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New Career Transitions Center aims to help West Michigan professionals land new jobs

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodA new West Michigan nonprofit group aims to be a catalyst for mid-career professionals who are seeking jobs or are ready to transition to a new career. The Career Transitions Center West Michigan (CTCwm) recently launched a series of free seminars and one-on-one meetings to introduce the organization's program of workshops and career coaching geared to help white collar professionals find and land new jobs. "We want to help people manage their own career path," says founder Russ Gardner. "Most people only seek jobs once or twice in their life and need strategies for their next steps. They need people to help them learn who's hiring, who's not and what jobs are out there – and they don't need to do it alone."CTCwm's four-month program has several facets that include ongoing one-on-one coaching with trained professionals, a weekly peer-to-peer support group, and four workshops that help job seekers learn new techniques and discover potential new career paths:• Know Yourself and Where You're Going• Present Your Best Self in Writing• Networking: An Essential Tool for Career and Life• Awesome Interviewing & Confident Negotiating"They'll build a manual of information from the workshops, and in the peer groups they'll get to bounce things off peers who are going through the same transition," Gardner says. "The career coaches are retired or working professionals who will act as a sounding board for clients."The organization is working to establish a bricks-and-mortar presence, Gardner says. Until then, activities will be held in a number of locations around West Michigan.The program costs $225."We realize clients will probably be pulling the money for the fee from other things they need to pay," Gardner says. "But in order to make sure people are invested, we want them to put a little skin in the game. The important thing is for them to know that they do not have to go through this journey by themselves."Source: Russ Gardner, Career Transitions Center West Michigan Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Crossroads Blueberry Market opens in West Olive

Thursday, July 22, 2010
After owning their blueberry farm for 10 years, Dave and Kelley Reenders have decided to expand to retail customers with the summer opening of Crossroads Blueberry Market in West Olive.

Casual dining restaurant and bar opening soon on Muskegon's waterfront

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodBy land or by lake, no matter how patrons arrive at a new waterfront restaurant in Muskegon, they'll find a bar and eatery with lakeside dining and fabulous views of Muskegon Lake sunsets. So says Jon Rooks of Parkland Properties, developer of The Lake House Waterfront Grille, 730 Terrace Point Blvd., the latest piece of a multi-million dollar renovation of The Shoreline Inn & Suites and Terrace Point Marina complex. The restaurant, formerly called Rafferty's, retained only its original structure. "Everything is brand new," Rooks says. "We added a herringbone maple floor and have 160 feet of windows facing the water. There's also a 160-foot-long deck out over the water that faces west for watching the sunsets."Most of a custom walnut and granite curved bar created by Troy Bosworth from Studio Wise is indoors; the rest, which is shaped like the aft of a boat, is outdoors. Patrons can enjoy their drinks on the deck, or on a patio under the Locust trees the grow through the floor. The Lake House opens July 28, offering a full drink menu, as well as dining creations by Chefs Dustin Schultz and Charlie Forrester. The menu ranges from appetizers like Lake House fish tacos and Tuscan bean and goat cheese dip, to sandwiches, burgers, pasta, steaks and seafood.Rooks says the complex takes up only five acres of the 20-plus-acre property. "I want to attract other developers to what I think is the best opportunity in Michigan right now, and that's the Muskegon shoreline," he says. "Muskegon has a host of amazing events occurring all year round," he adds. "People recognize that it's a great place to be in the summer. We want to use the hotel and restaurant to attract people and events in the nine months of the off-season. If the owners of the waterfront properties can work together, we can accomplish the synergy that's possible."Source: Jon Rooks, Parkland PropertiesRelated ArticlesVeteran developer renovates marina/hotel complex on downtown Muskegon's waterfrontDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Mexican Coca-Cola develops a cult-like following for its unique flavor

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Source: The Grand Rapids Press

Township in Montcalm County passes wind energy ordinance

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Source: Greenville Daily News

New Grand Rapids wine bar to offer 102 wines by the glass

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Source: Grand Rapids Press
A Grand Rapids Press report says customers at the planned Reserve wine bar can select from hundreds of wines by the glass and by the bottle, and enjoy them in a upscale atmosphere in the heart of the convention and hotel district.According to excerpts from the story:At Reserve, a downtown wine bar aiming to open in September, customers will be able to choose from 102 different wines by the glass. That's a lot of popped corks. But Martha's Vineyard owner Kameel Chamelly, who owns the new venture in partnership with the Windquest Group, is not worried about maintaining the quality of the open wine. The bar features a custom-made, 102-bottle cruvinet -- a temperature controlled wine dispensing system that uses nitrogen to keep the wine fresh for up to six months. Chamelly said the system will allow customers to sample high-end wines they would never consider ordering by the bottle. Read the complete story here.

