Grand Rapids Magazine September/October 2023

Exactly where you should be.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023

ATHENA AWARDS FINALISTS

The Grand Rapids Chamber and ATHENA Grand Rapids are thrilled to celebrate the 2023 ATHENA Awards finalists

These thirteen finalists join three decades of history as part of ATHENA Grand Rapids, which is dedicated to developing, empowering, and encouraging the inclusion of women across our region.

The ATHENA Awards program began in Grand Rapids in 1989 to honor individuals for their professional excellence, community service and active assistance of women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

The finalists will be honored and recipients will be announced at the ATHENA Awards Celebration on Wednesday, September 20 at the JW Marriott.

LEARN MORE:

The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding leader who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The finalists include:

The ATHENA Young Professional Award is presented to an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession; serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally; and provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others. The finalists include:

The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes an organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders. These organizations create a culture that encourages women to achieve their full leadership potential and give back to the larger community of women and girls by supporting leadership initiatives. The finalists include:

SONALI ALLEN Mercantile Bank

SHOROUQ ALMALLAH GVSU Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

SARA ARMBRUSTER Steelcase, Inc.

ROSALYNN BLISS City of Grand Rapids

LATESHA A. LIPSCOMB, JD Amplify GR

RENIDA CLARK West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology

EVELYN ESPARZAGONZALEZ Hispanic Center of Western Michigan

STELLA MICHAEL Priority Health | Corewell Health

ALLIE WALKER Truscott Rossman

CARRIE WILSON Freedom Construction

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALFIELD REEVES

Grand Rapids Symphony's Chorus Director, Pearl Shangkuan

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS BEGIN HERE.

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY VISIT TO MICHIGAN’S LITTLE BAVARIA!

Frankenmuth sparkles all-season-long with over 175 trees lit on Main Street, a spectacular 40-ft singing tree with a light show, the Frankenmuth Ice Rink in Zehnder Park, and the World’s Largest Christmas Store, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland.

Plan your trip today at frankenmuth.org or call us at 800-FUN-TOWN.

every issue

10 editor's letter

117 dining guide

A guide to the area's best eateries

136 gr gems

What happened to Sparrows?

people + places

14 city

What's new with ArtPrize and Confluence Festival + Poutine!

15 guide

Places we partake in Pulaski Days – The city's Polish Halls

16 voice

From mud hut to boardroom and back again.

19 profile

Artist, illustrator collaborate on graphic novel.

22 issues

Removing forever chemicals from our water.

24 spotlight

Singer-songwriter shares West Coast success story.

look + feel

28 wellness

Therapists cultivate wellness through artistic experience.

30 style

SCAD student featured in preeminent periodical.

32 expert Designer translates love stories into décor for the big day.

33 experience

Discovering downtown Ada's boutiques, shops and eateries.

36 home

Real estate agent specializes in senior support.

food + drink

84 table

Meet Ada Village restaurant's highly decorated chef!

88 must-try

Mediterranean cuisine that's 'ridiculously good.'

90 on-the-go

New app helps health conscious shoppers manage busy lives.

91 cheers

Lively bar and grill gets a new owner and another chance.

92 create

Glorious golumpki – irresistable stuffed cabbage roll recipe.

Editorial

Managing Editor: Lisa Enos

Contributors: Ann Byle, Kelsey Dunneback, Pat Evans, Mary Howing, Abby Poirier, Jason Roth, Pasha Shipp, Gil Stansell

Design

Creative Director: Lindsay Richards

Art Director: Keagan Coop

Senior Production Artist: Stephanie Daniel

Contributors: Michelle Cuppy, Bryan Esler, Teri Genovese, James Heimer, Stacy Feyer-Salo, Amanda Kamppinen, Katy McAvoy, Alfield Reeves, Ashley Wierenga

Sales

General Inquiries: (616) 459-4545; advertising@hour-media.com

Account Executives: Nick Irwin, Maddy Gill, Haylee Mozug

Production

Production Director: Jenine Knox

Senior Production Coordinator: Jill Berry

Production Artist: Jonathan Boedecker

Advertising Coordinators: Helena Hill, Amanda Kozlowski

Graphic Designers: Jim Bibart, Kathryn Dave

Web

Digital Director: Nick Britsky

Digital Development Manager: Matthew Cappo

Digital Development Specialists: Jim Bowser, Marissa Jacklyn, Luanne Lim, Kevin Pell

Digital Strategy Manager: Travis Fletcher

Digital Media Assistant: Robyn Banks

IT Director: Jeremy Leland

Circulation

Audience Development Director: Geralyn Wilson

Circulation Manager: Riley Meyers

Senior Circulation Coordinators: David Benvenuto, Rachel Moulden

Circulation Coordinators: Susan Combs, Cathy Krajenke, Michele Wold

Circulation Customer Service: (866) 660-6247

Marketing

Marketing & Events Manager: Jodie Svagr

Marketing & Events Coordinator: Jaime Presnail

Communications & PR: Regan Blissett

Marketing & Events Interns: Morgan Barbat, Delia Bechmann, Natalie Brooks, Julia Tatone, Yessica Villarruel

Administration

Director Of Business Operations: Kathie Gorecki

Publishing and Sales Coordinator: Mikala Bart

Assistant Office Manager: Natasha Bajju

Senior Accounting Associate: Andrew Kotzian

Accounting Associates: Samantha Dick, Austin Schmelzle

A celebration of endeavors of the creative kind

There's not much that can compete with a warm September evening spent strolling around the city, taking in the enigmatic phenomenon that occurs this time each year when: outdoor plazas are supplanted by sculpture parks; indoor spaces overflow with fine art and people who are drawn to experience it; the sidewalks, like museum hallways, become thoroughfares through which art enthusiasts hurry to and from one grand gallery to the next. Yes, the downtown does seem to transmogrify into a veritable canvas upon which ArtPrize paints herself. And to think, when planning for this– the "Arts" issue – began in early 2023, the fate of the opento-everyone art competition hung in the balance!

It's customary for us to find the festival's perennial contenders and get to work interviewing the celebrated artists competing for the $400,000 in prize money, but with ArtPrize plans in the air, we got to work exploring other avenues to ensure our "Arts" issue would be chock full.

Abby Poirier found the curious character you saw on the cover, who is pursuing an all-but-forgotten artform– tintype photography! Abby also talks with author Graci Harkema, who's written a book called Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom – and Back Again (that's a must-read). Gil Stansell explores the musical genius of our city’s symphony conductors in Meet the Maestros. Ann Byle reports on a graphic novel creative duo, and she interviews an art therapist and patient. An aspiring clothing designer, SCAD student Cassie Dean of Lowell, shares the thrill of having her collection featured in a preeminent fashion magazine and Pasha Shipp talks to a wedding designer who specializes in translating a couple's love story into an experience.

On the "fare" side of things, Pat Evans gives us the scoop on the city’s best new bars and restaurants, and talks to the awardwinning chef at Myrth, a new restaurant in Ada.

Kelsey Dunneback goes into more details about Ada Village’s recent transformation, and I tackle a big issue in Annihilating the PFAS problem

Lisa Enos Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

The best ways to reach us: Email: lenos@hour-media.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Or follow us online at grmag.com or on social media: @grmag @grmagazine @grmagazine

Next issue

Restaurant of the Year

Hip Hop Turns 50 Holiday Entertaining

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Ann Byle

GR Mag: You do a lot of writing for us, Ann. Which one of your previous stories stands out most?

AB: One of my favorite writing assignments was the story about the Grand River that ran earlier this year. I talked to people who love the river, found historic photos of the river, and learned more about how much of an asset the Grand River was to Native peoples and is to Grand Rapids today.

HIT THE RESET BUTTON ON YOUR IMAGINATION.

Diverse, eclectic and inspiring – arts and culture in Kentucky continually surprise and delight visitors.

kentuckytourism.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN ALTDORFER

Confluence Festival is an outdoor event that focuses on innovation.

Poutine Prize, year three

SEPT. 14 – OCT 1

To remedy the doldrums experienced along the Michigan Street corridor during ArtPrize, 10 restaurants come together each year for a competition of their own – Poutine Prize! Serving up some culinary creations originated by our neighbors from the north, Poutine Week is the perfect place to try these unique dishes and vote for your favorite.

Like ArtPrize, the competition runs Sept. 14 – Oct 1 and the popular prize will be decided by the people. Mistreet.org

Festival fun at Rosa Parks Circle

SEPT. 22 & 23 AT ROSA PARKS CIRCLE

Founded in 2021, Confluence festival connects art, music, science, and technology through programs and shared experiences. The festival announced expanded collaborations with Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University, the Presenting Sponsor of the Maker Expo.

“The opportunity to build upon our partnership with Confluence provides a showcase for the cutting-edge work of our faculty,” said Bobby Fleischman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ferris State University.

Ferris will also co-produce an e-sports competition to demonstrate the full range of their students’ gaming capabilities –from competition to casting to production.

Confluencefest.com

CITY

ArtPrize 2023

Venues, donors, sponsors, participants, placemaking and events

BY LISA ENOS

ArtPrize 2023 opens Sept. 14 with a kickoff party at Ah-Nab-Awen Park featuring the wild and operatic national touring act, Squonk Opera, followed by a fireworks display.

In its newest incarnation, ArtPrize operates as a partnership between Kendall College, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., and The City of Grand Rapids, with a new Executive Director – Catlin Whitington – at the helm.

“Community building is a passion of mine,” said Whitiington, who has a background in urban planning and previously held the position of Vice President of Campus Operations at the Long Center of Performing Arts in Austin, Texas. His vision for ArtPrize centers around creating an abundance of opportunity for people to rediscover their city through fun new events, and placemaking–– converting existing spaces into cool venues that will be active throughout the 18-day duration.

Some must-see ArtPrize venues to check out this year will include:

• A “Clubhouse” at the former UICA, 2 W Fulton

• An “Oasis” at 555 Monroe in partnership with Frederik Meijer Gardens

• A “Rec Room” at 925 Ottawa

With 1000 artists displaying works of art in 155 venues, there will be much to see; some that will be hard to miss, like Paint My Ride—six Hondas decorated by Kendall Art students, which will be parked along Monroe Center. A self-guided, color-coded “Pantone Pathway” will help folks navigate the rest.

Whiting said he seeks to strengthen ties with other events that happen concurrently, such as Tech Week, Confluence and the African American Music Festival which celebrates artistic contributions of the local African American community Sept. 15 and 16 at Studio Park.

Artprize.org

Squonk Opera, creator of a show called "Hand to Hand" pictured below, will debut a new performance at ArtPrize 2023.

ArtPrize Executive Director Catlin Whitington

Have a barrel of fun at Pulaski Days

The annual festival celebrating all things Polish is scheduled for Oct. 6-8 in 2023

BY MARY HOWING

Grand Rapids has historically been known for its ethnic groups that settled the area. None is more prolific of those early decades as the Polish immigrants. Woven throughout the west side are seven “Polish halls,” as they are called, and two Lithuanian halls. There are also three Polish halls on the east side. Each opens its doors to all the first weekend in October for the annual festival known as Pulaski Days. It was started in 1973 by Edward Czyzyk and Walter Ulanch at Diamond Hall, and it has grown into four days of festivities. Even those who have moved away often come back for the weekend to see old friends and make new ones.

Most halls are affiliated with a nearby Catholic church, and began as a way to help new Polish immigrants integrate into their

new community. One in particular is 5th Street Hall, originally known as “St. Adalbert’s Fraternal Aid Society.” Founded in 1872, it is the oldest fraternal society operating in Michigan, according to the Polish Heritage Society. The society helped create the Basilica of St. Adalbert and was the first Polish Catholic church in Grand Rapids. There are two Lithuanian halls that were started for the same purpose; community. Vytautas Hall, which was founded in 1910, and Sons & Daughters Hall founded in 1912.

The hall buildings are over 100 years old and are important facets of the Grand Rapids architectural landscape. St. Adalbert’s 5th Street Hall was built in 1872; Knights of St. Casimir’s 6th Street Hall, 1895; Polish National Aid Society (Jackson Street Hall), 1888; Eastern Avenue Hall 1896; St. Stanislaus Aid Society (Little Hall), 1898; Kosciuszko Hall, 1903; St. Ladislaus Hall, 1904; St. George’s Hall, 1905; Diamond Hall, 1907; and Polish Falcons, 1927.

Pulaski Days would not be complete without delicious Polish food. Each year there is a kielbasa eating contest, and many halls take the opportunity to showcase homemade offerings such as golumpki, pierogis, kielbasa, and kapusta, to name a few. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy (see our golumpki recipe on page 92).

While the halls are main stops, many other nearby establishments open doors to celebrate. American Legion Post 459, Logan’s Alley, Bob’s Bar, Birch Lodge, Maggie’s Bar and Knights of Columbus Hall are a few of note, and some serve Polish food throughout Pulaski Days, as well.

Most halls also feature music by bands or DJ’S to get everyone dancing. Some popular Polish bands who have played each year are The Stan Mroz Orchestra, The Ray Watkoski Band, Gary Szotko, Gerry Kaminski’s Polka Network, and the ever popular Scottville Clown Band. While polka music is traditional, each club offers current bands and music too.

The Pulaski parade is Saturday morning and will be on the east side this year on Michigan Street. Featuring a float competition and bands, it’s a great way to start the day! Visit pulaskidays.org

Pulaski Days was started in 1973 by Edward Czyzyk and Walter Ulanch at Diamond Hall, and it has grown into four days of festivities.

Polish Halls are alight with activity during Pulaski Days.

Baring it all in book form

Orphaned at birth in

BY ABBY POIRIER

Graci Harkema, international speaker and owner of DEI consulting firm Graci LLC, published Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom – and Back Again in 2022. The intimate memoir tells a moving, personal journey of self-discovery. Here, she reflects on her book with Grand Rapids Magazine.

GR Mag: There's been such a positive response to Rising. Did you expect that?

GH: I was so nervous leading up to the launch. I had no idea, especially what Grand Rapids folks would think about it. There's so much in the book that's centered around Grand Rapids’ culture. And it's so personal. I was really terrified of just not knowing how it was going (to go).

GR Mag: What was that moment that you knew your story needed to be shared?

GH: Discovering my biological mother was still alive! On that trip (to meet my mother), I wrote down how I felt. And I read the segment to my mom and dad and their response (was) something along the lines of, “Wow, other parents should hear this,” because they resonated so strongly with it. That moment I realized, “Okay, what I just wrote is going to be a book.”

GR Mag: How long did you work on this project before we got Rising? GH: I worked on my book for seven years. The writing process, it's so funny. People tell me literally every day “I want to write a book.” I never aspired to write a book. But when I had that very powerful changing experience in 2015 (of meeting my mother), I had to.

Starting in April 2020, I (wrote) 40 to 50 hours a week. I was writing every single day, sometimes until the sun came up.

The first response from a major publisher was, “This is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever read, but you didn't have enough Instagram followers, so we can't guarantee sales.” And they passed.

Thankfully, my coach believed in my story.

I got a deal from Page Two out of Vancouver and had a great immediate connection with them. I loved that they believed in the story, and they saw the potential that this book could have.

GR Mag: How does it feel to be a professional in the workplace and also so open and vulnerable? GH: I think there's this perception, especially as a millennial, Black female in business, as an executive in business, that you have to be so fierce and confident. So, it was really terrifying. (But) I think that we are the most powerful when we are the most real and we are the most authentic. And we can't show up as being real and authentic if we're not vulnerable.

Graci Harkema shares her story of growing up in Grand Rapids as an adoptee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa.

the Congo, author recalls reconnecting with her mother and what drove her to write

"There's so much in the book that's centered around Grand Rapids’ culture. And it's so personal."

Graci Harkema

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Author, illustrator create graphic novel

'Close cousin' of the comic book tells stories through images and words.

BY ANN BYLE // PHOTOS BY BRYAN ESLER

The road to publication of The Quarry wasn’t free of rocks and ruts, but now local author Mike Salisbury and local illustrator Marvin Luna are entering the world of graphic novels with a 90-page book and a No. 1 issue sampler that was released on June 28. Releasing a section early as a special edition is a usual practice in the comic book/graphic novel industry. The trade paperback edition of The Quarry will be released by Scout Comics on Dec. 7, 2023, an opportune time for a graphic novel with “Christmas vibes,” according to Salisbury, who lives in Hudsonville. There are also Northern Michigan vibes, winter vibes, and coming-of-age vibes in the book.

From left, illustrator Marvin Luna and author Mike Salisbury look over their new graphic novel.

In the novel, after a family tragedy a boy sets out with his brother’s ex-girlfriend Katie to find the perfect Christmas tree to help each other get over a loss and reclaim a bit of the holiday spirit.

“As with any coming-of-age story, you hope readers find a bit of themselves in the story, that they can relate to Katie and the boy,” said Salisbury. “And I think at the heart of The Quarry is a very Michigan story. The Michigan setting is as much a character is the characters are.”

story, you hope

a bit of themselves in the story, that they can relate to Katie and the boy.”

For Luna, who lives in Holland, Michigan’s seasons played a big role. “Having spent most of my childhood in central Florida, I’m a bit of an outsider when it comes to Michigan culture and its seasons,” he said. “The falls and winters are such a shift from what I grew up with and are very distinct. I hope the visuals in The Quarry reflect that unique northern quality.”

Salisbury and Luna began their collaboration by accident back in 2013. Luna sent an illustrated postcard about a different graphic novel project to the publisher where Salisbury worked at the time. Salisbury still doesn’t know how the postcard landed on his desk, but he does know he contacted Luna about adapting his own short story “The Quarry” into a graphic novel. He had written it while at Pacific University doing his MFA and originally titled it “Don’t Call It Christmas.”

“I thought the story was beautifully written, the characters dimensional and identifiable,” said Luna. “The story was atmospherically delicate and had an economy to it that was really attractive.”

Yet Luna declined the job. Salisbury waited, tinkered, wrote and rewrote, looked at several other illustrators but nothing gelled.

Luna contacted Salisbury out of the blue

“As with any coming-of-age

readers find

Mike Salisbury

Luna's sketches (above) and the graphic novel's cover (right). Luna and Salisbury laugh while talking shop outside the Grand Rapids Art Museum (below).

years later about the project. “It took about eight years and some life experience for me to be confident about adapting this short but rich story,” Luna said.

The pair were off and running, with Salisbury trusting Luna to create illustrations for the story and Luna making the short story his own. Conveniently, both men now live in West Michigan where Salisbury works remotely for Yates & Yates as a literary agent and Luna as a freelance illustrator. Luna moved to the area when his wife took a job at Ferris State University. He has since received his BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design.

“To have a successful collaboration, the project can no longer be what it was,” said Salisbury. “The short story part is done, and the graphic novel is new and something Marvin and I share so it had to become Marvin’s too.”

Luna agrees, saying, “Mike is a great writer and I got to explore his ideas visually. His trust was so great and so big and it made me confident.”

Illustrations took several years, with back-and-forth discussion and a few changes. Salisbury had Luna change the car from a Ford to a Chevy and tweak the characters’ house a bit.

“Marvin’s talent exceeded the story,” said Salisbury. “He had brilliant ideas. My thought was to not impede his process, to let him do his thing.”

Graphic novels and comic books—close cousins that tell stories via illustrations and words—are gaining ground in the mainstream as more people realize the storytelling capabilities of the genre. They can also draw in reluctant readers who find the visuals appealing and can draw in more visually-oriented people who struggle with mainstream books.

Salisbury sees the graphic novel and comic industry as wide open to all kinds of books and stories. “I think the term ‘graphic’ creates a hurdle for some parents, but that hesitation is slowly eroding with the popularity of the novels. People are more familiar with the term, but it would be great to see more readers give books like The Quarry a chance.”

Salisbury also sees graphic novels as the “perfect marriage between story and film. In making The Quarry, it often felt to me like Marvin was directing a film. I appreciate his eye for laying out panels and creating exquisite pages. He’s a very cinematic artist.”

Both men are busy on additional projects, Salisbury working on more short stories and dreaming of a serialized comic book story. Luna is working on adapting the biblical story of Jonah into comic book form. Both are delighted at the outcome of their partnership.

Luna calls is “an ego-free collaboration” and Salisbury calls it “nothing short of a miracle.”

A No. 1 issue sampler was released on June 28. The 90-page book will be available for purchase Dec. 7. Purchase your copy!

The No. 1 issue of The Quarry is available at Vault of Midnight, 95A Monroe Center St. NW, and at the Scout Comics website.

The Quarry is available for preorder at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the Simon & Schuster website. Check local bookstores for preorder updates and event details.

“It took about eight years and some life experience for me to be confident about adapting this short but rich story.”

Marvin Luna

Annihilating the PFAS problem

BY LISA ENOS // ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES HEIMER

While residents affected with PFAS-contaminated groundwater in Northeast Kent County continue the battle with Wolverine Worldwide to provide them with clean municipal water, a business in the other corner of the county is making history by annihilating PFAS.

Traditional methods of disposal included sending PFAS-laden waste to landfills or deep well injection sites, and thermal treatment using incineration, none of which were proven to completely destroy PFAS.

By now, most Grand Rapidians have heard of these forever chemicals, but as a refresher or for those who are just hearing it for the first time, PFAS is an acronym that stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances–harmful chemicals that were considered impossible to break down…until now!

The Heritage-Crystal Clean wastewater treatment plant in Wyoming is currently up and running, destroying PFAS chemicals in landfill leachate to the tune of 160,000 gallons per day (the first permitted solution in the United States) using the Battelle PFAS Annihilator™ — a solution that comes with a certificate of destruction. The PFAS Annihilator is provided by Revive Environmental, a full-service, environmental contaminant mitigation and water treatment company on a mission to destroy PFAS. The technology used in the PFAS Annihilator was developed at Battelle, an applied-science lab and non-profit organization in Columbus, Ohio with a mission to “translate scientific discovery and technology advances into societal benefits” and “solve what matters most.”

What are PFAS and how did we come to be reliant on them? Originally designed as an armor coating in the 1940s the PFAS have been adapted for use in a wide array of consumer and industrial products such as

non-stick cookware, stain-resistant textiles, paint, metal plating, food packaging, and firefighting foams. The PFAS chemicals in these products seep into soil, and can even be found in the food supply. In 2021, the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency identified more than 120,000 U.S. locations where people may be exposed to PFAS.

How did Wyoming become ground zero for annihilation of PFAS? In 2022, Heritage-Crystal Clean hosted a pilot-scale demonstration of the PFAS-eliminating technology. The company’s President and CEO Brian Recatto saw the PFAS Annihilator’s potential for leachate and the companies developed a partnership called 4never™ – the first closed-loop PFAS remediation system which includes the PFAS Annihilator as the destruction technology. Revive’s deployment with Heritage-Crystal Clean is the first example of such a partnership.

Harmful effects of PFAS

• Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.

• Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.

• Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.

• Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.

• Interference with the body’s natural hormones.

• Increased risk of obesity and/or cholesterol levels.

Where PFAS are found:

• Drinking water – in public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells.

• Soil and water at or near waste sites.

• Fire extinguishing foam – in aqueous film-forming foams (or AFFFs) used to extinguish flammable liquidbased fires.

• Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that use or produce PFAS.

“Our mission is to globally restore communities’ confidence by safely and permanently destroying PFAS contamination,” said Revive President and CEO David Trueba.

“We are providing a solution for this significant challenge.”

Trueba said that the company's proprietorial technology was developed by repourposing technology used in chemical weapons destruction. In this first deployment in Michigan, Heritage will work with multiple landfills, transporting, separating, and concentrating their leachate. As the PFAS Annihilator comes up to full capacity, it will process between 300 to 500 gallons of concentrated landfill leachate per day (representing 300,000 to 500,000 gallons of raw leachate) to completely destroy the PFAS contained in it. Once the contaminated fluids are processed by the PFAS Annihilator, the only byproducts remaining, says the company, are clean effluent water, carbon dioxide and inert salts. Heritage Crystal-Clean will discharge this water to publicly owned water treatment works.

The company maintains a discharge permit that includes regular monitoring to confirm compliance with discharge limits and says state and local regulatory agencies have conducted multiple inspections and concur that the process is protective of human health and the environment. Engineering calculations have confirmed that discharges to the atmosphere are negligible. Plans and permits are all in place to confirm ongoing environmental compliance.

• Food – for example in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS.

• Food packaging such as greaseresistant paper, fast food containers/ wrappers, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, and candy wrappers.

• Household products and dust – for example in stain and water-repellent used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; paints, varnishes, and sealants.

• Personal care products – for example in certain shampoo, dental floss, and cosmetics.

• Biosolids – for example fertilizer from wastewater treatment plants that are used on agricultural lands can affect ground and surface water and animals that graze on the land.

The elimination of forever chemicals has begun in Kent County.

