GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- There is no question 2012 was great year for Grand Rapids and beer.

A record number of breweries opened, including Eastown’s Harmony, Mitten Brewing, and Grand Rapids Brewing Company as well as both Pike 51 and White Flame in Hudsonville, Perrin in Comstock Park and Rockford Brewing Company. Additionally, Grand Rapid’s most successful brewery, Founders, celebrated their 15 year anniversary in style which included the release of their 15% Bolt Cutter Barleywine. But perhaps the defining moment in 2012 was the nomination and securing of the title Beer City USA in a tied vote along with previous year victors Asheville, North Carolina.

Read Article: http://www.imabeerhound.com/michigan-brewery-news/grand-rapids-beer-city-usa-2013-the-time-to-vote-is-now.html

“Be Nice Bench” is only one of many that is being displayed in RiverTown Mall through May 1st. Students from Grandville High School, Austin Rankin, Sarah Trumbull and Joslyn Smith, along with their art teacher Debra Kreuyer, created a simple bench to represent the school. The exhibit is based on the Mental Health Foundation of W. Michigan anti-bullying initiative.

Grandville’s Middle School created a bench as well along with Rockford High School, E. Grand Rapids High School, Zeeland West High School, Harrison Park Middle School, Westwood Middle School, Spring Lake High School, Lowell High School, Godwin Middle School, and Timberland Charter Academy in Muskegon.

On May 1st, a live Art Event with local artists painting benches in the common area will precede the auction of the benches at 6:00pm. All proceeds from this auction will go to the Mental Health Foundation of W.

The community can check out his bench on display at the Rivertown Crossings Mall from April 8 through May 1. This bench was designed by art students at Grandville High School to be auctioned off in recognition of the West Michigan be nice, positive anti-bullying initiative & Mental Health Month.

For more information, Call (616)254-6570 or go on-line to www.grandville.k12.mi.us/ for more information.