CELEBRATING CITY LIFE
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Contents OCTOBER 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 10
FEATURES 32 / Autumn adventures With apple orchards, pumpkin patches and fresh doughnuts, there’s no place to celebrate the fall season like West Michigan. BY PASHA SHIPP
37 / City on the rise Kentwood offers a plethora of options to live, work and play in a diverse environment. BY TERRI FINCH HAMILTON
32 4 GRMAG.COM \ OCTOBER 2018
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contents OCTOBER 2018 / VOL. 55 / NO. 10
departments BACK & FORTH 8 / From the Editor, contributors and letters
50 / Chef profile: Jacob Johnson at Roam 54 / Nosh & sip: Greek wines
10 / Social media, GRMag.com sneak peeks, previews and more
62 / Cocktail hour: Finding fall in amontillado
LIFE & STYLE 12 / Noteworthy items include GR VegFest, Halloween fun and Day of the Dead at GRPL.
64
13 / GR’s Top 5 places to watch the game 14 / Health & wellness: Tapping
22
12
“I knew that I needed something from leading me down a bad path. Art was the thing that kept me focused throughout my entire life.” — Madison Nicole May
CAUSE & EFFECT 64 / Treetops Collective OUT & ABOUT 68 / October highlights 69 / Calendar 70 / Comedy & nightclub venue listings and highlights
16 / Reading room: “D.B. Cooper & Me: A Criminal, A Spy, My Best Friend,” by Carl Laurin
76 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights 78 / Snap shots
42
68
18 / West Michigan wine tour
80 / After thoughts: Ben Simon of the Grand Rapids Griffins
ART & DESIGN 22 / Artist profile: Madison Nicole May 24 / Art gallery listings and highlights 26 / Guest column: Saugatuck’s Tonawanda Cottage
ON THE COVER: Grand Rapids-based nonprofit Treetops Collective focuses on connecting refugee women with people and opportunities in their new community, so they can flourish for generations to come. Read more about the organization’s work on page 64.
28 / Frame works: GR’s new Public Museum High School FOOD & DRINK 42 / Dining review: Uccello’s 44 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan
54
Photography by Johnny Quirin
6 GRMAG.COM \ OCTOBER 2018
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Always at the forefront of inspired dining, six.one.six announces a bold leap into French cuisine. Introducing Alessandro Guerrazzi — our new chef de cuisine. Classically trained in Europe and a native of Italy, Chef Alessandro showcases a masterful, creative command of the fresh ingredients evident in each of his dishes. It is much more than a change of menu. It is a whole new philosophy on what is fresh, what is fabulous, as only six.one.six can make possible.
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back & forth CONNECT WITH US
Kentwood residents participate in a bike parade at National Night Out.
Discover the wonder of fall in GR
T
THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY of the past summer left many living in West Michigan to pine for fall and a reprieve from the record number of high-temperature days (and nights). Some of the beauty of living in a four-season state is the delight of change and fall color tours. Those tours could be as close as the backyard or down the street to the park. Grand Rapids boasts the largest amount of park acreage in Kent County and has spent the spring and summer sprucing the grounds for greater enjoyment. The nonprofit group Friends of Grand Rapids Parks has planned a few October weekends for fall beautification efforts with volun-
teers. The specifics and signups are found at friendsofgrparks.org. Grand Rapids Magazine staff uncovered the facts about parks as part of the 2017 research effort to compile its GR Metro rankings of area communities and attributes. That research also uncovered Kentwood as the city/community with the greatest diversity in the metro area, a subject we explored further for publication this month. Contributing writer Terri Finch Hamilton opens the feature story with a question: “Where do you go to find Bosnian pastries, the Michigan Teacher of the Year, make-your-own peanut butter, a leading manufacturer of toothbrushes and a $70-million retail expansion? Welcome to Kentwood, where a whole lot is packed into this 20-square-mile city of 50,000 people.” City Commissioner Richard Clanton best phrased a sentiment often heard, “Most of all, I really enjoy the people. You meet people who don’t look like you, don’t talk like you, and you all live together in the same community.” Fall touring is enhanced this month with hundreds of area festivals and celebrations — and the promise of the harvests. GR Magazine offers a mini-guide to some famous and not-sofamous area farms ready to share the bounty, the hayrides, the baked goods and homemade ciders, some hard, some not. Wherever the fall celebration takes you, enjoyable moments and step counts are likely to get a boost.
Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine
This month, we asked some of our contributors, “What’s your favorite fall tradition?”
Terri Finch Hamilton,
Johnny Quirin,
Megan Westers,
WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHER
WRITER
“CITY ON THE RISE,” PAGE 37
“AUTUMN ADVENTURES,” PAGE 32
“CONFLICT, COMFORT AND CONVENTION,” PAGE 22
“Heading to Paulson’s Pumpkin Patch to search for just the right pumpkins and gourds.”
“Probably the fondest memories would be our family camping trips in Ludington. … I miss those times with our kids.”
“Getting cider and doughnuts and taking a drive north to see the fall colors. Michigan is so beautiful in the fall.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Q&A:
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BRINGING A
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
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back & forth CONNECT WITH US
Inside Grand Rapids Magazine Stay connected with Grand Rapids Magazine in print, at grmag.com and on social media.
Coming up next issue … Home for the Holidays Decorating tricks, hosting tips, festive recipes and local gift ideas to take some of the stress out of this holiday season.
Losing a pet is hard, but Heaven at Home can help ease this painful process. Visit grmag.com
On the radio
What’s your favorite part about Halloween? Our social media followers respond:
20% Not a fan of Halloween
29% The parties
3% Other
Unwind at Pottery Lane. Owner Kelly Kermode offers a variety of opportunities to get your hands dirty. Visit grmag. com
At grmag.com Grand Rapids Ballet kicks off the 2018-19 season this month with its new artistic director. Halloween activities abound. Find out where to celebrate this spooky season.
NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION:
Should dogs be allowed on restaurant patios?
12% Trick-ortreating 36% The costumes
We want to hear from you There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Email: letters@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. Or follow us online at grmag.com or Facebook: @grmag Twitter: @grmagazine Instagram: @grmagazine on social media:
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (FAR LEFT); COURTESY HEAVEN AT HOME PET HOSPICE (TOP CENTER); POTTERY LANE (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (FAR RIGHT & BOTTOM)
WHETHER YOU ROCK THE green and white, maize and blue, or you’re just trying to keep up with your fantasy football team, there are plenty of great places in GR to catch the game. Check out our top picks on page 13, plus more suggestions on where to catch your favorite team at grmag.com.
Join Managing Editor Sarah Tincher at 9:45 a.m. Thursdays, as she presents the Weekend City Guide with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio FM 88.5 and 95.3.
10 GRMAG.COM \ OCTOBER 2018
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TM
Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com
info@grmag.com
PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn
EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Sarah Tincher COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joseph A. Becherer,
Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Terri Finch Hamilton, Elissa Hillary, Kara McNabb, Mark F. Miller, Torrence R. O’Haire, Amy Ruis, Tylee Shay, Pasha Shipp, Julie Bonner Williams, Megan Westers, Tricia van Zelst
DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry,
Kevin Budelmann, Jim Caughman, Timothy Chester, Sam Cummings, Ray Kennedy, Henry Matthews, Wayne Norlin, Wayne Visbeen
DESIGN & PRODUCTION NEW MEDIA, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER:
Scott Sommerfeld
ART COORDINATOR: Kelly J. Nugent DESIGNERS/PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS:
Melissa Brooks, Kristen Van Oostenbrugge, Robin Vargo CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Adam Bird, Michael Buck, Jim Gebben, Rex Larsen, Johnny Quirin SALES GENERAL SALES MANAGER:
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (FAR LEFT); COURTESY HEAVEN AT HOME PET HOSPICE (TOP CENTER); POTTERY LANE (LOWER CENTER); THINKSTOCK (FAR RIGHT & BOTTOM)
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Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 2018 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Veg out
alloween isn’t just for
Grand Rapids VegFest returns for the fourth year this month, offering a full day of all things veggie, including plant-based cooking demonstrations, food samples, vendors and lectures by a variety of nationally recognized speakers.
kids. Thrillseekers looking for a fearful adrenaline rush, or even history buffs looking to learn something new, don’t need to go far from home to get their fix. Grand Rapids Running Tours hosts numerous guided
VegFest is an annual vegetarian food festival held in various cities around the world to promote veganism and vegetarianism, healthy lifestyles, compassion for animals and environmental conservation.
Halloween-themed running and walking tours (grandrap idsrunningtours.com): • Grand Rapids’ Most Haunted: This spooky tour offers a glimpse of 10 iconic downtown locations with rumored sightings of paranormal activity.
• Fulton Street Graveyard: Learn about Grand Rapids’ pioneers as you wander through the
GR VegFest will be held Oct. 7 at the DeltaPlex. For more details, visit grvegfest.com. — Kara De Boer
city’s oldest graveyard, Fulton Street Cemetery.
• Saints & Spirits: Tour the historic former Lowe estate, which is now on Aquinas College’s
campus, and learn about its many former uses while exploring the property. The Haunt: Since 2001, The Haunt has been terrifying those who dare to enter. But this year, the attraction is raising the bar even further, moving into an even larger location at 1256 28th St. SW in Wyoming. With 50,000 square feet, 140-plus rooms, nearly 100 actors and 62 animatronics, if you’re looking for the fear factor, this is the place to be. (the-haunt.com) Forest of Fear: This self-guided walk through the woods is far from a relaxing stroll. The woods are said to be inhabited by ghosts, monsters and other terrifying creatures — enter if you dare.
— Kara De Boer
Día de los Muertos: a celebration of life BEGINNING THIS MONTH, Grand Rapids Public Library will host a four-day celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that honors family and friends who have passed on. During this event, families and friends come together to build altars that celebrate the lives and memories of their lost loved ones. Altars from members of the community honoring family and friends will be on display. Altars will be built Oct. 29-30 and will be on display to the public Oct. 31-Nov. 4 at GRPL. Those hoping to build their own altar for a loved one, or simply attend the event, can find more information at grpl.org/dayofthedead.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY PAULINA M PHOTOGRAPHY (RIGHT); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY (BOTTOM)
(forestoffear.com)
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Vitale’s of Comstock Park
The Score With more than 70 screens, including a 110-inch 3D TV, over 120 beers on tap, specials and late-night hours, The Score has all the gameday essentials. (5301 Northland Drive NE, thescorerestaurant.com) Uccello’s What started as a little pizzeria in 1978 has become a local favorite for gamedays, featuring food and drink specials, a full bar and giant TVs galore. Plus, there are six Uccello’s locations in West Michigan, so it’s almost never too far from home. (uccellos.com)
GRAND RAPIDS’ TOP 5
Places to watch the game
Vitale’s of Comstock Park A 36-seat football-shaped bar, flat screens lining the dining room, renowned pizza and plenty of craft beer on tap make this local staple a fan favorite. Enjoy Vitale’s cozy outdoor patio, equipped with a second bar and its own set of TV screens, before the snow starts to fall! (3868 W. River Drive NE, vitalescomstockpark.com) The Score
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY PAULINA M PHOTOGRAPHY (RIGHT); GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY (BOTTOM)
FOOTBALL SEASON IS FINALLY HERE, and there’s nothing quite like football season in Michigan. Whether you rock the green and white, maize and blue, or you’re just trying to keep up with your fantasy football team, there are plenty of lively sports bars around town to watch the big game.
GP Sports Located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, GP Sports offers a fun, casual atmosphere for the game, with 40 TVs, plenty of sports memorabilia, a full bar and billiards tables to keep guests entertained. (187 Monroe Ave. NW, amwaygrand. com/dining/gp-sports) Monelli’s At Monelli’s, guests can enjoy projection TVs, daily and weekly specials, events, pizza and, of course, a full bar with numerous craft beer options. (5675 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming, monellis.com)
OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 13
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health & wellness BY KARA MCNABB
Tapping, also known as EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique, is a simple technique anyone can do on their own to minimize and even completely heal physical and emotional stress.
MY 10-YEAR-OLD SON recently had an ear infection. In a 3 a.m. battle with agonizing pain, I decided to employ tapping, a technique I don’t often consider for physical issues. Tapping, also known as EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique, is a simple technique anyone can do on their own to minimize and even completely heal physical and emotional stress. To experience the effects, you literally tap on nine different points on the body while verbalizing a stressor and desired outcome. Within 30 seconds of tapping through these points on my son, his tearful screams subsided, and he fell asleep. Over the next few days, this was his top request for pain relief. I was amazed. Each point is associated with a meridian, which is a traditional Chinese medicine term for energy pathways. These pathways can become blocked over time, and methods like EFT can help to stimulate and re-open these pathways.
I often teach this stress-reduction method to clients to use on their own. When an emotional stress response keeps repeating itself, like screaming at your kids or feeling sick before work, EFT can be helpful. When belief systems like “I’ll never have enough money” or “acquiescing is easier than confrontation” are present, EFT can help. You can try it for just about anything, from addictions, disorders, depression and PTSD to physical health issues, like migraines, eczema or chronic pain. In one controlled trial, a team led by Dawson Church, an integrative health care researcher and author, measured the stress hormone cortisol in 83 subjects. The average reduction in cortisol levels after an hourlong tapping session was 24-50 percent. In comparison, no significant cortisol reduction was measured in an hourlong talk therapy session. So, how do you do it? Identify a problem, rate it on a scale of one to 10, and create a statement, such as, “Even though I feel anxious, I completely accept myself.” This statement can be general or specific. Repeat the statement three times while tapping on the lateral side (below your pinky finger) of your hand. Then, you’ll tap through each of the remaining eight points five to seven times with your fingertips while verbalizing the problem or statement. During sessions, we might dig further into what accompanies the emotion or symptom. Rerate your problem after tapping through the eight points three times. Continue tapping until you rate below two. If you want to learn more about EFT, many local practitioners, books and online resources are available to help you literally tap into your healing power and restore balance to your body and mind. — Kara McNabb is a naturopathic practitioner at Continuum Healing and member of The Wellness Collective.
Kara McNabb demonstrates tapping as a form to reduce stress to neighborhood children.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Tap into self-healing
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READING ROOM
Former skydiver Carl Laurin said he never set out to be a writer. But he had a story to tell when the time was right — after the death of longtime friend and fellow skydiver Walter Reca. Laurin, author of “D.B. Cooper & Me: A Criminal, A Spy, My Best Friend,” claims Reca, formerly of Oscoda, was the unidentified skyjacker known as “D.B. Cooper,” who notoriously hijacked a plane over the Pacific Northwest in November 1971 using a fake bomb to demand $200,000 cash and parachutes. He parachuted from the plane with the cash and was never found. Or was he? Laurin, who lived much of his life in Flint, says yes, claiming the FBI caught Reca (Cooper), but instead of arresting him, made a deal in which he would work for the government in clandestine undertakings much of the rest of his life. “The public never wanted D.B. Cooper caught, the FBI had made a legend out of this thing,” Laurin, 84, said via phone from his home in Leland, Florida. “They gave the public what the public wanted. I am 1 trillion percent positive that they could have caught him and did catch him. They made a deal with him. The deal was made in the Brown Derby (Tavern) in Spokane.” According to Laurin, that deal “I am 1 trillion percent positive involved a couple of men approaching that they could have caught Reca, saying, “Do you want to go to prison?” After Reca replied, “no,” he said the men him and did catch him. They responded, “Then you work for us now.” made a deal with him.” Noting his first inclination that his friend was — Carl Laurin D.B. Cooper was when he and his wife watched news reports on television in 1971, Laurin said it was at annual reunions of a group of old friends that he started to suggest to Reca he knew his secret identity. After initial denials, Reca’s resistance ebbed, and he began to reveal pieces of the story. Laurin, who once worked as part of a skydiving show and claims to have taught Reca how to skydive, no longer jumps from planes, saying, “My wife won’t let me.” Yet, with his feet on the ground, he finally had time to write the story he’d pieced together over the past decades. Grand Rapids-based publisher Principia Media released “D.B. Cooper & Me: A Criminal, A Spy, My Best Friend” this spring. “There isn’t a word in (the book) I would change,” Laurin said. “It’s there, it’s true. I don’t try to convince people it’s true, if they say, ‘I don’t believe you,’ I say, ‘that’s your right.’”
— JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY PRINCIPIA MEDIA
The criminal who got away?
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SEASONAL. GLOBAL. PHENOMENAL. Indulge in authentic global classics and hand-crafted cocktails in the kitchen of the world’s first celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck. Made with the best available, locallysourced ingredients, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck promises a relaxed and welcoming dining environment that is sure to make any meal an occasion.
For reservations call 616.776.3230 or visit opentable.com
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
Vino and a view
I
IN MICHIGAN, LEAVING THE CITY to admire the fall foliage is the thing to do, and what better way to enjoy the palettes of fall than with a locally harvested glass of wine? West Michigan is home to some of the Mitten State’s finest cellars and tasting rooms, and many even offer a great view of the seasonal scenery. Whether you’re a moscato or merlot lover, local wineries have something for everyone. Get out and explore the many flavors and colors of fall in West Michigan with these fan favorites.
LOCAL VINEYARDS Hoping to stay nearby? A few local wineries remain open year-round and offer fun fall experiences. Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery Grand Rapids Tastings at Robinette’s include a variety of wines and ciders made from self-grown and locally sourced fruits, including blueberries, peaches, apples, cherries and, of course, grapes. Some of the winery’s most famous pours are its raspberry spumante and apple cider. Pick some apples from the orchard while you’re there and enjoy a fresh, warm doughnut from the bakery.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); TYLEE SHAY (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (LEFT)
Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery
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1 1 T 10TH H AANNUAL NNUAL Grand Rapids I N T E R N AT I O N A L
Wine, Beer & Food
FF EE SS T I V A A LL DeVos Place
Festival Features •
The Vineyard, Beer City Station & Cider Row
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The Elite Collection of Fine Wines
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Hemingway Hall & Mixology Workshops
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Restaurant Small Plate Specialties
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Multi-Course Wine, Beer & Spirit Pairings
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RendezBREW: Coffees, Cordials & Desserts
• •
Food Stage Complimentary Wine & Beer Seminars
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3 Music Stages
NOVEMBER 16-18, 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); TYLEE SHAY (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (LEFT)
NOVEMBER 15-17
Media Sponsor
Go to GRWineFestival.com for details and hotel packages GRM_10.18_PG12.21.indd 19
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
“Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and meander through the vineyards or relax in the lawn, where guests can frequently find live music during the summer and can bring their own picnic ...”
Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery
Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn
LAKESHORE VINEYARDS The coast of Lake Michigan offers some of the most magnificent fall foliage, and several wineries are perfectly positioned along the shore for a scenic retreat. Vineyard 2121 - Benton Harbor Forego traditional wine tasting and create a customized flight of wines at Vineyard 2121. Select from a variety of red and white, sweet and dry, sparkling and even slushies, then curb your appetite with various charcuterie boards, bar snacks and wood-fired pizzas. Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery - Baroda Two different tasting experiences are available at Round Barn. In the rustic basement of the barn, try wine, beer and liquor in a standard tasting setting or, in the top of the barn, opt for a guided, intimate tasting experience with up to 15 friends (available on weekends). After tasting, grab a
glass of your favorite beverage and meander through the vineyards or relax in the lawn, where guests can frequently find live music during the summer and can bring their own picnic Monday-Thursday or enjoy a bite from Round Barn’s food truck FridaySunday. Plus, the lawn is pet-friendly! NORTHERN MICHIGAN VINEYARDS For the most memorable fall tasting tour, travel up north! The Old Mission Peninsula just north of Traverse City is home to world-renowned wineries and panoramic views. Bowers Harbor Vineyards Traverse City Bowers offers outdoor and indoor options for tasting a variety of local wines and ciders. The casual atmosphere encourages visitors to lounge and relax on the pavilion near a campfire or kick back in an Adirondack overlooking the vineyards. Chateau Grand Traverse Traverse City After sampling wines in the tasting room, visitors can retreat to the patio to enjoy either a glass of their favorite wine or a designated flight of wines with four half-pours. Wine flights are themed to suit a desired taste or mood, including the Sweet Treat flight, featuring each of its sweeter wines, or the Cut and Dry flight with fullbodied varieties.
Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery Traverse City This intimate tasting room resembles a dark cellar where visitors can sample internationally recognized wines. After tasting, take in the vineyards from above at the sky bar overlooking the property. Order a glass of wine, pair it with excellent charcuterie and snacks and stay awhile to admire the fall colors. Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn Traverse City Positioned at the highest point of the peninsula, this stop offers the best panoramic views of the fall leaves. After tasting a variety of wines, step out onto the deck to witness foliage and fresh water as far as the eye can see. Chateau Chantal also doubles as a bed and breakfast, offering a quaint overnight stay. — TYLEE SHAY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TYLEE SHAY
Fenn Valley Vineyards - Fennville Fenn Valley is a hidden gem tucked in the hills and revered by locals. The tasting room is open year-round, so stop in for a traditional tasting of six wines of your choice or sign up for a vineyard tour to get the full experience. Vineyard tours take visitors through the vines and cellars, offering exclusive views of the leaves and landscape.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
S PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHEAL BUCK
HANDCRAFTED DESIGNER JEWELRY
N
“NO MATTER HOW MUCH jewelry you’ve seen in your lifetime, I guarantee you will see designs in our store you’ve never seen before,” said Carol Wagen, co-owner of Metal Art Studio. “Fine jewelry does not have to be generic and boring. No matter how many stores you’ve been in, you’ve never been in one like ours.” Thoughtfully nested on the corner of Cherry and Diamond, Metal Art Studio showcases its tiers of designer jewelry for those looking off the beaten path. Since 1990, Wagen and her husband, Scott, have been inviting lovers of the ‘handmade’ to indulge their ideas and think differently about their fashion hardware. Many of the studio’s pieces are designed by the creative minds of their in-house designers. And if it’s not made in-house, it’s been flown in by other specialty jewelry designers from
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all over the world. “Every person who walks in our door brings us a different opportunity to design and build something unique,” said Wagen. “When we say jewelry, we are thinking of high-end handcrafted fine jewelry that can express the individuality of the wearer.” Another layer to Metal Art Studio’s unique experience is the ease and comfort from which the process grows. “Finding a place where you feel comfortable, with people you can trust, can be difficult. There’s a lot of misinformation out there that we’re constantly trying to correct,” said Wagen. “We have a wealth of knowledge we’re happy to share. Find and buy a piece that speaks to you;
BUSINESS SHOWCASE METAL ART STUDIO FINE JEWELRY
something you connect with. Ask about the designer, talk about the details, discuss how and why it was made. We love to share these details because they enhance your enjoyment. Enjoy the process of falling for a special piece, and you’ll enjoy wearing it more than you can imagine.” Join Metal Art Studio for a two-day trunk show October 17-18 10am — 7pm featuring gold and platinum jewelry by New York designer Alex Sepkus. METAL ART STUDIO FINE JEWELRY 978 Cherry St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 metalartstudioinc.com
9/4/18 2:10 PM
art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Conflict, comfort and convention
W
hen a difficult childhood and troubling high school experiences left 24-year-old Madison Nicole May with a hefty emotional burden to bear, the Grand Rapids native decided to make the most of it, channeling her pain into art to overcome the past. “I knew that I needed something from leading me down a bad path,” May said. “Art was the thing that kept me focused throughout my entire life. It’s therapeutic.” While high school was a particularly challenging time for May, it was there that she was first able to explore her artistic talents. Under the guidance and encouragement of her high school art teacher, she applied to Kendall College of Art and Design, where she not only felt accepted as a student but as a person. “There were people (at KCAD) who understood me in that community and let me blossom,” May said. “When I got to school there, they treated me like a person; like I was smart and that I could handle it.”
May has since graduated at the top of her class, earning a bachelor’s in printmaking from KCAD in 2016. The same year, she was awarded KCAD’s Excellence Award in printmaking, as well as the Juror’s Choice Award in the Michigan Emerging Graduate Artists (MEGA) exhibition at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. Through preservation tactics like dipping a shirt in wax or securing an old photograph in plaster, May’s student work at KCAD often tackled heavy topics such as domestic abuse. “I felt like it was a conversation that isn’t had in Grand Rapids, and I wasn’t satisfied with that,” she said. “I think it’s an epidemic that people brush under the rug, and I can’t support that circle of violence.” Now, May said she’s making the transition out of the past and into creating work that embodies the present. “It’s still about relationships, but instead of being about the violence, I’m more interested in the communication between people,” she said,
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
For artist and gallery owner Madison Nicole May, art is far more than a hobby: ‘It’s therapeutic.’
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T R U N K S H O W October 17 & 18 10am-7pm
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
“I needed something from leading me down a bad path. Art was the thing that kept me focused throughout my entire life.” — Madison Nicole May
adding, “love, loneliness — I’m still interested in tackling those subjects that people don’t really talk about.” But, different from the colder, darker look and feel that her student work took on, May’s current work has a light and airy aesthetic. Her three-dimensional works reference items that are synonymous with comfort, such as pillows or a bed; while her two-dimensional works, such as her collage series, for example, are more meditative. In creating her collage series, May crafted one small collage each day for an entire year to document her experience with losing a relationship of her own. In addition to developing her own art, May has long worked to foster growth in the
city’s art community, volunteering at local galleries and events, and even opening a small contemporary gallery, Bend Gallery, at 40 S. Division Ave. last summer. “I thought it would be great to open up my own space so that I could show my work for free but also to make it affordable for other artists to do the same,” said May, explaining that some gallery fees can be quite high, so she opted to impose a flexible sliding fee as a cheaper alternative. May’s strong online presence also has become a critical resource for artists who display their work at the gallery. “Our artists can pull images from old shows when they were professionally hung and showed,” May explained. “Their success is so important and being able to give them the tools that they need is awesome.” For more information about May and her work, visit her website, madisonnicole — MEGAN WESTERS may.com.
Please join us for two days of beautifully handcrafted platinum and gold jewelry by New York designer Alex Sepkus. 978 Cherry St SE, GR MI 616-459-5075
shop@metalartstudioinc.com
Store Hours: Tu-Fr 10-5, Sat 12-4 or call for an appointment OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 23
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Local art galleries COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
1/ VAN SINGEL FINE ARTS CENTER: Changing exhibits by local artists. Oct. 16-Nov. 21, “Unparalleled: A Conversation Between Two Artists” by Barbara Hoffman and Nora Faber. 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, vsfac.com/programming/art-gallery.
3/ TERRYBERRY GALLERY: Local and international art. “Different Perspectives” by Barbara Schilling, Connie Kuhnle and Kathleen Bechtel explores the artists’ styles in oil and pastel. The exhibit is available Oct. 15-Nov. 27 with a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2. Also, thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org/visit-terryberry-gallery. elry, antiques and home décor; also, paintings by Kathleen Mooney. 317 E. Main St., Lowell, 897-8601, flatriver cottage.com.
2/ Emily Najera’s photos are part of
the “Coming Home” exhibit at UICA. The Artist’s Studio: Studio and gallery with work by Jim Starkey and Rose Ellis; also custom framing. Thru Dec. 22, “New Works for Fall.” 40 Monroe Center NW, 454-6650, face book.com/theartistsstudio1. Aquinas College Gallery: Work by students, faculty and visiting artists. Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 632-8900, aquinas.edu/art/ gallery. Calvin College Center Art Gallery: Student, faculty and alumni work, plus exhibits by visiting artists. Thru Oct. 20, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture”; reception 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Oct. 8-20, “Engineering 101: Mission to Mars Bottle Rockets.” Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 5266271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery. Cascade Art Gallery: Work by regional, national and international artists, plus multimedia art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing and gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 949-4056, facebook.com/cascadeartgallery. Fed Galleries @ Kendall College of Art and Design: Work by contemporary visiting artists. Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Thru Oct. 13, “Focus on Faculty: Influence.” 17 Pearl St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries. Flat River Cottage: Fine art, jew-
Flat River Gallery & Framing: Artist cooperative shows work in a variety of mediums; plus gifts, framing and workshops. Oct. 1-Nov. 30, featured artists Doris and Lars Larson; reception 6-8 p.m. Oct. 18. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatriver galleryandframing.com. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center: Artist-in-residence program offers exhibits by local and regional artists during the school year; also exhibits by Forest Hills Public Schools students and staff. Oct. 1-31, featured artist Doug McPherson; reception 6-7 p.m. Oct. 11. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com. Fountain Street Church Keeler Gallery: Art exhibits in a variety of mediums by visiting artists. Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. 24 Fountain St. NE, 4598386, fountainstreet.org/art.
331-2563. Pew Grand Rapids campus: Thru Dec. 14, “Plastination: The Art of Preservation” at Blue Wall Gallery. DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., 331-3638, gvsu.edu/artgallery. Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211 ext. 103, heartside.org. Holland Area Arts Council: Changing exhibits of art. Thru Nov. 10, “FOTOG,” biennial juried photo competition. 150 E. Eighth St., Holland, 396-3278, hollandarts.org. Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University: Work by students in graduate-level programs and special community projects. 17 Fountain St. NW, 451-2787, kcad.edu/galleries. Kruizenga Art Museum: Thru Dec. 15, “Living Tradition: Contemporary Ethiopian Christian Art from the Sobania Collection.” 271 Columbia Ave., Holland, 395-6400, hope.edu/kam.
Franciscan Life Process Center: Changing exhibits by local artists. Downtown GR campus: Thru Oct. 31, “A Brush With Color” by Carole Nielsen. 654 Davis St. NW. Lowell campus: Thru Oct. 31, “Communicating Through Art” by Irene Bakhuyzen Wordhouse. 11650 Downes St. lifepro cesscenter.org. GRCC Collins Art Gallery: Exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students. 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, 2343544, grcc.edu/artgallery. GVSU Art Galleries: Student artwork and exhibits by renowned artists. Allendale campus: Thru Oct. 26, “Common Balance: Still Life Paintings by Mike McDonnell” at Kirkhof Center Gallery. Thru Oct. 31, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” at Performing Arts Center. 1 Campus Drive, Allendale,
3/ Terryberry Gallery features “Let’s Call It a Day” by Barbara Schilling.
Oct. 16-Nov. 21
1/ Art by Barbara Hoffman is at Van Singel Fine Arts Center.
Leep Art Gallery: Work by a variety of visiting artists. Thru Oct. 2, “Perceptions of Landscape: Reality and Remembrance” by Richard Muller. Pine Rest Postma Center, 300 68th St. SE, pinerest.org. LowellArts: Changing exhibitions of works by Michigan artists. Thru Oct. 20, “Give & Let Go,” which includes “Ron and Miriam Pederson: New Collaborative Works” and “Legacy: Aquinas College Art Professors Pass It On.” 223 W. Main St., Lowell, 897-8545, lowellartsmi.org. Merizon Studio: Art, mirror and glass design, custom framing and limited-edition prints by Armand Merizon. Oct. 13-Nov. 17, featured artists Mary Jo Drueke, Nate Drueke and Jon LaBeau; reception 4-7 p.m. Oct. 13. 9087 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia, 485-5752, merizonstudio.com. Check websites for hours of operation.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BARBARA HOFFMAN (TOP); EMILY NAJERA (CENTER); BARBARA SCHILLING (BOTTOM)
2/ URBAN INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS: Innovative contemporary exhibits and installations. Thru Jan. 25, “Coming Home” showcases work from artists who are from Michigan, are currently based in Michigan or have spent a considerable amount of time in Michigan during their careers. Featured artists include Emily Najera, Pat Perry, Jason Quigno and Zachary Trebellas. Also, thru Oct. 7, “ArtPrize Ten: UICA Outside.” Thru Dec. 2, “Michigan Emerging Graduate Artists (MEGA) 2018.” 2 W. Fulton St., 454-7000, uica.org.
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY BARBARA HOFFMAN (TOP); EMILY NAJERA (CENTER); BARBARA SCHILLING (BOTTOM)
art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
This is what summer “lake living” was meant to be — no elaborate frills, but immediately comfortable — just the ability to commune with the water, woods and each other. BY SAM CUMMINGS
H
HIGH ON A WOODED DUNE overlooking the Kalamazoo River in an area known as Riverside Heights sits a rather unusual and incredibly authentic example of the Saugatuck “summer culture” of the 1920s. Built as a summer retreat in 1927, the Scott Jordan family of Chicago named the site and cottage “Tonawanda,” meaning “swift water” in Iroquois. The building’s design and materials are both departures from what might have been considered typical “cottage vernacular” of the day. This is, perhaps, to be expected, as
the building’s designer, Florence “Danny” Hunn, was not only a talented and soughtafter practitioner of her time, she also was a pioneer in the profession. Born in Chicago in 1887, Hunn was a successful interior designer, having studied at the University of Chicago, the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the Art Institute of Chicago. In the 1920s, it was extremely rare for women to practice building design beyond the scope of a structure’s interior, even more uncommon in Chicago or the west coast of Michigan. Hunn traditionally designed conservative interiors based on 18th-century revival styles, but she began experimenting with modernism in the 1920s. Tonawanda Cottage is an extraordinary example of this experimentation — and a truly singular design and execution. It remains a wonderful “collision” of Arts and Crafts and early Modernism with a dash of Tudor Revival fenestration. Even the primary building material was unconventional, though extremely practical. The entire building is made of glazed, extruded terracotta “bricks” sourced from the now-defunct Kalamazoo Brick Co. Their thickness and hollow design provide a technologically advanced thermal barrier beyond what likely was typical in an uninsulated summer cottage of the era.
Tonawanda Cottage, made of glazed terracotta bricks from the now-defunct Kalamazoo Brick Co., overlooks the Kalamazoo River, offering scenic views from nearly every corner of the house.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HARR CREATIVE/HARRCREATIVE.COM
Peak of lake living
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HARR CREATIVE/HARRCREATIVE.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HARR CREATIVE/HARRCREATIVE.COM
The bricks subtly vary in color and appear to follow a random yet calculated pattern. This element carries through inside, as there is no plaster or interior wall finishing on the exterior and load-bearing walls. The primary façades on the east and west (river) sides are dominated by symmetrical, soaring, 20-foot windows reminiscent of a modern church — paying quiet homage to not only the spectacular west view across the Kalamazoo River to Tallmadge Woods and Lake Michigan, but in the era of Tonawanda’s construction, what would have been largely pristine dune forest to the east. Inside, the building recently was updated with the help of Cornerstone Architects, Cannarsa Design and David Olsen Builders. While making contemporary adjustments to the kitchen and living spaces, period authenticity and restoration were the primary motivations — it is extremely rare to find a historic building in such a state of preservation.
are original down to their screens and in remarkable condition. Open, they allow lake breezes to permeate the building. And a screened-in porch that runs the length of the building is a remarkable space reminiscent of a large treehouse looking down the bluff to the river. Tonawanda Cottage is truly like stepping back in time and is a fantastic testimonial to a very unique talent and a daring pioneer in the field of architecture. This is what summer “lake living” was meant to be — no elaborate frills, but immediately comfortable — just the ability to commune with the water, woods and each other. GR
Walking in the front door, guests are greeted by what the exterior hints, a soaring, 23-foot open space that combines living, dining and kitchen areas framed on either side by the massive windows.
Walking in the front door, guests are greeted by what the exterior hints, a soaring, 23-foot open space that combines living, dining and kitchen areas framed on either side by the massive windows. There are views of the river and the lake from nearly every corner of the house, and a substantial wood-burning fireplace and mantel dominate the south wall. Pine fills the space, from the original pine plank floors, revealed under years of carpet and thick paint and restored, to interior walls made of pine with vertical battens for detail. All the wooden, hinged casement windows Top & left: Walking in the front door, guests are greeted by a soaring, open space that combines living, dining and kitchen areas framed on either side by massive windows. Bottom: All the wooden, hinged casement windows are original down to their screens, and the screened-in porch runs the length of the cottage overlooking the river. OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 27
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frame works BY MARK F. MILLER
Going to school in a museum Grand Rapids Public Schools’ latest addition, the Public Museum High School. The new school’s sensitively rehabilitated interior retains much of the original plan’s composition, which is organized similar to that of a church, with a navelike central hall and side aisles. This center hall is the organizational framework of the building and has a restored barrel vault ceiling that includes linear LED cove lighting that highlights the dynamic space.
Above: Many classrooms feature folding glass doors that allow physical and visual expansion into the great hall’s double height space. Left: The mezzanine boasts north-facing skylights and contains two large common rooms, each flanked by two classrooms.
The great hall, which retains the original exposed structural hangers that once supported the 70-foot skeleton of a finback whale, is flanked by multipurpose classrooms within the side aisles, many with folding glass doors that allow physical and visual expansion into the hall’s double height space. Above these side aisles and overlooking the great hall’s restored terrazzo floors, an open mezzanine contains two large common rooms, each flanked by two classrooms with more folding glass doors. This three-room arrangement is identical on both sides of the mezzanine and supports the school’s teaching system, which will eventually create four “guilds” that are cross-pollinated by all four grade levels, nine through 12.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
It should be noted, however, that this is not a museum that was turned into a school; rather, it is a museum where kids go to school.
OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 1940 as one of the last projects funded by the Works Progress Administration, the former Grand Rapids Public Museum at 54 Jefferson Ave. SE stands as a testament to progressive and innovative museum design. Up until the completion of this structure, most museums were classically styled and heavily ornamented, with monumental stairs leading up to their front doors. Often, these buildings were set back from the sidewalk to accentuate their importance. Originally designed by local architect Roger Allen, 54 Jefferson rejected this nostalgic form and introduced a simple structure with a street-level entry that was brought right to the sidewalk. The basic building, clad in smooth limestone above a base of polished black granite, also incorporated storefront windows so that it could, as former museum director Frank DuMond expressed in 1935, “capture the attention of passersby.” This clearly egalitarian access was revolutionary at the time and literally conveyed that the public building was expressly for public use. On Aug. 20, 54 Jefferson reopened as a public building for the first time since 1994 as
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Celebrity Builders LLC
Custom Home Builders
Rob Vis | Troy DeHoop (616) 896-1593 celebritybuildersllc.com
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RIENDS SINCE KINDERGARTEN, Rob Vis and Troy DeHoop have been teammates for most of their lives. Vis and DeHoop partnered in 2003 as Celebrity Builders, LLC, building custom homes in West Michigan. Their shared commitment to honesty and integrity along with their dedication to quality are pillars of what make them so successful today. “Treating our people right and doing whatever we can for our clients is the cornerstone of who we are and how we run our business,” said DeHoop. “By investing in the relationships we have with our clients, we feel it creates a richer experience for everyone involved.” “As a custom home builder, it’s extremely important for us to really get to know our clients,” said Vis. “Knowing who they are and how they live allows us to more effectively build a home that is perfect for their lifestyle.”
