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Holiday traditions to celebrate the winter solstice are common
to every culture around the world. The transition from the shortest,
darkest day in mid-winter to the longest day of light at the beginning
of summer are a common theme to our world.
Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids
celebrates the light by showing the traditions of many countries
and cultures around the world. Besides the forty one gorgeous
Christmas Trees that are decorated as they would be in their native
regions, they also display Kwanza, Jewish, and Buddhist traditional
decorations. New this year is Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese
celebration of the lunar New Year; pronounced day wen don,
it literally means, “the first morning of the first day.”
Meijer Gardens is celebrating the completion of a $7.6 million
renovation and expansion that was awarded a silver level LEED
certificate in energy and environmental design. The renovation
and expansion was centered around the cafe, visitor areas, office
and storage spaces. The new cafe has a stunning Dale Chihuly
blown glass sculpture of colored glass flowers hanging from
the ceiling.
We have put together a few photos we took at the gardens
recently, so you can see some of the holiday decorations from
near and far. The gorgeous Christmas trees are all 12-15 feet tall
and loaded with beautiful ornaments. This is just a sampling of the
Christmas Traditions displayed here:
Our Holiday Wishes for Peace & Goodwill to all of you!
We invite you to visit our world famous Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We will share our recent snowy winter scenes with you. It usually doesn’t look like this until January or February, but it certainly is getting us in the Holiday mood. This is just a sampling of the 200+ sculptures that are here at the park permanently.
If you get a chance to visit Grand Rapids, don’t miss the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Former President Jimmy Carter called it a "National Treasure." We would love to have you come for a visit and see for yourself.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan
area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
If life gives you lemons…make lemonade. Well, the residents of Grand
Rapids Michigan don’t need lemonade lessons or snow fun lessons, either.
With the surprise snowfall of about 10 inches and a couple more inches added
yesterday, we have SNOW!! When you put kids & a day off school together,
you get lots of Snow Fun!!
The best sledding hills are where you find them…this one is on a nearby
church backyard.
Lots of energy is being spent here, the low carbon emission type,
perfect for that hot cocoa remedy for cold hands, feet, and faces.
When the uphill climb gets slower and slower, it is a sure signal that it is
time to pack up your gear and head home.
A neighbor made this impromptu snowman. I love the innovative
hat.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
The First Wok Restaurant at 6740 Old 28th Street in the heart of Cascade
is one of our favorite lunch spots. We enjoy the pleasant surroundings,
the smiling service, but most of all, we love the food.
We aren’t adventurous when it comes to foreign specialties but we
have eaten Chinese cuisine for years all over the US. First Wok is the
best Chinese restaurant we have been to in the Grand Rapids area.
The egg drop soup is not just a few morsels swimming in broth, it is
chock full of vegetables, shrimp, and seasoned just right. A perfect
appetizer for most people, it can be almost a whole meal, along with
an eggroll.
Since we aren’t big fans of hot, spicy foods we can’t testify directly
for those dishes, although our friends seem to like them. We can say
we get lots of freshly cooked Chinese dinners, served with flair. If you
haven’t been to First Wok, you should give it a try. Note: there are
other First Wok locations in Grand Rapids, sadly, these don’t come up
to the standards we experienced at the restaurant in Cascade.
We snapped a few photos of the interior when we were at lunch last week.
We have received no remuneration or compensation for our review of
First Wok Restaurant.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
I guess I am still a kid at heart. What a thrill to wake up and see the
white crystals of snow coating everything in sight! Needless to say,
with the amount of snow we received, it is a “Snow Day” for most
of the kids in Grand Rapids area. While it is not inconvenient for me,
it is for most people. Roads are slippery, traffic is slow and commute
times are much longer than our normal speedy travel.
I took a few photos so you can see what we woke up to in GR this
morning.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the
Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan.
Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse
business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,
plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
Where Something Good is Always Cooking
Breakfast ~ Lunch~ Take-Out ~ Bakery
The Real Food Cafe is THE REAL DEAL! We probably go there for lunch at
least once a week. They only serve breakfast and lunch but it is better than
my Mom made. Their breakfasts are almost legendary. They serve
breakfast anytime and what a breakfast…..the home fries are just too
delicious to describe.
The pancakes are made with real buttermilk, fresh eggs and served with real
butter. Below is the picture of my two eggs scrambled and home fries.
The home made soups are always delicious. The burgers are 1/3 lb. of
Angus beef. The sandwiches are huge and definitely satisfying.
The omelets are mouth-watering.
