The Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, Michigan is the largest 25k road race in the United States and usually brings in some of the worlds top runners. This year, however, many of the elite runners had to pull out due to the upcoming Olympics.

Results are not in yet for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 2008 race in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Results will be posted as soon as they come in.

Update:

2008 Olympian Brian Sell wins River Bank Run; Caroline Chepkorir wins women’s division.

This is the third win for Brian at the Fifth Third River Bank Run. Brian Sell’s time was 1 hour, 15 minutes and 8 seconds. Congrats Brian!

Caroline Chepkorir ’s race time was 1 hour, 29 minutes and 34 seconds. This is Caroline first 25k event she has ever run. Congrats goes to Caroline.

Fifth Third River Bank Run: 05/10/2008 Results

I know it has been a while since I last posted but the time has just zoomed by.

Now all the spring and summer events are upon us. We have not only a lot of work at home to do but the outdoor fun is really starting to begin.  There is barely time in a day for sleep.

Now all of our favorite ice cream shops have opened for business  and the Harbor Front is ready for its visitors. What to do in our spare time? Take care of house chores or hang out in Grand Haven and remember why we love living here. I vote for Grand Haven.

The earlier post on the opening of the Sunflower Gourmet had the store opening in April. It seems the owner is really into details and wants her store the top of the line for gpourmet foods and is now going to be opening in May.

This may be a little disappointing for many as I know it is for me. I am anxious to visit the Sunflower Gourmet. But I am sure the wait is going to be well worth the wait.

Jenny Wilkes is the owner of Sunflower Gourmet and I am sure she would appreciate everyone stopping in to say “Hello!” when the store opens. Give her a big community welcome.

Thanks Jenny for stopping by and keeping us updated.

Visit Sunflower Gourmet at the website and keep updated as to the progress of the opening. Here is the link with pictures and all of its progress. Sunflower Gourmet

The Grand Haven Municipal Marina sidewalks and lawn areas are completely torn up. New sidewalk for the docks and power hook-ups will be installed.

Where once there were 31 docks now there will be 28 fixed slips to accommodate larger boats. There will also be a price increase for boaters wanting to spend the night. A 24-foot boat will pay $27 a night, compared to $24 last year. Meanwhile, a 40-foot vessel will pay $48, up from $43. This will bring the price up to the premium rates that other marinas in the area are charging.

I am glad to see all these improvements to our local Grand Haven area. I think all the summer people are going to be pleasantly surprised as well.

The Grand Haven waterfront area just keeps getting better and better. It won’t be long now until all these boaters get into the water. Hopefully no one will be turned away from our Municipal Marina when they come to dock for the night. Grand Haven loves its boaters.

The Great American Sports Complex West Olive, Michigan got rezoning approval. On February 28 the Port Sheldon township agree to give the sports complex a rezoning of the 113 acres from agriculture and commercial to a planned unit development.

With the passing of the re-zoning, this will allow more dialog to open up for the Great American Sports Complex. This is a big step in allowing the sports complex to be located in West Olive, Michigan to hopefully complex Phase 1 of their plans.

If all goes on schedule with the sports complex the real estate property in the area could become extremely valuable to commercial opportunities.

Location:
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The Ride was a huge success yesterday at the Lakes Mall in Muskegon Michigan. There was a record number of teams that turned out to support the Mercy General Health Partner’s Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center.

The first ever womens division was won by the Twisted Sisters . Great Job Ladies!

The Twisted Sisters also won several heats.

There was a nice turn out to support The Ride.

The onlookers were even having a great afternoon at the Lakes Mall In Muskegon. You could hears cheers and applauds from the crowds as each team was racing against the 25 minute clock. Every one was having a great time.

With all the support of this years The Ride event I am sure that a great deal of money was raised for the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center. It is great when you see the community being so supportive for such a good cause. Thanks every one who supported this event!