Poel positioned for success

90s-influenced modern punk fuels outpouring from fans

BY LISA ENOS

Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Austin

Poel has had a lot of success recently. Barely 40, the lyricist-guitarist-vocalist has already had a storied career, having performed in several bands, as a solo act, and on stage in a musical theater production portraying the late father of grunge.

He began performing while he was still in school and later fronted Round Brown Suitcase, a cover band that was packing popular venues around Grand Rapids a little over a decade ago.

He wanted more than his hometown could offer, so he set his sights on the place all artists go to make it big– California. Once in LA, Poel spent a year learning multiple Beatles songs, which are “the foundational blueprint for pop music,” he said.

The yearlong study paid off. His single Lightning in a Bottle (L.I.B.), a modern/ vintage pop single, went to No. 1 on the What’s In-Store Music charts in 2018, garnering a whopping three million streams!

“I think I’ve tried writing and performing every genre of music,” said Poel.

Poel says The Beach Boys were his earliest influencers. Not surprising, then, that he now calls Redondo Beach home.

"Living in the South Bay you really start to figure out that you’re at ground zero for classic punk rock– Bad Religion, Pennywise, Black Flag, NOFX, and The Descendants – bands I really didn't get into until I moved to LA."

Poel attended Grand Rapids Christian High School. He said his summers were spent drinking beer on the beach and jamming Nirvana riffs in the garage, a background he describes as "typical middle class." In addition to entertaining fans with original music and covers for years as a regular performer at the popular Hotel Café in Hollywood, Poel has also landed music in Lowes and BMW commercials.

He said he "hit his stride" while portraying Kurt Cobain in a Vegas-style tribute show called The 27 Club. Things were going great, but Covid-19 put an end to that.

“Coming out of the pandemic, I had

a chip on my shoulder. The way the government and politicians handled issues drew big red flags for me. My core ethos is equality amongst all human beings. I have no tolerance for people who try to benefit off the hard work of others or maintain a lack of transparency to keep themselves ahead," Poel said.

The post-pandemic chip fueled an epiphany. He was an avid fan of the punk genre as a listener, why not give it a try as an artist?

He got to work on a single and packed it with an arsenal of politically motivated lyrics and classic punk riffs and named it "1997." The single struck a chord with listners, so he followed it up with another, and then another. Then, something amazing happened:

“That’s when I started hearing from people all over the world, places like the U.K., Australia, Canada. That’s when I started getting the deep connection to fans,” Poel said. His newest single Three Chords and the Truth is the fourth song of ten in a punk album that's currently in the works and slated for a 2025 release.

Listen to Poel on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.

Art created for Poel's single entitled Three Chords and the Truth.

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SEPTEMBER 15

SEPTEMBER 16 DICK DIAMOND & THE DUSTERS

SEPTEMBER 22 BRENA

SEPTEMBER 23 Y2K

SEPTEMBER 29 HAIRBANGERS BALL

SEPTEMBER 30 THE LOUNGE PUPPETS

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 6 SPAZMATICS

OCTOBER 7 SPAZMATICS

OCTOBER 13 BRENA

OCTOBER 14 NIGHTSNAKE

OCTOBER 20 SUSHI ROLL

OCTOBER 21 LOUDERNOW

OCTOBER 27 HELLO WEEKEND

OCTOBER 28 HELLO WEEKEND

OCTOBER 29 VIETNAMESE NIGHT

Healing through art therapy

Art paints a new picture for patients, therapists at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

BY ANN BYLE // PHOTOS BY BRYAN ESLER

Stephanie Harris sits close to the table in her wheelchair, a halfpainted papier-mâché mask propped on the tabletop easel. She talks to art therapist Libby Smith about her next step for the mask. One half has lipstick, eyeshadow, rouge, and eyebrows. The other is blank.

“One half is wearing makeup, which is how I usually look; the other will look darker, like a tan, which is how I would if I could be outside,” said Harris. “I will add words and expressions about how people see me.”

Before the hour-long session is over, Harris has covered the half mask with a darker tan paint and penciled on the words “strong,” “effort,” and “determination.” She’ll paint those words next time and is thinking about what she’ll paint on the inside of the mask.

“The outside is to express how I feel others see me, and the inside is how I see myself,” said Harris, who had been at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital since May 11 and was hoping for a July release.

“The last piece of art I did was about how I felt that day. It was a bad day because I found out I had to stay longer. I split my painting: one side was a beach and water and sun, and in a bottom quarter I

put clouds and rain,” said Harris. “I painted my emotional landscape.”

Harris painted while she talked with Smith, an art therapist (ATR-Provisional) who blends talk therapy and art to help all kinds of patients at Mary Free Bed: adults, children, those who have experienced car accidents, amputations, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and a variety of other afflictions.

Art therapy helps with fine motor skills and emotional processing and regulation, said Smith. “Any time a patient comes to a hospital, that is a trauma, and trauma can be stored in our bodies,” she said. “I want to work on the trauma stored in our bodies before it does any harm and begins to cause dysregulation.”

Art therapy is part of the mental health

Stephanie Harris attends an art therapy session at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in June, 2023.

profession and is used as a form of treatment to “foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change,” according to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), a nonprofit professional organization for art therapists.

Western Michigan University offers the undergraduate course requirements via its Studio Arts Degree (and similar degrees) that allows students to continue to graduate programs. In Michigan, Wayne State University offers a master’s degree and certification in art therapy, all overseen by AATA.

While Mary Free Bed uses art therapy as part of rehabilitation therapy plans, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services adds art therapy to in-patient mental health care plans. Kayla Jeltema is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist who uses art in her work with groups and individuals.

“I use art as a tool to help people regulate emotions, as a stress management technique, to develop coping skills,” she said. “I used it in groups to aid in whatever topic we’re addressing and to back up our teaching.”

Topics can include mindfulness, stress management, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. Jeltema has patients color mandalas, geometric designs in circular form, and focus on the center. She has them draw something that holds their stress, such as coffee pot or watering can and picture pouring out the stress. She uses Zentangle, or structured doodling, to help with relaxation and focusing on the moment.

Painting is a favorite activity—she has patients choose a song and paint whatever comes to mind when they hear it.

“We might play ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams, yet patients have different emotions about that song. They are all hearing the same music and using the same painting supplies, but all have a different take on that song,” said Jeltema.

Kerry Huver, a licensed professional counselor who is also board certified in art therapy (ATR-BC), uses a combination of talk and art therapy in her practice through Grand Rapids Therapy Group.

“I gauge what is therapeutic for the person, what mediums they might be drawn to,” said Huver. “It’s an opening to other verbal discussion. They might tell me more about an image and I can gain insight into their relationships or their family.”

Huver uses a variety of mediums depending on the patient’s wants and needs, including drawing, painting, 3-D sculpture, visual journaling, photographs, and music. A patient may connect with a symphony or movie soundtrack, lyrics to a song or an instrumental piece. Some may use different art materials each time or use the same materials each session.

She helps patients deal with anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma, helps them work on emotional regulation and to be more at ease in their bodies. Around 30 percent opt for art therapy in the therapeutic space.

“Within therapeutic relationships, it’s so unique to each person,” she said. “We work together to figure out what’s going to be the most supportive for them, what fosters communication in the therapy space.”

Art therapy, as Huver said, “opens the door in a different way to discussion.”

Smith at Mary Free Bed adds, “Art therapy touches everyone. It is a different way to form a new path in our brains, a different way to process the emotions that are overwhelming us.

Other Options for Art Therapy

While art therapy in a clinical sense can only happen if a therapist is present, the healing qualities of the creation process are well known. If you need mental health services, please contact a provider. If you’d like to experience art in a casual setting, check out these options.

I’m an Artist Community Studio

2166 Wealthy St. SE

Art classes, workshops and open studio time for adults and children.

The Mud Room

1971 E. Beltline Ave NE

Pottery painting, potter’s wheel, wood signs, glass fusing, plus range of activities for children.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

E. Beltline Ave. NE

Wide range of art and gardening classes for all ages.

Grand Rapids

Art Museum

101 Monroe Center NW

Adult workshop series, drop-in sessions, Saturday studio sessions, plus activities for children.

Hearts for the Arts

1141 Quarry Ave NW

Inclusive public art classes and group events for adults and children of all abilities.

Pottery Lane Studio & Workshop

401 Hall St. SW

Offerings ranging from eight-week classes to one-night events to private parties for adults, plus a variety of classes for youth.

"I want to work on the trauma stored in our bodies before it does any harm and begins to cause dysregulation."

Libby Smith

(Above)Art therapy patient Stephanie Harris painted the outside of a mask– how other people see her.

(Below) Art therapist Libby Smith helps Harris before her session at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Strike a pose!

From Lowell to SCAD, Cassie Dean's college collection featured in Vogue

BY LISA ENOS // PHOTOS BY SNIGDHA GOPIDI

Grand Rapids Magazine: Can you tell us where you went to high school and what year you graduated? Cassie Dean: I went to Lowell High School, just a little outside of Grand Rapids. I graduated in 2018.

GR MAG: Anything about growing up in Grand Rapids that inspired you to take this career path? CD: Grand Rapids inspired the artist in me more than I even knew before moving to Savannah College of Art and Design. Growing up, I went into the city more

Connect with Cassie:

Website: www.mindofcassie.com

Art Instagram: @mindofcassie

Personal instagram: @cassiedean_

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ cassie-dean-6b6779194

Cassie Dean's MORPHED collection explores the toxic beauty standard, obsession with exterior and perfectionism. The entire collection features five different looks (right).

than I probably spent in Lowell because of the art and energy I felt there. Going there was my little escape. I would go to ArtPrize every year multiple times, I remember one year I went in the morning with my friends and then came back the same day at night with my Nana. Grand Rapids will always have a big piece of my heart because it is what started me as an artist.

GR Mag: What made you choose SCAD? CD: I chose SCAD for various reasons, but the

main being the university teaches you from the ground up how to be a designer and how to give students the highest advantages for a successful career. I grew up in sports, but I knew that being an artist was where I belonged, and I am so grateful I found SCAD. I truly blossomed as an artist and fashion designer because of SCAD and the opportunities provided to me over these last four years. Not to mention, having the opportunity to go to school in Savannah, one of the most beautiful and inspiring cities I have been to.

GR Mag: What have your major successes been so far? CD: My most exciting moment at SCAD was seeing my collection featured by Vogue after the SCAD fashion show. I genuinely could not believe it, and it made me cry.

Having my senior collection accepted to that runway show was another huge moment for me – it is something all of the fashion students think about from freshman year to senior year. It is always in the back of our minds. I called my mom, and all I could say was, “I made it!”

I think another highlight for me was just meeting my best friends. I have met some of the most brilliant and kind people through SCAD that I could not have made it through this year without. They are my family forever.

I have had a lot of other opportunities through my years at SCAD that were big successes for me, like meeting designers Prabal Gurung and Sam Edelman; being on a podcast with and showing my work to Emily Smith, the creative director of Lafayette 148; and so many other things.

GR Mag: I’ve noticed an element of fantasy in your work. What inspires these whimsical creations? CD: I love working in a world of fantasy. I always go into my projects thinking, “Am I going to enjoy making this long term? Am I going to have fun?” I also try to balance saying something meaningful with my work while still keeping it within the realm of fashion. With my senior collection, I always knew I wanted to say something about the beauty standard and social media because I see it getting worse and how many young people it troubles, but I wanted to keep it within my personal aesthetic and make it something fascinating to look at.

GR Mag: What’s your creative process? Do you sketch, use computers…how does a Cassie Dean original come into being?

CD: Physical, physical, physical! My creative process always starts with a big sketchbook and collecting. My senior professor at SCAD, Gemma Marsh, encouraged me to embrace my sketch-booking and concepting, even though to an outsider, they may look like a chaotic mix of stuff floating around in my brain. I love to collage magazines, newspapers, fabrics, knit swatches, and various knick-knacks. You never know what one small idea will lead to. After having 200+ pages of collages, drawings, drapes, swatches, research, etc. I then go into my computer to narrow down with my mood board, muse, lineup, etc.

GR Mag: Anything else you’d like to share? An anecdote, memory, or someone to thank? CD: I want to thank my best friends for going through senior year with me. There is no way I could have made it through this without them. My extremely brilliant senior professors, Gemma Marsh and Kori Smith are the best in the game! My Nana for showing me how to work a sewing machine when I was about five and letting my creativity run wild, making purses from her quilting fabric scraps. Mostly, my parents have given me more than I could ever express; they are probably the best people in the world. And finally, thank you for letting me share my thoughts and work; it means the world to me!

"My most exciting moment at SCAD was seeing my collection featured by Vogue after the SCAD fashion show."

Cassie Dean

A creator of experiences

Translating a love story through design.

BY PASHA SHIPP // PHOTOS BY KENDRA LYNECE

Gwendolyn Thomas is the founder and lead designer at Dolyn Designs – a West Michigan-based wedding and event décor business. Thomas uses her creativity and passion to create wedding and event experiences that inspire and delight. We talk tablescapes, taming expectations and the kind of experience you can expect from Dolyn Designs.

Grand Rapids Magazine: How would you describe the work you do? Gwendolyn Thomas: I believe what I do isn’t just designing and decorating weddings. Dolyn Designs’ goal is to create an experience for couples and their guests. We love to tell each couple’s love story through our designs. While we do other events, weddings have a special place in my heart! I love celebrating love. My couples trust us to translate their love story into an incredible experience. We have a team who helps to bring these visions to life, by ensuring a flawless execution. I have been building my business for the past six years. During this time, we have built a reputation for producing elegant events for our clients. Dolyn Designs offers a boutique experience, which ensures each client gets personal attention.

GRM: What’s your favorite element when creating wedding tablescapes? GT: Table linens! The right table linens are crucial to bring out your design. One of my biggest pet peeves is wrinkled linens.

Understanding your color palette is also a very important element of your table design. I love lots of candles; candles always give a romantic feel to your design. Large-scale centerpieces are another favorite of mine. I think they make a statement in the room. I must admit, I have to pull myself back when I have a bride or a couple who is looking for a more low-key design.

GRM: Any advice for couples who can’t decide how they want their wedding to look? GT: My first piece of advice is to decide on your budget. Many times, I encounter couples who don’t know what their budget is or are confused about how much wedding designs cost. We live in a world of social media, and expectations may be a bit off when determining your budget. Trying to connect fairytale ideals with realistic budgets is getting harder than ever. This is even more important with rising wedding costs. Having an ideal for your budget will allow your wedding designer to help with design ideas that fit your budget.

“My couples trust us to translate their love story into an incredible experience. We have a team who helps to bring these visions to life, by ensuring a flawless execution.”

Gwendolyn Thomas

Table settings, centerpieces and linens from a local wedding designed and decorated by Gwendolyn Thomas.

Out and about in Ada

Updated amenities, retail, residential and restaurants bring village to life!

BY KELSEY DUNNEBACK // PHOTOS BY ASHLEY WIERENGA

Drive the short 13 minutes east, from downtown Grand Rapids and you’ll find Ada, the quaint town that strikes just the right balance between old and new. Between historical buildings that have stood the test of time since Ada’s inception in 1821, and the newly constructed Ada Village that brings a fresh energy to the area, Ada is thriving.

Home to more than 14,000 residents, Ada is a healthy mix of neighborhoods, community events and flourishing businesses, set to grow even more. The village has been slowly transforming over the years thanks to resident input that is informing the future of Ada Village. With renovations and improvements first proposed in 2006, Ada Village broke ground July 2015 and has slowly been adding updated amenities and vibrance to the town.

Gina's Boutique, 496 Ada Drive SE, offers comfortable, chic pieces for busy women. Adjacent is Tip Toes, which sells shoes, accessories, toys, and gear for children.

New retail, residential and restaurants are popping up, emphasizing Ada’s natural outdoor resources, including the nearby Thornapple River that babbles just on the edge of outdoor patios. The emphasis of the new Ada updates has been to create a more walkable community and with the newly developed Ada Village filling out, it’s becoming one of the more recent hot spot destinations.

With an active, local community, you’ll find something to do while visiting Ada any time of the year. The Ada Farmers Market is held each Tuesday through October 31 and feature 35+ vendors. Jam out to Music on the Lawn at Legacy Park or join an outdoor yoga class during the tail end of warm days this fall.

Discover the historic charm and modern spirit of Ada. Here, find a roundup of some of the village’s best destinations:

Where to Dine Out:

MudPenny: Part coffee shop, part restaurant, MudPenny offers a unique take on classic dishes and “a dining experience driven by coffee.” Breakfast or lunch, MudPenny offers vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as high-quality espresso drinks.

Gravel Bottom Brewery: Microbrewery with a rotating roster of craft beers to take home, enjoy in Ada’s social district or drink on the spot. With a mug club for regulars, try their latest creations and enjoy member-only events.

Schnitz Ada Grill: A mix of a casual and fine-dining restaurant, Schnitz serves up fresh salads and sandwiches and house-made sides from its deli for lunch. During the evening, enjoy a bite to eat on the patio and choose from a variety of delicious entrees including steak, pastas, burgers and seafood.

Zeytin: A cozy, welcoming restaurant featuring Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, a full bar and a seasonal outdoor patio that’s been an Ada staple since 2006. Enjoy kabobs, lamb chops, tzatziki and more with a lovely view of Ada Park.

Nonna’s: The Trattoria: A beloved staple in Ada, Nonna’s is an Italian eatery that manages to be charming, down-to-earth and sophisticated all at once. Serving authentic dishes such as carpaccio, meatballs and of course, pizza, Nonna’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll feel the warm and friendly atmosphere the moment you step inside the cottage-esque establishment, or when dining on their outdoor patio. Across the street is Nonna’s Pantry where you can find a café and bake shop for a quicker in and out stop.

Ada Garage Bar & Grill: Much like the downtown

Grand Rapids location, the Ada Garage Bar that opened in 2021 has a thoughtful food menu and a chill, cool vibe. The dog-friendly outdoor patio is a relaxing place to hang out on warmer fall months. Not quite a dive bar, not quite a gastro pub, Ada Garage Bar is a casual place to hang out, get classic bar food and tasty drinks.

Luna of Ada: Luna of Ada is the Taqueria’s second location and offers the similar outdoor patio vibes and friendly staff in conveniently located Ada. You can’t go wrong with of course, their well-loved tacos, but the salsa flight or other Mexican favorites like quesadillas or tortas are just as mouthwatering. Round out your meal with margaritas (handmade daily!) that can be ordered in flights to try multiple flavors like Prickly Pear and Paloma. Luna also offers an extensive tequila, mezcal and bourbon list.

Fruition Acai and Juice Bar (below). Nonna's: The Trattoria, 584 Ada Dr SE, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (right).

Where to Grab a Treat or Snack:

Jamnbeam Coffee Company: An Ada favorite, stop into Jamnbean for some of the best coffee in town, gourmet popcorn or hand-dipped ice cream cone on your way to walk the covered bridge.

Sprinkles Donut Shop: Newly opened in Ada in 2023, Sprinkles has classic donuts such as Old-Fashioned Sour Cream, as well as new treats like a Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cinnamon Roll. Sprinkles donuts, icings, and fillings are made fresh daily, with a mission to use as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. How’s that for sweet?

Fruition Acai & Juice Bar: A quick, healthy option with a bright, clean atmosphere. Grab acai bowls, smoothies, toasts, bagels and more. Try some of the mood-boosting flavor combinations like the “Sun’s Up” acai bowl to brighten your day.

Where to Explore:

Ada Covered Bridge: Originally built in the 1800’s, the Ada covered bridge is a perfect historical point to take in the Thornapple River. On the edge of the historic district, it’s a great place for a post-dinner or dessert stroll.

Legacy Park: Alongside the Thornapple River sits Legacy Park and the Van Andel Pavilion, a popular space for music events, a date night picnic or a relaxing place for a walk; easily accessible from Ada retail and restaurants.

Ada General Store: This renovated old red schoolhouse sits alongside Legacy Park in the middle of Ada Village. True to its name, Ada General store gives off local hometown vibes and serves up a little of everything from penny candy and ice cream to local Michigan items.

Ada Hotel (Coming 2024): This three-story, 37,000-square foot, 36-room hotel is currently under construction in the heart of Ada Village. Owned by ACH Hospitality and CDV5 Properties, this showstopping hotel will feature two new restaurants, each with indoor and outdoor seating. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2024.

Where to Grab a New Outfit or Gift:

Pursuit Gift Shop: Stop in for your next birthday or event to find a wide variety of greeting cards and unique gift items like astrology gift sets, local Michigan gear and themed puzzles. This adorable shop even includes a kid’s area, complete with a table and coloring books to keep your kiddos busy while you shop!

Plumfield Books: Located on the main street in Ada, this cozy and well-curated local bookshop carries new books that are updated consistently to keep up with the latest #booktok finds on your list! Check out their book club, wine tasting and other community events to keep you social this fall.

Laurel & Jack: Shop this trendy boutique with selection of of-the-moment women’s apparel, as well as a small selection of men’s and kids items. From fun, colorful dresses to elevated neutral picks, upgrade your wardrobe this fall at Laurel & Jack.

Beyond by Bill and Paul’s: Going on a camping trip or hiking vacation this fall? Beyond is an outdoor outfitter that is focused on elevating your outdoor experience through clothing and accessories, including new Yeti products and a wall of Hydro Flask bottles. Stock up on everything you need for the outdoors and up north trips at Beyond and still look stylish while adventuring.

Croft Hause: An inviting and well-curated home and apparel boutique. Chic, dried flowers greet you when you walk in the door. With a layout that’s beautifully segmented by design, color, and different styles, browse aesthetic collections of chic coffee table books, home décor, unique drinkware, clothing and more to inspire you to elevate your home.

Gina’s Boutique: A long-time local favorite, Gina’s carries trendy and contemporary women’s apparel, jewelry, and accessories. Stop in to find unique items for your next wedding on the calendar, date night outfit or trip away!

A child's craft table at Pursuit Gift Shop keeps kids busy while shopping for some of the most unique gift items in the village.

A beloved staple in Ada, Nonna’s is an Italian eatery that manages to be charming, down-toearth and sophisticated all at once.

Specializing in one of the best states to retire

Senior housing planner helps make difficult decisions related to retirement

BY LISA ENOS

In a recent study, Michigan came in second as one of the best states to retire, ranking high in quality of life for seniors, with plenty of activities, access to affordable healthcare, and low levels of crime.

For the many choosing to live out their golden years in the Mitten State, at some point the idea of downsizing crosses their minds. That’s where Certified Senior Housing Professional and Real Estate Planner Patti Grover Gabrielse (whose Twitter handle is "Mrs. Senior Real Estate") comes in.

“It’s a specialized niche that is very needed in our area. I work with elder law attorneys, financial advisors, trust advisors. I have a handyman, an organizer, a whole network of people up and going here,” said Gabrielse, who moved to Michigan from Florida several years ago.

A handyman can reconfigure the home so that homeowners can stay in place as long as they want, or the handyman can bring the home back to market condition so the seller can get the most amount of money for it. At the same time, she’s helping retirees decide if they should reconfigure or sell their homes, she’s helping boomers who don’t have enough time on their hands to help aging parents. By acting as a third-party advocate, Gabrielse keeps things on track and the homeowner's adult children in the loop.

“The boomers are the sandwich generation– still working full time," said Gabrielse, a boomer herself. "They have their own lives, but kids who still need them, grandbabies and a parent who needs them more and more. You’re just spread so thin; you can’t do it all. When they (boomers) do interact with their parents, they want it to be fun.”

When it's time to downsize or make modifications to your home of many decades, there are specialists who can help.

Gabrielse believes that what makes her approach unique is why she chose a real estate path focused on seniors.

“Your why comes out of your past. I’m not just knowledgeable and skilled, it’s personal,” she said. Gabrielse’s mother, who is 93 years old, was raised in an orphanage and has been widowed since she was 53.

“Family is everything to her...I’ve lived her widowed life with her,” said Gabrielse.

“In the generation above us they were used to having a male figure take care of them. Downsizing is overwhelming for that demographic because they went through the depression, they saved everything, they just don’t let it go.”

With so much personal experience in helping her own mother and having worked in Florida for a number of years, Gabrielse developed an approach that can ease the pain of giving up a long-held home.

“What I love to do is when an elderly person has a home for sale, do a walkthrough with the house and get them on video. You do a walk down memory lane, have them tell you about the different parts of the house and special memories associated with it. It’s a long relationship for me. The older people love to talk about the memories. It’s part of their letting go.

“Selling a home is just one piece of it,” she says. Staging the home for market is another. “I know just how much things cost and what to do to increase the ‘wow’ factor,” she said. For example, a home may need new landscaping or another bathroom, but some upgrades are financially out of reach or just not do-able for the seller.

“A house might need five things, but you only need to change three things to sell it. There’s a sweet spot. Doing it as long as I have, it comes pretty naturally,” Gabrielse said.

“A house might need five things, but you only need to change three things to sell it. There’s a sweet spot.”

