16-17

THE RIGHT PLACE

30-31

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495GR IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS 2018

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3

VOLUME 7 BRIDGING DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS PUBLISHER

John H. Zwarensteyn: jzwarensteyn@geminipub.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Randy D. Prichard: rprichard@geminipub.com CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Elizabeth Sanders

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

616 Media

NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Scott Sommerfeld: ssommerfeld@geminipub.com ART COORDINATOR

Kelly J. Nugent: knugent@geminipub.com DESIGNERS/PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS

Melissa Brooks: mbrooks@geminipub.com Kristen Van Oostenbrugge: kristenv@geminipub.com Robin Vargo: rvargo@geminipub.com GENERAL SALES MANAGER

Randy D. Prichard: rprichard@geminipub.com ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Hello, Writing about the way people, companies and organizations impact Grand Rapids has been an eyeopening experience.

From the educational programs that support our community’s knowledge and talent base, to the people who bring art and transportation to the public, to those who contribute to the buildings we move in and out of every day, we truly see it is the people who make the place.

This year, I got to connect with people who are proud to be a part of Grand Rapids and the core culture of the city.

I hope you will see their passion and understand that Grand Rapids would not be the city we love without the organizations and businesses that support it in these various ways.

Thank you to everyone involved in this publication, and for the many ways they each impact the city of Grand Rapids.

Jenn Maksimowski: jmaksimowski@geminipub.com ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTS

Chelsea Carter: ccarter@geminipub.com Craig R. Rich: crich@geminipub.com ADVERTISING SALES ADMINISTRATOR

Karla Jeltema: kjeltema@geminipub.com CIRCULATION & MARKETING MANAGER

Scott T. Miller: smiller@geminipub.com MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR

Andrea Straw: astraw@geminipub.com CIRCULATION & MARKETING ASSISTANT

Katrina Peshka: kpeshka@geminipub.com FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Pamela Brocato, CPA: pbrocato@geminipub.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Tina Gillman: tgillman@geminipub.com RECEPTIONIST/CLERICAL ASSISTANT

Michael Kohlenberger General Inquiries: info@grbj.com TO ORDER REPRINTS

Karla Jeltema: kjeltema@geminipub.com, or call (616) 459-3216 49503, Volume 7 is published 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: info@ geminipub.com. Copyright ©2018 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 49503, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444.

Sincerely, Elizabeth Sanders 495GR Writer geminipub.com

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| 495GR IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS 2018

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Builders Exchange of Michigan lays foundation for construction industry From her office overlooking the Grand River, Eliza-

“They are an important, trustworthy news source

beth Bovard can see three tower cranes soaring over the

for the construction industry,” said Mike Verhulst, vice

Grand Rapids skyline.

president at Rockford Construction, a longtime member

These cranes represent just three of the multitude

of the Builders Exchange. “In this fast-paced business,

of construction projects taking place in Grand Rapids.

it’s critical to have a resource that truly cares about its

Bovard, the first female executive vice president of

members and offers a competitive bidding advantage.

the Builders Exchange of Michigan, and her team are

With their accurate updates and attention to deadlines,

constantly updating members with new information as

they have positioned themselves as a source for op-

projects evolve.

portunities, which helps Rockford Construction provide

“We provide all the construction information for bidding and planning,” Bovard said. “We are the tool that helps our members build their business.”

Members see the Builders Exchange of Michigan as an important resource.

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| 495GR IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS 2018

quality construction for our clients.”

Just one of over 1,700 members, Verhulst’s experience is not unique. Members include contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects and more.

“Owners are able to get the best price for their proj-

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ects,” she said, due to the number of companies bidding — many because of information gained from her group’s research. “I love looking at the big picture of the impact that we have on projects and sharing this with my team so they both recognize the value we give to our community and how we stay viable with our members.”

The Builders Exchange of Michigan has been a presence in the community since 1885. In the past year, Bovard once again responded to the industry’s dynamic

“We provide all the construction information for bidding and planning.

We are the tool that helps our members build their business.”

ELIZABETH BOVARD, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BUILDERS EXCHANGE OF MICHIGAN

needs by creating sustainable technology and processes to maintain Builders Exchange’s positive influence in West Michigan.

