September 2013 - GRM by Grand Rapids Magazine

Arts preview 2013-14 schedules for local arts organizations CELEBRATING CITY LIFE

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FINAL 2013-14 BALLOT INSIDE

Fall fashion … ArtPrize-style

BEST OF GR YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VOTE!

PEOPLE INSIDE: Carter Oosterhouse, Kathryn Chaplow, Erin Wilson, Christian Gaines, Lisa Rose Starner, Steve Frykholm, Chris Stoffel Overvoorde, Kev Couture

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Contents

September 2013 / voL. 50 / no. 09

T s

a m

p t o in

FEATURES 44 / Fall arts preview Here’s your guide to the 2013-14 season of live entertainment presented by the area’s performing arts organizations and local colleges and universities. COMPILED BY EMMA HIGGINS AND HEATHER ROWAN

50 / the art of Success Profiles of four people whose skills are inspirational: ArtPrize executive director Christian Gaines, interior designer Kathryn Chaplow, graphic designer Stephen Frykholm and urban farmer/author Lisa Rose Starner.

BY DANA BLINDER, ALEXANDRA FLUEGEL AND MARTY PRIMEAU

57 / Layers of Fall Fashion Fashion guru Kev Couture selects some stylish outfits for fall’s temperamental temperatures. BY ADAM BIRD

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contents SEPTEMBER 2013 / VOL. 50 / NO. 09

departments BACK & FORTH 10 / From the Editor

68 / Nosh & Sip: Viognier 74 / Top Shelf: Artful brews

10 / Letters, social media and more

78 / HeFedSheFed: Neighborhood joints

12 / Contributors

NEAR & FAR 88 / Comstock Park

LIFE & STYLE 16 / Noteworthy items include Cats vs. Dogs, new shops and food on South Division, Women Who Care, GRAM’s ArtPrize workshop, and paddling the Père Marquette.

OUT & ABOUT 92 / September highlights

17 / Pomp & Artistry

18 / Kev Couture

“I never thought I would jump on a TV show and have success.” — Carter Oosterhouse

20 / Living Local: Social enterprise 22 / Reading Room: “Sensible Shoes”

93 / Calendar

24 / Have Company

96 / Nightclub & comedy venue listings and highlights

ART & DESIGN 26 / Artist Profile: Chris Stoffel Overvoorde

100 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights

28 / Art gallery listings and highlights

102 / Snapshots

30 / Carter Oosterhouse

112 / After Thoughts: Erin Wilson

34 / Gracie Fenech 38 / Art Talk: Severin Roese’s “Still Life” 40 / Justagirl: Repurposing furniture 42 / Frame Works: Urban signs FOOD & DRINK 60 / Dining Review: Bistro Chloe Elan ON THE COVER: Lexi Harrington models a faux fur/sweater vest and dark jeans from Sydney’s Boutique.

62 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan 66 / Chef Profile: Michael McKay Santo, McKay’s Downtown

Photography by Adam Bird Styling by Kev Couture

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As CEO, she works tirelessly to grow her company.

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Our investment in West Michigan goes well beyond exceptional care. At Spectrum Health, our commitment to the communities we serve is impacting lives in ways people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always see. As a not-for-profit health system rooted in West Michigan, we invest in improving patient care, building and renovating facilities, providing health education, and funding programs that proactively address disease and illness. All told, our efforts have brought hundreds of millions of dollars into our communities. To see the full value of a health system creating greater possibilities, visit spectrumhealth.org/csr.

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Community Benefit Community Engagement

Education Employee Engagement Healthier Communities Innovation Regional Relationships Research Sustainability

Ways we are creating greater value

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back & forth connect with us

New ideas, projects and the metropolitan revolution

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

I have new shoes. My new shoes are part of a collection that includes my leather boat shoes for sailing the fresh waters of Lake Michigan, my Grand River kayak shoes, my just-in-case-I-play golf shoes, flip-flops for the farmers market, airport shoes and snowshoes. I don’t like any of my other shoes as much these. They represent Michigan. But the new shoes I’ve added to my collection are even more special. They represent September in Grand Rapids. Their treads will be well worn by month’s end. These shoes were made for walking the bridges on Labor Day and crisscrossing downtown streets during Celebration on the Grand and Hispanic Festival. And these wonderful shoes will keep my feet happy walking from one ArtPrize venue to 156 more. The efforts of so many over the past two decades are honored with still more new ideas and new projects. John Austin, Michigan Economic Center director and State Board of Education president, wrote recently in his blog of the work of one of his colleagues at the Brookings Institute where he is a nonresident fellow. The book, “The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our

Broken Politics and Fragile Economy,” by Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley, focuses on an entirely new type of leadership emerging in metropolitan areas. An excerpt: “Mired in partisan division and rancor, the federal government appears incapable of taking bold action to restructure our economy and grapple with changing demography and rising inequality. “Similar to the Tea Party and the Occupy movements, the metropolitan revolution is a child of the Great Recession. Yet it is reasoned rather than emotional, leader driven rather than leaderless, born of pragmatism and optimism rather than despair and anger. … Across the nation, cities and metros are taking control of their own destinies, becoming deliberate about their economic growth. Power is devolving to the places and people who are closest to the ground and oriented toward collaborative action. This shift is changing the nature of our leadership — who our leaders are, what they do, and how they govern. The metropolitan revolution has only one logical conclusion: the inversion of the hierarchy of power in the United States.” There are many examples of that revolution in Grand Rapids, and residents will be the beneficiaries of river rafting, rapid transit, urban planning, and residential buildings being remade from remnants of the old. I’m going to need another pair of shoes. Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

Last month’s online question:

“Seeing people from all walks of life and all ages enjoying the art and enjoying our beautiful downtown. Gives you a real sense of we’re all in this life together.” – Diane Richards

“Seeing Grand Rapids transform into an art mecca and all types of people exploring the city.” — @jaxondaly

“My family makes time to walk around and discuss art. It’s as much a tradition for us as Christmas. My 8-year-old doesn’t remember a fall without ArtPrize.” — Susan Merrill

“My favorite thing about ArtPrize is the life breathed into the city by it all. As a native New Yorker, it’s a taste of home.” — @MortonJ

This month’s online question:

What favorite gadget or tech item do you own?

Photography courtesy thinkstock

What’s your favorite thing about ArtPrize?

10 Grand Rapids \ September 2013

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Photography courtesy thinkstock

500 Grandville Ave. SW

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Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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contributors behinD the scenes

You

imagine it.

create it.

the spark

three oF our contributorS Share what inSpireS them...

1/ DAINA KRAAI,

Writer

“BEST OF TWO WORLDS,” page 88

GRAND RAPIDS ZEELAND MEXICO CHICAGO

Custom Cabinetry & Furniture

Favorite neighborhood: Creston, of course! I’m very proud of my neighborhood. I write best when … I’ve thought about it enough to make good connections in my head and have a working outline and beginning. Proudest achievement? Completely renovating/ restoring our 113- year-old house with my husband (although I suspect it will soon be giving birth to our first child!).

2/ ADAM BIRD, Photographer/Writer

3/ HEATHER ROWAN,

“LAYERS OF FALL FASHION,” page 57

“MICHIGAN’S FAMOUS CARPENTER,” page 30

Best fashion advice: Have fun, don’t be afraid. Wearing interesting clothes starts with putting them on and walking out the door. Favorite accessory: The bow tie. It never gets in the way. I work best when … I’m working with great subjects and a great crew in challenging conditions.

Writer

Describe Carter Oosterhouse in one word: Magnetic. Was he easy or difficult to interview? He was incredibly open and easy to talk to. And that smile! I write best when … It’s late at night and I have a cup of coffee. It also helps if my cat is asleep so he’s not trying to distract me.

616.956.3070 woodwayscustom.com we’re all ears … tell us what you like or dislike in this issue. Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Send to Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or email to letters@grmag.com. Letters may be edited for reaFollow us Visit us Like us on @grmagazine grmag.com sons of space and clarity. Facebook 12 GrMaG.coM \ September 2013

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Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com

info@grmag.com

pubLiSher: John H. Zwarensteyn

EDITORIAL eDitor: Carole Valade manaGinG eDitor: Marty Primeau copY eDitor: Donna Ferraro contributinG eDitorS: Joseph A. Becherer, Ira Craaven, Elissa Hillary, Mark F. Miller, Jon C. Koeze, Amy Ruis contributinG writerS: Julie Burch, Chris Carey, Alexandra Fluegel, Juliet and Jeremy Johnson, Daina Kraai, Tricia van Zelst eDitoriaL aSSiStant: Emma Higgins eDitoriaL intern: Heather Rowan DeSiGn paneL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry, Kevin Budelmann, Jim Caughman, Timothy Chester, Sam Cummings, Oliver Evans, James Ludwig, Ray Kennedy, Henry Matthews, Wayne Norlin, Wayne Visbeen DESIGN & PRODUCTION new meDia, DeSiGn & proDuction manaGer:

Scott Sommerfeld

aSSiStant DeSiGn & proDuction manaGer:

Chris Pastotnik

art coorDinator: Kelly J. Nugent DeSiGnerS/proDuction aSSiStantS:

Melissa Brooks, Kristen Van Oostenbrugge, Robin Vargo contributinG photoGrapherS:

Adam Bird, Michael Buck, Jim Gebben, Johnny Quirin SALES GeneraL SaLeS manaGer:

Randy D. Prichard

aDvertiSinG SaLeS conSuLtantS:

General Inquiries: advertisingsales@grmag.com Emily Bernath, Theresa Henk, Kathie Manett, John Olsa aDvertiSinG SaLeS aSSiStant/coorDinator:

Karla Jeltema

CIRCULATION & MARKETING circuLation & marKetinG manaGer:

Scott T. Miller

circuLation & marKetinG coorDinator:

Dana Blinder

circuLation & marKetinG aSSiStant:

Shane Chapin

to orDer SubScriptionS: (616) 459-4545 to chanGe aDDreSS: subscribe@geminipub.com

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Finance & aDminiStration manaGer:

Pamela Brocato, CPA

aDminiStrative aSSiStant: Tina Gillman receptioniSt/cLericaL aSSiStant:

General Inquiries: info@grmag.com Lorraine Brugger

to orDer reprintS: Karla Jeltema

(616) 459-4545

Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright ÂŠ 2013 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $3.95 (by mail $6); back issue $6 (by mail $7.50), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions. audited by

www.geminipub.com

Mediamark Research Inc. (MRI)

September 2013 / GrMaG.coM 13

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What More Could You Ask For? West Michigan’s Sports and Fitness Leader

Get Fit. Have Fun! GRAND RAPIDS | DOWNTOWN GR | HOLLAND | ROCKFORD | KENTWOOD

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True Autumn The hardest part about visiting Traverse City is deciding what to do first.

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

noteworthy interesting tidbits we thought you should know

Artprize wannabees: Listen up

5,000

That’s how much the recently organized Women Who Care of Kent County donated to the Children’s Assessment Center. Those who join the organization commit to four meetings per year and donations of $100 per meeting. Each woman submits the name of a favorite nonprofit,

“Quatre Saisons” by Michigan artist Al Wildey is a composite digital photograph that was part of ArtPrize 2011.

Grand Rapids Art Museum is offering a two-session workshop Sept. 7 and 14 inspired by ArtPrize favorites from years past, including works by contemporary artists Al Wildey and Stephen Hannock. GRAM instructors will help attendees create personal narratives through timelapsed or layered collage images with mixed media elements. Expect to leave feeling energized by what ArtPrize 2013 has to offer. To register, visit artmuseumgr.org/ gramstudio or call (616) 831-2929.

and one is drawn to receive the funds.

make a bigger impact than we do individually,” said Sharon Stiansen, who brought the nationwide movement to GR. The next meeting is set for Sept. 5 at Thousand Oaks Country Club. For more info, find Women Who Care of Kent County on Facebook.

Finding a place to get your pooch groomed isn’t too difficult, but finding a place for your feline is another matter entirely. Enter Cats vs. Dogs Pet Grooming Salon and Boutique, 929 E. Fulton St., where Jennifer Lotterman is certified by the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, as well as by the International Society of Canine Cosmetology. Her training as a dermatox specialist helps her detect skin and coat diseases. Even more intriguing, the salon offers color enhancing of dogs and cats. Check it out on Facebook.

Avenue of the Arts on South Division is welcoming new faces and businesses. Besides Have Company (see page 24), there’s Parliament the Boutique (120 S. Division) selling handcrafted leather and hemp accessories; The Forest, a design firm (131); The Local Epicurean (111), handmade pastas, sauces and more. Fat Johnny’s (122) is serving up East Coast cheesesteaks on authentic Philly rolls, and Propaganda Doughnuts is moving into 117.

Eight-day water adventure If you have any intentions of canoeing or kayaking this fall, you’ll want to pick up one of Doc Fletcher’s books. His fifth, “Michigan’s Pere Marquette River: Paddling Though It’s History,” was published this year by Arbutus Press and offers photos, trivia, a bit of history and a detailed paddling journey in miles and minutes.

Photography Courtesy GRAM (top); thinkstock (middle); Arbutus Press (bottom right); John Mark Hanson (bottom left)

Only the pet groomer knows for sure ...

“All of us working collectively

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“On the day of the wedding, we want the business to be all taken care of because that day is all about fun.” — Davina Bryan At their northwest Grand Rapids salon, Pomp & Artistry’s Davina Bryan applies makeup to a client while Sarah Mattone offers hairstyle suggestions. The two stylists specialize in onsite hair, makeup and nail services for brides.

PhotoGraPhy by michael buck

PhotoGraPhy courtesy Gram (toP); thinkstock (middle); arbutus Press (bottom riGht); John mark hanson (bottom left)

Tie the knot with a little Pomp & Artistry On a bride’s big day, driving to a salon for the perfect ’do can be stressful. Enter Pomp & Artistry, a pair of stylists who take the salon to the clients. Davina Bryan and Sarah Mattone offer on-site hair, makeup and nail services for brides. They also have a small salon at 1451 Front St. NW, a cozy space with two chairs and one make-up station decorated in an eclectic mix of modern and vintage. “The smaller space allows us to really connect with people,” Bryan said. The two women have known each other since cosmetology school. Teaming up allowed them to provide more beauty options and focus on their strengths: Bryan does make-up and Mattone specializes in hair. Both believe it’s important to form a relationship with clients, whether styling

a bridal party or helping a woman prepare for a special event. Their onsite services include express manicures and pedicures — even polish changes. “We’re just a couple chicks who love to grab coffee and talk about weddings.” Before any event, Bryan and Mattone like to hold multiple consultations to get a feel for the client’s expectations and make sure everything is ready to go. “On the day of the wedding, we want the business to be all taken care of because that day is all about fun,” Bryan said. They will travel free of charge within a 50-mile radius, and charge 45 cents per mile beyond that. The women are preparing for fall, which can be the busiest wedding season. Many brides are requesting finger waves and pin curls inspired by “The Great

Gatsby.” A loose, flowing style and braids also are on trend for fall. Headbands, feathers and bows are popular, and Bryan and Mattone will work with brides to custom design hair pieces and accessories. Current makeup trends call for a more natural look with bold lips. But anything goes when it comes to weddings. “Three months from now, a huge wedding scene in a movie could inspire a whole new wave in trends,” Bryan said with a laugh. Recent inspirations include looks from “Twilight” and “Downton Abbey.” Visit pompandartistry. com. — HeatHer rOWaN

Need more ideas for your big day? The Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan at DeVos Place will showcase local bridal vendors, wedding planning ideas, fashion shows, cakes and more all under one roof. The show is Sept. 20-21; times are 5-9 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. For more information, visit kohlerexpo.com. september 2013 / GrmaG.com 17

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

Kev Couture understands style Kev Couture wears many hats in the fashion world. He’s a celebrity stylist, personal shopper and all-around wardrobe guru. He describes his work as organized chaos. “Fashion for me is being able to convey what my clients are looking for and basically bring it to life,” he said, sipping a cappuccino at MadCap Coffee in downtown Grand Rapids. “I get excited when people actually like what they are in.” Born Kevin Walden, the native New Yorker moved to Grand Rapids as a teenager. After earning a degree in fashion merchandising at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago, he worked at Venito boutique in Grand Rapids to gain experience. “Everybody would always like how I put stuff together,” he said. In 2010, he had the opportunity to work with a wardrobe stylist who was buying clothes for the film “Gun,” which was filmed in Grand Rapids. Her praise for his fashion know-how gave him the confidence to expand his career. “I started putting clothes together while I was learning how to do stuff,” Couture said. “I was trying to take my styling to the next level.” He attended various trade shows and gained experience as a stylist for fashion shows in Detroit and Chicago. His networking skills have earned him new clients, including NBA and NFL athletes. For a recent project, he styled Aida Rodriguez and Derrial Christon, hosts of the BET Experience at the Black Entertainment Television Awards in Los Angeles. Though his fashion icon is Ralph Lauren, Couture said he doesn’t care about labels and name brands as long as his clothes are clean and pressed. He described his style as “not too daring, but preppy, modern and chic.” A typical summer outfit is a basic white T-shirt, burnt orange pants, red shoes and blue glasses — all purchased at department and discount stores. “Labels don’t make me or break me,” Couture said. “Style is what you own, fashion is what you buy. You can make anything look good, but if you don’t put it together right, you’re not going to look good either.” — Delal Pektas

Photography by Adam Bird

“Labels don’t make me or break me. Style is what you own, fashion is what you buy. You can make anything look good, but if you don’t put it together right, you’re not going to look good either.” — Kev Couture

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SummerSale

Photography by Adam Bird

For 117 years, Klingman’s has offered the very finest in quality home furnishings. From casual lifestyle to luxurious leather, from rich traditional to gleaming contemporary, you will discover all of the latest styles at Klingman’s. And now during our annual Summer Sale, come enjoy the value that has made Klingman’s your home furnishings store of choice since 1896.

Since 1896

1-8-klingmans | 2984 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512 | klingmans.com

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living local

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

Not familiar with the term “social enterprise”? At the core, it describes a business that is trying to “do well and do good” — a business that is proﬁtable and using its assets to address an issue the leaders of the business care about.

in may, I had the honor of inviting a group of West Michigan leaders to join me in attending a summit at Harvard University on “Growing the Impact Economy.” The conversation centered on the wall that exists between the work of the for-profit and the nonprofit sectors, and the social enterprises that are bridging that gap by using business as a tool to solve some of a community’s biggest challenges. Not familiar with the term “social enterprise”? At the core, it describes a business that is trying to “do well and do good” — a business that is profitable and using its assets to address an issue the leaders of the business care about. So what does this have to do with Local First and “living locally”? Many locally owned or familyowned businesses can be considered social enterprises. These businesses are uniquely poised to be change agents because their owners live within the community and are directly affected by issues such as the health of local school systems and the quality of water in the Great Lakes. Here are a few examples of West Michigan businesses and the issues they are tackling through social enterprise: CompuCraft — Quality, stable housing affects an entire family’s well-being. When you purchase Apple products from CompuCraft, you’re helping its west side neighborhood. This business is committed to investing in properties in its immediate neighborhood at 620 Stocking Ave. NW to ensure that thriving, stable housing is available. gazelle sports — A passion for individual and community health drove the owners to open a retail store and launch an array of community education and exercise programs. There are now three store locations: in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Holland. global infusion — Concerned about the exploitation of workers, the owners of Global Infusion (shown in photo) started a fair trade store at 143 Diamond Ave. SE. Products are sourced from artisan and farmer cooperatives that ensure fair living wages, safe working

conditions, and the opportunity for employees to access health care and educational opportunities. the source — A coalition of local businesses formed The Source, a nonprofit organization that leverages community assets to help people stay employed. They recognized that sometimes workers need help — for example, when their car breaks down, or their daycare provider quits, or a family member is sick and needs care. They didn’t want those challenges to cost people their jobs. West Michigan is full of entrepreneurs who, when they see something amiss, engage their organizations and the greater community in addressing the issue at hand — whether in this community or in a local economy halfway around the world. You can support their efforts by thinking “Local First.” — elissa Hillary

PhotoGraPhy by michael buck

Supporting social enterprise

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life & style PeoPle / trends / books / fashion / fitness

reading room

Take a walk in ‘Sensible Shoes’ Brown said they wrestle with real issues, such as letting go of control, peoplepleasing, perfectionism hiding behind roles and busyness, fear, regret, guilt and shame. “I’m hoping I’m not done with these characters,” she said. “I feel there is more story to tell.

“Murder in Battle Creek”

Their unique spiritual journeys unite them on their paths to selfdiscovery as they explore prayer and other spiritual disciplines.

— HeatHer rOWaN

Sharon Garlough Brown won a 2010 Grace Award for Best Women’s Fiction. Her novel, “Sensible Shoes,” is available at Baker Book House and amazon.com.

daisy ziCk was brutally murdered in her Battle Creek home on a bitter morning in January 1963. Despite at least three witnesses who caught a glimpse of the killer, the savage crime remains unsolved. Author Blaine Bardoe, who grew up outside Battle Creek, tells the story using long-sealed police files and interviews with surviving officers. The book, published by The History Press, digs into the lives of Daisy and her husband Floyd as well as the background of the investigators.

PhotoGraPhy by michael buck (center); courtesy interVarsity Press toP riGht); the history Press (bottom riGht)

loCal pastor-turned-author Sharon Garlough Brown has been propelled into the national spotlight because of her novel “Sensible Shoes.” Originally self-published in 2010, Brown’s book was attained by InterVarsity Press and re-released in March. “Sensible Shoes” garnered major attention when Kathie Lee Gifford featured it as her “favorite thing” on NBC’s “The Today Show” that same month. Brown, who is a pastor at Redeemer Covenant Church in Caledonia, never expected this level of distinction. “I got a call from a woman in Florida who had read the selfpublished version and passed it along to a friend. When she said the friend was Kathie Lee Gifford, I started hyperventilating a little,” Brown said with a laugh. Inspired by a real-life group of women, “Sensible Shoes” tells the tale of four women brought together on a retreat where they experience profound healing and transformation. Their unique spiritual journeys unite them on their paths to self-discovery as they explore prayer and other spiritual disciplines. “The characters poured forth and really took on a life of their own,” said Brown, who would like to continue her narrative. None of the characters — Meg, Hannah, Mara and Charissa — represent real people, but

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

“Chicago has Quimby’s — a fun, radical bookstore. I’d visit them and think, ‘It’s a bummer we don’t have a store like this in my hometown.” — Marlee Grace

Marlee Grace likes zines, literary journals and other small, underground publications. She even makes some. But finding zines in Grand Rapids was always a challenge. “Chicago has Quimby’s — a fun, radical bookstore,” said the City High School

grad. “I’d visit them and think, ‘It’s a bummer we don’t have a store like this in my hometown.” So she decided to open one. With a $5,000 grant from Start Garden, Grace and her husband, John Hanson, purchased a gutted 1966 Coachman travel trailer and transformed it into a mobile boutique, carrying everything from zines to vintage clothing and artisan wares. They called it Have Company, with plans to park at area festivals and art events. Alas, the store quickly outgrew the small space. “In reality, people wanted something that was more consistent,” Grace said. “And only six bodies fit in the camper at one time. We had a lot of people making stuff and bringing it to sell and we just didn’t have enough room.” So Have Company found a home at 136 S. Division Ave., a general store of sorts where Grace sells a variety of consignment wares and small, quirky publications. The boutique also carries a line of artisan lamps by local artist William Campbell. “They’re incredible,” Grace said. “He designed the woodwork and lighting inside Bartertown Diner.” Have Company also will be a place for weekly programming, like a Tuesday eve-

ning knitting club and a Thursday “paper night” for bookmaking and letter-writing. Besides running the store, the pair pursues other artistic endeavors. Grace is a performing artist and Hanson is a photographer, filmmaker and musician. As for the camper, it’s become a mobile residency space for artists, Grace said. In July, it was parked at a farm in Bangor, Mich., where artist Sam Snedeker is at work. “We’ll be rotating the artists,” Grace said. “I still love the idea of a camper. It’s not a failure, it’s a stepping stone. The store is a bigger project.” Regular shop hours at Have Company are noon-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For information, visit have-company.com or the blog havecompany.tumblr.com, or find Have Company on Facebook. — Marty Primeau

Photography by Michael Buck

Roaming store finds a home

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Exceptional Style. Exceptional Choices. With over 100 stores at one location, Woodland Mall is the perfect choice to shop for that exceptional item for your home, your family or just for you! Apple J.Crew Pottery Barn Ann Taylor Caché Fossil Banana Republic Johnston & Murphy The North Face Swarovski Williams-Sonoma Coldwater Creek The Art of Shaving H&M... Opening in October! Visit shopwoodlandmall.com for a complete list of mall stores and the most current sales and events.

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art & design treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

“You paint a painting, and then the next day you go back and re-paint it. Something more will happen — it’s the idea that you’re searching for something new.” — Chris Stoffel Overvoorde

Spiritual skyscapes

hris Stoffel Overvoorde has spent more than four decades looking up. The self-described “sky painter” and one of the area’s foremost artists — Grand Rapids Art Museum hosted a retrospective of his work in 2004 — he has undertaken a lifelong investigation and celebration of the spiritual life through his painting and printmaking. Overvoorde said becoming an artist wasn’t easy. “It was like traveling a winding road, with many detours,” he wrote in his 2002 book “Passing the Colors.” He emigrated to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 1957 and worked as a tool-and-die maker before enrolling at Kendall College of Art and Design. “For me it was a big change. I moved 3,000 miles, but I was young so it was an adventure,” he said. After graduating from Kendall, Overvoorde briefly worked as a commercial artist, and in 1963 he returned

to school, earning a bachelor of science degree in design and then a master of fine arts from the University of Michigan. Out of the 13 students who graduated with MFA’s that year, he was the only one to receive a job offer. He accepted a role with Calvin College in 1966. “It was a good fit,” said Overvoorde, who taught a variety of courses including painting, printmaking and history of Dutch art. He also served as chairman of the art department, director of exhibitions and artist-in-residence. “I enjoyed my years at Calvin very much — never had any second thoughts about that,” said Overvoorde, who retired in 1997 and remains the college’s Professor of Art Emeritus. He said one of the hardest things to pass on to students is the importance of process. “You paint a painting, and then the next day you go back and re-paint it. Something more will happen — it’s the idea that you’re

photography by miChael buCk (top); Courtesy thiNkstoCk (bottom)

Netherlands native Chris Stoffel Overvoorde, Calvin College’s Professor of Art Emeritus, describes his task as an artist as ‘making the invisible visible.’

