Tag Archives: restaurants

The Lantern is more than just the coffee it serves

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Food, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, ,

By Maddy Visscher
ArtRat Gallery

“Our job is way more than just making drinks,” said Jon Bailey, owner of The Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge, 100 Commerce Ave. SW.

All photos courtesy of ArtRat.

“A few years ago, I had a realization when taking a look at coffee shops all over the United States: We’re all doing the same thing — serving high-quality coffee,” Jon told ArtRat. “At The Lantern, it’s different. We focus on the environment, our service and your experience.“

That commitment to Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood guided The Lantern through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and still shapes the way the popular coffee spot treats customers, other local businesses and the community at large.

Steve Wiltjer and Kevin Wallace opened The Lantern in April 2013, in the old Grand Central Engineering Building — a site that had stood gutted and empty for 15 years. The space is much bigger on the inside than it seems when you pass by; the spacious downstairs area still features the Grand Central’s original wood and is filled with tables and desks for people to socialize or work.

“I have all of my meetings at Lantern,” Rock Dandeneau, owner of Taste Buds-Kitchen Connects, a catering business just around the corner at 122 Division Ave S, told ArtRat.

Down in the vault 

The historic building holds some surprises. John led me down to a former bank vault that’s now The Lantern’s dry-goods storage. “This door is the original one,” he said, spinning the combination lock. “It’s supposedly worth a lot, too … But it’s so heavy, no one has moved it!” 

Inside, there’s not much space. “It forces us to work a little differently, more intentionally. For example, instead of ordering 10,000 to-go cups, we order 1,000.”  He pointed out ingredients that go into The Lantern’s latest offering: homemade oat milk. Though the ingredients are Michigan-made, the recipe required a lot of tweaks and a journey to New Orleans where Jon met a master oat-milker to learn his ways. After Jon added his own personal touches, the cafe added it to the menu on Monday.

The coffee bar is intentional with its waste, too. Just outside the vault, the space also holds The Lantern’s compost bins: All coffee, filters, and tea scraps are composted for distribution to local farms.

Navigating a pandemic

Jon started at The Lantern as a barista, but his role grew over time. In 2020, he was already on track to take over ownership responsibilities from The Lantern’s founders when COVID-19 hit.

For a gathering spot like The Lantern, social-distancing requirements were a critical hit, and the cafe shut down entirely for several months. “I didn’t want to reopen without indoor seating,” Jon explained. “It’s such an integral part of what we are.”

Jon remained committed to operating The Lantern while keeping customers safe. “I didn’t really have experience doing that kind of thing,” he said, “but I saw it as an opportunity to save something that was important to me, to not just watch it die in front of me. While there are trials and tribulations, I always [work] to pull myself up.”

The Lantern team shares Jon’s focus on the cafe’s role as stewards of the community. Savannah Jeanelle took a moment to talk with us. Between brewing my Malabar Tea and packing a shot of espresso, our local barista filled ArtRat in about what Lantern does best.

“Engrained within us, we are a part of — and take part in — this community,” Savannah said. “All are welcome. This community is so full of vibrant people: artists, musicians, people with stories to tell.

“No matter who you are, we’ll always be happy to make you a drink and have a conversation.”

This article provided by ArtRat, located at 46 Division Ave. S. For more about ArtRat, visit the gallery’s website at www.artrat.us. To join ArtRat Gallery’s mailing list of events and exhibits, email matthew@artrat.us.

Burton Heights Business Association celebrates Mexican heritage with sauce competition

3-bottom, Food, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, , ,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

West Michigan foodies looking for an authentic taste of Mexico can enjoy the “Olé to Molé” festival on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22.

A variety of local restaurants will offer their own twist on a sauce sometimes called “Mexico’s national dish.” Participants can sample each restaurant’s offering by visiting one, a few, or all of the locations between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day, then vote for their favorite using a provided QR code. Pricing and availability of samples varies by location.

Molé is a sauce traditional to Mexican cuisine that typically includes a variety of chili peppers, nuts, and spices. It is often served as an accompaniment or marinade for chicken or other meats.

The nine restaurants participating in the multi-site event are all located along the South Division corridor between Hall Street and 28thStreet. They include:

  • Agave Sports Lounge, 2053 Division Ave South
  • El Globo, 2019 Division Ave South
  • Las Rocas, 2106 Division Ave South
  • La Vencedora, 1961 Division Ave South
  • Los Dos Amigos, 1642 Division Ave South
  • Mi Tierra, 2300 Division Ave South
  • Restaurante Cancún, 2140 Division Ave South
  • Tacos Yanga, 1338 Division Ave South
  • Tres Mangos, 2023 Division Ave South

Parking is available in the City of Grand Rapids Burton Heights lot, located just behind El Globo and Tres Mangos on the west side of Division Avenue, south of Burton. Easy transportation for the event up and down Division Avenue is available on The Rapid’s Silver Line or Route 1.

Funding for the festival comes from the Burton Heights Business Association, the Grand Rapids Office of Special Events, and the Grand Rapids Office of Equity & Inclusion.

Questions about the event may be directed to Angelica Velásquez, president of the Burton Heights Business Association, atlacasadelacobija@gmail.com or 616.617.4400. Media inquiries may be directed to Jon Shaner at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, jon.shaner@usc.salvationarmy.org or 616.401.9835.

Kent County waives restaurant license fees using $1.2 million in federal pandemic relief funds

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Local Business, Local Food, Restaurants, WKTV Projects, ,
Craig’s Cruisers restaurant. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org


Kent County announced Wednesday, March 9, that the county Board of Commissioners had voted unanimously to approve a one-time waiver of 2022-2023 food licensing fees for all existing food establishments in the county.

The approximate $1.2 million funding to offset the loss of the fees comes from the county’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act, according to the announcement. In late 2021, Kent County was awarded more than $127 million to support the continued response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kent County Board of Commissioner Chair Stan Stek. (Supplied)

“We understand that restaurants are a major driver of our economy, and many establishments are still struggling to recover from the economic setbacks caused by the pandemic,” Kent County Board of Commissioners chair Stan Stek said in supplied material. “We trust this fee waiver will provide much-needed support to keep these businesses going and ensure that they can continue to serve our community.”

All 2,372 food service establishments in the county are licensed by the Kent County Health Department and license fees are based on the classification and type of operation.

“The restaurant business has always presented challenges and the pandemic made everything even harder,” Abby McClure, general manager at Walker Roadhouse, in Walker, said in supplied material. “We are grateful that our Kent County Commissioners voted to use these funds to help alleviate some of the pandemic related challenges we are still facing.”

Restaurants are required to submit a renewal application by April 30, 2022, which will ensure establishments remain licensed during the 2022-2023 operating period, according to the announcement. If an establishment does not intend to renew its license, the application still must be returned but include a signed note requesting its license be cancelled.

Annual renewal applications will be mailed to food service establishments by March 11, 2022.

Weekend event gave only a ‘taste’ of the diversity Grand Rapids has to offer

Beer, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, West Michigan, , , , ,

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer

Jonathan Jelks, left and Willie ‘Willie The Kid’ Jackson, right, are throwing a party downtown Grand Rapids on November 13. “The Taste of Black Spirits” will be held at City Flats Hotel, and will feature Black owned beverage based businesses, with plenty of drinks to taste and try. (Courtesy Image)

Looking to break out of the box, or the bottle? The Taste of Black Spirits event that happened this past weekend expanded people’s tasting horizons, while also celebrating minority owned beverage companies. Hosted by two Grand Rapids-based entrepreneurs, this event is just one part of their vision to diversify West Michigan.