In the Builders Exchange office, the hush is palpable as Bovard and her team continue digging and networking to locate new construction opportunities for their members, hoping to add more cranes to the Grand Rapids skyline.

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7

What Life was Meant to be Clark Retirement Communities and The Clark Foundation have served Grand Rapids for more than 112 years, adapting to the changing needs of aging adults.

“Following our mission of ‘Creating communities of dignity, compassion and respect centered on the lives of older adults and those who care for them,’ Clark continues to be the leader in aging services. We are committed to creating active, vibrant communities focusing on the social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, environmental and emotional needs of residents and those we serve in our community collaborations with Atrio Home Care, TANDEM365 and Emmanuel Hospice,” said Brian Pangle, president and chief executive officer.

One of these initiatives is Montessori for Aging and Dementia — a first of its kind in the nation because of the ClarkRetirement.org

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research behind it.

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“Benevolent care is the primary focus of the Clark Foundation.

It provides peace of mind for residents and families.”

JOANN ABRAHAM VP OF DEVELOPMENT/FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“This program is a philosophy of care for those in memory care, engaging them in an environment adapted to support memory loss while facilitating independence.

It focuses on muscle memory and learned activities familiar from activities in younger years,” said Wendy Kroll, director of sales and marketing.

There also is a need for seniors who are active and independent but prefer living in a community.

For them, Clark is adding 22 apartment homes at the Franklin Campus and 70 new residences at Keller Lake, a project to be completed in 2020.

“Keller Lake will be unique to senior living in Grand Rapids,” Kroll said. “The apartment buildings are centered around an outdoor piazza with a bistro, restaurant, wellness center, lake walking trails and socializing environments. These spaces will be open to the public in our effort to be an integral part of the community.”

Of paramount importance is The Clark Commitment, ensuring residents that no matter what challenges may arise, Clark will remain their home. “Benevolent care is the primary focus of the Clark Foundation. It provides peace of mind for residents and families,” said JoAnn Abraham, VP of development/foundation executive director.

Clark continues to immerse residents in local activities, such as trips to Fredrik Meijer Gardens, events, festivals and local businesses.

“We are committed to Grand Rapids by providing residents with opportunities for fun, life-enriching activities and inviting our friends and neighbors to many Clark events, as well,” Abraham said.

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Clark Hill PLC Clark Hill continues to grow, but that does not mean its impact on Grand Rapids has lessened.

facilitate the purchase of Australian-American artist

Just recently, the firm merged with Strasburger &

Clement Meadmore’s “Split Ring” with the owners of

Price, bringing the number of offices to more than 25 in

300 Ottawa to be displayed outside the building. For 40

places now including Mexico City, New York, and Texas.

years, “Split Ring” was housed at Woodland Mall, which

But the most visual impact on Grand Rapids is the

also owned it.

spring 2018 installation of the Robert Indiana “LOVE”

To bring “Split Ring” to its current spot, Stapleton

sculpture that firm member Steven Stapleton helped

had to work with the general manager of the mall, as

facilitate with the Frey Foundation, which owns the

well as the city of Grand Rapids and the new owners

sculpture, as well as the City of Grand Rapids and the

— transporting the artwork from the indoors to the

owner of 99 Monroe, where the sculpture is on display.

outdoors. “Split Ring” was originally brought to Grand

This is not the first time Stapleton has worked on behalf of Clark Hill on bringing art to downtown Grand Rapids.

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In 2016, he worked with the Frey Foundation to

| 495GR IMPACTING GRAND RAPIDS 2018

Rapids in 1973 as part of a major outdoor art exhibit.

“The movement was pretty unique and involved a lot of collaboration,” he said. “It’s exciting to be able to

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bring ‘Split Ring’ back close to its original location.”

Between “Split Ring” and the “LOVE” sculpture, Stapleton said the two reach a range of audiences.

“The ‘LOVE’ sculpture is iconic and appeals to the general population, and the ‘Split Ring’ would have more significance to the art community,” he said.

As well as its general appeal, Stapleton believes the

“It’s moving to be part of something that positively impacts the landscape of this community.”

STEVEN STAPLETON

“LOVE” sculpture will be on par with the Calder eventually because of its stature and notoriety. There are also “LOVE” sculptures in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Portugal, and Israel.

