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Bonnie & Terry Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Calvin College ~ January Series ~ Free Lectures for Our Community & Yours

Calvin College is presenting their 22nd January Series - a liberal education for

the local community. Featuring world class speakers on topical subjects to

enlighten and educate our community. This effort is underwritten by local

businesses and charities. The 2009 line up of speakers can be seen here.

This year they are promoting new remote locations for viewing, which are here

in Western Michigan, but also locations all over the country and in Canada.

Calvin College also offers The Archives online. You can listen to speakers

for the past 11 years in the comfort of your home.

It is not too late to catch a lecture. There are 7 speakers left on this year's

agenda, including Christine Brennan, female sports columnist for USA Today

and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

These are two speakers we plan on hearing in person.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 ~ All rights reserved

Loans that Change Lives ~ Kiva.org

The January Series is back at Calvin College this month. We have several

talks that we have attended already. Today, we have an offer we are preparing

and the wind chill is -18 Degrees. I decided to stay home and listen live to the

1 hour presentation by film director, Robert Rooy, on Microfinance - Changing

lives in Poverty. Robert has filmed all over the world for non-profits so they

can tell their stories via film. He is an accomplished director and donates his

off time to helping non-profits film in remote locations.

He recommends Kiva.org as a means to donate to microfinance small business

opportunities for poor people all over the planet. This system really works.

So I checked it out and I am now helping Mujeres Unidos Group in Peru.

I will get monthly updates on their progress, whether they pay the loan back

and just how it helps their lives. Ain't the internet great?

You get to choose where your money goes, and you get updates on how

they are doing. Paypal makes the payment easy and safe.

Please go to Kiva.org and take a look. You can donate as little as $25.

You could make a difference in someone's life today.

For the price of a lunch for the two of us, we can actually

help people rise out of poverty.

7/24/09 - UPDATE: We have been paid back for our first loan, I have reinvested the

money into another women's coop, and made another loan, also. Currently, I have

loaned money to entrepeneurs in Peru, Kenya, and Afghanistan.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 ~ All rights reserved

The Thrill of Winter

Do you remember when the first snowfall was an exciting, thrilling adventure?

I couldn't wait to get my snow gear on and get out into the white fluff and PLAY!!

This dog feels the same way. I'm sending this contagious Christmas spirit to

all of you.

Capture the thrill.

Enjoy the moment.

PLAY!!

http://maniacworld.com/dog-having-a-blast-in-the-snow.html

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all!!

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate

Have a Beer Tasting Brunch for the Holidays

What do Breakfast Stout and Wild Blue have in common with Dogfish Brewery?

breakfast beer assortment

They are all micro brews that are unique. This is the second time we have

hosted a "BEER TASTING BRUNCH". What a lot of fun. Now, I must say I

am not a beer aficionado. The cinnamon rolls would have more appeal for me

but some of these specialty brews are really unusual. One of my favs was

the Wild Blue, made with Michigan blueberries. I know it sounds strange but

it was really good! The Oatmeal Stout was hefty.....guaranteed to have you

napping on the couch by 2pm.

The original brunch was gobbled up fast, so I only have a still life photo to

represent our feast. This is a great idea for a Holiday Brunch...the beer lovers

will appreciate it. And the non-beer lovers will get a chance to taste beers they

never would order at a pub. Happy Solstice, Everyone!!

Bottoms UP!!

Beer Stores in Grand Rapids Area

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Real Estate

Copyright 2008 Allrights reserved

Photo by Bonnie Westbrook