Patti Grover Gabrielse

Courtney Quist

Attorney and Mediator

Collaborative – A Smarter Divorce

•Preserve family ties and financial resources.

•Create an option based resolution specifically tailored to meet the needs of your family.

•Stay out of court and stay in control.

•Flat fees available.

Courtney Quist, Ada Collaborative 4760 E. Fulton Drive, Ste. 102 Ada, Michigan 49301

616-454-9008 | courtneyquist@quistlawfirm.com quistlawfirm.com

MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE WITH CONFIDENCE WITH THESE PROFESSIONAL TIPS

Another Michigan summer is coming to a close, and with the change in seasons comes a subtle shift in priorities. Maybe you’re getting back in the swing of your kids’ school activities or thinking about a refresh of your home—inside or out. With the carefreeness of the warmer months in the rearview mirror, you might be committing to picking up a new hobby or transforming your appearance with a new look or a brighter smile. Making travel plans for the near and distant

future could be on your mind, too. There’s a lot to consider!

To help you make decisions big and small, we’ve brought in a wealth of experts in areas ranging from appliances and landscaping to travel and dental health. Plus, some wise words from gurus in the salon and craft brewing niches. In this section, they offer their best advice for all your questions. Before you take a step into fall, be sure to read their recommendations!

Q: How can I create an outdoor patio space that extends the season?

A: Michigan summers are the best; we only wish they lasted longer! Though the days are shorter in spring and fall, there’s still much homeowners can do to take advantage of the great outdoors for longer. Alfresco Landscapes specializes in creating patio spaces that are not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing. That means incorporating plants that bloom at different times so there’ll always be a pop of color. We also install landscape lighting that

allows you to be outside in those earlier and later months when sunlight is scarce. Our nontoxic, earth-, human-, and pet-friendly mosquito repellant systems are also a must. And, when there’s a chill in the air, a gas fireplace or firepit keeps everyone cozy. The most important part is the design. When you bring in an expert, you can be sure that your space is maximized to its fullest potential.

Q: What is there to do in Ludington this fall?

A: There’s so much happening this season, with traditional autumn festivities and continued activities celebrating our 150th anniversary. The Scottville Fall Celebration is September 16 in downtown Scottville—just 10 minutes from Ludington. This family-fun event features food, entertainment, kids’ games, a concert by the Scottville Clown Band, and more. Downtown Ludington will host Octoberfest

September 30, featuring craft beers and beverages, food vendors, lawn games, and live music, plus child-friendly activities. We’re also

excited about the Ludington Sesquicentennial Ball October 7 at the historic Stearns Hotel, including dinner, music, and dancing—with guests encouraged to don garb from their favorite decade. And, Historic White Pine Village welcomes young ghouls and goblins October 21 to dress in Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating at its Haunted Village. Or, create your own fall adventure like visiting apple orchards and markets, or bicycling or driving a country byway to see the fall colors.

Q: At what age should parents first take their child to the dentist?

A: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit at age one, or when their first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. This allows a pediatric dentist to provide tailored recommendations on how to best care for your child’s teeth, including best dietary practices, fluoride use, and management of oral habits.

If we detect signs of dental decay at a young age, we are best able to use conservative management techniques to prevent further

breakdown, hopefully preventing or delaying the need for future surgical intervention. Considering dental decay is still the most common disease in childhood—more than four times more prevalent than asthma—and that it is 100% preventable, it is so important that we see children as early as possible. This way, we can give families the tools to maximize their children’s chance to grow up with healthy, happy smiles!

Alfresco Landscapes

Paul Burd

Owner

2914 3 Mile Rd. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-2530

alfresco-landscapes.com

Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Brandy Miller Executive Director

119 S. Rath Ave. Ludington, MI 49431 (800) 542-4600

pureludington.com

Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan

Dr. Taryn Weil

Pediatric Dentist

2155 East Paris Ave. SE, Ste. 120 Grand Rapids, MI 49546

616-608-8898

pdsofwestmi.com

Q: What are some benefits of group travel?

A: Coming out of the pandemic, friends, families, performance groups, schools and people with mutual interests enjoy traveling abroad - together. They save time, frustration, and money—and spend time enjoying their trip while someone else manages the logistics. On a group tour, operators like Witte organize everything: hotels, museums, restaurants, land transportation, flights, and must-see sites. Plus, groups can get off the beaten path

and experience local culture by touring farms, visiting artist studios, taking cooking classes, and more. Also, single travelers join the group and enjoy traveling independently without being alone. And, everyone meets new friends. My personal favorite reason for choosing group travel? I learn more. When a local guide explains why something is unique or historically important, I absorb more than reading a guidebook on my own and hoping for the best.

Witte Tours Mindy Miller Group Sales Director

wittetravel.com

Q: What salon services do you recommend for men so they can look their best?

A: Though many men choose to go to a barbershop, there are advantages to going to a full-service salon like BENJI, where you can get a precision cut, shampoo, scalp massage with hot towel, and more. First, our experts can help you find a style that fits your hair texture and daily routine. Then, we incorporate the right product to give you the look you want. American Crew Matte Clay is my personal favorite, and it

works great on all hair lengths and textures. After the cut, we focus on the facial hair. If you can grow a full beard, I recommend letting it grow and keeping it trimmed especially on the neckline. We specialize in straight razor neck clean ups! Other options we offer to give you a polished appearance include color/gray blending, highlights, manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages.

Q: Why is it so important to have regular dental checkups?

A: Your mouth helps you eat, drink, talk, and smile, but did you know that it can also provide clues to other diseases? Dentists can act as disease detectives by examining your mouth, head, and neck for signs and symptoms that may point to more serious health issues.

During routine checkups, dentists not only look for cavities and gum disease, but also monitor symptoms like breath odor, unexplained sores, and tooth erosion. If certain

signs are detected, dentists can urge patients to seek medical attention to help better manage their oral and overall health.

Dentists are at the forefront of saving lives, as more than 90% of common diseases have oral symptoms and can be detected in the dental chair. In fact, more than 120 signs and symptoms of nondental diseases can be detected through a routine oral exam.

Benji Salon & Spa Lindsey Smit Salon, Events Manager, & Men’s Specialist 3950 Lake Michigan Dr. Grand Rapids, 49534

616-558-4979

benjisalon.com

Q: What advice would you give to someone experimenting in beer making?

A: Humans have been making beer for thousands of years. Styles and techniques have changed drastically over time; however, the bottom line has always been...does it taste good or not? After you take that first sip, notice the sensations occurring that make you decide whether or not you want to take the next. These qualities of the personal beer experience have not changed at all.

My advice is to strive to make exactly the

kind of beer you would like to drink. Stay excited, no matter what happens. Be curious and willing to experiment. Beer making is an art as well as a science. Never, ever, ever skimp on the quality of ingredients. The beer you make is an extension of your personality and creativity. Think about that! Finally, don’t try to appease everyone with your beer; let them make their own!

Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits

Terry Lancaster, Head Brewer 2885 Lake Eastbrook Drive Kentwood, MI 49512 616-803-0602

broadleafbeer.com

Q: What is the most important thing to consider when you need appliances?

A: Where you buy from is as important as what you buy. You should expect your appliance dealer to have professionals on staff, including salespeople, certified installers, and well-trained service technicians. True sales professionals help you make the right selection. You don’t want to regret what you purchased. Certified, on-staff installers care for your home because they work directly for the company you

bought the appliance from and have skin in the game. Most appliances will need repair at some point. It can be ugly trying to get a good service person to your home if you don’t buy from a dealer that services with their own technicians. You also don’t want strangers in your home. The showroom will tell you a lot about the way the company is run behind the scenes. Shop around and pay attention to the details.

Bekins

Scott Bekins Owner

6275 28th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-957-2333 bekins.us

Abraham Lincoln. Billy the Kid. Civil War soldiers, dour and focused. A decorated General Custer. Nineteenth century families, seated and serious.

These are the mental images that jump to mind when you hear the word “tintype” – aged photos of longdeceased relatives, unsmiling, preserved eternally in their black and white world.

Today, while respecting the craft and tradition of a long-standing medium, a Grand Rapids photographer is resurrecting the tintype in a small studio on the city’s southeast side, bringing new textures and subjects to the camera lens.

Bud Kibby, who uses the pronouns “they/them,” has been a photographer for over 15 years, photographing corporate events, weddings, engagements, portraits and more as TINYuproar. Most recently,

Kibby has branched out into a new medium – tintype – and found a passion for the hands-on process of making a hand-held photograph.

Kibby is a self-taught tintype photographer who attended Kendall College of Art and Design. Specializing in photographing larger-than-life subjects, minorities, and LGBTQ+ subjects, Kibby brings a new look and perspective into one of history’s earliest methods of photography.

“It was the second photographic process that fixed an image on a surface,” Kibby said. “It was made in the year 1851 and it was popular till about 1920-ish, primarily because roll film was invented in the late 1800s by Kodak. So, it sort-of made tintype as a process go out of vogue because it’s fairly complex.”

words abby

photography

michelle cuppy

poirier

Photographer

Bud Kibby is breathing new life into one of mankind’s most iconic portraiture mediums.

Kibby is a self-proclaimed “nerd” who loves the delicate, detailed processes that tintype requires.

“I love things that involve making,” Kibby said. “Using your hands, getting an endproduct that's physical in the real world. (Tintype) isn’t just a digital picture that will never be printed. It's an object. It's a sculpture. It's a thing, and it's an heirloom, too, because it lasts 160+ years.

“If you see images of Civil War soldiers or Victorian folks posing together, that's roughly around when tintype is at its height and popularity. Those images still survive even though they're made in the 1860’s and 1870’s.”

Kibby initially gravitated toward the medium after spending time dabbling in Polaroids.

“I started with some knockoff (tintype) kits that are cheap and hard to use,” Kibby said. “After trying a couple of those I (decided) to go all in, so I got the actual chemistry.”

From there, it was months of trial and error as Kibby hunted for resources and taught themself a new medium, learning the history and chemistry of the process along the way.

The most valuable resource proved to be a Facebook group titled The Collodion

Bastards. The group, like many Facebook art groups, is made up of people from around the globe sharing their techniques, pieces, and methods with one another to help learn and grow in their craft.

Through the group, Kibby found a circle of knowledgeable tintype photographers and started putting together the processes they’d learned.

“It (was) practice, practice, practice, honestly,” Kibby said. “It's trial and error. I’d make a plate that didn't work and have to find out what went wrong.”

The process taught Kibby a lot about relinquishing control in their art.

“I’m a bit of a control freak,” they admitted. “With tintype, you can control things to a point but if there's a speck of something in the silver nitrate (it creates) a chemistry error. And also, you can't really control outside factors. So, if the rinse water is maybe too cold and the plate stops developing faster than it should, then that creates a weird result.”

While perfecting the processes proved to be a challenge, so did learning to make a consistent product. Kibby had to learn how much light was too much and how much was just right and how much power was needed to get the best flash– on top of being able to consistently replicate a sensitive chemical process.

“I had it down roughly after about six months,” Kibby said. “I brought friends in (to photograph) initially and then eventually got to a point where I could start marketing it.”

After hours and hours in their studio, testing, shooting and exploring, Kibby was ready to share a new process with the world. Now the difficulty was how to market a tintype.

“You are only ever taking one image at a time, one physical image. That image can't be replicated.”

That’s how Kibby has been describing the tintype to their subjects. It’s proven difficult to explain the unique charm of tintype in a world where digital images are just a snap away.

Kibby also likens the tintype to NFTs (non-fungible tokens), collectable, oneof-a-kind entities that recently took the investment scene by storm. Like a unique NFT, Kibby said, a tintype is an individual photograph of a subject at a fixed point in time and cannot be replicated.

“If I want to have a copy (of the photo), I have to shoot it again,” they said.

Additionally, Kibby has found that the black-and-white nature of the tintype often takes their subjects by surprise.

“It’s an interesting thing to explain to someone who doesn't understand tintypes,” Kibby said, laughing. “They're like, ‘What

“It (was) practice, practice, practice, honestly. It's trial and error. I’d make a plate that didn't work and have to find out what went wrong.

Chemicals used in the process include collodion and Old Workhorse Bromo-Iodizer.

(Top right) Bud Kibby poses with the colossal camera. (Opposite page) Kibby gets creative with a hands-over-the-eyes pose.

do you mean there's no color? It's black and white?” I say ‘Yes, it's made of silver.”

Delving into the chemistry process has been one of the things Kibby has enjoyed most about the journey into tintype photography. Kibby doesn’t cut corners–using real chemicals to hand-process each plate through silver nitrate and collodion. In a mini darkroom lit by a single red bulb, they gently bathe the wet plates as they develop.

But sometimes, due to factors beyond human control, the plate has a flaw. Kibby said one of the biggest lessons tintype has taught them as an artist is learning to lean into the flaws when they occur.

“I think the errors are beautiful,” Kibby said. “They're absolute magic; they're not reproducible. They're the most unique part of this entire process. But it requires that I let go. I have to not control everything; I have to not be frustrated when things

happen that aren't as planned because it's a chemical and you can't control every chemical reaction.”

In addition to learning the ropes of photography’s oldest method, Kibby’s been drawn into the fascinating history of the tintype and its origin.

“Silver nitrate is an explosive if you're not careful,” Kibby said. “What is wild to me is that people used collodion as the liquid bandage of the era. So, someone figured out that a liquid bandage plus an explosive would create a fixed image.

“But the reason they call it a tintype (is

because) poor photographers that could scrape together the money to afford a tintype camera in that era couldn't necessarily afford steel or other materials that were used to make plates back then. So, they would take oil cans, which at the time were made of tin, and they'd cut them with shears, flatten them out and then coat them and shoot on the inside of an oil can made of tin.”

Today, Kibby isn’t shooting on actual tin. But one thing has stayed the same through the years– the upside-down and flipped camera.

“Everything's upside-down and backwards, which is super fun and challenging and interesting,” Kibby said, laughing. “As a photographer you learn stage right. But stage right is the opposite in this camera, so it's my right again. I fumble a little bit sometimes.”

While early tintypes required their subjects to hold a pose for up to 20 minutes, perfectly still to minimize blurs, another perk of modern technology and the addition of flash bulbs is that Kibby’s subjects don’t have to stay seated for long periods of time while the photo is taken.

“It's just literally an instant fire kind and then the person blinks profusely and swears they blinked during the shot,” Kibby said. “Which is never actually the case. It’s only happened three times in six years.”

Visitors to Kibby’s studio at the Tanglefoot Building can expect the redcarpet treatment, as Kibby not only enjoys the photography but also creating a one-ofa-king experience for their subjects.

In addition to a photo that will likely

I love things that involve making. Using your hands, getting an end-product that's physical in the real world.”

(Right) In the darkroom, Kibby develops the prints under red light.

outlive its subjects, Kibby’s guests are greeted with a glass of wine or other beverage of preference, a wardrobe consultation. “I typically tell people that they should come as they want to be seen in 160 years,” they said– and time to relax and converse with one of Grand Rapids’ most fascinating artistic minds while the plate develops.

“I like to make my space comfortable and chill.”

Kibby's guest list is carefully curated to ensure they’re working with subjects who understand the medium and respect the space. Kibby finds unique and memorable subjects through mutual connections, putting an emphasis on capturing flamboyant personalities, daring fashion choices and bold looks, LGBTQ+ couples and minorities– a deliberate juxtaposition to the stiff Victorian-era personas typically seen in tintype photographs.

“I enjoy making this more of an everyone's thing,” Kibby said. “One of the things I enjoy most is being one-on-one. The people I bring into my space are people I want in my space. Musicians, other photographers, some actors, mostly creative folks. And I get to learn more about them, what makes them tick, what they love, what they're passionate about, and I just chat with them and hang out while I'm making the plate.”

One of the things Kibby said they love most about taking tintype portraits is the intimacy of the photography process itself.

“It's so unlike digital photography, because digital photography has an interruption in the connection between the sitter and the photographer,” they said.

“The photographer is almost always looking at the back of the camera to make sure the image they got is what they want, so there's an interruption. The conversation is halted by assessment of the product. Whereas with this, I'm conversing the entire time with the person and then we get to see the product together. We get to see it be fixed, go from negative to positive together (and) the whole thing is a mutual experience. There's nothing to really interrupt or disturb that.

“I would say one of my favorites would be a gentleman who was referred to me named Whiskey Zak,” Kibby said. “He’s named Whiskey Zac because he’s basically a wine connoisseur, but for whiskey. I actually don't know what his last name is still to this day. He had a superstitious half dollar he put over his eye.”

In the portrait, Whiskey Zac is captured with an antique shot glass in one hand and the silver dollar perched in his eye socket, gazing straight into the eye of the camera lens. The textures of his apparel, the lines on his face and the fine etching on the coin are in perfect detail.

The photo ended up being one of Kibby’s favorites, and they shot a second one to keep in memory of the moment.

Another common subject is Kibby's wife and infant son, Flynn, a challenge as he’s at an age where holding still even for a second proves difficult. “He is a total goober in

front of the camera,” Kibby joked.

When they’re not photographing events in the Grand Rapids community, crafting tintype photos or spending time with family, Kibby is immersed in their latest project- building a 14-foot-long camera out of an old camera used to recreate posters before the invention of the Xerox printer.

Kibby came by the massive machine by chance when one of the artists that shared the Tanglefoot building with them passed away and the camera needed to find a new home.

“This is only valuable to like two people in the country and I'm one of them,” Kibby said.

Right now, the metal monstrosity lives in Kibby’s studio, where they’re slowly building it out into a tintype camera, assembling parts as they put it together. The camera, when finished, will be able to shoot onto 26 by 26-inch plates, giving Kibby a whole new size and shape to play with.

“I would be one of three people that I know of globally shooting this size commercially,” Kibby said.

The camera will be used for portraits and object photography, given its immobility. Kibby said the camera should be finished within the next several months, and they’re excited to experiment with a new size of photograph.

In the meantime, Kibby continues developing tintypes in their small Tanglefoot studio, building a portfolio of beautiful faces, capturing and documenting the weird, the bold and the unusual in chemicals and metal.

Bud Kibby can be reached online at tinyuproar.com for booking.

Tintypes, invented in the 1850s, are made by applying photographic emulsion directly to a thin sheet of iron and coated with a dark lacquer or enamel.

WRITTEN BY GIL STANSELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALFIELD REEVES

MEET THE MAESTROS

After attending several performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony this year and being captured by the inspired performance of the Symphony’s recent rendition of Mozart’s Requiem, I had to find out more about who was behind bringing this stunning masterpiece to life, besides Amadeus himself, of course.

The Grand Rapids Symphony stands apart– in a city brimming with artistic expression– as extraordinary in its art form. Voted "best performing arts organization in Grand Rapids" by this magazine's readers, its world-class symphonic conductors are magicians who perform a unique alchemy combining the grandeur of classical composition with a range of orchestral voices to celebrate a genre of music that has captivated audiences for hundreds of years.

These amazing conductors are not only defining pillars of artistic expression and accomplishment in the Grand Rapids community, but the works they perform are masterpieces that enrich our lives and infuse our city with depth, texture, and nuance. With decades of experience, unique perspectives, thoughtful interpretation, virtuosic musicians, and boundless passion, there is no substitute for seeing our hometown symphony perform live.

'MAGICIANS WHO PERFORM A UNIQUE ALCHEMY'

MARCELO LEHNINGER

MMUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY

MAESTRO LEHNINGER’S TALENT is undeniable. Having trained in Europe, Brazil, New York, and conducted Symphonies from Boston to Los Angeles, Brazil to Europe, leading some the most well-respected orchestras in the United States, including the Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, Princeton, Hartford, Vancouver, Tucson Philharmonics (to name a few), Lehninger’s depth and breadth of experience is awe inspiring.

When asked how he approaches interpreting musical composition and conveying a piece’s intended emotion to the audience, Lehninger related a funny story about Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes:

“On one occasion, a piano student / fan talked to Novaes after a concert. ‘Ms. Novaes, when you play Beethoven you incarnate him, your Chopin is so poetic, your Debussy is full of incredible colors... how do you accomplish this?’ She replied, ‘Honey, everything is written in the score!’

Learning a piece of music is a very intense intellectual process. You need to study the score inside out, know

different styles, etc. But the beauty of the process of learning music is that from your brain, music goes through your heart and touches the soul.”

When expanding on music as an art form, Lehninger explained how music is a subjective intellectual and emotional journey.

“Hidden messages, and colors evoke powerful emotions to form a harmonious synergy when 80 or 90 musicians perform together. Orchestra members, each contributing their unique musicality, unite to create a whole that surpasses the abilities of any individual.”

Through this process, Maestro Lehninger believes that classical music is an “an incredible way to get in touch with our inner selves.”

Lehninger highly recommends attending the season opener Sept. 15 and 16, with one of the most important pianists of the new generation: Daniil Trifonov, who will perform Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. In March, a superstar soloist will play in partnership with The Gilmore Festival: Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

BOB

BERNHARDT

PRINCIPAL POPS CONDUCTOR

AAFTER NINE SEASONS as the Principal Pops conductor of the GR Symphony, having worked with stars of Broawdway like Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Kelli O’Hara, acts that include the Beach Boys, the B-52s, and Wynona, and entertainers spanning multiple genres from Ben Folds, Jason Alexander and Ann Hampton Callaway; 15 seasons conducting Edmonton’s “Symphony Under the Sky” festival, a regular conductor with Boston Pops since his debut in 1992 at the invitation of John Williams, 19 seasons with his own company in Chattanooga, along with many guest conducting engagements with the Nashville Opera, Bernhardt is in a word: a force.

Bernhardt said that a symphony with its vast array of instruments – a string section, along with winds, brass and percussion, breathing life into the composer’s vision – is what most obviously makes a symphony unique. “Relating to all families of instruments is among challenges all conductors face,” he said.

Known for his infectious enthusiasm and humor,

Bernhardt shared a hilarious travel issue that happened nearly 40 years ago: “I was flying on a certain airline (IT that shall not be named) and my one checked bag was lost. Not misplaced, but lost, which is to say, never found. This was so early in my career that I had yet to learn to NEVER put your music in your checked bag...but I did. Around a year later, on a lark, I went to the unclaimed luggage re-sale place in Scottsboro, Alabama, where many unclaimed items from lost luggage are sold. It was there that I had the hilarious and interesting experience of buying back a couple of my own scores, which were on sale in the shop.”

When asked what upcoming events in Grand Rapids he is most excited in taking part, Maestro Berhardt said:

“This is not exactly the same as choosing your favorite child...but as John Williams is my friend, mentor and hero, I’m so looking forward to our Star Wars concerts, one of the pair of which is on “May the Fourth,” which will include music from all nine films, Obi-Wan, Solo and Rogue One. So. Much. Fun.

DUO SHEN ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

IIN HIS SECOND SEASON with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Duo Shen’s passion for conducting has taken him from China to the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, to the University of Maryland Orchestra, University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra, to Symphony Orchestras in Bulgaria, while also performing chamber music and solo music concerts throughout China and the US. A lifelong musician since the age of five, Shen holds a Professional Studies diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin from the University of Maryland.

Shen describes the symphony, at its core, to be a captivating narrative not unlike a film. Like a story unfolding, it takes listeners on a journey, evoking a wide range of emotions.

“Through music, one can imagine so many different

colors, so many different stories. A great example would be a film score. When listening to an orchestra perform the music from Star Wars, for instance, we can very easily visualize the specific scenes where the music is associated,” Shen said. “When listening to an orchestral piece that has not yet been made into a film, the audience themselves become the painters and directors, capturing stories and paintings limited only by the imagination. Like any story, the symphony’s framework consisting of multiple movements, allows for the exploration of diverse moods and themes.”

Shen is extremely excited to lead the orchestra in “Elf in Concert” this December. The humor of Will Ferrel and the virtuosity of the Grand Rapids Symphony’s musicians under Maestro Shen’s leadership make this experience one worth celebrating this winter.

MPEARL SHANGKUAN CHORUS DIRECTOR

“MUSIC BROADENS OUR MINDS and hearts” is the foundational aspect of Pearl Shangkuan’s work credo. Now in her twentieth season as chorus director, having led performances and workshops on six continents, and active among national leadership of choral conductors, Pearl Shangkuan’s musical journey has been shaped by luminaries such as: Mehta, Muti, Abbado, Giulini, which continue to inform her work as chorus director at the Grand Rapids Symphony.

For Shangkuan, interpreting musical compositions and conveying a composer’s intended emotion “starts and continues with careful, in-depth study – its history, performance practice of the era, how the work is constructed,” she said. “Finding moments that particularly resonate on artistic, emotional, and personal levels. Even with less familiar music, we find ways to

learn, appreciate, connect, and empathize.”

Shangkuan said that in one year’s time, her students at Calvin University counted how many different languages they sang in one year – it was 12!

“Unlike a painting or sculpture, we get to re-create the art each time we perform. There's something unique about the human voice that touches the human spirit that, when coupled with text, can be especially stirring. I've conducted many choral concerts where I can literally feel, and sometimes hear, the audience behind me weeping.”