“The event is a fantastic way to spotlight, support and celebrate black owned brands in the market that people may not know exist,” said Nayana Ferguson, owner of Anteel Tequila, one of the Black-owned vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits which was held at the City Flats Hotel on Saturday.

The event had been put together by Jonathon Jelks and his business partner Willie “Willie the Kid” Jackson. Together with their company GR USA, a merchandising entity, as well as Lazar Favors, a Detroit-based marketing company, they pulled together about two dozen minority-owned beverage businesses for the one-day only event.

Jelks and Jackson participated in a similar event in Detroit, and were inspired to bring the energy and vibe back to their hometown of Grand Rapids.

“I’m from Southeast Grand Rapids, so this area is near and dear to my heart,” said Jelks during an interview.  “Being here in the ‘Rust Belt’ as they call it, and I’m proud to be part of the transformation.” The duo founded their own spirits company, Motu Viget, in 2019. They currently have three products in the market: ​​Motu Viget Brut, Eye Candy, and  Avani Supreme Vodka, with more than 200 placements in the Michigan market, which includes 70 Meijer stores.

For Jelks, it’s important to pass on both his knowledge and his success. “With us having our own spirits company, and having some traction and some success, we wanted to bring some of that to others,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that the small businesses could make the proper connections, and succeed as well. We are in a unique position to do this”.

Jelks’ background is in ‘serial entrepreneurship’. “Anything where I see there is a niche and we can contribute and service the community, those are the kind of things that float my boat,” he explained.

“We felt that the next thing that is going to help Grand Rapids become a world class community is by creating culture. Bars are a big part of that, live entertainment venues are a part of that.”

In addition to the Nov. 13 event, the duo has a whole host of other developments in the works.

Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge, which will be located in the former Raggs to Riches space,  should open by the end of 2021. “Ambiance will have live entertainment, events, and will have a kitchen component to it. We’ll be serving American and Cajun dishes, something unique for the restaurant ecosystem downtown Grand Rapids. We are super excited for Ambiance, everyone has been anticipating it, and we are really ready to share it with the community.”

Sip Coffee and Cocktails in Grand Rapids on Alger and Eastern is yet another place that they’ve invested in, along with other partners. This spot is a coffee shop/bar hybrid, and a spot that will welcome all, no matter the time of day.

The duo’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to just Grand Rapids, they also have two bars in the works in Muskegon. The Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, named after their spirits company, and Prohibition, an event space, will both be housed in the same building right downtown on 8th Street and should open in the next year.

With no restaurant experience, it’s been a bit of a learning curve for Jelks. Coming out of the pandemic, he’s getting a baptism by fire into the industry. “Labor costs, hiring the right staff, staffing the kitchen is really brutal right now,” he said. “So many people just don’t want to be in the industry anymore, or feel underwhelmed by the pay, and where things are at. There’s a lot of things the industry has to address, and those of us who are invested in the industry are learning to navigate those things.”

Jelks clearly has a bigger vision than just owning a bar or two. And not that owning and operating those alone aren’t a big deal. He’s thinking all the time about Grand Rapids as a whole, and that is what sets him apart. “I look at how some people in Grand Rapids have built big businesses, being very forward thinking, by diversifying our economy,” he said.  “Our city has done a great job in figuring out how to problem solve, and keep people gainfully employed. As small business owners, you just want to continue to add to that DNA, add to that fabric, and create more opportunities. Despite the fact that we have one of the fastest growing cities here in the country, when it comes to black and brown folks, our ratings aren’t so high. There was a Forbes article that came out about 4-5 years ago that rated Grand Rapids as one of the worst cities economically for African Americans. One of the ways we can change these social inequities is through entrepreneurship. That’s very important. We want to not only create businesses where we’ll make money and be successful, but also where we’ll create that pipeline for other entrepreneurs and other folks that can be in leadership in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.”

Anteel Tequila (Courtesy Image)

One of the vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits was Anteel Tequila, a Michigan-based spirits company. “Anteel Tequila launched in August of 2018 only in Michigan, our home state and since then Anteel has won over 27 awards, expanded to 8 states, the Caribbean and received global attention for our world’s only Coconut Lime Blanco Tequila,” said owner Ferguson. “We have three additional expressions besides Anteel Coconut Lime that includes a Blanco, Reposado and a limited release Tarocco Blood Orange Blanco Tequila”.

“I think it’s slow, but I’m new to the spirits industry, but I’m having my eyes open to the business,” said Jelks. “It’s like having an epiphany. There are so many different avenues on how to make money in this industry. But also how to have a good time, how to curate. And once you have an internal knowledge of how the spirits industry works, you will find some kind of opportunity. And we just want to encourage people to do so. Knowing what is out there is half the battle.”

“The Black community is not only asking for more Black ownership, but they are also looking for the avenues to gain traction with.”  Mainstream following is the key to success, Jelks emphasized. “It’s our job as Black pioneers to make a way to put a magnifying glass on it, so everyone can see clearly that this is happening. That this transformation is on.”

Jelks doesn’t mince words. “Grand Rapids is suffering from a diversity problem,” he said. “Culturally, we need more events downtown that are culturally led. That is what makes you into a diverse, world class city that is a magnet for attraction and retention, in 2021.

What could young entrepreneurs of color do to move their vision forward? According to Jelks, “Utilize the tools and resources you have in front of you, study up on the position that you want to be in. There is a glamor side to having your own alcohol, but there is so much work. This is one of the more archaic businesses that is still around.” He stressed how hands-on this business is, and that it really isn’t too far off from Prohibition with many of the rules and regulations. “Relationships still mean a lot,” he stressed.

“The industry can be difficult to navigate in for emerging brands without immense marketing budgets,” said Ferguson. “Events like [The Taste of Black Spirits] allow brands to get in front of the masses in a fun, educational manner, allowing us to grow our audience.”

Events like this allow all of us to expand our range of what we taste and experience.

“We’re having the time of our lives doing this,” said Jelks. “We’re busy,” 

Advocates want to push ban of PFAS, other chemicals in food packaging

3-bottom, Community Health, Education, Health, Local Business, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Restaurants, , ,
Panera is one national chain that is working to eliminate food wrappers with “forever chemicals” such as PFAS. (Wikipedia)

By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya
Capital News Service

LANSING — Some lawmakers and environmental advocates want to ban chemicals in food packaging that they say threatens the health of Michiganders.

PFAS, bisphenols and phthalates can be found in almost every food package — from burger wrappers to bottles for drinks.

The chemicals include per- and polyfluorinated substances or PFAS, a large group of chemicals that has been used globally since the 1940s to manufacture “products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PFAS chemicals are so effective that they’re used in many industries, including food packaging.

A bill that would ban these chemicals from food packaging has been introduced in the Michigan Senate.

Other troublesome chemicals identified in the proposed ban are bisphenols and phthalates. Bisphenols are used to line cans and phthalates are commonly used in plastic food packaging to add flexibility, Courtney Carignan, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition of Michigan State University, wrote in an email.

