Now that the FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the logistical feat of delivering it to the world begins. Early tomorrow morning, FedEx and UPS trucks will be rolling from Pfizer’s massive plant in Portage, MI to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) in Grand Rapids, MI where FedEx and UPS airplanes will be ready to start the major task of distributing the vaccine’s across the country to 636 sites over the next three days — 145 Monday, 425 Tuesday and 66 on Wednesday. In total, 2.9 million doses will ship next week from Pfizer plants in Michigan and Wisconsin.
The GFIA airport’s 10,000-foot runway makes it possible for the largest aircraft to be fully loaded and have enough runway to take off with all that weight. Just an hour away from Pfizer, the airport is ideally suited for this task.
In three weeks, they will be doing this all again when another three million doses will ship to complete the two-shot series.
We’ve compiled a list of Grand Rapids, MI greenhouses to make your shopping — and new discoveries easier.
Grand Rapids greenhouses and garden centers are one of the highlights of my summer. Perhaps that’s because we think Michigan summers are the BEST, and one of our favorite things to do is shopping at and discovering, locally owned Grand Rapids nurseries and garden centers. Sometimes it can be hard to find new places, so we’ve made a list for you, please feel free to post comments with additional suggestions.
As of Friday, April 24, the restrictions on garden stores under Governor Whitmer’s State Executive Order were lifted. While this was exciting for consumers and small business owners alike, it also came as a surprise. We reached out to Grand Rapids area nurseries and garden centers like Flowerland, Ludema’s and Koetsier’s and discovered that they all seemed to have the same message for their beloved and green-thumbed patrons: “We are elated to serve you again, and are back up to speed, please come see us.”
With the surprise reopening, a lot of demand was put on both suppliers and the workforce — greenhouses had limited staff and resources in order to help their business and plants survive during the economic freeze. For those of you with college-kids home, many of these places are still hiring for summer help.
Thanks to Matt Teliczan of Telidrone for the drone photo of Flowerland on 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Greenhouses are allowing a set number of people in their garden centers at a time to minimize the possible risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, highly trafficked areas are being frequently sanitized for consumer and employee safety. A 6-foot standing distance and proper face-mask usage are also required. Many places also have over-the-phone order placement and payment available for curbside pickup.
To make your quest to find the best Grand Rapids area nursery and garden center, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, along with notes about how they are protecting their employees and customers from COVID-19 (we’ve only made notes for places where we, or someone we know, has experienced the procedures they have in place). One of our favorite summer adventures is shopping for plants. Please leave a note in the comments if you have other places you would recommend and we will add them to our list.,
FlowerlandGrand Rapids Locations 616.532.5934 / 765 28thSt., Wyoming, MI 49509 616.784.0542 / 3801 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 616.942.5321 / 4321 28thSt. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing. Comments: When I want to make sure that I’m going to find everything I need in one trip, this is my go-to place.
NE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Knapp Valley Landscaping 616.363.8086, 4100 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Romence Gardens & Greenhouses (616) 451-8214 265 Lakeside Dr NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 COVID-19 NOTES: carts are cleaned after each use, employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing. Comments: I shopped here today, they have a great variety of annuals and perennials, this place is another of my favorites.
NW Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Andy Mast Greenhouses 877.927.1151 1534 Pannell NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Bos Greenhouses 616.949.0407 1674 Spaulding SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Huizenga Brothers Greenhouse 616.245.7409 3055 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Koetsiers Greenhouse 616.949.7299 or 616.956.1526 1601 Spaulding Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Ludema’s Greenhouse 616.452.2961 3408 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Comments:this is another favorite that I go to with my mom every year. They have wonderful plants that are great quality and quite a few unique options too.
AdaGreenhouse: Thornapple River Nursery (616) 676-0102 8080 28th St SE Ada, Michigan 49301 Comments: if you need mulch, they have a wonderful, unique composted leaf mulch. Once you use it, you won’t want anything else.
MiddlevilleGreenhouse: Creekside Growers (269) 795-7674 10197 W Garbow Rd, Middleville, Michigan COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available. Comments: I shopped here last week and was impressed with the quality, unique plants available.
Middleville GreenhouseCherry Valley Gardens (269) 795-8811 6900 N M-37 Hwy Middleville, Michigan 49333
LowellGreenhouse: Snow Avenue Greenhouse 616.897.0057 3295 Snow Ave. SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Hudsonville Greenhouse:JW Succulents 616-422-6767 4545 New Holland Street Hudsonville, MI 49426 Comments: I’ve not been here yet, but have heard wonderful things about this place.
