BREAKING NEWS!!! Great news for the city of Grand Rapids. The rest of the world will soon learn what we've known for quite some time. Fortune Magazine, a nationally known publication, is calling Grand Rapids Michigan a Success . Fortune Magazine writer Alex Taylor III credits a "remarkable combination of business leadership, public-private cooperation and the deep pockets of Philanthropists" over the past two decades for making Grand Rapids a success. Read more on this good news for the area by clicking on the link below. http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/11/autos/michigan_success_story.fortune/index.htm                                               GRAND RAPIDS - THE PERFECT PLACE TO WORK & LIVE!   Live and Work in Grand Rapids - A growing economy, outstanding health care, low cost of living, award-winning schools and diverse cultural options are just a few reasons why people choose Greater Grand Rapids. Our region has a vibrant, big-city feel while retaining smaller-city charm in its neighborhoods, boutique shopping areas and tree-lined streets.   Cheryl Featured in the City of East Grand Rapids Video - As one of the leading professionals in the Grand Rapids area, Cheryl always goes the extra mile to assure each and every one of her clients has a successful home purchase or sale. When it comes to savvy marketing skills and integrity that will get the job done and done right, Cheryl is the one to call. Cheryl is a professional you can trust to help you find the perfect property or sell your home quickly and for top dollar.   Grand Rapids - One of the Top 10 Fastest growing Real Estate Markets- CNN-Money, Also check out the Real Estate Survival Guide where you can find out where home prices are headed, see what you can get for the median home price in 10 cities where prices are climbing, and learn which cities are forecast to see big price drops.   CHERYL'S FAVORITES   Cheryl's Favorite Burger - Rose's transcendently combines many individually unique facets to create a richly complete dining experience. Whether it's the storied history of the location, the beautiful lakeside location, the gorgeous new three season deck, our fiercely loyal customers or the award quality food, Rose's speaks to almost anyone on some emotional level. The menu draws its inspiration from a multitude of influences including Mediterranean, Italian, and Casual American. The air of community and contentment is present abound, as you'll lazily gaze upon sail boats and picnickers in the park as you enjoy the best food and atmosphere Grand Rapids has to offer. Don't miss out on the magic that is Rose's.   Cheryl's Favorite Art Gallery- At LaFontsee Galleries, owned by Scott, 52, and his wife, Linda, 51, employees help even the art-intimidated feel comfortable. From a small beginning, the business now employs a staff of 12 and features two gallery floors in a renovated riverfront warehouse on Monroe Avenue NW. The business encompasses a gift shop, picture framing and art consulting for corporations and nonprofit agencies. From a small beginning, the business now employs a staff of 12 and features two gallery floors in a renovated riverfront warehouse on Monroe Avenue NW. The business encompasses a gift shop, picture framing and art consulting for corporations and nonprofit agencies.   Cheryl's Favorite Dog Park- This unique, 20-acre private park is located in the heart of Cascade Township serving the Metro Grand Rapids area. You'll find plenty of towering pines, rolling hills, and wide-open green spaces just 3 miles from 28th Street! Shaggy Pines Dog Park has been designed as your dogs very own 'heaven-on-earth'.   Cheryl's Favorite Furniture Store- Customers no longer need to travel to Chicago or Detroit to find the furnishings that fit their lifestyles. Now, those choices are just a stone's throw away. Stone's Throw offers a selection of simple, clean, contemporary furniture and accessories for the home, stocking everything from bedroom and dining room sets to sofas, rugs, artwork and home accessories. Stone's Throw is about style and individuality. Its home furniture and accessories capture different looks for different tastes. From simple, loft apartments to sophisticated, contemporary homes, Stone's Throw's products are affordable and appeal to individuals of all ages.   Cheryl's Favorite Florist - Crescent Street Floral is proudly serving the East Grand Rapids area. We are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements and gifts, backed by service that is friendly and prompt. Because all of our customers are important, our professional staff is dedicated to making your experience a pleasant one. That is why we always go the extra mile to make your floral gift perfect.   Cheryl's Favorite Acupressure Massage- Eliminate your aches and pains naturally witth Acupressure Massage. Since 1997, BodyMind has successfully used Acupressure Massage to help our clients reduce their stress, pain and tension.  Our therapists have International and National Certifications in Acupressure Massage and years of experience tailoring individual Treatment Plans to match our client's needs. We offer multiple session discounts and aim to provide affordable treatments for all. We see clients in our office plus on-site in offices, hospitals, nursing homes etc.   