Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — your cheat code to being the most powerful person at work (at least when it comes to knowing about GR).
As always, I hope you learn something interesting today.
While you’re here, how have you been liking our new publishing schedule (Tuesday/ Friday) so far?
Thoughts on new our publishing schedule?
~LeQwane L.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
City
Grand Rapids Funds Neighborhood Projects
The City of Grand Rapids is opening its checkbook to fund your ideas on how to improve homelessness, affordable housing, neighborhood safety, behavioral health, and wage growth. Submissions are open from today until Jan. 20th, and selected groups will be invited to submit full proposals. The city is hosting virtual info workshops Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. and Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. | Read more
Data
How Downtown is Holding Up
The latest Downtown Vitals Report reveals how the heart of our city is performing. I glance at the report and see data on YoY visitors, employment growth (and shrinking), occupied buildings, housing, investment, and a bunch of other interesting data. If you're interested in seeing local trends, check it out. | Downtown GR Vitals Report
Have news to report? Click here.
Civil News
On the agenda for today’s City Commission meeting:
Public thoughts: development opposition, downtown info center ideas, and more
Major bond refinancing for water ($41M) and sewer ($48M) systems
Authorizing $~460k for fire station asset planning, repairs, and facility investments
Arts and culture funding plus updates to GR’s conflict-of-interest policy
Easements, sidewalk improvements, and infrastructure cleanup items
Neighborhood Enterprise Zone request for 125 Ottawa Ave
Location: 300 Monroe Ave NW
Time: 2 PM (open to the community)
Talk Of The Town
🎰 Pinball For All
On Wednesday, the popular music venue, bar, and pinball machine arcade, The Pyramid Scheme, is hosting a day of free pinball for everyone. Starting at 4 PM, each of their 20 pinball machines will be free to play for all ages until 8 PM, when the 21+ rule kicks in.
🛠️ Are You Getting Creative?
Creative Mornings is looking to open its stage for people doing exciting (and creative) things around town. If you’ve got something you want to share with hundreds of creatives in the area, check it out.
Talking Shop
🌮 Asada → The Tex-Mex restaurant (previously named Basalt) announced its closing its doors after 5 years due to low sales - final day is Jan. 25th
⭐ Macy’s → The Macy’s located at Rivertown Mall is closing as the company shifts its focus toward performing stores
💎 The Craft Outlet → A craft store that hosted classes, sold supplies to vendors, and acted as a hub for creators, is closing on Saturday after 25 years of operating
Hiring
Kent County → The county is hiring for a handful of careers, ranging from officers to nurses and typists
BoJangles → The first BoJangles in Michigan is having its hiring event today (yes, that means they’re opening VERY soon)
Community Feature
Photo of Anooki Figures | Courtesy of World of Winter (📍Ah-Nab-Awen Park | DeVos Place)
What’s Happening?
Wednesday, January 14th
Flea Market | Godwin Mercado | 3 PM - 7 PM | Free
Free Pinball Day | Pyramid Scheme | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free
Board Game Night | Two James Spirits | 6:30 PM | Free
Argentine Tango | Ritual Wines | 8 PM | $10
Thursday, January 15th
Line Dancing Road Tour | Various barsThursday, January 15th | (Thu - Sun) Various times | Free
Camper, Travel, & RV Show | DeVos Place | (Thur) Various times | $12+
Housing the Dream: Why we can’t wait | Wealthy Theatre | 6 PM | Free
Luminary Bike Ride at World of Winter | Studio Park | 6 PM | Free
Nature Night: Monarchs | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM | Free
Roll Play, Play Roll | Comedy Project | 8:30 PM | ?
80’s Adult Night Skating Party | Tarry Hall Roller Rink | 8:30 PM | $10
Friday, January 16th
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ | GR Civic Theatre | (1/16 - 2/1) Various times | $31+
Friday Night Food Trucks | Monroe | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Sound Bath & Meditation | Ah-Nab-Awen Park | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Free
Contra dance | Fifth St. Hall | 7 PM | $12
Comedy: Brian Regan | GLC Live | 8 PM | $59
Live Music
Tuesday, January 13th
Wednesday, January 14thIrish Session w/ Keala Venema | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Wednesday, January 14th
Beanpoles | The Villa Dungeon | 6 PM | Free
Open Band Night | The Stray | 6:30 PM | Free
Grace Helbig | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM | $33+
Open Mic Night | City Built | 7 PM | Free
Thursday, January 15th
The Carl Webb Band Duo | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Kody Bryant | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
B93 Guitar Pull | The Intersection | 6:30 PM | $20
G. Love & Special Sauce | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $50
John Pizzarelli Trio | St. Cecilia | 7:30 PM | $35
Hibiki - Kavic - Prim | Mulligan’s Pub | 9 PM | Free
Friday, January 16th
Ostia World Music | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Charlie Hoats Trio | CitySen At CityFlats | 7 PM | Free
SilentBark Live | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | $5
T.I.M | 2RST | 7 PM | $12
School of Rock | The Stray | 7 PM | $11+
Boston Pops Tribute | GR Symphony | 7:30 PM | $28+
The Half Ton Band | Founders | 8 PM | Free
The Shootouts | Tip Top | 8 PM | $17+
Daft Disko | The Stache | 9 PM | $15+
Jedi Mind Trip | The BOB | 9 PM | $5+
On The fly | Shots on the River | 9 PM | Free
Josh Kaufman | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Sushi Roll Band | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
Sports
Wednesday
Home Opener - Grand Rapids Rise | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $19+
Friday
GR Griffins vs. Rockford Icehogs | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $29
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
/
That’s All For Today…
⭐ If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, copy the link to the post and share it with a friend. Every new reader that joins our email helps.
📧 Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Let’s talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.
Connect: Linkedin
Made with ❤ in Grand Rapids