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Scott Carey

photography by miChael buCk

photography by miChael buCk (top); Courtesy thiNkstoCk (bottom)

searching for something new.” Or unseen. Overvoorde describes his task as an artist as “making the invisible visible,” a description that points to the spiritual quality of his work. He creates abstract and figurative work, and both small- and large-scale landscape paintings. “Artists aren’t special; they just see things in peculiar ways,” he said, and points to his mother as a source for the reoccurring theme of clouds in his work. He wrote in his book: “I see the sky with Dutch eyes. … They are in some sense my mother’s eyes, for she too was always looking up.” Overvoorde said he began painting skyscapes when he was 15 because it was a challenge. “How do you paint clouds? They’re so whimsy and flippant; they have soft edges and yet they have shapes and forms — trying to capture that is still something that intrigues me.” He said looking up at the clouds for inspiration begets a spiritual connection. “It also speaks to looking up to God — the whole idea of the presence of God within the sky and within the clouds. There’s something more going on than what you see.” Overvoorde said he’s always astonished when people tell him his work makes them see things in different ways, and yet that’s what he aims to do. “I try to help

people see with their mind’s eye, with their spirit’s eye, to connect the actual world with a spiritual interior,” he explained. Since retiring, Overvoorde has been actively involved in the local arts community, holding positions on the boards of trustees for both the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Art Museum. During his docent tours at GRAM, he maintains that desire to help people see. “I establish dialogue and let it go from there,” he said. When asked his thoughts on the dialogue catalyst ArtPrize, he said he sees the competition as a “natural outgrowth” of Festival of the Arts and “an exciting development.” He said he has most enjoyed seeing the arts institutions welcome the heightened attention of the community and seize the opportunity to educate. “They’re encouraging people to look at art and evaluate and discern what is good, what rises to the top and what remains in the middle. They’re helping people participate in the dialogue — not just the ‘experts.’” He added, “Nowadays, we’re surrounded by visual images, and the problem is understanding how much that influences us. To what degree are people conscious and aware of how art is actually influenc— ALEXANDRA FLUEGEL ing them?”

Designer & Custom Jewelry Expert Jewelry Repair (estimates are always free) Tu-Fr 10-5 Sat 12-4 616-459-5075 820 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids shop@metalartstudioinc.com september 2013 / grmag.Com 27

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art & design treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

Thru Sep. 14

Local art galleries COMPILED BY EMMA HIGGINS

1/ betsY ratZsCH pOtterY: Thru Sep. 14, artist Susan Sawyer of Bellevue shows and sells

1/ Ceramicist Susan Sawyer tries to let the faces of her “critters” tell a story with the expressions on their faces.

whimsical clay animals. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., or by appointment. The gallery features ceramics, artwork and gifts from American artisans. 584 Ada Drive, 682-0266, betsyrpottery.com. 2/ merCUrYHead GaLLerY: Thru Sept. 30, Vessels, an exhibition of clay vessels and sculptures by Grand Rapids artist Debra Van Deusen. The gallery carries works by Michigan artists, gift items and offers custom archival framing. 962 E. Fulton St., 456-6022, Facebook. 3/ LaFOntsee GaLLerIes: Sept. 7, opening reception 5-8 p.m. at the Doug-

las Gallery kicks off a diverse exhibition of new work by more than 15 artists that runs through Oct. 6. GR location includes Urban Craft Boutique. 833 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, and 150 Center St., Douglas, 451-9820, lafontsee.us.

106 Gallery and Studio: Calvin College-run gallery in Heartside features student and local artists’ work. Sep. 6-Oct. 6: ArtPrize venue. 106 S. Division Ave., calvin.edu/centerartgall ery/studio.

Covenant FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle, 526-6271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery.

media art, gifts, jewelry. 1456 Lake Drive SE, 454-2154, gallery154.com.

throughout year. 149 S. Hudson, Lowell, 897-8545, lowellartscouncil.org.

Cascade Art Gallery: Multi-media art, print collection, framing, gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 9494056, cascadegallery.blogspot.com.

Gallery at ICCF: Work from local artists and craftspeople. 920 Cherry St. SE, iccf.org/current_exhibit.htm.

Muskegon Museum of Art: See Museums & Attractions.

Allen+Pfleghaar Studio at Tanglefoot: Working studio/gallery of Michael Pfleghaar and Tommy Allen. 314 Straight Ave. SW (entrance on north, dock 8), tanglefootstudio.com.

Con Artist Crew: Art collective and gallery. 1111 Godfrey SW, North Building, No. 198, conartistcrew.com.

Calvin College Center Art Gallery: Permanent collection, student and staff work, visiting exhibitions. Sep. 3-Oct. 19, Alumni Sculpture Exhibition in Gallery 1; Dissected Geometry: The Interaction of Forms in the Work of Cyril Lixenberg in Gallery 2.

Design Gallery at Design Quest: Thru Oct. 13, Recycle Challenge, an annual juried exhibition featuring works by local artists and designers made out of at least 95 percent recycled materials. 4181 28th St. SE, 940-0131, designquest.biz. Flat River Gallery and Framing: Co-op of local and national artists, featuring new work every month. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatriver g a l l e r ya n d f ra m i n g . com. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center: Artistin-residence program offers month-long exhibits by local, regional and national artists. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE. 493-8966, fhfineartscenter.com.

3/ LaFonsee Galleries in Douglas opens a new exhibit Sept. 7.

Gallery 154: Local and national multi-

Grand Gallery: Fine art, reproductions, restoration, gifts, framing. 596 Ada Drive, Ada, 676-4604, grandgall ery.com. Grand Rapids Art Museum: See Museums & Attractions. GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by students, faculty and visiting artists. ArtPrize venue. 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 234-4000, grcc.edu/artgall ery. GVSU Art Gallery: Fall Arts Celebration includes Cyril Lixenberg: An Artist’s Journey (opening reception 5-7 p.m. Sept. 11), Performing Arts Center; runs thru Nov. 1. Sculptures, paintings and prints are displayed at multiple venues across West Michigan. gvsu.edu/art. Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211, ext. 103, heartside.org. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: See Museums & Attractions. Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by students, faculty and national artists in multiple gallery spaces at 17 Fountain St. NW and 17 Pearl St. NW. ArtPrize venue. kcad.edu. LowellArts King Gallery: Community gallery with rotating exhibits

Open Concept Gallery: Open platform for innovation shows local and international art. mARTini: Art Talks on art issues last Tue. of month. 50 Louis St. NW, openconceptgallery. org. Perception Gallery: Fine art, home décor, art restoration, appraisal services. 210 E. Fulton St., 451-2393. Richard App Gallery: Fine art from local and U.S. artists, restoration and framing. 910 Cherry St. SE, 458-4226, therichardappgallery. tumblr.com. Sanctuary Folk Art: Salon-style gallery displays and sells local folk art. 140 S. Division Ave., 454-0401, Facebook. SiTE:LAB: Former Public Museum building is ArtPrize venue (winner of juried award Best Venue for past two years). 54 Jefferson Ave. SE, new. site-lab.org. Terryberry Gallery: Exhibits of local and international art change monthly. ArtPrize venue: works of 12 artists and listening stations for hearing compositions of 80 musical artists. 459-2224, scmc-online.org/ building/terryberry-gallery. UICA: Innovative art exhibits and installations change regularly. ArtPrize venue. 2 W. Fulton St., 4547000, uica.org. Check websites for hours of operation.

photography Courtesy betsy ratZsCh pottery (top); lafoNtsee galleries (bottom)

Art Gallery 318: Artist Kathleen Mooney’s gallery in the heart of Lowell’s downtown. 318 E. Main St., Lowell, 890-1879, facebook.com/ArtGall ery318FineArt.

Craft House: Collaborative art and discussion space hosts Ingrained, an exhibition of new work by local artists Krystle Formsma and Matt Loeks Sep. 7-14. ArtPrize venue. 40 S. Division Ave., crafthousegr.com and Facebook.

Gaspard Gallery: Artist-operated contemporary gallery. 235 S. Division Ave., gaspardgallery.com.

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photography Courtesy betsy ratZsCh pottery (top); lafoNtsee galleries (bottom)

art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES

His gig as a carpenter on “Trading Spaces” in 2003 made Oosterhouse a celebrity; below, in “Carter’s Way,” he writes that built-in shelves can be both a design focal point and accessible storage; bottom left, he highlights this kitchen that works for several cooks, thanks to a professional quality range, extra utility sink on the island and pot-filler faucet.

Michigan’s famous carpenter By Heather Rowan

He’s been named the “Sexiest Man on TV” by People Magazine, but Traverse City native Carter Oosterhouse hasn’t lost track of his Midwestern roots. “The great thing I love about Michigan is it’s a very grounding state,” he said during a book-signing tour to promote “Carter’s Way: A No-Nonsense Method for Designing Your Own Super Stylish Home.” Oosterhouse got his start in carpentry at age 12 when he became an apprentice to a neighborhood carpenter. After graduating from Central Michigan University, he

moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. “I never thought I would jump on a TV show and have success,” he said. He started working behind the scenes on HBO’s “Project Greenlight” before landing a gig as a carpenter on the popular TLC show “Trading Spaces” in 2003. Oosterhouse went on to host that show and others, including HGTV’s “Carter Can,” “Red Hot & Green” and “Million Dollar Rooms.” He describes his book “Carter’s Way” as

Clockwise from top left Photography courtesy courtesy 2012, HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC; Homer Wood (middle); Hansgrohe (bottom left)

After graduating from Central Michigan University, Traverse City native Carter Oosterhouse moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Ultherapy®

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Model

Clockwise from top left Photography courtesy courtesy 2012, HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC; Homer Wood (middle); Hansgrohe (bottom left)

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art & design

Friends will flock.

treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

Custom Fire Pits Outdoor Kitchens Paving Stones

Grand Rapids 616-459-8367 Saginaw 989-573-8171 BeldenBrickandSupply.com

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In a chapter on bathroom design in “Carter’s Way,” Oosterhouse writes that a large bathroom is a space to add interesting colors — “however, it’s safest to use white as the dominant background hue.”

“the Rosetta Stone of interior design.” His goal was to provide easier ways for people to be more energy efficient — and save money — on their home improvement projects. The book includes tips for eco-friendly building, something for which he and his wife, actress Amy Smart, are known. Oosterhouse is collaborating with his brother to build a winery on Old Mission Peninsula, with a projected opening of summer 2014. “Like everyone in Traverse City, I worked on the cherry farms,” he said. “Traverse is becoming such an epicenter for foodie and art culture, and I wanted to give something back. There’s no other place like it in the summertime.” Even people who don’t watch his TV shows may recognize Oosterhouse as the spokesman for Lake Michigan Credit Union’s $25,000 home makeover giveaway. And if those pursuits aren’t enough, his nonprofit Carter’s Kids builds playgrounds in cities all over the country. He finished one in Holland in April and is talking with GMC about sponsoring a project to build a playground somewhere in Michigan at least once a year. “I have so much love for this state,” he said with a big grin. “Carter’s Way” is available at bookGr stores and online.

photography Courtesy merillat by XXXXXXXXXXX

Get inspired. Visit our new outdoor showrooms.

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Photography courtesy merillat by XXXXXXXXXXX

LUXURY ENDURES

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art & design treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

Gracie Fenech is a self-taught designer who bought a 100-year-old letterpress and quit her job to make printing her full-time occupation.

Combining old and new

By Emma Higgins

Photography by Johnny Quirin

GraCIe FeneCH CannOt saY exactly why she decided to buy a 100-year-old, 1,500-pound letterpress. At the time, she knew almost nothing about the old printing technique. But that whim two years ago inspired the self-taught designer to quit her marketing job and make letterpress printing a full-time occupation. “Freshly Squeezed is a fresh interpretation of a very old technology,” said

Fenech, who is one of many artists who are re-appropriating the technology and skills of the past. “We have begun to appreciate the simplicity of the way things were done before our day and are re-learning many of these old techniques,” she said. “For me it has been a great deal of trial and error. When I look back at what I was printing a year ago, I am astounded by how far I’ve come.”

After cleaning a century of dry ink off the 1,500-pound cast-iron machine, Fenech has been printing business cards and invitations for customers in Grand Rapids and around the world. 34 grmag.Com \ september 2013

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FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER 2013/ 2014 SEASON

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER

LYLE LOVETT

THURSDAY, OCT 10, 2013 AT 7:30PM An acoustic evening featuring material spanning their vast catalogues as well as some of their favorite songs.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 30, 2013 AT 7:30PM Join us for an acoustic evening featuring these two legendary singer-songwriters.

MONDAY, DEC 16, 2013 AT 7:30PM “The Ultimate Tribute” brings you record-perfect live performances of Beatles’ classics such as Can’t Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, Here Comes the Sun, Hey Jude and many more!

NATURALLY 7

AIR SUPPLY

& SHAWN COLVIN

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL

SUNDAY, JAN 26, 2014 AT 3:00PM The smash-hit musical comedy brings the delirious world of Morticia, Uncle Fester, Wednesday and, of course, Lurch to life.

THE FAB FOUR

& JOHN HIATT

TUESDAY, FEB 4, 2014 AT 7:30PM Back by popular demand, this New York City wonder has mastered “vocal play,” music created solely from the human voice.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 19 AT 9AM

SATURDAY, MAR 1, 2014 AT 7:30PM 80’s icons sing their hits such as Lost in Love and All Out of Love.

SEASON SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Season Subscriptions close on October 10 at 5 pm

FOR SEASON TICKETS Contact the Fine Arts Center Box Office, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Phone 616.493.8966 | www.fhfineartscenter.com Single tickets on sale for Mary Chapin/Shawn Colvin on September 16, 2013 at 9am. Single tickets on sale for Lyle Lovett/John Hiatt on September 30, 2013 at 9am. All remaining single tickets on sale November 4, 2013 at 9am. Single tickets can be purchased in person only at the FAC Box Ofﬁce, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.

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Good times always happen around the

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art & design treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

“I make my own custom plates in-house from a light-sensitive plastic called photopolymer, which are exposed in a very similar way to screen printing. They allow me to take custom, digital designs and turn them into letterpress paper goods.” — Gracie Fenech

Fenech does apply some modern techniques to her printing. “I make my own custom plates in-house from a light-sensitive plastic called photopolymer, which are exposed in a very similar way to screen printing,” she explained. “They allow me to take custom, digital designs and turn them into letterpress paper goods.” Before Fenech rescued her press from a basement, it had spent years printing prayer cards and raffle tickets. “When I tried to explain to the gentleman I bought it from what I was planning to do with it, he was confused,” Fenech said with a chuckle. She is glad to be giving the huge cast-iron machine a new lease on life. “I had to spend a couple of months cleaning off a century of dry ink. We reassembled it on a pallet, so now it is much easier to move if needed.” The press has printed a plethora of business cards and a variety of invitations. The results are weighty and stylish. “I love it when I hand one of my business cards to someone and they actually ask if they can keep it,” Fenech said. Relying on word-of-mouth for marketing her business, Fenech said she has been contacted by customers in British Columbus and Australia. “I hope to keep spreading the word and staying busy,” she said, “Taking a step away from the computer to create something tangible has been the best thing ever.” Visit cargocollective.com/freshly Gr squeezed.

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GrandValley Valley State State University University presents Grand presents

Fall

Arts

CELEBRATION 2013

For more than 10 years, Grand Valley’s Fall Arts Celebration has featured many distinguished writers, poets, musicians, dancers, artists, and scholars of our time.

Enriching the Arts and Humanities in West West Michigan Michigan

Please join us this fall as the tradition continues with inspiring entertainment that is the hallmark of our signature events.

Art

Poetry

“Cyril Lixenberg: An Artist’s Journey” OPENING RECEPTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 5–7 P.M. ART GALLERY, PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ALLENDALE CAMPUS EXHIBITION DATES: AUGUST 23–NOVEMBER 1

Music

“Music from La Belle Époque: Chamber Music for Winds from Turn-of-the-Century Paris” MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 8 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ALLENDALE CAMPUS

Lecture

Laurie Garrett “I Heard the Sirens Scream”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 7 P.M. 2ND FLOOR, L.V. EBERHARD CENTER ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

Fall Arts events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited for these popular performances.

“An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Christian Wiman and Pattiann Rogers” FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 7 P.M. 2ND FLOOR, L.V. EBERHARD CENTER ROBERT C. PEW GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

Dance

“Memories of Summer — The American Identity in Dance” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 8 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ALLENDALE CAMPUS

Holiday Celebration

“A Very English Christmas: Music of the Season from the British Isles” MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 8 P.M. FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH 24 FOUNTAIN STREET NE GRAND RAPIDS, MI

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/fallarts or scan this code:

Grand Valley State University thanks the following sponsors for their generous support of Fall Arts Celebration 2013: Ginny Gearhart and the Gearhart Family Liesel and Hank Meijer • Elaine and Larry Shay Judy and Peter Theune

Media Sponsor:

John R. Hunting • Allendale Greatest Needs Fund of the Allendale Community Foundation

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art talk

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

tHInGs tO COnsIder:

> Composition, or visual organization, is central to a work of art. Roesen has carefully arranged the individual fruits. It’s hard to imagine removing even one element without changing the composition.

> Take note of the simple background and table top. Such simplicity works in effective balance with the complicated colors, surfaces and textures of the fruits, branches and leaves. > Step up and closely examine the painting. Notice how carefully the artist builds up the surface to create the illusion of the fruit. As you step back, note how all the individual brushstrokes conjoin to build the illusion of a grape, a plum or pear.

Still life with fruit tHe art OF tHe still life has been a staple of Western civilizations for more than two millennia. Fruits, flowers, breads and household objects described on canvas, in mosaic, on porcelain and even glass have delighted audiences since at least the Roman period and likely earlier. The 19th century German-American master Severin Roesen is part of that tradition and his “Still Life” in the permanent collection of the Muskegon Museum of Art is a wondrous scene to behold. The painting describes luscious grapes, peaches, plums and pears in detailed terms that both extol the fecundity of harvest and celebrate the art of painting. Born in Germany in 1816, he is believed to have trained as a porcelain painter — one of the most sought-after venues for painters in its day. He exhibited briefly in Germany before immigrating to the United States in 1848, spending most of his mature career in New York and Philadelphia. Here, emerging upper-middle-class audiences interested in tastefully furnishing their homes, as well as general audiences captivated by Roesen’s realistic painting technique, were drawn to his canvases. Though the New World art mar-

ket was rather limited until the end of the 19th century, by mid-century, traditional subjects such as portraits, landscapes and still life imagery were eagerly commissioned.

More than a mere delight for the eyes, the still life is often an essay on time and timelessness. For many the still life is a subject that delights the eye in terms of the technical abilities and illusionistic pursuits of the artist. Most examples of this genre also held symbolic meaning intended to be “read” by audiences of the period but often lost on later generations. In general, a masterwork like Roesen’s “Still Life” celebrates bounty and the fecundity of the natural world, and even of the United States as a kind of “new Eden.” But such works can also symbolically suggest celebrations of life, the transience of life, the passage of time, or even illustrate moral and religious values. More than a mere delight for the eyes, the still life is often an essay on time and timelessness. — JOSEPH A. BECHERER

photography Courtesy muskegoN museum of art

> Notice how the artist uses a rich array of colors — greens, reds and purple-blues — but also light and shadow.

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Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is proud to present â&#x20AC;&#x153;Designed to Winâ&#x20AC;? for ArtPrize 2013. Join us for this exciting exhibition of nine installations, starting September 3. Vote for all the artists during ArtPrize, September 18 through October 6. For more: kcad.edu/artprize. The Fed Galleries Woodbridge N. Ferris Building 17 Pearl Street NW

Photography Courtesy Muskegon Museum of Art

Gallery Hours, September 3 - September 17: Tuesday-Saturday 10a-5p ArtPrize Hours, September 18 - October 6: Monday-Saturday 10a-8p Sunday 10a-6p

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art & design treNds / people / iNNoVatioN / plaCes

JUstaGIrLbLOG.COm

Need furniture? Try hacking

Carey purchased a large china cabinet for less than $100 and transformed it into a dresser/hutch for her daughter’s bedroom.

Chris Carey knows it’s fun to think outside the box when furnishing a house.

for a space can be half the battle, but don’t let rules and traditional thinking get in the way of furnishing your home. Have fun with it and challenge yourself to think outside the box!

labor intensive than purchasing a new table, but it saved us hundreds of dollars and we now have a one-of-a-kind piece. It’s definitely a conversation starter. Furniture doesn’t have to be secondhand to be repurposed. I purchased a new writing desk knowing I probably wouldn’t be doing any writing on it. It fit my office well, where it serves as a sewing station. I could have searched for a sewing table, but they’re more expensive and bulkier. Something sleek and easy on the budget was perfect — even if it wasn’t made for sewing. — Chris Carey is a Rockford wife, mom, teacher and avid do-it-yourselfer who shares her home projects and decorating tips on her justagirlblog.com.

photography Courtesy Chris Carey

Buying new furniture can be pricey and it can be difficult to find just the right piece for the space you have. After countless hours shopping for furniture, I realized a dresser doesn’t have to be used in a bedroom and a workbench doesn’t have to be used in the garage. Decor is ever-changing so it’s fun to think a little differently when it comes to furnishing a home. There are countless new uses for pieces of furniture, from turning a dresser into a bathroom vanity to transforming a crib into a garden bench. It’s called hacking and it’s essentially repurposing furniture. If you’re not into DIYing, perhaps these ideas will help you think outside the box the next time you need furniture. Finding a dresser/ hutch for my daughter’s room was a daunting task so I went in a different direction. I shopped on Craigslist and found a china cabinet. It had the perfect amount of storage for her display items and enough drawers for clothes. For less than $100, I had found the ideal piece. Office furniture doesn’t have to mean large desks and filing cabinets. When looking for storage for my own office, I found a large dresser (in need of some TLC) for my supplies. It kept the room from looking too sterile, and it offered plenty of room for my items to stay hidden away. It’s a bonus that it looks great in the room! While this one might be a stretch for some, we used a pretty beat-up workbench for a console table in our living room. It required some alterations, but the good bones were there. It may be more

Knowing what will and will not work

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frame works

Architect Mark F. Miller is an urban designer at Nederveld, and has led the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

mOre abOUt sIGns: > Building signs play an integral role in our relationships to built environments by informing, advertising and inspiring us and by providing a human scale to the buildings and the businesses they service. Signs are essentially social elements rather than physical constructs because they identify a human activity, often communicate who is doing it and beckon us to the activity, thus forming a dialogue between people and buildings.

> Richmond Stamp Works

In Urban streetsCapes, signs are everywhere — projecting from building facades, painted on walls, and sometimes becoming the actual building skin, as in New York City’s Times Square. Signs provide critical interfaces between people and spaces while also promoting, advertising and identifying services, products and businesses. These artistic expressions allow a business owner to communicate with potential customers and assist in wayfinding within the city fabric. Signs are the signatures and symbols of shop owners and business people, reflecting not only the personality of the owner but also the character of the community. Historic signs can become landmarks, offering glimpses of vintage craftsmanship and past advertising techniques while marking points within our country’s development history. A type of sign that is emblematic of American inventiveness, creativity and marketing is the neon tube sign. Coming to the U.S. in 1923, neon signs reached their peak in the 1940s and 1950s, dotting the landscape from Los Angeles to New York City. These signs illuminated the night skies on diners, motels and other businesses with extravagant displays and iconic branding. Often referred to as “liquid fire,” the large lavish designs symbolized an era of optimism and commercialism. As both municipal sign codes and public tastes changed — and cheaper alternatives were invented — neon signs fell out of favor in the 1960s. Few of these vintage signs still exist, but

does not stop with cool neon signs. On the back of the building, a full-height, black-and-yellow sign covers the entire wall. Painted over the brick and straddling the building’s rear windows, it has the appearance of a mural. This vintage-inspired artwork advertises the company’s expertise and services in a larger-than-life way. It can be viewed from the alley behind the building.

one great example is still advertising a business in downtown Grand Rapids. With its vertical presence and streamlined shape, the Richmond Stamp Works sign at 26 Ionia Ave. SW still beckons customers in an elegant and hip way. The sign dramatically projects from the building’s understated facade, cantilevering over the sidewalk and announcing the name of the business to passersby. Its bright red and yellow appearance and sheer size provide a compelling advertising opportunity during the day. It’s also impressive at night, with its yellow neon tube glowing against the red sign surface. It offers a well-preserved example of mid20th century commercial art and an evocative nighttime experience. — MARK F. MILLER

photography by Jim gebbeN

Vintage ‘liquid ﬁre’

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2013

With great appreciation We gIve our humble thanks to those who made this year’s Design Home a wonderful success. Please look for the Design Home section in the December issue of Grand Rapids Magazine.

In collaboration with

Design Home 2013 Partners: All Condition Painting, Applause Catering & Events, Audio Video Interiors, Belden Brick & Supply, DeHamer Brothers Garden Center, Eikenhout, Engineered Protection Systems, Fox Brothers Company, Gerrit’s Appliance, Henry A. Fox Sales Co., Infiniti Custom Homes, James Hardie Building Products, Inc., Klingman’s Furniture, Modern Hardware, Ophoff Masonry, Overhead Door Company of Grand Rapids, Pascucci Marble & Granite, Phillip Elenbaas Millwork, Richards Kitchen and Bath Showroom, Rockford Floor Covering, Siegel Jewelers, The Lighting Corner, Top of the World Granite, Visbeen Architects, Wahlfield Drilling Co., Woodways Custom Cabinets

DesignHome_FP_09.13grm.indd 1

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Get ready for a season filled with music, dance, theater — and a little beat boxing. Fall is here, and with it comes a new harvest of live entertainment. Here’s your guide to the 2013-14 season, presented by the area’s performing arts organizations and its colleges and universities. For ticket information and venue addresses, see the websites.