Shangkuan is most excited to conduct “Requiem for the Living” by renowned composer Dan Forrest this season with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Shangkuan has conducted this poignant work in the past – in France and at Carnegie – and says the elements of the piece create a tapestry of feelings that resonates with audiences everywhere.

DUANE DAVIS COMMUNITY CHORAL CONDUCTOR

DDAVIS’ JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD of symphonic music began more than 60 years ago. He has worn many musical hats: music educator, choral director, jazz educator, musical theatre musical director, adjudicator, while serving 31 years as chorus master for Opera Grand Rapids, teaching at Western Michigan University, and at Grand Rapids Community College. Davis is the recipient of voluminous awards including the Grand Rapids Symphony Legacy Award; the Maynard Klein Award for Choral Excellence; Kent State University Distinguished Alumni Award; and Cleveland Jazz Legend.

“Art can be as broad or narrow as one wishes to consider,” said Davis. “However, I believe music, dance, visual art, theater, literature, architecture…should all be considered ‘The Arts.’ True art can provoke an aesthetic response, but more than that, the response does not necessarily have to be beautiful. I believe the forementioned areas of art have the power to stir thought and share many of the same element (i.e. form, dynamics, space, tempo).

“It has always been quite interesting to hear music that is 50 to more than 300 years old performed by different ensembles. The music can be orchestral, opera or jazz standard. There are some who will perform the music with every note and rhythm executed perfectly and yet it does not have the same life as when others perform the music in such a way that it makes an audience feel they are hearing the music for the first time.”

When contemplating memorable experiences that

shaped and influenced him, Davis described the first time he conducted at Carnegie Hall.

“It was not the performance itself, but what preceded the performance,” he said. “As I was in my dressing room putting on my tux, I looked around the room at (images of)all of the great conductors who stood where I was about to stand. The first being Tchaikovsky in 1891, Bernstein (over 400 hundred times), Rachmaninoff, Stokowski, Prokofiev, Stravinsky and others. Their portraits were around the room facing me. Rather than being intimidated, I was encouraged as I imagined them cheering me on. I also thought of the number of African American artist such as Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Leontyne Price, and others who paved the way. I have since conducted other works (i.e. Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and the Fauré and Duruflé Requiems) at Carnegie as well as conducting my vocal jazz ensemble in that ‘sacred’ place.”

Davis is most looking forward to the annual Symphony with Soul concert (February 10, 2024) with guest artist Leela James.

“This concert continues to bring to our community artists of great renown,” he said. “They have included: Richard Smallwood, Jubilant Sykes, Regina Carter, Take 6, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lizz Wright, Dianne Reeves, Marvin Sapp, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Vanessa Williams, Marcus Roberts, Lalah Hathaway, Black Violin, Terence Blanchard, Leslie Odom, Jr., Ne-Yo and others. Who couldn’t be excited by that?”

Broad Leaf West Side's lively beer garden is the perfect place to enjoy cocktails with the gang. Pictured are "Charmango" cocktails; spicy mango flavored margaritas. Opposite page: A variety of food and beverage offerings at Broad Leaf West Side.

THE BEST NEW SPOTS

A GUIDE TO THE LATEST PLACES OFFERING UP FOOD & DRINKS

WRITTEN BY PAT EVANS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERI GENOVESE

few short years ago, the restaurant industry was so badly crippled many establishments across the country were not able to crawl their way back out.

Thankfully, many more were able to rebound into an evolved state, ready to serve hungry diners in a new world. In Grand Rapids, that same story rings true, especially across some of the city’s favorite hot spots. And thankfully, across the past two years, many more dining rooms have opened, as have a number of vibe-filled bars ready for new sippers.

The list of new places to open in the past two years, even the past year, is far too many in the metro area to do them all justice in these pages. Instead, the focus will be on the hot spot restaurants that have popped up since last summer, and largely in the downtown area, or at least the downtown adjacent neighborhoods now becoming their own independent destinations for a night out full of options, all a few steps apart; the likes of Wealthy Street and Bridge Street. Also worth a mention is Myrth, an Ada restaurant detailed on page___ of this issue. Without using too many words, the restaurant is helmed by a James Beard Award winner — an award not to be sneezed at in the culinary world — and Paul Berglund is flipping out a refined menu

Afocused on pasta and pizza. All of which can be made gluten and dairy free, a true treat for the many people out there with some form of dietary restrictions.

While Myrth is not a cutting-edge restaurant that will make it on the world’s best restaurants lists, it also delivers an outstanding version of the foods Berglund set out to make, so really, it does exactly its job.

What’s notable in the selections for upstart hot spots is the eclectic mix of menu items, which will help diversify the options downtown. That is a welcomed addition to a growing city aiming to be a destination for those inclined to imbibe in food and beverage.

Left: Korin Hollinshead, Black Napkin's owner holds "Le College Dropout" smash burger, topped with Grand Cru cheese, smashed Vidalia onlon, arugula, peppercorn tomato jam, and herb de provence mayo. Right: Black Napkin's exterior.

MONSOON

55 MONROE CENTER ST. NW

Perhaps stretching the time frame a bit, but definitely worth the mention, is Monsoon.

It is not the first Vietnamese restaurant in Grand Rapids, but Monsoon does bring an elevated version of the Southeast Asian cuisine to the heart of downtown. And for that alone, the restaurant deserves a lot of credit. It also operated for months without a liquor license in the heart of a city, which, again, can be celebrated.

The setting is cool and the food is gorgeous. But beyond appearances, the dishes are also delicious. For those with limited Vietnamese exposure, do not be intimidated and go give it a try. There are items like chicken wings, crispy spring rolls, grilled short ribs and the oh so delicious bar buns that are approachable for any palate. There’s also a burger.

Beyond those, really, almost all the dishes can appeal to even the pickiest eaters. Plus, the menu might just be downtown’s friendliest to gluten- and dairy-free eaters.

D O W N T O W N

Top: Monsoon's Pho Bo noodle soup (24-hour hearty brother served with rice noodles, herbs, beansprout, green onion, red onion, cilantro, lime, jalapeño sliced beef tenderloin and meatballs, coupled with a tequila sunrise). Bottom left: Bahn Bao Buns, featuring crispy braised pork belly, pickled cucumbers, spicy mayo, and cilantro, paired with a Vietnamese coffee martini! Bottom right: Monsoon's bar area.

NAGOYA HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI

16 MONROE CENTER ST. NE

For those who had a soft spot for Shanghai Ichiban, there is good news for you. In December, Nagoya Steak House & Sushi opened for business, making it downtowns only hibachi restaurant.

The restaurant is in the space once occupied by local favorite Osteria Rossa. With four hibachi tables, one can be sure the “dinner and a show” component will help make Nagoya’s downtown restaurant another hot spot. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a chef comes out to a flattop grill surrounded by a table full of diners and puts on a show full of interactive pieces. Along with the hibachi tables, the restaurant offers an array of sushi dishes and hibachi meals.

Left: Nagoya Hibachi Steak House & Sushi's interior. Below: Nagoya's shrimp hibachi dinner is served with vegetables, fried rice, soup and salad; and a Sapporo (Japanese beer), of course!

Left: Drip Drop's Pink Panther cocktail features gin, aperol, grapefruit, lime, vanilla, soda and an egg white. Below: The Upper Cut features mezcal, blanco tequila, citrus blend, mint, basil, jalapeño-infused agave and egg white.

DRIP DROP

445 BRIDGE ST. NW

Well, Broad Leaf is not the only tenant in the former space of The Sovengard. Drip Drop Cocktail Room is also a new addition to the Bridge Street corridor that continues to add new attractions seemingly by the month.

Grand Rapids was once way behind much of the rest of the country in the modern cocktail boom as drinkers were far more concentrated on the Michigan craft beer scene. Well, thankfully the city is doing a lot to catch up, and Drip Drop is one of the newest additions.

The self-described “moody” atmosphere helps set the stage for some delicious cocktails. Drip Drop does offer some fun takes on classics, but also innovative combinations of spirits that aren’t featured to many places, like the Macchu Pisco, which features the South American spirts Pisco and Cachaça.

There also some things to nosh on, but not much, it’s a place made for sipping.

KUSTERER BRAUHAUS

642 BRIDGE ST. NW

Brief, because it does not have a huge menu of food: Kusterer Brauhaus is important to note as it's one of the more unique beer makers in town (an offshoot of Cedar Springs Brewing Company). The new beer hall focuses on German-style beers, which are delicious, even if “craft beer” is not your cup of tea.

B R I D G E S T

O R R I D

O R

BROAD LEAF WEST SIDE

443 BRIDGE ST. NW

While the new location of The Sovengard has yet to open (at least as of the day this went to print), its former location is still a valuable piece of the city’s dining scene.

It is now home to the second location of Broad Leaf, the second endeavor of Brewery Vivant owners, the Spauldings. The original location, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, is still pumping out the good stuff out in one of the busiest areas in town.

Broad Leaf kept the incredible outdoor dining and hangout area that Sovengard established, as well as the cozy basement vibe of the indoor seating — with their own improvements, of course.

The drinks, as one could expect, are stellar, from the house cocktails to the beers.

But the food menu is also an interesting dive into fusion. It largely errs on the side of Asian, hello again bao buns, as well as a cabbage and scallion pancake, and a few ramen options. But also chimes in with Mexican, see: Mole Spice Carrots.

There is also a smash burger and fries. And for those feeling like an especially rich treat, there’s the spicy duck fat fries. And there’s brunch!

Above, left to right: Broad Leaf West Side's Chromatic Shatter (a Hazy Pale Ale), a Strawberry Gin Freefall cocktail and Fried Chicken Sandwich (fried chicken, paté, pickled carrot and radish, cucumber, kewpie mayo, duck fat chili oil, cilantro on a sesame bun).

Here, a glass of Broad Leaf West Side's Chromatic Shatter pairs perfectly with General Steve's Bao Buns (fried chicken, soy caramel, pickeld carrot & radish, spicy mayo, scallion & cashew). Below, Broad Leaf West Side's Bao-Busaur cabbage & mushroom stuffed bao buns.

Broad Leaf West Side's outdoor beer garden may look familiar. It's located in a space formerly occupied by The Søvengård; 443 Bridge Street, NW, Grand Rapids.

B R I D G E S T

C O R R I D O R

BLACK NAPKIN

966 E. FULTON ST.

In the age of social media, it’s common for restaurants to open and create lots of social buzz, but no restaurant has done so with such ease and success at Black Napkin — and it felt fully organic.

Black Napkin is a local take on a fast-food joint, and it does a bang-up job on at the center of an East Fulton neighborhood that continues to pick up steam. Anchored by Schnitz and the East Fulton Farmer’s Market on the east and the top-notch cocktail spots Buffalo Trader’s Lounge and Post Off — and plenty more — to the West, Black Napkin provides a greasy spot from locals.

From the great smash burgers like the

Classic and the Big Malcolm, to the fried chicken sandwiches, the corner restaurant does exactly what it set out to do. And judging by the lines that can often be seen forming out the door, the city is not mad about the restaurant’s mission. They also do a bang-up job offering vegetarian and vegan options on all of their offerings.

Black Napkin also serves up homemade soda, which is certainly a refreshing spin on something so common. And! The owners also own Any Colour You Like Popsicles, which can be seen around town at various restaurants, but can also be picked up to finish off a burger.

Above: Rust french fries, Berry Cherry house made soda, and Le College Dropout smash burger (Grand Cru cheese, smashed Vdalia onion, arugula, peppercorn tomato jam, topped with herbe de provence mayo). Below: Black Napkin's menu board items.

Below: Eastern Kille’s “Veil” cocktail, made with dry gin, génépy, cucumber, honeysage and lemon. Right: Eastern Kille Distillery spirits are on display at EK Wealthy, the distillery’s new tasting room on Wealthy Street.

W E A L T H Y S T

EASTERN KILLE DISTILLERY TASTING ROOM

634 WEALTHY ST. SE

As mentioned, Grand Rapids once was late to the cocktail game, but EK’s recent endeavors are certainly help things stack up in town. (Not too far away, another incredible Grand Rapids distillery, Long Road Distillers also opened a new cocktail lounge, Less Traveled, at 959 Cherry St. SE last summer.)

Eastern Kille is set to move out to a new, gorgeous facility in Rockford, leaving behind its original Ottawa Avenue home. But the owners did not want to leave Grand Rapids without representation. So, in steps the stylish Wealthy Street bar that serves up a cool slate of cocktails using all their own spirits and products.

If the past year is any indication, there are plenty of great concepts ready to emerge and help keep Grand Rapids pushing forward in the world of food and cocktails. From tried-and-true concepts to locally made spirits to world cuisines underrepresented in town and creative concepts ready to push the envelope for what Midwestern diners know, the Grand Rapids culinary sphere is rapidly growing and there is no turning back. So, buckle up get ready to try some new places.

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Grand Rapids

RECOGNIZING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS DOING GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY

As a region, West Michigan is abundant with philanthropic endeavors, and ranks high in the nation for giving, volunteering, and generosity. At Grand Rapids Magazine, we’re proud to celebrate the individuals, groups, and nonprofits that make us a kinder place to live.

The initiatives of those featured in this section include providing foster care, substance abuse, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, mental and behavioral health, and refugee services, as well as supporting organizations who enhance the appeal of Grand Rapids and beyond. They’re making a powerful difference in our neighborhoods and contributing in meaningful ways. Join us in appreciating everything they do!

Alpha Grand Rapids

Mission // Motivated by the love of Christ, we promote abundant life by providing holistic services to women and men affected by unplanned pregnancy.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

At Alpha Grand Rapids (AGR), we provide nonjudgmental, compassionate care to the people we serve. Moms and dads can receive free services to help them thrive as a parent, partner, and individual.

Our programs are grouped into four categories:

MEDICAL SERVICES

• Pregnancy tests

• STI tests

• Limited ultrasounds

SUPPORT SERVICES

• One-on-one mentoring and coaching

• Parenting support groups

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

• Pregnancy Education

• GED Completion Program

• English as a Second Language

• Parenting Class

MATERIAL RESOURCES

• Maternity and infant clothing

• Diapers, formula and infant necessities

• Car seats and pack ‘n plays

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Attend and/or support an Alpha Grand Rapids Event through a Corporate Sponsorship and receive recognition in a variety of ways based on level of sponsorship. Events include a March Comedy Night and an October Banquet.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Serve the community in one of fifteen unique volunteer roles. Some roles work directly with people while others are more “behind-thescenes”— each one is crucial. Opportunities are available for families, small groups, or businesses.

INCOME SOURCES

Individual gifts account for 48% of total income with 15% from businesses, 26% from foundations and 11% from churches. In addition, in 2022, volunteers donated 13,010 hours of their time, valued at $414,250.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Donations of every size make a difference for individuals and families in Grand Rapids! Become a “Partner for Life” by committing to monthly donations or make a one time gift on our website.

MATERIAL RESOURCES

New/Gently used item donations are appreciated. Parents earn items by attending programs. Ongoing needs include: diapers & wipes, formula (Enfamil yellow can or Similac blue can), maternity & children’s clothing to size 6, infant & children’s necessities.

Alpha Grand Rapids is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All financial and in-kind donations are tax-deductible.

LEADERSHIP:

1725 Division Ave. S. Grand Rapids, MI 49507 | 616-742-0242 alphagrandrapids.org

Christina Thelen Board Chair

Curtis Thompson Board Vice Chair

Dianna Cutts Board Treasurer

Colleen Geisel President Brad Smith Development Director

“What’s different about Alpha is that there are guys here who really care and are willing to share their life experiences with me so I can learn how to be a better dad,” says a dad in our Step Up Coaching Program at Alpha Men’s Center.

Exalta Health

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

Medical Primary Care, Dental Primary and Preventative Care, Vision Care, Behavioral Health Care, Spiritual Counseling. Exalta Health is a faith based non-profit clinic who serves people who are uninsured, underinsured and refugees.

With our staff of doctors, nurses, dentists, and volunteers as well as partnerships with a number of major organizations, Exalta Health is uniquely capable of being responsive to the changing needs of its patient population. 70% of Exalta Health’s patient population are people of color, over 63% are Hispanic. Our frontline people are bicultural and bilingual providing the ability to help people in a meaningful manner. Exalta Health is a safety net for those who cannot access traditional medical services.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:

We are profoundly grateful for the generous support of our community. Donations of time, goods, and money comprise 80% of our revenue every year. The success of this ministry is dependent on businesses, churches, foundations, and individuals just like you. There are a variety of ways to get involved.

DONATE

One–time or recurring donations make quality care accessible to our patients.

Donating by cash or check?

You can mail gifts to: Exalta Health

2060 Division Ave S Grand Rapids, MI 49507.

PLANNED GIVING

Giving through wills, trusts, annuities, and gifts of stock can also help accomplish the mission of Exalta Health.

SPONSORSHIP

We would love to have your business sponsor one of our clinical programs or fund raising events.

AMAZON SMILE

If you’re doing online shopping, use Smile.Amazon.com and choose Exalta Health as your preferred charity. Amazon will donate a percentage of costs to our organization at no cost to you.

IN-KIND GIFTS

Donations of equipment and supplies are welcomed. We will issue you a tax-deductible receipt for in-kind donations within IRS guidelines.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Golf Outing

• Annual Reception

• Spring Giving Day

• Volunteer days

LEADERSHIP:

Edward Postma President

Laura Vander Molen Medical Director

Thomas Haeussler

Advancement Director

Daniel Armstrong Dental Director

Mission // Exalta Health serves the West Michigan Community with compassionate, safe, equitable, accessible healthcare that demonstrates our Christian mission.

Exalta Health serves the West Michigan community with compassionate, safe, equitable, and accessible healthcare demonstrating our Christian mission.

We are committed to serving individuals and families of any ethnicity, language, gender, disability, religion, or creed.

We specialize in providing primary care to the uninsured, underinsured, and refugees.

We have a staff of 26 members and 200 volunteers committed to serve a community with NO adequate healthcare, living below the Federal poverty level, and in crisis when something bad happens.

68% of our patient population has NO insurance. 70% of our support comes through donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations.

Please donate to Exalta Health to assist those who need your support.

For more information call us at 616-475-8446 or visit our website at exaltahealth.org

OUR PATIENT POPULATION NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Faith Hospice

Mission // In fulfilling God’s calling to serve others, we will serve with love and compassion, commit to excellence, and follow Christ’s teachings and example in all we do.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

Faith Hospice offers in-home and in-patient compassionate hospice services along with continued support after a loved one has passed through bereavement care. We believe in empowering our patients to spend the end-of-life journey on their terms, helping to improve their quality of life through our interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers, and volunteers.

The Van Andel Hope & Healing Pavilion in Byron Center offers expanded space for bereavement care, including individual, group, and family counseling. Our bereavement care is not a “one size fits all” service but offers guidance through each individual’s unique healing process, helping them to find hope and healing as they move forward. All bereavement services are provided free of charge, making donations essential to this important work.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Fall Luncheon

September 20, 2023

Annual Summer House Concert

August, 2024

Support Groups for Spouse/ Partner/Parent/Family Member (Ongoing)

Individual & Children’s Grief Services (By Appointment)

Hope and Healing for the Holidays

November 7 & 9, 2023

Service of Remembrance

December 5, 2023

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: MAKE A GIFT

Your gift to Faith Hospice will help individuals and families immediately in the form of patient assistance, bereavement services, as well as toward general Faith Hospice operations.

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Many families identify Faith Hospice as a designated charity for memorial gifts. If you’d like to honor a memorial invitation, please include the name of the person in whose honor your gift is made. Faith Hospice will inform a designated family member or loved one of your gift (the amount of your gift remains confidential).

PLANNED GIFTS

At Faith Hospice we provide compassionate, dignified care at the end-of-life to all people regardless of their race, creed, religion or financial status. Your planned gift will be essential for us to provide care in the years to come. There are many planned gift options. Please contact us to discuss these opportunities, we would be happy to assist you in making a planned gift that reflects your values and goals.

LEADERSHIP:

Troy Vugteveen

Christian Living Services President and CEO

Adam Kinder

Christian Living Services CFO

Rene Wheaton

Executive VP Home and Community Based Services

8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive, SW Byron Center, MI 49315 | 616-235-5113 faithhospicecare.org

Janet Jaymin

Director of Bereavement Services

Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbon

Medical Director

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion, and resources. Over the last century, the Community Foundation has worked with partners to use philanthropic tools to find solutions to our community’s most pressing issues. We provide grants to support the work of nonprofits, scholarships to local students and other forms of support to communities working to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity, and belonging.

We are guided by our North Star: For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

We help local philanthropists leave a lasting legacy by stewarding their assets to accomplish their unique goals, today and beyond their lifetime. Our donor partners support a wide variety of funds and initiatives, including:

• Education supports and scholarships for local students;

• Initiatives led by community volunteers, including the Black Legacy, Somos Comunidad and Our LGBTQ funds;

• Our Fund for Community Good, built by hundreds of donor partners, invests in nonprofit partners throughout Kent County who share our commitment to becoming actively anti-racist.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LOVE FOR GRAND RAPIDS

Grand Rapids Community Foundation has a staff of professionals to help you accomplish your philanthropic goals. Whether you are interested in giving during your lifetime or want to create a gift in your will, we can help. We’ll listen and provide ideas and options to help you find your unique way to make our community an even better place to call home.

GIVE NOW

Make your gift today. One-time or recurring donations can be made online using a credit card.

GIVE LATER

Learn about smart, easy and cost-effective ways to give through your will or an estate plan. The vast majority of the Community Foundation's assets have come from gifts in a will.

CREATE YOUR OWN FUND

The Community Foundation manages more than 800 separate funds. Establishing your own fund is a great way to carry on your family name or honor the memory of a loved one.

LEADERSHIP:

Diana R. Sieger President

Ashley René Lee

Vice President Strategic Communications

Kate Luckert Schmid

Vice President Program

Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer

Marilyn Zack

Mission // Our Mission is to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people. 185

Vice President Development

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Staff

A NEW CENTURY OF SERVICE AND IMPACT

To overcome racial, social and economic inequities, we must respond with intention and care. Grand Rapids Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy to answer community needs. Our partners inspire, motivate and guide our work.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation connects people and their passions with resources to meet our region’s toughest challenges. To connect with us, visit GRFoundation.org/GiveGR.

John Ball Zoo

Mission // John Ball Zoo inspires our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

John Ball Zoo is an internationally accredited, world-class zoo and a leader in animal care with the purpose of saving wildlife and wild places. As one of the most attended cultural attractions in Michigan, with over 700,000 guests expected in 2023, the Zoo inspires our community to be engaged in wildlife conservation through fun, meaningful, and inspiring educational experiences that provide one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunities that can’t be found in books, on TV, or online.

With hundreds of thousands of annual visitors from all 83 Michigan counties and all 50 states John Ball Zoo delivers more than $100 million annual net economic impact in our communities each year, the Zoo is a magnet for visitors from across the state and beyond.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:

Donations to the John Ball Zoo can be made several ways:

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

Thank you for supporting John Ball Zoo. From providing our animals with local produce in their diets to innovative medical care, our team provides customized and compassionate care to the over 2,000 animals that call John Ball Zoo home. None of this is possible without your philanthropic support. John Ball Zoo is an IRS Section 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to our mission of inspiring our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. You can also explore other ways of giving, or mail your gift directly to John Ball Zoo (1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).

For questions please contact our Development team at donate@jbzoo.org or by phone at 616-336-3309.

ENRICH THE LIVES OF YOUR FAVORITE ANIMALS

At John Ball Zoo, the care and wellbeing of our animals is our top priority. One of the great ways that you can support and enrich the lives of your favorite animal friends is by donating enrichment items through our Amazon Wish List.

ANIMAL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

By sponsoring an animal, you not only help in the care and feeding of our animals at John Ball Zoo but also support conservation programs near and far. We care for more than 2,400 animals representing more than 200 species. A portion of your contribution through this program supports wildlife conservation both in the Great Lakes region and around the world.

Sponsor an animal today!

JUMP PROGRAM

While John Ball Zoo is committed to continuing the JUMP program, the expense incurred impacts other Zoo projects, including habitat renovations, expansions, and educational experiences. With the help of our generous supporters and community, families of all income levels can experience outdoor education and the Zoo’s mission of saving wildlife and wild places.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Grand Rapids Lantern Festival Spring 2024

• Weekly Events: Roaring Nights, Breakfast with the Animals, and more

• In Zoo Adventures: Ropes Course and Zip Line

• Daily Animal Experiences

• Behind the Scenes and Guide Tour Experiences

• Summer Camp for Kids

LEADERSHIP:

Peter D’Arienzo

Chief Executive Officer

Andy McIntyre

Chief Operating Officer

Larry Jongekrik

Chief Financial Officer

Gina Schultz

Chief Advancement Officer

Laura Davis

Director of Organizational Development & Strategy

Allmon Forrester

Vice President Facilities, Planning & Sustainability

The new state-of-the-art Pygmy Hippo Pavilion opened in Spring 2023 hosting two pygmy hippos, Jahari and Penelope.