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Vis expanded his knowledge of the building industry after high school with jobs in both painting and heating and cooling. DeHoop began working on a framing crew during high school and continued to frame while he earned his business degree. Vis and DeHoop pride themselves on the many client relationships they still maintain today. Their dedication to the craft and their passion for the ever-changing building industry continues to strengthen their successful partnership. “We wake up every day grateful for the journey God has blessed us with,” said DeHoop. “I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding career. We are so thankful for the clients and [subcontractors] we get the opportunity of working with and for a [staff] that keeps our mission moving forward.”
9/4/18 2:25 PM
art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Left: The open mezzanine overlooks the great hall. Below: The original access to the mezzanine, represented by dual stairs that symmetrically frame the building entry, was retained as part of the renovation, along with the iconic geometric designs that border the landing directly above the front doors.
54 JEFFERSON:
GR’s new “super school” The Public Museum High School
will house grades nine through 12. This year’s first class of ninth graders came over from the Museum School at the Grand Rapids Public Museum at 272 Pearl St. NW, which houses grades six through eight. This incoming class also was the first class to attend that newly created museum school in 2015 as sixth-graders.
Each common room houses two guilds. The mezzanine also boasts new features that elevate the interior experience and architectural vocabulary for school buildings. These include new north-facing skylights and cleanly designed, suspended LED lights in the classrooms that accentuate the inviting and comfortable interiors; unique acoustical treatments on the ceilings and walls that support a cohesive design theme; and bright yellow lockers that provide a pop of color to the space.
The original access to the mezzanine, represented by dual stairs that symmetrically frame the building entry, was retained as part of the renovation, along with the iconic geometric designs that border the landing directly above the front doors. This deftly designed renovation preserves and amplifies the simple, angular, Modernestyle detailing and egalitarian composition of the original building. It should be noted, however, that this is not a museum that was turned into a school; rather, it is a museum where kids go to school. This is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the school’s innovative curriculum, where 70 percent of the museum’s archives will be accessible to the students during their school day. — Architect and planner Mark F. Miller is managing director of planning and design at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. He has led the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Lott3Metz Architecture and Kingscott Associates were the architects for 54 Jefferson, while Rockford Construction completed the construction.
The project had numerous partners, including collaboration between the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and the city of Grand Rapids.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
The project was funded as one of 10 “super schools” that were awarded a $10-million grant from XQ: The Super School Project, which was funded by Laurene Powell Jobs. The project was chosen from nearly 700 applicants across the country.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
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Come Bark With Us. OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 31
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Autumn adventures With apple orchards, pumpkin patches and fresh doughnuts, there’s no place to celebrate the fall season like West Michigan. BY PASHA SHIPP PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
I
t’s a crisp Saturday afternoon.
You’ve already picked out a new applesauce recipe and donned your coziest sweater. Now all you have to do is choose an orchard to visit. But, with a wealth of orchards and farms that offer all kinds of autumn goodies throughout West Michigan, that choice may be difficult. Whether you’re looking to pick your own apples right off the tree, take the kids to play in a corn maze or go for a hayride, or take a bite out of a warm cinnamon-sugar doughnut with a glass of apple cider, there’s something out there for everyone.
The buzz at Schwallier’s Country Basket It’s no surprise Phil and Judy Schwallier started Schwallier’s Country Basket together; farming is in their blood. He’s a fifth-gen-
eration fruit grower while she’s a fourth-generation fruit and dairy farmer. “We worked on the farm when we were kids, and we met and got married and bought our own farm a year after we got married, and the rest is history,” Phil said. “We appreciate the atmosphere, the fresh air, the hard work and the accomplishment of growing crops.” Schwallier’s Country Basket, located in Sparta, offers your autumn staples, such as you-pick apples and pumpkins, but the farm market also sells sweet-tooth-satisfying spreads: “We have doughnuts and cider and jams and jellies and honey,” Judy said. “The honey comes from our own farm here,” Phil said. “My sonin-law is a beekeeper, and he keeps his bees here on the back of our farm, and we display the bees to customers. At certain times in the fall, they can see them.”
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“We also have a straw mountain and duck races and things like that, which are all free. We have shelled corn in an antique corn crib, and little kids, toddlers can come and play in that.” — Phil Schwallier
Pages 32-33: Schwallier’s Country Basket features you-pick pumpkins, fresh doughnuts and children’s activities, such as the cow train and straw mountain, among other fall favorites.
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Grandma Robinette’s Homemade Applesauce 12 medium-sized apples of your choice 1¼ to 1½ cups of water 2 tablespoons of butter ½ cup of sugar Cinnamon Peel and cut the apples. Place them in a large saucepan and add water. Boil for 1 minute, then turn down heat and cover. Keep the lid cracked and stir often. When soft, turn off heat and cover completely with lid. Allow apples to sit for 10 minutes, then add butter and sugar. Garnish with cinnamon.
Weekend activities include a cow train, petting zoo and play area for the kiddies, a wagon tour of the orchard and a puzzle-packed corn maze. “We also have a straw mountain and duck races and things like that, which are all free,” Phil said. “We have shelled corn in an antique corn crib, and little kids, toddlers can come and play in that.” The Schwalliers are eager to share their passion for farming and the outdoors with families, and they encourage curiosity and learning in agriculture. “We want people to come and ask us any questions they want about farming and about fruit growing, and we answer them the best we can,” Phil said. “We want them to have fun and experience the things that we experienced when we were kids.”
Robinette’s: rooted in tradition Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, a West Michigan mainstay, has been in the family since 1911. Ed Robinette, the oldest of three brothers, is from a long line of farmers — his great-grandfather, grandfather and father all worked on the orchard. “I went to Michigan State and studied fruit growing,” Robinette said. “I’m the fourth generation and I have two brothers, Bill and John, who both came back to the farm, as well, so we’re all here.” Ed’s 26-year-old son, Allan, works on the family farm, too. Though the Grand Rapids orchard has been operating since the early
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM LEFT)
Guests enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, jump on a giant jumping pillow and dine in the restaurant at Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery.
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Top: Lindsay and Kevin McLaughlin with their pumpkins at the Moelker Orchards pumpkin patch. Right: Taylor Moelker sorts apples into bins to be sold. Left: Courtney Moelker helps siblings Caden, Hailey, Tessa and Lexi Ainsworth at the bakery.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM LEFT)
“When a person walks in our door, we want to make sure that they go out the door with the best experience possible. Since we’re a little bit smaller, we have the ability to uniquely cater to every customer. So, that gives us a level of service that you don’t find other places.” — Travis Moelker
20th century, the Apple Haus made its debut in 1973. The Apple Haus is home to the cider mill and offers a variety of tasty treats from the bakery, like cinnamon-sugar doughnuts that pair perfectly with fresh apple cider. The winery also is a popular attraction, serving Robinette’s fruit wines and hard ciders. “As an offshoot of our sweet cider making, I think it’s 11 years ago now we started making hard cider,” Robinette said. “My brother Bill is our cidermaker and winemaker, and he had already been tinkering with that for his own hobby and we decided to go into it commercially.” On a weekend afternoon at Robinette’s, you’ll find beautiful Belgian horses pulling wagons, a winding orchard trail for runners and bikers, and a gigantic corn maze for all to test their mettle. “We have a jumping pillow for kids of all ages to jump on and have a good time outdoors,” Robinette said. “And then, we’re offering a lot of different foods — caramel apples, kettle corn, caramel corn that we make, homemade fudge — (and) doughnuts are a big part of our business. We make doughnuts every day in the hundreds and thousands.”
Moelker Orchards: small, but mighty When Moelker Orchards & Farm Market opened in southwest Grand Rapids in 1907, the Moelkers grew crops and raised animals
to sustain their family. Today, the orchard is still family- and fruitfocused, welcoming folks from near and far as they celebrate the season. Travis Moelker, a fourth-generation farmer in the family, is proud to offer guests a variety of options. “We grow 25 different kinds of apples alone,” he said. “So, that’s one of the things we like to have — a lot of different stuff so that if you walk into our door and you don’t like this kind of apple, well, we’ve got probably 10 other kinds at any given time for you to try. We make sure that you find the exact product that you’re looking for.” Saturdays and Sundays at Moelker Orchards are bales of fun for the whole family. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, enjoy a wagon ride or peruse the bakery, and pick up some fresh baked goods. “We make our own doughnuts,” Moelker said. “We do have tons of different kinds of homemade pies, homemade fudge, cookies, pumpkin and apple bread, muffins — a lot of different stuff.” The farm may be a bit on the smaller side, but Moelker said it’s the one-on-one customer experience that makes all the difference. “When a person walks in our door, we want to make sure that they go out the door with the best experience possible,” he said. “Since we’re a little bit smaller, we have the ability to uniquely cater to every customer. So, that gives us a level of service that you don’t find other places.”
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“We have a corn maze, petting zoo, pedal carts and apple slingshots. We have pumpkin land, which is all kinds of activities surrounded by pumpkins, like pumpkin Skee-Ball and pumpkin cornhole. I don’t know the exact acreage of our family fun center, but it’s pretty significant.” — Natalie Klackle
Endless family fun at Klackle Orchards The Klackles, owners of Klackle Orchards in Greenville, are definitely apple people. Natalie Klackle said her great-grandparents started the tradition that her family has proudly kept for decades. “We love growing fruit in Michigan. But, more importantly, we love inviting people onto our farm to visit,” she said. “It’s just really cool to be a part of people’s memories and their family traditions.” Guests can pick their own apples and pumpkins and explore the Cornucopia Farm Market — a smorgasbord of gifts, produce and homemade treats. And if you’re bringing little ones to Klackle Orchards, there are plenty of kid-centered activities to keep them occupied. “We have a corn maze, petting zoo, pedal carts and apple slingshots,” Klackle said. “We have pumpkin land, which is all kinds of activities surrounded by pumpkins, like pumpkin Skee-Ball and pumpkin cornhole. I don’t know the exact acreage of our family fun center, but it’s pretty significant.” There are tons of activities on the farm, but more than anything, Klackle said she enjoys engaging with the families who drop by. “My favorite thing is getting to welcome people to our family farm,” she said. “I love getting to introduce people to local food so that they get to know us, so they know where our food comes from because we take growing good fruit very seriously.” GR
Top: Asher VanDrunen pets the goats at Klackle Orchards’ petting zoo. Center: Klackle Orchards features numerous kids activities, including tractor rides. Bottom: Jose Sanchez waters mums for sale at Klackle’s Cornucopia Farm Market.
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BY T ERRI FINCH H AMI LTON | P H O T O GRA P H Y BY JOH N N Y QU I R I N
KENTWOOD OFFERS A PLETHORA OF OPTIONS TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN A DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT. here do you go to find Bosnian pastries, the Michigan Teacher of the Year, make-your-own peanut butter, a leading manufacturer of toothbrushes and a $70-million retail expansion? Welcome to Kentwood, where a whole lot is packed into this 20-square-mile city of 50,000 people. When you pop in to Trader Joe’s for mango salsa or catch a movie at Celebration! Cinema Woodland, you’re in Kentwood. Horrocks Market is a Kentwood destination for shoppers who want to sip a beer while they hit the soup bar, buy vegetable plants and make their own peanut butter. But you’ve probably zoomed right past Paris Café & Desserts on 28th Street SE, where Bosnian baker Suad Okic fills his glass pastry case with pure caloric artistry. Strawberry Napoleons. Chocolate mignons. Traditional Bosnian baklava. Layers and layers of deliciousness too pretty to eat — almost. Taking a break from baking a five-layer custom cake, Okic stopped to recall how he and his wife Nevzeta fled war-torn Bosnia in 1998 for Houston but hated the oppres-
sive heat and traffic. They soon followed relatives who had settled in Kentwood. When Okic says it’s warm here, he doesn’t mean the weather. “People are friendly,” he said. “They welcomed us.” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley loves that about his city. He moved to Kentwood as a single guy in 1989 when he was transferred from Ohio for his manufacturing job. “I thought I’d stay maybe three years,” he said, adding with a laugh, “I was 10 times off.” Life was pretty perfect at Old Farm Shores apartments near 44th Street and Breton Road, he said. “It was easy living,” he said. “Within a half-mile, there was a bank, a grocery store, a place to get my shirts cleaned and a Blockbuster. Money, food, clean shirts, videos — what more do you need?” Thirty years later, there’s a lot more (if you need it). While you hear a lot of gloom and doom about the fate of brick-and-mortar stores, Kentwood’s retail life is booming, Kepley said. “Just try to take a left onto 28th Street on a Saturday,” he said. “Good luck.”
Paris Café & Desserts owner Suad Okic.
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“Most of all, I really enjoy the people. You meet people who don’t look like you, don’t talk like you, and you all live together in the same community.” — Richard Clanton Above: Renderings depict the new Woodland Mall entrance following the mall’s expansion next fall. Right: Richard Clanton, Kentwood commissioner-at-large and former mayor.
experience.” There’s a lot of shopping in Kentwood, but the city also boasts vibrant neighborhoods and the second-largest industrial base in West Michigan, Kepley said. Lacks Industries, Autocam Automotive, Steelcase and other industrial heavy hitters call Kentwood home. Swoboda uses impressive high-tech robotics to make components for automotive electronics. Used a toothbrush lately? Chances are it was made in Kentwood at Ranir, one of the
RENDERING COURTESY JPRA ARCHITECTS (TOP)
Woodland Mall will unveil a $70-million expansion next fall, including a Von Maur department store, REI, Urban Outfitters, Altar’d State and a dozen more stores and restaurants, said Heather Crowell, senior vice president of strategy and communications at PREIT, Woodland’s parent company. “People shop online — we all do it,” she said. “You can sit around in your pajamas and order anything online. But a mall is a gathering place, a place where you go out with friends. It’s a community hub, a social
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Above: Children play on a swing at Veterans Memorial Park in Kentwood during Celebrate Kentwood in August. Left: Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley speaks with residents during the city’s National Night Out event in August. Opposite page: Residents participate in a bike parade at National Night Out.
biggest makers of toothbrushes in the U.S.
RENDERING COURTESY JPRA ARCHITECTS (TOP)
Kentwood’s United Nations
“I get chills talking about the people all over the world who have made Kentwood their home and are flourishing here. I hear stories, sometimes heartbreaking stories, about what happened to people, why they came here.” — Mayor Stephen Kepley
At Kentwood Public Schools — home to Michigan’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year, Luke Wilcox — students speak more than 60 languages and represent 90 countries. Elementary schools host an annual “Parade of Nations,” where kids clad in ethnic dress proudly wave flags from their home countries. Workshops and programs help new students and their parents, who often are still learning English, adapt. Bethany Christian Services is responsible for helping thousands of refugees escape war-torn countries and resettle in Kentwood, he said. “I get chills talking about the people all over the world who have made Kentwood their home and are flourishing here,” Kepley said. “I hear stories, sometimes heartbreaking stories, about what happened to people, why they came here.” More than 1,000 Bosnian families call Kentwood home, he said, after fleeing the devastating 1994 Bosnian war. “Now, they’re my friends and neighbors,” he said. In his neighborhood alone, there are families from Africa, India, Mexico, Bosnia
and Vietnam. When he was running for mayor, knocking on doors in neighborhoods all over Kentwood, Kepley was struck by how many different faces he saw behind the doors. As he walked, he pondered. “I thought, ‘How in the world do you get unity in a community with such diversity?’” he said. It didn’t take long for the preacher’s son to come up with the answer: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” Kepley said. “That’s the key.”
Beyond ‘Rentwood’ Back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Kentwood became known as “Rentwood.” There were apartment complexes and duplexes as far as the eye could see. Determined to change that image, city commissioners enacted a policy to limit multifamily dwelling development, striving for 70 percent single-family homes and 30 percent multifamily dwellings. It’s at 66/34 right now, Kepley said. “We still have a plethora of apartments, and that’s great,” he said. “After all, that’s where I started.” Kentwood residents have long clamored for a downtown. They’ve created one, of OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 39
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Top: Kentwood residents play soccer during a National Night Out at Pinewood Park. Center: Anthony Riley with his daughters Ma’kayli, Shaniya and Jayilah at Celebrate Kentwood.
sorts, over at the grassy, tree-lined City Hall complex. That’s where you go for the big pancake breakfast on the Fourth of July, to hear a summer concert, take in a food truck rally, watch the Christmas tree lighting and listen to the East Kentwood High School jazz band play carols; it’s where kids show up dressed as mermaids, unicorns and Spider-Man for Trunk or Treat, like 2,000 kids did last Halloween. If you want to say “hi” to Kepley this year, look for the guy dressed as Abe Lincoln. He’d love to shake your hand.
Walk the trails, watch the planes
missing out, said Richard Clanton, a longtime Kentwood resident and city commissioner. “People don’t give Kentwood a shot,” Clanton said. “Walk some of our trails and visit our parks; you’ll meet people you’d never thought you would meet here.” He loves to head to the library on a leisurely morning, grab a newspaper, sit by the window and watch the planes from neighboring Gerald R. Ford International Airport fly low overhead. Cruise through Bailey’s Grove, he said, for a glimpse of the 364-acre community of homes and condos surrounded by walking trails and a nature park. “You can move there, get a starter home, move to a step-up home, buy a huge home then live in assisted living,” he said. “You could move in Bailey’s Grove and never move out.” Clanton has lived in Kentwood since 1992, served as a city commissioner for 12 years and now is commissioner-at-large. He was mayor for a short spell from 201213, during some troubling times — from the homicide of an elderly couple at their home to the fire that destroyed the beloved St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. “We’ve had our struggles,” he said. “But all the challenges, we always met them.” Clanton said he enjoys the diversity. “Most of all, I really enjoy the people,” he said. “You meet people who don’t look like you, don’t talk like you, and you all live GR together in the same community.”
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Plan a Fall Getaway to Frankenmuth Welcome to Wow! Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is one of Michigan’s premier four-season family vacation destinations with Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark, The Fortress, a 18-hole championship golf course, Zehnder’s Restaurant and Zehnder’s Marketplace. Zehnder’s Restaurant served its first 312 chicken dinners on Mother’s Day in 1929 and now serves over 950,000 patrons a year in its 1,500 seat restaurant offering a full-service menu that features all-you-can-eat, family style chicken dinners, seafood, steaks, fresh baked goods, and European desserts. During an average year, Zehnder’s guests consume 900,000 pounds of chicken. Zehnder’s Marketplace offers a wide variety of specialty food, gift items and fresh baked breads, pastries and sweet treats. From Zehnder’s proprietary line of seasonings, preserves, cheeses, noodles and wines to a wide selection of unique
accessories, culinary wares and gift items including Pandora Jewelry, Swarovski Crystal and Polish Pottery. Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark offers 178 deluxe accommodations including 74 suites and 22 rooms with panoramic views of the waterpark. A towering 26-foot tree with a large gas fireplace built into the trunk, is the focal point of the hotel lobby. Waterpark passes are included with your overnight stay. Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark is one of the few waterpark hotels in the Midwest, with two distinct aquatic adventures with a retractable roof, offering something for the entire family. Enjoy over 50,000 square feet of aquatic fun indoors, with a six-story family raft ride and super loop body slide. It’s a 4-story straight drop through a 273 foot long, 180 degree loop all the way to the bottom. There’s also a zero-entry pool with water geysers, action river, dumping bucket, four-story tube slides, lazy river, hot tub & private family cabanas.
