Grand Rapids Blog

Hail to the Chiefs - Both President Bush & Former President Clinton Planning to Visit Grand Rapids

Dee Dee Smith — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:26:54 +0000

WZZM 13 recently disclosed that President George Bush was planning a "surprise visit" to the Grand Rapids area this week. It is reported that he will speak Friday at 1p.m. at the East Grand Rapids High School. The

The former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to visit Grand Rapids on June 18 where he is slated to speak at an Economic Club Meeting.

Mrs. Michigan America Pageant

Dee Dee Smith — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:52:26 +0000

The Mrs. Michigan America Pageant will be held this weekend in Grand Rapids at the Wealthy Street Theater. Mrs. Michigan is a part of the Mrs. America organization. The pageant gives married women the opportunity to compete, and speak/work for causes that are important to them. Pageant night will be on Saturday, and the doors of the theater will open at 6 p.m., with the actual pageant beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door, and seats are on a first come - first serve basis. You can visit the site for more information - http://www.mrsmichiganamerica.com.

Easter Dinner Buffets

Dee Dee Smith — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:46:06 +0000

This upcoming Sunday is known as Easter Sunday for many people. Whether you see this as a time to celebrate family, faith or just the coming of Spring, here are a couple of places to dine for Easter in Grand Rapids.

The Ravines Restaurant @ the Ravine's Golf Course (http://www.ravinesgolfclub.com/content.php?link=Easter%20Brunch.php) in Saugatuck (just outside of Grand Rapids). Restaurant overlooks the golf course, beautiful views and wonderful ambience. The menu includes turkey, ham, hawaiian style chicken, salmon, bacon/sausage, salad buffet, fruit tray, made to order omelets, french toast, potato skins/gravy, soups, assorted desserts and more. The cost is $19.95 per adult, and $12.95 for children, $5.95 for children five and under.

Baypointe Restaurant in Shelbyville (about 20 miles outside of Grand Rapids). Easter Brunch begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. The price for adults is $19.95 and $9.95 for children 5-12. Visit the website for more information - www.baypointeinn.com.

Amway Grand Plaza Easter Brunch - All you can eat buffet in the Ambassador Ballroom of the Amway Grand Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. Menu includes carved meats, salad, fresh fruit, seafood, desserts and more. The cost is $35.50 for adults, $16.25 for children 4-12 years old. Price includes tax & gratuity.

Is It Spring or What?

Dee Dee Smith — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:36:04 +0000

Grand Rapids is currently under a snow and blowing snow advisory. Is it spring or what around here? There were multiple automobile accidents this morning, and even one rollover accident, due to slippery roads. It was reported that dispatchers were having trouble responding due to the high volume of calls this morning. Sounds more like January or February than good old April. So what can we expect for the weekend? More cold & more snow.

1st Chance to See 7'9" Basketball Player in Action

Dee Dee Smith — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:38:07 +0000

This Friday will be the first chance for Grand Rapids to see Sun Ming Ming, the 7'9" basketball player from China in action. The Grand Rapids Flight will take on Lansing at 7:30 p.m. at Northpointe Christian High School located at 3101 Leonard Street in Grand Rapids. See you there! Grand Rapids Flight website - http://iblhoopsonline.com/teamGrandRapids.asp

Upcoming Charity Walks/Races

Dee Dee Smith — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:36:36 +0000

It's that season again. In the spring/summer, many charities depend upon walkers/runners to help them raise money for their causes. These walks/races can be great fun for families, churches and other groups. Here is a list of upcoming charity walks/races in the Grand Rapids area:

Grand Rapids Kidney Walk - April 29, 2007; to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Contact Kathie Cosgrove @ (616) 458-9520 for registration information.
CROP Hunger Walks - April 28 & 29 in Holland/Zeeland, and May 6 in Lowell. Walk benefits agencies in Michigan that help feed the hungry. Visit their website for more information - http://www.cwscrop.org/michigan/crop/#a000651.
Fifth Third River Bank Run - Saturday, May 12, 2007 in downtown Grand Rapids. Fifth Third will donate $1 for every registered participant to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. This is the largest 25K run in the U.S. There is also a 5k run and a 5k community walk (that's about the pace for me). Close to 12,000 people participated last year. This is a huge event with much media coverage. Go to their website for more information - http://www.53riverbankrun.com/.
Walk for Wishes - June 2, 2007 @ the John Ball Zoo; fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Click here for more information - http://walkforwishes.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=220853.

Last Chance!

Dee Dee Smith — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:31:03 +0000

Hurricane on the Bayou - 2D is showing for the last time in the IMAX Theater at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids. Hurricane on the Bayou is a documentary about Louisiana before and after Hurricane Katrina. The last opportunity to see it in our neighborhood is today and tomorrow. Visit the site for time and ticket information - http://www.celebrationcinema.com/index.php?pid=210.

What's Happening This Weekend Around Grand Rapids?

Dee Dee Smith — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:50:19 +0000

Looking for something to do this weekend in Grand Rapids? Here are some ideas:

The NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Midwest Regional Championship begins on Friday, 3/23. See previous posts for more information. The tournament will continue throughout the weekend. Teams competing include Notre Dame and Alabama-Huntington. All games will be played at the Van Andel Arena in GR.
State of Michigan Play Festival in South Haven (about an hour south of Grand Rapids). This is a 3-day festival with nine community theaters performing. It should be very exciting! The cost is $8 for 3 plays, and $20 to see all 9 plays. Call (269) 637-1486 for more information.
For the family - the Coopersville/Marne Railway Bunny Train begins running this Saturday, 3/24. There will be performances by the Easter Bunny, Wacky Duck and Lilly Lamb. Rides last just a little over an hour. Visit the website for detailed information - http://www.coopersvillefarmmuseum.org/.
The Professional Bowlers' Association Denny's World Championship (the Finals), will be held at DeVos Place @ 2 p.m. on Sunday, 3/25. Tickets range from $10-$70.

NCAA Division 1 Men's Hockey Tournament Coming to GR

Dee Dee Smith — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:36:17 +0000

The NCAA Division 1 Championship (Midwest Region), will be hosted this year at the Van Andel in Grand Rapids. The teams competing are to be announced. The tournament will be held on March 23 & March 24. Friday's games will be @ 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Saturday's championship game @ 8:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the Frozen Four. Tickets are $65 and include admission to all three games.

7' 9" Tall Basketball Player Signs With the Grand Rapids Flight

Dee Dee Smith — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:03:19 +0000

If you've never heard of the Grand Rapids Flight, now is the time to pay attention. The Grand Rapids Flight, of the International Basketball League (IBL), just signed the world's tallest basketball player. 23 year old Sun Ming Ming of China is 7' 9" tall and will be the starting center for the Flight this season. He of course hopes that playing for the Flight is just a stop on the way to the NBA. Visit http://www.sevenfootnine.com/ to learn more about Ming. Also see http://www.grflight.com/ for information about the Grand Rapids Flight.