You are currently browsing the daily archive for August 1, 2009.
When relatives live a long distance away, you get to know the places
to stop on the road. The places that have the best meals, the best inns,
the places that have interesting shops and events.
On our long trips (12 hours of driving) to North Carolina from Michigan
to visit relatives, we have discovered Berea Kentucky.
Berea College has been in existence since 1855. It is still the hub
of Berea activities and the base for its Artistic Roots.
Berea College offfers its students Bachelor of Science and Arts Degrees.
Berea College exists for the young people of Appalachia, so they can get
an education and make a living. The hills of Kentucky don’t
have a lot of heavy industry, manufacturing plants, or flat farm country.
So instead of losing their young people to big cities for employment,
they are giving them an education. Native Kentucky crafts, such as
hand made brooms and baskets are also marketed through the college
work programs. In fact, HAND MADE is the theme in Berea. There are
giant decorated Hands all over the area.
We stayed overnight at Berea, and had breakfast at the Boone Tavern Inn.
They just completed a $ 1+ million renovation of the hotel and restaurant.
It is a historic building (part of Berea College) and the renovation is
spectacular. We took a long morning to look around the galleries & shops.
We visited Berea College’s Log Craft House where they sell student’s
and artist’s hand made crafts from pottery to jewelry to furniture. Then
we went out to the Kentucky Artisan Center near I 75, exit 77. This is a
huge building with gigantic galleries of sculptures, blown glassware,
paintings, jewelry, carvings, and numerous other craft items for sale.
A collection that takes some time to look over.
They also have a wonderful cafe and grill that serves great food
(actual food – not fast food) and clean, modern restrooms.
This building is a wonderful place to stop if you are traveling through on
Interstate 75, just as a rest stop. We like to stop and walk around to
get the kinks out after travelling for many hours. But I doubt you can
resist buying something here! The selection and quality is overwhelming.
We hope you enjoy this montage of photos we took while we were
visiting friendly Berea Kentucky.
Grand Rapids MI Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
video montage & photos by Bonnie Westbrook
We all love a success story. This one is about a local Kentwood
graduate, Matthew Harmon, who was Michigan’s Mr Golf 2002-3,
went on to play golf for Michigan State University
and is now on the Nationwide and NGA Hooters Golf Tours trying
to make it to the PGA Tour. He got a big break this week.
Let us tell you his story:
He was 2 under par playing his final qualifying round for the Buick
Open when his caddy (and brother-in-law) Nick, stepped into a
bunker and then raked his tracks. Matt was in the other end of
the bunker hitting out and didn’t see what Nick did until it was
too late. He thought it was a 2 stroke penalty. He consulted the
officials. They didn’t know for sure either, but to be on the safe side,
assessed the 2 stroke penalty, which put Matt at 4 under and
1 stroke over qualifying for the final Buick Open.
Oh, well, another day of golf, and on to Houston, Texas to play in
another tournament. He was at the Minneapolis airport when he
got the call from the officials at the Buick Open. They had received
a play cancellation and because of the penalty Matt assessed himself
(which is still in contention), they offered him a spot in the Open.
Now all he had to do was get back to Grand Blanc and get his
clubs and equipment there – which were on their way to Houston
by this time. He got a ticket back to Grand Rapids and drove to
Grand Blanc, and his clubs and gear arrived in time, somehow.
He is performing like a champion at this tournament. He was 4 under
yesterday and had the daily record for the longest drives. He is 2 under
today, tied for 18th place. This could be his very first major tournament
to place in the money. Our local TV channel had an interview that aired
on the 11:00 pm newscast last night. We are watching closely, this
could be his big break into the PGA events.
A few pictures I took yesterday of Matt and that other guy, Tiger Woods
playing at Warwick Hills, The final Buick Open.
Did I mention I used to play with Matt and his Dad when he first started
to play golf? He must have been 10-11 years old. He could hit the ball
a long way even back then. I never dreamed he would one day play on
the PGA Tour and I would be in the crowd cheering him on!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos by Terry Westbrook
We have gathered a list of the top Grand Rapids Township Houses
to buy based on price per square foot. An added bonus, these
Grand Rapids Township Homes are in East Grand Rapids or
Forest Hills Public School system. If you are new to the Grand Rapids
area, Grand Rapids Township taxes are lower than East Grand Rapids,
Grand Rapids, or Ada Township.