Visit the 2,500 square foot arcade with games for the entire family, or take a break and grab a bite in the Mushroom Grille, or Elf Hollow Café. If you’re a golfer, end the fall season with a tee time at The Fortress, which offers 6,800 yards of formidable play on this 18-hole, par-72 course. The terrain reflects golf’s Scottish origins, with fescue-covered mounds reveal well-guarded, sectioned greens. Bent-grass tees, huge greens and fairways are guarded by 75 bunkers. Recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 450 public courses in North America. Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is all about making memories one family at a time. So whether you’re dining, shopping, golfing or playing in the water Zehnder’s is the place. Visit zehnders.com and make your reservation today for a great fall getaway!
FALL FUN IN FRANKENMUTH!
Making Memories, One Family at a Time... Zehnder’s is all about families. Whether you’re dining at Zehnder’s, our world famous restaurant, shopping in Zehnder’s Marketplace, enjoying a round of golf at our championship facility, The Fortress, or splashing the day away at Zehnder’s Splash Village, our focus is providing families the place and opportunity to spend time together. We are looking forward to welcoming you and your family to Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth!
CALL 855-868-3101 FOR RESERVATIONS
730 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 • www.zehnders.com • #ZFun GRM_10.18_PG37.41.indd 41
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Chef Andrew Hoopfer
The restaurant has a sleek, contemporary feel that is great for date night but also suitable for weekday lunch with business associates.
AFTER CLOSING MAZZO CUCINA D’ITALIA in April, Uccello’s Hospitality Group renovated and re-opened the site on Monroe Center as Uccello’s Ristorante & Sports Bar in June, the group’s sixth location in West Michigan. Similar to the other Uccello’s restaurants, the downtown location features an assortment of TVs lining the wall and bar area. It’s the perfect spot to catch the big game, but non-sports fans have plenty to enjoy, as well. The restaurant has a sleek, contemporary feel that is great for date night but also suitable for weekday lunch with business associates. The basement area can be rented out for bigger parties. The menu features an assortment of Italian fare, as well as numerous craft beer and specialty drink options, and daily happy hour specials. One quiet Monday evening, a friend and I took advantage of the restaurant’s weekly happy hour specials, sipping on the red blackberry sangria ($5 HH) and sharing an order of pizza puffs ($3 HH) to start. The sangria, which our server said is made in-house, was light, refreshing and just sweet enough. The pizza puffs, bitesized pieces of deep-fried pizza dough, were a favorite. Light, airy and hot out of the fryer, they make a great starter. Moving onto our entrées, we opted for the grilled salmon and artichoke compote ($19) and Kobe sirloin ($20). The salmon, served atop
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Uccello’s starts anew downtown
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dining review a delicious mix of artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, tomatoes and asparagus, is a good option for someone looking for a lighter meal. The dish tasted fresh, the salmon was tender and the flavors worked together nicely. The Kobe sirloin was tender, however, it had a strong charred taste we didn’t care for. The menu’s many dessert options were too tempting to pass by, so we tried an order of the delizioso doughnuts ($7), which are, essentially, a dessert version of the pizza puffs. The deep-fried bites of pizza dough are tossed in cinnamon-sugar and served with gooey Nutella and a strawberry glaze. Delicious! On a second visit, we started with a straw-
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
BY IRA CRAAVEN
berry mo-tito ($8), featuring Tito’s handmade vodka and St. Germain combined with fresh mint, basil and strawberries, as well as a seasonal Watermelon Crush ($6), which had Three Olives watermelon vodka, triple sec and watermelon purée. The basil in the mo-tito was a delectable surprise — a light drink that complemented everything we ate. The Watermelon Crush tasted exactly like a watermelon and featured a perfect combination of alcohol and purée for a refreshing drink. For an appetizer, we tried the margherita dip ($11), featuring a tomato sauce blend topped with creamy boursin cheese, baked and finished with homemade basil pesto, served with grilled Romano flatbread. The flatbread was perfect — not too doughy, not too crunchy — and the dip came out piping hot. We made a rookie mistake, indulging in too much bread before the meal, but it was worth it. For the main course, we had the bruschetta grilled chicken ($16), a marinated herb grilled chicken topped with bruschetta tomatoes, melted mozzarella cheese and balsamic reduction, and served with a side of roasted rosemary potatoes and asparagus. The bruschetta paired with the balsamic vinegar is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy; overall, a fantastic healthy option. We also ordered Uccello’s signature pizza ($19), which was loaded with pepperoni, spicy capicola, ham, Italian sausage and bacon. The pizza featured a nice variety of meats on a traditional crunchy crust. (The wood-fired pizzas from Mazzo remain on the menu, as well.) For dessert, we tried Faro’s funnel fries ($4), sticks of light pastry dough flash fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Uccello’s take on a classic carnival favorite, it was a nice, light dessert served with a strawberry sauce that was a perfect complement. Each bite took me back to my childhood at GR the county fair.
Uccello’s Ristorante Downtown Address: 122 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids Website: uccellos.com
Pizza chef Zach Vachon
Dining ratings: Food: *** Service: **** Beverages: *** Atmosphere: *** Price: $
Must try: Margherita dip Not so much: Kobe sirloin
Guide to ratings: **** Exceptional *** Above Average ** Satisfactory * Poor ¢ $ $$
Inexpensive (under $10) Moderate ($10-$20) Expensive (Over $20)
(Prices based on average entrée.)
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
dining listings
A GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEYOND
The recommendations and reviews in the listings are the opinions of the editors. Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 61).
DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS 1 Bun Restaurant — Build-your-own hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and sloppy Joes — all served on hot dog buns. Closed Sun. 2140 S Division Ave, 279-2943. Facebook. L, D ¢
Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Full bar. Closed Mon. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 7766425. amwaygrand.com/dining/cygnus-27. Brunch (Sun), D (Tue-Sat) $$
Bangkok Taste Cuisine — Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. L, D ¢-$
Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. divanigr.com. D $-$$
Brick & Porter — Appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches and a nice selection of entrées; 20 beers on tap (“the darker, the better”). Open daily. 47 Monroe Center NW, 226-6928. brickandportergr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$ Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed
The Old Goat
Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. the bullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$
Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood in a fine dining atmosphere with views of the Grand River. Gluten-free menu. Beer and extensive wine list. Sun brunch 10-2:30. Open daily. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com/charleyscrab. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ City Built Brewing Co. – Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Ricaninspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon. 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrewing.com. L, D $ The Chop House — Aged prime beef, seafood, pork and lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 4516131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. D $$ Cinco De Mayo — Offers the usual Mexican
Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence. Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. L, D ¢ Founders Brewing Co. — Spacious taproom, serpentine bar and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches. Outdoor beer garden. Open daily. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing. com. L, D ¢ Gilly’s Smokehouse — Twelve rotating craft beers from The B.O.B’s Brewery paired with smokehouse fare, including smoked beef brisket, Amish chicken, pork butt and more. Closed Sun-Mon. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 3562000. thebob.com/gillysrestaurant. D ¢-$ GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant. Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, salads and sandwiches. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com/dining/gp-spo $ rts. L, D Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. L (SunFri), D ¢-$
Bobarino’s at The B.O.B. — Grill on second floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from wood-fired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers. Full bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bob arinospizza. L, D ¢-$
– Lounge — Soups, salads, sandwichCitysen es, burgers and small-plate creations. Beer and wine; happy hour 4-7 pm. Open daily. CityFlatsHotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, 6081725. cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rap ids. B, L, D ¢-$
Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chilis and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢
Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive Thai fare. Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option. Vegetarian friendly. No alcohol. Open daily. 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$
Bistro Bella Vita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. Open daily. 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobella vita.com. L, D $-$$
fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2401. cincodemayo1.com. L, D $
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menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$
FALL ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU.
Grand Rapids Garage Bar and Grill — “AllAmerican grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com. ¢ L, D Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods ¢-$ lounge.com. L, D G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand ¢-$ rapidspizza.net. L, D The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer. Open Tue-Fri during school year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, $-$$ 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. L, D Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. ¢-$ L, D HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature crack fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Jamaican Dave’s — Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. L, D ¢
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, southwest, Thai and more. Banquet facilities. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D ¢-$ J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 4598824. jgardellastavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Judson’s at The B.O.B. — Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops. Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsons steakhouse. D $$
Enjoy 50% off a Second Night Stay this September and October.
PURELUDINGTON.COM
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-by$-$$ wolfgang-puck. L, D
FLeo’s — Fresh seafood, soups, salads and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 pm Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700. leosrest $-$$ aurant.com. L (Mon-Fri), D Littlebird — Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar. Open daily. 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢ Lucky Luciano’s — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. Takeout, delivery available. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600. lucky lucianos.com. L, D ¢-$ Luna Taqueria y Cocina — Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. 64 Io¢-$ nia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. L, D MeXo — Features tequila/mezcal bar and a modern touch on classic pre-Hispanic foods of Mexico. Full bar. Open daily. 118 E Fulton St, 828-4123. mexogr.com. B (Sun), L, D $ Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant — Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar. com. D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$ New Hotel Mertens — French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era New Hotel Mertens. Seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Open daily. 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. newhotelmertens. com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), B (Mon-Fri), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Full bar. Closed Mon. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. onetrick.biz. L, D ¢-$ Osteria Rossa – Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from executive chef/owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Closed Sun. 16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350. osteriaro ssa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$
Palace of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestau ¢-$ rant.com. L, D Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 80 Ottawa Ave ¢-$ NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D FReserve — Wine bar offers extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 5513563. rockwellsrepublic.com. D $-$$ Roam by San Chez Bistro — The San Chez Bistro team introduces global street food, including cuisine from China, Morocco, Spain, France, Poland, U.K., Indonesia and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 288-9129. roambysanchez.com. B, L, D $ Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ru ths-chris-steak-house. L, D $$ FSan Chez Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 774$-$$ 8272. sanchezbistro.com. B, L, D Six.One.Six — Features new French cuisine in a cosmopolitan setting. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/din ing/six.one.six. B, L, D $-$$ Slows Bar-B-Q — Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slows barbq.com. L, D ¢-$ Social Kitchen & Bar — Refined comfort food, sandwiches, pizzas, extensive cocktail menu. Vintage décor, patio. Open daily. Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 7244464. socialkitchenandbar.com/grand-rapi $-$$ ds.html. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L, D SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées
(after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. L, D $
Stella’s Lounge — Award-winning stuffed burgers, plus vegan and vegetarian items. Full bar, known for its whiskey selection. Open daily. 53 Commerce Ave SW, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ Tavern On The Square — Tapas-style fare, plus house specialties. Patio seating. Full bar, happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Wheelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails — Eclectic American bistro fare with seasonal recipes using Michigan ingredients. Large bar and porch. Open daily. Arena Place, 67 Ottawa Ave SW, 226-3319. wheelhousegrand rapids.com. L, D $-$$ Z’s Bar & Restaurant — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available. Open daily. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$
WEST SIDE Ando Asian Kitchen & Bar — Asian fusion eatery featuring small plates, bentos, rice bowls, raw bar, noodles, soup, salad and more. Wide selection of wine, plus local, domestic and international beer. Full bar. 415 Bridge St NW, 608-0789. andoasiankitchen. com. L, D $ Blue Dog Tavern — West Michigan craft brews on tap. Good selection of tots, dogs and burgers. Open daily. 638 Stocking Ave NW, 608-6050. bluedogtaverngr.com. L, D ¢ Broadway Bar & Grill — Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations, especially at Christmas. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally. 740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook. ¢ L, D FButcher’s Union — Meat-and-whiskeycentric gastro-pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating available. 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. butchersuniongr.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D $ El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp to menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ El Sombrero — Offers “the original” wet burrito, dry ones, too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. ¢ elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. L, D Harmony Hall — West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves pizza,
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4 Things that set us apart:
sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Open daily. 401 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9186. har ¢-$ monybeer.com/harmony-hall. L, D
The Holiday Bar — Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and sandwiches. Seating includes 40-foot horseshoe bar, tables and a beer garden in warm months. Open daily. 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. the holidaybargr.com. L, D ¢
• • • •
Creative Design Attentive Communication Superior Workmanship On Schedule & On Budget
If that doesn’t capture your attention, here are some pretty pictures of our work:
Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery — Dexterbased brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available. Open daily. 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jolly $ pumpkin.com. L, D The Knickerbocker – New Holland Brewing — Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. 417 Bridge St NW, 345-5642. newholland brew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Long Road Distillers — Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of house-made snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroad ¢-$ distillers.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), D Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 636 Bridge St NW, 4588583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing. com. L, D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclubcornerbar.com. L, D ¢ One Bourbon — Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies. Closed Sun-Mon. 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. one bourbongr.com. D ¢-$ O’Toole’s Public House — Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily. 448 Bridge St NW, 742-6095. otoolesgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Pearl Street Grill — Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Full bar. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 235-1342. higrdt.com/dining/ pearl-street-grill. B, L, D $
Your favorite styles now available in performance fabrics.
1428 Plainfield Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 616.459.4167 stonesthrowliving.com
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant — Sicilian and southern Italian fare. Separate sports bar; patio seating. Food, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Open daily. 654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvatores gr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ FThe Sovengard — Midwest meets Scandinavian spirit, with a focus on seasonal and local sourcing. Restaurant and outdoor beer garden in a historic West Side building. Open daily. 443 Bridge St NW, 214-7207. sovengard.com. D $ Two Scotts Barbecue — Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Closed Sun. 536 Leonard St NW, ¢-$ 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. L Westside Social — “Reimagined” American-style tavern with locally sourced, housemade appetizers, burgers, seafood and other entrées. Full bar. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2802 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-5877. westside.social. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$
UPTOWN Big Willy’s Italian Beef — Authentic Chicago cuisine, featuring Italian sausage, Polish dogs and Chicago dogs, as well as Italian ice drinks. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 2885824. bigwillysitalianbeef.com. L, D ¢ Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from northern India. Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. eastownbombaycui sine.com. L, D $ FBrewery Vivant — Beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes. Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. brewery $-$$ vivant.com. L (Sat-Sun), D
Brick Road Pizza — Traditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (gluten-free crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroadpiz za.com. L, D ¢-$ Brown Butter Creperie & Café — Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. 1436 Wealthy St SE, 288-5038. brownbuttercrepes.com. B, L, D (Wed-Sat) ¢ Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE,
233-4141. chezolga.com. L, D
¢-$
Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout. Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $ Donkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920s service station. Full bar. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. don keygr.com. B (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$ East West Brewing Co. — Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwest brewingcompany.com. L (Fri-Sat), D ¢-$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Sun brunch. Open daily. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 4514779. electriccheetah.com. L, D ¢-$ Elk Brewing Co. — Brewery with rustic industrial interior. Menu includes innovative sandwiches and snacks. Open daily. 700 Wealthy St SE, 238-5227. elkbrewing.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢ Erb Thai — Thai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol. Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. L, D ¢ Forty Acres Soul Kitchen — “Authentically American” southern comfort food, featuring po’boys, grits, gumbo and more. To-go catering available. Closed Mon. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 481-6971. fortyacresgr.com. L, D $ Georgina’s — Authentic Asian and Latin taqueria with appetizers, tacos, tamales, noodle bowls and more. No alcohol. Open daily. 724 Wealthy St SE, 454-1860. face book.com/georginasgr. L, D $-$$ Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injera flatbread. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojo $ ethiopiancuisine.com. L, D
Harmony Brewing Co. — Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. L, D $ Jonny B’z — Beef, turkey and veggie hot dogs available, as well as burgers, sandwiches, wings, ribs and kids menu. Full bar. Closed Sun. 701 Wealthy St SE, 551-1108. jonnybz. $ com. L, D
Little Africa Ethiopian Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Closed Sun and Mon. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D ¢ Marie Catrib’s — Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, Turkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ¢-$ ribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (Mon-Fri) Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Matchbox Diner & Drinks — Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com. B, L, D $ FTerra — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Wealthy Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup; pizza available after 4 pm. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Wikiwiki Poke Shop — Fast-casual seafood restaurant featuring customizable poke bowls, plus oyster bar and rotating specials. Carry-out available. Closed Sun. 1146 Wealthy St SE, 288-5646. wikiwikipoke shop.com. L, D ¢-$
The Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flair, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 808-3566. $-$$ thegreenwell.com. L, D
The Winchester — Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in century-old space. Craft brews on draft. Full bar. Open daily. 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com. B (Sat-Sun), L, D ¢-$
OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Full bar. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant. com. D $$
Yesterdog — Specializes in the “good oldfashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. 1505 Wealthy St SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com. L, D ¢ Continued on page 52
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gut essen ( EAT WEL L )
THE ARTISTRY OF A MASTER CHEF. Classically trained in Austria, Helmut Klett (“Chef”) blends European tradition with fresh, local flavor. His menu draws upon the produce of local farms to reimagine cultural favorites. From a signature dish to a seasonal special, Chef promises exquisite preparation, culinary gusto and an alpine flair you can taste.
alpenroserestaurant.com The corner of 8th and Central Holland, MI • 616-393-2111
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Executive chef Jacob Johnson brings together an eclectic mix of flavors from around the world at Roam.
Redefining street food
J
acob Johnson, executive chef at both San Chez Bistro and the San Chez team’s latest culinary endeavor, Roam, is onto the next big thing — redefining street food. No, we’re not talking about a hot dog, greasy burger or walking taco from a food cart, but the staggering deliciousness that sprawls along sidewalks, stalls and markets the world over. At Roam, Johnson offers exquisiteness from every nationality imaginable. Perhaps you’re wanting the Japanese okonomiyaki, an egg pancake filled with shredded cabbage, green onions, carrot and spicy crema; the Mexican elotes, a char-grilled corn slathered in Cotija cream, chili pow-
der and cilantro; the Indonesian pangsit, a flash-fried wonton shell jazzed with shredded pork, garlic and spicy sweet soy; or the Peruvian-inspired marinated beef heart grilled on charcoal. “There’s something wonderful about standing there engulfed in smoke and aroma and basically eating from your hands — that’s street food,” Johnson said. When San Chez Bistro owners Dan and Cindy Schneider were mulling over ideas for a new restaurant, street food just made sense. They had traveled far and wide, returning with a riot of flavors stamped on their taste buds. The restaurant’s interior feels like a far-flung outpost, with repur-
posed Michigan barnwood framing the bar and ceiling, gas lanterns from Detroit, tables covered with vintage maps that inspire travel plans and enormous burlap bags of single spices. Johnson has been cooking seriously since he was 16 when he whizzed through the culinary program at Kent Career Tech Center as a student at Forest Hills Northern High School. He then hurled himself into Grand Rapids’ culinary scene while earning his associate degree from Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College. After graduating in 2013, Johnson landed at San Chez Bistro, where he loved helm-
JACOB JOHNSON Title: Executive chef
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Location: 250 Monroe Ave. NW
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Singapore Curry (serves 6)
Curry spice blend 1 tablespoon ground turmeric 3 whole bay leaves, stems removed 3 tablespoons whole coriander seeds 2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon whole white peppercorns 1 or 2 teaspoons ground cayenne ½ teaspoon whole cloves 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon In a sauté pan, combine all spices — turmeric, bay leaves, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ginger, white peppercorns, cayenne, cloves and cinnamon — and dry-fry over medium heat, consistently tossing and mixing spices to slightly toast them. The aroma of the spice blend will intensify to signal they are being toasted. Be cautious to not burn or scorch the spices, as this will create bitterness. Once the aroma of the spice has become bold and the spices are picking up slight color, remove them from the heat. Place the toasted spices in a spice grinder or a completely dry blender. Run the grinder or blender to completely pulverize the spices into a fine powder. Store spice blend in an airtight container in a cool location.
