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6 Ways to Relax During ArtPrize

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Two people relax with wine on a blanket at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids

If you are a long-time resident of Grand Rapids, then you know all of the hustle and bustle that comes along with ArtPrize. The annual local art competition, which draws in more than 500,000 visitors, is truly a spectacle.
After you take time to check out all of the amazing art and downtown activities at ArtPrize (which you definitely should), you may find yourself in need of a bit of R&R, or a quick escape from downtown.
Here are some awesome ways to unwind without wandering too far from home:

Check out a new park

Pack a picnic (we suggest iced red wine and cheese) and go discover your new favorite park. Friends of GR Parks has a list of all the amazing parks in Grand Rapids and what each has have to offer.
Grab your friends, escape the buzz of downtown, and relax outdoors. Whether you want to toss a frisbee, read a book, or hang with your dog, Grand Rapids undoubtedly has a perfect park for you.

Explore neighboring communities

West Michigan has so many fun and exciting neighborhoods on the outskirts of downtown that are perfect for exploring. Beer fan? A new brewery has recently opened in Alger Heights.
Hankering for shopping? The city of Rockford has many local shops in its downtown district and a farmers market every Saturday.
Dinner and art? The city of Muskegon has plenty of lakeside restaurants along with a nationally recognized art museum. Get out there and explore all of West Michigan.

Get active on Kent Trails

Kent Trails is a 15-mile paved path that does not allow motor vehicles. This trail goes through the cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Walker, Wyoming, and Byron Townships, so no matter where you are located in Grand Rapids, you can hop on the trail.
Bring your family and friends with you and head out for a run, walk, bike ride, or rollerblading adventure.

Enjoy a fall color tour

Nothing compares to the beautiful colors throughout the state of Michigan during the fall. Pack the car and head out on a road trip along the coast to enjoy the new season.
Pure Michigan has put together an extensive list of the best places to go on a color tour, and they even have customized tours depending on the date you want to go. Thanks, Tim Allen!

Visit Lake Michigan

Head to Holland or Grand Haven to soak in the last few weeks of Lake Michigan before it freezes over. Both of these coastal towns have interesting shops to explore, local dining, and unbeatable views for breathtaking sunsets.

Stay In

Sometimes, soaking up the sunshine through the window while laying on your couch is the best way to relax.
Catch up on your reading, try to finish a puzzle, embark on a new Netflix binge session, or, most importantly, take time to research the candidates in the upcoming midterm election.
Once you’ve seen all of ArtPrize, don’t forget everything else West Michigan has to offer. There are so many places to go and endless new things to try. If you’re in need of local recommendations, reach out to our team today and we will point you in the right (relaxing) direction.

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We’re officially two days out…

Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause is happening this Thursday, Sept 24, and we’re getting real about perimenopause with a panel of industry experts who have the answers (see our speaker spotlights for more details).

Come for the expert insight. Stay because you get to hang with us.

Registration closes soon. Grab your spot at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18067707920767584
We’re officially two days out… Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause is happening this Thursday, Sept 24, and we’re getting real about perimenopause with a panel of industry experts who have the answers (see our speaker spotlights for more details). Come for the expert insight. Stay because you get to hang with us. Registration closes soon. Grab your spot at the link in bio.

Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes.

Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday.

Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Secure your spot at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18013559684753405
Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday. Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Secure your spot at the link in bio.

Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable.

Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1.

Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners.

Go apply at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18247359124310352
Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable. Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1. Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners. Go apply at the link in bio.

Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm.

Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women`s health.

Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan`s first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer`s 2018 campaign.

She`s exactly the voice this conversation needs.

Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17876488173630026
Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm. Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women's health. Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan's first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer's 2018 campaign. She's exactly the voice this conversation needs. Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week.

We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17917175178450239
We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week. We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

We`ve received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up.

It`s not who you know, it`s who knows you
Use the playbook of people you admire
Show up consistently and be seen
A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always.

See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18092872106558307
We've received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up. It's not who you know, it's who knows you Use the playbook of people you admire Show up consistently and be seen A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always. See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.
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