Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — with your mid-week update on everything GR.

I’ll be visiting the Detroit area for the weekend.

And while it’s a strange request given my newsletter covers GR, I want to know what restaurants you’d recommend I try while I’m there.

Feel free to let this author know by replying to this email. If not — no sweat.

In today’s newsletter, i’ll update you on a plan to turn garages into homes, a festival, and of course some fun to close out the week.

Thank you for taking the time to read today’s issue. Now let’s dive in.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Housing

Turning Garages Into Houses

With Grand Rapids needing over 14,000 new units by 2027, the city is pushing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as one solution. Earlier this week, Mayor LaGrand said garages across GR could be converted into small homes, adding more affordable options without major new construction. Plans to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs are expected later this year, as the city looks for creative ways to meet rising demand. | Read more on this here

Have news to report? Click here.

Wave Good-Bye to Junk!

Together with Good-Bye Junk

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Spring is here - click here or call (616) 217-3166 to get your junk removal estimate today!

Want to have your business featured in front of 2,500 locals? Contact me here.

Ask Grand Rapids 🤔 

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🏮 Lantern Festival lights up John Ball Zoo

The Lantern Festival is back with all-new sections like jungle, rainforest, and Chinese culture. Runs nightly through June 15 with tickets starting at $22.

🛋️ Westside Furniture Store Moves

The west side furniture liquidator Furn is relocating to Godfrey Ave with a bigger showroom, new modern pieces, and expanded inventory. Grand reopening is April 22.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

Post Of The Week

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Spring Break Fun

• Blandford Nature Center | All week | Free admission

• Open Skate | Patterson Ice Center | Various days | ~$10

• GRAM | Thursday | Free admissions

• Indian Mounds 45th annual rock & minerals | Rogers Plaza Town Center | April 12th | Free admission

• WMU’s AMP Lab Open House | 200 Ionia Ave SW | April 12th | Free

• Various family/ individual events | Free | Check out the Spring Break-themed events happening at your local public library branch

Wednesday, April 9th

• Community Forest Gathering | Cascade Peace Park | 6 PM - 7:30 PM | $5 | You can relax with your favorite hobby in nature alongside others, enjoy a gentle hike, and connect with the community in a peaceful forest setting

• Grand Rapids Lantern Festival | John Ball Zoo | (Weekly: Wed - Sun) 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM | Starting at $19.95

Thursday, April 10th

• Little Red Riding Hood | Grand Rapids Ballet | 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM | $7 | Performed by the apprentices and trainees of the Grand Rapids Ballet, Little Red Riding Hood tells the familiar tale of a young girl as she takes on the infamous Big Bad Wolf

• The Arnold C. Ott Lectureship In Chemistry | Grand Valley State University | 5 PM - 7 PM | Free | This presentation is for groups that want to be awed by the majesty of the Universe

• West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons | LMCU Ballpark | 6:35 PM

Friday, April 11th

• Pass The S’mores | House Rules | 6:30 PM | $75 (couple) | Learn new games with this double feature with Smores Galore and Pass

• Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Texas Stars | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $18

• Marc maron | GLC Live | 7 PM | Starting at $64 | Comedy

• Presto: A Family Friendly Variety Show | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM | $30 | This all-star variety lineup is sure to blow minds and drop jaws

• No Small Endeavor Live with Malcolm Gladwell | Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center | 7 PM - 10 PM | $37

• An Evening at Hogwarts | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri, Sat) 7:30 PM | Starting at $19 | Prepare to be transported back to the wonder and enchantment of Hogwarts with a captivating concert experience celebrating the iconic music of Harry Potter

Live Music

Wednesday, April 9th

• Brother Ali | The Stache | 6:30 PM | $20 tickets

• G-Eazy Helium Tour | GLC Live | 7 PM - 11 PM | Tickets starting at $29

Thursday, April 10th

• Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime | Elevation | 8 PM | $35 tickets

• Meghan Patrick & Ashland Craft | The Stache | 8 PM | $20

• Jokes on Tap | Specitation | 8 PM - 10 PM | $5 cover

Friday, April 11th

• Club classics: Bratty Bass, Party Pop | The Stache | 8 PM | $15 - $22

• Stovepipe’s Caravan (One Man Band) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

Outside The Plaza

Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids

Muskegon:  Plans for a free beach shuttle in Muskegon moved forward on Tuesday after the city commission unanimously approved the proposal.

That’s All For Today…

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