Singapore Curry
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
½ cup white onion ¼ cup raw ginger root 1 tablespoon soy oil ¼ cup Roam curry spice blend (see recipe above) 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1-2 teaspoons salt ½ cup water 33 ounces (~2-2½, 14-ounce cans) coconut milk 2 cups jackfruit 2 small russet potatoes, diced 2 tablespoons lime juice
ing the culinary bar, preparing the menu’s opulence with customers watching from the nearby counter. “It really felt like putting on a live show — the action, the fire, the controlled chaos and the audience,” he said. In 2015, he took a yearlong sabbatical, landing as sauté chef at Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma, California. Before long, Johnson joined an open-fire catering company in Napa, while rambling up and down the Pacific Coast, from Seattle to San Diego. He returned to San Chez, was named executive chef and, soon after, helped open Roam in downtown Grand Rapids — exporting the geography of taste.
The secret to creating true street food with a cloud of smoke and spice is the Josper oven — a rare find in the United States, Johnson said. “It’s a charcoal-fired oven from Barcelona, Spain, and it’s an amazing heat source like no other,” he said. “We really wanted to introduce this oven to harness the true flavors of street food because when they’re cooking on the streets, it is over charcoal.” Johnson is passionate about giving street food a brick-and-mortar home: “We are dedicated to this, and we want to make sure we’re on point,” he said.
In food processor, pulse the onion and ginger until finely minced. Place onion-ginger blend into saucepan or wok with soy oil, cook over medium-low heat until the onion becomes translucent and tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. While the onion-ginger blend is cooking, prepare the curry paste by combining the curry spice blend (¼ cup) with ¼ cup of coconut milk, and mix to create a paste. Once the onion blend is cooked, add in the curry spice paste and cook with the onion-ginger blend for an additional 10 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk, salt, sugar, water, jackfruit and potato into the saucepan. Cook for 30 minutes at a low simmer. Test the potatoes; once they are tender and cooked through, add the lime juice and cook for 10 more minutes. Remove from heat, either eat immediately or cool and store in the fridge up to a week. Serves well with paratha flatbread.
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Continued from page 48
EAST GRAND RAPIDS Big Bob’s Pizza — Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar. Open daily. 661 Croswell Ave SE, 233-0123. ¢-$ bigbobspizza.com. L (Tue-Sun), D Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen — Coastal South Carolina-inspired fare, including seafood, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar. Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St SE, 805-5231. carolinalck.com. D $ Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. Open daily. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 3013236. derbystation.com. L, D $ José Babushka’s — Starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabushkas. $ com. L, D Olive’s — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. eatatolives.com. L, D ¢-$ Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selection of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed Sun-Mon. 2228 Wealthy St SE, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. L (TueFri), D ¢-$ Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection. com/roses. L, D $
SOUTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS/ KENTWOOD 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Al-Bos Eurocafe-Bakery — Authentic south eastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials. Open daily. 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. ¢-$ al-bos.com. L, D Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 141 28th St SE, 534-7770. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Big E’s Sports Grill — Sports lounge serv-
ing pizza, classic American appetizers and other entrées. Full bar includes a variety of Michigan-made beer and cider. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. bigessports ¢-$ grill.com. L, D
El Arriero Mexican Grill — Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, à la carte selections. Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas. Open daily. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarri ¢-$ eromexicangrill.com. L, D El Globo Restaurant — Authentic Mexican fare; weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2019 S Division Ave, 734-6869. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
Gursha Ethiopian Restaurant — Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Buffet lunch and dinner on Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 4301 Kalamazoo $ Ave SE, 350-0009. Facebook. L, D Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hall streetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. 3760 S Division Ave, 243¢-$ 1219. indiatowngrr.com. L, D
Beltline Bar — Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 245$ 0494. beltlinebar.com. L, D
Last Chance Tavern and Grill — Appetizers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a huge selection of Michigan craft beers. Open daily. 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelast ¢ chancetavern.com. L, D
Brass Ring Brewing — Small-batch, stylespecific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. L, D $
Le Kabob — Soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrées and combos. Kids menu. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3122 28th St SE, 272-4135. L, D ¢-$
Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com. L, D ¢-$
Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mik adogr.com/main. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$
Cantina Mexican Grill — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full bar. Drivethru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily. 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantina mexicangrill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D $
Mi Tierra — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢
Daddy Pete’s BBQ — Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddy petesbbq.com. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. L, D ¢-$ Florentine Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Full bar. Open daily. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. ¢-$ florentinespizza.com. L, D Ganders — Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-0100. doubletreegrandrapids. com/ganders-restaurant. B, L, D ¢-$$ Golden Gate — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢
Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 4520065. nuthaibistro.com. L, D ¢-$ The Old Goat — Creative cuisine from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads. Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 2434 Eastern Ave SE, 288-6976. baaaaaaaa.com. B (Mon-Fri), L, D ¢-$ Pal’s Indian Cuisine — Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol. Open daily. 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsin diancuisine.com. L, D $ Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 2469966. L, D ¢-$ Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Restaurant — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. Open daily. 2780 Birchcrest Dr
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Rustic Farm Tables and Furniture for Rent
SE, 452-3228. pietrosgr.com. L, D
$
Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. $-$$ shanghaiichiban.com. L, D Shiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar. Closed Mon. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 9497447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$ Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net. L, D ¢-$$
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La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297. Facebook. L, D ¢ Taquería El Rincón Mexicano — Wide variety of Mexican breakfast, small plates, dinner dishes and soups, including several vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 2055 28th St, 246-7000. Facebook. B, L, D ¢
Visit: GrandValleyRentalCo.com or contact Steve at 616-915-0398 to reserve.
Thai Express — Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiex pressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE, 301-8883. L, D ¢-$ Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Tatami rooms, sushi bars. Hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyo grillsushi.com. L, D ¢-$ Village Inn Pizza & Sports Grille — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Full bar. Open daily. 2215 44th St SE, 281-1444. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. No alcohol. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. L, D $ Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
SOUTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS 84th Street Pub & Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 53
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nosh & sip BY AMY RUIS
With somewhat difficult yet fun-to-say names ... Greek wines are easygoing, yet elegant, delicious and impressive.
WITH SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT yet fun-to-say names like agiorgitiko, malagousia and xinomavro, Greek wines are easygoing, yet elegant, delicious and impressive. After a few weeks of getting to know wines in Greece firsthand, I’m confident these wines will become more available because of their value. Whether baseline or higher end, I’ve always carried a few Greek selections on the shelves of my stores — and no, they weren’t all the crazy retsina (a wine known for tasting of pine resin and generally not popular with the average consumer). I just didn’t have a good handle on what the terroir (land) was all about. So, I set out on a pilgrimage. In Greece, we ate ourselves silly on the ever-present Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumber, feta and olives, grilled whole fish and, of course, some famous dishes like moussaka (eggplant potato lasagna) and kabobs loaded with grilled meats. With each meal, we enjoyed a different local wine and found we enjoyed all of them — truly! Here are a few Greek grapes to watch for: Assyrtiko (ah-SEER-tee-ko) – Native to the windy, volcanic ash-turned-rock-embed-
ded island of Santorini, this dry white wine is really fascinating. It tastes not only of the windswept seas but also the smokiness that a landscape chock-full of old vines and volcanoes brings. A wine with soul. Enjoy with grilled sardines in fresh tomato sauce! Malagousia (mah-lah-goo-ZIA) – Once almost extinct, this is my current favorite. The Greeks missed it and brought it back! I also enjoy its beautifully floral- and orange-scented nose followed by ridiculously long, vibrant tropical and citrus flavors. The description might make it sound sweet, but it’s dry and big and deserves a pairing of whole grilled white fleshy fish with a squeeze of lemon. Moschofilero (mos-ko-FEE-ler-oh) – This dry, medium-bodied white is the one that made me believe in Greek wines many years ago. It was a delicious, unexpected surprise! Not quite as bold as malagousia, it has a strawyellow hue, a lightly floral nose and a mediumweighted body — fresher and promising to linger. Agiorgitiko (ah-yor-YEE-ti-ko) – A red wine (that can also be made into rosé!), it’s often lightly oak-aged to provide a deeper flavor, but sometimes vinified by a simple crush with short aging for a lighter bodied option. It generally resembles a cabernet sauvignon: bold, well-structured, stewed black raspberry type of flavors. Fall is an ideal time to try this, as it accentuates grilled fare and fall root vegetables. Xinomavro (ksee-NO-mav-roe) – This is another red I’m following closely because it is supremely elegant. Some liken it to a heavierstyle Burgundy wine, others say it’s Baroloesque. Barolo, the king of wines because of its large structure but sheer elegance, is a great comparison. Some almost-ripe plum, dried cherries crossed with some nose of sundried, oil-cured olives. I would pair it up with moussaka and a great salad, and saddle up to the nearest fireplace. — Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, is a wine enthusiast who is working on her Level II Sommelier certification.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
No longer Greek to me
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
menu. Daily specials. Open daily. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. L, D ¢-$
Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. blueginger kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$ Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carry-out and catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs. ¢-$ com. L, D Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily. 627 28th St SW, 531-2800. L, D $ Kitzingen Brewery — German-style appetizers and entrées, plus kids menu and some American classics. Selection of wine and locally made German craft beer. Closed SunMon. 1760 44th St SW, 805-5077. kitzingenbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$ Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1742 28th St SW, 261-2280. lindomexicogr.com. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 2359 Health Dr SW, Suite 140, 929-2306. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$ Mi Casa Restaurante — Fresh, authentic Dominican appetizers, dishes and seafood, plus weekly specials, in Dominicanthemed, family-friendly atmosphere. No alcohol. Closed Mon-Tues. 334 Burton St SW, ¢-$ 350-9123. micasagr.com. L, D Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave SW, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$ Tamales Mary — Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 15 types of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet speOCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 55
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
cials. No alcohol. Open daily. 1253 Burton St SW, 288-5007. tamalesmarygr.com. L, D ¢
Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spec $ trumlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D
NORTHEAST GRAND RAPIDS 7 Monks Taphouse — Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads. Open daily. 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/ ¢-$ grand-rapids. L, D Birch Lodge — Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily. 732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook. L, D ¢ Blue Water Grill — Entrées include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Beer, wine and cocktails. Open daily. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection. com/bluewater. L, D $-$$ Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1701 Four Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. budandstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$ Charlie’s Bar & Grille — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charlies barandgrille.com. L, D ¢-$ Cheer’s Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open daily. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheersgrandrapids.com. B, L, D ¢ Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, creative burgers. Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. No alcohol. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill. com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) ¢-$ Citizen Tiki Bar & Restaurant — Menu highlights the Pacific Rim, blending Asian influences with local cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2115 Plainfield Ave NE, 288-7888. citiz $-$$ engr.com. Brunch (Fri-Sun), L, D Creston Brewery — More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. L, D ¢-$
Erb Thai Xpress — Thai fare for takeout only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 820 Michigan St NE, 454-0444. erbthaigr.com/erbthai_ ¢ xpress.html. L (Mon-Fri), D
Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net. ¢-$ L, D
Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrées, full bar. Big screen TVs; takeout available. Open daily. 1259 Post Dr NE, Belmont, 785-1001. flossportsbar.com. ¢-$ L, D
Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrées, calzones and desserts. Full bar. Open daily. 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. L, D $
Fred’s Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. freds ¢-$ italian.net. L, D
Lucy’s Café — Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. B, L $-$$
Fuji Yama Asian Bistro — Hibachi grill tables or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 719-1859. fujiyamabis ¢-$ tro.com. L, D
Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektavern gr.com. L, D ¢-$
Golden Wok — Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwok grandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Gravity Taphouse Grille — Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse. com. L, D ¢-$ Graydon’s Crossing — Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscross ing.com. L, D $ Gus’s Original — Appetizers, salads and soups, stone-oven pizzas, gourmet sandwiches; coffees and ice cream bar. Outdoor seating. No alcohol. Open daily. 3123 Leonard St NE, 805-5599. gussoriginal.com. B, L, D ¢ Jaku Sushi — Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more. Open daily. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 6490407. jakusushi.com. L, D $
Kitchen 67 — Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes Brann’s sizzling steaks, sandwiches, salads, small plates, pasta and more. Full bar with craft beers. Open daily. 1977 East Beltline Ave NE, 2723778. kitchen67.com. L, D ¢-$ La Huasteca — Homemade recipes, vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook. L, D ¢
Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily. 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), 365¢-$ 3989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D Nick Fink’s — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollec tion.com/nickfinks. D $ Palio — Ann Arbor-based eatery with an expansive menu of Italian fare. Full bar and happy hour. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 719-0660. paliograndrapids.com. L, D $-$$ Reds At Thousand Oaks — Large menu features sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza and entrées. Extensive wine list, craft beers, full bar. Patio with fire pits and covered deck. Open daily. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, 4477750. eatatreds.com. L, D $-$$ Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrées, some with Cajun flavor. Serves alcohol. Open daily. 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge. com. L (Tue-Sun), D ¢-$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 3646266. riograndsteakhouse.com. L, D $-$$ The Score — Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. the ¢-$ score-restaurant.com. L, D Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No
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alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill. net. L, D $
Thai Chef — Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. L, D $ Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$ Vander Mill — Seasonal menu with many locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style. Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. 505 Ball Ave NE, 259-8828. vandermill.com. L, D (MonSat) $-$$
HAIR, NAILS, MAKE UP, & MORE
NORTHWEST GRAND RAPIDS
C I T Y F L AT S H O T E L . C O M / S A L O N
Visit us every Wednesday for half off classic blow-outs! 616 608 1731 / 77 Monroe Center St. NW, Downtown GR
Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrat $ toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) Balinski’s — Polish-American soups, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrées, including pierogis, golabki and kielbasa; plus, traditional American options and Polish desserts. Closed Mon. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 288-5440. balinskis.com. L, D ¢-$ China Chef — Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices. No alcohol. Open daily. 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com. L, D ¢-$ China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$ Empire Chinese Buffet II — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$
SAVE UP TO
Franco’s Pizza — Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. D ¢-$ Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Full bar. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D ¢-$ Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open
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Experienced Staff. Expert Installation. Special Financing Available. 616-662-0140 – degraafinteriors.com
*SELECT FLOORING STYLES | SEPTEMBER 6 – OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 57
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsu premebuffet.letseat.at. L, D ¢
Home Team Grill — Sports-themed eatery with a selection of local, domestic and international beers. Open daily. 4322 Remembrance Rd, 551-3457. hometeamgrill.word press.com. L, D ¢-$ Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D ¢-$ The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/ dining/the-landing-restaurant. B, L, D $ Linear — Riverfront eatery featuring seasonal menu with fresh modern American fare and outdoor-seating options; plus, a display of rotating works by local artists. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1001 Monroe Ave NW, 2004343. linearrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. mrgyros drivethru.com. L, D ¢-$ Perrin Brewing Co. — Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. 5910 Comstock Park ¢ Dr, 551-1957. perrinbrewing.com. L, D Stan Diego Baja Taco Kitchen — Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-la-carte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 5919806. standiegogr.com. L, D ¢-$ Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel. com. B, L, D ¢-$ Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse in former warehouse district. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Full bar. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. till mansrestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. threehappinessgr.com. L, D ¢-$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with
interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 7919922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $
Zoko 822 — Basque-inspired cuisine, featuring Northern Spanish and Southern French small plates, served family style; plus, “graband-go” lunch serviced through the Bodega 822. Full bar boasting over 45 selections of gin. Open daily. 822 Ottawa Ave NW, 8281118. zoko822.com. Brunch (Sun), L (MonSat), D $-$$
ADA/CASCADE/LOWELL Ada Pour House — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrées, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine. Closed Sun. 6749 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941. pourhouse $-$$ usa.com. L, D Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana. com. B, L, D $-$$ Big Boiler Brewing — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider. Plus, new American cuisine, including burgers, fish, sandwiches and kids menu. Open daily. 318 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3155. bigboil erbrewing.com. D $ The Blue Moose Sports Pub — Farm-totable sports bar features a food menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. 6240 28th St SE, 734-6333. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Cascade Roadhouse — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 259-7439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. L, D ¢-$ Cork Wine & Grille — Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. cork wineandgrille.com. L, D $-$$ Dan’s Diner — Formerly Pal’s Diner. Retrostyle diner with both classic and upscale breakfast and lunch options; breakfast served all day. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 6503 28th St SE, 719-0304. dansdinergr.com. B, L ¢-$ The Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, wood-
fired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. euro bistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$
Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turn-of-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 8978523. thegilmorecollection.com/flatriver. L, D $-$$ Holland & Fitz Delicatessen — Deli sandwiches with in-house baked bread featuring corned beef hash and pork shoulder. Breakfast and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr SE, Suite B, 9207090. hollandandfitzdelicatessen.com. B, L, D $
FJu Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$$ La Laguna — Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu. No alcohol. Open daily. 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Little Bangkok — Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Main Street BBQ — Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork. Rubs and sauces are gluten-free. Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. Takeout/delivery at 1539 Plainfield Ave NE. Full bar. Open daily. 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell.com. L, D ¢-$ Marco New American Bistro — French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches and mains for lunch. Full bar. Takeout menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$ Mynt Fusion Bistro — Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Open daily. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D $ Noco Provisions — Laid-back, regionally inspired comfort cuisine. Outdoor seating on the patio. Full bar. Open daily. 4609 Cascade
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Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. L, D
$
FNonna’s: The Trattoria — Fresh, Europeanstyle pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served seven days a week. Pizza available during lunch Tues-Sat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna. ¢-$ com. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) FNoto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, $-$$ 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D Osaka Steakhouse & Japanese Restaurant — Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabushabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, 419-4628. Facebook. L, D $ Sapporo Ramen & Noodle Bar — Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororam ¢-$ enbar.com. L, D Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 6824660. schnitzadagrill.com. L, D ¢-$$ Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Thornapple Brewing Co. — Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. L (Sat), D $ Trailhead Café — Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 2843664. trailheadcafegr.com. B, L ¢ Vintage Prime & Seafood — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintage $$ atcork.com. D Zeytin — Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. 7437 River St, Ada, 682-2222. zeytin $ turkishrestaurant.com. L, D
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GRANDVILLE/HUDSONVILLE/ GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP
3250 28th St SE, Grand Rapids
Bangkok Taste — Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 59
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
Sun. 674 Baldwin St, 667-8901. bangkok ¢-$ taste.com. L, D
wick. L (Sat-Sun), D
$-$$
The Dungeon — Mexican food and American favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. ¢-$ villadungeon.com. L (Fri-Sun), D
Boulder Creek Restaurant — Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolf ¢-$ club.com/restaurant. L, D
El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections, plus a few American options. Daily food and drink specials. Full bar. Open daily. 4499 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, 530-9470. elburritoloco4.com. L, D ¢-$
Cedar Springs Brewing Co. — German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. L, D $
GrandVilla — Steaks, all-you-can-eat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar. Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadun ¢-$ geon.com. L, D
Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven. com. L, D $-$$
Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hud ¢-$ sonvillegrille.com. B, L, D Osgood Brewing Co. — Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily. 4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. L, D ¢-$ Pike 51 Brewing Co./Hudsonville Winery — Craft brewery and winery under one roof. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. L, D ¢-$ Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow ¢-$ grillmichigan.com. B, L, D Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro. com. L, D $ White Flame Brewing Co. — Small production brewery with taproom. Sandwiches, wraps, appetizers and a couple twists on the classic macaroni and cheese. Open daily. 5234 36th Ave, Hudsonville, 209-5098. ¢-$ whiteflamebrewing.com. L, D
ROCKFORD AREA Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck. Full bar. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, 874-7290. thegilmorecollection.com/bost
Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. L, D ¢-$ Marinades Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro. com. L, D ¢ Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials. Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily. 17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonas table.com. L, D ¢-$ Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Handcrafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrewing.com. Brunch (Sun), L, D ¢-$ Rockford Riverside Grille — Formerly The Green Well Gastro Pub. Menu features American-inspired comfort foods and traditional classics with a creative flair, as well as kids options, served in fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Live entertainment on the patio (seasonal). Full bar. Open daily. 8 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, 884-4100. rock fordriversidegrille.com. L, D $ Timbers Inn — Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar. Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), D ¢-$
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Anna’s House — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and exceptional desserts; din-
ner menu, too. No alcohol. Open daily. 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. B, L $
Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and sandwiches. Menu includes extensive gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesres $ taurant.com. B, L, D Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. Full bar. 401 Leonard St NW, 454-9368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. L, D $ First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstwokgr. $ com. L, D Herb & Fire Pizzeria — Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 773-1895. herbandfirepizzeria. $ com. L, D Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily. 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza. com. L, D ¢-$$ Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1510 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029. thepitahouse.net. L, D ¢ Real Food Café — Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and madefrom-scratch baked goods; plus, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Cash only. Closed Mon. 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 241-4080; 3514 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-1808. Facebook. B, L ¢ Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616; 5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sun dancegrill.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) $ Tacos El Caporal — Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, 261-2711. B, L, D ¢
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cocktail hour BY TORRENCE R. O’HAIRE
The combination of flor fermentation, oxidation and added alcohol creates a stable, unique wine capable of improving with age for decades.
