It’s been said there’s no such thing as a free lunch. That may be true, but if you’re a healthcare worker, on Friday, May 3, there will be such thing as a free cup of coffee. In fact, any drink of any size on the Scooter’s Coffee menu will be free of charge to customers who present a valid healthcare ID. The first 50 customers who redeem the free drink offer at each Scooter’s Coffee location will also receive a special Healthcare Heroes sticker. From their trademarked “caramelicious” concoctions to the robust espresso drinks, served hot, iced, or blended. The choices are abundant. Pair the com ..read more

Sweet pineapple juice and spicy jalapeño pepper combine for a flavorful twist on the classic margarita. Served on the rocks with a salted rim, this Spicy Pineapple Margarita is perfect for Cinco de Mayo festivities or your next Taco Tuesday. Photo by Katy McAvoy. This cocktail is easy to adjust based on personal preference. Want a spicier drink? Muddle the jalapeño slices in the shaker along with the pineapple juice before adding the other ingredients. Don’t like it spicy? Leave out the peppers for a delicious pineapple margarita. Serves one.   Ingredients Photo by Katy McAvoy 2 oz blanco ..read more

It’s Kentucky Derby week! That means Saturday is my favorite two minutes of the year. We’ll get to some special Derby cocktails in a few minutes, but it’s also full on spring and that means golf season. Earlier this spring, I sat down with Kent Country Club’s Jason Brower, director of membership and communications. It was a great chat and I am absolutely fascinated by the history of Kent Country Club, the oldest in Michigan. In fact, when it started, it was small course with a clubhouse on Fisk Lake in East Grand Rapids before moving on over to its existing location. The clubhouse is full of h ..read more

Tardy’s Collectors Corner in Grand Rapids announced it will participate in National Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The comic store, in business since 1979, is located at 2009 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, and is one of two locations that will be participating in the free comic giveaway. The other is Tardy’s Underground Comics & Collectibles, located at 228 1/2 Trowbridge St. in Allegan. Why May 4th, you ask? Well, it’s not just any ordinary day—it’s Star Wars Day! May the fourth be with you, always. This cosmic coincidence has sparked a tradition in the comic book universe ..read more

Prepare for an exciting lineup of musical performances this summer with the Tuesday Evening Music Club at Meijer Gardens. The Ayers Basement Systems has announced the 2024 lineup of local and regional talents. This series promises to spotlight the best of them amidst the picturesque backdrop of West Michigan’s outdoor beauty. “We’re honored to be a part of this premiere music series,” said Ed Krieger, CEO of Ayers Basement Systems. “We believe a single action can spread to something more, creating a ripple effect. The full extent of each ripple, we’ll likely never know, but we’re certain that ..read more

A lot of bars end up with a certain late-night crowd, but only one won Best Late Night Dining and Drinks. That’s Blue Dog Tavern, 638 Stocking Ave. NW. Blue Dog has a cool, old location with plenty of history, despite just opening its current iteration in 2014. Blue Dog also won Best Tater Tots and Best Poutine (see the list of winners and finalists below). Its big menu of various all beef hot dogs and burgers, along with a smattering of shareables and its giant menu of tots helps explain why people don’t mind ending the night at The Blue Dog. There are seven types of tater tot choices, includ ..read more

Here at Grand Rapids Magazine, we are thrilled to announce the release of our highly anticipated May/June issue, showcasing the winners of the Best of Grand Rapids readers’ survey. The issue will highlight our readers’ top restaurants, bars, museums, entertainment venues, shops, salons, personalities— more than 135 categories in total. To celebrate, we’re hosting a “Best of Grand Rapids” party on May 10, 6-11 p.m. at New Vintage Place, 889 Broadway NW, a stylish venue with free parking! Guests can expect three floors of festivities, including top-notch food and drinks from our finalists, and ..read more

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT The West Michigan real estate conversation for many of us. It’s definitely a hot issue, whether it’s because we’re looking to buy or sell—or both!—and navigating the challenges of that process, or we’re looking in as an outsider, feeling grateful that we’re not entrenched in it. For those of us in the former category, it’s times like these when it’s more important than ever to have an expert by our side. Not necessarily a friend of a friend, or someone new to the industry, but someone who has been proven to get results. In this section, we’re spotlighting West Michigan’s R ..read more

With Memorial Day on the horizon, here are some curated travel ideas that offer a hassle-free way of getting there. Traveling can have numerous health benefits, both mental and physical. Taking a vacation allows one to break away from daily routines and experience new environments, which promotes relaxation. Exposure to new stimuli can inspire creativity and sharpen problem-solving skills, as it encourages individuals to think outside their usual frames of reference. Sometimes traveling in and of itself can be a major stressor. One way to get around that is to cut your time en route down to t ..read more

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 16, 2024, where astronomy takes center stage at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Meijer Theater. The the GRPM and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association have joined forces to shed light on the vital issue of preserving our state’s dark skies with a presentation by University of Michigan professor Sally Oey. Dr. Sally Oey, courtesy photo. As the founder and chairperson of Michigan Dark Skies, Oey is at the forefront of the battle to preserve our celestial heritage. Drawing upon her expertise and passion, she will illuminate audiences with th ..read more