“We were excited to be part of both projects and look forward to hopefully be a part of other art projects,” he said.

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ClarkHill.com

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Ferris State University partners with community across educational needs Ferris State University has had a community presence in Grand Rapids for 25 years, and the university has several programs in place to make itself a partner for people seeking higher education in the area.

Carlos Sanchez, the director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center at Ferris, said the center has two main programs assisting in developing Latino leadership for the future and supporting Spanish-speaking business owners.

Ferris launched the Latino Talent Initiative five years ferris.edu

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ago, graduating nearly 100 people who are now prepared

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to lead, not only in business and nonprofits but also on boards and in government.

“The goal was to create a pipeline of young leaders able to fill needed roles,” Sanchez said.

Other programs allow high school students to earn college credit and prepare for a college environment.

The Promesa Summer Success Program partners with GRPS teachers, while another program starting fall 2018

Another program is in collaboration with the city of

helps students get on track to a career in education. Stu-

Grand Rapids, and it teaches entrepreneurship during

dents in the Teacher Cadet program at the Academy for

a nine-week course taught in Spanish at the Hispanic

Teaching and Learning at Innovation Central will have

Center. The program has grown from 15 participants in

guaranteed admission to Ferris’ education program,

the first cohort to 30 in the spring 2018 cohort.

providing they meet requirements. During high school,

Ferris also partners with Grand Rapids Public

they may earn 10 free credits toward a Ferris degree.

Schools. From the Grand Rapids Public Museum School

“I think we need to remove barriers for all students

to CARE 100, a program that helps encourage a culture

who have the aspiration to continue their education,”

of higher education by helping parents to further their

Benda said. “We just want to provide education and be

own education, Ferris and The Ferris Foundation are

the university for everyone, regardless of where they

supporting people who want higher education at any

are in life.”

stage of life, said Barbara Benda, executive director of leadership giving and relationships at Ferris.

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Impact of Grand Rapids

BY ELIZABETH SANDERS

Walking around downtown Grand Rapids, people see a vibrant city with restaurants, breweries, concert venues, public art and transportation options.

This little big city has the staples of a large metropolis but the welcoming nature of a small town.

And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just residents who are noticing.

In the past several years, Grand Rapids has been making national headlines for everything from its beer, and art, to food and culture.

According to a list compiled by The Right Place, Grand Rapids is regularly featured on lists that rank quality of life, the economy, the housing market and so much more.

In 2018, Grand Rapids was recognized by Lending Tree as the No. 3 Best City for New Homebuyers, and No. 1 for Metro for Living a Balanced Lifestyle by Mag-

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nifyMoney, a website helping people to improve their financial lives.

The city also was recognized by the Washington Post as No. 1 Region for End-of-Life Care Quality, showing that the full spectrum of life is supported in the city.

Good news for hopeful entrepreneurs, Grand Rapids was shown to be the No. 2 Best Place for New Small Business by Lending Tree, an online loan marketplace, and the 13th Best Large City to Start a Business by WalletHub, a company helping people with good financial habits.

With all of these rankings, including No. 7 Fastest Growing Economy in the U.S. from Forbes and Headlight Data, it is easy to see why Grand Rapids is attracting top talent and experiencing growth of business and development across industries.

And letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget it was ranked the 28th Most Hipster City in the world by MoveHub, a website connecting customers to international shipping companies, and

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2018 Grand Rapids Rankings #26 Best Metro in the U.S. for STEM Professionals — Grand Rapids, WalletHub #1 Region for End-of-Life Care Quality — Grand Rapids, Washington Post #4 Top Counties in Michigan for Manufacturing Jobs — Kent County, U.S Census Bureau #1 Top States for Auto Manufacturing Jobs — Michigan, Bureau of Labor Statistics #4 Top States for Manufacturing Jobs — Michigan, Bureau of Labor Statistics #1 Metro for Living a Balanced Lifestyle — Grand Rapids, MagnifyMoney #3 Best Cities for First-Time Home Buyers — Grand Rapids, LendingTree #7 Fastest Growing Economy in the U.S. — Grand Rapids, Forbes and Headlight Data #2 Most Improved Metros for Percentage Growth in GRP — Grand Rapids, Headlight Data #2 Best Places for New Small Businesses — Grand Rapids, LendingTree #5 Best Places to Live in Michigan — East Grand Rapids, Niche #54 Best Places to Live in the U.S. — East Grand Rapids, Niche

No. 6 Smaller City Poised to Skyrocket by Realtor.com.