One of the many tunnels that guests enjoy on their journey through the Zoo to see these beautiful lanterns. Coming back in Spring 2024 with all new lanterns.

A happy red panda, Wasabi, gave birth to beautiful cubs this last summer.

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Mission // Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is called to express the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by providing behavioral health services with professional excellence, Christian integrity, and compassion. We serve a broad spectrum of people whose lives are affected by mental health issues and/or addictions. Our mission compels us to identify and respond to unmet community needs and to make mental health services more accessible in West Michigan, especially to those who are traditionally underserved.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

Pine Rest, the single largest behavioral health provider in Michigan and the third largest in the country, has been the proven leader and preeminent behavioral health partner in West Michigan for decades. It offers a full continuum of services including inpatient and partial hospitalization, psychiatric urgent care, residential and outpatient services, addiction treatment and recovery, extensive child and adolescent programs, senior care services, as well as specialized assessment and treatment clinics. In addition to the main campus in Grand Rapids, Pine Rest has 21 outpatient locations throughout West and Northern Michigan. With over 450 world class physicians, clinicians, and advanced practice professionals, Pine Rest has the most expertise and experience to serve Michigan’s behavioral health care needs. For more information, go to www.pinerest.org.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:

Donations to the Pine Rest Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund can be made several ways:

• Online, at pinerest.org/donate.

• By mailing a check to the Pine Rest Foundation, P.O. Box 165, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0165.

• By calling 616-455-8680.

• By using the Foundation’s QR code (below).

• By donating gently used clothing, household goods, and other items to Rustic Market, located at 389 68th St. SE.

One hundred percent of your donations go toward reducing the cost of treatment for people who are experiencing financial hardships. In just the last six years, the Rustic Market has contributed over $1 million dollars to the Patient Assistance Fund. The sad reality for Pine Rest’s patients is that when they face a choice between paying for rent, food, or mental health care, the first two issues always have priority. Please help today!

WHO WE HELP: PATIENT’S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

No one should have to choose whether or not to get care for depression, anxiety, marital difficulties, dementia, stress, or addictions because of the cost of treatment. Thanks to a generous and compassionate community, financial assistance is available through the Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund.

PROGRAMS

Pine Rest is engaged in helping to improve access and quality of care in a variety of ways. Each year, the Casey Wondergem Grant Program, supported through the Pine Rest Foundation endowment, offers funding for research and innovation. The Foundation also raises current funds for special Pine Rest projects and initiatives.

FACILITIES

As we grow the capacity of our existing facilities to serve more patients, the Pine Rest Foundation raises funds to add and update psychiatric units.

EDUCATION

Pine Rest provides professional education opportunities for Pine Rest staff as well as physicians, medical staff, behavioral health care professionals, leaders, and others in our communities. Some of the current educational programs include: Psychiatric Residency Program, William Van Eerden, MD Lecture Series and the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training Program

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2024 Pine Rest Golf Classic Lost Dunes Golf Club

Monday, May 20th, 2024

LEADERSHIP:

Windemuller Electric’s Foursome at the 2023 Golf Classic hosted at Point O’ Woods

Mark Eastburg, Ph.D. President & CEO

Donald MacKenzie Executive Director, Pine Rest Foundation

Jack DeBoer

Steve Alles

Aaron Jonker

Ray Lanning

Bryan Ridgeway

Rob Stafford Peter Draaisma

Ann Hansen Jeff Steeby

Lumbermen’s Foursome at the 2023 Golf Classic hosted at Point O’ Woods

Samaritas

Mission // Serving people as an expression of the love of Christ.

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED:

For nearly 90 years, Samaritas has grown to serve and transform the lives of nearly 20,000 individuals each year through 60 program sites across the entire lower peninsula of Michigan.

Our skilled team of professionals provide essential, life-changing services, to some of the most vulnerable Michiganders, including:

• People living with substance use disorder

• Refugee families and youth looking for peace and opportunity

• Kids in the foster care system needing safety and stability

• Children with the goal of being adopted and finding their forever family

• Families in crisis needing family preservation services, education, and resources to find stability and healthy homes

• Families and seniors in desperate need of affordable living opportunities

• People with Disabilities in search of care and home

• Kids who need trauma assessments and behavioral health services to thrive

• Homeless families in need of shelter, food and safety

UPCOMING EVENTS:

APRIL

Volunteer Awareness Week - Partner with Samaritas for volunteer activities throughout the state. Service projects range from client mentorship to building beautification. Please reach out to Kayla. Park@samaritas.org to learn about the options for you and your team.

MAY

Foster Care Awareness MonthSamaritas will raise awareness about the needs and joys of fostering children. We’ll also raise funds to support the foster families in our care.

JUNE

Refugee Awareness Month - Samaritas will celebrate the positive contributions of Michigan’s refugees. June activities will include the launch of the Refugee Youth Art Show and a New Americans giving campaign.

OCTOBER

Be the Rock Gala - This Grand Rapidsbased event is a signature fundraiser for Samaritas, where West Michigan’s movers and shakers mingle for a good cause. Contact Tanya Horan at Tanya.Horan@ samaritas.org for sponsorship information.

NOVEMBER

Ripples Gala - This second signature fundraiser for Samaritas will raise funds and awareness to support several Southeast Michigan programs, including the Detroit Refugee Network (DRN). Contact Tanya Horan at Tanya.Horan@ samaritas.org regarding sponsorship opportunities.

LEADERSHIP:

David Lochner

Interim Chairman, Board of Directors

Brett VanderKamp

Interim Vice Chairman, Board of Directors

Jenny Cederstrom

Chief Financial Officer

Kelli Dobner

Chief Advancement & Strategy Officer

Kevin Van Den Bosch

Chief Operating Officer of Child & Family Services

Samaritas volunteers like the Grand Valley State University students featured in this photo are critical to help the agency prepare and distribute resources to underserved populations throughout Michigan. Contact Kayla.Park@ samaritas.org to learn about volunteer options.

The Be the Rock Gala is one of two signature fundraising events for Samaritas. This elegant night out raises awareness and funds for key Samaritas programs like foster care, and refugee resettlement services. Area business leaders like Bing Goei and Steve Fase are also celebrated for their community work.

Legislative, community, and business partnerships large and small are needed to support Samaritas programs. Samaritas leaders Kelli Dobner, Chief Advancement & Strategy Officer, Kevin Van Den Bosch, COO of Child & Family Services, and Interim CEO Dave Morin are leading the way. Contact Kelli Dobner at Kelli.Dobner@samaritas.org to learn more.

House of Wine

The Mitten Brewing Co.

Condado Tacos

Myrth's menu is made up mainly of pasta dishes and woodfired pizzas. Pictured here, the fennel sausage, summer squash and basil pizza is one of the house favorites.

Savory simplicity

James Beard 'Best Chef in Midwest' at the helm of new restaurant in Ada

BY PAT EVANS // PHOTOS BY AMANDA KAMPPINEN

Less than a month after Paul Berglund opened the doors to his new restaurant, Myrth, the chef welcomed another new challenge to his life.

The James Beard Award winner and his wife, Tia, had a new baby. For many, the opening a restaurant is all encompassing, and while that is likely true for Berglund, he was quick to say any added stress was eased by the hiring of a top-notch staff — a challenge for any restaurant in recent years.

“It’s kind of crazy, I can’t believe it’s happening that way,” Berglund said in a July interview about opening a restaurant and having a baby at the same time.

“It is going well and that’s only possible because of the phenomenal team that I work with at Myrth. Somehow, we assembled a strong team right out of the gate and they are doing so much of the heavy lifting for the restaurant.”

Berglund moved to Grand Rapids in June 2020 as his wife finished up a neurology residency at Mayo Clinic and found a job at Spectrum Health, now Corewell Health. The couple came from Minnesota, where Berglund won the 2016 James Beard Award as the best chef in the Midwest at The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis. His wife, by the way, is a neuro intensivist at Corewell.

Upon arrival in West Michigan, Berglund knew his own restaurant was in the cards, but the COVID-19 pandemic kept those on the back burner. Eventually, though, Berglund fell in love with a space in Ada, 7423 River St. SE, and the process toward opening began.

“[The] plans were on pause for well over a year, and it wasn’t until 2021 that I started to find people were receptive to talking to me about opening a restaurant,” Berglund said. “Originally, I imagined more of an urban environment for Myrth, but the more time I spent with Ada Village and just getting to know it, the more I started to visualize the restaurant. There is so much energy in downtown Ada, it’s becoming such a vibrant spot and I’m excited to have Myrth be part of it.”

The menu at Myrth is unlikely to overwhelm diners. It is small, intentionally. But it is well designed and thoughtful. His vision for Myrth always was pastacentric, and that is at the heart of the menu — which at time of press in July had approximately 20 items on it. Along with the pasta is a selection of woodfired pizzas, and a smattering of Italian-inspired appetizers.

“When I was doing a pop-up operation in Rochester [Minnesota], I was doing pasta, but I had to pivot to doing pizza takeout when COVID hit. I saw how important pizza was for

Myrth, located at 7423 River St. SE in Ada, is open Tuesday-Sunday, 4:30-9 p.m.

A romaine salad –lettuce, parmigiano reggiano vinaigrette, almonds, chopped egg, pickled onions – and wood-fired pepperoni pizza.

people during that time and I realized that would be a great addition to the menu and that’s when the menu really solidified in my mind as a pizza-pasta restaurant.

“And that’s what it is now. It’s artisan crafted food.”

A few of the choices on the menu in July:

• Wood oven roasted veggies, aged balsamic vinegar, gouda

• Pork meatballs, tomato sauce

• Spicy cheese pizza - mozzarella, pecorino, oregano, Calabrian chilis

• Lion’s mane mushrooms, taleggio cheese, thyme

• Pennette, Lake Superior whitefish, serranos, dill, cream, lemon, fish sauce

• Spaghettini, garlic-roasted beefsteak tomatoes, basil

And there are options at Myrth for glutenand dairy-free patrons, an extreme rarity for a restaurant focused on cuisine where carbs and cheese are such crucial ingredients.

“We’re trying hard to be welcoming to those with dietary restrictions,” Berglund said. “It is harder when your entire menu and kitchen is filled with wheat flour to be as precise as some restaurants are in controlling the environment, but we’re doing our best and we’re working to improve those options as time goes on.”

The potential evolution of Myrth tracks with the potential evolution of the dining scene in Grand Rapids. In the past two decades, Grand Rapids restaurants have grown by leaps and bounds, and there is plenty more room for the culinary scene to expand as well. It is not an isolated trend, but one that can be seen in cities across the US as people flock from the coasts and head to the Midwest and South.

Larger cities, of course, saw it first, which gives Berglund an inside look at the potential.

“Across the US we’re seeing smaller cities come into their own in terms of restaurant and culinary scenes, they’re becoming more mature,” he said. “The Twin Cities are about three times the size, and they saw this maybe 10 years before Grand Rapids did, but I really see some parallels between the two.

“As it’s harder to get a good quality life as an industry professional in New York or San Francisco, more people are moving to different regions and that’s what I saw in Minneapolis and what I’m seeing in Grand Rapids.”

Berglund moved to Minneapolis from San Francisco. He made his way to the Bay Area about 20 years ago, after a stint in the U.S. Navy, and spent seven years at a

The spaghettini (left), comes with a large garlic-roasted beefsteak tomato on top, accented with basil. A gin and housemade tonic with botanicals (above) is one of many unique traditional / signature cocktails on the menu.

Chef Max Horn (left) and Sous Chef Rachel Youker (right) take pride in their wood-fired creations.

restaurant called Oliveto, where he honed his cooking philosophy.

“It was a wonderful culinary education and where I really learned the fundamentals of cooking and the philosophy that exists in the Bay Area continues with me to this day,” Berglund said. “It’s just a real value on the upmost importance of ingredients that go into food. I try to take that wherever I go.”

It’s a two-fold situation, as well. It’s not just culinary professionals spreading across the nation. Professionals and families are migrating as well, looking for a better quality and cost of life. That, of course, is no secret to West Michigan, as many often return after living elsewhere.

Myrth is still young; like really young. So there is plenty of evolving to be had in Ada. That said, assuming Myrth is successful, and Berglund continues to see his restaurant vision through, he does expect more to be had.

“I hope Myrth is around a long time and I hope that it becomes a real anchor for the Ada community, as well as the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. I hope that it can be a really welcoming place for all sorts of people.

“But one of the things I’m most excited about as the owner of a business is to see people I work with grow in their professions and thrive. Oftentimes that means making room for people to grow within the organization and that might, for us, means Myrth is not the last restaurant we open.”

Pork meatballs (above) with tomato sauce can be found on the appetizer portion of the menu. At right, clockwise from top left: taleggio cheese and thyme pizza; pepperoni pizza; peppers and potato pizza, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana.

Shish

Shesco: Best of The Med in NE GR

Mediterranean

BY JASON ROTH // PHOTOS BY KATY MCAVOY

Tucked away in the Knapp's Corner strip mall next to Celebration Cinemas North is one of Grand Rapids' culinary treasure troves: Sheshco Mediterranean Grill. Sheshco is a long-time favorite that I hadn't been back to since the pandemic. This was like catching up with an old friend.

Accompanied by comedian, actor, and foodie extraordinaire, Joe Anderson, (be sure to check out a show at his club The Comedy Project!) and his good pal, Eric Klingensmith, we braved the Celebration Cinema strip mall lunch hour traffic and arrived at Sheshco, our “Mediterranean Mecca in Movie- land.”

As soon as you enter, the first thing you'll notice is Sheshco's distinctive ambiance and décor. The place has an extremely chill, calming vibe, putting us all in the mood to relax and have some fine eats. Their service is always attentive and friendly. The extensive menu features a range of Middle Eastern favorites such as shish kabob, falafel, ghallaba, and more.

I must confess to an addiction: the free pita bread and garlic sauce they have on the table when you are seated. The sauce is so ridiculously good that you could honestly get full just eating the bread with it. I have to restrain myself every time from scarfing it all down, gotta save some room for the entree!

But as a certified soup fiend, I had to also indulge in a cup of lentil soup. Lentil soup can often be bland, so let me assure that

Sheshco's in anything but! Their lentil soup has a great rich flavor, complimented by a lemon slice for a perfect kick of citrus.

For my main course, I ordered Shish Kafta, which consisted of two skewers of deliciously seasoned kafta meat. With the entrees, your side options are either rice, fries, or my pick, grilled veggies. The kafta was insanely flavorful, and the veggies grilled to perfection.

Eric chose the Shish Tawook Sandwich, marinated chicken rolled with garlic and pickles. Joe also went with Shish Tawook,

"I don't always love chicken, but the magical synergy of spices won me over. This was chicken done extremely right."

Jason Roth

Kafta, grilled mixed vegetables (foreground) and pita bread with garlic sauce (background).

restaurant's cuisine 'ridiculously good'

EDITOR'S PICK

Fancy flights

New promo combines samples of food, beverages or both

BY LISA ENOS AND KEAGAN COOP

While there’s nothing new about flights of beer, a new promotion has restaurants of all types offering flights.

“Flights of Flavor seamlessly pairs our world-class food with the incredible craft beverages that put us on the map,” said Kate Lieto, Associate VP of Marketing at Experience Grand Rapids.

With an emphasis on both taste and presentation, the idea behind the ongoing promotion is that it allows restaurant goers to sample a variety of flavors of food, beverages, or both in one sitting. Of course, the local culinary geniuses rose to the challenge to fabricate some new-fangled flights. From cupcakes to pizza to oysters, soju, ciders, snacks and more– some of these creations are truly visionary!

GR Magazine Art Director Keagan Coop and I put our heads together to choose our favorites:

but got the entree instead of the sandwich. He gave me a sample. I don't always love chicken, but the magical synergy of spices won me over. This was chicken done extremely right.

On Joe's recommendation, we ordered a side of hummus to go with our entrees. He didn't steer us wrong: possibly the best hummus I've ever had, and great for dipping my grilled veggies in after my kafta skewers were long gone. The three of us were more than satisfied with our lunch dining experience.

All in all, you can't go wrong at Shescho, no matter what you order.

So catch a movie and then have a Middle Eastern feast at Sheshco Mediterranean Grill, a true Grand Rapids gem.

Social Misfits

The overall presentation of these drinks is beautiful! I love how they display the names of the drinks clipped to the snifter glasses. I can only imagine how excited my friends would be if we ordered this and it came to our table. Looks like such an experience in itself!

Forty Acres

Soul Kitchen

These three shrimp ‘n grits combos are doctored in very different ways. The House is spicy, with smoked tomato puree; The Southern is doused in cream, asiago and parmesan cheese, pancetta, and peppers; The Northern is made with a sweet and savory glaze, whole grain mustard and white wine sauce. Simply phenomenal.

House of Wine

Each one of the four snacks looks so delicious – a great mix of flavors to pair with the wines. And a good value, too.

Love’s Ice Cream

Where I come from this is called a Pig’s Dinner, but you could also call these allergen-friendly options– including dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and plant-based treats– simply delicious. Personal fave: Lavender Blueberry Vegan Gelato. What’s not to love?

Other locations with flights for your traveling tastebuds:

Beacon Corner Bar

Beltline Bar

Brewery Nyx

Brewery Vivant

Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits - Kentwood

Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits - Westside

Comedy Project

Condado Tacos

DreamScape Desserts

Farmhaus Cider Co.

Founders Brewing Co.

Ganders Restaurant & Lounge

Grand Rapids Brewing Co.

GRNoir Wine & Jazz

Harmony Brewing Company - Eastown

K-Rok Korea BBQ & Karaoke Soju

Cocktail Bar

New Holland Brewing Co.

– The Knickerbocker

One Bourbon

Railtown Brewing Company

Rockford Brewing Company

Rockwell Republic

Speciation Artisan Ales

Sundance Grill & Bar

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

The 707 Winery and Brewery

Visit flightsofflavor.com for more information.

Mitten Brewing Pizza

Can’t choose between the Westerdog, Field of Greens or the Hog Heaven? Why not get a flight? Six flavors of specialty pizza served on a wooden paddle feeds four. Pro tip: Wash it down with Peanuts and Crackerjacks Porter. Yum!

Sheshco's storefront (top) is located in Knapp's Corner strip mall, next to Celebration Cinemas North. (Above) Sheshco's lentil soup has agreat rich flavor; be sure to try a bowl!

EDITOR’S NOTE:

This section of the magazine is generally reserved for local eateries that serve on the go food, but when I found out that Fresh Thyme has more than 600 SKU’s from Michigan suppliers, many of them right here in Grand Rapids, I thought why not let everyone know that when they’re shopping at Fresh Thyme, there’s a good chance they’re purchasing local products made and grown by local artisans, bakers and farmers?

Too busy to stay healthy?

There’s an app for that.

BY LISA ENOS

There are a lot of shopping services out there and what’s so special about the Fresh Thyme App? It will not only save you time, but money as you'll be alerted to in-store promotions. For example, at press time, the app was offering 30% discount on all vitamins, body care and candles– including locally owned Maggie Ann brand soap.

Other local vendors and brands include Brewery Vivant, Eastern Kille, Love's, Madcap, Mitten Brewing, Field & Fire, Ferris Coffee & Nuts, Revolution Farms, Rowsters, Schuil, Beer City Dog Biscuits, Mudpenny, Rise Authentic Baking Co., Cheese Kurls, The Cheese Lady, Ludington Bay Brewing Co., and many more.

Another thing about using the app is that a knowledgeable grocery store staff member picking out your food,someone who's going to choose the right avocados, melons, lean meats and fish.

Finding it hard to stay healthy on the go?

A new app from Fresh Thyme could help change all that. Located conveniently at the corner of Burton and Breton, across from booming Breton Village, the grocery store–a purveyor of healthy choices– has created an answer for busy, health conscious shoppers with back-to-school schedule changes on their minds.

The store went through an overhaul last year, with a remodel and a revamp of its offerings. It now features more than 4,000 new items storewide, including local craft beer, wine and liquor products from Grand Rapids breweries and distilleries. In addition, a new sushi counter provides customers with scrumptious fresh sushi rolls to go.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

Fresh Thyme now features more than 4,000 new items storewide, including local beer, wine and liquor products from Grand Rapids breweries and distilleries...

The app also offers different ways to shop. You can browse the featured departments: Produce, Meat & Seafood, Supplements, Personal Care, Grocery, Dairy & Eggs. Or you can click on “featured nutrition lifestyles,” which offers sections based on dietary restrictions, like Keto, USDA Organic, No Sugar Added, and Plant Based.

Best of all there’s a section for recipes that shows photos and provides links to ingredients. You can choose the items you need or choose “add all” to your cart. Easy peasy. After adding the ingredients to your shopping cart, choose a time slot for pickup. There’s a place to add a note for your personal shopper. You can choose to either park in the specialized parking spaces or go inside to the Fresh Thyme Pickup counter. And did I mention its convenient location near Breton Village? Since you’re having someone else do the shopping, you may find yourself with a few extra moments to enjoy the sunny patio at Condado Tacos. Pro tip: A skinny margarita at happy hour costs just $6.

A store associate chooses produce for a Fresh Thyme Pickup customer.

CHEERS

Last Chance to impress

One more for the Gippers owner

BY LISA ENOS // PHOTOS BY AMANDA KAMPPINEN

Your friend calls you up and says, “Hey, let’s go to happy hour at Last Chance Tavern & Grill.” You reply, “Where’s that?”

Your friend tells you it's on Burton, west of Kalamazoo Ave. near the railroad tracks. You trust your friend’s judgment, so you get in your car. As you amble past Four Brothers Fish & Chips, Burton Village BBQ Co. and The Derby – dodging potholes along the way – you wonder to yourself why you agreed to this. Then, up on your right you see it. You immediately recognize it. You’ve driven past it before, wondering what goes on inside a country-looking bar in this part of town...are those steer horns above the door? You pull into the newly paved parking lot. It’s packed! And with nice cars! (Phew). There’s a sleek, sparkly red Harley Davidson parked near the entrance. You squeeze into a space between a Mercedes convertible and a Porsche Cayenne. As you step out of your car you hear the thump, thump, thump of a bass that’s way too loud. Again you’re worried. Luckily, the music’s coming from a car parked outside a nearby liquor store, not from the Last Chance Bar & Grill. Once inside you’re greeted by Sarah, or Janine– two of the friendliest bartenders you’ll ever encounter – and you’re asked, “What’ll it be?”

Whatever it is, they’ll pour it good and strong. You can’t go wrong with a Bombay Sapphire and a splash of tonic. But now you realize they have just about every craft beer your heart desires on tap. You change your mind and order a tall Oberon. You look around the place. It’s spacious, homey. Looks like the same big, casual

The favorites will remain on the menu, like the Garbage Burger, the Tavern Nachos and the Wet Burrito. But, a

restaurant you’d find in any small town, which makes sense. Alger Heights is known for having a small-town look and feel.

“The bar opened in either ’34 or ’36, I’d have to check,” said owner Dan Waterman, who purchased the place in early 2023. A small kitchen fire shut it down briefly in March, followed by a liquor license cock up that rendered it closed until Waterman officially took it over. By May, the bar was up and running again with all the old loyal clientele and a new coat of light gray paint. And a spruced up patio, too.

When a new owner takes over an established business, there’s a certain amount of care that needs to be taken to appease its longtime groupies. To that end, the favorites will remain on the menu, like the Garbage Burger, the Tavern Nachos and the Wet Burrito. But, a menu change is coming to The Chance. That's how the regulars affectionately refer to it.

“Chef Tom (Cornish) is working on the menu,” said Waterman, who indicated that steaks and more elevated cuisine will be in The Chance’s near future. Waterman has big plans for an outdoor area, as well. He owns Gippers, located at 2929 Kraft Ave SE, so he’s no stranger to running a place where people know how to have a good time. An engineer by trade, he got into the restaurant business because his former boss tried to get him to move to China. He dug in his heels and did a 180 pivot. The regulars and staff at The Chance are glad he did!

menu change is coming to 'The Chance.' That's how the regulars affectionately refer to it.

Chef Tom Cornish (left) will be revamping the menu at Last Chance, while being sure to keep local favorites such as the garbage burger and the wet burrito. Below, a handful of the many draft beer options available to enjoy.

Glorious Golumpki

Polish cabbage rolls to make you say "smacznego!"

BY MARY HOWING // PHOTO BY STACY FEYER-SALO

Gołąbki (aka golombki, golumpki, golabki, golumpkies, golumpkis, gluntkes, or gwumpki) are Polish cabbage rolls, stuffed with a mixture of beef, pork, rice, and seasoning. In America, we call them golumpki and it’s pronounced just like it’s spelled. There’s a lot of questions as to why they are called that. Some say it’s because they’re shaped like a dove or a pigeon. Whatever the reason, they are considered a main course, but also can be served along with other traditional Polish fare – and are a staple at just about any Polish hall throughout Grand Rapids during Pulaski days. Smacznego!