Grand Rapids Whitewater receives $50K to hire engineering firm, secure $25K from DDA

Thursday, July 22, 2010
Source: Grand Rapids Press
The Grand Rapids Press reports that thanks to a $50,000 donation from a local brewery, Grand Rapids Whitewater can move forward with its plans to create a world class kayaking and fisherman's destination in the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids.According to excerpts from the story:Efforts to transform the Grand River downtown into a world-class kayaking and fisherman's paradise are expected to take a big step forward this week. Founders Brewing Co. plans to formally announce a gift that will enable Grand Rapids Whitewater, a nonprofit group developing the proposed whitewater course, to move forward with engineering and marketing. If all goes according to plan, a portion of the river south of the Fourth Street dam would become a challenging kayak course that also improves the fish habitat in the area. "This is something (co-founder) Dave Engbers and I and our whole group at Founders support," said Mike Stevens, president and co-founder of the brewery at 235 Grandville Ave. SW.Read the complete story here.
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For artist Joel Berry, the world can be black and white

Mitchell TerpstraThursday, July 15, 2010
Some art you pass by, some art you look at, and some art sucks you in. Local artist Joel Berry creates the third kind, turning everyday objects into art that is far from commonplace. 
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MidwestSIP answers the call for Internet voice services

Kelly Quintanilla Thursday, July 15, 2010
It's easy to get lost in the techie talk of VoIP, but Jason Brown and Chip Engelhard hope the bottom line will draw in more customers: cell calls without using plan minutes, cheap international calling and specialty applications such as hospital phone systems.
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G-Sync – The Changing Face of GR

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle EditorThursday, July 15, 2010
Every week our city is documented by a cast of characters, but Tommy Allen discovers it's you that has a starring role in the creation of the story.

City of Grand Rapids rolls out its new Single Stream Recycling program this month

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Grand Rapids residents can soon say goodbye to the city's blue recycling bins. Trash collectors will begin this month exchanging them with recycling carts on wheels as the city rolls out its much anticipated new Single Stream Recycling program.

City of Wayland chosen for Michigan Main Street program to rejuvenate downtown

Thursday, July 15, 2010
The city of Wayland in Allegan County is among three Michigan communities chosen to advance to the next level of the Michigan Main Street program, an intensive training program in which community leaders receive five years of technical assistance to revitalize their central business districts.

GRCC to offer Chinese and Arabic classes this fall

Thursday, July 15, 2010
In keeping with its mission of meeting the needs of the community, Grand Rapids Community College will offer for the first time Arabic and Chinese language classes for beginners starting this fall.

Ada-based Next Generation Enrollment Inc. expects to hire up to 10 more workers

Thursday, July 15, 2010
A growing Ada-based company serving as a third-party administer of employee healthcare benefits for small- to medium-sized companies expects to bring on board up to 10 more workers within 12 months after hiring nine new employees this year alone.

Catherine's Health Center expansion to make room for more doctors, patients in Grand Rapids

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodCatherine's Health Center has volunteer doctors and nurses waiting in the wings to serve patients – but the center's cramped quarters in the basement of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church doesn't have enough room.So Catherine's will move early next year to 6,500 square feet in the vacant St. Alphonsus School next door at 224-228 Carrier Street NE. "Our purpose is to [provide free health care] to the uninsured and underinsured," says Helen Lehman, board chair. "We handle about 400 patient visits a month with two volunteer physicians and a small paid staff. In the height of flu season, we might turn away 30 patients a day."The new facility will have six exam rooms, treatment rooms, a laboratory and a pharmacy. St. Alphonsus Church plans to move its clothing and food pantry into the building, Lehman says, making it convenient for patients to stop into both places in one trip. "A lot of our patients walk here or ride the bus," Lehman says. "About 76 percent of them are employed or have multiple jobs; these are the working poor who are just trying to put it all together – rent, shoes for the kids and healthcare."Lehman says the expansion will allow Catherine's to handle some 15,000 patient visits annually.The estimated $800,000 renovation goes out to bid soon. Lehman says Catherine's has received more than $1 million of its $1.3 million funding campaign, which will cover construction, furniture and equipment, and some operating expenses. "It was kind of the perfect storm for us to be right in the same neighborhood where we've worked for 16 years," she says. "We were sad to see the school go, but it was probably an answer to prayer that we have this space in the neighborhood."Source: Helen Lehman, Catherine's Health CenterDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Eastside Tattoos' new, compact digs allows Grand Rapids tattooist to focus on the art