 

It’s not easy to tell which food package contains these chemicals because there are no labeling requirements for them, Carignan said.

PFAS, bisphenols and phthalates can be found in burger wrappers, french fry bags, canned food, and packages for drinks, according to the Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental group located in Ann Arbor and Detroit.

Whether these chemicals are released into food depends on the temperature, time of storage and the acidity of food, said Rebecca Meuninck, the deputy director of the Ecology Center.

“Many of these chemicals have been linked to concerning health effects such as infertility, hormone and immune disruption,” Carignan said.

They accumulate in peoples’ bodies, said Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, who sponsored the legislation to ban them. “The more we are exposed to them the worse it’s for our health. People have PFAS in their blood. PFAS lasts for an extremely long period of time, they don’t break down.”

PFAS can cause high cholesterol, decreased immune system response to vaccines and development of certain types of cancer, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

It’s important to avoid PFAS in packaging not only because it can be released into food, but also because manufacturing this type of packaging and disposing of it pollutes the environment, Meuninck said.

There are alternatives to PFAS, such as bamboo, palm leaf, bio-wax, clay and compostable plastic polylactic acid that usually is made from corn, according to Toxic-Free Future and nonprofit Clean Production Action. Both organizations advocate for safer products and chemicals.

 

PFAS is a long-standing controversial problem in Michigan.

State officials say that at least 1.9 million people are affected by PFAS and more than 11,000 sites are contaminated by this family of chemicals, according to news accounts. In 2018 and 2019, the state spent $69 million to clean up and address PFAS, according to Bridge Michigan.

One of the state’s largest contamination areas is that in Rockford, where Wolverine, a shoe company founded in the community, was found to have left a 25-mile square wide trail of PFAS contamination from a former tannery factory. Wolverine’s PFAS supplier was the chemical corporation 3M.

People can ask companies like McDonald’s and Burger King to phase PFAS out of packaging, said Rebecca Meuninck, the deputy director of the Ecology Center.

In 2021, 3M sued Michigan to oppose state new limits for PFAS in drinking water, saying that those limits are flawed because they were made in a “rushed and invalid regulatory process,” according to Bridge Michigan.

People can ask companies like McDonald’s and Burger King to phase PFAS out of packaging, Meunick said. Panera and Whole Foods are working to do that now.

It’s absolutely possible for companies to eliminate PFAS and other chemicals from food packaging, Irwin said. “There are many food packaging systems out there that don’t use these chemicals. And Michigan is a major center for packaging innovation and food products.”

This is Irwin’s second attempt to ban the chemicals in packaging. He said, “Legislation hasn’t gotten much traction in the past, but every year we learn more about PFAS.”

This time around, he has the support of the governor who on Oct. 27 issued an executive directive to limit the state’s purchase of products with PFAS.

And the Biden Administration recently announced a plan to “prevent PFAS from being released into the air, drinking systems and food supply.”

 

Similar bans have taken place in California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Maine, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.

Gun Lake Casino adds chophouse, craft beer bar to its entertainment offerings

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Recreation, Restaurants, Reviews, ,
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.

Gift card program designed to help minority business in Grand Rapids

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Wyoming’s Maya Mexican Grill and Bar is one of the restaurants participating in the gift card match. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Consumers Energy is partnering with the Michigan Municipal League Foundation to create a unique gift card program to let customers double their spending and help 40 minority-owned businesses in the Grand Rapids area.

The initiative is part of Consumers Energy’s Our Town program to assist small local businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Wyoming and Kentwood business are participating in the program such as Lindo Mexico and May Mexican Grill, Robinson Popcorn, Tamales Mary, and Bar in Wyoming and The Candied Yam in Kentwood.

Consumers Energy’s $55,000 contribution to the Michigan Municipal League Foundation is allowing the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber and Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses to provide $25 Mastercard gift cards to 40 of their member businesses.

“This unique partnership with the MML Foundation allows Consumers Energy to work with an important business segment facing challenges because of COVID-19 by increasing local spending in the greater Grand Rapids community,” said Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience.

Kentwood’s The Candied Yam also is participating in the gift card program. (Supplied)

Under the program, which kicks off today, patrons who spend a minimum of $25 at a participating location will receive a $25 Mastercard gift card that can be applied to their purchase or spent at any of the participating businesses. Each business will receive an equal number of gift cards for distribution, but supplies are limited and are expected to sell out quickly.

 

The program is also backed by the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, which is working to advance community wealth through strategic partnerships and investments in strong, diverse leadership for Michigan communities and place-based initiatives that drive equitable outcomes.

Foundation President Helen D. Johnson said an essential part of this gift card program is how it is geared toward underserved communities and minority-owned businesses. Johnson also thanked Consumers Energy and Grand Rapids area leaders for their tremendous commitment to this program.

“The MML Foundation is proud to join Consumers Energy and the Grand Rapids area in supporting this gift card effort. This program will provide much needed financial assistance to our local businesses that need it the most in emerging from the pandemic,” Johnson said. “Our Foundation believes in community wealth building and enhancing the human experience in our communities in ways that share economic prosperity for everyone. That is exactly what this program does.”

“This is a great way to directly help our local businesses hit so hard by the pandemic,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, a past Michigan Municipal League Board president. “I appreciate Consumers Energy’s focus on local communities, the support from the MML Foundation and the work from the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber and Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses to make this a reality.”

More information, including a list of participating restaurants, is available by visiting Home – WMHCC  and GRABB Local . 

Lakeshore restaurant week returns this month

Entertainment, Local Entertainment,
Hamburger by Mikey is one of 12 restaurants participating in the Muskegon Lakeshore Restaurant Week. (Supplied)

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner
joanne@wktv.org

The Muskegon Lakeshore Restaurant Week 2021 is back beginning Friday, March 19, through Saturday, March 27, with area restaurants supplying a wide range of food specials for both dine-in and take-out customers.

Sponsored by Cumulus Media radio stations 98.3 WLCS; V-100 WVIB; Sunny 92.5; and NASH Icon WLAW – “the Muskegon Lakeshore Restaurant Week allows dining spots throughout Muskegon to show-off what they can do best”, said Rich Berry, Director of Sales for Cumulus Media – Muskegon.

“With Covid 19 altering our lives for the past year, we waited for what we thought was the best time for everyone to feel like it is safe to frequent their favorite restaurants,” Berry explained. “Governor Whitmer has expanded the number of people who can dine in to 50% capacity and the weather is starting to get nice. Vaccinations are also happening. People are becoming more comfortable with getting out or doing take-out.”

At this time 12 area restaurants and possibly several more will be participating. “We put this together very quickly,” said Berry. “We were constantly polling restaurants, asking them when they thought we should do it. About three weeks ago, several said that now was the time.”

The Muskegon Lakeshore Restaurant Week began in 2014 and was originally held in November. In 2020, it was moved to late February, right before the Covid 19 outbreak in mid-March.

Here is a list of the participating restaurants:
• Walker’s Restaurant
• Dr. Rolf’s Barbecue
• Hamburger Mikey
• The Glenside Pub
• Smash Wine Bar & Bistro
• Pub 111
• Soul Filled Eatery
• Hearthstone Bistro
• Lake House Waterfront Grille
• The Northside Pub
• Pizza Ranch
• IHOP

Snapshots: A few things to do this weekend

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern

There are no mistakes, only opportunities.