Fall arts preview Actors’ Theatre presents two musicals and three contemporary plays for its 33rd season. Making its West Michigan premier is Terrence McNally’s award-winning production “Love! Valour! Compassion!” that follows the experiences of eight friends over a summer. The eclectic new musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” reimagines our seventh president as a contemporary rock star. Performs at Spectrum Theater. actorstheatregrandrapids.org

Sep. 19-28 — “Love! Valour! Compassion!” Dec. 12-21 — “Venus in Fur” Feb. 6-22 — “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” April 17-26 — “God of Carnage” June 5-14 — “Grey Gardens” Broadway Grand Rapids opens its 2013-2014 season with the Grand Rapids premiere of “Jersey Boys,” the rags-to-

Photography courtesy Broadway Grand Rapids

Broadway Grand Rapids performance “Sister Act”

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Dog Story Theater

riches story of pop music idols The Four Seasons. Also showing is the gritty update of “West Side Story” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Both shows combine iconic songs with new twists in material. Performs at DeVos Performance Hall. broadwaygrandrapids.com Oct. 1-6 — “Jersey Boys” Nov. 12-17 — “West Side Story” Dec. 26-29 — “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” Feb. 4-9 — “Sister Act” March 18-20 — “Mamma Mia!” April 22-27 — “The Wizard of Oz” Circle Theater presents five plays from May-Sept., along with a Summer Concert Series and Magic Circle performances for children. It concludes its 2013 theater season with the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd.” Performances take place in Aquinas Performing Arts Center. circletheatre.org Sep. 5-21 — “Sweeney Todd” Sep. 9 — Singers/Songwriters of the ’70s Sep. 16 — The Music of Webber & Rice

Mary Chapin Carpenter will perform at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Oct. 10

Nov. 23 – Aria Flame Jan. 30-March 2 – The Lake Effect Fringe Festival Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s diverse 2013-14 season kicks off with an acoustic set from folk-country favorite Mary Chapin Carpenter. Naturally 7, an R&B group specializing in extensive beatboxing, performs Feb. 4. The Australian soft-rock duo Air Supply closes the season in March. fhfineartscenter.com Oct. 10 — An Acoustic Evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin Oct. 30 — An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Jan. 26 — “Addams Family the Musical” Feb. 4 — Naturally 7 March 1 — Air Supply

Photography by Tim Motley (top); Forest Hills Fine Arts center (middle); Circle Theater (bottom)

Oct. 25-27 & Oct. 31-Nov. 2 — “Dracula” Dec. 13-15 & 20-22 — “The Nutcracker” (DeVos) Feb. 14-16 & 21-23 — “Rubies” March 28-30, April 25-27 — “Movemedia” May 2-4 — “Beauty and the Beast” (Junior Company) May 9-11 & 16-18 — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Grand Rapids Ballet will open the sea-

Dog Story Theater is a volunteer-run venue for comedy improv (including Pop Scholars), plays, music and more. Stark Turn Players will perform the Halloween spoof “Children of the Corny” in October. The 2nd annual Lake Effect Fringe Festival — performer-focused theater in a nontraditional theater space — will occupy the month of February. dogstorytheater.com

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is one of the largest community theaters in the country. Its upcoming season features seven performances new to the GRCT stage, including drama, comedy, musicals and family-friendly shows. The season begins with the mystery “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure.” Family favorites “The Sound of Music” and “Disney’s Camp Rock” promise familiar tunes, while the West Michigan premiere of “Clybourne Park” caters to mature audiences. Performs at Meijer Majestic Theater. grct.org

Sep 18-22 & 25-29 – “Angels in America” (Southside Theater) Oct. 2-6 – Bellydance Grand Rapids Oct. 16-20 – “The Tempest” (Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company) Oct. 23-27 – “Children of the Corny” (Stark Turn Players) Nov. 13-17 – Cangue League Performance Troupe

Sept. 6-21 — “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” Oct. 18-27 — “The Giver” Nov. 15-Dec. 15 — “The Sound of Music” Jan. 17-Feb. 2 — “Clybourne Park” Feb. 28-March 23 — “Les Miserables” April 18-27 — “Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells & Batman Smells” (children’s musical) May 30-June 15 — “9 to 5 The Musical”

Circle Theater

Photography courtesy Broadway Grand Rapids

son with “Dracula,” featuring updated scenery and projections. Its Movemedia series in March and April will again bring brand-new contemporary choreography to the stage. The season closes with the world premiere of Olivier Wevers’ “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” based on Shakespeare’s best-loved comedic play. Performs at Peter Martin Wege Theatre, except for “The Nutcracker.” grballet.com

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Grand Rapids Civic Theatre performances

July 25-Aug. 3 — “Disney’s Camp Rock The Musical” (summer repertory) July 25-Aug. 3 — “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe” (children’s drama) Grand Rapids Symphony has a full season of offerings in several musical genres, including many guest artists and special performances. Concert series include Classical, Coffee Classics, Pops and SymphonicBoom. In February, GRS presents “The Music of the Rolling Stones,” enhanced by the lush sounds of the orchestra. “Pixar In Concert” will include clips of animated favorites including “Toy Story” and “Up.” grsymphony.org Sept. 20-21 — The Rite of Spring at 100 Sept. 27-29 — Boston Pops Tribute Oct. 5 — Musical Visions Oct. 11-12 — Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Oct. 13 — Percussion Explosion Oct. 19 — Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Oct. 25-26 — Mozart and Schubert Nov. 8-10 — Pixar in Concert

March 1 — Symphony with Soul March 14-15 — Symphonic Dances March 21-23 — Symphony Idol with Matt Giraud, Lakisha Jones and Haley Scarnato March 22 — The Snowman March 28-29 – Bach’s St. Matthew Passion March 30 — Orchestra from Planet X with Magic Circle Mime Company April 5 — Musical Connections April 25 — Romantic Coffee Concert May 2-3 — Brilliant Beethoven May 16-18 — Glenn Miller Orchestra Heritage Theatre Group stages timeless classics, from Shakespeare to Wilde to Chekhov. Performances take place at various Grand Rapids venues and the season runs spring through fall. HTG will announce its 2014 season by Thanksgiving. heritagetheatregr.org

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Photography courtesy Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (top); grand rapids ballet (middle); Jewish Theatre grand rapids (bottom)

Nov. 15 — Classical Coffee Concert Nov. 22-23 — Mozart’s Requiem Dec. 5-8 — Nestle Gerber Holiday Pops Dec. 17-19 —Cirque de Noel with Cirque de la Symphonie Jan. 10-11 — Brahms’ First Symphony Jan. 17-19 — ’60s Hits with The Midtown Men Jan. 25 — “Peter and the Wolf” Jan. 31-Feb. 1 — Russian Masters Feb. 8 — Music, Art, Dance Feb. 14 — Baroque Coffee Concert Feb. 15 — The Music of The Rolling Stones Feb. 21-22 — Hadelich Plays Brahms

Grand Rapids Ballet

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Opera Grand Rapids performance of “Madama Butterfly”

St. Cecilia Music Center opens the season with its annual fundraiser, the Great Artist Gala, with world-renowned jazz musicians David Sanborn (sax) and Bob James (piano). SCMC’s second year in partnership with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings in an exciting chamber series, including David Finckel and a premiere of work by composer Zhou. Its Jazz Series continues with three performances, and its Fresh Folk series featuring Michigan musicians rounds out the season. scmc-online.org

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids features productions that include universally appealing Jewish themes. Its season closes with “Driving Miss Daisy,” the endearing tale of the relationship between an aging Jewish widow and her chauffeur. Performs at Spectrum Theater. jtgr.org Photography courtesy Opera GRand Rapids (middle); Grand Rapids Symphony (bottom)

Photography courtesy Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (top); grand rapids ballet (middle); Jewish Theatre grand rapids (bottom)

Oct. 24 — Great Artist Gala with David Sanborn and Bob James Nov. 7 — Rachael & Dominic Davis and Troll for Trout (folk) Nov. 21 — Wu Han and the Escher String Quartet (CMSLC) Jan. 9 — Drew Nelson, Jen Sygit, Josh Rose, Mark Sala, Jimmie Stagger and May Erlewine (folk)

Oct. 17-27 — “The Whipping Man” Jan. 8-19 — “The Milliner” March 20-30 — “Driving Miss Daisy” Master Arts Theatre offers four productions for its 2013-2014 season, opening with the musical “Oliver!” based on the Dickens’ classic “Oliver Twist.” Also showing is the powerful drama “Stand and Deliver,” the true story of teacher Jaime Escalante who inspires his East Los Angeles students to learn calculus against all odds. Performs at 75 77th St. SW. master arts.org

Sept. 12-Oct. 5 — “Oliver!” Nov. 21-Dec. 14 — “It’s a Wonderful Life” Feb. 13-March 1 — “Stand and Deliver” April 24-May 17— “Leaving Iowa”

Classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen will perform at Grand Rapids Symphony Jan. 31-Feb. 1

Opera Grand Rapids is Michigan’s longest running professional opera company and aims to offer West Michigan a fresh operatic experience for its upcoming season. The modern take on “A Streetcar Named Desire” is performed in English. Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” will be performed at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center in March, offering an intimate experience for attendees. Other performances at DeVos Performance Hall. operagr.com Nov. 1-2 — “A Streetcar Named Desire” March 7-8 — “The Abduction from the Seraglio” (EGR PAC) May 9-10 — “Madama Butterfly” September 2013 / Grmag.com 47

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Showing at a campus near you Local colleges and universities showcase students and guest artists in music, dance and theater performances. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up. and instrumental groups take place during the school year. Senior dance students perform in November and April; music and dance faculty present a contemporary dance concert in December and April. gvsu.edu Regina Carter preforms at St. Cecilia Music Center

Jan. 23 — Homecoming with the Davis and Brewer Family (jazz) Feb. 20 — Gregory Porter (jazz) March 6 — David Finckel (CMSLC) March 20 — Regina Carter (jazz) April 10 — Potato Moon and The Northern Skies (folk) May 8 — Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and the U.S. premiere of work by Zhou (CMSLC)

Oct. 3-6 — “Nickel and Dimed” Dec. 5-8 —“Book of Days” Feb. 20-23 — “Austentatious” April 10-13 — “Cyrano De Bergerac” CALVIN COLLeGe’s music department ensembles, including the orchestra, capella, wind ensemble, gospel choir, symphonic band and others, put on free concerts throughout the school year. The theater department’s first performance is “An Ideal Husband” by Oscar Wilde. calvin.edu Nov. 7-9 — “An Ideal Husband” Feb. 6-8 — “Into the Woods Jr.” April 10-12, 24-26, 29-30 — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” COrNerStONe UNIVerSItY’s music ensembles perform at various venues around the community. Its theater department starts its season with the comedy/horror rock musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” Shows take place in Matthews Auditorium. cornerstone.edu/ theatre Nov. 15-23 — “Little Shop of Horrors” Feb. 7-16 — “Little Women” April 3-13 (2014) — “Black Comedy” GrAND rApIDS COmmUNItY COLLeGe’s theater department, the GRCC Players, presents three plays at Spectrum Theater. Student music ensembles — from orchestras and choirs to vocal jazz, mariachi and percussion — perform throughout the school year. grcc.edu Nov. 21-23 – “A Sleeping Country” Feb. 27-March 1 – “ Jump/Cut” (Lab Space/Black Box, Rm. 201) May 15-17 – “Hat Pin” (with GRCC Music Department) GrAND VALLeY StAte UNIVerSItY begins its theater season with its annual Shakespeare Festival. Musical performances by a large selection of vocal

GVSU presents “Memories of Summer: The American Identity in Dance” Nov. 4, choreographed by Lauren Edson.

Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 3-5 — “Much Ado About Nothing” Oct. 25, 26, 27 — “Beyond Therapy” Nov. 4 – “Memories of Summer: The American Identity in Dance” (part of Fall Arts Celebration) Nov. 15-16 and 21-22 — “Kindertransport” Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1. — “Amahl and the Night Visitors” Jan. 31, Feb.1 — “Urinetown, The Musical” March 28-29 and April 3-5 — “Sex and the Supernatural” HOpe COLLeGe kicks off its theater season with “Oh, The Humanity” by Will Eno. Music and dance performances take place throughout the school year. Hope’s Great Performances Series presents six special guest artists (see website). hope. edu

Van Singel Fine Arts Center fires up for its 2013-14 season with the Johnny Cash tribute “Ring of Fire”: Sixteen singers and musicians will perform 34 of his most iconic songs. “The Wonder Bread Years,” a oneman show starring Pat Hazell, is a salute to baby boomers and Jerry Seinfeld claims it’s “milk-snorting funny.” vsfac.com Sept. 19 — “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” Oct. 17 — “Broadway Rox” Nov. 21 — “The Wonder Bread Years” Jan. 24 — The Hit Men, music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s March 20 & 21 — “Church Basement Ladies” April 24 — Glenn Bulthuis & the Tonedeafs “The Music of the Beatles” May 2 — “Cool Jazz” featuring Wycliffe Gordon — COMPILED BY HEATHER ROWAN

PhotoGraPhy courtesy st. cecilia music center (toP); mccallum theatre/ Jack hartin (middle); van sinGel Fac (Bottom)

AQUINAS COLLeGe’s music department offers free performances throughout the year. Its theater department performs four plays during the school year, opening with “Nickel and Dimed” by Joan Holden, a play investigating the impact of the 1996 welfare reform act on America’s working class. Plays are performed in the Aquinas Performing Arts Center. aquinas.edu

Oct. 4-5, 9-12 — “Oh, The Humanity” Nov. 15-16, 20-23— “The Playboy of the Western World” Feb. 14-15, 19-22 — “Middletown” April 11-12, 16-18, 19 — “As you Like It” — COMPILED BY EMMA HIGGINS

Van Singel Fine Arts Center “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash”

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Photography courtesy St. Cecilia music center (top); McCallum Theatre/ Jack Hartin (middle); Van Singel FAC (bottom)

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Merriam-Webster defines “art” as a skill acquired by experience, study or observation. During this month when art takes center stage in Grand Rapids, we want to highlight a few of the people whose skills are inspirational. Graphic designer Stephen Frykholm is best known for his innovative and awardwinning work for Herman Miller. But the story behind his award-winning Picnic Posters is the one that piques our interest. Over two decades, he designed 20 posters for the company’s annual summer picnic, several of which are now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Christian Gaines has vast experience leading major international film festivals and working with artists and technology — all skills that will help in his new role as executive director of ArtPrize. Gaines also was an executive at IMDb.com, where he oversaw the global expansion of withoutabox.com, a submissions platform that connects filmmakers to more than a thousand film festivals worldwide. Kathryn Chaplow is an interior designer whose projects include the recent renovation of the historic McKay Tower ballroom in downtown Grand Rapids. She’s also an arts volunteer serving as president of the board of the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. Under her leadership, the organization is taking steps to become economically stable while attracting a whole new audience of art lovers. Lisa Rose Starner is passionate about the art of food and has established a reputation as an urban gardener, forager, herbalist and teacher. Her book, “Grand Rapids Food: A Culinary Revolution,” challenges people to join the local food movement “and become part of this powerful force to help change our community one fork at a time.” Enjoy their stories.

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Photography by michael buck

New ArtPrize executive director Christian Gaines wants Grand Rapids to become a “hotbed of creativity.” Get Christian Gaines talking about his background and you’ll understand why Rick DeVos snatched up this former Angeleno to serve as executive director of ArtPrize. “When people ask me where I’m from, they often get a story longer than they bargained for,” said Gaines. “It’s not a quick explanation I can give in passing.” His longwinded back story starts in Belgium where he was born to American parents working in Europe. Gaines spent most of his childhood in the United Kingdom, returning to the U.S. to attend Vassar College. Then he moved to Los Angeles to chase a career in the music industry. That morphed into working in film — specifically, film festivals — and more traveling, from L.A. to Hawaii. Most recently, he was an executive at IMDb.com, where he caught the attention of the ArtPrize founder. “There are a few things that made Christian stand out,” DeVos said. “First, he is a business development specialist with more than two decades of experience in staff management and fundraising with technology services companies and major film festivals — specifically, his experience managing the American Film Institute’s festival system and his work at IMDb/Amazon’s withoutabox.com. He also connected well with the board and staff during early meetings.” In April, Gaines moved to Grand Rapids for the new role. “When I was recruited for the ArtPrize position and started to learn more about it, the more I understood how cool the opportunity would be,” he said. “I have a love of creating great places for artists to do their best work. I’m excited to honor and celebrate the courage artists show in their decision to become artists in the first place. I want to make sure they know Grand Rapids is a hospitable place for them.”

Not only does Gaines have the personal diversification and cultural experience to thrust ArtPrize onto an even bigger stage, the man knows how to run a successful festival. He has worked for the Sundance Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival; he held the director of festivals role at the American Film Institute of Los Angeles; and he managed a major film festival in Hawaii. “My background is in the film festival business working with different artists, managing submissions and selections, and handling the solicitation process,” he said. “I have a tech background, too, which informed me for my current role at ArtPrize.” Gaines moved his wife and two teenagers to Grand Rapids for the position. His role with ArtPrize is one of many moving parts where he balances his liaison work to the artists’ and audience’s expectations. “There are a lot of parallels that can be drawn from the film festival world to ArtPrize,” he said. “A lot of it is development work, finding corporate sponsors, marketing, production and publicity.” Bigger picture, Gaines hopes to take ArtPrize’s four-year momentum and blow it up to even grander proportions. “My first goal is to not screw anything up,” he said. “I want to take the dramatic accomplishments of ArtPrize — the amount of artists that participate, year-overyear audience growth, global attention, and fame and respect amongst other arts organizations — to the next level.” Part of his strategy is a diversification project. As ArtPrize has grown, it has attracted artists and attendees from farther and farther away. Gaines hopes to implement funding and strategy to increase that diversification to benefit the artists, audience and ArtPrize, in general. “Travel and freight costs — or

even the cost of living in Grand Rapids to work on an installment — is expensive for artists,” he said. “I’d like to look into national and international grant and foundation funding to make ArtPrize more of an international event, both in terms of artist and audience.” Gaines’ tech background should enhance the event for local fans, as well. Some new elements will enhance the old ArtPrize app. “Internally, we’ve developed more engagement tools with audience voting as the centerpiece,” he said. “There’s a better mapping function to better navigate between venues, for instance.” New functionality to the ArtPrize website will improve the experience for fans and artists. This year, new purchasing and communication functionality on the site will help connect potential buyers with the artists directly. Beyond this year, Gaines is eager to make significant — but not necessarily sweeping — strides. “Stronger rather than bigger is the mantra. That means making sure ArtPrize is accessible for artists farther away and also making the framework itself as elegant, streamlined and intuitive as we can,” Gaines said. “We’ll continue to make tweaks, but in terms of big sweeping changes, I’m not quite there yet.” His idea of reaching out to a wider geographic area for participating ArtPrize artists is as thrilling as having global visionaries, like him, settle in West Michigan. The way he talks about his new town makes it obvious he’s happy to be here. “Grand Rapids and West Michigan is the global headquarters for iconic design concepts like Steelcase, Herman Miller and Hayworth,” he said. “I really want to draw attention to the region itself as a hot bed of creativity. We have a fascinating story to tell and we’ve only begun to — Dana Blinder tell it.” September 2013 / Grmag.com 51

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Kathryn Chaplow is dressed for success — but not in a dark tailored suit. Her ruffled orange dress and black leggings, loafers with a hint of sparkle and artfully chosen gold bangles combine to give the interior designer a stylish yet approachable look. “I really love fashion,” she admits with a smile and a toss of her bouncy red curls. “Fashion influences what I do.” The Tennessee native launched a design company in Grand Rapids eight years ago, starting with residential properties and gradually taking on larger commercial projects. Chaplow also has played a key role in the city’s art community, serving as president of the board of Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and overseeing dramatic changes to the nonprofit organization. On this summer day, Chaplow was conducting a private tour of the Ballroom at McKay in downtown Grand Rapids, one of her recent projects. “I’d never designed anything this public,” she said, entering the spacious second floor of McKay Tower that housed Grand Rapids National Bank in the early 1900s. “It’s such a special place. I really felt a sense of responsibility to be true to the architecture yet make it appealing to a broad market.” Working with architect Richard Craig and Owen-Ames-Kimball builders, Chaplow and her team consulted on the layout, design and all the finishes — from the dimmable chandeliers to the customcolored broadloom carpet. She points out numerous features, such as the moveable bar in the ballroom, the locally made draperies and the wine storage in the old bank vault. In the kitchen, high-end equipment is perched on wheels to accommodate a variety of caterers. “There was a lot of attention to the materials and details,” she said. The same can be said of her

other projects, including the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in the Women’s Health Center and the Barrel Back Restaurant on Walloon Lake. She’s collaborating with Jefferey Hunt to design the interior of the $13.8 million Metro Health Surgical Center planned for southeast Grand Rapids. When she and her husband, Chris, moved to Grand Rapids in 1995 from her Nashville hometown, Chaplow worked at Klingman’s Furniture. “I got to know the area and learn about the history of furniture in Grand Rapids,” she said. “We sold some beautiful locally made lines, like Baker, Kindel and Widdicomb.” After four years, she went to work for Rock Kauffman Design, until her first son was born in 2005. “That’s when I decided to open my own business out of my home.” Initially, homes were her main focus. Though she tailors each project to her clients, she has built a reputation for her use of color. “I’m comfortable with a lot of different styles and color palettes,” she said. “But color has become my signature.” Also important are personal accents. “The client’s belongings are what really make a room special — the books, the artwork, the mementos and collections. Those quirky objects are the things that take a room beyond beautiful to becoming special and having a story to tell.” Many of her clients have two residences, a city house and a lake house — a Michigan tradition she discovered after moving to Grand Rapids. “I do a lot of cottages,” said Chaplow, who juggles design work with raising Calvin, 8, and Oliver 5. “When we were new here, I’d hear about cottages and I never really understood the culture until I stayed with a client in her 100-yearold lake home — a special place steeped in memories.” Early in her career, Chaplow

says she was inspired by visits to the UICA. “I’m very passionate about local art and especially UICA,” she said. “I attended events and would bump into interesting people. It helped me build a creative network.” She started volunteering for the organization, helping with fundraising events. Seven years ago, Chaplow accepted a position on the board and for the past two years she has served as board president. Chaplow has watched the organization go through what she describes as a long haul of ups and downs, from moving into a nifty new building to losing its executive director. What’s more, UICA has skirted with financial disaster. “The organization has been very stressed,” she said. “I think what we want to do is re-engage the community. It’s been very difficult to focus on that top priority because we’ve been so focused on financial issues. But everyone has fought to keep it alive, and we’re very determined and excited to protect the creative and artistic integrity.” The board recently hired Miranda Krajniak as interim executive director, who in turn hired Alexander Paschka as exhibitions curator, the first full-time staff curator in UICA’s 36-year history. “People are going to see new things at UICA that they’ve never seen before,” Chaplow said. “Literally, Miranda is restructuring and rewriting the way things will work. I know there are people who are sentimental about the old UICA. But there is a huge audience for contemporary art in West Michigan. We want to reach the thousands of people who don’t know what UICA is.” For instance, UICA has partnered with Kendall College of Art & Design for this year’s Odd Ball Sept. 14. Chaplow said the arts organization will introduce more fashion and design elements. And that, of course, is right up her alley. — Marty Primeau

Photography by michael buck

Kathryn Chaplow is a colorful interior designer and arts advocate overseeing changes at the UICA.

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“The client’s belongings are what really make a room special — the books, the artwork, the mementos and collections. Those quirky objects are the things that take a room beyond beautiful to becoming special and having a story to tell.”

Learn more about her design business at kathrynchaplow.com. For more info on UICA, visit uica.org.

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“I didn’t know about the picnic. I said, ‘Picnic? OK, I’ll give it a shot.’” The next day, Frykholm came in, placed an ear of corn in his mouth and said two words to his colleague, designer Paul Mitchell: “Draw me.”

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Photography by michael buck

Herman Miller’s creative director Steve Frykholm reflects on his long career: “It’s been a blast.” Getting stuck in an elevator with Steve Frykholm wouldn’t be a bad thing. Behind his generous salt-andpepper beard he wears a smile that immediately puts you at ease. And if fate would have you trapped for a long time, he has interesting tales to entertain you. A born storyteller, his distinctly Midwestern voice, made of equal parts kindness and confidence, captivates with its twists and turns. He lets long spaces fall between words and phrases — not in marked attempts to emphasize but rather because he seems to lose himself in his recollections. For more than four decades, Frykholm has used his storytelling abilities to craft the visual identity of West Michigan furniture giant Herman Miller. As the company’s first in-house designer, he was hired in 1970 to give a face to the company through everything from promotional materials to internal communications. But Frykholm will tell you he never expected his run with the company to last so long. “I’d had enough of the Midwest,” he said. The Kansas native received his BFA in advertising art from Bradley University in Illinois and a master’s degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit. “I really wanted to be on the East Coast or the West Coast — I didn’t care,” he said. “But I had an offer to work at Herman Miller and I said …” He paused. “Boy, it’s got a good reputation. It’d be a nice springboard … get some experience …” (another pause). “It’s been a blast.” Frykholm is now creative director and vice president of the company, though he describes himself as “just a graphic designer.” He said he’s contemplated what his life would have been like had it taken another route — perhaps something more akin to the hit TV show “Mad Men.” “I’ve often wondered if designers in advertising agencies might have more fun. Their work is a lot more ephemeral,” he said, quickly adding, “Not that mine isn’t. All of the work

graphic designers do, no matter how emotionally attached we get or how great we think they are, it’s not going to last forever.” Somewhat contrary to Frykholm’s finite view of his work, a series of posters he created for Herman Miller’s annual picnic has been placed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He calls the “Picnic Posters” one of his favorite projects, and when he tells the story of the first one, it’s clear the work holds a special place for him. “I didn’t know about the picnic,” he said. He had only been working for the company a couple of weeks when he was asked to design a poster for the annual picnic, which was to have a “sweet corn festival” theme. “I said, ‘Picnic? OK, I’ll give it a shot.’” The next day, Frykholm came in, placed an ear of corn in his mouth and said two words to his colleague, designer Paul Mitchell: “Draw me.” The duo came up with a 29-by-39inch screenprint of an ear of corn between two rows of teeth, a Lilliputian view of the Midwestern symbol. Each year, Frykholm built upon the theme, creating 20 picnic posters in all. “I never dreamed I’d do 20,” he said. “There was something I liked about these things, so I kept going.” He said perhaps it was the autonomy he possessed when working on them. “Nobody checked on what I was doing. They were mine.” Each poster was done in the Pop-Art style made famous by Andy Warhol. The idea to screen print each design came from Frykholm’s background as a teacher in an all-girls training school in Nigeria. Of course, there’s a story about how he wound up there. It was 1964 and Frykholm was in his junior year of college. He was on his way to get a cup of coffee when he noticed a room full of exotic photographs of faraway places. It was an informational session for the Peace Corps. “The recruiter was in the room giving kids the sales pitch, and it didn’t take much for me,” he said. Frykholm signed up and six weeks later was on his way to the

University of California Berkeley for his first training session. “That’s when I fell in love with the West Coast,” he said, his voice trailing off. He goes on to talk about the second summer of Peace Corps training he received, which landed him in the dormitories of Morehouse and Spelman colleges, historically black schools in Atlanta, Ga. “Martin Luther King was still preaching and stuff. It was cool — 1965. That was a wonderful experience,” he said. Frykholm taught for two years in Nigeria and said the experience did wonders for his self-confidence. “Suddenly, I was this solo white guy teaching in an all-black school,” he explained. “I was living in a big city though, which fit me nicely.” He says he would’ve stayed for an additional year, but was forced to evacuate the country when a civil war broke out. “It got pretty nasty. I left the country with what I packed in a suitcase.” When he returned to the U.S., he went to grad school at Cranbrook where he found himself surrounded by a myriad of designers in various disciplines. They worked closely together, which Frykholm said really opened his eyes to other forms of design. He often derives inspiration from others who cross his path. “I’m always learning — it’s all the time. It’s who you know, who you talk to, what you listen to,” said the self-described NPR junkie. Frykholm also has a penchant for the ballet and served on the board of Grand Rapids Ballet for 10 years. “I think our ballet company is one of the best tickets in town,” he said. GRB artistic director Patricia Barker says of Frykholm, “Steve’s energy is contagious. His sunny disposition and witty sense of humor, along with that great beard and twinkling eyes, always brings a smile to my face.” When asked how he continues to come up with new ways to express ideas year after year, he says, “I’m just lucky I like to try new things.” — Alexandra Fluegel September 2013 / Grmag.com 55

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Local food advocate and author Lisa Rose Starner discovered the art of eating while studying in France.

