Real estate hot spot: Parkland

Second-year guard played at Eastern Washington.

Week Ending Jan. 4, 2009

Potatoes and cheese. Apples and pork. Chocolate and mint. Some flavors are commonly paired in recipes because they have a natural affinity. But what is the next tomato and basil?

This week, Genesee County, NY, Dairy Princess Anika Zuber shows how to make a Buffalo chicken wing dip perfect for any Super Bowl party.

Who are the terrorists and why do we back them? Consider the four Israeli deaths and the more than 500 Palestinian deaths in the conflict in Gaza. Previous to the start of this conflict, the Israelis had imposed horrible sanctions, not allowing in food, water and medical equipment. Electricity was severely cut and basic human rights were ignored. I would respond, wouldn’t you?

What about the gas prices? This summer we saw the price of gasoline reach a record $4.24 here in West Michigan, with price rising steadily the entire year to that point.

I never heard so much fear, complaining, finger-pointing and political flaming from so many people across the country. No one could escape the talk of how the gas prices were affecting every class of our country from the poor to the rich, from the business owners to the common workingman. For the first time in over a decade the pickup truck and SUV was unseated as the most-sold class of vehicle. Our nation’s presidential race had a huge focus on the cost of gasoline. Senate leaders in Washington were summoning oil company leaders and grilling them on Capitol Hill as if they were criminals.

Call it the West Michigan land grab.
In a challenging real estate market with prices going down and the number of properties for sale going up, one buyer continues to shop for property: local government.
And some people aren’t happy about it.
“During these economic times, they need to tighten their belt,” said Teg Baxter, a Holland Township resident.

Excitement was infectious Monday night, Jan. 5, as area teams raced to get an edge at the start of the 2009 robotics season.
FIRST Robotics had only announced the details of the season’s game on Saturday, Jan. 3, but West Ottawa had already assembled its robot’s controls, computer and electronics, attaching the robot’s “brain” to an arbitrary drive train and arms.

Arden “Speed” Smith, age 90, of Salem Twp., passed away Saturday, January 3, 2009.

Margie Lorraine Yff, age 75, of Zeeland, passed away Monday, January 5, 2009, at Zeeland Community Hospital.

Thomas and Jeanne Bossardet of Holland announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Bossardet, to Matthew Lucas, son of Paul and Sue Lucas of Zeeland.

Sean and Amy Cooper announce the engagement of their daughter, Alyssa Cooper, to Kurtis Homkes, son of Kurt and Karen Homkes of Hamilton.

Jennifer Ashlee Torrey and Dane Scott Guernsey were united in marriage on September 6, 2008, at Grand Ledge Opera House in Grand Ledge, MI.

Katie Lynn Schout and Daniel John Ruberg were united in marriage on October 3, 2008, at First Baptisit Church in Zeeland.