Tina Fey


GG Reindeer Farm will be open this Saturday to visit the reindeer.

Visit the Reindeer

Bring the family out this weekend and meet the reindeer at the GG Reindeer Farm, 3754 76th St. SE, Caledonia. Guests can feed apples to the reindeer and take pictures on Santa’s sleigh. It is free to visit but donations are appreciated and all events will be held outside. The reindeer will be taking visitors Saturday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reindeer visits will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again on Friday, Dec. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more information.


The Crowds: The New Age will be at The Getty Drive-In this weekend. (DreamWorks)

Go to the Drive-In

It will be Christmas movie overload this weekend at the Getty Drive-In, 920 E. Summit Ave., Muskegon. Saturday will be ‘The Croods: A New Age” / “The Christmas Chronicles 2” and “Die Hard” / “All My Life,” and Sunday will include “Die Hard” / “All My Life,” and “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” / “Elf.” Movie time is 5:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $6.50. Children 5 and under are free.


Area restaurants have come up with creative ways to provide outdoor seating. (Photo by Experience GR)

Eating in a bubble

Oh we are all so tired of eating at home so area restaurants are providing an alternative: creative outdoor dining experiences. These experiences range from enclosed patios to eating in mini-outdoor domes and bubbles. Many of the locations are heated and often require reservations. As one person put it, “when are you going to get a chance to eat out like this in the dead of winter?” So snap up the opportunity and support those local restaurants. For a complete list of outdoor venues, visit Experience GR.


Fun Fact: KFC for Christmas dinner


In America, traditional Christmas dinner can range from turkey to cold cuts, but rarely does it include Kentucky Fried Chicken. However, in Japan KFC is the meal of choice for the holiday. The story is: hoping to establish KFC in the Japanese market, the manager of the first KFC marketed the fried chicken “party barrels” as a substitute to the American Christmas dinner of turkey. In 1974, KFC picked up the campaign and as Christmas became more popular in Japan, KFC became the holiday dinner of choice. Today, it is estimated 3.6 million Japanese families treat themselves to KFC on Christmas and is about five percent of Japan’s KFC’s annual revenue. Japan is third in sales for KFC behind the United States and China. 

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.

To-go ordering an ingredient for survival

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Restaurants, WKTV Projects, , ,
One of Hopcat’s locations on East Beltline added a large tent to accommodate customers in a more open setting. (WKTV/Tom Norton)

By Tom Norton
tom@wktv.org

Through most of the pandemic people in West Michigan have largely avoided restaurants. In many cases restaurant dine-in business is down as much as 60 percent. But for many restaurant owners, surviving financially on 40 percent of what business you had pre-COVID is not enough. The saving grace for many restaurants and the reason they may be able to survive once the pandemic is finally declared over is in two simple words:  take out.

If you walked into Stella’s Lounge on Commerce, HopCat on East Beltline, Grand Rapids Brewing Company on Ionia, Pietros on 28th Street, or Cottage Bar on LaGrave Avenue, on any night pre-COVID you would have found nearly all the tables full. Stella’s became synonymous with burgers customers would swear by. With its now iconic logo, Hopcat was holding its popularity as a place with an extensive beer list and casual dining. Now, five months into the pandemic, the social distancing has severely limited seating creating a financial strain on all restaurants that has been immense. 

Stella’s Lounge in downtown Grand Rapids. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“It seemed like the situation would change almost daily,” said Mark Sellers, Barfly Ventures founder and the owner of Hopcat, Stella’s and the Grand Rapids Brewing Company.  “There were the unemployment issues and PPG funding along with getting loans and applications in and there’s been little time for anything else. We’re actually working harder even though sales are down.”

But even with a 60 percent reduction in sales, Sellers may be in a better position than some restaurant owners. While the number of restaurants he has has helped, Sellers chalked survival up to one primary element: creativity.

“If you talk to the restaurant owners today, the last five months have been the most creative of their careers,” he said, adding that for many, launching the to-go side of their operations was like launching a second restaurant with in itself. Sellers’ restaurants came up with different names and different logos for the to-go side and along with the massive amounts of change for COVID safety, it all caused a shift in thinking how a business would run.

“It’s been a constant creative process in navigating during this time,” Sellers said.

Asked what he envisions post pandemic, Sellers admited to being both a pessimist and optimist.

“I don’t think it’s going to go back to 100 percent,” Sellers said. “People have formed habits through DoorDash and eating at home. There’s going to be a permanent behavior change and take-out and delivery will remain more important than it used to be, ” he said, adding that once they start growing again, restaurants may be designed smaller with a greater focus on take-out and delivery.

Pietro’s Restaurant on 28th and Breton. (WKTV/Tom Norton)

Across town,  Pietro’s Restaurant has been anchored near 28th Street and Breton in Kentwood for nearly 50 years and owner Tim Fellows saw his restaurant shuttered for 70 days while they waited for the re-open order. When it came, the Pietro’s team saw a return, but with social distancing rules, only to 50 percent capacity. Like every restaurant scrambling to survive, Fellows said they stepped up their game for curbside service, but he quickly discovered though that for some delivery services the percentage they charged the restaurant limited the menu items available to the customer.

“We wanted our customer to have the full menu experience,” Fellows said. This led to Pietro’s using delivery mainstays such as GrubHub and Delivery.com, which charge a percentage that also allowed the iconic Italian eatery to offer their more expanded menu.

“Some of the delivery services charged a higher percentage and we felt that took away menu choices from our customers, so we’ve stayed with the standard delivery services that accommodate our needs as well,” he said.
And several months ago, downtown Grand Rapids saw a burgeoning dining scene with new eateries opening, it seemed, monthly. From the urban hip areas growing up around Stocking Avenue and Bridge Street to Wealthy Street to Michigan Avenue, Grand Rapids was on track to hold its own with any city its size in choices for eateries.

The oldest restaurant in the Grand Rapids area is The Cottage Bar. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

That’s all suddenly changed and Dan Verhil, the owner of the iconic Cottage Bar — the oldest restaurant in Grand Rapids — said he feels for any restaurateur who had the misfortune of opening up just prior to the pandemic. Since opening in 1927 and with Verhil’s ownership since 1980, The Cottage Bar has had plenty of time to establish a routine clientele.  
“Our customers thank us for staying around,” Verhil said. The Cottage Bar has had to alter its menu to the items Verhil believes will travel best. The restaurant still offers a small, but cozy outdoor seating area to accommodate diners who want to still experience a sit-down restaurant. 

 While 93 years of existence does make The Cottage Bar’s  roots run deep, Verhil recognizes big changes sweeping through the industry.   
“Dining out has been becoming more casual over the years,” Verhil said. “It used to be in the 70s and 80s that dining out was a special occasion, but now it’s pretty casual,” he said.

Verhil also pointed out that the take-out trend has been increasing even before the pandemic.

“It used to be 15 percent of our business,” he said, “but now it’s at 50 percent and climbing. So much so that we’re going to be launching a mobile way for ordering.”

The Cottage Bar has also seen a significant change in to-go packaging where the industry has invested in better technologies, pointing out the example of how fries used to stay crisp for just 10 minutes, but now can hold for up to 40 minutes.