IN DREAMING UP ideas for October’s cocktail topic, I was reminded of Edgar Allan Poe’s story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” Put briefly, the story, in which an expensive bottle of amontillado sherry is used to lure the victim into the catacombs, teaches us the value of friendship when challenged by simple problems like vengeance, jealousy and being bricked up in a wall and forgotten forever. A heartwarming read, Poe-style. But for many people who have read this story, it’s their only experience with amontillado sherry. So, with that in mind, and with the fact that amontillado is a wonderful ingredient to use with fall flavors in cocktails, it’s time to introduce you all to a woefully underutilized sip! Amontillado sherry is a fortified wine from the deepest south of Spain, where it’s generally too hot and dry to grow quality grapes for standard table wine. The savvy Spaniards discovered a way to make their wine ferment under a protective layer of floating yeast (called “flor”), which kept the heat and wind from totally destroying it. Then, post-fermentation, they add a hefty dose of brandy to the wine to stabilize it and protect against further damage. For amontillado-style sherry, the next step is an extended aging period in oak casks, letting the wine slowly oxidize until the flavors change from bright and sharp to rich and nutty. The combination of flor fermentation, oxidation and added alcohol creates a stable, unique wine capable of improving with age for decades — hence why the bait of an exceedingly old cask of amontillado was enough to lure an aficionado to his doom. With the unusual process that goes into producing amontillado, you’re bound to find unusual flavors that you might not expect in a “standard” wine. Toasted hazelnuts, dried citrus peel, caramel, apricot, bruised apples, black tea — all in a dry, heady wine with powerful acidity. With those nutty, caramelly flavor notes, you can immediately start to imagine crossovers into classic fall flavors. Michigan being cider territory gives great opportunities to add bright, fresh apple cider with amontillado’s savory notes to create delicious aperitif cocktails. The fact that amontillado is a wine gives it perfect interchangeability with other wine products like vermouth in other cocktails — rich amontillado in a brown-sugary bourbon Manhattan is a fun spin on a classic combination. And if all else fails, one of my absolute favorite afternoon coolers on an Indian summer day is simply amontillado and tonic water with a twist of lemon or orange. — Torrence R. O’Haire, of The Starving Artist, is a chef, entrepreneur and restaurant consultant specializing in wine, spirits and cocktails. He also founded the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK
Finding fall in amontillado
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40-Second Stories
The Adonis This classic cocktail from the 1880s is a go-to of mine when I want something dry and flavorful but without a huge amount of alcohol. An easy three-ingredient mixup that’s brilliant with cocktail snacks. 1¾ ounces amontillado sherry 1¾ ounces sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica is my favorite) 1 dash orange bitters Orange twist, for garnish
Be part of the story. Learn more at #40secondstories.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with a bit of orange peel and enjoy.
The Cask of Amontillado Inspired by the story, this cocktail works to bring out the flavors in the sherry itself. I’d risk entombment for this drink. 1½ ounces amontillado sherry 1½ ounces cognac ½ ounce apricot liqueur ¼ ounce brown sugar simple syrup 2 dashes Fee Brothers’ Walnut Bitters Lemon twist and a green olive to garnish
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Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon and a Spanish green olive.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY THINKSTOCK
The Amber Spyglass This is just a gin martini that’s been recalculated for fall and takes advantage of the new trend in barrel-aged gins. Don’t tell your guests that, though — they’ll think you’re a genius for combining these flavors.
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2 ounces barrel-aged gin (Gray Skies Distillery’s offering is perfect) 1 ounce amontillado sherry 1 dash Angostura bitters Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. A garnish is optional, but I’d recommend a pickled walnut if you can find them — very cool stuff.
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OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 63
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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN
Nadia Hamad, a lead seamstress at Treetops Collective, with her son Abdullah.
Treetops Collective supports, encourages and empowers refugee women as they work to make Grand Rapids home.
New home, new life
U
By Ann Byle Photography by Johnny Quirin
pon entering the storefront for Treetops Collective on South Division Avenue, it immediately becomes clear that people are at work. Commercial sewing machines are positioned along the street-side window; long tables overflow with fabric, beads and half-finished products; shelves are stacked with T-shirts, onesies and cloth baskets for sale. Women talk, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. For one of those women, Nadia Hamad, lead seamstress for many of the products created at Treetops such as bags and children’s clothing, “Treetops changed my life 180 percent,” she said. Hamad, her husband and their son
Abdullah came directly to Grand Rapids from Baghdad five years ago. The ceramist holds a degree in fine arts in Iraq, but in Grand Rapids, she didn’t have much to do. But one day, Hamad’s neighbor saw her pottery wheel and ceramic work, and took her right to Treetops and introduced her around. Now, Hamad spends four days a week at Treetops, working around her 9-year-old son’s school schedule and bringing him with her in the summer. “Treetops feels like another house to me; it’s my second home,” Hamad said. “When I open the door, I feel comfortable. There is a lot of activity here. This work is different; I feel like it’s who I am.” Treetops Collective, which became a
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“We asked about what has worked well in making Grand Rapids home for them, what challenges stand in the way and how we can make the process better. We listened to really understand what they were expressing.” — Dana Doll nonprofit in May 2016, is indeed, a place of many activities. Its main program is Sister Circles, which brings volunteers and refugee women together to “get to know our new sister, understand her definition of success and become allies in reaching that goal,” said Dana Doll, co-founder and executive director of Treetops Collective. Doll saw early what it meant to make a new place home when her parents began fostering refugees while she was a teenager. She worked in East Africa after high school, studied international development at Calvin College and then moved to northern Uganda to work with women displaced by the war there. Her next step was to work for Samaritas in refugee resettlement back
in Grand Rapids. “I often wondered what happened after the resettlement phase for these women, after their basic needs were met,” Doll said. “What does it take to make a new place feel like home?” Doll began gathering people to talk about how to help refugee women. Local representatives from resettlement programs at Bethany Christian Services and Samaritas entered the discussion, as did women leaders in the refugee community. “We asked about what has worked well in making Grand Rapids home for them, what challenges stand in the way and how we can make the process better,” Doll said. “We listened to really understand what they were expressing.” Sister Circles Marla Hoekwater is part of the Sister Circles program, which has volunteer/refugee women meeting at least an hour a week for whatever the refugee woman needs, from learning the bus system to learning English, attending social events to grocery shopping. Treetops encourages mutuality in these relationships because each woman has much to learn from the other. Hoekwater has been meeting with Theresa Quaofio, who recently was able to welcome her husband Benort and daughter, Audrey, to Grand Rapids from Ghana permanently. The last time they saw each other was two years ago when Quaofio
Top left: Sylvia Nyamuhungu, a community connector for teen girls. Top right: Treetops Collective co-founders Dana Doll and Tarah Carnahan. Bottom: Angelique Masengesho (left), Nadia Iradukunda (center) and Maombi Mushimiyimana, all from Rwanda, fold clothes as they train to work in customer service and sales.
‘BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR’ “How can we do this better together?” Treetops Collective Executive Director Dana Doll asked. 1. Help create a more welcoming community. “It’s not just about people who arrive here, but the environment they land in,” Doll said. “Be a good neighbor.” 2. Treetops is 100 percent locally funded. Donate online or sign up to be a monthly donor. 3. Join Treetops. Attend the next informational meeting, become a Sister Circles volunteer, find the place where you fit. For more details, visit treetopscollective.org. OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 65
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cause & effect PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE IN WEST MICHIGAN
Quaofio attended several Treetops social gatherings before being matched with Hoekwater in the Sister Circles program. They got to know one another, visiting the Children’s Museum, Downtown Market and Garfield Park. Hoekwater helped plan the surprise party to welcome Quaofio’s husband and daughter to Grand Rapids. “It means a lot to me; it’s been so much fun,” Quaofio said. “We check up on each other; we communicate a lot. “Treetops is a good place to get to know people, get to know Grand Rapids and get matched with resources for you to get help,” she said. “It’s something I recommend to other women.”
Marla Hoekwater, who is part of the Sister Circles program, with Theresa, Benort, Audrie and Peace Quaofio, who emigrated from Ghana.
visited her homeland. Along the way, Hoekwater and Quaofio became close, and Hoekwater even became a de facto grandmother to Quaofio’s other daughter, Peace. “Theresa has become a friend,” Hoekwater said. “From the beginning, I saw something at Treetops that is different from other places. The women who work and volunteer here are fun and share the same goal of wanting to make our community a better place, and we believe that includes women refugees being part of our community.”
Friendship and mentoring For three teenage girls who emigrated from Rwanda, Treetops offers friendship and mentoring, and training for their first job helping with sales at events where Treetops has a table. “We had been here one-and-a-half years when a person came to our school and she spoke our language,” said Angelique Masengesho, 17, a junior at Union High School. “We met and she told us about Treetops. We are learning how to help each other so we can help people from other countries.” For Masengesho and her friends Maombi Mushimiyimana, 17, and Nadia Iradukunda, 18, Treetops is a place to work on their English skills and learn about Grand Rapids and its culture.
Shop for a cause Treetops Collective does more than help refugee women make Grand Rapids home. The nonprofit offers jobs and raises money by selling its own products, which accounted for 30 percent of Treetops’ revenue in 2017.
printing is done by local refugee women at a screen printer who works with these women and girls.
“We want to make Treetops a place where women can find flexible work hours, add income and still meet the demands of their families,” said Tarah Carnahan, co-founder and director of sustainability.
Home goods include pillows, baskets, art prints, ceramic vases and other small pieces made by Nadia Hamad, a ceramist who emigrated from Iraq. Treetops also sells a wide range of clothing for children sizes newborn to 4-5T, all made with 100 percent U.S. grown organic cotton.
Treetops’ first product line was Welcome Wear, which started with T-shirts in five languages and has expanded to a variety of shirts, totes and wooden wall art. Screen
Most sales, according to Carnahan, are made online and at local events, but Treetops goods also are sold locally at Dime & Regal and Hopscotch Children’s Store. Hours to
purchase goods at Treetops are 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays. Visit treetopscollective.org for more information and to purchase.
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Shadia Mbabazi, community development director at Treetops Collective.
“You can ask anything you want. If not for this group, how can you know?” Iradukunda said. Sylvia Nyamuhungu, of East African descent, came to Grand Rapids in 2011 and is now the community connector for teen girls at Treetops. She organizes monthly events, mentors girls one-on-one and meets with each teen once a month. “I love what Treetops stands for: empowerment and helping people grow,” said Nyamuhungu, a 22-year-old senior at Calvin College majoring in international development. “Teen girls have so much potential, but so much opposition. Treetops is here to help them think about the future, about life after high school and their dreams.” For Shadia Mbabazi, who was born in Rwanda but came to the United States from Botswana in 2013, Treetops Collective has become a home and a workplace. She manages teen and women’s groups and the Sister Circle program in her role as community development director. “Women have so much experience and knowledge, so much to offer the community,” she said. “We want women to feel like Grand Rapids can be their home, that they can reach their goals and dreams and that we support them whatever way we can.” GR OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 67
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
october events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!
SPORTS Oct. 12, 17 & 20 GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS: Grand Rapids’ American Hockey League team, primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Home games: Oct. 12 vs. Hershey Bears. Oct. 17 vs. Texas Stars. Oct. 20 vs. Chicago Wolves. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $19-$40. griffinshockey.com SPECIAL EVENTS Oct. 13 HUDSONVILLE URBAN HAYDAY: Fall festival with hayrides, food trucks, bounce houses, critter barn, tractor show, live music, pumpkin races. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Gemmen’s Home and Hardware, 3488 Kelly St.; and Terra Square, 3380 Chicago Drive. urban hayday.com.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
OCT. 5 - CREATIVITY UNCORKED: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts social evening and art workshop “Signs and Language” to create an aluminum sign. Registration required. See Lectures & Workshops
MUSIC Oct. 11 SCMC JAZZ SERIES: St. Cecilia Music Center hosts jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. 7:30 p.m. 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $45-$50. scmc-online.org.
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OCT. 6 - “SWING NIGHT AT THE VAN SINGEL”: Glenn Bulthuis
OCT. 6-7 - BLUE COAST ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR: Twenty-
and the Hark Up Big Band play music by Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé and more. Van Singel FAC, Byron Center. See Music
ninth annual tour of eight studios between South Haven and Saugatuck featuring artwork, demonstrations and refreshments. See Special Events
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AVERY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY (LOWER LEFT); GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS/ MARK NEWMAN (TOP LEFT); THINKSTOCK (TOP RIGHT); MANNY IRIARTE (RIGHT); JIM HILL (BOTTOM)
Oct. 26 HALLOWEEN AT VAN RAALTE FARM: DeGraaf Nature Center hosts seasonal activities and live animals along a wooded trail, plus cider and cookies at a campfire. 5-7:30 p.m. $2.
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To list your event send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o
Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, email caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the 10th of the month.
SPECIAL EVENTS Oct. - Kent Harvest Trails: Eighteen farms participate in fall family activities, including tractor/wagon rides, petting zoos, corn mazes, make-a-scarecrow, doughnuts and cider. kentharvestrails.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY AVERY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY (LOWER LEFT); GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS/ MARK NEWMAN (TOP LEFT); THINKSTOCK (TOP RIGHT); MANNY IRIARTE (RIGHT); JIM HILL (BOTTOM)
Thru Oct. 7 - ArtPrize: Tenth annual international art competition includes more than 1,600 artists displaying works at more than 180 venues indoors and outdoors throughout downtown GR. $200,000 first prize for artist with most public votes and $200,000 first prize awarded by jurors. Pre-registered visitors vote online or by text. artprize.org. Thru Oct. 7 - Grand Haven ArtWalk: Local art competition displays art in businesses and community buildings for public judging. ghartwalk.com. Thru Nov. 3 - New Salem Corn Maze and Haunted Woods: Daytime family events and activities include corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, pumpkin launcher (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.). Nighttime activities include Witches Woods, Haunted Corn Maze and Zombie Attack (dusk-11 p.m. Sat.-Sun.). 4516 24th St., Dorr. newsalemcornmaze.com. Oct. 4 - Taps & Trails: Third annual fundraiser with trail walk, beer samples, live music and food; benefits Indian Trails Camp/ IKUS Life Enrichment Services. 21+ only. 6-8 p.m. $25. Indian Trails Camp, O-1859 Lake Michigan Drive NW. eventbrite.com. Oct. 4 - Wine, Women and Chocolate: Women’s Resource Center benefit includes wine, chocolates, silent auction, raffle. 5-7:30 p.m. Cascade Hills Country Club, 3725 Cascade Road SE. $50-$65. grwrc.org. Oct. 5 - Fire Truck Parade: Holland celebrates Fire Safety Week with parade, trucks on display and safety demos. 7 p.m. Eighth Street Marketplace. downtownholland.com.
Oct. 5 - First Friday Gallery Hop: Participating galleries, shops and eateries stay open 6-9 p.m., presented by Avenue for the Arts. South Division between Fulton and Cherry streets. avenueforthearts.com/first-friday-galleryhops. Oct. 5 - SC4A and AWARE Benefit: Saugatuck Center for the Arts and AWARE present “The Judy Show.” 6:30 p.m. 400 Culver St. $75. sc4a.org. Oct. 5-6 - MOPS Consignment Sale: Mothers of Preschoolers hosts a sale of kids’ clothing, toys, books, equipment and maternity clothes. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.-noon Sat. Knapp Street Reformed Church, 4025 Knapp St. NE. Facebook. Oct. 5-6 - Quilts on the Grand: West Michigan Quilters’ Guild show. DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. wmqg.org/quiltson-the-grand. Oct. 5-6 - Zeeland Pumpkinfest: Familyfriendly fall activities, including music, food, 5K run, parade, outdoor movie. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Downtown Zeeland on Church Street and Main Avenue. zeelandfestivals.com. Oct. 5-7 - Pulaski Days: Annual event celebrates GR’s Polish heritage with parade, golf, kielbasa eating contest, Polka mass and queen contest. pulaskidays.org. Oct. 5-20 - Fall Parade of Homes: Home Builders Association of Greater GR presents tours of new and remodeled homes of varying size, price and construction style. 1-8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 5-8 p.m. Wed. $12. mygrhome.com. Oct. 6 - Bark in the Dark: Sixth annual Humane Society of West Michigan 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk, plus dog costume contest, beer tent, food and family-friendly activities. 5 p.m. Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NE. $35. barkinthedark.org.