**Please note that this list can change daily as some homes sell,
some homes go through a lengthy approval process, prices are
adjusted and other homes come on the market. Check
back often or just subscribe to our blog to get up-to-date local
real estate information that you want to know.
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.
Grand Rapids Township:
Lowest price per Sq Ft $80.47
Highest price per Sq Ft $157.75
July 2009 BEST BUY GR Township Homes
Highest list price is $ 142,900
Lowest list price is $109,900
Top Best Buy GR Township Homes by Price per Square Foot:
2222 Valentine Blvd $ 139,900 1265 SqFt $110.59/SqFt
222 Elmer St $109,900 1600 SqFt $112.03/SqFt
68 Elmhurst Dr $109,900 1322 SqFt $109.90/SqFt
2847 Winesap Ave $142,900 1557 Sq Ft $137.14/SqFt
1874 Leffingwell $119,900 1650 SqFt $80.47/SqFt
3612 Nottingham $129,900 1040 SqFt $124.90/SqFt
943 Patterson Ave $129,900 1480 SqFt $110.55/SqFt
1148 Forest Hill Ave $135,000 1187 SqFt $113.73/SqFt
1150 Farnsworth $139,450 1600 SqFt $157.75/SqFt
1127 Eastmont Dr $139,900 1152 Sq Ft $120.66/SqFt
1039 Eastmont Dr $139,900 1848 SqFt $133.49/SqFt
111 Greenbriar Dr $139,900 2810 Sq Ft $86.89/SqFt
3444 Merlin Ct NE $139,900 1576 Sq Ft $88.77/SqFt
In this area of Grand Rapids, as well as others, there are fewer
really great home bargains left on the market. If you have been
waiting for prices to start climbing and inventory to shrink, the
time appears to be here. List price and price per square foot are
both higher for all homes this month.
*Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and
not habitable as is or available for a mortgage in present condition.*
If you have questions about Grand Rapids Township or Grand
Rapids homes, please contact me directly:
1-888-240-1968 ext 0
email: terry@terrywestbrook.com
Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photo of Frederick Meijer Gardens Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook
We were referred to this new restaurant downtown Grand Rapids
by our friends, John & Betsy, who live in Heritage Hill. They met us
for lunch at Taquitos a couple of times.
Taquitos is located at Division Ave in the old Herkimer Hotel at
the corner of Division and Cherry streets. We really liked the way
the building was remodeled, it still has the ambiance of an old bar
and restaurant that existed there years ago but with current flair
and lots of light. No dark and dingy digs here. We also liked the
food and the service. We want to encourage the redevelopment
going on in this Heartside District of Grand Rapids.
A few years ago, this area was populated mainly by homeless
people and shelters.
Taquitos is located in the bottom of the old Herkimer Hotel Building
at the corner of Division and Goodrich. The Heartside District is
growing into a local "arts community" and we welcome new
businesses like Taquitos.
Now that you have some background, we can get down to
the good stuff……the food. Authentic Mexican fare at Taquitos,
a clean, friendly restaurant with great food. We love Mexican food,
the more authentic, the better. Mole is on the menu, which is
seldom seen outside of Mexico. Since it was a hot day, we went
for a chicken burrito and the chicken salad. The chicken salad had
a light lime vinagrette and was delicious, according to Bonnie. The
chicken burrito was good also, lots of chicken and it was available
with sauce or without. They serve hot tortilla chips and a mild salsa
for an appetizer. Our waitress was smiling and happy to wait on us.
Here are a few pictures of Taquitos. We will be back for sure!
Taquitos Mexican Grill 327 Division Ave S Grand Rapids, MI 49503-
(616) 336-9300
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Michigan
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos by Terry Westbrook
No credit or remuneration was received to give this recommendation of Taquitos Mexican Grill