The one thing Verhil pointed out is even though take-out is growing and drive through restaurants seemed perfectly situated for a pandemic situation, take-out and drive through will not replace the dining experience.

“A take-out window just can’t do that,” he said. “Inside you have a server making suggestions from food to wine. It’s all part of that experience.”  
Fellows over at Pietro’s adds to that saying that customers have shown their appreciation for the dine-in experience by being very gracious to the servers.

And whether it’s take-out or dine-in, all seem to agree that if anything, the near seismic shifts in the industry over the last few months have taught them all to be better and to think creatively in order to survive. Advertising guru William Bernback said it best when he said that “creativity is the most practical thing a business can employ.”  Any restaurateur today would readily agree. 

Hand2Hand creates a win-win by helping families and keeping local restaurants busy

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As food supplies diminished during the recent statewide Stay Home, Stay Safe order, Hand2Hand officials were left with how to secure large quantities of food to help feed the thousands of children who rely on the organization and its church partners for weekend meals.

 

“Our founder Cheryl Hondred was praying on how we could feed these families also knowing that area restaurants were deeply impacted by COVID-19 as well,” said Jodi Joseph, director of growth for Hand2Hand. “Then she had this idea and it just started to grow.”

The idea became the Win Win program where Hand2Hand was able to take matching grant money to purchase gift cards from local businesses which in turn the organization would give to families to purchase meals at the restaurant.

Lombardo’s Pizza, 2307 Lee St. SW, Wyoming, was one of the 30 restaurants that participated in the Hand2Hand Win Win program. (WKTV)

Local restaurants were asked to create meals, not including drinks, that  would feed a family of four but that the restaurant would still make a profit on, Joseph said. Gift cards would be purchased for $10, $15, or $20 and then distributed to the families who in turn could go to the restaurant to get the WinWin meal, she said.

“We were just blown away by the generous response of the community,” Joseph said. The Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation and the David and Carol Van Andel Foundation provided a $30,000 matching grant. Community members stepped up to foundations’ challenge contributing $40,000 to the program allowing Hand2Hand to raise a total of $70,000 in a short time. 

“We have given out 4,100 gift cards and have heard numerous stories and testimonies from families who were so grateful to receive a warm cooked meal from restaurants that treated them so well,” said Hand2Hand Founder and Executive Director Cheri Hondred in a wrap up video about the program.

Through the effort, Hand2Hand was able to connect with more than 30 restaurants from 17 of the 37 school districts that the organization serves.  Some of the restaurants were Two Guys Brewing, Lombardo’s, and Russ’s in Wyoming and The Candied Yam in Kentwood.

“At a very early age, my twin sissy and I experienced the pain of being hungry before we were adopted,” said Jessica Ann Tyson, owner of the Candied Yam as to why she participated in the Hand2Hand Win Win program. “Being able to partner with organizations, like Hand2Hand, gives us the opportunity to empathize and give back in a way that makes a big difference to someone. We are also grateful to keep our team working so we can continue making this food with great love to share with others.”

Wyoming’s TwoGuys Brewing also participated in the Hand2Hand Win Win program. Pictured is TwoGuys managing partnerTom Payne. (WKTV)

Nick Lombardo owner of Wyoming’s Lombardo Pizza, located at 2307 Lee St. SW, said the program did help in bringing traffic to his restaurant.

“The first couple of weeks we were down,” said Lombardo, who’s restaurant is mostly takeout and delivery. He added that the opportunity to be a part of the Win Win program gave the restaurant a chance to give back while keeping busy at the sametime. 

  

Hand2Hand, which is based in Hudsonville, partners with about 119 area churches and businesses to provide weekend backpacks to more than 8,000 area students in 206 schools. Gift cards were dispersed to families who are part of the Hand2Hand program.

Now that the Stay Home, Stay Safe order has ended, the Win Win program also has wrapped up as well. Looking back at its success, Hondred, through the Hand2Hand blog said the program really was a blessing to the families as it provided a break and a special treat to them while providing stability and income to the partnering 30 restaurants.

Brewery Vivant is presenting sponsor for 6th Annual Fork Fest

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, , , , , , , ,

defaultvivantBrewery Vivant will be the presenting sponsor at Grand Rapids Fork Fest this year and LocalFirst is excited for the brewery/restaurant to participate in this festival of local food and beverage entrepreneurs.

 

This year the popular event returns to Romence Gardens, 265 Lakeside Drive, NE. The event is set  for Oct. 20 from 5 – 9 p.m.

 

Brewery Vivant is a great advocate for this event because the owners truly embody what Fork Fest is all about. They believe a great business exists because of the support of its local community and, therefore, has the opportunity to be an active extension of that community.

 

Fork Fest is a great platform for Vivant to showcase its message: When food and beer are paired together, it can elevate both to a new level of enjoyment. For example, a great pairing at Brewery Vivant can be found in one of the pub’s staple brews, Farm Hand, a French-style farmhouse ale, with the kitchen’s divine duck nachos. The bright acidity of Farm Hand perfectly complements the richness of the duck.

 

defaultnachosOne beer Brewery Vivant owners are particularly excited to bring this year is Pumpkin Tart: a farmhouse pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin and spices. Its ability to pair with autumn desserts and entrees will astound Fork Fest attendees.

 

More than 40 West Michigan’s restaurants, farms, grocers, bakeries, breweries and more will be participating in the 6th Annual Folk Fest. New this year will be an on-site butchering demonstration by Louise Earl Butcher.

 

All samples are included in the ticket and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. For more information, visit the LocalFirst website.

Is ArtPrize the New Christmas?

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Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year. (Photo reprinted by permission from Engine and Matt Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.)
Jess McDonald at Rockwell Republic says ArtPrize is now the busiest season of the year.

By Matt Gryczan

 

Downtown Grand Rapids restauranteurs say that ArtPrize has eclipsed Christmas as the busiest season for walk-in traffic — and that can be a double-edged sword for a restaurant that isn’t prepared for the people crush.

 

But the boost in patronage is a welcomed problem, particularly since it smooths out the sometimes feast-or-famine nature of serving food downtown. Another interesting note: the number of new faces entering your door can depend on if there’s a hot entry nearby.

 

“This is the biggest three weeks of the year for us, hands down,” said Jess McDonald, day manager of the Rockwell half of Rockwell Republic at 45 S. Division Ave. “ArtPrize helps to bring in all sorts of new clients.”

 

The colorful chalkboard on the sidewalk at Rockwell Republic said it all: “ArtPrize 2016 — Stop in for food & Art.” There was a steady flow of patrons for the arts and dining on Thursday morning, some who lingered to savor Corrine Hudson’s entry in oils, “Abstract Landscape.”

 

“Do you have any more art?” one visitor asked. There was, on the Republic side of the business that was closed for serving lunch, but open for people to saunter through its temporary gallery of 6 other artworks.

 

“In all honesty, the traffic of new people can depend on where the pieces are located,” Jess said. “Popular pieces obviously bring in more people.”

 

San Chez Bistro around the corner from Rockwell Republic on Fulton Street steels its waitstaff for the three-week event where “you work your bones to the core,” said proprietor Cindy Schneider. “ArtPrize can make or break a restaurant for the year, especially if you’re not ready for waves of people. The food has to be tasty, hot and on-time to the table.”