Cheryl's Church - Trinity United Methodist Church -Our Mission-Trinity United Methodist Church is an inclusive, progressive community of faith in which persons grow in faith, love and service in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Trinity United Methodist Church celebrates the diversity of the human community, and affirms the sacred worth of each person as a recipient of God's love and grace. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we declare ourselves to be an open and inclusive congregations, and welcome info full participation all persons regardless of gender, race, national origin, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, ages, marital status or economic condition.   Cheryl's Favorite Children's Gym - We motivate kids to try new experiences and discover how it feels to succeed. When kids come here, they may never have scaled a rock wall, done a back flip. or walked along the high beam. But when we show them, step-by-step, how to overcome challenges, they try. And try again. It may take awhile to figure out, but we always reassure them that's okay. When they do progress, they feel great. And they're more prepared for the next challenge they meet.   Cheryl's Favorite and Greatest 5K Ever! - Help Fight Scleroderma Foundation. This year's race will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00am.  After a very positive response from last year's event, we will repeat the same course at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids.  As always, we will have long sleeve technical shirts to the first 300 registrants and a post race party with live music, food, and beverages for everyone.  Additions to this years event include a stroller division for all you parents, a walker's course, and added prizes.   Cheryl's Favorite Store ~ Very Cool!  -  Spirit Dreams is much more than a store. In business since 1994, we were pioneers in Michigan for providing products and resources to those interested in enriching their mind, body and spirit. We believe that in order to be true to the philosophy of holistic health our business principles MUST meet the highest ethical standards. We think it is important for you to know that the items that you buy here help empower individual artists and ethical companies both locally and from around the world.   Cheryl's Favorite Dentist  - Dr. Juli Wemmer and Dr. Jon Feinauer practice dentistry in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their practice is now named Stonecastle Dentistry and is located at 455 Cherry SE, in vibrant Heritage Hill. Dr. Wemmer has been practicing dentistry in Grand Rapids since 1978. She earned a bachelors degree in psychology from Miami University and a doctorate from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Dr. Wemmer received a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in recognition of her accomplishments in continuing education. Dr. Feinauer joined Stonecastle Dentistry in 2008 on his graduation from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.   Cheryl's Favorite Printer- Presto Print, Inc. has been meeting personal, commercial, and institutional printing needs for over 25 years. Millions of impressions, on thousands of stocks, with hundreds of inks and bindery options. Presto offers solid advice on paper, inks, layout, folding, tabbing, mailings... you name it. We've also kept up with production technologies, currently offering full electronic typesetting services and high-resolution imageset printing plates.   Cheryl's Favorite Organization to Support– C-SNIP is a non-profit, charitable organization, providing high quality, high volume, low cost spay/neuter surgery for dogs and cats whose caretakers cannot pay the fee at a full service veterinary clinic. It's a sad fact that there are more dogs and cats born every day than there are homes to accept them. Pet sterilization is THE solution to a problem that drains communities both emotionally and financially. Until every dog and cat born is assured of a safe and caring home, this essential surgery must be available to everyone. C-SNIP is making that happen by providing pet owners with a spay/neuter clinic whose prices they can afford.   Cheryl's Favorite Restaurant Website ~ Great Discounts!- Restaurant.com serves as the community matchmaker, introducing great restaurants to great people. From appetizers to dessert, from wine to dinner, Restaurant.com helps restaurant owners promote the new and unique aspects of their restaurants while providing diners with great value in a fun, new and cost effective way. Your favorite restaurant is in your neighborhood maybe you just don't know it yet. Restaurant.com is here to help.   Cheryl's Favorite NEW Pub The Winchester is located at 648 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI.  Wealthy Street is at the center of a major urban area with over a quarter of a million people living within a five mile radius. Wealthy Street is surrounded by  diverse and vibrant communities including Cherry Hill, Eastown, Heritage Hill, Fairmount Square, Baxter Community and the Madison Area.  The Winchester is a strong advocate of supporting the local economy- from their involvement in the arts and the community to their commitment to using local produce.   