Ingredients

1 large green cabbage

FOR GOLUMPKI FILLING:

1-pound lean ground beef

½ pound ground pork

½ small yellow onion grated

4 large garlic cloves grated

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel from 1 lemon

1 large egg beaten

2 cups of cooked rice

FOR TOMATO SAUCE:

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

½ small yellow onion grated

3 large garlic cloves grated

28 ounces crushed tomatoes

½ cup water

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Chopped fresh dill (optional)

Instructions

BOIL CABBAGE:

Remove the stalk from the bottom of the cabbage head. Place the cabbage in a large pot filled with 12 cups of water. Cover and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook until the cabbage leaves become bright green and pliable, about 3-5 minutes. The leaves should not be limp, they should hold their shape. Remove cabbage from water and place on a cutting board until it’s cool enough to handle.

PREPARE THE FILLING:

Combine ground beef, pork, onion, garlic, grated lemon peel, egg, and rice in a large bowl. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

MAKE TOMATO SAUCE:

In a medium pot over medium heat add oil. Once simmering, stir in grated onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Then, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Pour in crushed tomatoes, water, salt, and pepper and increase heat to high. Once bubbling, reduce heat to low and simmer tomatoes for 15 minutes.

PREPARE CABBAGE LEAVES:

Give the cabbage a chance to cool, then remove the leaves. Using a paring knife, cut the thick stem or membrane from the back of each leaf. Be careful not to cut through the leaf.

PREPARE THE OVEN AND BAKING DISHES:

Move oven racks to upper-middle and lowermiddle positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. A 9x13-inch baking dish and a smaller, 2-quart baking dish for this recipe. Spread ¾ cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish and ½ cup sauce in the bottom of the 2-quart baking dish.

STUFF AND ROLL:

Place 2 tablespoons of filling on the bottom half of a cabbage leaf. Fold up the bottom part of the cabbage leaf. Then, fold in the sides. Next, roll forward until the cabbage leaf completely covers the filling. Repeat with remaining cabbage leaves and filling. Place the stuffed cabbage leaves into prepared pans in neat rows. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the cabbage rolls.

BAKE:

Bake for 50-60 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Place pans on a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh, chopped dill (optional), serve and enjoy!

Meet the Region’s Best Dentists Who’ll Have You Beaming!

The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but the mouth is surely the gateway to being your healthiest you. More than just a tool for communicating, whether verbally or through your facial expressions, your mouth is part of the puzzle that makes up your overall wellness— and having a skilled, knowledgeable dentist who performs a thorough exam can make all

Endodontics

Amru Albeiruti

Forest Hills Endodontics

Grand Rapids

Arthur Doering

The Root Canal Specialists

Grand Rapids

Andrew Drerup

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

Anthony Guinn

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

the difference. Of course, an exam is just the beginning. The treatments and interventions that follow range from simple cleanings and oral hygiene education to more complex procedures that address jaw, bite, and sleep issues, as well as complete smile restorations. Yes, beyond your health, appearance matters too!

Whether they’re seeing infants, youths,

Tyler Guinn

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

Jeffrey P. Halvorson

Halvorson & Hembrough, D.D.S., M.S., P.C.

Grand Rapids

Michael W. Hembrough

Halvorson & Hembrough, D.D.S., M.S., P.C.

Grand Rapids

Scott Hodges

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

Jack Kemper

Halvorson & Hembrough, D.D.S., M.S., P.C.

Grand Rapids

adults, or seniors—including special cases— the Top Dentists in this section represent excellence in their fields. These peer-recognized providers cover everything from general dentistry to implants, prosthetics, aesthetics, pediatrics, advanced restorative techniques, and more. And, they’re right here in West Michigan to serve you and your family! 

Thomas Korte

Grandville Endodontics

Wyoming

Brian J. Licari

Grandville Endodontics

Wyoming

Sarah Lennan Masterson

Grand River Endodontics, P.C.

Grandville

Brent A. Medema

Medema Endodontics

Caledonia

Geoff Robert

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

David Selis

The Root Canal Specialists

Grand Rapids

Aric Smith

West Michigan Endodontists

Grand Rapids

Mark C. Tingey

Mark C. Tingey, D.D.S. Holland

General Dentistry

Betsy Bakeman, D.D.S. Elizabeth M. Bakeman, D.D.S., The Art of Dentistry 2757 Leonard St. NE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-940-0481 info@bakemandds.com micosmeticdentist.com

Sam Bander, D.D.S. Bander Dental Group 1151 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-5980 info@banderdentalgroup.com banderdentalgroup.com

Zachary Breen

Breen Family Dentistry Grand Rapids

James B. Brennan Brennan Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, P.C. Grand Rapids

John Bruinsma Genuine Care Dentistry Grand Rapids

Katie Burggraaf KB Family Dentistry Grand Rapids

Heather J. Cadorette

Heather J. Cadorette Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Rockford

Brian Carpenter Carpenter Family Dentistry Grand Rapids

Patrick Condit, D.D.S. Condit Family Dentistry 4270 Plainfield Ave., Suite D Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-9497 conditdentistry@gmail.com grandrapids.dental

Aaron Dalman Ryan Frederickson, D.D.S. Wyoming

Robert S. Dame D.D.S. North Park Family Dental 422 N. Park St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7265 drdamedds@npfamilydental.com npfamilydental.com

Jocelyn R. Davis (Carroll) Carroll Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Grand Rapids

Drew De Zwaan Great Lakes Dental Care Grand Rapids

Nicolas DeBoer Complete Health Dentistry of West Michigan Grand Rapids

Sunil Desai Alpine Ridge Dental Grand Rapids

Jason Doublestein D.D.S. 44 West Dental Professionals 4330 44th St. SW, Suite 105 Grandville, MI 49418 616-530-2200 info@44westdental.com 44westdental.com

Derek Draft Grandville Family Dental Care, P.C. Grandville

Peter A. Garchow Dental South Wyoming

Matthew K. Gietzen Partners In Dental Care Grand Rapids

Caitlynn Haas Mailloux Dentistry Holland

Peter G. Hallas Lake Michigan Dental, P.C. Grand Rapids

Matthew D. Hudson Beltline Family Dentistry Grand Rapids

Eric Hull, D.D.S. A.A.A.C.D. Eric Hull, D.D.S. 769 York Creek Drive NW Comstock Park, MI 49321 616-784-2377 ehull84@gmail.com greatmismiles.com

Chas Jensen Rogue River Family Dental Rockford

Donald M. Konen Donald M. Konen, D.D.S. Grand Rapids

Kevin Kross, D.D.S. Blueprint Dentistry 877 E. 16th St. Suite 30 Holland, MI 49423 616-396-5197 office@blueprint-dentistry.com blueprint-dentistry.com

Erik J. Lee Dr. Erik J. Lee, D.D.S. Jenison

Matthew Lieto Heritage Hill Dental Grand Rapids

Nichole Lubberts

Northview Family Dentistry

Grand Rapids

John Ludwig Life-Centered Dentistry

Grand Rapids

Brittany Mailloux Mailloux Dentistry Holland

Stephen M. Mancewicz GR Family Dental Kentwood

Bryton C. Mansfield Mansfield Family Dentistry 1632 Leonard St. NW Grand Rapids MI 49504

616-453-2255

drbryton@mansfieldgrdental.com mansfieldgrdental.com

Travis Mattson, D.D.S. Bander Dental Group 1151 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-5980

info@banderdentalgroup.com banderdentalgroup.com

Alexis Neuman Advance Dental Grand Rapids

Devin O. Norman Norman Family Dentistry Ada

Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. 5011 Plainfield Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7317 info@nylaandental.com nylaandental.com

Gary L. Scott Family Dentistry of Caledonia Caledonia

Zane Setaputri Cedar Springs Dental Cedar Springs

J. Stephen Sill Cherry Health - Ferguson Dental Center Grand Rapids

Christopher Smiley Smiley Family Dentistry Grand Rapids

Logan Smith Smith Dental Team Jenison

Timothy Obradovich, D.D.S. Bander Dental Group 1151 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-5980 info@banderdentalgroup.com banderdentalgroup.com

Michael S. Palaszek Lake Michigan Dental, P.C. Grand Rapids

Elizabeth Perone Norman Family Dentistry Ada

Craig T. Thorson EGR Dentals Grand Rapids

Katelyn Trierweiler

D.D.S. 44 West Dental Professionals 4330 44th St. SW, Suite 105 Grandville, MI 49418 616-530-2200 info@44westdental.com 44westdental.com

John M. McMahon D.D.S. McMahon Family Dental 2076 Baldwin St. Jenison, MI 49428 616-457-2710 office@mcmahonfamilydental.com mcmahonfamilydental.com

Michael Mehling Durham and Mehling, D.D.S. P.C. Grand Rapids

Jacob S. Miller Miller Dental

Grand Rapids

Jerry Mulder A Life of Smiles Grand Rapids

William (Bill) Robson Robson Family Dental Grand Rapids

Stephanie Sakowicz Mulder Dental Grand Rapids

Samy Salhadar Ada Family Dentistry, PLC Ada

Benjamin Schell Hudsonville Dental Hudsonville

Jeremy Schell Hudsonville Dental Hudsonville

Ryan Van Haren Van Haren Dentistry Grand Rapids

Lauryne Vanderhoof Cascade Village Dental Grand Rapids

Christian L. VerMeulen Christian L. VerMeulen, D.D.S., PLC Grand Rapids

Lindsey Vogl Robinson D.D.S. Ada Dental Co. 7167 Headley St. SE Ada, MI 49301 616-676-1800

adadentalco@gmail.com adadentalco.com

Michael Wierenga

D.D.S.

44 West Dental Professionals 4330 44th St. SW, Suite 105 Grandville, MI 49418

616-530-2200

info@44westdental.com 44westdental.com

Shaun Williams

Glen Valley Dentistry Caledonia

Lora Wonderly

O’Rourke Wonderly Dental

Grand Rapids

Brian Yared Hudsonville Dental Hudsonville

John Zona

My Community Dental Centers of Kentwood

Kentwood

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Andrew M. Baker

Cascade Oral Surgery

Grand Rapids

Brett Bezak

Oral Surgery Associates

Grand Rapids

P. Jeffrey Brooks

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Western Michigan Grand Rapids

Brent Dingman

Oral Surgery Associates

Grand Rapids

J. Mark Domin

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids

Brant A. Erbentraut

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids

Mark Grinzinger, D.D.S., M.D. Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants

4349 Sawkaw Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7327

info@grandrapidsoralsurgery.com grandrapidsoralsurgery.com

Paul Huizinga

West Michigan Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Grandville

Mark L. Jesin

Advanced Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Studio 3855 Burton St. SE, Suite B Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-369-0360 info@oralsurgerymi.com advancedoralsurgerymi.com

Bob Kintz

Oral Surgery Associates

Grand Rapids

Igor Makovey Cascade Oral Surgery Grand Rapids

Ian McComb

Third Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Byron Center

Chip Niquette Jr. Third Coast Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Byron Center

Roseanna Noordhoek

D.D.S., F.A.C.S. Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants

4349 Sawkaw Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7327 | info@grandrapidsoralsurgery.com grandrapidsoralsurgery.com

Ezio F. Novelli

Cascade Oral Surgery

Grand Rapids

Jia J. Ooi

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids

Douglas Orzel

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Greater Grand Rapids

Caledonia

Bradley M. Robinson

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids

Emily Van Heukelom, D.D.S. Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants 4349 Sawkaw Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7327

info@grandrapidsoralsurgery.com grandrapidsoralsurgery.com

Orthodontics

David Armbrecht

Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics

Grand Rapids

Daniel Bouwens

Kessel & Bouwens Orthodontics Grandville

Mark P. Brieden Brieden & Miller Orthodontics

Sparta

Elizabeth A. Christopherson

D.D.S., M.S. Christopherson Orthodontics 3875 Burton Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-7510

smiles@orthogr.com | orthogr.com

Alexis L. Gallagher Williams Orthodontics Rockford

Cadie George Dr. George Orthodontics Holland

Timothy Glupker

Glupker Orthodontics

Holland

Eric Hannapel

Hannapel Pellillo Orthodontics Caledonia

Jeffrey Heinz

D.D.S. M.S.D. Heinz Orthodontics Locations in both Rockford and Grand Rapids 616-951-3006 info@heinzorthodontics.com heinzorthodontics.com

Thomas Herremans Herremans Orthodontics Grand Rapids

Paul Karl Karl Orthodontics Grand Rapids

James Kessel Kessel & Bouwens Orthodontics Zeeland

Jayne Kessel Kessel & Bouwens Orthodontics Grandville

Kevin Knapp Knapp Orthodontics Byron Center

Lathe Miller Miller Orthodontics Grand Rapids

Rebecca Monticello D.D.S., M.S. Grand Ridge Orthodontics 1750 Grand Ridge Ct. NE Suite 300 Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-364-1700 | info@grandridgeorthodontics.com grandridgeorthodontics.com

Paul O’Grady O’Grady Orthodontics Grand Rapids

Gregory Oppenhuizen Oppenhuizen Orthodontics Holland

Sonni Pellillo

Hannapel Pellillo Orthodontics Caledonia

Breanna Powell Powell Orthodontics Jenison

Mark Powell Powell Orthodontics Jenison

Katie Randall Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics Grand Rapids

Katherine Sage Powell Orthodontics Jenison

Kathryn A. Swan Swan Orthodontics Caledonia

Mark Wierenga Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics Grand Rapids

Thomas Williams Williams Orthodontics Rockford

Pediatric Dentistry

Daniel Bolt West Michigan Pediatric Dentistry Holland

Meghan Condit D.D.S., M.S. Grand River Pediatric Dentistry 7758 20th Ave. Jenison, MI 49428

616-777-3300

smiles@grandriverpediatricdentistry.com grandriverpediatricdentistry.com

Michael Demeter

D.D.S.

Grandville Pediatric Dentistry 3131 44th St., SW Grandville, MI 49418

616-531-3430

grandvillepediatricdentistry@yahoo.com grandvillepediatricdentistry.com

Lauren Feuerstein

D.D.S., M.S

SixOneSix Dentistry for Children 2000 43rd St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-455-1301

drlauren@sixonesixkids.com sixonesixkids.com

Veronica Hamilton

D.D.S., M.S. Hamilton Pediatric Dentistry P.C. 3299 Clear Vista Ct. NE, Suite B Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-608-6826

info@veronicahamiltondds.com veronicahamiltondds.com

Brett Kingma Mitten Kids Dentistry Grand Rapids

Stephanie Kloostra

D.D.S., M.S. Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan 2155 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 120 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-608-8898

smile@pdsofwestmi.com | pdsofwestmi.com

Alex Korte Mitten Kids Dentistry Grand Rapids

Sally Kotani D.D.S

Grandville Pediatric Dentistry

3131 44th St., SW

Grandville, MI 49418 616-531-3430

grandvillepediatricdentistry@yahoo.com

grandvillepediatricdentistry.com

Agata Lefere

D.M.D.

Grandville Pediatric Dentistry

3131 44th St., SW

Grandville, MI 49418

616-531-3430

grandvillepediatricdentistry@yahoo.com

grandvillepediatricdentistry.com

Jessica Massie Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Grand Rapids

Meggan McCone, D.D.S. Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

2643 E. Beltline Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-988-9485

info@growingsmilesgr.com growingsmilesgr.com

Suzanne Port D.D.S., M.S.

Port Pediatric Dentistry, P.C. 291 W. Lakewood Blvd., Suite 5 Holland, MI 49424 616-392-1100

smiles@portpediatricdentistry.com portpediatricdentistry.com

Chris Powell Hudsonville Dental Hudsonville

Grady Randall Mitten Kids Dentistry Grand Rapids

Stephanie Rashewsky Norman Family Dentistry Ada

Kathryn Swanson, D.D.S. Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan 2155 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 120 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-608-8898

smile@pdsofwestmi.com pdsofwestmi.com

Aimee Valleau

SixOneSix Dentistry for Children 2000 43rd St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-455-1301

kentwood@vvmkids.com sixonesixkids.com

Top Dentists

Christopher VanDeven D.D.S.

SixOneSix Dentistry for Children 2000 43rd St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616-455-1301

drchris@sixonesixkids.com sixonesixkids.com/about/our-dentists/

Christy Vollmar D.D.S., M.S. Grand River Pediatric Dentistry 7758 20th Ave. Jenison, MI 49428 616-777-3300

drvollmar@grandriverpediatricdentistry.com grandriverpediatricdentistry.com

Taryn Weil, D.D.S. Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan 2155 E. Paris Ave. SE, Suite 120 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-608-8898

smile@pdsofwestmi.com pdsofwestmi.com

Periodontics

Brian Cilla West Michigan Periodontics Grand Rapids

Jordan Dempsey Restore Periodontics & Implants Grand Rapids

Kathleen M. Eisin Eisin Periodontics & Implant Dentistry Grand Rapids

Jacob C. Lueder

Jacob C. Lueder, D.D.S., M.S., PLLC Grand Rapids

James C. Papp

Great Lakes Periodontics Grand Rapids

Rachel S. Sinacola

Grand River Periodontics Grandville

Jeffrey S. Smith Grand River Periodontics Grandville

Prosthodontics

Joseph Fazzio Norman Family Dentistry Ada

Robert Greenland D.D.S., M.S.

Greenland Advanced Oral Care 1179 E. Paris Ave. SE, Ste. 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-256-8770

info@greenlandaoc.com greenlandaoc.com

Advanced Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Studio takes pride in the delicate balance between technical excellence and patient wellbeing. The practice is committed to cutting-edge technology, excellent customer care, and an unwavering dedication to providing exceptional patient experiences. Dr. Mark Jesin’s mastery of the latest innovations and advancements in surgical techniques ensures precision and efficacy in every surgical procedure, including wisdom teeth removal, extractions, dental implants, pathology, bone grafting, facial trauma treatment, and All-on-4/complex full mouth reconstruction—all with options for nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, and intravenous sedation.

From the initial consultation to the final followup, the team of caring, compassionate individuals guides their patients with tenderness and empathy, while understanding the anxieties and fears that often accompany oral surgery. Every step is meticulously crafted to create an environment of comfort and reassurance where patients are treated like family and lives are transformed, confidence is restored, and smiles are reimagined. ■

Lindsey Vogl Robinson, DDS, is Founder and Owner of Ada Dental Co., a 100% women-driven practice where the entire team strives to take the time to listen to patient needs and work with them to develop a treatment plan—all while performing the necessary work in a caring and gentle way.

At Ada Dental, Vogl Robinson and her staff provide general and cosmetic dentistry using the latest in digital technology in a state-of-the-art facility. They also offer mercury-free and BPA-free filling materials, as well as clear aligners for tooth straightening.

What makes Ada Dental different is that Vogl Robinson offers a flexible schedule to accommodate the balanced career and family lifestyle each team member desires. As a mom of five kids, Vogl Robinson strives to show that women do not have to make the often tough decision to work OR stay home. She has seen firsthand that it is possible—and very doable—to do both. ■

Dr. Mark Jesin

Dr. Lindsey Vogl Robinson

Robert Graham Greenland, D.D.S., M.S.

At Greenland Advanced Oral Care, Dr. R. Graham Greenland applies his education in Advanced Prosthodontics, Oral Oncology, and Maxillofacial Prosthetics to treat patients who require restorative dentistry or have difficult medical backgrounds. Once a cancer patient himself—receiving treatment for Stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at LemmenHolton and achieving remission—Dr. Greenland has a personal interest in the oncology side of dental care. He further specializes in head and neck oncology dentistry, and has sought out supplemental education in prosthesis design and management, recognizing the need for long-lasting solutions in this underserved landscape.

A native of West Michigan, Dr. Greenland returned home after years of study, fellowships, and residencies at some of the most prestigious institutions in medicine. Recognizing a shortage of advanced dentistry providers in the region, and with a love of the community where he grew up, he brings to greater Grand Rapids a passion for dentistry, human sciences, and medicine—and provides a missing piece to a complex puzzle.

“Dentistry has this amazing blend of sciences and arts, combined with the ability to really focus on patients,” says Dr. Greenland. “I created a multi-disciplinary clinic where patients come to me to receive care that ranges from routine to advanced restorative technique—and benefit from my training in facial aesthetics, dental materials, and advanced care diagnosis.”

To reach more patients in need of Dr. Greenland’s expertise, the practice will be expanding and moving to a new location on East Paris in the summer of 2024. ■

SixOneSix Dentistry for Children

SixOneSix Dentistry for Children, formerly Valleau & VanDeven Dentistry for Children, is a pediatric dental practice with locations in Grand Rapids and Rockford and a new office opening in Byron Center this fall. In August of 2022, Dr. Lauren Feuerstein joined Dr. Aimee Valleau and Dr. Christopher VanDeven to expand the team and the practice’s reach. As parents themselves, all three doctors understand and empathize with families, and treat all of their patients as if they were their own children.

When families visit SixOneSix Dentistry for Children, they will receive the highest quality care, a thorough evaluation, and a comprehensive, patientcentered review of the appointment, including any recommended treatment and prevention strategies. The entire staff have extensive knowledge to care for children’s oral health from infancy through adolescence. They offer kind, gentle, and compassionate care, with an understanding that children’s bodies and minds are constantly growing and developing. ■

Going to the dentist may not feel to most like a luxury day at the spa, but Dr. John M. McMahon and his team at McMahon Family Dental have made it their goal to provide a pampering experience that changes that perception. “We do dentistry differently” is how they describe their Ritz-Carlton style vibe, and that’s evidenced not only in their high-tech offerings, such as virtual consults, same day crowns, digital impressions, and a photo booth for Smile Designs, but also in their impressive amenities. Their comfort menu features noise cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, neck pillows, soothing refreshments, paraffin hand wax, therapeutic relaxing eyewear, and more.

This patient-centric approach has earned Dr. John his status as one of the top cosmetic dentists in West Michigan, with people from all over the state seeking him out for treatment. He’s also been selected by his peers as a Top General Dentist. ■

44 West Dental Professionals

Dr. Kate Trierweiler, Dr. Jason Doublestein, Dr. Michael Wierenga, the dental team at 44 West Dental Professionals, are all graduates of U of M and have received additional education at the world-renowned Pankey Institute in Florida, which focuses on advanced dental education, clinical skills, and patient care. All three also regularly attend local study groups, collaborating with other area dentists, reviewing cases, staying up to date with new technologies, and continuing to learn.

44 West Dental Professionals provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry procedures, and take a multi-disciplinary approach to their treatments, often working with local specialists to achieve the desired results for their patients.

As a team, Drs. Trierweiler, Doublestein, and Wierenga offer a thorough approach to dental treatments and are dedicated to clinical excellence and building strong patient relationships. At 44 West, their goal is that patients feel comfortable and confident—and truly like family. Striving to make dentistry a kinder and gentler place, they take extra time to establish mutual trust with patients, and to get to know each individual and their hopes and dreams for their dental health.

The doctors at 44 West understand that there are many people in the community who do not have dental insurance, and it creates a barrier to accessing quality dental care. They’ve responded to this need by creating their Blue Tooth Club—a membership plan that helps to make care more affordable for those without insurance, so they can receive the best care dentistry can provide. ■

From Left to Right: Dr. Jason Doublestein, Dr. Kate Trierweiler, Dr. Michael Wierenga.

Dr. Jeffrey M. Heinz, Orthodontist

Dr. Jeffrey M. Heinz and his team at Heinz Orthodontics take a patient-centric approach that provides world-class orthodontics in an affordable, convenient, and fun way. A family-owned practice with offices in Rockford and Grand Rapids, they’re known for offering an exceptional patient experience and five-star customer service, from the minute they pick up the phone to the very first time you meet their concierge.

During their in-depth consultations, Dr. Heinz and his team spend the majority of the time understanding exactly what each patient wants to change about their smile. While some are concerned with the function and health of their bite, others want a complete smile transformation. Whatever the desired outcome, they determine the best way they can help each family and then custom tailor treatment options to their needs. With their Smile Guarantee program, Heinz Orthodontics assures patients that they’ll never need another orthodontist again! ■

Dr. Patrick Condit is the owner of Condit Family Dentistry, a practice offering a smaller office atmosphere where patients feel at ease and receive personalized treatment. He received his dental education at the University of Michigan and continued his training at a General Practice Residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He’s an active member of the American Dental Association®, the Michigan Dental Association, and the West Michigan District Dental Society. He actively continues his training through several study clubs in the West Michigan area.

When Dr. Pat and his team meet a new patient, they take time to get to know the individual and provide a comprehensive dental evaluation. “We educate our patients about their oral health and what we can do to improve their smile,” says Dr. Condit. “We want patients to be an active team member in their treatment. Having a knowledgeable patient helps our office provide better care.” ■

Betsy Bakeman, D.D.S.