 

During the 8-year run of ArtPrize, she’s seen two restaurants struggle near her location at 38 W. Fulton St. as they tried to ride the event’s wave. They both opened shortly before ArtPrize and closed only a few weeks later.

 

“They didn’t show well,” Cindy said. “They were slammed by the crowds, and people didn’t have the type of experience you need to bring them back again. The time to open is just after ArtPrize, and take the year to get ready.”

 

Like Rockwell Republic, San Chez sees more walk-in traffic during ArtPrize than Christmas or any other season of the year now.

 

It’s uncertain if ArtPrize trumps Christmas as the busiest season, depending on how you define the season and include outside events such as holiday parties, said Hillary Smith, general manager of Bistro Bella Vita at 44 Grandville Ave. SW, “but it’s 100% certain that ArtPrize is a very important time for us.”

 

She said the restaurant starts to organize its waitstaff starting in July to make sure everything is up to snuff when ArtPrize starts. “We don’t necessarily need to add staff, because we have a big staff here anyway, but we do need to be organized.”

 

Story and photo printed with permission from Engine and Matthew Gryczan. All copyrights reserved.

 

 

Time to Split, Croatia

3-bottom, architecture, Education, Entertainment, Holidays, Travel, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

34

Welcome to this week’s chapter in the ongoing series by our world traveler, Lynn Strough. Here, Lynn takes us to Split, Croatia.

Split is a vibrant town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, which is known for Diocletian’s Palace, a fortress-like structure erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century. Now it’s full of restaurants, shops, cathedrals, hotels, and tourists.

38

Note that the cruise ships dump huge crowds here, but if you see the tour guides holding up a flag followed by the masses, just head the other direction. They usually go for the area with the most souvenir shops.

 

If you’re in the old town at the right time, you might bump into some men in metal or possibly even Santa Claus or Dumbledore.

 

You’ll notice many interesting architectural details both on the ground and up in the air if you climb the bell tower, which I have to say is a really high one! Inside the walls, you’ll find the beautiful Croatian National Theatre and just outside the walls, a colorful market.

 

 

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Speaking of walls, there is a fair amount of graffiti, but most of it is artistic and interesting. Oftentimes in Split, you’ll stumble on to a flea market, and you never know what you might find. And after the sun goes down, the colorful lights come on, if you’re into late nights with food festivals and free concerts… free, unless you care to donate some spare Kuna.

 

10

If you tire of old town Split, there are many day trip opportunities, like taking a ferry to the island of Brac (pronounced “Brach”), which is known for its very famous beach, Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). This beach is a protected nature park and it changes shape under the influence of tides and waves.

 

If water and beaches aren’t your thing, there’s Trogir, another walled village a short bus ride away from Split. It has the usual fortress you can climb for a view, plus canals, shops, restaurants, churches and the like for you to explore. Or you can set up office with a pizza and free wifi, if you need to get a little travel blogging done.

 

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Now, after a month in Croatia, it’s time for me to split Split and head to Slovenia. But looking back, what’s not to love about Croatia? I’d go back in a heartbeat, and highly recommend it for a beautiful, affordable, fun and sun-filled holiday for you.

 

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something-year-old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

12

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

 

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

What to bring when you travel: The eternal dilemma

3-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Local Faces, Travel, , , , , ,

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

17This week, Lynn interrupts her parade of places to bring you a comprehensive packing post (at least from a woman’s perspective—guys, you’ll have to adjust accordingly).

This packing list is for long-term travel on a budget, mostly following summer. It’s not for a short-term trip to a big city where you’ll be dining out every night in fancy restaurants, or on a cruise with formal dinner parties, although I think even with what I have, I could make do. This list can take you from hiking in the mountains to lounging on beaches, to perusing museums, to wine tasting, to dining out at a fish shack or a 4-star restaurant.

 

Note: This kind of travel isn’t about making a fashion statement, although it’s nice to look presentable. It’s about being comfortable, warm and dry (except maybe when snorkeling or diving), and having a great time exploring our beautiful world.

14

 

Try to leave a little empty space in your bag for acquisitions, as you’re bound to see something you like, and it would be nice to have room to carry it. The hardest part of my trip is that moment each time I move (which is frequent) when I try to zip my backpack closed, because as light as I’ve packed, I still have too much stuff.

 

And if you’re traveling to Southeast Asia, you can go with just what you have on and an empty backpack and buy a complete wardrobe for about the price of one quick-dry name brand outfit back home.

 

Just remember, those elephant pants that look so cool out on the street in Thailand might look a little out of place back in the mid-west, but if you’re a bit of a bohemian, who cares?

 

 

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Ready? Here we go!

 

Packing List:

  • Kindle (1,000 books for the size and weight of one)
  • 1 pair jeans (I brought one pair, and despite how long they take to dry, I’m glad I did)
  • 1 pair gray quick-dry hiking pants
  • 1 pair quick-dry black pants (can be used for dress or casual or pajamas)
  • 1 pair quick-dry green capris
  • 1 pair black tights (can wear with a dress or layer under pants for warmth)
  • 1 pair quick-dry tan shorts
  • 1 black quick-dry dress
  • 1 brown quick-dry skort (skirt with shorts built in)
  • 1 quick-dry white blouse (I’d have picked a different color, given a good choice—white might look nice, but not for long)
  • 1 gray t-shirt—long-sleeved, quick-dry
  • 1 black long-sleeved, lightweight cotton shirt (alternates as a pajama top)
  • 1 brown patterned, quick-dry top with long sleeves (patterns are good as they hide the dirt)
  • 1 patterned quick-dry green t-shirt
  • 1 green quick-dry, short-sleeved t-shirt
  • 1 striped quick-dry, short-sleeved shirt
  • 2 cotton tank tops
  • 1 striped sleeveless top, brown and black
  • 1 black quick-dry, sleeveless hiking top
  • 1 taupe cotton long-sleeved top with black tank (layers for warmth and tank can be used for pajama top in hot weather)
  • 3 pair hiking socks
  • 2 pair short black socks
  • Hiking boots
  • 1 pair cushy flip flops
  • 1 pair Tom’s shoes (couldn’t find summer walking shoes, so I took my old Tom’s as a temp solution. They ended up lasting me five months and I was sorry when they bit the dust)
  • Gloves (lightweight)
  • Bathing suit
  • Sarong (multiple uses—skirt, dress, beach cover-up, nightgown, towel, blanket, tablecloth)
  • 1 pair short pajama bottoms
  • 2 thin decorative scarves
  • 7 pair quick-dry bikini underwear (you can get away with 3 pair if they’re quick-dry, but my 7 rolled up only take up the room of a pair of socks or 2, and I like not having to do laundry every day)
  • 2 bras
  • A few pair of inexpensive earrings, rings, necklaces (leave your good jewelry at home, you’re likely to lose it, and flashy stuff makes you more of a target for thieves)
  • Rain jacket and rain pants
  • Fleece jacket and thin cardigan
  • Pashmina (can be used as a blanket or a shawl)
  • Packing cubes
  • Silk sleep sack (you might not need this often, but when you do it’s nice to have and takes up the room of 2 pairs of socks)
  • Money belt (not the most comfortable, but important to have)
  • Pack towel (a bit pricey up front, but well worth it—they’re quick-dry, antimicrobial, and pack up small)
  • Door stop (cheap, small, with a big security factor)
  • Drain plug (can’t tell you how many times I’ve used this!)
  • Converter kit (I only use the adaptor plugs, as my phone and computer have their own, and many appliances like hair dryers now come with a way to switch the current)
  • Tiny keychain flashlight
  • Small packets of laundry soap (you can always buy more where you go)
  • Mini-sewing kit
  • Wet Wipes
  • Snacks (just a few for on the plane, you can always buy more wherever you go. Keep in mind many countries don’t allow fruit or nuts in, so eat them before you arrive)
  • Reading glasses
  • Regular glasses and sunglass clips
  • Sunglasses
  • Zip-lock plastic bags, quart and gallon size (bring more than you think you’ll need—you’ll use them all and wish you had more)
  • TSA-approved locks for backpack and daypack
  • Travel document pouch with passport, driver’s license, credit cards, debit cards, plane ticket (always bring at least 2 credit cards—if one is compromised, you’ll have another one for back up)
  • Small amount of cash in US dollars (bring some ones, and make sure they’re new, not creased or torn—some places will only take new bills.)
  • Immunization certificate
  • 10 extra passport pictures (for visas—you can get them abroad but it’s a hassle)
  • iPhone (I use this as my camera, but otherwise add camera to your list)
  • iPod for music
  • Small notebook
  • Lightweight 11″ Macbook Air Laptop
  • Cords and plugs for computer, phone, spare battery, Kindle
  • Spare battery charger (I use this almost every day)
  • Earbuds for iPod
  • Backpack (up to you if you want a roller bag or backpack, both have advantages and disadvantages)
  • Small zip-off daypack
  • Small purse
  • Dop kit
  • Pocket-sized plastic poncho
  • Water bottle
  • Whistle
  • Length of nylon rope (can be used for a clothesline, among other things)
  • Spork (small plastic spoon/fork/knife all in one)
  • Prescriptions (bring what you think you’ll need as you may not be able to get the same thing abroad, however I was able to get my migraine rx for a fraction of the cost in both New Zealand and Thailand – $5 vs the $40 a pill I have to pay in the States!)
  • Antibiotic—general rx for potential intestinal problems
  • Epipen for allergy
  • Ibuprofin
  • Aspirin
  • Benadryl
  • Pepto Bismol
  • Bonine for motion sickness
  • Health and beauty aids—remember, airlines have rules about small quantities in a clear plastic quart bag. You can always pick up shampoo, toothpaste, etc. where you’re going.
  • Shampoo and cream rinse
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
  • Razor and extra blades
  • Mascara, liner and remover
  • Lipstick
  • Chapstick
  • Brush/comb
  • Hair ties
  • Headband
  • Eye and face cream
  • Body lotion
  • Soap
  • Facewash
  • Sunscreen
  • Deodorant
  • Tweezers (make sure you put tweezers, nail clippers and nail files in checked bags; some airports really will take them)
  • Nail file
  • Nail clippers
  • Contacts and solution (bring extra contacts)
  • Eye drops
  • Hair dryer/flatiron (you can really leave these at home)
  • Swabs
  • Shower cap
  • Band aids
  • Tissues
  • Earplugs
  • Neosporin

 

Art supplies (something most of you probably won’t need):

  • Travel watercolor kit
  • Travel-size brushes
  • Paper
  • Refill paints
  • Spray bottle
  • Pencils and sharpener
  • Eraser
  • Pens – drawing and calligraphy
  • Small watercolor paintings as gifts for some of my longer-term hosts

 

Things you can get ahead, but I planned to get at my first destination:

  • Good walking shoes
  • Hat (more fun to buy on the road, unless you already have a favorite—make sure it’s crush-proof, as no matter how careful you are, somebody will sit on it or put their bag on top of it)
  • Bug spray (too many liquids are hard to carry. Almost any place you travel that you need these, they will be readily available)
  • Travel Umbrella

 

11That’s the list! Modify to suit your needs. This is pretty much all I needed in the first six months. You can figure that whatever you need for a week should just about cover you for a year, with a few exceptions. I did end up buying a base layer in Australia, as I’d planned to hike in the glaciers in New Zealand and had already been caught in rain and hail hiking in summer in Tasmania. These I don’t need often, but when I do, I’m glad I have them, and have used them for pajamas in chilly places as well. I also bought a wool beanie cap, and have worn that to bed, and used it out on the fjords in New Zealand. I left the gloves in a hostel for someone else in the give-away bin. I might need some down the road, but something had to go as I couldn’t zip my bag.

 

What have I brought that I haven’t used? I’m happy to say I’ve used almost everything I brought, except for things I’m glad I didn’t have to use, like motion sickness pills, and my Epi-pen (thankfully, no allergy-inducing mushrooms have crossed my lips), and my emergency whistle. I’ve used only one band aid when I cut my finger on a metal door hinge, and did have to use Benedryl for a couple of colds I picked up in a hostel and on the Tokyo trains (they wear those face masks for a reason).

 

3I’ve used my hairdryer only twice, even though I have long hair now, but if I’d been traveling in cold weather places instead of mostly following summer, I might have used it more. I brought a mini hair straightener and only used it once, so that was a waste of space. On the road, you need very little makeup, jewelry, or fancy clothes, unless you’re doing a very different kind of traveling. Really, it’s a nice break to not worry all the time what your hair looks like.

 

What did I wish I’d brought? More zip-lock baggies. You use them way more than you’d think, and even though you can purchase them most anywhere, I don’t really need a box of 50. Pretty much anything else you need you can find most places—toothpaste and shampoo, clothes, tissues, you name it, other countries have it too. I highly recommend quick-dry clothes, which you can’t always find in all countries, or in some, they’re very expensive, unless you want to be waiting for days for your heavy clothes to dry on the line. Most of the countries I’ve visited don’t use clothes dryers, which are so prevalent in the US. They use good old-fashioned clotheslines and pins. Which reminds me, throw a few clothespins in as well!

 

10What have I acquired? Very little. A pair of loose cotton “elephant” pants and a top in Thailand for my meditation retreat. Some clothes were loaned or given to me, and some clothes I gave away. I did buy a bikini in Australia—they have great bathing suits there. And women in their 80’s don’t hesitate to flaunt their stuff in two-piece bathing suits, so I got over my “I’m-too-old-for-a-bikini” mindset.

 

I replaced my years-old cardigan, and I’ve bought a few gifts for people who have provided me with accommodations or made the effort to come meet me, however with my minimal budget and lack of backpack space, plus no home of my own to ship things to, I haven’t bought much. It’s hard when you see so many cool things in other countries that you know you can’t get at home, and I’ve thought more than once I might like to be an importer and shop for a living

 

But back to packing—remember, whatever you do take along or pick up, you have to lug around, so think seriously about if it’s worth it.

 

25Also, remember when you pack your bag full and head off from a winter location, wearing your jeans and long-sleeved shirt and fleece jacket and hiking boots, and head to a summer place where the temperature is 99F, you aren’t going to want to keep wearing all of that heavy gear. So then where do you put it? In a kangaroo bag! And now you have three bags to tote around. Pack light, pack light, pack light. And bring twice as much money. That old adage, for better or worse, is true.