OCT. 13 - BEE BRAVE 5K RUN/WALK: Tenth
OCT. 18-21 - “WILD SWEET LOVE”: Presented
OCT. 24 - PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE: Calvin
annual breast cancer awareness run/walk benefits Van Andel Institute. Shagbark Farms, Caledonia. $25, $17 kids 17 and younger. beebrave. com. See Sports
by Grand Rapids Ballet. Blacktie gala welcoming new artistic director James Sofranko on Oct. 18. Peter Martin Wege Theatre. $150 Thu., $52 Fri.Sun. See Stage & Film
College presents travel film series: “The Old Spanish Trail” by Bill Behrenbruch. Calvin College Fine Arts Center. $6 adults, $3 students. See Lectures & Workshops OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 69
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
Comedy & nightclub venues COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
Oct. 25 1/ Indie rock band Young the Giant performs at 20 Monroe Live.
1/ 20 MONROE LIVE: Indie rock band Young the Giant performs at 7 p.m. Oct. 25. All ages welcome. Tickets are $27-$49. 11 Ottawa Ave. NW, (844) 678-5483, 20monroelive. com. 2/ DR. GRINS COMEDY CLUB: Stand-up comic Beth Stelling performs Oct. 18-20. Shows are 8 p.m. Thu.; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.; and 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m Sat. Tickets are $15 Thu., $20 Fri. and $25 Sat. Also, Oct. 4-6, Collin Moulton. Oct. 11-13, Phil Hanley. Oct. 25-26, Mike Armstrong. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com/drgrinscomedy. 3/ TIP TOP DELUXE BAR & GRILL: Grand Rapids-based blues rock band Barrel Bones performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 12. 21+ only. Tickets are $5. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910, facebook.com/barrelbonesmusic.
Founders Brewing Co.: Large taproom features live music Thu. and Sat., plus Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra on the first Sunday of each month. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 776-2182, foundersbrewing.com. Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Restaurant/taproom features live music Fri.-Sun. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewingcompany.com.
2/ Stand-up comedian Beth Stelling Back Forty Saloon: Line dancing and live country bands Fri. and Sat., DJs Thu. 48 W. Fulton St., 742-4040, thebackfortysaloon.com.
Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor hosts DJs and live music Fri. and Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoods lounge.com. The Intersection: Four-bar concert venue hosts nationally known bands. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-
Billy’s Lounge: Eastown bar and music venue hosts live music with emphasis on blues. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757, billyslounge.com. The B.O.B.: The Big Old Building houses multiple entertainment options: live music Fri. and Sat. at Bobarino’s; DJs and dance floor at Eve on Fri. and Sat.; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (H.O.M.E.); stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins. 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob. com. Flanagan’s: Irish pub with live music from local bands on Fri. and Sat.;
3/ Barrel Bones
8232, sectionlive.com. J. Gardellas Tavern: Dance club Fri. and Sat. nights on third floor with DJs. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 459-8824, jgardellastavern.com. Mixology: Lobby lounge overlooking downtown GR and Grand River has live music Fri. and Sat. nights and live jazz brunch on Sun. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW, 242-1500, ilovethe jw.com/dining/mixology. Mojo’s: DJs and dance floor on second level Wed., Fri. and Sat., with dueling pianos show on main floor Wed.-Sat. nights. 180 Monroe Ave. NW, 776-9000, mojospianobar.com. Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, facebook.com/mullig anspubgr. One Trick Pony: Grill and taproom
hosts live music 8-11 p.m. Thu. and Sat. Reservations accepted. 136 E. Fulton St., 235-7669, onetrick.biz. The Orbit Room: Regional and national music acts, occasional standup comedy. Open floor, seated balcony. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com. Pop Scholars: Four-person comedy team performs monthly improv show at 8 p.m. Oct. 12. $12. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, popscho lars.com. The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, pyramidschemebar. com. River City Improv: Comedy improv team performs at 7:33 p.m. Oct. 13. $12 adults, $6 students and kids. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, 752-8570, rivercityimprov.com. River Rock at The Grand River Hotel: Live music Fri. and Sat. and jazz brunch Sun. 270 Ann St. NW, 363-9001, thegrandriverhotel.com. Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri., featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, face book.com/rockysbarandgrill. Rumors Nightclub: Gay bar and dance club. 69 S. Division Ave., 4548720, rumorsnightclub.net. Stella’s Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 742-4444, stellas gr.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY WESLEY YEN (TOP); BETH STELLING (LEFT); JOEL FERGUSON (BOTTOM)
also live Irish music on Thu. and Sun. 139 Pearl St. NW, 980-0705, flanagans gr.com.
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Oct. 6 - Grandville Fall Fest: Scarecrow competition, pumpkin decorating, wagon rides, mechanical bull, chili cook-off, live music, kids activities, arts and crafts. Municipal lot behind Grandville library. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. cityofgrandville.com. Oct. 6 - Walker Pumpkin Bash: Fall crafts, treats, concessions, petting zoo. 1:30-3 p.m. Walker Ice and Fitness Center, 4151 Remembrance Road. walker.city. Oct. 6-7 - Blue Coast Artists Studio Tour: Twenty-ninth annual tour of eight studios between South Haven and Saugatuck featuring artwork, demonstrations and refreshments. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. bluecoastartists. com. Oct. 6, 13, 20 - Depot to Depot Fall Color Tour: Self-guided tour of historic sites in Muskegon/White Lake with refreshments and prizes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. visitmuskegon. com. Oct. 7 - VegFest: Fourth annual vegetarian food festival featuring vegan-friendly businesses and organizations, plus health-related speakers and food demos. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. DeltaPlex, 2500 Turner Ave. NW. $9. grveg fest.com. Oct. 11 - Couture for a Cure: Van Andel Institute’s 13th anniversary fundraiser includes fashion show by Leigh’s and preview of designer Lourdes Chavez’s spring ’19 collection. 6-11 p.m. 333 Bostwick Ave. NE. $100$250. vai.org.
ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN • 866.462.LIFT • SHORE-MATE.COM
Timeless Beauty ...
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY WESLEY YEN (TOP); BETH STELLING (LEFT); JOEL FERGUSON (BOTTOM)
Oct. 11 - Small Plates, Big Impact: Downtown Market’s fundraiser includes strolling dinner, live music, silent auction and afterparty; benefits Education Foundation. 5:30-9:30 p.m. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. $100. downtownmar ketgr.com/classes-events/small-plates-bigimpact. Oct. 12-13 - Holland Fall Fest: Pumpkin carvers in downtown Holland and at farmers market, plus kids activities, hayrides, live music, food. 3-7 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat. Free. hollandfallfest.com. Oct. 13 - Hudsonville Urban HayDay: Fall festival with hayrides, food trucks, bounce houses, critter barn, tractor show, live music, pumpkin races. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Gemmen’s Home and Hardware, 3488 Kelly St.; and Terra Square, 3380 Chicago Drive. urbanhay day.com. Oct. 13 - Lowell Harvest Celebration: Live entertainment, Autumn Marketplace, chili cook-off, Harvest Hustle 5K run/walk. 8 a.m.4 p.m. Downtown Lowell and Kent County Fairgrounds, 225 S. Hudson St., Lowell. lowell harvestcelebration.org.
Since 1968 ... 4353 Three Mile Road N.E. | Grand Rapids | 616-363-6400 | kappeslandscapes.com OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 71
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Oct. 13 - Red Shoe Gala: Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan annual gala with reception, dinner, live auction. 6-9:30 p.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW. $150. rmhwestern michigan.org/red-shoe-gala. Oct. 13 - Walk for Wishes West Michigan: Make-A-Wish walk through zoo with activities and food grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. 9:30 a.m. John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. walkfor wisheswestmi.org. Oct. 13 - White Lake PumpkinFest: Familyfriendly, pumpkin-inspired events plus live music, arts and crafts, farmers market, hayrides. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Montague. whitelake.org. Oct. 13 - Wine & Wig Gala: West Michigan Woman hosts sixth annual fundraiser with food, wine and auctions; benefits American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Michigan, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and Van Andel Institute. 6:30 p.m. Meijer Gardens, 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE. $100. westmichiganwoman. com/wineandwig. Oct. 15-21 - Spa Week: Participating spas and wellness centers across the country offer signature services for $50 each. spaweek.com. Oct. 19 - Brats and Bonfires: Ada hosts fourth annual family-friendly event with live music, brats, beer; benefits Ada Township Fire Dept. 6-9 p.m. adamichigan.org/events/brats-andbonfires. Oct. 19-21, 26-28 - Zoo Goes Boo: John Ball Zoo hosts trick-or-treating, animal demonstrations, kids activities. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1300 W. Fulton St. jbzoo.org. Oct. 20 - Eastern & Alger Pop-up Market: Alger Heights hosts monthly market with local artisans and vintage dealers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eastern Avenue and Alger Street SE. facebook.com/easternalgerpopupmarket. Oct. 20 - Kentwood Fall Festival: Includes trunk or treat for kids, games and hayrides. 10 a.m.-noon. Kentwood Public Works Department, 5068 Breton Road SE. ci.kentwood. mi.us. Oct. 20-21 - Arts and Eats Tour: Self-guided tour of 60 participating artists, farms and restaurants in southwest Michigan. artsand eats.org. Oct. 25 - Hope on the Hill Gala: Van Andel Institute’s 18th annual fundraising gala, Run for the Roses, with derby theme, live music, entertainment, dancing. 6 p.m. 333 Bostwick Ave. NE. $250. vai.org. Oct. 26 - Fork Fest: Local First eighth annual fundraiser with food and beverage samples
from more than 40 local vendors. 5-9 p.m. Romence Gardens, 265 Lakeside Drive NE. $55. localfirst.com. Oct. 26 - Halloween at Van Raalte Farm: DeGraaf Nature Center hosts seasonal activities and live animals along a wooded trail, plus cider and cookies at a campfire. 5-7:30 p.m. 1076 E. 16th St., Holland. $2. cityofholland. com/parksandcemeteries/van-raalte-farm. Oct. 26, 30 - Salvation Army Halloween events: Monster Mash trunk or treat, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 26 (free). Mini Mash for toddlers 2-4, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 30 ($5.50 kids, adults free). 2500 S. Division Ave. grkroccenter.org. Oct. 27 - Holland Trick-or-Treating: Participating downtown businesses welcome costumed kids for trick-or-treating. 10 a.m.-noon. Eighth Street, downtown Holland. holland. org. Oct. 27 - Saugatuck/Douglas Halloween Festivities: Family and pets costume contest and parade begins 3:30 p.m. at Mason and Griffith streets, Saugatuck. Adult parade begins 10 p.m. at Beery Field, Douglas. sauga tuckdouglas.com. Oct. 31 - Grand Haven Trick or Treat: Participating downtown stores on Washington Avenue from Harbor Drive to Third Street hand out candy to costumed kids. 4-6 p.m. visitgrandhaven.com. Oct. 31 - Halloween at Ada Fire Station: Candy, doughnuts, fire apparatus displays. 6-9 p.m. 2865 Thornhills Ave. SE, Ada. ada michigan.org. Oct. 31 - Zeeland Trick or Treat: Businesses along Main Street hand out candy to kids 10 and younger. 3-5 p.m. ci.zeeland.mi.us/338/ downtown-trick-or-treat.
SPORTS Oct. - Grand Rapids Griffins: Grand Rapids’ American Hockey League team, primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Home games: Oct. 12 vs. Hershey Bears. Oct. 17 vs. Texas Stars. Oct. 20 vs. Chicago Wolves. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $19-$40. grif finshockey.com. Oct. 6 - Franciscan Rhythms Trail Run: 5K and 10K trail run/walk benefits music therapy scholarship fund. Also, kids run. 9 a.m. 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $30-$40 adults, $10 kids 3-11. lifeprocesscenter.org. Oct. 6 - GRR Runway 5K: Race through tunnel onto runway at Gerald R. Ford Airport and 1-mile tunnel fun run; benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation West Michigan. 9 a.m. 6450 Air Cargo Drive SE. $37, $20 fun run. triviumrac ing.com/event/runway5k2018.
Oct. 6 - Light the Night Walk: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society walk for cancer awareness. 5:30 p.m. John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St. lightthenight.org/mi. Oct. 6 - Michigan Adventure Race: ArtPrize Edition: Four-hour race with running, biking and Amazing Race-like challenges throughout ArtPrize exhibits. 9:30 a.m. Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Ave. NW. $80. miadventure race.com. Oct. 13 - Bee Brave 5K Run/Walk: Tenth annual breast cancer awareness run/walk benefits Van Andel Institute. 9 a.m. Shagbark Farms, 7500 Alaska Ave. SE, Caledonia. $25, $17 kids 17 and younger. beebrave.com. Oct. 13 - Colorburst Bicycle Tour: Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club hosts tour with 17-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile loops; benefits local charities. Registration and pancake breakfast 8 a.m. Fallasburg Park, 1124 Fallasburg Road, Lowell. $35, $70 family. rapidwheel men.com/colorburst.html. Oct. 20 - Run Thru the Rapids/Fitness Expo: 5K/10K run benefits YMCA Camp ManitouLin Scholarship Fund. 9 a.m. run, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Health and Fitness Expo, 1:30 p.m. kids marathon. David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Drive NW. runthrutherapids.com. Oct. 20 - Zombie Dash: 5K nighttime run along Grand River dodging “zombies” who try to remove flags worn by runners. 6:45 p.m. Sixth Street Park, 647 Monroe NW. $39-$45. thezombiedash.com. Oct. 21 - Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon: Certified 26.2-mile course around downtown, plus half-marathon and marathon relay. 8 a.m. David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Drive NW. $95-$300. grandrapidsmarathon.com. Oct. 27 - 231 River Run: 10K and 4-mile runs. 8:30 a.m. Conner Bayou County Park, 12945 North Cedar Drive, Grand Haven. $35-$45. runsignup.com/race/mi/grandhaven/m231k. Oct. 27 - Alger Heights Halloween 5K and 10K: Run through neighborhoods; costumes encouraged. Also, kids fun run. 9 a.m. Alger Middle School, 921 Alger St. SE. $25-$45. alger5k.com.
STAGE & FILM Thru Oct. 6 - “Man of La Mancha”: Master Arts Theatre presents a musical inspired by Don Quixote. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $19 adults, $17 seniors and students. masterarts.org. Thru Oct. 7 - “King Lear”: GVSU Shakespeare Festival play. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.
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Louis Armstrong Theatre, GVSU, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale. $15 adults, $13 seniors, $7 students. gvsu.edu/shakes. Oct. 4-20 - “Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Holland Civic Theatre presents a musical about six quirky students competing in a spelling bee. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 50 W. Ninth St., Holland. $10 adults, $18 seniors, $10 students. hollandcivictheatre.org. Oct. 6 - Buster Keaton Film Festival: “Three Ages” and “The Love Nest.” 8 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $8. frauenthal.org. Oct. 6 - Frivolous Follies: Harvest Hullabaloo: Vaudeville and variety show with comedy, burlesque, barbershop quartet; benefits Crash’s Landing. 8 p.m. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $12-$15. frivolousfollies.com. Oct. 6 - “The Space In Between”: Ballet 5:8 presents two one-act performances. 7 p.m. DeVos Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth Ave. SE. $25 adults, $20 seniors and students, $12 kids 12 and younger. ballet 58.org. Oct. 6-7 - “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: CARE Ballet presents a one-hour performance for kids about four children who discover a fantasy world through an old wardrobe. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. East Grand Rapids PAC, 2211 Lake Drive SE. $15 adults, $10 students. careballet.org. Oct. 9 - Local Director Series: UICA presents “America’s Most Haunted” by director Chris Randall. 8 p.m. 2 W. Fulton St. $8, $4 members. uica.org. Oct. 9-14 - “Finding Neverland”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents the story of Peter Pan. 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $38-$73. broad waygrandrapids.com. Oct. 10-21 - “Miracle on South Division Street”: Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids tells the story of how a street corner virgin shapes and reshapes the lives of a Polish Catholic family. 8 p.m. Wed., Thu. and Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $25 adults, $23 seniors, $8 students. jtgr.org.
EVENT PLANNING CATERING DESIGN + PRODUCTION
Oct. 11 - Anthony Jeselnik: Comedian performs The Funny Games Tour. 8 p.m. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. $35. anthonyjeselnik.com. Oct. 12-21 - “Number the Stars”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents the story of a Jewish family’s escape during the Holocaust. 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $28. grct.org.
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Oct. 18-21 - “Wild Sweet Love”: Presented by Grand Rapids Ballet. 5:30 p.m. Thu. with black-tie gala welcoming new artistic director James Sofranko and ballet at 8 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. $150 Thu., $52 Fri.-Sun. grballet.com. Oct. 19 - Christopher Titus: Comedian performs Amerigeddon show. 7 p.m. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. $25-$45. grcmc. org. Oct. 19 - “Instant Dreams”: Feature documentary about the fascination and love of Polaroids. 6 p.m. Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St. $13. sc4a.org/instant-dreams. Oct. 20-21 - “Aladdin Jr.”: Muskegon Civic Theatre presents Disney’s musical about a street boy who befriends a princess and sets off on a magical adventure. 7:30 p.m. Thu.Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $24 adults, $22 seniors and students. muskegoncivictheatre. org. Oct. 22 - Mad Shak Dance Company: Chicago-based dance company. 8 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. Free. calvin.edu.
Oct. 5-6 - “Scheherazade”: GR Symphony performs music by Weber, Khachaturian and Rimsky-Korsakov. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymp hony.org. Oct. 6 - The Block Concerts: Jazz organ trio Organissimo. 7:30 p.m. The Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $25 and up, $10 students. theblockwestmichigan.org. Oct. 6 - “Swing Night at the Van Singel”: Glenn Bulthuis and the Hark Up Big Band play music by Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé and more. 7:30 p.m. Van Singel FAC, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center. $18 adults, $12 students. vsfac.com. Oct. 6 - Thomas Rhett: Country music singer performs Life Changes Tour; with Brett Young and Midland. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $32-$87. vanandelarena.com. Oct. 7 - Lauren Daigle: Jazz pianist and singer performs Turn Up the Quiet tour. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $25-$75. devosperformancehall.com. Oct. 8 - Fleetwood Mac: Rock band. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $69-$199. vanandelarena.com.
Oct. 23-27 - Thriller Chiller: Film festival celebrating action, horror, sci-fi and suspense movies. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. filmfreeway.com/thrillerchiller.
Oct. 11 - SCMC Jazz Series: St. Cecilia Music Center hosts jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. 7:30 p.m. 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $45-$50. scmconline.org.
Oct. 26-27 - “The Magic Flute”: Opera Grand Rapids presents Mozart’s masterpiece. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $26-$92, $5 students. operagr.org.
Oct. 11-14 - Great Lakes Music Camp: Acoustic music camp includes workshops, lessons, jams; plus a benefit concert for Camp Blodgett 8 p.m. Sat. Camp Blodgett, 10451 Lakeshore Drive, West Olive. $250-$825 camp, $15 concert. greatlakesmusic.org.
Oct. 26-28 - “Spooktacular!”: Grand Rapids Ballet’s Junior Company presents a seasonal story about a boy’s wish to join his older sister while trick-or-treating. 7:30 p.m. Fri., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth SW. $18. grballet.com.