These lists put Grand Rapids with cities such as Austin, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Salt Lake City; Atlanta; Seattle; Boston; Denver; and Madison, Wisconsin, and more on a regular basis, gaining more national attention. These lists can influence people not only to visit Grand Rapids but also to move and settle in Grand Rapids.

They showcase the variety and diversity of offerings in the city and make people aware of what is happening on this side of the state. The lists also help to share the culture and values of Grand Rapids by showcasing how friendly it is to entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as quality of life.

From arts and entertainment, to dining and nightlife, to the medical and education sectors, Grand Rapids continues to grow, expanding and creating — begging the question: What lists will the city top in 2019?

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#3 State for Tech Job Growth in 2017 — Michigan, CompTIA #2 Most Hipster City in the World — Grand Rapids, MoveHub #1 Small City to Start a Business in the U.S. — Holland, WalletHub High-Performing City — Grand Rapids, Governing and Living Cities #13 Best Large City to Start a Business — Grand Rapids, WalletHub #2 Best Place to Make the Most of a Tight Budget — Grand Rapids, MagnifyMoney #6 Smaller City Poised to Skyrocket — Grand Rapids, Realtor.com #10 Best Cities to Start a Career — Grand Rapids, WalletHub #11 Best States for Businesses — Michigan, CNBC

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Grand Rapids Community College’s impact is evident across West Michigan A study revealed GRCC adds nearly a half-billion dol-

where I go, people tell me their GRCC story. There’s a lot

lars to the economy in Kent and Ottawa counties. But

of pride in their voices. They are a reminder of the vital

the story is best told looking beyond the numbers to the

role we play in making our community stronger — from

people GRCC serves.

helping people overcome obstacles to assisting West

That includes high-achieving high school graduates

Michigan employers by developing a talented workforce.”

earning quality, affordable credits that transfer to a uni-

Pink said the college works closely with partners as

versity and the student taking college classes at night,

the region’s rapid changes spark the need for lifelong

continuing an education while working and raising a fam-

learning.

Those partnerships launched GRCC’s first-in-the-

ily.

It includes adults updating skills through the Work-

nation accredited medical assistant apprenticeship pro-

force Training program and first-generation college stu-

gram, which joins the nursing and radiology technolo-

dents building confidence.

gist programs and a certified nursing assistant program

“Our mission is to be relevant and responsive to the region we serve,” GRCC President Bill Pink said. “Every-

embedded in Holland Home to train for the health care industry.

“Our mission is to be relevant and responsive to the region we serve.

Everywhere I go, people tell me their GRCC story.

There’s a lot of pride in their voices. They are a reminder of the vital role we play in making our community stronger — from helping people overcome obstacles to assisting West Michigan employers by developing a talented workforce.”

BILL PINK, PRESIDENT

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GRCC’s craft brewing program — part of the internationally renowned Secchia Institute for Culinary Education — was created to meet demand in Grand Rapids’ recognized craft beer industry. The college also collaborated with municipalities for a Public Works Academy to build talent to repair our infrastructure and keep us safe.

GRCC works with K-12 districts on Early/Middle College programs, allowing students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree. A Challenge Scholars program with educators and the philanthropic community helps all students have an opportunity to succeed in college.

“For us to have an impact on our community, we need to be connected,” Pink said. “We value the trust when people come to us and ask how we can help. I’m also not afraid to knock on doors and ask for expertise.

We’re partners, and we are in this together.”

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grcc.edu

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From left are Noah Keefer, Maruf Hossain, Jim TenBrink, Brent Nowak, Jon Vinkso and John Doneth.

Engineering students at GVSU are real-world problem solvers Two medical devices created this year by Grand Valley State University teams are making an impact by improving surgical training methods and giving patients with neuromuscular diseases a better quality of life.

