Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News.
And I’d like to use today’s introduction to say thank you for allowing us to occupy a small part of your day.
I started this company just over a year ago, and it’s helped me meet awesome people, step into rooms that I couldn’t have otherwise, and provide value in ways that I never imagined.
If you’re reading this, thank you for being an early supporter.
Now, let’s get into today’s issue.
~LeQwane L.
The Great Food Giveaway Returns
Next week, on Tuesday, the team from The Eric Zane Show Podcast is hosting its Great Food Giveaway at Ervine’s Auto Repair (4311 Stafford SW) in Wyoming.
Volunteers will hand out…
Christmas dinners
pet food
feminine hygiene products
The event is funded by local cash and item donations.
In past years, people have lined up before the start time, so the team recommends lining up early if you or anyone you share this with is interested in getting supplies before they run out.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
City
New $98M Public Service Center
On Tuesday, the new Public Service Center at 1500 Scribner Ave NW opened. The $98.2M project brings Public Works, Fleet and Facilities, and Parks and Rec operations into one campus. The site will support ~190 employees across 17 city divisions and includes a large salt dome, EV charging, and even space for equipment like snow plows and street sweepers. The move also freed up the former location on Market for the Acrisure Amphitheater and new housing. | Read more
Utilities
Water Rates Change
At the latest commission meeting, the city approved a systemwide water rate increase of 6.38%, while dropping sewer rates by an average of 3.09% starting on the 1st. For most city households, the combined quarterly bill would still rise about 2%, or roughly $5 per quarter, based on city estimates. | See proposed rate charts
Health
New Program to Cut Repeat 911 Calls
Grand Rapids Fire Department and Corewell Health have launched a six-month pilot that adds a full-time community health worker to help coordinate care after 911 calls. GRFD handles ~17,000 medical calls a year, and about 5% come from repeat callers. The new role helps connect people to the right follow up care and reduce avoidable ER visits. | Read more
Ask Grand Rapids 🤔
Have you done anything festive/ winter related yet?
Talk Of The Town
🤸 Playful Art with A Cause Comes To Downtown
The Anooki art installation, two fun, inflatable, Inuit-inspired characters made by French designers, is appearing downtown soon. The inflatables “travel” the world delivering a playful message about environmental awareness.
🎄 Lights on Creston
The Creston neighborhood is hosting its annual Lights on Creston event. Similar to Uptown’s Shop Hop, you can experience a festive trolley/ stroll while visiting over a dozen local businesses participating in the area. In addition to a free tree lighting ~7:30 PM.
🍎 Best Cider in Michigan
Engelsma’s Applebarn won first place in the Michigan Cider Contest. This marks the 9th time since the mid-2000s that the 100-year-old farm has taken home first place. And apparently, they’ve been selling out of cider since.
Talking Shop
🍻 Vivant Brewery → Raise a glass - the popular Vivant Brewery on Cherry St. is celebrating its 15-year anniversary this weekend.
🔥 Firebird Bar → The owner of The Win in Jenison and Bridge St. Bar on the west side has acquired the former Turnstiles bar to create a new country-rock space called Firebird Bar.
Local Eats
🌹 Cafe Jazzy Rose → The all-new Cafe Jazzy Rose is opening in place of the former Pochis Restaurant downtown.
What’s Happening?
Wednesday, December 17th
Lights on Creston/ CrestKindl Markt | Creston Neighborhood | 4 PM | Free
Artist Market | Boomtown Records | 4 PM
Go-Karts with Santa | Craig’s Cruisers | 5 PM - 8 PM | $29
Holiday Fundraiser Concert at the Arts Marketplace | Midtown | 5:30 PM | $25+
Intro to Resin Dice Casting | Grand River Makerspace | 5:30-7:30 PM
Paints and Pints Holiday Ornament Decorating | Perrin Brewing Co. | 6 PM | $35
Holiday Dog Dancing | A Pleasant Dog | 6 PM | $30
Christmas Cookie Decorating Class | Vivant Brewery | 6:30 PM | $65
Christmas Cookie Decorating Class | Vivant Brewery | 6:30 PM | $65
Boots n Beats | Villa Bar | 7 PM | $10
Mick Foley | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $50
Thursday, December 18th
GR Live on WYCE 88.1FM | The Big Room | 12 PM | ?
Community Night | GRAM | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Intro to Crochet Class | Unwind GR | 5:30 PM | $35
WYCE’s Bubbles & Brews Bash | Gilmore Event Center | 5:30 PM | $38
Luminaria Walk with Friends | Ken-O-Shaw Park & Huff Park | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free
Stay Sustainable in the Holiday Season | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM | Free
Friday, December 19th
Comedian: Aaron Weber | Dr. Grins Comedy Club | Various Times | $12.95+
Holiday Lights Trolley | Kusterer Brauhaus | 3 PM - 10 PM | ?
Tidings & Tiaras: A Christmas Evening with the Princesses | JW Marriott | 5:30 PM | $107
Greenhouse Wine Social | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | $35
WWE RAW & Smackdown | Van Andel Arena | 6 PM | $56
Glow Big or Go Home Pickle Ball Tournament | 6 PM - 10 PM | ?
Winter Solstice Celebration | Blandford Nature Center | 7 PM | $15+
Small Town City Boy Comedy | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM | $25
Comedy Night: Adam Degi | 2RST | 8 PM | $15
Laugh, Sip, Paint | AllArtWorks | 7 PM - 8:30 PM | $20
For The Birds: Fledglings Fly The Nest Comedy Show | The Art of Life | 7:30 PM | $25
GRAM After Dark | GRAM | 8 PM | $15+
Comedy Night: Alastair Watt | Wealthy Theater | 8 PM | $22+
All Week
Upcoming Events
Live Music
Wednesday, December 17th
Holiday Fundraiser Concert | Midtown | 5:30 PM | $25
Dueling Pianos | RAK Thai (Downtown Market | 6 PM | Free with dinner
Teddy Brewer | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
Trisha Yearwood | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | $73
Tommy Pancy Fusion Band | SpeakEZ Lounge | 7:30 PM | $5
Thursday, December 18th
Bierkeller Boys Oompah Night | Christkindl Markt | 5 PM | Free
Keith Hall Brazilian Jazz Trio | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Choir Concert | Holy Spirit Catholic Church | 6:30 PM | Free
Shai Hulud, Holder, Bite, Judo, Armor Class | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $33
Joy Modulators | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Friday, December 19th
Bradley Sinclair and The Corey Sound Christmas | Midtown | 6 PM | $30
Kevin Schaffer & Shelby Ann-Marie | Dunneback Farm | 6 PM | Free
Holiday Classics Organ Concert | Grand Rapids Public Museum | 7 PM | $20
GR Irish Traditional Session | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Justin Dore | Downtown Market | 7 PM | Free
Jesse Cline | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
X Pozur, The Galas Brothers wsg | The Hall | 8 PM | ?
STOVEPIPE’S CARAVAN CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Sheet Pandemonium | Twisted Bull | 9 PM | Free
Green Acres, New Troy, All Points Bulletin | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
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That’s All For Today…
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