CITY LINKS   Ada - This picturesque town with its country charm is located at the mouth of the Thornapple River flowing into the Grand. It contains a downtown area and adjacent mall, accented by colonial and country style buildings and small shops. As such, it is considered to be an ideal commuter suburb to the greater Grand Rapids area. Historically, this town was the site of a trading post set up by Rix Robinson from Massachusetts in 1821 - whom many consider to be the first settler to the western Michigan area. The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad built a station here in 1853, which led to the further development and stabilization of the town during and after the lumber era.   Caledonia - This area was first settled in 1838 by Asahel Kent, who moved there from Ohio. Like many other communities in western Michigan, the township was named after a city in New York in order to attract people there to move to Michigan. The area grew with the coming of the Grand River Valley Railroad until in 1870, a depot and post office were built - named "Caledonia Station." In 1884, the name was changed to Caledonia, with incorporation into a village in 1888. Once a farming community, Caledonia today has become significantly linked with Grand Rapids as a commuter city. At the same time, it has also retained its distinctiveness and economic growth. Situated in a hilly area on beautiful Emmons lake, this is an ideal place to live, with a delightful balance between country and city.   East Grand Rapids-East Grand Rapids is a small city on the east side of metropolitan Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan. The primary geography is residential homes, although there is a business district containing all the essential services, a selection of specialty stores and boutiques, and a world-class hospital within the borders. Valued for the excellent school systems, well-kept homes and unparalleled municipal services, East Grand Rapids is a favorite of families, singles and empty-nesters alike. The premier asset of East Grand Rapids is Reeds Lake, a true centerpiece for the community.  From fishing on quiet mornings to an afternoon of waterskiing with family, Reeds Lake and the surrounding parks, woods and trails draw people from miles around to enjoy the outdoor landscape.   Grand Rapids Official site for Grand Rapids Michigan. Find out what is happening around town, look up property taxes, learn about parks and recreation, get  your local library information,  hear what the Mayor has to say, research city codes and ordinances, and much more.   Grandville - The Grandville community is a special place where people support one another, take pride in their community and enjoy a sense of belonging.  We have inherent values that provide the foundation for making this a positive place to live.  By stating these common values, we want to ensure they continue to define and guide our community life.  Faith, Family, Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility.   Kentwood - Kentwood has beautiful homes, good schools, churches and businesses. There is an excellent mix of residential housing styles, the location is convenient to work, shopping and recreational activities are close at hand. There are beautiful parks, good roads, along with a thriving industrial and commercial base. In addition to these attributes, the City tax rate is lowest in the State for a city over 20,000 in population. The City has a wonderful selection of newer buildings with outstanding infrastructure, major interstate highways surround our boarders, and an international airport is at our main entry way. As important as any point, is the commitment this Government makes to its business partners. We are ready to assist and work with any enterprise that can bring good jobs to our area. Kentwood is open for business!   Rockford - Welcome to Rockford! We have so many great places to visit. Rockford has an abundance of good restaurants, wonderful stores and shops, beautiful parks and scenery, and of course our famous waterfront. If you've never strolled the Rockford Dam, you are in for a treat. And it seems like there is always something fun happening in Rockford. Check the City Event Calendar and the News and Notes page to find out what's going on.   Kent County- Located in Western Michigan, Kent County is the fourth largest population center in Michigan. Covering 864 square miles, the County is home to 604,142 people. The County is composed of twenty-one townships, five villages and nine cities. The County seat, Grand Rapids, has a population of 201,835 and is 150 miles west of Detroit; 180 miles northeast of Chicago; and 30 miles from Lake Michigan. The greater Grand Rapids area forms the urban center of the County. Grand Rapids is known for being the home of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford. The Gerald R. Ford Museum is located in the City of Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is located within the County.   Grand Rapids Police Department -The Grand Rapids Police Department shall lead in developing collaborative working partnerships with all of our community and service providers so that each and every citizen may enjoy the highest quality of life. Personalized community service shall be provided virtual decentralization of police services. Through our leadership, courage, and relentless pursuit of service excellence, the City of Grand Rapids will lead American cities into the 21st Century. Our Mission is to identify and solve problems in neighborhoods by empowering police employees and holding them accountable to work in partnership with citizens, City services, schools, and other stakeholders. Grand Rapids Crime Data- The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) crime mapping program provides public access to crime information for the City of Grand Rapids. The crime data is preliminary information from reports made by officers of the Grand Rapids Police Department. Future investigation and analysis may change crime classification and other information. The mapping database contains data from the past 90 days.   