“Getting kids to try new foods and learning to cook will change the future of the world. This isn’t just ‘nice.’ It’s so important.” — Lisa Rose Starner teaching children about gardening, cooking, tasting new foods and the process of ecology — a program that later merged with Blandford Nature Center. “People would say, ‘It’s so nice that you want to garden with kids,” she said. “They didn’t get the idea that getting kids to try new foods and learning to cook will change the future of the world. This isn’t just ‘nice.’ It’s so important.” Starner also spent nearly two years as director of Blandford, overseeing the transition to become a nonprofit. It was gratifying, but also overwhelming. “I was fried,” she said. “I had two young children and I was spending 70 hours at work and making raw cheese at 2 in the morning. My husband was in Africa and I was turning 30.” She left Blandford to concentrate on The Urban Ranch, the mid-century modern homestead where Starner and her husband, Seth, live with their son and daughter. The acre of land on GR’s west side features more than 70 plants used for organic food and herbal remedies.

Last year The History Press asked her to write about the food movement in Grand Rapids as part of its American Palette series. Armed with 12 years of relationships and stories she’d seen and been a part of, she interviewed everyone from entrepreneurs to home chefs. “People who have witnessed the changes and the difficulties,” she explained. “It’s messy work.” With one book published, Starner is working on “The ReWilded Kitchen: A Forager’s Guide to Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest,” scheduled for a summer 2014 release by Timber Press. She wants city dwellers to realize how easy it is to find nutritional plants no matter where they live. Her goal is to grow a grassroots health care system based on the practices of traditional plant medicine. “I did a walk in the Baxter community with a group of women to show residents that nature is all around us,” she said. “By the end, little kids were joining us and asking, ‘Can you eat that?’ and ‘Look at the crazy lady eating flowers.’ I loved it.”

— Marty Primeau

Photography by johnny Quirin

Standing outside MadCap Coffee in downtown Grand Rapids, Lisa Rose Starner plucked leaves from a tree and popped them in her mouth. The Michigan native, who has spent years foraging in woods and fields and advocating for local food, didn’t seem to notice people were staring as she explained how American linden trees can be used for medicinal purposes. “Try one,” she said, still munching the greenery. “It’s sweet. You can collect the flower heads and bracts and dry them for tea. It’s super cooling.” Starner believes all plants everywhere are important to wellness. “In my urban garden there are the plants that I fuss with and nurture,” said Starner, whose Burdock & Rose business offers a small herbal CSA and classes about edible and medicinal wild plants, herbalism and foraging. “But then there are those wild plants that will push up and push through. Other gardeners find it frustrating. I find it delightful.” Her passion for plants and food as a way to positively impact health has led to a variety of projects, from teaching children how to grow vegetables to blogging about the food movement in Grand Rapids. “Food touches all aspects of our lives, from social to the environment, human health and local economy,” she said. Back inside the coffee shop, where just a few days earlier she was signing copies of her book, “Grand Rapids Food: A Culinary Revolution,” Starner talked about how food has become her passion. Growing up in Spring Lake, Starner said she learned foraging from her mother, a gardener who hunted for morels and who canned seasonal fruits and veggies. She majored in anthropology at Grand Valley State University and spent a year studying in Nice, France, an experience that introduced her to the art of eating. “In France, it’s not just about the food,” she said. “It’s the conversation, the ambience. And I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is what we’re missing.’ It’s a café culture where things slow down and people are happier.” Back in the U.S., she worked in the wine industry in Napa Valley and volunteered at the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, Calif., founded by famed chef Alice Waters. “That changed my world,” she said. “It was very profound.” When she returned to Michigan, she worked on an organic farm in Leelenau with a goal of promoting the state’s diverse crops. In 2003, Starner started Mixed Greens, 56 Grmag.com \ September 2013

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Layers of fall fashion Photography and story by Adam Bird Styling by Kev Couture

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This is the season of possibility for devotees of high heels or open-toed shoes. Winter takes away all of the cute shoes, so fall is the time to take out the heels and jeans.

all is a tricky time of year to dress, because it’s warm and sunny in the afternoon yet cool and breezy at night. The solution for temperature extremes is to rely on light, simple layers. For women, a sweater, light jacket or cardigan with a tee can frame the body nicely — and be taken on and off at whim. Jeans are almost always a staple, but nice cotton trousers are worth a try. Allow yourself to be surprised with what you can come up with. Don’t be afraid to play with colors or patterns. This is the season of possibility for devotees of high heels or open-toed shoes. Winter takes away all of the cute shoes, so fall is the time to take out the heels and jeans. Scarves are a great way to accessorize, adding another layer and lots of interest. For the gentleman, never underestimate the value of a good pair of quality leather shoes with any pair of trousers you own. Try a great pair of colored jeans paired with light colored dress shoes. Blazers are back, and they’re not your father’s blazer. These slim cut jackets are flattering to most profiles. Solid colors are GR pretty easy to match.

Left: Lexi Harrington wears a faux fur/sweater vest. On page 57, she pairs dark jeans with an Aztec print sweater. All items from Sydney’s Boutique, 1479 Lake Drive SE in Eastown. Facing page: Dakota Shayne models a burnt orange shirt and pants by A Tiziano and carries a trench coat, all from Gentleman Fashion, 2407 Eastern Ave. SE. His Cat shoes are from The Wolverine Company Store inside MoDiv, 40 Monroe St. NW.

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Pictured clockwise: Thai Crab Cakes with aioli sauce and greens, and fresh garden tomatoes Napoleon with house-made mozzarella, Thai pesto and balsamic drizzle. Chefs Kumar Schwab and Jody Greenier grill chicken and asparagus for an outdoor event. Bartender Dee Taylor mixes a martini.

Formerly Thornapple Village Inn and Thornapple Daily Grill, a Gilmore Collection eatery for three decades, the space was overhauled and reopened as Bistro Chloe Elan last year by Christine Gill.

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PhotoGraPhy by michaeL buck (PaGes 60-61)

Fine dining in Ada unLeSS you’re LooKing for Bistro Chloe Elan, tucked back along the Thornapple River in the village of Ada, it’s easy to miss. It’s situated off Ada Drive SE behind a sizeable parking lot. But once you step inside, the atmosphere is contemporary yet welcoming. Just beyond the U-shaped bar is a lounge area with sofa seating and a serene view of the deck, lawn and river. Formerly Thornapple Village Inn and Thornapple Daily Grill, a Gilmore Collection eatery for three decades, the space was overhauled and reopened as Bistro Chloe Elan last year by Christine Gill. When we called for reservations, we were given a choice of two dining areas: one casual and the other a tad dressier. Opting for the latter, we were seated in an airy room with a marble fireplace and contemporary lighting. Our waiter was pleasant and helpful, especially as we debated which wine to order. He informed us it was Wine Wednesday, so all bottles under $100 were half price. The list was impressive, ranging from pricey reserve bottles to a nice selection from boutique wineries. We chose a cab from Goldschmidt Wineries, normally a $70 bottle. Chloe Elan also features a full bar and more than a dozen happy hour appetizers, including Pork Slider Trio, Lounge Frites and Tempura Cheese Curds, all priced at $7. As we sipped wine, we munched Thai Crab Cakes ($14) from the “share” menu. Three healthy-sized cakes were nicely seasoned, packed with Maryland lump crabmeat and accompanied by mixed greens and lemongrass aioli. On a second visit, however, the cakes tasted as if they’d been reheated and had lost their flavor and crispiness. The share menu also includes Tuna Tartare, Grilled Tenderloin Kabobs and an Artisan Cheese Plate ($12) — local cheeses from The Cheese Lady. On another visit, we tried the thyme-infused vodka martini, which was refreshing. Some of our group tried the Pork Slider Trio. The minibuns were not remarkable, but the pulled-pork fillings in three flavors were interesting. For the salad course, my companion chose a Wedge ($11). While the classic version starts with a hunk of iceberg, Chloe Elan’s is a pile of baby Bibb lettuce with bacon, Roquefort and creamy garlic dressing. I went with the beet salad ($9): roasted beets, mixed greens and a sprinkling of goat cheese, pistachios and dried cranberries, topped with a pear vinaigrette. Our server brought warm focaccia bread with olive

oil for dipping. Sadly, it tasted stale. Other salad options included small mixed greens ($5) and Soba Noodle Salad ($14) with arctic char, asparagus, avocado, spinach and soy vinaigrette. Shrimp, char or chicken can be added to any salad for an extra charge. Soups ($7) were Butternut Crab Bisque and French Onion. Main course options included interesting choices such as grilled bison, sautéed barramundi, Asian-style pork chops, blackened snapper and grilled portabella. Chef Setterington, who describes himself as a “five-ingredient-or-less kind of guy because I want you to taste the primary flavor of a really good product,” believes in sustainability, so there are no over-fished species on the menu and all ingredients come from sustainable farms. My companion ordered the filet ($32) with an au poivre sauce. He prefers his meat cooked medium well and was pleased to see the kitchen had butterflied the steak, which was cooked to perfection. He wolfed down the grilled asparagus (al dente) and truffle mashed potatoes, as well. I opted for the Shrimp Scampi ($22) served with herb pappardelle in a classic scampi sauce (light, not cloying) with broccoli, roasted garlic and bacon. The shrimp were plump and beautifully sautéed. Never ones to skip dessert, we split the lemon tart ($8). While flavorful, the crust seemed a bit hard. As we ate, a local band provided live music in the lounge — thankfully, not too loud and providing a pleasant backdrop to the dining experience. The restaurant hosts a variety of special events, including a summer concert series and themed events year round. The one glitch in this upscale restaurant is the text decorating a wall in the dining room. The anti-abortion message was written by the daughter Gill gave up for adoption in 1986. After meeting her grown daughter and the family who raised her, Gill chose to display an excerpt from a college essay written by her daughter. It’s rather inappropriate in a public eatery, and pro-choice diners have expressed their displeasure. Gill wrote a guest editorial in The Grand Rapids Press acknowledging she probably “didn’t exercise the most clear judgment” but added “these are not my words, they are not my message. The editorial is merely the legacy of my story.” That said, Bistro Chloe Elan is a fine addition — iRa cRaavEn to dining in Ada.

dining review Bistro Chloe Elan address: 445 Ada Drive SE, Ada Phone: (616) 432-3345 website: chloeelan.com

dining ratings: Category: New American Food: *** Service: *** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: ** Price: $$

> must try: Sitting on the sofas in the lounge and drinking in the lovely view. > not so much: Stale breads on multiple visits.

guide to ratings: **** *** ** *

Exceptional Above Average Satisfactory Poor

¢ $ $$

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

(Prices based on average entrée.)

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

dining listings

A guide to restaurants in Grand Rapids and beyond

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

Graydon’s Crossing — English gastro pub serves Indian food with a British influence. Full bar features impressive array of specialty beers. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. gray $ donscrossing.com. L, D

New American Upscale, contemporary cooking including ethnic twists on familiar standbys.

Green Well Gastro Pub — Daily menu features comfort fare with a flare, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draught beers, many from area microbreweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 8083566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$

Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 87).

Bar Divani — Wine flights, large array of spirits; classy surroundings. European-inspired food with plates meant for sharing, flatbreads, sushi and a variety of entrees. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. bar-divani.com. L, D $-$$

Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Sunday Brunch buffet 10 am-2 pm, otherwise opens at 11 am. 111 Courtland Dr, Rockford 863-3300. grilloneeleven.com. B (Sun), L, D $-$$

Bistro Bella Vita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobellavita.com. L, D $-$$

OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course meals with a tilt toward sustainable seafood. Closed Mon. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant.com. D $$

The Heritage — GRCC culinary arts students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan fare at a reasonable cost. Menu changes weekly. Wine available with dinner. Open Tue-Fri during academic year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. $-$$ grcc.edu/heritage. L, D

Blue Water Grill — Wood-burning rotisserie and wood-fired pizza oven allow for inspired dishes from fresh seafood to beef. Nice wine selection and The B.O.B.’s microbrews. Lakeside views, outdoor patio with fireplace, fullservice bar. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection.com/bluewater.php. L, D $-$$ Brewery Vivant — House-made beer and food in the style of traditional French and Belgian country dishes. The East Hills pub/ brewery is housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes are made with ingredients sourced from local farmers and purveyors. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. brew eryvivant.com. L, D $-$$ _ Citysen Lounge — Limited but tantalizing selection of soup, salads, sandwiches and sharable small-plate creations. Happy Hour daily 4-7 pm. CityFlats Hotel, 83 Monroe Center, (866) 609-CITY. cityflatshotel.com. L, D ¢-$

Electric Cheetah

Cygnus 27 — Stylized décor reflects a celestial theme that matches the views from the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Seasonally driven menu encourages sharing. Open Tue-Sat eves; Sun brunch Labor Day to Mother’s Day. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand.com. D $$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu changes weekly with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations in urban setting. Unique Sunday brunch. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. L, D ¢-$ Gilly’s At The B.O.B. — Hand-crafted microbrews are paired with seasonal, cutting-edge fare. Tavern small plates, oysters, seafood and more. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob. com. L (Sat), D $-$$

Marco New American Bistro — Frenchcountry-casual offers creative dinner fare and pizza with a more casual lunch menu. Full bar. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 9429100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$ McKay’s Downtown — Chef Michael McKay Santo offers only Michigan-produced ingredients. Micro, small and large plates include rabbit, lamb, duck, fish, Bubbles & Squeak and ratatouille, along with pub grub. Downstairs bar (Prohibition) has speakeasy atmosphere. Across from Van Andel Arena. 25 Ottawa Ave. NW, 419-4493. Facebook. L, D $-$$ Olives — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. eatatolives.com. L, D ¢-$ One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with samplings of vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco

Photography by johnny quirin

- Bistro Chloe Élan — Diverse menu features American cuisine with French, Asian and southwestern influences, as well as soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. Open daily, Sat dinner only; Sunday brunch and dinner. 445 Ada Dr, Ada, 432-3345. chloeelan.com. L, D $-$$

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S:7.125”

interesting how a

S:9.875”

client is more agreeable at a

meeting

Photography by johnny quirin

when there’s steak and wine involved.

Grand Rapids | 616.776.6426 | Inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | ruthschris.com

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

on street-front patio. Occasional live music. Closed Sun. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. onetri ck.biz. L, D ¢-$ FReserve — Wine bar with extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match. Opens at 4, closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr.com. L, D $-$$

Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients from sushi to creative comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. 45 S Division Ave, 608-6465 or 5513563. republicgrandrapids.com. L, D $-$$ Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with a varied menu and a three-season porch. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. Takeout at Rose’s Express, 2224 Wealthy St SE, 4584646. thegilmorecollection.com/roses.php. B (weekends), L, D $

The Napa Valley of Cider

f Greg Hall has his way, southwest Michigan could soon become the “Napa Valley of Cider.” Hall, founder of Virtue Cider in Fennville, said the Mitten State has the potential to be an agricultural hotspot for fine beverages and cuisine. The former brewmaster at Goose Island Brewing Co. in Chicago fell in love with hard cider on a trip to England a little more than a decade ago. “We were in a pub called The Maltings in York, and they were having a cider festival with 40 casks of cider,” he said. “There were six of us and we each got a different cider. These were all great and all different. Some were super dry and crisp, some were tart, some more sweet, some farm-y and some funky.” The next day, the group canceled a brewery tour to sample the remaining ciders they hadn’t tasted the night before. When Goose Island was sold to ABInBev in 2011, Hall decided it was time to make cider. He bought a 68-acre plot of land in Fennville in early 2012 and opened cider house No. 1 in December. Hall plans to break ground on a second cider house later this summer and increase production.

He will have up to 5,000 apple trees but also plans to buy apples from local farmers. Virtue came together at a fortuitous time, Hall said, as the American cider industry grew 96 percent in 2012, and most cider makers are either owned by macrobrewing companies such as MillerCoors and AB-InBev, or are very small and only known locally. Hall said the craft hard cider industry is similar to the craft beer industry in the 1980s and early ’90s when people didn’t know much about the types being made. Already, Virtue makes the dry, crisp, apple-forward English style and a sweeter, French-farm style. He has a tart Spanish style in the works. “We treat it more like craft beer than maybe other cider makers,” he said. “You look at craft beer, and every state will support their local craft breweries.” He believes the same will be true of local craft ciders, especially in Michigan. “Not only are we making the cider here, we’re using the local fruit that happens to be from the state flower.” Find Virtue Cider on Facebook. — Pat Evans

San Chez, A Tapas Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style appetizers, side dishes and entrées. Extensive wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. L, D $-$$ Schnitz Ada Grill — Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. 97 Ada Dr, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzdeli.com. L, D ¢-$$ Six.One.Six — Innovative cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients in a cosmopolitan setting. Mixology lounge features unique cocktails. Al fresco dining on the Jdek overlooking the Grand River. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1500. Ilovethejw.com. B, L, D $-$$ SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual and friendly pub setting with eclectic menu that includes vegan and gluten-free options. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrees (available after 4). Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakEZlounge.com. L, D $ Tavern On The Square — Tapas-style fare plus house specialties. Patio seating. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. tavernonthesq.com.  L, D ¢-$ FTerra GR — (Formerly Trillium Haven.) Eastown eatery featuries foods from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers and wines from small wineries around the world. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. Facebook. B (brunch Sat and Sun), L, D $-$$

Winchester — Locally sourced menu aims to reinvent bar food in reclaimed centuryold space with shuffleboard court-patio. 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com. L, D ¢-$

Photography by johnny quirin (top); thinkstock (bottom)

Ryan Burk, head cider maker at Virtue Cider, checks out a sample from one of the barrels.

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Classic American Restaurants and diners serving traditional dishes popular across the country. Acorn Grille At Thousand Oaks — Blend of traditional and innovative cuisine, artfully presented in handsome dining room with golf course views. Open daily in season. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr, 447-7750. thousandoaks golf.com. L, D $$ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and desserts; dinner menu too. No alcohol. Open daily. 3561 28th St, 956-7901; 710 Leonard St NW, 4543098; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesrestaurants. com. B, L, D $ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and fine dining selections from an extensive seasonal menu. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1770. mainstreet mediagroup.com. L, D $-$$

Bonefish Grill — Casual, white-linen dining. Seafood selections augmented by innovative sauces and toppings; also chicken, beef  and pasta dishes. 1100 East Paris Ave SE, 949$-$$ 7861. bonefishgrill.com. D Bostwick Lake Inn — Gilmore restaurant offers steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Open daily for dinner, lunch on weekends. 8521 Belding Road, Rockford, 874-7290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick.php. L (weekends), D $-$$ Boulder Creek Restaurant — Boulder Creek Golf Club restaurant serves a varied menu with golf-course views from inside or on the deck. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, (616) 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolfclub.com. L, D ¢-$ Brandywine — Café atmosphere, with extensive breakfasts, lunches with vegetarian choices, dinner selections from Mexican to beef Wellington. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641; 2844 East Beltline Ave NE, 363-1723. brandy

great season!

Brann’s Sizzling Steaks And Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks with grill items and salads, baskets, Mexican entrées and bar munchies. See website for eight locations in Greater Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, $ Portage and Caledonia. branns.com. L, D Bull’s Head Tavern — A dozen appetizers from brie to pot stickers. Dinners include warm bread and chef-selected sides. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. thebullsheadtav ern.com. L, D $ Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE (at Old 28th St), 949-1540. Facebook. L, D $-$$ Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood from a menu that changes nightly. Located on the Grand River. Early menu (4:30-6 pm daily), Sun brunch. GR Steamer Bar has its own menu. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com. L, D, C $-$$ continued on page 70

chamber music

NOVEMBER 21, 2013 Wu Han & Escher String Quartet MARCH 6, 2014 David Finckel & CMS musicians MAY 8, 2014 David Shifrin & CMS musicians

Photography by johnny quirin (top); thinkstock (bottom)

jazz

David Sanborn & Bob James Great Artist Gala | October 24, 2013

¢-$

winegr.com. B, L, D

of Lincoln Center

NYC 2GR Showcasing the world’s most

JANUARY 23, 2014 Homecoming with Davis’ & Brewers FEBRUARY 20, 2014 Gregory Porter MARCH 20, 2014 Regina Carter

fresh folk

The Chamber Music Society

Amazing Artists

JA ZZ

Contemporary & Acoustic

Fresh Folk Series

F LK

Saxophonist David Sanborn and pianist Bob James are together again with their first combined effort since the multi-platinum album, Double Vision. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy two jazz greats in one incredible night.

NOVEMBER 7, 2013 Rachael and Dominic Davis & Troll for Trout JANUARY 9, 2014 Drew Nelson, Jen Sygit, Jimmie Stagger, Josh Rose, Mark Sala & May Erlewine APRIL 10, 2014 Potato Moon & The Northern Skies

nyc2gr.com

St. Cecilia Music Center

616.459.2224

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food & drink restaurants / PeoPLe / reviews

Michael McKay santo went to culinary school in California but returned here after seeing the burgeoning interest in local foods.

A Michigan culinary adventure

> miCHAeL mCKAy SAnto Title: Chef and owner, McKay’s Downtown Location: 25 Ottawa Ave. SW

“We want McKay’s Downtown to be a kind of platform to pitch and develop culinary ideas and food-oriented passions.”

PhotoGraPhy by michaeL buck

cKay’s Downtown, 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, is the brainchild of Michael McKay Santo, a chef who says he’s obsessed with Michigan products and wholeanimal butchery. The flavors of Michigan are present in everything on the French fusion menu, from the upscale pub grub in the sports bar and the dining room’s inspired fine-dining-yet-casual creations, to the handcrafted cocktails in the mixology lounge, Prohibition. “It’s organic, free-range, grass-fed, and not pumped full of stuff because it doesn’t have to be shipped across the United States,” Santo explained. “It can be a little challenging sometimes, but with what the farmers are now doing with hydroponics, you can pretty much get anything you need year-round.” Growing up in Rockford, Santo was leaning toward a career in textile design and wearable art. “When you get to that point in high school where you ask, ‘what am I going to do?’ — it hit me. I looked back, and every memory I have has something to do with me playing with food or cooking.” He also had a longtime fascination with California. He attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, an extension of Le Cordon Bleu. “In San Francisco, every restaurant went to the market daily. They don’t even call it ‘local’ — that’s just what they do because they can.” He fell in love with both the state and its food. “I also moved to California thinking GR had no chance of being what it is now. I thought people weren’t into food here: We’re deer hunters and crock-pot cookers. That’s how I grew up.” But on every return visit, he noticed the

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McKay’s Downtown Grilled Romaine Panzanella

Prep time: A few minutes, once grill is hot | Serves: 4-6 2 heads romaine (whole) 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1/2 sourdough baguette salt and pepper

Old World Olive Co. garlic oil Old World Olive Co. 18-year aged balsamic vinegar

Photography by michael buck

Make sure your grill is between at least 400-500 degrees. This will ensure a good grill mark. Start by splitting the lettuce in half length-wise; lightly oil the inside of the lettuces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place oil side down on grill for 30-40 seconds, or until there is a dark grill mark on the inner lettuce; pull from heat and set aside. Repeat the same process with the baguette and set aside. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place in large bowl. Take the romaine and discard the core/stem. Cut lettuce into one-inch chunks and add to bowl. Cut baguette into 1-inch cubes and add to bowl. Lightly drizzle garlic oil onto ingredients, just to coat; toss in chopped parsley and mix to lightly coat. Place on individual plates and garnish by lightly drizzling with the balsamic (a little goes a long way!).

burgeoning changes taking place on GR’s culinary front. Culinary school taught him all the basics of French fine dining. “And they said: ‘Now, take this and go anywhere with it.’” He returned to Michigan to complete an internship, which began at The 1913 Room but ended with helping to open Reds on the River. “Reds showed me what a restaurant really was, including the attitude. You have five minutes to do 50 orders, people yelling, the chaos … that really opened up my eyes. It’s addicting. You complain about it, but you can’t live without it.” He created a catering company, Chef2Go, while continuing to work at Reds. When the economy declined, he became a private chef, spending three years at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids before becoming executive chef at Graydon’s Crossing, where he was instrumental in developing the gastro pub’s reputation for locally sourced products. Santo says his “local monthly” menus and beer dinners developed a cult following. “It kind of exploded, and I got the entire menu to be local,” he explained. “I didn’t start it, but I was part of the revolution, for sure. From

there, it’s been a goal, a dream and a passion of mine.” In preparation for following that dream, he helped open Greenville’s 57 Brew Pub & Bistro from the ground up. Now, with two other partners, Michael McKay LLC is poised to expand from the restaurant into a series of exciting Michiganbased food ventures. They’re developing a cupcake company under the stewardship of McKay’s Downtown pastry chef Brit Mathieu. “We’re building a company around her, developing it here, and when it gets popular, we’ll give her its own location. We want McKay’s Downtown to be a kind of platform to pitch and develop culinary ideas and food-oriented — Julie Burch passions.”

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nosh & sip Amy Ruis has traveled many of the wine countries and has passed the first step in becoming a Master Sommelier. She owns Art of the Table, a specialty food, beverage and tabletop store.

Some of my fAVorite ViognierS (And bALLpArK priCeS) AVAiLAbLe LoCALLy inCLude: > California: Lange Twins ($18); Zaca Mesa ($22); Cline ($12); Pine Ridge (blend, $13)

> France: Saint Amant Côte du Rhône ($15); Domaine Astruc ($15)

> Argentina and Chile: Casa Silva ($17)

> Australia: Yalumba ($22, or Y Series $15); d’Arenberg ($18)

more And more wineries are making Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yay) — even some bigger California names like Fess Parker and Stags Leap. None of them make much of it — truthfully, I think most winemakers who make Viognier drink it themselves! As a wine buyer who gets to try a plethora of great stuff, I’m excited to try these gems. Always living in the shadow of the “popular” white wine grapes, Viognier had its coming of age in the Rhône region of France in the early to mid-19th century but has been underplanted there in recent years. To my joy, a group of enthusiasts from California back in the ’70s — aptly named the “Rhône Rangers” — kept this delicious wine coming to our tables. Besides the California selections, we have been graced with Viognier from Australia (usually rounder, with more honey notes) and South America (usually brighter and more nutty with a lemon-lime minerality). Rumor has it that Virginia is a front runner in Viognier production, as well — I guess I’d better head out on a discovery trip! Michigan’s own Chateau Fontaine in the Leelanau Peninsula has been making a Viognier the past two years that is available at the tasting room only at this time. We’ve gotten our hands on some of it and it is superb. Regions where Viognier grows best boast warm days with cool nights. Morning fog and a warming afternoon sun with coastal breezes

bring out the best in this grape, which yields to a great floral nose and similar mouthful of pear, white peach, apricots, orange blossom and honeysuckle. This combination of flavors lend well to creamy dishes, dried fruits and hard cheeses, as well as white meats and Thai-style dishes. Just the other night, my husband and I enjoyed one of my favorite takeout options: Erb Thai’s Basil Curry with Chicken and his favorite Thai Basil Fried Rice. We sat with a bottle of Zaca Mesa until it was no more. The round mouth feel of Viognier — actually quite similar to chardonnay — comes from fermentation in stainless steel tanks with a switch to oak barrels for a time (varied from winery to winery). Short barrel aging provides a rich, creamy mouth feel and that hint at sweetness from time to time. Other times, notes of lemonlime, lychee nut, melon and minerality shine through. Not brave enough to go straight Viognier yet? Often you’ll find Viognier blended with other grapes like chenin blanc (white) to take the citrus edge off, or syrah (red) for some extra — aMy Ruis plump body.

