A child offers a giraffe a leafy snack at the Binder Park Zoo. The Battle Creek zoo opens for its 45th season on May 1, 2022. (Photo provided by Binder Park Zoo) BATTLE CREEK, MI -- Advance admission tickets to Binder Park Zoo are now available for purchase online following a system upgrade. Guests can purchase tickets and parking at www.binderparkzoo.org, the zoo near Battle Creek announced in a news release on May 25.

A franchise location of a French pastry shop will open next week in downtown Grand Rapids. Rockford couple Bobbi Jo and William Blanton will host a grand opening for their franchise of Le Macaron, at 132 Monroe Center St. NW in Grand Rapids, on Friday, June 3, according to store manager and Grand Rapids resident Megan McCurdy.

HOLLAND — The first in a string of new barbecue restaurants has opened in Holland. Bar-B-Que's held a soft opening Sunday, May 8. "Want to thank everyone that came out and supported our soft open," the business wrote on Facebook. "We had a great turnout! Today was a learning curve for us to get the experience of running the business and to learn how to cater to our customers."

It’s a potluck brunch where we actually meet other Blessed is She sisters face to face. We talk with each other, share a meal, have small group / large group time, and pray with each other. It’s community in the flesh. Fill out the form below to RSVP “Yes!” <—- Because, really, let’s hang out. Blessed Brunch in Belmont, MI on June 6th at 10:00am Once you fill out this form, you will receive an email from the hostess with the brunch address!

Grand Rapids children play at the Joe Taylor Memorial Park splash pad. (MLive File Photo) GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids’ three public pools and 14 splash pads will reopen for the season on Friday, June 10. “Our pools and splash pads offer much needed opportunities to get active and cool off during the summer months,” said David Marquardt, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

A downtown Grand Rapids new American-style restaurant is expanding to a lakeshore town. Social House Kitchen & Bar — a new American, gastropub-style restaurant at 25 Ottawa Ave. SW in downtown Grand Rapids — said Tuesday, May 24, it is planning to open a second location this month at 248 Broadway St. in South Haven.