This alien statue is part of the “POPnology” exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
Two exhibits at the Grand Rapids Art Museum will be coming to a close at the end of the month, “Bats; Masters of the Night” and “POPnology” as the Museum makes way for two new exhibits to open in the spring.
“Bats,” which is included with admission, works to dispel the myths about these creatures of the night with interactive displays that demonstrate how to hear like a bat, learn about pollination, bat diets, and sonar ability. The “POPnology,” is a sci-fi experience as it looks at how pop culture meets technology with the exhibit including the DeLorean Time Machine, R2D2, E.T. and more. The “POPnology” exhibit is $5 per person in addition to admission.
Also closing on Jan. 23 is the “Windows GR” paintings. The Museum purchased the paintings by local artists of color as part of the Windows GR activation project. Five of these works are now part of the GRPM’s permanent Collections and can be viewed at grpmcollections.org.
Opening in the spring will be “Prerosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs,” which will feature life-size models, casts of rare fossils and other interactive activities. Also opening will be the GRPM original exhibit “Fashion + Nature,” which will explore the complex relationship between the fashion industry and the natural environment.
For more information about the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit www.grpm.org. The Museum is located at 272 Pearl St. NW. Residents in Kent County receive reduce admission rates and free parking.
Just four months after Third Coast Development and Garage Bar & Grill owner and operator Kevin Farhat announced plans to open a Garage Bar & Grill in Ada, the team is now setting their sights on hiring 47 workers to staff the establishment. To help expedite the hiring process, Garage Bar & Grill is hosting open interviews every Saturday in October from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new location, 518 Ada Drive. Applicants will be interviewed by Farhat and executive chef and general manager Joe Peebles and potentially hired that day or by the end of October.
Garage Bar & Grill is looking for hospitality-minded people to help Garage “run a good party” as its tagline says. Farhat is looking to fill part-time and full-time staff, ranging from dishwashers, cooks, servers, bartenders, and other front-of-house staff. Wages for some positions will start at $15 per hour. Once hired, staff will receive training at the Ottawa Avenue location before starting at the Ada location.
“We take pride in running a good party, and the main ingredients are delicious, never-frozen food, tasty drinks, great prices and amazing customer service,” Farhat said. “We take pride in hiring some great people who want to give each customer a great experience at Garage Bar & Grill, so we’re hopeful there are some cool food service pros around the region that are ready to take the party to Ada!”
Peebles, who Farhat brought on in July to overhaul the menu and manage the Ada location, is eager to open the new location with great staff.
“The new Garage Bar & Grill location will be very inviting to visitors who are looking for a fun atmosphere, great food and drinks and comfortable vibe,” said Peebles in a July news release announcing his arrival. “We would love to staff the new location with people that know how to provide that experience. We offer a high-volume environment, but we try to be low volume on drama!”
Executive Chef Josef Huber at Gun Lake Casino shows off the popular burger, which comes with two 4.5-oz. patties. (Photo by John D. Gonzalez)
By John D. Gonzalez WKTV Contributing Writer
WAYLAND, MI – If you’re looking for more than 100 craft beers in one place, big TV screens for the big game and a tasty steak dinner, then you’ll be happy about three new restaurant and entertainment concepts at Gun Lake Casino.
Located right off Exit 61 on US 131, the casino’s growth and build out phase has been evident to passersby and patrons for months. Now it’s show time.
Reps of the Gun Lake Tribe’s Tribal Council and Gun Lake Casino executive team celebrated the opening of Phase IV of its expansion with a special ribbon cutting on Friday morning.
Even though today (Sept. 17) is the official grand opening, the crew has been testing systems and serving hungry customers for a couple weeks.
Everyone is loving it, said Gun Lake Casino executive Chef Josef Huber, who spent 23 years in the same role at Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids.
“I guarantee you’re going to have a great time out here,” he said on Thursday. “You’re going to be surprised by the amenities we offer, the food we serve and the quality of drinks.”
The new offerings at the 229,000-square-foot facility, owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi, include:
SHKODÉ Chophouse (ISH-KO-DAY), a flame-grilled steak and seafood restaurant open Thursday through Sunday, which offers a fresh take on American Cuisine and Artisan-crafted cocktails and curated wine list. Expect big flavors from a 32-oz. Tomahawk steak or 16-oz. New York Strip, said Chef Huber. Seafood lovers can delight in a platter for two, King Salmon and more. SHKODE is the Potawatomi word for fire and “honors Gun Lake Casino’s heritage through attention to flavor and quality with locally sourced and freshly harvested ingredients,” reps said.