While the devices serve different purposes, the model used to bring products to market was the same: interdisciplinary teams of engineering students and faculty working collaboratively with business leaders.

Next winter, the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing will move into a new space designed to allow more student collaboration and more connections to industry. The Innovation and Design Center will open in the space now occupied by Ferris Coffee and Nut, 227 gvsu.edu/pcec

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Winter Ave. NW.

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From left are Sam Oostendorp, Jake Stephens, Jordan Vanderham and Austin Williams.

Paul Plotkowski, dean of PCEC, said more space was needed for student teams to deliver finished products.

type and converted cameras into lifelike X-ray visuals that surgeons need when not using cadavers.

“To accomplish this, we need substantial design and

The second device was developed by students, with

build space, and the support facilities such as machining,

guidance from professor John Farris. They created a

rapid prototyping, software development and electronics

cough assist device that will help improve the quality of

fabrication capabilities,” he said.

life for people with neuromuscular diseases. Grand Val-

Problem solvers The S2T Surgical Smart Trainer was created at Grand Valley’s applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI), under

ley partnered with Beaumont Health, in metro Detroit, to create the device at the request of Dr. Bassel Salman, who said it also will help decrease the cost of more intensive therapies.

direction of Brent Nowak, executive director. AMDI

It is the first time Grand Valley worked with Beaumont

opened in 2016 to support Grand Rapids’ growing medi-

Health, but the university has similar collaboration agree-

cal research and biomedical industries.

ments with Mercy Health and Spectrum Health, among

The surgical trainer was built for Encoris, a Holland

others.

company that manufactures and sells medical devices; it

Learn more about Grand Valley’s undergraduate and

is a unique device aimed at improving how surgeons are

graduate engineering programs at gvsu.edu/engineering.

trained for spinal procedures. Encoris’ Jim TenBrink said engineering students and the aMDI team took his proto-

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Pine Rest closes gaps in access to behavioral health services While access to behavioral health services is a national issue, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is working locally on several initiatives to ensure West Michigan has services ready and available.

“As the behavioral health leader in Michigan, we are investing in best-in-class technology, treatment and education to improve community health and well-being,” said Mark Eastburg, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Pine Rest.

One issue impacting access to behavioral health is a shortage of psychiatrists. In 2010, West Michigan faced a severe shortage, with one psychiatrist per 14,000 people instead of the one per 10,000 recommended by the American Psychiatric Association.

To address this problem, Pine Rest started a four-year psychiatry residency with Michigan State University in 2014.

This year, the first cohort of eight residents graduated. Two of them are pursuing fellowships at Pine Rest, one in child and adolescent psychiatry and one in geriatric psychiatry.

During the program, residents see patients, reducing wait times for adult outpatient psychiatry visits by 50 percent.

Barriers such as distance, transportation and child care still can prevent patients from attending appointments. Pine Rest eliminates these barriers by offering Telehealth Services, where patients can use online video chat technology for therapy appointments.

Issues such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual abuse and trauma, stress and substance abuse can be addressed with teletherapy.

Pine Rest began this service in 2017 and now has nearly 100 clinicians trained to provide teletherapy.

One more advancement in access to behavioral health services is helping patients take charge of their own care by using the Epic electronic health record. Pine Rest is the first behavioral health system to use the system, allowing patients to access their records, request prescription reviews, schedule appointments and more.

The system also is used by 18 health systems in Michigan for ease of patient care coordination.

“Epic provides our patients the best, easiest to use and most secure technology to meet their needs,” Eastburg said. “It enables us to further strengthen our treatment teams and the community of providers that surround our patients with expertise and compassion.”

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Designing a vibrant city: Progressive AE’s impact on Grand Rapids Architecture and engineering firm Progressive AE has

ternship program with 18 young professionals currently

experienced tremendous growth in 56 years — from ex-

on-board. The firm is attracting talent from as far as

panding geographically to increasing staff size to diver-

China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan and

sifying service offerings and markets. Growth is good. It

Nigeria.

fuels investment back into the community and is a priority for the Grand Rapids-based firm.

about advancing client aspirations to drive organizational

“Community impact plays out in three primary ways

performance. Some notable clients and projects include

for us,” said Bradley Thomas, president and chief execu-

the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Downtown Mar-

tive officer. “Attracting top talent to the area, contributing

ket, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand

to the city’s vibrancy through design and helping advance

Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of

the mission of local organizations through volunteerism

Commerce, Grand Rapids Community College, John Ball

and financial support.”