HudsonvilleGreenhouse: WW Greenhouses (616) 669-0134 4044 Chicago Dr Hudsonville, Michigan 49426
Allendale Greenhouse:Countryside Greenhouse 616.895.5000 9050 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, MI 49401 COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available. I’ve heard from quite a few people that they are impressed with how Countryside is keeping their customers safe. Comments: Countryside is enormous and is known for great pricing and an excellent variety.
NW Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Mottman’s Greenhouses 616.677.1525 0-2617 River Hill Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49534 COVID-19 NOTES: I’ve heard from friends that employees and customers have not been wearing masks or social distancing here.
Kalamazoo Greenhouse:River Street Flowerland 269.342.9207 1300 River St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048 Comments: every year my mother and I make the hour long trek to this greenhouse. They have an amazing variety of classics and unique plants.
Caledonia Greenhouse: Apols Water Gardens 616-698-1030 9430 Kalamazoo Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Comments: this is my go-to place for water gardens. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.
A unique view at Roselle Park after the storm blew the top off of one of the silos. Photo courtesy of Matt Teliczan, Telidrone.
This summer straight-line winds did some major damage in West Michigan, wiping out huge old trees and redecorating some of the landscape. One of the places hit particularly hard was Roselle Park, near Grand Rapids. Luckily, Roselle Park is as beautiful as ever. We took a trip there about a week after the storm hit and even though there was still some damage that was evident, clean up crews had been hard at work restoring the park.
Roselle Park is located at 1010 Grand River Dr NE Ada, MI and features 240 acres with paved trails, an observation deck, playground area with climbing wall, prairie, wetlands, forest, and beautiful river shoreline. For those of you with high school seniors, it’s also a great place to go for senior photos.
The customized workouts are about 30 minutes, because you are able to stay at one workout station. Each member has a “fit key” that plugs into the machine with their customized workout program.There’s still time to get fit before swimsuit time this summer. But wait, are you like me when it comes to physical fitness? If I can’t have these things, I’m probably not going to be consistent with my workout:
Fast: I want a workout that can be done in 30 minutes or less.
Convenient: workout times need to be flexible and I don’t want to have to schedule anything ahead of time.
Easy to follow workout: I hate having to look up my routine on a card and have to figure out how to do it, and I want to make sure I have good form.
Effective: if I’m going to show up, I want to KNOW that I’m taking the best and quickest route to strong and lean.
Safe: getting hurt doesn’t work so good for me.
Affordable
Evidence of results before I can see them: yep, I know that sounds unreasonable, but it’s true, I’m impatient and I lose motivation when I don’t see an immediate drop in my weight on the scale.
This monitor is attached to the workout pod, it makes it easy to follow along, keep good form and does all the thinking for you. It even helps pace your workout and turns it into a game.KoKo Uses New Technology for Motivation and to Offer Everything Listed Above KoKo Fit literally addresses all of these potential setbacks for me with unique equipment that makes training fast, convenient, custom-tailored, effective, safe and affordable. As a member, each time I check in, I can track my progress with cool technology that provides a complimentary body analysis. In about a minute, it measures my percentage of muscle mass and fat, this is uploaded to my personal profile so I can track my progress. This is a game changer for me because I can see how I’m doing before it shows in my weight or clothes.
The local KoKo website explains a lot of this better than I can, or better in, stop in or call one of their locations to see for yourself how they are different. The people there are nice, with absolutely no pressure at all.
If you live in the Northeast Grand Rapids area, the Beltine location is close to you: Beltline KoKo Fitclub2830 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI Phone: 616-432-3171
In case you are wondering, no, I’m not getting paid or receiving any other benefit whatsoever to share this info about KoKo Fitclub. I simply like the place that much and want to share it with you. Members tend to stick around. When I first joined, one of the members was lamenting that he had to move to Ohio and there wasn’t a KoKo Fitclub in the area. He was seriously looking into buying a franchise to put near his new home so he could continue with this program that had been so good to him. That’s how much people love this place, and frankly, it’s been a bit of a secret. So, for those of you who check this out, you’re welcome!
Early this morning I was greeted by two messages, one by Inge, and one by my mom. Both of whom wanted to make sure that I knew I would be missing a great chance to take a picture for this blog. As my mom put it, “there’s ice diamonds on the trees.” Amazingly, it’s been that way all day, which is somewhat of a consolation for me because I am sick and tired of winter. Actually, literally sick. I have a cold. I’m thinking of venturing out to take more pictures because it’s just so pretty out right now.
