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The hectic start of the back to school season no doubt has you dreaming about a tranquil escape. How can summer vacation have passed so quickly? We hear you! The good news, you don’t have to wait until next summer to plan your next getaway or to experience fantastic Michigan weather.

Between the boom in restaurants, coffee shops and office tenants, it is no surprise Grand Rapids’ West Side has become a go-to spot. Rockford Construction, which has been the catalyst for many of the changes on the West Side, wants the historic neighborhood to not only be a destination for eating and shopping, but also a place to call home.

When the Grand Rapids Downtown Market first opened in 2013, Rylee's Ace Hardware was there with a pop-up store, featuring Fiesta "factory seconds.” Fiesta dinnerware maker, The Homer Laughlin China Co., has strict rules about where it allows the popular art deco dinnerware to be sold, however, so Fiesta pop-up shops are only allowed to operate for a limited time and at very few retail locations.

Is there a room you've been aching to repaint in your house but you just can't decide on the color? You're not alone. Choosing the wrong color is a common fear among DIY-ers.

You’ve seen the most obvious thing that happens when you fertilize the grass: It greens up and grows. But you might not realize that when you feed the grass, there’s always more happening than meets the eye. The roots are growing deep into the soil to help the plant withstand heat and drought. The blades are growing and making sugars for the plants to use alongside the fertilizer you apply. Depending on the season, the lawn could be "waking up" or getting ready for winter, but either way, regular feeding is a crucial part of lawn care.

The new Kingma’s Market in Ada offers convenient shopping with an emphasis on community building.

Reputation is everything. TruKitchens recognizes this and, in keeping with its sterling reputation garnered throughout West Michigan, as well as north to the Traverse City area and east to Okemos, leads the way in kitchen and bath design — and custom design of client-specific closets tailored to the needs of the individual.

Whether it’s a bus trip to the Grand Rapids Symphony, a visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park or viewing an exhibit of local work at the facility’s in-house gallery, on any given day at Clark Retirement Community, residents have the opportunity to partake in numerous arts, entertainment and cultural activities.

Less than two hours north of Grand Rapids and offering both a bustling downtown and miles and miles of preserved natural areas (including 28 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline), Ludington makes the perfect quick getaway for families, couples or a group of friends.