PhotoGraPhy by johnny quirin

The Viognier way

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myﬂowerland.com | facebook.com/myﬂowerland Wyoming • Comstock Park • Kentwood

We’re right in your own backyard

Best of

Photography by johnny quirin

2012-13 Readers Poll

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

continued from page 65

The Chop House — In the tradition of the best American chophouses with aged prime beef and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6184. thechophouserestaurant.com. D $$ Dugan’s Pub & Grille — Casual dining with steaks, seafood, pasta and more at The Elks at the Highlands Golf Club. Adjacent Glendevon offers banquet facilities. 2715 Leonard St NW, 453-2451. grandrapidselks.org. L, D $-$$ Fall Creek — Appetizers, gourmet pizzas and creative entrées. Closed Sun-Mon. 201 Jefferson St, Hastings, (269) 945-0100. fallcreek dining.com. L, D ¢-$ FireRock Grille — Country club dining plus option to cook your own filet, shrimp or ahi tuna on a 500-degree stone. Open daily. Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. stonewatercc.com. L, D $ Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turnof-century building on the river. Al fresco dining on patio. Menu ranges from comfort food to wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The BOB’s House of Brews beers on tap. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. thegilmore collection.com/ flatriver.php. L, D $-$$ Fleetwood Diner — Extensive diner-style menu with Greek influences. Open 6:30 am for breakfast (8 am-4 pm Sun), serving dinner until 8 pm Mon-Thu, 9 pm Fri-Sat. Outdoor patio. 2222 44th St SE, 281-2300. B, L, D ¢-$ Forest Hills Inn — A casual neighborhood favorite with a broad menu, excellent pizza. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 949-4771. foresthillsinn.com. B, L, D $ Fry Daddy’s Fresh Fish — Fried fish, wingdings, walleye, orange roughy, catfish, blue gill, perch, smelt and shrimp, by the pound or in baskets with fries. Also to go. Closed Mon. Trinity Plaza, 1720 44th St SE, Kentwood, 455FISH. L, D ¢-$ Grand Villa — Longtime favorite serving prime rib, seafood, complete salad bar, full service bar. Closed Sun. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 538-1360. grandvillarestaurants.com. L, D $ Great Lakes Shipping Co. — Everything from beef, seafood and beyond in comfortable dockside motif. Patio open in summer. No lunch, but open Sun afternoons. 2455 Burton St SE, 949-9440. greatlakesshippingcom pany.com. D $-$$ Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers and seafood. Menu includes ostrich

and elk burgers. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-8294. greenrestaurantgranddrapids.com. $ L, D

fet Mon-Fri. Open daily; Sun breakfast only. 4322 Remembrance Rd, Walker, 453-3740. marnewalkers.com. B (Sat, Sun), L, D ¢-$

Grille 29 — Menu includes specialty panini and a variety of entrées. Full-service bar. Open daily for breakfast and dinner. Holiday Inn Select, 3063 Lake Eastbrook SE, 285-7600. holi dayinn.com. B, D $

Meadows Restaurant — GVSU’s professional and student-staffed restaurant; patio and dining room overlook golf course. Full menu offers everything from burgers to NY strip steak. Seasonal hours; closed Sun. 1 W Campus Dr, Allendale, 895-1000. gvsu.edu/meadows. L, D $-$$

Grille At Watermark — Innovative menu in relaxing atmosphere overlooking golf course. Mon-Sat; Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. watermarkcc.com. L, D $-$$ Grill House & Rock Bottom Bar — Grill-yourown steakhouse with grillmasters on call. Bottomless salad bowl and potato bar. 1071 32nd St (M-40), Allegan, (269) 686-9192. grill house.net. L (downstairs), D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Daily specials are the highlight, mixed with traditional fare. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. honeycreekinn.com. L, D ¢-$ Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hudsonvillegrille.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Judson’s At The B.O.B. — Award-winning steak house offers steaks, seafood and chops. Casual atmosphere and award-winning wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 3562000. thebob.com. D $$ Kitchen 67 — Fast-casual restaurant with high-tech design serving Brann’s sizzling steaks and burgers, small plates, pasta, fish, chicken, sandwiches, salads and more. Michigan wines and craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily. 1977 East Beltline Ave. NE. kitch ¢-$ en67.com and Facebook. L, D The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. Menu features allAmerican favorites and monthly specials. Music and dancing in the lounge. 270 Ann St NW (in Riverfront Hotel Grand Rapids at US 131), 363-7748. ontherivergr.com. B, L, D $ FLeo’s — Combines fine dining (fresh seafood is the specialty) and casual comfort. Street level in parking ramp at Ottawa and Louis. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 4546700. leosrestaurant.com. L, D $-$$

Louis Benton Steakhouse — Premium Buckhead beef, wet- and dry-aged steaks and more. Closed Sun. Free valet parking at Ionia entrance. 77 Monroe Center Ave NW, 4547455. louisbenton.com. L, D $-$$ Marn E. Walkers — Everything from nachos to chicken Marsala, burgers, steaks. Weekend breakfast buffet, pizza and pasta lunch buf-

Middle Villa Inn — Weekly prime rib specials, salad bar, casual atmosphere, occasional live bands. Banquet rooms available. Closed Mon and Wed. 4611 N Middleville Rd, Middleville, (269) 795-3640. middle-villa-inn.com. L, D $ Pal’s Diner — A real diner offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options all day. Closed Sun. 6503 28th St SE, 942-7257. palsdiner.com. B, L, D ¢ Pearl Street Grill — Bright, airy restaurant in downtown Holiday Inn. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 235-7611. B, L, D $ Rainbow Grill — Breakfasts, homemade soup, chili, steak sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbowgrillmichigan.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Ramona’s Table — EGR deli with madefrom-scratch soups, sandwiches, salads, baked items and meals. Takeout and catering. Closed Sun. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 459-8500. ramonastable.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Red Jet Café — Gilmore restaurant in the former Creston Heights library. Coffee bar and menu ranging from omelets to specialty pizzas. Full bar; opens 8 am. 1431 Plainfield Ave NE, 719-5500. thegilmorecollection.com/red jet.php. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) ¢-$ Reds On The River — Located on the Rogue River, Reds combines casual sophistication with Tuscan sensibilities. Closed Sun. 2 E Bridge St, Rockford, 863-8181. reds-live.com. L, D $-$$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266; 1820 44th St SW, 534-0704. riograndsteakhouse.com. L, D $-$$ Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. sunny brookcc.com. L, D $ Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — The classic American steakhouse now in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s fully renovated former 1913 Room. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 774-2000.

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Energize Your Plate Superfoods are especially nutritious and beneficial to health and well-being, and we are committed to offering healthful and flavorful selections at our restaurants:

Crispy Brussels Sprouts • Bostwick Lake Inn Ginger Coriander Ahi Tuna • Flat River Grill Spelt Grain Vegetable Platter • Blue Water Grill Grilled Eggplant Caponata • Mangiamo! Arugula Pesto Grilled Salmon • Kirby House Look for the superfood icon on our menus www.thegilmorecollection.com

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

Saburba — Specializes in take-out. Everchanging, diverse menu of entrees, sandwiches, soups, baked goods and coffee. Doughnuts served Sat. mornings. Catering service. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr, Ada, 682-5290. saburba.com and Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$ Sam’s Joint — Award-winning ribs and unique décor of antiques and memorabilia.

Extensive menu includes Mexican selections; full bar. Half a dozen locations, plus a couple of banquet facilities. sams-joint.com. L, D $

Spinnaker — Menu features seafood and landlubber entrees. Sunday brunch. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton Grand Rapids Airport), $-$$ 957-1111. thehilton.com. B, L, D Sundance Grill — Breakfast-and-lunch spot also offers dinner menu in the California/ Southwestern tradition with a margarita bar.

Good beer needs clean water Although water may seem a bland subject when talking about beer, several Grand Rapids breweries have teamed up with a national movement to help support the federal Clean Water Act. Founders Brewing Co., Brewery Vivant and Harmony Brewing Co. joined 18 other breweries, mostly from the Midwest, to team up with the Natural Resources Defense Council to advocate for strong clean-water policies. It can take up to seven gallons of water to produce one gallon of beer, so water quality is at the top of the priority list for most brewers. Beer is nearly 90 percent water, so water also plays a huge part in how the end product will taste, no matter what happens during the brewing process. If the water isn’t good, the beer won’t be either, said Jason Spaulding, co-owner of Brewery Vivant. “When you talk about beer, you have to talk about water. It’s not as sexy as talking about hops and malt,” he said. “If we don’t look after our water long term, it’s going to directly hurt our industry and our livelihood.” No matter where the breweries get their malts and hops, the water comes from nearby lakes, rivers or the local water system. Those who use a lot of it need to stay vocal, supporters say. “Whether brewers are creating ales, pilsners, porters, wits or stouts, one ingredient must go into every batch: clean water,” said Karen Hobbs, senior policy analyst for the NRDC Water Program. “Craft brewers need clean water to make great beer. This campaign is all about amplifying their voices in support of the most important protection for their most important ingredient: the Clean Water Act.” Among the 21 breweries supporting the Clean Water Act, 18 are in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, all of which claim the water from the Great Lakes contributes to their beers. “Being surrounded by the Great Lakes here in Michigan, water is something that we’ve always cherished and we never take it for granted,” said Dave Engbers, co-founder and vice president of brand and education for Founders Brewing Co. “Water is life — nothing exists without water.” — Pat Evans

5755 28th St SE (Esplanade Plaza), 9565644; 40 Pearl St NW (breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tue-Sat), 776-1616. 4gr8food. com. B, L, D $

Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals such as pot roast, Salisbury steak and meatloaf. Huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles, dinner menu. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninn motel.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Terrace Grille At Bay Pointe Inn — Casual gourmet dining, martini bar and lakeside terrace. Seasonally changing menu emphasizes regional fare. Sunday brunch. 11456 Marsh Rd, Shelbyville, (269) 672-5202. bay pointe inn.com. L, D $-$$ Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse that’s been “hidden” in a warehouse district for more than 25 years. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. tillmansrestaur ant.com. L, D $-$$ Timbers Inn — Menu ranges from appetizers to wild game offerings and meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Sunday omelet bar til 2 pm. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874¢-$ 5553. timbersinn.net. L, D Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar featuring 18 beers on tap, local beers/wines. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, ¢-$$ D Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare in a casual but handsome setting. Lunch served weekdays, dinner Mon-Sat; closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 453-3740. thewalkerroadhou se.com. L, D $

Vegetarian Bartertown Diner — Vegetarian/vegan/raw offerings in worker-owned and -operated diner. Promotes use of fresh, local ingredients. Open daily (hours change seasonally, check website). 6 Jefferson Ave SE, 233-3219. bartertowngr.com. L, D $ Gaia Café — Totally vegetarian fare served in a cozy atmosphere. Closed Mon. No alcohol. 209 Diamond Ave SE, 454-6233. Facebook. B, L ¢

Pubs & Taverns 84th Street Pub and Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks in laidback setting, fullservice bar. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr, Byron Center, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. L, D ¢-$ Bar Louie — Urban décor at Woodland Mall,

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with sandwiches, appetizers, burgers and hearty entrées. More than 20 beers, along with a nice wine selection and specialty cocktails. Outdoor seating. 3191 28th St SE, 885-9050. barlouieamerica.com. L, D $-$$ bobarino’s At the b.o.b. — Grill on 2nd floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from woodfired pizza to upscale entrées. New lunch menu offers custom-made deli sandwiches, salads, burgers and a pizza buffet ($6.50). Full-service bar. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 3562000. thegilmore collection.com/bobarinos. php. L, D ¢-$

b.o.b.’s brewery At the b.o.b. — Microbrews ranging from unique to standard with a variety of small plates that go beyond standard pub fare. Open Thu (Mug Club)-Sat. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bobs brewery. D ¢-$

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bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Takeout available. 1701 4 Mile Rd NE, 3619782. budandstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$

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Cascade Sports grill — Varied menu and sizable bar with 10 brew taps and extensive martini menu. Cascade Centre, 6240 28th St SE, 974-3338. Facebook. L, D $ Charlie’s bar & grill — Well-rounded menu features dinners ranging from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also Mexican fare, sandwiches and more. Full-service bar. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. L, D ¢-$ Cheero’s Sports & Sushi grill — Japanese fare along with pizza, burger and microbrews. Outdoor patio next to Michigan Athletic Club. Open daily. 2510 Burton St SE, 608-3062. cheerosgrill.com. L, D ¢-$

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Cheers — Popular neighborhood spot with large menu offering something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. B, L, D ¢ Corner bar — Rockford’s spot famous for brews and chili dogs, but with extensive menu. 31 N Main St, Rockford, 866-9866. rockfordcornerbar.com. L, D ¢

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Cottage bar — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chili and more. Closed Sun. 8 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢

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Crooked goose — Meritage Hospitality Group restaurant offers full menu of “old-school tavern favorites.” Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walker. crookedgoose.com. L, D ¢-$ derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty

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top shelf

Contributing editor Jon C. Koeze has made and tasted beer since 1980.

try Some of tHeSe ArtfuL breWS...

> Cavendish, Harmony Brewing Co. This is a barrel-aged stout with spicy chai flavors and the best tangy cherry flavors I have ever had in a cherry stout.

> Smuggler’s Hazelnut Stout, Hideout Brewing. The nuts mix very well with this full-on stout. Who would have guessed? Hideout is making some very creative beers and is well worth a visit.

> Rye Wine, Perrin Brewing Co. This is a great beer from one of GR’s newest microbreweries, a bourbon-barrelaged, strong, dark Belgian ale that reminds me of the Chimay Blue label but a little dryer due to the use of rye grains.

tHe Art of breWing beer is alive and well in Grand Rapids — but when we speak of this art, we often confuse it with the skill and craft of brewing. Brewing is a science, known as zymology: the study of the biochemical processes of fermentation. So what do I mean by the art of brewing? “Art” means it goes beyond the science involved — beyond the stock recipes of amber, India pale ale, porter or stout. The art of brewing is the application of creative skill and imagination to produce beer that is appreciated for its beauty, style and singularity. Examples can be found at many local breweries. Here are some I found in downtown GR. This column was written in July, so some of the beers may not be available. mound builder, grand rapids brewing Co. This may be a new Grand Rapids masterpiece. It’s a strong, Belgian, dark ale aged in bourbon barrels with three adjunct flavors — Angostura, cherry and brandy. Of the three, I especially enjoyed the Angostura because of the use of these unique bitters. The beer was very well balanced so none of the complex ingredients overpowThe art of brewing is the application ered the others. of creative skill and imagination to produce Wit Versus Wisdom, HopCat. beer that is appreciated for its beauty, This unfiltered uber wheat ale is style and singularity. over the top. HopCat is owned by the same people as GRBC and has become the experimental playground for recibrews. Brewmaster John Svoboda has really pe development at both breweries. Expect a lot turned this brewery around since taking the of art and some masterpieces available at this helm several years ago. Smoked Rabbit was small batch brewery and beer bar. the most original on the menu when I visited, barrel Aged Honey Stuff, founders brewbut I’ve heard of other recipes involving such ing Co. There are many beers coming out of things as peanut butter and chipotle. Smoked this downtown brewery that I consider state of Rabbit is a very smoky version of the Wit Rabthe art. The sought-after Kentucky Breakfast bit menu beer. Stout was not available but I did come across Some downtown breweries will be Artthis excellent brew. I’m not sure if it is considPrize venues this month and will be producered a mead or an ale, but it reminded me of ing special beers for the downtown invasion. honey candy. I tasted a pronounced caramelSomeone should enter one of these beers into honey flavor that was augmented by the barrel the competition. aging. — Jon c. KoEZE Smoked rabbit, the b.o.b.’s House of

PhotoGraPhy by michaeL buck

Creative, artful brews

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

continued from page 73 beers. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 301-3236. derby station.com. L, D $

Flanagan’s — Popular downtown Irish pub. Imported beers, 20 on tap. Entrees with an Irish influence. Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr. com. L, D ¢ Founders Brewing Co. — Sip microbrew samples in the spacious taproom, serpentine bar and stage for live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches. Covered (heated) porch. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta entrées, plus burgers and Mexican. Weekday lunch buffet. Tap your own 100-ounce beer tower. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs.com. L, D ¢-$ Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Serving 10 organic brews plus hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table menu includes sharable plates, house-made sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 459-7000. grbrewingcompany.com. L ¢-$ (Sat.-Sun. only), D

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JD Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge in The Boardwalk offers American, Southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities; outdoor seating. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. $-$$ jdreardons.com. B, L, D J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive bar is matched by gargantuan menu ranging from homemade chips to build-your-own burger. Three floors of seating. Open Sun for arena events. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 459-8824. jgardellas tavern.com. L, D ¢ Main Street Pub — Large-screen TVs and varied menu of appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Open 11 am daily; breakfast 8 am Sun. 11240 University Parkway, Allendale, 895-1234. mainstpub.com.  B (Sun), L, D ¢-$ McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon — New York-style Irish menu includes “recreated” pub fare, contemporary and regionally inspired dishes. Transforms into nightclub late at night. Open daily. 58 Ionia Ave SW, 4549105. mcfaddensgrandrapids.com. L, D $ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, from-scratch soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. 3874 West River Dr, 7843806. L, D ¢-$

GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant. Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, along with salads and sandwiches. Closed Sun. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com. L, D $

The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

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

Mojo’s — Lively dueling piano bar and restaurant open for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat, plus late night “munchy menu.” RSVP for dinner early, show starts at 8 pm Wed-Thu, 7 pm FriSat. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospia nobar.com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$

Harmony Brewing Co. — Eastown’s latest addition to the craft-brewing scene offers custom brews with a full bar, wine selections and menu of wood-fired pizzas. 1551 Lake $ Drive SE. Facebook. L, D

Nick Finks — Mexican fare in historic tavern, part of The Gilmore Collection. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Occasional live music, open mic nights. 3965 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-9886. thegilmorecol lection.com. L, D $

Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at the bar in Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Closed Sun & Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. hojogr.com. B, L, D $ HopCat — Crafted brews with close to 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare from meatloaf to mussels. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr. com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$ Hub’s Inn — Sandwiches, burgers, Mexican food and thin-crust pizzas. Closed Sun. 1645 Leonard St NW, 453-3571. Facebook. L,  D ¢

O’Toole’s Public House — Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily. 448 Bridge St NW, 742-6095. otoolesgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Peppino’s Ristorante Pizzeria and Sports Lounge — Sicilian-style steak and chicken, burgers, etc. Separate sports bar. 5053 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Allendale, 895-1615. Family-friendly Peppino’s Sports Lounge in downtown GR, 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444. peppi nospizza.com. L, D ¢-$$

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Pub 43 — Caters to all, but is especially popular with gay crowd. Menu ranges from burgers to upscale items. Jukebox, occasional live entertainment. Open daily at 3 pm. 43 S Division ¢-$ Ave, 458-2205. Facebook. D Rezervoir Lounge — Former Sazerac Lounge has full menu of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees, some with a Cajun flavor. Open Tue.Sun. for lunch and dinner (opens 4 p.m. Mon) 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside the White Pine Trail with an up-north atmosphere. Food menu includes dips, subs, panini, soups and more, served alongside its hand-crafted brews. Closed Mon. 12 E Bridge St, Rockford, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ing.com. L, D ¢-$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with varied menu. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 3010600. thescore-restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Shamrock Bar & Grill — Diverse menu in-

cludes specialty burgers and wide range of entrees. 2501 Wilson Ave NW, 735-3888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flare, from appetizers to Kobe top sirloin. Open daily. Weekday happy hour specials 3-6:30 p.m. Cascade Center, 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Stella’s Lounge — Mostly vegan menu but a stuffed burger for carnivores. Advertises strong drinks and more than 200 whiskies. 53 Commerce Ave, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Teazers Bar & Grill — Burgers and pastas, sandwiches, salads and Southwestern bites. Kids menu. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 459-2481. teazersbar.com. L, D ¢-$ The Viceroy — Classic hors d’oeuvres (finger sandwiches to tenderloin tips) and desserts to accompany cocktails, house-infused whiskeys, beer and wine. Kitchen open 5 pm-1 am Wed-Sat. 53 Commerce Ave SW,

744-8423. viceroygr.com. D

Village Inn Pizza Parlor — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican and more. Karaoke nights Thu-Sat. Open daily; weekday lunch buffet. 2215 44th St SE, Kentwood, 281-1444; 934 Washington St, Holland, (616) 392-1818. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ Vitale’s Sports Lounge & Pizzeria — Pizza and pasta plus panini and wraps in sportscentric surroundings. Outside deck, live entertainment. Open daily. 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-2526, takeout 7845011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, a patio and bowling. Menu offers sandwiches and shrimp, barbecue fare. Breakfast and lunch only Sun. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-3242. spectrumlanes.com. B, L, D $ Z’s — Sports-themed eatery known for its ribs. Soup-salad-sandwich lunches. Carryout available. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$

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September 2013 / Grmag.com 77

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

Kudos to (Walker Roadhouse) management for listing weekly lunch and dinner specials on the website, along with gluten-free options.

He fed: “If there’s a restaurant that serves up more authentic Polish food than Westsider Cafe, 1180 Walker Ave. NW, I’ve yet to try it. The dining area contains booths around the perimeter and freestanding tables in the middle, a classic diner setup. Prepare to be seated quickly by the efficient hostess and served almost instantaneously by a friendly waitress. The menu is mostly breakfast, with some platters and sandwiches. You can’t go wrong with the Polish combo, which includes sauerkraut or kapusta, rye toast, pierogi, a plump sausage, and a stuffed cabbage roll the size of my fist, covered in tangy tomato sauce. The best part? You might pay twice elsewhere for food half as good.” — Jeremy

She fed:

hefedshefed.com

“When I think of an ultimate

Neighborhood joints

neighborhood joint, nothing

Juliet and Jeremy Johnson scour the city for favorite hangouts in the area northwest of downtown.

Alpine Ave. NW. Whether

For the last three months, we’ve drawn straight lines at the intersection of highways 131 and 196 and examined “go to” restaurants in each quadrant. This month, we’re ending our series in the northwest section. Shawmut Inn, 22802 Lake Michigan Drive NW, offers bar food, burgers, sandwiches and Mexican fare. The wet burrito reigns supreme, but don’t overlook the fish tacos, wet tostadas and pork barbacoa. For those who remember its famous pizza, savor those memories because, much to the surprise of regulars, Shawmut dropped pizza from the menu a few years back. Weeknight specials range from homey classics to a brew-and-burger night: half-pound hamburgers and a draft beer for $8. We recommend starting with the fried pickle spears, possibly the best in GR. Walker Roadhouse, 3272 Remembrance Road NW, serves up diverse eats in a warm atmosphere. The menu offers such a massive selection you might have a hard time choosing. The appetizer section alone offers more than a dozen items, including buffalo chicken dip, fried cheese curds, sweet potato fries with chevre sauce, and bleu cheese tenderloin flatbread. Dinner favorites include bacon-wrapped meatloaf, fried perch, gouda chicken pasta, haystack burgers and mojito shrimp. Kudos to the management for listing weekly lunch and dinner specials on the website, along with gluten-free options. Please share your favorite places with us @hefedshefed #grjoints #readthefeed on Twitter.

beats a good greasy spoon like New Beginnings, 1601 it’s a hearty breakfast to help recover from a night of overindulgence, or a quick lunch, the menu hits the spot. Morning regulars rave about the biscuits and sausage gravy, omelettes (chili cheese, Greek, Western and Mexican, to name a few), corned beef hash and sourdough French toast. I love the kitsch of a place that still offers a patty melt as well as a diet plate — a hamburger patty with cottage cheese, fruit and tomato slices. And while the more adventurous might want to try the Inferno Burger with jalapenos, A1 Bold and grilled onions, there are also salads, soups and sandwiches for the more traditional eater.” — Juliet

Photography by johnny quirin

A pork wet burrito, tostada and fish tacos at Shawmut Inn.

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Four-time winner of Grand Rapids Magazine’s Award of Excellence Authentic Italian Cuisine Made from scratch dishes

Italian/ European

A great wine selection

FAmore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using some local products as well as Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs a specialty. House-made desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park. 785-5344. amoretrattoriaitali ana.com. L (not Sat), D $

The world famous “Bellini” And

Owner, Adriano Moscatelli stopping at your table to make sure you are happy! What are you waiting for?

Angela’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria — Italian dinners, pizza, stromboli, subs and desserts. Lunch buffet, full-service bar. Delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 240 E Division, Sparta, (616) 887-1913. L, D ¢-$ Big Bob’s Pizza — A neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village with wine and beer on tap, available to go. 661 Croswell SE, $ 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L, D Bella Mia Pizzeria & Italian Grill — Italian dishes and New York-style pizza. Daily lunch buffet. 6333 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Suite 450, 554-9930. L, D ¢-$ Brick Road Pizza — Specializing in gourmet, traditional and vegan pizzas. Gluten-free crusts available on request. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719¢-$ 2409. brickroadpizza.com. L, D

Award Winning

Authentic Italian

Cuisine

www.trecugini.com 122 Monroe Center St. NW (616) 235-9339

Chicago 7 Pizzeria — Family-owned pizzeria offers New York and Chicago-style pies along with specialty pizzas. Also subs and calzone. Open daily. 3012 28th St SW, Grandville, 538¢-$ 7777. Facebook. L, D Euro Bistro — European bistro fare plus wood-fired pizzas. 11 am-10 pm Mon-Fri. 4-10 pm Sat, closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 7192017. eurobistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Florentine Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Spacious location features Italian fare with American and Mexican choices, thin-crust pizzas. Big-screen TVs, pool tables, darts, video games, foosball. 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$

Photography by johnny quirin

Florentine Ristorante — Italian and American cuisine. Pizza and pasta served in the lounge until midnight; full-menu dinner 4-10 pm. Closed Sun. 3245 28th St SW, 534-5419. florentineingrandville.com. L, D $ Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian entrees and even Mexican entrees. Multiple big screen TVs; take-out available. Open daily. 1259 Post Drive, Belmont, 785-1001. florentines.biz. L, D ¢-$ Franco’s Pizzeria — Spaghetti, manicotti, lasagna, stromboli plus pizza and subs with fresh ingredients. Limited seating, takeout available (delivery offered). No alcohol. September 2013 / Grmag.com 79

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. L, D ¢-$

28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com.   D $-$$

Asian Including Thai and Indian fare.