Zoo’s Bissell Tree House, Mary Free Bed YMCA, MLive and

The firm is committed to bringing talent to Grand Rapids. In fact, a corporate recruiter is on-staff to advance this initiative. Progressive AE boasts a vibrant in-

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The Right Place.

Despite doing work across the nation, Progressive AE calls Grand Rapids home.

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“We genuinely care about our community,” Thomas said. “We serve others by giving our time, talent and financial support.”

The firm is involved in organizations such as the American Heart Association, D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, Family Promise, Feeding America, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Kent ISD, Leadership Grand Rapids, Talent 2025 and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

Progressive AE was recently recognized as the

“We genuinely care about our community. We serve others by giving our time, talent and financial support.”

BRADLEY THOMAS, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

American Institute of Architect’s Michigan Firm of the Year, celebrating the firm’s dedication to innovative and sustainable design. In 2017, AIA recognized Progressive AE with the Grand Rapids Firm Achievement Award.

“To be honored by the AIA for our work is truly a reflection of our clients. We’re honored to have impact through great design,” said Bryan Koehn, principal and director of design.

Progressive AE also has offices in Muskegon, Holland and Charlotte, North Carolina.

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ProgressiveAE.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINYUPROAR

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Professional Video Production Justin Razmus is telling the story of Grand Rapids through its businesses and nonprofits, and by aiding others in finding their voice.

The visual storyteller and owner of 616 Media transitioned into the digital media business in 2009 after many years in the real estate industry and has been helping his clients share their events, mission and culture through video ever since.

“I want to create something that is not only entertaining to watch, with a creative element, but that also has a purpose,” Razmus said.

A Grand Rapids native, Razmus named his business after the local area code even though the company reaches beyond West Michigan.

“I like when people ask what it means so I can talk about how it all started in my hometown of Grand Rapids,” he said.

After spending years living in Colorado, Southern California, and traveling around Central and South America, Razmus said he believes the experiences of other cities and countries give him a unique perspective.

Another element setting 616 Media apart is the dedication to getting to know a client’s organization, mission and goals during a project.

“They’re surprised at how good we are at telling their story,” Razmus said. “There’s more to it than just filming a video. We help them implement it into a full plan to reach new clients and customers. We focus on the end goal as much as the creative process.”

A fast turnaround time helps 616 Media’s clients reach out to their audiences quickly.

“People are always surprised with how fast we get started on their edits, but it’s just the way we like to work. Edit while it’s fresh in our minds, and our clients really appreciate that,” Razmus said.

Though they have clients outside of West Michigan and continue to expand throughout the Midwest and beyond, he is proud of the organizations he has worked with in his hometown.

“I started here, and I look at all the cool things we have accomplished,” he said. “I want to see my company grow and expand in the same way I’ve watched the city of Grand Rapids grow.”

616media.com

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Catch The Wave The Rapid is making it even easier for passengers to ride The Rapid by introducing The Wave, an electronic fare payment system making boarding the bus and paying the fare quicker.

“We’re excited that The Rapid is Michigan’s first public transit agency to unveil this revolutionary system that combines electronic smart cards with capped fare technology,” said Peter Varga, The Rapid CEO.

Going greener The e-fare system speeds boarding at bus stops, eliminating the printing of more than 2.5 million paper tickets each year, including an estimated never-used 300,000 transfers, all without a fare increase. Passengers using The Wave will also have access to a paperless transfer timeframe of 1 hour and 45 minutes. This means that with one tap of The Wave card, passengers will have 105 minutes to ride The Rapid wherever they’d like, with unlimited transfers.

The Wave e-fare system features plastic smart cards and holds pay-as-you-go value to make travel even more convenient. Passengers will be able to add value online, at Rapid Central Station, or retail locations throughout The Rapid’s service area, and will tap their smart card as they board to pay their fare. Of course, cash is always accepted.