CBK, a.k. “Craft, Bar, Kitchen” (Photo by John D. Gonzalez)
CBK, a.k.a. “Craft, Bar, Kitchen,” features more than 100 beers in bottles, cans and on draft. In addition, diners can check out the farm-to-table menu and shareables. Chef Huber said they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with 45 items on the menu; open daily. Favorites already include the burger, fish tacos and Chinese chicken salad. And they have pastas and sandwiches, too. He also brought back the popular Philly cheesesteak egg roll with a spicy aioli sauce from the former Sand Hill Cafe. CBK also has a new outdoor fireplace.
131 Sportsbar & Lounge, which has been re-imagined from its previous incarnation, offers floor-to-ceiling LED video walls and 180-degree panoramic views. Chef Huber said the video walls feature more than 28 million pixels and 1,000 square feet of HD viewing surface. “If you’re a sports fan, and you want to watch sports, this is the place to do it,” he said. As for the menu, he said fans can expect “great bar food, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and apps, and wash it down with some beer.” It also has a huge stage. The plan is to feature live music, comedy and sports entertainment. Local band Wayland and national act Blue Oyster Cult perform this weekend. (Both concerts are sold out.) In addition, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge has an outdoor patio area.
Along with the excitement of the official opening, those visiting the casino this weekend will see a variety of evening entertainment throughout the venue, including aerialists, stilt walkers, magicians, living statues, mimes and a speed artist.
But Chef Huber encourages guests to come out any day of the week.
“You can come on a Monday evening, on a Tuesday morning, on a Saturday or whenever you have a day off,” he said.
Whether it’s the highly touted burger, egg roll, wings, pizza or steak, “you’re going to have a hard time” deciding what to have first, he added.
SHOKÉ is the Potawatomi word for fire and the SHOKÉ Chophouse honors Gun Lake Casino’s attention heritage with attention to detail and quality. (Photo by John D. Gonzalez)
In addition to the new dining and entertainment options, the casino features 2,500 state-of-the art slot machines, 47 table games, a modern sportsbook, and keno.
Other dining options include the Harvest Buffet, which features fresh ingredients and cooked to order items. Chef Huber also oversees the buffet, as well an employee-only cafe where he serves more than 500 people daily. Each employee gets a free meal on their shift, reps said.
For more information about the offerings at the Gun Lake Casino, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Rose, Ruby and Willow are ready to meet their adorning fans which will be soon as the John Ball Zoo prepares for its opening day, March 27.
The zoo’s season officially kicks off at 9 a.m. that day with admission tickets going on sale starting this Friday, March 12, for opening day, through April 11.
The red panda triplets, Rose, Ruby, and Willow, are three of the most anticipated animals for guests to see this season, according to zoo officials. Born June 25, 2020, the three were growing and bonding behind the scenes last season and were out of the view of guests. The three are now romping and playing outside for everyone to enjoy along with their parents, Wyatt and Wasabi.
Also making a debut is Yoshi, a Canadian lynx born last May. While Yoshi may not look like a kitten anymore, she still has the same playful and energetic spirit that makes her a guest favorite.
Guest favorite Yosi, a Canadian Lynx, will be making an appearance during opening day. (Supplied/John Ball Zoo)
Many of the John Ball Zo’s animals are active and playful in the cool spring weather, while others prefer to stay inside until warmer temperatures arrive. There are a number of viewing opportunities for guest in the Aquarium, Natural Teasures, Frog’s buildings, and the chimpanzees in their day room.
Also on opening day, John Ball Zoo will offer a sneak peek into the SUPERSIZED exhibition. This exhibition supersizes nature’s small and mighty. From sneaky predators such as the fearless honey badger to the venomous blue-ringed octopus, the more than 30 toy brick sculptures are featured because of their colorful appearance in nature, unusual natural ability, and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.
John Ball Zoo will be operating at a limited guest capacity. Guests should reserve an online timed-entry ticket to secure their visit time. Tickets will be available at the zoo but immediate entry is not guaranteed. Spring hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Following the regulations of the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control, all guess ages 5 and older will be required to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in John Ball Zoo, including outdoor spaces. Guests may remove their mask temporarily to eat or drink when at a safe distance from others.
Social distancing will be encouraged and additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available along with cashless transactions and monitoring the number of guests inside buildings.
To reserve timed entry tickets and for more information, visit John Ball Zoo’s website at www.jbzoo.org/visitandtickets. For questions, call 616-336-4300 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has announced the soft opening of the new Welcome Center to the public on Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. The 69,000 square-foot building greatly enhances the arrival, admission and orientation experience for guests. The Welcome Center features contemporary sculpture as well as horticultural elements throughout.
Please note: The Jan. 11 opening is a soft opening, and not all areas of the building will be open and accessible until fall of 2021. Additional information will be sent regarding the Opening Celebration and Dedication.