Betsy Bakeman, DDS | 2757 Leonard St. NE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-940-0481 | micosmeticdentist.com

Dr. Betsy Bakeman is owner of Betsy Bakeman, DDS, and an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). She became Accredited in 2000 and an Accredited Fellow (the AACD’s highest level of achievement and first dentist in Michigan to do so) in 2006.

Being Accredited in the AACD is an indication the dentist has additional training in the area of cosmetic dentistry and passed rigorous testing. The testing assures the dentist can provide a broad range of cosmetic solutions that meet the standard of the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry. The accreditation process is incredibly valuable for any dentist desiring to provide the best in cosmetic dentistry, and the standard provides a way for patients to know the dentist has additional training and skills.

At her practice, Dr. Bakeman and her team provide highly aesthetic dentistry in a warm, comfortable, and caring environment. Dr. Bakeman feels her staff are her greatest asset and an integral part of the excellent care patients receive. Together, they comprehensively evaluate each patient and factor in the contributing components that can influence the result. Patients may have worn or uneven teeth, discolored teeth, gummy smiles, crowding, and spaces. Solutions they offer include whitening, orthodontics with clear aligners, veneers, bonding, porcelain crowns, and implant supported restorations. They also perform esthetic gum lifts to correct gum irregularities or lengthen short teeth.

Dr. Bakeman believes a beautiful smile is available to everyone. She says, “It is very gratifying to help people smile confidently and achieve excellent oral health.” ■

Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants

With offices in Grand Rapids and Rockford , Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants (COSDI) has a 30-year history in West Michigan. The team is comprised of Dr. Roseanna Noordhoek, Dr. Emily Van Heukelom, and Dr. Mark N. Grinzinger—all highly credentialed, experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons who are uniquely positioned to build caring relationships with clients who need surgery of the mouth, jaw, or face. Their skilled assistants help patients feel comfortable and welcomed throughout their care.

COSDI doctors are trained in anesthesia and offer alternatives for anxious patients, ranging from local numbing to deep sedation in an office setting. They’re also highly experienced in the placement of dental implants and utilize advanced technology, such as 3-D digital surgical planning. The practice provides a broad range of surgery, including wisdom tooth extraction, removal of jaw tumors and oral lesions, and dental implants. ■

Dr. Suzanne Port started her practice, Port Pediatric Dentistry, PC, in 2006. She serves children in West Michigan from ages 0-18, and proudly accepts Healthy Kids Delta Dental—a program that provides no-cost dental care to children who have Medicaid. Dr. Port enjoys multiple partnerships with organizations in the community, and one of her greatest joys is helping a child who may be fearful to become a child who loves coming to the dentist. Offering in-office anesthesia to treat patients who are unable to accept dental treatment in a traditional setting is just one of the ways she puts children at ease.

Prevention is a major component of Dr. Port and her team’s approach, and their goal at Port Pediatric Dentistry is to ensure parents are educated on different treatments and procedures, and to help her young patients develop good oral health habits that will last throughout their lives. ■

Bander Dental Group

Going to the dentist can be stressful for some, which is why the team at Bander Dental Group strives to provide an atmosphere of warmth and care, from the moment a patient walks through the doors. The practice has served Grand Rapids for more than 80 years. Dr. Travis Mattson, Dr. Tim Obradovich, and Dr. Haley Doose, as well as their support team, pride themselves on top-level care.

Bander Dental Group offers preventative and general dentistry, plus a broad range of specialty services, including dental implants, Invisalign, TMJ/TMD bite and jaw issue therapies, full mouth rehabilitation, root canals, and cosmetic and aesthetic makeovers. All treatments and services are performed in their state-of-the-art office using the latest techniques, equipment, and technology in the dental field.

Dr. Mattson, Dr. Obradovich, and Dr. Doose are all lifelong learners who have pursued hundreds of hours of continuing education. They are continuously exploring new and innovative ways to help their patients achieve a happier and healthier smile, and to fulfill their mission to positively impact the lives of their patients through oral health and wellness.

Bander Dental Group further sets itself apart by providing all of these procedures with exceptional, five-star service along with customized comfort measures, including several different sedation options. “It is important to us that patients feel well cared for and like a member of our family,” Practice Manager, Carmen Bollinger says. “It is our goal to help each patient get the highest quality dental care that they need and deserve.” ■

From Left to Right: Dr. Travis Mattson, Dr. Sam Bander, Dr. Tim Obradovich and Dr. Haley Doose.

Dr. Rebecca Monticello’s main goal as an orthodontist is to provide patient-specific treatment plans and clinically excellent treatment results for her patients. At Grand Ridge Orthodontics, where she and her team practice, they strive to create a wonderful patient experience throughout treatment! They have many areas of focus, including early interceptive orthodontic treatment, as well as adolescent and adult orthodontics with braces and clear aligners.

They offer a complimentary consultation with patients and parents to review specific dental findings, the associated dental concerns, and how best to correct them. Grand Ridge Orthodontics uses the most up-todate and evidence-based treatment methods, and Dr. Monticello stays current with the newest research and regularly attends continuing education courses.

Dr. Monticello and her team strive to create beautiful and stable final bites and smiles—and to always keep treatments as simple as possible with the best results. Seeing her patients with a confident smile is the best part of her day! ■

Dr. Christy Vollmar and Dr. Meghan Condit

At Grand River Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Christy Vollmar and Dr. Meghan Condit put kids at the heart of everything they do. As moms themselves, they understand that each child is unique and deserves an individualized approach to dental care. Dr. Christy and Dr. Meghan believe it is important to partner with parents when providing care; after all, no one knows your child better than you! Through education and involvement with parents, they provide multiple options for families.

The team also utilizes the newest technology and stays current with the latest continuing education. Their entire staff is trained to work with children and they love to provide compassionate, safe care for their patients. Amenities at the office include a family-friendly waiting room, an open-concept office, and iPads to provide a distraction throughout the appointment.

Drs. Meghan and Christy are currently accepting new patients and cannot wait to meet your child and your family! ■

Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S.

Dr. Brian Nylaan tells his patients, “I don’t work on teeth; I work with people who have teeth.” It’s his way of building relationships and conveying how critical dentistry is to people’s well-being. When seeing patients, he approaches the whole person, taking time to talk with and educate them on what they need to do to take care of themselves and their smiles—and why it benefits them. “Dentistry is incredibly important for overall health and shouldn’t be viewed as optional,” Dr Nylaan says. “It should be a requirement for living a good, healthy life.”

In practice for more than 30 years, and recently achieving lifetime memberships in the Michigan Dental Association and American Dental Association, Dr. Nylaan has seen and implemented many advancements in the dental field. They include diagnostic technologies such as 3D CT x-rays and laser dentistry. He’s also passionate about sleep and aware of the ways that poor sleep can affect health. “We’re not talking about prevention of snoring,” Dr. Nylaan says. “Research has shown a strong tie between poor sleep and a higher likelihood of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and acid reflux. Lack of sleep affects children and adults alike, and we need to take it seriously. Dentistry is oral medicine, and we have the training to improve many different areas of your total body health.”

“My goal is to help people recognize when they have a need and provide treatment options to improve the quality of life.” He says, “It starts when you listen to your patient.” ■

5011 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 | 616-361-7317 | nylaandental.com

Grandville Pediatric Dentistry

Grandville Pediatric Dentistry was acquired by Dr. Mike Demeter in 2001 and has since grown with the additions of pediatric dentists Dr. Sally Kotani and Dr. Agata Lefere. All three are board certified and hold the skills, experience, and certifications to ensure quality dental treatments. Each maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and West Michigan Dental Association, as well.

The team at Grandville Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to protecting children’s smiles and improving their oral health. Dr. Mike prides himself on continuing education and staying abreast of the latest dentistry advancements; Dr. Sally is known for her kind and gentle approach, as well as a passion for treating children; and Dr. Agata continually strives to make her young patients feel safe and confident.

Part of their approach is providing families with the information needed to care for children’s teeth. “We educate parents on toothbrushing, review oral habits, and do our best to advise families on what they can be doing at home to set their children up for success,” says Dr. Agata.

Establishing a good patient-doctor rapport is another important element of the practice. “A lot of it is trying to engage the kids and connect with them and their interests,” says Dr. Sally. “We help them participate in their care, while also making it as fun as possible.”

“We feel oral health is extremely important for kids and want to give them the best possible experience they can have at a dental office,” says Dr. Mike. ■

Dr. Veronica Hamilton

Dr. Veronica Hamilton, a highly skilled board certified pediatric dentist, is the owner of Hamilton Pediatric Dentistry, which specializes in dental care for children, young adults, and adults with special needs. The practice is driven by a mission to provide access to care for children and families who might not otherwise receive the dental treatments they need. Dr. Hamilton demonstrates this commitment by being one of the few dentists who accepts Healthy Kids Dental (HKD)—an insurance program available to kids through Medicaid.

Dr. Hamilton purposely pursued pediatrics to support children with complex cases that need to be handled by a specialist. “Often the kids we see have an extensive amount of decay and I try to give them a fresh start,” she says. “Their parents are doing the best they can, but it’s tough when they can’t find a dentist in town. We have kids come from all over the state because we take HKD. We’re here to help.”

With pediatrics, much of the focus is on gaining trust and getting patients to cooperate. As part of that effort, Dr. Hamilton recently started bringing her family’s rescue dog to the office on Wednesdays. Rosie, a trained service dog that didn’t quite make the cut, is wonderful with kids and sits happily at the front desk to greet patients and reward them if they demonstrate good behavior during their appointments. Rosie is a great addition to the office and gives kids something to look forward to if they visit when she’s there! ■

Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan

Dr. Katie Swanson, Dr. Stephanie Kloostra, and Dr. Taryn Weil, the team at Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan (PDS), all attended dental school together at U of M, where they found their passions in pediatric dentistry. Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, each doctor has completed a pediatric dental residency program to specialize in treating kids, as well as additional training in treating infants and children with lip, cheek, and tongue ties. They also hold additional board certifications from the American Board of Laser Surgery.

At PDS, each child is assessed individually, and treatments are tailored to what’s best for the child and situation. They offer different options to complete dental treatment, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and general anesthesia. The team at PDS is prepared and equipped to safely and appropriately care for all children’s oral health care needs, starting at birth and continuing through adolescence. ■

At Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Meggan McCone and her team help parents understand the importance of taking their children to a pediatric specialist. These experts apply child-specific knowledge and techniques to make going to the dentist easy and fun for your littlest loves, right from the first visit! As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Meggan has extra training in child psychology, guiding behavior, and sedation dentistry, as well as providing individualized care for patients with special healthcare needs.

As soon as the first tooth comes in, parents can visit Growing Smiles and start building the educational foundations and oral habits that will help their children become dentally confident adults. Establishing care at a young age with the right provider can also put your children at ease and make visiting the dentist a comfortable and natural experience that leaves a positive impression for the rest of their lives. ■

From Left to Right: Dr. Stephanie Kloostra, Dr. Taryn Weil, Dr. Katie Swanson.

Dr. Robert S. Dame, D.D.S.

North Park Family Dental | 422 N. Park St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-361-7265 | npfamilydental.com

Dr. Robert Dame, who was born and raised in Comstock Park, purchased North Park Family Dental in 1994, preserving the office space as a dental practice and contributing to its 50-plus year’ history as such. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan. He’s also a member of the American and Michigan Dental associations, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and International Association for Orthodontics.

As one of West Michigan’s Top Dentists and one of America’s Top Dentists for many years, Dr. Dame specializes in family dentistry, veneers, braces, snoring and sleep apnea solutions, crowns, and bridges. At the practice, he and his team provide a personal touch, paired with the latest in high-tech dental care advancements. Using a digital scanner is one of the ways they ensure that crowns, bridges, veneers, and braces are created with greater precision and in less time.

“Only about 10% of dental offices have this kind of technology,” Dr. Dame says. “Digital scans produce a more stable model with less room for human error—and, patients get a much better fit, which results in greater comfort and longevity.” This technology has also allowed the practice to step into clear aligners to move teeth and enhance smiles, an option that particularly appeals to their adult patients.

Though much has changed in dentistry over the years, North Park Family Dental’s commitment to their patients and the community they serve has not. Dr. Dame credits his team for helping create the smooth experience patients receive. “I’ve assembled a great team around me, from hygienists to dental assistants to office staff,” he says. “They’re one of the greatest assets I have. In most of the reviews we get, my staff is mentioned more than I am, which is a great compliment.” ■

Eric Hull, D.D.S. A.A.A.C.D.

Bryton C. Mansfield D.D.S.

Elizabeth Christopherson D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Eric Hull, of Eric Hull, D.D.S., Aesthetic & General Dentistry, focuses on cosmetic dentistry, providing results that are backed by the credentials he’s earned since receiving his dental degree. A graduate of the Kois Center, a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, and accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Hull is one of only seven AACDaccredited dentists in Michigan.

Dr. Hull is highly skilled in comprehensive mouth rehabilitation and works closely with oral surgeons and orthodontists. He and his team are dedicated to providing personalized service and the best, most competent care a patient can receive. ■

Dr. Bryton Mansfield is the owner of Mansfield Family Dentistry and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, and the Pankey Study Club. The practice focuses on boosting whole body health through optimization of mouth health, and offering a calming environment that is physically and emotionally uplifting. He has made it a goal to create a more relaxed, streamlined dental experience for his patients. And, thanks to advancements in the field and his own enhanced training, he and his team are able to provide less stressful procedures and more comprehensive treatments within a few hours. ■

Dr. Elizabeth Christopherson is a board-certified orthodontist who has served Grand Rapids since 2007. Christopherson Orthodontics is an independently owned practice with convenient locations in both Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids. Dr. Christopherson values raising her family in the same community where she practices.

She was the recipient of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “Top WomenOwned Business” award and she accepts patients of all ages, specializing in providing personalized care and attention to each one. She understands the importance of a healthy, beautiful smile and the confidence it can instill. Let her and her team take great care of your family. ■

Eric Hull, D.D.S.,

Aesthetic & General Dentistry

769 York Creek Drive NW

Comstock Park, MI 49321

616-784-2377

monica@greatmismiles.com

greatmismiles.com

Mansfield Family Dentistry

1632 Leonard St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504

616-453-2255

580 Cascade West Parkway Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-9060

mansfieldgrdental.com

Christopherson Orthodontics

3875 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546

616-949-7510 orthogr.com

Dr. Kevin Kross

At Blueprint Dentistry, formerly Michigan Avenue Dentistry, Dr. Kevin Kross and his 14-member team offer a range of services using some of the most progressive digital technologies available. Unlike traditional dentists, the experts at Blueprint specialize in complex cases—oftentimes those that other providers might not have the confidence or experience to address. Whether it’s cosmetic, preventative, or restorative dentistry—or intricate implant treatment planning and surgical procedures—Blueprint Dentistry is on the cutting edge of dental care and innovations.

Dr. Kross is a highly trained professional dentist with strong educational credentials and affiliations. He’s also a faculty member of the Dawson Academy in Florida, an educational and research facility focusing on dental advancements, where he lectures several times a year and teaches. He’s proud of the team he’s assembled and believes they’re essential to his patients’ positive experiences. Dr. Kross also works closely with his wife, Dr. Brittany Mailloux, and, together, they’re moving the profession forward. ■

For any additions or changes, please email lenos@hour-media and write "Dining Guide" in the subject line of the email.

Downtown GR

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. angelsthaicafe.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

APERITIVO

A wine bar with a small menu that includes cheese and charcuterie plates and monthly sandwich specials. The retail section includes tinned fish, which can be enjoyed on-site with pickled veggies, cultured butter and Field & Fire bread. It is located within the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Open Daily. // 435 Ionia Ave SW, 259-7045. aperitivogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

BANGKOK TASTE CUISINE

Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BEACON CORNER BAR & COASTAL FARE

Owned by the group behind San Chez and Roam, the restaurant offers up seafood from the three coasts: East, West and Michigan. // 38 W Fulton St, 383-3800. beaconcornerbar.com. Dinner, $$-$$$

BEIJING KITCHEN

Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. Lunch (SunFri), Dinner $-$$

BISTRO BELLA VITA

Big-city casual; modern 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. bistrobellavita.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

BLACK NAPKIN

High quality burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and

dine

OUR STAFF'S GUIDE TO THE AREA'S BEST EATERIES

homemade sodas. Takeout only, Tuesday-Saturday. // 966 E. Fulton St. Lunch, Dinner $

BOB’S BAR

Down home sports bar with 10 HD TV's. 14 Beers on Tap specializing in Chicago cuisine. Open daily. // 725 Michigan St NE. 774-0512. bobsbar.org. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

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/bobarinospizza. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BRICK & PORTER

Appetizers, burgers, salads, 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), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BRICKYARD TAVERN

Located inside the historic Boardwalk Building, BrickYard Tavern offers a varied menu with items including a selection of burgers, sandwiches and entrées such as beer-battered salmon and chips, fish tacos and rib eye. Enjoy cocktails and 24 beers on tap. Open daily. // 940 Monroe Ave NW, 805-3280. brickyardtaverngr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

BROOKLYN BODEGA BAGEL & DELI

Bringing the bagel shops and delis of the East Coast to the third coast. Whether a bagel, egg and cheese or a hearty turkey sandwich, Brooklyn Bodega has it. Open Monday-Saturday // 10 Jefferson Ave SE, 724-4275 Breakfast, Lunch $

THE CHOP HOUSE

Aged prime beef, seafood, pork, lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. // 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. Dinner $$$

CITY BUILT BREWING CO.

Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Rican-inspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon. // 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

CINCO DE MAYO

Offers the usual Mexican fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. // 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2401. cincodemayogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

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. Dinner $$-$$$

DUBLIN HALL

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

FIELD & FIRE CAFÉ

All-day breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads, toasts, croissants, muffins and tarts. On weekends brunch is available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 820 Monroe Ave NW Suite 100, 616-608-4533. fieldandfire.com.

Breakfast, Lunch $-$$

FLANAGAN’S

Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence. Frequent live music. Open Daily. // 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $

FORTY PEARL

A wine bar serving oysters, cured meats,cheeses, baked goods, sweets, soups and salads, shareables, sandwiches, rice bowls and entrées like salmon, seared scallops and Cornish hen. Open daily. // 40 Pearl St. NW, 608-7741. fortypearl.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

FRIESIAN GASTRO PUB

A cozy neighborhood eatery offering comfort food items with an eclectic twist. Menu items include handhelds like the harissa hot chicken sandwich and vegan Rueben, as well as entrées including ramen bowls and Korean short ribs. Full bar. Patio and rooftop deck. Open daily. // 720 Michigan St NE, 825-3001. friesiangr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

GINZA SUSHI & RAMEN BAR

Wide selection of authentic Japanese cuisine, sushi, ramen, poke bowls, hibachi dinners, appetizers, soups

dine / estau ants

and salad. Open daily. Catering available. // 1015 Michigan St NE, 272-4116. ginzasushiramen.com.

Lunch, Dinner $$

GRAND RAPIDS BREWING CO.

Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-totable menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. // 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewingcompany.com.

Lunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $-$$

GRAND RAPIDS GARAGE BAR AND GRILL

“All-American grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. / 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 4540321. garagebargr.com. Lunch, Dinner $

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. grandwoodslounge.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

HONG KONG EXPRESS

Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. // 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

THE KITCHEN BY WOLFGANG PUCK

Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. // Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-bywolfgang-puck. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

KNOOP ROOFTOP BEER GARDEN

Upscale rooftop beer garden offers Dutch and German inspired cuisine with a modern touch. Madefrom-scratch shareables, small bites, hand-crafted cocktails and scenic views of downtown Grand Rapids. // 131 Ionia SW, 8th Floor, 616-456-6200, canopygrandrapidsrestaurants.com/knoop/. Dinner $$-$$$

LEO'S CONEY ISLAND ON TAP

An east side favorite located in Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids serves up classic Coney Island favorites, cocktails and beer on tap. Perfect for before and after a movie at Celebration. // 122 Oakes

St SW Suite 100, 805-3780, leosconeyisland.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LEO’S SEAFOOD

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, 4546700. leosrestaurant.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$

LINEAR

Riverfront eatery featuring seasonal menu with fresh modern American fare and outdoor-seating options; plus, a display of rotating works by local artists. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 1001 Monroe Ave NW, 200-4343. linearrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LITTLEBIRD

Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar. Open daily. // 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tue-Sat) $

LUNA TAQUERIA Y COCINA

Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 64 Ionia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MARGAUX

A contemporary French bistro. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. // JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/dining. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

MAX’S SOUTH SEAS HIDEWAY

A tiki-themed restaurant that includes a raw bar, hot appetizers, salads, sides, land and sea dishes, and vegan options. Appetizers include ceviche and puhahana rock shrimp, and entrées include a poke bowl, citrus-glazed faroe and an island lobster roll. Full bar. Open daily. // 58 Ionia Ave SW, 551-0016. maxstiki.com. D $$-$$$

MDRD

Overlooking the Grand River from its location on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza, this restaurant serves modern Spanish cuisine including tapas and paella. Reservations available. Closed Sun and Mon. // 187 Monroe Ave. NW, 776.6425. amwaygrand.com/dining. Dinner $$$

MERTENS PRIME

French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era hotel. Steaks, chops, seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Open daily. // 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. mertensgr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), Breakfast (Mon-Fri), Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$

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. Breakfast (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $$

MOJO’S DUELING PIANO BAR

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. Dinner (Wed-Sat) $$-$$$

NOODLE PIG

Unique ramen noodles made in-house with fresh, high-end ingredients and served with nutrient-rich broths. // 601 Bond Ave NW Suite 102, 327-2922, www.noodlepig.com. Dinner $-$$

ONE TWENTY THREE TAVERN

This restaurant offers elevated American fare; fried chicken sandwiches, jackfruit carnitas, meatloaf, veggie meatballs, quinoa bowl, starters, small & large plates, handhelds a kids menu & more! Full bar. Open daily. // 123 Ionia Ave SW. 123tavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

PALACE OF INDIA

Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu including vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. // 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PARSLEY MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE

Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PIND INDIAN CUISINE

A fine-dining Indian restaurant offering traditional dishes, such as tandoori, biryani, chicken tikka masala, malai kofta and samosas with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 241 W Fulton St, 805-4767. pindgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY

Contemporary seafood restaurant that offers premium fresh fish and seafood from the waters of New England to the Great Lakes. // 141 Lyon St NW, Grand Rapids, (888) 456-3463, realseafoodcorestaurant.com. Dinner $$$

RESERVE WINE & FOOD

Wine bar offers extensive by-the-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. // 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$

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. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

ROCKWELL REPUBLIC

Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from

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dine / estau ants

sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. // 45 S Division Ave, 551-3563. rockwellsrepublic.com. Dinner $$-$$$

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. // 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ruthschris-steak-house. Lunch, Dinner $$$

SAN CHEZ BISTRO

Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. // 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

SLOWS BAR-B-Q

Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. // Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slowsbarbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

SOCIAL HOUSE

A casual pub serving American-style food. Menu features a variety of offerings: starters,soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, 551-1412. socialhousegr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$$

SOCIAL MISFITS

An interesting concept mashing waffles (sweet or savory,) with other food, accompanied by creative cocktailss. The business also introduces Great Lakes Coffee Roasters to town. // 43 W. Fulton St, 272-4984. thesocialmisfits.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

SPEAK EZ LOUNGE

Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and gluten-free. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées (after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. // 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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, 7424444. stellasgr.com. Lunch (Fri-Sun), Dinner $-$$

TERRA BAGEL

A quaint place to grab a bagel, a schmear and some coffee. The sister restaurant of Terra Bagel and Terra GR in Eastown. Open Daily // 40 Pearl St. NW, terrabagels.com, 616.465.4343 Breakfast, Lunch $

TUPELO HONEY

This southern kitchen & bar serves southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina Mountains. // 140 Ottawa Ave NW STE 100, 239-7158, tupelohoneycafe.com. Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch $$

TURNSTILES

Bodacious bar food in a music-themed atmosphere.