Save as you ride Riding The Rapid using the Wave gives passengers the savings of period passes without the commitment or the upfront cost. Passengers pay for one trip at a time, and never pay for a trip they don’t take. The Wave will give the best deal on fares based on how much passengers ride. It’s a “pay-as-you-go” pass: Earn a 1-Day pass after spending $3.50 in one day, a 7-Day pass after spending $16, and a 31-Day pass after spending $47.

In other words, once the cost of a period pass is reached, a passenger receives unlimited rides for the rest of that period — so everyone gets the savings of a pass without the upfront cost.

“Our state-of-the-art system will transform how The Rapid riders pay their fares and make travel in Greater Grand Rapids even more effortless and affordable,” Varga said.

Visit ridetherapid.org/the-wave to learn more about The Wave.

RideTheRapid.org

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“We work with our clients to help them not only have more energy and feel their best but also stay healthy so they can prevent illness.”

JUSTIN BING, CO-FOUNDER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

RevIVed Hydration — The Mobile IV Therapy Clinic That Comes To You Grand Rapids has a new option for wellness and recovery with RevIVed Hydration.

The IV infusion company works with clients to help them receive vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and, sometimes, the hydration they need to feel their best.

“We work with our clients to help them not only have more energy and feel their best but also stay healthy so they can prevent illness,” said Justin Bing, co-founder and operations manager.

Bing, a registered nurse, decided to pursue bringing revivedhydration.com

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IV infusions to Grand Rapids after 10 years in the health

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care industry, including over 8 years as an emergency

with small gauge needles for the most comfortable ex-

room nurse.

perience, and the entire visit takes about 35-45 minutes,

“Prevention is key, and people suffering from many

Bing said.

different acute or chronic medical ailments spend hun-

Packages include IV infusions to aid in general

dreds to thousands of dollars on urgent care, emergency

wellness, athletic recovery, weight loss and to provide

room and hospital visits, but if patients know their needs

symptom relief from asthma, fibromyalgia, headaches,

and can have regular infusions, those costs can be low-

hangovers, cold/flu symptoms and dehydration.

ered or eliminated,” Bing said.

Results vary depending on each patient’s goal and

Getting an infusion is easy — and quick.

reasonings for receiving an infusion, however, Bing said

Appointments can be made online and can some-

most people feel a boost of energy, as well as a higher

times be available the same day.

The company is mobile at the moment, but Bing anticipates having a permanent space in fall 2018. Clients can also set up appointments at Grand Rapids Natural Health if they prefer.

sense of focus and clarity.

“They just feel a greater sense of well-being afterward,” he said.

Effects can last for several weeks, but it is best to have regular treatments, Bing said.

Prior to each appointment, clients will fill out a full

Monthly memberships, as well as whole-body cryo-

health history form and get a brief physical assessment

therapy, are some of the offerings expected to be avail-

prior to receiving their infusion. The infusion is done

able in the permanent space this fall.

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The Right Place, Inc. If business owners in Grand Rapids thought they were going to get a minute to rest in 2018 — they were wrong.

The economic growth and development that continued to gain momentum in 2017 has increased even further in 2018 and shows no signs of slowing.

“Our business development team completed a record 23 projects in 2017, resulting in nearly 1,446 jobs and more than $120.6 million in new capital investment,” said Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place, the economic development organization devoted to advancing the West Michigan economy.

These projects have a big impact on Grand Rapids, creating jobs, building personal wealth, promoting diversity and retaining talent. All of which contribute to the growing reputation of Grand Rapids on a national scale.

Companies coming to the area see Grand Rapids as a region of growth opportunity for their business, with a unique, collaborative business environment, as well as business-friendly state and local government. The area also has a competitive tax climate and a talented workforce that continues to expand as more and more people migrate to West Michigan.

West Michigan, with the Grand Rapids city center, is growing faster than most areas of Michigan, a state that is growing both economically and by population.

The Right Place continues to build on its three-year strategic plan, which began in 2017. The organization is moving forward with national and international business development and marketing strategies, putting Grand Rapids and West Michigan in front of business leaders throughout the world, all while being a resource and partner to businesses already in the area.

“We will continue to drive current and long-term economic growth and prosperity, working with companies to expand, invest and create jobs in our community,” Klohs said.

rightplace.org

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