MUSIC Oct. 3 - Adventures in Harmony Showcase: Our Gift to the Future: Holland Chorale performs with high school singers and guest performers. 7 p.m. DeWitt Auditorium, Zeeland East High School, 3333 96th Ave. Free. holl andchorale.org. Oct. 4 - GRCC International Guitar Series: Folias Duo. 7:30 p.m. Albert P. Smith Music Center, 142 Ransom Ave. NE. $15 adults, $10 seniors and students. grcc.edu/music/inter nationalguitarseries. Oct. 4 - SCMC Folk Series: St. Cecilia Music Center hosts singer and multi-instrumentalist Pokey LaFarge. 7:30 p.m. 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $30-$35. scmc-online.org.
Oct. 12 - “The Baroque Concert: Bach and Beyond”: Presented by GR Symphony with oboist Ellen Sherman. 8 p.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $26-$34. grsymp hony.org. Oct. 12 - Coffee Classics Series: GR Symphony presents a Baroque Coffee Concert of music with free coffee and doughnuts. 10 a.m. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $16, $5 students. grsymphony.org. Oct. 13-14 - LowellArts House Concerts: 6 p.m. Oct. 13, Paddy’s Cure. 2 p.m. Oct. 14, Blue Water Ramblers. 223 W. Main St., Lowell. lowellartsmi.org. Oct. 13, 20 - GRFA Acoustic Saturday Night Concerts: Grand River Folk Arts concerts. Oct. 13, Mark Swanson and Brant Satala. Oct. 20, Matt Watroba. 7 p.m. Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St. SE. $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, $10 members, $5 kids under 12. sites.google.com/site/grfolkarts.
Oct. 15 - Elton John: Singer performs Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $49.50-$224.50. vanandelarena.com. Oct. 15 - Monday Night Jazz: Monthly West Michigan Jazz Society concert with Mark Kahny Quartet. 6:30-8:30 p.m. New Holland Brewing, 417 Bridge St. NW. $10, $5 members. wmichjazz.org. Oct. 17 - Diana Krall: Jazz singer/songwriter. 7 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $60-$312. devosperformancehall. com. Oct. 18 - Hope College’s Great Performance Series: The Queen’s Six. 7:30 p.m. Jack H. Miller Center, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave, Holland. $23 adults, $17 seniors, $6 kids 18 and under. hope.edu. Oct. 19 - Keith Urban: Country music singer performs Graffiti U World Tour; with Kelsea Ballerini. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St. $39-$96.50. vanandelarena.com. Oct. 19 - Kent Philharmonic Orchestra Concert: Ghoulfest with costume contest at 6:30 p.m. and concert at 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $6 seniors and students. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. kentphilgr.org. Oct. 19 - WAR - The Band: Funk band fuses rock, jazz, Latin, R&B and reggae. 7:30 p.m. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE. $46-$58. fhfineartscenter.com. Oct. 19-20 - Mighty Wurlitzer Concerts: GR Public Museum’s theater organ concert features a Halloween-themed performance by Dennis Scott to the silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” 7 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sat. 272 Pearl St. NW. $10 adults, $5 kids, $8/$4 members. grpm.org. Oct. 20 - “The Nightmare Before Christmas”: GR Symphony performs the film score to Tim Burton’s 1993 film where the worlds of Halloween and Christmas collide. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $18-$90. grsymphony.org. Oct. 21 - The Gift of Family: Holland Chorale’s fall concert. 3 p.m. First Reformed Church, 630 State St., Holland. $20 adults, $5 students. hollandchorale.org. Oct. 21 - Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Concert: 3 p.m. Grandville High School PAC, 4700 Canal Ave. SW. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students, $25 family. grsymphonicband. org. Oct. 26-28 - GRCMB Fall Concert: Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys performs three concerts: 7 p.m. Fri. and 3 p.m. Sun. at Cathedral of St. Andrew, 265 Sheldon Ave.; 7
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p.m. Sat. at Basilica of St. Adalbert, 654 Davis Ave. NW. grcmb.org. Oct. 27 - Classics II: Pulling Out the Stops: Holland Symphony Orchestra plays music by Mendelssohn, Rheinberger and Jongen with organist Huw Lewis. 7:30 p.m. Jack H. Miller Center, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave, Holland. $22 adults, $5 students. holl andsymphony.org. Oct. 28 - The Drifters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters and The Platters: R&B and doowop bands. 5 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $35-$62. devosperfor mancehall.com.
sales, book discussions, computer/technology instruction. Kids: Don’t Let the Pigeon Attend This Program!, Halloween at the Library, KDL Open: Mini Golf in the Stacks, Mindstorm Saturdays, story times. kdl.org. Oct. - Summer Swing Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m. every Tue. in downtown Grand Rapids. First half-hour is instruction. See website for each week’s location. grandrapidsoriginalswing society.com. Oct. 1 - GVSU Lecture: “What Is Art in the 21st Century?” by William Deresiewicz. 7:30 p.m. Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Free. gvsu.edu/fallarts.
Oct. 29 - Alice Cooper: Hard rock band performs A Paranormal Evening with Alice Cooper. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. $47-$72. devosperfor mancehall.com.
Oct. 2 - Wisdom for Women: Insights to Grow Your Wealth and Career: West Michigan Woman Center Stage presents discussions, networking and lunch. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW.
Oct. 31 - The Block Lunch n’ Learn: West Michigan Symphony presents Scheherazade Showcase. Noon-1 p.m. The Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. Free. theblockwest michigan.org.
Oct. 2, 16 - Master Lecture Series: Presented by Meijer Gardens. Oct. 2, author, researcher and physician Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. Oct. 16, sculptor, printmaker and mixed-media artist Bill Woodrow. Registration required. 7 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. $14.50, members free. meijergardens.org.
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS Oct. - Downtown Market Cooking Classes: Oct. 5 and 19, Stew and Brew. Oct. 13 and 20, Slow Your Roll: Beginner Sushi. Oct. 20, Knife Skills 101: Veggie Essentials. Oct. 26, Get to Know Gnocchi. 435 Ionia Ave. SW. down townmarketgr.com. Oct. - FLPC Art Workshops: Oct. 3-6, “Master Class/Next Level” by Sally Strand. Oct. 10-12, “10 Strategies for Simplifying Cityscapes” by Terry Miura and “Landscape Color and Composition Workshop in Watercolor” by Don Andrews. Oct. 18-20, “How to Paint Everything” by Joshua Clare and “Image to Abstract 2” by Mark Daniel Nelson. Oct. 26, “Your Own Collage Papers and Acrylics” by Kathleen Mooney. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. lifepro cesscenter.org. Oct. - Grand Rapids Public Libraries: Adults: The Building of 196, Zine Artist Panel, Off to the Great War: West Michigan World War I Veterans, Music in the Stacks, Keep on the Grass: A Brief History of Grand Rapids Parks, book clubs, computer/technology instruction. Kids: CHAOS Lab, Evening Explorers, Mindstorm Saturdays, Pajama Time, story times. grpl.org. Oct. - Kent District Libraries: Adults: Live and Learn Lecture: What Does the Opiod Crisis Mean For Me?, KDL Uncorked: Ladies Night, Cardmaking Workshop, Watercolor Illustration: House Plants, Fall Fest, book
NEW EVENT!
Oct. 5 - Creativity Uncorked: Grand Rapids Art Museum hosts social evening and art workshop “Signs and Language” to create an aluminum sign. Ages 21 and up. Registration required. 6:45-9 p.m. 101 Monroe Center NW. $40. artmuseumgr.org/learn/creativityuncor ked. Oct. 10 - Local First Workshop: “The Social Justice Entrepreneur.” 3:30-5 p.m. Start Garden, 40 Pearl St. NW #200. $25, $20 members. localfirst.com. Oct. 13 - Italian Cooking Class: Chef Jenna hosts monthly class. 2-3 p.m. Amore Trattoria Italiana, 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park. Free. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com.
Coming in March 2019! Ticket and more event information will be announced this winter!
2019 GRBJ Top Women-Owned Businesses Awards Nominate your favorite women-owned businesses today! Visit bit.ly/twob19nom or get the link at grbj.com. Nomination deadline is November 19, 2018.
Oct. 18 - GVSU Poetry: An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ada Limon and Carl Phillips. 7:30 p.m. Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 301 W. Fulton St. Free. gvsu.edu/fallarts. Oct. 20 - Eastern Floral Design Class: “Local Love.” 10 a.m. 2836 Broadmoor Ave. SE. $40. easternfloral.com/designclass/2018. Oct. 24 - Passport to Adventure: Calvin College presents travel film series: “The Old Spanish Trail” by Bill Behrenbruch. 7 p.m. Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $6 adults, $3 students. calvin.edu/academic/call/passtick.htm.
Contact sponsor@grbj.com for sponsorship opportunities.
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
Museums & attractions COMPILED BY TRICIA VAN ZELST
2/ GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM: Special exhibitions: Oct. 27-Jan. 13, “Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present” includes more than 200 color and black-and-white photos from more than 150 photographers capturing classic images of legendary athletes and historic action shots, plus photos taken behind the scenes and on the sidelines. Thru Oct. 14, ArtPrize 10. Oct. 27-March 3, “Dylan Miner: Water Is Sacred // Trees are Relatives.” Special events: Oct. 18, Superstitions in Art Tour. Oct. 26, GRAM After Dark: Jock Jams. Oct. 27, “Why Sports Photography at Museums Now?” by curator Gail Buckland. See Creativity Uncorked in Lectures & Workshops. Sunday Classical Concert Series: Live performances 2-3 p.m. Oct. 14-Dec. 16 every Sun. except Oct. 21. Free with admission. Drop-in Family Saturdays: Art activities, kidfriendly tours, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors/students, $6 kids 6-17, kids 5 and under free; free admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue. and 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center NW, 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org.
1/ Darkness Tours at the Felt Mansion are Oct. 26-27.
3/ JOHN BALL ZOO: More than 2,000 animals, including tigers, grizzly bears, chimps and monkeys, antelope, warthogs and otters. Other features include an aquarium, petting zoo and gift shop. Special events: For two weekends this month, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28, the zoo hosts its annual Zoo Goes Boo event, which includes trick-or-treating, animal demonstrations and other activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission for Zoo Goes Boo is $10 adults, $9 kids. Also, Oct. 12 and 26, Twilight Tours. Open daily. $8.50 adults, $7.50 seniors and kids 2-12. 1300 W. Fulton St., 336-4300, jbzoo.org.
Blandford Nature Center: Special events: Oct. 6, Falling Leaves. Oct. 13, Harvest Festival. Oct. 20, Bat House Workshop. Oct. 25, hOWLween at Blandford. Oct. 27, Bird of Prey Photography. Permanent attractions: 143 acres of trails, heritage buildings, farm. Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center open Mon.-Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 735-6240, bland fordnaturecenter.org. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park: Special events: Oct. 21-22, Park Before Dark. Open daily thru Oct. 22. $14 ages 12 and up, $12 seniors, $10 kids 3-11, kids under 2 free. 8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto, 868-6711, boulderridgewap.com. Coopersville & Marne Railway: Restored 1920s-era railway with Famous Pumpkin Train excursions Sat. and Sun. thru Oct. 28. $19.75 adults, $18.75 seniors, $17.75 kids 2-12. 311 Danforth St., Coopersville, 997-7000, coopersvilleandmarne.org. Coopersville Farm Museum: Special events: Oct. 2 and 16, Acoustic Jam Night. Oct. 27, Community Costume Party; Kids, Crafts & Critters; and Happy Goat Soap Making. Open Tue., Thu., Sat. $4 adults, $2 kids 4-12, kids 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarm museum.org. Deer Tracks Junction: One-hundred-acre farm with elk, whitetail deer, Tibetan yaks and reindeer; evening wildlife safari tours; hands-on farm with goats, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, yaks, parakeets; bottle-feeding stations; play area; and ice-cream shop. Open Thu.-Sun. thru Oct. 31. General admission: $7 adults, kids 2 and under free. Safari tours: $11 adults, kids 2 and under free. Bottle feeding: $4.50 per bottle plus admission. Combo packages available. 7850 14 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, 8633337, deertracksjunction.com. Downtown Market: Special events: Oct. 17, Private Event Showcase. Also see Small Plates, Big Impact in Special Events. Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, down townmarketgr.com. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Thru Oct. 28, Chrysanthemums and More! Special events: Oct. 6, Fall Family Day. Oct. 6-7, Fall Bonsai Show. Oct. 13-14, Herb & Gourd Fest and Giant Pumpkins. Oct. 20, Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Teahouse. Open daily. $14.50 adults, $11 seniors and students, $7 kids 5-13, $4 kids 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Thru Jan. 6, “In Step with Betty Ford: A Celebration of Her Centennial.” Permanent exhibitions: Highlights from Mr. and Mrs. Ford’s lives, plus featured online exhibits. Also, DeVos Learning Center. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 college students, $4 ages 6-18, kids 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlibrarymuseum.gov.
3/ Trick-or-treating at John Ball Zoo.
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 7, ArtPrize. Thru Jan. 27, “Ralph W. Hauenstein: A Life of Leadership.” Special events: See Mighty Wurlitzer Concerts in Music. Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 kids 3-17. 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SUSAN HINKLE (BOTTOM); STEVE MARSHALL (TOP)
1/ FELT MANSION & GARDENS: Summer home of millionaire inventor Dorr E. Felt features 1920s architecture. Special events: Guests can explore the mansion during seasonal Darkness Tours with Paranormal Investigations and Ghost Shows presented by magician Steve Marshall. Tours and shows are at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Oct. 26-27. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for kids under 12. 6597 138th St., Holland, 335-3050, feltmansion.org.
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gut essen (E AT WELL)
PERFECTING FAR MORE THAN SCHNITZEL.
2/ GRAM hosts a sports photography exhibit Oct. 27-Jan. 13.
Bringing the piquant delight of a Bavarian mustard, Chef Helmut reimagines this traditional salmon dish with a bit of his heritage and a strong German flair. Alpenrose serves only the freshest salmon, complementing our fish with the robust flavor of bacon and the sweet enchantment of Chef’s cream sauce. Join us to experience this and a few more of our favorite things.
Holland Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru Dec. 29, “Mars: Astronomy and Culture.” Open Wed.-Sun. and Oct. 8. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, kids 5 and under free. 31 W. 10th St., 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org. Also, Cappon House: 228 W. Ninth St. Settlers House: 190 W. Ninth St.
alpenroserestaurant.com
The corner of 8th and Central Holland, MI | 616-393-2111
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Thru Oct. 14, “Global Glass: A Survey of Form and Function.” Thru Dec. 2, “The Way Forward: New Acquisitions at the KIA.” Thru Jan. 6, “Inka Essenhigh: A Fine Line.” Oct. 27-March 3, “do it.” Closed Mon. $5 adults, $2 students with ID; members and kids 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org. Meyer May House: Restored Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house includes original furnishings. Open for guided tours 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour before close). Free. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermayhouse.steelcase.com.
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY RAINER MARTINI
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SUSAN HINKLE (BOTTOM); STEVE MARSHALL (TOP)
Muskegon Museum of Art: Special exhibitions: Thru Nov. 7, 90th Michigan Regional Exhibition. Closed Mon. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 college students, kids 16 and under free. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmus eum.org. Nelis’ Dutch Village: Special events: Oct. 6-7, Knights of the Realm Weekend. Oct. 13-14, Harvest Fest. Oct. 20-21, Heroes Weekend. Oct. 27-28, Boo Fest and Happy Hauntings. Shops open daily, park open Sat.-Sun. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 kids 3-15. 12350 James St., Holland, 396-1475, dutchvill age.com. Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Shows use Digistar production and surround sound. Thru Nov. 21: “Little Star That Could,” “Subatomic,” “Dynamic Earth,” “Under Starlit Skies,” “Violent Universe” and “The Queen Light Show.” $5, $4 with admission to the museum, members free. Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org/ planetarium.
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TreeRunner Adventure Park: Self-guided highwire forest adventure with ziplines, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and swinging logs; training included with admission. Open Fri.-Sun. thru Nov. 20. $39 adults, $35 kids 13 and under. 2121 Celebration Drive NE, 226-3993, treerunnergrandrapids.com. Veen Observatory: Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association hosts public viewing nights Oct. 13 and 27 (weather permitting). Call 897-7065 for updates. $3 adults, $2 kids 6-17, under 5 free. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave. SE, Lowell. graaa.org.
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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES
Kayleigh DeWitt and Kalrizzi Siqueiros Aliya Walker and Dahmya Huston
Angelo Darin, Olivia Le and Jonathan Medrano Elijah Walsh and Ortencia Barkhurst
Faride Rodriguez and Maria Ixtos
Marleane Sandoval
CAPTURING THE ACTION AROUND TOWN:
snap shots
Jessica Patten, Lavonne Vilski, Laurie Fletcher and Erin King
Kimberly Cornett and Karen and Alicia Mankowski
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); MICHAEL BUCK (BOTTOM)
THE HISPANIC CENTER of West Michigan held its 41st annual Hispanic Festival, the center’s premier celebration of Latin American heritage and culture, on Aug. 10-12 at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. Local First celebrated 15 years of serving West Michigan with a 15th Birthday Party fundraiser event Aug. 8 at Founders Brewing Co. Uccello’s Ristorante in Standale hosted a Brushes with Benefits Paint Party fundraiser July 26 to benefit The Samfund, which supports young adult cancer survivors in the United States.
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Germale Eddie and William Drake
Doris Drain and Mieke Stoub
Katherine Jandernoa and Alex Romero
People mingling at Local First’s Birthday Party event
Guillermo Cisneros and Hanna Schulze Erica Hill and Jaci Jeffrey
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); MICHAEL BUCK (BOTTOM)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); MICHAEL BUCK (BOTTOM)
Gretchen Holt and Jamie Bouma
Tim and Kristen Kaltenberg OCTOBER 2018 / GRMAG.COM 79
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after thoughts
Q:a
Grand Rapids Griffins new head coach Ben Simon takes the reins with a winning mindset.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
T
he Grand Rapids Griffins kick off the 2018-19 season this month under the leadership of Ben Simon, who was named the team’s 11th head coach in June. But Simon is no stranger to Grand Rapids — he spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the Griffins, helping lead the team to a Calder Cup title in 2017, and played for the team during the 2006-07 season. A Shaker Heights, Ohio, native, Simon was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1997. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2000, he spent 11 years playing professionally around the world. Simon began his coaching career in Sheffield, England, as a player/head coach for the Sheffield Steelers in 2010-11, leading the team to win a league championship his first season. He also has been an assistant coach for the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and Toronto Marlies, and head coach for the Cincinnati Cyclones. This season, Simon said he plans to use his own style to build on the Griffins’ existing model, noting, “I firmly believe players develop quicker in a winning environment.” BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? I love being a part of a team. The relationships that are built and cultivated along the way are very important. MOST MEMORABLE HOCKEY MOMENT? Playing in my first NHL game on Nov. 10, 2001. I played for the Atlanta Thrashers in Washington, D.C., against the Capitals. My parents and three brothers all were able to come to the game and see my dreams come true. PROUDEST MOMENT? Becoming a father. YOUR WORST HABIT? I am very organized and can be a bit of a “neat freak.” BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The harder you work the luckier you get. FAVORITE THING ABOUT GRAND RAPIDS? The people and the city. I have played for a lot of different teams in many different cities, countries and cultures. It has the amenities of all the big cities without the “big-city feel,” and the people are very down-to-earth.
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