“The magnificent new Welcome Center is made possible by the generosity of Fred & Lena Meijer, the extended Meijer family and hundreds of individuals, companies and foundations,” said President & CEO David Hooker. “The Welcome Center was created in response to an unprecedented embrace of our mission as reflected in our attendance, membership and donor base growth…Our architects, artists and garden designers have created a place to experience our mission that is truly world-class.”
Located at the beginning of the journey into the 158-acre main campus, the Welcome Center complements the glass architectural lines of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and serves as a place for guests to comfortably purchase tickets or a membership, view an orientation film and receive information about their visit. The design ties together the many parts of Meijer Gardens into a coherent and understandable whole and serves to welcome everyone who enters.
The Welcome Center is comprised of two levels, the Main Level and the lower Courtyard Level. Main Level exterior and interior highlights include an expanded and relocated Peter C. and Emajean Cook Entryway, PNC Portico, expanded and relocated Ram’s Garden, Daniel and Pamella DeVos Ticketing Center, expanded coat room and restrooms, a Mobility Center for complimentary wheelchairs and electric carts, O-A-K Theater and the Garden Pavilion, featuring horticultural displays and the new sculpture titled Utopia by the Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The Garden Pavilion is scheduled to open later this year. Courtyard Level highlights include an expanded and relocated Peter M. Wege Library, archives and storage, Lievense Indoor Eating Area and a Courtyard Level garden named Mimi’s Garden, featuring a glass enclosed sunken garden that is naturally lit from above.
The new Welcome Center and recently completed Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater and related facilities were designed by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.
In addition to horticultural details throughout, the Welcome Center will feature prominent works of Contemporary sculpture by celebrated international artists: Jaume Plensa, George Segal, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, El Anatsui, Kenneth Snelson, Alexander Calder and Marshall Fredericks, whose work first caught the eye of Fred Meijer and began his passion for collecting sculpture. Part of the permanent sculpture collection, the placement of these pieces and horticultural elements reflects the greater Meijer Gardens mission as evidenced throughout the Gardens & Sculpture Park. The exterior and Frey Foundation Plaza leading into the Welcome Center will feature sculpture by Marshall Fredericks, Tony Cregg, Manuel Neri and Henri Laurens.
It will take a while for West Michigan recreation and entertainment venues to begin their reopening process, and even longer for them to get back to normal, but local attractions such as Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and the Kent County park system — as well as tourist destinations including Mackinac Island Parks — this week announced reopening plans.
WKTV brings you a wrap of what’s opening, what will open soon, and what is still up in the early summer air.
Meijer Gardens
Meijer Gardens will reopen Monday, June 8, at 9 a.m., with new and enhanced safety procedures. There will be extensive signage and way-finding icons to help people social distance, according to an announcement made this week.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is set to reopen on Monday. (Supplied)
“Meijer Gardens first closed our doors to the public on Friday, March 13, due to the global pandemic. It has been an extremely long and painful three months without seeing our facility full of members and guests,” David Hooker, president & CEO of Meijer Gardens said in supplied material. “We are looking forward to welcoming back guests beginning on Monday and can’t wait for people to once again experience our masterpieces of art and nature.”
The planned, but delayed, exhibition “George Segal: Body Language” will open in approximately one week, according to Meijer Gardens. But due to current social distancing and safety guidelines, certain areas within the main building and outside grounds will remain closed for the time being.
“However, the most important part of complying with the rules and guidelines established by Federal and State authorities will be the voluntary compliance of our guests. We sincerely request all our guests comply for the safety and benefit of all,” according to the statement.
For the most current Meijer Gardens information regarding enhanced safety procedures and a map showing areas that are temporarily closed, visit MeijerGardens.org/COVID.
Kent County Parks
Kent County will have a staggered reopening schedule for its beaches, campground, open shelters, picnic areas, public restrooms and splash pad facilities. (Supplied)
The Kent County Parks has started a staggered reopening schedule for its beaches, campground, open shelters, picnic areas, public restrooms, and splash pad facilities, the county announced this week.
“We are excited to welcome visitors back to Kent County Parks and for them to experience the physical and mental health benefits of being outdoors,” Dan DeLooff, county parks superintendent, said in supplied material. “However, it is critical that visitors follow our new rules that prevent overcrowding and support social distancing to ensure our parks are safe for everyone.”
Opening immediately are swimming beaches at Long Lake Park, Millennium Park, Myers Lake Park and Wabasis Park; all playgrounds; the Kaufman Golf Course; all restrooms, open shelters and group picnic areas. The Millennium Park Splash pad will open on June 8 and the Wabasis Lake Campground will open on June 12.