Cocktails, drafts, and the largest selection of nonalcoholic beverages in GR. Nightly live music with no cover. Free on-site parking. // 526 Stocking NW. turnstilesgr.com. 616-330-LIVE. Lunch, Dinner $

WAHLBURGERS

Celebrity-owned (by Mark Wahlburg and brothers) burger joint offering up a fast-casual experience. // 10 Ionia Ave NW, 616-719-1788. wahlburgers.com. Lunch, Dinner, $$

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, 4543141. zsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

BROAD LEAF WESTSIDE

Progressive craft brewery and distillery. Award winning gin. Cocktail slushies. Burgers, Asian street food inspired menu. Large outdoor beer garden. // 443 Bridge St NW, 254-0105, broadleafbeer.com. Lunch (Fri.-Sun.), Dinner $$

BROADWAY BAR & GRILL

Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally. // 740 Broadway Ave SW, 4540565. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $

BURGER THEORY

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. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

BUTCHER’S UNION

Meat-and-whiskey-centric gastro pub with a wide menu and festive atmosphere. Craft drinks and a full bar. Outdoor seating available. // 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. butchersuniongr.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $$

CONDADO TACOS

Stylish Bridge Street Mexican restaurant serving build your own tacos, tequila, margaritas and more. Come as you are! // 449 Bridge St NW, 734-6815, condadotacos.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

DRIP DROP COCKTAIL ROOM

Upscale, plush craft cocktail lounge with a NYC ambiance. // 445 Bridge St NW Unit 2, dripdropcocktailroom.com. Snacks, Cocktails $$

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. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

EL SOMBRERO

Offers “the original” wet burrito. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. Lunch, Dinner $

FRATELLI’S KITCHEN & BAR

Italian cuisine based on family recipes from Sicily with a “modern twist.” Full service bar. Open daily. // 443 Bridge St NW, Suite 2. 389-4963. fratellisgr.com.

Lunch, Dinner $$

THE HOLIDAY BAR

Established in 1905, the menu features appetizers, snacks and sandwiches. Seating includes 40-foot horseshoe bar, tables and a beer garden. Open daily. // 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. theholidaybargr.com. Lunch, Dinner $

JOLLY PUMPKIN PIZZERIA & BREWERY

Dexter-based brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available. Open daily. // 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jollypumpkin.com.

Lunch, Dinner $$

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, 3455642. newhollandbrew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LONG ROAD DISTILLERS

Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of housemade snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. // 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroaddistillers.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $-$$

MAGGIE’S KITCHEN

Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. // 636 Bridge St NW, 458-8583. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

THE MITTEN BREWING CO.

Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. // 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MARU

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. andosushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

MONARCHS’ CLUB

Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef

dine / estau ants

sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. // 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclubcornerbar.com. Lunch,

Dinner $

NONLA BURGER

Nonla Burge offers both traditional, 100% beef hamburgers and Vietnamese-inspired cuisine. // 449 Bridge St NW Suite 102, Grand Rapids, nonlaburger.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ONE BOURBON

Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies. Closed Sun-Mon. // 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. onebourbongr.com.

Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. salvatoresgr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch $-$$

WESTSIDE SOCIAL

“Reimagined” American-style tavern with locally sourced, house-made 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. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$

Uptown

BASALT

Modern Tex-Mex cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere. The menu focuses on breakfast tacos, quesadillas and tortas. Closed Mondays. // 1450 Wealthy St. SE, 719-2146. basaltgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Thurs-Sat) $

BREWERY VIVANT

European style craft beer and food. Spirits, wine and cider are also available. Locally sourced menu. Housed in a renovated funeral home chapel with a large patio and geer garden. Open daily. // 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. breweryvivant.com. Lunch (Fri.-Sat.), Dinner $$-$$$

BROWN BUTTER CREPERIE & CAFÉ

Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. // 1436 Wealthy St SE, 2885038. brownbuttercrepes.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Wed-Sat) $

CANTINA LOS AMIGOS

Cantina Los Amigos features tacos, chicken flautas, birria stew, stuffed plantains, other authentic Mexican fare and vegan friendly! // 1 Carlton Ave SE suite A, 988-9791, cantinalosamigos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

CHEZ OLGA

Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1441 Wealthy St SE, 233-4141. chezolga.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

THE COMMONS

1970s-themed restaurant with “retro comfort food.” Full bar, including craft beer and ’70s-inspired cocktails. Takeout available. Closed Mon. // 547 Cherry St SE, 458-2704. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. donkeygr.com. Breakfast (Sat-Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ELECTRIC CHEETAH

Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Open daily. Cascade location closed on Sun. // 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779 electriccheetah.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. gojoethiopiancuisine.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

THE GREEN WELL GASTRO PUB

Not your run-of-the-mill New American fare. Full bar with more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open Tue–Sun. // 924 Cherry St SE, 8083566. thegreenwell.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

GROVE

Fresh, farm-to-table unique takes on American fare in a presentation unlike most experienced before. Multipletime Grand Rapids Magazine Dining Award winner. Open Wednesday-Saturday // 919 Cherry St SE, groverestaurant.com, (616) 454-1000 Dinner, $$$

HANCOCK

Nashville hot chicken restaurant with sandwiches, fried chicken, an assortment of Southern picnic sides, salads and desserts. Also serves breakfast. Open daily. // 1157 Wealthy St. SE, 805-4232. hancockgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

HARMONY BREWING CO.

Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Dog-friendly patio. Open daily. // 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

KCM

A Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant specializing in sandos, open-faced toast with meat, egg salad, curry and other rice bowls; tonkatsu, chicken katsu; and kimbap (Korean-style fish and vegetable hand rolls wrapped with seaweed). Open Tues.-Sun. // 209 Diamond Ave. SE. kcmgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

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. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

MATCHBOX DINER & DRINKS

Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carryout available. Open daily. // 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

QUARANTINO’S

Detroit-style pizza restaurant offering unique pizza options finished with Satori Wisconsin Parmesan. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. // 1444 Lake Drive SE, 734-6833. quarantinosgr.com. Dinner $$

THE PUB AT PADDOCK

“Happy hour all the time” with elevated pub fare. Full bar. Closed Mondays. // 1033 Lake Dr SE, 3562627. thegilmorecollection.com/pubatpaddock. Dinner $-$$

TERRA

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), Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$

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-

JOYSSimple

Drive into our countryside for harvest-fresh apples, pumpkins and soup vegetables bursting with flavor. Hike or paddle under canopies of jewel-toned trees. Then sip hand-crafted wines, brews, ciders or cocktails along our Makers Trail. This is a beautiful time to stay overnight — you will find more autumn joys tomorrow.

PHOTO LOCATION: JOLLAY ORCHARDS, COLOMA

dine / estau ants

2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

THE WINCHESTER

Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in centuryold space. Craft brews on draft. Full bar. Open daily. // 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com.

Breakfast (Sat-Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

YESTERDOG

Specializes in the “good old-fashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. // 1505 Wealthy St SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com.

Lunch, Dinner $

ZIVIO

Modern European tavern and grill serving Bosnian cuisine melded with Turkish, Greek and other Central European countries' cooking traditions. Salads, wraps, gyros, dinner entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Catering available. // 724 Wealthy St SE, 608-3534. ziviogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

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. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$

BOWDIE’S CHOPHOUSE

An upscale steakhouse “perfect for date nights, business dinners and late-night cocktails.” The restaurant serves various items: starters; soups and salads; shareables; and entrées, including chicken, salmon and steak. Full bar. Open daily. // 2237 Wealthy St. SE, 805-5044. bowdieschophouse.com. Dinner $$$

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. Dinner $$

GASLIGHT KITCHEN ASIAN CUISINE

Asian restaurant specializing in Chinese-American dishes. // 2128 Wealthy St. SE, 454-8677, gaslightkitchen.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

JOSÉ BABUSHKA’S

Starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. // 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabushkas.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PERA PIZZARIA

Pera Pizzaria features several different Mediterranean style pizzas, shish salads and a surprising pizza made with Nutella. // 2224 Wealthy St. SE, 805-4810, perapizzeria.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PINK PIGGY

A casual contemporary boba and Asian fusion restaurant for dine-in or takeout. Open Tues-Sun. // 2230 Wealthy St. 805-3949, pinkpiggy.online. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ROSE’S

Dockside dining on Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. // 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection.com/ roses. Lunch, Dinner $$

Northeast GR

BIRCH LODGE

Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $

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.

Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

CAFÉ MAMO

An American restaurant inspired by grandma's garden. Classic Midwestern dishes paired with tasty wine in a warm, comfortable setting. Open daily. // 1601 Plainfield Ave. NE, 350-3430. mamohsp.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun) Dinner (Mon-Sat) $-$$

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. charliesbarandgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

CHEER’S GOOD TIME SALOON

Menu offers something for everyone in a logcabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open daily. // 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheersgrandrapids.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

CRESTON BREWERY

More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all

times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. // 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

DETROIT WING CO.

Serves classic wings, boneless wings and chicken tenders with 19 house-made sauces. Its menu also includes mac n’ cheese, poutine, coleslaw, cornbread muffins and cheesecake. Detroit Wing Co. was founded in Detroit. Open daily. // 2004 East Beltline Ave. NE, 214-8331. detroitwingco.com. Lunch, Dinner $

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. fredsitalian.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. fujiyamabistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

GAIA HOUSE CAFÉ

A neighborhood vegetarian café offering items like the Mean Green Burrito and Gaia cookies, as well as fresh-pressed juices and specialty coffees. Open Wed-Sun for take-out only. // 1553 Plainfield Ave. NE. Visit on Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch. $

GOLDEN WOK

Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwokgrandrapids.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. graydonscrossing.com.

Lunch, Dinner $$

HUNAN CHINESE RESTAURANT

Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

dine / estau ants

JAKU SUSHI

Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more. Open daily. // 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 649-0407. jakusushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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, 272-3778. kitchen67.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LA HUASTECA

Authentic Mexican restaurant offering burritos, tacos, enchiladas, flautas and more. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $

LAI THAI KITCHEN

Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Breakfast, Lunch $$-$$$

MAI’S THAI

Thai fare for counter service only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 820 Michigan St NE, 451-3441. maisthaigr.com. (Mon-Fri), Lunch, Dinner $

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. millcreektaverngr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

THE OMELETTE SHOPPE

Fourteen signature omelettes, selection of quiches and baked goods. No alcohol. Open daily. // 545 Michigan St NE, 726-5800; 1880 Breton Rd SE, 7267300. omeletteshoppe.com. Breakfast, Lunch $

POKE TOKI

Build-your-own bowls featuring a fusion of Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean cuisine. Catering available. Closed Sun. // 5150 Northland Dr NE, 729-4414. poketoki.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

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, 447-7750. eatatreds.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

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. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$

RIO GRAND STEAK HOUSE & SALOON

Texas-style barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266. riograndsteakhouse.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

RIVER NORTH PUBLIC HOUSE

A “family-friendly” pub serving a variety of shareables, burgers and sandwiches. You’ll also find entrées, including Knapp Mac & Cheese and grilled sirloin tip steak. Full bar. Open daily. // 2115 Plainfield Ave NE, 288-7888. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$$

THE SCORE

Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. // 5301 Northland Dr NE, 3010600. thescore-restaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

Northwest GR

AMORE TRATTORIA ITALIANA

Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. House-made desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. // 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com. Dinner (Tue-Sat) $$

CHINA CHEF

Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

CHINA CITY

Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

EMPIRE CHINESE BUFFET II

All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 7858880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Dinner $-$$

HIBACHI GRILL & SUPREME BUFFET

Pan-Asian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. // 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsupremebuffet.letseat.at.

Lunch, Dinner $$

616 KABOB STOP EXPRESS

Located near the Allendale campus of Grand Valley State University, eatery serves “healthy and tasty” Mediterranean food, including hummus and falafel starters; salads; lentil soup; sandwiches, entrées and more. Closed Sun. // 10897 48th Ave., Suite B100, Allendale. hummusandfalafel.org. Lunch, Dinner $

THE LANDING

Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. AllAmerican favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/dining/the-landingrestaurant. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

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, 5511957. perrinbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $

STAN DIEGO BAJA TACO KITCHEN

Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-lacarte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. // 355 Wilson Ave NW, 591-9806. standiegogr.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

SWAN INN RESTAURANT

Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. // 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

dine / estau ants

WALKER ROADHOUSE

Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 791-9922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. Lunch (MonFri), Dinner $$

Southeast GR

7 MARES

Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 3018555. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

AL-BOS EUROCAFE-BAKERY

Authentic southeastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials. Open daily. // 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. al-bos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ASIAN PALACE

Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 141 28th St SE, 5347770. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BELTLINE BAR

Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. // 16 28th St SE, 245-0494. beltlinebar.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

BRASS RING BREWING

Small-batch, style-specific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. // 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

BROAD LEAF BREWERY & SPIRITS

Pub fare including snacks, meat and veggies on a stick and entrées like drunken noodles, burgers, tempeh and more. Open daily. Brunch on Sun. // 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 803-0602. broadleafbeer.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

CABANA TRES AMIGOS

Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. // 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

CAFÉ DE MIRO

A café offering Kurdish, Armenian and Greek foods. Traditional Mediterranean breakfast and side dishes; skillets, scrambles and acai bowls; pastries; toasts; soups; sandwiches; salads; Turkish coffee; tea; desserts; and more. No alcohol. // Breton Village Shopping Plaza, 1878 Breton Rd SE, (616) 719-1462. Facebook. Open daily. Breakfast, Lunch $

CANTINA MEXICAN GRILL

Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drive-thru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily. // 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantinamexicangrill.biz.

Lunch (Sun-Thu), Dinner $$

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. daddypetesbbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

EAST GARDEN BUFFET

Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. elarrieromexicangrill.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

EL GLOBO RESTAURANT

Authentic Mexican fare; weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 2019 S Division Ave, 734-6869. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

FIREROCK GRILLE

Guests can cook signature dishes on 500-degree lava stone. Offers soups, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Brunch on Sundays. Open daily. // 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. firerockgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

GANDERS

Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. // 4747 28th St SE (inside DoubleTree Hotel), 957-1111. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

HALL STREET BAKERY

Breakfast sandwiches and pastries; pizza, entrée salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. // 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hallstreetbakery.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

INDIA TOWN

Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. indiatowngrr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. thelastchancetavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MI TIERRA

Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $

MIKADO SUSHI

Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. // 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mikadogr.com/ main. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$

NU-THAI BISTRO

Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Breakfast (Mon-Fri), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PAL’S INDIAN CUISINE

Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsindiancuisine.com. Lunch, Dinner $

PHO ANH TRANG

Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. // 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 246-9966. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PHO SOC TRANG

Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

SIP COFFEE & COCKTAILS

Café by day with breakfast bites that transforms into a bustling nighttime cocktail lounge, serving flatbread and appetizers. Closed Sun, hours vary. // 806 Alger St. SE, 805-3517 $$

SUSHI KUNI

Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. // 2901 Breton Rd SE, 2414141. sushikuni.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

dine / estau ants

TACON MADRE

Mexican hamburgers, Tacos, tortas, quesadillas, and more with and a variety of proteins (pastor, Barbacoa, birria, tripe, Chicharron, Trompo and more) to choose from. Aguas frescas and other authentic Mexican specialties. // 3501 Division Ave. S. Wyoming, 5700322, taconmadre.com. Lunch, Dinner $

THAI EXPRESS

Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiexpressgr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. tokyogrillsushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

Southwest GR

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ALEBIRD TAPHOUSE AND BREWERY

Community-focused brewery offering creative sandwiches along with a variety of burgers and entrées, including summer chicken and pea ravioli. Open daily, lunch on weekends. // 2619 84th St SW, 288-7888. alebird.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

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. bluegingerkitchen.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

GOLDEN 28

Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily. // 627 28th St SW, 531-2800. Lunch, Dinner $$

3 GATOS BREWERY

German-style beers with Brazilian bar food. Closed Sunday and Monday. // 1760 44th St SW, 307-2215. 3gatosbeer.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LINDO MEXICO RESTAURANTE MEXICANO

Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. // 1742 28th St SW, 2612280. lindomexicogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$

MONELLI’S ITALIAN GRILL & SPORTS BAR

Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. // 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 530-9700. monellis.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

NOBLE RESTAURANT

Breakfast favorites along with vegan and gluten-free options, handhelds, burgers and small bites. Open daily. // 1851 44th St SW, Wyoming, 530-8750. eatnoble.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$

PETE’S GRILL & TAVERN

Casual bar and grill with tavern burgers, Detroit style pizza, sandwiches and entrees. Open daily. // 2588 84th St SW, Byron Center, 878-9582. petesgrillandtavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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, 5302400. spectrumlanes.com. Breakfast (Mon-Sat), Lunch, Dinner $$

Ada/Cascade/Lowell Area

ADA GARAGE BAR & GRILL

High quality bar appetizers, mac and cheese, chicken tenders, burgers and a variety of entrees. Plus there's always a $2 draft, a $3 well and a $4 glass of wine

every day. // 518 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-3002, adagaragebar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. bigboilerbrewing.com. Dinner $$

CASCADE ROADHOUSE

Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 2597439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. corkwineandgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

THE EURO BISTRO

European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, wood-fired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. eurobistrogr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

JU SUSHI & LOUNGE

Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. // 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

LA LAGUNA

Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$

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, 9873352. bbqlowell.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MYNT FUSION BISTRO

Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries.

No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 800 W Main St, Lowell, 987-9307. myntfusion.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

NONNA’S: THE TRATTORIA

Fresh, European-style pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served seven days a week. Pizza available during lunch TuesSat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. // 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tue-Sat) $-$$

NOTO’S OLD WORLD ITALIAN DINING

Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. // 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. Dinner $$-$$$

OSAKA STEAKHOUSE & JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 4977 28th St SE, 4194628. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$

SABOR MEXICANO

Burritos, tortas, quesadillas, quesabirrias, tamales (pork or chicken) and tacos served the authentic way, menu items for kids and more. // 109 Riverside Drive in Lowell, 987-5027. Lunch, Dinner $

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. sappororamenbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

SCHNITZ ADA GRILL

Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. // 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzadagrill.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

SHEPARDS GRILL & TAVERN

Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. // 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

THORNAPPLE BREWING CO.

Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. // 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. Lunch (Sat), Dinner $$

VINTAGE PRIME & SEAFOOD

Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. // 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintageatcork.com. Dinner $$$

ZEYTIN

Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. // 7437 River St, Ada, 6822222. zeytinturkishrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

Grandville/ Hudsonville Area

BANGKOK TASTE

Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 667-8901. bangkoktaste.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

HUDSONVILLE GRILLE

Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. // 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 6629670. hudsonvillegrille.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MICHIGAN MOONSHINE DISTILLERY

A distillery with starters, sandwiches, salads and sides with a barbecue theme. Many of the items include Bobby Q sauce. Closed Sun. and Mon. // 4005 Chicago Dr SW in Grandville, 259-1000. michiganmoonshine.us. Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

RAINBOW GRILL

Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 8960033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbowgrillmichigan.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

RUSH CREEK BISTRO

Diverse menu in club-like surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. // Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

THE WIN TAVERN

Family-friendly restaurant offering cooked-to-order meals, including starters, salads, burgers, sandwiches & steak. Sunday breakfast, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. with a buildyour-own hash bar and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 7628 Georgetown Center Dr, Jenison, 734-6724. thewintavern33.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

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. Lunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $$-$$$

BOULDER CREEK RESTAURANT

Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. // 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolfclub.com/ restaurant. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $$

GRILL ONE ELEVEN

American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. // 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

HONEY CREEK INN

Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. // 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MARINADES PIZZA BISTRO

Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. // 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $

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), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

TIMBERS INN

Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar. Open daily. // 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. Lunch (Wed-Sun), Dinner $-$$

THIRD NATURE BREWING COMPANY

Located near the White Pine Trail and the Rogue River,

dine / estau ants

Third Nature Brewing is a rustic brewery and taproom offering “comfort foods” such as pizzas and hot sandwiches, as well as healthier options like power bowls and salads. Open daily. // 7733 Childsdale Ave. NE in Plainfield Township, 616-512-9314. thirdnaturebrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

THE TOASTED PICKLE

Handcrafted unique sandwiches, soups, salads, cocktails and more. // 17 Squires St Square NE, 8840498.thetoastedpickle.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

Multiple Locations

ANNA’S HOUSE

Retro-style diner with a menu that caters to guests with a wide variety of dietary needs; gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Natural, local ingredients are utilized to create tasty classic breakfast entrees, benedicts, house bowls, salads, wraps, sandwiches, fresh-pressed juices, signature coffees, lattes and more. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$

BAGEL BEANERY

Bagel and coffee cafè offering healthy whole grain and sugary sweet bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Magnum coffee. No alcohol. Open daily. Catering available. // 455 Michigan St NE, 235-7500; 2845 Breton Rd SE, 245-4220; 5316 Clyde Park Ave SW, 249-9500. bagelbeanery.com.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

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.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

FIRST WOK

Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. // 2207 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstworkgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

GRAND CONEY

Classic diner offering custom hot dogs, traditional breakfast items and comfort foods. No alcohol.

Open daily. Downtown location open 24 hours. // 809 Michigan St NE, 776-5580; 5121 28th St, 9303596; 6101 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, 895-9999. thegrandconey.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

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.

Lunch, Dinner $$

HOPCAT

Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily.

// 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677; 84 W. Eighth St in Holland, 965-9780; 2183 East Beltline Ave NE. hopcatgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MORNING BELLE

This “garden-themed” brunch spot is part of Meritage Hospitality Group. Its menu features breakfast entrées; lighter options, such as salads and grain bowls; glazed doughnut waffles; specialty beverages, such as freshly squeezed orange juice and breakfast cocktails; and more. Limited bar. Open daily. // 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171; 434 Bridge St NW, 855-6907. morningbellebrunch.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$

MR. BURGER

Breakfast, burgers, chili dogs, sandwiches, homemade soups and desserts. // 2101 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, 453-6291; 950 44th St. SW, 538-0363; 1750 44th St. SE 455-8604; 5181 Northland Dr. NE, 363-3888; 2300 28th St. SW; 538-4439; 5835 Balsam Dr., Hudsonville, 662-5088. mrburger.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

MUDPENNY

Coffee bar with all-day breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and salads. Catering available. Closed Sun. // 570 Grandville Ave SW, 259-5353; 496 Ada Dr SE, 2595353. mudpenny.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

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. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

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. Lunch, Dinner $

REAL FOOD CAFÉ

Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and made-from-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. Breakfast, Lunch $

RED GERANIUM

Breakfast and lunch favorites, omelettes, pancakes and burgers. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6670 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9800; 5751 Byron Center Ave SW, 5328888. redgeraniumcafe.com. Breakfast, Lunch $

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. sundancegrill.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (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. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

TACOS EL CUÑADO

Fajitas, tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare. No alcohol. Locations are individually owned and operated. // 1342 Grandville Ave SW, 452-1266; 455 Burton St SW, 248-9099; 1024 Bridge St NW, 475-800. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

TAMALES MARY

Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 18 types of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1253 Burton St SW, 288-5007; 1551 Wealthy St. SE, 724-4269. tamalesmarygr.com. Lunch, Dinner $

UCCELLO’S RISTORANTE, PIZZERIA & SPORTS LOUNGE

Italian fare, pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar. Open daily. // 122 Monroe Center NW, 7731687; 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1100; 19 N Main St, Rockford, 866-0666. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

VITALE’S PIZZERIA

Multiple locations serving pizza and pasta from family recipes and a wide variety of American fare; burgers, subs, entrées and appetizers. Full bar. // 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitalesada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 662-2244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-5011. vitalessportsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

toSparrowScorpion

Café rebrands in midst of bittersweet prosperity

BY LISA ENOS // PHOTOS BY HAILEY JUNOD

If you're wondering what happened to Sparrows, it's the same cool place, just under a new name: Scorpion Hearts Club (above). The drinks are named for bands (opposite).

Usually, when a business rebrands, it’s in response to the fact things aren’t working out business-wise. Nothing could be further from the case with Lori Slager-Wenzel’s Sparrows-turned- Scorpion Hearts Club, located at 1035 Wealthy St. SE.

The quaint Eastown coffee shop that’s been a favorite for years among the area’s writers and creative community rebranded for two reasons– practical and personal.

The venture started in 2007 with a $40,000 loan. Slager-Wenzel opened the space with two partners. “We were all art students,” she said. After a couple years she became sole owner. The cafe served Schul brand coffee, then switched to Madcap and in 2016 she started roasting her own coffee.

“In 2018, we sold the roastery to Schul. They bought the Sparrows brand and opened their own coffee shop on Plainfield. It just got confusing; us both being called Sparrows. We have a great relationship with them, we just have a different customer base,” Slager-Wenzel said.

“We grew faster than we could handle,” she said. At one point Slager-Wenzel opened a second location on Bridge Street. By that point she had a new partner– her husband, David V. Wenzel. The pair met at the café, held their wedding ceremony in it, too and had three kids together. Business was good, but tragedy struck in 2009. David was diagnosed with brain cancer.

In addition to running the coffee shop, Slager-Wenzel worked full time in art education. David worked as a creative consultant and public speaker. “My husband’s health was always up and down,” she said. He wrote his own memoir that he self-published. In 2020, 11 years after his diagnosis, David lost the battle with cancer.

“I got eight tattoos (one of them is a scorpion). It’s how my grief presented. There were times I felt really fierce. There were times I felt really fragile. ‘Scorpion’ came to me because their sting is poisonous, but they are also small enough to step on,” she said.

“My husband’s sister said, ‘you just take care of yourself and your scorpion heart first’ and the name stuck.”

On Sept. 17 the cafe will host pastry & drink making with Midnite Patisserie and Atucun chocolate. scorpionheartsclub.com