Fred’s Pizza And Italian Restaurant — Long-time favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. fredspizza.com. L, D ¢-$

Pietro’s Italian Ristorante — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 4523228. rcfc.com/pietros. L, D $

Akasaka Sushi — Sushi plus Korean and Japanese offerings in low-key atmosphere in Cascade Centre. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 6252 28th St SE, 977-0444. L, D ¢-$

Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Also, pasta dinners with a sauce that has made its way to the retail market. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$

Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant — Sicilian and southern Italian fare using family recipes. Separate sports bar; patio seating. Weekday lunch buffet. All menu items, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Closed Sun. 654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvat oresgr.com. L, D ¢-$

Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza — Downtown pizzeria with more than 50 varieties of gourmet pizza, whole or by the slice. Beer on tap or by the bottle. Delivery available. Open daily. 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 140, 356-4600. georgios gourmetpizza.com. L, D ¢-$

GoodFellows Pizza — In Byron Center’s former Monelli’s Pizza location. Pizza, full Italian dinners and more. Dine-in, takeout or delivery. No alcohol. Open daily (Sun at 4 pm). 2185 84th St, 878-1100. goodfellowspizza. $ com. L, D G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. Delivery Thu-Sat until 2:30 a.m. No alcohol. Open daily, with a handful of tables for dining in. 340 State St, 742-4773. grandrapidspizza. net. L, D ¢-$ Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include Sfinciuni, thick-crust Sicilian pizza and Sciacciata, stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrees, calzones and desserts made from family recipes. Open daily. 2896 Knapp St NE in Celadon New Town. 608-6912. Facebook. L, D $ Mangiamo — Historic mansion houses family-friendly Italian eatery. Italian fare plus steaks and seafood. Extensive wine list, evening entertainment. 1033 Lake Dr SE, 7420600. thegilmorecollection.com/mangiamo. php. D $-$$ Marinade’s Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. No alcohol. Catering. 109 Courtland St, Rockford, 8633300. marinadespizzabistro.com. L, D ¢ Monelli’s Italian Grill And Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace. 5675 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, 530-9700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$ Noto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor and extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features light fare. Closed Sun. 6600

Seasonal Grille — Hastings’ Italian-themed eatery features fresh, locally sourced, creative fare in handsome surroundings. Full bar, craft cocktails, nice wine list. Open daily. 150 W State St, Hastings, (269) 948-9222. seasonal grille.com. L, D $ Trattoria di’ Stagione — Chef Dan Chudik prepares Italian dishes from pasta to seafood utilizing locally sourced ingredients. Lunch will be offered in near future. Closed Sun. 1420 Lake Drive SE, 458-5583. Facebook. D $ Tre Cugini — Innovative Italian menu, impressive wine list, fresh daily pastas and risotto specialties. Outdoor seating in mild weather. Closed Sun. 122 Monroe Center, 2359339. trecugini.com. L, D $-$$ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Kitchen stays open until 1:30 am for dine-in, 1 am for take-out. Open daily. 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, 891-5958; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, 249-9344. uccellos.com. L, D ¢-$

Akita Buffet — Across from RiverTown Crossings Mall, with sushi bar, hibachi grill and Chinese buffet with set price for lunch and dinner. Serves alcohol. 3540 Rivertown Point Ct SW, 257-7777. L, D ¢-$ Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive Thai fare; menu includes a your-choice stir-fry option. Vegetarian-friendly. No alcohol. Open daily. 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$ Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each cuisine. Family owned and operated. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 825 28th St SW, 534-7770. L, ¢-$ D Bangkok Taste — Thai fare with lunch buffet. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550; 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 667-8901. bangkoktaste.com. L, D ¢-$ Bangkok View — Thai food and Chinese fare. Lunch buffet. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1233 28th St SW, 531-8070. bangkokviewthai food. ¢-$ com. L, D Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch specials. No alcohol. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitch engr.com. L, D ¢-$ Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrees, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. 5751 Byron Center Ave (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. bluegingergr.com. L, D ¢-$

Vitale’s — Serving traditional regional dishes from family recipes since 1966. 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368 (Vitale’s Sports Lounge next door, 458-2090), takeout 458-3766. the originalvitales.com. L, D ¢-$

Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from Northern India. Full bar. Lunch buffet Mon.-Fri. and Sun. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr. SE, 4567055. bombaycuisinegr.com. L, D $

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

China Chef — Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. Facebook. L, D ¢-$

Vitale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza and pasta from original Vitale family recipes. 59 W Washington St, Zeeland, (616) 772-5900, vitaleszeeland.com; 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-2244, vitaleshudson ville.com (no alcohol served); 5380 S Division Ave, Kentwood, 530-8300. vitales.us. L, D ¢-$

China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 5299 Eastern Ave SE, 257-7038. L, D ¢-$ China Gourmet Buffet — Daily lunch and dinner buffets with more than 100 items. Dinner buffet served all day weekends; discount for seniors and children 10 and under. No alcohol. 2030 28th St SW, 252-1379. L,  D ¢-$

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Chinatown Restaurant And Japanese Steak House — Chinese and Japanese cuisine with tabletop, Benihana-style meals available. Lunch and dinner buffets. Full bar. 69 28th St SW, 452-3025. chinatowngrand ¢-$ rapids.com. L, D China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including spicy Hunan dishes. No alcohol. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 698-8933. L, D ¢-$ Empire Chinese Buffet — All-you-can-eat Chinese buffet served all day. Special seafood buffet Sat-Sun. Delivery available. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empirebuffet.net. L, ¢-$ D Erb Thai — Traditional Thai fare, will accommodate special diets: vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol. 950 Wealthy St SE,  Suite 1A, 356-2573. L, D ¢ Far-East Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D $ First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Dine-in and take-out. Full bar. Three locations: 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088. firstwokgr.com. L, D $ Fuji Yama Asian Bistro — Hibachi grill tables with chef preparations, or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 7191859. letseat.at/fujiyama. L,  D ¢-$

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Fortune Chef — Chinese and American fare. Opens 6 am weekdays, 8 am weekends with breakfast served all day. No alcohol. 9353 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1388. fortunechefcaledonia.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin cuisine complemented by a Vietnamese menu. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 627 28th St SW, Wyoming, 531-2800. L, D $

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Golden Dragon — Chinese, Mandarin and Japanese cuisines with Japanese steakhouse. Full bar. 3629 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1318. goldendragongr.com. L, D $ Golden Gate Restaurant — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, egg rolls, sweet-and-sour dishes, with some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢ Golden Wok — Knapp’s Corner eatery offers lunch and dinner options, including Hunanspiced dishes. Full bar. 1971 East Beltline Ave

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

NE, 363-8880. goldenwokgrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$

Ju Sushi & Lounge

Grand Lakes — A wide selection of Chinese dishes and specialties, along with daily lunch combination plates. No alcohol. Next to Breton Village D&W. 1810 Breton Rd SE, 9542500. L, D ¢-$ Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine from sushi to buffet, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American dishes. No alcohol. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Ridge Shopping Center), 785-8200. letseat. at/hibachigrillsupremebuffet. L, D ¢ Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese for dine-in or carry-out. All-you-caneat lunch buffet. No alcohol. 150 E Fulton St, 235-3888. B, L, D ¢-$ Hunan — Full menu of Chinese options, house and family dinners for groups. No alcohol. 1740 44th St SW, 530-3377; 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangr.com. L, D $

Jade Garden — Chinese cuisine with some American dishes. Children’s menu, large selection of tropical cocktails. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. L, D ¢-$ Ju Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi selections, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquet space. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$ Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. Facebook, laithai kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$ ➧ Little Bangkok — Extensive menu of Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 8083153. littlebangkokgr.com. L, D ¢-$

Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine; buffets at lunch, dinner and all day on weekends. Cocktails. Open daily. 2460 28th St SE, 530-3300. L, D ¢-$ Marado Sushi — Sushi bar offers a wide selection of Japanese fare and a few Korean specialties. No alcohol. 47 Monroe Center, 742-6793. Closed Sun. L, D ¢-$

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Maru Sushi & Grill — Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. 925 Cherry St SE. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$

Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat buffet: Japanese, Chinese, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), (616) 365-3989. mingten restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Mynt Fusion Bistro — Asian fare that includes Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries: blue, peanut or yellow. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned Chinese restaurant also serves Korean fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun during winter. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 6765888. ningye.info. L, D $ Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, curries and noodle dishes; seafood and duck specialty plates. No alcohol. 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro. com. L, D ¢-$ Osaka Steakhouse — Japanese cuisine, including steak, seafood, sushi. Same owners as XO Asian Cuisine. Open daily. 4977 28th St. SE, 419-4628. Facebook. L, D $ Palace Of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11 am-3 pm. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindia restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Photography by Johnny quirin

India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan in a humble atmosphere. No alcohol. Closed Tue. 3760 S Division Ave, 2431219. indiatowngrr.com. L, D ¢-$

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p.f. Chang’s China bistro — Upscale chain known for modern Chinese dishes from Mongolian beef to chicken lettuce wraps. Cocktails, beer and wine. Order online for takeout. The Village at Knapp’s Crossing, 2065 Apple Orchard Ave, 447-2060. pfchangs.com. L, D $

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pho Soc trang — Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢ rak thai bistro — Thai-fusion fare with Chinese and Japanese influences. No alcohol. 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. rakthaibis tro.com. L, D ¢-$ red Sun buffet — All-you-can-eat international buffet: sushi, Chinese, American, Italian and Japanese selections. No alcohol. 4176 28th St SE, 940-9999. redsunbuffet.com. L, D ¢-$

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Seoul garden — Chinese and Korean cuisine with full bar. Banquet and catering facilities available. Closed Sun. 3321 28th St SE, 9561522. grseoulgarden.com. L, D $-$$ Shang Hai ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine; food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE (at 29th St), 773-2454. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$

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Soc trang — Wide selection of Chinese and Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. 1831 Market Place Dr, Caledonia, 871-9909. gosoc trang.com. L, D ¢-$

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Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, plus fusion fare. Private groups can eat in traditional Japanese tatami room. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni.net. L, D ¢-$$ thai express — Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiexpressgr. com. L, D ¢

PhotoGraPhy by johnny quirin

➧ thai fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu for $5.99. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE (near 29th St), 301-8883. thaifusiongr.com. L, D ¢-$

three Happiness restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare, with daily lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. 3330 Alpine Ave NW, Target Plaza, 785-3888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ tokyo grill & Sushi — Japanese tatami rooms, sushi bars. Menu includes hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, plus Japanese and American beer and wine. Closed Sun. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyogrillsushi. com. L, D ¢-$

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

Tokyo Roadhouse — Japanese (sushi) and Chinese menus, lunch specials. Order online for pickup, delivery (until 8 p.m.) or express dine-in. No alcohol. Opens daily at 11 a.m. 4095 Plainfield Ave. NE, 365-3719. tokyoroad house.com. L, D ¢-$

Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. Serves beer. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. L, D $ Wonton Express — No-frills ambience serving authentic Chinese fare from spicy Hunan and Kung-Po dishes. No alcohol. 6719 S Division Ave, 281-8816. L, D ¢-$

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FXO Asian Cuisine — Thai, Chinese and Viet-namese cuisine with full service bar. Vegetarian options and lunch specials MonSat. Free valet parking with $30 purchase. Will deliver. 58 Monroe Center, 235-6969. $-$$ xoasiancuisine.com. L, D

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

Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean Le Kabob — Huge appetizer selection, soups, salads and sandwiches, large choice of Mediterranean entrees and combos. Kids menu. No alcohol. Open daily. 2923 28th St SE, 272-4135. lekabob.com. L, D ¢-$ Marie Catrib’s — Middle-Eastern fare with on-site bakery, seasonal specialties and Turkish coffee. Vegetarian options. Breakfast 7 am Mon-Fri, 8 am Sat. Lunch/dinner starts 11 am weekdays, noon Sat. Closed Sun. No alcohol. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ribs.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Mediterranean Grill — Gyros, kabobs, shwarma, falafel, hummus, kafta. All meats are halal, in accordance with Islamic requirements. Closed Sun. No alcohol. Cascade Center, 6250 28th St SE, 949-9696. L, D $ Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offering Mediterranean specialties with drivethrough, delivery and catering available. Open daily. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyrosdrivethru.com. L, D ¢-$ Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Lebanese cuisine, from grape leaf appetizer and tabbouleh to shish kebob, falafel and baklava. Takeout and catering. Features Lebanese beer and wine. Closed Sun-Mon. 2228 Wealthy St SE in EGR, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L, D ¢-$ Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, lunch and dinner com84 Grmag.com \ September 2013

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bos of chicken, beef, seafood and vegetarian entrees, kabobs. No alcohol. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D ¢-$

Pita House — Gyros and other Middle East specialties. No alcohol. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029; 4533 Ivanrest Ave SW, 261-4302; 134 Monroe Cen¢ ter NW, 233-4875. thepitahouse.net. L, D Sheshco Grill — Lebanese cuisine including appetizers, salads and soups; entrees such as shish kabob, lamb shanks, quail and sautéed meats, plus vegetarian and seafood options. No alcohol. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill.com. L, D $ FShiraz Grille — Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, khoreshts, vegetarian options. Full bar, wine list, martinis. 2739 Breton Rd SE,  949-7447. shirazgrille.com. L (Sun), D $

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Zeytin — Turkish-American cuisine with extensive beer and wine lists. Takeout available. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-2222. zeytin turkishrestaurant.com. L, D $

African Little Africa Cuisine — Humble storefront café offers hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. Sample other Ethiopian specialties. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Open daily. 956 E Fulton ¢ St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew-like) dishes served with injerra flatbread. Carry-out. No alcohol. Tue-Fri lunch buffet, dinner 5-8 pm; Sat buffet 4-8 pm; closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood SE, 459$ 3383. gojoethiopiancuisine.com. L, D

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Mexican/Latin American/ Caribbean 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfasts. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 3018555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu; wet burritos are the claim to fame. Full bar. The Big Enchilada curbside service: call in your order and have it delivered to your car. 16 28th St SE, 245-0494. beltlinebar.com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare with full bar, take-out service, vegetarian selection. Spacious with fireplaces and Mexican décor. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. L, D ¢-$ Café San Juan — Puerto Rican, Mexican and Cuban. No alcohol. 3549 Burlingame Ave SW, 530-2293. cafesanjuan.net. B, L,  D ¢-$ Cancun Restaurant — Neighborhood eatery

616-364-6222 • www.starcollision.com On the corner of Lafayette & Plainfield since 1958 Detailing • Body Repair • Restoration • Customizing • Auto Glass • Car Rental September 2013 / Grmag.com 85

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food & drink Restaurants / PEOPLE / reviews

specializes in Mexican seafood dishes but offers a full range of fare. 1518 Grandville Ave SW, 248-2824. L, D ¢-$

Cantina — Extensive menu of Mexican specialties with full-service bar. 2770 East Paris

Ave SE, 949-9120. L, D

Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. Lunch specials. No alcohol. Open until 2 am Fri-Sat, closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 233-4141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢

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Cinco De Mayo — Mexican eatery offers the usual fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. 123 Courtland St, Rockford, 866-3438; 114 $ Monroe Center NW, 719-2404. L, D Donk’s Mexican Joint — Tex-Mex selections including wet and dry burritos. Kids menu, drive-thru available. 820 Michigan St. NE, ¢ 883-6036. donksjoint.com. L, D Downtown Trini’s — Sparta destination offers traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun and Mon. 134 E Division Ave, Sparta, 887-2500. ¢-$ downtowntrinis.com. L, D El Arriero —Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, with à la carte selections for smaller appetites. Mexican and domestic beers, Margaritas. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. L, D ¢-$ El Barrio Mexican Grill — Tasty and creative twists on otherwise-traditional Mexican. Full bar. 545 Michigan St NE, 301-0010. elbarrio mexicangrill.com. L, D ¢-$ El Burrito Loco — More than 70 authentic Mexican selections. Complimentary chips and salsa. Full bar. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-0415; 4499 Ivanrest SW, 530-9470; 4174 Alpine Ave NW, 785-4102. L, D ¢-$ FEl Granjero — Mexican fare, from steak and shrimp dishes to à la carte selections and menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. elgranjerogr.com. B, L, D ¢

(Available seasonally while fresh herbs from our garden last)

El Sombrero — Offers the wet burrito, and dry ones too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. L, D ¢

Happy Hour Mon.- Fri. 4pm-6pm

Grand Villa Dungeon — Mexican food is the specialty. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 534-8435. villadugeon.com. L, D $

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Jamaican Dave’s — Jerked, fricasseed or curried chicken; curry goat, oxtail, beef and chicken patties; jerked wings; salt fish and “escoveitched” fish; tofu-with-veggies. Limited seating; takeout is best bet. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 458-7875. jamaicandaves.com. L, D ¢ Las Cazuelas — Open for breakfast at 10 am. Genuine Hispanic flavors. 411 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 726-6600. B, L, D ¢ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes. All items can be accommodated for vegetarians. Mostly take-out with a small dining room. No alcohol. Open daily. 1811 Plainfield Ave. NE, 4477733. Facebook. L, D ¢ Lindo Mexico Restaurant — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Happy hour 2-6 pm. Kids menu. 1292 28th St SW, Wyoming, 2612280. lindomexicorestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. 36

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Bridge St NW, 458-8583. B, L, D

michoacan — Mexican fare plus seafood, chicken and steak dishes. No alcohol. Open at 9 am. 334 Burton St SW, 452-0018. B, L, D ¢-$ mi tierra restaurant — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive through. No alcohol. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢

tacos el Caporal — Two locations serving Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. 1024 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢ tres Lobos grill & bar — Lobster fajitas and parrilladas. Full-service bar. Lunch ’til 4 pm daily. 825 28th St SE, 245-5389. treslobosrest aurant.com. L, D ¢-$

Photo: Chris Callis

taco bob’s — Fresh-Mex offerings, taco salads and the “funny taco,” a hard-shell wrapped in a soft shell. No alcohol. Open 11 am-2 pm, Mon-Fri. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 4581533. tacobobs.com. L ¢

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Grand Rapids engagement of Jersey Boys is welcomed by Calder Investment Advisors, Crowe Horwath LLP, Lacks Industries, The Sharpe Collection and X-Rite.

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dining guide Legend grand rapids magazine has created these symbols to area restaurant amenities as a service to our readers. B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (Over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée. - — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2012 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2012 Dining Award Winner Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email mprimeau@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

888-672-5626 | northpointe.com September 2013 / GrmaG.com 87

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near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN

Comstock Park combines easy access to urban Grand Rapids with the benefits of a small-town community.

Best of two worlds By Daina Kraai |

Photography by Johnny Quirin

efining Comstock Park can be difficult. Officially, it’s not a city, village or town. Though only seven miles north of Grand Rapids, it’s not an official city neighborhood. And while residents admit Comstock Park is essentially a post office ZIP code with a school district, they will also tell you they consider themselves a community. “It’s the community and the school system that put Comstock Park on the map,” said Rick Ericksen, a member of the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority. “Basically, it’s an all-volunteer effort. There are no paid positions to do things like plowing the streets. There are no paid people to say, ‘OK, the city of Com-

stock Park needs a new water main.’ … We take care of us on our own with some help from the township.” With a population of just 16,000, residents say they enjoy the smallness. “I grew up in a town of 1,000 people and Comstock Park has a similar feel,” said Ethan Ebenstein. “When there’s a need or when a crisis arises, everyone has your back. Also, everyone seems to be some kind of shoestring relation to someone else or has some kind of connection.” Comstock Park also offers the best of two worlds, he said, being close to downtown Grand Rapids — “a lot of the views above West River Drive, you can see downtown” — but with the feel of a rural town.

Bartender Chris Wright chats with patrons at Nick Finks, a popular watering hole in Comstock Park. At left, other storefronts along West River Drive. 88 Grmag.com \ September 2013

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GettING tO KNOW COmStOCK pArK > perrIN SpOrtSWeAr is one of the larger employers in Comstock Park and recently opened Perrin Brewing Co. at 5910 Comstock Park Drive NW.

> IN 2013, COmStOCK pArK HIGH SCHOOL earned

First settled for logging in 1837 by brothers Oliver and Nathaniel North following the Treaty of 1836 between the Odawa and Ojibwe people and the United States, the area has a rich history, with many families having lived there for three and four generations. “My husband’s family has been here since 1843,” said Sue Carpenter. “I’ve lived my whole life here, but my family moved here during the 1930s, so we’re newcomers in comparison.” Her husband’s grandfather built a lumber company near Mill Creek. “There used to be all different mills for grinding grain,” she said. “The whole of what is today Dwight Lydell Park was one giant mill pond, which is why the creek is now called Mill Creek.” Later, the Mill Creek area turned into a fish hatchery, where resident Bill Parris remembers fishing as a kid. “The ponds are still there today in Lydell Park,” said Parris. Marked by a giant waterwheel, the park functions as a green space in the center of the small two-block business district.

The park also houses the Grand Rapids Model Railroad Historical Society in the old fish hatchery building, commemorating the two railroads that ran through Comstock Park in the 1870s. One of those two lines has since become the White Pine Trail, which starts in Comstock Park and follows the rail bed through five counties up to Cadillac. Five years ago, when the Department of Natural Resources withdrew its funding

a Silver Award from U.S. News & World Report for performing in the top 5 percent of high schools in Michigan. This fall will see the opening of a new 700-seat performing arts and athletic center, part of a $29 million bond issue for construction projects within the school district.

> tHe ONLY tIme WeSt rIVer DrIVe is ever shut down is during the high school’s fall homecoming parade. The parade draws more than 3,000 people.

Bicyclists ride along the White Pine Trail. At right, Dan O’Brien and his sons, Dan Jr. and Frankie, catch some fish at Dwight Lydell Park. September 2013 / GRMAG.COM 89

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near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN

Customers line up for a frozen treat at the Dairy De-lite, where Bella Bajema and her mom eat scoops of Hudsonville ice cream. At right, families enjoy the playground at Dwight Lydell Park. Opposite page, sisters Robin Aniszko and Rachel Sikkema, owners of R&R Coffeehouse & Café, prepare a take-out order.

to continue work on the trail, residents and members of Comstock Park’s Downtown Development Authority took over and finished the trail from Ballpark Drive to Mill Creek Street, continuing the trail downtown and putting in extra parking. “Before that, it ended at the ball park and was just an abandoned railroad,” said Ericksen. “The trail gets pretty crowded when the weather is decent, and it’s kept plowed all winter long to the north side of Rockford, which most people don’t realize,” said Dave Heyboer, chairman of the Friends of the White Pine Trail. “Also, it will soon be connected to the Musketawa Trail which comes in from Muskegon. It’s in construction right now.” Another major piece of Comstock Park’s history is connected to the location of Fifth Third Ballpark on West River Drive, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps. From 1897-1935, the stadium and parking lot area held a tannery where more than 500 people from all over the U.S. and Europe were employed. “The tannery was a big business here. They would pay their employees with scrip: ‘You work for me and I won’t give you money, but it’s good credit at the grocery store.’ So if you got in a fight with your boss, you not only didn’t have a job, you

didn’t have a house or anything,” Parris explained. Three blocks of row houses were owned by the tannery. Today, only one remains standing. Tony Purwin said his father tore down some of the houses 50 years ago to start a business. Comstock Park Body Shop is still in that same location on West River Drive, and Purwin — who swept its floors in high school — now runs the place. Purwin’s body shop is one of the oldest businesses in Comstock Park. Many of the older businesses, including the hardware store, meat market and Polish bakery, have closed, but local flavor still remains with places like R&R Coffeehouse & Cafe, Dairy De-lite Ice Cream Parlor and the Comstock Park Branch of the Kent County Library. The DDA has worked to keep the area pedestrian friendly with streetlights and façade improvements. Comstock Park has a reputation for having a lot of bars, which dates back to the 1880s when alcohol couldn’t be sold within one mile of a federal facility. “We were right at the one-mile mark from the Michigan Home for Veterans on Monroe, which opened in 1886,” Carpenter said. “There was a place called Comstock Park Bar, and the soldiers would walk across the bridge and buy their alcohol. We

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CLARK PLACE CONDOS FOR SALE Dowtown living at down to earth prices. 2 BED - 2 BATHS Starting at $179,900

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801 Broadway Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 had five bars at that point in time.” One of the oldest bars-turned-restaurants in the area is Nick Fink’s Bar, which still bears the date 1888 on the side of the building at 3965 West River Drive. Boasting a colorful history as a tavern, hotel, barber shop, post office — and rumored at one time to be a brothel — Nick Fink’s now is owned by The Gilmore Collection and retains the name. Two other popular eateries are Mill Creek Tavern and Vitale’s Comstock Park. Though the main downtown is on West River Drive, Comstock Park boundaries stretch all the way from Alpine Avenue to the west and Belmont/Safety Drive to the east, and from Four Mile to Nine Mile Road, south to north. The area encompasses a wide range of housing, including one that was built in the 1850s. Comstock Park also encompasses York Creek Apartments, a sprawling complex that houses nearly 5,000 residents. “I’ve lived here all my life,” said Parris, who said it was nice to see the community grow when Fifth Third Ballpark was built. “The growth was nice, but when they built the Kmart and some of those big stores, I missed the smaller hardware stores. It was just part of the small town system. But I’ve built a home out here and I GR love it.” September 2013 / Grmag.com 91

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out & about WHErE To Go / WHaT To Do

september events A FeW GreAt tHINGS tO DO tHIS mONtH!

Past ArtPrize entries include Ritch Branstrom’s “Rusty” (below), “Paperika Redux” by Richard Shipps, at right, and “Serenity Lake” by Carole Feuerman.

ArtPrize is 5

Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

Sept. 6-7 - CeLebrAtION ON tHe GrAND: Annual city celebration at Rosa Parks Circle and Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown GR includes family-friendly entertainment, food and fireworks. Taste of

Downtown Friday night features samplings from various restaurants. See Special Events

Sept. 6-7 - HISpANIC FeStIVAL: Annual celebration of cultural heritage, with

them directly.” New online mapping functions will allow for easier navigating between venues. Opening Night Kick-Off is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Rosa Parks Circle. For info on how to register to vote and a list of venues, artists and events, visit artprize.org.

PHoToGraPHy By joHnny quirin

AND StILL GOING StrONG. Happening Sept. 18 to Oct. 6, ArtPrize 2013 will have 1,524 entries from 45 U.S. states and 47 countries displayed in 169 venues, including shops, eateries, parks, museums, pubs and more — even the Grand River. Artists will vye for awards totaling $560,000 in what is billed as the world’s largest art prize with the public choosing the winners. Juried awards also will be presented. The fifth anniversary edition of the radically open art competition will have some new features, including an option for potential buyers to connect with artists directly. “Artists want to win ArtPrize prizes, obviously, but there should be other great benefits to participating — like being able to show off your entire portfolio and sell your work,” said Christian Gaines, the new executive director. “Changes to the site this year mean participating artists can now put a sale price on pieces and people can communicate with

entertainment, food, art and products from Latin, Central and South America takes place on Calder Plaza. See Special Events

Sept. 14 - eAStOWN Street FAIr:

All-day family-friendly party with live music and entertainment on three stages, arts and crafts, kids activities, food and more. See Special Events

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

Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, e-mail caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the 15th of the month.

Special eVeNtS thru Sept. 15 - Gr’s Got talent: Top 24 finalists perform in downtown venues thru Sept. 10. Finale Sept. 15: 2-4:30 p.m. youth show, 6:30-9 p.m. adult show, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Each show: $15 adults, $12 kids, age 10 and under free; $25/$20 both shows. grsgottalent.com. Sept. 1 - Sunday Art market: Juried open air market of original art and fine crafts. 11 a.m.2 p.m. Under the canopy at Chinook Pier, Grand Haven. grandhavenchamber.org. Sept. 1-2 - Cars for Cancer: Ninth annual car and bike show. Kickoff party begins 5 p.m. Sun. with beer tent, live music and car cruise. Monday includes pancake breakfast (begins 7:30 a.m.), kids games, poker walk, door prizes. Mercy Health Partners Lakes Campus, 6291 S. Harvey St., Muskegon. visit muskegon.org.

