Good morning, Grand Rapids.
I’m a big animal lover, but I’m allergic to most household pets.
That’s why I love finding adoption events. I get to coo at all the animals, scratch some kitty heads, hold some puppy bodies, and then get out of there before my nose goes haywire. It’s a win-win situation.
For those of you out there not allergic to pets, consider adopting a new one at this weekend’s event. Read about that and more in today’s newsletter.
~Jenny F.
Free Pets
Pets can be expensive. They need food and toys and shots. Sometimes just adopting a new furry friend can empty the wallet.
Not this Saturday, though. On August 29th, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Humane Society of West Michigan is hosting a Free Adoption Day at their Wilson Drive location. You can adopt any pet six months or older for free.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign about whether you should get a pet, this is it. Go check out the event and make a difference not only for a dog or cat, but for you, too.
Business News
✅ New
24/7 Golf, an indoor golf simulator, is hosting a soft launch at its Standale location all this week. And as the name implies, it’s available 24/7.
❌ Closing
The IHOP on Alpine was suddenly closed yesterday due to equipment failures. They extended their hours at the Grandville location to compensate.
❗ Updates
House Rules Board Game Lounge will double its space as it moves into part of the old Moosejaw shop on Ionia.
Speaking of growing, City Built Brewing plans a $3 million expansion so beer brewing and beer drinking can happen in the same location.
Talk Of The Town
🌻 Traffic Islands Get Facelifts
The median islands along Plainfield, which were overgrown or littered with trash, will get cleaned and outfitted with new native plants. The islands filter stormwater and keep drivers alert.
🚶♂️Amphitheater Brings In Business
Every new venue has pros and cons, and even though Acrisure Amphitheater has had a tough time winning over residents, it’s winning over business owners. A lot of local companies are seeing increased traffic on concert nights.
✍ Beloved Writers Returning to Grand Rapids
Aquinas College will celebrate its 30th year of the Contemporary Writers Series with presentations from Sarah Kay, Joy Harjo, and Luis Alberto Urrea this coming fall and winter. All events are free and open to the public.
Civil News
If you’re skipping out on going down to City Hall today (don’t worry, I am too), here are a few things that they’re talking about.
ArtPrize is a go: commissioners vote to greenlight ArtPrize as a special event (Sept 1–Oct 10), plus a fireworks permit for a Gillette Bridge display on Sept 19.
Riverfront push: ~$6.5M in budget moves for Grand River riverfront and trail work — Grand River Edges Trail East, Oxford Trail, and the East Riverfront.
Public safety spending: a $125,000 contract with Cure Violence Global to keep its violence-prevention model running in the city.
New scooters: decision on a no-cost deal with Veo to replace Lime scooters for shared micromobility (e-scooters/bikes).
Election prep: polling locations and early-voting sites for the Nov. 2026 general election.
The meeting is at 7 PM. You can watch live on the City's YouTube or Facebook, or Xfinity Ch. 26.
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, August 25th
White Caps Vs Chiefs | LMCU Ball Park | (Tues - Sun) Various times | $14+
Wednesday, August 26th
28th St Wednesday Board Games | Galactic Toys | 5:30 PM | Free
African American Genealogy Group Kick-Off | GRAAM | 5:30 PM | Free
Line Dancing | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | Free
Thursday, August 27th
Dungeons & Dragons (Adults) | GRPL West Side Branch | 4 PM | Free
Thursdays on the Terrace | The GRAM | 5 PM | Free
Cheers, Queers! Social Event | Louts Brew | 6 PM | Free
Comedy: Jason Cheny | The BOB | 8 PM | $10+
Friday, August 28th
Dozynki Polish Festival | Calder Plaza | (Fri - Sun) Various times | Free
Grand Rapids Taco Fest | Riverside Park | (Sat - Sun) Various times | $6
Michigan Drag Bus | Apartment Lounge | 6 PM | $44+
Movie in the Park - The Wild Robot | Caledonia KDL | 6:30 PM | Free
Ali Siddiq | DeVos Performance Hall | 7 PM | $73+
The Dirty Comedy Hour | Tellers Lounge | 9 PM | $20
Live Music
Tuesday, August 25th
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Alabama Shakes | Acrisure Amphitheater | 8 PM - 10 PM | $70+
Wednesday, August 26th
Porcelain Blu | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Brian Oberlin | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM | Free
KESHA | Acrisure Amphitheater | 7 PM | $61
Thursday, August 27th
Loren J. Clarke | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free
Bridge St. Band | Eastern Kille Distillery | 5:30 PM | Free
Marshall Werner Music | Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen | 6 PM | Free
Esparza Blues Band | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM | Free
Mötley Crüe | Acrisure Amphitheater | 6:30 PM | $40
Jeremy Short | Philmore South | 7 PM | $22
Joshua Quimby wsg Rowdy Fingers | Tip Top | 7 PM | $12
Greensky Bluegrass | GLC Live | 7 PM | $54
Quicksand + Bane + Field Note | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $45
Matt Braunger | The Intersection | 7:30 PM | $35
Friday, August 28th
Marquita Bernard | Downtown Market | 6 PM | Free
Rory McCallan | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM | Free
Still Life; Life, Still | 616 Gallery | 6 PM | Free
Funky Brewster | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Michael Constantine, Lighting Matches, Nathan Walton & the Remedy | The Stray | 7 PM | $13
TONI ROMITI | The Intersection | 7 PM | $35
Myles Smith w/ Michael Marcagi | Frederik Meijer Garden | 7 PM | $200+
Finding Amelia + Sonic Smut + All Points Bulletin | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $21
Moonrays | Speciation Cellars | 8 PM | Free
Whiskey Bound | Rapid River Stillhouse | 9 PM | $5
Wipeout-Misplaced Memories-Deep Enough | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
🏨 Conventional Thinking: There is renewed interest in building a hotel attached to Devos Place, which would bring more conventions to Grand Rapids. The city is currently researching its feasibility.
$59M Upgrades: MDOT is set to add flexible traffic lanes to northbound and southbound U.S.131 from I-96 to Post Drive to help with rush hour congestion. The total project is worth $59M and will start next year.
Have news to report? Click here.
That’s All…
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