The baked goods such as cookies, cakes and pies are all home made on site
and worth sacrificing the diet for. The crew and wait staff are all friendly and
genuinely happy at work. It just makes you feel good to be there. It is
always full of people eating “real food” and enjoying themselves.
One of our favorite people at Real Food is “Rosie.” She has known
the chef, Frank, since he was a little boy and is always busy seating
people, getting drinks, and generally bustling around with a friendly
word and smile to all.
They have recently expanded and added an additional location:
Real Food Cafe
at 5430 Northland Dr. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616)361-1808
If you like “real food made with real ingredients by real people,”
this is the place to go.
We are there often, so we hope to see you , too.
The Real Food Cafe 2419 Eastern Ave.
Grand Rapids MI 49507 (616)241-4080
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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
We love to try new places to eat, especially for lunch. But Marie
Catrib’s in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids is an old
favorite. We have friends, John & Betsy who live in Heritage Hill
and Marie’s is a great place to meet.
The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The restaurant is always busy.
And the food is unusual and delicious. I prefer the vegetarian,
local products, my spouse prefers traditional fare. At Marie’s,
both of us are happy with the selections.
On our recent visit, I ordered the veggie Sweet Potato and
Quinoa burger [heavenly and huge] while my pard ordered the
Turkey Rueben [messy but delish].
Marie Catrib’s From the Street
East Hills is the center of the universe.
A take-out case is loaded with great offerings.
Marie Catrib’s is located at 1001 Lake Dr SE Grand Rapids MI
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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
Grand Rapids Michigan is a diverse metropolitan area comprised of
many local cities and communities that surround the city of
Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids metro area is the second largest
“city” in Michigan with a population around 1 million.
West Michigan is a beautiful 4 season area of Michigan that has lots
of hardwood forests, rolling hills, Lake Michigan shoreline, hundreds
of lakes and rivers, and a thriving, diverse work environment with
educated workers. We have 25 colleges and universities in our
area, including the new Michigan State Medical School on the
“Medical Mile” in downtown Grand Rapids.
Getting To Know Grand Rapids:
Since pictures speak louder than words, we have links to photos
& videos of some of our local communities:
Ada Michigan is a small community southeast of Grand Rapids with
an excellent school system and lots of suburban homes.
Caledonia Michigan is a small suburban community that has farms
and a rural setting.
East Grand Rapids is a city bordering on Grand Rapids that has lovely older
homes, an excellent school system, and excellent city services, including
community events,leaf pick-up in fall, and over 100 miles of plowed city
sidewalks in the winter.
Kentwood Michigan is a suburban community southeast of Grand
Rapids with businesses, such as Steelcase, one of the nation’s largest
office furniture manufacturers and lots of suburban housing subdivisions,
both new and established, plus rental communities.
Lowell Michigan is a small community east of Grand Rapids with a
vibrant business community, excellent school system, and a mixture of
older homes and newer subdivisions, all centered around the Flat River.
Rockford Michigan is a small community north of Grand Rapids on the
Rogue River. It is home to the global shoe manufacturer, Wolverine
Worldwide, but has a small town feeling with unique boutiques, shops,
and wonderful restaurants. Many newer homes, established subdivisions
and older homes populate the Rockford area.
Quality of Life in Grand Rapids:
Grand Rapids Michigan Rated 5th Most Affordable Housing in US -
Aug 21, 2009 – CNN Money has rated the top cities in affordable housing.
Top Schools in West Michigan – 6-15-2009 – Six West Michigan public
Schools were rated in the top 1500 schools in the nation by Newsweek.
Spectrum Hospital Ranks in Nation’s Top 100
Restaurants in the Grand Rapids Area:
Good Eats – Marie Catrib’s in the East Hills Neighborhood of Grand Rapids offers
unusual fare in a friendly atmosphere.
The Thornapple Daily Grill in Ada, Michigan – March 9, 2008 –Nestled in
heart of downtown Ada near the Thornapple River, this Gilmore
Restaurant is a favorite with local patrons for lunch or dinner.
More than Tacos at Taquitos Mexican Grill – Aug 1, 20009 – Located in
the old Herkimer Hotel, no dark and dingy digs here.
First Choice for Chinese in Forest Hills = First Wok - Dec 4, 2009 – Located in
the heart of Cascade, this Chinese Restaurant is one of our favorites.
The Grille Restaurant at Watermark Country Club – March 9, 2008 -
Serving fresh local foods when possible, this restaurant is always
busy. Whether you stop in for a business lunch or have a quick
meal after you play nine holes, you can’t go wrong here.