Update on “The Ride” Results:

Team Totals

Heat Totals

Individual Totals

While other residential properties in the Grand Haven and Spring Lake area have maintained there value the Lake Michigan waterfront properties in our area and surrounding has risen already this year up 13%. This is expected to rise in the coming months as we say good-bye to winter. The price of waterfront properties in Michigan will continue to affect the whole area.

Added with the new construction going on with the Grand Landing and the proposed Country Suites Hotel on our waterfront real estate, this could bring in more potential buyers visiting our area.

Grand Haven and Spring Lake are great places to live and raise our children, but we do pay a premium with our property taxes. We could chose to live inland away from the Lake Michigan shoreline, but this is why I live here is because of the waterfront. I don’t complain about the price of real estate when summer is here and I am enjoying this community and visiting the other communities along the lakeshore.

I do not know how much the rise in waterfront properties is going to affect our property taxes when we get the tax bill for next year, but I am not even going to worry about that while I am enjoying the reason I live here this summer. Lake Michigan waterfront property is hopefully always going to be at a premium. With the real estate sales decline, we are fortunate that we here in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake and surrounding areas have not been hit by the market bust. Just go inland a few miles and see how property values have plummeted.

The return of daylight savings time is welcome news after a long winter here in Michigan. We have had record snow falls and long dark days for far too long along the lakeshore.

More daylight hours means spring is around the corner here. We will actually be able to go out in the evening and it will still be light. Cabin fever is coming to an end for many of us.

So, do not forget to spring a head this weekend March 9, 2008  as daylight savings returns along the lakeshore in Michigan.

This year has some new surprises for children and adults alike. There are many new acts that the Muskegon audiences have never seen before.

Attendance is expected to be higher than normal. People are ready to get out and have some family fun after this long winter weather that we have had this year along the lakeshore in Michigan.

The Shrine Circus has always be a welcomed site for the people of Muskegon and surrounding areas. The an array of clowns, aerialists, equestrians daredevils, jungle animals, cyclists and even bears are exciting to experience no matter what the age.

Tickets are $6.50 in advance, $7 at the door. Available at the arena box office. To reserve by phone, call (231) 726-2400.

Show times for the Shrine Circus are 7 p.m. Friday (tonight) and 10 a.m., and 3 and 7 p.m. March 1. 

Come to Muskegon’s L.C. Walker Arena along the lakeshore of Michigan and and have a good time with your family enjoying the Shrine Circus.

The Ride is a unique event on Saturday, March 15, 2008 geared to get everyone’s legs and hearts pounding! Forty five teams of eight cyclists - riding bicycles mounted on trainers-will race in 25-minute intervals for a chance to win serious cycling and lighthearted awards.

Form a Team - Anyone can form a team consisting of eight members and one alternate. Each team must provide one bike (exercise cycles are not allowed) to be mounted on a trainer. Each team member will ride for 25 minutes. Participants will receive refreshments and a commemorative gift. The entry fee is $400 per team, just $50 per rider. Some teams ask an area business or company to sponsor their team! Team registration deadline is February 29, 2008 (late registration will be accepted as space allows).

To find out further information check The Ride

Be a Supporter - Make a donation of any amount to a team to help them raise funds for the Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center.

Be a Volunteer - Don’t want to sweat? Volunteer to help on race day, or for setup the night before.

Be an Event Sponsor - Recognition is based on sponsorship level (starting at $500/year for three years). Sponsorship deadline is February 16, 2008 (late submission will be accepted as space allows.

The Ride event is a fundraiser benefitting Mercy General Health Partner’s Mercy H.E.A.R.T. Center. All proceeds will support the H.E.A.R.T. Center’s Charles F. Schuler, Jr., Memorial Fund. The Fund’s purpose is to educate our community about the importance of having a healthy heart through exercise, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices for the entire family.

Proceeds will be used to purchase health educational materials and equipment, exercise equipment, host family health fairs and symposiums for the Greater Muskegon community to sponsor families who have limited financial resources, which may preclude them from attending health classes or programs offered at the H.E.A.R.T. Center.

Come to the Muskegon Lakes Mall on March 15 to root for your team participating in The Ride.