 

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something-year-old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.1

 

“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

 

 

 

travelynnlogoAll images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

Gird Your Loins: Valentine’s Day is Just Around the Corner

Education, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , , ,

 

By Victoria Mullen

As the dreaded V-Day draws ever nearer, it’s time for us–and I’m speaking for all three of me–to take stock of our current state of affairs. V-Day does not discriminate. The day is significant for those coupled and singled alike, if for no other reason than to keep capitalism alive and well.

Just how much was spent on this “holiday” last year? The answer is $18.9 billion. This bears scrutiny and a bit of a breakdown: $52.2 million for flowers (a grand time for the floral industry and much deserved); $50 million in jewelry; $38.3 million on apparel (surely not woolen socks); $18.6 million on specialty gifts (use your imagination); $7.2 million on movies; $7.1 million on restaurants; and $1.2 million on salons and spas.

This last item I daresay I do indeed covet.

As for poundage and number of items, there was and will be plenty of that: 58 million pounds of chocolate, 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and 8 billion Sweethearts will be purchased for the big day. All added up
that’s $1.7 billion spent on candy. Billion. Translated into calories… well, let’s not spoil things. In fact, let’s change the subject: Pets like V-Day, too, because their people will spend more than $700 million on gifts for their furry family members.

Clearly, I am in the wrong business.

How was this allowed to happen?

Someone was asleep at the wheel and then things got out of hand and now it’s too late to take it back. Suffice it to say, the industry was born and now we are left to deal with it.

What’s so special about Valentine’s Day? First off, it’s St. Valentine’s Day, and this romantic tradition has its roots in the Middle Ages when people chose a romantic partner on that particular day because they believed birds started mating. On that particular day.

I’m as confused as you are.

Actually, I have led you astray–the tradition dates back way earlier than the Middle Ages; it took root in the late 3rd century. The historical Saint Valentine was an early Christian martyred by the Romans. St. Valentine was a Roman priest during the reign of Roman emperor, and church persecutor, Claudius the Second–also known as Claudius the Cruel.

Claudius believed that unmarried soldiers made better fighters than married ones; single fighters were less likely to become distracted by wives and children back home. True to his name, Claudius the Cruel decided to ban all marriages and engagements in Rome. St. Valentine refused to be a party to this injustice, so he disobeyed the emperor’s orders and secretly married young couples. Once Valentine’s illegal acts were discovered, he was imprisoned, tortured and beheaded.

I’m a fan of do-gooders just like the next guy, but what did Valentine think would happen? He must have known that no good deed goes unpunished. Still, here’s a really key fact: Legend has it that while in prison, St. Valentine befriended the jailer’s daughter and left her a note signed “From your Valentine.”

But why February 14? Hint: It has to do with the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love celebrated by the Romans in the third century.

The Feast of Lupercalia honored, in part, Lupa, the she-wolf who suckled the infant orphans, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. That explains the name of the festival, Lupercalia, or “Wolf Festival.” Pagans observed the holiday on February 13 through 15, and believed it averted evil spirits and purified the city, releasing health and fertility.

Young men in ancient Rome celebrated Lupercalia by running naked through the streets and slapping young women with “shaggy thongs.” Sadly, this custom didn’t survive the ages and you won’t find a contemporary equivalent.

Plutarch expounded on the custom: “[M]any women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.”

Why did the Catholic church make such big deal out of this centuries later? Sure, hands were struck. But nobody was hurt or Plutarch surely would have written about it. Can you blame the upper-class women? Certainly naked youths running through the streets wasn’t a common sight, and you know how out of shape noblemen allow themselves to get.

A more disturbing festival ritual involved putting the names of young women in a box. Men drew the names and, as fate is wont to do, forced matches that often ended in marriage.

In 496 AD, in an effort to rid the country of the pagan festival and replace it with Christian goodness, Pope Gelasius declared that February 14 be celebrated as St. Valentines Day.

(By the way, did you know the Ides of February is the 13th? I didn’t even know February had an Ides.)

Is it in the cards?

Which brings us to contemporary times. Remember when you were in grade school and your teacher had you make a valentine for each kid in class–even someone you really, really hated–so that no one would feel left out? That custom began in the 1700s among adults, only back then, people were more discriminating about to whom they expressed their undying love and devotion. People back then took this shit seriously. They wrote special notes and letters–some of which were quite long–each one handwritten on regular writing paper. They used cursive, by the way.

Later, in the 1820s, papers were made especially for Valentine greetings. These became fashionable in the U.S. and Britain; in the 1840s commercially produced Valentine cards surged in popularity when Britain standardized its postal rates. These cards were flat paper sheets with colored illustrations and embossed borders. Fancy, yes, but functional, too: When folded and sealed with wax, the sheets could be mailed.

But what would a sweet, innocent tradition be without exploiting it? New England resident Esther Howland received an English Valentine one year and thought, “Hmmm.” She then began making her own cards and sold them in her father’s store. Daddy was a stationer.

The rest is history. If you really want to know all the details, go here. Fascinating stuff. Too many fun factoids to include in one essay.

Leaplings, rejoice!

Now, a little bit about Leap Year Day because it’s important, may be the answer to many a spinster’s wishes and it also falls in February.

Leap Day was introduced more than 2,000 years ago to keep the calendar year synchronized with the seasons. The Earth turns roughly 365-and-a-quarter times on its axis by the time it has completed a full year’s orbit around the sun. That means periodically the calendar has to catch up. A Leap Y
ear contains one extra day—February 29—for a total of 366 days.

Not very romantic, but it gets the job done, plus it gives people an excuse to celebrate yet another thing during dreary February.

Indeed, what is a once-in-four-years day without something special attached to it? Some countries have a tradition—quite popular, I understand—called Bachelor’s Day, which gives women the opportunity to propose marriage to men on February 29. The hitch is that if the man refuses, he has to buy the woman a dress or give her money. The European upper-crust had different consequences: If a man refused marriage, he was obliged to purchase 12 pairs of gloves for the woman.

I can see great potential in this custom for the entrepreneurial female, especially if she knows for certain the man will not accept her proposal, but only if he pays her handsomely or she gets to pick out the dress. Gloves I (er, she) can do without.

On the flip side, people in Greece considered marrying on leap day unlucky because they believed the couple would be likely to get divorced. I’ll let you in on a little secret: Greeks are overly superstitious. As I am of Greek descent, I can say this with impunity. While it is part of our charm, it can–and often does–wear thin. (But to be doubly safe, I do have an evil eye destroyer at home always at the ready.)

Those sneaky Victorians

The Victorians have a bad rep for being repressed and prudish. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is much to be said about playing coy and leaving everything to the imagination. One Victorian courting custom in particular allowed a woman to signal various emotions without making a fool of herself. Yes, a woman was allowed certain liberties: She could flirt with her fan, as this behavior was within the protocol of accepted behavior. Here are what different signals meant aka Exhibit A:

Fan fast–I am independent

Fan slow–I am engaged
Fan with right hand in front of face–Come on
Fan with left hand in front of face–Leave me
Fan open and shut–Kiss me
Fan open wide–Love
Fan half open–Friendship
Fan shut–Hate
Fan swinging–Can I see you home?

The last one implies that the woman will see the man home, a true role reversal if I ever saw one. Could it be–indeed, dare I hope–that equality among the sexes was evident at least a little bit during Victorian times?

What say ye?