With the coming of autumn, life starts getting hectic in Grand Rapids. Let me show you where to get classy and sassy, tickle your taste buds, ogle a gourd, and get your Polish on.
Moxie Beauty and Hair Parlor (4329 Kalamazoo Ave SE) is a new hair salon that's located in the threadbare Town and Country Shopping Mall. The cozy shop is friendly with a fun rock-and-roll attitude that reflects owner Stephanie Strowbridge's personality. The three-chair shop is decorated with classic Americana and cool music playing in the background, from rockabilly to Motown. Stephanie is a four-year veteran of the hair trade who learned barbering and hair styling techniques at the knee of David Pressley, a 99-year-old barber in Royal Oak.
In addition to regular haircuts and styling options ($20 - $30), Stephanie's traditional training can be seen in the finger waves and retro up-do options. Moxie offers "Look Packages" with hairstyling, make-up, and manicure starting at $75 and are inspired by various 20th century fashions such as the 1930s look of Jean Harlow, Betty Grable (1940s), Marilyn Monroe (1950s), and Bridget Bardot (1960s). The shop also has hard-to-find retro beauty and fashion products. You can choose from the American Greaser Supply pomades and waxes to give your pompadour maximum shine and height. They have a variety of exotic scents from Haydria Perfumery, including pin-up model Bernie Dexter's signature perfume and the Noir Red lipstick in gold packaging by Bésame Cosmetics is ultra glam.
Two doors down, Thai Express (4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE) is another jewel. Ms. Jing opened the restaurant in 2007 to bring authentic and tasty Thai food to Grand Rapids. The space is neat as a pin with no annoying smells or greasiness. Thai Express is built around an open prep area, so you can watch the septuagenarian cooks from Thailand preparing your meal with fresh ingredients.
I started my meal with handmade spring rolls that are light and crisp, then dipped them in their own duck sauce, which is tangy and flavorful without red food coloring. I like my food like my women: spicy. Just ask the saucy Miss Carolita. With that, I ordered the red Thai curry with pork and asked for a heat level of five, but I suggest you start at level two. The Gang Dang is a delicious stew with chunks of bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and pork in coconut milk garnished with sweet basil. Thai Express also offers a range of vegetarian meals and can accommodate most food allergies.
Growco Indoor Garden Supply (1042 Michigan NE) is known for discretely facilitating the production of rather esoteric plants, often grown in attics and basements in Heritage Hill. Yet, every October they host a much more public celebration of farming exuberance. The Giant Pumpkin of Hillsdale County makes its big-city debut on a pallet in Growco's parking lot. The mellow shop displayed a 690-pound behemoth last year and they expect a much larger specimen in 2009. Growco owner Jay Lawrence says cultivating Cucurbita maxima can be addicting. Modern giant pumpkins are descended from overly large gourds developed by Howard Dill in Nova Scotia. Besides a handful of seeds, which cost $1 each at Growco, you will need a big yard, lots of water, and a special concoction of fertilizers and other nutrients to accelerate the plant's growth. Authorities warn that acorn squash are a gateway drug for this agricultural affliction.
Everyone is Polish during the Pulaski Days (Oct. 2 - 4) in Grand Rapids. The citywide event, founded by the Diamond Avenue Hall in 1973, includes 14 Polish halls and membership clubs in blue-collar neighborhoods across the city. Pulaski Days celebrates the best of Polish culture, namely pride, community, religion, and malted beverages. The Pulaski Days Parade will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. along Fulton Street. Be sure to wave to the Pulaski Day Queen, Sarah Uzarski, who is as sweet as a paczki. The Polka Mass will be celebrated on Sunday at 11 a.m. in theJohn Ball Park Bandshell. Starting in the afternoon, Pulaski Days moves into the halls. You can walk to many of them, including three along Michigan Street on the Eastside and five along Lane Street on the West side. A van service is available to maximize your participation.