AREA SCHOOLS   Local School Rankings It's important to consider practical matters to help narrow your school search. These include your family's childcare needs during nonschool hours, daily and yearly schedule, transportation, school location, coordination of your other children's school schedules and your financial constraints. What's important to you in an academic program? How rigorous should the academics be? Would your child thrive in a traditional setting, or is a more creative approach better? These are some of the factors to weigh into your choice.   Kent County Intermediate School District- Kent ISD provides services to twenty local public districts and to all non-public schools within its boundaries. Directly or indirectly, we serve almost 400 schools, more than 120,000 students and 7,000 educators. One of 57 ISD's in Michigan, Kent ISD provides a wide range of services to meet the needs of the educators, families, and communities we serve.     HELPFUL TIPS   MSN Real Estate-Homes located within walking distance of amenities such as schools, parks and shopping aren't only more convenient for their owners, often they're also worth more than homes in neighborhoods where driving is the rule, according to a new study. The report looked at 94,000 real-estate transactions in 15 markets. In 13 of those markets, higher levels of "walkability" were directly linked to higher home values. The report, "Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Housing Values in U.S. Cities," was commissioned by CEO's for cities a national network of urban leaders from the civic, business, academic and philanthropic sectors.     AREA HOSPITALS   Metro Health-Metro Health Hospital is taking health care to a better place, bringing increased levels of sophistication. Located in the heart of the innovative Metro Health Village, it's a facility with space and resources to enhance the award-winning care that makes Metro Health the area leader in patient satisfaction.   Spectrum Health-Spectrum Health provides a range of general and hospital specific services to patients and visitors. For a complete list of medical, surgical and support services, visit the Medical Specialties & Services section of our Web site. Spectrum Health Medical Center comprises Butterworth Hospital, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion and Meijer Heart Center.   Saint Mary's Health Care-Saint Mary's Health Care is an integrated network of health care excellence offering a unique combination of capabilities to deliver a health care experience that is more complete and personally satisfying. Our commitment to offer the latest technology and most highly skilled physicians in a holistic, patient-centered environment has made us a progressive leader in cancer care, neuroscience, orthopedics, diabetes and endocrine care, kidney transplants, and integrative health care. We blend these specialty services with award-winning primary care offered through Advantage Health Physicians. It's all about providing you with Something More.   SHOPPING MALLS   Woodland Mall-Find your style, make it personal and have a great time shopping at over 100 stores including Apple, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor, Hollister, Williams-Sonoma, Brookstone, JCrew and Swarovski. Hungry? Grab a quick bite in our Cafe's in the Woods Food Court or enjoy full service dining at On The Border, Red Robin, Olga's Kitchen and Bar Louie.   Rivertown Crossings Mall-Are you looking for the best in shopping, entertainment and dining? Whether you enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the mall's restaurants, watching a movie, bringing the kids to ride on the carousel, or spending the day shopping at all of your favorite stores, RiverTown Crossings offers a complete entertainment experience. Come out and enjoy the fun with the whole family!   Centerpointe Mall- Centerpointe Mall is conveniently located at the busy intersection of 28th Street and East Beltline where over 80,000 cars pass daily. Centerpointe Mall was completely renovated in 2001 and is the only enclosed shopping center in the Grand Rapids city limit. Centerpointe Mall features Michigan's first Nordstrom Rack and other key value retail anchors including DSW Shoes, David's Bridal, Old Navy, DEB, TJ Maxx, Menards, Golf Galaxy and Dunham's Sports.   Westshore Mall -Westshore Mall is a single story regional shopping center anchored by Dunham's Sports, JCPenney, Steve & Barry's and Younkers. The mall features department stores, dining and entertainment establishments including Aeropostale, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Limited Too, Victoria's Secret and Zales, among others.   Crossroads Mall -Whether it's the great clothes and accessories or the delicious eats, you're sure to find something to satisfy your craving at The Crossroads. Bring the whole family for great stores like Build-a-Bear Workshop, Chico's, Coldwater Creek, Banana Republic, Charlotte Russe and Forever 21. And once you're here, stay a while at Olga's Kitchen, McDonald's or any of our other food court selections. No matter what you crave, we've got just what you need.   