PHoToGraPHy courTEsy THinksTock (BoTT0m)

PHoToGraPHy By joHnny quirin

Sept. 2 - Grand Haven third Street bridge Walk: Begins 9 a.m. at Harbor Island, continues along boardwalk to the lighthouse and returns to Chinook Pier. visitgrandhaven. com. Sept. 2 - Grand rapids bridge Walk: The city of GR hosts Grand Crossings, a 5-mile Labor Day walk crossing seven bridges. No sign-up necessary. Wheelchair accessible. 8 a.m. Starts and ends at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Sept. 2 - Holland Labor Day boardWalk: Begins at the Kollen Park/Heinz Waterway Walkway, continuing along boardwalk and Window on the Waterfront to Windmill Island Gardens. All-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast follows ($5 adults, $3 kids 3 and up). Time TBD. cityofholland.com/ recreation/labor-day-boardwalk. Sept. 2 - Holland/Zeeland Labor Day truck parade: Big rigs carrying locally

Sept. 14-15 - FALLASbUrG FALL FeStIVAL: Now in its 45th year, this festival features 100 fine arts and crafts booths, craft demonstrations, entertainment, food booths and a kids

made products rumble from Zeeland to Holland. Free food and prizes. 9:15 a.m. truckpar ade.org.

Sept. 2 - West michigan Labor Fest: Live entertainment, kids activities, food vendors, car and motorcycle show, and free admission to the Ford Museum. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. AhNab-Awen Park, downtown GR. westmichi ganlaborfest.com. Sept. 2 - Saugatuck blue Star bridge Walk: .19K bridge walk begins 9 a.m. on Douglas side of Blue Star Bridge. Sept. 2 - White Lake Labor Day Walk: Community bridge walk begins at 10 a.m. at Hart-Montague Bike Trailhead behind Whitehall Products in Montague, crosses bridge into Whitehall and ends at Chamber of Commerce. Sept. 6-7 - Celebration on the Grand: Annual city celebration at Rosa Parks Circle and Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown GR. Kids activities, family-friendly entertainment and fireworks. 5:30-10 p.m. Fri., noon-9:30 p.m. Sat. celebrationonthegrand.org. Sept. 6-7 - Hispanic Festival: Annual celebration of cultural heritage, with entertainment, food, art and products from Latin, Central and South America. 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Fri., noon-11 p.m. Sat. Calder Plaza, downtown GR. Free. grhispanicfestival.com. Sept. 6-14 - Allegan County Fair: Rodeo, parade, off-road demo derby, super-cross racing, tractor pulls, Allegan County Fair Idol, petting zoo, food and music. Entertainers include Tim McGraw, Carnival of Madness and Austin Mahone. $5 adults, $2 children (grades 1-12), kindergarten and under free, $5 parking. allegancountyfair.org. Sept. 7 - Art in the park: Rockford’s juried

craft area, all set in beautiful Fallasburg Park, Lowell. See Special Events

Sept. 15 - Gr’S GOt tALeNt: Final competition at St. Cecilia Music Center. Youth show 2-4:30 p.m., Adults 6:309 p.m. See Special Events

Sept. 20-21 FALLFeSt: West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association’s 18th annual bluegrass music festival with bands, workshops, jams and raffles. Camping is available. Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. See Music September 2013 / GrmaG.com 93

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

art exhibition with 34 artists featuring pottery, stoneware, jewelry, glassworks, painting, photography and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Garden Club Park. artsrockford.org.

Sept. 7 - Creston Car Show: Free, familyfriendly event with cars (hot rods, classics, antiques, muscle, special interest, custom, imports) live music, pie-eating contest, kids activities and cruise. Proceeds benefit area charities. 9 a.m. registration ($10), 11 a.m. show. 1560 Plainfield Ave. NE. crestoncar show.com. Sept. 7 - Soccer Buddies Open House: New soccer center for kids 15 months to 12 years. 10 a.m.-noon. Grand Rapids Indoor Center, 596 Baldwin St., Jenison. michigansoccer buddies.com. Sept. 7-8 - Civil War Muster: Holland Museum presents battle scenes, historical figures, demonstrations, games, music, crafts, period-style vendors. 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sun. Van Raalte Farm, Holland. Free. hollandmuseum.org. Sept. 11-Dec. 9 - GVSU Fall Arts Celebration: Art exhibits, concerts, dance, poetry and guest lecturers. Free. See gvsu.edu/fall arts for schedule. Sept. 12-13 - GrrCON ’13: Information security and hacking conference. Doors open 7 a.m. Thu., 8 a.m. Fri. DeVos Place. $48-$280 (grrcon.org). Sept. 12-14 - Just Between Friends Consignment Sale: Clothing, baby items, toys, games, electronics, sporting goods and more. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. 28th Street Showplace, 1256 28th St. SW, Wyoming. $3 Thu., other days free. jbfsale.com. Sept. 13 - MAJIK Concert Series Gala Fundraiser: Dinner and a classical concert featuring Sheryl Iott on piano, Libor Ondras on violin and Stacey Tanner on cello. See bethlehemchurchgr.org for details. Sept. 13-15 - Grand Haven Salmon Fest: Waterfront festival features live jazz, Michigan wine-tasting pavilion, grape stomping, gourmet salmon cook-off, beer, fine art fair, Big King salmon fishing contest, Fresh Catch Fish Boil. 4:30 p.m. Fri.-noon Sun. Grand Haven Municipal Marina. visitgrandhaven. com. Sept. 13-15 - Michigan Irish Music Festival: Three days of Irish music (Slide, Damien Dempsey, Scythian, The Irish Descendents, Millish, Sprag Session, Blackthorn, We Banjo 3, Seamus Kennedy, An Dro, Burning Bridget Cleary, Kennedy’s Kitchen), and Feis, an

Irish dance competition. Food, Irish Market and Store, kids activities, cultural center. 5-11 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon. $15 Fri. and Sun., $20 Sat., $40 three-day pass, kids 12 and under free. michiganirish. org.

Sept. 13-15 - Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival: Holland celebrates Latino art and culture through film, visual art, music, dance and poetry. Centennial Park, 250 Central Ave., Holland. tulipanes.org. Sept. 13-15 - Tulip City Gem & Mineral Show: Displays, demos, Petoskey polish, kids games, door prizes, silent auctions and dealers. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Holland Civic Center, 150 W. 8th St. $3 adults, $8 family three-day pass, students free. Sept. 14 - Cottage Bar Chili Cook-Off: 32nd annual event features 40 chefs and live entertainment and benefits Gilda’s Club of West Michigan. Noon-5:30 p.m. Cottage Bar, 18 LaGrave Ave. SE, and One Trick Pony, 136 E. Fulton St. cottagebar.biz. Sept. 14 - Eastown Street Fair: All-day family-friendly party with live music and entertainment on three stages, arts and crafts, kids activities, food and more. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Lake Drive and Wealthy SE. Free. eastowngr.com. Sept. 14 - Grand River Cleanup: 10th annual mayor’s river cleanup. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Begins at Sixth Street Bridge Park; buses available to various locations. grandriver cleanup.com. Sept. 14 - Odd Ball: UICA fundraiser offers sophisticated décor and edgy performances against the background of its ArtPrize exhibition. 7-11 p.m. $89/members, $129/nonmembers (uica.org). Sept. 14 - Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Threemile walk, shorter route available. 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. act.alz.org. Sept. 14 - West Michigan Mom’s Sale: Clothes, toys, furniture, car seats, strollers: anything related to baby, child or maternity. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. DeVos Place. Free; donations accepted. westmichiganmomssale.com. Sept. 14-15 - Fallasburg Fall Festival: 45th annual festival with more than 100 fine arts and crafts booths, craft demonstrations, entertainment, food and kids craft area. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Fallasburg Park, 1124 Fallasburg Park Drive, Lowell. Free. lowell artsmi.org. Sept. 14-15 - Grand Rogue Living History

Encampment: Re-enactors re-create life in early America with authentic costumes, musket and cannon firing, drill and tactical demonstrations. Sponsored by West Michigan Living History and Education Association. Camping available. Begins 10 a.m. Sat. Grand Rogue Campground, Belmont. grand rogueencampment.com. Sept. 15 - Harvest Fest: 11th annual Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest, a program of Fair Food Matters. Local musicians, family activities, food vendors, food and farming demos, exhibitor tents. 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tillers International, 10515 E. OP Ave., Scotts. $10/carload. fairfoodmatt ers.org/harvestfest. Sept. 18 - Bravest vs. VETSports Charity Softball Game: National softball team of wounded vets plays against local fire and police. 5 p.m. Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park. $10; vets, military and kids under 12 free. Sept. 18 - Zoo Fundraiser: Joel Sartore: National Geographic photographer speaks about his career and passion for wildlife, a zoo fundraising event to raise awareness for endangered animals. 6-7 p.m. John Ball Treehouse, John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. $60. johnballzoosociety.org. Sept. 18-Oct. 5 - Grand Haven ArtWalk: Local art competition displays art in businesses and community buildings for public judging. Street parties, live entertainment, bike parade, kids events and food. ghart walk.com. Sept. 18-Oct. 6 - ArtPrize: Fifth annual international art competition with more than 1,500 artists in more than 150 venues indoors and outdoors in downtown GR. $250,000 first prize for artist with most public votes. Pre-registered visitors vote online or by text messaging. artprize.org. Sept. 19-22 - Dragons: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents a circus celebrating the Year of the Dragon. 7 p.m. Thu.-Fri.; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 5 p.m. Sun. Van Andel Arena. $15-$68 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). Sept. 20 - Live Mannequin Night: Merchants in downtown Holland compete for awards by displaying live mannequins recreating famous scenes. 7-8:30 p.m. down townholland.com. Sept. 20-21 - Fall Bridal Show of West Michigan: Area wedding exhibitors, fashion shows. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. DeVos Place. Tickets TBD (at door). kohlerexpo.com.

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Sept. 20-22 - GrandCon: Tabletop gaming conference including comic books, magic, seminars and game library. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Prince Conference Center, Calvin College, 1800 East Beltline Ave. SE. Prices vary; see website. grand-con.com. Sept. 21 - Pagan Pride Day: 13th annual celebration of religious diversity includes food drive. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Richmond Park. Free. grandrapidspaganpride.bravehost.com. Sept. 21-Oct. 27 - Harvestfest: 130-year-old farm offers horse-drawn hayrides, corn mazes, u-pick apples, pumpkins and squash, pony rides, homemade donuts, cider and lunch items. 5-9 p.m. Fri., noon-9 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 11966 Fruit Ridge Ave., Kent City. Prices vary. fruitridgehayrides.com. Sept. 27-28 - Professional Bull Riders: International bull riders compete to qualify for PBR World Finals. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $17.50-$102.50 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). Sept. 27-28 - West Michigan Oktoberfest: Edelweiss Club presents live music, German food, wine and beer, and kids activities. Noon-11 p.m. John Ball Park. Free. edelweiss clubgr.com or oktoberfestwestmichigan.com. Sept. 28 - Roselle Park River Festival: Ada Township Parks and Rec presents music, nature walks, kids games, arts and crafts, food, live animal interactions. Also see Grand River Run in Sports. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive NE, Ada. Free. Sept. 28 - White Lake Fall Fest: Live entertainment, arts and crafts, hayrides, cider mill, food vendors and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. North Mears parking lot, downtown Whitehall. Sept. 28-29 - ArtPrize LotParty: First United Methodist Church hosts concerts, food and kids activities. Begins 11 a.m. both days. 227 E. Fulton St. grandrapidsfumc.org/artprize. Sept. 28-29, Oct. 5-6 - Rockford Harvest Festival: Includes entertainment, scarecrow building, hayrides, chili cook-off, kids activities and car show. Downtown Rockford. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. rockfordmichamber.com. Sept. 29 - Allegan Antiques Market: 400 exhibitors (200 inside, 200 outside) rain or shine. No pets allowed. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Allegan County Fairgrounds, 150 Allegan County Fair Drive. $4. alleganantiques.com.

Sports Sept. 7 - Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon/Duathlon: Triathlon is half-mile

swim, 17-mile bike ride and 5-mile run. Duathlon is 2-mile run, 17-mile bike ride and another 5-mile run. 7:10 a.m. John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE, EGR. $70 triathlon, $60 duathlon. eastgr.org.

Sept. 7 - Walgreens Lace Up for Kids: 10K run, 5K run/walk, 1-mile family fun run. 8 a.m. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. 10K: $30 adults, $20 kids 12 and under. 5K: $20/$15. Family fun run: $5. Sept. 13-14 - Battle at the Burg: 7- to 28mile mountain bike races, plus kids race and outdoor expo. 4-7 p.m. Fri., 8:30 a.m. Sat. registration, 10 a.m. Sat. race; expo open until 5 p.m. Sat. Cannonsburg Ski Area. $45. battle attheburg.com. Sept. 14 - Great Lakes SUP Classic: Fourth annual stand-up paddling event with multiple races on Lake Michigan. hollandoutpost. com/stand-up-paddling/great-lakes-supclassic. Sept. 14 - North Bank Bike Rally: 20- and 40-mile and 100K options beginning and ending in Coast Guard Park, Ferrysburg; funds benefit local charities. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. rides. $35. northbankbikerally. com. Sept. 15 - Bridge Run: 10-mile run and 5K run/walk throughout downtown GR. 6 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. start. Rosa Parks Circle, downtown GR. $45 10-mile, $30 5K. thebrid gerun.com. Sept. 21 - Warrior Dash: “World’s largest obstacle race series.” 3-mile race includes warrior helmet, T-shirt, awards, beer, food, live music. 9 a.m. 1400 Maynard Ave. SW, Walker. $90. warriordash.com. Sept. 28 - Aquinas 5K Run/2K Walk: Aquinas Colleges hosts fifth annual run/ walk benefiting Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. walk/run. $25 adults, $20 alumni, $10 students and kids 12 and younger. aquinas. edu. Sept. 28 - Grand River Run: 2K and 8K runs and 1.5-mile family fun run. 9 a.m. 8K, 10:15 a.m. 2K. Roselle Park, 1010 Grand River Drive NE, Ada. $25 8K, $12 2K. Also see Roselle Park River Festival in Special Events. grand river-run.com. Sept. 28 - Oktoberfest Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K: Shoreline Sport and Spine sponsors races through Spring Lake, Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Fruitport. 6 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. marathon. Old Boys Brewhouse, 971 W. Savidge St., Spring Lake. $95 marathon, $55 half marathon, $35 5K.

oktoberfestmarathon.com.

Sept. 28 - Park2Park Half Marathon and 5K: Holland Hospital’s race benefits nonprofit Neighbors Plus. 8 a.m. half marathon, 8:15 a.m. 5K. Ottawa County Fairgrounds. $60 half marathon, $25 5K. park2parkrace. com. Sept. 28 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: 16th annual 5K run/survivors walk. 6:30 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. race. RiverTown Crossings Mall, Grandville. komengr. org. Sept. 29 - Live United 5K: Second annual run/walk presented by Heart of West Michigan United Way and Steelcase. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. race. David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Drive. $25. hwmuw.org/ liveunited5k.

Stage & Film Sept. 5-21 - “Sweeney Todd”: Circle Theatre presents the musical thriller of a murderous barber. 7:30 p.m., 5 p.m. Sept. 15. Aquinas College PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $27 (456-6656, circletheatre.org). Sept. 6-21 - “Sherlock Holmes Final Adventure”: GR Civic Theatre presents the story of the great detective and his famous companion, Dr. Watson. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $16-$28 (222-6650 or grct.org). Sept. 19 - “Ring of Fire”: Broadway production celebrating the life and music of Johnny Cash, including performances of “I Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire.” 7:30 p.m. Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame SW, Byron Center. $39.50 adults, $22.50 students (box office, 878-6800 or vsfac.com). Sept. 19-20 - Ballet X: Hope College’s Great Performance Series presents Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company. 7:30 p.m. Knickerbocker Theatre, Holland. $18 adults, $13 seniors, $6 students and children (hope.edu). Sept. 19-28 - “Love! Valour! Compassion!”: Actors’ Theatre presents the Tonyaward-winning comedy/drama about eight gay friends over the course of three summer weekends. 160 Fountain St. NE. $24-$26 adults, $20-$22 students (234-3946 or atgr. org). Sept. 20-Oct. 5 - “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”: Muskegon Civic Theatre presents a love triangle when a new tenant moves into Armadillo Acres. 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Sun. Beardsley Theater, MuskeSeptember 2013 / Grmag.com 95

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The B.O.B: The Big Old Building houses several entertainment options: Crush Thu.-Sun. (Crush Is Country, live country music every Fri.); live music at Bobarino’s Tue.-Sat.; stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins (see below); Eve Fri.-Sat. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 3562000, thebob.com.

Comedy & nightclub venues COMPILED BY EMMA HIGGINS

1/ tHe INterSeCtION: Sept. 13:

1/ Country musician Granger Smith will perform songs from his “Dirt Road Contemporary country musician Driveway” album at The Intersection. Granger Smith performs. The Texan singer/songwriter claims to be reinventing traditional country music and will play songs from his latest album “Dirt Road Driveway.” Smith’s comedic alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr. may also make an appearance. Show starts at 8 p.m., all ages welcome. $10 in advance, $12 at the door, available at Purple East, Shakedown, Vertigo Music and box office. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com.

2/ bILLY’S LOUNGe: Sept. 6: Local band Trilogy will cover a mix of classic and contemporary hits. Trilogy was formed in 1978 by Grand Rapids pianist Kevin Viilo, who plays many roles as keyboardist, bass keys and vocalist. His wife, Racquel, provides powerhouse vocals. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757, billyslounge.com.

Diversions: Nightclub offers dancing, special events. 10 Fountain St. NW, 451-3800, diversions nightclub.com. Dr. Grins Comedy Club: Nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians perform 9 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 3562000, thebob.com. Founders Brewing Co.: Large taproom features live music and open mic events. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-2182, founderbrewing.com. Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Downtown brewery/ gastropub features acoustic sets 8-10 p.m. Sun. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewingcompany.com. J. Gardellas: Dance Club Fri. and Sat. nights on the third floor featuring DJ Kermit. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 4598824, jgardellastavern.com. Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor, DJs Thu.-Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoodslounge.com. Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. All shows 21 and over, no cover charge. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, mulligans-pub.com. Monte’s Lounge: Drink specials and dancing every Fri. and Sat. 438 Bridge St. NW, 774-5969, mon teslounge.com. One Trick Pony: Restaurant offers live music: WYCE Hat Trick Series, 7:30 p.m. every other Mon., raises money for nonprofits (first come, first serve). Acoustic Stew 8 p.m. most Thu. and Sat. evenings (reservations recommended). 136 E. Fulton St., 2357669, onetrick.biz and Facebook. The Orbit Room: Regional and national music acts, occasional stand-up comedy. Multiple bars. Open floor and seated balcony. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com.

River City Improv: Comedy team weaves skits, games and songs with audience suggestions. Calvin College Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE. Preorder tickets at rivercityimprov.com or Calvin box office, 526-6282, or at door. Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri. featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, rockysbarngrill.com. Stella’s Whisky Lounge: Retro Dance Party with DJ Todd Ernst every Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 7424444, stellasgr.com.

Sept 6

2/ Trilogy, a Grand Rapids band that plays a variety of favorite tunes, will perform at Billy’s Lounge.

SpeakEZ Lounge: Bar/restaurant features live music, open mic nights. 600 Monroe Ave. NW, speakez lounge.com. Sunday Night Funnies: Midwest comics perform 8:30 p.m. Sun. Riverfront Hotel’s Landing Lounge, 270 Ann St. NW, Facebook. Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill: Regular live acts, including comedy and music. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910, Facebook.

PHoToGraPHy courTEsy Eric ryan anDErson (ToP); courTEsy TriloGy BanD (BoTTom)

Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. Tickets: FusionShows.com, Vertigo Music and Pyramid Scheme front bar. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, 272-3758, pyramidschemebar.com.

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gon. $19 adults, $17 seniors (MCT or Frauenthal box offices or Star Tickets). muskegon civictheatre.org.

Sept. 21, 23 - Master Arts Theatre Auditions: 12 men, 10 women, 2 boys and 2 girls age 8 and up needed for “It’s a Wonderful Life” to run Nov. 21-Dec. 14. 10 a.m. Sat., 6:30 p.m. Mon. 75 77th St. SW. masterarts.org. Sept. 27-Oct. 5 - “Much Ado About Nothing”: GVSU’s Shakespeare Festival. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Louis Armstrong Theatre, PAC, Allendale Campus. $14 adults, $12 seniors, $6 students (616-331-2300, box office or Star Tickets). gvsu.edu/artscalendar.

NE. $50 (800-585-3737 or Star Tickets).

Sept. 6-8 - Wheatland Music Festival: 40th annual music and art festival. Wheatland Festival Grounds, Remus. $70 adults, $45 seniors, $10 kids. wheatlandmusic.org. Sept. 9, 16 - Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series: Sept. 9, Singers/Songwriters of the ’70s. Sept. 16, Music of Webber & Rice. 7 p.m. Aquinas College PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $17 (456-6656, circletheatre.org).

Music

Sept. 12 - The Northern Skies: Free, familyfriendly folk rock concert presented by Walker/Standale DDA. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. 7-9 p.m. Walker Community Park, 700 Cummings Ave. ci.walker.mi/business/ dda.

Sept. 5 - Indigo Girls: American folk-rock duo performs in outdoor amphitheater, part of Meijer Gardens Summer Concerts series. Bring blankets or low-rise chairs. Picnics allowed; no alcohol (available inside gates). 7 p.m. Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave.

Sept. 20-21 - Fallfest: West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association’s 18th annual music festival with bands, workshops, jams and raffles. Camping available. Begins 6 p.m. Fri. Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. Tickets TBD. wmbma.org.

Sept. 20-21 - “The Rite of Spring at 100”: GR Symphony opens its season with themes of scandal by Barber, Miller and Stravinsky. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $18-$90 (Symphony and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org. Sept. 21 - Over The Rhine: With special guests The Milk Carton Kids. 8 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $20 (Calvin box office, 526-6282 or calvin.edu/ boxoffice). Sept. 22 - Tommy Emmanuel: Grammynominated Australian guitarist performs. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $39.50$49.50 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). Sept. 27 - Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet: Classical guitar ensemble from Brazil is presented by Hope College. 7:30 p.m. Knickerbocker Theatre, Holland. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students and children (hope.edu). Sept. 27-28 - “Cirque De La Symphonie”:

Fall Parade of Homes

A local favorite for over 30 years Our menu mixes traditional favorites with creative new dishes

October 4 -19 Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays Remodeled Homes October 18-19 VIP Nights October 10 & 17

VIP Pass $20 General Ticket $12

Photography courtesy Eric Ryan Anderson (top); Courtesy Trilogy Band (bottom)

$2 discount at Option 1 Credit Union or online at myGRhome.com

616-957-1111 28th Street at Patterson in the Hilton Grand Rapids Airport

Official Event

Signature Event Sponsor

To purchase tickets or for complete event information visit myGRhome.com

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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

West Michigan Symphony presents a fusion of cirque acrobats, balancers, contortionists, jugglers, dancers and strongmen with music from the orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon. $32-$60 adults, $15 students (231-726-3231 or westmichigansym phony.com).

Bistro Chloe Elan brings downtown flair and exceptional value to Ada. Open Mon-Fri lunch & dinner, Saturday dinner only Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 2-6pm Live music every Wednesday with ½ off all bottles of wine. Tantalizing Thursdays ~ $5 burgers all day

445 Ada Drive SE ~ in Thornapple Village 616.432.3345 ~ www.chloeelan.com

Sept. 27-28 - Indie Rock Music Festival: Grand Haven hosts 10 indie rock bands from the Midwest, performing live on Washington St. Begins 6 p.m. Free. gh-iri.com. Sept. 27-29 - “Boston Pops Tribute Show”: GR Symphony presents a tribute to musical icons Arthur Fiedler and John Williams. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall. $18-$90 (Symphony and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org. Sept. 28 - Switchfoot: San Diego alternative rock band brings its Further West tour. 8 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $25 (Calvin box office, 526-6282 or calvin.edu/boxoffice).

Lectures & Workshops Sept. - GR Public Libraries: Programs include: Reading the Great Lakes, Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm, Early Childhood Essentials, small business classes, author visits, adult computer classes, reading clubs. Kids activities include: Literacy classes for babies, toddlers and kids; Stuffed Animal Sleepover; Star Wars: Use the Force; and Finisher Party at the Zoo. Complete schedule at Main Library, 111 Library St. NE, or grpl.org. Free. Sept. - Kent District Libraries: Programs include book discussions, Early Childhood Essentials, career transition workshops. Kids programs include story times for young children, Music Makers, Happy Birthday Amelia Bedelia, Connect with an Author: Mo Willems, and Family Building Bricks Party. See kdl.org. Sept. - Moveir Dance Studio: Lessons in line dancing, lindy hop, Latin, etc. 7-8 p.m. every Sat. followed by open dance 8-11 p.m. $10 lesson, $10 open dance, $15 both. 2483 Burlingame SW, Wyoming. moveirdancestu dio.com.

Custom picture framing since 1970 Modern • Impressionistic • Classic • Your Style

frameandmatshop.com Holland 616.396.5050 Rockford 616.863.0881 Grand Haven 616.846.2170

ery Tue. Rosa Parks Circle, Monroe Center, downtown GR. grandrapidsoriginalswingsoc iety.com.

Sept. 7, 14 - GRAMStudio Workshop: ArtPrize Prep (21 and older). Experience the creative process with workshops inspired by ArtPrize favorites from years past. Transform materials in the studio, connect and converse in the galleries. 9 a.m.-noon. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center. $110, $90 members. Registration required: artmuseumgr.org, click on Learning. Sept. 13, 27 - Grand River Folk Arts Society: Dance instruction. 7 p.m. Sept. 13, Second Friday International Folk Dance, Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE ($5). 7 p.m. Sept. 27, Fourth Friday Contra Dance/ Jam, Fifth Street Hall, 701 5th St. NW ($9 adults, $7 members, $5 students/seniors). grfolkarts.org. Sept. 17 - Nourishing Ways of West Michigan: Question and Answer Night. 7-8:30 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division Ave. nourishingways.org. Free. Sept. 19 - Divorce Seminar for Women: Monthly seminar provides legal, psychological and financial info. 6 p.m. Women’s Health Pavilion, 555 MidTowne St. NE. $45 (divorceseminar.org). Sept. 19 - Dyslexia Seminar: Info from New Chapter Learning. 6:30 p.m. Grandville Middle School, 3535 Wilson Ave., Room 200. Registration: 534-1385. newchapterlearning. net. Free. Sept. 21-Nov. 2 - American Sign Language Class: Deaf Expressions holds eight-week class. 10 a.m.-noon Sat. Registration before Sept. 14. 2133 McKee Ave. $130, includes workbook. deafexpressions05@gmail.com. Sept. 26 - Stephanie Schlatter Art Class: Collage. 6-8 p.m. 2100 Timberpoint, Ada. $50 (includes supplies, snacks, beverages). Pre-registration encouraged. stephanieschlatterart.com. Sept. 30 - GR Audubon Club: All About Apples by Melinda Pope. 7 p.m. social hour, 7:30 p.m. presentation. Orchard View Church of God, 2727 Leffingwell NE. Public welcome, free. glsga.org/grac.