Enclosed shelters and recreational fields remain closed until further notice from the Governor’s Office. For up-to-date information visit kentcountyparks.org.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum has not announced an opening date yet. (WKTV)
Other Kent County, regional Attractions
Kent District Library
KDL is taking this phased approach to reopening, introducing those services that can be immediately provided while staff make adjustments within the facilities to ensure safety and compliance. All Kent District Library locations will have exterior book drops will open on June 8. Curbside service for picking up items will start June 15 with branches opening with limited service July 6. For details about KDL, visit kdl.org.
Zoos
The John Ball Zoo was scheduled to re-open in May but has postponed those plans with no specific date given on when the zoo might re-open. However, the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. For details on Binder Park Zoo, visit binderparkzoo.org.
Museums
None of the local museums, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, or the Grand Rapids Public Museum, have announced opening dates yet. The announcements are expected soon.
Trails
While the facilities at Blandford Nature Center are closed, the trails are open. Actually many of the area parks have open trails.
Gilmore Car Museum
The Gilmore Car Museum, located at Hickory Corners, re-opens to the public on Friday June 12, but guests will “notice several new procedures, all mandated by the State of Michigan, and geared toward the Museum’s top priority of assuring the health and safety of their employees, volunteers and visitors,” according to a June 4 statement.
For details and more information visit GilmoreCarMuseum.organd the museum’s social media.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse will open June 13. (Supplied)
State Openings
The state is also starting to open some of its parks. This week Mackinac State historic Parks announced it would be welcoming guests to historic sites and facilities starting June 12.
The first sties to be open in Mackinaw City will be Colonial Michilimackinac, the Colonial Michilimackinac Vistor’s Center, and the Michilimackinc State Park restrooms. Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse will open June 13 and the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park and the David A. Armour Vistor’s Center will open June 15.
On June 19, the Mackinac State historic Parks will open its buildings and facilities on Mackinac Island. This includes: Fort Mackinac, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac ArtMuseu, Historic downtown Mackinac (Benjamin Blacksmith Shop and the American Fur Company Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum, the Mackinac Island State Park Vistor’s Center and restrooms, Mission Church, Bark Chapel, Fort holmes Blockhouse, British Landing Nature Center and restrooms, Arch Rock restrooms, and the Station 256 Conference Room. The Biddle House feating the Native American Museum, will be open later due to construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re excited to get our historic sites open for the 2020 season and offer the world-class living history programs and activities for our guests,” said Phil Porter, Mackinac State Historic Parks Director. “We have developed, using our Visitor First philosophy, a set of guidelines that will safely welcome guests to our sites while allowing for a fun and educational time.”
For details on the openings and other schedules, visit mackinacparks.com.
WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.
Miriam Tenhaaf and her brother Paul from Diemer’s Farm and Greenhouse braved the cold and rain to attend the opening day of the Metro Health Farm Market. (WKTV)
Social distancing certainly was not a problem at the opening of the Metro Health Farm Market on Thursday as mother nature controlled the crowds with rainy and cold weather.
Still some shoppers – and a few friends showing support – stopped by to check out the offerings of about nine vendors who participated in the rainy opening. Plants, flowers, vegetables, cheese, and even hot coffee were just some of items available. Both vendors and shoppers wore masks and despite the cold weather, were happy to have the market open.
A sign at the Metro Health Farm Market reminds patrons of social distancing guidelines. (WKTV)
“We really appreciate it that it is open,” said Miriam Tenhaaf from Diemer’s Farm and Greenhouse, a family farm based in Holland. “We do most of our business through the farmers markets along with some restaurant sourcing.”
And while the Metro Health Farm Market’s Thursday opening was slow, Tenhaaf said the family has seen good numbers at other markets.
That is good news for Mike Cnossen of Cnossen Family Farms as the Metro Health Farm Market was the first event of the season for him and his wife, Helen.
“Farming is in our blood,” Cnossen said, although because of the weather and the very slow traffic (at around 10:30 a.m. there was about three customers at the market), the couple was starting to pack up for the day.
“We’re happy to see the season start and we’ll see what comes,” Cnossen said.
The Metro Health Farm Market is set up in the Metro Village located in front of the hospital. (WKTV)
The Cnossen’s market neighbor, Peter Van de Roovaart, owner of Full Circle Coffee with a store in Byron Center, said he too was glad to see the farm markets open.
“We are at several of the markets,” Van de Roovaart said, adding he plans to be at the Byron Center Famers Market which opens May 23 at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park. Even with a physical location, Van de Roovaart said the company still does a lot of business through the farmers markets as well as its mobile truck.
The Metro Health Farm Market is open every Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine. It is located at the Metro Health Village in front of the hospital. The market runs through Oct. 18. For a complete list of vendors, click here. Note: Due to the current governor’s executive order, only vendors selling essential items, such as food and produce, can participate at a farm market.