The Monterey Grille in Caledonia – March 9,2009 – A great local place
for breakfast or an after work get-together at the sports bar.
Recreation in Grand Rapids:
Art Prize – Sept 24, 2009 – Planned to be an annual event in Grand Rapids,
Art Prize took the city by storm this year with over $250K in prizes,
artists from all over the world bringing their art creations to GR.
Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey – May 11, 2009 – A Night at a Griffins
Play-off Game
White Caps Baseball Signals Spring – March 15, 2009 – Opening day
for the local AA Team is much anticipated in Grand Rapids.
Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park – The Sculptures;
The Conservatory ; The Children’s Garden ; Butterfly Exhibit
Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series 2009 – April 20, 2009 – 12 concerts
held at the Outdoor Amphitheater.
Grand Haven – Aug 24, 2009 – Coast Guard City is a great destination for
tourists and Michigan day trippers, like ourselves.
Golf in West Michigan -
Roselle Park – Nov 6, 2009 – Natural Habitat Refuge on the Grand River
with an observation tower, viewing deck, canoe/kayak launch, miles of
walking trails.
Grand Rapids Golf – With over 900 courses in West Michigan, it could
take a few months to play them all. A few local golf course articles &
photos.
Real Estate Information for Buyers & Sellers:
Which Mortgage Do I Choose? – Key questions to ask yourself and
lenders before you finalize your mortgage.
$ Benefits of 2009-2010 Tax Credit for Home Buyers – Feb. 18, 2009 -
Some of the ways the tax credit can be used to purchase a home
for a first time buyer, or an existing buyer who meets requirements.
First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit – Sept 16, 2009 – Fun Video pointing
out the advantages of owning your own home rather than renting.
Buying Foreclosed Homes is NOT FUN! – May 6, 2008 – A few buying tips
on foreclosed properties. Be Aware. Be Prepared. Use a Seasoned
Buyer’s Agent.
Are you Looking for your Grand Rapids Dream Home? – May 13, 2008 –Lots
of internet searches for the perfect home are being done right now.
Sellers Beware! Avoid 11 Mistakes That Could Cost You Hundreds, even
Thousands of Dollars!
The difference between a profitable, seamless
transaction and a break even, miserable experience is often a fine line.
Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Before You List Your Home – Crucial
areas of expertise your Realtor should possess.
Homes in Greater Grand Rapids Area:
Grand Rapids Michigan- Homes for Sale
East Grand Rapids Michigan – Homes for Sale
Caledonia Michigan – Homes for Sale
Cascade Michigan – Homes for Sale
Kentwood Michigan – Homes for Sale
Lowell Michigan – Homes for Sale
Rockford Michigan – Homes for Sale
Wyoming Michigan – Homes for Sale
Would your kindergartener come home and ask for a bowl of cereal
in Mandarin Chinese? If you live in the Forest Hills School System
in Grand Rapids Michigan, this isn’t as far fetched as it sounds.
The Meadowbrook Elementary School is home to the Forest Hills
Chinese Immersion Program. This program is the first of its kind in
West Michigan. The program just received a Federal Grant of $238,000
for the first year. If all program objectives are met, it will receive
additional funds for the next 2 years.
Leaders in Forest Hills educational community decided to add Mandarin
Chinese Immersion to their bilingual offerings with the assistance
of Michigan State University’s Confucius Institute. Currently 2
Chinese teachers are on the school faculty to give students in
the program an early start in bilingual education.
The Forest Hills District is continuing to expand Mandarin language
courses at middle and high school levels. With 55 percent of the
world’s population speculated to be from Asia in the year 2025 and
5 percent from North America, being fluent in Chinese will be a real
asset in the future business world.
Forest Hills also has a Spanish Immersion Program running at the
Ada Vista Elementary School.
Additional Forest Hills Schools Articles:
Forest Hills Schools Get Face-Lifts This Summer
Forest Hills Schools Update 2009
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
Front doors are the first impression that visitors and passersby
get of your home. We all make instant judgments about a home’s
interior when we see the front door, just like we do about a person
we first meet. If you want to make a good first impression, you
should make sure your front door is attractive and welcoming.
I have a fascination with front doors. I drive by homes and
look at the front door or front entry. I love to see a home with
a touch of personality or a piece of artwork displayed by the front
door.
This front door reminds me of castle. I saw several doorways similar to
this in England inside the castle walls.
Holidays and seasonal decorating are especially fruitful for my
voyeuristic entertainment. I especially like the his and hers
well-dressed scarecrows guarding this front door.
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