Sept. - Social Dance Studio: Lessons in ballroom styles. 7-8 p.m. every Fri.; open dance 8-11 p.m. $10 lesson, $10 open dance, $15 both. 4335 Lake Michigan Drive. social dancestudiogr.com. Sept. - Swing Dancing: Swing dancing and instruction in downtown GR 7-10 p.m. ev-

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out & about WHErE To Go / WHaT To Do

Opening Sept. 18

Blandford Nature Center: Trails, nature exhibits, heritage buildings on 143 acres. Interpretive Center open weekdays; trails open daily dawn to dusk. For workshops and activities, see website. $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 735-6240, blandfordnaturecenter.org.

1/ Shattered: Contemporary Sculpture in Glass exhibits the work of artists from across the globe.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920sera railway. Special event: The Famous Pumpkin Train rides begin Sept. 28-29 (see website for times and prices). Regular excursion rides 11 a.m. Wed. and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sat (except for Sep. 28). 311 Danforth St., Coopersville, 997-7000, coopersville andmarne.org.

Shown: “Artificial Paradise” (detail), 2013, by Beverly Fishman.

Coopersville Farm Museum: Special events: Sept. 24-Oct. 5, photo and art contest entries due; exhibit runs mid-Oct. to mid-Dec. Acoustic Jam Nights 6-9 p.m. first and third Tue. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 28, Kids Day. Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 28, Quilts and Their Stories, and Uniquely Fabric by Bridget Gazlay. Permanent exhibitions: Tractors, quilts, eclipse windmill, kids area. Open Tue.-Sat. $4 adults, $2 age 4-18, kids 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarm museum.org.

COMPILED BY DONNA FERRARO AND TRICIA VAN ZELST

1/ FreDerIK meIJer GArDeNS & SCULptUre pArK: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 31, Bernar Venet, five large-scale steel sculptures. Sept. 18-Oct. 6, ArtPrize. Sept. 18-Jan. 5, Shattered: Contemporary Sculpture in Glass. Special events: Sept. 7-8, Fall Rose Show. Sept. 14-15, Herb & Gourd Fest. Sept. 20-Oct. 27, Chrysanthemums and More! permanent attractions: World-class sculptures indoors and in 30-acre park; tropical conservatory, café/restaurant, gift shop. Open daily. $12 adults, $9 seniors and students, $6 age 5-13, $4 age 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org. 2/ JOHN bALL ZOO: Special events: Sept. 1, Bear Day. Sept. 7, Monarch Butterfly Day. Sept. 15, Spider Monkey Day. Sept. 18, Joel Sartore visit, a fundraiser for endangered animals, see Special Events. Attractions: Meijer Grizzly Bear Exhibit, Jandernoa Children’s Outpost, Lions of Lake Manyara, Mokomboso Valley Chimps, Spider Monkey Island, Living Shores Aquarium. Open daily. Thru Sept. 15: $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors 62 and older, $6.50 kids 3-13, kids under 2 free. Sept. 16-Nov. 3: $5 adults and seniors, $4 kids 3-13, kids under 2 free. 1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, johnballzoosociety.org. 3/ GrAND rApIDS pUbLIC mUSeUm: Special events: Sept. 6, Carnival on the Grand Family Fun Night. Special exhibitions: Sept. 6-Dec. 31, Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon. Sept. 19-Oct. 4, ArtPrize. Thru Sept. 8, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition ($17, $16 seniors, $12 age 3-18; members: $12/$11/$10). Thru Nov., Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Storms and Stories. permanent exhibitions: Streets of Old Grand Rapids, Anishinabek and Newcomers: People of This Place, Collecting A-Z, Furniture City, 1928 carousel ($1). $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 age 3-17. Van Andel Museum Center, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grmuseum.org.

2/ Sept. 18, National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore will speak about his career and passion for wildlife at a John Ball Zoo fundraiser. Sartore is on a mission to document endangered species and landscapes.

Felt Mansion & Gardens: Summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt features architectural beauty of the 1920s. Self-guided tours 1-5 p.m. Sun.Tue through Oct. $10 adults, $8 seniors 65 and older (seniors free on Mon.), kids 12 and under free. 6597 138th St., Holland, (616) 335-3050, feltmansion.org. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Special exhibition: Thru Jan. 2014, Growing Up Grand, a look at Ford’s formative years, including photos, documents, artifacts and sets of his Union Street home, Boy Scout camp, Bill’s Place. Permanent exhibitions: The 1970s, Watergate, Oval Office, New Mood at the White House. Open daily. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 college students, $3 age 6-18, kids 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlibrarymus eum.gov. Gilmore Car Museum: Special events: Sept. 7, Buick Bash. Sept. 8, Muscle Cars plus Show & Swap Meet. Sept. 21, Model A Ford Gathering at Gilmore. Sept. 29, Cadillac-LaSalle Club Meet. Permanent exhibitions: Automotive Heritage Center and six other buildings house exhibits and about 150 vehicles (open all year). Another 150 vehicles in restored barns on 90-acre campus open thru Nov. 30. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $9 age 7-15, kids 6 and under free. 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, (269) 6715089, gilmorecarmuseum.org. Grand Rapids Art Museum: Special exhibitions: Sept. 18-Oct. 6, ArtPrize 2013: Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature. Permanent exhibitions: 19th and 20th century art; design and modern craft; prints, drawings, photographs. Friday Nights at GRAM: Music, gallery talks, cash bar, dinner options 5-9 p.m. $5 adults, members free. Drop-in Family Saturdays: Art-making activities for kids and families, kid-friendly tours, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $8 adults, $7 seniors/students, $5 age 6-17, kids 5 and under free. 101 Monroe Center, 831-1000, artmuseum gr.org. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Special events/activities: Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 29, Kids ArtFest 2013, live performances and free arts celebration. Opening Sept. 17, Happy Animal Clinic. Opening

PHoToGraPHy courTEsy BEvErly FisHman (ToP): joElsarTorE.com (BoTTom)

Museums & Attractions

DeGraaf Nature Center: 18-acre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. For workshops and classes, see website. Closed Sun., Mon., holidays. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, (616) 355-1057, cityofholland.com/degraafnaturecenter or Facebook. Free.

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2/ Paola Gianturco profiled 120 activist grandmothers in 15 countries for her book, “Grandmother Power, A Global Phenomenon.” Her interviews and photographs are the inspiration for the GR Public Museum exhibition opening Sept. 6.

Sept. 24, To the Rescue. Thru June 2014, Kidstruction Zone. Permanent activities: Busy, Busy Bees; Bubbles!; Mom and Pop Store; Giant Lite Brite and more. Toddler Tuesdays, 3 and under (10 a.m.noon). Family Nights 5-8 p.m. Thu., $1.50. Closed Mon. $7.50 adults, $6.50 seniors, kids under 1 free. 22 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm.org. Holland Museum: Special event: Sept. 7-8 Civil War Muster, see Special Events. Special exhibitions: Thru Dec. 30, From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland, and Harnessing the Wind. Permanent exhibitions: Dutch Galleries of 17th- to 20th-century paintings; cultural attractions from the “old country”; local history. Closed Tue. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. Cappon House: 228 W. 9th St.; Settlers House: 190 W. 9th St.; Main building: 31 W. 10th St., (616) 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org.

French Bistro Comfort food perfectly prepared for you! Stylish and friendly atmosphere.

Happy Hour 3:30 - 6:30, Specials on Cocktails & Appetizers

Open for lunch. • Private room for up to 25 people available.

6450 28th St. SE Cascade, MI • 616-719-2017 • www.eurobistrogr.com

Meyer May House: Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house restored by Steelcase includes original furnishings. Guided tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tue. and Thu., 1-5 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour prior to closing). 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermayhouse.steelcase.com. Free.

PhotographyCourtesy powerHouse Books

Photography courtesy Beverly Fishman (top): joelsartore.com (bottom)

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Thru Sept. 15, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art, and Precious Artistic Moment: Paintings by Catherine Hinkle. Thru Sept. 29, For and Against Modern Art: The Armory Show+100. Sept. 14-Dec. 1, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection? Sept. 21-Feb. 2, Mountains and Waters, Landscape Paintings from China. Sept. 28-Dec. 8, 2013 Kirk Newman Art School Faculty Review. Closed Mon. $5 adults, $2 students with ID, kids 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org.

Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 27, Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields. Permanent exhibitions: Paintings, prints, sculpture and glass. Closed Mon. and Tue. $7 adults (Thu. free), $5 students, kids under 17 free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskeg onartmuseum.org. Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Digistar and laser projectors produce special effects. Themed shows educate about the stars. Closing for renovation Sept. 15- Feb. 2014. GR Public Museum. $3 plus museum admission, laser light shows $7. grmuseum.org/planetarium. Tri-Cities Historical Museum: Two buildings house exhibits of Northwest Ottawa County. Closed Mon. 200 Washington Ave. and 1 N. Harbor, Grand Haven, (616) 842-0700, tri-citiesmuseum.org. Free. Veen Observatory: Astronomical observatory owned and operated by GR Amateur Astronomical Association. Public viewing dates and times: graaa. org. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell.

www.kw-gr.com • 616.575.1800 630 Kenmoor Street, suite 101 • Grand Rapids

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out & about sociETy / FacEs / PlacEs

Matt Smith and Kendra Prudhomme

Alyssa and Romer Benitez and Lia Yreta Krysta, Mya and Leah Koch

Quang and Dianne Nguyen Josh Case and Karielle Liggins Samples of the food at Taste of GR event

snap shots

CAptUrING tHe ACtION

ArOUND tOWN:

tHe 15tH ANNUAL tASte OF GrAND rApIDS and barbecue competition was held July 19-20 at Fifth Third Ballpark, with about 30 local restaurants offering food and beverage samples. Michigan State University’s Gran Fondo bike race in downtown Grand Rapids attracted 1,500 cyclists who took part in the June 29 event to raise money for skin cancer research at MSU’s College of Human Medicine. More than 400 guests and sponsors of the Ox-Bow school of art and artists’ residency in Saugatuck attended the annual fundraiser July 13.

Adam Chilver, Michael VanWyk, Mike Bryson and Josh Burgess

PHoToGraPHy By micHaEl Buck (ToP); joHnny quirin (BoTTom)

Riders at Gran Fondo

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Ruth Baratta and Shannon Stratton

Amanda Geerts, Christina, Israel and Caroline Davis

Patricia Dewey and Jerry Nelson People mingling at Ox-Bow event

Photography by Johnny quirin

Photography by michael buck (top); johnny quirin (bottom)

Carl, Debra and Pierce Postma

Kathy Huisman and Andi Rotzien

Mike and Sue Andrews

Shelby Keyworth and Adam Leavesley September 2013 / Grmag.com 103

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SHoWcaSe centre For plaStic SUrgerY  eaSt pariS ave. Se at Heritage pointe ..

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THE CENTRE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY has good reason to celebrate. This year not only marks the 30th anniversary of their cosmetic and plastic surgery practice, which is renowned for providing the highest level of patient satisfaction combined with a legacy of incomparable care, but it also finds them in a brand new state-of-the-art 11,500-sq.ft. Surgical Facility built entirely with the patient in mind. Staffed with qualified, licensed nurses and board-certified anesthesiologists, it is equipped to provide hospital-quality surgical care while affording patients the privacy, comfort and confidentiality

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that is difficult to achieve in a hospital setting. Fully accredited by AAAASF, the operating and recovery rooms are completely equipped with the most current technology in monitoring systems to ensure the safest possible procedures, from breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, facelifts, blepharoplasty (eyelids) and liposuction, to reconstructive surgery and beyond. In addition to the whole gamut of cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery solutions, the Centre for Plastic Surgery is wholly focused on comprehensive care, as evidenced by its expanded Skin Care and injectable capabilities, which offer a wide variety of non-surgical options for aesthetic enhancement. The build-out of the beautiful new surgical center was facilitated by First Companies, Inc., which owns and manages the building at 2060 East Paris (on the SE corner of East Paris and Burton). It was designed by Architect Bill Cox at Cox Medendorp Olson Architects, with Cindi Brege, IIDA, of Interior Solutions, Inc., creating its striking interior design. This impressive new surgical center is an apt reﬂection of the quality of care provided by Doctors Scott Brundage, Douglas Leppink and Benjamin Rechner – all of whom are board certified, highly skilled members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Assistant Clinical Professors in

8/6/13 12:36 PM

Special Advertising Section

the Department of Surgery at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where they teach leading-edge techniques and share their vast knowledge with the doctors of tomorrow. Drs. Brundage and Leppink are also members of the American Aesthetic Society. At the Centre for Plastic Surgery you’ll find compassionate, personalized services that are uniquely tailored to the needs and desires of each patient, from initial consultation through post-procedure follow-up. In fact, one of the Centre’s newest technologies allows patients to develop an interactive connection following a consult, through which they can access the notes, drawings, photographs and other information regarding their case through TouchMD touch-screen technology. You’ll never

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again forget exactly what the doctor said. “Everything we have implemented with the patient-focused design of this surgical center – from its own private entrance to utilization of the most current technologies – has been done to ensure the best experience for our patients,” noted partner Douglas Leppink, MD. “We have the ability to provide them with a comprehensive care plan that integrates the aspects of both beauty and health. It’s about helping people on their journey to wellness. ” A formal Grand Opening event for the new surgical facility takes place in September, and complimentary monthly wellness seminars will be offered to the public. Click on the “News & Events” tab at www.gr-cps.com for a schedule of upcoming topics.

Facing Page: Pictured L to R: Benjamin P. Rechner MD, Douglas M. Leppink MD, Scott R. Brundage, MD Photo by Michael Buck Above: Reception/Lobby and Skin Care Room Photos by Kevin Beswick/People Places & Things Photographics. Below: The Centre for Plastic Surgery Team. Photo by Michael Buck

8/6/13 12:37 PM

SHoWcaSe craFt revival JeWelerS  ionia ave. ..

WWW.craFt-revival.coM

Make Craft-Revival Jewelers your number one ArtPrize destination

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN you combine the German Munsteiners – a world-renowned family of fifth-generation gemstone artisans – with the Grand Rapidian Cases, a multi-generational family of exceptionally talented goldsmith jewelers? Answer: A match made in Heaven! Not to mention this year’s must-see ArtPrize venue at Craft-Revival Jewelers, 16 Ionia Avenue in the heart of the Arena District. Father-son owners, Brandon and Jayson Case, have teamed up with the internationally award-winning Munsteiners, who for five generations have been leading the industry in the fine art of gemstone cutting, to bring Grand Rapids an inimitable array of dazzling colors and luminous gemstones. Every one is painstakingly hand faceted to infuse light and life into each distinctive piece, made all the more radiant through the distinguishing goldsmith artisanship of the Cases. It is the kind of craft artistry that is born from a culmination of passion and pride that results when two families, fervent about what they do, merge. You’ll witness something that typically can only be seen in this country at locations in New York City and California. Also on display

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BY J. STAPLETON BURCH

is a Munsteiner gemstone sculpture, polished and faceted from a single 273-carat amethyst. During ArtPrize, Craft-Revival will display the progression of fine jewelry from its just-out-of-the-ground rough rock origins to its transformation into a piece of breathtaking beauty, all in a sea of brilliant full-spectrum colors. “I want people in Grand Rapids to see something that is really unique and different,” Jayson explained of the project. “I have heard the name Bernd Munsteiner ever since I can remember because Dad always talked about their unbelievable work with gemstones. Some of his pieces are on display in the Smithsonian. Now his children, Tom and Jutta, carry on the family tradition, and I’ve always wanted to meet them.” Given the variety and unique characteristics of each Munsteiner gemstone, there is bound to be a distinctive, one-of-a-kind piece that will have its own special appeal for those looking to make a statement about who they are as an individual. At Craft-Revival, each piece is designed exclusively for the person who will be wearing it, incorporating their lifestyle and personality. “We make pieces that symbolize who you are rather than what you

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Special Advertising Section

have,” Jayson noted. “Everything is focused on the individual to create something personal that is as unique as they are. And we stand by everything we make for a lifetime.” At Craft-Revival Jewelers, it’s as much about the personal client relationship as it is the one-of-a-kind, beautifully handcrafted jewelry that has made them a legend in our city. Together with their other craftsman goldsmith on staff, Jessica Shelton, they not only create original breathtaking pieces of jewelry completely from scratch, but also can take your old jewelry and transform it into something that better fits your current lifestyle. Since everything is made entirely onsite, with no middlemen, you’ll find the pricing for their custom-made pieces surprisingly reasonable, especially given their lifetime service guarantee and phenomenal turnaround times. Visit their Ionia Avenue store to see what they can design for you; and don’t miss ArtPrize! Visit www.craft-revival.com.

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Facing page: The 10,363 CT Dom Pedro Aquamarine, work of Bernd Munsteiner on display at the Smithsonian. Left: An array of colored Tourmaline’s, work of Tom Munsteiner. Above: Goldsmiths Jessica Shelton and owners Jayson and Brandon Case. Photo by Michael Buck

7/30/13 11:28 AM

Special advertiSing Section

SHoWcaSe nortHWeStern HoMe FUrniSHingS  leonard nW ..

WWW.nWHoMeFUrniSHingS.coM

Expert help, personal attention, extraordinary style

BY J. STAPLETON BURCH

SELECTING THE RIGHT FURNITURE for your home isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are so many opttions ions and important factors to consider: your personal ttastes astes and design preferences; your family’s lifestyle; the right scale for a room’s dimensions; how your selections will mesh with other treasured items and your home’s décor; colors, patterns, textures and more. You really need the kind of expert guidance you’ll find at Northwestern Home Furnishings – Grand Rapids’ most enduring fam-

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ily-owned furniture store that is now under stewardship of the third generation. Husband-and-wife team Amy and Scott Howard proudly continue the legacy of providing quality fine furniture and individualized personal service – a tradition established by Amy’s grandparents 75 years ago. Warm and welcoming, its cozy, comfortable surroundings offer beautiful room vignettes that make you want to linger. Still in its original Leonard Street location on our city’s northwest side, Northwestern Home Furnishings continues to be one of GR’s favorite furniture stores – partly because they have evolved over the years to stay current with industry innovations and up-to-date on the trends of the times, but also because of their unwavering commitment to customer service. It’s a priority reﬂected in their friendly, knowledgeable and creative design staff. They can help solidify your ideas and pull together all the pieces that will transform your thoughts into a spectacular room reality. With free in-home design services, they can assist with everything from room layout and color schemes to furniture selection, in-home placement and finishing touches, whether your project consists of a single room or the entire house. And they continue to provide supportive customer service after the sale. “We can help with everything from concept to completion,” Amy noted with a smile. “We make it easy for you to shop.” If your plans include creating special spaces for children, Northwestern Home Furnishings is your go-to place. The second ﬂoor houses their Young America Signature Shop. It is solely dedicated to a broad collection of fun and festive youth furniture that Northwestern routinely updates to offer even more colors and special kid-friendly features. Kids will get a thrill out of creating their own special furniture pieces on the store’s au-

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Special Advertising Section

tomated program. It provides a virtual representation of your specific furniture selection, depicted in your choice of colors and finishes. You can literally browse for that special look you’re seeking with just a touch of the screen. Even more fun is exploring their various room setups for a full-dimensional experience. Your kids will want to move right in! That same vibe is felt throughout the tastefully decorated showroom. “We have been in business this long because we are continually evolving with the times and stay in touch with the latest trends,” Amy noted. “Although modern design is trending now, we have a wide variety of top quality furniture lines that offer something for every taste, from traditional or casual to contemporary and beyond.

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We’re really excited about the newest addition to our namebrand lines – the BradingtonYoung Leather Collection. It’s a quality product that offers a great variety of styles and options that fit in well with our other collections.” In addition to the showroom’s casual atmosphere and diverse furniture selection, you’ll also find a wide array of home accessories that help complete a room, from wall art and lamps to area rugs and design accents that will really make your space “pop”. In fact, they recently installed a huge selection of new artwork throughout the entire showroom. You’re bound to find a piece with your name on it. Stop by the showroom soon and check it out, or visit www.nwhomefurnishings.com for more information.

Facing page: Endless options on this King Hickory sectional available from hundreds of fabrics to many dimensions customized for each client. Left: Northwestern Home Furnishings always has unique pieces like this beautiful Stanley console. Above: Owner and designer Amy Howard Photo by Michael Buck

7/30/13 11:29 AM

SHoWcaSe tHe SHade SHop

 leonard Street nW ..

WWW.tHeSHadeSHopinc.coM / FaceBooK /tWitter

Bringing modern technology and stylish flair to your windows

YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND the latest products at The Shade Shop, with its longstanding legacy of serving the Grand G rand Rapids community and beyond. Established in 11935, 935, this third-generation family-owned window coveering ring shop on Leonard Street NW, maintains their position on the cutting edge of the industry. Their total focus is window coverings of every design, from the straightforward roller shade to draperies, sheers, blinds,

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BY J. STAPLETON BURCH

shutters, and modern motorized products. As West Michigan’s Hunter Douglas Window Fashion Gallery Showroom, owners Susan and Barry McKey exclusively offer only the highest quality, built-for-endurance customized products from this legendary window-covering company. “Window treatments are so much more than a simple decorative accent,” Susan said in reference to the energy-saving properties, innovative designs, precision light control, UV protection, child-safety aspects, green properties and technological advancements of the products they offer. “Motorization is especially popular, which lets you easily operate everything from draperies and shades to blinds and wood shutters with a mere touch of a button or hand.” Those in the construction trades often turn to the staff at The Shade Shop on hardwire projects to ensure a smooth integration into commercial and smart-home automation systems as Barry is a Hunter Douglas Certified Motorization Specialist. However, they also offer products for customers seeking a simpler, less expensive motorization solu-

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Special Advertising Section

tion. “Hunter Douglas offers a high-quality battery operated system that can be remotely controlled from smart phones or Apple device Apps,” Barry explained. “It comes close to replicating a home-automated system without the expense of hardwiring. You can even set a mood by programming different scenes for different times of the day or night.” “And because these motorized products are cordless, they are child-safety systems that eliminate a potential threat,” Susan added. “Another popular cordless option is the LiteRise™ shade, whose lift system lets you operate them with a touch of the hand. Hunter Douglas always thinks of the function as well as the stylish aspect. This product offers safety, style and operating ease.” Over the years, the McKeys have earned a solid reputation for not only exceptional products and services, but also for their dependability and integrity. It’s a level of trustworthiness that has generations of customers returning to The Shade Shop, where their team is continually being trained, educated and certified in the latest products and technological innovations. “The trust our customers have given to us is very important to us,” Susan said as Barry nodded in affirmation. “It is always inspirational when we hear about our customers’ complete satisfaction, and when one generation brings another to us because of it. That makes everything so worthwhile.

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We work very hard to make sure we carry a quality product and that our clients are always pleased.” The Shade Shop’s beautifully appointed Window Fashion Gallery Showroom is filled with working samples of products that customers can touch, feel and experience on a personal level. A return visit is always in order because it changes regularly to showcase the latest and most fashionable items. You’ll also find a vast fabric library of drapery and shade materials. A stop at the showroom will provide both a friendly and educational experience. “A lot of times customers are not even aware of all the new products and technologies that are available in window treatments,” Susan noted. “We can help them pinpoint things that they may not have otherwise considered because there are a lot of variables out there. Whatever they’re looking for, we will help them find it.” At the showroom they can also introduce you to the Hunter Douglas iMagine™ Design Center, which lets you upload photos of your own windows to get a virtual preview of all the style possibilities. Freely sharing information, advice and suggestions, the McKeys also offer in-home residential and commercial consultations. They are open 10:00-5:30 Monday through Friday and from 10:002:00 on Saturdays. For more information, visit their website at www.theshadeshopinc.com.

Facing Page: Owners Barry and Susan McKey. Photo by Michael Buck Above Left: “Hunter Douglas offers a high quality battery operated system that can be remotely controlled from Apple devices.” Photo provided by Hunter Douglas. Above Right: “Hunter Douglas LiteRise ™ cordless lift system is functional and child safe as well as stylish.” Photo provided by Hunter Douglas.

7/30/13 11:58 AM

after thoughts

Q:a

Wealthy Theatre director Erin Wilson’s proudest moment came last year when Carol Moore, who helped renovate and reopen the theater in the 1990s, told him everything they hoped for was coming true.

Favorite film? I connect with characters, most of all Col. Walter E. Kurtz (“Apocalypse Now”), but I’d never say that publicly. Living person you most admire? Rev. Jerry Bishop and Mr. (Peter) Wege (I always called him Mr. Wege) — both iconic figures for the direction our neighborhood has taken. Mr. Wege did some chesslike things on the block that transcend the theater support when he paid an inflated price to buy and then shut down a store that served as a drug ring in the 1990s. He made this neighborhood livable by doing proactive things in a surgical manner with his resources. Rev. Bishop (who runs LifeQuest Center and lives a few blocks from me) has become a true leader and respected figurehead in many ways, especially in his work with ex-offenders and youth, and he’s a brilliant advisor when I need to check in on what’s best for the neighborhood vis-à-vis Wealthy Theatre. Most treasured possession? My disregard for the prospect of failing. When you’re bored you ... Have an extensive Rolodex of obsessions and vices. If you could change one thing … I wish we were more open to giving and receiving criticism in West Michigan.

Clothing and styling by A.K. Rikk’s; lighting by ETC. LED spotlights provided by Hyatt & Associates.

Photography by michael buck

rin Wilson started at Wealthy Theatre six years ago with nearly no staff and no background in theater management. The historic movie theater at 1130 Wealthy St. SE had no scheduling mechanism, no ticket sales functionality, limited sound/video capacity and almost no events. But Wilson listened to what patrons and artists wanted “and over the years we’ve been diligent about responding to those needs.” Wilson is board president of ArtPeers, a board member of Dance in the Annex, cofounded by his wife, Amy, and a member of the League of Historic American Theatre. He also founded Until Love is Equal. He and Amy and their three children have lived a few blocks behind the theater for more than a decade. What talent would you like to possess? Having no natural talent has led me to collaborate with many who do, and I’ve fallen in love with them — and the process. Your worst habit? Explaining “why” before saying “what.” What do you do to unwind? Find a new, creative undertow. No one knows … I was very nearly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. I once was a working model. I have an advanced martial arts degree. A play I wrote was produced in Chicago. I lived in the Dominican Republic for a year, where I wrote two novels.

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637 Leonard NW Just West of US 131 â&#x20AC;˘ Grand Rapids 616.454.4439

www.nwhomefurnishings.com

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