Good afternoon, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News, and in honor of Chuck Norris’ life, we’d like to encourage you to adopt the message from his final Instagram post (a video of him sparring just a week before his death at 86): Don’t age. Level up.
RIP Chuck!
~LeQwane L.
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The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Housing
Tacos → Apartments
Earlier today, the state approved a $4.7M loan to fund a developer’s plans to demo the former Adobe Mexican Kitchen at 617 Fulton (near Seward) and start building a $25M mixed use property. The project is expected to feature ~110 apartments with upwards of 6,500 sq ft of commercial retail space. | Learn more about the project
Education
GRPS Adds Bus Safety Cameras
GRPS is launching a new bus safety program that’ll add stop-arm cameras to each bus in its fleet. The goal? To catch drivers who illegally pass while students are getting on or off. Drivers will get warnings for the first five weeks, with full enforcement starting April 27. The system is provided at no cost to GRPS. A portion of ticket sales will go toward funding the project. | Learn how it works
Development
Grand River Project Gets Final Funding
The Grand River revitalization project just landed the last piece of its funding. With more than $11 million via a Gov. grant, the project is officially ready to start restoration work through downtown. Phase one includes removing dams and adding natural rock features between I-196 and Fulton Street, with work expected to take about two years. | Read more
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Talk Of The Town
🌮 Food Truck Recovering Post Fire
After a fire completely took Street Chef Shaw’s food truck out of operation, the community is coming together to raise funds to help Shaw get back up and running. The fundraiser has exceeded its initial goal of $1.5k and is just shy of its current $5k goal in less than a couple of days.
⌚ Downtown Market Extends Hours
To better accommodate the community and adjust to the good weather (at least what’s coming), the Downtown Market has extended its daily hours for the Market Hall. Check out the new schedule.
🎙️ Jerry Seinfeld Comes To GR
The maker of one of the most popular shows of all time is coming to the Acrusire Amphitheater this summer (August 8th) for his upcoming comedy tour. Tickets go on sale later this week.
Closing
Art Supplies Store - The Service Reproduction Co. art supplies and printroom (located on Summer Ave NW) is closing its doors after 78 years of operations.
What’s Happening?
Wednesday, March 25th
Resin Cast Dice | Grand River Makerspace | 6 PM - 8 PM | $63
Erra & Currents | The Intersection | 6:30 PM | $41
Grand Rapids Rise vs. Indy Ignite | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $19
Thursday, March 26th
Edible Landscape: Intro to foraging | Grandville KDL | 7 PM | Free
Wise-crackin Warblers Comedy Show | Zeal Aerial Fitness | 7:30 PM | $20
Blair Socci | The Bob | (Thu - Sat) 8 PM, various times | $22
Friday, March 27th
Cottage & Lakefront Living Show | DeVos Place Convention Center | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $12
Jumpstart 2026 | Peter Martin Wege Theatre | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $20+
Fool House - The Ultimate 90's Party | The Big Room | 7 PM | $25
Grand Rapids Gold VS Birmingham Squadron | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $15
LaughMasters! | 2 R S T | 8 PM | $15
Live Music
Wednesday, March 25th
Keith Hall Brazilian Jazz Trio! | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Riff Raff | The Stache | 7 PM | $22
Handsome Dick Manitoba wsg The Strains and Slumlord Radio | Tip Top | 7 PM | $23
Thursday, March 26th
Michael McIntosh Solo | Michigan Moonshine Distrillery | 6 PM | Free
Graham Barham | The Stache | 6:30 PM | ?
Sam Bush | St. Cecilia Music Center | 7:30 PM | $50
Pajamas + Hannah Laine | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $21
Friday, March 27th
6 Pak | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Mammoth | The Intersection | 6 PM | $48
Michael McIntosh Solo | Brickyard Tavern | 6 PM | Free
Gary Numan | Elevation | 7 PM | $48
The Robert Cray Band | GLC Live | 7 PM | $41+
The Honeytones | SpeakEz Lounge | 7 PM | Free
Anthony Gomes | The Stache | 8 PM | $39
Crimewave: Post Unk & Darkwave | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $24
Joshua Quimby and Matt Pless | Tip Top | 8 PM | $17
The New Models, Misplaced Memories, & The Bloody Pickups | 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
That’s All For Today…
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