I was snowbound all day yesterday due to the Great Blizzard of 2011. But being snowbound aint how I hang, so I loaded up into my car and as my husband sent me off with “Don’t get stuck,” I raced off to beat the sunset.
There was about 2 feet of snow which had drifted as high as our gutters in some areas, but it just didn’t look that impressive on camera. What to do? I decided it was time to update my Grand Rapids skyline photo, it has changed profoundly in the last year with the completion of the Helen DeVos Children’s hospital and the MSU College of Human Medicine Grand Rapids campus.
Do you see the snow? It’s there and it’s deep. By the way, I didn’t get stuck. Well actually I did get stuck. 4 or 5 times, but managed to work my way out without a tow truck (or calling for help to get out.) Happy winter!
"Presence" 72" x 36" Multi Media Painting by Ann Teliczan at Butterworth Hospital Main Lobby. Voting Code: 38751
I’ve had a few days to pick some favorite artists for ArtPrize 2010. And also to give you some tips about ArtPrize parking and other ideas to help you when you visit ArtPrize.
FEATURED ARTIST ANN TELICZAN/VOTING CODE 38751: Today I am featuring my ArtPrize entry. My work is located in the main lobby at Spectrum Health’s Butterworth Campus (the entrance on Michigan Street where they have valet parking.) When you walk in the door, my work is on the right, by the big fireplace. If you get a chance to see my work, make sure you view it close up from several different angles. I painted mica on it, which changes appearance when you view the painting from different angles. I hope you enjoy this, I created it with the intention of making something that cause positive mood transformations. If you want to see some of my other work, you can visit my website at www.Anntopia.com
ART PRIZE PARKING TIP: Parking is going to be a challenge during peak ArtPrize hours. But I have a solution, if you park in the Butterworth Hospital parking ramp on Michigan street, it’s a very short walk to many of the ArtPrize venues. A bonus is that you will probably have free ArtPrize parking if you try this (that’s not a promise though). Many times, the parking garage is unattended at the exit and the parking is free. The easiest route is to park in the parking ramp, start your ArtPrize tour at Butterworth Hospital’s main lobby, and then continue down the hill behind the hospital to other venues.
PUBLIC MUSEUM VENUE TIP: Make sure you see the work on the 3rd floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, it’s spectacular.
GRAND VALLEY ARTISTS AT ALTEN PLACE: This is another venue that has a lot of great work that is not highly publicized, I think it’s definitely worth visiting.
SKYWALKS: Don’t let the dreary weather stop you from coming downtown and enjoying ArtPrize. A lot of Grand Rapids is connected with skywalks and you can get to many of the venues by taking the skywalks.
Balloon Chain by Robert Bose (with collaborator Michael Cha) at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Voting code: 46481
I was coming home from the downtown ArtPrize celebrations tonight and got sidetracked when my friend Lisa told me that the lights above the Frederik Meijer Gardens were amazing. So of course I went there instead of going home.
“The lights” are an ArtPrize entry called “Balloon Chain” by Robert Bose. His entry is particularly striking at night and this is a don’t miss entry. While I was talking to Robert, I could hear onlookers gasping in awe and saying “Get out! Wow! Can you believe that!” Yes, it’s that cool.
The Hub is a place you will want to get familiar with, fast if you're in town for ArtPrize.
ArtPrize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan officially starts on Wednesday so I decided to go downtown today and see the status of things to come. After roaming around Grand Rapids, I wrapped up the day by visiting “The Hub.” This is a place you will want to know about if you are visiting ArtPrize.
The Hub is decked out with lounges for visitors to interact with each other
Rick and Melissa DeVos were at The Hub today checking out last minute details.
and the artists. It also has an artist lounge, which Rick DeVos, the founder of ArtPrize told me is going to be quite nice. In other words, if you’re an artist, you’re missing out if you don’t spend some time there.
If you want to know what everyone’s talking about, go spend some time at The Hub. It’s located at 155 N. Division in the Center of Grand Rapids (it’s also known as the old Federal Building.) Here’s more about The Hub from the official ArtPrize blog.
Check back often to learn more about my ArtPrize discoveries, I plan to do a lot of blogging about it.
The Frederik Meijer Gardens will be a venue for ArtPrize this year. Artprize starts September 22 at 6PM. I’m planning on going to downtown Grand Rapids to start scoping out the work that is already up (by the way, this sculpture is not an ArtPrize entry.
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