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodTattooist Andy Zylstra says his new store at 856 Michigan St. NE is one-tenth the size of his old place on Wealthy Street, but the uncluttered atmosphere helps him focus on his art. Eastside Tattoos offers only tattooing – much of which is custom artwork by Zylstra, who has 12 years' experience as a tattoo artist and is also a watercolor artist."We have lots of flash (tattoo designs), we have hundreds, maybe thousands," says Zylstra. "But I mostly do custom stuff. People usually come in with an idea or a drawing or something printed off the computer. Other people just trust me and I do my own artwork; that's my favorite thing to do."Zylstra "can do pretty much any color" of ink, but his personal preference is to work in black and gray. "Black and gray goes with everything, it looks good, it weathers nicely," he says. "Lots of colors fade, but as black and gray fades it looks better and better."Most of Eastside Tattoos' customers are women, Zylstra says, so he does a lot of flowers, but also does Japanese designs and skulls. His most popular request is medieval-style script writing. A special thermal fax machine allows him to print outlines of images he transfers to customers' skin so they can see how a tattoo looks before making the commitment. Zylstra says his shop is licensed by the state of Michigan, complies with the requirements of the Kent County Health Department and has received an award of completion on blood borne pathogens from the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. "Everything gets sterilized, everything comes of out packages," he says. "Nothing is stored all together outside of its packaging like it was in the 1930s. That would be horrific."Store hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sundays and Tuesdays.Source: Andy Zylstra, Eastside TattoosDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Mixtape Cafe plans expansion, move to northwest side in Grand Rapids

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodMixtape Café owners Jean-René Renusson and Jessica Brady have plans to bring bigger national bands to Grand Rapids, and they'll soon have a large enough space where eager teens can attend the concerts in comfort. Mixtape Café will move at the end of this month from its location on South Division Avenue to nearly 6,000 square feet at 1115 Taylor NW, the renovated Waddell Furniture Manufacturing plant. The company's new name will be MXTP, a name Brady says stands for a more evolved venue."We do five bands a night, seven shows a week of live music," Brady says. "We're an all-ages venue; we don't serve alcohol and our clientele is between ages 13 and 25. We bring in national, regional and local acts. The area on South Division is building up and is a really neat neighborhood, but there are a lot of homeless shelters, and who knows what's going on outside. It's really difficult to convince parents that it's a safe location."The new location is a garden level space in the same building as Dog Story Theater. Brady says that besides the concert area with its new stage, sound system and lighting, the new venue will have a green room for the bands and lounge areas where concert-goers can relax. "Kids have a place to go that's not at their parents' house and it's not at a bar," Brady says. "We have security, so the atmosphere is controlled and we don't tolerate any drugs or alcohol. "The local bands are what really draw in the crowds," she says, "and we give them a chance to open for a larger band."New Found Glory will headline the grand opening show on August 13. Source: Jessica Brady, Mixtape Café Related Articles$4 Million factory renovation underway in North Monroe$4M factory rehab brings new restaurant and nine condos to North MonroeDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Helping low income kids prompts Muskegon entrepreneurs to open downtown clothing store

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Deborah Johnson WoodWorlie Johnson wasn't making the kind of money he used to make, and he and his wife Mary had to cut back on their charitable giving. So they launched SPELLBOUND, a men's and women's clothing and shoe store at 942 Terrace in Muskegon. The Johnsons began SPELLBOUND several years ago as a program promoting history and spelling bees in schools, and awarded prizes to the winners. The new storefront allows them to continue providing for kids' basic needs: free haircuts, clothing, shoes, and funding for small scholarships for track athletes and for beauty schools. "I worked at Pete's Shoebox and learned the business," says Worlie Johnson. "I was earning money for the scholarships. After the economy got bad, I took what I had saved up and got an account for 48 pair of shoes with Stacy Adams." The store also sells designer clothing – men's suits, women's dresses – and clergy shirts, carrying enough inventory for customers to find what they want. Most items are custom ordered and delivered in three to five days, says Johnson. Discounts are given to anyone who brings in a ticket stub showing they supported a school event, receipts from certain barbershops in town, or who say they belong to a worship community. One way or another, the couple has funded free haircuts for school kids since 2005, says Johnson. The latest method is a deal through the store for free shoes for barbers providing the haircuts. Johnson says many of the barbers give the free haircuts and don't bother collecting on the free shoes. "We started this to be a help to the community," Johnson says. "We wanted to do whatever we could do to alleviate the pain for the kids."Source: Worlie Johnson, SPELLBOUND; Ed Garner, Muskegon Area FirstDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Van Andel Institute and Calvin College named as two of the top ten academic workplaces

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Source: WOOD-TV

Obama to visit Holland to help break ground on new lithium-ion battery plant

Thursday, July 15, 2010
Source: Holland Sentinel
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