MEDIA   Grand Rapids Press -Get the latest Michigan Local News, Sports News & US breaking News. View daily MI weather updates, watch videos and photos, join the discussion in forums.   Advance Newspapers-Advance Newspapers, based in Hudsonville, Michigan, publishes weekly community newspapers for Kent County, Michigan and portions of Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan counties. Advance Newspapers started as an independent company. They are now owned by Booth Newspapers a division of Advance Publications.   On The Town Magazine-The Arts and Entertainment Magazine of West Michigan. Learn about upcoming concerts, local artists, theater productions, art openings, special events, book reviews, and book signings. Also included for your convenience is a local dining guide, and a monthly calendar of events.   Wood TV 8 Find your local community news. 24 Hour News 8 receives eight awards for excellence from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, including Station of the Year. The station also receives six Associated Press Awards, the School Bell Award from the Michigan Education Association and the Gracie Allen Award from the American Women in Radio and Television (1997). WOOD TV8 celebrates 50 years of broadcast excellence and is the first station in West Michigan to broadcast in HDTV (1999).  In May 2002, the WAP site live8.com was launched, bringing local news and weather to cell phones across West Michigan. June 12, 2009, WOOD TV8 ended analog transmission for the switch to Digital Television (DTV.)   WZZM Ch 13 -The one constant throughout WZZM 13's entire history in West Michigan is our commitment to serve the local community. Our tradition of service and innovation continues in the 21st century. We are determined to make WZZM 13 the number one choice for news, information, and entertainment programming by working for and caring about our viewers, employees, advertisers and shareholders.   WXMI Fox 17 -The latest Grand Rapids and Michigan area local news, sports and weather from FOX 17. FOX 17 is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is in the 39th largest market in the United States. FOX 17's designated market area (DMA) is Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.   WWMT Ch 3- WWMT NewsChannel 3 has all the Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo, Michigan news, weather and sports you need. WWMT Channel 3 and wwmt.com highlights local news from around West Michigan with news videos and in depth coverage. WWMT is the CBS-affiliated television station for West Michigan that is licensed to Kalamazoo. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 8 from a transmitter at Gun Lake southeast of Wayland along the Barry and Allegan County line. Owned by Freedom Communications, the station has studios on West Maple Street in Kalamazoo. Syndicated programming on WWMT includes: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Oprah, and Dr. Phil.   REAL ESTATE NEWS Inman News -Inman News is the leading source of independent real estate news, information, advice, research, opinion and commentary for industry professionals and consumers alike.   Realty Trac Take your Real Estate investment to the next level. Become a member of RealtyTrac and get exclusive access to all the information and resources you need to buy, sell or research distressed real estate. Even if you are not interested in purchasing a foreclosure home, understanding the impact of foreclosures in the area is crucial to any real estate related decision.     THINGS TO DO IN GRAND RAPIDS   Restaurants   Grand Rapids Restaurants-Grand Rapids is home to literally hundreds of restaurants that together present a wide variety of global cuisine. Neighborhoods like Eastown showcase this diversity; within one block you can order Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican or a famous Yesterdog. Soul Food, Polish, Italian and American are just a short walk away. Around town, family favorites like Logan's, On the Border and Macaroni Grill remain popular, but tucked away are some authentic choices that may surprise you: African, Serbian, Vietnamese and Thai. Let the restaurant directory help you find that new favorite eatery.   Museums   Grand Rapids Public Museum-The Public Museum will play vital leadership and servant roles in enhancing the lives of those in our communities.  More specifically: As a convener and facilitator, we will partner with and bring institutions and individuals together in the pursuit of insight and understanding,  As a collector, we will preserve the treasures of the past and present--to be used for teaching the lessons for the future,  As a motivator, we will inspire discovery learning, and  As a resource, we will provide life-long learning, in part as an extension of our communities' formal educational systems.   Grand Rapids Art Museum - The collection includes over 5,000 works of art: approximately 3,500 works on paper (prints, drawings, and photographs), 1,200 works of design and modern craft (furniture, ceramics, glass, metal and textiles), and 300 paintings and sculptures. The works on paper collection begins in the year 1500 and extends to contemporary art. The design collection begins in the modern era of the late 19th century and extends to the present. The collection of painting and sculpture is primarily 19th and 20th century American and European.   Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum-The permanent exhibits are the core of the Museum's program. They allow visitors to participate in history, not just view it, while reviewing the highlights of the lives of President and Mrs. Ford. In addition to the permanent exhibits, a succession of temporary exhibits draw upon the rich holdings of the entire Presidential libraries system, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, and others.   Grand Rapids Public Library -Get to know your Grand Rapids Public Library. We open minds and make people smarter with our easy to use collections found in our 8 urban locations. Our website is just like us - friendly and helpful. Find out how to get a Library card, search our catalog and place holds and access databases full of information you can't get on the Internet. Make plans, learn something, check out what's new on our shelves.   Grand Rapids Children's Museum-The Grand Rapids Children's Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing an interactive, hands-on environment that inspires learning and encourages self directed exploration. We recognize and respect all children, their families and the communities they represent. Our programs and services are designed to meet the variety of ways that children learn and to enhance their self-esteem. Our environment encourages cooperation, problem solving and life-long learning.  We utilize play as a tool for learning and strengthening relationships.     Nightlife Downtown Grand Rapids-Never before have there been so many choices in dining and nightlife in downtown Grand Rapids. From Moroccan delicacies teamed with belly dancing to tasty Mexican dishes and refreshing margaritas to authentic Irish fare served along with lively tunes. There's something for every appetite and every spirit of adventure.   Grand Rapids Nightlife-You've been busy all day and are looking to unwind Grand Rapids is the perfect place for nighttime entertainment. If dancing or bar hopping is your choice, try the live-band bars, discos, sports bars and brew pubs. If you're into live comedy, enjoy Dr. Grins. For the best romantic experiences, check out the view at our downtown hotels which overlook the lighted bridges on the Grand River. Grand Rapids has nighttime entertainment to satisfy any mood.   Entertainment   Grand Rapids Civic Theater -We are committed to enhance the cultural life of West Michigan by creating opportunities for people to enjoy live theatre performances using community artists, and to provide access to a comprehensive theatre arts education program for all ages. We are continually working to ensure that the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre remains one of the great community theatres in the nation, through the passionate delivery of high-quality live performance, innovative and comprehensive education, enriching volunteer participation, and a superior customer experience.   Grand Rapids Symphony-The Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America's leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington and Associate Conductor John Varineau, the orchestra presents eight concert series with performances designed to capture the imagination of young children and adults alike, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles.  The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company.   Grand Rapids Ballet-For almost four decades the Grand Rapids Ballet Company has gone beyond ballet with the support of individuals and corporations who see the immense value the company provides to Michigan and its citizens. Serving more the 60,000 children and adults each year, we are Michigan's only professional ballet company   John Ball Zoo-The John Ball Zoo has over 1100 animals representing the wilds of Africa, Asia, South America, Australia and the United States.  The John Ball Zoological Garden is owned and operated by the County of Kent. The John Ball Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving as a private support organization for the John Ball Zoo. The Zoo Society incorporated in 1950 and has been working in partnership with the Zoo since that time.   Michigan Casinos-Electricity. It can be the power we use to charge our cell phones overnight or it can be the feeling that sweeps over us as we step into a Michigan casino. The thrill of the lights. The rush of the cards. The sound of the slots. And it doesn't stop at the gaming tables. Five-star restaurants, live shows and exhilarating nightlife keep the evening fully charged. Whether we like the big city or choose to be surrounded by nature, Michigan casinos are a sure thing.   Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park-Discover the beauty and splendor of our botanic garden and internationally acclaimed sculpture park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Comprised of 132 acres of natural wetlands, woodlands, meadows and botanical gardens, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a year round experience with indoor tropical, arid, Carnivorous, Victorian and seasonal gardens, world class changing sculpture gallery with shows by international artists, and outdoor acreage featuring a world-class sculpture park, children's garden, historic Michigan's farm garden, amphitheater for summer concert events nature trails and board walks. The integration of horticulture and sculpture flows throughout the site, uniquely blending both art and nature, setting it apart from other more traditional botanic gardens or art museum experiences.